Of Cauldrons and Comrades by LuthAn
We all know how this tale ends, but how does it begin? Did Lily hate James from Day One? Did James fall head over heels the moment he first laid eyes on Lily? How did Remus feel about the whole thing? Who let Peter slip through the cracks? And what exactly happens when Sirius gets hold of some Time-Release Dungbombs?
The Marauders' years at Hogwarts were marked by internal demons, external tensions, and whispers from the shadows growing steadily louder. By intertwining lives in the midst of danger. By powerful love and a whole lot of laughter. This is their story, a tale of cauldrons and comrades.
Ratings: 3rd-5th Years [ - ]
Category: Marauder Era
Characters: None
Warnings: Book 7 Disregarded
Challenge:
Serie: None
Chapters: 22 Completed?: No
Wordcount: 82937 Viewcount: 73128
Published on: 08/14/06 Updated On: 06/11/08
1. Prologue by LuthAn [ - ] (641 words)
Special thanks to my wonderful betas, Heather and Nielawen.
2. Chapter One: Beginnings by LuthAn [ - ] (5995 words)
And so it all begins! This story was planned well in advance of Deathly Hallows and, like most Marauders stories, now does not line up perfectly with the new canon revealed in Book 7. Parts of my story fit in quite nicely with it all, and parts will have to be modified. It's not severe enough to become an AU, but bear in mind that some of the story will now be "Book Seven Disregarded," though there will be plenty of Book Seven spoilers, especially in later chapters. Any questions, please let me know. Thanks to my wonderful betas Heather and Nielawen, and enjoy!!
3. Chapter Two: New Friends, Old Foes by LuthAn [ - ] (9058 words)
Hello, hello! This chapter is incredibly long (for me, at least), but I could find no good place to break it, so feel free to take it in chunks if you like. :) Also, I know that the Black Family Tree gives Mr. & Mrs. Potter and Mr. & Mrs. Black different names than I have, but I named them before it was published, and, well... I guess I'm a little attached. So do forgive me!
Oodles and oodles of thanks to betas Heather and Nielawen. Enjoy!!!
4. Chapter Three: Barriers by LuthAn [ - ] (3426 words)
Hello, hello! This chapter is a bit of a transition chapter, but also contains some *very* important information, so read and enjoy! The Hogwarts Express is carrying our old friends to their very first year at school, but where is Remus? Why is Lily dreaming about James? And who is that snooty boy with the long, blond hair? Read on and find out!
As always, heaps and heaps of thanks to Heather and Nielawen for their excellent beta-ing job. Happy reading!
5. Chapter Four: All Sorted Out by LuthAn [ - ] (4972 words)
Author’s Note: Once again, shout out to my betas: Heather and Nielawen, you are the best. I do hope you enjoy this chapter. I did write the Sorting Hat song, so don’t frantically re-read all the books because you don’t recognize it. :) Of course the character traits, meter, and form are all JKR’s—for that, I must give huge props!
6. Chapter Five: Introductions by LuthAn [ - ] (4200 words)
Hello, hello, dear readers! Welcome to Chapter Five, wherein we formally meet our main cast of characters, and a few hijinks ensue. As always, heaps of thanks to my super-duper betas, Heather and Nielawen. Enjoy!
7. Chapter Six: Class Acts by LuthAn [ - ] (3977 words)
Hello, hello, dear readers! Welcome to the first day of classes at Hogwarts. I think it is safe to say that none of our own first days compare to the stuff witches and wizards go through, so enjoy! As always, mega thanks to Heather and Nielawen.
8. Chapter Seven: Snapshots of a Year by LuthAn [ - ] (3117 words)
Hello, hello, dear readers! Welcome to Chapter Seven, where I introduce the first of two special features in this story. Each year that the kiddos are in Hogwarts, there will be one chapter called "Snapshots of a Year," which is pretty much exactly as it sounds: little snippets and scenes that move time forward and give you brief glimpses into their lives. So instead of dragging the story on and on and on, we go from November to April in 3000 words! Pretty nifty from an author's point of view. :)
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this little glimpse, and if you don't, well, a regular chapter is just around the bend. Thanks to the betas, naturally. Happy reading!
9. Chapter Eight: Found and Farewell by LuthAn [ - ] (3153 words)
Hello, hello, dear readers! We return for another installment in the saga. In this chapter, first year at Hogwarts in drawing to a close, bringing with it final exams, a few reflections, and even a secret passage! Stay tuned for another very special chapter coming up next, and happy reading!
10. Interlude One: March 21, 1975 by LuthAn [ - ] (557 words)
Hello, hello, dear readers. I'd like to take a moment to explain to everyone how this story will work, because this chapter is a bit different. At the conclusion of each school year that the gang goes through there will be an interlude. In the last chapter (chap. 8), we saw Lily and Remus and co. packing up to go home. Rather than transition straight into year two, we're going to jump forward in time to 1975. Don't worry; we'll return to 1972 in the next chapter. But the interludes are just a way to keep things in perspective for you. They will always be from Dumbledore's perspective, they will always be short, and they will always deal with Voldemort and his goings-on. So enjoy this little glimpse into the menace that is Voldemort, and we'll return you to your regularly scheduled Marauders in just a moment. As always, thanks to Heather and Nielawen for their super-duper beta skills. Happy reading!
