Memories
Chapter 4: Under the Full Moon's Light
A/N: This chapter has been revised. Warning: this chapter has a lot of setting – switching, so make sure to read the bold italicized words. Please review!
start chapter: James' PoV
In the Corridors…
I swore repeatedly under my breath as my feet beat the ground with quick rhythm and my breath came in short bursts. I was winded, but as I glanced down at my watch, I increased my speed again. I had about three minutes until moonrise, and my friends would be expecting me at our rendezvous point, my current goal: the Shrieking Shack. Cursing my low stamina, I sped up even more, constantly checking my Quidditch wristwatch on an average of about two seconds.
General PoV
In the Gryffindor Common Room…
" – emus! Remus!" Sirius' exasperated calling finally broke through Remus' fogged-up mind. Swiveling around from his intense gaze into the fire, Remus discovered that it was his turn to move on the chessboard. Blushing a bit that Sirius had caught him on a blank moment, he furrowed his brow in thought of his next move. As Remus was about to move the pawn, something brushed against his leg, making him jump and accidentally knock over the game board.
"Whoa, Moony! It's just Peter's cat!" Sirius said, soothing Remus.
"Sorry, Remus. Midnight just got out of the dorm," apologized Peter sheepishly.
"Let's not play right now, Padfoot," Remus sighed. "I just can't concentrate today."
"All right, Moony," Sirius agreed. "But why are you so jumpy today? I've never seen you so skittish before."
"I've never felt so restless before the full moon before. I don't know why, but I can tell the wolf is dying to get out this month. I've had a hard time controlling it this time," Remus responded, looking agitated. He got to his feet and paced around the red and gold common room for a bit, trying to walk off some of his excess nervous energy. He was usually on edge before transformations, but he had never felt this bad.
Just then, the portrait hole opened, and Professor McGonagall entered, stepping regally through the hole in the wall.
"Come along, Mr. Lupin. Your mother is waiting for you at home. It seems she has fallen ill once more," she said, her expression soft as she looked at Remus. It was clear that Professor McGonagall felt much pity and concern for one of her favorite model students.
"Yes, Professor," replied Remus in accordance. He scrambled to his feet, swaying a bit before regaining his balance. It didn't escape Sirius' notice that Remus seemed a bit paler than before McGonagall had come in. After patting his friend reassuringly on the back and silently giving him moral support, Sirius watched as Remus left the common room, bravely giving a weak smile.
"Sorry, Padfoot, but I'd better go to detention now. Snyder will kill me if I'm late. I'll see you later," said Peter. With that, he, too, climbed out of the portrait hole.
Sirius waited an impatient three minutes exactly until he knew McGonagall was gone, and raced upstairs to the dormitory room. Upon opening James' trunk, he pulled out the revered Invisibility Cloak and stuffed it under his robe, effectively (hopefully) concealing it from sight.
The lone Marauder walked deceivingly calmly out of the portrait hole, pulling on the Cloak in the darkness of the corridor and crept after the professor and student… out to the Shrieking Shack.
General PoV
By the Whomping Willow…
"Are you quite sure you'll be all right, Remus?" asked Professor McGonagall concernedly – just as she did every full moon.
"I'll be fine, Professor," lied Remus, just as he always did. Besides, there's nothing she could do even if I said anything else, he thought to himself. Better to lie than make her feel pity for me.
With a nod in response, Professor McGonagall searched around in the nearby bushes until she found the long stick hidden there. She prodded a darkened knot near the base of the tree trunk and the tree froze in mid-attempt to cleanly swipe off Remus' head.
Flashing a tight smile in his teacher's direction, Remus turned and headed down into the dark tunnel. Even underground, Remus could hear McGonagall's receding footsteps, courtesy of his excellent, lupine hearing.
The tunnel that had been dug underneath the Whomping Willow was dark and damp. On occasion, a small animal would scuttle around the dank opening, but they never came as far as the Shrieking Shack; the howls from the run-down building were enough motivation for all small creatures and rodents to stay far away.
Although the Shack was technically in Hogsmeade, Dumbledore had long since made the tunnel shortened by magic, ever since the memorable incident in which Remus had transformed in the middle of the tunnel. So now the tunnel was considerably shorter, only a few yards.
Sighing a bit, Remus pushed open the door of the Shack, being careful not to close it all the way; the doors were charmed to be impossible to open once the door shut. Remus took off all his clothes and set them neatly in a trunk there for that very purpose; since the scent of the human on it might drive him mad with bloodlust, the clothes were always locked away from him.
