When the screaming stopped, Remus just laid on the ground letting the bits and pieces of memories from the night before bleed into his consciousness. He sprawled naked on the dew-wet ground as he remembered the taste of his best mate's blood and the feel of flesh tearing under his teeth. If he didn't feel so absolutely wrecked, he would cry. He was going to die. Even if Sirius didn't say anything, someone was bound to find out that he'd bitten someone and then he was going to be executed like the animal he was. He wanted to yell at the sky, demand that life wasn't fair, but he knew better. Life was never fair, especially for a beast like him, and he had already lived seven years on borrowed time. Seven years with the greatest friends anyone could ask for and seven years getting an education. It was about time for life to come back around and bite him again, just as he'd been bitten years ago.

"Rem, you awake, mate?" Peter asked in a whisper.

Remus had been staring at the lightening sky. The sun hadn't risen yet but it wasn't far off and the velvety black was giving way to heavy blues and greys. It would rain today. He could smell it in the air. He finally looked to Peter; only moving his eyes. He blinked once and Peter jerked like he'd been startled.

"What do you need? You didn't scratch yourself, I don't think. Let me go get you a pain potion."

"Where'd they go, Pete?"

"Let me just-"

Remus didn't remember standing, much less grabbing hold of Pete's shirt, but he sure felt the pain of his muscles catching up with the fast movement. The testosterone hadn't passed through him yet. "Where are they, Peter?"

Just then a luminous shape appeared, cantering through the trees. A magnificent stag. James always complained that his Animagus's antlers never looked as good as the ones on his Patronus.

"Good morning chaps!" the iridescent stag spoke with James's voice, irrationally cheery. "No need to panic. Sirius and I are at St Mungo's and the nurse says he'll wake up from the potion she drugged him with in about half an hour. It'd be great if Peter were here, to back up my story, which is thus: my girlfriend broke up with me; Sirius, Pete, and I decided to go wandering through the woods last night to find a good place to camp and get drunk. With the amount of liquor Sirius consumed yesterday and then vomited on me after I Apparated, we both smell like a still, so that's as good an explanation as any. There is no mention of Animagus transformations and we don't know the werewolf that bit him. End of story. Got that? If anyone asks, Rem was at his cottage in Wales and we were in Epping Forest, four hours away." The stag turned its head to look at Remus who stood with stooped shoulders and without caring he wasn't wearing clothes. "Remus, go to Mum and Dad's house to recuperate, please? As soon as Sirius is awake, that's where I'm taking him. Mischief managed." The Patronus faded.

Remus dropped his head. "How can that prat be so fucking cheerful? I..." he sighed, knowing not to whinge in front of Peter. He'd try to be helpful and Remus didn't want help right now. He just wanted to crawl in a bed somewhere and die for what he'd done, but then he'd remember that he'd probably be executed as soon as they found out and his heart gave a strange thump because he didn't really want to die.

Remus looked around to orientate himself and saw that Moony had followed Wormtail back to the clearing in front of the shack. "I'm just going to crash here, Pete," He finally muttered. He turned and walked towards the low roofed building. Cottage, James had called it. What a joke. Four rooms and a concrete cellar with chains on the bars as reinforcement. He loved his parents and he knew they loved him in their way, but he hated this place.

"Remus," Peter said, following behind his larger strides. "Just get dressed, I'll Side-Along you to the Potters, all right? I'm not leaving you here to mope."

Remus stopped and turned to look at him. "You think I'm moping?"

Peter tilted his head and pursed his lips, a look he might have picked up from McGonagall. It looked ridiculous on him. "Yes, I think you're moping. I think you're upset and I'm not leaving you alone. We're going to the Potters as soon as you're dressed."

That was the thing about Pete. Innocent, submissive little Petey turned downright bossy after the full moon. It wasn't usually a bad thing but he could be a right pain in the arse when he got his mind stuck on something. Taking care of Remus was usually that something. Remus just opened the shack door and grabbed his pyjamas off the table where he'd left them folded. He dressed where he stood and then turned to Peter. There wasn't much point arguing.

"To the Potters, then," he half-grunted and held out his arm.

Peter grabbed him tightly, the pain from his grip fleeting because the squeeze from Apparition was worse.

Euphemia Potter was standing at the front door waiting when the world stopped spinning. She gestured for them to enter. Remus assumed James hadn't told her what happened. Sirius was like a son to her and for her to welcome him into her home after what he'd done... No, she must not know.

"Come on in, child, I've heard it's been quite the night," she said softly. Her hand on Remus's arm was tender and welcoming and wholly undeserved. Remus felt the urge to cry again. His life was over. Sirius's life was over. Lily and James had fallen apart. Could things get any worse? Knowing his luck, the answer was yes.

When Mrs Potter had settled him into the big bed in the guest room that had always been his when at the Potters', she asked if he wanted breakfast or just rest. He answered rest because he couldn't bear to look at her caring face any longer.

Peter touched his shoulder lightly. "I'm going to go meet up with James at St Mungo's, we'll be back as soon as Sirius is released."

Remus's eyes darted to Mrs Potter, expecting her to freak out and panic, maybe kick him out after demanding to know what happened. Instead, she just nodded, "Let the boys know Pipette will have breakfast ready when they want it. I know how hungry all of you normally are after a full moon."

And then Peter left the room. He left Remus alone with the mother of the boy he'd recently mauled. Remus wanted to hide. All he could do was slide down into the bed some more and look away.

"Hey now, none of that," she said, sitting on the bed beside him. "I know it was an accident. We will all get through this, all right? This isn't the end of the world, Remus."

Her kindness is what caused him to break. "How can you even look at me, much less bring me into your house after what I've done?" He felt one of the tears he was so desperate to hold back slip from his eyes and down his nose. Mrs Potter just conjured a handkerchief and handed it to him. He dabbed his eyes and balled it into a fist despite the pain clenching his hand caused.

"I can look at you because I love you. You are a son to me as much as Jamie or Sirius, Remus. When Fleamont and I started trying for a child, nothing happened for so long-I thought it was hopeless. Then came Jamie, our miracle child. Eleven years later, he brought three more children into our home and I've grown to love each and every one of you as my own. You've brought laughter and joy into my home and my heart, Remus. Just because something bad has happened my love for you hasn't changed." She stood and brushed his fringe away from his eyes. More tears slipped down. "Now rest, my boy. I'm sure your brothers will be home soon, back to their loud and obnoxious selves." She stared at him, making eye contact that he couldn't hold for long before she brushed the lightest kiss on his forehead and left the room.

Remus let the tears leak from his eyes as he curled up under the duvet and gave in to his body's demand for rest.