Disclaimer- See chapter one, nothing witty to say at the moment. I don't own it!
The platform at Hogsmeade station was full of the hustle and bustle as students pushed passed one another into the misty evening. Threads of heavy, cold fog wove through the air leaving everyone with a creeping feeling. James and Lily both remained on the train til the last. Shepherding the slower first years off. The two ran a final check of the compartments, ascertaining that they were all empty. Meeting at the centre of the long central hall. James let out a breath, hand unconciously running through the hair at the back of his head. Lily couldn't help giving her eyes a bit of a roll. Though she found it annoyed her less when the motion was unthinkingly done than when he did it to get attention, as he had in the past.
James blinked down at her, "All clear down that way." he informed her. Motioning with one hand toward the direction he had come from.
Lily rested her hands on her hips, "Same here. Guess we can go then, and herd the mob off the platform." she let out a sigh. Herding, bah.
James grinned mischeviously at her, "Perhaps we should hire a dog? Their good for herding I hear."
Lily chuckled at him smacking him lightly on the upper arm, "No, thats what we are. The dogs." this left both Heads in a fit of laughter as the stepped out of the train onto the foggy platform. James stuffed his hands into the pockets of his black uniform trousers. Lily casting a wave toward the witches and wizards that were levitating the school trunks into a large carriage to be taken to the school. Students flowed toward the 'horse-less' carriages. Second years timidly following the older students or being guided by a kind prefect.
The first years had amassed around the gigantic figure of the Gamekeeper toward one end. James lifted a hand to wave at the man, getting on in return and a beaming smile from him, one Potter returned whole heartedly. Without a word the two Head Students parted and started helping the younger students where it was needed. Sending nervous first years toward Hagrid with a few words of encouragement or helping with other things. From lost pets and items to kids being lost themselves. By the time they got away most of the carriages where full and drifting away.
Lupin leaned out the door of one of the last and waved at the two, "Prongs! Lily! C'mon!" the thin boy called. Waving a hand toward them. His sandy hair fluttered in a breeze that tried timidly to start up among all the mist. It was quailed swiftly. Leaving the unnervingly chilled air to be the same. Stiffling and cold all at once. Evans and Potter trotted to the carriage Lupin was hanging from. Stepping into the relative coziness. There was one other person in there. A short, slightly chubby boy with a swatch of dirty-blonde hair adorning his head over a pointed face.
The boy in the corner looked up, his round watery eyes observing the two, "Hullo, Prongs." Pettigrew intoned.
James smirked slightly as he collapsed into the moth eaten leather that served as a seat. The cushion sagging slowly with a wheeze, "Hullo Peter."
Remus dropped his lanky body back down beside Peter. Lily sitting down as well, her side resting against the wall of the carriage beside her, "Have fun herding ikkle firsties, James?" Lupin asked as the carriage rattled into motion. His eyes narrowing down in a slight leer at his mate.
Potter ignored the remark and let his head loll to the side. A solid thunk echoing dully from where his skull connected. He didn't even flinch. His eyes closed, he looked for all the world as if he had fallen asleep then and there. Though, after a moment, his hazel eyes fluttered open, "Wheres Padfoot?" he inquired.
Lupin gave his thin shoulders a shrug, "Don't know. Haven't seen the git since we got off the train, yeah?" he informed, his amber eyes looking toward Pettigrew.
Pettigrew nodded an affirmative, "He said he was going to look for you, James." he said. "His stomach probably got the better of him and he jumped into a carriage up toward the front."
Potter chuckled, "Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised. He better save us some seats at the table though..." he commented dryly. Silence resumed. Filling the small space. Each settling into a morose state of half dozing. Lids drooping, listening to the muffled clunk and clatter of wheels over ruts in the road. The soft clank as the gates of Hogwarts closed behind them, as they were the last carriage. With a slight roll forward and a jerk the carriage came to a hault. Nearly spilling the dozy occupants into a heap on the floor. Only quick reflexes saved all but one, Pettigrew was spilled onto the floor. James laughed at his smaller friend, offering a hand and dragging him up, "Alright Wormtail?" he asked, a lopsided grin spreading across his face.
Peter nodded giving a soft chuckle of his own, "Happens every year." This caused both Potter and Lupin to burst into laughter. Both slapping the smaller boy heartily on the back. Lily shook her head, standing she stepped out. Waving slightly to the three Marauders present. James smiled watching her go. The day had been pleasant. He waved at her until, and after, she had disappeared from view. It took a swat upside the head from Remus to bring him back to earth. Laughing madly Lupin and Pettigrew tore off into the crowd, an irate Potter in hot pursuit shouting curses at them, his wand forgotten in his pocket.
The three arrived in the entrance hall, laughing and slightly out of breath. Skidding to a hault before they rammed into the back of a huddle of second and third year students fighting to get into Great Hall. There was about three seconds of silence, when all that could be heard was the sound of the students before them talking to one another. After that, it was like an explosion. A voice burst through the air followed by the sound of running feet, "PRONGSSSSS! MOOOONYYYY! WORMTAAAAILLL!" Sirius Black had arrived and as usual he had done it with a bang. Hogwarts robes flapping around his lean, willowy body Black flung himself at his fellow Marauders with something akin to a war-cry. Other students leapt out of the way in surprise, most of them the younger series, the older students were used to such antics.
