Chapter 6 - 1994

Living with Remus was both a dream that Sirius hadn't even dared to dream and a new kind of torture all at once. Since his escape from Hogwarts, Sirius had thought about his old friend a lot, remembering when they first met; when he had confided in him about his family; and when he had discovered that Remus was a werewolf. After that day, the day Remus had finally shared his secret with him, the two had grown even closer than before. His friends had forgiven him for ditching them and they had continued on their mission to rule the school. Sirius remembered their 4th Year at Hogwarts fondly, yet despite all of the fun four teenagers could have he had also been very much aware of the effects his friend's transformations were having on him.

Almost 20 years later he could see the same signs again now. Remus may deny it but he was not coping with his transformations. Sirius wanted to help as he had done before, to join him as Padfoot, but whenever he suggested it Remus either ignored him or outright refused. It was a tense atmosphere at the best of times, they both had so many pent up emotions that neither were willing to discuss yet. It was Sirius reflected, actually all very familiar, but although Remus had finally been persuaded to be accompanied in the past, it had taken more than just Sirius to persuade him. This time Sirius was alone and it was all down to him.

"Why won't you let me help you?" he asked again one evening, frustrated.

"Because I don't need your help!" Remus had shot back.

Remus turned away from him. Sirius had always had this ability to read him, to know exactly what he was thinking. It wasn't legilamancy, but whatever it was he couldn't let him in now. There was just too much he had fought too hard to forget, feelings that he had thought were buried deep down, but that he knew were returning thick and fast. As a man he was able to control his emotions, put on a poker face and hope that Sirius wouldn't notice, but as a wolf there was no telling what he would do. The wolf had already really hurt him a few moons before and he was not about to let that happen again.

He felt like he was reliving his past; they had had this very same argument when they were at school and it frustrated him to be doing it again now. He was not going to give in, not this time. He had gotten on just fine without a companion for almost 13 years, and he certainly didn't need one now. When the full moon came round Remus locked both front and back doors behind him and quickly made his way up the path to the. Sirius was locked inside but at least he would be safe. As he slowed down he closed his eyes and imagined that his friends were there beside him; the dog, the stag and the rat. He missed them all so much. James was gone, Peter as good as dead to him too, and Sirius… Sirius was all that he had left in the whole world, he was far too precious to lose, not now that he had finally got him back.

1974

"Absolutely not Sirius, it's far too dangerous."

"You're outnumbered Lupin, 3 against 1. We're all well aware of the risk and we still want to do it."

"But do you know what I could do to you? There's a reason I'm locked up in the shak!"

"We won't be us Remus. Once we learn to become animagi you'll just think we're harmless animals. Look I overheard Dumbledore and McGonagall, she's been keeping an eye on you as a cat this whole time and she's never been harmed."

"That is totally different, the wolf will be used to the cat's scent, and McGonagall is an experienced witch, you guys are just… you guys."

"That's unfair Remus. James, help me out here" he pleaded, but it was actually Peter who spoke up.

"Maybe we should just wait until we've actually learned the spell?"

"If you learn it," Remus quipped. "You're talking about very advanced magic."

"We will learn it," Sirius said confidently, "and while we do you have plenty of time to think about it. When you see we are more than capable of this 'advanced magic' as you call it, you'll change your mind."

Remus looked at his friends' eager faces doubtfully.

"We just want to help," said Sirius, as he sat down beside him on hid bed. "We care about you." He had wanted to say 'I care about you,' but he was afraid of the implications. He nudged his friend gently to get him to look up. Eventually Remus did.

"I know Sirius, I care about you guys too, I just… I don't want to hurt you."

1975

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see," Sirius grinned.

Remus stopped walking.

"Sirius Black I demand to know what you're up to. I know that look all too well."

"It's a surprise" was all the boy said.

Remus huffed, he didn't like surprises.

He was led through the castle and out of one of the rarely used back entrances. There was a pathway hidden from view that led into the forest. Not many students knew of it but the boys had discovered it while marauding the castle one night, with the aid of the cloak of course. The two boys soon arrived at a clearing where Sirius promptly stopped.

"Here we are!" he sang out.

Remus looked around him; there was nothing there.

"Sirius what…?"

"You can come out now guys!" Sirius cut him off.

Remus' eyes widened and his jaw fell open in surprise as he watched a great stag emerge from the trees. Once the beast was standing before him he realised the beast was not alone, perched on his head was a scruffy looking, slightly oversized rat. After staring at the two for quite some time, trying to comprehend that they were actually his two friends he turned back to Sirius, but he too was gone, and in his place was a large black dog sitting on its hind legs and panting happily. It barked loudly.

"You did it," Remus whispered in awe as he looked at the three animals before him. "You guys actually did it!"

The dog barked again and wagged its tail, before padding softly over to the boy and nuzzling into his hand. Remus let out a laugh and scratched his friend's ears.

"You like that, don't you Sirius?" He asked, amused. The dog barked for a third time before the werewolf turned to his other friends.

"James, you look magnificent, nice prongs" he grinned. "And Pete, nice er… tail," he finished, unsure how to compliment a rat. The rat squeaked in reply anyway. "I can't believe you actually did it, you became animagi. For me!"

He was overwhelmed. Of course he still had many doubts about them actually joining him on the full moon, but his friends had proven that they would do anything for him, and while he still had his reservations that was something he was never going forget.

"So when's the next full moon?" Sirius asked excitedly as they made their way back up to the castle.

"Guys I haven't said you can come yet."

Sirius stopped in his tracks. "Wait what? But that was the whole point!"

"I know it was, Sirius, and I appreciate that, but the wolf doesn't know your scent yet."

Sirius thought this over, he really wanted to do this, for Remus. He grinned when he realised what they would have to do. "Well then we'll just have to get you used to it, won't we?"

The four boys made their way back up to the castle, ready to sneak back in the hidden entrance and back up to their dorm. The term would be ending soon, but with his friends' new abilities Remus could tell it was going to be a rather interesting end to the year.