Last chapter:

Harry had entered the door and was attacked by a fully-grown, rather angry werewolf who had pounced on him pinning him to the floor. Harry was scared stiff. Why, oh why hadn't he checked the phase of the moon? How daft could one be? It was then that Harry's life was irrevocably changed, Remus bit him, and he was now a werewolf!

Chapter 8

Harry could have kicked himself. Hello silly, check the moon? I have a father who is a werewolf so I just go visit. Merlin, am I stupid. Bet he'll blame himself too. Gah! That was Harry's last thought as the werewolf bit into his right shoulder. Harry trembled as he felt the pain from the bite spread through his body. Does it have to hurt this much? Blood starting spurting out from his shoulder, he started feeling faint and lost consciousness.

Severus Snape, Hogwart's Potions Master, was stalking down the halls of Hogwarts until he heard a student scream. Despite appearances Severus did have a sense of responsibility when it came to his students and that scream had not sounded good. Someone was in pain. Rushing toward the source of the noise, Snape approached the office of Remus Lupin. Stopping outside the door he listened. Sure enough he heard pained whimpers coming from within. Bursting through the door in a flurry of robes he quickly assessed the situation before distracting the werewolf, grabbing Potter (it would have to be him) and leaving the room in a hurry, a werewolf hot on his tail!

Severus headed to the hospital wing with an unconscious Harry and laid him on a bed whilst calling for Poppy. He then disappeared to see the headmaster once she arrived.

Severus entered the Headmaster's office.

"Come in, Severus, what may I do for you on this pleasant evening?"

"I'd hardly call it pleasant Albus. That damn werewolf you insist on having on staff has just bitten a student. Potter no less. I suppose you think that is pleasant?"

The sparkle vanished from Dumbledore's eyes, "Oh dear, this isn't good at all, where is Remus now? His rooms?"

"Yes" Snape replied, noticing with some shock the very concerned, serious look on the headmaster's face, it was like he had lost all colour in his cheeks.

"I must go. Thank you Severus"

"It is my job, good night Headmaster."

Professor Dumbledore hurried from his office to the classroom of his Defence against the Dark Arts teacher, it seemed there was no defence against werewolves for young Harry Potter. Ah, the boy would go through some hard times but if anyone can get through it he can. The Headmaster than wrote a note out and applied a charm so it would appear to Remus in the morning and left to visit the Hospital Wing's newest occupant.

Harry groaned as he regained consciousness to find a stinging pain in his shoulder. Ouch, what happened? He opened his eyes to find himself staring straight into the concerned eyes of his Headmaster.

"Hello Professor."

"Hello Harry, I am most awfully sorry about what has happened. It is getting late, why don't you try and get some sleep once Madam Pomfrey has dosed you up and we'll talk about what happens next in the morning. Ok?

"Yes, need a pain killer, where's Madam Pomfrey?

"Here dear", said the nurse bustling around in her starched apron and matronly uniform. "Now dear drink this, and this and we'll see you in the morning"

Harry gratefully took both potions before succumbing to a peaceful slumber.

Remus awoke from his night feeling very sore. He had several new cuts it seemed to add to his collection of scars. As he was getting dressed he noticed the note from Dumbledore, he read it:

Good morning Remus,

I need you to report to the Hospital wing as soon as you get this, do not venture anywhere else.

Albus Dumbledore.

Remus wondered where on earth the Headmaster thought he'd go, he was in pain. He wasn't likely to go for a morning stroll! Once ready the worn out professor made his way to the hospital wing, for him a well-worn path. Upon arriving he looked around and noticed only one occupant with his curtains closed. Taking the bed next to it he waited for Poppy.

He didn't have long to wait; she came bustling in checking over his injuries and rubbing balm on the less serious ones and muttering incantations for the others. Once finished she told him to lie down while she fetched the Headmaster. This worried Remus.

Albus doesn't normally visit after a full moon, what's happened? I hope Harry is ok. Probably still angry with me.

It was at that moment that a very grave-faced Albus strode into the Hospital wing to deliver news he had always dreaded having to impart.

"Ah, Remus, you're up. I see you're all patched up. Now I need to tell you something. I won't beat around the bush, last night something happened. You bit a student."

"What! I'm so sorry, Albus. I had no idea, I certainly didn't intend to. Something went wrong with the wolfsbane. I must've eaten something sugary at dinner without realizing it; the potion didn't work. I'm dreadfully sorry."

"That's alright, I must ask you though to help the student through any changes he will be going through. I'm afraid the victim was your son, Harry."

"What! No, not Harry! Where is he? Is that him in the next bed?"

"Yes, would you like me to magic your beds closer, he should be waking up soon, he's had a painkiller and a dreamless sleep potion. He seemed fine last night, he was able to talk."

"What have I done? Oh Harry, will you ever forgive me?"

A voice from the next bed replied. "Of course Professor, I know you did not mean to bite me. It was my own fault for going to see you on the night of a full moon. I didn't check, I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault, normally I would've been safe. It seems I ate something wrong last night. Now it's completely ruined your life!"

"I doubt that, you're a werewolf, I don't think your life is that bad. You've got me anyway. Now stop feeling so guilty, I hate guilty parents!"

Remus chuckled, "cheeky brat. Would you like to play wizard's chess or talk?"

It was an hour later when Ron and Hermione came in, worried about Harry. Professor Dumbledore had informed them that he was in the hospital wing but nothing more. Once the Lupins heard this they groaned. This was going to be awkward.

"Well, Hermione, you know how I went to apologise to Remus last night? Well his Wolfsbane didn't work. He bit me", at their startled looks and the anger coming into Ron's face, Harry quickly added, "But he didn't mean to."

