1 Disclaimer: I am not, nor will I ever be JK Rowlings, Remus is not mine
although sometimes I wish he was (in more ways than one ^.^), as are any
other thing from the books of Potter. So don't say I plagiarize or any
stuff like that, I would be mortified…., nor do I claim to own the
description of what an elf is…D&D is where I imagine Kat coming
from…Basically I own nada.
A warning: this is a long chapter and at some points I ramble on…lots of description, and background history on her clan. And some times it's melodramatic…but stick with it ok?
A/N: The elves in this story are reminiscent of those of Dungeons and Dragons in looks, (shorter than a human but slim in figure…if you ever played the game you know what I'm talking about)…Kat is a RP character that I play once in a while, such a Mary sue…and a "little miss noble"
PS: One last thing…there is a story behind why Reme is so caring for Kat…you won't find out in this story though, I know he seems like a very mushy character but hey that's how I like him…and Kat always had a crush on the DADA teacher
And this part of the story kinda gives insight into why Kat is so reserved…
Special thanks to Bally who urged me to type this up…
Thank you so so much for reviewing those who did. I appreciate the vote of confidence. …Any complaints? No? Ok…on with the fic…(don't forget to read and review…)
2 Part 2 Coming home
"You can't be serious!" Lupin yelled.
He was back in Dumbledore's office, quite distraught at the prospect of doing nothing to stop Kat.
"Remus you must understand that there is nothing to be done. I would wish she wouldn't go alone but since Mr. Cross is dead she doesn't have many friends here" Albus sighed.
"I could track her," Remus said…
"I can't allow it, Kat is important as are you" Dumbledore shook his head.
"If she is so important why give up?" Lupin snapped…
"Why so concerned Remus" Snape walked in.
"She is so gifted, and there is this air about her, sounds funny but she reminded me of me sometimes" he said offhandedly.
"Apart from the fact that she's no werewolf"
"But she's still outcast because of what she is" Remus said, hurt at the cheep shot.
"Bah, I think it was best she did leave, Voldemort would have tracked her to us and we'd be in trouble" Snape sneered.
"How can you both be cold!" Lupin looked at each in turn.
"Come off it Lupin she's one girl, one student why care" Severus snapped.
"I can't help it if I'm humane to my students, if you actually talked to the girl you'd understand" He retorted, then he looked at Dumbledore, "Professor I'm going after her with or without your blessing" he said calmly.
"Then go with me blessing Remus and be careful" Albus told him as he put his hand on Lupin's shoulder.
"Thank you" Remus said and left.
"Have you lost it?!" Snape looked shocked, "he a great asset why let him go?"
"Because Severus I wouldn't be able to stop him" Albus smiled…
Kat took a plane to the States, she loved to fly it was the only time she felt free, but she had the weirdest feeling she was being followed…
First place she went was the Vulpus estate…it looked like someone burnt it down or at least tried to…
It was a skeleton mansion, the stone walls were the only things standing, she entered the mansion…
This was where she'd lived most of her childhood, since birth till she moved, she picked up a broken picture frame holding a photograph of the whole family. She cried… 'they were gone! All gone!' she thought…
She heard the sound of broken glass being stepped on and she spun around…
"Lupin! What are you doing here!?" she snapped, dropping the photograph…
"I…I couldn't let you do it alone" he replied stepping into the living room (or what was left of it), his demeanor was sad as was his gaze, "Oh Kat I didn't know! I'm so sorry", he said at a whisper.
"It's not your fault so why apologize" Kat said bitterly, "I want you to leave, this has nothing to do with you"
"I can't let you do it alone, and there is nothing you can say to make me change my mind" Remus said stubbornly.
Kat lost her temper…
"Oh really?!" she snapped. "What about Martin? Hmmm? He was just like you and he came up dead trying to help! Same with my family! All dead!" she glared at him, "it's not safe to come! I don't want…don't want…"
"Don't want what? Someone to die?" Remus stepped even closer to her, "Kat they cared for you, they died protecting something precious, it wasn't your fault"
"Wasn't my fault! It is my fault just for being who I am!" Kat's eyes filled with tears, she stepped away, "You're in danger just for being near me Lupin, Please go!" she cried and collapsed on the heavily burt couch sobbing.
Remus went over to her and held her close, Kat had never in all his experience teaching showed to be vulnerable, but now in a place that meant so much to her, her barrier down, she broke.
"Why?" she whispered more to herself.
"Because there are people who crave power wielded by others" Lupin said comforting her, at least she was quieting down,
They spent the night in the mansion.
The next morning Remus felt very ill, that only meant one thing, he'd be changing, he'd be changing soon. He looked at a small lunar calendar he kept with him, a week before he transforms.
"Morning Lupin" Kat said solemnly, she was up at the crack of dawn and had made breakfast, she saw his worried and ill looking face, "that time of the month?" she asked.
"Wh-what?" Remus choked out.
