Last time: there was a flashback from the night Remus was bitten. James, Sirius and Peter decide they want to continue being friends with Remus. They convince Remus that they still love him, and they give him a new nickname; Moony.

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Wolfie-powers

Remus stood in front of the mirror. He hated the scars that ran across his face, but he couldn't stop looking. What if someone realized it wasn't from a hippogriff? He had sneaked into the dorm under the invisibility cloak the day before, but he couldn't stay under it forever.

Just when he thought he was ready to leave, a sudden wave of doubt stopped him.

His uniform had been shredded to pieces, luckily Sirius still had his uniform from the year before. The Blacks were rich enough to buy new uniforms each year. It was still a little big on him though, yet also better maintained than his last one.

"Moony come out already! If you don't eat breakfast, you're gonna be hungry as a wolf." James' statement was followed by laughter from Sirius and Peter, yet also a little grin from Remus.

They had asked him if he was okay with the jokes. And he was. As long as they didn't say them too loudly in public. None of the jokes would be any fun if other people heard them and guessed what he was.

"Coming."

The sight calmed him. James was practically tearing his bed apart to find his potions book. He had missed a few buttons on his shirt. Peter had emptied his whole bag on his bed. A jumble of books, loose parchment and candy wrap flew around. Sirius was laying on his bed, getting a few extra minutes of sleep. Everything was normal. It was perfect.

Sirius rose from his bed once he spotted Remus, then gave him a big tight hug. Those meant a lot to Remus too. He had been afraid they were gonna act differently around him even though they claimed they were okay with the whole werewolf thing. But these hugs showed otherwise.

"FOUND IT!" James jumped up from under the bed with a big smile. He stuffed the book into his bag, meanwhile, Peter had repacked his bag and thrown out all the candy wrap.

"Ready?" Sirius still had an arm around Remus.

He wasn't. Not really. But didn't want to be more trouble than necessary. "Yeah."

Sirius only removed his arm from around Remus when they walked down the spiral staircase, but quickly copied his previous position once able to. Remus kept his hands wrapped tightly around the strap for his bag.

Everyone they passed took a good glance at Remus' face. He tried to ignore it. It was from a hippogriff as far as they were concerned. But once they entered the Great Hall and more than just a few pair of eyes glanced at him, he kept his head down.

Even when sitting down, he couldn't bring himself to look up. It felt as if all eyes were on him. He didn't look up until an owl landed in front of him. He hadn't seen it before. It had brought a letter from his dad and a little package. It didn't fly away once he had taken them. Remus fed it a sausage before opening the letter.

Dear Remus.

I'm ecstatic your friends are accepting of your condition! If you want to invite them over during the Christmas holidays, your mom and I would be happy to meet them.

The house is looking much better than when you last saw it. Our priority has been your room. It is now perfectly liveable all year round. We only need you to decorate it.

Your mom got the promotion she wanted! It means she earns a little more, and we decided you should have an owl. Her name is Galaxie, but you can give a new name if you want. The salesman said she is daring, so we are hoping she will get used to you quickly.

I found the old wolf toy that you wanted. We also send some muggle-chocolates. Some of them have caramel in it. I think you will love it.

Love, dad.

"Who's it from?" Peter asked, his mouth full.

"My parents. I… I told them what happened the other day." Remus proceeds to stroke the owl. It jumped away, but he held his hand still and after a few seconds it approached him. He stroked it gently. "They gave me this owl. Her name is Galaxie."

"What's in the package?" James pointed to the little brown box.

"Just some chocolate," he lied. Remus wasn't sure what they would think if they knew there was a toy-wolf as well. Nevertheless, he stuffed the whole package into his bag.

Peter snorted. "I think that's the first time you haven't immediately eaten chocolate when given the opportunity."

Remus rolled his eyes as Sirius and James snickered.

.:lll:.

So far, throughout the entire day, people had only looked at him. No one had dared to ask him about the scars, but he overheard all the whispers.

"Did you see Lupin?"

"I heard he fought a Hippogriff!"

"I heard he won."

"Do you think they entered the Forbidden Forest?"

"He looks so cool."

Anytime any of them began speaking, he put his head down and walked a little faster. His friends sent him odd looks - they didn't know of his super hearing. Remus hated the attention he was getting.

When they were all sitting in the common room that night, Marlene McKinnon approached them. She ignored three of the boys and headed straight for Remus.

"Is it true you fought a Hippogriff?"

There was no beating around the bush with a girl like Marlene.

"Err, yes."

She nodded approvingly. Fighting a Hippogriff wasn't what you would expect of the smallest Gryffindor in their year. It seemed rather like something Sirius or especially James would do.

Once she had left, Sirius startled him by pushing him gently. "You're becoming popular!"

Remus shook his head gently. "I don't want to be. People keep staring and it's making me uncomfortable."

"Please, Moony. I would die to have all the girls stare at me like that!" James glanced towards a group of girls who all ignored him.

Remus shook his head again.

