Chapter 3- Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs
The rest of the week passed quite quickly. Snape mysteriously made his
hair grow a good ten inches. Now how could that have happened? James and
Mcgonnagal were still progressing with Lily. She couldn't do any of the
work when Mcgonnagal set it in class, but when James asked her to do
something she achieved it perfectly.
She could even explain the theory behind it, with out the usual stutter
she held whilst in class. The marauders started their cycle of girls,
each of them already having made out with at least two different girls.
But at this moment the four marauders were talking in their dormitory,
about their deepest darkest secret.
* * *
It all started late one night. A four-year-old Remus was out in the woods
camping with his father. He was looking fore firewood (They needed it to
look like a muggle fire- just in case!) when he heard a howl, he started
running but what chance would a four year old have against this creature?
It was too late; a werewolf had bitten him.
* * *
Yeah it was tough for Remus being a werewolf and his friends felt for him, but he always said- "I could have died that night, but I didn't, I got another chance, it may be as a monster but it's another chance!"
Remus was afraid to tell his friends, he thought they would stop talking to him, so he wasn't going to tell them. But never fail to forget the intelligence in which James and Sirius held. They and of course Peter managed to find out about Remus' condition with in the first 5 months of knowing him
* * *
Remus came down the stairs of the boy's dormitory, looking pale and tired. "Hey guy's. I have to go away for a day or so, my mum's just become really ill and she needs me at home with her." "Okay. I hope she feels better." James replied and Remus left. "His mum's ill.. Again? That's like 3 times in 3 months?" Peter questioned. "Yeah not to mention his aunties sudden death! And his Nan's birthday party!" Sirius added.
I dunno guys? Remus is trustworthy? He wouldn't lie especially about those kinda things would he?" James said. "There's only one way to find out!" Sirius said with a grin. "No way! Remus is our friend! We can't!" "Yeah lets snoop through his things!" Peter interrupted.
Then peter and Sirius ran up to the boy's dorm, James walking slowly behind. When James had reached it he found Sirius and peter were looking through Remus' diary. And sure enough, on the 10th September, 9th October, 8th November, 8th of December and the 17th of January, it was written all the things, which he had said he was doing.
But James being more observant than the other two noticed a similarity in all of the dates. He snatched the diary and skipped ahead to February, and there it was, what he was looking for. The same symbol as on all the previous dates. On the 16th of February was a little black circle, which many people would recognise to be a full moon.
James explained this to the other two. "It's a clue. But what can it mean?" Sirius said. "Yeah it's not as if Rem is a werewolf or anything!" Peter said laughing. At this comment James and Sirius looked at each other.
"Oh Merlins beard! Peter! I think he is!" A howl was heard from across the grounds. "So what does this mean?" Sirius asked. "Well, I don't think we should worry that much. I mean nothings happened so far, so I think Remus must be pretty harmless." You could always trust James to be the sensible one. ".Y.You.Mean.Your not S.Sc.Scared?" Peter stuttered. "No way!" Sirius stated "It doesn't make Remus and different. He's still our mate. Plus Dumbledore wouldn't let him in the school if he was dangerous."
"Yeah. But we should ask him just to make sure, you no instead of accusing him of being something he's not!" James added.
So two days later they did and Remus admitted it, feeling hopeless and upset- another great friendship ruined. But he underestimated how great they truly were, because they stuck by him! He couldn't help his condition and if he could live with it, then they sure as hell could! He had truly found the best friends he could ever have!
* * *
Ever since they found out about Remus the other 3 boys did every thing they could to find a way to help him. But it wasn't until the beginning of the second year they su(ceded, they found out that werewolf's couldn't hurt animals and that animals could communicate with them, thus having a calming affect and making it more human like. They researched some more and found the solution, they would become anigmagi! This being a very complicated form of transfiguration, where you turn yourself into a form of animal.
It was illegal to do unless strictly monitored by the ministry of magic. But this didn't bother James, Sirius or even peter much, they were used to breaking rules by now! They were the naughtiest kids in school! They were the marauders! (Even if they were only 2nd years at the time!)
