A/N: Hello! As some of you may know, this story has been up before, but wasn't completed, unfortunately. It was deleted (for a full explanation, go to my profile page, I don't want to waste your story time droning on about it, I'm sure you don't really wanna hear it anyway).

That said, the story is back, edited, changed around a bit and hopefully improved. I really hope you enjoy it, I've loved writing it! So, without further ado, here is chapter one!

Grace.

The Marauders Tale - The Hogwarts Years

Chapter One

The Magic Begins

"James, come on or you're going to be late!"

A groggy, raven haired boy groaned from beneath a cocoon of navy blue sheets, grumbling tiredly and clearly annoyed at having been awoken. A small skinny arm slipped from beneath the covers, fumbling for a pair of round rimmed glasses resting on the wooden table beside his rather large bed.

Today was the day. Today, James Potter began his new life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Had young James been more awake, he would have vented his excitement by jumping around as he usually did when something exciting happened or was about to happen, however said excitement had caused him lack of sleep the night before, and therefore a very tired morning.

"JAMES!"

Pushing the covers over his head, James grinned sheepishly to himself. Okay, so being tired didn't mar his excitement. He couldn't wait to get started! He had dreamed of going to Hogwarts ever since his parents had informed him he would be. And now it was finally here. He was finally going to become a proper wizard, and a ruddy good one, if he had anything to say about it.

With renewed energy (James was never one to stay still for too long); James jumped out of bed, and rushed towards his bathroom, tripping over various items in the process. After a quick shower, and the usually morning fight to flatten his unruly hair, which never seemed to sit right no matter how much he and his mother tried, James bounded downstairs, dragging a large trunk precariously behind him.

Gwendolyn Potter smiled warmly as her only child wandered into the kitchen, a dazed look on his face.

"Excited?" she smiled, setting down the dishcloth in her hands.

James nodded vehemently, and pulled a plate stacked high with delicious smelling pancakes towards him, dumping almost half a bottle of syrup onto them.

Harold Potter, an Auror for the Ministry of Magic, entered not long after James. With his trademark messy hair, and round glasses, James was the image of his father, Harold. However, James had inherited the hazel eyes and soft features of his mother, making up quite a handsome boy indeed, and a perfect mix of his parents.

"The Express leaves at eleven," started Mr Potter, pulling his own breakfast towards him, "So if we get to the station at about half ten, that'll give you time to get sorted on the train. I've already floo-ed Ivy; she said she'll meet us at the station".

James, however, missed the last part of his father's information. Now that morning was over, and he was almost ready to leave, the nerves he'd so desperately hoped wouldn't appear, hit with full force. He glanced down at his now shaking hands, rather annoyed at feeling this way and definitely needing a bit of reassurance, "Is it normal to be this nervous?" he asked quietly.

Mrs Potter smiled sympathetically at her son, "Of course sweetie, I was a nervous wreck on my first day. But dont worry, you'll love it. Hogwarts were the best years of my life," she reminisced, "You know I met your father at Hogwarts".

"Really?" said James, his eyes lighting up with interest.

"Really, I was quite proficient at Transfiguration, though not quite so in Potions, and your mother here offered to tutor me," explained Mr Potter with a slightly wistful smile.

James grinned, "Wow, I never knew that," somehow this story seemed to abate the churning in his stomach.

"Well," said Mrs Potter with a soft smile, "We weren't exactly the best of friends from day one".

"Your mother thought I was a little too big for my boots," Mr Potter continued, "But once we hit third year, our friends became friends with each other, and we realised we had something in common".

"What was that?" asked James, shoving a spoon full of pancakes into his mouth, feeling a lot better than before.

Mrs Potter grinned, "The inability to behave ourselves, it turns out you father and I had the same sense of humour, and we were friends ever since".

James nodded, smiling at the thought. His smile faded, and another uneasy thought hit him...what if he didn't make any friends?

"Dont worry son, you'll be begging never to leave once you get there," Mr Potter chuckled, as though reading his mind, "And you have Holly and Jonny, so you won't be completely alone".

James smiled weakly, but the knot in his stomach remained. He had been confident and excited up until then, but now, he was feeling the nerves get the better of him. Mr Potter glanced at his son, and ruffled his hair, "Seriously James, you have nothing to worry about, you'll love it!"

~**~

"All set princess?"

A kind, dark haired man pulled a small, flame haired girl into his embrace, a proud smile lighting up his face. The small girl nodded, her own dazzling grin clearly visible.

"Everything is packed, oh I'm so excited," breathed the young girl excitedly. Her hair, which fell just past her shoulders, was a vibrant red, a complete contrast to her vivid, almond shaped, emerald green eyes. Lily Evans was a beautiful young girl, no doubt a heartbreaker as the years would go by, as her father often commented.

"I'm still having a hard time adjusting to this," confessed Robert Evans, Lily's father, "I knew my little princess was special, but a witch...I'm so proud of you honey".

Lily felt her face flush, and grinned, "Thanks Daddy, I..."

She stopped, as a blonde haired girl entered the room, a scowl on her face.

