From The Beginning Till The End

"Say I'm the most good-looking guy you've ever seen," James said as he pinned Sirius on the floor and sat on his stomach in the boys' dormitory. I hate spectacles! James had just gotten his new spectacles. He was the first and only one who had to wear them among the seven of his friends. One reason why he hated spectacles was that he did not even know how on earth he had gotten shortsighted in the first place.

"I'm the most good-looking guy you've ever seen," Sirius said jokingly. Sirius was laughing hysterically at the hospital wing when Madam Pomfrey was making James tried on his spectacles. Madam Pomfrey had changed the frames and shape of the spectacles umpteen times until James finally settled for one.

"No, not that!" James exclaimed in an exasperated tone.

"Sirius, just say that James is the most good-looking guy you've ever seen just to please him," Lily said, laughing at the funny scene whereby James was sitting of Sirius's stomach and his hands were pinned down under James's legs. Sirius was not exactly struggling to be released either. Perhaps he knew that James would release him finally. After all, they had known each other for years.

"Lily, how can I say that when the fact is I'm the most good-looking guy on earth?" Sirius exclaimed, rather persistent not to say that James was not the best looking.

"Cut it out guys! James, I think you look good in spectacles actually. The silver frames actually frame your face really well and bring out your brown eyes even better," Lily said, laughing despite the fact that she had just mentioned the truth. I love guys in specs. James is looking better by the day. Argh... what am I thinking of?

"But Sirius laughed at me," James complained while everyone in the room started chuckling. The girls were in the boys' dormitory once again. They were just hanging out in their dorm because the common room was too crowded. They could not hang out at the girls' dormitory because there were other girls besides the three of them. The four Marauders, on the other hand, occupied the whole room to themselves.

"I did not."

"You did."

"I did not."

"We're getting out of here. It's getting boring. C'mon Lils, Stef," Arabella suggested and headed out of the dormitory. I don't wanna get caught in there again. The guys are being totally ridiculous. Lily and Stefanie left the room after Arabella while James and Sirius were still busy having a small debate on the ground. Remus was reading a book while Peter was already sleeping with his curtain closed.

"I'm the most good-looking guy."

"You're not."

"I am."

"No way."

"Yes way."

"No."

"Yes."

"Si, just say and get over with it," Remus suggested, looking up at Sirius, while he continued reading a book on Animagus Transformation.

"Yeah, Sir, just admit the fact that you're not as good looking as me," James said, smirking. I hate specs!

"Sit all you want. There's no way that I am to say something to deceive my best friend," Sirius replied stubbornly and pretended to fall asleep. The floor is uncomfortable. But I am absolutely not going to give in. Wasted... I can't use my powers now. Sirius looked around the room for his wand.

"We still need to do some research on Animagus for your information," James said, trying to reach for another book on Animagus: Animal of your Choice.

"Once you get up from my stomach then we can continue."

"Not after you say that."

"That."

"Fine, I'll continue to sit and read while you just lie there," James said loftily and turned to the page on selecting animals to be transfigured. What animal should I be?

"We need to find animals that are strong enough to stop a werewolf from attacking," Remus said softly as he went to check the door for any passerby, almost as if he had heard James silent thought. He locked the room and charmed it to be soundproof. The guys often had discussion of pranks in the dormitory and they had to make sure it's always soundproof.

"Yes, so what do you suggest?" Sirius asked, hoping to disturb James's concentration. He could not do any magic because James had confiscated his wand and had hidden it somewhere whereby he could not see. I can read James's thoughts and see where he hid my wand. But I've to look at the wand in order to make it move. How about I move James? But I don't think I can move living objects. Oh, this is getting painful. James was 1.6m and weighed about 50kg while Sirius was 2cm shorter and 4kg lighter. James was the tallest and biggest in size among the four of them.

"I think something big like lion, tiger, cheetah or perhaps, elephant is suitable," Peter said sleepily and he turned back to bed after his stupid suggestion. What should I transfigure myself to? Something small? I can ask my master what he thinks I should be. This is really advanced magic. James and Sirius are brilliant students.

"We need something that can travel easily along the tunnel below Whomping Willow. We're not supposed to be seen for sure. I don't think an elephant trooping around the school can go unnoticed," James said thoughtfully, adjusting his new spectacles to a more comfortable position. Madam Pomfrey had told James that he was shortsighted and had to wear his spectacles at all times. There was only a temporary cure to shortsightedness at the moment so James had no choice but to put up with the spectacles.

