For What it’s Worth: Outline

PRE-HOGWARTS

[1968]

• Severus Snape meets Petunia and Lily Evans at the park. He tells Lily she’s a witch, and gets irritated with Petunia. He drops the tree branch on her and Lily gets angry.
• About a week after the incident, Lily returns to the park and interrogates Snape about magic and why he hurt her sister. The two begin a tentative friendship. Petunia disapproves. 
• Petunia meets a young Remus Lupin through school, being pulled to tutor him. Remus mistakenly calls her Pete, because he misread the note from his teacher due to his dyslexia. Petunia starts calling him John in retaliation after learning his middle name. The two become friends, and Petunia spends a significant amount of time at his house, mostly helping him and his mother to complete chores. 
• At this point, Remus is already a werewolf, and his father has commited suicide.
• Squib Rights Marches, and Pureblood riots occur. The children are largely unaware of this, though Severus mentions it in passing to Lily. He holds a more positive view of the marches as his mother, a more Liberal Witch, participated in the marches with her childhood best friend. (The Marches will be based on the American University Gallaudet's “Deaf President Now” marches, as well as other disability protests.) 

[1970]

• Voldermort, using tension from the marches and riots, begins his rise to power. He begins targeting members of the Squib movement, as well as notable Muggle-Born Activists. Disappearances begin. 
• Molly Prewitt and Arthur Weasley elope. 
• (Only if Petunia Is a Witch)
• The Evan’s are visited by a young Minerva McGonigal, who informs them that Petunia is a witch and will be attending Hogwarts when the next school year begins. She’s excited, but tries not to let it show too much. 
• Petunia comforts Lily, who’s convinced herself that she’s not magic after all. Petunia tells her that if she’s magic, then Lily must be as well. 

• Petunia heads off to Hogwarts and is sorted into Ravenclaw. 

THE MARAUDERS ERA  

[1971]

• The others all receive their Hogwarts letters. Remus Lupin lives with his mother Hope, after his father’s suicide shortly after he was turned into a werewolf. Hope Lupin lives in the same area as the Evans, moving there because of disabilities and feeling unsafe living so far out in Magical territory being a muggle. 

• The whomping willow is planted. 

• Bill Weasley is born. 

[MARAUDERS FIRST YEAR BEGINS]

• Petunia Evans is a Third Year. (Second year, maybe? Needs significant time for her apprenticeship/war tension to affect her, will revisit.)

• The marauders meet on the train and become fast friends.
• Lily is confused as to why Snape is going by the name Prince at school. He explains to her that he is a half-blood, but his mother’s family is notoriously reclusive and never publicly disowned her. Since she’s only married under the muggle government, he’s still technically a Prince. (This deception is mostly for his own protection, thanks to the poor treatment of Magicians who are from mixed or non-magical backgrounds.) 
• Snape becomes enemies with the Marauders. Lily, on principle, dislikes them as well. 
• Lupin is tutored by Petunia. The two start a casual friendship. He calls her Pete. 
• The Marauders discover that Remus is a werewolf. They decide to discover a plan to help Remus during the full-moons. After much research and debate, Peter remembers McGonnigal’s transformation from the beginning of the year. On a free-day in transfiguration, they bombard her with questions about it. She’s suspicious (Knows troublemakers when she sees them, being the youngest child and only girl), and makes them promise it’s only for curiosity’s sake. She promises she can mentor them in their 7th year, or once they’re of age. The Boy’s “Promise” to not attempt it. 
• After additional research, they realize that trying it at their current age will either result in permanent death or animal life, so they agree to put off the plan for the moment. 

[1972]

STORY BREAK: SKIP SECOND ½ OF FIRST YEAR

[MARAUDERS SECOND YEAR BEGINS]

• Regulus Black begins attending Hogwarts and is sorted into Slytherin. Sirius and Regulus already have a slightly strained relationship. 
• Regulus makes friends with a Hufflepuff named Hestia “Tia” Jones, a Scottish muggle born witch. 
• Andromeda Black is disowned for Marrying Ted Tonks. Bellatrix Black begins following Voldemort, but is not yet marked. 

