Disclaimer - The characters used in this story are not mine. They were created by JK. Rowling. She owns them, not me.

Sorry for the wait on this chapter.

Chapter 4: The New Marauders

Harry and Dumbledore were torn away from the house heading towards Hogwarts. Harry could see the scenery change below him. It went from: perfect green fields, to mountains, to water, finally he got a glimpse of Hogsmade and Hogwarts castle before landing in the middle of the quidditch pitch.

Dumbledore turned to Harry looking a little embarrassed, "Well I got us close." He chuckled. "I guess I should have concentrated a little harder Harry, sorry but we'll be walking from here." He said looking towards Harry.

"It's not a problem professor. I'm glad to be back out on the pitch, even if it's for a short while." Said Harry.

The student and teacher headed towards the castle. As they walked Harry thought how great it was to be at Hogwarts. He started to wonder where he'd be staying? What he would be doing when he's not training? Who would be teaching him since Dumbledore seemed to have other duties to attend to? Before Harry had any more time to think about it Dumbledore began to speak.

"Harry I won't be able to teach you how to control the staff more completely. It requires someone with more self-control then I. That is why I believe Professor Snape will be the best person to teach you." Said Dumbledore.

"But Sir, Professor Snape hates me. After our last Occlumency lesson Professor Snape was furious. He doesn't want to teach me." Harry said with a scared tone in his voice.

"Actually Harry, Professor Snape volunteered to teach you. I thought it was odd myself but I have to agree he is the best one for the job." Said Dumbledore.

Harry unwilling to give in that easy said, "But sir, why can't you teach me. Wouldn't you be best suited to teach me? I mean you are Headmaster."

"Harry I can't teach you because I didn't come here to do that. I have to oversee the preparations of the school. Not to mention other duties I have. I won't be here everyday either. Professor Snape is very skilled in many other forms of magic that I am not. For instance Occlumency, which require requires a lot of discipline, I don't have. Discipline you will need to control the Phoenix staff while performing spells, and I believe Professor Snape is the only one qualified to teach you. Do you understand Harry?" Said Dumbledore as they walked toward the main entrance to Hogwarts.

"Yes Headmaster." Said Harry sounding glum about having Snape as his teacher. He was expecting his time at Hogwarts to be pleasant. He actually liked the idea of not seeing Snape on a daily basis; like he did during the normal school year but that has changed. Not only will be seeing Professor Snape regularly, he will be trained by him. He will have to deal with more private lessons, deal with all the insults, all the snide remarks, this wasn't what Harry wanted. The thing that scared Harry the most was that Snape actually volunteered to teach Harry. All Harry could think about was Snape's alternative motives. He knew that there had to be something else that Snape wanted.

Before Harry could think about it further he and Dumbledore reached the entrance to Hogwarts. "Harry I would like you to get settled. You will begin your training tomorrow at nine. Professor Snape will be waiting for you near Hagrid's hut. For now I'd like you to follow me to your quarters." Said Dumbledore.

"I won't be staying in the Gryffindor tower sir?" Harry said looking towards his Headmaster.

"No Harry, I don't think you'll be needing that much room to yourself. I've had the house elves prepare you a special room. If you'd follow me I will explain on the way." Harry did as Dumbledore said and followed him down the unusually dark hallways of Hogwarts. Harry thought that without all of the students there was no need to light every torch or brighten every room. "You see Harry Hogwarts is a lot different without students filling it. A little more depressing I'd say. Without all of the students running from one place to another it has a little colder feel to it. That's why you'll be staying in a room closer to the rest of us. That way the areas you do stay in will feel more like the Hogwarts you know. You'll have access to the castle as usual. Meals will still be served at there usual times in the Great Hall. And if you need any help almost all of the teachers are present with the exception of Madame Hooch and Professor Sprout."

Harry and Dumbledore continued through the castle heading toward the astronomy tower. Instead of taking the usual path Dumbledore steered Harry down another, smaller corridor. At the very end was a large oak door. Dumbledore reached for the handle and said, "This Harry will be your room for the next few weeks. The door has a password that is, "seeker", if you wish to change it you may." As Dumbledore gave the password the door opened revealing the room. It was a large circular room with the bed in the middle and a fireplace in front of it. Off to the side there was a personal bathroom and shower. The room also contained a dresser and a nightstand. "Well here it is Harry, I'll let you get settled in and I expect to see you for lunch. Oh I almost forgot can I have your trunk Harry?"

