The Snake Skinned Lioness (part 1 of 2)

That Morning...

Professor McGonagall watched the restless boy in the bed in front of her and sighed through her nose. It was beyond her how anyone could conscience attacking him as he was now never mind when he was just five years old. When the pair had returned and she saw the scars and bruises all across his body, she swore if she ever got her hands on Greyback she’d skin him and drape his pelt on the walls of the Great Hall as her own personal trophy. Although, it appeared that there would be a bit of a queue as both Madame Pomfrey and Pomona Sprout had muttered similar things as they had tended his wounds. What galled even more was that according to his father, this had been one of the gentlest moons he’d ever seen Remus come back from. Which meant, of course, that Dumbledore was right about an Animagus having a soothing effect on the confined wolf and also meant that Lyra would now be put in danger every month she spent at Hogwarts because it would be even more inappropriate for her to help the boy each night. If there was one thing Minerva hated more that watching others suffer, it watching her children suffer knowing there was nothing she could do about it and all Gryffindors were her children.

Remus woke stiffly, panic creeping in that Lyra would have abandoned him after whatever he’d just put her through, so he was reluctant to open his eyes. He knew he had to, the sun wasn’t about to relent, and he’d have to return to the common room this afternoon, but he didn’t look forward to the inevitable pain that would come with it. When he couldn’t put it off any longer and found not only Lyra but the professor as well a part of him broke to see that they knew exactly what the curse did to him every month. Remus felt hot embarrassed tears slip down his face when he realised that not only had his first real friend seen him at his worst she’d also seen him naked straight afterwards. In spite of McGonagall’s cheery greeting he curled up in a ball and cried, grateful that Lyra was still fast asleep. He’d expected the usually prim and proper witch to be awkward maybe even go get Madame Pomfrey but all she did was gather him up in her arms and rocked him as she hugged him softly. Remus let her, wanting his mother more than anything else as he always did when he changed back but was too proud to ask them to go get her from home. Besides, if Gryffindor was supposed to be his new family then that made McGonagall like a grandmother or something right? It was okay to be comforted by her? Much to his shame he hiccupped into her shoulders and had soaked her green robe with his tears. The older witch chuckled at his clumsy attempts to apologise.

“Don’t worry about that Mr Lupin. How are you feeling?” She asked, keeping her voice pitched low so as to not aggravate his hearing.

“Sore, embarrassed, scared she’ll hate me but other than that I’m just fine Professor.” He said, sarcasm getting in the way of his faked ease with the teacher.

“Now, now there’s no need for that,” She scolded although she smiled as she did so. “Miss Malfoy will not wake for some time. Madame Pomfrey needed to give her a Dreamless Sleeping draught when she refused to leave your side unless it was to go hurt Greyback for what he put you through.” Remus smirked, that certainly sounded like her. For all her easing going nature with the others he knew Lyra had a vindictive streak when it came to it, her and Black were very similar that way. Maybe it’s a pureblood thing, a part of him wondered but he suspected it might just be a Sirius and Lyra thing- they were weirdly in tune with each other even if you wouldn’t know it unless you’d seen them both together. McGonagall saw his mouth quirk upwards,

“That’s much better. Here take this,” She said as she handed him a blue vial. “It’ll speed the healing process along and ease the pain of the transformation. I’d suggest you get some rest after you’ve both had breakfast, but I suspect you have much to discuss?” Remus nodded not quite sure what he’d say to her but knew it had to just like he had to open his eyes that morning. He watched the professor leave and laid back on the bed waiting for the pain killers to kick in.

Lyra stirred from a deep dark sleep to the sound of a happy groan just beside her head. She wasn’t quite sure she’d heard it at first until she heard another after a gulp and remembered she was in the Hospital Wing at school. It didn’t fit with where she was, she knew that sound was part of the reason she’d asked for her own room, but she didn’t think anyone would be daft enough to do that in the middle of school. And if they are I don’t want to see it! Thought Lyra as she did her best to pretend to still be asleep.

“I told you it would kick in soon enough Mr Lupin,” She heard Madame Pomfrey laughingly scold her friend. Lyra popped one eye open at a time just to be on the safe side. Remus was on the bed his head nearly lolling over the top over the pillows in relief with an empty vial in his bruised hand. His skin was pale, like when you’ve picked a scab off slightly too early and there were bruises on his joints from what she could tell. His hair was limp and dripped over his sweaty forehead yet for all his obvious pain when Remus Lupin caught sight of her he grinned.

“You’re awake!” He croaked his voice still hoarse from the transition. Lyra nodded and uncurled herself from the chair to sit on the bed and stretch her legs.

“Just about,” She chuckled. “How’re you feeling?”

“Sore but that was easier than it normally is if,” He choked on his words as he saw he eyes nearly pop put her head. He’d almost forgotten this was her first time seeing him like this. “If you would be alright doing it again with me that’d be great. If not don’t worry I get it it’s a lot to ask and scary I know that…” Remus found himself rambling when she spun round and hugged him fiercely until he winced, and she pulled away.

“You never have to do that alone again if it really helps that much it must have been horrible normally, it looked painful enough last night!” Lyra protested, wiping frustrated tears out of her eyes as he squeezed her hand.

“Why are you upset?”

“I’m not upset I’m angry! It just comes out all teary because I give a crap about you, you should never have had to do this I’ll find a way to make it stop I swear.” Remus was stunned. The normally bubbly girl was biting her lip with her fanged tooth and willing her tears to stop because she was angry? Angry at what had been done to him for that matter not angry at him. How she meant to stop he had no idea, but this reaction was miles away from his eleven-year-old mind could handle. So, he did what always made him feel better, he pulled out his bag he’d stashed in cupboard before they left for the Shack the previous night and brought out his good chocolate and offered it to her.

“Umm you don’t have to fix it Lyra, it can’t be fixed and that’s okay,” He said softly, almost trying to convince himself at the same time. She shook her wild hair but seemed to calm a bit, her nose flaring at the smell of the chocolate in his hand. Lyra looked up at him, silently asking if he was sure she could have some; anyone who spent five minutes in his company knew what a chocoholic he was. The boy nodded and replied. “Eat, you’ll feel better.”