The Marauders Begin (I)

At King's Cross

September 1, 1971

The parents and pupils of Hogwarts begin the annual ritual of meeting at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters to depart on the Hogwarts Express. The King's Cross platform is very crowded as many families are beginning to depart.

EUPHEMIA: Make sure you schedule time to get to your classes early! And remember to write often! And eat fruit and vegetables.

JAMES: I will, Mum.

FLEAMONT: (embraces JAMES) Good luck, son.

Nearby, PETER removes his truck from his mother's trolley.

MRS. PETTIGREW: Study hard, but have some fun as well.

PETER: I will, Mum.

Across the platform, LYALL, HOPE and REMUS enter through the magical barrier.

HOPE: (incredulously) I can't believe this place exists.

LYALL: Welcome to the Hogwarts Express. You ready, son?

REMUS: (with a slight smile) Yep.

HOPE: You came here every year and took this train?

LYALL: Yes indeed. This is where all the Hogwarts students come.

HOPE: But how is it possible-?

LYALL: Magic, my dear. Now, Remus, you behave yourself, all right? No goofing off. You're at Hogwarts to study. And if you see Professor Dumbledore, you be sure to give him a huge thank-you because he's doing you a big favor, allowing you to come this year.

REMUS: I will.

HOPE: And dear, make sure you contact the nurse, Madame Pomfrey, when you get there. She'll be the one looking after you at the full moon.

REMUS: Okay.

HOPE: (hugging REMUS) Be good, all right?

REMUS: Yes, Mum.

LYALL: Write home as much as you can, son. You're going to do just fine.

In the middle of the platform, LILY and PETUNIA begin raising their voices to each other.

LILY: I'm sorry, Tuney, I'm sorry! Listen, maybe once I'm there-

PETUNIA tries to turn away, but LILY grabs her hand.

LILY: No, listen, Tuney! Maybe once I'm there, I'll be able to go to Professor Dumbledore and persuade him to change his mind!

PETUNIA: I don't want to go! You think I want to go to some stupid castle and learn to be a- a freak?

LILY: (letting go of PETUNIA'S hand) I'm not a freak. That's a horrible thing to say.

PETUNIA: (with relish) That's where you're going. A special school for freaks. You and that Snape boy. Weirdos, that's what you two are. It's good you're being separated from normal people. It's for our own safety.

LILY: (looking at her sister for a moment and lowering her voice) You didn't think it was such a freak's school when you wrote to the Headmaster and begged him to take you.

PETUNIA: (angrily) Beg? I didn't beg!

LILY: I saw his reply. It was very kind.

PETUNIA: You shouldn't have read- that was my private- how could you- (She finally sees SEVERUS on the platform with his mother) That boy found it! You and that boy have been sneaking in my room!

LILY: No- not sneaking- Severus saw the envelope, and he couldn't believe that a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that's all! He says there must be wizards working undercover in the postal service who take care of-

PETUNIA: Apparently wizards poke their noses everywhere! Freak!

PETUNIA storms off, and LILY says goodbye to her parents before they chase after her. Without waiting for SEVERUS, LILY boards the train.

Meanwhile, near the rear of the platform, the Black family gathers to say goodbye.

REGULUS: But I want to go, too!

WALBURGA: No, Regulus, it's not your time. You'll go next year.

REGULUS: (turning to SIRIUS) You promise you'll tell me everything?

SIRIUS: I promise. (He and REGULUS hug before WALBURGA leads them towards the train).

ANDROMEDA: Cissy, help me get my trunk on this trolley.

NARCISSA: I thought you can use magic? Just levitate the thing.

ANDROMEDA: I don't want to show off-

BELLATRIX: (hurrying over to them) I need a word with you two. Alone. Now.

ANDROMEDA and NARCISSA share an anxious look before they follow BELLATRIX to an empty corner where they would not be overheard.

BELLATRIX: Now, I know you're curious about what I've asked Lucius to do-

ANDROMEDA: Yeah, what is that about, really?

BELLATRIX: But I need you two to promise me that you'll do everything in your power to assist him.

ANDROMEDA: But why? What is so important about this black market?

BELLATRIX: The market is only the beginning! I cannot explain all of this to you, but you need to understand that finding that cabinet is imperative right now.

ANDROMEDA: Who says?

BELLATRIX gives her a pregnant stare, and realization hits upon ANDROMEDA.

ANDROMEDA: Not- not Vol-

BELLATRIX: (hissing) Don't say the name here! (She looks over her shoulder) Just promise me. You'll help Lucius.

NARCISSA: We promise, Bella. Don't we, Andromeda?

ANDROMEDA: (staring at her sister) This is beyond me.

BELLATRIX: This is beyond all of us! Believe me, if I had a better way, I wouldn't be asking you this. But you must, Andromeda. Our entire family's well-being may depend on it.

ANDROMEDA: (after a pause) Fine. I promise.

BELLATRIX: Good. Now get on that train. And hurry! I'll be in touch.

ANDROMEDA and NARCISSA lug their trunks to the Hogwarts Express just as LUCIUS catches up with them, and they all begin to board the train just as it begins to leave the station.