Werewolves are soulless and evil, deserving nothing but death.

That was the sentence that started it all - spoken by his father and invoking the wrath of Fenrir Greyback. Remus had almost been 5.

His parents loved him. They loved him so much and it showed when he did things like being number one in his class or being selected as a prefect or casting a silencing charm better than even his father's when he had just been 10. They loved him. It was just hard to remember when it was close to the full moon or when they had to buy a new door to his bedroom every month or when they had to move to a new town because the local carpenter was getting suspicious again.

Euphemia and Fleamont Potter were kind, understanding people. They had a werewolf for an adoptive daughter too now. There was absolutely no reason that they should be angry or unhappy with him. At least, not that much. He just couldn't stand the idea of them looking at him differently. He didn't want to lose their welcoming hugs or the casual conversations with Mr. Potter about his latest invention or Mrs. Potter's gardening stories over tea. He didn't want them to flinch when he said something a little too loud or give him extra space when it was close to the full moon or tell him it was okay in a very 'this-is-not-okay' voice when he accidentally broke something.

He'd never been allowed friends when he was younger and he'd never dreamed he could go to Hogwarts, but now both were a reality. His best friends were amazing and he had no idea how he got along without them. Since becoming friends with them, James especially, summers had become so different. Most summers, he was invited over for at least a week or so to stay and it was, without fail, the highlight of his summer.

At the Potters', he was just a teenage boy who sometimes was clumsy and broke things, just a teenage boy who could eat three plates of food without drawing attention because he was clearly growing, just a teenage boy who had what felt like hundreds of scrapes and scars because he spent all day playing outside with his friends.

Was it so wrong that he didn't want any of that to change?

Fae was disgruntled and restless. James was coming home any second. For whatever reason, Euphemia and Fleamont suddenly were avoiding her and when Fae had pinned them down that day, she was just given tasks to do in preparation for homecoming. All she wanted to do was get in the Thunderbird with Fleamont, cruise down the highway, and go tackle her big brother at Kings Cross. Was that too much to ask? She wouldn't even get an attitude when Fleamont shot down her requests to drive.

But no. There had been something or another all morning. Fae could you sweep the driveway? Fae could you get the laundry in? Fae could you run down to Lucrecia's for some of those chocolate eclairs? And when Fae had tried to ask about going to the station, her parents were suddenly nowhere to be found.

When she'd come back from Lucrecia's to find Fleamont had already left, Fae had honestly been very confused and a little hurt. Euphemia just laughed, handed her a cookie, and told her to be patient. Fae took two cookies and sat down on the front steps, knee bouncing angrily and rapidly. She'd never been good at being patient.

Sure enough, however, she heard Fleamont's car coming down the road. She could hear James' voice and Sirius' voice singing along to Lynyrd Skynyrd and she smiled, pleased that the tall boy was joining them today. She had a lot to thank him for after all. As the car grew nearer, she could smell the maple and cedar of Fleamont and the sweet smell of flaky pastry combined with butter. That was Peter.

And then Fae stood, entire body leaning towards the drive. There was someone else. She could feel their warmth, practically feel their blood as if it were under her own skin. Her restlessness faded completely. The car pulled into the driveway and a gangly boy with light-brown hair climbed out of the car.

Fae was across the yard in milliseconds. There was a brief moment of eye contact and then he was catching her hurling body, plucking her out of the air. The momentum of her slamming into him sent them falling to the concrete and she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, one hand digging into the hair at the back of his head to cushion the fall.

This was… unbelievable. Air heaved through Fae's lungs as she clutched tightly at him, hugging with all her strength and feeling a smooth rumble in herself when she felt his arms squeezing her back. As one, they sat up, hugged tighter. Then Fae pulled back, grinning at him uncontrollably and eyes shining. His expression was a mirror - all the energy and astonishment and happiness and bewilderment made his grey eyes spark with blue.

She laughed delightedly, leaned in, and butted her head against his. He received the affection and rubbed his head back a little before also laughing as they leaned apart again. His pretty eyes were suspiciously watery and she hoped her's were much better, but doubted it. This feeling was completely overpowering. All instinct, like muscle memory almost. Nobody could understand this, except for him.

"You're-" Fae said.

"Yes," he nodded.

Fae framed his cheeks with her hands, butted foreheads again, and laughed breathlessly. "Me too!"

"I know."

"This is-"

"Yeah," he said, just as breathless and powerless as she was. Wow. She knew wolves were pack animals, but this? This was something else.

