Chapter 17- The house by the lake

Anaka dropped her trunk on the side as she entered her house. She listened as the trunk echoed through the empty house. She sighed and let her owl out of its cage. The small owl that had flew to her during Christmas looked around the house curiously. The others came in and stared at the house. It wasn't very big but was two stories. It had high ceilings and was mostly white on the inside and out.
"Miss Ana!!" came a squeal.
"Lelaca!!" Anaka shouted with delight.
Down the stairs came a small house elf. She had big brown eyes and brown hair pulled back with a blue scarf. Her face was full of freckles and she had on a plain blue dress with a white apron. Anaka and Lelaca embraced and then Lelaca stared at the others. She scolded Remus.
"Master Lupin! You did not tell Lelaca about guests!!"
"I don't believe you own a house elf!!" Hermione cried with horror.
"Own? Masters do not own me." Lelaca said with surprise.
"What?" Ron asked.
"Maybe I can explain this over some tea?" Remus asked leading them to the kitchen. They let their owls loose and Hermione let Crookshanks explore with Sunfire.
"How could you have a house elf?" Hermione demanded as Remus poured the tea.
"We don't own her, first of all." Remus said taking a seat.
"She's been her as long as I can remember." Anaka said smiling.
"We used to have a couple living next door," Remus started, "and they owned Lelaca, who was very young. We went to meet them when we first moved in here and Molly didn't like them. Molly saw they had Lelaca and was shocked. She was very passionate about those sort of things." He smiled, "Every once in awhile she would go to visit them and spend time with Lelaca. They treated her horribly."
"Yes, yes, very terribly they treated poor Lelaca." Lelaca said sadly, "My mum had died that year and I was but a little tike!! They put me to work anyway and they left me hardly any food. Mistress Molly would sneak me food when she came over."
"After awhile we helped Lelaca get free. The couple was mad but we protected her here. The couple moved and since then we haven't had any neighbors. Lelaca wanted to pay us back but we said no. She insisted and didn't know where else to go. We fixed the shed up and added on a room. She has lived there ever since helping us with the house and Ana. She was never allowed to work at night though. Molly always said it was because we liked to put Ana to bed ourselves and have some alone time with each other. Once Molly died I told Lelaca the truth."
"I always heard howling near the house but with a wolf pack living nearby I just didn't think about werewolves!" the house elf cried, her big eyes filling with tears, "If you would have told Lelaca maybe she could have helped!!"
"If you were there you would probably be dead too. But let's not "if" each other to death. Lelaca's been doing house work and helping us with Ana ever since."
"Me love this job!!" Lelaca exclaimed collecting the teacups and cleaning them quickly.
"I guess it's ok then." Hermione grumbled.
"Perky isn't she?" Ron asked as Lelaca came back, bouncing into her chair.
"Sirius told me about the note…" Harry started when Lelaca squealed. She covered her big ears with her hands and shook her head. Remus and Anaka laughed. Lelaca took her hands away and looked at Harry angrily.
"Say not Sirius Black's name!!"
"Why not?" Harry asked confused.
"Me no like Black!! He calls me his sweet girl and pinches my poors cheek till it gets all red!"
"Let's just say Sirius has fun when Lelaca's around." Remus said smiling.
"Fun?! Me have no fun! But he's always been kind to little Lelaca. He's been nice to Master and Mistress and Miss."
"He's my godfather you know." Harry told her. Lelaca shrugged.
"How a dog could be a good godfather I don't know."
"She knows he's an Animagus?" Harry asked surprised. Remus nodded.
"Of course."
Suddenly there was a crash and a cry from Sunfire.
"He's broken something already." Anaka sighed, getting up.
"No, no, sit! Lelaca will clean it!"
At that Lelaca dashed out of the room. They all smiled as they listened to her reprimand the kneazle.
"Come on you guys. I'll show you your rooms." Anaka said leading the group to the stairs. They walked up quietly.
"This will be Ron and Harry's room." Anaka said. She walked down the hallway and opened the first door on her right.
Harry and Ron entered, dragging their trunks inside. The room had one large brown dresser in-between twin beds. There was a closet on the far wall and a table with a lamp and candle on it.
"Your room is this way." Anaka told Hermione and led her down the hall. Ron and Harry followed. Anaka opened a door on the left.
"This is our study. There's a fold out bed in here. I hope you don't mind." Anaka said. Hermione nodded.
