Chapter 25 - Acquiescence

Harry Potter let out a frustrated sigh. He dared to glance over at his companions only to be greeted by the same discouraged look he knew was on his own face. They were getting nowhere. He knew they had to find the last two Horcruxes; they were the key to defeating Voldemort. Everything depended on them. He could not give up.

For what seemed like the thousandth time, Harry went over the information in his head. There were two known left; the cup and the diadem. He had no idea where to even start looking for the diadem, and had Ron doing research on it, but the redhead had not yet found anything useful. That one would have to be last. Hufflepuff's cup, on the other hand, was another problem altogether. He knew where it was, and he and Griphook had worked out part of a plan to retrieve it. The only problem was that the object was stored in the Lestrange bank vault, but they had no one to impersonate Bellatrix. Harry knew neither he or Ron could pull it off, and he was extremely hesitant to ask anyone else to step in. He supposed they could try and acquire a hair from one of the Lestrange brothers, but that had its own set of risks. They had the hair, and Harry had even started brewing the Polyjuice, but they had no one to actually be Bellatrix.

"We need Hermione." Harry said. He had lost count of how many times he had said that simple statement in the last several weeks. He had tried to stay positive, but things were looking bleaker every passing day. They really did need her, and Harry was no longer certain she was even alive.

Ron looked up at him, a hard look in his eyes. Harry knew what he was going to say before it was out of the Weasley's mouth.

"She's dead, Harry. She has—"

"Don't even think that, Ron." Harry scolded from across the room, but he knew that his voice had lost the vehemence it had once carried. How could he keep everyone else positive when he was beginning to doubt it himself?

"But Harry, you heard what he said! Greyback is a monster, he wouldn't leave her alive! He probably ate her as soon as he left! She's dead and there's nothing we can do!"

Harry shook his head solemnly, they had been having the same conversation for weeks now. Ron had been a mess ever since that night in the forest. Harry knew he blamed himself for Hermione's capture, but would it really have been different if she had been with them? He understood some of what Ron was feeling, but he did not understand how his friend had given up so easily. Greyback must have really gotten to him. The young man absent-mindedly rubbed his forehead; he forced the idea of Hermione being gone out of his mind. He needed her. They all needed her. She was alive, she had to be.

As caught up in his thoughts as he was, Harry missed the knock on the door and the impatient voice of Remus Lupin as he answered Bill Weasley's questions from the other side of the door.

Harry did manage to look up when Remus stumbled into the cottage. The man stood, surveyed the room quickly and then announced loudly, "It's a boy! We've named him Ted, after Dora's father!"

"Tonks has had the baby?" Fluer clarified enthusiastically.

"Yes, yes, she's had the baby!" shouted Lupin.

"Blimey, a baby!" said Ron, as if he had never heard of one before.

"Yes— yes— a boy," Lupin repeated.

Harry had never seen his former professor so happy and full of energy before. He embraced the man in a hug when he came toward Harry.

"You'll be the godfather?" Lupin asked as he released Harry.

"M— me?" Harry stammered.

"You, yes, of course— Dora quite agrees, no one better— "

"I— yeah— blimey— "

Congratulations continued to go around until Lupin finally said, "I must get back." The grin on his face larger than Harry had ever seen on the man.

Everyone bid Lupin farewell, but Harry darted out of the door after him. He hated ruining Lupin's day like this, but he had to ask. "Remus—"

"Yes, Harry?" The man could not wipe the smile off his face.

Harry cringed as the words left his mouth and he saw the smile slide off Lupin's face. "Hermione. We can't do this without her. Isn't there something you can do? Anything at all?"

Remus' face darkened, his eyes still shone with happiness, but Harry knew he had stirred up more than just the loss of their friend. The werewolf sighed and nodded at the boy's solemn expression. "I will try Harry. There is little chance— "

"Don't say it." Harry snapped, he was tired of hearing people say it was hopeless.

"Calm down, Harry. I do not think he killed her. Greyback likes to gloat. She is alive, or we would have heard about it. I will have to bargain with Fenrir to get her, and I have nothing I can give him in exchange. He will not give up a prize for nothing in return. Especially to me."

