Lupa flew up the stairs and into her room. She grabbed the biggest backpack she had and began packing clothes in it as tightly as she could. She paused for a moment to grab two blankets and a pillow and toll them into a tight bedroll which she stacked to the bottom of the backpack. More clothes, this time for colder weather were packed in along with her cloak. Her absolute favorite book and the stuffed she-wolf Remus had gotten her one year for her birthday went on top and Lupa snapped it shut.

Now she grabbed another, slightly smaller backpack and went to the closet where they kept the medical supplies for Reus after his transformation. She was in the process of layering in bandages and gauze when someone tapped on her shoulder. Startled, Lupa spun around to find Emily standing there holding out a medium sized book.

"I saw you running away from the dining room." She said in explanation to Lupa's questioning eyes. "I knew you had overheard your parents and I knew that you would leave. This book will help you. It lists every known herb, where it is commonly found and what it is used for."

Lupa's eyes shown with understanding and in a surprising move, flung her arms around the servant. It was the first time she had ever hugged the servant. Lupa regretted the fact and that it would be the last time she had ever done so. Really, it was unforgiveable that she had never given the servant who was closest to her a hug in thanks for all that she had done for her and Remus over the years. Helping her bandage Remus up after the full moon, bringing them the best meals from the kitchen, caring for them like a mother whenever they were sick.

Emily let out a quiet gasp as Lupa's arms tightened around her before wrapping her own arms around the girl.

After a few minutes they separated and Lupa took the offered book, packing it in with the medical supplies. Emily quickly helped her finish filling the pack with needed supplies from the highest shelf.

When they were done, she put a hand on Lupa' arm to stop the girl from running off to Remus' room.

"Wait until three in the morning before you leave. Everyone in this house, including your parents, will be asleep then. You'll also be less likely to meet anyone in the village who will recognize you." She said.

"Thank you Emily." Lupa whispered. "We'll try and write to you when we can. You may or may not be able to write back."

Emily nodded and allowed her to go. Lupa flew down the hall and up into Remus' room.

She quietly shook her brother awake and held a finger to her lips so that Remus would know to stay quiet. Even half-asleep, Remus was perceptive enough to realize that this wasn't a game that Lupa was playing. He nodded once to show that he understood and Lupa removed her finger.

"We need to keep quiet." Lupa whispered.

"What's going on?" Remus asked.

"We're leaving." Lupa answered

"Why?"

Lupa grabbed Remus' backpack and turned to face him.

Looking in her brother's worried and slightly scared eyes, she knew she couldn't tell him. Not now, in the middle of the night while their parents were close by. It would undoubtedly frighten him, everything always seemed worse at night, and with the elder Lupins so close by, he might panic. And that could tip their parents off and ruin any chance of escape that they had.

No, better to wait until daylight when they would be away from here.

"Not right now, Remus." Lupa said, kneeling down in front of her brother and taking his hands.

"I promise I will tell you later. For now, trust me. Okay?"

Remus nodded and followed Lupa over to his closet. He handed her the requested clothes without question, even when Lupa requested his winter clothes. Paddy was brought to her along with the book they had been reading earlier. Remus placed them on top and closed the pack while Lupa rolled up two blankets and a pillow and attached them to the bottom of the pack. They placed the three bags by the door before settling down on Remus' bed to wait out the last few hours.

Remus fell asleep nestled into Lupa's side but Lupa remained awake. There would be time for sleeping once Remus was safely away from their parents. She didn't want to miss the hour they were supposed to leave either.

Finally, the pocket watch her parents had given her one year for Christmas showed that it was three in the morning. Lupa woke up Remus who immediately understood that it was time to go. They slung their packs on their backs, Lupa taking up the one containing first aid supplies, and opened the door to find a surprise waiting for them.

Two packs, one of them an across the body pack, sat on the floor outside Remus' door. After checking the hall to make sure they were alone, Lupa dropped down to see what they contained.

The regular backpack contained food, some that wouldn't keep long such as cheese but most that would such as bread. The other one contained supplies that would help them such as candles, matches, and a knife for each of them with a spare as well. Small plates, some silverware, and a cup each were also in the pack.

Lupa smiled and silently thanked John and Emily for packing these packs for them. She had thought that she should pack stuff like this but hadn't wanted to go down to the kitchen to get them. They would have had to pass the dining room and that early in the evening, their parents might have still been there. She didn't want Remus within twenty feet of them staying up in the children's wing was the only way to keep him safe. Their parents almost never ventured up here.

Lupa quickly took off her pack and slung the one shoulder pack across her body, followed by her own pack. The food pack hung from her arm. The first aid pack was light enough for Remus to carry along with his own.

Adjustments made, Remus quietly closed his door behind him and the siblings left the house. Lupa led him to a side door commonly used by the servants as their parents' room was directly above the front door and had a view of the front yard.

Getting out of the house was easy. Getting out of the town, not so much. Even at this late hour, there were still people awake. Carts were moving through the town, collecting the trash for the day. The three pubs were open from sunset to sunrise and all had a fair number of patrons. Avoiding the trash carts and the drunks leaving the pubs took time.

Going from their house to the north edge of the town on foot usually took a half hour; Forty-five minutes if you left during one of the busier times of the day. Tonight however, it took them close to two hours. Neither Lupa nor Remus had any idea how many trash carts there were in this town. It was never something they had to think about.

Once they got outside the town, traveling became easier. The forest was about a half-hour's ride by carriage so Lupa guessed that they would arrive by sunrise. It was insight anyway.

Remus was quiet during the walk. Lupa wasn't sure if it was because he was tired or because he was trying to process everything that had happened. Probably both. It was one think to pack their stuff to leave. It was another to actually leave. Lupa was having a hard time processing everything that had happened that night. She knew more than Remus did though.

Remus was more accepting and understanding of things he didn't know a lot about than most children his age but still, he was only ten. It would be difficult for a child that age to understand this if someone had taken the time to properly explain everything and answer any questions the child may have. Remus didn't have that luxury. He didn't even know why they were leaving in the dead of the night.

The sun was just starting to peak over the horizon when they reached the forest. Veering away from the trails worn into the ground, Lupa led her brother in a direction that few people would ever go.

In a short time, they reached a clearing and Lupa deemed it safe enough to stop and rest. Remus happily dropped his packs and set to work unpacking his bedroll. Lupa could see in his eyes how tired he was. And yet, Remus had not breathed a word of complaint. Granted, Remus wasn't one to complain. Even after the full moon.

Lupa unpacked her own bedroll and spread it on the ground next to Remus'. Checking to make sure there weren't any rocks hidden underneath the blankets, the siblings laid down and Lupa pulled the other blanket over them. Within minutes, the two were out cold.

AN: See? I told you I would have the next chapter up tonight. Granted, it's a bit later than I planned but I got distracted by Fanfiction. I'm an addict to Fanfics and I admit it.

For those of you who might be wondering how Lupa and Remus could carry five packs, I'll remind you that Lupa is fourteen and quite strong for her age. Remus is ten but has the benefit of werewolf strength to help him. Don't worry. They won't be carrying them the entire time. You'll see in the next chapter.

Well, I'm off to bed. I have to be up early to go to work. Eight days and counting.