The Marauders

The clearest four-ness about the Potterverse is the quartet of boys who set the story rolling way back before it was a story. I wrote a long and detailed version of James Potter's story once upon a time, so I thought a great deal about these four young men.

by Tina Linn at Deviant Art

James

I see James at the centerpiece of this foursome... not necessarily the 'most popular' (that may very well have been Sirius) but James was the one everyone wanted for a best friend. He was the people person Sirius could charm with his looks, which everyone wants to rub up against, but James was more trust-worthy, more leaderly.

This is not to say James doesn't have flaws—he does. Loads of them. I think when he's young he is a bit oblivious... He's not mean spirited, but he is more intent on fun and less intent paying attention to the repercussions.



Sirius

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I've said this a thousand times and argued it up and down with people who see it otherwise, but Sirius grew up in a messed up house, too short on love, too wealthy and too good looking. I think Sirius felt very strong affection for James—the only true relationship he ever had until Harry. I think he tolerated Remus because James liked him and he knew being friends with a werewolf would drive his parents bonkers, and he teased, poked and prodded at Peter until Peter betrayed his friends.

I think Sirius was popular with the girls and used them happily, but his heart was safely locked in a cold black box. The girls were about sex. So when James' obsession with Lily came about, Sirius didn't get it... certainly didn't endorse it, probably tried to sabotage it a number of times. I am sure they made peace eventually, but I think that had more to do with Sirius realizing he'd lose James if he didn't learn to make nice than anything else.

Sirius always fought the dark arts and for the good side, but I see this as rebellion against the family he hated. Look at how he thought of Regulus, when in reality, Regulus died trying to undermine Voldemort... how much better for both of them if they could have reached out to each other. But that is not the Black Family Way.

Source Leaky Lounge

Remus

Oh, I love Remus. In fact honestly, he is the ONLY marauder I really love. I mean I love the others as a story... but Remus is the only one I think is through and through a good person. I have always thought Lily had a deep crush on him, but because of his condition, he pushed her away. I think maybe Remus pushed her toward James... helped James win her... because he trusted James to love her and make her happy.

Were all of Remus' behaviors admirable? Not so much. I see him as SO GRATEFUL to just have friends, to be a part of things, that he stood by and allowed the bullying generally, and of Snape specifically.

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Peter

And this poor kid... I feel sorry for the young one... the Peter who Sirius says will wet himself if James doesn't stop playing with the snitch... the round lump of a boy, probably teased for eating all the time... for being a bit of a perv... (that is where I see this rat thing coming from... a guy who likes to sneak unnoticed into the girls' dormitories). I think James and Remus were nice to him but Sirius bullied him, though I recognize my biases in that... still, doesn't that feed into why he'd frame Sirius... how he'd end up feeding info to the Death Eaters?


So that's my assessment on that foursome... If you've like a more convincing version of this argument, I invite you to read Awakening, A James Potter Redemption Story.