Nocturne Grim

Night had fallen on Hogwarts and in the deep basement of the school, a single figure sat in a deep window ledge, looking out onto the charmed image of the grounds, her flannel-pyjama-covered knees pulled up against her chest as she watched rain falling lightly from a mist-threaded sky.

On the other side of the room, a fire was crackling brightly in the grate, casting a warm glow over the whole room, including the bed, upon which the blanket was folded back, the rumpled white sheets visible.

It was over twelve hours since Faith had crash-landed in the grounds of the wicked cool castle school-place that was apparently going to be her home now and she had never felt quite so comfortable anywhere as she did right there.

And that was what was worrying her.

So much so that she'd tossed and turned, unable to sleep, thinking, worrying, arguing with herself.

It was crazy and she knew it.

If Sev had wanted her dead, she had no doubts she woulda been dead already. She'd seen him workin' the hocus pocus and if he could do that, there had to be a spell that'd kill her stone dead before she could even think about hittin' him.

If the Head Witch wanted her dead, exactly the same could be said.

Faith shook her head.

It just was all just way too perfect, too tidy, too much like something hellish waiting to happen.

Sighing, she pressed her head back against the dark stone of the window frame, closing her eyes, the chill of the stone seeping through her thick socks.

It was the fear kicking in again.

Any time something good had ever happened to her, it went without sayin' that badness would be close on its tail, ready to bite her on the ass and bring her world crashing down around her for the God only knew how many-th time.

Looking back into the room, part of her wanted to try and keep it at a distance, not to get too attached to anything in case anything happened and she was turned out on the street. Hell, if it all turned to be a freakin' joke to screw with her head...

"Shut up!" she hissed at herself. "You're bein' so damn stupid!"

It wasn't like she didn't have reason enough to be paranoid, taking her past record into account, but nothing had happened so far to say she was in any danger, about to get turned out on her ass or anything else.

Though, from those same experiences, she couldn't help raising her guard, expecting the worst at any second.

Swinging off the window ledge, her feet sinking into the deep, thick rug that covered the bare stone floor, she paced across to the fireplace, flinging herself into the chair in front of the fire, exhaling a sigh of frustration.

Sev had told her to rest and she had tried, but every time, her thoughts started to drive her crazy.

Like this whole situation wasn't crazy enough already.

Being busted out of jail by a wizard in a dress. Being given a wicked cool room in the basement of a castle that was a school. Being free to make everything up by helping out where she could and maybe even think about becoming a Slayer again.

Tucking her feet up underneath her body for warmth, Faith curled her arms up on the massive, soft arm of the couch, resting her head on her folded arms as she watched the bright flame licking along the logs in the fire.

This was a good place.

She could feel it, without even trying.

And hey! Judging by the kids laughing and moving around outside of the room, while she had been trying out everything, she could tell that they were happy. Any place where kids were happy at school had to be good.

Glancing at the clock over the mantle, she groaned impatiently.

It was well past midnight and she had been up much more than twenty-four hours, but her body refused to let her sleep and if she didn't get to sleep soon, she knew cabin fever was gonna kick in.

She had never been good at staying in one place at one time.

Jail had been hell for her, locked up in a small room, nowhere to go, nothing changing, and now, she was in a whole new place, new things to see, and she was hidin' away in a room in the dungeons.

Pushing herself out of the chair, she started pacing again, restlessly, back and forth across the rug in front of the fire, the warm light trickling up her body as she continued to walk.

One o'clock.

One thirty.

Two.

Uttering a groan of frustration, she stomped over to the spot where her slippers seemed to be buried in the thick rug, tugging on her thick, crazy-fluffy robe, before making her way towards the door and pushing it open.

The halls were pitch dark in both directions, a worried frown creasing her brow.

If she did try and go wanderin' at this time of night, who was to say she wouldn't run into some kinda weird creepy thing in the dungeons? Being eaten on her first night or killin' one of the teachers pets didn't sound like the best of ideas.

