Chapter 1:

Sirius Black was standing in the middle of Diagon Alley, waiting for his friend to arrive. The street was so busy, it was easy to tell just by looking around what time of year it was. Kids in robes were running around with their parents buying books, wands and everything else they would need. Back to school shopping; something everyone had to do, even witches and wizards. Sirius watched the kids as they seemed excited about the year to come but as excited as they were, they really had no idea what was coming. He could remember doing the same with his parents. Was the one time where he actually enjoyed being around his father as they shopped for the necessities. It had been a little over half a year since he gradated from Hogwarts and part of him still longed to go back. Those were good times but it was clearly just for children. The Marauders had their day but now it was someone else's time to shine.

Usually Sirius didn't mind whenever James Potter was tardy, yet this was clearly the exception to the rule. Had James bothered to arrive anywhere late anywhere else, Sirius would have found something to do to amuse himself, This time he was too nervous to occupy himself and wished his friend would just make an exception and show up on time. It wasn't the most pleasant of times for the Black family and even Sirius was aware that during times such as these, friends made a world of difference. Sirius pulled out a pocket watch and checked it for the twentieth time in less than ten minutes. He sighed deeply and as he put it back into his pocket, Sirius observed someone across the road as she cleaned the windows at Madam Malkin's Robes for all occasions. That was clearly a lot more entertaining than watching the grumpy goblins come in and out of Grignotts. One of the ladies from Madam Malkin's waved to him. "Hello." Sirius said as he waved back.

"I told you that robe looked good on you." She called out. "Sorry to hear about your aunt, Mr. Black."

"Thank you." Sirius called back. He appreciated the well wishes, but wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. Finally after waiting for what seemed like forever, his friend finally could be seen running up to him from the east side of the alley. "James!" Sirius called out as he flapped his arms to display his impatience. "We've got to get a move on. We're going to be late."

James cracked a small grin. "Relax Sirius. It's not like she's going anywhere."

"That's not funny, Potter." Sirius said as he playfully punched his arm.

"Where's the portkey?" James asked.

"It's this way." Sirius said as he started to walk down the alley. "I don't mind your tardiness, James but this is my aunt's funeral! She was nice to us both so the least we could do is show up on time to pay our respects."

"Sorry." James said as he started to walk down the alley with Sirius. "I had to wait for an important owl."

"Who was it from?" Sirius asked "Lily, I presume?"

"Not this time." James replied. "It was from Professor Dumbledore."

Sirius stopped and turned around. "Is everything all right?" he quickly asked.

"I'm not sure." James answered. "I'll tell you about it later."

When the arrived to a house at the end of the alley, there were two tough looking me guarding the door but stepped aside as James and Sirius walked past and into the room. Inside the room was a single table and on top of it was the item that had been enchanted to transport them to the ceremony. Sirius looked down at the item she had selected in her last will and testament. It was a porcelain doll. "She always had a thing for them, didn't she?"

"To each their own." James said as he walked closer. "I have no idea why we need to use one for this."

"There are a lot of banished family members we would prefer not attend." Sirius explained. "It's not like we feel they don't have a right to be there, it's just that with all the bad blood between the family and certain members, we didn't want to have any conflicts during this sad time."

"All right, let's get on with it then." James declared.

"On three." Sirius replied. The two men stood there and counted to three, and on the third number reached they both reached out and grabbed an arm of the small doll that was standing on the table. In the blink of an eye, they had both been transported to a large field that was near the ocean. There was a sizable cliff that led to the ocean and that was likely where Aunt Dorea had likely requested her remains be spread following her funeral. Sirius signed. "Thank goodness it hasn't started yet."

"You almost missed it you little bugger." A voice croaked from behind.

They both turned around. "Mr. Black." James said as he offered a hand. "Please accept my condolences on the loss of your wife."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Potter." Mr. Black said as he shook his hand.

"Sorry for being late, Uncle Cygnus." Sirius said with a sincere tone. "I'm glad we got here on time. We'll be quick and find a seat."

