By Gen X
It wasn't the first time Remus Lupin had given his friends the slip. Although, he had to admit, that it had been less complicated this time around. Despite being in their sixth year at school, his friends had only learned how to transform into animals at the middle of last year. James had succeeded in becoming a great white stag, while Peter was a scampering rat, and Sirius a bulky black dog. And Remus, through unfortunate circumstance, his semi-regular form as a warewolf. His need to change at the full moon, had inspired his friends to do likewise so they could keep him company in their animal forms.
Earlier this year, they ventured out of the Shrieking Shack for the very first time. Then, they traveled around Hogsmeade, and from there it was only a natural travel to the Hogwart's Wizardy school grounds. They traveled the grounds, the passageways, and just recently had started to explore the Forbidden Forest, which was the subject of tonight's exploits. However, Remus had different ideas on his mind.
James was always the hardest to shake. Remus didn't want to sneak away from anyone but the bloodlust that came with his transformation was far too overpowering. Already this year, James and Sirius had to stop him from downing a centaur. Tonight, unfortunately, seemed to be headed in that direction as well. James was the largest of the group and as a stag, fairly immobile when he wanted to be. Yet, Remus was fortunate. James had doubled back to help a lost Peter, leaving him with Sirius.
The moon hung low in the sky, a sign that nightfall would begin to brighten, but not just yet. The wolf glanced at his companion and cocked his head, indicating they should explore deeper into the forest. Sirius gave a bark of consent and turned to lead the way, which gave Remus the chance to flee.
Twigs snapped violently and brush bristled as Remus started to weave his way out of the woods. It took Sirius a few moments, first to hear the noise, then to turn. When awareness struck him in the next moment, he bounded after Sirius barking loudly to alert James and Peter. The woods seemed to have turned against him as he plowed his way through, trying to catch up with his friend.
By the time Sirius reached the edge of the forest, Remus had already left. Or already hid. Sirius's head swung back and forth. Centaurs stood at the edge of the woods, a lone cloaked figure was headed away from the castle, leaves swayed in the distance. Then, there was the distinct sound of twigs snapping, Sirius turned to watch the movement in the forest.
The dog spun, ready to confront his canine friend, but a pair of antlers lead the way instead. The stag emerged from the clearing, the rat trailing behind. James looked down at Sirius and pawed the ground in disappointment. Sirius growled back, it was hardly the time to be assigning blame.
Their plan, although not well crafted as they didn’t like to think that innocent jaunts could go wrong, was fairly simple. They would split up and the first to find Remus, would get to safety, transform back to human, and send up sparks. Upon seeing the signal, they'd all hurry to corner and subdue Remus. After which, they'd had back to the shack and undoubtedly laugh about it over it some butter beer.
But first they had to find him. James headed towards the centaurs to warn them and keep a watch for Remus, in case he tried a repeat of the last time. Sirius, as a dog, could wander close to Hogwart's without raising too much attention, and Peter would head into the forest in case Remus had doubled back. They all set off, unaware that Remus was watching them, waiting for them to leave.
Remus growled quietly as the last of his friends left. He looked at James disdainfully as he was already trotting to warn the centaurs. He'd been so close last time, if not for James and Sirius. Although the temptation was very strong, the painful memory of Prong's antlers in his hide was enough deterrent.
His eyes scanned the darkness watching for movement. It'd be some time before he could venture out from his hideaway without the others hearing. He crouched down in the darkness, his mouth already salivating.
Peter hated these moments. He crawled through the woods, struggling to slip beneath a felled tree. He wished he hadn't been content with changing into a rat. It did however have it's usefulness and he prided himself as being the only one who could stop the Whomping Willow unassisted.
Truth be told, he enjoyed the freedom the small form gave him as he was quite literally able to squeak by without being seen. However, the prospect of hunting down a warewolf, friend or not, was not an idea he enjoyed. When he transformed back, he'd be upset but wouldn't complain to his friends because he knew it was more out of trepidation rather than anger. But that was later, now his only focus was to avoid being stepped on, and to find Remus and hopefully not before Sirius or James.
James didn't dislike the centaurs. However, he wasn't incredibly fond of them either, this was partly due to the fact that they weren't terribly fond of him either. Especially Ronan, who had already raised hackles about the last attack was less than pleased when James gave them the news. Even Firenze who usually kept an open mind was quiet, although it wasn't surprising considering he'd been the target of Remus's claws last time. Hair rankled James trotted off, finding Remus was more important than trying to soothe the Centaurs attitudes.
