Arlinya is sitting at her desk, pondering something. She looks up to notice the viewers Oh, hello everyone. Sorry for the lateness of this chapter. I came down with a really bad virus on the first of July. I'm still recovering. coughs a few times before focusing back on the monitor

Kiriko walks into the room and tugs lightly on Arlinya's blue dress Arlinya-sama, it's time to feed the cats. And you said something about wanting to work on your Beyblade and Sailor Moon fanfics.

That's right. Ah well. Enjoy this chapter. BTW, the winner of the cyber cookie was my good friend, Leviar Astrite, who I know in real life. He managed to get the entire prophecy, though the part about butterflies took him a while and he still has to figure out who the Dragon is. Looks around innocently, whistling That wasn't my fault, really. Kiriko coughs lightly The full importance of the prophecy won't come to light until much later. In this way, Leviar had the advantage. Apparently, my brother also figured it out, but that's hardly a surprise. He does, after all, know pretty much the entire plotline. There's a cyber cookie for anyone else who solves the prophecy, that will be available until it is fully revealed.

And Book Lover, yelling at me to get another chapter out delays the process, I'm oppositional-defiant, medically. It means you tell me to do something, I'll do the opposite of what you want, just to be ornery. That is, in fact, why this chapter is so late. So blame BookLover990 for that one... I hate working under pressure... Ta! Waves and wanders out of the room to feed the animals and find a Ricola Cherry Honey (tm) throat lozenge, Kiriko trailing behind, picking up some stray pieces of paper

Disclaimer: Do I REALLY have to keep writing this? I think, if you are reading this, you are smart enough to know that there is no possible way I could be J. K. Rowling. But the concepts and some of the characters are mine (i.e. Natalia) NO STEALING THEM!!!!!!!!!

Beginning of the Marauders, Part I

Their first semester at Hogwarts had been fun. Remus was accepted by James and Sirius as if the three of them were long-lost triplets. Lily, Natalia, and Arabella were as close as sisters. All six children were good friends, spending many days huddled together in the Griffindor Common Room. They talked about all sorts of things, one of which was Quidditch. Remus loved Quidditch, as well as the flying lessons that they had just recently completed. Lily hated the sport with a passion, feeling dizzy at each game. For the sake of Remus, she continued to watch the games, but in no way did she enjoy them. She also had a slight fear of heights that made flying lessons with Madame Hooch very interesting.

Meredith and Peter were so shy and unassuming that they just kind of faded into the shadows. That's why the six children barely noticed that they had roommates. The six discovered a mutual love of pranks, laughing at many of Peeves' pranks (yes, even the ones he pulled on them). There was also a mutual hate of all Slytherins. This developed from the fact that many Slytherins still picked on Remus. After the second time that it happened, Lily, James, and Sirius pulled a nasty prank on the Slytherins. They weren't caught at it, since Lily had been too clever with the invisibility charm, but it was well-known by that point that Remus was protected by Lily, James, and Sirius.

By winter, each of them had found a class that they loved best. For Lily, it was Charms, although Potions came in a close second. Remus loved Defense Against the Dark Arts, scaring Lily for a while until he explained that it was better to be prepared since they would most likely come knocking on his door. James was the pet of Professor McGonagle, though neither of them would willingly admit it. Sirius loved star-gazing and managed pull ahead of the entire Astronomy class by about a year. Natalia did best in Herbology and Arabella LOVED History of Magic, even though she would also fall asleep during Professor Binns' lessons. No one could understand how a ghost teacher could be so boring.

Remus' disappearances went unnoticed by the rest of the group, thanks to Lily's many distractions. The cousins also made sure to both disappear almost randomly, to keep the others on their toes. Their music lessons, held in the Muggle Studies classroom, were held randomly throughout the week since their private instructor was allowed to raise her family on Hogwarts grounds.

After mid-term exams were completed, the group was sitting together in the Common Room, discussing what they planned to do over the break. James and Natalia were expecting to go home to another empty house since their parents worked so much. Sirius, having told them about his mother's disappointment in his choosing Griffindor over Slytherin, wasn't looking forward to his trip home. Even Arabella expected to have an uneasy winter break since her grandfather lived with them and would be talking loudly about being disgusted by his own daughter. She knew he was planning to use her as a way to further hurt her mother.

