Chapter 8, The Animagi
"No, not again? You just came back for a month and now you need to go again?" wailed Clarissa.
"I'm sorry, but my mum is very ill, and sometimes it get worse and she needs me." said Remus.
"I hope she gets better." said Lily. She wondered why Remus looked so tired these days.
"Thanks. I come back after a few days." said Remus as he waved goodbye.
"Did you notice Remus was a bit sick and tired?" James asked Lily.
"Yes, I think so too."
"Last time, before the Match, he was also looking very weak when he went to see his mother." said James.
"Perhaps they are like twins and they get sick at the same time." said Lily.
"I guess so."
"What about we go out to have some fresh air, shall we?" asked Lily.
"Ok, I need some anyway. Coming, Sirius and you girls?" asked James.
"No, I don't think I want to go out just now." answered Clarissa. Felicity said she would stay with Clarissa.
"Well, actually I would like a walk after dinner. But I think I will go alone later. I don't want to bother you two love birds." grinned Sirius. Lily flushed. She tried to tell Sirius that she and James aren't boy and girl friends yet, but James stopped her.
"Ok, just suit yourselves." said James, grabbing Lily's hand. They went to get the invisibility cloak of James.
"Are you cold, Li?" asked James' gentle voice.
"A little bit." James took off his coat immediately and wrap it on Lily.
"No, you will be cold too!" said Lily, trying to give him back his coat.
"It's ok. Get closer to me, and I will be very warm." said James. Lily smiled and blushed a bit. She like James to be so thoughtful and sweet.
"Oh. It's a full moon tonight." Lily exclaimed and both of them looked at the beautiful moon.
They continued walking and found themselves in front of the Whomping Willow. James stopped suddenly
"Er, Lily?" said James.
"Yes?" asked Lily.
"It's been a long time now....er.... and I was wondering..."
"Wooooo...."
"What was that?" asked Lily.
They heard noises inside the tree.
"You don't think the rumors are true, do you? About evil spirits?" asked Lily.
"'Course not." said James. "But," he fetched out his wand. "Just to make sure...."
"Visiblelus!!!" he cried. The tree went transparent. They saw a werewolf inside the tree. It was howling, scratching the tree. It was obviously dangerous. Lily didn't know which was more dangerous, the tree or the werewolf. She shivered.
"I think we better go." whispered James. He grabbed Lily's hand and walked back to where they came from. But then another frightening roar made them dashed back to school.
They ran back to the common room without even stopping. Sirius, Felicity and Clarissa was waiting for them.
"Well, how was the walk?" Sirius asked. Then he looked at them closely. "Did you guys run?" as he saw their red with sweat face.
"You guys haven't been long. You've just been gone for about ten minutes!" said Felicity, putting down her book.
James and Lily told them all about the tree with the wolf inside it. All of them were silent for a moment.
"Hmm.... you guys don't think Dumbledore had planted that tree just to keep that wolf in it, do you?" asked Clarissa.
"Keep a werewolf? What do you think it is, Dumbledore's pet? Can you imagine Dumbledore throwing a stick, saying 'Here boy, fetch the stick! There's a boy!' like that to a werewolf?" asked Sirius sarcastically, pretending to pet a dog.
"'Course not. What I meant was maybe Dumbledore had something to do with that werewolf." said Clarissa, annoyed.
"I think Clarissa's right. Also, that werewolf was only here this year. Arthur said that the Whomping Willow was planted this year." explained James.
"I don't think that werewolf lives there...." muttered Lily. The others looked at her.
"What do you mean?" asked Felicity.
"When James and I looked inside, there weren't much food. That wolf wouldn't be fed by a human because that's fatal. Besides, when we pass by the tree when we have lessons in the greenhouse, I don't think I heard anything from the tree." said Lily.
"You're right. I never heard anything from the tree until the time we were attacked by it." said Felicity thoughtfully.
Clarissa yawned. Lily yawned too.
"I guess we better have our beauty sleep and see what we can do tomorrow." said Sirius.
"Okay. G'night you guys." yawned Felicity.
"Good night."
