Chapter Text
Harry was late for the first day of his sophomore year.
He had just returned from his grandparents' house in London, where he had spent the last two weeks of summer vacation. All of his school supplies were at home, but at least he had packed a school uniform in anticipation of this moment. Harry was crouched in the back of his father's car, looking for a pen or pencil under the seats. He had already found an old notebook in which his mother wrote song lyrics or shopping lists and knew there was a pen somewhere in there. His mother, Lily, never left the house without a notebook and a pen, so she had both items scattered everywhere. Harry knew that if she was there with them, she would have a whole kit of school supplies to give him, but unfortunately she had to stay in London to finish the signing tour for her latest best-seller, which led to Harry having his face buried under the driver's seat at that exact moment.
"Harry, I think it would be okay for you to skip class today, you already missed all your classes before break," his father said, trying to see what Harry was doing in the rear view mirror.
James drove through the crowded streets of Los Angeles with enviable ease, Harry would much rather take the bus.
"If you're worried about getting scolded by your mother, I can explain to her that our flight was delayed," his father continued.
"It's not because of mom that he doesn't want to skip" Helena, his younger sister, answered for him. She was in the front seat, typing furiously on her cell phone, blowing strands of hair out of her face from time to time instead of simply tying it up. Her red hair was the same shade as their mother's, but it was just as messy as their father's.
"And what would be another reason for such despair?" James questioned, but continued on his way towards the school. Harry found the pen, finally.
"I knew there was a pen around here!" Harry exclaimed, sitting down again and putting the pen in his blazer pocket. He turned his attention to his father. "Today Professor Lovegood is going to tell us what the final project for my journalism class will be. This project is what I need for my college application to be complete and it will be interdisciplinary, with students from Professor Goldstein's film course. Hermione is sure we'll have to make a documentary, but we don't know what it should be about or how we should make it."
"Couldn't Ron or Hermione pass the topic on to you later?" James asked. Before Harry could answer, Helena answered for him.
"And how will Harry achieve his dream of getting into the prestigious USC if he skips class? Did you know it has the second best journalism course in the world, Dad?" Helena asked ironically. James looked at her reproachfully and ignored her question.
"I wanna be there dad, I've waited a long time for this day." Harry explained, after his sister finished mocking his dreams. James sighed.
"At your age I would love an excuse not to go to class, you kids these days are so weird." James shrugged. "And you Helena, are you going to school too?"
"Definitely not, I need a shower and 12 hours of sleep in a comfortable bed instead of hard chairs and plane seats" Helena replied, without taking her eyes off the phone screen.
As soon as James parked the car, Harry jumped out.
"Thanks dad! I'll ride back with Ron!" Harry shouted, running towards the school. As he quickly passed through the corridors, he thanked all the gods for not being stopped by anyone. He entered the classroom without even knocking, Professor Lovegood was sitting at his desk tapping the projector remote while talking non-stop, but he stopped when Harry opened the door.
"Mr. Potter! You're just in time to hear the explanation about our big project this year," the teacher said smiling as he tapped the remote lightly on the table. “I just let the class know that unfortunately Professor Goldstein won't be able to join us today, but I'll give you all the information about the project, I just need to find out why I can't turn on this projector.”
Xenophilius Lovegood rarely held his students accountable to school rules, he was eccentric, dressed like a Woodstock hippie and acted like one. Many wondered how he managed to keep his job at one of the most prestigious schools in LA, but no one could deny that he was a great professional. Harry sat down next to Hermione and began looking for a white sheet of paper in his mother's notebook. The teacher continued telling some story from his youth to the class while turning on the projector.
"I didn't think you'd make it in time," Hermione whispered. "It's a good thing the professor is a bit slow, he hasn't even started talking about the project yet."
Harry smiled in relief, but before he could answer, a polaroid photo fell out of the notebook into his hands. Hermione took the photo and the two looked at it together. There were five people in it: his parents, his godparents and him when he was a baby. James seemed to be tickling Lily's ribs as she was laughing with her eyes closed. Beside her were his godparents, Sirius and Remus. Sirius was holding Harry in his arms, the baby didn't look more than a year old, Remus was tickling Harry's belly and he was laughing just like his mother. With the other arm, he hugged Sirius' shoulders, who watched Remus with a loose smile on his face. On the white part of the photo, his mother had written 'New Year, 2018. We are nominated for 10 Grammy categories!'
Hermione smiled and placed the photo on top of Lily's notebook. Harry ran his finger over his mother's handwriting.
