With Dumbledore gone, the Dark powers were flexing their muscles. There were so many incidents and flares, it was hard not to pass out from exhaustion. The 27th was fast approaching. That was the day when Harry would be moved to a safe house. The Trace would be off him, but so would Lily's enchantment.

July 27th

I got ready along with the other escorts at the Burrow. The protective charms would be raised as soon as everyone and the portkeys were in place.

"Alright, everyone here? Everyone ready?" Mad-Eye growled at the group in front of him. I looked around at the faces of the escort group. Though most of the adults were against it, Ron, Hermione, Fred, and George were there. They seemed to be the most excited of the group. Bill and Arthur were there, as were Fleur, my husband, and Hagrid. The two that really surprised me were Kingsley and Munugus. Kingsley was supposed to be guarding the English prime minister and Mundugus...well, Mundugus was no swashbuckler. And he made that point known. Loudly. He opened his mouth to make that point again, but Mad-Eye cut him off.

"I don't care Fletcher. Suck it up. We need you with us. Now shut it." He turned to the rest of the group. "Disillusionment spells up. Everyone ready? All right. Let's take off.

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Everyone landed in Harry's backyard. A deafening roar sounded from Hagrid's motorbike right before he turned it off. I smiled sadly at the bike, remembering when it was Sirius'. All at once, the group dropped the disillusionment spell, right as Harry and his owl came out of the house. Gave him a right scare, judging from his expression. Everyone greeted Harry warmly. Hermione half tackled him and Ron gave him a few sound pats on the back. Harry mentioned he wasn't expecting this many of us. Mad-Eye told him it was a change of plans, but wanted to get inside before he talked him through it. Potter led everyone inside to the kitchen where we arranged ourselves comfortably around the room. Small talk went around until Moody shouted for quiet so he could explain the plan. He explained about the current Minister of Magic going over to Volemort's side, Harry still having the Trace on him, Lily's charm, and how the only way to get out without detection would be on brooms and such.

"The only thing we've got on our side is that You-Know-Who doesn't know we're moving you tonight. We've leaked a fake trail to the Ministry: They think you're not leaving until the 13th," Moody explained. Harry didn't fully understand, so Moody expanded. The six smaller ones would be taking Polyjuice potion and paired with a Guard and go 7 different ways to different would be safe-houses. From there, the pairs would go by portkey to the Weasley's. It made sense. It was secure. But Harry wouldn't have it. He couldn't stand the thought of putting his friends in danger. The others protested, saying that it wasn't anything new and they were willing for the Order. Still, Harry protested, but Mad-Eye coaxed (meaning ordered) him to hand over some hair.

Once all the fake Harrys were dressed and set with fake luggage and plush owls, Moody listed the pairs. He would take Mundugus (pretend Harry) by broom, Arthur would take Fred (pretend Harry) by broom, and Remus would take George (pretend Harry) by broom. Bill and Fleur (p.H.), me and Ron (p.H.), and Kingsley and Hermione (p.H.) would go by Thestral

"Everyone ready? We have to leave at once, otherwise the point of the diversion is missed entirely," Moody said. Ron climbed up on the thestral behind me and hesitantly put his arms around my waist. I caught him throwing Remus an apologetic look and I smiled.

"No worries, Ginger. Ready? (Moody counted and reached 3) Let's go!" The Thestral launched into the air. Flying almost felt nice once I was able to catch my breath, what with the cool wind blowing through my hair and rushing across my body. It was wonderful.

Then Death Eaters ruined our fun. There was a swarm of them. Moody had predicted only a few doing patrol, but not this many. One charged us specifically, cackling over the wind.

"Hang on, Harry!" I shouted and spurred the Thestral into a dive to miss a spell. Ron fired off a spell and hit another Death Eater straight in the head. "Well done!" I praised him and fired off my own spell at the first Death Eater as well as the others around her. The two of us exchanged spells in the midst of battle until I managed to hit her with a particularly nasty curse. She was forced to land. I sensed someone right behind me, so I pulled on the reigns to veer left; Rodolphus flew past us and Ron hit him with his own spell. The man screamed all the way down.

