I'm sorry; it's been an absolutely unacceptable amount of time since I last added to this story. I hope you're all not too mad at me, I made this chapter extra special for you. AND I wrote out an entire song for the sorting hat. That's gotta be worth something, right?

As the horseless carriages wound their way towards Hogwarts, each Marauder was doing his best to entertain himself. Remus was sitting in one corner, deep in concentration in "Fun With Fungus!" and Peter was nowhere to be found. James was involved in a Quidditch magazine as Sirius idly flicked bits of chocolate frog wrappers at him. Finally James snapped his book shut.

"Do you think Lily's very mad at me?" he asked, looking to Lupin and Padfoot in turn.

Sirius replied with, "Mad at us," and Moony merely gave him a patronizing look over the edge of his book and muttered a sarcastic "Of course not."

"I mean, I know she's mad, but is she very mad?" Prongs asked, hoping for a negative response.

Remus simply continued to gaze at him. Sirius said "Probably!" nonchalantly as the cart halted.

"Like, from now on she'll hate me forever?"

"What do you mean, 'from now on' Prongsie?" asked Sirius as the trudged under the stars towards the castle. Remus had since given up and was walking along with his nose buried in his textbook. "She's hated you since you started harassing her in fourth year!"

"I wouldn't call it harassing per se... more of an persistent, irksome, well meant, amicable bantering-like thing. What I'm trying to say is that she is vastly overeating. I mean, she didn't even get hit with the firecracker spells because she was too busy hunting us down. She didn't end up with circus face, like Wormtail."

Peter, who had appeared next to James as he spoke, said, "About that... could we not mention that for the rest of the year please?"

Sirius glanced over at him. "Glad you could join us. And you're saying that we can laugh at you for looking like a prostitute next year?"

"Uh, sure whatever. The sorting's starting. Can we be quiet?"

Professor McGonagall strode across stage, and proceeded to place the stool before the line of new students. The ripped seam opened as normal, and apart from the gasps of the first years, the room was silent.

One day there was a group of four:

Helga Hufflepuff, and Rowena Ravenclaw,

Salazar Slytherin, and Grodic Gryffindor,

The need for a school was what they saw.

The friends gathered and built these rooms,

And thus this school was formed,

The prospect of new learning bloomed,

And into the building students swarmed.

"So many!" cried fair Hufflepuff,

"I cannot take them all!"

Someone offered to break them up,

It was Grodic, I recall.

I was a normal hat one day, a head covering at most,

But a day came and a job was needed:

I was happy to cover the post,

(And I must say, I've succeeded!)

Good Hufflepuff requested those,

With strong hands but gentle minds,

For Gryffindor, the one's that show

Great bravery will be assigned.

Clever Ravenclaw was shrewd and smart,

And those students she suggested,

"Pure of blood, not mind or heart!"

Was all that Slytherin requested.

Once this was done three founders were pleased,

And yearly put me on this stool,

But Slytherin was not appeased,

He wanted only his to come to school.

The friends had a fearful row,

And the time was very rough,

But they kept the school how it is now,

And Salazar left Hogwarts in a huff.

Long, long ago I was made and used,

But a still can decide,

Badger, snake, eagle or lion for you?

And by my rule you must abide.

So step right up, and sit on down,

The sorting will then start,

I'll see in your mind... no need for sound!

Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!

The hall exploded into applause, which died away as Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and unrolled a long scroll. "Ames, Ian," rang accross the hall, and a nervous brown head of hair bobbed to the stool.

James turned to Sirius. "Ten sickles he's a Hufflepuff," challenged Prongs.

"Nah, that's definitely Ravenclaw material right there," countered Sirius, looking smugly at the first year, partially obscured by the hat.

"Slytherin for sure," said Remus softly. James and Sirius turned to gape at him.

"What are you talking about? He's just a little smidge of a runt... you could use him as a quaffle!"

"Padfoot's right, he's so cute and innocent looking... I'm going to name him mini Prongs."

Remus just shrugged as the hat yelled "Slytherin!" and Sirius and James grudgingly handed over their silver.

"I meant mini Satan, not mini Prongs," amended James at this new discovery.

"What's the difference?" asked Sirius sarcastically. "And where's the food? Man's best friend my ass. Friends don't let friends resort to eating tablecloths."

"Sirius, you ate 6 bags of every flavour beans, 4 pumpkin tarts and 17 chocolate frogs. And God knows what else you found in your pocket! How you haven't exploded yet, let alone can cram in more dinner is beyond me," said Remus.

"Yeah, be happy you're not in Azkaban, they have to eat rats there."

Peter gave a small squeak of discomfort at this tidbit of information, and concentrated very hard at the front of the room, where "Manns, Abigail," was being sorted into Hufflepuff.

For the rest of the sorting, the Marauders were fairly quiet. As soon as "Ziss, Lainy" was called and subsequently sorted, Dumbledore stood up and said, "Ah! And now that we have welcomed our new students-" he smiled at the four tables, "-I just have a few quick announcements. Firstly, Professor Glom has asked me to remind you that there are no spells performed by unauthorized students allowed in the halls. Secondly, the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students, hence the 'Forbidden.' I know you're all eager to eat, but let me first give you some food for thought: Shubop, bling, tack."

Sirius mumbled something about giving a starving dog a rubber bone.

"Enjoy the feast!"

"About time!" yelled Sirius, but he couldn't be heard over the din of hundreds of plates and utensils. James and Sirius immediately began attacking their food, Remus followed at a more moderate pace, and Peter looked around, trying to figure out where the food spattering him (as a result of Potter and Black's slovenly eating habits) was coming from.

At long last, Remus went to join Lily and the other prefects in assisting the new students, and the remaining three bloatedly made their way up the stairs. James and Sirius discussed Quidditch moves and Peter added helpful nods. As they sat in their room, Remus finally walked in and collapsed onto the bed. "Tired..." he mumbled.

"Hey Moony," said James loudly, as Remus winced at the noise. "Given any more thought to that super secret plot yet?"

Remus just smiled a secret smile whose meaning wasn't so secret and closed his hangings.

Been having a bit of writer's block, so this was all I can manage at the moment. Sorry, it was mostly the guys this chapter. Lots of Lily next time, I promise!!! R and R, of course.