So, here is the next chapter. I hope everyone enjoys. I encourage reviews as always (even short ones), so I know if I should continue. If you have questions, I will try to respond to them, so feel free! I have the plot planned out, but feel free to make suggestions!
Thank you again for the reviews!
To be a Monster
Chapter Three: Marked
James, Sirius, and Peter could only stare in astonishment at their friend. None of them moved, or seemed capable of uttering a sound. Remus raised an eyebrow at this,
"I have managed to strike the Marauders silent! Someone alert the press," Remus announced, breaking the tension. James let out a roar of laughter, and rushed over to give their friend a hug. Peter and Sirius followed quickly.
"Moony, did you work with the teachers on that prank?" Peter demanded. Remus chuckled, nodding his head,
"Yeah, when I told them I would be here today, they told me they wanted a bit of revenge. I agreed to help out,"
"Well, that was well executed," Sirius said with a smile. "We are glad you came, Remus."
"Yeah, it wouldn't have been the same without you here," James added.
"Well, I really couldn't wait to see the expressions on your faces. I just thought I would say hello to you guys, before you all went to do your training and whatnot this summer. I will be out of contact for a couple of months, doing something for Albus.
"I also wanted to congratulate you on all on passing your N.E.W.T.S. I told you that you could do it if you applied yourselves. I must be going now, as I have an appointment that I most likely should not miss," Remus told them, looking a touch nervous.
"You don't want to walk around and see how everyone is reacting to you 'furry little problem'?" Peter asked him. Remus shook his head,
"Not particularly. I don't really care how they react. I just thought if fair that they should know. Anyways, I really should be going. The person I am meeting is not at all patient, and I would rather not start this out with him angry at me. I will try to owl each of you when I can. I will see you at the first Order meeting," he said. His friends each gave him a hug, worried for his safety, then once again watched him walk past the wards and Apparate away.
Sirius looked at James, a small frown on his face, "He is really different. More confident in himself, but less trusting of us I think."
"I think you are right, Siri," James said shaking his head. "I hope that Albus will assign us to work together at some point. I think we have a lot to make up to him,"
"Uh, guys? Here comes Lily, Frank, and Alice. They look…annoyed," Peter said a bit nervously. James turned and sure enough, three of their friends stalked towards them, looking very annoyed.
"Uh oh," Sirius muttered. Lily stopped a few feet away putting her hands on her hips.
"Did you know?" she demanded. Startled, the three boys exchanged looks,
"Know what Lily?" James asked in confusion. Lily snorted,
"Did you know about Remus!" she exclaimed.
The boys fidgeted, but finally James nodded reluctantly, "Yeah, we knew. How could we not? By our second year, it was getting very hard for him to explain regular once a month absence. We had been suspicious for a while, but finally something happened that made it dawn on us. Peter tossed him a gift he'd gotten from his mother, but it was made out of silver. Remus did not react well at all, and it told us all we needed to know."
Lily, Alice and Frank stared at them in astonishment, clearly surprised that these three had managed to keep it a secret.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Frank demanded, Alice nodding in agreement, "We were his friends too! I think we deserved to know." Sirius gave him an angry look,
"First of all, Frank, it was not our secret to tell. You know, when we figured it out, Remus was going to go to the Headmaster and leave the school. He thought is best friends would turn on him, and cast him out. Can you even imagine how he thought anyone else would react? His greatest fear is probably having people think of him as a monster. He asked us to keep it to ourselves, so we did. He has enough trouble with that blasted infection. He definitely did not need the hatred of our classmates."
The entire group stared at Sirius in astonishment. Lily suddenly looked ashamed of herself. "Sirius, we would never think of him as a monster. We know him too well for that. We are just upset that he didn't feel he could trust us."
"Remus trusts very few Lily. Living in a world that hates and fears everything that you are will do that to a person. It is because I broke his trust that he left Hogwarts. He is a greater person than I ever will be, because he forgave me. He was here tonight, you know? How else would the teachers pull of such a great prank on us?" Sirius said with a smile.
"He was here? Why didn't he stick around?" Frank asked, clearly surprised.
"He didn't particularly want to see how everyone reacted, and he is doing something for the Headmaster. He said he will see us all at the first meeting," James said, nodding his head to confirm which meeting he referred to.
