Hello lovelies!
It's kind of insane that I haven't updated this story for the year, especially because I have been chipping away chapters when I have a spare moment. I did a lot of rearranging of scenes for this chapter and the next one, because I felt like it made way more sense this way. Hopefully you all like it, and I'll try to post more often. I am really busy though, so promises of any kind of update schedule unfortunately.
Please leave a review and let me know what you think ;)
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Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, and only the storyline and any OC's are mine.
Remus's eighteenth birthday was a Friday, and it was ushered in quietly; no muss, no fuss. There were no raucous celebrations, or rambunctious shenanigans. It was a serene night spent in the Head Dorms with his fellow Marauders, Lily Evans, and a handful of their friends; even Riley was in attendance (she and Sirius kept a healthy distance as only the Marauders knew the truth about their relationship).
Drink was passed around, a spread of Remus's favourite foods had been provided by the House Elves, and easy banter flowed.
Truthfully, the students were too exhausted with their classes and upcoming examinations, and were thus unable to muster the energy required for a wild party.
They all eagerly awaited Easter Holidays, as it meant a reprieve from school. They would have to prepare for their exams during the break, but escaping the Castle would do wonders for their mental states, and blow new wind into their sails.
The remainder of March was still. Time sluggishly inched by; in no rush to reach the month's end. The students grew more restless as time passed.
Hermione was wrought with so much tension when their break began on the twenty-third that she almost growled at Professor Slughorn during a Potions lecture. He asked her a question. A mundane, simple question. She bit her tongue, and the answer hit the back of her teeth forcefully as it left her mouth. He paid her no mind and found no offense; a jolly inclination to his tone as he praised her.
Draco avoided Lysander, as he was rather certain he would connect his fist to the boy's pretty face if they crossed paths. Truthfully, Draco avoided most everyone aside from the Marauders; his disposition dismal at best.
Remus escaped to the isolated corners of the library for solace and calm. Often Draco joined him.
Sirius and Snape almost ripped each other's throats out after they accidentally collided outside the Great Hall on an otherwise dull afternoon. James and Regulus managed to disarm the tense moment. Snape spat at Sirius's feet as he scurried away, and Sirius yelled profane curses on his family.
Peter generally avoided stress by having tea with Kira and Nancy after classes in the kitchen. They would bring their texts and study.
The holidays arrived. It was Thursday. Hermione was tremendously relieved when she spotted her Father waiting at the Platform. Everything melted away—all her worries and woes—and it was as if she'd never left.
The large group joyously departed from the Platform: Peter chose to stay at school with Kira, Nancy and Mary for the break, but the remainder of the Marauders and Lily Evans made their way to Potter Manor.
Unfortunately, Remus was poorly for the entirety of the journey from Hogwarts to the Manor as the Full Moon was the next day; it was also Good Friday. He slept through the rest of the afternoon once they arrived at home, only to be awoken in the whittling hours as Draco brought him some sustenance.
It was drab, rainy and grey, but the world seemed brighter, as if new life breathed into it as the rain poured and the wind howled that night.
It was the first night Hermione and Draco slept peacefully—without a stir—in over a month.
"Evans is here. You do realise that is a problem right?" Sirius said, scratching the side of his nose. "I mean she's been here during your wolfy time before, but I think it'll be a little harder to keep your secret under wraps when all of us are in the Orchards for the night."
"Just tell her," Remus sighed. He was strewn across his bed, eyes closed, half-dressed, too exhausted to properly engage the others.
"I mean we could put a couple drops of sleeping draught in—"
"Are you seriously proposing we drug Lily?"
"It sounds horrid when you phrase it like that. I'm hard pressed to consider a couple drops drugging her."
"Just tell her, Padfoot."
"You sure, Moony? Telling her about your wolfy secret is a big step in your relationship," Sirius replied.
Lily had been one of Remus's closest friends since they were eleven, but this was precious, dangerous information if she took it badly. The chances of that were slim, but not non-existent.
Sirius fiddled with his hair as he plopped onto the floor in the corner of the room, crossing his legs and leaning back onto his forearms. "You sure this isn't the Moon talking?"
