Chapter 31: A Werewolf's Chance Meeting

A man who looked a good bit older than he actually was gave a sigh to himself. He was dressed in clothes that weren't exactly tatters, but made it rather obvious he didn't have much luck in the way of finances.

He looked down at the statement in his hands again and sighed once more. He could handle it, but it was further proof he needed to figure something else out soon. For most in his personal situation, he was probably better off with his money, but that came at tremendous sacrifice and he was still far from secure financially.

People like him had it pretty tough. They weren't welcomed in the magical world, but still were a part of it. Some tried to get by in the muggle world, but that had its own difficulties. His kind had to take off more time than most businesses appreciated. There were very few employment opportunities they could get, which had the luxury of a flexible work schedule.

The man's name was Remus Lupin and he was a werewolf.

Werewolves weren't exactly how muggles envisioned them in their movies. The parts about the transformation being rough was true. They usually couldn't even keep their minds clear while transformed.

They additionally had to take time off around the full moon due to the adverse effects of their transformation afterwards. This really hurt job prospects they had. Outside of the full moon, they were the same as any other witch or wizard, but most magicals still saw them as dangerous and dark creatures.

There was a potion that helped with their transformations and let them keep their mind's clear. However, it was difficult to make on your own and pricey to acquire otherwise. There was also the whole prejudice against werewolves that some potion sellers used to refuse business with them. The potion also didn't help much in circumventing needing time off around the full moon.

This all meant Remus had it really bad in the magical world and only a little bit better in the muggle world. He could usually find temporary employment eventually, but it didn't pay the best and it wasn't exactly convenient. Sometimes it was rather dangerous on top of everything else. There was little chance that kind of employment could be a career.

"Where to go now…" he wondered to himself regarding his immediate future plans. He had never been able to settle down anywhere and had to move around a good bit.

Muggles would notice something was off with werewolves. They usually decided it had to do with drugs or alcohol. This meant rumors popped up around them and eventually they would be shunned by those in the muggle world as well. It was bad for business to have that employee who always seemed to have a really bad hangover, even if it was actually only about once a month this happened.

Remus Lupin was very fortunate for a werewolf over all though. He couldn't deny it. When he was younger, he had the best of friends. Sadly, the war claimed that from him. One friend turned traitor and the others died because of that.

At the very least, the traitor was in Azkaban, but that didn't bring the others back. He was thankful for the traitor being caught, even if it was odd he couldn't remember there being a trial for him. It would have been huge deal news wise, but things really were even more of a mess back then for werewolves. He usually figured that was why he couldn't remember it.

Remus took another sip of the drink in front of him. He was in the type of place that didn't welcome or shun his kind, a dank and dingy pub. In places like this, if you kept to yourself and paid for your drinks, you were usually tolerated. He couldn't spend too much time here though. His funds were limited, even if they hadn't run dry just yet. He would need to do something about them.

"Should I go there?" he thought after a contemplating his drink a little. It seemed fitting really. The place had a bad reputation and was usually left alone. Maybe he could stay there a little longer than usual. At the very least, it would be nice with winter coming.

There was a different option, but it wasn't one he really counted as a choice. He could join one of the packs, but even that would be rougher than usual for him. He smelled too much like humans for those kinds of werewolves usually. They also lived rather savage and barbaric lives and the main pack in this part of the magical world was run by the worst of the worst. The beast of a man who turned him, Fenrir Greyback.

Fenrir Greyback was the pack leader of the biggest and most violent Werewolf pack in magical Britain. Other packs would be wary of Lupin because of his association with Fenrir. It was rather well-known Remus fought against the beast of man. While he won that confrontation, it seemed most likely, even to him, Fenrir hadn't taken him seriously. Fenrir said he could go, but once he returned that would be end of it. Remus wouldn't be allowed to leave alive ever again.

The worst part about Fenrir was the fact he loved being a beastly werewolf. He saw himself as more than a man or a wizard. He embraced the transformation and the hunger for carnage that came with it. Fenrir even went so far as to look more beast than man on a regular basis. No one was sure if this was glamour magic of some kind, or if he had given in that much to the wolf. Fenrir also loved turning children and did it on purpose. Remus was one such victim.

