Disclaimer- Geez, Rowling is such a genius. Too bad I don't own this stuff.:(
Jamie88- Thanks again for reviewing, Ya I know, Poor Remy…
DD- Of course I'm going to keep writing. Although I do have some homework, so please forgive me if it took a while. Thanks for your steady reviews and compliments!
A/N- this chapter is dedicated to Jamie88 and Discombobulated Drummer for being my only 2 faithful reviewers! Sorry this took so long the Internet was down:(
Chapter3- Of Moons and Sheds
Remus slowly opened his eyes and looked around. He was immediately visited by flashes of the night he was attacked. A pair of great big yellow eyes looked out of the bushes at him. They charged and searing pain shot through his shoulder. His own screaming filled his ears… Remus sat bolt upright then fell back with a gasp of anguish. His whole shoulder felt like it would burst with the pain. He moved his eyes towards it and realized his whole body was covered in scars. The shoulder was swollen and sickly looking. Suddenly frantic thoughts engulfed him. I was bitten by a wolf. Was it a were-wolf? Am I one? Will James still want to be my friend? Has he written back? Where is my mum?
His last question was answered as Lucilla entered the room. Upon seeing he was awake she rushed to his bedside.
"Remus! Oh my dear boy! How do you feel?"
Remus looked up into his mother's hazel eyes and saw concern. He wondered if he dared ask the question that had been haunting him. After looking at his mother a while longer he decided against it. He didn't need to bother her anymore than she clearly was already.
"Hello mum. How long have I been out of it? I feel great. My shoulder does tinge just a bit though." He stretched his mouth into what he hoped was a smile. He just couldn't bring himself to worry her by telling her how he really felt. Lucilla threw herself on him in a warm hug.
"Oh! I'm so glad you are awake. Here this is all the post you have gotten. You were unconscious for 1month and 3 weeks. Oh your father is going to be so happy!"
The thought that there might be a letter from James made Remus sit up again followed by another gasp of pain. Lucilla pushed him down.
"Remus! I thought you felt all right! Rest and do not get up. I will send your father in when he gets home."
Remus's mother bent down and kissed him on the forehead then swept out of the room. Remus immediately rummaged through his mail. (Which was very difficult considering he was lying down.) There was a letter from St. Mungo's wishing him the best in recovery and the bill for his stay and treatment. There were also three from various relatives wishing luck in recovery. But the best was on the bottom of the pile. There were 2 from James. Remus quickly tore them open.
Hi Remus!
Yes my mum yelled at me when we got home. I couldn't sit down for the rest of the day because my bottom was so sore. The next time I buy something big I am going to just tell dad or smuggle it home. My broomstick is a Comet Two Ninety. One of the newest models out there! Well I don't fly super well but I am definitely improving! You still need to come over and see it. How about next week? Send this owl back with your answer pronto! Oh and about those mice. I could sure use them to play pranks on my neighbor! She hates all little rodents. We could do that while you are here to! Well answer soon!
James
Remus's heart sank as he read the letter. This must have come weeks ago. James would be wondering why he had not written back. Remus laid the letter aside and picked up his next one. It was scrawled out very hastily by the looks of things. It turned out James's mum worked at St. Mungo's and told James that she saw Remus. (James had told her about their friendship when he got home. She had also seen him for a moment in Flourish and Blotts.) James told Remus to get better fast and hoped he was okay. He also asked what happened.
Good. Thought Remus. He won't be mad at me for not writing sooner. Remus put that letter aside to and called for his mom. She came running in as if he was on his deathbed.
"Remus. What is it?"
"Nothing mum. Could you just get me some parchment and ink? I need to write James back. And do you think I could go to his house, once I'm better that is."
"You'll have to talk about that with your father Remus and I don't think you should be writing just yet. But I know how much it means to you so I will write it for you after I'm done writing a few of my own."
Remus's curiosity was perked. His mother never wrote letters, His dad always did.
"Who are you writing to mum?"
Mrs. Lupin flushed and quickly stuttered out "Just relatives, to tell them you are fine."
Remus knew she was lying but he also knew that it was her wish for it to be a secret so he didn't prod any further. His mum left the room and he settled further under his covers. It was time he got some natural sleep.
Remus woke to the sound of urgent voices coming from outside his closed door. He could barely make out what they were saying.
"I know Luc. You need to calm down."
"This is so big dear. The full moon is tomorrow night! He doesn't even know yet!"
"You didn't tell him? Oh gosh. This is big."
"See! I told you! What are we going to do?"
"I know what. I'm going to expand the shed tonight. Did you write St. Mungo's?"
