Disclaimer: Yea. That's why my name is printed on the books. And why I'm writing on ffnet.
One For All
Natural Anthem
Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses. --Alphonse Karr
Hogsmeade was a cheerful town and the only completely wizarding town in Britain. The Three Broomsticks hosted guests both sober and drunken. Honeydukes could rot any sweet tooth out and Zonko's was a prankster's dream.
Down a road across from the Three Broomsticks was an old, boarded up building with an forgotten garden. The Shrieking Shack's reputation far preceded it. It was believed to be one of the most haunted houses in Britain to date. As the name suggests, terrifying screams and sounds came from this building. But those screams and noises happened twenty years ago, though the rumors have never disappeared.
Remus Lupin opened the trap door into the dilapidated building and climbed inside. He was followed by Sirius Black and Harry Potter. These three were far from being the supposedly violent spirits that haunted the house. Through a plan concocted by Albus Dumbledore the Shrieking Shack had become the location of all Remus' transformations during his time at Hogwarts. The town was filled with rumors started by the elderly wizard that the screaming noises coming from the house on full moons were from angry ghosts.
Remus plopped himself down on a faded green couch. Padding was leaking from the overstuffed piece of furniture in several places. On closer inspection at least two springs could be seen making their slow escape.
"I'm going to check the windows and doors," said Sirius, transforming into a large grim like dog. The dog trotted over to a door and nudged it open with his damp nose. The shadow colored animal disappeared into the darkness of the room.
Harry transformed into a large black dog, almost identical to his Godfather. His padded feet made soft noises on the creaking floorboards as he walked to the couch Remus occupied. The dog did an ungraceful leap, landing sideways, but on the couch none the less. He righted himself and sat down next to Remus. Remus, who had had his hands clasped in his lap moved one to put an arm around the black furry mass at his right.
While sitting on the couch Harry inspected the room. The last time he had been here he had raced through this room without looking at it. He had been in a hurry to rescue his red haired best friend.
A large fireplace was in the center of the wall the couch faced. The rocks the fireplace was made of were covered in dust and grime. The area where wood was burned was blackened and soot was piled. As Harry became more comfortable with his altered dog- vision he could make out countless claw marks on the rocks.
Harry looked away from the claw marks before he could shutter. The wooden floor was covered in layers of dust. Three sets of footprints disrupted the work nature had taken twenty years to do.
Harry looked up from the rather non-exciting floor to the other furniture in the room. A dresser stood against a far wall in the shadow of the staircase. Four parallel lines engraved the old dresser from a few inches to the top all the way to the bottom. If one were to guess one would probably say they were claw marks.
A chair that matched the at one time elegant couch stood perpendicular to the couch. Its original seat cushion was apparently replacing a missing leg. The faded and dusty green fabric was slit in several places.
Glancing at the opposite wall Harry corrected himself. There were two chairs that matched the couch. The other chair was currently out of commission. One leg remained and a large chunk of the back was nowhere to be found.
Harry's large furry self sneezed and coughed at the same time causing Remus to jump. The air in the room was thick and musty. Harry was beginning to wonder if someone had come and cleaned the room the previous day and the room had accumulated all this dust in one night. The air felt like it could snow a good foot of dust any minute.
The couch made a painful noise as a black dog jumped up to sit on the opposite side of Remus as Harry. The new comer barked in greeting. Harry returned the bark. Harry had always wondered if dogs were talking when they barked. As far as Harry could tell they sure weren't.
"Is everything secure Padfoot?" asked Remus.
Remus received a bark and an odd nod of confirmation. Harry swallowed hard, nerves beginning to set in. Remus was his friend to the end, but knowing he was about to come face to face with a werewolf still made him slightly jumpy.
Remus suddenly went completely still. The muscles in his limbs tightening and his breathing became sharp. His eyes were wide and Harry could tell he was gritting his teeth.
Across from him, Sirius was slowly backing away from his friend. Sirius jumped down to the floor and motioned Harry to follow him.