"I've never seen this photo before," he said quietly, wondering how many other Polaroids his mother had taken at that time.
Lily Evans loved documenting all the important events in her life by taking polaroid photos, but Harry saw very few from the band's time. Harry's parents, as well as his godparents, were part of The Marauders, a rock band that was very successful in the 2010s. They went on hiatus in 2019 and are still doing so today. James loves to talk about his glory days, but never goes into details, especially about the end of the band, which was always a subject that neither Harry nor Helena dared to discuss with their family. Everything that happened is on the internet, but Harry would like to know the version from the “official sources.”
Before Harry could think too much about it, the professor stood up and rubbed his hands. Hermione nudged Harry, who turned his attention to the professor.
"Well, without further ado, for this year's project I want you to plan and record a biographical documentary about a public figure of your choice" the teacher pointed to the screen. "The work can be done in groups of a maximum of five people and a minimum of two, you have until May to present it in class. It's the perfect time for you to include the project in your university applications or submit it to movie festivals."
Glenda Lockhart raised her hand to ask a question, however, before she could even speak the teacher interrupted her.
"No, Miss Lockhart, the documentary cannot be an autobiography. And I advise you not to make it about your father either, since his career was consolidated in plagiarized books" the professor replied, with a wry smile.
Harry looked again at the photo in his mother's notebook and raised one of his hands.
"Yes, Mr. Potter?"
"Could the project be about someone in our family?" Harry asked. He heard Ron whisper something that sounded like 'please say no'.
"Of course, Mr. Potter! It's even better if you do it with people you know, that way there's less work in getting good stories and less bureaucracy with copyright" replied the professor with a wink and an expression of someone who knows exactly what Harry is planning. "I hope that this semester you dedicate yourselves to the fullest and do not spare any efforts or resources, as I know that most of you have the resources. This is the most complex and most important project of your school careers", Professor Lovegood made a dramatic pause. "I will leave the rest of the class for you to organize yourselves and form groups. Next week I want a complete plan for your project. I will be available for any questions and the instructions are on the screen."
Harry immediately turned to Hermione, who was writing the following sentences in her notebook:
Biographical documentary
Deadline: end of May
Theme: The Marauders
She smiled at him, their synchronicity was something that always surprised Harry. Hermione and Ron had been his best friends since the beginning of high school and, like him, they had big dreams for the future involving the film industry. Hermione liked being behind the camera coordinating everything, she studied both journalism and cinema. Rony loved the special effects and editing part, he only took the cinema course. Harry, on the other hand, preferred to be in front of the cameras, telling big news or true stories. His mother often says that he not only had a similar appearance to his father, but also his charisma and ease with the public, which was essential for the career he wants to pursue. Hermione gestured for Ron to join them to begin planning.
"I hope your plan isn't to make it about The Weasleys. Or I'll be forced to change groups" Ron said and collapsed into one of the chairs. Hermione laughed and rolled her eyes.
Ron was the son of Molly and Arthur Weasley, two of the five members of the famous disco pop band mentioned by him. His uncles, Bilius, Gideon and Fabian are also part of the band. Their trademark is their red hair and visual identity full of warm colors. Ron hated being associated with the band, even though he couldn't escape it because of his last name. He always believed that his parents' brilliance would never allow his career to advance as he would have liked, that he would never achieve anything on his own. Harry often felt the same way, but definitely not like Ron, who was the youngest child of five brothers, all involved in the film or music industry in some way. As much as he was afraid of being overshadowed by his parents' brilliance, Harry admired them greatly and always wanted to know more about how they achieved stardom.
"Actually, we were thinking about making it about the Marauders," Harry replied.
Ron raised his eyebrows.
"Do you think your parents would talk about the band?" he asked. Harry didn't answer, exchanging looks with Hermione. "Do you think Sirius would talk about the band?"
"Well, I know my dad would definitely accept the invitation," Harry said. "Probably Uncle Remus too, although I'm not sure, and Aunt Marls would love to talk about it. It's just an idea, I'll talk to my dad tonight and see what he thinks about it."
"If it doesn't work, we could do it about The Deathly Hallows," Hermione said with an innocent smile. Harry smiled back and this time it was Ron who rolled his eyes.
"The entire soundtrack for our project last semester was made up only of their songs, I'm already tired of listening to Black Sheep so much" complained Ron.
