I Know this chapter took forever to come up but I have been extremely busy for ths past weeks with the last of our theater productions and homework and visits to New York city. But here it is nice and complete. Hope you enjoy.

By the way none of these characters (except Chris and non Harry Potter characters) are mine. They belong to JK Rowling and she is kind enough to let us use her ideas to produce our own.

Chapter 8

The Beginning Of the End

Remus slept in his room upstairs for several days as he rested from his transformation. His body was healing from all of the wounds he inflicted upon himself and his mind was coming back to realization of where he was. Transformations cause some people to lose their memories and, in some cases, when transforming in a new place, forget where they are and this can result in the werewolf in question to go crazy and hurt himself or herself as a human. It takes months for a werewolf to actually claim a new place as its own and have easier transformations and remember more about it. So Remus, I suspect, will not remember chasing after us in full detail. He may only recall his thoughts of actually having a prey, but not knowing who it was he was preying on.

Mum didn't seem to care that I stayed home from school today. She told me that she would give me a note of sickness and we could get on with our lives instead or worrying about one day of missed school. Sandman was happy to have everyone home today and walked around the house begging for attention and lying on the floor next to me when I went to type some of my stories and homework. Mum spent the day tending to Remus and talking to Dumbledore, who had come to discuss what had happened, concerning where Remus should transform for now on or what he could do to render himself harmless.

"There is a potion that can help Remus become a mere wolf instead of the larger more harmful wolf. Unfortunately it takes someone who can make the potion, which is a very difficult job mind you. The potions master at my school use to make Remus's daily dose but, alas, he is busy with his classes and other jobs that take up his personal time as it is." Dumbledore looked at me and smiled. ", But not to worry, I may be able to do a spell check on your garage and see if I can help you in creating a more sturdy room for Remus. Werewolves take some time to get use to a new territory. He will become less violent as time goes by. But for now you must bare with him and hope that his wolf self will calm down from the love of this household, for it is the best cure to know ones pack can be trusted." His blue eyes never left my face and I turned away in guilt.

You know, I never understood why Dumbledore had ever needed to use words to speak when he can simply look at you and get out the same message?

He considered us Remus's pack? That reminds me of the behaviors of dogs. Dogs consider their family their pack. Usually the mother and father or owner of the household they live in as the alpha wolf or leader and they usually consider themselves the betas or lower. But how can being a loving "Pack member" help him not be so violent? Werewolves are prone to biting and scratching due to their urge to eat after so much energy is spent in the transformation itself. My theory being that werewolves use up so much energy to transform that they require some meat to give them some energy so they are able to rest for the rest of the night. Unfortunately, since humans tend to be the easiest prey for werewolves to catch, they are usually the most hunted and killed. Other animals know when a werewolf is around and understand that that is when they need to get away from the forest and find another sleeping spot for the three full moon nights.

Well even if we are Remus's pack he better figure out ways to not kill us off. He isn't my best friend but I certainly can be nice enough to avoid being his next meal.

Dumbledore disappeared into the garage and soon bright lights filed the dark room as he muttered up spells and tested his results. We could hear loud banging and found him hurling large objects against the doors and walls with his wand to make sure they were wolf proof.

"There, that should do it." He said as he came back to the Kitchen and took a last sip of the tea mum had served earlier. "I think Remus should get tired of trying to get out now and simply attack himself instead of the urges to attack what is too hard to get too." He gazed at us both and smiled.

"Thank you for stopping by." Mum said as she gave the wizard a hug. "I think Remus should be able to come down for dinner tonight. His strength is coming back."

"Then give him my greetings." At this Dumbledore disappeared in a small pop. And left us starring in amazement.

"Well then I also think you will be going to school tomorrow." Mum said giving me an odd look.

Hey it's not my fault Remus tried to kill us. I only went into the kitchen to get a bloody glass of water. But I simply nodded and allowed mum to give me a hug and kiss before going off to feed Sandman who awaited me at the pantry door.

