The Black Sheep
By Hallie of the AHEM Team
Prologue – In Which The Waking Ritual Is Performed
(Introductory Section)
People had often referred to Sirius as the 'white sheep of the Black family'.
However, after his sixth year at Hogwarts, none of his year mates in both Gryffindor and Slytherin, not to mention the rest of the students who had attended the school the year before, could hear that phrase and keep a straight face.
The whole problem had arisen one Sunday morning, the day after Gryffindor had trounced Slytherin for the Inter-House Quidditch Cup.
Instead of their usual Sunday morning custom of sleeping in until ten, the Marauders had planned to get up early to decorate the Great Hall in Gryffindor's honour – just to rub it in the faces of the Slytherins that little bit more.
As usual, James, Remus and Peter drew straws to choose who got the daily 'pleasure' of awakening Sirius. The Quidditch Commentator was well known throughout the school for not being a morning person, and none of the three enjoyed it when the task fell to them.
(Gryffindor Sixth Year Boys Dorms)
Remus held his hand out to James and Peter, all the straws looking the same length. "Lets see whose turn it is to face the wrath of Padfoot."
James rolled his eyes. "No need to be so dramatic about it, Moony."
The werewolf gave him an impish grin. "No, but its fun though."
The other two reached out and each pulled a straw from Remus's clenched fist. They all held their breaths as they gazed at the three straws.
Remus and Peter sighed in relief as James groaned in despair.
Peter gave him a sympathetic smile. "Cheer up, Prongs. He'll still be in a good mood after we crushed the Slyths."
Remus nodded encouragingly when James turned to him for guidance. "I don't think he'd kill you, Prongs."
James took a deep breath, stepped forward and pulled the curtains around his best friend's bed open.
The three boys had thought they had been prepared for anything, because when being awoken Padfoot often came up with very creative hexes and they had grown rather used to growing animal ears, tails, whiskers, fur, scales, feathers, and, on one occasion, Remus had been turned into a puppy.
However, the sight that met them was like nothing they had seen before… even the kangaroo suit Peter had once ended up in couldn't compare.
James was the first to regain the power of speech. "Is that…?"
"I think it is," Peter replied, a hint of dread lacing his voice.
Remus blinked. "Padfoot," he stated. "You're a sheep."
The animal on the bed blinked back. "Baa."