Chapter 7
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(Scene: Later, the same night at the apartment)
Everyone had been in bed asleep for at least two hours. However, the loud raps upon the front door started all the residents from their blissful slumbers. Cassiopeia put on her robe and approached the door, Sirius loyally followed her. Remus climbed over the back of the couch and stood near the door as well. Hermoine walked over to stand by Remus.
Cassiopeia looked through the peep hole and visibly relaxed. She opened the door to allow the man to enter the apartment.
"Hello Gabriel, what brings you here at such an ungodly hour?"
"I wish it was to bring good tidings. But as usual, I only appear when something is going wrong."
"Follow me to the kitchen we can talk in there. I'd like you to meet my cousin Hermoine, Professor Remus Lupin, and this guy down here is Sirius." She told the man pointing in turn to the different individuals. The dog seemed to hold the most interest to Gabriel.
"Hello. I'm Gabriel, obviously." He told the others. Then he looked at Cassi and asked, "do you think it okay to let them know the whole story. You know what it involves I'm sure."
Cassi looked thoughtful. "Yes, I think we can trust them. Especially since I think Lupin is our brother."
The group headed into the kitchen and Cassi asked Hermoine to make some tea. Everyone sat at the table and Gabriel began his tale.
"We have a problem. It seems Luther has a friend." Cassi groaned aloud at this information.
"Who is Luther?" Hermoine interjected.
"Luther is the leader of my rival tribe." Gabriel looked at Cassi to get permission to continue. She nodded. "He's the one that bit your cousin and made her a werewolf. However to make a mortal a werewolf is expressly forbidden except under certain circumstances."
"So you are a werewolf." Lupin interrupted. Cassi nodded. "I'm afraid I too share that fate with you."
Gabriel continued. "There are two werewolf tribes in America. You humans have a tendancy to think of werewolves as humans that have been bitten. The majority of werewolves were born as werewolves. We are an independent species. The full moon has no effect upon us. We can transform at will. It is possible for us to convert a mortal into a werewolf though. Or rather, to infect them. This is only to be done if you have chosen a mortal for your mate."
"What?" Lupin asked bewildered. Did this mean that the wolf that bit him wanted him for a mate?
"Let me continue. Do not interrupt anymore." Gabriel warned. "As I was saying, you are only allowed to convert your mate. However, you have to ask this person and they must consent. Luther did no such thing. He stalked our Cassiopeia and then decided to take her. Fortunately, I was nearby and was able to intervene and rescue Cassi from his clutches.
"Every full moon she has sought sanctuary with my tribe in a local shelter. We are completely aware when we transform. Humans that are infected are driven mad by the desires for blood. So when possible we try to help those unfortunate to be infected." Gabriel paused. He looked a Remus, he could sense that he had a question. "Go ahead, you may ask Remus."
"I was bitten. I do not believe it was to make me a mate, can you explain this? I was only a small boy when it happened."
"Yes, unfortunately, when a human is infected they are driven mad with blood-lust. It is the human werewolves that are responsible for much of the chaos associated with werewolves. They can not control themselves and have spread their infection to countless victims. I'm afraid you are one such victim. Lucky for you, our brilliant Cassi has been researching for ways to defeat the infection." He smiled proudly at the woman.
Hermoine returned to the table with the kettle of tea and mugs for everyone. They all drank some and relaxed a little.
"I haven't heard any news about Luther in a while. Has he given up on searching for me?" Cassi asked Gabriel.
"Ha! He has not given up at all. Something has recently happened though. I do not understand. His bond with you has weakened and he seems unable to locate you."
"I thought you told me the only way for his bond to weaken was for me to be around my destined soul-mate. How long has this been this case?" Cassiopeia asked.
"I would say near a month. He's very upset by this. This has lead to our new problem. He has offered to join forces with some dark wizard in return for aid in seeking you."
"Near a month? I haven't met anyone that I have been spending an excess of time with. And Mark just suffered a wretched fate, so if it was he then I'm in danger now."
Hermoine and Remus looked at each other. Then their gazes drifted to Sirius. Internally, Sirius was cursing his luck of having to wait three more months before he could reveal himself to Cassiopeia. He wondered now if that was when danger would present itself.
