Hello again. I'm sorry it's taken so long to write this chapter, but I was having extreme difficulties getting everything I wanted into one chapter. However! It is now much better and I like it alot. Please read and review!!! thanks :) smiley pour vous

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything mentioned in the Harr Potter books, nor do I own any of the people mentioned in Prison Break. (If you watch the show, you will see what I mean.

Chapter 4

I opened my eyes and stared up at the distant ceiling. I could feel the hard ground beneath me. I couldn't move. Nothing seemed to want to focus. I could feel my muscles getting more sore by the second, and I tried to move but I just couldn't. My head felt like it was stuffed with cotton. I could see little balls of light that I knew weren't there but were floating around the room. They were blue and yellow and would swirl around and around bumping into things around my bedroom. The balls of light would go in and out and get brighter with each blink I took. My eyes had fogged over, and soon the flickering light had stopped. I could feel the oxygen entering my lungs, and feel each pounding heart beat in my chest. The air would come out in currents pausing in my lungs and would hurt my sore chest. I inhaled and exhaled, and stared through the fog at nothing in paticular.

I heard a distant clock ticking. I tried to move and look at the time, but was unable to move my neck. I was still breathing slowly allowing myself to slowly let go of everything. Soon the fog turned into whiteness and I basked in the glow of the light. I knew it was my mind playing tricks on me, and this I had to fight. If I didn't fight I would surely pass out, which was not a possibility at the moment. With every fiber in my body I tried to fight the light. Soon, I started trying to move my finger tips and working from there. I made a curling motion with my fingers and curled them back and forth, back and forth. Next I moved to my hands, and I made circle motions with my wrists. My hands could move. I was making progress. I slowly lifted my arms, and I gently allowed them to fall to my sides. I finally decided that I could not be found on the ground. I forced myself to sit up. This was a mistake.

My head spun violently, and I had to grab a hold of the bed post. The light had come back and now it spread to block my entire vision. The whiteness stayed momentarily and for a breif moment I was calm. Just as quickly as the white came, it left and then the darkness hit. I clung to the bed post and hoped that I would not pass out. I gripped harder and harder until I was sure my knuckles would break under the pressure. After what seemed like an hour, I opened my eyes and found my bedroom dipped in an inky black darkness. I slowly and shakily stood up, picking up my fallen bed sheets with me. I allowed myself to collapse onto the bed and I forced myself to pull the blankets over me. The pillow was warm and soft. My head sunk deep into the cushions and my body seemed to melt away. I was nothing again and I liked it. I closed my eyes and drifted back to sleep. Silence followed and then my dreams flooded into my head allowing peace and tranquility if only for a moment.

I was being rudely awaken by someone shaking my sholder. I moaned and tried to push the hand away, but it would only go away for a second, and would come back again. I was getting flustered with this hand. It needed to die and leave me alone. I felt it's presence come back again and start to shake my sholder again. This time I scratched the hand. I heard someone yell out in pain and then felt the hand leave again. I was satisfied. The annoying hand would not bother me again. I snuggled back into the blankets and was about to fall back asleep when I felt the hands grab all the blankets and pull them off of my freezing body. I shivered and my eyes snaped open. With a lot of effor I managed to roll over onto my back and look up. James. I should have known.

His hair was messy, and he was holding my white blanets in his hands. He was tall, at least from my angle and was looking at me and frowning slightly. I was angry at him for taking my blanket. I still felt like crap, and I wasn't in the mood for this. I shivered again, and realized that I hadn't stopped since he pulled it off. Out of nowhere, my head spun again, and I moaned and rolled back over onto my stomach. I felt the cut on my side and felt the blood slowly ooze out of it. I couldn't move again and I was freezing. I shivered a little more violently and I heard my teeth chatter. I heard James say something to me, but I couldn't hear him. It was nothing but an echo. His voice would drift in and out in waves, so it was impossible for me to actually hear what he was saying. I felt the blankets get put over my fragile body. It was warm and it created a cacoon around me. I then felt James' hand on my forehead. I heard him sigh, and leave the room. I felt cold again and I gripped the blankets closer to me.

James came back into the room and was holding some sort of liquid in a bottle. He came towards the bed and pulled up the wooden chair that was seated by the desk. He opened up the bottle and handed it to me. I slowly eased myself up and looked at the bottle. "What is it?" I manged to choke out. My voice had turned raw, and it was then I knew I was sick. James looked at the bottle and finally spoke. "It's this cold syrum that Lily told me to bring you just in case. Sirius came by yesterday after work and told us that you didn't look so well. He said before you went into the house you were pale, and that he was reluctant to leave you. I told lily and she went and made the syrum." James looked slightly tired, and very concerned. He pushed the bottle closer to me and I slowly picked up the bottle and put it to my lips. I allowed the thick liquid to fill my mouth. It was bitter, and tasted vaguely like spinach, but I continued to drink it until the bottle was empty. I handed it back to James who took the bottle and put it onto my desk.

