Emma was not her father. Or at least that's what she tried to tell herself as she paced tirelessly, relentlessly back and forth along the length of the hospital wing. She silently cursed herself as she walked swiftly from one end of the room to the other, impatient and restless. It was impossible for her to slow down, and she felt as though she had not stopped moving in days. Emma was a ceaseless bundle of bottled-up nerves with nothing to put her energy into except the ever-growing pull of the moon and her thoughts. Even worse, she had an audience.

To Emma's aggravation, the night after the Hogsmeade trip, she received a letter from Fenrir telling her to work with Newt. After their back-and-forth letters discussing the idea, it seemed odd that Fenrir would decide it was worth pursuing. She wanted to question Fenrir why the sudden change but then remembered he would talk to Jude and Ellis to figure out what they were doing.

Rather than question it, Emma met with Professor McGonagall the next morning, had a meeting with Dumbledore, and plans were made. Emma couldn't say that she was too pleased with what she would have to do, but Fenrir wouldn't have changed his mind for no reason. Additional assistance was clearly needed, but Emma wished she knew why.

Newt arrived that Wednesday morning, and Emma felt like an animal in a zoo. He was quiet and followed her to each of her classes to observe and take notes. It was awkward to have some students fawning over Newt, and others have absolutely no idea who he was. It was even more embarrassing to have him trailing behind her like a shadow with no explanation. All of her professors were informed of the arrangement over the next few days, but it didn't make things any easier. Emma was tired of being a spectacle, and it was just one more thing that would come up when people talked about her. The only thing that made it bearable was knowing that Remus would spend two out of three nights in the castle.

Emma waited very impatiently in one of the rooms that were near Dumbledore's office. It would be frowned upon if people knew that Remus was spending the night in the castle near the full moon, but he was needed. She felt strange sitting in a room with Newt as he continued to write in his journal. Emma had no idea what he was writing, but all thoughts of what Newt was doing were washed away when Remus entered the room.

Remus had to brace himself to keep himself from falling from Emma's running leap into his arms. She was more than happy to be with her father for the night, needing him in the roughest parts of the week before the full. However, she wasn't looking forward to having to explain what exactly happened with Fenrir. Remus decided that it would be best to wait to have the conversation in person, but with him finally there, Emma wasn't ready.

"He didn't really agree to much," Emma said quietly, casting a glance over at Newt as they sat down on one of the couches. Newt said to just interact with each other as they normally did, but it still felt odd. It was even weirder for Remus to greet Newt shyly as if they were old friends who just hadn't spoken in years. Knowing how much time Newt spent with the family, Emma wondered if, in a way, that was true. Remus didn't tell Emma much about it after asking him, but he generally avoided talking about the time after his bite.

After her harrowing twenty-four hours over the summer, Emma understood why her father didn't speak much about it. She chose to ignore everything that happened and tucked it far in the back of her mind. It changed nothing, but at least she didn't think about it.

"Newt won't say a word to anyone about what we talk about," Remus said. "Just tell me what happened so I can start to figure out what our next moves should be."

Emma begrudgingly told Remus everything that she had discussed with Fenrir. He grew paler and paler with each new thing and was ghostly white by the end. Remus looked as though he wanted to comment on the things that she had asked of Fenrir but chose not to. The only thing that Emma didn't bring up was the possibility of Fenrir knowing about Greyson. She needed everything else to settle in Remus's mind before adding that bit of information.

"Did he make any threats this time?" Remus asked. He hummed thoughtfully to himself before kicking his legs up onto the couch and tugging Emma into his arms to snuggle.

"That's the problem," Emma muttered, getting herself comfortable. "He didn't, but he did at the same time. He knows too much."

"What do you mean?"

"I think Fenrir already knows I'm with Greyson," Emma whispered, lifting her head to meet Remus's stunned gaze.

"How?" Remus asked.

"He said that he has a different source," Emma replied. "I made the mistake of mentioning that I have a boyfriend before the other schools showed up here. Whoever his source is knows that much, and Fenrir's very aware that it's not a student."

"Persephone?"

"No, he said it was someone different. Fenrir said he hasn't gone through Persephone in weeks because his new source tells him more," Emma said, sucking in a deep breath. "And Fenrir mentioned that he felt I was off after going to Diagon Alley with Persephone."

