Opaline ribbons of light cascaded upon the emerald foliage, casting a silver tinge upon the lush leaves. The moon was full that night, the coveted pearl of the skies; many diamond stars embedded the sable space about it, twinkling in a calm serene way. An innocent aura descended over the lands like a soothing lullaby, alluring the town's inhabitants into a peaceful slumber, it was a perfect night, or so it seemed. Alas, vile monsters stirred in the darkness, lurking for their next unsuspecting victim to stumble across their paths. To youthful voices eliminated the silence, oblivious as the other citizens, fooled by the false cloak of security.

"Come on, what are you, chicken?" Ashley sneered, she knew that she would eventually get her way, she always did, even if currently her partner was being defiant. In determination the boy, she was babysitting retorted, "No! You know my parents never allow me to enter the forest at night, you know that!" Despite his words, his dark brown eyes never left the scenery of the forest, Ashley knew his defenses were weakening. Persistently, she prodded a bit more, trying to get the seven-year-old Remus to crack.

"Remmy, baby, your parents can't see us right now! If we sneak off and return before they do, they'd never know."

"You could go alone Ashley; you've almost gotten me grounded already!"

"Please?"

"No!"

"You can't say you don't—"

"I said no!"

"I dare you!"

Her final attempt met its mark; the boy grudgingly came to the girl's side, his arms were crossed and his head hung as if pouting, but Ashley could see a slight smile through the shadow hiding Remus's face. As the as the pair embarked on their exploration of the woods, she heard Remus mumbling things such as "If my parents ever found out..." and "some baby-sitter you are..." but she scarcely paid any attention to what he was actually saying. Hours passed as the two traveled through the shadows, investing anything that pricked their interest.

Remus, however, had the eerie sensation that they were being followed, uneasily he glanced over his shoulder, searching for the source of his anxiety yet finding nothing; which was somehow even more unsettling. Nervously he tugged on Ashley's sleeve whispering desperate to return to the safe confinements of his home, "Ashley? We need to go back, something's following us."

Ashley glanced around unfazed, smugly she replied "There's nothing there, you're just being a scared-y cat." Nonchalantly she returned to her previous occupation search through the bushes. Remus wasn't comforted however, and constantly reminded the girl of his mounting insecurities. At last, his baby-sitter turned on him, frustrated at his insistent nagging, "Fine! We'll go back, you're ruining all my fun with your badgering!"

Remus smiled apologetically at her, relieve flooding over him that they were finally returning to his home. "Thank you." He exclaimed happily, yet his giddiness didn't last for long. Turning to back-tract their steps, a low menacing growl rumbled from behind them. They both froze where they were, stiff as boards, and as if in slow motion, they peered over their shoulders nearly petrified at what they saw.

An enormous wolf stood behind them, baring its teeth threateningly at them, its pointed lupine ears pinned against its skull. It took up the position to pounce, four gigantic paws planted firmly against the forest floor. Ashley screamed in pure terror; grabbing Remus's arm she fled, dragging the young boy with her. As if that were his cue, the wolf bounded after them, it's golden eyes targeted on the two kids. Ashley picked up her pace frantic, however, she was no fool, she knew that she was no match for the hungry wolf as it drew nearer and nearer. It was like it was biding its time, enjoying the chase and the terror that flashed over the two.

Fright nearly paralyzed poor Remus as he stumbled after his baby-sitter, unfortunately, Ashley tripped at the vertex of a hill, she released the boy, throwing out her arms trying to regain her balance, despite her attempt she fell tumbling down the steep hill, luckily avoiding the trees until the bottom. Remus watched her, unable to move, suddenly he felt a humongous weight hit his back and he fell flat on his face. Tremors of horror shot through him, increasing when he looked up to see the lupine standing over him, it lunged for his exposed neck, Remus pushed himself sideways, saving himself from death, but instead, the wolf's teeth sunk into his right shoulder, drastically close to it's initial target. The boy wailed in pain, wincing as the wolf unlatched its jaws from his shoulder, the pain was overwhelming, sheering. Then instantly, he when numb, the world spinning before his eyes he fainted.

Head throbbing Ashley used a low branch to help pull herself to her feet, she watched horrified as the wolf attacked her friend. She screamed "No!" Before tearing off the same branch she previously used and racing desperately up the hill, adrenaline pumping through her, and whacked the brute on the nose. The wolf jumped back, briefly whimpering about it's nose, Ashley took this time to grab Remus and attempt to evade the beast while dragging her friend along with her. She wasn't quick enough, however, the wolf recovered quickly, and enraged targeted her, blood and saliva dripping from his teeth, enraged it change it's aim to her. It leapt at her, pinning her to the ground lunging for her neck, "Flipendo!" A ball of red light flashed to the dog, shifting its attention to the man who summoned the spell. Ashley looked up to see Romulus Lupin, garbed in strange black robes; he brandished a wooden wand, pointing it threateningly at the wolf. The canine bounded at Remus's dad leapt to latch on his throat, Romulus summoned the same spell again, aiming for the dog's vulnerable exposed belly, the red light hit its target, throwing back the wolf temporarily stunning it. Quickly Romulus pointed his wand at the dog thin, but amazingly strong, cords wound about it, knotting its feet together and tying its maw shut.

After watching the wolf for a minute, making sure that it was securely tied, he turned to Ashley, helping her off of the ground inquiring, "Are you OK? Where's Remus?" Ashley nodded, still too stunned by what happened to speak. With a trembling finger, she pointed to Remus who was still face down on the ground where she left him. She watched as Romulus bent over his son; gingerly he turned the boy over to inspect the full extent of the damage. Ashley stalked over, her hazel eyes inspecting Remus just like the boy's father was. Tears leapt to her eyes at the sight of the injured boy.

Remus's eyes were open, staring off into nothing, glazed; blood poor freely from the large bite, sapping the boy of his body fluids. She grabbed his hand, and dropped it quickly, frightened; he was cold to the touch. Romulus laid his hand on the boy's head momentarily before removing it and placing it on Remus's chest, feeling for a pulse. The man sighed a little relieved, though worry was still etched on his features; Ashley concluded that he must've felt a vague pulse. Somehow, that didn't comfort her. Remus was so pale, she was certain that he was on his deathbed. Delicately Romulus lifted his limp son, cradling him securely in his arms, before pointing at the nearly forgotten canine, and commanding "Mobilicorpus." The dog was lifted up by its tied paws and hovered ahead of the them as Romulus trudged home, commanding back to Ashley "Follow me."

The girl didn't hesitate a minute, hurried chasing after the man, not wanting to be left behind, to be bait to other predators. The last thing that shot through her mind before she left the attack scene was the prayer that her friend would be OK.