Severus narrowed his eyes as two sleek Siamese cats slinked through Remus's office clearly intent on the big shaggy dog looking proudly at a small sleek black cat with bright green eyes. Severus wondered if he should say something but Remus shook his head. Severus decided to sit back and watch the fun, and sure enough one of the Siamese jumped on Padfoot getting him to yelp in surprise and the other "attacked" the shaggy Animagmus. These two cats were of course Fred and George Weasley and they had been secretly working with McGonagall to become Animagmus, if they kept their studies up and got good grades. They had been in a race with Harry in getting their forms and they had just become cats the day before. This was Harry's first day and he would use this form for a few weeks before he progressed onto others.
"Honestly how am I to concentrate with you lot making so much nose?" Hermione huffed.
"Oh you well get it Hermione, have patience, just because Harry got his first shape before you did does not mean a thing, you are still far smarter than him." Remus said, "then again witches always are smarter than wizards, well known fact."
"Moony that is why you are second only to me in wizard brains." Severus said, "now I think you are ready to transform Miss Granger. Come now, remember you have this power, you control it, reach inside."
Just a few weeks prior Hermione had got her magical tests back and was thrilled to be a Shapeshifter like Harry was. To be part of such a small and honored club as that of the Shapeshifter humbled her and she had started to work hard on her first form. The first form was the hardest but once she was used to being in animal and keeping her human mind she could, like Harry start on other forms. She thought of her first form, that of a cat and imagined herself as that animal and willed herself to the form. She felt her center of balance change and she opened her eyes and squealed in delight, but it came out as a meow. Severus smirked down at the long haired brown tabby with golden eyes and then, unable to handle it anymore he turned to Shadow and chased Mischief (Fred) and Mayhem (George) around the room.
Remus sat at his desk amused at his friends and the children turned animals romping around the room. He looked up and saw Lily was smiling at the animals and James was grinning a proud look in his eyes. Both James and Lily knew that Harry and Hermione were made for each other, right now though they could spend their time as innocent children. They knew the war was not over, that Harry had a long and hard road ahead but he had friends and powers he would be able to use for good. They knew he would help lead this world to freedom as well and a new age and they only wished they had lived to be there for him in flesh and blood. Finally the Animagmus turned human and it was Hermione who came up with a great idea.
"Why don't we see who else wants to become an Animagmus?" Hermione said.
"It would have to be done quietly." Severus said.
"Yea it would not due to let Percy know about this, he would not be happy." Fred said.
"Well if he had an animal form maybe he would not be such a prat." George replied.
"Let's ask ickle Ronnikins first, I bet he would be something cool." Fred said.
"Brother dearest you are always so wise, we shall go ask him ourselves." George said.
"Then brew the potions for him!"
"No that is one potion he will need to brew himself." Severus said, "it is one that even a first year can brew."
"Why is it not in the potions text then?" Sirius asked.
"It's restricted because of the oh so wise ministry, the potion is the easy part of the Animagmus training, and far too many who are not skilled would try it and could end up permanently an animal, never knowing they were human at one time." Lily said.
"Which is why Slughorn helped us with our transformation." James said.
"I thought all he could turn to was a chair." Severus said.
"That is done with a rune stone, no he is a Persian cat."Lily said, "Pomona is a badger…"
"No she cannot be, really?" Harry said grinning, "what is Flitwick?"
"Bat, not a joke." Severus said, "no-one would suspect that."
"Professor Snape sir, I saw the registry for Animagmus, how come there are only seven shown on it?" Hermione asked.
"That is the public record, the unspeakables have the private record, one in every four Aurors are Animagmus and one in five witches and wizards are too." Sirius said. "Amazing really."
"Hnn, yes and in fact, Rita Skeeter turn human I know you are here!" Severus said, "do not make me get a can of raid!"
