Love Sees More 3: Greyback's Pack
Chapter 14 - The Journey
"Lupin."
Remus jerked awake. He was still leaning up against the tree in the forest where he had sat down after he finished eating. He must have passed out from exhaustion, and now his back was screaming in pain from being pressed up against the hard trunk for so long. He leaned forward, twisting around a bit to try and relieve the cramp that had settled into his muscles.
Judging from the position of the sun in the sky, it was getting rather late; it would be getting dark soon, which meant that it was almost time for the pack's before-dinner meeting. Remus supposed that it was good that he was awoken now, because sleeping through a meeting would not please Greyback at all. Especially given the opinion that the rest of the werewolves had of Remus at the moment, he wanted to do as little to rock the boat as possible.
It took a while for Remus to get his bearings, but he finally noticed that Canin was standing over him, apparently waiting for a response.
"Sorry," Remus said, running a hand over his eyes and through his hair. "Did you want something?"
"Greyback wants to see you," Canin said. "In his shack."
Remus's heart gave an unpleasant thump. He couldn't imagine what in the world Greyback would want to see him for…unless Althea had said something to him. But no, Remus didn't want to believe that. She was angry at him, but Remus still considered her a friend. She wouldn't lower herself to that level - running off to Greyback with the information she now had. What would she hope to accomplish from that? Aside from the fact that Greyback might not believe her and get angry at her for lying, Althea had made it quite clear that she didn't care about gaining ranks. She liked to blend in, and tattling on him to Greyback would have the opposite effect.
So what could Greyback possibly want from him now? At the last meeting, Greyback had told Canin to come to his shack after lunch. Had Canin been in there for this long? Did Greyback wanting to see him now have anything to do with that? Could Greyback possibly suspect Remus of being dishonest with him? Was he perhaps arranging for Remus's departure from the pack?
Remus's mind felt overloaded with all the possibilities, so he shook his head sharply, attempting to clear it. "Thank you," he said to Canin, trying not to sound like he was scared to death. "I'll be there in a minute."
Without saying another word, Canin turned on his heel, walking away, and disappearing into the forest.
Remus turned around, looking back in the direction of the compound for any clues as to what could be going on. He saw no one. Everyone was still apparently in the woods, waiting for the time of the next meeting.
Taking a deep breath, Remus got to his feet, which felt like they were full of jelly underneath him. He clung to the tree trunk for support, attempting to calm himself. He knew he shouldn't keep Greyback waiting. When Greyback wanted to see you, he meant right this second, the hell with whatever you were doing at the moment.
Perhaps it was nothing. Maybe he just wanted to give Remus some more of the perverse praise that he had a habit of doing lately. Not that Remus wanted more of that from Greyback; it abhorred him to think that he was doing anything at all that pleased Greyback, but he would vastly prefer that to getting maimed or killed by the alpha wolf.
But standing here, waiting in fear would only anger Greyback more, so Remus forced himself to get moving. He clenched his hands into fists at his sides as he went, determined not to look like he was the least bit scared. Even though he was. Truth be told, he was terrified.
He crossed the compound on still shaking legs until he reached the bottom of the stairs that led to Greyback's shack. Remus looked back over his shoulder, at the woods where he had just come from. Once again, he thought about how utterly easy it would be for him to leave, to run for the shelter of the woods, Disapparate, and never return. Why did he always have the urge to do that whenever Greyback summoned him to his shack? Even when Remus knew he hadn't done anything wrong, the thought of stepping into that tiny little room with the alpha wolf was enough to make him crazy.
He hated being in that confined space with Greyback. Remus supposed it was partly due to the stench that followed Greyback everywhere. It was much easier to tolerate if they were out in the open, but Greyback also seemed much more intimidating inside his shack. Perhaps because it was his domain, the place where no one else could go unless they were invited. Not to mention, if Greyback decided to attack him in such a confined space, Remus's chances of escape would be almost nonexistent.
This wasn't helping. Standing here, thinking about everything Greyback could do to him was only serving to make even more nervous than he already was. Remus was going to do this. He was going to remain a part of the pack until he wore out his welcome, for as long as Greyback would have him, until he was thrown out. If he left any sooner, he knew he would always wonder if he could have done more had he stayed longer.
