Chapter Ten

James spat out a feather he had nearly inhaled while he laughed at Lily's awkward departure and rose from the down-covered floor. He Vanished a path through the former contents of their pillows ad sat on Remus's bed, concern etched in his face.

"Alright, Moony?"

"Alright. What about you, Prongs? Really?"

"I'm—I'm fine. Full moon tomorrow... gods, I feels so guilty to be excited about it—"

"It's a complicated—emotion, for me. It's dreadful, but you three make it so much better, Prongs, you really do. The only problem now is Lily knows..."

"What?!?" James yelped. Remus laughed sourly.

"Not about you... not about the Marauders. Just me." Remus grimaced as James winced.

"I expect she won't want anything to do with me now." James felt a surge of—was it triumph? He was instantly disgusted with himself, and pushed the sensation away.

"Oh, dragon dung, Moony. She will too. She likes you; and Evans is not the kind of person who cares about that kind of... thing..." he finished, rather lamely.

"You can get off your soapbox now, James. It's not helping."
"Huh?"

Remus sighed. "Never mind. I always forget that you're not taking Muggle Studies."

James shrugged apologetically and went to help the other boys clean up the feathers.

James awoke Monday morning with the shining prospect of the full moon fresh in his mind, and barely resisted the urge to leap out of bed and whoop. He went to shake Sirius awake, but he had already gone down to breakfast. James grinned. He should have known; Sirius spent every waking moment possible with Ms. Sarah Finn. For his part, James was rather proud of Sirius for being able to stick with such a sensible girl when he had every other girl in the school drooling over him. It was quite an accomplishment.

He dressed in his uniform and went downstairs in time to grab a bite to eat before Care of Magical Creatures with the Ravenclaws. James didn't bother taking notes, Remus was bent diligently over his parchment, scribbling away as always—he'd copy them from him later. Bowtruckles were dull anyway. James turned his eyes to the sky. Not too many clouds, it would be good Quidditch conditions at practice later. He couldn't wait to get back in the air. They had a match on Saturday against Ravenclaw, the match that would decide which house out of the two would be competing for the Cup.

Matches against Ravenclaw were usually a good bit of fun, since Sirius was always reluctant to hit a Bludger at Sarah, who was Ravenclaw's strongest Chaser. This usually cost Gryffindor the game, which kept Sarah, at least, in a very good mood. The lesson ended and James came out of a reverie he hadn't noticed he was in, heading back toward the castle with Remus, talking in hushed voices about their plans for the night. James caught sight of Sirius kissing Sarah along the castle wall and was filled with a melancholy sort of longing as he thought of Lily. His shoulder touched Remus's, and he was brought back to earth with a guilty bump. He put Lily out of his mind. For Moony, he thought.

To his delight, however, Lily joined them, falling into step beside them, frowning slightly. James had been saying "So we're meeting in the usual--", but he stopped mid-sentence, noticing Lily, and abruptly changed the subject to that of the career advice sessions that they had been assigned times to a few days ago. This sparked a discussion about their futures after graduation. The future was, in James's mind, quite a scary thing. The future seemed so big; it just made him want to throw up his hands in surrender. Which, he supposed, was life... throwing up your hands in a surrender to the universe, allowing destiny to sweep you along to whatever end.

His rather profound thoughts were interrupted when he caught sight of something dark out of the corner of his eye. He turned in time to see old Snape giving Lily a passing sneer. A hot anger arose in James and he threw out a hand to stop his greasy classmate.

"Hey, Snivelly." he spat, a sneer of his own playing across his face. James could sense Lily shooting him a spiteful look, but he didn't care. He wouldn't allow her to let him carry on like this. "I don't like the way you look at Evans, Snape. I think you should watch your step."

Snape spat at his feet and pushed past, oozing his way down the corridor once more. James stared after him, red-faced with hate and rage. His angry thoughts were interrupted by Lily's voice, riddled with disgust.

"You know, you should get off his case, Potter," she said, obviously attempting to control her temper, "It's not his fault he's horrible. You don't have to be such a bully."

A bully thought James, That's out of order if anything ever was. Snape... he's foul, he's prejudiced—

But Lily shot him a withering glance and stalked off down the hall to History of Magic. James turned to Remus, as if wanting an explanation for why this girl was so barking mad all of a sudden.