[1973]

[SUMMER HOLIDAYS]

• At a pureblood society event, Regulus and Sirius meet Theia Phoebe Black, “Aunt Fee”. She’s an estranged Aunt living in Greece. Aunt Fee is visiting England in an attempt to find her heir. Narcissa is hopeful that she’s the heir, as her Uncle (The false head) hints that she has something very special coming in her future. Aunt Fee recognizes Regulus as the heir to the Black family magic. Regulus denies being the heir on the basis that the Black family magic is only passed to girls. Fee gifts Regulus a starter Tarot deck. Narcissa is blindsided as her betrothal to Lucius Malfoy is announced, with no input from her.
• Nymphadora Tonks and Charlie Weasley are born.

[MARAUDERS THIRD YEAR BEGINS]

STORY BREAK: SKIP 3RD YEAR

[1974]

• Snape’s mother, Eileen Prince, has fallen ill. Tobias Snape begins being physically aggressive with him. Tobias could be an actually good parent maybe??

[MARAUDERS FOURTH YEAR BEGINS]

• Petunia becomes a Ravenclaw Prefect. 
• Petunia and another prefect do rounds together on the train. When she enters the marauder’s compartment, Remus is a little speechless because of Petunia “suddenly” being pretty. When she leaves, Remus’ friends tease him about discovering his hormones for the first time. Sirius is jealous, but doesn’t understand why. 

• Tensions rise between Snape and the Marauders. Lily is upset that he’s stopped talking to her as much in school. 
• Regulus develops a crush on James Potter. Remus develops a crush on Petunia. Sirius has no idea what to do about his feelings for Remus.
• Regulus reaches out to Fee about divination and astronomy, asking for assistance on assignments. The two begin a mentorship via owlpost. 
• Sirius’s relationship with his parents begins to strain even more as he continues to rebel. 
• The Marauder’s finally complete Animagus transformation process. 

[1975]

STORY BREAK: SKIP SECOND ½ OF FOURTH YEAR

• Narcissa Black Graduates

[SUMMER HOLIDAYS]

• Petunia’s relationship with her mother is strained, as she’s so focused on Lily even when she’s at school. Petunia, through the whole school year, spends significant time with Hope Lupin, to help her around the house. She views Hope as a surrogate Mom. The Day Hogwarts students returns home, Petunia goes with Hope to pick up Remus.
• When the train arrives, Petunia runs up to Remus to greet him. Remus is a little speechless because of Petunia “suddenly” being pretty. The Marauders are amused by their interactions, and are curious about Remus’ “fit muggle friend.” Petunia grabs Remus’ trunk for him to take to the car. Remus’ friends tease him about discovering his hormones for the first time. Sirius is jealous, but doesn’t understand why. Petunia runs into Bellatrix, who talks down to her. Regulus is with Bellatrix, and tries to diffuse the situation. Petunia calls Bellatrix an ugly, hateful, cunt. Sirius comes to Petunia’s rescue, and takes the heat off her by also antagonizing Bellatrix. Remus drags Petunia away while Bella is distracted.
• Narcissa Black marries Lucius Malfoy. Regulus helps her get ready for her wedding. Narcissa offers Regulus her room to stay in after her and Lucius depart for their honeymoon. While in the room, Regulus finds a muggle outfit and tries it on. (Cue gender confusion.)
• Petunia and Lily begin fighting. 
• Petunia spends more time with Remus. She starts to get a crush on him.

[MARAUDERS 5TH YEAR BEGINS]

• Remus is made a Prefect. On the train, Petunia runs to collect him. The two talk about expectations for being a prefect, and Remus promises, fingers crossed, to not abuse his power. 

• The Marauders start spending the full moon with Remus. The Marauders begin working on the Map. 

