Disclaimer: All characters are property of J.K Rowling. I own not a thing
but my own words, so please don't sue me.
Author's Note: This is the first extremely long on-going fic I've written and definitely the first Harry Potter fic I've actually had the guts to post. Yes, I do actually write something besides Aragorn/Legolas Lord of the Rings fics. It's amazing isn't it? Anyway, this is merely the first chapter of this fic. It will cover all 7 of the Marauders' years at Hogwarts and possibly some of their current ones. Focus mainly on Remus, Sirius, and James while he's alive. Remus and Sirius when he's gone. And yes, I will write Remus/Sirius romance. Romance not sex got it? Good. And that won't come until much later, so if you don't like that sort of thing, you're safe reading this for a while. Or you could just high tail it out of here. Quickly. All flames can be directed at Suzaku, my kami. Oh wait, Legolas is still pinning him to the wall. Nevermind. Enjoy!
A train whistle sounded shrilly above the din of Platform 9 3/4. The feeble beams of early dawn filtered through the station to cast a faint glow of light on the unusual crowd that shifted and moved in many colored waves. Chaos was the first thought that crossed Sirius Black's mind as he fought his way through the seething mass of people on his way to the train. So many faces, so many nervous new students clutching their trunks with white knuckled hands as they said goodbye to their parents, the faces of confident upperclassmen who strode purposefully down the rows of cars. Sirius grinned wolfishly. He would teach them to be nervous. Young or old, nervous or not, it made no difference to him. Sirius was a prankster extrodinaire. No one could outwit him, and only one equaled him in impishness. A voice called to him from somewhere up the train.
"Oy, Sirius! Over here mate!" A boy with untidy black hair and wicked brown eyes framed by glasses waved at him. Sirius grinned. James Potter, his partner in crime. He hurried to reach his friend as the last warning whistle of the Hogwarts Express resounded through the station. Hogwarts at last. Sirius' nerves tingled as he thought of the old castle. He and James would take the school by storm; it would never know what hit it. He was so preoccupied with thoughts of pranks that he didn't see the boy who lay on the ground in front of him until he tripped over him. A few Slytherin third years cackled as they raced for the front of the train, kicking the boy they had knocked over on the way. Sirius swore and picked himself off the ground. He could hear James calling him.
"Sirius! Are you okay?" The other boy started to climb down from the train. Sirius motioned for him to stay where he was. James obeyed, leaning back through the window his face full of concern. Sirius reached down to the fallen boy, offering him a hand up. A milk white hand gripped his own and he found himself staring into a pair of glowing amber eyes. Sirius was suddenly hit with an overwhelming sense of loneliness. He found he could not look away from those eyes. He helped the boy to his feet, never taking his eyes off of him. The boy looked away, as though ashamed.
"Thank you," he murmured softly as he turned to flee. Sirius reached out and caught him by the wrist before he could get away. He opened his mouth to speak, just then a strong pair of hands gripped him by the back of his shirt and he found himself and the boy being hauled into the train as it lurched to a start. He ignored James' rant about almost missing the train and focused on the boy who remained silent. The boy was deathly pale, he looked as though he hadn't slept in days. His hair was light brown and slightly tosseled. He had a fine boned face and supported his slender frame with a sort of effortless grace. But it was his eyes that really held Sirius' attention. They seemed to throw off a soft light from somewhere within them and they were so soulful, so lonely as though the boy could not dampen his emotions through them. Sirius snapped to attention; James' speech was winding to an end.
"…and I know you weren't listening to a word I said. Ah, here we are." James led them to an open compartment and shoved them inside. "Now then," he held out a hand to the boy Sirius had helped. "James Potter, this git here is Sirius Black." The boy smiled and took the offered hand.
"I'm Remus Lupin, pleased to meet you." He turned to Sirius. "I wanted to thank you again for helping me back there, those idiots ran right into me." Sirius started.