Lily looked at James for a long moment and gripped his hand tightly. "This is going to get bad before it is over, isn't it?" she asked, thoughts of war looming over her head.
"I think it is, and we are going to have to fight hard to keep Voldemort from taking over the world." James gently hugged Lily close, brushing her hair out of her face. The six friends looked at each other and couldn't help but wonder who wouldn't survive the fight.
ooOoo
Albus Dumbledore walked into the first Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix; belonging to one Sirius Black, a foul expression on his face. A small sound at his side caught his attention. Concerned, he looked at the man next to him.
"Remus, are you okay? I really think you should be resting," he said gently. "The Ministry was— harsh."
Remus gave him a tight smile. His eyes looked as if they could barely focus on what was in front of him. He was holding his arm close to his chest and moving slowly.
"I do not wish to miss the first meeting, Albus. I will pass out when I get home," Remus replied quietly. Albus nodded and helped the young werewolf into the large parlor, where everyone was waiting. It had been magically expanded to fit everyone that needed to be there. As they walked in behind the crowd, Lily Evans; soon to be Potter, gasped.
"Remus," she whispered softly. He gave her a small smile, but did not speak.
"Ms. Evans, would you please help Mr. Lupin to where you are seated. He has a report to make tonight. See if you can keep him conscious until then. He is too stubborn to wait until later," Albus said. Remus rolled his eyes, but allowed Lily to gently grip his arm.
As Dumbledore headed off to the front of the room, Lily led Remus to the other side, where their friends were. "Are you okay, Remus? Is there anything I can get you?" she asked in concern.
"I am okay for now, Lily. I will explain what happened when I give my report. I don't wish to repeat it more than once."
"Okay, I can understand that," Lily said, though she looked as if she badly wanted to protest. When they approached Sirius and James, the two young men stood up in surprise.
"Remus," James said, motioning for him to sit. Lily found that she was rather surprised when neither James, nor Sirius asked about his condition. Perhaps they didn't care as much as she thought, or perhaps they just knew him too well.
They all took their seats as Albus started the meeting,
"I want to welcome each of you to the first formal meeting of the Order of the Phoenix. Voldemort is gaining power and allies rapidly and it is our job to counter that as much as possible. I will be working with each of you to assign tasks that are best suited for you qualifications and personalities. I have assigned a few tasks already, and we will hear reports from them tonight, and then you will receive your assignments.
"I want you all to remember that this group is here to fight Voldemort. If you spread information to anyone, even someone you are sure is on the side of the Light, it could get back to Voldemort. If possible, we don't even want you discussing anything with your peers, unless I ask you to tell us what you know.
"The temptation to join the Dark will be great. I hope each of you is strong enough to resist. That type of power and control will only lead to death and destruction, and cannot be allowed to win. Tonight we will hear from Alastor Moody about the position of the Aurors in the Ministry. We will also hear from Remus Lupin to learn were the werewolves stand. Finally, Sirius Black and Nikolas Parkinson will inform us what they have been able to learn from the Dark pureblood families."
With that, Alastor Moody stumped to the front, looking at each person as if they were about to jump up and stab him to death.
"So far, I does not look as though the Aurors or the Ministry is going to be much help. The Minister seems adamant that we should wait and hope that Voldemort just goes away. I will keep watch for Aurors that I think will be good to join the Order, and with luck manage to recruit a few. Black and Potter will be watching the new recruits, as I don't have much contact with the ones that just got out of training. Other than that, I don't have much to work with."
Moody did not stay for questions, but immediately left the building, still looking suspiciously at the Order members. Albus looked at Remus and nodded. The werewolf got tiredly to his feet and walked up to the front.
"I have emerged myself with various werewolf packs in the last few months. At first things seemed to go well. I learned a lot about werewolf culture that I didn't know. Because the wizarding world fears and hates werewolves, they often move away from cities and live their own lives. They have done so for centuries. They have wonderful lives, and were willing to just ignore the rest of the world, so long as they were left alone.
"The alphas I spoke to were willing to assist the Light simply because they object to Dark magic, despite the fact that we are classified as Dark creatures. The Ministry ruined that all three weeks ago, with their new Werewolf Acts."
At this point, fury flashed in the amber eyes of Remus Lupin. A frown tugging at his mouth, he spoke again. "The Ministry decided that all werewolves must be 'registered, vaccinated, questioned, and then monitored to deduce which werewolves have appropriate temperaments to be released'," Remus told them. James and Sirius could hear the snarl in his voice.
