A/N: Welcome everyone! This is my first Harry Potter fanfiction, I have written other fanfictions but they were Inuyasha stories and it was under a different name. Anyway, this story came out of nowhere for me. I originally intended it to be a single book but as I am currently writing it all down in a notebook before posting I have noticed it is getting very long and I haven't even got to the point yet. So this may well turn into a multiple story series. First up we get to meet the Marauder's. Read and enjoy. Hit me with reviews as well if you would like.
Chapter 1: Meeting the Marauders
May 1979
Surrounding a potential Death Eater safe house several teams of Aurors, each team made up of half a dozen members of law enforcement, were staking the house monitoring it for activity. All eyes were peeled. Everyone was stuck playing the waiting game and were handling it the best they could. Two such gentlemen, newly graduated Aurors, sat desperately hoping something would happen.
"We've been out here every night for a month. I still think if anything was going to happen here it would have done by now!" One whispered agitatedly.
"Cool it Padfoot! It's not Just the Ministry that wants us here. So did Dumbledore. He knows what he is doing." The other man sighed exasperated. This was not a new argument.
"Yeah I know Prongs. I just don't like feeling like I am sitting on my arse while I accomplish nothing!" Padfoot grumbled back.
"Would the both of ya shut it?" A severely haggard man seethed. "Black, Potter how often do I need to tell you?! CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"
"Yes sir, Senior Auror Moody." The boys replied. James Potter and Sirius Black, or to their friends, 'Prongs' and Padfoot respectively, grinned at the snarling man.
Though an appropriate response, the young men still managed to sound far too cheeky a response for one Senior Auror Alastor Moody. Grumbling to himself he swiveled back to his prior spying position. The magical eye in his head was busy spinning about always on the lookout. Not that it was of much help in this particular assignment. The target had ancient wards, or possible new unknown wards, seemingly designed to thwart the magical x-ray optical device. Not ten minutes later Padfoot began fidgeting again. Thankfully, at least in that moment, the activity began to pick up. The north door directly in front of the previously mentioned group, swung open and a small group filed out. Noise washed out from the temporarily open door. It immediately ceased upon it closing. Whispers and murmurs where all that was heard at the initial distance. Slowly the group made its way across the yard and past the gate. Eventually they made their way into the spying groups rang of hearing.
"I still don't like leaving it so unattended… The Dark Lord wants it kept safe for a reason." One hooded figure seemed to beseech his fellows.
"There are four guards. It is not unattended. Besides the Dark Lord handpicked one of his own inner circle to personally supervise. Its fine." Another sighed clearly irritated.
"He wants it safe! Its been deemed a priority! If it is lost or taken…"
"Look at it this way. It wont be our fault. Our Lord will be too busy punishing the guilty to think of us for some time." A third man drawled. The first man seemed to calm slightly.
A few moments later the disapparated one at a time. The Aurors waited a few moments more before the turned to each other. With a nod from his superior Prongs conjured his patronus and sent it off to the other teams with the meeting place. Once he was finished they all apparated out with a 'crack'. Just like that they were all back in the Auror Department within the Ministry of Magic. The last person in hadn't been back a full two minutes before Sirius started raving excitedly.
"This is what we've been waiting for! We need to move in now!" He ranted.
"What we need is a plan Black!" Moody growled.
"He's right Sirius. We've got a month before their next meeting. We have time." A tall dark wizard replied.
"Or we could stop sitting with our thumbs up our arses and just get in there while they only have four guards. In and out, four Death Eaters dead or captured, and you-know-who's secret weapon confiscated!" Sirius growled back.
"Enough! We meet tomorrow and strategize. Any luck and we can hit the target by the end of the week." Moody thundered. "Dismissed! And remember CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"
Slowly Aurors filed out. A few minutes later and only three men remained. James turned to the older wizard a thoughtful look on his face.
"What time's the Order meeting tonight?" James asked.
"'Bout and hour. Get home grab the others and get to head quarters. I'm off to go debrief Albus." Moody replied as he lumbered out of the room.
"C'mon Padfoot. Let's go collect Lily and Moony." James patted the other man's shoulder.
Grumbling Sirius followed his best mate out the door and to the lifts. A rough ride down and they stopped in the atrium of the ministry and made their way to the public floos. Each man threw in a pinch of powder and called out the Potter's address. A few moments later the two men stepped out of the fireplace into the small kitchen/receiving room. Walking around the corner they found both of their companions. Lily sat in a chair reading a large tome. Remus, more commonly referred to as Moony by present company, was nibbling on a chocolate frog flipping through an issue of 'Defense Quarterly'. Looking up Lily noticed her husband and their friend entering the room.
"James! Are you two ok? How'd the mission go tonight?" She asked as she went to hug each of them.
Smiling tiredly at his wife, he placed an affectionate kiss upon her forehead as he moved to sit down. Pulling her into his lap he wrapped her up in his arms and just breathed her in for a moment. Across from them Sirius flopped himself down onto the opposite couch with a grace so fluid only Sirius would be able to accomplish it. Smirking at his friend a bit he returned his attention to his wife before replying to her previous questions.
"There's been a development. Moody is debriefing Dumbledore now. It'll be discussed at the meeting." As he finished speaking he cast a quick tempus charm to check the time. The meeting was still another 45 minutes away.
"Hopefully he gives us the 'go ahead'. I'm tired of surveillance missions." Sirius grumbled.
"Pads, we have to do this right. We have to. Otherwise people get hurt, or they die. Our numbers are too low as it is." James reminded him gently.
"He's right. I can't bear to think about losing any of you. We don't need to go off making it easier for them." Lily mused, stroking her husband's hand with her thumb she looked up as she heard Sirius sigh.
"You're right, of course. I'm sorry." He conceded as he visibly deflated.
Moony just shook his head in fond amusement. Perking his head up slightly he heard the floo go off. A few moments later and the final Marauder walked in. Moony smiled and nodded at the man.
"Hello all. You lot ready for the meeting?" Peter Pettigrew, also known as Wormtail, asked the assembled friends.
"Hey there Pete. You're a bit early mate, but yeah we're all just about ready." Remus replied.
By the groups mutual decision they agreed to wait just a bit longer before they headed out. They all sat mostly catching up and speaking of nothing of any real consequence. Finally it was time to get the group moving. The group stood putting wands in holsters, Lily and Remus also quickly putting away their chosen reading materials and everyone moved through to the kitchen and took turns flooing to McKinnon Manor.