Remus walked along another long passage way, desperately hoping he was going the right way to the astronomy tower.
Trudging along in silence.
He thought he had passed the transfiguration courtyard like he knew he was supposed to. But, now as he took in his surroundings, he was beginning to worry he had gone too far.
"This darn castle" he thought. Of course, the few short days he had been there hadn't helped him learn the way around yet. He was one of the first years struggling the most to find his way around and, he hated
it.
There was just too much to remember. To much to notice.
But, when he found himself going through the trophy room, he really started to worry he had went the wrong way. Then he came to a long staircase at the end of the hall. Then, he definitely knew he had gone the wrong way. He sighed, kicking the wall, hard. He had meant to speak with his Astronomy teacher. He would unfortunately be missing the classes first ever night time class because of the full moon. He had been instructed to ask for any work he might be missing that night, and to let her know he'd be missing the class. But of course, he'd gotten lost yet again. He went to turn back, when a familiar voice called to him.
"Remus" Albus Dumbledore called after him.
"Were you coming to find me?" The headmaster called, his long gray hair flowing behind him as he descended the stairs.
"Oh, I had meant to sir, I know we had agreed upon that. It's just- I got lost on the way to find Professor Sinistra." Remus admitted, shamefully.
Dumbledore nodded fondly.
"Ah yes, I could see how one may of confused this tower for the Astronomy tower. I've known many pupils who've done the exact same thing." He chuckled.
Remus smiled coyly, fearing that wasn't exactly true.
"Nevermind, Ive already gone ahead and let professor Onai know that you would not be able to attend this nights lesson, but I've assured her that you will work extra hard to make up for your absence." He said kindly.
Remus sighed. Thank you, sir. I appreciate it."
"Professor Onai has worked here for many years, and her mother and grandmother held the post before her. She's seen just about everything. She'll be more than willing to accommodate you. I've spoken with her."
"She knows about me?" Remus asked quietly.
The headmaster shook his head.
"She just knows on occasion you may be away from class due to illness, that's all she's aware of"
"Thank you, Sir." He thanked Dumbledore.
But deep down Remus worried the headmaster thought he couldn't handle himself.
"Well, it's about time for us to go meet Madame Pomfrey." Dumbledore explained.
Remus nodded curtly. Feeling very nervous.
Following after the Headmaster, Remus sighed.
This was the first full moon away from his parents. They had always been such a comfort to him.
Now, he'd have to cope without them there. It was certainly daunting.
He took some deep breaths trying to steady himself as they walked closer and closer to the hospital wing.
"We can wait outside here." Dumbledore instructed when they approached the hospital doors.
Which relieved Remus. He was concerned that other students would see him in the hospital wing and ask questions, and he wasn't quite sure he had the answers to those questions yet.
Remus nodded. "That's fine, sir." Remus replied. Trying not to sound as terrified as he really was.
"Do you need anything before I leave you, Remus?" Dumbledore asked concerned.
"Oh, thank you, sir. But I think I will be alright. You said Madame Pomfrey would take me to the house?" Remus asked.
"Yes. Our healer here is very good at her job and very kind. You'll be in very capable hands. I promise." Dumbledore said.
Remus nodded. "I appreciate it. Sir."
"The other students, they won't find out, right?" He asked, worried.
"Ah, yes. We spoke about that yesterday. We will certainly do our best to avoid anyone else finding out. And I know that's important to you."
"So, no need to worry about that. You and Madame Pomfrey will go out to the Whomping Willow soon once its a little darker. She will leave you there tonight, and she will come back in the morning at first light."
Remus nodded. "And, it's safe there? I cannot get out of the house, and no one else can come in, right?" he asked, as anxious thoughts filled his mind. Had he already asked these questions? He couldn't remember.
He hadn't wanted to ask, but the ideas in his head were too much to ignore.
"I've put in place every manner of magical precaution to prevent that. No muggle will be able to see the shack, and no one else will want to go near it. Hopefully. That was my goal."
Dumbledore explained further.
"You see, I've also let a little rumor slip out." He explained patting Remus on the shoulder, with a twinkle in his eye.
Remus looked at him expectantly.
"I've let it be known that, perhaps the newest dwelling in Hogsmeade could potentially be home to some terribly foul ghosts. Very nasty entities. I myself won't even go near the shack." Dumbledore explained, smiling fondly.
Remus sighed, as he felt a small wave of relief waft over him.
"Okay, that's good."
"Besides." Said Dumbledore. "I think I've told you this, but I love a good tall tale, myself."
