Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

A/N: SO SORRY FOR THE WAIT! Chapter 7 should but up within the week. We promise.

Chapter 6: A New Year

They love to tell you
Stay inside the lines
But something's better
On the other side

-No Such thing -- James Mayer

The Hogwarts Express glistened bright red in the late morning sun on September 1st. All around Platform 9 ¾, children were wishing their parents goodbye, running to meet friends and clamoring to get the best compartments on the train. The sounds of shouted reminders, owls hooting and trolleys rolling filled the thick, end of summer air.

"It's good to be back," James said with a smile as he looked around at the familiar hectic scene. He'd had the night to come to peace with his resolve to be Lily Evans' friend and was now more than eager to return to school, "as much as I always miss the comforts of my own bedroom, there really isn't anyplace like Hogwarts." His parents, Grace and Harold Potter, smiled at their son knowingly

"I know just what you mean, son," Harold said, clapping his son on the shoulder, "Hogwarts is special, that's for sure."

"Now, if only you could manage to behave yourself this year!" Grace added, not dropping her smile. Sirius laughed; the Potters seemed to always have this exact same conversation when they dropped James and Sirius off for the train to school in September. He knew what was coming next.

"You too, Sirius," Grace chuckled, turning to her son's best friend, "I've informed the school that you'll be living with us until you graduate, so they'll know to whom any owls with dire news of your behaviour should be sent."

"Yes mum," James said, putting on his innocent face, "we'll do our best to behave ourselves." His parents and Sirius rolled their eyes; they knew better than to believe their son when he used that face.

"I'm sure you will," Harold laughed before reaching out to shake his son's hand in farewell, "now hurry up and get on the train." With one last hug to Grace Potter, the two boys hurried off to claim their usual compartment at the very end of the train. Only Peter was sitting there when they arrived.

"I was worried you guys would never come!" Peter exclaimed as Sirius and James tucked away their trunks and James' owl cage, "I wasn't sure if I could hold this compartment all by myself."

"Everybody knows this is our compartment, Wormtail," James said arrogantly, sitting down, "Plus, I'm sure you would've done superbly had anyone tried to take it from you." Peter smiled sheepishly at the praise.

"Where's Remus?" Sirius asked, looking around as though to find his friend hiding beneath one of the seats.

"Well, I suppose he's at the prefects meeting, isn't he?" Peter answered.

"Oh, right," Sirius said, a slight frown forming on his lips. He sat down across from James, next to Peter.

"I invited Heather to come sit with us for a bit," Peter said, glancing at James as though seeking approval, "is that okay?"

"Who is Heather?" James asked, wracking his brain to put a face to the name.

"Heather White," Peter replied, "she's a Gryffindor 5th year. You two invited her to my party."

"Ah," James replied, "the girl who took your breath away the moment you laid eyes on her?" Sirius rolled his eyes at James' clichéd, romantic phrasing, but Peter blushed and nodded, "Sure. Why wouldn't it be?"

"Maybe you wanted it to just be us marauders," Peter suggested with a shrug.

James smiled, "Well, I'm sure Allie will be joining us as soon as Remus does." Sirius narrowed his eyes at this comment, but James continued, not having noticed, "And I think Kate will stop by to talk Quidditch, which means that Maia, Lily and Caleb will probably join us as well." Peter laughed.

"Is there enough room in here for all of us?" he wondered.

"Well, we don't have much of a choice in the matter, do we?"

"Nope," Sirius grumbled, "the more the merrier."

***

Several hours later, the four marauders could be found sitting in that same compartment at the end of the train. Only now, the compartment was much more crowded, as all eight Gryffindor 6th years as well as Caleb and Heather now occupied it. Remus and Allie sat next to each other across from Peter and Heather, discussing NEWT level courses and giving Heather advice on her OWL year. On the opposite end of the compartment sat Maia, Lily and Sirius. Maia and Lily were animatedly chatting about everything from boys to classes while Sirius, only half participating in the conversation, continually stole glances at Remus and Allie. Between the two sets of students sat James, Kate and her boyfriend, Caleb, the three of them avidly discussing Quidditch and which house team, Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, would be the favourite this coming year.

"You know who is really cute?" Maia asked her friends.

"Me?" Sirius responded with a teasing smile, tearing his eyes away from the couples across the compartment.

