Remus's POV
The light filtering through the tall windows of the hospital wing was soft and golden, far gentler than the sharp silver of the full moon that had imprisoned me only nights before. I'd been here for two days now two long, aching days after another transformation.
This one had been... different. Better, in a way. The Wolfsbane Potion thank Merlin was working. It didn't take the pain away, not entirely, but it gave me back something I hadn't had in years: control. I remembered everything. I hadn't lashed out at myself, hadn't torn at my skin in confusion or desperation. I'd still been a wolf, yes but a wolf who knew who he was.
And now, at last, I was being discharged.
Madam Pomfrey had fussed over me for a bit longer than necessary checking my pulse, fluffing my pillows, insisting I eat another spoonful of something bland and restorative. But then she gave a brisk nod, mumbled something about "resilient young bones," and bustled off.
That was when the door creaked open, and my heart lightened instantly.
James was the first to appear, his messy hair wilder than usual, grinning like he'd just won the Quidditch Cup.
"There's the hero of the hour!" he declared. "How're you feeling, Remus?"
I sat up carefully, managing a tired but genuine smile. "Better," I said hoarsely. "A lot better, actually."
Sirius strode in behind him, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, that familiar lopsided grin on his face. "About time. You've been hogging all the good pillows in here."
"Come on," he said, jerking his head toward the exit. "Our dorm is waiting. So is our warm fireplace and James's awful chess strategy."
I chuckled softly, careful not to strain anything as I followed them. My joints still ached, and there was a deep weariness settled in my bones, but it was manageable thanks to Wolfsbane, thanks to them.
We climbed through the portrait hole and made our way into the common room. It was late afternoon, and the place was mostly empty, bathed in orange light from the setting sun. I sank into my bed in the dormitory with a grateful sigh, the familiar scent of parchment, butterbeer wrappers, and Quidditch gear oddly comforting.
Peter approached quietly, then held something out to me.
"A Chocolate Frog," he said, with a shy little smile. "You should eat it. For recovery."
I blinked, surprised, then took it gently from his hand. "Thanks, Peter"
He shrugged, but he looked pleased.
I unwrapped the foil, the frog twitching once before I caught it and took a bite. The rich chocolate melted on my tongue, grounding me.
I glanced at all three of them James, flopped dramatically across his bed, Sirius rummaging through his trunk for Merlin knows what, and Peter sitting cross-legged at the foot of mine.
James rolled onto his side and propped his head up on one hand. "Are you sure you're alright, Remus?" he asked, more serious now. "You usually need a few more days before you're even walking straight again, let alone thinking about classes."
I nodded, stretching my legs out in front of me. "I'm really fine, James. The Wolfsbane Potion it's working. More than I expected, honestly."
Peter's eyes widened. "Wolfsbane? That's the potion Severus and Petunia Evans make, right?"
Sirius, still half inside his trunk, let out a grunt of agreement. "Yeah. That potion."
I looked down at the half-eaten Chocolate Frog in my hand, suddenly not just tasting it but feeling everything how far we'd come. "I'm incredibly grateful to them," I said quietly. " I haven't felt this... stable in years. Since before I started transforming."
James whistled low. "That good?"
I nodded again. "It didn't stop the pain completely. But I didn't lose myself. I didn't forget who I was. I didn't try to bite through my own arm. That's new."
I hesitated, then exhaled through my nose, the weight of the thought settling in my chest. "Honestly... I feel guilty. For how much we tormented them in first and second year. Especially Severus and Petunia
James lifted his head, blinking. "Remus, mate Evans sent us to the hospital wing that time in second year, remember? Hexed us all in the library corridor for pranking severus."
Sirius barked a laugh, flopping onto the bed next to mine with exaggerated ease. "Well, I annoyed her a lot. I'll admit that. Called her all sorts of ridiculous names. She once transfigured my hair into limp spaghetti for a week."
Peter piped up from the foot of my bed, "Yeah, but we already made peace with them. Especially after... well, you know."
James's grin returned, wide and amused. "Because Sirius and Severus are cousins now."
Sirius groaned dramatically. "Don't remind me."
James was practically wheezing with laughter. "No, but come on that whole thing was hilarious. One moment you're threatening to shove him into a suit of armor, the next you're getting dragged to some Black family party and finding out you're blood related!"
"I still think that's a practical joke the universe played on me," Sirius muttered
The next morning, we had Potions with the Ravenclaws. I felt steadier on my feet than I had in any post-full moon morning before, though my limbs still ached a little as I gathered my things. Professor Slughorn had posted the partner list on the board, and I scanned it half-heartedly until my eyes landed on the name next to mine: Petunia Evans.
"Oi," he said in a low voice. "You're paired with Evans?" He looked personally offended. "Remus. Mate. Best friend. I will do anything anything if you swap with me.
I laughed, shaking my head. "Tempting. But no."
He groaned dramatically as I walked off, muttering something about injustice and the betrayal of brotherhood
At the cauldron station, Petunia was already setting out the ingredients, her hair pinned back neatly, sleeves rolled up with surgical precision. She looked up as I approached, and to my surprise, gave me a small, warm smile.
"Shall we start?"
I nodded, returning her smile. "Yeah."
We split the tasks without much discussion she measured the ingredients while I lit the flame and prepared the cauldron. We worked in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the familiar scent of crushed hellebore and stewed valerian root filling the air.
Then I cleared my throat. "I, um... read the article in The Prophet. About the Wolfsbane Potion. The one you and Severus made."
She glanced up at me, startled but only for a moment. Then her expression softened again. "I hope it helped you."
I blinked. "You... know?"
She smiled slightly, stirring her mortar with the edge of her thumb. "Of course I do."
There was something quiet and certain in the way she said it that made me pause. "I -how? How did you know?"
Petunia met my eyes. "I noticed, even in first year. You'd vanish every full moon like clockwork. It wasn't hard to put together, especially once I started researching advanced potions."
I stared at her, stunned. "But... why didn't you tell anyone?"
She looked genuinely confused by the question. "Why would I?"
"Because I'm..." I swallowed. "Because I'm dangerous."
She gave me a strange look, almost pitying. "Do you want to hurt anyone?"
"No," I said at once, firmly.
"Then you're not dangerous," she said simply, as though that settled it.
Something tight in my chest loosened. I hadn't expected this conversation certainly not today but here it was, and her calm, matter-of-fact kindness washed over me like sunlight after rain.
"Thank you," I said quietly. "Both of you. You and Severus. The potion... it's changed everything."
Her expression softened even further. "That was the point."
...............................................................................