Fate of Fangs, Claws, and Hearts | Marauders Fanfic / Part 1

7 - New beginning?

"Remus: overthinking every glance. Sirius: holding a funeral for James' crush. Phil: surviving talking staircases, and nosy Gryffindors. Welcome to Hogwarts - where chaos isn't a side effect, it's the curriculum."

...

Remus' POV:

»And that's why the coolest Animagus form is a dog,« Sirius looked dead serious at Professor McGonagall.
The Transfiguration teacher shook her head, her hat's tip swaying back and forth, then she muttered something about young Black's behaviour. It seemed as though she was losing faith in some of her students, specifically Sirius, probably wondering how his last essay on Animagi had received an 'Exceeds Expectations'.
We had first learned about the Animagus spell in third year, and for various reasons, my friends had become unregistered Animagi. For about half a year now, they could transform into animals without any issues, though they still needed time to perfect the spell. Their help was invaluable, yet the knowledge of their presence in the forest with me during the full moon filled me with dread. I certainly did not want to continue locking myself up in the Shrieking Shack, but their Animagus forms left a bitter taste.

And yet, despite the Marauders' presence, I still hurt the girl last full moon...

Dwelling on it only brought guilt, so I forced myself back to the present. Professor McGonagall was moving down the row of seats, and I suppressed a grin. After finishing her path, she turned to Lily. The Gryffindor put her hand down, and James was staring at her a bit too intensely.
Lily cleared her throat and spoke, »An Animagus is a witch or wizard who can voluntarily transform themselves into a specific animal and back again. It is a learned skill, not an inherited one, unlike Metamorphmagi. There is an Animagus Registry that records all Animagi so they cannot disappear undetected.«
»Very good!« the professor praised. »Five house points for Gryffindor! Now, I want to get to the reason why I had you repeat this information.« She walked to the teacher's desk, and the attendees' gazes followed her.
Padfoot, however, just snorted grumpily and made funny faces behind the back of the Transfiguration professor, then turned to Prongs and whispered sharply, »I said the same thing!«
»Yes, but there were two contradictions,« Prongs whispered back, causing Sirius to look at him expectantly. »Firstly, you can't say the Registry is bullshit, and secondly, the dog is not the best form.«
»Ah, and what is? A stag?«
James nodded, then they started a discussion.

Yes, those are my friends, I sighed inwardly.

Although I tried to follow the lesson, my concentration was lacking. With the two chatterboxes and other thoughts, focusing was a rarity. My mind wandered to this Phil. Yesterday, I had seen her in the Gryffindor common room, which could only mean Dumbledore had admitted her to Hogwarts. Being in a dormitory with Lily and the other girls, Lily's friends, meant that talking to the new girl would be difficult. Lily and her friends did not like us, well, they liked me somewhat, but still, they would protect Phil.
»Good answer, Mister Snape. Five house points for Slytherin!« the professor's voice rang out again, and I looked up. I didn't know what she had asked him, but according to Padfoot, something unimportant. Sirius mimicked McGonagall's words next to me. James had to struggle to keep from laughing.

What great and mature friends I have...

»Well then, class is dismissed for today. Don't forget: a two-page essay on the characteristics of transfiguration-related spells is due next week!« the witch called out, wagging her finger warningly. »Self-study is the key to great exam results!«
Then all the students rose and tried to leave the classroom as quickly as possible, as if a nasty monster was closely following behind them.

Pure nonsense.

I also made my way out and had to wait outside the classroom for my dear friends. My right foot tapped impatiently. I blew out air in annoyance.
When they finally had the decency to show up, I could hear an annoyed, »Something wrong, Potter?«
I looked towards the door, where Prongs was shaking his head, letting Lily and Snape pass. His gaze was subtly disturbing, so Padfoot pushed him towards me and Peter.
»You can't deny it anymore, love has caught you!« Padfoot laughed, and James hit his arms as Sirius continued, »A fallen brother! Let's hold a moment of silence!«
»Man, you're nuts!« Prongs snapped back, but Padfoot just grinned. That he did not notice two fourth-year girls giving him dreamy looks was good. Not only Prongs was feeling the effects of puberty, no, the entire fourth year. That Sirius would soon become a heartthrob was beginning to show. I just hoped he would not realise it too soon, as he was someone who loved attention.
Therefore, I no longer paid attention to the girls and together we went to Herbology. A subject Padfoot hated, which is why he complained all the way there. Yes, he was a pleasant companion.