Werewolves: A Study

Preparation

Newt placed a smoking mug in front of Remus. "Down the hatch." He said encouragingly. 

Remus stared skeptically at the mug. Blue smoke trails twisted and mingled on their way to the ceiling of the hut. "And this is?" Remus wasn't a picky individual, he couldn't be living on the street as he was, but this potion didn't exactly look friendly. 

"Derived from wolfsbane or aconite. You see a concentrated dose of it would be harmful to a lycanthrope, hence the name. But the potion is comprised of several different ingredients and their only effect is the suppression of the wolf's instincts." Seeing the confused expression on Remus's face he continued. "The instincts are what overrides the human part of your mind on the full moon. By restricting them it allows you to remain in control just like any other day."

Remus looked into the mug, it all sounds too good to be true. "Just this will do all of that?"

"Well... no, not exactly. You'll need one dose of it every day for a week leading up to the full moon. By taking it in seven separate doses it lessens the chance of the wolfsbane having an adverse effect on you. The balance needs to be just right. It is a rather tricky potion."

Remus's eyebrows knitted together as he thought about that. "And if the dosage of Wolfsbane is off?"

"It could be catastrophic. You see the aconite tuber is poisonous to most humans. At best side effects could range anywhere from vomiting to paralysis. But for a lycanthrope, the effects can combine to be simultaneously cardio and neuro-toxic meaning-"

"It could kill me," Remus said matter of factly. 

"Yes, but don't worry Tina likes to say I'm as good with potions as I am with creatures," Newt answered quickly trying to assure him. "Trust me, Remus."

Remus swirled the potion in the mug. 'It's not as if I would leave anything behind if I die, just an empty bench or spot on the street. Everyone I care about is gone.' He let out a small sigh as he thought about the friends he had lost. 'Harry.' The sudden thought hits him like a bolt of lightning. 'What about Harry?' Harry would fine without him he had been alright so far. There would be others who could tell Harry about James and Lily once he was old enough. 'It's not your place Remus. He is better off without you just like everyone else was.' "

I trust you. Even if I didn't what have I got to lose? One werewolf more or less won't make much of a difference either way." Remus said calmly.

Newt's expression is unreadable for a moment, he hated to see any living creature in pain, he shook his head.  "That's not true." He told Remus quickly. "It may seem like that to the individual but it's not the case when you look at the larger picture. The world is a tightly woven tapestry, Remus, if one thread comes loose the whole thing could unravel. Every person and every creature has a part to play and even if they don't realize it someone else relies on them." He nods to his door. "Right out there is proof that the smallest of creatures can make the biggest impact."

"And what about the dangerous creatures?" He asked crisply.

"Just because something is dangerous doesn't make it bad. You can use a wand to kill someone but you can use it just as easily to help heal someone. The bad doesn't outweigh the good."

"The good doesn't outweigh the bad either. One wrong move on a full moon and it won't matter what I do every other day of the month."

Newt thought about that for a moment. "You've seen my creatures, Remus, do you blame the bowtruckles for protecting their tree? The niffler for it's attraction to shiny objects?"

"No the bowtruckles are protecting their homes and it's in the niffler's nature to search for shiny things." 

"What about a dragon? Do you fault them for eating meat?"

"No, because that's... well it's what they do."

"Exactly. So why do you fault yourself for doing what is in your nature? From what Dumbledore has told me you take the proper precautions to ensure you don't harm anyone. That is all you can do, you can't fight what you are no more than I can." 

Remus raises an eyebrow at that. "And what are you?" 

"A wizard." Newt answered with a sly grin, "In medieval society witches and wizards were hunted and killed just for being what they were, magical beings. Thankfully that has gone out of fashion but the point is just because others said they were evil didn't make it true and just because they were hated didn't mean they would always be. Understand?"

Remus took a deep breath then nodded and lifted his cup. "To the future then." He said in a mock toast and sipped his drink. Immediately coughing and sputtering, he looks up at Newt with watering eyes feeling betrayed.  

"I've heard it's not the best tasting potion..." Newt admitted with an apologetic look. 

The sorrowful look on Newt's face caused Remus to laugh. It was obvious Newt felt guilty for it. "It's horrible."  He swirled rest of the liquid in the mug trying to figure out how he was going to finish it. "I'll just add some sugar." He decided stepping over to the table. 

"No!" Quick as a flash Newt grabbed his hand to stop Remus from picking up the sugar bowl. Feeling that he had overstepped a boundary Newt just as quickly released him. "I'm sorry.  The addition of sugar would break down the molecular structure of the potion and render it ineffective. " 

"Of course it would." Even something to help a werewolf has to be unpleasant. Remus forced a smile onto his face. "I better drink this quick then." He lifted the mug to his lips and after a moment's hesitation downed it. Remus made a face of disgust as he begrudgingly forced himself to swallow the potion. 

"It will be worth it," Newt assured him as he took the empty mug to wash it. 

Remus nodded in agreement. "That wasn't so  bad."

"Just six doses left." 

"Ugh." Remus's stomach gurgled in protest at the idea of six similar drinks.