The marauders. They weren't bad guys per se. Just some mischievous boys who wanted a little fun in their lives. And how did they get that fun? Well by pranking people of course.

James Potter, the leader, nicknamed Prongs. . Sirius Black, the charmer, nicknamed Padfoot. Peter Pettigrew, the follower, nicknamed Wormtail. And Remus Lupin, the mother hen, nicknamed Moony.

It all started on September first. On a train. Heading to a magic school. That was where the four boys met.

---

Lily Evans and her friend Severus Snape had just left the compartment, indignant. That left just two boys. One going by the name of James Potter, and the other going by the name, not by choice of course; Sirius Black.

Sirius just couldn't get over the fact that the greasy-haired boy wanted to be in Slytherin. Actually wanted it.

"But seriously. How could he? How could he actually want to be in Slytherin? It's not right, the boy isn't right in the head. He's not in his right state of mind. Nobody by choice wants to be put in that house. Nobody," Sirius insisted earnestly.

James who had been previously staring intently at the compartment door, turned his gaze back to Sirius. "Snivellus obviously wants to be, who are we to judge?" After he finished his sentence, he roared with laughter. "Blimey, you have to be right! He's mental."

"Yes," Sirius smiled lightheartedly at his new found friend. "Yes, it would be appear so."

Just then the compartment door opened yet again. James half expected to see the girl and her own friend Snivellus walk back in. He was wrong, he was ashamed to say. Instead, there stood two more boys. They were young, like he was. Most likely first years.

One boy was fidgeting nervously, standing in the entrance of the compartment, looking anywhere but at the two. The other boy was taller than the first, and he seemed equally as nervous. But he gave James and Sirius a tight smile and began talking in a small voice.

"Er, hello," he nodded at them. "Me and my friend were wondering whether we could sit in here or not. Everywhere else is full, and well, it would mean a lot if you would allow us to sit with you."

Sirius looked them up and down, as did James. They turned to each other, shared a look, and then grinned at the two boys.

"Why of course you may sit here, relax a bit if you want, but there is one thing you need to do first.  You have to buy us each a Chocolate Frog and a Cauldron Cake," Sirius grinned.

"Done," said the shorter boy of the two.

"Excellent then. My name is James," James smiled toothily at the newcomers and gestured for them to sit down. "This bloke over here is Sirius. Tell me, what are your names?"

"I'm Remus Lupin," the taller boy said. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Peter Pettigrew," the other boy squeaked.

There was silence for a few uncomfortable moments, until James' eyes widened and he stuck a finger in the air, smiling brightly.

"Ah!" he exclaimed.

"Your thinking something Jamsie. I want to know," Sirius said.

"Well. I think we're all going to become good friends, I mean why wouldn't we? I don't think any of you could be like Snivellus," James made a noise of disgust, shook his head, and continued. "And I already have plans for my future at Hogwarts. I'm going to be the number one prankster. So maybe, perhaps, if you all agree we could be a group of pranksters. Of course, I'm not saying you have too, but if you turn down my offer, you're first on my list."

"You're brilliant Jamsie!" Sirius grinned broadly, staring at James. "Bloody brilliant!"

"We could call ourselves the marauders," Remus suggested smiling a little, not quite as enthusiastic as Sirius, but still excited.

"What does that mean?" Peter asked. "The marauders?"

"Pete you're an idiot. Luck for you I like idiots. The marauders it is. We need nicknames, code names sort of, but that will have to come later," Sirius grinned. "For now, we plan our first prank."

---

And that was how they became the marauders.