I felt the strange liquid sitting in my stomach. Lily astounded me. Even though we hardly ever spoke to one another except when James was around, she always seemed to care about my welfare. Slowly my head emptied of the fog, and I could see my room without any more fog. I had stopped shaking all together and my throat felt better. My side even seemed to improve slightly. I eased myself against the back fo the headboard and looked at James. He smiled. "Did it work?" he asked laughing slightly. I nodded and slowly pushed the blanket off. I didn't want to be in bed anymore. My legs wanted to move. I put my feet onto the cold floor. "What time is it?" I asked James. He looked at his watch. "8:09" he replied reading the watch carefully. He pushed his glasses back up his nose and ruffled his hair. "I'm getting out of bed" I told him even though I figured it was obvious. He nodded and got up and put the chair back at the desk. He grabed my arm and helped me stand. I managed to get my balance, and then I walked slowly over to the dresser and began to dig through the contents of the drawers for new clothing. I found the usual clothing necessities, and pulled of my shirt. I saw James eyes look at the bandage, and he looked like he wanted to say something but didn't.

"I cut myself" I said for him. He nodded and leaned on the door entry way. "How?" he questioned. I pulled the new shirt over my head. "I was in a fight with another werewolf" I explained carefully. "He grabbed my side, and pinned my to the ground. I had to give myself stitches, but it's healing which is the important thing." I was now taking my pants off and putting on new ones. James nodded again. "Why didn't you go to a hospital?" "Because I didn't want to" I replied dejectedly. James ruffled his hair again. "Oh" he said. A weird silence filled the room and I said nothing. I was now back on the bed putting on socks and shoes. I laced up the sneakers. They were old and beat up, but I liked them. I wished I could afford new ones, but I had no money to do so. I haven't had money for quite some time now. I stood up and turned towards James. "I'm hungry," I told him. "I want food." I looked at James who seemed rather surprised that I was hungry. "Sounds good to me" he replied and we walked into the living room where I found my key still on the coffee table where I had left it. We left my apartment and I turned and closed the door behind me. We walked down the iron stairs down five flights and we finally reached the landing.

As we were walking out, I heard Mrs. Crawford step out from behind her door. I tried to dash out the door as quickly as possible to avoid her, but it was impossible. "WEREWOLF" she shouted. I stopped dead in my tracks. James froze as well and turned around. I slowly turned around and starred at her. She was shorter then me so I had to look down at her. She was wearing the same thing that she had been wearing the last time I saw her. She gripped her cane tightly and gazed at me. "Rent?" she asked in her falsely sweet voice. I glarred at her, and replied, "not at the moment Mrs. Crawford." I felt my fists clench.

I hate Mrs.Crawford. I hated her with every fiber in my body. She smiled sweetly at me, and looked at me again. I could see that she wanted to degrade me again. She knew that James was behind her, and that we were friends. She had never had this opperunity before. I moved in a day where she was out of town. I was lucky so far because no one has ever met her up with her until now. Now she saw James and knew she could bring things out into the open as blackmail. I hated her, and I would not give her this satisfaction. Before she could say anything I roughly shoved past her, causing her to drop her cane and have her cigarette fall out of her mouth. Apparently, I shoved her so roughly that she actually toppled to the floor. Panic flooded through me so I grabbed James by the sholder and practically shoved him out of the door. I heard Mrs.Crawford shouting at me, but I didn't care. I kept on walking until soon I was running and James was running to keep up with me. I ran down the street away from her.

When I was successfully away from my apartment building, I stopped and James and I leaned against another stone wall. James was looking at me like I was crazy, but he didn't say anything. I stood there with my head against the wall drinking in the air around me. I had never given her the satisfaction of letting her get to me. Now that I pushed her down I knew I would have to deal with her later. This would not end well. I was unsure that I would be living there much longer. I did not say any of this to James. James was starring at me and said , "What was that all about? Why doesn't she call you Remus?" I sighed and starred at the filthy sidewalk under my filthy shoes. Filth. That's what she was. She was nothing to nobody, and was hated by all. In turn, she hated everyone else. She hated everyone in the whole god damn building. "She just hates me James. She hates everyone. Theres nothing anyone can do about it. I don't know what got into me back there but right then and there I just didn't want to listen to any of her bull shit. If she had her way, we would all be on the streets. She will most likely do that one day, and die alone." I kicked a pebble at my feet. James nodded silently. "I guess some people will never change" he replied quietly. I nodded and we stood against the wall. As much as I appreciated James understanding, I knew that in all honesty he would never understand. No one understands werewolves. No one. James, Sirius, Peter, they all try to understand, but in the long run I still feel alone.

