Shock and astonishment I don't any of the characters in this story. Do I really need to place a disclaimer every time now after this?
Albus Dumbledore sighed as he looked on at the three friends whose friendship had become legendary during their time at Hogwarts. The war with Voldemort had strained the great friendship, and one that should have been sitting there with them was currently at an unknown location to the group. Particularly since he didn't think that he could trust any of them not to do something extremely stupid in the name of revenge. The old Headmaster peered over his half moon spectacles and studied the three men that were before him speculatively. The leader of the group James Potter, former Head Boy of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, an experienced Auror who had graduated top in his class, and a young man who had a mastery in transfiguration and was the father to Violet Potter the Girl-Who-Lived. Quiet a list of accomplishments for one as young as James was, at least he was young as far as wizards were concerned. The young man had wild black untamed hair that always looked windswept and a pair of round glasses that covered his brown eyes, which as always twinkled with a joke that only James seemed to know. On either side he had a friend that stood there in support of him. Sirus Black stood on one side, a young man who had long ago forgone his family's Pureblood beliefs despite the fact that he came from one of Voldemorts greatest supporters ever. The Black family had all been among Voldemorts greatest supporters except for the young man before him. Sirus was dressed in muggle biker clothes that he had been wearing since he had graduated which consisted of a beaten leather jacket over a t-shirt, and a pair of weatherworn jeans. The young man had black hair as dark as his name and ice blue eyes that could be as cold as the artic to his enemies and as warm and comforting as Phoenix fire to those that he counted as his friends, his eyes sparkled with mirth even greater than James did at times. Last, but not least of the three friends was Remus Lupin the werewolf of the group. Remus was a quiet man of great intelligence, who despite all of the obstacles that had been placed in front of him he had managed to persevere and come out relatively on top. Remus had sandy brown hair with a few streaks of gray that the stress of his transformations had given him. Remus wore robes that looked a bit beaten up, but were nowhere near as ragged as a number of werewolves clothing was. Remus eyes were a strong pale blue with a hint of amber in them, they were normally serious and cool eyes, but once the other two young men got started they often got their friend going into whatever insane plan that the three of them had come up with and then those eyes were sparkling with a mischievous glint of a hunter. It was truly amazing that this group had come together as it had. James Potter was a member of one of the better-known Light families that had long been supportive of doing the right thing. Then there was Sirus Black whose family's reputation was enough to make some being to stop and think before they crossed him. Finally there was Remus Lupin who was considered a Dark Creature to most of the world, and could easily have gone that way but had instead stayed true to the light like the other members of the Lupin family had when the family of the Moon had been given the choice, the family of the shadows was always one that one could never be completely sure about at times. Together these three men, no these three joksters, these three Marauders had given the Death Eaters something to fear during the war. While a large part of them were lighthearted and friendly another part of them was as strong and ruthless as any Death Eater had been.
Dumbledore sighed, as he looked the three men one more time before he finally began to talk to them with a tired air focusing all of his attention on the unofficial leader of the group. "James, really I know things are not going quiet the way you thought they would but really don't you think running from your problems is a rather bit extreme?"
"Hardly running away professor." James informed the older man with a weary grin. "I'm merely doing what Lily wants, the fact that it will be the best for the both of us is just the icing on the cake. She and I no longer really care for each other like we used to."
"And what of your child James? Are you thinking of your child while you are thinking of doing this?" Dumbledore asked his former student.
"Yes I am." James said stiffly. "I am thinking of Harry a lot these days. I can't allow him to grow up in a world where he is ignored simply because he doesn't have some sort of crazy prophecy hanging over his head to match the scar he got in an attack by Voldemort."
Dumbledore sighed at the reminder of the other Potter child that almost no one but these three even thought of. Harry Potter, the twin brother of the girl-who-lived and a likely candidate for going dark despite all of the efforts that James and his friends were likely to make as far as he was concerned about the child. It was a magical law as old if not older as the lore of wands. If there was one being of great power there was always one to oppose it and he didn't think that Violet should have to deal with more than one beomg of power in her life and he knew that the boy was going to be just as if not more powerful as Violet and that was something that could not be allowed to happen.
"Look Professor, we all know that you think that Violet is the best thing since the discovery of the lemon drop." James said to the man with a crooked grin. "I also understand what you think we ought to be doing when it comes to the two of them. But I just can't do something like that. I can't ignore my son like you think I can. Lily's and my parents didn't die just so that we could ignore one of the reasons that they died."
"But did they die so that you could ignore the child that they died for?" Dumbledore asked with a twinkle in his eyes, obviously thinking that he had his former student caught within his own words.