"Why is she defending him? He's the biggest git!" James said, bewildered. Remus looked rather uncomfortable at being caught in the middle, and he just shrugged and urged James to the door of the classroom. Lily was sitting in the very front. James sauntered to his usual place in the back where Sirius was already there, leaning back in his chair, black hair sweeping back from his face. His eyes were closed and he appeared to be asleep already. Remus trailed rather reluctantly behind James to the back and sat next to him, pulling out his notes tiredly.

"I'll take them for this class, Moony," James offered, "since you did the last one..."

Remus nodded and Professor Binns glided in from behind the dusty chalkboard, adjusting his misty spectacles and giving a dry cough. He methodically cleared his throat and began rambling on about Goblin Rebellions inn the eighteen-whatsits. James forced himself to pay attention and take Remus-worthy notes, envying Sirius, who was now sending spitballs at the ceiling with his wand. One of them fell back down onto a Hufflepuff girl's head. Sirius caught her eye apologetically and she waved cheerfully as a way of saying 'that's quite alright'.

James sighed with relief when the class had finally ended, shoving the painstakingly-taken notes into Remus's hands, knowing he would lose them if he kept them himself. He and Sirius walked out together, Sirius moaning about how dreadful that class was. Remus hung back with Lily. James let him. Sirius was practically shivering with excitement.

"By this time tonight," he said, "we'll be romping about the grounds. Might be our last chance before term's over; I haven't checked the lunar charts." He shrugged, sweeping his hair back out of his eyes, which were twinkling anticipation. James made a quiet sound of nonchalance and they walked on.

After the rest of the day's lessons, the Marauders, Lily, and Sarah sat under the beech tree by the lake, enjoying the short time they had before supper. None of them felt like studying when the late May air would just waft temptingly through the windows. This place was their favorite haunt, a place that overlooked goings-on in general, a place that was somehow in the midst of it all and secluded at the same time, as if the group were in their own little world; a dome of dappled sunlight. James leaned against the trunk, ran a hand through his hair, feeling very much at peace with the world.

Sirius, who was sprawled out lazily as usual, resembled very much his dog self as he shut his eyes contentedly, his midnight hair spilling over Sarah's robes as he rested his head in her lap. She grinned fondly down at him; which James was sure she wouldn't have done had his eyes been open. Remus was looking far worse for wear, and had pulled out a book. As he read, Lily scooted closer to him and slipped her hand in his, putting her chin on his shoulder and scanning the page he was reading. She seemed surprised at whatever it was, and struck up a lively conversation with him about it. Remus lost his weary look whenever he looked at Lily, and James loved her for it. He smiled sleepily at the pair of them, nearly all traces of his hard feelings toward Remus now gone. Peter, James decided, would have completed this happy picture, but he was (once again) missing out because of Gobstones. James smiled to himself. Being alone had humbled him, but there was strength in humility.

The castle clock rang out five, announcing supper. The happy group of teenagers, got to their feet, Sirius saving Sarah the trouble by whisking her off her feet easily and spinning her around, cradling her in his arms. She squawked indignantly at first, but kissed him deeply a moment later. James and Remus exchanged small grins, leaving them at it. Lily caught James's eye, laughing to herself, but he was sure there was a bit of longing in that laugh. If only...

After dessert, during which Sirius set off some truly fantastic firecrackers under the table, causing Peter to fall backward from his seat, and was put in detention for it, the Gryffindors trooped up to their common room, most of them wishing they had something besides studying to look forward to. James and Sirius were obviously not among these, the two of them simply quivering with anticipation. Lily kept shooting them suspicious glances between the worried ones she was sending at Remus, who was looking peaky again. James climbed through the portrait hole, planning to do his homework fast so he wouldn't have to do it after Quidditch Practice.

In the dormitory, James scribbled out his homework as quickly as he could, and then changed into his Quidditch Robes for practice. Sirius and Frank did the same. They grabbed their brooms and headed down to the Pitch. The evening air felt good against James's face as they walked down the worn, gritty stone steps to the grounds. The lawn was a deep emerald under the setting sun; the heavenly orange-tinted clouds mirrored in the glassy, smooth surface of the lake. They reached the Pitch without speaking, secretly captivated by the brilliant glowing show in the western sky.