"Well, then that may not be the cause for his not being able to locate you. That is not the important thing. I'm mostly concerned with this Voldemort fellow."
"Voldemort?" Lupin and Hermoine exclaimed at the same moment. "Voldemort is the dark wizard making a pact with Luther?" Lupin finished.
"Do you know something of him human?" Gabriel asked. He has a sneaking suspicion about this werewolf human before him.
Hermoine and Lupin looked at each other. They both came to the decision to reveal their identities to Cassi and Gabriel.
"Cassi, you know that special school that I go to?" Hermoine asked her cousin.
"Hogwarts? What about it?"
"It's a school for witchcraft and wizardry." Cassiopeia and Gabriel both choked on their tea. "Professor Lupin taught Defense Against the Dark Arts. Currently, in the wizarding world we are having problems with Lord Voldemort. He's a dark wizard who is planning the death of all muggles." Hermoine informed.
"Muggles?" Gabriel questioned.
"Muggles are non-magic people. I am a member of a secret order that is working to impede Voldemort and his power-mad designs." Lupin answered.
"If he allies with Luther, we have a very big problem." Gabriel quickly processed the information and his greatest fears were beginning to become reality.
Everyone looked over at Cassiopeia who had unknowingly been petting her Sirius. She became lost in thought. She worried about Luther finding her. She had been hiding from him for over a year now. She knew how determined he was in finding her. She hadn't been bothered with any new developments with him since she had her dog. She wondered if somehow that may have been related.
Suddenly she noticed everyone was watching her. She smiled sheepishly at them all. "Sorry about that, I was zoning a little there. So, you two are wizards and Luther is now allied with the most evil wizard alive. What do you suggest I do?"
"I think you should come back with me. You should be safe with my tribe." Gabriel suggested.
"No, I have to finish my school. It starts next week. My roommate will be back soon as well. I can't run away. Sirius here will protect me." She smiled at them. She realized the absurdity of Sirius being much protection against Luther or this Voldemort character.
Once again Hermoine and Lupin gave Sirius a curious look.
"I have a suggestion." Lupin offered. "I agree that Cassi is in danger but that she has obligations to her education to continue. What if you and I take turns checking up on her?" He asked Gabriel.
"It's very risky. Do you have a way to appear places with out people following you?"
"I can apparate. That's what I did to get here in the first place."
"Does that mean that other dark wizards can apparate?" Cassi asked worried.
"They have to know the exact location of where they are apparating to be of any concern to you." Remus answered. Cassi visibly relaxed as did Gabriel.
"Well, you do have Sirius to protect you." Hermoine pointed out. She was met with laughter by Gabriel and an amused smile by Cassiopeia. The amusement of those two was not unnoticed by Sirius and he gave an annoyed bark. This silenced Gabriel.
"Exactly how did you meet this dog? There is something peculiar about him." Gabriel asked Cassi.
"Oh, I took him in about a month ago."
"A month ago? That's very interesting."
"Do you think he may have something to do with Luther not being able to locate me?"
"I don't know. I was only aware of interference coming from being around your soul-mate. I would not dare imply that your soul-mate is a dog. That's pretty sick. Perhaps it is the protection spell we have placed around you combined with the protectiveness of that beast though."
Gabriel was very curious about the dog. He was unusual and reminded him of what he was like when he transformed into a wolf. He would be an animal, but fully aware of his mind and surroundings. Perhaps there was more to this Sirius than meets the eye. Sirius, that's a familiar name.
"Your dog's name is Sirius?" Gabriel asked and Cassi nodded to him. "Wasn't that the name of that mass-murderer in Britain nearly sixteen years ago?" He questioned Lupin.
Lupin nodded. "I believe he was framed though. He was not the kind of man to do such a thing."
"You knew him?" Cassiopeia asked. She had left the kitchen chair for the floor and her dog was currently sitting with his head on her lap letting her play with his ears. He seemed to be in utter contentment.
"He was one of my two best friends. He was like my brother. No one is more loyal than he and he would never have committed such a crime."
Sirius was watching Lupin's declaration of friendship to him. He was greatly at ease now. It felt good to know someone with that much confidence in you.
"I believe you. He was framed by some wretched jerk I'm sure." Cassiopeia completely trusted the wolf for some reason she knew he told the truth.
