11

Marauding by Moonlight

The few days after Halloween were mostly uneventful. Harry was subdued for those few days, preferring to listen than talk and was often caught brooding. Sirius was watching him carefully—just as Harry was watching Sirius, when he wasn't caught up in his own depression. But it was Tonks who all but dragged him out of the common room on Tuesday evening, two days after Halloween.

She dragged him all the way to the Room of Requirement, then she sat him down in one of the armchairs the room provided and stood in front of him with her arms crossed.

"All right, spill."

"Spill what?" Harry tried to play it off, not wanting Tonks of all people to see him in a weak moment.

Tonks snorted. "I'm not blind; depressing vibes are coming off you in waves. What's going on?"

"You can't guess?" Harry retorted, unwilling to talk.

"Fine. I'll 'guess.' You're brooding on the dementor. It's over, gone, done. Move on already."

"I wish I could." Harry's voice was unexpectedly quiet. He wrapped his arms around himself and wished, for once, that Tonks would just leave him alone.

Tonks sighed and sank down next to him on the armchair that suddenly became a sofa. "Look, I know it's hard on you, being with them every day. But you can't dwell on it, or it will only make it harder."

"Then tell all the memories to go away," Harry grumbled. "I'd love not to dwell on it."

Tonks sighed again, but then she pulled him into a hug. "You may not have proper parents, kid, but you do have a family," she said softly.

Harry stiffened at first in surprise, then he leaned into her. She was right. In just a few months, Tonks had gone from the fun-loving, clumsy stranger who'd tagged along with his rescue party before fifth year to his sister in all but blood, the one person who perhaps knew him better than anyone.

After a moment, Harry pulled away, discreetly drying the few tears that had slipped out. "Thanks, Tonks," he said sincerely.

Tonks smiled and ruffled his hair. "Anything for you, little brother."

The common room was nearly deserted by the time they got back. Despite all the teasing, Harry's mood hadn't really lifted at all. He put on a brave face, though, because he didn't want the others to worry. He waved to Tonks as she headed upstairs, then turned to go upstairs to his own dorm. Before he got more than a few steps, though, Lily was suddenly standing in front of him.

"Harry? Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Um…sure," Harry agreed uncertainly. "But if you're going to scold me for the prank, it won't make a difference."

"No, I'm not going to scold you," Lily said with a slight laugh. "Actually—and don't you dare tell the others this," she said sternly. "But actually, I thought it was pretty impressive."

Harry smirked. "Thanks."

"But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Then what is it?" Harry asked. He had the sinking feeling she was also going to bring up the same thing that Tonks had.

"Well, I just couldn't help but notice that…you've seemed pretty down the last few days."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, feigning ignorance.

"I mean, you get this faraway look in your eyes, like you're remembering something you'd rather not. And I just wondered…why that was."

Harry involuntarily averted his eyes "People always ask the difficult questions," he said with a self-depreciating laugh. It was the best he could do. Lily looked about to withdraw, but Harry knew she would just go and interrogate Tonks. And her acting skills probably weren't up to par in order to be convincing enough.

Harry sighed. "Look, you'll probably just ply Joselyn with questions if I don't answer, and she won't take kindly to that. But honestly, I don't really want to talk about it right now. And I don't want you bothering my sister, either." His voice came out unintentionally harsh, but Harry didn't bother to take it back.

"I won't. I just want you to know that, whatever it is…well, I'm here for you if you need me."

Harry's throat suddenly got tight. "Tha—Thanks, Lily." His voice cracked.

"Harry—" Her voice was soft, gentle. Harry shut his eyes, then suddenly found himself being pulled into a warm hug. It was a kind of hug he'd never experienced before, even from Mrs. Weasley—a mother's embrace. Instinctively Harry hugged her back. But then memories came flooding in, the too-brief memories that were the only ones he had of his mum, all of them overshadowed by the worst of them all: the night she sacrificed herself for him.

Abruptly Harry pulled away. "Sorry," he said shortly, hoarsely, then he walked away quickly. It was after curfew by now, but there was no place else he could think of to go but out.