"Isn't that You-Know-Who?!" Ron shouted. I saw him for only the briefest of moments before he vanished.

"Oh no," I breathed. For a split second, I considered going after him, my instincts screaming at me to hunt down the distracted predator, but I shook it off. That would be suicide and I especially shouldn't take such a risk with Molly's youngest son behind me. Frowning slightly, I looked around. I could no longer see Hagrid, giving me the go-ahead to leave. "We'd better get you somewhere safe," I called over the rushing wind. With that said, we flew off to Aunt Muriel's house, blasting any Death Eater that got in our way.

Once we got to Ron's Auntie Muriel's, she wouldn't stop fussing. She checked Ron and me over ten times each and insisted on doing it again. Then she wanted to know if either of us were hungry.

"Really, Muriel, we're fine," I insisted.

"Oh, you already missed your portkey, you might as well have some coffee cake," she said airly.

"No, really, we're good. Just let me set a portkey and we'll be out of your hair." Five minutes and a slice of coffee cake later, Ron and I were allowed to be off with the new Portkey.

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We landed with a skid in front of the Burrow. Harry and Hermione were there to greet Ron and Remus and Kingsley were there to meet me. It had been decided that everyone be asked a personal question to guarantee their identity.

"What did I originally say that my secret was?" Remus demanded. I gave him a small, tired smile.

"You're a girl," I told him. "You can be a little frightening when you're like this, Remus," I admitted. His face softened and he hugged me tightly.

"What happened? What kept you?" he asked. I told him about the attacks on us and Ron's amazing shot, then about Aunt Muriel. Remus shook his head.

"So where are the others?" Ron asked as he fidgeted in his too short robes; the potion had worn off.

"Everyone is here except for Bill, Fleur, Mad-Eye, and Mundungus," Kingsley said then told the small group he had to take his leave. He had to walk outside the Burrow's boundaries to disapparate, though. Molly and Arthur run up and hugged the three of us for bringing their sons back alive. I assured them it was nothing, but Remus inquired about George.

"What's wrong with him?" Ron piped up. Molly was about to answer when Bill and Fleur showed up astride their Thestral. I turned to my husband.

"What is it?" I asked quietly.

"His ear was obliterated by a dark magic spell. Maybe you can have a look at it?" he replied, just as quietly. I shrugged and made my way into the house. While I didn't have any formal medical training, I had wanted to become a healer and had picked up a little here and there.

"Oh, George," I said sadly after examining his head, "I'm really sorry, dear. I won't be able to fix this."

"Why not?" he asked, sadness evident on his face, though I could tell he was trying to sound aloof.

"Because the wound was created with intense Dark magic, I have no idea how to mend it. This isn't a bite or cut. I'm very sorry, George. I can make an illusionary charm so it looks like you have two ears if you'd like," I offered. He sighed and shook his head.

"Nah, that's fine. At least this way I have a real excuse to use some ear puns." I kissed the top of his head.

"As you wish," I told him. "But if you change your mind, let me know and I'll do what I can."

"Thanks," he replied and lay back down on the couch. I stood and went back to Remus.

"Hey," I said.

"Hm," he replied.

"What?" I asked, not liking his tone.

"Moody is dead."

"WHAT?!" I exclaimed, unbelieving. Moody couldn't be dead. The man was invincible! He lived through so much! He just couldn't be gone!

…but he was. Everyone's grim faces confirmed this. After a toast to Mad-Eye in the kitchen, Remus voiced the question that was on everyone's minds.