Remus lay down on the hard, cold floor and waited for the moon to rise…
General PoV
On the Hogwarts Grounds…
James cast an anxious look up to the sky, racing across the damp lawn covering the Hogwarts Grounds. He could see a very faint light where the moon would soon be rising on the horizon. James knew that the moon rose at nine this night (the Marauders charted the moonrises every month) and from that minute, gentle Remus Lupin would become a snarling, rabid animal – a werewolf.
Although the other three Marauders could not go near Remus on full moons, they had been determined to help their friend. So, since they had found out in second year about Remus' lycanthropy, they had searched and toiled for three long years until they reaped their reward: the three of them had become Animagi and could successfully transform into their animal forms at will.
James' form was a regal stag (hence the nickname "Prongs"), Sirius became a Grim-like dog (known as "Padfoot"), and Peter transformed into a small rat (nicknamed "Wormtail"). And of course, Remus was known as "Moony" (a reference to his lycanthropy).
With a start, James realized that he had finally reached the entrance to the Shrieking Shack. He saw a faint shimmer in the air, and realized that his friend was there, under the Cloak. Sure enough, Sirius revealed himself, silently greeting him. The two Marauders waited for the tell-tale howl from Remus telling them he had transformed…
General PoV
In the Shrieking Shack…
Remus watched through the grimy window of the Shack. He knew instantly when the moon's rays reached through the windows; he felt the shock to his body at that moment. A series of tremors ripped through his body, seizing his limp form and throwing him to the ground. There Remus lay, gasping for breath, tears streaming from his eyes. The moon's beams were relentless and they continued tore through his body repeatedly. Then moon shone fully over the horizon, rising up into the inky sky. The transformation started then.
Remus' limbs began to shake, even as he lay on the floor. Remus screamed in agony as his bones rearranged themselves to foreign positions with sharp cracks and the skin was ripped viciously as his slim form writhed and jerked. Hair grew from every part of his slim body, and a long, furry tail sprouted. Where there were two legs and arms the body forced out four walking limbs. The warm amber eyes of Remus Lupin constricted, and were swallowed up by a poisoned yellow.
As Remus lay there in his new form of the wolf, he drew quick, short breaths. The urge to cry out washed over him, and Remus gave in to the impulse. Instead of the cry of a human, however, the tormented howl of a wolf was ripped from his throat.
Once his strength slowly returned to him, Remus put his head down on the floor and waited…
General PoV
Outside the Whomping Willow…
The forlorn howls of the wolf split the velvety silence outside the Whomping Willow. Instantly, James picked up the stick cast aside by Professor McGonagall and froze the tree once more. Then, transforming, the two of them headed down into the dark tunnel to greet their furry friend.
General PoV
Inside the Shrieking Shack…
Moony could hear two pairs of distant footsteps, coming ever nearer. He perked up his ears and stood up, every line in his lupine body showing interest. He trotted forward a bit, when the two visitors nudged through the door.
Padfoot trotted down first, and was immediately tackled by Moony in his overabundant joy. The two were still playfully wrestling when Prongs entered, antlers nearly scraping the doorframe, even as he bowed his head. Prongs just cocked his head and watched the mock battle with amusement and affection showing clearly in his liquid eyes.
The two canine members of the group finally broke apart. It was clear that Padfoot had declared himself the winner, with a doggy-grin on his face, tongue lolled out to the side, and his laughing blue eyes. Of course, Moony was very put out, what with Padfoot cheating and all. But the two perked up once more when Prongs indicated with a jerk of his head that they should be off.
The three of them headed up through the tunnel, dismantling various traps and such automatically. They climbed up through the hole at the base of the Whomping Willow and started off in the direction of the Forbidden Forest – their conquest of the night.
Moony, Padfoot, and Prongs stepped cautiously past the tree line of the Forest, swiveling their heads every which way to discern if they were in any immediate danger. Deciding that it was safe, Prongs gave the all-clear signal and the three animals continued into the Forest.
The Forest was dark and moist, and beautiful in a way that was both exotic and haunting. The trees were alive with various nightlife, ordinary animals like squirrels, and rarer creatures such as the Wockabees. Lush plants and growths scattered the floor of the Forest. Non-magical and magical flowers sprung up everywhere, very different in their qualities, but same in their breathtaking beauty. There were blossoms that sung lullabies while swaying in the breeze, and others that shone with iridescent light from the center. The entire scene was covered with a hazy silence, only interrupted by the occasional mates calling to one another, and the Forest seemed like an eerie world all of its own.
