A/N: Thanks so much to all those who reviewed, especially lilikins, who left me four great messages to read. This chapter is for my friend Courtney, stuck at church camp with no fanfic for a week. At least you have stuff to read when you get home!

Standard disclaimer always applies, and it hasn't changed since my first chapter.

Once, They Were Friends

Book One: Moony

Chapter 7: Harvest Moon

Days passed without event, except for a Defense Against the Dark Arts class which really gave the full measure of Professor Kirn's character. At the beginning of Friday's class, he asked a particularly difficult question relating to the previous night's homework. Most students didn't know the answer; James and Sirius were both trying to finish the homework under their desks. Four students, however, did have their hands raised: Lily Evans, Carol Morgan, a Ravenclaw girl named Adruinna Patrick, and Remus Lupin.

Professer Kirn stared passed these hands, and asked, "Does anyone know the answer? Come on, I don't believe all of you are that blockheaded."

Stuart Benjamin, the Ravenclaw boy who sat next to Sirius, raised his hand. "Finally," their teacher said. "Mr. Benjamin, tell them."

Stuart gave his answer, and was correct. After he finished, he paused, and said, "But, sir-"

"Yes?" the professor said, surprised.

"Their were four other people who knew the answer, sir. Why did you wait to call on me?" He had a nervous look on his face, as if he knew he shouldn't be questioning a teacher in the first week of classes but knew it was a question that needed to be asked.

Kirn studied his pupil for a moment, then answered. "Very observant of you. However, you might have noticed that these four students seemed to always have their hands raised, and I knew they knew the answer. I wanted to see of others knew as well." It seemed like a satisfying answer, though the three girls and Remus all knew it to be a lie. This was only their third class, and none of them had been called on for answers. Stuart, on the other hand, answered frequently, and always had things right. If anyone in the class knew, it would have been him.

The girls were angry when they went to their next class, especially Carol, who was ranting to Lily on their way to Potions. Remus didn't think James or Sirius would have cared to hear him complain about their DADA professor. They both liked him, and the way he taught. Besides, Remus couldn't explain why he was being ignored by their teacher the same way the girls could. He had enough on his mind coming up with ways to explain his absence Saturday night.

This became even more difficult that evening at dinner. After taking his first bite, Sirius asked suddenly to his friends, "What do you want to explore Saturday night? Or should we work on our first prank?"

"I think exploring sounds good," replied James. "We can't plan a prank without knowing where things are. What if we need a fast getaway so we don't get caught? Or somewhere to hide?"

The two of them began to eagerly talk about wandering through the castle at night, Peter nodding his head at everything they suggested, but Remus stayed silent. How would he be able to get away for the moon. He had been planning on staying out of their way all day, then sneaking off to the infirmary without being missed, but this complicated it. His friends would expect him to explore with them, and it would be hard to get away. He supposed he could say he was sick, which would likely be true, but that excuse would get old fast. A nagging little voice somewhere in his head offered up an unwelcome suggestion: What if you just tell them? If their you're real friends, they won't care. If they aren't, who needs them?

I need them, Remus thought, even if they would care. He forced himself out of this train of thought, instead listening to the plans being made. The almost full moon was growing bright as the sun set and night came.

Remus awoke late Saturday morning, pulling himself out of a deep sleep when his friends made noise. He was beginning to feel ill, and by the time he managed to climb out of bed, everyone had left for breakfast.

He looked in the mirror as he dressed. His skin was pale, and his scars were clearer than usual. Not as clear as the summer moons, but more obvious than other days. He was glad he was alone.

At breakfast, Remus ate little. James looked him over when he came down, and noticed the change in his friend. "Are you alright?" he asked. Remus nodded, and James didn't push.

Mail arrived soon after Remus came down to eat. Two owls held a large package between them, and they set it down at Remus' place. He tore the paper off carefully, and found a note on top of a thick, hardcover book. The note, from his mother, read: For your birthday, and for every other day as well, with love from mom. The book was a new addition of The Lord of the Rings in one volume. The pages were crisp, and Remus let a smile cross his face for the first time that day. He was ready to ignore his friends for the rest of the day, plunging himself into the comforting world of Middle-earth.

