A/n- Back for more, eh?

Rating- PG-13... I went light on swearing and all such nonsense, but what I lacked in curses I make up for with angst.

Disclaimer- Nothin' but the heartache belongs to me! Well, the WU and non-cannon... Yeah, you know the drill.




Seeing Grey - Part LXVI - Beyond the Wood




Leave him. Ms. Horder said sternly, grabbing Caleb before he could run unsteadily after the boy. He's having a bad enough time as it is, I don't think you reprimanding him is going to improve his dark outlook on life any more.

Who the hell are you to tell me that? Caleb demanded, snatching his cane from the door side. To his surprise, even werewolf might wouldn't allow him escape from the woman's grasp.

I'm a concerned woman who knows some things about that boy that you don't. she said icily.

What could you know?

Caleb, Celia, please. Melhane interjected, stepping between them and guiding Ms. Horder's hand away from around Caleb's neck. If we're going to help Remus, I think it's best that we stop trying to kill one another.

Both stared at each other, and reluctantly nodded.

How about we sit down? Melhane suggested, trying to find a way to break the tension.

What about Remus?

He'll come back. Ms. Horder declared. He always runs back sooner or later.

Caleb sat down on the couch, in the middle. Clearly, e didn't want to share the space. Taking a seat as far away as possible, Ms. Horder set her wand out on the floor in front of her.

You can let your guard down. she said. Caleb kept his own wand close.

So why the hell are you here?

I found Lupin instead of you.



I'll be right back, I'm going to go get some tea. Melhane said loudly, praying to God that both would still be alive when she returned.

My squad has been tracking you for a long time, you leave very little trail to follow so it's taken far too long for us to find you. I was sent to bring you in to the Ministry, and instead I found an emotionally damaged student of mine.

Jesus Christ, they know where we are? Caleb asked, his face devoid of all colour.

No. We were only able to find Remus by chance that he cast a spell during his raid, we following it back to Canterbury. I presumed it had been you... As said, I broke the door open and found him near tears on a sofa. Not exactly my intentions for the day. she said lightly, crossing her arms. I don't know what the hell I'm going to tell my boss when I go back. I was supposed to bring in your head.

You aren't going to? he asked carefully, fingering his wand again cautiously.

Look, Lupin isn't a happy person right now. From what I've gathered, he'd kill himself right now if he weren't afraid to.

Then why are we letting him run off? Caleb questioned, standing up from his seat.

Because he'll be fine. Ms. Horder repeated. He's a smart kid for the most part, he'll be fine.

Slowly, Caleb sat back down, and narrowed his eyes in thought.

What happened to him this time?

I believe he killed his brother.

Caught off guard, Caleb slipped from the edge of the couch and crashed onto the floor.

He what?

Look, to make an extremely long and painful story short, his brother's wife miscarried because of a werewolf attack. He went ot the Ministry to seek revenge on the same werewolves Remus went to help escape. They met, the brother had a gun and a hangover, and Remus was determined to set his people free. Henceforth, I think he's dead now. Ms. Horder said all too quickly, butchering what should have been an intense tale.

Caleb blinked, and didn't bother helping himself back to the couch.

Oh my God... That would explain- I mean, Romolus was all he had outside- Are you sure he's dead?

she said simply. He looked dead. Not to seem cruel, but I let my training take over. Instead of hanging around, I followed the trail his spell left behind.

With a long string of curses as his response, Caleb pushed himself upright with a wince and he stumbled over to the door. Ms. Horder was right behind before he could even turn around and ask her to come.

Leave your wand. he ordered. I wouldn't trust a Ministry hunter with the time of day.

Fair enough. she said, setting her weapon down on a table as she left. A moment later, she had a mental deliberation with herself. What the hell am I doing? This place is a gold mine for me... I'd be promoted out of the whole damn division for bringing this in.

Then why haven't you done it? Caleb asked, catching her musing as he tried to smell out where his friend had run off to.

Eh, I don't have the courage to take on an entire community of werewolves. she admitted without feeling the least bit embarrassed.

Or the idiocy to try. he mumbled.



Get up. Caleb sighed, relieved to have found Remus, though still disappointed in him.

Leave me alone.

Why, so you can sit here and cry like a five year old child? Oh, that reminds me, two of such are back in town waiting to say hello to you.

They can wait. Remus muttered, making sure his back was turned to Caleb as he stepped through the brush of the forest. Besides, they're better off without me around.

