[A/N: So so so sorry for never updating! This has a lot more Lily/James in it and I love that. pre-med makes it super hard to update frequently, so feel free to bug me. Holidays are coming up though, so updates should be more frequent. Thanks to my reviewers! Although I'm surprised by how few there are. My cowriter and sister has about 3 times as many as me.

Disclaimer: We are not JK Rowling unless she is a pre-med student and also her own sister as a high school student. Ntm American. And not incredibly genius.]

Fear and Comfort

The hour has begun
Your eyes have now opened

To a world where madness craves
To a world where hopes enslaved
Oh, Ill tremble for my love always

Your windows, opened wide
Your innocence takes flight

-Tremble for my Beloved by Collective Soul

For the first time that he could remember, James Potter was studying of his own accord in the library. When he'd announced to the dormitory that he was going to go to the library, the resulting silence of his friends couldn't have spoken louder.

"You're doing what?" Remus had asked after a few speechless moments.

"I'm going to the library," James had replied.

"The library?" Peter asked, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.

"That is generally where one goes if he wishes to study," James answered.

"Not Mauraders," Sirius had exclaimed, then as an afterthought, "Well, Moony does, but he's Moony."

"Who says I can't go to the library?" James had asked defiantly as he slung his book bag over his shoulder.

"You never go to the library! You don't need to!" Sirius had argued, "You and me? We're smart enough to score at the top of the class without that stuffy place. Padfoot and Prongs are not the library type."

"Well," James had said slowly, "I thought I'd try something new and I really have to get this potions essay right. My parents are starting to ride on me about 'growing up' and 'taking some initiation in my own future.' I'll see you all at dinner."

"If you last that long," Peter had sniggered as James left the room.

Now, however, James seriously doubted his ability to stay in the library for more than half an hour. He had taken out his books, quill, and parchment and spread them across the table. He had found the chapters he needed to read to gather information for the essay on Draught of the Living Dead. But he really had no idea where to start. Should he read the chapter first? Or look at the questions asked in the assignment and try to find the answers by skimming?

"How have I managed five and a half years of school without ever knowing how to go about starting an essay?" James said to himself as he stared at the blank piece of parchment in front of him.

"You've never started an essay on your own before," a voice sounded from above him. James pushed the hair out of his face and looked up into the green eyes of Lily Evans.

"I've written plenty of essays!" James countered, indignation spreading throughout him at the sight of her growing smirk. As always, her beauty stunned him, but now, instead of being charmed, he was annoyed.

"Well, yes," the red head answered, "But Remus usually tells you where to begin. Or what to write. Or where to find the information."

"How do you know that?"

"Sirius mentioned it to Maia once. She told me." Lily crossed her arms and stared into his hazel eyes, a calculating expression on her face.

"What?" James asked, looking away.

"I just am slightly amused that you, James Potter, captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Most Popular Boy at Hogwarts, Top of the Class Potter, don't know how to start an essay."

"Evans," James sighed, "Look, I'm trying to write this essay. Could you please leave me alone to think?" Lily blinked. What was going on with Potter? He never spoke to her this way. He was always trying to court her, to get her attention with jokes. He followed her around like a sick puppy, half the time. Never had he told her to go away, least of all so that he could study.

"Sorry," Lily said, raising her eyebrows, "I was just teasing." His eyes softened and he smiled.

"No, I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't mean to snap at you. I just don't know how to do this."

"You're apologizing and admitting that you don't know how to do something?" Lily laughed, "I never thought I'd see the day!" James looked at her over his glasses, studying her expression.

"What?" she asked.

"Why do you always do that?" James replied with a question, "Why do you think so lowly of me?"

"Because you're an arrogant prat," she answered without thinking. Lily immediately regretted her words, however, when James' winced.

"I have to work on this, Lily," he said, resigned. He turned away from her towards his open book and began to read. Lily didn't leave. Instead, she watched him for a moment. He really didn't look that abnormal studying, she thought, if she pretended it wasn't James. The glasses made him look more studious and the way he brushed the hair out of his face was different than usual. He wasn't ruffling it out of arrogance, but out of practicality. Lily bit her lip, not sure if she would regret what she was about to do or not.

"Hey, Potter?" She asked, trying to force casualness into her voice.

"Yes, Evans?" he answered, not looking up.

"Would you like some help?" James started and turned to stare at her. She continued, "I won't do it for you, but, you know, I could help you get started and give you some pointers. I'm not half bad at Potions, you know."

"No," James answered slowly, "You're the best in the class."

"Well, almost," Lily blushed, thinking of Severus. The thought made her stomach hurt, but the pain disappeared as soon as James smiled brightly at her.

"And you wouldn't mind?"

"Not at all," Lily answered, surprised to find that she was not lying. She pulled out a chair and sat down next to him, "and I promise I won't tell anybody that James Potter was actually studying."

