Author's Note: The characters that belong to JK Rowling belong to JK Rowling
Thanks to SilverWind for the help proofreading, and my brother for miscellaneous stuff.
Chapter 5: A Startling Discovery
"Friar Arus, can you tell us about the Whomping Willow?" Asked Dhelia Brown the next afternoon. Only James saw Remus go white.
"Er, well, sure, Dhelia." Friar Arus smiled, then turned, hitting a plant off a chair, smashing its pot to bits.
"Oh, dear!" He said, sounding somewhat fake. "Remus, could you go to Hagrid, the groundskeeper, and ask him for a new pot for my Ice Venus?" He magically raised the blue plant, which was whipping about on the ground. Remus nodded and walked out of the greenhouse. He spotted a shabby wooden hut and the massive man known as Hagrid across the grounds. He gulped.
"Well, Dhelia, the Whomping Willow was put in the year for the Herbology classes, to observe. It's a wonder of Herbology, really. We'll go over it...at the end of the year...." Friar Arus scratched his neck nervously.
*
"What's yer name then?" Hagrid asked.
"Remus, Remus Lupin." He said.
"Ah, Lupin. Professor Dumbledore told me about yeh, and yer situation. I was one of 'em that put that bloody tree in."
"So you know about me, and my-"
"All the teachers 'n staff do. Professor Dumbledore is a very kind man. Not many would let a boy like you in." Remus gulped.
"But then, he's been very kind ta me. I got expelled in me third year, and he let me stay on as groundskeeper." Remus nodded. Hagrid took the pot he was making out of his oven and set it down on the table.
"Just a moment 'till it cools. Yeh're from the family Lupin right?" Remus nodded.
"Had a Lupin in me class. Musta bin yer uncle." Remus nodded again.
"I tell yeh what, Remus. Any time yeh want ta, jus' come down here an' we can talk. I know it must be hard, bein' what yeh are. I think I know how yeh feel." Remus smiled and nodded, then Hagrid grabbed the pot.
"Feels cool enough. Go on, take it back now, and don't forget me offer." Remus nodded again and grabbed the large pot, and waddled out of the hut.
The next class following Herbology was Defense Against the Dark Arts, the class everyone was looking forward too, especially James. Ever since he saw Evus use the Circumval Block and heard that Professor Dumbledore was teaching it, it was all he could think about.
James, Sirius, and Allyn practically ran there, everyone else wasn't interested enough to make such an effort to get there early. When he walked in, James saw no one in the room. He sat down at the front center desk as he had in Transfiguration, and Sirius and Allyn sat down on each side. After everyone had been seated (Remus came in last and was forced to sit in the back with the giggling girls) Professor Dumbledore finally entered the room. Nearly everyone was shocked to see him teaching the class, as the person of whom everyone was thinking was Professor Vanic.
"Hello, class. My name is, in case you haven't heard, Professor Dumbledore, and I will be your teacher for this particular class." He smiled brightly, and his eyes twinkled. "Defense Against the Dark Arts is a subject to take seriously. Dark wizards have been increasing in number lately, and though Ministry officials will keep this under control, that does not mean that you should not be taught about Defense. All the Dark Side needs now is a powerful leader. There has not been one that could keep the Dark Side together since Grindelwald, and we hope there will not be another-yes Sirius?" Sirius had risen his hand.
"Didn't you defeat Grindelwald?" Dumbledore blushed.
"Why, yes I did give the final blow, though many people were part of the effort-yes James?"
"Can you tell us how you did it?" He blushed again.
"Well, I don't think so, maybe later, James. Now, for class." For the whole period Professor Dumbledore amazed the students with facts and enticed the students with the descriptions of a few spells, all of which they desperately wanted to learn. The period, however, went by quickly, and the bell was greeted with plenty of groans.
"See you tomorrow, no homework, though I suggest you read the first chapter of your first book." He said as they got up.
"What do we have next? I doubt any class will look good following that act." Sirius said as they left the room.
"Ah, Potions. Evus said it was fun, though I don't know about being taught by the Head of Slytherin."
Today there was non-stop chatter in the halls, mostly about Ian Vedol, the Slytherin boy who came late to the Sorting. By the looks of it, it had been sorted out, but Sirius was skeptical.