"It was nothing really," he was horrified to feel a blush creep up his cheeks. James however was currently engaged in conversation with Remus and didn't pay any attention to Sirius' abnormally quiet state. He tried to tune in to the conversation and before long the three boys were laughing and joking as though they'd known each other their whole lives, which, Sirius noted, he and James had. But as this was a minor detail he chose to ignore it. Voices, then shouting could be heard from the corridor. A crash and the sound of a body being thrown against the wall.
"What the…?" James started for the door. He thrust it open, Sirius and Remus close behind him. Their eyes fell upon two boys about their age standing above a short, somewhat pudgy boy whose small, watery eyes were wide with fright.
"Just what do you think you're doing?" James demanded of them. Sirius winced. Leave it to James to try and reason with a couple of bullies. He stepped forward to stand next to his friend. The taller of the two boys turned to face them, a sneer twisting his sallow face. Sirius noted that his nose was rather large.
"And what are you going to do about it?" The boy taunted. Sirius decided immediately that he didn't like him.
"How about I shove my fist into your abnormally large nose?" He glared. The boy rounded on him.
"Take it back."
"Make me." James grabbed Sirius' jacket to keep him from launching himself at the boy.
"Just who do you think you are anyway? Slimy git…" The boy had had enough. He flew at James, landing a wild punch on his jaw. Sirius snarled and grabbed the boy's hair. They were soon involved in a violent tussle, all else forgotten. Unnoticed, the second boy raised a broken table leg, his captive closed his eyes and covered his face in a feeble attempt to prevent the inevitable. The boy grinned widely as he brought the wood up and whipped it down through the air. CRACK. Sirius, James and the boy with the large nose hurriedly rolled off each other. Sirius looked around. The boy with the wood stood, mouth hanging open staring down at his victim. The small boy gazed with wide eyes. Sirius followed their eyes till his gaze fell across the limp form of Remus Lupin laying across the small boy's legs after taking the blow for him. He gasped and advanced on the assailant blinded by white hot fury. Before he knew what he was doing he had struck the boy with all his might. James grabbed his arm, fighting to hold him back. Sirius growled a string of curse words at the bullies who glared at them before fleeing down the corridor. James slowly let go of Sirius' jacket.
"Sirius…you have to be more careful!"
"Oh and you were? Mr. Let's Try to Reason with a bunch of Mindless Bullies?" He retorted. James simply rolled his eyes and helped the small boy up. Sirius bent down to examine Remus. The small boy, who introduced himself as Peter Pettigrew, said fearfully
"Is he going to be alright?" Sirius tried to force reassurance into his voice.
"I'm sure he'll wake up in a minute or two. Why were those gits after you anyway?" Peter shrugged.
"Don't need a reason do they? I mean, people never seem to miss a chance to pick on you." Both Sirius and James glanced up, surprised at the note of bitterness in Peter's voice. Sirius felt a twinge of pity for the boy. Just then Remus let out a soft moan and stirred. Sirius quickly drew his attention back to Remus' now moving form which lay across his lap. James knelt beside him.
"You okay Remus? " Remus opened his eyes slowly. He winced.
"I'm fine. Just a little dizzy, that's all." Sirius noticed how dark the shadows under Remus' eyes were. He looked so tired. His long lashes cast long lines across his face. Sirius shook himself.
"What'd you have to go and take that blow for?" He realized too late that Peter was standing just behind him. "Sorry, Peter…" he lamented. The other boy smiled and waved his hand, a wistful look in his eyes. Remus' lids flickered shut again. He shifted so his head was tucked into the crook of Sirius' arm.
"I wanted to help," he murmured sleepily. James shook him slightly. He looked up at Sirius, worried.
"I think he may have a concussion, don't let him fall asleep." Sirius nodded. Peter rushed off to find a nurse. James ran down the corridor in the opposite direction to try and find someone. Things could have been worse. Sirius thought a few hours later as the Hogwarts express pulled into the Hogsmede station. The train's onboard nurse had repaired the damage to Remus' head with a flick of her wand. The boy was now fully awake and gazing anxiously at Hogwarts with the rest. Sirius saw something akin to fear flicker in Remus' eyes. Before he had the chance to question the boy James had dragged him off the train and into ensuing madness. Sirius, James and Remus made their way to a fleet of small boats on the edge of a fathoms deep, black lake. Peter, small as he was, had latched himself onto James' robes in a desperate attempt to prevent himself from becoming lost in the crowd. The four of them clamored into one of the waiting boats and watched in fascination as the castle of Hogwarts loomed ever closer before them.