It wasn't long before Harry's legs gave out and he crumpled into a heap against a wall on the sixth floor, a corridor away from the staircase.

Get a hold of yourself, Potter, he scolded himself, stubbornly blinking back tears. They're not dead yet. And she's not your mum yet. But it wasn't working. Hot tears stung his eyes, threatening to spill over. The gaping hole was back, making his chest ache fiercely.

"…Harry?"

Harry looked up in surprise. Remus stood in front of him, looking down curiously. The dim light from a nearby window glinted off his prefect badge. Harry hadn't realized it was his night to patrol.

"Hey, Remus," he quipped, but his voice cracked.

Remus gave him a quizzical look. "You know it's after curfew, right? What are you doing here?"

Harry got to his feet, discreetly trying to wipe away the tears that had spilled over. "Thought it was a nice night for a stroll, seeing as it's nearly the full moon."

Remus visibly tensed, then he fixed Harry with a piercing look. "You've been crying again."

"No, I wasn't," Harry denied, though he knew it was of no use.

"Then you must be allergic to something, because there's no other reason for your eyes to be red like that," Remus said pointedly. Harry sighed and looked away, wrapping his arms around his chest. "I know it's really none of my business, but…you know you can talk to me about anything."

"Thanks," Harry murmured. Then he smiled faintly. "The same goes for you, Moony," he said, deliberately using Remus's nickname. Remus paled slightly, then cleared his throat ostentatiously.

"I won't give you detention, since I suppose extenuating circumstances must be taken into account. But I will escort you back to your dorm," he said, suddenly businesslike. Harry tried not to chuckle as he was suddenly reminded of Remus's older, professor self. Then he had to swallow hard as he realized that was just one more person he'd lost, even if he, at least, still lived back in Harry's own timeline.

Tuesday and Wednesday passed uneventfully. However, Harry finally made up his mind to confront Remus about being a werewolf before the full moon that month, which was that Friday. In leading up to it, Harry deliberately left out more and more obvious clues that he was catching on, especially as Remus's symptoms grew more pronounced.

On Wednesday he began a lunar chart, and below it he started listing Remus's symptoms, cross-referencing them with information from various textbooks and pamphlets he'd found in the library. He left it out, partially concealed, Wednesday evening. Then on Thursday he left it out in full view of everyone while he went upstairs to the dorm to retrieve his Defense text.

When Harry got back, he saw Sirius and Peter huddled around the papers Harry had left out. When he approached, they suddenly and guiltily scooted away. Sirius kept giving Harry evaluating looks after that, as though trying to ascertain what he knew and how he felt about it. Harry ignored him in favor of his Defense essay. The topic? Dementors. It seemed since the incident the previous Friday, Professor Dean had skipped ahead in the curriculum to cover them while the experience was still mostly fresh in everyone's minds.

As Harry worked, he couldn't help an involuntary shudder every now and then as memories flashed through his mind. And once or twice, he mentally corrected the textbooks. Instead of just "they make you relive your worst memory," Harry revised it to "dementors take your every painful memory—including nightmares—and turn them a hundred times worse."

Only about halfway through the essay, Harry found he just couldn't continue. He set his quill down and closed his textbook. He was just about to head up to bed when an arm was slung around his shoulders, ever so casually.

"Forget homework; fancy a game of Exploding Snap?" Sirius asked with a grin.

"Er…"

"That's a yes. Wormtail, you have the cards?"

"Always," Peter replied, grinning. He pulled a deck of cards from the school bag by his feet and started to shuffle.

"Shouldn't you finish your essays first?" Remus suggested, but James, Peter, Sirius, and even Harry were already forming a circle for the game. Remus sighed, but joined in.

An hour later, with singed eyebrows, stinging fingertips, and huge grins, the five boys headed upstairs to bed.

The next day, the day of the full moon, started out rough. Harry had had a nightmare—a now-familiar one of running through a graveyard with all of his friends' names on tombstones—and as a result had not gotten enough sleep. Sirius had rudely woken James and Peter, which made the both of them irritable. And Remus wasn't even up yet. In fact, they'd seen no activity from his bed at all.