"I was with the Corrrin Pack, when a group of wizards the Ministry calls Hunters captured us with silver nets on the last full moon. Despite the fact that we were nearly a hundred miles away from any humans, we were captured, and brought to the Ministry. By the time we got there, the sun had come up, and we were all rather damaged from both the moon, and the silver nets.
"We were locked into a small room, nearly a hundred and fifty of us, for over two weeks. One by one, we were taken to be 'registered'. The first thing they did was dose us with so many potions it was hard to see straight, let alone walk or stand. The registration itself consisted of marking us," Remus pulled down his shirt, revealing a rather angry patch of skin with black numbers cruelly tattooed into the skin.
"I am now officially known as R6842," he said, releasing his shirt. "Their questions were ridiculous and for the most part, I can't even remember what they were about. They seemed to want me to admit to killing scores of people, or turning them. When said I had not, even under verituserum, I was beaten and drugged further, with the promise that it would get worse until I revealed the truth. For the next week I was questioned in that manner until they gave up.
"For the last week we were all observed in that wretched little room. It was not sanitary, we were not fed, and they wanted perfect behavior from us. Nearly ten werewolves died of silver poisoning, three more from the 'questioning' and another killed herself. Finally we were released with a book of rules,"
Remus waved his wand and a large manual about six inches thick flopped down on the floor. "Apparently, I am supposed to memorize that thing. The werewolves are going into hiding. They have all
heard what happened with Corrin's Pack, and they will use pack magic to hide. For now, they will remain neutral and hide from the Ministry and everyone else. I don't think it will take much for Voldemort to convince them to join his side. All he will have to do is offer to repeal the Ministry's new laws."
Remus seemed finished with his speech. Though his expressions had flashed in anger, his voice remained calm the entire time.
"Remus, what do you mean when you say 'pack magic'?" asked one of the members. Remus was somewhat pleased to see that most of the Order seemed interested in learning about werewolves, rather than condemning them as animals. Not everyone, but enough to make a good start.
"Each pack has unique magical abilities tied to the each member's wolf. It allows them to hide if they feel endangered. It also provides a way to communicate with each other silently. The strongest bond is with the alpha, allowing him to protect members of the pack should they get into trouble."
For several more minutes, various members asked questions about werewolves. Then Remus wavered where he stood. He gripped a table tightly to keep his balance. Immediately James and Sirius were at his side. Dumbledore stood,
"We can question Remus further when we get him all healed up. He only just got away from the Ministry and hasn't had a chance to heal and rest yet. Remus, I trust your friends will take care of you. Thank you for sharing what you've learned."
Remus nodded, and allowed Sirius and James to lead him from the room, Lily following close behind them. They paused in the hallway leading to a set of rather creepy looking stairs. Sirius looked at James,
"Why don't you guys take him to my room? I will be up as soon as I report," he said. James nodded, and Lily took Sirius's place, helping Remus walk.
The three of them concentrated on walking up the stairs. James led them into a room, which as far as Lily knew, was the only normal looking room in the entire house. They carefully helped lay Remus on the bed.
"How are you doing, Moony?" James asked in concern. Lily's eyes widened slightly,
"That nickname makes sense now!" she exclaimed, looking startled. "The girls and I always figured it was because you had mooned someone as a prank or something!"
James and Remus exchanged a look then burst out laughing. Remus winced, gripping his side. "No, I don't believe I have ever mooned anyone. Sirius on the other hand…"
James let out a snort, "I always wondered why you girls giggled so much when we called him that."
Lily smiled, looking at Remus, "Well let's see about getting you patched up Remy. You look like shit!"
"Gee, thanks," Remus said, raising an eyebrow. James chuckled,
"She figures it is part of her job, Moony. She is brutally honest with all of her patients. She tells them they are idiots, or they look like shit. It's amazing that they all seem to love her!"
Lily smacked the back of his head, "Do something useful and help Remus get his shirt off while I get some potions and bandages."
Rolling his eyes, James gently helped his friend remove the dirty shirt. He hissed when he saw the tattoo up close, and all the damage done to his body. He began swearing under his breath when he felt that Remus was burning up with a fever.
