Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters.

The doors to the castle loomed in front of Lily, James, Sirius, and Remus. The three boys glanced at each other and broke into huge grins. They were home once again. Lily looked up at the huge doors and let out a sigh of contentment.

When they reached the Great Hall the tables were mostly filled. The three boys found a spot to sit at the end of the table while Lily looked around for her friends. She finally spotted them and ran over to take a seat next to Madison. When all of the students were seated Professor McGonagall brought out a stool and a hat. After she placed the hat on the stool the hall waited anxiously for the song that would inevitably come from the Sorting Hat. And eventually the hat began to sing.

You may look at me

And see a tattered rag

But I hold within me

The solution to the snag

Many are still blind

To the gaping whole

And I come to tell you

Each student plays a vital role

For to avoid the darkness approaching

We must unite within these walls

No longer can we avoid it

Because the world now calls

As I've told you year after year

Four friends founded this school

I'm the last remnant

Of their collective rule

Gryffindor wanted those who were brave

In spirit, body, and mind.

While Ravenclaw took those of great intellect

Where they would flourish with their own kind

Sweet Hufflepuff took the rest

For in her eyes all were an equal match

Finally Slytherin took few students

Only those who were pureblood would be in his catch

And so that is how this process started

Four who were once connected

Were forever separated

Unfortunately we the whole world now affected

I've come to give you a message

To put aside conflict

And those who by the Dark Lord

Have been tricked

Immerse yourselves in the fight

To save the good before they fall

Because from the grave

Those before you call

A cryptic message

That this fight we must win

Forget not my message

But let now the sorting begin.

The Hall broke into applause. Most were too stunned by the hat's cryptic words to say anything, but those who could speak didn't know what to say. Four friends were affected in particular by the hat's dark message. For from an outsider's view the Marauders resembled what the founder's of their school had once been. James represented the bold and daring Gryffindor. Remus was smart and very similar to the knowledgeable Ravenclaw. Sirius was accepting of all who were truly good like dear Hufflepuff. While Peter sought power like Slytherin once did. Dumbledore had always seen this connection, but had a hard time trying to place the equivalent of Slytherin. It had come down to a battle between Sirius and Peter. The question was: Would blood win out in the end? But that question would not be answered until years after James and Lily's death.

For now the boys were content eating the delicious feast that was eventually placed before them after the sorting had commenced. They sat in collaboration thinking and discussing the possible pranks they could pull this year. Remus of course made sure that they didn't plan anything too horrible, because, after all, he was a prefect. He had a reputation to keep up.

At the opposite end of the table Lily sat discussing trivial matters with her friends. Occasionally she would look up and her eyes would meet those of this year's Head Boy. Every time she would blush fiercely causing her friends to slip into small smiles. As dinner ended Lily got up to leave, but she was interrupted by none other than Michael Kent. Lily was shocked to see him standing there.

"Hi," he said with a grin plastered on his face.

"Hello," Lily replied shyly.

"So how was your summer?" Michael asked with great enthusiasm.

"It was pretty good, how bout you?" she said politely

"Mine was great..." at that he broke off.

Lily's courage started to build up. She wanted him to ask her out so bad and she had been waiting for two years. Fine, she decided, if he won't ask me out then I will ask him out. She had never done anything this daring before, but she wasn't a Gryffindor for no reason.

"Michael," she said boldly. "Would you like to go on a walk with me sometime?"

Michael quickly and excitedly answered that yes he would love to go on a walk with her sometime. They decided that sometime in the next week would be good. Then Michael left to return to his Head duties and Lily to her Prefect duties. As she was leading the first years up to the Gryffindor common room she felt a tap on her shoulder. She already knew who it was, but turned around anyway to make sure. After she had confirmed her suspicions she turned back around and kept on walking.

"So, Lily, what were you doing talking to the head boy?" James said catching up with her.

"It's none of your business Potter," she said hoping to end the conversation.

"Oh, does yittle Lily have crushy on the Big Head Boy?" James said cruelly.

"Ha, if anyone has a big head it's you Potter. You're the one that goes around playing with that stupid snitch and making yourself the center of attention always Mr. Look-at-me-I-play-quidditch-and-I'm-just-oh-so-smart," wisely Lily cut her self off there. She wasn't going to let her temper get the best of her.

"Yeah, well you're Ms.-I'm-perfect-and-I'm-too-good-for-everybody-so-I'll-just act-all-high-and-mighty. But let me tell you Evans that I'm just as good as you are so you can stop acting better than me!" James shouted.

This statement shocked Lily and she sincerely hoped she didn't make anybody feel like they were less than here. She knew what that felt like and it was very unpleasant.

"I'm sorry if I ever made you feel like that James," she replied truthfully. "I never intended to."

With that Lily continued walking and left James standing there. Mentally, he was kicking himself in the head. Why did he have to be such an ass around Lily? Of course, she never made him feel like that. It was just the only insult he could think of. He knew she cared about people too much to ever make anyone feel like they were less than her. After James got done mentally beating himself up he decided to just go to bed. As he walked in the common room he saw that a party had been formed, but he just wasn't in the mood. He bypassed Sirius' shouts for him to join them and continued on to his dormitory. When he reached it he got into his pajamas and lay down in his bed, just staring at his ceiling. Staring and thinking.

Lily had seen James silently walk up to his dormitory. She hoped that she hadn't made him feel less than her. The only reason she always yelled at him was because he was usually so mean to the other kids. She knew that deep down he was a good person, because that was what she thought about most everyone and by yelling at him she was hoping to bring that good person out of him. Lily decided to follow his lead and she journeyed up to her own dormitory. This day had been long enough for her. It was time to put an end to it and she did so by changing into her pajamas and going to sleep. All the while thinking about James. She didn't want to think about him, but she couldn't help it.

A/N- Thank you to all who have reviewed. You guys are the reason I keep writing this story! I want to clarify a point in the story though. I'm a firm believer that Peter wasn't always a bad person. It was circumstance that turned him into the horrible person he became. Yes, some of you might despise me for sticking up for Peter, but how would you like it if your friends got all the attention while people could barely remember your own name. It wouldn't feel too good, I'm sure. So please just keep an open mind when I write about Peter. Thanks and keep reviewing!!!!!!