Fenrir liked getting back at wizards by turning their precious children into werewolves, even for the merest of slights. Other times he did it just because he felt like it. He especially enjoyed it when girls he turned were thrown out by their families and usually came to him around the age of fifteen. He always made them perform sexual acts to earn their place in his pack. More than anything else though, he liked the sense of power he got from corrupting, and usually ruining, the young by infecting them.

"No… The packs are out of the question," Remus told himself.

He wouldn't return willingly to Fenrir's pack. He'd ultimately rather try to start his own pack and that wasn't easy or likely to happen. He would have to go to that place. He only hoped The Rust District wasn't as bad as the rumors said.

[-] [-] [-]

A bell to a diner rang as a trio of men walked inside. "Hello and Welcome!" a man behind a counter said with a smile.

The trio walked up to him and one asked, "What's the special today, Pops?"

Pops gave a smile as he said, "An American dish this time. Chicken Fried Steak." The man was known as Pops because he was middle-aged and rather welcoming. He treated most of the people in the district as family of some kind. He even helped solve disputes between people numerous times. On top of that, many of the children came to see him as a father figure, if they didn't have one already.

"Sounds interesting, but I think I'll take my usual this time," the man said.

The other two with him chuckled. "You always say that. You'll never find out what else is good if you never try something different," the youngest in the trio said.

"And since I already know I like my usual, that doesn't bother me," the first man said in return with a grin. The other man, the third in their party, shook his head and laughed before they ordered their meals.

After the trio placed their orders, they took notice of the man sitting at a table in the corner quietly eat a meek meal and sipping a cup of tea. The leader of the trio nodded to his companions. The two picked a table as he went and talked to the man. He approached and remained standing. "Haven't seen you here before," he said in a causal tone.

"I've never been here before," Remus replied neutrally. He expected this would happen sooner or later. He noticed there were patrols in the Rust District and they were more formal and organized than places like this usually were.

He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing as of yet. He did notice the politeness between the trio and the diner's owner was genuine and not forced by either party. That was potentially at least a good sign.

The man nodded and looked him over. "You can stay here so long as you follow our rules," he said.

Remus looked to him carefully. "What are these… rules?" he asked. He didn't want to seem too used to such treatment, but needed to know how to avoid causing trouble. He doubted he would be able to find anywhere else before winter settled in until next spring.

"Don't cause any trouble for others. You are allowed to defend yourself though. I can promise you'll only have to deal with the Street Knights if you're in the wrong and in trouble. We also encourage you to cooperate with any authorities should you be required. You can still keep your privacy as long as you cooperate. No one will ask anything unrelated to the matter they are discussing with you," he said.

Remus couldn't help but blink to that. "What authorities do you mean exactly?" he asked in a little confusion.

The man gave an easy smile that was friendly but not overly so. "Any patrols like us. Law Enforcement. Fire and Safety. Authorities," he said.

Remus was in thought and surprised by this. Usually in places run by gangs or groups or whatever they called themselves, they were the end all be all. You were usually threatened if you cooperated with Law Enforcement, even if the local Law was in the pockets of the people running the area.

Remus gave a nod after a moment. "I understand," he said.

"Good. Pops here can help you find a place to stay if you plan on being here long term and through the winter. Welcome to the Rust District," the man said before joining the other two as their meals arrived.

Once the trio left, Remus spoke to the proprietor. "That was different from what I expected," he admitted.

Pops gave him a nod in understanding. "The rumors aren't true. This place isn't paradise or a utopia, but it isn't too bad either. The Street Knights aren't like other gangs. They could also tell you fit in with us in a way," he explained.

"In what way?" Remus asked curiously.

Pops gave him a serious look as he said. "You've been tossed aside, slipped through society's cracks, or maybe a mix of both. That's how most of us here are."

Remus nodded in agreement to that. It described him perfectly. "Why keep the rumors around then?" he asked.

Pops grinned to this. "We don't have a problem with business and capitalism here, but we like to keep the worst parts of it away if we can. We don't want people finding out it isn't too bad of place and the more well-off people moving here thinking it would be quaint or something. That would mean the large soulless corporations would soon follow. They would force out the people here, who have nowhere else to go, and put up some giant strip malls or something," he said.