Plus they didn't need the ministry breathing down their necks, when could they ever have fun being watched constantly! Remus took a bit of persuading to let them do it but he eventually caved in. They had been researching it since they had discovered it, and had it practically figured out by now, in their 5th year. They already knew what animals they would become;
James would be a beautiful, white stag; he was rather fond of the idea of being able to ram people (or Sirius!) with his antlers.
Sirius would be a big, black dog; after all he was named "Sirius Black" after the "dog star"- both of these animals would be large enough to keep a werewolf in check.
Finally Peter would become a rat. He had many of these as pets at home. They also needed a small creature to press the knot of the whomping willow.
The whomping willow was a large, vicious tree, which lashed out at anyone who came too close, hitting them with its branches. It concealed the entrance to the shrieking shack. This is where Remus went every month to transform. He was perfectly secure and hidden here. The knot on the willow when pressed froze its branches, allowing you to pass through unscathed.
The process to becoming Anigmagus was now almost complete, all they needed to do, was interpret one passage of a book they found in the restricted section of the library. James being a prefect was able to retrieve it no questions asked. They all looked over it, but none were su(cesful:
Your final task,
Be you friend or foe,
The animal,
Which you bestow,
Will always be,
Apart of thee,
If you trust it so.
To honour one,
You must become,
At peace,
With her and you.
She will only die
If you defy,
Her in body mind and soul.
Soon enough they got bored of trying to work it out and began planning pranks and parties. The marauders were well known around the school for being late for classes or handing in homework, last minute cramming sessions (Well that was really just Remus and Peter, James and Sirius didn't really need to study!)
But where pranks were concerned they were pretty organised. They had a very big book known only by them. They called it "The Marauders Mahusive Mischief Making Prank Guide" or in code the "PG" Parental guidance! In their 7th year they planned on leaving it for future troublemakers to find. You never know maybe even their children.
It basically told the story of their pranking lives- in the first year there are all the easy, simple spells such as making rude noises when the teacher bends over, going onto the fifth year where there were more complicated spells, like turning someone's world upside down (think third task HP&GOF). Not only was every prank they ever did written in there, but also how to do it, potion ingredients, how many times it had been used, on who and when and also its inventor (may of these being the marauders themselves). Both Snape and Pringle would love to get their hands on it!
It was time for another prank! But who on? So far they had done two on Snape and he had done one on them but a whole week had passed! The school would think they had turned chicken! Chicken? Now there's an Idea! "We should turn some one into a chicken!" James said voicing his ideas.
"Can we do that?" Remus asked. ".. We can make people sprout into feathers." Sirius answered thinking about the prospect very seriously! "Sounds like a plan, but who?"
"Yeah, Snape's been overdone. We need a new victim for now!" "The prefects!" Sirius shouted! "NO WAY!" James hastily replied. "Ow yeah I forgot you joined their forces! Shouldn't you be telling us not to do this rather than helping us?!" "Nah I've been corrupted!"
The marauders decided that if they were going to prove to the school how good they were, that they hadn't lost their touch and most of all that they could only get better, they would have to pull this prank off with style. And the way to do that would be to hit the school where it hurt- the teachers! People would be talking about this for years to come.
That night the four mischevious boys got not a wink of sleep. They had been up plotting, planning and performing charms. Yet the next day they were still bright eyed and bushy tailed, making sure they were the first people in the great hall for breakfast, quickly eating their food whilst they could! When the hall was almost full the first shock was set upon them. Professor Ketleburn- the care of magical creatures, teacher, burst into feathers. The hall erupted into laughter.
"Hey I wonder if she will teach us about herself!" Sirius shouted above the noise. "Yeah, she can be called the "Creature Teacher!"" James added. "Silence!" Professor Mcgonnagal shouted sending sparks out of her wand. "Now who ever is responsible for this monstrosity." she shouted but as she began to speak she started rapidly growing facial hair, her eyebrows became so bushy they joined in the centre, she also grew a beard, moustache and her nose hairs almost reached the floor.
The great hall erupted once more. Then * POP * * POP * * POP * Professor's Flitwick, binns and Turpin began to grow (obviously some sort of engorgement charm had been used) * POP * at the same time Hagrid- Keeper of the keys and grounds at Hogwarts, began to shrink- this still made him the size of a largish sized man, you see Hagrid was abnormally large, almost giant like.
