The Ties That Bind
Chapter Fourteen: The Marauders
September 1, 1972
"We'll make the Quidditch team," Sirius said confidently as they unpacked their things in their dorm.
"Of course we will," James agreed.
"You two are far too confident," Remus said, laughing.
"Why shouldn't we be?" Sirius asked. "I've been practicing all summer."
"I'm sure you'll make it," Peter said.
"I've seen the way you play," Leon agreed. "With you two on our team, we're sure to win the Cup."
"Both cups," James said, waving a finger. "Mark my words; we're beating those Slytherins this year."
"We should have a name for ourselves," Peter piped up and they all looked at him.
"Well that came out of nowhere," Sirius said.
"What's on your mind?" Leon asked.
"A name for us. Our group," Peter said. "We prank and we're always together. We should have a name."
"Too much thinking," Sirius said, rubbing his head and falling back onto his bed.
They laughed. "Misfits," Leon offered.
"No," James said. "It's got to be catchier."
"Swordlancers," Remus offered.
"Too medieval," James said, waving it off.
"Samurai," Sirius piped up.
"Wrong country."
"Conquerors," Peter said.
"Of what?" James asked. Peter shrugged and James just shook his head. "No no...bloody hell, this is hard."
They tossed out a few more names and then sat in silence, all thinking. Finally, Peter spoke up. "What about the Marauders?"
They thought about it and then James grinned. "I like it."
"Bloody brilliant," Sirius said, sitting up and grinning.
"Catchy," Remus said, smiling.
"And fun," Leon said.
"Then that's it," James said. "We're no longer just mere pranksters. We're the Marauders," he said, standing. "Watch out, Hogwarts, here we come." They cheered and then Sirius yawned. They all laughed.
"Even Marauders need sleep," Sirius said and proceeded to curl up in a ball and go to sleep.
"For once, Sirius is right," Leon said, climbing into bed.
"I heard that," came Sirius' voice from beneath his pillow. They laughed.
"Night, everyone," Peter said, climbing into his bed and pulling the drapes shut. Remus and James slipped into bed as well.
"Night, fellow Marauders," James said.
"Night," came the chorus, followed by Sirius' snores.
September 3, 1972
The first few days of classes went pretty smoothly. However, it seemed the professors didn't want the students slacking after summer and loaded them down with piles of homework.
Lily finally found a chance to speak to Professor McGonagall and went to her office. "Yes, Miss Evans?" Professor McGonagall said, looking up from her parchments.
Lily stopped in front of the desk, clasping her hands in front of her as she didn't know what else to do with them. "Professor, I heard about the attacks and Erica –"
"Yes, Miss Baddock informed me of her very unfortunate circumstances."
Lily nodded. "Did she tell you about the book she found?"
Professor McGonagall looked curious at this. "What book?"
I probably shouldn't be talking about this, since Erica told me and not Professor McGonagall, but someone has to know. "Erica found a book in her father's study that had my address in it. That's how she found me. And then...then all those other attacks happened. I think it's connected."
"I will take what you have told me into consideration, Miss Evans. And I will decide what to do. Thank you."
"Yes, Professor. You're welcome." Lily excused herself and left.
After lunch, the four headed to the secret room that they had nicknamed the Magician's Study. Leon had been dragged away by his brother to help plan something for his sister's birthday, so the four were on their own. Making sure no one saw them enter, they slipped inside and took a seat at the large round table in the center. They began looking up information about Emeric the Evil, as a summary was due the next day.
James rubbed his forehead, flipping through his A History of Magic book. Remus looked at James. "Find anything useful yet?"
James turned his head, which was propped up by his elbow. "Mostly just stuff from what Professor Binns told us in class."
Remus raised an eyebrow. "You actually listen in class?" Remus put on a face of mock shock. "I think I'm going to die of shock!"
James elbowed him. "You git!"
Remus laughed. "It looks like Sirius found something more interesting to do," Remus said, nodding his head towards Sirius, who was sitting next to James.
James turned around and saw Sirius asleep on his books. He laughed. "Very productive."
Remus laughed. "Isn't it?"
