Okay, just wanna say how awesome you guys are, what with the reviewing and the awesome comments and all. I'm really glad you liked how Aya (need I say it?) kicked some ASS last chapter (forgive me if I sound a bit proud, but I do love my character!). More will come, never fear...this may be a long fic, I don't know quite yet...shrugs In the meantime, I don't own Harry Potter and Frodo lives (I don't own him, either, but I do love Elijah Wood...and Viggo Mortensen...and Dom...Billy Boyd...Sean Astin...Orlando...starts to drool).

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Ch. 14: Expectations on a Full Moon

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"Aya? Hey, I don't mean to wake you, but where's your homework for class today? I've got all your notebooks and stuff, I just can't find your homework," Lily said as she pushed the curtains back.

"Mm," Aya mumbled, shielding her eyes from the light that seeped in through the window.

"What?"

"It's over there by the door," Aya croaked out, fighting off nausea as she sat up. "The one in the folder."

"This one?" Lily asked as she picked it up.

"Yeah," Aya replied groggily. "Thanks for doing this again for me. I really appreciate it."

"Don't mention it. Oh, and don't worry, I'll keep an eye on James and make sure he does the same for Remus," Lily replied with a wave of her hand. "You just get some rest for...well, you know. I'll make sure to remind the teachers and all. Do you want me to get you something to eat?"

Food was the last thing Aya wanted at the moment. "No, thank you," she replied as she lay back on her pillow, the room spinning.

"Alright," Lily replied. As she opened the door, she said quietly, "In case I don't see you, good luck and stuff." Then she was gone, closing the door softly behind her.

I think I'll need more than just luck on a full moon, especially tonight.

##

"WHAT?!" Sirius cried, sitting up, shoelaces neglected at the moment. "What do you mean we're not going to the Shack tonight?!?!"

"Ow, Padfoot," Remus hissed, placing his hands protectively over his ears. "Not so loud, I'm rather sensitive at the moment."

"B...But...But...I like going to the Shrieking Shack! It's not fair!" Sirius cried. He stuck out his lower lip. "It's what I look forward to each month."

"I think we need an explanation, Moony," James said, crossing his arms.

"Well..." Remus said, lacing his fingers together, ignoring how the room spun a little. "Aya and I...want to try something...new...out tonight, and...well...we're not going to the Shrieking Shack."

"But, that's dangerous, Moony!" Peter squeaked. "What if you two tear each other apart?"

"Well, we're gonna risk it, is all," Remus retorted, sitting back on his pillow.

"FINE!" Sirius yelled, tossing his pillow across the room. "FINE! You want to risk that and forget our friendship, be my damnable guest! I don't give a damn, but hear this, Moony: I love that girl, too, as much as I love Lily, and you're my best friend, so I'll be damned if something happens to both of you, got it?!"

He stormed out, slamming the door.

"Poor guy has a point, Moony," James said quietly. "We'll do as you wish, but, please be careful. And this is coming from the guy who loves trouble. I don't want to see you hurt." He left quietly.

Peter made to leave, when he stopped. His back straightening, he turned. Sighing, he said, "Moony...Remus, listen. I know I'm not the bravest of guys, I'm not the greatest wizard, and I'm nothing compared to you three in talent and friendship...but, I think I can be honest when I say I know an honest decision when I see one. I won't discourage you, nor will I encourage you either. I'll be neutral as usual, but, well..."

He sighed again and took a step forward. "Remus, you're one of my dearest friends...you all are, of the kind that a guy like me doesn't deserve in the least. What I admire most about you, though, is your common sense and good judgement. Like I said, I'll be neutral. I know both James and Sirius want you to go to the Shrieking Shack, but I think you should, if you'll forgive the corniness, follow your own heart and judgement. Both you and Aya should. That's all I'm saying. I just want for you what will make you the happiest, is all."

Peter turned to leave, his footsteps soft. The door creaked as he opened it.