"Here professor" Said Harry pulling out the small trunk and placing it on the ground. With a wave of Dumbledore's wand the trunk was back to its normal size. "Thank you sir, I'll be down for lunch later." Said Harry as he reached down to open his trunk.

"You're welcome Harry. Before I go, I've been meaning to give you this." Said Dumbledore while he pulled a small package out of his pocket and handed it to Harry. "This is something Sirius left in my possession. He told me to give it to you when I thought the time was right. I can't think of any time better than this." Dumbledore said with his blue eyes twinkling a little less then normal.

Harry took the package and began to open it as Dumbledore continued to speak. "He told me not to open it. He said only you would know it for what it really was. He didn't say any more then that." As Dumbledore said this, Harry stopped unwrapping the package and looked up a Dumbledore.

"Sir, if you don't mind, I'd like to do this on my own." Said Harry with his voice shaking slightly.

"Oh of course Harry, I'm sorry, I'll see you at lunch." Said Dumbledore before heading out of the room.

Harry again turned his attention to the package. He began to feel all of the buried sadness and guilt he felt because of Sirius's death. He knew that he should have dealt with it before hand but he couldn't. He didn't want to deal with it. Harry did everything he could not to think about Sirius, not to think about that night in the ministry. He worked hard at keeping that buried and now it all came flowing out. Harry sat on his bed looking down at the package slightly unwrapped in his hands, thinking about the godfather he hardly knew. Before Harry got to swept up in his feelings he began to unwrap the package once again. He slowly removed the paper layer by layer until finally only a small brown box remained. He opened it to find a small silver amulet in the form of a compass attached to a thin silver chain. Harry removed it from the box and looked at it more closely. Instead of the compass having north, south, east, and west for the points it read; Prongs, Padfoot, Moony, and Wormtail.

Harry nearly ran to his trunk and began to search through it. He found Marauder's Map buried at the bottom. He pulled out the old piece of parchment and grabbed the amulet. He touched the map with it as he would with a wand. He didn't know what to say so he didn't say anything. Instantly the map reacted thin lines began to come from the point the amulet touched it. Instead of revealing Hogwarts it began to write.

" Welcome future troublemaker, Prongs, Padfoot, Moony and Wormtail commend you for your desire to wreak havoc. Place the amulet around your neck so I can identify you and lead you to the Marauder's room."

Harry instantly placed the chain around his neck. He couldn't wait to see the room his father and Sirius had been in. As the amulet fell into place it began to glow. Harry watched the ink erase itself and begin to write again.

"Welcome Harry James Potter, son of Prongs. The first thing you need is a nickname, something that won't immediately get you into trouble when it is revealed to others, a name that will hide you from the public eye. I'm sorry to say that you won't become and animagus but you have abilities that the marauders would approve of, the name Phoenix seems to fit. Now follow the map and I'll lead you to a place only four have seen."

The writing erased once again and Hogwarts appeared. It showed the school as it normally did then it changed and began to zoom in on Harry. He could see the ink figure of himself standing in his room. An arrow appeared in front of him on the map pointing towards the hallway. Harry stepped forward and out the door. As he continued to follow the arrows he became aware that he was in a part of a castle that he didn't know existed. He continued up and down numerous corridors and hallways, and endless staircases. Until finally the map brought him within a hundred yards of where he started. Then the map erased and began to write.

"Sorry young Phoenix, I couldn't resist, I was created by the four best pranksters in Hogwart's history. If you follow my signs this time I assure you, it will be the correct way."|

Harry was furious he wasted an hour following the stupid directions, for nothing, just to end up back where he started. He saw the map once again appear and the arrow pointed him towards the Gryffindor common room. He stared at the map for a moment then decided to go.

This time it didn't take him as long, within twenty minutes; he was standing before an ordinary suit of armor. He examined it closely looking for any signs of what to do. He saw a small emblem engraved into it. It looked the same as the amulet. He immediately removed it and placed it onto the engraving. What happened next he didn't expect.

The suit of armor sprang to life and charged Harry. Instinctively Harry reached for his wand and was about to curse the armor before it stopped dead and extended its right hand and spoke.

"Welcome Marauder, welcome to the havoc room." Said the suit of armor as it shook Harry's hand.

Harry watched as the suit of armor unsheath its sword and shoved it into the wall behind Harry. The sword pierced the wall just above Harry's right shoulder. Instantly the wall melted away revealing another staircase that lead to a tower Harry had never seen.

