James Potter and the Curse of the Werewolf (Maurader Year 2)

[highsorcerer]

The common room was still buzzing at 5:00 a.m. Many students had returned to their dorms and tried to sleep, but McGonnagall was (strangely to some) absent. James, Peter, and Sirius knew the reason why (it would take some time for her to go to Hogsmeade), but didn't plan on sharing that information anytime soon.

Nearly the entire school showed up when the great hall opened for breakfast. With the events of the night, most of the students didn't look like they got much sleep. The students took their places in the house tables, and Dumbledore stood up and made an announcement.

"I'm afraid last night one of our teachers was attacked in the Forbidden Forest last night," he said. "Professor Wang was out collecting certain plants which are only magical if harvested by moonlight in preparation for some lessons. Fortunately, her cries were heard by our gameskeeper, Mr. Hagrid, and he was able to bring her in for treatment. Madame Pompey has treated her, and she is for teaching duty (a small groan went up from some students who had DADA that day). However, she may require additional treatment over the course of the school year. Substitutes will be provided if needed."

James remained silent during the breakfast. He was pouring over his charms textbook (determined, for some reason, to show off how he could make a teacup glow the brightest in front of the Evans girl) when he noticed a story in the Quibbler being read by the boy across from him. He was a Gryffindor third year named Frank Longbottom, and once he left breakfast (and the magazine behind for the house elves to clean up), James grabbed it.

"Department of Mysteries Denies Investigation of Hogsmeade Building".

Despite another night of haunted activity, the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic denies they are making a formal investigation of a new building in the all-magical village of Hogsmeade.

"It comes and goes," said Mable Flint, long time resident. "When it comes, it's almost impossible to get any sleep. There is wailing and shrieking all night long."

Indeed, this "Shrieking Shack" as the population has come to know it is the source of dozens of complaints by Hogsmeade residents. "Definately haunted," says Blythe Brown. "There are visits to the shack at night immedately before and after this paranormal behavior. I'm sure the department of mysteries is covering up yet another investigation. In fact, I think they probably are conducting experiments there. We've heard rumors of the study of death by them - perhaps they have figured out a way to torture ghosts to force them to reveal the secrets of the afterlife."

Indeed, the building itself was built just over 18 months ago. Financial documents trace the source of the funding to the Merlin Foundation, but they insist it was built as part of a larger grant by an anonymous donor. They deny having any involvement with any government agency. Reports were unable to contact Hogwart's ghosts to confirm or deny the speculation they are being lured there by magical means as a method for the research (story continued on page 17).

James was about to put the magazine down, but thought the better of it, and handed to to Sirius. As they made their way to class, Sirius looked it over. "Rubbish," he said.

James nodded, then spoke. "Maybe they are full of rubbish," he said. "But perhaps their essential facts are right.. Maybe it's just their conclusions that are wrong."

"I suppose you have a better idea as to the nature of the 'Shrieking Shack' is," scoffed Sirius.

James stopped suddenly, and grabbed Sirius by the shoulder. "Maybe I do," he responded. "But, do I ever hope I'm wrong about this one."

[highsorcerer]

Charms was, as James thought, no problem. He made his teacup glow brightly on his first attempt, then started making it flash in bright colors, first in red, then green. "The color of her hair and eyes," thought James. Lily Evans looked at him once, and he smiled back. She turned away quickly, but James was encouraged all the same.

Herbology was also a breeze. Having repotted Mandrakes a few weeks before, the class easily put them into still bigger pots. James noted they were all growing, and putting up more of a struggle. They were moving form infancy to children.

The three friends went to lunch on tuna or ham sandwiches with chips and greens as the side items. Afterwards, they had a free period. They went to the common room, but then James motioned them to their dorm. They all climbed the stairs, and listened to James.

"I've got this idea... a horrible, nasty, gut wrenching idea," said James. "I don't know how to explain it , except to just state the facts. I hope I'm wrong, and that you can give me the facts to show I'm wrong."

Sirius looked at James, who was clearly uncomfortable. "What is it James," he asked.

James sighed. "It's about us. I mean all of us. I mean, if any of us were sick, or injured, or in St. Mungos with something awful... would we stand by each other? Not let it interfer with our friendship? "

Both Peter and Sirius nodded. "Are you ill Jame," asked Peter.

James shook his head. "No, I'm not ill. But I think Remus is. I mean, he's often had to leave Hogwarts suddenly, with illness or illness in his family, or something else right?"

Sirius and Peter nodded.

"Well, he told you two he was ill, and McGonagall said he'd be in the hospital wing for a few days... but when I went there, he wasn't there. Then there was the attack on Professor Wang - I heard a scream, and a howl at the same time. Professor Wang was injured by a bite mark - and Dumbledore sent McGonnagal to check in Hogsmeade for something."

Peter stared. "I don't get it." However, Sirius seemed to be thinking hard.

"My point is, what is the phase of the moon? Full. What was it when we came to Hogwart's this year - full. I checked my journal and notes, and every time Remus has had to go away for some reason or another, it's been a full moon."

