Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

The sky was ribboned with thick curling clouds, and the wind wreaked havoc with the forest, sending the treetops into disarray. A heavy mist curled itself across the Hogwarts campus, clinging to every spire and hilltop as it snaked between pillars of moonlight. The night, though tumultuous, was eerily silent. Save for the sounds of a lone figure traveling amongst the shadows.

Barefoot and shivering, Lupin cut a path across the lawn directly towards the hulking shadow of the willow. Eyes flashing upwards, his gaze followed the clouds as they skimmed over the moon’s full silhouette.

“Not... much longer now...” he breathed quietly to himself.

Loping forwards he began to slink down, compressing his running form to the contour of the hillside. Mentally he checked himself, “Ten paces, duck, slide, twist..”

Vaulting smoothly into action, Lupin slid downwards hard on his side, and above the roar and crack of swinging branches shattered the silence. The Womping Willow shook and rolled to life, branches arching downwards towards the figure sliding beneath its roots. Lashing outwards, the branches coiled, stuck, and missed as Lupin shimmied himself just out of reach, twisted, grabbed hold, and vaulted down into the hollow cavern beneath. Finding his feet, he peered back upwards at the narrow slanting tunnel, squinting against the light. The willow grew still, thwarted once more.

Drawing a breath, Lupin turned towards the passage beyond and set off at a full sprint.

“Soon... too soon.”

Panting breath soon turned more labored, and his vision swam, head reeling. His shoulder skimmed one stone wall and he yelped, staggering and falling to his knees as he clawed his shirt from his back. Discarding it thoughtlessly, he scrabbled forwards on hands and knees, whimpering and moaning softly to himself.

“I hate this... hate this... James... Sirius...” his voice caught in his throat as his hands found the bottom of the door. The Shrieking Shack. Made it in time...

He hurled himself against the door, and it gave way with a creak, cobwebs receding as he entered the space. Kneeling down, he braced his arms against the floor... shoulders giving way to spasms that shook his slender frame. His hair bristled... lips curling as he finally gave in. The moon pulled, and he had no choice but to surrender.

Head wrenching back, a shrill shriek of a howl ripped itself from the depths of his soul.