Chapter 10: The Moon

"What do you mean?" Remus growled.

"I-I" Tonks stuttered, she closed her eyes, "I slipped it into your pumpkin juice this morning."

Anger flooded Remus's face.

Sirius stepped between Tonks and Remus, "Now, Remus calm down, I'm sure Tonks didn't mean any harm."

Remus took a deep breath and calmed himself. "All right."

"But wait, who is the werewolf gene going to now?" Peter asked.

"Me," Tonks answered, and all the boys stared at her in shock, except for Remus.

"It'll only last a week, and it'll make it so Remus won't have to deal with the effects this month." she told them all. Then she walked to Remus, "I'll be fine. Really I will."

Remus just shook his head. "You don't get it!" he exclaimed startling her. "It's not that simple. It's not like it's just a night hanging out here."

"I can handle it. It's the first thing I've been able to do for you with your lycanthropy, and besides," she added, "There's nothing that can be done about it now."

"She's right," James said, "There's nothing we can do to reverse it, so you may as well try to enjoy it."

Remus shrugged, "Fine, whatever." Then he turned and exited the shack through the passage.

Tonks turned to James, "How long do you think he'll stay mad at me?" she asked.

"He'll be fine, just give him a little time. By the time the full moon comes along, he'll be happy you did this for him."

"I hope so," she muttered.

Then they all headed out of the shack, Tonks and Sirius were the last. "Don't worry, Dora." he told her, "We'll get you as prepared as possible for werwolfism."

"Is that even a word?"

"Not sure. But I like it."

Over the next two days, the marauders told Tonks everything they could think of about Remus's condition; and by the day of the full moon, Tonks was well informed but getting a little nervous. At lunch, they all sat together.

"So," Tonks began, "What time do I need to head out there?" she asked Remus.

A thoughtful expression covered his face. "Well, since it's November, I'd say around four-thirty just to be safe."

Tonks nodded. "All right."

"Are you sure you don't want the other guys to stay with you?" Remus offered.

Tonks shook her head. "If they come then this is a complete waste. You won't have any fun without them, and besides I'll be fine."

That evening, they all headed out to the shack at four-thirty. Once inside, they got Tonks up to the room she would stay in for the night.

"It's nice," she muttered, then glanced at the guys, "And you're sure I don't have to pay to stay in this lovely hotel?"

They all managed a nervous smile at Tonks' attempt to lighten the mood.

"I'll see you guys first thing tomorrow. You should probably just head back now. I don't know how soon it'll happen."

Remus nodded. "Good luck." he said. It felt strange for him to see someone else going through this, and not having to worry about himself. But somehow that did not ease his mind.

"Stop looking at me like this is good bye." she teased. "I'll be fine. I swear."

Remus nodded and both James and Peter said they'd see her tomorrow, before they headed out. Sirius stayed behind a bit longer.

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you, at least?" he asked, concern showing in his eyes. "I could, they could get along without me tonight."

Tonks smiled, "Like I said, it'll be fine. You go have fun." she began pushing him toward the door. "And make sure Remus gets to look at the moon, it might be his only chance."

Sirius nodded, and started to leave, then stopped, turned around, and hugged his cousin. "I'll see you in the morning, squirt."

Tonks smiled. "Yeah. G'night."

Tonks watched him leave, and then turned back to her room for the night. It was dirty, and dusty, and smelled terrible. Tonks walked over to sit down on the bed. As she sat, she noticed something on the sheets. She reached over and moved the blanket so she could see better. She gagged, it was dried blood.

Immediately, she stood and crossed the room, to a small couch. She climbed onto it, and curled up to wait. There was a window within her view, and she couldn't help but watch as the day turned to night. Time went by, and she watched as the sun sunk lower in the sky, and the sky began to turn red, and then purple. And then she felt it.

And then she screamed.

A/N: So I think this is my most intense chapter yet! When I ended it I actually got chills. :) I'm sorry for the cliffhanger. But I hope to update again soon. I have to update Love Is Blind, and I just got a new job so, hopefully soon. Reviews are much appreciated! 3