"Are you saying that they knew which child was probably the prophecy child beforehand Dumbledore?" James asked with a knowing smile. The Potters, Marauders and Snape all knew of a prophecy, but none of them knew the precise wording of the prophecy. "I really doubt that Headmaster, personally I think that they died for both of them in which case it could be that it required both of them to do whatever it is that was needed to stop Voldemort's curse. Of course, it could also have been the fact that our parents softened him up enough for the kids to do their thing." James smirked at this as he recalled what had been left of the Dark Wizard. Lily's parents had used muggle weapons against Voldemort. Their fathers had met the monster in the entryway. His dad had used what looked like reductor and bludgeoning curses while Mr. Evans had used an elephant rifle that had been in the Evans family for years against Voldemort. The Dark Wizard obviously hadn't been able to deflect both of the attacks as had been obvious by the arm that had been found. The Marauders had found it amusing that it had been a muggle device that had hurt the Pureblood biogot so much. Despite his injuries Voldemort had still killed the two men though. Mrs. Evans had died next when she had leaped at Voldemort with a meat cleaver. The woman had cut into his shoulder but that was all. The last to fall had been Mrs. Potter who had transfigured a number of things into red hot pokers before sending them flying at Voldemort hitting him at least three times. The Dark Wizard had then banished the pokers right back at the old witch who had died impaled on her own weapons as they burned through her lungs.
"Never did realize my mum could be so vicious in her attacks."
"James old buddy; that was why none of us ever tried to cross or prank her." Sirus told his best friend. "None of us wanted to get on her bad side no matter what."
"True." Remus said nodding sagely in agreement as he remembered the Potter Matriarch.
"No James, the prophecy clearly stated that it h to be one child not two." Dumbledore said not about to be distracted by the conversation.
"If you say so. James said shrugging unconcerned about such things now. "Not that I would really want you to go about like Harry's a celebrity anyways, after a while it would have gotten annoying. Now I've explained what it is that I really need, will you be there?"
Dumbledore sagged in his seat at the direct question, he had hoped that James would storm off or become to annoyed to focus on what they had been talking about. "So you will leave your child here?" He asked his former pupil curiously.
James nodded reluctantly. "Violet doesn't seem to need me for things right now." The man said with a hollow sound in his voice.
"But she still needs her father figure."
"Yeah, well Snivelus seems to be doing that job for him pretty well as it is." Sirus told the older man.
Dumbledore frowned at this remark. "Sirus, must you insist on using those names?"
"He'll always be a sniveling coward as far as we are concerned professor." James told the man stonily.
"So, now you intend to blame Serverus for the loss of your family? The man risked quiet a bit doing what he did."
James shook his head in disagreement. "The man has never earned our respect headmaster, besides he only turned when he heard of the prophecy and he called Lily away the night of that attack. If I had not trusted in him being alone with Lily I probably would be dead as well right now. The greasy git really knows how to repay a life debt doesn't he?" The dark-haired man snarked at the headmaster.
"So you will blame him for things he did as a young and foolish person then."
"He made his choice headmaster, do you really think that he never tortured or killed anyone before he was asked to help sell Lily and James out?" Remus asked the headmaster. "Warning you that Voldemort knew the prophecy was really the only bit of good he did for the war."
"Will you do what I asked?" James asked the man before them before he jumped to the defense of his Potions Master.
Dumbledore finally nodded in agreement, he would do what was being asked of him no matter how much he disliked the job.
"Good." James said as he got up.
"Just one question James, where will you go? Dumbledore asked his former student and his friends. "After all it would be nice to know where you are when it is time to send you Harry his letter. After all if your little theory is correct it would be a good idea for Harry to come to Hogwarts, and if your wrong perhaps there can be those that can watch out for Harry and make sure that he doesn't make that many mistakes that he may regret later on in his life that could change him in ways that even we may not be able to completely understand. Severus would probably be a great person to understand that sort of thing since he to has been where the boy will one day be."
Remus answered before James or Sirus made some remark about having to be in school with the Girl-Who-Lived, having Snape mentor Harry, or the fact that Dumbledore thought that he should be allowed to watch Harry as a potential dark wizard. "Well sir, I actually got a job offer and after we did some looking into it from what we could we think that there's a chance that James and Sirus could get jobs there as well we'll just have to wait and see about that though won't we."
"And if these job offers fail?" Dumbledore asked them.
"Then we'll worry about it then." Sirus said shrugging his shoulders. "Though I do have a few ideas and since I'm the new Head of the House of Black I happen to have quiet a bit a money at my disposal."