"I don't know why he was late, but he looks pretty evil, and he did go to Slytherin-"
"Speaking of Slytherin, Sirius, check that out." Lined up against the door to the Potions room were the Slytherin first-years. James saw the usual group, only this time there were two changes; the strange boy, Ian Vedol had joined Lestrange, Snape and Nott, and another Slytherin boy looked at them hopefully. Also, it appeared, Snape had taken over as leader of their group. Lestrange seemed feeble, he hadn't been expelled, but he seemed to think that any toe out of line would earn him that.
The Gryffindors, too, lined up against the wall, lugging cauldrons and ingredients. Since the door was locked, they turned to each other and started to chat.
"What do you think they did to Lestrange?" Sirius asked.
"Really, guys, I was just as to blame as he was-"
"No you weren't, James! You didn't know he was such a Dark little wizard."
"I know, it's just that I almost feel sorry for him." Sirius looked at him with astonishment.
"Almost."
Finally, as the bell rang, Professor Scuro came by, unlocked the door, and stepped inside. The Slytherins and Gryffindors followed him in; both surprised what the other class was doing.
"We have class with them?" Lily checked her schedule.
"Yeah, Mary, we do. That sucks...." Professor Scuro scanned the class.
"Hello. My name is Professor Scuro, if you didn't already know that. I'll be teaching Potions for you this year. Potions is difficult class. It requires mathematical know-how and plenty of logic. I suggest to those who take a liking to it to take Arithmancy in his or her third year. Are we set? Excellent, lets get to class." Evus was right, Potions was fun, but it was nothing to how Professor Scuro treated his own house.
"Nott! How stupid are you? Can you get it through your skull?" James and Sirius stifled laughs. Even Peter got through the class relatively easily, and he was horrible at thinking, especially when it involved measurements and mean Slytherins.
The last class that they hadn't had yet was Astronomy, which met Wednesdays at midnight in the tower for observing and Fridays at 10 a.m. for a class. James knew when he entered the class that it would not be fun.
"It is twelve-oh one! Class starts at twelve! From now on I will be locking the doors at twelve. Potter! Black! Five points apiece from Gryffindor!" The ten students all situated themselves in the horribly uncomfortable wooden recline-able chairs. They put their telescopes on desks that came over their laps, and sat there, looking at the sky.
"Check it out, guys!" Remus was the only one having fun. Professor Marus was quite cruel to everyone, as Scuro had been to his house. Remus, however seemed to be exempt.
"Good insight, Lupin, your father was genius in Astronomy too. No, Black, you didn't spot the same thing, five points from Gryffindor for trying to copy."
"That was the worst class ever!" Sirius said as they marched, yawning, down one of the staircases towards their dormitories.
"I liked it!" Remus said.
"That's because Marus knows yer mum and dad. And that you actually like this Astronomy crap."
"I have my reasons...." Remus said following a massive yawn.
*
The next months went by quickly. They never found time to go out and fly on the pitch, but took enjoyment in watching the try-outs for house teams. They were all thoroughly enjoying Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, and Potions, though History of Magic, Herbology, and Astronomy were less than that. None of them were hard, but some of them were certainly boring.
Halloween merited tons of decorations, and a massive feast in the Great Hall. James and Sirius took the opportunity to open their trouble-making careers at Hogwarts, by setting off Dungbombs in bathrooms from the Gryffindor Tower all the way to the Great Hall.
Remus got a lot of sympathy from everyone because on what seemed like a monthly basis he was forced to go home because of some sickness or that of a relative's. He always came back looking quite weak. For the few days after he came back, the other four boys, (or, rather, James, Sirius, Allyn and Lily) formed a diamond around Remus to make sure he wasn't made fun of or bumped in to.
"Ah, Astronomy, I suppose you're happy?" Sirius said, heading to the highest tower one Wednesday.
"Yes, I am, Sirius." Remus said.
"I wish Marus was nice to us. He's so nice to you, it's annoying to see him let you in 10 minutes after the bell rings."
"You are going to take advantage of Marus's blind spot for you tonight, right?" James asked.