Brown hair began to grow all over Remus. His neck bent forward and began to change shape to make Remus look up at the ceiling. Remus' fingernails grew into tiny daggers, as did his exposed toenails.
A howl escaped from Remus that rattled the windows from behind their boards. The amber eyes within the now furry face flashed with pain. Remus' nose and mouth elongated into a snout by the end of the howl.
Another howl came as Remus' shoulders and pelvis shifted to allow for him to walk on four legs. Elbows changed into another set of knees and a tail grew at the end of his body.
All at once the painful howling stopped. A brown wolf, slightly streaked with gray growled, showing his teeth. The wolf hunched his shoulders and prowled menacingly forward, towards his fellow canines.
Harry looked into the amber eyes, searching for Remus. The wolf's lips parted further, to allow more teeth to be seen. Harry faintly heard the line "Grandmother, what big teeth you have," flash through his mind.
Movement beside Harry drew Harry's attention away from the wolf. Sirius backed away slowly. It was not the most encouraging of signs.
The wolf snarled at him and Harry quickly looked back at the predator advancing on him. He looked into the eyes of the wolf once more and realization struck him. Seconds later a voice echoed between his ears.
"Hello Harry."
"Hello Moony," Harry answered telepathically.
"Come to have some fun, have we?"
"Remus took Wolfsbane. How are you here?"
"I stole a bit of your power when you entered Remus' mind and used it to overpower the Wolfsbane. I will only be able to overpower it for a short time, so I must make my revenge quick."
"Revenge? I thought you said you would serve me."
"Harry, you forget that I am a dark creature. Dark creatures don't have much credibility for a reason."
Harry snarled out loud when Moony began to advance on him again.
"Don't forget Harry, I'm in Remus' body. Any harm you do to me, you do to him."
Harry snarled again and Moony enlarged his wolfish smile. Within an instant Moony had pounced him. Harry could feel Sirius begin to run towards them. Refusing to allow Sirius to get hurt also, Harry cast a spell to glue Sirius to the top of the dresser.
Four large paws with sharp nails dug into the floor and into Harry. Moony had placed a paw on each of Harry's shoulders to pin him. Teeth and saliva came snapping down towards Harry's neck. With a strong push the two animals began to roll slowly, pinning each other at each half roll. Harry continually dodged the dangerous teeth while refusing to do more than defend himself. Moony had been right, any damage he did to his opponent would be damage done to Remus.
They rolled over slowly again, this time Harry was pinning the wolf. Suddenly the teeth stopped. The claws were still. Scared amber eyes looked up into fierce green ones.
Harry kept the wolf pinned for a moment before softening his gaze. Moony had retreated, drained of power. Harry removed his paws from the wolf and took two steps back before sitting. He cocked his head slightly to the right and watched for the wolf's next actions.
A loud toppling sound behind Harry attracted both animals' gazes. A disgruntled mound of fur was laying ungracefully on the floor. A sound similar to "hurmph" was heard before the mound propped itself back on its legs and raced to Harry.
Harry was now positive dogs did not say anything when barking. No matter how many times Sirius barked at him, apparently lecturing him, Harry couldn't understand much. He improvised by guessing.
Finally Sirius gave up on the bark lecture and put his paws around Harry. Human or dog, Sirius was apparently determined to crush Harry's bones whenever Harry worried him.
Sirius and Harry turned to the wolf. The brown canine was sitting with its head hung low, studying the now not so dusty floor. Harry and Moony had effectively swept the floor. Harry briefly wondered if he was still all black or if he resembled a dust bunny.
Harry walked over to the wolf and nuzzled him between the shoulder and neck. Remus looked up into Harry's eyes. After a few seconds of eye contact the wolf lowered its head in shame again. Harry nuzzled him again and began to jump around.
Harry had no idea how exactly to communicate to Remus to just forget it and have some fun. So jumping around was the next best thing. Sirius caught on and nudged Remus towards a heavy door near the fireplace.
