Shooting Stars

Demons in my Head

~~another time, another place~~

"Ammi? Ammi, are you okay?"
"Please, love. Please wake up."
"Thee? Thea? I understand you don't want to deal with these three but..."
"These three? I am her boyfriend. Why wouldn't she want to deal with me?"
"James, you are the whole problem!"
"Says miss know it all over here! how do you know she doesn't want to deal with you?"
"Because I am her best friend maybe?"
"Well it's not like you were there when she was bitten!"
"It's not like you were either, Jamesie."
"Guys! She's waking up! SHUT UP!!" Bitten? I tried to lift my head, but the nausea knocked me down.
"Hey, Ammi, it's okay. Just calm down. Go slowly." I looked up and saw grey eyes mirroring my own.
"Siri?"
"I'm here." A hand wrapped in mine and helped me up to a sitting position. I looked around the room, seeing Remus, Sirius, May and James standing around me. James looked horrible, like his world was falling apart in front of him. May looked scared, as if Voldemort himself was hiding in her wardrobe. Sirius looked worried, like his puppy was injured. Remus looked, well, apologetic. Like someone was hurt and it was his fault. Like he thought he was a monster. I reached out, taking his hand.
"What happened, Remus?" I asked, looking at him and only him, unable to see anyone else without their pain filling me. It's not that Remus and I weren't close, it's just that we are friends. No more. Not like Sirius, my twin, or May, my unofficial sister, or James, my...well,  my boyfriend, love of my life, original owner of the ring on my finger. The ring! I quickly looked down,checking the ring still lay on my finger where I left it. Phew. That was too close for my liking.
"I'm sorry, Amalthea. I was...violent last night. May and Sirius did a good job of holding me back, but I got out. Recognised your scent and went after you. I'm sorry." Memories flooded through me, filling my empty brain with a storyline. Of the entrance to a game I knew nothing of.
"That wolf, that was you?" Remus nodded, the only confirmation I needed. "Is there any chance that..." I trailed off, trying not to sound hateful of the curse that Remus had placed upon me.
"I'm sorry, Amalthea." Suddenly the hospital doors opened, letting in the sight of our headmaster.
"Miss Black, I trust that you are aware of your new...condition?" Professor Dumbledore looked at me over his half moon specs, bright blue eyes twinkling.
"Yes sir."
"I trust Mr Lupin has explained his accident to you."
"I have, sir." Remus answered, grimacing. The headmaster nodded before departing, barely leaving a trace of his visit.
"So...does this mean I get cool wolf sense?" I tried to make a joke but inside I was in pain. James and Sirius and May would insist upon...protecting me with their animagus forms, and I would end up hurting them. What if I bit one of them? I was horrified at this thing, this monster I had become. I couldn't bear to attack them once a month, nor could I bear making them watch as I clawed at my own skin. It was unfair. I would do anything to escape this feeling, this curse looming over me. It was like a constant dark cloud, holding me back from everything. It was life and death, changed into an intricate being, a demon that would consume me. It was every bad thing, unearthed and a million times worse. It was like going face to face with Death himself, and watching him laugh, a lifeless sound, as he wrapped his ice cold fingers around me, taking my life before it was his.

~~the morning of the next full moon~~

Nothing could prepare me for this moment. I woke up this morning feeling horrible, like my body was going to cave in and explode at the same time. May was at my side almost immediately.
"Hey, it's alright. Calm down. I'll get Sirius and James, alright?" I nodded feebly. Then James and Sirius were there and they helped me to go to their dorm and James lay me down in his bed and pulled up the covers. Sirius sat on the ground next to my head and James sat at my waist, stroking my hand. May brushed my hair and told me not to worry about class. I fell asleep surrounded the people I loved most in the world, preparing myself for a night that I would surely never forget the feeling of, although I wouldn't remember the climax. I woke up in the middle of the day, capable of only thinking.
A demon is taking over my head tonight.
I could hurt the people I love.
I won't be able to stop myself.
Will they be able to hold two werewolves?
What if I hurt them?
What if I kill them?
A demon is taking over my head tonight.

The transformation shook over my body as the Shrieking Shack came into a view hazed by red. My eyes sharpened and my back arched, a scream escaping my lips as a pained howl. My knees buckled and I fell forward, losing my balance. My feet curved into unnatural angles and my face became distorted wth the features of a wolf, the last piece of my humanity fading with my last thought.

A demon is taking over my head tonight.

Then it all went black...

**MAY'S POV**

As Amalthea became the thing she dreaded most, I rushed out with a hurried claw. I didn't want to hurt her. She was my best friend. I had no choice. She lunged for Sirius, as James pushed her back against the wall. Sirius knocked Remus over, and I joined him, holding Rem to the ground. He swiped at me and I ducked, sinking my tiny teeth into his shoulder, drawing blood enough to distract him, but not to anger him. I glanced across my shoulder, watching Thea fight James.
Thea? I don't know if you can hear me right now. This psychic link worked when we were both in animagus form, but I don't know if it still will. I guess these circumstances are a little different, huh? Just, I hope you're okay. I know you're scared now, and I'm scared for you. You aren't a monster; not even close. You are the bravest, funniest, smartest girl I know, and I know that you can fight this. Fight the demon in your head and win. You'll be fine. We're here for you.
I waited for a reply, not expecting one. Then there was a soft, pained voice in my head, speaking quietly but filled with sadness and fear.

I'm so sorry, May...

A/N
so.... That was Amalthea's first transformation! Thanks again to the readers! Xxx