Chapter 9 Inspiration Strikes
The beginning of February was marked by one of the worst storms Scotland had seen in years causing Hogwarts to cancel any outside activities until the storm past. This did nothing to help the war that was raging between the Gryffindor and Slytherin students. There were few teachers who could keep their classes under control during this week, one of them happened to be this year's Defence Against the Dark Arts' teacher, Professor Radagast.
Professor Radagast enjoyed teaching at Hogwarts. It was because of this he offered up his free time to any students (who would usually be outside) that had the desire for another period of his class. The students loved Professor Radagast so, for the most part, his class would be filled with students, from all houses and years, eager to learn more about his subject. Among these students, four boys showed up every day since he originally made his offer to his classes. They sat in the front row usually quietly passing notes between the four of them. Radagast didn't feel the need to interrupt them for multiple reasons. First, they usually did not disturb the rest of the class when they were otherwise entertained. Second, he found it amusing to watch them trying to sneakily pass their notes or smuggle their laughter assuming he was still in the dark. And third, they seemed to have no trouble keeping up in class despite their distraction and despite the fact that they hardly ever seemed to care for a word he had to say in class. Except for today when he announced, they'd start on werewolves a month before everyone else. All four of them perked up in their seat, heads snapped to the front of the class, each with various expressions of anticipation on their faces while the rest of the class groaned. Perhaps this is why he decided to call on one of them for the first time that year.
"Mr Pettigrew!" Radagast called over the still complaining students. The class was instantly put to silence while Peter looked up at him with eager eyes. "We'll start with something easy. Tell me the difference between an animagus and a werewolf."
"Well… a werewolf can only do it on a full moon." Peter said stuttering his answer.
"Correct, but how does that differ from an animagus?" Radagast pressed.
"Um… they can do it whenever?" Peter answered seeming unsure of himself.
"Correct again! 5 points to Gryffindor." Radagast said tossing Peter one of the sweets he kept in his pocket for particularly shy students. "And in case anyone does not know, the 'it' Mr Pettigrew was referring to, is the ability to transform," Radagast explained beginning to circle the room. "Can anyone else tell me any further differences between a werewolf and an animagus?"
"Sir," James Potter called from the front of the class. "Can an animagus choose his form?"
"No, he cannot," Radagast answered after turning to face him. "If you have any further questions about that I suggest you ask Professor McGonagall."
"But sir, are animagi subjectable to werewolf bites?" James continued.
"I can't say that I've ever heard of it being tested, but theoretically no," Radagast answered, intrigued by his question. Nonetheless, he needs to keep his class focused or else fall into chaos. "Which leads to another difference between the two, werewolves are contagious!"
Radagast continued his lecture on how to treat a werewolf bite and eventually got into how to identify one. Meanwhile, Remus sat frozen with his ears ringing. He stared at James wanting not to believe what he thought he was suggesting. He tried to convince himself that he was only being paranoid. James would never put himself at that much risk. When finally he caught James's eye, he merely smirked at him and resumed soaking in everything the professor had to say. Sirius seemed as enthralled by the lecture as James did. Peter, on the other hand, was busy folding his candy wrapper into an elegantly shaped swan. Remus stared off into the distance allowing his ears to be filled with the sounds of distant thunder. Only when the familiar sound of paper sliding across the wooden table interrupted the rain outside was Remus pulled back to reality. Remus read James's well-known scrawl
your burning a hole in the wall lupin -J.P.
You're and Lupin. -R.L. Remus scribbled back.
YOU'RE burning a hole in the wall Lupin -J.P.
Trying to give us an opportunity to get out of this class. -R.L.
any particular reason why? -J.P.
You're not actually planning what I think you're planning, are you? -R.L.
depends. what do you think im planning? -J.P.
"Animagi aren't susceptible to werewolf bites, are they sir?" He asked as he batted his eyes wantingly sucking up to his professor. -R.L.
i don't know what you think is going on between me and that hairy oaf, but it is not what you think it is. i assure you. GROSS. i expect this behaviour out of black not you -J.P.
Come to think of it, that was awfully suspicious. Keen eye Lupin. -the S.O.B
Thank you, Sirius. -R.L.
who invited you into the conversation?! -J.P.
I saw my name -the S.O.B.
Back on topic! Are you guys really planning on doing what I think you planning on doing? -R.L.
better question! do you sign your initials the SOB for the double meaning or are you really that much of a prat. -J.P.
No one cares. Get back to my question. -R.L.
I thought it was an excellent question, James! Not tactfully put, but still an excellent question. I do indeed sign it as the S.O.B for the double meaning. -the S.O.B
Shame on you Remus. We can only afford one narcissist in the group. -the S.O.B.
its definitelypeter. -J.P.
I was talking about you actually. -the S.O.B
Me!? your best friend? a narcissist? you know they say you become like the five people you hang out with the most. -J.P.
So? -the S.O.B.
So, if im a narcissist then you are too. In fact i probably got it from you. -J.P.
You guys are both narcissist! Now answer the question! -R.L.
Another more important question. Why is it that James insists upon ignoring the rules of basic capitalization? -the S.O.B.
How is that more important than my question?! We're talking about life or death here! -R.L.
why do you two insists on picking on me about my writing skills i get it im not as pretentious as you -J.P.
Sirius! Out of the conversation! -R.L.
And the points for the best insult of the hour goes to the one and only James Potter. -the S.O.B.
Remus how dare you? After all we've been through I truly thought I meant something to you but then you chose HIM over me?! I'm hurt. -the S.O.B.
I was actually getting somewhere before you decided to but in. And what the hell are you talking about? -R.L.
And he acts like he doesn't know what I'm talking about. That was a low blow Lupin. -the S.O.B.
guys i think im gonna start signing J. it looks more distinguished. -J.
