Legend of Lupin

by abster092

Remus Lupin was just a normal kid... Now the young werewolf struggles to be accepted in school and keep his identity a secret. The fabled band of Marauders forms amidst threats from a strange person named Tom. Will Remus live through year 1 of Hogwarts?

10. Chapter 9: The Truth in Fears

Serpent 91- Thanks a bunch.

DD- I'm glad you are so into this story! Thanks ever so much! Enjoy:D Sorry that Remus is kind of out of it in this one:(

Kristen- Sorry I didn't update sooner. Well hope you like this as much or more!

Disclaimer- I think it's obvious that I don't own any of this Harry Potter stuff but for all of you that are confused I just wanted to say that I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER AND HIS BUDS!

Chapter 9: The Truth in Fears

Sunlight poured in through the half open curtain that surrounded two beds in the infirmary. Any students who were seen within ten feet of these beds were give automatic detentions. This, of course, roused the curiosity of every single person under the age of 19. Rumors had been flying around the castle at warp speed concerning these beds. A certain Ravenclaw claimed that it was the work of a long dead house elf who was extracting vengeance on Hogwarts for it's years of labor by attacking the groundskeeper and then the two people lying immobile in the infirmary. While this rumor convinced few another more popular one was taking hold of the castle. No one really knows where it came from but it captivated them nonetheless. It was said that some unknown but very deadly creature had come out of the Forest and attacked Henry Jenkins. Then Professor Elliott had come running out of Jenkins's cabin (They had obviously been having a very romantic wand light dinner) and tried to save him. The groundskeeper was killed and Elliot dreadfully wounded. The only unexplained part was Remus. No one seemed to know how he got messed up in it. It was now common knowledge that the groundskeeper and head of Hufflepuff had been in love but Remus didn't really fit into the not so happily ever after story. No one seemed to know that there had been other people at the incident than the first three. Thankfully, the shimmering green skull had vanished by the first light of day.

While all of this was being talked over the remaining marauders dutifully remained silent.

They had not seen or heard from Dumbledore or McGonagall since the night. This silence disturbed the boys but Sirius most of all. After they had arrived back in Gryffindor Tower, he had told James all his thoughts on the Tom person. James shared the same views. They had come to the conclusion that he must have attended Hogwarts many years ago. The main thing that stumped them was why he wanted to kill Dumbledore in the first place and why Remus was so important to him. They had never heard of a spell before that could make werewolves assume their beast form. This is what scared them most of all. Tom must be an awfully powerful wizard if he could control werewolves. Luckily, Peter had been to shocked by the night's events to bother asking them what they were talking about so they didn't have to re-explain themselves. James and Sirius decided it would be better to leave him in the dark on this one. Besides, they still needed someone to read Enchanting for the Enchanted.

The marauders visited Remus three times that day, after each meal. He was still unconscious so they mainly just spent this time discussing their plans. Professor Elliot had woken up around lunch and was taking 15 different potions every hour. Her right leg was numb and had greenish puss was coming from Remus's bite. Every time Sirius looked at his teacher, he flinched. The only thing that forced him to believe that Remus actually bit someone was the fact that he saw it. He still kept questioning James if it had been the other werewolf but his friend kept telling him that it had in fact been Remus. It was during such an interrogation that something rather startling happened.

James was sitting with his legs propped up on Remus's bed and tilting slightly back in his chair. Sirius was rambling on about how Remus could never had bitten someone. James suddenly cut him short.

"Sirius, look, I know you want to believe that Remus would never hurt anyone but just face it, he did."

"Yah I know James but-"

"Remus wouldn't want you to be worrying over this right know. Maybe you should just stop thinking about last night and concentrate on the map."

Sirius gave an exasperated sigh and got out of his chair. The young wizard started pacing along side Remus's bed.

"James, listen to me. That must have been one very evil spell to bring out Remmy's little furry problem like that. It makes me wonder if it had anything to do with his rather odd behavior that afternoon."

"I'm serious Sirius. Just give up. We have no idea what happened. I think it's better to just let it go for now. Leave it to Dumbledore to figure out. "

Sirius gave another loud sigh. He stared at James and scowled. While the two friends were trying to convince each other by staring them down, they didn't notice Remus shift a bit.

The young werewolf was very confused. Everything was dark. His entire body was wrapped in a cocoon of pain. He tried to lift his arm a bit but immediately felt weaker than ever. He suddenly heard some very odd noises. It seemed to be voices but they were very muffled and seemed far away. He listened intently for a few moments and seemed to make out James's voice. He couldn't quite understand what he was saying but every minute it became clearer. Apparently, James and Sirius were standing next to Remus, wherever he was. They seemed to be in some sort of a fight. At last James became clear.

"Mate will you just listen to me for one second? Remus has been through a lot and doesn't need to be worried about these things, and neither do we for that matter. All we need to do right now is focus on our friend."

"Who happens to be lying in the infirmary because of some crackpot!"

Remus was now more even confused. Infirmary? Crackpot? What was going on? He listened more intently than ever.

"Sirius clam down. It's not our job to solve this, even though I will admit he was acting rather odd yesterday. But still what's your point?"

"My point, James, is that our best friend was ignoring us yesterday even when we made a great discovery, disrespecting staff, sneaking out to the shrieking shack with two complete strangers, one who just happens to be a werewolf and the other who wants to kill Dumbledore, turns all fangs and claw on us, bites a professor, and ends up in the infirmary! Something is clearly wrong here!"

Remus was plunged into panic. He had bitten someone? He couldn't have. He remembered having transformed back into a human. His friends hadn't even been there. What was going on? He suddenly started to have troubles breathing. His legs started twitching violently soon followed by his arms. The pain seared up and down as he tried to control himself. Remus attempted to cry for help but nothing happened. He knew he was going to die.

James had been in the middle of a defense to Sirius's last outburst when Remus started shaking uncontrollably. He watched in horror as Remus's figure was contorted in pain. He nudged Sirius who was looking the other way. The boy whirled around. He stared at his werewolf friend in shock. James ran out from behind the curtain and found the nurse, Madam Sadaine. Sirius was left to try to calm his friend, but nothing worked. He held his arms to the bed but was soon kicked away by the flailing legs. Only moments later James arrived with the nurse. She looked at her young patient in horror but started pouring a teal colored potion down his throat. He gave one last violent kick and then lay still. Madame Sadaine turned toward James as he helped Sirius off the floor.

"Go and tell your head of house what has happened. Also, tell her to alert the Headmaster immediately. Go boy!"

James nodded numbly, still astounded by what had happened, and then sprinted out of the infirmary. Sirius approached his friend's side.

"I wouldn't get too close Mr. Black. It might happen again."

"What? What might happen? I mean what was it?"

"I don't know. Don't tell anyone beyond the staff."

Sirius nodded, then looked down at Remus. His face was a piece of work. It seemed altogether barbaric and childish at the same time. His eyes were held firmly shut while his mouth was wide open, omitting several drips of blood. There was a giant claw mark running diagonally down his face, distorting his nose. Sirius closed his eyes and looked away. Just at that moment, McGonagall came flying into the infirmary, eyes wide, followed by a breathless James.

"What is going on here? Nautila?"

McGonagall turned toward Madame Sadaine. The Nurse simply looked astounded.

"According to his friends he was lying perfectly still one moment and then started shaking uncontrollably. We have no idea of the cause. Have you alerted Albus, Minerva?"

"Yes. He will be here shortly. Is that really what happened?"

"Of course Minerva."

"Well then we will just have to wai-"

The flabbergasted Transfiguration teacher stared down at Remus. She glanced up and down his small body. She tilted her head to one side and looked at James.

"Did he just-"

"Yes he did. I saw it to."

Madame Sadaine looked at the two of them in confusion and was about to ask what they were talking about when Sirius gasped rather loudly. She whirled around and saw him staring down at Remus. She also stared wide-eyed in shock.

The young werewolf seemed to have undergone a miraculous change. Only moments ago he had been completely covered in wounds but now most of these gashes ere not to be seen. Even most of the claw mark had disappeared. (One scratch still ran across his nose.) Some of the larger cuts and scars remained but otherwise he looked five times better. James's mouth was open in wonder while McGonagall looked horrified. When someone has seen as many charms, hexes, curses, and transfigurations as she had they can tell when something was a bit off. Merely seconds before this change James and his teacher had seen Remus's face contort into a mask of pain briefly followed by a jolt of his left arm. McGonagall uttered something under her breath and then rushed out of the infirmary. Sirius rushed to his friend's side and smiled in glee while James still stood in the exact same position with his mouth open. Madame Sadaine glanced after McGonagall and then set to action.

"Boys will you please leave me alone with the patient for now? I have things I need to check out. If you see the Headmaster tell him to see me immediately."

"Bu-"

"Ah. No buts. I understand he is you friend but visiting hours are over and you have homework to do."

