Several weeks later, the four boys were sitting in their dorm, sipping butterbeer that they had taken from the kitchens.
While Remus was talking about an essay for who knows what class, James looked at Sirius, who nodded.
After a deep breath, James said, "Remus, we know your secret."
The effects were instantaneous; a confused Peter looked at a terrified Remus, who had just spat out a mouthful of butterbeer.
"What?" Remus asked, voice shaking a bit.
"We," James said, "That is to say, Sirius and I, know your secret. We know that you're-"
He was cut off as Remus slapped a hand over James' mouth.
"How?" Remus asked quietly. "How do you know? How do you know that you're right?"
Sirius picked up. "Well, obviously you have a secret, mate. And everything makes perfect sense. It's kind of like the evidence was written in the stars…or moon."
Remus began to shake uncontrollably. "Okay, you know. You know that I'm a…. a…. you know. What are you going to do? Quit being my friends? Turn me over to the entire school? Go on, tell me!"
"No," James said. "Remus, mate, you're our friend. We'd never turn you in. So you're not yourself one day a month, big deal. We want to help."
"Help with what?" Peter asked, still confused.
"Really?" Remus asked, looking at James and Sirius. He then laughed shakily and looked at Peter, saying, "Okay, Pete, I get sick once a month. Each month I get sick on the full moon. You still don't get it? I'm a…a werewolf. Now how were you planning on helping?"
"We're going to stay with you when you transform," Sirius said.
"NO! I mean, thanks, but werewolves have a tendency to…to attack humans."
James smiled. "Hey, we're not done with our explanation! We're going to become Animgi. You won't attack animals that much, will you?"
"No…James, that's really advanced magic, and it's illegal…"
Sirius grinned, "We're really advanced! Or, James and I are, and since when has the word 'illegal' stopped us? We'll just do some research and figure out how to do this."
"Hey," Remus said, softly. "Thanks."
They had been spending an incredible amount of time in the library, gathering information on Animagi.
James was sitting on a table, reading from a book, "'Ordinary Transfiguration of a human into an animal shape results in the human having an animal brain, and thus being unable to remember what he or she was supposed to be doing. Retaining one's mental capacities while still taking on an animals form is a highly advanced form of Transfiguration and can go horribly wrong. Consequently, those who can master this Transfiguration are quite rare in the wizarding world; they are referred to as Animagi. More precisely, an Animagus is a witch or wizard who has the ability to Transfigure herself/himself into an animal at will while retaining his/her mental powers, such as the ability to think like a human.'"
"Well, we knew that, but thanks anyway, James," Sirius said.
"Hey! I'm just reading what Remy told me to read! Speaking of that, Remus, read what you found."
"Fine," Remus sighed. "Don't know how much good it'll do me because of…"
"Your furry little problem?" Sirius asked.
Remus smiled. "Yeah, because of that. Anyway, 'The Animagus Transfiguration can be performed wordlessly. It is possibly for another witch or wizard who is sufficiently knowledgeable to force an Animagus to Transfigure from animal shape back into human.' Okay, Sirius, you can go now."
"'An Animagus' physical condition as an animal reflects his or her physical condition as a human. An Animagus retains his or her clothing, spectacles, and so on throughout the transformation, disappearing when the Animagus is in animal shape, but reappearing when human shape is resumed.' Well, that's reassuring! And James, mate, you'll be able to see when you get back to your human form, because we all know how you're blind."
"Okay, then!" James cut in. "Peter, read your bit then."
"'An Animagus appears to have some ability to communicate with true animals, however it is not known whether an Animagus must be in Animagus form to do so.'"
The other three boys just looked at Peter, saying, "That's all you found?"
"Yeah," Peter squeaked. "I think James has more though."
"I do," James said. "'The Improper Use of Magic office maintains a register of all known Animagi. This register keeps a record of, for each known Animagi: the kind of animal the Animagus transforms into, and distinguishing markings. There are penalties for being an Animagus and failing to register with the Improper Use of Magic office. It is not known precisely what the legal consequences are for an unregistered Animagus, but they are apparently rather severe.'"
Remus looked up. "I think this might just work."
"Me too," James said, half paying attention while staring at the retreating back of Lily Evans. "I think I like her."
The boys followed James' gaze and Sirius said, "What do you mean you like her? James, we hate her!"
"No, I don't hate her. I really think I like her. A lot."
"James," Sirius pleaded. "She quit the team! You hate her! Come back to us, mate!"
"No. I like her. I like Lily Evans."