until the end || wolfstar || marauders

chapter eight

The next week went by in a blur for Remus. He didn't feel sad as much as just numb, like not a lot mattered and every day was the same, and very mundane. Of course he regretted what had happened, and he wished it hadn't, but it had affected him as much as he thought it would James, or Sirius.

He hadn't seen much of Sara, at least she had the courtesy to leave him alone, and look apologetic if they ever made eye contact. Remus didn't ever want to talk to her again.

And of course on the outside, to his friends, he acted just the same. They had a silent, mutual agreement not to mention anything that had happened that night, and not to mention anything that might trigger Remus into thinking about it. 

For the first time ever, Remus was almost looking forward to the moon. For a reset. For a chance to run around with Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs.

On the morning of the full moon, Remus ate breakfast with the others, went to classes all that morning, and heading down to the hospital wing at lunchtime, when he started to feel unwell. This struck Remus as peculiar, as he could usually go all day at school being fine, and needing to head down only once it started to get dark.

Madam Pomfrey was surprised to see him, but put him in his usual bed at the end of the ward without too much questioning. Remus sat and tried to relax, his nose in a book once more. 

After the last bell of the school day went, his friends ran in, laden with their school things still, clearly having just run all the way from their last lesson. Remus remembered he had not told them he was coming here early, but it was no surprise they had guessed. They knew the moon was tonight.

"Hey Remus, you alright, you don't usually come down until later?" James said, out of breath as he plonked down in a chair near Remus' bed.

"Yeah, fine just didn't feel great, did you-" Remus started.

"Yes we brought your homework. McGonagall said you didn't have to hand it in until next week." Sirius interrupted, knowing what Remus was going to ask. He fumbled in his bag for something, and took out a piece of parchment, handed it to Remus, who studied it before placing it on his bedside table.

"So," James said, lowering his voice, "We gonna leave the shack tonight or what?"

"You don't have to come down tonight if you don't want to, don't feel bad, I know you've got loads of homework, especially on top of all that quidditch you're doing," Remus looked at James and Sirius.

"We're coming whether you like it or not Remus, you always get much more hurt if we're not with you," Peter piped up.

"Peter's right, Rem," Sirius said, seeing the doubtful look on Remus' face.

Remus smiled and looked down, what did he do to deserve such amazing friends?

The boys all sat and chatted until twilight fell, and they were forced to leave by Madam Pomfrey. They didn't protest as they would've this time last year, and James winked and grinned as he left. Sirius mouthed 'see you in the shack,' and Remus had to restrain himself from giggling as the matron lit a lantern to walk down to the shrieking shack with Remus for the first time this school year. 

On the way down, Madam Pomfrey told him about this experimental potion being made in America that would help werewolves keep their minds when transforming. Remus was only half listening, as his heightened senses allowed him to hear the footsteps of the invisible boys behind him.

Once they were in the shack, Madam Pomfrey assured Remus that she'd be in as soon as the sun rose to collect him, as she locked the door. Remus heard her all the way down the stone passageway out of the whomping willow, and only when her footsteps were out of earshot to Remus did he turn around and say, "Ok, so we're not leaving the shack tonight, it's the first night back, the wolf won't be used to this yet."

The three boys emerged from under the cloak, and all grinned at him. They all nodded in agreement, and dispersed, Peter to the corner of the shack, Sirius to Remus' side, and James to sit on the torn up armchair.

Remus shoulder was starting to ache. He looked out the window, and could not yet see the moon. He had about 15 minutes.

Remus had started to pick at his lip. Sirius brought his hand up to Remus' and guided it down back to his side.

"Don't do that Re, you'll make it bleed," He said softly, not having let go of Remus hand yet. Remus felt his stomach turn over.

"Sorry I just- I'm just worried, is all," Remus mumbled, embarrassed.

"Rem, I know, it's alright, it'll be over soon,"

Sirius pulled Remus into a hug, and Remus felt his cheeks go bright red. Sirius didn't notice.

The boys tittered around for another 10 minutes or so, before Remus gasped at a splitting pain in his spine. The others sprang into action, and a stag appeared in place of James, Peter disappeared, having turned into such a small animal, and Sirius backed further away from Remus, torn between his own safety, and the need to shout words of comfort at the werewolf. The stag nudged Sirius gently, who shot Remus one last, 'it'll be ok Rem, we're here' before becoming a shaggy black dog.

Remus couldn't understand what they were saying, the pain was shooting into every part of his body, as he felt his spine elongate, his face lengthen as he transformed into a werewolf.

Remus woke the next morning, with no memories of the previous night, in immense pain. He felt like he'd die from the pain. He was gasping for air, his lungs felt too small. He wanted to sit up, and put his clothes back on, remembering that not only were his friends here, but Madam Pomfrey would be there in, based on the sky, about 30 minutes. 

Remus stayed sprawled on the floor until he could muster the strength to stand up. He looked around and saw the rat, the stag, and the dog all cuddled up, asleep, on the other side of the room. Remus got dressed quickly into his most comfortable knitted jumper, but must have made some noise, because the black dog opened it's eyes, wriggled away from the stag, and came over to Remus, who smiled, and nodded. It was safe for him to transform back.

Sirius was standing in place of the dog now, looking tired, but full of happiness at seeing an exhausted werewolf, struggling to keep his balance. Sirius never talked to him after moons, not until they were back in the hospital wing. Remus laid down in the bed, and started to fall asleep already. He felt Sirius weight sit at the foot of the bed and start rubbing his calf.

However they didn't have much time before Remus heard Madam Pomfrey coming back up the passage. He bolted up, which he immediately regretted as the pain shot through the back of his neck. He didn't have to say anything for the boys to all dart under the invisibility cloak.

Madam Pomfrey walked him back up to the castle, and settled him back into the same bed as yesterday. The other boys had left them at the door, undoubtedly to go and get a short sleep before they were expected in lessons in a few hours.

Remus was given a sleeping draught, which he drunk quickly, before falling into a much needed deep sleep.

(1279 words)

Author's note:

Hello, hope you are all well. I've had a real writers block writing this chapter, but here it is, I hope you all enjoy it. I actually finished this at this church event I've been forced to with my family, they were delighted, I'm sure, to see me, huddled in a corner with my laptop. Anyway, full moon tonight in the UK so I fancied writing a moon for the first time. Have a great week :)