Alright. Like I said the fic is about to end. This is the second laat chapter with an epilogue as well.
Enjoy.
DISCLAIMER: Nope.
Two nights later, when the moon had risen, three animals stood side by side near the Shrieking Shack. There were many rumors surrounding that place. They said that it was haunted. That screams could be heard from it at night.
Thus it earned it's name. What people didn't relaize was that the source of this screaming was not ghosts but a werewolf. And it was because of this werewolf the three animals were gathered here. Normally these animals would never be seen together in nature, but sometimes nature and fate itself has a way of playing things.
All the animals were staring at the slightly opened door. A large Black dog was sitting on it's humches, tongue out and panting. And though it's face was normal if one saw it's eyes they could swear that the dog was concerned about something.
Next to the dog stood a stag. Large and majestic as it was, it was also impatient. It huffed and stamped itvs hoof, wanting wharever it was that was happening in the shack to happen quickly. It shook it's antlers, waiting in anticipation before it started pacing.
And the last animal sitting next to them was a fox. Small in stature as compared to the other two, it was still bigger than average. It's fur a bright red-orange, whereas it's eyes, startling yellow, almost like headlights. It's face was blank, emotionless. It's body relayed nothing, and yet it too patiently waited.
Finally a noise was heard, that didn't sound like screaming or breaking. This caused a the animals to tense up as they waited for the source of the noise to come out.
The werewolf padded out on all four feet before standing up on two. It raised it's mouth and howled a long, mournful howl. Then it sniffed around. Familiar and unfamiliar scents assaulted it. A familiar scent was missing it realized. And yet when it thought about that familiar scent a sense of betrayal and sadness overwhelmed it.
It didn't like these emotions. Knowing not how to deal with them he attacked the banister, slashing the wood, it's pieces flying everywhere. Then it smelt another smell. An unfamiliar one. It growled and lunged at it. The one-who-is-not-prey came in his way and stopped the wolf. The almost-wolf yipped from beside it's side. The unfamiliar smell had yet to move. The wolf, surprised at this cautiously approached the scent. The almost-wolf watched him warily. The smaller-but-almost-wolf was sitting there serenely. The almost-wolf came up to him and licked him showing he wasn't danger.
The smaller one one shook itself. Apparently it didn't enjoy being licked. The Wolf then walked up to the smaller one and sniffed it. It remained still. The scent reminded the wolf of happiness and relife. The Wolf nodded. The smaller-but-almost-wolf was good. It took a good sniff, planting the scent in his memory.
Pack.
The Wolf was getting impatient now. He wanted to run. He wanted to hunt. The Dog yipped around playfully, the Fox also scurrying close to the Wolf's heels. The three scents then moved past him, out of the tunnel. The Dog yipped. The Wolf rushed out to see who had threatened his pack,yet there ws nothing. The Dog once again yipped, playfully, inviting the Wolf to run. The Fox jumped ob the Dog's back before jumping off.
The Dog rushed forward into the forest. The Wolf followed behind and found the Stag and the Fox on either of his side. And like that the Wolf ran with it's pack throughout the night. The Fox and Dog would chase a prey and lead him to the Wolf, who would grab it and devour it, satisfying his hunger.
At one point other odd smells assaulted the Wolf's nose but the Fox quickly pushed him the other way. The Stag, using his antlers drove him further into the forest. The Dog imvited the Wolf over.
It huffed but followed none the less. It had hunted. It had run. It was satisfied. It didn't care about those scents. The Wolf followed the Dog, Stag and Fox back into the shack through the tunnel. The Wolf yawned, exposing his large canines.
The Stag sat down and rested his head on the now sleeping Dog. The Fox decided the top of the Stag was a good bed and climbed up and settled there. The Wolf curled up on the Stag's side. It was happy. It was with it's pack. These strange animals and one werewolf slept peacefully through the night, happy, content and relaxed.