She glared down at Sirius and tapped James on the head, who, immediately snapped his mouth shut and came out of his daze. The two black haired boys accepted their fate and slumped out of the infirmary. Madame Sadaine turned back to Remus. She lifted his left arm up, which was hanging off the edge of the bed, then suddenly gasped and dropped it.

Sirius was ecstatic. Remus was better! This was all he could think about. He was skipping around Gryffindor Tower and humming to himself. Every once and a while he would break out with a shout of "Remus is going to be okay!" or "Yippee for Remmy!" Then he would leap over to James and try to get him to jump around too. Unlike his excited friend, James was in a melancholy mood. Sirius obviously didn't seem to notice. Once the miraculous change had happened Sirius had been so joyous that he had told Peter. Now the young marauder was looking up explanations for the sudden change. James had half a mind to go help but he would rather just sit and think for now, even though he wasn't getting much thinking done with Sirius as he was. For some reason the whole situation seemed too unnatural to be real. Why would all those hurts just disappear like that without any assistance? James sunk further into his armchair and sighed.

Sirius finally seemed to realize his friend's bad mood and stopped whooping. He raised his right eyebrow slowly and stared down at James.

"What's up mate?"

"Nothing."

"Right…"

"Okay fine. Remus."

"Yah I know. Isn't it great!"

"No Sirius, it's not."

"What are you saying? I mean did you see him? He's healed!"

"That's exactly the problem. How did he?"

"Who cares? He's better!"

"For now."

"Aww come on man-"

James stuck his hand out and got out of his chair. He grabbed a stack of rather dusty books and turned toward the portrait hole.

"I'm going to help Pete."

Then he crawled through leaving Sirius staring behind him.

The Ministry of Magic

Dumbledore was in a furry. He was currently stuck in the Ministry of Magic. AGAIN. He had been waiting for the minister. AGAIN. He had been sitting there when a raving mad wizard had come running into the lobby being chased by a flying goat, only the goat had a child's feet, the tail was a snake, and the fur was light green. The man had grabbed a bottle out of his cloak and thrown it at the goat boy thing. Only he had missed and the bottle smashed to pieces several feet from Albus. The security had come running from every door and had managed to tie the "goat" down. Then they had calmed the man. Unfortunately, they wanted to inspect Albus to make sure the potion hadn't infected him. So now the headmaster was standing impatiently in front of a dozen healers and alchemists trying to make the point that if he had been infected then he would certainly have a green beard or snakes coming out of his body. The head alchemist was about to pronounce him clear when a younger woman healer in bright orange robes and red wavy hair started stuttering. The alchemist turned toward her.

"What is it Prunella?"

"It's this sir."

"What?"

"This."

"What is it?"

"This thing in my hand."

"Albus's beard?"

"Yes."

"What about it?"

At this point the headmaster realized a rather greenish looking bit of hair at the end of his beard. He slipped out his wand and then turned toward the alchemist.

"Lovely isn't it, Harvey?"

"What?"

"My beard."

"Oh yes. Charming."

"There are seventy-nine million, eight hundred forty-six thousand, nine hundred fifty-two long hairs and six thousand, five hundred seventy eight and one half shorter ones. I counted them myself."

After the word shorter, the brilliant old man waved his wand a little around his side and the green disappeared. He knew that if it was found, they would keep him all week. By this time Harvey was very confused and had turned back to Prunella.

"You were saying?"

"Oh right, look h-"

She stopped in the middle of her sentence, aghast. Harvey looked at her expectantly.

"Yes?"

"It was here a minute ago."

"What?"

"Some green."

At this time Dumbledore allowed himself a small smile and said-

"Well all there has ever been in this beard is pure dumbledorian white and auburn."

"You must have been dreaming again. Now go pack up my potion gear."

Harvey the alchemist then turned toward Dumbledore.

"I'm sorry about the hold up. Prunella can be rather scatter brained sometimes."

"Oh it's quite all right Harvey."

The old alchemist bowed low and with a furl of robes, headed to the floo fireplaces. Albus was about to follow him when a short, bald man in green robes came panting toward him.

"Albus Dumbledore?"

"Yes."

"Letter for you. The healers wouldn't let me deliver it till you were clear. It was marked urgent."

"Thank you."

Oh what now, he thought. His eyes widened as he read who had sent it. Them he tore into the parchment envelope. It read as follows,

Albus,

Our favorite student has come down with a mild cold. Please send some lemon drops whenever you get the chance.

Minerva

Dumbledore's lips tightened. He looked at the man who had delivered it.

"When did it arrive?"

"An hour ago."

Dumbledore nodded a thank you and payed the man. (Since all owls were off duty due to the flying goat.) He knew what the letter meant and it wasn't good. A.K.A-

Come Immediately. Remus is in trouble. Dumbledore turned around sharply and appareted out.

Hogwarts

Sirius had finally stopped celebrating about Remus and was now sitting in the library with the two remaining marauders. There were dozens of dusty books towering around them on the table. James was in the middle of investigating a rather thick and ominous looking book. Peter was chewing on the end of a quill as he flipped through he pages of a book entitled Mysterious Maladies and The Dark Arts. Sirius on the other hand, who still thought their suspicions were completely off the bat, was digging around the dark shelves anyway. James sighed and closed his book. Peter jumped at the noise and wiped his sweaty forehead.

"It's no use. We have been going through these books for two hours and we still haven't found a thing about werewolf injuries curing themselves."

Peter looked over at James, made a small note on a scrap of parchment and closed his book too. Sirius came from around the bookshelf, having heard his friend's complaint. He tossed several books he was holding onto a nearby chair and sat on another one, propping his feet on the recently thrown books. James glared at the book he had been reading and placed it on an extremely tilted stack, making the stack wobble slightly. Sirius gave him an "I told you so" look.

"Oh be quiet Sirius."

"What? I didn't say anything."

James rolled his eyes but suddenly stopped and sat straighter. He ran his hand through his hair. Sirius looked at him questioningly but then turned around. He had just heard the voice that hypnotized his best friend.

"Hi James."

"Hey Lil."

"I heard that something happened to Remus. Is everything okay?"

James looked a little disappointed that Lily had only come to talk about Remus but hid it quickly. He stared back into those enchanting emerald eyes.

"Oh Right. Well it was just a potion accident. He'll be okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep. So Lil do you want to have a charm contest? Loser does homework for a week."

He looked at her hopefully for a few seconds but then Sirius nudged him hard in the ribs.

"Ow! What was that for mate?"

Sirius glared at him and then at the stack of books.

"I'm not putting all these away. It was your idea after all."

On seeing the books, James rocketed back to earth. He suddenly looked very worried.

Lily hadn't noticed the side conversation and looked at James.

"Well James I really don't have time. Did you know professor Slughorn offered to give me special advanced sessions?"

"That's great Lily. Hey just one more thing. Can werewolves heal themselves instantly?"

Lily seemed quite taken aback by this question. It obviously hadn't been expected.

"Well…um… I don't think so. They do heal a bit faster than normal wizards though."

"But what about all at once? Like there they are sitting there all beat up and then a moment later, they're better."

"No. That's never happened. Why?"

James hurriedly stepped in front of the stack of books he had placed his on.

"No reason. Just heard a joke about it. That's all."

Lily nodded, still a bit confused looking, but seemed to accept his answer.

"Well got to go meet Professor Slughorn, bye!"

"Yah, bye."

She smiled cheerfully and walked out of the library. James gazed after her sleek auburn hair for a moment and then his face darkened. He turned around and looked at his mates.

"Well that proves you wrong Sirius. It isn't natural. I'm telling you, it has to do with that curse that Tom send out."

"Well I guess it could but why would a curse have a good effect?"

"I don't kn- Pete, What are you doing?"

Peter had been holding a scrap of parchment up to his eyes and reading it over and over then glancing in the book he had been reading. But just at that exact moment the stack of books that had wobbled went crashing to the floor. One of them flipped open and let out an ear splitting scream. Sirius dived to the floor and slammed it shut just as the infuriated librarian came storming around the corner.

"WHAT ON EARTH HAVE YOU BOYS BEEN DOING!"?

The marauders stared guiltily at the floor as the enraged Madame Pince glared down at them. She was a rather attractive woman with brown in her thirties but she could still transform into the most dreaded villain in Hogwarts.

"YOU ARE EXTREMELLY IRESPONSIBLE! THROWING BOOKS AROUND and screaming!"

"We didn't throw then, they ju-"

" I've heard that one TOO many times Mr. Potter."

She flared her nostrils down at them. James didn't see how they could get out of this one. The librarian looked around and seemed to notice something else. Her face turned a violent shade of purple and she turned back to them.

"WHY DO YOU BOYS HAVE THIS BOOK! IT'S FROM THE RESTRICTED SECTION! I DON'T SEE A NOTE. NO WONDER I HEARD SCREAMING!"

She picked up the battered old book that had shrieked and tucked it safely under her arm. Then she grabbed James and Sirius by their ears and dragged them out of the library. Peter scampered after them, not waiting for Madame Pince to attack him. She then flung the doors shut after them.

