Hi again :) Sorry I've been away for so long, I just didn't know what to write. I started a few oneshots but I didn't know where I wanted to go with them. Actually, this one, I wrote a while back, but I wasn't sure what else I wanted to add. When I looked at it today, I realized that it was fine the way it was. This chapter is mainly about Remus; Tonks doesn't appear in here, but she probably will in my next update :)

Also, I can't guarantee that I will update again soon. I have final exams in a week, so I have to study :(

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for my writing. J.K. Rowling owns the characters, setting, etc.


IX. Refuge

He stood in the tall grasses that surrounded the Burrow, his hand gripping his side as he struggled to regain his breath. He could feel the caked dirt on his face, and the dried stains of blood on his clothes did not do anything to enhance his appearance. He knew that it was understatement to say that he looked bad. He looked horrible. But he could not do much to change this because it was the usual appearance of a werewolf in Greyback's pack. This was only the first time that he would return to the Burrow in a state like this. It wouldn't be the last.

Slowly, he made his way towards the house. It was like a refuge, he mused, as he gazed up at the windows. He could see Fred, George, Hermione, Ginny, and Ron sitting together in Ron's room, animatedly talking with each other, not having to worry about the war during the summer. As he turned his attention back towards the Burrow, the smell of 's cooking drifted outside from an open window by the door, and he smiled at the thought of the good meal that would soon be set in front of him. The Burrow seemed like home, and it was definitely his refuge. Life in the pack was, to put it simply, a nightmare. Nearing the door, he forced a smile, raising his hand to knock on it.

The door swung open before he could knock, and a wand was pointed at him. He looked into Mr. Weasley's eyes, frowning in confusion.

"Standard Ministry safety procedure." Mr. Weasley smiled apologetically. "I need to verify your identity."

He nodded, letting out a sigh of relief. He had heard about the safety procedures that the ministry of magic was asking employees and citizens to use. Now that Voldemort was back, and the attacks had started, no place was safe. It made sense that Mr. Weasley would ask him to verify his identity. For all Mr. Weasley knew, a Death Eater could have used Polyjuice Potion to impersonate him and attack the Weasleys.

"I am Remus John Lupin, werewolf and former Hogwarts professor. I was bitten by Fenrir Greyback at a young age and was asked by Dumbledore to join Greyback's pack and persuade other werewolves to join Dumbledore instead of Voldemort." He spoke calmly, his voice faltering slightly as images of the night he was bitten made their way back into his mind. Before he could dwell on them, Mr. Weasley was lowering his wand and ushering him inside.

"Sorry Remus. Never know who could be knocking at your door these days." Mr. Weasley apologized.

"It's all right, Arthur. I had forgotten that the Ministry had set up new safety procedures." He responded, smiling wearily. Before he could say something more, Mrs. Weasley exited the kitchen and stormed over to her husband, furious.

"What were you doing? Questioning the poor man after he has come back from such a terrible mission! Couldn't you have let him in first? He doesn't need a wand to his throat the minute he returns!" She waved the spoon in her hand in the air menacingly before turning toward him.

"Remus, how good to see you again!" She greeted him before turning back to her husband again, glaring at him, waiting for an answer. Mr. Weasley smiled apologetically, trying to placate his wife.

"I was just following the Ministry's standard safety procedures, dear. Remus knows that I meant no harm by questioning him."

"But you know that it is him! If Remus were a Death Eater, he wouldn't have waited to answer you. He would have attacked anyways!" Mrs. Weasley cried in exasperation. She seemed to want to say more but Remus decided that it would be a good moment to intervene.

"It's quite alright, Molly. Arthur was right to question me. He was only looking out for his family's safety. I don't mind, really." She glared at her husband one more time before sparing Remus another glance.

"Remus!" She exclaimed, surprised and alarmed. He knew that he looked just as bad as he felt.

"Do you mind if I wash up and change? I know that I must not look like very pleasant company." He asked quietly, knowing Mrs. Weasley's answer before it left her lips. In a few minutes, he was on his way upstairs. The Weasleys had his things in Bill's unoccupied room, and he walked towards it, his thoughts now occupied by the war, Harry, and the Order. As he walked down a hallway, he could hear hushed whispers, and a door opened in front of him, five heads appearing in the doorway.

"Professor Lupin!" Hermione greeted him. He gave the kids a warm smile. They didn't realize how lucky they were to be able to sit safe and carefree in the Burrow, protected from the horrors happening in the wizarding world.

"Hello Hermione, Fred, George, Ron, Ginny." He greeted the others as well. "And Hermione, you no longer need to call me Professor. I haven't been teaching for over two years now."

