Disclaimer: Most of these characters belong to the Great J.K. Rowling. I only own the ones you don't recognize.

Summary: James Ronald Potter has come back to the past and meet his parents as teenagers. Through his help they got together at the Welcome Back Dance. James is trying to work on getting back to his home, while his father Harry James Potter has decided to bring back the Marauders to Hogwarts.

Chapter Six Paws, Mask, Slither, and King

A week after deciding to become Marauders Harry, Ron, Neville, and James made their way to the Whopping Willow. All four boys were trying to stay out of the way of the swinging branches of the willow. Harry picked up a stick from the ground and used it to prod the knot in the tree. The four boys started making their way down the underground path to the Shrieking Shack. When they climbed out a thought hit Harry. Damn, I forgot to tell Neville and James about Lupin. Harry turned to the group and started to say, "I know this is going to come as a shock but the last member of the Original Maruaders is…" Just then a figure came out to greet them.

Neville smiled as he saw who it was. "Professor Lupin!" James stood there in shock.
Lupin looked at Harry and asked with a questioning look on his face, "Who is the person who looks like you?"

Harry blushed and replied, "This is James Harrison. He just transferred from a school in America and I trust him enough to ask him to be a Marauder."

Harry then wanted to get started with the reason they came out there. So he turned to Lupin and said, "Ok, well we came out here for a reason and I don't think we have much time so I suggest we get started."

Remus turned to the group and said, "Ok, first thing is that you must do is create the bond. You are to stand in a circle with your wands touching and say the incantation 'Mens Frater'.

The four boys stood in a group with their wands pointed together and together said "Mens Frater".

Harry didn't feel anything and thought to himself, I don't think that worked.

Ron looked at him and said, "No I don't think that worked either."

Harry looked at Ron and stammered, "But…But…But, I didn't say anything."

"Yes, you did Harry. We all heard you." came the reply from Neville. James was nodding his head.

Remus came over to the boys and smiled, "Well since I didn't hear Harry my guess would be that in fact it did work and now you all are able to share thoughts. So I guess what is next is to help you become Animagi." All four boys nodded their heads. "Ok the first step is that you must find out what you will become. The incantation for this is 'Monstrare Animagus.' What will come out of your wand is the animal you will become. Then pointing the wand at yourself say 'Accidere Animagus.' At first you will transform a little and quickly change back to human. After that you won't need your wand. You will be able to transform into the animal by concentrating. It should take a few days with constant practice to get it right."

The group of boys looked at each other and without a spoken word agreed to do it. Harry went first and said, "Monstrare Animagus." A smoke cloud released from his wand and started to take shape. The cloud formed into a lion which silently roared then the cloud disappeared.

Ron looked at the cloud and said, "Wicked. My turn." His cloud turned into a small creature that Remus recognized as a badger. "What the hell? Harry gets a lion and all I get is a stinking badger?"

Neville tried to laugh, but then he cast the spell. When his cloud took shape they all were shocked because Neville's animagi form was a grizzly bear.

James performed the spell last and when his cloud took shape it was a snake. Ok that was really weird. Why am I a snake?

Next the group decided to perform the next spell together. They each pointed their wands at themselves and said, "Accidere Animagus." At first it felt like nothing happened. Then they each started to transform. Neville grew giant grizzly bear arms. Ron's face began to take the shape of the badger. James's legs grew together becoming a tail. Harry started to grow a mane along his neck. As quickly as they started to transform they detransformed.

Remuslooked at the group and said simply, "Well I think that's enough for tonight. Practice transforming everyday and you'll soon be able to change with no problems. Maybe afterwards I'll show you around in animal form so that you can see everything the original Marauders saw when we were your age. Also I would suggest to think of some nicknames for you since you are officially the New Marauders."

The four went back through the passage back to Hogwarts. They all fell onto their beds to tired to do anything else. When they woke the next morning Harry looked at his watch and thought to himself, Damn I am late. I was supposed to meet Hermione fifteen minutes ago. Just then a pillow came crashing at him. He looked and saw that Ron, Neville, and James were up also. Harry asked, "Why are you guys up?"

James replied for the group, "Well if you had remembered a certain spell that was cast last night? The one where we could hear each other's thoughts? Well you screamed in each of our heads waking us up."

Harry laughed and quickly said sorry. The four agreed to meet later that day to practice and to come up with some names.

Harry rushed down to meet Hermione. When he saw her, he swept her into his arms and placed a very passionate kiss on her lips. Hermione just melted in his assault. When they pulled away Hermione had a smile on her face and laughingly said, "Well someone is in a great mood this morning." Harry pulled her into another kiss and when they broke away he suggested they go down to the Great Hall and since it was Saturday to make a day together. Hermione readily agreed.

Later that day, Harry, Ron, Neville, and James meet up in an empty classroom. Harry put a unnoticeable spell on the room so that they wouldn't be interrupted. Harry spoke first. "Well I suggest that we pick names for each other. One person will pick a name for someone else and that will become your nickname. Ron why don't you go first."

Ron looked at Neville and said, "I think your name should be Paws. To go with your hands when you transform."
Neville liked this idea a lot. Harry went next and suggest the name of "Mask" for Ron considering how his face looked like he had a mask on when he transformed. Neville was next and came up with Slither for James.

James thought about the name for his father for a while. Finally he said, "King, since lions are known as kings of the forest." At first Harry objected, but was reminded by the group that they agreed whatever name was thought of that name was stuck.

Harry looked at his watch and said, "Damn, its 7 o'clock already? Sorry guys, but I need to go see Hermione." Ron looked shocked and said, "I forgot I was meeting Luna in like 15 minutes."

Neville looked pale and said, "I have to go too. I am supposed to meet…I have to go." Neville rushed out of the room.

Later that night Ron, Harry, and James sat waiting for Neville. When Neville entered he looked at his fellow Marauders and asked, "What are you staring at?"

Harry spoke up and said, "So how was your night with Lavender?" Harry, Ron, and James all had smiles on their faces.

Neville looked shocked and asked, "How did…I mean what do you mean?"

Ron replied, "Remember how Harry woke us up this morning? Well, you were sending out the thought about how much you love Lavender and how much she loves you. So we know you two are going out and we know that's who you rushed out to see. Remember as a Marauder you have very little secrets from the rest of us."

Neville just groaned and laid down on the bed. Soon all four Marauders feel asleep.

Meanwhile in the dark forest.

Voldemort called over Wormtail. "Wormtail, I need you to send an owl to my daughter and tell her to begin the next step of the plan."

Wormtail started stammering, "But master…are you sure…that now is the time?"

Voldemort looked at Wormtail and said, "Are you questioning me? Of course I am sure. For your behavior I will have to punish you. Crucio!"

Wormtail fell to the ground and groaned at the assault on his brain from the Cruciatus Curse.

Back in the fifth year Gryffindor boy's dormitory.

As Voldemort was placing the Cruciatus Curse on Wormtail all four Marauders woke up screaming and clutching their foreheads.

A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update but between looking for a new job, trying to get a car, and getting my love life together I was kinda busy. Hopefully I made up for it with this chapter. And yes all four were having the dream together. It's a down side to the bond between them. Please read and review. That's what that button is for. -------