Author's Note: A heartfelt thanks for my reviewers and an apology. This work is going slower than I would like. But RL has a tendency to get in the way. Of course, I don't even know if anyone is still reading this piece. But I still apologize. Heehee, more turns in these two chapters. Hope you enjoy them, Ann, and the Oz appearance. I hope I did him justice, he's kinda hard to write for. Sirius/Buffy? I don't know, I'm more of a Spike/Buffy gal myself. But I'll see where my muse leads me, okay, Azvl? Wiccan-One, how about these two chappies? Thanks for the encouragement. Samson, glad you're enjoying the work. Haven't you read one of my other pieces? Girl Blaise, obviously.

Author made a correction: Miss-housing Miss Patil was an error, I wasn't thinking too clearly. Thank you, VLD, for pointing it out-especially since I should have double-checked to make sure I was correct.

654321

Pansy woke up early, stretched, and got out of bed. Rising early was a habit she'd never had back at school. But here, in Sunnydale, there was only one shower per room and hot water was a valuable commodity. They were not allowed to reheat the water with charms-and she had no intention of showering after the Gryffindors.

Oh, she knew they weren't a bad bunch-as far as they went, even that Granger girl was fairly tolerable once one got past her know-it-all attitude. But this was the shower. A time for privacy and contemplation.

Pausing only long enough to check on her roommates, she was dismayed to see one empty bed. It looked like she and Blaise would have to get up earlier in order to stay the first in the bathroom.

Heaving a regretful sigh, she resigned herself to wait outside the door. She was not going to lose a coveted spot for anything. Again, she was stunned. The bathroom was free and showed no sign of use.

She was almost suspicious until she remembered that the Rosenberg girl went to school and needed to be gone early in the morning. After a somewhat leisurely shower, she dressed in comfortable clothes. Professor Snape was taking the out to a vineyard and they'd be walking-a lot. Exchanging places with the bleary eyed Blaise, she sighed.

"What? Not looking forward to today's trip?"

"The trip, yes. Spending time with our newly acquired lap dog, no."

Blaise's sigh echoed hers, "how could I forget Potter, the perfect. Why must he go with us? He isn't one of our own."

"The Headmaster," they chorused, stifling their laughter when one of the girls stirred. Pansy urged her friend to hurry up.

"A purebred lady does not rush through morning preparations," Blaise replied, smirking at the miffed look on the other girl's face at the implied insult.

She quirked an eyebrow, smirking as she though of something. "Fine. But I won't save you any of those delicious strawberry bagels you're so fond of."

"Pansy!" she wailed as loudly as she dared, swearing revenge as she hurried through the shower and dressing. "You are dead!"

The other girls were still stirring as they slipped out and down the stairs. As usual, both of their professors book ended the table. "Good morning, Professors."

"Morning," Severus growled. They ignored it as they sat down, used to his gruffness. He was never hospitable until after he'd had a cup of coffee. "I'm sure you remember where we are going and have dressed and shod yourselves properly. You are also prepared to teach about the history of the place and its connection to us."

"Of course," Draco spoke from his right.

"Excellent," he paused, then continued, "the Gryffindors will be joining us."

The Slytherins stared at him, shocked, before exploding into outraged cries. One glare and they were silent, though they couldn't cover the disappointment in their eyes.

"Professor Lupin feels that they would benefit from our outings." He was careful to keep his voice neutral, though his more discerning students would pick up his displeasure. "I want no trouble."

Remus frowned at the implied threat, "don't you think you're being just a tad too judgmental?"

Every Slytherin glared at him, watching as he squirmed uncomfortably. Obviously, they thought that his threat was normal and needed in some way. Remus sighed, wondering if he would ever understand how their minds worked.

"I know my Slytherins," the statement was final and brooked no argument, not that he could when he didn't understand the field. "Draco, Pansy, Blaise, John, Millicent, Andrew?" he said, looking at them each in turn. "As pairs, you will each be in charge of your own group of combined Slytherins and Gryffindors. May I trust you to do right by them?"

"You may."

Professor Snape nodded, they ate in silence, waiting for the Gryffindors to rouse themselves.

All things considered, the trip wasn't a complete failure.

654321

Remus watched them go, relaxing into the quiet but worried about the trip. He hoped that he was doing right by his students. Sitting down in the library, he started to read a few of the manuals that Severus had recommended when a knock drew him from them an hour later. Rising to his feet, he opened the door and saw Oz standing there.