"Don't bother." Cygnus cracked, his voice snapping at them like a whip. "You father is in the second row with your brother. I'm sure he's saving a spot for you."

Sirius sighed again. "Thank you, Uncle." He said as he shook the old man's hand. "I'm very sorry for your loss."

"Thank you, Sirius." Uncle Cygnus replied. "Just find a seat and try to keep it quiet just this time for your Aunt." He was looking at them both when he made this statement.

James respected the statement by sitting close to the back of the rows that were set out, while Sirius made his way closer to the front to sit with his father Orion, who was already there waiting with Sirius' older brother Regulus. The best way to avoid any tom foolery was to not sit together so James kept his distance but he really wasn't in a playful mood to begin with. He had the owl that had arrived that morning for him, the one that had made him late. He slowly opened it up and read it again for the second time that day:

Mr. Potter:

I request your presence as well as your friend Mr. Black in my chambers here at Hogwarts as soon as possible. It's an urgent matter that requires our up most attention regarding The Order's struggle against the Deatheaters and the Dark Lord.

Please keep knowledge of this meeting to yourselves. I have informed Hagrid that you're both going to ride with the children and help him escort the new students to the castle. He is excited to see you both again, as am I.

Please take a moment to offer my most humble condolences to Mr. Black and his family on the passing of his Aunt. She was a good student and a charming lady.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

It's not that James had a problem with being summoned to Hogwarts. He and Sirius were after all members of the Order of the Phoenix. Whenever Professor Dumbledore needed them, they would be ready to heed the call. It was a lovely ceremony and when it was all said and done, the person conducting the ceremony carried out Dorea's last wish and used a spell to dispense her asses off the side of the cliff and into the crashing waters below. After a short pause, everyone got up out of their seats and mingled a bit before using the specific port-key to head back to whence they came.

James Potter was rather quiet, determined to drag Sirius away from all this doom and gloom and whisk him off to Hogwarts to accept what most likely was an urgent mission. James was so distracted by his message that he never saw someone approaching him. When he looked up, he rolled his message and shoved it back into his pocket. "Narcissa." He said with a polite smile. "I'm very sorry about your mother."

"Thank you James." Narcissa replied. She was dressed in black which was her usual attire but for a change it was appropriate for the occasion. "Have you met my husband?"

"I have not." James confessed as tried to sound as pleasant as he could. "I had heard you got marred but I'm bad with names, Mr…"

"Malfoy." The man replied. "Lucius Malfoy."

"Pleasure to meet you." James said as he shook Malfoy's hand. The man had a long mane of bright blonde hair and a smile that was just as mysterious.

"I assure you, Mr. Potter." Lucius started with a cruel grin. "It was mine; I've heard so much about you and your antics at Hogwarts."

"Don't believe everything you hear." James replied. "It was more of a team effort."

"And what team are you on now?" Lucius then asked.

"None at the moment." Potter answered dishonestly. "I'm more comfortable being on my own like a free agent of sorts. With no one to answer to I have more opportunities to cause trouble."

"I see." Lucius said as he cocked an eyebrow. "And what trouble might you be up to, Mr. Potter?"

"Haven't figured it out yet." James answered. "But I'm sure when I pick something, word will get around."

"I'm sure." Lucius concurred, clearly annoyed with his responses.

Sirius suddenly budded in. "Nice to see you Narcissa, Lucius. Congratulations on your recent nuptials. I know Aunt Dorea was quote fond of you two."

"The feeling was quite mutual." Lucius replied.

"If you'll excuse me." James said as he took Sirius' arm and pulled him away. "How much longer are we going to stay?"

"Not much longer." Sirius said. "Have you got some place you've rather be?"

"No, we do." James said as he handed the letter over to Sirius.

Sirius took the letter form his friend and quickly red it. He paused for a moment to let the words of his leader sink in. "Right then, what are we doing here? Let's get a move on."

"That's more like it." James said as he took the letter from him.

"What do you think he wants us to do?" Sirius asked as he walked back to where the portkey was.

"I'm not sure." James said as he followed. "But let's hope it's something that will provide us with an opportunity to do what Marauders do best."