He turned to go deeper into the forest but stopped, a sudden thought coming over him. It would be all too simple if Remus went for the centaurs again, however the predatory instinct couldn’t be underestimated. James had done his part to warn the beasts, but was torn on whether to stand sentry. Either way there was risk.
Deciding his course of action, he walked as silently as he could towards the edge of the forest. Remus was too smart and James realized, like the last time, that it wouldn’t be until the warewolf struck, that he or Sirius, could hope to intervene.
Sirius knew it was going to be a long night when the wind picked up. Furthermore, he knew it wasn't going to be an easy night when said wind blew back the hood of the cloaked form. Blakc supposed they were luck, of sorts, because it could have been one of their professor's. However part of him would have preferred the headmaster instead of Slytherin classmate, Servus Snape.
Catching glimpse of James, Black barked then indicated to his friend that he should follow. As soon as they emerged from the woods again, they saw the problem. Snape wasn't headed towards the school, but rather the forest. The listened for any sign of Remus, then transformed back to their human form so they could converse.
"What's he doing out here?" James asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Something he's not supposed to, most likely."
"Like us," James stated.
Sirius glared but didn't respond. "How do you want to deal with him? We should just let Remus eat him." Sirius shifted uncomfortably under James's disapproving glare. "Or not," he amended.
"If there were a way to scare him off..." James trailed off, suddenly wishing he hadn't left his wand or invisibility cloak at the shack. "If Peter were here, he could bite his ankles."
"Like last time?" They both grinned at the memory, but watched as Servus drew closer.
"Bet he's trying to get us in trouble."
"He's probably trying to suck up to Professor Reynold's in potions," Sirius countered.
"I think one of us needs to go out and talk to him."
"Thanks for volunteering James. I'll go try and find Remus." With a grin, Sirius transformed back, and bounded off leaving James Potter to deal with Snape.
It wasn't until the wolf's head slammed against a rock, splitting open the side of it, that Sirius realized he had lost control. it wasn't uncommon for Animagi (wizards who could turn into animals) to have their thoughts simplified, because naturally, the thoughts of animals are less complex than those of humans. It had happened to Sirius before, but always something small like being consumed in the exhiliration of a run or growling unconsciously. Never before had he been fighting for his life and had been consumed in such a battle. He was so focused upon domination he'd near forgotten that his goal was to stop, not to hurt, his friend.
The gash had a different effect on Remus, quite the opposite in fact. Although dazed, the warewolf got to his feet again. His rage was now surpassing his hurt in expontential amounts. He charged the dog again, sinking his teeth into the scruff of it's neck. Despite the satisfaction of eliciting a yelp of pain, Remus had no intention of letting go.
For the longest time, Remus Lupin, sat on his haunches and did nothing but stare at the sky. Beside him, Sirius Black would look up as well, but every so often the dog's head would turn to look at his friend. However, the gesture went unseen as Remus's attention was riveted to the sky and the pale full moon.
Sirius wasn't quite sure what to do. This was one of *those* moments, and it didn't seem right to shatter its delicacy with sound or forced levity. The moon hung very low in the sky indicating that they should start their trek back to the great willow before they were found out.
The four of them had been friends, sharing secrets and causing mischief, but they still knew the extent of privacy as well. Peter, James, and Sirius always would wait until Remus transformed, either from human or wolf to the other, before they greeted him. It was an unspoken understanding. Remus had his solace in those moments, a privacy he would lose if Sirius didn't urge him to move.
The dog pawed at the ground. Sirius whimpered and cocked his head, indicating they should go. Remus whimpered in response, his head shaking side to side—he was staying.
Sirius's expression dropped with a whine, and he stood to leave. Just before he could turn to go down the hill Remus turned and... glared at him? Sirius's eyes widened as he tried to figure out what he had done to garner his friend's hostility.
Remus shook his head again and barked once. His eyes darted from his friend to the ground. Unsure, Sirius sat down again and Remus yipped his approval. Sirius looked at Remus whose expression had changed in what could only be contentment. Once the wolf was sure Sirius was not going to leave—he turned his full attention to the sky once again.
to be continued