Auburn

The two young men surveyed each other, cautiously. They were both fairly similar, being of the same age with fiery red hair. However one was tall and freckly, whereas the other was short and had a pale complexion.

"Ron Weasley," said the first, offering his hand and breaking the silence. The other shook it and was about to reply when the door was swung open and Ron's younger sister entered.
"Hello," she said, uncertainly.
"This is my sister Ginny," introduced Ron. "Gin, this is..."
"Daniel."
"What can we do for you, Daniel?" smiled Ginny.
Daniel cleared his throat. "I'm looking for Professor Lupin. I was told he'd be here." Ginny moved closer to Ron. Daniel's voice betrayed he was American, his cautiousness showed he was to be wary of. Could the werewolf hunter be this young, attractive man?
Ron clasped Ginny's hand. "Who directed you here?" asked Ron, in a bold voice. "What makes you think he's in Tibet?"
"A wizard told me... can't remember his name very well." He used the word wizard as though it was fresh material, as though he had not used it often. Ron's squeeze on Ginny's hand told her that even a muggle could be sent to harm Remus.
"Oh I remember... yeah his name was Snipe, or something like that..." Ron's grip on Ginny's hand loosened, but Ginny knew from years of experience that names alone meant nothing. "I've got a letter from him," Daniel continued, sensing their unease. He pulled it out of his backpack, unfolded it and handed it to Ron.
Parchment, well that's something, thought Ron. He recognised Severus Snape's hand although this time it was not writing "This is utter rubbish Weasley, Grade F." Ron tapped the piece of paper with his wand and muttered "Clarify."
The letter merely formed the word "correct."
Ron smiled, and let go of Ginny's hand.
"That's all you have to do?" asked Daniel amused.
"So you are a Muggle then?" replied Ron, answering a question with a question.
"Well that's what Snipe called me. But I mean, my - my friend's a witch and she always has to say lots of Latin stuff... Latin stuff that tends to rhyme... why d'you get away with one word?"
"She probably does wandless magic," said Ginny, speaking up. "That requires more work in substitution for the wand. I take it your friend is a dabbler, neither a muggle nor a witch but someone who seeks power through the arts?"
Daniel shrugged. "I guess so."
"We'll take you to Lupin now," said Ron, looking at his sister with minor alarm: she was staring at the newcomer in a way she had only ever reserved for two people; Tom Riddle and Harry Potter.

*
Ginny watched Professor Lupin unfold the letter in front of him, scan it and look up at his guest. "You've come to the right place," he said, smiling. "I think I may be able to help you. Thank you Ron, Ginny." Ron and Ginny smiled and rose from their chairs, Ginny seeming a little too eager to leave. "I'll be back later to show you to your room," she babbled.
Daniel look startled at being left alone. "You're leaving?" He turned to face Lupin. "Is that necessary?"

Lupin smiled. "Not at all. Most of our guests tend to prefer private meetings, however, you will find Mr. and Miss Weasley good company if you wish them to be present."
Ron looked apologetic. "I'm afraid I have to leave... We're expecting another guest. I'm sure Ginny wouldn't mind staying though." He glanced at his sister. "Would you, Gin?"

