The following week in defense against the dark arts class they began learning about lycanthropy, which was really poor timing considering the full moon was only a few days away. So far his friends had bought all of his excuses. Illnesses, emergencies at home, etc. But now, with this new information, maybe they'd catch on. And Remus knew once the school found out he'd be expelled for sure. Then it was goodbye to his studies and definitely goodbye to his friends. The thought made him feel horribly depressed.
As always, on the full moon he made an excuse to his friends and left his dormitory. Accompanied by professor McGonagall, Remus made his way down the dark underground passage to the shrieking shack.
*******
"Have you ever noticed," James thought out loud, shuffling through their DADA reading one morning. "Remus is almost always gone during the full moon."
"Could be a coincidence." Sirius said coolly.
"You don't think… I mean he can't be." James said more earnestly now.
"Are you meaning to imply," Peter quivered. "Remus is a… a… werewolf?"
"Well I just mean," argued James. "Once a month something comes up. I never paid attention before but it's always a month exactly. Always on the full moon."
Peter shivered at the thought.
"And what of it?" Continued James. "Not like he's ever hurt any of us yet. Doesn't change who he is. Clearly he's got a safe place to handle it."
Sirius thought about it; and thought about the scars. Some of them did look like bites come to think of it.
"Sirius, you've spent some time with him. Maybe you should ask him." James suggested.
"Yeah? And what am I supposed to say? 'Oi, Remus, are you plagued by lycanthropy?'"
Unbeknownst to the group, Remus was returning from his monthly trip. He had just reached the door when he heard them talking. They'd figured it out. Of course they had. It was only a matter of time and starting out Remus knew his days at school were numbered.
Remus dropped the books he'd picked up from the library on his way in and started down the stairs, too ashamed to face his friends. James and Sirius heard the thud and looked out to see Remus fleeing. They moved after him but Peter stayed. No way was he going to face Remus if it were true.
They caught up in the common room, luckily it was empty at this early hour.
Remus threw his hands up. "I- I won't hurt you. I'll just gather my things. I know parents will want me expelled when they find out."
The two dark haired boys exchanged a look of confusion.
"What are you talking about?"
"I heard you, I know you found out about me. I'm sorry I didn't tell you but you must understand. Whenever people find out they become afraid of me. You're the only friends I've ever had. I- I'll leave peacefully. I'll go get my trunk and leave. Just don't tell everyone yet."
"We're not going to tell anyone, Remus." James said, firmly. "I'm sorry you heard us. You must know we don't think any different of you. You're still the same person."
Tears welled in Remus' eyes. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. His friends weren't afraid of him. And he wasn't going to get kicked out.
They coaxed him back to their room and sat and listened as he explained everything. The attack when he was a boy, the painful transformations, the scars from biting and scratching himself, the shrieking shack. And at the end, instead of leaving, they called him a friend.
*********
Every full moon it bothered James and Sirius to think of Remus, or Moony as he'd come to be called, alone in the shrieking shack. So they started doing research and one day they came to him with a brilliant plan.
"Animagi?"
"Yes. We'll transform into animals during the full moon. You're only a danger to humans. That way we can keep you company. You don't have to be alone anymore."
Remus couldn't believe it. Not only did they remain his friends but they wanted to be with him during the full moon.