Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
James closed the dusty book with a loud snap earning the attention of the other three. "That's it." He said sighing. "We'll just have to become animagi."
"What?" Sirius asked from his place leaning against Remus's side. The other three closed their dusty books and looked at James.
"Animagus." James said patiently.
"But that'll take forever." Sirius moaned.
"It'll teach you a lesson in patience." Remus said.
"We'll start tomorrow. We need some things." James said making a list and handing each person some things to get. James figured, because he had found the answer, he would be on snack duty and so when the other three set off to find things ranging in importance, he slipped on his cloak of invisibility and slipped off to the candy shop in Hogsmead.
It had been a long time. It felt like longer each full moon Remus spent alone until the other three could successfully transform. He'd return from particularly painful full moons, his entire body torn to shreds until finally the three snuck down to see if it had worked. In their animal forms, the stepped hesitantly in the Shrieking Shack. The large gold wolf looked at them critically but did not attack. He shrunk back as Sirius stepped forward, his large black barrel chest looking more impressive and imposing than the toothpick of a fat rat that was Peter and the tall but thin form of James the stag. Remus moved suspiciously closer to Sirius who allowed Remus to sniff before seeming to accept them. Suddenly Remus was more like a huge puppy than a threatening werewolf. He chased the others around the shack but learned quickly how much was too much when his paw was skewered by one of James's antlers and he was bit on the hand by Peter when he tapped him a bit too hard. Before sun up the three snuck back into the castle, leaving Remus to himself.
The next morning Remus was in the hospital wing with a punctured right hand and a small bite on his left. As those were his only two injuries he was sent on his way with a band aid on his bite and a bandage concealing his puncture wound. He went outside, enjoying the sun that warmed his tired body. He saw Sirius who seemed to be sleeping under a tree. He walked up silently and sat with him between his outstretched legs, leaning his back onto Sirius's chiseled chest. "Out already? That's a first." Sirius mumbled as his arms wrapped around Remus's waist.
"Thanks to you and the tweedles." Remus smiled as he kissed Sirius over his shoulder.
"I prefer Prongs." James said plopping down next to them. Peter followed suit.
"Pervert." Remus laughed.
"No! Code names. You're Moony, Sirius is Spot, I'm Prongs, and Peter is... I haven't thought of one for Peter yet." James said.
"Mickey." Remus offered. The other three looked at him confused.
"How about Wormtail?" Sirius offered.
"Yeah that's good." James nodded.
"And do you really think I'm cool with Spot?" Sirius asked.
"Max? Fluffy? Killer?" James offered.
"How about the Grimm?" Sirius did his best impression of a scary monster face and was disappointed when the others laughed at him.
"Mutt." Remus laughed.
"Let's see. What do dogs have?" James asked.
"Wolf." Sirius hissed.
"Pointy ears." Peter said.
"Fur." Remus said.
"Fleas." Sirius said scratching his head.
"Don't get any of that on me! I use shampoo for that." Remus huffed.
"I like their little toes." James cooed thinking of adorable puppy feetsies.
"Padded feet." Remus said rolling his eyes at James's stupidity.
"Padfoot." Sirius said experimentally.
"But that's not very specific. I mean Wormtail is pretty specific. And Prongs is pretty obvious too." James said.
"Reindeer and moose and antlers." Sirius protested.
"Cats have padded toesies." James cooed over the thought of tiny kitten footsies.
"We should get tattoos." Sirius said eagerly. "With our code names."
"Then it's not a very good secret is it." James said.
"But it's cool." Sirius pouted.
"We'll get tattoos when James not around because he's a kill joy." Remus whispered to Sirius who was gleeful. "I like this." Remus said softly. A place where he could be himself. Friends that were working so hard to help him. A boyfriend who loved him so perfectly. Not to mention his grades weren't hurting because of his exposure to the other marauders...yet.
"I want a moon. One that changes with the phases of the moon." Sirius smiled at the thought, that way he wouldn't have to remember if the full moon was coming up or not. "Right here." Sirius said tapping his shoulder.
"I'm thinking a small paw print. Maybe the four of us, out paw prints?" Remus said thoughtfully. "On my back right here." He said tapping his left shoulder blade.
"That's adorable." Sirius smiled as he kissed Remus again.
"If you two are done snogging we were talking about-" James interrupted.
"We were not snogging; it was just a small peck." Sirius protested. Yes, Remus was happy. Remus was home.