The next prank was underway and Eyewart and Wormtail were on the lookout for potential openings.
“Do you think I should become an illegal animagus, Wormtail?”
“Dunno… It took a lot…”
“Sounds fun.”
“It’s not.”
They were communicating via telepathic mind messages as Peter wandered along the drapery in his rat form. The unique pair made for a wonderful reconnaissance team.
“Well,” Raegan considered. “I think it would be worth it. I’d like to help keep track of Remus during full moons. It’s kinda like officially being a Marauder, don’t you think?”
“Yeah… sure…”
“So, why do you think you got a rat as your animagus? It’s cool, but why do you–”
“You ask a lot of questions…” Peter suddenly cut in. There was an awkward silence.
“I’m sorry…” Raegan huffed, saying the words out loud this time. Peter sort of felt bad and thought again. “I’m just not used to… you know, people asking me things.”
“Really?” Raegan asked and cleared their throat. “I mean, me too… me too… I usually listen, but I figured recently that if I didn’t say anything, that’s just how it’s going to be for the rest of my life... I'm taking things slow now.”
Peter seemed to resonate with that. As Raegan turned the corner, Peter appeared in his human form. “I think you should become an animagus,” he said out loud. “We could help you.”
“Thanks, Pete,” Raegan gave a reproachful smile, which was met with Peter’s. Just then, they heard voices down the hall. Peter turned back into a rat and Raegan put the invisibility cloak over themselves.
“...the Dark Lord will prevail…” “...he’s gathering even more…” “...death eaters...unstoppable…”
And then the voices passed just as quickly as they arrived.
“What was that..?” Peter thought, going back to telepathic communication.
“Don’t know… Dark Lord fanatics probably…”
“Do you think what they’re saying is true?”
“Well… maybe…”
The duo made their way back to the Gryffindor common room, quite bemused and shaken. The rest of the Marauders sat near the fire. “So, whatcha find?” Sirius leaned in. They spoke in hushed tones.
“Not much besides a couple of murmurs about the Dark Lord…” Raegan muttered. “What’d they say?” James pressed on. “He’s gathering more people…”
Raegan nor Peter like talking about it... Peter hated the idea of people dying. And Raegan has had enough of that talk at home...
“Eyewart says he wants to be an animagus too,” Peter said. The group went silent. "He wants to help Remus."
“Do you?” James asked, rendering Peter’s attempt at changing the subject, effective.
“Er, yeah, I do. I think you could use another person. Maybe it’ll be a bird.” Raegan shrugged with a lopsided smile.
“Don’t fly too high,” Sirius quipped. “But don’t fly too low either," James added with a wink. It was official: Raegan was becoming an animagus.
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06VyjuO7CE
[A/N]: In case you weren't paying attention last time, yes, Raegan is a Marauder. How could anyone forget a Marauder, you may be asking? Well, remember how James said, "You should've been here when we made the map"? Yeah, "Eyewart" isn't written anywhere.
Now, before you start bumbling about if I got the timeline right: Yes, I did. (Did I, though?) Don't read this part if you just want a story and not the whole damn lore. But for my extra-super Potterheads out there and fanfic critics, here's the tea.
↓↓↓YOU DON'T HAVE TO READ THIS PART. IT'S JUST AN EXPLANATION!↓↓↓
It was made between 1974-1978 (According to the HP Wiki, 2023). 1977-78 was their last (7th) year when it got confiscated by Filch early on in the year.
Assuming they got their time's worth with the map and used it well, they obviously finished BEFORE 77. If we do the math, 1971-72 is their first year and they were definitely not casting advanced Homonculus Charms.
'72-73 is their second year.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm9QxWGot7
'73-74 is their third. (Where my story begins)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44mBe8LPfm
'74-75 is their fourth. (Raegen is busy hanging out with the Valkeries.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZsGMA4cCW
'75-76 is their 5th, aka, the year shit went down. (Raegan plots against Snape)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpU4PQkCcms
'76-77 is their 6th.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjP816Amnd
'77-78 is their 7th, or last year where Filch takes the map.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvglv7DDAJ
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6rRuFqwfw
For all of this to work, they'd have started the map around '74 as the wiki stated. Let's say, late early August. Around that time, Raegan wouldn't have "known" too much of the Marauders to be part of the inner circle. They're hanging out with the Valkeries.
(Of course, I say "known" because even if they knew what they were thinking, it's not like any sane person would approach the Marauders and start announcing their secrets in a stupid attempt to "insert themselves". Frankly, I'd be terrified.)
Saying they finished it '75 would be highly unlikely, but possible. Obviously, they care about Moony and would definitely put in their all. There were six full moons starting from January to late June 1975, obviously, but that takes away about a few days (1-3 maybe) and one person from the team. However, they're animagus. They COULD do it.
A tame and much more precise approach would be mid-'75 in their 5th year. That way, it gives time for them to finish and for Raegan to have their whole entire realization arc with Severus.
Picture this: They (The Marauders) just finished the map. High on success, they walk around Hogwarts as if the place was theirs. What better thing to do than bully Snape? So James levicorpuses Snivellus' ass up into the air, Lily tells them to stop, James mocks Severus for "Lily defending him", and Severus calls her a mudblood.
BAM, Lily is hurt, she tells her friends, which consist of Marlene, Mary, and Raegen as an insert, and Raegen gets all mad about it. They decided, "fuck it". And by then, they're contemplating "Should I join in on this 'Severus Snape is the Antagonist' train? Could I?"
Around late '75, a month after the incident, Lily gives zero shits about Severus, Severus, in turn, has ceased his apologies. It's died down. Now, Raegan's mind is set so they go and tell the Marauders some useful intel, they're impressed and they let them in on things, eventually accepting them as part of the crew.
That takes us to the last chapter: "You should have been there when we made the map."
It all makes so much sense now! I'm not going to lie, this chapter was mostly lore dump and explaining, but doesn't a good "OHH" just make you wanna nod your head and think that I, as a writer, am capable? I don't know, this is probably for my own benefit. I CAN NOT post stories until I'm sure there aren't any plot holes. Still, if there are a few by now, what can I do?
My explanation still makes a bit of sense. Feel free to clown me in the comments, I deserve it. This is the hill I will lovingly die on.
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