Hi to any who were awaiting this chapter, sorry it has taken me so long to get around to it. Uni and training has been taking all my time but I am currently injured so I thought I should probably take some of my free time and write a chapter (or two if you're lucky!)

Anyhow enjoy the sixth instalment…

Chapter Six: Full Moons & Transformations

Intense excitement was flooding his body; rarely did the young Slytherin get this roused about something. He was finally going to find out the Blasted Lupin Boy's secret. Hundreds of scenarios crossed his mind of what he would find at the end of the tunnel, but none of them came close to the unbelievable truth. Though normally astute, Severus failed to make a connection between the state of the moon and his upcoming discovery.

His black robes billowed behind him (a trait he had worked hard to attain) as he hastily walked to the Whomping Willow. So intense was his curiosity that he didn't once stop to consider that Black could have lied to him, as a childish prank to get him into to trouble. At last he could make out the silhouette of the willow and its murderous branches against the white glow of the moon.

His control was slipping; the moon-illuminated room was fading from his vision. He no longer noticed the shabby furnishings or the musty smell. The only thing he felt was the abrasive moth-eaten blanket beneath him, but soon even that was discarded by his senses. Pain was the only thing he knew now.

Abruptly his body jerked upwards and his back arched, remaining taut like a bow ready for release. Seconds trickled by and he remained in that agonised position before his body was tossed to side, muscles still spasming. His naked body glistened with sweat as it contorted into impossible, bone-shattering positions. His normally peaceful face was twisted into a mask of pain and anguish. Ice ripped through his body as bones were spasmodically broken and re-set to suit the wolf's frame. Fire lanced his skin as he sprouted thick grey hairs on every inch of his fevered skin. His hands and feet convulsed and torturously curled into the clawed paws of the werewolf. A howl of pain escaped from his rapidly distorting mouth before it disappeared behind the features of the wolf, completing his transformation as his mind surrendered to the no-longer dormant wolf.

James had never run faster in his life, but neither had he ever coveted a destination that seemed so impossible to reach. He mentally cursed Hogwarts and the Ministry for their rules regarding apparating. His thoughts of the Ministry lead to thoughts of werewolf prejudice which caused him to colourfully express his feelings verbally whilst battling for breath.

He had always been the smallest but the terror had never gripped him like this before. On other full moons there had been Padfoot and Prongs, but tonight there was only Wormtail and a very provoked Moony who was swamped with instinct and fury.

The wolf could sense the cowering rodent but ignored him for the moment, a small part of him recognised him as a member of his pack, but a larger part of him only recognised the fear and hated him for it. He viciously attacked walls and furniture, determined that nothing should escape his pain at the absence of his mate.

Pride and satisfaction rippled through Severus as he managed to subdue the willow tress and slither through the tunnel entrance. A smirk was firmly etched on his pale features as he lighted the dark tunnel and delved deeper underground.

James was panting and sweating by the time he reached the currently still tree, despite the cool evening and snow blanketed ground. He didn't even allow himself a moments respite before he tore down into the dim tunnel. He reached for his wand, preparing to utter the 'Lumos' spell when he realised he didn't have it.

"Shit!" he yelled into the absorbing darkness and proceeded to stumble blindly down the roughly hewn path.

The bedroom of the shack was eerily silent, all noises of destruction and anger had ceased. This scared Wormtail more than the earlier mindless annihilation of the room had. The atmosphere was choked with fear and pounding rage. Tattered remains of curtains framed the spelled windows that revealed only the traitorous moon in sea of ink - even the stars hid themselves tonight. Splinters of wood and scraps of fabric littered the dirty floor, where the wolf now lay motionless. No item of furniture had been left unscathed except the already partially-broken chair that Wormtail was crouched under.

The molten –gold eyes of the wolf revolved to the trembling rat and slowly Moony got up. He stalked predatorily towards the living creature, whose fear was clouding his senses. Suddenly he stopped and tensed, lifting his head into the air, he listened. If a werewolf could smile, it would definitely the expression that passed over Moony's face before he sauntered off to crouch behind the fluffy mess that had once been the mattress on the bed. Wormtail was momentarily confused then he heard the unmistakeable sound of footsteps – human footsteps.

He was burning, burning from the outside in. He was lost in a grey world of shadows and he was completely alone. He couldn't think, or remember how he had come to be in this forlorn place. What he had done to be so isolated. He raised a heated hand to his face to find that it too was barely visible, no more than a whisper of a person.

He was so close to reaching his goal, anticipation speared his body and all rational thoughts were gone. He could only think of what lay beyond the old, wooden door. Initially he had been surprised at finding himself inside a desolate old building, but then he figured what better place to hide a secret. It hadn't taken him long to navigate the oppressive tunnel and when he had found himself at a trapdoor he felt immensely satisfied.

James' legs felt as though they were about to collapse beneath him, never had he tackled the tunnel in suffocating darkness before. His shins were covered in scratches and bruises, and his arms had fared little-better. He reached the trapdoor and found it still open from Snape's entrance; he prayed that he wasn't too late. He bounded up the steps two at a time, suppressing the urge to sink down and rest his abused body.

The cool metal door knob was in his hand, blood was pounding in his ears. He was so close.

The werewolf again, suddenly raised his head, listening and sniffing. He recognised the vague scent drifting through the stale air and matched it with Prongs. Listening and sensing, he knew that Prongs wasn't here to play, he was going to steal his prey. He got up and stood in the centre of the room facing the door ready to pounce on the person who was turning the knob. No time for games, this was it.

"No Snape!" Severus looked over his shoulder and saw Potter running towards him, yelling warnings at the top of his voice, urging him not to open the door. The greasy-haired boy sneered before twisting the handle and pulling the door open.

The sight that met his eyes was one that would terrify him for months to come. Seconds seemed to pass like minutes as the wolf set back on its haunches ready to launch at the violently-shaking boy. Severus could not look away from the predatory gleam in the amber eyes. James was at his side, he appeared to be moving in slow motion as he pushed Severus to the side breaking the trance like state, enabling him to slam the door shut. There was a sickening crunch on the other side as the werewolf collided with the heavy door. This was followed by a keening howl as the wolf once more set about the destruction of the room and itself.

Hmmm, so what did you think?

I'm not sure about the exact timing of 'The Prank' but I hope you can forgive any errors there. Again apologies for mistakes in spelling and grammar etc.

Thanks to all who reviewed and please feel free to drop me a line or two with some feedback, it really is most appreciated. (Cheesy smile)