English, French, Parseltongue, oh my!
Remus Lupin was a fairly observant fellow. More so than that, he was a very observant fellow. Usually though, there were hundreds of observations to be made, so he learned a little about everyone every day. Of course, he would learn more about those he saw more. However, over the past week, Remus had only observed Alpha Omega-Riddle and to some extent the dreaded Tom Riddle AKA Lord Voldemort.
He noticed how Alpha was not right handed, but ambidextrous. She ate the most American food she could find at any meal and -whenever she noticed it- she would correct her accent from British back to American. He noticed how she preferred muggle writing tools and clothing. Over time, he noticed her affection for John, her dead soul-mate, and Sirius.
During the day he would see her wear Sirius' cloak, going as far as wearing shorts and a tank top so that she was cold enough to need it. After any discussion on the mirror, Remus noted how she stayed on with Sirius for at least an hour. Being as it was Sirius' birthday, he was not surprised when she mirrored him in the morning giving him happy birthday wishes, and promising some sort of gift when they left.
At night, however, Alpha hung up his cloak and climbed into her bed/the couch (depending on whose turn it was). Remus woke her up every morning, noticing how she always slept on the edge, as if John were there comforting her. She mumbled in her sleep, reenacting old conversations with John in her dreams. Remus knew that was how she coped. During the day she didn't think about it, not really. However, in her sleep she pretended he was still there. He knew that her coping method wouldn't work forever, what would her future boyfriend, Sirius perhaps, say when she mumbled John's name in her sleep? For now, though, he knew it was her only way to live through the day.
-0-
"Remus?" Questioned Alpha, "Remus are you even paying attention? They are coming today, we actually have to leave soon, so we have to be 100 percent sure of-"
"Yes, yes," Said Remus, halting her nervous rant. "We will go to the campsite that we set up yesterday and the day before, where all of the underage werewolves will come soon after we get there."
Alpha nodded, "Okay so let's run through the list-"
"What would we do without the list?" Mocked Remus good naturedly, "Oh Holy list of the American gods."
"Ha ha," Deadpanned Alpha, but her smile proved that she was amused. Over the past week, Remus had set it upon himself to keep the mood light, something Alpha didn't notice per se, but did appreciate. "Okay, muggle repelling charms, check, portkey keys, check, magically enhanced tents, check, magic masking spells, check, beds, blankets, etc., check, what else am I missing?"
Remus looked at the list, "The pens for when werewolves transform?"
Alpha's face personified panic, "Did I forget to set those up? Oh god, that's bad, I'll have to do that-"
Remus grabbed Alpha's hand, "Alpha calm down, I set those up while you made the port key keys remember?"
"Oh yeah," Said Alpha, "What else? I remember setting up the plants and such, for food and the potions and such to heal everyone after the change."
Remus nodded, "And we packed last night for our tent."
Alpha nodded, they had decided they would share a tent at the edge of the camp; the part that people would portkey to, to welcome everyone. Thankfully, this tent had beds for each of them. Alpha would stay right outside of the area of the tent for the sick and wounded, as she was better than Remus at healing spells and didn't care much for battle (even though they both knew she was more powerful than Remus.)
"Well," She said, "We might as well go, I've got to say goodbye to Tom, you go ahead in case someone shows up early somehow."
Remus nodded, knowing she -for now at least - was in minimal danger around Tom. He doubted anyone was getting there early, as there were only five others that they had found before the ministry exterminated them. The werewolves that were of age had gone too far underground to even get an image of how successful the Ministry had been so far. Not that it was all that important, as Remus and Alpha had determined they could only help so many.
He grabbed his trunk and sighed, "Well, I'll see you there." He twisted a simple gold band on his finger, "Lily and James 5ever."
Alpha chuckled as he left, really liking her password, and then grabbed her trunk, setting a levitation spell on it as she headed to Toms quarters.
On the way, she passed the banquet hall. She knew Tom used it for his very important meetings with his inner circle. Due to this, when she passed the room and heard talking, she stopped, put a delusion charm on herself, and crouched to put her ear to the door and listen.
"...reiking Shack seems to be an unguarded entrance to Hogwarts, but they will surely put magical means of protection soon which is why we must attack soon." Lucius Malfoy spoke.
"Good, good," Said Tom, "And what day do you propose we attack?"
It was then that Igor Karkaroff spoke, "March 28, this up and coming Thursday."
Alpha felt her heart rate quicken, they were attacking Hogwarts. She had to get to Sirius, but no, the more she knew, the better.