Guys. I. I'm going to. -the S.O.B.
going to what? -J.
It's a good thing you're so pretty, Potter. We are going to talk about this. I don't care if I have to tie you to a chair and go in circles with you for hours! Days! You will not become an animagus just so you can be with the wolf. -R.L.
Kinky. -the S.O.B.
speaking of ive been thinking and the fury guy deserves a name. -J.
Not the nickname thing again! You're terrible at coming up with them! -the S.O.B.
watch it PICKLES or I might decided to tell a certain blonde hufflepuff exactly why your called pickles. -J.
Blonde Hufflepuff? What on earth do you mean? You've got nothing on me Potter. Also it's you're. -the S.O.B.
You've said her name in your sleep, mate. Its obvious. Not as obvious as James's crush on the ginger, but still obvious. -R.L.
We should bring back Pickles! -R.L.
ABSOLUTELY NOT! And I've never said anyones name in my sleep. Unless I was dreaming about murdering anyone who calls me Pickles. - the S.O.B.
OOOh scary! -R.L.
Oh, cindy! cindy, be my girl and i swear ill never reek of pickles again! -J. inspired by the SOB's sex dream.
What kind of sex dreams are you having?! -the S.O.B.
none dont need them i get plenty of action out in the real world. -J.
What action? You haven't even kissed anyone yet. -the S.O.B
like you have! Ha HA HA -J.
We all have. Except you. -the S.O.B
When! -J.
Remus just before holiday kissed Peter and he kissed Trish Forbes. -the S.O.B.
You swore you wouldn't tell anyone about that! It's not like I had a choice those mistletoe's are ruthless. -R.L.
Out of curiosity, which did you prefer? -the S.O.B
Trish. Peter had dry lips. -R.L.
you guys are slowly chipping away at my innocence. -J.
Out of curiosity, Sirius, when did you ever kiss anyone? -R.L.
I've snogged lots of girls, lots of times. It's hard to choose just one. James, you never had any innocence, to begin with. -the S.O.B
why don't you start with your first time? -J.
Why it was our very own Lily Evans! End of second year locked in a broom closet. -the S.O.B
I smell bull shit -R.L.
there is definitely a foul stench coming from his general direction though it might be the pickles again -J.
How dare you suggest that I am lying, And pickles? Really James? Get some new material. -the S.O.B
By the end of the class, Remus was both frustrated and amused, as usual, with his friends. Remus crumpled up their parchment, stuffed it into his rucksack, grabbed his books, and exited the room in a rush with Peter and Sirius in his wake. James was left behind scribbling on a scrap of parchment he ripped off of his charms notes. He met his friends in the corridor and slipped the note into Sirius's hand disguising it as a friendly "see ya later" as they parted ways; Sirius and Peter to Muggle Studies and Remus and James to Ancient Runes. The note read:
get peter to distract remus and meet me in the dorm at lunch
It was decided that Peter would take Remus into the library claiming to need help studying. James and Remus walked into the Great hall and found Peter sitting alone in their usual spot. Remus went willingly with little suspicion even when James announced he needed to "find" Sirius instead. Sirius was patiently waiting for him in their dorm room. (By patiently I mean he was trying to look innocent after hiding all of James's pants for taking too long.)
"So we're doing it, right?" James asked after bursting into his dorm room and shutting the door tightly behind him.
"Doing what?" Sirius asked jumping up into a sitting position.
"Becoming animagi!" He answered looking shocked that Sirius hadn't caught on.
"Oh, that! Why the hell wouldn't we?" Sirius laughed.
"Well, Remus was a bit strung up about it," James answered sitting next to his friend.
"When isn't he?" Sirius rolled his eyes. "He's just sensitive about his lycanthropy problem. Besides, what's the worst that can happen? We become werewolves too and have to turn with him on the first moon anyway."
"Or something could go wrong with the transformation. There's a bit about it in the book I got for Christmas and this guy tried it and he screwed up and had to live the rest of his life as a half horse." James shrugged. "But anyway we need fresh Mandrake leaves and we've got to keep it under our tongue for a month, that's not even the most complicated part. Professor Sprat made the second years plant the mandrakes yet?"
"Yeah, but they're still babies. Can we use them when they're so young?" Sirius answered.
"No, they have to be full grown," James answered disappointed.
"We'll have to wait 'till spring," Sirius said matching his disappointment. "Is there anything else we could do while we wait?"
"Not much. We need this moth, Slughorn might have it, if not we'll have to order it from The Apothecary." James answered.
"We'll break into his supply closet tonight and see. What else do we need to do?" Sirius questioned. James moved to retrieve his book James moved to retrieve his book "Handy Transfigurations". They sprawled out next to each other on Sirius's bed with the book thrown open between them.
"We need an electrical storm, untouched dew, and a clear full moon." James listed with his finger trailing along the page pointing out each item.
"We'll have to practice non-verbal magic." Sirius nodded as he skimmed the page. "It says you'll feel a double heart beat, that'll be weird. Peter's not gonna like this much."
"He's a bit squeamish." James agreed. "We'll do him first, that way we can both help him, then we'll go."
"How do we know we'll get that many electrical storms?" Sirius argued.
"Peter's got Divinations. I'm sure he has a book or something that can help us with that." James answered still searching the page.
"I feel kinda bad about leaving him with the Slytherins," Sirius admitted flipping onto his back.
"He's got other friends, I'm sure. Besides, he's given us great information on them." James shrugged.
"Do you think Radagast will help us with our non-verbal magic?" Sirius continued.
"Oh, yeah. Without question." James grinned. Sirius returned to helping James with his research. Both agreed that it would be best to keep Remus in the dark about their plans for the time being.