"I'm Fae," she said, racing heart finally subsiding and her human brain finally kickstarting.

"Remus Lupin," he said.

"Are you serious?"

The tawny-haired boy grinned toothily. "No, he's Sirius. I just told you, I'm Remus."

"Oi! What the hell?!" James yelled, bodily lifting Fae off of Remus, setting her down, and spinning her around. He gave her a quick once over and then glared at Remus.

"Umm," he said.

"Fae! Where's my hug?" James whined, turning his attention back on her. Fae laughed and launched herself into her brother's arms, twining her biceps around his ribs and then lifting him off the ground. He returned the favor a moment later while Sirius' and Peter's voices came from the other side of the car.

"And mine!" Sirius called.

"And mine too!" Peter said.

"Dibs first!" Sirius challenged. There was a thud as he shoved Peter against the car and then the slaps of sneakers on pavement as Sirius ran around and wrapped Fae up in a big hug. Fae laughed delightedly and then reached for Peter to make it a group hug.

She was still riding a massive high and it was everything she ever wanted in the world to have her brother home, happy to see her, and their friends, and Remus slowly picking himself up off the ground and looking nervously at James.

"Somebody tell me what's going on? Please? Clearly, I've missed something," Fleamont said, scratching his head.

Then Euphemia burst out of the front door, coming at them with intent and love. "Boys! It's so good to see you all. Remus, dear, I see you've met our Fae?"

"Well, I have now," he said, voice sounding cracked and squeaky. It immediately irked Fae and she returned to his side without thinking, reaching for him.

"Maybe we should go inside so I can explain?" James suddenly said.

This made Fae pause. "Explain what?"

But Remus looked so nervous and Fae could smell it on him, see it in his hooded, shifty gaze and twitchy fingers wringing well-worn cardigan sleeves. It was the middle of summer and he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt and a cardigan buttoned halfway up and was so clearly uncomfortable now. It was a far cry from the bright, shining boy she'd tackled a moment ago and she was not okay with that.

James said something, but Fae had already wrapped a hand gently, but firmly, around Remus' bony wrist and started dragging him inside the house. "Well, come on then," she said.

Surely he'd feel better with food. Remus smelled like vanilla, Fae realized as she led him over to the couch, sat him down, and offered him the tray of cookies. He smelled like the vanilla extract in her favorite sweet treats, rich and smooth. He smelled simultaneously like old books and fresh laundry. There was also something a bit spicy about him, a little kick on the edge of that vanilla.

"Here, eat this. Euphemia's triple chocolate cookies are the best," Fae said cheerfully, only pulling the tray away when Remus had stacked a few cookies on a napkin and began to nibble them. He took careful bites at first, but eventually his eyes widened with sweets-happiness and he began to eat more enthusiastically. Grinning, Fae grabbed four cookies of her own and knocked them back. Suddenly thirsty, she waved her wand and called her mug of coffee from the kitchen. With it, came a second mug, steaming with whatever tea Euphemia had just brewed.

"Are you thirsty?" Fae asked. "Have some tea. Do you like tea?"

"Yes, I like tea," Remus said, with a light laugh as he took the mug and cupped it between his hands. They weren't shaking anymore and the strength was returning to his eyes. His shoulders were relaxing again and his scent was settling, tinge of spice fading. Good. Fae scooped her legs up onto the couch and faced him, sitting cross-legged. Then, thinking twice, she reached out to the coffee table again, arching precariously as she loaded up a plate with a few sandwiches, some blueberry muffins, and some crisps. She set the plate between them and waited for him to reach for the food before gnawing on a muffin herself. They ate a few more bites and took sips of their drinks.

"Are you okay? You hit the ground pretty hard," Fae asked.

He shrugged, cocked his head with a small smile. "M'fine, elbow might be a bit bruised. You've got quite a bit of strength behind you," he said.

The dark-haired girl beamed. "Thanks. I'm not sorry for tackling you. Is the tea good?" she asked. He seemed completely at ease now, ready to handle questions and the like.

"Yes, it's good. Are you.. not having any?"

"No thanks. I'll take coffee any day."

"Coffee?"

"Yup. I can't stand tea. Too bitter and floral for me."

"Excuse you, what?"

He looked deeply offended and the stricken arch of the scar across his nose made her chuckle. She shrugged in answer and he launched into a very heated rant on why tea was essential to everything. It was perfect and warm and completely delicious at any time of the day. There were so many varieties and then there were all the medicinal properties and what kind of good english girl doesn't drink tea?

