Chapter 21

They reappeared in a small clearing where the snow reached to their knees and the harsh wind howled through the trees. Remus exhaled sharply as he gained his bearing, waiting that brief moment it always took to right himself in the world. The moment his balance regained he became aware of two things: First, despite not knowing where he had been apparating to (which was an action that usually ended very badly for the traveller), he was alive and in one piece. The second thing he noticed was the tight grip that had his wand arm completely immobilized to the point where his fingers were beginning to tingle. He turned his gaze away from the gloved hand gripping him and looked up at Ron Weasley, understanding immediately why the young man was gripping him so tightly and had yet to let go.

The long lost red-head was staring at his wand with an array of emotions that were probably meant to be unreadable but were very clear to the werewolf. The focused blue eyes were radiating confusion that mingled heavily with mistrust and warning. However, the fear that wasn't present in the intimidating gaze was saturating the air in his scent. Whatever reasons Ron had, he was afraid of Lupin's wand, and in effect he was showing how afraid he was of Remus himself. He felt sick that this man, whom Lupin had only ever known friendship for, had seemingly lost the trust that had been so eagerly and wholeheartedly given only years before. Remus smiled weakly in what he hoped was a calming manner and then spoke in what he considered his most reasonable tone of voice.

"Ron, relax. I'm not going to hurt you, I just need my arm back so I can put my wand away." The spell of inaction was broken suddenly as Ron jerked back, releasing Lupin as though he had been burned and then smoothly stepping two paces away. The intense eyes watched carefully as he slowly but casually slid his wand back into his pocket and then removed his hand to show that it was empty. At this Ron relaxed his stance a bit, but there was no improvement to the tenseness in the air as he stared at Lupin without meeting his eyes, which was instantly unsettling to the professor, who made his connection with people mainly through eye contact.

"Right then." Ron suddenly spoke, rubbing the back of his neck as though uncertain what to do next before letting his arms fall lightly to his sides. Lupin studied his pale features; he looked more drained then he had in the village only moments before. "I can't say I expected to see you being attacked by paranoid muggles out in a non-existent village in Romania."

"I am, however, glad that you did happen by to see me." Lupin replied and smiled. This, however, didn't seem to faze Ron's carefully calculating gaze. If Lupin hadn't been able to use his canine senses to smell the man, he would have thought Ron didn't care at all about this meeting.

"No doubt." Ron blinked at him and Lupin swayed a bit on his feet. He was feeling more drained by the minute, and the cold, mixed with his injuries, wasn't helping his concentration. However, his joy at seeing this man alive and in one piece after so long lifted a weight that he hadn't even realized had been resting on his shoulders. Ron's indifferent demeanour cracked slightly as Lupin braced himself on his feet a moment to keep from falling. He took a half step forward as if to help but thought better of it and stayed where he was; Lupin could smell the suddenly intense concern.

"I'd like to send you to a doctor Lupin, but there are some problems with that plan." The blue eyes deliberately met his own for the first time and Ron stared searchingly. "Do you need one?" It was a simple question, which should have required a simple answer, but the true intention behind it forced Lupin to seriously contemplate his answer. He felt weak, drained and a bit dizzy. He feared he might have a cracked rib or two and who knows if any internal damage had occurred due to the force of the shovel that had slammed hatefully into him only minutes before. He sure as hell felt like he needed to see a healer, but there was defiantly, as Ron said, problems with that plan.

If he decided to leave, he would lose Ron. There wasn't a doubt there. Ron was purposely and successfully hiding from them, and had been for a long time now. It was clear that he was currently settled in somewhere nearby, perhaps in a town like the one they had just left. If Lupin decided that he needed a healer then Ron would take to one, there was no doubt of it, but then Ron would pack up and leave the country before Lupin would have a chance send anyone to find him. It wasn't that difficult a choice to make: He wasn't about to lose this man after finally happening upon him, but maybe there was a way around it.

"Ron, your family-"

"I'm not going back." Lupin was viciously cut off and he stared a moment in shock at the vehemence in Ron's voice. As if a switch had been thrown Ron's hair was suddenly its bold flaming red and a scent of fierce determination settled in the air that Lupin knew he wouldn't be able to break through unless he had more time. Ron was not going to listen to any reasoning at the moment, and there was an underlying panic within him for even having to contemplate a decision like that right now.

