A/N: There is a slightly graphic description of werewolf transformation at the bottom, so be aware if that kind of thing bothers you. Thanks!
Sunday morning proved to be a dreary start to the day as rain drizzled slowly down onto the grounds. Sirius, James, and Peter took little notice of this, however, as they rushed to get dressed and headed to the hospital wing. They were sure that Remus would be better after a night under Madam Pomfrey's care. They were barely able to catch a glance of the boy though because as soon as they entered the hospital wing Madam Pomfrey was ushering them straight out because Remus needed his rest. James just managed to see a still ill-looking Remus wave at them. James waved back just before the door was closed firmly in his face.
The three boys stared glumly at each other. They had been sure that Remus would be doing fine today, and might even join them for breakfast. Now it looked like he would be lucky if he made it out of the hospital wing in time to visit his mother. They started towards the Great Hall for breakfast with a resigned air. It looked like they wouldn't be able to see Remus at all that day.
Sirius did wholeheartedly smirk as he speared a sausage onto his plate however. While they would miss Remus' company for the day, at least they now had time to plan their surprise for his return. The boys' appetites returned as they returned to their mischievous plans. They had decided that the best way to cheer up Remus was to distract him as soon as he got back. James and Sirius looked around the Great Hall appraisingly, it seemed that the Slytherins would be best-suited to helping them with their plan. Most of the plans that they came up with, however, took a good bit more knowledge than they had. While it was true that James and Sirius were very advanced for their age (due in large part to their parent's blatant flouting of underage wizardry), they still weren't sure how to turn all of the Slytherin's robes red and gold as James had suggested.
Peter suggested that they go to the library, and they spent the rest of the day flipping through spell books at a corner table. Even the easiest books on beginning jinxes had plenty of interesting ideas for them. James was so fond of a spell that would make your nosehair grow in ringlets that he carefully copied it out of the book to save for a later time. He had wanted to use it against the Slytherins, but Sirius had convinced him that it wouldn't have enough of a bang.
Finally, they settled on a spell that made them all smile. Sirius was the one to suggest. He suggested it by quickly muttering it under his breath towards an unsuspecting Peter. Peter was midstream in dialogue trying to convince James that they should just put itching powder in all of the Slytherin's robes when his voice suddenly got a bit higher. James quirked his eyebrows at Peter in surprise as Peter's voice continued to get higher and higher until words such as itching could barely be made out through the shrill whistling sounds that were coming across the table. Peter looked very upset and uncomfortable at the change in his voice as Sirius and James rolled in laughter. Finally, Peter let out a small burp and his voice returned to normal. He gave the other two a sheepish grin and agreed that it was the perfect spell to use on the Slytherin's the next day.
They spent the rest of their Sunday practicing the spell and making sure that they were able to cast it over a large group of people. Overall, they had a great day planning their first big mischief. Remus, however, was miserable. Every joint in his body ached and his stomach continually roiled with nausea. Madam Pomfrey had fussed over him most of the day, but was unable to do much for him. She began to get very concerned when his fever spiked in the afternoon, and his eyes seemed glassy and unfocused. She forced a few fever-reducing potions into Remus, but they barely seemed to touch the sickness that raged inside of him. Madam Pomfrey had read about lycanthropy, but this was her first time treating it. Poor Remus was much sicker than she had imagined.
By the time that Madam Pomfrey was supposed to escort Remus down to the tree, he could barely stand by his own power. Each breath pained Remus, and he occasionally let out a small whimper. Madam Pomfrey grabbed him around the waist with a gentle grip that unfortunately brought Remus a flood of pain and began to walk him towards the tree. Remus didn't say a word about the pain though, he was so grateful to Madam Pomfrey for helping him that he wouldn't dare complain.
When they arrived at the tree, Pomfrey quickly stilled the angry branches by tapping a knot in the bark with a stick. She looked around to make sure that no one had followed them, and stopped Remus for a moment before he disappeared into the passageway. She was suddenly finding it very difficult to let him go. This boy could barely stay standing, and here she was asking him to walk down the long passage to Hogsmeade alone.
"Maybe I could just go down with you a little way and make sure that you are alright." She suggested tentatively. Green eyes flashed up at her full of fear as Remus struggled away towards the entrance in the tree. He looked nervously up at the sky which was already darkening and was keen to put as much distance as he could between himself and the kind witch standing before him.
"I'll be fine, Madam. Thanks for your help." He said with finality as he pulled himself into the tree and away from the witch. Madam Pomfrey knew that he was right to go alone, but she was still filled with regret at the situation. As soon as she had finished the charms that would seal the tree behind her, she hurried back up to the castle. She wanted to be far away from a place that would be home to so much pain.
Remus waited until he was sure that the tree was safely sealed up behind him to drop his façade of strength. He gave into the pain that wracked his body and let out a soft sob with each step that he took into Hogsmeade. The tug of the moon was strongly upon him now, and he could feel it morph every fiber in his body. It was ripping him apart piece by piece only to soon mold him back together again. His breath became hitched at the incline of the path, and Remus looked up grateful to see that he was nearly at his destination. He arrived at the bottom floor of a small rundown house. The dilapidated couch in the corner of the living room upset him. He hoped that no one would mind if he ripped it to pieces tonight.
Remus quickly undressed and left his clothes at the edge of the passageway. Remus hated facing the terror of the night naked, but he also knew that his family could not provide new clothes every time he had a transformation. His skin began to bulge and rip before he had the chance to look around the house further. It was strange being able to transform without being chained to the wall, and Remus was apprehensive about his new freedom. His one concern was that he didn't cause this pain for anyone else. Remus didn't have time to think about it further though. His fingernails began popping off his hands to be replaced by intimidating claws. A bone pushed its way through his skin as his body rearranged itself, and Remus gave into the pain. He blacked out, slumped against the old couch.
James, Sirius, and Peter were still wide awake in their dormitory. A wolf's howl punched through the air in the distance causing several students to jump in alarm. The boys were too preoccupied to notice the noise. They were too excited talking about Remus' face when he returned and saw what they had planned.