Chapter 7 – 1975
It was a new school year. Sirius, James, Remus and Peter had just begun their 5th year at Hogwarts. The first full moon was fast approaching and although Remus had continued to try and talk his friends out of joining him it was to no avail. To ensure that the wolf would be used to their scents the boys had spent as much time as possible in animal form. Sirius had grown particularly fond of being a dog and would often opt to lounge around the dorm room as such, rather than in human form.
It was a warm September evening. The windows were thrown wide open and Sirius panted happily as he stretched out across Remus' bed, tail wagging as a hand reached down to scratch him behind the ears. James had spent the last half an hour making terrible canine related jokes but Sirius didn't mind. The truth was Sirius had finally had the smallest amount of freedom during his summer holidays, and it was all thanks to his animal form. James could taunt him all he wanted; Sirius loved being a dog.
Remus on the other hand was growing tired of the jokes, they weren't the least bit witty and they kept distracting him from his book. He had asked James politely to stop, quite a few times in fact, but now he was running out of patience.
"Will you just stop?" He snapped suddenly, slamming his book down and causing Sirius to jump.
James was taken aback too. "I'm sorry Remus," he said.
Remus knew he should have just let it drop there, his friend had apologised, but he was always so highly strung before the full moon. "You should be," he snapped before he could stop himself. "You don't see anyone making fun of your stupid prongs!"
James laughed in surprise. "My what?" he asked.
"You know, the stupid sticks protruding from the side of your head," Remus replied, lifting his hands up to imitate James' antlers.
James laughed again. "Prongs," he repeated. "You know I quite like that, maybe I'll use it as my new nickname," he teased.
Remus groaned, that was not what he had intended, but James appeared to be seriously considering it, and Sirius was barking in approval.
"Ooh, Ooh! We should all have nicknames!" James exclaimed excitedly in his 'I've just had the best idea' voice, jumping up on his bed dramatically. "Petey you can be… Whiskers, no…. Squeaky, wait no… Wormtail!" he proclaimed grandly.
Peter thought this over, as always he was just happy to be included so he happily agreed.
Sirius wanted to go next to get a new nickname. He jumped off the bed and started parading up and down the room, proudly flaunting his coat, his sharp claws and teeth, and his grand tail. Quite a few different names were suggested for him but he didn't particularly like any of them. He realised that Remus had kept quiet the whole time and it was just the other two giving suggestions, so he bounded on to the bed and started to lick at his face to get his attention.
"Ew stop it Sirius! You don't want to be called Slobbers or something equally as ridiculous do you?"
The dog shook his head and flopped onto its back, prodding Remus continuously with his soft paws.
The sandy haired boy started to push him away but then he suddenly exclaimed. "Padfoot!"
Sirius loved it. He barked in approval. It was perfect.
Later that night, once Padfoot had returned to his human form and the boys had all gone to bed Sirius lay awake. He was unable to sleep, and as he always had done when insomnia stuck he crept quietly from his own bed to Remus'. Thankfully his friend was still awake too. Neither of them spoke for a while, they just lay side by side in the darkness soaking in the comfort that the other provided. Eventually Sirius quietly spoke.
"We never gave you a nickname," he whispered.
"I don't think the wolf would appreciate a nickname," Remus replied sadly.
"All the more reason to give you one then."
"I don't want to be reminded of him every day."
"Well then we won't make it about him."
"But you guys …."
"What's the one thing the wolf hates the most?" Sirius asked, as he turned to look at him.
"The moon," Remus answered instantly.
"That makes sense." Sirius looked thoughtful for a moment, then he grinned. "In that case I shall call you…" he paused for dramatic effect. "Moonshine!"
Remus almost choked. "No you bloody well will not!"
"Aw come on Remus, it suits you," he said, elbowing him playfully in the ribs, but Remus continued to frown.
"Ok fine," Sirius relented, "How about just Moony then?"
Remus was about to protest again when something stopped him.
"Moony," he repeated back, testing how it sounded coming from his own mouth.
"You like it?" Sirius asked eagerly.
He frowned. "Yeah, you know what I think I actually do."
Sirius smiled. "Aright. Moony it is then."
"Have I mentioned that I really don't think you should do this?"
"Only a thousand times Moony and nothing you say will change our minds?" Sirius said firmly.
It was early morning and the four Gryffindors were gathered at the Whomping Willow. Later that evening Professor McGonagall would escort Remus through the tunnel to the Shak.
"How do we get in?" asked James.
Remus raised his wand and levitated a large rock onto the small stump at the base of the tree, just as McGonagall had done once a month since his first full moon at Hogwarts.
Peter had gone white.
"You OK Wormtail?" James asked.
