Hey Guys! This may not be a good chapter but I'm trying to introduce some of the characters that will be important to the story such as Marlene and Gideon. Of course the Marauders will all be in this story but I wanted to add a little something extra to the group. Molly and Arthur are mentioned but I don't think I will go into as much depth with them as I do others.

This may be slow but I want it to be a "slow burning" story. Nothing ruins a good story for me like people falling in love too soon.

Chapter 1

Sirius sat in the Great Hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in a complete daze as Professor Dumbledore review the rules for the first year students. The rules never changed. Stay out of the Forbidden Forest, attend all classes unless excused, don't wander the halls past curfew, do not use magic against any teacher or student under any circumstances, blah, blah, blah. For the past six years he had been hearing these same rules, and for the past six years he had broken every single one of them.

As Sirius withdrew from his thought he refocused on the conversation between James and Gideon about who were the ladies to land this year. Gideon had grown about five inches over the summer, and with his blonde hair and light brown eyes, Sirius knew that he would be serious competition in the looks department. Thankfully, Sirius also knew that Gideon and his elder brother Fabian would have their hands full batting young Arthur Weasley off their sister Molly. Molly was alright in looks but he considered her too much of a sisterly figure to be interested. No, this year he would get something different.

If only he knew what that something was.

"I dunno mate, I think this could be it for me and Evans" James said with a slightly admiring tone.

"You've been saying that for years now. If you had a "connection" don't you think she would have realized it by now. After all, she is the smarter of you two." Gideon replied.

"She does know, she is just too afraid to admit she can't resist my devilish good looks and charm." not even James could contain his laughter as he said it. James had been in love with Lily since the day he charmed her hair to knot itself to the back of her chair and she got her revenge in the form of a very well placed left hook. Yup, that's all it took for James to be thoroughly infatuated with the little redhead.

"I honestly don't think that's the problem Prongs" Remus said jokingly.

"Maybe it's the way you smell mate. Or your hair. Who knows she may be into suave guys like me." Sirius chimed in with a smirk. He would never do that to James but everyone at the table knew he was joking.

The room went silent as Professor Dumbledore said his closing words and dismissed them to their chambers. James and Lily, as Gryffindor prefects had to lead the first years through the halls showing them ways to get to Gryffindor Tower as all returning students lingered in the Great Hall mingling with old friends of years past. Sirius only had a seconds warning before he saw Marlene sprinting toward he, Remus, and Peter. She shouted each of their names as she embraced them in a bone crunching hug. Marlene was a petite young witch beginning her fifth year but her excitement gave her the strength of two Hagrids. They had met the year before when Marlene was being teased by Sirius' brother Regulus and James had raced in to defend her. After that it was common to see the curly haired witch tagging along with the Marauders and they had all become quite fond of her. Now, as Sirius looked down at the beaming little witch he realized how much he had missed the laughs Marlene provided.

The four talked for a while about nothing in particular until they were certain they first years had retired for the night. They then slowly began to make their way through the thinning crowds saying their goodnights to those who they knew and liked, but scowling at those they didn't. That's when Sirius saw him. For the first time in months he looked upon his younger brother Regulus. For two people who looked so similar, they couldn't be more different. Regulus had Sirius' elegant black curls, noble face, and stormy grey eyes. However, unlike Sirius, Regulus' eyes did not have the same sparkle as Sirius'. And, anyone who knew Sirius knew that the lines on his face were due to laughing, but someone who looked at Regulus just knew he was surrounded by such guilt and anger. That guilt and anger was so strong that it wiped nearly all of the handsomeness from Regulus' face and turned it into something almost monstrous. Sirius did not know what exactly Regulus' home life was like now that he had moved in with the Potters. When Sirius still lived with the Blacks he took the brunt of his parent's anger and frustration. Now that he was gone he suspected it was now Regulus' burden to bear punishment for the Black's fall from grace.

Regulus looked up as if he knew his elder brother was watching from afar. Their eyes met and for a second Sirius could see the brother he used to be so close to before Hogwarts. But it was like looking at a childhood friend that you hadn't seen for years, they looked so different and although you both had great memories together, you both know your time has passed. Nothing can revive the past.

Regulus looked away after a moment and Sirius had to rush to catch up to his friends who were already halfway down the corridor.

* Hey! I know I need to work on dialogue but, like I said, this is my first FanFiction and I'm also trying to give you some information on characters you will be seeing. BTW the part that took place in the train station is set in the future… almost like a flashback but in the future (Order of the Phoenix). The story really takes place in Sirius' 6th and 7th years.

** Reviews are encouraged because I really need help!