I am quitting fanfiction and handing out some of my stories to other authors. Check my profile for more info. I own nothing.

Tonks chased after the laughing Charlie, a fierce grin of angered determination on her face. "Get back here, you lousy jerk!" She had just bought some Zonko's candy from a fifth year returning from Hogsmeade. She was just about to open the last bag of Tropical Sours when Charlie had snuck up behind her and grabbed it. He had run away, yelling, "No food in the library!" at the top of his lungs. She chased him around the shelves for a while before he ran outside.

And now she was hyper from the one or two (or six) single-serving bags she had eaten earlier, having an adrenaline rush, and sugar-induced fury was coursing through her blood. She ran past an ugly stone gargoyle faster than she ever had before, screaming, "Gimme back my Tropical Sours, you dimwit!"

To her surprise, the stone gargoyle, which she had passed a thousand times without noticing, leapt to the side, revealing a hidden staircase. She looked down the hall in either direction. Charlie had disappeared around a corner. It was a perfect day outside, and most of the rest of the students were outside. No teachers were in sight. She stepped into the passageway. As she put a cautious foot onto the stairs, the gargoyle moved back into its place. She turned in alarm (how would she get out?) but the stairs were moving up, carrying her along to the top. When she reached the top she saw a door. She looked nervously back down the spiral staircase and pushed the door open a fraction of an inch.

The first thing she saw was Professor Dumbledore, sitting calmly at a desk covered in odd silver trinkets of all shapes and sizes. The walls were lined with portraits. She didn't recognize any of the people in them. She was in the Headmasters office!

The next thing she saw was Lupin, or Moony, or whatever his name was, sitting across from Dumbledore with his back to her. He was twirling his wand between his fingers. "You wanted to see me, Headmaster?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, Remus."

"What... what about?"

"First, to offer my condolences. I was very sorry to hear about the McKinnons, and I knew it would be a particularly hard blow to you."

"Yes," Lupin said in a low voice. Dumbledore was silent, so he continued. "I lived with them from fourth year until the time I graduated; you know that, you set it up."

"Yes."

"It was... it..." He suddenly leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling. "Oh, God, it was like losing Mum and Dad again."

Dumbledore's voice was gentle. "I understand, Remus."

This was confusing her. The teachers called him Lupin, the Headmaster called him Remus, and he called himself Moony.

"I know you do, sir."

Dumbledore stood suddenly and began pacing back and forth behind his desk. "I wonder, Remus, if you have a place to transform this month? It's a mere week and a half away."

Lupin shook his head. "No, sir. I can't transform at Greyback's anymore; rushing off like that probably tipped him off. And you know that when I wasn't with him I was with... the McKinnons."

Dumbledore sighed. "Stay as long as you like, Remus, and feel free to use the Shack. You know how to get there."

"And Madam Pomfrey?"

"Will be waiting." Dumbledore stopped pacing and placed a hand on Lupin's shoulder. "Be prepared, Remus. This will be one of your worst."

"Of course, sir. Where will I stay until then?"

"Well, I doubt you want to sleep in the Shack... You know, I believe Professor Synistra has a spare bed in her room. I'll ask her."

"Thank you, sir," Lupin said quietly, standing up. He suddenly leaned across the desk and hugged the old Headmaster tightly, surprising Tonks. "I don't deserve it," he whispered, tears in his voice.

Dumbledore looked only mildy surprised and said gently, hugging him back, "No one deserves it more than you."

Tonks, realizing that Lupin was leaving, decided to hightail it out of there fast. She sprinted s quietly as she could down the spiral stair, which were now going down, and pushed desperately on the door. To her surprise it opened immediately, and she ran out, going in the direction of the HufflePuff common room. Random thoughts and bits of the overheard conversation were floating through her head.

Transformation? Greyback? What was a week and a half away... THE FULL MOON!