• Regulus admits to Hestia that she wishes she were a girl and has a crush on James Potter. Hestia gives her a makeover, and sneaks her out to Hogsmeade in the outfit. Regulus begins using the name Atalanta (Or Lana) with her friends. Attempts to flirt with James go poorly. Atalanta meets Benji Fenwick, a Hufflepuff in the year above her and Hestia. The two pull a prank on Sirius and spend the rest of the hogsmeade trip together, flirting. 
• Regulus gets in a fight with Sirius in the halls. He breaks her astrolabe, and she starts firing hexes at him. Sirius punches Regulus, Benji defends her, and they all end up getting detention. Regulus and Benji serve their detention together cleaning the Quidditch cabin and repairing the school brooms. Benji realizes Lana and Regulus are the same person and tries to hint at it. Regulus fails to understand. 
• Lily and Snape get into a fight— their friendship is over. Snape is outed as being a Halfblood, and a bullying campaign begins against him. 
• At the Yule Hogsmeade trip, Atalanta goes on a date with Benji, set up via Hestia. Benji invites her to a Christmas party the Hufflepuffs are throwing over the break. 

[WINTER HOLIDAYS]

• Both Regulus and Sirius sign up to stay over the Holidays, independent of one another and without permission. Walpurga is incensed at this. 
• Regulus stays in the Hufflepuff dorms as Atalanta. At the party, she flirts with Benji. 
• The Marauders arrive at the party, searching for Regulus thanks to the knowledge of her presence from the first draft of the Marauders Map that only shows the names of those in the castle and who they’re with. 
• Atalanta does a quick tarot reading for Benji, trying to bait him into a snog. (Death, the Lovers and the Page of Wands). The two leave the hufflepuff commons and snog in a nearby classroom. 
• Tensions rise between Remus and Sirius, Remus having recognized Atalanta due to her scent and trying to protect her from Sirius’s temper. Sirius pulls out the Map (more of a list) and wonders what the hell Regulus is doing with Benji. 
• Benji and Atalanta return to the party. Sirius is furious and demands an explanation, asking Atalanta if it’s meant to be some sick joke. Atalanta, terrified, denies knowing who he is until she sees the list, at which point she steals it from him and flees the party, destroying it. 
• Remus chastises Sirius for causing a scene and stalks off to sulk. He finds Petunia sitting in the astronomy tower, and asks why she’s still at school, and not at the party. She explains that being the “Swottiest Prefect” hasn’t exactly made her popular. They share a few drinks, and Using a phone in the muggle studies classroom, Remus calls his mom, then Petunia. The chat about random things, and Petunia mentions she misses him. Petunia confides in him that she’s developed feelings for someone she’s known for a few years, and doesn’t know what to do with it. Remus thinks it’s him. (It’s not.) 
• The next day, Regulus and Sirius are called back to Grimmauld place and refuse to speak to one another. Sirius is punished for both of their insubordination. Regulus makes a deal with her father that she’ll take half the brunt of Sirius’ punishments. She also signs herself away as the Black heir in the instance that Sirius runs away, under the condition that Sirius is allowed to stay away. 

[1976]

[SPRING TERM]

• The Marauders steal Snape’s “grimoire” and begin spreading his original spells around. Lily and Snape continue to fight. Remus begins flirting with Petunia through letters.
• Petunia is asked out by someone in her year and is stood up. It’s revealed to be a joke. Petunia, angry beyond belief, Challenges the asker, Rabastan LeStrange, to a duel. She absolutely kicks his ass, with very little competition, much to the fury of Bellatrix Black. 
• Lupin and Petunia agree to be penpals.
• After owls, the Levicorpus incident occurs, and Snape breaks an arm.
• Petunia and Remus intervenes, along with Lily. Snape pushes off Lily’s concern, demanding why she’s decided to be concerned now after years of the Marauders Bullshit. 

• Bellatrix Black graduates.