The team kicked off the smooth green carpet of turf on the Pitch, seven scarlet figures soaring through the orange and pink sky. The evening air was slightly damp, a reminder of the rain from the night before and a hint of rain to come. James flew in loose circles, watching as Sirius lay flat to the handle of his broom and urged it as fast as it would go, shooting like a rocket straight up into the sky. He took both hands off the handle, spread is arms wide, black hair windswept, and let out a whoop of pure exuberance. Free.

James grinned and let the Snitch out of his pocket, letting it get a head start before speeding after it, catching the cold golden ball easily, its wings beating desperately against his clenched fist. The team drew together, hovering in a circle, tossing the Quaffle to warm up. They discussed tactics; James, as captain, said he wanted to go over a few formations that had been flawed in their last match.

"Ravenclaw's got a strong offense," he said, "so we need to work on some defensive tactics, as well as practice a couple offensive formations so we can get a good couple goals in before the Snitch is caught. We are so close to the Cup. I think we'll win it this year, team, I really do."

The rest of the team nodded enthusiastically.

"Okay, let's work on the Porskoff Ploy first..."

The stars were beginning to some out as the team headed to the locker rooms, heartened by the success of the practice. James and Sirius changed quickly and jogged back up to the castle, Sirius talking rather louder than James would have, about what a night was in store for them. James didn't quiet him. The night was deepening, and the full moon was in sight over the parapets of the castle. James's eyes caressed the structure, blessing every stone inch. He felt as if he belonged here, and couldn't bear to think about the time when he would leave Hogwarts for the last time ever, after graduation in two years' time. Sirius, Peter, and Remus had become his brothers by day, but the four were most connected in the time they spent under the full moon.

The best friends went up to Gryffindor Tower, where they were hailed by the other fifth years as they entered the common room. They took their places on the hearth, talking to the knot of people sitting before them about how Gryffindor was sure to crush Ravenclaw in the next match. A while later, after setting off another round of firecrackers, Sirius caught James's eye and jerked his head toward the boy's staircase. James nodded, seeing the excitement in his friend's stormy eyes, but feeling more concerned than anticipatory. He got to his feet, saying goodnight to his peers, and climbed the staircase, Sirius behind him. James opened the oaken door to their circular dorm room quietly, but he flung it wide after he caught a glimpse of the room within, horrified at the sight that met his eyes.

Remus was curled next to his four-poster in the dark, leaning heavily on his trunk and gasping for breath. He looked pallid and sick. The only light in the room came from beams of moonlight falling across the floor. James rushed to his side. He knelt, putting an arm around his friend's back. Remus turned to face him. His face was pale, his lips dry and cracking. James felt a sudden surge of guilt as he wondered how long Remus had been up here, suffering. Remus met his eyes. James bit his lip to hold back an exclamation of fright. Remus's eyes were no longer blue, but amber, the pupils reduced to black slits.

"Moony?" James inquired softly.

Remus glared at him, a canine look of rage in his eye. James stepped back. Remus did not usually transform until much later in the night. It couldn't be happening. But it was.

"Sirius, he's going to transform!" James said huskily, not daring to shout. Sirius was wide-eyed and worried. Remus had hunched over again and was not looking at them.

"No time to get Pomfrey," Sirius muttered, pulling out his wand. "Accio Peter!" he murmured, with a complicated twist of his wand. James didn't have time to marvel at Sirius's advanced Summoning charm (it was much harder to summon people than anything else) as Peter appeared in the doorway.

"Peter," James ordered tensely, "Go and fetch Madam Pomfrey. Quickly. And be quiet about it."