Remus closed his eyes and took a deep breath before ascending the three small steps to the door. It stood wide open, and Greyback was inside with his back to Remus. He was leaning up against that small rickety table, the one that Remus was still waiting to collapse. Greyback was rather preoccupied with the fingernails of his right hand; he kept alternately looking at them and chewing at them fiercely like he had something stuck under them. Remus shivered.
Swallowing hard, Remus knocked lightly on the door. "You wanted to see me, sir?"
"Indeed I did," Greyback hummed, not moving from his position nor taking his eyes from his fingernails. "Come in and close the door."
Remus's heart was beating erratically, but he did as he was told. He stepped into the shack and shut the door behind him. He stood there for a long time, waiting for Greyback to speak. Remus wanted to ask what this was all about, but he didn't think he could do so without his voice shaking. Besides, Greyback liked to do things on his own time, and he hated to be rushed; if that meant keeping everyone else waiting, that was their problem.
After what seemed like forever, Greyback finally apparently decided that his fingernails were satisfactorily clean, because he turned to face Remus. Greyback looked thoroughly pleased about something, but Remus wasn't entirely sure if that was a good thing or not.
"It's time," was all Greyback said.
"Time for what, sir?" Remus suspected that Greyback loved playing these games with people. He loved hinting at things and asking questions, but he never came right out and said anything until he was absolutely ready to do so. Perhaps Greyback enjoyed it like an animal would enjoy playing with its prey before the kill.
"Surely you remember I invited you to accompany me on a job with the rest of the Death Eaters," Greyback replied. "It's tonight."
Remus was partially relieved to know that he wasn't in any trouble, but this wasn't exactly what he had been expecting either. With everything that had happened with Althea, Remus had entirely forgotten about the fact that Greyback had told him about such a mission. Not to mention, Remus had been hoping that Greyback would give him a little advance warning so that he might have time to inform Dumbledore beforehand. Somewhere in the back of his mind, however, Remus knew that he wouldn't have any time to prepare. That wasn't the way that Greyback played. If you weren't ready at the moment Greyback decided, that was also your problem.
"You were wondering why I invited Canin to see me after lunch, yes?" Greyback asked.
"It…crossed my mind."
"You weren't afraid that you were being replaced?"
Was Greyback trying to make him jealous? Either way, the answer would be the same. "No, sir," Remus said confidently. "You dislike Canin."
"Now, yes. Very much so." Greyback made a face and growled. "I dislike them all." He paused, tilting his head and looking at Remus like was prey. "You put them all to shame. Not that I'm sorry you're here. Quite the contrary. I'm very happy that you've come to us, but I am sorry that I thought so highly of the rest of them at one time."
Remus wondered if this mission with the rest of the Death Eaters would force him to reveal where his true loyalties lay. It certainly seemed like a very real possibility to Remus, depending on what would be required of him. If it did come to that, Remus was very curious how Greyback would feel about the rest of the pack. After all, Greyback hadn't had a problem with the rest of the werewolves before Remus had showed up. Remus suspected that Greyback would easily appoint Canin as his second-in-command and pretend that the entire past two months had never even happened. That actually sounded like a very good idea to Remus - pretending like this had never happened - and quite possibly the only thing that he had in common with the savage werewolf.
Greyback shook his head quite suddenly, almost like he realized he had gotten off track. "Anyway, since we'll both be gone for the dinner meeting tonight, I asked Canin if he would oversee it and keep an eye on things until we return." Greyback grimaced. "I know. He's nothing but a sick pup who can't think for himself, but he can handle that much. I'm sure of it. I wouldn't trust him with much more than that, but one meeting…it'll be fine."
"I think so, too, sir." If Greyback liked anything, it was being told he was right. "He isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he is loyal to you. Sometimes he gets blinded by that, but I think he can hold the roof down for one night."
Greyback hummed grimly. "But as I was saying, I'm very pleased that you've joined us." He approached Remus, standing just mere inches from him, and Remus strained not to cringe away from the stench. "That's why I've asked you to join me tonight. I wouldn't trust any of the others with this. Just you."
"And I'm honored, sir."
Greyback grinned, his yellow pointy teeth sending shivers down Remus's spine. Not to mention Greyback's breath. In this close proximity, especially indoors, it was just awful. Remus wanted nothing more than to give him a toothbrush and some toothpaste.
"As always," Greyback continued, completely obvious to Remus's discomfort, "I expect you to do as I say without hesitation. We're going with a bunch of other Death Eaters, but we're nothing but a bunch of animals to them, and you do not answer to them. You answer to me. Is that clear?"
