a/n: Hello, hello! The time has come: I'm finally writing my marauders fic. It'll cover their time at Hogwarts, 1st year through 7th. I will endeavor to be as canon compliant as possible, but note that I only count the seven books as canon. For any who may be wondering, this does exist in the same universe as 'Love You, Hate You, Miss You'. I'll be updating two to three times a week. With that, happy reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I referenced Deathly Hallows for the writing of this chapter, and the bold sections of text are taken directly from the book.

Prongs

James Potter stared at the platform. Steam drifted through the air, creating a misty, impressionistic view of the crowd. The whole platform was buzzing with excitement and energy. Parents gave final hugs and advice. Students ran to greet friends and catch up on the summer. Siblings clung tightly and begged to be brought along. On the other side of the hustle and bustle sat the gleaming, scarlet steam engine, like a dragon in its nest.

James breathed in the atmosphere. He'd been desperately awaiting this day for years, his whole life it felt. Now he was finally, finally leaving for school. By tonight, he would be at Hogwarts. By tonight, he would be in the castle he'd heard so much about. By tonight, he would—hopefully—be one of the newest Gryffindors. His mother broke his revelry by reaching down to fix his hair. He ducked out of her reach, nearly tripping over the trolley's wheels in the process.

"Mum," he berated her. Why would she embarrass him like this on the platform? Honestly.

"I'm sorry, Jamie," she replied, "It just won't lie flat."

She laughed a bit, but he noticed the tears in her eyes. It hit him, for the first time, that it would be quite a while before they saw each other again. In all his excitement, he hadn't really thought about what going to school would mean. He would miss her, just not her constant nagging.

"It's all right Mum," he said, giving her a hug, "I'll write every week."

She squeezed him back, "You've grown up so fast. It seems like just yesterday that you were in diapers, and now you're off to school."

"All right, Euphemia, don't smother him." James looked up at his father. His voice had held amusement, but James saw that he too was a little misty eyed. He rounded on James now, as his mother released him. "Now you'll be good, right? Study hard? Not get into too much trouble?"

James grinned at him, "'Course not. Wouldn't dream of it." Trouble was practically his middle name.

When his mother wasn't looking, his father added in a whisper, "Though there's nothing wrong with a little trouble. Make sure you use the cloak well."

James hugged him. "I'll tell you everything."

"You better write the moment you've been sorted," his father replied.

"And tell us about your roommates," added his mother.

"I will, I will."

"Good," his mother engulphed him in another hug. "I'm going to miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too, but I'll be back for Christmas."

"You should get going now if you don't want to miss the train," said his father, "And take good care of that owl we got you."

"Of course," said James, still delighted that they'd actually let him get an owl, "Apollo's in good hands."

"Well then. Goodbye and good luck, son."

"We love you," called his mother after him.

"Love you too," he yelled back over his shoulder, already jogging towards the train, Apollo's cage in his hand. It was time.

.

Moony

Remus Lupin gave his mother a final hug goodbye. She squeezed him tightly. "Just remember to be good, Remus. Focus on your studies, take care of yourself, and tell no one. We're very lucky that Dumbledore's arranging things for you. You'll have to make the most of it."

"I will," Remus replied. He had no intention of going against his mother's advice. She was right on all accounts, he knew. He was very lucky to be going to school. He'd never thought he would be able to. Dumbledore had even said he'd create a special place for Remus to transform. There was no way he would jeopardize any of that by telling someone. He knew better than to trust others. He was lucky to have parents willing to raise him. Others would have thrown him to the wolves. Bad metaphor, he thought, though perhaps accurate.

"You'll do well, Remus," said his father, "You've got a good head on your shoulders. You may make a fine Ravenclaw."

"I hope I will."

"Good luck. . . and, Remus," his father's tone softened slightly, "Write us, okay?"

"Of course I will." His father gave him a slight, one armed hug.

"Be careful. We'll see you at Christmas!" said his mother.

He gathered up his battered, second-hand trunk, and started for the train. It would be leaving soon, he knew, and he did not want to miss it. He climbed on board, nodding politely to the conductor, and set off to find a compartment.

