A/n- Here we go again!

Disclaimer- REALLY I'm sick of these! J.K. owns it all....

Rating- PG-13 as I swear in this one.

Chapter Keywords- Optimism people, yes... An uplifting chapter. Snape, the Werewolf Duo, and some surprises are in store.




Seeing Grey - Part XXI - Effluo




By late March, Remus was nearly recovered from his medical mishap. He endured two more weeks of black and white vision, and little sleep without many problems. His classes went well, as he finally had a proper wand, and Quidditch was amazing on his new StormChaser. James and Sirius were the real reason he was able to deal with life, constantly keeping a smile on his face through their insane antics. When the spring Holidays rolled around and Romolus departed for America with Shelly, things became a little crazy.

Hey, where are you staying if Romolus is leaving? James inquired as he passed the sign-up sheet along through the Gryffindor table.

Met a few people when I was out. he said shortly, and he dropped the subject promptly. James had learned to not pester his personal life, and take a hint as to when he should forget about something said.

We're all going to the Quidditch tournament in Ireland. Sirius declared proudly, rubbing his hands together as the parting feast of prime rib appeared on the table. Remus took a small bit, still on medical watch, and quickly ate it in a few swallows.

England's going to get creamed. Peter said, and Sirius scoffed him on the head.

Yeah right! They signed Dormiges, there's no way they'll loose!

They'll do alright in the preliminaries, but I don't know about the quarters. Italy has a strong team this year. James remarked.

Don't forget Albania. Alex reminded, joining in on the topic.

They aren't good enough to live past Russia, their Seeker is too slow.

But their Beaters! They're wicked!

It won't do any good if their Seeker can't catch the damn Snitch. Sirius grumbled, and the argument went on for quite some time. Remus drifted away from the crowd, and decided to go see if Lily would tolerate him sitting with her again. As soon as he moved, the majority of Slytherin offered him nasty glances.

Lay off. Snape said irritably, and almost instantly, the scowls disappeared. Lily fidgeted in her seat slightly, scooting a few inches away.

It's alright. Remus mumbled, moving a good distance away to keep her calm. She nodded an apology, and went back to poking at her meal.

Lil, what's bothering you? Remus asked quietly as the Slytherins were distracted by an intense argument down table. You've been acting rather odd lately...

You could have died. she said very quietly.

Ah, it's nothing. I'm alright now. Lupin's don't go down that easily, trust me. He smiled to try and convince her he was perfectly fine, but she continued to bite her lip and poke her dinner absently.

You know, I never will understand women. he said with a shrug.

Amen to that. Snape said from across the table, grinnly very slightly.




Remus landed in front of the small cabin hidden away in the woods, and found a note pinned to the front door.

Figured you'd come back for spring, so Elise and I cleaned up a little. Stocked the refrigerator so you won't starve, don't worry about paying me back. Consider it yours. Well anyway, expect a boy, tall, blonde hair, to come in maybe Saturday morning really early. I got a kid out from Canada and their search team is impossible here, so I sent him to the Retreat. It's what I call the cabin, if you were a bit clueless. His name is John and don't bother him, he's been through hell. You know that, so why am I even telling you... I swear to God I'm about to loose my mind. Have fun, and don't blow anything up.

Again, I think Elise fancies you. If you care she keeps going red if I mention you and she's all fickle about you being sick. Crazy chicks...

Caleb.

I am not!

He grinned at the last line written by Elise, and opened the door. Briefly he wondered why there wasn't a lock, but then again, it was in the middle of nowhere. Dropping his old satchel at the door and propping his broom in an umbrella rack, he went straight to the refrigerator and found a carton of milk to down.

Yeah, I could get used to this. he mused out loud, Summoning a bowl of cereal from the counter a few minutes later. Better than being stuck in the Infirmary, that's for sure.


As expected, Saturday mornign brought a bloodied blonde boy to the front door of the cabin. He didn't even give Remus a second look as he staggered inside, depositing himself on the ground, back against the wall.

Need anything? Remus asked calmly.

Got any aspirin?

You a Muggle?

That guy called me that, and I need some aspirin. he snapped, unwrapping his bleeding arm and wincing in the process. Damn bullet. he cursed weakly. Remus made himself busy with a simple Healing potion on the stove, and brought over a shredded shirt from his satchel.

Don't change them yet. Remus said, setting down a pail of water and a sponge. Clean it off, and dry it.

There was a large, open gash, white at the edges, across his entire forearm. It was very obvious to Remus it was the wound caused by a silver knife. A few inches down, he could see the remains of a hole left by lead bullet.


Do you mind if I do a little magic? I can fix it very easily. Remus tried, pulling out his wand. The boy nodded, grimacing as the flesh started to lap over itself, forming like pressed clay into one single piece again. Once done and assured it had been completed properly, Remus went to fetch the thick potion from the kitchen.

Here, spread this on. It stings like a bitch but it'll help. After the pasty solution was on, he helped to secure a new bandage, and smiled.

