Title: A Time For Change
Author Name: DarkForest214
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: "Transforming Thoughts"
Summery: Sequel to "Transforming Thoughts." Follow Lily and James in their new relationship while keeping an eye on their mischievous friends Remus Lupin and Sirius Black.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or Hogwarts School. I did not write this to try and make money. I am not stealing from JKR and the publishing companies and whatnot… I own nothing!
Author's Note: I'm finally up to date with all my typing (and I've been writing like a fiend 'cause I'm depressed...hey, it's what I do. Writing about people being all happy and lovey dovey cheers me up in it's own twisted way). So here's the next chapter!
Chapter Twelve
"Well, Let's get down to dinner," James announced to his friends in the common room.
"I don't know, I'm not feeling well…" said Remus.
"C'mon Rem, it's Halloween. Halloween!" said Sirius.
"I know, but I'm really not feeling well. I think I'm just gonna skip out on the feast this year," said Remus with a hint of regret.
"Are you sure, Remus?" Lily asked, her eyes and voice full of concern.
Remus nodded. "If it gets any worse I'll have to go to the Hospital Wing," he said.
"I guess I'll see you in the morning then. Goodnight Remus, I hope you fell better," said Lily.
Remus smiled and nodded his thanks. He looked downright nauseous, maybe the anxiety of tonight's full moon was finally starting to show.
Remus watched his friends leave the common room for the annual Halloween feast. He regretted not being able to join them in their festivities, but he knew there would be other feasts…
Shortly after his friends were gone, Madame Pomfrey entered the common room. The few remaining students eyed her curiously as she crossed the room to stand before Remus.
"Madame Pomfrey, is everything all right?" Remus asked, while trying his best to look confused.
"Your friends stopped by my office to express their concern for your health. I told them not to worry and that I'd check in on you," she said for the benefit of eavesdropping students. "And I can see that you're not feeling well. Will you follow me to the Hospital Wing please?"
"But—"
"No buts, Remus Lupin. Follow me," she said sternly. She was getting better at this…
Remus followed her out of the common room and through the corridors, but they did not go to the Hospital Wing, nor did they exit from the main doors in the Entrance Hall. Too many people were around to leave through the front doors. Instead they went through a series of smaller, hidden doors — a servant's exit — and stepped out into the chilly fall air.
"Be careful tonight, Remus," Madame Pomfrey whispered as they crossed the grounds. "Curious villagers might dare to wander close to the shack tonight. Try your best to remain in control."
"I will, Madame. I'll be very careful…" he said quietly.
"Quickly now," she said, her gaze anxiously watching the night sky.
When she had him settled in the Shrieking Shack with a plate of cold food for his supper she left, locking the trap door behind her.
Too anxious to eat, Remus paced around the first floor of the old house. He inspected some of the damage he had caused and cringed when he passed a rather deep gouge in the woodwork framed in dried blood.
Whose blood was it? Surely not Wormtail's, and it was too dark to be Padfoot's or Prongs'. It had to be his, from a time when he had hurt himself.
As he stared at the wall it dragged a memory from his wolf consciousness into his human mind. He had done that the last transformation he had gone through alone. Last year, just before the school year had ended. So enraged at being caged up and alone the wolf lashed out at everything he could sink his claws into. Including himself.
Remus shuddered at the memory and looked away. But he couldn't escape. Everywhere he looked there was evidence of his destruction. He closed his eyes and tried to push the memories to the deepest corners of his mind, but the second he opened his eyes they all rushed forward and flooded his senses.
"Rem, you in here?" a voice called out.
"Where else would I be?" he replied, choking on the lump in his throat.
Sirius's head popped through the trap door in the floor, his eyes looking at Remus, not the scars on the wall. "You look awful," he said as he pulled himself up into the room.
Remus nodded his sarcastic 'thanks' and sat down, his back against the wall.
"Seriously Remus, you're looking awful," said Sirius. Remus shrugged him off and leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. "C'mon, you've been through this before. Everything will be fine."
"I just need to get out of here," Remus said through clenched teeth.
"Don't worry, as soon as you're transformed we'll be out in the night air," said Sirius. "Are you sure you're okay?" Sirius asked as he noticed how pale and sickly he looked.
Remus didn't even try to answer him. He didn't have to. "It's going to e a rough one," Remus muttered through clenched teeth. His stomach churned and bile rose in his throat. Some transformations were just worse than others.
Sirius couldn't understand how some moons Remus emerged with very few scratches and good humor. But other moons he was battered and bruised with a few broken bones and plenty of pain. His friends could tell—and so could he—how the transformation would go by his actions and the depth of his depression.
Hopefully setting the wolf free would be good for both minds that inhabited the body.
A/N: I've had a real crummy day (to put it lightly) I love hearing from my regular reviewers (DD, HeadUpInTheClouds, LovelyRavenclaw etc...) but how about hearing from some of you quiet ones out there...It'll really cheer me up.