Remus, still staring at the ceiling, said, "You're a great friend, Peter Pettigrew. Remember that you're a great friend, no matter what you do."

Chuckling to himself, Peter, without turning, replied, "No, Remus. I'm afraid I'm only a rat trying to look up at the faces of giants."

The door closed without a sound.

For a long while, Remus lay there, staring blank-faced at the ceiling, lost in thought. Finally, he got up, swaying slightly, and made his way out of the room.

##

"Are you asleep?" Remus called, poking his head around the door.

"Not really," Aya replied, taking her arm off her eyes to gaze at him. "You look terrible."

Chuckling, he replied, "You don't look too well yourself."

Pushing herself into a sitting position, she motioned for him to sit next to her on the bed. Closing the door quietly, he obeyed, fighting nausea as he sat down. "I hate it when the room spins," he said, rubbing his temples.

"Did James take your homework?"

"What? Oh, yeah, he put it in his coat pocket the night before," Remus said, still rubbing his temples. "It took me three hours time to do that homework, and it wasn't even a long assignment."

"I know...I got sick halfway through. Lily almost killed me when she saw me still up last night," Aya said with a laugh.

"Lily likes to scold," Remus chuckled.

"My goodness, she does! I told her about what we...had planned...tonight, you know? And she got so upset over it! She just kept lecturing me on the 'dangers' of that."

Aya rolled her eyes for emphasis.

"I just got lectured by James a little bit and got yelled at by Sirius," Remus said glumly, putting his chin in his hands. "But, Peter said a rather nice thing when they left."

"Oh?"

"He said I should follow my own heart," he replied, looking up at her with a devilish grin. Without warning, he leaned forward to kiss her. "And maybe I will."

Aya giggled as Remus involuntarily yawned. "You want to take a bit of a nap?"

"Mm...nap sounds nice," he said with another yawn. He pushed her down gently on the pillow. "As long as you take one with me."

She knew she didn't have to answer.

##

"Okay, Mr. Lupin, here we go again," Madam Pomfrey said as they crossed the Hogwarts grounds to the Whomping Willow. "I don't know why you wanted to go so early this time. Normally we wouldn't get down here for another two hours or so."

"Yeah, but I was getting a little anxious just waiting around," Remus replied. That's kind of the truth, he thought guiltily.

As she froze the tree, she said, "And Aya says hello."

"She's already gone?" he asked, surprised.

"Would you believe it? Wanted to go even earlier than you," Pomfrey said with a laugh. "All right, in you go. I'll be in the Hospital Wing as usual tomorrow morning if you need anything. Good luck, boy." She turned on her heel and left, her skirts rolling across the grass like the wind.

Squatting down in the grass, he watched her enter Hogwarts through the oak doors. From beneath his jacket, he withdrew the Invisibility Cloak, ignoring the pang of guilt he felt at...borrowing the thing without his friend's consent. I hope he'll understand. Quickly drawing it around himself, he whipped the Marauder's Map out from his pocket and, tapping it with his wand, whispered, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

As the map came alive, he scanned over the Forbidden Forest area (most of it shaded black for unknown) to find the dot marked "Aya" pacing around near the edge of the Forest. Grinning from ear to ear, he set off at a careful run.

##

Aya was sitting against a tree, tapping her foot in agitation, when he found her. Taking off the Cloak, he waved cheerily to her, then almost fell back with dizziness.

"Careful!" she whispered as she grabbed at the tree so she could pull herself up to a standing position. "Don't hurt yourself." She leaned heavily against the tree. "You're right...it's terrible when everything is spinning."

He laughed and made his way over to her, holding her close. "We've still got a few hours' time left," he said. "What do you want to do?"

"Sleep all night?" she said with a giggle.

"Sure," he said with a laugh. "You can wake me when it starts."

"Are you sure you want to do this...together?" she asked quietly. "When it...starts, I mean."

"Well...wait...we'll have to...take our clothes off, right? Uh...why not...separately at first, you know?" he said with an embarrassed laugh, putting his hand behind his head. "I'm sure we'll find each other if we don't go too far, right?"

