23 June 1994
The odd group marched through the tunnel leading to the Whomping Willow. Ms Granger's orange cat led the way followed by Ron Weasley and Remus Lupin shackled together with Wormtail. Remus was keeping his wand on his former friend. Sirius was behind them using Snape's wand to levitate the unconscious Potions Master down the tunnel. Harry and Ms Granger brought up the rear.
Remus could hear Harry and Sirius talking about plans for the summer. It warmed Remus's heart to hear Harry's immediate acceptance of Sirius's offer to live with him. He could almost feel the joy in his old friend. A joy denied so long without even the dignity of a trial. Even now Remus could feel the guilt gnawing at him for turning his back on Padfoot without even talking to him first.
The group reached the end of the tunnel and Crookshanks scurried up the ladder and onto the school grounds. Not hearing the Willow moving around, Remus motioned for Mr Weasley to precede him, next was Wormtail, and then Remus himself.
Clearing the ladder Remus led his student and former friend a couple metres away to allow the others room to come up. It was as Remus was looking back towards the Willow that he felt it.
The moon.
It was up already. It was up and he had forgotten to take the wolfsbane potion in his panic over protecting Harry from Sirius. Oh merciful Merlin forgive him.
Remus felt his body lock as the change set in. He felt his consciousness being pushed back as the wolf, Moony, came to the fore. The pain started in waves as his body altered to accommodate the wolf.
Remus let out a horrible snarl as he heard his prey shout, "Leave it to me - RUN!"
The still human part of Remus was shocked to hear Harry confidently say, "No, Sirius. I won't leave Ron. I'll handle Remus. You take care of Pettigrew."
Through Moony's eyes, Remus could see Harry break past the stunned Sirius. But what happened next stunned even Remus and his wolf.
Harry quickly ripped off his school robes with practiced ease to reveal the baggy, worn muggle clothing underneath. Then he started to grow. The fur erupted from his skin as his head and body quickly morphed into the huge black werewolf Remus had been been hunting all year.
Harry bound forward and was on Remus instantly. Remus felt Moony break the manacle holding him to Peter just before Harry hit him. The smaller werewolf threw Remus into the air and away from the two manacled wizards.
The older werewolf landed on his feet and immediately charged forward to meet this upstart in his territory. The werewolf dove in going for the throat only to get redirected into a tree. It was dazed from the collision and attempted to shake its head clear.
The werewolf froze when it suddenly felt jaws close almost gently around its throat. Remus could feel the sharp teeth poised to rip his life out. More importantly, so did Moony.
Moony felt the power of the younger and stronger werewolf. Moony made a whimpering noise of submission to the stronger wolf. Remus felt the teeth release slightly and then Harry's wolf backed off slightly. Pack instincts were strong even in werewolves. Moony knew this strange wolf was his alpha now.
Moony suddenly spotted the prey creatures moving quickly away. He moved to rise to chase them only to receive a strong cuff to the head that knocked him right back down. Moony looked up at his new alpha in shock. The midnight black furred werewolf merely raised a powerful hand with wicked looking nails that looked like black daggers. Then it raised one digit and merely wiggled it from side to side while shaking his head. Remus and Moony both got the message.
"Bad doggie."