(10)The Way Of The Werwolf

Harry bounded into the common room in hysteria! "We're going to Grimmauld for Christmas! The whole Order in fact!"

Ron laughed at him. "Harry will you slow down!"

"Oh, gimme a break!" Harry threw a cushion off the sofa at Ron. "YOU had all summer with it! I thought Grimmauld was gone forever!"

"You worry to much!" Ron threw the cushion back. "Bill & Charlie are coming to! All us Weasleys will be there! Bill's got a new dame to show off & Charlie has a fiancee for us to meet!"

"All Weaslys?!" Harry stopped laughing.

"Oh, yeaaa--er--uh!" Ron suddenly became just as serious. "Well, really, Percy isn't much of a Weasley! He doesn't know the Grimmauld address anyway so we'll be safe from him!"

"Let me guess," Harry raised an eyebrow which also caused his glasses to lift up a bit! "You didn't tell Ginny yet?"

"I will the next time I see her!" Ron promised. "So the whole Order will be there?" he changed the subject back to a lighter mood.

"Yep!" Harry said. "Lupin & Moody & Mcgonagall---!"

"& Snape & Snape!" Ron laughed.

"OK, you like TOTALLY ruined my holiday spirit!" Harry grimmaced. "Miss Snape, of course, I don't mind but Professor Snape? I forgot about him!"

Ron doubled over laughing. "I just HAD to bring that one up! &--&--oh, dear!"

"What?"

"How long term do you plan on keeping this relationship?" Ron asked. "Maybe marry Merida someday?"

"To tell you the truth, I was thinking of asking her, maybe over the summer!" Harry smiled for a moment. "But what are you "Oh, dearing!" about?"

"Professor Phsyco will be your father-in-law!" Ron began guffawing uncontrollably as Harry glared most evilly at him!

"Ron, I..." Harry waited for Ron to stop laughing. "Ro...Ron...! MERLIN'S SAKE!! STOP LAUGHING!!!" Harry shook his head. "It'll be fine, I'm sure! Merida will protect me from him, no doubt!" Harry let out a long sigh as Ron finally calmed down. "Where is she, anyway?"

"I don't know," Ron shrugged. "I haven't seen her all day!" He gazed wickedly at Harry. "Future MR. Snape!"

"Shut up!"

Merida was actually in the Potions Classroom, finishing her last bit of homework for the holidays & Snape was at his desk as usual, when in walked Lupin. "Now what do you want?" Snape snapped.

"Absolutly nothing!" Lupin said. "Just returning the Quill!" Snape glanced to the Quill stand & noticed that his Raven wing feather was missing. He had the Eagle feather in his hand. "I must have scooped it up with my book when I left," Lupin went on. "The time I had to watch your class!"

"Give it here," Snape ordered. "So that's what you come in here for!"

"What did you think I came in for?" Lupin snarled. "To shag with Merida?"

Merida's lips were a tight line, trying to hold back a horrendous laugh! The look on her father was priceless! Total & complete Hell! She couldn't stand it any longer & let out a snort, followed by laughter.

"Merida! Don't!" Snape said in a high voice that was not his own. She only laughed harder. "Remus Lupin!!" Snape finally found his normal voice.

Lupin stroked the long black Quill, holding its tip between his fingers. "I wish I had a picture of your face when I said that! Where's Collin Creevy when I need him?" He passed the feathery softness across his neck as he gazed up at the ceiling a moment with a silly gleam in his eyes. He was thoroughly enjoying this!

"For the love of all things evil in the Dark Lord's name!" Snape glared. "GIVE ME THAT QUILL & GET OUT!"

"Nothing would make me happier than to get away from you!" Lupin was serious again. "I don't think I'd stalk you even on full moons! You're not worth the effort!"

"Remus, hand over the quill, now!" Snape lowered his voice to a dangerous tone. "Don't steal it again!"

"I didn't steal anything!" Lupin was aghast at being accused of such an act. "Like I said, it got mixed up with my books!"

"Yeah, right!" Snape snapped.

"Fine," Lupin bared his fangs. "I'll KEEP this feather & you'll never see it again! How's THAT for you?"

Merida didn't want to interfer but now she felt that if she didn't do something soon, both men would end up murdering each other. She snatched the Raven feather from Lupin's fingertips & kept her distance from both of them. "Good grief! It's just a stupid Quill!" Merida glared at both of them. "You don't have to fight ov---STAY AWAY FROM ME OR I'LL BREAK IT IN HALF!!!" Merida held it up between her hands & got ready to break it as Lupin began walking towards her.

"NO!" Lupin & Snape yelped at once! Lupin stopped his advances on Merida.

"Why?" Merida dared. "Is there something special about it?"

Lupin & Snape glanced awkwardly at each other & then back to Merida. They both started talking at once.

"Uh--no!"

"Nothing at all!"

"Absolutly not!"

"As you said it's just a Quill"

"Nothing special about it!"

"Hmmm, OK!" Merida held the Quill up & again made ready to snap it in two!

"NO!!" Lupin & Snape gazed at the Quill as if their lives depended on it.

"Oh!" Merida smiled seductivly as only a she-Veela could! "I see! So why do you fight over it? & shall I point out that the two of you were actually just AGREEING with each other that it isn't special?"

"It isn't special, Merida," Snape said. "except that it's mine! Now, could you please put it in the stand?"

Merida did as she was told as the two men returned to their bickering over a feather! She rolled her eyes in disgust at them. As most girls, Merida also had a mild crush on Lupin, just like Gilderoy Lockhart! Now, Lupin & her father were reeming each other into Hell itself! She let them continue their squabbling as she glanced at the Quill. There, written on the stem, was Rachelle Serge! Serge was Rachelle's maiden name. "Mom's Quill?" Merida gasped. She covered her mouth & glanced back at Lupin & Snape but they didn't seem to notice. "Now why would Lupin use it?" she muttered to herself as she stood the Quill in it's place. Merida returned to her desk, knowing full well why! Just to pick another round with father! Typical! What's with those two? She watched as Lupin left in a fury. Something was going on between him & Snape! Merida could practically sense it when they both began to protect the Quill from getting broken.

Snape just about threw himself into his chair. "I can't beleive I'll be stuck with tha--tha---that monster all Christmas!"

"I'm sure he's saying the same about you right about now!" Merida said. "Why do you hate him so? It's worse than what you show against Harry?"

