Disclaimer: A few night ago, I dreamt I was marrying Remus, so now he is MINE!...Unfortunately, that was just a dream, so I suppose everything still belongs to J.K.Rowling, even Remus (sob).

Blood of a werewolf

Chapter 2: The Ukrainian Ironbelly

It was a cold night, too cold for June actually, but it wasn't that unusual this deep in the forest. The large trees didn't really let the warmth of the sun reach under the majestic sea of green which was formed by the treetops and when the night fell, there was never any warmth of day to break through the cold of night. Luckily, the trees also protected against the worst cold, caused by the wind blowing freely over the treetops.

After living in these woods for five years, Remus Lupin knew all the advantages and disadvantages that came with living in this forest. He knew where he could easily find fresh water and food and where to find dead wood to make a fire. He also knew how the trees provided shelter against wind, sun and rain but not the cold, and whenever he had to leave his house at night, he made sure to wear warm clothes, even during summertime.

This night, Remus didn't really have a reason to leave his house, or rather, the hut he had found five years ago and turned into his home since then. Remus didn't even know why exactly he was going into the forest, he just felt like taking a walk, for some reason.

Not like anything really happens around here, since nobody ever comes this deep in the woods.

Remus had to admit it was rather lonesome, living here hidden away from everyone who might be looking for him, but he figured it was better like this.

At least I'm sure I can't hurt anyone here.

His eyes drifted towards a clearing in the top of the trees, where the waxing moon peaked through.

Five days until the full moon.

He kept walking through the trees for some time, not really paying attention to where he was going, letting his thoughts roam freely.

It's really peaceful, it could actually be a nice place to make a home, if only it wasn't so lonely.

He shook his head to clear it. I shouldn't be thinking like this, it's a good thing no-one knows where I am. Besides, who would ever want to live a life hidden away from the world in a forest together with an old werewolf like me?

An image of Nymphadora Tonks appeared in his mind but he pushed it away quickly.

I'm starting to repeat myself, I need to find something else to think about, before I go crazy, it's not like she would come to find me after all this time anyway. She wouldn't even know where to look, no-one would. Or would they?

A thought had suddenly struck him, something he had totally forgotten about, until now.

A few years ago, Remus had wandered further away from his hut than he normally did and he had wandered into a part of the forest where he had never been before. He had been very surprised to come across Firenze, who had apparently been living there at the time. They had talked a bit then, both glad to find a familiar face after a long time of being alone. They had shared their stories and Firenze had told Remus about Grawp living not far away in a cave just outside the woods, the centaur was thinking about visiting Grawp occasionally and maybe meeting Hagrid there. That had been the only occasion Remus had ever heard something about home again.

Home, I can barely grasp the concept now, has it really been five years? It seems like an eternity now.

He had never thought about that day again and he had never seen Firenze again either.

But why am I thinking about it now?

Somehow, that question seemed to be answered when Remus entered a clearing between the trees. In the middle of this clearing stood Firenze, watching the skies above, but turning his gaze towards Remus as he approached.

"Goodnight, Remus. Orion and Venus are exceptionally bright tonight."

Remus glanced upwards but didn't see a noticeable difference with other nights.

"If you say so. It's been a long time since I've last seen you, Firenze." And I wonder what you are doing here, Remus mentally added. He came often to this clearing but had never seen the centaur there before.

Firenze's eyes bored themselves into Remus' eyes, but he didn't answer. He merely returned to watching the stars a moment later. A long silence stretched itself between them and Remus started to feel uncomfortable, he couldn't shake of the feeling that Firenze was up to something. Get a grip, Moony, he's only being his mysterious self.

Finally, he couldn't stand the silence anymore and decided to ask the question he had been asking silently in his head from the moment he had seen Firenze in the clearing.

"What brings you here, if I might ask?"

Firenze turned to gaze at Remus again and took some time before finally speaking again.

"Sorrowful things are happening elsewhere, you might be needed. Hiding might not help you anymore, the things you hide from could follow you when you least expect them to."