Remus nodded. "Yes, sir."
"They're hesitant about me bringing any outside parties into this," Greyback said. "They don't trust my judgment as it is, so don't do anything to embarrass me. Not that I care what they think of me, because talk about a bunch of mindless zombies going along with their master, because they don't have a brain of their own. I go along for the prey, nothing more. If I bring in someone who isn't absolutely trustworthy, I risk upsetting the Dark Lord, and I risk losing the victims that he offers to me. If you do anything to jeopardize that…I will be very angry," Greyback finished with a growl.
Remus felt the insane urge to grin. After all, losing Greyback his position as a Death Eater wouldn't be such a bad thing; it might save a lot of innocent victims, but he couldn't let Greyback know that. Remus pressed his lips together in an attempt to contain the humor that he found in the situation. "I wouldn't dream of it, sir."
"I know you wouldn't," Greyback replied. "That's why I'm entrusting you with this." At long last, Greyback stepped away from Remus, which he was grateful for. Greyback started pacing around the small shack before he continued speaking again. "The place where we're going tonight…I imagine you're very familiar with it." Greyback watched Remus for a while, trying to gauge his reaction.
Remus had suspected that they might be going someplace from his past. After all, Greyback had made a point over the fact that this would be a good way for Remus to renounce his allegiance to Dumbledore. Of course there would be people there who would recognize him. Remus didn't suspect anything less from Greyback, so he didn't react, waiting for Greyback to speak again.
For a moment, Greyback even looked slightly amused by it all. "I don't care even if you are," Greyback went on. "If you see anyone you recognize, all the more reason to go out of your way to display where your loyalty now lies." His pacing ceased and he stood in front of Remus once more, looking down his nose at him. He pressed one clawed finger to the underside of Remus's chin. Greyback leaned in close, his face just inches away from Remus's, and he inhaled deeply, sniffing him.
Remus hated when he did that. He hated when Greyback got even remotely close to him, let alone touched him, but smelling him was something else altogether. It made him feel like a piece of meat, like Greyback was preparing to devour him. And perhaps he was.
"You smell anxious," Greyback growled.
Half the time, Remus liked to think that Greyback was completely full of it when he claimed he could smell emotions on people, but the other half, he wasn't so sure. After all, if Greyback truly could identify emotions that easily, he would have killed Remus already for his deceit. But it was times like this when Greyback hit the nail on the head that made Remus wonder if Greyback really knew what was going on after all. If he was playing along with Remus because it amused him, like a cat playing with a mouse.
"I am, sir," Remus said, trying not to let his voice shake. "Anxious to see how they'll react when they see me standing next to you." Remus threw his head back and looked Greyback directly in the eye.
Greyback smirked and there was a low rumbling sound in his chest, almost like a purr. "Anxious to show them exactly where their mistreatment of you has gotten them, hm? With one less follower, because you're my pup now. Isn't that right?"
Remus swallowed hard. "Completely, sir."
"Then you have nothing to fear." He released Remus and stepped around him, reaching for the door of the shack.
Remus used the opportunity to look away from the savage werewolf, pressing his eyes closed and taking a deep shuddering breath. Not only for the fresh air the now open door provided, but to try and regain some semblance of control. Whenever Greyback touched him, Remus got the intense urge to rip his own skin off. He didn't know what it was. Perhaps it was just the filth that clung to every inch of him, or maybe it was the thought of every single person Greyback had ever ripped apart with those clawed fingernails. Remus wasn't even sure, but it made him feel just as dirty, just as evil.
Not to mention, when Greyback went on about Remus's loyalties, he wanted nothing more than to set him straight. To scream that he was and always would be loyal to Dumbledore, and nothing Greyback could ever say or do would change that. As horrible as the moment would be when he was found out, Remus prayed for it to come. He would still do everything in his power to put it off, to hold on to this lie for as long as possible, but if he was honest with himself, he wanted nothing more than for the truth to be revealed. To finally be able to return home and to make it clear to everyone that he wasn't a traitor.
"Let us be on our way," Greyback said cheerily, pulling Remus from his thoughts.
Trying his best to push his feelings away, Remus clenched his fists and turned to exit the shack. Greyback followed, pulling the door shut behind them.
"I'll need you to Apparate us there," Greyback said as he descended the stairs.
Remus raised an eyebrow.
