A/N: Okay, I know this is really short, but I'm in need of inspiration, and it's not striking. That you to my ONE reviewer. C'mon, I've got like, 80 hits, there is a little button you can push to give me advice. I actually follow it, you know. Someone, please, help!
"So what happens now?" asked Peter after a long and uncomfortable silence. He was still slightly dazed after being tackled by Fera, and his voice was a little shaky.
Snape put his hand on Fera's shoulder, and she looked up, done crying. She answered, "So now we wait. Voldemort is going to start trying to recruit from the forest, and I plan to keep the pack safe, no matter what."
James growled, "So you would join You-Know-Who?"
Remus replied, "We will do what is best for our pack. If we can avoid choosing sides, it would be best. The pros to remaining neutral are too good to pass up. If we are forced to choose, the pack's interests come first."
A second silence ensued, and Fera stood, hugging Snape before pulling Remus to his feet. "I need to go to sleep. Good night everybody."
The two wolves left, and Snape followed their lead, leaving the three Marauders to their own devices. This was not a good idea, as Sirius and James proceeded to charm and booby trap everything within sight on their way to the kitchens for food, and then again on their way back to Gryffindor Tower. "Night, mates. See you in the morning." Sirius sighed and all three retired, as the last of the curtains closed, a peace like the calm before the storm descended upon the castle, and all was silent.
Four Weeks later, the Forbidden Forest
Several wolves moved through the trees under a full moon, one howled, and another howl came back in response. The two groups met up in a clearing near the lake. A wolf was brought forward, flanked by two large, burly looking wolves. Who are you? Remus asked in wolf-tounge
The other wolf growled in respect. I am Renarin, I was sent by the Dark One to offer you a deal.
Fera made a strange noise, and sent two female wolves into the forest. Moments later, the pack saw them bring back an unconscious wolf, dragging her between them. Fera snarled at Renarin This Dark One requires you to bring your mate into danger?
We were informed that mates are to serve equally the Dark One, or we would not be freed.
Remus made a noise that has meaning only in the wolf world, and it was remarkably like a snort. No man can promise equality. You would do well to flee. We will join no one who would put our own mates into danger. I will do what I must for the pack, and I will risk none of their lives if I can avoid it. Tell your Dark One that his offer is noted, as was the offer from his opposition. We will join no sides in this war of humans.
The others of the pack howled in agreement, and Fera gently woke Renarin's mate. The two wolves left the forest, and Fera then addressed the pack We must be on our guard. If it comes to it, and we must choose a side. Should this happen, where shall our loyalties lie?
Wolves are no democracy, yet when it comes to matters of allegiance, no wolf will stay with a pack that is against its beliefs, and no pack wants a mutiny at a crucial moment. The pack discussed the pros and cons of both sides unemotionally, and then with their consciouses in mind. Finally, Remus had a result, should the war escalate enough that they would have to choose, the pack would side with Dumbledore.
Returning to the castle at dawn, Remus and Fera caught James, Sirius, and Peter on their way into the Great Hall. "Where'd you two disappear to, we heard a howl, then you were off like someone was about to murder you." Sirius commented.
"Just a meeting, Pads. Why, didn't have any fun without us?" Remus replied.
Fera was eyeing Peter oddly, and then she sniffed the air near him. "You left the Forbidden Forest last night, and you went to a graveyard." She stated.
The pudgy boy stammered, "B-but I'm terrified of graveyards! Why would I go to one? And wouldn't James and Sirius notice if I were gone?"
Remus gave Peter a funny look. Fera was never wrong about people's scents. Yet as James and Sirius attested that Peter had been with them the entire time they were in the forest, he told Fera that Peter had probably been through one of the centaurs' graveyards, and not known it.
Fera conceded that it was possible, and they left it at that. After classes, however, Fera cornered Peter alone, and stated, "You work for Voldemort." Peter began to back into the wall, yet Fer moved no closer, "I tell you now, I won't tell anyone, nor will I harm you, unless you hurt my pack through your actions. You have been warned."
Frightened and left without an escape route, Peter nodded frantically, "Nothing that will hurt the pack. Completely understood, absolutely."
"Get out of my sight." Peter complied instantly, though in his haste, tripped and fell down four flights of stairs, breaking several bones and knocking himself unconscious. He was confined to the Hospital Wing for a week while he healed.
Fera was by no means happy, it was only April, and the sooner school and the war were over with the better. She had been seriously considering returning the the forest to live in permanently and not bothering with school, but with Severus being her brother and living in the school, she could no longer do that.