A/n- Here we go again...

Disclaimer- Are these even necessary at this point? If so, I own nothing...

Rating- PG-13, but I'm pushing it with how oft I swear in this one. Expect some nasty language... You've been warned.

Chapter Keywords- ::Hums jungle bells::, and a bit of other... things...


NOTES-

LyriaPadfoot- Thank you to bits for being so patient with me. Torture, I know...

kittylace- Oh yes, something is going to happen with Rem and El.... ::grin::

aurielo- Shopping doesn't really get anywhere here... And as for everything else, you'll see.

Amphitrite- Thanks! Glad someone likes my writing... Tell my Lit. professor that... Nag nag nag nag nag.

Rykatu*L- Eh, he won't be getting happy any time soon, just a warning.

TawnyWolf- Er, the dream, um... Not really. Per say... Just read...

EVERYONE- thanks so much for the reviews. I love you all the pieces, you have no idea. So many times I was planning to drop this fic, you guys keep it going. Thanks!



Seeing Grey - Part XXVII - Gelidus Revera



Can we leave? he asked quietly, finally managing to track Elise down in the robe shop. She frowned, and set the long silver dress robes back on the rack.

Why so rushed? I haven't even gotten to the Apothecary yet and we need powdered Froolang and hellecan beetle wings.

Well can you be quick about it? I want to leave. Remus said impatiently, making sure Sirius wasn't still tracking him down.

You being stalked or something?

Sirius is here.

Well go have a butterbeer with him! she suggested, completely missing his elusive manner.

Rather not, thank you. Now hurry up.



What's got him all in a fuss? Caleb asked as the young werewolf slammed the door, and promptly locked himself down in the basement to work and decode Cor's journal on his own. Then again, he was shopping with you... Too bad I didn't have time to warn the poor soul. he said with a tsk'.

I see you found your boxers. Elise teased, depositing a bag of gifts in the corner. Caleb went bright red, and muttered something as he continued to cook an attempt at dinner.

He's just irritable lately. Elise said after a moment. He's been through a lot, so just try not to pester him. And deary, you'd best set the oven down unless you want a very VERY well done steak. she pointed out. Caleb let out a little squeak, and rushed to the steaming stove before their meal was destroyed.

Well I just don't see how the little prat is going to get any better if he keeps distancing himself from everyone. he mused after flipping the slab of meat a few times thoughtfully.

Remember when Johnson didn't get away? Elise said quickly. You went nuts about it. Hell, you wouldn't even eat.

he muttered, going pale and closing his eyes.

And no matter how much I tried, you wouldn't say a word to me. Nothing. You still blame yourself for his execution too, don't you? she said, and took his silence as a confirmation. This is a little bit like that. He doesn't know where the hell he's going in life, and he's got one nasty guilt issue.

Caleb nodded his head, still trying to push old memories away. A hand on his shoulder sapped him back to reality, and Elise's warm smile helped.

We can't help him Caleb, you know that, don't you?

But... Dammit, I hate seeing him like this. He's like family for God's sake.

We never had anyone. None of us ever had anyone... It's the nature of a wolf to remain in solitude no matter how difficult it is. For him, all we can do is watch and make sure he doesn't do anything he won't regret.

Dammit Elise, I hate this. he muttered in a childish, pained way.

I know... I know.


Is there any powdered Kneazle claw left?

No, we used the last of it for the previous attempt. Caleb informed after a quick survey of their ingredients cabinet.

You can use two pinches of Morripan hair for the same result. Remus said as he caused a minor explosion.

Sorry, forgot to tell you I switched the lacewing and beetle wing jars... Caleb mumbled, mopping a bit of goo off his robes. My bad.

Yeah... Can you give me that spare cauldron? This one melted through. he said after discarding the punctured metal.

I don't know what Elise did with it.

Where is she anyway?

Who knows... Probably off shopping again or something, knowing her. I'd suspect she'll be back by Christmas morning.

If you say so.


Remus rolled over on the couch, drawing the thick wool blanket over himself with a shiver. He paid little attention to Caleb's call for breakfast, jerking a pillow over his head to mute the noise.

Get your arse out of bed, we need to get working to pick up the slack for what we'll loose tonight. the older boy said after snatching the blanket and rolling his comrade onto the floor. Drawing himself to his feet, Remus stumbled along to the bathroom, and took a very brief cold shower before dressing.

