Chapter 18: The Secret Under the Willow Tree
Words: 4,670
Recap: With no idea on how we'll be seeking the next key as we search for the Lost Treasure. I was inspired by the idea that the answer lies hidden within Dumbledore's office. But to do that, we'll need a certain someone's help first. Having no clue to the Mischievous Quartet own adventure.
"This is a bad idea, very bad idea, can't we go just go back and forget all this?"
"Don't be a coward. What's life without a little adventure?"
"It's almost curfew, and we're following Remus, why are we following Remus? He's our friend."
"Exactly because it's Remus that we need to know what's going on or he wouldn't say anything otherwise. Besides, it's just History of Magic, and Binns would barely miss a couple of students."
"Shut it, you two! It's called an Invisibility Cloak, not a Soundproof Cloak."
Almost in response, Remus freeze in his steps and the three followed suit with bated breath. His head swivelled from side to side before continuing his stride outside the school ground. Unaware of his three roommates trailing him from behind like a bunch of mice smelling buried mysteries like leftover crumbs.
It wasn't an easy mission when they had to catch up in hasty but silent footsteps to keep an eye on where he'd go. From the way he was going, they had whispered their ideas of going to the Forbidden Forest. That is until he stopped near the infamous Whomping Willow. It's only been here for a year, and already news says the tree almost poke an eyeball out if you get too near.
"What's he up to?"
"Ssshh, just watch."
Indeed, they watched within the safety shroud of their clock. And yet, Remus did nothing but took a seat at the nearest boulder. His knee tucked near his chest and waited. More than once did Sirius wanted to whine and moan or Little Peter trying to persuade (and failing terribly) his friends to go back. It was only James' determined stubbornness that kept them in line as he kept watch on one of his best friends for answers.
Remus didn't look too far from how they were feeling. His legs kept on tapping and fidgeting in place and kept looking up the dyed red sky. He got more and more nervous as the sun pulled further down toward the west.
The wait was over when the scared boy was up on his feet. The three-quarters of the future Marauders turn to where Remus was looking and watch the appearance of a cat.
"Is that Minnie? What's she doing here?"
The answer revealed itself once Remus greeted the cat. The animal purposely walked toward the Willow without a care in the world. It creaked and moved in a swift, merciless swing down at the cat. The hidden Gryffindors almost revealed themselves from a shocking cry to warn their strict Head of House. That did not deter the animagi the least, letting her cat instinct guide her through the rough patches — swerving, jumping, and twirling aside as she dodged every attack — before arriving at the base of the tree and reached for the knot that seemed to turn off its savage attacks.
Remus grinned and strode closer to the three, then pressing the same knot so the cat can withdraw itself in peace. Once she was out, he then crouched down toward the roots before disappearing inside under the tree. Making the tree boys gawk at the revelation of a secret entrance under the willow tree.
"A secret tunnel. Remus knows a secret tunnel, and he didn't tell us?!"
"That's what you focus on?"
"It's a secret tunnel, Peter. He knows how much we love secret tunnels. How could he not tell us? This is a betrayal of the highest order. I am outraged."
"Still begs the question of what's he doing there instead of going back to visit his mother, come on!"
As it turns out, it was easier said than done. The Willow wasn't letting anyone get close to it that easily. Even with the three of them simultaneously running forward, they would either get thrown back, pushed down, or get slapped. Either way, it resulted in them screaming like little girls as they tried not to get themselves killed until a stray professor caught and pulled them away from the killer tree.
Professor Sprout was not happy seeing the three troublemakers trying to hurt the poor tree and scolded them for it, taking 20 points for each. They were left mostly bemused by that before they were sent back to their dorm.
"We'll try again — tomorrow night. If we follow his pattern, then Remus wouldn't be back for three to four days. We'll come up with a plan by then."
Sirius nodded eagerly, a contrast to Peter's despairing wail.
The next two moons didn't go as well. The second time they tried to get past the three, they had suffered a night stay at the infirmary. Madam Pomfrey was not amused by treating a group of bruised skin, broken homes, and a few burn marks. They found out the hard way that setting a killer tree on fire was not the best idea.
They didn't stop there.
The next day, Peter became the unofficial watch eye in case any Professor passed by or the need to pull his two friends from recklessly killing themselves.
They were scraped and bruised but none less the wear than their least tussle with the tree. Their timing against the tree is better but not at all good enough against the dastardly tree.
"Guys, it's no use. The tree isn't letting anything alive come close. Maybe we should give up. We shouldn't do this anyway."