"I don't need a healer." He determined and Ron looked relieved.

"Good. Follow me, my shelter's not far from here." Then, surprisingly, he turned his back and began walking through the deep snow. Lupin wasn't a fool, he could sense the wariness in the boy, but this action warmed him slightly, because Ron was trying to subtly inform him that he didn't see him as too much of a threat, at least not at that moment. Lupin followed the slow pace, feeling his body protest the movement and suddenly he became aware of the chill creeping into his bones. His hands, toes, ears and nose were numb and the air suddenly seemed to be trying to freeze his throat if he breathed too deeply. It was a good thing his chest hurt too much to take large breaths. In his misery he was warmed to notice that Ron was dragging his feet as much as possible, trying to make the path easier to walk on.

It was only a few minutes later that they stumbled into another, much larger clearing at the base of a small, tree covered cliff and Lupin instantly noted how many imprints were in the snow in this clearing. Ron walked straight to the cliff face and then turned to watch Lupin carefully as he staggered to join him, wondering why they were stopping here. Then Ron lifted some large pine branches out of the way and pushed open a rickety, patched together wooden door that led to what appeared to be a cave. Lupin looked at it in slight surprise.

"You live in a cave?"

"For now. Get in and sit on the cot before you fall down." He ordered and Lupin did so, his eyes easily adjusting to the sudden darkness in the room. He looked around the small space and spotted the cot sitting dejectedly in the far corner; he carefully eased himself onto the hard mattress, noting that the blankets were as chill as the now windless air and would take a while to heat up. He slouched slightly and forced himself to ignore the tiny cramps attacking his back. They would only get worse.

He looked around quickly, noting that while most of the cavern was surrounded by rock walls and ceiling, Ron had had to build a wall that stretched to the seven and a half foot ceiling. Sturdy tree trunks (that looked very heavy) comprised the main wall and there was dried mud firmly imbedded in the cracks. The door made from sticks was attached with a dull orange rope. Lupin would never have guessed, from the outside of this abode, that there was anything but a rock face and shrubs there.

He watched as Ron almost silently moved about the small room and started a fire in a tiny niche in the rock less then a meter away from the cot. Lupin looked at it, feeling the shivers racking his body and wondering how the hell Ron managed to stay warm with only that little fire.

"Do you mind if I warm the room?" He asked, unwilling to brandish his wand without permission. Ron looked at him and then nodded silently, backing off to stand near the door and watched Lupin. He pulled his wand and cast a charm that had the room in liveable temperature immediately. He didn't remember young Ron ever having such an intense, not to mention intimidating, air about him. People changed though, and circumstance had been so far from kind to this boy. Lupin knew all about Ron's abilities as a chaneller, all about how he had hidden them in fear and all the trouble and pain he had suffered because of those fears. Lupin understood only to well how the need to hide yourself from others could rule your actions, but now was not the time to remind Ron of that. A cough tickled Lupins throat and he groaned slightly as the action caused agony to erupt in his chest.

"I don't have anything here to help with your injuries." He informed Lupin and then he was moving quickly, pouring water from a bucket into a pot and setting the pot into to the small fires flames. "I can offer you hot water to help with the chill and thirst, and we can soak some rags in it to help ease your muscle spasms. You'll need to take off your shirt so we can assess your injuries." Ron ordered and then gracefully shucked his own jacket and tossed it onto a pile of items in the opposite corner of the cot. All he wore beneath it were a pair of worn brown corduroy's and a faded green t-shirt. He then set to unpacking the large sack he had been carrying since they left the town, piling cans in a rough net made from a bunch of pine branches woven tightly together and hanging from the wooden wall by some more of that orange rope.

Lupin shrugged painfully out of his robes and then worked his way, just as painfully, out from under his sweater and undershirt. Ron approached and crouched down a few feet away, gazing over Lupins torso.