"At least it wouldn't be about The Weasleys," Hermione replied, holding her necklace with the Deathly Hallows symbol, characteristic of her favorite rock band, protectively.
The two continued arguing as Harry began to make a list of all the important people to be interviewed. He knew it was an ambitious project, but he was willing to do his best.
***
It was half past 7pm when Harry got home. After class, Ron and Hermione wanted to stop by a café to catch up, even though they've talked every day during vacation. Before he even reached the stairs, James appeared in the kitchen doorway, wearing a "kiss the cook" apron and stirring something in a pot with a wooden spoon.
"Harry! I was about to call the police, thought you were kidnapped!" James joked. "How was the first day?"
"It was great, I'm just a little tired," Harry replied with a small smile.
James made a movement with his hand telling Harry to go to the kitchen, he followed his father and sat on the counter, watching him add various spices to a pan. Harry didn't know how to bring up the subject of the project, as much as James loved talking about the band, Harry was afraid of a negative reaction to his idea. Would talking about the past make his father upset? Could he have been stirring a hornet's nest?
"Dad," Harry called. James hummed, showing that he was listening without looking up from the pot on the stove. “Professor Lovegood gave the theme and deadlines for the final project”
“And what will the project be about?” asked James, as he put vegetables on the pan with one hand and placed strips of chicken on the grill with the other.
“We need to make a biographical documentary about a public figure. Preferably someone we know” replied Harry, picking at his cuticles, without looking at his father.
James looked at his son and furrowed his eyebrows.
“You don’t seem as excited as you were this morning, what’s wrong?” he said, leaning against the cabinets next to the stove and crossing his arms.
He went into serious and worried father mode, Harry thought.
“We want to do it about the Marauders,” Harry said at once. “But I know you and Mom and the rest of the band don't talk about that time much. Mom always gets that constipated look on her face when I ask too many questions, so I understand if it's not something you'd want to talk about-”
“Harry” James interrupted him. He walked over to his son and placed his hands on Harry's shoulders. "It's okay. I know sometimes we seem… reticent about the band, we went through a lot of difficult times, but we also went through incredible moments, like the day you were born for example.”
James smiled fondly, Harry smiled back.
“It’s not like it’s something taboo. I think your mother and I always imagined that you and your sister would find everything you wanted on the internet, but I understand the need to know everything from those who lived through the story.” James continued. Harry nodded and his father returned to the stove. “I've always wanted someone to do a biography of me, so I definitely want to be involved. Tell me more about your plans for the project.”
Harry explained to his father everything the teacher demanded, how Hermione would be responsible for directing and planning, Ron for editing and visual effects and Harry for the script and interviews. He explained that the plan is to tell the story from the band members' beginnings in music to what they are doing today. Finally, he showed the list of everyone he thought it was necessary to interview. James read the list, raised one of his eyebrows at a few names, and turned his attention to Harry.
“I don't know if everyone on this list would want to be a part of this, but I guarantee your mother will. I think she actually needs that, a reason to tell this story.”
Harry breathed a sigh of relief, but was still uncertain.
“So do you think it has a chance of working?” he asked anxiously.
"I'm sure it'll work, Harry. I’m available as soon as you want to get started.”
That was all Harry needed to hear. His big project wasn't impossible and he already had the support of ¼ of the band.
"Thanks Dad! I'll let Ron and Hermione know” replied Harry with a big smile. “The curry smells delicious, by the way.”
“Of course it does, I’m the one doing it” James winked. “Go wake your sister up for dinner before she starts hibernating.”
Harry went up stairs almost floating with excitement.
***
Over the next week, Harry, Ron and Hermione spent all their free time researching the Marauders, thinking about how to organize the project and when they would start recording. The only person from the list Harry had talked to was his father for now, as he was afraid that his teacher would find his planning too complex. On Monday, Harry, Ron and Hermione presented their plans to Professor Lovegood, who read the entire document passively, without showing any emotion on his face.
“It's an ambitious plan,” he finally said, taking off his star-shaped reading glasses. “I know you have the resources, Mr Potter, and also the contacts. It will be hard work, that's for sure. I don’t know if you’ll be able to finish within the seven month deadline, but I trust in your potential.”
The three of them breathed a sigh of relief. With the teacher's approval, the easiest part was over.
“I saw that the only meeting on your schedule is the interview with your father tomorrow. I encourage you to contact the rest of the list of potential interviewees as soon as possible. I’m looking forward to seeing this documentary, I will forward your planning to Professor Goldstein” said the teacher with a warm smile.
