Took me long enough, eh? -sweatdrop- Sorry bout that. I had the WORST week. Not to mention the fact I'm going to miss the second Jimmy-Timmy Power Hour 'cause I don't have cable anymore! -grumbles- Well, here's the next chapter. Hope you like it!

--Chapter 17-Isis and Aiden--

I awoke to piercing cold. The sky outside was dark, and the small amount of light that was radiating from the building was enough to see that it was snowing outside.

I untangled myself from Missy and Josh who where currently in the 'dead-to-the-world' type of sleep (REM sleep is what I believe the Muggles call it). When I got up, they started to shiver a bit. I pulled off my school robe and put it over them like a blanket. Satisfied that they would not freeze, I went over to where my dad was dozing near a small fire. Perry was asleep in his arms.

"Dad?" I touched his shoulder.

"Hello, En," he murmured. "You okay?"

"I'm fine, Dad. Don't worry. How about I put Perry with Missy and Josh? He'll be warmer I'm sure."

"Alright."

I took Perry from my dad and put him down carefully between Missy and Josh, making sure that my robe covered the three of them. I walked back over to my dad and sat near him, drawing my legs to my chest. It was times like these I hated being female. Short skirts in the middle of winter indeed!

"What happened to your robes?"

"Being used as a blanket. I'm fine."

Dad frowned and took off his robe. He put it around my shoulders, but I shrugged it off and gave it back to him. "Dad, you keep your robe on."

"Selene Marie, it's below freezing out and you're in a skirt! You've got to wear this."

"I'll be fine."

Dad sighed, "At least share it?" I grinned and snuggled up with him like I had when I was a little girl. "Do you have you're wand?"

I nodded, "My spare one. Do you have your's?"

"They took mine. Keep your's hidden until it's absolutely necessary for you to use it."

"Alright. . ."

Sighing, I put my head on his shoulder. The fire light glowed a soft orange, reflecting off of anything and everything shiny. Including the necklace I was wearing and my dad's wedding band.

"How did you get the scar?" I asked.

"Which one?" dad asked in a clearly amused voice.

"This one!" I pointed at his hand.

"Oh, that one. Your mum actually. She was wearing a silver ring one day. I think she had forgotten that I was allergic to silver. It wasn't such a bad burn actually."

I laughed, "That sounds like mum."

"You look like her when you laugh." dad said fondly.

"I look like you as well," I pointed out. "My hair color, most of my expressions, and a good deal of my personality traits. Not to mention a few fine scars to match." I looked at my own left hand with a slight smile.

"Unfortunately. . ."

"Dad, stop! It doesn't really bother me. Honestly!"

Dad grinned, "How's school been going?"

"Pretty good. I don't get as much free time now that I'm Head Girl, but at least I can make sure that Ricky doesn't abuse his 'power' too much. Oh, did I tell you about the other day when these two Slytherin third years poured soap all down the banisters? I swear we were up to our ears in bubbles for hours! . . ."

I woke up early the next morning, slightly sore from sleeping on the stone ground. I got up as quietly as I could, being careful not to wake dad, or anyone around us. I explored the entire building, trying to find some secluded space I could send my mother a message. As it turned out, it was harder than I had expected. Most of the would-have-been secluded spots were already occupied.

While I was wandering around the building rather aimlessly, I ran into two people. The first was a girl a bit older than me. She looked worn, her long hair was pulled back in a messy braid, and she held a sleeping baby on her lap. She had been using her robe as a blanket for the infant.

In a true 'Enna moment,' I took off the thick gray sweater I was wearing and handed it to her. She gave me a surprised look. "For the baby," I explained.

She shook her head. "I can't take it."

"You're turning blue. Please take it."

"But--I. . .alright." I watched as she put the sweater around the baby.

"Want me to hold him while you put on your robe?" I asked.

She nodded and handed me the infant. I rocked him slowly. "What's his name? Her?"

"Him. I've not given him a name yet. I'd probably make a mess of that as well." She sighed.I gave her a quizzical look. She frowned slightly before saying, "I was bitten just over a year ago and a few month later I was stupid enough to get pregnant. My boyfriend panicked and ran when he found out. Bit odd don't you think? He didn't care that I was a werewolf, but when it came to babies?" She laughed. "I'm beginning to think he was a few cards short of a full deck. Anyway, it was a miracle that either of us survived those nine months. He's about three months now."

"Wow, I didn't know there was another one around."

"Another what?"

"A werewolf's child." When she gave me a confused look I explained. "My dad's a werewolf."

A look of recognition lit her eyes. "You're that Lupin girl!"

"It's Enna."

"Sorry. I'm Isis. You probably don't know me, but I attended Hogwarts a few years back."

I cocked my head to the side. ". . .Ravenclaw?"

"Yes, actually."

"Ah, I do remember you. You were prefect back then. You gave William his first detention for hiding in a suit of armor." I grinned slightly. It was an interesting story.

