Dawns first rays began to pale the deep blue sky, making the harsh frost coating every blade of grass glitter like diamonds.

Two bare-footed figures left a trail of melted ice in their wake, a clear track of footsteps. One was dressed in a borrowed robe that hung loose around his spare shoulders, the other wore a short deerskin tunic from beneath which a furry grey tail sprouted and waved in the still, cold air. A long black cloak hung from her arms as she savoured the tingling sensation of the cold morning on her bare skin. It was a tradition not to wear too much so it wouldn't snag on branches or hinder movement.

Both were exhausted from the nights exertions and walked in comfortable silence side by side.

For the first time ever Remus had enjoyed being a werewolf. He'd become separated from Raq when she'd taken pride of place next to the white king at the head of the pack. He'd paired up with the pale female whose name was Kelyn.

He hadn't realised how much he'd been missing – all those years of solitary nights when he'd been locked away like an outcast he could've been out on the hunt, or singing his soul out, or telling stories, or, or... There were countless 'ors'. But his worst shame was that he hadn't known how unfit he was until he was in pursuit of the swift prey with the lean wolves of the Forest.

But there was something that troubled him, 'So they all chose to become what they are?'

Raq sighed, 'Most of them, yes. Like me they have either changed their appearance through magic, ritual or voluntarily taking the bite so they can switch.'

'Most?'

'Mm. Raven came here through chance. He was what we call a loner – that is a confused werewolf without friend or understanding of himself. Loners are dangerous creatures – you should know, you were one recently. They are the ones that kill mindlessly for they are afraid of what they are. Raven, unfortunately, had it worse than most. He was bitten during his teenage years and was shunned as a 'psycho' by his family and friends. So he ran away and ended up here.'

'Muggle-born?'

'No, Muggle.'

'He's a Muggle?'

'He was a Muggle, now he's Raven, a wolf. He has accepted our way of life, and besides, there's no way of him telling the world. Who would believe a talking wolf who spoke of magic? Or even someone who claimed he was a werewolf?'

'I see your point.'

'I'm glad you enjoyed it.'

Moony belched and with it came the taste of fresh venison, 'I think I ate too much.'

'Comes with the territory, I'm afraid. But you have a superb tail!'

Raq had been right when she'd said that he'd have a full-length tail when morning came – it hadn't changed a hair from last night. He was having trouble controlling it, but he was sure he'd get used to it.

Raq threw on her cloak and pulled it tight about her. 'Don't want anyone seeing and getting the wrong impression,' she winked roguishly at him. 'Oh, I see someone regained consciousness last night.'

The place where they had left Severus was empty.

'I thought that was a dream. I couldn't believe old Snowy did that!'

'Nothing ruffles our great leader, not even arrogant Potions Masters. I doubt if you placed him in front of the Dark Lord himself he'd turn a hair. Oh, and I wouldn't let him catch you calling him Snowy, it might tweak his tail a bit!'

Once up in Diana's chambers, she took out a bottle of yellow liquid and took a quick draught of it before offering over the bottle.

'What is it?'

'Just little liquid energy. Lucky I discovered this brew early on and even duffers like me at potions can make it. It really takes the edge off after an all night chase. This little brew has saved my tail on more than one occasion. Without it I'd have fallen off my broom I don't know how many times!'

Remus took a tentative sip of the potion. It was sweet and warming, not wholly unlike butterbeer, but as it seeped through his veins it took with it all the ache and tiredness.

'Better than wolfsbane, eh? Well, I've got to take a shower. I'll see you at breakfast?'

Remus pulled a face, 'How can you even think about breakfast? I've still got half a deer swilling around inside me.'

'I have to make an appearance at least, unlike you, you lucky sod.' Diana took another swig at the bottle before turning towards the shower.

Moony grabbed her by the hem of her cloak and rolled her onto the bed, 'Oh no, you don't get away from this wolf that easily!'

Both laughed as they rolled around and snapped at each other playfully. Whereas Remus had always been shy around women, the wolf in him seemed to know exactly what to do. He bent down and kissed her deeply.

