Welcome to the fourteenth chapter of In Control! Please give me feedback for this chapter, because I know there are places it could be better but I can't figure out how to do so. Thanks and enjoy!

I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 14: Full Moon

The werewolf growled menacingly, bared fangs reflecting eerie silver moonlight. Feral yellow eyes glinted dangerously. Without warning, he pounced. Russet let out a yelp of surprise. The werewolf's claws dug into Russet's shoulders, pinning him on his back. Russet growled a challenge and with a powerful kick freed himself from the werewolf's grasp.

The bigger wolf growled and started circling. Harry allowed his wolf's instincts take over, hiding his terrified self behind the red wolf's dangerous teeth and claws. Russet began circling as well, watching for the werewolf's next attack. When none seemed forthcoming, the red wolf launched himself across the clearing, claws bared. The werewolf dodged, but not quite fast enough. Russet's claws opened a shallow gash along the other wolf's shoulder. He growled and attacked and the fight began in earnest.

The two wolves wrestled fiercely. Russet would have the advantage for a moment, then the werewolf would take it back. The clearing was filled with the barks and growls of the two combatant wolves. Finally, the werewolf pounced again, intent on pinning the smaller wolf to the ground. Russet neatly dodged and turned the attack on the other wolf, pinning him to the forest floor and against a thick trunk. He bared his teeth, growling and asserting his alpha status. The werewolf whimpered in submission, and Russet backed away slowly, testing the other wolf's obedience.

The tawny wolf righted himself and kept his head down until Russet was some five feet away. Then the werewolf suddenly pounced, pinning Russet on his back, teeth bared, eyes glinting a challenge, intent on…

Licking him? Russet was on his back, but there was no pain. The sandpaper tongue was rough against Russet's muzzle. Then Harry suddenly realized that glint was not one of bloodlust or rage, but of playfulness and affection.

Cub, the werewolf seemed to say.

Friend? Russet asked back. Moony responded by nipping playfully at Russet's ear, then darting away. And suddenly Harry realized that all through the fight, both wolves had been pulling their punches, so to say. They were both bruised and battered, but there was little blood—neither had used their claws or fangs, at least not to draw blood. Russet had won the alpha…but had known almost from the beginning that it had been a play fight all along. Russet got to his feet cautiously, but when the werewolf yipped like a puppy, the red wolf gave a wolfy grin and took off after Moony, tackling him and initiating yet another wrestling match.

The two wolves played until the moon was high, long past midnight. Then, tired out, they laid down to rest in the center of the moonlit clearing, the grass now torn and marked by their wrestling. Moony fell asleep against Russet's flank. Russet gave a low growl of contentment and drifted to sleep not long after.

They were both awoken at moonset as Moony began the transformation back to human. The howls of pain were just as hard to bear for Harry the second time. After several long minutes, Remus lay shivering in the cool predawn air, conscious but with his eyes closed. Russet gave a low whine of sympathy and gently bumped Remus's shoulder with his muzzle, then he left the clearing.

Out of sight Russet transformed back into Harry and he jogged to where he'd left the supplies the previous evening. He grabbed it all and carried it back to the clearing where Remus was sitting up, a perplexed expression on his face as he found very few injuries on his body and nothing bigger than a scratch. He looked up as Harry approached. After a moment the confusion cleared to give way to surprise, then pride and a flash of gratitude, then concern. Then, surprising Harry, Remus's eyes narrowed in obvious anger.

"Whatever you have to say, can it at least wait until we get back to the house?" Harry pleaded before Remus could speak. Remus nodded shortly and Harry tossed him his clothes, turning away while he dressed.

After a moment Remus approached and then walked briskly past Harry. He had to jog a few steps to catch up and the walk back to the cottage passed in absolute silence but for their footsteps. When they reached it, Remus headed straight for his bedroom, bypassing Tonks without saying a word. She gave Harry an questioning look. Harry sighed and collapsed into the chair beside her at the kitchen table. He was only just now realizing how sore and tired he was.

"The transformation went well. We play-fought most of the night. He was conscious after the transformation back. Neither of us are really hurt. But then he realized what I'd done and now he's angry with me," Harry explained wearily.

Tonks gave him a sympathetic look. "I suggest getting it over with as soon as possible. I'll make him some cocoa—he can't be too angry with hot chocolate in his hands," she said with a grin.

Harry smiled a little. "Thanks." He stood and was about to continue, but Remus's raised voice from his room interrupted him.

"Harry James! We are not finished!"

Harry winced at his middle name. "If I don't come back, split everything I have between you two, the Weasleys, and Hermione."

Tonks chuckled and gave him a little push.. "Get going, kid. The big bad wolf won't hurt you too badly."