Remus did indeed feel well enough to wake up and have dinner with us. He still looked slightly pale and had deep scares on his arms and face. He took small bites of his meal and talked little to mum and me. It looked as though he was scared to talk in fear of our reactions. Mum looked at him worriedly and held his hand trying to get him to his old self.

I just wanted him back to normal so mum would stop worrying over him. I don't like to see mum unhappy and Remus is not helping her mood anymore then his own.

When dinner ended and everything cleared off I went straight to bed and opened up my werewolf book. I stared at the wolf images and flipped through the pages containing the types of werewolves until I found the large gray wolf.

Remus.

Winter melted away into spring and my plans to visit Diagon Alley with Harry and his friends was drawing closer. I marked the date with my large blue marker and even picked out the only robe like clothing I had (which Remus had given me. I must buy some new ones. More stylish if I can make these visits more frequent then once a year) I had already asked Remus about his plans for the spring break and he agreed to go to Diagon Alley after a few registrations with mum and me with the ministry of magic. Remus is very happy to go to the wizarding world with mum and me. He spent everyday after I asked him about it trying to describe the different shops and sites to see. He even showed us pictures of Diagon Alley and it me wonder why he was sitting on the street taking pictures of the town. I mean who the heck stands around the take pictures of the city they see almost every day of their lives. And even pictures of shop displays and random street signs. Good grief this trip will be more of a tourist attraction with Remus as our tour guide then a trip to explore a magical village and to shop.

Even during school I could barely concentrate on what my teachers were saying as my thoughts turned onto my visit to the town with Harry. I would see him again and also be able to explore magical shops and sites. I don't think spring break could be spent any better. These thoughts of course would be interrupted by my teachers' shouts to get my attention then they yell at me after class for my lack of participation, not to mention understanding of the subject of the day period. Everything is so boring compared to the adventure I was about to embark on. I mean, how can the chemical reaction of Mercury in Oxygen compare to a whole different society with its own government, celebrities, brands names, and even sports thriving right under our noses?

Of course explaining this to a teacher in a non-magical school is worthless and plus Remus would kill me, if my mom didn't get to me first. But I kept my mouth shut and spent everyday as usual, trying to avoid Dudley and hanging out with my few friends who fascinated themselves in the school government elections then to question my day dreaming. Dudley seemed to have found anew love interest (Thank the lord almighty), himself. His aunt apparently bought him a small mirror which Dudley now enjoys caring with him everywhere. How revolting. But thank god it's not me.

The bell rang and ended the last class of the day and the beginning of spring break. I jumped out of my seat and gathered my books and papers up and ran out the door as fast as my two feet could carry me. The excitement of seeing mum also overwhelmed me too for she had promised a surprise when I got home for the break.

Mum is quite good with secrets I had to admit. No matter how much I questioned her or tried to sneak about the house looking for anything out of the ordinary I would find nothing. She had a knack for keeping secrets a little to well and occasionally has forgotten some but this one was a certain and not to mention last minute. She told me right before I left for school today. How can I be that unobservant?

Though I have observed that Remus has gotten better with his transformations. He has stopped banging on the walls and instead is chewing up the toys and rawhides in the room. Also having howling and growling fits but other then that he has not tried to get out as often as when he started. He comes out the next morning a little stronger too from when he first came and is not as weak and worn out. He also has gained some weight. I swear it, really I think my mum has pulled a Jean Brodie and fed him until she thinks he is fat enough. (By the way my dear readers, Jean Brodie is a character from a play called "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" A very good play if you want to read it)

And Sandnam….well he is Sandman.