"When the full moon calls you, when you change" there was a glimmer of a smile on her face, "when you become the werewolf"
"I never heard it in that way before" Lupin smiled slightly, "like it's not a big deal", he took a mug of tea, it was sweet and she'd put honey in it, how did she know he liked it that way? he didn't know, "sounds almost hauntingly beautiful"
"Lupin you're not the first werewolf I've known" Kat said as she munched on some toast, "my dad had a friend, Locrutio Timber, nice guy, my dad's best friend"
" So you've been around werewolves almost all your life, interesting, now I know why you got perfect on test on us" Lupin smiled a bit more.
"Yes, and because I know that you wouldn't be leaving I've decided that as soon as we're finished here we have to go to my clan" Kat replied.
"Why?" Lupin finished his tea and grabbed a piece of toast.
"You'll see" Kat smiled mysteriously, taking her mug of tea.
~~~~~~
"The fox is here!" Remus heard from a tree, "with an unknown!"
"Tell elder Oak that the fox needs a word if it is possible, and send word to young Hawkseye that I need an amulet, he will know what when I visit" Kat called out
They were in a dark forest out on the outskirts of upstate New York.
"At your leave" the voice called back.
"Go now" Kat replied.
"Uh…Kat? Who was that?" Lupin asked inquisitively.
"That? Oh that was just Summer Willow" Kat said off handedly, "she's harmless, I think she's ten"
"And a HALF!" Summer called back
"Cute" Remus said.
"She's cute alright", Kat said.
They went a bit further and the forest opened up to a clearing with wooden huts, smoke billowing from the tops in various colors.
"Kat how come Voldemort didn't find this settlement?" Lupin asked
Kat smiled, "well first thing is every settlement is cloaked, you can only find one if you're in the company of a member of that clan, second each cloaking is different if by chance someone broke the enchantment it will only work once and for a short period of time" she said… "third look up"
At this Remus looked up into the trees, Kat made a twittering whistle and about a hundred of her clansmen came out of hiding, each had a bow with a quiver of arrows, Remus was amazed at how well they hid.
"Each and every one of them has arrows laced with poison that not even Voldemort can shrug off, even if it barely scratches the skin you're dead in seconds" Kat said looking up at her brethren.
"Wow, now I know why it's hard to find a settlement and come back alive, rumors were that they were welcomed in and never wanted to leave" Lupin said.
Kat laughed, "it happens like that sometimes, but we're very protective of our kind".
"Fox!" a bombing voice called her over, "my beard it is you after all these years!"
"Elder Oak, it has been a long time" Kat said as the tall man with a white goatee and moustache hugged her, he almost looked like Dumbledore except no glasses or long hair.
"What are you doing here? We thought you would have started you aurorship by now, what with deatheaters coming to the states-"
"The family is dead" Kat interupted,"all except Oracle and I"
Oak stopped immediately he was shocked, "Summer!"
A young girl with platinum blond hair and pale blue eyes came over.
"Assemble the council Summer NOW!" Oak growled, he then looked at Kat, "who's he" he motioned to Lupin.
"My professor and friend Lupin" Kat said quickly.
"I see" Oak put out his hand to shake, "a friend of the family is a friend of the clan"
Remus shook Oak's hand.
"Kat" Lupin asked as they headed for the largest hut black smoke billowing from the chimney, "what did he mean by 'the family'?"
"I'll explain later" Kat said sharpish.
They entered the hut, silence fell as twenty pairs of eyes fell on Kat and Remus.
Kat motioned to Remus to sit; he did as she went to the center of the room.
"Fox, please tell us how the family died" one very old elf said.
"They were murdered, a great evil has entered the sanctity of my lair, I seek vengeance of great magnitude elder Falcon, I'm not asking for aide however only sanctuary for my friend if it gets ugly, he must find safe haven quick. I ask for fellowship of Remus Lupin to the Dark clan" Kat said in an almost royal tone.
Remus looked shocked, Kat was worried for his safety! What better place to hide than a clan's settlement heavily cloaked and guarded.
There was a murmur of elders weighing the pros and cons, another spoke up, "he is a werewolf" he said a bit loud.
"That is none of your concern!" Kat growled.
The elder recoiled as if a whip was brandished in front of him.
"Very well Fox, he shall be welcomed" Falcon said.
"I thank you" Kat said.
"Are you certain you are in no need of the clan?" Oak asked worried, "our army is at your disposal."
"The only one coming is Lupin, I don't want the clan split on this matter" she gave a glare at an elder that looked like Snape, with his oily hair pulled into a pony tail, "now I must excuse myself and Lupin, I have one last this to do before we leave."
"Fox at least stay the night we have much to speak about" oak said almost pleading.
Kat stood there, you could almost see her weighing the reasons.
"Very well, we shall stay the night by dawn we must leave" she finally said, as she motioned for Lupin to get up.
"We shall have a feast in your honor" Oak said as Kat left.
"Kat what was that about?" Lupin asked pressingly.
"Not now, I'll explain but not here, not now" Kat's voice was stern and Remus knew that that matter must wait.
They entered another smaller hut, red smoke coming from the top of the roof.
"Kitten! My dear Kitten what is the reason you asked to see me!" a green eyed elf asked from his he was hunched over.
"I need and amulet Hawkeye" Kat said.
"Specifics?" he asked.
"Novaluna" was all Kat said, and that was all that was enough.
