Disclaimer: hmm Harry Potter and all those meddlesome kids. None of them are mine. Oh yeah and the puppy isn't either. Well hmmm. I gave up on grapes of wrath. Im on chapter 13. Very difficult book to read with other things going on in your head. And it's so depressing. But I digress. Here for your entertainment, I submit chapter 4 of my story. Enjoy.

Harry and Ginny awoke to a voice. It was Dumbledore.

"It is time for the sorting. If you all could please go to the hall, Professor McGonagall is waiting."

And with that, the two walked towards the hall in silence, hand in hand, awaiting the sorting hat once more. They saw all the first years and Harry remembered when he had first come here, overwhelmed by it all, wondering what he would have to do, afraid of what he would have to do. He gave a couple of first years some reassuring smiles and thought to himself, these kids are way older then I am. He began to be confused and cut off further thought. The doors burst open and they walked into the hall. He and Ginny scanned the room, trying to see anyone they knew. Harry spotted the marauders and his mother and smiled inwardly. They looked up when Harry's name was called. "Harry Granger."

He walked towards the stool, imagining how this had been 7 years ago, or 13 years in the future, however you looked at it, and realized no one was staring at him, whispering about "the boy-who-lived." He sat on the stool and put the hat on his head.

"Ah… another Potter. How interesting. You seem older than you should be. But let me see. Hmm. Plenty of courage here. And a desire to prove yourself. Very ambitious you are. High hopes and dreams. And very cunning. I must say I like what Slytherin could do for you."

"Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin. Give me Gryffindor. It's where I belong."

"Well now, this is very interesting. Very well then. If you insist. GRYFFINDOR!"

Harry walked to the Gryffindor table and was motioned to sit with the marauders.

"Hi Harry. James Potter. Nice to meet you. The lunatic on my right is Sirius Black. The pale guy across from you would be Remus Lupin. And that leaves Peter Pettigrew."

Harry smiled at each of them in turn and merely nodded at Pettigrew before quickly looking away, the best he could do to refrain from killing him.

"For some strange reason, Dumbledore has made me head boy and that beautiful redhead over there is the head girl." James puffed his chest out a bit causing them to laugh.

"You mean Ginny? She's not even sorted yet."

"Harry no. James was talking about Lils. As a matter of fact here she comes. Speak of the witch if it ain't Lily Evans."

"Sirius, don't start. Hi Harry. My name is Lily Evans. It's very nice to meet you. I normally would rescue you from these pranksters but they have gotten a bit better. Just watch out for this one. Sometimes it's a wonder his head doesn't bounce off the ceiling."

"Hey Lils! That's not fair. I've gotten better. Besides your just jealous cause we've got a new friend."

"Actually James I may consider dating him instead. He actually looks kinda like you but better."

"Ouch. Tough luck Prongs."

"Actually Ma- err Lily I'm with that redhead over there. She's wearing the hat right now. She's Ginny We- err Thomas."

"Well Harry, at least you have good taste. He's just like you again James. Falling for a redhead.

"Knock it off Sirius. Harry? She's in Gryffindor now too apparently. Hey Lils, why don't you go make friends with her and I'll catch up with you later? We can have a real heart-to-heart talk."

"I didn't know that was possible coming from you James. But you're right. She has a bit more manners then you do."

Harry stared in interest at this conversation between his parents. He decided it would be a good idea to try and become a marauder. What would Fred and George say?

"Hey you guys? When Lily said pranks, does that mean you all enjoy doing stuff like that?"

"Do we enjoy it? Harry, Harry, Harry. This is the Marauders you're talking to. Of course we do. As a matter of fact. Just one second. James, Remus? What do you say we make 'im a marauder. He already takes after you anyway James. You know, falling for redheads and all. And I saw him arguing with the hat. That's what I did too. I like him already. So what do you say? Peter you might even have a bit of a say in this."

"Actually Padfoot, best idea you've had since painting Slytherin's common room pink. I'm for it. Moony?"

"Well once in a blue moon there is someone who becomes worthy of marauder status. Why not? Wormtail?"

"Whatever you guys think."

"Then it's settled. Welcome to the Marauder's Harry. We'll need to give you the tour later. Oh and we need a nickname."

"That will come with time young Padfoot."

"Right Moony, whatever you say. Food! Let's eat."

Harry and the marauders began digging in and Harry chanced a glance at Ginny. She was talking with his mom and a couple of her friends. She caught Harry's gaze and smiled. She seemed to know that Harry wanted time with his parents. It amazed him how well Ginny understood him. After the meal they trudged up to the common room. James gave the password and they settled in.