Remus fixed him with a glare so sharp it prickled the backs of Sirius's eyes. "Tell. Her."
"Well fuck. I'll go tell the others then."
"You do that, Pads."
"I will."
Lily Evans was roommates with Hermione Potter for six years. She knew to expect the unexpected. Whether it be pleasant, unpleasant, something in between, or a mixture of both.
"Remus is a werewolf."
James said it with trepidation. As if the words were cursed, and as if they would inflict great pain on her. James said it with a heaviness that one does when informing persons of a loved one's passing; he was the bearer of news that no one wished to deliver.
Lily knew to expect the unexpected, but this was no surprise to her. She'd figured it out in their Third Year; she was of the opinion that she should have pieced it together sooner, but alas, she hadn't.
"I know."
"Beg your pardon?" James said in a tight tone, the emphasis on his words was trapped in his nose. He blinked rapidly, and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"I know. I figured it out a while ago."
Deathly silence settled over the group. The air in Remus's bedroom was instantly more stifling, constricting. Hermione rolled over on Remus's bed, until she was on her side, facing the window. She listlessly stared outside.
Draco and Remus were also on his bed, half strewn over each other, and the pair shared a knowing glance. Lily wished she understood their silent language. Remus sighed heavily, the sound whistling through his nostrils. He shrugged. Draco snorted. Hermione groaned.
"Of course she knew," Hermione said, her words lingered in the air just long enough to be heard before they were sucked into a vacuum.
"What?! So you know about us being animagi as well?" Sirius blurted. The silence exploded, fizzling in Lily's ears.
Lily's mouth twitched in amusement. "As if. That is excruciatingly advanced magic, magic that grown wix struggle with. There is no way—"
Lily's words stuttered to a stop as she scrutinised Sirius's expression. The blood drained out of her face, her lips an ashen, unhealthy colour as she spoke again. "You're being serious."
"As always. Haven't quite figured out how to be anything else," Sirius replied with a smug curl of his lip, hands proudly on his hips, chest puffed up like a peacock.
"I don't believe you! It takes years which means—"
"We were in second year when we started the process," Draco said off-handedly. He was carefully gauging Lily's reactions. A breath later, her face flushed with colour once more, and the tips of her hair sparked.
"What?! Prove it!"
Sirius did as commanded, and in a blink, the Grim stood before them, mighty and proud; its velvety black coat gleaming. Padfoot's muscles rippled as he slowly sat down, his tail swishing back and forth on the hardwood.
Lily Evans had a sturdy constitution. She didn't faint, even if her complexion was a sickly green colour, and in a firm, even voice she asked, "so Sirius's animagus form…is the Grim?"
Lily cleared her throat, and flicked her crimson hair over her shoulder, straightening out to her full height. "What's next, Draco is a unicorn?"
Draco scoffed, brow crinkling in mock offense. Hermione rolled over onto her back, arm extended—she was just in range to reach him—and she sympathetically patted his thigh.
The pair shared another one of those glances, and Lily desperately wished (again) that she could decipher its meaning; it looked almost playful, and she swore she saw a twinkle in Hermione's eye.
Warmth enveloped her from behind, a comforting, woodsy smell tickled her nostrils, and she melted backwards into James's embrace.
Sirius shifted back, a wide grin on his face, "don't worry, Evans. I don't bite…much."
Lily stiffened when greeted with his gorgeous visage, and a thought occurred to her. "Your stupid nicknames!"
James chuckled lightly, and pressed a kiss to her temple. "Merlin, do I love you." It was a casual declaration as it always was, and even though she felt it, Lily had never returned the sentiment aloud. Guilt punctured a lung for a breath, but then the topic at hand caught her attention once more.
"Sorry Lilypad. Sirius's form can be a little…much." Hermione sighed. She sat up, stretched like a feline and her hazel eyes settled on Lily. A shiver twisted along Lily's spine as their eyes met.
"He should have warned you," Hermione said as she turned a keen eye on the wizard.
"Me? C'mon, I'm a lovable mutt and you know it," Sirius plopped down on the foot of the bed, one ankle rested on the opposite knee and he grasped his shin whilst a smooth smirk spread onto his face.