"Shouldn't somebody wake Remus?" Harry asked, pretending not to know why they were letting him stay in bed.

The others exchanged a look, then James shrugged. "If he's still asleep by now, we usually let him sleep."

"Are you sure?" Harry asked, because the only times Remus had ever stayed in bed past six-thirty were on the full moons and, sometimes, a day or two after. He knew what they were trying to do, but he also knew Remus.

"He's a little hellbeast when woken. Much like someone else we know," Sirius quipped, grinning at Harry.

"He'll be furious if we let him sleep through classes, though," Harry said worriedly. He knew Remus would be upset at missing classes, no matter how awful he felt—it was just who he was.

James shrugged. "It's your funeral, mate. But we'll save you both a spot at breakfast—assuming you're both still alive to take advantage of it."

"I'm sure we'll manage just fine," Harry said dryly. James shrugged, then motioned to Sirius and Peter and led the way out.

Once the door closed, Harry turned to Remus, contemplating the best way to wake him. By the looks of it, this was going to be a rough moon; usually Remus woke up just a little after the rest of them, the noise not allowing him to sleep any later. But to still be fast asleep an hour later, with no sign of movement, meant he must have been absolutely exhausted.

Finally, Harry pushed Remus's hangings aside, letting the weak sunlight fall across his sleeping form. "Time to get up, Remus," Harry called softly. There was no response, so Harry gently shook his shoulder. This time his answer was a low groan and possibly a curse word. "Come on, or you'll miss class."

Remus groaned again, then he pushed his covers back and slowly pushed himself up. His face went from white to green just in time for Harry to Summon a basin. Remus retched violently for a good minute or so. Harry wrinkled his nose but put a hand on Remus's back, rubbing gently, until he was done. The green faded back to a sickly white and Remus wrapped his arms around his stomach, breathing heavily still.

"You okay?" Harry asked in concern.

Remus groaned in answer. His body was trembling and he looked absolutely miserable. Harry gently squeezed his shoulder with one hand, and Vanished the basin of sick with his wand in his other hand. Remus leaned slightly into him, half-lidded eyes glassy with fever.

"If you can stand, I'd suggest a shower. The hot water will help," Harry suggested, keeping his voice down. "But if it's too much, you can stay in bed."

Remus slowly shook his head, then started to stand. Each movement was slow, measured, as though the slightest movement was painful. Harry didn't doubt it was. Harry watched in concern as Remus carefully made his way to the bathroom, pausing at every bedpost.

"Are you sure you'll be okay on your own?" Harry asked.

"Fine," Remus mumbled unconvincingly.

Harry frowned, but decided to give the other boy his space. "I'll stay here in case you need something then."

Remus gave a faint nod and took the last few steps into the bathroom. A few minutes later, the sound of running water filled the room. Harry pulled out his book on Occlumency and started brushing up on the next steps after organizing memories, all the while keeping an ear out for Remus.

Approximately twenty minutes later, the sound of running water cut off abruptly. A moment later, Remus emerged with just a towel around his waist. His skin was flushed from the heat of the water, but at least he walked with more confidence to his trunk to get out a set of clean clothes. Harry looked up as Remus emerged from the bathroom, then he barely stifled a horrified gasp.

A latticework of scars marred nearly every inch of Remus's body, some small and faint and others ugly and obvious. Some were still tinged red as well, like they hadn't fully healed yet. Harry had known there were scars—he'd seen the ones on Remus's arms and legs and fainter ones on his face. But he'd never seen the ones on Remus's back and stomach, and it made him sick—there were so many, and they were all self-inflicted.

Suddenly Harry realized he was staring and abruptly averted his gaze, not wanting to make Remus uncomfortable. He buried his nose in his book, the ache in his chest turning to a burning determination to keep Remus from hurting himself ever again.

