A/N
Hello again! New chapter. For those who asked questions in the reviews (I'm too lazy to PM back) yes, from this chapter on there will be deeper plots and not just friendly banter between the marauders. And yes, I will be continuing up until the point where James and Lily meet their tragic end. However, I want to know, what do you think about me splitting them into two fanfictions? I don't really want to do it, but if you think it will be easier for you, tell me.
Main Plot developments will be – Death eaters and Voldemort, their first loves, becoming animagus and eventually creating the marauders map. I am working on trying to give it more substance, but it's difficult enough trying to make it canon. I have a few ideas, so don't worry.
There might be a new chapter in the next few days. I know I said that there will only be two, but I have a lot of musings in my head that need to be written so… Hopefully I shall see you there…
Enjoy xxx
It was the Tuesday after they had returned to Hogwarts and James was scratching something on a spare piece of parchment just as the divination room began to fill with students. Remus wasn't present, but Sirius and Peter had sat down beside James waiting patiently for their professor to appear. Worriedly, during the start of term feast, Dumbledore wasn't present. Nor were Flitwick or Slughorn or Hagrid. Instead, McGonagall had met the first years and took them across on the boats. Sirius had asked if Remus or James knew anything about it. Both shook their heads.
Peter shifted uncomfortably in the large red armchair, his feet barely touching the ground. Out in front of all three boys were copies of the newest Divination books which they were keen to study, though James had once called the subject "The biggest load of grease I have ever seen." To which he was promptly corrected by Sirius, who told him that was Snape back in their third year.
"Do you think we should do something?" Sirius asked, tying his long hair back.
"Like?" James asked.
"I dunno." Sirius replied. "A quick tea-leaf reading, maybe cast some runes…"
"Nah," James said. "He'll be here in a minute."
Only he wasn't. The class had become restless and were throwing things at each other. Sirius had gotten up and made his way over to Mary. James rolled his eyes and leaned back on his chair, bored and a little annoyed.
"Why don't you go talk to Caitlin?" Peter asked mildly.
"Nah," James said, glancing over at Caitlin and Sarah.
"You're worse than Remus," Peter said.
"I am not."
"He would deny it as well," Peter replied.
"How on earth am I worse than Moony?"
"Well you won't talk to the girl!" Peter said. "If you just talked to her I'm sure-" Peter was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Sirius made his way back to the desk he shared with James and Peter.
"About time," He muttered, pulling forward his book.
They waited patiently, but instead of the white-haired Professor Sanctus entering the room, an even older man entered. James had only seen Dumbledore out of his office a few times, mainly for supper and the feasts every time term started. He had never seen the headmaster aside from those times. Dumbledore, was by no mean feat, very old, but still had a great presence around him, full of life and forgiveness. His white hair streaked behind his back and his half-moon specs perched on his nose.
"Good evening fourth years," He said, calmly moving to the centre of the room, his eyes moving distastefully over their books and materials. "I'm afraid this class has been cancelled."
"Cancelled?" Asked James.
"Yes," Dumbledore replied. "I am very sorry to inform you of this, but when Professor Sanctus did not reply to my owl, sent out on the 31st of July, we naturally became very nervous. As time went by and we did not hear a reply from him, a few of the teachers including Hagrid and myself went searching for him. We have been doing so for the last few weeks and thusly that is why we were not at the beginning of term feast.
"Dear children, when we arrived at Professor Sanctus' house, we had found that all his belongings had been destroyed and his family were missing. We were apprehensive to what had happened. As you know, Professor Sanctus is a true seer and could see much into the future, and we feared that he saw something he shouldn't have. We were sadly correct. For days after we found Sanctus' destroyed home, we found his body under a Dark Mark. Lord Voldemort committed the deed himself after assumingly, his most faithful Death Eaters tortured the information from him."
Dumbledore cleared his throat, lowering his glasses. "We discovered this to be the case after we were alerted by the Ministry that items from the Department of Mysteries had disappeared. Lord Voldemort obviously discovered something that could potentially destroy him."
"Do you know what it was?" Sirius asked.
"Alas, Mr. Black, I do not." Dumbledore said. "I'm afraid that Divination is therefore stricken from the curriculum until I can find another seer with the same power as the late Professor Sanctus."
"We won't be learning about it at all?" Asked a student.
"Shut up you idiot," Said another. "Our professor is dead!"
"Class dismissed, please, return to your dormitories until your next class," Dumbledore smiled sadly. "I shall see you tonight at supper."
He began to leave. James threw his books into his bag and sped after the headmaster.
"PROFESSOR DUMBLEDORE!" He shouted. "PROFESSOR!"
Dumbledore turned, his hands clasped tightly. "Ah, James, how may I help you?"
"How do you know it was Voldemort?" James asked.
Dumbledore looked uncomfortable for the first time James had ever known him. Students began passing them on the stairs. Sirius and Peter held back, watching carefully.