Remus walked hesitantly to the door followed by Sirius and Harry. Sirius reached a paw up and undid the door lock. The door swung open and the three walked through it.
Harry looked around at the trees and underbrush that surrounded them. Using his speedy logic he deducted that they were in the forbidden forest. Sirius took off running and jumping in front of them after a rabbit.
After finally getting Remus to have some fun the hours went by quickly. The moon was becoming closer to the horizon when Sirius began to lead them back to the Shrieking Shack. Once inside Sirius locked the door behind them.
Remus collapsed on the couch while Sirius and Harry settled for lying on the tattered rug beside the couch. Harry found he could no longer blame dogs for sleeping anywhere and everywhere. With all that fur to cushion him he was quite comfortable.
As Harry's breathing was beginning to slow towards sleep a rustling disturbed him. His head popped up, ears up straight to listen for the origin of the sound. Harry did not have to look far. On the couch immediately in front of him Remus had gone still again.
His fur was standing up straight in several places. A howl filled the air as the snout retreated and the elbows shifted. The shoulders and pelvis came back into their normal position as Remus arched his back painfully.
Remus' howls became screams. The sound made Harry shiver and his stomach drop. The hair retreated, leaving a human in the wolf's place. With a shuddered breath Remus dropped back to the couch, limp.
Sirius transformed and Harry immediately did so as well.
"Is he alright?" asked Harry.
"Yes. I think he is a little more tired than usual because of Moony's little antics. Which, by the way," said Sirius, looking Harry in the eyes. "We are going to have to talk about. You could have been hurt or killed! And what did you do? Glued your Godfather to a dresser!"
"I'm sorry Sirius. I didn't want you to get hurt. I was trying to keep Moony from hurting me while trying not to hurt Remus who was in the same body."
Sirius walked closer to Harry and his eyes widened. In the darkened room it was hard to detect details, but now that he was so close to Harry he could see countless scratches and cuts. Blood had soaked through the cloth of Harry's t-shirt and jeans in a few places.
"When we bring Remus to the infirmary we're going to have Madam Pomfrey check you over too."
Deciding against arguing with his Godfather, Harry nodded and levitated the now unconscious form of Remus.
The infirmary doors swung open in front of Harry and he was greeted with a breeze that was heavily scented with antiseptic. Harry levitated Remus to a bed and set him down.
Sirius ordered Harry to sit on a neighboring bed as he went to get the nurse. The plump gray-haired witch walked into the room at Sirius side with a cart of bottles.
"My, I even get to see you in the summer. Soon you'll be breaking the record for most time in here."
"I don't know. James set that record," said Sirius.
"Harry seems to be here as much as he is in his dorm at times."
The nurse checked him over, healing cuts and scratches with a healing solution. The solution left a fine white line as a scar after it healed.
"The scars should go away in a day or two."
Madam Pomfrey moved to Remus, checking him for injuries and pouring a recovery potion into his mouth.
"I believe Remus would be more comfortable waking up in the dormitory. You two may take him there."
"Madam Pomfrey?"
"Yes Harry?"
"You're letting someone leave the infirmary without a fight?"
"Everyone likes to go on vacations dear."
"Ah."
Sirius and Harry levitated Remus into the Gryffindor tower. The Fat Lady had been convinced that Sirius had killed him, nearly causing a repeat ripping of her canvas.
The two now sat in Dumbledore's office explaining what had happened.
"I could hear Moony talking to me in my mind, and I know he could hear me because he responded to my comments. He said he stole some of my power when I was in Remus' mind to get revenge on me. That's how he overrode the Wolfsbane potion. He was trying to bite me while in Remus' body because hurting Moony like that would be hurting Remus."
"I see. I believe Moony was in fact only trying to exact his revenge. Dark creatures do not like to be crossed. I doubt that this will happen again. Moony will not have access to your power as he did before."