Too damn cold. he muttered over his breakfast.

If you haven't noticed Sherlock, it snowed like a deuce last night. Caleb pointed out, finger extended to the window. All he saw was white, and a crack of light at the top.

We're snowed in?

Apparently, and Elise is snowed out. That isn't going to clear up by Wednesday... he paused for a moment, and ran a hand through his hair. Get a move on that meal, we have a lot to do before tonight.

What's tonight?

Blimey, have you been that out of it to forget about the cycle?

Shit! The full moon is tonight? Remus cursed, aghast and angry at himself for not remembering.

Caleb snapped with a hint of satire, rolling his eyes. Just spare a prayer for Elise that she's somewhere safe, and away from everyone... Might be hard with that pileup. he grumbled with another look at the blanket of white.

Too bad werewolf precognostics are so unreliable. Remus mused.

Trigger moment Sight always is, we're just damned to hell with it. One way or the other, we'll know if anything happens.



Side by side, separated only by a wall of stone, the two wolves raised their heads and sniffed at the barred windows of their cells. Both returned the canine cry of the night, noses high, ears flattened to their heads. The lighter beast scratched feverently at his door, trying to pry his snout under the crack. Another painful howl echoed in the distance, both confined creatures returning it sadly.

Five hours the pair endured, torn between instinct and human misery, waiting for the sun to rise from its shadowy grave.

That is, until the grey wolf found a tiny crack in the wall.



With dim moonlight shining high overhead, the inhuman Remus Lupin raced through the snow, following the scent of his comrade. Bouncing along through the sea of white, he followed trail, animal instinct and human determination taking over. After hearing a gunshot, he tore through any obstacle daring to daunt his path, until he too was fired upon.



What was left of his control was soon lost as the first bullet screamed into his shoulder. Letting out a whimpering gasp, he lunged forward, tearing at his hunter. The comrade fired twice, one pellet managing to tnagle itself in his chest.

Damn beast! another shouted, firing in rapid succession. Not even feeling the pain, he too was soon fallen.

He limped forward, trailing blood all around, teeth dripping with the taste of human flesh. After a single sniff, he located his friend, and staggered about towards her.

Three mangled carcasses aside, the wolf now had time to tend to its friend on its own time. After a few steps toward the motionless animal, the wolfen Remus Lupin let out a painful cry, cringing his face up as the moon above faded in the early morning light. Slowly, as though in a time warp, his human features returned one by one. Not bothering to wait for his hands to reshape or his face to form, he crawled forward, and collapsed next to the partially-human Elise Newman.

'Lise... Elise, don't look up at the moon. he said in a raspy voice, covering her eyes with his paw. He knew that if she transformed back to human, her wounds would only be worse.

Gotta... Gotta get you back. he mumbled, digging his uninjured arm under her and flipping her over. The snow where she had been laying was drenched red, mark of several bullets in her chest. Choking on his breath, Remus closed his eyes, and shook for a moment, fighting for air.

Come on, gotta go. he told the unresponsive body, lifting her up with a twinge of pain. Trail of red leading back to the battle field, he trudged along, numb not from the cold, but numb from reality.



Remus whimpered pathetically, fumbling to open the lock to Caleb's cell. By now the boys were fully human, though Elise's wounds had delayed the reforming by quite a bit. He set the half-wolf down on a table, having wiped it of experimental potions, and undid another latch.

Elise, she's... he said in a slur, eyes fuzzing out before him. After sliding the chain free and twisting the last lock, he collapsed against the wall. The very last thing Remus saw was the bloody, mangled carcass of his friend.



Hey man, you alright? Caleb asked quietly as Remus slowly opened his red eyes. Upon refocusing, he noticed the table was bare of Elise, though her blood still lingered in blotches all about the floor.

What happened? he asked in a gasp, looking around. Catching Caleb's grim look and brief shiver, he anticipated the worse, and choked on his breath.

No, she's still alive... Dammit, you got hit too? he suddenly exclaimed, pulling away part of the robes to reveal a large red patch on his front. Remus jerked away, and looked up, almost pleadingly.

Where is she? he choked out, a spill of blood leaking from his mouth.

