Chapter 2:
"Lean over the wash basin," Remus instructed. Sirius did as he was told. Remus poured the potion over his head.
"Ugh! That reeks!" he complained.
"It was a quick potion," Remus explained. "I didn't have time to add scented oils to it. Besides, isn't Eva waiting for you?"
"Eva!" Sirius bolted upright. Potion sloshed over the floor as Remus moved out of his way. Sirius bolted across the room to his mirror. His hair was back to black. "Bloody hell! I'm late!" He grabbed his comb and raced from the room.
"Thanks, Mooney," Remus muttered. He poured the rest of the potion into the basin.
"Thanks, Mooney," James said. Remus nodded as he crossed to his bed. James caught the snitch as in zoomed passed. The door opened and Frank Longbottom slid in. "Alright, Longbottom?" James greeted.
"Alright, Potter," he returned, flopping onto his bed. His bookbag hit the floor with a loud thunk.
"Books, still?" James shook his head, a smile on his face, "You and Mooney."
"Unlike you," Remus interrupted, "some of us have to study to learn this stuff." Longbottom
tossed him a smile before pulling on pajamas and climbing into bed. He pulled his curtains closed. James dimmed the lights. Peter and Remus changed into pajamas and climbed into bed. James sat on the edge of his, waiting for Sirius to return.
Moonlight suddenly streamed through the window, bathing the room in silver. Remus whimpered, hiding from the light. James rushed to his friend's bed, drawing the curtains between him and the light. Kneeling beside Remus' head, he saw that his blue eyes had bled to wolf amber. Alien thoughts drifted through those eyes. His breathing came in sharp, pained gasps. "Easy, Mooney, easy," James whispered. He laid a comforting hand on his friend's head. "I'm here." He smoothed Remus' hair. "Padfoot is here; Wormtail is here," he crooned, petting him slowly.
"Prongs?" Remus asked, his voice little more than a growl.
"That's right," James said, "Prongs is here." Remus smiled, his teeth had lengthened into fangs. James swallowed hard, fighting off a sudden flood of panic. He forced himself to stay there, to maintain human contact. Remus' eyes soon closed and he fell into a light sleep. James stayed beside him long after he'd fallen asleep. Sirius crept in near midnight.
He knelt beside James, "Is he okay?" he asked.
"Yeah. You should have thanked him for that antidote."
"I will," he said, a hint of defensiveness in his voice.
"And Eva?" James asked with a sudden smile. Sirius shrugged. "Was she mad? Was she even
there?"
"I didn't come straight back, now did I."
"So?"
"She was a bit mad. We made up." James chuckled.
"Kissed and made up?"
"A gentleman never tells." Sirius said, turning away. James chuckled again. He rose stiffly.
"Well, Gentleman Padfoot," he said, "I'm off to bed." He bowed with only a hint of mockery before climbing into bed. Sirius remained beside Remus. He stared into his sleeping face. Laying his head on his arm, he too fell asleep.