Some minutes later, Remus was dressed and ready to go. He was still worryingly pale, and his movements were careful. But at least he was steady on his feet. Of course, that didn't stop Harry from walking close by, just in case, on the way down to the Great Hall. Remus kept his head down, though, almost as though he were ashamed of his weakness. So Harry made sure to lightly bump his shoulder and smile encouragingly a few times on the way.

By the time they got to the Great Hall, there was barely time for Harry to gulp down some toast and eggs before class. Remus skipped eating entirely, his face tinging green as he sat down.

Their first class was Transfiguration. Remus was half-asleep, doodling idly with his quill and growing paler by the hour. Harry wasn't the only one casting him concerned looks. But at least he wasn't bothering Remus by suggesting he go to the hospital wing, like James was, or pretending everything was fine and dandy and being his usual obnoxious self, like Sirius was. In fact, more than once Remus looked close to hexing Sirius because he wouldn't calm down and shut up.

Remus ate very little at lunchtime, and that only because the others insisted. But once they pushed a little too hard, trying to force him to drink a glass of pumpkin juice. Remus's eyes flashed amber and he snapped at them—truly snapped at them, not just an irritated complaint—for the first time Harry could remember. Sirius and James instantly backed down.

After lunch, Remus got worse. Harry had to poke him awake in Ancient Runes, and there were deep bags under his eyes. He also started limping, favoring his left leg, and he seemed to wince at the slightest movement or any sound above a subdued whisper.

Seeing how bad he obviously felt, Harry almost reconsidered his plan to confront him. But then Harry remembered the scars he'd seen that morning and remembered why he wanted to confront him. So, during his free period before dinner, Harry tracked Remus to the library, where he was struggling to complete his homework. His face was pale as ever, and his hands weren't quite steady.

"Hey, Remus," Harry greeted softly, sitting at the table beside the other boy.

"Hey," Remus answered tiredly, trying to smile. It looked the effort itself taxed his strength.

"How are you doing?"

Remus shrugged. "I've been worse."

"You look like you've definitely been better," Harry quipped. His answer was a faint smile.

"Was there something you wanted?"

Harry hesitated. Remus really did look terrible, and Harry hated to stress him out more. But he also didn't want to wait any longer. "I wanted to ask you something, if that's okay."

Remus visibly tensed, but he nodded.

"You know how the others call you Moony? Is it okay if I call you that, too?"

"Er…"

"I mean, if not, that's okay. But you don't mind when the others use it. Is there some special meaning behind it?"

Remus bit his lip. "Well…you could say that," he hedged. "But it's nothing big," he added quickly. "Just stupid secrets from third year is all."

Harry quirked an eyebrow. "Do these 'secrets' have anything to do with you disappearing once a month, then coming back looking like you were trampled by a hippogriff?"

"Not at all," Remus denied quickly, his face paling.

Harry raised his other eyebrow. "You know, you're really bad at lying."

"I—" Remus tried to deny again, but on seeing Harry's incredulous expression he caved. "You're right," he admitted quietly.

"So, I know you didn't have the flu last month. Or a cold. Or whatever it was supposed to be. And you didn't just 'catch a bug' the month before that. And 'I fell' is the worst excuse out there for all those cuts and bruises. Believe me, I've tried," Harry added wryly.

What little color Remus had left drained from his cheeks. His eyes flickered left and right, as though looking for an escape.

Harry sighed. "You know, I thought friends weren't supposed to lie to one another." Harry put his hand on Remus's arm, as reassurance that there were no hard feelings. He also cringed inside as he spoke, knowing he was doing the exact same thing that Remus was. He tried to claim that he had his reasons, but Remus could claim the same reasons—I'm protecting you.

Remus looked away. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"You know, you've told me a few times that I can talk to you about anything. The same is true for you, Moony. Tell me. I swear I won't tell. And I swear to Merlin I won't hate you."

"I—it's nothing," Remus stammered. "Just—just a friendly duel—"

"With a wolf?" Harry cut Remus off. He tried to sound arbitrary, though, like the fact that he'd chosen a wolf was pure coincidence and he could have chosen any other animal to make his point. But Remus still inhaled sharply, his eyes going wide.