The startled boys stared at the closed doors. James was utterly confused.

"Who got the book from the restricted section?"

"I did mate."

Sirius smiled cheekily.

"Why? I thought you didn't believe our suspicions."

"Well I don't. When I was flipping through random books I found something that intrigued me so I went to the restricted section. I was bored."

"What did you see?"

But they never found out because at that exact moment McGonagall stopped in front of them. She looked like she meant business.

"The Headmaster wants you all. NOW."

Ten minutes later found the three marauders sitting in rather hard wooden chairs in the headmaster's office. Several odd-looking brass trinkets were sitting on the desk in front of them. There was a rather magnificent bird standing on a gold perch in the corner. The windows behind the large desk revealed that it was dusk.

Sirius glanced nervously about him. The headmaster was outside having a quick word with McGonagall. He feared it had something to do with their exploits in the library. Peter was twiddling his thumbs absently minded while James was frowning at the floor. There was a loud creak and the door swung open. The stern looking Albus Dumbledore entered, followed by their head of house. He strode in front of the three boys and looked at them solemnly.

Uh Oh. Here it comes. I'm going be expelled for going into the restricted section. If it's so restricted, why didn't they bother to put better security on it? Stupid school policies, stupid screaming books, stupid curses, stupid people named Tom, stupid life, stupid men in black robes who put curses on my friends, stupid librarians, stupid me, stupid awesome bird, stupid revolving gargoyle, stupi-

Sirius's thoughts were interrupted by Dumbledore's stern voice.

"As you have probably already guessed, you are here due to your friend Remus."

Sirius breathed deeply. Dumbledore didn't seem to notice and continued.

"He is in grave trouble."

"But Sir, isn't he healed?"

"It may appear to be that way Mr. Pettigrew, but I have reason to think other wise."

"What reasons?"

"You will know soon enough Mr. Black. As I was saying you friend is special. He's not like other boys. You were in the shack last night and undoubtfully saw what he did. Remus is –"

"A werewolf. We know."

James finished his sentence for him. Then was followed by Peter.

"Have known all term actually."

'We thought you'd freak out if you knew we knew. Remus almost collapsed when we told him."

Dumbledore was staring at them intently. As Sirius finished speaking McGonagall actually chocked. She held a hand to her forehead and sighed, then fell into a chair nearby. The headmaster turned toward the shocked woman.

"It seems we have underestimated these boys Minerva, and their devotion to Remus."

James nodded earnestly. Sirius piped up,

"We'd do anything to protect him. Including fight that Tom git."

"Now Sirius, I really don't think you need to go that far."

McGonagall had finally gotten over her shock at the depth of their knowledge concerning Remus. She stood up and started to pace around the room. Dumbledore turned back to the boys.

"Do you understand the gravity of the situation?"

The young wizards glanced at each other. The same thought seem to process in their minds. It was no use lying to Dumbledore. He might be able to help. James spoke out first.

"Sir we think that Remus's miraculous healing had something to do with the man you mentioned, Tom. Or at least the curse he cast."

"Your Suspicions are right in line with mine. I also believe the Tom has managed to unearth a great evil and has unleashed it on Remus."

Sirius shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"What kind of evil sir?"

"The kind I will not openly talk to a eleven year old about."

"But-"

"Though I will tell you that there may be even more effects on Remus from this curse than you have seen. I am also sure that he is more awake than we see but that doesn't mean he is fully up to date on what has happened."

"Are we aloud to tell him?"

McGonagall finally stopped pacing and peered though her shrewd eyes at the boys.

"I should think that for the moment you should see what he remembers. Take care of him and keep him away from the gossips."

"I will allow you to tell him everything after he has recovered. In short, a few days. One at the least."

Dumbledore walked toward the door and pulled it open, motioning that it was time for them to return to Gryffindor Tower."

"Goodnight Peter, James, Sirius."

They nodded and left. Dumbledore turned away from the door. McGonagall looked at him expectantly.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"You know perfectly well what. Tom Riddle."

"Ah yes. I know. I have been trying to push the matter from my mind but I find that it is too important than to just push into the pensieve. Lemon drop?"

Dumbledore held out a cloth bag of round, yellow muggle candies. McGonagall gave an exasperated sigh.

"No thank you… Tom Riddle."

"Of course, I believe he will not return anytime soon. He was rather surprised to have met such a resistance to his brilliant plan. I'm just guessing of course."

"True. But what was he after?"

"It is safe to say, I think, that it was me."

McGonagall raised her eyebrows and peered over her spectacles at Dumbledore.

"You? Then why would he go after young Lupin?"

"Another side strategy. He used him to get to me. Once I was dead then he would add him to use valuable stock of werewolves."

"How vile. I never would have thought it out of young Tom."

"No one did. That's what gives him an advantage. I did some digging and found out he is going by a new name. Tom was simply to plain."

"What? Lord Evil the Obviously insane idiot?"

Dumbledore chuckled, popped a lemon drop into his mouth and immediately became serious.

"Close. Lord Voldemort."

McGonagall headed toward the still open door. Saying as she went,

"Humph! He's setting himself up for destruction. Goodnight Albus."

She went through the door and stopped dead in her tracks. There was a rustle of cloaks and the obvious sounds of retreating feet.

The next morning found James, Sirius, and Peter sitting in chairs around Remus's bed. Sun light poured in through the open window along with the chirps of several birds. Peter was reciting every thing he had discovered in the library. James listened intently while doodling on a bit of parchment. Sirius was gazing at Remus and then at Peter.

"So then I found out about a curse that was used in the dark ages. Back then almost every one was prejudice against werewolves and there were riots all over the place to get rid of them. But so many witches got burned trying to use it that the ministry banned it. Well it was pretty dangerous anyway so it's not like it was a bad thing. It's called the Moonlockers curse. It causes any one who has been bitten by a werewolf to immediately transform, without the full moon."

James stopped doodling and crumpled the piece of parchment. Then looked at Peter.

"And that's why it's so dangerous. Nothing can stop it. What about the side effects?"

"Well that's the odd part. Everyone was so excited that they had found a way to torture werewolves that they didn't bother to record the side effects, or worry about them. No one cared. But one historian did remark about miraculous healings and then death. But it only happened twice."

He added the last bit quickly and glanced at his friend. James was looking doubtful.

"Do you believe us now, Sirius?"

Sirius sighed and then stood up to pace. Peter then started to heavily abuse Tom thingy, James soon joined.

It was hot and stuffy. Everything was black. He couldn't move. Where was he? Remus tried to open his eyes, lift an arm, anything. But he couldn't. The harder he tried, the worse he felt. After five minutes of struggle, Remus gave up and lay hopelessly, waiting for something to happen. He racked his brain trying to remember why he was this way. Had he badly performed a spell? Wrongly mixed a potion? Gotten in between Snivellus and James? It suddenly hit him like a stack of bricks. I bit someone. I somehow turned back into a wolf. Remus mentally hit himself on the head. There was no way he could have transformed back. He had read through every book concerning werewolves and not one thing had been mentioned about transforming without the full moon. He then remembered the conversation between his friends. He tried to call out, hoping they would hear. His feeble attempts did nothing to make him feel better. He gave one last pathetic grunt and lay stiller than before. The room suddenly seemed to come into focus, his hearing focus that is. Someone was leaning on the bed and whispering something.

Actually Sirius had been picking clods of mashed up flobberworm from the bottom of his shoes when he heard a strange noise. It seemed to be coming from Remus. He whipped around and started saying Remus's name. James and Peter rushed over to the bed. Sirius said his friends name louder and louder until he was actually yelling. Remus squinted and sat straight up. His friends jumped back in shock, then Madam Sadaine appeared around the curtain.

"What in th-"

She stopped short at the sight of Remus, eyes open sitting up in bed.

Remus tried to look around. He had suddenly felt a surge of energy shoot through his body, propelling him upward. A shaking hand touched his arm.

"Remus?"

He instantly recognized his friend's voice.

"Sirius?"

He heard several loud sighs of relief and Madame Sadaine exclaim,

"Well all of those potions seemed to have stocked up and combined their strength. Peter! Go fetch Professor McGonagall and the Headmaster!"

Then he heard the patter of Peter's retreating feet and the rustle of the witch's robes as she bustled off to bring more potions.

"Hey Remmy. How have you been?" Sirius said with a grin.

"Well I don't really know. Gosh this is annoying! I can't see a thing! My eyes won't open!"

The grin slid off of Sirius's face like custard on a bald hippogriff. He glanced worriedly at James who got closer to Remus.

"What do you mean Rem? You're looking straight at us."

There was a distinctive note of fear in James's voice. Remus squinted again and held his hand to his face. Sirius spoke next. His voice was shaky.

"Remus, your eyes are open."

The young werewolf felt his heart plummet into his stomach. Just when he was about to ask if they were joking when Madam Sadaine returned with a loud clank as she set a bottle on the table.

"Well let's see if we can't get you out of here before the end of the week Mr. Lupin. Here drink this."

