Just Kids

A Marauders Fic

Summary

Their lives will shape the fate of the world, magic and muggle. They will help drive back the darkness, their names will be known to everyone; they will be loved and hated in turn. Not quite yet though, right now…they're just kids.

Disclaimer

You are gullible if you believe the following:

That the word gullible has been taken out of the dictionary.

&

That I am our beloved JKR. I'm not; I don't own the rights to the Harry Potter books or any of the characters in them. I am not making any money out of this so please don't sue. Since I don't have much money you wouldn't get much out of me anyway.

Authors Note

In this chapter there is something that might, just might be taken offensively by some Americans, please do not be offended its not even a real sport and it is slightly depressing that I even have to write this but you know there are some funny people out there.

On the bright side this is my longest chapter yet 1,826 words exactly (word count is a wonderful thing).

It is also only six days until Christmas, I have a tidy room and it snowed yesterday so I am a very happy fanfic writer. This is primarily the reason you have got such an long chapter (long chapter, huh some writers get 4,000 out regularly in a shorter space of time then this and I am pleased) sorry that was my inner pessimist talking. Also my mood is now going down because my mum keeps calling me to ask my opinion on various articles of clothing, whether my little sister would like it, do you remember this and is this your scarf, so I have to keep getting up and…. GRRR!! Sorry, anyway enjoy the chapter and

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

Sirius was becoming rapidly delusional about his new status, sure the Gryffindor's had been nice enough; there had been a few cautious smiles and some restrained welcomes but he had hoped for something more. Now he realised that he would have to prove himself before he was accepted fully, being sorted into Gryffindor was the first step but it took more then that to completely wash away the stain his family had left on him, Sirius was for the moment guilty by association.

He had accepted his status as an outcast by the time Lily Evens was Sorted, Dippet's studious avoiding of him had hammered the point home quite firmly, mind you that might not have been entirely due to his name, the boy was already making enemies with his dismissive attitude of all things Gryffindor and someone taking pleasure from avoiding their families traditional house when he hadn't been accepted into the Dippit's probably didn't endure Sirius to him.

Evens' avoidance of him didn't come as a surprise; he had tried to wake up that sleeping boy with some of Filibuster's best and then cemented her bad opinion of them by shoving her out of their carriage. He also suspected that Evens was muggleborn so the name Black wouldn't concern her he was basing this on the fact that as they were walking to Hogwarts he had overheard her asking what a Nimbus was. In Sirius' book not knowing what Quidditch was meant you either needed a long stay in one of St. Mungo's high security wards or you had been raised by muggles. Of course you could always be American, Sirius had seen a Quod match while visiting his second cousin three times removed and for once he had agreed with his Father, any nation that preferred that over Quiditch had to be insane. His Father had had a different reason for thinking that though, something to do with deserting their families and everything they stood for; because of that speech Sirius had for a time entertained the notion off escaping to America but the discovery of their national game had squashed that idea. He wondered if James had ever seen a Quod game, he would have to ask him…

But he couldn't, Sirius wasn't so blind that he couldn't see the death stares James was directing in his direction, they were almost equal to the ones his darling mum tended to shoot at him if, no when, he wasn't behaving himself while they had guests. It was going to be difficult to get James to forgive him; Sirius knew that if he had been in James place, well James wouldn't have had a leg to stand on. Judging from the fatal glares the other boy was shooting him James was mad enough to start a muggle duel. He was fairly confident that he could take James in a fight if it came down to that, his ex-friend was smaller and scrawnier than him, but Sirius hoped he wouldn't have to punch James until he saw his side of the story. Hurting the guy would only reflect badly on him and…

It was ridicules really; he had managed to lose his first real friend within hour of meeting him and short of flattening him Sirius couldn't think of any way to regain it.

Another storm of clapping erupted around him, Tanya Jynx had just joined the Gryffindor table, she didn't seem to realise Sirius existed and instead ran to sit beside Lily Evens, the two girls appeared to know each other, there were several squeals at the excitement of being in the same house. Some people had all the luck, best friend in the same house…

His brooding was interrupted when amidst cheers from his new house mates Remus Lupin asked if he could sit down beside Sirius. It took a few seconds for the request to be registered, by now Sirius had accepted that he would be spending the feast in almost complete isolation and this sudden intrusion into that belief left him slightly shaken. The boy didn't go away however and when Sirius indicated the space in front of him the tawny haired boy sank down on to the bench with every sign that he intended to stay put. It was only then that Sirius realised that the boy in front of him was the "mystery sleeper of compartment 13" as James had put it despite the fact that the compartment didn't have a number and even if it did it wouldn't have been 13. In an unusual display of tact Sirius decided not to mention this; running out upon waking up was an indication of not wanting to talk that even he could spot. Instead he asked rather bitterly…

"Aren't you afraid my Blackness will rub of on you?"

Remus considered this, there were so many ways he could answer that question…

"No, I am a werewolf, aren't you afraid I'm going to bite you?"

Or…

"Shouldn't we Dark people band together against every one else."

Of course there was always…

"I turn in to a man eating monster every full moon so it isn't likely that I would be frightened by something that wouldn't happen any way."

In the end he settled for saying…

"There is an exception to every rule and judging by the fact that your in Gryffindor I think that you're the exception to the one that goes "Every Black is a mad Dark witch or wizard that deserves to be subjected to some of those really interesting Middle Age muggle torture devises.". Sirius raised his eyebrows.

"Interesting rule."

