Before getting ahead with this chapter, there are a few things I really think I should clear out. Firstly, I picked up the history of Lyall Lupin and Remus' bite from Pottermore. The events are headcanon, but the story and characters are all canon-based. Also, there aren't going to be any detailed chapters on Sirius' prank on Severus, because according to the original, Rowling's story, all those events took place in the fifth year, and well, as you'll know if you've read the previous chapters that, well, all is forgiven, as Sirius and the rest are pretty tight. This is also the only chapter dedicated entirely to Remus' wolf history.

And that's pretty much it. Presenting, the tiniest bit proudly, the seventh chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 7

Wolf Among The Sheep

Halloween. It's a beautiful time of the year. Kids running around in costumes, grown-ups ready with candies. Wonderful feasts, glorious decorations. The excitement is so goddamn contagious. It seeps into your pulse, your brain soaks in all the bright lights and the yells of elation, as your heart takes in all the laughter and happiness. Beautiful, yes, oh-so-beautiful!

Of course, little of that matters when you are so deep towards the North, that the only yells you heard were those of sheer madness, terror and pain. As the violent waters of the great, dark North Sea crash into the rocks of the island, basking in their own craziness. The rocks, greyed in all the places they shouldn't have, forming ungodly patterns on the ground, led to the stone walls, walls standing feets high in the air.

The outside world, the laughter, the cheers, the elation, the excitement means little to nothing when you are surrounded by infestations of the worst possible curse on humanity. Happiness means little when you are locked up in Azkaban.

"What's taking so long?" Lyall Lupin questioned irritatedly, marching in through the creaking door into the dark questioning room. Nearly the very moment he entered, he swore and removed his wand from his pocket. "Your Patronus is getting weak, kid," he said to the young recruit quietly. The young man stuttered, sweat beads breaking out on his forehead. Lyall gave him a small smile before asking, "What's your name?" "Um, Cornelius Fudge, sir," replied the young man. "First trip to Azkaban, Cornelius?" Lyall enquired, taking out a pipe and lighting it with his wand. 'Yes, sir," Cornelius replied. "Nothing quite like it, is there?" A thick voice called out from the doorway. "Alastor," Lyall greeted softly, extending his arm to the auror. Alastor reached out and shook it and grunted out a response. Lyall smiled to himself. Even at a young age, Alastor Moody had gotten a little too hostile to the outside world than anyone would care to like. It did not come without good cause, however, for he was one of the most talented the Department had and had faced more dark wizards than most of the senior aurors ever would.

"So," he barked out at Fudge, who wavered a little, but stood his ground, quite a feat considering the man he was facing. "First time to the prison, eh?" He questioned, to which Fudge nodded. "No one forgets the first time," Moody grunted. "Don't worry, I promise the Dementors won't be gentle."

The others present in the room gave tiny laughs. It was obvious, however, that they were absolutely terrified of being in such proximity to the Dementors. Cornelius, however, managed a smile and shook his head. Moody narrowed his eyes at him. "You are really confident for a first timer," he observed quietly. Cornelius' smile widened the tiniest bit, and Moody grunted in approval. "You're braver than a fair lot," he said, in a tone that almost sounded affable. "You'll go far," he said, sitting down in the chair beside the fire that was burning. "Take care of the Patronus, though," he barked, his voice back to the thick, frightening tone, and Lupin couldn't help but smile as Fudge's Patronus wavered a little in his fear. "What about you?" Asked Lyall turning to Alastor. "I heard you were offered the position of the Head once Rowle retires. That's promising for someone as young as you." Moody smiled a little at that. "Like hell, they're ever getting me to sit behind a desk. No, I belong out there. Fighting. That's how I've worked, and that's how I'll die." Lupin nodded, sitting down. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that," he said quietly. Moody's expression darkened. "What is the name of the man we're dealing with today, anyway?" "Greyback, Fenrir," answered an inspector, reading the name off a parchment. "Should be here any minute."

Almost on cue, they heard footsteps, accompanied by a chafing sound, unmistakably that of a person being dragged through the floor. The door opened and two guards came in, their Patronuses ablaze so as to keep the Dementors away. They saluted Moody and Lupin, and then, dropping the convict in an empty chair, marched back to take their position by the door.

Lupin moved towards the accused. He was dressed in ragged clothes. Ragged, muggle clothes. Lupin frowned. Why was he dressed up as a muggle tramp, again? "What's he accused of?" He asked the inspector who had provided the name, and he opened the parchment again. "Greyback, Fenrir. Possible werewolf, accused off attacking and murdering twins Linda and Daisy Parker, muggles, aged seven." "Jesus," Lupin swore under his breath. "What kind of monster attacks seven-year-olds?" He spat in disgust. Pointing his wand at the unconscious man, he chanted, "Enervate." Immediately, the man stirred and sat up a little straighter, groaning loudly. Then looking at Lupin, who still held his wand out, his eyes widened in terror. "What the- who the hell are you? What do you want? Where am I? What is that?"

