Werewolves, Dogs, and The Future
By Legofodopip
August 14, 2003
Disclaimer: I do not own any of J.K. Rowling's characters, although I wish I did own Sirius and Lupin. *cackles evilly* I'd give Lupin to my friend, Madcrazymolly, who helped me with this chapter A LOT. She and I role-played the scene with Andi and Remus. It would've taken me days to get this whole thing up without her, and it wouldn't have been anywhere near this interesting. You should've seen the chap I had before. Not even 500 words! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
James prodded the ever-moving Sirius. "You alright over there, mate?"
Sirius woke up with a start. Sweat covered his face and his body. He nodded wearily at James. "Sure, mate."
James sighed. "Ok. But if you need anything, I'm here."
Sirius nodded. "Thanks. 'Night."
~*~
Sydney snuck out of her bed, and dressed. Throwing her hair up into a ponytail, she opened the door, and went downstairs. Not seeing Sirius, she sat on the couch, her CD player in hand.
! 20 Minutes later!
Sighing, she left her CD player on the couch, and transformed into her animagi figure. She trotted up toward the guy's down, and pawed at the door.
A disgruntled Remus opened the door. "Who?"
Syd yipped, and ran toward Sirius. She pounced on his bed, and nudged his hand.
Sirius moaned, and rolled over.
She growled, and yipped at him. Several of the other boys woke up, only to see a huge white dog standing on Sirius's bed.
"Sirius! There's a dog on your bed!"
"Is it yours?"
"Can I pet it?"
Were the repeated questions. When they came near, she let the first few pat her on the head, or scratch her under the chin, but after that, she started growling.
James woke up, and looked at Sirius. "Padfoot! Sirius, you've a huge white dog on your bed."
Sirius groaned again, looked up at James, shook his head. "It's a figment of your imagination, mate. Go to sleep."
The boys scattered, and went back to their own beds, while James and Remus just stared at him. Finally, Remus got up, and grabbed Sydney by the scruff of the neck.
With a yelp and a growl, Remus's hand was soon filled with teeth marks. Remus cursed softly, and pulled out something to wash his hand off with. "You'd think I'd know dogs by now."
James laughed, and coaxed the dog over. "Here girl, come here."
Sydney snorted, and rolled over.
James shook his head. "Wonder if she's got tags." He approached the dog with caution, and talked to her the whole time. "Shhhh. I'm not here to hurt you." Slowly, he read the tags on the dog's neck. "Bloody hell! This helps!" He remarked sarcastically.
Remus laughed slightly. "We'll just leave it to Padfoot to sort it out."
With that, the dog barked, and leaped onto Sirius's bed. She curled up next to Sirius's chest, and fell asleep.
~*~
The next morning, Andi and Ronni woke up only to find Sydney gone.
"I bet she went to watch the Quidditch practice or something." Ronni replied to Andi.
Andi sighed. "It's just like her to leave like this."
The two went down to the common room, and out to the Great Hall.
~*~
James prodded Sirius. "Wake up, mate. I'm damn curious about that dog of yours."
Sirius woke up, and looked at James. "What were you saying, mate? Something about a dog?"
James grinned. "We couldn't get you up last night. This dog came into our room, growled at everyone else, and then slept on your bed."
Sirius looked at the dog, and then recognition dawned on his face. "Good morning, Snowball."
The dog moved, and nearly knocked him off of the bed. Her eyes blinked open, and looked at James. With a bark, she pounced on Sirius, and began licking his face.
"Good morning!" He remarked, as he pushed her off of him.
She barked again, before rolling over, and looking up at him with unblinking eyes.
He shook his head. "I'm not that stupid."
James raised an eyebrow, and waited until everyone except Remus and himself were the only ones there. "Explain yourself."
Sirius sighed. "She's an animagi. See if you can guess."
James laughed. "Sydney?"
Sirius nodded. "Show yourself, Syd."
With a quick movement, Sydney was back to her regular self. "Well, Remus, the best thing that I can suggest for your hand is murtlap essence."
Sirius smiled at her. "Why're you up here?"
She glared at him. "What happened to 2:00?"
He groaned, and ran a hand across his face. "Forgot about it. Sorry!"
She shrugged. "Well, now you can tell your friends that you slept with a girl."
He laughed, "Well, it'd be the truth, wouldn't it?"
She shrugged. "I guess."
He smiled at her. "Hey Sydney, I wanted to give you something."
She raised an eyebrow, and waited. "What?"
And then he kissed her, but she kissed him back.
James grinned. "Pointers on how to get girls, Padfoot old friend. You owe me."
