Chapter 27: Werewolf
He should have been here by now." James muttered out loud as he paced around the common room. Sirius and Peter watched him idly from their four poster messy beds.
"Knowing Remus he's probably stuck in the library." Sirius drawled out.
"But he didn't come to the room last night?" James said. "He couldn't have fallen asleep in the library- that harpy lady would have caught him."
"Ah." Sirius grinned. "But you're forgetting he's a Marauder. I'm sure Remus found a way to do it under her her large harpy nose."
"And wings." Peter added. "She's got large wings."
"And maybe a beak too." Sirius nodded. "A big orange beak."
"That's a duck, you prats." James shouted frustrated. "Harpies don't have beaks."
"Well I think they do!" Sirius stood up adamantly
"Sit down, Sirius." James said his voice growing serious. "The point is Remus is hiding something from us."
"Now that you mention it, it was weird with the necklace thing yesterday." Peter said slowly. "It was like he was," Peter rubbed his neck "I don't know- like scared of it."
"Maybe he's scared of Mary MacDonald." Sirius said. "I pulled blondies hair in Charms last week and she hit me with a book."
"That is scary." Peter agreed.
James rolled his eyes. "I don't think that's it. This isn't like Remus to just leave without-"
James eyes caught a piece of parchment laying on Remus's bed. Sirius and Peter followed his gaze and jumped at the parchment.
"Damn Peter- ow." James rubbed his eyes that Peter had kicked at thinking it was Sirius, who had actually been the one to grab the parchment. He winked at them and read out loud.
Marauders,
I'm sorry to have left so abruptly, my mother as you know is very ill and I must be at her side now. I know I promised to help out with the new pranks over Christmas break but circumstances have betrayed me and I will not be there over the break. James, I know you had high hopes for the Christmas prank and I'm so sorry that I won't be able to help. I've set aside a few books and circled some spells that should work with the transfiguration that you're doing. Sirius I know I was going to teach you that spell, I've also left a book and some notes to help you with that. Peter the password is "Bertie" for the thing we were talking about. Your Christmas presents are also hidden below my bed( Don't open them until Christmas day- that means you Sirius) Merry Christmas Marauders!
-Remus
"He's ditched us-again." Sirius said blankly dropping the parchment and looking solemnly at Peter and James. "He always does this. Whenever we need him the most he leaves-he's gone."
"His mum is sick." Peter said uncertainly. "He says she's sick-"
Sirius threw his pillow at Peter. "I don't believe for one second that his mum is sick. Either she's got Wizarding Pox or he's lying."
"She get's sick very often- I'm worried Remus may have caught whatever she had." Peter reasoned thinking to himself.
James fixed his glasses and looked towards his friends. "Well it's settled, there's only one thing we can do now."
"Find out?" Peter asked.
"No- we've got to get class." James finished as she picked up his bag and his Defense book.
Sirius let out a laugh. "Why, because Lily will be there?"
James would never forgot how he had to come up with the absurd lie that he was in love with Lily Evans to distract Sirius- and Sirius would never let him forget it either. "No."
All he wanted to do was figure out where Remus had gone and what was wrong with the boy.
"Good." Sirius grinned beckoning Peter to follow, "We've got an idea for a prank with the Slytherins-you in?"
James knew he was stuck. If he said no Sirius would really think he had a crush on Lily. And so James grinned and nodded. He was James Potter afterall- he could never say no to a prank.
When they arrived near the Slytherin's dungeons they were completely invisible under the cloak scrutinizing every move.
"On my count we run in, okay?" James said. He had made the decision after seeing how quickly the black iron gates shut after a student entered or left the common room. They would have to be quick-
"No!" Sirius whispered "On my count!"
James turned to him, bewildered. "It's my cloak- we do as I say."
"Oh so that's how it is now?" Sirius asked staring James in the eye.
"Okay-" Peter interjected nervously. "How about we go on my count."
"Fine!"
"Fine!"
"Now!"
"What!?" Both Sirius and James ran as Peter charged towards the dungeons gate, the cloak threatening to uncover the three of them.
