Knock on the door. That's it, now don't rush in.

You know that unlike ordinary wolves, werewolves hunt for the sake of hunting. Beasts have a self-preservation instinct. Man-beasts lack it.

So collect yourself. Remember you can't chicken out – literally.

'Come in.'

Come in.

The Wolfsbane Potion is not poisonous. It looks ominous. Tastes awful. Could prove harmful in the long run, if anyone cared to define that…

Admit it, you're stalling. A volunteer doesn't have to think. The wizard before you is aware of all risks. Likely, there are more than you will ever know. And he won't order you to take this last one. As far as Mr. Damocles is concerned, you're through.

Say 'thank you, Sir, I wish you luck,' turn around and walk away.

Say something, moron. He doesn't have all day.

'I came to offer myself for the, um, field simulation.'

Guess he didn't expect that.

'I talked to Headmaster and he told me… well, everything you're thinking right now probably – about how I'm too young, and that the students might get hurt…'

'Maimed to death or worse,' he corrects, not unkindly.

'There've been no breaches so far, and – but if you wish, let's go somewhere else. Assemble a team to Stun me, we can have my friends as the second line of defense – '

'Are you referring to Potter and Black? They will be reported the minute they transform.'

Is he interested at all?

'We can portkey them in their animal forms. Really, it's worth it – we know they can restrain me.'

Wrong. Don't ask. Giggling girly gnomes, that was stupid. Look him in the eye.

'I won't let children play heroes.'

Because there's no war in Hogwarts, is there? Easy, boy, you want him to take you as an equal.

'Mr. Damocles, sir, I will brew it myself.'

'WHAT?'

'Professor Slughorn will help, and Madam Pomphrey can assist, too.'

'It's not a toy! It's an experiment…'

Now.

'Look, I am not staking a career or a life's savings or a family's reputation. The most they'll do is expel me, and the least they'll do to an adult werewolf is a sentence in Azkaban. If… anything goes wrong.'

'Oh rest assured, all measures will be taken. I have no intention of sending anyone to prison, myself included.'

Weak.

'Then you have to agree that my way is more foolproof. Come on, how long will it take to authorize your trial?'

Silence… don't stoop. Don't fidget. Don't look down.

'Has Headmaster explicitly forbidden it?'

'No.'

'Very well. I will devise the protocol. Good day to you, Mr. Lupin.'

Nod, turn around.

'Obliv –'

'Expelliarmus!'

Oh no no no what have you done –

'Mr. Damocles, please understand. I am not desperate. I am offering myself freely, and I know the price, and this is not – I'm not doing it for everybody, only for myself.'

Not desperate, eh? You frightened him, he won't listen.

'Please, sir. Let me be a man for another night.'

Now give him back his wand...

'So be it.'

A/N: according to Harry Potter Wiki, Damocles invented the Wolfsbane Potion sometime after mid-1970-s.