How the hell do you figure that? Caleb asked, slipping briefly as his cane dug into a badger tunnel and caught there. Those runts love you, and they need you.

Everyone I get close to dies! Remus yelled, his voice cracking slightly.

Hey, I'm perfectly fine... Alright, bad example. Um-

Remus snapped, shaking his head. Everyone I care about is gone.

Your friends. Caleb answered, finding a tree to lean against. He knew better than to press open space on a disgruntled werewolf. James, and that other one... And the third one you talk about. They're alright, and they care for you. A lot, I might remind.

Yeah, and I bet if they stick with me much longer they'll wind up dead or otherwise. Remus told himself.

For Christ's sake Lupin, stop being pathetic! Caleb yelled loudly, his face twisted into a scowl. This isn't typical of you, I mean, you're strong as hell. Determined to a fault when it comes to nearly anything. Stop crying and find a way to fix your problems instead of moaning over them. It accomplishes nothing.

How am I supposed to fix my problems? My problem is that my life is a worthless piece of shit and I don't feel like bothering anymore. he grumbled, rubbing his eyes indiscreetly.

Shut up. Caleb demanded. Just shut the hell up. He stressed each word, stretching it out and forcing Remus to listen to his words. You have so much potential, if you could only see it! You're bright, you're strong, and you have a good heart-

That's killed more people than I care to recall.

Saving your own life and the lives of others isn't what i consider corrupt. Caleb said, wishing he would turn around. Your father was going to kill you. Your mother was not your own fault. And your brother... Could you really sit by and watch him kill a child?

A child that killed his own! Us! back there is a man who feasted on the flesh of my family!

And you say you have it bad. Caleb said slowly, taking a few steps forward. Making sure to not move quickly, acting as though in the presence of an animal, he set himself down on the fallen tree next to Remus. We all have our own demons. It comes with the curse... There is more curse' in our affliction than changing body on the full moon. Outcasted, beaten, hated. It is all part of lycanthropy. he explained.

Beside him, Remus turned away, hiding his face in the shadows the trees cast down.

We have to fight to survive in a world that choses not to accept us, and struggle to live through the trials we all inevitably face. Yes, you have faced more than some of us.

Too many. he said bitterly.

But we all make it! That's the difference between you and me, Lupin. I don't let it get me anymore.

With a sad sigh, he put a hand on Remus' shoulder, and forced him around.

Come on, kid, you have a long way to go in life. You, alone from the rest of this city, have a future beyond the wood. One kind man we'll never meet accepted you into Hogwarts, a dream many of us dare not create.

Hogwarts has been nothing but a smack in the face for the past years. Remus sad weakly, his voice failing him. I'll never be the same as anyone else, I never been.

Maybe that's a good thing. Caleb said gently, trying to find a smile within himself. Honestly, I pity the lot of fools out there. They will grow up not knowing any better than to blind-sightedly judge one another.

What if they find out about me? Remus interrupted, pulling away from Caleb's touch. They'll kill me Caleb, or lock me away. I love Hogwarts despite everything, but I hate it for the same. I'm afraid I'll lose the only thing I have anymore.

Caleb nodded, and stood up unsteadily.

Just keep pushing on Remus, always. For the rest of your life you're going to face hells others could never imagine. It takes a better man to survive the curse we bear, and not just live with it, but defeat it. he said. Hold on to the things you love, and deal with the ones you despise. You're strong enough to conquer them, you alone. To save us, Remus, you must first save yourself.

Without another word or offering of advice, Caleb set off through the wood. His footsteps echoed on the snapping twig, the thud of his cane every other pace falling like rain.

Beyond him, Remus stared off into the distance, to the edge of the wood.

Alright, Elise, I did promise. I'll save us. he declared with a somber face.



Look, I have to be off. Ms. Horder said, setting down her fork and wiping the corner of her mouth with her sleeve. Thank you for the dinner, and for not killing me.

Oh, it's no problem Celia. Melhane said, trying to smile enough to distract from the glares Caleb had been feeding her all throughout the meal. We're very thankful for your understanding.

A small thump sounded, and Caleb's eyes bulged. Presumably, Melhane had stomped on his foot under the table.

Yes, thank you for not reporting us. he said tightly, his face wrenched in pain.

Chuckling to herself, Ms. Horder nodded and waved goodbye before she Apparated.

