Who We Are

This is my first story on this site and I'd love to know what everyone thinks. Not to much aside from storyline going on in this chapter. It'll get moving once I get past all that.


"He's bloody relentless," Lily grumbled as she left the compartment with Lanie so they could change into their robes away from the prying eyes of the marauders.

"Got to admit there's something undeniably sweet about how devoted he is," Lanie chimed in an engaging voice, the one she always used when defending James.

Lily let out an annoyed growl but didn't argue any further she knew Lanie's opinion about her and James and no matter what Lily said Lanie would never believe that Lily really disliked him that much.

Without exchanging so much as a word the girls changed and ventured back down the train to their compartment. It was unusual for them to be this quiet, normally they'd be chatting up a storm, but Lily was getting increasingly agitated every time Lanie would defend James.

Lily and Lanie had been best friends since second year when Lanie punched a fourth year Slytherin boy square in the nose for called Lily a mudblood, needless to say Lanie wasn't a fan of Slytherin house. Yes she was in Gryffindor with the marauders and Lily, she was rather close to James, they knew each other growing up. Lanie immediately became friends with the other marauders as the group formed (she was considered the only female member).

They fit together well, even if Lily detested their constant pranking she stuck around to hang out with Lanie and Remus. Although they enjoyed a good joke, Lanie and Remus were quite conscious of their studies much like Lily. James and Sirius on the other hand could have cared less and well Peter just fallowed in their footsteps, occasionally venturing off to work with Lanie, Lily and Remus when Jamie and Sirius were being particularly rude to him.

James had been in constant pursuit of Lily since the middle of fifth year much to Lily's protests he constantly made advances on her only to be shot down time after time. Sirius had his rather large fan club of girls to deal with, he loved the attention but found it rather annoying when they wouldn't just bugger off. Lanie dated a Ravenclaw boy for the last half of fifth year and half the summer before she called it off.

It was now the start of their sixth year at Hogwarts and little had changed, well Remus did finally hit that growth spurt he'd been waiting for and was now at a height to match James and Sirius. Lily had gotten a bit taller too, her hair was a bit longer than she usually kept it, the dark auburn color was a bit lighter from the sun but no less beautiful. Lanie hadn't grown much, she was still only 5'6" an inch shorter than Lily, she somehow managed to tame her hair over the summer. It no longer frizzed out but laid perfectly straight, the tips of her dark caramel brown hair ending at the bottom of her shoulder blades.

They returned to find the entrance to their compartment blocked by a poorly (skimpily) dressed blonde and brunette who looked like she'd bought her clothes in the children's department. Of course they were their to make sure Sirius was on the train and say their hello's in hopes of being invited to stay with him. He never humored them, as much as he liked the attention and the occasional snog that they were good for he paid little attention to them.

Lily wasn't waiting for them to take their leave and forced her way between them closely fallowed by Lanie who was nearly tripped by the blonde. Lanie went into defense mode as soon as she regained her balance, this was not the time of encounter that either of the girls wanted to have with her.

"Pardon you, mind keeping you're big feet out of the way," Lanie scoffed as she sat next to Remus, between him and Lily. Peter gave a small snicker, the blonde's feet were in fact a bit big and it seemed to be just the thing to make her confidence falter and her smile to drop a bit as she shifted her gaze from Sirius to Lanie. The brunnett on the other hand ignored her friend's need for defense and gave Sirius a hopeful smile now that she wasn't competing for his attention.

"Not like my fault you're so like clumsy," the blonde retorted. Lanie was actually surprised that the blonde could manage out a whole sentence without saying 'like' at least five times.

"Please don't dignify that with a response because I'm not sure my brain could take what she might say back," James laughed out, imagining much like Lanie that her next come back would be a barrage of 'like's and mild insults. This got a laugh out of Sirius who was rather oblivious to the entire situation seeing as how he ignored the two girls the instant they came threw the door. Realizing they weren't getting anywhere the girls left.

Remus gave a relieved sigh, these sorts of girls always made him nervous, he was never really sure how to handle them. Sure he was best friends with Lanie and Lily but they were nothing like those girls, he was comfortable with them, they could talk about everything. Unlike James and Sirius, the girls would listen to him understandingly, give him advice, keep his secrets, and he felt comfortable telling them private things that the guys would have taunted him about.

Lanie had noticed in first year that Remus was a werewolf because of his monthly disappearances, and to his surprise was extremely excepting like the rest of the marauders. Lily was kept in the dark though, she worried far too much to begin with and this would only send her into over protective motherly mode. So when the marauders went out with Remus during full moons, Lanie would distract Lily to keep her from noticing their absence.

Once the compartment had calmed down a bit and conversation became divided once again, Lanie placed a hand on Remus's shacking one, tonight was a full moon and he was getting jittery. The train would of course arrive in plenty of time for everyone to be safely inside the school before his transformation, Dumbledor had arranged for it. Sirius, James, and Peter seemed relieved to have an actual excuse for skipping out on the sorting, it would be a bit harder for Lanie to explain their absence to Lily.

