Alright, and here is the second chapter I'm posting today. Please, relax, read, and review!
The following morning, Remus and Solan were the first to wake. Solan helped him gather some firewood and watched curiously as he lit it with magic, and heated their food - some mince pies Molly had fixed for them.
After a short while, the eldest wolf padded off into the woods. Remus heard a loud squawk from somewhere nearby, and a minute later, Solan returned with an unrecognizable bird in his jaws.
The others were awoken by the smells of food. While Sirius and Augusta joined Remus at the fire, the other wolves ventured into the trees to find breakfast for themselves.
Whenever you're ready. Said Twilight when the sun had risen completely.
They packed their things and nodded to the small, black wolf.
"We're ready." said Sirius.
Great! Follow me.
Twilight led them east away from the cave. After nearly an hour of walking, the forest began to thicken again, with tall trees and brush climbing up the sloped mountainside.
Still, Twilight kept walking, keeping a steady stream of chatter in their heads. She told them stories of her adventures in the forest and interesting facts about the centaurs. Apparently, she had a friend named Freya, who was a unicorn, and they'd had many adventures together.
The sun was high in the sky when they finally reached the eastern edge of the forest, where they stopped for lunch.
Congratulations on traversing the entire length of the forest without dying! Said Twilight cheerfully.
"Thank you?" said Remus.
Now come on, we're out of the woods but we've got a little further to go. I hope none of you are afraid of heights.
This part of the journey consisted of a lot of climbing and walking up a steep mountain path. When they finally reached a ledge to rest on, Sirius checked his pocket watch.
"That took us two hours." Sirius said.
I know. I was going slowly so you could keep up.
"How much further?" Remus asked, trying to catch his breath.
Just through this tunnel. She jerked her head to an opening in the mountain. They're expecting us.
"You told them we're coming?"
Of course! It's only polite.
Twilight strolled into the tunnel, still talking in their heads. Sirius exchanged glances with his two companions.
"It's now or never." said Augusta, following the black wolf into the dark tunnel. The other two quickly followed, lighting their wands to be able to see.
Hellllooooo? Anybody here? Twilight's voice sounded distant as they approached the light at the other end of the tunnel.
They'd reached a small, open clearing hidden by trees on one side and the mountain on the other. To their right was a rickety shelter big enough for four to six people to lie down in. To their left, six large rocks surrounded a fire pit. Firewood was piled against the wall of the mountain.
Giiillliiiiaaaammm! Where are you?
Now that they were right next to her, Twilight's voice was much louder in their minds. Remus physically flinched, and Sirius had a feeling he could hear her better than they could.
Twilight huffed and took a deep breath. Throwing back her head, she let out a high-pitched howl.
There was movement above them as a man leapt off the ledge overhead and landed gracefully on the ground before them.
Twilight stopped howling, but the sound echoed through the mountains before it finally disappeared.
"There's no need for that, Twilight," said the man. He turned to them, adorned in leather pants and animal furs. His brown hair was so long it touched his bottom. He looked ragged, but his dark eyes were alert and curious. "You've brought strangers to my camp."
Come on, Gilliam! They're friends of Dumbledore. Solan told me to bring them to you.
Gilliam studied each of them. "I don't remember giving Solan or Dumbledore authority to invite people here."
Sirius glanced at his friends before opening his mouth to speak.
"If you're going to say something," Gilliam said before Sirius had a chance. "Then make it good and quick. I don't need anyone thinking we consort with wizards. I'd prefer it if you leave as soon as possible."
"Gilliam, my name is Sirius," he said. "This is Remus and Augusta." When Gilliam didn't say anything, he went on. "We asked Solan to help us find werewolves."
"You've already got one," said Gilliam, jerking his chin at Remus. "What need does a wizard have of us aside from mounting our heads on their walls?"
"We're writing new werewolf legislation," Sirius explained. "A proposal for the Wizengamot."
Gilliam's expression turned dark. "We've heard rumors of this legislation. It's anti-werewolf. Why would you come here and spout such garbage?"
