The next morning, James awoke to his alarm. He fumbled on his bedside table to for his wand and muttered the counter-spell with particular venom. Stupid early-morning detention with stupid Professor Wallace. Sirius was still asleep, of course, even though they were supposed to serve this detention together. James would wake him two minutes before they had to leave; otherwise Sirius would just fall back asleep.

He grabbed a towel and descended the dormitory staircase, planning to catch a shower before anyone else woke up. On the level that the boys' and girls' wings met, however, he saw Lily Evans coming out of the girls' dormitory.

"Morning, Evans," he said jauntily. "What are you doing up so early? Studying for the O.W.L.s? Saving kittens?"

She crossed her arms. "Some of us would rather eat breakfast than sleep. I should be asking why you're up."

"Detention," he said with a shrug. "What can I say?"

She rolled her eyes and turned toward the common room. James threw his towel over his shoulder and followed her across the room. At the portrait door, however, he swung around in front of her.

"Excuse me," she said shortly. Her arms were still crossed, but James saw her fingers twitch toward her wand.

"I just wondered what you were doing out of bed last night," he said, raising his eyebrows. "I'm quite certain I saw you sneaking back in here in the wee hours of the morning, and I'm quite certain that's against the rules." Actually, he and the others had gotten back to the castle after her, but she didn't need to know that.

Her eyes widened a little bit, and she glanced around the empty common room. "None of your business," she said.

James shrugged. "I'm just saying. I completely support a little nighttime mischief with my mates. But if you were hanging out with that Slytherin you're so buddy-buddy with… anyone from that house is hardly worth your time."

"Severus is my friend," said Lily, and she wasn't nervous anymore. She took a step closer and glowered. James realized with surprise that she was a bit taller than him.

A clomping sound from the steps diverted both their attentions. Lily turned, and James looked past her to see a couple of fifth-year girls entering the common room. Quick as a flash, Lily pushed past him and clambered through the portrait hole.

The next time the four Gryffindor boys were together was at lunch. They sat midway down their house table, Sirius and James talking and laughing with the other first- and second- years, Remus reading "Beginning Level Spells for the Young English Wizard," and Peter watching them all with rapt attention.

"Hey," said Sirius suddenly. "Look who just showed up."

James glanced toward the door. Severus Snape walked in with his books clutched to his chest and sat on the very end of his house table. James scanned the Slytherins; there was Lucius Malfoy and his lot, eating at the other end. Apparently Snape wasn't good enough to be seen in public with them. He allowed himself a ghost of a smile.

"So when are we going to tell a teacher about the meetings?" whispered Peter in a not-so-quiet voice. James rolled his eyes. The poor kid didn't know the first thing about stealth.

"We're not." He pitched his voice so only his friends could hear. "We have no proof, and besides, we'll get in trouble for being out of bounds, too."

"But—"

"He's right," said Sirius. "Who would believe us? If we're going to do anything, we've got to do it ourselves. And besides…." He glanced toward Snape, eating alone, and grinned. "Having something over darling Severus's head could be fun."

For the first time, Remus looked up from his book. Disapproval was written all over his face. "I agree with Peter. If students are breaking the rules, aligning with…" He dropped to a whisper, "You-Know-Who, then someone with serious magic should stop them."

"Do you doubt us?" asked James with mock hurt.

"You less than a year of magical training, and they're learning dark magic. Of course I doubt you," he said.

Sirius shook his head. "Whatever will we do with you, Remus? Such a stickler for the rules… then again, how did you find out about all this? You're not one to sneak around the grounds by yourself."

James leaned forward with interest. It was true – of all of them, Remus should have been the least likely to learn all this.

Remus paled visibly. "Well – that is, I –"

They were interrupted by a hubbub across the hall. A Ravenclaw girl had set herself on fire, and as they watched, Professor Kettleburn rushed in with upraised wand and poured a fountain of water on her. As she stood there sputtering, the watching students gradually returned to what they were doing.

"Safest place to be, Hogwarts," commented James, and took a massive bite of his lunch.

Author's Note: A story about the Marauders should have all their POVs, right? Can't say I'm looking forward to writing Peter, though.

I have a vague idea where this story is going, but mostly it just feels good to write. I haven't written fanfiction in the longest time, and never a Harry Potter multi-chapter. If you feel so inclined, please leave a review so I have motivation to keep going :) ~Lily