~*~
Andi and Ronni walked into the Great Hall, both searching for Syd's face among the Gryffindor table. Sighing, they sat down, and began eating.
"I don't know what's gotten into her. Leaving that early in the morning." Andi remarked, after taking a spoonful of scrambled eggs.
"Not sure. She's just a bit tied up right now. She'll come around." Ronni replied.
"I just wish I knew where she was. She's always getting in trouble, ya know?" Andi huffed. Eating what little she grabbed for herself, she started back towards the common room, only to see a couple of Slytherins approach Ronni.
"What're YOU doing here, mudblood?" One of them asked, as he pushed his silvery-blond locks out of his face.
Ronni's face tightened, as did her fists, but she ignored him.
Andi went toward the Slytherins, but Ronni caught her gaze, and shook her head. She could handle herself. Sighing, Andi shrugged and went towards the common room.
Ronni raised an eyebrow. "Bye." She shook her head, and continued eating.
Sirius, Sydney, and James walked into the Great Hall, all of them nearly laughing their heads off.
Ronni smiled at James, who took a seat next to her. "Good Morning."
He grinned back. "Hey! Guess what your crazy friend did last night."
Ronni waited for him to tell her.
"She came in our room, bit Remmy, and then laid next to Sirius. She was in her form you know, but she scared Remus silly." James replied, grin planted on his face.
Ronni looked at Sydney and sighed. "James, that's not good. How many people saw her? See, if she was a cat, it'd be different, but she's a dog. Go in later, and modify memories, ok?"
James nodded. "Ok, no problem."
~*~
Andi walked into the common room frustrated as hell. Sighing, she headed up to her room, thought better of it, and went towards the couch.
Lupin surprised at the arrival, startled somewhat and put his reading down on the table. He had been sitting on the couch. "Andi? Are you alright? Hogwarts is overwhelming at first."
Andi jumped up, and smiled slightly. "Sorry, I hadn't noticed you were there." Calming down a bit, she sat down again, and sighed. "Yes, quite alright. And overwhelmed isn't the word I would use."
Lupin smiled, somewhat abashed. "It's often that I'm not noticed with friends like Sirius and James."
Andi sighed again. "I really hadn't intended it like that. I just meant that I didn't see you. I didn't see anyone."
Remus smiled, "It's alright. I like it here by the fire, it's a quiet place to read when everyone's gone to bed. I'm kind of a loner anyway. That's neither here nor there though. Are you and your friends getting along well then?"
She shrugged. "Sydney's gone loco, and Ronni's having difficulties with the Slytherins. If I had at least half the guts as Syd does, I'd be down there, as she would put it, 'kicking ass.'"
"I see, she does seem quite the passionate one. Raw energy, untamed." He mused.
"Oh, Syd has always been like this. She's told me she's already 'done' something with your friend. What she'd mean by that, I'm not sure. We aren't exactly on speaking terms." Andi mused.
"Not on speaking terms?" Remus looked shocked. It was evident that he wore his heart on his sleeve, "I hope it's nothing serious that's come between you and your friend. But if I know my friend, and the one you speak of it is something Sirius..." his words trailed off.
"No, it's nothing Sirius has done. Don't worry." She replied.
"So Tell me, what brings you to Hogwarts, where are you from that is?" He inquired.
She looked away, trying to think of a quick answer. "I...I can't really tell you. In time maybe, but not right now."
Lupin cleared his throat politely, "Then I shall wait, until whatever it is that is holding you back has vanished and you see that I am trustworthy. Until then, let's talk. Do you read?"
She smiled slightly. "Occasionally, when I have the time. I'm working on perfecting a spell at the moment, so I really don't have the time."
Remus perked, sitting up straight, "Oh maybe I can be of service then. I'm fairly proficient in spells. Which one are you having trouble with?"
Andi hesitated. "If you promise not to tell anyone. I'm working on my animagius figure."
He looked around nervously, trying to think of a reply. He cleared his throat again, "I could," he licked his lips nervously, "help you with that."
She shrugged. "I saw your friend transform. I know what he is. And if he can transform, I might question your figure?"
"Figure?" Remus's face drained of color and his voice grew nearly inaudible. "I'm...well...I...I'm not an animagi. But I've helped my friend with the spell...so I can help you."
She smiled. "Ok. Thanks."
"Did you want to start now?" He asked.
She shrugged. "Whenever you have time. Syd can do it at will, as can Ronni. But since Ronni's tied up with classes and James, and Syd and I are having conflicts, I can only wait." Andi halfheartedly mumbled.
Remus snorted a laugh, "I've always got time. My friends tend to be busy as of late." He stood and offered her his hand..."I know the perfect place."
