The Infamous Marauders

Chapter Six

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured in my story they belong to the wonderful J. K. Rowling.

Early October – Mid October 1976

The cool air whipped around Sirius' ears as he darted around high above the Quidditch field beaters bat in hand, he looked across the pitch at the new Gryffindor hopefuls, the team would be strong this year and he and James had their eyes on some young players for the reserves, the bludger whirled towards him and he smashed it towards a student trying out for a beaters position whooping when they managed a good smack of that bat sending the ball spinning away. Sirius weaved his way between the players watching them as they practiced their positions, he could hear James quizzing the candidates on fouls.

"Blagging?" Once James got a sufficient explanation he moved onto someone else shouting "Cobbing?" at them loudly. James grinned this year's try-outs were good and the team members from last year were flying well he was optimistic for their chances to win the Quidditch Cup this season, it was his first-year captaining, his parents Euphemia and Fleamont had been so excited to see his Captain badge in his Hogwarts letter, he was determined to make his parents, his team, and his house proud.

It was growing dark as he stopped the practice, directing the players to the changing rooms as he walked slowly behind with Sirius "So what you think Pads? It's going to be a good year, isn't it?"

"With some practice the seeker and keeper should be up to scratch for the first match, we have quite the team for the beaters and chasers too, obviously with us playing we can't lose"

"I can't wait to see the Slytherins faces when we destroy them" James laughed.

They made it to the changing rooms and went inside to congratulate the team on their flying and get ready to head back up to the school.

Whilst the try-outs were in full swing Peter sat at a table in the kitchens thoroughly fed up, eating a strawberry trifle provided by the eager house elves, they had been back at school for a month and all hope for being as popular as the other Marauders had been dashed. Peter had always been good at blending in and being overlooked, sometimes it was useful especially when it came to pranks, however he was sick of it, he had grown taller over the holidays and his mother had even taken him to get a new haircut and some new robes from Madam Malkins but it was no good next to James, Sirius, and Remus. They were all much smarter than he, James and Sirius were on the Quidditch team and had the looks and charm to make the girls of Hogwarts blush. Peter had felt so privileged to be part of their gang when they were younger but as they got older and Peter began struggling with lessons and kept his baby-faced appearance he couldn't help but grow jealous. He recalled the conversation at dinner about polyjuice potion, whilst James and Sirius raved about the pranking possibilities he had just imagined the chance to be someone more popular and interesting than himself for a day.

He finished his bowl of trifle just as James and Sirius strolled into the kitchens laughing loudly, he looked up and plastered a smile on his face, although he was jealous of them they were his friends and they always included him on their pranks and their secrets. "How were the try-outs guys?"

"Great!" James and Sirius said in unison. "We have come for snacks, you going to help us Wormtail, then we'll head up to the common room?" James added.

"Sure" He jumped up from his seat and helped the boys collect the savoury and sugary treats pushed into their arms from the house elves. Just as they were heading through the door Sirius called out that he needed to pick up one extra treat then he would see them up in the common room.

Sirius had looked at their treat yield as they went to leave and realised there was no chocolatey treat for Remus, they had cheese bread, pumpkin pasties, strawberry tarts, and other delicious delights but Remus was a chocolate fiend and Sirius knew it would make his friend happy to get one. He flashed his best smile at the house elves and was rewarded with a slice of chocolate gateau, he levitated the treat behind him for safety it wouldn't do to give Remus a smushed up slice of cake, then he made the mad dash back to the common room.

Back in the dorm the boys sat around on their beds eating their treats discussing plans for their annual Halloween prank.

"It needs to be massive"

"The wildest prank yet" Sirius agreed.

Peter nodded his head along to James and Sirius, Remus was occupied eating his chocolate cake and couldn't contribute in that moment but he flashed a look at Sirius to show he was as excited as the rest of them. Although Remus was a prefect and was hoping to become head boy next year he had a mischievous streak and some fun in the school during dark times was good for everybody, laughter went a long way to helping in the fight against prejudice, it showed people life went on.

"We could have crazy flying pumpkins and charm candy to explode out of them" Sirius offered.

After swallowing his last bite of cake Remus responded, "That's possibly dangerous Pads"

"How about we have cauldrons bounce across the tables at breakfast?" Came an idea from James.

"But the food?!" Peter exclaimed.

"Hmm yeah I didn't think of that" he admitted.

"Any grand ideas Remus?" Sirius inquired.

"A few, I want to go check out the library though for some new spells we could use, I don't have anything that could work fully yet though"

"Oooh Moony tell us" James eagerly requested.