The teachers were fuming! They sent everyone to their common rooms until things were sorted. Mcgonnagal went to find Dumbledore, and when he arrive he returned his staff back to their original state, his powers over ruling Remus' time locks. They realised that they had all eaten a chocolate biscuit with their breakfast, and on a closer inspection they had realised that each of the biscuits had a small "M" in a circle imprinted in them.
"Right now I may be wrong in presuming but I have an Idea that only four boys could be capable of something of this nature." Professor Mcgonnagal sternly stated. "What shall we do about this matter?" Dumbledore's eyes suddenly gained an amused twinkle. "I say we fight fire with fire!"
"Will you please be more specific." Mcgonnagal asked stiffly. She was obviously still upset by the prank, which had been bestowed upon her. "Ahh you see. To be able to punish them we must have proof and evidence, which we have none of! That will be the fun part!" Dumbledore's eyes glinted with a mischievous glow that could only be matched by the marauders themselves.
Dumbledore had formed the perfect plan. The rest of the days lessons had been cancelled and the marauders had been going around gloating profusely about their stunt, obtaining many pats on the back along the way, leaving four very over inflated ego's.
Then at dinner Dumbledore stood up.
"I would like to say I am very disappointed with the students who were responsible for this mornings fiasco." He announced. Although James couldn't help but notice an amused look flashed in his direction, almost a mocking tone to it.
"And I would like the culprit, or culprit'S to come forward before tomorrow morning. If this does not happen we shall be making you walk over an honesty line which will tell us if you are the guilty party or not."
James looked at the other 3 boys, all of whom looked as scared as he felt. They spent another sleepless night researching ways of deceiving magical methods of lie detecting, and they found one it was a simple charm performed on oneself to erase any unwanted background. But unfortunately for them you have to get up earlier to catch Dumbledore out!
The next morning James, Sirius, Remus and Peter walked confidently into the great hall, their overly happy faces trying to cover the guilt they really felt. Dumbledore made each person cross over the line one by one, and everybody did so suc(essfully. or so they thought!
"So it looks like we've found our perpetrators!" Dumbledore stated. Everyone looked around then took a step back, leaving four boys in the middle. Each with a face so pink it could only be matched by one thing- the colour of their robes. If the matter hadn't been so serious the hall would have been hysterical especially since it was at the marauders expense.
"So I see you boys opted for an erasable spell, just as well if you had gone for the other option, an innocence potion your robes would be a lot less colourful and your looks a lot more troll like. I'll see you all in my office after breakfast." He clapped his hands and the house tables appeared in their usual spots, all full of food.
None of the marauders felt particularly hungry for once, all not knowing what to expect from Dumbledore. So they were done pretty quickly. As they walked past the Slytherin table Snape started humming the funeral mach. Dun dun dun dun dun. They set off up the well-known route to the head masters office and upon reaching the gargoyle, James said the password
"Ice mice" (he was a prefect!) it jumped aside and they made their way up the moving staircase in to the circular office. Dumbledore was there pacing behind his desk. A look of shear concentration on his face, as if split between two idea's. "Now boys" he started as they took their usual seats (They were here a lot) "As funny as I found the prank you pulled yesterday morning, I'm afraid a punishment is in order. I would normally leave this to professor Mcgonnagal to decide, however, your prank left her a little, well lets say "Peeved" she suggested a few punishments, which even our caretaker would think a little harsh! So I think a detention and 5 points each, off Griffindor will suffice." He paused and smiled "lastly I think your new robes look rather fetching!" He chuckled and gestured for them to leave.
Heading to their dorms to change their robes the boys began to talk.
"That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be!" Remus stated. "Yeah man I thought Dumbledore would be miffed, but he seemed to find it funny!" James added.
"But he sure got us with the pink robes!" The conversation carried on this way until they reached their dorm and found out that all their robes were pink! They started furiously cursing, charming and hexing their own and each other's robes, but no a due! "Oh dude! We have to get him back for this one! We have to walk round in pink robes! That is uncalled for! We look gay!" Sirius exclaimed.
"Speak for your self I look good in what ever I wear!" James smirked "Yeah in your dreams!" Sirius shot back. They went into charms, handing professor Flitwick a note. The class exploded with laughter. They had new robes, a new detention and a new goal; to get Dumbledore! Their new prank target!
