To My Readers: I apologize for the extreme delay in this update. I'm just starting at college and will do my best to keep writing and updating the story frequently. I'll do what I can. You can put "The Boys Called Marauders" on your alert list to keep you informed about when a new installment is posted. Don't worry, I'm not going to let this story die. I'm very proud of my first non-one-shot effort, so I will definitely keep going. Thanks again to all my readers and reviewers for all of your support and encouragement.
A Couple of Author's Notes: Ahh! I forgot History of Magic and Professor Binns! Oh well, let's just say they all dropped it due to lack of interest and necessary attention spans. Harry and Ron didn't care to take it either, so I reckon the Marauders would feel the same.
I was on Wikipedia to verify the name of the Arithmancy teacher and it listed an old Divination teacher named Mospus. But don't worry; I'm still incorporating the suggested names into the Professor's name.
And you all have made this my top-reviewed story, so thanks for that! Yay for you!
For DISCLAIMER, see previous chapters...
Enjoy the chapter!
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An Open Letter to the Boys Who Call Themselves Marauders:
Please leave me alone. I know that you take pleasure in tormenting innocent students like myself, but if you would be so kind as to let us be, it would be greatly appreciated. I know you will not, so I'm wondering why I even bother. This plea is a waste of time and ink, so I will henceforth turn it into a threat. If you do not stop you're perpetual pranking and random hexing, I will be siccing my older brother on you. He is big and mean and itching to punch something. You have been given fair warning. Heed it.
Despising you and all you represent,
One of Your Many Victims
Sirius put down the piece of parchment and looked up at his friends.
"Well, that was depressing," he said, having just read the letter aloud. "And just general enough to not make me worry."
The boys were at breakfast in the Great Hall.
"Whoever wrote it must have been saving it the whole summer," James said in between bites of toast. "I mean, it's only the second day back. I haven't even hexed anyone yet!"
"Yet being the key word," Sirius said.
"You two are terrible!" Lily Evans cried from a few seats down the table. "Really, really awful!" She stood up and left the table in a hurry.
James surveyed the rest of the Hall for the Hagleworth twins, fully set now on employing them in his quest for Lily's heart.
"Hey Hagleworth!" he shouted down the long Gryffindor table.
Adrian Hagleworth looked up from his breakfast and saw James motioning him over. He jumped up, followed closely by his fellow third year, the boy who'd fainted the previous night.
"Erm, hi James," Adrian said. When he saw James glancing sideways as his friend, he introduced him. "This is my friend Milton. He's a third year too."
The boy called Milton grinned stupidly, though he did not speak.
"Um, hello Milton," James said. Both he and Adrian were giving Milton a curious look.
It wasn't long before poor Milton was turning pale and swaying precariously.
"Third year going down!" Sirius exclaimed.
Remus jumped up and steadied the boy.
"Here," he said, taking something out of his robe pocket. "Have some chocolate. It makes everything better."
Once Milton had taken a few bites of the candy, the color returned to his face and the power of speech returned to his brain.
"Milton Boyd, sir, at your service!" he said, holding his hand out to James.
James shook it warily, hoping not to bring on another one of Milton's anxiety attacks.
"Well, Milty, my boy," Sirius said, still in his seat across the table, "Perhaps we shall have use for you."
"Why? What are you planning?" Peter asked.
"All in good time, Peter, all in good time," Sirius said. "Double Charms, anyone?"
"That depends," James said. "Are you feeling particularly incendiary today, Pete?"
"No, not particularly," said Peter.
"Well, then good, let's go," James said and then led the way out of the Great Hall.
When they got to the Charms classroom, Lily Evans was waiting outside for Professor Flitwick to open the door. She was listening inattentively to two sixth year Gryffindor girls chatter on about something to her. James made sure to flash her a smile. Lily turned her face back to the girls and appeared to be forcing her self to listen. This didn't sit well with James. He walked up to the girls and deliberately ignored Lily.
"Hey Anna, Hey Cecilia," James greeted them.
The two girls giggled before they responded.
"Hi James, how are you?" asked Anna.
"Yeah, hi James," added Cecilia.