***

The enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall was covered in clouds the next morning as James, Sirius, Remus and Peter trudged down from their dormitory for breakfast. Each boy's shoulders were slightly slumped as their feet dragged across the stone floor, but there were smiles on each face. It was a sleepy sort of satisfaction.

"Oi! Gryffs!" Josh and Kingsley waved from their seats at the Ravenclaw table. Several girls from each house waved and giggled up at the famous and infamous four. James and Sirius realized that they were on stage, as always. Sirius casually, yet gracefully, flipped his hair, James ruffled up his black mess of hair and all four of them fixed their posture. James and Sirius shared the look that clearly said: "Being loved by nearly everyone is hard work."

Only Remus really noticed the glares sent their way by Slytherin and a fare few others. He never understood how his brothers could not notice these glares. He caught himself in thought. Brothers. That was what he had referred to his fellow marauders as. But… did that apply to Sirius as well? Was he committing Marauder incest? He shuddered. No. They were his family, but not necessarily brothers. Prongs and Wormtail can be my brothers, but Sirius… he's more like a partner. Husbands and wives are considered family, right?

Remus continued to ponder as the Marauders sat down in their usual place at the Gryffindor table. Heather scooted over next to Peter with a good morning kiss. Helen grabbed her friend Rachel and the two of them sat across from Peter.

" Good morning, sweethearts," Sirius greeted the 3rd year girls. "How are you, this fine morning?"

"Sirius! It's raining!" Helen squealed. "How is that fine?"

"Well, we have the love of our friends and kin along with sweet lovers trysts to make us feel rather fine!" Sirius explained. The younger girls looked at him as though he was crazy.

"What are you talking about?" James asked, joining their conversation after shoving pancakes into his mouth. "I was not aware that our very own Padfoot was having any exciting rendezvous! Who is the lucky guy?"

"Guy?" Helen muttered, looking downcast.

"OUCH!" Sirius grunted as Remus stepped on his foot, hard. "I mean. No rendezvous for me. Sadly celibate."

Sirius gave Remus a look of 'What was that for?' but Remus was blushing down at his oatmeal making Sirius remember again how secretive Remus could be.

The slightly awkward silence was thankfully interrupted as owls swooped in with mail. A stately great horned owl swooped down to James. After dropping the Profit and a letter into James's lap, the beautiful owl perched onto James's right shoulder.

"Nuntia!" Sirius exclaimed looking at the Potter's oldest owl. Nuntia ruffled her feathers and nipped playfully at James's ear. "I love this bird!"

"Well, we all knew you were into bestiality, Sirius. But really, must you flaunt you're disturbing fetishes?" Peter smirked. Remus looked up from his oatmeal to share a good laugh at Sirius's expense but was quickly distracted by the paleness of James's lightly freckled face. Sirius and Peter also quieted, concerned by James's odd expression.

"What's up, Prongs?" Sirius asked. James didn't answer but instead shoved the Profit at his friends while rereading the letter in his hands. The three boys leaned together to see the article that must have affected James.

Attack on Wizarding Family

Last night, Monday, November 23, a pureblood family was attacked just outside of Oxford. A man, woman and two children, ages 7 and 11 were found dead by the 'Avada Kadavra' curse this morning. The bodies were identified as those of a Muggle Relations supervisor, Mrs. Anne Potter, her husband, Henry Potter and their children Juliet and Samson Potter. The formation of a green skull with a snake protruding from its mouth was above their cottage. Officials believe this was an attack from the secretive political group, commonly known as the Death Eaters. This organization is lead by a man whose name shall not be announced here for the health and safety of our editors and writers. This group, the "Death Eaters" has committed approx. 15 violent hate crimes against muggles and 11 confirmed murders of muggleborn witches and wizards. What stands out most about these recent murders is that Samson Potter is from the well-known Potter family. This family has been pureblood for many generations and so the only reasonable motive behind these murders would be that they are active in the Muggle Acceptance Cause… (For more information on the funerals and lives of the deceased see OBITUARY) (For more information on Death Eaters, see page A3)

Remus, Sirius and Peter all looked up to stare at James. He had turned a shade of pale yellow and his unfocused eyes were wide in shock. The letter he had been reading fell to the table, displaying that it was from his parents, about how the funeral had been hasty and that they didn't want to pull James out of school.

"James?" Sirius asked. "Prongs, mate, are you… okay?"

James didn't answer but just kept staring ahead. Sirius looked at the other two for guidance on what to do. Peter was twitching and looking at all of his friends in turn. Remus took a breath in like he was about to say something, but then couldn't find the words.

"Of course he's not okay you idiots!" Lily snarled as she walked up behind him. She looked down at James, who looked like he was about to be sick. "We need to get him to the hospital wing."

Remus nodded and stood up beside the red haired girl, quickly followed by Sirius and Peter. James's arm was stiff a Sirius grabbed it to pull him up. Nobody commented as Lily linked her arm through James's and spoke softly.

