A/N
I was coming home from town and I was watching a video in the car by Studio C, which someone got me hooked on, and it was the game Life, every role cast was reality. It was hilarious, I recommend watching it. But it got me thinking, a game like Life would become a reality game in the Marauders Era. And now, I've written this. Thank you for reading.
Life Chronicles
It's a rainy Saturday afternoon at Hogwarts and the Marauders – James Potter, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin - are lounging around their dorm room. Suddenly, there's a clatter outside the door followed by a jubilant squeal. Seconds later, Lily Evans bursts through their door, clutching a strange board game under her arm, flashing them a vibrant grin.
"Mates, I introduce you to the game of Life," she announces, plopping down in the space between Sirius and Remus.
Beside her, Melina Briar raises an eyebrow, "Lily, we've all been playing the game of Life since we were born."
"No, not that life, this," Lily hoists the board game higher for them all to see, "is a game called Life."
The intriguing part, the game was bewitched. The actions performed in-game would materialize in reality. Though she did not mention this to any of them. A pair of verdant eyes glimmering with mischief was the only indication that something extra was in store.
The Marauders, notorious for their dangerous appetite for fun and games, immediately gather around Lily as she patiently explains the rules. Melina, ever the skeptical one, watches from her safe distance, an amused smile dancing on her lips.
Just as Severus Snape too shyly meanders closer, all while glaring suspiciously at the Marauders. Snape was begrudgingly included, a condition put forth by Lily to the Marauders for her consent to fit in their common room.
As the game kicks off, Snape carefully rolls the dice. Three. He silently moves his token. First round, he lands on a cell that reads, 'Adopt a pet.' Within seconds, an orange tabby starts rubbing against his leg. He yelps, Snape and animals were not the best combination.
There's a collective burst of laughter, but Snape's glare silences them. Sirius being Sirius gives a cheeky grin and says, "Congratulations on the new member of your family, Snivellus."
Melina, unable to bare the tension, pitches in, "Rather easy for the first go, isn't it?" while throwing a life token at Sirius.
Next up is James, who lands on a cell - 'Become an Auror.' Moments later, he's donning Auror robes, a fancy badge glinting on his chest. Lily blushes while Sirius hollers, "That's cheating, Prongs!"
Remus lands on 'Write a best-selling book', and out of nowhere, a thick book titled 'The Ultimate Guide to Advanced Werewolf Studies' manifests on his lap. Surprisingly, Severus seems quite interested in it.
One by one, as the rounds progress, the Marauders and their friends have lived through some hilarious, some surprising, and some downright absurd scenarios. Sirius ended up with three alien kids while Melina had to endure being a dragon tamer for an hour.
In the end, the real magic was not in the game's enchantment but the way it pulled Severus Snape into their camaraderie, even if it was just for a day. Laughing, complaining, and creating ridiculous scenarios departed the usual deep-seated tension. There was a revived friendship when Lily and Melina witnessed the sworn enemies, James and Severus, team up to rid Sirius of his alien kids.
In the midst of chaos, there was a still moment as Melina glanced at Lily, gratitude swirling in her eyes. As it turned out, the most ordinary muggle game, dusted with a sprinkle of magic, had given them something extraordinary - a monumental and unforgettable Hogwarts experience. Lily simply winked at Melina and whispered, "That's the magic of life, isn't it?"
As they all retreated to their respective dorms that night, the echoes of hearty laughter still hung in the air, a jolly tune etched forever in their hearts. An adventurous chapter of Hogwarts life had been written, all thanks to an innocently deceptive board game.