Monday, March 30 – 7:00 pm TC \l1 "
"INHUMAN! That is the only word that can describe the treatment we have been given. Forcing us to add our names to a registry so they can track us is INHUMAN! Not allowing us to Apparate where and whenever we please is INHUMAN! Declaring us as BEASTS is INHUMAN!"
The group cheered and applauded the speaker. Roarke joined them in applause, but didn't add to the shouting. Her father would notice if her voice sounded hoarse and she really didn't want another lecture of why she shouldn't waste her time at functions like this – even if he did have a point. After all, she was most likely one of the only unaffected humans in the room.
"Common house pets are granted better privileges than we are! Toads and cats are welcome at Hogwarts, but we are not! Even HOUSE-ELVES are treated better than we are!"
Roarke held her breath, waiting for it. Surely the speaker would mention her father. It was well known amongst werewolves that the only one of their kind to attend Hogwarts all seven years was Remus Lupin. Although there had been one other Hogwarts student who had been bitten in the summer between his fifth and sixth years, his parents decided it would be best for him to stay home instead of facing the difficult changes to his life in public. Even her father had attended Hogwarts anonymously; save for his best friends and the teaching staff, no one had known of his condition. And other werewolves had been bitten after they graduated from Hogwarts.
However, now there were two children ages eight and nine that had been bitten a year ago who were fast approaching the age where they should attend school. When the incident happened, it incited a panic among the magical community. It had been the first werewolf attack in more than a decade, and the first time that a child had been a victim since Voldemort's fall. The miracle that either child had actually survived the attack was soon lost amid heated public outcry for more restrictive control of werewolves. Regulation was increased. A measure was passed requiring all werewolves to submit blood samples to the Registry. This measure went largely unenforced, however, as no one wanted to be the one to take the samples. For a short time, werewolves were required to report to "safe houses" during the full moon for transformations. Wider availability of the Wolfsbane potion, and the logistical nightmare of housing the approximate 197 known werewolves inhabiting Britain were serving to lessen the chokehold of regulations since the attacks.
Public opinion held that they should not attend school. Roarke had asked her father several times to come and speak on their behalf, but Remus would have none of it. It wasn't that he didn't care about werewolf rights, because he did. She knew he was working with the Hogwarts staff to make arrangements should the students attend. But he didn't believe that wizarding society was ready for such demonstrative advocacy. Many people held on to deep-seated fears and prejudices, and Remus felt that the best way to show others that he was not a threat was to live his life, and be as upstanding a citizen as he could. Lead by example, not by riot. More than once, Remus had stated the opinion that confrontation by werewolves served only to reinforce the negative stereotypes of werewolves as beasts.
"Look at me now! Do I look inhuman to you?" the speaker asked.
A collective, "NO!" rose from the group.
"I am in total control of my senses and urges. I am able to resist doing harm to another human being! And yet I am considered a Beast for the fact that I change into an animal AGAINST MY VERY OWN WILL!"
Everyone booed the comment.
"I ask you, is it fair that vampires who need blood EVERY NIGHT are given the rights of Beings and we, who seek blood only once a month, and who can take suitable precautions at that time, are not?"
The noise that erupted at this question was deafening. Roarke bit her bottom lip in concern. The age-old fight between vampires and werewolves was always a cause for alarm. This meeting could turn ugly any second. Roarke turned and headed for the refreshment table at the back of the room. It was an action that wouldn't draw too much attention, and it placed her very close to the door. She innocently helped herself to a glass of pumpkin juice, positioned herself between the table and the door, and leaned against the wall.
The only person close to her was a man sitting against the wall taking notes. He obviously had pulled his chair to the back to avoid the crowd and collect his thoughts. He was oddly dressed, and Roarke was curious as to who he was. She had never seen him before, and this really wasn't the sort of place for the casual observer. Was he with the press? Perhaps a Ministry Errand boy sent to scoop out what's really going on these days. A spy? Hoping to figure out what sort of notes the man was taking, Roarke scooted closer to the man and glanced down at his paper.