Ginny, trying to remain nonchalant, retook her seat. "Not at all."
The door shut behind them, and Ginny smiled at Daniel, only to find that he was looking after Ron. Right, she thought. He wanted Ron to stay.
"How and when were you first bitten?" asked Lupin, trying not to be too blunt. Ginny stopped her mouth from falling open, just in time. Lupin couldn't be talking about a werewolf bite, could he? Ginny was aware from years of knowing Lupin (first as her teacher, then as her friend and now as the owner of the Hotel of the Wanderers) that werewolves were only dangerous for three days out of the month, sort of like when Ginny was on her period. Still, she could not help feeling unease at the fact that the man seated next to her was a werewolf.
Daniel shifted awkwardly in his seat. It was obvious he was not used to talking about his lycanthropy. "My ant and uncle..." (Ginny smiled fleetingly at the American pronunciation of "aunt.") "They kinda looked after me when I was young. By the time I went to High school I lived by myself." He paused at the look on Ginny's face and clarified, "I was fifteen. The system's sorta different here, I think."
"Go on," encouraged Professor Lupin.
"It's kind of a long story. When I was eighteen, my two year old cousin bit my finger." He stopped. "I guess it's not that long."
"And how did your cousin contract lycanthropy?" asked Lupin, looking understanding.
"Uncle Ken always thought it was some kid from the nursery, but they never found out exactly."
"And what precautions did you take when you were active?" Lupin continued. His quick-quill was flowing in the background.
"A friend of mine got chains and a cage," replied Daniel simply. "I was chained up at night."
Lupin sighed. "I too, got my bite when I was very young. During my active days at school I had to be locked up in a hut - similar to your situation. They even planted a tree to stop people from venturing near the hut. There was, however, no cure."
"There is now?" asked Daniel, perking his ears up. Ginny and Lupin nodded.
"Wolfsbane potion. To begin with, I curled up a harmless wolf and went to sleep. Now, it's much advanced. If I am not triggered, then I do not change at all."
"Triggered?" quizzed Daniel, confused.
Ginny had not spoken for a while. "Very few things set you off," she explained. "But when you are set off, it's extremely dangerous for those around you. It's rarely administered to aggressive people because of their bad temper. If you're the angry type, you can change."
"Of course we'll have to run some tests to see if you're calm enough to sustain the potion, but you seem a pretty easy going young man, so that shouldn't be a problem," smiled Lupin.
"My aunt did write in my yearbook that I take a lot of things in my stride." Daniel started to smile. "So what happens now?" he asked.
"Well, you'll have to fill in some forms, then we'll take those blood tests to see if you're compatible and after that we'll start the training."
"How long'll that take?" asked Daniel, his brow furrowing.
"At least three months - "
"Three months?" thundered Daniel.
Lupin sighed, "We need to see how you'll react with the treatment on your active days. We need at least three occasions to experiment."
Daniel let out a deep breath slowly. "Well, if it's the only way..."
"It'll only be once in your life," said Ginny, finding herself wanting him to stay. "And then you'll be free."
Daniel was shaking his head. "I don't know... I mean, I'm half way through my freshman year at Uni."
Lupin spread his hands. "That's the best I can offer you. It's that or chains."
Daniel appeared to be visualising someone in front of him. "It's for you... it's all for you." he muttered under his breath. "I'll do it," he said in a louder voice. "I'll withdraw out of Uni, I can always take up the course next year."
Lupin looked satisfied. "Ginny will take you to your room. Welcome to The Wanderers' Hotel."
*

Ginny knocked once and entered, hoping (out of duty) that Daniel was not getting changed. She was relieved (if a little disappointed) to find that he was fully dressed, sitting upright on his bed strumming a guitar which had "Sweet J" written across it.
"Hey," he said.
"Hi," said Ginny awkwardly. "Dinner'll be ready in about half an hour."
"Thanks," he replied, giving her a fleeting smile.
"You don't say much, do you?" asked Ginny, desperate for a reason to stay. Daniel shrugged and continued strumming. "Do you play in a band?" she asked, trying to sound casual. She thought he would not, because her experience with music told her that he was a bad player - even for a manual one.
"Yeah," he answered, surprising her. Ginny supposed she had better ask a question that required more than a yes or no for answer. "Your friend - the witch - how long had she been dabbling?"

Daniel, sighed, put down his guitar and looked up. "About two years. Look, I don't mean to sound unfriendly, but I had a long flight so if you wouldn't mind..."
Ginny was a little over-cheerful. "No, of course I don't mind. I have to do this with all the guests, you understand, that's all..." She got up. As she left she waved her wand and played the G chord on the guitar that Daniel had been longing to play.

*
"How did you do that?" asked Daniel immediately, upon entering the dining hall. Ginny had been expecting something of the sort. "We learned it in Sixth Year." She indicated for him to sit down. "Magical Music."
"God, they taught you that at school?" He muttered under his breath that his friend would love to have been educated there.
"Was that her name?" asked Ginny. Daniel realised he had given it away.
"Yeah," he said.
"She's more than your friend, isn't she?" asked Ginny, rather bluntly.
"What?" asked Daniel, taken aback.
"Were you going out or something?" she continued. "I have a talent for Legilimency - it's like telepathy. Picked it up when I left school. It was really Harry's gift but..." She shook her head. "That's another story."
Daniel laughed. "Go on then," he challenged. "Read my mind."
Ginny put down her knife and fork. "It's not a game," she said. "I could see into your whole history. I could see things that you've even forgotten. And your dreams which you wake up, not remembering."