"Tuney!" cried Lily, rushing forward to her sister. Petunia Evans, like her parents, was a Muggle, a person with no magical powers, who had short blonde hair, and a rather unpleasant air about her. She was rather plain, compared to her sister, though only Lily seemed to miss this. In all honesty, the younger girl idolised her older sister. It was a shame the same couldn't be said for dear Petunia, and although Petunia had vehemently denied jealousy, the fact that her sister was off to some weird school to learn about magic of all things, hurt her deeply.

"Urgh Lily, do you have to be so childish," scorned Petunia, pushing Lily away from her and smoothing down her new school uniform, which she had been modelling for her family ever since she had gotten it. Lily's expression saddened, the brass comment hurting her deeply. She had always been so close to her sister; the two had been best friends. But the day Lily received her letter, it all changed, and Lily wasn't sure if things would ever return to the way they used to be.

"I'm sorry...I'm just going to miss you....that's all".

Petunia rolled her eyes, but Lily could have sworn she saw a flash of guilt in her pale eyes.

"Ready to go?"

Lily and Petunia turned, where their parents were waiting expectantly by the door. Lily exhaled shakily, and nodded, taking her first steps towards a brand new life.

~**~

"Sirius! Up!"

Grey eyes opened groggily, and scowled at the intruding bright light spilling into his room. Growling, a young boy clambered out of bed, and padded across towards his bathroom, still not fully awake.

"OW! DAMN IT KREACHER!"

Hopping around and massaging his toe, eleven year old Sirius Black cursed the chuckling house elf, swatting him away.

"Kreacher apologises to Master Sirius, though Master Sirius should watch where he is going," the stooped house-elf sneered.

Sirius rolled his eyes, fully awake now, "Yeah whatever, just get outta here and tell mum I'll be down in a minute", glancing at his clock, he realised he had less than an hour until the train to Hogwarts left. Cursing his inability to wake up on time, he hurriedly showered, and practically flew down the many flights of stairs in Grimmauld Place.

As he entered the large kitchen, he noticed his father immersed in the Daily Prophet, whilst his mother stood, tapping her foot impatiently. Sirius looked alot like his father; the same dark hair, the same haughty good looks, but his eyes, which ranged in various shades of grey depending on his mood, were definitely his mothers.

"Do you have any idea what time it is," she scowled, her eyes wide and her brown hair seeming to frazzle in annoyance. Sirius rolled his eyes, casually brushing his dark hair out of his eyes.

"Yes, I can tell time you know".

"Don't speak to your mother like that boy," scolded Orion Black, his eyes never leaving the morning paper. Grumbling to himself, Sirius took a seat next to his younger brother, and began piling his plate with various foodstuffs prepared by Kreacher. Walburga, Sirius's mother, flung her hands in the air in irritation, and stalked back out of the kitchen.

"Hey Sirius," Regulus greeted cheerfully. Sirius smiled brightly at his best friend, and younger brother.

"Im so jealous you're off to Hogwarts already! I wish I was going!" exclaimed Regulus; his own blue eyes alight with excitement.

"Don't worry little bro, you'll be there next year," grinned Sirius, beginning to stuff his face with breakfast. Regulus giggled at his brothers eating habits, and promptly began to copy him. Sirius was his idol, his hero, even if Sirius and his parents didn't exactly see eye to eye.

"Yes...yes this fellow has the right idea indeed," muttered Orion. Sirius and Regulus cast each other confused looks, and glanced at their father.

"Who dad?" asked Regulus.

"This Voldemort fellow, getting rid of Muggles and mud-bloods, yes that's the right idea indeed".

Sirius scowled at his father, "To some, I think it's ridiculous, so what if your parents aren't wizards, what difference does it make".

Orion glared at his son, but remained silent, and returned to his paper. Regulus glanced worriedly at his brother, sad that Sirius constantly spoke out against his parents. He just wanted them to be a proper family, that was all.

~**~

"HOLLY RUTH KNIGHT!"

A dark haired young girl bit her lip, and tentatively descended the stairs of her home. Attempting a smile, she saw her mother, arms crossed and tapping her foot.

"Yes mum?" asked Holly as sweetly as possible. She was quite used to this situation, and had perfected her 'it wasn't my fault so let me off the hook' look.

Her mother, Ivy, quirked an eyebrow, "Just what is your broom doing amongst your bags?"

Holly grinned sheepishly, "Well...uhh...I was going to take it Hogwarts..."

"You know first years aren't allowed to take their own broomsticks, how many times do I have to tell you that," replied Mrs Knight exasperatedly. Holly bit her lip again, and glanced at her father with dark, pleading eyes, "Daddy, help me out here".

Ian Knight raised his hands, "I'm a Muggle, as you say, I'm afraid I can't have an opinion on this".

Holly groaned, and turned to the dark haired young man passing her on the stairs, "Jonny, little help".

"Sorry sis," grinned Jonathan, Holly's older brother, "Rules are rules".

Holly snorted, "Since when do you follow rules?"

"Since he became a prefect," gushed Mrs Knight proudly. Holly rolled her eyes at her father, who fought his own laughter. Really, her mother had gone on quite enough about perfect prefect Jonny. How he ever made it to prefect status, Holly would never know. The family were always getting letters about his behaviour, and it was never praise.

