As the next full moon approached, James, Sirius and Peter badgered Remus with questions. Remus told them that Madam Pomfrey took him to the Whomping Willow to transform.

"But where does it lead to?" asked James.

"To the Shrieking Shack. It's a deserted house in Hogsmeade," said Remus.

"And then you transform—after that?" prompted Peter.

"Well...I stay there till morning, and then Madam Pomfrey brings me back."

"Where'd you get the scars from?" asked Sirius.

"Lycanthropy is basically a disease that fills someone with a desire of destruction once a month, you know. That's why werewolves bite people—they can't help it," said Remus. "As I am away from other people, I bite and scratch myself. I'm not in control of myself when I am transformed."

His friends were appalled.

"It's not fair!" cried James. "It's not your fault. You shouldn't have to bear this!"

Remus smiled wanly.

"How did you become a werewolf?" asked Peter.

Remus shoulders drooped. "When I was five, the most vicious werewolf in the world today, Fenrir Greyback, bit me. He's awful. He deliberately places himself near humans before he transforms."

"Why did he target you?" asked James, his heart full of sympathy.

"It's actually because my father spoke very strongly against werewolves years back. Greyback got back at him through me."

There was a silence.

Then Sirius spoke. "We can't leave Remus to face his transformations alone."

Remus looked up sharply. "What do you mean?"

"We'll make it less painful for you...somehow..."

"Sirius," said Remus distinctly. "You will do nothing of that sort. Promise me you will never follow me down there?"

Sirius hesitated. Remus grasped his arm. "Please—I couldn't live with it if I hurt you. Any of you. Promise me—"

"All right. I promise that I'll never follow you there without your permission," said Sirius resignedly.

"James—Peter?" said Remus.

"We promise too," they said.

They kept their promise the next full moon. But as soon as day broke, the three of them went to the Hospital Wing, each of them with some little gift for their unfortunate friend.

Remus was sleeping when they went. Madam Pomfrey took their gifts and shooed them out, asking them to visit later.

Professor McGonagall was teaching Animagi that day. She transformed into a tabby cat. The class applauded in delight.

"How do you become Animagus?" asked Marlene eagerly.

"Since none of you are becoming one," said Professor McGonagall drily. "You don't have to learn the process. But still if you want to know, for curiosity's sake, there's a comprehensive book on them in the library called 'Man and Beast'."

Sirius was completely quiet during lunch that day. His friends thought that it was because of the letter he had received earlier that morning from his family, and did not bother him.

He dropped the bombshell in the dorm that night.

"Remus, you said werewolves are dangerous only to humans, right?" he began.

"Yes."

"Then can't we keep you company during your transformations—not as humans?"

"As animals, then?" asked James skeptically.

"Yes, yes—as animals," said Sirius eagerly.

"That's a brilliant idea," said Remus with a straight face. "But I think you've overlooked a little problem—all three of you are humans. Unfortunately."

"I know that," said Sirius impatiently. "But didn't you listen to Professor McGonagall today? People can transform into animals!"

"Animagus, you mean. Well...it's an idea..." said James thoughtfully.

"No, James, it's not an idea," said Remus, putting his foot down. "You know Sirius is crazy—he always is, as a matter of fact..."

"I was serious, Remus!" said Sirius, looking injured.

"Animagus transformations can go horribly wrong!" said Remus loudly. "You can be stuck as half human, half animal for all your life!"

"It's James and me, Remus! Do you think there's any spell in the world we can't do, if we try properly?"

"You can't register when you're underage! That's five more years!"

"Who says we've got to register?"

Remus looked faint. "Unregistered—illegal Animagi...at twelve years?" he muttered.

"You've got the point at last!"

"Sirius..." said James slowly. "It's a brilliant idea—the perfect idea! Now we can keep Remus company when he transforms, and maybe we can prevent him from hurting himself too!"

"James—" protested Remus.

"What are we waiting for?" said Sirius. "Let's bring the book from the library."

"Sirius, wait—" said Remus in despair.

"Shut up, Remus, you can't stop us. Peter, you up for it?"

"Yes," said Peter doubtfully. "If you two do, I'll do it too, of course."

"Good boy," said James. He took out his Invisibility Cloak. "Let's go, Sirius."

James and Sirius sneaked to the library and found the book in twenty minutes. While coming back, they decided to discard the cloak, as they were not doing anything against the rules, as Sirius said.

They crossed Professor McGonagall. Something in their expression made her call out, "Potter, Black, what were you doing?"

"Just borrowing a book from the library, Professor," said James, politely. Too politely, she thought.

"May I see which book you're borrowing?"

"Sure. It's the one you mentioned in class today, Professor."

Professor McGonagall surveyed the book and then the two of them over her glasses. Then she nodded.

James and Sirius went back to the dorm.

"You are really serious about this thing?" asked Remus.

"'Course we are. You see if we don't succeed in a few months, Moony," said Sirius.

"Moony? What sort of name is that?" demanded Remus.

"It suits you!" cried Peter, delightedly.

"How are you, Moony?" asked James.

"Have you finished your homework, Moony? Can we copy it, Moony?" asked Sirius, grinning.

"Good night, Moony," said Peter.

"Idiots," Remus muttered, shaking his head.