"So Mundungus disappeared?" But he could have ruined the plan from the start. Bill was quick to get rid of the idea. He said that Mundungus was the one that suggested there be 7 Harrys and the Death Eaters were confused when they saw everyone. He said that he thought Fletcher panicked, seeing as he didn't want to go in the first place. Not to mention Voldemort went right for him. I'd probably panic if Voldemort came straight at me. After a bit more discussion on what to do next, Bill and Remus went to retrieve Mad-Eye's body. I wanted to go, but I opted to stay to comfort Tonks, who had been close to the Auror. Harry spoke up, saying he wanted to go somewhere else. He didn't want to put everyone in further danger. Of course, he wasn't allowed. No one would hear of it.

A few hours later, the guys showed back up, saying that they couldn't find Moody's body anywhere. It felt…wrong not to be able to put him to rest. More so than usual. Who would want his body? And why? The possible reasons made me shudder.

"Let's go home," Remus murmured. I nodded and gave Tonks one last hug.

"We'll try to see you on your birthday. You'd better be here," I warned Harry with a good-natured grin. The boy nodded, but didn't make eye contact. I followed Remus out of the protective spell's range and apparated back home.

I had missed home. After having verified that no Death Eater had even tried to even come into the small town, we put up as many protection and deflection wards as possible. Where else could we go? We couldn't burden the Weasleys any more than we had, no matter what they said. At least we'd have the home advantage if it came to it again. I prayed it wouldn't.

When the two of us got into the living room, Remus banged his fist on the wall. I stared, confused. The alpha growled, ignoring my stare.

"Darling?" I ventured.

"I hate this. I hate feeling so…"

"Caged?" I offered, understanding the feeling. We were going to be stuck in the house for a while if we didn't want to endanger ourselves, our pups, and our town. Just the thought of it made me feel claustrophobic. Remus' eyes narrowed and he turned slowly to face me. His amber eyes were sharp, but his face had taken on a taunt, almost impassive look.

"What?" he breathed.

"Caged," I repeated. "You hate feeling so caged." Anger flashed across his face. The dimly lit living room became infinitely smaller and colder.

"Why are you like this?!" He near shouted, exasperated. I cringed, not just from the lash of his voice, but because I was worried that the pups might hear. They were locked safely in the basement, asleep on their cots, while we finished our move. It was for their own protection rather than anyone else's, seeing as the full moon wasn't near. However, the muffling spells on the door seemed to have kept their father's voice from waking them. "Well?" Remus demanded. I shook my head, confused and a little scared.

"I don't understand," I said, hurt evident in my tone. He growled in frustration and instinctively, I tilted my head a little to expose my neck in submission.

"That! That right there!" he exclaimed, pointing at my neck. "Why do you let the wolf integrate so wholly into you? It seems like every gesture, every remark, every thought is tempered by the wolf," he snarled. I gasped.

"Excuse me? Where do you get off? If you'll so kindly remember, YOU FLIPPING TURNED ME INTO THIS! You turned me into a werewolf and you have the gall to get upset when I start ACTING LIKE A WOLF?" He looked like he had been slapped. Guilt overtook his expression, but the anger was still obvious. He shook his head and walked out of the living room into the kitchen. A few seconds later, I heard the kitchen door slam. I stood where I was, breathing heavily. Then I realized what I had just said. Oh, Merlin, what have I done? I know how he feels about what he had done. Even after all these years, I knew he still hadn't forgiven himself for it. It was a low shot, and I took it. But it was the truth. Numbly, I went to the other side of the room and sank into my father's old chair. It was broken into, but I couldn't get rid of it because it always offered comfort. If I inhaled deeply, I could just barely pick up the scent of his pipe from so long ago. It was diluted, but still there. He's right. These aren't my kids. They're my pups. I see everyone with a pack mentality. I react to most things the way a wolf would and I know acting this way bothers him on some level…but I ignored it. Is it my fault for letting the wolf take such a deep root inside me? Is it even a bad thing? Why does he treat it like such a bad thing? My transformations are smoother than his, even though he's done it longer. I think it's because I've accepted the wolf instead of fighting every shred of it. I'm not like Fenrir, so what's the problem?

