James Potter was fast when he wanted to be. He tore through the corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry at an astonishing speed, heading straight for Dumbledore's office. Reaching the statue, he yelled 'liquorice wands' and it leapt aside. He ran up the spiral stone staircase and burst through the door, not bothering to knock.

Two men stared at him on the other side of the door. He leaned on it's frame, panting hard, and recognised Professor Dumbledore and Professor Bones. Good, he thought, that makes my job easier.

"Professors, Sir," he panted, trying to get his breath back, "It's Remus, Sir... something's wrong..." he took another gasp as the men's eyebrows pulled closer together, "Sirius is with him... he's taking him outside..."

The two Professors jumped to their feet, exchanging worried glances as they did so. They walked past the teenager in the doorway, ignoring him as they ran down the staircase and past the statue, heading out of the castle. James made to follow them.

"No, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore held out an arm, blocking his path, "Return to your dormitory please, if you will. We will send news once the safety of you classmates is assured."

Nodding, the boy slowly turned in the direction of Gryffindor tower, pretending to head that way. But James Potter was not the kind of person who stood around waiting for answers. No, he needed to be in the action. Especially when two of his best friends were in danger.

***

Sirius and Remus were nearly at the edge of the tunnel, leading to just outside the main entrance of the castle.

"It's okay mate, we're almost there now," Sirius whispered down at the boy under his arms, who was becoming less of a boy every minute. The shaking had become more violent now, and his tawny hair was longer and glued to his forehead. Remus could no longer contain the screams of pain as he fought the beast in his mind, and every so often his agony echoed through the worn tunnel. Sirius hated this, wishing he could help.

The cold night air whipped them as they reached the end of the tunnel. Pushing through the exit, Sirius lead Remus out into the moonlit night. He looked up. Sure enough, there hung the full moon, staring down at them, mocking them. Some kind of lunar disturbance. Sirius tutted. Now was really not the time.

"Mr. Black! Step away!"

Sirius' focus was stolen by two cloaked men running out of the glowing entrance of the castle. Professor Bones was waving his arms in the air, beckoning Sirius closer to him. He peeled his arm from around his friend's back, and Remus staggered away, throwing his head upwards and arching his back violently in the moonlight. A number of cracking sounds following, accompanied by another sickening scream of agony from Remus. Sirius felt tears prick at his eyes as he walked backwards to where his teachers stood, their wands raised. The three of them watched as the beast, hidden away inside the darkest corners of Remus Lupin's mind, took ahold of the boy they all knew. They stared as any trace of the boy disappeared, until all that was left was an angered, growling, ravenous beast, glaring at them with intense amber eyes.

It started to step towards them.

Sirius found himself pushed behind the two Professors. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the wolf before him. He had seen James and Peter transform too many times to count, but none of those had ever had such an effect on him. Because this transformation was not one of choice; it was a painful reminder of a forgotten mistake.

The wolf snarled and snapped at the three men, as they aimed their wands at it. It was the best chance they had, but they knew it wouldnt be enough. If it came to it, they would die tonight.

Suddenly, a clattering of hooves broke the tension. The humans and wolf alike turned to see a magnificent stag galloping in the direction of the snarling beast. It lowered it's head, and using it's antlers to hold it in place, pushed the wolf to the floor. The wolf howled and growled at the stag whilst the humans simply looked on in amazement. As the stag began to push the wolf toward the Whomping Willow, all three men let out a heavy sigh of relief.

They were safe. They were alive.