[END OF MARAUDERS 5TH YEAR]

[SUMMER HOLIDAYS]

• Lily and Snape make up. Eileen’s condition and Tobias’s abuse worsen. 
• Atalanta sneaks away from the Black home to go on dates with Benji and continue her training with Theia. Her relationship with Sirius continues to strain. 

[BEGINNING OF MARAUDERS 6TH YEAR]

• The bullying campaign against Snape from pureblood students worsens. 
• The marauders complete the final draft of the map. Sirius and Remus begin exploring a romantic relationship with one another. Peter begins to drift away from the group.
• The Prank: Snape is baited into following the marauders by Sirius. James rescues him. Dumbledore, newly appointed as Headmaster, refuses to punish Sirius via expulsion on the basis that it would out Remus as a werewolf. 
• James tries to get Severus’ word that he won’t out Remus. Severus tells him glibly that dead men tell no tales. 
• Severus leaves a suicide note for Lily outside Gryffindor Tower. James finds it first and grabs her. They stop Severus. 
• Peter tries to pick a fight with Severus and Sirius both and casts a loose lips jynx on Severus, who spills his guts about his emotions. The marauders break up, and Remus dumps Sirius when he finds out what he did. 
• Lily, James and Severus begin a tentative friendship with one another. Lily and Severus both develop feelings for James. 

• Eileen Prince kills herself before the winter holidays. Severus leaves school early for the funeral. 

[Winter Holidays]

• Severus, upon returning to the muggle world, begins drinking and going to raves. Lily and James pull him out of the alcoholism. 

• Lily’s father passes away.

• Fleamont and Euphemia Potter fall ill, but do not die yet. 
• Sirius’ relationship with Remus is discovered by Walpurga. (Legilimency). Regulus implores her to remember their deal. Walpurga discover’s her relationship with Benji and throws her into a liquor cabinet. Sirius tries to convince her to leave with him, but Regulus refuses.
• The two are punished by Walpurga, who forces Regulus to cane Sirius using a dark magical artifact. She then locks the two in their rooms. Regulus manages to get to Sirius via the windows, and using an early version of the Delta spell, evacuates them to Narcissa’s home. Narcissa calls Andromeda, and they help patch the two of them up. Narcissa locks parts of Sirius’s memory of the event at Regulus’s insistence. They take Sirius, delirious and in and out of consciousness to the Potter’s Cabin in Godrick’s Hollow. Regulus leaves him on the doorstep, and knocks to get their attention. James chases after her as she tries to run back to Andromeda’s car. She begs him, “Don’t tell Sirius.” Narcissa calls for her, and she runs back to her. James is confused.
• Sirius moves in with the Potter’s.
• Bellatrix Black is marked by Voldemort. She also gets betrothed to Le Strange. 

[1977]

[SPRING TERM]

• Regulus becomes the heir and burns bridges with Benji and her Hufflepuff friends. Benji tries to reason with her, but she shoots him down and tells him their relationship was doomed from the start. Regulus also stops communicating with Theia, and begins receiving correspondence from Bellatrix, who encourages her to join the Deatheaters. She refuses. For now. 
• The marauders tentatively makeup, but Severus refuses to be friends with either Peter or Sirius. His feelings for James continue to grow, and he coins the nickname Jim. 
• Lily and James begin dating. Severus is totally fine with this, (and definitely not gay). James tries to deny his budding feelings for Severus. 
• The friends play a few pick-up quidditch games. Severus becomes the resident proofreader (for everyone except Sirius and Peter)
• Remus and Petunia write to eachother about the future. She tells him how she was accepted to Study as an Apprentice under Healer Caradoc Dearbourne, immediately after graduation. She takes the only spot he has open for fresh graduates, out of everyone in Wizarding Europe who applied. Remus congratulates her, and they make-out. Because they’re both bad at talking about feelings, it doesn’t go anywhere. 

