Remus shivered. The Shrieking Shack had never been known for its warmth, and tonight was no exception. Of course, the fact that he wasn't wearing any clothes didn't help matters. He was waiting for the moon. He could feel it pulling on him, urging him to let go, to lose control. But that wasn't going to happen. He'd taken wolfsbane potion every day for the last week so he'd be 'safe'. Or at least, as safe as a werewolf could be when transforming in the middle of a school with over 500 students. Dumbledore had assured him that the potion would allow him to keep complete control when he transformed, and so far it had worked, but even so.

Remus didn't want to take any chances. He didn't think it wise to do as the headmaster had said and transform in his office. There would only be a single wooden door between him and the rest of the school, and he didn't think it wise to test his control so strongly. Besides, Sirius had said they should explore the grounds, like they used to. He'd said they should do it in honour of James, try to keep his memory alive. Remus had agreed only after Dumbledore had told him about the potion.

He closed his eyes as the inexorable pull of the moon got stronger and the tremors running through his body intensified. He took in a deep breath and held it as the pull became unbearable. And then the pain hit. He could feel all the bones in his body grinding together painfully as they moved. Muscles ripped and skin tore. His face was stretching, changing. He let out an ear splitting howl and then collapsed to the floor, his limbs shaking from the aftermath of the transformation.

Padfoot entered the room eventually, his shaggy tail wagging furiously at the sight of Remus. He sat on his haunches in front of Remus and gave him a look that quite plainly said "What are you waiting for? Come on"

Remus followed him into the night.

OoOoOo

This couldn't be happening. It couldn't be real. His eyes must be playing tricks on him. It wasn't unheard of as he recovered from the moon. That was the only logical explanation for what he was seeing. Because otherwise, it meant that Harry was lying in a bed next to him, after falling over 100 feet from his broom. And that was absurd. Remus glanced at Sirius. There was a look of utter hopelessness, pain and desolation on his handsome face. It was that more than anything that convinced him that this wasn't some sick illusion that his exhausted brain had come up with. Not even he could imagine such a heartbroken look on his best friends face.

"What happened?" Remus whispered. He wasn't sure that Sirius had heard him, but then Sirius turned a tortured face to him.

"Dementors" Sirius choked in a dead voice. He raised his eyes slowly to meet Remus'. "They invaded the pitch during the match. Harry fell… We both know what he hears. I – its impressive he stayed on his broom as long as he did"

Remus' eyes widened in horror. A chill spread through his entire body as he remembered Harry telling him of the screams that filled his ears when the hooded terrors were near him. He looked at Harry again. He looked so small, so fragile to be dealing with things like that. Older, stronger and wiser men had snapped after hearing less than that. "Why were they even there? They're not allowed on the grounds"

"They're getting hungry, Remus. They feed on human emotions, the happier the better. That's why the headmaster won't let them onto the grounds – he doesn't want them terrorising the students." Sirius shuddered slightly and his eyes took on a faraway look. Remus knew instantly what he was thinking of. Azkaban. Sirius had spent nearly three years in Azkaban before Remus had realised the truth and captured Peter, thus freeing Sirius. The years had taken their toll though. Sirius wasn't the same carefree man that he'd been. He was much more serious than he'd ever been. Sirius shook his head slightly, dragging himself from his mental demons. "Dumbledore's furious. He made sure Harry was OK, and then he went down to deal with them. As far as I'm aware, he's still down there"

Remus threw his head back onto his pillow, closing his eyes in thought. Dementors really were foul. No-one should have to endure the horror that they caused, but especially not students. It wasn't right. There was only one way to fight of a dementor, and it was not an easy spell. It was normally only taught to N.E.W.T level students, and even then, some never mastered it. The problem was, that was the only way that Remus could see of helping Harry with his dementor problem.

Sirius moved his arms next to him, revealing the small paw print that he'd had tattooed on his arm when they left school. The revelation came to him like a lightening bolt – if three students could learn on their own to become animagi, surely Remus could teach a single student to do a patronus charm? The only problem then was how. It wasn't like he could bring a dementor into the castle.

"I don't think Harry's safe here" Sirius said eventually.

Remus sighed tiredly. "Not this again? Sirius, both you and I know that he's safer here than he is at home. Pettigrew knows where the house is! With dementors all around the grounds, there's very little chance that he could even get to the castle. Besides, he wouldn't be stupid enough to try anything with all of us around"

"The dementors are why he's not safe! Look what they've done to him! I'm not particularly worried about Peter – it's only a matter of time before we catch the son of a bitch and I'm still not convinced Peter's after him. No, it's the dementors that worry me. He had such a horrible childhood before we took him that he's probably got tons of horrid memories that we know nothing of. I – I know what the dementors can do to a person, and I don't want Harry to go through that"

"If it makes you feel any better, I intend to teach him the patronus charm. That's the only thing that can fight them off, I think it'll help" Remus told him quietly.

