Fanfic

The Marauders – Book One

Disclaimer: All main characters and settings belong to J K Rowling

N/A: I want to dedicate this chapter to all my friends, especially Nicky who has been a great friend for years and has just moved out to Cyprus. And of course I have to mention the infamous Rum Runners, who are just great :-)

Thank you to Starsword and Pippinwitch for their reviews. Thank you very much, I'm becoming a bit addicted to reviews (which is sad considering how few I have received.) Anyway, read on to find out who befriends who…

Chapter Four – Friends

Lily rang the doorbell and her parents help her carry the heavy cauldron up to her room. Then they got her to sit down in the lounge and tell them all about her day. Lily talked for ages about everything she had seen and learnt that day; goblins, Eeylops and all the owls, the amazing bookshop, the unusual ice cream flavours, racing brooms, quidditch, owl post, wizard money, school robes, Amy Lerta and finally buying a wand. She had asked Amy endless questions about anything and everything magic today, and now relayed much of that information to her parents in an excited babble.

'And then he picked up one last wand. Ten and a quarter inches, willow and unicorn hair, rather swishy. And as soon as I held it I felt a warmth in my fingers and knew that this was my wand. When I swished it through the air a trail ofblue and silver sparkscame out of the end.' Lily finished, having at last talked herself to a temporary standstill after almost an hour.

There was a pause where they smiled at each other. Then Margaret stood up with a sigh and headed out to the kitchen to make supper. Lily stood up too, eager to sort out her school things, but sad that Petunia hadn't come to say hello. She walked out of the door and closed it behind her to leave her father in peace as he read the paper.

Turning around she saw Petunia standing in the kitchen doorway. She was watching Lily with a strange, wary expression. Lily smiled to see her sister, but the smile soon faded.

'What's wrong, Tune?' She asked, concerned.

'What's wrong?' Petunia repeated incredulously. 'What do you think's wrong? Maybe something to do with the fact that you left me, terrified in my room, while you decided to go off with a complete stranger just because they showed you a few tricks. You didn't bother to say goodbye, or even tell me that you were going. So I was left all alone while you were out with some freak. And mum and dad just spent all that money on you so that you could become a freak too. They even got you a cat! Since when have you ever wanted a cat?'

'I have…' Lily started, but Petunia wasn't finished yet.

'Not like I have. You haven't been asking for one for years. And then you got that letter and suddenly you have everything you could possible want. While nice, boring, normal Petunia is stuck in her room with nothing.' She finished venomously, practically spitting with rage.

Lily didn't know what to say or do to placate her normally calm sister. 'I'm sorry, I forgot to say good-bye. But you were in a mood with me…'

'Oh, so it's my fault now.' She replied sarcastically.

'No, no!' Lily insisted, realising what she had said. 'No, I didn't mean it that way...' She trailed off miserably, knowing that she was only making things worse. 'We can share the cat, and I really want to show you the books I got today; you don't need magic for lots of the stuff, like astronomy and potions.'

This was obviously the wrong thing to say. Petunia's face when white with rage and her eyes flashed. 'I don't want to read you stupid books, and I never want a cat if that's what you have.' She shouted, her voice growing louder. 'I don't want to be some sort of deluded FREAK!'

Petunia spun around and stormed up the stairs, slamming her door so that the house shook.

The rest of the holidays passed in fits and starts. Lily read avidly through her school books and the extra book she had bought, eagerly learning everything that she could about the wizarding world so that she would know as much as everyone else at school. She even cautiously tried a few spells from the front of the Standard Book of Spells, and her nerves were calmed slightly when they worked. She named her black cat Midnight, and enjoyed her company. The cat seemed to have an almost human intelligence, and was good company, especially now that Petunia was acting as if Lily didn't exist.

Lily tried not to think of Petunia anymore. The thought was too painful, especially since she still didn't understand what had caused this change in her sister. She had thought at first that it might be jealously, but Petunia had never had much imagination and seemed not to want to know anything about magic. Lily spent many sleepless nights trying to figure her sister out.

September approached, and Lily packed and then re-packed her heavy Hogwarts trunk, trying not to forget anything. Her parents seemed absurdly proud of her, even more so when she showed them the few simple spells that she had mastered. They listened carefully when Lily patiently explainedhow wizards used owls to send post instead of postmen.

'I read it in the book I bought. The school will have owls for the students to borrow. You mustn't be scared of them, they're very clever and know what to do. I won't be able to call you because muggle technology doesn't work in the grounds, the magic interferes with it.'

On the first of September, Lily woke early. She lay on her back for a minute, instantly wide-awake as she realised what day it was. She jumped out of bed and almost stepped on Midnight. She picked up the cat and stroked her apologetically.

'We're going to school today. To Hogwarts. There'll be a lot of other cats there, I think. But we have to go on the train first so you'll have to go in your carry-cage.'

