Chapter 8: First Year: Secrets
Chapter Text
Tuesday, 5th October 1971
The next full moon passed much as the first had. This time the wolf had clearly grown restless, because Remus awoke with a number of deep scratches.
"They heal fast with a bit of antiseptic." He advised Madam Pomfrey, who fussed over him in the chill morning light.
"And faster still with magic," she smiled, with a flourish of her wand. The cuts closed up almost instantly, Remus stared, amazed.
"Can you get rid of the scars, too?" He asked, eagerly. She shook her head sadly,
"No, Remus, not these ones, I'm sorry."
"S'ok." He sighed, dressing for school. This time he'd brought his change of clothes with him and left them in the tunnel just outside the shack to avoid having to go back to the tower this time. He'd meet the other boys in their first lesson, and let them wonder where he'd been.
"You don't have to go to school today," Madam Pomfrey was saying, "Not if you're too tired. I can write you a note."
"I want to go." He replied, "It's not that bad, honestly."
Pomfrey looked at him with serious eyes,
"Not that bad for now. I'm afraid the transformations may start to take their toll as you grow up."
"Have you looked after other kids like me, then?" He'd been wanting to ask for ages, but wasn't sure how.
"No, dear, you're the first Hogwarts student that I know of who's been..."
"Bitten?"
"Who's been bitten." She accepted, gratefully, "But I promise I know what I'm doing. I've done plenty of reading on the subject."
"You mean there are books? About people like me?"
"Well, yes." She sounded surprised. She sat down on the bed as he finished dressing. "You could borrow one of them, if you like?"
He thought about it, then shook his head.
* * *
They had Transfiguration first thing, but McGonagall didn't give him detention for not bringing his homework - she had obviously decided to be more lenient around the full moon. She did make him promise to bring it with him next time, and he agreed, hoping he sounded sincere. James, Sirius and Peter spent half of the lesson trying to get his attention, but he steadfastly ignored them until McGonagall threatened to separate all four of them.
In the halls on their way to Charms, Remus knew there was no escape. It was a good five minute walk.
"So? Where were you?!" Sirius blurted out, walking on his left hand side.
"Nowhere." He replied, trying to hurry on,
"Oh, go on," James pleaded, coming up on his right side, "Tell us! Was it the same place you went last month?"
"Maybe."
"Were you in detention again?" Asked Peter, struggling to keep up. Remus cursed himself for not having thought of that - detention would have been the perfect cover.
"Nope."
"Then where-"
"Watch it, half-blood!"
Remus had been too busy evading questions to look where he was going, and had run smack into Snape, who was coming around the corner. Already wound up, Remus squared his shoulders and attempted to push past, roughly,
