"At the Three Broomsticks…"
Harry turned the page and saw a very old looking picture. It was crumpled and stiffer than some of the others. It was of the four friends about 15 years old all sat in what looked like the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmead. There was a very young attractive blond witch, pulling a pint in the background. Harry felt a sudden pang of realisation that this was a much younger Madam Rosmerta, before she became the landlady.
Harry looked back at the four friends, who were shifting slightly in the moving picture, holding up pints of Butterbeer and looking like they were toasting something. Harry noticed that it seemed to have been taken from the Daily Prophet and wondered why this picture was included.
It was very strange, Harry thought, looking at a picture of his father and his friends being actually younger than he is now. James was still exceptionally good looking, but still had more of a baby face compared to the good looking, tall, high cheeked bone adult Harry had seen so many times in pictures.
Harry couldn't help but wonder what they are toasting…
"We are so close!" Sirius said bitterly getting up from the floor for a fifth time. "I know we are, I can feel it, we are nearly there!"
"Don't push yourselves to hard," came Remus's voice from the back of a classroom.
It was a wintry afternoon in Hogwarts. Snow was drifting outside, covering the castle's grounds with a thick, soft blanket. Most students where outside laughing in the snow or else hurling snowballs at each other. The Marauders, however, where spending this lunchtime inside, practicing with all their might to achieve their ambition of becoming animagi.
"Don't push yourself too hard?" Said Sirius incredulously. "We've been doing this for 3 years, there is no way we are not going to crack this."
Remus smiled weakly and said no more.
"Let's try it again." Said James who was rubbing his side from where he landed particularly heavily from one fall.
The marauders where at the final stages of their transformation studies. Having undergone various spells, potions and studies, they had reached the last point, the physical transformation. The final trick to being an amimagi was the art of being able to fling yourself and physically break from your body which changes into the creature. This took months of study and practice to achieve to relevant spells to enable your body to change at a moments notice. They were finally at the last stage that was putting the spell into action.
"I'm still not getting it!" Moaned Peter who was sulking crossed legged on a chair. He kept looking over eagerly at James and Sirius. He wanted them to achieve it first so that then they could both help him. He knew he wouldn't be the first to achieve the spell.
"Ok. Shall we try one last time before we go outside and I kick your arse in a snowball fight, Black?" James asked playfully.
"You're on, Potter." Replied Sirius.
"Ok, come on… Focus." Mumbled James as they both took up their places in the room.
"GO!" Shouted Sirius and the two of them lept up, but instead of hitting the floor as humans they fell as animals.
"You've done it!" Cried Remus in exhilaration, jumping to his feet. Peter clapped his hands and cheered excitedly.
A large stag stood in the centre of the room. Its graceful body stood bold and up right, its magnificent antlers reaching high to the classrooms ceiling. The stag tossed its head round, and looked down at its hooves below. Tentatively it began to take its first steps, legs wobbling slightly.
"Haha, come on Bambi!" Cheered Remus.
The stag looked round, its dark eyes fixed on Remus in an expression of apparent confusion.
"Nevermind, you've done it James!"
The stag began to take more and more steps and before too long had begun cantering round the room, displaying beautiful antlers.
The dog seemed to be finding it easier to adjust to all fours and was instead chasing its own tail in delight. It was at this moment when the dog spotted the deer. Adopting a playful position, the dog leaped at the stag, knocking it lightly. The stag responded by chasing the dog around the room to the woop and cheers of the two spectators.
Suddenly the bell rang and all playfulness was paused. There was whooooosh and there stood a proud, but panting, Sirius and James.
"So I guess that's what its like to be an amimagi!" beamed James gleefully.
"It's exhausting stuff!" Said Sirius, still bent over, catching his breath.
"Wow. A stag and…. And a giant dog, who knew." Muttered Remus, looking in awe at his best friends.
"Well I saw the proud stag coming, especially from Mr Perfect over there." Joked Sirius.
"And the scruffy yet mildly terrifying black dog was always going to be you!"
"Cheers, mate." Replied Sirius, pretending to be affronted.
"I can't believe you've done it!" Squeaked Peter, rushing forward.
"You're next" Said James. "You're so close Peter, we'll get you there in no time, now we know how to do it we can coach you."
Peter beamed and Sirius rolled his eyes.
"I think this calls for a celebration," suggested James, clapping his hands together cheerfully.
"What about lessons?" a concerned Remus asked.
"On a day like today? No way, Remus. We are going to remember this day forever. Look how big our animals are! There is no chance your going to be a danger with us with you. Don't you see? With us around we can keep you company. It's all going to be worth it."
Remus fell silent and looked between his two friends with silent gratitude.
"Celebration it is!" Cried Sirius eagerly.
The four made their way towards out of the classroom and headed towards a large cracked Mirror on the fourth floor. Behind this mirror hid a secret passageway that led to Hogsmead, the basement of the Three Broomsticks to be precise.
