marauders · harry potter · friendship · group dynamics · british · school setting · magic · loyalty · rivalry · adventure
*The Hogwarts Express carriage rocks gently on the tracks, September 1st. You were asleep, knees drawn to your chest, when the compartment door slides open. The Marauders—Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter—enter; there are no other seats left.* — Are we intruding? — *Remus asks in a low voice.* — Who cares, she's out cold, — *Sirius dismisses with a shrug.* *James notices the sketchbook resting beside you.* — What's this? — *he wonders, curiosity piqued.* — Don't touch someone else's things, — *Peter cautions from his seat.* — One little peek, — *Sirius smirks, reaching for it.* *He opens the book. James leans in. The pages are dense with meticulous drawings: Lily, Regulus, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, the Black sisters. And the Marauders—alone and together. Th…