Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns everything except my original characters, Gari and Rayven, among other places or extra people I throw in.

Author's note: This is my first HP fic to actually put on-line, so updates might be frequent, or they might not. Depending on how this fic does, I might do a sequel.

Note 1: No clichéd Yule Ball in this fic. (Unless there's popular demand or something or a huge idea hits me for it.)

Note 2: I'm aware that the Sex Pistols would not have been around in this year, but it seemed oh-so-appropriate for Sirius.

Note 3 (Jeez, I've got a lot): Lucius is in this fic, although he is not supposed to be in their year. I make this note for nitpicky people who will pick it out.

Summary: The tangled and romantic seventh year for our Marauders. With their seventh year comes the harsh reality of the war around them. (Don't worry, this is not angst.) Story alternates evenly between James/Lily, Remus/OC, and especially Sirius/OC.

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The Best Year

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Gari Bennett looked slightly flustered as she found herself on the other side of the gateway to Platform 9 ¾. Her brown hair was slightly disheveled and her grey eyes filled with relief to see that she hadn't missed the train. On the contrary, the clock above her said she had ten minutes before the train left, and students were bustling about her.

'Bloody watch', she thought. 'Why does it have to be fast?'

Gari had spent the summer with her pureblood family, forced to endure families like the Malfoys and Lestranges, who did nothing but insult people like Gari's best friend, Lily Evans when they came over. Red-haired Lily Evans and Gari had been friends since they first met on the platform six years ago. Only in the summer were they separated, when Lily went back to her family in Surrey, and Gari went back to her family's estate in London.

The seventeen year old witch was finally entering her final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Finally, she could start her job at the Ministry of Magic. Finally, she could be on her own. Finally, and best of all, there was no more-

Gari was suddenly on the floor, sprawled on her hands and knees. She whirled around to see the prat who had knocked into her.

'Sirius soddin' Black' Gari thought bitterly.

The teen boy was lying next to her, rubbing his hands gently on the marks the rough pavement had left on them. Gari knew him from the torn jeans and 'Sex Pistols' t-shirt, not to mention the incredibly handsome features that graced his face.

Sirius looked up angrily at her for a minute, but he broke into a grin when he saw that it was her.

"Gari! Smashing to see you-"

"Don't even start, Black," Gari told him coldly. "I'm looking for Lily."

At Lily's name, Sirius rolled his stunning blue eyes dramatically toward the ceiling. "Evans is probably just figuring out more names to call James during the year. You know, along with git, toerag, prat, ponce-"

Gari started walking away with her trunk, and Sirius fell into step beside her.

"Bully, loser...I've got more," Sirius flashed a smirk at her as his ebony hair fell into his eyes.

"If James Potter wasn't all of those things and more, she'd give him a chance," Gari replied angrily, stopping for moment and looking around. "He asks her out every five minutes-LILS!"

Lily Evans turned and smiled as she saw her friend. Rayven Lockley, the last member of their group, was next to her, and they both sprinted towards Gari, their trunks bumping up and down noisily on the pavement. Lily dropped her handle of her trunk and embraced Gari tightly. When she released, Rayven held her just as fiercely. Finally, Gari stepped back and looked at them.

The girls couldn't have looked more different. Lily had delicate, porcelain skin to complement her auburn hair nicely. But what everyone noticed about Lily right away was her eyes. They were beautiful and almond-shaped, colored the brightest shade of green one might see on spring's first leaf.

Rayven had oriental eyes that were as dark and mysterious as midnight. Her hair was just as dark, currently sporting streaks of indigo that went back with the rest of her hair into a tight ponytail.

"Rae, what did you do to your hair?" Gari asked, tugging on a lock of sapphire.

Rayven flashed a smile. "I needed a change." She paused and then laughed. "My mother didn't exactly agree."

Gari grinned, and then realized Sirius was still there. She turned to him and said rather nastily to him, "Shouldn't you be trailing after Potter?"

Sirius glared at her. "No need to get shirty with me, miss."

Sirius slung his bag over his shoulder and grabbed the handle on his trunk. He started to leave, and then called over his shoulder, "Oh, Lily? James sends his love!"

