Severus set down Serena and headed to answer the door, with Serena flowing him. When he reached the door Serena hung back and watched.

As the door opened, there stood a man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties despite the graying of his hair at the temples. It was a soft color of brown like a forest floor and the man had warm eyes the color of new grass in the spring.

"Remus" Severus murmured and allowed him to enter his home.

Serena stood back and watched the man warily.

His light was so different from anyone she could ever remember seeing. It seemed to be ever changing, never staying the same for long. She tried to focus and see what it was, but before she could do so, Serena caught Remus looking at her.

He was staring at her with his face all twisted up in a peculiar expression. It was almost as if he had seen a ghost and slowly he approached her.

Severus noticed this as well "Remus Lupin what in the world do you think you're doing?" he demanded as the man continued his sleeplike trace towards the little girl.

Remus dropped to his knees in front of Serena and took hold of her face with both his hands and gazed deeply in her eyes.

Standing still, Serena inhaled deeply and caught a new scent. It was the smell of a forest after a storm. It had the small the one cannot describe when they breath in the morning air. This was not the scent of a human.

Suddenly and without warning Remus throw his arms around the girl and hugged her tightly.

Severus didn't know what to think or what to do for that matter and apparently neither did Serena.

Finally when Remus let go, Serena backed away from him quick.

Standing he gave her a smile then looked at Severus who didn't smile back. Instead he told Serena to go upstairs and wait for him.

Once he was sure she was safely upstairs, he muttered a spell to keep her in her room and from anyone going inside until he broke it.

Remus was now giving Severus a strange look "Where in the world did you find her?" he damned

"What are you talking about wolf" Severus demanded. He didn't care what Albus said. Werewolves could not be trusted. He would simply tell Lupin that it wasn't necessary and find another sitter for Serena.

"I know her father or rather I should say that I knew her father"

All color from his face drained and suddenly he felt weak in the knees and was trouble breathing. Serena had a father! Severus felt sick at first then angry. How could anyone leave that sweet child among muggles. Then he remembered something.

He motioned for Remus to take a seat on the sofa while he sat in an armchair.

"What do you mean she had a father and how do you or did you know him?"

"Well" Remus hesitated "It's a long story and I'm sure you don't have the time now to listen to the tale. Perhaps after your meeting if you are still inclined to allow me to watch Serena."

Severus looked at his watch and saw that Remus was right. In order to make it in time, he had to leave within ten minutes and if it was as long as Remus said it was then maybe it was best to wait and hear it from start to finish"

"Alright Wolf" Remus flinched at these words "But I come home and find Serena harmed in anyway, I swear that I will personally ensure you never find any Wolf-bane potion"

Remus nodded "I understand. Now what would you like me to do with the little one until you get back?"

With a wave of his wand a list appeared in midair. Severus took it and placed it in Remus hands.

"Everything is explained. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go prepare a little girl for my departure".

Leaving the wolf to read his list of instructions Severus headed up the stairs.

Once at Serena's door he muttered a charm and the wards fell, then he proceeded to go inside.

He looked around and found the child sitting on her bed, clutching a stuffed animal that Severus had gotten her by Owl Order.

He approached her slowly and sat on her bed. Serena crawled over and Severus took her on his lap and held her.

"Is the wolf-man goin to take me away" A lip began to tremble

"How did you know he is a werewolf?" Severus asked "and no you will stay with me"

Summoning a hairbrush he began to brush her hair. Lily had one told him that when she was a child, whenever she had been upset, her Mother would brush her hair and she'd calm down.

The sensation of her hair being brushed immediately took place and the child began to calm down.

As her hair was being brushed Severus began to explain what was going to happen that evening.

"I'm going to be gone for a while this evening and I want you to listen to Mr. Lupin tonight and do everything I say."

"Will you be back?" Serena turned her head and looked up at him"

Severus set down the brush and gave her a hug "Of course"

He stood and set her on a hip and carried her from the room.

"Wanna know how I know he's a wolf and the lights?"

"You may pick one, and tell me the other later"

Serena pointed to a candle stick that was lying on the floor. Severus bent down and picked it up. He offered it to the child, but she didn't take it.

"Everyone has one" she told him "the flames can be bright, dim or dark. The dark ones are scary"

Candles inside people? Flames that had different brightness? This was confusing. Severus wanted to ask a few more questions, but was unsure about how much the child knew about it. He decided to ask Remus later after all he was half human himself or even Dumbledore.

Once downstairs Severus set Serena on the coach and reminded her to behave.

"Be good for Mr. Lupin" he told her, but Remus said it was fine if she called him Remus"

With another hug Severus got up and left.

No sooner than the door had shut, did the tears begin.

Serena cried and cried for Severus. She feared maybe he was leaving her with the wolf. He was part human after all like her, but no quite like her.

Suddenly she looked at Remus with a tear streaked face.

Grateful for the crying to stop, he asked her if there was anything she'd like to know anything about him.

"If you are like me then where are you ears?

Remus wished that she had asked him anything. Anything at al, but this."

Serena was patiently waiting for an answer.

"Ahh well you see….maybe that's something you should ask Severus". Remus stammered