"Voldemort is growing," said James seriously, as the Marauders bent over the Daily Prophet. It had been reporting Muggle deaths every other day.

"Why aren't people stopping him?" asked Remus.

"They're trying to," said Gideon in a low voice, joining them. "My dad said that Dumbledore has started a resistance group, called the Order of the Phoenix. They will fight against Voldemort and his followers."

"His followers?"

"Of course," said Gideon. "People who call themselves Death Eaters. His right hand men to kill people. Voldemort rarely ventures out to kill. He's the mastermind."

They were silent.

"I mean to join the Order of the Phoenix once I pass out next year," said Gideon.

"Really?" asked Sirius. "They'll let you join?"

"'Course. Everyone above seventeen'll be allowed to join. There are so few people anyway."

"We'll join too, when we come of age," said James. "I bet my dad is part of it."

"He is," said Fabian, who had come up to join his brother.

"Plenty of the Slytherins' parents are Death Eaters. And look at those gits like Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Black and the Lestrange brothers. They're just dying to join up," said Gideon.

When the Prewett brothers went away, Sirius turned to James.

"Do you think they'll let me join?"

"Why wouldn't they?" asked James, frowning.

"Look, my cousins are all going to be Death Eaters."

"But you are not," said Remus indignantly. "Of course they'll let you join...we'll all join the Order of the Phoenix."

--------------------

Gryffindor's second match of the season, versus Hufflepuff, was over within twenty minutes as Emily caught the Snitch very fast.

But even in those twenty minutes, James scored five goals, and he was the only one from either side who scored.

James Potter was slowly becoming a celebrity in Gryffindor. Apart from his spectacular Quidditch performances, the Marauders were the most amusing, mischievous and easy-going people in the school. James and Sirius were bold, daring, and good looking. They were undoubtedly the most popular boys in the school.

--------------------

"Peter," said Sirius in the dorm one day. "Can't you hurry up and get to know your animal?"

"I'm trying," sighed Peter.

"Well, try now for some time," said James.

Peter closed his eyes and sat quietly.

He worshipped James and Sirius and Remus. He liked them to protect him. He was glad that they let him tag along with them.

"A RAT—" yelled Peter suddenly. "Or a mouse?"

"You saw it?" demanded James and Sirius.

"Yeah, I did—it looked just like a rat or a mouse."

"A rat or a mouse?" said Remus drily.

"Well, think of it again!" said James impatiently.

Peter did.

And again. "I think it was a rat—no, a mouse—I think..."

"Idiot," muttered Sirius. "Well, keep on trying. We'll wait patiently."