The gate was closing fast- they wouldn't be able to get to it in time. Instead James watched as a little boy slipped through the tiniest sliver of the gate before it shut. Sirius paused and watched the boy walk away silently. The boy looked scared and kept looking back like someone would find him. So it was no surprise when Sirius pulled them both along to follow the boy.
Regulus Black reminded James of a small hurt puppy the way he ran- like he had seriously been hurt. Regulus finally paused at a large window, that was the only source of light in the dark corridor, and dropped down on the ground.
"Reggie." Sirius whispered looking hurt. James felt his heart drop and he wanted nothing more than to make sure both Sirius and Regulus were okay. Before he could think of something he heard the sound of someone marching towards them. With a shock James realized it was a group of three Slytherin boys- the tallest one in the middle stood out with his blond hair, while his dark haired friends flanked him on either side- and they were heading straight for Regulus!
"We need to hide him!" Sirius said urgently. "Let's cover him with the cloak!"
"They'll see us!" Peter protested "Even if we cover him they'll see us."
"We can't just leave him!" James panicked as Lucius Malloy and his gang neared Regulus's hiding spot.
"Regulus Blac-" Lucius Malfoy started when suddenly a girl snapped her finger gathering his attention. He turned towards her a sneer on his face which disappeared as soon as he saw who it was.
"Ayesha-"
"Where do you think you're going?" She asked purposefully blocking his way.
"We-" one of the boys from the left started.
"I wasn't talking to you Parkinson." The girl said icily.
"Look Ayesha I know we disagree over this but I-"
"Oh we do more than disagree, Lucius." The girl laughed. "Now are you coming or what?"
Lucius Malfoy looked like he wanted to say something but he reluctantly turned away. Sirius, James, and Peter let out a sigh of relief and looked towards Regulus who was curled up in a ball at this point. The girl sighed in relief and gave Regulus one last glance before walking away.
"She's gone." Peter whispered cautiously.
James nodded and slowly started inching towards Regulus. "James-no."
James looked at Sirius confused but Sirius shook his head firmly. "No. Regulus wouldn't like anyone to see him like this."
"But-" Peter protested.
"I know my brother." Sirius said. "He wouldn't like this."
James and Peter nodded, understandingly. They all turned to leave but James had suddenly spotted a flash of familiar Quaffle colored red hair rounding around the corner- with Severus.
"-And remember the time when Petunia dropped all those sheets on you and thought you were a ghost?" Lily was laughing while Severus smiled watching her.
James fist curled. Snivellus was a greasy little Slytherin git and he was talking to Lily Evans! The same Lily Evan's who wouldn't laugh at his jokes and didn't understand him.
"What's Snivellus doing with Lily?" Sirius asked pointing them out to Peter who was looking in the wrong direction.
"They're friends." Peter said quietly.
"He's a Slytherin." James reminded them. "They're all evil."
And so without a thought James pulled the cloak off them leaving Peter and Sirius uncloaked. Peter immediately took the dropped cloak and quickly stuffed it into Sirius's bag- both he and Sirius running after James who had pulled out his wand and was pointing it towards Severus.
"Colloshoo!" James cried loudly gathering both Severus's and Lily's attention.
Lily gasped, and Severus's tripped, his shoes stuck the the ground.
"Sev, are you okay?" Lily asked looking concerned. She looked towards James who emerged from around the corner her eyes burning. "What did you do?"
Before James could answer Severus pointed his wand towards James throwing James to the wall.
Lily looked at Severus, alarmed. "Sev!"
Sirius and Peter ran to James' aid helping him up. James pointed his wand back at Severus but Lily stepped in front of him- and James reluctantly put his wand down. "Lily step out of the way!"
"No!" Lily shouted back. "Undo whatever you did on him first!"
"Lily-" James said. "He's a Slytherin- he deserves it."
"And you think what you did was any better?" Lily asked. "I know you're mad about what happened to Remus but Severus only helped him! He didn't do anything!"
James blinked. "What are you talking about?
"What happened to Remus?" Sirius demanded "Tell me Lily!"
Lily sighed. "He got a fever and fell unconscious- Sev and I helped him get to the Hospital Wing! I don't understand why you had to hex him like that!"
