The New Marauders
"Wow," Harry managed to say, "you guys did it. You are all Animagi now?"
Slowly, Harry's three friends transformed back into their human forms. All of them had huge smiles on their faces. Harrystood and grabbed Ginny smiling and pulled her close to kiss her. "That was bloody brilliant. You three are amazing. Congratulations."
"We really started practicing a lot after the battle," Ginny told Harry. "Hermione was able to do it within three days. I was able to do it before you woke up, and Ron did it a couple days ago."
"We wanted to wait until we could all do it, Harry." Ron added. "Thought it would be a great surprise for you, and we couldn't keep it secret for another month."
"Congratulations," Harry said smiling, "I can't believe it."
The four friends spent the rest of the day talking about everything they could do now that they were Animagi and tried to think of new names for them all. They knew sneaking around Hogwarts was out of the question considering Dumbledore knew that they were all Animagi. Harry was the one to suggest that they tell Remus that he could have company during his transformations again. Ron agreed as long as they got Remus to swear he wouldn't tell Molly or Arthur. It wouldn't be good for the Minister of Magic to know that he had a son and daughter that were unregistered Animagi.
Mrs. Weasley called them down for dinner at around six that night. Hermione was the first to finish and she excused herself from the table. When Ron and Ginny finished eating they went to look for Hermione. Harry stayed behind and asked Remus if he would come see him in the library in five minutes. Remus agreed without question. Harry went to the library where he found Hermione, Ron and Ginny.
"Harry, I think I know why you, Ron and Fred were so enchanted by that woman today." Hermione glared at Ron as she spoke.
"That's great, Hermione." Harry said slightly rolling his eyes. "But Remus is on his way up here so we can tell him."
As Harry finished his sentence Remus opened the door. Harry walked to the door and locked it behind Remus. Remus gave Harry an odd look as he continued to move to the center of the room. Harry asked Remus to have a seat as he and the other three all took seats in the chairs.
"What's going on, Harry?" Remus asked still puzzled.
"Well, Remus." Harry said with a laugh. "First, we need you to swear you won't tell anyone what we are going to tell you."
"I can't promise that, Harry. Not until I know what it is." Remus sounded concerned now.
"Remus, please you have to trust me." Harry pleaded with his friend. "It isn't anything bad, we just don't want anyone else knowing."
"Ok, Harry, ok." Remus gave in.
Harry took a deep breath before he began his story.
"Remember the special lessons Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall were giving me last year?" Remus nodded his head silently. "They were Animagus lessons."
"Harry!" Remus shouted with a smile. "That's wonderful, that will definitely help you become an Auror. Have you been able to do it yet? What animal form do you take?"
"Yes." Harry smiled at Remus. "I have been able to do it since just after Christmas holiday. Remus, I wanted to talk to you though because, I'm not the only one that can do it. All of us can."
Remus was speechless, he looked from Harry to Ron, Hermione and Ginny. Each of them nodding their heads as he looked at them. He opened his mouth several times to speak but was unable to say anything.
"Remus, we wanted you to know so we can help you." Ron spoke for the first time.
"Help me?" Remus looked puzzled again. "What do you mean?"
"What Ron means, Remus. Is that we know Harry's dad and Sirius became Animagi to help you during a full moon." Hermione added for Ron. "We want to be able to help you during the full moon too."
"That's very kind of you," Remus said with a smile. "Professor Snape's potions do help, but it would be great to have company during those times."
"Great, so the next full moon we will be there with you." Harry said smiling.
"No, Harry." Remus said quietly. "I can't risk something happening to any of you. I would never forgive myself."
"But, Remus." Harry began to argue.
"No, Harry." Remus said firmly. "I appreciate the offer, but I must refuse. Please, do show me your forms though."
Harry didn't move for a moment. He wanted to argue but knew it was useless, Remus wouldn't let them join him, at least not while they were young. Once Harry decided that Remus was acting in his best interest he closed his eyes and transformed into a red fox. The others followed Harry's lead and a moment later Remus was surrounded by four animals.
"Wonderful, wonderful!" Remus exclaimed as he scratched Harry behind the ears. Hermione as a black panther curled up at Remus' feet and purred. Ginny, as a second red fox jumped into Remus' lap while Ron, a falcon gently landed on Remus' arm.
"You four truly are Marauders." Remus spoke with youthful excitement. "All you need now are your nicknames. Ron, you are the easiest of the group to name with those razor sharp talons, you are now Talon."Ron gently nipped at Remus' hand to accept his new name. "Hermione, you are an easy one to name also, you are the color of midnight so I will call you Midnight." Immediately, Hermione began to purr loudly at Remus' feet." Ginny, what to call you?You do have those perfect black paws, Boots?" Ginny the Fox growled at hearing this name. "No, I suppose you don't like that. Well your name starts with Gin, and you are a orange color, how about Ginger?" Remus waited for her approval and recieved it when she wagged her tail happily. "Now, Harry, what do we call you?"
Remus scratched behind Harry's ears as he thought of a name for him. Nearly an hour had passed while Remus thought, Midnight had fallen asleep and Talon perched himself on one of the bookshelves. Ginger had curled up next to Harry and waited.
"Well, Harry," Remus finally spoke. Harry and Ginger both lifted their heads. Midnight and Talon both also stirred. "I can't think of anything that describes your animal characteristics, but I have come up with something. You are a very clever and cunning young man, which I suppose does fit with you being a fox as well. I choose the name Callidus, from Latin, meaning clever, cunning, and skillful." Harry stood up and wagged his tail, and let Remus scratch his ears.
The four then changed back to their human forms and thanked Remus for his help. They spent a few minutes listening to Remus warn them all of the complications and consequences of being an unregistered Animagi. Remus smiled at the four of them as he stood and headed for the door. He unlocked the door and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Hermione picked up the book she was holding when Harry walked into the room.
"Harry, I am sorry that Remus said no." Hermione apologized to her friend.
"I kind of knew he would." Harry admitted. "But it was worth a try. So what did you find out about Kimberly Tero?"
"Well, I didn't find anything about her." Hermione confessed. "But I do remember seeing her wearing a necklace."
"So, what's so special about a necklace?" Ron asked puzzled.
"The necklace is the same as the necklace in this book." Hermione answered opening the book on the table. "See this picture? A woven chain, with a small star shaped pendant. That is the same necklace I saw her wearing. They are extremely rare. Here read the passage."
Harry leaned forward and read the description of the necklace.
Necklace of Enchantment:
The chain is woven out of strands of hair from a Veela while the pendant is made from pure silver. Generally, the necklace does not grant the wearer any special powers nor does it have any affect on others. There are occasions, however, when the wearer is truly happy and has no need of attention from the opposite sex, it will cause the opposite sex to concentrate their attention only on them while the wearer can be seen. The wearer may not even be aware of the affect they are having on others. There is no known way to avoid the enchantment, other than it appears the person to give the necklace as a gift is immune to its powers.
"I don't know how you remember seeing everything you read, Hermione." Harry said laughing. "I agree though, she is probably wearing this necklace. You don't have to worry about it anymore though, I doubt we will see her again."
"What about the way she was acting in the Leaky Cauldron?" Hermione asked.
"She was probably waiting for her boyfriend, 'Mione. It isn't like she was doing anything wrong." Ron responded. "I knew it wasn't our fault."