Boys Before Magic

Author's Note: Oops.. No wonder it looked so short. Stupid Word left out all the flashback sections. Haha. Well.. hope you like it.

Disclaimer: As I've mentioned before, J.K. Rowling and Yoko Kamio are exclusive owners of the concept I am writing a story about. This is only for fans' enjoyment.

Mum… Where are you going?

It's Christmas Eve, Mum. Aren't you staying home?

Am I going to be alone again?

Just like every day of the year…

Mum, why don't you understand?

I don't want to be alone anymore.

Side Stories: Being James Potter

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Students, keep in mind to the following rules…"

I tried my hardest not to laugh out loud. My fellow Marauders, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew, snickered at the comment while Remus is nowhere to be found like always. The Headmaster stopped to find the source of interruption then stopped still when he met my eyes. It took him a few minutes to compose himself and continue with the redundant speech.

*Flashback*

"Sister, I don't want to go to school."

"Now James, it's your first day away from home. Aren't you excited?"

"No…"

"Don't be silly. Hogwarts is lots of fun. Many Potters like you have graduated from this school for centuries. It's about time you left the house and make friends."

"I want to stay home with Mum. Why is she always away?"

"Mum is busy. She's working to keep us happy."

"But mum can keep us happy without going away all the time…"

"James. Do not be weak. Please be strong for me."

"Okay, sis. Anything for you. I won't cry anymore."

"That's the spunky James I know. It's almost eleven. Hurry before the train leaves."

*End of Flashback*

I guess I have that power in this school. The Potter name is worth its weight in Galleons. My family is the largest donor to the school. Since birth, my name has been written to attend the most prestigious wizarding school in England and perhaps the whole world.

*Flashback*

Four young boys are sitting in a compartment near the back of the train. It was silent and no one dared to make a sound.

"AAAAAHHH! I can't take silence anymore. My name is James Potter. How about all of you?"

"It's about time someone broke the silence. The name is Sirius Black. Nice to meet you all."

"Peter Pettigrew. Please to meet your acquaintance."

"Remus Lupin."

"Oh really? What a coincidence. Although I'm not surprised, they stuck us all together in the *special* compartment."

Silence.

"You guys must be really stupid. Why do we have two bodyguards outside our door? Hey, wanna do something fun?"

"All right! What are we going to do?"

"You know *gulp*, practical jokes are quite childish."

*GLARE* "We are still children after all."

"…Here."

"Dungbombs! That's so wicked, Remus."

"School is going to be so much more fun."

"You know, let's make a pact."

"What kind?"

"A pact to be there for each other as friends and brothers."

"Wicked!"

"…"

"Hands in. We solemnly swear we are up to no good. We are the Marauders."

*End Flashback*

Ironically, rules do not matter to the Marauders. Our respective families are perhaps the four largest benefactors to the school. We essentially rule the school. We don't have to wear the standard Hogwarts attire, and we are free to go to class whenever we want.

*Flashback*

"Mum, I'm home for Christmas!"

Silence.

"Mum…"

*End Flashback*

Of course, that does not mean I slack off and do nothing. Surprisingly, I go to class most of the time (unless I want to sleep in). I absolutely love Transfiguration. (Professor Dumbledore is the only teacher I respect at this school.) I don't like to brag, but I am the top Transfiguration student in my (My average is 186%). I have been chosen prefect this year. I know people think that I was chosen because the school was sucking up to me, but I worked for it fair and square. Personally, I really don't care what the others think. They're not worth my time anyway.

I yawned as the Headmaster announced, "Quidditch tryouts will be held in two weeks. Please check with house captains if you are interested in trying out."

*Flashback*

Second year at Hogwarts

"What's your favorite sport, Remus?"

"Quidditch. How about you?"

"Me too! And I always thought you were weak and…"

Chuckle. "Oh really… I bet I can outfly you any day."

"Done. I can't wait. I'm glad we're friends, Remus."

"Marauders stick together, James. Just like we promised each other on our first train ride to Hogwarts."

*End Flashback*

Now Quidditch is one wicked sport. I've had a broom since I first learned to walk. Since then, I really didn't walk much anyway. I started playing for the House team as Seeker during my second year at Hogwarts, and I have been house captain since my fourth year. In my fourth year, my 6'3" frame outgrew the seeker position, but I quickly became one of the most talented Chasers the school has seen in a long time. I already broke the school record for "Most Goals Scored in One Season" during my first year as a Chaser. That record was standing for four centuries!

"Before I announce this year's Head Boy and Girl, I would like to introduce this year's new prefects starting with the Gryffindor House. James Potter."

I calmly stood up from the table ignoring all the sighs from the female population of Hogwarts.

"And Lily Evans."

I suddenly shot a glare at the Headmaster and shouted, "WHATTT!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"

The scared Headmaster took a step back. All the students focused their attention to me. Unable to regain his voice, he merely shook his head in response.

I angrily shouted back, "THERE HAS TO BE SOME MISTAKE! YOU CAN'T MEAN…"

Sitting at the Headmaster's right, Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat and replied, "Miss Evans is an excellent student despite her background. We feel that she would be wonderful as Prefect. Mr. Potter, I hope you will treat her with respect. Now, may I ask you to please sit back down?"

"My ass," I muttered under my breath. I turned to Sirius and Peter and quickly said, "I'm not hungry. I'll meet you guys at the tower." Within seconds, I walked out of the Great Hall.

As I walked down the castle halls, I gingerly touched the cheek where the bitch punched me. I wasn't that adept with charms, but I managed to prevent further swelling and bruising with the same healing charm I used after every Quidditch practice.

'The nerve of that bitch. I thought she was kidding when she said she was a prefect. Who would've known that mudblood was going to be prefect this year?'

During my first year, the Ministry passed the Muggle Integration Law in attempt to diversify the private wizardry schools. Most of the wizards, including my family, fought against this law, but we made a compromise to only admit one Muggle into the school every year. Of course, that didn't stop me from having fun with each one. I thought I got rid of all of them, but I guess I missed one.

*Flashback*

"My name is Lily Marie Evans… Be sure not to forget that."

*End Flashback*

'Yes Lily Flower, I won't forget it," I muttered to myself. "No one dares to stand up against the Marauders, especially me."

I'll make sure she will regret the day she accepted her admittance to Hogwarts.

I'll make her life a living hell.

Yet.

What was that feeling of awe when you punched me?

Why do I still admire your courage and strength?

Why can't I stop thinking about you?

I shook away that random thought. I need a clear head to think of what pranks to pull on her for tomorrow.