I can't take the silence anymore so I turn to James. James looks up at me and we soon walk along discussing all of the possible eating places around. I tell him I have no real money to spend. "I didn't think you did," he said. "I thought I was paying." I starred at him so James hastily added, " I mean, I heard Mrs. Crawford say something to the affect of the rent. To me, it doesn't sound like that it's going to get payed any time soon. I'll pay. You concentrate on the rent. It's more important." He smiles reasuringly, and we walk on together still disscussing. It doesn't take long for me to move on from what James said. It never does anymore. We finally settle on breakfast with James mother. She has always adored all of James friends and we head over there to eat.

We apparate over and soon were in front of a huge stone house. James' parents lived in a wizarding community known for it's wealth. The houses here look like small castles, and some even have flags and towers. James parents' house is no exception. Their house is a beautiful gothic structure had been restored and new ivy clung to the sides and reached for the sun above. Cherry blossum trees lined the walk way. The lawn around it was perfectly manicured and small rose bushes also lined the walkway. Humingbirds, bees and butterflies fluttered effortlessly in and out of the plants and flew around in the sky above. There were huge windows on either side of the stone walls. Through it you could see spacious halls and rooms hidden behind silk curtains. The sky was getting cloudy and I felt sprinkles touch my skin. James walked effortlessly underneath the canopy of pink blossums. We climbed up the stone steps and up to the white front door. There was a plaque with the words Potter Residence on them. There was a wreath on the door and fragrent flowers coiled around it. Fairies flew in and out of it and when they saw James flew over to his ear and whispered something into it. James laughed and brushed them away from his ear. I smiled. I moved forward and rang the doorbell. An extremly loud chiming came from inside of the house and could be heard echoing all over. Suddenly, a door opened and for a moment I thought no one had opened it at all, but then I looked down and saw that it was only a house elf.

"Good afternoon sirs" the house elf squeeked. She was small and had the biggest blue eyes I had ever seen. She had on a tiny apron and underneath that lay a light blue dress. I was mildly shocked that the house elf was wearing nice clothing. Most of the time they wore rags, a trade mark of their kind. I looked up at James who whispered in my ear that his mother insisted that they dress nicely and had them make the clothes themselves. I laughed quietly, and turned my attention back to the tiny house elf. She smiled and small pink circles appeard on her cheeks. James bent down a little bit so that we weren't completely towering over her. "Hello there Mrs. Smiggledorf" James said. "I'm looking for my mother is she home?" I couldn't help but snicker. Smiggledorf was one of the funniest names I had ever heard. "Lola doesn't know where the Mrs' is. Lola will go and fetch her. Lola will show you into the waiting room." I proceeded to wait for this Lola person Mrs.Smiggledorf had refered to, but was surprised to see that she was refering to herself. James stepped inside and I followed behind him.

"This way please" Lola said in her small squeaky voice. She led us down a long marble corridor that were lined with art and priceless vases. In the distence I could see a suit of armor. James and I walked down this hallway and were led into a small room where there were blue couches and brown wooden tables. Underneath those were persian rugs and on the tables were blue vases filled to the brim with white roses. A family portait hung above the mantal, and James father and mother waved as we entered. James collapsed onto the couch and I went opposite of him and sat down. The couch was incredibly comfortable. In fact, it was more comfotable then my own bed. Lola smiled and told us she would be back in a minute. James nodded and closed his eyes practically falling asleep on the couch. I looked around at the sights. I was in awe with the room.The wall paper was perfect and has criss crossing flowers all over. The table had hand carved dragons for the legs. There was a chess board on the table with perfectly carved figurines of famous wizards throughout the ages. James' father was a history buff and had many odd figurines hanging around the room. I looked over at the picture of James' family. James was sitting and staring at his real self sleeping on the couch and his mother and father were whispering to each other about nothing in paticular. The hardwood floor shone due to extensive waxing. I looked behind me. Out the window you could see the walk up, and field that streatched for about a mile. In the distance, you could see another huge house. This one had a flag on it and it waved in the wind. There was an iron fence around it and I got the impression that only high upstanding citizens were allowed to enter there.

