Remus sighed. It was the twentieth and he had still not heard from Severus or from Dumbledore. They hand not had any more newspaper articles on the trial or Snape in the daily prophet but there was an article about Hermione getting a temporary wand submission for a rally she had encouraged for their release.

Mandeville had been mopey for who-knows what reason and had not talked to Remus since that morning, but here he was coming, running towards the one rock that was in the reservation, a HUGE boulder (so they couldn't throw it at the door to break out)

"PH" he whispered as he grabbed Remus and dragged him behind the boulder and ducked. PH was a common term for private holders who would buy a Were Wolf from the ministry. However in the reserve they were nick-named pelt hunters because most would skin the wolf during the next full moon. The reservation was usually quiet but whenever anyone whispered 'PH,' no matter who said it, everyone would be instantly silent. Those who weren't were chosen almost always. Several others joined Remus and Mandeville within the next few minutes. Waiting for the call to free. Meaning that a friend had been chosen but it wasn't you. It was always a hidden dagger here, one thing is good then you realize that, when something good happens to you, it comes out of one of your friend's hides. Sometimes literally. At the moment, it was quiet yet Remus knew that everyone in the reserve was listening to the soft crunching footsteps of a group of three or so, one of them being a PH. There were only four types of people allowed in the reservation; the first being the Were Wolves themselves, the second being ministry official councilor/handlers, the third being wizard zoo-keepers and lastly, PH's. You could always identify who was what because of what they carried with them. Both PH's and zoo-keepers would be followed by two burly witch/wizard handlers but the zoo-keepers held clip-boards and let the handlers carry the shock-collars and leashes while the PH's always carried a set of shock-cuffs and a choker specially designed. Then a whisper got about when shelly, an Asian witch who was bitten when she visited Rome, ran over and looked at Lupin.

"Rumor is that this PH has already chosen" she whispered, "he's been asking for you." She smiled "and I don't think he's a PH the way we mean it. Lupin looked confused. "The funny thing is; he doesn't have ministry handlers with him. He's got that mad eye creep and that sassy girl that's been fightn' for us." Shelly continued.

"Who're ya callin a creep?" mad eye's voice grunted from a distance.

"Yeek" shelly said, jumping to the other side of the boulder. Several others shied away from Lupin. Mandeville was the only one who stayed. Lupin had shut his eyes, he didn't want Shelly to be wrong; it had to be Snape. He could hear them walk up to the boulder, quietly; the only step out of place was Moody's leg.

"We would have been here sooner had you simply told us where he was, professor!" Hermione's voice snapped.

"I wanted to show you that not all of these creatures deserve your help. Some of them try and leap out to give you the same fate, that's why you gotta stay on your toes…."

"And have constant Vigilance" Hermione finished.

"And have… what?" he looked at her

"Shhh" an indistinguishable voice muttered. Lupin pulled back a little; why hadn't he said anything yet? Why hadn't he identified himself? The smell was familiar but it was covered up with some odd cologne. Someone knelt down in front of Lupin, Mandeville scooted back. The silence was deafening. A long slender finger reached out and stroked his cheek. The Hand was smooth and refined, not like anyone here and Lupin could not do anything but freeze. The person reached his other hand forward and took Lupin's.

Lupin gave in to curiosity; he looked up opening his gaze right into Snape's scowling eyes. Entranced, Lupin could have sworn it had been days when finally Snape smiled. "Will you come with me?" he asked quietly.


I think that's the end. I feel like I've let you guys down with it but if you really want more, complain. That's what E-mail is good for. I'd love to hear your comments and of course if you need me to cont. this story I will though I have several other SS/RL to choose from. Love- M-T