The Heart of Night

Heart of the Night

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Care for the Cub

~*~*~*~

1 Moon, 1 Fortnight, 2 Nights

~*~*~

"Now, like you know," Dumbledore said, eyeing the two men in front of him, "the students will be back in five days. And this will, obviously, bring a change to your daily lives."

Both men nodded in agreement. Remus looked much healthier than he had the previous time he'd been teaching, but there was a haunted look in his face that hadn't left them for the last month and a half. His hair was now collected on a ponytail, revealing a bit of the tattoo on his neck. He didn't seem fearful or humiliated because of this mark of a "beast," however; instead, revealing it he seemed to challenge anybody around to comment on his humanity or the lack thereof. And though the amber eyes truly were haunted, there was also a blaze in them the Headmaster had rarely seen before. No, this man would not let himself be put down by other people's prejudices.

Severus, of course, was another story altogether. He still wore his black hair down -- whether it was out of habit or fear for his own mark being revealed, Albus did not know -- but it was clean and shiny instead of its previous greasy look. The hair was, however, wiped behind his ears, revealing the pointy tips to the world like an announcement of his new race. The alert amber eyes were flickering around just as watchfully as the onyx ones had been, if their gaze wasn't even sharper now. Severus had become even thinner and paler than he had been, but there was an alertness in him that made him even more frightening than before. It was not that Severus hadn't been wary of people's reactions, he just would make sure that his own reactions to those would not be seen, and that nobody would dare to show their reactions.

"We're well aware of that, Albus," said Severus now sharply. "As we've been aware of it for quite some time, it is obvious that there is another reason for this meeting. So, get to the point, or I'm leaving."

Not doubting the Potions Master's words, the Headmaster sighed a bit. "I haven't told the other teachers yet of this," he said, "but I will. However, I felt that you should know of this first." At their questioning gazes, he continued, "One of the first-years who start school this year... is a werewolf."

Now, Severus raised an eyebrow, and Remus was clearly startled. "Albus, are you sure it is safe?" the prematurely greying werewolf asked. "No, I don't mean whether it's safe to the others, for that much is obvious. What I mean is, is it safe to the child? It will not take the smartest ones two days to realize that Severus is a werewolf even if you do not announce that. They'll have no difficulties recognizing the signs in a fellow student. Prejudices are strong, and I wouldn't want the cub being harmed."

"Have no worry, my boy," Dumbledore said soothingly. "It will be clearly stated in the Welcoming Feast that anyone offending any of the Castle's resident Lycanthropes will be expelled immediately. Just as well I'll inform the student body that in case they think they can get out of bullying easily, this boy -- Alan, I think, is his name -- will be watched closely. Not watched because anybody thought that he might do something, but because there are people who would gladly do something to him. He is indeed younger and weaker than either of you, and cannot defend himself against possible offenders."

"And therefore, we have to make it known that the cub is a part of our pack, and that we will protect him," concluded Severus with a dry tone. Then he rolled his eyes. "Have no worry, Albus, we will look after him. And no, not even I am going to scare him out of his skin. You have my word for that."

"If it is so, I am relieved," the ancient wizard said, smiling slightly. "But Alan is a sickly child, if his parents are telling the truth, like I think they are. So, like you can understand, I am indeed worried for him."

"Well, you do not have to worry about that, Albus," Remus said soothingly. "You wouldn't even have to ask. The pack cares for its young, no matter what. There's no way we'll let anybody treat Alan unfairly."

"Excellent." Now, Dumbledore practically beamed. "I have had it arranged so that Alan will arrive ahead of time -- unless, of course, you want to clear out your ranking order in front of everyone."

This, of course, made Severus huff annoyedly and glare at him. Remus, however, just smiled, although his smile was a bit sad -- for what reason exactly, Dumbledore wasn't exactly sure.

Then, the two werewolves left his office, side by side.

~*~*~*~

1 Moon, 1 Fortnight, 1 Week

~*~*~

"Have no worry, Severus," Remus said soothingly to the other werewolf, who kept pacing the room. "Once Alan arrives, it will not feel like an unpleasant duty. In werewolf packs, the alpha couple is not the only one that can have children. However, everybody in the pack still cares for the cubs and young like they were their own. You'll be fine with looking after him."

"No, I won't," the Potions Master protested, now stopping on his footsteps. "That's just what annoys me most in this whole ordeal. It is the wolf in me that cares for this cub, not myself. Even if I did care for him just for who he is, I couldn't tell it apart from the wolf's instinct to protect the young of the pack. It is all false, can't you see it? Just lies and false feelings. Nothing real -- nothing human."

