It was ten to midnight on the full moon of September. James, Peter and Sirius put on the Invisibility Cloak and sneaked out of the dormitory.

Lily was the only one present in the common room, and she was working with a large pile of books.

Sirius nudged James.

"What?" whispered James, because Sirius had stopped walking. The next thing James and Peter saw was an empty bottle flying across the room, and shattering beside Lily's chair.

Lily screamed and jumped out of her chair. "Who's there?" she called out in a shaking voice.

Shaking with silent laughter, the Marauders stepped out of the common room.

Within five minutes, they were standing near the Whomping Willow.

"Let's transform," said James. He hid the cloak behind a bush beside the tree.

Wormtail slipped through the branches the pressed the knot. The flailing tree froze.

Sirius barked his approval. The three of them walked through the tree, and followed the long passage. They reached the room.

James transformed back for a moment, and examined the room. "The Shrieking Shack," said James quietly. "We're here."

A howl came from upstairs. Sirius instinctively stepped in front of James and barked at him to transform. Then they climbed the stairs.

There was Remus. No, not Remus. It was the monster that was hidden inside their gentle, caring, kind-hearted friend.

The werewolf stopped lashing and howling when he saw the animals.

Prongs and Padfoot went and flanked Moony on both sides. Moony howled softly, as if in recognition.

The uncertain part was now done. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs went out through the tunnel and ventured out to the Hogwarts grounds. Prongs led the way into the Forbidden Forest.

For hours till dawn, they explored the forest.

They came across a group of pure white unicorns, who fled into the forest—all but one, who came up enquiringly to Prongs.

Padfoot growled. As this unicorn fled too, Prongs and Moony glared (figuritively) at Padfoot.

While they were returning, Hagrid's voice called out, "Who's there?"

They hid behind a clump of trees till Hagrid went back to his hut.

Padfoot and Prongs led Moony back to the Shrieking Shack and then they returned to the dormitory with Wormtail.

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

The next morning, when they went to see Remus, he was already awake and looked quite cheerful. There were hardly any new scars on his arms.

"I was in control of myself yesterday," he said, grinning. "I don't know how—but the moment you three came, my mind became much less wolfish."

"Purpose served then," said James cheerfully.

"You make a good-looking wolf, Moony," said Sirius, grinning.

"I don't know how to thank the three of you." Remus voice was quiet.

"Don't," advised Sirius.

"We'll gradually explore the entire grounds of Hogwarts. We'll know it better than anyone who has stepped into this school!" said James.

"And can't we go to the Hogsmeade, too?" suggested Peter.

"In due time, I guess we will. We've got three whole years," said James.

"Three cheers for the Marauders!" cried Sirius, getting so over-excited that he pushed James off the bed.

"When will you grow up, Padfoot?" demanded his friends.

"A day before Prongs does."