A grandfather clock struck 10 o' clock and James' eyes opened. He sat up and I smiled at him. He yawned and stretched out sleepily. He stuck one of his legs on the coffee table in front of him. James could get away with doing things like that, this was his parents house after all. Suddenly, we both heard the clacking sound of footsteps and a women talking about how happy she was because she was getting payed a visit from her darling son. I looked at James, who had promptly taken his foot off of the coffee table and began to stand. I remained seated. I would wait for her to say that we could stay before I paraded around her house. The wooden doors opened and there stood a women with brown hair that was greying and was pulled into a bun. She smiled warmly at James and rushed over and gave him a hug.

"Why James Potter, I thought you had vanished off the face of the earth!" James mother exclaimed. "After all, once you moved in with Lily, I thought she had kidnapped you! Honestly James not even paying me regular visits to your darling mother!" His mother smiled warmly and hugged him again. James laughed and ruffled his hair in a guilty sort of way. "I meant to write and stuff, but I've been busy lately, you understand don't you?" James smiled weakly. If there was one person on this planet that could make James feel guilty and behave it was his mother. James mother waved a hand in the air and smiled hugely. "I'm just pleased to have you for a visit" James and her starred at each other for a moment before James jumped and remember that I was sitting right behind him. He turned around sharply turning his mother towards me. "Mum, I brought Remus along today. He's hungry and needs your excellent food." James mother looked stunned to see me. This however does not surprise me, for the last time I saw her was about 2 years ago. I start thinking about how much time has actually passed bewtween us. I think about how her hair used to be short, and is now long. How my hair used to be short and is now long. I think about the differences between us, how she will always be rich and well taken care of and how my life is hanging on a string about to be cut by fate and missfortune. I think about how she has a husband and a healthy son, and what do I have? Some clothes, a practically empty bank volt in Gringotts and a crappy apartment which may or may not still be there when I return. I can't help frowning for a moment. Suddenly, I feel as though I don't belong. This house is too good for me, and it's useless to feel some sort of hope where there is none.

I stand up finally and walk myself towards Mrs.Potter. She is 54. She is wearing a white dress with yellow daisy's all along the trim and she has a braclet made out of dragon teeth. It clinks together when she moves her hand back and forth. I happen to know for a fact that braclet is very expensive. I think about who might have given it to her, but I don't ask. It's not my place to intrude on such things. She is staring at me up and down like the way Mrs.Crawford was doing to me earlier, only Mrs.Potter is doing it nicely. She's finding all the things wrong with me. This is a classic mothers stare, like the one my own mother gives me whenever she see's me. They both want to fix what they see but know that they can't. Mrs. Potter smiles and hugs me warmly and for a moment crushes over my cut. I wince, but try not to let it show too much. She releases me for a moment, and looks in my eyes. She has brown eyes. I never noticed before. "Remus" she said softly and delicately, "It's been too long." I smile. This women has to be one of the most understanding people I have ever met. "Come!" she says spontaneously causing James to jump, "To the kitchen! I have food like you wouldn't believe. So much that even James can't finish it." James glares comically at his mother and she laughs. They leave through the double doors and I watch them. I wish I could have what they have. I turn and stare at the picture of them above the mantle. Big, happy, full of life. Silently I leave the room closing the wooden doors behind me.

I follow James and his mother down the long marble staircase. Mrs.Potter whos first name is Martha is disscussing anything and everything. She first starts off with how nice James looks, and how nice it is to see me. Soon she moves onto James father and how he is at the office doing some surgery on one of his patients. James fathers name is Mark, and he is a healer at Saint Mungos. He works on extreme cases, and is classified as a surgeon. I hardly ever see him when I got to the hospital, because he specializes in vampires; not werewolfs. He's a nice man, and is always curdious to me. Mark spends many a day locked away in his study reading many works from well edjucated men. His mother is soon onto another topic, this time talking about some new neighbors from down the road who are a total disgrace to the community. Apparently they have the ugliest house she's ever seen, and their houselves are a disgrace. I notice how much taller James is to his mother. He must get his tallness from his father.

Finally we reach the end of the hall and there are two huge wooden doors. Mrs. Potter opens them and we walk through and into a huge dinning room. It's beautiful. One wall is completely lined with floor to ceiling windows and through them you can see distant fields and a lake surrounded by trees. The room has high ceilings and the floor is a white marble floor. In the center of the room is one of the longest tables I have ever seen. Whats most impressive about it is that it is piled with so much food, my eyes can't take it all in at once. Theres a big chandelier with crystals dangling from it. James pulls me out of my pensiveness and I see that his mother is sitting at the table. James joins her side of the table and I sit on the opposite facing them.

James mother pours tea and James begins filling his plate with all of his favorite foods. I have no idea where to start. Before I even have a chance to start, we hear the door open and we all look up to see who it could be. I see no one again. Mrs. Potter gets up and I see that it's once again a houselef. "Master of the House, Mr. Potter mame" the house elf says in a noble voice. He then steps out of the way and James father enters the room.

