Chapter 6: Riddled Werewolf
Selene sat in the tree by the lake, foot dangling from the branch she sat on. She was partially eavesdropping on those who stopped in this fine Saturday morning sun to talk and skip stones and half thinking. Her branch was just high enough that leaves hid even her dangling foot. In her hand was a piece of parchment with hurried writing on it that read "O becomes C and C becomes O, what is it?" followed by the names Mawu, Khons, Heng-O, Ix Chel, and Coyolxauhqui. Then written in less hurried writing was the sentence, "Your true soul soars when you sleep-Mawu."
Next to her on a branch sat Fredrick napping quietly, exactly what Selene wanted to do. It was terribly hard to concentrate on such mysteries with the tasks of day-to-day life on ones mind. In fact, it was hard to think of anything in the pretty November air. It was one of the last pretty days before snow. It was already getting cold, but the sun felt so nice coming through the branches. Selene was having a harder time fighting the urge to take a nap more than anything else. "Then when it is an O you can read it," Selene muttered to herself. She sighed.
Sitting in the tree, she began to lazily move her hand from the water to herself. Back and forth just as she had done when the Quaffle had landed in the water. Just as it had in the past the still lake began to ripple, then waves formed. She watched it lazily. She stopped and so did the water. Then she began the movement again and the water imitated. She opened both eyes now, moving her hand higher. Instead of simple waves, a line of water rose with her hand. She motioned the water up and down, higher and higher, to the beat of her heart. It rose and fell and a line of it stood higher than the rest, following her hands motion in the air, detached from the rest of the lake.
"What are you doing up there?"
Selene dropped her hand and held up her wand, looking back to see that the water had returned to the lake, and the lake sat still once more. She looked down to see Severus Snape, a 7th year Slytherin who was friends with Lucious Malfoy, looking up at her.
"Nothing," Selene answered, jumping down. She noted his look of disdain and wondered if all Slytherins looked like this or if this was special treatment just for her.
"Was that you doing that with the water," Severus asked, looking at her suspiciously. "I know it was, I saw you," Severus replied to his own question.
"I was practicing charms. It's a water charm I read about," Selene explained pushing hair behind her ear. Boy, she sure wished Eleanor was here instead of working on a herbology project. Severus Snape raised his eyebrow.
I don't recall learning any charm like that, ever," he said coldly.
"Oh, I'm very advanced. I've been having private tutoring with Professor Flitwick and Lily Evans," Selene said with a smile, "Just ask Lily."
Severus face contorted a bit, his eyes darkening. "I will not," he snapped, stomping off.
Selene shrugged, not sure what had made him so angry. Something about Lily Evans, she supposed. Then again, many Slytherins didn't like her, but not many had that much of a reaction to her name alone. She climbed the tree again to find her bag. It was somewhere in these branches.
She found her bag in the higher branches next to Fredrick, who opened one eye and ruffled his feather before closing his eyes again.
"Not trying to disturb you, your highness," Selene assured him.
He opened both eyes and blinked as the familiar voices of Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and James Potter drifted up from below.
"Either of you know where Peter's got to? Usually we play chess at some point on Saturday and I haven't seen him all day," James said. "You alright, Moony?"
James and Sirius looked at Remus, who was oddly stiff, though Selene could see his nose twitching. Remus paused in his sniffing the air to smile sheepishly, putting his arm up to scratch his head. Selene leaned forward, bag on her shoulder. She could see Remus' scar from the branch. From this angle it looked like a large circle, like a moon, not the crescent she always thought it was. She leaned closer, holding the branch above Fredrick to balance herself. The scar was lighter than the rest of his fairly tan skin, a big round moon.
Selene shifted back quickly, making Fredrick ruffle his feathers. The moon! The moon was a C and then an O. Could it be the moon? On a full moon she was suppose to read the cryptic writing?
"Maybe he has a girlfriend," Sirius shrugged. "A secret girlfriend."
"Maybe he's keeping it secret because she's snogged you," James suggested.
"Probably," Sirius conceded. They all laughed. "Moony, really," Sirius said, slapping Remus on the back. "What's up?"
