Order Only: Private Message to Mr Lupin and Madam Pomfrey

[alt_hermione]

Mr Lupin,

I'm starting your potion for the month and it occurred to me...has anyone--I mean, have you talked to Luna about what might or might not happen to her next week?

Madam Pomfrey, have you?

I don't think it's wise to give her Wolfsbane when we don't know for sure if she'll transform, I mean, I don't think she will, really, but I'm not sure what will happen. So someone ought to look after her during the full moon.

Comments

[alt_lupin]

Oh, right. I'd been meaning to talk to you about that.

Back in April, everyone living in Mould-on-the-Wold got bitten, in retribution for Dover. From what I've been able to find out...none of them transformed, exactly. Some of them died, at the first full moon. There were also a number who completely lost their minds -- imagine a werewolf mind in a human body -- and some apparently experienced much of the discomfort of a transformation without the relief of actually completing it.

The best possible companion for a werewolf during the full moon is a transformed animagus. Years before I ever had wolfsbane, Sirius, James, and Peter were able to keep me calm during transformations. Do you think Terry would stay with her? I imagine he'd be extremely comforting whether she actually transforms or not.

[alt_lupin]

The thing is, I know he's terrified of werewolves. Or was. I guess Carrow used to threaten to give him to me, back in the day.

[alt_hermione]

It's all right, we've all got loads to do.

I'm not surprised about Mould-on-the-Wold, actually. I had read a little about the transformation back when--a few years ago, and then again when Severus had me working on the potion with him. And that's the thing, really, because Luna could have any one of a range of responses and we won't know which until it's happened at least once.

(I've been wondering if the Wolfsbane would work on someone whose mind transforms even if their body doesn't, but I think that's really a rather dangerous application and I wouldn't want to experiment with the effect without a lot better controls in place, and people to help if something goes wrong. Unfortunately we just don't know so much about werewolf physiognomy, and the studies over the years have been poorly designed and thus highly inconclusive. In any case, it's not something we can undertake right now, certainly.)

I could probably ask Terry, but I think someone should ask Luna first, too. I don't think he's afraid anymore, now that he knows you. Anyway, I think for Luna he'd do it, regardless.

I thought perhaps someone should observe and keep notes, so we'll know how to adjust next month for her comfort. I don't think Luna would mind if she knew we were doing it to help her, do you?

[alt_lupin]

Observing is a good idea, and no, I don't think Luna would mind.

Probably the Secret Room could arrange itself to allow an observer who isn't in danger of being bitten.

I've been talking with her, of course, as time allows. It's -- I think it might be easier, in some ways, if I could simply tell her, 'you'll transform now, this is what it's like the first time, this is what it's like after that,' instead of, 'we really have no earthly idea what this will be like for you.'

[alt_hermione]

We really should stop calling that room the Secret Room--it's not secret anymore. I'll bet the elves know about it. They probably know what it's called, besides.

Anyway. Yes, I can see how it would be much easier knowing exactly what to expect. But then no one does, the first time, do they? I mean, not everyone survives it. It's got to be enough to know all the risks.

[alt_poppy]

Quite right about the room. (In my day, we called it the room of requirement because if it consents to admit one, it provides what's required to meet one's needs.)

I agree that it's best to watch her through this first moon, standing ready to provide assistance if the transformation takes a life-threatening course. It's possible that we won't be able to help, should it be that dire, but I will certainly stand ready in case.

I will make it a point to speak with her about what she's facing and how she's managing. You know that I won't varnish the matter.