"Are you two ready? I told Uncle Harry we'd meet him at the station." continued her mother impatiently.

Holly suddenly became very nervous, but nodded nonetheless, "Ready as I'll ever be...I guess".

~**~

"Remus sweetie, are you all set?" asked Jemima Lupin, her kind eyes lighting up at the sight of her son. A sandy haired, rather pale boy nodded quietly, glancing around the kitchen he had just entered and looking a little unsure of himself.

"You'll be fine son, chin up," smiled Ben Lupin warmly, though unlike his wife, the smile did not quite reach his eyes. This wasn't odd, not to the Lupins, in any case. He had been like that for quite some time now.

Remus smiled shakily, trying his best to take some reassurance from his parents. But he wasn't going to be fine. He wasn't like the others. He was different...very different.

"What if...what if I don't make any friends...what if people...you know," he asked timidly. Mrs Lupin dropped the paper she held, and quickly crossed the room, enveloping her son in a tight embrace. It was her remedy for any trouble.

"Remus, don't ever let what happened get you down. You're a wonderful person darling, you're going to make tons of new friends, and have the time of your life," she assured him.

Remus nodded, though was still not entirely convinced. Mr Lupin noticed this, and sighed, "Son, I'm telling you, you-will-be-fine," he punctuated each word with a slight prod to his sons chest.

Remus swallowed hard, and nodded again.

"Now, are you ready to go and become a great wizard," grinned Mrs Lupin, taking her sons nod as a sign of acceptance. Remus glanced at his parents, and found strength in their assuring smiles.

"Yeah...yeah I am".

He was going to be just fine.

~**~

"Christina....Christina lets go, the train leaves in less than an hour".

A small, platinum blonde head peeked out from the doorway, bright blue eyes alive with excitement.

"I'm ready mum, just let me fetch Barnabus".

Christina Coddlesworth dove back into her room, and grabbed a small, grey tabby cat around the middle. Barnabus the cat yowled at the sudden movement, and found himself being transported downstairs quickly by a rather eager young girl.

"Ready," grinned Kenneth, young Christina's father.

"You bet," exclaimed Christina joyfully, bounding for the front door. Always so full of energy, and not one to be left out, Christina wanted to make sure she got to the station early and experience as much as she could.

Mr Coddlesworth glanced at his wife Gillian, who chuckled merrily, and quickly followed their eldest child out into the drive towards the green car they'd borrowed from the Ministry of Magic, two golden haired young boys who seemed just as excited as their sister already awaiting them.

Christina glanced back at her home as they got into the car, and grinned. She couldn't wait to finally become a witch.

~**~

"Come on Peter, we've booked the Knight bus to take us to the station," called a small, plump woman. Peter Pettigrew, a short boy with already thinning hair and watery eyes, ambled towards the front door of his home nervously.

"Are you okay, you seem a little jumpy?" asked his mother, her mousy hair blowing slightly in the breeze as they exited their home. Peter nodded timidly, and glanced at his father, who was waiting for the large, purple bus that would take them to King's Cross station.

"Come on son, we're going to be late," called Gregory Pettigrew sternly. Peter began to shake as he realised just how close he was to finally leaving for Hogwarts. He glanced at his mother, who looked just as nervous as he was, her face seeming paler than usual.

"You'll be fine Peter, just remember, we're only an owl away should you need anything," whispered Sandra Pettigrew, careful not to let her husband hear. Mr Pettigrew hated weakness of any kind, and nerves were a big weakness, in his eyes at least.

"Okay mum," replied Peter quietly. He jumped as the Knight bus suddenly appeared out of nowhere, teetering precariously as it neared the Pettigrew household.

"Right, everybody on!" called Mr Pettigrew, as he paid the fare and hauled Peter's trunk onboard. Peter gulped, and started towards the bus, clinging to his mother's hand.

He'd never been so nervous in his life.

~**~

"Bridget! Bridget let's go!"

"I'll be right down mum!"

A small, light haired young girl popped her freckle covered face out of her door, and grinned. Today, she went to Hogwarts! She really couldn't believe it! Grabbing her trunk, the young girl hurried down the stairs of her home, and spotted her mother, Kathleen Moore, and her father, Angus Moore, waiting patiently next to the fireplace.

"Come on sweetie, we need to Floo to the Leaky Cauldron first".

Bridget nodded. Living in Ireland, it was a little harder for her to get to Kings Cross, yet the young girl loved flooing, for some reason. Most people she knew despised the form of transport, though Bridget honestly couldn't see why.

"Are we all set," asked Mr Moore. Mrs Moore glanced at her daughter, positively beaming with pride.

"We are, now, let's be off".

Bridget grabbed a handful of Floo powder, and stepped into the fireplace. This was it. She was going to Hogwarts! As she dropped the powder, and announced her destination, Bridget felt a few nerves beginning to creep through.

But Bridget Moore was a strong person...she was a witch, and in her opinion, could do anything she put her mind to. She was going to be perfectly fine.

Hope you enjoyed :)

Leave a review if you're feeling extra kind, and Happy New Year to you all!!! have a good one guys.