"Not too big but yet fast and strong," Sirius concluded. What can I be? I must be something that is good-looking enough to fit me.

"We sure have a lot of research to do. Animagi transformation isn't supposed to be easy as it is stated here, and also, all Animagi have to be registered under Ministry of Magic," Remus said, reading from a paragraph in the book. This is going to be tough. I shouldn't be supporting them actually. But having friends during transformation is something I really want. The transformation during the camp was pretty bad. A group of werewolves together isn't possible. What should I do?

"So we need to be animals that are common around Hogwarts, not too big and bulky, but strong enough to hold a werewolf from attacking, don't make too much noise, fast enough to escape from people's sight," James concluded. How about some animal that is common in the Forbidden Forest?

"Yeah," Sirius said in a preoccupied voice, agreeing with James conclusion and was hoping for a distraction.

"I think we had better get some sleep. There's a Quidditch tryout tomorrow and we all want to get into the team," James said as he let out a huge yawn.

"Yeah, time for bed," Sirius agreed totally. I'm getting a cramp on my stomach. My muscles. Ouch..

"Ok, I'll let you off this time," James said, getting up from Sirius and climbed into his bed. He took off his spectacles and put it on the bedside table.

"Good night guys," Remus said. There were muttered goodnights from James and Sirius. Everyone thought Peter was already sound asleep. Peter was in fact deep in thoughts to hear the good nights.

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"How can I be a good Chaser with this stupid circles?" James complained as they ate their breakfast on a bright and sunny Saturday morning. He had worn his new spectacles unwillingly. The six of them had got up earlier on Saturday to get prepared for the Quidditch tryout at ten. Argh! I hate specs!

"They're not stupid circles. They are oval by the way," Lily pointed, laughing at the complaining James. Some people had commented to James that he looked cute in spectacles but James took it as an insult more than a compliment. Gracie had told James that he looked cute just that morning in fact.

"Well, if you have stupid ovals around your eyes and you still make a great Quidditch player, that's brilliant!" Sirius joked. James looks funny. Hahaha.

"James, why are so conscious about your looks? Frankly I think everyone is right. You do look cute in your specs, you know. Besides how can you play well if you can't see clearly?" Lily asked, looking at James and eating her toast at the same time. I, for one, think James looks wonderful in specs. After all, most guys look adorable in specs.

"We'll just play our best and hope we'll get into the team. Three available places this year if I'm not wrong. One Chaser and two Beaters," Remus said. The notice about the Quidditch tryout was put up a week ago at the common room. Many people were interested and started practicing for the position. James, Sirius and Remus were confident of getting into the school team because they had been riding broomsticks as long as they can remember. Since young, their parents had hired Quidditch instructors to teach them everything they needed to know about the game.

"Let's aim to get into the team. And cheers!" James held up his goblet to Sirius and Remus. I must get into the team. I'm sure I can get in anyway.

"You guys aren't the only ones. We want to get into the team as well, for your information," Lily said and she held out her goblet to Arabella and Stefanie. It would be so fun riding on a broomstick. But I doubt I'm even good enough to be in the team. The three guys had been training since young and I only started two years ago. Argh... tough competition!

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"Nervous?" Lily asked the rest of them. All of them were carrying Nimbus 1500 broomsticks, best broomstick two years ago. The six of them were the envy of many as Nimbus 1500 was an expensive broomstick, which cost a few hundred galleons. Peter did not have a broomstick and James had offered to lend him his for the tryouts.

"Not at all, I'm sure I can get in," James boasted. He had been playing Quidditch for as far as he could remember and he knew he would make a great player for any position in the team. I don't think I can make a great Seeker though. But anyway, I don't fancy being a Seeker. I would rather be the Chaser or Keeper. Captain of Gryffindor, someday.

"All those trying out as Chasers follow me!" Leo Jordan, Captain of Gryffindor team and seventh year prefect, shouted at the crowd of Gryffindors who had gathered at the Quidditch pitch. James, Remus, Lily, Arabella and Stefanie followed him. The next thing that happened were all of them getting up in the air. Passing the Quaffle to each other and scoring goals after another. About half an hour later, all of them came down. Leo Jordan was discussing about the Chaser selection with his three other teammates before heading back towards the crowd.

"We've selected James Potter to be our third Chaser. Thank you for participating in the tryouts," Angela Moody announced and some people clapped. A few other students who were aiming for the position left the pitch disappointed.

"Congrats!" Sirius said and gave James a slap on his back. James had that 'I-know-I-definitely-can-get-into-the-team' look that infuriated the girls.

