MOONRISE

Sirius Black sat cross-legged on the floor of Buckbeak's room at number twelve Grimmauld Place. He threw a guilty look in the direction of the hippogriff. He might as well be the creature's jailor. He released a long breath, but couldn't shake off his feeling of anxiety. His heart was filled with a familiar foreboding as if Dementors were in the area.

"I'm losing my mind. Dementors are at Azkaban, not out searching for me. And Harry's safely at Privet Drive with those hideous relatives of his."

Buckbeak emitted a squawk.

"Yes, I think Harry should be with me, too. I could protect him here! But no, I'm expected to write him stupid letters about keeping a stiff upper lip."

Buckbeak cocked his head as he turned to the window and stomped his front claw on the floor.

Sirius followed his gaze. The sun was setting and night would soon fall. "The full moon? What? You want to play with our werewolf? He's at Holyhead."

Buckbeak blinked his eyes.

"Tonks' note said she and Moody were heading there. They'll stumble onto Remus and help him, I'm sure."

Buckbeak flapped his wings urgently this time which sent a few loose feathers floating toward Sirius.

Cough, cough. "Thanks, but I'm not hungry," said Sirius as he spit out a small feather.

This time Buckbeak ran toward the window and began tapping it frantically. Sirius stood up in alarm.

"What the hell's gotten into you? I can't let you out."

Buckbeak turned to Sirius and emitted a low cooing noise from his craw. The man stroked the soft feathers of his companion's throat. He looked out the window and felt a surge of rebellion flow through him. Why not? Buckbeak understood the risks and it was a crime to keep him cooped up like this.

Sirius drew his wand and with a quick flick, the large window of the bedroom opened. He cast a charm on Buckbeak and said, "Be home by dawn or no fresh rats!"

The hippogriff made himself into a narrow projectile and launched out the window. Sirius saw his form quickly disappear and felt a moment of joy at the freedom. Sometimes rules had to be broken, especially if it meant keeping your sanity.

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Lupin sat on the cliff beside Tonks. The lighthouse seemed like a sentinel against the approaching darkness, so he let the feeling of contentment wash over him for a moment. He had less than an hour until the last rays of the sun died and his transformation would begin.

Tonks felt him relax, but there was an urgent question she wanted answered. "Why didn't Skinner just raid the Arsenal? He'd make a fortune if he sold the contents. Why does he want you dead?"

Lupin remained silent so that Tonks was convinced he wouldn't answer. But then he began the story. "It's an old family feud, but has nothing to do with the Wolf Hunt. A Skinner daughter went missing, then showed up several months later, sick and pregnant. It was quite a scandal at the time, around 1800. She didn't speak until she went into labor and delivered a stillborn son. Before she died, she named Seneca Lupin as the father. At least, that's what her family said."

"Star-crossed lovers?" asked Tonks.

"I'm not so sure. Seneca was abroad in Scotland during those months the girl was missing. He was challenged to a duel by the eldest of her four brothers as soon as he got back, but he killed the man. When Seneca married and had children, he had a son and, for the first time in ten generations, a daughter."

Tonks noticed that Lupin was clutching her hand now, so she rubbed it gently and he released his grip as he shook his head. "When the daughter was thirteen, she was raped and murdered. Seneca killed two of the remaining Skinner brothers, but died from his own wounds."

"So this is nothing personal?" asked Tonks.

Lupin frowned a moment. "Skinner was never friendly to me at Hogwarts. Sirius never liked him, though. I actually tutored Martin Leeks about eight years ago, so I thought the feud was suspended at least."

"The Raven. Moody said it was two hundred years old. That would be about the same time the feud started," said Tonks.

"There were no registered animagi from the Skinners," said Lupin, but he knew how little that meant. He'd rather not contemplate the thought of a malevolent wizard harboring two hundred years of hate. He gave her hand a squeeze and said, "Time to find Moody."

Tonks turned toward him and put her hands on the silver chain that held the moonstone. "Thank you, Remus, for trusting me with your legacy."

She made to take off the chain, but his hand moved forward and gently stopped her. "No, keep it safe for now. There are werewolves out tonight."

Tonks smiled and felt honored that he would trust her with this heirloom. "How many others know your story? Dumbledore, Sirius--"

"No, I've never told anyone the things I've told you today. Dumbledore knows about my line and the holdings, but not from me. We never discussed it openly. Moody knows only what he saw in the Arsenal and Sirius..."

Lupin's voice fell away. "Sirius is the only other person who has been to my house, but he knows nothing about the Arsenal. After I resigned from Hogwarts I told him how to find me, but I never revealed my family history to my friends."

Tonks breathed in deeply as she remembered Sirius describing Lupin as being good at evading answers. "You're a man of many secrets, Remus."

