Chapter 3.2: In Which Transfiguration Skills Come in Handy

Summary: The only thing James' uncanny proficiency in Transfigur-ation was useful for before was an easy Outstanding on nearly every assignment. Until now, that is. When it ensures the lives of him and his two best friends. Go figure.

Disclaimer: Although I totally made up all the information about Animagi in both the last chapter and this one, most everything else belongs to J.K. Except Abi, who I don't think I mention in this chapter…

Author's Note: Sorry if you think the spell I made up for Animagi is too easy/unrealistic, but I tried my best. :) Also: quisling IS a real word. Look it up, lazy, if you really want to know what it means.


The library had never been put to better use by Remus than right now.

He spent hours and hours a day, wandering around dusty old tomes in the "Restricted" section (with a note from Professor McGonagall, of course) where they all agreed he was bound to find the best information. James, Sirius, and Peter, all lacking essential skills for frequenting a library, instead stayed back at their dormitory and practiced Transfiguring things, which Remus said might help.

Lily, however, was most definitely not told about this – all four boys feared she would report them, and James especially was afraid she would treat him with even more disdain if she knew he was breaking the law. She was most confused with Remus' behavior, and when she inquired after his strange and sudden interest in the restricted books, he told her he was just curious, and McGonagall had let him study some little-known Transfiguration spells in return for extra credit (which was actually true – Remus was always a favorite of the Transfiguration teacher, even though James excelled him by far in the subject).

By the end of a fortnight, Remus had about a dozen books stacked by the end of his bed, and he announced to his friends,

"I think we're ready."


"Alright…here it is…Add the Latin name of the animal that the witch or wizard wishes to be able to Transfigure into after the spell Animario."

"And then here…The Animario spell is very powerful, so be able to master most human Transfiguration skills before attempting this. We did that, right?"

"Yeah…and this part…The witch or wizard in question will involuntarily Transfigure into their Animagus form immediately after the spell has been cast. To transform back into the human form, one must concentrate and focus on their human selves, and the ability to Transfigure oneself in a second should come quite naturally. If not, the counter-spell should be performed immediately, if possible. Scary. If possible…"

"Well, anyway…listen here…The witch or wizard casting the spell must be positive of the animal that the other witch or wizard in question wishes to be able to Transfigure into and picture it in their mind. Otherwise, even with the Latin name of the creature, there could be a mistake. Jeez. We're going to end up turning each other into weasels or something."

The Saturday afternoon sun was streaming in their window, and most students were at dinner on this autumn day. Remus, Sirius, James, and Peter were strewn across their dormitory, each with a book in their hands and butterflies in their stomachs. They were reviewing information they had all already learned, in preparation. James was fidgeting with his wand, imagining the task it would have to do later – it had been decided he was best at Transfiguration, so he would take care of Sirius and Peter, but it Remus was in charge of him.

"No more procrastinating, James. You'd better get started," Remus nudged his friend with his foot, and tossed a piece of parchment at his friend, which read, Sirius: Animario canis familiaris, Peter: Animario rattus norvegicus, James: Animario cervidae. Taking a deep breath, James said, "Sirius. You're first."

"Oh, what am I, your lab rat?" he said, smiling. "In that case, use Peter." Both James and Remus glared at their friend, and he instantly sobered up.

James pointed his wand towards his friend, his hand shaking. He concentrated hard on remembering the whole incantation and focusing on the animal. He pictured a large, bear-like black dog in his mind's eye, which Sirius had described every detail of to him. James cleared his throat, and pronounced, "Animario canis familiaris."

Instantly, Sirius' face began to distort until its features resembled a canine, and he fell forward on all fours before his body began growing fur and changing shape rapidly. Within seconds, a completely different creature was standing before them. Peter was about to wet himself, Remus felt so shocked he was numb, and could barely move. James was staring intently at the dog, his best friend, and said, "Sirius. Can you change back?"

The dog growled, clearly frustrated. But soon, the process was reversed, and Sirius was standing, completely intact, with a huge grin on his face.

"It worked! It feels amazing! I can't even tell you—"

James laughed. "Turn into a dog again, then!" Sirius' grin grew wider, if possible, and in an instant, he was a dog again. He bounded around his friends, barking and yelping when James tackled him. Remus smiled at their antics, but was far from being calm when he considered what still had to be done.

In time, Sirius was human and settled on his bed, watching his friends eagerly as James, most of his fear gone, pointed his wand carelessly at Peter. He was not careless with the spell, though – he imagined a small, quick grey rat, and stated, "Animario rattus norvegicus."

Peter's terrified face was soon gone, and in his place a scurrying rat, which made scuttling noises as it ran over their toes. Chuckling, Remus bent down and picked Peter up by the fur on his back. He thrashed as his feet no longer met the safety of their wooden floor.

"Peter. Calm down. You've got to change back, mate," Remus told his friend carefully. He set down the rat on his bed, and watched as Peter stayed perfectly still, attempting to picture his human self. Despite their friend's obvious lack in studiousness, he was soon very much a person again, a silly smile on his face.

After all congratulations were finished with, James casually nodded to Remus, saying, "You now, mate. It's my turn."

Shaking slightly, Remus' hand dove into his pocket for his wand. As he pointed it towards his friend, feeling like a quisling, he used his strong memory to recall all of the important rules they had reviewed. He wasn't sure whether he spoke the incantation at all; his voice seemed so distant he was not positive it wasn't just in his head. Those worries were soon gone, however, when James was suddenly transformed into a large stag, pushing several stacks of books and a trunk out of the way with his bulk.

All three boys leaned forward eagerly, watching the magnificent creature that was their friend as it struggled visibly. But Transfiguration was James' best subject, naturally, and soon he was fully human again, grinning triumphantly.

James, Peter, and Sirius soon began a vivid conversation, describing the wonderful feeling it was, being another animal. Remus smiled faintly at his friends, wanting to be happy for them. But it was not the first time he had felt left out when he was with the three of them.

Oh, well, Remus thought.

That's the life a werewolf is doomed for, anyway.