Chapter Four - Werewolf: Classified Dark Creature

Warning: This story isn't for kids! Just assume every other chapter has a warning of violence or triggering aspects of abuse and self harm.

A/N: The italic scenes of Remus and Sirius are flashbacks Remus was having when he was unconscious. The song Sirius sang was "Blackbird" by the Beatles.And before I go, this is a special acknowledgement to Lupinesence for being my first reviewer: thank you!:D

Remus tried not to fight the panic that was rising in his chest caused by being so closed in by a crowd of werewolves. The frightened group were all standing outside a small wooden run-down cottage that was hidden by wards and spells. Remus noticed the many Death Eaters surrounding the group, plus the ones going in and out of the cottage. He tried to figure out where he was, but there were nothing but large trees around as far as he could see, and his sharp hearing due to him being a werewolf, could only pick up the forest sounds.

We must be miles away from civilization, Remus concluded.

This was a perfect place to keep a group of werewolves hostage. Remus' biggest concern was the full-moon next week. Where are all these werewolves going to transform? They aren't going to actually let all of them run wild? Sure, there wasn't a witch or wizard in sight, but still it was dangerous.

"Budge up, you lot!" a Death Eater shouted as they sent a stinging hex to the crowd of werewolves in the front.

Remus growled deeply under his breath. These Death Eaters were sadistic and evil, Remus had a feeling of what they were going to do to them. They were probably going to recruit them to Voldemort's army. Remus had no intention of joining the dark side out of fear. He was going to fight until every last strength he had was gone.

"Some of these dark creatures look exceptional for the war, but some of them look too scrawny," one Death Eater was saying to another.

Remus couldn't tell who any of them were, due to the masks they were wearing, but their conversation confirmed Remus' fears as to why they were brought here. Remus then took a closer look around the cottage. He noticed Death Eaters shooting spells at werewolves that had been there already. They looked as if they were practicing combat. Some were even dueling, Remus wondered how they were managing that, because every Death Eater had an unfair advantage, none of the werewolves carried wands.

There were also a group of kids who were forced to fight with one another. Remus watched as the smallest kid lunged on his training partner and started to viciously punch him in the face. No one moved to stop the fight. This was a training camp for werewolves set up by Voldemort's followers. Remus felt his heart break as he observed the children learning to fight in cold blood. They were the easiest to brainwash, making them believe they were nothing more than dark creatures.

Suddenly, spells were shot straight to the group of werewolves Remus was with. Several Death Eaters surrounded the group and all started blasting the Cruciatus Curse, causing some of the werewolves to fall to the floor and scream. Remus dodged a spell that almost hit him in the side. He dropped to the floor, growling at how helpless he was feeling without his wand, the Death Eaters had made sure to disarm any werewolf who carried one during their capture.

Once the Cruciatus Curse was lifted off and the screams were silent, Remus heard a sadistic laugh that sounded more like a growl. He recognized that voice. Rage coursed through his blood stream, causing his inner wolf's hackles to rise. It was the werewolf that had destroyed Remus' life, the very reason why Remus was here in the first place.

Fenrir Greyback.

"Is this how you greet your leader?" Greyback snarled, as he trained his wand on the group of captured werewolves.

He walked through the crowd, surveying them through his red, cold-blooded eyes.

"Avada Kedavra!" Greyback suddenly shouted when he reached a thin werewolf who was much older than Remus.

The others began to scream. They were all kept from running away due to the Death Eaters surrounding them all with wands trained on them.

"Welcome to our training camp!" Greyback snarled. "If you are strong enough to survive this training we are so kindly giving to you, then I promise, you will be honored by the Dark Lord himself. But if you are a weakling…" Greyback stepped in front of another werewolf, a female witch who was petite and nearing her fifties.

"Then I promise... You will not survive," Greyback said slowly as he pointed his wand and shouted, "Avada Kedavra!"

The woman slumped to the floor. All the life in her had been zapped out from the deadly spell. This time nobody moved. They stood still and silent as they realized there was no escaping this.

Greyback surveyed the group of captured werewolves before he rounded a group of the biggest ones.

"Hemsworth! You're in charge of this group, take them to ring four! I want to see how well they know combat training."

The Death Eater named Hemsworth gathered up the indicated werewolves and led them to one of the fighting rings.

