Time began to gain a sense of order fairly quickly. Days consisted of working at the cafe', while evenings included continued lessons with both Professor Frugilagus and Sheena Wyldehart. His combat classes had graduated all the way to swords. Corvin was extremely pleased with his progress, assuring him that the upcoming year at Hogwarts ( which included the taking of his O.W.L.s ) was going to be the easiest he'd had for quite a while.

It took him a few days before settling on components for a new wand. The wood was African Padauk, difficult to work with but resulting in a wonderful color. It took a while to settle on a core, but at length Eric settled on manticore mane. It was expensive, and the results were far more volatile than his old unicorn wand. After casting a few test spells, though, he was quite pleased with his work. His wand had accepted him as well as his first one, and it suited his new temperament.

He couldn't help but notice that the whole kidnapping and transformation experience did result in a few notable changes in his manner. He found himself to be more anxious than before, and more irritable. Further, while he always had a headstrong nature, these days he was more inclined to follow it without hesitation. Behind all of this was a kind of strength discovered through the ordeal – raw and primal, he just knew it would be there when he needed it to claw his way out of any predicament.

Among the more interesting changes that he'd undergone was a growing passion for food. It wasn't enough that Willy could prepare a good meal anymore. He began craving new and different combinations, simmered, seasoned and spiced all kinds of ways. At first, he had to fight Willy for the use of the kitchen. It took several days of demonstrations to show the house elf that some people enjoy experimenting with new meals. Willy did eventually relax once Eric began to teach him as they went along. After a week and a half, even the elf was getting into the act, experimenting with vegetables and stews with wonderful results.

Eric, however, was more than a little irritated at one growing tendency in his life. Naomi had started showing up on a semi-regular basis, trying hard to spend time with him. This would have been most welcome except that Mrs. Peal always seemed to appear out of nowhere with one chore or another, reminding Eric that they were helping him finish his education. After two weeks, he was finally feeling far too pent up, so he sent a note to Naomi; meet him at the Leaky Cauldron with plans for a fun evening.

Eric knew that he'd be in for it, but he had more than enough of captivity. As the sun began to set, the need to get out and cut loose became overwhelming. Gathering his wand and a cloak, he snuck out across the alley. Naomi was waiting for him, her dark cloak concealing a scandalously tight outfit. "Are you ready?"

As Eric nodded enthusiastically, she drew back a cloth revealing a small cup with two handles. "Grab hold of my hand, then on the count of three grab the cup."

He recognized that the cup was obviously a portkey. When the third count was reached, they both vanished from the tavern and were swept to a remote field, where a large bonfire and several wagons were waiting. Recognizing the sounds, he ran with Naomi towards the grouping. The Romuls had gathered again for a full moon celebration. There was a roast pig, a dozen kinds of bread, and they were even served wine. Naomi curled herself around Eric as the party spun about. As a dozen people asked for details about his adventure, Eric answered as best as he could. He could see Grandmother Frona nodding in approval as he kept remembering more and more details.

Within an hour, however, the moon rose high into the sky. One of the Romuls began to howl at it, then another and another. Before long all the music stopped and the howl became one chorus. At that point they began to change, shifting into wolves and running into the field. Eric knew he should join them; he had made the transformation once, so this time it would be easier. He stood up stiffly, drawing in the night air and basking in the full moonlight.

However, as he began to work the kinks out of his muscles in preparation, he felt a hand on his arm. Turning about, he found himself looking into Naomi's desperate eyes. "Eric: stay with me, please?"

He ached with the uncertainty. Every fiber of his being wanted to reshape itself to hunt in the night again, yet his heart wanted Naomi more than anything in the world. As much as it hurt him, he couldn't leave her alone.

She whispered to him, calling him away from the pack. "I know you want to go, and I know how much it means to you. Please believe me; it means just as much to me that you would be willing to stay with me instead." She drew him back behind one of the wagons, where a small table was set out. On it was another cup with two handles. "This will take us back to my home."

He could feel his teeth grind together as the realization came over him. This was all a test; to make sure that despite his ordeal he was in control of his new self. He bit back hard against his initial anger, trying to keep in the front of his mind the thought that Naomi had done it for his own good. Eric drew a cleansing breath, letting go of all his built up energy. "All right; only, do we have to go right now?"

Smiling, she kissed him on the cheek before whispering in his ear. "I've got a Parcheesi board set up in my room."