He walked passed the barrier and turned around to see it disappear behind him. He walked up to the top of the tower, feeling excited and scared at the same time. He needed to see this place; he needed to know more about his parents and about Sirius.

When he reached the top he came to a large circular room with the same look and feel as the Gryffindor common room. The room had four large squishy armchairs, one table, which could sit four, and a fireplace that sat in the middle of the room. Harry continued to look around the room for anything that would tell him what to do next. He walked around examining every aspect of it. One side of the room was a small library with many books Harry had only seen in the restricted section. He searched through the titles until he found one that read, "The New Marauders". Harry pulled out the book and began to read.

Welcome our newest Marauder. You have been chosen by an existing member to continue the tradition of chaos and disorder the original Marauder's held so dear. The key and the map were all you needed to find us. There must be four members of the Marauders, no more no less. Choose your friends wisely; make sure they won't betray you in their darkest hour. The ones you choose must not be told how to get here. They must go through what you did. Not only must a Marauder be smart, loyal, brave, and cunning. They must also be patient. 'Good things come to those who wait' to coin a phrase. That was the reason for the false directions. To see if you had the patients to wait for what this room beholds.

If a person fails to continue after being led around, you must retrieve the two items and try again. If at anytime another person other then a Marauder enters this room it will be sealed forever. After the forth person has been initiated and all four new Marauders are present only then will this book, and this room reveal more then what is shown.

Happy Hunting,
Prongs, Moony, Padfoot, and Wormtail.

Harry stood bewildered. He looked around the room once again and thought 'Is this a trick'. He couldn't believe the Marauders would leave something like this. They wanted someone to continue their pranks? Harry was feeling excited and scared at the same time. He wasn't known for playing pranks on people, that was what the Weasley twins did best. He continued to think about it, 'Fred and George are no longer here. Someone has to fill the void, why not me.' He stared at the book for a little longer before putting it back on the shelf. He looked down at his watch, and noticed that he had five minutes to get to the Great Hall. He would have to return to the room later.

Harry ran the Great Hall reaching the large oak doors just in time. He opened them to find most of the teachers and Dumbledore sitting at one of the house tables. Harry walked up and took a seat next to Professor McGonagall.

She looked up at Harry, "It's good of you to join us Mr. Potter." Said McGonagall.

"Thank you Professor." Said Harry

"You're welcome Mr. Potter. The Headmaster has told us of your new abilities. Would it be possible for a demonstration? I have never seen the control an elemental has over his or her element." As McGonagall said this all the clattering of the plates stopped, all talking ceased, and all eyes were on Harry.

"What element would you like to see me control?" Harry said in a tone a little quieter then normal.

"What do you mean which element, do you control more than one?" Said McGonagall with her eyes widening slightly.

"Yes he has control over all the elements Minerva, did I neglect to tell you that?" Said Dumbledore with a mischievous look in his blue eyes.

"Yes Headmaster you did." Said McGonagall shooting an icy glare towards Dumbledore.

Ignoring Professor McGonagall's stare he simple said, "Must have slipped my mind." Before he continued to eat.

McGonagall looked around the room, and decided that the flames from the candles would work well for the demonstration she wanted to see. "Harry if you could; I think it's a little too bright in here."

Harry got the hint and dimmed the candles with little concentration, "Is that better professor?" He said with a slight smile.

The entire staff looked at the teen in awe. Just then Professor Snape entered. Harry quickly put the lighting back at the normal level and continued to eat.

"Yes Harry that was great. Is there anything else you can do?" She said looking from the candles back to Harry.

Before Harry could speak again Snape interrupted, "Yes lets see it Harry. Or is dimming the lights the only thing you have learned this summer?" Said Snape in his normal condescending tone.

Without a word Harry stood and unsheathed his staff. He stepped away from the table and began to concentrate on the flames. The staff began to glow. The phoenix's eyes shown bright red and the room went dark. Only a single candle remained lit. It's flame stood alone in the dark room. The single flame captivated its audience, everyone abandoned their lunch and stared entranced, watching the single flame dance playfully atop the candle. Suddenly it went out. There was a sound of disappointment that filled the Great Hall. Then the candle lit again. The flame from the single candle jumped from one candle to another lighting the room. It started a chain reaction within seconds every candle was lit. The teachers watched as Harry showed them his control. For a second they thought he was done and turned to look at him but the staff was still glowing brightly. The candles over the house tables began to grow brighter. The flames grew and formed a huge ball of fire over each table. First was Slytherin, the mass of fire began to take shape forming an enormous snake that floated above the table. Then Gryffindor was next as a lion formed above the teachers. Followed by Ravenclaw where it formed an eagle and Hufflepuff where the fire formed a badger. The four house symbols shrunk and fell together to form the Hogwarts crest above the staff table, before fading. After the crest completely faded the room returned to normal and Harry sheathed his staff and returned to his seat at the table.

