Chapter 1: Back to Hogwarts

The summer had felt long, and a little bit lonely. I was glad that it was finally coming to an end. I would be able to see Sirius, James and Peter again. I had been busy over the holidays, and hadn't been able to spend much time with my friends. There had been a few letters sent between us, but not a lot. I hadn't seen much of my father either, it had been a busy summer for him too. He worked long hours at the ministry, but I didn't mind.

Not long before the end of my fifth year, at Hogwarts, my father had sent me a letter. The letter told me about a man whom he had found, and met, who could teach me about being a werewolf. The man wasn't well known but claimed to be able to control his wolf, during a full moon. It was a dream come true. I would no longer have to worry about becoming a beast.

I met the man the day after I returned home. He introduced himself as Alexander; he was forty-nine, had short black hair, and blue eyes. He was rather tall, and quite handsome. We spent our first meeting discussing his life. He told me how he became a werewolf, and how it had taken him years to understand the beast within. He could understand his wolf's emotions and urges; he understood how to subdue the animals mind. Becoming 'one with his wolf' was how he described it. His felt stronger than ever before, his senses even more advanced. Even his magic had an extra boost.

Everything he said sounded great. I would be a new man and could live my life the way I wanted too. But, there were down sides. I would go through stages where my hormones would go into overdrive. My wolf would search for a mate. I would become aroused often, especially during the full moon.

It would all be hard work, but I knew that in the end it would be worth it.

Alexander taught me from day one everything I needed to know; four days a week we trained, and it didn't take long for me to see a difference. Being able to communicate with my wolf, I learned that he wasn't a monster, or a mindless beast, but an animal who was controlled by his instincts to hunt. I learned more about him, and even began to accept him as part of me. Working together, I felt stronger, physically, than ever before. Even my magic seemed to be stronger, my spells had more force and power. I came to see my wolf as a blessing, not a curse.

When the first full moon came around, I became nervous. Alexander had constantly reminded me that everything would be fine, and that he would be by my side through it all. He told me that my wolf's instincts would make it hard to take control, especially on the first transformation. I was not to have any expectation of success after the first attempt. However, when the night came and went, everything felt different. When I woke the next day, I remembered the whole night. I didn't have any broken bones, only a few scratches. I had a small amount of success, and I wasn't going to give up.

With every full moon Alexander and I transformed, and by the third moon I spent the whole night in control. My wolf and I worked together to control our instincts and simply enjoy the night. Alexander also showed me what a wolf could do. He showed me how fast we could run, how strong we could be, he showed me the power that a wolf possessed.

The day after my third full moon Alexander gave me a new test. Standing in the middle of the woods he told me to force myself to change. If I could willingly turn into a wolf on any other day, then I would be one step closer to full control. It was a hard task. My wolf seemed to refuse the change, but slowly as the days went by, I went from turned my hand into a claw, to becoming a full wolf.

My last few weeks of summer Alex took me on a bit of a camping trip into the forest, just for a bit of wolf fun before school started. It had been fantastic and when I returned home my father took the week off and we spent my last week of freedom together. We also went and brought all my books and new clothes and items for the year.

Over the summer, I had changed and I had grown. I was now six-foot-tall and lanky, but my muscles had started to show, my hair had grown and was now long enough to cover my face. My father had also mentioned that for the first time in a long time I looked healthier, I had more meat on my bones and my skin was no longer pale, it was a gentle warm tan colour.

I hadn't realized until I looked at an old picture, that showed Sirius and I at last Christmas, how much I had really changed. I hadn't realized how sickly pale I had been, I looked like death; but now, a lot had changed.

Sitting in my room the night before I was set to leave for Hogwarts, I was going through all my books and equipment, and my luggage, just to make sure I have everything. The last few things I would pack the next morning just before I left. I wasn't tired but I was nervous to return to school, but I was also excited about seeing my friends again. The thing that worried me though, was the control of my wolf. I would experience my first full moon without Alexander, and it was frightening, I didn't know what would happen.

When the next morning came, I was up before my dad, dressed in my muggle clothing, which consisted of jeans, converses and a t-shirt along with a jacket. I had everything down stairs and was waiting to leave. It had been too long since I had seen my friends and I was excited to catch up, I was just hope they wouldn't be angry that I had replied to their letters all summer. I hadn't really had the time to reply.