Remus smiled.
"Especially if it benefits such a fine young man." Dumbledore explained.
Remus felt a bit abashed at the compliment.
"Thank you sir." He told him.
"I'm going to leave you now, Remus." He said, as Madame Pomfrey exited the Hospital doors.
"I'll be back to visit you first thing tomorrow once you're back at school. And I can update you're parents tonight and tomorrow morning. I'm sure they are feeling nervous too. Your mother has been very helpful, and I was able to put some key items inside the house for you that you'll likely find helpful."
Remus was lost for what to say. The headmaster had done more than Remus could have ever expected.
"Sir, Ah. Thank you." Remus said, nodding at him. Trying not to get choked up.
Dumbledore seemed to understand, and patted him on the shoulder kindly again.
"I'll leave you, to relax until you go." Dumbledore said,
before walking out of sight.
Remus was so glad for the reassurance. He had certainty needed it. He felt calmer knowing his parents were being kept informed and that he knew exactly what the timeline would look like that night.
He figured that he was as calm as he'd ever be, as he and Madame Pomfrey set off.
Remus and Madame Pomfrey, walked mostly in silence to the entrance to the Whomping Willow, which, in someways Remus was grateful for. As small talk really wasn't going to help calm his nerves at this point.
After he made his way through the winding tunnel he attempted to settled down once in the shack. With Madame Pomfrey gone he automatically felt calmer. He knew what would come next very well. It had became somewhat of a routine.
He looked around to take in his surroundings.
There was some cushions in the corner next to a large lockable chest. Remus was instantly relieved that he had somehow where safe to store his belongs while transformed. He had worried about that. And the small home comforts were everything. He knew he'd likely destroy most of the stuff in the house. But he was grateful for it none the less.
He was grateful for Dumbledore.
He undressed slowly and put his things in the trunk as the moon grew closer and closer.
It was slightly cold without his clothes, but he sat down on the bed, steadying himself.
He took a deep breath as moonlight began to stream in through the windows.
He could feel the change coming. It was close now.
He inhaled deeply as he felt it begin. He closed his eyes, the pain would start soon.
The next thing Remus knew, he was waking up on the hard cold floor of the shack. He could smell a faint tinge of blood in the air. His senses still magically enhanced.
He coughed a little trying to push himself up off the floor. His palms stung as he did this.
He looked at them. they wereraw and red and bloody. It also appeared one of his hands, had a small puncture.
He sighed, at home in his parent's basement that had never been a problem before, but now the floors he walked were crooked and wooden.
He realized at that moment his feet looked the same.
He fumbled slightly as he tried to stand but noticed an injury on his side as he did. It looked like he had bitten himself.
He shakily found his footing, and realized that he was no longer upstairs. He was downstairs. He grounded when he realized he'd have to walk back up the stairs and then back down again.
He slowly walked up the stairs stare by stare, his body aching as he did. In occasion he would cough. His throat was so dry.
Eventually, he made it back to the chest of drawers in the upstairs bedroom. He laid down on the bed for a minute. He was exhausted.
after several long seconds, he willed himself to get back up and slowly dressed, his shoes painful on his sore feet.
Slowly, and carefully he made his way back downstairs. He eventually had to rest on the bottom step to exhausted to continue he realized at that moment that the wound on his side was bleeding still, it was seeping through his shirt.
He somehow managed to get back through the passageway to the whomping willow. He reached his hand out of the tunnel, pushing the knot on the bottom of the tree that he knew would quiet it.
He crawled out of the tunnel and walked out of distance from the tree.
He collapsed onto the cool damp grass, his head on his knees.
He started to fall asleep but was startled by Madame Pomfrey walking up the path.
She greeted him quietly and helped him to his feet. He was grateful that she allowed him to balance on her arm as they walk back to the hospital wing.
" what time is it?" Remus murmured to her as they walked up the last pair of stairs towards the hospital.
"It's just before 7." She explained.
Remus nodded. He knew it was early but was glad they had made it to the hospital before other students and staff started to get up.
Madam Pomfrey helped him into a far bed, that was closed off by a white partition.
He eased himself onto the bed.
"Oh, you've got a nail here!" Madame Pomfrey exclaimed.
Remus looked down, it was true. He hadn't noticed it before either.
He blinked.
Thankfully, Madame Pomfrey was able to get the nail out and bandage his hands up.
Remus was quiet during the whole process.
He laid down as instructed after, and shook just slightly.
"I think you might be in shock, here take this." She handed him a small potion and put what looked like chocolate on the table next to his bed. Remus barely registered what she said though.