Sirius poked James. "Did you asked her?" as they began to change.
"I can't. When I began, we heard the sounds from the tree." said James sadly.
"Never mind. There's plenty time. Plenty time for Lily to start dating others again." said Sirius and James glared at him. Sirius pretend to shiver and jumped in bed.
The next day was Sunday and they don't have any lessons. They decided to spend most of their time in the Library to finding all about werewolves. Madam Sufrica laid a suspicious eye on them.
"Not a day to read books, is it?" she asked, pointing at the window. It was a lovely weather outside.
"Hmm, not really. We are just interested in something. So we wanted to check it out in the Lib." said Lily politely. Madam Sufrica stared at James and Sirius and finally went off.
"That was a close call." whispered James.
"Not really. Lily always read in here so Madam Sufrica really liked her and trust her." explained Clarissa, grinned at Lily.
"Hey guys, listen to this." said Sirius. "A werewolf is fatal to any human around. They could smell human blood from ten miles away. If any human was bitten by werewolf, every time when there is a full moon, that person will transform into a werewolf. The transform will be very painful. The symptoms are a few days before the full moon, the person would be tired, sick and weak. After the person has transform, he will be extra dangerous than other werewolfs and wanted to hurt any people around them." read Sirius. "Well, any use?"
"I don't really think so...." began Felicity but Lily stopped her.
"Let me have a look." said Lily. Sirius handed her the book. Lily read it slowly. The others grew impatient.
"Well, Li, what did you find out?" asked James.
"I think when you read it once again, you will know what I am thinking. I'm not so sure that I'm right, though." said Lily. James grabbed the book. His face changed.
"No.... You don't really think it's him, do you?" asked Lily. James nodded. Sirius coughed loudly.
"Er, I guess we shouldn't let the others wait. Ok guys. We think that werewolf is.... Remus." said James softly.
"What??" the others shouted. Sirius sprang to his feet. Madam Sufrica glared at them, putting her finger on her lips.
"But why?" asked Clarissa, trying hard to lower her voice.
"Every time, when Remus went home as he says, he always looks sick and tired. Yesterday, when we had a walk, we saw the full moon too. I bet you anything that last time when he went home was also a full moon too. I guess these symptoms are enough to prove it." explained James.
"Also, I think Dumbledore knew what Remus was all along and planted the Whomping Willow to keep anybody away when he transform." finished Lily. All the others was deeply shocked. Especially Clarissa.
"Why he didn't tell us?" she muttered.
"I guess he thought we wouldn't be friends with him anymore if we knew his secret. That is also why he didn't want us to find out about the Whomping Willow. He's afraid we would find out about him." said Sirius.
"Let's have a walk with him when he gets back." said Lily. "He needs friends. Especially when he transform."
*******
Remus came back on early Monday morning, looking better. He was surprised to see the usual cheerful crowd so down. He couldn't help asking.
"What happened to you guys?" He asked, smiling at his friends.
"Why didn't you tell us?" blurted out Clarissa, sobbing a bit. She couldn't help herself.
"What?" asked Remus, hugging Clarissa.
"That you were a werewolf." said James calmly. Remus acted like he was shot. He stood there, speechless. He tried to pull off Clarissa but she held on him tighter than ever.
"Your mother wasn't at all ill, was she? It was only you. You needed to transform. You were bitten by one before." said Lily.
"You guys worked it out. Didn't you?" Remus muttered bitterly.
"On Saturday night, Lily and James saw you in the tree, looking so lonely and painfully. Why, why didn't you tell us? Did you thought we wouldn't be friends with you? Or you didn't trust us to keep your secret?" asked Sirius, who had been silent for a long time.
"No, of course not. I didn't want to guys to desert me, that's all. You guys are my best friends. My only friends in fact. I can't bear to lose five terrific friends." explained Remus.
"Never! We would never desert you!!" exclaimed Sirius and James. They embraced like brothers.
"We wouldn't either!" said Clarissa and the girls hugged Remus. Remus face lighten up a bit.
"Well, you guys need to go and see Dumbledore with me. He said he should know anybody who is in the secret." said Remus. So all six went to the headmaster's chamber all looking very solemn.