However, she knew that they could notice her any second, and so with fear of not even being able to warn them something was happening, she grabbed her trunk and whispered, "Lily and James 5ever."
In the banquet hall Tom Riddle wore his mask, not letting anyone know he knew of an intruder listening in on his private meeting. He recognized her magic, the power too much to go anywhere without being noticed. Everyone else in the meeting had clearly assumed that it was Tom's, but Tom knew better. He didn't do anything about it though; let her warn her friends about it, he thought, Hogwarts is but one battle in the war, regardless, they are not strong enough to stop my army.
When she got to the camp, she felt cold almost instantly and pulled Sirius' cloak on.
"Good, you're here," Said Remus, "They're going to be here any minute now. "
Alpha nodded, "But Remus, there's something-"
"We don't have time," Said Remus. Dusting off his pants as he stood up from a patch of firewood, "Incendio," The wood set aflame quickly, providing much needed warmth. They couldn't use any weather spells as it messed with the muggle repellant spells because it was such a small camp. There was a huge fire pit in the middle with four tents surrounding it. At the front entrance was Remus and Alpha's tent, which doubled as a clinic. If you were facing the entrance of the clinic tent (which was facing the fire as well as the back, it had two entrances) to the right of that was the girls tent. The tent had five beds, enough for everyone as well as if anyone else came. To the left of the clinic tent was the tent for the guys, also five beds. Opposing the clinic tent was the full moon tent. The tent had 12, allowing maximum occupancy, small cells that were strong enough to hold in werewolves. Small mattresses were in the cells, and though they were barred they still had curtains allowing for privacy when they got dressed in the morning. Additional sound killing spells were on that tent, because the transformations were going to be particularly bad in the cells and their yells would break the usual sound proofing spells.
It was then that the werewolves arrived, a small gang of three boys and two girls. They had all been sent the letter with the portkey key, and they had all sent back responses saying they would come. They all looked around in amazement, obviously not used to doing their own magic.
The tallest of the group was a black haired boy, standing at six feet tall. He carried two bags, one backpack and pink duffel for the small girl he held his right arm over. The little girl stood at about four feet, with long braided hair, pink overalls, and a white shirt.
The other boys looked to be twins, both of average height with dark black hair and blue eyes like an ink pen. They each had backpacks, cloaks, and sleeping bags tied to the bottom of their bags. One of the two had their wand in their left hand, the other in their right so that their wands almost touched. They held their wands awkwardly; they'd clearly had no training with them. That was something Alpha and Remus were hoping to fix.
The last of the group was a tall black haired girl who looked to be fifteen, though Alpha and Remus knew her to be 16 as of the last month. She wore jeans and a hoodie, clearly used to living in the muggle world. Alpha noticed a wand hanging out of her back pocket with a nod, good, they only needed to get the one wand.
Alpha spoke up then, "Hello everyone, my name is Alpha, me and my friend Remus here are also werewolves, as you know, and we have made this camp as a temporary safe zone until Mr. Dumbledore works something else out." No one said anything for a second before the boy spoke up,
"I don't know how you are planning to do the sleeping arrangements, but my little sister Letta is staying with me." He said it simply, there was no debate. "She's only 7, she can't defend herself."
Alpha nodded, "We had boys and girl's tents set, but if you are sure you want her with you, everyone will stay in the tent to the right of me, it's probably better to have everything centralized anyway."
Remus nodded in agreement, but didn't say anything. He wasn't a leader, he didn't want to be the one they came to, not that he dislike them, and it just wasn't his thing.
"Okay so, let's all sit down by the fire and get out of the cold, we can discuss what's going to happen and do some introductions," Alpha said. She led them to the fire, sitting down criss cross on one of the towels. She watched as everyone did the same, happy the fire wasn't too big as she could see everyone.
"Let's start with introductions," Alpha said, "We'll go clockwise with me first." No-one disagreed so she continued, "So as I said my name is Alpha Omega, I am sixteen. Before the new legislation I went to Hogwarts as a Gryffindor, and before that I lived in America. I don't do Quidditch but I do cheer which appears to be an American thing. I will be staying in the clinic tent and if you need anything at any time tell me, even if it's around 2AM."
Remus, who was sitting to her left, spoke up then, "My name is Remus Lupin, I was also a student at Hogwarts, but I am French, not American. I am sixteen as well, but I don't do any sports. You are welcome to come to me, but I will probably send you to Alpha."
"Are you a werewolf?" Asked the black haired girl, who was sitting next to him? "I mean, you didn't say it and you went to Hogwarts."