"I—I—"

Harry squeezed Remus's wrist in what he hoped was a reassuring gesture. "I've always liked astronomy and stargazing. So I can't help but notice the moon." Harry smiled faintly. "Even if you weren't so bad at lying, I would have been suspicious by now. I mean, really. Last month before you disappeared, you and the others claimed you'd had a cold. When you came back two days later, you said it was the flu." Harry smiled gently. "Once is coincidence. Twice is suspicious. Three times…three times it's a pattern."

Remus bowed his head and looked away, pulling his wrist back. "I'll let Professor McGonagall know to change my room, then. The others will understand."

Harry was puzzled. "Why would you need to change rooms?"

Remus looked up. Harry pretended not to notice the moisture in his eyes. "Don't you not want to share a room with a—with someone like me?"

Harry grinned. "Why wouldn't I want to share a room with someone like you? You're smart, kind, thoughtful, infinitely patient, and one of the greatest friends a bloke could ask for. What difference does it make that you grow fur one night a month?"

"But...I'm dangerous."

Harry's mouth quirked. "So's my sister. Merlin help you if you piss her off at that time of month. And that lasts a whole week!"

Despite himself, Remus smiled a little. Harry smiled back. "I don't mind, truly. You're a good person, Remus. Who you are is far more important than what you are."

"Truly?" Remus's eyes shimmered hopefully. "You don't care that I—that once a month I—"

"It's not a dirty word, Remus. You can say it." Harry squeezed his shoulder gently.

"You…you don't care that I'm a—a—a werewolf?" He whispered the last word.

"Not a bit," Harry replied firmly. "Is that so hard to believe?"

Remus shrugged and looked down at his trembling hands, his fringe falling to cover his face.

"Well," Harry began matter-of-factly, "that went much better than expected. Now that it's out of the way, do you feel up to helping me with these Arithmancy sums?"

"What?"

"Can you help me with Arithmancy? Only if you're up for it, though—I don't want you to strain yourself."

"O-okay." Remus nodded uncertainly. He swiped his sleeve over his eyes, then held his hand out for Harry's worksheet.

After Remus walked Harry through the first two problems, he was good to continue on his own, and Remus turned back to his own assignments. He still looked exhausted, but it also seemed as though a load had been lifted from his shoulders.

For a little while, the two worked in companionable silence. Finally, they were interrupted by Harry's growling stomach. He smiled sheepishly when Remus looked at him in surprise.

"Guess it's time to go," he said with a smile. Remus nodded, and they packed away their supplies. Harry then got to his feet and made to go. But Remus didn't follow.

Confused, Harry turned back to see Remus standing, but with his head bowed again, looking hesitant and almost vulnerable.

"Remus?" Harry asked, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder. Remus sort of shrugged. Then suddenly, as if afraid of second-guessing himself, Remus threw his arms around Harry in a tight hug of gratitude.

"Thank you," he said hoarsely. Harry awkwardly patted his back, not sure what to do. Then he realized Remus was trembling, so Harry hugged him back firmly.

"I'm just being a decent person," he replied. "There's nothing you need to thank me for."

"Then I guess there aren't many decent people out there, which means they need to be thanked," Remus answered, his voice muffled against Harry's robes. After another second, though, Remus pulled away, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. "You really have no idea how much it means to me," he said fervently.

Harry smiled. "I think I do, actually." There were so few people who accepted Harry for who he was—not for his title or fame or for how he could benefit them, but for who he was as a person. It was the only thing he really wanted, to be "just Harry."

"I wish you could come with us tonight," Remus said softly, almost too quietly for Harry to hear. He was surprised at first, not realizing Remus valued his friendship that much. But then Harry got an idea.

"Hey, Moony, do you want to prank the others?"

"What?" Remus looked askance. "Now?"

Harry grinned. "Now. It's the perfect time. You see, the others don't know that I know; they only suspect that I know. So I thought it might be fun to give them a little scare, and prove once and for all that I don't give a rat's arse about what's going to happen tonight."

