Disclaimer: I do not know J.K. Rawling, I have no ownership of any of her characters, storylines or ideas. I admire her world from afar and find myself walking through the dreamscapes of Harry Potter's adventures. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Note: Brother Wolf continues where The Potion Master's Wife ends. Would you believe the characters just took over and Caitlin and Remus felt like having their own epic love story? If you don't care for an original character, then they respect your preferences and ask that you find another story to read.

Again the Gubbio potion was successful. Without the physical stress of transforming shape in two months, Remus was growing stronger and healthier than he had been in many years. He looked younger and Albus quietly confided to me that he had not seen Remus so well or happy since his school days.

I dove back into my research and correspondence. TwoWorlds wrote he was pleased with his laboratory tests and was preparing to test the potion on two lycanthropes. Calypso DelaMer wrote she was not able to do the lab research to replicate the results, the Conjunction was involved in another project, but reviewed my formulas and written observation and sent her encouragement. This was the most exciting research she had read in "ages," she wrote.

The conference was in May. Dumbledore had approved Remus' request to go with me to present my findings, even though we would return the day he would need to begin the Gubbio treatment. We planned to use portkeys rather than train travel – neither of us could Apparate – in order to have a cushion of time. The Gubbio Potion was not a cure and could be as demanding a master as Wolfsbane Potion in treatment.

Hermione worked at my side most days. She was considering her career path and asked a lot of question about the life of a researcher. The idea of pure academic research interested her as a way of helping people. I pointed out there were many types of academic magick to research, not just alchemy or even bioalchemy, which is a newer field of study.

Alchemy is the study of transforming one material into another substance; traditionally lead into gold. It encompasses transfiguration through the use of physical materials rather than pure directed thought, potions study and creation and refinement of substances on visible and invisible planes. Bioalchemy focuses on the transfiguration of living organisms and magickal viruses, such as lycanthropy. It combines potions with healing magicks.

This was the second year Remus had taught at Hogwarts; he had been there two years earlier and resigned when Severus "let slip" his medical condition. Albus had insisted he return to teach. From what he told me, Hogwarts didn't have much luck in keeping Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers.

Valentine's weekend we made plans to visit Diagon Alley. Saturday morning I would sign the papers to take control of the Shaw family fortune and that evening we planned on dinner and a concert. We would ride the Hogwarts Express overnight to London.

In the meantime, daily life continued to revolve. Remus received two more disturbing Howlers. The number of owls arriving for my research increased. Hermione tutored Ron in every subject, except the one he was coming to her for. Severus came a few times to my lab to verify some of my work

"Healers have grappled with this for centuries," he said, looking up from my microscope one day. "How did you come to this conclusion?"

"Lycanthropy is a magickal, blood-born pathogen, right?" I asked. Severus nodded. "And aconite prevents the dementia associated with transformation by preventing the mind from transforming with the body. A lycanthrope's body has to constantly regenerate in order to transform completely. So, by harnessing that need to regenerate with the aconite and then giving the body another pattern to follow, instead of changing form, the person's body will instead attempt to perfect its current form. That's were magickal blood comes in to play," I pointed to part of the process and the accompanying formulas, "because the body is following the basic DNA pattern of that blood over the wolven pattern suppressed by the aconite."

I grinned. Severus scowled, pouring over the research and tentatively pressing buttons on my laptop.

"There must be a flaw," he muttered. "Can you account for all the effects that blending magickal blood has?"

"Not all," I admitted. "And yes, there are flaws."

"I detest needles," Severus said, returning to my research. "That will be a problem in persuading healers and werewolves alike."

Needles, I knew, were too "muggle." This would be a major draw back in the wizarding healing community. I shook my head. "We've adopted some of their other methods. Can you find a better way to introduce the potion without the body breaking it down first?"

"And how is your pet wolf?" he asked copying the formula for a variation of the potion on parchment. "Slytherin has a bet on how long until you are infected."

"They would," I said darkly. "And don't refer to Remus that way."

"What way?" Severus finished his notes and looked up, the picture of false innocence. "Without the Wolfsbane or the Gubbio potions, he becomes a wolf. We are both aware of it, no matter how loath you are to say 'werewolf.'"

"He is a man, Severus," I scolded.

Severus shrugged. "That is what he wishes you to see. Are you aware that he can be devious or that he played a role in a murder plot?"

