I don't own Harry Potter.

Thanks for Reviews: Althea27, Mamastei, Raven Lockwood, Amar2, Hugabouv, purplewolfalpha, bookgeek1122, Saint Snape

You guys keep me going! I appreciate it so much :} xoxo!

Chapter 46 "Lodging"

Remus fidgeted nervously in the Headmaster's office. He felt like a schoolchild again, called into the office because one of his friends' stupid pranks that he wasn't even involved in. Dumbledore watched him calmly over clasped hands and waited for him to talk.

"I had a favor to ask of you, sir, if I could." Remus started, and the old man nodded.

"Well, you know my condition, and I'm having a hard time finding a job and housing. I was wondering if you knew of anywhere I could stay." Remus suddenly felt like an idiot, asking Dumbledore for this. The man had so many more important things to think about other then lodging for a werewolf. He stood abruptly, turning red. He would figure something else out.

"I'm sorry sir, you probably have other things on your mind." He made for the door, but Dumbledore called, "Remus, wait."

The young man turned around and Dumbledore could see desperation there in his face. "You could stay here at the castle if you wish. We have some empty quarters on the fourth floor. You can even use the Whomping Willow to transform when it comes the time."

Remus visible shuddered as he remembered those nights when Madam Pomfrey escorted him through the dark grounds, the painful transformations and the even more painful hours afterward where he would rip himself apart. Hesitating to answer, he glanced at Dumbledore. It was a very generous offer and he didn't want to be disrespectful by saying no.

"Thank you, sir. That's very kind of you."

"You're welcome, Remus. I try to do what I can for the Order members. You are, after all, laying your life on the line for the cause." Dumbledore clapped his hands and a house elf popped into existence in front of Remus. He jumped back, startled and Dumbledore gave a soft chuckle. "Mamie will show you to your quarters."

The house elf gestured for him to follow her. "This way, sir." she squeaked out. Remus glanced at Dumbledore again. "Thank you, so much. You have no idea how much I appreciate it."

Dumbledore gave a small, rather sad smile in return. He knew the struggles Remus had gone through, and was still going through. Many others with his condition wouldn't bother to care about the people who taunted them and looked down on them. But Remus cared. He was truly unique, and he was a vital asset to the Order. Despite the incident with the werewolves, which was a failed mission, Dumbledore knew that Remus could be helpful in the future, using his affliction to his advantage. He leaned back in his chair, sighing softly, and wondered how the world had gotten so bad.

8888888

Remus brought the three boxes that held all his possessions into the quarters the Headmaster had let him use. They were a decent size, containing a bathroom, a sitting room, a large bedroom and a small dining/kitchen area. His heart welled again with the generosity of Dumbledore.

Lily's advice was good; he had to thank her and tell her what had happened. In a few days, once Severus and Lily had gotten settled. The only thing that bothered him was his transformations. Hiding out in the Shrieking Shack during the full moon when he was a kid still gave him nightmares. A cold chill had run down his back when he passed it before, making his way up to the castle through Hogsmeade. Maybe they could lock him in the dungeons instead, but if he got out and attacked a student? He couldn't let that happen.

Glancing at the calender hanging on the wall next to the bed, which checked off the days by itself as they went by, he saw that the full moon was only in four days. With a sinking feeling, he sat on the bed. Whomping Willow it was then.

88888

The next few days were like living in paradise to Lily. She took off work to stay home with Severus and take care of him. He was still weak; she wouldn't let him get out of bed, and although he protested, a small smile played on his lips as she pushed him back under the covers. After eating well and being warm and dry, Severus was looking better already.

Lily sat with Severus most of the day when she wasn't cooking for him or cleaning his clothes. Mostly they just sat in silence, still a bit amazed that they were finally together again. Sometimes Lily would talk to hours on end about stupid things and Severus loved to just hear her voice. Everything was perfect, almost like normal. Then on the third night, Severus woke up screaming.

He rolled out of bed in the dark, yelling with a terror that sent violent chills up Lily's spine. She hopped out of bed and went over to him where he was curled up in a corner, screaming and sobbing uncontrollably.

"Severus!" Lily knelt beside him, placing a hand on his knee worriedly. "Sev?"

He didn't seem to know she was there; he only curled up tighter into a ball and screamed for them to leave him alone. Lily's heart pounded hard as she sat next to him, wrapping him up in her arms.

"Shh. It's okay." Severus leaned into her, shaking convulsively. "I'm here Sev. You're not in that place anymore. You're at home with me." she kissed his head gently, stroking his hair.

"Lily?" Severus looked up at her, his eyes wide with fear in the dark. Smiling, she nodded.

"You're here?"

As an answer, Lily held him tighter. "Yes, and I always will be." Severus continued shaking in her arms until the sun rose and peeked through the window. She saw his eyelids drooping as the sunlight reached them; he was exhausted.

"C'mon." Lily helped him stand and get back into bed. Severus looking terrified as Lily walked away, but she was only going to the other side of the bed. She laid on his chest, wrapping her arms around him again and listening to his breathing as it slowed and he fell asleep. She cried silently for Severus and everything he had to go through for her. Now it was her turn to take care of him through this hard time. She would never leave him. She would watch over him forever.

Poor Remus...I wonder what Dumbly has in mind.

The nightmares start for Sev..at least now he wakes up to find that they're not real, and looks up to see Lily there next to him.