As the months passed, James, Sirius and Peter became more and more worried about Remus. Sure, he was happier than they had ever seen him since they had accepted him as a werewolf, but every month they would meet him at the hospital wing, deep cuts along his chest and sides. Of course, Madam Pomfrey always managed to heal him, but the trio couldn't bare seeing their friend in so much pain. Remus refused to say anything about his transformations, except that he mutilated himself to let out all the beastly rage that couldn't be contained, so they had to find as much information as thy could in the library, much to the annoyance of Sirius and the amusement of Peter.
After much useless research, they discovered that the transformation into a wolf is extremely painful, as all of the bones in the body must break and reorganize themselves and the fur grew at an accelerated rate, as did the teeth and claws.
The boys were horrified by the article and immediately split up : one would research a way to calm the pain, another would continue the research they were already doing, and the other would ask teachers and specialists for advice, as well as send letters to Damocles Belby, who was working on a cure for lycanthropy, explaining the situation and asking for help. They did all of this, of course, either at night, aided by James' cloak, or during the full moon, so that Remus would remain oblivious to their efforts until they had actually fond something.
During their research, the discovered that wolves were only aggressive and dangerous to humans, having no quarrel with other animals, for example.
It was midway through March that they discovered their first clue to helping Remus, in Transfiguration.
"For the past two years and a half, you have learned to change objects into other objects, and animals into objects. We will now be proceeding to change objects into animals, magic that is more difficult than anything you have done so far. Within a year or so's time, you will have learned to temporarily change people into animals. To turn yourself into an animal permanently, or rather at your will, is another level completely." Professor Mcgonagall said. "Someone able to become a certain animal at their will, like myself, is called an Animagus."
At this, James sat straight and lifted his arm so fast that Sirius was sure it would fly off.
"Miss, how does one become an Animagus?" He asked.
"It is a long process, Mr Potter, one that many wizards and witches give up on, as it is so hard. But today we'll not talk about Animagi, that is a lesson for later."
As she continued her lesson, James returned to his slouching position, but the sparkle in his eyes remained, and Sirius knew he had an idea.
That night, once Remus was asleep, his three roommates snuck downstairs to the commonroom.
"I have it!" Announced James excitedly.
"What? You know how to help Remus?" Squeaked Peter.
"Yes! Remember that book said he was only a danger to humans? What if we all become Animagi?" He exclaimed.
"Are you mad?" Sirius responded, though the idea seemed quite appealing. "Mcgonagall said it was long and hard, this is quite an urgent matter, in case you hadn't noticed."
"I know but nothing else will work, I've tried every possible trick and this is the only one that has a slight chance of working! Plus, imagine it really, you'd be able to do whatever you wanted!"
"Actually Animagi have to register themselves with the ministry, in case they use their abilities for crime." Peeped Peter.
"Doesn't matter, it'd still be amazing right? And we could keep and eye on Remus while he's a full fledged beast."
After hesitating, Sirius grinned enthusiastically, and Peter followed. They spent the night planning the amount of research they'd have to do to find out how to pull off such a feat, and discussed what they'd do once they had, because none of them doubted that they would.
The End.
Coming soon : The Marauders, the tale of how they became Animagi and created the Marauders' map.