"Flich is going to find these passages soon you know." Said Remus flatly.
"No way," beamed Black positively. "We've found seven passages so far, he can't find all of them!"
James tapped the mirror expertly with his wand. A small brass door handle melted out of the glass. James seized it and pulled the now door to one side to allow the other marauders to pass, closing it quietly behind him.
The tunnel was high and draughty. There were huge pillars of rock that held up the high ceiling, although occasionally bits of loose rubble would tap as it fell to the floor below. The passage narrowed and twisted, until 15 minutes later the four arrived at a wall.
James put his ear to the wall then smiled.
"All clear!" he said, beaming.
They pushed through the secret door disguised so beautifully that it blended perfectly into the brick wall of the basement. When James quietly shut it again, there was no way to tell that there was a passage of any kind behind that plain brick.
The basement was dimly light, only a narrow window set high into the wall cast a shaft of light into the musty space. They sneaked passed barrels of Butterbeer set against the walls. There were other boxes of firewhiskey and ale which gave off a glorious aroma into the musty, murky basement. They tiptoed up the wooden stairs and reappeared behind the bar where a young blond was serving.
Sirius separated himself from the group and stealthy headed towards her. She was pulling a pint and therefore hadn't noticed her stalker. Suddenly Sirius jumped from behind and placed his hands over her eyes. She shirked and dropped the glass which shattered.
"Sirius!" She exclaimed. Throwing a wet towel at him in exasperation. "How many times do I have to tell you, NOT behind the bar!"
She bent to pick up the glass but it had vanished. As she straightened up a beaming James stood infront of her holding up the newly mended glass.
"You two really are as bad as each other."
"Moi?" Said James in mock hurt.
"Yes, you two, honestly, such trouble makers."
"Four butterbeers please." Sirius asked, in his politest tone.
"Do you not have lessons this afternoon?" She asked suspiciously, her eyes narrowing.
"No," replied James and Sirius simultaneously, but a little too quickly.
"Honestly!" She exclaimed.
"Thank you, Rosmerta." Sirius grinned, pecking her on the cheek. Rosmerta blushed scarlet and chivvied the two troublemakers away.
"I should think so too! Now get out from back here or I'll have to charge you for your drinks."
The pair grinned and gave her a cheeky wink, before ducking into the bar area with their drinks.
"Maybe you should ask her out?" Asked Sirius
"Who, me?" Said James, in surprise. James looked back to where Rosmerta was now serving an elderly witch dressed in magenta.
"Not my type, mate," James concluded finally.
"Prefer red-heads?" Sirius asked slyly.
James gave him a playful push, but said nothing. Laughing heartily, they joined an already seated Peter and Remus at a scrubbed wooden table.
"Well boys, here is to the start of a great year!" James chortled.
"But it's halfway through the school year already?" Asked a confused Peter, looking at the window at the glistening winter snow.
"A metaphorical year, Peter," said James patiently. "Today is the start of a great beginning for the marauders."
"Maybe you should have nicknames." Joked Remus.
"Splendid idea, Remus!" Cheered James.
"I was joking."
"I wasn't, let's do it!"
James took a gulp of butterbeer, and wiped away the froth from his mouth, thinking.
"I'm thinking something to do with antlers, maybe like Ant-something…" he said thoughtfully.
"I'm thinking like claw, you know, claw-something, because of my new massive nails." Sirius answered, stretching his fingers as far as he could
"You can't have claws" Explained Remus.
"Why not?!"
"You're not a cat. Dogs don't really have claws, their feet are more like pads." Said Remus kindly.
"Padfoot!" James yelled, nearly spilling his butterbeer in his excitement.
"I like that." Replied Sirius, smiling.
"I don't have a nickname," grumbled Peter.
"As soon as we figure out your animal we'll get yours too."
"If you have antlers maybe you should think of something pointy." Said Remus helpfully.
"Yeah, like pointy-pain-in-the-arse! Or something more simple – prick!" Laughed Sirius.
"Well, I was actually thinking more like prongs." Explained Remus
"I like that too." Said James.
"Still preferred prick," grumbled Sirius into his butterbeer.
"Well cheers to that then!"
It was at that moment when a holiday making wizard named Bertie, decided that this was the best butterbeer he had ever had. He was a reviewer of wizarding ale and decided that he needed a picture to go with the review he would write for the Daily Prophet.
As he turned round, hoping to catch the drinking in action, just at the time the four friends clinked their glasses merrily.
And that's when the picture was taken.
A/N -Thankyou so much for reading. I'm not doing these pictures in order as I don't want to restrict myself, so just imagine Hagrid put them in a very scratty order!
EternalVeritie – Thankyou for your suggestions! I've had some similar thoughts, but will get cracking with trying to make them happen.
Noonesafe and Bad Wolf and Timelords - Thankyou for both for your support!
Please review if you can! Cheers.