Babysitting the Marauders

[Gabrielle LeCorte]

Chapter 1- Same Old Story

Gabrielle LeCorte didn't have much to complain about in her first eleven years. She lived with her mother and three brothers, when they weren't away at a magical boarding school, that is. She didn't mind much the absence of her brothers or father because she had someone to make up for them. The Potters were as close as her own family. Mr. Potter was a close as a father and their son, James, was as close as another brother and her best friend.

Her mother did as much as she could for her family of five but it wasn't easy for her. When Gabrielle was three months old her father walked out on her mother, leaving his wife with three rowdy boys and an infant to care for. She was nearly driven insane that night while her young baby cried, her six year old son, Maurice. only wanted to see his father, her nine year old son, Antoine, was carrying on because he didn't want his brother to go away to school and the oldest, Emile, was eleven and finally able to go away to school, just when his mother needed him most. He was the only one who really understood what was going on. He helped during the short month he was home but was then forced to abandon his mother for his education.

Fortunately there was a blessing in disguise living right next door to them. They never really talked with the Potters. They were neighbors and were polite but there was never any reason to even be in touch with each other. The Potters had no children until two months before Gabrielle was born. Mrs. LeCorte, or Ms. Desani now, didn't have more than a few days alone with the three young children before the Potter stepped in, even with an infant of their own. Mrs. Potter didn't work so she watched the kids while Ms. Desani worked. Without that family, not only would she be a mess, but Gabrielle might never have found one of her best friend.

James and Gabrielle were a perfect fit from the start. Having spent their infant days together they formed a bond that would only grow as they did. It was fair to say that together they were quite a handful. James always came up with these crazy pranks to pull on people but luckily Gabrielle, though she helped to pull it off, she never was punished for it. Everything was always James' fault.

So when they were finally eleven and going off to Hogwarts reality struck the parents at what terrible damage James could inflict on the old school and the students who attended it. It was then that Gabrielle was given the task of babysitting James. Of course she never knew that by 'keeping an eye' on her best mate would leave her the tedious task of trying to control the infamous group of pranksters that would form only a month into their first year of Hogwarts. When it came around she of course had no option but to except the impossible task and try to keep them out of trouble.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~Seventh Year~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

Fierce amber eyes search the platform angerily for the four boys that had disappeared from her sight the minute their poor, unfortunate parents had walked back through the barrier of platform nine and three quarters. The owner of the unusual eyes had, once again, taken it upon herself to babysit the boys since her mother and, who she considered to be her second mother, had begged her to keep an eye on them.

She finally spotted them. The one who appeared to be the leader was trying to 'talk up' a familiar redhead who looked rather bored with him. When the two girls made eye contact, the redhead begged with those hypnotizing green eyes for help. Rolling her eyes, she jogged over to the group and joined them saying, "James Potter would you leave my poor Lily alone? This is our last year of school. As much as I want you two together, I don't think you begging her to go out with you will help. How about giving her some space?" she had wrapped her arm around the redhead, Lily, as she spoke and gave the boy, James, a threatening look.

James Potter ran a hand through his hair grinning at the two girls. His glasses were slipping slightly down his nose but he pushed they up gently before glancing at the three boys behind him. A chubby, short, blonde boy was laughing so hard he was having some trouble breathing. Standing next to him was a scrawnier looking boy who looked a bit tired with his brown hair falling into his face. He also had some scars that he tried desperately to hide. Through the hint of tiredness and sadness, you could see the humor shining through his eyes as he patted the choking boy on his back. The last boy had to be the most handsome of them and just as much the daring leader as James was. His long wavy hair fell gracefully around his face but didn't hide the dangerous grey eyes that were soft against his tan skin. He was very toned and didn't lack that charming grin that matched that of his best mate who stood at his side grinning at the girls.

"Well if it isn't our little Gabby, defending Ms. Lily Evans once more. Don't you ever get sick of pulling these two off each other? I say we just lock them in a room together and let them work it out without these interruptions and they can get it on! I know you have the hots for James but you gotta just let it go. Let him and Lily be happy without you," the handsome boy said grinning. He stood over six foot which was at least a foot taller than Gabrielle, or Gabby was what they called her. For some reason the two had become best friends. Their personalities were similar but they fought constantly while still remaining best friend. Gabrielle, James and Sirius were the closest out of the group, especially since during the summer they were all together since Sirius moved in with James.