James looked out of the corner of his eye to see how this had affected Lily. She hadn't let it bother her, however. She had gone over to talk to Remus about something. Anna and Cecilia began to twitter on about something or other. James tuned them out to hear what Lily and Remus were saying. When hearing the constant babbling could not be avoided, James decided to just walk over to them instead.
"So, how do you like that book, Remus?" Lily was saying, as James came over.
"It's good," Remus answered. "Really interesting stuff, you know?"
"What book's that, Moony?" James asked, butting in to the conversation.
"Hogwarts, a History, Potter," Lily said, "nothing of which I'd ever expect you to know."
She made a 'hmph' sound, folded her arms across her chest and went away to go talk to some Hufflepuffs.
Professor Flitwick then opened the door and class began. And so did the note passing.
Wormtail: Well, I haven't caught fire yet.
Padfoot: Yet, being the key word.
Moony: Speaking of that, what are you going to use that poor boy Milton for, anyway?
Prongs: Do you think Lily likes me or not?
Wormtail: That was a bit out of nowhere.
Padfoot: Milty will be an installation in our new Marauder Empire. When's the Hogsmeade visit?
Moony: Three weeks from now. Lily likes to ignore you, at least.
Prongs: Empire? Explain! And I think I'll ask her out.
Wormtail: This conversation is confusing. What are we supposed to be doing right now?
Padfoot: Listening to Flitwick babble on about something or other.
Moony: Something about a new program this year.
Prongs: You still haven't explained. Do you think I should ask her out?
Wormtail: If you think the three hundred and forty eighth time will be any different.
Padfoot: Which it won't
Moony: Did he say mentoring third years?
James read this and decided to pay attention.
"And so, Professor Slughorn suggested you sixth years share your insight with the third years," Professor Flitwick explained. "As it happens, there are enough of you all to each take one younger student under your wing. House affiliation does not matter when selecting your third year. I have a roster here. Please pass it around and take a moment to select your mentee."
"I want Milty!" Sirius shouted, almost immediately.
"Pardon me, Mr. Black?" the Professor asked.
"I'll take Milton Boyd, sir," said Sirius.
"Right, Mr. Black will mentor Mr. Boyd," said Professor Flitwick, marking it down on his copy of the roster.
"I'll mentor Addison Hagleworth, sir" Lily said.
Flitwick marked it down.
"Then I'll take the other Hagleworth!" James shouted.
Flitwick marked this down too.
Remus and Peter later selected two Gryffindor third years named Luke and Danny. Once the entire N.E.W.T. class had been paired with a third year, the lesson continued.
The students were made to demonstrate their mastery of the Aguamenti charm. Remus and Sirius performed spectacularly, James did well, considering he was very distracted by thoughts of Lily, and Peter even managed a brief gush of water. Then they started on their next N.E.W.T. assignment. By the end of class, no one had mastered any of the new material. Muttering and venting could be heard everywhere.
The day's schedule did not include Transfiguration, so the sixth years instead headed straight to Potions. When they got there, the room was filled with small people. Third years, to be exact.
"Good morning students!" Professor Slughorn said. He was in a very good mood today. "Instead of our regular lesson, I want you all to pair up with your mentees and get to know each other. Begin!"
And so they did pair up and get to know each other. Lily and Addison already knew each other fairly well it seemed, and James was determined to know every last detail about Adrian he could. Sirius could be seen whispering to Milton and gesturing wildly, while Peter was giving Danny a series of very strange looks and edging further away from him every few seconds. Remus, however, was getting along smashingly with his mentee Luke, as he too, was somewhat of a nerd.
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Okay, so my plans to include the Divination class have been diverted to the next chapter. I didn't find this chapter as funny as the others, but more humor is coming, don't worry. Again, I'm so sorry for the extreme delay. I will do my best to continue at a decent pace. But for now, leave some words of encouragement (or critique, if you would like, just be constructive) in a review.
The names Luke and Danny came from a long list submitted by moongazer123. Thanks for your suggestions, as well as to everyone else who submitted name suggestions. They will be included in later chapters.
Thanks for reading!
