Dislclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter quite obviously
Warning: SLASH! GAYNESS! GUY ON GUY. If you do not like do not read, simple? Good now we all agree.
On with the story
Wind howled viciously around the tower rattling the windows. It wasn't a rare occurrence for the weather to be as it was, yet tonight it seemed to have more of a ferocious edge to it. The rain drummed against the glass and the sound cut through the chatter of the Gryffindor common room.
A seventeen year old boy with messy hair and round glasses was sitting in one of the chairs looking like the epitome of all that was droopiness. His head rested on the arm while he stared longingly into the fire. He sighed, pretending he didn't notice the three figures sitting around him.
'James, and I call you James because you are no longer worthy of being called Prongs, you are being amazingly pathetic,' Sirius said. His shaggy midnight hair reached his shoulders and his smile was one that could charm the devil himself. He prodded his friend on the chair to try and get some sort of reaction but none came other than a sigh. His eyes turned to the other two friends in a desperate plea.
'Prongs what did she do this time?' Remus tried. He thought that if he didn't respond to Sirius's insults then all that was left was to actually get him to talk about it.
'I like the fire,' James replied simply. 'It's red like her hair. Her long silky hair.'
'Oh god. Moony tell me he is possessed. I can't take this.' Sirius fell back into another chair the back of his hand covering his head in a dramatic manner. Remus wished he could, but alas their mighty friend was completely and utterly love sick with someone who was never going to return his affections.
'It can't be all that bad, right Prongs? You could have other girls,' Peter suggested his rosy cheeks flared up by the fire.
'She has my heart! Her and her alone,' James was sat up now and his hand covered his heart to emphasise his point. Sirius responded by hitting him in the face with a cushion. He fell back into the seat with an almighty thump.
'Man up, either move on or try to win her over, this is not the Prongs we know and love, he would not be wasting his youth moping.' Sirius' words fell on deaf ears.
'She has those little freckles, the ones that go over her nose.'
'Well done, she also has green eyes, what is your point?' demanded Sirius. At the mention of green eyes James seemed to shrivel up even more into his chair.
The wind gave another powerful blast and Remus looked out of the window. They would have to go soon. It was getting close to evening and it was a full moon tonight. He couldn't help the usual fear running over him. His worries were strengthened by one of his watchers being not much more than a puddle of goo.
Turning back to his friends he unconsciously scratched his scar and tried to figure out the best way to move the situation forward.
'You know if she walks in and sees you like this she will undoubtedly be strengthened in her resolve to ignore you out of existence,' he pointed out. James stood up at the comment and they all grinned. That was until he started trudging towards the stairs.
'She won't see me if I'm in the boy's bedroom.'
'Yes she will. I'll send her there,' Sirius replied. James eyes widened and for a moment Remus wondered whether it wasn't James who could turn into a puppy. 'Oh for god's sake we have to get to the…we have to go to detention.' Remus raised his eyebrow in Sirius's direction. There seemed to be a negative correlation between Sirius's brilliance and how much he was annoyed.
'Detention this late, why do we have detention this late?' Peter asked. 'Ow'. Sirius had elbowed him sharply in the side at the question, not that Remus could blame him for it. He ran his hand through his short waves and realised if he didn't make a decision now they were going to end up having to deal with his situation in the middle of the common room. Not at all the desirable plan for the evening. He looked at James, his hair was messier than usual and his green eyes were red rimmed with heavy bags underneath. His shirt was wrinkled and he looked like hadn't washed in weeks.
'Ok Prongs I have to go now, you can stay here with Sirius and Peter. I should be fine behind the…you know. I shouldn't need you guarding me tonight.' He wasn't sure he believed that. He didn't particularly feel comfortable at the best of times never mind if his friends weren't there. Sirius frowned. His grey eyes were almost covered by his lids as he glared. Remus felt an uncomfortable knot in his stomach, one he was accustomed to getting. There was just something about Sirius's glare that made you suddenly feel like you were only two feet tall.
'Don't be a moron Moony just 'cause James here can't grow a pair doesn't mean you should have to suffer. He can be miserable all by himself. We will go with you,' Sirius decided.
'James can't be left by himself, he will unquestionably jump off the Astronomy tower from sheer desperation.'
'Fine. Wormtail can stay with him. Let's go.' Sirius stormed away his hair almost horizontal from the speed. Not wanting to infuriate him anymore Remus hurried after him. Unfortunately Sirius had rather long legs and had a horrible habit of using those long legs to their full ability while angry. Remus only managed to catch up to him at the statue.