Even Lily and Remus weren't looking forward to their winter break. They had gotten a letter from Iris and Philip, saying that Romulus had arrived unexpectedly the day before, and that he was planning to stay through the winter. Neither of them was happy about that fact since it meant the one safe-haven they had from Petunia was now an even worse place to be. Shortly after that letter though, came a letter from Amaryllis that said Petunia was staying with some of her friends for the winter. It also asked Lily to invite some of her friends over. Lily and Remus immediately asked their friends to join them.

Since the request came only a few days before the beginning of winter recess, everyone was tensely waiting for the results. James and Natalia quickly received permission from their parents the following morning. Arabella's mother sent a grateful letter to Lily thanking her for the offer. Arabella said her mother was allowing her to go because Grandfather Figg was becoming violent and Arabella's mother didn't feel it was safe for her to return home. It wasn't until the day they were supposed to leave that Sirius received word from his mother in the form of a Howler.

Sirius quickly ran out of the room with the Howler and didn't return for almost an hour. Even after breakfast had long been cleared away by the House Elves (who enchanted Lily with their unusual appearance), the remaining five children waited for Sirius to return. When Sirius did return, it was obvious that he had been crying. The tearstains on his face contrasted greatly with skin that was much lighter than it should have been. All three girls quickly got up and hugged him tightly, not even asking him whether he could attend or not. Remus, who had grown up around mostly women, felt compelled to do something. Unfortunately for him, the full moon was two nights away and he was saving his energy so that he could actually get onto the train later. James looked on sadly, having seen the results of a message from Sirius' mother many times before.

After wiping away the last vestiges of his tears, Sirius did manage a reassuring smile and hug for each of the girls. Turning to Lily, he simply said, "I can go." No one asked any questions, merely went up to the Tower and gathered their trunks. Arabella was the only one who noticed that Lily had not only switched trunks with Remus, she had also cast a quick charm to make it lighter for him.

The train ride was interesting for the six companions, who sat in a compartment together. They played Exploding Snap, Muggle Poker (taught to them by Remus and Lily), and Wizard Chess. They spent a lot of time joking around and planning pranks for the break. Lily made them promise to not do anything too dangerous OR involving magic of any kind. Sirius reluctantly agreed shortly after James capitulated.

Nathaniel Evans met all six just outside the entrance to Platform Nine and Three-quarters. He expertly maneuvered through the crowded train station, and led them to the family van. There was barely enough room for all six trunks, all six pets, and the seven people. Although the trip to the Evans residence was cramped, no one could be happier. Lily and Remus were home, amongst people who understood and loved them. James and Natalia were actually spending their holidays with human beings. Sirius was just happy to be invited to stay amongst a group of people. Arabella was glad to be away from the clash of two different worlds.

Their first glimpse of the house caused everyone to gasp in surprise. James was impressed by how small the place was. Natalia, by its coziness. Arabella, although used to the Muggle world, had never seen such a cheery place. Sirius was impressed by the size as well, uncertain if all of them could fit comfortably inside. Remus and Lily were surprised. The house had undergone some serious renovations while they were away. It didn't look at all like it had before and was much larger as well.

Upon entering, Remus collapsed slightly, leaning against the wall as he tried to take off his shoes. No one else noticed this, since Lily was thoroughly distracting them by tearing her shoes off and running into the foyer. Following her as quickly as possible, they left Remus behind, who allowed himself to slump to the ground. They entered the foyer to see Lily in the arms of someone they assumed was her mother. The two women in the room were remarkably similar in appearances.

"Welcome home sweetie," the woman hugging Lily said. Lily just hugged her tighter.

"It's good to be home, Mama," Lily replied. Finally releasing each other, Lily turned to the group. "Mama, allow me to introduce the four friends Algy and I made at Hogwarts. This is Sirius Black, James Potter, Arabella Figg, and Natalia Potter." Each child waved politely when their name was called. "Guys this is my mother, Amaryllis Evans."