Remus smiled, "Yes, I am a werewolf."
The girl nodded, "Good, well, not good, I mean who wants to be a werewolf, you know. Not that it's a bad thing! I mean, it's not, you're not a-"
"Why don't you introduce yourself?" Said Alpha with a smile, amused at the girls flustering speak.
"Oh yes, I'm next," Said the girl, "My names Juliana Crawford, I'm sixteen, a werewolf, I can't do any real magic, but I was bitten right before my first year, so I still have a wand. I lived in one of the werewolf shelters, but ran away when the ministry came and dragged everyone away. Err, I like reading a lot, I've read a lot of potions and spell books so I know some stuff in theory."
Alpha nodded as her talking slowed down and she finished, the nod let the first twin know he could talk.
"Uhm," Said the boy, "My name is Morgan, I'm 13, a werewolf of course, and yeah."
The next boy spoke up then, "Sorry," he said, "Morgan's really shy. My name is Malcolm Terris, I'm 13 too. We were born in Wales but we got bit here when we were 7, but our Mom was killed so we stayed. We were in a shelter as well, we played Quidditch and such with the other boys, but not the girls, they just wanted to read and braid their hair, very weird."
Alpha chuckled lightly; Morgan and Malcolm were just so cute.
Up next was the little girl, Letta. "My name is Letta and I am seven years old." She put out her hands then, showing them 7 fingers. "I like coloring and when Travis reads to me, he's a really good reader-er."
Travis smiled down at the girl before speaking up, "My name's Travis, the both of us are werewolves because our Mum and Da were as well, but they died a long time ago. We didn't live in the shelters but we're used to the camping. I'm seventeen, and I know that is of age, but I couldn't send my sister without me."
Alpha scrunched up her face, "Don't lie again." She decided after a few seconds of thought, "I would have let you come if you had told us the truth. As it stands, we could use someone who can use magic outside of the field without being detected."
The boy nodded, but didn't respond, Alpha knew then that his loyalty was to Letta, not her. She could respect that though, so she didn't push it.
"Okay so everyone who is of Hogwarts age, we will teach you some magic, defensive mostly." Said Alpha, "And we will have to hunt for meat, and unless someone knows how to use a bow and arrow, that job is going to rest on Travis as he is the only one that can use magic outside of the bubble." Travis nodded and Alpha continued, "The safe zone is marked by a pink glow around the camp.." And on she went, explaining how the camp would work. How anyone 16 or older would work on shifts to make sure someone was awake outside to watch. She also let them know in advance that the transformations were going to be rough, the cells were small but they were the best available.
"Anything is better than the pits they use at the shelters," Said Juliana. The twins nodded vigorously and Alpha looked to Remus who sighed, bad things happened to most werewolves. After she finished explaining the rules and such, it was dark, and time for dinner.
"Well," Said Alpha, "I have sandwich makings in the clinic tent, let's go get food then come out here, socialize."
Everyone stood up eagerly, though they all let Letta go first. It was clear that her cuteness had won everyone over. After she got the conversation started, Alpha slipped away, grabbing Remus as she did so.
"Alpha?" He asked once they got to the clinic tent, "I know we need to discuss the after, but is right now the best time?"
"I overheard one of Tom's meetings before I left," Said Alpha in a hushed rush. "We have no time, next Thursday Tom is attacking Hogwarts through the Shrieking Shack."
Remus went to his trunk, "then you are right, no time, JAMES, SIRIUS, LILY!" He split, talking to Alpha and calling for the remaining Marauders on the Mirror. "Go, talk, socialize, they're scared now, it will put them all at ease to know you."
Alpha opened her mouth to say something, then closed it and nodded, she suddenly felt a lot older. "Okay," she said, "they are attacking a week after Sirius' birthday- tell him I said happy birthday.- anyway, he only had his inner circle, Lucius and uhm, oh god, Karafoft? No. Was it, uhm, uh, no Karkaroff!"
"Yes, yes, SIRIUS, LILY, JAMES, SOMEONE ITS A BLOODY EMERGENCY!" Remus spoke, splitting into two conversations again. "Now go!"
Alpha ran out then, feeling like she was in an emergency, looking back.
"Is everything okay?" Asked Juliana "is Remus okay? I mean, not that I care, oh, uhm, not that I don't care!"
"Oh, yeah, no worries," Alpha smiled honestly, "really, you're all safe."
"Then who is in danger?" Asked Travis, hugging Letta closer to himself with his right arm. He did not seem particularly concerned, but curious. The hug seemed to be reflex more than anything else.