The rest of the week passed quite quickly. Snape mysteriously made his
hair grow a good ten inches. Now how could that have happened? James and
Mcgonnagal were still progressing with Lily. She couldn't do any of the
work when Mcgonnagal set it in class, but when James asked her to do
something she achieved it perfectly.
She could even explain the theory behind it, with out the usual stutter
she held whilst in class. The marauders started their cycle of girls,
each of them already having made out with at least two different girls.
But at this moment the four marauders were talking in their dormitory,
about their deepest darkest secret.
* * *
It all started late one night. A four-year-old Remus was out in the woods
camping with his father. He was looking fore firewood (They needed it to
look like a muggle fire- just in case!) when he heard a howl, he started
running but what chance would a four year old have against this creature?
It was too late; a werewolf had bitten him.
* * *
Yeah it was tough for Remus being a werewolf and his friends felt for him, but he always said- "I could have died that night, but I didn't, I got another chance, it may be as a monster but it's another chance!"
Remus was afraid to tell his friends, he thought they would stop talking to him, so he wasn't going to tell them. But never fail to forget the intelligence in which James and Sirius held. They and of course Peter managed to find out about Remus' condition with in the first 5 months of knowing him
* * *
Remus came down the stairs of the boy's dormitory, looking pale and tired. "Hey guy's. I have to go away for a day or so, my mum's just become really ill and she needs me at home with her." "Okay. I hope she feels better." James replied and Remus left. "His mum's ill.. Again? That's like 3 times in 3 months?" Peter questioned. "Yeah not to mention his aunties sudden death! And his Nan's birthday party!" Sirius added.
I dunno guys? Remus is trustworthy? He wouldn't lie especially about those kinda things would he?" James said. "There's only one way to find out!" Sirius said with a grin. "No way! Remus is our friend! We can't!" "Yeah lets snoop through his things!" Peter interrupted.
Then peter and Sirius ran up to the boy's dorm, James walking slowly behind. When James had reached it he found Sirius and peter were looking through Remus' diary. And sure enough, on the 10th September, 9th October, 8th November, 8th of December and the 17th of January, it was written all the things, which he had said he was doing.
But James being more observant than the other two noticed a similarity in all of the dates. He snatched the diary and skipped ahead to February, and there it was, what he was looking for. The same symbol as on all the previous dates. On the 16th of February was a little black circle, which many people would recognise to be a full moon.
James explained this to the other two. "It's a clue. But what can it mean?" Sirius said. "Yeah it's not as if Rem is a werewolf or anything!" Peter said laughing. At this comment James and Sirius looked at each other.
"Oh Merlins beard! Peter! I think he is!" A howl was heard from across the grounds. "So what does this mean?" Sirius asked. "Well, I don't think we should worry that much. I mean nothings happened so far, so I think Remus must be pretty harmless." You could always trust James to be the sensible one. ".Y.You.Mean.Your not S.Sc.Scared?" Peter stuttered. "No way!" Sirius stated "It doesn't make Remus and different. He's still our mate. Plus Dumbledore wouldn't let him in the school if he was dangerous."
"Yeah. But we should ask him just to make sure, you no instead of accusing him of being something he's not!" James added.
So two days later they did and Remus admitted it, feeling hopeless and upset- another great friendship ruined. But he underestimated how great they truly were, because they stuck by him! He couldn't help his condition and if he could live with it, then they sure as hell could! He had truly found the best friends he could ever have!
* * *
Ever since they found out about Remus the other 3 boys did every thing they could to find a way to help him. But it wasn't until the beginning of the second year they su(ceded, they found out that werewolf's couldn't hurt animals and that animals could communicate with them, thus having a calming affect and making it more human like. They researched some more and found the solution, they would become anigmagi! This being a very complicated form of transfiguration, where you turn yourself into a form of animal.
It was illegal to do unless strictly monitored by the ministry of magic. But this didn't bother James, Sirius or even peter much, they were used to breaking rules by now! They were the naughtiest kids in school! They were the marauders! (Even if they were only 2nd years at the time!)