"Well, obviously," Maia said with a laugh, "but no, really, do you know who is super cute?"

"I'm sure we could think of several people that you'd find cute," Lily answered. She, as well as all of Maia's other friends, were used to hearing her thoughts on which boys (and girls) she found most attractive. Lily smiled inwardly at her romance enthused friend and continued, "But why don't you tell us who you're talking about this time."

"Kingsly Shacklebolt!" Maia exclaimed excitedly.

"That 7th year Ravenclaw?" Lily asked.

"Yes," Maia answered, "He's all dark and intellectual. I must snare him before he graduates, especially since we totally shared a glance before getting on the train. I totally think he was checking me out!" Lily rolled her eyes. Maia was always going on about who she just had to have. Although she usually managed to get with most of the students she fancied, none so far had turned into much more than a fling.

"Are you sure he's your type?" Lily asked. An indignant look formed on Maia's face and Lily continued carefully, "I mean, Shacklebolt just seems the type that would want something serious."

"I can be serious!" Maia grumbled in an affronted tone. Sirius and Lily exchanged a doubtful glance, "Well I can be!"

"No you can't," Sirius laughed, "Only I can be Sir-"

"Oh my god," Lily interrupted, "shut up."

"Whatever you say," Sirius chuckled. Maia crossed her arms tightly across her chest, scowled at the pair of them and looked out window at the passing landscape. Both of her friends knew that her foul mood wouldn't last too long and that, by the time they reached Hogwarts, Maia would be her normal, friendly, romantically enthused self.

"So, Lily," Sirius continued, as Maia pouted, "do you have any new love interests for our sixth year?" Lily blushed, but didn't answer. "Ah, so I will take that as a yes."

"It is none of your business, Sirius Black," Lily snapped, her eyes suddenly flashing with anger, "It does not concern you in the slightest who I may or may not fancy."

"No need to get snippy, Lil," Sirius laughed, "though, I must say, you're complete unwillingness to share your romantic fantasies with me is most suggestive."

"Oh, sod off."

"Language, Miss Lily." Lily rolled her eyes at her friend and turned to stare pointedly out the window with Maia. Sirius's eyes drifted once more to Remus, who had not said more than five words to him since entering the compartment. He strained his ears to hear the conversation.

"Are you going to help me this year?" Heather asked, her eyebrows furrowing with worry. She looked up at Peter before continuing, "Since you've finished your OWLs and everything. I think I might need extra help."

"We can all help you," Allie smiled at the fifth year, "but don't worry. They won't be too bad."

"You only say that because you're a genius," Remus laughed.

"You're not too shabby yourself," she teased, resting her head on his shoulder. He laced his fingers in hers and kissed the top of her head.

"Could you two be any more sickeningly sweet?" Peter in high dudgeon.

"You're just jealous, Wormtail," Remus said.

"Why should I be jealous? I'm sitting beside the cutest girl at Hogwarts." Heather blushed and smiled shyly at the boy who had just taken her hand.

"And they accuse us of being sickeningly sweet?" Allie mock whispered to Remus. Remus shrugged, feeling quite guilty as his eyes drifted, not unwillingly, towards the grey eyes of his best friend. He found Sirius gazing back at him from across the compartment. His brain went numb, and although he was uncannily aware of Allie's hand in his, he could not tear his eyes from Sirius. Sounds blurred together around him; Allie and Heather's giggles at something Peter had said, Kate and James' claims of Gryffindor's superior Quidditch team, and the rustle of the train as it sped North through Great Britain, all faded to white noise.

Sirius bit his lip, not daring to break eye contact even though he knew he probably should.

"Oy, Padfoot!" James exclaimed, pulling Sirius out of his trance.

"Huh? What? Where?" Sirius spluttered, shaking his shaggy black fringe out of his face. He hated James' knack for impeccable timing. He stole a quick glance at Remus, only to see him once more engaged in conversation with Allie.

"Fancy a walk?" James asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Always, Prongs ol' mate," Sirius answered, suddenly cheerful and glad for the chance to escape the compartment.

"Moony? Wormtail?" James asked the other two marauders. Remus and Peter both looked from James and Sirius to the girls they were entertaining, torn.

"Nah," Sirius answered for them, "let them stay and play with their girlfriends." Remus smiled sheepishly and quickly looked away from him. Peter nodded absently and quickly returned his full attention to Heather.