"It's a family tradition," he immediately agreed. He took a sideward glance at her and thought carefully about his next move. He could argue that it was the end of day and that there were no witnesses. Hadn't she written that bylaw for their private club just for such circumstances?

"Tonks?" He said her name softly and she turned her head with her mouth opened in a light smile.

She held her breath as he leaned forward and then, without the element of duty or courtesy driving his motivations, Remus Lupin kissed Nymphadora Tonks. He was simply a man kissing a woman because he wanted to, because he wanted her.

"I see you got your head out, Lupin, but you best leave it at that."

Tonks groaned loudly as Lupin pulled back and both turned up to face Moody who let his disillusionment charm fall away. Tonks hissed, "Mad-Eye, we were having a moment here."

"Only a moment? Well, Lupin, I can give you some pointers on maintaining your--"

"Thanks just the same, Mad-Eye, but I'll work it through myself," said Lupin deftly as he offered Tonks a hand up. He couldn't imagine the type of advice Moody would give once he started on a roll. "We were just going to set off to find you."

"I got finished sooner than I expected and then thought we should go back to your original plan, but with a slight modification," said Moody with a glint in his real eye. Even the magic eye seemed to be shimmering.

Tonks and Lupin exchanged a glance. Moody's ideas sometimes got out of hand.

"I thought you said my plan was foolhardy?" reminded Lupin.

"And it would have been had you tried it alone, but now, we have the advantage..."

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"I don't think it will work. Lupin's too smart to be drawn into the trap you set for him," said Martin Leeks. He was a burly sort of young man with a full beard and long, unkept hair, but not much of a brain.

"That's only the first trap. If he manages to escape when he cleans the weapons, I'm sure he'll come here first. He's so predictable. Leandra, did you get it for me?" asked Skinner.

He spoke to a blonde haired woman who was perched on the arm of Leeks' chair. One couldn't tell Leandra and Martin Leeks were siblings given her elegant appearance. Her long legs were accented by the short skirt she wore. She pulled something that resembled a metal marble out of her pocket and tossed it to Skinner. "Here's your toy, but remember you promised to stop them after they stun Lupin. I want a chance to play with him, too."

"You should let me deal with him. Lupin could get away from you. Those Aurors would--" began Leeks.

"The Aurors are nothing but a burnt out old wizard with a stumpy leg and a flighty girl who looks like she has less magic than you, Martin. They'll serve their purpose when they find Lupin's carcass with his 'victims.'" The raven on his shoulder cawed in agreement and began preening.

Skinner then turned to Leandra and asked, "Why are you so anxious to have a go at Lupin?"

"Just curious."

"Lee was always bothering us when Lupin was my tutor." Martin was smirking at his sister.

"I was at Hogwarts!" said Leandra.

"Yeah, but every Hogsmeade weekend you'd sneak home. Lupin was too polite to tell you how much of a nuisance you were." Martin Leeks then mocked his sister's breathy voice, "'Oh, Professor, can you get this book down for me? And while you're at it, would you look down my shirt? Or up my skirt?'"

Leandra slapped her brother on the side of his head and said, "Stop it, Martin."

Skinner shrugged his shoulders. His cousin had strange appetites. "As long as he's dead in the morning, I don't care what you do with him. Martin, make sure the Wolfsbane potion is ready. I want to spend a bit more time with Leandra."

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A few minutes later, the doors of the Skinner mansion fell open as Remus Lupin burst through. His long stride took him quickly down the length of the hall, but he stopped before entering the room.

Gideon Skinner stood beside Leandra Leeks. The woman caught Lupin's gaze and quirked her eyebrow. Before either man said anything, she moved to the door and called over her shoulder, "Remember your promise, Gideon."

She sauntered toward Lupin, but didn't let his cold gaze deter her. With her breathy voice she said, "Why, hello, Professor. I hope you enjoy your visit."

She walked away but turned to call over her shoulder, "I'm all grown up now, in case you haven't noticed. Maybe we'll have time to catch up while you're here."

Leandra tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder and expected to make a graceful exit. Her smooth departure was suddenly interrupted by a stumble where she knocked a lampshade askew in the hallway. Her shadow flickered against the wall as she readjusted it and slipped out with a scowl marring her face.

Skinner's laughter followed her out. "All grown up, but still clumsy. But what are you doing here, Remus?" The Raven glared on Skinner's shoulder. "You should have been impaled by your family arms."

"I won't stand by and let you invade my domain, Skinner." Lupin's voice held a cold rage.

"Why, Remus, have you finally lost your cool after all these years?" Skinner reached into his pocket and held up a marble-sized silver globe. The sphere was hollow, but the cortex was made of interlocking serpents.

"I'm expecting dinner guests, so let's get this over with quickly." The Raven flapped his wings twice before flying off. Skinner blew upon the sphere after he said, "Orbis engorgio."