The next day, Hermione arrived at Harry's house early to set up her filming equipment in the entrance living room, or as Helena called it: “the fancy couch room”, which had a couch so uncomfortable that it became just a piece of decoration in the house instead of a functional couch. But it was a great setting for the documentary. Ron arrived shortly before the time Harry had arranged with James. During the recordings, Ron would be more of an observer, the real work for him began after the recording.
“It's all settled,” said Hermione, sitting down in a chair behind the camera. Harry nodded and sat down in the armchair next to her. He had barely sat down when James appeared from the doorway. He seemed to have tried to fix his messy black hair, but was unsuccessful. However, he wore elegant clothes and looked as anxious as the teenagers in front of him. He sat down in the middle of the sofa and Harry gave the signal that Hermione could start recording.
“Recording,” she said. James smiled at the camera.
“So, what you wanna know?”
***
The documentary begins with an excerpt from the final show of the Mischief Tour, Sirius Black is singing Rebel Rebel , dancing and interacting with the audience and other members of the band. Another video begins, this time the band is gathered in a studio, Sirius, Peter and James playing cards while Lily and Remus play the same verse of I wanna be yours several times, trying to decide what would come after the repeated verse. Lily smiles at the camera and another video takes its place, this time a home recording of Sirius and Lily dancing to Ain't No Mountain High Enough , eventually Remus, James and Marlene join them. The video slowly disappears; Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, smiling at the camera, appear in their place.
Harry Potter (host) : This documentary is our attempt to transparently portray how the renowned rock band The Marauders rose to fame, as well as the reasons that led to their lasting hiatus three months after their unforgettable Heaven on Tour show on March 30, 2019.
This is the first and only time that the band members have spoken about this story together. However, it is important to highlight that sometimes reports of the same event differ, whether related to matters of greater importance or in small details.
Often the truth is not on one side or the other, but hidden somewhere in between.
On a black screen, the title in gold announces: The beginning.
James Potter ( drummer, The Marauders ): Since I was little, music has always been a great passion for me. My father played the sitar as a hobby, he taught me how to play and from then on I never stopped learning new instruments. But it was my mother who introduced me to rock ‘n’ roll. She listened to Elvis, Rolling Stones, Queen and was a big fan of Alphard Black. I’ve already witnessed her listening to Life on Mars five times in a row. I loved learning my mom's favorite songs and playing them for her, seeing her face light up and watching her sing along. Before I was ten years old, in addition to the sitar I had already mastered the guitar, the electric guitar and the drums.
Peter Pettigrew ( guitarist, The Marauders ): James was the one who introduced me to music, and especially rock. He taught me the basic guitar chords, before I begged my parents to put me in private lessons, he was also the one who encouraged me the most to follow my childhood dreams.
James: My best friend at the time, Peter Pettigrew, was as obsessed with music as I was. The love and time I dedicated to the drums, he dedicated to the guitar. Our families were friends since before we were even born, Peter and I grew up together and created a bond that I always believed would last forever. Our goal was to enter the prestigious Hogwarts, on Minerva McGonagall's musical program, the same one that Alphard Black and other great names in the British music industry did. I didn't have to ask twice, as soon as I turned eleven, my parents told me that my place at Hogwarts was guaranteed, as was Peter's.
Peter: The Potters always did everything they could to make James's dreams come true.
James: On our first day of class, we discovered that we would share the dorm with two other boys, one of them called Sirius Black. When I saw the surname on the list in the common room, I couldn't help but remember my mother's favorite singer, who eventually became my favorite singer too and who had attended the same school we were at. But I thought it would be too much of a coincidence.
Peter: When I was young, I believed that the friendship James and I built was unshakable, nothing and no one could tear us apart and stop us from achieving our dreams. And then he met Sirius Black.
James: When we entered the dorm, Sirius was putting several posters of rock bands and singers on the wall above his bed. He stopped what he was doing as soon as he saw us, got off the bed, held out one of his hands and said “I'm Sirius Black, nephew of Alphard Black. You must be Peter and James.”
Sirius Black ( lead singer, The Marauders ): When I was eleven years old, I thought that being the nephew of the great Alphard Black was the most important part of who I was and I made sure everyone knew it. I definitely didn't want to be associated with my mother.
Peter: Sirius showed what an arrogant, entitled and petty prat he was from the first dialogue we exchanged. I still don't understand why James was so enchanted by him.
James: I was in shock. I would study with Alphard Black's nephew! All I could think was “My mom will love to hear about this.”