Hawkeye got up, he was Kat's age but looked worn, he had a scar over one eye, he walked over to Lupin.
"For him?" he asked.
"Yes"
"I need a bit of him, blood is best" he said staring into Lupin's eyes.
"Understood" Kat said, she took a small vile from a countertop, "Lupin I need to take a bit of blood" she said.
"Why?" Remus asked.
"Linkage" Hawkeye said, "only thing that works best, otherwise amulet won't work."
Lupin nodded, Kat took out a small dagger and sliced Lupin's thumb, he winced but didn't say anything.
After she collected the blood she took a cloth poured a red potion on it and wiped the wound making it disappeared.
"Will take me about four hours Kitten" Hawkeye said.
"You have till the feast get a move on" Kat said.
The guy nodded, took the blood and went to his desk.
"Come on he needs time to work" Kat said and they left.
They went out and walked for a while. Kat bowed to many clansmen who bowed to her. They headed for a quiet place away from the crowds, finally Remus asked.
"Kat are you going to explain the fuss they make over you?"
"Hmm? How's that?" Kat asked lazily.
"The way they are respectful borderline reverence when you're speaking to them" Remus explained.
Kat sighed, well she did say she'd explain.
"Lets sit" she took a a spot with several boulders to sit on, she took one as did Remus opposite her.
"Ok, first you have to know that this clan has four major families, two were killed in the great war" she began, "the four were Kodiac, Pythonian, Amethyst and Vulpus; my family"
"So you're basically royalty to them" Remus clarified.
Kat nodded, "In the Great War Amethyst and Kodiac were in the 'royal guard' as it were, see they were the smaller families, we were all 'royalty' as you put it but Amethyst and Kodiac guarded the larger families, namely mine and Pythonians"
"Why?"
"Well Kodiac were descendants of Vulpus but through marriages, and such they formed a new family, same with Amethyst" Kat replied, "these families had a lot of power, unlike the majority of the clan where children would be slightly stronger than the previous generation, the families grew exponentially stronger, I myself could take Oak on and win" she added calmly.
"Why did that elder with the oily hair not like you?"
"He's Pythonian, the Vulpus' and them didn't quite get along, no true animosity 'till a few years back when I left for Hogwarts"
"I don't understand why that would be a problem" Remus said confused.
"Traditionally elven children of the four families finished their studies as apprentices of the elders, learning the politics, the art of war, and historical knowledge, my parents wanted me to in as normal society as possible"
"So the Pythonians being very traditional wanted you to stay while your family wanted you to lead a normal life" Remus said.
"Exactly" Kat nodded.
"Kat something still doesn't make sense to me," he said.
"Ask away" she said calmly.
"The way you spoke, 'your lair', what was that about?" Remus asked curiously.
"I was born there was a great ruckus, I was born on the same date of the Vulpus, I mean everything was earily the same, Scripture dictates a child of this sort of birth would be endowed with the spirit of their ancestors, and with that their word would be law, their home would be sanctuary for them, a 'lair of solitude and reflection' as it were, if that was ever sullied in any way they are allowed to declare war, execution you name it" Kat said darkly.
"Oh", Remus said, "so that's why the army was offered."
Kat nodded, "I'm one of the last in the Vulpus line, if Oracle is dead I'll be the only one left" she sniffed back a tear, "some royalty I am, emotional, spoiled, vengeful."
Remus got up and sat next to her, "if they judge you because of your emotions then they are unfair."
They sat there for a while, Remus asking questions about clan life, Kat answering to the best of her knowledge, then they heard a bunch of pan flutes go off.
"The feast is ready" Kat said.
"Shall we?" Remus offered his arm to her and they went together.
The clan had set out a large table full of all sorts of food, it seemed they killed a pig that was cooked on a spit, the food was nothing like Hogwart's in type of food, but just as plentiful.
Kat sat at one end with Remus on her right, Oak on her left. At the other end the greasy haired man, he looked no better than Snape, angry, vengeful, disgusted.
Kat helped herself to some roasted pheasant and some potatoes. Lupin didn't know to try so he took a bit of everything, it was succulent.
Hawkeye was a little late, he knelt down beside Kat and handed her a small box to her.
"Thank you Hawky" Kat said, it appeared she loosened up a bit up a bit with the feast and merriment.
Hawkeye bowed and sat on Oak's other side.
"'Hawky' you haven't called me that in years vixen" he smiled.
Kat blushed a bit.
"Kat what's in the box?" Remus asked mouth full of food.
"Something for later" Kat said.
After bellies were full and the chattering was at its peak the table disappeared and a bonfire was built.
Each person took out one thing and put it in the fire, muttering something. Kat went up and put two photographs into the fire, one was her friend Martin at end of last year, "to my friend, may your soul rest peacefully", she said a she tossed into the flames, the second one was a photo of her family, "to my family, may my vengeance quell your spirits and allow passage to the hunting grounds" she tossed the second in. the smoke increased and the fire turned a bright blue for a second.
"Fox could you do some smoke magic for the children" a woman asked.
"Smoke magic?" Remus asked curiously.
Kat smile, "old family magic, I haven't done it in years".