"I don't like Potter because he's a brat who can't do the simplest of Occlumency!" Snape fumed. & because he's James Potter's son!!!

"Harry's trying!" Merida defended. "Besides, his Occlumency works quite well with Dumbledore! It's only messed up when you teach him!" Merida flicked up an eyebrow for a moment as Snape glanced down to his desk. "So, what of Professor Lupin?"

"Nothing!!" Snape snapped so visciously that Merida stepped back a bit! "Sorry, I'm not angry at you! I didn't mean to vent on you!" He closed his eyes a moment, trying to calm down. "He's the last Maurader! James Potter's group of mishevious brats! That was one of my peronal promises to myself while I was a Death Eater: getting rid of them!" Snape sighed in frustaration. "Now, I wish I had let the others live but had destroyed Remus! But, for some reason, I never could catch him & now it's to late because I've no intention of going back to the Dark Force!"

"Is that all it is?" Merida glanced at the Raven Quill but Snape didn't notice.

"Don't worry about it, Merida!" Snape evaded the direct answer to her question. "By now, Remus & I fight because we enjoy it, perhaps. It's all we have left!" Snape added somewhat sarcastically, "Maybe someday, we'll end up killing each other after all, if only to put ourselves out of each other's misery!"

"Still, it was pretty funny to imagine him shagging me!" Merida teased.

Snape groaned in dismay! "First Gilderoy, then Remus! I'll never understand the women of Hogwarts!" He glanced at Merida. "& what does Potter think, if he knows you have a Gilderoy signature, that is?"

"He thinks its hysterical!" Merida laughed. "& how would YOU know I've got Lockhart's autograph?"

"Gilderoy told me!" Snape half-smiled evilly. "He, also, knew who you are! Oh, well, at least Remus doesn't sign anything!"

"See you at Grimmauld!" Merida laughed again as she left Snape to fume over Lupin!

The snow fell lazily over the old mansion with no promise of stopping anytime soon. Harry waded through almost five feet of snow over the yard to the door, maiking a path. Ron however, was pushing through his own way. So were Neville & Merida. "What is this? A race?" Harry teased.

"If it was, then......I WIN!!" Lupin stood triumphantly on the porch, shaking off the fast-falling snowflakes that were quickly covering him in a somewhat doggie-like fashion.

"Hey! How'd you get there?" Neville yelped.

"My dear puppy!" Lupin laughed. "Haven't you ever heard of a delightful little thing called apparation?" He entered the house, still laughing softly as protests of "Not fair!" could be heard outside.

"What are you giggling about?" Snape greeted him!

"Just playing with Harry, Ron & Neville!" Lupin said, trying to avoid mentioning Merida, just in case!

"& Merida, no doubt!" Snape glared at him.

"Alright, stop it!" Tonks showed up on the scene not a moment to soon. She shoved them apart & stepped up to the door. Snape & Lupin glared at each other as they headed away to opposite areas of Grimmauld to avoid each other!

"Sure is a cold one, tonight!" Ron said as he got inside.

"There's plenty of hot chocolate in the kitchen!" Tonks said. "Your Mom just finished making it!" Harry, Neville & Merida filed in after Ron as Tonks closed the door & led them all into the kitchen.

"Oh, there you are!" Mrs. Weasley handed out the mugs of hot chocolate while Harry, Ron, Neville & Merida sat down at the table with all the Weasley children, except one.

"Mum," Ginny spoke up. "Where's Percy?" Ron choked on the heated liquid as it seared down his throat. Being the baby of the family, Ginny was still left out of "adult" conversations. She still wasn't told of Percy joining with Voldomort.

"Oh," Mrs. Weasley sighed. "I....don't know! But YOU should know that he really isn't one of us, anymore, remember?"

"I know," Ginny stared into her hot chocolate. "Just because you two had a fight! But it's been a long time & it's Christmas! Can't you invite him back?"

"Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley sighed again. "There's something about Percy you don't know & won't know for a while! It's not because we got into a fight, anymore! It's more than that!"

"Yeah, whatever!" Ginny muttered, not beleiving, but decided better to not press the matter further.

Merida glanced at Ron, who seemed rather pale. Everyone else, had also gone silent. "So," Merida glanced at Fred. Or is that George?! "What sort of pranks have you planned for us all this time?" That did it! Everyone started joking around now, about getting even with the Weasley Twins for all their tricks on everyone. Merida let out a small sigh of relief. Glancing at Ron, she noticed him doing the same. For a while, Percy was forgotten.

As the others finally headed to the guest room, Merida got up to put her mug away. She pulled some lettuce out of the fridge to make a sandwhich & began washing off a leaf.

"That hot chocolate hits the spot, doesn't it?" Lupin appeared out of nowhere & began pouring himself another cup.

Merida yelped! "Professor! Don't sneak up on me like that!"

"Sorry!" Lupin laughed. "I sure scared you, didn't I?"

"Not really!" Merida lied.

"Oh, no? Well, just don't meet me on full moons!" Lupin said. "I'd scare you then!"

"Not likely!" Merida defended. "I'd climb a tree & wait for the dawn! I'm not afraid of werwolves or any other type of dog!"

"Really?" Lupin placed the pot back on the stove. "That's good to hear!"

Merida noticed a somewhat sad, far away look on Lupin. "Someone teased you about your K9 blood?" Merida sighed. "Father, I guess?"

"No, for once not him!" Lupin came back to reality. "We just simply can't stand each other! No matter what species we are!" Lupin glared out the window, though it was hard to do for the thick snowflakes blotted it out against the night.

"I'm just making a sandwhich! You want one?" Merida wanted to change the subject.

"No lettuce!" Lupin said.

"Why not?"

Lupin gazed at her in disbelief! "Woman! You're asking a werWOLF about lettuce?! Hello? Just pile on the meat," he laughed & added in a teasing voice. "before I scare you with my predatory instincts!"

"Ha ha I forgot how to laugh!" Merida teased back. "But I'm only scared of spiders!"

"Well, you've got a little spider right there on that lettuce head!" Lupin glanced at the leaves in her hand. Merida screamed & threw the lettuce head aside as she jumped at Lupin who stepped back against the counter as her weight hit him! Lupin placed his mug on the counter. It's a wonder it didn't spill! Not knowing what else to do, he held her close for a moment. "Miss Snape! I was only teasing! There was no real spider there!"

Merida tilted her head back to look the Professor in the eyes. "What?" she glowered.