"So young Harry, are you ready for your very own personal tour of Hogwarts, Marauders style?" Sirius was looking at him like he wanted to just jump around. He seemed really excited.

"Well yeah. I guess we can do it now."

They led Harry around the school, showing him the one-eyed witch for Hogsmeade, and another passage that Harry remembered was caved in at his school. Harry noted that they didn't show him the room of requirement. They led him to the kitchen for Sirius and tickled the pear to say hello to the elves. Apparently, they knew Sirius on a first name basis. They walked on, passing by classrooms, and as they approached Dumbledore's gargoyle's they heard a voice.

"Harry, could I speak to you in my office for a minute?"

"Yes sir. I'll catch up with you guys after." Harry told his fellow marauders and walked into the office.

"Please sit down. Lemon drop?"

"No thank you Professor." Harry looked around the room and his eyes fell upon the Daily Prophet. The headlines were talking about another attack. Harry felt a twinge of guilt and began to shift his gaze on other things. He had never appreciated how nice Dumbledore's office was.

"Ahh. Alright then. In any case Harry, I've been looking for a way to get you back but it seems that there isn't a way back at this point in time. I have contacted the Department of Mysteries and they will be working around the clock to get you back to your time. For now, I suggest you enjoy your stay and if there is anything I can do for you just let me know."

"Well professor, I have this note from your future self that your brother gave me. I think it's safe for you to read it. If not I can just erase your memory from reading the note. It's up to you."

"Alright then Harry, let me see." Harry handed over the note and watched as Dumbledore read it, noting if his looks were of understanding, confusion, or hatred.

"I see. Well Harry. This-this is interesting. I believe I may be able to help. Leave me for now. I think you probably will be here for most of the year. I need to send some owls. Now run along for now. I daresay there are some people you would like to meet."

Harry left and went back to the marauders and was just sitting around in the common room waiting for them. When the portrait swung open, the only person he saw was his mom.

"Hi Harry. How are you?"

"Hey Lils. I'm ok I guess."

"Is something wrong?" Lily's emerald green eyes looked into Harry's own and she sat down next to him. She looked at him and Harry thought she seemed a little different. But he couldn't quite place it.

"Well, it's a long story. I wouldn't want to make you hear it."

"Harry, I'm here for you. Talk to me." Harry was surprised at her forwardness. He guessed she must see some of his father in him and felt relaxed. She placed her arm on his. She looked at him, and Harry could see love in his mother's eyes. Harry had wished he had been able to experience some of that love. He really missed not having his parents. But here they were. And his mom was trying to help him.

"I guess I'll give it a try. It's just, I dunno. It's kinda complicated. I don't know if you could understand."

"Are you in love with someone Harry?"

"It's just that- what?"

"Do you love someone Harry?"

A certain redhead flashed through his mind. He looked at Lily and was shocked at how well she knew him. That wasn't what Harry was going to talk about but all the same.

"I um. Do you?"

"As a matter of fact, I think I am beginning to."

Harry was starting to feel confused and then the portrait swung open. The two of them looked up from the couch and saw the marauders, followed by a glint of red hair. Harry figured it was Ginny.

"Hey Harry. Lils, how's my favorite Gryffindor doin?" Harry watched the exchange between his parents with interest. Then he saw a redhead walk over to him.

"Ron! What are you doing here?"

"Hey Harry. How's it goin? Oh Hermione is here too somewhere. Oi Hermione."

"I'm right here Ronald. No need to shout. Hey Harry. Are you ok?"

Harry was in shock. His two best friends were here. He saw his parents still talking and then saw Lily get up and go to her dorm. He heard Sirius in the background encouraging James but instead stared at his two friends.

"What- Why… How?"

"Later Harry. For now let's meet some old-err new people." With that Ron went to greet the legendary marauders and Hermione just stared after him wistfully. Ginny walked into the common room as well but she just ran past everyone to her dorm behind Lily.

"I'd better check on her Harry. That's half the reason we're here. See ya."

Harry's day had just got more interesting. James pulled him aside "Goin to talk to your twin Prongsie?" "Shut it Padfoot."

"Harry? Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah go ahead."

"When we walked in here, what was Lily telling you?"

"Oh it was nothing. She was just trying to cheer me up."

"You sure?"

"Of course."

"Alright then. In that case, do you play quidditch?" Harry was caught off guard by the subject change but attacked it with vigor. They were then engulfed in an argument of quidditch, which Ron and Sirius joined in on. The guys later went back to their dorms and they all went to sleep, awaiting the first day of classes tomorrow, a chance to get to know each other better, new pranks on the Slytherins, a return to Quidditch glory, a trip to the library, and breakfast.