Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments) forum - History of Magic, #7: Write about Remus Lupin during his time as a student at Hogwarts, including a visible representation of his suffering as a werewolf. Extra character: Regulus Black

Word count: 1155

Remus Lupin was Sirius Black's friend. Not Reg's friend. Sirius's friend.

For this reason, it was hardly public knowledge that Regulus had a friendly conversation with Remus. Had anyone witnessed the encounter, they would most likely chalk it up to 'brothers' and 'making friends and enemies known.'

It was public knowledge that the Black brothers were polar opposites.

Reg was the younger brother, the family favourite. Sirius was the bad boy, the leader, the prankster. Sirius marched to his own beat and played a tune he himself created. He answered to no one except Albus Dumbledore (and that was only because he could hardly stomach the thought of having to return to Number Twelve Grimmauld Place until his eighteenth birthday).

However, here Reg was, having a friendly chat with Remus, the easy-going member of the Marauders.

"What are you doing?" Reg asked casually, inspecting his wand.

"Reading up on Potions," Remus responded just as casually.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Slughorn's next test is going to be a killer!"

"I believe you there," Regulus said, with more feeling than normal. "I mean, of course, 'course."

Remus smiled, flipping a page in his textbook. "Do you like Potions?"

"Sort of. It's a bit like cooking, but I enjoy the exact science."

Remus shrugged, "I find Potions is odd and strange. Such weird measurements."

Reg smiled and shrugged, too, mimicking Remus. "I suppose," Reg replied, scratching his head in thought. "You know, to be honest, I prefer Charms."

"Me, too," Remus smiled.

Reg found himself rather enjoying Remus's company. Their talk, punctuated by occasional periods of silence, created a comfortable air he could relax in. Odd, considering that Remus was both a Gryffindor and a half-blood.

After another long silence, where Remus finished five more pages and Reg accomplished nothing, Reg yawned.

"I guess I'll see you around this week," Regulus said, arms extended wide to stretch out his long, muscular body.

"Maybe," Remus replied vaguely. Abruptly closing his book, Remus nodded his head and left the courtyard.

Reg looked around and spotted some of his Slytherin cronies. Ah, good for Remus.

Grinning and bearing it, Reg fudged his way through the Slytherin crowd until he arrived at his own dorm. Sighing, Reg wondered why he couldn't stand the company of his own House. Adjusting his covers, Reg got ready for bed. He'd sleep off these weird thoughts, so maybe tomorrow would be better.

For some reason, he dreamed of a troubled Remus Lupin. It looked like he was limping or as if he was bent over something. Intrigued and worried by this odd turn of events, (he usually didn't dream of his friends), Reg decided to take care of things in the morning.

And then he realized that what he saw was the sun pouring through the window. Crap. It was morning.

During the course of the week, Reg did his best to find Remus. But even amongst Sirius's circle, Remus was nowhere to be found.

Late one night, Reg discovered Remus's secret.

Since the Slytherin Common Room looked out over the grounds, Reg often sat in the comfy chair by the fireplace to watch the turn of events outdoors. On this particular night, (it was a Thursday), Reg happened to glimpse a brownish figure galloping across the grounds. The full moon shone down upon the land like a spotlight bathing a stage for contrast.

Rushing outside, Reg caught sight of a large, furry creature.

"Re-Remus?" Reg whispered. "Remi, you in there?"

The creature growled and whimpered, as if in pain.

"Hey, buddy, you'll be okay. Everything will be alright."

The creature nodded, as if in understanding. It seemed nervous and upset because the thing kept chasing its own tail.

"That's your own tail, silly," Reg pointed out to the creature.

At last, under the boughs of the Whomping Willow, the creature eluded Reg's capture and disappeared from sight.

"Hey! Where'd you go?" Reg called.

There was no response.

- O -

Several weeks later, Reg returned to the same tree and kept vigil. Now he knew the tree was involved, Reg was determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.

At last, Reg saw Remus tap the knot, thereby stopping the tree from attacking. He then dug and dug and dug until the proper quotation was retrieved.

"Nice!" Reg thought, fist-pumping the air. "I've got it!" he loudly shouted.

"Shhh!" the trees whispered in the breeze.

"Sorry," Regulus said to no one in particular.

Eventually, hours later, Remus Lupin emerged from the Whomping Willow, tired and beaten. Walking past the roots of the Whomping Willow, Remus stumbled over a body-shaped figure.

"Woah!" Remus shouted. "OH, hey! It's you - it's Reg, right?" Remus asked, excitedly. "Just what are you doing in these parts?"

"I'm here for the competition - or I was. I think it's over. Anyway, the Anime convention wasn't that big."

"What are you talking about?" Remus wondered blearily.

"True, the summer one is much bigger," Reg agreed, before popping off back to sleep.

"Oh," Remus said, deadpan, "he's asleep." Promptly after stating this obvious fact, Remus fell into a deep sleep, too.

It was Saturday morning when Remus woke up to intense prodding.

"You're shedding," Reg teased, showing a bleary-eyed Remus stray brown hairs. "What's wrong with you, anyway? Why are you always limping?"

Remus sighed and finally decided to tell Reg the truth. "We're friends, right?" Remus asked tentatively.

Reg snorted, "I suppose. We've come this far in the relationship."

Remus smiled, "Then I guess I should tell you. Brace yourself - I'm a part-time werewolf."

Reg stared, as if unsure he should believe Remus.

"Really?" Reg asked.

"Yes. At every full moon, I go into the heart of the Whomping Willow and stay there until I am restored to my normal self."

"That explains a lot. Where does the Willow go?"

"The Shrieking Shack."

"Oh my God. It's you!"

"Yes," Remus confirmed. "The rumours are partly true. There is a monster inside half the time."

"Don't be so hard on yourself."

"I never forget that I could have snapped at you," Remus tartly explained. That seemed to shut Regulus up. For the moment.

"But," Regulus almost immediately replied.

"Save it. I'm tired."

"The price one pays to have supernatural powers like a werewolf," Reg muttered. "Alright, come on. Let's grab some shuteye at the library. Last one there's a rotten egg!" Reg took off running.

"But - that's not what a library's for!" was Remus's lame come back. Sighing, Remus set into a trot, too. "Alright," he sighed, "I'm coming! Save a spot for meeeee!"

Reg did not hear a thing because he was already in the library, celebrating his sweet, cheater's victory.