She stood in front of the fire, she raised her hands, (she knew it was all bravado but it entertained the kids in her clan when she acted like this), "spirits of the great forest! Hear me!"
A bear formed out of the smoke, it looked around, "who calls on the forest dwellers?" it growled.
"'Tis fox's embodiment, flesh and blood, oh spirit of Kodiac let me be heard" she said, there was an air of wildness in her voice as she said that, like she was part of the forest herself.
"It has been many moons since the fox has called on us, what has kept you at bay young vixen?" the bear turned towards her.
"Ink and parchment old friend" Kat replied.
Some of the children drew closer to the bear's likeness.
"She's quite the talent of our clan" a voice said beside Lupin, he spun around it was Hawkeye.
"Uh…yes…Hawkeye right?" Remus asked.
"Very precious to us too" Hawkeye said as he nodded, "she is well loved by the clan, it is her gentleness and diplomacy that many adore" he added.
"I get the feeling it goes deeper with you though" Remus said.
Hawkeye blushed, "we were close, she confides in me by mail many times"
"You love her don't you?" Remus smiled he had a knack for reading people.
That statement shocked Hawkeye, "well…I…uh….I care for her…I want her safe here…but she won't hear of it, she's very stubborn"
"Yes very" Lupin said, he looked at Hawkeye, "don't worry, I'll make sure she'll be safe Hawkeye"
"Kurt, just Kurt, my first name please, I only go by Hawkeye in clan business only" he said.
"Ok Kurt don't worry" Remus smiled.
They watched Kat enjoying herself, playing with the smoke, making it change into different animals.
Remus retired to bed….
The next morning he woke before Kat, she looked peaceful, calm…he didn't disturb her, he left the hut.
"Ah Lupin, good morning" Oak said, "feeling any better?"
"Good morning Oak, you don't miss a beat do you" Remus replied, "much better thank you"
"We've made packs for both of you. Is Ka awake?"
"No she's still asleep, can we leave her for a while, she's been thru a lot" Remus said concerned.
Oak nodded, " I hope you enjoyed your stay" he said.
"It was by far an experience I will remember" Remus replied.
"Good, good" Oak nodded again, "is Kat alright?"
"Apart from the chance that she's the last of her family probably I think she's taking it quite well" Remus replied.
"I agree, she has taken it with great countenance" Oak said.
"She remarkable. So strong and caring for others" Remus said.
Kat woke up a while later…seeing that Lupin was gone she packed her backpack, picked up the box from last night and left the hut herself.
"Morning Vulpus" a sour voice came from behind her.
"Good morning Vipris" Kat said yawning, "se you haven't let that grudge go" she added.
"Why should I? You were given so many liberties and you act spoiled, is our clan not good enough to help? Or are you afraid that the families won't agree" he said with a sneer.
"I know they won't fight me Vipris" Kat said serenely, "but I don't want anyone in this other than myself and Lupin"
"Why do you have to be so self-righteous?! The clan needs you! If you die-"
"If I die then they still have your family" she finished his sentence, "Vipris my whole family did because of a decision they made to give me and my cousin normal lives…this is my fight…I know your worried about the outcome but trust me, you can do anything if you have the desire to do it" she patted him on the back, "you take care of yourself" and she walked away.
"Ready to go?" Remus asked, he had put on a leather backpack, and had a walking stick.
"Almost, one last thing to do" Kat said. She opened the box and took out a pendant, a crescent moon with a blood red stone to complete it, and placed it around Remus neck.
He looked at it curiously, "what's this?"
"That is a 'nova Luna' amulet, or 'new moon'" Kat replied, "it's the only way we know to stop a werewolf to change on a full moon, it's the reason we came here in the first place"
"But..." Remus started to say…
"If you're coming with me then being ill and shifting to wolf form isn't going to help matters, plus I would think you'd appreciate not having to go thru that" Kat said.
"Yes…I do…but…" he didn't know what to say, he blushed slightly, this was so nice of her, he felt horrible, she wanted him to be safe, she wanted him not to suffer thru another transformation, he was full of emotion but had nothing to say.
Kat picked up the pack they made for her and went to say good-bye.
Vipris shook her hand, "don't be heroic Fox, the clan will help if you need us"
"I'll send word if I do" Kat said.
Next was Oak, "take care little vixen, and come back to us"
"I will it's a promise," she said giving him a quick hug.
Last was Kurt, he hugged Kat tight and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "please be careful kitten" he said.
"Take care Hawky" Kat hugged back.
Summer was waiting for them on the outskirts of the village…she looked very upset…
"You're leaving again!" she cried.
"Yes my little tree, I have too" Kat said calmly.
The kid latched on to her, "I won't let you!"
Kat loosened the grip, "Summer, I have to, if the monster finally finds this place there won't be anyone left. I can't let that happen, there is only one way to fix this, that's why I have to go, you understand, right?"
"Then I'll come" Summer said stubbornly.
"I would like that, and I'm sure you'd be a great help, but I need you to take care of Kurt Okay? Could you do that for me?" Kat said.
Summer sniffed back a tear, "okay" she said as she started to cry.