"Please," He said. "Don't spread panic."
"I won't," James promised.
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "It appears that Voldemort left a note, in blood. Accordingly, Professor Sanctus' blood. He taunted and revealed more than he thought he would. A mark of a man seeking attention. He knew… Aspects, that only he could know. I'm sorry, I am not comfortable telling you any more than that." With that, Dumbledore was gone.
James, Peter and Sirius looked at each other. "Jesus," Sirius said.
"You're telling me," James replied, as the students began to disintegrate until there were only the three of them left.
"I did my homework for nothing," Sirius said, sighing.
"Have some respect," James said. "The guy's dead."
"James," Sirius said. "If we do not treat death with the humour and the disdain that it deserves then we have no right to continue living."
"A man's dead," James said.
"And if we were to care about every living soul on this planet dying, humanity would cease to exist," Sirius said. "Come on; let's go see if Moony knows."
James watched as Sirius began to make his way down the stairs. He sighed and followed, motioning to Peter.
"I know," He said. "A bit insensitive."
Peter raised an eyebrow. "A bit?"
"He has a point," James shrugged.
…
"Have you heard?"
"Heard what?" Remus asked as James sat on the edge of his bed.
"About Sanctus," Sirius said.
"Oh," Remus said. "That,"
"You do know?"
"Madame Pomfrey," Remus replied. "She's been crying all day. And there was an announcement in the Prophet."
"Oh," James said.
"They're holding a small memorial for him tomorrow," Remus said.
"You know everything," Sirius said.
"I know some things," Remus said. "Like you three were working to the early hours of this morning in the girls lavatories, trying to become animagi."
"How…" James shook his head. "I don't think I want to know."
"Mm." Remus smiled softly looking tired.
"We're getting closer," James insisted. "Peter even grew a tail!"
"A tail?" Remus asked.
"Well… For a few minutes we thought it was a big worm chomping on his arse," Sirius admitted.
"A worm?"
"Well… Yes," James laughed. "A Worm Tail!"
Peter folded his arms. "Thanks guys. Feeling the love."
"That should be your nickname," Sirius said, leaping up.
"What?" Peter said.
"Yes," James said excited. "That could be your nickname!"
"What could be my nickname?" Peter asked.
"God you are slow," Sirius said. "Moony, Prongs and Wormtail would like to present themselves to each other,"
"Aw." James said. "You don't have a nickname…"
"I don't need a nickname to be cool." Sirius said. "I am just plainly too awesome to have a nickname."
"Are you slightly upset that you don't have a nickname?" James asked, kindly.
Sirius looked at them. "Yes!" He burbled, rolling head first onto the bed and burying himself in the blankets.
"There, there, Sirius," Remus said, patting his head. "Besides, you'll probably have a better nickname when your attributes start showing."
Sirius began to wail. "I HAD A FRICKING BLACK TAIL! GOD KNOWS WHAT I'LL TURN INTO!"
"Keep your voice down," James said, kicking Sirius in the ankle. "You'll wake up the entire ward."
"Actually there's only one other patient," Remus said.
"Who?"
"Frank."
"Longbottom?"
"Ran into Snape,"
"I'll kill him," Sirius said, jumping up.
"Sit down," James ordered. "What happened?"
"Dunno, he's unconscious, as far as I know, Snape is getting at least a month's detention." Remus replied.
"He should be expelled." Sirius said. "Dirty rotten arsehole."
"Along with all the Slytherins," Peter agreed.
"Can't do that," James said.
"And why not?" Sirius asked.
"The founders created four houses to equal the four traits of man. And to be equal as such, their founders were two men and two women. By banishing one house just because we hate most of the individuals that reside in it would destroy the equality that the founders were trying to create when they made this school." James said. "To go about and tell the Slytherin's to get lost would be an insult."
"Okay," Sirius said, clearing his throat. "I have never heard James Potter speak like this," He looked at Remus and Peter. "Best make sure he's not an imposter…"
"Then ask him a question that only he would know the answer to," Remus said, uninterested opening up the Daily Prophet.
"Okay," Sirius said. "Why is your nickname Prongs?"
"Because of the great big antlers that come shooting out of my head," James replied. "Duh."
"Dammnit." Sirius said. "Well, he must have a point somewhere. I know that he only starts rambling like you Remus if something is extremely important."
"Thanks," Remus said from behind his newspaper.
"Thanks," James grinned. "But it's true,"
"He's right," Remus said. "He may be an idiot, but he's right about this,"
"Yeah," James said. "Wait – what?"
Remus only grinned.
"What do you think… Made Dumbledore (rightly) suspect Voldemort?" Sirius asked, ignoring Peter's obvious shudder.