"So, uh," Peter finally spoke after gathering courage the entire day. "Remus. I was thinking, is there any benefits to… you-know-what? If you don't want to talk about it then don't it's just… I'm a little curious."

He frowned. "What do you mean benefits? Turing into a monster isn't exactly fun."

Peter blushed. He hadn't meant to say it like that, though James came to his rescue.

"It's like with me. A downside to being black is racism, but I'm much better looking than you guys." James laughingly ducked a pillow which was thrown his way by Sirius.

Remus sat still in thought for a moment as James threw the pillow back at Sirius who was now whining because his hair had been messed up. He hadn't ever thought of his heightened senses as a good thing. He had only seen that it wasn't human and had, therefore, dismissed it.

"My senses are heightened, I guess that's… something." He shrugged. Talking openly about being a werewolf felt odd. "And I'm faster and stronger than most people."

James snorted; Remus furrowed his eyebrows. "No offence, Remy, but you can't beat anyone with those spaghetti arms." His eyes lightened up. "I dare you to arm wrestle with me. If you win -which won't happen- then I'll buy you five chocolate bars, but when I win you have to be my servant for a whole day."

Remus raised his eyebrow. He wasn't much for using his extra strength, but if he could prove James wrong and earn chocolate, it was worth it. "Okay. I take the dare. Sirius, you'll be the judge."

Sirius gasped. "How dare you, Remus. I've been traumatized for life by someone I once called my best friend! And you expect me to not act biased. I need years to recover." He threw himself on the couch with a long sigh.

James, Remus and Peter simultaneously rolled their eyes.

Peter was picked as a judge instead. Remus and James sat on the floor opposite each other and set their elbows on the table. As Peter counted down from three, they both prepared. James used all his strength but only managed to move Remus' arm a few centimetres. Remus then put all his strength into flipping James' arm to the other side.

He sat back with a satisfied grin as James and Peter both stared wide-eyed at him. Only Sirius wasn't impressed.

"It's not a fair contest. James is about as strong as a flobberworm!" He took James place on the floor and put his arm up, daring Remus to take it. "Remus Moony Lupin I dare you to arm wrestle me."

Remus copied Sirius. "I'll take another five chocolate bars or be your servant for a day."

"Don't do it, mate," James warned. Looking at Remus, one would never suspect he could even lift one kilo. His arms were simply too thin, and his whole figure was scrawny and lanky. Wolf-strength didn't brag.

"Shh, Jamsie. I need my full concentration."

Once Peter had once again counted down from three, it seemed as if Sirius was winning; he only needed a few centimetres to beat Remus. Though in the last second, Remus brought out all his strength and forced Sirius' arm to the other side, almost breaking it and simultaneously granting himself the victory.

James smiled smugly, then gently hit Sirius's arm. Sirius glared at him in return. How was he supposed to know that Remus was freakishly strong?

"How did… what happened with your eyes?" Peter lifted his arm to point but stopped himself. The moment Remus used his strength against Sirius to win, his eyes had become yellow. His pupils had become thinner. Almost animal-like.

"Oh right." Remus brought his gaze to the floor. "That happens when… when I use it, I… this was stupid." Of course, they would be disgusted by his animal side. He would be repulsed too.

"It wasn't," Peter quickly said - almost like a reflex, but this didn't make it any less honest. "I think it's super cool. You just beat both James and Sirius in arm wrestling without even trying and earning yourself ten bars of chocolate."

Remus smiled wryly. "I guess it's a little cool."

"Mega cool!" James said.

"Incredibly cool." Sirius supplied.

"What else can you do? You mentioned heightened senses." Peter and the others stared at Remus with big eyes, causing the other boy to feel slightly nervous. Yes, they had all been friends for almost a year, but they had never been so interested in him before. No one had, and especially not about his werewolf side.

"Well… I," he hesitated, but Sirius nodded slightly to him. Remus took a deep breath and tried again. "I can hear well. Like, you guys could be standing on the other side of the room and talk quietly, but I would still be able to hear you. And… remember I said I could see the difference between good and bad Bertie Botts Beans? Well… I can smell it y' know."

"That's amazing!" James exclaimed. "I mean it sucks with the whole wolf-thing, but… think of the pranks we can make!" Sirius had an equally exciting expression; Remus snorted and shared a glance with Peter. "We can overhear anyone! Discover castle secrets, even find hidden hallways! Remus, what else!"

Once again, Remus hesitated. Though maybe… maybe they would think it was cool as well.

"I can… sorta smell feelings, if you know what I mean. It's like… everyone has their own individual scent, and sometimes it changes a little. It can be sweet, but also sour. I don't always know… know what the different scents mean, but… yeah."

"Remus, you have to be the coolest mischief-maker ever!" Peter said.

Sirius moved to the other side of the table and laid his arm around Remus, squeezing tight. "You're brilliant, Moony. I'm almost not upset about losing to you in arm wrestling!"

Remus smiled at Sirius, but that quickly turned into a stern look. "You're not gonna get out of giving me those chocolates!"