Kat dried the child's eyes, "that's m'girl", she stood off, and her and Remus walked off…
A/N: well that's it for now…so sorry it took so long for this chapter to be up…we'll just have to see when I can put up chapter three…^.^
A warning: this is a long chapter and at some points I ramble on…lots of description, and background history on her clan. And some times it's melodramatic…but stick with it ok?
A/N: The elves in this story are reminiscent of those of Dungeons and Dragons in looks, (shorter than a human but slim in figure…if you ever played the game you know what I'm talking about)…Kat is a RP character that I play once in a while, such a Mary sue…and a "little miss noble"
PS: One last thing…there is a story behind why Reme is so caring for Kat…you won't find out in this story though, I know he seems like a very mushy character but hey that's how I like him…and Kat always had a crush on the DADA teacher
And this part of the story kinda gives insight into why Kat is so reserved…
Special thanks to Bally who urged me to type this up…
Thank you so so much for reviewing those who did. I appreciate the vote of confidence. …Any complaints? No? Ok…on with the fic…(don't forget to read and review…)
2 Part 2 Coming home
"You can't be serious!" Lupin yelled.
He was back in Dumbledore's office, quite distraught at the prospect of doing nothing to stop Kat.
"Remus you must understand that there is nothing to be done. I would wish she wouldn't go alone but since Mr. Cross is dead she doesn't have many friends here" Albus sighed.
"I could track her," Remus said…
"I can't allow it, Kat is important as are you" Dumbledore shook his head.
"If she is so important why give up?" Lupin snapped…
"Why so concerned Remus" Snape walked in.
"She is so gifted, and there is this air about her, sounds funny but she reminded me of me sometimes" he said offhandedly.
"Apart from the fact that she's no werewolf"
"But she's still outcast because of what she is" Remus said, hurt at the cheep shot.
"Bah, I think it was best she did leave, Voldemort would have tracked her to us and we'd be in trouble" Snape sneered.
"How can you both be cold!" Lupin looked at each in turn.
"Come off it Lupin she's one girl, one student why care" Severus snapped.
"I can't help it if I'm humane to my students, if you actually talked to the girl you'd understand" He retorted, then he looked at Dumbledore, "Professor I'm going after her with or without your blessing" he said calmly.
"Then go with me blessing Remus and be careful" Albus told him as he put his hand on Lupin's shoulder.
"Thank you" Remus said and left.
"Have you lost it?!" Snape looked shocked, "he a great asset why let him go?"
"Because Severus I wouldn't be able to stop him" Albus smiled…
Kat took a plane to the States, she loved to fly it was the only time she felt free, but she had the weirdest feeling she was being followed…
First place she went was the Vulpus estate…it looked like someone burnt it down or at least tried to…
It was a skeleton mansion, the stone walls were the only things standing, she entered the mansion…
This was where she'd lived most of her childhood, since birth till she moved, she picked up a broken picture frame holding a photograph of the whole family. She cried… 'they were gone! All gone!' she thought…
She heard the sound of broken glass being stepped on and she spun around…
"Lupin! What are you doing here!?" she snapped, dropping the photograph…
"I…I couldn't let you do it alone" he replied stepping into the living room (or what was left of it), his demeanor was sad as was his gaze, "Oh Kat I didn't know! I'm so sorry", he said at a whisper.
"It's not your fault so why apologize" Kat said bitterly, "I want you to leave, this has nothing to do with you"
"I can't let you do it alone, and there is nothing you can say to make me change my mind" Remus said stubbornly.
Kat lost her temper…
"Oh really?!" she snapped. "What about Martin? Hmmm? He was just like you and he came up dead trying to help! Same with my family! All dead!" she glared at him, "it's not safe to come! I don't want…don't want…"
"Don't want what? Someone to die?" Remus stepped even closer to her, "Kat they cared for you, they died protecting something precious, it wasn't your fault"
"Wasn't my fault! It is my fault just for being who I am!" Kat's eyes filled with tears, she stepped away, "You're in danger just for being near me Lupin, Please go!" she cried and collapsed on the heavily burt couch sobbing.
Remus went over to her and held her close, Kat had never in all his experience teaching showed to be vulnerable, but now in a place that meant so much to her, her barrier down, she broke.
"Why?" she whispered more to herself.
"Because there are people who crave power wielded by others" Lupin said comforting her, at least she was quieting down,
They spent the night in the mansion.
The next morning Remus felt very ill, that only meant one thing, he'd be changing, he'd be changing soon. He looked at a small lunar calendar he kept with him, a week before he transforms.
"Morning Lupin" Kat said solemnly, she was up at the crack of dawn and had made breakfast, she saw his worried and ill looking face, "that time of the month?" she asked.
"Wh-what?" Remus choked out.
"When the full moon calls you, when you change" there was a glimmer of a smile on her face, "when you become the werewolf"
"I never heard it in that way before" Lupin smiled slightly, "like it's not a big deal", he took a mug of tea, it was sweet and she'd put honey in it, how did she know he liked it that way? he didn't know, "sounds almost hauntingly beautiful"
"Lupin you're not the first werewolf I've known" Kat said as she munched on some toast, "my dad had a friend, Locrutio Timber, nice guy, my dad's best friend"
" So you've been around werewolves almost all your life, interesting, now I know why you got perfect on test on us" Lupin smiled a bit more.