"Call me Amy, kids."

"The other woman over here," Lily said, waving towards the other couple sitting on the couch, "is Remus' mother, my Aunt Iris. Next to her is my Uncle Philip."

"Nice to meet you," Natalia, Arabella, and Iris said at varying times. James, Sirius, and Philip just nodded politely.

"Aunt Amy? Mama? Papa?" Remus called from the doorway. Iris stood up and rushed over to her son, hugging him tightly.

"Welcome home, son," Philip said, also pulling Remus in for a hug after he was brought over to the couch. Remus sat down heavily between his parents, leaning against his mother, while Lily took a seat in her father's lap once he was seated. The remaining children took seats around the room.

The parents were impressed by the friends their children had made. They noticed how James was always supporting the others in the group, much like they had seen Lily do all her life, while still having a very easy going nature. Sirius was the affable joker, but the parents, having experience with their children's hiding, quickly noticed the signs of a troubled family life. Arabella was the sweet and playful companion, always ready with a smile and a wish to help. Natalia was James' opposite in many ways, a quiet book lover, who had an innate love of plants and pranks. They also noticed that Remus was far more comfortable in his own skin and that Lily was more relaxed amongst their friends.

"Lily, Remus," Amy called gently, noticing the time, "take your friends upstairs to their rooms. Remus, sweetie, take a nap, while Lily shows your friends the house from TOP to BOTTOM, thoroughly."

"Yes, mama," Lily replied, understanding instantly.

"Of course Aunt Amy," was Remus' reply, as he wearily stood from his seat.

After settling quickly into their rooms, the others followed Lily up another floor to the attic, which had been reorganized into a music room for Lily and Remus. Lily exclaimed in surprise at the discovery and spent a few minutes inspecting the room. The others, not knowing of her love of music before now, watched in interest.

Everyone was therefore startled to hear the sound of breaking glass from several floors below. Lily, in fear, shot back down the stairs, her friends following. They all got there in time to see a man in his early twenties pound up the stairs angrily, followed by Amy and Iris, who were trying to convince him to come back downstairs.

"NO! What gives him the right to go to that school when I cannot?!" the man screamed at the two. Lily, to the amazement of the group, stepped in front of Remus' door and spread her arms out, to prevent the man from passing. When he reached her, he snarled. "Out of my way, small fry!"

"NO!" Lily yelled back, without fear and with a great deal of anger. "You lost the right to go to Hogwarts the night you chose to follow that friend of yours. You further took yourself out of Grandfather's good graces the night you tried to KILL me!" She ignored the gasps of surprise and fear from her friends. "So get out of here Romulus, and let Remus sleep. He's a far better person than you could ever be!"

"I must insist that you listen to Lily, Romulus. You are no longer welcome in this house after your display downstairs and I think it would be best if you left your mother and father alone as well. If you don't, I will be forced to call both the Muggle police and the Ministry of Magic. I know how much you don't want to get in trouble again," Nathaniel calmly said, coming up the stairs slowly to stand beside his daughter.

"FINE!" and with that, Romulus Lupin disappeared from the house and, hopefully, from the lives of Remus and Lily, forever.

Sighing, Iris apologized profusely for the behavior of her eldest son, "Romulus never liked the fact that, since Remus was born seven years after he was, he seemingly got more attention. He's resented Remus and Lily all their lives for their sweet natures and the fact that they are loved by everyone. Please forgive us for exposing you to him." Turning to Lily, she continued with, "That was brave, little flower, but foolish. Why don't you rest, we'll take care of your friends for a bit."

"Yes, Auntie Iris," was Lily's only reply.

AN: I'll end here for now, Kiriko-chan has up and disappeared. Also, I won't be getting another chapter out this month, or even early next month, if at all. August is going to be a busy time for me, since I'm leaving for my first year of college and I have New Student Orientation to get to. I'll be busy packing and going to my five appointments. Also, I need to spend time with my friends and I am thus planning for a b-day/going away party. So I have better things to do than concentrate wholly on this story, and I'm sorry that I'll have to keep you waiting. But school work has, and always will, come first. Ja ne! See you in September, if worst comes to worse.