Suddenly, Moony sniffed the air and turned his head agitatedly as he sensed something not of the Forest. It was a warm, pulsing scent, constantly flowing and rushing. It was the scent that the wolf craved so deeply… human blood! With a low growl in his throat Moony bounded off, Padfoot and Prongs desperately following behind.
Moony's excellent nose picked out the source of the blood immediately. It was coming from a low brush near a moon-lit clearing. Peering through the velvety darkness Moony's eyes sought what he found instantly – two pools of fearful, gray eyes. Driven mad by the wolf's craving, Moony lunged at the human.
Then, out of nowhere, a pair of antlers threw the wolf out of the way. Snarling now, Moony tore a great gash in the middle of Prongs' chest, making him slump to the ground, dizzy from the loss of blood.
Turning back to his prey, Moony attempted another sating of his desire. He pulled back the bush and was about to sink his flashing fangs into the girl's leg, when Padfoot pushed him to the side and rolled him over. While Moony and Padfoot each tried to gain the upper hand in their fight, they both received deep scratches, while lashing back at each other. Finally, Padfoot pinned the wolf to the ground.
The girl had the sense to run back through the Forest, and head towards the school. Since the girl wasn't harmed she didn't report to the infirmary, so Moony was safe from being discovered missing at the Shrieking Shack.
Moony strained at first to get out from underneath Padfoot, as he could still sense his prey running through the Forest. Padfoot was just too heavy, though. Moony was nearly suffocating from combined pressure of attempting to get up and the weight sitting on his stomach. He was trapped.
When the urge to kill and bite had receded, Moony looked into the eyes of his packmate and realized his friends for who they were. The relief showed in Padfoot's eyes as he recognized Moony had regained his sense. Padfoot quickly released his hold over Moony, and let him back up to his feet.
The three of them headed out of the Forest, and Prongs indicated that it was time for the Animagi to return. They escorted Moony through the tunnel to the Shack, where they finally allowed the door to close and lock.
Moony watched sadly as his friends left, leaving him miserably alone. He gazed up at the silvery orb in the sky which held such power over him, and howled in desolation. He curled up in a tight ball on the cold floor of the Shrieking Shack, waiting desperately for the sun to come up.
General PoV
Inside the Gryffindor Common Room…
James and Sirius stumbled up what seemed like an eternity of stairs, tripping exhaustedly into the Gryffindor Common Room. They flopped themselves down on the couch near where Lily was already seated.
"Oh, Merlin," Lily muttered. "Poor Remus must have been really wild tonight for you to be in this bad of a shape…" Not bothering to wait for a reply, Lily kneeled by James, closing and spread her hands over his body.
White light shone silently in an ethereal manner around Lily. James felt a cool wave wash over his body, rather as if he was detached from his body. Tingles raced up and down his spine from the odd sensation. His body was limp, and the stinging had disappeared. James watched, fascinated as he always was, as his wounds sealed themselves, white light dimming from them as they did.
Every full moon, after James and Sirius came back to the common room, since Lily had discovered them one night two years ago, she would wait up and heal their wounds. Although Lily hadn't known why they kept getting injured until they were good enough friends, she had healed them using her powers as a descendant of the Elven race.
Finally, Lily opened her eyes as all of James' wounds were healed. "Thanks, Lil. Brilliant job, as usual," James grinned at her. Flashing a brief smile at him, Lily started working on Sirius' injuries.
Still lying on the couch, James watched as Lily healed again, mesmerized. Lily's brow was beaded with sweat, and rogue strands of hair had escaped from her ponytail. Her body was slumped in tired lines. The robes she was wearing were rumpled from sitting in a chair for hours.
She was the most beautiful thing James had ever laid his eyes on.
After Lily had finished her healing, the three of them went upstairs.
Sirius mumbled a tired goodnight to Lily then stumbled as fast as he could to collapse onto his bed, shutting the dorm door.
"Sleep well, Lil," called James softly, lingering behind for a bit. He longed to say something else, but he bit down on his tongue firmly to prevent it from coming out.
"'Night, James. Sweet dreams," Lily said back. Then she disappeared behind the softly closed dormitory door.
James thought about her words as he undressed and slid into bed. The only way I'll have sweet dreams is if I'm dreaming of you, Lily…
end chapter
A/N: How was that? Quite a lot longer than I expected, but I guess that's alright. Please tell me what you think in a review! Thanks!
tenniStar514