Sirius: James stared at me like a deer in headlights. That's how we started calling him Prongs.
James: After the initial shock, Sirius, Peter and I started talking about music and our dreams. We found out that we were going to take Minerva's class together, so Peter and I asked Sirius to be part of our band.
Peter: James asked Sirius to be a part of our band within two minutes of meeting him, without even consulting me.
Sirius: Hogwarts was something I always knew would happen, but it wasn't in my plans to be in a band. I didn't have any friends at that point, other than my brother Regulus, of course. James and Peter seemed like great lads so I decided it would be a lot more fun to rise to stardom together.
Minerva McGonagall ( music professor ): Headmistress Umbridge had previously warned me about Sirius Black. I knew that regardless of whether he had talent or not, I should treat him like the lord he would become. Everyone, especially his parents, had great expectations for his future in music. But when I met him, along with James Potter and Peter Pettigrew, I knew it would be a very difficult seven years and it wasn't because of his lack of talent.
James: Those first years at Hogwarts were incredible, we fell in love with Minerva's music program and she adored us. She knew from the start we’d be great musicians one day.
Minerva: They were a nightmare, making every employee's life hell. They didn't take anything seriously, made pranks and didn't care about having detentions every week. At that time I thought they had no future at all.
Peter: Hogwarts was always my dream, so I did my best to enjoy every second and learn as much as I could.
Sirius: Even though music was the most important part, when I was younger I was more concerned with creating my reputation as a young rebel. When I met Marlene McKinnon at one of my fourth year detentions, I realized I wasn't the only one.
Marlene McKinnon ( lead singer, The Deathly Hallows ): My mother had transferred me to Hogwarts in year four, so that they could “put me in my place”, transform me into a decent citizen and bring out my artistic side. She wanted me to be a great actress like her, so I don't think she expected that my “artistic side” would be one of the biggest rock bands of all time.
Sirius: Marlene was a feminine and American version of me, we had families with high expectations for our future and we wanted the opposite of what they wanted. Since we are both self-centered, we became best friends quickly.
Marlene: Sirius introduced me to Peter and James, and I introduced Dorcas and Mary to the boys. Soon the six of us became a super close group of friends, driven by the same dream: to be famous and live of rock'n'roll.
Minerva: Dorcas had been part of my music program since year one, she was a great student. I thought that with the addition of the girls to the group things would improve, but it was the complete opposite.
James: I remember like it was yesterday, one day in our fourth year Minerva found the six of us covered in mud in the middle of a hallway, trying to get back to the dorms without getting caught. She ended her scolding with something like: “You have to stop marauding or you will never become anything in life.”
Sirius: The only thing we took away from that scolding was a name for our band.
James: The Marauders . It was perfect.
Marlene: The boys asked me to be part of their band, but I politely declined. However, I enrolled in Minerva's music program for year five.
Minerva: When I heard Marlene singing for the first time I wondered why she was wasting her time on the theater course she clearly hated.
Peter: The girls decided to form their own band, all women, it was the best thing they did.
Sirius: When I invited them, Marlene laughed in my face and said something like, “I refuse to work with men.” Anyway, we were only fourteen.
James: Even so, we still remain a close group of friends to this day. With some people who got lost along the way and some new people we met later, of course.
***
James talked about his past and his love for music with great enthusiasm, he was willing to answer Harry's questions and they were so immersed that they didn't even see the time pass.
“Many people say that the initial step in your career was the viral cover of Rebel Rebel, could you tell us a little about that?” Harry asked.
"Well, I think the answer is more interesting if you ask your godfather,” replied James. He yawned and stretched. “It’s getting late and you have class tomorrow, what do you think if we leave the rest for another day?”
Hermione immediately stopped recording.
“Of course Mr Potter, no problem!” she exclaimed, standing up quickly. Ron stood up and stretched too, without saying anything. He began helping Hermione put away her equipment.
“Please call me James. And don't worry, we've only scratched the surface of the band's story, I'm willing to tell you everything” he said, seeing Hermione's anxiety. “Thanks for the invitation, I hope to see you soon,” he smiled and left the room.
Harry followed him a few seconds later, and before he could go up the stairs, Harry called out to him.
“Hm?” replied James.
“Do you think Sirius will want to tell the story, even with everything that’s happened?” asked Harry.
James thought for a few seconds, until finally he smiled and replied:
“There’s only one way to find out.”
Harry hated that answer.