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Because James and Kate were spending such a lot of their time together, Sirius and Marlene were often forced into each other's company not that either of them complained. On several occasions, the four of them had spent an evening together away from the rest of their friends. James was pretty certain that Sirius liked Marlene and Kate knew that Marlene like Sirius. James and Kate put a lot of effort into trying to get the two of them into a relationship. Although, so far it didn't seem to be working. They would flirt briefly before pulling away from each other completely for a few days. James and Kate found their friends thoroughly entertaining.
The Hogwarts students barely left the castle over the weeks that followed. The weather had been awful and it had rained heavily constantly for days. James and Sirius were getting slightly restless. They had started stalking the castle, playing practical jokes on anyone they could find. They had jinxed several Slytherins and had become very good friends with Peeves. They had spent hours exploring the castle, looking for secret passageways and hidden rooms. So far they had found four secret passageways and a room that became whatever you needed it to be. They had got in trouble a multitude of times and had been sent to Dumbledore's office at least twice. On one of those occasions, James asked Dumbledore about the hidden room, "Professor?"
"Yes, James?" Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"We've been exploring the castle and we found a room," James began, "it's different every time we use it. We think it changes to meet the need we have at the time. Do you know anything about it?"
"Ah, my dear boy, you've found the room of requirements or the come and go room as the elves call it. On the seventh floor? Yes, I've used it myself. I once took a wrong turn on my way to the bathroom and found the most amazing bathroom I have ever found. I'm pretty sure its unplottable."
The marauders, as Sirius had taken to calling them ever since Lily had called them it at the Halloween party, were all sat in their dormitory. James was stretched across his bed reading Quidditch Through the Ages. Sirius was sat staring out the window, tapping his fingers on the window ledge. Peter was snoozing slighty and Remus was trying to read through his homework, "stop it Sirius. Quit you tapping!"
"I'm just so bored!" Sirius replied, getting to his feet, "I want to do something!"
"Like what?" James asked, suddenly interested.
"I don't know. I'm just bored of sitting in this castle."
"You've barely been sitting the whole time. You've been jinxing people and pranking people the whole time." Remus replied.
"We could go down to see Hagrid?" James offered.
Peter whined "I don't want to leave the castle."
"Ah, come on Peter. We've been stuck inside this castle for weeks. I'm going insane." Sirius replied.
"Come on then…" Remus said, putting away his essay. "Let's go."
James knocked on the door to Hagrid's hut, he could hear Fang barking from inside. "Ar you stupid dog! Ger out the way."
"Ah what are you lot doing here? Come to wreck havoc on my pumpkin patch, again?"
"Nah, Hagrid. We thought we'd come and see you," Sirius answered.
"Ar, well, get yerselves in out of the rain."
The four boys walked into Hagrid's small hut. "How's things Hagrid?"
"Er, not bad. I've been training er Thestrals an they're not makin it easy. Do yer want any tea? Or maybe a cake?"
The Marauders spent the rest of the day with Hagrid, discussing the different attacks that had happened over the last few months. "Boys, you dern't know the half of it!"
"What do you mean Hagrid?" Remus asked.
"Well, the daily prophet is only telling yer half ther story. It's not just ther muggles who er getting hurt. Some muggle-borns have disappeared too. But the ministry doesn't want yer ter know that."
"What?" the marauders asked.
"Ah come on. James think about it. Did yer ever hear yer parents talk about…"
"muggle-borns going missing? It's been happening for years." James answered, thinking back to the conversations he had overheard at home.
"Well, Voldemort has been around fer a while, building power an gaining followers."
"My dad says he even has followers here at Hogwarts."
"Ah, he does. You've met a few. Malfoy, the Black sisters," Hagrid answered.
"Why does Dumbledore not expel them?" Remus asked at the same time as James asked, "What about Snape?"
"Dumbledore thinks it's better to keep erm here. Yer know ter keep an eye on erm."Hagrid said to Remus before turning to James, "I don't know James. I don't think he is but if he keeps hanging out with people like Mulciber an Avery. Well it'll happen eventually."
James couldn't help but frown. He hated Snape but he couldn't imagine how sad Lily would be if her best friend turned out to be a dark wizard. James stared out the window thinking about Lily and Snape. After another hour or so, James stood up, "right we better be off! Thanks Hagrid."
The next morning was a Saturday. The Marauders got up and went down to breakfast. Everyone was sat chatting excitedly. Gryffindor had their second Quidditch match of the year this morning. They were playing Ravenclaw. James couldn't wait to watch the match, he wished Astrix Alixate and the team a good match. He had a feeling that this was going to be a fantastic match. The Ravenclaw team was very capable, especially their new seeker. The weather had improved slightly but it was still raining.
The marauders started towards the Quidditch pitch. James was so excited. He couldn't wait until next year when he'd finally be able to try-out for the team. They joined Kate and the Gryffindor girls in the stands. Mary and Kate had a huge banner with a giant roaring lion on it. James watched as the Ravenclaw beaters collided into one of the Gryffindor chasers. The commentator screamed, "ah come on that's clearly a foul! That's blatching! Come on Madam Hooch!"
"Gryffindor in possession of the quaffle; Kennedy with the quaffle, passes to Jones, who shoots and scores. Gryffindor have 50 points. 50 to 10, to Gryffindor! What's Alixate doing? Has he seen the snitch? He's diving, Bloute is following him. Has he seen it? No, he's pulling out. Bloute hasn't pulled out of his dive, he's gonna get hurt. Alixate is heading to the opposite side of the pitch. He's seen it. Bloute is back on his broom and is chasing after Alixate. I don't think he's going to catch up though. Almost there, come on Alixate!" James was leaning towards the pitch, "He's got it," James whispered.
"Alixate has the snitch! Gryffindor win!" Screamed the commentator.
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The weeks leading up to Christmas...