She justed rolled her amber eyes at him. "Very funny Mr. Black. But as you know I have no more than brotherly feelings for Mr. Potter. The same goes for you, Mr. Pettigrew," the mousy blonde boy looked up at the mention of his name, "and Mr. Lupin," the scrawny was the last to look up at her at the mention of his name, "and all of you know it. I would appreciate it if you would dropped the useless jokes because they are not effective," she finished, looking each boy in the eye until they looked away from her.

No one had anything else to say. The only advantage of looking after James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew was that while most of the other girls at Hogwarts struggled just to get a smile from them, she had complete control over them. They obeyed her, most of the time at least. She was the care taker of the infamous Marauders and most girls would kill to fill her shoes.

Most girl that is except, of course, one of her only female friend Lily Evans. She had, though most were unsure why, caught the eye of James and couldn't seem to shake him from her. He had pursued her since halfway through first year when they were introduced by Gabrielle. She, however, never showed any interested in him, actually really the opposite. She had only shown dislike and disgust. Through all the years leading up to this finally year, she had refused his pursuit of just a single date from her but James was not about to give up. He still had one year ahead of him to win the beautiful redhead over who had rejected him countless times.

Gabrielle pushed the wavy dark brown bangs out of her eyes that look rather straight compared to the long curls that fell down her back. She let out a sigh before her petite body shook as the loud whistle blew signaling that the train was getting ready to leave. "Come on. We better hurry or we will miss the train," she said with a look that dared any of the marauders to argue with them.

They all grabbed their bags, James and Sirius showing off by levitating the two girl's trunks, before piling onto the train. They found an empty compartment to sit in. Gabrielle had to beg Lily before she agree to sit with them. They sat in confortable silence as the train lurged into motion, starting the journey of the six friends' seventh and final year at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

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Please Review!
I love to hear what you have to say.
This is my first fan fiction.
I will have the second chapter up soon.

[Gabrielle LeCorte]

Chapter 2- Omens and Ending Arguments

"I still can't get used to those thestral. I mean, its been three years since my grandfather died and i began to see them at the beginning of fourth year but I just can't seem to shake this feelings that hovers over me when I see them. This feeling of death, almost like a reminder," Gabrielle told them as they all piled out of a single carriage in front of the large wooden doors to Hogwarts.

"Way to bring down our mood, Gabby. We were all happy to start our last year of school and you had to bring the omen of death into our conversation," Sirius complained nudging her with his elbow as they walked inside with the rest of the students, excluding the first years of course.

"Last I recalled you are the omen of death, padfoot," Remus countered Sirius, coming to Gabrielle's rescue. He gave her a smile that she didn't catch since he stood on the very edge of their group. She just happened to be facing in towards Sirius and James who dominated the center of the group.

"I think you all need to stop bickering over things that don't even make sense. There is no way that Sirius could actually be the omen of death since that's a dog. Of course you meant metaphorically right, Remmy?" James said to them, jerking his head towards Lily. He hoped that they would interpret it in the way he meant. That she didn't know about Remus's 'furry little problem' nor their illegal animagus forms and wanted to keep it that way for the time being.

Lily rolled her eyes at James and crossed her arms angrily. "There is no reason to be discreet in front of me. Even though you may be too thick to piece simple things together I am not. I've know about Remus' condition since second year and it wasn't hard to figure out that you three are unregistered animagi when you began to sneak off with him at his time of month," she told him with a smug look on her face.

Two jaws dropped open, gaping at the smug girl. These jaws, of course, belonged to James and Sirius. They had stopped in their tracks causing a few people to knock into the group as they all stopped to look at the two boys. Dirty looks were thrown at them as people walked around them and into the Great Hall but they were all ignored. If this news had come only a minute later they would have been sitting at the gryffindor table in the great hall but instead they were standing in the Entrance hall in shock.

