Hi guys,

I have finally updated and changed the ending of this chapter. After all the reviews about how Lily, Alice and Hermione were bullies to James, I decided to do something about it.

Anyway read and review to tell me if this one is better or worse that the original.

Chapter Five: Boggarts and a Challenge

'Ahem,' Remus cleared his throat and the two teens jumped and registered the four boys sat around each other.

'Hi,' Sirius said and Hermione and Harry smiled.

'So we know who Hermione is, so who are you?' James asked.

Harry felt his breath get caught and he studied his father's appearance. It was like looking in a mirror. James was slightly taller than him and had hazel eyes instead of emerald. However both Harry and James had the same build and the same messy black hair.

He then realised as he looked around that Peter was there. His heart clenched at the sight of the traitor who was responsible for his father's and mother's death. His hand nearly flew at him to strangle him to death.

Harry looked away as he felt tears prickling his eyes. He couldn't breathe and had to get out.

'Hermione I need to go... library,' Harry mumbled and he exited the hall as fast as he could.

Hermione watched him go with sad eyes and looking back to the others realised that they were staring at her. She smiled.

'Sorry about that. He's my boyfriend, Harry Potter. He just got here this morning and was sorted into Gryffindor,' Hermione explained and the boys nodded.

'Well we didn't introduce ourselves last night,' Sirius replied and pointed in turn at the three boys, 'This is James Potter,' Sirius pointed at James, 'Remus Lupin,' he pointed at Remus, 'and Peter Pettigrew,' he pointed at Peter.

James frowned and looked up at Hermione.

'Err did I do anything wrong?' he asked.

Hermione shook her head and smiled at James.

'No it's just that you remind him of his father,' she said simply. She continued nibbling her toast.

'So he hates his father? Is that why he had to get away?' Sirius asked scratching his head confused.

Hermione shook her head again and giggled silently at Sirius' misunderstanding.

'No it's just that his father died,' she whispered and the four boys looked shocked.

'How?' Remus asked.

'I don't know if I should tell you,' Hermione said uncomfortably.

'We'll promise not to tell you told us,' Sirius said and James nodded.

'Wizard's promise,' he added.

Hermione glanced around and sighed. Should she tell them? Harry wouldn't be mad would he? She looked at the four boys who were eagerly waiting for an answer.

'Ok but I'll just tell you briefly. Harry should be the one to tell you fully,' she said.

'I understand,' Lupin said.

Sirius and James both nodded and Peter looked doubtful but nodded as well.

'Well basically when Harry was one year old, an evil wizard came and murdered both his mother and father. He tried to kill Harry but the curse rebounded as killed the evil wizard instead due to his mother's sacrifice,' Hermione said sadly.

The four boys were horrified at this revelation.

'Guys you can calm down... just don't remind Harry. He has nightmares about it still,' Hermione said and the four boys nodded.

'Sure thing...' Sirius said. And he thought he had it hard at his home. At least his parents were still alive, just hated him.

James ran a hand through his hair and nodded. What must the poor boy be thinking when he saw him?

'Uh Hermione I have another question,' Remus asked and Hermione looked up.

'Yes Remus?' she asked.

'Well we couldn't help but overhear you two talking and then you mentioned someone named Ron. Harry said he wanted to kill him. Why?'

Hermione froze and tears formed in her eyes. Even hearing Ron's name made her feel hurt.

The four boys noticed Hermione becoming visibly upset and panicked.

'Hermione don't cry,' Sirius said desperately.

'Yeah you don't have to answer if you don't,' Peter said.

'Remus was just being insensitive,' James said and smacked Remus on his head.

'Oww,' Remus muttered and rubbed his hurt head.

'Yeah Remus was an idiot,' Sirius said and hit Remus the second time. Remus glared at the two boys and sighed.

Hermione stared at the boys and giggled slightly. The boys looked at Hermione and relaxed when she started to laugh.

'It's fine, I need to do this,' Hermione said and took a deep breath to calm herself. Maybe this is what she needed.