It seemed that most of the compartments already held at least a student or two. Remus continued down the train, looking for an empty one. He thought he'd found one, around halfway down, only to see a girl in it at the last minute. She had long, red hair, and looked to be crying. He kept going. Finally, he reached an empty compartment, and settled down by the window with his book.

He'd already read Hogwarts: A Historymore times than he could count. It was one of the only books he'd ever gotten new, but was as worn and tattered as anything else he owned by now. He knew it inside and out, but still stopped to read his favorite passages. He would be at the castle soon, at Hogwarts. It was a place that had become, throughout his childhood, a sort of fantasy world. Unattainable. Idyllic. He was actually going there now, and felt a surge of excitement at the thought. I'm going to Hogwarts.

.

Wormtail

Peter Pettigrew glanced nervously around the platform. He was excited to be going to Hogwarts, of course, but he'd never been away from home for more than a few nights. He took in the scene around him. The platform was busy, full of people calling back and forth to one another. The air buzzed with anticipation and excitement. It was contagious. He felt himself smiling slightly.

"I'm glad to see you excited," said his mother, clearly catching his look, "Hogwarts is. . . something else." There was a bittersweet look in her eye. Peter knew that when she'd married his muggle father, his mother had given up much of the wizarding world. The man in question was looking around the platform in awe, as he always did when seeing magic. Peter's little sisters, Ava and Ara seemed just as interested.

"I can't wait 'til we get to go," said Ara. Ava nodded emphatically.

"It'll be a few years still," Peter smiled at them, "You two're only eight."

"It's so long," sighed Ara.

"You'll just have to be patient," said their father.

"I don't like being patient. And we'll miss you, Peter." She looked like she might cry.

"I'll be back before you know it," Peter assured her, and himself too, "Christmas isn't so far off."

"You'll write, won't you?" asked Ava, quietly.

"Of course I will. In fact, I'll write my first letter tonight. You'll find an owl tapping on you window by noon tomorrow." He mimicked a tapping motion at them. "Hoo hoo! Mail for Ava and Ara!"

The girls giggled. Their father hugged Peter. "Be good, okay? And have fun."

"Of course," said Peter.

Ava and Ara hugged him next, each squeezing tightly to one of his sides. He patted their heads and gently pulled away. His mother put her arms around him. "Savor it, Peter. Seven years feels long now, I know, but it passes in the blink of an eye. Enjoy it while it lasts."

"I will," he promised.

And then he was gathering his bags and the little basket that held his toad, Damion. There were final hugs and goodbyes, and he suddenly found himself climbing on the train. He walked down a car, looking for a compartment. There was one that was empty save a girl who looked to be a first year as well. She had long red hair, and sat facing the window.

Peter opened the compartment door. "Do you mind if I join you?" he asked.

She looked up, surprised. Her face was tear-streaked and her eyes bloodshot. She gave him a slight nod, and then turned away again. Her hair fell like a curtain, blocking her face from view. He considered trying to comfort her, but thought better of it. It seemed that she didn't want to be bothered.

It was strange, he thought, how quickly he seemed to have boarded the train and found this compartment. It felt as though it'd only been seconds since he was home with his family. He wiped away a stray tear of his own. Perhaps his mother was right. He would be sure to savor these years.

.

Padfoot

Sirius Black pulled out of his mother's strong grip. Her nails had been digging into his shoulder as the pair of them stepped onto the platform. "Disgusting really, that they force us to go through an area so riddled with filth to get here. I've written the school. The platform should really be floo accessible."

Sirius didn't answer, instead looking around at the busyness of the platform. Some people wore wizarding robes like himself and his mother, but many were dressed in muggle clothes. He focused his attention on them. Some, he was sure, were muggles. They looked around the platform in bemusement, clearly not used to magic. Others, he guessed, were simply those trying to blend in. He wished he was among them, but as his mother said: 'Blacks don't blend in'.

"Are you listening to me, Sirius?" his mother asked sharply.

"I'm afraid I wasn't, mother. The sound of your voice was boring into my brain like a thousand spikes. I had to stop listening to save myself!"

She couldn't slap him like she would at home. Instead, he felt her claws digging into his shoulder once more, sharper this time. "Watch your tone, boy, or I will turn back around, and you can be taught at home."