"I guess I'm just going crazy. I could have sworn I smelled-" Remus began. He didn't get to finish however because in her excitement, Selene had shifted too quickly and the branch cracked. Fredrick hooted as Remus looked up at the sound that neither Sirius nor James noticed.
Selene managed to say "Shite," before the branch broke completely and she fell out of the tree and into Remus' arms.
"Wow, Moony," said Sirius looking up at the height Selene had fallen. "Manly catch. And still standing unharmed. Guess I need to work out more."
Fredrick fluttered down and landed on her shoulder, ruffling his feathers and looking at the three boys. He nipped Selene's ear lightly.
"Would it help if I said sorry," she asked him. He ruffled his feathers in response.
"What are you doing in a tree," James asked curiously.
"I was thinking until you all came along," Selene answered. Remus was still holding her with surprising ease, she could see his eyes a deep brown. "Thanks for catching me," she said to him with a smile. Remus blinked as if in surprise, and smiled back, his eyes their usual hazel. Fredrick hooted in response. He ruffled his feathers and half hopped, half flew to Remus' shoulder.
"And you made a new friend," Sirius laughed, patting Remus on the back. Remus set Selene down.
"Remus, I have a riddle for you. I think I know the answer, but I want to check with you," she said hurriedly.
Remus held his finger up carefully to Fredrick, unsure if he was about to be beaten. Fredrick ruffled his feathers in response and Remus rubbed his stomach. He seemed relieved and said, "Alright what is it?"
"O becomes C and C becomes O, what is it?"
Remus looked at her for a moment, eyes searching her face as if confused and suspicious that it was more than a riddle. Fredrick cleaned his feathers on Remus' shoulder. Remus did not move his eyes from Selene's as he replied, "The moon. It goes from full moon to crescent, then back to full."
There was a moment of silence as James and Sirius exchanged a look. Fredrick hooted and took flight, off into the forbidden forest for an undisturbed nap.
"That's what I thought," Selene answered with a smile. "Thanks for catching me!" She rushed off to the library.
In her corner of the library, Selene sat pouring over book after book. Finally she found one titled "Muggle Myths and Religious Folklore." In it, she found each name she had noted.
"Are you taking Muggle Studies," asked Eleanor sitting down. She had dirt smeared on her cheek from her project earlier in the day, but seemed satisfied.
"Listen to this," Selene said looking over her notes. "In the Aztec culture, was Coyolxauhqui, who was the moon goddess, and sister to the sun god. In Chinese culture was Heng-o, who was called the moon goddess, symbol of the cold and dark principle yin. In myth, she tried to steal the draught of immortality from her husband, but was only able to drink half."
Charles joined them loudly, making Madam Pince throw glare their way. "Professor Slughorn is killing me, Eleanor. Can you two assist? I know you're both brilliant at it."
Eleanor raised her hand to shush Charles, nodding to Selene who continued, "In Mayan culture was Ix Chel, the rainbow, earth, and moon goddess. The Egyptians mentioned Khons, a Moon God who was youthful. Finally, in West African culture, Mawu was mentioned as the moon goddess who was a mother."
Selene closed the book and put a final period on her parchment with a look of satisfaction on her face.
"Right," Eleanor said exchanging a baffled look with Charles. "But, Selene, why are you researching all these muggle myths?"
"They all had to do with the moon. Every last one had powers and were like witches or wizards, but the muggles around them thought they were Gods," Selene said excitedly.
"That's interesting," Charles agreed. "So you'll help me with potions? I really need it."
Selene nodded, chewing on the top of her quill.
"Don't do that," Eleanor said tapping Selene's hand as she opened up her own book. Eleanor pushed a potion book to Charles who looked at her confused. "Start reading. We can't help someone who won't help himself."
Charles made a sound of annoyance and opened the book.
Selene felt uneasy. All these people, or gods, (or whatever they were) now existed as Lunar shadows. Selene still wasn't sure what that meant exactly. Selene looked up from thought to see Eleanor watching her.
"You're sure you're alright," she asked again. Then she let out a squeal and pointed behind Selene. "A rat!"