Fae rolled her eyes and thought about telling him that she was exactly nothing resembling a 'good english girl', but his little tirade was fiery and worth witnessing so she decided not to interrupt him. Besides, she'd heard this lecture, almost down to the word, from Euphemia plenty times before. She knew when to nod and smile and pretend to consider it, but then take a long, good drink from her delicious coffee.

"And that's why tea is better than coffee," he said definitively about ten minutes later.

Fae waited a second with an arched eyebrow, just checking that he was finished. Remus suddenly looked bashful and she laughed. "You're barking," she told him.

"No, I'm howling," he replied quite dryly.

"Betcha I can howl better than you," Fae teased.

He returned her sly smirk with one of his own and the lilt of his mouth drew her attention to the freckles on his left cheek. "I should think so - you howl Born to Run."

She preened. So he had heard of her accomplishments. A feeling of pride ignited in her. "I can teach you if you like," she offered, thrilled at the prospect of showing him the world she'd discovered, of being able to teach him her secrets and tricks.

"No thank you. I'm more of an Aerosmith Howler."

"Ooooh," Fae hummed. "So like-" she howled a few chords to Dream On.

Remus laughed loudly and shook his head. "No, no, I think it's more like-" and then he howled as well, picking up the progression where she left off.

And to be fair, it wasn't howling; it was straight up obnoxious vocalizing and riffing, but no way was Fae going to let him stage her up. They howled together and devolved into wheezy chuckles and la-da-da's and vague, butchered guitar noises.

"You've got a lovely howl there," he said.

She unsuccessfully batted her eyes coyly and playfully. "Why thank you, it's new."

His mirth died away and he suddenly looked serious. "Yes. Yes I heard," he said, voice quiet and concerned. "It's been… 9 months now?"

Fae ate another sandwich, rolled her eyes to the ceiling, and considered his question. "Yeah, I guess so. Nearly 10 now," she answered and wow, wasn't that bizarre? 10 months. She'd been here 10 months. And only now had she met another werewolf. Remus.

"I'm sorry," he said.

She looked back at him and leveled him with a sassy, and slightly aggressive gaze. "Why? I'm not." And that was the truth. Her life had been turned upside down and changed irrevocably, some would say for the worse. To her, it had been quite the thrilling and eye-opening adventure. But she supposed Remus probably hadn't been as lucky as she had in terms of lycanthropy-related experiences. "How long have you..?" she trailed off, returning the interest politely.

He thought for a second and looked far too sad behind the eyes. "Since I was 4. So just over 11 years now."

"Wow. 11 years, that's a long time," she said, mostly unsure of how to feel. It was clearly not a happy thing for him and that made her sad too, sad and frustrated.

Remus shrugged. "Sometimes it feels like more. Sometimes it feels like less."

"Yeah, well time flies when you're having fun," she said with a toothy grin.

The boy scoffed, but sounded a little more cheerful at least. "Fun, huh? I guess that's one word for it."

"Pft- yeah! Who wouldn't love the crazy mood swings, the bones reshaping and rearranging themselves, and this, like, super ridiculous urge to hunt whenever you smell chocolate, does that ever happen to you? Because that happens to me a lot," Fae babbled.

His eyes regained their light at that. "Yes! And steak. A good bloody steak can keep me at the dinner table for hours."

"Right? And it's gotta be bloody."

Remus nodded sagely. "Must still be mooing."

Excitement rose up in her and she grabbed his wrist, leaning in closer. "Do you ever get restless?"

"I'm always restless, you'll have to be more specific."

"Like in the days right before the moon? It's almost compulsive, I can't stop moving and noticing everything and it's like I get this switch where I either can't focus on anything or I can only focus everything on one thing and it's maddening," she asked. Come to think of it, that was kind of happening now, wasn't it?

"That happens to you too?" Remus asked bewilderedly.

"Yes!" Fae answered, laughing delightedly, just completely exhilarated that someone else got it.

She went on a little rant of her own then, do you feel the moon during the day like I do sometimes, are mockingbirds not the worst thing in existence, doesn't cinnamon have a weird amount of spicy-ness when it's close to the moon, wasn't the day-after just completely impossible, wasn't the day-of just completely exhausting, wasn't the strength boost amazing, did his magic get weird or anything?

A few minutes in, Fae stopped mid-sentence. Remus' shoulders had perked up again and his face had tilted downwards so his bangs got in his eyes. His scent was shaky and spicy again. Nibbling her lip bashfully, she offered him another treat.