"Looks painful." Lupin didn't need to reply. He determined that his ribs weren't fractured, merely bruised, as was the same for the rest of his body. That didn't make the pain go away though. A few minutes later Ron was placing the medium sized pot of now hot water in front of him and was dropping what looked like a red shirt into it, when Lupin's attention was drawn to his hands, now uncovered by the winter gloves. He saw something that was out of place and he frowned.

"What is that?" He reached to point at it and Ron reared back, standing to his full height and glaring down at Lupin in fear and anger which had Lupin jerking back in retreat, instantly cursing his lack of judgement. Ron was helping him, but Lupin did not know this man before him and it was stupid to make fast moves as though he were going to touch him. He was taking allowances that the old Ron would have accepted, not this one, who was now staring at him with so many confused and angry emotions Lupin didn't know which one Ron felt the most. Neither did Ron apparently, but anger was the safest route at the moment and he latched onto it only seconds after standing.

"None of yer business is what it is!" He snapped and hid his arm a moment behind his back. When it reappeared fully the thick red streaks and black cord that had been wrapped around his hand and arm were gone. Remus was instantly worried that it was somehow damaging Ron, but it was clear that right now he didn't have the right to ask as the defensive Weasley pulled himself to his impressive height of six foot three and stared harshly at Lupin. He got that look from Molly.

"I only ask because I'm worried about you. I didn't mean anything by it." He tried to placate but Ron was having none of it.

"I doesn't matter what you meant by it, it is none of yer business. And since we're on the topic, I'm going to give you a few base rules." Ron crossed his arms defiantly over his chest and backed away another step. "First, yer here because I brought ye hear. I assume you'll be gone as soon as you have enough energy to apparate again, but until then this is what doesn't happen: One, you aren't allowed to ask me personal questions, of any kind. Two, we don't speak about my family or my friends unless I ask the questions. Three, we never discuss Harry, ever." His voice wavered when he said Harry's name but he never stopped glaring. "If you break any of these rules I will knock you out, apparate you to a friendly town, and you will never hear from me again. Clear?" His voice had become more clipped as he spoke and his knuckles were white where they dug into his arms, but there was no room for negotiation.

"Clear." Lupin quietly agreed, watching Ron carefully. The lost boy stared at him a moment, his arms still crossed defensively in front of him and his face was blushing a fierce red. It was with sadness that Lupin watched as Ron began to shake, very slightly, and look around his home in a sudden desperate attempt to find something to do. Then, without a word, Ron grabbed his jacket and headed out the door and into the dimming light outside, leaving Remus alone with his thoughts and pain. He sighed sadly to himself, not knowing what to think or how to help at the moment. He wanted to desperately contact Ron's family, get them up here to convince Ron that he didn't have to hide from them, from their world, but he couldn't, not yet.

He cast another warming spell and then a slight charm that helped ease tense muscles, before he set to work with the hot shirt, resting it over his sorest areas. He would stay as long as Ron would have him, and hopefully he would be able to get Ron to relax enough to actually speak with him. There was a lot Ron needed to know, and a lot that Lupin had yet to understand.

000000

"Get off! Off! Off! Off! Bloody fairies! I'm not going to have any hair left if you keep tearing into it like that!" Ron fumed, swiping at his head and chasing the tiny creatures out of his uncontrollable mop. Lupin grinned at the sight from where he sat on the cot, watching fondly as the creatures laughed and danced around brightly just out of Ron's reach.

"I think they're trying to tell you that it needs a cut."

"What it is right now is the result of my last attempt, I think I'll leave off for a bit thank you." Ron huffed and then went back to mending the large tear in his knee high boots, trying to ignore his friends pestering. Lupin looked at the wild, unkempt and uneven haircut that Ron currently favoured but didn't comment. In all honesty it didn't look that bad, and considering that Lupin hadn't seen a pair of scissors or a mirror anywhere it was probably better then it should be. He got up off the cot and moved to the fire to add more wood, feeling Ron's eyes watching him as he moved, but when he turned to face him the lad was focused completely on his work. The fairies had moved to sit on the shelf that held the only cooking utensils Ron had (which consisted of a cooking pot, single plate, ladle, knife, fork, and spoon), their glowing forms dimming a bit as they rested and carefully watched their charge.