Peter, meanwhile, had been looking through the books on the shelves, seeing if anything could be of use to them. Finally spotting the book they needed, he took it off the shelf and walked over, setting it on the table. The book was called Goblin Rebellions of the First Century. "This should have Emeric the Evil in it."
Remus nodded and began flipping through the pages. He stopped. "Here," Remus said, pointing to a spot on the page.
"What does it say?" Peter asked.
" 'Emeric the Evil was one of the most fearsome goblins of his time. He destroyed many villages, mostly out of spite. He would murder anyone that upset him, which was very frequent. The majority of the deaths during the First Rebellion were due to that fact.' " Remus looked up. "Nice guy huh?"
James laughed. "Wouldn't want to get in his way."
"That would be bad," Peter agreed.
"It has more information about the First Rebellion and his part in it," Remus continued. "I think we're set."
James nodded. "Alright then. Let's get those summaries done." Within twenty minutes, they managed to get their summaries written and Peter only needed a little help from Remus. James spotted Sirius still snoring away and grinned evilly. "Should we wake him?"
Remus grinned. "Maybe we should let him catch up on sleep. He'll probably need it for tonight when he has to write his summary." James nodded and made a motion for them to leave silently.
James, Peter, and Remus stood, gathered their books into their bags, and began creeping away silently when Sirius lifted his head sleepily. "What's going on? Is it time to leave?"
"Darn," James said, snapping his fingers. He and Remus laughed silently and they turned back to Sirius.
"Transfiguration is going to start soon. We have to get all the way to the other side of the castle," Remus said. Sirius immediately sat up, alert. He gathered his books, standing, and followed them out of the study.
As they walked down the corridor they heard a bell sound in the distance. "That's the bell to end the classes right now! We have five minutes!" Sirius cried, his eyes wide.
"Bloody hell!" James muttered as they raced down the corridor. They flew down the corridors, nearly colliding into one wall as they slid around the corners.
They burst into the Transfiguration room, breathing hard. Thankfully, Professor McGonagall hadn't arrived yet. James, Remus, Peter and Sirius looked around for empty seats. They spotted Leon and hurried over, taking their seats.
When Professor McGonagall entered, she faced them. Eyeing James and Sirius, who just gave her innocent looks, she began. "Now, today," she said, facing the class, "We will focus primarily on animal versus object transfigurations. You have an animal, such as this turtle." She took out her wand, pointing it at the turtle on the pedestal next to her. "One, two, three, Feraverto." They watched as the turtle turned into a crystal goblet. Several awed gasps arose throughout the room and McGonagall smiled slightly. "Now it's your turn. You each have a turtle at your tables. Simply point your wand at your turtle and think of what you want it to change into. Then say the spell. Begin."
The room began to get slightly noisy as everyone tried their spells. Sirius just stared at his.
"It's not going to bite, you know," James said.
Sirius shot him a look. "I know that."
"I bet I can make my turtle look more like a goblet then yours," James taunted.
"You're on."
They both pointed their wands at their respective turtles. Sirius looked at his intently, trying to imagine it changing. Then he said, "One, two, three, Feraverto," The turtle just stared lazily up at him, unchanged. "Blimey, this is a lot harder than I thought."
"I think that's the point of the class," Remus said with a laugh, looking over at them.
"Just need to concentrate," Sirius muttered and returned his gaze to his turtle. He looked out of the corner of his eye at Peter, who was busy trying to transfigure his turtle. Sirius looked back. He closed his eyes, envisioning the change. Energized by a need to prove himself, he attacked the turtle with a new force, willing it to change. Then he whispered the spell and opened his eyes. There was a puff of smoke in front of him. He waved it away and grinned. He no longer had a turtle in front of him. Instead there stood a shiny crystal goblet. "I did it."
James and Remus looked at it. James picked up the crystal, examining it. "Not bad." He smirked. "But I already beat you." He motioned to his goblet.
Sirius smirked. "Always have to be first, James."
"Of course." James smiled and Sirius just laughed.
"Excellent work, Mr. Black," Sirius looked up to see McGonagall looking down at him. She took the goblet from James and examined it. She smiled, setting it down in front of Sirius. "Fifteen points to Gryffindor." Sirius grinned as McGonagall walked away. His friends grinned at him.
"Way to go!" Remus said.
"It is my best subject," Sirius smirked.