"Sorry.. Too much too soon?"

He took a cookie and ate the whole thing before replying. "A little."

The witch nodded and averted her gaze. "I'm just so happy to meet you and you're another werewolf and it's amazing to- Well."

"Have someone understand?"

"Yeah."

He smiled sweetly at her. "I'm the same. I've never met any others who've felt.."

"Your bones vibrating and breaking under your skin? The claustrophobia? The sensitivity? The sheer rage I feel at just existing sometimes, God forbid anybody say or do anything stupid in my line of sight near the full moon, like chew too loudly or breathe," Fae said, huffing playfully under her breath.

He laughed again, free and clear. It was a nice sound, a sound that was rare. "Yes! Exactly!"

"It's marvelous," she said.

"Yeah, I suppose it is," he agreed.

"You're marvelous," she added, completely endeared with the sweet blush that covered his cheeks and the pleased smile and flash of teeth, even if he looked away at first. Remus Lupin was extraordinary, Fae had decided. His soul was so kind and so shy, but those bursts of fire and life were breathtaking. He was far too sad and afraid. He was far too conscious of the world and not nearly conscious enough of himself. His mind was brilliant, even if it clearly worked against him sometimes. She'd never felt so protective of someone and understood, perhaps, what James felt like, what it felt like to be an older sibling or something.

"I'm really not. You're the one who's gained consciousness during the transformation after all," he eventually said, shifting and then switching the focus to her.

Fae took his attention happily and cocked her head with a confident swagger. "Well yeah, I am pretty badass."

Grey eyes rolled. "What is it like?"

She answered without a second of hesitation. "Unbelievable. Unforgettable. Unlike anything I've ever felt or experienced."

He played with the sleeves of his cardigan again and it occurred to Fae that it was sweltering, but he was hiding his scars. "Really?" he asked, staring at his mug.

"I can teach you, you know?" she offered, leaning forward and tilting her face up under his, forcing eye contact. She would teach him everything and she would see him proud, Fae decided.

He smiled thoughtfully and a little hopelessly. "Maybe," he said. "We'll be spending moons together at Hogwarts from now on, so there might be a chance."

At that, Fae leapt back and nearly dropped her coffee. "WE WILL?" she shouted. Did he mean it? Was that why he was here? Was she going to Hogwarts?

Suddenly Remus' eyes widened very large, and very nervous. His cheeks flamed and he whipped his head to look out into the living room. "Oh- bugger it-!" he stammered, going stock still.

Fae followed his gaze, turned, and remembered that there were five other people in the room. Oh. Oops? Suddenly, she was completely mortified. How could she have forgotten them so entirely? And that's what happened - she'd forgotten they'd existed at all. Even her brother who she'd been waiting with bated breath to come home. Good fucking Gods.

They all had the exact same expression - that of slyness and smugness. Oh, they'd been watching her and Remus for a while. That was. Great. Okay. Awesome.

"Is it true? Am I going to Hogwarts?" Fae asked.

"Darling-" Euphemia started to say, face giving nothing away.

Remus lurched up then. "It's safe!" he shouted. Cleared his throat and set his tea down. "I promise, it's safe. Dumbledore has the Shrieking Shack for us during transformations and nobody has ever suspected a thing in all my years there."

"Your - ?" Fleamont started to say, eyes wide in surprise.

And back to wringing the sleeves. Fae figured Remus must be very good at clothing-repairing charms, or reactivating elasticity or something. "Yes, mine. I'm.. I'm a werewolf. And I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner! But really, it's completely safe and Dumbledore already said it was okay and-"

"He did!?" Fae questioned, cutting off Remus' rather panicked explanation.

Finally, Euphemia smiled and addressed them properly. "Yes, he did. And thank you, Remus dear. But we've already all gone over this."

"You have?" Fae and Remus echoed.

"Yes, while you and Fae were off in your own little world, James, Sirius, and Peter explained everything to us," Fleamont said, amusement coming out in his twinkling eyes and suave voice.

"In fervent, illustrative details," Sirius said.

"It positively took hours," James added.

"And you two didn't notice a thing," Peter chimed in. All three boys fixed Remus with mischievous grins that promised excessive teasing. Fae made a mental note to set off some pranks on them as soon as she could to keep them far too busy to bother her fellow werewolf. It wasn't like it was his fault - Fae had practically demanded his undivided attention and bossed him around until she had him where she wanted him. Oh yes, pack instinct was extremely strong and dynamics were very much a thing. She already couldn't wait to review her notes on them and begin researching the subject anew for more details.

