Harry POV
After leaving the room, I head towards the Headmaster's office, planning to speak to him about Remus. I could probably just sneak out without saying anything about going to keep him company, but it would be better to get permission first. That way if I'm caught there won't be any sort of punishment. I need to be here in case Remus ends up in danger. The thought of going to see Dumbledore after the thing in the Great Hall makes my stomach clench. Standing in front of the gargoyle, I wait and wonder what to do next. I don't know what the password is. However, I end up not standing there long before the gargoyle moves and lets me enter. Assuming Dumbledore must have known I was there I climb the stairs and enter the open door.
"Hello Harry, what can I do for you?" Dumbledore asks kindly.
"It's about Remus and the full moon. I know he normally goes alone but I want to accompany him," he blinks at me, before smiling. I notice a slight glint in his eyes and keep myself from walking back out of the room.
"Of course, dear boy, how kind of you to offer. Poor Remus is always so lonely on the full moon nights. I trust you know where to find him?" The Headmaster doesn't let the smile drop as I nod.
"Yes, thank you. Goodnight Headmaster," I walk away, hearing him reply 'goodnight.' He hadn't even questioned me a little bit at wanting to join Remus at his most dangerous. The man probably hopes I'll get myself killed so he won't have to do it himself. Sighing, I head out towards the Shrieking Shack, quickly transforming into my animagus form as I reach the room Remus will be staying in. Curling up near his bed, I wait.
I probably should have told him the truth. However, he would have tried to stop me from coming with him. He will learn the truth in the next day, though. My scent in this form isn't much different from my human scent.
I had fallen asleep shortly before I heard Remus arrive. I was waiting to see his pained face, and was instead met by Moony. If I am correct, Moony is a submissive wolf, so I shouldn't have any trouble making sure he won't try and kick me out. Standing up,I gave a soft growl. Moony's ears flattened but he still growled back. I mentally huffed, straightening my posture. Giving a deep, threatening growl, I swiped at the juncture between his neck and shoulder. Biting down, I made sure not to snap his neck. Almost immediately Moony gave a loud whine, submitting. Releasing my hold, I gently lapped at the blood on his fur. I inwardly groaned, he isn't going to be happy with me when he finds out it was me who did this. I whined apologetically before moving to lay in a corner. To my surprise, Moony followed and laid beside me. I'm rather wishing I could talk to him.
It was shortly after drifting off that Moony started growling. Becoming automatically alert, but feigning sleep, I sniffed the air. I was shocked when I didn't recognize the scent. I heard another growl from my wolf, though the weakness of it made me look up. My ears flattened, accompanied with a whine at the sight of him slowly retreating to the back wall. He glanced at me, giving a whine in response. It can't be good if it has Remus spooked like this. Just then something came barreling into the room, something with shimmering grey-green fur. It stood on its four legs, showing a three foot long flexible body. It lacked a tail; it's ears long and standing erect on its head. It has the face and eyes of a house cat, the iris a bright golden brown. I had to stop myself from screaming out.
It was a Pacoona.
The most dangerous magical creature out there. It moves at ridiculously fast speeds and can hear, as well as smell, for as far as three miles. Werewolves just happen to be it's favorite thing to eat. If it catches its prey it's over in minutes. I stood, waiting, tense with nerves.
A moment later, it struck.
The second it moved, I shot out, tackling it from the side. I managed to throw it into the opposite wall. It was only a few seconds later when it stood back up. Going to my full height, I let out a loud growl. However, it growled back, before going to Moony again. I rushed forward, reaching with my elongated claws. I smirked when I penetrated its side. It gave a pained yelp as I tossed it back, away from Moony. It flopped onto the floor, breathing heavily. I thought it would stay down long enough to get Moony away, but it got up again within a minute, the blood no longer pooling from the wound. 'Damn it.'
Instead of waiting for it to attack first, I quickly pounced on it, snapping its neck with a swift jerk of my jaws. I turned, hearing Moony give another small whimper. Slowly walking over to him, I gave a gentle lick to his cheek, hoping to calm him. For now, I am fine with having us stay here, but next time I plan to bring him to the forest. As Moony fell asleep, I stayed awake, thinking.
My thoughts wandering around the same topics I've been thinking of since I got here; how different things are than what I had been expecting.
It still doesn't make sense. However, I think that at this point it doesn't matter that things are different. What does matter though is getting closer to Remus and ending this war with Voldemort. Maybe, if Dumbledore is the one that's evil, Voldemort is the one that's on the side of good this time around? It wouldn't hurt to check and see if that's the case. I might help Voldemort, then. It depends on what his plans are for the future of the Wizarding World and how many Muggles he plans on killing off. Either way, we do need the Muggles in order to keep the Wizarding World growing and living. Whatever happens though, I can't let Remus get involved.
Remus...
This is a very horrible past. I can't believe them! They treat him so badly, it's not right. I want, and need, to protect him, he can't be hurt anymore than he already has been.
Remus... my Remus. I slowly fall asleep, not realizing it until I've already been consumed by the dark of sleep.
I looked up, the sky a clear blue with fluffy white clouds. The grass is soft, green.
Where am I?
There is nothing but empty land in all directions. Just grass, grass, and more grass. It felt as though I was seeing everything through some kind of filter. The sound...there is no sound. The temperature is warm, and the breeze gentle. It is calm here, and nice, but... lonely. I sat there for a few more minutes before someone approached me. At first, I didn't recognize them, as they were just a black silhouette. However, as they came closer, I could see them better. I gasped at who it was.
Remus.
I tried to say his name out loud, but failed.
Why is he here? Why can't I talk? Where is the sound at? What is going on?
I watched as he stopped in front of me, smiling. Giving a smile in return, I tried to convey my happiness at seeing him. I paused as Remus closed the distance, enveloping me in a strong, comforting hug.