Lily got dressed into normal day clothes; she didn't want to walk around King's Cross Station in black robes. Her school robes were ready in a rucksack, along with some money and a book and notepad for the journey. Her trunk stood by the door, with Midnight's cage balanced on top. The girl dumped her bag beside it and went for breakfast.

They left with plenty of time to spare. As Tim struggled to lift her trunk into the boot, Lily hesitated just outside Petunia's bedroom door. She didn't want to go without saying goodbye, without trying to make amends. But Petunia had ignored her for the past month, and Lily was scared of being rejected again. With a sigh she went downstairs, reasoning that Petunia would have clamed down by the time she came back.

The station was busy as Lily wheeled her precarious trolley along the platforms. She couldn't see anyone who she thought might be a witch or wizard as they approached the barrier between the two platforms.

'Are you sure she said to walk into the barrier?' Asked her mother for the hundredth time in the last ten minutes. Lily nodded mutely. The butterflies in her stomach were stomping around in metal boots and they seemed to have stolen her tongue as well.

'Do you have your ticked?'

Lily pulled the large ticket out of her pocket and waved it in the direction of her mother. They stopped a few feet from the barrier. Lily turned to face her parents. 'I'm…I don't think non-magical people can get through this barrier.' She said nervously.

Her parents were all understanding, although Lily could see doubt in their eyes that anyone could just walk through it. They said all the things that parents feel obliged to say to their children, telling her to clean her teeth, sleep well and do her homework. They smothered her in kisses and hugs. Finally Lily extracted herself and turned to face the barrier.

'Make sure you write.' Her father said.

Lily nodded, suddenly unable to speak again. She took one last look at her parents, concern and pride showing on both their faces, then she turned around and started walking purposely towards the barrier.

James was sitting in an empty compartment with his brown and white speckled owl beside him. He had arrived early, unusually for his family, and had been one of the first to get on the train while the platform was still virtually empty. By now lots of people had arrived and were saying goodbye to their parents. He had said goodbye ages ago and toldhis parentsthey could leave. Now he was alone.

James fished an owl treat from his pocket and poked it through the bars for his owl, Tornac. The bird clicked his beak in thanks and then proceeded at eating the treat. James looked through the compartment door. People were wandering up and down, looking for their friends of trying to find an empty compartment. Blockages kept on forming as people tried to manoeuvre their trunks up and down the corridor. James' trunk was up on the luggage rack where his father had lifted it that morning.

A boy with fairly long dark hair walked past, dragging his trunk. He glanced into the compartment, saw only James, and opened the door.

'Anyone sitting there?' He asked. James shook his head. The boy dragged in his trunk and used his wand to levitate it onto the luggage wrack. James was impressed, even if the control had been abysmal. The boy sat on one of the seats, leaned back and propped his feat up on the seat opposite him.

'What's your name?' He asked casually.

'James Potter. Yours?'

'Sirius Black.'

Before they could say anything more and older girl stuck her head around the door. 'Hello. I'm a prefect at Hogwarts. I'll be going up and down the train and checking that everyone's all right. A trolley will come round at lunchtime, and you'll need to get changed into your school robes before we arrive.'

The girl turned to go. James grabbed his own wand, determined to show that he could do magic too, and whispered a spell, face screwed up in concentration. The words 'Bossy Boots' appeared in slightly wobbly red letters on the back of the prefect's robes.

The boys looked at each other, and burst out laughing as soon as she was out of hearing.

She broke intoa jog, speeding up so that she couldn't turn away or pull out. The solid barrier loomed up. She closed her eyes, waiting for the jarring crash.

The crash never came. Lily peeked open an eye and slowed down in amazement. Eyes wide open she looked around. The platform was full of witches and wizards. Adults were kissing their children, scolding them and calling after them. Children were running up and down the platform, greeting old friends and catching up after the holidays. People were heaving heavy trunks onto a huge red steam train beside the platform. Flocks of owls screeched to each other and cats hissed from baskets.

Not sure what to do or where she was meant to go, Lily headed towards the train. She walked down, searching for an empty compartment, suddenly feeling very shy. Right near the end Lily found an empty compartment. She spent the next ten minutes heaving her trunk onto the train, glad that they had arrived early. After loading Midnight and checking that she had her bag, Lily slammed the door.

After checking that Midnight was all right and letting her out of her cage, Lily looked out of her compartment and into the corridor. People were running up and down the corridor, many of the older children doing magic after a summer deprived. Lily quickly drew back, not wanting to be on the receiving end of a stray spell. Instead she settled back in her chair and looked out of the window and onto the platform. Midnight jumped lightly onto her lap and Lily stroked her absentmindedly.

Parents were moving back from the train a bit and all the children were on the train. Lily glanced at her watch and saw that it was almost twelve o'clock. Slipping the black cat off her lap she stood up and opened the window. Sticking her head outside Lily could see other people doing the same up and down the train, waving to their smiling parents.

With a great puff of steam the Hogwarts Express set off. Lily closed the window again and sat back in her seat as they drew out of the station. They were off! She was going to Hogwarts and there was no going back now. She only wished that she knew someone.