"My dad made it up, he works in the Department of International Magical Co-operation, International Magical Office of Law, Use and Misuse of Muggles' and he says that any day when he doesn't get a Howler or a very rude letter from a member of the Black family complaining about how he's managing things he treats his staff to lunch. So far he hasn't had to pay up once."

"That sounds like my family, my Father complains about yours at the dinner table as well, normally I just try to ignore it."

"Apparently it's rather hard to ignore ten different Howlers all yelling at once; he used to come home practically deaf until my mum made him some earmuffs to take to work. Unfortunately she was slightly annoyed with him that day, so the earmuffs are pink and fluffy. " They both smirked.

Sirius said that he could just imagine an older version of Remus working away in his office, pink and fluffy earmuffs on, Howlers from his many relations shouting away in the back ground.

The rest of the Sorting went pleasantly enough, Sirius informed Remus about Andromeda, the other exception to the rule of the Blacks and Remus entertained Sirius with the tale of the Ministry Christmas party when the Black and Lupin patriarchs came face to face for the first time.

"So my dad came home drank half a bottle of Scotch and made up the rule."

The two were so busy sniggering at the story that they were the last ones to fall silent as Dumbeldore rose to speak. It was the first time that Remus had seen Headmaster in the flesh and not in a picture; despite his long white hair and beard that spoke of his great age he had an aura of tremendous energy. For a moment his sparkling blue eyes rested on Remus then they travelled to other parts of the room.

"Welcome, pupils old and new to another year at Hogwarts in which I hope you will learn something, but first… the Feast!"

As he sat down the tables covered themselves with piles of potatoes, mountains of peas and carrots, roast meat in all shapes and sizes, food, glorious food. He began to heap his plate and Sirius copied him only he took more.

"You know you ought to leave room for pudding."

Sirius made a face at him then swallowed,

"I'll have room," he paused to ravage his chicken some more, "until to day I have never really enjoyed a meal so I plan to eat enough food to sink a ship and then some."

"Fair enough, just try not to spray all that food at me." Sirius grinned and they both got down to some serious eating.

If anything the second course was even better then the first, every conceivable dessert was laden on the groaning table; it was pity that Remus felt to full to cope with more then a bowlful of chocolate pudding, Sirius on the other hand lived up to his promise and managed to devour two bowls of the delicious chocolate pudding, several different types of ice-cream and at least five jam doughnuts. He was just polishing off the last doughnut and Remus was beginning to feel as though going to bed and collapsing for the night would be a good idea when the plates were scrubbed clean and Dumbledore got to his feet.

"Now that an excellent feast has been devoured may I bend your eats for a few moments and deliver a few start of term notices. Firstly a new tree has been added to our grounds, it is a very rare Whomping Willow and students are strongly advised to avoid coming in to contact with it or indeed going anywhere near it since, as its name suggests, it is of a violent disposition."

When Remus heard Sirius mutter "I have got to see this." he wasn't surprised.

"Secondly the Forbidden Forest is… forbidden due to the many dangers it contains, first years and otherstudents should be aware of this. The Quidditch season will be starting as soon as possible, if you wish to try out for your houses team see your houses captain. Also I have been told to inform you by our caretaker Mr Filch that "socialising" in broom cupboards is henceforth banned due to he need to have permanent access to his brooms."

There was an out burst of stifled sniggers at this announcement, at the High Table as well as on the house tables, and some ruby red blushes from the guilty parties. Dumbledore however continued serenely, Remus could have sworn that his eyes were exceptionally merry, ever for Dumbledore.

"Right now off to bed."

However when Remus attempted to follow the prefect that was endeavouring to gather together the scattered Gryffindor first years Professor Shadow materialized at his shoulder.

"The Headmaster wants to see you his office dear, follow me."

So he did and once again he was torn from the semblance of normality he had had during the feast and back to his life, there where some things you just can't escape and being a werewolf was one of them. He saw Sirius at the door turning to look for him and quickly hurried after the small women, glad he hadn't been seen.

Shout Outs

Rainbow26: Thanks, I am glad that I inspire you to write more.

brenngt14: Unfortunatly the Sirius fic is only in the planning stages, it won't be out any time soon, I don't think I can cope with two stories at once.

Amalynne O'hara: Plot? You want a plot now, good grief; some people can't be satisfied with what they've got. (Joke, but to be honest the only thing that is certain in this fic is the things that have been told in the books and that James and Sirius will battle it out in the next chapter). I do think that Sirius getting into Gryffindor is shocking, especially since the school has been treated to about six years of Narcissia who has probably been boasting that nobody in her family has ever been in Gryffindor. I have read some fics that have James and Co. taking practically no notice of the name and I just haven't been convinced. I actually have no idea what that last sentence was to I really can't reply to it, my best friend also has French Grandparents, she is even worse at French then me so her conversations with them consist of "Um, what was that?"

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skittles-07: It was due to this review that I have not updated my summary, if it brings humour to someone's life it is worth keeping. I am sorry skittles-07 won't be reading the story but if you are looking in Thanks for the bump.

marauding-siriusly: This chapter is much longer, just for you. I really am just winging the characters, going with my gut feeling, during the last few chapters several main characters have changed dramatically to suit the story but I am trying to write the main characters by what we know.

Felicity 14: The ingenious way will become apparent in the next chapter but don't worry they don't curse or punch each other.

YoshimiWolfspaw: Will do!

elsa-writer: Hello stranger! It was quite funny I reviewed your story and came back to find a lovely review from you here, just goes to show…something.