They moved down into the familiar tunnel, it was the same as ever. They could only see a little way around them but it was enough. The walls grey and stoic were covered in what had to be decade's worth of dust. It was a long tunnel reaching underneath most of the school grounds. Sirius was still walking fast and Remus has to jog every so often to keep up.
They got to the end of the tunnel and stepped out into the rain. It only took a few seconds for his clothes to completely cling to him. Of course Sirius was already removing his clothes, so Remus waited, watching as Sirius's body contorted and reformed. Thick black fur growing in tufts out of his skin until his body was completely covered.
Sirius would be the one to press the knot but it was going to be difficult for him. They were used to the tiny rat being able to fight the branches the whomping willow. Sirius was fast though and Remus reckoned that would be enough. The branches attacked him with great big swooshing sounds and he darted through narrowly missing the assault. It took a long time of dodging before he could see his chance to hit the knot.
Remus winced as he saw Sirius's tail get hit but the dog didn't seem that bothered. He continued into the new tunnel picking up Sirius's clothes. James had once made a comment about getting some drapes or paint to brighten up their monthly trips but Sirius had called him a nancy and that was the end of that. Personally Remus didn't think it would change anything that much, it would still be horrible no matter if it was covered in books and Gryffindor colours.
As he entered the shrieking shack he noticed Sirius was sitting on the sofa with one of the woollen blankets across his waist and legs. Remus smiled and put the teen's soggy clothes next to him on the chair. He started pacing.
'You're gonna make a hole,' Sirius commented head in hands. Remus looked at him and wished so hard that he had Sirius's nonchalance. Instead his skin itched with nervous anticipation.
'Impossible. That would take decades probably centuries,' he replied before continuing with the pacing. He felt a twisting in his chest first, as if a force of gravity was pulling at his heart. He knew it was happening now and he wanted to cry. His blood then started heating pulsing faster through his veins. Shocks ran across his bones as they began to change shape. He opened his mouth to scream but his lips wouldn't stop moving outward. His nose grew longer, colder. His entire body vibrated. His thoughts moved. The pain and worry replaced by hunger. As the transformation completed he lifted his head and howled, instinctively warning others off his territory. He sniffed the room around him, he wanted food and he wanted freedom.
He caught the scent of the dog but left it alone. What he wanted most was to get out into the open air, where he could be free, where he could hunt. He ripped at the door with his claws, pulling it apart splinters at a time. He was used to being kept in place by antlers. But they weren't here this time. He couldn't smell the rodent either. Not that the rat missing changed much. He was going to get out this time. He was going to kill.
The door finally broke apart and he leapt through. He raced through the tunnel. All he found at the other end was a tree: a big violent monstrosity. He needed to get past it. He ran out but was met by a think branch hitting him back into the tunnel. He lay down for a moment to recover, whimpering slightly. He could smell the dog behind him. If he didn't get out soon he was going to eat that damn dog.
He stared on at the tree, trying to find a rhythm to its defensive limbs but there wasn't one. It was completely random. He howled. Concentrating again on the tree he waited. The gap came and he leapt forward. Something sharp and powerful clamped onto his tail pulling him backwards. He turned snarling. The dog was quick. He was off and down the tunnel as a black blur. Furious the wolf chased after him. He was going to rip that overrated puppy apart.
As he emerged into the main room he sniffed the air. The dog was hiding but he was going to find him. He stalked around the edges of the room, sniffing each area separately waiting for the tiniest hint of canine. Did they honestly think one little dog could keep him guarded? Pathetic wizards, he would eat every last one of them if he could. He continued his path making sure to double check every corner he could as he circled the room. He couldn't find the dog's scent. So, he listened more, the breathing was faint but it was still there. Growling slightly he followed the noise to one of the cupboards. He ripped it open within seconds the rotten wood making it easier for his claws. The dog leapt out at him pushing him over before landing in a crouch a few metres away.
He was snarling now as well, the edges of his mouth curled over to reveal sharp white teeth. The wolf faced the dog but was already launching his attack. They met each other half way and fell into a mess of claws and teeth. The dog seemed only concerned with defending himself and aiming for the tendons at the back of the wolf's paws. The wolf wasn't so easily placated. He wanted the dog's throat in his mouth. His eyes were aimed completely at his jugular.
The dog caught his paw and ripped but he ignored it. They continued scrapping biting and clawing. But he was a wolf powered by the moon, and the dog was a dog, he wore out and the wolf took his chance his claws slicing down the dog's stomach. The dog transformed into a wizard. He flicked his wand and the wolf was blasted backward into the cupboard. As the wolf got back up the wizard was gone. Growling and whimpering he lay down and licked his wounds.
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