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TBC
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(Scene: Later, the same night at the apartment)
Everyone had been in bed asleep for at least two hours. However, the loud raps upon the front door started all the residents from their blissful slumbers. Cassiopeia put on her robe and approached the door, Sirius loyally followed her. Remus climbed over the back of the couch and stood near the door as well. Hermoine walked over to stand by Remus.
Cassiopeia looked through the peep hole and visibly relaxed. She opened the door to allow the man to enter the apartment.
"Hello Gabriel, what brings you here at such an ungodly hour?"
"I wish it was to bring good tidings. But as usual, I only appear when something is going wrong."
"Follow me to the kitchen we can talk in there. I'd like you to meet my cousin Hermoine, Professor Remus Lupin, and this guy down here is Sirius." She told the man pointing in turn to the different individuals. The dog seemed to hold the most interest to Gabriel.
"Hello. I'm Gabriel, obviously." He told the others. Then he looked at Cassi and asked, "do you think it okay to let them know the whole story. You know what it involves I'm sure."
Cassi looked thoughtful. "Yes, I think we can trust them. Especially since I think Lupin is our brother."
The group headed into the kitchen and Cassi asked Hermoine to make some tea. Everyone sat at the table and Gabriel began his tale.
"We have a problem. It seems Luther has a friend." Cassi groaned aloud at this information.
"Who is Luther?" Hermoine interjected.
"Luther is the leader of my rival tribe." Gabriel looked at Cassi to get permission to continue. She nodded. "He's the one that bit your cousin and made her a werewolf. However to make a mortal a werewolf is expressly forbidden except under certain circumstances."
"So you are a werewolf." Lupin interrupted. Cassi nodded. "I'm afraid I too share that fate with you."
Gabriel continued. "There are two werewolf tribes in America. You humans have a tendancy to think of werewolves as humans that have been bitten. The majority of werewolves were born as werewolves. We are an independent species. The full moon has no effect upon us. We can transform at will. It is possible for us to convert a mortal into a werewolf though. Or rather, to infect them. This is only to be done if you have chosen a mortal for your mate."
"What?" Lupin asked bewildered. Did this mean that the wolf that bit him wanted him for a mate?
"Let me continue. Do not interrupt anymore." Gabriel warned. "As I was saying, you are only allowed to convert your mate. However, you have to ask this person and they must consent. Luther did no such thing. He stalked our Cassiopeia and then decided to take her. Fortunately, I was nearby and was able to intervene and rescue Cassi from his clutches.
"Every full moon she has sought sanctuary with my tribe in a local shelter. We are completely aware when we transform. Humans that are infected are driven mad by the desires for blood. So when possible we try to help those unfortunate to be infected." Gabriel paused. He looked a Remus, he could sense that he had a question. "Go ahead, you may ask Remus."
"I was bitten. I do not believe it was to make me a mate, can you explain this? I was only a small boy when it happened."
"Yes, unfortunately, when a human is infected they are driven mad with blood-lust. It is the human werewolves that are responsible for much of the chaos associated with werewolves. They can not control themselves and have spread their infection to countless victims. I'm afraid you are one such victim. Lucky for you, our brilliant Cassi has been researching for ways to defeat the infection." He smiled proudly at the woman.
Hermoine returned to the table with the kettle of tea and mugs for everyone. They all drank some and relaxed a little.
"I haven't heard any news about Luther in a while. Has he given up on searching for me?" Cassi asked Gabriel.
"Ha! He has not given up at all. Something has recently happened though. I do not understand. His bond with you has weakened and he seems unable to locate you."
"I thought you told me the only way for his bond to weaken was for me to be around my destined soul-mate. How long has this been this case?" Cassiopeia asked.
"I would say near a month. He's very upset by this. This has lead to our new problem. He has offered to join forces with some dark wizard in return for aid in seeking you."
"Near a month? I haven't met anyone that I have been spending an excess of time with. And Mark just suffered a wretched fate, so if it was he then I'm in danger now."
Hermoine and Remus looked at each other. Then their gazes drifted to Sirius. Internally, Sirius was cursing his luck of having to wait three more months before he could reveal himself to Cassiopeia. He wondered now if that was when danger would present itself.