Lily swallowed thickly. "Okay, Mione. What about you then? What's your form?"
"I can show you if you'd like?" Hermione smiled unassumingly, gentle mirth brushed her cheeks. The witch was already clambering out of Remus's bed, not making a noise as her bare feet met the hardwood. Hermione's satin nightgown trailed after her curves, and swayed gently as she strolled towards Lily; leaving a few feet between them.
"Please, if you don't mind. It's not a tiger is it?" Lily unwillingly winced at the idea, not sure if she could handle the sudden appearance of a jungle cat after having the Grim visit her.
Hermione's laugh was warm and abundant, "no, it isn't a tiger."
"A dragon?"
"No, Godric no."
"That's mine," Draco drawled lazily. Remus lightly swatted him, his sandy blond hair partially covering his eyes as he leant his head on Draco's bicep.
"Don't be an arse…" Hermione trailed off, then shrugged, "nevermind, can't ask someone to go against their base nature."
"Swot."
Hermione opened her mouth to verbally retaliate, but a short string of amused noises left it instead, and she shook her head adamantly; curls flying.
"Is it possible for your animagus form to be a magical creature? Like a unicorn, thestral or hippogriff?" Lily asked. The initial shock has worn off, and sprightly curiosity had taken its spot.
"Not sure, we didn't come across any examples of anyone having a beast as their form during our research," James supplied. He toyed with a few strands of her hair before ushering it behind her ear, and he leaned in to whisper, "working with a bit of a theme there, love? What's next a pegasus?"
"Hush," Lily grumbled lightly.
"You ready?" Hermione asked, drawing Lily's attention back to her. Lily nodded in affirmation.
Hermione rolled her shoulders backwards, back straight, feet together.. A wave of magical energy rippled across her skin; she shrank, there was a blur of movement as fur sprouted from her pores and she transformed.
Vixen stood there moments later. Her physique was akin to a red fox (her ears were a bit longer), but her colouring was off: her fur was honey brown, except for her paws and the tips of her elongated ears which were black like they had been dipped in ink.
Lily approached Vixen cautiously, marvelling at the creature that had replaced her best friend. Lily knelt in front of Vixen, the hardwoods rigid and unpliant beneath her bare knees. Lily's fingers twitched forward, hand partially outstretched, and she asked, "this is probably weird, but…is it alright if I pet you?"
Vixen's round, hazel eyes swirling with copper twists blinked twice, and she inclined her head in what Lily could only assume was confirmation. She swore the fox was amused by the question, and that Vixen was smiling.
Lily's poorly attempted to harness her glee as her fingers delved into Vixen's fur. It was coarse yet soft and warm under her fingertips.
Draco untangled himself from Remus, scooted to the edge of the bed, and soundlessly stood up. He stretched his hands high above his head. Lily caught the motion in her peripherals, but focused back on Vixen. The fox—keen on the attention—preened under the affection she was receiving as Lily soothingly stroked her hand along the side of Vixen's body.
Draco—deciding to cause a bit of havoc—met Sirius's gaze and a silent agreement passed through the air. The pair shifted: the darkest night and palest moonlight were embodied as they padded over to the crimson haired witch and her vulpine companion.
Paws took Lily by surprise as he nuzzled her ribcage with his snout. Lily flinched away in shock, before a breathy laugh left her. She rubbed behind one of Paw's ears with the hand not on Vixen.
Padfoot took a different tack, circling around and trotting over to Lily from her front. Vixen shifted backwards to give him room, but ended up in between his legs, the tips of her ears blending into his silky coat.
Padfoot's rough tongue rolled out of his mouth, settled between his bottom canines, and with a happy, short bark, he licked Lily's left cheek thrice with vigour.
"Sirius!" Lily scolded as laughter jerkily jumped out of her throat.
Lily peered over her shoulder at her boyfriend, "what are you then?"
James scratched a spot behind his ear, and casually said, "a stag?"
"Really?"
James frowned, posture stiff. "Yes really."
"It suits you," Lily shrugged. Padfoot shook his head, his ears flopping about. Vixen yawned and darted from between Sirius's legs. She slinked over to James, and rubbed against his shin affectionately.