Mr. Potter is the spitting image of James. He has black ruffled hair, glasses, and is rather tall. He comes towars us all wearing black wizarding robes and smiling hugley. "James my boy!" He exclaims, and James comes over and they embrace strongly. Mrs. Potter flutters over and she begins talking to him. "Oh, Mr. Potter" she coos, "How you worry me so with all of your constant working!" He kisses her on the cheek and she blushes slightly. "Please Mark, not in front of our guests!" James father looks startled, and that's when he sees me. "Remus!" He exclaims again. "Didn't see you hiding over there. It's been a while my boy! You look well, those full moons have been treating you decently I presume?" I don't really know what to say. "Thank you, It's nice to see you too. You look well." I add meakly. He stares at me with the same stare that James mother gives me. There is a slightly uncomfortable silence only to be interupted yet again by James father. " Right then," he claps his hands together, "Looks like we have a wonderful splendor for breakfast this morning. Let us eat then." James father takes a seat at the head of the table and we all eat the delicious food.

I eat everything I could get my hands on. Pancakes, waffles, toast, eggs, so much fruit I lost track, and so much more. I can't remember the last time I was this full. I smile contently and look at James. He is talking about Lily. Lily and Quidditch occupy James thoughts the majority of the time. He is describing how she got a hair cut. She now has bangs apparently. He is saying how cute she looks with it, and how green her eyes look lately. James' mother is smiling happily. James father is listening also smiling at james while reading a newspaper.

Suddenly James father looks up at me and puts the paper down. "So Remus," he says to me, "How are you these days?" I don't know how to answer. I can't tell him the truth. If I told them I have been unemployed for the past month, and I may be evicted soon because I have no money to pay the rent, (let alone food), they would more then likely get upset and I would have no idea how to deal with it. They can't know this.

"It's well actually, "I lie through my teeth, " Not the best apartment I've ever lived in, but hey it's home at least." I smile to show that everything is ok, and my lie seems to work. James mother beams. "That's wonderful news Remus. Lately, It seems that every werewolf you read about in the papers are in destitute or worse!" I smile nervously, and clench my fists. My hands can't be trusted right now. James father smiles as well. "Yes, all I hear lately is how the Ministry is making crack downs on werewolf areas to transform. Have you heard anything to that nature?" I advert my eyes. Of course I've heard. It's been awful these past months. Packs of werewolfs have been broken apart, werewolfs have been transforming in parks because we can no longer find good forests to transform in. Due to this, more people are getting attacked at night because theres no where to run but city streets. The forest I transform in every night has been on traget in the past couple of months. If it gets closed as well, I'm not sure where I will go. "Yes, I have heard, but there is not much else we can do." James parents look saddened by this. James speaks up, "Why don't you try adressing your problems to the ministry". It's a nice thought, butnot good enough. I laugh bitterly, "Don't you think we've tried James? The ministry is scared out of their wits by us, that's why they close down places to transform. They think they can squash the wolf out of us by simply making it difficult for us to transform. It won't work, but goodness knows they've tried. Were not giving up that easily though. Plenty of werwolfs are starting to make stands. Who knows if it will work, but we have to do something I guess." I finish my speech and take a sip of orange juice. It's cold and thick and wonderful. I smile but realize that the rest of James' family isn't. James mother finally speaks. "That sounds awful" she says quietly. "It's not so bad, many of us have stable lives and were working with some ministry officials to make reforms. Things will change, we just have to hope." I stare at my hands. There is a scratch on one of them from the full moon. James father looks at me and smiles. "I agree Remus. Just keep up the protests, somethings about to change." I smile unsure if that will be true. It's hard to hope for something that always seems to be out of your reach.

It is now 12 in the afternoon, and we have polished off a fair amount of the food. Mrs. Potter is disscussing the annoying neighbors again and Mr. Potter is listening intentively to her. James is writing a letter to Peter seeing how he is doing in Yorkshire. It dawns on me that I haven't heard from Peter in some time. He moved from London to Yorkshire just last year for a job opportunity. He is now overseeing some new wizarding community in that area. Peter has family over there anyway, so we supported him in the decision to move. He is rather indesicive when it comes to things, and relys heavily on our opinions. I haven't written to him in quite some time. That may be because I don't have any money for parchment at the moment. Bitterness washes over me again and I stare out the window behind James. It is raining now, and the lake in the distence has ripples of rain drops pounding into the waters. It is windy and the trees are swaying back and fourth against the wind. I feel cold all of a sudden and realize that the door has been opened by a house elf and a draft is blowing in.