Lupin sat back down on the cot and stiffened slightly as a sharp pain quickly stabbed his chest and then left. After almost two weeks the worst of his bruises had almost completely faded, thanks to some natural herbs Howly and Horns had brought for him, but some of the pain had yet to fade. If he had gone to a healer, he would have been completely healed in a matter of hours. Lupin leaned against the chill cavern wall and pulled his legs onto the bed, kicking off his boots, after a few minutes he straightened his legs out again, only to pull them to his chest moments later.

"You still in a lot of pain?" Ron asked suddenly and Lupin looked over to see Ron folding his jacket up and putting away his dodgy sewing kit. He was surprised by the question, though he shouldn't be.

"No, I'm just a little bit antsy." The wind howled outside and a slight draft seeped into the room.

"Not used to sitting still for long periods of time." Ron surmised.

"I'm not the only one."

"No, but I gather it's not just the lack of distraction that's pulling at you." Ron stood and went to the door, cracking it open and peeking out at the blizzard beyond before shutting it and stalking back over to his log seat and sitting down.

"You're right, though I could say the same to you." Ron had barely touched his food, taken no more then two bites in fact, and he looked paler in the dim light.

"Only thing bothering me is the storm, I don't fancy being stuck in here all day tomorrow." Ron shrugged off the comment and Lupin let him. He didn't know what was bothering Ron, but he knew the lack of activity was a large part of it. Over the last week and a bit Ron had spent very little time in doors, and even less with Lupin as he came in to check on him and eat but not much more. Lupin could smell how tired his companion was, but there was little he could do about it. Ron refused to sleep in his presence, not allowing his guard to drop at all despite the fact that Lupin had never laid a harmful hand on him, nor threatened him. For two weeks the werewolf had cursed that bastard McTagert for his hand in Ron's fear and mistrust, and if the man was still alive he knew that he would no doubt have made plans by now to track him down for a Dementor's kiss.

However, Ron's assessment that there was more bothering Lupin right now was correct, seeing as the next night would be the full moon. The agitation of the anticipation of his change always made him fidgety, especially now that he had next to nothing to distract himself.

"What I need is a book." He muttered and jumped when, a moment later, a heavy black volume landed beside him, he looked at Ron who had moved again to his seat and was staring at Lupin with an intensity that rivalled Hermione's when she was studying for exams.

"It's the only one I have, so read it slowly." Lupin carefully picked up the delicate text and turned to look at the title, there was none. He carefully flipped it open to reveal a name placed boldly on the centre of the first page. R. Doytil. He frowned and looked at Ron in question.

"Is this the Doytil from the war of 1713?"

"The very same. I suppose you can have the book, I haven't got much use for it. Not a bloody useful thing in there for me, but ye might find it enlightening."

"He was a chaneller as well?" Ron stiffened at that but nodded, trying to hide his discomfort with the question. Not once had they really spoken yet about anything of importance, especially about Ron's powers.

"He was a monster, and his writing was atrocious as well. Too many big words and not enough detail."

"A monster he was." Lupin agreed, not moving to open the book any further, instead he found himself leaning forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. This was the opening he had been waiting for. "You do realize that not all chaneller's are like him Ron." Ron leaned back sharply, like he'd been slapped but didn't know whether he deserved it or not.

"Perhaps not, but there were enough."

"Ron, you are so far removed from that kind of evil it would be absurd to think of yourself in the same category."

"Shut up!" He hissed, his eyes flashing in anger. "I know I'm not like him, but that doesn't mean I couldn't be!"

"Ron, you alone choose how to act…"

"Yes, I choose how I act, and look what it bloody cost us all! I'm no better then that monster, or any of the others! I killed him! I almost killed Tonks because I was controlled so easily, and I know for a fact that there are some in the ministry who would be glad to have me under their wands." He fumed, fury igniting his eyes. The fairies had stood on their perch but made no move to interfere and Lupin saw the strange winding material, that Ron had hidden from him his first day here, had reappeared on his arm, slinking down from under his shirt and engulfing his clenched, shaking hands. Lupin didn't take personal offence to the attack, he couldn't, not when he knew this was years of built up fear unleashing itself. He could feel the magical energy suddenly rush into the air around them, charging the room the same way it had back in Drasgov.