Glancing back into her room, Faith chewed her lip for a moment, then sighed. There was no way she was gonna get any rest until she'd wandered around a bit and her room just wasn't gonna be good enough for that. Not when she needed to see more than four walls.

After so long stuck in the jail with only so many walls and faces and pieces of crappy furniture, being in a new place just begged for her to go and have a look around and see what was the what.

The fact is was a big-ass castle made it so much more tempting.

Pulling her thick robe around her, she stepped out into the hall, surprised to see a warm light shining out from the painting that worked as her door. Peering around at the Slayer in the frame, she grinned.

Seated in a large chair - stolen from several paintings along, judging by the dark looks and bruises the occupant was sporting - Ethel looked like she had dozed off, her chin resting on her chest, a curly ringlet of fair hair rising with ever exhaled breath. A lamp stood on the counter beside her, casting a soft glow on the occupant and all that stood before her.

At least, she figured, she'd be able to find her way back here okay.

Shivering, she started towards the staircase she and Sev had come down earlier in the day. Passing his room, she couldn't help smiling. The guy was wicked creepy, uber-dark and loomy and everything else, but he had been good to her, already.

He'd let her settle in for a few hours, going off to do his teaching thing and coming back to her any time he could, to be sure she didn't need or want anything. She had everything she'd ever needed; food, clothes, training gear, privacy.

Her footfalls were light as she ascended the stairs, even one floor of difference making her feel way warmer than the dungeons, which felt so damn cold, she was sure if she didn't keep movin' her ass would freeze right off.

It took nearly fifteen minutes for her to reach the ground-level of the school, emerging into a moonlit hallway, the light spreading through tall, arched windows onto the pale stone of walls and floor.

Wandering along the arch-roofed hall, her arms wrapped about her, she looked at the paintings and portraits lining the walls. Some of the residents were sleeping where they sat, other frames seemed empty and occasionally, she saw figures moving here and there.

The corridor continued for a long time, finally opening up into a huge hall with staircases heading upwards and massive doors on the far side, the floor a patchwork of black and white tiles beneath the Slayer's slippered feet, moonlight dappling those very tiles in pale blue.

Making her way towards the doors, Faith pulled one open carefully, a slice of night light spilling into the hall, across the polished floor, bright from the cloudless sky and the half-moon hanging hazily above the distant hills.

"Holy crap..." she whispered in awe, the silver-washed grounds of the school spreading out before her for miles, the ripples of light playing upon the surface of the night darkened lake, every star dotted in replica on the water.

"It is rather impressive, isn't it?"

Whirling round, Faith started at the sight of a man standing less than ten steps behind her, a ripple of cold running down her spine. There was somethin' way off about him, somethin' that got her Slayer sense tinglin'.

Then, he smiled at her, warm and genuine, his pale eyes and features weary as he neared her and looked out on the grounds. Like her, he was wearing night clothes, but his robe was patched and frayed, a pocket half hanging off and his grey-touched sandy hair tousled.

"I've known this place since I was a child and it still amazes me." he said softly.

"Huh?" Staring at him, Faith blinked. He was givin' off a weird-ass vibe, but he hadn't made any move to attack her or anythin', so she couldn't be sure whether he was a what or even a who.

The man smiled again, just the slightest crease of his lips. "I probably shouldn't have crept up on you," he observed quietly, holding out a hand to her. "I'm Remus Lupin. I teach Defence Against the Dark Arts here."

Faith stared at the extended hand, then looked back up at the guy's face. He looked way too tired and way too nice to be an uber-evil, but then, she'd looked okay and she'd been sent down for stickin' knives in the guts of sweet old professors.

Then again, he was a teacher here and he didn't look near as damn creepy as Sev did.

After a hesitation, she shook the guy's hand briefly. It was thin, cool and dry in hers, almost too thin, like he'd been sick or somethin'. "Faith," she replied, trying her best to pull on a smile and failing impressively. "Just Faith. I'm... uh..."

"Severus' charge," the man finished for her, giving her the words she needed. It was the ideal way to describe her and Sev's arrangement, but she wouldn't have been able to put it so simply or delicately. The man smiled a little at her grateful expression. "He did give us notice of your presence. The staff, that is."

