~Year Three~
(Note: There's more French in this chapter, and I'm still very sorry if it's wrong. Though I'm in French IV, I'm still trying to get used to being back in school and actually *thinking* once more. If you see something's wrong, write me, and I'll fix it. Yipee.)
'And chaos once more reigns... My favourite troublemakers are back early again. Wonder why they needed to come back without people again this year...'
"...have been working?"
"'Course, Jamie. Been working hard. I can *almost* change a hand into a paw...or hoof...wing...claw...or whatever."
"What if I'm something horrible? I don't understand why we have to leave it to chance."
"It's not chance, Pete. It's Fate."
"Still kinda uncomfortable with it."
"Easy there, Peter. We'll find out soon enough. The book says not to fight the change, just let it happen. Don't try to force it towards a certain destination."
"You read a book, Siri?"
"That's funny, James. I even got it here."
He pulled out a thick but well-read book and began flipping through it.
I caught a glance of the cover, and my nonexistent eyes widened. It was simply titled "The Path of the Animagi." I might be a wall, but I still knew that *third* years should have been messing with such powerful magics!
The three became so thoroughly engrossed in a part of the book that none noticed a redhead creeping silently towards them. Taking out her wand, she pointed it towards the three and whispered, "Accio book."
Without warning, the text flew from the startled boys' hands to rest gently in Lily's.
"The Marauders reading a book." She glanced down at the cover, her head snapping back up at the boys once more. "Animagi!" she yelled. "Oh, you're not doing what I think you're doing, are you?"
"Lils," James interjected. "Keep it down. D'you want us to get caught?"
"Animagi are *registered* for a reason, James Potter!"
"We know, Lily, we know. But we can't be registered until we're eighteen, and, by then, we'll be out of Hogwarts, and our plan will be all for nothing."
"James, this is dangerous! And why does it matter whether you're still in Hogwarts or not?" At least Lily was beginning to cool off.
"It's for Remus," Sirius broke. "We're doing this all for him." He paused. "Well, mostly him. It's for him that we got the idea anyway."
"Why Remus?" Lily asked, shaking her head in confusion.
All three boys remained tight-lipped.
"Oh! Is it because he's a werewolf and you guys want to help him when he's in lupine form?"
All three stood stock-still, absolutely gob-smacked.
"Bloody hell, Lil! How long have you known?"
"Oh, don't worry. I've only figured it out a month before the end of school when I saw him sneak out. I followed him and overheard his conversation with Madam Pomfrey. Then, I snuck back and read up on werewolves. It all fit perfectly."
Sirius suddenly strode forward and grasped Lily by her shoulders. Urgently, he asked, "Lily, be honest. Did you tell anybody, even insinuate to anybody?"
"'Course not. Do I look like I want to lose you boys as my friends?"
Sirius broke into a bright smile and quickly pecked Lily on the lips. "Thanks a million, Lily. You're wonderful."
She smirked almost as well as Sirius. "I know. I know. I'm just perfect in every shape, figure, and form."
Sirius grinned broader and backed up, just missing the glower James sent his way.
'Ah, so little James is figuring out what I've already known.'
"So, how far along are you guys? You can't transform yet, can you?
"Nope," Peter said. "Don't even know what we're going to be."
"You did read the book, right?" she asked, handing said text over to Sirius, who stored it in his case again. "You won't know your animal until you've fully transformed for the first time. You can get ideas of the species as you change body parts, though."
"How do you know so much about Animagi, Lil?"
"I read books, James. All books." She paused. "Well, that and the fact that I know everything. Like I said before, I'm perfect."
All four laughed as students began filtering through the archway, Remus one of the first.
In an instant, Sirius had rushed over and grabbed him into a great bear hug.
As the other three made their way over, Lily leaned over to James' ear and whispered, "Remus has no idea that you're doing this for him?"
He leaned back. "Not a clue."
"How long have you been working?"
"Beginning of last year when we finally found a book on it that we could get our minor's hands on."
"Fabulous." She paused. "I want to help, too."
James stopped, grabbing Lily's hand to stop her as well. He didn't drop his hand as they spoke, and neither did she. "You want in?"
"Why not? I figure that it's Destiny which made Mum drop me off too early and that you were perusing the book and that I took the book. Fate trying to tell me that I should be part of you as well. After all," she straightened and tilted her chin up, "I *am* a Marauder."
They laughed and joined the others with Remus.
"If I didn't know any better," Remus was saying, "I'd say you were talking about me behind my back."
Sirius broke into a huge grin and slung an arm around his friend's shoulders, all five Marauders heading for the train. "Let me be the first to assure you, Moony: *yes*, we *were* talking about you!"