Remus nodded to that.

"So about getting you some place to stay…" Pops started. Remus listened to him without complaint. He was surprised how many options he seemed to actually have here.

"What kind of skills do you have?" Pops asked after most of their discussion was over. He only broke it off to help customers until his employees showed up to start their shifts.

"A bit of this and a bit of that," Remus stated before listing off the surprisingly vast list of skills he picked up over his years in the muggle world. Pops nodded in thought as he listened.

[-] [-] [-]

Ginny lay awake in her bed at Hogwarts. She was deeply worried. Colin Attacked?! Luna spending most of her time hanging around Harry Potter and the other Hufflepuffs?! A Dueling Club?! Justin Finch-Fletchely and Nearly Headless Nick attacked at the same time?! It was all so much and she didn't remember it.

"What's been happening to me?" she thought in worry to herself.

She had been losing a lot of time it seemed. She really didn't know what to make that. She didn't even know who to talk to about it. She tried approaching her brothers, but something seemed to keep her from saying anything. She didn't get it.

Ginny curled up under her covers as tears formed in her eyes. She wouldn't cry! She was supposed to be the tough little sister, who older brothers didn't mess with. But this was really getting to her. She was thankful she would be heading home for Holiday Break soon. She really needed some place safe and familiar right about now. She wanted her family.

Suddenly, Ginny seemed to grow completely calm again. It was like something came over her, but in the darkness of her dorm room in the middle of the night no one noticed. She let out a calming sigh and gave a stretch. She then closed her eyes and went to sleep.

Riddle was surprised she still had so much spunk left to break free of his causal control like that, even if for only a moment. He would admit it was rather entertaining how she freaked out and the way her mind raced trying to piece everything together. It was a futile attempt on her part. She was too much his by this point. It still gave him an idea on how to better entertain himself in the coming months.

Riddle decided he would have to lay low again for a while. Dumbledore might actually start to take action and the Diary's memory had no doubt the man was already piecing things together. If he was pushed too much too soon, the headmaster may no longer be content with just controlling information regarding what was happening at Hogwarts. The aged wizard might decide to end it all. Riddle was sure Dumbledore couldn't enter the chamber properly yet. However, he might be able to figure something out there, if he really wanted to do something more about the attacks.

The shade from the diary sighed to himself. It would do well if he slipped towards the back of Ginny's mind over the break too. He doubted her mom or dad were a threat. The mother would be too happy with all her family visiting. The father was nothing more than a muggle loving fool of a wizard that wouldn't even stand up to his wife if needed.

However, the oldest brother, Bill, he could be a problem. Bill was a Gringotts Curse Breaker working in Egypt. Bill was not an opponent Riddle wanted to face before fully manifesting.

Tom Riddle would easily admit the ancient Egyptian wizards were capable of some amazing feats when it came to protections and other forms of so-called dark magic. He fully intended to commit a decent amount of time to studying them once he was back to full power.

He had no doubt his older self did much the same, but Diary Riddle wouldn't have to wait until after graduating to get started. Diary Riddle didn't need to return to an orphanage during the summer either. There were so many possibilities this time around, so it was best not to risk them.

Bill was very familiar with such magics and how to overcome them. He'd be able to figure out something was really wrong with his sister, if Riddle wasn't extra careful. Bill might even be able to figure out exactly what was going on and how to end it all. The oldest Weasley son could really interfere with Diary Riddle's plans and that would not do.

"No. I don't want to get his attention. Best let Ginny seem to recover and get a little bit back to her old self over the break," Riddle thought to himself.

Now that he thought about it, this could play in his favor. The brothers still at Hogwarts might decide they were just overreacting to what was clearly a bad case of homesickness after all. That would keep them from breathing down her neck in 'concern' as much. They would go back to happily ignoring their little sister most of the time again. Like they always did.

"Ha! Families… Such foolishness! If they actually cared about their little sister, their behavior wouldn't default to mostly ignoring her. Love, even with families, was so stupid and weak," the shade thought before resting himself. It was foolish how much Dumbledore obsessed over such notions.