James squatted—his black jeans pulling tight on the tops of his thighs—and stroked the top of Vixen's head. "How?"
"Deer symbolise so many things in various belief systems and denominations. But a common theme is that they are protectors, sacred creatures. Not to mention the personification of independence, purification, pride, and—" Lily paused as she caught the bewildered stares of the creatures and wix around her. "What?"
Vixen turned in a misshapen circle on the spot as if to answer the redhead, and James snorted in amusement.
"Nothing, Evans. Just, you're amazing, you know that?" James asked, head cocked to the side, gazing lovingly at his girlfriend.
"Hush, Potter," Lily instructed, turning her burning face back to the canines around her. Paws licked her cheek once, rubbed his side against her—the muscles along the length of his body rolled across her as he moved—for a brief moment and trotted away. Padfoot followed.
Happy yips left the pair as they jumped around each other, and bumped snouts. Padfoot tackled Paws to the hardwood, and they rolled around; flashes of white and black fur.
Vixen bounded away from James and dove straight into the whimsical brawl Padfoot and Paws were conducting.
James blew a jolly sigh through his nostrils, patted his kneecaps and rose to his feet. Lily stood up, a coquettish smile on her face as she wandered over to her boyfriend.
"I don't get to see your form then?" Lily asked, easing into James's embrace; he gripped her upper arms and her arms wound around his lower back.
"Nope, Evans. Show and tell can wait for another time—"
"I swear if you make a joke about taking me for a ride I will hex you," Lily scowled.
James kissed her, hard and fast, and when he pulled back she saw stars. "I wasn't going to, but I totally could if that turns you on."
"Sod off," Lily murmured, ears tinged pink like radishes.
"You like it," James teased, and he smirked. The arrogant smirk that made her want to hex him senseless and kiss him silly.
Lily Evans would never have imagined herself in James Potter's arms a few years ago, she would have laughed herself stupid at the mere concept. So, it was still a surprise sometimes how much she loved him. Every smile she drew out of him was a precious treasure that she kept close to her heart, every tender embrace a jewel locked away in her ribcage, and every moment shared a blessing.
The tenderness held in his gaze puffed her full of bravado and courage. The irrational fear that had wrapped the words tight in her throat for far too long dissolved, and they galloped out of her mouth. "I love you, Potter."
James's froze unnaturally, a smidge too stiff, millimetres too wide. "What?"
"I am not saying it again," Lily said, bashfulness seizing control. She averted her gaze.
James grasped her face with reverent passion, hazel green eyes glinting behind his frames, their gaze met and it felt as if she was floating. "Say it again…please."
"I love you, James."
James threw his arms around her, swept her clean off of her feet and spun her around in a spirited fashion.
"I love you, Evans. Fuck do I love you, I always have," James responded, peppering kisses all over her face.
The other Marauders had shifted back, and Sirius let out a rambunctious howl.
"Finally," Remus muttered from his bed with a soft smile. He rolled onto his stomach, both arms thrust above his head onto the top of his pillow.
"Oh yea, speaking of Moony," Sirius said, vaulting onto Remus's bed with a loud thump, causing the mattress to bounce briefly. Remus grumbled, tucking his head under his pillow. "We told you today cause the Full Moon is tonight, and we didn't want you to stumble out into the Orchard in the middle of the night."
"Remus is taking his Wolfsbane potion, so there's nothing to worry about, but we wanted to take the extra precaution," Hermione explained.
"Wolfsbane potion?" Lily's eyes widened, her head snapping in Hermione's direction.
"Draco brews it. He figured it out, the genius," Sirius stated proudly, falling back on the bed, fingers laced over his chest as pride radiated from every orifice.
"I can't take all the credit…" Draco said dismissively, rubbing the back of his neck. Lily craned to meet his eye, but the Potter was staring at his feet, head bowed.
"Modesty if I ever heard it," James tacked on.
Lily saw an unrecognisable flicker of emotion contort Draco's emotions as he raised his head. His mouth was drawn into a thin line, and nodded mutely. "That's me. Modest as they come."