"Now for the Beaters, follow me!" Andrew Spinnet announced to the rest of the remaining Gryffindors. The five of them and ten other Gryffindors mounted their broomstick and started beating four bludgers around, hitting one another off their broomsticks. The number of people dropping from their broomsticks and giving up after some injuries increased as the tryout continued. Needless to say, Sirius and Remus had been the cause of all the injuries.

After an hour of beating, only Sirius, Remus, Lily, Arabella and Stefanie remained mounted on their brooms safely. Peter had been the first few to fell off from James's broomstick when someone hit the Bludger at him.

"The five of you are the best beaters I've ever seen, but we can only have two. So the five of you have to hit each other off course until only there are only two left," Kenneth Bell announced to the five of them in the air, and flew off to the ground to continue watching with the four other Quidditch team and James.

"Ouch!"

"What's with the sudden violence?"

"AAAHHHH!"

"I think you injured my arm!"

"I'm not letting you off with this!"

"Get off me!"

"NOOO!!!"

"Phew!"

"ARGH!"

"We're not enemies!"

"Hey! That hurts!"

"OOO, close shave!"

Sirius and Remus were hitting the bludgers vigorously at the three girls while the girls were trying to hit back to them.

"All of you come down now!" Leo's voice suddenly filled the entire stadium. The five third-years flew down and joined the rest of the team members. Lily had bruises on her leg while Arabella had her wrist broken, and even Stefanie had three close encounters from falling off her broomstick. Sirius and Remus, remained unhurt throughout.

"We have come to the conclusion that Sirius Black and Remus Lupin will be our Beaters!" Angela Moody announced brightly.

"That's not fair."

"We played well!"

"Why did they get in?"

"Calm down girls, it was rather clear that Sirius and Remus are the best beaters. You girls are great too. But Beaters have to be strong. We're not being biased or saying that girls are weaker. Look, I'm a female and I'm in the team. You can try out again next year when Leo and I graduate leaving two spaces available for you all," Angela said kindly and accompanied the three girls to the infirmary.

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"HOORAY! We got in!" James shouted happily as all the four Marauders headed back to their common room a few hours after the Quidditch tryout. The four of them had stayed back to fly around the pitch. They were all sweaty, smelly and dirty. This is a wonderful feeling. I'm in the team with two of my best friends. Well, poor Peter.

"Yeah! We're the best among the rest!" Remus cheered as they climbed up the moving staircases gingerly. I can't believe I can get into the team in my condition.

"Well, we definitely get in. We're born with the talent," Sirius said as he skipped the broken step. I always dream of being a Beater. Someday I want to go international.

"I'm kinda hungry," James said merrily. Forgot all about hunger.

"Me too. Let's change quickly and head down to the Great Hall for lunch," Sirius suggested as they started hurrying up the stairs. I wonder what's for lunch today.

"I'm so hungry that I can eat a cow today," Remus joked. Remus's appetite had always been the smallest among the four. But when compared to most of the guys, his appetite is big. James and Sirius's appetites were merely unusually huge.

"You always eat a cow anyway," James teased. Remus's appetite was big, but never as huge as James and Sirius. I want to eat something heavy today. Maybe pasta. Cheesy and filling. Oh ya, a cheesy prank.

"Yeah, right. You eat two cows all the time," Remus replied jokingly, as James told the pink lady the password for the week. I'm starved. What's lunch for today? I hope it's beefy.

"We must have a celebration!" Sirius exclaimed ecstatically. Peter looked a little disappointed.

"Peter, you did well too! Don't give up. There's always next year," James told Peter comfortingly as he put his arm over his shoulders. Peter nodded sadly but smiled nevertheless. James, Sirius and Remus are nice guys. In fact, I love being their friend. Why would Master want to get rid of them?

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"Lunch's over!" James exclaimed as they looked at the emptying Great Hall. Only empty plates and goblets were left. There was barely any decent amount of food to even fill one of them. This is not good.

"Oh no. I don't think I can hold until dinner." Sirius pretended to whine. I wonder where's the kitchen.

"We've to find the kitchens before we starve to death," Remus said calmly although his stomach was growling rather wildly. Kitchens? But where?

The four Marauders turned out of the Great Hall and started wandering around finding the kitchens. They climbed up and down the staircases and talked to some paintings to ask for the directions.

"I can't make it already," James said, as he held up his hand to support himself on a painting. "Aaaahhh!" James fell into the portrait. Where am I?