He shut up then. He did not want any more education at home. The years of it he'd already suffered through were enough. Hogwarts would be a sort of freedom, he knew, and he couldn't risk that. He saw his mother sneer at him. "I thought as much."

He shook himself free of her grasp once more. "Shall I board the train now, mother dearest?" he pushed as much venom into the words as he could.

She leaned in closer. "You better be very, very careful where you step. You are representing the entire family, and if you so much as put one toe out of line, you'll get the beating of a lifetime when you come home. Do you understand me?"

"Crystal clear," he gave a slight bow, "I wouldn't want to misrepresent the family."

Before she could respond, he scooped up his trunk, and hurried towards the train. He ducked between several families before slowing, confident his mother wouldn't be able to catch him now. Most of the students were already on the train, it seemed. Sirius hopped on, and set off in search of a compartment.

As he walked down the train cars, he felt a surge of excitement. It would be three months before he saw any of his family again. Three months of freedom. Three months where he could do what he liked. Now that he was on the train, they couldn't bring him home without shaming the family even more. There was no turning back, now. He would go to Hogwarts.

.

Prongs

James hurried down the train, looking for a promising compartment. Most of those he'd passed were full of older students. He wanted to sit with other first years. Eventually, he found himself looking into a compartment that held two people: a red haired girl facing the window, and a small, chubby, blond boy holding a bag of sweets. James slid the compartment door open.

"Mind if I join you?" he directed the question at the boy, as the girl seemed to be avoiding interaction.

"Sure," said the boy. He turned towards the girl, "As long as that's all right with you?"

She nodded her head slightly, but still did not turn. James caught a glimpse of her reflection in the window. She was quite pretty, but her eyes were puffy and red. She'd clearly been crying. "I'm James Potter," he said as he sat down beside the boy.

"I'm Peter Pettigrew," the boy replied, "Would you like a pumpkin pasty?"

"Yeah!" said James, taking the offered sweet, "My mum doesn't let me eat much candy."

Peter grinned at him. "Mine doesn't usually either, but she said since I was off to school, I might as well take some along."

"Thi' i' gooth," said James, through a mouthful of pasty.

"What's that?" asked Peter.

As he said it, the door to the compartment opened once more. In stepped a boy, tall for eleven, with dark hair in waves to his chin. He had a rather sharp nose, and piercing grey eyes. "Is this seat taken?" he asked, gesturing to one of the open spots.

James attempted to swallow his rather large bite of pumpkin pasty, but ended up choking on it. The tall boy stepped over and promptly thumped him on the back. James coughed up a bit into his mouth, then managed to get it all down.

"All right there, mate?" asked the tall boy, looking equal parts concerned and amused. James flushed a bit with embarrassment.

"I'm fine," he said hurriedly, "Just took too big a bite."

"Happens to the best of us. I'm Sirius, by the way," the boy held out his hand to shake, laughing a bit.

"You don't look very serious," James replied, taking in the boy's laughing face. He shook the proffered hand.

"No, I mean my name's Sirius," said the boy—no, Sirius, "Bit of an odd one, I know."

"A bit. I'm James by the way, James Potter."

"And I'm Peter Pettigrew," Peter added, "Would you like a pasty?"

"I don't know Peter," said Sirius, "I'm afraid our friend James here is looking to swallow them all at once." He laughed. As did Peter, and James begrudgingly joined in.

.

Padfoot

Sirius smiled to himself. This was excellent. He'd chosen a compartment at random, and ended up with a member of one of the biggest blood traitor families around, and a boy who was practically a mud—no, muggleborn. He knew the word was wrong, but he often found himself using it subconsciously. Andromeda had told him to try to break the habit. He knew she was right.

Peter had said that his father was a muggle and his mother muggleborn. That was utterly disastrous in Sirius's parents book, which meant it was completely perfect in his. The three of them chatted amongst themselves for a time. It turned out that James was as big a Tornado's fan as Sirius, and Peter said he wanted to see more Quidditch than the match he'd gone to as a child.

The red-haired girl by the window hadn't spoken at all when the train began to pull out. Sirius paid her no mind. Instead, he watched with the others as the wood and stone of the platform were replaced by fog and rain. It wasn't long after when the compartment doors opened once more. A boy stood framed in the opening, with greasy black hair to his shoulders and sallow skin.