"Yes dear. They should be sending the potions any minute now. They don't have any that totally numb the pain but they might make him feel better."
"Shh! I think I heard something. Maybe we better talk about this later."
"Alec! Who is going to tell him he is a werewolf?"
"I will. Now."
Remus's heart plummeted. So it was true. He was a werewolf. He wasn't even human now. He had imagined once when he read a book on werewolves what it would be like to transform once a month. The thought was so painful he had immediately come back to reality. Remus thought of his mother and how she had talked to him and hugged him yet she could not tell him whom he really was. He could not help to think what he was. The door of his bedroom opened and his eyes met the shocked gaze of his father.
"How much did you hear?"
"Enough to know what I am." His voice hardened.
Alec sighed and sat on the end of his bed.
"Remus that is not the way I wanted you to find out. But we can't change that now. I want you to know that your mother and I will love you no matter what. And you are a person. Not a thing. The full moon is tomorrow as you probably heard. We are doing everything to make this first transformation go as smoothly as possible."
He wrapped a strong arm around Remus who began to sob.
"What about when I was in the hospital? Why didn't I transform?"
"Well you did, in a way. Since you were still unconscious and the bite wasn't totally healed yet you sort of got really hairy and thrashed about. That was the only time you ever moved, except for when you were first brought in."
"Dad, what about James? I don't want him to know. He won't be my friend anymore. I just don't want to lose him. By the way he wants me to come over but I doubt that will work now." He gazed sadly at the floor.
"Remus, I want you to be able to live like any other 7 year old out there. Go visit Jams, just not till after the full moon, probably in a week. Do you what happens about now?
"Yes. I start feeling awful. Then I transform tomorrow. After that I will be weak and beat up." Remus could not stop himself thinking because I beat myself up.
"I always knew you were a reader son. Now you need to eat. You haven't for ages."
The thought of food made the burden on Remus loosen slightly and he sunk back into the soft pillows and waited for his mother to bring it. The warm potatoes and sausage calmed him even more as they slid down his throat. As he ate he reread his letters.
"Mom? Where are Joe and Morpheous? You know, my mice."
"Oh! I didn't know you still wanted them! I let them go in the park. I'm so sorry!"
Lucilla's hands flew to her mouth with a gasp. Remus nodded and reassured her it wasn't that bad he was only going to give them to James for a prank anyway. Alec, who was still sitting on his bed, spoke up.
"Remus, you need to sleep. Remember the full moon is tomorrow and you need every inch of strength you can get…"
"How could I forget?" His father went on as if he had not heard Remus.
"I am going to expand the broom shed so you can safely transform away from other people. You mother ordered potions from St. Mungo's to put on your wounds when you retransform. Remus look at me."
Alec's sharp eyes pierced into Remus as he gazed up at him.
"This is going to hurt like you have never hurt before. You will be hurting and biting yourself and have no clue you are. If you smell someone you will do anything and everything to get to him or her and bit them, including majorly hurting yourself. Are you prepared for this?"
Remus looked at the father and mother he loved so much. He would kill himself if he ever bit them.
"Yes."
"Good. Now get your rest. Goodnight Remus."
Alec Lupin walked out and Lucilla went to hug her son.
"Sleep well Remus. I love you just as you are. Always remember that."
"Mum? Can you write that letter to James now? I know you will be busy tomorrow and I would really like to do it before the full moon."
"Oh well I guess I can. Just let me get the parchment."
Lucilla bustled around the room collecting the necessary items and then turned to Remus.
"Alright. Now what do you want to say first?"
Remus opened his mouth and began the letter. He explained when he could go over and said he had relatives visiting. He explained about the mice and apologized. When he got to the part about why he was in the hospital, he stopped. What could he say? Lucilla helped with a few thoughts and it ended up being that his mother had tried to teach him how to make a swelling potion but a whole jar of powdered root of asphodel fell into the cauldron and it had exploded sending Remus across the room, unconscious. He had also received many injuries from various other ingredients exploding when the potion did. He had spent a month in the hospital and his mother had been plain paranoid after that.
Remus knew the story was lame but he hoped it would convince his friend. After rereading it through twice Remus confirmed it worthy and they sent it off with Achilles, the family owl. (Alec loved Greek mythology.) Once the letter was sent, Remus sank back into his bed and dreamed of many wonderful adventures with James. But the last adventure was interrupted by the presence of the full moon. Remus tried to run and hide from it but it grew bigger. He wreathed in pain as he transformed to a hostile monster. His claws were 2 feet long. His fur was matted with blood. His eyes were red and his head was covered with scales. The Remus monster ran at James, who cursed him forever being his friend. Remus's anger grew and he bit and tore at James. The boys screaming filled his ears…
Remus woke with a start and realized that James's screaming had really been his own. Lucilla and Alec rushed into the room, wands out. His dad rushed toward him.