"Yes, and because I know that you wouldn't be leaving I've decided that as soon as we're finished here we have to go to my clan" Kat replied.
"Why?" Lupin finished his tea and grabbed a piece of toast.
"You'll see" Kat smiled mysteriously, taking her mug of tea.
~~~~~~
"The fox is here!" Remus heard from a tree, "with an unknown!"
"Tell elder Oak that the fox needs a word if it is possible, and send word to young Hawkseye that I need an amulet, he will know what when I visit" Kat called out
They were in a dark forest out on the outskirts of upstate New York.
"At your leave" the voice called back.
"Go now" Kat replied.
"Uh…Kat? Who was that?" Lupin asked inquisitively.
"That? Oh that was just Summer Willow" Kat said off handedly, "she's harmless, I think she's ten"
"And a HALF!" Summer called back
"Cute" Remus said.
"She's cute alright", Kat said.
They went a bit further and the forest opened up to a clearing with wooden huts, smoke billowing from the tops in various colors.
"Kat how come Voldemort didn't find this settlement?" Lupin asked
Kat smiled, "well first thing is every settlement is cloaked, you can only find one if you're in the company of a member of that clan, second each cloaking is different if by chance someone broke the enchantment it will only work once and for a short period of time" she said… "third look up"
At this Remus looked up into the trees, Kat made a twittering whistle and about a hundred of her clansmen came out of hiding, each had a bow with a quiver of arrows, Remus was amazed at how well they hid.
"Each and every one of them has arrows laced with poison that not even Voldemort can shrug off, even if it barely scratches the skin you're dead in seconds" Kat said looking up at her brethren.
"Wow, now I know why it's hard to find a settlement and come back alive, rumors were that they were welcomed in and never wanted to leave" Lupin said.
Kat laughed, "it happens like that sometimes, but we're very protective of our kind".
"Fox!" a bombing voice called her over, "my beard it is you after all these years!"
"Elder Oak, it has been a long time" Kat said as the tall man with a white goatee and moustache hugged her, he almost looked like Dumbledore except no glasses or long hair.
"What are you doing here? We thought you would have started you aurorship by now, what with deatheaters coming to the states-"
"The family is dead" Kat interupted,"all except Oracle and I"
Oak stopped immediately he was shocked, "Summer!"
A young girl with platinum blond hair and pale blue eyes came over.
"Assemble the council Summer NOW!" Oak growled, he then looked at Kat, "who's he" he motioned to Lupin.
"My professor and friend Lupin" Kat said quickly.
"I see" Oak put out his hand to shake, "a friend of the family is a friend of the clan"
Remus shook Oak's hand.
"Kat" Lupin asked as they headed for the largest hut black smoke billowing from the chimney, "what did he mean by 'the family'?"
"I'll explain later" Kat said sharpish.
They entered the hut, silence fell as twenty pairs of eyes fell on Kat and Remus.
Kat motioned to Remus to sit; he did as she went to the center of the room.
"Fox, please tell us how the family died" one very old elf said.
"They were murdered, a great evil has entered the sanctity of my lair, I seek vengeance of great magnitude elder Falcon, I'm not asking for aide however only sanctuary for my friend if it gets ugly, he must find safe haven quick. I ask for fellowship of Remus Lupin to the Dark clan" Kat said in an almost royal tone.
Remus looked shocked, Kat was worried for his safety! What better place to hide than a clan's settlement heavily cloaked and guarded.
There was a murmur of elders weighing the pros and cons, another spoke up, "he is a werewolf" he said a bit loud.
"That is none of your concern!" Kat growled.
The elder recoiled as if a whip was brandished in front of him.
"Very well Fox, he shall be welcomed" Falcon said.
"I thank you" Kat said.
"Are you certain you are in no need of the clan?" Oak asked worried, "our army is at your disposal."
"The only one coming is Lupin, I don't want the clan split on this matter" she gave a glare at an elder that looked like Snape, with his oily hair pulled into a pony tail, "now I must excuse myself and Lupin, I have one last this to do before we leave."
"Fox at least stay the night we have much to speak about" oak said almost pleading.
Kat stood there, you could almost see her weighing the reasons.
"Very well, we shall stay the night by dawn we must leave" she finally said, as she motioned for Lupin to get up.
"We shall have a feast in your honor" Oak said as Kat left.
"Kat what was that about?" Lupin asked pressingly.
"Not now, I'll explain but not here, not now" Kat's voice was stern and Remus knew that that matter must wait.
They entered another smaller hut, red smoke coming from the top of the roof.
"Kitten! My dear Kitten what is the reason you asked to see me!" a green eyed elf asked from his he was hunched over.
"I need and amulet Hawkeye" Kat said.
"Specifics?" he asked.
"Novaluna" was all Kat said, and that was all that was enough.
Hawkeye got up, he was Kat's age but looked worn, he had a scar over one eye, he walked over to Lupin.
"For him?" he asked.
