A/N: I seem to have one on every chapter! I just wanted to let readers know that I don't really know Remus's exact age as of the 5th book, so if I aged him wrong in this chapter, I'm really sorry. I'd appreciate it if you correct me if it's wrong, but I won't change it. I usually like to keep my writing exactly the same as when I first wrote it, unless there are huge mistakes that mess up the plot or something.
Chapter Four…Talking With Remus
It was only 8:07 when Buffy woke up, but she could tell everyone else was up and about.
She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, standing. Remembering that attached to her room was a tiny but comfortable bathroom, she smiled. Thank god, she thought, eyeing the fluffy white towels. She grabbed the Brilliant Blonde shampoo she'd brought, shampoo specifically for blondes, and turned on the shower, stepping under the welcomingly cool spray.
Once she was finished, she towel-dried her hair (the place was so soaked in magic that most of her electronics didn't work, her blow-dryer being one of them) and brushed the honeyed tresses until they flowed silkily down her back.
Rummaging through the dresser drawers she had filled with her clothing, she pulled out today's outfit; underwear, trim black pants, and a thin-strapped lavender blouse. It was low-cut, with a sweeping, cupped neckline.
Glancing through the four pairs of shoes she'd brought, she chose the high-heeled white sandals she'd worn yesterday.
She looked into the door-mirror once before walking out of the room, satisfied with what she saw. She wanted to make a good impression, but not seem like she cared too much what they thought. Truth was, though, she did. She had always cared what people thought of her. She didn't know why. She should never let people get her down just because they felt badly about themselves so they needed to bring someone else down with them. She had let that happen too many a time.
Buffy stalked into the kitchen. Albus, Molly, and Remus sat at the small round table in the middle of the room.
Albus smiled at her. "Good morning, Miss Summers."
"Please, call me Buffy. 'Miss' makes me feel old. Well, older than I already am." She laughed.
Remus's eyes lit up at the joke, lips smiling. "Oh, Buffy. You couldn't even be half my age."
"Keep 'em coming. I haven't heard such complements in a while." She grinned. "But seriously, how old are you? Thirty?"
The man smiled. "Forty-two."
Buffy's hazel eyes widened. "No! Really?"
He laughed. "Yes, though I do hate to admit it."
"You don't look it, honestly."
Remus chuckled lightly. "Oh and how old are you? Twenty-one? Twenty-three?"
"Twenty-nine," Buffy admitted with a grin. "But I don't mind if you keep believing I'm in my early twenties. It'll make me feel better about the wrinkles I saw in the mirror this morning."
"Buffy!" Remus laughed, the motion making his face look younger, and more innocent. "You're really twenty-nine? You hardly look it. Really."
Molly and Albus watched the exchange with smiles. Albus felt it was really good to see Remus laughing and joking around, almost like he had back when he was in Hogwarts, calling Albus "headmaster".
The elder man's eyes twinkled. "I do have to say Remus is right; you don't look much more than his first guess."
"Aw, shucks." Buffy felt her cheeks flush at the embarrassing but very welcomed compliments. "You guys know just how to make a girl feel right at home." She nodded when Molly told her she was welcome to take a seat with them, choosing one of the two unoccupied chairs, the one between Remus and Albus. "So, what's going on today?"
Albus looked at Remus, whose cheery expression quickly turned guarded. Molly ran her hand through her shockingly red hair a few times, watching the elder wizard.
"What?" Buffy could sense that something was up, but she didn't know what. "Did something happen?"
Remus looked down, the suddenly turned his gold gaze to her. He seemed to search her face for something, and apparently found it, because he sighed and said, "I believe we can tell her."
"Hunh?" She frowned. "Tell me what?"
The man sighed again, obviously trying to find the right words. "Buffy, I…well I…well that is…what is your opinion on werewolves?"
