A/n- Aren't you glad I'm ending that nasty cliffhanger? :-D So sorry for the delay.

Disclaimer- I claim ownership to nothing but my evilness.

Angst Warning



Seeing Grey - Part LXIV - The Promised Land





Just put the gun down Romolus, please.

Remus pleaded, beyond words, praying to get through.

That glint... His brother, who had kept him on his feet since he was a child, that glint did not belong in his eyes. At that moment, he would have given anything to rid that maddening stare from his brother's gentle face.

Except now, he didn't look so gentle. The comforting kindness was absent, replaced by the most sincere hatred Remus had ever had the misfortune of witnessing.

For a werewolf, that was had to come by.

Brother, please! he begged, wishing for the gun to be gone, for him to wake up from this nightmare. Only in a dream could something so despicable happen. It couldn't possibly be real.

The word brother' ignited some sickening look in Romolus' vacant eyes. It occurred to him now that he was in fact related to the filth he wished so dearly to exterminate.

They killed him. Romolus repeated, the shotgun quivering in his hands. I can't... I'm not going to let you get away.

Rom, it's me... Please, don't do this. I know you're mad-

he laughed, a disgusting laugh that would put Snape to shame. You ruined my life, and stole my son. I'm a little beyond mad, brother!

So that's it then, huh? Remus whispered, his face falling.

The bold voice of the hero was gone, the facade had failed. Now he stood before his brother, his only remaining family, and a congregation of fellows he would risk his life to save.

All those years, I was just being a pest? I stole father from you, ripped away your tidy little life. Such a pity, then, that you weren't an only child. Better off with me dead, right? he said, unfazed by the barrel aimed at his forehead. You'd have your son, and a normal life.

Behind him, his pack stirred, not fully understanding the situation. One of the men had begun to cry shamelessly, apparently remembering waking to the foul taste of blood in his mouth.

Why don't you finish this, brother? Remus asked sharply, cutting through to Romolus. For a brief second, the gun lowered.

Taking the cue, one of the nameless werewolves shot to his feet, grabbing the others as he bolted for the exit.

Remus shut his eyes, already knowing what would happen. He asked God to spare them, but his request went unheard.

He jumped at the thundering sound of the bullet, his entire body going rigid. What bothered him more was the dull thud of a body falling to the ground.

Let them go Rom, he asked again, a tear fallen from his eye. let this go.

Whatever fraction of Romolus' mind that wasn't rattled in grief watched as the werewolves escaped, taking their fallen comrade in their arms. As they went around the corner, one of the young girls looked back, teary blue eyes meeting that of her assailant.

Rom's hand twitched, his eyes ignited with anger. Such a look didn't belong on the face of a murderer. He raised his hands, but only briefly. Before he had time to make the wrong decision, Remus drew his wand. With a stone face, he uttered the spell, and turned his head as his brother fell to the ground.

The gun clattered mockingly to the unfinished floor, a useless tool built by man.



Remus looked down on his brother, now only a figure sprawled on the floor awkwardly. The pain of facing family as the enemy had been numbed. Now, there were more important things to take care of. The man lying there was just another casualty from the war.

Farewell then, brother. he repeated, tearing his eyes away from a final glance.

He followed the pack, walking on emotionlessly. There was no need for feelings any longer.



Can we stop, sir?

My name's Remus. he said shortly. And no.

We can barely walk! the girl exclaimed, pushing her body forward to keep up. We're literally carrying each other.

Remus looked back, and made no indication of emotion at the sight of the older men having to carry the weight of several fallen others.

We've already lost time from stopping. he said after a moment.

Angrily, the girl cut him off, forcing Remus to meet her gaze, a task he had been avoiding for several hours.

Look mister, I appreciate being rescued from the Ministry, but this is stupid. she said bravely. behind her, the men stopped, and took the opportunity to rest. You're going to kill us at this rate!

The corner of Remus' mouth twitched, apparently his way of displaying an apology.

The girl, looked away, embarrassed at having spoke out, but she joined the pack regardless.