Sirius smiled. "Why didn't I think of that? That's a really good idea"

"Of course it is, I came up with it. Even if he can't make it corporeal, it can still help against them. Though, with any luck he won't come across them again"

Sirius and Remus shared a look. They were thinking the exact same thing. Harry was like a walking incarnation of Murphy's law. He was like a magnet for trouble. Harry didn't wake up for another hour, by which time Madam Pomfrey had nearly forced Sirius to take a calming draught. He'd shaken her off casually, but the threat that she'd force it down his throat if he got any more worried was obviously haunting him. Harry's eyes slowly opened and he took in the sight of a panicky Sirius and an exhausted Remus calmly. "Hello everyone"

OoOoOo

Remus climbed out of bed gingerly. He was always stiff after a full moon, every single joint and muscle in his body normally ached. Yet another downside of being a werewolf, because there just weren't enough already. Remus sighed.

"Are you alright Remus?" Harry's voice asked from the bed next to him. Remus looked over at him as he buttoned up his shirt. He still looked a little pale, but nowhere near what he had looked like when Remus had first seen him. He watched Remus with curious eyes.

"I'm on the mend Harry. I'll be back in lessons on Monday" Remus tried to smile reassuringly at him, but he wasn't sure if it worked.

"Good. We had Snape for a cover, and I think most of the class were on the verge of killing him. He set us homework too – he wants a four foot essay!"

"Four feet? I wasn't even aware there was 4 feet of information on hinkypunks"

Harry smiled grimly. "The essay isn't on Hinkypunks. It's on identifying and killing werewolves. And…"

Remus froze. Harry was still talking, but Remus couldn't force himself to concentrate. Panic. Mind-numbing panic was the only thing that filled his brain. Identifying werewolves? He drew in a ragged breath. Remus had guarded his secret carefully for years, but Snape had blown it all with just one sentence. They knew. That was the only thought that permeated through his mind. The students would know what he was. He'd be forced to resign, or maybe even sacked – the parents wouldn't want a monster teaching their children. And then it hit him – that wasn't the worst of it. Harry would know what he was! Remus looked at him cautiously. He was still moaning about Snape.

"Harry, I'm so sorry. I – " His voice caught in his throat. He didn't know what he was going to say to Harry. If he was honest, he'd known he would have to tell him soon, Remus just hadn't bargained on it being this soon.

"Sorry? It's not your fault Snape's an arse" Harry replied in a confused tone.

What? Did Harry not know? "So you haven't done the essay yet?"

Harry snorted. "Of course I haven't," Remus let out the breath that he didn't know he was holding. Harry didn't know. His secret was safe for a while longer. "Nobody's done it. Well actually, Hermione's done it"

Remus wasn't particularly worried about Hermione. He'd known she would figure it out eventually, he only hoped she had enough sense to not tell anyone. He was just relieved that the majority of students didn't know, especially Harry. He'd put off telling him for so long that he didn't know where to begin. How do you tell someone you've been lying to them for 9 years? It was just easier this way.

OoOoOo

Sirius was pacing. Remus knew that it wasn't a good sign. He knew Sirius too well, he knew that this would end one of two ways and neither would be good. Sirius turned to face him, his stormy eyes flashing in fury. Remus closed his eyes tiredly, and then opened them in time to see Sirius stride angrily towards the door.

"Sirius, stop!" Remus said firmly. It had the desired effect. The taller man stopped, his hand still holding the door handle tightly. Remus watched as he turned around, his eyes dark as he scowled.

"How dare he? What makes him think he has the right to do this?"

Remus sighed lightly. "He's bitter Sirius. We thought he would be. Not only has one of his most hated people returned to Hogwarts, but I've also taken the job that he wants more than anything"

"I don't care if he's bitter, what he's done is going too far" Sirius said in a low, furious voice. "His hatred is no excuse for exposing your furry problem. You've waited years for something like this to happen, how dare he attempt to ruin that?"

Remus looked at Sirius again. "He's doing this because in his own twisted way, he's trying to keep the students safe. I'm dangerous Sirius. You've always had trouble accepting it, but he hasn't. I think he thinks that I'm going to go on a rampage and attack the students" Remus said with a twisted, bitter smile. He knew what he was. He knew he was dangerous. And he knew that Snape was trying to keep the students safe. Though, Remus thought sardonically, he was sure that Snape would enjoy watching him lose his job.

"That's absurd Remus. You're not going to attack anybody. You take so many precautions that I'm surprised you even hurt yourself anymore. You're no more dangerous than I am!"

"You're not a werewolf Padfoot! Just leave it. I understand why he did it. It might prove ruinous, but I can't imagine it will be that bad. Please Sirius, just leave it?"

Sirius paused and stepped away from the door, his face not really showing the inner turmoil. Remus sighed as Sirius shook his head. "No, he has no right to do this. I think I'm going to have a little word with Snivellus"

Remus sighed as the door shut behind Sirius. There was nothing he could do now.