*To clarify: 1971 is Remus' first year as school.


I. 1971*

Remus tried to sit still but couldn't help from looking around and imagining the state in the morning.

It was all too open, too homely. There were too many cushions and not enough chains. How could the wolf be contained? Did they expect the wolf the curl up amongst the cushions? Next full moon there won't be cushions for him to destroy. That was if they decided to keep him for next full moon.

They would probably come up, see the mess he'd made and order him out.

What is he might escaped during the night? The wolf could be clever…

The tingling feeling increased spread from the tips of his body and Remus shivered violently.

He shut his eyes but it was not what he could see that made him scream.

O

"-in every room, Albus. I knew it would be bad when I saw the bloodstains: everywhere, Albus. And then when I saw him: shaking and covered in blood. Broken bones, bruises everywhere, cuts-"

Remus listened to the voice, its changes in pace, fraught with emotion, but made no meaning from the words.

The voice faded out and Remus heard footsteps.

His hand groped his side to find himself wearing Hospital Wing blue pajamas. He touched his face and neck and was shocked to not feel the familiar sticky, warm substance that he was used to.

He blinked rather rapidly and pulled himself into a sitting position. He had been lying on the bed. His fantasies on himself simply curling up into bed were squashed as he looked across the shack to find blood splattered across the previously immaculate furniture and flooring.

"Remus", Madam Pomfrey said as she rushed toward him, "No need to rush, your radius is just newly healed- in your arm, that is."

She helped him sit up and Dumbledore stood watching from the corner of the room.

Madam Pomfrey was watching him intently and Remus found it impossible to return her gaze. He felt his face burn as he thought about her seeing him in the morning sitting guiltily in the mess.

"How are you feeling, Remus?" Madam Pomfrey asked concernedly.

"I'm sorry, it's normally not this bad, I'll be better next time-", Remus broke off and his eyes widened and he looked over at Dumbledore, "You're not expelling me, are you?"

Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledore exchanged a look before Madam Pomfrey reassured him quietly, "Shhh Remus, of course we're not expelling you, you were just more hurt then we thought. And if there's anything we can do for that, do you think it was something in the shack? Or perhaps a potion you normally get before the full moon?"

After a brief silence, Dumbledore spoke from the corner, "I'd say it's from the stress, it keeps the wolf more alert and on edge. You won't be able to escape the shack and there's nothing inside the shack we care about except you. Relax Remus, you just need to get used to the new environment."


A/N: Thanks for reading. Please leave me a review. I appreciate them no matter how short or negative.