She shoved a goblet into his hands. Remus attempted to bring it to his lips but sloshed it all down his front. There was a loud Tut-tut as Madame Sadaine refilled the goblet.

"Come now Remus. It's not that hard,"

She handed him it back but he didn't drink. James spoke out first.

"Actually Madam Sadaine, it is hard. Remus can't see."

The nurse stopped fussing over Remus and turned toward the other boys.

"Do you mean he's blind?"

Sirius nodded glumly.

"He said he can't see a thing, But, I mean, his eyes are open!"

Madame Sadaine sat down heavily in a close by chair and sighed.

"I knew something like this might happen. But I hoped it wouldn't. Ah, headmaster."

Albus Dumbledore came striding up to Remus's bed. McGonagall walked behind the curtain in a flurry of robes.

"So the little adventurer is feeler better is he?" said Dumbledore.

The three marauders and nurse glanced at each other and then at Remus. McGonagall sat next to Remus.

"So Mr. Lupin, don't we all look glad to see you?"

"I wouldn't know."

McGonagall looked at him questioningly and them the nurse broke the awkward silence.

"Professors, he's blind.'

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and there was a sharp intake of breath from McGonagall. The headmaster turned to the nurse, who was fidgeting in her chair.

"Is there something you'd like to tell us Nautila?"

Madam Sadaine blushed a deep pink and muttered something under her breath.

Remus felt the tension in the room tighten around him and then James's shaky voice spoke out.

"You will be able to heal him won't you?"

"Now I'm not sure about that but I think I will do some digging and discover the counter curse to this problem. Well if you have nothing to say Nautila I need to be running along. I promised a young Hufflepuff that I would drop Professor Elliot some lemon drops while I was up here."

He strode from the bedside and dropped a cloth pouch on Professor Elliot's bedside table. She was sleeping at the moment and did not stir as he walked away toward the door. The aged nurse looked around nervously and then jumped from her chair.

"Alright Albus, alright!"

Dumbledore stopped halfway through the doorway and turned on his heel. He was smiling and looking expectantly at Madame Sadaine.

Of course Remus hadn't seen any of this and was now so confused he felt like shouting "Will somebody PLEASE tell me what you are all talking about!" But he didn't and settled back into the fluffy pillows waiting to discover why Dumbledore seemed to be having a mental conversation with Madam Sadaine, why Professor Elliot was in the hospital wing, and above all what happened to him. His first question was answered by Madam Sadaine's frantic voice.

"Oh Albus I should've told you but I was frightened! I didn't know what to do! I just looked at his arm and there it was! I'm sorry! I don't know what it means or where it came from! Oh I should have told you, you might have been able to stop this blindness! "

"Alright Nautila calm down. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the blindness. Now tell me, what happened?"

Remus felt someone brush his left arm and then sigh. He guessed it was the nurse due to her exasperated voice.

"Well after the boys left yesterday I was going put some more cream on the remaining gashes. I picked up his left arm to put it under the sheets -sorry! –" (Remus had winced a little when she touched his arm.) "And then I saw this!"

Remus felt her garb his arm and turn it over. There were several loud gasps from around the bed. He wondered what every one was looking at for he could feel their eyes boring into him. He finally plucked up enough courage and asked,

"What are you all staring at? I feel bad enough as it is without people gloating!"

There was more shifting around his bed and the nurse let go of his arm.

"Well Remus I'm sorry that I could not visit further but I really must be going."

Then Remus heard Dumbledore quietly address Madam Sadaine.

"Keep it wrapped up. I don't want anyone to find out about this. I'm going to find answers!"

And then there was a swoosh of cloaks and retreating footsteps as Dumbledore swept from the room.

"Mr. Lupin I entrust it to tour friends to enlighten on what has happened in the past few days. I do hope you get better. I need your brains to earn points if we are to win the house cup."

Then McGonagall followed the Headmaster from the Infirmary. There were several moments of uncomfortable silence. Remus again felt the stares of everyone an turned his head into the pillow. The kind old nurse seemed to notice the tension and broke it.

"Remus you need to take this potion five times a day." (There was a chink of a bottle being set down,) "Mr. Black has agreed to help you with it. It will help you be out of bed in several days. Visiting hours end in five minutes boys."

Then she bustled away, leaving the four marauders in silence.

"So Remmy, some day huh?"

Remus nodded his head at Sirius's comment and gingerly touched his stinging nose.

"How bad to I look?"

"Not too bad."

"Come on Peter be serious."

Remus started to feel anger boiling up inside him. He had no clue what had happened, was blind, and now his friends were lying to him. James sighed and said,

"He is being serious. Besides that nasty cut across your nose you don't look that bad."

"But how is that possible? I mean, I guess I retransformed and bit someone. I have to be all beat up."

"Well your not. So stop complaining."

"Okay Sirius. So… what did happen? Oh and what was going on with my arm? Why does it need to be wrapped up? I thought the only bad cut was on my nose. I mean I know I have a cut there because it hurt when Madam Sadaine touched it but-"

"Look Remmy you need to rest and we have loads of homework from Slughorn and McGonagall so we should be going. Oh and we found out how to make that map. We'll start on it as soon as you get out of here."

"James!"

But the sound of their footsteps was already growing fainter.

A week later brought many changes. The exams were only a week away and all the free time was sucked out of the students. Professor Elliot had been released a few days before. Thankfully, no one knew she had been bitten by a werewolf. That of course meant that she was a werewolf too. Remus had tried to comfort her when she had still been in the infirmary, but she ignored him coldly. It had, after all, been his fault. Four days before exams, Professor Elliot snuck out of the castle during dinner. Despite many urges from Dumbledore to stay she bluntly refused, saying no one would want her to teach their children. Many of the students believed she left out of grief from Jenkins death. Dumbledore encouraged this rumor to keep the truth concealed.

Remus was freed from the infirmary the day after Elliot's flight. When he arrived back at the Tower, a hoard of people was waiting for him. So many questions and rumors had flown around about him, one including a cursed book that had attacked him while he was studying for exams. This Remus agreed with so they would stop prying. He soon grew tired of the pats on the back and constant stares. He sunk into a corner and let the Gryffindors rave over his absence. Sirius soon realized his friend was overwhelmed and snuck him through the crowd into the dormitory. Since it was already past dinner, Remus flopped on his bed he had not been in for over a week, without pulling his robes off.

"Are you okay mate?"

"Fine."

"You sure?"

"Yep."

"Okay well James just spotted Snivellus wandering too close to our common room. We're going to teach him a lesson. Bye"

Remus grunted and turned over. Sirius walked out of the room and shut the door against all the noise issuing from the common room. The young werewolf was deep in thought. He needed to convince his friends to tell him what had happened. Why were they trying to hide it anyway? Sat up and felt around the bed. His fingertips came in contact with the edge and he slid off. He walked a couple steps and tripped on something lying on the floor. He pushed himself up and turned toward where he thought a chair was. Soon he ran into another bedpost and hit his left arm rather hard in the bed frame. Remus let out a gasp of pain and sunk to the floor. He clutched his arm and felt a piece of cloth wrapped around it. He realized the pain was coming from the area under the cloth. He wondered what was under it. Probably another nasty cut. But why did the guys ignore my question about it? Remus thought this to himself and then chanced a feel of the cut. He gently unwrapped it and inched his fingers along his fore arm. He didn't feel anything. If there was a cut then there should have been some sort of scarring. His flesh wouldn't have been completely smooth. He kept moving them until he felt it. A sharp pain shot through his arm from the point he was touching and right up into his head. He grabbed his head and fell backwards, lying the same spot until Peter would come running in to the room several hours later and would run off squeaking for James and Sirius.

The Caves of Someplace Evil

"Grayback!"

"Yes My Lord!"

'How did those others find out!"

"I-I-I don't-"

"I don't want your pathetic excuses! You have failed! CRUCIO!"

Screams reverberated off the rock walls. Voldemort's voice echoed over them.

"I gave you a whole week to fix your mistake! And what did you do? Nothing!"

The screams stopped and the werewolf was panting on the dusty floor.

"M-My Lord. I did something. I did. I was at the ministry when Dumbledore was. It was me who spilled a deadly potion on him by means of the goat I got from Nott. "

"Yes well it didn't work did it? The potion didn't kill Dumbledore! It didn't even give him green hair! I would have liked to see the old fraud walking around with his usually proud beard green!"

"It's not my fault! Those stupid healers got to him first and cured him! Then they kicked me out before I had a chance to use the avada kedavra!"

"Enough!I've had it. You have failed. No more of your pathetic excuses! Tell me there is still one thing that went right! You life depends on it!"

Voldemort's nostrils flared and his cat like eyes reduced to mere slits. Grayback was huddled at his feet. The werewolf stared wide-eyed at his infuriated master. He seemed to be racking his tiny brain for some shred of evidence that would save him. Voldemort was just raising his wand when Grayback cried out.

"Wait! I know of something! The boy! The werewolf boy! He is yours! The curse worked since the mark was left over that shack."