Harry gave a weak smile and headed toward Remus's room. He opened the door cautiously, and tried not to cringe when he saw Remus standing with his arms crossed in the middle of the room. He shut the door and turned to face his surrogate father, realizing he was about to get his first real telling-off and not liking it one bit.

"Would you mind telling me what in Merlin's name you were thinking, spending the night with a werewolf?" Remus demanded.

Harry's defenses went up at the older man's tone. "I was thinking that I wanted to help a friend so he wouldn't hurt himself," he retorted.

"This isn't a game, Harry. It's not safe. You could have been killed last night, and where would that have left me?"

"You never killed my dad or Sirius," Harry said defensively. "I trusted you wouldn't hurt me, either."

"You should not have taken that risk. I allowed my friends to do it because I was too afraid to tell them no. But you're different," Remus insisted, his voice still angry.

"How am I different?" Harry retorted. "If I recall correctly, your friends were a lot younger than me when they first made the transformation." Harry narrowed his eyes pointedly. "I may not be seventeen yet, but I am an adult. I can make my own choices. That's the whole reason I left the Dursleys; so no one would tell me what I could and couldn't do!"

"I cannot and will not condone your actions. It's too dangerous, Harry. I couldn't live with myself if I hurt you." Remus's voice was intense. "I forbid you from joining me on full moons," he said sternly.

Harry was about to reply when he realized what Remus had said. "You forbid me? I did the work and made the transformation to help you! And it worked!"

Remus opened his mouth, then narrowed his eyes and amended whatever he was going to say. "That is beside the point. My statement stands. You are not allowed to be with me on full moons, animagus or not," he said firmly.

Harry's jaw dropped in response to the injunction. "You don't have the right to tell me what to do! You're not my father!"

Remus's mouth dropped open, his expression hurt. Harry's last statement echoed in the silence.

"You're right. I'm not," Remus finally said quietly, his head bowed.

Harry didn't have a response. To his shame, he felt tears burn in his eyes. Without another word Harry spun on his heel and left the room, being sure to slam the door behind him.

Harry shut his own bedroom door more quietly and flung himself onto his bed. He didn't know what to feel. He was still angry at Remus for completely disregarding his success in becoming an animagus, on Remus's behalf, in favor of lecturing Harry about safety. And that hurt, too—the lack of trust Remus had in him. Harry was also ashamed of having hurt Remus with his last words, but he couldn't bring himself to take them back. He felt justified in everything else he'd said. In short, Harry was very confused, and having a hard time keeping back those pesky tears.

Some minutes later, a knock sounded at Harry's door. He didn't bother to respond, but the door opened anyway to admit Tonks, a steaming mug of cocoa in her hand.

"Special delivery," she said with a wink. Harry took the offered mug, straightening up on his bed. He cupped both hands around the mug and stared down into the chocolatey brown liquid while Tonks sat down beside him.

"I heard you both shouting. I told Remus off for being an overprotective prat, but I figured you need me more than he does right now," she said with a soft smile.

Harry sipped carefully at the cocoa and sighed as its warmth spread through his body. "Thanks, Tonks," he said quietly.

"You're welcome, little bro," Tonks answered, gently ruffling his hair. A smile flickered across his face. "Now, might I have the privilege of seeing into the elusive mind of Harry Potter?"

Harry couldn't help a slight smile as Tonks smirked. But he hesitated. Tonks put her arm around his shoulders.

"You can tell me to shut up and go away, or you can tell me what's going on in your head. You don't get a third option," she said, firmly but still with a teasing element in her voice.

Harry sighed, but remained silent. He wasn't used to confiding in others for the trivial things. But Tonks's reassuring squeeze around his shoulders and the heat of the cocoa mug in his hands that she'd prepared for him finally convinced him to speak. "I basically told him to bugger off," he said quietly. "After everything he's done to help me and be a father figure for me, I told him to leave me alone."

Tonks smiled a little. "I've done that to my parents countless times. It doesn't mean they love me any less. And I know for a fact that Remus loves you, Harry. He sees you like the son he never had. He's doing his best."

"I know," Harry admitted. "But I'm still angry that he's not letting me help him."

"You've known him longer than I have. You know he's a bloody noble git," Tonks said with a smirk, and Harry couldn't help a weak chuckle. "He's worried about you, and not without reason." She brushed a cut on Harry's cheek that hadn't been there the previous evening. "You just have to prove to him that you can be just as self-sacrificing as he can," she teased.

Harry laughed a little. "You're right. I just…what if he wants nothing to do with me anymore? I hurt him. What if he leaves me alone?" Harry's voice cracked and he took an overly large gulp of cocoa to hide it and nearly choked.

