Remus stepped out into the cold of the winter air. The Yule Ball had only been days ago, yet it might as well have been an eternity. At least that's how it felt, with all that had happened. Only days ago life seemed to offer so much, he was living a normal everyday exsistence. 'Why did things have to go so wrong?' Remus shoved his hands deep into his pockets as he proceeded to walk across the grounds. His eyes fell twords Hagrid's hut, a plume of smoke rose from the chimney. Although he couldn't see it from this angle, Remus pictured the garden out back, but not the dead garden, covered in snow. He remebered one full of large pumpkins, and one pumpkin in particular that was shaped just right to hold two people, a great place to sit and talk. A sigh escaped the boy as he continued on his way, walking along the pine tree path twords the lake.

As he walked, his mind replayed the past few months. It all seemed so unreal, yet here he was, having spent the last full moon in the castle, without the dreaded transformations...yet, another sigh escaped. 'Yet I seen someone else touched by the curse, ultimately, because of me.' Hands still shoved in his pockets, Remus leaned up against the large beech tree, staring out over the grey-coloured water. 'I know that I can't take back what happened. But...I can't live my life like nothing happened. I can't benefit from anothers misfortune.' Remus slid the amulet off over his head, holding it tightly in his palm. Closing his eyes, he relished the feel of the cold metal in his hand, thinking how, if it was just another piece of silver, that it would be burning into his flesh. 'Stay strong Lupin. You know it's not right.' Frowning, Remus opened his eyes once more, the lake stretched out before him. A determined look came over his face, Remus pulled back his arm, then let it go. The amulet soared out over the lake, making a splash as it fell into the dark waters of winter. 'And now...' Remus let out a deep sigh, 'I return to the beast that I am.

Head hung down, hands thrust back into his pockets, Remus returned to the path, and begun the trek back to the castle. Part of him knew it had to be done, knew he couldn't live using the magic of the amulet, knowing full well its twin had caused someone the same pain he was escaping. Yet...another part of him, had been so hopefully of living a normal life. 'A normal life, with Lorelei.' Granted, he hadn't known her long...Not long enough to make the kind of decision James had about Lily, but he had hoped. 'And now she is leaving, and I don't even know why.' A frown crossed his features...'Perhaps I still have a chance to talk with her.' That thought, Remus quicked his pace.

Outside the Great Hall

Lorelei sat on her trunk waiting. Time seemed to pass slowly, ever minute seemed like an hour. Despite herself, her eyes kept going to the door she'd watch Remus leave through, waiting, hoping he'd return. "Miss Vargus." Dumbledore's voice brought her back from her daydream. "Your father is here to take you home."

"D-does he know?" Lorelei asked, her blue eyes wide.

Dumbledore shook his head slightly. "No my dear, I figured it would be best that you told him."

"I-I don't know if I can." she dropped her head, her eyes filling with tears.

"Then we'll tell him together." the headmaster replied, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Looking back up, Lorelei wiped the tears from her eyes, "Thank you sir."

"Come now, you don't want to keep your father waiting." Lorelei nodded as she stood up, taking one last glance back twords the front door. "Did you tell him my dear?" The girl shook her head no. Dumbledore offered her a small smile, before waving his wand at her trunk, causing it to rise in the air and follow behind them. They walked slowly twords Dumbledore's office. where Lorelie's father awaited them.

Dumbledore's office

Lorelei's father paced anxiously across the large circular room, the portraits of former Hogwarts headmasters watching the man. "Mr. Vargus." As before with Lorelei, Dumbledore's voice interupted the thoughts of the man that was pacing the room. "I believe I have who you are waiting for." He smiled, as he led Lorelei into the room.

"Hello daddy." Lorelei offered up a small smile.

"Darling" the man smiled brightly, as he embraced his daughter in a hug.

Together Dumbledore and Lorelei explained the situation at hand. Lorelei would be leaving Hogwarts, and after the Christmas break was over she would finish out her schooling at a magical school just outside of London ran by some of the nurses from St. Mungos. They would be well suited to care for Lorelei, and the new life growing inside of her. And despite Lorelei's fears, her father still accepted her, telling her that somehow, they would find a way to break the news to her mother. Both Lorelei and her father thanked Dumbledore as they stepped into the fireplace, and flooed back to Lorelei's childhood home.

Outside the Great Hall

Remus rushed into the entrance hall, hoping against hope to find Lorelei there, his heart fell as he seen the spot were the girl had been sitting empty. His head dropped and a deep sigh escaped him. "She's gone home." Dumbledore spoke from behind the boy.

"But...Where?"

"She went home my boy. I'm sorry." Why don't you come to my office, and we can talk.

"If you don't mind Professor." Remus began. "I think...I want to be alone."

Dumbledore nodded his understanding. "You'll be returning to the Shrieking Shack next month then?" Remus nodded. "I am sorry you felt it necessary." And with those words, Dumbledore turned and was on his way, leaving Remus Lupin standing in the entrance hall...alone.

In A Dark Room Somewhere

"And what news do you have for me tonight?" The man with the hissing voice asked from the shadows.

"T-the amulet w-worked, th-there is another w-werewolf. H-her p-parent's came and re-retrieved her f-from the s-school."

"And what of the others?"

"T-the g-girl left." the boy rubbed his hands together nervously. "A-and h-he threw h-his a-amulet into t-the lake."

"Good job my minion." A dark smile crossed the face of the man in the shadows. "And you need not be so nervous, you have served me well. As I am sure you will serve me well in the future."

"Y-yes m-master." the boy bowed low.

"Back to the school with you now. Before your friends get suspicious." The boy bowed low once more, before transforming into a rat, and quickly rushing from the room, on his way back to Gryffindor tower, and the boys he called his mates.

THE END