Remus? What are you doing? I was confused. This hug... it feels nice. His heart is beating quickly, I can feel it. Returning the embrace, I felt happy for the first time in a while. Then I opened my eyes to find myself somewhere else.
The grass is now dead and brown, the sky pure black with the largest blood red moon I have ever seen. The sound, however, was still gone.
It was then that I noticed something else. I no longer felt happy. I felt disgust, contempt, anger. I let go of Remus, wanting to be far away from him. The next moment I had a silver knife in my hand. His expression went from confusion to fear at the sight of it. I grinned, stepping forward, Remus was unable to move due to his fear.
This monster should die.
This thing is evil.
I brought my hand forward, quickly stabbing him, his scream of pain silent. Grinning maliciously, I repeated the action, stabbing him again.
No! Stop it! A voice that sounded familiar yelled at me, continuously saying to stop it. I ignored it, stabbing Remus for a tenth time.
Oh how nice it looked, soaked in its own blood. I gave another grin, before laughing, my eyes flashing red.
I shot up into sitting position where I had fallen asleep on the floor. After sitting there for a good five minutes, catching my breath, I went over what just happened.
I had a dream... dream... it was just a dream. I let out a long breath, feeling more relaxed. It was then that I noticed both Remus and I are human again though Remus is still sleeping.. Giving a small smile, I cast a tempus. It was only five am, so there's time for me to safely return to our dorm, before the other students wake up. I stood from the floor, and after giving one more look at Remus, quietly left the Shrieking Shack.
Remus POV
Even though I was conscious of my actions, I wasn't in complete control. I could also see everything going on, my hearing and sense of smell better than when I was human. I was shocked when I saw the tiger, and he growled, causing me to instinctively want to submit. My human self, though, refused. I finally submitted when he went for my neck, I hadn't expected that. When he bit down, there was a small twinge of pain before he let go and cleaned the small amount of blood off my fur. Against my better judgement, I followed him when he went to lay back down.
I laid there in contentment, watching him drift off to sleep. Just as I was about to sleep as well, something entered the Shrieking Shack. My wolf growled, wanting to alert my tiger to the danger. My tiger...? I huffed, but then the scent got stronger. Somehow, I recognized the scent this time, and it scared my wolf. I gave a weak growl, backing into a corner, away from the threat.
I watched in fear as the tiger tackled the Pacoona in the side. When he growled, I instinctively flinched, and grew more afraid when it growled back.
'Please be careful,' I thought over and over again. I flinched again at the resounding snap of its neck. I gave small whimper, watching as the tiger walked back over to me. I was surprised when he licked my cheek, and even more surprised when the simple gesture calmed both my wolf and I. Feeling safe again, I fell into a dreamless sleep.
I woke up the next morning alone and human again. I felt an odd pain in my chest at finding him gone, but ignored it. Getting up, I made my way back the castle. Breakfast starts in about five minutes, so I still have plenty of time eat something.
The tiger's scent was oddly familiar and yet different at the same time. 'Why did he show all of a sudden like that? Will he be there again next month? Did he have a reason to be there? Damn it, I don't know! I need to know!' I heard my wolf give a weak growl at my mix of emotions.
I continue towards the bedchambers to change, remembering I need to tell Harry thank you for that potion. The potion he made for me actually worked, I had doubts up until I changed. After all, something like Wolfsbane potion had been unheard of. I quickly change, not seeing Harry in the room, then quickly head towards breakfast hoping to see him there. Entering the Great Hall, I spot the male and slide into a seat beside him.
"Thank you," I grabbed a thing of fruit to eat.
"For what?" Harry looked a little confused, and worried? Why would he be worried?
"The potion, Wolfsbane. It helped a lot," I watched as the slight tension and worry left him, replaced with calm.
"You're welcome, I can make it for you each month if you want me to."
"I would appreciate that, yes," I smiled slightly, eating one of my green grapes. "How was your trip to see your family? Everyone is okay I hope?" I ask, wondering what his response will be. His scent, oddly similar, to the one from last night.
"Oh, yes, everyone is just fine. Actually, I gained a new family member last night," I think I see love and care in his eyes as he says this, but why do I feel as if he is speaking with a double meaning? I resist the urge to bang my head on the table. This is all just so bloody confusing!
"Congratulations then!" I grinned, masking my inner thoughts as best I can. I go back to my food, missing Harry's look of worry.
"How was your night? Hope you didn't get hurt too much without me being there," Harry asked a few minutes later, with a teasing tone.
"Oh, my night was just fine, Harry. I didn't get hurt one bit," I feel bad, not telling him the truth; about the tiger and the pacoona. Harry smiled lightly, a hint of sadness in his eyes. He doesn't actually know what happened, so why? I ignored my thoughts, finishing my fruits.
I had just returned from working on the transfiguration essay in the library, when I stopped outside our dorm room.
I could hear Harry talking with Zuna. I sighed, wishing once again I could understand them. Pushing the door, I stifle a gasp. That scent, so it really was - !
"Remus are you okay?" Harry's voice reached my ears, sounding worried.
"Yeah, I'm fine. What are you two talking about?" I spoke in a rush, then remembering Harry didn't know I knew about his ability to speak to snakes and immediately wish to smack myself. Harry blinks at me in shock, tense for a few moments, before forcing himself to relax.
"Nothing too exciting, I think," Harry forcefully laughed. I smiled awkwardly, walking over to him. Bending down, I enveloped him in a hug.
"Remus?" he sounded confused, but returned the embrace. Sniffing slightly at his neck, it all began to make sense to me. Or, at least, some of it did.
"You're the tiger," I spoke softly, and felt Harry tense again for a moment, before sighing in resignation.
"Yes, I am."