"So Evans," James spoke up, pulling Lily's attention from her conversation with Peter, "miss me this summer?" He had a hopeful smile, but everyone knew he wouldn't have it long.

"Why yes Potter, I missed you like Snape missed your taunting." Lily seethed, James knew how much she hated him and Sirius taunting Snivellus but would always do it till she caught him. This brought about giggles from Lanie and a small laugh from Remus, Lanie always warned James about taunting Snape the way he did.

"Evans, you're breaking his heart," Sirius said in mock serious tone as he clapped James hard on the back. It was difficult for Sirius to understand how James could claim to love Lily so much when all she did was reject him, it pained him in a way to watch his best mate suffer. But James did it willingly knowing that one day she could give into him and until that day he would keep trying.

"Poor Prongs," Lanie mocked, knowing that James had been expecting to be shot down anyways. This was the first time Sirius had really looked over at Lanie since she'd sat down and he noticed that she was holding Remus's hand. He felt a small pang of jealously, the same jealously he'd felt whenever he saw Lanie with her boyfriend last year.

As far as he knew there was nothing going on between Remus and Lanie but it still bothered him that she was so close to Remus and James but hated him. Yes, Lanie (Lily as well) was one of the only girls that didn't fall prey to his charms, granted she did secretly agree that he was the best looking guy at school. But she couldn't stand his arrogance or his inability to listen to anyone else. James would defend him to her, much like she would defend him to Lily.

James realized that Sirius wasn't going to admit it he liked Lanie, and Lanie hadn't picked up on it nor would she want to. And James was never one to pass up an opportunity to annoy or taunt someone, knowing that he could annoy both Sirius and Remus at the same time he took advantage of Lanie's touching Remus.

"Found yourself a girlfriend Mooney," James teased, looking more for the reaction out of Sirius then Lanie or Remus. And a reaction he got, Sirius immediately glared at him then shot Remus a disgusted look. Poor Remus was extremely confused, not knowing that Sirius was after Lanie.

"Jealous?" Lanie teased back, seeing the look on Sirius's face and making fun of James's inability to win over Lily at the same time. Lily was now paying attention as was Peter.

"Jealous of what, that you two have to resort to one another to get a snog," Sirius scoffed in a hurtful way, the sort of tone he'd use with Snivellus but never his friends. Everyone caught his use of the wrong tone immediately, Remus looked a bit hurt but it just irritated Lanie. But rather than retort and show that he'd gotten to her she did something she knew would irritate him right back.

She shot him a quick smile before turning and lifting a hand to Remus's face, locking eyes with him for a second before slowly bring her lips to meet his. James let off a whistle which was fallowed by several catcalls from Peter, Lily just scoffed ignoring the situation entirely. Remus was a bit shocked at first but didn't hesitate to kiss Lanie back.

They'd kissed before, the marauder's were famous for their games of 'dare', and there had been more than one occasion that they'd found themselves lip locked under other circumstances. They probably weren't in love or anything like that, they'd never really considered it. They were just very comfortable with each other, and possibly a bit to 'friendly' at times. Neither Lanie nor Remus seemed eager to end the kiss, so it continued getting more and more intense as Remus glided his tongue along Lanie's bottom lip.

This was far more than Sirius could bear and he stormed out of the compartment slamming the door hard behind him. Remus finally pulled away, a small coy smile playing on his lips as Lanie smile brightly at him before biting at her bottom lip nervously (an old habit). James was a bit awestruck, not expecting what had unfolded before their eyes to go quite as far as it had, he didn't want Sirius to get hurt, he just wanted to miff him a bit.

"Took that a bit too far maybe?" Lanie mumbled out, Remus's cheeks had flushed red, neither of them really regretted but they were both still in the dark about Sirius's outburst.

"Someone should go after him," Peter commented, all eyes fell on Lanie, why her she didn't know. She and Sirius could barely exchange a few words without fighting, or Sirius saying something incredibly stupid. But with an aggravated sigh she pushed herself up from the bench and made her way out of the compartment. She roamed down the aisle and into the next car down, nearly being knocked off her feet as someone appeared abruptly in front of her.

"Well, well, well, Regulus Black," Lanie remarked as Regulus caught her, keeping her from crashing right into the floor. Regulus was another thing Lanie and Sirius didn't agree on. Sirius hated his younger brother, while Lanie found him oddly charming for a Slytherin, they got on quiet well actually, which only amplified Sirius's hatred of him.

"Long time no see, love," Regulus sat her back on her feet but didn't remove his arm from around her waist, Regulus had an unusual attraction to Lanie. The unusual part being the difference in their houses as well as their circle of friends, but somehow they managed to see each other on occasion and did their best to make the most of it. They stood in the aisle for a bit exchanging small talk about their summers. "And what might I ask brings you to this car of the train?"

This brought Lanie back to her right state of mind, seeing Regulus threw her off completely and she'd forgotten what she'd set of to do. But it came back to her and she grudgingly slipped Regulus's arm off her waist.