For a long moment, werewolf and centaur stood staring at each other, until Remus recovered enough to form an answer, although the only thing he could think of was, "Come again?"

Firenze smiled slightly. "Goodnight, Remus Lupin, we will see each other again." The next moment, Firenze disappeared through the trees.

Remus stood standing there for another long moment, staring at the place where the centaur had disappeared. When he finally recovered from the initial shock Firenze's appearance had brought, he slowly returned to his hut, storing away the night's occurrences to think about later, when he had had some time to let them sink in.

000

On the top of a small hill, Nymphadora Tonks was looking out over the country around her. Everywhere she looked, she could see hills rising out of the country, some of them existed only out of rocks, others were sporting trees and bushes, a river meandered between the hills and reflected the sunlight brightly. In the distance she could see a large forest.

She had been travelling through Romania for two days now and she was finally approaching Grawps cave, at least, she hoped she was. Hagrid's map was far from clear to her, the proportions weren't right and it contained strange details that didn't tell her much. A rock in the shape of the tail of a blast-ended screwt, who would not get lost with directions like this?

Tonks sighed, she had just admitted that she was lost, how could she ever find Remus in time now? After pondering this for some time, she decided to head towards the forest, recalling Hagrid had said something about a forest.

She had been walking again for almost an hour when a loud roar reached her ears. Instinctively, she drew her wand while spinning around, ready to face whatever had come after her. When she saw the danger she was in, however, she stood shocked for a moment.

Before her stood a very large dragon.

More like enormous, how am I going to get past this one?

The dragon was indeed enormous, it had long talons, its scales, which were a metallic grey colour, were glittering in the sun, its red eyes glaring down at Tonks while little wisps of smoke escaped out of his nose. It was an Ukrainian Ironbelly, the largest dragon breed currently existing.

Great, why does this sort of things always happen to me at the most unfortunate times, not that situations like this are ever fortunate, come to think of.

Tonks slowly took a few steps back, thinking back to her Auror-training, trying to find out how to get out of this situation with all of her body intact. The dragon advanced on her, taking a step towards her for every step she took, but his steps were a tad larger than hers, it slowly bent its neck and brought its head down, ready to strike.

When the dragon opened his jaws, Tonks jumped aside and ducked behind a tree just in time to avoid them, she shot a stunner but it had no effect, one person alone couldn't stun a dragon. A moment later did the tree behind which she was hiding burst into flames. The Ironbelly looked irate now, larger wisps of smoke escaped out of his nose, it roared again and slashed with its talons towards Tonks.

The dragon started to advance again and this time Tonks saw no place to hide. She took a few steps backwards and glanced around her, looking for a new hiding place. Her eyes fell onto some rocks with a dark hole in it, almost invisible for someone who is not looking for it.

A small cave and it might be big enough for me, if only I can reach it.

She quickly looked back towards the dragon, still glaring at her menacingly and slowly advancing, it seemed to know she couldn't escape anyway.

Tonks quickly spun around and took a mad dash at the cave. Unfortunately, halfway towards the cave, a few loose pieces of rocks were lying around, probably broken off of the larger group where the cave was situated. While dashing towards the cave, Tonks wasn't really watching her feet and one of her them hooked behind one of the pieces of rock. She fell to the ground with a smack while her ankle made a loud cracking noise, accompanied by a searing pain shooting through it.

Broken ankle, why must I be such a damn klutz.

The dragon was still advancing, she could almost see every scale on his hide.

I've been an Auror and Order-member, fighting Death-Eaters for years and I survived the war, and now I'm going to be defeated by a dragon, how ironic is that.

The dragon lowered its head again and opened its jaws, Tonks could easily count his teeth if she wanted to. As she closed her eyes, only one thought crossed her mind.

This is the end.

000

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The more reviews, the faster I write, which means sooner update and release from this evil cliffie (please don't hurt me, I felt like writing a cliffie)

A/N: I found the information on the Ukrainian Ironbelly on HP-Lexicon.

Thanks to my reviewers.