Werewolf Blues

First Full Moon

Remus ate sparingly at lunch. Tonight was the first full moon. He was terrified that his friends would work out why he was absent, even though Dumbledore had assured him his secret was safe.

"You all right, Remus?" asked James.

"No. Not really. I'm starting to feel a bit under the weather. I'll go see Madam Pomfrey after class."

Sirius was concerned. "Are you sure? You look really pale."

Remus smiled wanly. "I'll be okay for a few more hours." Until the moon rises, he added. "I don't think it's too serious." The less time he was away, the better.

************

Remus stood in the headmaster's office, feeling nervous.

"Don't be frightened, Remus. Everything has been taken care of. Professor McGonagall will inform your classmates you can't have visitors. Everything will be safe at the Shack. Madam Pomfrey and I are the only ones who know the secret of the tree. The trap door is the only way in or out."

"But what about the villagers? They'll hear me."

"Already taken care of. The Shack is, after all, haunted. Do you have any other concerns?"

Remus fidgeted nervously. "I suppose not. Thank you, Professor."

Dumbledore smiled broadly. "You are quite welcome."

************

Wrapping her arm protectively around him, Madam Pomfrey led Remus to the Whomping Willow. "Everything will be just fine, dear. You'll be nice and safe. I'll be by after the moon sets with a Rejuvenating Potion and to treat any injuries."

Her presence made him feel calmer. "Do you have experience with werewolves?"

"Not yet, but don't you worry. After twenty years here, I've seen many amazing things. Treating you will be quite simple. You'll be back to class in no time."

Her kindness was overwhelming. And she had potions to help his recovery. "Thank you."

"That's all right, dear."

************

Through cracks in the walls, he could see the sky. The moon would rise soon; he could feel it. The windows were boarded up and there were no lamps, so he waited in the darkness. The shack was much larger than the shed where his parents had kept him. There were sparse furnishings, giving him something on which to expend his wolfish energy, but it was still a strange place. Listening to the wind blow through the cracks, he wondered what would happen if he got free. They had told him he couldn't escape, but the walls still looked flimsy.

************

Huddled in the darkness, he twitched, half-asleep and cold. He had not thought to ask for extra blankets. Madam Pomfrey should be returning soon, and he was glad. Hopefully, her potions would help him recover quickly. It had taken him days at home.

Looking at his arm, he could see the cuts where he assumed he had tried to break through the walls. When he was the wolf, he wanted to be outside and run free, but it was not possible. He was too dangerous. Hearing the scrape of the trap door, he looked up, eager to return to Hogwarts.

************

Two days after the full moon, Remus returned to the dormitory, still pale and weak, but he didn't dare wait longer. Madam Pomfrey had assured him that the staff would work to develop new elixirs to help him with his recovery.

That was more than he had ever anticipated. His parents had said there was nothing to be done. Perhaps it was only because they couldn't afford the treatment. He would forever be in Dumbledore's debt for affording him this opportunity at a normal life. He resolved to himself not to let his headmaster down for having faith in him.

************

James was the first to see him. "Remus, good to have you back. Feeling better?"

"Very much, thank you."

"Damn, if this is better, I'd hate to see worse. That would be why you couldn't have visitors, hmm?" asked Sirius.

No, you wouldn't want to see worse. "That's right. But don't worry, Madam Pomfrey has sorted me all out. I'll be good as new in no time."

"That's great. I've got notes for you to look at."

"Thanks, James. I really appreciate that."

"This illness isn't serious, is it?" asked Peter.

Remus shrugged. "Madam Pomfrey'll keep an eye on me."