Remus Lupinus

And then one day, on one of a thousand equally gloomy and dreary days, you once again venture out of the castle into the forest and head to your favorite spot—a sunlit clearing, hidden from prying eyes by lush thickets of thorny rose hips. In its center stands a tall tree, its branches so strategically placed that anyone could climb three meters up without much effort. It has become a refuge of sorts...

It was always easier to navigate the forest in animal form, so, transformed, you ran toward your goal. However, upon reaching it, you froze... Pushing through the thorny branches of the rose bushes, you saw a boy... He seemed to be your age, perhaps even a classmate, but... The boy's clothes were all torn and stained to shreds, so much so that they looked more like rags than a school uniform. Bruises and scratches were visible everywhere on his arms, legs, face, and neck, in scarlet stripes and purple-yellow spots. After what seemed like an eternity, you finally decided to move closer... Then closer... And closer... Until you were right up against his gaunt face, smeared with blood and dirt. The boy was sleeping, but very lightly, as it turned out, because the sound of the withered grass crunching under your paws instantly jolted him awake. Opening his eyes and seeing the beast's face before him, Remus was a little taken aback. You froze in anticipation.

"Hello..." the boy said hoarsely, slowly rising from the ground. He kept his gaze fixed on you, his amber eyes carefully studying the beast that stood before him.