Dumbledore frowned at this. "Careful with that money Sirus, it could easily corrupt you." Sirus mother had died a few weeks after the war, she had reluctantly accepted the war 'hero' back into the family restoring him to the familial lines and all of the rights that came with it. After all Sirus was now the only member of the family who was currently the only member of the family that was currently able to take the Head of Family without suspicion. The woman and Sirus had tolerated each other for the past few weeks keeping their views on the war to themselves and trying to talk about anything else which had usually ended up with them discussing spell theory their disagreements with Dumbledore and how some of the Purebloods were. When the woman had finally died the Marauders had gone to the funeral as was expected of them before they then had started finishing up on things that led them to this point. The rift that had been between them had not healed, but it had gotten to the point where the two could have accepted that they were different people with different views on the way the world should be. And the late Lady Black had accepted her son for being able to stand for his beliefs.
The Marauders nodded at the warning before they turned and strode out of the office they had a couple of things to take of before they left the castle. The three Marauders made their way down the stairs and passed by Frank and Alice Longbottom. The two of them were the Ministry's golden couple, that had brought down a number of Dark Wizards and had even publicly renounced Voldemort during the height of his power making them a well-known pair. The unknown part about the pair was that a number of their 'arrests' were actually the result of firefights with the Order of the Phoenix, a group whose primary goal had been to battle against the Dark Lord and his own followers the Death Eaters. The Longbottom duo currently had the reputation as having the combined magical power of Dumbledore now, the fact that a quarter of their supposed arrests were actually the result of what the Marauders had done when they had ignored Dumbledore and gone into fire fights to deal with the various Death Eaters was something that had to be kept quiet. The only problem for former Auror trainees Potter and Black was that they could never tell the truth unless they wanted to worry about losing their hard earned Auror badges for being part of a vigilante group for their activities. The problem that the husband and wife team had with them was that the Marauders didn't give them the respect that most other people gave them since they knew the truth and had not been impressed by the two. The witch and wizard had somehow started believing in the hype that had been built about them over the past year. The last bit of respect the two had for the group of younger wizards had been broken when James and Lily's relationship had started going down the tubes and Dumbledore had no longer worried about reigning the two in. The Longbottoms sneered at them, and Sirus had to be held back from doing anything by his friends as the two passed by them.
"Come on guys let me at them." Sirus said scowling at the backs of the two arrogant Aurors. "I'll show those two pretenders what a real duel is."
"Enough Padfoot. They're not worth the effort" James said forcefully. "Lets just get the last bit of business done, and then we can be out of here." Sirus nodded reluctantly his eyes boring holes into the backs of the Longbottoms and finally relaxed his body. His friends used to their impulsive friend bolting the moment he was released didn't let him go until after they were downstairs and the stone gargoyle that guarded the entrance had moved back into place blocking the way up to the office.
"I could of taken them Prongs." Sirus whined to his friend as they made their way down the hallway. "Besides what are they doing here anyways?"
"Does it really matter? In a couple of days it won't even matter to us what they're doing." Remus said logically to his friend.
"That's besides the point though Mooney."
"Not really, but come on, we have other things that we have to worry about than that all right." James said as they finally began making their way down the familiar long winding steps that led to the dungeon classrooms. Sirus paused a few times here and there to place Gryffindor pennants chewing on snakes with one of his most powerful permanent sticking Charms, which were something that everyone in his family were well known for.
"Padfoot come on." James said coolly as they finally reached the door to the potions room. The group's smiles failed and became grim lines and the twinkles in their eyes died and became as hard as ice and stone as they passed through the doorway. James eyes scanned the room quickly and a frown marred his normally handsome features as he saw that Lily had left Harry on a blanket on the stone floor while she held Violet and off to the side was Severus Snape the Marauders old school rival who had never really rated as high on the threat level as he liked to think that he did. The only thing that bothered them about the man had been his obsession with Lily and his love of the Dark Arts. The three ignored the man as much as possible, though Snape and Sirus both had their wands out and pointed down toward the ground but ready to whip them up should they need to. The two Potion enthusiasts were laying down the papers that they had been grading and watched the Marauders curiously.
"Remus, get Harry." James ordered his friend as he watched the Potion Master and Mistress.
"James." Lily said curtly, though she was slightly red in the cheeks over leaving Harry on the floor like she had. Whether that was because she had done it or been caught at it James really didn't want to know, though he suspected the answer.
"Lily." James said nodding towards the woman. "As much as I would love to trade insults with you and Snivelus over here, I do have other better things to do with my time." James reached into an inner pocket in his jacket and withdrew a roll of parchment ignoring the scowls that were now being directed at him. "This here is the last bit of the legal stuff that we have to deal with and then our divorce will be finalized." James said, as he shoved the parchment across the desk.