Remus walked off a few paces, distancing himself from the quiet chatter in the wood. Finding a mossy rock, he sat down and let his head fall to the comfort of his hands.


This isn't real. I'm going to wake up.' he told himself, ignoring the fuzzy call nearby. Just a dream. I'm going to wake up in my four-poster, James and Sirius and Peter will be right there. Just having a bad dream.'

His dream suddenly became very painful.

Here, it might help with the headache.

He didn't look up or even acknowledge the person behind him.

It isn't poison. the man insisted. There's native Meckweed around here, it helps.

Remus held out his hand, and waited for the plant. To his dismay, the man was determined to see his face.

he asked impatiently, looking up at the thirty-some blond.

What happened back there, at the Ministry? Before you left us... You're acting different now. he noticed, picking another patch of Meckweed from the ground. Absently, as if programed to do so, he found a flat slate of rock and ground the leaves and roots into a fine powder.

Nothing, I'll be fine. Remus muttered.

Werewolve's pre-cog, sorry lad. he said with a chuckle. I saw that lie coming.

What does it mater to you?

Well, I think I bloody well have the right to know the man that just saved my life. he said, leaning over to scoop a handful of water from the creek. After a moment of careful mixing, he wrapped the sticky ball in a leaf and handed it to Remus. Eat it before the water dilutes it.

Remus bit off an end, and swallowed quickly.

There isn't anything important to know about me.

Well, if you're going to lock yourself up... At least tell me where you're takin' us lot.

Remus said distantly, shutting his eyes. He had no desire to return. The City of the Moon...

No more informed than before, the man left another leaf of painkiller and returned to his friends.



Rom, you're back! Remus squealed, happily bouncing on the balls of his feet as the steaming red train rolled into platform nine and three quarters. With a gitty grin, he waved at every passing window, hoping to catch sight of his brother.

Oooh, c'mon, c'mon. he said impatiently, waiting for the doors to open. Piles of students came out, rolling fancy suitcases and expensive trunks of belongings. Brothers and sisters went to greet their parents, mothers embraced daughters, fathers proudly smiled at their accomplished sons all around.

he yelled, cupping his hands as a megaphone. Before he released the second shriek, someone tapped him on the back. Remus turned around, smiling widely at his brother.

Except, it wasn't his brother.

Lookin' for Rom Lupin? a handsome black boy asked warmly. Remus nodded, and tried to peer around the tall boy. Well, he isn't here. Wasn't on the train, anyway.

Oh... Thank you. Remus muttered, the liveliness falling from his face.

You're his kid brother, right?



Here, he told me to give you this. the boy said, producing a letter from a pocket. He waved goodbye, and ran off to join his father in the background.

Moony,

Sorry, I had to take care of something, I wont be there to see you at the station. I'll catch you in Yorkshire next Saturday. If you can't find a way there, I'll hunt you down the old fashioned way. Cheers,

Romolus'

... Guess you weren't looking forward to seeing me. Remus told himself sadly, crumpling the letter into a ball that was soon sailing down the sewer.



Where are we going?

To my city. Remus said shortly, tired of answering the small girl's questions.

Why are we looking for a city in the middle of a forest?

Because that's where it is. he grumbled, running his hand along the rock face. After a moment of thought, he located a notch, and pulled a loose stone.

The complicated and newly-instated Illusion Charm faded away, and the gates to Jericho materialized before the tired throng. He motioned for the pack to stay behind, and confronted the guard.

Lupin, good to see you back. We've been worried.

Is Caleb around? Remus asked, ignoring the concern.

The man flinched, and looked at the ground. Snapped a rib last moon, he's been sleeping it off in the Med house.

Remus said with an affirming nod, starting to walk on through the narrow mountain passage.

Want me to wake him?

I'd prefer not. Remus mumbled, waiting for the convocation to follow.

The guard smiled at each passing werewolf, silently welcoming them through the gates of Jericho.



a voice called, acceding a knock on the door. Come now, I know you're hiding in here. Helina stepped around the corner, and smiled.

Clever disguise... The lumpy blanket with feet is so inconspicuous. she commented lazily. She made an attempt to whisk the blanket away, only to find Remus was holding it firmly over his head with tight fists.

