By unanimous opinion, they started the stupid Mandrake leaf thing after the beginning of the term feast.

On 2nd September, they stole three Mandrake leaves from the greenhouses.

"Three—"

"Two—"

"One—"

Simultaneously they put it in their mouth.

Sirius gagged. "It's awful."

"I think I'd prefer an earwax flavoured Bertie Bott's," said James faintly.

"And Remus," said Sirius sternly. "You can remove that useless guilty look off your face. We are not doing it for you. We are doing it for the fun."

--------------------

2nd October was a very special day.

James, Sirius and Peter claimed that they had been half starved during the last month, because it was really difficult to eat with a leaf in your mouth.

They celebrated their return to normal life by a visit to the kitchens and a super feast. The house-elves said that they had missed the four of them and served them extra eagerly.

"Now only the last part is left," said James.

"Yeah—concentrate on your animal form..." said Sirius sinisterly.

"It's not possible!" wailed Peter. "We can't become animals—it's not possible. Only seven wizards have become Animagus in the century!"

"Legally," said Sirius, grinning.