Upstairs on the bed, asleep... he mumbled, crouching down. You need to get to a hospital, or get your ass back to Hogwarts. he stated, grabbing the boy before he dashed off. Let her sleep for a while, it isn't terribly critical right now. Nothing vital was punctured.

She bled like hell... That can kill her easily enough. Rmeus said with difficulty, hand clutching at his bleeding side as he tried to break away.

You could be in shit if we don't get the goddamn bullet out! Caleb snapped, going stern and taking up a commanding look.

Her first. Until she's ok I'm not... Going anywhere. he stammered, eyes shutting from the strain of sight.

Elise can't be taken to hospitals, she has no tolerance for silver, that would drive her over the edge. At least with you we have a chance! Now for once just shut the hell up and worry about yourself! Caleb bellowed.

She's going to DIE! Remus countered, getting to his feet with a grunt of pain. Caleb grabbed him by the arm, not knowing there was a bullet lodged there as well, and pushed him against the wall. In an almost maniacal manner, he stared him down, eyes peircing more sharply than any bullet could.

Forget about her, there isn't anything we can do right now. Take her to a hospital, she dies. Take her to Mungo's or another wizard hospital, she'll be murdered. Go to any Healer, she'll be turned in and executed. You have family left, you have friends, and you have a chance. Are you going to throw it all away over one person? he asked, eyes dancing in the firelight.

You'd be that heartless, to treat her like.. .Like an expendable pawn? Remus questioned, not daring to move an inch.

Life is exactly like that Lupin, one big game of chess. he said, moving his hands and allowing Remus to slide back to the floor. You have to make certain sacrifices in order to win the game. We give up our freedom in order to survive. You, on the other hand, have become part of an elaborate plan. Some twisted little scheme no one but the player believes in. Caleb mused, closing his eyes and drawing in a tight breath. But to fail, to try and save that one little pawn, the whole game is ruined. Checkmate. He snapped his fingers, and looked down at his friend.

You have a future, and you have to live it in order to win the game. You're one of those little pawns... Only caring to save the big picture, to help those around it. Wake up, and choose your own path. he spat. And if you wont, I'll do it for you. Get your ass out of here, and get some help. he ordered, and grabbed him by the robes when Remus made no moment.

I don't care about my life. Remus said quietly, not meeting the cold gaze. I have no concern for it. Now let me go.

This is a mistake kid, a huge one.

Let me go. Remus snapped, breaths coming in rattling gasps.

And without any further argument, Caleb set him down, fighting down the desire to scream. Watching as the boy limped up the staircase, he took Remus' place against the wall.

Two down... Me to go. he muttered.



Elise, Elise, come on... Wake up. he asked desperately, shaking her shoulder and tapping her porcelain cheek lightly. Wake up Elise, please...

Emitting a pathetic groan, she half-stirred, and managed to find his hand with her own. Remus knelt down on the floor, relieved that she was alive to say the least.

she asked in an almost mute voice, devoid of all tone. He gripped her freezing hand tight, as though his grasp was all that bound her to the world of the living.


Yeah, it's me. he said after a moment. She never opened her eyes, and didn't move outside of trailing her hand up his arm.

You're hurt. she muttered weakly, dropping her hand down from the wound.

I'll be fine he assured, though not believing a word of it.

Go get... Some help. Elise mumbled in a slur, turning her head to him and trying with all that remained of her strength to smile.

Not until you're well again... So how are you feeling?

She made, for what Remus could surmise, a rattling laugh, and closed her eyes at the pain.

Few gunshots, nothing I can't handle.

You sure you're alright?

To phrase you, I'm fine.

Her eyes did nothing to convince him, and hours later, he fell asleep on the floor, exhausted and hurt no matter how he tried to deny it.





Merry Christmas, Mr. Lupin.

For a moment he felt as though he were in a horribly painful dream, though upon refocusing his sight, he found himself in the Hogwarts Infirmary. With a sick groan, he tried to lean forward, but Dumbledore held a hand to his shoulder and stopped him from doing so.

Poppy will have my head if you move from this bed. he said with a smile.

Who's Poppy?

I'm affraid Nurse Ahmand had to leave due to family problems, Madame Pomfrey will be the new nurse. She has been informed upon your condition. he said simply, and held out a small box.

Chocolate Frog?

Why am I here? Remus asked quickly, his mind not to be diverted from panic. Dumbledore chuckled, and let a small laugh escape.