"What's going on?" Sirius rushed over to see the room they entered. A large group of house-elves was rushing around the room. Woah. Where are we?

"Woah, there's a lot of house-elves!" Remus exclaimed as about ten house-elves rushed towards them. Don't tell me this is the kitchen.

"Can we help you, Mister?" one house elf asked them.

"We're looking for the kitchen, any idea where it is?" James asked, feeling very weak after two hours of finding the kitchen. I hope this is the kitchen. House-elves work in the kitchen, right?

"Here is the kitchen, Mister," another house elf replied.

"HERE?" James exclaimed excitedly, using up his last ounce of strength. I can't believe our luck.

"We're starving, do you mind if you get us some leftover food?" Remus asked them; since James, Sirius and Peter looked totally feeble to do anything. I hope it's nice.

"Mister, what would you like to eat?" a house elf asked.

"Anything will do. We're starving!" James said halfheartedly, sitting down on the entrance of the kitchen after the portrait closed. I'm starved.

"Here's some pasta, Misters." Four house elves carried four steaming plate of delicious looking creamy chicken linguine.

"Terrific!"

"Yummy!"

"Fantastic!"

"Superb!"

"Can I have another helping of some other food please?" James asked politely. He was the first to empty his plate. He started eating a plate of beef lasagna greedily as soon as it was served.

"Me too."

"Me three."

"Me four."

"Do you have any more food? The pasta was kinda filling," James requested after he finished his second helping of lunch.

"How about some chocolate ice cream, Mister?" a house elf suggested.

"Brilliant!" James smiled at the house elf. A few house elves hurried towards the inner part of the kitchen and brought four large bowls of chocolate ice cream. He started digging the semisolid ice cream greedily.

"Scrumptious!"

"Great!"

"Mmmm!"

"Thank you very much for all your help," James said as he stood up from the place he had been sitting. New discovery. We'll never starve from now onwards.

"No problem, sir," the house elves replied.

"Can we come back here again?" Sirius asked, looking around at the faces of the house elves surrounding them. I like this place instantly.

"You're welcome to come anytime you want, sir," a house elf replied.

"How do we get here anyway?" Remus asked. They were rather bewildered how they managed to get into the kitchen so unexpectedly. Someone should design a Hogwarts map.

"We're directly below the Great Hall actually. The password is to tickle the pear on the portrait of fruit bowl outside, sir," the same house elf replied.

"Don't keep calling us 'sir' ok? I'm James, he's Sirius, that's Remus and Peter over there," James said as he pointed at the guys while introducing them to the house elves.

"Hi James, I is Scooby, the head of the house elves here," the house elf introduced himself to the guys and bowed politely.

The four guys returned the bow.

"Hi Scooby, thank you for everything," James replied politely, smiling, walking out of the portrait. Scooby is cute. Reminds me of Dobbie at home.

"Do come back often, we seldom have students visitors, James," Scooby replied politely.

"We'll be back for more food! Don't worry!" Sirius exclaimed, excited at the discovery. He walked out of the portrait with Peter who was looking at the house elves strangely.

"You're welcome to be here anytime. Just tell us what you want to eat and we'll prepare them for you instantly, Sirius," Scooby replied.

"Thank you very much all of you," Remus said gratefully as he walked out of the portrait door.

"Wow. We found unlimited food supply," James said in an elated voice to the rest of the food-filled Marauders as they slowly made their way back to Gryffindor Tower.

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"Wow! I'm so jealous!" Lily exclaimed excitedly.

"They looked powerful!" Arabella commented eagerly.

"Wait till I get into the team," Stefanie grumbled sourly.

"Thunderbolts are the best broom in the world!" James boasted. The three guys had sent news to their parents that they had gotten into the house Quidditch team after the Quidditch tryout the day before. They had gotten a new broomstick on the next day.

"It has an acceleration of zero to twenty kilometers an hour in ten seconds!" Sirius added. The three guys had just received their new broomsticks. Since it was Sunday, the owls had delivered the broomsticks directly to their dormitory. The guys had gotten the three girls over to their dormitory to admire their new racing brooms.

"Let's go and test them," James instructed and mounted his broom. The septet left the third-year boys' dormitory via the window. James, Sirius, and Remus were using their Thunderbolts while the girls were using their own Nimbus 1500. Peter was using James's old broomstick.

They flew over the Quidditch pitch, above the Forbidden Forest and around the castle turrets. They were enjoying themselves tremendously in the air on a breezy Sunday afternoon.

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