"You'll be okay. I promise. James, come with us." Her eyes started to water, but she sniffed and pulled him and the rest of the marauders out of the Great Hall. Before they got more than a few paces away from the table, however, Helen called Peter's name. He looked at her to see that she was close to tears, so he nodded to his friends and they left the hall without him.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" Peter asked as he sat down next to his little sister. She looked down at her half-eaten breakfast and then to her side at her forgotten best friend, Rachel. "Hey, Rach, do you mind giving me a second? I'll come join you and the girls in a bit."

Rachel nodded wordlessly and left Helen and Peter alone.

The two Petegrews sat in silence for a bit, Peter waiting for Helen to say what was up and Helen trying to calm her breath.

"I'm just…" She began but her voice choked and she had to take a few moments to regain her breath. "I'm scared."

Peter's brow furrowed and he wrapped his arm around his sister's tiny frame. She leaned against his shoulder and sighed.

"Don't be scared," Peter whispered. "I'll take care of you. I promise. You and Mom will be just fine. There is no reason that you wouldn't be. Dad's position keeps us safe. We're safe."

"But… we never would've thought that the Potters wouldn't be safe," Helen argued. "And I hate Dad. It's people like him that did this to the Potters."

"Helen," Peter said, looking into his little sister's light blue eyes. "Have I ever broken a promise to you? I promise to keep you safe. And even though I would've never chosen for Dad to do what he did, he has his reasons. At least we know that he won't get hurt."

"I just…" Helen sighed. "I don't like this. I know it won't be long until somebody we know gets hurt… or killed."

"I'm not going to pretend that that's not true. People we care about will get hurt. It's a war and we are middle of it. Just don't let it ruin your childhood. Keep your head down and it'll be over soon and we'll be okay. I promise." Helen nodded and stood up, out of Peter's arms.

"Well, I'm going to go over to my friends. Thanks Peter." A weak smile spread across her face and Peter was pleased to see that she still had a child's face when she smiled.

"Yeah, yeah," Peter rolled his eyes and ruffled her hair. She whined and fixed her straight hair back to how it had been. As she walked away, Peter smiled and went back to eating his eggs; And his Danish; and his hash browns.

***

"Alright, men!" James stalked into the dorm with his head held high. His eyes were slightly puffy, but his determined grin nearly hid the sorrow in them. "I do believe we have been slightly negligent of a certain plan of ours."

After a second of mystified staring, the other boys grinned and Peter exclaimed "The Map! Yeah, that was such a brilliant idea Prongs."

"That was also my idea!" Sirius reminded him indignantly. Peter nodded and assured Sirius that he was right and that he was brilliant. Sirius soaked it up like a sponge.

With much idle chit-chat, the four boys made it to the room of requirement. After pacing back and forth three times, they entered a room full of books and charts and maps, all about Hogwarts.

"This room never fails to astound me," Moony said running his fingers across rows and rows of books. Sirius grinned and also went over to pretend to admire the books, while really just basking in Remus's sent.

"You smell amazing," He whispered pretending to lean near to Remus to look at an awkwardly placed book.

"You dog," Remus whispered back, a blush creeping up his neck. James took that opportune moment to squeeze in between them and start talking rapidly.

Hours later, somewhere around midnight, the marauders decided to take the rest of the night off. They did have classes tomorrow after all.

"Our sweet, warm beds await us!" James exclaimed as the four of them filed out of the Room of Requirements.

"Thank god," Remus said with a yawn. "I'm all sleepy."

"I bet," Peter nodded. "When is the full moon this month?"

"You really don't have them memorized, Wormtail?" Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Not everyone is as crazy obsessive as you are, Padfoot!" Peter defended himself, pleased to note that Sirius looked slightly embarrassed.

"Anyways, Pete," Remus continued kindly. "No, the full moon isn't for a couple of weeks yet. No wolfing around for me. I guess it's just been a long day."

James went on to agree as the four of them snuck through the hallways, back to their dorm.

***

Kingsley Shacklebolt was heading to bed after walking Maia to the Gryffindor common room when he heard footsteps and voices. Worrying that it was a teacher, or worse, Filch, he jumped behind a large statue to hide.

"Not everyone is crazy obsessive as you are, Padfoot!"

Upon hearing the familiar voices of the Marauders, he relaxed. Not for the first time, he wondered where their ridiculous nicknames had come from. He was just about to step out from the statue when he heard Remus say the strangest thing.

"No, the full moon isn't for a couple of weeks yet. No wolfing around for me."

Kingsley froze until the voices drifted away. His mind leapt into overdrive for a few seconds and he realized that his Maia was sleeping just a common room away from a werewolf. At that point only one thought was able to go through his mind.

He needed to speak to Maia.

[A/N: Poll! How much do you hate us for never updating? Unless... I don't really wanna know that. *hides behind laptop* How about... What do you think is going to happen with Kingsley? Eek! Or just a poll of: Who is reading this? I wanna hear from ya!]