A very odd fellow contacted me early this morning, and brought you here over the Floo Network while you were asleep. We exchanged a brief welcome and parting, as he left very quickly. However did you managed to lodge four bullets in yourself? he asked curiously.

Thought it was just three... Wasn't really paying attention. he muttered to himself. Wait a minute, is Elise here or-

The boy did mention something of a girl, and that I was to relay to you that everything would be taken care of'. I'm affraid that's all I know of the situation. the Headmaster said, and took a bite from his candy. I must be getting off, I have much to prepare for tonight's feast. If Madame Pomfrey will allow it, you can later go to your dorm for your things, the boy left them all here. Well, good day Mr. Lupin, and I do advise you to stay away from loaded rifle's...

He was left to be fussed over by a very zealous nurse, having several potions shoved in his face and many Charms done over and over to ensure his health.

Elise is the one that needs help. he grumbled as he wrote out a long, and very sloppy complaint to Caleb.



Hey Pete, I thought you were staying with your parents. Remus said, rubbing under his neck as he collapsed onto his familiar bed, ignoring the small pile of presents at the foot.

Er, I was suppose to stay with my mum, but she invited Father over for dinner a few nights ago... I haven't heard them fight that much since they got divorced. he said, going red in the face. They always fight over everything I do... I slipped out of my room and hitched a ride here since it's closest. Peter said as he went about to unpacking all his things neatly. I just got here a few hours ago... I thought you were with those two other people, or your brother or something...

Change of plans. was the short reply, and the end of the conversation.



Mr. Lupin, there's a man here to see you. You're to come with me to the Great Hall. McGonnagal said late that night, leading him out of the empty Gryffindor Common Room. For hours he had been staring into the fire, transfixed by it as a distraction from reality. Seeing Caleb now, sitting on the table with a pale face and white knuckles, he almost broke down on the spot. McGonnagal left, and he was there, alone, to face grim reality.

Take me back to her. he demanded after a few strangled breaths.

I can't. You're to stay here, Madame Pomfrey told me so.

Do you think I give a damn about a few shots to the chest and a little blood loss? She's gonna die for Chrissake, and you want me to stay here and let that happen?

Caleb winced at the words, and swallowed. You have to listen to me, now, if ever-

I've killed before, I swear to God Caleb, take me back. he snapped through clenched teeth, loosing all feeling in his aching body. They glared at each other like circling bulls, until finally Caleb relented.

An hour. Anything longer and it'd be a harm to your health...

I know a way out.



Remus had to fight back a sob the moment he saw her. If she had been pale before, it was nothing now. She was now almost the colour of whitened parchment, her lips nearly blue, eyes open and glazed. Lying on the bed as she was, Elise Newman looked more like a ghost than any living being he had ever seen before. Falling to his knee's by the bed, he bit his lip, and started mumbling incomprehensibly to himself.

She isn't going to live much longer... Caleb mumbled as he shut the door, taking a chair in the corner.

I can kind of tell that much. he snapped, and went back to gazing at the almost lifeless body before him. He hung his head down, trying to shake away what he was witnessing.

There has to be something we can do.

No hospital can take her, Hogwarts can't treat her, and even Mungo's couldn't save her. Nothing.



The entire hour he sat in silence, looking her over, praying to anything that would hear his quiet plea to spare her life. At the strike of ten, Caleb put a hand on his shoulder, telling him wordlessly it was time to leave.

Bye Elise... he said weakly, turning away. He stopped dead as something cold grasped his hand, and he found it to be Elise's once again.

I guess... This is a bad time, to fall in love, aye... Remus? she asked with the last of her breath, lips curling into a last smile. Abandoning Caleb's hold, he fell on top of her, not caring that tears leaked from his eyes as they embraced.

Please God... Elise, you can't die. Not now... Dammit, I need you here. he cried pathetically.




A/n- Wow am I going to be flamed for that... And I might remind you all that romance is FAR from my forte, and this is as close as any of you will ever see from my mind. Sorry for the angst overload, but I just can't help myself! Truly! Next one coming soon, promise. :-/

Well, as long as I get reviews... ::wink wink:: What can I say, I'm a review hound. ::shrug::

Iggie



Title meaning- Gelidus Revera: Cold/bitter reality