"I'm sorry!" Lupin cast around for words. "I didn't know your phobia was THAT bad!"

"Well, now you do!" Merida muttered, slightly annoyed as she leaned into Lupin for support. "Spiders! I can't stand them!"

"Alright!" Lupin tried to calm her. "I won't do THAT again!"

"You got that right!" Snape entered the kitchen. "Though I, for one , don't want to know what "THAT" was!" He glared at the scene before him. Merida was in Lupin's arms where she jumped at him in fright & Lupin was holding her close, trying to calm her but to Snape, it looked much different! "I heard that scream all the way from the guest room! What did you do to her?!"

"Told her there was a spider on the lettuce!" Lupin said truthfully, naive to Snape's misplaced fury that was slowly begining to boil.

"An imaginary one, I might add!" Merida half-laughed.

"Merida, Potter is waiting for you in the Parlour!" Snape made up a hurried excuse. "Go see what he wants!"

"Yes, father," Merida pushed herself away from Lupin. "but please don't fight over anything stupid!" She added as she disappeared out of the kitchen.

"I didn't know she was that scared of them!" Lupin turned away from Snape to picked up his mug.

"Don't give me that!" Snape snapped. "What really went on in here?"

"Nothing!" Lupin laughed. "I was just----!" He noticed the look on Snape's face. "Severus? SEVERUS!!! NO!! I would nev---HOW can you think that?!"

"I came in here & there you were, holding her!" Snape glared.

"Severus, I...." Lupin glanced to the floor & shook his head in disbelief. "Look, I was only joking around today in your office about shagging! Why you think it would be real, I'll never know! First, you accuse me of stealing & now se..." Lupin couldn't get the word out. No matter, Snape was already interupting him anyway!

"Couldn't get the mother so you try for the daughter!" Snape snapped.

Lupin bared & growled furociously through gritted fangs. "How dare you!"

"Oh, I dare!" Snape egged Lupin on!

"Just remember who's fault it is that she died!" Lupin growled again, his eyes aflame with the insanity of lycanthropy!

Snape felt as if Lupin had plunged a blade through his heart! He whirled around & headed for door of the kitchen. "It's mine!! You happy I admit it?"

"Extatic!" Lupin yanked out his wand & smacked Snape three times. "Vera Verto!"

"Hey that's for animmmmmm........" Snape was turned into a wine goblet.

Lupin snatched the goblet off the floor. "Actually, it works with anything that breaths! You, unfortunatly are one of those things!" Lupin opened the cupboard. "I've half a mind to drop this.....THING....on the floor & smash it to sand!" Instead, Lupin shoved the goblet to the fartherest corner of the cupboard & slammed the door shut. "I'll deal with you later! I need a break right now!" Lupin marched out the kitchen & up the stairs.

"Where's Severus?" Tonks called out.

Lupin fumed. "He's in the cupboard!"

"Oh, right! He's in the----HE'S IN THE WHAT?!"

"I---I---I--I---I mean in the kitchen! He's in the kitchen!" Lupin spasmed very irritatedly as he entered his bedroom & slammed that door as well! He lay back on the bed & glared so evilly at the ceiling in fury! "Merlin's sake!" Lupin finally groaned. "I may feel extra close to Miss Snape but not like that! One little scare & I'm blamed for getting phsycal? & how dare he bring Rachelle into this!" Lupin feel asleep, as the early dawn appeared free of snowclouds, still fuming; Snape The Wine Glass, forgotten!

"Remus?" Mrs. Weasley called up stairs for what seemed like the zillionth time today! "Remus are you coming to supper or not? Get down here! you've been up there all day!" When she yet again, recieved no answer, she tried one last thing. "I've made my special meatloaf for you!" she called up the stairs in a teasing sing-song voice! "No? Fine, more for us! & we'll drink all the wine too!!"

Lupin slowly sat up in bed. Someone had said wine in his dreams! Wine? "Wine! Merlin how long was I...?! Doggone it, I forgot Severus!" Lupin yelped as he got up off the bed & raced down stairs, still fully dressed in his professional robes. He skidded to a stop in the doorway of the kitchen & grabbed at the frame as he felt himself falling. Lupin managed to tip himself upright & glanced at the table! There stood ALL the wine goblets! Ohhhhhh, God! Lupin prayed silently. God in heaven, help me! He glared up & down the long table. Which one was he?! Lupin groaned loudly, too loudly!

"Remus are you alright?" Mrs. Weasley was the only other one in the kitchen at the moment.

"Hmmm? Oh, I--er---I--uh--I'm fine!" Lupin gulped. "I'm just fine, Molly! Perfect! WONDERFUL, actually!" Kill me! Lupin begged to any supernatural being that would listen. Just KILL me!!!! Lupin glanced into the cupboard but it was void of all goblets, including the one he had pushed to the back. Mrs. Weasley had her back turned to him so he snatched a basket off the counter & collected all the wine goblets before someone had a chanced to fill them.

"Why are you taking those?" Mrs. Weasley's voice cut into his panic-stricken thoughts.

"I'm--er--I just need them for two minutes, OK?" Lupin yelped.

"Alright, Remus, but bring them right back!" Mrs. Weasley said as she turned back to the stove. Lupin cast an odd look, surprised he didn't get more of a rise out of her!

He hurried to the Parlour, hoping it was empty. It was! lupin sat himself on the floor & started. There were 24 normal goblets; Snape would make 25! Lupin decided that the only way to get out of this was to try each goblet in turn & if nothing happened, he would break it so as not to get mixed up! "I'll just use the Repairus after!" Lupin muttered as he snatched up a goblet. "Vera Verto Finite!" Nothing! Lupin smashed it to the floor & proceeded to the next...& the next....& the next!

Finally, he reached the last one! "But of course!" Lupin fumed! "I can just imagine what he'll be like when he appears! Vera Verto Finite!" He waited a moment but no infuriated-Severus-Snape-the-Death-Eater-looking-to-spill-werwolf-blood-of-Remus-Lupin appeared! At first, Lupin was mildly relieved! Then it hit him! "He's not here!" Lupin paniced. "Repairus all!" He tried going through the glasses again. Three times in fact! But still, no Snape! "Ohhhh!" Lupin groaned as he knelt in sorrow beside the shattered glass & buried his face in his hands. "I'm a murderer!"

"I thought I was the one with the Death Mark around here?"