Andi looked at him for a second, and then nodded. "Ok. Lead the way."
Remus stood and led her through the corridor up a few floors. "This is something that no one can know about, I feel bad enough about making my friends do this. Just between you and me, alright? There is a secret room just there," Remus pointed to a blank part of the wall. "I know it looks like wall, but I can assure you, there is a room there, we just need to make it real. Walk three times down the corridor and back again, thinking of the space that we need to practice this spell."
Andi nodded, and did as told. Clearing her mind, she thought solely on the space for practicing.
"There!" Remus caught her by the shoulder, gently. The door appeared, in the wall, and on the cherry wood were etched animals of all kinds, "What are you working to be?" He asked as he opened the door for her.
She hesitated a second, before walking into it. She waited until she was inside, before she replied. "A wolf."
Remus almost shuttered as he closed the door to the large open room. A fleeting smile crossed his face for a second, "A wolf?" His voice rang unsettingly in the room. "Are you sure?"
She nodded, and sighed. "Yes. I've got the ears, the snout, and the tail, but I can't get the eyes, the legs, and the body. Why?" She asked.
Remus chuckled nervously, "No reason. But I'm pretty sure I can help you a wolf shouldn't be too hard after helping a stag." Remus waved her over, "Show me what you've got."
She nodded, and morphed, this times, the ears, the snout, the eyes, and the tail showing up. She morphed back. "See."
"I do, I see," Remus nodded, "Have you got the wolf physique down in your mind? When you try and change I mean. The eyes are the difficult part. That will come with time though. But the body is where we'll have to start. The tail's good though," Remus smiled encouragingly, "Sprouting a tail takes talent."
Andi smiled back. "Thanks. And I have a picture of a wolf that I focus on, if that's what you mean."
"That's what I mean, exactly." Remus shook his head, and his shaggy hair fell into his eyes...but he didn't seem to mind. "I know this is going to sound silly...but you should try again..." he paused as if trying to find the right words, "on all fours."
She raised an eyebrow, almost to question his sanity, but did as told. She tried morphing again, once again aquiring the eyes, the ears, the snout, the tail, and this time, the legs. She morphed back, and sat down. She closed her eyes for a second, doing some sort of breathing exercise, before looking up at him.
"GOOD!" Remus smiled. "That was really good. Now, about that body." Remus pondered it. "I can't remember how we got Sirius to do it properly. And asking him is out of the question at the moment." When Remus's gaze went back to her, his face paled and he knelt next to her worriedly, "Are you alright?"
Andi nodded, blinking several times. "Yeah. I'm fine. Just thought of something that happened awhile back. I'll be fine."
"Maybe we should stop for now. I can talk to Sirius and see what he says about the body. Without, of course, telling him why...though I very much doubt he'd care as long as I'm doing something against the rules." Remus pointed at a silver badge on his chest, "I'm a prefect and anything that the 'authorities' do that's bad is a blessing in Sirius's eyes." He offered his hand to help Andi up, "We should go to the kitchens and get you something to drink."
She sighed. "Can I try it once more? I think I can get it this time." She mused, having some kind of confidence in herself that she hadn't had earlier.
Remus was awed by her confidence. "Sure, if you feel up to it."
She smiled slightly, took a deep breath, and got on all fours again. She focused on the picture, and sure enough, she morphed the whole way. She yipped, and looked up at him.
Remus grinned, and it was obvious that he was bounding with joy though it was bottled up behind somewhat tired looking eyes. "That's fantastic Andi! Amazing!"
But when she tried to morph back, she couldn't. She yipped again, and trotted across the room once, and came back. She tried once more, but again, it didn't work. Finally, she laid down, and covered her muzzle with her paws. Her eyes gazed up at him, before looking at the floor again.
Remus began to tremble, "Oh my." He knelt next to Andi and patted her head gently, "Be calm, or you'll be stuck forever. Patience." He was breathing irregularly, "This quilifies as the bad things the prefects do."
Andi growled softly, before getting up again. She barked, and curled up under a chair.
"Andi," Remus knelt next to the chair and extended his hand to her, "come on, we have to go somewhere else. Somewhere the makes you feel at home. Do you have something that makes you feel at home so that you'll feel comfortable enough to turn back? Well, I don't suppose you can tell me...can you lead me?"
She barked softly, and stayed where she was, almost too humiliated to come out. She curled even tighter, blocking out everything.
Remus sighed and backed away slowly, "Am I your trouble? Would it help if I left? I could go for one of your friends. I have no problem dealing with the Slytherins, I could get Ronni," Remus offered from across the room. "I'm sure James could help me find her," Remus offered.