"But you didn't kill her Ron! You are stronger then you give yourself credit for, and you saved her life!"

"It doesn't change what I did!" There was grief now, filling the room with his anguish and Lupin was stonewalled, not knowing how to react. He watched as Ron suddenly began to pace furiously, his face pale, the bags under his eyes prominent and half hidden by his flaming bangs. Lupin wanted to ask what Ron thought he did, but he instinctively knew that to ask that question would do more harm then good. Ron seemed to believe that there was a reason Lupin should hate him, why everyone should hate him and fear him, and it was this belief that was driving his actions.

"Ron, we don't believe that, none of us! Your family and friends have been worried sick about you!"

"Stop." Ron ordered suddenly and Lupin obeyed, not able to get a clear grasp on all of the different emotions emanating from his friend. Ron moved to the corner he had cleared out and sat on his sleeping bag silently and ignored Lupin, refusing to even look at him. This silence went on for an hour, and once Lupin had finally stopped turning the conversation over in his mind he opened the text and turned to the first chapter and began to read carefully. It was another hour, interspersed with Lupin constantly peeking to see how Ron was doing (glad beyond belief for the presence of the fairies who had perched on his shoulders and were singing quietly to him) before the boy broke the silence again. He surprised Lupin with his topic of choice.

"You don't need to leave tomorrow night."

"I do Ron, it will be full moon."

"I know." Lupin stared at him with sudden worry, wondering if he had finally been pushed over the edge and was looking for death.

"I don't have a supply of wolfsbane."

"I really don't think there is all that much that I need to fear from you. No offence."

"I suppose not, but still, I will not risk your future."

"I hate to tell ye this Lupin, but there are things in this forest that can, and occasionally do, turn werewolves into their main course, and I don't fancy another death on my list. You'll stay, and we will deal with it." Ron picked at the blanket subconsciously. "Or, you could leave to Hogwarts and get yer potion."

"Fine, I will stay, but there will be conditions that I will demand that you follow."

"Such as?"

"I will need to be sufficiently restrained." He could tell that Ron instantly didn't like this idea, but he refrained from comment as he nodded his head in agreement. "And you will carry my wand for extra protection."

"I will not use your wand."

"Then you will carry it to keep me from breaking it. I'm rather fond of the thing." There was a nodding of agreement and they fell silent. It wasn't long after that Lupin slipped into sleep, feeling safe in this inhospitable land even though he could feel Ron's glaring eyes boring into him.

TBC

Well. First of all I'm glad that Forge went over well! I'm also glad that Whip seems to be going over well! It's always easier to get along with members of another species when communication is had ;)

Catc10, I speaking of the holes I throw myself into after I contradict myself in later chapters ;)

Harry Lvr, lol, you're hilarious. I think that's the longest run on sentence I've ever seen! As for the sixth sense thing, it will come up and be explained as the story allows ;) Thank you for noticing a writing improvement! I think it gets easier to write the more involved in the story one gets, but it's always great to hear of an improvement!

Kamonkey, I agree that Ron seriously needs to go back to his family! How sad is he! It's just not right. I'm evil.

Scribhneoir, I'm very glad that the details are working out in the characters benefit. It's funny how sometimes it can be so easy and other time so difficult to slip in a casual line about the clothes they're wearing not have it disrupt the story. I also find that Lupin and Ron are similar in this story due to their perspectives of themselves as outsiders. Lupin is a fantastic character, I only hope I continue to do him justice.

Blaat, you and Harry Lvr questioned why the villagers were so hostile. They're a small town unmarked and mostly unrecognized by the outside world. I tried to play up the issue of them never receiving visitors and their weariness of them but I don't think I focused on that point enough ;) As it is there are dangerous things in the forest and I'm playing on the idea that they've been hurt in the past from unexplained presences.

Lol, I'll try and load the chapters in larger chunks from now on. I don't particularly like short chapters myself so I'll try and remedy that.

Anyhow, I have to get to work now. Thanks so much for all your reviews!

Next update: September 4, 2005