I don't know how long I sat there, but when the clock chimed two in the morning, I looked over at the kitchen. The creaking side door had yet to announce his return. He's probably in the diner. Maybe I should get him… However, I didn't leave the old wingback chair. I didn't leave it for the rest of the night.

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The sun had risen by the time he came back, and I whispered an apology. While what I said was the truth, it was still uncalled for. Probably. He ignored me.

Remus was cool toward me for the next few days but I finally gathered the courage to ask if he hated me for what I had said. He regarded the question seriously for a moment, making it all the worse.

"I still love you. I always will. But that doesn't mean I have to like you right now." I nodded and went about my business, giving him time to warm up to me again. While I had every right to be angry, I just couldn't be. Not when I didn't understand how I felt about myself. We ended up skipping Harry's birthday, but when it came time for Bill and Fleur's wedding, we decided to go together and pretend nothing was wrong. The pups…kids…pups were happy to go. While we didn't argue in front of them, they knew something was off and had become rather edgy because of it. Assuring them nothing was wrong and that they hadn't done anything didn't help, however.

Attending the wedding as a family worked fairly well, I supposed, seeing as no one said anything of our awkward behavior to us. But then, who would want to talk about such unpleasant affairs during a wedding? Speaking of the wedding, it was quite lovely. The ceremony wasn't boring, instead very sweet, and the after-party was enjoyable (despite the fact that Remus and I weren't on happy terms). After a while of talking to random guests, I faced my mate.

"Dance with me?" I asked quietly. He blinked a few times and glanced at the rest of the table. For appearances, he stood.

"Very well." I took his hand as he led me to the dance floor. The two of us moved in a moderate waltz.

"Won't you forgive me already? I've apologized countless times. What else do you want me to do?" I asked, tired of it all.

"You didn't have to throw that in my face," he replied cooly. "Besides, you aren't really sorry."

I winced.

"I can't help being the way I am. And how many years has this been festering? Why does it bother you so much now?" He looked away. "Please, Remus. Can't we just forget all this? I want things to be as they were." He nodded.

"I do too, but they can't be. At least not right now." I opened my mouth to respond, but a messenger Patronus came streaking through the canopy to the dance floor. A lynx with Kingsley Shacklebolt's voice brought terrible news-

"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."

"Shit," I cursed and drew my wand. Remus did the same. People were running around in a panic, disapparating, proving that the protective charms had been broken.

"Protego!" my husband and I shouted at the same time, putting shields up. Members of the Order were doing the same thing all around. With a wave to us, George grabbed our little ones and disapparated to safety. Without them to worry about, we were able to concentrate on what was coming. Thanks to Kingsley's warning, almost all of the guests were able to get away before the bad guys showed up. They were a mix of ministry people and Death Eaters, but all in all, they were now of the same side. Spells were fired in a blaze of color and destruction and a battle ensued, though it was over quickly, despite the valiant efforts of the Order. Our adversaries were just too strong. And there were only about a dozen of them to boot and they wanted to know where Harry was. The group wanted information and they weren't shy about getting it. Questioning took hours and, from what I could tell, the Ministry/DE were tougher on me and Remus. I was afraid and I was angry. All I wanted was to lash out and rip out their throats. It was about then that I realized it. This is why Remus doesn't like the wolf in me. The wolf is violent and predatory. People shouldn't respond like that. But just because I want to doesn't mean I'm acting on it. I'm in control. Just because I understood it doesn't mean I agreed with him.

The intruders searched the Burrow from top to bottom, only finding a ghoul disguised to look like Ron- surprisingly, it worked. The Order was under the impression that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had been given a mission before Dumbledore died, so Arthur helped his son create a doppelganger. After the trespassers were satisfied, they left.

"Well, that was a lovely wedding. Thank you for having us. You two have a nice honeymoon," I told Bill and Fleur. The couple and Remus looked at me as if I was crazy. "What?" I asked, "I can't be polite? And until the end, it was very nice. My best wishes to you both."

