Remus stared down at his untouched dinner as the boys around him talked. He pretended to listen but, lost in thought, heard nothing they were saying.

"What d'you think, Remus?" Damn. Now he had to figure out an answer for a question he didn't know.

"Definitely." He was trying to pick something that had the best chance of making sense, but apparently the chance wasn't good enough because all three boys looked at each other in confusion.

"You doing okay, mate? You've been pretty out of it all day," James asked, leaning in a bit across the table.

"I'm just feeling under the weather, I'll be alright. I might go up to the dorms early, though."

"I'll go with you then, I'm done eating anyways," Sirius said while pushing aside his half-eaten plate.

Remus didn't know what to say to that. McGonagall had told him to go to the hospital wing at least before 3 in the morning, the full moon being at 5, but since he was feeling so bad he was going to go early and get some sleep in there, maybe ask one of the teachers to make up an excuse. But he couldn't think of a way to deny Sirius' offer without seeming suspicious so he just smiled and started walking.

"So, how're you liking the classes?" Sirius spoke as they started up the stairs.

"Fine."

"Well you seem to be doing brilliant. Other than flying of course, you looked ready to beat Madam Hooch with her own broom," The boy chuckled. Remus let out a dry laugh. "Y'know, I'm surprised they let you into this school with all that obvious fury inside you. I mean c'mon, nobody is that calm all the time. I bet every once and awhile you really let loo-"

"I get the picture, alright!" Remus interrupted, causing the shaggy-haired boy to deflate. "Sorry. Just having a rough day." Remus knew this would happen, the last night of the cycle is always when he has it worst. His mood swings are almost unmanageable, he was bound to show that at some point.

"S'fine, I won't bother you anymore." They were silent until they reached the common room.

"Shit!" While walking up the stairs to their dorm, Remus' leg that he had hurt a few moons ago gave out and he collapsed onto the steps.

"Bloody hell, Remus are you alright?" Sirius asked while helping the boy up.

"Fine."

"Do you need to go to the hospital wing? Looks like you hit your head."

Remus opened his mouth to say no, but realized this was a very convenient way to spend the night in the hospital wing without raising suspicion. "Sure, yeah. Let me just get my pajamas in case I have to stay."

"I can get them for y--"

"Don't, I can get them myself." Remus didn't really care about being rude now, with his head pounding and his leg hurting again. He grabbed his pajamas and noticed some chocolate left over from the train in his suitcase, so he grabbed that too. He then slowly made his way to the steps, Sirius trying to help him with every step. 'Why aren't you thanking him?' Remus thought, but stayed silent.

"Which way's the hospital wing? I'm dreadful at directions."

Remus started walking in the direction he knew from being shown it during his talk with the headmaster on the second day of school. "This way."

Sirius knocked on the door. Madam Pomfrey, who he had already met once, opened the door. She pretended not to recognize him, however. "What's the problem gentleman?"

"He took a spill down the stairs, ma'am, hit his head." Ma'am? Remus had never heard Sirius speak with this much politeness before. It was a little startling, but he supposed the boy wasn't in a joking mood after helping a rude boy walk across the school at night.

"Oh no, well I'll help him straight away. Thank you for taking him here, you can go now."

"You sure? I'm more than happy to stay to help him back."

Madam Pomfrey looked at Remus, in thought for a moment. "It's normally standard that students with head injuries stay overnight in case something happens." Remus doubted this was true, but appreciated the lie.

"Oh, okay. Well bye Remus, hope you feel better. See ya later," Sirius waved and started to walk away.

"Sirius?"

"Mhm?"

"Thank you."

♡♡♡

Remus couldn't sleep. He simply closed his eyes and tried to distract himself from his life by humming. He bets Paul McCartney wouldn't hate him for being a werewolf. He'd probably write a song about it. How would that even go?

Hey Wolf, don't kill me. Take your sad life and make it better. Remember who you are in your heart, then you can start to transform back.

Remus laughed to himself at the thought and finally drifted off to sleep.

His dream of his werewolf-self eating John Lennon had barely started when he was being shaken awake by Madam Pomfrey.

"Mr. Lupin, I'm afraid it's time. Is there anything you want to bring with you? Something you can't tear apart preferably."

Remus couldn't think of anything he wanted with him during the transformation. "Could you bring me some chocolate when it's over?" Madam Pomfrey smiled a sad but warm smile and nodded. Remus sat up and followed her out the door.

As they walked, she explained what would happen. "You know the Whomping Willow that was just planted? Well we planted it so there was a way for you to be protected and alone during the transformations. Now listen because this is very important, you are not to bring anyone here. If you're around any humans...well you know what will happen. I'll teach you how to get through in case of emergency but I'll accompany you every month before and after. Immediately after the full moon is over, I will come get you and you're free to stay in the hospital wing as long as you'd like. All of your professors are aware of this and will be giving you any work you missed privately. Do you have any questions?" Remus was silent. They had reached the tree. "Now I know this is different than what you're used to, but you're in good hands. I'll be here for you whenever you need me, understand?" A smile flickered on Remus' face and the witch took it as a win, poking the knot of the tree and freezing the moving branches. She then stepped into the passageway hidden at the roots, Remus following after her.

"Great," Remus mumbled, "More steps." This didn't seem very convenient as he would be in a lot of pain after transforming, but he didn't say anything. He was lucky they even let him into the school and he didn't want to ask for anything more.

The shack was almost entirely grey and brown, with a bit of dull furniture. All the windows were blocked off and, other than the tunnel, there seemed to be no way in or out. It was perfect.

"This is where I leave you, Mister Lupin. You should be safe in here, I'll come to get you as soon as possible." She patted his shoulder softly and walked back down the stairs.

Remus took off his clothes and shoes and placed them just outside of the room. He knew nobody could see him but it still felt weird doing the things he did in secret since he was little anywhere but at home. At least here he had space though, maybe he'd hurt himself less.

He looked around the room again. Even though there was a bed, he laid on the floor. If he broke the bed on the first day he'd feel terrible. He did, however, use one of the pillows to rest his head on as he counted the boards in the ceiling.

He blacked out after 23.

♡♡♡

Remus felt cushioning underneath him as he opened his eyes to see the hospital wing. He immediately started to feel sharp pains and examined his body. He had several gashes covered by bandages and a large bruise on his ribs.

"Oh good, you're up." Remus noticed Madam Pomfrey walking over to him. Had she been waiting there for him to wake up? "How are you feeling?" She handed him chocolate. He looked down at it.

"Did you carry me all the way here?"

"Yes, I couldn't let you be passed out on the floor of that shack now could I?" He didn't deserve this. A monster like him shouldn't be in a bed with chocolate. He should be locked up in a cell somewhere. "Now you didn't answer me, how are you feeling?" She held out the chocolate again. Remus started to feel pressure in his chest.

'Don't cry,' he thought, 'don't you cry.' But without thinking of manners or his frail body, he sat up quickly and pulled Madam Pomfrey into a hug, sobbing. She hugged him back lightly, not wanting to hurt him. He didn't care about being hurt at that point however, he just felt the hot tears streaming down his face and forgot about everything else.

A/N
Thanks for reading! Sirius next :)