"How much did he tell you guys about me?" Faith demanded, a little more sharply than she intended to.

Pale eyes regarded her for a moment. "He told us enough," he replied simply. Faith's expression didn't change, her eyes flicking over his body, taking in the shabby torn robes and the light scars that - nearly invisible - marred his face.

Lupin didn't seem to mind her scrutiny, standing passively, his hands tucked into holey pockets, letting her take her time to peruse him and finally her eyes came back up to his.

"You're not human, are ya?"

"I did wonder if you might notice that," he replied calmly, then smiled that sad little smile again, canting his head curiously. "I'm a werewolf... and I hope that doesn't cause you any trouble."

Faith couldn't help but smile at the guy's manner. She'd only met what? One werewolf before this guy and, despite the fact they were now in England and this guy was way older than Oz, she could see a kinda resemblance.

"No problem, Mister," she said, shrugging and wrapping her arms around herself, shivering a little. "I knew a werewolf back in the U.S. He wasn't a bad guy. Kinda short with wicked cool hair. He was okay. Bit snarly and drooly, but not the kinda guy to gimme a problem. Got no reason to see you any different."

Lupin's smile was genuine. "Which comes as a great relief to me, though I do hope I drool less."

Faith stared at him, then grinned. "As long as it ain't on my boots, we're five by five." She rubbed her hands up and down her arms, drawing a breath between her teeth. "Is it always so damn cold here?"

"Welcome to Scotland, land of the free and the home of the cold," Lupin said dryly, then inclined his head towards the vast doors that stood at the top of the staircase behind them. "Would you like to get warmed up a little?"

Faith back-stepped. "What kinda 'warmin' up'?" she demanded warily.

The teacher raised a hand, a gentle, reassuring gesture. "Only hot chocolate and a log fire in the study, unless they're your enemies," he said, canting his head again. "You don't need to be afraid here, Faith. This is the safest place in the Wizarding World, if not the normal world too. Especially now."

The Slayer rubbed her arms self-consciously, giving the werewolf a half-smile. "I guess that's gonna take some gettin' used to, huh?" she said, glancing towards the doors. "And that hot chocolate is soundin' real good right about now."

Moving around the girl, Lupin started up the stairs without even looking back to see that she was following. Closing the front door, the Slayer ran quickly up after him, following him into a warm and friendly-looking room just off to the left of the bigger set of doors.

"Whoa..."

"Almost as impressive as the grounds, isn't it?" Lupin murmured, motioning to two vast seats by the fire and a table close to it. Upon the table, two mugs stood, as if he had been expecting her to join him at any time.

"Shit, yeah," Faith replied, settling herself into one of the chairs, sinking into the plush cushions and groaning a little. "How big is this place?" she added, her eyes closed. "It just seems to get bigger and bigger."

"For all we know, it might be infinite."

There was a scrape of one of the mugs pushed across the table to her.

"There are so many rooms that even we don't know where they all are, especially not since Dumbledore..." The man's voice trailed into silence and Faith glanced at him, seeing sadness on his features. "He is very much missed."

"You knew him well, huh?" Faith curled her cold hands around the mug.

Lupin smiled faintly, looking down into the dark surface of his chocolate. "He was my Head Master and the leader of the Alliance I was in during the war. I can't say I knew him particularly, but I can say I was acquainted with him."

"Good guy?"

"Exceptionally."

Faith poked a small, white marshmallow under the surface of the thick, rich hot chocolate, recalling her old friends and enemies. "Musta been a strong guy, to lead your people," she said eventually, jabbing at the melting sweet.

"People followed him," the man said simply. "He used to say what he would do, said what he knew and what had to be done and people would follow him, trusting in him, in his knowledge."

Faith nodded. She recognised those kind of qualities in people. This old wizard-guy sounded kinda like B was. She didn't make people follow. They just looked at her and saw her as leader, whether she realised it or not.

"According to rumour, he was one of the most powerful wizards this world has known." Lupin murmured, though he did not look up. "But he was never happier than when he was teaching."