"That sounds like a great idea," she said with a laugh.

"So, that's settled, then. What now?"

"Um...I guess we...wait."

She sat down on the grass, bringing her knees to her chin, her jeans looking more tattered than usual. Sitting down next to her, he put his arm around her and stared ahead. She put her head on his shoulder. Drumming his fingers on her shoulder, he said slowly, "Sooo, uh...what do you want to talk about?"

"Dunno...what's to talk about?" she replied.

"Um...ever...ever been to a movie theater?"

"A what?" she asked.

"Movie theater...the cinema...film?" he replied, looking down at her. She shook her head. "Huh...well, it's a Muggle form of entertainment. You buy your ticket at a ticket booth, then go inside a building and enter a room where your film is playing. There's this giant screen and all these seats, and you sit down and watch this film. It's like watching real people on a flat screen. I'll have to take you sometime...I heard there's this new science fiction space film coming out in a few years or so...I can't remember the name..."

"Star Wars," she said quietly.

"That's right! With George Lucas...how did you know that?" he asked.

"I read it in a Muggle paper," she said with a shrug. "I love science fiction."

"You know, I used to hate it until my brother really introduced me to it," he said.

"Your...brother?"

"Yeah, Thomas. He's my younger brother...12 years old," Remus said.

"12? How come he's not at Hogwarts?" she asked, looking up at him.

"Oh...he's...mentally ill. I don't remember what disease they call it, but it's a rare form of I think Schizophrenia...he has rather nasty tempers. But, yeah, he's seriously ill," he replied quietly. "No Healer or Muggle doctor can give him a true diagnosis."

"Oh," she said quietly. Idiot, why did you bring that up?

"So, where do you go? You know, on a full moon and stuff?" he asked.

"I'm supposed to go here," she said, moving out of his grasp to reach up and touch a knot in the tree. As Remus leaped back with a cry, the tree's side melted inward to reveal a long, dark tunnel leading underground.

"Where...where does it lead?" he asked, finding his voice again.

"To some large underground cavern or something stupid. I always get out, though," she said with a laugh.

"Huh...I have a creaky old shack, and you get a cavern, yet we both get out," he said.

"Well, you and the Marauders, that is," she replied as she touched the knot again. Instantly, the tree reverted back to its previous form.

"Yeah, that too."

Light was beginning to fade around them, adding to the gloom of the forest.

"We should...probably get going," Remus said quietly.

"Do you...think we'll find each other?" she asked.

"No doubt about it," he said.

Shrugging, she moved off through the forest. Before she disappeared entirely, he called out, "Aya!" She turned. "No...no matter what happens...know that I'll love you forever."

##

Aya picked her path carefully, enjoying the crunch of leaves on her bare feet. As she stared around in the gloom, she couldn't help but feel a little bit of déjà vu.

She remembered her very first full moon experience when she was little. A Healer from the local Hospital had led her into the nearby forest, she remembered, not telling her why they were there in the first place. Aya remembered about asking if they were having a picnic. Then the Healer had left, leaving little Aya to find out the very reason why she was there, alone in the woods as night was coming, without her clothes on.

Shrugging the memory off with a shake of her head, she pushed her way into a clearing, where a small pond, little more than a large puddle of muddy water, lay in the center of a sea of trees. I'll do it here, I guess.

Sighing, she took her clothes off, shivering in the sudden biting cold. Folding them carefully, she stashed them under a pile of leaves, then moved off closer to the pond, sitting down by its banks.

This is the worst part, she thought, the waiting. Changing is bad enough, but the waiting for it to just happen is almost unbearable.

Sighing, she lay back on the dirt ground in the growing darkness to stare up at the sky.

##

Aya woke with an odd start, a funny feeling in her stomach like butterflies that banged themselves harshly in her belly. I fell asleep?

