Hello My Good People. Sorry it took me so long but a few things have happened. Such as, (Sorry proud moment) my older brother had a Baby. He's the cutest thing in the world weighing in at a whopping 7 lbs. 3 oz. and a Fabulous 19 inches long. Then there has been my life, and my job, and I had to get my ducks in a row for the Fall semester. It's been wild!

Disclaimer: Oh and as you know, I don't own these Characters so please don't sue me.

That night the Gryffindor Common room was exploding with excitement as first years were bustling about the idea of flying lessons on Thursday and the First Hogsmead visit for the third years and above on Saturday.

The only ones who weren't celebrating were the Fifth and Seventh year students. This is why James, Remus, and Sirius, though longing to join the fun, barricaded themselves in the back of the common room. They had stolen a black board from a deserted class room, and on it James had drawn a remarkable replica of a dragon's heart.

Just as they were congratulating each other on the brilliant way they had found the answer to their study guide question, the portrait hole swung open and in came Peter. A few people giggled maliciously as he came in, but most were kind toward him and asked him how he was feeling and if they could help him in anyway.

"Hi guys." Peter said as he took a seat, "what are you doing?"

"Homework" Sirius said, as James made room for him to join them.

"Yeah, see what you've been missing?" Remus said sarcastically. Peter let out an odd squeak.

"And the sad part is," James continued, this is our general potions. Remus and I haven't started on our N.E.W.T. Potions homework yet."

"Oh, I hope I can get caught up." Peter said.

"Don't worry, you will." James said.

They were all quite for a moment when James decided to shut his book. Remus and Sirius followed suit.

"Peter, can I ask you something?" James whispered; as the others leaned in close to hear.

Peter nodded.

"Can you tell me who attacked you?"

Peter's eyes began looking around furiously. He seemed really nervous, afraid that someone might hear him.

"I didn't see who it was." Peter squeaked. "They were wearing a cloak and I couldn't see the face."

"What kind of voice was it?" Remus asked.

"It was a male voice." Peter said now trembling.

There was more silence, then James pulled out a piece of parchment and handed it to Peter. "Read this, Pete." James said.

Peter took it in his fat hand. His watery eyes zipped back and forth quickly as he read it. By the end, his hands were shaking steadily. Peter let out another squeak, announcing that he had finished the letter, immediately; James seized it out of Peter's hand, and handed it to Remus; who in turn immediately got up and threw it into the fire.

"Dumbledore wants you to find them?" Peter asked.

James nodded.

"So if anything strange seems to be going on, Peter," Sirius said urgently, "You have to let us know."

Peter nodded, then said. "So I am guessing that Lily is the one we want for a new Marauder?"

Remus quickly launched into explanation about the blood Potion, after James recapped the finer points of Lily's discovery.

"But she doesn't know you are a rat." James said happily.

Peter let out a sigh. "I think it's a good Idea." Peter said, "I mean it'll protect Remus right, and all of us for that matter. And if there are…you know, at the school. Then we do need to guard our secrets." Peter said with shaking hands.

"So you are in?" James asked.

"Y-yes I'm in" Peter stammered.

Wednesday and Thursday went by fast and The Marauders had the good fortune to only have two classes today, General Potions and Transfiguration. After which, they went to lunch where they recapped the plan for the night.

"So, Sirius and Remus are taking the map that means we need someone to take Lily and me to the spot. That would be you Pete."

"Have you talked to Lily yet?" Remus asked.

"No But I will. She'll come." James said confidently.

"Highly over confident aren't we, Potter?" came the greasy voice and face of Severus Snape over Peter's shoulder.

"What do you want, Snivillus?" Barked Sirius as he and the others eyed Snape suspiciously.

"Want? I want nothing from you, you wretched excuse for a pure-blood." He spat at Sirius. "However, I do have the unfortunate task of tutoring this fool." looking down at Peter, "Pettigrew, shall we go?"

"Whatever you have to say to Peter you can say to us as well." "James Spat, as he reached into his pocket for his wand."

Snape glared dangerously at James "I have a hard enough time explaining remedial potions to one idiot, Potter; I won't waste my time on you or your little cronies."

Then turning back to Peter he said silkily, "Shall we go Pettigrew?"

Very slowly a trembling Peter got to his feet and followed Snape out of the Great Hall.

The evening came and the plan was in full swing. At exactly Eight o'clock, Sirius, Remus and Peter, made their way to the forest to find a safe secluded spot to make the potion. James Stayed up in Gryffindor Tower waiting for the right moment to talk to Lily.