"Must have been something about Voldemort's past, or Dumbledore's at least, that only he would know." James said. "I doubt that many wannabe Dark Lords would draw so much attention to themselves like writing in blood. It seems foolish to do that, especially when Voldemort has no qualms about killing those just for fun."
"Why isn't Dumbledore doing something about this?" Sirius demanded.
"I think he is," Remus replied.
"You do?" James asked.
"Of course I do." Remus said. "it's obvious that the ministry can't do anything right, do you think Dumbledore is just going to sit back and watch this mad man take over the entire wizarding community?"
"Who says he will stop there?" Sirius asked. "After he takes over the wizarding community, there's literally nothing stopping him from going further and invading the Muggle community."
"He wouldn't dare," Peter said. "Surely the muggles will put up a fight."
"Perhaps," James shrugged. "Lord knows that they have their own weapons, but I don't know if they would be a match for Voldemort."
"So…" Peter said. "What you are essentially saying is – 'We're doomed'?"
"Not completely," Sirius said. "If the Ministry get their act together and stop fluffing about with Anti-werewolf legislation, then we might actually stand a chance."
"Flitwick was discussing it with Dumbledore," Remus said. "When he brought Frank in, he was discussing a meeting with the Aurors Mad-Eye Moody and a few others that I didn't recognise,"
"But that's just Dumbledore," James said. "What about the ministry?"
"Ariyamna?" Sirius said.
James began to grumble incoherently.
"What's that?" Remus asked.
"Nothing," James said.
"You still think she's in cahoots with Voldemort?" Sirius asked.
"I don't know what to think." James muttered.
"She may be a bit… Condescending and…" Remus said. Sirius cleared his throat and gave Remus a look. "Okay," Remus corrected himself. "She is an idiot, but I don't think she's capable of evil."
"No one knows how much people can change," Sirius said.
"You're not helping here," Remus said, looking over. "James I thought you trusted your friends, implicitly."
"I do," James replied.
"Then what the hell is wrong with you?" Asked Peter.
"I dunno," James said. "I guess after that letter she sent us… I just kinda went off her."
"Understandable," Sirius said.
"Sorry," said James. "I shouldn't be so suspicious,"
"Its fine," Remus shrugged. "You have every right to be suspicious of whomever you want,"
"You're being condescending," James accused.
"Not at all," Remus replied.
"You are," James said.
"I'm tired," Remus said, leaning back. "I have that right,"
"Moony, you're an ass," James said.
"Only when I want to be," Remus replied, sleepily.
…
James saw Snape walking a little ahead of him. He rammed his hand into his pocket and yanked out his wand, Sirius right beside him, his wand in his hand. James marched in front and grabbed Snape's shoulder and shoved him against the wall his wand against his heart. Sirius was behind him and holding Snape back. Peter was pushing Lily away from interfering.
"POTTER!" She shrieked. "BLACK! LEAVE HIM ALONE!"
"You cursed Frank," James said in a hollow voice. "You know what happens to cowards who curse others behind their backs?"
Snape was struggling against James hold. His greasy fingers, found James' hand and clutched at it, trying to pull it away. Snape fought back, spitting in his face.
"DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE!" Sirius bellowed, grabbing Snape from James.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Lily screamed.
"He cursed Frank." Peter said. "He deserves whatever he gets,"
"AND YOU THINK THIS IS THE WAY TO GET IT?" Lily screamed.
"Not so tough now," Sirius said. "Are you? Not without you're big friends Malfoy and Cissy, you've got no one!"
"He's got me!" Lily shouted.
"You're defending him?" James shouted, wiping his face. "You're defending him, after he cursed Frank?"
"Of course not-"
"Then let me teach him a lesson!" James shouted.
"IF YOU CURSE HIM THEN HOW ON GOD'S EARTH ARE YOU BETTER THAN HIM?" Lily screamed trying to pull him away.
"This is nothing!" Sirius shouted. "This is revenge!"
"GET OFF OF HIM!" Lily shouted, trying to get past Peter.
"NO!" James shouted.
"GET OFF OF SEVERUS!" Lily shouted.
"Potter, Black!" Screamed a voice. They turned and saw McGonagall marching towards them, her cloak sweeping behind them.
James and Sirius let go and stepped back, Snape slumped onto the floor and Lily rushed to help him up.
"Professor," Sirius said mildly. "How are you?"
"Cut it out," McGonagall snapped. "How dare you behave like that in a corridor? What makes you think that it is acceptable behaviour?"
"He cursed Frank Longbottom," James said.
"That does not give you the right to attack him in the corridor!" McGonagall shouted. "Fifty points from Gryffindor."
Sirius and James' mouths fell open.
"You can't do that!" Sirius shouted.
"Each!" She added shrilly. "And you will meet me for detention. You too Pettigrew."
She stared at them sharply as Snape and Lily slinked away. Sirius looked at her darkly before moving off in the opposite direction, James and Peter following almost mournful.