She growled loudly at the sound of Ronni's name, and slowly made her way out from under the chair. She walked over to him, and curled up at his feet, occasionally looking up at him.
"I'm so sorry Andi. If I were an Animangus I could communicate with you under the circumstances...but I'm not, I'm really not." Remus knelt again and ran a hand over her head, "Try again. Think of something happy, something you want most of anything as a human female. Here, give me your paws," Remus made to take her front paws and stand her up on her hind legs, "Maybe this will help as it did for the transformation."
She yelped slightly, before giving him an understanding look. Thinking about her human form, she tried morphing back. After about three times, she changed back. She crumpled once she got back to normal, and stared at the floor.
Remus did the best he could to steady her. "Are you well?" He asked. "We should go to the kitchens straight away and get you a drink and some chocolate. Chocolate does the trick for almost anything."
She sighed. "I'm better than I was before. Thanks Remus, for all your help and your support." Finding the use of her legs was back, she stood up, stretching each leg before smiling at him again.
He returned the contagious grin, "You really had me worried. Promise you won't ever speak to me again because I got you stuck as a wolf?" He tried to laugh but it came out as a snort instead. "I think for the time being when ever you are trying to change you should have somebody nearby in case this happens again. And it might the first few times...it's not uncommon. At least I've read that it's not uncommon."
She smiled, and nodded. "I will. And Remus, I can't promise that I won't ever talk to you again."
Remus laughed, "Alright. I can show you the way down into the kitchens where we can get you some Pumpkin Juice and chocolate. Or I could just tell you...if you'd rather go alone."
She rolled her eyes, for once acting like Sydney. "Stand still, and close your eyes." She commanded.
Remus drew back a bit at her command but did as he was told, as a grin passed over his face.
She stepped closer to him, kissed him quickly, and then smiled. "And I'll give you a little surprise." She muttered afterward.
Remus's face turned an off shade of pink but he sighed contented. "Hey Andi," he paused and scooped up her hand, "Next weekend is a Hogsmeade Saturday. I was wondering if I might be able to interest you in the trip; that is, take you there with me?"
She grinned wryly. "Is there anyone else I'd rather go with?" She was teasing him a bit, which still wasn't much like Andi. Finally, she nodded. "Sure. I'd love to go with you."
Remus smiled, "Then it's settled." It wasn't until after that moment, as they headed down to the kitchen that Remus realized next Saturday was the first day of a full moon.
~*~
"Try again, Ronni." James encouraged, after Ronni lost at Bop-it for the 3rd consecutive time.
She shook her head. "Naw. You try."
He grinned, and started the game. "Bop-it, twist it, pull it, twist it, twist it, bop-it.." Finally the thing screamed at him, ending the game.
"100? How can you do that? I get like, 6, and you get a hundred? Yet you've never played?" She huffed.
He continued grin, as he moved closer to her. "I can teach you if you want."
She nodded. "If you want. Oh! There's Syd's cd player." As she went to grab it, James kissed her.
Ronni pulled away quickly, and shook her head. "I don't want that, James. I really don't."
He sighed. "Ok. I have to get something, and then I'll be back."
Ronni nodded, and smiled. "I have to go talk to someone. I'll be back."
With that, she headed toward the library.
~*~
"What color?" Sirius asked Sydney.
"Pink would be good. Pink, green, and blue." She replied. "With SPARKLES."
Sirius grinned evilly. "We have to find him first. But you hit him with it first, ok?"
Syd nodded. "You got it."
~*~
Ronni wandered into the library, looking for Lily. Once she found her, she chased all the other girls away from her, and sat down at the same table. "Lily?"
Lily looked up, smile on her face. "Yes?"
Ronni extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Ronni. I wanted to talk to you about something."
Lily continued to smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ronni. And go right ahead. What's on your mind?"
Ronni sighed. "Listen, this may sound REALLY weird coming from me, but I don't want you to screw anything up. James is into you. Really into you. But you need to get over the whole put down thing and give him a chance. Believe me, if I wasn't so attached to someone else, I'd keep him for myself. But I know that he likes you a lot. So, go talk to him. Ok? Invite him to go with you on the Hogsmeade trip or something."
Lily canted her head to the side. "You're serious?"
Ronni nodded. "Yeah. And believe me, I didn't want to give him up. But he needs you as much as you need him. Now go, before I chance my mind."
Lily smiled, and ran off towards the Gryffindor common room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Whoa. This chapter isn't that bad!! *grin* If I could only get a couple more reviews, I'd be fine. But I'll continue to have these chapters up. Feel loved. -Legofodopip signing off.