It wasn't notes; it was a drawing. The man was drawing the speaker in all her fury and rage. It was magnificent!
"That's brilliant!"
"Pardon?" the man said glancing up at her.
"Your drawing - it's wonderful," she said honestly.
"Oh, thanks," he mumbled, and continued his sketch.
Not used to being ignored, Roarke attempted to draw him into conversation. "Are you a professional artist?"
The man chuckled. "Are you kidding? Do you think I want to be poor for my whole life?"
"You could sell your work and become quite wealthy," Roarke offered.
"Sure...and become famous as 'the werewolf artist', I suppose. No thanks."
"That's not what I meant," Roarke said, frustrated at the implication of the man's comment. "I would never suggest that anyone use this condition to promote themselves to a position of wealth and status. I was only trying to complement your work."
For the first time, the man stopped his drawing and actually looked at Roarke. She held his gaze for a moment and then turned to leave. "Wait a sec!" the man called out to her.
"Yes?" she said coldly.
"I'm sorry...I just..." He gathered his thoughts. "I'm sorry I snapped. I'm just kind of new at this."
"New at what?"
He motioned around the room. "This. Being a.... werewolf."
"Oh. You're not from around here, are you?" She stepped closer to him.
"And I thank the stars above for that!" Roarke frowned at this comment. "Sorry again. I just haven't had the best of time here in this soggy, waste of a country."
"Do you mind my asking what happened to make you dislike England so much?"
"It's not that I don't like England. If the sun would ever shine here, this place might actually be cozy."
Roarke grabbed a chair and pulled it next to his. "So then, what is it exactly that you don't like?"
The man frowned. "Well…it's the people." He hurriedly added, "And I'm not saying that to offend you, because you're the first person I've met out here since my attack that tries to be decent."
"Attack?"
"Yeah, you know…full moon…werewolf…Liam says goodbye to his humanity."
Roarke sat back stunned. "You were just bitten? While visiting from Australia?"
"What gave me away? Clothes or accent?"
"It was a little of both actually."
"Ah," Liam shrugged. "To answer your question, yes, I'm new. It's been four and a half months…Seems like a lifetime, though."
"Wow. You seem to be adjusting quite well."
Liam rolled his eyes. "It would be nicer if the bloody Ministry of Magic would let me go home. But they insist on me staying until I can testify against the arse that did this to me."
Again Roarke was stunned. "You mean, they have him in custody?"
"No, but they have leads."
Roarke wondered why she hadn't heard anything about this attack on the news. She would have to ask her father if he knew anything about it. But for the time being, she felt she should just concentrate on the problem at hand. "Well, why can't you go home until the attacker is caught?"
Liam laughed wryly. "Now see, why can't you work for the Ministry? My troubles would be over if you were in charge!"
Roarke chuckled to herself. "I don't think I would be very welcome at the Ministry. I've been labeled as an activist, you see."
"What's wrong with that? Someone in this swamp of a country needs to fight for our rights. That's why I'm here. I was curious to see if there was any hope for a decent future."
Roarke looked deeply into the man's face. Her first impression was that he was harsh. But after only a few minutes of conversation, she saw a real gentleness in his eyes. She couldn't quite put a finger on what she liked about the man, but she new he would make a good friend. He was honest – a quality lacking in many individuals these days. He was genuine. He didn't pretend to be something that he wasn't. And he was handsome – not that looks ever affected the way she treated a person, but you can't deny good looks.
"Not to sound like a bad cliché, but the future is what you make it. It will be as rotten or as wonderful as you want it to be."
"Well…that is a bad cliché."
Roarke laughed, and so did Liam. He had a nice laugh, deep and soothing. "I know," she said, fidgeting with her hands, "But do you understand what I mean?"