"Master Potter, a letter for you from St. Mungo's." The house elf handed Mr. Potter the letter and Mark took it and opened it with his finger. Martha looked up at him curiously and James put his quill down ontop of the parchement to also look at his father. James' father read the letter for a moment before finally putting it down. "It seems that one of my patients has broken one of their fangs so severly that he needs to have surgery. I shall return late tonight my dear." He stands up and walks over to me and shakes me hand. "Feel free to come here any time my boy, any time. You are always welcome. " I smile and thank him and he walks over to James and Martha and hugs them both and soon he is off.

"We should go too Remus, I have to head back home, Lily is expecting me soon" James says to me looking at the grandfather clock near the door. I nod my head in agreement, after all If I don't leave now I don't think I ever will leave. We head towards the door with Mrs. Potter following behind us. She catches up with James and she starts reminding him to say hello to darling Lily, to write, and of course bring us more often because she simply adores our visits. James nods and rolls his eyes but in the end oblidges. I smile at them, but then slowly begin to think about my own mother and start to frown. I can't remember the last time I wrote to them. It's been way to long. The thought of writing to them however was something that seemed daunting to me, so for yet another day I put it off.

We are now standing in front of the front door. James is pulling on his trench coat and his red scarf that Lily gave him for christmas last year. I pick up my brown leather jacket that is so old that the leather has actually started freying in areas. Mrs. Potter comes over and hugs me one last time. "Don't be shy Remus," she says to me gently, "You can always come to us whenever you wish too. Always." She hugs me more tightly this time and I feel her put something into my pocket. I don't dare pull it out and I move back thanking her one last time. James opens the door and soon we step out onto the front steps and silently shut the door behind us. James waves to his mother who is now watching us from the window. I laugh quietly and begin to walk away from the gorgeous house towards the front gate.

James and I are standing on the gravel pavement and I'm kicking the stones with my shoes. The wind has picked up drastically and I shiver from the wind. My hair blows in front of my eyes, and I push it out of my face carefully. I turn to James and thank him for the cold syrum. He smiles effortlessly and says, "It's no problem Remus, Lily enjoys making potions. Why, I will never know but she does." He laughs. "I really should get going though, I promised Lily I would be home before one because we have plans to go see some exhibit on some muggle artist that lily loves." James sighs patiently as If he would much rather be doing something else, but since it's his beloved Lily is doing it anyway. "That sounds nice" I say as reasuringly as I can. " I'm tired anyways, and should be going back to bed soon." James nods and stares out at the daunting house in the distence with the Iron Fence. I shiver in the wind again. "Sounds good, I'll write to you tomorrow or something. Takes care Remus." With that James smiled warmly and with a tiny pop apparated into the air.

I stood in front of James parents house silently starting at the gorgeous houses around them. Slowly I began walking down the road, not quite ready to face my crappy apartment. I walk past one house that is completely surrounded by plants and flowers. Birds float effortlessly between the brances and humingbirds make huming noises as they dart frantically form one bush to the next. The house is huge and even though the flowers are welcoming, I know someone like me would not be.

As I continue down the road I remember that Mrs. Potter put something in my jacket pocket. I pull it out and it's an envelope with my name written on the cover in green Ink. It's written in this perfect cursive that only time and patience would allow someone to master. I slip the top open with my fingernail, and find that it's a check written for 50 dollars. I shudder. That's enough to pay the Rent. A huge part of me tells me not to use it, to go and slip it through the mail box and to not except this money. It's mpity money, and you can't afford to be looked down on any more then you are. A bigger part however soon dominates and informs me that without this rent money, you have no apartment. This would mean no place to sleep, and that would mean the streets again.

I never told anyone, especially not James and Sirius, but for a short time after Hogwarts I was actually living on the streets. I lived on them for about 2 months, and it was the worst time of my life. James and Sirius were under the impression that I was living with my parents, and my parents were under the impression I was rooming with friends. It was the perfect way for them to not to figure out that I was on the streets. I hated excepting charity form people, and knew I had to work this out on my own. The streets were and still are dank, dark, freezing, unpredictable, everything. I had this constant cold that would not leave. People around me carried there stuff with them wherever they went, and I was no exception. Myself and others would wait for shop owners to not notice and proceed to steal as much food that we could get our hands on. It was much easier to do this with magic, for no one caught you in the muggle world. I had to sleep under highway overhangs as to not get wet by rain. I took showers at public pools for muggles at midnight by apparating into them. Life was miserable and for brief periods of time, I was not sure it would ever improve.