Lily flicked her wand at the parchment scanning it for anything unexpected, but only found the basic binding spells that were supposed to be on a legal parchment. She scanned the parchment then with her eyes and saw that the paper was mostly in her favor as far as she was concerned. "Severus, do you want to look at this?" She asked her close friend.
"Watch Black." Snape said to his friend. "I wouldn't put it past him to try and do something while my back is turned." The Potion Master said sneering at the Pureblood.
Sirus let out a barking laugh at this. "Says the little greasy snake who thought that it was a good idea to listen at a doorway. Tell me what did Voldemort pay you for spying on the Headmaster anyways? Sides I've learned a bit about honor since our days as students." Sirus said. "It was one of the few things that Mr. and Mrs. Potter drilled into our heads during our 6th and 7th years."
"Oh yes the honorable Marauders had to be taught how to behave by the mommy and daddy of their leader." Snape sneered.
"What can I say." Sirus said to him, "We had a great example on backstabbing before they started teaching us." Sirus said sneering right back at the other man.
"Enough!" James and Lily ordered the two.
"Lets not start that argument again Padfoot." James told his best friend. "We don't need to get all of that dragged back out again."
As much as I hate to admit it Potter is right Severus, just ignore Black for a little bit longer and then he'll be out of our hair."
The two men nodded and each took a step back in a mutual sign of withdrawing. Snape accepted the legal parchment and nodded in agreement. "This looks appropriate particularly the part about guardianship. It would probably be a good idea to sign this before Potter realizes that he made a mistake by giving you full guardianship of the only worthwhile child of the group."
"Don't think that will happen unless you two screw up raising her." James said, he then turned to the fireplace in the room and eyed Severus questioning. "Can I call Dumbledore here so that he can place the Wizengott seal on it making it complete and legal?"
Snape arched an eyebrow at this and replied in a mocking voice. "The high and mighty James Potter actually knows how to ask?"
"Is that a yes or a no?" James asked, ignoring his former rival's tone he refused to rise to the man's bait.
"Oh but of course." Snape said and bowed out of the way so that James could reach the floo powder.
James nodded. "Headmaster's office!" He said, and a moment later Dumbledore's face appeared in the flames. "Its time professor." James said, and then stepped back letting the older man enter the room and examine a group of his former students that were now divided into two groups that were even wider stetched out than when they were teenagers.
Dumbledore sighed and looked at the two people this decision rested on. "Well then, is there any chance whatsoever that the two of you can be convinced to stop this before it becomes to late to go back?" The two shook their heads. Dumbledore nodded at them in grim acceptance. "Very well then, apply your magical signatures then." The two nodded and waved their wands towards the parchment, which glowed as their names were placed on it before rolling itself up and disappearing with a crack. "It is done then." Dumbldore said tiredly, wondering how he was going to do damage control for this problem. Perhaps he should have done a memory charm like he had been tempted to at the beginning it was to late now though.
"Good," James said gruffly, "if you'll excuse us we have to leave now though." The Marauders nodded toward the headmaster and one by one they kissed Violet Potter goodbye. The girl gurgled at them, and James was heartbroken as he kissed her goodbye before turning away from the girl and taking Harry into his arms. He turned back toward Lily and offered Harry to her. "Kiss him goodbye Lil's, it may be the last time you see him for a long time." Lily nodded, and then lightly gave the boy a peck on the cheek brushing some of his hair out of the way revealing a scar that he had gotten on the night of the attack. Dumbledore looked up at the scar for the first time, and wondered if he had chosen the right child as he then looked at Violet who had a serpentine looking S scar that was in the same shape as the Slytherian crest was. It was an understandable mark for the Heir of Slytherian to give to his target. Still though, there was something about that lighting bolt mark that the boy had that just screamed power, but he was unsure exactly what it might mean.
The Marauders stopped by Filches office, and with a wave of his wand Sirus caught the Marauders Map as it came flying out of its hiding place within one of Filches cabinets. The three of them headed for the main doors and saw that they had a group-waiting there to see them off. First there was Peeves who floated alongside nearly headless Nick, beside them was Hagrid Master of the Keys and groundskeeper of Hogwarts, their former head of house and Transfiguration teacher Professor McGonagall and finally Professor Flitwick their Charms teacher a former dueling champion and half dwarf.
"Ah always thought that you an Lily would be forever." Hagrid said, sniffing a bit as he patted James on the shoulder.