"That's not true, Severus, and you know it," Remus said sharply. "Just as well you could claim that a parent's feelings for their child aren't real because they're only born from their relationship. Or is a mother's love for her baby not real? Not human?"

"That is a different thing altogether, and you know it very well," the Potions Master snapped. "A mother's love for her child is natural, because it's biological. However, caring for some child just because you share the same curse and living area is not natural."

"It is to the wolf," argued Remus quietly. "And thus, it is also natural to you, because the wolf is a part of you. It would be easier if you didn't try to fight it, as the instinct will not harm you or anybody else, but refusing to listen to it might do that. Resisting the wolf in a battle that it will eventually win only irritates it."

Severus merely huffed. Then, however, a new sound was caught in his sharp ears, and he turned around.

The door was pushed quietly open. As they both turned to look there, they saw a tiny creature peering inside. A messy, reddish brown mass of hair covered a small head, and two glowing amber eyes looked frightened in the thin, pale face. Alan was even thinner and smaller than Remus had been in his age, and that was telling. He also looked extremely shy, shy and frightened at meeting two adult werewolves.

"Er... Hi," he said quietly, looking at his tiny feet. "I am Alan. Alan Mortimer."

"Hi, Alan," Remus said, smiling encouragingly at the little boy. "My name is Remus Lupin. I'm the DADA Professor, as well as the alpha of the Hogwarts pack." His eyes flashed golden, as did Alan's. That was all of a battle they had -- the cub immediately gave in, not wanting to confront the experienced alpha. After this practically nonexistent battle of wills, Remus continued, "And this is my beta, Severus Snape."

Alan nodded, then took a step nearer to Severus. A growl from the dark-haired man stopped him, and he growled lowly in response. For a moment, they stared at each other, then started to circle each other, preparing to fight for dominance. They both admitted that Remus was an alpha, but the position of a beta would still have to be fought over.

Remus noted that Severus was a bit wary. Of course. Even though Alan was just a little boy, he'd still been a werewolf far longer than the Potions Master. The young alpha could only hope that his beta's other skills would come over his inexperience. If Severus lost this battle, he'd probably never live it down. And not even probably -- if he lost to a little boy, he would die rather than live on the bottom of the pack. Period. Knowing this, Remus really wished that Alan would not have the power to win Severus.

Fortunately, the battle was over almost as soon as it had begun, and Severus was triumphant. Alan had been a werewolf longer, true, but he knew nothing of fighting others of his kind.

"Okay. Now that your position in the pack has been cleared," Remus said, smiling, "is there anything you'd like to know? After your possible questions, you'll have to go to get Sorted."

"Well..." The tiny boy hesitated for a moment, then asked, "How can we stay here during the full moons? I mean, wouldn't it be dangerous to the other people in the castle?"

"Oh, no," said Severus, rolling his eyes towards the ceiling. "The Wolfsbane Potion keeps the wolf under control even during the full moons. And before you can ask, yes, you can very well trust its power. I invented it myself, and there's no way its control would fail."

"Oh." Alan looked still very shy. "I -- I will just go to be Sorted, then, Alpha," he said quickly.

"You do that, Tiny Ginger Cub," Remus said, his smile never faltering. "We will be in the Great Hall soon enough as well. Now, do run along." At this, the boy immediately hurried away.

"Well?" asked Remus, raising an eyebrow at Severus, as soon as Alan had disappeared from view. "Will it be insufferable to you to make sure nobody will beat him for no reason?"

"It won't be," his beta replied quietly. "However, that is just what is pressing me now."

"What do you mean?" asked Remus, confused. "How could caring for little Alan be a bad thing? I don't think he will be much of a bother, not even during full moons."

"He won't bother us for long, I'm afraid," Severus said, his amber eyes turning momentarily almost back to their original onyx shade. "Unless I'm sorely mistaken, he will not see the end of his first year here."

"Why so?" Remus turned towards the other werewolf, startled. "Why are you saying that, Severus?"

The Potions Master sighed quietly. "Well, sometimes I just know things," he said with a quiet voice. "Not of future, I'm not that kind of a Seer, but of things that already are, or have already been set. I immediately knew how old Logan is, remember? Just the same way, I know that this cub doesn't have much time ahead of him. I don't know what it is that will cause his death, but whatever it is, it has already begun."

Now, all colour escaped Remus's face. "Are you -- are you sure?" he asked very quietly. The other werewolf merely nodded in confirmation. There was no need for explanations.