Remus responded by patting his cheek and saying, "Good. Otherwise, I'd think you were ill."
All five Marauders laughed as they boarded the train.
The whistle blew, the train leaving the platform.
***
The whistle blew, the train approaching the platform.
As students began pouring out, I saw a fluttering of strange colours. Blue and orange and green and...red?
As the crowd dispersed slightly, I laughed. 'Of course...'
The Malfoy boy's hair was bright green, his bodyguards Crabbe and Goyle sported neon orange locks, while Snape's was now a dulled red look.
Looking around, I easily spied my favourite students.
After all, a group of laughing boys with shockingly blue hair is kind of hard to miss.
"...and a cheer for Lily for figuring out how to make it more or less permanent!"
"Hurrah!"
"And also to Lily for having the foresight to duck when Snape countered our spell!"
"Yeah!"
"How did that slimy git figure out how to reverse our charm?"
"He pays attention in class?"
"Are you insinuating that I don't pay attention in class, Moony?"
"No, Sirius, I'm outright telling you!"
"How long's this going to stay in, Lily?"
"Don't worry, Peter. It'll be out by...well, I *hope* by the time school starts again next year."
"Oh."
"Lighten up, Pete. It doesn't look *that* bad!"
"Thanks, James. I think."
"It's really terrible that Snape knew how to reverse the spell. Otherwise, it would've hit 'im full-out, and he'd be sporting neon pink hair." Sirius swept a hand through his blue locks, haphazardly pulling it back into a ponytail now that it was long enough.
Remus thoughtfully tucked some escaped strands behind Sirius' ear, to which the formerly black-haired youth grinned.
"Yeah," James sighed, "it truly is a pity." Then, he chuckled. "But it still ranks as one of our finer moments. Probably third in the top ten, I would reckon."
"Underneath the tail and ears trick on Snape - "
" - and, of course, the one with the gum, the wet-start firecracker, Malfoy's bed, and McGonagall's cat form!" (*1)
They burst out laughing.
"Ah," breathed Remus merrily. "There's nothing more rejuvenating and reward than one last hurrah before summer vacation."
"You said it, Remmie." Sirius fingered a stray lock of formerly golden- brown hair, now blue as sapphires. "By the way, this looks good on you. It's shows off a wild effect we hardly see from you."
They smiled to one another as Sirius hesitantly returned his arm to his side.
"So, what's everyone's plan this summer?" Lily asked, the five threading their way around the platform.
"I'm going to be with my grandmother in Sussex the first two months and then my aunt and uncle in Dublin the last month." Peter scuffed his feet uncertainly.
"Sounds like...um, fun," Sirius glanced over at Remus for a moment. "Well, I'm going to be visiting various relatives as well, up in Scotland. Then, I'm home for the last three weeks. James?"
"Um, not much. Going to some Quidditch games around the UK and then to our place in Calais and then home for the last two weeks." He glanced at Lily.
"I'm going to catch up on some studying."
"Only Lily would study during the summer!" Sirius exclaimed. "Well, and Remus as well. But really! It's *summer*! Relax a little!"
She sniffed. "At least that explains why I do better than any of you in school! Anyway, what else am I to do? My parents are going to be off on a cruise during August, leaving *Petunia* to baby-sit me! I'm almost fourteen, and my parents leave me with a babysitter, my dreadful magic- hating *sister* of all people!"
The boys remained silent as Lily took a calming breath. In a much steadier tone, she asked, "What about you, Remus?"
"Going back home to France. Pretty much just reading and staying out of my father's way..." he trailed off listlessly.
Sirius stepped close and hugged him tightly. They knew what I still did not know but could guess from their reactions.
All five began their walk towards the archway, Sirius still with an arm around Remus, as was his favourite position, when Peter ran ahead, spotting his grandmother. James took the opportunity to pull Lily away from the other two, waving good-bye to everybody. Sirius also halted Remus in his tracks as soon as they were out of hearing from the other Marauders.
"Remus, I want you to come over the last three weeks before school."
"Siri, I don't know..."
"I checked. The first day is three days after the full moon. We won't have to worry about that until we get back to school. And I can't stand the thought of you staying all summer with...him."
"I'll ask him, but..."
"I'll even call you."
Remus raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Sirius Black using a Muggle telephone? Not all that likely, is it?"
He scowled playfully. "I know how it works."
The other boy nodded condescendingly. "Of course, you do. Of course..." He sobered up. "I'll ask him. Maybe he'll be glad to get rid of me early."
Simultaneously, another conversation was mirroring that of Remus and Sirius, with slight differences.