Voldemort lowered his wand and kicked his hopeful looking servant.

"Well at least you are good for something. Do not fail me again or I shall feed you innards to your friends at the full moon. Go!"

The trembling man bowed and backed out of the chamber.

Voldemort sneered at the empty entranceway and then turned around to a man sitting in the corner. The man stood up and bowed.

"Malfoy. I had almost forgotten about our little discussion. Is it ready?"

"Of course my lord. This plan will not fail with me in charge."

The man spoke with drawling voice. He had white blond hair and a straight nose. His eyes were a hardened gray. Voldemort nodded.

"Well it better not Acerbus."

Voldemort strolled from the chamber, his black robes billowing behind him.

Hogwarts

Remus was lying on his bed, surrounded by his three friends. They were all looking rather scared and worried. Sirius gently shook Remus. Remus opened his blank, and unseeing eyes.

The young werewolf heard someone whisper his name. He suddenly remembered the thing on his left arm. His right hand flew to it but was pulled back by three other pairs of hands. Then he heard James's voice somewhere to the right.

"Remmy, you can't touch it. I mean look what happened last time. Dumbledore was really worried. He told us to keep you here so people didn't start thinking deeper about your cuts."

Sirius piped up,

"Yah mate I know you are a little confused but we can't tell you anything. Dumbledore said you needed some time to get over it first."

Anger flared up in Remus like a pouncing lion. He suddenly sat straight up. Then he whispered,

"You guys have no clue what it's like do you?"

Remus could sense their surprise. When no one answered, he went on.

"You have no idea what it's like to transform once a month. And you never will. You have no idea what it's like to worry constantly, every second of every day that someone will find out about you. To worry that you bit someone that last time you transformed!"

Remus was unaware that his voice was rising.

"And now I have and no one will tell me a thing about it! My worst nightmare has come true and I don't even know how! Yes I'm confused! BUT MORE THAN A LITTLE!"

"Remus-"

'Oh and another thing, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET OVER IT IF I DON"T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT IS!"

Remus huffed and crossed his arms. A stunned silence followed. He never yelled at his friends before and he felt rather guilty. They were after all sticking up for him. They were the ones who found out and didn't care.

"I'm sorry mates, I didn't mean it."

"Actually Remus, you meant every word of it. So I think it's time you did know what happened."

Remus practically lept for joy when James said this but didn't due to his blindness. He leaned eagerly forward. James took a deep breath and began the long and startling story.

An hour later he had finished and Remus was staring guiltily at the floor he could not see. His friends waited for him to say something. They stared nervously at each other. Remus continued to have his head down but said,

"So it really is my fault Professor Elliot is a werewolf. I never wanted that to happen."

"None of us did mate." Sirius reassured him. James followed.

"Well it was actually that Tom guys fault. He put the curse on you."

"Who is this Tom?"

"He used to go to school here. But now he's some freak headed prat who goes by the name of Lord Voldemort."

"You know his name kind of reminds me of a moldy wart."

James and Peter looked at Sirius. He shrugged.

"I was just trying to relieve the tension."

Remus shifted uncomfortably on his bed. He wondered if he dared ask the one question that had been nagging him all day. Then he took a stab at it when no one spoke.

"So guys, what exactly is on my arm? I know it's not a cut."

There was an uncomfortable silence when the only noise was peter chewing on his nails. Remus finally brought his head up and turned toward what he hoped was James.

"Please tell me."

James scratched his head. Sirius sighed and Peter stop chewing. Finally James took a deep breath and began.

"Well don't freak out okay?"

"I won't."

"Alright here goes, Madam Sadaine realized it was there right after you were brought into the infirmary. I think it really scared her. Dumbledore is convinced Tom put it there. It's on your left fore arm only and kind of looks like a freakish tattoo. Well anyway it's a black skull with a black snake protruding from the mouth. It moves too. The snake sort of wiggles back and forth. It's evil. I can feel it."

"I wouldn't touch it again Remmy. Who knows what will happen this time."

"Thanks a bunch for that bit of advice Pete but I don't think it's dangerous anymore."

All of his friends gaped at him.

"What do you mean?' Sirius asked.

"Well before it always stung like a cut or something but now it's been getting better all the time. Actually I can't feel a thing now."

Remus squinted and felt the black mark. Nothing happened.

"I think it was just an after effect of the curse."

"And I think you are right."

The surprised boys turned around to find Dumbledore standing in the dormitory doorway. He was wearing dark blue robes with orange stars and dots on it. Under his arm was a green bottle and cloth bag. He strode across the room and sat down next to Remus.

"I encourage you to keep it wrapped up. There are enough rumors about you at the moment. I also think you should not make a habit out of touching it. It is evil. But other than that I suspect it is harmless. Here, I brought you this."

He handed the bottle to Remus. Remus felt for the top and uncorked it, sloshing the strong smelling liquid down his robes.

"Oh sorry Remus. I had forgotten you need help with this kind of thing. Scourgify!"

Remus felt the wetness leave his robes. Then He gently lifted the bottle up to mouth and slowly gulped it. It tasted rather like botobutur puss. (He had had the unfortunate experience of tasting it once during herbology when Sirius and James had thought it would be fun to make it zoom around the greenhouse and hit people in the face.) He managed to keep it down. He must have made a nasty face because Dumbledore patted him on the back. Then he felt a soft velvet bag pushed into his empty hand.

"Acid Pops. I was going to give you lemon drops but I had given my last to Professor Elliot and hadn't gotten a chance to replenish my stock. Then I thought of Ice Mice but decided against it since you wouldn't be able to catch them if they got away. I almost got every flavored beans but that presented a problem too-."

Sirius realized the pained expression on Remus's face and cut off Dumbledore's candy list.

"That's very kind of you sir. I'm sure Remus appreciates them."

Dumbledore blinked twice, looked at Remus, and hiccupped. Then immediately apologized. Remus ignored the hiccup and rolled over on his bed. Dumbledore looked at him sympathetically.

"I'm sorry Remus I didn't mean to bring up those problems again. I'm sure Professor Elliot has forgiven you and that you will get your vision back. (Hiccup)"

"She refused to talk to me in the infirmary Professor."

"Oh."

He hiccupped again.

Sirius was starting to get annoyed by the headmaster. He was making things worse for his friend. And the hiccups weren't that pleasant either. Dumbledore seemed to realize Sirius's cold glare.

"Well Mr. Lupin, I'm sure things will sort themselves out. I must leave you. Good day"

There was one last resounding hiccup as Remus felt the bed relax as the headmaster got up. He heard his footsteps tapping against the wooden floors and then the door swinging shut. Then James said,

"Can I have those acid pops Remmy?"

Remus nodded and threw them in what he hoped was his direction but was disappointed when he heard Peter squeal.

"Sorry. I meant to hit James."

Peter's exasperated voice rung out from the darkness enveloping Remus.

"He's on the other side of you."

Remus felt a little stung by these words. Peter wasn't the one who couldn't see. Sirius seemed to feel the same thing.

"That's not fair Pete. He has no clue. Just give him a break."

"Sorry. I- I- I just."

He seemed to be hesitating. There was a slight shifting to his right and he could tell Peter had moved closer to the other two. He continued in a whisper he must have thought Remus could not hear.

"I mean how long do you think he's gonna be like this. We can't keep baby sitting him forever."

"Pete! Remus needs us!"

"Yah I know Sirius it's just it was an evil curse right? Who knows if this Lord Voldemort is some how connected to Remus? That mark is pretty suspicious."

"Dumbledore said it was just an after effect, nothing to be worried about."

"How many spells have you seen that leave marks like that? Have you ever uttered the Lumos and a black skull appeared on the door you were trying to unlock?"

"That's different-"

"No. It's exactly the same."

Remus didn't like this conversation at all.

"What are you guys talking about?"

He tried to sound unconcerned. There was a soft scuffling of chairs. Sirius, the master of lies said,

"Oh exams. Shall we go to sleep?"

The others got up and pulled their robes off, then flopped in their beds. Remus reached out for his curtains and pulled them shut with difficulty. Then he lay in his dark world listening all around him. Peter was already snoring while Sirius was tossing around in his bed. The bed on his left however, was completely silent. He couldn't tell if James was sleeping or laying awake thinking like he was. The young werewolf tried to sleep but every time he got close flashes of the night when Grayback had been controlling lept up in his mind. Finally he gave into those dark memories and fell into a troubled and uneasy sleep.

Remus looked down at his claws. He glanced around him. There was a man standing in the middle of the shack. He transformed into a large wolf. Remus suddenly had an urge to howl. He did. The other wolf did too. Suddenly the room was filled with voices. Human voices. Remus smiled to his wolf self. A boy was standing in the doorway next to a woman with blond hair. He could sense their fear. He lept at the woman and tore into her. As she screamed several more people entered. The boy he had seen earlier had white blond hair and a rather smug look on his face. He was about to attack him when the larger wolf pulled him away. Remus growled but the other one just nodded toward the other group of people then ran straight for an old man. Then Remus charged at a two black haired boys. He tasted their warm blood in his mouth. Next came a small boy with sandy hair. The other wolf had already finished with the old man. Suddenly the shack was filled with an eerie green light. There was rumble and a snap and then a young man in his thirties appeared. He signaled to Remus and the other wolf. There was another snap and Remus was human. He looked in horror at the bodies lying beside him. He started to scream. The young man laughed. He sneered at Remus and said in a high cold voice,

"You are mine."