When Lily returned, she took one look and looked utterly furious. Remus gave her a small smile, "Lily, I hope you know what's in those potions. I can't have anything that has any magical plants that need to be collected under the full moon. You won't at all like what happens if you give it to me."
"Oh, well that is good to know," Lily told him, sitting on the edge of the bed to look over his body. Finally she looked into his eyes,
"Remus, there are a lot of old scars here. What are they from?" she asked.
"Well, according to Sirius, they are from being beaten up by the Whomping Willow one too many times," Remus said with a small smile, looking uncomfortable.
"Not my fault. We saw you walking back from there with Madam Pomfrey, all beat up. What else was I supposed to think?" Sirius asked, walking into the room. Remus rolled his eyes, took a slight breath, and looked back at Lily.
"Those I did to myself, Lily." He voice was quiet and slightly ashamed. He lowered his eyes, studying his hands intently. "Moony, my wolf half, does not appreciate being locked up during the full moon. Basically, I take my anger out on myself. I was bitten when I was five years old, so that is a lot of years of being locked up."
Lily glanced at James and Sirius, and then turned back to Remus. She gently turned his head up by his chin.
"Remus, there isn't anything you can do about that. You must be an incredibly strongly-willed person to willingly put himself in a position to be harmed, just so no one else will get hurt. I told the other guys this when we left school. I don't care what you are, but who you are. Moony might be part of you, but he sure isn't all of you." Lily leaned over, gently kissing his cheek, then began to dig out the potion's she would need.
Remus glanced up at James and Sirius in surprise. Both Marauder's were smiling at his expression, and Sirius gave him a wink.
"So, where is Peter?" Remus asked after an awkward moment. James rolled his eyes,
"He won't tell us. He said Dumbledore has him doing something he isn't allowed to talk about."
"Oh, well at least he is keeping himself busy," Remus told them. He turned his attention back to Lily and allowed her to stuff him full of a large variety of vile tasting potions. As he finished the last one he noticed that everyone was becoming a bit blurry, and he promptly lost consciousness.
ooOoo
Remus woke slowly, his mind buzzing with what felt like fury. He wrinkled his brow in confusion. In the back of his mind, he could practically feel Moony growling. Usually he only did that when the moon was approaching. Rubbing his eyes, he looked around and saw he was in Sirius's bedroom. Judging by the light out the window, it was nearly dark. Groaning, Remus pulled himself upright, noticing that he felt
quite a bit better. Those must have been some potions that Lily had given him. On the trail of those thoughts, Lily walked into the bedroom to check on him, before going to she went to bed.
"Remus?" she asked, looking delighted. "You're awake!"
"Yeah, what time is it? How long was I asleep?"
"You were out for over two weeks!" Lily exclaimed, a grin on her face. The smile slowly faded when she saw the expression on the face of her friend.
"What is the date?" he asked urgently.
"The twenty-third, why?" Lily asked in confusion. Remus swore, stumbling over to the window to look out. Sure enough, the sun was almost set. Moony growled even more in the back of his mind.
"Lily, get Sirius or James!" he gasped, backing towards the wall. He did not have long.
"What? Why?" she demanded, "Remus—"
"In a minute you are going to have a pissed off werewolf in a house full of people," Remus said anxiously, pointing out the window. Lily followed his finger, and gasped when she saw the moon. Suddenly the sun was gone, and the moonlight fell across the room.
Remus hunched over in pain, letting out an agonized cry. "Run!" he gasped. Lily backed towards the door, shaking in fright. She couldn't take her eyes off of her friend. His body was shifting right before her eyes. Skin became fur, and his head stretched out to a canine form. Remus let out an unearthly noise, somewhere between a scream and a howl of pain. Before Lily knew it she was face to face with a fully grown, and definitely angry, werewolf.
Moony's eyes seemed to glow as he shook himself out, gasping for air. Then, he spotted her and his pain was forgotten.
"Remus," Lily gasped in horror. The wolf turned and slowly began to walk towards her. There was definitely no sign of Remus in those eyes.
"Please," she murmured, shaking in fear. Moony crouched low, growling deeply at the unfamiliar person. Lily was paralyzed in fear. Before she could blink, Moony launched himself across the room, straight at her.
AN: I had trouble with this chapter for some reason. Anyways I figured this would be a good place to end it. See you again for chapter four (which I hope will appear soon!)