September 4, 1972
"Welcome to Potions. I am Professor Haspon and I'll be teaching you for a few months until Professor Sharaff returns," the professor said coldly. "If you have any fantasies about this class being easy, then erase them now. As I am well aware, there are some of you here that think that they will easily coast because they are better than others." He looked pointedly at James and Sirius, who glared back. James noticed that a few of the Slytherins were laughing very quietly. "Banish that thought from your mind."
"This is going to be a very long year," James whispered, looking at Sirius. Sirius nodded.
"Now, who can tell me one of the uses of hawthorn?" Haspon pointed to James. "You."
James's eyebrows rose. "Hawthorn effectively cures insomnia," he said smoothly.
"Ten points from Gryffindor."
"What?!" James protested.
"For being cocky."
"But I-"
"I suggest you speak no further, in chance that you will deduct more points from your house."
After class, all the Gryffindors were grumbling about the Potions teacher. Murmurs of "Why isn't Sharaff here?" and "At least she was fair." The Slytherins were walking past them, obviously pleased with themselves. "He's horrible!" one boy exclaimed.
"We didn't even do anything!"
Sirius looked at James. "That wasn't fair at all."
"I know," James grumbled angrily.
"Why is he even a teacher if he can't be unbiased?" Leon asked.
"Oh, stop complaining. Just because you think you're so much better than everyone else, doesn't mean that you're going to be treated above the rest of us. Get over yourselves," Snape said coldly.
"Bugger off, Snivellus," Sirius spat back.
"At least we know where we belong," Christina said snidely, coming up beside Snape. "I wouldn't expect you to know anything about humility."
Sirius glared at them and would have leapt if James hadn't grabbed his arm, holding him back. "Just ignore them," James whispered. "I've got a plan." He could feel Sirius shaking with rage.
"Besides, when it comes to things like teamwork, you're all lost," Snape said. "Wait till Quidditch season starts. Then we'll see who the better house really is." With that, Snape and Christina walked away.
"A nasty little pair, aren't they?" Remus commented as they headed to drop off their books.
James glanced out the window at the gloomy skies that Thursday afternoon in his History of Magic class and then back at his Herbology assignment. He checked his book for some definitions and quickly wrote them down. He rubbed his forehead and looked up to where Professor Binns was pacing down in front.
"Now who can tell me what happens to a troll when it is hit by sunlight?" Binns asked. He pointed to Rosier. "Mr. Rosier."
"It hurts its eyes?" Rosier smirked. James heard several other Slytherins snicker at this. James looked back down at his parchment.
"Very funny, Mr. Rosier. You're lucky I don't deduct points from your house for that comment."
"Maybe if you were less boring we wouldn't be falling asleep." James heard Rosier whisper to someone near him, who snickered.
"Mr. Potter." James looked up. Binns was looked up at him. "Would you care to respond?"
"To what?"
Binns sighed. "The question."
"Oh. They turn to stone."
Binns smiled. "Very good. I see at least one of you pays attention."
"Not hardly," James muttered, going back to his assignment as Binns began talking again.
Lily chewed on the end of her quill, trying to concentrate, but it was hard. People were talking in the common room, snogging in the corners, and Jaina just didn't want to do homework. Finally having enough, Lily gathered her things, glared slightly at James and Sirius who were playing chess in the corner, and went upstairs. Taking a seat on the floor by the heater, she began to work. How is it that I never see James doing his homework? Or Sirius for that matter. Honestly, and they expect to beat me? That'll never happen so long as they're so lazy.
"Working on Potions too?" Erica asked, stepping into the room.
Lily looked up and smiled. "Yeah. Attempting."
"Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all."
Erica smiled and took a seat next to Lily. "What do you think of Haspon?"
"He's a lowlife jerk," Lily said as she looked up some ingredients for the potion.
"And a few other not so nice names we could call him," Erica laughed.
"I just don't get him. Why does he have to be so horrible? What's the point in that?"
Erica shrugged. "Who knows?"
"I just wish Professor Sharaff would return. She was one of my favorite professors."
"Same here."
Jaina walked in at that moment and when she saw Lily and Erica working on homework together, she scowled slightly.