"Lily, I know this is going to sound strange...but...um..."
"Yes, James?" she gently prompted.
"Well, it's just," he nervously tried to pat down his hair, which still seemed to have a life of its own, "I don't like the idea of you spending a month with nobody but a magic-hating sister...and I was wondering if maybe you'd like to - um, like to...you know..."
"James, are you asking me to stay with you?" She smiled faintly at his discomfort.
"Yes, unless you have something else planned and all..."
With an uncharacteristic squeal much like when she was inducted into the Marauders, Lily leapt at James, hugging him tightly around the neck. "Oh, James! I would love to!"
Eyes wide with shock, James hesitantly hugged the exuberant girl back.
Less nervous when they separated, James and Lily chatted amicably as they walked shoulder-to-shoulder past the archway, passing an older man peering around, obviously a parent.
I looked back at the remaining blue-haired boys. Remus had stiffened as he saw the man by the way out of the platform.
"Oh, Sirius! I'm late! When you figure out the phone, ring me." He quickly scribbled down his number on a spare bit of parchment before giving it to Sirius. "And thank you again."
They embraced, Sirius loath to let this boy out the safety of his arms. Alas, it could not be. Remus left him and went over to the man, his father.
As soon as Remus arrived, Monsieur Lupin immediately and rather harshly pulled Remus towards him, whispering, "Mon fils, savent-ils?"
"Papa!" Remus softly cried out. "Ils savent, et ils comprennent. Ils sont mes amis!"
"Un loup-garou n'a aucun l'amis! Tu es un monstre!"
He pulled Remus away, muttering about "les cheveux bleus...les idiots..." (**2)
Neither saw Sirius watch them with a look of regret and anger covering his face.
The train whistle remained silent.
(*1) If anybody can figure this one out, write a fic about it and tell me! I really would like to know!
(**2) French translation: "My son, do they know?" "Papa! They know, and they understand! They are my friends!" "A werewolf does not have any friends! You are a monster!" "blue hair...the idiots..."
Feedback keeps me from writing a Severus Snape/The Bloody Baron slash! (But wait...he's a freaking ghost! Ew...) scarby13@hotmail.com
Merry Christmas! You know what the best Christmas present is? See that little button saying "Submit Review"? Yes, please!
~Clamat, sed ubi asinus est?~
(Note: There's more French in this chapter, and I'm still very sorry if it's wrong. Though I'm in French IV, I'm still trying to get used to being back in school and actually *thinking* once more. If you see something's wrong, write me, and I'll fix it. Yipee.)
'And chaos once more reigns... My favourite troublemakers are back early again. Wonder why they needed to come back without people again this year...'
"...have been working?"
"'Course, Jamie. Been working hard. I can *almost* change a hand into a paw...or hoof...wing...claw...or whatever."
"What if I'm something horrible? I don't understand why we have to leave it to chance."
"It's not chance, Pete. It's Fate."
"Still kinda uncomfortable with it."
"Easy there, Peter. We'll find out soon enough. The book says not to fight the change, just let it happen. Don't try to force it towards a certain destination."
"You read a book, Siri?"
"That's funny, James. I even got it here."
He pulled out a thick but well-read book and began flipping through it.
I caught a glance of the cover, and my nonexistent eyes widened. It was simply titled "The Path of the Animagi." I might be a wall, but I still knew that *third* years should have been messing with such powerful magics!
The three became so thoroughly engrossed in a part of the book that none noticed a redhead creeping silently towards them. Taking out her wand, she pointed it towards the three and whispered, "Accio book."
Without warning, the text flew from the startled boys' hands to rest gently in Lily's.
"The Marauders reading a book." She glanced down at the cover, her head snapping back up at the boys once more. "Animagi!" she yelled. "Oh, you're not doing what I think you're doing, are you?"
"Lils," James interjected. "Keep it down. D'you want us to get caught?"
"Animagi are *registered* for a reason, James Potter!"
"We know, Lily, we know. But we can't be registered until we're eighteen, and, by then, we'll be out of Hogwarts, and our plan will be all for nothing."
"James, this is dangerous! And why does it matter whether you're still in Hogwarts or not?" At least Lily was beginning to cool off.
"It's for Remus," Sirius broke. "We're doing this all for him." He paused. "Well, mostly him. It's for him that we got the idea anyway."
"Why Remus?" Lily asked, shaking her head in confusion.
All three boys remained tight-lipped.
"Oh! Is it because he's a werewolf and you guys want to help him when he's in lupine form?"
All three stood stock-still, absolutely gob-smacked.
"Bloody hell, Lil! How long have you known?"