Daniel shrugged. "Well, hopefully I've never had wicked thoughts."

Ginny sighed and pressed her fingertips against his temples.
At first Daniel felt nothing. Then gradually, he felt a current pulsating from within him to Ginny, as though there was a connection between them. It was like he was kissing her, only she was not kissing back.
"You first saw her at a fancy-dress party. She was an eskimo. You almost ran her over with your van. You met her on Careers' Week. Your first word was..."
"Canape," finished Daniel hoarsely. He had yanked his head away from her hands and was staring at her in shock. "How much more do you know?"
"I didn't take any more," she replied calmly.
Daniel stood up from the table, a little shakily. "You're right," he said. "That wasn't a game at all." He left, with Ginny staring after him.
*
Daniel was reluctant to let Ginny in. He spent most of his days playing his guitar (badly) in his room. They would smile at each other civilly at evening meals, and occasionally she would even catch him joking with her brother. But with her, he remained an impasse. And this naturally made her all the more curious. Ron had once, in the midst of a spat, told her that she was attracted to men who had no interest in her. The argument had stopped immediately when Ron had realised what he had said, but no amount of apology could detract the possible truth of his words. They stung and bit her in the depths of night time when she was alone with her tears. And when she gazed at Daniel and Ron chatting across the hall, Ron would look at her as if to say 'don't do it again, Gin.' But she couldn't help it. Wallowing in loneliness made you feel alone, but at least it made you feel.

*

"...making you feel," finished Lupin.

Daniel blinked. He had just finished meditating for three hours in the freezing cold outdoors. Lupin had been right; eventually the pain had ebbed away, and he had managed to generate his own body warmth. Now his sensai was talking about emotion, and how important keeping your feelings in check was to ensure the trapping of the beast within him.

"There was another werewolf I met," Daniel said hesitantly. "She - she was proud of the animal and she didn't use chains. She fed. She said that the animal was always within her, clawing to get out, and that this..." He put his hands up to his face. "That this is a mask."

Lupin leaned forward. "And what did you say when she asked you how you felt?" he asked gently.

"I said I was only a wolf for three days a month." He paused. "Was I right or was she?"

Lupin spread his hands. "The general theory is a bit of both. Have you read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?"

Daniel frowned. "Yeah, like ten years back."

Lupin nodded. "When you were little more than a child, I see. Although it's often given to children, it's not a bedtime story. The correct pronunciation of Jekyll is actually 'Jeekil' to rhyme with seek. Hide and seek, you follow? The, er, Americans changed it when they started making films... The point is that it implies that Jekyll is actually the one looking for who he really is, whilst Hyde is kept hidden away, as who man really is would be too much to bear. Thus, the animal is within us all, regardless of whether we be were-animals or not."

Daniel was fascinated. "So everybody's got some inner beast?"

Lupin smiled. "Where do you think the phrase 'inner demons' comes from? The point is, we werewolves have to learn to control our demons more than anyone. Where a normal wizard - sorry, person - would see red and possibly punch his fist into a wall, we are reluctant to the change. Therefore, we have to take care." He paused, then rose from his desk. "Which is why the next series of tests will focus on making you feel and you demonstrating how you react to each kind of emotion... fear, lust, anger, misery, jealousy... we'll inject you with every worst case scenario you could dream of and then see whether you're able to prevent the beast from rising within yourself."

Daniel nodded. "Let's do it."

*

Ginny knocked on Daniel's door lightly, feeling her body tremble. Finally, she had a legitimate excuse for checking up on him.

"Hey," came the response. Ginny presumed that meant 'come in'. She opened the door and let herself in. Daniel was sprawled on his bed with his guitar. She was irritated to find that he looked completely unsurprised to see her.

"Hi," she said. "Sorry to bother you, but Lupin told me to warn you that..."

"Hold on a sec," he interrupted. "Just trying to get this chord..." His brows knitted as his fingers formed difficult positions over the slim neck of the instrument. Then his right hand gripped his plectrum and he brought it down in one fell swoop that sounded like Hermione's cat, Crookshanks, was being strangled. Ginny rolled her eyes, lifted her wand slightly and the chord was played. "Okay," said Daniel, putting the guitar down, looking a little put out. "As fun as it must be for you to see me struggling, some of us have to cope in the real world without any magic."