"As are mine," Remus put in. They thanked us both before the two of us disapparated and went home to a frightened trio of children and an anxious Weasley. After being assured of everyone's safety and thanked profusely, George went home to his family. We put the little ones to bed, again acting like nothing was wrong. Afterword, he went back to being cold. Apparently once that dam had been broken, it took a while for the flow of feelings to subside.

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My back popped as I sat up from the scrying pool on the kitchen table.

"They're still watching us," I growled after the second day at home with the Death Eaters searching.

"I know," Remus said, voice clipped. Stir crazy didn't mix well with being upset. I looked at him, my chocolate eyes sad.

"You know, after being together so long, you'd think I'd see this coming. But I didn't. I don't understand, Remus. I don't get you." He inhaled deeply through his nose and let it out slowly. The lines on his face seemed to deepen a little.

"And I don't get you. Don't you hate it? Or do you enjoy what it does to you?" I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. The thing was, I did enjoy the power sometimes. But what's wrong with looking for a silver lining?

"That's what I thought," he said quietly and walked out the front door. There was a finality about the sound the door made and it left me even more confused. What…what's happened to us? I've changed since I was bitten, I acknowledge that. I know he loved me before…does that mean he doesn't love me anymore, now that I've really come into being a werewolf? No, he said that he'll always love me…but what if he doesn't mean it? Or changes his mind? I know I'm accepting, but why did I accept such a dangerous creature as part of me so easily? I…I shouldn't have done that, should I?

Remus' POV

The sandy haired man needed some air. He loved his wife, but she scared him more and more as time went on. If she let the wolf get a hold of her soul any more, she'd end up like Fenrir. Didn't she understand that? Was she OK with that happening? Why has she blended so much with it, anyway? She shouldn't be at that point unless she wants to be. What's wrong with being human? Whatever. I need to do something constructive. Maybe Harry needs help. I'll find him. But first he had to shake off the Death Eater that managed to pick up his trail. The entire time he focused on finding Harry, he ignored the obvious fact that he was running from the issue and conversation that needed to take place at home.

The next day, as it took a day to shake off the Death Eater, Remus apparated onto the front step of the Black manor and knocked softly as other Death Eaters were watching the street that the manor was on. No answer. He opened the door slowly and edged into the hall and closed the door.

As the werewolf took a step forward, Moody's voice asked, "Severus Snape?" as a dust figure rose from the end of the hall and rushed at him. The jinx Alastor had set when the Order was forced to evacuate was still there and still working, not that Remus expected anything less.

"It was not I who killed you, Albus," he replied to the question. The jinx broke and the dust scattered.

"Don't move!" a familiar voice ordered. Harry was standing on the stairs, wand pointed at his former teacher.

Ignoring the screams of Sirius' mother's portrait, Remus raised his arms in a peaceful way and said, "Hold your fire, it's me, Remus!" Ron and Hermione, who stood just behind Harry, looked immediately relieved. Hermione used her wand to close the curtains of Mrs. Black's portrait before she and Ron lowered their wands. Harry didn't. He insisted that Remus showed himself. The man in question moved forward into the lamplight, keeping his hands up.

"I am Remus John Lupin, werewolf, sometimes known as Moony, one of the four creators of the Marauder's Map, married to Lydia, and I taught you how to produce a Patronus, Harry, which takes the form of a stag," he said easily, proving he was who he claimed. Potter accepted this and lowered his wand, saying he had to check. The ex-professor approved and told him as much, though gently reprimanding the other two for trusting so quickly. They rushed toward him and he felt very relieved to find them well and whole. "No sign of Severus then?" he inquired. The young adults said no and everyone exchanged information about the Death Eaters outside. Then, at Remus' request, everyone moved to the kitchen so he could inform them of what happened after they left the wedding. When asked, the trio said they didn't come straight to the manor after the wedding- they went to Tottenham Court Road and were attacked by Death Eaters. Needless to say, Remus was VERY surprised. To be attacked in a muggle neighborhood was crazy. There was no way they could have found Harry so soon! But even after trying to analyze that, no one could come up with a working reason as to how they did it. That topic died out, so the man went on to explain about what happened after they left the wedding. Once they were brought up to date, Remus had the displeasure of letting them know the official reason the Ministry was after Harry; he was being suspected of killing Dumbledore. There was also now a muggle-born register. He let them fume about that for a few minutes before asking Harry the question that really led him to the shaggy haired boy.