"Well then, shall we?" James asked, a childish grin spreading across his face. Lily narrowed her eyes at James' expression, certain that it could mean nothing good.

"Let's shall," Sirius answered cheekily, in an excellent imitation of James' proper air. He linked arms with James in an exaggerated motion and the two skipped out into the corridor.

"What do they mean, 'a walk'?" Lily demanded of Maia as soon as the boys had left.

"You know, probably going to hex Snape or some other Slytherin," Maia answered in a bored voice, still staring out the window. Lily took in a sharp breath at the mention of her former best friend. Just a few months ago she would've gone to his defense. But, what could she do now? Maybe he did deserve it. But, still, couldn't James just lay off him?

"Lils," Maia said gently, correctly interpreting her friends' silence and turning to look at her, "Lils, you're not still friends with him, are you? After what he called you? He's so not worth it."

"I know," Lily answered, her eyes down, "And no, I'm not still friends with him. It's just hard, after being friends with him for so long. If were suddenly not your friend anymore, it wouldn't mean all these years hadn't happened. I'd still care for you."

"Right," Maia said sympathetically, "Oh honey, it will be okay."

"I know it will be," Lily sighed, "I just wish James would lay off. There are so many more worthwhile things he could be doing with his energy and brains."

"So," Maia said shrewdly, "are you upset that Snape is getting hexed or that James is hexing someone?"

"What?" Lily answered, shocked, "Snape… James… Both? I don't know, Maia! It's just…"

"It's just James," Maia shrugged.

"Yeah, it's just James." Lily turned back to the window.

"And Sirius! He went too!" When Lily didn't respond, Maia patted her gingerly on the head and joined Kate and Caleb in their never ending Quidditch discussion.

***

"Snivellus," James whispered to his companion as they neared the middle of the train, "perfect."

"And his hoard of Death Eater friends. Double perfect."

"Are we sadists, Padfoot?"

"Nah, we get no sexual pleasure from this. We're agents of good. Snivelly and his friends are agents of evil. This is our right."

"Not our right, Padfoot," James said quietly, "This is our God-Given duty."

"Damn straight."

With a final glance at each other, the two boys burst into the compartment. All five Slytherins, including Severus Snape, Regulus Black (to Sirius' chagrin), Gregory Malfoy, Bellatrix Black and Rodolphus Lestrange, stood abruptly, wands out. However, before any of them had the chance to mutter an incantation, James hit Malfoy with the bat-bogey hex.

"Silencio," Sirius muttered lazily, pointing his wand towards his cousin and her boyfriend, "I don't like listening to them talk, Prongs. Or watching them move, for that matter: petrificustotalus!" James smiled in response.

"Neither do I, Padfoot." In his moment of distraction, Snape had jerked his wand towards the unprotected James, causing him be hoisted into the air by his ankle with a flash of light. James twisted awkwardly to look at Snape, "You'll pay for that, Snivellus. Locomotor mortis. Scourgify!" Instantly, Snape's legs locked together and his mouth filled with soapy bubbles.

"Padfoot? A bit of help here?"

"Oh right," Sirius said, looking away from his brother, who had stood statuesque since the pair of them had entered the room. With another flash of light, James was back on the floor. He hastily stood up and wrinkled his nose at Snape, who was now hopping around spitting soap out of his mouth, in distaste.

"Why are you so pathetic, Snivelly?" James said, "I doubt you'll be able to help your friends with all that soap in your mouth." Snape responded by spitting soap on James' robes.

"You are disgusting!" James exclaimed. "Let us clean you up more in general! Totalus Scourgify!"

The soap did not leave Severus' mouth but more slid down his robes, drenching him in suds as he fell over.

"He's disgusting? You're the filthy muggle loving Gryffindor," growled Gregory Malfoy, who had managed to free himself from the bat bogey.

"Who's covered in bogey, Malfoy?" James taunted, "You're hardly one to call others filthy. Stupefy!" Gregory, who had not been expecting the curse, hit the floor. Now the only remaining Slytherin standing was Regulus, who had still made no move to either help or fight against his brother and James.

"Regulus," Sirius said simply, turning to look at his brother.

"Sirius," his brother answered, his cold voice full of conflicting emotions.

"How've you been? Long time, no see."

"Whose fault is that?"