Sirius scowled, his lips curled nastily and was about to spat a few choice words but was cut off by James' excited exclaim, "That's it! You're a genius, Peter."
The Mousy Kid and the Black Heir did not expect that.
"I am?"
"He is?"
James did not answer, too busy searching the ground. Without explanation, he began digging through the melted snow. His search was met with a queering sort of stare, but they let James alone for whatever crazy plan cooked up in his head. They did not doubt it'd be mad if not weird as all his plan usually ended up being while ignoring the numbing cold his finger suffered before a loud "Aha!" brought them closer to the manic Pureblood.
They did not expect their best friend would be so happy from finding a long sturdy branch on hand.
"Err…" Sirius wasn't sure what the right words were to question what's in James' head.
James took out his wand and transfigured the branch into a long metal pole without a word and still loony grin. He wasn't expecting the sudden change in weight but manage to stamp his feet without falling over. "If anything alive can't get close then we don't have to." Peter and Sirius had their eyes blown wide as understanding glinted in them. He threw the pole at Sirius and without another word exchange tried to reach for the knot on the tree without reaching the familiar edge where the willow would start attacking.
The other waited with strain hitch in their throat as the pole got closer and closer to the tree. Sirius gritted his teeth, focusing his precision until the pole reached the edge of the knot before finally giving a firm pressure on it.
At first, there were cheers at Sirius success, but they were still reluctant to get any closer to the wild swinging tree with no proof it had work. So James pushed Peter forward into the Wreckage Zone. They watched in amusement as the little guy was in tears, fumbling on his knees to stay out of the Willow's reach, too panic even to stand upright.
"Calm down you dolt, look! The Willow's not attacking."
Peter paused his fumbling and realised he was right, slumping down with a squeak, "Warn me next time why don't you, jerk?!"
"Ah, but where's the fun in that?"Sirius said with a hearty chuckle.
"My heart can't take you and your little fun," he moaned.
James and Peter reached for the first and held the pole on their side as Sirius reached them last. They were quick to find the hole hidden within the thick roots and crept down them. James and Sirius scanned the vast expanse of shadows and dirt of the tunnel with unrestrained wonder and excitement while Peter quivered in nervousness from behind them, his gut warn him of something very, very, very bad about to happen but kept his mouth shut. He told them as such, but they dismissed his thought for being a coward.
If only they heeded his words more seriously, they wouldn't have known how worse the night turns out.
"How far do you think this tunnel goes?"
"Not sure, Hogsmeade I guess?" Peter mumbled out, "It might be some sort of hidden passage for evacuation. Like the one muggle royalties have if they were under attack."
"Seriously, muggle have those?"
The boys' talk got interrupted by a deep, bone-chilling growl. Loud enough to hear the creaking of the woods and the air trembled in heaviness in time with the shudder of their whole body.
The mousey boy gulped and was afraid his bladder couldn't hold, "Can we go back now?"
For once, they didn't call him a coward, partly because they felt the same urge at that moment. But James' curiosity was stauncher, preserved by his desire to be a true Gryffindor that he pressed forward. Sirius, never one to abandon a friend, stuck to him like glue, wand at the ready in his hand. Little Peter still believes they should go back, but he's loyal bound to his friends, no matter how bad things might get he would never shy away from danger or pain, he's not Gryffindor for nothing.
The darkness dimmed a bit less, a small but a bright source was coming from the end of the tunnel. The boys hadn't realised they had held their breath as if the air was constricting the amount of oxygen they needed, the drumming of their heart sounded deafening to their ears and the only clue that time hadn't stopped around them, and the only light source they spotted some like the sun as they edged nearer to it. They stuck to the walls, peering from the edge of the hole, expecting to see–"Remus!"
The dirty blonde boy was hunched on his knees, looking wildly in pain before jolting up in dawning horror.
"What are you– what the bloody hell are you doing here? Get out!"
"Wow, Remus, nice to see you too. I didn't know your mother lived here, a bit shabby and not quite what I was expecting a sickly person would live in."
"Lay off the sarcasm, Sirius! This is serious business– Oh, come on! Don't laugh. You can't stay here. Get out before it's too late, please!"
It was the "Please" that caught them off-guard. Never have they heard him sounding so pained, so desperate, and so afraid. They couldn't move, not when seeing their friend who was obviously in need of help. Unaware that their 'help' was the last thing Remus needed.
"Remus, are you in trouble? You know you can tell us anything, right?"
"You don't understand. You have to get out now before it's too la– urk!" He fell to his knee once more. James was only a step closer before the hunched boy shouted, "STAY AWAY! RUN! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T LET ME HURT YOUUUURRRRRGGGHHHHHH!"