All the teachers including Snape stared at him with amazement. There was a long awkward silence, finally broken by Dumbledore. He began to clap slowly. Soon the rest of the staff followed. After a few moments, the clapping ceased and they began to talk again.
"That was incredible Mr. Potter, I had no idea the level of control you would have. Do you have this much control with all of the elements?" Said McGonagall

They talked for a good hour until everyone was done eating and finished asking Harry all the questions they had. Everyone was very excited to see Harry's newly found power, except Professor Snape who ate quickly and left after the questions started. Harry was tired and told them that he was going to rest. He said that he would see them at dinner.

The rest of the day passed without anything-special happening. Harry decided not to revisit the Havoc Room until Hermione, Ron, and Ginny could join him. He thought that Ginny would make a great addition to the Marauders. He couldn't think of anyone that would be better for it.

Harry lay awake in bed trying to get more sleep. He sat there thinking about Sirius something he had been neglecting to do all summer. He sat there thinking about how things could have been different. If he only tried to use the mirror to talk to Sirius, if he tried harder to practice Occlumency, Sirius would still be alive. Harry couldn't help thinking about him now. He had no choice. The only thing that Sirius had wanted Harry to have was the key to the Havoc Room and Harry would use it well. He believed that the key was Sirius's final wish. A wish that Harry would grant, the trio and Ginny would become a new form of Marauders, for Sirius.

Harry looked down at his watch, he decided to get dressed and head to the Great Hall for some breakfast, before starting his first lesson with Professor Snape. As he entered the Great Hall only Madame Pomfrey was there, sitting by herself enjoying her breakfast. "Oh good morning Harry, I've been expecting you." She said.

"Why have you been expecting me? I'm not injured." Harry said defensively, knowing that Madame Pomfrey has seen him lying in the hospital wing more than any other student in the school.

"I would just like you to be careful today. No one really knows what's going to happen when you use that staff of yours." She said pointing towards Harry's staff tied that was tied to his waist. "Professor Dumbledore told me to be ready for anything, and I am, but I do wish you to be careful. You're always hurting yourself." She said with her usually stern tone as she got up from the table and left.

Harry ate very little, feeling nervous after Madame Pomfrey's warning. He managed to get a couple pieces of toast down before heading to Hagrid's hut. As he crossed the grass he could see Professor Snape standing in the field, with his black robes billowing in the wind.

As he reached the Professor, Snape turned to him and said, "Could you do something about this bloody wind, Potter."

"Yes professor." Harry said as he removed the staff from its pouch. He gave the staff a wave and with a flash of light from the emerald, the wind slowed and stopped.

"Now, as far as I can tell from my reading, a staff is used just like a wand, with two exceptions that I know of. A spell cast with it will be much stronger then with a wand and it requires much more concentration from the wizard who uses it. The first thing I want you to do Mr. Potter is to make this levitate" Said Snape placing a feather on the ground.

Harry had the feeling Snape was patronizing him and started to get annoyed, but he did what he was told and tried the spell. Harry grasped the staff and concentrated on the feather and said, "Wingardium Leviosa." The feather lifted off the ground; Harry let it rise to about eye level when he heard Snape scream.

"DAMN IT POTTER, LET ME DOWN," Harry turned to see Snape floating in mid air at the same height as the feather. He wasn't the only thing floating; rocks, sticks, and dirt all around Harry were all at eye level. Harry concentrated on putting the feather down and everything else, including Professor Snape followed.

"Sorry Professor" Said Harry as Snape smoothed out his robes looking at Harry with more hate in his eyes then normal.

"You should be. I give you the simplest spell I could think of and you fowl it up. You didn't even think about it did you? You just stood there and said the spell. What would have happened Mr. Potter if you did that with a wand? Would you hit your target? No. So why would it be that way with a staff? You don't need a special wave or flick of the wrist but you do need to at least point at your target." Snape said with his dark beetle like eyes fixed on Harry.

