The hallway near the Slytherin common room wasn't as comforting as it used to be. At least not now, in this situation. Not with James Potter and his friends - Remus Lupin, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew - nearly backing you into the wall. A group of sixth years against a fifth year, and they were angry. Perhaps they had every reason to be.

The war had began in the late sixties. Of course, it had been nothing but rumours at first. Whispers, fear mongering. Subtle propoganda. Seven years later, wizarding culture gets vibrant and louder, but it's only the fashion that's changed. The war is in full swing now, 1976. You had always known the marauders, being in the year below. You'd always been friendly with them and the girls they hung around with. But now, as things grew tense, and trust grew scarce... It was every witch or wizard for themselves.

Blood mattered. And houses, perhaps, mattered more than that.

So when people started "joining up" - bearing the Dark Mark, choosing their side - of course the marauders turned on you. You'd expected it from Sirius. He'd never quite liked you, and only put up with you because of James. But to Sirius, you were a Slytherin. The epitome of everything he hated. And the others....always followed him and James. Peter had been a good friend, you knew him the best. And Remus had always been wary of you, so it wasn't hard for them to turn.

"I knew you were a Slytherin." Said Sirius vehemently. "But I didn't think you could ever be downright evil." James nodded. Remus sighed, tiredly, and it looked like he was trying to make himself look much less taller than he truly was.

"You have to admit it looks a bit fishy." Squeaked Peter mousily. You didn't think he had it in him. "You go around with us and you go around with them. Barty Crouch Jr and that lot. Whose side are you on? None of us can tell."

"And you make jokes about blood status and houses. Lily's cried because of some of the things you and your friends say, you know." Added James.

Remus sighed again, shaking his head. "That's not the point." He turned to you. "The point is is that we can't trust you. You're different now. You've always been different, but with the rumours that've been flying around...how can we believe you? How can we believe anything you say?"