The Slayer smiled faintly. "I knew a guy," she said, after licking her sticky finger. "A Watcher, and he spent almost all his time researchin' and helpin' to save the world... and he was a goddamn librarian."

"It is rather funny how a simple life can be the thing that the most powerful and knowledgeable people crave more than anything," Lupin said with a small smile, as he glanced at her. "Given a choice of fame and glory, or a quiet night in with no distraction, a mug of hot chocolate and a nice piece of cake, the majority would likely choose a quiet night in."

"Wouldn't blame 'em," Faith replied quietly, watching the wispy coils of steam rising from her chocolate. "When you got a crazy life, sometimes, nothin' looks better than bein' a borin', quiet geek who doesn't have anythin' happenin' to them."

"But, if you are in that situation to begin with," Lupin observed. "You would likely desire to be in the other one."

"Yeah," Faith exhaled. B. Being the only 'One'. Being accepted. Being more than just the Second one. "Always wantin' one better than you got and tryin' to get it whichever way you can ." She blinked hard, her voice harsh. "That's when things get screwed up."

If Lupin noticed her tone or the sudden tightness of her features, he made no indication of it. Gazing at the fire, he sat silently, as she mulled over her hot chocolate, his own growing cool in the mug.

Only when her empty mug was placed on the table, did he look back at her, still turning his own mug between his hands. The flickering glow from the fireplace glimmered in his tired, grey eyes.

"I suppose I should be heading back to my room," he said with a faint smile. "After all, I have a class to teach in the morning and it would hardly be fitting if the teacher slept through the class instead of the student."

"What are you a teacher of?" Faith inquired, curious.

Lupin smiled, though it was more a simple lift of one side of his mouth than anything else. "Defence Against the Dark Arts," he replied. "Teaching the children how to fight against dark magics and creatures."

The Slayer couldn't hide a grin. "You're a werewolf and you're teachin' the kids how to fight things like you?"

"Practically," Lupin replied, running his hand through his hair and leaving it standing in all directions. "I suppose I give them a better understanding of what they would be dealing with, though - now - most of them are unlikely to ever encounter anything more dangerous that a gnome."

"No demons hereabouts, huh?"

"Well, nothing we can't be rid of fairly easily," Lupin replied. "One of the benefits of being part of the wizarding world is that we do know about their existence, at least, and can prepare for it. The Muggle world is, for the most part, oblivious." He gave her a small smile. "I'm sure you understand what it feels like to see things from outside the box, while everyone else seems unaware."

Faith nodded. "I guess you guys know about Slayers and things as well?"

"Certainly," Lupin said. "Though, this century has seen a vast divide between the Watchers Council and the Ministry of Magic, meaning that wizards were and are no longer meant to involve themselves with Slayers or Watchers."

"But wouldn't it be kinda... better for everyone if they helped?"

One of Lupin's shoulders lifted. "There were probably reasons," he said, leaning back in the chair and scratching his chin. "From what I know, the Watchers Council were the ones to instigate the divide."

"Colour me unsurprised," Faith muttered.

"You don't get on with them?"

Faith's smile was brittle. "Goin' on the fact they tried to kill me more'n once, I'd say a big no."

The werewolf's expression was sympathetic. "I've heard they're not exactly the most lenient of organisations," he said. "Or the most intelligent, when it comes down to it."

"If they're dumb enough to stop workin' with magicy-people, hell yeah."

Lupin smiled faintly. "Well, I do know that most Watchers are given a basic magical training, so they can perform the basic rituals that even a Muggle could do, given the right instruction." His nose wrinkled. "And they wonder why most Slayers and Watchers seldom last more than a few months, when they have no idea how to defend themselves properly."

Faith, though, was frowning. "G was pretty good at hocus pocus," she said, picking at one of her nails. "My first Watcher could do some stuff, but Giles.. that's B... uh, Buffy, the other Slayer's watcher... he wasn't afraid of it and it kinda looked like he was used to doing it."

