Twelve-year-old Remus Lupin smiled as brightly as he could manage as he parted ways with his friends - Sirius, James, and Peter. He still didn't feel comfortable lying to them but knew it was better this way. They wouldn't accept him as he was, besides, it was safer if they didn't know, he knew how impulsive James and Sirius could be at times.
This was going to be the first time he walked to the Whomping Willow alone, Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall deeming him old enough now. Though, thankfully, one of them would still be meeting him after his transformation to help him back to the castle.
The journey by himself felt longer. He listened to the sound of the wind, how it flowed through the trees, disturbing the peace of the birds. He looked down when his walking made a louder sound as he broke one of the larger small sticks he had been walking on, making his movements louder than he wanted. He did not want anybody to discover him, did not want to make up an explanation, or worse, be held up and transform before he was in the safety of the room.
After what felt like an hour, he was finally at his destination. Remus timidly pulled out his wand and froze the tree so he could walk into it without being injured - he was relieved when it worked first time without any trouble. He hadn't always been that lucky when practicing with the professors.
Even though Remus usually would have walked this part alone, he felt more lonely than he had since being at home. This was a journey he did not like to take, a journey he wished he didn't have to take, especially alone. But, he was cursed, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Pushing up the hatch door, he heard the familiar squeak, and hoisted himself up before closing and locking the room.
Remus did not waste any time to strip, laying his belongings neatly inside a box before taking a seat on the chair. Waiting. Waiting for his transformation in the beast, into the werewolf.
Thank you for reading this short drabble.
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