After several offers of lemon drops the two returned to the tower to get some much needed sleep.
One For All
Natural Anthem
Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses. --Alphonse Karr
Hogsmeade was a cheerful town and the only completely wizarding town in Britain. The Three Broomsticks hosted guests both sober and drunken. Honeydukes could rot any sweet tooth out and Zonko's was a prankster's dream.
Down a road across from the Three Broomsticks was an old, boarded up building with an forgotten garden. The Shrieking Shack's reputation far preceded it. It was believed to be one of the most haunted houses in Britain to date. As the name suggests, terrifying screams and sounds came from this building. But those screams and noises happened twenty years ago, though the rumors have never disappeared.
Remus Lupin opened the trap door into the dilapidated building and climbed inside. He was followed by Sirius Black and Harry Potter. These three were far from being the supposedly violent spirits that haunted the house. Through a plan concocted by Albus Dumbledore the Shrieking Shack had become the location of all Remus' transformations during his time at Hogwarts. The town was filled with rumors started by the elderly wizard that the screaming noises coming from the house on full moons were from angry ghosts.
Remus plopped himself down on a faded green couch. Padding was leaking from the overstuffed piece of furniture in several places. On closer inspection at least two springs could be seen making their slow escape.
"I'm going to check the windows and doors," said Sirius, transforming into a large grim like dog. The dog trotted over to a door and nudged it open with his damp nose. The shadow colored animal disappeared into the darkness of the room.
Harry transformed into a large black dog, almost identical to his Godfather. His padded feet made soft noises on the creaking floorboards as he walked to the couch Remus occupied. The dog did an ungraceful leap, landing sideways, but on the couch none the less. He righted himself and sat down next to Remus. Remus, who had had his hands clasped in his lap moved one to put an arm around the black furry mass at his right.
While sitting on the couch Harry inspected the room. The last time he had been here he had raced through this room without looking at it. He had been in a hurry to rescue his red haired best friend.
A large fireplace was in the center of the wall the couch faced. The rocks the fireplace was made of were covered in dust and grime. The area where wood was burned was blackened and soot was piled. As Harry became more comfortable with his altered dog- vision he could make out countless claw marks on the rocks.
Harry looked away from the claw marks before he could shutter. The wooden floor was covered in layers of dust. Three sets of footprints disrupted the work nature had taken twenty years to do.
Harry looked up from the rather non-exciting floor to the other furniture in the room. A dresser stood against a far wall in the shadow of the staircase. Four parallel lines engraved the old dresser from a few inches to the top all the way to the bottom. If one were to guess one would probably say they were claw marks.
A chair that matched the at one time elegant couch stood perpendicular to the couch. Its original seat cushion was apparently replacing a missing leg. The faded and dusty green fabric was slit in several places.
Glancing at the opposite wall Harry corrected himself. There were two chairs that matched the couch. The other chair was currently out of commission. One leg remained and a large chunk of the back was nowhere to be found.
Harry's large furry self sneezed and coughed at the same time causing Remus to jump. The air in the room was thick and musty. Harry was beginning to wonder if someone had come and cleaned the room the previous day and the room had accumulated all this dust in one night. The air felt like it could snow a good foot of dust any minute.
The couch made a painful noise as a black dog jumped up to sit on the opposite side of Remus as Harry. The new comer barked in greeting. Harry returned the bark. Harry had always wondered if dogs were talking when they barked. As far as Harry could tell they sure weren't.
"Is everything secure Padfoot?" asked Remus.
Remus received a bark and an odd nod of confirmation. Harry swallowed hard, nerves beginning to set in. Remus was his friend to the end, but knowing he was about to come face to face with a werewolf still made him slightly jumpy.
Remus suddenly went completely still. The muscles in his limbs tightening and his breathing became sharp. His eyes were wide and Harry could tell he was gritting his teeth.
Across from him, Sirius was slowly backing away from his friend. Sirius jumped down to the floor and motioned Harry to follow him.