Hermione and Ron just stood there with their mouths hanging open before sitting on Harry's bed and giving him a hug.

"You poor thing, Harry. Are you alright?" asked Hermione, concerned as always.

"Yeah, I'm fine, and I've managed to talk Remus out of his guilt trip. It's not his fault. So, do either of you know how long I'm going to be in here for? Did they say anything at breakfast?"

Ron spoke up "No mate, sorry, nothing. I suppose you'll be in here until it heals. I'm sure Hermione will bring you notes though, and the entire library!" He laughed.

Hermione slapped him "Ronald, there is no need for your smart arse comments. Poor Harry here has just suffered a traumatic experience, the least you could do is be supportive!"

"Whoa, sorry Harry. Hermione and I have to go finish our homework, I've still got that potions essay to write. See you later, mate"

"Yeah, sure, bye guys"

All was quiet once more. Remus, who had been quiet during the trios' discussion, spoke up now.

"Harry, are you really alright with this. You haven't spoken to me all week."

Looking chagrined, Harry replied, "Sorry, but I had trouble adjusting. I couldn't cope and I took it out on you. I'm sorry. I guess you felt the same when you found out? I had no right to blame you. I guess I'm just confused, my whole life James has been my father and I had all these feelings associated with him, and after third year, with you, and now it has gone and stuffed them all up. I just didn't react well"

Remus nodded, thoughtfully, before replying, "Harry, James did love you, even if you were not his by birth, he still loved you. As for me, well, you know you hold a special place in my heart already, you are the only second generation of the marauders". Remus was smiling during the last bit, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"That's all I am, a Marauders Child! Remus, you are not just one of James ' friends, you were one of the first people, in fact the first adult, which actually accepted me and tried to help me with my problems. Remember the Dementors; I doubt anybody else would have taught me the Patronus charm. You and Sirius were more than just substitute father figures, you were friends and you cared for me. I was 13, nearly 14 by the end of third year, and I also formed opinions and feelings for you both. Now they are all in turmoil."

"I know, Harry. I was ropable when I found out. I still haven't really spoken to Dumbledore except just then when he told me I'd bitten you. I still haven't forgiven him for not telling me. So exactly what were these nice feelings you had as a nearly 14 year old about poor old me? Remus was now grinning cheekily.

"Um, you wouldn't want to know, really. Um, Remus, do I have to call you Dad, it feels weird, and can I call you Moony instead?"

"Sure, and as for the other thing, you may have avoided it now, but I will find out! I'm a Marauder after all."

Harry just groaned, "Moony, why does my whole side hurt? You only bit my shoulder, why does it hurt everywhere else? Do you remember when you were bitten?

"Not really, I was too young. Do you need some more potions? I could go and get some for you?" Remus made to get out of bed, but suddenly he fell back on the bed in pain. He had forgotten about his own injuries in the worry about Harry. Now he remembered them all to well.

"Moony, are you ok? What happened?" Harry was now trying to get up and see to Moony. Remus saw this and hurriedly told Harry to lie back down.

"You'll aggravate the bite, don't worry about me, its just leftovers from last night. Now lie still and don't move."

"Yes Sir" Harry mock-saluted with his good arm.

Several hours later they were lying quietly in their beds when Moony got up and tickled Harry's good side.

"Now, brat, tell me what you wouldn't tell me before or it'll be the worse for you. James was ticklish too you know and I always got his secrets out of him so spill."

"Argh" laugh "no," laugh, "Never!" laugh "stop" laugh "please" laugh "STOP!" Fine I will tell you, but you won't like it." Mutters under his breathe about stupid Marauders. "After third year I had a crush on you, by mid fifth year it was really bad, I had a photo I nicked from Sirius of you under my pillow and everything. Now stop tickling."

"Really? That's interesting. What photo? I never knew Sirius had many of me, just the Marauder ones, but they are group photos. So," leans over Harry's bed, "still got any feelings?" Moony then sits up a bit and bats his eyelashes at Harry. Harry blushes furiously, which causes Remus to laugh.

"Ah Ha! You still like me. That is so cool, heehee." Suddenly everything clicked, Harry's anger after finding out about his true father, "Is that why finding out about me being your father was so bad?"

"hee, yeah. Could you leave me alone, you're embarrassing me."

"Nope, no can do. You my dear son are going to listen to what wise ol' Moony has to say."

Harry tried with his good arm to pull the bed covers over his head, to hide his face, which he felt by now would be as red as a tomato. Remus caught him and pulled them down again, and held them in place.

"Now, Harry, listen to me. I'm sorry you felt confused about your feelings and I'm sorry I tickled them out of you. I am not sorry for knowing though. You see, my feelings for you are far from paternal. I'm glad you feel the same way, even though some would say it is wrong. Did you know that werewolves have two mates, commonly of the same sex as the werewolf? Would you like to borrow some of my books now that you're a werewolf too and you can find out about what you're going to be experiencing? As for me, I've known since Hogwarts that one of my mates was Sirius; I just didn't know who my second one was, until just before this last full moon. It seems that even though I didn't know, the wolf did, and that's why I'm so injured. The wolf has a way with bites; you soon come around to his point of view! Enough of this talking though, you look tired out. Now sleep, or else!"

"Ok, and Moony, thanks. I feel much better knowing I'm not alone in my feelings. I always feared I'd be a victim of unrequited love. I'm glad I'm not. Thank you"

"That's ok Harry, Now sleep. We'll talk later." Harry fell straight into a peaceful slumber whilst Remus slept too, only his dreams were far more amorous!

A/N: I know this is a bit rushed, but that is deliberate. I've spent far more time on this part of the story than I meant to originally. I'm going to try and get my plot back on track.