By Legofodopip
August 14, 2003
Disclaimer: I do not own any of J.K. Rowling's characters, although I wish I did own Sirius and Lupin. *cackles evilly* I'd give Lupin to my friend, Madcrazymolly, who helped me with this chapter A LOT. She and I role-played the scene with Andi and Remus. It would've taken me days to get this whole thing up without her, and it wouldn't have been anywhere near this interesting. You should've seen the chap I had before. Not even 500 words! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
James prodded the ever-moving Sirius. "You alright over there, mate?"
Sirius woke up with a start. Sweat covered his face and his body. He nodded wearily at James. "Sure, mate."
James sighed. "Ok. But if you need anything, I'm here."
Sirius nodded. "Thanks. 'Night."
~*~
Sydney snuck out of her bed, and dressed. Throwing her hair up into a ponytail, she opened the door, and went downstairs. Not seeing Sirius, she sat on the couch, her CD player in hand.
! 20 Minutes later!
Sighing, she left her CD player on the couch, and transformed into her animagi figure. She trotted up toward the guy's down, and pawed at the door.
A disgruntled Remus opened the door. "Who?"
Syd yipped, and ran toward Sirius. She pounced on his bed, and nudged his hand.
Sirius moaned, and rolled over.
She growled, and yipped at him. Several of the other boys woke up, only to see a huge white dog standing on Sirius's bed.
"Sirius! There's a dog on your bed!"
"Is it yours?"
"Can I pet it?"
Were the repeated questions. When they came near, she let the first few pat her on the head, or scratch her under the chin, but after that, she started growling.
James woke up, and looked at Sirius. "Padfoot! Sirius, you've a huge white dog on your bed."
Sirius groaned again, looked up at James, shook his head. "It's a figment of your imagination, mate. Go to sleep."
The boys scattered, and went back to their own beds, while James and Remus just stared at him. Finally, Remus got up, and grabbed Sydney by the scruff of the neck.
With a yelp and a growl, Remus's hand was soon filled with teeth marks. Remus cursed softly, and pulled out something to wash his hand off with. "You'd think I'd know dogs by now."
James laughed, and coaxed the dog over. "Here girl, come here."
Sydney snorted, and rolled over.
James shook his head. "Wonder if she's got tags." He approached the dog with caution, and talked to her the whole time. "Shhhh. I'm not here to hurt you." Slowly, he read the tags on the dog's neck. "Bloody hell! This helps!" He remarked sarcastically.
Remus laughed slightly. "We'll just leave it to Padfoot to sort it out."
With that, the dog barked, and leaped onto Sirius's bed. She curled up next to Sirius's chest, and fell asleep.
~*~
The next morning, Andi and Ronni woke up only to find Sydney gone.
"I bet she went to watch the Quidditch practice or something." Ronni replied to Andi.
Andi sighed. "It's just like her to leave like this."
The two went down to the common room, and out to the Great Hall.
~*~
James prodded Sirius. "Wake up, mate. I'm damn curious about that dog of yours."
Sirius woke up, and looked at James. "What were you saying, mate? Something about a dog?"
James grinned. "We couldn't get you up last night. This dog came into our room, growled at everyone else, and then slept on your bed."
Sirius looked at the dog, and then recognition dawned on his face. "Good morning, Snowball."
The dog moved, and nearly knocked him off of the bed. Her eyes blinked open, and looked at James. With a bark, she pounced on Sirius, and began licking his face.
"Good morning!" He remarked, as he pushed her off of him.
She barked again, before rolling over, and looking up at him with unblinking eyes.
He shook his head. "I'm not that stupid."
James raised an eyebrow, and waited until everyone except Remus and himself were the only ones there. "Explain yourself."
Sirius sighed. "She's an animagi. See if you can guess."
James laughed. "Sydney?"
Sirius nodded. "Show yourself, Syd."
With a quick movement, Sydney was back to her regular self. "Well, Remus, the best thing that I can suggest for your hand is murtlap essence."
Sirius smiled at her. "Why're you up here?"
She glared at him. "What happened to 2:00?"
He groaned, and ran a hand across his face. "Forgot about it. Sorry!"
She shrugged. "Well, now you can tell your friends that you slept with a girl."
He laughed, "Well, it'd be the truth, wouldn't it?"
She shrugged. "I guess."
He smiled at her. "Hey Sydney, I wanted to give you something."
She raised an eyebrow, and waited. "What?"
And then he kissed her, but she kissed him back.
James grinned. "Pointers on how to get girls, Padfoot old friend. You owe me."