Isis smiled. "That's me. I--" The baby started to fuss. Isis excused herself to go and nurse him. I sat on the ground a bit longer before getting up and marching over towards the front door.

There was one Auror guarding the inside. He was around the same age as Isis and defined the 'tall, dark, and handsome' description to a T. I marched up to him. "I've got a few questions!"

He looked so shocked that I felt like laughing. I held my ground and repeated what I had said.

The man blinked a few times before saying, "You're Tonks' daughter."

"Um. . .yeah?"

The Auror grinned, "She has pictures of you on her desk."

I blushed. Some of those pictures aren't so flattering. "Yes, well. . .How do you know mum?"

"She was my mentor for a year. I'm Aiden Brown."

"The same Aiden who tripped and knocked over one of the professors during his Stealth and Tracking exam?" Aiden's blush was enough to confirm my question. "Don't worry about it. That's why mum liked you so much. She practically failed that exam herself."

Aiden laughed, "Thank goodness I wasn't the only one."

I grinned slightly, "Hardly. Now about my questions?"

"First, I've one. Why are you here? I didn't think you were a werewolf."

"I'm not. I'm betting that some nitwit at the ministry got their paperwork screwed up."

"Ah, I see. Well, you were saying?"

"Are you able to answer questions pertaining to what is going to happen to us?"

"I'll try."

"Alright. How long are we going to be here? Are we going to be fed? Will we get more blankets and wood? Will Wolfsbane be provided?

"In order: I do not know how long you will be here. I was only posted here this morning. Food will be brought in daily for everyone. Blankets will come as donated, but wood will be given out daily as well. I'm not sure about the Wolfsbane. I don't know many people who are up to making enough for everyone here."

I groaned. "Aiden, there's a baby here. He's only a few months old. The only reason he's here is because his mother couldn't just leave him when she was brought. If anything, you have to get the baby out of here when it's full moon."

"What about you?" He cocked his head to the side.

"I'll be fine!" I declared stubbornly. "I'm eighteen years old and very capable of taking care of myself."

Aiden raised an eyebrow, "Says the girl in a skirt and blouse in the middle of winter."

I shifted uncomfortably. "My robe's being used as a blanket. My sweater as well. But that doesn't change anything." Aiden gave me an odd look. "Is that all you can tell me?"

"Afraid so," he smiled apologetically.

"I need to get going then. It was nice to meet you, Aiden."

Aiden nodded, "You too, Enna. You want me to get a message to your mother?"

"Tell her dad and I are fine please." I waved and walked off. I knew I was sending a message to her myself, but I couldn't not send her one through Aiden. . .It might seem strange to him.

After walking around a bit more, I found a staircase that had been nearly invisible off in the shadows. The stairway itself was old, musty, and covered with cobwebs. Once or twice an eight-legged creature landed on my head. Each time I shuddered. I don't like spiders. At all. Though I was much better at handling them then say Veronica. Or her father for that matter.

Since the second floor was completely empty, I pulled out my wand and lit a small fire for myself. I sat near the flames to keep myself warm as I composed my message. I basically told mum that we were relatively okay, what Aiden had told me, and so on and so forth.

I finished quickly and I took advantage of the fact that I was by myself to just sit, bask in the fire's glow, and think. I never did get to think over the whole William issue. I wanted to get all my feelings sorted out before I saw him again.

Well, first things first, I had to figure out what I felt for him still. I loved him, but a love that was meant for friends, not a potential spouse. I suppose that's all I ever really felt for him. I knew I cared deeply for him (as I had told Myrtle), but I never did find myself thinking, "I love that man, I really, really do." Nor could I picture being married to him. Not like I could picture being married to say--whoa! Bad thoughts, Enna!

Shaking my head, I shifted to lean against a wall. I knew that I'd told Ricky that I was fine, but now I wasn't sure. Maybe I just didn't want him to worry? If he worried about me, Alice would be on my case. Again. Ugh. . .But--

"Enna!" Jerking my head up at the sound of my father's voice, I hit the back of my head on the wall. I blinked several times to clear my vision before standing up. I doused the fire and ran down the stairs (three more spider attacks, ick).

"Dad!" I called. He turned around, looking relieved.

"Don't run off without tell me where you're going!"

"Sorry! I just had to find a secluded space. . .! I sent mum a message. I found a staircase to the second floor! There are spiders though." I made a face.

"Just tell me next time!" Dad hugged me tightly. "I was worried."

"I'm sorry, Dad." I hugged him back.

Hehe. . .well, I had to end it somewhere! Anyway, next chapter is fullmoon for them. -grins wickedly- I don't know EXACTLY what is going to happen, but it will be good! hehe. . .

So, anyway, ignore blunders please. :D Um, I'll go back over this later to fix 'em.

Til Next Time,

Anne