"As usual, buddy." Remus said with a smile.
"Well, smuggle us some chocolate or something. I'm so hungry. I'd go grab something, but that would only leave me about 25 minutes to get to class...." When they finally reached the top Remus waved and headed back downstairs.
James and Sirius were quite brave, coming in at only 10 minutes until class. They were the only ones to enter after Professor Marus had, and he eyed them suspiciously for it. They probably would have gotten a scolding as well if it weren't for the fact that they were Remus's friends.
Despite his popularity, no one dared sit themselves on James's right. They all wanted to, but Marus knew that was Remus's seat, and would attempt the expulsion of whichever student it happened to be.
Ten minutes after the bell had rung, well into Professor Marus's explaining the Ursa Minor, Remus entered the room with a butterbeer and a large chunk of chocolate.
"Why the hold up, Lupin?" Marus asked as if he cared.
"I was feeling faint, needed a bite." He said, mouth full of chocolate.
"Ah, I see. Well, Remus, you best take a bit of a rest after you finish that, don't want you do go fainting on us." Remus smiled and sat down next to James, slipping him a large chunk, which he split in thirds, and handed off to Peter and Sirius. The rest of the class was quite fun, for the kids with chocolate, anyway.
When Remus finally joined the class, about halfway through (only because he liked Astronomy), Professor Marus was discussing the moon, and how they would be going over it.
For a moment, Professor Marus looked at Remus sort of sympathetically, though he then broke his gaze and returned his face to his telescope. Remus gulped.
"As you can see, the moon is in its first quarter... which means it will be a full moon soon...." He looked at Remus again, then returned his face to the telescope.
"We will be going over the moon for the next few months," James looked at Remus as Professor Marus spoke. He was white, looking down at his empty butterbeer mug. James, too, returned his gaze to the telescope, before Remus could see him.
The next Friday afternoon Remus came to the dormitory looking quite sick.
"Uh, guys?" He interrupted. James was spectating what was becoming a thrilling match of chess between Sirius and Lily. The pieces seemed to be excited as well, their hits on opposing pieces seemed to becoming more and more vicious.
"Yes, Remus?" Everyone looked up.
"I'm sick again...I have to go home...."
"Sick? Again?" Sirius dropped his arms.
"Er, yeah." He faked a cough.
"Is it that same one, that Madam Ora can't fix, that you have to go home to get the antidote?" Remus coughed again.
"Er, yes it is...." Remus went whiter.
"What was the disease called again?"
"Erm, Dolo, um...Dolo fallacae. Yeah, that." Remus suddenly stuck out his jaw and started rubbing it ferociously.
"Erwellgottagobye." Remus turned around and walked quickly out the door.
Remus is acting strange, as usual. Cool kid, but really weird. Sirius thought.
That's odd, thought Lily, that he was rubbing his mouth like that. Sounds like a symptom I've heard of...but where?
That's the fourth time he's gone home. Thought James. Once a month now, why couldn't he wait until Christmas break? It's not life threatening.... Why can't Madam Ora cure it? What is it that's making him leave every month?
"Er, good game but gotta go-" Sirius and Lily said simultaneously. They both laughed, Lily removed her pieces, and Sirius's board once again swallowed up his. She rushed to her dormitory, he rushed to his. James just sat there. He finally got up, and walked to the library.
*
Peter wasn't enjoying his flying lessons. He kept wavering, pointing his broom in all directions. Professor Marus flew up to him.
"Pettigrew! You better get it together! You're going to kill yourself! Now, grip you broom firmly! Firmly, Pettigrew!" Peter looked at Allyn and Mary, who were hovering on each side of him. They were steady.
"10 galleons your parents paid for Flying Practice! Now it's all going to waste if you can't get yourself steady! Listen to me! Lock your elbows! Tighten your legs around the broom! Don't worry! If you don't screw up, you'll be fine! Otherwise it's 50 points from Gryffindor! Now, Pettigrew, straighten!" A burst of laughter came from the other side of Professor Marus.
These optional flying practices were with Slytherin, as Potions were. Not many Slytherins had taken flying practice, they were all too proud, though Lestrange, Snape, Nott, and Vedol all did, rather to 'prove how good we really are'. It also seemed that Lestrange had regained his confidence.