The shock and fear had them rooted in place, watching in morbid fascination as Remus began to shift; his hair grew thick and covered his skin, mouth lengthened into a snarling jaw, hands sprouted sharply, clawed paws.
It was only when three pairs of eyes met with yellow eyes did they finally scream. Turning their tail and running like their life depended on it. Which they were.
Incited by the fresh smell of blood and flesh, the werewolf growled before lunging at the group of schoolboys out of curfew. They ran and ran — their feet pumping them forward for every bark from behind. Too out of breath to even scream for help. Even with a head start, their wolfish friend managed to gain at them quickly. They reached the entrance under the roots of the Willow Tree, in time to escape the clutch of the deadly beast. Unfortunately, they didn't consider how deprived werewolf was from having never tasted the plump bloody flesh being ripped apart with his jaw.
If they had, one of them wouldn't have been grabbed by the cursed child.
Sirius' cry was deafening as he felt his leg clutched around the sharp claw and felt the countdown of his doom. He screamed and sobbed, pleading for someone, anyone to save him. Already he imagined himself bleeding and scarring as the wolf tear him to pieces as his personal banquet until he was left nothing but bones. Then he thought about how Remus would feel once he regained his senses, picturing the devastation on his face and the heart-wrenching cry as he bathed in his blood.
Pair of hands grabbed each of his arms. His red-rimmed eyes looked up to find James and Peter pulling him up and away from the beast. James made the extra effort to pull out his wand, aiming at the monster behind him, "Flipendo."
Remus — No, not Remus, it's anything but the nerdy Gryffindor they've come to know and love — was thrown back by the spell. Giving them an opening to pull Sirius out of the woodwork. Without slowing down, they ran back up to the school. Forgetting the temperamental tree behind them that gave them blessing by whipping them on the back, pushing them forward away from the tree, and in turn from the werewolf.
They ran and ran as far as their feet could take them, and went further deep into the Forbidden Forest. The darkness of the night made it harder to navigate, but the grating howl was enough to push them onward.
"Why did we even went to the forest? This is the last place we should be going."
"How should I know, I was following you!"
"Me? I was following him."
Sirius growled and pulled up his pants to show the nasty gash across his calf, "My legs are bleeding out, I can't even go on a Knight Bus like this!"
Their breathless bickering was stopped when a darker shadow went over them before the wolf blocked them if it could even be called that. Unlike a normal one, it was almost hairless and had no problem walking with its two hind legs. Its bright yellow eyes locked on them with a predatory gaze that made them whimper.
"We're dead. We're going to die."
"No, we are not." James, armed with a wand, was shaking and doubted he could fire a spell properly. But he can't back away now, not when his friends needed them most. "When I say go, run as fast as you can and get some help. I'll hold it back for as long as possible until then."
"Are you nuts? James, I can barely walk with my feet like this. You go, I'm better at curse and jinxes than you."
"Do we have time to argue?"
They don't if the lunging werewolf was any indication. The trio was too busy screaming than to notice the newest company they had before the Half Breed was pushed aside mid-air.
Remus hit the tree hard but quickly shook himself out of it. He bared his teeth at the larger-than-normal wolf, growling back at him.
The three kids were left agape at the sight; a wolf and a werewolf, grappling and biting as they seized each other's neck. Then two new wolves appeared and pushed Remus back. The children jolted at the whole pack's arrival. It is the normal course of action for them to panic further, but they were oddly calm watching the pack circling them like a protective barrier against the scarier wolf.
Despite the overwhelming number, the werewolf kept eyeing them like it was ready to jump on them, but the wolves barked out to him. They were pushing him away from the gobsmacked children. The pack barked and snarled at one another some and oddly looked they were conversing. The werewolf taught muscle then loosen and looked cowed from them before very reluctantly backing off.
Peter was the first to break the shocked silence, "Did...did we just got saved by wolves?"
None answered him, probably because some of the wolves turned their attention to them. Their eyes widen in panic like deer across the headlights. But the wolves seemed to sense their distress and edged slowly to them slowly, then followed by a calming whine at the back of their throat. Not unlike a person trying to soothe an injured, scared animal. Their eyes were locking to them as if to convey their sympathy.
One of the wolves sniffed Sirius's bloodied leg, and he tensed. James grabbed reassuringly on his shoulder, "Don't worry; they haven't hurt us before; they won't be hurting us now."