I folded my arms. Remus had told me why Severus hated the Marauders and him especially as the last one. "Unwittingly played a role," I corrected. "And you, dear, how many murders have you committed?"

"Quite a few," he admitted casually. "Had Potter not interfered, I would have succeeded in two more."

I sighed. "You are a cold man, Severus. So, what do you make of this line of research?"

"It's very interesting," he said. He settled back against the counter, arms crossed. "It's also interesting I bring you from America and Lupin shares your bed."

I rubbed the bridge of my nose and counted to ten. "We are not doing this, Severus." The potions master smirked at my discomfort. "Both of us are much happier than we were last semester."

"Are we?" Severus asked dryly.

"Severus," I said, taking a deep breath. "What are the odds?"

"Odds of what, my lady?" he asked, frowning.

I turned back to my computer and picked up my quill. "How long until I'm infected," I told him. "Because I want in on the betting pool."

Severus chuckled and collected his papers. "Opening bet is two galleons."

"Put me down for six," I said and opened the formula field again.

Remus and I took the overnight trip down to London after the last class the day before Valentines. We had the same coach car we road to Hogwarts last summer. This time the ride was more pleasant. I fell asleep with my head in Remus' lap while he hummed. There were no nightmares for either of us. The trolley witch came past just after sunrise with hot chocolate for us.

From Kings Cross we took a muggle taxi cab to Charing Cross Road and the Leaking Cauldron. It was an old medieval-looking pub sandwiched between a book store and a record palace. Remus paused before the doors and frowned. He seemed to be preparing himself. I took his hand and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"We don't need to stay," I reminded. "We go through and down the way. And then," I grinned and licked my top lip suggestively, "we find that bed and breakfast that assured me they had feather beds."

Remus gave me a considering look and smiled in return. "Woman, you have a one-track mind."

I swung our arms playfully. "I do, don't I? Now show me this community you call Diagon Alley. We go sign papers and then have lots of sex."

Remus laughed, squeezed my hand and pushed the door of the Leaky Cauldron open.

For contrast, let me say the American wizarding communities vary greatly but mostly reflect a world frozen sometimes around the Revolution, only cleaner and with brighter fabrics. The Leaky Cauldron was dimly lit and smelled of ancient fires and fatty meals. There was a bar and several smaller tables filled with patrons. It mostly resembled a medieval meeting house with stone walls and a wooden ceiling. A bald old barman was wiping glasses and nodded toward us. More than one person turned to watch us enter; and more than one of them recognized Remus enough to step away as we passed.

A round-faced man with red hair approached us from one of the tables and took Remus' hand. His robes were neatly patched and he had a hurried expression.

"Beautiful day, isn't?" the man said. "I brought Molly up to do some shopping. I was hoping to meet you here."

Remus returned the man's handshake with affection. "Arthur, good to see you." Remus motioned toward me and I shook Arthur's hand. "May I introduce Dr. Caitlin Shaw, academic researcher at Hogwarts? Cait, this Arthur Weasley. His son does homework at your worktable."

"Ron's dad," I said, noting the red hair. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."

"I heard Lady Shaw had returned," Arthur said, taking my hand and bowing slightly. "It is an honor to meet you."

A flush crept up my cheeks and I was surprised to be blushing. Remus' posture was relaxed and Arthur had the same warmth his son did. "Thank you," I said, slightly flustered. "But I'm just Caitlin."

Arthur waved us toward the back of the pub and out into an alley. "I thought we'd do better talking on our way to meet Molly," he explained. He gave Remus a sideways glance; Remus nodded in return. I took a guess the discussion would have to do with the Order.

"I have some paperwork to deal with at Gringotts Bank," I told Arthur. "Maybe you two could visit while I take care of that? Then maybe the four of us could have lunch; I would like to meet Mrs. Weasley."

Arthur coughed and Remus looked uncomfortable for a minute and I wondered if there was a problem with Mrs. Weasley. Then I remembered a few whispered words from Hermione about how rich Ron's parents were in their love and poor in material things.

I placed my hand on Arthur's arm and smiled as warmly as I could. "I have to settle some of my grandfather's accounts," I said. "After that, I would be honored if you'd allow me to treat you. Grandfather would expect no less of me."

