Chapter 14

With that, Harry withdrew from Lupin, as though nothing had occurred. Remus stood staring at the teen's back, watching the other's every step, his every motion. Long after the Master and the Prince had disappeared, Remus was still staring at the shadows, a dazed, glazed look across his eyes. It was when Arthur asked him if he was well that he sat down and started poking at the food.

Weeding his fork in and out of the food, an unusual smell caught his attention. He stilled and let his senses take it in, slowly and easily. It was a new different one, a sweeten scented smell of fresh raw meat that attracted his senses and made him feel lightheaded and worry free. It was a smell that his other, wolf sense answered willingly to. A scent that triggered the unrest and uneasiness of the werewolf, one that longed for freedom and wilderness, and at the current situation, raw freshly caught meat.

Suddenly the last words that came from Harry rushed through his mind.

"But I suppose, because you are family, I can make exceptions. Reconsider your loyalties. I'll hate to kill family. I'll hate to use force to get what I want. I may hate it, but I will use it. I want you. I want that family that you've promised. I want that very thing that was denied from me. Father, Godfather, Brother, Legal Guardian, whatever you consider yourself as to me. I want it. I will get it. One way or another, I'll hate to use force. I'll hate to force you against your will. I'll hate to end up killing the one thing that keeps me from becoming insane."

The words penetrated his mind, sending out warning signals of the possible danger that may lie ahead.

No, he will not do that. I know it. Harry would never fall that low and become that cowardly as to use his enemies for his own purpose. Even Voldemort had never done that. Well maybe with a few exceptions as he did use 'Imperio', however not to his extent of the other more preferable curses. Even that beast knew of the dangers of mind control and understood the risks. Harry would be no exception. As ruthless and as much of a tyrant he is, Harry is still treading down the path, following the footsteps of Lord Voldemort, and completing the Lord's uncompleted goals.

Remus argued with himself and his growling stomach, which demanded that he eat the food.

Besides, there is no reason for the Prince to resort to poison or potions, not when he has already got us right where he wants us. Just look at Cho-----

He shook the thought off as he took a glance at her, unwilling to think of what might and what did happen.

There is no reason for him to do so. No reason at all. I shall trust Harry that he will not do what he had threatened to do. It was an empty threat trying to persuade me to join him. That is all. That is all.

After having persuaded himself that it was all right, he whole-fully gobbled down his dinner.

There was nothing. See Remus? You're just being over cautious. No pain, no cramps, no abnormal body symptoms. Nothing. You even have your own mind.

Relaxing slightly, Lupin got up and placed his empty platter outside of the cell to be collected. Once more, his werewolf senses began to tingle. This time not of danger, but of possible escape. Answering to this call, he placed both hands on the cell doors, trailing it up and down, closing his eyes to let his feelings take over.

He ran his fingers up and down several times, taking in the cool smooth iron. There was nothing different, nothing special. Yet his senses told him that he was wrong.

Remus, please, you know there is no way out. You've checked the first time you arrived. You're just desperate to get out and you've worked yourself so badly that you think you can when in fact it is impossible.

Despite his mental, human complains, he ignored it completely. It was the second time in a day that his werewolf senses had become so prominent when full moon was nowhere in sight. In fact those senses, his animal instincts had began to overpower his human ones ever since he had been captured. He supposed it was only a survival instinct.Survival instinct or not, he had to try. Pulling the bars in, the cell doors did not budge an inch.

"Remus, what are you doing?" Alastor asked. "You know, the door isn't just locked but also warded." Remus took a look back at the ex-auror who was staring at him with both eyes locked onto the others.

"I cannot stand it. I will not be locked in any longer."

His will to escape intensified. An abnormal energy cruised in his veins. Concentrating on it, he pushed the bars forward.Smack! He landed face forward on the floor. From behind him, there were numerous cries of surprise. Remus groaned heavily. His head was spinning out of control, and he could see stars around him.

"Remus! Remus! Are you alright?" Arthur asked.