For the rest of the day, that is what he did. Alone, he found a comfortable spot under a tree just beginning to turn orange and gold, and he read. He read through lunch, and he was able to forget the changes beginning inside of him as the moon began to creep up unseen, hidden by the daylight. But not for long.

Before dinner, he was found by his friends and almost dragged into the Great Hall. They had spent the whole day leaving him alone, but now they had plans to finalize. James began to explain the area they would be exploring, and what each person was going to do.

Remus, who wasn't hungry and didn't eat anything, finally needed to make his excuse and depart. The sun was beginning to drop in the sky, and would set soon enough. "I- I don't think I'll be able to go with you tonight," he said when James finished sharing the plans for that night.

"Why not?" Sirius asked.

He answered as honestly as he could. "I don't feel very well. I think I'll go to the hospital wing, then maybe to bed. I'm pretty tired."

James looked concerned. "Do you want us to go with you?" he asked.

"No!" Remus said, a little to forcefully. "No, that's alright. You guys go exploring. I'll come another night." He got up from the table and headed to the infirmary alone.

The nurse, a motherly woman just reaching middle-age, was waiting for him. "Right on time," she said brightly. "It's good to see a young man whose punctual. Alright, lets have a look at you before we head down to the Willow." She looked him over with her careful eye, a frown growing on her face. "Your too pale, and too skinny. Well, the food at here will fix that soon enough." She smiled at him warmly, then looked at her watch. "Time to go down. The moon will be rising soon. Follow me."

She led him out the door and onto the grounds, watching carefully to make sure no one was watching. They reached a large, impressive looking willow tree that was standing so still, the leaves didn't blow in the wind. As they approached, however, it began to twitch, then thrash madly.

"How do I get past that?" Remus asked, afraid that this would be some sort of test or punishment he would have to face on the full moons.

"Easily enough." The nurse began looking through some shrubbery, and pulled out a long stick, long enough to touch the Whomping Willow without getting too close. "See the knot on the trunk?" She pointed in the right direction. Remus nodded. "All you have to do is touch the knot with this branch and voila." The tree stopped suddenly, and didn't move again when they got up close.

Behind the willow, Remus could see the opening to a tunnel, no more than a hole in the ground. "Is that where I'll go?" he asked.

She nodded. "It goes down a ways, until you reach a house that's been sealed shut to outsiders. You won't be able to get out, and no one will be able to get in. I'll come get you in the morning."

Madame Pomfrey watched him climb in the tunnel and turned to leave when he was out of site. Remus followed the path into a small, neatly furnished house. It wouldn't be very neat for long, he thought. The sky was now a deep blue, soon to be black. The moon was just rising now, it wouldn't be long.

Then he began to feel it. It was as if he was being torn to pieces, his flesh ripped away bit by bit. He screamed at the pain, waiting for the darkness to claim him. This change was quick, for that he was grateful. The agony was shorter, and though the night presented its own kind of torture, anything was preferable to the misery of the change. Now, he was locked away in the cage of his own mind as the wolf tore at itself and everything around him. Morning couldn't come quickly enough.

But it came, and Remus was left aching and exhausted. He crawled into the bed in the small house and fell asleep.

He didn't remember being brought back to the castle, but that was where he spent the rest of the day, dreaming dreams he would not remember. He awoke before sunset, his stomach growling. After the nurse fussed and protested, saying he needed more rest, he was finally allowed to get something to eat at the feast.

"Hey, Remus, you're back!" said James brightly. "Feeling better?"

"Much," the young werewolf said. "So how was last night?"

A/N: Okay, that was short again. And I know I've spent too many chapters on this one week. Pacing will go a lot faster from now on, I promise. I'm still just getting into this, even though it's been seven chapters. More to come soon, I hope. As always, pretty please review!