I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter Eleven

It was the Saturday before Hermione's fourteenth birthday and the four Gryffindor Animagi (or almost Animagi) were waiting in their hideout (the Shrieking shack) waiting for Sirius and Remus to bring their newest recruits to the 'Way of the Marauder'. Ron was only there because Hermione forced him to come because all of them needed to agree to add members.

It was obvious that Ron wasn't happy that they wanted Ginny to join. But he really couldn't say anything if he approves of Luna. There was no reason why he shouldn't let them join. Saying that they were too young was too hypocritical, even for Ron.

He had to such qualms with Susan. The fact that she was a Hufflepuff was a non-issue. He was fine with anyone in the group as long they weren't a Slytherin, and Harry wasn't about to let a Slytherin in their group. It was then that Ron realized his mistake for the past three weeks. He just wasn't sure how to apologize.

"Harry, I'm sorry. I was a prat to you." Ron said this in a rush but Harry was far too used to 'Ron talk' that he knew what he said.

"That's alright. Happens to everyone," said Harry.

Ron sighed in relief. Hermione on the other had muttered something that sound a lot like 'boys'. Neville only shook his head.

It was a while longer before Sirius and Remus appeared with the three girls. The two adults had very unsettling smirks on their faces. The girls were only too happy to get way from the men. Susan knew what was going on still worried about their sanity.

"Today we are here to induct the three of you into an Order of utmost dignity." Harry could tell that Sirius was trying to keep a straight face with difficulty. In fact, Harry was having a hard time not laughing at his dad. "I am, of course, talking about the Marauders."

Ginny raised her had as if she was in class. Remus nodded at her without a word. "Sirs, what are the Marauders?"

"Miss Weasley, the you wound us. How can you not know about the Marauders? They were the greatest pranksters to have ever walked these grounds. This group was able to become Animagi without Dumbledore ever finding out. He still doesn't know that I am an Animagus. Your brother, Harry, Neville and Hermione are or will be Animagi by the end of the year. And we want to teach you three as well." Sirius really did look like he was hurt that Ginny didn't know about his legacy. The older Gryffindors, however, knew that he was teasing her.

"Sirius, there's no reason to scare the girl," said Remus.

"Trust me, Sirius is nothing more than a puppy, sometimes literally." Said Harry.

"Your Animagus form is a puppy? That's cute."

Sirius looked indignant by that comment. Harry was a puppy not him. "No, I'm a full grown dog that looks a bit like a Grim."

Harry and the others expected many things from this announcement. Shock and surprise were among them. Anger was not. It was then that Harry swore to never make Susan, or any other redhead, that angry.

"That was you!"

"What was me?" Sirius was trying to appear innocent.

"You're that manic dog that covered me in dirt back in First Year."

"It was a accident," Sirius pleaded.

While the innocent looked worked on most witches and got him out of many detentions (excluding those from McGonagall) it did not work on fourteen-year-old Susan bones. Harry and the other Gryffindor Third Years were impressed. When Sirius realized that it wasn't working he tried a new tactic, Padfoot. But since it was Padfoot that caused the problem in the first place it didn't really help matters.

Harry needed to defuse things and fast.

"Guys, can we hurry things along here? It won't be long before we're missed and we have a lot to cover tonight." With that Sirius began his lecture on Animagus meditation while Harry and Hermione were helping Ron and Neville with their problems with completing the transformation. They both were so close.

Hermione's fourteenth birthday and the rest of September flew past with out much incident. Harry thought that most of his classes were easy. He was having some problems with Arithmancy but Hermione and Remus were a huge help in that class. Ancient Runes was fascinating to a point but many of the runes looked alike that it was difficult to translate them even though they were only on a beginners level.

Hermione wasn't having such an easy time with her time management skills. Unless she was in training with Harry she almost always had her nose in one of her books, usually her Ancient Runes or Arithmancy texts. Though she did feel as though Harry wasn't studying enough. He already knew most of his work so he didn't need to study in anything but Runes and Arithmancy.

Care of Magical Creature was really interesting as well. While they only did a few lessons on hippogriffs they did learn about Auguries and Runespoors. Harry had to very careful to keep his mouth shut during those lessons since Runespoors are snakes.

Then October came. The start to the month was pretty much the same as September but with one major change. The Quidditch season had begun and Harry was busier than ever. He managed to convince Oliver Wood that he only needed to practice once a week and he already knew a lot of Seeker tactics, more than Wood knew. Plus the fact that he never lost a game didn't hurt.

Harry wanted to keep his Firebolt a secret for as long as possible. He used the Nimbus that he gave to Hermione for team Practice and the Firebolt for any private practice that he could fit into his heavy schedule. Besides, he had read that it was better to practice with a worse broom than the one you use in games. But he also needed to get used to the Firebolt's power.

When Lavender learned of the death of her pet rabbit Harry stepped in between her and Hermione before Hermione said anything stupid. Harry knew that Lavender could turn mean when she had to.

When Halloween came Harry wasn't sure what he wanted to do on the day. That was the first Hogsmeade day and everyone Third Year and above was thrilled. The fact that it landed on a holiday only increased that excitement.

Harry really didn't want to go for two reasons. One reason was the fact that it was Halloween; a time of the year he couldn't get excited about. The other was because Remus' Wolfsbane Potion didn't turn out. He suspected that his supply of Wolfsbane was tainted. The mint that Harry always used only made it taste better. The full moon was that night and Remus was very sick and there was nothing that Madam Pomfrey could do help. Harry knew that he wasn't going to be better for at least a week.

It was Ron that convinced Harry that should go on the trip. Of course Ron didn't know that Remus was sick but he didn't need to know that. Only Hermione knew about Remus' being a werewolf. Well, Luna might know but she wouldn't say anything.

Hogsmeade was fun despite the fact that Harry was stared at wherever he went. They went up to the Shrieking Shack but Hermione said that it wasn't really that impressive since she knew the true history of the place.

Harry once again decided not to attend the Halloween Feast and he wasn't surprised that Hermione choose to follow him instead. It came to be a tradition to be together even though Remus would be locked up in his room after the feast.

They did have fun with Sirius and Tonks who was once again taking time off work. Sirius told the two of them more stories about his days at Hogwarts and the few years after. There were some things he didn't talk about but that was ok with the two teens. Sirius decided that he was going to sneak into the school to check on Remus and Tonks was staying in the village at a local inn.

The feast was just ending when they went back up to the school. Sirius was in his dog form as he went on his way to Remus' office. Harry and Hermione joined the queue to Gryffindor Common Room. But the portrait was closed and the Fat Lady was missing. Next to portrait was a glowing skull with a snake protruding from its mouth and the most chilling words that shook Hermione to her core.

YOU'LL BE NEXT SWEETIE!

A/N I'm so sorry that this took so long to get out. But as the old story goes, my computer crashed. And it took forever to get it fixed. I did have an old one but I didn't trust it to upload without kicking me off the net as it had the habit of doing. But now I'm back and will be updating on a regular schedule.

I know that the official timeline says that the full moon was the fifth of November. But I wanted to use the real calendar for the events.