I got shot in the head, consider yourself lucky. he said, holding up his bangs. The Muggle boy nodded, and hung his head down.

Two days ago I was in high school, living a semi-normal life. Now I'm an escapee from the Ministry of Magic thanks to a wizard. Hell, I doubt I'll have a normal life again.

You wont. But at least you're alive... Caleb helped me a few weeks back. I got caught in London.

Oh. I was in Quebec.

I can tell by your accent. Remus said simply, and offered a banana. I was gonna cook some steak, or attempt to, if you want that.


Outside of asking if he needed anything else, Remus didn't share very much conversation with the newest success story of Caleb's program. By the afternoon John was sleeping contentedly, and he left for a relatives home a few hours into the next day. For a while Remus was jealous, having somewhere to run was always a luxury he could never afford. But then reality smacked him across the face, reminding him that this was his home. Hogwarts was his home. Anywhere he felt safe and was under the care of his friends, that was home.

With that logic in mind, Remus concluded that when he left this home, he would still be going home.

Relieved to be away from all his troubles, he fell asleep without setting his alarm. Eleven hours later he woke up with a pounding headache and an empty bottle of aspirin.

he mumbled, rolling off the couch. On his way to the bathroom, he found a note delivered through the owl window lying on the kitchen table.

We'll be back for the moon, there isn't a safe-house here. Make sure there's food.

Elise

What, am I supposed to hunt or something? he grumbled, setting it aside. After a long time in the bathroom, he slumped out and looked at the basement door. Curiosity overcame him, and he walked down the dark staircase until a set of lights turned on instantly.

His first impresseion was of a cliched Muggle mad-scientist lab. Boiling vials with tubes running to other vials and tubes lined a steel table, linking into each other and cramped for space. It had the general appearence of an industrial jungle.

What the hell... he muttered, walking around some self-stirring cauldrons over safety fires. Half of the room was done in this fashion, while the other half was a shelf of books all related to werewolves or advanced potion brewing.

he said with a shake of his head, unable to comprehend anything at the moment. Off against the back wall, he found a massive wooden door lined with steel, and locked a hundred times over with silver. On either side there were doors exactly like it. Finding an old pair of leather gloves on the ground, he undid the series of silver locks, and found a grubby, but very secure, safe room. There was nothing in it except a nailed-down rug to lay on as far as furnishings went. Deep scratches covered the wooden floorboards, while similar carvings were etched on the stone walls, obviously from various lunar occupamnts.

Safer than the Shack I guess...



He waited until seven, and bit his lip, looking out the window longingly. Caleb and Elise hadn't come as planned, and it was getting very close to moonrise. Deciding they had found somewhere closer to stay, he rushed down the stairs and shut the door on himself, slipping all the locks into place and setting the gloves up high on a shelf. He curled up on the rug, hugging his knees, waiting the few minutes until the moon would ignite the chain reaction he was so accustomed to.



Remus awoke in a start to the screaming above. Ignoring the bleeding gash on his face, he found the gloves, and undid the silver locks with shaky hands. Climbing the steep creaky stairs, he found Caleb and Elsie trying to support each other through the doorway. They looked worse than John had, and Caleb looked near dead in all honesty. Immediately helping them to the couch, he conjured a handful of bandages and the leftover healing balm from the sink.

What happened? he asked Elise, as the boy looked in condition to relive whatever incident that had occurred.

We got held up by work, he had to stay late... We didn't make it to an Apparating zone and we got stuck in the woods last night. she said, keeping her eyes shut. He got shot twice, the bullets are still inside. One to the arm and one in his side, they missed anything vital as far as I can tell. I can't get them out though... I'm mostly Muggle, I only do potions and herbs and all that.

Remus levitated the bullets out slowly, and winced as he touched them.

Pure silver... He threw them aside, and tried to get Caleb to stop squirming.

We need to get him to a hospital, a Muggle one. Those could have hit something and internal bleeding is not something to take lightly.

We can't, the only one nearby knows he's a werewolf. He got shot before-

How many times has he been hit? Remus asked, mouth hanging open. Being shot once was a hell of its own, but more?

This is his fifth incident, and it's not the most serious. Just get him to lie down... C'mon Caleb, on the floor. Elise directed gently, helping to roll him over on his uninjured side.

Caleb muttered, closing his bloodshot eyes and trying to sleep.
Elise took this as something logical, and pulled Remus down the staircase to the basement lab.


So what are you guys trying to make? he asked some time later, helping to concoct a very difficult healing potion that Elise couldn't produce due to lack of magic.

It's an ongoing project... We're trying to find a cure.

For werewolves?

Yeah, or something that can diminish the side affects of transformations. We've made a lot of progress, and we do have a cure technically. Remus' eyes popped, and he had to remind himself to breath.

But it's too dangerous, we can't even test it on humans yet. she said, and his hopes died instantly. We're doing our best, but there aren't a lot of resources. Not many people have bothered to try and find a cure, so we're in the dark really. she said with a sigh, pouring a few ingredients into one of the spare cauldrons. I doubt we'll ever succeed in making anything useful, but future generations could probably benefit from our study.