Remus's lips pressed into a thin line, and he pulled Emma's head down to his shoulder and stroked her hair.

"He's started putting the pieces together, then," Remus said quietly. "Which makes things more complicated."

Emma nodded. "The thing is, is I don't believe Fenrir was planning to ever do anything to Greyson in the first place," Emma said with a yawn. "If he planned to do something to Greyson, he would have done something sooner. Either way, he's still unsure because he has no proof."

"Well, we both know that means he's going to start looking for proof," Remus sighed. "At this point, it's not a matter of if he finds out; it's a matter of when."

"I think so," Emma said quietly.

"And I think it's safe to assume that his threats were based on him finding out the truth from someone else?"

"Yep."

Remus continued to stroke Emma's hair and let out a drawn-out, "Fuck."

"Yep," Emma answered in response.

"All right," Remus said after some time has passed. "For the most part, it sounds as though you made sure to get him to agree to not doing anything rash. If there's one thing we can trust Fenrir to do, it's to keep to his deals – especially one just made."

"But he changed whatever deal he had with the others when it came to me," Emma said nervously.

"They also collectively went against whatever deal was made in the first place. That was three different parties that went against what he knew, but he's dealing with you this time," Remus said. He let out a long breath, pulling Emma a little closer. "From what we understand and what we know now, Fenrir isn't going to be as willing to hurt you. You're unfortunately the key to whatever it is he's looking for, and if he loses you, then he's in trouble. That means everyone else you consider close should be safe, and it sounds as though you were careful to add those provisions in. I'm not particularly fond of…your final ideas, but that can't be taken back now. Not so soon, at least. All we can hope is that he'll draw things out as long as possible."

"I don't want him to drag it out, though," Emma muttered. "Not everything."

"If he draws anything out, it'll be with Jude," Remus sighed. "Fenrir will string Jude along for as long as he finds amusement. There's just no telling how long that'll be."

Emma's face twisted at the idea of Jude being around longer than she wanted, and she pressed her face into Remus's chest. She could tell that he wanted to say more but was choosing not to. Emma wasn't sure she could handle what Remus really had to say and was grateful when he only wrapped his arms tighter around her and kissed the top of her head.

"The only thing we can do at this point is continue what we've been doing," Remus said softly. "He's going to find out one way or another. Unless Fenrir brings Greyson up by name, you are not to say a word. It's risky, but right now, it sounds like you two have some sort of immunity."

"I have to break up with him," Emma murmured, shaking her head. "I can't…he doesn't deserve to be brought into this."

"Fy nghariad – don't," Remus said, his tone firm. "I went through this with Papa when I was only a few years older than you. I think, per Greyson's letters, he wouldn't stand for the idea of you wanting to end things because of this. I know that you're scared, we all are, but you are allowed to be happy, too."

"You like him, then?" Emma questioned, her lips lifting into a smile at Remus's exaggerated sigh.

"I suppose I can admit that I understand why you like him so much. I still don't like that he's older than you, but I suppose it could be far worse," Remus said, kissing the top of her head once more. "Rest, sweetheart," he added when Emma yawned. "I've got you now."

Thursday went about the same as Wednesday, but Emma was much snappier than she usually was just before the full moon. If anyone dared look at her the wrong way, Emma quickly commented on it, not caring how she sounded. She had even made an aggravated comment in Newt's direction in the middle of Potions, much to her classmates' alarm. Emma felt as though he was staring at her a bit too much, and she felt the need to comment on it.

"Emma!" Anthony said sharply, looking between Emma and Newt in shock. Daring to be rude to Newt Scamander around the pure-bloods was like talking down to a childhood hero. "That's Newt Scamander!"

"I know," Emma shrugged. "I'm very aware."

"I suggest apologizing to Mr. Scamander," Snape drawled as he walked through the classroom inspecting their work. "I hardly doubt your affliction is an excuse for your exceptionally rude behavior."

Emma was about to make a choice comment in Snape's direction, but Newt was surprisingly quick to step in.

"Severus, with all due respect, I'm here to observe Emma as she is normally," Newt said, his eyes not quite meeting Snape's sharp gaze. "This report is critical, and I would rather keep it as accurate as possible without outside influences. So, if you don't mind…"

It made Emma feel guilty, but she didn't say a word to Newt until later that night when they met in the same room near Dumbledore's office.

