Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. They are J.K.Rowling's creation. I just corrupt them to my fancy.
Rating: M just to be safe and it will go in the M area later on
Summery: A story about Remus' days at Hogwarts starting at day one. It will mostly be about him and Sirius. It will be Slashed in later years. Will contain Slash if you do not like slash do not read.
A/N: I want to thank everyone who read and reviewed.
Phases 2.16
"Lay on McDuff, and damned be him that first cries, hold enough!" James shouted as he entered the dorm room chasing after Sirius.
James and Sirius acted out the final scene between Macbeth and McDuff. An intense wrestling match ensued. Sirius McDuff was pinned by James. James let out a mighty victory roar.
Remus had watched this scene enacted several times over the past week. Unfortunately, sometimes Macbeth won and sometimes it ended in a draw. They clearly had no regards for Shakespeare's written word.
Remus sighed at the injustice of it all.
"Oi, Remus got your knickers in a bunch again?" Sirius asked.
"No, I do not thank you very much. I just don't see the point of rehearsing if you are going to change the outcome."
"Aw you're just upset because you are a witch, that can't be to flattering to your manhood. You don't get to do any cool fight scenes." James said as he stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes.
"True, but my character can turn yours into a toad with the blink of an eye."
"Nah, I still think Macbeth could take on the witches." James launched himself at Remus, tackling him to the ground. Sirius just shook his head; this should be over with quickly.
It was to be a grand fight – Macbeth against a frail witch. James pinned Remus down and was about to let his victory yell loose when he heard a growl. Before he could even look at Remus he was pinned to the floor. He could not maneuver out of this embarrassing predicament.
"What were you saying James?" Remus smirked like the kneazle that ate the canary.
"You really are strong, never knew you had it in you to be honest." James felt like an idiot. He should have known Remus would be strong due to his furry little problem.
"Yes it's not something I flaunt." Remus released his grip on James and stood up.
Remus started to head back to his bed when he was tackled once again. Sirius could not let the prime opportunity pass him by.
James stepped out of the way as the boys rolled around the floor. Remus could easily have pinned Sirius, but the wolf wanted to play. The wolf, for some reason liked Sirius, and enjoyed this form of play. Remus hoped that it would tire the wolf out and make tonight's transformation easier.
"What's going on in here?" Peter inquired as he entered the dorm room.
"McDuff and the witch are wrestling." James replied nonchalantly.
"Oh," Peter said as he watched the match.
It was a spectacular match. Each boy applied grand moves to render the other motionless. Granted many illegal moves were employed, none more so than the sneaky act of tickling. Sirius had a laughing, squirming Remus beneath him.
"What's that?" Peter asked pointing at Remus' waist.
Everyone including Remus looked to where Peter was pointing. Remus' shirt had risen during the foray, and the tip of his bite scar was visible. Remus quickly pushed Sirius off of him and pulled his shirt down.
"It's nothing." Remus turned his head away, he felt his face flush.
"Is that where you were bit?" Sirius asked quietly.
"Yes."
"Can I see it?" Sirius had wanted to see the scar properly, but hadn't wanted to ask. "It's ok if you don't want to show us, but I would like to see it. You have nothing to hide from us. We aren't going to run screaming from the room."
With a deep breath Remus raised his shirt, and pulled his trousers down just so the scar was showing. He closed his eyes; he didn't want to see their faces.
"Wow." Peter and James said together.
Remus jumped as he felt finger tips gently brush over it.
"Sorry," Sirius lowered his head, hiding the fact that he was blushing. "I just wanted to touch it, it is such and interesting scar."
Remus rolled his eyes, only Sirius would find his scar interesting.
"What are all the other scars from?" James blurt out.
Remus lowered his shirt. "When I transform, the wolf lashes out at its confinement. It can also smell that a human is nearby and attacks. It goes after the room, and then turns its teeth and claws on itself."
"Bloody hell, isn't there anything that can be done to make it easier on you?" James' stomach turned at the thought of the scars. There had to be a way to help, to stop the self mutilation.
"No, there isn't, unless I roam free, but the risks are too high. If I ever hurt anyone I wouldn't know how to live with myself. It would kill me, if the ministry didn't do it first." Remus' voice trembled as he spoke.
Remus waited for it to begin. He sat on the bed naked and shivering. He had always hoped it would get easier. It never did. He just sat and waited.
Sirius stared out the window, gazing at the full moon. The moon he had always loved; now held a different emotion. He was angry. He looked at the celestial body and cursed it. He turned his attention back to the book in his lap. Maybe there was an answer in this book.
The wolf threw back its head and howled. It longed to be set free, to be able to run under the moon that ruled it. It howled again, secretly hoping it would be answered.
Sirius was reading what he termed 'utterly useless book number two'. Damn books, and damn the authors who wrote them. Weren't books supposed to be helpful and hold all the answers? Most of what he read about werewolves made him sick. The authors wrote them to be hideous evil creatures that did not deserve to live. He found many ways for torturing and killing werewolves, but nothing to help them.
Remus woke up shivering in the hospital wing. His wounds were bandaged. He surveyed the damage. None of the mutilation was visible; at least the wolf took pity on him there. His legs and arms started to spasm. He was shocked to hear Sirius call out for Madam Pomfrey and start to massage his arms.
Madam Pomfrey rushed in and started to administer some spells, while Sirius placed a cool flannel on Remus' forehead. She checked his bandages while she was there and then headed back to her office. Remus turned to Sirius, smiled and drifted back to unconsciousness.
Sirius did not leave his side, except for classes –Pomfrey demanded he attend. He watched everything she did. He saw how the wounds were dressed, what potions she used and noted everything that happened to Remus.
He also noticed that O'Brien stopped by to pick up bandages and to check on Remus. O'Brien left a bar of Honeydukes finest. Sirius made a mental note to talk to Professor O'Brien. He seemed to know a lot about werewolves and how to care for them. Maybe he knew how to make the transformations easier on Remus.
James, Sirius and Peter watched as Remus thrashed about his bed. They took turns watching him. Sirius and James checked his bandages to make sure none of the wounds opened up. Peter fetched broth and a cool damp flannel to aid in the care of one Remus Lupin.
Knowing the cause of their friend's turmoil and not being able to ease the pain; angered them. They felt helpless.
"There has to be a way to make this easier on him." James said as he checked a particularly large gash on Remus' leg.
"I read all the books in the library, and frankly most should be thrown in the rubbish bin." Sirius growled as he sponged Remus' forehead.
"Are we wizards or aren't we? There has to be something we can do." For James the inability to do anything was maddening.
"I plan on asking O'Brien if he knows anything that will help."
"Really, do you think he does?"
"Yes, I think he knows something." Sirius paused and looked up at James. "I think he is waiting for me to talk to him about it."
"Then go talk to him mate." James looked down at Remus. "I can't see him like this. He is too good a person to suffer."
With a nod Sirius agreed and vowed to talk to O'Brien.
