Summary: Inspiration can come from the most unlikely of sources.

A late-night chat with Sirius leads James to confront a hidden insecurity, and may just give him the push he needs to grow up.

Summary: It is April 1976, and Minerva McGonagall sits in her office, arranging biscuits on a plate. She knows she faces a stormy afternoon because today is the day she has to advise her four most troublesome students on their future. They call themselves the Marauders; they think they want the same thing, but Minerva knows that the differences between them will not work in everyone's favour. And so, she steels herself for a very difficult day.

This is Equinox Chick submitting her final for the MWPP class.

Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, but I doubt that shocks you.

This story is very much a prequel to The Lions of Gryffindor, but either can be read without knowledge of the other.

In shock at the nomination for a 2009 QSQ award.