"So it's all taken care of, see?" Euphemia said.

Forcibly removing her attention from Remus once more, she perked up. "So- So I'm going to Hogwarts?" she asked hopefully.

"If you can pass an entrance exam, yes!" Fleamont answered, chuckling.

Fae jumped up on the sofa and started bouncing up and down, arms pumping in the air. "YES! I'm going to Hogwarts! I'm going to Hogwarts!" she screamed. Then she jumped off the couch and ran to hug her parents. James, Sirius, and Peter were waiting for their own hugs and high-fives and jumping. She couldn't believe it. She was going to Hogwarts. Best. Day. Ever.

"Thank you. And I really am sorry that I never told you. I just-" Remus' voice was cut off by Euphemia's hug. The lanky boy had walked over to her parents, head hanging, and apparently thought he should apologize.

"Oh Remus dear. You don't need to explain yourself to us, we love you just the same," Euphemia promised.

Fleamont clapped him on the shoulder and pulled him into a one-armed hug. "It must've taken a lot for you to come here and tell us everything and we appreciate the efforts you're making for our darling girl."

"And we trust that you'll look after her at Hogwarts. We're not worried in the least thanks to you," Euphemia finished, cupping his cheek tenderly.

"Thank you," he said a moment later, voice wobbly and leaning into her palm. The sweet vanilla scent about him got stronger and Fae smiled. Could life be any better?

There was a sudden, loud growling sound. "So. Dinner anyone? I'm starving," Sirius said. And Fae realized, it absolutely could get better.

Dinner was a loud, brilliant affair. Food was flying and spirits were high. However, all good things must end and their friends had to return home to their families with the sun dipping low under the horizon. To nobody's surprise, Fae made Sirius, Peter, and Remus promise to write her and visit when they could and help her prepare for her exam. She obtained several hugs from each and James was honestly surprised that she let go of Remus at all.

James had known. He had just known, like you know apples taste tart and bacon tastes salty. Fae and Remus were going to be connected. They were werewolves, the only werewolves that either of them had ever met. They were both smart, thoughtful, wonderful people and James knew they were going to hit it right off.

Of course, he'd never imagined anything like what had happened. Fae was so aware of everything, so with it almost all the time. And Remus absolutely hated attention, hated anything to do with lycanthropy. And yet? Fae forgot about the rest of the world and Remus had bloomed with her at his side. He'd never heard Remus laugh so much. He'd never heard Fae apologize or be bashful. It was simply incredible, the effect they had on each other. And alarming. And strange. But James was happy for them first and foremost.

They'd be good for each other. They would help each other and be there for each other in a way that nobody else could. They could understand each other. James hoped that with time, Remus could put Fae at ease and help bring her peace. He hoped that with time, Fae could elevate Remus and show him how to hold his head high and go after what he wanted - and deserved for that matter. They were two of his favorite people in the world and he wanted the best for them.

It made him laugh, how nervous Remus had been. In the car, he'd been shaking, knee bouncing like a jackhammer. And then they'd gone up the drive and he'd become so calm, staring out the window. James knew. Even though he had reached for his sister to hug her when she launched herself off the steps, he'd known that she was reaching for Remus because he had seen Remus already reaching right back.

They'd connected immediately and were finishing each other's sentences and making jokes. It reminded him of Sirius and the friendship he shared with the other boy, ever since they'd met on the Hogwarts Express at 11 years old. That instant and unbreakable and immortal bond. James was so happy his sister could feel that too.

The future was going to hold bright, wonderful, amazing things for them and James couldn't wait to see it, to be there for it, to witness it, to play his part in their lives. He couldn't wait to see what they could accomplish together - Fae's determination and strength with Remus' intelligence and endurance.

As for the present - James grabbed up his sister, swung her around, and threw her down on the sofa. "You're coming to Hogwarts! You're coming to Hogwarts with us! You're going to be in Gryffindor and we're going to take classes together!" he shouted, jumping up onto the couch and hopping around, careful to not actually jump on Fae, but definitely threatening like he was in all his excitement. Fae whooped and jumped right up with him. Her unbridled joy was the kind of thing that made life worthwhile.

A/N: Surprise chapter! Happy Friday ya'll.

What scary movie marathon are you guys getting into this weekend? I'm thinking Monsters Inc/University.. Or Addams Family.. Or Paranormal Activity... Or all of them.

Let's get spooky.