"Oh, don't worry. I've only figured it out a month before the end of school when I saw him sneak out. I followed him and overheard his conversation with Madam Pomfrey. Then, I snuck back and read up on werewolves. It all fit perfectly."
Sirius suddenly strode forward and grasped Lily by her shoulders. Urgently, he asked, "Lily, be honest. Did you tell anybody, even insinuate to anybody?"
"'Course not. Do I look like I want to lose you boys as my friends?"
Sirius broke into a bright smile and quickly pecked Lily on the lips. "Thanks a million, Lily. You're wonderful."
She smirked almost as well as Sirius. "I know. I know. I'm just perfect in every shape, figure, and form."
Sirius grinned broader and backed up, just missing the glower James sent his way.
'Ah, so little James is figuring out what I've already known.'
"So, how far along are you guys? You can't transform yet, can you?
"Nope," Peter said. "Don't even know what we're going to be."
"You did read the book, right?" she asked, handing said text over to Sirius, who stored it in his case again. "You won't know your animal until you've fully transformed for the first time. You can get ideas of the species as you change body parts, though."
"How do you know so much about Animagi, Lil?"
"I read books, James. All books." She paused. "Well, that and the fact that I know everything. Like I said before, I'm perfect."
All four laughed as students began filtering through the archway, Remus one of the first.
In an instant, Sirius had rushed over and grabbed him into a great bear hug.
As the other three made their way over, Lily leaned over to James' ear and whispered, "Remus has no idea that you're doing this for him?"
He leaned back. "Not a clue."
"How long have you been working?"
"Beginning of last year when we finally found a book on it that we could get our minor's hands on."
"Fabulous." She paused. "I want to help, too."
James stopped, grabbing Lily's hand to stop her as well. He didn't drop his hand as they spoke, and neither did she. "You want in?"
"Why not? I figure that it's Destiny which made Mum drop me off too early and that you were perusing the book and that I took the book. Fate trying to tell me that I should be part of you as well. After all," she straightened and tilted her chin up, "I *am* a Marauder."
They laughed and joined the others with Remus.
"If I didn't know any better," Remus was saying, "I'd say you were talking about me behind my back."
Sirius broke into a huge grin and slung an arm around his friend's shoulders, all five Marauders heading for the train. "Let me be the first to assure you, Moony: *yes*, we *were* talking about you!"
Remus responded by patting his cheek and saying, "Good. Otherwise, I'd think you were ill."
All five Marauders laughed as they boarded the train.
The whistle blew, the train leaving the platform.
***
The whistle blew, the train approaching the platform.
As students began pouring out, I saw a fluttering of strange colours. Blue and orange and green and...red?
As the crowd dispersed slightly, I laughed. 'Of course...'
The Malfoy boy's hair was bright green, his bodyguards Crabbe and Goyle sported neon orange locks, while Snape's was now a dulled red look.
Looking around, I easily spied my favourite students.
After all, a group of laughing boys with shockingly blue hair is kind of hard to miss.
"...and a cheer for Lily for figuring out how to make it more or less permanent!"
"Hurrah!"
"And also to Lily for having the foresight to duck when Snape countered our spell!"
"Yeah!"
"How did that slimy git figure out how to reverse our charm?"
"He pays attention in class?"
"Are you insinuating that I don't pay attention in class, Moony?"
"No, Sirius, I'm outright telling you!"
"How long's this going to stay in, Lily?"
"Don't worry, Peter. It'll be out by...well, I *hope* by the time school starts again next year."
"Oh."
"Lighten up, Pete. It doesn't look *that* bad!"
"Thanks, James. I think."
"It's really terrible that Snape knew how to reverse the spell. Otherwise, it would've hit 'im full-out, and he'd be sporting neon pink hair." Sirius swept a hand through his blue locks, haphazardly pulling it back into a ponytail now that it was long enough.
Remus thoughtfully tucked some escaped strands behind Sirius' ear, to which the formerly black-haired youth grinned.
"Yeah," James sighed, "it truly is a pity." Then, he chuckled. "But it still ranks as one of our finer moments. Probably third in the top ten, I would reckon."
"Underneath the tail and ears trick on Snape - "
" - and, of course, the one with the gum, the wet-start firecracker, Malfoy's bed, and McGonagall's cat form!" (*1)
They burst out laughing.
"Ah," breathed Remus merrily. "There's nothing more rejuvenating and reward than one last hurrah before summer vacation."
"You said it, Remmie." Sirius fingered a stray lock of formerly golden- brown hair, now blue as sapphires. "By the way, this looks good on you. It's shows off a wild effect we hardly see from you."
