Chapter 13: part one

After looking everywhere in the library for anything on Fenrir Greyback, Remus still couldn't find anything. Then on Friday October 9th, he had an idea. He overheard some seventh years talking about how they sneak into the forbidden section of the library all the time to read books about spells that are deemed too dangerous for children. Though Remus is usually keen on following all rules the school sets, his curiosity about Greyback's story was gnawing at his subconsciousness, desiring to know the truth. He figured if he would wait until 2:30 when everyone is asleep, he would be able to sneak in and out of the library, and no one would notice.

At 2:30am, Saturday, Remus tiptoed past each sleeping boy. Brian's bead was the last before the door and when Remus passed, the floorboard creaked and Brian's loud snoring stopped. Remus stood still, but realized that he was still asleep. So he continued. Remus walked slowly and quietly down the halls, not even waking the paintings. When he arrived at the library, he walked past the student section, straight to the gated forbidden section.

"Alohomora." Remus whispered and the gate opened with a harsh bang. Remus flinched, but he didn't hear anyone coming. He started searching through the books, starting with Gr for Greyback, but he didn't find anything. Then he looked in the We for Werewolf, when he found it. "Werewolf Criminals of the Modern Century. Bingo." Remus hushed to himself. He quickly left with the book and went back to his bed, without being noticed. When he returned, he knew he couldn't wait for morning. He sat in his bed and put his blanket over his head, performed "Lumos Maxima" and opened the book.

Gaulden, Grendel, Greyback page 394. Perfect. Remus turned to the page and was intimidated by the moving picture of Greyback. He had greasy long blond hair, a huge build, a large scar across his face, and sharpened teeth and a horrible grin. Something about his brown eyes seemed so familiar to him. Fenrir Greyback is alleged to be one of the worst werewolf criminals of the twentieth century. Suspected in multiple cases of murder of children, he was first brought into questioning to the Ministry of Magic: Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures when he a suspect for killing two children, though the Ministry did not know of his condition at that time. However, a worker of the DRC, Lyall Lupin suspected he was guilty of being a werewolf, and should be held until the next full moon, the next night, 13/05/1965

Remus stopped reading in shock that his father was mentioned, and it was the night of his transformation. However, Mr. Lupin was the laughing stock of the committee and it angered him and he said "werewolves are a soulless, evil, deserving nothing but death." Remus whipped his tears from his eyes. "Does he think that about me?" He took a deep breath and continued reading. Fenrir was obviously upset at Mr. Lupin's remarks against his kind, but acted innocent to the Ministry, and was released.

Today, it is evident that Fenrir Greyback is a serial killer werewolf, according to the many eyewitnesses to his many crimes. He seems to have a fetish with killing children. If you have any information of the whereabouts of Greyback, please contact the Ministry of Magic at 62442.

Remus sat in disbelief. Could it be that his father was the cause of his painful transformations? Remus's anger, confusion and sadness grew as he fetched a quill and parchment from his bag. He wrote a letter to his dad.

"Dear father,

I have just finished reading an excerpt from a book that states that in 1965, the year and day I was bitten, you called the werewolf criminal, Fenrir Greyback, and all werewolves a soulless, evil, deserving nothing but death, and he was released from custody.

Did you upset Greyback that he put a target on your only son's back? You said my event was random, a werewolf broke into the house. But it is apparent to me that you lied to me, ashamed that you caused your only son to be doomed to a life painful lycanthropy. I need an explanation from you.

Remus.

Remus gave the letter to Vladimir and he flew into the darkness. Exhausted, Remus hid the book under his bed and laid down and fell asleep instantly. Remus waited for the next week in anticipation for his father's response, but none came. On Monday the 27th, Remus was summoned to Dumbledore's office in the middle of Transformations. He walked down there, curious to see what he so urgently needed. When he arrived, he saw Dumbledore sitting at his desk, and he was surprised to find his mother and father waiting for him. His mother's eyes were watery and his father looked somehow different. Funny, the last time I saw my father I thought he was some kind of God, now he looks more like a demon. Remus didn't say a word to his parents and took the seat in front of Dumbledore's desk.

"Remus, baby, we are so sorry that you had to find out like this." Remus's mother said while kneeling in front of him and grabbed his hand. He kissed it and gave his mother an encouraging look. His father placed his hand on Remus's left shoulder, and he flinched and shook it away.

"Son, what can I do to apologize?" Mr. Lupin said deeply mournful. He looked as if he hadn't slept in weeks.

"You could have told me the truth six years ago, to start." Remus muttered. He looked his father in his eye. "You are not the same man that I left in September. No. You will never be the same in my eye."

Mr. Lupin sniffled and said. "I understand son. To help our closure, I've made arrangements for you and I to attend the trial of that monster. There we will watch as he is sentenced to life in Azkaban for the countless crimes he has committed. We will leave tonight for London, and witness the trial on Wednesday, the 29th."

Remus was both relieved and terrified by this news. "Okay." Remus said meekly.

"Remus, please try to understand why your father lied to you. It kept your condition a secret from the Ministry, letting you live a prejudice free life." Dumbledore told Remus. Remus pondered on this thought and agreed it was best that the Ministry didn't know.
"But you could have told me." Remus said to his father.

His father took a long breath and said while remaining eye contact with Remus. "My biggest fear after you were bitten that you would one day look at me with the hate in your eyes that you show now. It is as awful than I predicted."

Remus said nothing after that and the pair departed for their trip to London.