The Blood of a Werewolf

To say the first breakfast with three angels was lively would be an insult to how great it was. Everyone wanted to hear Sirius's story over and over again. When Lily met Harry's friends she whispered secrets in their ears. Their reactions were hilarious. When she met Ron she told him and Harry to ask their crushes out, their crushes had crushes on them too. Needless to say, Harry was no longer suicidal, and he was truly happy for the first time since Sirius died.

Until Harry became sick, very, very sick. So sick in fact that they had to call Madam Pomphery in from Hogwarts to examine him.

"How is he?" Remus asked Madame Pomphery after she had completed her examination.

"Much worse I'm afraid. He has a rare blood disease that can only be cured by a blood transfusion. I'm afraid that he has internal bleeding and a Blood Replenishing Potion has no effect."

"But if I give him my blood he might turn into a werewolf…" He turned to Lily.

"I can't Remus, I don't bleed anymore."

"If he doesn't get your blood he will die," she checked her watch, "within the hour."

"Do it," Remus strode over to her, "His life out weighs the risk."

Madam Pomphery gave him a potion to make him sleep and Remus's last thought was of Harry.

Harry awoke fully for the first time in weeks to find his parents standing over him, looking worried, "What happened?"

"You nearly died."

"But I can't die unless Voldemort kills me…right?"

"The prophesy wouldn't have been able to save you, because Voldemort has a few dead, powerful friends."

"What saved me?"

"My blood," came the hoarse answer from Remus.

"Does that mean…?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so."

"When is the next full moon?"

"August first."

"Okay," Harry whispered and then fell into an exhausted sleep.

Harry was worried. He still hadn't told his friends about being Remus's son, and now he had to tell them about being a werewolf too. He was sure, mostly, that Hermione and Ginny wouldn't be bothered about him turning into a monster every full moon, and hey, this meant no more Occlumency, no one could read the mind of a werewolf. No matter how he thought about it Ron was the only one in the house who could possibly have a problem with him when he told people the truth. In fact Harry often thought that the only reason Ron trusted Remus was the "Wormtail Incident" as he had dubbed it. In short, Harry was afraid of losing Ron's friendship, and friendship was what he needed most now. Harry came back to reality as soon as he reached Remus's room, he quickly knocked.

Lily opened the door, "Oh, hi Harry," Lily stammered, starting to flush, "I was just…"

"No need Mum," Harry smiled, "When's the wedding?"

"We're not sure yet."

"Can I borrow Dad a minute?"

No one seemed to wonder why he called Remus "Dad", Harry assumed that everyone else assumed that it was for grieving purposes.

"I'll ask him," Lily said, darting back into the door.

Harry heard a muffled conversation through the walls. Remus strode out the door, looking worried.

"I have some more questions to ask you," Harry explained.

"Sure thing Kiddo." Remus said, "I've got a picture you might want to see, too."

"Cool!"

Harry followed Remus into the library and sat down. Remus looked through a box and produced a picture of he and Lily kissing on, what appeared to be Graduation Day.

"James took that picture," Remus sighed, "I wonder where he is."

Remus shook off his musings, "You wanted to know something?"

"Yeah, When will my senses start to heighten?"

"About a week before the full moon."

"What will I be able to do?"

"Hear better, smell better, see better, run faster, and read minds."

"I still don't know how to tell everyone," Harry voiced his concern.

"All I can tell you is that you know your friends. Just don't drop it in their laps."

"I'll remember that," Harry said gloomily.

Seeing his friends made it worse. Harry was working up his nerve. He decided to tell Ron first.

"Ron? Can I talk to you?" Harry asked nervously.

"Sure Harry," Ron followed Harry to the study.

"So…what do you want to talk about? Ginny?" Ron asked as he sat down.

Harry blushed, "Am I that obvious?"

"Let's put it this way, shall we? Yes. Ginny likes you too though, ask her out."

"Thanks for trusting me with your sister. I want to talk about Remus."

Ron started to look nervous, but Harry went on, oblivious.

"Remus is my…Dad."

Harry braced for an explosion but he only saw Ron's puzzlement.

"Okay, bad choice of words," Harry tried again, "Remus is my physical father."

He braced again but relief painted itself all over Ron's face, "I kinda saw Lily going into Remus's room yesterday."

"Okay…I'm also a w-werewolf," Harry stammered.

Ron's eyes opened wide. He stood up and raced out of the room. Harry could feel his fear. Fear and…hate. Ron hated him. Harry broke down and started to cry.

Harry awoke on his bed the next morning, wondering who would start to hate him today.

There came a knock at the door, "Harry?"

"Come in Mum."

Lily walked in the door and sat in the chair by his desk, "How are you holding up, Honey?"

"Seeing as how Ron apparently thinks I'll bite him if he gets to close, and won't speak to me," Harry thought a moment, "Just fine."

"I know it'll be hard but we want you to come eat breakfast with us."

"Does anyone else know?"

"I made Ron swear not to tell anyone, and a promise to an angel is unbreakable."

"See you at breakfast, Mum."

After Lily left, and Harry began to get ready for breakfast, Remus walked in the door, "Hey."

"Hey," Harry said, glad Remus always knew when to come see him.

"I heard what happened and I'm sorry."

"I dropped it in his lap," Harry admitted.

"Ah," Remus answered, uncomfortable.