"I know," Greyback muttered, rolling his eyes. "I despise magic, but sometimes it's necessary. Besides, this saves me from having to have one of the other Death Eaters come and pick me up like I'm some child. God, how humiliating. All the while, they whine about having to come here at all, about having to fetch someone so beneath them, and about having to touch me." Greyback snorted derisively. "Well, believe me, the feeling's mutual. I'd like nothing more than to tear their fingers off any time they lay one on me."
Remus didn't exactly blame them for not wanting to touch Greyback, but he tried not to let his mind go there. He didn't need to be distracted again. He simply just started walking for the shelter of the trees.
"Whoever said you couldn't Apparate inside the compound?" Greyback asked curiously, following along behind him.
"Common knowledge," Remus answered, glancing back over his shoulder. "Obviously the place would have had anti-Apparition wards all over the place at one time. Unless you know for a fact they've been removed, it's best not to attempt Apparition inside the boundaries."
Greyback muttered indistinctly for a moment. "I've been trying to get one of the Death Eaters and come here and get rid of them, because I want no traces of magic around here if I can help it. Of course, I'm not deemed important enough for any of them to spare a moment to do so." They walked in silence for a while, and then Greyback asked, "Could you do it?"
"Now without a wand. I left mine behind when I came here."
"Smart pup. I wouldn't have allowed you to have one here anyway, but…it's a pity. The fewer traces of magic here, the better in my opinion."
When they reached the tree line, Remus turned to face Greyback. "Sir?" he asked. "You haven't told me where we're going."
"Oh, yes," Greyback chuckled. "We're going to Knockturn Alley." He grinned at Remus's expression. "You look surprised."
Remus frowned. "Not exactly the place I was expecting, especially if we're supposed to be running into people that I know."
"Oh, it won't be our final destination this evening," Greyback corrected, "but it is our first stop. We need to pick up the other Death Eaters." He threw his head back and laughed, although Remus didn't see what was so funny.
Remus merely held out his arm for Greyback to take. He tried not to shudder when he felt Greyback's sharp claws poking through his sleeve and into his skin. He tried not to think about the fact that he might be feeling those same talons tearing into his flesh very soon if he wasn't careful. Instead, Remus shut his eyes tightly and focused on their destination.
Apparating with Greyback was horrible. If Remus thought his stench was unbearable while standing next to him, it was nothing compared to being pressed in upon from all sides with the great hulking werewolf next to him. It even felt like the very smell was stronger, like the pressure from Apparition had increased it tenfold and was pressing it unbearably into his lungs. Remus had never been that fond of Apparition to begin with. After all, who was? But he had never been more grateful that a trip was over in his life.
"My god," Greyback growled when they caught their balance, "how I hate that." He shook almost like a dog, like he was trying to rid himself of any traces of magic the trip might have left upon him. "You wizards and your silly modes of transportation. Haven't you ever heard of walking?"
Remus smirked. "I hate it, too, sir." Perhaps the most truthful words he had ever spoken to Greyback.
They had appeared at the very end of Knockturn Alley, just around the corner from Diagon Alley. Greyback wasted no time in hurrying down the alley known for the Dark Arts, while Remus glanced back in the direction of the less notorious one. It always brought back so many memories of shopping for school with the rest of the Marauders, of his father reading off the list of everything he needed for the new term. Sighing wistfully, Remus hurried to catch up with Greyback, not wanting it to be too obvious that his heart wasn't in this. That he had never walked down Knockturn Alley a day in his life. Except for that time when he was thirteen and the other Marauders had dragged him along out of curiosity. Remus had hoped that he would never have to return.
The place was completely deserted. Of course, with the war raging on, most people probably wouldn't be caught dead skulking around here. Some of the shops looked like they had closed up, but Remus wondered if that was really true, or if it was simply a front so that they could continue to exchange goods with more privacy.
Greyback led them along until they came to Borgin and Burkes, a shop that Remus was familiar with for two reasons. Not only was it well known in the wizarding world for selling dark artifacts, but it was one that Remus distinctly remembered Sirius and James pressing their noses up against the window of during their little excursion. Almost exactly twenty-three years before, Remus had stood in this very spot with Peter next to him, trying to tear the other two Marauders away this horrific place. Never in a million years did Remus ever imagine that he'd be back here with the most savage werewolf in the world. It all seemed so strange to him, the path his life had taken.