Greyback then started to separate the werewolves off with certain Death Eaters. Soon Remus noticed how small the group in front of the cabin was growing. Now there were only twenty of the captured werewolves left. Remus knew it wasn't going to be long now until Greyback noticed him.

Greyback surveyed the last of the werewolves with Remus hoping he didn't see him, although, hoping was just pointless. Greyback's eyes stopped when they landed on Remus, and he grinned in surprise. His teeth bared and his red evil eyes hardened.

"Remus Lupin," Greyback growled in malicious excitement. "Who would've known you'll end up here. What happened to your master Albus Dumbledore? Were you a bad little wolf to make him throw you out of the castle?" Greyback laughed.

Remus glared at him and balled his hands into tight fists. He was trying to control the rage rising up at Greyback's insult.

"Ignore him," a small female werewolf standing next to him whispered. "He'll kill you if you retaliate."

"I'm not going down as a coward!" Remus growled under his breath. He shoved himself forward. "I am no one's pet!" he shouted.

"Oh, getting brave now are we?" Greyback snarled. "Macnair! Avery!"

Two Death Eaters stepped forward from the training rings.

"Take this mutt to the cellar. I have a special treat for this one!" Greyback ordered.

The two Death Eaters stepped towards Remus without question. Remus stiffened as they came near him. He was ready for them. He ducked when Avery grabbed for him, kicking the Death Eater in the shin and causing him to trip. Remus took that chance and punched Avery in the nose. Macnair grabbed Remus by the arm and punched him hard in the stomach. Remus gasped for air and tried to ignore the pain as he tore his arm away from Macnair, then tried to punch him in the face, but Remus missed. Avery recovered from his blow and kicked Remus hard in the knee, causing him to fall. The Death Eaters grabbed Remus by both of his arms. Remus fought violently to get them off him, but their grip was tight.

Greyback stood right in front of Remus. The werewolf was so close to Remus, that he could see every pore, every eyelash, and could smell Greyback's putrid, bloody breath as the werewolf threateningly growled, "Tell me, Remus, where's your great Albus Dumbledore now? You should've joined me when you had the chance. You could've been great here! But now, you're going to suffer the consequences for betraying your family! Within minutes, you're going to be screaming for your death!"

"You'll never be my family!" Remus shouted, then lunged at Greyback. Remus was pulled back by the two Death Eaters. Remus lost complete control as he viciously fought to free himself. Fortunately, he'd managed to punch Greyback's chin.

"Chain him up!" Greyback snarled before walking back to the remaining captured werewolves.

Avery spelled a silver collar around Remus' neck and wrists, causing Remus to scream in agony as the silver burned his skin. Remus tried to stay standing, but he'd lost the feeling of his legs and sank to the floor. The Death Eaters forced him up with a levitation spell and led his body into the cottage. Remus wasn't able to see what the inside looked like, the pain was too much as he screamed. Black spots covered his vision as they took him down into the cellar. The two Death Eaters took off the silver to Remus' relief, and replaced it with a metal collar that was chained to the wall. They threw him on the floor and left the cellar, laughing at Remus' pain.

Remus stayed where he was thrown. He couldn't move. Every inch of his skin on his neck and wrists burned. The metal collar around his neck choked him and irritated the burn underneath. Remus had never felt more like an animal as he did that very moment. He was chained to a wall, taking away his pride and dignity.

Remus could hear the footsteps and the voices from upstairs. How did this mission turn out so wrong? He was making progress, he was able to rally the colony of werewolves to fight against Voldemort and not give into the dark side. But once the camp was attacked, and the only survivors were taken along with Remus, the first thing they did was obey Greyback's commands out of fear. They never fought back and Remus knew his mission had failed. Now he had to find a way out of here. He wondered if there was any chance of escaping, if there was any hope of him being found by the Order. Remus groaned in pain once more and his mind began to lose consciousness.

.

.

The fireplace was blazing with warm yellow and orange flames, heating up the Room of Requirement and giving it a soft glow. Remus never felt so comfortable and loved in his life as he snuggled into Sirius' chest. Sirius wrapped his arms tightly around Remus, kissing the top of his head. Remus was back at Hogwarts, their school robes hanging on the chair along with their book bags.

"You have to go back, love," Sirius whispered in his ear.

Remus opened his eyes and held on tighter to his boyfriend.