"How many people hate me now?"

"None."

"What about Ron?"

"He's just afraid of you, he doesn't hate you."

"You can't lie to me, I can feel his hate from here!" Harry began to cry again.

Remus looked at his son, remembering the similar emotions he had felt when Sirius had found out. He put his arm around Harry's shoulders, "Come on, before your mother kills me."

On the way out the door Remus cast a useful charm that made Harry's eyes go back to normal, "Thanks Dad."

At the table, Harry sat as far away from Ron as possible. He could feel the normal emotions coming from everyone, it was obvious only Ron knew. Ron was the only one that hated him. He began to hear Ron's voice even though Ron was not talking. Harry realized he was hearing Ron's thoughts, Werewolf trash! I hope the Ministry locks him up after he kills Voldemort!

Harry didn't stay to hear more. He tore from the room and lost what it was he'd managed to eat. Harry started hearing so many voices it was impossible to tell them apart. I must be getting better hearing, Harry thought. Then his Mum's voice stood out among the others, "Honey?"

"In here Mum," Harry whispered.

Lily walked in and sat beside him on the floor and started hugging him. Harry began crying on Lily's shoulder, "Sh, Honey, it's okay."

Harry kept sobbing but was somewhat consoled by his mother's presence. "You still need to tell Hermione and Ginny."

Harry stopped crying, "You're right, I owe it to them for being my friends, they deserve the truth."

Harry stood up slowly and then helped his mother up. Maybe Ginny won't care, and she might still go out with me if I ask her, Harry thought to himself.

Breakfast had ended by the time Harry got downstairs He found his friends and…Ron in the study. Harry stood just outside the door. He felt their emotions and decided that Ron had just finished insulting him. The girls were feeling shocked. Harry knocked on the open door, causing three heads to whip towards him. Ron immediately left the room, taking pains to avoid touching Harry.

Harry looked to Hermione and Ginny, who in turn, were looking at him, obviously thinking about what Ron had told them.

"Um.. I need to talk to you," Harry spoke up.

"What is it Harry?" Ginny asked.

"I'm Remus's son."

The girls looked at him with some mild surprise and then happiness. Hermione ran up to Harry and embraced him, "Oomph!"

"You must be so happy! Your mum and dad…" Hermione stopped and held Harry at arm's length, "Are you a werewolf?"

"Yes."

Hermione hugged him even tighter, "Don't worry Harry! I'll learn to brew the werewolf potion and then start to work on a cure."

"And you will finish the cure by December twenty-fourth in a heroic effort to let me stay up all night during Christmas with the Weasleys instead of at Hogwarts, howling my head off."

Ginny cut in, "Is this what Ron's problem is?"

"Yeah."

"Now then the instructions must be in the library somewhere, let's go find it, shall we?" Hermione continued.

"And while you're doing that I'm going to have a chat with my dear brother," Ginny added venomously, heading for the door.

After Harry and Hermione had been searching awhile Ginny came in and began searching enthusiastically, not saying a word.

Sometime later Harry was somewhat surprised to see Ron standing in the doorway expectantly, "Harry? Can I talk to you?"

"Sure Ron."

Harry followed Ron into the hallway.

"Look man, I'm sorry. I just freaked out when you told me and overreacted. Can you forgive me?"

"Sure Ron. Besides your girlfriend will find a cure on December twenty-fourth as a Christmas present to me. Best mates?"

"Best mates."

Ron walked into the library and brushed by Harry, a sure sign that he was sincere.

After hours of searching and a hefty lunch break (Ron insisted), Hermione found the instructions. She Read them aloud,

Wolfsbane Potion

1 gallon water

16 leaves wolfsbane

1 bulb garlic

2 drops werewolf venom

2 whole mandrake leaves

1 dried mushroom picked at midnight during the new moon

Bowl water. Mince wolfsbane, gradually tip in. Stir five times clockwise. Immediately drop in garlic. Stir one time counterclockwise. Add one drop werewolf venom. Stir clockwise sixteen times. Add one drop venom during last stir. Drop in mandrake leaves and whole mushroom. Simmer three hours. Take one gobletful nightly one week before full moon.

"When's the full moon?" Ron wanted to know.

"August first, so…" Harry began.

"Two weeks," Ginny finished.

"Plenty of time!" Hermione exclaimed.

By the next day, however, Hermione's resolve had started to waver, "There are no potion ingredients in this house!"

"Calm down 'Mione, we'll go to Diagon Alley to pick up what we need."

"Yeah, Dad'll probably come with us, I'll go ask him," Harry said, walking out the door.

"Sure Harry, I'll bring you," came Remus's answer.

The group of five walked out into the street where Remus signaled for the Knight Bus by raising his wand. With a loud BANG it arrived. The five boarded the bus.

"'Ello 'Arry! Where to?" The doorman asked.

"Five for Diagon Alley, Stan," Harry answered, giving him a handful of silver

"Righto"

The five people sat down on the mismatched chairs, getting into a position that would (hopefully) keep them from flying.

The ride on the Knight Bus was uneventful, so uneventful it was almost boring. It would have been boring if it was a regular bus that they rode on, but, of course, riding on a magical, bouncing, triple-decker, purple bus you were never bored, you were scared for your life.

The group that got off at the Leaky Cauldron was considerately more shaken than the one that had left Grimmauld Place.