The sphere dropped to the floor and expanded as it rolled forward. The silver serpents began to writhe across the surface. A small opening was created of sufficient size to swallow the tall man in the path of the orb.

"Extundo!" Three voices cried out the repelling spell that made the sphere bounce suddenly.

At that moment, Moody let his disillusionment charm fall away as he took control of the sphere. He swung his wand and bounced it once, twice and then onto Skinner when he tried to run away. The man had panicked and changed directions suddenly, only to be caught in the serpent's sphere. The jerking motions had agitated the metal vipers beyond control.

The anguished cries as the man was bitten by the snakes were unbearable. Lupin could hear Tonks echo his incantation. "Immobilus."

Tonks then let her disillusionment charm drop off and approached the serpentine cage. All was still and quiet for the moment. She slipped her hand through and felt for a pulse. "Skinner's alive, but I doubt his mind will recover. We shouldn't move him until he's stable." She stood and walked to Lupin. "Your secrets are safe for now."

Lupin spoke quietly, "Dumbledore always did say there are things worse than death."

"It's one potential Death Eater we won't have to worry about." Tonks was relieved that they had anticipated the attack. "Who was the woman?"

"Leandra Leeks, Martin's younger sister. She was always hanging around during the year I served as Martin's tutor," said Lupin absently.

"She fancied you, did she?" asked Moody as he scanned the room for the Raven.

"What? No, no, she was just a--"

"Girl with a schoolgirl crush? Professor Lupin, don't you know how many young hearts at Hogwarts were broken when you resigned?" asked Tonks with a bit of a wicked grin. She enjoyed making Lupin blush. Moody obviously did, too.

"She seems harmless enough. A bit clumsy--or did you deliberately trip her, Tonks?" asked Moody.

Now it was Tonks' turn to blush. She reached down to feel Skinner's pulse. "He seems stable now. Do you think they can do something for him at St. Mungo's?"

"Dunno, but I'll take him there now," said Moody. "You better get going, Lupin."

"Right," agreed Lupin before turning to Tonks. "Keep it safe."

He stepped back from the two Aurors and apparated with his characteristics low tone.

"He'll have just enough time to finish the Wolfsbane potion before the full moon hits him," said Tonks. "I should go with him to help."

Moody held up his hand. "Tonks, this isn't a game of dare. He has the best chance of finding Leeks now. You stay here until I get back and make sure that Raven isn't hiding in this house."

"But--"

"That's an order!" Moody apparated with a loud crack.

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Half an hour later, Tonks was in the hall again after a thorough search through the Skinner mansion. She absently pulled out the moonstone amulet and was puzzled by why she would think of Leandra Leeks. The woman had literally stumbled over Tonks when she had left the manor. Well actually, Tonks had tripped her, but she didn't feel guilty about that.

Her thoughts ended abruptly when she heard Moody apparate.

"I think Skinner will be in Lockhart's wing after this," said Moody. Then he looked around and snarled, "Any luck finding the Raven?"

"Not even a black feather."

"Damn! That black bird escaped."

"We can look for it in the morning, Mad-Eye. The moon's up now and we need to help Remus."

"So we'll know Lupin because he'll have the twin of your amulet?" asked Moody as he eyed the moonstone now hanging outside Tonks' shirt.

"He said he'd keep his on," said Tonks. She thought of the Wolfshadow amulet and pictured the silhouette of Lupin's wolf. Then she frowned. She now understood why the moonstone made her think of Leandra Leeks. Her voice was urgent as she said, "Moody, there's not just one werewolf with Skinner. There are two."

"You think I'm daft? I can count, Tonks. Lupin's out there--"

"With two other werewolves, Moody. I saw the shadow on that woman, Leandra Leeks. And--

A distinctive howl filled the air and was answered by another. Tonks slapped her wand against the palm of her hand. Damn it, he better still be as virginal as Artemis when this night is through, thought Tonks.

Tonks and Moody ran out the mansion and stood trying to locate the direction of the howls. Tonks suddenly had to dodge the clawed feet of the Raven as it swooped down at her. The wings were flapping wildly as it tried to get at the moonstone.

Moody quickly directed his wand at the bird to send a short bolt of light across its wings. The Raven turned away from Tonks to attack Moody.

"Go, Tonks, I'll handle this and catch up," called Moody.

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Tonks was using short apparations to cover the distance quicker, but she had to be careful or she would lose the sound she was tracking. Finally she found herself among the cliffs, but uncertain of the direction to go. Things were very quiet now and she didn't like it one bit. She turned around quickly in frustration when she noticed a flash of light coming from the moonstone.

"Detector?" Tonks whispered. Was the Wolfshadow the only trick in this little charm? Lupins seemed to be able to hide a lot of power. She turned in a circle again, only slowly this time as she kept an eye on the amulet. The distinctive flash of light as it caught the moonlight had not been her imagination.