11. Chapter Nine: Counting Down and Winding Up by LuthAn [ - ] (2925 words)
Hello, hello, dear readers! Welcome to summer 1972, when everyone is just itching to get back to Hogwarts!! A few preemptive notes: Yes, I know James does not play Seeker in the books. Just trust me on this one. :) I also know that I have the parents' names wrong. I started writing before the Black Family Tree was released, unfortunately, so do try to forgive me! Thanks as always to my betas and my readers/reviewers, and happy reading!
12. Chapter Ten: Quaffles and Questions by LuthAn [ - ] (3093 words)
Hello hello, dear readers! Welcome to Chapter Ten, where suspicion starts to heat up and you can finally believe me when I say I know James wasn't Seeker! :) Thanks to my fabulous beta Nielawen. If you read, I'd love to hear what you thought, so feel free to leave a review, or email/IM me. Happy reading!
13. Chapter Eleven: Whomping Willow Whacking by LuthAn [ - ] (3884 words)
Hello, hello, dear readers! Sorry for the extended pause between chapters--final exams are no fun. But now, welcome to Chapter 11, where things really start to get interesting for Mr. Lupin. Keep your eyes peeled for the cameo by the infamous Davey Gudgeon, and wonder with Remus about how much longer his secret will last. The chips are beginning to fall... Obligatory beta shout-out: Nielawen rocks! Happy reading!
14. Chapter Twelve: Confessions of a Pre-Teen Werewolf [Part One] by LuthAn [ - ] (4321 words)
Hello, hello, dear readers! Welcome to *the* moment, the moment that Remus's secret finally comes out. Well, that will actually be in Part Two, but we're getting quite close now. Sorry again for the extended delay; I've been having a lot of fun entering Challenges over at the Beta Boards! But I'll give you this chapter now with the promise of Part Two following very soon. Thanks, as always, to Nielawen. Happy reading!
15. Chapter Twelve: Confessions of a Pre-Teen Werewolf [Part Two] by LuthAn [ - ] (3498 words)
Hello, hello, dear readers! Wow. I can't believe that it has almost been a month. All my professors here at school must have gotten together to come up with a sinister plan to keep me busy for the entire month of March... But I'm free (for a bit) now, so here you go! The second half of Remus's Confession. Thanks to super-beta Nielawen, and happy reading!
16. Chapter Thirteen: Snapshots of a Year by LuthAn [ - ] (4316 words)
Hello, hello, dear readers! Time for another "snapshots" chapter to move the action forward a bit. Witness some birthdays, some flirting (!), and one more confession. The bit about the Cannons' motto is from "Quidditch Through the Ages"--one of my favorite bits. Thanks, as always, to Nielawen for the beta!
17. Chapter Fourteen: Another Year Gone by LuthAn [ - ] (3288 words)
Hello, hello, dear readers! I have finally been released from the tyranny of exams period at school. It's summer now, and I'm working nine to five. You know what I do with the rest of the hours in my day? 1) Think about those blissful weeks of Harry Potter goodness in July and 2) WRITE! So, to prove the fruits of my labor, here is another chapter of OCAC, chock full of random bits of story. Thanks, as forever and always, to my beta Nielawen. Enjoy!
18. Interlude Two: October 15, 1975 by LuthAn [ - ] (880 words)
Hello, hello dear readers. Oy. This is one for the record books. This interlude was supposed to be posted between chapters 14 and 15, but I must have just completely forgot. Anyway, it's not critical at this moment in time, but I'm putting the finishing touches on Chapter 18 now, so I figured I would put this in the queue and just get the story squared away. As a reminder, Interludes come in between school years and are always from Dumbledore's POV. We're flashing forward to 1975 now, but when we get back to our regularly-scheduled chapters, we'll still be in third year (1973-74). Hope it's not too confusing. Chapter 18 is coming soon! Enjoy!
19. Chapter Fifteen: Conversation and Contemplation by LuthAn [ - ] (3449 words)
Hello, hello, dear readers! I bring you another installment in the Tale of the Young Marauders (and Lily). This will probably be the last chapter before the release of that little book we're all SO eagerly anticipating. If major revelations are made about the Marauders and/or Lily in Book 7, I'll probably have to alter the story a bit, but hopefully what I have planned for these guys isn't too far off what JKR has cooked up for them. I can't WAIT for Deathly Hallows! Thanks, as always, to lovely Nielawen for the beta. Enjoy the story and--more importantly--enjoy Book 7!
20. Chapter Sixteen: Curses and a Cloak by LuthAn [ - ] (4510 words)
Hello hello, dear readers! Apologies for the extended pause between chapters--I had to digest Deathly Hallows! And what a digestion it was. I had always planned to make Lily and Snape friends (or at least acquaintances), but I've had to speed up the timeline just a bit. It's still not totally canon-compliant (hence the Book 7 Disregarded warning), but it's as close as I can get for now! As always, thanks to Nielawen for beta reading. Enjoy!
21. Chapter Seventeen: Yes and No by LuthAn [ - ] (5036 words)
Hello hello, dear readers! This chapter explores that greatest of all things: young love. It has been written for so long, but in need of tweaks that were not able to be twuck until very recently, so I apologize for the pause between updates, and I assure you the next chapter is already germinating. Enjoy!
22. Chapter Eighteen: Skirmishes by LuthAn [ - ] (4641 words)
Author’s Note: I realized that I forgot to post the second interlude, which goes between Chapters 14 and 15. It’s up now, though. If you haven’t read that yet, it’s not totally crucial at this moment in time, but it might be nice to go give it a glance. In the meantime, enjoy Chapter Eighteen! I apologize at the criminal amount of time that has passed between updates, but life just keeps throwing me lemons. Enjoy!