-1Chapter three…will James make a successful attempt? Will Peter ever find a room with people inside it? They're in their seventh year, so I'm assuming that they already know about how to say certain enchantments with the mind instead of the mouth. Also partly because I don't know a good phrase. But the Latin word for "tailbone" is coccyges, according to Wikipedia.
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Chapter Three: Wolfy-Cat and the Can of Tuna
It was time for transfiguration. The Marauders happened to be in the same class together, which is why this may have been the perfect time for a public attempt at pinning the tail on Remus. You may ask is class really the best place for mayhem? But for James Potter, anytime was the best time for mayhem, as long as it went unnoticed by the authorities, otherwise known as the Man.
They had all been seated, he and Sirius at a desk and Remus a little more than an arms' length away across the aisle. Professor McGonagall was busy writing at least 20 years worth of notes on the board, and some students had resorted to putting their heads on the desk or twiddling their thumbs. Sirius began to draw little figures of Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs chasing a stick figure of Snape. Remus was trying to stare straight ahead, but he kept nodding off until he snapped himself upright once more, only to repeat the same motion a number of times. With McGonagall's back turned, now was the chance to attack.
The charm of blindness and dizziness that took over was not pleasant, just as Sirius had said. He stared straight with his hands flat on the desk, trying his hardest to look inconspicuous. However Sirius saw him tense and slowly reach for his wand.
"Prongs," Sirius whispered, "just so you know, the cat is not yet out of the bag." Meaning that the professor was still scribbling her notes.
"Perfect," he said, paling slightly.
The room seemed as if it was turning itself upside down and his stomach was in a knot. As quietly as he could, he pointed his wand in what he assumed was Remus' direction, and made a move to step off the chair. It proved to be a foolish choice, because the room gave a great lurch as he thought the incantation and he fell out of his chair landing with a crash onto the floor, praying that some other student hadn't ended up with a tail. Not only did he most likely not obtain victory, but he had made a fool of himself in the process. Professor McGonagall turned around to look for the source of the noise which happened to be James who was now plastered to the floor. The students were roused from their Monday morning stupor, peering over him from their seats. Then she noticed something even more peculiar.
"Prongs, the cat is coming for the tuna! Abort attempt!" Sirius hissed. I think the attempt was aborted the moment I hit the ground, James thought.
"Mr. Potter, is there something you would be willing to share with the class?"
James remained glued to the floor, blinking his eyes as the blindness wore off. He could see the blurry image of three McGonagalls heading his way, but he couldn't bring himself to stand although he tried desperately.
She now loomed over him in all her stern-teacher power and he looked up to see her beckon him impatiently to follow. Please tell me it isn't what I think it is…He pried himself from the cold ground and staggered behind her, the curious students looking after them. Remus turned to Sirius with his eyebrows raised. Sirius merely shrugged, trying his hardest to look innocent.
"Can you answer me one question? I'm assuming it has to do with you." She folded her arms and peered at him from behind her rectangular-shaped glasses.
"Yes, Pro..fessor…" he was now regaining his balance, able to stand upright once again.
"Explain to me…why is it that I now possess a rather beautiful wolf's tail when I am sure that I never had one before today?"
James froze. He spoke the first thing that cam out. "I-I don't see it." She moved aside her outer cloak to reveal a gleaming, fluffy wolf's tail. The tuna was in trouble, and he needed to make up a story on the spot.
"I'm sorry Professor, I…Well, you see…I was--I was transfiguring my practice. I mean--practicing my transfiguration! Yes, and…I was aiming for an empty chair up front and missed. That's why I fell over. I didn't mean anything by it." He waited for her to say something, hoping she bought the excuse.
"Well Mr. Potter, the next time you practice your transfiguration, make sure it is not directed towards your instructor. I would have thought that the past six years at this school taught you how to aim your spells correctly." She turned away from him, done with his mischievous behavior for the day. "And it's only Monday, too…" she said to herself. He sheepishly followed her back into the classroom, her wolf's tail disappearing.
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"So…can we call her wolfy-cat now?" Sirius said as they stepped out of the classroom.
"I suppose so…and you can call me the can of tuna. At least she bought my story. Do you know how lucky I am? The Man is really getting me down. I know Sirius, 'I told you so,' 'who's laughing' and all that."
Sirius grinned. "Any more attempts today?"
"No. I'm all funned out. You?"
"Sure, but later. You'll see."
"I'm sure I will."
A groggy Remus was following behind fortunately not catching any of this conversation. Sirius turned his head around to see him yawning with his eyes half closed. James was thinking that he may have been making an attempt as he was putting his arm around Remus' shoulders, but he was wrong. Maybe Sirius was just being a regular all around nice person. After all he was either that, or irritating.
"Come on Moony, why so heavy-eyed?"
"I'm heavy-eyed because a certain pup woke me up this morning."
"But you were rather vociferous this morning at breakfast."
"Only because of that shining muffin…"
"Huh?"
"Never mind."
"Well, you should buck up, because we've got Potions in a half hour."
"I am so excited for Potions." he said sarcastically.
"Me too," said James, "I can't wait for one of those 'coffee-fueled sermons I can't afford to miss.'" He took a look at Sirius and raised his eyebrows but Sirius shook his head confirming his next endeavor would come later. After all, you can't do anything with the snot-master breathing down your neck.
Sirius squeezed Remus' shoulder, playing the 'I'm-your-loving-brother-and-not-up-to-something' card. But James knew better, and he was already getting anxious for the game to be over soon even though they had only played for Monday morning. I'm going to see that tail on Moony if it's the last thing I do.
A scream could be heard from the transfiguration room, letting them know that Peter had finally made it to class. Mondays weren't the best days for him.
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I know that was extremely short, but I'm too sleepy to write more, and I really wanted to post another chapter. I hope you kind of enjoyed it! For some reason my favorite line is when James says I was transfiguring my practice. Remus has a thing for muffins, Lily has a thing for toast, Sirius has a thing for mayonnaise, and James has a thing for tuna and authority trouble. If you can guess where the two quotes/references are that I put in here and what they are from, you will be sent a smiley face.
