Title: A Time For Change
Author Name: DarkForest214
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: "Transforming Thoughts"
Summery: Sequel to "Transforming Thoughts." Follow Lily and James in their new relationship while keeping an eye on their mischievous friends Remus Lupin and Sirius Black.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or Hogwarts School. I did not write this to try and make money. I am not stealing from JKR and the publishing companies and whatnot… I own nothing!
Author's Note: Since last chapter was so short I'm posting this one already... Not much else to say except keep those reviews a comin'! (they always brighten my day)
Chapter Four
As the weeks passed and Halloween drew near it became quite clear that the former enemies Lily Evans and James Potter were no longer. Nearly every girl that knew Lily couldn't believe she had actually agreed to go out with him, while many of the male persuasion wanted to know how James had finally managed to get the girl of his dreams.
But as the Holiday festivities and the full moon drew closer Lily and James took the backseat in Remus' mind. Lily knew, but she didn't know about James, Sirius or Peter. The four of them would miss out on the Halloween feast; Peter regretting it the most.
"So I was thinking, this month since it's on Halloween, we should do a little something special," said Sirius as the Marauders sat around the breakfast table on Halloween eve.
"Is that really a good idea, Padfoot?" Remus asked quietly.
"Yeah, think about it," said James. "It's a holiday, there might be a lot of people celebrating in the village."
"We'll keep him away from Hogsmeade then," said Sirius. "Besides, it's Halloween. These people are so superstitious…they're worse than muggles."
"'These people?' Sirius, you're one of them! We all are. Wizards have the right to be superstitious. We know those creatures from so called legends actually exist," said James.
"I don't mind spending it in the shack," said Remus. His voice was low and he didn't look at either of them. It always made him nervous when they talked about setting the wolf free.
"You might not mind, but the wolf... the way he behaved last time says otherwise," said Sirius, giving him a significant look.
"I don't know, Sirius," said Remus. "I don't want to risk putting you guys in danger, or anyone else for that matter."
"Don't worry, we can look out after ourselves and handle you, no problem. We've done it before," said James, reassuring him.
"It's up to you, really," Peter said between mouthfuls of food.
"Remus let out a sigh. "I guess we could all—"
"Good morning, James!" said Lily with a broad smile as she came up behind them and wrapped her arms around James' neck in a hug. "G'morning Remus, Sirius and Peter…"
Remus snapped his mouth shut and Sirius suddenly became very interested in his pumpkin juice. "Oh, er…good morning, beautiful," said James.
"Scoot over," Lily said, flashing him a playful smile as she squeezed into the spot between James and Remus. "What were you guys talking about?" she asked curiously as she picked a piece of bacon off of James plate.
"Nothing."
"Homework."
"Quidditch."
Their answers came all at once. Lily noticed that James was the only one that wasn't avoiding eye contact with her. She eyed them suspiciously. "All right, tell me…what's going on?"
"Nothing," said James with a cheery grin and a shrug. She gave him a look, but he ignored it.
"Well I can tell you now, if you're planning something don't think I won't go to Professor McGonagall just because I'm dating you," she said sternly. "Because I will, you know."
James smiled and kissed the top of her head. "I know."
Lily couldn't resist his smile and her stern expression fell from her face. "Just don't do anything too dangerous, I want you all in one piece," she said softly, a twinkle in her eyes.
James was left speechless while Sirius made gagging motions behind her back. "Stop that," he said, throwing a biscuit at his head. "Of course I'll be careful," said James, turning his attention back to Lily.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Good," she said as she stood up. "I hate to eat and run, but I must go to the library." She snatched a half eaten piece of toast off of James' plate and walked out of the Great Hall.
"Oh real mature, Padfoot," said James, rolling his eyes.
"What?" said Sirius while trying to look as innocent as possible.
"You know very well what I'm talking about."
"Do I?" he taunted.
"All right, knock it off you two. I'd rather discuss the next three full moons than listen to you two go at it like an old married couple," said Remus, rolling his eyes at them.
"If we're married, what does that make Lily?" asked James.
"Your mistress!" said Remus, a twinkle in his eye.
"James, how could you?!" said Sirius, getting in on the joke. "After all we've been through!"
"Look, Sirius, I'm sorry…but she has things you don't," said James.
"James!"
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Sirius," said James, rolling his eyes. "I was talking about her personality you dolt."
Sirius laughed as Remus shook his head. What had he started? "All right, that's enough," Remus said after sitting through five more minutes of pointless bickering. "If you don't quit it now I'll sign you up for marriage counseling." Sirius and James mumbled and groaned, but Remus ignored them and got them back on topic: the full moon. "So what are we going to do?"
"Agree to date other people?" asked Sirius.
"Works for me," said James.
"What? No, not about that… I'm talking about Halloween," said Remus, lowering his voice.
"Let's go into the forest," Sirius suggested.
"I don't know…" said Remus.
"We'll keep you away from all humans," said Sirius.
"And we never go so far in that we can't find our way out," said James.
"The wolf needs exercise, Remus. One more moon spent cooped up inside could be dangerous not only for you, but us as well," said Sirius. All traces of joking mischief were gone, there was only concern for his friend in his eyes.
Remus looked at them, analyzing their expressions. He knew they were being serious. If only he could remember what happened last full moon, or the one before that for that matter. The only time he ever knew what his wolf felt or thought was mid-transformation, when his bones shifted and his mind melded with the wolf's. But once transformed the wolf was in charge and Remus was nowhere to be found.
He let out a sigh and gave his friends a half-hearted smile. "Let's let the wolf run free," he said. "I think he'd like that…" In fact, he was positive the wolf would enjoy it.
"You'll go with Pomfrey as usual. Peter and I will join you for the transformation and lead you out," said Sirius.
"And I'll be waiting in the forest, because lets face it, with my antlers I won't fit through the tunnel," said James.
"We'll keep you in the forest until the moon is nearly set."
"Then we'll herd you back to the Whomping Willow and make sure you get back in the shack," finished James.
"Don't forget to destroy some furniture and make some new marks on the walls," added Peter. "You wouldn't want Pomfrey to get suspicious…"
"Forgot about that one, thanks Peter," said Sirius.
Remus knew the plan. It was always the same. But he also knew his friends told him for his benefit, to keep his mind at ease even as he lost control.
"It's settled then," said Remus before grabbing his books to stand. "Shall we?" he asked, indicating the exit.
"We shall," James and Sirius said as one. And the Marauders left for their first class of the morning.
A/N: You know the drill...