Ginny looked surprised. "That's weird..."

"What?"

"It's just... I mean, I know wizards are still in the minority, but the muggle world's never seemed real to me at all."

"Yeah, well," said Daniel, picking up the guitar again. "For some of us, it is. Why don't you come here and show me how to play it properly, if you're so good."

Ginny laughed. "Well I can't manually play it!"

Daniel looked astonished. "You never learnt properly? Not even tried?"

Ginny shrugged. "It wasn't necessary. The same way that I never learned how to drive because I can apparate."

"You can what?"

For answer, Ginny apparated from one side of the room to the other.

"Ok... so you're saying that just because something's easier, it's better and you enjoy it more? God, I hope not all witches think like you do."

Ginny felt herself blushing. That wasn't how she felt, was it? "Fine," she snapped, marching over to his bed and sitting down next to him. "Show me."

Most people would have said 'show you what?' but Daniel knew what she was talking about. "Cross your legs... yeah, now balance it on your raised leg... hold it with your hands like this... right, let's do the C chord to start with..."

Ginny put her fingers into position as Daniel told her to. When she tried to strum, however, it sounded worse than his earlier attempt. "Damnit," she muttered, still rather red. "What am I doing wrong?"

"You're not holding it right," Daniel admonished. He moved himself to sit behind her, one leg on either side of her figure. "Here," he said, putting his arms around her and moving the guitar into place. Ginny sat frozen, as he gently moved the fingers of her left hand into position. "You only play these strings... now try." Ginny, shakily, did so and felt her face light up at having produced such a beautiful note. "Wow," she said. "It does feel better." She only had to turn her head slightly so as to stare into his blue eyes, only a centimetre or so away from her own. "Maybe one day I'll try driving," she whispered.

"You should," he replied. "I've got a van parked outside if you ever want a lesson." And with that, he took the guitar and moved away from her. "So was there a reason you came to visit?" he asked, about to start playing again.

"What?" She asked, still tense from their proximity. "Oh yeah... it's about the tests tomorrow. A few of us are going to be involved in them as actors."

"Actors?" he asked, confused.

"Yeah, it's not very nice, actually, so Lupin said to give you a heads up." She hesitated, trying to find the right words. "You know you're supposed to feel these different emotions?"

Daniel nodded. "Fear and anger?"

"There are actually quite a few... for each emotion, we'll tap into your psyche and extract a memory. Then we'll, er, act it out."

Daniel raised his eyebrows. "That won't give me as much of a rise as the memory woulda done."

Ginny fidgeted. "Actually, it will," she said, "it's designed so that you see it larger than life in front of you, and you're charmed so that we appear to be the people within your memory." She shuddered, recalling her only training. Stop, Tom, I thought you loved me... Tom... Tom...

"It's going to be tough," she said. "But you've almost completed your training, and it needs to be done."

Daniel nodded. Ginny stood up. "Sleep early," she advised. "It's physically exhausting as well as mentally."

*

Daniel settled back in his armchair and watched the scene in front of him. He was in a hypnotic state, and it felt as though he were dreaming with his eyes open. Ginny and several of her friends were helping out today. He yawned as he drowsily felt the first emotion come upon him.

FEAR

He looked right and left and then down at his naked body. "Oh God..." He couldn't remember last night very well, but here he was, in the woods, alone. What had he done? Had he killed? Was it him, the werewolf that they had been hunting for? He could have done anything and he would never know. He could have hurt her... how did he know he hadn't? "Oh God," he said again. He had to get home and call his aunt and uncle. Would they understand? Could they help? Getting himself to his feet, he felt himself sweat, sick with apprehension...

"How's he doing?" asked Ron.

"He seems to be dealing with it well," replied Lupin. "Although his dream self is sweating heavily, his corporeal form shows no active change apart from a slight trembling in his right hand."

"Does the next emotion have the actors?" asked Ron.

"Yes... yes it does.

HAPPINESS

He saw her coming over and felt his heart lighten. She was his girl and nothing would ever change that. "I have this sudden desire to hug you," he said and did so. "Where were you last night?" she asked, her voice sounding oddly English.