Charles jumped up startled as Selene turned. Nothing was there, except a strange, very dim pale light on the walls. She thought she heard a squeak.
" takes care of all the rats and mice in the castle," Charles said comfortingly to Eleanor who looked as if she had been shown a dead rat in her soup rather than one scurrying passed.
"Can we please go study in the common room," Eleanor begged. Selene shrugged and closed the book, stuffing the paper into her pocket as they left the library. She couldn't explain where her enthusiasm had gone, but she certainly had no more excited curiosity.
Days later, Selene still had a terrible gnawing feeling her gut, despite the new discovery.
"Selene, are you alright," Eleanor asked concerned. "You've been very quiet and broody these last few days. Is it because of Remus?"
Selene forced a smile. "I'm fine, honest. I just need to take a walk is all."
Eleanor raised an eyebrow as Fredrick hooted. "You really need to stop looking at that book with its blank pages, just let it go," she said. She reached across the table and closed the book Selene was peering at.
"You're right," Selene agreed, putting the book into her bag. "I'll be fine after a walk I think," Selene smiled. Eleanor frowned and nodded. Fredrick beat his wings and flew to Selene's shoulder, giving another hoot as if the reassure Eleanor.
Selene stood and stretched, moving quickly out of the Hufflepuff common room into the entrance hall. She took a deep breath, enjoying the crisp air in the stone hallway.
"Ah, miss. Vroegedood, just who I was looking for!"
Selene turned to see Professor Slughorn hurrying towards her. "Yes, Professor," she asked. Behind him some students were exiting the Great Hall, full from lunch.
"I was quite impressed with your mastery of our potion last class. Quite a complicated bit of mixing you did," Professor Slughorn said cheerily.
"Thank you Professor," Selene said.
"Unfortunately not all students are as skilled as you, very few in fact. I have many desperate sixth and seventh year students who can't tell the difference between the Draft of the Death and a cure to boils," Professor Slughorn said, chuckling at his own joke.
Selene was only half listening, though she made sure to keep her eyes on Professor Slughorn when he looked at her. Behind him she saw Remus exiting the Great Hall alone. He looked her way, then quickly turned his head, as if avoiding her eye. He had been doing this for three days now, surely she hadn't done anything to annoy him. Last time she saw him he caught her from a tree. Fredrick had called a truce with him!
"So do you think you would be willing to tutor some of those unfortunate souls? You'd save them from a T on their examinations and do me a favor I wouldn't soon forget," Professor Slughorn continued. He did not notice Selene narrow her eyes at Remus, nor the blush that crept up the guilty boy's neck. He didn't see Remus hurry out the door on the grounds.
"Of course, Professor," She said. "I'd be happy to, but I must run."
"Delightful," Professor Slughorn called as she rushed after Remus. "I'll send you an owl about the first student!"
Outside the air felt winter like. It nipped her exposed neck and she wished she had her scarf. She saw something move form the corner of her eye and turned to see Remus Lupin by the lake. This was getting ridiculous. She suddenly felt a surge of annoyance towards the boy. She took a few steps towards him quickly. He looked at her and their eyes met. She paused, confused by the expression that crossed his face. Without a word he walked into the forest.
Not only was he an idiot, Selene thought, but he was an amazingly fast idiot. She paused in her jog and leaned against a tree to catch her breath. Comforted by the fact that it was the afternoon, Selene continued down the path she was sure Remus had gone on. Every few steps she would spot him through the trees, then he was gone again. She saw him look back every so often, to see if she was following. Or was it to make sure she was? More and more she thought it was the second. Thinking this, she lost sight of Remus behind a low-lying tree.
Selene pushed a branch aside, stepping forward, over a large fallen trunk. Possibly the one that had tripped her last time she entered the forest. She could see Remus, sitting on a stump in the clearing that she had been led to by the dimming and then extinguished lights. It seemed ages and ages ago. She paused, wondering if she should have come. It was a bit stalker-like to have followed the boy, a bit conceited to think he had silently asked her to. In hesitation, she stood debating on her next move just out of sight.
