Lorelei wandered across the grounds, her mind in turmoil. In all her 17 years, she had played many a game, for many diffrent stakes. Never could she ever recall wishing she hadn't ever began. The look on Remus's face when she had told him to create the cure, she must also create the curse. The boy had lost all colour, sheer terror lingered behind those eyes. "I have given him a glimpse at the thing he desires most. And in the same instance...told him the price, which he really must think is too much." 'And can you blame him, most people would.' her conscious asked 'What would you do? Give the choice?' Lorelei scowled at herself. "I'd still do it. One does what one must to gain what is required." Lorelei was a Slytherin in many respects. Doing whatever it took to get ahead in the world was one of them.

Before she even realized it, Lorelei found herself in the pumpkin patch behind Hagrid's hut. Her hand's ran along the smooth shells of the giant squashes as she walked past them. Absently her feet carried her to that one special squat pumpkin. "Alone tonight?" the deep voice nearly made her jump.

Turning around Lorelei found herself facing the groundskeeper. "It appears so." she replied, hoisting herself up on the pumpkin. She leaned back in 'her' spot.

"Should I be expecting Remus 'round shortly?" Hagrid asked in an attempt to make conversation.

Lorelei scowled a bit. "You seen us out here when we were talking?"

"Don't ye be worrin' nun Miss Vargus." Hagrid replied. "I don't let me ears listen in on stuff that is nun of my buisness."

"You haven't told anyone we were out here? Have you?"

Hagrid shook his big head. "Wouldn't be tellin' no one neither. Kind of does the 'eart good to see a Gryffindor an' a Slytherin gettin' along. Right cute couple ye two make."

It was Lorelei's turn to shake her head. "We're not a couple. We're just friends." Friends...The word ran through her thoughts. It was a bit of a stretch...She was playing a game, and he was the prey. Now...She'd probably frightened him off with the price of the cure. Why did that bother her? She let a sigh escape.

"Well if ye get a feelin' too lonely. I got lot of tea an' sweets in the hut." Hagrid offered the girl.

"Um...Thanks Hagrid." Lorelei replied, the watched as the groundskeeper turned, and made his way back to his home.

Lorelei then turned her attention to watching the skyline, every so often she found her eyes straying twords the castle. 'What are you doing? He's not going to be coming to look for you.' Lorelei scolded herself. 'Why would you even want him to. If he's not going to play the game, there is nothing further to do.' Yet somewhere, there was still some odd bit of hope.

Giving up on, she wasn't sure what, Lorelei started to slide from the sqaush when something in the sky caught her attention. Looking up, the little speck began to grow and come into focus. 'Just an owl.' Lorelei thought, and headed back twords the castle, the owl veered and turned twords her. "You wouldn't be looking for me would you?" She asked the owl, as it landed on the ground before her. Kneeling down she retrieved the letter that had been tied to it's leg. "Sorry fella, I don't have any treats for you." She smoothed out the feathers a bit on the bird, which seemed to satisfy it well enough, and it took once more to the skies in flight. Lorelei unfolded the letter, and read...

Lorelei,

I looked throughout the castle, the library, the Great Hall, even sent Lily Evans into the girl's lavatory to try and find you.

I won't pretend I'm happy about what you call the price of the cure. But I also can not deny the fact that the chance to live a normal life is more tempting than even I can say. So if you still are willing, I'd really like to discuse this matter further.

Your friend,

Remus Lupin

Lorelei reread the letter a couple times, before refolding it, and putting it in the pocket of her robes. The game was still on.