Chapter 10: Remus' POV

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I groaned as I arose from a restless sleep. Being a wolf allowed little to no rest, as the pain of the transformation keeping you awake even when you are exhausted.

Hence I got to sleep through the entire trip to Hogsmede and therefore Lily and James' date. It was an event Iwanted to miss. This was the whole reason I had transformed in the forest, so I could be away from all the gossip until I recovered.

However, when I woke up, I was not in the Dark Forest, but in the warm, inviting side room of Dumbledore's office. He was sitting across from me, and at a sign of my life, he smiled and wished me a good morning.

I groaned, my jaw bones creaking in protest as I tried to speak. My entire body was still rearranging itself back to human form. It was like the start and finish to a race. The start was hard, you were always cramping up and slowing down when you didn't want to, and the finish was even more painful, the stress of the entire run finally taking it's toll when you want it least.

Needless to say, I was in a great deal of pain. In fact, upon hearing my cry for "help", Dumbledore scurried out of the room and returned with a small vial.

"Now Remus, I have researched quite a bit, and I seem unable to find any potions or remedies to reverse your growth. However, I have a potion that can stop growth. I think that the least amount of bone your body has to rearrange the better. So, drink up," he said merrily.

I gulped down the disgusting liquid. It felt like tar, dripping down my throat, throughout my entire body. I could literally feel the growth plates solidifying in their place, and the growth hormones destroyed. It was quite the uncomfortable process.

But now, I would forever remain at my gangly height of 6'6", a giant to Lily's petite 5'2" frame.

Lily.

She seemed to be entering my mind when I least wanted her to. I instantly shook all thoughts aside and faced Dumbledore, sitting up slowly and carefully, doing my best not to disturb any bones that had not quite fully healed.

He held out a cup of hot tea, black and sharp. As it entered my mouth, the taste was bitter, almost as if I was drinking Hydrogen Peroxide. Once it settled however, a warming feeling took place throughout my body, helping to ease the muscles and bones.

"That ought to help. It loosens and removes some stress. And I daresay you have much need of loosening and removing stress," he said as he chuckled.

I opened my mouth to speak, to thank him once again for how kind he was. Dumbledore had taken me under his wing, and I was eternally thankful for that.

"No need to thank me. Your condition is not even imposing on my schedule. Quite surprising actually. And it is no problem to want to do something for a boy that deserves it," he said, winking at me happily.

I opened my mouth to speak again, to inquire after James and Lily, he silenced me with his own words, as if he were reading my mind, "They are together. They enjoyed their date and are now boyfriend and girlfriend. However, I do not think it will last long. They are constantly quarreling, and it hasn't even been a week," he mumbled, mainly to himself.

"A week?!" I exclaimed, gagging on both the tea and my own bile.

"Yes my dear boy. You should have seen your condition, good Lord you were a mess! You were in the infirmary days after your transformation to help you heal. It was just yesterday you were cleared to come up here with me. You have been unconscious for nearly six days," he finished, nonchalantly.

I growled and dropped my eyes, angry at my own self for allowing such a thing to ever happen to me.

"Remus, please, do not punish yourself. It is not your fault in the slightest. Oh, and everyone is under the impression you have cancer, hence the days you are absent, and your late night "treatments" etc.," he added.

"Cancer? Couldn't they have been a little more creative?" I snorted.

He chuckled at my attitude, apparently finding my pessimism amusing, "You'd be surprised at how hard it was for them to come up with that."

I laughed, knowing how naïve and sometimes ignorant my friends could be. "I believe you, I am not surprised,"

Dumbledore then dropped his voice, "However, there is someone you need to speak to. Lily Evans believes you are going to die. Thanks to James," he grumbled, clearly something was bothering him.

"What do you mean, Professor?"

"I mean that James was caught in the girls' dorms. Specifically Lily Evan's dorm. It was after that visit that she believed you dying. That was where the cancer rumor originated," he said. Yet again, waves of disgust and nausea fell over me. As much as I knew James had staked his claim, I wanted Lily as mine.

"Remus, please. There is still time. You must be patient. Good things come to those who wait," he reminded me, trying to ease my worry.

I sighed, knowing he was completely correct, "I'm sorry Professor, it's just-"

"I know dear boy. Love is irrational," Dumbledore finished for me.

I sniggered at how correct that statement was. Love was the most irrational feeling I had ever encountered. It was far more confusing that any form of anger or sadness.

"You have no idea how right you are, Professor," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

He chuckled and stood up, opening the door to his office, "Now that you are better, I officially clear you to go about your duties as a student. Have a good day, and remember to?"

"Be patient," I said, reminding him I wasn't as ridiculous as some of my friends.

"Good boy! Now run along before you miss anymore school. Come to me if you need anything, and let me know if that potion works," I nodded my thanks. He already knew how grateful I was.

I walked out of his office, still in a great deal of discomfort, but feeling better than I did after any transformation.

I knew where I had to go, and what I had to do.

I rounded the corner, and entered the Gryffindor great room, where I found Lily and James cuddled up together, kissing and laughing, obviously reminiscing their date.

I sighed, knowing I should never take Lily away from James, especially when they were so occupied.

I scribbled a note in my awful script and left it on her bed in her dorm, which was thankfully empty.

Meet me in the library. You deserve an explanation.

-RL

I hoped she would be there soon, so I wouldn't have to wait much longer.

I sat down in my favorite couch, awaiting her arrival. I don't know how many books I went through, but I judged that as teachers made their nightly rounds, I had been there quite a while.

Just when all hope seemed lost, the library door cracked open, and Lily Evans walked through. She was wearing her pajamas, wool pants that fell to the floor, designed with stars and clouds. Her shirt was a simple v-neck white t-shirt. I thought she looked gorgeous.

I stood up and waved her in my direction, she nearly seemed to run to me with excitement.

She reached our corridor and sat down, her arms crossed in denial, awaiting my explanation.

As I shook my hair out of my face I said, "I think you deserve to know. Everything." I sighed as I wondered where to began my story.