"YIIIIIIIIIIIPPSSS!!" Lupin screeched as he jumped up & whirled around, not caring about the tears on his face! There stood Snape, leaning against the doorway, arms folded seriously across his chest but a playful smile on his lips! "YOU!!!!" Lupin raged. "& just how long where you standing there?!"

"Long enough!" Snape sneered. "I thought surely by the second time you went through those glasses, you'd have realised there were only 24 after all! Dora freed me last night after you told her I was in the cupboard!" Snape headed for the kitchen without another word as Tonks entered the Parlour.

"I HATE.....THAT man!!" Lupin gritted his fangs.

"Oh, Remus!" Tonks said. "I wanted to tell you but you were asleep all day since late last night! It's Christmas Eve by now!"

"Wonderful!" Lupin declared dryly, as he started for the kitchen. "You should have announced your presence immediatly!" he began as soon as he entered & laid eyes on Snape!

"Oh, really?" Snape said in a teasing voice,

"Do you have any idea the stress I was under?" Lupin snapped, not caring that everyone else around the table was watching.

"Serves you right, I'd say!" Snape sneered. "After what you said to me last night! Serves you right!"

"I just spoke the truth, Snivellus!" Lupin burst out. Snape went very silent. He set his glass on the table & slowly stood up. "Severus! Whatever!" Lupin tried correcting himself.

"Remus can I see you out in the Hall?" Snape asked in a deadly soft tone. "Right Now?" Snape left & waited for Lupin to follow.

Ohhhhh, Remus! Lupin hid his face in his hands. Why did you use that old nickname?! Reluctantly, he followed Snape into the Hall. "Oh, come on!" Lupin retorted. "It was a slip of the tongue! I'm sorry!"

"Slip your tongue again & you shall have no tongue!" Snape warned.

"Forgive me, alright?" Lupin asked. "I'm just a bit in shock! First, I'm accused of being in love with your daughter then I think I'm a murderer while you just stood & watched! Saying that name was an outburst! Can you blame me?"

"Oh, I blame you!" Snape headed up the stairs to his room.

Lupin marched up after him. "Alright, so it was my fault she jumped at me!" he began. "But I didn't do anything to her except scare her!"

"Like I said, you couldn't get Rachelle, so you're going for the next best thing!" Snape snapped.

"What makes you think that?" Lupin asked.

"Oh, please!" Snape scoffed. "I remember how it was! We both were infatuated with Rachelle! In fact, I almost lost her to you! I can sense your feelings even now & when you're around Merida.....well, if you still can't figure it out, then you must be in denial!"

"Rachelle & Merida are two differnt women!" Lupin defended. "Yes, I admit I feel closer to Merida then most other students simply because she is related to Rachelle but I maintain a Professor/student relationship!"

"Do not mention my daughter's name & the word "relationship" in the same sentence!" Snape snapped.

"Well, what about Merida's "relationship" with Harry Potter?" Lupin declared as he turned on his heel & headed for the door.

"& do not add the name of Potter to that sentence eithter!" Snape fumed. "Just remember who's daughter she is!"

Lupin stopped mid-way through the door. That's it! I've had it! He turned back & gazed at Snape. "I remember who's daughter she is!" Lupin marched toward Snape & pinned him against the wall. Lupin leaned forward in a cuddle. "But I also remember who's daughter she could have----SHOULD have been!!" he whispered softly, almost sexy & seductivly, in Snape's ear.

In that instant, Snape's telepathy flamed him with warning! He was in danger as Lupin became insticntively predatory! Lupin was pressing hard against him into the wall. It was hard to even breath. Snape felt something softly touching his cheek. Was Lupin kissing him? On further concentration, Snape felt the hardness of the fangs. It was no kiss! Lupin was teasing himself with the hopefulness of tasting blood. He was no mad wolf, but he was acting like one. Snape held Lupin gently in one arm as he reached down to pull out his wand.

"Severus! Not that old trick!" Lupin held Snape's arm against the wall.

"Remus!" Snape whispered softly. "Remus calm down! Your werwolfism is taking over!" Snape tried a new attack. They were standing close to the window. With his free hand, Snape began to slowly lift the curtain. It was no full moon, but partial moonlight would hurt the werwolf in his human form, making him feel as if he was on fire, though no real damage would be done.

But Lupin caught him again! "Don't even think of it!"

Again, Snape felt the side of a fang pressing against his face, more urgently this time. Merlin, stop him! Snape could feel his heart racing. Calm yourself, Severus! Wolves feed on fear! He began to sink to the floor under Lupin's pressure. No! Stand! Don't give in or you'll die! Snape forced himself back up.

Lupin snarled. "Merlin, I almost had you that time!" He pinned Snape more firmly against the wall & playfully nipped at him again, like a cat-&-mouse game before moving in for the fatal bite!

Snape let out a low gasp. This must be what Merida felt like when she was violated! Merida! Talk to him of Merida! "Alright, then!" Snape said in the most gentle voice he could think of. "I may have been hard on you with Merida! If you have feelings for her, it's fine!"

Lupin tossed his head back to gaze at Snape. The two of them glared at each other for a moment & in that moment, Snape knew he was doomed. One minute, he was standing, flattened against the wall, the next instant, the floor struck him hard on one side as Lupin pounced down on the other. Snape tried to push him off, but stopped resisting as he felt all four of Lupin's fangs sink in close to his throat! There was nothing else he could do.

Lupin bit right through until he felt the points of his upper fangs meet his lower fangs. Blood rushed into his mouth, exciting him further. Lupin tore away at the last minute, preferring to keep Snape alive. He still had Snape pinned under him & Lupin stayed there as the poison surged through his victim. Snape gasped & tried to pull out from underneath but Lupin held him. "It hurts, doesn't it, Severus?" Lupin smiled softly at him.

"Does it ever!" Snape managed to say.

"Wait a moment until my poison settles in your viens!" Lupin said softly. After what seemed a lifetime, the burning of werwolf poison in his viens ceased though Snape felt extremly weak. Lupin finally released him.

Snape pulled himself up. "I'll never forgive you for this!" he said in his low voice. "NEVER! I'll---mmmm!" Snape grasped his lower jaw.

"You nipped yourself?" Lupin asked. "It takes a few weeks to get used to the fangs!"

"F--F--FANGS?!" Snape whirled around to the mirror, panting in shock. There they were! Four sharp fangs were now a part of him. Snape just stared at his reflection. It can't be true! I don't believe this!