James sent a panicked look towards Sirius and Peter, before the three of them broke into a run towards the Hospital Wing.
"James the spell!" Lily called out behind them but James could care less. Peter pushed open the door to the Hospital Wing and let James and Sirius in. Thankfully Madam Pomprey was nowhere in sight- otherwise she would have kicked both James and Sirius out.
"He's not here!" Peter announced looking at the beds towards the left wall.
"He's not here either!" Sirius said checking the rows on the right.
James sighed. Remus probably left already, they had gotten the letter that morning too-
There was a weak cough from the last three beds at the end, covered by white curtains- the bed meant for the really sick. James took a quiet step towards the beds. Sirius and Peter did too. He looked towards them and nodded. Together they threw back the curtains and Peter gasped for on the bed he had uncovered was Remus Lupin.
But this Remus was even paler than usual, his brown hair was wet against his forehead and his body shivered slightly.
"What's wrong with him?" Peter asked.
"I don't know." Sirius said honestly. He put a gentle hand on Remus's forehead. "He's still burning up like Lily said."
James touched Remus's forehead to make sure and sure enough it was burning. James remembered the time he and Marlene had dared each other to touch fire. Marlene touched the flame and giggled, but afterwards her fingers had been raw red. James remembered the pain- this however was much worse.
"He's sick." James realized.
"You don't think," Sirius said slowly. "that this whole time when he was saying that his mother was sick- he was really sick?"
"That makes sense!" Peter said. "He's always sick, especially when he goes to meet his mom. And he's always sleeping or avoiding us. I told you I think he caught whatever his mum had..Maybe he's got Burlingers." Peter sad darkly. "People can die..."
"No." James said. "Remus isn't going to die. He's strong."
Sirius pulled a chair near Remus's bed. "That's right. Remus is going to get through this. And he's going to wake up and tell us what's wrong with him."
"Yeah." Peter put his hands in his robes and pulled out a few chocolate frogs. "Remus loves them- the chocolate part not the card as much as you two of course."
Peter gently took Remus's hand and plopped the chocolate frog in it. "I hope you feel it, Remus. Wake up. Please."
"Please." Sirius added.
"YOU TWO-" Madam Pomprey had just walked in and was making a beeline towards them. "OUT- OUT RIGHT NOW! I SAID YOU WERE FORBIDDEN TO ENTER-what are you doing by the wards. You're to stay away from this place- away!"
"Please Madam Pomprey," Peter stepped in, his face tear stained all of a sudden. "Remus is out friend. We just want him to be okay."
"What's wrong with him?" James asked. "It's not Burlingers is it?"
"Or Dominicks?" Sirius interjected. "That's deadly too. My uncle Urugay had it and-"
Madam Pomprey sighed. "No Black." She turned to James and Peter. "I supposed you boys can stay for a day. But after that I'm not letting you in." She sent a sad glance towards Remus. "Let him rest." Before turning she smiled. "I'm glad he has friends like you. Let him rest though." She added sternly before walking away in silence.
It was dark by the time James woke up. The sky outside was clear, the stars smiling upon Remus's face.
"Peter-" James squinted before lighting his wand to see Peter- who was writing. "Are you doing your homework?"
Peter nodded. "The essay for Binns. It's due tomorrow and I haven't started at all."
"Me neither." James realized. He turned to Sirius who mumbled and looked up. "What?"
"Binns essay," James whispered. "Have you done it?"
Sirius shook his head and nodded back to sleep. James sighed. He didn't want to do his essay but McGonagall had warned him if he didn't finish his homework this term he would never be able to play Quidditch- ever.
"Got any spare parchment?" James asked finally. He was very much awake- he might as well get it done.
Peter nodded eagerly and they both settled themselves on the ground, the textbook open between them.
"What's it on again?" James asked scratching his nose with a quill. "Goblin wars?"
Peter nodded. "Until 1760- we've got to list all the wars and their outcomes and stuff."
James sighed and reluctantly got to work. He looked up proudly up at Peter around 4am presenting his 12 inches on the Goblin Wars. "I think it's good enough- although I could add another paragraph on Yurik. but that's too much work."
