Chapter 57

Detention

Sirius walked to McGonagall's room, Christmas had been great, naturally, but seeing the rest of the Marauders come back was better. Remus enjoyed Christmas despite missing his parents, something Sirius would never be able to understand. Remus could enjoy just about anything if he really wanted to.

Sirius tried to remember what this detention was for. What ever it was it happened a long time ago, probably towards the beginning of the year. He smirked, he probably spent more time in detention with McGonagall then he did with anyone but the Marauders. He spent all his time with them. Detention was the only time they were apart.

"Black." McGonagall greeted calmly. She'd given up getting upset with him, it didn't help and she was getting tired of pretending to be upset with him. He wasn't hurting anything but the victim's pride really.

"Professor," he replied sitting in one of the chairs. Smiling at the three other chairs beside him, and wishing they were occupied.

They spent the detention going over that day's transfig lessons. The good thing about having so many detentions was that he was actually going to pass transfiguration this year, without help from extra credit assignments. They had considered telling her about their additions to the map, but quickly decided against it. There were a lot of places they'd added to the map that they really didn't want the teachers to know about. It would really hurt them if they couldn't get around the school without the teachers knowing. They learned that the hard way when Filch had found one of their favorite shortcuts.

Naturally it was Peter's fault Filch had found it. Sometimes Sirius really wanted to throw Peter out the window. James might have a few objections to that.

"Black, are you even paying attention?"

"Ya," he said off offhandedly.

"What is it now?" she asked, not happy with the distraction.

"I'm sorry, I'm just worried about Remus." He apologized sincerely. He usually tried to pay attention to these lessons, as he needed them to pass. She sighed and sat back down, the look on his face told her that if she went towards the front of the castle she'd see him sitting at the door again. She didn't say anything. He started flipping though a random book on her desk out of awkwardness.

"Do you know what you're going to be?" He asked noticing the subject of the book.

"A cat." She answered, he gave a small smile.

"I'm more of a dog person myself."

"Why am I not surprised?" She asked.

"Probably my name."

"I'm not too sure your name has anything to do with it." She replied, but he'd zoned out.

"Does this make you exactly like a normal animal? With no differences at all?" He asked still looking a little zoned.

"Well you can still control you're own mind, but that's about the only difference." She said curious as to why he was asking. He didn't say anything, just continued flipping though the book. She waited to see if he'd say anything else for a while before giving up. "Alright, Sirius, I guess we're done here. Don't forget to do the homework. I'm sure James could help you with it if you needed it." Sirius nodded and put the book back before leaving without saying another word. Something strange was going on in that boys head, and she wasn't foolish enough to think she'd ever find out what.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Knight to E-3." James said watching his knight move. "When is Si getting out of detention?" He complained, he liked Peter, but Sirius was much more fun.

"I dunno." Peter replied he looked out the window at the full moon. It had only been dark for an hour and they were both already rather tense. They got that way during most full moons, all but Sirius. Sirius didn't tense. Sirius got really quiet and depressing. And he disappeared a lot too. Sirius though no one saw him leave in the middle of the night but Peter saw it. Peter saw a lot more than they gave him credit for. Such as now for example, Sirius walked in with a thoughtful expression on his face. James was too excited that he had someone reasonably fun to play with, but Peter noticed. Peter also noticed that this wasn't one of the expressions he recognized.

"James, can I ask you something?" He said, still rather lost in his thoughts.

"You just did." James replied, finally noticing that Sirius wasn't even listening to his hints that he should play exploding snap with him.

"What would you be willing to do to help Remus?" Sirius asked, causing all of them to watch him closely.

"Anything, Why?" James looked suspicious.

"Even something illegal and potentially dangerous?"

"Who is it dangerous too?"

"Us."

"Alright, what is it?" Sirius looked at him looking a little like a puppy who was about to get in trouble.

"Illegal animagi?"