"Come in. The password is Chocolate Frog." said Professor Dumbledore as James knocked the door.
"Well, I guess Mr. Lupin has something to tell me?" said the wise headmaster, smiling at them.
"Yes, Professor. They all know that I am... a werewolf." said Remus Lupin.
"Yes, I'm sure Mr. Potter, Mr. Black and Miss Evans will find that out sooner or later." said the Professor gravely. "All of you know this should be kept a secret. If not, I'm afraid Mr. Lupin can't stay in Hogwarts. However, I trust you wouldn't treat this as a laughing matter?" asked Professor Dumbledore.
"Of course not Sir." promised the five.
"Good then. I guess it's almost time for breakfast. Let's go together, shall we?"
So the six and the head went to have breakfast in the Great Hall, acting as if they had just talked about the weather.
"Remus," said James when the girls wish them good night and went. "Sirius and I thought of something to help you."
"What?" asked Remus, amused to see James and Sirius' serious face.
"We decided to become Animagi. You can't be with us when you are a werewolf, but we can be with you as animals when you are. Then you wouldn't be at all dangerous to us!" said Sirius, happily.
"But.... that's illegal, you know that. Besides, the Ministry watches closely on those who attempted to do it. The Animagus transformation can go horribly wrong!!! I'm happy enough to have you guys for friends. I don't think you guys need to risk anything just for me." said Remus shocked. Although he was touched, he didn't wanted his friends to have any trouble because of him.
"Ah, but you forgot that just in front of you are two of the most cleverest students in Hogwarts!!" grinned James.
"So true..." said Sirius, not a bit modest.
"Well, if you're so firm with the idea... I guess it's okay. But will the girls..." said Remus.
"No, we will not let them know until we successed. Even so, the process is dangerous so we're not letting them to be Animagi." said Sirius.
"Right. Tomorrow we won't talk anything about this." said James.
"Thank you so much. My transform won't be so bad if you guys are with me." said Remus. James and Sirius just grinned at him and went to change.
"No, not again? You just came back for a month and now you need to go again?" wailed Clarissa.
"I'm sorry, but my mum is very ill, and sometimes it get worse and she needs me." said Remus.
"I hope she gets better." said Lily. She wondered why Remus looked so tired these days.
"Thanks. I come back after a few days." said Remus as he waved goodbye.
"Did you notice Remus was a bit sick and tired?" James asked Lily.
"Yes, I think so too."
"Last time, before the Match, he was also looking very weak when he went to see his mother." said James.
"Perhaps they are like twins and they get sick at the same time." said Lily.
"I guess so."
"What about we go out to have some fresh air, shall we?" asked Lily.
"Ok, I need some anyway. Coming, Sirius and you girls?" asked James.
"No, I don't think I want to go out just now." answered Clarissa. Felicity said she would stay with Clarissa.
"Well, actually I would like a walk after dinner. But I think I will go alone later. I don't want to bother you two love birds." grinned Sirius. Lily flushed. She tried to tell Sirius that she and James aren't boy and girl friends yet, but James stopped her.
"Ok, just suit yourselves." said James, grabbing Lily's hand. They went to get the invisibility cloak of James.
"Are you cold, Li?" asked James' gentle voice.
"A little bit." James took off his coat immediately and wrap it on Lily.
"No, you will be cold too!" said Lily, trying to give him back his coat.
"It's ok. Get closer to me, and I will be very warm." said James. Lily smiled and blushed a bit. She like James to be so thoughtful and sweet.
"Oh. It's a full moon tonight." Lily exclaimed and both of them looked at the beautiful moon.
They continued walking and found themselves in front of the Whomping Willow. James stopped suddenly
"Er, Lily?" said James.
"Yes?" asked Lily.
"It's been a long time now....er.... and I was wondering..."
"Wooooo...."
"What was that?" asked Lily.
They heard noises inside the tree.
"You don't think the rumors are true, do you? About evil spirits?" asked Lily.
"'Course not." said James. "But," he fetched out his wand. "Just to make sure...."