Surprisingly, Remus chuckled. Then Harry realized what he'd said and tried not to laugh along; he wasn't supposed to know about the others' Animagus forms. Then Remus turned more serious. "It could turn ugly, if you're not careful. James and Sirius especially are incredibly overprotective, especially…on the full moon," Remus added softly.

Harry shrugged. "I'll be careful. And I'll have you to vouch for me," he added with a smile. "I'll just stay a little later at dinner and meet you all in the dorm before you have to be in the hospital wing—at least, I assume there's an appointed time. I'll tease them a little, then come clean and off we'll go."

"Oka—wait, we?"

Harry shrugged and started walking. Remus fell into step beside him. "I know all of them are animagi—I could hardly miss that all of you disappear. You're just the only one who looks sick," Harry clarified with a kind smile. "And Sirius and James, at least, would never spend all night in the hospital wing waiting for you. They'd be bored out of their minds. So, the only explanation is that they've known for a while and became animagi to keep you company."

"I'm surprised you've put all that together," Remus said quietly. "And so quickly. None of the other teachers or students have caught on, and they've had years." He trailed off expectantly.

Harry shrugged. "I live with all of you. Some things you can't help but pick up on."

Remus didn't look fully convinced, but he let it go. Shortly after, they arrived at the Great Hall.

Upon their arrival, Sirius and James kept giving the pair suspicious looks, like they thought Harry had done something. But they didn't mention anything, and their dinner hour was filled with lighthearted banter. All the while with Peter, Sirius, and James mother-henning Remus to exasperation.

When dinner ended, Harry motioned for the other four to go up ahead of him, that he wanted to talk to his sister really quick. They shrugged and left without a backward look—other than Remus, who gave him an expectant yet cautionary glance before he joined the others.

"You're planning something, aren't you," Tonks stated with a smile once the Marauders had left. She moved over to sit beside him "Something to do with tonight."

"Maybe," Harry hedged, smirking widely. Tonks raised an eyebrow.

"Glad to see you back in good spirits. But whatever you're going to do, be careful. I'd hate to have to patch you up—again."

"Hey, that wasn't my fault!"

"Yeah, yeah. It totally wasn't your fault that you went running into the fray and got caught in an explosion."

"It wasn't!" Harry protested. Tonks shook her head, grinning.

"Whatever you say. But go on, before you miss them."

Harry nodded and got to his feet. "I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. See you." Harry waved, then hurried out of the Great Hall.

When Harry reached the dorm at the top of Gryffindor tower, Harry wasn't surprised to find all the Marauders there. Remus wasn't due in the hospital wing for another hour or so, so there was plenty of time.

"What are you still doing here?" Harry asked innocently. "Aren't you going 'exploring' again tonight?"

All four boys, who were gathered on Sirius's bed, looked up in varying stages of alarm and confusion.

"What do you mean? Our explorations are completely random!" James protested a little too loudly.

"Oh, sorry," Harry said. "I must have mistaken the date. I thought you went exploring every full moon. It is a good time for it." Harry hid his amusement at the growing horror on the three faces turned his way. "The light of the full moon is plenty bright; you don't need torches or wandlight to see your way."

James, Sirius, and Peter gasped. Harry caught Remus's eye and they both had to look away immediately to avoid spoiling the prank with their laughter.

"Wh-what do you mean, full moon? Tonight's not the full moon, is it?" Peter stammered.

"You should ask Remus, if you're not sure. He seems to have a pretty good handle on the moon phases and when the full moon is."

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Remus cut in, his voice shaking with suppressed laughter. The other boys probably thought it was horror and nerves, though. "I'm not even in Astronomy anymore!"

Harry snorted. "You four are terrible liars," he stated frankly. "You're lucky I'm used to being lied to and I know what you're hiding. Otherwise I'd be terribly annoyed."

The other three boys exchanged a look. Then, as one, they stood and formed a defensive barrier between Harry and Remus. Between James's head and Sirius's hair, Harry glimpsed Remus's exasperated but appreciative look as his friends moved to defend him.