"What happened Remus? Who's here?"
Remus tried to speak. He was panting uncontrollably.
"N-no… one is…here. Had…a bad…d-d-dream."
Lucilla sighed and tucked him back into bed.
"Was it about werewolves?" Mothers always seemed to read your thoughts.
"Yes, except it was more of a monster. It killed James." Remus could not bring himself to say I.
Alec nodded understandingly.
"It was only a dream, son. Now try and sleep again. They both left.
Remus did not want to sleep. He was afraid of what he might see. He lie there, awake for an hour but the irresistible urge to sleep finally took him.
The Potter's House
James Potter woke with a start. The sunlight blaring in through the window forced him to cover his head with a sheet. The cause of his sudden awakening was made clear as a small German Shepard puppy smothered his face in kisses. James pushed it off the bed.
"Domi! Get off! How many times do I have to yell at you for you to get the message?"
The puppy scampered all around him as he pulled on his clothes. William entered the room.
"Mom says you have to get- Oy! It's a miracle! You're up already! Bet that was Domi's work wasn't it? Come here boy!"
James rolled his eyes as the pup went scampering over to his older brother. Idiot, He thought. (Referring to Will, not Domi.) Will left the room followed by the energetic puppy. Domi really didn't belong to them. The muggle neighbor was on holiday and they were paying the Potter boys to watch him. Not that the money mattered of course. Muggle money was no use as their mother always told them. James had a plan though. He was going to exchange it for real money and buy an owl. It would be so much easier to order joke items and send letters…
As James thought about letters he suddenly remembered that Remus might have sent a letter. He stopped trying to flatten his hair and sprinted down the stairs. The inviting smell of biscuits and kippers drew him toward the kitchen. Mrs. Potter looked up as he entered.
"Oh good you are up. I thought Will was just making it all up so he wouldn't have to go wake you up."
"Mum, is there post today?"
"James, you must ask me that at least three times a day. But I feel satisfaction in saying yes so maybe you will find what you're seeking and stop bothering me."
James nodded at his mom vigorously then picked up the stack of letters. There were only 2. He hoped one would be from Remus. The first was from Hogwarts reminding Will that term started Monday and the second was from Remus. James tore madly at the envelope but regretted it after he accidentally tore the letter in two. He held the fragments together and read. After a while he looked up.
"Mum? Can Remus come over next week?"
"Who dear?"
"You know, Remus the boy at the book store…went to the hospital…"
"Oh him. Sure. Just don't play any pranks on Megan. I'll skin you both alive if I hear one thing about it."
James smiled innocently and started wolfing down eggs.
The Lupin's House
Remus sat at the table thinking over what was coming that night. It wouldn't stop coming up in Remus's mind. He didn't want to think about it. But it seemed his parents were in league with his brain.
"Remus, how are you feeling about tonight? I expanded the shed. Do want to see it?"
Alec Lupin looked at him from across the table. Remus lowered his gaze. He murmured out a response.
"I'm okay. I'll see the shed later."
Lucilla looked at him sternly.
"Remus, I don't think you should have come in here. You needed to be in bed longer. I can tell you are in pain."
Of course his mum could see through him. She was right. Every inch of him hurt. But the shoulder stung awfully.
"I am, but transforming is gonna hurt more. Besides I have to be able to walk out there anyway. I don't want to talk about it."
Alec looked like he was ready to say something but Remus got up and slunk off toward the study. A good book can work miracles. The two parents gave each other a don't-talk-about-it-anymore look and resumed eating.
Remus selected Jinxes For The Jinxed from the dusty shelf and propped himself up with several cushions. Once he had read the first seven chapters, Remus's mind began to slip off jinxes. He scanned the shelves for a new book and they rested on the Dark Creatures of Our World Vol.I. It was a book his dad had bought when he was studying for N.E.W.T.s. Remus had never read it and often wanted to. His mother didn't like the idea of him filling his head with gruesome thoughts.
Remus laid his other book aside and stepped up on the footrest. The small boy reached up and took down Dark Creatures of Our World Vol.I. Once he was back in his chair, Remus scanned the content page. Then he found it, The wretched werewolf Chapter 5. He immediately flipped to page 203 and began poring over the pages.