[-] [-] [-]

"Thanks again for coming by. I really appreciate your help. Here's your payment," a beautiful woman in her late twenties said with a smile. She had lightly tanned skin, bright blue eyes and luscious silky raven locks.

"No problem, Miss Serene," Remus said with a grin.

The young woman gave an enchanting laugh to that. "If you say so. Mr. Moony," she said in reply before waving him off once more as he laughed in return.

Remus had been very fortunate here in the Rust District. He already had an apartment he was staying in for the winter, or maybe even longer. It wasn't fancy or anything like that, but it wasn't a dump either. It was cozy and warm. He was even able to acquire a fair amount of Wolfsbane Potion with the money he earned.

He mostly did odd jobs, as usually was the case for him, but he had plenty here and many more made a living the same way. Remus had made a bit of a name for himself as a handy man, of all things. He wondered what his long-departed friend James would have thought of that. Remus was the eager bookworm in their group and yet he did most of his work with his hands the muggle way.

Remus also made it well known he didn't usually take jobs around the full moon. He had an explanation for this ready, but never needed it. People here just accepted it and easily called for someone else during that time. The few times some of his regular clients called him in a panic during those times, he knew who to redirect them to in the area. Others did the same for him in return from time to time as thanks.

Remus really was surprised to say he had regular customers here. Miss Serene was one of them. Of course, Serene wasn't really her last name. He full name was Betty Fisher. Betty Serene was her name from her days before coming to the Rust District. She was a stripper in those days.

[-] [-] [-]

Betty Fisher was an eager gal who dreamed of becoming an actress when she was a teen. She thought she found an easy path to that dream when she was kind of scouted at the age of 16. She knew she was going to be a stripper first when scouted, but accepted that.

She was told and thought it would be a good way to make a living. She used her day light hours to chase after her real dream. The person who scouted her was an older woman who claimed she would help Betty out.

The young Betty thought working under a woman would make things better. It did in some ways, but not as much as she thought it would. Betty was of course very popular at the time. She loved being in the spotlight, even if it was on a stage with a dancing pole and naked. She made good money and the place she worked at was fairly safe and clean.

The mistress of the business did help her some with commercial spots on tv occasionally, but show business was extremely hard to break into for anyone. It didn't matter if you were a young and beautiful woman who just reached her age of majority. There were plenty of hopeful young people.

It wasn't until Betty was given a private business meeting that she realized her mistake. She was called into the Mistress' office and given an actual interview and everything. She was even close to getting the job and told there was just one last thing she had to do to put her up and over the rest of the competition. She was asked, in a very roundabout but nevertheless clear way, to give sexual favors then and there.

Betty politely refused. She was asked one more time with more emphasis on how this was her big chance and maybe even her last good chance. She was even assured it would be just that one time, so long as she did well with her chance. She still refused.

The men and woman she was meeting didn't force her or anything. They even admitted they respected her decision. They politely ended the interview there and told her she still might get a role, but her chances weren't the best they could have been.

Betty was never asked for sexual favors again. She still continued her job as a stripper without any real problems. It was a few months later she realized what was happening. She first noticed it as her shifts were moved around. Then she had less hours. She asked about this and the mistress just shrugged her shoulders and said that was just how things were at the moment.

Young Betty wasn't really stupid, even if she was blinded early on by the promise she was sold. Betty came to realize, even if she was still very beautiful and popular during her shifts, she was still very replaceable. There were plenty of younger and even prettier girls eager for a chance like she was. They also weren't as opposed to the offers Betty refused. Her wishes and morals were respected, but she still faced consequences for them.

It eventually got to the point Betty was dismissed from her job. She hoped maybe her best customers would throw a ruckus at her dismissal and pressure the Mistress to bring her back. That never happened though.

When her funds started to dry up, Betty realized there weren't many options for an ex-stripper who didn't even finish her A Levels in school. It didn't help that her style and looks at that time seemed to hint at her past profession. It did get her plenty of attention and looks, but not really from potential employers, unless she were to decide to become a whore.

She grew desperate when she noticed one of her former co-workers had made it into show business. Betty feared maybe she would have to betray her morals if she even wanted to survive by that point. It was then she was met by a group of Street Knights and made her way to the Rust District.