Finally however I managed to somehow save up enough money to afford a place to live. It was very difficult because I kept getting fired form one job to the next. I have worked more jobs then anyone I know combined. I managed to do it though and went and found the cheapest apartment I could find. That was the place I lived now. 50 dollars a month, for one bathroom one small kitchen, and the smallest living room and bedroom I know. It was however, much better then the streets. I haven't left yet, but lately have been far to slack on the rent. Mrs. Crawford will surely want to throw me out into the streets, and in all honesty, I'm not sure I could take it again. I am once again not strong enough.

I walk bitterly down the gravel road tearing apart my brain thinking about the decisions I would be having to make. I was still conflicted by the time I reached the gateway to the village. A huge Brick overhang with Harrison Village written in Gold letters. I felt small under the overhang, unimportant, insignifigent. I went past them, past the guard, and began walking down the barren empty road towards the wealthy part of London. I could feel rain begin to splatter onto my arms again and slowly it got harder and harder, so that I had to run underneath a tree to stay dry. The constant running to find shelter reminded me of living on the streets. I reluctantnly admited to myself that I needed to use this money regardless if I wanted to or not. The sky darkened dramatically I realized that I could walk no longer and decided to apparate back. With one swift motion, I was flying through the air and just like that I was back into the destitute standing in front of my apartment building.

What greeted me there surprised me. There was a van, with the side reading Warlock and sons Moving Company. I starred at the truck unable to think clearly. Then I remembered. On my floor, there was one empty apartment. I would have rented it out myself, but it was too expensive for me. It had 2 bedrooms, and a much larger kitchen and living room then I had. It had been on rent for quite some time now. The previous neighbor turned out to be a criminal the ministry had been trying to catch for years. Who would have known. Anyways, he was taken away and the apartment went back up for rent. I guess someone bought it.

I was just about to walk into the building and drop the check off at Mrs. Crawfords when a man holding a heavy box came out of the moving van. He didn't see me, and he collided with me causing me to lose my balance and fall to the ground. The man quickly put the box down as quickly as he could and rushed over to me to help me up. "I am so sorry about that" the man said quickly and helped me to my feet. My side stitched up tightly and I grimmaced as I stood. "Oh no!" the man said "Are you hurt?! I'm so sorry." "I'm fine honest," I said as politely as I could. "I've gotten worse injuries trust me." The man smiled and it was then I noticed how pale he was. He had short black hair and it was spikey, and in his eyebrow was a piercing of what looked like a small knife. He was tall, taller then me, and he had yellow eyes. They were very untantural. "I'm Michael" the man said extending his hand. I took it, but his hands were freezing. I flinched at the cold and moved my hand. "Oh yeah," Michael chuckled, "curse of the vampire, always have cold hands." I nodded. That explained why he was so pale.

"Nice to meet you" I said politely, shoving my hand into my pocket to try and get the warmth back. "Moving then I see." Michael nodded. "Yes, I'm moving in with my life partner Alex." I froze. I had never met a gay vampire before. " Alex?" I questioned. I looked around, I didn't see anyone else. Michael looked around also. "That's odd" Michael said softly, "He was here a second ago…". Suddenly Mrs.Crawford came rushing out of the house screaming that someone was trying to attack her. I saw Michael clench up a little and turn to face her. Her hand was bloody, and that's when we realized where Alex was. Another tall man came running after Mrs.Crawford with a look of desperation on his face. He was hungry, hungry for Mrs.Crawford. Michael also looked like he wanted the blood, and began to rush forward when suddenly another person came out. It was a women this time.

The girl ran out and seemed to grab both Alex and Michael away from Mrs.Crawford. Mrs. Crawford was screaming for the entire neighborhood to hear, hiding behind a blue couch. Her hands were over her eyes screaming like a banchee. I turned my attention back towards the girl and realized that she had something in her hand that made them stop. It looked like a bottle of a red liquid. They both drank some, and soon calmed down. Michael and Alex were now both sitting on the curb silently starring at the street. The women turned around and looked at Mrs.Crawford and came over and tried to calm her down a little, for she was still screaming like she was being murdered.

"There now," the women said gently, "It's only a cut." The girl pulled out what looked like gauze out of her pocket and then gently took Mrs.Crawfords gross, withered hand and wrapped the cut in gauze. Mrs.Crawford looked stunned and promplty got up from behind the couch and marched away from the women without even thanking her. The women just sighed and put the gauze back into her pocket. I felt stupid just standing on the sidewalk, so I decided to go and see if the women needed any help. I walked over to her and tapped her on the sholder. She turned around and I finally got a good glimpse of her.

