A/N: Yes, another Harry Potter Fan Fiction! Being as how it seems I've read a lot of them, I decided that I'd try my own. This story is mainly a James/Lily fic but it may also have some Remus/ Sirius, so let me just say I warned you ahead of time! This takes place in thier seventh year. R&R! Luv you guys! ~ Lady Evenstar

Italics = thoughts

Disclaimer: To the demise of myself and advantage of Ms. Rowling, Harry Potter (and all characters not as important) do not belong to me. The quote in the beginning is from Moulin Rouge, and that also (*sob*) does not belong to me.

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1 The greatest thing

You'll ever learn

Is just to love

And be loved in return…

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The Marauders. A secret group of four friends, dedicated to mischief and adventure. It is these four friends who will become the founders of one of the greatest legends ever told in the wizarding world. First, there's Sirius Black- the troublemaker of the group. No one's ever quite sure how, but even if he did something really horrible- like sneaking into the kitchens to 'accidentally' drop various potions into the Professors' food- he never gets caught. Of course he's *suspected*. He's just too brilliant to take the blame. Along with his amazing sense of humor and dark good looks, Sirius is one of the most popular of the group (especially with the girls).

Next is Remus Lupin. In appearance, he's not very remarkable, having a slight build and brown hair. However, he is more than he seems; he's a werewolf. Used to being discriminated against, he keeps it a secret from the school, but his cover is blown and thus he becomes the sole catalyst for the Marauders. He's generally shy and sensitive, but because of his friendship with the fellow Marauders he has become one of the more popular people in Hogwarts.

Thirdly, there's little Peter Pettigrew. Not a particularly bright person, and short and chubby. However, his hero-worship of the friends has caused him to become a part of their group, though he's never really one of the guys.

Last but not least, is James Potter. Gryffindor's Head Boy, Captain of the Quidditch team (in which he plays Seeker), and an all-around great guy, there is not a soul in Hogwarts who hasn't heard his name. No one would guess that he grew up an orphan- his parents were killed on an expedition to Samalia (A/N: I just assumed he was, because then Harry would have stayed with James' parents). His hair was as dark as midnight, and his eyes equally so, with glasses and warm colored skin, James posssesed great beauty.

But where would the story be without mentioning the one woman who nearly tore them all apart? Lily Williams. Her beauty was fabled among the wizards, and nearly all who looked upon her would agree that she was a virtual goddess, an angel who descended the heavens for a time to walk the earth. Her skin was pale and smooth, her hair vibrant red, creating a lovely picture. But perhaps her best feature was her eyes, a crystal clear green that could burn your soul and reveal your self at its deepest levels.

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"Was that you?" murmed a voice.

"Ouch! No, watch where you're stepping! By tommorow morning my feet are gonna be…" whined a second.

"Shush, both of you, someone might hear us…" snapped a third.

"What was that?" cried a fourth.

"SHHH!" hissed the third. "We're almost there."

At the edge of the Forbidden Forest, four teenage boys seemingly appeared out of nowhere, moments before sundown.

"Finally!" cried the second voice, which now belonged to Sirius "It's so bloody hot under that thing. Invisibility cloaks were *not* made for four people."

"With all your noise, it's a wonder we weren't caught" scolded the third, which, apparently, belonged to James.

"Yea, yea…"

"You guys, you know you can back out now if you want..." said the first.

"Oh, Remus you say that every time. We're not going to ditch you. Stop being such a nice guy," said Sirius. "It sickens me," he added with a grin.

"Are you sure the Forest is such a good idea?" murmered the fourth, Peter.

"It's an *adventure*!" cried Sirius, jumping up and down and being way too loud "For God's sake, Peter, don't you ever have fun!"

"It's not that!" yelled Peter "It's just…"

"Shhh!" hushed Remus, but too late.

"Hello?" bellowed a voice from the shack nearby "Anybody there?"

"It's Hagrid!" cried James. The boys panicked - they weren't supposed to be out by the Forbidden Forest. "Transform!" They turned quickly into their alternate forms without taking the appropriate precautions- they usually checked to see if anyone was watching, but tonight they were too rushed to care.

And suddenly, in their stead were three animals: A giant, bear- like dog, Sirius, a Stag, James, and a rat, Peter. Remus was stuck, because the sun had not yet gone down. However, he quickly leapt onto the stag's back as they ran off into the forest.

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"Didja see that?" cried Hagrid "They turned into animals, jus' like that!"

For unbeknownst to the boys, Hagrid and his guest had been looking out of the window as they transformed.

"Yes, Hagrid, I saw," said Lily, disbelief in her voice. So that's where James went, when she couldn't find him. He had continually made up excuses, like he was studying, or helping Peter with a project, or practicing, when she asked him about it. But he wasn't. He was doing *this*. It also explained why he had spent five years laboring over books, researching spells that had to do with the animagus. She felt awe wash through her. To perform the animagus spell…that took brains. Though she didn't doubt that James would be able to do it. He had always been brilliant, ever since the first year. Brilliant, and talented, and so sensitive…when he looked at her, he did not lust and drool over her as most men did . Instead, she found respect and warmth in his gaze. Not like Severus. Oh, she hated him, and his greasy hair. He was totally disgusting, and she was well aware of his crush on her. She, however, wanted nothing to do with him, and often found excuses to be away from him. As for she and James… over the years, they had become fast friends, and he knew her as no one else did, or ever will. He was friends with her for *her*, not because he wanted her affections, and she respected him for that. And loved him for that. Lily shook herself. Where did that come from?

"Who'dye think they were?" asked Hagrid.

"You didn't see?"

"Nah, couldn't catch their faces."

Lily stopped. That's right, she didn't see his face, but she could recognize James from a mile away. Should she tell Hagrid it was him? He could get into trouble…

"I couldn't see either. How about some more tea Hagrid?"

"All righ'"said Hagrid "An' wouldya mind goin' over tha' charms lesson again?"

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That night, however, Lily and Hagrid weren't the only ones watching the Marauders. Deep in the shadows, a cloaked figure smiled grimly to himself. I could get them kicked out of Hogwarts forever, smirked Severus Snape.

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So, that's it for Chapter one. It's a really long introductory, I know, but it gets better! Promise! Stick with me peoples! Now… dun dun dun… Snape knows! What'll happen? I'll post soon! Questions? Comments? Reviews? Don't be mean…