"I'll understand if you can't confirm this, Harry, but the Order is under the impression that Dumbledore left you a mission." Harry confirmed it and said the other two were in on it and going with him. "Can you confide in me what the mission is?" He gently refused. Disappointed, Remus told him he figured as such. "But I might still be of some use to you. You know what I am and what I can do. I could come with you to provide protection," he went on, though the words tasted bitter in his mouth. While he would do anything to protect the trio in front of him, using the beast inside him wasn't a pleasant thought, much less volunteering it. At least there were other useful aspects about him, like his knowledge on the Dark Arts. "There would be no need to tell me exactly what you were up to," he hurried on. Harry seemed to consider this, but Hermione spoke up.

"What about your wife?" she asked.

"What about her?" Remus asked, apathetic.

"Well, you're married! How does she feel about you going away with us?" The man stiffened slightly.

"We've worked on separate assignments multiple times. Besides, she is at home with the kids. She should be safe," he replied a little coldly. Hermione tentatively asked if everything was all right between him and his wife. Remus told her it was fine. He tried to smile it off then asked if they accepted the offer. Harry wanted him to confirm that he wanted to leave his wife and children virtually unprotected at home and go adventuring with the three of them. Indifferently, Remus repeated that she would be just fine and that he was sure James would have wanted him to stick with Harry.

"Well, I'm not. I'm pretty sure my father would have wanted to know why you aren't sticking with your own kids, actually," Harry said slowly. Remus' face drained of color.

"You don't get it. I made a mistake staying with Lydia. I did it against my better judgment," he tried to explain, thinking back to before he had turned her.

"So you're just going to dump her and her kids and run off with us?" Harry asked coldly. Remus jumped to his feet, toppling the chair behind him backward. Glaring, he could feel the wolf inside his blood boil.

"You don't understand what I've done to my wife and children! I've made her- all of them- outcasts! I've ruined all of them!" he shouted and kicked his chair. He yelled that they have only seen him in the Order or at school, not in the real world. He was a creature of darkness and the rest of the wizarding world regarded him with contempt. "When they know of my affliction, they can barely talk to me! And the children… My kind don't usually breed. They are all cursed like me! I knowingly risked passing on my own condition to innocent children. I might as well have lost Lydia as it is and all three of those kids will be a hundred times better off without a father of whom they can be ashamed!" Hermione was on the verge of tears.

"Remus, don't say that. How could any child be ashamed of you? And you know they aren't! They love you and respect you and look up to you."

"Oh, I don't know, Hermione. I'd be pretty ashamed of him," Harry spat. It felt as though the boy had physically hit the older man. "If the new regime thinks Muggle-borns are bad, what will they do to some werewolves whose father is in the Order? My father died trying to protect my mother and me, and you reckon he'd tell you to abandon your kids to go on an adventure with us?" Harry said, every word striking blows.

"How-how dare you?! This is not about a desire for- for danger or personal glory- how dare you suggest such a-" he stammered.

"I think you're feeling a bit of a daredevil," Harry went on, "You fancy stepping into Sirius' shoes. I'd never have believed this. The man who taught me to fight dementors- a coward." That was the final straw. Remus snapped. He drew his wand and fired off a spell without thinking. Harry went flying across the room but the professor didn't know if Harry was still conscious. Remus was already gone, mentally beating himself up worse than the wolf ever could. They're right. I'm afraid.