Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don't own any of the wonderful marauders and other characters created by J.K.R, nor do I own the setting - the only thing original is the plot.

The Hogwarts Express emitted a loud, shrieking sound and began to chug along merrily, as many mothers and fathers who stood atop Platform 9 3/4 began to wave frantically. A tall boy with hair dark as ebony stuck his grinning head out of the window, and shouted, "Bye Mum, see you at Christmas!" After his mother nodded and smiled he recoiled, satisfied, and stared around his empty compartment.

Sirius Black slumped onto his cosy, worn seat and sighed. He was alone - as per usual - but for once he wanted someone there beside him. True, he had his magnificent tawny owl, Orion, but as he had his large head tucked beneath one of his wings and was letting out soft snores every few seconds, he supposed he wouldn't be good company. Tucking his wavy dark hair behind one of his ears Sirius listened to the jeers and laughter carried from the further carriages, wishing that he would find James soon.... there was a loud crack and a bang and he stood up, as Orion gave a startled screech. Drawing his new wand from the inside pocket of his robes, (ten inches, unicorn tail, pliable and good for transfiguration,) he cautiously began to pull back the door seperating his lonely carriage from the hallway.....

CRACK! Sirius leapt back and looked at the scene unfolding before him. A bespectacled boy with ruffled jet black hair and a supreme air of intelligence about him was standing with his wand pointing to a hook-nosed, greasy haired boy's chest, his dark eyes livid and his expression twisted. A small boy with blond-ish hair was cowering on the carpeted floor, staring at the boy with a nose like a vulture with an expression of horror on his face. His trunk lay open, his clothes scattered, and judging by the blotches on his face it seemed the boy had hexed him. Grinning, Sirius leapt to the side of the boy with glasses, his own wand pointed towards the bully.

"Afternoon James." Said Sirius, with a smile towards his best friend - boy, was he glad to have found James!

"Nice to see you." Came the reply, though his voice was harsh and his eyes never left the hook-nosed boy. "Get out. Leave this boy alone."

The boy named Severus gave a sneer. "Why should I?"

Sirius stepped in. "Whats he done to you?" He hated to see anyone getting picked on, least of all someone so small and weedy looking who looked like the wave of a wand would have him in the Hospital Wing by nightfall.

Severus frowned. "The little prick tripped me up."

The weedy boy murmed, "By accident!" but a glare from Severus silenced him quickly.

Quick-thinking Sirius snapped, "Piss off and wash your hair." A nickname popped into his head, and sneering, he added "Snivellus,"and the boy swept around and left, tutting loudly, clearly realising he couldn't take the two of them together. "You alright?" he said, bending down to the small boy.

"Yeah, I guess so...." he got to his feet with some help from James, and dusted down his robes. "Thanks. My name's Peter." He held out a frail looking hand, and Sirius warmly took it.

"I'm Sirius, and this is James." James nodded, acknowledging Sirius' introduction, and smiled towards Peter. "Wanna come sit in here?"

With a shaky nod Peter attempted to lift his trunk and, failing, accepted some help from Sirius. James too lifted his trunk and followed Sirius into the carriage, which, by now, was occupied.

A tawny-haired boy with startling amber eyes was sitting by a window, and looked up when the three boys trooped in. He had been immersed in a thick book but snapped it shut, and offered the trio a weak smile. Sirius thought to himself, I Must have come in from the other end..../i He dumped Peter's trunk and held out his hand, grinning, and James and Peter followed suite.

"Nice to meet you....the names Sirius Black." In turn each boy introduced themselves, and discovered the stranger was called Remus Lupin. As they all sat down and began to chat about their excitement and nervousness of starting school, they were all blissfully unaware that they would become the famed Maruaders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

~*~*~*~

"Shut it Prongs!"

Sirius threw a large book aimed at a chuckling James' head and sighed as he ducked. Nearly had him....

James grinned, realising he had hit a nerve. "Well, its true! We all know what you got up to with that Slytherin behind the broom shed, so admit it!"

At this blatant statement Remus chuckled from his bed, provoking Sirius even more and causing another heavy item to come flying in his direction - quiet Peter stayed sitting on his bed, large eyes staring around nervously. He tended to keep out of arguments.

Sirius launched himself towards James and landed on top of him - the two boys began to wrestle as they rolled about the dormitory floor. All of the boys were 15 now, and in their fourth year at Hogwarts. Sirius had grown taller, his silken hair reaching to his shoulders, and almost every girl in the year swooned at the sound of his name. James' scruffy dark hair was the same as always, but he too had his fair share of admires; Remus' face held a wizened look, his tawny hair slightly shorter than Sirius', his amber eyes more yellow-ish for the full moon neared. And Peter - he was slightly chubbier and looked healthier, with a withdrawn appearance and scrawny features. The four were fabled inside the castle walls.

James collapsed, grinning as Sirius claimed victory in their 'battle'. Sirius and James were best friends, and had been since the age of 8; nothing could come between them, and their petty squabbles were frequent yet meaningless. Sirius held out his hand and pulled James to his feet, and they all sat down on their beds, chuckling. Peter looked at his watch.

"Oh shit!" He exclaimed, and, without an explanation, he sprinted from the dormitory and headed off down the stairs. James frowned.

"What is with him lately?" The three remaining boys exchanged confused looks before Remus shrugged - that seemed to declare the matter over. Grinning wickedly Sirius turned to James.

"So, Prongs - you still after Evans?"

At the mention of the fellow Gryffindor's name James' cheeks turned a bright shade of pink; Sirius laughed. "So you do still have a thing for her!"

James frowned. "Well, yeah...but its just...." Remus nodded, encouraging him to spill his feelings. "I'm not sure if she likes me, and I'm too worried to ask her out...y'know, just in case."

Sirius and Remus caught each other's eyes for a brief second; they knew that it wasn't true. Lily had confided in them that she liked James, but had forbidden them from giving away her secret. James hadn't detected the exchange of secret glances, and sighed. Sirius jumped up and patted his back reassuringly.

"Trust me, mate, you've just go to go for it - isn't that right, Moony?" Lupin nodded, but James just eyed them suspiciously.

"Look, I dunno..." he said, in an unsure tone. "I need to think....I'm away for a walk."

As James left the dorm room Sirius dashed across the room, and closed the door. Lupin walked over to him.

"I've got an idea...."

Notes: This is my first ff, so please read and review! Constructive criticism, lol....I'll add more if I get a good response.