"You fool, you could have exposed us all!" Severus seethed, his eyes cold.
In the process of speaking with the agents, if that's what they really were, Lupin had almost confessed to them about travelling through some sort of portal in the forest to get here. They likely would have thought him mad or arrested them all, either way it probably would have ended with the four of them locked up. In Lupin's defence the full moon meant he wasn't thinking clearly, but it was a big secret to let slip.
"I don't believe that they were ordinary muggles Severus," Remus' voice was calmer, "they asked very specific questions pertaining to my condition as if they already knew," Severus gave him a look that said he thought Remus had gone completely mad and told these strangers that he was a werewolf, "I didn't outright tell them, but I'm certain they knew."
Severus gripped the rail at the end of the bed, "You were stupid to tell them anything at all."
Harry moved up next to his partner and laid a soothing hand over one of Severus', "We can't change it now, there's no need to keep yelling at Remus."
"Harry's right, I think it's time we went home, we don't know what the muggles might do," Sirius didn't want to fight, he wanted his family to be safe, yes that included Severus (Merlin's beard he'd never get used to that). It had already been a close call with that car, he didn't want to think about the possibility of losing Remus, now he needed to make sure they got home safely, "Remus, do you feel up to side-along apparition?" Sirius enquired as he checked his old friend over.
"It is a risk we will have to take I'm afraid," Remus' answer did not bring confidence to Sirius but he nodded knowing they didn't have much of a choice regardless.
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation, "What now?" Severus growled.
Harry squeezed Severus' arm as he moved to answer the door, he opened it to find Dr Wilson standing rather sheepishly on the other side, "Can I help you doctor?" Harry asked.
"May I come in?"
Harry stepped back to allow him access and Dr Wilson trode carefully into the room, "I apologise for Dr House's behaviour earlier, he's not especially good with people, however he is exceptional at his job," Severus scoffed at his words but the doctor continued, "I implore you to reconsider doing the tests that Dr House recommended, they could be very beneficial."
Sirius was about to tell Dr Wilson where to shove his tests but Remus spoke first, "I appreciate your words Doctor, I will contemplate it. For now though I would enjoy spending some time alone with my family."
"Of course, thank you for hearing me out," Dr Wilson got the hint and backed out of the room closing the cheap wooden door behind him.
"Why be so nice to him?" Sirius questioned.
Remus smiled at his lover, "He was not rude to us, he is only trying to do what he believes to be the best thing."
"He seems like a kind man," Harry added and Remus nodded to him in agreement.
"We should leave before we receive any more visitors," Severus commented.
"You're right, time to get you up Remus," Sirius pulled back the blankets on the bed and offered his hand to his partner.
"Some proper clothes would be appreciated, if you don't mind," Remus said, he did not have his wand to conjure any himself, "this hospital gown does not leave much to the imagination," he explained.
Harry chuckled and Severus gave him a look that said he was being immature, sometimes he forgot just how young the man he loved was. Sometimes he also forgot how old he was because of it.
Sirius waved his wand and a set of neatly folded clothes, along with shoes, appeared on the bed.
No one was happy when there was another knock on the door. This time the door was opened by the person knocking. The nurse, Jesus, entered the room with a tray of food and drink, "Dinner time, Mr Lupin," he announced with a professional smile.
"Ah, thank you nurse," Remus said as Jesus put the tray down in front of him.
Harry, Sev and Sirius shared glances, it seemed they were all thinking the same thing; they needed to go now or it would be too late.
Unfortunately, the nurse noticed the clothes on the bed, "I don't think you're being discharged yet," he commented.
"Yes, I know, I just wanted some clothes to wear rather than this gown, and perhaps get some fresh air," Remus covered.
Jesus nodded in understanding, "There is a small garden outside for patients that you're welcome to visit, just don't overdo it, okay?"
Remus smiled at him, "Of course, thank you nurse."
Jesus smiled too and glanced at each of them before exiting, over his shoulder he said, "Eat it while it's hot!"
Harry went and closed the door again, "I hate to be a worry wart, but we need to go, now."
Everyone nodded knowing that Harry was right; time was ticking away, it was now or never. Sirius helped Remus to sit up on the edge of the bed, Harry and Sev turned away to give Remus some privacy.