Remus woke up with a groan. He hated these nights. It always hurts transforming into a werewolf and it hurt just as much transforming back. A wet nose touched his cheek making him yelp quite loudly.
Padfoot only whined and gave a pet-me look or you-can't-resist-my-cuteness look. Remus rolling his eyes before scratching behind his ear, earning a tail wag and a smile, as much as a dog could give of course. It was now that Remus noticed the orange-brown lump on top of Prongs.
"Prongs, is that a fox?"
At this Prongs who was fully awake got up causing said fox to fall down gracelessly into a heap on the floor. Remus laughed. He couldn't help it. The fox got up, shook itself then glared at Prongs, who looked as smug as they come.
Then it clicked. "Severus, is that you?" He received a small yip as cofirmation.
"Come here let me take a look."
The fox trotted over to him. He petted him, making Severus close his eyes in pleasure. Pads, being annoyed, shoved Severus out of the way. Remus laughed once again while Severus only huffed before turning back into his usual self, James doing the same. They both groaned and stretched. Pads at the moment seemed quite satisfied with remaining as a dog and receiving pets.
"You know Severus you need a name?"
"A name?"
"Yeah. That's a good idea Moony. And besides as he's a marauder now he needs one."
"There is no way in hell are you guys giving me a name."
"Come on. Besides it's weird thinking of the fox as you."
"That fox is me."
"True bit still….how about Bushy?", James suggested.
"What? No!" Severus vehemently protested.
"Oh come on Severus. It's not that bad." Sirius exclaimed, now once again human.
Remus only laughed lightly. "Guys I think you should go now. Madam Pomphrey will be here any second."
At that they bid Remus goodbye and went out, still suggesting names for Severus.
Severus entered the hospital wing, a scowl on his face. He was glad that other students weren't here right now. James and Sirius had suggested all sorts of names and by now he was quite annoyed. But the names they suggested weren't with ill intentions.
They were a form of endearment. They weren't meant to mock. It was much better than 'freak' or 'Snivellous'. He came to Remus' bed, who at the moment was eating chocolate, as always. James and Sirius were sitting there as well.
Looking up Sirius grinned, "So Severus we've been thinking, how about Red?"
"You really expect me to on the color of Gryffindor as my nickname?"
"Fair enough."
And like this many more names were suggested, until finally Sirius grew frustrated, "Damnit, I'm going to start calling you 'Headlights', with the way your eyes glow."
"If you do I assure you your dignity will be the last thing you loose."
"If he has any you mean."
"That's cold Potter." Sirius said before laughing loudly with James.
"Well what about Silver?" Remus spoke up.
"What?"
"Your name. Silver."
Severus only raised an eyebrow while Sirius and James contemplated it. "I like it." they exclaimed in unison after a minute.
"There is no way your calling me that. Besides it doesn't even make sense."
"You rejected every other idea we came up with?", Sirius exclaimed.
"Yes, because it was evident that your brains weren't used at that time. They normally aren't either."
"Well it is connected to you." Remus explained. "But in a subtle way. Your house color is silver and green after all."
"Well then it's official. The majority has voted. Sorry Silver. And besides it suits you." James claimed.
Severus narrowed his eyes, then grinned slightly. "Well at least it's better than Prongs."
The spluttering he received was worth it. As much as he wanted to hex them at the stupid nickname they had given him, he reminded himself once again, that this wasn't to mock. Thay had even more ridiculous ones anyways.
"My name is so much better than yours."
"Yes and so is your form. It's better than me. In being useless." Remus and Sirius snorted. James glared at them.
"That's not true. I'm fast in that form I could easily take messages."
"Yes and so would a dog and he's be less noticeable."
Sirius and Remus now howled with laughter while James came to the defense of him form. Severus got a warm feeling in his chest, seeing as he was the one who made him laugh. He really could get used to this.
Well tell me what you think. This is it. Thank you for reading.
I also hope you'll enjoy the epilogue.