The wolf looked down, gauging Sirius' reaction before ducking his head and licked his leg clean from his blood. Sirius shivered in goosebumps from the wet rough treatment but was extremely grateful for numbing the pain, though it was still bleeding he could now actually walk without a limp anymore.
The smaller wolf then backed away and made a long howl that echoed the forest. They then scampered away, leaving the bewildered children from the surreal experience.
Once they started their way back to the castle. Halfway, Sirius couldn't muster the strength to keep moving before collapsing on the foot of the stairs of Hogwarts.
"Peter, go and get some potions from the infirmary! We'll wait back at the dorm."
"Me?" He squawked, glancing on his sides as if he would magically anyone else, "How am I supposed to explain to Pomfrey why we're out of curfew and Sirius suffering werewolf injuries?"
"I don't know. Lie. Steal. Do what you have to do, just don't let him suffer worse than he already is."
"But…"
Irritated at his hesitancy and the swelling pain on his legs, Sirius shouted, "For Merlin's sake, get the damn potions already!"
Peter jumped at his outburst and finally skidding fast to find the potions they need, while James covered them with his Cloak, taking him back to their room. They waited anxiously for the small boy. The Potter Heir did his best in giving his best friend first aid and generally tries not to spread blood everywhere.
"James," he croaked, "Before I die…"
"Don't say that!"
"Before I die, I want you to have my only muggle song group album; Pink Floyd and make sure you find a way to play it for all the Great Hall to hear. I will not rest in peace until Hogwarts know the greatness of David Gilmour."
It was such a stupid and Sirius thing to say, James couldn't help explode in laughter even when he tried to hold back the blood in place with his shirt. "Don't be an idiot Sirius. I'll do that after you die, not before. Since when do you listen to muggle bands?"
He shrugged, "It started as just another way to make my parents mad, but then I got quickly hooked."
Running footsteps made them turn, finding Peter out of breath, a bunch of potions bottle gathered around his arms. Labels such as Blood-Replenishing, Trumplelop, Healing-cut, Sealing Gel, and Hair Growth?
"I just snatched whatever I think helps, is that okay?" he squeaked nervously, afraid he might have done wrong.
James, honestly, could care less. He waved his hand for him to get closer, "Just… just give it here, quick!"
Potions in hand, he went immediately for the Sealing Gel, coating it on the long jagged scar and ignoring the sharp hiss.
"Bare with it, we need to stop the bleeding for this, and this is the only remedy I know that works on a magical ailment."
"Oh great, so on top of leaving a scar, I'll be the next Wolfy McWolf."
"Sirius is infected?!" Peter yelped, legs half scrambling away in fear.
"Don't be an idiot you two, he wasn't bitten, he was scratched. You're walking out with a scar as far as I know."
"I'm luckier than more half the blokes in the stories that involve… you know, considering I'm not dead or infected."
"So, what are we supposed to do now?"
"Now?" James said, "Now, we go to sleep." With a flick of his wand, he changes clothes then buried himself within the safety blanket on his bed. The other two were left watching him, unsure how to react. "What? I'm tired, I'm sleepy, so I'm going to sleep off my near-death experience and make sure I'm not.
Peter and Sirius exchanged glances. One shrugged and followed his best friend's act, the other nervously followed but was left tossing and turning without a wink of sleep in the end.
So it was expected for him to be the first one to wake up at the break of dawn and screamed like a little girl when he saw Remus sitting quietly in the middle room like everything was right in the world when it is anything but, waking up the others with a start. His hair brushed tidily in contrast to his shabby attire. His back hunched and twiddling his thumb as he stared back with barely concealed nerve. James was left to gawk at him, millions of questions raced through his mind but failed to leave out one other than, "What the bloody hell?"
Remus winced, giving out a tired sigh as he brushed frustratedly at his hair. Failing to say anything which prompt James to blow up, "What was that last night? We followed you and found out you had your own secret base under the Whomping Willow and then you started changing and chasing us for our lives. What, what were we supposed to think? What's going on with you?"
"You followed me?" he asked one point of the drawn-out tirade.
That made James glared harder at his friend, "Not the point and of course we followed you. Your lies were pathetic enough that I almost feel insulted. I mean, this is how many times did your mother got sent to St. Mungos? And for a Pinocchio Curse? Really?"
"Not my best excuse, huh?" He tried to play it off, but the air wasn't getting any lighter, and his shoulder sagged. "Sorry, I'm sorry that I kept you this from you all. I'll, I'll talk to Professor Dumbledore, and you won't ever see me again. You guys won't get in trouble–"
"That's not what we're asking!"