Then, Remus just sighed heavily. "Very well," he muttered. "Let's go to the Welcoming Feast, anyway. I definitely want to be present when Albus makes his announcement. It should be interesting to hear."

Nodding again, Severus then followed him out of the room and to the direction of the Great Hall.

*

The Sorting was just ending when the two werewolf professors entered the Great Hall, silently walking in through the door behind the Head Table. Only a few noticed their entrance, but those who did immediately informed their friends. Soon everybody was staring at the two men for an obvious reason.

Well, most of the elder students knew of Remus already. However, now he seemingly wasn't afraid of revealing his secret. His pointy ears and amber eyes made sense now, when everybody could connect them to his condition, and his ponytail revealed the tattoo on his neck. No more were his robes shabby, either, and his head was held up proudly, as he no more had to fear revelation. However, even this radical change in his appearance and behaviour wasn't what amazed the student body most.

No, it was the change in Severus. Sure, the Potions Master was still glaring around just as sharply as before, but his eyes were no more their usual obsidian shade, having become glowing amber instead. When he turned to say something to the former -- and seemingly current, too -- DADA Professor, his teeth shone white and bright, and sharp, like some couldn't help noticing. The now pointy ears were revealed by the no-more greasy black hair that was wiped behind them, and those who had had time to see the two entering the Great Hall could tell that they walked in just the same silent, predatory way.

So, when Dumbledore stood up to make some announcements, everybody was eagerly whispering with rumour and gossip. When the Headmaster called for silence, however, everybody truly closed their mouths and turned to look towards the Head Table, ready to listen to whatever explanation would be offered.

"Now, at first, I'd like to welcome you all to the school for yet another year of studying and learning," the ancient wizard said, smiling. "However, as I'm sure you all want, I'm going to give some explanations. Yes, Remus Lupin here is going to be our DADA Professor for the next year, and hopefully for many years to come. As for the full moons, well, we have a proper substitute for him." Smiling to the direction of the great doors, he said then, "Would you come inside now, gentlemen?"

The doors were opened yet again. Now, everybody gasped when they saw the two who entered. Everybody smiled or grinned or cheered, even the teachers -- well, everybody but Severus, who scowled. The Weasley twins had just walked in, broad grins on their faces.

"So, like I said, George Weasley here will be the DADA substitute for the full moons," Dumbledore said as the twins walked towards the Head Table. "And his twin brother, Fred Weasley, will be our new Potions Assistant, as well as Professor Snape's substitute whenever need be."

At the uproar of voices that followed this announcement, he raised his hand, demanding silence. Then he continued, "Yes, that does mean that Professor Snape is now a werewolf, too. Like some of you might have already noticed, Alan Mortimer, who has just been Sorted into the Hufflepuff House, is also a bearer of this curse. However, before somebody panics or does something equally stupid, I'd like to remind you that with the Wolfsbane Potion they're all perfectly harmless and hardly make any difference from us so-called full humans. Therefore, you will treat your werewolf professors with exactly as much respect as the other ones. And for those who are planning to treat young Alan unfairly, I'd like to remind that werewolves protect their own fiercely, and especially the young of the pack. If any of you attempt to harm young Alan in any way or single him out because of his Lycanthropy, I will not hold Professor Lupin or Professor Snape responsible of anything they might do to the culprit." This, of course, took away most of the eagerness on certain students' -- mostly Slytherins -- faces.

Determinedly ignoring the again rising voices, the Headmaster then said happily, "Now, let's eat!" and sat down to obey his own command. It took quite some time, however, before everybody was eating.

"Albus?" asked Severus, too quietly for anybody else than the Headmaster to hear -- well, except for Remus, who had the werewolf hearing. "You're not even planning for that boy to live through his first year, are you?" It was not really a question; the Potions Master knew the answer already.

"You're right," Dumbledore admitted very quietly, sighing a bit. Only the two werewolves could catch his whispered words. "Alan indeed has an incurable disease. It would kill him eventually even if he was a human, but as he is a werewolf, the transformations exhaust him and shorten his time of life even more. He's already a year late from attending to Hogwarts, but when it became clear that he won't live another year, his parents decided to allow his greatest dream come true -- even if it meant that they won't ever see him alive again." Then, however, he glanced sharply at Severus. "But how did you know?"

"Just call it a hunch," the dark-haired werewolf answered calmly. Then he continued his eating, sending every now and then glares to the two Weasleys' direction, ignoring the Headmaster's questioning eyes.

*