"I don't know if I can, Sirius, it hurts too much. And you're not there. You're not there to tell me to keep fighting."

"I'll always be with you, Remus." Sirius lifted Remus' chin and pulled him into a deep, heartfelt kiss.

The flames in the fireplace suddenly died out. The room became cold and pain took over Remus' body.

Someone kicked him hard in the ribs, causing Remus to open his eyes. He was staring up at the ceiling of the cellar. Death Eaters were looking down at him with their wands pointed at him.

Greyback stepped into the cellar, shoving the Death Eaters out of his way. "Leave us," he ordered.

There was a sound of rushing footsteps and swishing of cloaks as they all left. Remus could hear them muttering about training schedules.

Remus glared at Greyback as he pulled himself slowly to a sitting position. The collar rubbed uncomfortably around his neck, agitating the burns. Remus wasn't afraid of Greyback.

"You look a lot like your father. Did I ever tell you that, Remus?" Greyback said once the cellar door was closed, along with two guards standing outside.

Remus didn't answer. He had nothing to say to the monster who'd changed his life completely.

"You were only four years old when I first saw you with him. The spitting image of your father, and I knew I had to have you. Yes, your father had done a great wrong to me and I used you to take back what he'd taken. However, there was always something about you that drew me to you. I always felt like you were my…"

"I am not your son!" Remus snapped venomously.

"Not in blood, but in creation you are my son, Remus Lupin. I created the wolf inside you. I made you who you are today. You're my son. We're family. And you're going to stay in this cellar until you've come to accept that!"

"And for what? So I can join your little training camp? Teach kids how to become cold-blooded murderers? Go to hell, Greyback!"

Greyback growled in anger, looking more like a savage wolf than man.

"Crucio!"

Remus screamed and fell to the floor, withering in pain. His muscles and nerves screamed. Everything was on fire, his bones, tendons and muscles, down to the nearest atom. Everything hurts!

Everything...

Remus tried to keep it together but the longer the spell went on, he began to lose his mind. And he tried to hold on to what little was left, but it was so hard….

And falling underneath all of that pain, suddenly, Remus remembered warm blue eyes. He focused on those blue eyes, and the soft black curls, and that boisterous laugh….

Sirius... Sirius, please stay…it hurts! Everything hurts!

Biting his tongue, blood filling his mouth, Remus cried out. Screaming in agony again and again as the spell was finally lifted. He laid on the floor drenched in sweat and unable to move.

Greyback walked around Remus' body, his cold eyes surveying him. The vicious werewolf knelt down next to Remus' head. Greyback's stink was so bad, full of sweat, dirt and blood.

Remus tried to hold his breath as the werewolf growled, "Now tell me, Remus, what were you doing in the colony? You were never one to accept your fate and live with our kind. There has to be a reason why you were there." Greyback pointed his wand directly into Remus' neck.

"I'm not telling you anything," Remus gasped in pain, spitting out blood onto the floor.

"Crucio!"

Remus screamed.

The pain started through his neck and traveled to every part of his body. He writhed and rolled over, his limbs twitching from the agony Remus was in.

The curse lifted.

"That should teach you a lesson!" Greyback snarled. "Now tell me, son! Was it Dumbledore who sent you there?"

"Stop calling me your son!" Remus shouted as he rolled onto his back. He didn't care how many times Greyback was going to torture him. He wasn't going to betray Dumbledore.

Greyback pushed the hair out of Remus' face. "Stop running from your heritage, from your blood. If you tell me why you were with the colony, then maybe I'll forgive you for your disloyalty."

Remus tore his face away from the werewolf's touch, causing Greyback to growl.

"If you refuse to tell me, maybe silver will convince you!"

"Macnair!" Greyback shouted. One of the guards opened the door.

"Yes, Fenrir?"

"Bring the branding rod Malfoy gave us from the Ministry," Greyback snarled. "It's time to teach this mutt a lesson. Also, bring Avery and Dolohov!"

Macnair grinned evilly at Remus before he left the cellar to follow Greyback's orders.

"Let's see how brave and loyal you are to your doggy owner once we're through with you!" Greyback snarled.

"You don't get it do you, Greyback?" Remus snapped in irritation. "Whatever you do to me, won't work. I'm never going to be part of your family. I'm not going to betray Dumbledore. I'm never going to reveal anything to you, so you might as well just kill me!"