"Hermione is not a prize!"

"Not to you, or to me. You've seen him, Harry. Do you truly think he thinks the same way we do?"

Harry shook his head; Greyback was a monster. "So there's nothing we can do?"

"I said I would try, Harry, and I will. But, for now I must go home. I promise I will do all I can to get Hermione back."

Harry nodded, "I understand. Good luck, Remus.

The werewolf nodded solemnly and departed.

A familiar excitement hung in the air. Fenrir did not need to smell the anticipation to know Moonstime was coming soon; he could feel it. They all could. He took a moment to savor the scent of the air around him. The thrilling scent was an odd contrast to the silence of the castle. It was very late; most of the pack was sleeping. The werewolf rubbed his head; he should be asleep as well.

The last few days had not been exactly enjoyable. Running about and snatching was amusing, especially this close to the Full Moon; but there had been none of that this week. It had all been 'tactical' work. Fenrir would not have called it that; torturing ministry members who obviously had no information was neither thrilling nor necessary. It annoyed him that they would not let one of them go just so he could chase them. Fear of pain was one thing, but werewolves inspired a fear that could often break those who would otherwise stand tall. He had been bored, but had not been given leave to return home during those days. There were too many meetings; too many times when Fenrir felt uselessly present. Of course, he was not going to ask any questions; he never had before. He was just tired of the increasing incompetent insanities from Voldemort and many of his fellows. He felt less irritable about his impending contact with the Order than he had even a few days prior.

Sniffing the air once more, Fenrir frowned slightly. There was another scent in the air, one he recognized. Lupin. He was mildly impressed that the smaller werewolf had actually acquired the courage to come to Fenrir first. They must be very desperate, or… Fenrir's thoughts immediately jumped to Hermione. He growled and started off after the new scent. He did not truly think the whelp would actually try and steal his mate from him, but he had been wrong before. He knew Remus was afraid of him, but that mattered less the more dire the situation.

The werewolf let out a relieved breath when he heard Lupin's voice echoing down the hall. He was arguing with Mensis about something. Fenrir could hear the discussion easily, despite being a fair distance from the others. It was rather one sided, it seemed. Lupin was trying to convince Mensis to let him pass, and Mensis was standing in front of Fenrir's quarters, growling loudly at the newcomer. Fenrir quickly closed the distance between them.

"I have to see him!" Lupin attempted to push past the larger werewolf, but stopped when Fenrir spoke from behind him.

"Now, Remus, if I knew you missed me that much, I would come to visit more often." Fenrir said, a smirk on his face.

Lupin whirled around, his scent flinging toward Fenrir. Fear; that was normal. There was something else as well. He paid it no mind and continued to direct his attention to the other werewolf.

"I'm afraid you're mistaken, Greyback, I do quite well without you around." Lupin said hotly.

Fenrir growled, "Yes, you look quite haggard, as always. At least Mensis has an excuse; four day old cubs will do that to you." Cubs. Fenrir took in the air again, recognition dawning on him. Lupin also carried the scent of an infant, however faint. A human infant. He tried not to smirk, here was yet another card in his hand.

Lupin glared at him, not acknowledging Fenrir's quiet intimidation.

Fenrir tried not to snarl when Remus had no reaction. The whelp had his instincts beaten out of him as a very small child. It was more ignorance than a lack of manners, Fenrir could not entirely blame him for that. He watched as Lupin took a deep breath, obviously preparing himself for what he was going to say next.

"Greyback, I have a request—"

"You want the girl, don't you, whelp?" he said, leaving a growl for good measure. He was not going to hand her over so easily as that.

"We need her to win this war, Fenrir—"

Fenrir snarled at the smaller wolf's familiarity. This time, he did shrink back slightly. "I fail to see how that is my problem. Last time I checked, we were not on the same side."

Lupin lowered his gaze slightly, "Please help us. I have nothing to give, but we need her."

