Sanctuary

Chapter 10

Monday, 6th September 1971

For the first time he could remember, Remus woke up on the morning after the full moon on his back in bed, instead of on his stomach on the hard floor, and he didn't feel too bad either. He opened his eyes to confirm what he suspected. Yes, Madam Pomfrey had brought him back to the little room in the hospital wing while he was unconscious. He wasn't too concerned about it. She knew not to touch his skin.

Remus heard footsteps approaching, his hearing still over-sensitive so soon after the moon, and he hauled himself to a sitting position and looked towards the door.

'Ah, good. You're awake,' Madam Pomfrey said as she walked in. 'How do you feel?'

'Tired, but not too bad, a bit sore. Were there any injuries?' Remus asked, his voice croaky from the screaming.

'Nothing big. You tore your fingernails, and there were scratches around the trapdoor this morning. I think the wolf tried to get out.'

'Probably smelled you,' Remus said.

'Yes, that's what I thought. I won't come through the trapdoor in future. There were no other injuries, though. Is that normal?'

'Not at all. I'm usually all torn up.'

Madam Pomfrey frowned. 'I wonder why it was different. If we can figure it out, then we might be able to stop you from being hurt every month.'

Remus thought he knew the answer. The wolf liked the bigger space, but saying so would lead to questions about his accommodations at home, and he didn't want to make his parents look bad.

'I don't know,' he said instead.

'Not to worry. Are you hungry?'

'Starving, but my throat is on fire.'

'Yes, you said that happened. I've been researching, and I've found something to help with the malnutrition. And it should be easy to swallow, even with a sore throat.'

She hurried out of the room and returned a minute later with a full glass of frothy brown liquid and a straw.

'I spoke with Breen, and he told me you're fond of chocolate, is that right?'

Remus grinned and nodded.

'This is a nutrition potion. It has everything in it that your body needs, and it tastes like a chocolate milkshake. I made it nice and cold to soothe your throat.'

Remus licked his lips and leaned forward to take the glass. He glanced at Madam Pomfrey before clasping his lips around the end of the straw and sucking the thick liquid into his mouth. The rich, creamy flavour burst on his tongue, and he swallowed, allowing the icy drink to coat his raw throat with relief. Not only did it taste divine, but it eased the pain as it went down. Madam Pomfrey earned his undying gratitude at that moment.

He grinned up at her. 'It's wonderful. Thank you.'

Madam Pomfrey's face broke out into a beautiful smile. 'I'm so pleased. I want you to drink a full glass with breakfast every morning until I say otherwise. We need to build your strength up. I've given Breen the recipe.'

'I will, I promise.'

'Good. Now, finish that off and then get some more sleep.'

'Yes. Ma'am,' Remus said, giving her a salute.

'Cheeky boy,' she said, smiling.

-o-o-o-o-

Sirius' mouth felt dry as a desert as he approached the Transfiguration classroom, and his heart was trying to escape his chest. On his right, James chewed at his lip, and on his left, Peter was breathing heavily. His friends seemed just as nervous as him.