I guess you can count his recent habit of trying to howl odd but he learned that from Remus and he is obliged to take all the blame as we suffer greyhound howling (Which is very bad and sounds more like a yodel then a howl)

And of course mum's work is more demanding. For me to find her home before me is a rarity and it would be a surprise in itself if she is even home when I get there. Remus's job is random and he comes back when he has completed whatever task Dumbledore has sent him off to do. I now come home to Remus more often then my mum. I could hear Remus and mum talking about the Death Eaters and how bold they have gotten lately. Now they haven taken to groups of people and more and more wizards in hospitals (Usually ex auros who the Death Eaters which to get even with.) and loads of ministry wizards and witches have been fired for either being involved with the Death Eaters and apparently aiding them to get secret information from the Ministry or for joining the group.

But every day I come home now I always stay up to wait for mum to come home and make sure she is there and not….well anyway I am just glad that we have Remus at home to at least have the power to protect her during the night. Unlike the wizards and witches, she doesn't posses magical powers to protect herself from those who kill using magic.

I walked down the street and took the long way around to enjoy the nice weather for a tad bit longer and laughed at a few of the squirrels that played around the trees. I thought about Judas and wondered if he was among the squirrels but knew better then to hope he would come back. He was long gone by now and probably terrorizing a poor child or old people who feed birds in the park. Judas with his sharp claws and teeth, which he used to open up his cage every once in awhile to attack Remus or annoy Sandman out side of the door. Sigh I miss him.

I walked out of the park and waved goodbye to Emma, who had been walking along the side of the pond with her black lab Faramir. She was quite a Lord of the Rings fan along with me so it worked well to be with her in the library discussing what character we love the most (I personally prefer Boromir but she just laughs then cooes over Faramir)

I turned back ahead of me and my good mood slowly seeped away as a glowing green figure hovered above the neighborhood. I couldn't make out the shape from where I stood but knew I didn't have to know exactly what it was. I ran down the street struggling to keep my book bag to stay on my back as I approached where the mark was hovering. I dashed further and further towards the bus stop then took the turn onto my street and stopped.

I dropped my book bag and simply stared at the glowing figure of the skull with a snake protruding from its mouth. I slowly brought my eyes down to where it was suspended and nearly fell to my knees in shock.

My house….my home?

I forced myself to get back up and dragged my book bag behind me as I walked towards my house where I had just noticed a small gathering of people with long robes on and sticks in their hands pointed at the mark. I ignored them.

I came up to the front porch and could feel a warm touch on my wrist. I looked down to see Sandman looking up at me with his golden brown eyes. He looked shaken and worried as we both entered the front door and I could see a single hand laid out around the corner.

Sandman backed away from me and out the front door but I moved forward trying to ignore the horrible thoughts that swirled in my head. I rounded the corner and found a lady sprawled on the floor with a look of shock on her face. She looked as though she had been in a tussle as her face was bruised and her hair was ruffled. I stood and wondered how this happened.

A light flicked on in the hallway and the women's face then became visible. I didn't dare move a muscle nor did my body allow me to. My whole mind froze and I could only see the one image in front of me.

It was mum.

I could feel myself fall to the ground onto my knees, weak and powerless to correct the scene. She 's not suppose to be here….

"Mum…?"

I didn't expect a response but still hoped someone would tell me this was a joke. A sick, sick joke. But a joke and nothing more. Nothing happened and mum still lied on the ground pale and lifeless.

I don't remember how long I stayed there knelt down beside her but I was brought back to the world by a light touch on my shoulder and a soft voice calling my name. I looked up from the horrible sight to find Remus standing above me. He looked down at mum and could barely tell me what he needed to say.

"I…I…am sorry." He whispered to me…or maybe to mum or both of us. He just stared off at mum and could barely keep himself standing up.

"Chris…I didn't get here in time to…what I mean is I don't know how the Death Eaters knew she was home or how they broke in. But you cannot stay here with the threat f them returning." He paused and looked own at me and tightened his grip.

"Maybe coming back for you." He knelt down beside me and ran his hand down mum's cheek and whispered a few words. I couldn't hear them but knew he wanted to say goodbye. I placed my hand on hers and shuddered at the coldness of her once warm loving body. And my gaze turned angrily to Remus.

"Yes, you should be sorry."