"I know you're there Selene, you can come over."
Selene took a step forward, into the clearing. "How'd you know I was there," she asked curiously, coming to stand in front of him.
He smirked, letting out a sigh, "I can smell you. Pretty strongly actually."
Selene blinked. "Oh, well, I'm sorry?"
"No, no. Look, it's like this." He stood and paced forward a bit, paused, and motioned for her to sit. "Everything is heightened when you're around. I mean, when I'm me," he paused, running his hand through his hair in an effort to align his thoughts.
"You mean the whole werewolf thing," Selene asked.
"Well, I suppose it makes it easier that you know," Remus said shaking the surprised look from his face. "Right, when I'm not in that form, when the full moon is ages away, being around you heightens everything. I mean my smell, my strength, my anger, my everything." He sighed leaning back on his heels, unsure of how to continue.
"And when I saw you that night, in the clearing, I felt more…human. I mean that night," he paused again seeming to search for words. "You shouldn't have been in the forest. Can you imagine, if I had just bitten you before the sensation came to. I was the wolf in the chase. I wanted to bite you and have the hunt. But then you did, something."
Selene remembered throwing up her hands, the pause for the werewolf, the drop of slobber on her face before the whimpering retreat back into the forest.
"After that, I felt in control. More human. I don't know what it is. But I think," he paused again, leaning against a tree. "I think I have felt it before, way back when we were younger. But I didn't know what it was. It was much weaker. Now though, it's more and more obvious. Don't you think?"
Selene wasn't really sure what to reply. "Is that why you've been avoiding me?" she asked standing and walking over to look at him.
"I don't know, actually," he replied, a blush on his cheeks. "No wait, I do know. But I don't know how to say it. Or, I think I'm rambling. Sorry." He sighed and ran his hand through his hair again. It was thoroughly disheveled now. "I've been trying to avoid you so it would stop, but it hasn't. It's actually just made things worse," Remus sighed.
There was a long pause, as Remus seemed to think.
"I'm the new moon, I think," Selene said. It just seemed appropriate that since he was sharing his secret she should do the same.
"What," he said confused by the change of subject.
"I'm the new moon. I think that's why I can control water without a wand, and why I guess I have that effect on you. I need to read a magic book in the light of the full moon to get the full story, but that's what I know so far."
"When a Bogart comes out and sees me it changes into the full moon," Remus said.
"Well, I thought I was a vampire for a month," Selene said determinedly. "And I hear lunar shadows advising me about this and that."
Remus smiled, though it seemed to be against his better judgment.
"I think, that I like you, very, very much," Remus muttered so quietly that Selene had to step closer to hear.
"Well," Selene said. Remus made a sound of exasperation.
"But just because you calmed the werewolf last time doesn't mean you can do it again, and it's dangerous. I'm dangerous. That's why Fredrick didn't like me for so long. He knows. Animals always know. I'm the reason why people don't go out in full moons. Why they're afraid of the dark."
"I'm not afraid of the dark," she assured him. "And I think I like you as well."
"I might accidently hurt you, maybe even in a normal state, based on your effects" he said, not looking at her in the eye.
"I'm the new moon, Remus," she said more firmly.
"You don't even know what that means," Remus said half-heartedly.
"Well The Prophet says it means I have the powers of the moon," Selene said helpfully. They were standing very close now. She reached out and wrapped two of her fingers around his, unsure.
"I'm a dangerous creature. Haven't you taken Defense Against the Dark Arts," he said, looking at her. He didn't move his hand.
"I've taken it," Selene said. He stepped closer and Selene could smell his cologne.
"I've never been in this situation before," stated Remus, looking down at her. " I don't usually let this happen."
"I'd really like you to stop talking and kiss me, Remus," Selene said. Selene felt his hand touch her cheek and the electricity that ran through his hand, her cheek, and through her neck. A stronger surge followed as his lips met hers. After a moment Remus pulled away looking at her searchingly.
"Like I said, I don't usually do th-" he began, but Selene stood on tip-toe and quieted him with her lips before he could continue any further. She could swear that she heard a soft growl ripple up Remus' throat.