Lupin came behind him & leaned his face on Snape shoulder. They glared at each other's reflection with murderous hate in thier eyes. "Welcome to the realm of the werwolf!" Lupin finally said. He began to leave. "She should have been mine! She would still be alive right now if she was & Merida would have a mother & that's what's driving YOU crazy, isn't it?" Lupin suddenly thought of something. "Now you have to play both father & mother roles all on your own & it's entirely your fault!"

"You don't think I know that?" Snape glowered. "I hate you with as much passion as I love Rachelle!"

"Feeling's mutual!" Lupin left the room & headed down the stairs.

Snape glared dangerously at his wand in his hand. "Forgive me, Albus! I'm sure you'll understand!" Snape ran out of his room & stood at the top of the stairs. "REMUS LUPIN!!!!" Lupin stepped off the bottom stair & turned to glare at Snape who raised his wand. "Avada Kedavr---!"

Pop went the sound of someone apparating & Dumbledore appeared between them! Snape swallowed down the last bit of the incantation of death & went pale! "Oh, dear Merlin!" Lupin yelped. "You almost KILLED Albus!"

"Killed?" Dumbledore glanced up the stairs to Snape & then down the stairs to Lupin. He was standing in the middle. "Killed? What happe---?!" Dumbledore noticed the gash on Snape's throat & the blood staining Lupin's lip. He glanced to Snape's wand, still outstretched but pointing to the ceiling so no unfortunate spells would strike & he understood. "Oh, no!" Dumbledore whispered softly to himself. "Not this! PLEASE not this!"

"Yes!" Lupin had tears in his voice. "This!" Snape slowly lowered his wand as Lupin fell back against the wall in shock.

Dumbledore immediatly took control of the situation. "Remus, go wash off that blood! Severus, give me your wand!" Snape tossed it down & then stumbled backwards into the bedroom. Dumbldore held the wand & gazed at it for a moment. "Remus! Go now!" Dumbledore ordered as he marched up to Snape.

"Albus, I'm sorry for using the Avada--!"

"Save it!" Dumbledore glared sternly at him.

Snape lay back on the bed & gazed at the ceiling. "Very well! Then do as you please with me but first, may I asked a small favor?"

Dumbledore pointed his own wand at Snape & healed his wound, though the poison remained. "Be quick about it!"

"I'm very much in shock right now!" Snape said shakily. "Could you do that again to me....like what you did.....that night?"

Dumbledore nodded slowly & began incanting softly, a hypnosis spell. It took a long time, but Snape was finally asleep. Dumbledore left the room with a heavy heart. Once before, he had to put Snape under like that, when Rachelle was pronounced dead!

Lupin entered the smaller washroom downstairs & gazed into the mirror. "Why'd you do that, Remus?" he spoke aloud to himself. "WHY?! Doesn't the law of the werwolf forbide us to bite while in our human form?" He rinsed the blood from his lips & fangs. His thin line that passed for a petite mushstash proved more difficult to take care of but he finally managed it. Lupin looked again into the mirror, thoroughly ashamed of himself but it was to late now! He buried his face in his hands & groaned. "What have I done?!" Lupin headed for the Parlour & sat down, staring at the floor. He was alone, at the moment.

"Remus, explain yourself?"

Startled, Lupin yanked his head up & found himself gazing at the Headmaster. "It's nothing! Everything! I'm not making sense, am I?"

"Something more than just a bite happened!" Dumbledore said. "I don't know what you did to Severus, but I had to hypnotise him to sleep......AGAIN!" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.

"Rachelle!" Lupin muttered. "I don't even know what I did to Severus!"

Dumbledore sat down beside him. "Tell me what happened. Where did it start?"

"Rachelle!" Lupin said again.

"I know," Dumbledore said. "But I was refering to today?"

"I turned him into a wine goblet by Vera Verto!"

"What?" Dumbledore stared.

Lupin laughed. "No, seriously! I did!"

"Why?" Dumbledore asked. Lupin sighed & told him the whole story starting with being with Merida in the kitchen last night.

"....& now," Lupin was finishing. "Severus thinks I'm in love with Merida!! I was so mad at him that I just........I don't know what came over me! As far as I'm concerned, he got what he deserved! No, that's wrong! He should have died! I should have drained the life out of him but," Lupin became somewhat sarcastic. "I'm not the one that's scarred with the Lord's Mark, am I?"

Dumbledore waited a moment while Lupin caught his breath. "No, you're not Marked," Dumbledore began. "but you can still kill without worrying about the law looking for you. You're an auror & more importantly, a werwolf. I know it's a rare occurence, but at times, werwolves do go so far as to kill!"

"I'm just to angry to even have strenght to kill, right now!" Lupin fumed.

"& why is that?" Dumbledore waited for an answer but all he got was a pause in Lupin's pacing back & forth & a very dirty look. "Remus," Dumbledore decided to answer the question himself as Lupin resumed his furious pacing. "you were upset at getting caught, weren't you? Severus is right about you having feelings for Merida!"

Lupin made sure he put extra emphasis on every letter of the word "excuse"! "EKS--KAA---EEE---YOO---ZZZZ ME?!?!?!?!" He stopped pacing, crossed his arms & hooked his upper fangs over his lip & glared at Dumbledore!

"I'm Occlument as well," Dumbledore went on. "Now what you have for Merida is very weak compared to what it is for Rachelle, but it's there!"

"Oh, no! NO!!" Lupin snarled. "I'm not getting into another fight with another man over a woman! Severus causes me enough anguish! I would like to keep my friendship with Harry, thank you very much!"

"I know!" Dumbledore stood up to leave. "That's the only thing that stops you from going beyond a Professor/student relationship! Not Severus! You're worried about Harry! You're a good man, Remus! You'll do the right thing!"

"The right thing?!" Lupin scoffed. "So that explains why I attacked Severus!"

"I said GOOD, not PERFECT!" Dumbledore left Lupin standing alone in the Parlour. He heard a long low growl behind him as Lupin continued pacing.

Neither Lupin or Snape appeared for Christmas Eve supper. Snape was still put out under Dumbledore's hypnotic charm & Lupin was sulking in his room. When asked where they were, all Dumbledore said was to wait for the morning, hoping that be then, Lupin would have calmed down & Snape would be ready for his changed life into lyncanthropy.

Grimmauld was decorated throughout it's old dusty halls with colorful lights & several Sparkler Poinsettias from the Weasley children as well as Harry's, Neville's & Merida's, throwing out showers of color whenever someone passed. A Christmas Tree stood in the Parlour & the mirror walls reflected it tenfold!