She blinked at the abrupt question. She tilted her head, wonder why he wanted to know. She glanced over when Sirius walked in, then turned back to Remus. "Well, I really believe it depends on the person." At his questioning look she continued on. "Werewolves are people. Human beings. They're just like us, only with a terrible curse. I don't think they are animals, or anything else besides human. But, also like us, they can be killers. I mean, look at Fenrir Greyback! He's not only a werewolf but also a Death Eater! But, what I'm trying to say is, werewolves are just like us. They can be strong and take the hand dealt to them with pride, or they can be weak and become influenced by evil. I mean, hell! Look at Voldemort! He was human, just like you and me. And look where he is now! But, do you get what I'm saying? Werewolves are just like us. They can rise like us and they can fall like us. They are human too. Only, people fear what they don't understand. It sucks, but it's true. People can be very stupid, very. I'm glad that I'm not one of them." She blinked. "Oh, I'm not saying I'm above everyone! I'm just saying…you know…"
"Yes." Remus smiled, and his face shown with relief. "I believe I do." He glanced at Albus, who was watching the American Auror with an unreadable expression, the Sirius, who was looking at her with more relief than even Remus. Buffy realized they must be friends, best friends. Maybe they even had gone to school together, though Sirius, like Remus, didn't look forty-two at all.
"Well you most likely have your own suspicions after that question, so I'll just tell you straight: I'm a werewolf." He watched her, hurrying on before she could react. "But I want you to know that I do take precautions…"
"Remus," Buffy said quietly.
"…during the full moon. I have a cage in the basement, a really good strong one…"
"Remus."
"…and I take a potion that Severus makes. It allows me to keep my human frame of mind while I'm Changed, you know, just as a precaution…"
"Remus." Her voice rose forcefully.
"…and if I ever did escape my cage, which I know would never happen, but if I did, I wouldn't want to tear everyone limb from limb, like when I don't take it…"
Buffy glanced at Sirius. "Remus." She tried to put force in her voice, but not so much that he thought she was angry with him.
"…and the potion is really strong. Severus is the best potions maker I know. It keeps my human thoughts with me, and I mostly just sleep. But I'm not dangerous. Well, I mean, you know, I've never bitten someone once before…"
"Remus."
"…not ever, and with all the precautions we take, I never will. Well, I mean, I can't say what will happen in the future, seeing as I'm a monster and all, but I know with everything that we do I'll never really let that happen. And---"
"Remus!"
He went silent, having to take large deep breaths because of his slightly panicked state. His eyes were wide and full of fear. He seemed to wait, knowing she would curse at him and call him a monster.
She kissed his cheek, slightly rough with stubble that grew even though he shaved every morning. "Remus, didn't you hear a word I said?" She took his hand. "You are not a monster. Do you understand me? You. Are. Not. A. Monster. No werewolf is. Well, except Fenrir, but you know what I mean! You aren't! Not even close! And, just so your prepared, if I ever hear you call yourself a monster again, I'll have to kick your ass, and I'll have you know I kick pretty hard for my height."
She paused, and was glad when she saw that his breathing was slowing to normal, his eyes less terrified, more awed at her words, and what he had expected her to say. "You are a human being, just with a different problem than most. But you are human. No matter what anyone tells you, or has told you, you need to remember this: you are special. There is only one of you, and you being a werewolf doesn't make you any less than anyone else."
Buffy leaned over and gave him a quick hug. Pulling back, she saw he had tears in his eyes. "Feel better?"
He slowly nodded.
"Good. Remember everything that I've said, because it's true, and I meant every word. OK?"
Remus smiled, wiping his eyes, embarrassed. None except Albus and Buffy saw when Harry walked up behind Sirius. They both kept silent. "Buffy, I…I just want to…thank you. I haven't…heard something like that from many people. I was even shocked when Albus allowed me to attend Hogwarts. England's magic school," he added at her blank look. "And the three best friends I ever had. Sirius, for starters. James Potter, and then his wife, Lily. I went to school with them all, knew Lily when she was still known as Evans. They all, they all believed exactly what you just said. Thank you. I guess I just panicked. I didn't want you to hate me."
Buffy glared at him in mock anger. "Did you not understand a word I just said? Why would I hate you? It's not your fault."
She smiled, and turned to look at Harry. He as watching her with a strange look etched on his face. She could tell it was stuck between suspicion and relief-filled trustfulness. Whichever it was, Buffy knew she had earned a part of his trust. It was obvious that he cared for Remus, and if he believed Buffy to be on their side, especially with his keen werewolf sense of who was dangerous or not, then Harry would believe her too.