Remus made his way into his 'house'. These people were the outcasts of British society, shunned and looked down upon by normal society. There was no way they could get a proper house. It was more of a glorified shack. Remus sat down on his couch come bed, trying his best to relax. He had received a slightly better shack because of his ability to teach. Though, it also made him highly suspect. Thankfully, they didn't know how he was able to teach so effectively. This Pack definitely kept themselves apart from the rest of the Wizarding World.

And it was going to stay that way. No one here looked upon Hogwarts favourably. Treating it's mention with sneers at best and foul language at worst. Nope, no mention of him holding the position at Hogwarts. Although his departure had been fairly well publicised, Remus wasn't joking that these people lived on the outskirts. Little to none of the Wizarding World's daily happenings had any effect here and why would it? That and he was obviously acting under an assumed name.

Remus knew that never being accepted wasn't true, he knew from experience. The Weasleys accepted him, heaven knows why, the Order grudgingly accepted him, Dor-Tonks unfortunately accepted him and the...Marauders did. That sent a pang through his heart. No, he wouldn't think of them, his brothers. They were the first who truly accepted him for who he was.


It was the second week of school. He was rifling through his trunk, looking for something. James and Sirius strode in with solemn expressions on their faces. Peter followed behind them looking nervous, as usual. Remus watched them interestedly as James and Sirius exchanged looks before beckoning him over to them. There was an uncomfortable silence because Remus didn't know what they wanted and James and Sirius appeared to be contemplating something.

Then James took a deep breath and spoke quickly, "We know that you are a werewolf, Rem."

The colour drained out of Remus' face so fast it was a wonder he didn't faint.

Remus gaped like a fish for a good few minutes, this couldn't be happening. He worked so hard to hide it, to stay away from people but James and Sirius didn't allow him not to be their friend and now he was paying for it. Remus started to chuck all of his possessions in his trunk, not daring at his soon to be ex-room mates.

"Mate, what are you doing?" asked Sirius, wearing an utterly bewildered look on his face.

"It was good while it lasted," babbled Remus, trying to block the pain he felt at the thought of leaving. "I'll tell Dumbledore right away a-and you won't have to p-put up with me any longer."

James and Sirius both grabbed one of his arms and dragged him back onto his bed. Remus didn't bother struggling; if they wanted to beat him up he would let them.

When he realised that they weren't going to beat him up Remus attempted to get up but James spoke, making him freeze, "You didn't let us finish, Remus! We don't care that you're a werewolf, you would never harm anyone."

"Yeah," chimed in Sirius. "We know you take special precautions and everything to keep anyone safe. We know you go somewhere every full moon, away from Hogwarts, right? Is there a tunnel under the Whomping Willow?"

He nodded his head dumbly, what could he say?

James told him quietly, "We also know you hurt yourself, tear yourself apart really, when you transform. That's why you always end up in the Hospital Wing."

"We want to help," added Sirius, Peter nodded at that. He seemed to be allowing James and Sirius to do all of the talking.

Remus' jaw dropped, this couldn't be true. There was no way someone, anyone would accept him.

"I'm a monster," he protested weakly.

James stubbornly shook his head, "No, you are not! You've just got a-a...problem."

"A problem," Remus repeated slowly. "Normally when people have problems it means something is wrong with their health or their families. I don't think me being a werewolf can be simply described as a problem. More a disease or a curse."

James rolled his eyes, "It is a problem. Just a-a...furry problem, yeah. A furry little problem!"

Sirius and Remus both gave their friend identical blank stares.

"Furry?" spluttered Sirius

"Little?" gasped Remus.

James nodded, obviously unaware how silly it all sounded.

"So...you still want to be friends?" asked Remus in amazement, why would anyone want to be friends with a monster? "You're not going to run away screaming?"

Sirius shook his head, "Of we want to be friends, idiot. Now help me with my Charms homework. I didn't pay any attention in class whatsoever."

Remus couldn't help but smile at the typical Sirius response, "When do you ever pay attention? And why didn't you ask Evans? She's top in our year in Charms and is always willing to help."

Sirius looked uncomfortable and whined, "But I want you, Remus!"

James and Peter snickered as he hit Sirius' arm.

Peter said, "I know why he won't ask her, it's because she-"

Sirius had swiftly covered Peter's mouth with his hand. James had tears pouring down his face because of his laughter.

"Just...tell him," James gasped out between chuckles.

"The last time I asked she turned my hair bubblegum pink," Sirius said sullenly.

James unhelpfully added, "He flirted with her. She didn't take it too well."


"Obviously," Remus had replied with a broad grin, it was good to have friends.

Remus smiled sadly at the memory, wishing with all his heart that he was still a teenager watching Lily Evan hex Sirius' hair a myriad of different colours. Her favourite, if he remembered correctly, was bubblegum pink. It made Sirius shriek with outrage every time much to the amusement of everyone else. Bubblegum pink, suddenly his heart ached. Even his memories of school life reminded him of Nymphadora.

He shook his head resolutely. He had to stop thinking about her, for her own good. She could, no, make that would, she would die if Greyback ever found out he had created an emotional bond with a human. The very thought of what that monster was capable of was horrifying and made him tremble – not shudder, tremble- in fear. Greyback viewed humans as 'potential bitten' and nothing more. He like 'playing' with his 'prey' The only enjoyment he got out of life, Remus thought with disgust.

So no, he would not think of her. He wouldn't let his mind drift to wonder about what she was doing and if she was safe. It wasn't his concern. She wasn't his concern; it was as simple as that. He just had to not think of her.

Head in hands, he sighed heavily. Easier said than done. How did you forget your very reason to breath? By not thinking of it, that's how. Easier said than done. There always seemed to be something that brought him back to uncomfortable awareness. A smell, a smile, even a swirl of robes.

Another sigh escaped him and Remus reached for a book. May as well solidify his cover as a studious, education hungry werewolf. Not too far from the truth admittedly. But that's how all the best lies worked after all.

It also wouldn't do any harm to do what was practically expected of him. It would make him appear to be less of a threat and hopefully if not make them trust him at least put them at ease around him.

Preconceived notions were extremely useful at times

AN: Please check out my two Vakebtine''s Day stories for this series; 'Tripping Up' and 'Stumbling Romance'. And remember, reviews get sneek peaks of the next chapter.