"It's fine." She dragged her trunk to a corner.
"My room is right at the end of the hall if you need me. So is my dad's. I'll show you."
Anaka led the group to the end of the hall where there were two doors, one on the left and one on the right. At the end of the hall there was a table with a candle on it. Over the table, hanging on the wall, was a portrait of Anaka as a child and her parents. Anaka looked at it sadly then opened the door on the left.
"This is my room."
The others entered and looked around. The room was silver. There were pictures of wolves and family members on the walls. A twin size bed was in one corner with a cloud and sky comforter. She sat on the bed and smiled.
"It feels good to be home." She sighed. Hermione picked up a picture of Anaka's mom.
"She looks like you a little." Hermione replied as she looked from the photo to Anaka. Anaka shrugged.
"A little bit I guess. Let me show you my dad's room."
They walked across the hall and opened the door.
"Will your dad mind if we come in here?" Harry asked nervously.
"Perhaps you should ask me first."
The group turned to find Remus standing in the hall frowning.
"I didn't think you would mind dad." Anaka said as he ushered them out of his room.
"Well it is my room." Remus pointed out.
"Fine." Anaka rolled her eyes. Remus narrowed his eyes at her.
"Dinner will be ready soon. Why don't you show them the lake?"
"Sure." Anaka grumbled.
The group went down the stairs and out the door. Anaka let the door slam a little.
"It's just a room." Ron said surprised at how mad they seemed to be.
"He hardly ever lets me in there. My mother's things are in there. I would love to show you my mom's beautiful hand made dresses." Anaka sighed, "Whatever. Let's go to the lake."
They walked around the house and passed Lelaca's home. Then they walked to the lakeshore. The moon was coming out and the lake reflected it.
"It's beautiful!" Hermione gasped. Anaka smiled.
"I love living by a lake." She replied.
They followed her down the shore and they soon came to some rocks. Anaka sat on one and took off her shoes. She dangled her feet in the water. Harry and the others followed.
"Do you think we could go for a swim?" Ron asked taking off his robe.
"I guess." Anaka answered. Ron smiled and dived in the water.
"Come on you guys!" he called. Hermione smiled and followed. Harry took off his shoes and dangled his feet in the water. He sat next to Anaka silently for a while listening to the others laugh. Then he heard a howl.
"Does a wolf pack really live by here?" he asked.
"Yes," Anaka nodded, "they live a few miles away. They come here sometimes. You don't have to worry, they are very friendly. My dad and I go with them when we become wolves once in awhile. It feels somewhat good to be with a pack."
"I guess it would." Harry said slowly.
There was shout and then Ron and Hermione came back. Hermione was scolding a laughing Ron.
"What happened?" Anaka asked in alarm as Hermione came out of the water. Her hair was full of weeds and she was limping.
"Shut up Ron." Harry snapped. Ron put a hand over his mouth but continued to laugh.
"You don't want to know!" Hermione mumbled as Anaka helped her off the rocks. Harry grabbed their shoes and followed. Ron did the same, smiling all the way.
"That was very funny. You're a great swimmer Hermione but not a rock climber! It wasn't even that big!!" Ron teased.
"Will somebody explain what happened?" Harry asked frustrated.
"We swam a little down shore and saw this rock coming out of the water. Ron jumped up on it and said it gave a great view. I jumped up but landed on a wet spot from Ron! I fell off twisting my ankle and fell into the water. I came out with sea weeds in my hair!"
"How those got there I would love to know!" Ron said starting to snigger.
"Shut up Weasly!!" They all cried. Ron burst out laughing.
"You guys act like such children!" Anaka scolded.
"Well we are." Harry pointed out, starting to smile. Then he started to giggle then he was laughing as hard as Ron.
"What's so funny!" Anaka cried. They pointed at Hermione. Her face was bright red and her glasses were crooked. Her hair was full of weeds, which she was taking out and her ankle was swollen. To make matters worse she was shivering from the cold night air. Anaka smiled at this strange sight and the determined look on her face.
"Don't you laugh to!!" she snapped, grabbing her robe and shoes and heading for the house.
"I didn't!" Anaka said with a laugh.
"Let's go eat!" Ron yelled grabbing his stuff and running towards the house.
"Race ya!" Harry cried running too. Anaka smiled and ran after them. Seeing her three companions pass her by, Hermione started to run.