There was a pop and a woman in bright neon green robes appeared. She had diamond rimmed glasses, blond hair carefully done blond hair and bright pink lipstick. She glared at Severus who just glared at her, Harry knew who she was and he was put out she had been spying on him! He turned to her glaring for all he was worth an any question she was about to ask him faltered on her lips. She was an Animagmus and Severus had finally found out just what kind seeing her transform one day on the edge of the grounds, she of course had not see him. It was a very lucky break for Severus and he had taken full advantage of it waiting for her to slip up and sneak in her, she had snuck in on his robes of all things and he had pretended to not see her there, that had paid off fully now.
"I just wanted to see Harry transform, a Shapeshifter, what an honor!" Rita breathed.
"You say anything about this to anyone and that will be the last thing you do." Severus said, "I can make you disappear."
"No, no I could not, Harry is a Shapeshifter, he has power over us lowly Animagmus." Rita said bowing to a shocked Harry, "the laws of nature state I cannot harm you my lord Shapeshifter. Your wish is my command."
"Well fine, um don't say anything about anyone here or their forms." Harry said.
"This will go well in your favor Harry." Sirius said, "time to change the government I think allow me?"
"Yea sure." Harry said.
"Rita how would you like to really help the magical community?" Sirius asked.
"What do you have in mind?" Rita asked.
"Well how would you like to report how you wanted, not just dig up dirt on whoever the ministry wants you to?"
"I am listening."
"Well I have been looking around for a better paper than the Daily Prophet and though for now it's only a monthly magazine I was thinking the Quibbler would be a great place to write what you want when you want. Just one thing, it all has to be the truth, no twisting anything deal?"
"You have yourself a deal Mr. Black." Rita said taking his hand sealing the deal.
Sirius had gone to speak to Xeno Lovegood and had offered to buy shares in the Quibbler, he had become a partner in the magazine and helped Xeno come up with a plan to make this where the Wizarding world could get their news and entertainment as well. Xeno would still get to put his beloved stories on rare and hard to find animals and Sirius would hire staff for investigative reporting (Rita) staff for an advice column (Mary Green nee MacDonald) and a column that would give tips and such on running a household by Molly Weasley. Sirius smiled a bit evilly, he was going to make a corrupt government pay for all it had done to him and others like him. He spoke to Rita and had her first assignment, to find out who had framed Hagrid all those years ago or at the very least have him swear on magical relics that he was innocent of opening the chamber of secrets.
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A few hours later Ron was reading, yes reading his charms book, he did not want to fall behind any of his fellow students, after all even Neville was doing quite well and he had to do well! He just had to as he was not the best mate of Harry and he still felt he had to do something to prove he deserved to be his friend. Studying and really taking his studies seriously would, he hoped show Harry he was not just some prat trying to use his fame. He looked up as Fred and George came over, cast a privacy spell around them and sat down.
"Brother dear we have a proposal for you." Fred said.
"Yes, not a prank or anything like it." George added, "tells us brother dear have you ever wanted to be an Animagmus?"
"You are having me on." Ron said.
"No, just answer the question, do you?" Fred asked.
"Yea, but well can I?" Ron asked, "I mean how would I know?"
"Well all you have to do is go to professor Lupin's office and brew a potion, drink it and have your answer if you can be one or not." Fred said.
"We think you can, you are a Weasley and well Fred and I are." George said, " Siamese cats!"
"I'm not the best at brewing, what if I mess up?" Ron asked.
"We will help you."Fred said, "come on ickle brother."
"I will, but only if you stop calling me that you prats!" Ron said.
"Deal." The twins said at once.
They took him down to Lupin's office and helped him brew the potion. Ron was over the moon, the twins, his brothers were helping him and not pranking him! Maybe they would let him, their younger brother help in a prank or two? With their help he made a perfect potion, finding it very easy. He bottled it and under the watchful eye of Remus, Fred and George he downed the potion. Fred and George grinned at the form he took and he romped and played with them for an hour in his new form. Once he turned human again he was told he would spend time with Sirius to learn to become his form and then, once he mastered his form he would be given a Marauder name. Remus smirked, the marauders were going to take over the school and McGonagall was going to have kittens because of this. Live at Hogwarts was going to get fun very quickly for everyone with the Marauders back in action!