"Yes"
"I need a bit of him, blood is best" he said staring into Lupin's eyes.
"Understood" Kat said, she took a small vile from a countertop, "Lupin I need to take a bit of blood" she said.
"Why?" Remus asked.
"Linkage" Hawkeye said, "only thing that works best, otherwise amulet won't work."
Lupin nodded, Kat took out a small dagger and sliced Lupin's thumb, he winced but didn't say anything.
After she collected the blood she took a cloth poured a red potion on it and wiped the wound making it disappeared.
"Will take me about four hours Kitten" Hawkeye said.
"You have till the feast get a move on" Kat said.
The guy nodded, took the blood and went to his desk.
"Come on he needs time to work" Kat said and they left.
They went out and walked for a while. Kat bowed to many clansmen who bowed to her. They headed for a quiet place away from the crowds, finally Remus asked.
"Kat are you going to explain the fuss they make over you?"
"Hmm? How's that?" Kat asked lazily.
"The way they are respectful borderline reverence when you're speaking to them" Remus explained.
Kat sighed, well she did say she'd explain.
"Lets sit" she took a a spot with several boulders to sit on, she took one as did Remus opposite her.
"Ok, first you have to know that this clan has four major families, two were killed in the great war" she began, "the four were Kodiac, Pythonian, Amethyst and Vulpus; my family"
"So you're basically royalty to them" Remus clarified.
Kat nodded, "In the Great War Amethyst and Kodiac were in the 'royal guard' as it were, see they were the smaller families, we were all 'royalty' as you put it but Amethyst and Kodiac guarded the larger families, namely mine and Pythonians"
"Why?"
"Well Kodiac were descendants of Vulpus but through marriages, and such they formed a new family, same with Amethyst" Kat replied, "these families had a lot of power, unlike the majority of the clan where children would be slightly stronger than the previous generation, the families grew exponentially stronger, I myself could take Oak on and win" she added calmly.
"Why did that elder with the oily hair not like you?"
"He's Pythonian, the Vulpus' and them didn't quite get along, no true animosity 'till a few years back when I left for Hogwarts"
"I don't understand why that would be a problem" Remus said confused.
"Traditionally elven children of the four families finished their studies as apprentices of the elders, learning the politics, the art of war, and historical knowledge, my parents wanted me to in as normal society as possible"
"So the Pythonians being very traditional wanted you to stay while your family wanted you to lead a normal life" Remus said.
"Exactly" Kat nodded.
"Kat something still doesn't make sense to me," he said.
"Ask away" she said calmly.
"The way you spoke, 'your lair', what was that about?" Remus asked curiously.
"I was born there was a great ruckus, I was born on the same date of the Vulpus, I mean everything was earily the same, Scripture dictates a child of this sort of birth would be endowed with the spirit of their ancestors, and with that their word would be law, their home would be sanctuary for them, a 'lair of solitude and reflection' as it were, if that was ever sullied in any way they are allowed to declare war, execution you name it" Kat said darkly.
"Oh", Remus said, "so that's why the army was offered."
Kat nodded, "I'm one of the last in the Vulpus line, if Oracle is dead I'll be the only one left" she sniffed back a tear, "some royalty I am, emotional, spoiled, vengeful."
Remus got up and sat next to her, "if they judge you because of your emotions then they are unfair."
They sat there for a while, Remus asking questions about clan life, Kat answering to the best of her knowledge, then they heard a bunch of pan flutes go off.
"The feast is ready" Kat said.
"Shall we?" Remus offered his arm to her and they went together.
The clan had set out a large table full of all sorts of food, it seemed they killed a pig that was cooked on a spit, the food was nothing like Hogwart's in type of food, but just as plentiful.
Kat sat at one end with Remus on her right, Oak on her left. At the other end the greasy haired man, he looked no better than Snape, angry, vengeful, disgusted.
Kat helped herself to some roasted pheasant and some potatoes. Lupin didn't know to try so he took a bit of everything, it was succulent.
Hawkeye was a little late, he knelt down beside Kat and handed her a small box to her.
"Thank you Hawky" Kat said, it appeared she loosened up a bit up a bit with the feast and merriment.
Hawkeye bowed and sat on Oak's other side.
"'Hawky' you haven't called me that in years vixen" he smiled.
Kat blushed a bit.
"Kat what's in the box?" Remus asked mouth full of food.
"Something for later" Kat said.
After bellies were full and the chattering was at its peak the table disappeared and a bonfire was built.
Each person took out one thing and put it in the fire, muttering something. Kat went up and put two photographs into the fire, one was her friend Martin at end of last year, "to my friend, may your soul rest peacefully", she said a she tossed into the flames, the second one was a photo of her family, "to my family, may my vengeance quell your spirits and allow passage to the hunting grounds" she tossed the second in. the smoke increased and the fire turned a bright blue for a second.
"Fox could you do some smoke magic for the children" a woman asked.
"Smoke magic?" Remus asked curiously.
Kat smile, "old family magic, I haven't done it in years".
She stood in front of the fire, she raised her hands, (she knew it was all bravado but it entertained the kids in her clan when she acted like this), "spirits of the great forest! Hear me!"