Lily turned a bright shade of red from the mixture of fury and embarrassment. Gari rolled her eyes at Sirius as he blew her a kiss.

"I can't take another year of him," Gari said through gritted teeth.

Lily nodded in agreement, and Rayven smirked at both of them.

"What are you so amused about?" Gari asked, and Rayven grin broadened.

"Sirius isn't as bad as you think, Gari," Rayven said as the girls walked towards the train. "He's got a lot going for him. He's bright, funny, popular...gorgeous..." Rayven trailed off as she eyed Sirius appreciatively from across the station. When she saw Gari's disapproving look, she laughed. "Both of you need to lighten up a bit. Lils, give James a chance, and Gari, you need to back off Sirius a bit."

Lily and Gari's glares silenced her.

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"She's over there," Sirius Black said to James Potter as he pointed to Lily.

"What? Who?" James stopped craning his neck to get a better look at the crowd, and tried to look casual. "Who's over there?" He rumpled up his black hair a bit and put on the look of innocence.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "You've nearly broken your neck three times today looking for Lily Evans. She's over there with Rayven and Gari."

James turned his head in that direction and felt a smile tug at his lips. "She's so beautiful, Sirius."

"Right," Sirius said absentmindedly, busy rummaging through his bag for his pack of cigarettes.

"She's like Aphrodite, only better-" James started to say, but Sirius cut him off.

"Prongs, if I have to listen to you sprout off poetry about Lily Evans for another year, I'm moving in with the Slytherins," Sirius interrupted, using his wand to light his cigarette. He took a drag and a look of ecstasy passed over his face.

James rolled his eyes. "It's no wonder Gari doesn't pay you any attention. Your breath must be terrible after smoking all the time."

Sirius shrugged and took another drag, exhaling the smoke slowly. "Growing up in a family like mine, mate, I need these bloody things."

Glancing at James' bag, Sirius' eyes widened. He saw a flash of metal in it, and quickly dove his hand into the bag. Before James could stop him, Sirius yanked out the Head Boy badge. Sirius held out the badge accusingly and scowled.

"What the bloody hell is this?" Sirius asked. "How could you do this?"

James snatched his badge back and flushed. "I can't help it if Dumbledore's insane. I thought for sure he'd choose Moony."

Sirius still glared at him. "I feel completely and utterly betrayed. Instead of being in detention with me this year, you'll be the one giving them out!"

James sighed. "It's just that...I..."

Sirius looked at him angrily. "Spit it out, mate!"

"Lily's Head Girl!" James blurted. "Think of it! Me and her! Working side by side all year!"

Sirius just rolled his eyes. Why did he have to be friends with such a romantic git?

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Remus Lupin brushed the hair out of his eyes as he rolled his trunk down the corridor on the train. His fingers lingered on a recent scar; one added to many others on his body. He'd acquired it in the basement of his house, where his parents kept him every summer during his transformations. Remus was so engrossed in his thoughts, he didn't even see Rayven until he collided with her in the hallway.

"Sorry," He murmured, steadying her.

Rae just smiled. "Remus, it's so good to see you! I didn't hear from you all summer."

"I was...busy," He replied.

"Are you looking for Sirius and James?" She asked. He nodded, grateful for an exit. She was standing so close to him now.

Too close. His werewolf senses kicked in, and he could smell the tang of oranges in her hair, the chocolate on her breath, even the cold she carried in from outside.

"They're three compartments down," Rae told him. "Or at least, Peter and Sirius are. James is in the front compartment with Lily and the prefects."

"Why?" Remus frowned. "He isn't-"

"Yeah, he's Head Boy," Rae smiled. "Well, I should...I guess I'll see you at school."

"Right."

He watched her leave, and couldn't help but feel the pinch of regret in his stomach.

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Rayven closed the door to the compartment and leaned against it, sighing loudly. She closed her eyes and tried to get a grip. Her crush on Remus was new. She'd only realized it last year. She'd just realized how much she loved listening to him. She'd just realized how much she loved the way he made her laugh with his quick, dry humor. She'd just realized how much she loved staring into his strange, beautiful amber eyes.

She'd just realized she loved him.

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End of chapter one! Please review! No flames!