Brown hair began to grow all over Remus. His neck bent forward and began to change shape to make Remus look up at the ceiling. Remus' fingernails grew into tiny daggers, as did his exposed toenails.
A howl escaped from Remus that rattled the windows from behind their boards. The amber eyes within the now furry face flashed with pain. Remus' nose and mouth elongated into a snout by the end of the howl.
Another howl came as Remus' shoulders and pelvis shifted to allow for him to walk on four legs. Elbows changed into another set of knees and a tail grew at the end of his body.
All at once the painful howling stopped. A brown wolf, slightly streaked with gray growled, showing his teeth. The wolf hunched his shoulders and prowled menacingly forward, towards his fellow canines.
Harry looked into the amber eyes, searching for Remus. The wolf's lips parted further, to allow more teeth to be seen. Harry faintly heard the line "Grandmother, what big teeth you have," flash through his mind.
Movement beside Harry drew Harry's attention away from the wolf. Sirius backed away slowly. It was not the most encouraging of signs.
The wolf snarled at him and Harry quickly looked back at the predator advancing on him. He looked into the eyes of the wolf once more and realization struck him. Seconds later a voice echoed between his ears.
"Hello Harry."
"Hello Moony," Harry answered telepathically.
"Come to have some fun, have we?"
"Remus took Wolfsbane. How are you here?"
"I stole a bit of your power when you entered Remus' mind and used it to overpower the Wolfsbane. I will only be able to overpower it for a short time, so I must make my revenge quick."
"Revenge? I thought you said you would serve me."
"Harry, you forget that I am a dark creature. Dark creatures don't have much credibility for a reason."
Harry snarled out loud when Moony began to advance on him again.
"Don't forget Harry, I'm in Remus' body. Any harm you do to me, you do to him."
Harry snarled again and Moony enlarged his wolfish smile. Within an instant Moony had pounced him. Harry could feel Sirius begin to run towards them. Refusing to allow Sirius to get hurt also, Harry cast a spell to glue Sirius to the top of the dresser.
Four large paws with sharp nails dug into the floor and into Harry. Moony had placed a paw on each of Harry's shoulders to pin him. Teeth and saliva came snapping down towards Harry's neck. With a strong push the two animals began to roll slowly, pinning each other at each half roll. Harry continually dodged the dangerous teeth while refusing to do more than defend himself. Moony had been right, any damage he did to his opponent would be damage done to Remus.
They rolled over slowly again, this time Harry was pinning the wolf. Suddenly the teeth stopped. The claws were still. Scared amber eyes looked up into fierce green ones.
Harry kept the wolf pinned for a moment before softening his gaze. Moony had retreated, drained of power. Harry removed his paws from the wolf and took two steps back before sitting. He cocked his head slightly to the right and watched for the wolf's next actions.
A loud toppling sound behind Harry attracted both animals' gazes. A disgruntled mound of fur was laying ungracefully on the floor. A sound similar to "hurmph" was heard before the mound propped itself back on its legs and raced to Harry.
Harry was now positive dogs did not say anything when barking. No matter how many times Sirius barked at him, apparently lecturing him, Harry couldn't understand much. He improvised by guessing.
Finally Sirius gave up on the bark lecture and put his paws around Harry. Human or dog, Sirius was apparently determined to crush Harry's bones whenever Harry worried him.
Sirius and Harry turned to the wolf. The brown canine was sitting with its head hung low, studying the now not so dusty floor. Harry and Moony had effectively swept the floor. Harry briefly wondered if he was still all black or if he resembled a dust bunny.
Harry walked over to the wolf and nuzzled him between the shoulder and neck. Remus looked up into Harry's eyes. After a few seconds of eye contact the wolf lowered its head in shame again. Harry nuzzled him again and began to jump around.
Harry had no idea how exactly to communicate to Remus to just forget it and have some fun. So jumping around was the next best thing. Sirius caught on and nudged Remus towards a heavy door near the fireplace.