He felt dazed, that was sure. It was odd to wake up away from home.
Madame Pomfrey eventually left him with his empty potion bottle and the slab of chocolate.
He nibbled a little on the corner of the chocolate bar just slightly, he could feel the healing potion beginning to take effect.
He could hear Madame Pomfrey speaking with someone a ways beyond the partition.
He still felt dazed and unfocused.
"I think he might be in shock, Albus. Or, perhaps he's always this way after?" He heard her say.
The words sort of washed over him, but he didn't respond or really take them in.
"How is he otherwise?" Dumbledore asked.
"He hurt his hands pretty badly, he had a nail in one of them. But, other than that he's physically alright it seems. But, mentally he seems like he's struggling.. perhaps he shouldn't be here Albus. Maybe this is too much for him?" She asked.
These words phased Remus. It shocked him. He didn't want to leave.
He sat upright.
"I'll check on him, I promised his mother an update." he heard Dumbledore explain.
He shakily stood up and walked over to the partition.
Moving around it, they looked at him swiftly. They were about 25 feet away.
He looked around to make sure no one else was there before speaking.
"I can hear you." He spoke, evenly.
The matron looked slightly abashed at this.
"Remus." Dumbledore said softly as he approached him.
"Come sit back down, rest." He instructed.
Remus slowly sat back down in the bed.
"How are you?" The Headmaster asked.
"I'm-I'm okay. I don't want to have to leave, Sir." Remus told him.
Dumbledore nodded.
"I understand. And, you don't have to."
Remus nodded. "Thank you, Sir."
"I'm going to attend to the shack, see if I can make any improvements so your hands and feet don't sustain as many injuries. That was potentially an oversight on my part."
Remus nodded.
"I'm going to update your parents and let them know you're okay. You should rest." The headmaster instructed.
"Thanks, Sir. I really do appreciate it." Remus told him.
Remus carefully laid back down.
Soon he was drifting off to sleep..
The next thing Remus remembered was hearing his mother's voice.
"Remus." His mother said.
Remus' eyes popped open slightly.
His mother was sitting on the edge of his bed.
She put her hand on his arm delicately.
"Mom." She came into focus more.
He sat up slightly.
This was it. It was over, his mother was there to take him home.
He sighed.
But, she spoke first.
"Professor Dumbledore made an exception so that I could come see you, darling." His mother said.
Remus was confused now. It didn't appear she was there to take him home.
"I can't believe this is where you live." His mother smiled excitedly, looking around.
Y-Yeah, it's really cool here." He croaked.
His mother nodded.
"I heard you hurt your hands?" She asked.
"Not too bad. They're healing." Remus explained.
She kissed him on the head.
"I love you."
"I love you too, mom."
"I'm going to let you sleep. I'll see you for Christmas." She kissed his head once more.
Remus was surprised, he had feared she would be taking him home, that perhaps the headmaster and matron thought he was too sick. But that clearly was not the case.
"So, I don't have to leave?" He asked.
"Oh sweetie, no. Of course you get to stay." His mother assured him.
Remus nodded, and hugged her.
She hugged him back before he laid back down to sleep.
When he woke back up next his mother was no longer there, and it was mid day.
After lunchtime, Remus was able to return to his classes thankfully. His hands had fully healed and his color was slowly beginning to return to his face.
He was just in time to make it to Transfiguration. The seat next to Peter was open and he suck in just seconds before the start of class.
"Remus, you're back?" Peter squeaked.
"Yeah, thankfully just in time." Remus nodded towards Professor McGonagall who had just entered the classroom from a door at the back of the room.
"Looney. We missed you. You alright? You look pale?" Sirius whispered.
James nodded too.
Remus rolled his eyes at his new nickname.
"Just tired, I came back right after getting home. My mom ended up being fine."
"Excuse me, Mr Lupin if you're quite done entertaining your little friends, I'm going to begin my class." McGonagall said sternly.
"Professor, it wasn't Remus' fault. It was my fault, I was pestering him. He was just telling me to pay attention actually." Sirius lied, defending him.
Remus looked at him. He hadn't expected this.
Clearly, nor had Professor McGonagall. This was obviously considered odd behavior for a Black.
"Well, if you don't mind. I'm going to begin now, Black." She quipped.
"Of course. Proceed Professor." Sirius smiled.
McGonagall gave him one more side glance and then turned towards the board.
As Remus scribbled down her instructions he couldn't help but smile just a little. Perhaps he had friends…
Only time would tell.