Sirius pouted, then grinned. "Worth a try!"

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Remus was still awake a half-hour after they had all gone to sleep. He finally had some time alone to open the package from his dad. Resisting the temptation, he put the chocolates away and took out the little wolf.

A wave of nostalgia and memories flashed over him. All those nights and days before the full moon where he had clutched it tightly to remind himself, he could be good. That he wasn't destined to be evil simply because he was a werewolf.

Remus snuggled under the covers and held the little wolf closer to him.

It's okay. You're keeping your friends and they still like you.

He was half asleep when suddenly the curtains were slid aside and revealed Sirius on the other side. Remus quickly hid the wolf, but it was too late, Sirius had seen it.

"What's that?" Sirius gestured to the little lump under the duvet. He sat on the bed next to Remus.

"Nothing," he mumbled, then sat up beside Sirius. "Is everything alright?" Sirius hadn't ever come over to talk in the middle of the night.

"Yeah, everything's great." He smiled wryly. "Is everything okay with you? You don't seem to be so happy about those scars. I don't think anyone will see a connection if that's what you're worried about."

Remus didn't want to be a bother. "It's alright."

Sirius wasn't satisfied. "You can tell me, you know. Or Peter or James if you're more comfortable talking to them. I think McGonagall or Madam Pomfrey would be happy to listen as well if you need to talk to anyone." He wasn't sure if he was only trying to convince Remus, or maybe himself too. Christmas Holidays were close.

Remus hesitated, then answered. "It's just a constant reminder of sorts. Usually, I can cover them all up and forget they're even there."

"I think they're beautiful."

Remus half-expected Sirius to laugh and brush it off as a joke, but that didn't happen. A little hesitant, he spoke. "You don't have to lie."

"I mean it," Sirius insisted. He turned his body to face Remus. "Each one tells a story of how you survived. That's beautiful. Besides, they make you look badass."

Remus shook his head but didn't correct Sirius. Honestly, it made him feel good to have Sirius say those things, but he would never admit so.

As if sensing the need, Sirius moved over to put his arm around Remus to a half-hug. Though the hug ended abruptly when Sirius snatched the wolf from under the covers and leapt away when Remus tried to take it back.

"Give it to me!" Remus demanded, but Sirius kept holding Remus down while holding the wolf as far away as his arm allowed.

"It's cute." Sirius was grinning. He gave the wolf back to Remus after getting a good look at it. "Why do you have it?" They sat up next to each other again. Remus held the wolf in his hands and gently stroked its head.

"My parents gave it to me when I was little. I forgot I had it, but suddenly I just wanted to hug it again. It used to help me sleep around the… full moon." Remus had almost forgotten he didn't need to keep his secret anymore.

It felt weird, but also incredibly nice. Being a werewolf was a part of him -a huge part- and now he didn't have to hide it anymore. His friends didn't only accept who he was but were fascinated with the perks that came with it too.

Sirius frowned and tilted his head slightly. "I never had one. Do they help you sleep?"

Remus stared at Sirius' unreadable expression for a few seconds. Had he seriously never had a stuffed animal? Remus wouldn't have known what to do without them. They were the funniest things to play with and he could sleep with them as well. It was the perfect toy. "It's probably stupid. But I just… felt less alone, I guess. And it was nice to hug."

Sirius smiled wryly.

"Good for you Moony. May you and your dog sleep well." He jumped out of the bed, and into his own again. He laughed softly when Remus yelled that it was not a dog, but a wolf.

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Peter couldn't believe how awesome his friend was. The werewolf-part sucked, not only because he would transform every month (he wasn't exactly sure what happened, but had a feeling it wasn't comfortable seeing as how ill Remus had seemed every month) but also because people would judge him without knowing anything else about him.

Peter had been lucky Remus wanted to be his friend the year before and was even luckier when James and Sirius decided to be their friend as well. Usually, people would judge him based on his weight.

The difference though (and this thought scared Peter a lot) was that Peter got a chance despite them all knowing what he looked like and probably judged him from this. If they had known Remus was a werewolf before getting to know him, they wouldn't have given him a chance.

It was a scary thought, but it was true.

Sirius was only convinced Remus wasn't evil because they already knew him and had seen him fold his socks. They had seen him eat chocolate carefully. One tiny bite at the time, then closing his eyes to enjoy it fully. Peter had even seen him sleep, curled into a tiny ball.

Seeing Remus break down in front of them as they said they wanted to stay friends with him had to be the saddest and happiest thing ever. And surely there should be a word for this emotion. Remus would probably know it.

Peter's stepdad Kayson was a horrible man and his views on werewolves were dreadful as well. So surely they were wrong.

The whole experience had taught Peter something as well. That he should be more open-minded. To not judge people by first glance but dig a little deeper.

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This chapter took more than a month longer to write than usual. I like to pretend my mental health doesn't slow me down, but the truth is that it does. I wish it didn't because it sucks but I don't know what to do about it.

Please leave a review! They make me so happy!