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: Let's see, it's been 6 days and there have been some wonderful reviewers, therefore you all deserve the next chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter Thirteen
Padfoot barked out a warning as he ran alongside Moony through the underground tunnel. Moony ignored him and continued running full speed. Soon Padfoot saw a pinpoint of light and he let out a series of barks and growls, this time warning Prongs they were coming.
Moony saw the light too. He increased his speed, gathered his legs beneath him and burst out into the night with amazing strength. He landed gracefully and stood stone still. Padfoot watched as a shudder ran down Moony's spine and he raised his head to face the moon to let out a long, mournful howl.
Lily, who was sitting in her dorm room with a book, heard the howl and looked down onto the grounds. From her perch near the window she could see the vague outline of a large wolf and a smaller shaggy dog. 'Oh Remus, be safe.' But as she witnessed the wolf rearing back to attack the dog she realized that it wasn't her sweet-tempered friend she needed to worry about and her fears shifted. 'I swear Potter, if anything happens to you…' but she was unable to finish the thought.
"Get off me you blasted wolf!" Padfoot growled. The attack had seemingly come out of nowhere. One minute Moony was howling at the moon and the next instant he tackled Padfoot.
Padfoot remained on his back, his vulnerable underside exposed. He was reminding Moony that he knew he was not the dominate one. That he knew Moony was in charge.
With a satisfied grunt Moony stood and faced the Forbidden Forest. His nose in the air he caught a familiar scent. The pronged one stood near the tree line, silently watching, the rodent sitting idly on his back. With a snort he headed toward the trees, the pronged one just stood there as if waiting for something. Then he heard it. Both the wolf and the stag's ears twitched.
A squirrel — oblivious to his danger — crawled into view, his nose buried in the dirt. With a wolfish grin Moony pounced. The squirrel dogged out of the way at the last second and disappeared into the thick underbrush. Moony growled his disappointment and with a sharp bark from Padfoot the two were off.
Moony ran blindly into the woods in the same direction the squirrel had disappeared. Padfoot on the other hand, followed more slowly, nose to the ground tracking the squirrel's scent to find the bushy tailed rodent's trail. Prongs followed slower still, allowing Wormtail to sniff out the squirrel's path for him. "Why squirrels?" Prongs let out a snort.
"Anything to keep them busy," squeaked Wormtail.
"And entertained," agreed Prongs with the shake of his head.
A howl of rage reached their ears and Prongs lowered his head. Wormtail scrambled onto his head to return to his perch and Prongs quickened his pace. They caught up with Moony and Padfoot, circling the base of a very large tree.
Moony stopped his circling and stood on his hind legs, front paws on the trunk of the tree. He snarled and growled but the squirrel stayed out of reach. He dropped down onto all fours and howled again. The squirrel twittered and twitched his tail. An acorn fell and landed between Moony's eyes. A howl of rage and he was clawing at the trunk of the tree in fury.
With another twitter and tail twitch the squirrel disappeared further up the tree. Padfoot allowed Moony to vent his frustrations on the tree until his front claws began to bleed from the wood splinters stuck in them. With some quick thinking — and sniffing — Padfoot caught the scent of another animal trail. A bigger animal this time, and more dangerous; the trail of a badger. They were vicious creatures, but at least they didn't disappear up into trees to drop nuts on your head.
"Give it up," Padfoot barked. "Fresh. Badger." He kept it simple, to penetrate the furious wolf's mind.
After a final scratch and snarl Moony gave up and sniffed the ground where the dog had indicated. "Badger," he confirmed with a growl.
Prongs snorted a warning to Padfoot and the two canines proceeded with caution. They split up, searching for the trail. When Moony found it he let out a quick howl of triumph and took off.
The chase was on.
A/N: You know the drill, let's hear 'em!