It was nearly pitch black as she sat up and looked around, fear creeping over her. The odd sensation in her stomach was increasing, as was the pace of her heart. As her eyes rolled over to the water, she saw a bright dancing light on it that moved with the water in the wind. Curious, she cocked her head to one side at it. What is that? A reflection? It seemed to be coming from above, and when she looked up, her heart nearly stopped.

The full moon was rearing its ugly head over the trees, splashing its bright light on her.

Her heart beat rapidly in her chest as her breathing quickened; she couldn't tear her eyes away from that moon. A tingling sensation was pulsing through her body, and she could feel her limbs beginning to shake uncontrollably.

"I must not fear. Fear is the Mind-Killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to look down its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."

She bit back a cry as a horrible pain tore through her body, causing her to double up with that pain, clutching at her stomach. Rolling over, she bore her face into the ground, biting at her lip in agony, then wishing she hadn't as fangs grew from her teeth, ripping at her lip. Blood ran from the fresh cut into her mouth, enticing her in a horrible fashion.

"I must not fear...Fear...Fear is the Mind-Killer..."

 She let herself cry out as a new wave of pain ripped through her. As she gripped at the ground with both hands, her nails curved into sharp claws as her feet and hands formed into wolf-like paws. Arching her back, she fell to the dirt on her back. Fur was sprouting all over her as her face lengthened. A sharp tugging at her ears told her they were forming into a more dog-like fashion. She snarled at it, then felt shocked at herself for the sound she had made.

My name is...Aya...Centaria. My name...is Aya. My...my name...my name is...is..........

She couldn't remember. Angered, she rolled over and lifted herself up, trying to scream.

Instead, she howled at the moon, clawing at the air.

Another howl from a ways off reached her. Pricking her ears, she pushed herself up on all fours, sniffing along the ground. The smell of a human, however familiar to her, reached her lupine nose, and sickened her, making her move off from where she had been sitting. That same howl sounded again, slightly closer this time. Lifting her head, she sniffed at the air.

There! That same scent from before! It was closer now!

Tail wagging, she bounded off towards the scent and the howl, tongue lolling. Her paws pounded against the forest floor as she moved swiftly through the trees. As the howl sounded again, she answered it, letting herself go to the call as she moved at a faster pace. She had forgotten the need to hunt. All that mattered was following that scent. She howled again and was answered.

The scent was growing stronger! It was so familiar! She had to find it! Had to!

As she pounced into a new clearing of the trees, she slid to a halt as the source of the scent stood in the center. A male wolf stood there, ears lain back against his head. When she stepped forward, he stepped back, growling.

Amused, she cocked her head to one side and let out a soft whimper, her breath steamy in the cold. She took another step. He stayed where he was, still cautious, but curious towards this new female wolf. Slowly, she circled him, sniffing at him. His scent tugged at something in her. It angered her that she couldn't remember, but she shrugged it away with a flick of her tail. He followed her with his eyes, sometimes gazing into her stormy-grey eyes. Something about those eyes attracted him, forcing him to remember a fire-lit secret room in a human-populated castle. He took a step towards her, making her jump back slightly, growling. Her ears laid flat against her head, her teeth bared, muscles poised to spring. He watched her closely, sniffing at the air around her.

The scent was familiar.

Interested, he stepped again, then again when she remained still. Another step...another...until his nose met with hers. She sat back and allowed him to rub his head against hers, amused at how his tail wagged.

A rustle in the bushes pricked at their ears. It was a small creature of some sort, scared out of its mind at finding two werewolves so near its home.

The desire to hunt pulling at him, he moved in the direction the creature had gone, then stopped to turn back to her. He whimpered, wanting her to follow. Getting up, she padded over to him, placing her head against his. An understanding broke through their minds, uniting them as they bounded off in the direction of the animal, howling all the while. Their cries of happiness broke the silence like a spell.

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There you have it, folks...it worked! Yay! That was a first time I wrote a werewolf transformation thingy...I always thought them as painful experiences...dunno...hope it was...enjoyable? Oh, well...please review! You guys are awesome!