~*~
Andi and Ronni walked into the Great Hall, both searching for Syd's face among the Gryffindor table. Sighing, they sat down, and began eating.
"I don't know what's gotten into her. Leaving that early in the morning." Andi remarked, after taking a spoonful of scrambled eggs.
"Not sure. She's just a bit tied up right now. She'll come around." Ronni replied.
"I just wish I knew where she was. She's always getting in trouble, ya know?" Andi huffed. Eating what little she grabbed for herself, she started back towards the common room, only to see a couple of Slytherins approach Ronni.
"What're YOU doing here, mudblood?" One of them asked, as he pushed his silvery-blond locks out of his face.
Ronni's face tightened, as did her fists, but she ignored him.
Andi went toward the Slytherins, but Ronni caught her gaze, and shook her head. She could handle herself. Sighing, Andi shrugged and went towards the common room.
Ronni raised an eyebrow. "Bye." She shook her head, and continued eating.
Sirius, Sydney, and James walked into the Great Hall, all of them nearly laughing their heads off.
Ronni smiled at James, who took a seat next to her. "Good Morning."
He grinned back. "Hey! Guess what your crazy friend did last night."
Ronni waited for him to tell her.
"She came in our room, bit Remmy, and then laid next to Sirius. She was in her form you know, but she scared Remus silly." James replied, grin planted on his face.
Ronni looked at Sydney and sighed. "James, that's not good. How many people saw her? See, if she was a cat, it'd be different, but she's a dog. Go in later, and modify memories, ok?"
James nodded. "Ok, no problem."
~*~
Andi walked into the common room frustrated as hell. Sighing, she headed up to her room, thought better of it, and went towards the couch.
Lupin surprised at the arrival, startled somewhat and put his reading down on the table. He had been sitting on the couch. "Andi? Are you alright? Hogwarts is overwhelming at first."
Andi jumped up, and smiled slightly. "Sorry, I hadn't noticed you were there." Calming down a bit, she sat down again, and sighed. "Yes, quite alright. And overwhelmed isn't the word I would use."
Lupin smiled, somewhat abashed. "It's often that I'm not noticed with friends like Sirius and James."
Andi sighed again. "I really hadn't intended it like that. I just meant that I didn't see you. I didn't see anyone."
Remus smiled, "It's alright. I like it here by the fire, it's a quiet place to read when everyone's gone to bed. I'm kind of a loner anyway. That's neither here nor there though. Are you and your friends getting along well then?"
She shrugged. "Sydney's gone loco, and Ronni's having difficulties with the Slytherins. If I had at least half the guts as Syd does, I'd be down there, as she would put it, 'kicking ass.'"
"I see, she does seem quite the passionate one. Raw energy, untamed." He mused.
"Oh, Syd has always been like this. She's told me she's already 'done' something with your friend. What she'd mean by that, I'm not sure. We aren't exactly on speaking terms." Andi mused.
"Not on speaking terms?" Remus looked shocked. It was evident that he wore his heart on his sleeve, "I hope it's nothing serious that's come between you and your friend. But if I know my friend, and the one you speak of it is something Sirius..." his words trailed off.
"No, it's nothing Sirius has done. Don't worry." She replied.
"So Tell me, what brings you to Hogwarts, where are you from that is?" He inquired.
She looked away, trying to think of a quick answer. "I...I can't really tell you. In time maybe, but not right now."
Lupin cleared his throat politely, "Then I shall wait, until whatever it is that is holding you back has vanished and you see that I am trustworthy. Until then, let's talk. Do you read?"
She smiled slightly. "Occasionally, when I have the time. I'm working on perfecting a spell at the moment, so I really don't have the time."
Remus perked, sitting up straight, "Oh maybe I can be of service then. I'm fairly proficient in spells. Which one are you having trouble with?"
Andi hesitated. "If you promise not to tell anyone. I'm working on my animagius figure."
He looked around nervously, trying to think of a reply. He cleared his throat again, "I could," he licked his lips nervously, "help you with that."
She shrugged. "I saw your friend transform. I know what he is. And if he can transform, I might question your figure?"
"Figure?" Remus's face drained of color and his voice grew nearly inaudible. "I'm...well...I...I'm not an animagi. But I've helped my friend with the spell...so I can help you."
She smiled. "Ok. Thanks."
"Did you want to start now?" He asked.
She shrugged. "Whenever you have time. Syd can do it at will, as can Ronni. But since Ronni's tied up with classes and James, and Syd and I are having conflicts, I can only wait." Andi halfheartedly mumbled.
Remus snorted a laugh, "I've always got time. My friends tend to be busy as of late." He stood and offered her his hand..."I know the perfect place."