Remus allowed Sirius to help him because he did feel weak and it would make Sirius feel better. They had gotten on his shirt and underwear when Remus gripped Sirius' wrists loosely and kissed him, there was a desperation to it that made Sirius kiss back just as needily.
"We don't have time, Remus," Sirius whispered against his lover's lips.
Remus sighed and slowly shook his head, "No, we're out of time, I can feel it ready to burst through at any moment, it's too dangerous to apparate with me now."
"No, Remus we can-"
He was cut off, "You know I'm right, Sirius, please just protect yourselves-argh!" the curtains on his rather large window were closed but it didn't matter, Remus felt the moon rise, and the damned thing was early; the sun had barely set, they should have had more time, "I'm sorry," he choked out before his vocal cords changed and speech would be lost to him.
Harry and Severus whirled around, wands at the ready, but the only danger was Remus and they were reluctant to hurt their friend even if he could potentially kill them.
"No, no, Remus!" Sirius cried, scrabbling at his partner's shoulders and chest, even as he could feel the bones and muscles pop and break and reknit, moulding themselves into the beast that would soon stand before them.
Remus groaned with the pain, the shirt and underwear tore apart and fell from his body. Harry rushed forward trying to pull Sirius away before the change had completed, "There's nothing we can do, we just have to try to keep him from hurting anyone," Harry told Sirius dragging him backwards.
It's transformation complete, the werewolf whined; it was obviously painful on both ends. He stood hunched in front of the window, panting lightly, he didn't look at the three wizards yet and they remained motionless waiting to see what would happen.
From outside the hospital they heard a howl, and then another; other werewolves? Werewolves or not though; they had Remus' attention, grey pointed ears pricked up and the werewolf that was Remus turned his head towards the covered window. Another howl sounded in the distance and it became obvious that they were not going to be able to contain Remus to his hospital room.
"No! Stop!" Sirius tried hopelessly and the werewolf looked back at them, it's yellow eyes glaring as it growled. The werewolf started to leave the window and focus on the wizards, but another howl drew it's attention back to the outside.
A clawed hand ripped the curtains apart to reveal twilight through the glass, another howl was followed by the shattering of said glass as Remus smashed through it and took off at a run on all fours.
The three wizards rushed to the window, "Well, fuck," Harry exclaimed and carefully stepped through the broken window making sure to avoid the jagged pieces of glass sticking out of the frame.
"He's hurt himself on the glass, bloody idiot," Severus announced noticing the bloody shard by his right shoulder as he came through the window next.
"It will make it easier to follow him," Sirius told them and then he turned into his animagus; a great black dog. He began sniffing the window and then the ground in front of it, picking up Remus' scent he barked.
"Did anyone else just see that man turn into a dog?" said a British voice not too far away.
Severus and Harry turned to see a large group of people standing a few metres away, shit.
A man came forward from the group and they could see him better; it was Bruce, "Severus, Harry, are you alright? We were coming to see you when we heard glass break…"
"I'm sorry, we can't explain right now, we have to go," Harry dismissed him.
"You need to get back to the anomalies, we all need to get back before they close," Bruce told them trying to get through.
Sirius barked, reminding them that they needed to get a move on.
"We know we need to get back home, but Remus has…taken off, we need to find him first," Harry explained hurriedly.
"There are many of us, we can help you look," Bruce offered gesturing back to the rest of the group who nodded in agreement.
"You cannot help, it is not safe for you all," Severus sneered.
"We know Remus is a werewolf," Bruce blurted out.
Harry was taken aback for a moment but quickly recovered, "How did you-"
"It doesn't matter," Bruce cut him off, "we will help you get him home, just lead us in the right direction."
Severus was about to argue but the look Harry gave him stayed his words, "Thank you," Harry said to Bruce and then he turned to the black dog, "find him Sirius."
A howl sounded from in the forest nearby and Sirius started to run towards the forest as fast as his dog legs would carry him. He stopped at the tree line and sniffed, then barked again and dashed into the thicket.
The humans all made it to the edge of the forest and Harry called out to the group, "Follow us, watch your backs and try not to hurt him."
The moon shone bright enough now that Harry could see the glances that the strangers gave each other, but there was no time to get acquainted or explain everything. Throwing caution to the wind, Harry pulled out his wand and Sev followed suit, together they whispered, "Lumos."