"That?" Moody asked incredulously. "Going to pretend you have never seen a wand before? That's a first." "Wand?" Greyback asked, frowning and looking at the wand in question. Two workers muttered to themselves from behind him, and he turned around, his arms flailing hysterically. "Who are you? All of you? What do you want from me?" Grabbing his shoulder, Lupin pulled him back to the chair roughly. Greyback whimpered, his eyes widening in terror. "Lupin," one of the men called out to him, his voice hard. Lupin, however, ignored him completely. "Don't play stupid with me you swine. You are a werewolf, not fooling anyone with this muggle act." Greyback stared back at him. "A were"- his voice faltered. Then, suddenly, he was up on his feet. His face was an inch away from Lupin's. "Listen, mate," he hissed violently. "I don't know who you think you are, why you have me here, or what you want from me. But I suggest you stop playing games with me. My wife knows where I work, and if I'm not home by midnight, she'll call the"- his rant may have continued, if it weren't for Lupin's fist the made contact with his face.

Greyback staggered, while everyone stared at Lupin, stunned. He was known to be, throughout the ministry, as one of the most amiable people. Such violence was not simply unusual, it was unprecedented.

"You killed two little girls," he hissed at Greyback, his voice laced with bitterness and malice. "You killed them, and if you think you can get out of it by acting, I will throw you out to the Dementors without a trial."

"That is ENOUGH!"

Lupin looked up, as a young Ministry worker stepped ahead from the darkness. His jaw was clenched and his body tensed. He was glaring hard at Lupin. "Look at him," he whispered furiously. "Look at how he is dressed. Does he look remotely like a wizard to you, let alone a werewolf? Did you- did he even have a wand on him?" He asked, turning to the guards at the door, who shook their heads.

Lupin stood up straight slowly. "What's your name, son?" He asked the young man. "Crouch. Bartemius Crouch," he answered defiantly.

"Crouch? From Magical Law Enforcement?" Lupin enquired, and Crouch gave a brief nod. "Well, Mr Crouch," Lupin began. "This man is a monster. A werewolf. A soulless, evil, pitiful creature, who deserves nothing but death. But you think he's a muggle? Fine, then let me say this." He walked up to the table and picked up his previously discarded pipe. Lighting it up again, he took a deep drag and said, "Full moon's coming up tomorrow. I say we keep him in custody till then. And then we'll know for sure."

There was a moment's silence, which was broken by Crouch's laugh. "With all due respect, sir, but you are from the Department of Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures. It really isn't you call whether someone should or should not be detained."

"Barty," Moody growled from the corner, his tone threatening. Crouch raised his hands defensively. "I really don't want to do this, but neither is it yours, Alastor. I am sorry, but this man is not staying here anymore." Turning to the inspectors at the doorway, he ordered, "Take him back. Take him to the shore, wipe his memory clean, and then take him back to where you picked him up from. And that'll be it."

The guards took hold of Greyback and started dragging him back to the gateway. "Wait, what do you mean 'wipe my memory'?" He yelled out. "What are you going to do to me?"

The guards, however, did not stop and dragged the man out, his yells echoing through the dark hallway.

There was a moment of silence, which was cleared out by one of the officials clearing his throat. "Well," he began. "Let's call it a night. It's a festive season, and we have spent half of it in the single most wretched place on the face of the earth, alright. Let's just lea"-

The rest of his sentence was drowned by a blood-curdling scream from somewhere near the door. Immediately, they heard the rustle of the Dementors' cloaks, who were undoubtedly excited by the heightened emotions.

"PATRONUSES OUT. NOW!" Crouch yelled as he ran towards the staircase, casting one of his own. The others followed, and the corridors lit up with the brightness of their spells. The heavy footsteps echoed as the officials ran down the stairs-

Only to be stopped in their tracks by the sight they witnessed.

The ministry ship was fast sailing away from the island, and by the look of it, was obviously unmanned. At the shore, however, was the proof.

At least half a dozen bodies lay on the rocks, their bodies ripped apart, unmistakable signs of extremely dark magic. Blood was still oozing out from the countless cuts on their bodies, a sickly shade of black and red, their limbs broken and hanging awkwardly by the sides, their mouths agape and blood polling under it.

"Holy Merlin," muttered Crouch, his eyes wide in horror.

Holy Merlin pretty much defined it.

Ministry ships had arrived. Reports were taken. Fenrir Greyback was officially a criminal on the run from the Ministry.

Slowly, Moody walked up to Crouch, who was seated on a rock, his head hung low. "See, I know Lupin," he grunted out at Crouch, whose head jerked up at once. "I know that he is not the kind of man who would walk up to you now and say 'I told you so'." He sat down beside Crouch. "So I will," he barked out. Crouch looked down, unable to meet Moody's gaze, who continued. "What happened today shouldn't have happened. You let your pride get in your head. You let a monster loose. You weakened a country today, Crouch. Sweet dreams."