No, Gilliam! What Sirius and Augusta are doing is different! Cried Twilight.
Gilliam glared, but waited for an explanation. Sirius supposed this was what Solan defined as 'willing' to listen.
"The legislation we're trying to write is in opposition to the anti-werewolf laws you've heard about," said Augusta. "We want to make life for werewolves easier, and fair. You shouldn't be treated as outcasts for something that's not your fault. You're human beings, just like us. And most of you are witches and wizards, too. You deserve access to every part of our society."
Gilliam's features softened, but only some. "Why? What's in it for you?"
Sirius glanced at Remus. "It's not about us - me or Augusta. I've seen how the world treats Remus and others like him, and I'm tired of it. Augusta is, too, so we decided to do something about it. We're both members of the Wizengamot, and with Dumbledore supporting us, we should be able to get this legislation passed rather easily."
"I still don't see what you need us for." said Gilliam.
"We want your input." Sirius explained. "I mean, yes, we have Remus, but he's spent most of his life trying to live as a wizard, whereas most werewolves live outside of society. We wanted to share our ideas with you and get your own opinions and ideas on the legislation before we brought it before the Wizengamot."
"What good would these laws be if they weren't what werewolves wanted?" Augusta asked. "That's the problem with the Werewolf Code of Conduct, after all. It's a useless bunch of words."
Gilliam looked thoughtful. "Wait here."
He climbed the wall behind them, up the ledge he'd come from. Sirius saw Remus tilt his ear towards the place Gilliam had disappeared to, but then he looked at Sirius and shook his head. Wherever Gilliam had gone, it was too far away for even Remus' wolf hearing.
That's probably on purpose. I can't hear him, either. Twilight said. At Sirius' surprise, she added. Oops, sorry. Solan said I'm not supposed to intrude on people's thoughts. If it makes you feel any better though, only you can hear me right now.
That did make him feel better, but he put his Auror training to use and put up defenses anyways.
There was a shuffling above them, and then Gilliam landed in front of them again. He was followed, less gracefully, by five others.
The tallest of the newcomers was a young man about Sirius and Remus' age, maybe even younger, with shaggy dark hair and grey eyes.
The young woman next to him looked several years younger than him, with blonde hair that looked as though it had been chopped with a knife. It was chin-length on one side and grew steadily longer as it wrapped around her head until it reached her shoulder.
The real shock was the presence of the children: two twin boys a little older than Fred and George, with scruffy brown hair and eager blue eyes, and a little girl about Ginny's size. She looked a little less raggedy than the boys - her straw-colored hair was carefully twisted into two even plaits.
Gilliam introduced them. "This is my family - my brother, Rod and his daughter, Kitty. My sons, Embry and Merric, and our sister, Mei. Everyone, this is Sirius, Remus, and Augusta."
"Nice to meet you," said Sirius.
Rod and the children smiled, but Mei crossed her arms.
"If your journey began in the Dark Forest, then you've come a long way," said Rod. "Perhaps you should stay for dinner, and then you can tell us all about this werewolf legislation you're so keen on."
"And Twilight, too!" cried Kitty.
Sorry, little one. But I need to get back home. I promised Solan I'd return home once I got this lot here safely. Twilight said.
"Will you be alright by yourself?" Augusta asked.
Of course! Without you three, I'll travel much faster. With that, Twilight turned back to the cavern. Good luck, everyone!
Then she bounded into the cavern.
"Well, you can't say she isn't honest," Sirius said with a sigh. This earned him a laugh from Gilliam and Rod.
"Merric, Embry, get a fire going." said Gilliam. "Mei, we'll need three more sleeping places."
"Can I help, dear?" asked Augusta. "We have some blankets in our rucksacks we can use."
Mei didn't look fond of the word 'dear', but she shrugged and let Augusta follow her to the shelter.
"We'd like to help, too," said Sirius. "And we've brought some food, too.