"I hope we're all in the same house," Peter piped in the growing silence. The other three nodded wordlessly. A tall, rather severe looking woman with black hair and square-shaped glasses met them at the door to the Great Hall. She introduced herself as Professor McGonagall, and led them forward for the Sorting Ceremony. Sirius vaguely remembered hearing about the ritual from his father. His stomach lurched with nerves, however, and put an end to any more pondering. James, standing beside him was looking rather green. Sirius would have found this comical if he hadn't felt so ill himself. He caught sight of a battered and frayed wizard's hat sitting on a three legged stool at the front of the Hall. It was obviously magicked; it began to sing. Sirius ignored the hat and focused on Remus. He watched the boy out of the corner of his eye. Remus was so pale. Sirius felt a swell of anger inside him at the boys who had hurt Remus on the train. He was startled out of his thoughts at the sound of Professor McGonagall's voice
"Black, Sirius." He swallowed quickly and walked up to the three legged stool, the last thing he saw before the hat covered his eyes was James and Remus watching him anxiously. It wasn't long before the Sorting Hat shouted the word "Gryffindor" to the hall, and before Sirius knew it he was sitting at his new house's table, crossing his fingers and waiting for his friends to be sorted. All too soon it was Remus' turn.
"Gryffindor!" Remus walked back to the table and collapsed next to Sirius grinning. Peter joined them, and then James. The four were happily congratulating each other and not paying much attention to the sorting, then Sirius heard James' dry voice
"Oh look, it's our dear friend." They looked up to see the boy they had fought on the train stepping up to the Sorting Hat as McGongall called his name
"Snape, Severus!" Sirius' eyes narrowed. This boy would pay.
Author's Note: This is the first extremely long on-going fic I've written and definitely the first Harry Potter fic I've actually had the guts to post. Yes, I do actually write something besides Aragorn/Legolas Lord of the Rings fics. It's amazing isn't it? Anyway, this is merely the first chapter of this fic. It will cover all 7 of the Marauders' years at Hogwarts and possibly some of their current ones. Focus mainly on Remus, Sirius, and James while he's alive. Remus and Sirius when he's gone. And yes, I will write Remus/Sirius romance. Romance not sex got it? Good. And that won't come until much later, so if you don't like that sort of thing, you're safe reading this for a while. Or you could just high tail it out of here. Quickly. All flames can be directed at Suzaku, my kami. Oh wait, Legolas is still pinning him to the wall. Nevermind. Enjoy!
A train whistle sounded shrilly above the din of Platform 9 3/4. The feeble beams of early dawn filtered through the station to cast a faint glow of light on the unusual crowd that shifted and moved in many colored waves. Chaos was the first thought that crossed Sirius Black's mind as he fought his way through the seething mass of people on his way to the train. So many faces, so many nervous new students clutching their trunks with white knuckled hands as they said goodbye to their parents, the faces of confident upperclassmen who strode purposefully down the rows of cars. Sirius grinned wolfishly. He would teach them to be nervous. Young or old, nervous or not, it made no difference to him. Sirius was a prankster extrodinaire. No one could outwit him, and only one equaled him in impishness. A voice called to him from somewhere up the train.
"Oy, Sirius! Over here mate!" A boy with untidy black hair and wicked brown eyes framed by glasses waved at him. Sirius grinned. James Potter, his partner in crime. He hurried to reach his friend as the last warning whistle of the Hogwarts Express resounded through the station. Hogwarts at last. Sirius' nerves tingled as he thought of the old castle. He and James would take the school by storm; it would never know what hit it. He was so preoccupied with thoughts of pranks that he didn't see the boy who lay on the ground in front of him until he tripped over him. A few Slytherin third years cackled as they raced for the front of the train, kicking the boy they had knocked over on the way. Sirius swore and picked himself off the ground. He could hear James calling him.