Plus they didn't need the ministry breathing down their necks, when could they ever have fun being watched constantly! Remus took a bit of persuading to let them do it but he eventually caved in. They had been researching it since they had discovered it, and had it practically figured out by now, in their 5th year. They already knew what animals they would become;
James would be a beautiful, white stag; he was rather fond of the idea of being able to ram people (or Sirius!) with his antlers.
Sirius would be a big, black dog; after all he was named "Sirius Black" after the "dog star"- both of these animals would be large enough to keep a werewolf in check.
Finally Peter would become a rat. He had many of these as pets at home. They also needed a small creature to press the knot of the whomping willow.
The whomping willow was a large, vicious tree, which lashed out at anyone who came too close, hitting them with its branches. It concealed the entrance to the shrieking shack. This is where Remus went every month to transform. He was perfectly secure and hidden here. The knot on the willow when pressed froze its branches, allowing you to pass through unscathed.
The process to becoming Anigmagus was now almost complete, all they needed to do, was interpret one passage of a book they found in the restricted section of the library. James being a prefect was able to retrieve it no questions asked. They all looked over it, but none were su(cesful:
Your final task,
Be you friend or foe,
The animal,
Which you bestow,
Will always be,
Apart of thee,
If you trust it so.
To honour one,
You must become,
At peace,
With her and you.
She will only die
If you defy,
Her in body mind and soul.
Soon enough they got bored of trying to work it out and began planning pranks and parties. The marauders were well known around the school for being late for classes or handing in homework, last minute cramming sessions (Well that was really just Remus and Peter, James and Sirius didn't really need to study!)
But where pranks were concerned they were pretty organised. They had a very big book known only by them. They called it "The Marauders Mahusive Mischief Making Prank Guide" or in code the "PG" Parental guidance! In their 7th year they planned on leaving it for future troublemakers to find. You never know maybe even their children.
It basically told the story of their pranking lives- in the first year there are all the easy, simple spells such as making rude noises when the teacher bends over, going onto the fifth year where there were more complicated spells, like turning someone's world upside down (think third task HP&GOF). Not only was every prank they ever did written in there, but also how to do it, potion ingredients, how many times it had been used, on who and when and also its inventor (may of these being the marauders themselves). Both Snape and Pringle would love to get their hands on it!
It was time for another prank! But who on? So far they had done two on Snape and he had done one on them but a whole week had passed! The school would think they had turned chicken! Chicken? Now there's an Idea! "We should turn some one into a chicken!" James said voicing his ideas.
"Can we do that?" Remus asked. ".. We can make people sprout into feathers." Sirius answered thinking about the prospect very seriously! "Sounds like a plan, but who?"
"Yeah, Snape's been overdone. We need a new victim for now!" "The prefects!" Sirius shouted! "NO WAY!" James hastily replied. "Ow yeah I forgot you joined their forces! Shouldn't you be telling us not to do this rather than helping us?!" "Nah I've been corrupted!"
The marauders decided that if they were going to prove to the school how good they were, that they hadn't lost their touch and most of all that they could only get better, they would have to pull this prank off with style. And the way to do that would be to hit the school where it hurt- the teachers! People would be talking about this for years to come.
That night the four mischevious boys got not a wink of sleep. They had been up plotting, planning and performing charms. Yet the next day they were still bright eyed and bushy tailed, making sure they were the first people in the great hall for breakfast, quickly eating their food whilst they could! When the hall was almost full the first shock was set upon them. Professor Ketleburn- the care of magical creatures, teacher, burst into feathers. The hall erupted into laughter.
"Hey I wonder if she will teach us about herself!" Sirius shouted above the noise. "Yeah, she can be called the "Creature Teacher!"" James added. "Silence!" Professor Mcgonnagal shouted sending sparks out of her wand. "Now who ever is responsible for this monstrosity." she shouted but as she began to speak she started rapidly growing facial hair, her eyebrows became so bushy they joined in the centre, she also grew a beard, moustache and her nose hairs almost reached the floor.
The great hall erupted once more. Then * POP * * POP * * POP * Professor's Flitwick, binns and Turpin began to grow (obviously some sort of engorgement charm had been used) * POP * at the same time Hagrid- Keeper of the keys and grounds at Hogwarts, began to shrink- this still made him the size of a largish sized man, you see Hagrid was abnormally large, almost giant like.