"Visiblelus!!!" he cried. The tree went transparent. They saw a werewolf inside the tree. It was howling, scratching the tree. It was obviously dangerous. Lily didn't know which was more dangerous, the tree or the werewolf. She shivered.
"I think we better go." whispered James. He grabbed Lily's hand and walked back to where they came from. But then another frightening roar made them dashed back to school.
They ran back to the common room without even stopping. Sirius, Felicity and Clarissa was waiting for them.
"Well, how was the walk?" Sirius asked. Then he looked at them closely. "Did you guys run?" as he saw their red with sweat face.
"You guys haven't been long. You've just been gone for about ten minutes!" said Felicity, putting down her book.
James and Lily told them all about the tree with the wolf inside it. All of them were silent for a moment.
"Hmm.... you guys don't think Dumbledore had planted that tree just to keep that wolf in it, do you?" asked Clarissa.
"Keep a werewolf? What do you think it is, Dumbledore's pet? Can you imagine Dumbledore throwing a stick, saying 'Here boy, fetch the stick! There's a boy!' like that to a werewolf?" asked Sirius sarcastically, pretending to pet a dog.
"'Course not. What I meant was maybe Dumbledore had something to do with that werewolf." said Clarissa, annoyed.
"I think Clarissa's right. Also, that werewolf was only here this year. Arthur said that the Whomping Willow was planted this year." explained James.
"I don't think that werewolf lives there...." muttered Lily. The others looked at her.
"What do you mean?" asked Felicity.
"When James and I looked inside, there weren't much food. That wolf wouldn't be fed by a human because that's fatal. Besides, when we pass by the tree when we have lessons in the greenhouse, I don't think I heard anything from the tree." said Lily.
"You're right. I never heard anything from the tree until the time we were attacked by it." said Felicity thoughtfully.
Clarissa yawned. Lily yawned too.
"I guess we better have our beauty sleep and see what we can do tomorrow." said Sirius.
"Okay. G'night you guys." yawned Felicity.
"Good night."
Sirius poked James. "Did you asked her?" as they began to change.
"I can't. When I began, we heard the sounds from the tree." said James sadly.
"Never mind. There's plenty time. Plenty time for Lily to start dating others again." said Sirius and James glared at him. Sirius pretend to shiver and jumped in bed.
The next day was Sunday and they don't have any lessons. They decided to spend most of their time in the Library to finding all about werewolves. Madam Sufrica laid a suspicious eye on them.
"Not a day to read books, is it?" she asked, pointing at the window. It was a lovely weather outside.
"Hmm, not really. We are just interested in something. So we wanted to check it out in the Lib." said Lily politely. Madam Sufrica stared at James and Sirius and finally went off.
"That was a close call." whispered James.
"Not really. Lily always read in here so Madam Sufrica really liked her and trust her." explained Clarissa, grinned at Lily.
"Hey guys, listen to this." said Sirius. "A werewolf is fatal to any human around. They could smell human blood from ten miles away. If any human was bitten by werewolf, every time when there is a full moon, that person will transform into a werewolf. The transform will be very painful. The symptoms are a few days before the full moon, the person would be tired, sick and weak. After the person has transform, he will be extra dangerous than other werewolfs and wanted to hurt any people around them." read Sirius. "Well, any use?"
"I don't really think so...." began Felicity but Lily stopped her.
"Let me have a look." said Lily. Sirius handed her the book. Lily read it slowly. The others grew impatient.
"Well, Li, what did you find out?" asked James.
"I think when you read it once again, you will know what I am thinking. I'm not so sure that I'm right, though." said Lily. James grabbed the book. His face changed.
"No.... You don't really think it's him, do you?" asked Lily. James nodded. Sirius coughed loudly.
"Er, I guess we shouldn't let the others wait. Ok guys. We think that werewolf is.... Remus." said James softly.
"What??" the others shouted. Sirius sprang to his feet. Madam Sufrica glared at them, putting her finger on her lips.
"But why?" asked Clarissa, trying hard to lower her voice.