Peter nodded and stumbled off hastily. Sirius shut the door. The click of the lock seemed to waken Remus out of a trance. He spun round at the noise, a growl in his throat. James and Sirius looked on in horror as Remus's fingers lengthened, sharpened into claws; his form shrunk, he sprouted four powerful legs, a tufted tawny tail and thick, tawny fur. His face lengthened into a muzzle and his teeth grew into long fangs. James's heart sped up, pumping blood through his veins so quickly he thought he would explode from it; he could feel the adrenaline that comes only with fear coursing through him as well. His mind told his body to act, but he couldn't seem to manage it. He stood, gaping in a horrified sort of trance, as his friend transformed into the monstrous creature before him. His eyes darted to his wand, which lay, completely unhelpfully, on his bedside table at the other end of the room.

The werewolf lunged at James. With no time to transform, James grabbed the huge wolf mid-leap, wincing as its claws raked his scalp. He threw himself forward onto the ground, the werewolf beneath him. He clamped a hand over its muzzle, holding on with all his might. His torso pinned down the wolf's body as his legs braced him against the bedpost. He could feel the werewolf struggle, powerful muscles rippling beneath him. He couldn't hold on! Not another second!

Out of nowhere a massive black dog leapt into the fray. It snarled at the wolf, biting at its face. James backed away hurriedly, seeking his inner core as he watched the canine battle through half-open eyes. He felt the power come flowing through him, felt himself shift. He clenched his eyes shut, attempting to hurry the process. When he opened them, he was a large, silvery stag, pawing the floor nervously and helping the dog pin down the werewolf. Padfoot had clenched his jaws over the wolf's muzzle, keeping it from biting. Padfoot! the stag thought at the Grim hastily, Padfoot, get out of your form, quickly! We've got to change him back before Pomfrey gets here!! She mustn't know about us!

The dog shifted, back into the handsome boy of fifteen, clinging desperately to the muzzle of a wolf and grunting with the effort. The wolf slashed out at Sirius's arm, a long gash appeared. Sirius yelped in a doglike way, but refused to let go. Instead, he spoke in a soothing voice to the wolf, trying to calm it. James scrambled for his wand on his bedside table, trying to regain his footing, befuddled slightly at the loss of two extra hooves to canter him forward quicker than two worn tennis shoes could. He seized the narrow strip of wood, brandishing it at the pair on the floor. He made a slashing movement with it, and there was a flash of light before James's knees buckled and he collapsed.

His mind cleared a moment later, and he shook his head to clear it. That spell took a lot of power. Too much. At least it had worked. A human Remus lay sobbing on the floor, hands clutched over his head in pain. James scrambled to join Sirius at his side. Sirius waved his wand at James's head, where the long gash was oozing blood. It stung like a whip but then disappeared, though it was still tender. James met his eyes appreciatively. Sirius did the same to the various cuts on his own body, wincing in pain as they closed.

James, whose wand was slippery in his sweaty palm, healed the cuts on Remus as gently as he could, trying to use a spell less crude than Sirius's. All evidence of the battle was gone, since the enchanted floor bore no scratches due to the protective charms that had been there for as long as James could remember. Sirius leaned against the trunk at the foot of Frank's bed, eyes closed, panting. James heaved Remus into his four-poster with enormous effort. He had to close his eyes for the room to stop spinning before he could tuck the blankets around his friend. Just as he collapsed on the end of Remus's bed, the door opened and Madam Pomfrey entered. James tried to look neither magically drained nor physically exhausted. Madam Pomfrey's warm eyes swept the room, taking in the situation and making notes in her mental record book, no doubt.

She bustled over to Remus, Peter coming in behind her, looking rather huffy and sitting on his own bed. Madam Pomfrey tutted as she felt Remus's forehead and shushed him as he whimpered.

"It's full moon," James said pointedly.

"I know that, Potter." she replied superiorly, "I think he needs a bit more rest before he needs to leave, however."

She opened her large black bag and pulled out a small bottle of foul-smelling solution, which she poured down Remus's throat, propping his head up.

"You boys keep it quiet in here for him," She glared around at them, as if to enforce their silence with her gaze alone, "And let him rest. He need not go until later. It's not time. And good boy, Pettigrew, for fetching me before anything drastic could happen."

Sirius snorted derisively.

"Is something funny, Mr. Black?" Madam Pomfrey asked in a dangerous voice. Sirius assumed an expression of wide-eyed innocence that was very convincing.

"No, Madam Pomfrey. Absolutely nothing is funny."

She shot him an evil glance and left the room.