************************************************
"You are one good cook!" Ron said sighing. Lelaca smiled as she collected the dishes.
"Master helped!"
"Only a little." Remus said with a smile.
"You are a great cook dad!" Anaka reminded him. He laughed.
They ate desert and talked quietly about what was happening at Hogwarts. There talking wasn't that serious because ever time Sirius's name was mentioned Lelaca would squeal and cover her ears. Then everyone had to laugh.
Harry, Ron, Anaka, and Hermione were having a wizard chess tournament in the living room when Remus interrupted them.
"I think it's time you guys went to bed."
"But it's only 10:00." Ron said with surprise.
"I usually go to bed by 9 or 9:30." Anaka said with a look at her father.
"You need to rest." He shrugged.
After a brief argument they were all sent to bed. Ron listened to the quiet house. Harry was asleep by 11 and Lelaca was sent home. Ron stayed awake tossing and turning. It was midnight when Ron couldn't take it anymore. He got out of bed and quietly opened his door. He closed it without a sound and listened. He could hear Remus working downstairs. He stared down the hall wondering what to do when his eyes fell on Remus's door. Ron stared at it nervously. Why weren't we allowed in there? He wondered. He walked down the hall and watched the door. Soon he was standing before it. His eyes wandered to the portrait. A shiver ran through his body. The portrait seemed eerie and the lifeless figures seemed like ghosts.
He shook his head and looked back at the door. His hand itched to open it. Eventually he gave in. What's the worse that can happen? He told himself. He opened the door and looked around the room. There was a window on the left wall and the moonlight gave the room a strange glow. As he looked around he saw a king size bed with tables on both sides. On the tables were lamps and candles. He walked further in and saw that two chairs were by the window. In-between them was a table. On the table were two candles and a picture. He picked up the picture. It was a wedding picture of Molly and Remus. He put it down and walked around the room. The closet was closed. Ron wondered about Molly's dresses but decided that he was breaking enough rules by just being in the room. He sat on the bed with his back to the door.
"What's with all the candles?" he mumbled. There were candles throughout the house. More then any family would need.
"Molly loved candles. She said they lit up a room with happiness and beauty."
Ron jumped off the bed and turned to see Remus leaning in the doorway. He smiled and walked towards the bed.
"What's with you kids? You seem to like to go places you are not supposed too."
"I was just curious. Sorry." He stammered walking towards the door. Remus watched him walk to his room.
"Tell Ana she can show you her mother's dresses tomorrow if she doesn't feel to bad."
Ron nodded and went back to bed. Remus stood there awhile looking at the portrait. Then he sighed and went into his room closing the door.
**********************************************
The next day Harry, Ron and Hermione had to fend for themselves with the help of Lelaca. Remus and Anaka were feeling horrible and were asleep most of the day.
"I feel so bad for them." Hermione said walking out of Remus's room with an empty tray. Harry and Ron had waited outside for her.
Anaka had struggled out of her bed to reach her father's. They were eating dinner in bed now.
The group walked down the stairs and sat in the living room.
"I really wish they had a TV." Hermione grumbled.
"Why would you want one of those? I thought you were the book type." Ron asked, flipping through a book.
"You get used to having one around all your life." Hermione shrugged.
Harry stood in front of the bookcase reading the names along the spines. Most of the books were classics with a few different books in-between. Harry took out one with no name. He brushed dust off the cover and read the name.
"Studies of Wolf packs?" Harry whispered.
"Find anything good?" Hermione asked leaning forward.
"I found a book. It's kind of a journal thing about wolf packs."
"Cool." Ron said putting down his book.
Harry sat down and read some of the pages aloud.
"He must have really studied them." Hermione said when Harry stopped.
"I guess when you are a werewolf you can fit in a pack. He must have observed them for awhile," Harry flipped through some more pages, "Even Anaka wrote some things in here."
"Lelaca does not think you should be reading that!" Lelaca said grabbing the book.
Harry looked at her in surprise. He hadn't heard her enter the room.
"Dinner is ready for you. Go eat!" she put the book back on the shelf.
****************************************
Anaka looked out the window and watched the moon come up. A shiver ran through her body.
"We should get to the shore." Her father said weakly. They staggered out the room and down the stairs. Harry, Ron, and Hermione came out of the living room, hearing a noise.
"We're leaving." Remus said opening the door.
"Do you need help getting down there?" Hermione asked worried. Remus smiled.