"We won't let you hurt him," Sirius declared, crossing his arms over his chest in an intimidating manner. James echoed the stance and Peter's expression turned determined and fierce—which was very out of character for the usually shy and non-confrontational boy.

Harry blinked. "Why in Merlin's name would you think I'd want to hurt Remus?" he asked. "If I had any sense at all, I'd be more worried about him hurting me." Remus snorted, then tried to cover it with a cough. Then Harry continued. "I mean, he's the werewolf." The three boys gasped and gave Remus a horrified look. Then their jaws dropped as Remus burst into laughter. Then Harry joined in. It was as if all the stress leading up to today—confronting Remus and everything revolving around Halloween—was suddenly being released and Harry couldn't stop. After a moment he was laughing so hard his legs gave out and he fell to the floor. His stomach hurt and tears were coming to his eyes, but he still couldn't stop.

"You—should have seen—your faces!"

"Oh Merlin," Remus said breathlessly, a wide grin on his face. "I wish I had a camera. You look like gasping fish!"

After a long moment, where Sirius, James, and Peter were staring at Harry and Remus as though they'd lost their minds (and were, in fact, gaping like fish), they regained their composure and were now giving Harry shrewd looks and demanding an explanation.

"Sorry," Remus apologized.

"We just couldn't resist," Harry added. "I confronted him earlier in the library—"

"Nearly gave me a heart attack, too—" Remus cut in, giving Harry a halfhearted glare.

"And I told him I'd figured it out."

"And he convinced me he didn't care."

"In fact, my exact words were, 'I don't give a rat's arse that you're a werewolf'." Harry grinned as Remus, and now Peter and Sirius, started chuckling again.

James, on the other hand, gave Harry a very severe look. "In truth? You don't mind that Remus is a werewolf?"

Harry shook his head. "Not a bit. He's still Remus; he just gets extra-furry on the full moon." He answered with a grin.

"That is why we call it his 'furry little problem'," Sirius cut in.

"I also figured out that you guys sneak out to keep him company as animagi," Harry stated bluntly, and he slightly enjoyed their openmouthed looks. Harry rolled his eyes. "The animagi thing I admit is a bit of a stretch and would require some research, but you couldn't honestly expect me not to notice that all of you disappear when Remus does, but he's the only one that shows the actual signs of being a werewolf."

James gave Harry a long look. "You know, I don't think we've given you enough credit. You're a lot more observant than you seem."

"Nah," Harry denied, morphing away a flush at the praise. "I just pay attention and read more than is probably healthy."

Sirius snorted. "That's true."

"Anyway," Harry continued, "we should probably be going soon, if you don't want a feral werewolf running rampant in the dorm room."

"Wha—" Sirius turned, horrified, toward Remus. He'd been silent for a few minutes now, and now they knew why. His skin was pale and clammy and he seemed to be in a lot of pain. His lips were also pressed together, which explained why he hadn't spoken up already. "Damn," Sirius croaked.

"Hang on—'we'?" Peter asked suddenly.

"Of course, 'we.' I'm coming with you."

"You can't!" Remus exclaimed in horror. "I'll kill you, or infect you, or—" Remus's face twisted in pain and he fell silent, wincing. Harry cringed; he'd forgotten to mention that part earlier.

"Unless…" James trailed off, turning his shrews gaze on Harry once more. "Are you…?"

Harry grinned. "An Animagus? Yep. But can we go now? Before Moony appears?"

There was no more time for argument. Sirius helped Remus off the bed, Peter assisting on the other side. "You're barking mad," Sirius stated frankly.

"We'll discuss it later. Come on," Harry insisted. The others nodded, though they all looked unsure. James grabbed a bundle of something out of his trunk, then they all hurried as fast as Remus could to the hospital wing.

Madame Pomphrey was waiting for them outside her infirmary, tapping her foot impatiently. When they appeared, she immediately started lecturing. "It's about time! You've cut it close before, but this is ridiculous! You should have gotten him to me an hour ago!"