"That would be too easy," Greyback chuckled with his red eyes glinting with madness.

Macnair entered the cellar once more, holding a black velvet bag with Avery and Dolohov right behind him.

"I'm going to do more than just kill you, son." Greyback gestured to Avery and Dolohov. "Hold him down."

Before Remus had any time to react, the two Death Eaters pinned him down to the ground. Remus tried to fight them off, but he was still so weak from being under the Cruciatus Curse several times.

Greyback ripped off his robes and shirt underneath causing Remus to growl in rage, his hazel-green eyes flashing with an amber-colored fire as he twisted and kicked at the Death Eaters.

"Get off of me!" he shouted. "I'm not telling you bastards anything!"

Greyback only stood over him and watched as he said in a menacing growl, "One more chance, Remus Lupin. Why were you with the colony?"

Remus stopped struggling. His body was beaten and he was out of breath. Dirt and sweat was smeared onto his skin. And all Remus could do to respond to the werewolf in front of him was to spit out his blood-mixed saliva in Greyback's face. That was the most insulting thing Remus could manage to do, because he was showing disrespect to his supposed "family" in Greyback's eyes.

"You're going to regret that, mutt! Brand him!" Greyback snarled in anger as he wiped Remus' spit off of his face.

Remus kicked out his feet and rolled his body over, forcing the Death Eaters to let go of him. Remus crawled away from them. Macnair grabbed his leg and held him, as Dolohov grabbed the chain that was attached to the collar around his neck and violently yanked him back to them. Remus choked as he felt his body flip onto the ground and dragged. He gasped for air as he put his hands around the collar, trying to breathe. The Death Eaters took their chance and forced him to lay on his back. Remus tried to get away but it was three against one. Avery was pinning his arms to the floor above his head, Dolohov was pinning down his legs. Macnair pulled the rod out of its black velvet bag. Remus lifted up his head and saw that the end of the silver rod had the words:

WEREWOLF

CLASSIFIED DARK CREATURE

As soon as he'd read the words, Remus yelled in fury, trying to jerk his limbs away. The Death Eaters had to hold him down with more force.

"No!" Remus shouted.

Remus didn't want to think about what they were going to do to him. It was bad enough that no matter how much his best friends had convinced Remus in the past that he wasn't a dark creature, a monster, Remus always carried a small part of him that believed he was. Now having that label branded into his skin would remain forever, reminding Remus every day that he wasn't human.

Remus screamed and twisted his body in desperation, trying to shake off Dolohov and Avery. Greyback snarled and kicked him hard in the ribs. Remus screamed as he felt a sharp pain shoot through his ribs, his chest and his heart. He couldn't breathe anymore. He panted, trying to fight them off, but his strength was ebbing away.

"This is what happens when you betray your family," Greyback snarled. "This is what happens when you turn your back on who you really are. I hope this reminds you, Remus, I hope that this will make you see the error of your ways."

"Incendio!" Macnair shouted, setting the end of the silver rod on fire so it could burn more into Remus' skin. The flames burned for a second before dying away, leaving the silver rod red, hot, and smoking.

Remus closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable pain that was about to happen.

Remus at first felt the pressure on his chest, just right over his heart, and then...the pain came...

At first Remus tried not to scream, he didn't want to show his pain to Greyback and the Death Eaters. He gritted his teeth and screamed internally instead. Sweat poured down his face, he tightened his eyes shut. Remus' bottom lip began to drip blood from biting down too hard, until he simply couldn't take it anymore. Remus let out a loud scream of agony. He tried to curl his body to protect himself but he was tightly restrained. The Death Eaters holding him down were laughing maliciously as they taunted him.

Remus could smell burnt flesh and he knew it was from him as they finally lifted up the silver rod. The smell made his stomach nauseas. Remus felt the bile rise up in his throat, and he turned his head just in time to throw-up, practically choking on his vomit, causing the Death Eaters to finally release their hold on him. Remus turned his body over, retching again until his stomach was empty, and all he could do was gasp for air.

Remus rolled his body away from his vomit, curling himself into a tight ball. He opened his eyes but dark spots clouded his vision, so he closed them again. His head was swimming with pain and dizziness. Remus didn't want to look at what they had done. He didn't want to see the words that named him forever as a monster. The label they had burned into his skin, right above his heart...