"I think you're trying to tell me what that old man keeps telling me. That life doesn't have to suck just because I'm not...human."
"Old man?"
"This gray haired, drift of an old man they have working with me."
"Are you living with him?"
"No, thank God! I don't think I would be able to stand seeing that bloke every day of my life. He's just some guy that is helping me learn the ropes."
"Did he tell you about this meeting?"
"Are you kidding? He told me to stay away from here tonight!"
Roarke sighed, "Sounds like my father. He has never liked me coming to these things." Wanting to change the topic, she asked, "I'm sorry, but did you say your name was Liam?"
"You've got good ears!"
Roarke blushed.
"And your smile isn't bad either."
She blushed even more.
"Are you gonna tell me your name? Or will I just have to call you Shelia?"
"It's Roarke. I should have introduced myself sooner."
"That's my fault. I was a smart ass when you came over. I thought you just wanted to harp on me like the rest of the general public."
"Nope. I was only interested in the drawings."
"These? Ah, they're crap. Just doodles I do when I'm thinking." He flipped through the note pad showing off dozens of sketches.
"They're beautiful! You really should become an artist."
"No thanks. Drawing like this is what relaxes me. If I did this for a living, I would end up hating it."
"So then, what do you do for a living?"
"Nothing yet. I had just finished up with my training to become an architect when I came out here for a vacation. I had a job lined up, but the bloody Ministry wouldn't let me get home in time to start."
"Oh, I'm so sorry." And she really was.
"Thanks, but it isn't your fault. Besides, my folks have been great and they make sure I'm not too broke to eat."
Roarke bit at her bottom lip. "So then, they know. I mean, you told them what happened?"
There was a pause as Liam looked directly into Roarke's eyes. "Yeah, I did," he said softly. "One of the most difficult things I've ever had to do."
The gaze continued for a few more seconds. His eyes were so blue. Roarke swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. "You're staying here – it's a good thing. The man that did this to you needs to be punished. There is no excuse for not taking the wolfsbane potion these days."
Liam broke eye contact. "I don't agree. Wolfsbane is hard to come by. It's not as if everyone can brew it properly. This last full moon, I had to travel a half hour every day for a week just to get mine."
"That's odd. Why didn't you just Floo?"
"My supplier isn't connected to the network."
"So then use a portkey."
Liam cleared his throat. "I'm not allowed."
"Why ever not? I don't recall a law saying werewolves can't use a portkey!"
"Well…you see…" Liam licked his lips and ran a hand through his already tousled hair. "I'm sure this will bring the conversation to a stop, but what the hell. I tried to get out of the country without a proper visa. Because of that, I'm not trusted with portkeys."
Roarke contemplated what he had said. "I take it you got caught?"
Liam nodded.
"And…?"
"And…" Liam echoed, "I got tossed in that rotten prison for a night. Lucky for me, that old man they've got hovering over me pulled some strings and got me out. At least he's good for something, huh?"
At that moment the group of listeners cheered whatever it was the speaker had said. Roarke and Liam both looked up at the front of the room where the speaker was standing to see what was going on.
The speaker yelled over the cheering. "I invite one of them to come here and prove to us that they can do with it! I believe they will fail, and the Ministry will finally see that Vampires are a bigger threat than ANY of us!"
"Uh oh," Roarke said. "I think that's my cue."
"What?" Liam said looking back at her.
This really wasn't the place to discuss her reasons for needing to leave. However, Roarke didn't want to seem rude. Hopefully Liam would understand without a full explanation. "I'm sorry, but I need to get going." She stood up, and Liam followed suit. "It's late and my mum asked me to drop by."
"Sure. No worries."
Roarke turned to leave, but there was something nagging at her insides to say something more to Liam. There was just something about him that told her she needed to see him again. However, she wasn't certain how to word it to him.
"You're a complete stranger, but I have this feeling we need to get together later?" No, that's stupid.