Greyback forced open the door of the shop, causing the little bell above it to ring, and waking Remus from his reverie. He felt like shaking himself. This was not a good time to be daydreaming about the past, not when there was so much going on. Remus needed to be on his guard, because Merlin only knew what the evening had in store for him.
It wasn't until they entered the shop that Remus got a pretty good idea. Oh, he'd known beforehand that they were going to be meeting up with Death Eaters, but somehow, that didn't seem real to him at all, that he'd be going on a mission with them. The very idea still seemed absurd to him. After all, he'd dedicated his life to fighting the Dark Arts. How in the world did he ever end up here?
But Borgin and Burkes was full of them, all standing around in their black robes, waiting for everyone to join them. There were a few that Remus had never seen before, but he did recognize most of them. Unfortunately, they recognized him as well, and they were all too familiar with whose side he had been on not that long ago. The side he was still on, he almost had to remind himself.
Bellatrix Lestrange was the first to step forward, going wide-eyed at the sight of Remus. "What in the hell is he doing here?" she demanded, pointing her wand in Remus's direction, but staring daggers at Greyback.
"I brought him!" Greyback snapped. He advanced upon her, and Remus almost thought he was about to attack her. If there was one thing Greyback hated, it was being questioned.
Bellatrix laughed, a cruel derisive sound. "What in the world for?! In case you didn't know, he was working with them not very long ago. Just last June, he fought with them at the Ministry of Magic!" She threw Remus a sideways glance, almost like he wasn't worth looking at directly. "He probably still is working with them."
Remus felt like defending himself, but he didn't know if he was supposed to or not. Greyback had told him before they had come he was the only one Remus should answer to. He wasn't sure if that included standing up for himself or not, but he didn't want to do anything to anger Greyback. If he was supposed to say something, Greyback would tell him to. Besides, Greyback seemed to be more than capable of handling the situation.
"He isn't!" Greyback barked. "He came to me, he's been living with my pack for many months now. He's pledged his loyalty to me. He's one of my pups now, and that's all you need to know."
"Loyalty!" Bellatrix sneered. "As if your lot know anything at all about loyalty!"
Greyback bared his teeth, letting out a guttural growl. "By all means, take it up with the Dark Lord if it'll make you feel better! Run along and tell him that I've been doing exactly what it is he wants me to do, which is gather followers. I'm sure he'll be very happy that you wasted his time with such petty complaints, just because the ones I'm finding don't exactly measure up to your standards."
Bellatrix's face turned slightly red. "He never said you could bring whatever followers you find with us on missions."
"That's what I told him," said Amycus Carrow from among the crowd, "when I informed him about the mission. He seemed intent on bringing Lupin regardless."
"And as I said, go and tattle on me to the Dark Lord if you want!" Greyback yelled. "He can come and tell me himself if he has a problem with it."
Bellatrix snorted and rolled her eyes. "Like he would ever address you creatures directly. I don't know why we even have to."
"Then that's his problem!" Greyback roared. His shoulders heaved for a moment, but then he seemed to get his temper under control. He retreated from the group a bit and laid a palm against one of the display cases, leaning against it. "So, should we wait here while you go and complain to the Dark Lord and delay the mission he entrusted us with? Or should we go?"
In the very back of the shop, Remus could see Mr. Borgin eyeing Greyback suspiciously, especially once he had chosen to lean up against one of the displays. Borgin looked caught somewhere in between anger and fear, almost like he wanted to tell Greyback to get the hell off his things, but too afraid of retribution to do so.
The Death Eaters stood around quietly for quite a while, glancing uncomfortably between each other as if someone else might have the answer. Obviously, none of them were happy with the fact that Greyback had seen fit to include Remus in this, but no one wanted to go running to Voldemort to see what he had to say about it either. Remus was sure that Voldemort would take issue with it, but probably not enough to hold up the entire mission while they checked with him first. From what Remus could tell, this was very important, and Voldemort would surely be angry at anyone who hindered it, no matter who was going.
When still no one said anything, Greyback stepped forward once more. "Let him come with us. He'll show you and them once and for all where his loyalties lie. That's why I'm bringing him, so there will never be any question again about whose side he's on."
Bellatrix huffed. She still wasn't very happy with any of this, but she wasn't exactly keen on being responsible for interrupting this mission either. She raised her wand in Remus's direction once more. "If he does anything he shouldn't," she warned Greyback, "you're going to take full responsibility for it."