"But-" "How did you?" "It is?" "No way" "Who?" "How?" "What?" These were the only words that the two boys could manage to utter at they still looked at the girl in disbelief. They thought that their plan had been flawless and that no one would figure it out. They had underestimated the brilliant girl they claimed to know so well. Gabrielle and Remus shared a look that cleared showed how often they had to deal with this disbelieving look the boys were displaying. They were often surprised by other's knowledge. They thought that no one was able to predict their actions or understand their way of thinking.

Gabrielle grabbed a hold of Sirius and Remus did the same with James and they steered the boys into the Great Hall, sitting them down across from each other at the table. They didn't have more than a minute to settle in before Professor McGonagall shuffled in the fresh batch of frightened first years who would be sorted in front of the school. The boys got over their shock and made Lily take their 'oath' to never tell anyone about the illegal animagus forms or Remus' problem. She followed along until them insisted that she stood and chanted the hogwart's song. Fortunately for her Remus told her that it was unnecessary and that she was trustworthy.

They each dug into their food once it appeared on the table, the boys and Gabrielle all having at least thirds, Sirius continuing on to his sixth helping while James had stopped at fifths. Lily only had one helping and sat in disgust as she watched the inhale plate after plate of food.

_______________GRYFFINDOR COMMON ROOM_________________


Sirius sat sprawled across the couch in front of the fire in the common room, rubbing his stomach. He currently had a stomach ache from inhaling so much food in such a small amount of time. It was true that the Hogwarts food was amazing but it appeared he had missed it a little too much. The rest of the group hurried to get their own seats in the chairs by the fire. Remus took one of the large arm chairs and Lily had no choice but to sit beside James on the 'love seat' because there was no where left to sit.

Peter had taken off as soon as the feast was over to who knew where. They didn't ask questions. This left Gabrielle with no where to sit except on the couch which Sirius managed to stretch out so he covered the whole thing. Gabrielle grinned knowing that there was only one thing that she could do to make him move. She positioned herself so she sat right on top of his stomach. Because of his stomach ache he groaned in pain and surrendered promising to sit up so she would have somewhere to sit once she got up.

Gabrielle stood up and tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for Sirius to sit up. He took his time sitting up slowly and scooting forward slightly only to lay back now as soon as Gabrielle sat down in the small spot he left for her on one end of the couch. She rolled her eyes and wiggled, causing his head to shake back and forth but he didn’t show any sign of moving. She just sighed and looked over to James and Lily who were arguing.

“You could have easily sat down beside Sirius on the couch and it would be better for both Gabs and me. I wouldn’t have to sit by you and Gabs wouldn’t have a huge arrogant head in her lap!” Lily said crossing her arms over her chest as James looked over at her with a satisfied smile on him.

“As much as you want to deny it you will be spending a lot of time with me this year. You’re head girl and I’m head boy so you are obligated to at least go on one date with me, even if it’s a study date. It just so happens that we have all the same classes together as well,” James said. He had been waiting all day to drop that news on her. Unfortunately he chose the wrong time since she was already pretty angry with him.

Lily jumped up from her seat causing Remus to be pulled out of his thoughts and look towards James and Lily. Now all eyes were on them. “James Potter you are unbelievable! Some days I wish I have never met you!” she exclaimed angrily before stomping out of the gryffindor common room towards the head’s dorm. It would have only been common sense not to go to a place that he could so easily access which only made Remus Sirius and Gabrielle exchange a smirk. They knew that Lily wasn’t really trying to get away from him or she would have went up to the seventh year girls dorm room where she would have been welcomed.

James winked to Sirius before running after Lily out of the portrait hole. From in the common room you could hear him shout, “Lily wait! Let’s talk about this!” The three couldn’t resist the laughter at the continual feuding of their two friends.

James and Lily never came back that night and they weren’t sure exactly what had happened. They carried a mellow chatter about upcoming events and their last year of school. Sirius fell asleep around midnight in her lap after Remus had retired to bed. Gabrielle wiggled gently out from under him, placing a pillow under her head. When she went up to her room she quickly undressed in the dark and crawled into bed not wanting to disturb her roommates, glad that the first day back had Hogwarts had been an enjoyable one.

[Ariana Osgood]

I love it, it's nice. Please post more!!