Remus stood there, too stunned to do anything. Had she, a ten-year-old witch, just apparated? After getting over his initial shock, Remus felt anger returning. He strode to the fireplace and flooed to Hogwarts, stumbling out of the Headmaster's fireplace. Dumbledore looked up from the harp he was playing, a knowing twinkle in his eye.
"You shouldn't have yelled at her, Remus." He gently remonstrated the outraged werewolf.
"But she could hurt someone, Albus. With her magic and the fact that she's a werewolf. She's a potential danger to everyone in the world unless she gains some control. She needs to stop thinking only of herself and start thinking about the other people who have to put up with her. I thought Sirius and James were horrible, but she puts them to shame. All by herself!" Dumbledore smiled slightly as he let his friend rage. It was always better to let him vent his feelings. Remus gradually drew silent, having run out of things to say after repeating them a few times.
"No Remus, I am not worried about her." Albus replied to Remus' last sentence, which had been a question. "I know where she is and she will be safe there. I will not tell you where as she needs to be left alone for a while. She will return when she is ready." After a few more words of comfort, Albus sent Remus to Godric's Hollow. Albus strode to just outside the Hogwarts grounds, so he could apparate. He appeared in the same clearing where Gwen had been bitten by the wolf. Unbeknownst to Remus, Albus had bound a part of Gwen to him when she became his student so that he could find her, if need be. She had felt the bond, but had allowed it. Albus looked around the clearing inquisitively. His student was not in sight. A small sob drew his attention to the trees, where a small figure was discernable among the foliage. Albus looked up at the girl, mildly upset. She had to make this difficult didn't she? The old man merely levitated himself onto a branch near Gwen's. She lifted her head to stare at him with her big blue eyes. She wasn't crying and apparently hadn't been. Albus reached out his hand to put it on her shoulder and they were on the ground.
"Much more comfortable this way, don't you think?" He asked, a smile in his eyes. Gwen looked up at him, preparing to be angry, but she was slightly unnerved by his humorous gaze and instead burst into laughter. They sat in companionable silence for several minutes.
"You can't always run away from your problems." Dumbledore pointed out.
"I'm not running away. I'm taking a break."
"Remus was really worried about you when he showed up in my office."
"I'm sure."
"He really does care about you."
"And that's why he yelled at me?"
"Gwenhwyfar you must understand that you are the only family he's ever had. The only person, other than himself, that he's had to look out for. He's learning, but he's not perfect. You can't expect him to get it right the first time every time. I think that Remus is doing rather well, if I may say so myself." Dumbledore let her digest that piece of information. "Now. About this dirty sock thing. I agree with Remus on this issue. It would be best if you did not play or sing until you reach Hogwarts. No excuses. You could blow up the world or something without meaning to. There are only two weeks left in summer vacation. I suggest that you make a list of all the songs you know. Then we can figure out what magic you could possibly work with them. And now I think it's time you went home." Gwen nodded and stood up.
"Um sir, can I ask you something?" Dumbledore smiled indulgently.
"You already have. But I will try to answer any question you have as truthfully as I may."
"How did I get here?"
"Ah. I think you merely wished to be in a place where Remus could not find you, is that not so?"
"Yes, I think I wished that. Is that apparition?"
"Yes, Ms. Lupin. That is apparition. However, you must not try to do it again. Horrible things might have happened to you. That's part of the reason why Remus was so worried. There is a reason that witches and wizards under the age of 17 are not allowed to apparate. Even then, they must pass a test. But there is no other way to get you home from here, so take my hand, click your heels three times," he waved his wand at her feet and she was wearing ruby slippers, "And remember! There's no place like home." Gwen was still giggling when they appeared in the kitchen of the Moon Hut. Remus rushed forward to hug her.
"Gwen I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to yell. You scared me so much. Please don't ever run away from me again. Oh I missed you so much." Neither werewolf realized that Dumbledore disappeared.
"Relax, Remus. I shouldn't have run away. I guess I need to get some discipline or whatever. I should listen to you more. I hate to ruin this touchy moment and all, but I'm really hungry." Remus laughed and conjured up some supper for her.
Two weeks passed by quickly. Gwen and Shane spent every waking minute together. They compiled a very long list of all the songs Gwen knew how to play or sing. Finally, August 31 arrived. The Lupins were flooing to Hogwarts a day early to get settled in. Gwen was upset, but she refused to cry.
"I'll owl you every day. And I expect an answer every day. I want to know everything. It's not that long til next summer and then we can terrorize your sister with all my wonderful musical and magical talents." Remus and Sirius had to literally force the two apart. Sirius held on to Shane's arms as Remus dragged Gwen to the fireplace. They vanished in the fire.