The door creaked and swung open and in walked Albus Dumbledore. He hid a smile at Diana's mortified face as she looked over Remus's shoulder.

'Good Morning, Diana. I had wondered where Remus had got to, but I see you have been looking after him. Remus, if you could see me in my office when you are, er, ready?'

Dumbledore shut the door quietly and left the lovers to their business.

* * * * *

It wasn't until mid-morning that Lupin made his way up the hidden stairwell to Professor Dumbledore's study. He knocked and entered, only to find Albus waiting for him with a very disgruntled looking Severus.

'Good morning Albus, Severus.'

'Good morning, Remus. Please sit down.' Remus sat, but he didn't need Dumbledore's explanation about the cause of this meeting. There was a small crust of blood at the side of Severus's head. 'I hear you were running about the school last night.'

'I don't know what happened, not really anyway. I can't remember that much of last night.'

'You didn't take your potion.' Albus's face was concerned, Severus's furious.

Remus ran his thin fingers through his greying hair, 'I know. It doesn't work. It hasn't changed anything the last few times and it makes my changes far more painful.' Remus didn't like lying but the truth was a lot harder to explain.

'Isn't the safety of the students worth a little pain?' Snape snarled at him.

'Like I said, it doesn't work. When I'm wolf in the body I'm wolf in the head. The potion doesn't change that any more.'

'Do you remember any other wolves?'

'Other wolves?'

'Severus had an encounter with a large group of wolves, humans and anthropomorphic wolves. One in particular attacked him.'

'Why does this have anything to do with me?'

'You were with them and the one that attacked Severus did so while he was trying to restrain you. Apparently he referred to you as his 'Brother'.'

'I'm sorry but this means nothing to me. All I remember is the red moon rising. Everything after that is a blur until I was woken this morning in the Forest by Diana.'

'Di found you?'

'Yes. She was worried when I wasn't in my office and so came looking for me. She visits me early in the mornings after a full moon to make sure I'm all right.'

'And she said nothing about other wolves?''

'Nothing to me.'

'Thank you, Remus. Is there anything else?'

'No. Any reason?'

'You look... different.'

'I'm a happy man, Albus. It can change people in ways that they never knew. If there's nothing else, I think I need to lie down – I've got quite a serious bout of indigestion!'

'Ate too much?' Albus raised a white eyebrow at him and Remus grinned at him before leaving.

Dumbledore turned to Snape, 'Not exactly a mine of information. Then again I did not expect anything much. It must be a terrible curse for the man.'

'Aren't you going to do anything?'

'What do you want me to do, Severus?'

'The one who attacked me was inside the school. Don't we have any way to stop them coming in? Or can't we get rid of them?'

'We cannot drive creatures out of the Forest, Severus. If this wolf pack does indeed reside within then I cannot see any harm coming of it. And even though this wolf was inside the school it seems to me that he was only there to protect his brother wolf. Perhaps we could all take a lesson from him.'

'What are you saying?'

'Simply that too few in this world have interests beyond their own personal gain and safety. I'm sure this wolf took a great personal risk in coming in here for who knows who he might have met? As for your 'attack', I see little evidence of this wolf even touching you. It seems fear is his greatest weapon.'

'Albus, you didn't see what those creatures did during Voldemort's last reign. They were his personal army, his bodyguards, and in return he let them wreak bloody murder over all they desired. I don't want him getting his hands on them again this close to all the youngsters who might one day rise against him. I've seen the aftermath of a Lupuscan attack before and I don't want to see it here.'

He could see a picture of it in his mind – a bloodbath with severed limbs and torn flesh littered everywhere. Voldemort had shown it to all the Death Eaters as a warning of what would happen to them if they failed him.

'I understand, Severus. Are you sure the creatures you met were Lupuscans?'

'I'm certain of it.'

'Then maybe we should ally them before Voldemort does.'

'You have nothing to offer them, Albus. They are best wiped from the earth.'

'Thank you, Severus.'