"I guess it just wasn't meant to be." James said passing Harry off to Remus who was saying goodbye to their professors. Sirus was talking to Peeves about some pranks to pull and speaking a bit to Headless Nick. The Marauders almost felt embarrassed that they were the ones that started referring to the ghost as nearly headless since he was seeing them off now. The group all turned to Flitwick who was one of their greatest friends since school had ended for them.
"I shall miss our conversations." Flitwick said sighing as he looked at the group of friends. "I have met many Charms prodigies in my lifetime, but never had I met group that used charms quiet the way that you three did. In fact, you put many a Charms prodigy to shame with the way you three were willing to look outside the box in the use of charms."
"That's us, the out of the box thinking group." Sirus said with false modesty.
James then turned to McGonagall. "Be careful out there James, the world can be big place without having the right kind of help." The woman said to one of her favorite students. "And I fear that Dmbledore may favor Lily in just about everything that happens from now on."
"Don't worry so much professor we don't plan on living in England anyways." James said flashing a grin at his teacher.
"Well then good luck. Once you do get settled in call me and we'll see what can be done for a housewarming gift from us."
"We'll see professor." James said grabbing the woman's hand and kissing it. "We must be off now, we still have littleto do and much time to do it." He flashed a grin at her. "Strike that and reverse it of course." The stern woman nodded and let her student's hand go.
The three friends waved once again before heading towards the gates. As they left they were unaware of the various people watching them. Dumbledore watched them with a curious gaze from his office wondering what the future would bring them all. Lily watched them from atop the astronomy tower with a mixture of sadness and relief that that part of her life was over. She would miss some of the things that were James, but there others that she would not miss at all. Severus Snape watched with a gloating air of someone who had won, as he watched Potter leave the castle while he was still here with Lily now at his side just as he knew that she should be. He had finally beaten Potter, and he was going to be able to enjoy the rewards that came with that victory the man thought to himself smugly.
The Marauders apparated to the flat that they had been sharing for the past few weeks grabbing everything that they thought that they might need before disappearing again to the airport. The three of them would have to fly due to how young Harry was and they couldn't leave the boy on his own to fly the long distance on his own. The three men and the child finally left the plane a day and a half later rubbing sore muscles that ached from having to sit within the confines of the uncomfortable plane seats. "So how are we going to know who our ride is?" Sirus asked, the letter that Remus had got had promised him transportation for the four of them.
"Something tells me it won't be that hard." James said, pointing to a man holding a sign.
Lupin or Three men and a baby.
"Someone here has a decent sense of humor at least." Sirus said with a chuckle as they headed toward the man.
"Mr. Lupin?" The man asked hopefully, as they stepped up to him.
"Right here." Sirus said clapping his friend on the back with pride.
"Hello, how are ya doing." The man said, offering his hand the British born wizards. "I'm Paul Martinez." Remus was startled since he knew that the people that wanted to hire him had complete knowledge of just what exactly he was, yet here was a man offering him a hand of greeting as if he wasn't some sort of monster or other sort of dark creature. The man was obviously oblivious; Remus thought to himself, either that or he was a very good actor.
"I'm Texas Ranger Jackson." The man said as he finished greeting the other two. "I have a portkey to get us to H.Q where you'll have a few minutes to freshen up and then your interview will start however due to the kid we'll have to take the stage instead." The Ranger led the three men and their young charge outside raising his wand there was a large bang and the group all turned as a coach drawn by six black horses appeared.
"Nice" Sirus and James said with a nod of approval.
"What kind of horses are those?"
"Yeah the Stage here has been drawn by Widow Maker's for quiet some time now."
"Widow Maker's?"
"Yeah Widow Makers, they're native critters to Texas just like the Jackolope is." The man said as the door swung open and a man stepped out.
"You hollered?"
"Yeah take us to the Texas Rangers headquarters we have a meeting there."
"Yes sir." The man said as they all climbed on and took off. The three men were reminded of the Knight bus as the Stage took off and couldn't help but wonder which one of them would win in a race. The five of them were deposited in front of a building and were escorted in by their guide to a room off to the side. "Just wait here and get yourselves together, then we can get this show on the road all right folks? And because we're kind of rushing ya we even managed to get someone to watch the little one for ya."
"Really?" Remus said. "And just who might that be? You have to understand that we're a little bit picky about who watches Harry."
"Not a problem Mr. Lupin." The man said as a door opened and they saw an attractive young brunette woman with blue eyes, she was little shorter than Remus who was the shortest of the three of them and wore a pair of tight jeans that left little imagination for the three friends and a button up western shirt though they could all see the t-shirt she wore under it. "Boys meet Amy Sheppard, she's the best child care giver that we got in here, she's also a deadly shot so no trying anything unless you want to chance being humiliated."