"We only have a few more hours of daylight." Gilliam said. "One of you can come hunt with me. If you have food, then we won't have to catch anything big. I'd like to check the traps we've set nearby. The other can help Rod collect water and prepare dinner."
Sirius glanced at Remus, who was watching the three children play around the fire.
"I'll go with you," Sirius volunteered. Remus turned back to them, confused, but Sirius gave him a kiss on the cheek. "See you soon."
He and Gilliam walked silently into the forest.
"How efficient are you at killing?" Gilliam asked as they walked.
"I'm an Auror," said Sirius. "I'm trained to stun and disarm, so… not well."
Gilliam knelt and checked a trap on the ground. "So you don't use the killing curse?"
"Of course not," said Sirius. "Killing others goes against everything I fought for in the war."
"Some think death is necessary," said Gilliam, finding another trap and checking it. "Sacrifices must be made for change."
"I believe there is always a better way." Sirius said firmly. Gilliam was testing his beliefs, he knew, looking for inconsistencies and contradictions.
"And what if there isn't a better way to make that change?" Gilliam lowered a net that had two squealing rabbits trapped in it. "Hold the rope, please."
Sirius did as he said. "Then maybe that change isn't worth it. What could be worth more than the lives of innocent people?"
Gilliam pulled a sharp, handmade knife and, without hesitation, sliced the throats of the rabbits. Sirius winced as he saw each one take its last breath.
The sun was lowering in the sky as they made their way back to camp. "You are steadfast in your convictions, but remember that is all they are. Most do not think your way. The war you spoke of is still fresh in the minds of many, and the ways of war are as well. The path you have chosen, as heroic as it may be, is not an easy one. You seek to end a conflict that has existed longer than the statute of secrecy. You mustn't allow yourself to be misguided in such an endeavor."
Sirius stopped, and Gilliam turned to look at him. "You're right. This has been the status quo for a long time. So long, in fact, that even Nicholas Flamel probably can't remember when it started. But that's why I'm doing this. Things need to change. We can't move forward with old-fashioned beliefs. It's time somebody stood up and made that change. And if we don't do it, who else will? I've learned that sitting back and letting others fight for me is not only selfish, but pointless. No one is coming to save me. This life is my responsibility and mine alone. And if others stand with me, then great. If I stand alone, then that's fine, too."
Gilliam chuckled. "You certainly have the leadership necessary for this, and you're not bad at persuasion, either."
They continued walking after that.
"You know," said Sirius. "You seem very educated for someone who's been in the wilderness for so long. How long have you been out here?"
"Ten years," said Gilliam. "I was bitten when I was twenty. I'd been training as a healer for three years at Gamp's Manor. But when he learned of my affliction, my father reported me to the Ministry. Some officials came, snapped my wand, and barred me from continuing my Healer training."
"So you left?"
Gilliam nodded. "I faked my death. I was on the registry, so I didn't want anyone to come after me if I disappeared."
"Wait…" said Sirius. "There's only two names I remember on that registry. Remus', the only one alive, and… Gilliam Heathers."
"That's me," said Gilliam. "And he's Remus Lupin, isn't he? You're Sirius Black. And the woman is Madame Longbottom. Do you remember me? I was only three years ahead of you in school."
"You were a Ravenclaw prefect." said Sirius. "You caught James and me several times on our way to the kitchens."
"I served you two more detentions than I can count." said
Gilliam. "How is Regulus?"
Sirius paused. "He… died… eight years ago, during the war. He'd joined the Death Eaters, but when he turned back to our side, Voldemort killed him."
"I'm sorry to hear that. He wasn't a bad kid. Made a few bad decisions, perhaps." He sighed. "I've told you my story, but you'll have to ask the others if you want theirs."
"Of course." Sirius agreed. He was curious about the others, but he knew he should be respectful, as well.
Gilliam glanced at the ever-darkening sky. "Come on, then. We need to cook these two before the flies claim them."
Sirius followed, bemused but somewhat disgusted by the imagery.