He threw this thought to the back of his mind. "Oh, we had a gig."

"Oh," she moped, in her adorable way. "Why didn't you tell me? I woulda come."

"I didn't figure you for missing school..." He saw that she was disheartened, so he leaned in to kiss her gently on the mouth. She stiffened slightly and then let him.

"Is that necessary?" asked Ron, a little stiffly.

"Absolutely," replied Lupin firmly. "It's important to see whether happiness makes the subject too whimsical or confident which could allow the animal to surface..."

"I don't mean that," said Ron. "I mean, he seems to be responding well. No sign of change, only a slight smile on his face... so is it necessary that you allow his dream form to continue kissing my sister?" He glared at the stage where Ginny was locked in an embrace with a transparent Daniel.

"She doesn't seem to mind too much," said Lupin carelessly. Ron glared at him. "Ok, yes, next emotion."

LUST

There she was, the temptress, slowly walking down the stairs to meet him. He could feel a pulse beating in his groin that had to be answered. He had put himself behind bars and he knew the only way to keep her away from innocent people tonight was to put her there with him. But part of him knew that he wanted her there, wanted to slam her against a wall every time he saw her, to strip her clothing and make her gasp. She was so in control, so at peace with her sexuality. He didn't love her; he knew he loved. But, oh he wanted her. Every part of her. He wanted to get inside her, for her to wrap her legs around him. He wanted to change with her. To be nothing but animals, rolling around fulfilling their desires, thinking nothing of consequences and what the dawn would bring. She was speaking to him now, in her low, sensual sigh. "Come here," he growled, opening the cage, bringing her into his grasp, kissing her, stripping her, fondling her, as she unleashed his beast...

"I should be grateful that you let Ginny off doing that one," remarked Ron darkly, as he watched his friend Ciara gasp in ecstasy and tear her nails into transparent Daniel's back. Ginny was also watching from the wings, pretending not to care.

"Yes," said Lupin, hurriedly. "I think we can stop now."

"How did he do on that one?"

"Not bad at all. Little reaction."

Ron grinned cheekily. "He didn't... you know... er, get a little stiff?"

Lupin stared straight of himself. "Well yes," he admitted. "But then again, so did you."

Ron went as red as his hair. "Let's just keep moving, shall we?"

*

Several emotions later and Daniel still showed no adverse reaction. As he had claimed, he still appeared to be casually taking it in his stride. "Just jealousy, now," said Lupin. "And since he tackled anger very well, I'm sure this won't be a problem."

"I don't know," sighed Ron. "Jealousy does some weird things to people... turns them into monsters."

"Don't we both know it," Lupin agreed. "We were both best friends with incredibly attractive, over-achieving heroes."

"Being best friends with Mr. Potter Senior can't have been as bad as being best mates with The Boy Who Lived," Ron said.

Lupin bit back a response. He would have loved for James to be The Boy Who Lived, rather than the Man Who Died Before His Time.

JEALOUSY

He slammed the door of his van, and the girl in the passenger seat got out and followed him. "They're this way," he said, sniffing.

"You can smell her? Oh my God, ew, that's like gross."

They ran into the building, he leading the way. He was so worried about his girl he could hardly explain it. He'd have known if she were dead. They rounded a few corners, as he felt the sweat start to build up. "We're almost there," he panted, imagining the scene, her rushing into his arms, he being able to hold her again, to tell her that he'd never let anything bad happen to her again. He rushed forward and opened the final door...

"Oh God..." cried the girl next to him.

Lying on the bed in front of him was his beautiful auburn-haired girl. Except at present she wasn't his. She was practically straddling her fucking best friend and had her tongue down his throat. He tried to make it coarse. But it wasn't. She looked like she was deeply in love with him, and secretly he had always suspected that she still was. 'I'm not enough for her' he thought furiously, feeling envy well up inside him. He felt betrayed yes, but more than that he felt inadequate. He stood there, unable to say anything as she brought her lips away from his and looked up at him, guilty as charged. "Oh God..." she echoed, waiting for him to crack. He felt his insides well up with hurt. He wanted to march over there and beat up the man who was kissing his girl. His. He wanted to betray her, so she knew how it felt. "We've gotta get outta here," he said calmly and turned to go.