Once my father was dressed we stood walked out the front, living in the muggle suburbs, an hour outside of London we packed up the car and left. Living in a normal muggle home my father thought was best, it was a small country town that was surround by woods and farms and it had a lot of space for me to run around when I changed. Also, being in the muggle world I wasn't shunned by witches and wizard. No one knew what I was. Not everyone knew of course but for those who did and didn't like werewolves, I could avoid.

The drive in the car was silent, my father and I didn't really talk much unless we were at home. We said a few words here and there and I hummed along to the radio but when we arrived at the station I was excited. Finally going back to Hogwarts, we loaded up a cart with everything and made our way through the station that was hidden between platforms nine and ten. I spotted some familiar students with their parents heading towards the platform.

Once on the platform it was almost time to leave, so I quickly made it down to a carriage and my dad helped me put my things on the train. I hugged my dad goodbye and he handed me a box. I took it and asked, "What is this?"

He smiled. "Your mum was going to give it to you for your 16th birthday, and I figured since I won't most likely get to see you on your birthday I am giving it to you now."

I returned his smile.

"Don't open it till you are on the train though, ok," he said.

I nodded and hugged him once more before climbing onto the train.

I was excited.

Walking through, I had no idea where Sirius, James and Peter were, but hopefully, I would find them or they would find me. After searching a few carriages with no luck, I found an empty compartment and walked in. Sitting down I looked at the box my father had given me. Opening the box, inside was a simple black wrist band, made from leather. On the chain was a silver charm in the shape of a howling wolf. I couldn't help but smile, and tears gathered in my eyes. It was amazing. I wrapped it around my wrist, and opened the letter that had been beneath it.

Dear Remus,

Your sixteen already, I cannot believe this.

If you are ready this letter I know I have passed on. I made sure to write this just in case because you never know. I was always a sick child, and it had either caught up with me as an adult or for some other reason, but I know for a fact that I will be proud of the young man you are now, and for the amazing man you will be one day.

I found this the day we went shopping together, just you and me, when your father was away on his mysteries business trip. I remember it clearly because it was the week that you turned the first time and I was trying to cheer you up, and I am sure that I was successful. Well, I think I was. Unless you just smiled to make me happy.

By giving you this I wanted to make sure you knew that I love you, I always have and I always will no matter what happens in the future, and no matter what trouble being a werewolf causes for you. Always know that your father and I love you. And nothing could ever change that.

I love you so much my beautiful son.

Happy 16th Birthday.

Love Mum xoxo

Smiling at the letter I felt a few tears fall down my face but I wiped them away.

I waited patiently in the compartment, and finally Sirius appeared in the doorway. He smiled. "MOONY!" He dropped beside me on the seat and pulled me into a big hug. "I missed you."

I smiled. "Missed you too."

"HEY GUYS! I FOUND HIM!" Sirius didn't let me go.

James and Peter appeared in the door. "Moony!" They both joined in the hug.

"Okay, let me go please."

They all released me and we got comfortable. It didn't take them long to bombard me with questions.

"What were you doing all summer?"

"Did you find a girlfriend?"

"Was it fun?"

"Did you get laid?"

"Why couldn't you hang out with us?"

"Were there any sort of sexual acts?"

I couldn't help but laugh at them. But as the train began to move, I explained all about my summer. They were all amazed, and Sirius seemed to have a hundred questions. He seemed to think that now my amazing werewolf controlled turned me into some sort of superhero. I had to stop letting him borrow any comic books.

We got to Hogsmeade station not long after dark. Dressed in our uniform, we hopped off the train. Sirius and James watched as the scared first years walked towards one of the professors. Every year they had a prank for the first years, and every year they got busted. But it didn't stop them.

I grabbed them by their shirts and dragged them towards the carriages. I wasn't waiting around while their trouble maker minds got to work. I was hungry and wanted to get to the castle. I pulled Sirius onto the carriage, and wanted to laugh as he pouted at me.

"You treat me like a child." He crossed his arms.

I patted his head. "It's because you are."

James jumped up with Peter, and said, "That you are."

"You're no better." Lilly Evans joined us. She sat beside James and kissed him on the cheek.

None of us knew how, but, James had finally managed to convince Lilly to give him a shot. It could have been out of pity, or simple desire to get him to give up; but one date turned into two, which turned into five months of dating. It had been a surprise when they told us; I still struggled to believe it. But all that mattered was that they seemed happy.

Sirius frowned at us all. "Why do I always get picked on?"

I smiled. "Because you make it easy."

Sirius shoved my arm. "You suck. I'm going to find new friends."

We all laughed at him.

It was good to be back.