Sam
The end of summer is apparent as we walk across the shadowed grounds towards the forbidden forest. It's cooler out than it had been in awhile. A slight breeze rustles the trees and makes me shiver. Tonight is the night I've been waiting so long for. We all have. The excitement is clearly written on both Kaelin's face and mine. Tonight, we become animagi.
Sirius has been quiet all day. Hardly saying a word, but the moment he transforms into his animagus form he's back to his old self. Wagging his tail and licking my face just like always. Nights like these will always hold fast in my memories.
Remus walks with Kaelin and I as it isn't a full moon. He's here for support just like the others. Peter rides on Sirius' back while James walks beside them. Even as a rat, the look of fright is clear on Peter's face as Sirius bounces up and down eagerly.
We've just reached the clearing inside the forbidden forest when the three boys transform into their old selves. "You ready?" James asks. Kaelin nods happily, and I just grin. "You're sure you want to do this? It is illegal and extremely dangerous."
I roll my eyes. "We know the risks James. We want to do this," I say.
"For Moony," Kaelin adds. Remus looks overjoyed at her statement, and I remember our earlier conversation in potions.
"Just checking. Now this is a mind and body transformation. You have to concentrate and not be distracted or it could go terribly wrong," James says. We've heard this speech a million times since we decided to become animagi, but we simply nodded in understanding.
"Like turning into half an animal forever! Could you imagine Sam or Kaelin with a tail?" he states to Remus. We all laugh. It's so good to have normal Sirius back.
Remus pulls two small bottles out of his pocket handing one to Kaelin and the other to me. "This will help with the concentration," he says. Kaelin puts the bottle to her lips and swallows. I do the same.
"When Padfoot cast the spell make sure you are paying attention to every detail around you. If you lose concentration for even a second, you may not be able to transform back," James warns. I nod.
"I'll go first," I say bravely. Kaelin nods looking slightly frightened. Surprisingly, Remus puts his arm around her. I can't help but smile for a moment.
I take a deep breath and focus all my thoughts onto the transformation. Sirius raises his wand slowly, and when I nod he says something I don't quiet catch. I close my eyes feeling my senses sharpen. I can feel myself transforming. The world seems clearer. I can hear footprints on the leaves, and smell a small fire from somewhere. I'm shrinking, growing claws.
The feeling stops. I blink my eyes open, and though it is dark out I can see perfectly fine. Sirius and James stand to one side watching me with smiles, and Kaelin looks on gaping. I try to speak, but a squeaky noise escapes my lips.
My friends burst into laughter, and Sirius is even on the ground rolling around. I growl at them, sort of, and they stop. Sirius picks me up stroking my ears. I have to admit it feels good, and I lean into his hand begging for more and wrapping my tail up around my body.
All too soon, he puts me back down, and I'm transforming back. I stand in the middle of my circle of friends all beaming at me. "That was the fastest transformation I've ever seen!" Peter exclaims.
"A cat?" Sirius says. "You're a cat?" he seems to be trying to hold back his laughter. I have to admit I had expected something a little different. A cat doesn't fit me very well, I think.
"What's wrong with a cat? Is it because cats are smarter than dogs?" I say causing everyone but Sirius to laugh. Sirius glares at me before turning into his animagus form and jumping up knocking me over and licking my face. "Ok! I'm sorry! Let me up!" I screech, and soon he climbs off me turning back into Sirius and extending his hand.
I take it trying to ignore the electric shocks going up my arm as he pulls me to my feet. His eyes bore into mine as if he's searching for something, and I turn away letting go of his hand feeling my face turn slightly red.
"My turn!" Kaelin yells, and I'm grateful for the distraction. Kaelin dashes to the center of the circle and closes her eyes. After a few minutes of relaxed breathing, she says she's ready.
Remus lifts his wand to cast the spell, and Kaelin is still. Nothing happens. I hold my breath waiting, but Kaelin doesn't change. I can tell she is getting frustrated, and I will her to stay calm.
She snaps her eyes open. "It didn't work!" she cries, but she'd hardly gets the words out of her mouth before she starts to shrink. Her skin slowly starts to bubble turning into feathers, and in her place is a tiny blue jay. If birds could smile, she'd be grinning right now.
We all watch as Kaelin flaps her wings in a desperate attempt to get off the ground, but she doesn't stay air born for more than a few seconds. After her fifth attempt, she gives up transforming back into her old self. "Why can't I fly?" she whines.
Remus laughs. "I'm sure it just takes practice," he says.
"That or you're too fat to get off the ground," Sirius says ducking when Kaelin tries to smack him. "Kidding!"
"Now that we're all animagi, they need nicknames!" James says. I frown.
"I don't want one," I say. Kaelin nods in agreement.
"I don't either. Can we just keep our names?" she asks. Sirius looks unhappy.
"I wanted to pick the names!" he whines.
"That settles it. I'm definitely not letting Padfoot choose my name," I say. His face falls, but in a second he's back to his hyper self.
"When's our next adventure?" he asks.
"Full moon. Two weeks," Remus says looking slightly pale. I could only imagine what he went through on those nights.
"Well I'm tired. I'm going to bed," Kaelin says yawning. The walk to the castle seems like forever, and the moment I reach my bed, I collapse. I was asleep within seconds.