Potter was the one to go down under the assualt. His rear and back smacking into the hard marble and surprising a yelp of pain from his lips. Sirius sitting on his chest. Grinning down at him. His long black hair draped around his high-boned cheeks and a visage built along those lines. His stormy eyes danced as he grinned. Bangs falling perfectly, just shadowing his eyes enough to give him an air of mystique, one that suited him well. "Get off, Padfoot!" James whined. Flat on his back. "Off, or I swear.. I'll hex you." James threatened.
Sirius' eyes widened and teared up fakely, "B-but... I haven't seen you for-forever! Prongs..."
"Bullocks." scowled Potter, "You saw me just this morning when you were inhaling our breakfast!"
"It was rather good though." was Black's reply. Ignoring his best mate's threat and glare. Potter whipped his wand out faster then one could say 'Sirius' and directed it at the side of Sirius' lean body. A moment passed, then with a pop Black's robes disappeared. Replaced by a scarlet dancing girls dress, split to the hip on oneside. Black fishnet and knee high boots adorning the tall boys legs. Sirius brought up a leg slighty and crossed his arms defensively over his chest, "YOU FIEND!" he cried in an imitation high-pitched voice.
Potter sat up, his eyes admiring his handy work. After a moment he started laughing and was joined by his fellows. The whole of the Marauders practically bawling with laughter in the middle of the Entrance Hall. Black grinned, strutting toward the Great Hall, his hips swaying outlandishly, "I feel pretty! Oh so Pretty!" he sung. Though he paused as he reached the doors. The first years were lined up before the staff table, McGonagall was just placing the hat and stool down when he stepped in. Black's voice rose in a loud rendition of Abba's Dancing Queen.(How he knew the lyrics we may never know) Sirius began to dance his way toward the Gryffindor table. The rest of the Marauders following slowly, each barely able to walk for laughter.
Emmeline Vance, a friend of Lily's leaned toward aforementioned girl, "You know, any boy that can be that feminine can't be all that straight." she said softly. Lily stiffled a giggle. A hand pressing over her mouth. Their other friends 'round them chortled their appreciation to the comment.
McGongall stalked down the rows between the house tables toward the still dancing and singing Black, "Mr. Black!" she called. Her lips going thin though a hint of amusement shown behind her hawk-like eyes. "What do you think you are doing? Stop this at once!" she admonished. Flicking her wand she returned Sirius to his school uniform.
Sirius performed an elegant bow, "As you wish Minerva." he drawled. With that he sauntered to the table and plopped himself squarely down beside Potter.
McGonagall sniffed slightly at his impertenance, getting an impish grin in return, before sweeping back up to begin sorting the new First Years.
The Marauder's payed no heed to the sorting. Each looking around the great hall, bored looks placed across their faces. It wasn't until Dumbledore stood that they roused themselves from their stupor. Looking toward the Headmaster along with the rest of the school. After a moment he spoke, "I will not bother you all with words now. For each and everyone of you is probably properly hungry. All I have to say to you all is this. Eat up." he waved his hands out, sweeping them across the hall. As he sat the golden plates filled with all manner of food.
People settled to their meals, and slight chatter with their friends. Talking between mouthfuls of the summer and other such frivolous things. Black was again 'inhaling' what was set before him. Potter fighting to get food before the other did. Remus took his time. Pettigrew eating as fast as the other two. Lupin shook his head, "I can't see how you three don't explode from all you put away."
"Ish hash fas' mamoblimbs." replied Black. Lupin cast him an odd look, his head tilting very slightly to the left, his sandy hair, softly flcked with very premature grey falling across his face. Sirius grinned broadly, doing his best not to show off his mouthfull.
"If you say so, Padfoot." Lupin sighed, again giving a soft shake of his head.
Before long everyone was satisfied, even Sirius, and the food disappeared for the final time. Dumebldore once more stood, "Well, another year is here." he began. Smiling benignly upon them all, his blue eyes sparkling in the placid flicker of the floating candles. "Welcome back to our older students and a warm welcome to the new comers. I hope you will find Hogwarts to your liking. As usual Mr. Filtch, the caretaker, would like me to remind you that some items are not to be found within the premises. A full lsit can be found in his office. Also, I remind you that the Forbidden forest is indeed forbidden. You would all do well to remember this." the Headmaster eyed the Marauders over his half-moon spectacles. The boys lifting their hands to wave at the student body, earning chuckles. Dumbledore's lips twitched slightly as he held back a smile. "With that I release you to the warmth of your beds. First years the prefects will guide you to your common rooms. Our Head Boy or Head Girl," at this he waved a hand toward James and Lily, inclining his head toward each, "will help you as well should you need it. Now then, off with you." he made a slight shooing motion at the amassed students. The and shuffle of movement immediate. The whole of the school off to a well deserved rest before the classes began on the morrow.
Chapter Two- Fin
Authors Note: Ok this one was MUCH longer than the last. Hope you all enjoyed it. Review if you'd be so kind. Again... Flames will be giggled at and be used to make more smores.