The next day the sun shone brightly into the window of Remus' bedroom. He decided that it would be best to leave for Scotland without speaking to anyone in the house. He had said all he needed to say to everyone. He knew he was headed to a very dangerous place having to live amongst the werewolves. The looming prospect of heading off to Scotland to live with the werewolves was weighing on him heavily that morning. He was suddenly very aware of what may happen to him if anyone recognized him as Remus Lupin.

He walked quietly down to the basement kitchen to grab a cup of tea and a quick bite to eat before he left to his new accommodations in Scotland. Dumbledore had arranged for him to be living on the outskirts of a small village in Northern Scotland. It was a small one room cottage though there was quite a bit of lawn around it. If he was going to be forced to spend time with others like him at least when he was able to spend time alone he would be able to be in the fresh Scottish air.

He wondered around the house for a few moments drinking his tea. It was strange until this moment Number 12 Grimmauld Place hadn't really felt like a home to him. But now as he was being forced to leave it, it was as though he were leaving his childhood home all over again. Almost like when he left for Hogwarts when he was eleven years old.

Without a word to anyone Remus Apparated to the Northern Scottish village where he was to live until Dumbledore felt comfortable enough to bring him back. He hadn't packed many of his belongings. He had one small trunk with him as he entered his small one room cottage. It was completely empty aside from him and his trunk standing in the front door way.

The following day Remus exited his home to find a known werewolf by the name of Troy Umfraville. It was known that Umfraville was in league with Greyback and he was Remus' way into the pack. Umfraville wasn't high in the ranks of the pack, but he had enough authority that he could slide Remus in without much notice or many questions. It was the easiest way to go about getting information from the werewolves. And perhaps swaying them to see what Dumbledore was speaking of when he told them it would be better for them. That he would ensure there were actions taken to make it easier for the werewolves to live amongst average wizards and have access to Wolfsbane without having to know a potions master willing to sneak it to them.

Remus knew that Umfraville spent most of his time at the village pub. It was a small and dusty room near the edge of the village. The pub was basically empty besides an older looking man sitting in the corner passed out with his beer tipped over on the table. Remus felt sorry for the man, but then thought about how Tonks would have went to clean up the mess and prop his head up. Then Remus saw the bartender. He had a very familiar scar across his face signaling to Remus that this was the man he was looking for.

Remus slowly walked over to the end of the bar and sat down. He wasn't eager to speak to this man. He wasn't well groomed and looked as though he hadn't eaten in many days. His fingernails were overly long and covered in dirt and grime. They looked sharp as if they could puncture someone's soft skin. Umfraville had long shaggy hair that hung past his shoulders. It was just as greasy as Snape's, if not more so. There was dirt covering his face making the scar across his face obscure, but still visible to someone who's looking for it.

Umfraville finished drying the beer stein he had in his hands, filled it, and slid it over to Remus. Remus looked very weary of drinking the, what he realized now was, butterbeer. It could easily be laced with some sort of poison or potion. Umfraville had no reason to trust a complete stranger walking into the pub. Remus looked at the passed out drunk in the corner and saw a wand sticking out of his pocket. It was a wizarding pub. Or at least it catered to the wizarding world. Which helped Remus. He could speak a little more freely within these walls that he had expected to be able to.

Remus had sat there for almost an hour slowly milking his butterbeer. He didn't know exactly what to say to this man, but knew he couldn't leave until he was on speaking terms with him.

Umfraville came over to Remus as he sat there and placed his hands on the bar. "What are you doing here," he asked in a low growl.

Remus looked up from his beer stein and saw the man standing before him. He looked frightening. As if he was getting ready to attack Remus for simply sitting in the pub. "Just fancied a butterbeer, mate," Remus responded.

There was a long silence between the two of them. Remus felt Umfraville's eyes burning into him. Remus looked to the bar and saw Umfraville's nails digging into the already strained wood. There was a faint scratching sound ringing through Remus' ears. If he didn't say something soon he may be attacked by this man.

"Why are you here," Umfraville asked again.

Remus decided that it was time to tell the man why he was there. "Heard there were my kind in these parts," he said hoping it was convincing.

Umfraville stared at Remus for a few moments longer because moving. His hands didn't loosen their grip on the bar where he was leaving deep scratches. He was ready to attack. Remus glanced to the right and saw his wand securely fastened to his belt. It was as though Umfraville didn't believe that Remus was a werewolf. Even with the giant scar across his face.

"Who sent you," Umfraville growled.

Remus looked up and into the dead black eyes of Troy Umfraville. There was nothing there but darkness. It was like looking into a twenty feet deep black pit. He couldn't read this man. His body wasn't moving or showing any signs of what he may be thinking. By this Remus knew that Umfraville was associating himself with Fenrir Greyback. Knowing this put a pull in Remus' stomach. He hadn't come face to face with Greyback since he was a child. Since Greyback had attacked him and turned him into a werewolf. Greyback targeted children because they couldn't defend themselves. And Remus' parents hadn't been around right at that moment to offer any sort of assistance to their young son.