There was to be a small Christmas Ball & everyone dressed their best. Mcgonagall was in an elegant green velvet dress. Dumbledore had a new cape. Even Mad-Eye Moody looked smart in his dark brown suit. Harry, Neville & the Weasleys, Fred, George & Ron were getting dressed up, trying to outdo each other & teasing the Twins about their suits!

"What did you do to it?" George yelped.

"Nothing!" Harry lied.

"Yeah, right!" Fred muttered. "It's completely disappeared! Are we supposed to go downstairs naked or something?!" This was answered by an outburst of laughter!

"That's what you get for all those pranks you two pulled on us!" Ron laughed.

Fred & George crossed their arms & glared.

"Uh-oh the Weasley Twins are pairing against us!" Neville warned.

Fred & George gazed at each a moment. In a flash, Ron's, Neville's & Harry's suits lay on the floor. "Nice boxers, Ron!" Fred teased. "Now reveal our suits or else!"

"Let me guess!" Harry started getting dressed again. "You were prepared for us playing a prank on you!"

"Mmmm--hmmm!" Goerge hummed as Neville sheepishly handed him the suit.

Ginny was with Merida, & slipped into her deep red dress. It hugged her figure closely & went up to her chest. There were no sleeves or straps on it but most of Ginny's flaming red hair fell softly around her bare shoulders while a little from either side was pulled back into a ponytail. She had red high heel, open-toe sandles to match. "I'm ready!" Ginny said.

"I just need to touch up some make-up," Merida said. "I'll see you downstairs!"

"Hmmm, odd thought!" Ginny said suddenly. "I wonder what your dad will look like dressed up?"

"HA!!!" Merida scoffed. "The day he dresses up is the day Voldomort sings solo "The Old Ruggred Cross" in a muggle church! Father & fancy are worse enemies than father & Lupin! By the way, I haven't seen him since last afternoon! Have you?"

"No," said Ginny. "Same with Lupin! Where is he?"

"Who knows," Merida answered. "It's a big mansion & wherever father is, I'm sure Lupin is far away in another place!"

"Yeah, they sure fight a lot!" Ginny agreed. "I wonder what of? Anyway, see you downstairs."

Merida waved Ginny away & then turned in her chair to face her reflection. Fact was, it was more than her make-up. Merida wasn't satisfied with her hair at all! She felt the style wasn't suitable for her dress! She had on a sky blue dress with open-shoulder sleeves. It was decorated with gold lace surrounding the snug fitting bodice & the collar was V-cut. It was also V-cut down the back. Like Ginny, Merida also had high-heel, open-toe sandles, but in sky blue with gold buckles on the straps.

Merida sighed, frustarated. She knew she would be a prize for any man who would lay eyes on her, though it was Harry she wanted to impress! She was sure even her father would flip! It was her long thick, Veela hair that was begining to make her just a little insane! She pointed her wand at her head & undid the fuzzball that pityfully passed for hair! Merida could feel its long length hitting her bare back as it fell down for the millionth time! "I'm never going to get a good style!" Merida fumed to herself. "& it's got so much magic spray in it now, that it's stiffer than father!"

Someone walking past the door attracted her attention away from the mirror. It was Lupin. "Professor!" Merida called out to him.

Lupin paused at her door & stared. "Merlin, what happened to the mishevious little witch we all know?" he laughed.

"Cute, sir! Real cute!" Merida half-snapped. "My hair! I can't fix it! Could you come in here & help me?"

Lupin went very pale & cast his eyes to the floor. "I wouldn't want to......."ahem"......to cause trouble!"

Merida glowered in rage, though it wasn't meant for Lupin! "What did my father tell you? What did he do?"

"Nothing I'd like to say," Lupin said. "& what's worse, Albus agrees with him!"

Merida relaxed. "Oh, well, if the Headmaster agrees, then it's all right!" She cast Lupin a pleading look. "Can't you help me out? Please?"

"Alright!" Lupin laughed. "But none of that Veelaism!" Lupin entered her room & glanced at her hair. From then on, he was basically fighting a battle to the death within himself! Veela pheramones are the last thing I need, right now! He hesitantly touched her hair & began brushing it out. "Sometimes, magic is the last thing we need," Lupin said. "You just have to do things muggle style!"

"With this hair," Merida laughed. "I don't think any style would work!"

"I'll fix it, don't worry!" Lupin lifted up her hair & tried desparately not to look down her back. Stop it, Remus Lupin! he scolded himself. Oh, just touch her! NO! Albus is right! I won't allow him to be right! Lupin let out a soft gasp as he realised what he was doing with his hands. He was holding the brush in one hand but would softly stroke Merida's hair with the other, using the sensation of the brush to mask his touch! "MERLIN'S SAKE!" he accidently yelped aloud.

"Something wrong?" Merida asked as she brushed a little mascara into her lashes.

"Uh--no," Lupin stuttered. "I was just...holding the brush wrong!"

Lupin continued to brush out Merida's hair but a little faster! Remus Lupin! Get a grip on yourself! Anywhere personal would be good! he raged to himself! It's Severus's fault I'm in this frame of mind in the first place! He's the one that started it all! No, actually it's Albus! He's the one that made me realise it! Lupin closed his eyes a second as he realised what else he had been doing! He had brushed down Merida's hair to her bare shoulders & now he was lightly grazing her skin in just a whisper of a touch with his finger. Lupin quickly tried to focus on the hair! Merlin it isn't true! This is Merida, NOT Rachelle! Just touch her again! "I most certainly wi...ll not!" Lupin paused in mid-word as he realised that he was speaking aloud again!

Merida tipped her face back to gaze into his. "Not what?"

Lupin let out a long loud sigh, thoroughly embarrassed. "N-N-nothing! Nothing at all!"

"Professor, are you planning to bite me?"

"WHAT?! Oh--uh, no, of course not!" Lupin yelped. Love bite, maybe? Nasty thought! Shame on you, Remus!

"Then what's wrong?"

"Nothing!" He turned Merida's face back to the mirror. "Hold still, I'm almost done!" He let fall most of Merida's hair but pulled back a bit from either side to tie into a ponytail. Oh, SURE! Now you touch her! No, you're just setting her hair up! Relax Remus! Lupin topsy-turned the tail over making a twist in the tie & clamped the flowery berrette in place, it had three small pink flowers on a pale blue base attached to the clamp. "There! All done now! What do you think?" Lupin leaned forward to look at her reflection with Merida a moment.

