The Cursed Creature

Chapter 7

The Second Transformation

Lyall had been restless since the last full moon had confirmed Remus's fate. Everyday after work he went to libraries, experts, potioneers and apothecaries respectively to find a cure for Remus. He had to be subtle about his investigations as to not indicate a personal interest but so far his efforts were barren of results.

In his desperation the only thing he could think of was trying some potions and hoping they would keep their effect during the transformation. He bought some sleeping draught, pain relief potions, dreamless sleep potions and draught of peace for Remus to try before the transformation process would begin.

They would try a combination of a pain relief potion and draught of peace first so as to not repeat Remus's trauma of being awoken by horrible pain in case the potions did lose their effect with the rise of the moon. Werewolves were known to be extremely resistant to magical spells, therefore Lyall thought his chances of success would be better with a potion that could work from within than a simple pain relief charm cast from the outside.

When the dreaded night was about to fall, Remus drank the potions diligently before he entered the garden shed. After his last transformation, Lyall had repaired and cleaned the room, thereby removing every evidence of the destruction his son had caused. Initially, the potions seemed to be taking effect as Remus appeared to be calming down reasonably.

When Hope had completed her second rereading of “The Fountain of Fair Fortune” and was halfway through the tale of “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot”, Remus began to shake uncontrollably. Precautionary Lyall wrapped his arms around Hope when she stopped reading.

It was just as hard for him to see his son in this state as it was for his wife, but he had a feeling that she would underestimate the danger of entering the room in favour of rushing to their son's side. He could understand the urge. Merlin knew he did. It wouldn’t help Remus though, if one of them got cursed as well. He needed them to take care of him.

When Remus began screaming and writhing in pain again, a part of Lyall wanted to look away from the horror he couldn’t do anything about. Why did the transformation have to take this long? Why didn’t the potions work? Remus was way too young to go through so much pain so regularly. Lyall had never felt this helpless before. He held his weeping wife and prayed to magic and the fates that it would be over soon.

When the transformation was complete the screams turned into howling and they had to watch the little werewolf attacking first the interior of the shed, then the wards and finally himself. The potions hadn’t kept their effect through the transformation and this full moon night promised to be as dreadful as the last.