DISCLAIMER: Everything belongs to JKR except for the plot.


Chapter 2: Truths Revealed

They arrived a second later in front of Weaslys' Wizarding Wheezes and stepped inside. The shop was just as colorful and packed as Harry remembered it.

One of the twins appeared out of nowhere, "Hey, Harry." He shook hands with Harry's parents, "Morning Mr. and Mrs. Potter."

The other twin slid over, "G' morning, everyone," he shook everyone's hand (including his twin's, "Morning, George." "Morning, Fred.") "If you're looking for Black and Lupin, I saw them somewhere." He looked around, "Have you seen them, George?"

"They were in the back." George turned to Harry, "We thought out defense line's sales would drop since you got rid of Voldemort, but a lot of people are still buying then."

"I'll show to the back," Fred offered.

"I have to go get more daydreams," George excused himself. "I'll meet you all back there in a minute."

They went through a curtain into a quieter part of the shop. Sirius and Remus were examining something on the selves along the back wall.

James snuck up behind his friends, grabbed them, and yelled, "The Marauders have returned!"

Both men jumped and spun around. "What was that for, Prongs?" Sirius demanded.

"Besides," Remus tried to regain some dignity, "the Marauders can't really return until we replace Wormtail and take him off the map."

"Good point, Moony," James agreed. "Any suggestions for a new Marauder, Padfoot?"

"I think it's time to expand the Marauders to more than four. After all, the young must replace the old." Sirius thought for a second, "Maybe Harry and his friends can take over; they already have the map anyways."

"James, dear," Lily laughed, "you seem to be upsetting the poor boy."

They all turned to look at Fred who was stuttering and staring at the three old friends.

Just then, George entered, "Sorry it took so long. What's wrong, Fred?" he became very worried when he saw his twin.

"They…he…map," Fred seemed incapable of completing a sentence.

"Fred," George grabbed Fred's arm and turned him toward him, "kerfuffle."

Harry wasn't sure if that was really a word, but it seemed to wake Fred up.

Fred pointed to James and his friends and croaked out his first coherent word, "Marauders."

"Who? What?" George was obviously confused by his brother's behavior.

"Them! They're the Marauders! They said so!" he was more than a little hysterical now.

"Harry's dad is not a Marauder," George explained calmly.

"Actually," Sirius began.

"Of course we aren't," James quickly interrupted.

"See, they denied it, it's true!" Fred exclaimed triumphantly.

"Oh, wow," George breathed in disbelief. "Can I have your autograph?"

James was looking for a way to escape, but Sirius and Remus were just laughing.

"Wait," George stared at them, "if he's a Marauder then they-," he turned to his twin who was nodding wisely. He thought for a second, "Who's who?"

"Well," James grinned mischievously, "This is Remus and he's Sirius and I'm James. It's nice to meet you."

"What?" George wasn't keeping up.

"That's not what he meant," Fred insisted. "He meant which of you is Prongs and the others. Who's the forth?"

"You may as well tell them, dearest," Lily giggled.

"She's right, Jamie," Sirius agreed. "I'm Padfoot."

"Don't call me Jamie," James smacked his friend in the head. He turned to the twins, "I'm Prongs."

The Weasleys turned expectantly toward Remus. "Moony," he grunted.

"Who's Wormtail?" the twins asked in unison.

The friends exchanged dark looks. "Slimy git," Sirius muttered.

"Who?" the twins were confused.

"Peter Pettigrew," Remus growled.

"Stupid rat," Harry muttered angrily.

"It wasn't his fault," James protested.

"Why are you still standing up for him?" Sirius demanded.

"He didn't do it an purpose," James insisted. "He was just scared."

"We were all scared, James," Remus said quietly.

"But we didn't betray our friends!" Sirius cut in.

"I agree," Lily said firmly.

"See!" Sirius declared triumphantly.

"With James," she finished.

Sirius threw his hands up in exasperation, "You're both mental!"

"Of course we are," James agreed, "it's a requirement for being a Marauder."

Sirius gave his friend a half-hearted grim, "It is, isn't it?"

"Definitely. Now come on, I want to buy some Instant Darkness Powder and look into getting a few other things while we're here."

"You don't need anymore toys," Lily's voice was stern.

"Of course I need them," James said in a rather offhanded way. "How can I uphold the great reputation of the Marauders without at least a few supplies?"

"He's right, Lily," Sirius agreed.

"Yes, we all need some equipment," Remus added quite seriously.

"Not you too, Remus! I was counting on you to be the sensible one," Lily cried in mock despair.

"Sorry, Lils," he apologized, "but they have finally contaminated me."

"I think I resent that statement," Sirius said.

"Is that possible?" James muttered.

"Nothing at all, Padfoot," he replied with perfect innocence.

"Would you children hurry up?" Lily interrupted. "We need to get Harry's school things."


Angelisa: I know that James should hate Peter, but that doesn't seem to fit his personality (James & Lily are too nice). Sirius, on the other hand, holds grudges. If you don't like it…tough.