'Well Ron was mine and Harry's first ever friend when we started our other school. He was so nice. But then there was a ... um... competition at our school and Harry's name was chosen even though there was an age restriction and Harry didn't enter himself. He finished and won the competition but another pupil died,' she said.

The four boys nodded, even though they were shocked that a student was killed.

'Ron was jealous at the beginning. But he soon got over it. Then we were friends again. However Harry seemed to think it was his fault and I caught him... I caught him... he was cutting himself,' Hermione said in a whisper and tears fell from her eyes. She wiped them away. She needed to finish this.

James placed a reassuring hand on her arm and she smiled thankfully at him.

'Ron then turned on us and spilled out a lot of bitter thoughts. He called me a m-m-mudblood,' Hermione said and shook slightly.

The boys looked angrily at this revelation and James and Sirius hissed.

'Then he was about to kill me but Harry saved me. Ron then turned on Harry and they duelled. However Ron beat up Harry pretty badly and Harry looked like he was going to bleed to death. Then Ron cast… Ron cast the Cruciatus Curse on Harry when he was injured. He nearly killed him!' Hermione said and this time tears were flowing freely as she remembered Harry's screams.

The four boys looked like they wanted to murder Ron.

'Then Ron was about to do the same to me but Harry pushed me away at the last moment and took my share of the Cruciatus Curse.'

Hermione finished and she started to sob. Her body racked with sobs and she put her hands over her face.

Suddenly she felt strong arms wrap around her and she glanced up to see Harry there with a smile on his face. She clutched his shirt and sobbed into it. Harry smiled sadly and rubbed her back.

Harry had heard everything and when the Marauders looked at him he nodded and smiled at them. They smiled back.

After a few minutes Hermione calmed down and wiped her face.

'I'm sorry Harry,' she said, 'it was my entire fault.'

'No it wasn't. I chose to save you and good job I did to. Ron was a prat and when the time comes I will personally murder him with my own two hands,' Harry said and Hermione nodded.

McGonagall handed the timetables out and Harry and Hermione examined them. James glanced at their timetables and soon the six of them found out that they were in the same classes, except the four Marauders had Divination instead of Ancient Runes.

Their first class was DADA and so the six of them hurried over to the classroom. They stepped in and took seats next to each other.

'So Harry do you play Quidditch?' James asked.

'Yeah I used to be the Seeker,' Harry replied as he took out his books and wand.

'Cool, we need a new seeker; do you want to try out?' James asked.

'Sure when are the trials?' Harry asked interestedly.

'Friday night,' James replied and Harry nodded.

'Sure I'll be there,' he said and James beamed.

'Honestly is that all you can think about? We have a bigger mission here,' Hermione said and Harry grinned.

'But what's the fun without a game of Quidditch?' Harry asked.

'Boys,' Hermione sighed as Harry, James and Sirius launched into another discussion.

Looking around she recognised a few people from the future. She also spotted Lucius and his cronies talking as well. She glared at them and started to read the textbook.

'Hi can I sit here?' a voice asked and Hermione looked up... into Harry's emerald eyes. She blinked and then saw a girl as old as she was with red fiery hair and emerald eyes exactly like Harry's. This must be Lily.

'Sure,' she said and Lily smiled and sat next to her along with another girl that resembled Neville.

'Hi my name's Lily Evans and this is my friend Alice,' Lily said and Hermione smiled.

'Hi I'm Hermione Granger and this,' she stopped to poke Harry in the ribs, 'is my boyfriend Harry Potter.'

Harry stopped for a second as he saw his mother. She had the exact same coloured eyes as he.

'Hi there,' he said.

'Nice to meet you two,' Lily said cheerfully with a bright smile on her face.

Just then James turned around and saw Lily. His face lit up. Behind his back Sirius and Remus rolled their eyes.

'He's gonna get it again,' Sirius said exasperatedly.

'Evans, how are you on this bright September morning?' James asked Lily. She turned to glare at him.