At first, she worked part time at a bakery. She wasn't really happy with that work though. It was alright pay, but the hours were very irregular. She wanted more in her life. She also at that time hated being called Miss Serene.

One day she was approached by Jett and a couple of other Street Knights again. She was meeting with them privately. Betty partly feared for the worst despite herself. She had only been treated respectfully here, but she wondered if that was only for a time.

"So, Miss Serene. How are you doing?" Jett asked.

Betty couldn't help but wince a little at hearing her stage name. "Could you not call me that. Please?" she asked.

"What's the problem, Miss Serene?" Jett asked her, acting a little confused.

"I don't go by that name anymore. I don't like it. I want to leave that in the past. At all costs," she said.

"Miss Serene," Jett continued. "Are you truly satisfied with your current arrangements?" he asked.

She didn't meet his eyes as she said, "I'll live…"

"That doesn't answer the question, Miss Serene," one of the other Knights said to her. He placed emphasis on her stage name. The others spoke to her as well in turn. All of them used her stage name.

"Why are you doing this?!" she asked. "I told you I want to leave that behind me," she said almost pleadingly.

"But it is a part of you. It is your past. It has shaped who you are greatly. Refusing it is not healthy. It will only keep bothering you, even if you manage to leave it mostly behind and move on with your life, Miss Serene. Something you have yet to do after all this time. It will eventually come back to haunt you. Own it. Remember all you learned. You don't want to just drift through life, Miss Serene. Owning your past will be the key to your future," Jett said.

"How?!" she asked feeling kind of angry now. She wasn't going to do anything, but she did not like this.

"You were a stripper. You learned skills because of that," Jett said.

"How to take off my clothes for money?! Flirt with men no matter what they think of me or say for a better tip? Be reminded of the fact I didn't want to bend over and let two men and a woman have their way with me for the job of a lifetime?!" she asked now feeling livid. "I hardly see how those are any lessons worthwhile," she scoffed.

Jett gave her a neutral expression as he said, "Wrong lessons, Betty."

She blinked. "What do you mean?" she asked in confusion. She was caught off guard here as he used her first name on purpose.

"You learned how to fix make-up," he said causally with a shrug.

He looked to her seriously and said, "You also learned how to diet properly. You learned how to exercise. We know you weren't the type to starve yourself to keep slim. You learned how to stay healthy in general. Those were some of the reasons why you were popular at your last job. You never let yourself go."

He looked her over briefly and added, "You still keep in remarkable shape even now, when you're just here stuck in a bakery working a cash register all day. It is obvious you have more to thank for your looks than just good DNA. You have skills many young women, who aren't going anywhere near such a profession, would want to learn or be helped with in their own lives."

"I suppose you have a point there…" she said unsure.

"You just need some lessons to become a fitness trainer. Something you've shown interest in on more than one occasion. Something that will be more than just ringing up customers who buy cakes or biscuits. You don't have any interest in learning to become a baker yourself, so there isn't too much reason to stay working here," Jett said.

"Do you mean it? Wouldn't a fitness trainer need a university degree?" she asked in question. There was also a hint of hope in her voice.

"You aren't going to be coaching a team or working for professional athletes. You don't need a degree in something like Sports Medicine or Sports Science. There are plenty of gyms in the area within an easily traveled distance. We also know you really don't want to leave the district," Jett said.

"It is my home," she said easily.

Jett smiled to her. "All you need is to learn some lessons so you can safely help others without hurting them," he said.

"I… I think I would like that," she said.

Part of the reason she first wanted to become an actress was so she could move people and make a difference in their lives. Seeing a movie, play or tv show with great actors and actresses can really reach out to people in ways. This wasn't the same, but she could still help people.

"So… I ask you again, Miss Serene. Is this all you really want in your life?" Jett asked with a slight smile.

She sighed and shook her head but gave a soft smile in return. "I still don't really like that name, but I suppose I can live with it. I might even like it as a playful nickname someday. I do want more and I will do what I need to do," she said.

"We should never fully forget our pasts. They make us into who we are for better and worse. It is good you are at least taking the right steps now, Betty. This is what you need to do…" Jett said.

He and the others explained to her who to contact and what she needed to learn. They even explained the different options she had for her new chance in life.