Remus awoke to someone shaking him. He tried to see who it was but a split second later remembered he was blind. His thought was answered. James's voice spoke out of the darkness.

"Remus! Remus are you all right?"

Remus sat up slowly, still shaking slightly. He felt for his friend's hand and grasped it tightly.

"I killed you James. All of you."

The last day before the Hogwarts express arrived to take everyone home proved to be a rather gloomy one. Even the ceiling was showing a gray, rainy sky. Unfortunately one of the enchantments on it had not been replenished and the rain was now pouring in torrents from the ceiling on to any inhabitant of the Great Hall. Just as the marauders entered to grab a bite for lunch, Professor McGonagall came running out and knocked Remus over. She was sopping wet and had a disgruntled look. The teacher bent down and helped Remus up.

"Sorry Mr. Lupin. It seems Flitwick and Dumbledore have been too sidetracked these days to pay attention to the ceiling."

She pulled out her wand and instantly dried her dripping robes. She then advised them to stay away from lunch and strode away. Sirius turned toward the others.

"Like we needed that advice. What is it James?"

The black haired marauder was staring into the Great hall. The other two (since Remus couldn't see.) followed his gaze.

"What's going on guys?'

Sirius answered, almost laughing.

"It's Lily. She's walking around the Great Hall. The funny thing is she's not getting wet! The rain stops a couple inches from her and bounce away."

"That's odd."

"Yah Remmy."

"I bet it's because she's so bloody good looking!"

"Oh shut up James. You're such an idiot sometimes."

James glared at Sirius. Remus simply stared unseeingly ahead and said,

"It must be a charm."

"Yah. Hey Lil!"

James waved and the auburn headed girl trotted over to them.

"Can you do that to us? I'm starving!"

"Well I guess. The foods wet though. You have dry it off but it stills tastes a bit off."

"Who cares? They have treacle tart in there!"

Lily rolled her eyes and muttered an incantation they didn't quite catch. Remus didn't feel anything. He soon felt a hand grasp his right arm and propel him forward. He could hear the rain getter louder and louder until he could tell they were standing in it. He expected to be drenched in a matter of seconds, but to his surprise nothing happened. The rain seemed a bit dimmed as if he was standing under a ledge. He heard Sirius mutter "wicked!" to his left. Then James asked him what he wanted. Lily seemed aggravated at this.

"Why did you ask that? He can help himself! You don't always have to tell everyone to do you know!"

By the sound of James's voice he was surprised.

"It wasn't like that Lil. I was just trying to help. Oww!"

Sirius had elbowed him.

"Be careful mate. Remember, no one knows he's blind."

He added this under his breath.

"Lily look I'm sorry. It's just some food."

Remus heard Lily give an indignant hiss and could tell she was about to retort when it happened.

Someone a thousand miles away had just touched another man's forearm with their bony finger.

Remus screamed in pain. His whole body seemed to be trying to leave reality. Remus clenched his teeth. There was a flash of light and for one brief moment the pain stopped and he could see. All three of his friends and Lily were looking at him in horror. They looked very odd with the water only coming within inches and then flying in another direction. Suddenly the pain hit again. Except this time Remus felt his body being torn apart. He wreathed in pain for several moments and a second later was pulled into a dark chasm as if he was being sucked through a tube.

Those Same Evil Caves

Apercus Malfoy was rubbing his left forearm when two deatheaters, Nott and Crabbe entered the small rock chamber, hauling two hooded wizards behind them. He raised his blond eyebrows and pulled out his wand.

"Are those pathetic lumps them?"

The two men nodded as Malfoy poked their burdens with his black wand. Then he stopped, satisfied.

"Very well. Place them in the corner. The Dark Lord has gone to prepare himself. He commands to stand guard at chamber entrance. He will not suffer a mistake this time. If he does, it is our lives. Now go!"

The two deatheaters nodded and retreated to the entrance of the chamber. Suddenly a red flash filled the room followed by a pop. Apercus did not look startled. He merely tightened his jaw and stared down at the sandy haired boy who had just appeared on the floor in front of him.

Remus lay sprawled on the cool stone floor. He waited several moments for the pain to recede and then opened his eyes. At first everything was dark. Remus blinked several times. He knew he had been able to see in the Great Hall. Then that reminded him. Where was he? The young werewolf pushed himself up and tried to glance around. The room grew lighter until it was a fuzzy sort of gray. Remus rubbed his eyes and blinked again. At last he could make out several shapes. One he could tell was a man standing in front of him. There were two odd lumps in the corner left of him. Suddenly he heard footsteps approaching. Remus turned his head slightly and saw several torches hanging in brackets on the wall. Their dim light barely helped him see. He squinted and managed to make out another robed figure walking towards the first. At the sight of this man, Remus drew back. Even though he could not make out the face, he could sense a sort of evilness and impatience coming from this person. Suddenly the person stopped next to the first man. The voice betrayed that it was a man. Remus cringed when he heard this high, cold voice that was dripping with cruelness.

"Are you ready? Do you have the leverage?"

"Yes my Lord. All is in order for your revenge."

When the second man spoke in a drawling voice, Remus's thoughts spun to one person and one person only. Lucius Malfoy. With last vigorous blink the room became clearer yet and Remus could tell he was in some of cave chamber, though it was still rather blurry. The sandy haired boy stared at his captors. Or he guessed they had captured him. Who else would have taken him in such a painful way? What did they want with him? After looking hard at the Lucius guy he found himself looking at an adult sized Malfoy. His pointed nose and hair were identical to the annoying bully at Hogwarts. This must be his father. Besides this man is evil. What other type of dad would Malfoy have?"

By this time the two men finished their conversation and the non-Malfoy turned toward Remus. His cold yellowish cat like eyes and shallow, waxy skin were enough to make Remus immediately hate his evil loathsome guts. This was the man from his dream. The one who had made him bite Professor Elliot. Remus stared back into those fuzzy eyes with hatred. This only made the man he know knew was Tom Riddle A.K.A Lord Voldemort smile coldly.

"So young Mr. Lupin, we meet again. Except this time everything is on my terms."

Remus glared at him and wished his vision wasn't so fuzzy so he could see exactly what this man looked like. He would still etch this blurry and sinister face into his memory forever. When Remus blinked and rubbed his eyes again Voldemort actually chuckled evilly.

"Yes, your vision is just now becoming a bit clearer isn't it?'

Remus stared at him, aghast.

"Yes I know all about your temporary blindness. Actually there was a lot more spells tied into that Moonlockers curse than even my followers know about. I must say I did a prime job. The blindness was simply to stop you from running away or doing anything courageous before tonight. Yes, I always have a back up plan."

Voldemort turned and strode over to the bundles in the corner. He pressed his long forefinger against the one propped against the wall and tapped it thoughtfully. He continued to speak.

"I was ever so put out when ever you little band of miscreants showed up and stopped me from blasting Dumbledore off the earth forever."

He gave a little sigh and stopped tapping the bundle. But soon he had composed himself was pacing back and forth.

"But I must admit it was just stupendous when you cornered your own friends and bit that pathetic little Hufflepuff. At least something right came out of all that."

The dark Lord sneered and stroked his chin where a beard could have been. That seemed to remind him of something.

"Oh I have thought about getting a new face to match my new name. I was thinking of growing my hair out and adding a small mustache and a rather bushy beard. You know maybe if I looked a bit more menacing and impressive so everyone would love me like Dumble-"

Voldemort suddenly cut short and looked mortified. His hands fell from his chins where they had been forming an imaginary beard. He shook his head as if to rid it of the fact that he had just admitted that his archenemy was better than he was. Remus personally didn't think anyone would ever love him or that he would have looked good in a shaggy beard and moustache. Voldemort's usually white face turned to a magenta and then deep purple. He gritted his teeth and breathed in sharply.

"If you ever repeat that to a single soul I promise you I will torture you until your heart is severed from the aortic arch! Do you understand me Apercus?"

The tall blond deatheater bowed. Voldemort's face had now returned to its usual paleness and seemed to have forgotten his outburst. He had resumed his pacing once again.

"So now tonight you will witness the demise of the Great Albus Dumbledore and watch the wizarding world bow to my reign."

Remus was finally fed up with the all talk no show thing. He knew he was being foolish by letting it get to him. It was obviously what this prat wanted. The young boy said impatiently,

"So you are going to take over everything and no one is going to care? Don't you think that's a bit far fetched?"

The Dark Lord smiled coldly and crouched next to Remus. He leaned close to his ear and whispered

"Anxious to see your world fall apart are we? Well then I won't say I didn't warn you-actually I didn't did I?"