Fenrir snorted and turned away. At least the whelp had enough sense to keep most of his thoughts to himself. He had to be dying to say more. To try to convince him that Voldemort was the wrong choice, he had heard it a thousand times before; he was surprised he was not hearing it again.

"A—Alpha, please."

Fenrir smirked, pleasantly surprised. He had never heard that level of deference in Lupin's voice before. It had very nearly been a whine. He turned back toward the smaller werewolf to find his eyes were still plastered to the floor. Fenrir could have sworn he heard the man's teeth grinding, but he was still impressed with his restraint. "Fine. You can have the girl, but not tonight."

Lupin nodded, raising his eyes enough for Fenrir to spot the question in them.

"You can take her after the moon has passed."

Remus opened his mouth to argue, but shut it quickly at Fenrir's stare.

Fenrir nodded slightly, the whelp was learning. Perhaps he was not completely beyond hope. He might make a decent werewolf yet. "Join us for Moonstime, Remus. I promise we'll go easy on you."

Lupin's face quickly turned to disgust. He composed himself and said, "No, thank you."

Fenrir growled, the man's stubborn attitude was going to kill him. Unfortunately, that was no surprise; Lupin was very much like his father. Fenrir wanted Lupin to follow his rules for a night before the rules changed for both of them. "I'm sorry, pup. Did I give you the impression I was asking?" He rounded on the smaller wolf, a growl deep in his throat. "You will come back for Moonstime, or I will keep the girl."

"I don't—"

Fenrir smirked at Lupin's protest and interrupted, "Perhaps you care more for your son than her?"

There it was. Fear poured off the smaller wolf in waves.

"You will be here, or I will personally see to it that your son is a better wolf than you. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Yes, what, whelp?" Fenrir grinned at Lupin's glower, he would not dare disobey him now.

"Yes, Alpha." the man replied through clenched teeth.

"Good. Now get out." Fenrir watched as Lupin skirted off, fear still lingering in his wake. He nodded at Mensis and made his way into his chambers.

Lupin was panting as if he had just run a mile. Greyback knew about Teddy; somehow he had known. He must have been able to smell him; there was no other explanation. Remus had changed his clothes, but apparently it had not been enough to cover the scent of an infant. He should have known better. Nothing ever seemed to get past the large werewolf. Forcing the instinct to go directly home to Tonks and Teddy down, Lupin apparated to Shell Cottage.

"Harry!"

"Remus! What's wrong? It's really late. Nothing has happened?!" Harry's voice was becoming more worried by the moment.

"No. No." Remus replied quietly, "Everything is fine, Harry. Or as fine as they can be."

Harry gave him a puzzled look.

"I spoke with Greyback. He agreed to let us have Hermione back, with a few conditions."

"Conditions?"

"I told you this would come at a price, Harry."

Harry nodded, and quieted.

"He will not give her up for another three days."

Harry immediately began to protest again. "No way! The full moon is between now and then! He'll bite her and she'll be cursed like you! We have to save her!"

Lupin sat quietly as Harry ranted.

"We have to do something."

"Harry, Harry. No. We cannot fight Greyback; not and defeat You-know-who as is the only way."

"I don't believe that! There has to be something!" Harry rubbed his forehead.

Remus swallowed. "He knows about Teddy." he whispered.

Harry quieted at Lupin's statement. He frowned, "What were the other conditions?"

"They are for only me, Harry."

"Remus." Harry continued to frown, not breaking eye contact with his former professor.

Lupin sighed, "I must return to the pack for the full moon. I do not like it, but you must believe me when I say this is the only way. He will do the same thing to Teddy that he did to me—" Lupin shuddered, on the verge of tears. "I have to go. There is no other option."

Harry gave him a look of sympathy. "I understand. I wish there was another way."

Lupin smiled sadly, "I do too, Harry." He thought of his wife, and the quiet blue-haired infant sleeping quietly in his cradle. To have that peace disturbed...Remus could not stand for it. He would protect them at all costs.

He repeated his words once more before he left, "I do too."

A/N: No excuses. I have been avoiding this chapter, but I think I managed to pull it off.

Cheers~