"Finally!" Merida looked at herself. "It's wonder.....ful!" Merida had turned her face to glance at Lupin, not realising his was so close to hers! They had almost touched! "Sorry!" Merida laughed.

"It's my fault!" Lupin yanked his head up. "I didn't realise I was so close!" Remus Lupin, if I don't calm my passion this instant, I'll Cruccio myself! She calls me Professor for Merlin's sake! That's the way it should be! "What?" Lupin noticed Merida was stil watching him. She seemed focused on something. "WHAT?" Lupin brought her back to reality as he dug his nails into his palms. Please stop gazing at me before I lose control! Werwolves have incredibly strong stamina! Remus, she's Veela! It's got to be her aura of pheramones! Yes, that's what it is! Nothing more! Not real! But one soft sniff with his K9 sensitivity told him otherwise. Merida was in no way aroused!

"You've been acting very odd, sir!" Merida's voice broke into his thoughts. "What did father do to you?"

Lupin suddenly gasped for air. He had been holding his breath while Merida eyed him. "It's nothing to do with him!" Lupin managed to say. "It's--er--uh---full moon soon! I'm just a little nuts!"

"Full moon isn't for another week or so!" Merida half-smiled. "Professor, I'm partially empathic. I must have inherited a weak version of father's telepathy. I've been picking up odd things from you?"

"Ohhhh!" Lupin wanted to die. No, she couldn't have felt it!

"Are you SURE you're not planning to attack me?" Merida eyed him closely.

"Positive!" Lupin said. Oh, thank God! Her powers are too weak to know what I really felt! "I'm just a little stressed right now!" he went on. Try a LOT Remus! "You're father & I had a major fight last night & I'm just calming down!" PLEASE beleive that! "I didn't want to mention it to worry you but I don't want you believing I'm going to bite you!"

"I'll talk to him next time I see him!" Merida promised. "This fighting has gone on long enough!"

"NO!" Lupin yelped. Merlin what to tell her? "By the way, I've poisoned your father & he's a werwolf now! Oh & I'm desparately in love with you! Forget Harry?" Yeah, sure Remus! What a fix I got myself into! "This is our fight! Don't get involved. Don't worry about it!" Lupin said instead. "Now, shall we go down stairs?" He was desparate to change the subject!

"Alright!" Merida started for the door.

"One last thing!" Lupin blocked her. Oy, Remus! Quit stalling! You have to get out of here! "I think this would look good on you!" No, Remus! You think YOU would look good on her! Oh dear Merlin! Did I just think that! I'm afraid I did! He pulled out a long thin box from his pocket. "I've carried this for years to give it to.....someone....but she died. Perhaps it was meant for you?"

Merida opened the box. Inside was a pure diamond necklace! Even the wide chain was in diamonds! "Merlin's sake! I can't accept this!"

"Yes you can & you will!" Lupin took the necklace from her hands & layed it on her chest & tied the golden clasp around her neck. "Like I said, she died. I've no use for it &....it...it suits you! Now, let's go!" Lupin headed for the door but fled for his bedroom before Merida had a chance to find him again! He collapsed onto the bed & stared at the cieling. "Don't ever put yourself in that situation again! Alone with Merida! You'll ruin her!" Partly, Lupin was infuriated for how he felt & yet Lupin had actually enjoyed every moment of it! "Come on, Remus! Think of Harry! Don't ruin everything!" Thinking of Harry helped Lupin to control himself. He picked himself up & headed downstairs.

Snape finally came out of his hypnotic sleep. He gazed at the ceiling for a moment, separating fact from dream. Am I really a lycanthrope?! Snape got up & forced himself to look at his reflection. He bared his......fangs! He was a werwolf now! "Oh, Remus! Remus you've ruined me!" Snape muttered aloud. "I will kill you for this so help me Merlin!" He reached for his wand. "My wand! Where is my wand--Albus has it!" Snape growled, having nothing to murder Lupin with! But he didn't get a chance to fume much longer for his Occlumency was still partly on & he was begining to sense something! He shoved it aside. "I must get downstairs! Hopefully no one else knows what happened! Ah, Remus! You probably gloated it to all about how you destroyed me! That must explain your feelings now!" Snape realised his Occlumency was scanning Lupin softly. He couldn't hear anything, only felt that Lupin was feeling somewhat excited.

Glancing out the window to the clear cold day, Snape realised it must be about noon. He decided to use his black Faux Fur cape. "This is as fancy as I will get!" he muttered. Personally, Snape wasn't into Christmas especially when it involved some sort of party! He made sure his fangs were hidden & headed downstairs. If there was a chance no one else knew, then he would take it & not say anything! He met Dumbledore on the stairs.

"You're finally up!" Dumbledore said.

"Oh, please just sentence me to death!" Snape groaned. "I know I deserve it & I'm ruined anyway!"

Instead, Dumbledore handed Snape his wand. "When I first arrived on the scene, I misunderstood! I thought you were behaving like a true Death Eater & was going to kill us all! Now I realise it was you & Remus having yet another row! I thought I told you two to forgive each other?"

"But Albus!" Snape was desperate not to let any tears show. "Look at me!" he bared his fangs for a moment. "How can I forgive Remus for this or anything else?"

"Perhaps I was foolish to think you & Remus could ever make things work out!" Dumbledore sighed.

"Perhaps!" Snape was almost in a whisper. "& yet you return to me my wand? I will try to kill him! You know I will!"

"No, you won't kill him!" Dumbledore said. "I know you won't!"

"Then you have to much faith in me!" said Snape. After a long moment in silence, they both began moving toward the kitchen. "I supposed Remus told everyone!" Snape finally muttered.

"No one else knows, Severus!" Dumbledore said. "Just us & Remus! You have to tell them, someday! Remus is too ashamed of himself to say anything!"

"It's a little late for shame!" Snape snapped. "I've been violated in ways I can't describe! I'm infected with lyncanthropy, for Merlin's sake! &..mmmm!" Snape swore softly under is breath some word that Dumbledore couldn't quite make out! "& I keep nipping myself with these fangs!"

"It'll pass!" Dumbledore said softly. "It'll pass!"