"Hey, Jaina. Want to join us?" Lily asked. "We're trying to get that horrible Potions assignment done."
"No, you two just keep slaving away," Jaina said, dropping her books onto her bed. "I've got fun things to do." She walked out, leaving the two girls to stare at each other.
"That was – unlike her," Lily said.
Erica arched an eyebrow. "Unlike her? If you haven't noticed, she's still horrid to me."
"She'll get over it eventually. I'll keep trying."
Erica smiled a little. "We'll see how that works. She's so stubborn."
"You are too."
Erica laughed. "True enough."
"Alright, let's get this done before it gets much later. I didn't get much sleep last night," Lily said and they began working on the assignment again.
September 7, 1972
Lily sat on her bed, staring at the letter in her hands. It was from her parents.
Lily dearest, your father's job has moved him to another location. A bit closer to London, so I think this works out perfectly. Though, we have to move. It's by a nice place called Godric's Hollow. Some people at the end of the street are a bit strange, but we're more on the outskirts. I'm sorry to have to write you about this, but it happened quite suddenly. Don't worry, everything is fine. I hope your school year goes well and we look forward to seeing you during Christmas. Love, Mom and Dad.
Lily swallowed and looked up. The sudden move...only a few days after I talked to Professor McGonagall. Could it be related?
September 15, 1972
Thursday was a rough day for everyone, but especially the Gryffindors. Quidditch tryouts were held in the morning and everyone came away beaten and exhausted. It didn't help that the Gryffindors had Potions after lunch.
The door slammed shut as Professor Haspon strode in, startling several of the students. He looked around with a glare and cleared his throat. "Today we're going to study the affects of poisons and their neutralizers." He gestured to a row of vials on his desk which held different colored liquids. "These are the poisons that you will use. Now what you are going to do is brew your neutralizing potion. If made correctly, it will be a dark green color. You will each be given a sample of a poison and if your potion has been correctly made; your poison will be harmless. To test this, you will each check your poison with this," he finished, holding up a small piece of paper. "It will not turn a color if your poison is neutralized."
"We won't have to try it, right?" Peter whispered to Remus.
Remus laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. You won't."
"Wouldn't it be nice if Snivellus had to try his?" James said nastily.
"He's the best in potions, you know that," Leon pointed out.
"Thank you for ruining my fantasy," James said, mock glaring at Leon. "It was quite nice."
Sirius snickered and Leon just gave James a smile. "I'll try to remember to ask next time," Leon said.
James laughed. "I'll just find another way to get him." He shrugged and looked back at Haspon with a bored look on his face.
"Now, who can tell me the name of a neutralizing agent?" Haspon was saying. A few students raised their hands.
"Ms. Sanderlin?"
James looked to see the snobby dark-haired Slytherin drop her hand. "Plantago lanceolata, commonly known as Plantain," she answered smugly.
Haspon nodded. "Very good. Ten points to Slytherin."
She sat back smugly as the Slytherins smirked.
"Now, who can tell me two other uses for Plantain, other than as a neutralizer for poisons?" Remus raised his hand. "Mr. Lupin?"
"Plantain can be used to treat wounds and can be made into a mild tea to treat lung problems in children," Remus answered smoothly.
Haspon nodded and looked around. "Now, I will call your names and you will come up here to get your poison and the ingredients that you do not have in your kits for making the neutralizing potion. In your Magical Drafts and Potions book on page 135, you will find the proper way to brew the potion." All the students pulled out their books, turning to that page.
"Where's our points?" James heard Jaina exclaim behind him.
Haspon ignored her. "Ms. Black," he called. Andromeda walked up to the front where Haspon handed her a vial of the poison and her potion ingredients. He finished the Slytherins and began on the Gryffindors. "Ms. Evans." James watched as Lily walked forward and collected her poison and ingredients. "Mr. Lupin." Remus walked up and got his things, returning to his seat. Haspon called a few more names. "Mr. Black." Sirius walked up and took his poison and ingredients, walking back. "Mr. Pettigrew." Peter walked up and collected his things, returning to his seat. After several more names, Haspon called, "Mr. Potter." James stood and walked up. He took the potion and ingredients from the glaring teacher and walked back to his seat. Haspon finished off the Gryffindors and they began to get to work.