Sensing Alpha's reluctance, Juliana spoke up, "don't protect us from the war by not telling us, we're too old for that. Letta here is the only one that would benefit from that, and I think she just passed out. While I am not so bold as to say we have been affected more or less than you, I will let you know that this war is already ours."
Malcolm spoke then, "Juliana has clearly decided that she wants to know. We have as well."
Alpha nodded, "well then, Hogwarts is going to be under attack in a week, Remus is warning-"
"How?" Asked Juliana, "I mean, we aren't allowed an owl, that's what you said, and there are no fireplaces."
"Marauder tricks," smiled Alpha, "anyway, I am nervous, that is all. Really though, we are all safe here."
The odd pack nodded, happy that they were safe, but filled with a sort of dread, worry about what was to come.
-0-
"Remus, Remus slow down, what is it?"
"Lily, you don't understand, there is no time to slow down," Said Remus, a state of urgency in his voice, "next Thursday, Tom plans to attack Hogwarts by way of the Shrieking Shack!"
"WHAT? Okay. I will get the others, goodbye!"
"Wait, Alpha, Alpha ah," Remus chuckled at the absurd reason he was telling Lily to wait in a time of emergency. "Alpha wished Sirius a happy birthday."
Lily nodded and the mirror once again showed Remus' face. He could only hope now.
-0-
"So you're from America?" Asked Juliana, "That's so cool, what's it like there?"
Alpha smiled, happy with the change in topic. "So different, muggles know about witches and wizards even."
"That's madness," Commented Malcolm, "Sounds easier though."
Alpha nodded, "Twice the schoolwork though, because we learn muggle things too."
"Still, 'least you got school," Said Juliana, "Anyplace where werewolves are free is better in my book."
Travis nodded, "I didn't know America was such a.. 'Holy land' of sorts."
Alpha shook her head, disagreeing, "You'd be just as persecuted there, racism and all. Regardless, you can talk to the headmaster if you want to go to school, you just need to ask. I had no idea there were so many of you guys not in school until Remus told me."
"Can't leave Letta," Said Travis plainly.
Alpha shrugged, "Try at least. A werewolf with no education? How on earth could you provide for Letta here?"
Letta appeared to have dozed off when Travis glared. "I take care of her, don't you mind. Keep your nose out of others business will you?"
Alpha rolled her eyes, "Whatever works for you."
Remus nudged her when he sat down, "Letta is plenty healthy, leave him be."
Juliana spoke to Remus then, clearly happy he was back. "And you're French?" At Remus' nod she spoke again, "Parlez-vous français?"
"Oui," Replied Remus.
"Hey, not fair," Said Alpha, "Speak English if you want to talk!"
"Eh bien, quelqu'un est assez grincheux, n'est-ce pas?" Laughed Remus.
"Américain idiot ..." Laughed Juliana, and everyone joined in, the message close enough to the English meaning.
"Oh ha ha," Said Alpha, smiling but not laughing, "Watch out, I'll start speaking in parseltongue."
"You can speak to snakes?" Asked Juliana, not laughing anymore. "I thought that was a Slytherin thing?"
Alpha shrugged, "Guess not."
Before anyone else could comment, Remus interrupted. "How about we stick to English?"
Malcolm and Morgan nodded eagerly, Juliana had clearly already moved on, but Travis eyed Alpha wearily.
"Scared of the tiny pink haired girl are we?" Hissed Alpha, causing Remus to smack his forehead, a habit he had gotten from Alpha.
Travis shrugged nonchalantly, "Should I be?"
"I approve," Said Juliana, "You two should date. It'd be cool, you could have a pet snake and-"
"How about we turn in for the night?" Suggested Remus, he phrased it like a question, but no-one seemed to disagree.
Alpha bid everyone goodnight along with Remus and they headed to the clinic tent.
"She raised a good point," Said Alpha, lying in the bed next to Remus'.
"Oh?" Said Remus, thinking she was referring to the dating.
"Yeah," Alpha said thoughtfully, "A pet snake, why didn't I ever think of that?"
"You really shouldn't take this so lightly," Said Remus, "Being a parselmouth isn't a good thing here."
"Oh yes," Said Alpha, "And keeping it a secret helps a lot with their trusting me."
Remus didn't reply, he just went to sleep.
-0-
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A/N: Hello all! It's a fairly long chapter, so I hope you enjoyed it. Though it didn't follow my usual chapter pattern, it was more informative than anything else. Ah well, I hope Juliana Crawford enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for reading! Please review!
-Leigh