"All…all right then." She replied uncertainly, but returned his smile anyways before catching sight of his appearance. She frowned and started to say something when Fred interrupted.

"What have you been up to then, Lupin?" He also seemed concerned about his appearance because he then added "You look like you've been to the Whomping Willow and back."

Remus laughed, but it was a hollow and empty sound. "I can't say that it is much better than that. I've been on an Order mission, living among other werewolves. Because I have resisted their ways for so long and have tried to lead a 'normal' life, Greyback and his followers have spent their time trying to make my life miserable."

"Wait, who's Grey-"Ron started to ask before he was elbowed by Ginny. She rolled her eyes at him as he rubbed his arm and glared at her, before smiling gently at Lupin.

"Forgive these two insensitive gits." She glanced at Fred and Ron with a disapproving look on her face. "You must be tired, and we're probably disturbing you. We'll talk to you later Professor. Goodnight!"

"Goodnight." He replied, before continuing on his way. He sighed running a hand through his hair. Each step the he took caused an ache in his bones, and he felt older than ever before. As he entered Bill's room to get a fresh pair of clothes, he glanced at his reflection in the hallway mirror.

He could barely recognize himself.


"Remus, you really should stop by for dinner more often. You're getting thinner and thinner each time I see you!" Mrs. Weasley admonished him, serving him a bowl of hot soup. He smiled gratefully at her before taking the spoon in his hand.

"I would love to Molly, but I cannot leave the pack as often as I'd like." He spoke quietly, lifting a spoon of soup to his mouth. He sighed contentedly as it burned down the back of his throat, warming him. He hadn't had anything to eat that

"What did they do to you, Remus?" Mr. Weasley asked, taking a seat across from him, concern etched onto his face. Remus glanced down at the table, his insides turning cold. He had managed to avoid saying too much about his experience to the children, but he knew that Molly and Arthur would not be put off with a few simple words.

"It was Greyback who bit me." He started his eyes slightly unfocused as he remembered that moment once more. "I was so young. He expected my parents to abandon me. He wanted me to join him, to be a part of his pack and grow up hating everyone else. I can still remember his words to me that night. He told me that I was doomed to suffer, that I would end up like him. When I didn't, it enraged him. I have tried for so many years to be the opposite of him, to be normal."

The Weasleys glanced at him sadly, knowing how painful it must have been for him to relive his memories. He smiled bitterly, continuing.

"Greyback hates me more than ever now. He knows that I taught at Hogwarts and why I left. So do the others under his control. It's because I've tried and failed to be normal that they…that they take pleasure in my pain."

"You are normal!" Mrs. Weasley stated firmly, refusing to allow him to degrade himself further. "And I am going to talk to Albus and have him put a stop to this. You'll die if you keep on staying with them!"

"No!" He glanced up at her, his voice sharp. "No."

"But Remus−"

"No, Molly. Please." He whispered, closing his eyes. "I have to do this. Dumbledore has done so much for me. I need to return the favor. I need to at least try to convince the werewolves to join our side."

"But you could be killed─" She protested, looking at him in disbelief.

"Then it will be worth it." He returned his attention back to his food. "I have to try, Molly."

"We will respect your decision, Remus." Mr. Weasley spoke quietly before his wife could protest once more. "But we do not agree with it. We care about you, and it's hard to see you like this."

Remus nodded, a strained smile making its way onto his face. He was glad to have people like the Weasleys to support him. But they didn't understand; they couldn't see past his image as an ex-professor and quiet, reserved Order member. They couldn't see the danger, the monster that rested inside of him. Still, he was grateful to have a family that accepted him without hesitation, that cared about him because they wanted to, not because they had to.

"Thank you." He spoke sincerely. "We all have to make sacrifices in a war, Arthur. You and Molly, you've sacrificed your home to the Order and your safety as well. For me, it is this, living amongst friends and loved ones, a normal life. I am just making mine."

Mr. Weasley smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. He nodded, staying silent for a moment before switching the topic to a more pleasant one. Mrs. Weasley seemed to regain her thoughts and eagerly conversed with Remus and her husband, heaping piles of food on Remus' plate. Everything seemed normal− all the tension in the air had disappeared. He slept soundly that night for the first time in a month. When Remus left the next day, he left knowing that he would always have a home and refuge at the Burrow.


How was it? I don't think it was one of my best, but I think its okay. Please leave a review and let me know!

Hopefully, it won't take me two months to write another oneshot :D

Thanks!

BrokenWhispers11