Part Thirty-Nine

There on the front page was a photograph of Remus. The Headline said:

WAS HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WICTHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY HARBORING A WEREWOLF!

James- What! Who would give this to the press!

Remus- (looks stunned and hurt) Now everyone will know about this, I'll be expelled for sure!

Sirius- (in a very low, very dangerous voice) Guys, you know that there can only be one person who could have leaked this to the press.

James- But what about Snape!

Remus- Snape wouldn't do that for the express reason that he would be expelled. Dumbledore would know that it was him. Dumbledore would never expect a Marauder to turn on one of his best friends.

James- That slimy... double-crossing... (adds a few more expletives) And here I thought he could sink no lower.

Sirius- (sadly) Did we ever know him? I mean really know him?

Remus- (still staring at the paper) How many people do you think know about this?

James- I doubt that it will be many. I mean it probably just went out and people aren't even home yet from the service.

Lily- Well, I don't care how many people know. That (edit for language) needs to be shown for the snake he is. Come on.

With that all four of them turned and ran for the castle.

Once inside the castle, they heard a voice speaking from the Great Hall. Lily, James and Sirius moved angrily forward as they heard the traitor's voice. But a sudden deep growl came from behind them.

Turning around, they saw Remus. His face had already lengthened into the snout of a wolf and there was brown fur sporouting on his face and hands. Quickly casting a "Muffliato" charm around them, they turned back around to deal with the problem.

James- Uh-oh.

Lily- What's happening! The full moon was a week ago!

James (sounding like a textbook)- Some werewolves, if they experience a major emotional upset can turn into the wolf even when there is no full moon. If the book wasn't upsetting enough, that article in the paper was the last straw.

Sirius- What do we do!

Remus (in a very low growling voice)- I smell Wormtail! Let me at him.

James- That's not good.

Lily- What?

Sirius- When the human part of a werewolf's emotions are mixed up, so are the wolf's.

Sirius transformed into Padfoot and tried to calm his friend down. But once in canine form, he found that Remus's emotions were causing his canine form to react in the same way. He quickly transformed back to his human self knowing that they didn't need two out of control animals to deal with.

By this time, Remus was nearly completely transformed. The only part of him that remained even remotely human, was the fact that he could speak. The others hoped that this was a sign that Remus was a wolf in appearance only and was not fighting a losing battle for control of his mind as he may have decided to go with the wolf's tendencies.

James- Lily, transform and see if you can calm him down enough to turn back. Padfoot and I will go into the Great Hall and deal with Wormtail.

Remus- I don't need you to deal with Wormtail for me! I have a much better way to do it!

Lily (soothingly) Moony, you would hate yourself when it was all over.

Remus- No, I wouldn't. He deserves it. For once wolf and man agree.