All characters are property of J.K.Rowlings, this writing is for my own enjoyment.

Chapter 7: Examination

"A life which is unexamined is not worth living." ~Plato

*****

After the scene at Number 12 Grimmald Place, Remus hurriedly packed his things and left. He couldn't stand the thought of sleeping in the same house as that lecherous succubus for another night.

Even after he was safe beneath the blankets of his own bed in the cozy Lupin cottage just outside of Kent, his mind was still uneasy. Images of wolves, and ripping flesh coupled with emotions of faceless lust twisted in his dreams.

Awaking earlier than usual and feeling completely unrested and out of sorts, Remus meandered to his study and took out the uncompleted Sanskrit texts. The smell of old parchment and the texture of soft velum beneath his fingertips were comforting. Hours pasted as he contently transcribed the ancient book of knowledge into modern English vernacular.

As morning dawned in the English countryside, sunlight streamed in through windows, illuminating the dusty bookshelves and mahogany woodwork. Dark oil paintings dozed in the gentle spring light as a slight breeze carried the fragrance of sweet roses and fresh mint in from the garden.

The Lupin house, like Remus, was a paradox. By wizarding standards, the house wasn't that old, being built in the mid-nineteenth century, but the faded wallpaper, worn oriental rugs and the soft leather furnishings made it seem almost timeless. Piles of academic books perched on tedious shelves, a small fire crackled in the front parlor and somewhere a tea kettle whistled lightly on a stove.

McGonagall sighed as she fondly remembered John and Matilda Lupin. He, with his silver spectacles and patchy white hair, her arranging roses as young Remus quietly studied his books at her side. Once this had been such an inviting home, and now after so many years, and so many deaths, even this house seemed lonely.

"Well, Minerva. This is a surprise!" Remus spoke from the top of the stairwell.

McGonagall jumped, "Dear me, Remus!" Then catching her breath, she laughed slightly, "I meant to knock, but I'm afraid old memories got the better of me, and I let myself in."

By this time, Remus had descended the stairs and was ushering his old teacher and present comrade into the front parlor, "You know you're always welcome here Minerva. Mum and dad would have wanted it that way," he smiled pleasantly, his pale eyes tender, "as do I."

McGonagall warmed as she thought on her former classmate and close friend, Matilda O'Neill. She had been a bridesmaid at her marriage to John Lupin and had visited Remus when he was just weeks old in his mother arms. Shooing off old memories, she turned her mind to the business at hand. "Thank you Remus. Unfortunately, I've come on urgent business for the Order."

Revealing a small scroll from her robes, she handed it to Lupin. His brows tensed, but he said nothing. Even as he read the unrolled parchment, his face showed no emotion. After a few minutes of careful consideration, he looked up, pale eyes haunted, "Tell the headmaster, I'll take care of it."

*****

"Remus! Remus!!!" Tonks clonked through the hallway and into the kitchen, "There you are!" She sighed exhausted, and slid into a lattice back chair. "I've been looking everywhere for you!"

He smiled lightly as he sipped a steaming cup of tea, "And the last spot you thought to look for me was in my very own kitchen."

Nymphadora rolled her eyes. "I swear Remus Lupin, you are impossible! I though you'd still be at Grimmald Place, but that's beside the point." Then placing a thick scroll on the table, she grinned, "A little present from Moody."

"Let me guess," he cocked his head to one side and sardonically replied, "he wants it transcribed by the meeting tomorrow."

Her dark eyes twinkled, "Did you ever consider a career in divination?"

For the first time that afternoon, Remus laughed and it felt incredibly good. "Would you like me to read your tea leaves?"

"Sure." Tonks, grabbed a cup from the sideboard, "What is in my future, oh, wise wizard?"

Playing along with her game, Remus poured a cup of tea, and pondered the leaves intently as Nymphadora giggled, "Well, what do you see?"

Acting quite serious, Lupin hushed her, "Silence, young one. You must have patience with the spirit world."

Tonks raised a curious brow, and tried to suppress her laughter.

Finally, raising his pale eyes, he answered, "Tonight you will have dinner with a very handsome man."

"Oh, really?" Tonks questioned, still smiling, "Tell me more."

"It appears that your immediate future holds." He studied the leaves again very intently as Tonks held her breath, "Spaghetti with meat balls".

"Oh Remus! You're ridiculous!" Nymphadora punched him in the arm as he grinned sheepishly. "Yes, I'll have dinner with you."

Then hopping off the chair, "I've got to go back to work, but around seven?"

Remus nodded, still smiling, "Around seven."

Then swiftly kissing his cheek, Tonks whispered, "Good day, very handsome man." Then pulling back, she winked and apparated from the room.

On her disapparation, Remus pulled Dumbledore's the letter from pocket.

"Damn it!" He cursed the silence. How was it when one thing was going so right in his life, every thing else had to go wrong.

Not that he minded doing special projects for the headmaster, at least it made him useful, but this last request was certainly asking a lot.

He sat down with his now lukewarm cup of tea, and re-read parchment:

"Remus,

It has come to my attention that there are more players in this war than we first suspected. A secret society of werewolves, calling themselves 'Hetairia Lupinus' has formed somewhere on England's shores. They spoil themselves in natural werewolf behaviors; indulging in every dark craving that lurks within the demon.

My sources believe that their leader, 'la Agrippina' or mother wolf, has been recently chased from Rome and is looking to form allegiances with Voldemort. However, if la Agrippina is killed, her followers will be disbanded; perhaps killing one another without leadership.

Find her, Remus, and if you can not convert her to a more peaceful life, you have my blessing to use the unforgivable curses.

Sincerely,

Albus"

He had used the curses before; most recently in the battle to save Harry, but always in defense. He had never gone looking for man or woman with the express purpose of torturing and killing them, yet, this was obviously what Dumbledore was asking him to do.

Remus bit his bottom lip and examined his possibilities. With one hand, he was beginning a new relationship, finally releasing himself to love and with the other hand, he causing death, ending a life. Was it right?

He sighed and lifted the delicate tea cup to his lips. "Not that that would worry Tonks, she probably killed at least one death eater a month", he whispered to the empty kitchen.

'Life is so ironic that we can create and destroy both at once and reason their sardonic duality without pause or care.' He thought to himself

Relaxing back in kitchen chair hands behind his neck, Sirius's words haunting him, "Things never are black and white are they old man; only shades of gray."

How right you were, Padfoot.

*****