"I don't know about that." Amy said with a low southern drawl. "The two dark haired ones are kind of cute so I might at least give them a chance."
"Even if they ain't Texans? I thought you said that your daddy would transfigure the first non Texas boy you tried to date into a deer and mount his head on the wall."
"Would you be quiet?" Amy growled at the other Ranger. "Besides, they're smart enough to come and look for work here, so there is at least some hope for them." Amy said with a smirk. "Besides I haven't had my dad shoot at any of my boyfriends in a while."
"Really? That's not what I heard." The young man returned with a smile. "Last I heard David was still not returning any of your calls."
Amy scowled at him. "There's a reason I am considered a dangerous shot and you are coming dangerously close into getting a refresher course as to why I am not someone you want to get on the bad side of Paul."
"All right geeze." The Ranger said holding his hands up in surrender. "Some people just can't take a joke at all." He grumbled as he back away from the woman.
"Come here little guy, let your dad get a chance to freshen up." Amy said ignoring her fellow ranger. James passed his son over and then the three Brits changed into their robes and then followed after the Ranger the three were lead into a room where three people were sitting in a half circle. They looked up at the group of men nervously.
"Sirs, "Paul said in surprise before snapping off a hasty salute at them. "I didn't realize that you would be running this interview sirs."
"No reason you should have Paul, we wanted it kept a secret. Now continue."
"Yes sir." The man said a little flustered now. "Um Mr. Lupin, Mr. Potter and Mr. Black. May I introduce you to the directors of the Texas Rangers." The Marauders swallowed nervously, but were able to paste weak grins on their face. "Director Marshall is in charge of the wizard side of things." He said nodding to an older man with shoulders almost as wide as Hagrids, the man stood up and shook hands, and the Marauders couldn't help but notice how the older man easily towered over them at nearly seven feet. The man wore jeans cowboy boots a white button up shirt with a bolo on it a gray Stetson was sitting on the floor next to his chair. "Over here is Chief Black Bear." Paul continued pointing to the next member of the group. "He runs the Shaman side of the department, since we have more than one kind of magic user out here in Texas." The Marauders nodded to the man who was wearing jeans a red button up and laced up moccasins and a brown leather jacket with fringe and beadwork on it. "And finally we have the director of the Non magical side of the Texas Rangers. Director Roy Gomez the 4th." The last member of the Rangers was a little shorter than your average man, but was of a stocky build and had pepper gray hair and instead of a cowboy hat he was wearing a ball cap and sunglasses that covered his eyes.
"A pleasure." The Marauders said simultaneously, not even noticing that they were talking as one. "We're here about the job openings."
"Yes we know." Marshall said, as he looked the three of them over. "You understand we don't just hire someone off the street not even wizards with celebrity connections."
"Which is why we're here sir." James said stiffly. "Here we have a chance of being hired without the safety net that we might have gotten from getting a job back at home. Only pureblood Hogwarts graduates get the really good jobs back home anymore."
"Something you boys happen to be." Marshall said to him.
"Yes sir, but there's that and the fact that it was time for us to move on. There were things going on that were bothering us about the way things were going, but no one wanted to listen to us."
"Very well Potter, as long as you understand that you'll have to work for anything you get here."
James smiled at this. "That's all I want sir, besides I can already out duel at least 10 percent of the Aurors in England and Scotland and I'm only a graduate."
"Will your family be joining you?"
James smiled died at this. "I'm divorced sir, all I have is my son now."
Marshall winced at the defeated voice the younger man had as he said this, he also noticed the strained smiles that the other two had and that they were both a bit protective of their friend over what had just been told to him. It was an interesting thing to note for the future if they did hire the group. "That bad eh son?"
"Yes sir."
"Understood, I'll try not to bring it up again."
"Thanks."
"Lets see you did manage to graduate as one of the top in your class at the Auror Academy, you also have an Hogwarts Mastery in DADA, Care of Magical Creatures and Transfiguration magic's, but are only a basic potion maker."
"Yes sir."
"Next of course is Mr. Black; scored about the same as you did Potter at the Auror Academy. Lets see Black, you have a Masters in DADA, COMC except that he has a Masters in Charms instead of Transfiguration, and are a fair hand at potion making." Gomez said as he was looking over some of the files. "Don't worry I'm a squib boys, I can look at these all I want, and besides the Director of the Texas Rangers has always either been a squib or had a squib liason that he could send to meetings."
"Yes sir."