They had reached the kitchen by now. Everyone, except Lupin & Merida, were already there for the Christmas dinner. Snape sat down, facing the door to watch in case his foe dared to show up! What came through the door instead was nothing short of a shock! Merida was finally satisfied with her hair the way Lupin had done it up & was now, just entering the kitchen.

"Oh dear God! Rachelle what are you doing here?!?!" Snape jumped up & dropped his glass to the floor! He could only stare at her! Everyone else stared at Snape!

"Father? I'm.....Merida?"

"Uh---right!" Snape never felt more foolish in his life. "It's just.....well...you look exactly like her!" Forgetting that he had kicked his chair back in his haste, Snape sat down & landed on the floor! At that unfortunate moment, Lupin just happened to walk in! He burst out laughing.

Merida knelt down to look at Snape under the table. "Are you alright, father?"

"PERFECT, Merida!" Snape snapped. "Absolutly PERFECT!" He got up & banged against the table, not realising that he was underneath the accursed thing! Could he feel any more foolish? Merida joined Lupin in his laughter!

"Do that again, Severus!" Lupin snickered. "& at least ATTEMPT to knock yourself out this time!"

"SILENCE!" Snape snapped as he carefully picked himself up! "What have you been up to, Remus?"

"He was just helpng me with my hair!" Merida said.

"So that's why you have it set like that!" Snape glowered at Lupin while he talked to Merida. "Your mother had it the same way most of the time!" Snape suddenly noticed the diamond necklace & looked back at Lupin in horror! Lupin smiled sassily back!

As everyone returned to their talking, Merida sat down beside Harry, who was gaping at her, & Lupin was next to Merida. Snape glowered at that but said nothing. He glanced down at the silverware & reached for the knife half-hoping to stab Lupin to death! "You don't want to be touching that now!" Lupin cut into his mind.

Snape only moved his eyes up & glared at Lupin. "No, I really think I do!"

"Your funeral!" Lupin spoke softly so as not to attract attention, though really, with the noise the Weasley Twins were making at the moment, he needn't have worried!

Snape rolled his eyes. "WHY don't I want to be touching it?"

Lupin glanced to Merida beside him. She was busy talking to Harry, but just in case she overheard, Lupin decided to warn Snape by asking a question. "By the way, Severus, did you know werwolves are extremely allergic to silver?"

Snape choked as his breath refused to touch his lungs. "No!"

"Yes!" Lupin glanced at the silverware in front of Snape & then back to Snape. He did that several times, daring Snape to touch the silver. "It'll burn the flesh off just like acid!"

Snape refused to believe him & to Lupin's horror, he picked up the knife! Snape let a out a yelp & threw the knife to the floor. Everyone glanced at him in surprise. "Severus, what's wrong with you?"

Snape glanced at his hand where the silver had cut into it. "Oh--uh--nothing really! I just grabbed the blade in stead of the handle! Excuse me a moment!" He got up & hurried out of the kitchen. After a few moments, Lupin decided to slip away while everyone was talking.

"Severus, wait!" Lupin ran after him.

"LEAVE ME BE!!" Snape ordered, "You've completely ruined me!"

"Look, you can't keep your lycanthropy a secret forever!" said Lupin.

"Watch me!" Snape marched upstairs.

"I know what you're going through!" Lupin followed him.

"Like hell you do!" Snape snapped.

"Excuse me!" Lupin retorted. "I'm a werwolf myself, if you didn't know! When I say I know what you're going through I MEAN I know what you're going through!"

"Why are you suddenly being friendly with me?" Snape glared.

"It was my mistake to bite you because now," Lupin glared back. "You are a part of my pack & I'm stuck with you forever!"

"I prefer to be a lone wolf if you don't mind!" Snape snapped. "No, actually, I prefer to be dead!"

"Fine be a jerk!" Lupin raged. "But YOU'RE first full moon is less than a week away! When you transform, you'll want me more than a woman! Ties of the pack if you will!"

"Speaking of women," Snape glowered. "my Occlumency was going nuts with your animal passions! Just what were you doing to Merida this time?!"

"A sheer battle of wills!" Lupin admitted. "Fine! You were right! I was so wrong! You happy? But I didn't touch her, though I was desparate! I just fixed her hair!"

"& gave her that necklace," Snape raised his voice. "That you had intended for Rachelle?"

"I don't believe this!" Lupin roared. "What? Were you hoping I'd wear it? It's a lady's necklace!"

"That's not what I mean & you damn well know it!" Snape yanked out his wand.

"Allastor!" Mr. Weasley ordered. "sit down!"

"But...!"

"SIT DOWN!!" Mr. Weasley yelped. "They need to get it out of their system!"

"First a feather & now my necklace!" Merida muttered. "What next will they fight over?"

Snape & Lupin had raised their voices so high that those down at the table could hear them! Everyone had gone silent as the verbal fight turned into an attack with their wands. Suddenly, everyone heard two voices say at once, "Cruccio!" Moody jumped up again!

"Allastor, don't you dare!" Mr. Weasley ordered.

"But Remus is using Dark Sorcery!" Moody pleaded.

"So what?" Mr. Weasley was massaging the sides of his head as if he had a migrain! "He's a werwolf! Werwolves are borderline in the Force Of Darkness anyway, so really, who exactly cares?!" he glared at Moody. "If a mild case of the Cruccio torture is the only way for them to heal up, then so be it! Now SIT DOWN!"

Moody flopped down onto the chair. "Mild?" he half-laughed. "MILD?! Cruccio is fed with hate! The stronger the hate, the more intense the pain! They'll kill each other in no time!"

"Not with Albus around!" Mr, Weasley nodded to Dumbledore who was just leaving the kitchen.

"Release me, Severus!" Lupin gasped out. "& I'll release you!"

"I'll die first!" Snape snapped.

"Stubborn mutt!" Lupin groaned. He forced his wand up. "Cruccio Finite!"

Snape felt as if he was dying as the Cruccio left him. He was weak but he held Lupin in his own Cruccio, not wanting to release him.

"Severus! Stop it!" Dumbledore appeared on the scene. Snape glanced at the Headmaster & then back to his victim in agony on the floor. Reluctantly, he released the Cruccio.

"If you have ANY idea how much I enjoyed calling you a mutt!" Lupin laughed weakly.

"Oh, shut up!" Snape lay back on his bed, feeling faint. He passed out.

Lupin picked himself up but he felt himself falling. Dumbledore stepped forward & caught him as he collapsed, also passed out! Dumbledore brought Lupin to his own room & left him there.