"Right, I go west."

And west she did go only to come upon a scene that fit into her oddest nightmare.

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Lupin's mind was getting quite foggy. He had been tracking Leeks when he had heard another werewolf calling. The howl had activated a compulsion within the werewolf, although the human mind he held was able to dampen his response. Still, he had been compelled to seek the source.

Oh. Bloody. Hell. His thoughts were quite deliberate as he caught the scent. Still, he felt the heat rising in his body as he approached the clearing. He couldn't hold back the low howl drawn from him again.

There she stood with her head tilted up as she called again. Her forepaws were pressed against the trunk of the body of a man. Her maw was stained red from where she had ripped out his throat.

Leandra howled again in pleasure as her human mind reveled in the power of the beast within her. Her first transformation was worth the pain now that she had tasted the fruit the beast yearned for. Like her brother, she had drunk the Wolfsbane so that she could be a predator with the cunning of a human mind. It had been easy to get her brother to bite her and a source of amusement to keep the information from her cousin Gideon.

Leandra's silver white fur gleamed in the moonlight. Her coat was unscarred and the body it swathed was well-toned. The beautiful creature turned to look at Lupin with her bright amber eyes. The night had just gotten even better!

Lupin had never anticipated this trap. The Wolfsbane allowed him to control the wolf sufficiently to turn away from her gaze, but the pull was so strong. He needed to get out of here and get on with his hunt. She might kill again, but he couldn't be around her and control the werewolf.

Lupin turned to look at the female again when a familiar form came stumbling rather inelegantly into the clearing.

"Back off, you bitch, he's mine!" yelled Tonks as she executed an unladylike slide down the cliffside to reach them.

The she-wolf wrinkled her snout as she snarled and Lupin darted forward to prevent the deadly lunge that would either kill Tonks or curse her with lycanthropy. He knocked Leandra off her attack and the white wolf rolled on the ground with the dirt finally staining her coat.

"Homorphum lupus!" Tonks aimed her wand at the she-wolf. There was a flash of blue light that encompassed the werewolf and the whine of pain was one Lupin recognized.

As the blue aura subsided, there on the ground lay the human form of Leandra Leeks. She began to come out of the stupor, but rather than speak like a human, she snarled like an animal.

"Accio net," called Tonks and one of the werewolf nets Moody had taken from the Arsenal flew to her. She sent it to wrap around the woman who was still incapable of making a human sound.

Tonks exhaled and turned to look at Lupin who was now standing. Her eyes scanned him quickly, then Tonks quirked an eyebrow and said, "I'm glad you're so happy to see me."

Yes, werewolves can roll their eyes, she thought next. Lupin couldn't talk, but the low growl that escaped his throat conveyed his concern.

The woman's body began to contort and stretch as she whined painfully as she transformed back into the werewolf. Tonks sighed at the suffering. "Is the spell always so short lived?"

Lupin nodded. It was a rare wizard who could cast a successful homorphus spell, but even then, the effects were temporary, just long enough to transmute the werewolf into the human form for the kill. Few in his own line of Wolf Hunters had ever mastered it. Lupin wondered for a moment if the metamorphmagus had a special advantage in transfiguration and transformations.

Then Lupin heard the loping run coming toward them. He looked at Tonks and felt frustrated that he couldn't speak. He emitted a sharp bark and was off to intercept his prey.

"You're welcome," called Tonks after his retreating back. She knelt down wearily as the captured werewolf began to writhe.

"Tonks?"

She heard Moody's voice in the distance. "Over here, Mad-Eye. I got Leandra Leeks with a homorphus spell. She's shifted back to a werewolf now."

"It worked, did it? Never have managed to get the hang of it myself," muttered Moody as he bent to inspect the body under the net. "I can detect Wolfsbane, but this one had another potion in her as well. Where's Lupin?"

"He ran off to look for Leeks, Mad-Eye," said Tonks. "What about the Raven?"

"It got away, but flew in this direction." Moody tapped the werewolf in the net with his wand. "I can take her to a holding cell at the ministry then be back to help. You're more useful than I am to Lupin right now."

"Right then. I'll signal you when I find him."

TBC

Author note:

This chapter was longer than I anticipated and I didn't want to rush the ending. So, 4th chapter will be up in a few days. Sorry for the delay in posting this one, but I thought I would finish.

Extundo is a repelling spell, but not canon. The serpent sphere is not canon, but I really liked the concept. Hoped I conveyed the image adequately.

The Wolfshadow amulet, as you can tell, can detect the direction of the other. It's not a love token, by the way, it's used by father and son on the hunt.

Thank you for reinforcing the idea of the Roman background. I regret that there won't be much more of it in this story, but your reviews have inspired me to write a story called Wolfmoat. It won't be ready until October, but it will give more history. Heh heh.

Again, thanks for reading and being patient.

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