"And cows shite gold coins," Hermione scoffed. "Draco found some notes from an old Potions professor that used to teach at Beauxbatons—they were working on the potion but never succeeded. It helped leaps and bounds."
Hermione twirled a curl as she said it, and Lily frowned at that. Hermione never did that, and added to her unfocused stare upwards, Lily had a suspicion that there was something else to the story. Lily didn't press for more details.
The chance to ask anymore questions vanished as Draco cleared his throat, his hands on his hips and said, "I think we ought to leave Moony alone now. Let him get some rest before tonight." Draco promptly strode out of the room, throwing an arm around Sirius's shoulders and dragging him along.
Hours later, Lily stood on the front porch. The wood creaked beneath the others' feet as they made their way past her onto the grass. Lily drew her blanket tighter around her shoulders, the crisp, cold night air trying to penetrate her warm cocoon.
Draco and Hermione smiled wanly at her—they were supporting Remus in between them, the boy's body sagged with exhaustion as the moon neared her full glory. No words were shared as the twins quietly guided Remus out into the night towards the Orchard. The branches swayed in the distance, beckoning the trio.
Sirius ruffled Lily's hair, planted a kiss on her temple and bounded down the steps. "See you later, Red!" Sirius called right before he shifted. He barked giddily, and the night claimed him as he raced after his pack, the moonlight gleaming across his silky coat. They all disappeared into the Orchard.
James was left. He bent at the middle, kissed her sweetly, and the warmth from his larger form radiated onto her. Lily was safe. He pulled away too quickly and an oppressive cold took his place. Lily burrowed into her blanket further.
James jogged down onto the lawn, an impish grin curving his lips as he asked, "you said you wanted to see my form, right?" He pushed his glasses further back on the bridge of his nose.
The same phenomenon that surrounded Hermione when she shifted occurred again, except the aura enveloping James was more silvery. An elegant, powerful looking stag was before her. His pelt was a dark, burnt umber dashed with black patches of fur. His chest was pure white as snow.
"Beautiful," Lily whispered.
Prongs stomped a hoof and he shook his mighty, razor-sharp antlers. The stag bowed deeply. Prongs hopped from hoof-to-hoof before he galloped off; leaving Lily on the porch, mesmerised, entranced as she watched him go.
The young witch turned to go back inside, the cold permeating from the wooden floorboards into her thick, woollen, maroon socks. She flinched in shock as she realised she was not alone.
Charlus was in the doorway, the light from inside bathing across his back, shadows cast strangely over his features as he stared after the young wix.
A howl sounded.
"Come on, love. Best to get back inside now. The Moon has claimed them for the remainder of the night."
Lily approached him, still unsure of how to act around the Potter Patriarch when they were alone. She really wanted James's Dad to like her. When they were younger, she hadn't minded what he thought of her as much, but now she was actively seeking his approval as James's girlfriend.
"How about you and I go grab something hot to drink in the kitchen, and you can tell me a bit more about yourself. I'm afraid in his youth, my son waxed poetically about the colour of your eyes, and about how you hexed him when he misbehaved, but not about much else."
Lily snorted unintentionally.
"Doe would have loved you," Charlus said, his smile not fully formed. Lily smiled softly in return. The sadness pressing down on the wizard's shoulders was palpable.
"If you don't mind, Mister Potter. I would love to hear more about her."
"None of that Mister Potter nonsense. You're welcome to call me Charlus, my dear."
Charlus wrapped an arm around her shoulders, guiding her inside. "Let's find Mipsy, see if we can convince her to make us some hot cocoa."
Lily hummed in agreement. "That sounds delightful."
Lily glanced over her shoulder once before they crossed the threshold. She peeked out into the night, but saw none of her friends. As Charlus had pointed out, the Moon had claimed them.
Another howl echoed from the Orchards, but otherwise all was calm and quiet.
The charged calm that threaded through the environs pumped Lily with inexplicable unease. Their world was changing, and it frightened her. Yet, she knew in her heart that the war and its treacherous fingers couldn't reach them here, and with that comfort she followed Charlus inside. The door clicked shut with finality behind them.