"I'm fine." was the reply as the werewolf sat up before standing as he tried to balance himself and keep himself from falling.

Suddenly there was a siren that rang. Flashing red light was emitted from the walls.

"Go Remus, Go! Get out of here! Get back to the Order!" Molly yelled.

"He must have triggered some alarm of sorts." Hermione muttered.

Remus didn't seem to budge. It seemed that everyone but himself knew that he had successfully escaped from the cell. Lupin heard footsteps that pounded and drew closer. It was only then that he realized what was happening. Without giving it a second thought, he sped away, ignoring the numerous cheers, shouts, and advice that had been thrown at him.

He stalked out of the dungeons at a slightly faster then steady pace. His Death Eaters followed him silently, having a small problem with keeping up with the pace.

Harry went this way and that, cutting through his manor, being greeted respectfully by all who he passed. Only when he reached his room, did he turn around and speak to his followers.

"Severus, how long before the Potion is to take effect?"

Snape stepped forward slightly, having been addressed directly.

"It will take effect immediately. The potion begins out non-effectively, but with the increase intake of steady doses. Depending on the victim, the time it takes for the desire results may vary between ½ and hour later to five years." Seeing the unasked question, Snape continued. "For Lupin I suggest two days. After all, he is a werewolf, which will create vulnerability for him as he is a Dark Creature. However, he still has a strong will. I am sure he will fight it. No, I know he will fight it. He has been controlling and keeping in check his darker side all these years with the help of Wolfsbane, which I am afraid I will cease making as it will contradict this other potion by letting him keep his human side at full moon, when we actually want his werewolf side to take over."

"Very well." Harry turned to the others but stopped when Snape spoke again.

"I suggest you do not keep him on a short leash as you did with that flea biting mutt of yours."

Harry growled unpleasantly, and Snape knew at once he shouldn't have referred to Sirius as such. His face paled drastically as he saw the emerald eyes change to black for a moment and he saw Death waiting for him. As fast as it had changed, the color resumed its usual tint of green.

"Master forgive me. I…"

Harry cut him off. "I did not hear a word you said earlier, so do repeat yourself" he spoke loudly. Snape looked at him hesitantly before starting up again.

"Do not keep Remus on a short leash. He will rebel and it will be a deadly and devastating blow. Give him some space during this time of change, yet make it clear to him who his Master is and what his boundaries are. Be clear about what you need and require of him and the consequences for disobeying. The Death Eaters should also give him some space, otherwise they will suffer greatly." He paused. "It is not easy to keep hold an invisible leash, to place invisible walls around a person. To make a free person have everything an anything with a single word yet feel trapped in the world."

"I am very well aware of what needs and needs not be done."

"Then you will surely enjoy having a tame werewolf as a pet." Harry seemed to think for a while before seemingly agreeing with the Potion Master. Satisfied, he brought up the second subject that had prevailed on his mind for some time.

"I have decided to launch attacks. We have already given Hogwarts a heavy blow. I will not stop here."

"Of course not Master." Malfoy Sr. spoke.

"I shall personally lead a few trustworthy Death Eaters…"

"The inner circle will do" Bella added, interrupting Harry. "It's the best that the Dark Lord could offer."

"Yes, of course. So I've heard." Harry seemed to pause and think. "Very well, I will lead a small number of the Inner Circle, perhaps half of them, or maybe a third to finish some personal business. The rest can lead the other Death Eaters on other massive raids that would be held at the same time."

"There's only about 12 maybe 14 who exist as part of the Inner Circle. Breaking it up will not be wise" Snape objected.

"I only need 3, maybe 4 at the most, the rest can go lead. It is important that these raids and attacks are taken out efficiently and unanimously, leaving no break for my oppositions."

"Quite agreeable." Draco spoke up for the first time in the presence of the Master since the change.

"Yes, indeed Draco. You like it don't you?" Harry eased at his once school nemesis. "However, I prefer you to stay at Hogwarts Draco, where you can pass on some useful information." The Master paused as if thinking. "You haven't been marked have you?" he asked.