Remus walked hesitantly to the door followed by Sirius and Harry. Sirius reached a paw up and undid the door lock. The door swung open and the three walked through it.
Harry looked around at the trees and underbrush that surrounded them. Using his speedy logic he deducted that they were in the forbidden forest. Sirius took off running and jumping in front of them after a rabbit.
After finally getting Remus to have some fun the hours went by quickly. The moon was becoming closer to the horizon when Sirius began to lead them back to the Shrieking Shack. Once inside Sirius locked the door behind them.
Remus collapsed on the couch while Sirius and Harry settled for lying on the tattered rug beside the couch. Harry found he could no longer blame dogs for sleeping anywhere and everywhere. With all that fur to cushion him he was quite comfortable.
As Harry's breathing was beginning to slow towards sleep a rustling disturbed him. His head popped up, ears up straight to listen for the origin of the sound. Harry did not have to look far. On the couch immediately in front of him Remus had gone still again.
His fur was standing up straight in several places. A howl filled the air as the snout retreated and the elbows shifted. The shoulders and pelvis came back into their normal position as Remus arched his back painfully.
Remus' howls became screams. The sound made Harry shiver and his stomach drop. The hair retreated, leaving a human in the wolf's place. With a shuddered breath Remus dropped back to the couch, limp.
Sirius transformed and Harry immediately did so as well.
"Is he alright?" asked Harry.
"Yes. I think he is a little more tired than usual because of Moony's little antics. Which, by the way," said Sirius, looking Harry in the eyes. "We are going to have to talk about. You could have been hurt or killed! And what did you do? Glued your Godfather to a dresser!"
"I'm sorry Sirius. I didn't want you to get hurt. I was trying to keep Moony from hurting me while trying not to hurt Remus who was in the same body."
Sirius walked closer to Harry and his eyes widened. In the darkened room it was hard to detect details, but now that he was so close to Harry he could see countless scratches and cuts. Blood had soaked through the cloth of Harry's t-shirt and jeans in a few places.
"When we bring Remus to the infirmary we're going to have Madam Pomfrey check you over too."
Deciding against arguing with his Godfather, Harry nodded and levitated the now unconscious form of Remus.
The infirmary doors swung open in front of Harry and he was greeted with a breeze that was heavily scented with antiseptic. Harry levitated Remus to a bed and set him down.
Sirius ordered Harry to sit on a neighboring bed as he went to get the nurse. The plump gray-haired witch walked into the room at Sirius side with a cart of bottles.
"My, I even get to see you in the summer. Soon you'll be breaking the record for most time in here."
"I don't know. James set that record," said Sirius.
"Harry seems to be here as much as he is in his dorm at times."
The nurse checked him over, healing cuts and scratches with a healing solution. The solution left a fine white line as a scar after it healed.
"The scars should go away in a day or two."
Madam Pomfrey moved to Remus, checking him for injuries and pouring a recovery potion into his mouth.
"I believe Remus would be more comfortable waking up in the dormitory. You two may take him there."
"Madam Pomfrey?"
"Yes Harry?"
"You're letting someone leave the infirmary without a fight?"
"Everyone likes to go on vacations dear."
"Ah."
Sirius and Harry levitated Remus into the Gryffindor tower. The Fat Lady had been convinced that Sirius had killed him, nearly causing a repeat ripping of her canvas.
The two now sat in Dumbledore's office explaining what had happened.
"I could hear Moony talking to me in my mind, and I know he could hear me because he responded to my comments. He said he stole some of my power when I was in Remus' mind to get revenge on me. That's how he overrode the Wolfsbane potion. He was trying to bite me while in Remus' body because hurting Moony like that would be hurting Remus."
"I see. I believe Moony was in fact only trying to exact his revenge. Dark creatures do not like to be crossed. I doubt that this will happen again. Moony will not have access to your power as he did before."
After several offers of lemon drops the two returned to the tower to get some much needed sleep.