{1} The Marauders and the Whomping Willow ✔️

Chapter 6: Operation Revenge

"How about Hogboys?"

"Nope" replied Sirius.

"How about Potter and friends?"

"Not everything is about you James." replied Sirius rolling his eyes.

Peter and James laughed at this as Sirius gave them a pleased smile as they walked to their first class, Transfiguration. Remus looked extremely tired, pale, almost ill, even so he managed a smile. Sirius regretted disturbing his sleep the night before and vowed to somehow make up for it.

"Alright then how about Death Feasters? Like you know the opposite of Death Eaters."

"Yeah I like that!" said Peter.

James felt pleased with himself. Sirius felt slightly uncomfortable. A lot of his own family were Death Eaters. Would James hate him too if he knew?

"No." said Remus. "That's not even the opposite of Death Eaters. That's like Death Eaters on steroids."

"Life Eaters?" asked James with a sheepish smile.

"Doesn't really have a ring to it." said Sirius with his own crooked grin.

"Alright I give up why don't you think of one?"

"The Gangsters?" piped in Peter hopefully.

"Really Peter you're worse than James." said Remus.

"Fine then hot-shot why don't you give it a try?" retorted James.

"I'm too tired."

The rest of the boys didn't pursue it any further, indeed the way he held himself proof enough that he was weary beyond belief so instead made their way to transfiguration joking about James's lack of creativity.

Taking their seats as soon as they reached the class Sirius realised they had transfiguration with the Ravenclaws, thank god it wasn't Slytherin. He had already gotten spiteful looks from Lucius Malfoy. His cousin Narcissa, who just happened to be going out with Malfoy, hadn't even looked at him, if she did her eyes swiftly brushed past him as if he were nothing.

Blood Traitor.

He had written to his parents this morning to tell them he was in Gryffindor. He didn't want them to hear it second hand, especially not from his cousin or Lucius. Things are always worse when heard second hand.

The tables were set in pairs Sirius was sitting next to a very excited James with Remus and Peter sitting right behind them. The class chattered excitedly, after all it was their first lesson.

Right on time Professor McGonagall walked through the doors her dark tartan robes swishing elegantly as she went. Once again Remus felt compelled to her powerful beauty. She gave the class a stern look before starting.

"Welcome first years to your very first lesson." there was not a trace of severity in her tone but she still commanded a sort of fearful respect. "Before I begin I must tell you that Transfiguration is the the most complex and dangerous magic you will ever perform at Hogwarts. Anyone who misbehaves in my class will not be coming back. Have I made myself clear?"

As if on cue James knocked over his Transfiguration book and gave the Professor a sheepish smile, which was received by a look of indifference from McGonagall and giggling from the students. Sirius laughing picked it up from the floor and handed it over to James as McGonagall continued her speech promptly turning her desk into horse and turning it back again.

The students were all awed and eager to start, but to their dismay they found they started with something rather boring, that being turning a matchstick into a needle. By the end of the lesson only James, Remus, Lily and a few Ravenclaws had managed to make any difference to their matchsticks. The professor for the first time looked pleased and flashed them a rare smile.