Well, whatever. A letter came for you, just wanted to deliver it. Helina said, setting the parchment down on top of what she presumed was Remus' head. Figuring he wasn't going to move until she left, Helina slammed the front door to indicate her departure.

Remus frowned underneath his covers, and snatched the letter.

he grumbled, squinting under the dull light from his wand. He was too disgruntled to find the sense to remove the blanket and make apt use of sunlight.

Remus,

It's Richard, Shelly's father. I do hope this owl reaches you soon enough, I had no idea where to address it now that school is out. If it's very late, I apologize, our owl isn't very reliable for finding missing persons. Either way... Have you seen your brother recently? If you didn't know, there was a slight accident with Shelly over the weekend, and she ran off. Your poor brother was a wreck when we last saw him, I think he's been drinking. We're worried. If you hear from him, please contact us immediately. Our phone numbers are at the bottom, I trust you know how to operate Muggle telephones competently.

And remember, we're here if you have any troubles, no need to distance yourself. You're part of the family, you know.

Richard Hollen

Remus snorted to himself in grim irony.

You wont want me in the family once you find out what that speck of trouble was. I doubt you'll stand the sight of me once you know my kind killed your grandchild. he mused.



Absently, he rolled over on the couch, facing away from the newly arrived Caleb. The plaid blanket was once again drawn over the whole of his body, and Remus forced himself into a state of semiconsciousness. By the time the constant tapping of Caleb's cane reached the living room, he was beyond comprehension.

Hm, tired from the trip. Caleb thought aloud. Nineteen people though, we'll have to throw him a party... What's this? he asked himself, bending down with some difficulty. Deciding it too painful to stand upright, he stayed crouched on the ground as he unfolded the letter that had fallen from Remus' hand.

Caleb, don't go spying on the kid's life. Melhane snapped from the doorway, at last finally having found her escapee.

I was just trying to figure out why he's locking himself away from everyone. Caleb defended with a guilty smile. Melhane waited impatiently, her arms crossed seriously. Sighing in defeat, Caleb set the letter on a side table and allowed himself to be dragged back to the doctor.

Under the blanket, Remus squinted his eyes shut, wishing to block out the dream that plagued his mind every time darkness fell.



Remus, there are two very angry owls out here! At least let them in! Garade barked, pounding his fist on the window.

Very briefly, the window shot open, and the two birds were permitted entrance.

Bugger off. he snapped to the larger brown owl who seemed to want a bit of attention. He flicked his hand at it, lightly pushing it back through the window after its companion.

Moony-

How are you holding up? There's a big game on Saturday, Scotland versus England United, wondering if you'd like to come. Peter's step-brother managed to snag awesome seats, and we have an extra ticket. Write back ASAP before James invites Lily- God knows she's annoying as hell during Quidditch matches. Bloody woman doesn't know how to shut up and let us enjoy the game. Besides, James gets in his oogy state around her. Anyway, write or show up at James' place by Friday if you're interested.

Padfoot

P.S. I do not get oogy around her! -Prongs


 he muttered to himself, tossing the letter on the small table that sat beside his cushioned throne. The other article he recognized as a Ministry document, more specifically one from his boss.

Too bad. Remus told himself a short while later, tearing the parchment into confetti.

You need to get back to work, you know. Garade yelled from the window, having finally cracked it open from the outside. If Simmers wasn't confined to a bed by that damn woman, he'd have shoved you off days ago.

Well, I don't rightly feel like going back to work. Remus replied resentfully, scowling. And if you're so concerned, why don't you go back? Afraid you'll get caught?

Garade flushed a light shade of red, and frowned. Some hero you are... Overrated git. he mumbled, walking away with a dented ego.

Who said I wanted to be the hero. Remus snapped to no one in particular.


A/n- Oh my gosh, I'm SO incredibly sorry this chapter has taken forever to get out! School has been a bloody nightmare, and once again the pains of organized sports inhibit my free time usually spent writing. I'll try to get the others out faster, though I can't promise much. My apologies!!

Iggie