Sirius shifted uncomfortably in his place before answering, "Well, I didn't mean for… I still want… You're still my brother Regulus."

"Am I? I thought you said you didn't want to be a Black anymore."

"You don't have to be a Black anymore either, Regulus!" Sirius argued, his voice full of desperation.

"But I am, Sirius," Regulus countered, "I am a Black. I'm proud of being part of the family, even if you can't be. I will always be a Black and if you don't want to be one anymore, then we are no longer brothers." Sirius just stood, staring at his brother, incapable of speech.

"You know, Regulus?" James started, after a couple moments of silence, "Go ahead. Be a Death Eater and make your pureblood fanatic mother proud. Sirius doesn't need you and your 'better than thou' attitude. He has us, his real family. Just remember, it was two 'filthy muggle loving Gryffindors' that managed to take down a full compartment of Slytherin Death Eater wannabes." He turned to Sirius and grabbed his shell-shocked friend's arm. "C'mon Padfoot, let's get out of here."

"You alright Padfoot?" James questioned once they'd reached the corridor outside where Regulus stood.

"I'm fine." Sirius replied shortly.

"You're not 'fine' and I know it. Don't even try to convince me otherwise. You told me when you came to my house at the start of the summer that Regulus was no longer your brother. I didn't believe you truly felt that way then and I don't now."

"It's just," Sirius said slowly, "It's just that… he's… he's my brother, James. He's my little brother."

"Not in any important ways. Only in blood, and we both know how little blood matters."

"Damn it, James," Sirius said, pounding his fist against the wall, "but it does matter! You don't have siblings. You don't understand. You can't understand."

"I have you," James said quietly. Sirius looked at the boy with unruly black hair and glasses, the boy who had been his best friend for five years, the boy whom he'd heard pine endlessly about Lily and whom he'd first came out as gay to, with whom he'd spent all his holidays since the third year and finally moved in with. Sirius looked at his friend standing there, who was in the most important ways, his brother.

"Right James. You have me."

***

The Hogwarts Express slowed to a stop as it reached the Hogsmeade Station. No moon shone down, making the stars seem to shine even brighter than usual in the Northern British sky. The Gryffindor 7th years along with Caleb and Heather, pulled their trunks out of the luggage racks and hauled them off the train. Heather and Caleb left to go sit with friends from their own year and house respectively. As had been tradition since their second year, the boys took a carriage for themselves.

"I forgot to tell you two something on the train," James started, turning to Remus and Peter, as the coach began to make its way towards the school, "I have had the most inspired idea."

"Would this happen to be the idea you claimed would top any idea we've ever had before?" Remus asked.

"It would indeed," James answered, an excited smile spreading across his face, "If we can manage this feat, then we will have created something that will benefit generations of marauders to come."

"He wants to make a map," Sirius blurted.

"Padfoot!" James shouted, "You ruined my moment!"

"You were taking too long. We would've been at the castle by the time you'd gotten to the point."

"And if you two don't stop bickering like an old married couple," Peter interjected, "we'll still be at the castle before you explain why we would want to make a map."

"Not just any map, Wormtail," James said dramatically.

"A magic map," Sirius continued.

"Imagine that!" Remus laughed, "Four wizards making a magic map." They all laughed, "You two are going to have to make this sound much more worthwhile. A simple map will be easy after what we did last year."

"I've got it all planned out," James began to explain, "And while it may not be as dangerous as becoming unregistered animagi, it will without a doubt be as complex and possibly even more useful."

"More useful than changing into animals to keep Moony company during the full moon?" Peter interrupted.

"Yes," James answered, "And let me finish."

"Then get on with it already," Sirius muttered under his breath.

"This map," James continued loudly, choosing to ignore his friend's remark, "will show us not only the entirety of Hogwarts, but also the location of every individual, living or ghost, animal or human, in their exact form. It will not be fooled. It will not lie."

"That's some complicated charm work," Remus said, a grin matching James' forming on his face.

"We can do it," Sirius said, "It's not like we're in the top of our class for nothing!"

"And we probably know more about the layout of the castle than any other students in centuries!" Peter added excitedly.

"Exactly," James asserted, "Who more worthy than us: the marauders, Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers,to create such a map? It will be legendary." The four boys laughed in gleeful anticipation of James' idea. Surely, with such a task for them to accomplish, their sixth year would not be wasted on NEWTs.