"Sirius! Are you okay?" The other boy started to climb down from the train. Sirius motioned for him to stay where he was. James obeyed, leaning back through the window his face full of concern. Sirius reached down to the fallen boy, offering him a hand up. A milk white hand gripped his own and he found himself staring into a pair of glowing amber eyes. Sirius was suddenly hit with an overwhelming sense of loneliness. He found he could not look away from those eyes. He helped the boy to his feet, never taking his eyes off of him. The boy looked away, as though ashamed.
"Thank you," he murmured softly as he turned to flee. Sirius reached out and caught him by the wrist before he could get away. He opened his mouth to speak, just then a strong pair of hands gripped him by the back of his shirt and he found himself and the boy being hauled into the train as it lurched to a start. He ignored James' rant about almost missing the train and focused on the boy who remained silent. The boy was deathly pale, he looked as though he hadn't slept in days. His hair was light brown and slightly tosseled. He had a fine boned face and supported his slender frame with a sort of effortless grace. But it was his eyes that really held Sirius' attention. They seemed to throw off a soft light from somewhere within them and they were so soulful, so lonely as though the boy could not dampen his emotions through them. Sirius snapped to attention; James' speech was winding to an end.
"…and I know you weren't listening to a word I said. Ah, here we are." James led them to an open compartment and shoved them inside. "Now then," he held out a hand to the boy Sirius had helped. "James Potter, this git here is Sirius Black." The boy smiled and took the offered hand.
"I'm Remus Lupin, pleased to meet you." He turned to Sirius. "I wanted to thank you again for helping me back there, those idiots ran right into me." Sirius started.
"It was nothing really," he was horrified to feel a blush creep up his cheeks. James however was currently engaged in conversation with Remus and didn't pay any attention to Sirius' abnormally quiet state. He tried to tune in to the conversation and before long the three boys were laughing and joking as though they'd known each other their whole lives, which, Sirius noted, he and James had. But as this was a minor detail he chose to ignore it. Voices, then shouting could be heard from the corridor. A crash and the sound of a body being thrown against the wall.
"What the…?" James started for the door. He thrust it open, Sirius and Remus close behind him. Their eyes fell upon two boys about their age standing above a short, somewhat pudgy boy whose small, watery eyes were wide with fright.
"Just what do you think you're doing?" James demanded of them. Sirius winced. Leave it to James to try and reason with a couple of bullies. He stepped forward to stand next to his friend. The taller of the two boys turned to face them, a sneer twisting his sallow face. Sirius noted that his nose was rather large.
"And what are you going to do about it?" The boy taunted. Sirius decided immediately that he didn't like him.
"How about I shove my fist into your abnormally large nose?" He glared. The boy rounded on him.
"Take it back."
"Make me." James grabbed Sirius' jacket to keep him from launching himself at the boy.
"Just who do you think you are anyway? Slimy git…" The boy had had enough. He flew at James, landing a wild punch on his jaw. Sirius snarled and grabbed the boy's hair. They were soon involved in a violent tussle, all else forgotten. Unnoticed, the second boy raised a broken table leg, his captive closed his eyes and covered his face in a feeble attempt to prevent the inevitable. The boy grinned widely as he brought the wood up and whipped it down through the air. CRACK. Sirius, James and the boy with the large nose hurriedly rolled off each other. Sirius looked around. The boy with the wood stood, mouth hanging open staring down at his victim. The small boy gazed with wide eyes. Sirius followed their eyes till his gaze fell across the limp form of Remus Lupin laying across the small boy's legs after taking the blow for him. He gasped and advanced on the assailant blinded by white hot fury. Before he knew what he was doing he had struck the boy with all his might. James grabbed his arm, fighting to hold him back. Sirius growled a string of curse words at the bullies who glared at them before fleeing down the corridor. James slowly let go of Sirius' jacket.