A bear formed out of the smoke, it looked around, "who calls on the forest dwellers?" it growled.
"'Tis fox's embodiment, flesh and blood, oh spirit of Kodiac let me be heard" she said, there was an air of wildness in her voice as she said that, like she was part of the forest herself.
"It has been many moons since the fox has called on us, what has kept you at bay young vixen?" the bear turned towards her.
"Ink and parchment old friend" Kat replied.
Some of the children drew closer to the bear's likeness.
"She's quite the talent of our clan" a voice said beside Lupin, he spun around it was Hawkeye.
"Uh…yes…Hawkeye right?" Remus asked.
"Very precious to us too" Hawkeye said as he nodded, "she is well loved by the clan, it is her gentleness and diplomacy that many adore" he added.
"I get the feeling it goes deeper with you though" Remus said.
Hawkeye blushed, "we were close, she confides in me by mail many times"
"You love her don't you?" Remus smiled he had a knack for reading people.
That statement shocked Hawkeye, "well…I…uh….I care for her…I want her safe here…but she won't hear of it, she's very stubborn"
"Yes very" Lupin said, he looked at Hawkeye, "don't worry, I'll make sure she'll be safe Hawkeye"
"Kurt, just Kurt, my first name please, I only go by Hawkeye in clan business only" he said.
"Ok Kurt don't worry" Remus smiled.
They watched Kat enjoying herself, playing with the smoke, making it change into different animals.
Remus retired to bed….
The next morning he woke before Kat, she looked peaceful, calm…he didn't disturb her, he left the hut.
"Ah Lupin, good morning" Oak said, "feeling any better?"
"Good morning Oak, you don't miss a beat do you" Remus replied, "much better thank you"
"We've made packs for both of you. Is Ka awake?"
"No she's still asleep, can we leave her for a while, she's been thru a lot" Remus said concerned.
Oak nodded, " I hope you enjoyed your stay" he said.
"It was by far an experience I will remember" Remus replied.
"Good, good" Oak nodded again, "is Kat alright?"
"Apart from the chance that she's the last of her family probably I think she's taking it quite well" Remus replied.
"I agree, she has taken it with great countenance" Oak said.
"She remarkable. So strong and caring for others" Remus said.
Kat woke up a while later…seeing that Lupin was gone she packed her backpack, picked up the box from last night and left the hut herself.
"Morning Vulpus" a sour voice came from behind her.
"Good morning Vipris" Kat said yawning, "se you haven't let that grudge go" she added.
"Why should I? You were given so many liberties and you act spoiled, is our clan not good enough to help? Or are you afraid that the families won't agree" he said with a sneer.
"I know they won't fight me Vipris" Kat said serenely, "but I don't want anyone in this other than myself and Lupin"
"Why do you have to be so self-righteous?! The clan needs you! If you die-"
"If I die then they still have your family" she finished his sentence, "Vipris my whole family did because of a decision they made to give me and my cousin normal lives…this is my fight…I know your worried about the outcome but trust me, you can do anything if you have the desire to do it" she patted him on the back, "you take care of yourself" and she walked away.
"Ready to go?" Remus asked, he had put on a leather backpack, and had a walking stick.
"Almost, one last thing to do" Kat said. She opened the box and took out a pendant, a crescent moon with a blood red stone to complete it, and placed it around Remus neck.
He looked at it curiously, "what's this?"
"That is a 'nova Luna' amulet, or 'new moon'" Kat replied, "it's the only way we know to stop a werewolf to change on a full moon, it's the reason we came here in the first place"
"But..." Remus started to say…
"If you're coming with me then being ill and shifting to wolf form isn't going to help matters, plus I would think you'd appreciate not having to go thru that" Kat said.
"Yes…I do…but…" he didn't know what to say, he blushed slightly, this was so nice of her, he felt horrible, she wanted him to be safe, she wanted him not to suffer thru another transformation, he was full of emotion but had nothing to say.
Kat picked up the pack they made for her and went to say good-bye.
Vipris shook her hand, "don't be heroic Fox, the clan will help if you need us"
"I'll send word if I do" Kat said.
Next was Oak, "take care little vixen, and come back to us"
"I will it's a promise," she said giving him a quick hug.
Last was Kurt, he hugged Kat tight and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "please be careful kitten" he said.
"Take care Hawky" Kat hugged back.
Summer was waiting for them on the outskirts of the village…she looked very upset…
"You're leaving again!" she cried.
"Yes my little tree, I have too" Kat said calmly.
The kid latched on to her, "I won't let you!"
Kat loosened the grip, "Summer, I have to, if the monster finally finds this place there won't be anyone left. I can't let that happen, there is only one way to fix this, that's why I have to go, you understand, right?"
"Then I'll come" Summer said stubbornly.
"I would like that, and I'm sure you'd be a great help, but I need you to take care of Kurt Okay? Could you do that for me?" Kat said.
Summer sniffed back a tear, "okay" she said as she started to cry.
Kat dried the child's eyes, "that's m'girl", she stood off, and her and Remus walked off…
A/N: well that's it for now…so sorry it took so long for this chapter to be up…we'll just have to see when I can put up chapter three…^.^