'Potter stop talking to me!' she hissed.

James pouted.

'But Evans I just want you to go out with me. What's so hard about that?' James asked.

Lily snorted.

'I'd rather go out with flobberworms that with you James Potter,' she said in a matter-of-fact tone.

James looked aghast.

'But... But how can you resist my charming looks?' James spluttered.

'Maybe cos I am not into you,' Lily said furiously, 'you're just an arrogant toerag who likes to pick on Severus!'

'Well maybe Snivelly deserves it,' James hissed back.

'No one deserves anything. What did he do to deserve it?' Lily said with an angry frown.

Lily turned away and her hair cascaded down her back like a fire.

'Guys break it up,' Harry said as Remus got up to control the situation. He sat back down surprised.

James and Lily looked at Harry.

'Look let's all shake hands. Everyone has their own personal opinions that we shouldn't try to influence,' Harry said. Hermione smiled at his maturity.

'Hey Harry you should be on our side,' James said pouting.

'I'm neutral and Hermione's with me on that,' Harry said and Hermione nodded.

'Yes and James if I see you near Lily again I will hex you to Timbuktu and back. She doesn't need your persisting flirting alright?' Hermione scolded James, who hung his head in defeat.

'Yes mum,' James said and Hermione whacked him on his arm. He yelped in surprise.

'Don't take that tone with me Mister!' Hermione warned.

Sirius and Remus laughed at James. Lily also laughed and stuck a tongue out at James.

'Alright love calm down,' Harry soothed and Hermione nodded. She sat down and Harry pecked her on the cheek.

The boys pulled faces whilst Lily and Alice looked in adoration at the two lovebirds.

'Aw that is so sweet!' Alice said.

'It's sickening,' Sirius said.

'Well maybe you should get a girlfriend then we'll see,' Alice shot back.

'Are you asking me out Alice?' Sirius smirked.

'I give up!' Alice said throwing her hands in the air at annoyance of Sirius' flirting, and turned to chat with Lily.

Finally the teacher came in and Harry and Hermione were startled at the resemblance.

'Good morning. My name is Professor Elaine Moody and I'll be your professor for DADA. I'll start with roll call.'

After roll call Professor Moody flicked her wand and a chest appeared. She walked around it and sat on it.

'Today we will be studying Boggarts. Can anyone tell me what they are?'

Hermione's hand shot up, knocking Harry's glasses askew. Everyone was startled at the speed but Harry chuckled and adjusted his glasses.

'Miss Granger,' Moody said.

'A boggart is a shape-shifter, who takes on the appearance of your worst fear,' Hermione answered.

'Correct, 10 points to Gryffindor,' the Professor smiled.

'Now everyone will form a line and we will be each taking a turn to repel the boggart. The charm is Riddiculus,' the professor said.

Everyone spent the next few minutes practising and finally everyone lined up.

'Ready?' Professor Moody tapped the chest and it opened.

A few people later it was Sirius. So far there had been a snake, spider, scorpion and banshee.

The boggart turned into the dead version of James. An evil version of Sirius stepped up and his sleeve was rolled up to show the dark mark.

'No,' Sirius whispered.

'I killed him,' the evil Sirius cackled and Sirius shook his head and his face became more determined.

'Riddiculus,' Sirius shouted and next minute both Sirius and James were hugging and there was no dark mark.

Sirius sighed in relief and stumbled back to where James was standing. James' boggart had been his mum and dad dead. They both hugged.

Hermione was next and she was gulping slightly. She hadn't had a go since the end of year exams in third year.

The room dimmed and Hermione heard, along with everyone, Harry's screams and the body of Harry boggart was lying there with blood pooling out of the body. Hermione stood frozen at the scene and Ron came forward and cast the killing curse at Harry. Hermione screamed and tripped over her robes backwards. Her wand flew out of her hand and she fell to the floor sobbing.