The teachers were fuming! They sent everyone to their common rooms until things were sorted. Mcgonnagal went to find Dumbledore, and when he arrive he returned his staff back to their original state, his powers over ruling Remus' time locks. They realised that they had all eaten a chocolate biscuit with their breakfast, and on a closer inspection they had realised that each of the biscuits had a small "M" in a circle imprinted in them.
"Right now I may be wrong in presuming but I have an Idea that only four boys could be capable of something of this nature." Professor Mcgonnagal sternly stated. "What shall we do about this matter?" Dumbledore's eyes suddenly gained an amused twinkle. "I say we fight fire with fire!"
"Will you please be more specific." Mcgonnagal asked stiffly. She was obviously still upset by the prank, which had been bestowed upon her. "Ahh you see. To be able to punish them we must have proof and evidence, which we have none of! That will be the fun part!" Dumbledore's eyes glinted with a mischievous glow that could only be matched by the marauders themselves.
Dumbledore had formed the perfect plan. The rest of the days lessons had been cancelled and the marauders had been going around gloating profusely about their stunt, obtaining many pats on the back along the way, leaving four very over inflated ego's.
Then at dinner Dumbledore stood up.
"I would like to say I am very disappointed with the students who were responsible for this mornings fiasco." He announced. Although James couldn't help but notice an amused look flashed in his direction, almost a mocking tone to it.
"And I would like the culprit, or culprit'S to come forward before tomorrow morning. If this does not happen we shall be making you walk over an honesty line which will tell us if you are the guilty party or not."
James looked at the other 3 boys, all of whom looked as scared as he felt. They spent another sleepless night researching ways of deceiving magical methods of lie detecting, and they found one it was a simple charm performed on oneself to erase any unwanted background. But unfortunately for them you have to get up earlier to catch Dumbledore out!
The next morning James, Sirius, Remus and Peter walked confidently into the great hall, their overly happy faces trying to cover the guilt they really felt. Dumbledore made each person cross over the line one by one, and everybody did so suc(essfully. or so they thought!
"So it looks like we've found our perpetrators!" Dumbledore stated. Everyone looked around then took a step back, leaving four boys in the middle. Each with a face so pink it could only be matched by one thing- the colour of their robes. If the matter hadn't been so serious the hall would have been hysterical especially since it was at the marauders expense.
"So I see you boys opted for an erasable spell, just as well if you had gone for the other option, an innocence potion your robes would be a lot less colourful and your looks a lot more troll like. I'll see you all in my office after breakfast." He clapped his hands and the house tables appeared in their usual spots, all full of food.
None of the marauders felt particularly hungry for once, all not knowing what to expect from Dumbledore. So they were done pretty quickly. As they walked past the Slytherin table Snape started humming the funeral mach. Dun dun dun dun dun. They set off up the well-known route to the head masters office and upon reaching the gargoyle, James said the password
"Ice mice" (he was a prefect!) it jumped aside and they made their way up the moving staircase in to the circular office. Dumbledore was there pacing behind his desk. A look of shear concentration on his face, as if split between two idea's. "Now boys" he started as they took their usual seats (They were here a lot) "As funny as I found the prank you pulled yesterday morning, I'm afraid a punishment is in order. I would normally leave this to professor Mcgonnagal to decide, however, your prank left her a little, well lets say "Peeved" she suggested a few punishments, which even our caretaker would think a little harsh! So I think a detention and 5 points each, off Griffindor will suffice." He paused and smiled "lastly I think your new robes look rather fetching!" He chuckled and gestured for them to leave.
Heading to their dorms to change their robes the boys began to talk.
"That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be!" Remus stated. "Yeah man I thought Dumbledore would be miffed, but he seemed to find it funny!" James added.
"But he sure got us with the pink robes!" The conversation carried on this way until they reached their dorm and found out that all their robes were pink! They started furiously cursing, charming and hexing their own and each other's robes, but no a due! "Oh dude! We have to get him back for this one! We have to walk round in pink robes! That is uncalled for! We look gay!" Sirius exclaimed.
"Speak for your self I look good in what ever I wear!" James smirked "Yeah in your dreams!" Sirius shot back. They went into charms, handing professor Flitwick a note. The class exploded with laughter. They had new robes, a new detention and a new goal; to get Dumbledore! Their new prank target!