Tonks squeezed Harry's shoulders again. "You're not alone, little brother. Even if he does leave—which he won't—you've still got me." She grinned, pulling Harry into a half-hug. Almost unconsciously Harry rested his head against her shoulder. Tonks rested her hand on his hair. It was nice, knowing he could count on her.

"Thanks, sis," Harry said quietly.

"Anytime, bro," she answered. "Give yourself a few minutes to find the right words, then go apologize. And then you can have breakfast. Deal?" Tonks asked, pulling away from Harry to look him in the eye.

Harry couldn't help but smile. "As long as you're not actually cooking, deal," he replied.

Tonks tousled his hair. "Good choice. If you'd refused I would have had to hex you," she teased. She stood and pressed a sisterly kiss to the top of his head. "Good luck, kid," she said. Harry nodded his thanks. Tonks took his now-empty mug and left his room. Harry was left alone, and, after a moment thinking how lucky he was to have the support of his surrogate sister, did just what she'd suggested.

Some minutes later, Harry tentatively knocked on Remus's door. The older man called a weary, "Come in." Harry carefully pushed the door open, his heart in his throat. Remus looked up as Harry entered. He looked older than Harry had ever seen him.

"I'm sorry, Moon—" Harry began.

"Please forgive—" Remus started simultaneously. They both stopped, then Harry nodded for Remus to go first.

"Please forgive me, Harry. I let my temper get away with me." Remus's amber eyes were full of regret.

Harry shook his head. "No, I should have warned you earlier. And…I'm sorry for what I said before. I never mean to hurt you."

Remus smiled but without humor. "But you were right. I don't have the right to tell you what to do or not do. I'm not—"

"You are," Harry interrupted him, then felt his face—and his hair—turn red. "I mean…youareineverywaythatmatters," Harry said quickly, averting his eyes. Remus gave him an inquiring look, a smile in his eyes. Harry cleared his throat and forced himself to look the older man in the eye, ignoring his embarrassment. "You're all I have left. And in every way that matters…in the ways I need…you are my father. You are," Harry repeated more firmly. "And I never meant to hurt you by saying you weren't. I…I guess I let my temper get away with me, too," he admitted sheepishly, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.

Remus smiled, his eyes watery, and held out his arms. "Come here, cub." Smiling, Harry nearly flung himself into his surrogate father's embrace.

Remus held him tightly. "I'm truly sorry for overreacting. But…the idea of you with me on a full moon, especially uncontrolled, terrified me. I couldn't bear it if I were to hurt you." Remus's voice caught and he pressed his face into Harry's hair. After a moment, though, Harry felt the other man's lips turn up in a smile. "I am exceptionally proud of you, though, cub. Becoming an animagus is no easy task, especially at your age, and you managed it in half a summer."

Harry smiled, too. "I did it for you," he repeated, tightening his arms around his surrogate father. "Last full moon, I heard you howling, and…I couldn't live with myself if I let you go through that alone, knowing I could do something about it."

Remus chuckled slightly. Harry lifted his head to give him a questioning look. Smiling, Remus answered, "That's almost exactly what James said when he was justifying the decision to become animagi." Harry practically glowed at hearing yet another tidbit about his parents.

"You know," Remus began after a moment, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "I never did get a proper look at your form. I only know it's some type of wolf."

Harry grinned and stood up, backing away a few paces. Then he closed his eyes, letting the feel of the transformation wash over him once more. A moment later, Russet stood in his place, emerald eyes glinting and tongue lolling out in a playful grin. Remus smiled, and Russet lifted himself onto his back legs, planting his front paws on Remus's knees. Remus laughed and rubbed the red wolf behind the ears, tracing once over the lightning bolt-shaped patch of fur between his eyes. Russet yipped and licked Remus across the face, making him yelp in surprise, torn between disgust and amusement. The latter eventually won and Remus started laughing. Harry transformed back and laughed right along with him, their earlier argument virtually forgotten.

Some time later, they both regained their breath and Harry asked cheekily, "So can I join you next full moon?"

Remus sobered. "I can't say I like the idea of you being in danger, but I can't stop you. As long as you're careful," he qualified, "then I suppose you can."

Harry pumped his fist in the air triumphantly and impulsively hugged his surrogate father. "Thank you!" he exclaimed.

Remus chuckled and hugged him back a moment, then pushed him away gently. "I admire your enthusiasm. But I'm still tired. Let's get breakfast, then I'm going to rest."

Harry nodded and led the way to the kitchen. He was gratified to find plates set out for both him and Remus, and nothing looked burned. Tonks stood triumphantly near the stove, a greasy spatula in her hand.

"Dig in, wolf boys," she teased. "Made fresh and unburnt. Enjoy!"

Harry and Remus laughed and dug in.