Harry rushed forward and the boggart changed. Harry tightened his hold on his wand as he saw Voldemort walk forward. Then he saw Hermione and she was walking towards Voldemort who then raised his wand at her.

'Riddiculus,' Harry said and the boggart vanished with a crack.

Harry walked over to Hermione and held her in his arms as she sobbed and clutched his jumper as if he was going to die any minute.

'Potter get her to the Hospital Wing,' barked Moody and Harry nodded. He pocketed his and Hermione's wand and with Hermione in his arms still sobbing he walked out of the classroom to the Hospital Wing.

'Class dismissed,' Professor Moody said and the rest of the class left.

'Hey shall we go and give Harry his and Hermione's bag?' James asked holding up two satchels.

'Na leave them alone for a bit,' Remus said.

'Alright, we'll take them to the Common Room,' James said shrugging his shoulders.

'I hope Hermione's ok,' Sirius said worried.

'She'll be fine she's just in shock,' Remus assured.

…

In the hospital wing Madame Pomfrey had just administered Hermione a mild calming drought.

'Will she be ok?' Harry asked the healer.

'She'll be ok,' Pomfrey said smiling as she saw Harry tuck his girlfriend into the bed and sit down in a chair next to her as Hermione had clutched his hand tightly and looked like she wasn't letting go any time soon.

'Is it alright if I stay here?' Harry asked.

Madame Pomfrey nodded and bustled back to her office.

Harry ran a hand through his hair and sighed in relief. He had no idea that Hermione was that affected by the incident.

'Harry?'

Harry turned to see the four marauders standing behind him.

'Hi guys,' Harry said and gestured for them to sit down. They did, looking at Hermione.

'How is she?' Sirius asked.

'Pomfrey gave her a calming draught. But…' Harry said.

'But?' Remus asked.

'I didn't know she was that affected by the incident. She always seemed strong on the outside. Maybe I'm not a good boyfriend as I thought I was, otherwise I would have known by now,' Harry said sadly.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see James smiling at him.

'I know it's hard but you're doing a great job. Hermione really loves you a lot,' James said.

'How-How do you know?' Harry asked.

The three boys turned to Sirius.

'Well the night she was here at Hogwarts I tried to flirt with her but she stood her ground. Do you know what she said? That she has a wonderful boyfriend already that loves her loads. She would have even slapped me if it weren't in the hall during dinner,' Sirius said.

Harry chuckled.

'That's my girl,' Harry said fondly.

'Harry!'

Everyone turned to see Lily and Alice race over to Harry and Hermione. They hadn't noticed the boys yet.

'How is she?' Lily asked looking down at Hermione.

'Just been given a calming draught,' Harry said and Lily nodded.

'I'm glad she's ok,' Alice said.

Lily then registered the boys sitting around the bed.

'What are you guys doing here?' Lily asked suspiciously.

'Why would you want to know?' James asked.

'Knowing you guys you would probably normally be planning a prank. What happened today?' Alice said.

'Well sorry if we're concerned about our friends,' Sirius said.

Alice stuck out a tongue and Sirius retaliated the same way.

'Guys can you take this somewhere else, or else Hermione's gonna get disturbed.' Harry said.

'It's fine we were just here to see Hermione and you,' Alice said as the two girls got up to leave.

'Oh yeah we brought you some food as well,' Lily said and passed over a stack of toast.

'Is that all?' Peter scoffed.

'Yeah we'll get Harry a three-course meal,' James said.

'Is that a challenge?' Lily said her eyes narrowing.

'No a promise,' James said.

'You're on Potter,' Lily said.

'At least we know where the kitchens are,' Sirius said.

Lily and Alice stopped and shock showed on their face before it was replaced with determination.

'We don't need the kitchens,' Alice said.

With that both girls raced off to get food for Harry.

'Well we must be off too. Don't beat yourself up Harry.' With that the four boys set off, James and Sirius clapping Harry on the back, whispering to themselves.

Harry gave an amused smile and sank back into his chair. This year may just be interesting.