I sat curled up on my bed in the Ravenclaw dormitory, alone. My heart was beating rapidly, even though I was not moving. It was the fear that caused my tension. The fear of the coming night. I glanced out the window for the millionth time. The night was dark. The moon was still on its way.
I inhaled, my breath shaky.
Every month it was the same.
The same fear.
What if I hurt someone?
I had to get out the castle.
No, I told myself. You have to wait. Professor von Graft will bring the potion soon. I closed my eyes in an attempt to calm myself, but still the dread lingered, like a shadow that follows you in the night.
The dormitory door opened. I looked up. Then a wet leathery nose nudged my hand and I looked down to see my husky dog, Romulus. He jumped onto the bed and I buried my face in his fur. "Thank goodness you're here, Rom.. You can help control me."
The dog licked me.

***

When Professor von Graft entered the room, I felt calmer and accepted the wolfsbane potion quietly.
"It will be all right." Professor von Graft told me soothingly.
I nodded.
"I'll accompany you down to the grounds, if you wish."
I hesitated, and then shook my head. "Thank you, but I've got Romulus. I - I think I'll be O.K."
Professor von Graft nodded and then, with a quick touch of my shoulder, left the room.
I waited a minute longer and then got off my bed and pulled on my cloak. Gathering it tightly around me I called Romulus and went downstairs to the common room. Some Ravenclaw students were still down there. One of them asked me where I was going.
"I -" I sought quickly for an excuse. "I left my books in the library. I'm going to get them."
The girl nodded, but as I left the tower I heard her say to her friend, "What a weirdo."
I bit my lip and continued on my way. The castle was dark but I knew the way, and soon I reached the entrance hall. As Professor von Graft had said, the doors were unlocked. Romulus ran outside, happy to be out. He began to sniff in the dewy grass but I beckoned him to follow me further. "Not here, boy."
Quickly we made our way towards the forbidden forest. Only a little way in, I told myself.
Just before we entered the forest I glanced up at the sky. The moon was drifting between the clouds. Full of sudden panic I plunged into the trees, further and further.
The moon came out from behind a cloud.
Suddenly sobbing, I fell to the ground. Almost immediately I felt it. It was happening.

* * *

I lay in the same place the whole night, Romulus next to me. Only once did I feel the urge to move and cause pain, but at a lick from my dog the feeling left me. Finally dawn crept over the horizon. My claws became fingers, my fur, human skin. Relieved, I got unsteadily to my feet. It was over. Over for another month.
Romulus sensed my relief and bounded ahead, chasing a butterfly. I couldn't help but smile, and the two of us made our way out of the forest. It's over, I kept thinking.
We had just passed Hagrid's cabin when I saw them. Two big burly fifth year boys and a girl. They were coming right towards me.