-1'The weight doubled, tripled, piled on like lead

Upon his shoulders, aching in tune with his pounding head'

Remus eyed the page in frustration, scribbling out a few words then replacing them with better ones. Underlined at top was the title of the poem he had started during lunch, 'Crumbling'. The idea had started with the story of Atlas and the world on his shoulders but somehow it ended up revolving around himself.

'Sweat pours down his brow, stinging his eyes

Those pained pools he turned to the skies

His knees are giving out, his arms are quaking

Breath coming in short gasps, shaking

But hope is in his heart, a fire of adoration

For those cold little stars of loving consolation'

Growling quietly in frustration, he scribbled on a spare piece of parchment with his eagle quill. The stupid thing stopped working for a good three minutes before it spluttered and started again. With an annoyed sigh he leaned back from the table, his hands folding together to crack before lying limp in his lap. The library was utterly silent beyond the sound of students below on the grounds. He wasn't entirely surprised; it was the last few days of warmth before Halloween.

It had been a couple of days since he had last seen Babette, either in class or in the corridors. Maybe she had been called home. When he asked the teachers they merely gave him a strange look before saying it was not his business.

'They are the shining diamonds of his life

Who cut through his pain like a knife

And as he smiled at his amours, body like a shell

Those lights blinked out, leaving him in hell'

For a few minutes he stopped and looked at his hands and the scars that adorned them. Only a few days ago they had grown into paws, carpeted in fur the colors of grey and black. Setting his elbow on the table he rested his chin in his palm and gazed out the window. It was a clear cerulean blue day with a gentle breeze. He should be out there with his classmates and friends but the last transformation left him too sensitive to the sun and harsh lights.

'In agony he screams, falling to the ground

His knees are breaking, his flesh a thousand dead pounds

'Why, O God, do you make me suffer?

How much pain can you inflict, can you muster?

My bones are cracking, my heart is stopping,

My blood is spilling, my veins are popping

Let me die in peace, O Lord, give me back

My loves who install strength I now lack.'

To his despair the bleak hand did not fall

God did not hear his plea, heed his call

Tears fell as he miserably gave in

His heaven gone, the only inspiration of men'

Remus's eyes darted to the side and he jumped, realizing Professor Dumbledore stood there calmly. The elder man smiled gently, half apologetically from startling him. His blue eyes twinkled as he looked at the young werewolf who still had scratched scabs on his tired face.

"Remus, I need to talk to you in private," he whispered, careful not to disturb the peace of the library. Without a thought of mistrust or fear of being in trouble, Remus stood up and collected his books, scrolls and quills. He trusted Dumbledore without any doubts and would do anything he said to. It was because of him that he was even in school.

As they walked down the corridors Dumbledore chuckled amusedly.

"I liked your poem, Remus, I never spotted you as one for rhyming," he said lightly. Remus colored slightly but said nothing in return. He was led to an empty classroom, where the small Professor Dippet stood, arms crossed and a very upset look on his face. He had retired as headmaster and was now a teacher but Remus knew Dumbledore asked for advice on subjects.

"Sit down, Remus," Dumbledore instructed as he pointed to an empty desk. As he did so the older wizard stepped back and looked on with a somewhat satisfied expression. In response, face red, Dippet came up and leaned on Remus's desk, hands spread on the top, nose merely inches from his.

"Mr. Lupin, considering the situation with your…problem, we have an immense favor to ask."

Remus looked worriedly at Dumbledore who nodded slightly in reassurance then said, "What kind of favor, sir?"

"There is a student…" Dippet paused, lowered his head and swallowed angry curses. Nothing happened for a while.

"Please continue," Dumbledore prodded a bit forcefully. The man cast a furious at him before turning his vile glare at Remus.

"She has similar issues as yourself and-"

"She's a werewolf?"

"No, not exactly. Don't interrupt. She's only a half-breed; born from one human mother and a werewolf father."

Remus sat back, astounded and confused. They were allowing another? A half-breed? He hadn't thought it completely possible. He swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. The idea had never came to him that maybe there would be others like him here.

"What do you want from me?"

"She needs help. Help only you can offer. You understand the process of transformation, correct? The bones snap and reform as the skin changes to that of fur. Painful," Professor Dumbledore answered when Dippet didn't. "She is unable to complete transformation due to a loss of a few genes and hormones the mother prevented. She experiences the change slowly throughout her entire lifespan. Imagine her changing life as one long full moon night."