[-] [-] [-]

To Remus, it was stories like Betty's that proved to him he did belong here in many ways. He fit in here and wasn't constantly worried what he would have to do. He was now instead looking forward to enjoying some of the Christmas festivities in the area. He already planned to go to the giant Christmas Eve Feast in the warehouse with Betty and some other friends he made here.

He first learned about her nickname when he overheard some people call her by it. She always jokingly replied with a nickname of her own for them. Remus asked her about it and apologized for being nosy.

"Don't worry about that. Just give me a nickname to call you in return, or I'll make one up. I will refer to you by it whenever you use my nickname though," she said with a laugh.

Remus then told her his old school nickname. He even told her how he came about it to a degree. He left out the werewolf bit and magic school parts. He simply said he made some friends at a boarding school when he was younger. He gave her the story he gave most muggles when they asked about him. He had to come up with something believable for job interviews when it came to his education.

There were many stories in The Rust District like Betty's. He liked learning about them if he was fortunate enough to hear them. These people here understood him. They knew what it was like to be him in many ways. None of them were werewolves, but they still knew what it was like in his shoes.

He could really relate to them as well. He learned a good bit about the Street Knights during this time. No one in the Rust District didn't learn about them. He liked what he knew about the group in charge.

He liked their smart Hufflepuff approach as he called it. He was close and loyal to his friends as they were to him, until one of them turned traitor. He was agreeable with the whole loyalty to those who deserve it mentality, instead of being blindly loyal or closing everyone out.

"I wonder what Harry is up to now. He'd be in Hogwarts. His second year now," Remus thought to himself as he made his way back to his apartment. He wished he could do something there. He wanted to be with Lily's and James' son. He wanted to be there for the young boy and do so in the Street Knights' way.

Sadly, his being a werewolf, complicated things. It would be quite the uproar for a werewolf, no matter how close he was to the parents, to approach The-Boy-Who-Lived. Remus didn't even know where Harry lived. He could guess, but that didn't help much.

He decided if he ever crossed paths with Harry by chance, then he could start to work on some kind of relationship. He could do what he should have from the start as soon as Lily and James died. He could help look after the boy.

All he could do for now though was trust Dumbledore, unfortunately. Remus tried speaking to Dumbledore and finding a way to meet the boy a number of times over the years. His old headmaster didn't do anything about that. A lot of people knew Albus Dumbledore had hidden away the boy. They just didn't know where.

Remus guessed it was probably somewhere in the muggle world. Most thought it would be in the wizarding world, but that was wrong. There were plenty who would take The-Boy-Who-Lived in their household, but it would be a political mess for the most part.

Harry would also be treated like a messiah or something equal to that. It would be tough for a young boy growing up with people literally kissing, if not all out worshiping, the ground he walked upon. He could grow up with an ego to rival James' during his early years, when he was a far cry from the man he grew to be.

The other most likely option would be the isolation a young Harry would face in life. Being up on a pedestal, was very much the lonely existence, especially if you didn't even fully know why you were there. Remus doubted Harry remembered even a sliver of what happened that night. That could be a confusing life to live. The werewolf only hoped wherever Harry ended up, Dumbledore had done the best for the boy.

[-] [-] [-]

"Ha ha! I still don't believe it, Shorty. But that is funny, especially if it is true," Remus said as he and his small group of friends made their way to the Christmas Eve Feast.

Shorty was actually really tall, and that was why Betty nicknamed him Shorty. The man found it really funny. They all traded tales with each other on a regular basis. Shorty liked to talk about some of the pranks he pulled when he was growing up, especially after he learned Remus, of all people, was surprisingly a prankster himself.

"I assure ya! It is true. Whether you believe me or not is up to you. At least you can appreciate the humor either way," Shorty said with a chuckle.

The group of adults sat down as Betty said, "I still find it interesting you were a prankster too, Remus. You are so much the brainy type."

Remus smiled to that. "That's why I was a prankster with my friends. James was the one who came up with most of the ideas. I was the one who figured out how to make them happen and keep us out trouble from the school rules," Remus said.

Shortly laughed. "And to think… You were the one the teachers thought would keep the others out of trouble," he said shaking his head.