They smiled to one another as Sirius hesitantly returned his arm to his side.
"So, what's everyone's plan this summer?" Lily asked, the five threading their way around the platform.
"I'm going to be with my grandmother in Sussex the first two months and then my aunt and uncle in Dublin the last month." Peter scuffed his feet uncertainly.
"Sounds like...um, fun," Sirius glanced over at Remus for a moment. "Well, I'm going to be visiting various relatives as well, up in Scotland. Then, I'm home for the last three weeks. James?"
"Um, not much. Going to some Quidditch games around the UK and then to our place in Calais and then home for the last two weeks." He glanced at Lily.
"I'm going to catch up on some studying."
"Only Lily would study during the summer!" Sirius exclaimed. "Well, and Remus as well. But really! It's *summer*! Relax a little!"
She sniffed. "At least that explains why I do better than any of you in school! Anyway, what else am I to do? My parents are going to be off on a cruise during August, leaving *Petunia* to baby-sit me! I'm almost fourteen, and my parents leave me with a babysitter, my dreadful magic- hating *sister* of all people!"
The boys remained silent as Lily took a calming breath. In a much steadier tone, she asked, "What about you, Remus?"
"Going back home to France. Pretty much just reading and staying out of my father's way..." he trailed off listlessly.
Sirius stepped close and hugged him tightly. They knew what I still did not know but could guess from their reactions.
All five began their walk towards the archway, Sirius still with an arm around Remus, as was his favourite position, when Peter ran ahead, spotting his grandmother. James took the opportunity to pull Lily away from the other two, waving good-bye to everybody. Sirius also halted Remus in his tracks as soon as they were out of hearing from the other Marauders.
"Remus, I want you to come over the last three weeks before school."
"Siri, I don't know..."
"I checked. The first day is three days after the full moon. We won't have to worry about that until we get back to school. And I can't stand the thought of you staying all summer with...him."
"I'll ask him, but..."
"I'll even call you."
Remus raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Sirius Black using a Muggle telephone? Not all that likely, is it?"
He scowled playfully. "I know how it works."
The other boy nodded condescendingly. "Of course, you do. Of course..." He sobered up. "I'll ask him. Maybe he'll be glad to get rid of me early."
Simultaneously, another conversation was mirroring that of Remus and Sirius, with slight differences.
"Lily, I know this is going to sound strange...but...um..."
"Yes, James?" she gently prompted.
"Well, it's just," he nervously tried to pat down his hair, which still seemed to have a life of its own, "I don't like the idea of you spending a month with nobody but a magic-hating sister...and I was wondering if maybe you'd like to - um, like to...you know..."
"James, are you asking me to stay with you?" She smiled faintly at his discomfort.
"Yes, unless you have something else planned and all..."
With an uncharacteristic squeal much like when she was inducted into the Marauders, Lily leapt at James, hugging him tightly around the neck. "Oh, James! I would love to!"
Eyes wide with shock, James hesitantly hugged the exuberant girl back.
Less nervous when they separated, James and Lily chatted amicably as they walked shoulder-to-shoulder past the archway, passing an older man peering around, obviously a parent.
I looked back at the remaining blue-haired boys. Remus had stiffened as he saw the man by the way out of the platform.
"Oh, Sirius! I'm late! When you figure out the phone, ring me." He quickly scribbled down his number on a spare bit of parchment before giving it to Sirius. "And thank you again."
They embraced, Sirius loath to let this boy out the safety of his arms. Alas, it could not be. Remus left him and went over to the man, his father.
As soon as Remus arrived, Monsieur Lupin immediately and rather harshly pulled Remus towards him, whispering, "Mon fils, savent-ils?"
"Papa!" Remus softly cried out. "Ils savent, et ils comprennent. Ils sont mes amis!"
"Un loup-garou n'a aucun l'amis! Tu es un monstre!"
He pulled Remus away, muttering about "les cheveux bleus...les idiots..." (**2)
Neither saw Sirius watch them with a look of regret and anger covering his face.
The train whistle remained silent.
(*1) If anybody can figure this one out, write a fic about it and tell me! I really would like to know!
(**2) French translation: "My son, do they know?" "Papa! They know, and they understand! They are my friends!" "A werewolf does not have any friends! You are a monster!" "blue hair...the idiots..."
Feedback keeps me from writing a Severus Snape/The Bloody Baron slash! (But wait...he's a freaking ghost! Ew...) scarby13@hotmail.com
Merry Christmas! You know what the best Christmas present is? See that little button saying "Submit Review"? Yes, please!
~Clamat, sed ubi asinus est?~