She was with a large group of first years helping them with their Herbology homework. Slowly, they got up, one by one, and went upstairs to their rooms, only to return with exploding snaps, or wizard chess sets, and join their friends in the joy of a homework free weekend.

When there was only one little girl left at the table, James decided to make his move.

"Hi Lily" James said as he came over and sat down in a chair in front of her.

"Oh! Hello" Lily said almost knocking over a stack of books.

"I haven't talked to you since Monday."

"I…erm… it's ok, I've been very busy."

"Me too."

James and Lily exchanged a long glance, before the little girl sitting by Lily gave a distinctive cough causing them both to look away. James realized exactly how nervous he actually was.

"We have a lot we need to catch up on."

"Like what?" Lily asked laughing slightly.

"Like how maybe you're in."

"What?"

"Well that is I'll let you in if you go for a little walk with me."

"Let me discuss this with my client first." She said in a business like tone. "Beth," she said turning to the girl, "Do you mind if I go?"

Beth smiled brightly at her, "Go ahead I understand it now. I can do this by myself." Then leaning over to whisper in Lily's ear, James heard her say to Lily, "Besides, he's really hot, and I think you're barking mad if you don't go with him"

Lily laughed openly as she turned back to look at James with a misty expression.

"Barking?" Lily sighed.

"Yes," said Beth dryly, "barking mad."

James fought to hide his smirk.

Lily suddenly stood up and said, "Give me one minute." Then she rushed upstairs to her dormitory. She was just out of sight when James actually looked at Beth for the first time.

"Hey thanks." James said leaning across the table to talk to her.

"What?" Beth asked closing her book, then, "Oh, don't mention it, I can tell she likes you."

"Really?" James asked.

"Oh, yes, I have three older brothers. I can tell when girls like them."

"Who are you're brothers?

"Mike, Aaron, and Daniel Olsen." Beth replied happily.

"Daniel Olsen! I played Qudditch with him last year. He was a great chaser."

" I know." Beth said proudly

James smirked at her. "We haven't properly met. I'm…."

"I know you're James Potter, Gryffindor's Qudditch captain."

"I know you're an Olsen." James said.

"Oh, my first name is Beth."

"So, Beth, you like Qudditch?"

"I love Qudditch." She said excitedly tucking her knees under her and leaning in closer to talk to James. "I run drills with Aaron and Daniel when they were home over the summer.

James was just about to continue the conversation when Lily bounded down the steps, wearing a completely different outfit, and her hair tied up neatly on top of her head.

"Sorry I took so long." She said as she approached the table I had to find my Jacket.

"That's alright." James said glancing at Beth who gave him an 'I told you so' sort of look. "I was just getting to know Beth."

"Oh, ok. Err-shall we go then?" Lily asked glancing from Beth to James.

James got up. "It was very nice to meet you Beth." He said bowing slightly to Beth as he got up to leave.

She smiled graciously at him and replied, "I know."

After a semi-quick journey to forest, James pulled the invisibility cloak off of Lily and himself.

"What are we doing here?" Lily asked sounding a bit anxious.

"Oh, this is just the best place to talk." James said waving his arm casually toward the forest.

"James….?"

"Oh don't worry we'll be perfectly fine." Then grinning slightly he said, "No full moon to night."

"Ahh, I see." She said only half confident. Just then she felt something run a cross her foot. "OH! What was that?"

James took out his wand. "Lumos" he muttered, then pointed it to the ground. A large fat rat was staring up at them.

"Hello." James said to it.

"That is the biggest rat I've ever seen!" Lily shrieked. The rat looked at her curiously, then turned and ran into the forest.

"Come on! Quick! James yelled as he grabbed her hand and began to follow him into the forest.

"James…" Lily panted, "Where…are w-we go-going?"

"I'm not sure."

"What?"

"Just follow the rat."

"What?"

James didn't answer. All he did was follow the rat deeper and deeper into the forest, pulling along Lily close behind him. Until, in the distance a small orange light was shinning in a clearing. As they came closer, the light was becoming more distinct and the sound of drums greeted her ears, until finally a large fire and enchanted bongos welcomed them.

"Arghh!" Sirius said thrusting a wooden spear to James' throat. "Who be ye that trespasses on our lot?"

"That's a Pirate you dolt." James said as he pushed the Spear away.

"Oh yeah," Said Sirius.

It was here that Lily looked around only to realize that the rat had turned into Peter, Remus and Sirius were dancing around without their shirts and paint on their faces and chests.

"What is all this?" She asked walking over to the simmering cauldron.

"This is your induction." James said pulling off his shirt and revealing his nicely cut body.

