Chapter 21: A Changed Werewolf
We slept through two classes the next day, and would have slept longer if the girls hadn't woken us up and insisted that we go to divination class.
The only thing that kept us going all day was our anticipation of the night to come. It was full moon and James, Peter and Sirius were going to venture out with me to see how the wolf reacted. A mixture of excitement and nerves filled my thoughts throughout the day. Paying attention in class was impossible for all of us, even me. I couldn't wait to have James, Sirius and Peter along with me on full moon, but I couldn't avoid questioning myself; what if something went wrong? What if I slipped and bit someone, or someone couldn't change or something? I must admit the excitement outweighed the worry, but it was always in the back of my mind.
Dinner finally came, and our plan was about to take place. As I sat down at the Gryffindor table, I realized that this was the first time I'd ever looked forward to full moon. I glanced out of one of the tall cathedral-like windows. The golden evening sun was just beginning to set, and I could see the Whomping Willow in the distance.
"I don't feel well," I announced at dinner biting my lip to avoid the smile trying to spread across my face. "I'm going to go to the infirmary." I got up to leave.
"We'll meet you there," muttered James as I left. I exited the entrance hall through the large oak doors. I inhaled the late summer air, enjoying the light breeze that blew across my face, for once in my life feeling at peace with myself. Savoring the feeling, I slowly strolled across the grounds to the Whomping Willow. I selected a stick lying on the ground, pressed the knot, and continued through, bidding goodbye to the serene sunset. I continued along, feeling as though an incredible weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I didn't feel the dreaded depression that I usually felt while trudging through the tunnel; instead a feeling of something more like excitement raced through me. I had the brief feeling that I should be worrying about something; about James, Peter and Sirius finding their way, about them transforming in time, but my mind was incredibly clear. Somehow I seemed to know everything would be all right.
I arrived at the end of the tunnel and entered the Shrieking Shack, but even that dreaded building had an unexpected golden glow under the setting sun. I settled myself in a ratty velvet chair and sat for a long time, just thinking. Finally, the last traces of sunlight crept behind the trees in the distance, and the sky began to turn black. A beam of silvery moonlight danced in through the window and as though automatically drawn, I pulled myself to my feet. I drew in a deep breath, feeling incredibly calm as I felt the painstakingly familiar changing process overtake me. I felt the transformation changing my body to the wolf's. Just as the last of the transformation took place, I saw the familiar silhouette of a stag, a dog and a rat cast on the wall. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs were together for the first time. And my memory faded from there.
After a brief visit to the infirmary, by the next night I was feeling well enough to go to dinner. It was the quickest I'd ever recovered from my transformation. The cuts and bruises seemed less painful than ever before, and I didn't have my usual sickening feeling of worry that accompanied me on every previous full moon. The wolf had been befriended; I was a changed werewolf. The first and most glorious victory of Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs had been achieved.