"Hey, Liam?" she said turning around?
He looked at her eagerly. "Yeah?"
"I enjoyed talking to you. I hope I'll see you at the next meeting."
"Yeah. Me too."
There was another burst of applause and cheering from the group. Roarke smiled and left the room.
8:30 that evening.
Roarke sat in the living room at her parent's home waiting patiently for her mother to return. It seems that one of the men living in Roarke's building was a customer of Katie's, and Roarke was going to become a currier for a while. In fact, her mother had suggested that she would pay Roarke if she wanted to be a currier while looking for other work. Roarke said she would think about it.
But she wasn't thinking about the currier job. She was thinking about the man she met earlier that evening. He had said he was attacked just a few months ago, and yet Roarke hadn't heard anything about it. That was very unusual. AT the time she considered asking her father about it, but surely he would have mentioned it to her by now. Did her father even know about this? And if he didn't know, should she tell him?
And how long would it take her to forget how amazing Liam's eyes were?
Where did that come from?
"Still waiting for your mum, Firecracker?" her father said from behind the sofa.
"Yes. I suppose I should have asked how much stuff I would be carrying before I agreed to the job. Based on how long it's taking her, I'm expecting her to come out with a few armfuls of remedies!"
"Katie is more resourceful than that. She would give you a bag."
They both laughed.
"So, how was the meeting?" Roarke looked at her father in surprise. "You don't need to pretend that you didn't go."
"Daddy, I knew they would be talking about those children that were bitten last year. They need to be allowed in school, and you know it."
Remus sank onto the sofa next to his daughter. "Yes, I know that, but I can't help but worry about you."
"Daddy, I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."
Remus looked at her as if he were peering over an imaginary set of spectacles. "Uh huh. Remind me again what happened last Christmas?"
"Ok, point taken. But I just want to help."
"I know you do, and I'm proud that you want to change things. However, something has happened recently that has me concerned. I don't want you spending too much time at those meetings or at the Registry."
"Why not? What happened?"
Remus shook his head. "I'm not really supposed to tell you. Believe me, it pains me to have to keep this a secret from you. If word of this got out in any way, we might have a riot on our hands. The Ministry is handling it and…"
At the mention of the Ministry, Roarke rolled her eyes and flopped back against the couch.
"Roarke, I know you don't trust them but you should really…"
"Daddy, they are horrible! How you, of all people, can sit there and tell me to trust the Ministry of Magic is beyond me!"
"Ah – I see we're having a nice friendly chat by the fire," Katie said entering the room. She held out two paper bags for Roarke to take. "I hate to stop your argument, but the small one goes to Mr. Owan in your building. The larger one is for Malcolm. He said he would stop by your place and pick it up sometime this week."
"Right. Sending him to check up on me?" She gave a pointed look at her father.
"Actually, it was Malcolm's idea," Katie said. "Can't your brother take you out for dinner without a motive?"
"Sorry, mum." There was a pregnant pause as Roarke and Remus just looked at each other.
"Firecracker, I just want you to be cautious. Not everyone is as careful as I am."
He didn't say the words exactly, but Roarke got the full meaning. Not all werewolves are safe. Some actually enjoy the hunt. "I know that, Daddy. And I promise you, I am cautious."
Remus smiled and nodded. Roarke stood to leave with the bags in hand. Her parents showed her to the door with the usual pleasant good-byes. She knew there was something else going on…something was really bothering her father…but she didn't press the issue.
Once the door was shut, however, Katie turned to Remus and asked, "Did you tell her?"
"No. You know I can't."
"But Roarke wouldn't tell anyone."
"I can't risk it. If word got out…the riot that would follow…" He sighed heavily. "If people knew that a werewolf under the influence of the Wolfsbane Potion attacked someone on purpose - Katie, it would be over. Everything we have ever fought for…it would be gone."
Katie didn't argue, because she knew Remus was right.