"Sirius…you have to be more careful!"
"Oh and you were? Mr. Let's Try to Reason with a bunch of Mindless Bullies?" He retorted. James simply rolled his eyes and helped the small boy up. Sirius bent down to examine Remus. The small boy, who introduced himself as Peter Pettigrew, said fearfully
"Is he going to be alright?" Sirius tried to force reassurance into his voice.
"I'm sure he'll wake up in a minute or two. Why were those gits after you anyway?" Peter shrugged.
"Don't need a reason do they? I mean, people never seem to miss a chance to pick on you." Both Sirius and James glanced up, surprised at the note of bitterness in Peter's voice. Sirius felt a twinge of pity for the boy. Just then Remus let out a soft moan and stirred. Sirius quickly drew his attention back to Remus' now moving form which lay across his lap. James knelt beside him.
"You okay Remus? " Remus opened his eyes slowly. He winced.
"I'm fine. Just a little dizzy, that's all." Sirius noticed how dark the shadows under Remus' eyes were. He looked so tired. His long lashes cast long lines across his face. Sirius shook himself.
"What'd you have to go and take that blow for?" He realized too late that Peter was standing just behind him. "Sorry, Peter…" he lamented. The other boy smiled and waved his hand, a wistful look in his eyes. Remus' lids flickered shut again. He shifted so his head was tucked into the crook of Sirius' arm.
"I wanted to help," he murmured sleepily. James shook him slightly. He looked up at Sirius, worried.
"I think he may have a concussion, don't let him fall asleep." Sirius nodded. Peter rushed off to find a nurse. James ran down the corridor in the opposite direction to try and find someone. Things could have been worse. Sirius thought a few hours later as the Hogwarts express pulled into the Hogsmede station. The train's onboard nurse had repaired the damage to Remus' head with a flick of her wand. The boy was now fully awake and gazing anxiously at Hogwarts with the rest. Sirius saw something akin to fear flicker in Remus' eyes. Before he had the chance to question the boy James had dragged him off the train and into ensuing madness. Sirius, James and Remus made their way to a fleet of small boats on the edge of a fathoms deep, black lake. Peter, small as he was, had latched himself onto James' robes in a desperate attempt to prevent himself from becoming lost in the crowd. The four of them clamored into one of the waiting boats and watched in fascination as the castle of Hogwarts loomed ever closer before them.
"I hope we're all in the same house," Peter piped in the growing silence. The other three nodded wordlessly. A tall, rather severe looking woman with black hair and square-shaped glasses met them at the door to the Great Hall. She introduced herself as Professor McGonagall, and led them forward for the Sorting Ceremony. Sirius vaguely remembered hearing about the ritual from his father. His stomach lurched with nerves, however, and put an end to any more pondering. James, standing beside him was looking rather green. Sirius would have found this comical if he hadn't felt so ill himself. He caught sight of a battered and frayed wizard's hat sitting on a three legged stool at the front of the Hall. It was obviously magicked; it began to sing. Sirius ignored the hat and focused on Remus. He watched the boy out of the corner of his eye. Remus was so pale. Sirius felt a swell of anger inside him at the boys who had hurt Remus on the train. He was startled out of his thoughts at the sound of Professor McGonagall's voice
"Black, Sirius." He swallowed quickly and walked up to the three legged stool, the last thing he saw before the hat covered his eyes was James and Remus watching him anxiously. It wasn't long before the Sorting Hat shouted the word "Gryffindor" to the hall, and before Sirius knew it he was sitting at his new house's table, crossing his fingers and waiting for his friends to be sorted. All too soon it was Remus' turn.
"Gryffindor!" Remus walked back to the table and collapsed next to Sirius grinning. Peter joined them, and then James. The four were happily congratulating each other and not paying much attention to the sorting, then Sirius heard James' dry voice
"Oh look, it's our dear friend." They looked up to see the boy they had fought on the train stepping up to the Sorting Hat as McGongall called his name
"Snape, Severus!" Sirius' eyes narrowed. This boy would pay.