Andi looked at him for a second, and then nodded. "Ok. Lead the way."
Remus stood and led her through the corridor up a few floors. "This is something that no one can know about, I feel bad enough about making my friends do this. Just between you and me, alright? There is a secret room just there," Remus pointed to a blank part of the wall. "I know it looks like wall, but I can assure you, there is a room there, we just need to make it real. Walk three times down the corridor and back again, thinking of the space that we need to practice this spell."
Andi nodded, and did as told. Clearing her mind, she thought solely on the space for practicing.
"There!" Remus caught her by the shoulder, gently. The door appeared, in the wall, and on the cherry wood were etched animals of all kinds, "What are you working to be?" He asked as he opened the door for her.
She hesitated a second, before walking into it. She waited until she was inside, before she replied. "A wolf."
Remus almost shuttered as he closed the door to the large open room. A fleeting smile crossed his face for a second, "A wolf?" His voice rang unsettingly in the room. "Are you sure?"
She nodded, and sighed. "Yes. I've got the ears, the snout, and the tail, but I can't get the eyes, the legs, and the body. Why?" She asked.
Remus chuckled nervously, "No reason. But I'm pretty sure I can help you a wolf shouldn't be too hard after helping a stag." Remus waved her over, "Show me what you've got."
She nodded, and morphed, this times, the ears, the snout, the eyes, and the tail showing up. She morphed back. "See."
"I do, I see," Remus nodded, "Have you got the wolf physique down in your mind? When you try and change I mean. The eyes are the difficult part. That will come with time though. But the body is where we'll have to start. The tail's good though," Remus smiled encouragingly, "Sprouting a tail takes talent."
Andi smiled back. "Thanks. And I have a picture of a wolf that I focus on, if that's what you mean."
"That's what I mean, exactly." Remus shook his head, and his shaggy hair fell into his eyes...but he didn't seem to mind. "I know this is going to sound silly...but you should try again..." he paused as if trying to find the right words, "on all fours."
She raised an eyebrow, almost to question his sanity, but did as told. She tried morphing again, once again aquiring the eyes, the ears, the snout, the tail, and this time, the legs. She morphed back, and sat down. She closed her eyes for a second, doing some sort of breathing exercise, before looking up at him.
"GOOD!" Remus smiled. "That was really good. Now, about that body." Remus pondered it. "I can't remember how we got Sirius to do it properly. And asking him is out of the question at the moment." When Remus's gaze went back to her, his face paled and he knelt next to her worriedly, "Are you alright?"
Andi nodded, blinking several times. "Yeah. I'm fine. Just thought of something that happened awhile back. I'll be fine."
"Maybe we should stop for now. I can talk to Sirius and see what he says about the body. Without, of course, telling him why...though I very much doubt he'd care as long as I'm doing something against the rules." Remus pointed at a silver badge on his chest, "I'm a prefect and anything that the 'authorities' do that's bad is a blessing in Sirius's eyes." He offered his hand to help Andi up, "We should go to the kitchens and get you something to drink."
She sighed. "Can I try it once more? I think I can get it this time." She mused, having some kind of confidence in herself that she hadn't had earlier.
Remus was awed by her confidence. "Sure, if you feel up to it."
She smiled slightly, took a deep breath, and got on all fours again. She focused on the picture, and sure enough, she morphed the whole way. She yipped, and looked up at him.
Remus grinned, and it was obvious that he was bounding with joy though it was bottled up behind somewhat tired looking eyes. "That's fantastic Andi! Amazing!"
But when she tried to morph back, she couldn't. She yipped again, and trotted across the room once, and came back. She tried once more, but again, it didn't work. Finally, she laid down, and covered her muzzle with her paws. Her eyes gazed up at him, before looking at the floor again.
Remus began to tremble, "Oh my." He knelt next to Andi and patted her head gently, "Be calm, or you'll be stuck forever. Patience." He was breathing irregularly, "This quilifies as the bad things the prefects do."
Andi growled softly, before getting up again. She barked, and curled up under a chair.
"Andi," Remus knelt next to the chair and extended his hand to her, "come on, we have to go somewhere else. Somewhere the makes you feel at home. Do you have something that makes you feel at home so that you'll feel comfortable enough to turn back? Well, I don't suppose you can tell me...can you lead me?"
She barked softly, and stayed where she was, almost too humiliated to come out. She curled even tighter, blocking out everything.
Remus sighed and backed away slowly, "Am I your trouble? Would it help if I left? I could go for one of your friends. I have no problem dealing with the Slytherins, I could get Ronni," Remus offered from across the room. "I'm sure James could help me find her," Remus offered.