Crouch swallowed thickly, as Lupin called out to them. "Moody, Crouch. I am headed back. You coming with me on the ship?"

Moody grunted as he sat up, and Crouch followed him silently.

"You would've done it, wouldn't you?" Crouch asked quietly. Lupin and Moody looked at him, and he cleared his throat before continuing. "You would throw him to the dementors, without any trial, if you had the chance?"

Lupin gave him a stony look. "Hypotheticals, son. But even if I did, he would've deserved it."

Crouch silently nodded at him. Lupin reached out and patted his shoulder, before turning back and walking away.

At that moment, Lyall Lupin didn't realise he had made the biggest mistake of his life. However, he was soon to.

"Remus!"

In four quick strides, Lily was kneeling down beside Remus, whose head snapped up instantly. "Lily," he asked, frowning. "What are you doing here?"

"Wha- I was out for rounds, what are you doing- Remus, what happened?"

Remus groaned as he sat up.

"Nothing, I'm sorry if I alarmed you, it's nothing to worry, really." He began to move away quickly, but Lily grabbed him by his arm and yanked him back down. "Oh, no, you don't," hissed Lily, her shock now giving his way to anger. He was sitting like this, leaning against the fire, in an empty common room, his face a mask of sadness, and it was nothing to worry about? How thick did he think she was?

Remus fell back down, his eyes wide. "Whoa- what?!"

"You tell me what is going on right now, Remus John Lupin," Lily demanded hotly. Remus sighed. "Really, Lily, it's nothing"- but Lily broke her off. "Sure isn't," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "Okay, can it wait"- "No, it cannot."

Remus stared at her determined expression, before sinking back down. "Well, Mary asked me out for Hogsmeade today."

"And?"

Remus sat back up straighter. "Wait- you knew she was going to?" Lily rolled her eyes again. "Remus, everyone knew, it was kinda obvious. And you know, you really bonded in France and"-

Lily's voice trailed off and her eyes widened. "Wait- you didn't, you didn't say no to her, did you?"

Remus looked at her dejectedly, before nodding slowly. There was a moment of tense silence, before-

"You. Complete. Arse. Remus. Lupin." Lily punctuated every word with a blow to Remus, who cowered under her, his hands over his head to shield himself from her punches. "Ow, bloody ow, woman, control yourself."

"I can't believe it," Lily said, as she sat back straighter. "You said no- I thought you liked her." Remus sighed and looked away. There was a moment's silence, in which she observed him. There were lines of worry on his face, lines that made him look so much older than he was. And he was in pain, she could tell that much. He was in deep pain, and he was trying to hide it. And that was what worried her the most.

She reached out and placed a hand on his cheek. "Remus, talk to me," she said softly. He looked at her, and though he remained silent, his eyes spoke volumes. She could tell that he was afraid of something, like he was calculating something that could make a heavy impact. Then, very slowly, he removed her hand from his cheek and leaned back. "She shouldn't be with me," he whispered.

Lily frowned at him. Was he being intentionally cryptic? "Why not?" She enquired. "She, just- she shouldn't," Remus replied enigmatically, before getting up. Lily, however, was not satisfied with his answer.

Moving quickly in order to block his way, she halted him in his tracks. "Wait," she ordered, and he complied defeatedly. She took a deep breath to compose herself. "Look, Remus. I know you like her, I have seen the way you look at her. She even told me that you got really close while you were in Paris. And she likes you, trust me, she has liked you way too much since third-grade when you helped her with the boggarts lesson, so why can't"-

"She deserves better," Remus interjected, and Lily continued over him. "And then you're giving such bullshit reasons like his, I mean, get off it, even you're not that noble. You're hiding something, and I want to know what it"-

"I am too dangerous for her."

Lily stopped mid-rant, her eyes widening and breath hitching. "What?!" She whispered incredulously, moving closer to him. He, however, stepped away from her. "Just- I can't be with her, alright?"

He started to move away from her and towards the staircase to the boy's dormitory, when she called out to him softly.

"It's true, isn't it? You're a-a werewolf?!"

A/N: Okay, so that is it. End of the seventh chapter. I am gonna pick up from this point in the next chapter, though even that will start out with flashbacks, just like this one. A flashback of young Remus when he was bitten, and then I am gonna move back to the rest of the story. And for those who didn't like the abrupt transition from the darker stuff to the lighter ones, well yeah I felt so a little bit too. Let me know what you think in the reviews. Though, heads up, the story might get a little darker at some point in the future. But, yeah, there is a fair share of James and Lily fluff you have to look forward to. Soon. Maybe. Maybe not, I don't know. Mahalo!