The morning of March 10th, 1975, was unusually crisp and a little awkward. A light mist clung to the grounds of Hogwarts, curling lazily around the Whomping. Remus Lupin, still rubbing sleep from his eyes, was being rather suspiciously escorted by three grinning fellows—James, Sirius, and Peter, all of whom were acting far too pleased with themselves about something they hadn't yet told remus about.
"Why are we going to the Shrieking Shack now?" Remus asked for the third time, glancing at the rising sun. "It's not even dark!"
"No reason," James said, suppressing a smile. "Just thought it could use a bit of spring cleaning."
"Maybe we fancied breakfast with a view," Peter added with a mocking gesture.
"Or maybe we've decided to finally bury the rat in the attic," Sirius said, slinging an arm around Remus and Peter. "But Don't worry, we brought snacks, we are not letting you go hungry."
Remus raised a brow. "You lot are the worst liars. I can clearly tell that you are hiding something…"
Sirius chuckled. "Only when we're hiding something good. Aren't we James? Am I right Peter?"
James and peter both smiled back at him.
By the time they reached the base of the Whomping Willow, James had already pressed the knot on the trunk that froze its flailing branches. The passageway gaped open and one by one, the four of them slipped inside, their footsteps echoing as they walked the familiar path underground.
When they emerged into the dusty, creaking Shrieking Shack, Remus looked around, puzzled.
There was nothing peculiar.
"…You brought me here for?" remus didn't actually like coming to the shack as the scared place reminded of him what chaos and havoc he has casted upon this place every month.
"Oh, hush," Sirius said while putting a finger on remus's mouth. "You've lived here once a month. This place has a Sentimental value." He continued dramatically while putting his hand on his chest.
"Wait right here," James said, guiding Remus to sit on the rickety old sofa that only creaked a little less than Remus's joints after a full moon.
Remus sat, squinting at them. "What's going on?"
The three of them stood before him, exchanging glances, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Alright," James said, clearing his throat theatrically. "Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you…"
"The Greatest Show on Earth!" Sirius interrupted, throwing his arms wide.
Peter waved a hand like a magician's assistant. "Prepare to be amazed Remus, you will be really happy." He tried to snub his laugh.
And then—just like that—it happened. The three of them smiling vibrantly and James motioning Sirius to go first.
Sirius closed his eyes and then his bones compressed, limbs rearranging with fluid, eerie grace, until in his place stood a large, shaggy black dog with startlingly clever eyes. He shifted into a beautiful yet an intimidating black dog.
Remus gasped. Before he could say a word, Peter followed, shutting his eyes then after a minute he opened them.
"Huh…" peter exclaimed with proud.
James put his hand on his forehead. "Peter… you haven't shifted… try again."
Remus gave out an amusing laugh, and Sirius also rolled.
Hearing this peter looked to his hands and then to his body… "Ooopsss" and then shut his eyes and this time he succeeded, shrinking rapidly until a small, twitchy rat blinked up at him from the floorboards.
And then James. His transformation was almost regal, graceful, smooth, horns sprouting from his head as his frame lengthened, transformed, and within seconds, a majestic stag stood proudly in front of him, with its eyes bright expression clearly a sign that said, "We are here for you".
Remus stared, unmoving. And then, tears came to his eyes. Not the quiet, dramatic kind. Real, full-on tears that caught him entirely off-guard. He buried his face in his hands and laughed, even as he cried.
The three animals transformed back, almost in sync, and rushed toward him.
"Mate?" Sirius said, crouching beside him. "Are you alright? You're crying on your birthday, that's my job."
"You—" Remus choked out. "You absolute idiots."
James beamed. "Well, yeah. But clever idiots."
"You did it," Remus said, voice thick. "You actually… you became Animagi. For me."
"Of course we did," Peter said, puffing up proudly.
Sirius threw himself dramatically onto the sofa beside Remus. "You didn't seriously think we'd let you go furry and fanged alone every month, did you? Though we are pretty late."
James sat on the armrest, tossing an arm around his shoulders. Remus shook his head, laughing through his tears. "You could've been expelled. Worse. You broke so many laws—"
Sirius raised a hand. "Please, spare me the lecture. Save it for when Peter inevitably tries to sneak into the kitchens as a rat and gets caught in a mousetrap."
Peter crossed his arms. "You just wait until I start stealing all your socks."
"And James," Remus said, turning to him, still in awe. "A stag. Of course you'd become something noble."
James smirked. "Antlers look good on me, don't they?"
"You're going to knock things over every time you walk through a doorway," Sirius said. "It's going to be amazing."
Remus leaned back, wiping his eyes. The room, for once, didn't feel like a prison. It felt… warm. It felt like home.
"You don't understand what this means to me," he said quietly.
"No," Sirius said softly. "But we don't have to. We just know we'll be there, every time the moon rises. Dog, rat, and stag at your side."
Remus nodded. "this is the best birthday and the best surprise I've ever had."
Then, without warning, Sirius turned into a dog again and lunged onto Remus's lap, tail wagging and tongue hanging out.
"Off! Get off! You weigh a ton!" Remus laughed, trying to shove him off.
Peter turned back into a rat and scurried up James's antlers.
"Oi!" James shouted, mid-transformation. "This isn't a jungle gym, you sneaky rat!"
The room erupted in laughter and chaos—fur flying, furniture tipping, and four best friends losing themselves in the moment, in their mischief, in their unbreakable bond.
And for the first time in years, Remus didn't dread the next full moon.