The full moon hung high over the dark sky, bathing the landscape in an eerie, silvery glow. The night air was thick with tension, broken only by the ragged breathing of a creature caught between agony and instinct, as transfiguration took place.
Remus lupin was transforming into a giant beast and Sirius and James were nothing short of in awe. They seemed worried and shocked but they didn't look scared.
Remus gave out an another loud howl, as he looked at two boys in front of him. He tried his best to control himself but all vain, his desperate attempt to hold himself back was useless. The change had ripped through him, stretching bone, shifting muscle, forcing his human form and instincts into something monstrous.
James and Sirius stood frozen as they watched their friend disappear, replaced by a feral beast with gleaming yellow eyes and fur bristling under the moonlight.
Then came the snarl.
And then Remus lunged at them, his limbs jerking in violent spasms, his mind overtaken by primal hunger. His eyes, once full of warmth, intelligence and sadness, now gleamed with wild, uncontrollable fury and anger.
Sirius was the first to react.
"James, MOVE!"
Remus sprang forward, his claws slicing through the air just as the two boys threw themselves in opposite directions.
The Whomping Willow, disturbed by the sudden movement, lurched into action, its massive branches swinging wildly, cracking through the night like sharp whips.
Remus didn't care, he had lost it all, acting like a maniac, he didn't know what was happening to him or around him. And then a branch came tangling around his waist. He was caught in the willow. The branch took him high into the sky and then slammed hard against the base of the ancient tree.
"IMMOBULUS!" James shouted, his wand aimed at the Whomping willow in the distance.
The willow, which had been moaning and creaking in response to the werewolf's cries, fell into eerie silence. But the beast in front of them was far from still. He was wringling like a dying fish in the tree and then fell to then ground. He shooked his head violently, dazed from the impact, before turning his eyes on James and Sirius once more.
This time, he ran. Straight toward them.
"WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA!"
Sirius's voice rang out, and suddenly, the werewolf's feet lifted off the ground.
Remus went up into mid-air, snarling, twisting his body, his claws slashing wildly at nothing. He was suspended like a marionette, but his furious growls and flailing limbs made it clear that this spell wouldn't hold for long.
Suddenly, before they could do something, they heard some rustle nearby. Someone was coming. Both of them exchanged scared looks, and Sirius exclaimed, "this is bad!"
"Bloody hell," James muttered.
Remus, still suspended, let out another bone-chilling howl. Sirius let out a cry, "Pipe down mate!"
James, thinking fast, angrily flicked his wand at him. "Silencio!"
The werewolf's mouth opened, his chest heaved, but this time, no sound came out.
James grabbed Sirius by the arm. "You need to get him out of here. Go into that tree hole. I'll handle this."
Sirius frowned, reluctant to leave. "Are you sure?"
James smirked, despite the chaos. "A little."
Sirius hesitated for only a second longer, then gave James's shoulder a firm pat with a confident smile, before grabbing the levitating Remus and disappearing into the darkness of the tree.
The sound of his footsteps faded, leaving James alone.
As soon as they were gone, A figure stepped out of the shadows.
Peter Pettigrew.
His small, suspicious eyes darted around nervously before locking onto James. James gave out a sign of relief.
"James..." Peter started, licking his lips. "what was… that...?"
James twirled his wand in his fingers, his easy smirk not quite reaching his eyes.
"No idea what you're on about."
Peter hesitated, shifting on his feet. "I heard howling."
James's grip on his wand tightened.
Peter didn't know. Not really. But James could see the suspicion gnawing at him, could almost hear the gears turning in his head.
And if Peter told the wrong person… Remus's life was over.
James stepped forward, his voice light, but firm.
"Pettigrew, it was me, I was practicing with my wand you see… I was shouting, everytime I succeeded."
Peter's eyes flickered uncertainly. "But—"
"It was ME! Alright?!" James repeated, his hazel eyes dark and unreadable.
Peter's lips twitched. He gave a quick, nervous nod. "R-Right."
James exhaled slowly, stepping back.
"Good." Then he continued, "do you Wanna practice with me?" saying this, he pointed his wand to the ground and said something that gave out a little blast and then james gave out an excited howl to commemorate his successful performace.
Peter gave a shaky smile. "Good. Yeah. Okay. I think we should go now…"
James clapped him on the back, harder than necessary. "yeah, you are right, you go first, I will back in a while". Peter ran away.
James didn't move for a long moment, after Peter left. He gave out howls, at twice or thrice instances to cover up the situation.
Then, satisfied after a while, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the tree.
The Next Morning
Remus woke up in the hospital wing.
His body ached, his arms and chest covered in scratches and bruises. His head felt heavy, but the first thing he saw was James and Sirius sitting on the bed beside him, casually tossing a Snitch back and forth.
"Oh, look who's awake," Sirius said with a smirk. "Thought you'd never get up, Sleeping Beauty."
James grinned. "You gave us quite the workout last night."
Remus swallowed hard, his throat dry.
The memories came rushing back.
The pain. The change. The fear. The danger.
He had almost hurt them. His chest tightened with shame.
James must have seen the guilt in his face, because he tossed the Snitch aside and leaned forward.
"Listen to me, mate," he said quietly. "None of this was your fault."
Remus opened his mouth, but James held up a hand.
"No arguments. No nothing. It's not happening today."
Sirius nodded, crossing his arms. "Besides, if anything, last night proved that we need a better system. We can't keep hoping we'll outrun you every full moon."
James and Sirius exchanged a glance.
A knowing, mischievous glance.
Remus furrowed his brows. "What?"
James's lips curved into a slow, secretive smile. "Don't worry, Bruv."
Sirius grinned. "We've got a plan".
And just like that, Remus felt something shift.
For the first time since arriving at Hogwarts, he wasn't alone.
For the first time in his life, he wasn't just a monster.