The Five Marauders, Year Three
Chapter 21
"Only very powerful and skilled wizards are able to become Animagi. The process of becoming an Animagus is long and arduous, and has the potential to backfire and cause the transformation to go horribly wrong. Once the initial training is over, an Animagus can change at will at any time, with or without a wand," I read.
"Wonder where Moony got his response yesterday from," James muttered.
We all started at him. "What," He asked, "That guy memorised the entire paragraph!"
"Be quiet and let me finish," I ordered, and obviously, he obeyed.
"Animagi can only take on the form of one specific animal," I continued, "This animal form is not chosen by the wizard, but determined by their personality and inner traits. Thus, one's Animagus form is a reflection of one's inner nature."
"Hmm. So how will we know what animal we are?" Sirius wondered.
"I think I know," A little voice squeaked.
"Speak up Peter, and explain please," I asked my friend.
"Well. I think I heard Professor Brooke talking to Professor McGonagall about something called Patronsomething. Apparently the shape of it is a reflection of someone's soul, so I guess that also means personality…" He explained slightly louder.
'I need to help him work on his confidence', I thought, before thinking over what he just said.
"Patrosomething… Do you mean a patronus?" James asked.
At once Peter began nodding furiously.
'Patronus', I thought, 'Patronus… I heard that somewhere before.'
"How do you know about the patrowhatevers?" Sirius questioned, looking curiously at James, who shrugged.
"Heard the sixth years talking mentioning them quite a few times in the common room."
And then it clicked.
"I know what a patronus is!" I exclaimed, "I was in a couple of sixth-year DADA lessons when I had that punishment with Ivy, and they were learning about them!"
"Great! What are they then?" Asked Sirius.
"Uhh.. I… Can't remember?" I replied with a sorry grin.
Just then the doors to the boys' dormitory opened and in walked Remus.
"There you are guys! I was looking for you," He exclaimed, "Did I interrupt something?"
"Oh, not really," James said, "We were just wondering what a patronus is."
We all stared at James. Why the hell would he tell Remus?
"Where did you hear of them," Remus wondered.
"Oh, just heard a couple of guys in the common room talking 'bout them," Sirius answered offhandedly, "Any idea what they are?"
"Uh, yeah. I know what they are," Remus replied looking at us oddly. Well we probably did look slightly suspicious.
"Well pray-tell, Moony," I asked without thinking.
Remus looked at me even more oddly and the other guys all put their faces in their hands, shaking their heads at my stupidity.
"Moony? What kind of nickname is that?" Remus asked.
'Well I'm an idiot', I thought.
And that was true, for I just put Sirius, James, Peter and I into a hell lot of trouble.
You see, sometime ago we decided to call Remus 'Moony' when near people and if we're talking about his condition, so no one who overheard us would find out Remus is a werewolf. Sirius thought of the idea and Peter was the one who came up with the name Moony. We've been using it most of the time because… Well… I guess we just really liked the name. Plus, it was fitting. And now Remus found out. How do we explain it to him?!
My brain was frantically searching for an excuse, but I found none. Remus was looking at each of us in turn, ending on me.
"Well… Umm… It's a cool nickname, don't you think?" I said lamely.
Remus was staring at me, and I could almost hear his brain trying to figure me out. And then it looked like something clicked and everything fell into place. Remus' eyes widened in realisation as the truth dawned on him.
"Moony… Moony… MOONy. You guys know!"
I shared a look with my friends, before standing up and walking up to Remus. The others followed my example.
"We know. We figured it some time ago," I said, reaching out to lay a hand on his shoulder. He shook it off.
"How long?" He asked coldly, ignoring my hurt expression.
"How long?!" He asked again when none of us answered.
"Just under a month," I replied softly.
Remus closed his eyes and took a breath. When he opened them, he was glaring at us, yet I felt as if the glare was aimed mainly at me.
"You knew, and yet you didn't tell me?"
His tone was cold, and it cut through me like a blade. This was Remus talking. The Remus that was so close to me! The Remus that I never fought with. The Remus that I shared everything with.
"We didn't think you needed to know," I whispered. I couldn't speak up. I felt so close to tears.
"Didn't think I need to know?" Remus laughed, "Oh wonderful. So you plainly don't tell your best friend that you know his biggest secret; that you know he's a BLOOD-THIRSTY MONSTER just because you didn't think he needed to know?!"
I felt like I was about to cry. I really wanted for the other guys to say something; To save me from having to reply, but they didn't. They left me alone to deal with Remus.
I lowered my head and looked away from him.
"Yes," I breathed, almost inaudibly.
I felt a hand grab my face, and raise it, almost roughly.
I stared into those hazel eyes that I couldn't imagine belonging to a monster.
"Shows just how well you know me then," Remus muttered, before leaving the dorm.
I felt rooted to the spot. My gaze never left the place where Remus just stood. I could feel three pairs of eyes staring at me, but they were ignored.
"Jay," someone laid their hand on my shoulder. I turned and faced Sirius. He grinned slightly. "Guess we won't find out what a patronus is then," He joked, trying to lighten the mood, yet that did nothing but anger me.
Sirius must have seen something change in my eyes because he immediately retreated his hand.
"Sirius Black! You are so insensitive!" I yelled, "How can you even attempt to joke after your best friend is mad at you! No. Wait," I retreated slightly so I could look at all three boys at once, "He's not angry with you three, is he? He's just angry with me! He blames me for not telling him. He didn't say anything to you guys, he just yelled at me! And you didn't do anything to back me up. Some friends you are."
Without waiting for any kind of response, I stormed out of the room, slamming the door just like Remus had previously.
Tadah. So the truth is out, Jamie is angry with the guys and Remus is angry with all four of them. Or is he only angry with Jamie? You'll find out soon!
Oh, and I'm sorry for not updating when I said I would! My crappy computer decided to be the little shit it is and switch off every three minutes. Gut it fixed now though :D
R&R and I'll try to post the next chapter soon!