"I'm sorry," Emma said, sitting on one of the three sofas scattered in the room. It was a surprisingly massive suite with several separate bedrooms. Emma still couldn't quite remember which room she woke up in, but she was sure she would know at some point that night.

Newt looked up at her with wide eyes, pulling his attention from the scattered papers sitting on the table in front of him. "Pardon?"

"I'm sorry," Emma repeated. "For earlier. I didn't mean to snap at you just for being in the room. It's very unlike me."

Newts soft and shy smile crossed his face, and he shook his head. "I understand," he said. "I know it's invasive to have someone following you everywhere. Believe me, you're not the only…" Newt trailed off for a moment, looking back down at his papers. "You're not the only werewolf who has had a similar reaction to being so close."

Hearing Newt echo a similar sentiment as Fenrir hit Emma like a ton of bricks. The thought had been sitting in her mind since Fenrir first mentioned it to her, but it was only starting to sink in. For months she had settled into the idea of only being half-werewolf, but as time went on, it made less and less sense. After spending time with Greyson, it was easy to see how different they were. Greyson was truly half because of his parents; Emma, on the other hand…

"I'm not just half?" Emma asked, trying to keep the worry out of her voice. If Newt were to say it, then there was no doubt that it was true. Newt was slow to lift his gaze back away from his papers, not looking up far enough to meet Emma's nervous stare, and he nodded.

"I'm afraid that you having a second conscience leads me to believe that you're a werewolf that cannot shift," Newt said gently. "Just from what I've witnessed myself, it seems as though your entire personality shifts before the full moon. From what I've gathered from others, it seems that your personality change is consistent with other werewolves. It's not a bad thing," Newt added quickly at the look of distress that crossed Emma's face.

"That first transformation is what unlocks most of your senses and abilities," Newt continued. "Certain things such as healing and your magic are affected right away as that's needed for the transformation, but everything else is at a stand-still. Your blood hasn't yet been infected by activated saliva, and that is the issue at hand. A werewolf's saliva infects the blood that it's exposed to. As your blood has been exposed to your father's blood, you share the condition, but without the saliva, nothing can progress. It's why the week before the full is particularly difficult for you – your body is preparing for something that it won't undergo, and there's no relief."

"All I need is to be bitten," Emma said slowly. "Again," she added bitterly as she rubbed the bite on her arm.

"By a transformed werewolf, yes," Newt said.

"And someone born from a werewolf?"

"Won't experience life the same way you do. The genetic aspects might transfer, but not always. It's a spectrum. After all, true werewolves are made, not born."

"So a child with a werewolf for a direct parent would be more along the lines of someone who's been scratched outside of the full? They'll experience mild symptoms but not have, well, they won't have their own Soleil?"

"Correct," Newt replied quietly.

Newt's explanation made a lot more sense than what she had been told thus far. Remus and Elara had been working with whatever information they could find but hadn't been able to reach a conclusion. Half was the easiest way to explain it as she didn't transform, and it made sense for as long as Emma had known the truth. She didn't transform, ergo not a werewolf – that was what Elara told her. However, once Soleil came into the picture, the conversation had shifted into the fear she would transform.

Soleil's sudden appearance earlier that year should have been the first indication that they were wrong about her. The wolf curled up serenely in Emma's mind, content that Emma could no longer deny her reality any longer. Soleil had been waiting for Emma to have a moment of clarity since her first appearance, evolving and being equally as insistent as Fenrir.

"But like I said, it's not a bad thing," Newt said. "It's good, actually. It just means that everything has been approached the wrong way in your case. Your case is meant to be dealing with a human child, which you are not, and it's cruel to keep you away from your father. It sounds like the Ministry is picking and choosing what they want to believe to sell a particular narrative from what I've heard. We have no doubt that the Ministry is using you and your father as an example after he was outed, and I'm so sorry for that. Once I submit my findings, they can no longer deny that much."

Emma blinked hard to keep her tears from forming. She wasn't human. Not only was she no longer human, but she was told by a Magizoologist and not just any Magizoologist; it was Newt Scamander. Her thoughts of feeling like an animal in a zoo were almost funny because they were true, but Emma couldn't laugh. As her thoughts began to wander, Emma wondered if perhaps Hagrid would use her for a lesson in Care of Magical Creatures one day. She was technically a creature, after all.