"Willow thought you might have a moment for me."

"For you, a few moments," he replied with a smile, moving aside to let the boy in.

Remus led Oz into the parlor and he looked around, curiously. "So, where is everyone?"

"They are out with Professor Snape," he replied, gesturing that they should both take a seat.

The teen's eyebrows rose in query, knowing that only two teachers were with them. Although the driver might have some kind of authority over the students, he wouldn't be much help if discipline problems arose.

"He keeps them in line very well on his own-almost scary when you think about it, really."

Oz nodded, his private impression of the dark professor confirmed. "I've thought about what you said but I must ask, how long have you been a werewolf?"

The professor had expected this question. Had, in fact, been surprised that Oz hadn't asked it when they spoke before. "Almost all my life. It happened when I was very young, I was attacked in the woods behind my home."

He nodded, "you believe this potion will work for me?"

"I haven't talked to Professor Snape about it but I see no reason for it not to. Your transformations?" he gently prodded.

"Aren't bad. Three nights I change but am fine and healthy during the days...what?"

"You aren't serious? You mean, you actually change three times," he exclaimed, horrified at the thought. Even with the potion, the transformation hurt beyond the ability of words to describe. It was a walking, breathing nightmare.

"You don't?" Oz was puzzled. This was new, maybe he should've let Giles come along. The man did think he was a classic, after all.

"No," Remus shook his head. "I remain in wolf form through the full moon cycle. I can't even begin to fathom what its like for you."

"Don't try. As I've said, they aren't bad. I don't even feel them happen."

"How did you become a werewolf?" he asked, fascinated. All of the others had experienced pain, yet Oz claimed to feel none. Remus had to believe him because that pain cannot be forgotten-even by a teen-age band member.

"My cousin, Jordy, bit me while we were playing."

Remus' eyes widened, "you played with a werewolf cub? Are you nuts?"

"Didn't know he was one at the time," he replied dryly.

"How could you not know? He's your cousin."

"Jordy's three."

If Remus' eyes got wider, Oz feared they'd pop out of his skull. "Three?"

"Yeah. Natural born on his father's side."

"I think I need to sit down."

"You are."

"Oh, yea me."

Oz smiled a little, "having a Willow moment?"

"What?"

"Willow would say something like that," he smiled a bit. "I take it you've never heard of natural born werewolves?" It was a half-question, half-statement.

"No. There have been rumors that such things are possible, but no one has ever proven any such thing. So, he was human when he bit you. How is that possible? In the wizarding world, the only way to pass on the curse is to be bitten by the actual wolf."

"Harsh. Giles thinks it's a part of my genes. Possibly some recessive gene that the bite brought out." Oz tried to answer his question. But to be truthful, he wasn't sure that he knew how it happened. After all, his Aunt Maureen wasn't a werewolf, though she'd been married his Uncle Ken for years and was unaffected.

"How did you find out?"

"I woke up naked in the forest with no memory of how I got there, I figured something was up."

"Okay," he drew the word out for a while before continuing. "How did you tie it into the wolf?"

"There were attacks by what some described as a wolf-like creature and they were centered near the area I woke up in. Since I knew vampires existed, it seemed reasonable to assume that werewolves did too and what better reason to assume that I was the wolf. I did, after all, wake up naked with no memory of how I came to be there. I called my Aunt Maureen, she confirmed that it could be possible."

"You are remarkably calm about this," his tone was dry.

Oz shrugged, "why freak out about things that you can't change? It wastes energy."

"I suppose," Remus mused, "that attitude works."

"Besides, Willow says it's only three nights out of every month. And she's not good company on certain days either. Of course, that was after I tried to eat her."

Remus chocked, "what?"

"We were dating and she came to check up on me that last night of the full moon."

"Dated? She doesn't seem the type to break up with someone over this."

"She isn't. I wanted time to come to grips with this, make sure I could deal with all the changes it brings. She was angry with me when I suggested breaking up, thought I believed that she might be bigoted. Once I got her to listen, though, she was not only supportive but also encouraging. Of course, I can also count on her to shoot me if I get out of line."

Remus nodded, knowing the value of friendships. Good heavens, I wish Severus was here to deal with this. I think I may have bitten off more than I was ready for. "You are blessed to have such a friend."

"I know."

654321

"How was it?" Remus asked, meeting the returning group at the door.

"They aren't dead. Does that answer your question?" he replied.