She growled loudly at the sound of Ronni's name, and slowly made her way out from under the chair. She walked over to him, and curled up at his feet, occasionally looking up at him.
"I'm so sorry Andi. If I were an Animangus I could communicate with you under the circumstances...but I'm not, I'm really not." Remus knelt again and ran a hand over her head, "Try again. Think of something happy, something you want most of anything as a human female. Here, give me your paws," Remus made to take her front paws and stand her up on her hind legs, "Maybe this will help as it did for the transformation."
She yelped slightly, before giving him an understanding look. Thinking about her human form, she tried morphing back. After about three times, she changed back. She crumpled once she got back to normal, and stared at the floor.
Remus did the best he could to steady her. "Are you well?" He asked. "We should go to the kitchens straight away and get you a drink and some chocolate. Chocolate does the trick for almost anything."
She sighed. "I'm better than I was before. Thanks Remus, for all your help and your support." Finding the use of her legs was back, she stood up, stretching each leg before smiling at him again.
He returned the contagious grin, "You really had me worried. Promise you won't ever speak to me again because I got you stuck as a wolf?" He tried to laugh but it came out as a snort instead. "I think for the time being when ever you are trying to change you should have somebody nearby in case this happens again. And it might the first few times...it's not uncommon. At least I've read that it's not uncommon."
She smiled, and nodded. "I will. And Remus, I can't promise that I won't ever talk to you again."
Remus laughed, "Alright. I can show you the way down into the kitchens where we can get you some Pumpkin Juice and chocolate. Or I could just tell you...if you'd rather go alone."
She rolled her eyes, for once acting like Sydney. "Stand still, and close your eyes." She commanded.
Remus drew back a bit at her command but did as he was told, as a grin passed over his face.
She stepped closer to him, kissed him quickly, and then smiled. "And I'll give you a little surprise." She muttered afterward.
Remus's face turned an off shade of pink but he sighed contented. "Hey Andi," he paused and scooped up her hand, "Next weekend is a Hogsmeade Saturday. I was wondering if I might be able to interest you in the trip; that is, take you there with me?"
She grinned wryly. "Is there anyone else I'd rather go with?" She was teasing him a bit, which still wasn't much like Andi. Finally, she nodded. "Sure. I'd love to go with you."
Remus smiled, "Then it's settled." It wasn't until after that moment, as they headed down to the kitchen that Remus realized next Saturday was the first day of a full moon.
~*~
"Try again, Ronni." James encouraged, after Ronni lost at Bop-it for the 3rd consecutive time.
She shook her head. "Naw. You try."
He grinned, and started the game. "Bop-it, twist it, pull it, twist it, twist it, bop-it.." Finally the thing screamed at him, ending the game.
"100? How can you do that? I get like, 6, and you get a hundred? Yet you've never played?" She huffed.
He continued grin, as he moved closer to her. "I can teach you if you want."
She nodded. "If you want. Oh! There's Syd's cd player." As she went to grab it, James kissed her.
Ronni pulled away quickly, and shook her head. "I don't want that, James. I really don't."
He sighed. "Ok. I have to get something, and then I'll be back."
Ronni nodded, and smiled. "I have to go talk to someone. I'll be back."
With that, she headed toward the library.
~*~
"What color?" Sirius asked Sydney.
"Pink would be good. Pink, green, and blue." She replied. "With SPARKLES."
Sirius grinned evilly. "We have to find him first. But you hit him with it first, ok?"
Syd nodded. "You got it."
~*~
Ronni wandered into the library, looking for Lily. Once she found her, she chased all the other girls away from her, and sat down at the same table. "Lily?"
Lily looked up, smile on her face. "Yes?"
Ronni extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Ronni. I wanted to talk to you about something."
Lily continued to smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ronni. And go right ahead. What's on your mind?"
Ronni sighed. "Listen, this may sound REALLY weird coming from me, but I don't want you to screw anything up. James is into you. Really into you. But you need to get over the whole put down thing and give him a chance. Believe me, if I wasn't so attached to someone else, I'd keep him for myself. But I know that he likes you a lot. So, go talk to him. Ok? Invite him to go with you on the Hogsmeade trip or something."
Lily canted her head to the side. "You're serious?"
Ronni nodded. "Yeah. And believe me, I didn't want to give him up. But he needs you as much as you need him. Now go, before I chance my mind."
Lily smiled, and ran off towards the Gryffindor common room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Whoa. This chapter isn't that bad!! *grin* If I could only get a couple more reviews, I'd be fine. But I'll continue to have these chapters up. Feel loved. -Legofodopip signing off.