She couldn't help but wonder if Fenrir was once again taking a plan and using it to kill two birds with one stone. Having Newt's confirmation that she was technically a werewolf meant skewing things in their favor if he was truthful. It would be senseless to keep a werewolf child away from their werewolf parent, but it meant that things would only be that much harder for her. Any real hope and dream she had would be severely limited, if at all possible. In all honesty, it wasn't as though she had to work – Sirius's money could support her, but she wanted to work.

However, Emma could also see Fenrir seizing the opportunity to force Emma to accept what she was. Fenrir had reminded her nearly every day he was with her with a "You're a wolf, Emma" whenever he felt it was necessary. Emma refused to believe him. She could see Fenrir trying to force her into acceptance to make working with Soleil easier. It was precisely the sort of thing that Fenrir would do to her. While it made sense, Emma didn't want the discovery dropped on her so casually with little time to let it process. She especially didn't want to have to admit that Fenrir was right.

When Remus arrived an hour later with Elara, Emma plastered on a smile. Newt wanted to know how Emma responded around another werewolf that wasn't blood related and Elara greeted Newt like an old friend. While Emma was happy to have nearly everyone together, her enthusiasm was lacking. Remus was quick to realize that Emma wasn't at her usual level of excitement but kept quiet. If Elara picked up on her mood, she didn't acknowledge it, and Emma was grateful for it. The three of them were exhausted with the moon the next night, but Newt still needed to observe them together. Luckily Elara knew how to fill the silence and talk about whatever popped up in her mind.

It was surprising when Elara decided that she was going to head to bed early. Emma didn't think that Elara was at all tired and frowned at her feigned yawn. Elara stood from the couch, gave Emma a soft kiss near her temple with a whispered good night. Moments later, Newt bid them goodnight as well and retreated to his room for the night.

The room was silent except for the sound of the still crackling fire and whatever song was playing on the wireless. Remus sat at one end of the couch, a cup of tea in hand and a book in the other. Emma sat at the other end of the sofa, curled up in the corner half-way asleep. She knew that she should go to sleep, but she wanted to stay up for as long as possible. Being with Remus now reminded her of being home or their long nights during her third year. Emma could almost imagine that the book Remus was reading was another essay and her chest ached in longing. All she wanted was to know that she could return home to peaceful nights at the end of the year.

As much as she wanted to keep the silence, she knew that she had to talk to Remus. If she knew her father, he was waiting for her to bring up what was bothering her. He very rarely pried into her thoughts unless he felt that he needed to. She almost wished that he would this time.

Emma studied Remus for a moment, pulling her lip between her teeth as she thought about what to do.

"When were you going to tell me?" Emma finally asked, breaking the silence.

Remus's eyes found hers, confusion flashing behind his tired gaze. Emma's eyes flicked over to Newt's papers now sitting in a neat pile on the table nearby, and recognition crossed Remus's face. His lips pressed into a thin line, and he set his book and cup of tea to the side.

"In the morning," Remus responded just as quietly, rubbing his jaw. "I wasn't going to make you wait. I just needed some time to process it myself. You know that Elle and I weren't entirely sure of what to consider you. It wasn't until I talked to Newt last night when you fell asleep that it started to make sense."

"That means Fenrir has been right this entire time?"

Remus's nod was slow, apologetic.

"Unfortunately," he said guiltily. "But I still can't…I can't bite you. I know that you want me to do it, but it can't be me."

"But you already sired Soleil, so what does it matter? If I'm actually a werewolf –"

"It matters because it's the one thing I swore I would never do in my life. I didn't want to turn an innocent person, and I cannot inflict one of the worst possible pains in existence on you. I didn't want to be responsible for ruining someone's life, and I absolutely never wanted to ruin yours."

"I thought we established that you did what you had to so I could be kept alive," Emma whispered. "You didn't ruin anything."

"Sometimes it feels like I did."

"We didn't know that things were going to go the way it did. We didn't…if things didn't go the way they did, we wouldn't know the truth." Emma slid across the couch to tuck herself into Remus's side. "It was my fault in the first place. If I didn't…The point is we wouldn't know the truth, not that I really think it would've mattered in the end, but…"

"I always saw you as mine," Remus said quietly. "You were always my baby girl. I'm just sorry that I –" Emma shoved her hand over Remus's mouth to silence him.