The compartment door open and Lily turned to see who was there. A fairly short girl with blond hair and green eyes was standing nervously in the doorway. She was dragging a large trunk behind her and peered curiously in at Lily.

'Can I sit in here?' She asked. 'There's nowhere else…'

Lily nodded and watched the girl drag her trunk in and close the door. She collapsed onto the seat opposite Lily with a sigh.

'It's hectic out there. All the older kids are refreshing on their magic, I almost got hit with various spells seven times while looking for a carriage.'

Lily smiled tentatively, and received a cheerful smile back. 'Is this your first year too?' Lily asked.

'Yes.' The girl replied. 'My name's Nicky Gutteridge.'

'I'm Lily Evans.'

With the introductions made there was a short silence while they both tried to think of something to say. Midnight took this opportunity to jump back onto Lily's lap.

'Is that your cat?' Nicky asked. Lily nodded. 'What's her name?'

'Midnight.' Lily felt a bit silly, and wished that she had picked a more mature name. But Nicky nodded appreciation.

'It suits her. She's a lovely cat. I'd love a cat, but mum's allergic to them.'

Lily smiled sympathetically. 'I only got her at the start of August, when I got my letter and we found out I was a witch.'

'Found out? You mean you didn't know?'

'I didn't even know that magic existed. My parents are both muggles.'

'Oh.' Said Nicky looking surprised. 'Well, my parents are both magic, although dad's muggle-born, so I'm not pureblood wizard.'

'But they can both do magic? You must know loads of spells already then.' Lily said nervously.

'Not really. I only got my wand this holiday, same as you.' Nicky pulled her wand out and showed it. 'Ebony and phoenix feather, twelve inches long.'

Lily pulled her own wand out of her bag. 'Willow and unicorn hair, ten and a quarter inches. Have you done any spells yet?' She asked.

Nicky shook her head. 'I'm underage. Until you are seventeen you can't do magic out of school. It's too dangerous.'

Lily blushed. 'I've done a bit…'

'It's all right, you couldn't know. So, show me a spell.' Nicky invited.

Feeling very nervous, Lily thought for a second. Then she raised her wand and flicked it in a practiced movement. 'Colorare cambiamento.'

A book that Lily had dropped on the seat changed colour from red to purple. With concentration she repeated the incantation and it continued through the change to blue.

Nicky looked impressed. 'That's really good.'

'It was meant to change straight through to blue.' Lily admitted.

'Better then I can do.'

'Have a go.' Lily encouraged. There was a pause, then Nicky smiled.

'How?'

They spent a while trying various spells, both girls eager to do magic. They both proved to pick the spells up fairly quickly, but Lily was surprised to find that she seemed to be a bit better then Nicky, who had known about magic all her life.

At lunchtime a trolley came around, pushed by a fairly old man who took a long time counting out their change. Lily was glad of the trolley, because she hadn't realised how long the train journey would be. After lunch their talk turned to flying.

'I'm a bit nervous about flying really.' Said Lily.

Nicky laughed. 'Don't be nervous; it's great. I've only flown a few times on my dad's old broom, but I'm hoping to get my own broom soon. I hope I get on the quidditch team.'

Lily frowned as she tried to remember what that was. 'Is that some sort of game…' she started, but trailed off at Nicky's horrified look.

'You can't tell me that you don't know what Quidditch is!' She exclaimed.

Lily laughed. 'Go on then, tell me.'

It turned out that Nicky was a Quidditch fanatic. She supported the Soaring Swaylings, who apparently weren't doing that well at the moment.

'It's the new keeper they've got. He's useless; I can't believe they signed him. He barely ever saves any goals…'

'So you said something about getting on the quidditch team…' prompted Lily, not wanting Nicky to go on another talk about her favourite team.

'Oh yeah, each of the houses has a team, and they all play each other once in a year, competing for they Quidditch cup.'

'What are the four houses?' Lily asked. She knew that she had read them somewhere, but couldn't remember them.

'Well, there's Griffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin.'

'How do you know which house you're in?' Lily asked nervously.

'I'm not sure, just that first years get sorted before the start of term feast.'

Lily slumped back in her chair nervously, not liking the sound of being sorted in front of the whole school.

James and Sirius, who were by now firm friends, were also talking about Quidditch. They both supported the Chudley Cannons, and were happily discussing their prospects of winning anything next year. Sweet wrappers surrounded the two boys, who had both bought a good supply of food.

It was growing dark when the same prefect who had talked to them earlier opened the compartment door. 'We'll be arriving at Hogwarts in twenty minutes, so you need to change, pack up everything and clear up all your rubbish.'

She turned and walked away, and James and Sirius both burst out laughing as they saw that she still had 'Bossy Boots' written on her back.

End Chapter Four

A/N: So Lily has a friend. And I know that only half of the marauders are present, but believe me that Peter and Remus will turn up soon enough. Check soon for the next chapter, Sailing, Sorting and Fighting, where Severus appears and causes some trouble…