Alec Lupin looked around the magically expanded broom shed. He had just added he finishing touch. A repelling charm on the walls and doors so if he ever got strong enough, Remus couldn't break out. It was on a sort of magic timer so Remus could get in and out at only certain times. Alec collected the only two brooms that had been in there and left the shed. He could remember that only 2 months ago this was were it had all started. When Frenir threatened him. In that very broom shed, Remus got attacked next to the shed and now he must endure the worst moments of his life in that shed.
Remus looked up at the clock, 3:37. He had read right through lunch. The chapter on werewolves was at least three times longer than the others and the author, Neil Gourmand, spent half of it berating werewolves and saying they all deserved to be caught and put down. He didn't even have the decency to say killed or murdered. Remus had continued to read nonetheless because it helped him get a clearer view of how people would treat him if they knew. If. Remus lived on this word. What if James found out and hated him, would he be able to go to school if they knew, If he was able to would he be able to stand it if students found out, What if he bit one, What if he bit James, his mum, dad… These kinds of questions haunted him every moment he was awake.
Lucilla Lupin walked in the room and looked over to see Remus ,hunching so that his nose was barely touching the page, reading. She walked up to him, carrying a tray of food.
"Remus dear, you need to eat so you will have strength for tonight. What are you reading?"
Remus suddenly remembered his mum did not want him reading this book and snapped it shut. He hastily put it under Jinxes for the Jinxed.
"Hi mum, I was just reading about jinxes." He pointed at the book, "I'm not that hungry though." He smiled unconvincingly.
Lucilla seemed to notice how stretched it was and she looked like she did not believe his story. She laid the tray next to him on the couch.
"I know you better than that young man. You were reading about werewolves weren't you? I can tell by how pale you are."
Remus just gaped at her with her arms crossed glaring down at him. He squeaked a small "Yes."
His raging mum snatched up the real book he had been reading and gave a small shriek.
'I've been telling him to get rid if this for ages! Oh why didn't he listen to me? You! Eat!"
Lucilla stalked out of the room carrying the book and Remus turned regretfully toward the ham sandwich and milk. At least he read most of the chapter.
It was dark out when Alec came to get Remus. He had taken a day off just for this moment. He found Remus sitting on his staring down at the comforter. Alec gently touched him on the uninjured shoulder and he jumped. Clearly he was terrified of tonight.
"Time to go Remus. The moon is almost up. I have the shed al ready for you. Your mother will be out there to say goodnight and then I am going to sand out side of the shed all night. When you have turned back into yourself I will go in and put the some potions on your scratches. You mum will give the pain numbing ones to you when she says goodnight. Ready?'
Remus looked at his father. How was he supposed to remember all that and feel ready to endure the worst pain all in one moment? He nodded; deciding waiting would only make it harder.
Remus followed his dad across the dark lawn. With every step he felt his heart sink lower. These were the steps of doom. As they reached the shed Remus's mum pulled him in a warm and loving embrace.
"Good luck Remus. We love you."
" You go son, the spell has lifted for a moment. Hurry in."
Remus looked at the two people who loved for who he is. He could tell he would rarely meet anyone else who would. He turned around and entered the enlarged broom shed.
Once Remus was in the shed, he noticed how hard his dad had actually worked on it. The ceiling was no longer a foot above you head but more like 5. The first story of the shed was just a big empty room with two windows. Next to the front door there was a staircase leading down to 2 smaller rooms. These rooms were full of old and used furniture unlike the room upstairs. It only had a table in the corner. Remus knew these things were for him to tear apart once he transformed so he would not bite himself.
Remus walked shakily over to the table and read a hastily scrawled note.
Remus,
This room is emptier so it will be easier to transform. The others are full of furniture for you to tear apart instead of yourself. (You might have already guessed that.) I love you my son. Here is a tip- sit in the middle of the room and wait. You didn't want to be caught off guard by the transformation.
Dad
Remus put the note tenderly in his pocket; His dad did all this for him. He needed to thank him when he was… normal.
The boy slumped over to the middle of the room and sat down, trembling. He looked out the window. The moon was appearing. Remus took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Searing pain shot through him quite suddenly as the shed was draped in moonlight. His shoulder swelled painfully. The pain was beyond any thing he had ever experienced. He couldn't even think. The pain just kept coming. The pain continued to grow and spread through out his body making him feel in a daze. He started panting hard and suddenly keeled over as his stomach started wreathing. He felt like his whole body was being ripped out and put back together, but very badly. He twitched all over the floor and as suddenly as the pain had started it stopped. For one joyous moment Remus thought it was over but them the pain came again. But this time it was torture. He screamed and wreathed, there was a loud crack as his back broke and readjusted itself. Remus felt his teeth enlarge and hands get incredibly furry with long claws. He felt one last surge of pain and remembered no more.