"We're not having this conversation again, Daddy," Emma said firmly. "We decided that we were done with this conversation last year. I'm alive, I'm here – you're my father, I'm your daughter, and that's all that matters. You've told me time and time again that we can't change the past, and we just have to move forward. One day at a time, right? This is just part of that."

Remus pulled Emma's hand away from his mouth and sighed. He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead and held her close. "One day at a time," he echoed.

Friday and the full moon's official arrival put Emma in possibly one of the worst moods she had been in. She didn't like having to wake up early knowing that Remus and Elara had to leave to sit in the Ministry for the next twenty-four hours. She wasn't sure what to make of the knowledge that she was more than just half-werewolf any longer. Emma was frustrated and edgy, and she was grateful to have Remus and Elara with her while brewing.

It was nice to have them close by so that she could start to work through her thoughts. It was difficult for her to process, and she tried to tuck the information in the back of her mind, but she couldn't. Even though it didn't change a thing about her, it felt like it changed everything. Emma grew increasingly frustrated as she brewed; her emotions only kept in check by Remus rubbing soft circles into her back. Her frustration only grew when Elara tried to hand her a pile of Galleons when she finished.

"What is this for?" Emma asked sharply, eyes narrowed at the gold coins sitting in Elara's hand. Elara only gave Emma a sad smile in response, and Emma realized what it was for. "You're kidding," she said slowly. "He's been – Fenrir makes you buy it?"

"At least I get the family discount," Elara said with a bitter laugh. "Fenrir's made it impossible to get most of the ingredients. Whether he did it through intimidation or not…You have to take my money. He'll ask about it the next time you see him."

Emma looked between Remus and Elara in alarm, not wanting to believe it was true. She sighed, took the coins, shoved them in her cardigan pocket, and passed a goblet to Elara.

"If he expects you to pay next time, I'll just make sure you get my dose," Emma said. "It's not worth it. He should know fucking better than to pull this shit."

"Emma, it's Fenrir –"

"Well, one day, he'll be answering to me and not the other way around," Emma said darkly, filling a goblet for Remus and herself. "That's if I don't kill him first."

Remus and Elara passed each other looks but didn't comment. Instead, the three lifted their glasses in a silent toast and downed their respective potions with matching faces of disgust. One day Emma would have to figure out how to fix the taste.

It seemed like the day wasn't meant to get any better from that point on. Having Remus and Elara with her in the morning had helped alleviate some of the worst of what she usually felt, but her head hurt. When chocolate wasn't helping her, she knew she was in for a rough day. It was difficult for her to focus, and eating felt like an impossible task. She tried to focus on the fact that Remus was pulling her from the castle to stay in the village for part of the weekend.

Emma didn't make it a point to listen in on conversations that she wasn't a part of often, but she found her attention elsewhere that morning. She didn't want to actively think of what Newt was putting in his report and how things would change for her again. Emma chewed her slice of toast slowly, trying to savor the taste of the raspberry jam she opted for. Any other time she would prefer her buttered toast covered with cinnamon sugar, but she wanted something that reminded her of home.

Harry and Hermione had sat down just behind her, and Emma couldn't stop herself from listening in. Their conversation was hushed, but she could focus on what they were saying if she ignored the other conversations around her. She found herself chewing slower and slower as she listened to what they were saying. The second Hogsmeade trip of the month was scheduled for that weekend, and they were discussing their plans, but then the conversation shifted. Emma wasn't expecting to hear Sirius's name come up.

"I have no idea how Sirius is planning to Floo in," she heard Harry say.

"He's probably going to Floo call," Hermione said in exasperation. "He wouldn't be foolish enough to try and get back into the castle again, would he? We just have to make sure no one is around tomorrow night."

Emma frowned, turning herself around to look at Harry and Hermione. The bitter part of her brain wondered if they sat behind her on purpose. Did they know that Sirius hadn't written to her in weeks?

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Emma interjected icily. Harry and Hermione jumped, startled by the tone of Emma's voice.

"Er…" Harry trailed off, looking at Hermione, unsure of what to do.