"I'm looking for you're brother actually," Lanie stated with a scowl which Regulus returned, knowing that Lanie would much rather stay with him he slipped both his arms around her. He would always do this when he knew that had to go their separate ways, a last feeble attempt to keep her with him. He would whisper cute little things to her, making her laugh or blush, and he'd usual earn a kiss out of it before he had to let her go. They enjoyed these little moments together, but knew that that's all they were, little moments. This time Lanie didn't follow with their usual routine, she just gave him a quick peck on the cheek and slipped out of his arms, leaving him with a disappointed look.

She went the rest of the way down the aisle without looking back and came face to face with Sirius as he entered the end of the car. He gave her a confused look, figuring she'd still be sitting back in their compartment. Before either of them could say anything the train lights went out, causing screams to erupt from a few girls. The train slowed to a stop, Sirius and Lanie both exchanged worried looks, it was hard to see each other but they knew each other's expressions.

If the train didn't get going again they'd be late and arrive after the sun had set, Remus must have been freaking out. But their thoughts were pulled from Remus as more screams erupted from a few cars up towards the head of the train. Sirius grabbed Lanie's hand as they both race up the two cars before they reached their compartment, James was trying to leave to go up another car and investigate the commotion but Lily wouldn't have it.

Sirius pushed a protesting Lanie into the compartment, she didn't want to be left behind, but James slipped out past her and he and Sirius were gone. Remus had grabbed a hold of Lanie to keep her there, and Lily looked about ready to cry. The screams continued for another minute, there was shouting, some hexes must have been thrown. The lights slowly flicked back on as the train started to move again, Remus sighed in relief but was still worried they wouldn't make it in time.

They had all gone back to sitting, Lily was fidgeting nervously still looking like she might cry. James and Sirius had yet to return and the train had been back on course for five minutes. This was starting to bother Lanie as well and if Remus wasn't still holding on to her she'd have taken off after them by now.

As the compartment door slid open Remus finally released Lanie allowing her to nearly tackle James to the floor in a huge hug, he whispered to her about the men in black cloaks, yes Deatheaters. They were recruiting, and it was most appealing to young Slytherins looking to establish their place in the pureblood world, the steady growing power of their 'Dark Lord' were rumored all throughout the wizarding community. Lily's eyes got big, glad to see the boys back in one piece, even if they drove her crazy she'd be heartbroken to see them hurt, and she managed to hear James whisper of Deatheaters making her all the more glad to see them. But man was she angry at them for going off like that, she got up and punched Sirius hard in the arm.

"Sirius Phineas Black, storming off like that," Lily used an extremely angry tone, very uncharacteristic of herself. Lanie had let go of James as Lily started to yell at Sirius, James was next to received a hit from Lily. His was a bit harsher, a loud slap to the face, which took everyone in the compartment by surprise.

"James Orion Potter, don't you dare, ever do anything like that again, who knows what could have happened, you could have been killed, leaving me here to worry about you," she screamed out, tears coming down her face. James still stood in shock, Lanie was tearing up a bit as well, Lily and James were meant to be together. Lily fled from the compartment after realizing what she said and almost instantly wishing she'd have kept her mouth shut. James of course went after her, this could have been the chance he was waiting for.

"Their perfect for each other," Lanie chimed, wiping a tear from her eye, hoping that Lily would finally just give into him so they'd both be happy.

"I hate to say it, but I agree," Sirius said still standing, a little closer to Lanie than he had been before, hoping that maybe she'd express some emotion towards him, hoping that maybe she had been worried about him like Lily was with James. He wasn't that lucky though, she just pushed him, hard, away from her and onto the bench that he'd been sitting on earlier, she took her seat beside Remus.

"She had every right to worry about him though," Peter added, noticing that no one was addressing the 'Deatheater' topic.

"There was nothing that Prongs and I couldn't handle, honestly Wormtail," Sirius scoffed at Peter who still looked a bit frightened by the little incident. Remus remained quiet, silently praying that they'd reach Hogsmeade in time for him to at least get off the train and threw town before he changed.

"Stop worrying Mooney my love," Lanie soothed, taking Remus's hand in hers again. She would refer to the marauders by their nicknames when she was being very serious, was angry, or was being rather affectionate. Lanie had her own nickname as well, but that will be explained later.

Sirius rolled his eyes hearing Lanie use Remus's nickname, she never referred to him with his. She'd call James Prongs frequently and Mooney when she was being lovey towards Remus, even Peter was referred to as Wormtail when she talked sometimes, but Sirius was always 'Black' never Padfoot. It was his fault though, he always found a way to irritate her, even if he wasn't trying.

"If we get close and it doesn't look like we'll make it there in time you'll need to get Lily out of the compartment," Remus was getting more worried by the second.

"If she and Prongs ever come back, maybe he's finally won her over," Lanie said, obviously ignoring Remus's worries. She had a satisfied smile on her face, truly hoping that James might have at least gotten somewhere with Lily. They hadn't really been gone long, ten minutes maybe.