"That's nice of you but no. You don't have to worry. We're harmless since we took the potion but still, you shouldn't be to close."
He walked out the door with Anaka following. Hermione and Ron walked back into the living room. Harry stood staring at the door. He had a nagging feeling that he should make sure they were all right.
"I'll be right back!" Harry said opening the door.
"Be careful!" Hermione called as he closed the door.
Harry looked at the moon as he started to walk. A large cloud covered the moon but it still gave off enough of an eerie light so he could see where he was going. As he walked to the back of the house he saw the lights in Lelaca's home go out. It must be at least 11:00, Harry thought, surprised. It didn't seem that late.
Two dark figures were walking towards the shore, stumbling on the way. Harry quickened his pace. As the figures reached the shore, the taller one leaned on one of the large rocks. The smaller one collapsed on one. Harry made sure to walk a little to the right of the figures. He hid behind a large rock a few yards from Remus and Anaka. He peered at them over the edge.
******************************************************
Anaka gasped as she collapsed on the rock. Never had she felt these pains so bad. He head was bounding and her stomach was turning and twisting. She looked at the moon. A large cloud that slowly moved away covered it. Hurry, she begged it. Just when Anaka thought she was going to die the cloud moved away and she started to transform. Anaka watched as hair sprouted all over her body. Her nails became claws and her hands changed to paws. She stood up and jumped off the rock, as her ears grew long and hairy. Her eyesight dimmed and then grew far better then human sight. Her nose and mouth seemed to melt together to form her canine like muzzle. Her nose became wet and back. As her legs changed she fell forward. She watched her feet as they finished changing. Then she was done. She watched her father fall to the ground and trotted next to him. He was bigger then she but only by a few inches. Her father looked around and started toward a patch of forest on their right. Anaka followed, staying a little behind. She sniffed the ground, rocks, and air. She hadn't been to this place in awhile.
As she passed a large rock, Anaka caught a strange scent. She knew at once what it was. Human. Her lips pulled back in a snarl and she jumped on top of the rock. Hearing his daughter, Remus turned and trotted back to her. He sniffed the air and watched his daughter. She looked over the rock and saw a boy looking up at her with wide eyes. He smiled.
"Hi Ana." He said slowly.
Anaka turned her head slightly staring at the boy. He seemed strangely familiar to her.
-Harry- her father growled.
Harry, Anaka thought. Suddenly a wave of memories came to her and she remembered everything and everyone. It's easy to lose yourself, she thought jumping down from the rock next to Harry. She walked up to him and whined. He looked at her with a cautious smile. Remus circled the rock. He stopped a few feet away and sat down with a yawn.
"You won't bite me right?" Harry asked slowly.
Anaka shook her head roughly. Harry laughed and gently scratched Anaka's head. She sighed. Her father howled suddenly and ran towards the wood. Anaka stood up and looked after him. She sniffed the air and knew why her father had left. The wolf pack was coming. Anaka glanced at Harry then let out a howl and ran after her father. Harry watched them until they disappeared within the forest. He sighed and walked back to the house.
***************************************************
Remus and Anaka ran through the forest. The scent of the pack was getting closer as they passed a pair of mooncalfs. Then they came to a small clearing and saw the pack. It was a beautiful pack of wolves. They had sleek gray fur, almost silver and keen yellow eyes. The pack was resting when the pair approached them. The Alpha male and female saw them and growled. The pair stopped and waited for the wolves to sniff them and recognize them. Then the pack howled in delight and Anaka and Remus joined in. As Remus went to talk with the older wolves, Anaka explored with the youngsters. She had friends among the pack about the same age as her.
She left the other youngsters with her friend, Swift, and walked through the forest. They caught each other up on events and chased smaller animals. Eventually they became tired and headed for a small cliff. Anaka and Swift lay there silently. Anaka stared at the moon. Swift had told her that she was going to leave the pack soon. Swift was the daughter to the Alpha's and was going to another pack to marry as a type of friendship treaty. Anaka thought how ironic it was that wolves could act so human. Then again this pack had not been the same since her father had been with them. They seemed more intelligent then most.
Even though Swift was excited about going and was just a wolf, Anaka felt like she was losing a good friend. They had always played together on full moons. The thought of marriage seemed so far away. Anaka wondered about John and if they would ever get married. Would there love last everything? It was something Anaka didn't want to think about. After all, she was still a kid.