Remus could barely hear Greyback saying to the Death Eaters, "No food, only water for the mutt until after the full-moon. Let's see how far we can go to break him. If not, we'll have to ask Snape for some Veritaserum to get him to talk."

The Death Eaters muttered their agreements as they all left the cellar, finally leaving Remus alone.

Remus closed his eyes, suddenly feeling like he was floating, and the pain was gone, and nothing existed or even mattered anymore, until he lost himself to the comforting darkness.

.

.

It was a bright sunny afternoon. It was the last week of Hogwarts for the sixth years. Term was finally ending, their exams were done, and the four boys didn't have to worry about studying and homework as they relaxed under their favorite tree near the Black Lake. James was skipping stones with Peter in the murky waters, their loud cheers breaking the peaceful silence every time the giant squid caught one of their stones.

Remus was reading one of his mom's old fairytale books. Without having to study, he finally had time to read for pleasure. Sirius was strumming an old muggle guitar that his cousin Andromeda had sent him.

"Come on, Moony, it's the end of school! Get your wolfy nose out of that book and pay attention to your friends!" Sirius joked.

Remus rolled his eyes. His friends were all idiots, but then, what would he do without their support? They were his family. The closest thing he had to brothers, since he was an only child.

"Hey, Moony, can we sleep over at your house this summer? Like last year?" James asked excitedly, as he threw himself on the ground next to Remus. Peter followed shortly behind him and sat near James.

"No! Last time, you guys destroyed my mum's blender, the toaster, and the microwave!" Remus shouted in annoyance. "I don't even think she has forgiven you guys for that yet."

As the only one who had a muggle mother in the group, the boys found Remus' house to be the most interesting with all the muggle appliances they've never seen before.

"Aww, Moony! But your house is fun!" James complained as he began to play with his snitch.

"I thought we were all sleeping over at your house, James, since Padfoot's going home with you," Remus said as he marked his page and closed his book. He slapped Sirius' hand away, who was trying to hide the book away from Remus' reach.

Just then a group of girls passed by them and James' face went all mushy. Remus guessed Lily Evans just passed by.

"I'll be right back!" James grinned and was gone before Sirius could laugh at his face expression.

"I'm going with him!" Peter shouted over his shoulder, jumping up and running after James. "Before he says anything stupid to Evans!"

Remus rolled his eyes at his friends' antics and laid his back down on the grass, using his book bag as a pillow.

"Can you imagine the kids James and Evans will have if they ever got hitched?" Sirius laughed.

"I don't see that happening," Remus laughed. "Prongs can't say two words to Lily before he starts blubbering like an idiot."

"Yeah, but just imagine it, Remus, a little Jamesie running around with Evans' brains! That would be something to see!" Sirius laughed out loud.

Remus' stomach fluttered with butterflies. That laugh always made him smile, no matter what.

Sirius began strumming his guitar once more.

Remus turned his head and looked up at Sirius. "What are you playing there, my love?"

"Oh nothing, just some song I heard you listening to when we were at your house last summer."

"Sing it," Remus smiled.

"You don't know what you're asking for, Moony, my voice is pretty screechy," Sirius feigned seriousness.

"I've known you for six years, I'm pretty sure I'm used to your screechy voice by now," Remus laughed.

"Okay, I've warned you." Sirius smiled as he began to play a familiar melody on his guitar.

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life you were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these sunken eyes and learn to see

All your life you were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly

Blackbird fly

Into the light of the dark black night

Remus sighed, starring up at the tree branches where he could see patches of blue sky and fluffy white clouds. He had never felt so safe and happy here at Hogwarts with his best friends, with Sirius, the love of his life. Remus wished that this day, this moment, could last forever and he didn't have to go home and face his dad's shame for what he was. If only Remus could just stay here, and listen to Sirius' voice. Remus closed his eyes and sighed contently as his boyfriend's voice filled his soul and lifted up his spirit.

Blackbird fly

Blackbird fly

Into the light of the dark black night

Remus suddenly felt himself drifting off. The cool air from the lake blew over them, ruffling their hair. The last thing he heard was Sirius' song as he fell asleep with a contented smile on his face.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life you were only waiting for this moment to arise

You were only waiting for this moment to arise

You were only waiting for this moment to arise."