Greyback grinned. Remus was standing just behind him and to the side, but he could still see more of the savage werewolf's teeth from his position than he would have wanted to.
"That's the only way I want it," Greyback hummed.
"He's going to kill the both of you," Bellatrix said, shaking her head, "but it's your funeral." She turned on her heel and said, "Let's go then."
For the first time, Remus really began to wonder why they had chosen to meet in Borgin and Burkes. After all, wouldn't someplace closer to their final destination be more appropriate? Unless they were planning on attacking Diagon Alley, which Remus severely doubted. Since it was the traditional place to buy school supplies, it wouldn't be very busy at this time of year. An attack on Diagon Alley would have been much more fruitful to them in the summer, just before school started.
But then Remus realized that Bellatrix had reached for the door of a large black cabinet just in front of where Greyback was standing. She pulled the door open and motioned inside with her other hand. "Who would like to go first?" she asked.
Remus's heart squirmed uncomfortably. He knew exactly what it was and what it could do. They could be going anywhere in the world, and Remus wouldn't know until he got there, until he was stuck right in the middle of a Death Eater attack. He didn't like this at all.
"Ladies first," Amycus said, gesturing for Bellatrix to go on ahead.
Bellatrix threw one last look over her shoulder at both Greyback and Remus. She narrowed her eyes before she stepped into the cabinet and pulled the door closed behind her.
Amycus stepped forward next, pulling the door of the cabinet open, which was now empty. He motioned for his sister, Alecto to go on next, which she did. One by one, the Death Eaters stepped into the Vanishing Cabinet, being automatically transported to wherever their destination could be.
As the crowd dwindled, Remus's heart started pounding louder and louder. He almost began to fear that Greyback would be able to hear it. When they were the last two left, Greyback turned and motioned for Remus to take his turn in the cabinet.
"Go on," he said. "I'll be right behind you."
Remus's chest felt so tight that he feared it might explode. He almost had the sudden urge to run from the shop and Disapparate, to hell with the mission and whatever good he could do for their side. This was quickly becoming too much for Remus, and he felt like he was about to get in over his head. But he steeled his courage and forced himself to step forward, passing Greyback and climbing into the cabinet.
Greyback immediately closed the door behind him, consuming Remus in darkness, and then an odd feeling came over him. It was a strange cross between using a Portkey and Apparating - he felt a jolt somewhere around his middle and a slight squeezing sensation, but then it was gone. The door of the cabinet reopened a moment later, and when Remus stepped out, he was indeed in a completely different location. One with a high vaulted ceiling and tall windows. Remus knew exactly where they were.
The rest of the Death Eaters looked at him apprehensively, but no one said a word. Not until Greyback himself came through the cabinet.
"You lot really need to come up with better ways to travel," Greyback complained, shaking himself like a dog again, his grey and matted hair flying out around him.
"We're here!" Bellatrix exclaimed, and Remus almost expected to squeal. "Well done, Draco."
Remus blinked. The room they were in was so crowded. Not only was it full of Death Eaters, but it was full of everything else one could imagine. There were towers of books, all kinds of different sized cabinets, various articles of clothing, vials of potions in every color of the rainbow, as well as an assortment of weapons and many magical items. What Remus hadn't noticed in all the chaos, however, was the blond-haired boy standing off to the side. A boy who had once been his student. For the first time, their eyes met, each seeming to search the other's questioningly, but neither one of them said anything.
"Do let us be on our way," Bellatrix said, placing a hand on the back of Draco's neck and steering him through the twisting piles of discarded objects. The rest of the Death Eaters followed, once again leaving only Remus and Greyback behind.
Remus didn't want to do this. For the first time, he was seriously beginning to regret ever getting into that cabinet. Even now, he looked back at the cabinet wistfully, wanting to crawl right back through it to Borgin and Burkes, as uncomfortable as that shop had made him in the first place.
"Don't lose yourself, Remus," Greyback said quietly. "Come." Greyback started picking his way through the debris, leaving Remus alone.
He momentarily thought about turning right around and leaving, but he didn't, and he wasn't sure why. Something felt like it was holding him there, urging him forward. He was scared to death of what was in store for him, but something was making him stay. Something that was much more important than himself.
Remus did as he was told. In the end, he would be glad he did, but he already felt like he had lost himself.
To be continued…