There was a smile that said "No" by itself.

"After you left school Master, things were not as quiet as they seemed. Both sides were moving. I was unfortunately trapped in the middle. Naturally, Dumbledore tried to recruit, and draw the Slytherin's away from their house and where it was obvious the loyalties were bound to lie. Unlike many other housemates, through my father, I had connection directly to Voldemort. I informed the Dark Lord of Dumbledore's plans while assuring him of my loyalties. The Dark Lord, as cunning as he was, devised a plan. I was not to be marked by him in any shape, form or fashion. I was ordered to cut all family ties with my father, and agreed to whatever Dumbledore wanted me to do."

"So you are a spy, unmarked spy." Harry wondered why Dumbledore could take such a risk with losing someone so young, and a Malfoy at that.

Draco nodded before speaking softly. "I was to tread the path of my Godfather" By now, Snape had one hand on Draco's shoulder. "I'm part of the Order now."

The Master surveyed Draco up and down. "Then I shall not mark you either." He paused before glancing at Lucius as though for approval. "If your father allows, you will go back to Dumbledore. You will stay there. You will play your role. If time comes, and a battle shall arise, I'm afraid, you will be fighting on the opposite end, unless otherwise stated. You have gained Dumbledore's trust, I will not have it abandon."

"I---"

"Yes, I approve. I trust your judgment Master." Lucius slipped in.

"Then it's settled. Draco, get going now. The rest of you, do whatever you usually do at this time. I don't suppose you followed Voldemort all day."

The adults chuckled.

"No, of course not. We do have our own lives, my Prince" Lucius said.

Making sure that everyone left, he turned on his heal to take a nice smoothing bath.

He sat slumped in an empty corridor. He had no idea how he had managed to escape from the Death Eaters. Without his wand, he had to admit that he did cut a bloody path through those hooded figures. As a matter of fact, they were all dead, ripped limb from limb, torn to shreds by his bloody hands.

There was no feeling. No sadness, no regret, no remorse at what was lost and what he had done. In fact, he felt refreshed, if not happy. The 'battle' had satisfied the wolfishness in him that had been severely aroused by the potion, which he still did not know about. Remus had only been answering to the call of the wild. What was done was done, and he did not regret it.

No regrets. Odd. You just ripped 20 Death Eaters limb from limb, and you feel nothing? That's not like you Remus. You're human.

Human. Yes, indeed he was still human. It was confirmed when he gazed down at his bloodied self.

It was only a mere act of self defense. Nothing more. Nothing less. I was attacked, so I attacked back. I defended myself. That was all. That was it.

Still, there was the small nagging feeling that disappeared by the minute which told him that what he was feeling, what he was doing was wrong, very wrong.

He was so engrossed in his own thoughts that he did not know he was being watched. Watching the man in the shadows was a small yellow bellied black snake, the very snake that Harry prided himself for keeping. It had been the very one that was reborn from the phoenix ashes.

The snake watched Lupin, eyes unblinkingly. Making sure the man had calm down, Karo slithered away to report back to his Master the on going changes that were taking shape.

Harry enjoyed his bath very much. He sat within the foam and bubbles relaxing as he washed off the blood that had stained his body. He had magically healed the injuries on his body, at least the minor ones. The scar that now was marked across his face and the one on his left shoulder remained untouched. The warm water, and soap stung it, but he was persistent in leaving those where they now were.

Master

Harry sunk down lower making sure nothing above his shoulders were visible before addressing Karo.

Yes my friend? How is Remus?

His changes are quite well. He has broken out of the dungeons and has bare handedly ripped apart 20 Death Eaters in his path.

Harry was startled to say the least. Karo seemed to have sense it.

I advise you to abandon this plan. You cannot tame a werewolf, let alone keep them as pets. They are dangerous and Dark creatures.

I am aware of it Karo. You need not concern. I have everything under control. I know that man, inside and out.