The outburst surprised them all. James got up from his bed and paced back and forth. Wiping his face as if it could erase the frustration building inside him before huffing out, "Just...just tell us. No more lies. No more excuses. Tell us what you are."
Oh, they knew. How could they not after last night? James, Sirius, and Peter avoided the word the whole night. Partly in denial and partly because they wanted the confirmation from the lips of their friend.
"I'm a werewolf."
There was no gasp, no shouts, just a well-owned silence. Stretching on to the point of awkwardness as neither sides seem to know what to do then.
"Well," of course it was Sirius who broke the silence with a loud clap, "That was an informative and invigorating talk for something we already know. Which quite frankly was overly dramatic, and coming from me, that saying something."
Remus couldn't help it, the breathless laugh he let out was more relieving than anything else. The only reason he didn't go hysteric was locking on to his bandaged leg. His gaze darkened before apologetically meeting his eyes, "Sirius...about your leg…"
"Save it, Remus," James cut in, "This is Sirius we're talking, he'll just show off to everyone and make himself look cool."
Sirius opened his mouth but thought about it more and agreed he would most likely do just that.
Remus blinks continuously, looking back and forth between his roommates, waiting for the angry accusation. None came.
"So," Peter shifted in his bed, "Does this mean we aren't telling anyone?"
Sirius rolled his eyes, "Well duh, of course not Idiot. How am I going to show off how I ran away from a werewolf when they knew it's him."
"Hey! What's wrong with me being a werewolf?"
"Sorry Remus, but you're not exactly the most intimidating guy out there. I mean, no one is going to tremble in fear once they know you fold your socks."
"Not to mention you brush your hair for around half an hour."
"Do you want me to start with Chocolate Frog Cards collection? You hoard them worse than a dragon."
"But...but...I'm a monster. How could you stand me? I can't even stand myself half the time."
"I repeat, folded sock, Remus. Get it in your big head that we don't care what you are."
"We're your friends Remus. We don't call ourselves Gryffindors if we turn our backs on you because of a silly little scratch then you have another thing coming."
"Friends til the end. Hell or high water, remember?"
They were fabrishing the truth. They know they are. The trio of Gryffindors witnessed firsthand how horrifying the bloodlust of a werewolf could be. How could they not be afraid? But it didn't stop the gratitude the boy felt for hearing the words he longed to hear, longed, hope, and meant their acceptance. Only ever imagining it in his daydreams. The tears broke out before he could stop it and he quickly wiped it off, not like they hadn't noticed it, but he was grateful they hadn't point it out.
"Just...just next time, try not to follow me during my time of the month, alright?"
"You mean your period?"
Sirius deserved that pillow on the face in hindsight, but every one of us broke out in laughter and it everything felt normal again. If he was sporting a shit-eating grin because of the look on his face then who could tell?
They left the dorm with a newly strengthened bond to their friendship they believe would last for a lifetime — their raucous laughter robust throughout their Common Room. It was almost a signature for them to arrive anywhere with a harmonious laugh.
Their good morning went on throughout their breakfast. Though it dampened when the Headmaster revealed a bloody trail around Hogwarts' floor and asked for the injured to come forward to one of the teachers and help heal them instead of stealing them from the infirmary. The future marauders were expectantly tight-lipped.
Their excitement wasn't over; however, when after they were done with breakfast, Peter noticed a notable figure walking straight at them. Her emerald eyes glinted determinedly.
"Uh-ho. What did you do now, James?"
"What are you on about?"
"Evans coming here. 5 o'clock. And she doesn't look pleased."
"Well, what are you asking me for?"
"Oh please, we all know about your little crush on her. We just wanted to know how spectacular bad your flirting attempt this time."
James spluttered with an odd shade of red across his cheek, "I so do not have a crush on– Evans! This is new, what brings you seeking our glorious presence today." He wagged his eyebrows and chest puffed, and his smile showed not an ounce of the nervousness he had around her.
He expected the usual exasperating eye roll or annoying glare, but he found she was hesitating. Her gaze shifted to meet his and away even as she bit her lips. "Don't get too of a big head Potter because I'm not going to make this a habit but..." After a moment of contemplation, she steeled herself with a deep breath, "I need a favour."
AN: It was supposed to be a short funny chapter where I make it like the memes. But it turns into a suspense thriller instead. I swear I don't know where my muse is taking me but when I was writing James, I thought if he was really like Harry, then he is more likely to confront his friend by following him on the spot rather than accusing with little evidence. That, and they have to know that animals could calm the werewolf from somewhere.
Anyway, Happy New Year everyone. Hope you have a better year. Don't forget to review. Love the revies.