Arthur was undecided for a moment. Remus nodded his head slightly and Arthur smiled in return. "That is very kind of you, Caitlin," he said at last. "We'd be happy to join you."

"Good," I said happily, linking an arm through each of theirs. "Then, will you gentlemen show me where this bank is, first?"

They walked with me to Gringotts Bank, an imposing white marble structure at the end of the alley. I reassured Remus I could handle this on my own and shoo'ed him away with Arthur. They would be back in an hour with Molly. With a parting kiss from Remus, I pushed the heavy doors open and entered the bank.

I wasn't expecting the goblins. They were little people, barely to my waist, with big ears and really ugly faces. We had studied about them in school and I'm sure there are some who live in the United States, but I had never met one before. The first one I did meet scared the heck out of me and I jumped straight in the air.

"May I be of assistance?" the goblin asked. Its voice was gravelly and low. It wore a little banker's uniform and seemed to be frowning at me.

"Yes, please," I said as politely as I could. "I recently inherited some gold and need to sign paperwork before I can make a withdrawal."

The creature surveyed me with palatable distain before directing me to one of the side cubbies. Another goblin in a Victorian suit pointed me into a chair in front of his desk. I presented the documents and the small key forwarded by Grandfather's solicitor.

The goblin banker had me sign additional documents and verified my identification. He continually made displeased grunts throughout the interview.

"Lady Caitlin Shaw," the goblin finally said, "Gringotts is pleased to have you as a patron. Your family has a long history with us."

"Thank you," I said and extended my hand to shake his. The goblin stared at me in shock and it was evident he distrusted me. I wondered if any witch or wizard had ever offered him such a courtesy. He finally took my hand and shook once. "May I make a withdrawal now? I also would like to exchange some for British pounds."

"Certainly, Lady Shaw," he replied and pressed a small button. A moment later another uniformed goblin appeared. "Griphook will show you to your vault and then to a teller who will assist you."

I stood and thanked him again, following Griphook. He showed me to a little conveyance that reminded me of a coal cart. We were soon rocketing down below the bank into caverns lined with vaults. Griphook steered the cart down the rails and finally to my family's vault. We climbed out and on a narrow platform. Griphook stroked one of the vault doors and it dissolved. He indicated it was safe for me to go inside.

Nothing in my average American experience prepared me for the mound of gold coins in front of me. The pile was almost twice my height and spilled in a diameter of more than six feet. When I signed the papers stating how much money Grandfather had left me, I thought I understood. I even thought I had done the correct conversions (one galleon five pounds seven and half dollars).

"Is everything in order?" the goblin asked dryly.

I swallowed and steadied my voice. "Yes, everything is," I replied. From my satchel I pulled a leather bag and filled it with coins until I thought it would be too heavy. There was no way I could comprehend how much I was carrying, I thought with irony, even given my doctorate or mastery.

Griphook rocketed the cart back to the main level and showed me to a teller, who counted out 40 galleons to covert into pounds and then marked down how much I had taken before handing me a receipt, listing my balance. The small numbers on the parchment compared to the pile below the ground still made little sense to me.

Remus and Arthur were waiting for me when I stepped out into the sun. Molly had joined them; Arthur introduced us. From the first, I liked her. A very motherly, no-nonsense woman, she was both soft and in firm control of her surroundings. We found a little bistro with a table near the window where we could watch the street. It was a pleasant afternoon; after our sandwiches I insisted I needed hot chocolate and biscuits, so of course they had some.

"Now, dear," Molly said, and patted my hand as we were parting, "you and Remus must come to the Burrow for dinner. And sometime, soon, too. I dare say you both could use a home-cooked meal."

I grinned. "Yes'm," I responded and hugged her. "I'm a long way from home and a real dinner would be nice."

Molly smiled and patted my cheek. Arthur took my extended hand and clapped Remus on the shoulder. We watched them leave toward the Apparition / Disapparition point. Impulsively, I leaned over and kissed Remus' cheek.

"So," I coyly said, "shall we find this bed and breakfast? I could use an afternoon nap before dinner and the concert."

Remus smirked. "You don't nap."

"You're right," I said lightly. "We'll have to find something else to do, then."

He twined his fingers in mine as we walked along the street. A light snow had begun to fall. Our cloaks made the snowflakes swirl as we walked along. The diffused light of early evening filled the alley and streetlamps flickered to life one by one.