Remus didn't speak for several moments. He wanted to have an ounce of control in this situation. He also knew that trying infiltrate the werewolves was very life threatening on his part. If he said once wrong thing they could figure him out and that put the entire Order at risk. And Tonks' smiling face flashed in his mind. Somehow she told him exactly what to say with her smile.

"Not a soul," he finally replied. "But one of your own wasn't keeping quiet down in London. Overheard him saying something about Greyback around here. Might want to keep a better eye on those you let wonder. Wouldn't want a band of Dumbledore's wizards raiding the village would you?"

This seemed to be an acceptable answer to Umfraville. He stopped leaning on the bar. He had left great scratches in the wood from his nails. After going back to cleaning the beer steins and wiping down the counter.

"Why did you decide to leave cushy London," Umfraville asked him. "Why come up here were we all live amongst the trees and not be able to socialize?"

"Our kind don't normally socialize," Remus retorted. "Once people find out what we are we're exiled, are we not? Why not live amongst others who are like you in more than one way?"

Umfraville stopped again. "What other ways are we alike?"

Remus felt that pull in his stomach again. Pictured Tonks again. "I grew up a wizard, but I believe in the Dark Lord just as Greyback does. And I assume…you," he replied.

An unfriendly smirk spread across Umfraville's filthy face. "Are you asking to see Greyback?"

Remus felt a lump come into his throat. He'd gone through so much in his life, but he wasn't sure he could come, willingly, face to face with the monster that changed his, Remus, life for the worst when he was merely four years-old.

"Not at all. I'm sure he's far too busy to bother with me," Remus said earning a small nod from Umfraville. "Just would like updates on how the Dark Lord is doing. Anything that I may be able to help with."

Remus could tell that Umfraville was questioning his true identity again. "What'd you say your name was again?"

Remus stopped for a short moment before speaking again. Dumbledore had prepared him for this. "John Thicknesse," he confidently responded.

Days passed and Remus hadn't heard from Umfraville. He hadn't started to worry just yet. The full moon was fast approaching. Remus could feel it within him. It had been many months since Remus had to feel the full effects of a transformation and it was making him weak. He was getting sick with the moon approaching. Each night he'd look up towards the sky and see the moon slowly getting fuller.

The day before the moon would rise in its entirety Remus saw a snowy owl flying towards his small cottage. He quickly opened the window to let the bird in. He noticed immediately that it was Hedwig. She had a rather large letter tied to her leg. And she was itching to have it taken off of her. Remus did so and gave the bird something to eat and drink before she took off and found herself a corner to nap in before she made her return flight back to Hogsmeade.

Remus had assumed that the letter was from Harry because Hedwig was sent, but upon opening the letter he noticed it wasn't the handwriting of Harry Potter. It was the handwriting of Nymphadora Tonks.

Dearest Remus,

I know I shouldn't be writing you, but I wanted to let you know that I have relocated to Hogsmeade and as you have undoubtedly noticed I have spoken with Harry. I saw him the night he got to the castle. He said he would come visit during the Hogsmeade visits. I think it will be nice to be able to see the three of them. It's a little strange being here again. I haven't needed to come back to Hogsmeade or Hogwarts since I left the school. Walking back into the castle was very nostalgic. Even worse was walking back into Dumbledore's office. I had been sent there once or twice during my time at Hogwarts. You know I could never quite behave myself. Always getting myself and others into trouble.

I sent the letter now because I'm still following the lunar charts you have at Grimmauld Place. I nicked them without Sirius' knowledge. Hope you don't mind. I noticed that it was the few days before your transformation and that you would be feeling ill. I wanted to send you something to maybe take your mind off of it. At least for a few moments. I know you haven't got your potion and I wish that you didn't have to go through this without it. But I also know that using Wolfsbane where you are would basically be killing you. Alerting the others to who you may be. I do hope you're staying safe and that you receive this letter.

Mad-Eye and Dumbledore are both waiting, very impatiently I might add, for your reports. Said you haven't sent them news as of yet. It hasn't been that long I believe. You are just now making it to the first full moon of your time there. And you may be there for many more. They had even asked me if I had heard anything from you. Of course I haven't. You're to be keeping quiet whilst you're there. Good thing as well. I don't want anything to happen to you. There is very little news with the Order. We haven't gotten a scrap of new information since you left. Mad-Eye is very put out about it.

I should go. This letter is getting rather long and I don't want it to be a burden on Hedwig. Write back if you are able, but only if you're sure you won't be seen. Take good care of yourself, Remus. Be safe in the coming days. I look forward to seeing you soon.