James, using his finger to keep his place, added his ingredients into his cauldron, stirring it slowly. Beside him Sirius and Remus were doing the same. "Potions is not my top subject," Sirius grumbled as his turned a sickly yellow. He sighed. "James."
"Why am I always fixing your potions?" James smirked but leaned over, helping Sirius.
Remus and Peter were working quietly next to them and every once and awhile Peter would ask Remus a question. Lily seemed content with hers and began helping anyone else with theirs.
Haspon cleared his throat and everyone looked up at him. He looked around. "Now it's time for the test." His eyes landed on Peter. "Mr. Pettigrew, I believe you can be first." Peter swallowed and took the poison that Haspon handed him. He poured his neutralizing potion into it and the once red potion turned as clear as water. Then Haspon tested it with the strip and saw that it was indeed correct. He didn't say anything, moving down the line of Gryffindors. The Gryffindors watched him curiously as he strode around inspecting the Slytherins' potions next. They noticed that several of the Slytherins had made the incorrect potions. When he finished, he walked to the front to face the class. "Twenty points from Gryffindor, for helping each other. This was a one-person activity."
The Gryffindors' mouths dropped open. "That's not fair!" Sirius cried angrily.
"Ten more points for speaking out," Haspon added spitefully. Sirius' jaw snapped shut and he sat back, his arms crossed, an angry scowl on his face.
"I don't bloody believe it! That was totally unfair," Jaina said in a huff, glaring at Haspon who was writing their assignment up on the board.
"He's just mad because his Slytherins messed up and we did better," James said.
"Only a few more months and we won't have to put up with him," Leon said.
"Seems like forever," Sirius sighed.
The Gryffindors glared at the Slytherins, who gave them smug looks in reply.
September 16, 1972
Quidditch results would be announced that evening and the entire day, Sirius couldn't concentrate. He knew he had practiced, but he had seen the people out on the field and they had all been so good.
Soon dinner arrived and the level of excitement was so high it seemed as though it could be seen in the air. Sirius was sitting next to James and across the table from Remus, Peter and Leon.
Sirius picked at his food, his hand shaking so badly he could hardly move the fork. "Sirius, you need to eat something," Leon said.
"I'm just so nervous," Sirius said. He glanced up at the head table where the teachers were talking and laughing. "They can all be relaxed. They're not the ones that are waiting for results that could change their lives."
Remus and James laughed. "Sirius –" James began.
"I don't think you realize how much it would mean to me to be on the team."
"I think we do," Leon said with a laugh. "That's all you've been talking about for the past month."
Sirius raised his eyebrows. "Have I really?"
Remus and James nodded, laughing. "You have. I'm surprised you've actually done your homework," James said, still laughing. "And I don't see why you're so worried."
"Sirius, you know you're good. Why aren't you confident?" Peter asked.
"This is an important time in my life," Sirius said seriously, looking at him. "I don't want to get my hopes up."
"You'll make it, I promise," James assured his best friend.
"How sure?" Sirius eyed him.
"I'm a Potter, of course I'm sure," came the smug reply.
The sound of a glass clinking quieted them as they turned to face the front of the hall. Professor Dumbledore was standing. A hush filled the hall. "As I'm sure you know, we are going to announce the results of the Quidditch tryouts," Dumbledore began. He smiled. "I know that you are all very anxious to find out who will be playing for your teams, so I won't hold you up. I would like all the Captains to please come up here to read off their house teams. I would also like to add that I would like all students to hold their applause until their entire team is called." Dumbledore sat down and Madam O'Mearly, the present Quidditch coach, stood. The four Captains walked up to stand at the front of the hall, in front of the head table. They each had scrolls in their hands.
"I would like to begin with congratulations to all who tried out," O'Mearly said with a smile. "I saw some very good fliers out there and if you don't make it this year, I encourage you to try out next year. Now, to the teams. Raven Begler, Captain and Chaser of the Hufflepuff team." she announced. A tall girl with sandy brown hair stepped forward, holding out the scroll. James looked at the Hufflepuffs, who were all looking very anxious and nervous.