"My what?" Lily said laughing disbelievingly.

"Well," James said, "You said you wanted in."

"Yeah, so take off your shirt and join the fun!" Sirius said winking at her. James gave him a hateful look.

"What? If we do, she does." Sirius said dryly.

"No Padfoot…."

"It's alright, James." Lily said grinning. She pulled off her over shirt only to reveal that she was wearing another sleeker one underneath.

"All right let's get this started." Remus said picking up a turtle shell rattle.

"What's that for?" Lily asked.

"I don't know actually, I just like it." He said casually. Then he began to rattle it wildley, causing the other Marauders to start dancing around the fire, making indecisive noises, and singing a strange assortment of notes.

Then just as Remus stopped shaking the rattle, James Sirius and Peter turned into their respective animals.

"Misters Mooney, Padfoot, Wormtail, and Prongs, are here tonight to ask the permission of Lily Evans to be the first, and only female Marauder. This is an occupation that incorporates danger, adventure, greatly organized and highly amusing pranks, and the small factor of moonlight strolls once a month. Do you accept?"

"Sure why not?" she replied as the other changed back and began dancing around wildly again.

"Here are the rules." Remus said, "You have to be nice to us."

"Because we'll always be nice to you." Peter squeaked.

"Or at least we'll try to be nice to you sometimes…" Sirius said.

"I think it would be safer to say majority of the time." James said.

The others nodded and murmured in agreement.

Lily smirked.

"All right rule number two…We always help each other out….." Remus stopped and looked around at the others, "Right? I mean we do always help each other out?"

Peter, Sirius, and James exchanged thoughtful looks and again broke into murmurs of agreement.

"And thirdly, we never rat each other out weather on purpose or on accident. We never by any means tell secrets. And to make sure that we don't we have this…." said Remus as he walked over to the cauldron.

Lily walked over and peeked into the cauldron, "What is it?"

"It's Blood Keeper's Potion." Remus said proudly.

"Ah, nice," Said Lily through a snort of laughter.

"I think so." Remus said more proudly.

"Was it hard to make?" Lily asked.

"No not really, the process was simple, but the ingredients have to be just right or it won't work."

"Excuse me…" Interrupted Sirius, "but can we get this going please, the sooner we drink the potion the sooner we can crack open the butter beers and get to the fun part of the party."

Remus sighed deeply then said, "Alright, now everyone gather round. James do you have your pocket knife?"

James nodded as he pulled it out of the pocket of his jeans and tossed it to Remus.

"Alright, now all we have to do is add our blood."

Everyone gave exchanged long pleading looks. "Who's first?" Remus asked holding the knife up in his hand. Clearly nobody wanted to go first, but someone had to. That's when Lily decided to pull the knife out of Remus' hand and made a neat little cut across the tip of her finger. James went next, followed by Sirius, then Remus, until finally it was left only up to Peter.

He held the knife in his hand and whimpered slightly. He gave pleading looks to every one in the group.

"Go on then, Pete, it doesn't hurt." James said. "Just a bit of a sting, then it's over."

Peter stared at the knife as he held it in his fat trembling hand.

Sirius sighed in frustration, "Peter…" then he impatiently grabbed the knife out of Peter's hand, then quickly seized Peter's index finger and gently pressed the blade into the skin. Peter gave out a slight hiss of pain. Sirius only grinned and said, "Now was that too hard?"

"Now everybody, squeeze the blood into the potion." Remus said, milking his cut over the simmering cauldron.

The other's followed suit. The potion turned a light shade of red or a dark shade of pink. It was by far one of the most unique colors James had ever seen a potion turn. However, this was no ordinary potion, and Remus was fairly good with potions, so why should it be an ordinary color?

Remus stirred the cauldron as Sirius broke out into a little song and dance,

"Oh we prank in the morning, we prank at night, we prank whenever the time feels right. We scheme and plan and plot and scheme, causing mischief is our dream. And it doesn't matter what time of day it is……."

"What are you blabbering about?" James asked looking at him through the steam,

Sirius looked hurt, "You don't like my song, Prongsie?"

James smirked, "Made it up off the top of your head, did you?"

"Indeed!" Sirius said happily as he took the glass from Remus which was holding a portion of potion, "I figured we need an anthem."

"I see," said James, "So How dose the song end?"

Sirius looked thoughtful, "You know, I actually have no idea."

"Alright, mates," Remus said in a triumphant and jovial way, "Time to drink to our health and to our secrets."

"Here! Here!" They shouted in unison as they all swallowed the foul tasting potion.