"Sorry. Er…something came up," Sirius said, passing Remus over to the matron. By now Remus was barely conscious and he looked terrible. Harry hoped the stress wouldn't be too much.

"Hmph," Pomphrey grumbled. She continued muttering under her breath even as she pulled Remus's arm over her shoulders and marched away.

When she was out of sight, James revealed the invisibility cloak and Peter transformed. Harry pretended to be very impressed at both, but there was no time for more. Three sixteen-year-old boys, one with a rat in his pocket, didn't fit very well under the invisibility cloak. But they made do. Harry cast disillusionment charms over their feet for good measure, and a silencing charm as well.

"Why didn't we ever think of that?" Sirius muttered. James elbowed him in the ribs to make him shut up.

The trio plus the pocketed rat followed about fifty meters behind the mediwitch on the way to the Whomping Willow. Halfway there, Remus pulled away and broke into a limping run the rest of the way. Madame Pomphrey jogged steadily behind to ensure he made it all the way.

Harry, Sirius, and James didn't bother to run. They waited just out of reach of the Whomping Willow's thrashing branches until Remus had gone down the tunnel and Madame Pomphrey had gone. Then Sirius placed Peter in rat form on the ground and sent him toward the knot on the Whomping Willow. The tree stopped flailing at once. The three boys followed behind the little brown rat. Once inside the tunnel, James stowed the invisibility cloak and Harry lifted his concealment spells. Then they hurried down the passage.

Some time later, they reached the familiar trapdoor. Harry couldn't help but remember the first and last time he'd been down that way, thinking his godfather was a mass murderer about to kill his best friend, then finding out his professor was a werewolf and nothing could be further from the truth. But Harry pushed the memories away and planned out how he would approach Moony in his Animagus form in order to avoid inciting unnecessary conflict.

After listening at the trapdoor to make sure Remus hadn't transformed yet, Sirius unlatched it and heaved himself up. Harry and James followed. Peter the rat hopped off Sirius's shoulder once he was through and scurried toward Remus, who sat in the middle of the room wrapped in blankets. His clothes were in a neat pile on a high shelf across the room.

The Shrieking Shack itself looked much the same as Harry remembered it, though without the air of neglect and abandonment it had had in Harry's own time. There was still broken furniture everywhere, and a few dark stains on the wood floor that looked suspiciously like blood. Harry tried to push that thought of his mind.

As the group settled in the for the wait, Harry felt an intense gaze on him. He looked up to see Remus eyeing him warily through narrowed amber eyes.

"I hope you know what you're doing," he said intensely, his voice cracking from strain. Then he stiffened, his face twisting in pain. Peter leapt off his shoulder, but stayed close. Harry knew at once the transformation was beginning.

"It's time," James said quietly. Then James's form shimmered and morphed into a powerful dark brown stag with a still-premature rack of antlers atop his head. Faint markings around its eyes resembled James's round, wire-framed glasses. Harry couldn't help the gasp that escaped him—his Patronus really was identical to his father's Animagus form. On Harry's other side, a huge black dog appeared in Sirius's place. Harry felt his heart constrict as the familiar, if less mangy, form of his godfather barked impatiently at him. Harry took a deep breath, then he closed his eyes and let his own transformation take him over.

A powerful russet wolf appeared in Harry's place. A black patch of fur between deep emerald eyes marked the spot of his famous lightning bolt scar. If animals could gasp, Wormtail, Prongs, and Padfoot would have. Remus, however, was too focused on his transformation to notice yet.

Moments later, Remus's silent grimaces turned into audible groans. He shuddered and gasped and wolf-Harry cringed at loud cracks filled the air as Remus's bones reshaped themselves. Then Remus's screams of pain all but drowned them out. A sympathetic growl emanated from deep in wolf-Harry's throat, and Padfoot whined in sympathy. The transformation was horrible to watch, and even more horrible to listen to. Wolf-Harry flattened his ears against his head and covered them with his paws, whining along with Padfoot at his friend's terrible ordeal. Moments later, the screams turned to howls, and a young tawny werewolf got shakily to his feet.