The beginning of a new era at Hogwarts: the first year of the Marauders.
When James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew arrive at Hogwarts, none of them are prepared for what awaits them in their first year. For each of them, this...
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Summer, July 1971
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The shrill cries of Walburga echoed through every corner of Number 12, Grimmauld Place, making even the portraits on the staircase stir uneasily in their frames.
"Traitor! Shame of the lineage!" she bellowed, not pausing for breath. Every word seemed like a curse hurled into the air. "This is a disgrace! Our blood, sullied! An insult to the Black family!"
Kreacher, their old and loyal house-elf, shrank at every shout behind her, muttering in despair under his breath.
"Oh, my poor mistress! She does not deserve this for the noble House of Black!" he whimpered, wringing his hands.
Orion, standing beside her, sighed impatiently.
"For Morgana's sake, Walburga, calm down," he urged, his tired voice betraying that he didn't really expect her to listen. He had seen his wife lose her temper before, but this time he knew it was different.
Walburga was clutching a crumpled letter in her hand so tightly it seemed on the verge of tearing. She thrust it towards her husband with trembling fingers, as if the parchment burned her skin. Orion took it without haste, though his brow furrowed deeply as he began to read. As his eyes scanned the lines, his face flushed red with indignation.
"This is unacceptable," he growled, clenching his jaw. "We must go speak with your brother."
Walburga nodded automatically, her lips pressed into a thin line.
"Oh yes, and we had better do so," she muttered, her voice quivering with rage. "I won't allow this family to sink into the mud because of someone else's stupidity!"
From the landing above, Sirius leaned over the banister, observing in silence. It wasn't often that Walburga lost her composure like that. His mother never cried. Ever. Not even when Grandmother had passed away. And yet, there she was, falling apart, her eyes red, and fury flickering through her tears. Could it be because he would soon leave for Hogwarts? Did his future absence affect her? He dismissed the thought as quickly as it had come. No... that seemed more like the reason behind her good mood these past weeks.