"Keeper, Abigail Panettier. Chaser, Kate Clifton. Chaser, John Flynn. Beater, Jack Breslin. Beater, Hayden Corbett and lastly, Seeker, Aubrey O'Valle." Raven stepped back as the Hufflepuff table erupted into cheers and applause.
"No first-years," Sirius whispered to James nervously. "Those are all players fourth-year and above!"
"Stop worrying. You know we're good enough," James said confidently, though he was a little nervous. Of course, he'd never admit that.
"Marlene Faust, Captain and Seeker of the Ravenclaw team." A girl with long black hair stepped forward, holding out her scroll. Now the Ravenclaw table looked nervous.
Alex grinned up at his girlfriend, Marlene, nudging one of his friends. "We'll still beat them," he whispered.
"Keeper, Dean Richards. Chaser, Amelia Bones. Chaser, Emmeline Vance. Chaser, Heather Flynn. Beater, Chad Gaines and finally, Beater, Rick Bryen." Marlene stepped back as the Ravenclaw table erupted into cheers and applause.
"Knew she'd make it," Leon said, grinning. "My sister rocks at Quidditch."
"Those were only fifth-years and above! It's getting higher," Sirius said worriedly. "I knew it. I just knew it." Sirius muttered.
"That's those houses, not ours," Remus said, trying to reassure him.
"Doesn't mean anything."
"Rudolphus Lestrange, Captain and Chaser of the Slytherin team." Rudolphus stepped forward, holding out his scroll. The Slytherins were watching her with confident smirks, though there were a few shaking with nerves.
"Keeper, Dawn Hastings. Chaser, Robert Wilkes. Chaser, Christina Sanderlin. Beater, Stephen Nott. Beater, Walden Macnair and finally, Seeker, Rabastan Lestrange." He stepped back as the Slytherin table erupted into cheers and applause.
"See, look at that. A second-year made it," James said, elbowing Sirius, who was staring at the table dejectedly.
"That's very rare," Sirius said quietly.
"Oh, perk up, will you?" Remus said. "You're giving us all headaches with your whining." Sirius looked at him sourly and turned his attention back to the head table.
"Alex McKinnon, Captain and Seeker of the Gryffindor team." James grinned, watching as Alex stepped forward, holding out his scroll.
"Keeper, Fabian Prewitt. Chaser, Ryan Bell. Chaser, Mark Johnson. Chaser, James Potter."
"Oh yeah!" James pumped his fist in the air, grinning from ear to ear. "Told you."
"Brilliant." Remus smiled, clapping him on the back.
"Told you I wouldn't make it," Sirius muttered.
"Cheer up," Peter said. "If James made it, I'm sure you did."
"Beater, Edgar Bones."
"Edgar's back! We've got it made this year!" James whispered to Remus.
"And finally,"
"Here it comes."
"Beater, Sirius Black."
James and Remus grinned, watching as Sirius' eyes went wide and his mouth dropped open. He stared at them. "I- I made it?" he whispered, stammering.
"Yeah, you did!" James grinned as the Gryffindor able erupted into cheers and applause.
"Way to go, Sirius!" Edgar Bones cried, slapping Sirius on the back.
"Nice job!" Frank called from down the table, grinning.
"Told you not to worry," James said.
"Who was worried?" Sirius grinned, looking as confident as ever. "With us on the team, we won't ever lose."
James grinned back. "The dream team." He hit Sirius a high five.
Remus and Peter just gave each other looks of 'and they're back to normal'. They laughed and joined in the celebration. Alex walked over, placing his hands on James and Sirius' shoulders. "You boys ready to train?"
"You bet!" they exclaimed, grinning.
"We start training this Wednesday, out at the pitch. I'll give you your uniforms tonight, since all the other players were on the team last year."
"Thanks!" Sirius grinned.
"Glad to have you on our team," Alex grinned, heading back to his end of the table.
"Why isn't Frank on it this year?" Leon asked.
"I think he said he didn't want to because he was made Prefect. And he needed to concentrate more on his studies," Remus said.
"And less on Alice you mean," Sirius sniggered and they laughed.
"I heard that!" Frank yelled.
"You were meant to!" Sirius yelled back and everyone laughed.
"Wait until my dad finds out I made the team," James grinned.
"Send him an owl tonight," Peter said.
James nodded. "I will."