Sirius, Peter, and James all looked over to him for a moment, but he seemed entirely focused on the girl. He pushed between them, and took the seat across from her. She began to speak to him. Sirius and the others turned back to their game, which involved everyone putting a Bertie Bott's Bean on their tongue, and seeing who could hold it there longest, without swallowing or spitting it out.

"You'd better be in Slytherin," Sirius heard the greasy haired boy say. Both he and James turned at the words.

"Slytherin?" said James, swallowing his bean. "Who wants to be in Slytherin? I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?" He directed the question at Sirius, who frowned a bit. He'd hoped this wouldn't come up.

"My whole family have been in Slytherin," he finally said. He'd have to tell them at some point. He'd avoided using his last name before, knowing James would have heard it, but he'd find out eventually.

"Blimey! And I thought you seemed all right!"

"Maybe I'll break the tradition," said Sirius with a smile. He acted as though it were merely an off-hand idea, rather than the sum of much worry and planning over the past few months. "Where are you heading, if you've got the choice?"

James lifted an invisible sword. "'Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart!' Like my dad."

The greasy-haired boy scoffed a bit at that. James colored slightly, and turned. Sirius had already realized that James held his family in very high esteem. This conversation would not go well.

"Got a problem with that?" said James.

"No. If you'd rather be brawny than brainy—"

"Where're you hoping to go, seeing as you're neither?" interjected Sirius. He was glad to see James's anger fade as the messy-haired boy burst out laughing.

The red haired girl stood up rather abruptly, glaring at Sirius and James. "Come on, Severus, let's find another compartment."

"Oooooo. . ." James and Sirius imitated her lofty voice. Clearly, they'd both had the same idea. James stuck out a foot to trip Severus as he walked out, but failed.

"See ya, Snivellus!" James called after the pair.

"Oh, Snivellus!" Sirius imitated the girl's voice again, "Your hair grease is dripping on me!" All three boys collapsed into giggles, though Peter's seemed somewhat forced. They passed the rest of the train ride having fun. They teased, played games, and got to know each other. By the time the train was pulling into Hogsmeade Station, Sirius felt secure in the fact that he had made two good friends, his first ever.

.

Moony

No one came to join Remus in his compartment, for which he was both relieved and disappointed. He knew it was best he avoid people, his parents were right on that account, but he couldn't help but wish he were laughing and making friends like everyone else on the train. He entertained himself with thoughts of school as he rode. He'd spent years with Hogwarts as a fantasy. For it to be real called for a revisiting of all his imagined days there.

He wondered, first and foremost, about his house. Where would he be placed? Where did he want to be placed? His mother had been a Hufflepuff, and his father a Ravenclaw. He supposed that either house would be good. He hoped for Ravenclaw, though. He believed that Ravenclaws would perhaps be more likely to allow him to be separate. Hufflepuffs were probably to friendly. A part of him wished to be somewhere where he could make friends, but he knew that that could not be. He was here to be educated, and he would need to guard his secret closely to keep that education.

He allowed his mind to wander into all his favorite fantasies. He would visit the Hogwarts Library, the largest collection of wizarding books in all of Great Britain. He would attend classes, and learn to use the wand that had cost his parents so much gold. He would eat feasts in the Great Hall, and witness the daily owl post, which was surely a sight to behold. As he went through all the familiar scenarios, he found that they seemed duller than they used to, in the face of reality, which was fast approaching.

Still, he took comfort in the familiarity of these hopes and dreams, and found himself smiling at the thought that they would soon be real. At one point, a Prefect poked his head into the compartment to inform Remus that the train would be arriving soon. Remus merely nodded. He had long since changed into his new uniform. He put away his book and looked out the window.

The fog was thick, and, combined with the darkness of dusk and the light sheets of rain, obscured Remus's view of his surroundings. He could only make out the faint shapes of buildings. Hogsmeade, he thought. Soon enough, the train came to a stop, and the sounds of students disembarking could be heard.

Before long, Remus found himself outside, amidst a throng of students. The rain was not heavy, but it was enough that Remus could feel his hair curling, as it always did in the damp. He couldn't see anything, with so many older students around him. They all seemed to be going in one direction, so Remus joined the flow. He'd only gotten a few steps, when a loud voice cut through buzz of conversation.