"For now." He followed Severus into the potions lab, glancing around. This was the one room he'd never entered, the noxious fumes wrecked havoc with his senses. But the lab was safe at the moment since no one had been in it all day. He saw Harry in the corner, mixing something.

"Lupin, do I possess your leash?"

"I am not a dog, Severus," he mildly replied.

"Then why do you persist in following me about like one?" he silkily asked.

"Because I can't stay away from your positive presence," he quipped.

He glared in reply, "I have work, so this had better be important."

"I had a visitor."

"Oh, wonderful. Want me to throw you a party?" He turned his back on him and began to remove things from the cupboard.

"Depends on what you plan to do for entertainment."

"Thinking about a werewolf hunt," he muttered.

"Oh, really? What do I get for eluding you?"

"Your life," he sardonically replied.

"Tempting, but I must refuse."

"Does nothing I say ever phase you?" he exasperatedly exclaimed.

"To quote my visitor, why freak out about things you can't change?. I think he's got a great idea."

"Lupin, who was this generous Buddha that visited you?" He decided to humor him in the hopes that he'd leave.

Remus smiled in amusement, wondering what the young man would think to hear himself described as such. "He's no Buddha, though he has the calm of a monk. It was Oz."

"Ah, the mini-wolf."

"The natural born werewolf," he corrected him. "Well, honestly, his cousin is the born wolf and he just passed it to him. I told him about the potion before I knew all of this. Do you believe that it would work for him?"

Severus turned and stared at him, torn between shock that his services had been offered without his say so. And the obvious fact that Lupin never would've offered them if he hadn't thought the potion was worth it. It took him a moment to acknowledge the question and give it the thought it deserved. "No. The potion was made specifically for werewolves with a wizard's physiology. A muggle is entirely different, they change between human form and wolf form during the full moon phases."

"You knew that?" he was stunned. "I just found out."

"Lupin, I created the bloody potion. I have studied dark creatures, as the Ministry insists we call them, all my life. Of course, I knew about this. There are many permutations to the wolf, most of them are found in the New World. America, if you would rather, that is why their magical beings have a handle on wandless magic better than we do. The source is different, more ambient here. I let my wonder of Miss Rosenberg's abilities blind me to that one fact."

"Wait, you made the potion? Why?"

Severus looked bored-and pensive. "I needed a challenge and that one was most sufficient."

Remus just stared at him, "a challenge?"

"It is one thing we Slytherins love, it's part of that whole ambition thing. But you wouldn't understand that, would you?"

"I think I'm going to rest for a bit, this day has just been a bit more overwhelming than I was expecting." Remus faintly said, wandering out shakily. From his posture, Severus could tell that he hadn't caught any of what he'd said.

"What?" he snapped at Harry.

"Why are you so nasty to Professor Lupin?"

"Why are you so nasty to the Slytherins? All we did is get sorted into a house you're against."

"So, what? This is your way of getting back at him for ending up in Gryffindor?"

"Potter, don't talk about things you have no understanding of," he sighed.

"Then teach me, that is your job."

Again, he sighed. "Not about things that are best forgotten."

"Why? You haven't."

"Do you fully realize that for several years-since I was nine, in fact-I have been preparing to be a spy for our side." He no longer bothered to question why he was telling Potter these things, he just accepted it as his new responsibility.

Harry gaped at him, "nine?"

"That's when I found out I was going to Hogwarts early, though I had turned ten before I actually stepped foot on the train. It was quite a surprise to me when Headmaster Dumbledore visited me on my ninth birthday, with the Sorting Hat in hand. I nearly died when I found out what he wanted me to do. He asked me to beg for Slytherin but allowed me to be truly sorted. The dearest dream of my heart came true when it said I was meant for Ravenclaw. My grandfather," he spat out the word, "would never have approved-no Prince had ever been in any house other than Slytherin and I would not be the first. He'd beat me to death first. So, I got the house that would keep me alive and out of his wrath."

"But why?"

"Haven't you gotten it yet, Mr. Potter? Headmaster Dumbledore is a puppet master. He pulls our strings to get us to dance to his tune." Viciously, he began to slice the thin root in front of him.

Harry was silent, watching the potions master settle into his happy place enviously. Only one thing had given him that escape, Quidditch, and they couldn't play that here. To many muggles, though from what Willow said the people were remarkably unobservant and didn't notice much of anything.

654321

Author's Note #2: The thing about Remus' wolf form, I made it up to differentiate between his wolfyness and Oz's. As for the cousin, I made that stuff up as well. Does anyone mind?