He chuckle chilled Remus to the bone. Voldemort stood up and motioned to the Malfoy man. At this point Remus got tired of all ways thinking of him as "The Malfoy look a like" and just decided he was a Malfoy and preceded to call him that.

Anyway Malfoy drew his wand out, walked over to the bundles, and revealed what they were. Even though Remus's vision was still only 15/20 he did a double take and almost fainted when he saw who were under those hoods that Malfoy had pulled off. A sandy haired man and an auburn haired woman, His parents.

Voldemort noticed his flabbergasted expression and laughed cruelly.

"Yes, I thought they might help."

Remus's heart plunged into his stomach at these words. They couldn't mean anything good.

"Leave them alone! I thought you wanted Dumbledore!"

"Oh I must definitely DO want Dumbledore. It's just these two life forms help get him for me. The moment you precious headmaster gets a memo from the ministry saying your parents were attacked by giant killer bats in a cave while researching a way to cure flobberworm bites, he will come running to th rescue."

Remus opened his mouth to retort but Voldemort read his thought, literally.

"Yes, I can do that and I do have a reason for having you here."

Remus closed his mouth and glared at the man in front of him in disbelief.

"Y-Y-You can read minds?"

The Dark Lord's lips stretched into a thin smirk. Then he motioned to Malfoy a second time.

"Ennerverate!"

Lucilla and Alec Lupin stirred and opened their eyes. At first they looked shocked to find themselves sitting on a cold stone floor in a gloomy cave. Then this immediately turned to anger when they saw Malfoy with his wand pointed at them. Remus stuck his hand behind him and felt his wand protruding from his right back pocket. Oddly enough, Voldemort had actually forgotten about it. His parents hadn't seemed to have noticed him yet. The Dark Lord turned toward them and chuckled.

"A happy little reunion isn't it?"

Alec Lupin tried to get up but Malfoy shoved him back down. So instead Remus's dad glared at Voldemort and said angrily,

"What do you want Tom?"

Voldemort didn't flinch when he heard his former name but merely said,

"That boy no longer exists. I am Lord Voldemort."

"So I've heard."

"Well I figured since you were the boy's parents it would be best to let you be the bait. I can't risk letting him die but you two..."

He pointed his long sleek wand at the two of them

"You can die."

"No!"

Remus had jumped up at these words and was shaking. He had not yet pulled out his wand, hoping he would get a chance later to attack.

Voldemort turned around and flicked his wand at Remus. The young Werewolf went spinning across the chamber and slammed into the solid rock wall. He slid down and lay unconscious on the floor.

At the sight of their son both Lupins had jumped up and drawn their wands. Voldemort realized a bit of his plan was flawed.

"Malfoy. Did I or did I not tell you to take their wands?"

Malfoy stood glued to the spot. He was doomed.

In truth Voldemort had actually forgotten to tell him this. But he had also forgotten that he had forgotten to tell him to take their wands. So now Malfoy was in a bad place. If he told the truth, The Dark Lord would torture him thinking he was playing dumb. Yet if he lied the Dark Lord would still torture him for forgetting to take the wands he was never told to take. It was always confusing working for an evil guy with a too big of an agenda.

When Malfoy said nothing, Voldemort freed both of the Lupins from their wands and forced them, at wand point, to sit down again.

"There, there. Little Remus will not be killed. I have much more important things to do with him than that. Oh and I believe our guest of honor will be here shortly. Until then just sit tight and dream of what a wonderful werewolf leader Remus will make in my revolution. Get them young my father used to say.

Lucilla turned white and anger turned to rage in Alec. Neither of them could bear the thought of Remus being forced to be evil and neither could do anything about it. They both also knew that Voldemort had never talked to his father in is life so therefore he couldn't possibly have said anything about young werewolves especially since he was a muggle and didn't know werewolves existed.

Voldemort made himself busy torturing Malfoy because he had forgotten to do the thing that Voldemort had forgotten he had forgotten to tell him.

Remus came back to consciousness by the screams of the unfortunate deatheater. He rubbed his sore head that felt like little cannons had gone off. Voldemort seemed to preoccupied to notice him so Remus made sure his wand was still in one piece and crept toward the door way. He realized too late that two robed figures were standing on either side of it. The largest one turned toward him.

"Where are you going peewee?"

Remus gulped. If they found out he was trying to escape then they would surely alert their master. Suddenly an idea hit the sandy haired boy. He stuck out his hand.

"The Dark Lord wants you to check for Dumbledore at the entry way. He says you are not to return until he arrives. You are to stun him and bring him before the Dark Lord."

The deatheater looked taken aback. He turned toward the skinnier one.

"How can we trust 'em Nott?"

"I don' know Crabbe. Maybe it's a trick."

Remus knew there was only one way to make them believe he was one of them. He lifted up his left arm and pulled his robe sleeve up. Then he ripped of the bandage that was wrapped around his forearm.

"See? The Dark Lord knows. Do as he says. He commands you to take me to oversee this process and lead the old oaf straight to you. Now go. You don't want to end up like old Malfoy do you?"

The deatheaters gulped and shook their heads to reassure him that they did not want to be tortured. They looked over at Voldemort and then headed down the long, torch lit tunnel. Remus took a deep breath. They had believed him. There was hope. Malfoy's screams grew fainter and fainter as the light at the end grew brighter and brighter.

Remus expected the tunnel to end outside but received a shock whenever they ended up in a chamber at least five times as large as the one they had just left. Even more surprising was the fact that it was crammed full of wizards in tattered robes, covered in gashes. Remus's heart skipped a beat as he realized who these people were. They were all werewolves. He was looking upon Voldemort's great army.

The two deatheaters he was following, Nott and Crabbe, led him straight through this pathetic mob toward a solid wall at the other end. As they grew closer Remus recognized a man sitting in the far corner all alone. He was obviously the leader of this rabble when Voldemort wasn't there to tell them how to breathe. It was the man from the shack in his dream. He had never actually seen him with his conscious self but he must have remembered him from when he was under his imperious curse. Grayback noticed Remus's constant stare and looked up from the lamb chop he was eating greedily. His eyes pierced into Remus. He got up and crossed over to him. He smiled cruelly, his yellow teeth only making his appearance worse.

"Hello little Lupin. Welcome to your new abode. La Casita Werewolf."

He waved a scratched arm around them.

"Having fun being one? You should be thanking me you know. Without me Voldemort would never have rescued you from those wizards who hate you."

Remus wanted to yell at this man and tell him all about his friends but refrained. It would blow his cover. Someday he would get even.

With one last smug look the older werewolf walked away.

Remus now turned back to the other two. They were now tapping the wall in front of him. Nott suddenly turned toward him, pulling out a silver knife.

"Arm Lupin."

"What?"

"Yer arm. 'Ow else are we supposed to open this? Do we look like werewolves to yer?""

Remus understood he meant his blood. It seemed like the door would only open with werewolf blood. Remus held his left arm out a bit reluctantly and Nott sliced it quickly with the knife. Besides a sharp pain it wasn't too bad. The deatheater proceeded to wipe the blood on the rock. Suddenly it disappeared and they walked through into a normal little cave with a small entrance at the other that was showing blue sky. Remus slid behind a small boulder while the other two melted into the shadows and waited. The wall appeared again behind them.

They only had to wait about five minutes when there was a faint pop outside of the cave. Several moments later Dumbledore's long nose appeared, followed by his flowing beard and magenta robes. Albus Dumbledore walked straight to the wall-door and stared at it, and then he began tapping it. Remus took his only chance and stepped out.

"It only opens with werewolf blood."

The headmaster turned around slowly. He didn't look at all surprised to see Remus there, though he did look impatient and angry. The two deatheaters also stepped out and pointed their wands at Dumbledore. Nott was about to cast when Dumbledore shouted,

"Remus! What has he done to you? You aren't evil. Call them off."

Remus smiled in an evil sort of way and pulled his own wand out.

"The Dark Lord has made me feel more at home than you ever did at your stupid little school. I am glad to say that he has showed me your faults and has forgiven me for not seeing sooner."

Dumbledore sighed.

"I had hoped you would be able to withstand his enchantments Remus. But it seems he has done an excellent job of deceiving you. But please call them off or I shall have to hurt you Remus and I don't want to do that. Your parents lives are in danger."

At this point Remus almost gave in but remembered his place.

"I will do better than that Dumbledore. Say goodbye!"

Then Remus lifted his wand at Dumbledore and made as if to stun him. Halfway through the incantation, Remus switched his aim and hit Nott instead. Dumbledore, thinking Remus was attacking him, had sent a spell his way so Remus ducked just as he finished hitting the deatheater. They didn't have to worry about Crabbe because Dumbledore's paralyzing spell had missed Remus and hit Crabbe square in the nose.

After all of this Dumbledore was shocked. He looked at Remus, who smiled apologetically. The young werewolf walked over to Dumbledore.