She had light brown hair that went down to her sholders, and unlike Michael and Alex, she was not a ghostly pale. She had peach colored skin and blue eyes. She had roundish cheeks that were still slightly pink from running. She was tall and was wearing a grey sweatshirt and brown pants with brown sneakers. Overall she was just your average women. Not what I was expecting. She smiled and shuffled a little in a nice manner. "Hello" she said politely. "Hello" I responded just as nicely. "That was interesting" I said trying to make small talk. She laughed, "yes It was, They didn't have breakfast this morning." She smiled again in a comical way. I laughed. "Oh really? Well that would explain it then." There was a silent pause for a second, and then I outstreached my hand and let the women take it. "I'm Remus Lupin, I live in the apartment next to the one Michael and Alex are moving into." She smiled nicely, "Oh!" she exclaimed "Then we will be neighbors!" I looked at her curiously. "You're living with them too?" I questioned. She nodded, "Yeah, I'm a good friend of theirs. I needed a place to stay, so I'm living with them now. I'm Sarah by the way" she said still holding a firm grip on my hand.

I wasn't sure what to say. I had never heard of a normal witch living with vampires before in my life. In history texts they always tell you to use extreme caution, yet here was a women not even afraid to have her blood sucked clean out of her in the middle of the night. Curiosity flooded through me, and before I could stop myself, I blurted out, "Aren't you afraid of living with them?" she chuckled. "Of course not, I love both of them very much, they wouldn't dare hurt me. Besides, as long as they drink some blood in the morning and before they sleep at night, I'm perfectly safe. Don't you worry" she said while winking. I just nodded. Finally I gave up trying to figure out how anyone could live that way, and decided to help them. "Would you like some assistence? It seems like if one of you cuts yourself, this could take all day." Sarah smiled and nodded yes. "That would be great! If you could just grab the box here, and well, you know where to go." I bent over and picked up the box.

After helping my new neighbors into their apartment, I finally managed to go down and pay my rent. I hated to admit it, but I was actually looking forward to seeing Mrs.Crawfords face when I gave her the check. I walked back down the stairs and landed finally in the lobby. It was even more smokey then usualy, and I could see that Mrs.Crawford had been smoking more then usual. The vampires must have scared her more then she let on. I knocked on her door and when no one answered, decided to just open the door. I did so and saw that she was sound asleep in her chair. I starred at her sleeping figure. I controled my urge to not hurt her, and coughed extremly loudly so that she would wake up. She jerked her head up and starred at me rather evily. "What do you want werewolf?" she wheezed. I waved my hand in front of my face to clear some of the smoke out of the way while she looked at my impatiently. I pulled the envelope out of my pocket and pulled out the check and handed it to her.

She took it dumbly and starred at it. "What is this?" she asked curiously as if she had never seen one before. "In common society it's known as a check. It's used to pay things with using our currency. I am using it to pay for the rent." She glarred at me. "I know what it is werewolf, I mean to say where did you get it?" I looked at her and smiled. "I don't think that's any of your business." She looked murderous but I didn't care. "Now, you got your money, and all is right with the world." I put my hands in my pocket. "If you don't mind" I finished, "I have to get back upstairs to my apartment, I'll be seeing you." She was starring at me with her mouth hanging open and I swiftly walked out of the room and headed towards the stairs laughing to myself the entire way there.

Slowly I walked up the stairs towars my apartment. I could hear suffling of things and a female voice belonging to Sarah yelling, "NO DON'T MOVE THAT!" when suddenly a huge crashing noise filled the hallway. I winced, shook my head and moved onto my apartment. Thankfully, due to magic, the walls were soundproof. I found my key and put it into the lock and slowly turned the key hearing a small click and pushing the door open. I entered and closed the door behind me. I smiled to myself. The room was dark, after all it was 10 pm. My day had improved drastically from the morning. It had started off rotten, but for once life was actually ok. I wasn't out on the street, I still had a full stomach from breakfast, and I had nice non criminal neighbors. I yawned hugely and found that I was actually quite exhausted. I pulled of my leather jacket and hung it up. I then proceeded to pull off my shirt and walk shirtless into the bathroom. After about 30 minutes, I was done due to having to clean out my stitches again.

Quietly I walked to my bedroom. I changed into pajama pants and pulled on a new shirt. Slowly I got into bed and pulled up the covers. Something was missing though. I realized that I hadn't read in more then a week, so I got up quickly and pulled out a book from my bookshelf. I read about 5 chapters before I looked up at the clock. It was 12:54 in the morning and I figured that I needed to get some sleep. I reluctantly put the book on the desk and turned the light off with my wand. I pulled the blankets up and slowly allowed nothing but sleep into my mind until soon I was fast asleep.