Betty smiled to that. "Didn't you hear him, Shorty? He did keep them out of trouble. Just not in the way the teachers would have preferred," she gave them both a smile.

The two laughed to that after a second. "I suppose he did," Shorty said.

[-] [-] [-]

It was after the feast Remus found himself completely shocked. He was walking Betty back to her place. Shorty was continuing the party with some work buddies of his. That was his plan from the start. He spent before and during the feast with Remus and Betty. Afterwards, he would meet up with the others.

"I've always loved this place during Christmas. I wonder if young Davey will make the caroling rounds again," Betty said with a warm smile.

"That would be something. So far this has been one of the better Christmases for me since I was young," Remus said.

They walked quietly enjoying the night as a light snow fell. Remus found the Rust District to be surprisingly Christmas Card worthy at times. The place was old and the residents did a good job of decorating it. The streets with most of the shops were especially well decorated.

It was kind of interesting to Remus that he noticed a lot of people from outside of the Rust District shopped here. It was lucky people hadn't started noticing the rumors weren't exactly true. Perhaps the Street Knights put on a bit of a show or something. That way people didn't feel too threatened, but weren't about to try moving here.

There was a part of him, one he thought a bit foolish, that dared think the shoppers were mostly in on keeping the secret as well. He knew the Knights were powerful. He doubted their reach was that expansive.

Their quiet night eventually came to an end when they heard a group of children laughing from nearby. Remus smiled. "I still find it amazing the place is safe enough children don't have worries going out at night," he said.

"One of the many things I love about the place. Jett and the rest of the Knights work hard to keep it that way. That's part of the reason they encourage people to work with law enforcement and such. They do so themselves and it has paid back in spades," Betty said.

They then heard the children start to sing Christmas Carols together. Betty smiled. "It seems young Davey will be making the rounds of Christmas Caroling after all. We should go," she said with a lovely smile.

Remus went with her. He didn't have much choice since he was walking her home. He wouldn't complain though. He really enjoyed the company and the carolers were actually pretty good from the sound of it. Once they rounded the corner, just as the current song ended, Remus stopped dead in his tracks. He knew those eyes and that hair anywhere, even after all of these years.

"Harry?" he couldn't help but ask in shock.

Betty looked between the two in surprise. "You know Harry?" she asked Remus.

"I do…" Remus started.

Harry for his part was listening. He knew his unasked question was about to be answered.

"All of those stories I've told you… Our group's ringleader's full name was James Potter and he later married Lily Evans and their son was Harry James Potter," Remus said.

Harry looked carefully at the man hearing that. "You knew my parents," he said simply stating a fact. "What's your name?" Harry asked.

"Remus Lupin…" Remus answered easily.

Harry seemed to ease up a little. He knew Betty well enough and her body language showed Remus wasn't lying when he said he talked about his parents with her, even if he didn't use their last names. "You were the one they called Moony?" Harry asked.

"Yeah… I'm surprised you know that… We called your dad Prongs," Lupin said with a smile.

Harry fully relaxed at that and smiled. "Davey," he started.

She looked to him in question.

"I'm going to have to cut our caroling short tonight I'm afraid. I really want to talk to Mr. Lupin here," he said.

"Promise me you'll double your efforts tomorrow… And we can use my place. I'd like to hear from someone who knew your father at Hogwarts as well," Davey said.

"Thank you. And I will double my efforts tomorrow," Harry said with a smile.

"Let's go then… After we see Miss Fisher home. It looks like he was walking her home," she said.

"Do you mind?" Harry asked the two adults.

"Not at all," Miss Fisher said with a smile to Remus. "I'm sure Remus here wants to talk to you as well." She knew about his concerns over his friend's son, but he couldn't find him until now. She was surprised said son turned out to be the one some called Little Boss, Harry Potter.

"Thank you, Betty," Remus said quietly as he squeezed her hand lightly to further show his appreciation.

[-] [-] [-]

Once they escorted Miss Fisher home, Remus followed Davey, Harry and two other girls who went to school with him. Remus soon learned their names were Hermione Granger, a muggle-born, and Luna Lovegood, the daughter of the well-known eccentric creature chaser Xenophilius Lovegood.

