A/N - All right, all together now - SQUEE! ^_^ I love the Marauders in every form, but as you can probably tell by the title, this fic is about them when they were toddlers. Squee!

Ok, ok, I'll control my 'squeeing' urges. I'm not sure when or why this particular idea struck me, but I'm rather glad it did. Now I get lotsa CUTE mental pictures of our favourite troublemakers as three-year-olds!

Warning: If you're extremely tenderhearted, please do not read this, as the Marauders manage to land themselves in St. Mungo's on the same night by pure coincidence. As you can tell by the title of this chapter, Remus gets bitten, and later on I get slightly cruel to little Peter and Sirius. *slaps self* Bad author! Bad!

Disclaimer - Hey JK - If you're reading this - can I have the mini-Marauders? Pretty please?

*~*~*Bite of Wolf and Flippers of Seal*~*~*

Anita hurried around the house, locking windows. Three-year-old Remus toddled after her, thumb in his mouth, serious large grey eyes following her every move.

She glanced out the still-open window in front of her. Her husband was outside, closing the shutters.

"Hurry, Martin!" Anita called, leaning out over the sill. She pointed to the horizon. "The moon'll be rising soon."

He waved his acknowledgement and she shut the window, latching it firmly.

"Mama? Wha's wong?" Remus asked worriedly around his thumb. Even so young, he could sense the tension in the air. Something was not quite right.

Anita scooped her small son up and ruffled his brown hair affectionately. "Nothing for you to worry about, lovey," she reassured.

Martin came in, slamming the door behind him and locking it. "Got them all?"

"Yes. I'm getting so sick of this all, though. Having to cower behind locked doors and windows every full moon, fearing that every shadow might be It."

He shrugged hopelessly. "I know. And being sleepless every night listening to make sure Remus doesn't sleepwalk and open the doors. I hope they catch it soon - and yet I don't. You know what they do to werewolves. It's wrong. Wrong that someone otherwise innocent gets persecuted for something beyond their control."

Remus squirmed out of his mother's grasp and toddled over to hug his dad's legs.

"Heya there, Remmie," Martin grinned, bending down and tickling the little boy. Remus shrieked with laughter. He loved that.

Laughing, Anita's fears were temporarily laid aside as she watched her husband chase their giggling son out of the room.

*~*~*

Late that night, as Anita lay restless in bed, the full moon shining on her face, she was startled by a terrible scream and a growl from the street. Remus' scream.

Martin sat bolt upright and reached for his wand. "What the -?"

"He's outside!" Anita shot out of bed, snatching up her own wand.

"How?"

"Merlin help me -" she said in horror. "I forgot to lock the back door!"

*~*~*

In the glow of the streetlight, a giant, wolflike creature with glowing red eyes and a slavering jaw set with long fangs stood alert and with raised hackles on the sidewalk.

Remus' small, limp body lay between its front claws.

Anita and Martin shot out of their backyard for the street where the thing stood, their only thoughts for their son's safety.

"STUPEFY!" screamed his parents as they reached the sidewalk. But already the werewolf was moving, its muscles rippling as it leapt for the elder Lupins.

Anita conjured up a silver shield, just in time. The werewolf struck it and ricocheted off. It streaked off into the night, howling in agony.

Lights flicked on all up and down the street as their neighbours became aware of the commotion outside.

The Lupins did not notice this, as they knelt beside Remus' huddled form.

"Is he -" Anita began, seeing a trickle of blood. She couldn't bring herself to voice her dread. "Did it -"

Martin shook his head. "He's alive. But he's been bitten." His body slumped heavily. "Remus -"

Anita let out a soft, horrified cry.

*~*~*

"I'm not going to bed," announced James firmly. "I'm not tired."

"It's ten o'clock already," Mara Potter pleaded.

"I'll read you a story," wheedled Ted.

James scowled as he folded his chubby arms across his chest and pouted. "No."

"I'll read some of Martin Miggs, the Mad Muggle..."

The little boy lost some of his ferocious scowl. "Reawy?"

"Yes, really."

"Wiw you read me three stories if I go to bed now?" asked James hopefully. He loved stories.

"Will you settle for two?" Mara said. "It's getting late."

James considered this thoughtfully for a moment. "OK!" he beamed. Ted followed the little boy to his bedroom as James ran ahead and began bouncing enthusiastically on his bed.

*~*~*

All had been peaceful for about an hour after the lights in James' room had gone out, when -

BANG!

Both Potters jumped, automatically reaching for their wands. Ted, however, swore loudly.

"It's gone!"

"Your wand?"

"Yes, my wand! James must have pocketed it when I read to him! Little snitch," growled Ted.

They hurried down the hallway in time to see James skipping out of him room, beaming in delight. "Mummy! Daddy! Wook at me! Innit coow?"

Mara yelled in shock. "He's got flippers!"

And indeed he had. In place of arms, a large pair of grey seal flippers flapped against James' sides.

"Ark, ark! I'm a seaw!" James said, clapping his flippers together.

"Jamie, how many times must we tell you - don't ever play with Daddy's wand!" Mara scolded.

"Awww..."

"You've done it now," Ted groaned. He turned to his wife. "I guess we have to take him to St. Mungo's. I've no clue how to get rid of those - those flippers -" He waved his hand helplessly.

*