Chapter 2:

A/N: Before I begin, I apologize for the bunched up paragraphs of the previous chapter (talk about alliteration, eh?) O well, at least it's up.

drookit duck: Thank you soooooooooooooo much for my first review! Yes, people can be mean, can't they! O well, there is a lot of stuff to see on But still, hugs; cookies.

And before I forget, Terry Pratchett is credited for Peaches the rat.

And now, drumroll, enjoy the show!

The Real Chapter 2: Sirius' Stupidity Comes in Handy, or James Needs to Clean his Glasses

Before Sirius and James knew it, they were outside Kings Cross waiting for their friends, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. Both friends knew how it would work: Remus would arrive slightly after James and Sirius, while Peter would rush onto the scene ten minutes before the train left. This time, however, James found himself surprised when Remus and Peter showed up together a half hour early.

"Remus?" James questioned, still completely befuddled. "What exactly are you doing with Peter?"

"Nothing, except if you count the poor boy Flooing to my house with his stuff, begging me to take him to Kings Cross," Remus said with a look of both confusion and amusement. "Can we go inside? Peaches can't stand the heat," Peter chimed in, pointing the the caged rat in his hand. The four agreed, and they went in. After walking past Platform 2, James and Sirius slowed down their carts and began to talk. "First of all," James started, "it's not even hot outside, and-" "What does that have to do with anything?" asked Sirius with a yawn. "Never mind," James muttered, knowing that Sirius was forgetful. "Second of all, why weren't you so surprised when Peter and Remus showed up together?"

"It's quite simple, really," said Sirius as he ticked off with his fingers one by one. "For one, they're friends, so it's no big deal. Two, I knew that eventually Peter would want to get out of his rut."

"What rut?" "His beginning-of-school rush? Honestly, sometimes you can be so forgetful." James sighed. His best friend was just as naive as he was forgetful. "Still," he said, "I think there's something Remus and Peter aren't telling us." "Just forget about it, mate. There's nothing being hidden from us." "Guys! Hurry up!" Remus shouted almost three meters ahead of them. "Just because we're early doesn't mean we should stop every two minutes!" "Coming, Rem!" James shouted. At that, he and Sirius ran to catch up, practically knocking into Muggles with their trollies as they ran.

Sudenly, Sirius' face turned much more sober than it had been.

"You do realize we have to meet with Peter for our...well...project?"

"Oh. Yeah," James replied, now nervously chewing on his bottom lip.

They had gone over the topic hundreds of times before. In their first year at Hogwarts, they had found out a horrible secret: their good friend and dorm-mate Remus Lupin was, in fact, a werewolf. A "bloody-awful, retched monster," Remus had said. Then, two years later, a miracle happened. In Transfiguration one day, Professor McGonagall went over the subject of Animagi. An idea sparked, and the rest was history. Up until September 1, 1975, that is. This year, the three friends had everything they needed. This year, they would become Animagi.

"So, here's the plan," James finally said, breaking the awkward silence. "We'll ask Peter to talk with us for a second for...um...because we...erm..."

"Because we said so!" Sirius blurted out, causing a few Muggles to stop and stare.

"No, that won't work, stupid!"

"Okay, so...er..." Sirius turned away from James and scratched his head. Then, his head snapped straight up, a smile on his face. "We ask him to help us check our Charms work from over the summer! That's the only subject he's really good at, so it'll sound convincing."

"Sirius, you never cease to amaze me."

Said boy's voice dropped. "Then hear me out on this one. WE'RE GOING TO CRASH!!!!!"

A/N: Nice cliffhanger! Until next time!

-Sirius Orion Black II (aka A-H-A-P)