"Firs' years!" called the voice, "Firs' years over here!"

Remus turned, and followed the voice to the largest man he had ever seen. He had a bushy brown beard, and held a rather dim lantern aloft. Gathered around him were a number of other first years. As he slipped into the group, Remus stumbled, and trod on the hem of a girl's robe. "Sorry," he muttered.

She turned towards him. She had long red hair and expressive green eyes. "It's all right. I'm Lily, by the way."

"I'm Remus," he replied quietly.

She beamed at him. "It's lovely to meet you, Remus."

Before she could say anything else, the big man spoke again. "A'right! Yer all here. I'm Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys an' Groun's. Now follow me."

The man turned, and set off down a slope. It was rather muddy, in the rain, and Remus nearly slipped twice. Before long, they'd reached the shores of the lake. Remus, along with everyone else, stared in awe at the castle. It was one thing to read about it, and a complete other to see it in person.

"We'll be takin' the boats across," said Rubeus Hagrid, "Four to a boat, in yeh go."

There was a bit of a scuffle as everyone hopped in a boat. Against his wishes, Remus found himself in a boat with Lily and two others: a boy with a hooked nose, and a girl with frizzy dark hair. He'd wanted to avoid Lily, as he thought she might be dangerously close to becoming his friend—though, to be fair, he wasn't entirely certain how making friends worked. He'd never done it himself, only read of it in books. His musings were lost to the splendor of the castle in front of him. Hogwarts was truly amazing.

.

Wormtail

Peter very nearly slipped in the mud as he followed the large man named Hagrid. His feet went out from under him, but before he could land, Sirius and James grabbed him and pulled him back up. The rest of the walk to the boats passed without incident. A collective "Oooh," rang through the crowd when they came into view of the castle.

It was by far the prettiest thing Peter had ever seen. It was made of stone, and seemed to grow from the rock it sat on. The towers shot up, reaching towards the clouds. The tops were obscured by fog, though Peter could see pinpricks of light, which he imagined came from windows, shining through. The entire building seemed so fantastical, like something from a muggle fairy tale. Peter's breath was taken away.

They were directed into a number of small boats by Hagrid. Peter clambered into one after James and Sirius. They were joined by a rather small girl with freckles and wide brown eyes. She stared around herself in wonder, paying no mind to the other occupants of the boat. James and Sirius each leaned over the edges, letting their fingers drag in the water, as the boats began to glide across towards the castle.

Peter looked around at the lake, covered in ripples from the gently falling rain. He thought he saw something move by the far shores, but it was gone before he could make out what. It had almost looked like a tentacle, but that couldn't be right. I must have imagined it. The dozen boats moved seamlessly across the water, before docking below the castle. The students climbed out, and were directed by Hagrid inside.

The moment they'd gotten under cover, Sirius shook his head, doglike, and water droplets flew out around him. "Oi!" said James, ducking out of the way. Peter covered his face with his arm, but giggled slightly. The girl from the boat did not seem amused. She leveled a glare at Sirius, which he didn't catch, and hurried off towards a girl with dark frizzy hair.

Before long, a tall and severe woman stepped out in front of the group. She had dark hair that was greying at the roots, pulled back into a bun. She surveyed the students through a pair of rectangular glasses. "Welcome," she said, in a commanding tone that served to quiet the room, "We are very pleased to have you here at Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress. In a few moments time, I will open these doors. You will go through to be sorted into your houses before the feast. Do not be nervous; you will end up in precisely the house you belong."

"How does the sorting work?" Peter whispered to the other boys.

"They put you in a hat, and it knows your house," James explained, "Didn't your mum tell you?"

"She doesn't talk about Hogwarts much."

"My cousin Andromeda told me the hat can read your thoughts," Sirius added.

"Boys?" said Professor McGonagall, "Would you care to share what is so important about your conversation?"

"Well, if you'd like," said James.

"My mate and I were just discussing the Sorting," Sirius continued.

"The hat, you know."

"As I said—"

"That will be quite enough, boys," Professor McGonagall interrupted, clearly not expecting them to take her request literally, "Now, if you would all line up. . . Lovely. Please follow me."

With that, she swung open the doors behind her, and led the students through.