A/N: Sorry guys! I've been busy. Way busy. I'm trying to finish up college for the summer, and I'm planning a wedding for next month. I completely lost all motivation and ideas for the story. I ended up writing a prompt for a character that became another story. That is about all I've been able to do. Thanks for your reviews & patience.

The day pressed on, as did the students. Before she knew it, Lily was being dismissed from Advanced Transfiguration; her last class of the day. She hated transfiguration; mostly due to the fact she wasn't very talented where that class was concerned, but she pushed through. Unfortunately that meant extra studying. As she left the classroom James followed her out into the hall way, and together they headed to the library for their weekly Prefect meeting.

The meeting proved to be a disaster. None of the Prefects could focus on what the Heads had to say. Every time that Lily thought that they were back on the matter at hand, someone would bring up the attacks again. Many of them were concerned, asking if Lily, or James thought that they would close the school, or if patrols were safe. James had no idea what to tell them, and Lily was utterly flustered; and, so, the meeting ended early.

Remus joined Lily and James on the walk to their dormitories. "You don't suppose they will close Hogwarts, if things get worse, do you?" He asked the question that was on all their minds.

"No, I don't think they will." Lily stated firmly. "It is probably the safest place that we can be right now."

"I'm sure not everyone's parents will agree." James remarked dryly, thinking of how his own parent were probably out fighting against Voldermort right this moment.

"I hope you're not right James, but -" Remus was cut off as Lily reprimanded a 5th year they came upon.

"What are you doing in the hallway this late?" She descended upon the girl she knew to be from Ravenclaw. "You are to go directly back to your dormitory, and I will not be happy if I have to find a Prefect to escort you back. Don't let me catch you again."

The girl shrugged and started off when Lily called out after her, "Oh, and 10 points from Ravenclaw."

James chuckled, "You sure do like to take points."

"Yeah; funny, when your own friends are probably waiting outside your common room, and they aren't to be out either. I'd say that's a bit hypocritical, wouldn't you James?" Remus poked Lily in the ribs as he teased her. James smiled broadly at her as she pursed her lips at them.

"Oh, that's rich… what about you, Head Boy? How did you get that title anyways?" She retorted smartly.

"I know why!" said an invisible body as they turned the corner.

James sniggered at this, "Why is that, Sirius?"

"Because the old buggers off his rocker!"

At this, the lot of them laughed as they entered the Head's dorm.

"Ouch! Sirius, you're stepping on my foot." Effie complained as they tried to get out from under James's cloak to follow the others into the small passage leading to the common room.

"Where's Peter?" James asked when the fourth Marauder didn't appear from the entrance.

"I haven't the faintest idea." Effie replied, "Sirius and I went looking for him, but with no luck. Sorry."

James shrugged, dismissing the question.

"Merlin, this place is incredible!" Effie said, looking quite astounded. Lily just giggled at her friend and sat down on the settee with James. Sirius took this as his cue to also sit, and he slumped down into one of the two armchairs, and Effie joined James and Lily on the couch.

Remus sat in the armchair opposite Sirius, a contemplative look on his face. "Now that you mention it," he started, "Peter has been missing a lot lately. He wasn't even with us 'last month'."

Effie rolled her eyes at Remus' cryptic statement. "Will you lot just stop with the 'secrets'. It's really starting to get old." She continued to pout as Remus looked slightly uncomfortable at his slip of the tongue.

"Don't worry yourself, Effie." Sirius said sprightly. "We have plenty of other interesting things to tell you."

"Well, then do, please, tell away." Effie replied, still pouting, but only slightly now. Sirius's lips curved into a devious smile.

"You know what an animagus is right?" He asked. Lily's head snapped up quickly.

"That's illegal; there is no way you're an animagus." She said, stubborn in her own opinions. James paled at her statement, nervous at her accusation.

Sirius laughed sharply her direction. "You think so?" It wasn't as much of a question.

Effie sputtered. "I, but, no… you… James?"

Unlike her friend, Lily believed them. She was fascinated. "Really?" She asked, her eyes sparkling at James as she leaned into him.

James chuckled at her. "Yes, really." He looked past Lily at Effie, and his chuckles became a roaring laughter.

Effie's chin was set stubbornly tight, her eyes suspicious. "Okay, prove it." She challenged them. Before the words were even out of her mouth, there was a dog at her sitting at her feet. Her head jolted up, as she searched the room for the possible animagus. Siris. With that she gave the dog a good swift kick. After all, it wasn't fair to be lied to.

Sirius morphed back, rubbing his now tender shoulder. "Wha was that for any how?" He groaned.

"For lying, that's what." She retorted. "What are you James? Is Peter one too?"

"Yes, Peter is, he is a rat, and I am a stag." James said the last part proudly. Lily was transfixed on her boyfriend. His confidence was alluring.

"Teach us." Effie said.

"Now, wait a moment. This is dangerous, and I never once asked them to do it for me. I will not have more of you joining in illegal activites." Remus stated firmly, laying down the rules. He cringed in after though. That was the second time that evening he said something he shouldn't have.

Lily looked up at Remus. She knew, but he didn't know that she knew; so she gave him a sympathetic look instead of understanding.

Effie was too far entranced of the idea of being an animagus that she didn't take notice.

"What it takes, really, essentially, is just determination. It won't work unless you feel the need to become an animal through out your body. Then, when you have it, you take your wand and transform yourself with a simple spell. "Permuto-Animus"." James said, and continued, "After you get comfortable, and know how it works, you can eventually transform through sheer will."

The group sat in silence. The marauders watched carefully as both Lily and Effie sat in silent concentration.

"Permuto-Animus." Effie spelled, carefully tapping her head with the wand in her hand.

Everyone looked at her.

Nothing.

"Drats!" Effie cursed.

"Remember what I said," James reminded her, "complete and utter concentration."

A few moments later Lily spelled herself.

She felt, different. Her senses heightened, and she felt eyes upon her. It was unnerving, she wanted to get away. They were talking, she knew that much, her sight was all of a sudden impeccable, and her skin… her head swiveled. Not skin, hair. It was, everywhere. Feeling extremely uncomfortable, and alarmed she started to jump, and tried to run.

"Contrapristinus." Sirius charmed between chuckles.

Lily stood there for a second. Gathering her bearings, she asked, "What happened?"

"You did it." James praised her. He looked dumbfounded. "You… you're a doe."