Written for One Character Competition

Prompt: Mess, counting and explore

Chapter 3: First time

"It's time," Remus heard his father. Though he looked very calm and patient, from within Remus was a nervous wreck. And that, for a seven year old was very commendable.

"Ready son?" his father asked.

"Yes, sir," he whispered not looking up.

"Alright, let's leave." Just like his son, Mr. Lupin too was putting on a brave face.

Remus was hugged by his mother, who whispered loving and comforting words in his ear. After the farewell, he held his father's hand and both of them disapparated from the place.

Remus felt a sick feeling envelope him, his whole body was being tugged and pulled in every direction and breathing became extremely difficult. Just when he felt like he was going to pass out, the feeling stopped and both he and his father were now standing in front of a dark forest.

"Are you okay?" he was asked in a caring manner.

Still gasping, Remus just nodded.

"I have done the research well, this is a deserted place. It's going to be safe." His father spoke with resolution. Remus simply stood silently; listening to what his father said…something which he had already heard more than a hundred times these past few days.

When his father spoke about safety, it wasn't for his son's or his. It was safety of others from his son.

Because Remus was no normal boy, instead he was a young boy whose childhood and future had been ruined by a werewolf's bite. And now, at a tender age of seven, he was going to phase for the first time.

Wordlessly, both of them started walking into the forest. Remus tried not to look around, he didn't want to get intimidated by the vastness of it. But he didn't have to; he would be the one who was going to intimidate the rest.

"I'll pick you up in the morning," his father's tone sounded far away. "Be strong." He was hugged…and after moments, his father was gone.

Tears welled up in his eyes, and he sat on the ground waiting…he continued to look down and not around. Already the forest was loud and threatening. And within few seconds, little Remus Lupin was trembling.

Just then, the patch where he was seated was filled with uneven dim light. With widened eyes, Remus looked up for the first time. Through the canopy of trees, he could see streaks of moonlight. A cold shiver passed down his spine as it fell on his exposed skin.

Instinct ridden, Remus got rid of the cloak which he had held close all this while. Snarls left his chest as he started twisting his neck in an animalistic manner. And very slowly, he felt himself being stretched and his clothes begin to tear. A pain million times worse than that of disapparating filled him.

And within seconds, he was left with nothing but the pain. He couldn't form a single coherent thought. He was pulled into pain where nothing made sense…where nothing could be reasoned out…where nothing was normal…where nothing was human.

At that moment, he did the only thing that he felt was real.

He ran.

A/N: I like to think that Remus's parents were very supportive and taught him the right way. Or else, who knows, he might have taken the Fenrir Greyback's way and ruin every little kids life just as his had been.

Anyway, how did you like this? Good…bad…average?