"Quick!" hissed Lupin.

Ron, looking at a boy dealing with betrayal very calmly, turned to face the real Daniel, who was writhing in his seat in pain. He cried out his girlfriend's name over and over. "How could you do it to me?" he screamed. "How could you? I loved you. I love you!"

Ron noticed something else: Daniels fingers were growing longer, and his muscles were expanding. "Everybody out!" he yelled. The actors gasped and ran from the room. Ginny ran over to her brother. "What's happening? Is he changing?"

"Ginny," Ron said firmly. "This is no time to be a heroine. I want you out. NOW."

Ginny looked at Daniel once, then ran.

Ron rushed to Lupin's side, bringing out a tranquillizer, which he slid into Daniel's arm.

The man/wolf cried out in pain, then closed his eyes and relaxed.

*

Daniel opened his eyes gradually to see Ginny peering over him, nervously.

"Hi," she whispered.

"Hey," he said. "How long have I been out?"

"Three days," she said, gently. "That's the way it generally goes."

"What?" He sat up in bed suddenly. "You mean, I changed?"

Ginny nodded. "Yeah, don't you remember?"

Daniel shook his head. "It's kind of a blur."

"Well," began Ginny, choosing her words carefully, "you did quite well on the tests... on all of them in fact, except the last one..."

Daniel knitted his eyebrows, trying to remember.

"Do you want to tell me about the rescue thing? At the factory?" Ginny asked.

Daniel looked up, taken aback. "Oh," he said simply. "Right." He paused, and turned his head to look out of the window at the snowy, mountainous scenery.

"It was you, wasn't it?" he said softly. "You were playing her."

"Yes," Ginny replied. "It was you who made me kiss my friend Roger."

"Ten seconds later and your friend Roger would've gotten punched," he said bitterly.

"Your memory said they were best friends and he never realised how much he wanted her until he couldn't have her."

Daniel nodded, still looking outside. "Why are you here, Ginny? Shouldn't you be off somewhere living a life?"

Ginny looked at the ground. "You mean, instead of being here and acting out everyone else's? Yeah, I guess so. But I'm needed her. I need to be needed."

"But that isn't why you came."

"No," sighed Ginny, feeling that if she shared, Daniel might open up. "I suppose it was to get away from Harry."
"Harry... your brother mentioned him... weren't they best friends" Ginny nodded.
"He was also like another son to my Mum and Dad. He used to stay with us every summer. Even when Ron came to Tibet, the tradition sort of continued - in training to be an Auror (evil wizard hunter) he needed to be near Ottery St. Catchpole which was where we live. He lived there permanently - even had Ron's old room."
"So what was wrong with that? You didn't like him?"
"I did," sighed Ginny. "That was the problem." Daniel remained looking out of the window. "He was always Harry Potter, boy wizard extraordinaire. Someone that was untouchable. And then he turned up as the boy on the train, Ron's best friend, the youngest Quidditch Seeker (oh I'll explain later) in a century and suddenly he was touchable. He was there, actually there in our lives. I couldn't believe it, it was like a live in celebrity at first... and then like a live in celebrity who's actually really down to earth and wonderful... It wasn't surprising when I got a huge crush on him, I suppose... And then - and then he just went and fucked everything up."
Taking her words at face value, Daniel's head turned towards her and his eyes grew wide. "You slept with him?"
"No. He saved my life."
Daniel tried to look as if he understood, but Ginny could tell he was still baffled. "From then on, I loved him," she continued. "Or at least, it grew into love."
"And nothing ever happened?"
Ginny shook her head resolutely. "There were loads of other girls he liked, but he always went for the wrong type - "
"What you mean they weren't cute red-heads like yourself?" asked Daniel snidely. Ginny caught herself just in time. "That's not what I meant!" (Had Daniel just called her "cute"?) "I mean, there was Cho - I think she was the first. Pretty Chinese girl, but she was always in tears. Her boyfriend had been murdered while Harry had stood next to him. She never really got over Cedric. And then he was always on-off with Hermione, which was awkward because Ron liked her too..."
"Sounds like a right Alexander Lavelle..." muttered Daniel.
"What?" asked Ginny intrigued. This was what she'd been hoping for; an insight into Daniel's history.
"My girlfriend. She was always after her best friend, who she'd grown up with. He always went for the wrong type. And I mean wrong - we're talking mummies, stuck up bitches, the new girl in town who would never love him... He never saw what was right in front of his eyes. And she waited and waited..."
"Did she get over him?" asked Ginny. Daniel nodded. "How?"
"She met me," he replied simply.
"And you've never felt like a replacement?"
"I did to begin with. But then it changed."