"Well, Padfoot needs to talk to Harry," Hermione said in explanation.

"Interesting," Emma said slowly. "Nice that he'll talk to Harry but not talk to me. You know, since I'm his child and all." Harry looked taken aback by Emma's sharp tone, but she ignored his look of surprise. Emma rose from her seat and turned her attention over to Justin and his wide-eyed expression.

"I'm not going to classes today," Emma said sharply, her rage bristling under her skin. "I don't feel well. I'll borrow your notes later."

With Newt in tow, Emma retrieved her things and Fig from the dorm and made her way to the hospital wing. It was the only way she would be able to get out of classes all day, and she didn't care if Pomfrey complained about her having Figaro. Before Pomfrey could say a word, Emma pulled the curtains around her usual bed, plunked down on the mattress, and curled up with Figaro.

She startled as Pomfrey ripped the curtains open and glared at Emma.

"Really, Miss Lupin?" Pomfrey said sharply, her hands on her hips. "You're going to come barging into my hospital with no explanation, and your cat?"

"I don't feel well," Emma muttered, just barely lifting her head from her pillow. "I'm staying here until Greyson arrives. You won't even know that we're here. Fig is quiet." Figaro had chosen that exact moment to not be quiet in the least, meowing loudly in protest at being rudely awoken from her early morning snooze.

"Your cat is not quiet, but I will let it slide this time," Pomfrey said, giving Emma a final look and casting a silencing charm as she closed the curtains.

That was where Emma stayed, brooding over every single thought she had until Pomfrey practically dragged her out of bed around dinner time. Emma supposed it was all right as she was no longer able to fake sleeping. Emma allowed Figaro out of the hospital wing and let Pomfrey run through whatever check-up she felt the need to do before being allowed to eat dinner. In between hurried bites of food, Emma started to pace, trying to ignore Newt's watchful gaze.

Emma couldn't entirely shake the feeling of betrayal that Sirius hadn't written to her at all since the last time she had seen him. She knew that Sirius had to go back on the run, knew it was difficult, but for him to find the time to talk to Harry hurt. Emma knew that Harry's aunt and uncle were horrible, but it didn't change that Sirius hadn't said a word to her. She knew it was selfish and childish, but Emma didn't think it was fair.

She couldn't stop her pacing, and Emma huffed out a breath when she thought about how it was the sort of thing Remus always did. He was always pacing. Remus was pacing while thinking, pacing while anxious, pacing when he was scared – he was constantly moving. If he wasn't pacing, he was tapping his toes, bouncing his knee to soothe his nerves. But Emma wasn't like her father – at least that's what she tried to tell herself.

Her attention snapped up to the doors of the hospital wing, and she skidded to an abrupt halt as Greyson stepped in. Every thought she had disappeared, and her mind went completely blank. Emma was torn between running to Greyson and kissing him until she couldn't breathe and running as far away as possible to keep him safe. She hated herself when he took a few steps in her direction, and her first instinct was to back away and look back at Newt. She really didn't want to have this conversation with Greyson with Newt around.

"Greyson –" Emma wanted to tell him to just turn around and leave, but Greyson held a hand up to silence her.

"Emma Lupin, don't you dare say what I know you want to say," Greyson said, pinning Emma where she was with his intense stare. His tone was soft but firm, and Emma frowned, wanting to protest. Greyson set his bag down and took a few tentative steps toward her. When he was certain Emma wouldn't move, he quickly crossed the space between them. He took Emma's face between his hands and bent down to be on her level.

"Greyson –"

"No, Emma," Greyson said sharply, cutting her off. "I am an adult, and you do not get to make my decisions for me."

"But it's so much more –"

"Your father already sent me an owl this morning to tell me everything. I don't care."

"But Greyson, I'm –"

"A werewolf?" Greyson asked, giving Emma a pointed look, his eyebrows raising at the sudden defiant set of her chin. He sighed, tipping her face up to kiss her softly. "Would be a bit stupid for that to bother me, wouldn't it? It doesn't change a thing – you're still you. I'm choosing to look at it as one less mystery for you to solve about yourself. It's not a bad thing."

"But –"

"Whether or not my father knows about us or knows about me, it doesn't matter," Greyson continued. "All that matters to me is that you're kept safe and that you'll continue to have me as yours. I can take care of myself."