"But wouldn't that mean-"

"Yes, it does. I'm glad you have caught on. Right now she is experiencing minor changes but perhaps in this year her bones will slowly stretch and crack and her organs will slow due to pain. Remus, she will more than likely die from this and if she was to endure it and survive, she would be forever trapped inside the body of a werewolf."

Dumbfounded, Remus sat silently, trying to get his mind moving. It was like the wheels of his brain had slowed to a near stop. It didn't make sense at first but slowly he came to understand the science of her problem. Closing his eyes he lowered his head to his hands, trying to think of any other solution.

"Please say you are not asking for what I think you are," he pleaded softly. His voice had grown tight, shaky and painful. Dippet suddenly whirled about, storming over to the window that peered down to the grounds, grumping thunderously.

"Told you it was a bad idea…" he muttered towards Dumbledore who ignored him but focused on the student before him. Kneeling next to his desk he studied Remus's bowed head and his silent frustration.

"We know the risks and how hard it must be for you. We already have her consent."

"And her parents?"

"Abandoned her years ago. At least the mother did, the father was gone nine months before her birth," Dumbledore paused, seeming to gather courage to finish the request. "We need you to add the final links in her DNA so she can complete transformation like a normal werewolf."

Remus looked up, a wild look of desperation in his eyes.

"But isn't there-"

"Another way? No, I wish there was. There is no cure for a full bred wolf. It is the same for a half breed."

"Have they tried the process but with human genes?"

"Yes and the results were a painful death. That attempt was years ago with a young boy and it has not been made again. Are you suggesting we just condemn her to death instead of giving her a life, albeit a cursed one?" Dippet demanded furiously. Remus was confused on the headmaster's stand on this: one minute he acted as though he hated the plan and then the next he was supporting it.

Dumbledore silently watched the young werewolf for a minute, his periwinkle eyes serious and sad.

"Remus, the difference in choosing to be bitten is either what you are or death."

"If you do agree, the Ministry requires that you stay in class with her and keep her under your supervision," Dippet added, still fuming over at the window, not looking at them. "We don't need accidents-"

"Will you help?" Dumbledore cut in gently, resting his wizened hand on the boy's shoulder. "I only ask you because I trust you to be as careful as you can be."

A bit dizzy from the request, Remus looked up at his teacher and studied his face, trying to look for some sort of lie. But Dumbledore had never led him astray and he knew that what he suggested was best probably was.

Remus had hoped all his life he would never have to or accidentally curse someone with the nightmare he lived in. Some hidden part of him feared that maybe if it never happened he would somehow be redeemed. He realized that it wasn't his fault but he still feared he was condemned for simply being what he was.

The rational side of him yelled to ignore his paranoid superstitions and look at the science of it. She was going to die, who ever she was, if he didn't help her.

"Alright," he croaked finally, struggling to breathe. "I'll do it."

Dippet gave a sigh, one he couldn't distinguish from relief or disappointment. Dumbledore merely studied him before smiling reassuringly and clasped his shoulder.

"Good, brave lad. She's being brought up to meet you. The bite will have to be next full moon. Don't worry. She's eager for it to happen," he said with a wink. Turning to the still furious Dippet he bowed lowly.

"You won't regret this, I think. She's a brilliant girl and she will be fine."

With a great harrumph Dippet stormed out, slamming the heavy door and waking up a painting of a nun who grumbled. Dumbledore stood up and conjured a comfortable chair and sat down, putting his fingers together like a steeple. He fixed his weary gaze on Remus.

"I'm very sorry. I never wanted this burden to fall on you. But I trust your judgment and care above all others."

"Others like me."

The older man smiled dryly.

"Point being is that I know she'll be fine in your hands."

Remus fiddled with his hands, feeling somewhat guilty and scared.

"Professor? What if it doesn't work? What if I fail?" he asked in a burst, panicked and mildly frightened. "Will she die?"

Before Dumbledore could answer there was a quiet knock at the door, sending Remus's heart rocketing against his ribcage.

"Come in, dear," Dumbledore called invitingly. There was a pause then the door cracked open enough to admit a person. A girl sidled in and closed the door.

"Miss Jacobson?" Dumbledore inquired easily, ignoring Remus's shocked expression. The girl spotted him and a look of horror dawned on her face.

"Remus?"

"Babette?"

"You're the one?" they both exclaimed in surprise. The older wizard watched the exchange with mild amusement.

"Well, I'm glad we got to skip introductions."