Chapter Eleven
That night was the full moon and Remus was understandably on edge. He had been transforming every month since had had been bitten by Fenrir Greyback when he was six but he still hated it and tonight was the first full moon with Harry around. Remus hoped nothing would go wrong with Harry around but nothing was certain.
Around seven Remus entered the basement and went through the locking charms. He then proceeded down the stairs into the darkness. Remus proceeded to undress and store his clothes and his wand on a shelf that would be unreachable by the wolf. He was used to this routine by now but he still despised it.
He felt the moon's presence and although he tried to resist it there was no hope. He felt the wolf draw forward and he felt the horrendous pain as his bones and muscles broke and reformed into that of the wolf. Then he felt no more as the wolf took full control.
Upstairs as he tucked Harry into bed Sirius grimaced knowing one of his best friends was in horrible, excruciating pain. Luckily Harry didn't notice but did ask where Moony was. Harry had taken to calling the Marauders by their nicknames. Sirius answered simply,
"Moony had to go away for something tonight but he'll be back tomorrow. Night Harry."
"Night Padfott" Harry answered as he drifted off to sleep.
After he had made sure Harry was asleep, Sirius made his way downstairs to join Moony. He took down the locking charms and transformed into Padfoot joining the wolf downstairs.
Padfoot played with Moony for about an hour tiring the wolf and distracting him so he didn't hurt himself. Finally though Moony grew tired and took to pacing trying to find the scent of any prey. He was halfway calm for a bit till Midnight that is.
Around Midnight Harry woke up from a bad dream and tried to find Sirius but when Sirius wasn't in his room Harry wandered downstairs to the kitchen. Harry could hear sounds from the basement and thinking Sirius was downstairs, Harry made his way downstairs. It was at this point moony caught Harry's scent and turned away from Sirius and turned towards the stair case.
When he caught sight of Harry he started to charge the boy but Padfoot who had also seen his godson blocked moony and sent his sprawling. Sirius immediately transformed back into his human form and yelled for Harry to get upstairs. As moony rushed Sirius he transformed back to Padfoot and fought Moony.
After the fight, Sirius rushed upstairs to find a terrified, sobbing Harry who looked at Sirius anxiously with wide eyes. Sirius knelt before Harry and tried to help his godson understand.
"Harry, you know how I transform into Padfoot?"
"Yeah"
"Remus transforms into Moony but the thing is Remus isn't Moony. He's forced to become what you saw, the wolf. Remus would never hurt you but the wolf you saw down there isn't Remus and will hurt you. Remus has no choice when he transforms unlike I do or your dad did. We choose to change into animals but every full moon Remus is forced to transform and I join him as Padfoot to help distract the wolf. Does that make sense, Harry?" Sirius hoped the boy understood.
"Yeah and Sirius, I'm sorry."
"Harry, I'm not mad at you but you have to promise me that you won't sneak downstairs to the basement. Remus would never forgive himself if he hurt you. Now how about you head back to bed. I'll stay with till you fall asleep."
By the time Harry had fallen asleep, which took about two hours, moonset was almost upon them. Sirius waited till moonset came and grimaced at the transformation. Sirius quickly healed Remus' injuries before he awoke and waited till his friend woke. Remus raised his head,
"What happened last night Sirius?"