"Giles?" Lupin echoed, a strange emotion passing across his face. "Would this be Rupert Giles?"

Faith stared at him, surprised. "You know Giles?"

A fleeting expression crossed his face, too swift for her to recognise it. "He... attended this school for six years," he said and Faith couldn't shake the feeling he was being very careful how he was saying what he was saying. "But had to leave, to begin Watcher training."

"Does everybody just know about everybody in this... wizarding-world place?" Faith demanded, shaking her head. "He's what? One guy outta however many hundred are here and you remember him?"

Lupin smiled faintly, rubbing his eyes. "I wondered if you might be curious about that," he murmured. "A lot of people remember him because he was the first person in centuries born both a wizard and a Watcher. It was a rare combination. Most people borns into the Watcher families are Muggles and most wizards who were conscripted to the Council had no previous connection to it."

"So G was first prize for everyone?"

"So it seemed," Lupin acknowledged. "He was also a Prefect, when he attended the school. If I recall correctly, he was in fifth year when I began first. Ravenclaw."

"Huh?"

"Pardon?"

"Ravenclaw what? Is that some kinda weird English code-thing?"

Lupin blinked at her, looking puzzled, then laughed. "Oh! No, no," he said, smiling again. "We have a House system here, so the students are divided into four different houses; Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Slytherin and Hufflepuff. They're named after the four founders of the school."

"Right... four houses... kinda like teams?"

"Too all intents and purposes, yes," Lupin said. "Especially regarding sports and the like." Faith nodded. That made a kind of sense, but British schools weren't meant to be like normal, American schools anyway.

"So G was one of those... Ravenclaws. What about you and Sev? You both came here, right?"

Again, that strange flicker of emotion. "We did," he said, staring at the flickering blue heart of the fire. "Not that we got on much. At all, really. There was some enmity between him and my friends. He was in Slytherin and we, Gryffindor, which only made things worse."

"How about now?" Faith asked, watching his profile intently.

"We get by," Lupin answered quietly, evasively. Abruptly, he rose from the chair, looking down at her. "I'm sorry, Faith, I really do need to leave you for now. Classes begin in less than five hours and some sleep would probably be useful."

Glancing up at the clock tocking ponderously over the mantle, Faith nodded. It was getting close to four thirty and sleep was gradually starting to creep up on her. "I guess I should try and get some sleep too," she said, rising.

"And a long lie-in," Remus said, one side of his mouth curling upwards.

"Knowin' me, I'll be up by nine anyway," Faith shrugged, wrapping her arms around herself. "Got too much energy."

The werewolf nodded, motioning for her to join him as he walked towards the half-open door. "I tend to have excessive energy shortly before the full moon," he said, leading her down the long flight of stairs. "Of course, afterwards, it takes nothing less than a full military strike to wake me... ah, here is your entrance."

Plunging her hands into the pocket of the thick robes, Faith paused at the top of the flight of stairs, which lead down to the dungeons area, shivering at the chill that seemed to emanate from the gloomy passageway.

"It was nice to meet you," she offered awkwardly, half-smiling hopefully. It was rare for her to actually just sit and talk with someone, but, she thought, it had been nice and he had been okay.

"Likewise," Lupin said, his smile small but undeniably sincere. "I hope we'll see you out and about in the school soon." Panic coloured her face. "There's no hurry, though, you know. You just might like to see... well, a bit more of the school... meet a few people, perhaps."

"Yeah... yeah, perhaps," she mumbled, looking down the dark hall. Part of her just wanted to hide down there, out of the way for as long as she could, but another part was so damn curious!

A warm hand gently squeezed her shoulder. "Good night, Faith," Lupin said softly, before walking away down a moon-lit hall, hands in his pockets, his gaze drifting out of the window at the clear sky. His eyes closed and it looked like he was simply enjoying the feel of moonlight on his skin.

Watching him go, Faith couldn't help smiling faintly. He was a nice guy, but of all the people she had to encounter, she had to be befriended by the local werewolf. She shook her head, as she started down the stairs, towards her room.

It could only happen to a Slayer.