Marus turned to face the Slytherins. Luckily, he didn't overlook it when other houses picked on his own, unlike Scuro. He, rather, had equal hate for all students.
"Lestrange! Snape! Ground, now!" Nero scowled, and floated gracefully to the ground. Nott and Vedol were suddenly without their leaders, and gulped.
Ian Vedol was a very pale boy, nearly white. He had narrow, always squinted eyes. His nose was somewhat flatter than normal, and there was barely any red in his lips. His head was all the skin anyone ever saw of him, his hands always hidden in his sleeves, even when he was writing he managed to keep them out of view.
"Now, much of the reason many of you are taking Flying, is because you want to play Quidditch. Even if not, handling something while flying is quite important. We're going to be tossing around this Quaffle," He held up the bright red ball, "and flying in circles to aid in our coordination skills. Now, let's begin. Vedol, you first." Marus started everyone in the circular motion, then tossed the Quaffle to Vedol. In a panicky moment, Vedol swatted the ball downwards, not even pulling his hands out of his sleeves.
"Vedol!" Yelled Marus. "What are you doing?"
*
Lily sat on her bed, lifting a pile of books onto her lap.
"Let's see...I've heard of protruding jaw somewhere. Where was it?" She opened Magical Medical Maladies to the Table of Contents.
"Hmmm...nothing about jaws...." She threw the books down and picked up the next.
"Sorcerers Symptoms and Side-Effects...no, it's not in there." She went through three more books before she came to her last.
"All About Animagi...no. Wait, maybe it was. Yes! That's where it was!" She flipped through the book.
"Here we go... 'The sudden protrusion of the jaw is a side effect of holding the power of an Animagus. This must be under control for the person to receive an Animagus license.'" She set the book down, looking dissapointed.
"Well, that's not right. Remus can't turn into an animal."
*
James looked out the window. It was already nighttime. He remembered Professor Marus had said tonight was going to be the Full Moon. He had been looking through the same books for hours. He still couldn't find anything about Dolo fallacae.
He set down his last book.
"If Remus hadn't said it, I'd say Dolo fallacae doesn't exist." Then it came to James.
Dolo fallacae must be a new disease. Thought James.
That's why he has to go home so quickly, and that's why
Madam Ora can't handle it. It's too new.
James looked again at the sky. It was really cloudy. The moon would be coming out soon. James remembered
back to the last full moon. It was quite fun, Sirius and he
had put exploding whoopee cushions on Lestrange's seat, and
Nero had ended up getting in trouble with Professor Scuro. In fact, Remus had been gone then...last time it was a full moon. And the time before that....
James dropped everything and ran upstairs.
Sirius had been lying on his bed pondering Remus.
What an odd boy. Really. He frightens whenever he hears anything about the Whomping Willow or Animagi. He's very wierd.
Sirius looked out his window. The clouds were parting. He remembered tonight was the full moon. He looked out his window. Remus was standing on the grounds.
What is he doing? Sirius thought.
Remus looked around nervously then walked over to the Whomping Willow. He did the strangest thing Sirius had ever seen-he walked over and poked the Willow with a long stick, and it froze. He then walked to the other side of it, disappearing behind it.
Sirius dashed down the stairs, where Lily was sitting on one of the chairs. James then ran in from behind the portrait.
"Guys! You'll never guess!" Lily said when they entered. "That thing with Remus rubbing his mouth! That's a trait of the Animagi! Weird, eh?"
"Animagi, eh...." James stood, thinking.
"Yeah and did you ever notice, he gets really weirded out whenever we talk about Animagi? Or the Whomping Willow! I just saw him disappear behind the Whomping Willow!"
"It all makes sense!" James exclaimed pointing his finger in the air.
"No it doesn't!" Exclaimed Sirius. "It doesn't make any sense at all! What is up with Remus?"
"I've got it, don't you see? Its obvious now...makes so much sense...." James trailed off.
"What? What makes so much sense?" Sirius's voice cracked.
"Well," said James quite calmly, "if I'm not mistaken...Remus is a werewolf."