"And finally there is the man that we really wanted as a part of our force, Mr. Remus Lupin. A Hogwarts master in Defense, fourth in your year according to this, and you were also granted a Hogwarts Masters in Charms, COMC, Runes and Arithmancy." Black Bear said as he looked at the last of the files.
"He's also knowledgeable in all of the books the Aurors had us use." Sirus added in for his friend.
"And he has a theory knowledge better than most people do about the various curses of the European magical world." James piped in.
"I see." The Shaman said as he made some additions to the parchment in front of him. "Of course all of your Masters are only part of the reasons why we wanted you to join us here."
"Really what is the other reason?" Remus asked, wondering what it could be that he could offer to this organization that was supposed to be one of the best law enforcements in both the magical and muggle world.
"Why your Lunar life of course." The Shaman told the werewolf. The three men stiffened, and found their hands clenched ready to fight their way out if nessasary. "Easy there gentlemen, having a curse is not the crime it is in your country."
"How so?" James asked, his thoughts going to Harry and whether he was alright.
"Well for starters we won't ban a person for a job because of their condition."
"And to be honest, it is because of your condition that we want you as a part of our force here."
"Why? Being a werewolf doesn't give me any great enhancements. Sure I can smell and hear a bit better, but not that much better."
"You forgot the love for rare meat." Sirus jibed.
Marshall looked at the werewolf with a penetrating gaze that left the man uncomfortable. "Because you have proven which side you're on during your country's war, and you have knowledge about a number of dark creatures and what not. Then there are the experiments that we would like you to help us out with."
"Experiments?" Sirus asked memories of what his family did to so called dark creatures as 'experiments'. None of the Marauders particularly liked the sound of the word. "Maybe we should leave." Remus said.
"Perhaps it would be better if I were to explain." Black Bear said. "Remus Lupin, my people have studied the Loup Garrou for many centuries and recently we have come across old writings of some of the old ones."
"Loup Garrou?" James asked knowing he should know that name.
"The ancestors of werewolves, they were supposed to be able to change at will." Remus told his friend. "We read up about them when we passed through Romania remember?"
"Oh yeah." James said slightly chagrined at this.
"Yes, and they were also a type of werewolf that once were as numerous as the vampires of today are they had their own societies and towns even."
"So what happened to them?"
"No one really knows, they just kind of died out as far as people can tell."
"So the History books that most have say. From our readings from the old scrolls we have been able to determine that some of the Holy Orders of that time like the Crusaders and the Vatican hunted the Loup Garrou down and killed them, and those that they did not kill they cursed into being what they are today."
"A nice piece of history I'm sure but what has that got to do with me?"
"Simple, along with the scrolls there was a way to fight the curse written in as well. Its not quiet a counter curse since it takes effort by the infected they have to learn how to connect with their wolf to a certain extent before they can learn how to control themselves."
"So, I let you help me find a possible cure, and you'll let us in with a job in law enforcement?"
"Yes, but you still have to wait and serve on other Texas law forces before we let you join the Texas Rangers. We can't just make exceptions to all of our rules no matter how much help that you'll be." Marshall told the man.
"Yes, and connecting with your wolf is not an easy task it is something we are still working on ourselves hopefully with your help and perspective we will be able to find another clue."
"Control? How much control are we talking about exactly?" James asked the man.
"Enough that he can tell the difference between friend and foe. According to the old scrolls there is a mention of joining with the pack for control before all of the Loup Garrou became feral. We have tried to figure out what that meant by using groups of werewolves and we have tried regular wolves with a pack of wolves. Both attempts were useless and the werewolves nearly killed each other, and the wolf pack mauled the werewolf before he killed them all."
Hmm. Sirus said as he listened before a gleam came into his eyes. "Mr. Padfoot requests that Mr. Mooney and Mr. Prongs consider telling one of our biggest secrets."
James nodded. Mr. Prongs is agreeable besides our way does seem to work.
Remus smiled at his friends rolling his eyes for a moment before he joined the two in conversation. "Mr. Mooney would be most grateful, but thinks that the choice should be up to Mr. Prongs and Mr. Padfoot as it will be them exposed."
"What are you three doing?" Marshall asked curiously.
"Quiet my friend there is great power at work here." The Shaman said with interest as he leaned forward to watch the three young men.
"They better hurry it up." Gomez growled in annoyance as he watched the three Brits.
After a few more minutes of talking the Marauders turned to face the men. James Potter as the group leader stepped forward to address the men. The three leaders noticed that there was a swagger to James that hadn't been there a moment before and wondered what was going to happen now. "We are most sorry for the rudeness of what we did dear sirs, but it was a choice that we had to make. We believe sirs that we may just happen to have a way to assist you in your work, after all dear Mr. Mooney here already has some rough control of what his little furry alter ego can do."