[END MARAUDERS 6TH YEAR]

[SUMMER HOLIDAYS]

• James, Lily and Severus begin spending time together when Severus can sneak away from Tobias. He begins drinking again. They retrieve him from a queer club in London, with Lily driving. Severus flees the car when he feels word vomit coming. He confesses his feelings for James, and runs away. Lily finds Severus again and they reconcile after an argument. Lily Dumps James, but they all remain friends. 
• Petunia decides to apply for nursing school. Remus encourages her, and helps her to study. The two attend a village dance. At the end of the night, they make out. Because they’re both bad at feelings, it doesn’t go anywhere.

[MARAUDERS 7TH YEAR BEGINS]

• Upon the return to school, things are more strained than ever as lines are drawn and both sides to the war begin recruiting. 
• Dumbledore approaches Snape and asks him to consider spying. Snape disagrees. After some pushing, he agrees to let Albus know which of the Slytherins are considering joining. 
• After Lily and Severus’ things get ransacked and attacked with graffiti, Severus commits to spying for Dumbledore, and the marauders make a pact to join the war effort after graduation. Petunia begins writing to Lily about her fears staying within the wizarding world. Lily largely ignores her concerns. 
• Lily begins jokingly/seriously trying to set James and Severus up. Severus is not amused. She ends up snapping a picture of them studying, when Severus is looking at James with “stars in his eyes”. Her and Severus get into a play-fight (Severus isn’t really playing though.) Severus ends up tackling Lily to get the picture back. (This awakens something in her.) 
• Regulus begins keeping a record of Bellatrix’s letters regarding Voldermort. She forgets the journal she’s kept the compilation in in the library, and Sirius blows up at her about “her” bigotted views. Regulus continues to not explain anything. 
• There’s a Yule Ball this year, a feeble attempt at school unity. The Marauders all go together, and Lily and Severus lurk nearby. Sometime through the party, after dancing with Lily, James finds Severus reading a book on one of the balconies. He reprimands him for reading during an event. Severus, unimpressed, tells James that the book is far more interesting than anything happening at the ball. James ends up goading Severus into slow dancing with him on the balcony. Severus asks him what he’s doing, to which James responds that he’s following his heart for once. “You always do that, you prat.” “But I don’t. Or I haven’t been really.” (cue cursed fucking kiss scene oh god) They’re not together though.

[WINTER HOLIDAYS]

• James enlists Lily and Severus to help decorate Sirius’ room. Severus and Sirius have a chat and come to a tentative understanding of one another. 
• Remus visits Petunia, who’s begun seeing one Vernon Dursley. She talks to him about how charming he is toward her, always bringing her little gifts and buying her refills when she’s studying in a local coffee shop. Remus congratulates her, and warns her to be careful. (He’s very jealous though)

[1978]

[SPRING TERM]

• Near the end of the school year, Fleamont Potter passes away. James returns to sit his exams, but is absent for most of the year to make funeral arrangements and care for his mother. In his absence, Lily kisses Severus, setting off a whole chain of confusion. 
• Petunia gets engaged to Vernon Dursley. 
• The Marauders officially declare their intent to join the war effort after graduation. McGonnigal and Dumbledore encourage the friends to look into the Auror career path. Only James and Sirius bite. Remus writes some bullshit down about becoming a book manager for the ministry. Dumbledore approaches him and asks if he’d be willing to be a contact with other werewolves in the UK, to prevent them from joining the Death Eater’s side. Remus agrees. 
• Lily, James, and Severus have a conversation about their feelings for one another. They decide to give it a shot, after Lily finds a book about Polyamory in an esoteric muggle bookshop she visited with Marlene McKinnon. 
• Severus secures an apprenticeship under a potions master, and begins taking lessons for dueling. 

• Everyone sits their NEWTS. Then, they graduate. 

• Petunia and Vernon marry— the day is overcast. Arabella Figg, who babysat the Evans girls when she was a teen, remarks the weather is foretelling of troubling times. 

END OF MARAUDERS ERA