"Every time, when Remus went home as he says, he always looks sick and tired. Yesterday, when we had a walk, we saw the full moon too. I bet you anything that last time when he went home was also a full moon too. I guess these symptoms are enough to prove it." explained James.
"Also, I think Dumbledore knew what Remus was all along and planted the Whomping Willow to keep anybody away when he transform." finished Lily. All the others was deeply shocked. Especially Clarissa.
"Why he didn't tell us?" she muttered.
"I guess he thought we wouldn't be friends with him anymore if we knew his secret. That is also why he didn't want us to find out about the Whomping Willow. He's afraid we would find out about him." said Sirius.
"Let's have a walk with him when he gets back." said Lily. "He needs friends. Especially when he transform."
*******
Remus came back on early Monday morning, looking better. He was surprised to see the usual cheerful crowd so down. He couldn't help asking.
"What happened to you guys?" He asked, smiling at his friends.
"Why didn't you tell us?" blurted out Clarissa, sobbing a bit. She couldn't help herself.
"What?" asked Remus, hugging Clarissa.
"That you were a werewolf." said James calmly. Remus acted like he was shot. He stood there, speechless. He tried to pull off Clarissa but she held on him tighter than ever.
"Your mother wasn't at all ill, was she? It was only you. You needed to transform. You were bitten by one before." said Lily.
"You guys worked it out. Didn't you?" Remus muttered bitterly.
"On Saturday night, Lily and James saw you in the tree, looking so lonely and painfully. Why, why didn't you tell us? Did you thought we wouldn't be friends with you? Or you didn't trust us to keep your secret?" asked Sirius, who had been silent for a long time.
"No, of course not. I didn't want to guys to desert me, that's all. You guys are my best friends. My only friends in fact. I can't bear to lose five terrific friends." explained Remus.
"Never! We would never desert you!!" exclaimed Sirius and James. They embraced like brothers.
"We wouldn't either!" said Clarissa and the girls hugged Remus. Remus face lighten up a bit.
"Well, you guys need to go and see Dumbledore with me. He said he should know anybody who is in the secret." said Remus. So all six went to the headmaster's chamber all looking very solemn.
"Come in. The password is Chocolate Frog." said Professor Dumbledore as James knocked the door.
"Well, I guess Mr. Lupin has something to tell me?" said the wise headmaster, smiling at them.
"Yes, Professor. They all know that I am... a werewolf." said Remus Lupin.
"Yes, I'm sure Mr. Potter, Mr. Black and Miss Evans will find that out sooner or later." said the Professor gravely. "All of you know this should be kept a secret. If not, I'm afraid Mr. Lupin can't stay in Hogwarts. However, I trust you wouldn't treat this as a laughing matter?" asked Professor Dumbledore.
"Of course not Sir." promised the five.
"Good then. I guess it's almost time for breakfast. Let's go together, shall we?"
So the six and the head went to have breakfast in the Great Hall, acting as if they had just talked about the weather.
"Remus," said James when the girls wish them good night and went. "Sirius and I thought of something to help you."
"What?" asked Remus, amused to see James and Sirius' serious face.
"We decided to become Animagi. You can't be with us when you are a werewolf, but we can be with you as animals when you are. Then you wouldn't be at all dangerous to us!" said Sirius, happily.
"But.... that's illegal, you know that. Besides, the Ministry watches closely on those who attempted to do it. The Animagus transformation can go horribly wrong!!! I'm happy enough to have you guys for friends. I don't think you guys need to risk anything just for me." said Remus shocked. Although he was touched, he didn't wanted his friends to have any trouble because of him.
"Ah, but you forgot that just in front of you are two of the most cleverest students in Hogwarts!!" grinned James.
"So true..." said Sirius, not a bit modest.
"Well, if you're so firm with the idea... I guess it's okay. But will the girls..." said Remus.
"No, we will not let them know until we successed. Even so, the process is dangerous so we're not letting them to be Animagi." said Sirius.
"Right. Tomorrow we won't talk anything about this." said James.
"Thank you so much. My transform won't be so bad if you guys are with me." said Remus. James and Sirius just grinned at him and went to change.