"Sorry. It was the only way to get away from Voldemort and stop them from attacking you. But what I said was true. It does only open with werewolf blood."

Dumbledore sighed deeply.

"For a moment you actually had me. That sneer worried me most of all. I guessed Voldemort would try to control you again. What were you doing out here?"

"Well Voldemort didn't really try to control me. I think he was hoping I would just switch over when I saw all the werewolves. Anyway He got mad at me when I tried to save my parents and blasted me against a wall. Then I crept out pretending to be one of them while he was busy torturing Malfoy's dad for not taking my mum's and dad's wands."

"Apercus?"

"Who?"

"Apercus Malfoy?"

"I think that's who it was. I mean it looked like Malfoy and I heard them talking a bit when I was unconscious."

Dumbledore sighed.

"He always followed Tom around in Hogwarts. I had hoped he had changed paths after school but it seems he stuck with him to the end. Anyway this wall, I figured since it was a werewolf sanctuary that their blood would be required for entrance. I borrowed some from Madam Sadaine. She had some extra from Professor Elliot."

Remus breathed freely, glad he wouldn't have to be cut again. Dumbledore chuckled and uncorked a small vial he had drawn from his robes. Then he hesitated.

"Is this room behind here full of werewolves?"

"Yes."

"I was afraid so. No matter."

Remus was about to ask what he meant when Dumbledore produced an odd silvery cloak.

"An invisibility cloak?"

"I had forgotten that Mr. Potter has one in his possession. Well I assume you know how it works?"

Remus nodded. Dumbledore splashed the blood on the wall and threw the cloak over himself. Remus of course had to stay out so it wouldn't look suspicious when the wall opened. The two of them pushed through the crowd carefully, making sure no one got to close to where the headmaster was. At last they reached the tunnel and entered. As they got within only a few feet of the door, Voldemort came raging out and knocked Remus over. He looked down, surprised. This turned back to anger. He grabbed Remus by his collar and hoisted him up so Remus was dangling off the ground, only inches from Voldemort's white teeth.

"Think you're funny do you? Trying to leave? Didn't get very far did you?"

Remus heard a soft swoosh next to him and realized Dumbledore must have slipped into the chamber. Then he made up his mind to play dumb until Dumbledore was ready.

"N-no Sir. I only wanted to get away from the screaming. It was scary."

Voldemort looked down at him in disgust.

"You stupid little boy. Do you really think I'd believe that?"

Well no but I mean you are pretty dim you nasty senile bald never gonna have hair blast ended screwt.

"B-but it's true sir. I made it out to the big room with all the scary people and came running back, realizing I was safer with my mummy."

At this Voldemort actually laughed mirthlessly.

"She can't save you now. In fact when we go back in there I am go-"

But whatever he was going to do Remus never found out because at that exact moment Voldemort dropped him, starring wide-eyed into the chamber. Malfoy was unconscious and Dumbledore was standing in he middle of the room.

Voldemort turned a delicate shade of puce.

"How did you get in here Dumbledore?"

"I was under the impression that you wanted me in here Tom."

"Well yes but not like this. I put anti-apparition spells on this chamber!"

"Mr. Lupin has a way of getting around those things."

Voldemort turned back to Remus, outraged.

"I knew you were up to something!'

He pointed his wand at the young werewolf.

"Avad-"

"Expelliarmus!"

Voldemort's wand went spinning out of his hand and landed several feet away. The enraged dark lord grabbed Remus neck and forced his wand out of his limp hand. Remus gasped for breath and fell to the floor. The two wizards began dueling.

"You will not get away this time Dumbledore! Avada Kedavra!"

IN his rage his aim was off by ten feet and gave Dumbledore a split second to retaliate.

"Potrificus Totalus!"

Voldemort had ducked to pick up his original wand just in time. He threw Remus's wand to the side. He tried the killing curse again and missed, again.

"You can't go on like this forever Tom. It will destroy you."

"STOP CALLING ME THAT! CRUCIO!"

This time the curse struck true and Dumbledore only blocked it in time.

"Protego!"

"You will die Dumbledore!"

"Stupefy!"

Voldemort was again saved by luck when he tripped over Remus, who was still lying on the floor, trying to avoid getting hit. This time the spell didn't come from Dumbledore. When Voldemort had thrown Remus's wand aside. It had landed only inches away from the Lupins. Alec Lupin was now standing straight up, looking serious.

"Accio Wands!"

Voldemort now realized it was three to one. He got off Remus and pointed his wand at his heart.

"Give yourself up Dumbledore or the boy dies and it will be your fault!"

Dumbledore's face hardened. Voldemort actually recoiled at this sight, but instantly recovered. Dumbledore exchanged quick glances with the Lupins.

"Very bright day isn't it Tom?"

"What?"

"The day. It is very bright."

"I don't ca-"

He was cut off by three very loud voices shouting "Lumos" at once. There was a blinding flash, a tongue of flame appeared and was gone, leaving the chamber empty except for Voldemort, lying on the ground, and covering his eyes. He got up and stumbled around blindly. He started to jump up and down in rage, his face turning a deep red and then purple.

"DUMBLEDORE!"

He ran into the wall and fell flat on his back. And this is how Malfoy found him when the unfortunate deatheater woke from his brief coma that the torturing at him at put him in.

Hogwarts, Dumbledore's Office

Remus slowly opened his eyes and found himself lying on the floor in the headmaster's office. Next to him was his mother was stirring and several feet away, his father was talking with Dumbledore. Dumbledore suddenly cut him off and pointed toward Remus. A look of pure relief spread over the man's face as he dashed over to them. He knelt down and hugged his wife and the son.

"Remus! Are you alright? I mean you were thrown against a wall and chocked!"

"Dad if you don't stop hugging me I will choke!"

Mr. Lupin let go of his son quickly and smiled.

"So you are fine?"

"Yah, I just don't want to have to ever talk to Voldemort again!"

Mrs. Lupin flinched. Remus looked at her, surprised.

"What?"

"Every time I've heard that name since the night in the shack I get scared. Nervous habit I guess."

"Yah well it's just a name. It's not like it can hurt you."

"Your mother does have a point Remus."

Remus shrugged. Dumbledore smiled and walked over. Mr. Lupin stood up.

"You never answered my question Albus. How did you know it was Riddle?"

Dumbledore smiled solemnly and picked up a piece of parchment off his desk.

"This. It arrived just after a panicked Mr. Black had come running into my office and exclaimed that young Mr. Lupin here had just disappeared from the Great Hall in a flash of light. Then when I read the letter and I knew it was him. First, I happened to know that you two were in fact supposed to have shown up for a tour of a new owl shop for Alec."

Mrs. Lupin stood up and helped her son up. Then she turned toward Dumbledore. She had just opened her mouth when he continued.

"Yes, I have had you two followed. I guessed Voldemort would try and use you."

This answer seemed to suit her so she made herself comfortable in a chair.

"Well everyone knows that flobberworms don't bite so there was no way you would be in a cave investigating a cure. And lastly, I had just heard from the Department For the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures that they had finished rounding up all the giant killer bats in Britain. So therefore, every aspect of Voldemort's letter was impossible and false. I immediately left for the cave, knowing you were in trouble."

Mr. Lupin nodded.

"How could he make such a big mistake?"

"I'm not sure but I think he was too preoccupied with trying to make it sound as if you were in mortal danger. Oh and he never paid much attention to small, insignificant creatures, such as flobberworms."

Remus looked from one adult to another. He suddenly felt very tired. He had no clue how long he had been away from Hogwarts, but it felt like an eternity.

"Professor?"

"Yes Remus?"

"Can I go now? I mean I don't want James, Sirius, and Peter to worry about me."

"Professor McGonagall has already informed them with the main facts, but yes, you may go. You do look tired."

"Goodbye Honey."

"Bye son, see you in a few days."

Both of his parents hugged him and his mum dried a few tears on her sleeve.

"There, there, Lucilla. Term ends tomorrow. You know he could actually go with you now if he wants."

Remus's mum looked as if she was going to cry more at this offer. However, Mr. Lupin looked worried.

"Do you think that's safe Dumbledore? I mean Voldemort is still on the loose."

"I don't think he will try anything for a while. He will probably be too busy killing off his army. Besides Fawks took us before the brightest part of the triple Lumos could come into effect. I think he will feel what it was like to be Remus for a while. But Remus, it is your decision."

Everyone turned toward him. Remus now longed for bed even more. But even though it would be nice to sleep in his bedroom at home he wanted to see his friends again.

"I think I will stay. I want to ride back with the guys. I owe them that. They stuck up for me all year."

"Oh Remmy!"

His mother hugged him a third time and his dad ruffled his hair.

"Till Saturday son!"

Then Remus said thanks to Dumbledore and went to Gryffindor Tower, where he knew his friends and bed were waiting for him

A/N- Thanks for reading! I love you all! I had to make it longer since I kept you waiting for several months. Sorry, I'll try to be quicker next time! PLEASE REVIEW! (Puppy eyes and tears.)

abster092