Harry starting to get angry said, "Why didn't you tell me that in the first place? It's not like I've done this before." As Harry spoke the ground began to vibrate and a strong wind picked up behind him. "A student is only as good as the teacher, professor." Harry continued and the wind stopped and the shaking ceased.

"Don't take that tone with me Potter. Like it or not I am your teacher and I am best suited to teach you. Now listen to my instructions and maybe you will actually excel at something." Snape countered. His voice regained its strength half way through the first sentence. He was a little shaken by Harry's display of power.

Harry determined that if he was going to learn how to use his staff; putting up with Snape was the only way. "Yes Professor" Was the only thing he could say.

"Now try again Mr. Potter and this time point at what you are trying to levitate." Said Snape.

Harry concentrated again on the feather. This time he pointed the emerald tip at the feather and said, "Wingardium Leviosa" The feather lifted off the ground as it did before. Harry looked around to see if anything else was floating and when nothing was he let the feather float back to earth.

"Better Potter, at least this time I'm still on the ground, but that was simple, next we'll try something a little more complex." Said Snape in his usually tone.

Over the next couple of weeks Harry progressed very well. He was able to cast almost every spell with his staff that he was able to with his wand. A few of the complex spells gave him a little trouble but he worked through it. Snape had Harry train from nine every morning till four every afternoon. Only breaking for lunch. Even though Snape still despised Harry he began to respect the teen.

Harry walked down towards Hagrid's hut at eight thirty like he did every day, but instead of seeing Snape dressed in his normal attire. He saw Dumbledore standing there, watching Harry approach him.

As Harry reached Dumbledore he said, "Good morning Professor. If you don't mind me asking where is Professor Snape?"

"Snape said that your training with him is finished. You will be returning to the Burrow for the remainder of your summer after today, but before you go there is one more charm I'd like to see you perform, the patronus charm." Said Dumbledore.

"If you wish professor." Harry took out his staff and turned back to Dumbledore, "You might want to step back; I'm not really sure what's going to happen." Finished Harry.

Taking the young wizard's warning seriously, Dumbledore took a few steps back. Once he felt he was at a safe distance he said, "Ready when you are Harry."

Harry concentrated, trying to find his happiest memory. He thought back to the first day he saw Hagrid when he was eleven. The day he found out he was a wizard, and yelled, "Expecto Patronum". Instead of the single silver stag that would have appeared from his wand. A herd of at least three hundred of the antlered creatures appeared in the silver phantom form. Harry ordered them to move towards the dark forest. As the stags ran towards the destination the true power they contained became evident. The sure mass of them was enough to drive off thousands of dementors.

Harry and Dumbledore both stood in silence watching the herd head off into the forest. They watched until the last silver figure disappeared amongst the trees. After a good five minutes had passed, Dumbledore finally spoke.

"That was amazing Harry. I'm really at a lost for words except; we won't have to worry about dementors with you around." Dumbledore chuckled. "Now I've already had Dobby pack you things." He handed Harry the miniaturized trunk. "I will be escorting you to the Three Broomsticks from there you will floo to the burrow. I expect you'll find a warm welcome. The Weasley's were a little angry with me when I told them that we hadn't celebrated your birthday." Dumbledore said as Harry cut him off.

"My birthday how could I have forgotten my own birthday? All this time I've been sixteen and didn't realize it. How could I have let that happen Professor?" Harry said in a high pitch voice.

"That would probably be my fault Harry. I had you training so much you probably didn't even know what day it was. Everyday was the same routine, we just lost track of the days. It happens to the best of us you know." Dumbledore said.

"Yeah I guess you're right Professor, I just can't believe I forgot. When I usually stay at the Dursley's I cross off each day on the calendar, when I stayed with you I didn't do anything like that. At least the Weasley's remembered; if it wasn't for them what would I do?" Harry said.

"I don't know Mr. Potter, but I wouldn't want to find out." Dumbledore said with a smile.

After their carriage ride to Hogsmade Harry and Dumbledore walked into the Three Broomsticks. They both ordered butterbeers before Harry went to the Burrow.

Before Harry stepped into the fireplace he said, "Thank you for a great summer Professor."

"No Mr. Potter the pleasure was all mine. I will see you on September first. Oh and before I forget anything else about your birthday, there's a present from me in your trunk. Bye Harry" Said Dumbledore.

"Bye Professor." Harry said as he stepped into the fireplace and threw floo powder at his feet.

Please Read and Review. I would appreciate any comments and suggestions to the story. Feel free to Email me at Heroic948@hotmail.com. Thank you. -Heroic-