Emma could feel the traitorous stinging of her eyes as Greyson searched hers. She didn't want to cry in front of Greyson again, but she was tired. Even without it being a full moon night, everything would have been too much for her. She tried to keep the tears that sprung up in her eyes from falling, but she was helpless to stop them.

Greyson sighed and straightened up, pulling Emma into a tight hug. When she didn't move, Greyson gently pulled Emma's arms around his body, and she couldn't stop herself from clutching to him hard.

"I will tell you as many times as I have to, but you are so strong, Emma," Greyson said softly. "You're allowed to be scared – Hell, I'm terrified – but it's okay. You have had so many new things come your way in such a short amount of time, and you're overwhelmed, and I understand. But I need you to understand that I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me, Emma." Greyson gave Emma a tight squeeze, letting her cry for as long as she needed, making soothing noises as he rubbed her back.

"Hey, do you want me to tell you something really scary?" Greyson asked when Emma's tears slowed.

"What?" Emma muttered, burying her face in Greyson's chest.

"Well, if you want something to really be scared about, you should worry about the fact that your father suggested a family dinner with everyone in Hogsmeade on Sunday," Greyson said with the hint of a smile in his voice. It was enough to break through Emma's current fears, and she let out an almost pathetic, watery giggle.

"He did not," Emma squeaked out through her giggles.

"Oh yes, he did," Greyson chuckled. "And want to know the worst part?"

"What?"

"My entire family said yes."

"Nooo," Emma moaned. "They did not!"

"Oh ho, yes they did," Greyson said. He leaned back to peer down at Emma with a smile and wiped away her tears with his sleeve. "There was absolutely no hesitation from any of them when I mentioned it earlier today. Everyone is dying to meet the beautiful young woman that I plan to marry one day."

"Grey," Emma said softly. She held Greyson's gaze for a moment and felt her face heat up, and she quickly looked away. Greyson was free with his compliments, but Emma didn't think she would ever get used to them. She wanted to have Greyson's optimism so badly, wanted to believe in the possibilities he did, but she didn't want to get her hopes up. Though nothing had happened just yet, Emma was sure she had signed her entire life away. "I don't –"

"Emma Lupin, hush," Greyson said. "Let me dream. I…" Greyson let himself trail off, and he was silent until Emma lifted her face once more. His smile was sweet, and he lifted a hand to tuck her hair behind her ear. "You are incredibly special to me. You know that, yeah?"

Emma quickly wiped away the rest of her tears and nodded, not entirely sure of what to say. She managed a weak smile as Greyson bent down to kiss her once more.

"Now, here's what we're going to do," Greyson said softly. "I am going to make sure that you get through tonight while answering Mr. Scamander's questions if your father's letter is correct." Greyson lifted his gaze towards where Newt was sitting and huffed out a soft laugh. "It appears it's very correct if his curious look is of any indication, but that's fine. I'm here for you because I want to do this for you.

"Anyway, I'll help get you through the rest of tonight, and we'll spend all of tomorrow resting. Anything you want to do, we'll do. I don't care if you just want to sleep all day or go to the library – we just can't go into the village during the day. It's probably safe, but I have a feeling you won't be up for it anyway. We'll make a quick stop at your dorm so you can pack a few things, and we'll head into the village after dinner. We will both suffer through hopefully the first of many family dinners together and be embarrassed over the stories that will be told. If you're lucky, someone might even bring baby photos of me for you to laugh at. What do you say to that?"

Emma couldn't help but giggle at the idea of seeing baby photos of Greyson. She ran her hands over her face and nodded in agreement.

"I think I like all of that," she said.

"Good," Greyson smiled. "You can't let fear get in the way of you living, Emma, so don't let it."

Updated later than I meant to - oops!

Wwwweeeellllllllll...eeeeeehhhh? Werewolves are weird. Alsooooooo hello meeting the rest of Greyson's family?

To all of my late night readers, please have a wonderful night! I love you and good night, sleep well! For all of my other readers, I hope you had a wonderful day!

Maricate - HEHEHEHEHEHEHE. That's all I can say to your entire review is hehehehehehe. We shall see to all of the above.

Shard - I SWEAR THERE WILL BE MORE DURMMMSTRAAANNNNNGGGG. Hehehehehe. Love love love love love youuu!