"What? Are you saying you have learned the secret?"
"Yes sir I am. Mr. Padfoot if you would please be so kind."
"Of course Mr. Prongs." Sirus said and gave a sarcastic bow and then changed into a giant black dog that reminded everyone of a Grim.
"An Anamangis." Marshall said with respect, the particular skill was considered an extremely dangerous bit of magic but it was a lot easier than most people realized.
"Yes sirs, as you are no doubt aware sirs, the transformation that makes this happen is unique in the art of transfiguration in the fact that there is still the essence of a person within the new form despite the fact that the form is not my friend's original form, therefore what little mind my friend does have is in fact that of Sirus Black." Sirus was currently walking up and down for the men who were observing him while James gave them his lecture. "Now then, how does this help with what we were talking about you ask? Well let us tell you sirs. As you know, a werewolf cannot infect an animal, which is undoubtedly why you had a wolf pack. However, if you transfigured a person into a wolf or other non magical creature they would still be wolves and unable to help with your problem, and yet with the Animangus transformation it is possible to have the both of two worlds since the transfigured being does not have the mindset of the creature that he changes into as he is a merged being of both but he is unable to be infected."
"Which means that when Mooney comes out to play so do his animal friends." Sirus said after he shot into the air back to his human self.
"And with friends I don't have to worry about as much, and the peace that I get from having my family with me allows me to gain a measure of control over my beast." Remus said finishing the speech off.
"Incredible when did you come up with this?"
"In our fourth year, but it took us till nearly the end of our fifth year before we actually managed to get it to work." James said with a grin.
"This kind of breakthrough could place us a couple of years ahead in our research." The Shaman said excitedly, already imagining what he might be able to accomplish with this information.
"So does your country know about this?"
"Ah no sir, we were kind of hoping you could arrange to have us have transformation permits or something now that we had to go and spill the beans to you."
"We'll do more than that." Marshall told them understanding that the men had risked a year in prison and a fine to show them what they had acomplished. "Choose where you want to live and I'll give you recommendations for the law, and I'll also put you down as part of the research team. You may have helped open a whole new way of helping the werewolves out that no one else has thought of, or if they have they never shared it with the rest of the world. I guess the pack question has been figured out as well Black Bear."
"Yes it has this is a great occasion. I can hardly wait until the three of you are eligible to join our ranks and help us out."
"Yeah, who knows, in a few years the schools here could be having Animangus classes because of what you and your friends have discovered and after the first teachers can be found for it, then the first werewolves will be allowed into the schools out here. You may have changed a part of the wizarding world and there is still much to do."
"Thank you sir." James said to them. "It was a group effort though." The three men shook hands with the older group elated at what they had done.
The three were led by Paul, back to the room where Harry was being kept and while Remus and Paul waited outside the other two men went to retrieve the boy. They had been waiting for nearly 10 minutes before they came inside to find that while James was taking his time checking Harry out Sirus was chatting up to an amused Amy. "Ahem. Really James, do you really think that Sirus needs that much help still?" He asked as he watched the group.
James chuckled weakly as he gathered Harry up and headed for the door, and an embarrassed Sirus tried to gather what little dignity he had left and headed after them flashing a smile at an amused Amy as they all left.
The group found a wizard motel that they could rest in for the night and talk about what they should do now. "Well?"
"I say we find a house already." Sirus said excitedly. "I think a ranch house or something would be best though."
"Why?"
"Well till you do get control your going to need someplace to wander around and all." The blue-eyed man said shrugging a bit as if it was obvious conclusion.
"True, and if we're out there we can also raise some animals." James said with a sparkle in his eyes.
"I should have known that the two of you had another plan up your wands." Remus said rolling his eyes. "How big of a pain is this project going to be?"
"Well we want at least one big animal type, and maybe some other smaller stuff. We were thinking of maybe something like Jackalopes, there is a high demand for that kind of food out here we were also thinking of raising magical horses you know that there are shows and stuff for that sort of thing."
"Fine after we have an idea of where we are going to live." Remus said sighing, knowing that his friends were intent on playing cowboy know that they were in Texas he just hoped it didn't blow up in there faces. "Looks like we are the only sane ones here Harry." He said to the dozing form in his arms. "It'll be up to us to keep them from acting up."
"Hey no turning him from the Marauder way Mooney." Sirus said, "or are you trying to insult us?"
"I doubt that it would affect either of you since the two of you both have heads harder than Gryffindors sword, and they're more hollow than the shrieking shack." They all shared a laugh at this as they began making their plans for the future.