Remus nodded, continuing to stir the potion as he had been for the past ten minutes. Being in the presence of werewolves was still a new experiance for him, but thus far, it was nice. Knowing someone was trying to help his kind rather than destroy it was a comforting thought.

Want to try and help us? Hogwarts has a lot more books than we've been able to get a hand on... Most of them would be restricted but-

Not a problem. Get me a list and I can get you the books... My friends are studying to become Animagi, we're very good at getting away with things.

Elise asked, raising her eyebrows.

So when I transform I won't try and bite them... I don't know if they'll accomplish anything beyond two seconds as a rat, but they're determined as hell and I wouldn't put it past them. he said with a smirk.

You have some very loyal friends, if they'd go to such lengths for you.

Nah, they want to be able to bite a few Slytherins in the ass as a dog I suppose. It isn't all for me, but the initial plan was in my favour, I've been told.

You hang on to those friends of yours... People like that are worth the world to keep, especially to us.

Again Remus felt the warm feeling of understanding. He knew they wouldn't replace James and Sirius, but someone to run to was always a plus. And someone who could tolerate his appetite was even better.



In two days Caleb was back on his feet, though Elise tried to kepe him in the house. She did permit him to go hunting, and as soon as she gave in, he grabbed the crossbow and was out the door.

What does he hunt?

He has this thing for venison... His little place in Michigan is ridden with steamed, smoked, canned and frozen venison. You'd better like the stuff because we'll be eating it for a while. she warned with a smile.

Good thing I'm leaving in a few days.

Oh, that's right, you still have school. Elise pondered. I keep forgetting...

I'm only fourteen.

My God, I thought you were at least as old as I am! she laughed. I just turned sixteen! Remus raised an eyebrow, and shrugged it off.

How old is Caleb?

Turned eighteen last month, just a few days before he found you.

Well, you're about my brother's age, a little younger-

Is he cute?

I've been told we look a lot alike, so judge yourself. And sorry, he's practically engaged.

Ah, I'll live... Not happily though.

Yeah, the socially deprived life of a werewolf.

Hard to find anyone who can tolerate us, if they aren't one of us. I hate to be so collective and all that, but I can't recall more than two couples where there's only one werewolf. she mused, digging out a deck of cards from a cabinet. Care to play poker?

Strip, I hope? Remus asked with a smile, and was promptly hit with a pillow.

And here I was praying you'd be the odd one of the male population. Silly of me to believe a guy could be a sane creature...

You're setting your standards too high.




On the train back to Hogwarts, Remus spent a long while looking over the list of books and potion instructions to try for Elise. He didn't notice Snape peering over his shoulder for quite some time.

What do you want? he asked, startled to realize the boy had been there for a few minutes.

What are you attempting to brew? Those are some very complex procedures...



Right... You're a friend of Potter, you lot are always up to something. Snape said, rolling of his eyes. Alcanite? That can kill someone... What are you trying to do, knock off Bane and get away with it? I'll help if that's the case. he said with a smirk.

It's nothing... Bye. Remus said shortly, going off to find Sirius and James. One of Elise's pages slipped away as he left, and Snape picked it up.

What in hell is that idiot trying to do? he mused to himself.



Look! Seriously, we can almost do it now! Well, Sirius can, but look! Peter squeaked excitedly, bouncing up and down on his toes. He pointed to where Sirius was in the corner of the compartment, huffing as if he had just gone in a race, clutching at his gut. Very slowly, he changed completely... Every human feature he had disappeared, and in place, black fur and enormous paws took over. It lasted only a second, but he had done it. Sirius Black had managed to change into a gigantic black dog.

Holy God, that was... Amazing. Remus said in awe. James nodded, smiling dumbly, and Peter started rambling on about something. Despite how tired and beaten he looked, Sirius still managed a modest smile.

I didn't think you guys were serious about it... Remus muttered a while later as James paid for a whole army load of candies off the cart.

We should be able to do it in about a year, properly of course. Sirius said, glancing at Peter. That is, if that stupid git practices.

Hey, I'm doing the best I can! he grumbled. Not my fault I'm horrible at Transfiguration...

Peter, you're horrible at everything. Sirius laughed, patting him on the back. No worries, we'll get you to learn even if we have to force it in you.

Peter shot a pleading glance at Remus, begging silently to be put out of his misery.


He looked up, and found a very red-faced Romolus standing at the doorway, shuffling his feet.

C'you come here for a second? he asked, not meeting his gaze. Remus follwed with a shrug, and a few minutes later, had to try very hard not to burst out laughing.




A/n- Another down! I'm estimating that this fic will get to 35+ chapters if I keep going, so expect more and more! And then there's always the sequel... What DID Remmie do during those thirteen years before PoA?? And after Hoggie for that fact? I might answer my own vesion... That is as long as I get REVIEWS.

Iggie

Title meaning- Effluo: To vanish, be forgotten