Davey served them all tea quickly as they looked to each other. Remus was still in shock at all that was happening. He did not expect to meet Harry here of all places. The werewolf also picked up on Harry being a member of the Knights.

He really wondered about that. He doubted Professor Dumbledore would place Harry here. The atmosphere was polite between them all, but there was an edge to it that Remus was starting to pick up.

Their tea cups were filled and steaming and they all took their first sip. Once they placed them down, the atmosphere grew heavy. Remus was shocked to have three sets of female eyes looking at him with barely contained fury. The wolf inside him was more terrified of the glowing green eyes which held no signs of fury though. There was however a heaviness to their neutral gaze.

"Did you know Headmaster Dumbledore placed me with my mom's sister and her family?" Harry asked in a grave tone.

Remus' eyes widened. He then turned angry himself. "No… I did not. Albus Dumbledore wouldn't tell me where you were. I wanted to meet you, but knew… due my…" Remus started as he looked at the others in the room.

"They know," Harry told him neutrally, without the edge though.

"Due to my condition as a werewolf... I felt without permission from Albus, who many knew hid you away somewhere, it would not go well for me to visit you. In the worst of possible circumstances, it could end up with me in Azkaban," Remus said darkly. He would later ask about them knowing he was werewolf, but the current topic felt much more important at the moment.

He then looked to his cup in anger. "Had I known you were placed with Petunia Dursley… I would not have waited until I hoped we came across each other in the right circumstances," he said.

Remus then growled a little as he held his cup tightly. He was careful not to break it at least. "I can guess why you are here then," he said sounding angry at the Dursleys.

He then blinked. "Wait a minute… Albus doesn't know, does he?" Remus asked.

"No, he doesn't. What do you make of that? Mr. Lupin?" Harry asked.

"I'd hope it stays that way… He has to be up to something if he placed you there of all places. It probably isn't exactly for your best interests either… Petunia…" Remus in his anger almost spat the name.

"She hates magic with a deep envy. She denounced her own sister because of jealousy. She refused to even show up to Lily and James' Wedding because of her hatred and jealousy. There is no way you should have been placed there… more evident since you are here… Which means you either ran away or were tossed out… Probably the latter knowing them," he said griping his wand tightly in his pocket.

Harry looked to the others and nodded. All of them relaxed. "Mr. Lupin. May I call you Remus or Moony?" Harry asked in a much friendlier tone.

Remus seemed to snap out of his anger. He was furious about what happened, but that wasn't important. He had the chance he really wanted here. He could be there for Harry. He could help James' and Lily's son.

He gave a smile as he said to Harry, "Yes. You may call me either of those. May I call you Harry?"

Harry smiled and nodded. "I'm glad I finally get to meet you, Moony. I may have been kicked out by the Dursleys, but it was for the best. I have family here, even if not by blood. Hopefully we can be family as well," Harry said.

"I would like that. I may not be a Street Knight, but I promised myself if we met again, I would do what I could to live up to their motto with you, Harry," he said.

Harry grinned. "Good! I always do that myself. After all… I'm not just a Street Knight. I'm also a Badger. It'd look pretty bad for my house, if I didn't live up to the Street Knight motto," he said.

Remus gave a laugh. "I wish your father was still alive, Harry. It would have been funny to see his over exaggerated sadness you weren't a Gryffindor like him."

"However… he'd soon smile and say, 'I'll just have to be the dad to the best Badger who ever attended Hogwarts'. Your mom would be happy you were less likely to be a slacker like your father was early on, since you were in the house of the hard working," Remus said with a smile as Harry and the others laughed to that.

"Tell me more," Harry said eager to listen.

"Only if you tell me all about your first year and a half at Hogwarts," Remus countered.

Harry smiled and said, "Deal!"

The group all felt they received their best Christmas Present ever early that night as Remus shared his tales of James and Lily. Harry and Hermione enjoyed sharing the tales of their first year at Hogwarts.

Luna was able to happily pitch in some when it came to the current school year. Remus was really interested when she got to the part about them all attending a Deathday Party. Harry really had himself some interesting friends. James and Lily would be proud of him for that. The group's many stories continued late into the night before they finally went to bed.