Uncontrolled (Remus Lupin x oc)

9. Sing Me a Lullaby

Carefully, Willow carried a large goblet from her office up to Remus'. The door was open and he was sitting inside grading some essays. "Here you are," she said, setting down the goblet in front of him and shutting the door behind her so they couldn't be overheard. "That's the last one until next full moon. How do you feel?"

"Tired," he replied, beginning to drink it. Once he had finished, he handed back the goblet.

Sitting down, she asked, "Where will you be undergoing the transformation?"

"Right here," he replied. "There's no need to go anywhere else."

Hesitantly, Willow admitted, "Dumbledore asked me to stay with you when you transform. He thought it might help you."

"Willow, I couldn't ask that of you," he countered.

"Remus, I would be happy to do it," she insisted. "Let someone help you."

With a sigh, he said, "I have only allowed people to stay with me when they were animagi who could get away in times of danger."

"Who says I'm not one?" she countered with a raised eyebrow. "And besides, you'll have your head. Remus, please let me help you. It was Dumbledore's request."

At that, he finally gave in. "Only for Dumbledore," Remus stated firmly. She nodded, getting up to leave. Opening the door, she found herself instantly face-to-face with Severus. He had a very severe expression on his face and was glaring at Remus.

"I need to speak to you, Ollivander," he stated coldly. Frowning, she followed after him.

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Rounding on her, he shouted, "Have you lost your wits?" Willow rolled her eyes, shutting the door to his office and casting a privacy spell.

"No, I have not, Severus," she replied. "Dumbledore asked me to help him. That is what I'm doing."

"By endangering yourself!" Severus shouted back.

"What do you care?" Willow retorted. "I thought you didn't care about anyone."

"You are my student, Willow, it is my job to look out for you," he countered.

"It was your job. I was your student," she snapped back coldly. "I am your coworker and an adult. I can make up my own mind. I have worked with werewolves before. This isn't new to me."

"He is dangerous," Severus snarled.

"How is he any more dangerous than any other?" Willow snapped, her patience wearing thin.

"He tried to kill me!" Severus shouted. Willow's eyes narrowed.

"What?" she replied quietly, her voice and face expressionless.

"He schemed with his friends to kill me," Severus stated. Willow blinked. Without another word, she left the room, heading up the stairs deep in thought.

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That night, around seven-thirty, Willow knocked gently on Remus' door. "Who is it?" he called gruffly.

"It's Willow," she replied softly. He quickly opened the door to let her in. Willow shut it behind her and locked the door.

"You shouldn't be here," he said, pacing back and forth and glancing at the window every few seconds.

"Good try," she said dryly, beginning to move around the room to cast noise-cancelling spells so that no sounds would leave the room. The moment she had finished, he fell to the ground, letting out a groan of pain. Willow rushed forward, crouching on the ground next to him. Recalling her experiences helping other werewolves, she stayed by his side until the painful transformation was complete.

Under the influence of the Wolfsbane Potion, Remus was completely docile and looked almost exactly like a real wolf aside from his eyes. He curled up in a ball out of sight under his desk. Willow sat down next to him and began to sing softly. Through the years, she had helped three or four werewolves through their transformations and each had said her singing calmed them down greatly so she kept going. Remus let out a kind of whine, poking his head out and laying it next to her. Still singing, she pet his head, scratching behind his ears.

His eyes closed and his breathing evened out as she sang softly, running her hand through his soft fur. Her voice was clear and smooth like a pool of water and soon Remus, despite wanting to stay conscious, fell fast asleep. Willow smiled as she noticed him asleep. She kept going for a few minutes before stopping. She leaned back against the desk, smiling down at the sleeping wolf. Willow pulled out a notebook from her bag and began to write and scribble out and edit by the light of the full moon.

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When Remus woke the next morning, he found that he was terribly uncomfortable. He opened his eyes, seeing that he was almost completely under his desk with his head poking out. Willow was asleep with her back against the desk and her legs crossed in front of her, her notebook and muggle pen on her lap. He moved out of the small space, careful to be quiet and not wake Willow. He groggily sat down and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was eleven in the morning.

Knowing she probably had a mountain of work to do, Remus gently shook Willow awake as he said in a lower voice than normal, "Willow. Wake up." She groaned, wincing from the bright light.

Rubbing her eyes, she asked, "What time is it?"

"Eleven," he replied. "Do you have anywhere you need to be?"

"Bed," she said, causing Remus to chuckle. Remembering herself, she asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Sore, but better than usual," he replied, causing Willow to smile. "I've never been able to fall asleep before."

"Well, that's my specialty," Willow replied with a warm smile as she closed her notebook and got to her feet. Her makeup was smeared and she knew she looked like a dishevelled mess, but she was glad she had at least was able to help him. "Can I use your sink?" He nodded, getting to his feet painfully. Willow instantly rushed toward him, holding him up by his elbows and helping him over to the hidden entrance. She helped him into bed before slipping into his bathroom. Wetting a paper towel, she cleaned off the smudges so she looked presentable enough to get back to her own room.

Throwing away the soiled towel, she went back to Remus who looked like he was about to drift off. Softly, she asked, "Do you need anything before I go?" He shook his head sleepily and she got up to leave.

Before she reached the door, he said, "Thank you."

Turning back to face him, she smiled and replied, "You're welcome. Get some rest, Remus." The only reply was his soft, even breathing. Shutting the door behind her, she grabbed her things and headed to her office.