I thought we had a field against that. Melhane asked in confusion.

We do. Caleb muttered, massaging his foot. We also claim to have sane leaders, and I'm sure you know by now that it's one horrible lie.

Where is Remus, anyway? she asked, finishing off her fresh venison before stacking the dirty plates atop each other by way of magic.

He took the runts to his friend's house.

Is that a wise decision?

Caleb said blandly. But they were giving me a headache. I figure, spread the wealth.

she snapped, throwing a wet dishrag in his face.

Knock it off woman! I'm injured!

You'll be even more injured if you call me woman again. Melhane threatened.



Moony! Hey, good to see-

James was cut short as the boys toppled him to the ground, eager to wrestle with someone they could easily defeat. laughing hysterically, James pounded his fist on the ground, unable to say You win!'

Corey, Jason, get off. James' face isn't supposed to be purple. he pointed out. Quickly he grabbed the backs of their messy shirts and liberated his close friend.

Hello boys. he said with a colourful face. Would you like something to eat?

D'ya have any carrots? Jason asked, trying to shove his brother out of the way.

Carrots? God Remus, what did you do, brainwash them? he laughed. No, sorry, I'm all out of anything healthy. There's chocolate pound cake and a few candy bars-

Both of the boys had run off before he could finish his sentence.

Do they know where the kitchen is?

Where there is chocolate, they will follow. Remus chuckled. That's a bad idea, you know. Getting them hyper like this so early in the afternoon.

Sirius is upstairs somewhere, I'll let him handle the twins. James said as Remus threw his cloak onto a sitting chair in the front room. He led him into his favourite room, one decorated with Muggle beanbag chairs and a very cheap television sitting atop a plastic milk crate in the center of a shag rug.

So, what's been new so far? Any great and exciting adventures we missed out on? he questioned, flopping into a beanbag that spit out several foam beads. James grabbed one, and happily squished it between his fingers in amusement.

No, none so far. Remus lied. What have you and Sirius been up to since school ended?

James grinned wide, indicating that he had been up to no good whatsoever.

Oh, not a whole lot. he said with glittering eyes.

What'd you blow up this time? Remus laughed, finding a chair he thought wouldn't explode upon sitting in. He guessed wrong.

In a flurry of styrofoam pellets, James and Remus happily tried to find one another. A short while later, Sirius joined the brawl with two small amoebas clinging to his legs.

Ah, the good ol' days! he chanted, spitting a stray artificial ben from his mouth.

Remus smiled, and nodded his head.


'Night Moony.

Goodnight James, Sirius. Oh, did you-

They've been asleep for a while. Sirius assured, closing the large redwood doors of Remus' guest room.

Quietly he sat up in the massive and engulfing bed. Overhead, an animated painting of a night sky flickered peacefully, though Remus felt none of it.

I have to know. he muttered, getting out of bed and wrapping himself in a light robe. Trekking over to the desk at the far end of the room, he sat himself down and waited for the parchment and inked quills to appear, as he knew the would.

I'm at James Potter's mansion, you know where it is. You're welcome to come.

I'm sorry, brother.

He folded up the untidy scrawl and went over to a painted-glass window next to him. Opening the pane carefully, he let out three long, shrill whistles and waited for one of James' many owls to arrive.

If you don't find him, please bring me the letter back. I'll understand then. Remus explained, tying the message to its carrier. The tiny black owl offered a supportive hoot and nip, and flew off into the night, disappearing into the blackness.

Wandering back to his bed some time later, Remus found himself staring at the false stars until the sun had begun to rise.

I... I couldn't have. he said out loud, his face tight.

The door creaked open, and both the twins wondered why their father was so unhappy.



I know I didn't! he said sharply. There's no way... But... Did I?

Remmie, Uncle Sir'is made pancakes. Jason announced, running up to the bed and pulling on Remus' sleeve.

C'mon, breakfast is ready! Corey pleaded, impatient.

A rustle at the window caused all three to turn and watch the owl land on the sill. Without explanation, Remus scooped both boys into his arms and hurried downstairs.




A/n- Ya know, I bet the only reason you all come back for more is because of my positively daemonic cliffhangers. Well, I apologize, but they're so fun! Ah!

Happy Anniversary, Seeing Grey! ((My sincere sympathy goes out to Remus for all that I have put him through in the past year. (Also, MITCH, I swear if you're reading this, I'm so sorry about your mum.))

Iggie