Ginny fidgeted. "But - I mean... that memory..."

"Yes, she cheated on me with him. But we got through it. He and his girlfriend didn't."

"So then, why are you here?"

Daniel's eyes flicked to the ground. "You remember the lust memory?"

Ginny bit her lip and nodded. Bloody Ciara she thought. Always gets the good ones.

"She found us the next day. I knew then I needed help. Help to control this thing inside me."

He paused, tilted his head and looked at Ginny from a different angle. "You remind me of her in a way..." he said carelessly.

Ginny laughed. "Was she a cute red-head too?"

To her surprise Daniel nodded. "In fact you remind me of her a lot..." His left hand moved towards her and cupped the right side of her face. "You have her hair, her smile... her intelligence, her zest for life... "
This is it, thought Ginny. He's going to kiss me.

And then -

"God I can't wait until I see her again."

Ginny pulled away from his touch. "But the tests..."

"Hey," he said. "It only hurt me so much because it was with him... but now, well he's seeing someone else and it seems real. I don't see her loving any other man but me again."

Ginny shook her head. "I don't know if Lupin will agree to you leaving us yet."

"But it's been three months. I've done my time... I can't stay here any longer!"

Ginny stood up from the bed and backed away. "Well, I'm sorry it seemed like such a prison. I won't bother you any longer."

"Ginny," Daniel called out, but she was already out of the room, wiping her silent tears with her hand.
*
Ron shook his head. "He transformed, Lupin, he's obviously not compatible."

Lupin threw up his hands. "This is a voluntary sanctuary, Ron, you know that. If he wants to leave..."

"He wants to leave," Ginny interrupted darkly. "He made it very clear."

"All the same," Ron continued. "We can't send him back to some innocent people saying that he's alright when he..."

"She's a witch," snapped Ginny, using the word as an insult for the first time in her life. "I'm sure she'll manage him."

"Ginny..." Ron tried, but she turned her head away to see that Daniel had walked in, his rucksack on his back.

"Hope you weren't talking about me."

Lupin sighed. "Daniel, I can't keep you here, but you know that your emotions are volatile. One spark of jealousy and..."

"It won't happen again. I promise."

"I wish we could make you change your mind," said Ron. "We could run more tests, do some therapy."

"Thanks but no thanks. I've stayed away long enough. I need to deal with it."

Ron sighed. "Ok then." He clapped a hand on Daniel's back.

Lupin handed him a box. "If you ever need anything, dump this into a fireplace and call my name."

"Thanks. Thank you both."
"Hope to see you soon then," grinned Ron. Lupin and he exchanged a look and left him alone with Ginny.
"If you're ever passing through California..." he began.
"Same goes of the Burrow," she replied.
"Good I'd like to meet Harry," he said.
"I'd like to meet your friends too," she said.
He pecked her on the cheek, in a friendly manner and drew her towards him. Though she felt there was more in their embrace than he let on, she knew he was comparing her to his girlfriend, as she was comparing him to Harry.
"Good Luck," she said.
"With this," he replied, tapping the potion. "I shouldn't need it." They hugged again and he left.

Ginny went through to where Ron was sitting, trying to look cheerful. He caught on though; he always did. "I dunno Gin," he sighed. "Why d'you always fall for the wrong guy?"
"He might have been the right guy," she snapped.
"He had a girlfriend," admonished Ron.
"Yeah, I suppose so," said Ginny sulkily. "I hope they work it out." She secretly wondered whether she'd ever learn of what happened... whether he'd return and tell her or she'd be invited to the wedding... She shook her head, trying not to dwell on the past few months. At least she had finally got over Harry, even if it had been through another unrequited fantasy.
"Well I'd better put his name in the book," said Ron. Pen poised, he asked, "What was his surname? I never did find out."
"Osbourne, Daniel Osbourne."
Ron's brow furrowed. "How do you spell that?"
Ginny smiled. "Just write Oz: everyone does."