"Well, then that may not be the cause for his not being able to locate you. That is not the important thing. I'm mostly concerned with this Voldemort fellow."
"Voldemort?" Lupin and Hermoine exclaimed at the same moment. "Voldemort is the dark wizard making a pact with Luther?" Lupin finished.
"Do you know something of him human?" Gabriel asked. He has a sneaking suspicion about this werewolf human before him.
Hermoine and Lupin looked at each other. They both came to the decision to reveal their identities to Cassi and Gabriel.
"Cassi, you know that special school that I go to?" Hermoine asked her cousin.
"Hogwarts? What about it?"
"It's a school for witchcraft and wizardry." Cassiopeia and Gabriel both choked on their tea. "Professor Lupin taught Defense Against the Dark Arts. Currently, in the wizarding world we are having problems with Lord Voldemort. He's a dark wizard who is planning the death of all muggles." Hermoine informed.
"Muggles?" Gabriel questioned.
"Muggles are non-magic people. I am a member of a secret order that is working to impede Voldemort and his power-mad designs." Lupin answered.
"If he allies with Luther, we have a very big problem." Gabriel quickly processed the information and his greatest fears were beginning to become reality.
Everyone looked over at Cassiopeia who had unknowingly been petting her Sirius. She became lost in thought. She worried about Luther finding her. She had been hiding from him for over a year now. She knew how determined he was in finding her. She hadn't been bothered with any new developments with him since she had her dog. She wondered if somehow that may have been related.
Suddenly she noticed everyone was watching her. She smiled sheepishly at them all. "Sorry about that, I was zoning a little there. So, you two are wizards and Luther is now allied with the most evil wizard alive. What do you suggest I do?"
"I think you should come back with me. You should be safe with my tribe." Gabriel suggested.
"No, I have to finish my school. It starts next week. My roommate will be back soon as well. I can't run away. Sirius here will protect me." She smiled at them. She realized the absurdity of Sirius being much protection against Luther or this Voldemort character.
Once again Hermoine and Lupin gave Sirius a curious look.
"I have a suggestion." Lupin offered. "I agree that Cassi is in danger but that she has obligations to her education to continue. What if you and I take turns checking up on her?" He asked Gabriel.
"It's very risky. Do you have a way to appear places with out people following you?"
"I can apparate. That's what I did to get here in the first place."
"Does that mean that other dark wizards can apparate?" Cassi asked worried.
"They have to know the exact location of where they are apparating to be of any concern to you." Remus answered. Cassi visibly relaxed as did Gabriel.
"Well, you do have Sirius to protect you." Hermoine pointed out. She was met with laughter by Gabriel and an amused smile by Cassiopeia. The amusement of those two was not unnoticed by Sirius and he gave an annoyed bark. This silenced Gabriel.
"Exactly how did you meet this dog? There is something peculiar about him." Gabriel asked Cassi.
"Oh, I took him in about a month ago."
"A month ago? That's very interesting."
"Do you think he may have something to do with Luther not being able to locate me?"
"I don't know. I was only aware of interference coming from being around your soul-mate. I would not dare imply that your soul-mate is a dog. That's pretty sick. Perhaps it is the protection spell we have placed around you combined with the protectiveness of that beast though."
Gabriel was very curious about the dog. He was unusual and reminded him of what he was like when he transformed into a wolf. He would be an animal, but fully aware of his mind and surroundings. Perhaps there was more to this Sirius than meets the eye. Sirius, that's a familiar name.
"Your dog's name is Sirius?" Gabriel asked and Cassi nodded to him. "Wasn't that the name of that mass-murderer in Britain nearly sixteen years ago?" He questioned Lupin.
Lupin nodded. "I believe he was framed though. He was not the kind of man to do such a thing."
"You knew him?" Cassiopeia asked. She had left the kitchen chair for the floor and her dog was currently sitting with his head on her lap letting her play with his ears. He seemed to be in utter contentment.
"He was one of my two best friends. He was like my brother. No one is more loyal than he and he would never have committed such a crime."
Sirius was watching Lupin's declaration of friendship to him. He was greatly at ease now. It felt good to know someone with that much confidence in you.
"I believe you. He was framed by some wretched jerk I'm sure." Cassiopeia completely trusted the wolf for some reason she knew he told the truth.
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TBC