With love,

Tonks

Remus placed the letter on his table and lowered his head into his hands. Seeing her name and reading her words rattled him. Made him second think his mission for a very brief moment. He then remembered why he had agreed to this assignment. It was to protect her. To make sure Tonks had a life to live. His wasn't worth much, but hers was worth more than he could articulate.

Hours later Remus heard a knock at the door. He took out his wand and slowly approached the door. He saw that it was Umfraville standing at his door. He opened it slowly hoping that he hadn't been found out. That Umfraville hadn't seen Hedwig fly into his cottage.

"Thicknesse," Umfraville called.

Remus opened the door. "Umfraville," he said. "What is it?" Umfraville was looking just a ragged as he, Remus, was.

Remus could tell that Umfraville didn't have anything to say to him. He simply wanted to know that Remus had been telling the truth. That he was truly a werewolf. And by seeing him in the same state as he, Umfraville, it was confirmed for him. Remus looked very sickly.

"Just stopped by," Umfraville told him. Rather unconvincingly Remus thought to himself. "Thought I saw something fly into your house."

Remus moved so he could not see within his home. Hedwig was a snow white owl. Easily seen to most people. She's not indigenous to Northern Scotland. She must have been seen by Umfraville, but he didn't seem to know what it was that flew into Remus' cottage.

"Would you like a cup of tea," Remus asked the weak looking man.

Umfraville was taken aback by the offer. He had no inclination that Remus would be willing to allow him into his, Remus', home. He tried to look inside of the cottage, but Remus was still blocking the view. Remus had no idea what he would do if Umfraville had taken his invitation to come in for a cup of tea. Hedwig was still napping in the corner. Tonks' letter was sitting on the table. He couldn't let anyone see that letter. There was too much information written in it. Remus was astounded that no one had intercepted the owl and read the letter. It would have brought down the entirety of The Order's work. Tonks knew that. She must have gotten special permission to send it to him. She wouldn't have risked it without knowing there were people that approved of her sending it.

Remus looked back at Umfraville's black eyes. This day there was something in them. It must have been the weakening of the man. The wolf crawling to the surface. It was something similar to fear, within his eyes. Something that Umfraville probably didn't realize was there. Something he must have been living with since he had been infected however long ago that was.

"Don't think I will," Umfraville responded. "Must be getting back to the pub."

Umfraville left abruptly leaving Remus standing in his doorway. He quickly reentered his home and folded the letter. He looked around looking for someplace to store it. He didn't want to lose it. He couldn't bin it before he saw her again. It was all he had to make sure he kept going. To ensure his safety. Her love.

Remus so badly wanted to write back to her. To tell her that he was alive and doing alright, but he didn't want to risk it by sending Hedwig. But he had no other way of contacting her. However; he would not risk her safety if Hedwig was intercepted. He couldn't do it. He decided that once Hedwig woke he would send her back to Hogwarts without a reply to Tonks. Though it was cutting him deeply knowing she may be expecting a reply from him.

The sky grew dark and the moon rose high in the sky. Remus had walked into the forest behind his cottage as to not be near his temporary home when he transformed. He looked up to the sky and saw the full moon shining every so brightly. Not knowing what it was doing to men and women down below. His body began to shake as he felt the wolf within him take over. His mind went blank and turned animal like. Nothing but basic instincts fled through his thoughts.

The next thing Remus was aware of was lying on the forest floor waking up as if from a deep sleep. He stood and found his way back to his cottage. As he was walking through the forest he saw a body lying on the ground not a hundred feet from him. He stopped knowing it was another werewolf lying there. Waking up from a more than difficult night. Remus hid himself behind a tree as he was not armed with his wand. As he peered around the tree he saw Umfraville weakly standing. Remus did not want his presence known at this moment. However, he would alert the other man to a presence if he Disapparated right then. Umfraville would surely hear the loud cracking of a Disapparation nearby.

Finally Remus heard a loud crack signaling someone's Apparation into the vicinity. Then he saw the person that Apparated. Fenrir Greyback.


A/N: I AM SO AMAZINGLY SORRY FOR HOW LONG IT TOOK ME TO UPDATE THIS FIC! I was going through some stuff and then I graduated from acting school so all of that started to stress me out. But I finally like what I have written. If you follow my Tumblr and Instagram you know I had written so much of this chapter then decided that I absolutely hated every word and restarted. I couldn't find my footing for while with the new direction I had decided to take. Then suddenly it all clicked perfectly.

Thank you so much for staying with me on this one. I'm gonna write a few chapters that take place during Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. It will go back and forth between Remus and Tonks. I was gonna write more with this chapter, but I love ending with Remus seeing Greyback again.

So I hope you enjoyed this chapter and my apologies again for taking so bloody long to post it. If you like it I hope you follow, favorite, and review this fic and chapter. And if you'd like you are more than welcome to follow my social media Twitter: /QueerAsColiver, Instagram: /fangirl_extraordinaire. Tumblr: queer-as-coliver.

XOXO

Taylor