Sirius understood immediately, then hesitated. "Do you mean to suggest Remus is a werewolf - and he bit Professor Wang last night?"

James both nodded and shook his head. "A werewolf, perhaps. Biting the teacher - I don't know. I mean, I think if he was, the staff would take procautions against him attacking the staff or the students."

Peter looked horrified. "A werewolf... it's like a disease ... a plague in the ward."

Sirius looked down at him. "Werewolves only transform on the full moon - and Dumbledore wouldn't put the students in harms way. IF - and I mean IF Remus is a werewolf, they would have taken precautions."

James nodded. "It all goes back to what I said earlier... if a friend had an illness, would you stand by him? If he is a werewolf - would you still be his friend? It's a terrible disease I know, but he's safe most of the time... and he never asked or wanted the disease. I'm prepared to be his friend - no matter what."

Sirius looked grave, then nodded his head. "I'm an outcast in my own family. There is no love there. I stand by my friends."

Peter finally found his voice. "Agreed, he's a friend. Thick and thin, right? But why didn't he tell us?"

Sirius flared back. "Would you have told us if you were a vampire? Or had a sister who was a banshee? Perhaps great uncle - or even grandfather who supported the dark arts?" He backed off, as he realized his own family history. "I mean, Remus has been a true friend. If he's suffering, I think we owe it to him to help him however we can; not treat him like an outcast. I'd rather die than betray my friends - wouldn't you?"

Peter agreed, but his voice cracked at the end of it.

[emus]

wow this is so good!

[highsorcerer]

The time seemed to fly by as the Mauraders went to class, shared homework notes, cast spells, and thought up - and executed pranks. Most of the time they were directed at Slytherin house, particulary against Severus Snape. He was an easy target, and making him either miss class or show up with purple teeth seemed to be the height of cool.

None of the boys had figured out a way to approach Remus about James's suspicions. James had Quidditch practice, Peter was struggling with homework, and Sirius seemed to be lost in a world of his own. James noticed, but when he asked Sirius about it, he only said that he was thinking about everything.

Before they knew it, it was time for the first Quidditch match of the season. James was exceptionally nervous at breakfast. He only picked at his breakfast, despite the encouragement of Sirius, James, and Remus. James started musing about how he might make a fool of himself in the game. His friends assured him it was needless worry.

Still, once James left his friends to go to the dressing room for Gryffindor, he wondered how his friends would treat him if he messed up big time. It was him - all alone. Sure he had practiced to be part of the chaser formation, but could he really live up to the pressure once he was playing for keeps? He took a quick look at the seeker, Elizabeth Bortez, and decided she was 20 times as nervous as he was.

Still, it was just until the whistle blew that he was still nervous. Madam Hooch signaled the start of the game, tossed up the Quaffle, and suddenly James was in a world of his own. He snatched the Quaffle away from a mean-looking Slytherin, and immediately entered a sloth-grip roll to avoid a grab by another Slytherin player. He pulled his broom into formation, and threw the Quaffle on a blind hope that the practice sessions had trained him. After he pulled way down on his broom to nearly ground level did he look up. Sure enough, his teammate had the Quaffle, in perfect formation. For the first time in about 3000 years, James relaxed. He was trained, talented, and living in the moment. When the Quaffle was passed back to him, he faked a pass to the right side goalpost, suckered the keeper, and tossed it into the center goalpost for a goal.

The game continued on and on. He missed his first chance to seize the Quaffle from the Slytherin team, but made up for it when an odd bounce off the Gryffindor keeper's broom led him to a breakaway chance. He faked right, then turned left sharp, and threw the ball in for an easy goal. Pumped, he continued to play aggressively, betting on his skill, and won almost every time. Another time, he chased right heavily, and after getting both the keeper and two chasers to commit to him, he passed it off, and heard the ding which recorded another goal.

When the seeker finally got the snitch for an easy Gryffindor victory, James took the victory lap with his teammates, then gave into fate. Severus Snape was exiting the stadium with a (well, attractive for a Slytherin girl) second year. He charged them, then cast a spell which sprouted boils on Severus's face, then put speed on his broom to get to the locker room.

It was a good day for him at the time.

[emus]

Great

[highsorcerer]

James didn't have any more trouble in his classes, though he found several moment when he was caught using magic in the corridors, most often with Sirius. The two shrugged it off, and used Sirius's two-way mirrors to talk during the separate detentions.

James worked hard at Quidditch, and found he had a talent for Defense Against the Dark Arts. He deflected jinxes common to second years students without a second thougt, and still wondered about how to get Snape... and how to impress that girl Lily Evans. He was no match for her in potions, and his friends didn't have any suggestions. James thought about it a lot, but realized talent in magic and quidditch wasn't enough.

[selene]

great story

how are they gonna tell remus that they know?

[Salazar Slytherin]

i agree it was great

[hprocks]

you are really good
you should write another chapter
hprocks