"Too much?" Peter sighed and showed James his 7 feet of essay done. "I don't know what else to add. I'm going to fail."
"No you won't Pete," James said gently. "Just add extra information about the wars, stuff like famous goblins during the time. Like for 1576 I added some information about Yuril the Terrible's over rule over the Volturi clan."
"They're vampires right?" Peter asked confused. "I think Binns mentioned it once- a long time ago..."
James laughed. "Of course they're vampires. I added extra information about their strengths and weaknesses and how the Goblins used them. Gave me about two inches on my essay."
Peter's eyes widened. "No- Binns will know you helped me! I'll do something else." He flipped fervently through his notes and the book. "Aha! I'll do some stuff about werewolves weakness and strength. I wrote down something about on of the ministers losing their job over it."
"Good idea Pete!" James nodded and took the book. "I'll read it out to you. Here- use my quill."
"In 1752, Another Goblin rebellion occurred in Great Britain. Due to the mismanaging of this rebellion, Minister for Magic, Albert Boot resigned. His replacement, Basil Flack, lasted in office only two months, resigning when the goblins allied themselves with the werewolves. These werewolves were strong, yet vulnerable but also feared. With every transformation on the night of the full moon these night monsters under the command of the minister would attack innocent children, sometimes causing them to transform as well. The Werewolf Wars in 1767, were halted by Elford Witchwarts discovery of silver being deadly to werewolves. As a direct result of this discovery werewolf murders and numbers decreased by an almost 82 percent..." (Copied from Harry Potter wiki)
"Alright slow down James!" Peter protested. "I can't write that fas-!"
"Werewolf."
James and Peter turned to Sirius who stood up abruptly and stepped away from Remus's bed. "Werewolf." he repeated again.
"What?" James asked shutting the book and looking at Sirius, confused. Peter dropped his quill, suddenly looking down at his parchment.
"You said silver is deadly to them- Mary's necklace- it was silver." Sirius explained breathing hard.
"No." James shook his head half annoyed at the fact that Sirius had reached such a horrifying conclusion so fast and half wondering how he had bounced to the conclusion in the first place. "That doesn't make sense- people can be allergic to silver. My mum can' wear silver jewelry or she gets these awful rashes all over her skin."
"No but James you're not understanding this." Sirius explained pointing towards Remus. "He's not sick once or twice-Remus is always sick, every month for a few days and the scars- you've seen them James."
"So what?" James defended. "It's like what Peter said, he probably got whatever his mum had and was embarrassed to tell us about it."
"What type of sickness is that embarrassing?"
James mind was whirring and his head hurt at the same time. "I don't know, all I know is that he's sick and instead trying to help Remus we're debating whether he's a," he lowered his voice "werewolf or not."
"Sirius might be right." Peter squeaked. He had been scrawling on a scrap piece of parchment and paused when he looked up. "I wrote down the dates Remus wasn't here, around Christmas, the 14th, and last year too and if we looked at the astronomical charts then-"
"No, what is wrong with you two?" James shook his head. "This is Remus we're talking about- Remus who does homework for fun and reads when he's bored-Remus who can't miss a day of class unless it was an emergency and now because he suddenly has a silver allergy you two want to think he's a w-" James couldn't bring himself to say the word.
"James," Peter sounded nervous. "I don't think Remus is allergic to silver. He-I saw," Pete was mumbling now as he looked towards Remus.
"Spit it out, Pete." Sirius was getting impatient.
"I think, I think it burned him." Peter said finally.
They both turned to him where he had gently opened his closed fist. The three boys leaned over to see the burn marks on Remus's hand shaped in that of a heart, the perfect indentation of Mary MacDonald's necklace.
"Werewolf." Peter said.
James looked at Remus's face- his friends face. The boy who he had befriended at the feast, the boy who read for fun, the boy who got so nervous doing pranks yet was the mastermind behind most of them- and everything clicking into place. Remus getting sick every month (possibly whenever the full moon was up), his reluctancy to touch Mary's necklace and come to think of it...the goblets in the Great Hall too had changed the first week of first year. James distinctly remembered them being silver the first night, only to be replace with bronze the next. He hadn't questioned it then but now...
"Werewolf." Peter said finally.