The pace of life settled in once again after Halloween. There was that incident with the Gryffindor portrait and everyone blaming Sirius Black, but a search of the grounds proved fruitless. Professor Lupin had turned ill, so Professor Snape was covering for him. This resulted in the class skipping ahead to defense against werewolves, while Snape bitterly complained about the class being so far behind. While it was true that they weren't as far along as they should be, that was more Professor Lockhart's fault from last year. If he would've spent more time on the material and less on his biography, the class would've known what to say. As it was, Professor Lupin was making excellent time drawing the class back to where it belonged.

Eric knew most of what was known about werewolves. He had written an essay shortly after the trip to Hogsmeade, inspired by his encounters. A true werewolf – one born of a werewolf pack – was usually pretty easy to spot. They lack most forms of manners, tend to be feral in appearance when in their human state, have difficulty with complex words, and they're rarely seen in large populations.

There are occasions that such packs can live peacibly with their neighbors. The pack in the Forbidden Forest was a prime example, for there was no doubt that they would occasionally go into Hogsmeade – particularly to the Hog's Head for drinks, trading valuable materials taken from the forest to get money. This was considered no matter so long as there was no trouble. The only secret was to respect the territory of a werewolf pack. Anyone entering it ( like Naomi did ) was considered prey.

Cursed werewolves were a far more difficult matter. They were essentially normal people who ran afoul of another werewolf, but only was injured by it. A werewolf's curse was a human affliction – animals were immune to the effects ( though it rarely mattered – only a beast like Fluffy could properly stand up to a werewolf ). Such victims would lead normal lives for about 80 of the lunar cycle, and be otherwise indistinguishable from others. Only when during the five days of the full moon would the curse be evident.

The full moon was every werewolves undoing. For a true werewolf, the brightness of the night to them was as a sunny day. If the sky was clouded over, they could still sense the moon, drawing them out for a monthly revelry of violence. For cursed werewolves, however, the lunar cycle was a wheel of torture. Transformations were most likely in the middle three of the five day cycle, but then the victim would be given over to the wolf's nature, disconnected from their human natures and with an appetite harbored up over the course of the last month. With that much pressure behind their actions, there's no wonder that they are as dangerous as they are. Once the night is over they recover, but as they are of two disconnected natures, they wake up with no memory of their actions.

Eric concluded his essay noting that the human community have always treated werewolves improperly. Cursed werewolves were people with an affliction. Such people should be aided, not hunted. True werewolves, on the other hand, were creatures of nature and could be dealt with peaceably so long as their natures and habits were understood and respected, much the same as any other creature. Given their abilities to freely roam in places where humans would be little more than a meal, their potential has truly been wasted.

If Eric's thesis could be considered sympathetic, Professor Snape wasn't. "Are you suggesting that after several thousand years of experience, we should simply pat these creatures on the head and make nice?"

"Um, no sir. Werewolves are intelligent, and would take offense at such treatment. I am suggesting that we respect their territories and leave them alone. In time, we could peaceably co-exist. Those cursed with the transformation should be aided, not hunted."

"This is the most worthless pile of garbage I have ever read." Drawing out his wand, Snape threw the papers into a pan and incinerated them. "Have another essay ready for me to read tomorrow morning."

Eric left the room less than dejected. He knew Snape probably wouldn't like the essay, considering how much he clearly disliked werewolves. In addition, this would be the perfect chance to avenge himself for the embarrassment Eric caused him. This is why, when he wrote the paper, he used an enchanted pen that later copied the work – mark for mark and ( admittedly ) overwrite for overwrite. He'll skip Snape's assignment and hand his essay over to Professor Lupin. Even if it was considered radical, at least it'd be judged fairly.

When Lupin returned, he did find the paper rather radical. "An interesting essay, Eric. I'm surprised at your views, though, given your experiences."

"We were in their territory, so we were the ones looking for trouble. I don't apologize for defending ourselves, but that's a natural response. People go through their lives feeling that they should be able to do whatever they wish, and anything that gets in their way is inferior or evil. Werewolves aren't evil, just terribly misunderstood."

The professor sat back and thought for a minute. "How, then, would you explain the large number of times that werewolves have served evil wizards?"

"The wizards gave them what they wanted – more territory, more prey, more freedom, and a reason to attack those who had attacked them. If people were more tempered in the way that they deal with these creatures, they'd never be fodder for evil armies. A dark wizard could never tempt a werewolf out of territory where it was secure."

"What about those who were cursed?"

"Very little has been done in terms of researching a cure for lycanthropy. Dark wizards offer the cursed werewolf control over his or her affliction. Beyond that – people are people. Some will jump at the chances, others will agree reluctantly. Some will agree to save their lives, while others will simply refuse. It's all very personal, like anything else."

Professor Lupin sat back. "Well, your arguments are consistent. I'll review the essay and let you know your grade in time. Dismissed."

As Eric left the classroom, he was met by Doran and Naomi. "Well, how did it go?"

"I'm not sure. I am pretty sure that whatever I get, I will have been graded fairly."

Naomi joined in. "Well, at least that was better than with Snape. I must admit, though, you were fairly generous in your writings."

"Sorry, Naomi, but it was true. You went into their territory. Technically, you were prey. Next time you want a quiet place for yourself, allow me to suggest a few rooms beneath the school."

Dorian looked over to him. "By the way, Lenora was looking for you."

"I'm sure she was." Eric shivered at the thought: he had left her without a word explaining why. There was no time to, but Slytherins weren't known for their depths of understanding.

As if to add to the discomfort of the thought, several Slytherin students poured out of a corridor, with Lenora among them. Seeing Eric, she excused herself and turned to him. "I'd like it if we could talk for a minute."

Eric really wished that he could keep his friends around for this, but that wouldn't be polite. "I'll be with you all in a while."

Dorian looked over with a sly smirk on his face that Eric just wanted to smack off. Naomi, however, unexpectedly reached to Eric's arm. "Don't go with her."

He turned to her, meeting her deep, dark eyes. Naomi had a knack when it came to looking out for him. She seemed to know so much, he wished he could tell her how much he wanted to take her advice. This, however, was a matter of courtesy, and it wouldn't have been right not to at least explain things.

Strangely, she let go of his arm. "Well, we'll see you back at the house." She almost seemed to smile, though it was too brief to be sure. "Come on, Dorian."

Lenora began to stroll towards the courtyard. "You took off so quickly."

"Yeah, well, Naomi was in trouble."

"Why didn't you just tell someone?"

"What would I say? I didn't know what was going on until I got to Dervish & Banges. Even then, what would I tell them? There wasn't enough time to convince the local constable that I have second sight, and that a friend of mine was in danger. I didn't even know precisely where she was. All I could do was go myself."

"You care a lot about her, don't you?"

Eric stuttered uneasily. "Um, well, she's a Ravenclaw, and a friend."

Lenora stopped and turned to him. "I thought I was a friend, too."

Eric could feel the heat rising up his neck. "You are, It's just that she was in trouble."

She stepped closer to him and took his hand. "So, if I was in trouble, you'd drop everything to rescue me?"

He could feel every muscle in his arm twitch. He couldn't stop his hand from shaking. "S-sure, if you needed me to."

"Thanks – that's all I needed to know." She gave his hand a tight squeeze before letting go and strolling away, flashing him a bright smile. "See you!"

Once she was out of sight, Eric found a dark alcove to rest in for a few minutes. He'd hate to walk in on his friends only to be grilled as to why he was shaking. What was worse, he didn't have a good answer.