Peter nodded, but it was clear he was having doubts. "Even if we stop the tree, and get inside and, and Moony doesn't harm us, won't McGonagall see us when she comes back to check in?"
Sirius smiled. "Why you're quite right Wormy, unless we have a lookout of course. Can you think of anyone small enough and unnoticeable enough who could be our lookout?"
It took a moment for Peter to realise what was being suggested, and then all remaining colour drained from his face.
The rest of the afternoon was spent creating their plan of action. It was decided that Padfoot would enter the Shak first, the wolves howl being his signal. Once it was deemed safe the dog would give three loud and clear barks and James, who would be waiting in the tunnel in human form as the stag was too big, would enter and transform before joining them. Wormtail would wait at the entrance to fulfil his duties as lookout. This was the ideal situation of course, they were well aware that it might not go as smoothly. Still, they had to start somewhere and this was as good a plan as any.
Once Remus had 'left to go home' all the remaining three friends could do was wait. Just before dark they used the cloak to sneak out, and rather than attempt to cover all three boys, which was not as easy as it had once been, Peter transformed into the rat and James carried him in his pocket. When they arrived at the tree it was already immobile, a large rock already positioned on top of the stump. They realised McGonagall could still be inside, so they sent Wormtail in to check it out. He came back five minutes later and gave the all clear. Remus had still been a boy and their teacher nowhere to be seen.
"You nervous?" James asked Sirius from underneath the cloak.
"Course not, this is exiting!" Sirius lied.
While they waited the night grew darker and darker and they knew it could happen at any moment now. Sure enough, mere moments later a blood curdling howl was heard through the tunnel.
"Alright Pads, you're up!"
Sirius transformed into Padfoot and approached the tunnel. He was determined not to let his nerves show. The tunnel was longer than he expected but he kept on going until he eventually came to a hatch that he assumed led to the basement of the Shak. He was correct, and he continued on up the stairs until he could hear heavy panting coming from the room at the top. Slowly he made his way to the door and pushed it open with his paw.
He was not prepared for the sight that met him inside the room. He had expected the wolf to be this huge and fearsome beast, but Remus was the complete opposite; he was skinny and gaunt and almost pitiful. It stabbed at his heart to see Remus like this. Slowly he entered the room and the wolf sniffed and turned towards him, instantly bearing his sharp fangs in a snarl. Padfoot backed off as the wolf came towards him, being careful not to make any sudden movements as he lowered himself to the ground. He maintained eye contact as much as possible before rolling over onto his back, whimpering quietly as he bared his soft flesh in a sign of submission.
The wolf crept ever closer, until he was directly on top of Sirius. His teeth were still bared as he sniffed the newcomer from head to toe. Suddenly he let out an ear piercing howl and with a mighty crash sent Padfoot flying across the room. Sirius remained still, trying to show his friend that he meant no harm; that he wasn't going to fight back. The wolf was still unconvinced. There was something familiar about this animal, but he had never had any intruders before, and this was his territory. He crossed the room again and brought his face dangerously close to the dog's, his growl growing louder and louder as he sensed the other animals fear.
When the wolf suddenly barked Sirius jumped in fright. It wasn't working, the wolf wasn't backing down and Sirius realised he was in real danger. He glanced at the door, he would have to make a run for it. Steeling himself he looked up at his friend one last time. I am so sorry, he thought, and then he pushed the wolf with all of his strength and made for the door.
He had just reached the landing when he felt a sharp stab of pain in his leg; the wolf had caught a hold of him with his teeth. He lost his balance and crashed to the floor, the wolf moved quickly to pin him down.
Come on Remus, Sirius thought as he had no choice but to look into those terrifying golden eyes. It's me, Padfoot!
And then just like that the wolf let him go, sat back on its haunches and flattened its ears. Padfoot tried to get up but his leg gave way. He had done it, he had gotten through to Remus, but now he was tired and his leg hurt like hell, and he knew if he introduced Prongs and Wormtail now it would not end well. Mustering all the energy he had left he managed to limp away, and as he entered the tunnel he heard the cry of the wolf once more. He feared it would chase after him, but soon he caught up with James and they both heard the howl that still came from some distance away. It appeared that Moony was staying put for now.
James and Peter helped Sirius back to their dorm. The wound on his leg wasn't as bad as he had thought and as his friends helped heal it he described everything that had happened.
"That's amazing!" Exclaimed James.
"Amazing? It was bloody terrifying!"
"But you did it Pads, you got through to him! Next month will be even easier, you'll see."
Sirius really hoped so. The wolf may have backed off once it was satisfied that Padfoot meant no harm, but it hadn't been happy with the intrusion.
AN: Will Sirius get through to the wolf? Keep reading to find out, any why not leave me a review, it would make me soooooooo happy!