"No, not yet Prongs" Remus laughed "I want to know what spells we could use before I start offering ideas"

"Fine" He huffed.

A few more ideas were tossed around before the boys decided to call it a night and settle down to bed, they had a day full of lessons tomorrow and needed to be well rested.

By the end of the week James had informed the players and reserves of their positions and gently let down the students who hadn't made the Quidditch team, he did still congratulate them on their effort and made sure to let them know they should try out next year as well if they wished, reminding them to still practice with their brooms, one thing James took seriously was Quidditch and he would never harshly dash someone's Quidditch dreams.

The next potions lesson was soon upon them and the sixth-year students waited eagerly in the cold dungeon corridor to be let into the classroom, once again the excited chatter and speculation of their projects filled the air.

The door swung open to reveal the smiling face of Professor Slughorn "Come in, come in" he encouraged the students, they quickly took their seats and waited for Slughorn to begin the lesson.

Lily sat at the edge of her stool, she loved potions and couldn't wait to begin her project, she like Remus, had already begun extra reading and studying in relation to three potions they had been taught about the previous lesson.

"I'm sure you all remember the potions we studied last time and I hope some of you have begun to think about the benefits and dangers of such brews, today I will partner you up and you will rearrange your seating, you will be working closely with your partners for the upcoming weeks" Sirius and James eyed each other and grinned, sure they would be partnered together, Slughorn although kind to all his students knew of the animosity between the houses and would not partner any Gryffindors and Slytherins together, the class itself was mainly made up off Ravenclaw and Slytherin students, with only a handful of Gryffindor's. The pairs were called out until only Remus, Lily, James, and Sirius were left. "Sirius, you are with Remus, so that leaves Lily with James"

James looked astounded he couldn't believe his luck, whereas Lily looked slightly horrified, she was sure she would have been with Remus or perhaps a Ravenclaw student, why was she so unlucky she questioned. Sirius moved from next to James to a desk with Remus, Lily however remained seated, so James walked to her "Evans you excited for the project?"

"I was" she muttered.

"Settle down everybody, now that you are in your pairs it's time to find out what it is you will be brewing" Slughorn continued excitedly "I have here a hat and inside are two potions, one person from each pair will select a ticket from inside with the name of your potion"

The hat went around the room quickly, once it reached Sirius and Remus' desk Sirius looked at Remus offering him the chance to pluck the potion from the hat, Remus grinned dipping his hand in he pulled out the paper ticket, in elegant text it read 'Draught of Living Death' James picked for he and Lily as Lily showed no interest in doing the selection, their ticket read 'Enchanting Philtre'

"Enchanting Philtre?" James asked aloud confused.

Lily sighed "Do you do any extra studying Potter? It is a love potion"

"But I thought the love potion was called Amortentia?"

"Do you really think Professor Slughorn would have sixth-year students brewing the strongest known love potion?" She asked exasperatedly.

Before James could respond Slughorn continued to speak to the class "I can see some very excited faces, before you all dive in though let's discuss how this project will work. Firstly, you will be studying the ingredients in the potion and the brewing method, each student will submit a two-foot roll of parchment on the method to ensure you are all competent, then we will begin the brewing, a final essay will then be submitted this one however will be a joint piece of work, it will explain the benefits and dangers of your potion, the applications of your brew, you will also discuss how to counter the potion and show your knowledge on the brewing process as a whole" Slughorn then informed the students of the deadlines for each element of their project, he finished up by reminding the students they would only be allowed to brew the potions within class, any theoretical study could be done elsewhere though, he then ended the lesson early advising students to head up to the library to begin their research.

Outside of the classroom Lily turned to James "You will take this project seriously Potter, I want a good grade for potions, since the parchment on the method is individual work we won't need to see each other until the brewing" she swiftly departed leaving James stood confused.

"I was already planning on taking it seriously, I can't believe she would think I would ruin this" he whined to Remus and Sirius, the two boys snickered at their lovelorn friend.

"I'm going to make a start on the essay too, I don't suppose you two would want to join me in the library?" Remus asked.

"Never!" Exclaimed Sirius "We have a reputation to uphold"

Remus rolled his eyes at his friends in mock exasperation before heading up to the library to get a head start on the essay, he was glad he got to work with Sirius and he expected the project was going to be a lot of fun. Remus did feel sorry for Lily though, he wouldn't have minded to be paired up with her instead, to save her from James loved up stupidity, he really did care for the girl but he was hopeless when it came to impressing her.