Professor Merrythought's approval wasn't just an encouragement it was a yes to an unexpected adventure.
And it was all that they needed.
But while Remus buried himself in books, searching for anything about Hogwarts' enchantments, James's mind was already two steps ahead.
A map would help them avoid danger, yes, but what happened when they found Remus in his werewolf form?
Hiding was one thing. Protecting him was another.
And so, one evening, as Remus disappeared into the library, James leaned in close to Sirius and Peter. "We need to take it one step further."
Sirius, arched an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"We need to become Animagi."
Peter, mid-sip of pumpkin juice, choked violently, sputtering. "WHAT?!"
James continued, "Think about it. We can't exactly fight a werewolf, but we don't have to. Werewolves only attack humans. If we're not human, we can stay with him."
Sirius's expression flickered from surprise to a proud smile.
Peter, on the other hand, looked horrified. "But… but that's illegal! It takes years! Even adult wizards struggle with it!"
James shrugged casually. "Then we'll just have to be better than the adults."
The map idea and the Animagus transformation ran parallel, feeding into each other in ways they didn't yet realize.
The BEGIN of CONQUEST
One question had to be answered first:
How did Hogwarts track people?
How did it know where they were, where they needed to go, and when to stop them?
If they could understand the castle's magic, they could tap into it. Over the next few weeks, the four of them set out on a carefully orchestrated mission, gathering information without raising suspicion.
Professor Flitwick (Charms)
James had picked Flitwick first because the tiny Charms Master loved brilliant, unconventional magic. If there was a way to track movement magically, Flitwick would know it.
"Professor, how do the staircases know when to move?"
Flitwick brightened up at the question, adjusting his robes as he stepped into a passionate lecture.
"Ah, now that is a fascinating bit of ancient enchantment, Mr. Potter! The staircases don't move randomly, you see. They are tied to the very fabric of Hogwarts' enchantments! a system of tracking magic woven into the foundation of the castle itself. The Founders ensured Hogwarts would always be... ahm… aware of its inhabitants."
"So the castle knows where we are at all times?" Sirius asked, feigning curiosity.
Flitwick nodded. "Oh, undoubtedly! But it's not a simple spell, mind you…it's an enchantment that has grown stronger over time, adapting to new students and teachers."
Flitwick blinked, clearly intrigued by the whole situation. He continued, "same happens with all these lit torches in Hogwarts. You see… The torches aren't manually lit, nor are they enchanted with individual spells. Instead, Hogwarts has a network of ambient charms that react to presence. Whenever a student or teacher enters a space, the castle recognizes them and activates the necessary charms, light, warmth, and sometimes even rearranging furniture if needed!"
Lily Evans said, "So Hogwarts… senses us?"
Flitwick nodded enthusiastically. "Oh yes Ms. Lily! The castle is always aware of its inhabitants!"
James and Sirius exchanged glances.
Peter gulped. "So… could someone, theoretically, tap into that magic?"
Flitwick chuckled, waving a hand. "Oh, Mr. Pettigrew, that would be impossibly advanced magic! I daresay, even if someone tried, Hogwarts has a way of keeping its secrets safe."
The next professor on the list was Professor Binns (History of Magic).
But professor Binns was less helpful, and was just too dull to even listen to properly.
Professor, has anyone ever successfully mapped all of Hogwarts?"
Binns actually paused mid-sentence, which was a minor miracle.
"Mapped Hogwarts? Preposterous, Mr. Lupin. The castle has never been fully charted!"
Peter asked, "Why not?"
Binns snorted dismissively. "Because the castle is alive! Hogwarts grows, adapts, and changes to fit the needs of its students. Staircases move, walls shift, rooms appear and disappear. No wizard—no matter how powerful—has ever been able to keep up with it."
Sirius tapped his fingers on the desk thoughtfully. "Not even the Founders?"
Binns waved a ghostly hand. "Even the Founders only knew portions of it.
But they built the castle, didn't they? Sirius interrupted.
"They built the castle, yes—but they also allowed it to evolve. That is why it has never been mapped."
James sighed. "So there's no record of its original layout?"
"None that remain!" Binns declared. "And even if they did, the castle would no longer match such a blueprint. It evolves, Mr. Potter, just as you do."
Remus furrowed his brows. "Then… if the castle itself is aware, perhaps its magic isn't locked away in books. Perhaps it's… instinctual."
James leaned in. "Like… memory?"
Remus nodded slowly. "If Hogwarts is enchanted to protect its students, it must have a way of recognizing them. And if it recognizes them, then it knows where they are at all times."
A map wouldn't have to force the castle's magic—it would only need to listen to it.
The next professor was Professor McGonagall (Transfiguration) the biggest risk. She could smell mischief from a mile away. And james potter favorite class.
"Professor, is it possible to enchant an object so that it carries a spell forever? Without needing a wizard to maintain it?"
McGonagall gave him a piercing look. "Why do you ask, Mr. Potter?"
James said innocently. "Just curious, Professor."
McGonagall narrowed her eyes. "Well, That depends entirely on the spell and the skill of the caster."
Sirius leaned in, "Well Professor, I was wondering, if a powerful enough wizard wanted to, could they leave a spell imprinted on an object, so that it continues working long after they're gone?"
McGonagall pursed her lips, but she answered anyway.
"Yes, but such magic is far beyond your level. The Founders themselves were known to create enchantments that last centuries, Hogwarts is full of them. But modern wizards rarely achieve that level of magic."
"Rarely doesn't mean never, does it?" James answered with his head down and quill levitating in his hand effortlessly.
McGonagall gave him a long, knowing stare. "Mr. Potter, I sincerely hope you are not planning anything that will have me at my wit's end."
James grinned wider. "Wouldn't dream of it, Professor."
McGonagall clearly didn't believe him.
But that was fine—because she had just confirmed their growing suspicion.
Then came professor Professor Slughorn (Potions) though not their first choice, had a treasure trove of knowledge, especially about rare magical substances, that was useful to them.
Peter, who was best at buttering up Slughorn, leaned forward eagerly.
"Professor, is there a potion that can reveal magic? Like, if you wanted to see spells hidden in an object or a place?"
Slughorn clearly pleased by Peter's interest, started, "Ah, now that is a question of great alchemical significance! There are such potions, my boy. Certain detection draughts can reveal lingering enchantments, but none are powerful enough to expose Hogwarts' deeper magics. The castle was built with protections far beyond ordinary spellwork."
Peter looked at james and with a nod of affirmation from him continued, "But Professor… if someone really wanted to see hidden magic, what would they need?"
Slughorn chuckled. "They would need the insight of the Founders themselves!"
All four of them exchanged sharp glances.
There it was. The Founders. Everything led back to them.
A week later one evening just after the final exams of the 3rd year ended as the four of them were packing their belongings, the fire in the Gryffindor common room burned low, casting long shadows across their faces.
Remus, hunched over a massive tome, suddenly snapped his head up.
"I think I found something."
James, Sirius, and Peter immediately gathered around him.
Remus tapped a faded page in an ancient book.
"The castle does know where people are—but not because of a single spell. It's because of the Founders themselves."
Sirius frowned. "Founder? Again?"
Remus's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Hogwarts is alive in its own way. It adapts, it protects, it moves. That's why the staircases shift, why some rooms appear only when needed. The castle always knows where we are."
James's said "So if we want to track people, we don't need to create new magic… We just need to tap into the magic that's already there!"