Geneticus

CHAPTER EIGHT: AN OLD FRIEND

Inside the forest the air was thick and dark, and Mulder had no idea how artificial the night was. The wood was silent, as though watching its two visitors carefully, trying to determine their reason for trespassing. Sirius navigated expertly through the brush, and Mulder wondered just how many times the wizard had made this journey.

For fifteen minutes they traveled without speaking, until finally Mulder couldn't stand it any longer.

"So, Mr. Black, where are we going?"

"Look, just call me Sirius, okay? 'Mr. Black' makes me sound evil."

Mulder grinned. "Fine then, Sirius. But I'd still like to know where we're headed."

"We're going to see a werewolf, Mulder. You wouldn't happen to know the lunar schedule off-hand, would you?"

Mulder's eyes widened. "Uh..."

Sirius's laugh resonated through the trees. "Relax, my friend! We're between full moons..."

"But we *are* going to see a werewolf?" Mulder didn't know if he should be scared or excited.

"Yep! Remus Lupin, one of my dearest friends. I've not seen him in many months, but he'll still be in the same old cabin as ever. He's not exactly the most social of creatures," Sirius added with a grin, one that Mulder couldn't help but return.

"Sirius, you have no idea how much of my adult life you're validating."

"What, you hunt werewolves or something?"

"Not exactly..." Mulder explained the X-Files, and Sirius seemed rather impressed by the whole operation.

"So you've known about us for a while then?"

Mulder shook his head. "Not really, no. I'd come across claims of witchcraft before, but it never occurred to me that it was all connected in its own culture. It's probably best for you all, though, that you stayed secret."

"Yes, probably..."

The woods grew darker, and once again the men walked on in silence. Mulder's legs began to burn, not used to the difficulties of hiking through an obstacle course of roots and rocks.

"Just how far is this werewolf's place?"

Sirius paused for a moment, leaning back against a tall pine. "Remus lives near the other edge of the forest, probably about twenty-five miles from where we started. I expect we'll get there by daybreak."

Mulder glanced down at his watch, pushing the Indiglo button to reveal that it was just after nine-fifteen. "Great. I was just thinking I needed to get back into shape..."

Sirius smirked. "Usually it takes me less time, but that's because I'm running through here as a dog. You're holding me back, Muggle."

Holding out his arm, Mulder said, "Well then let's get moving again. I've got a werewolf to meet..."

* * *

The sight of the small cabin was a welcome one for Mulder. Dawn was just beginning to peek through the leaves, and he found himself hoping this werewolf wouldn't mind if he caught a few hours sleep in a bed.

Sirius approached the cabin carefully, keeping an eye open for anything out of the ordinary. Drapes were pulled over the small windows, everything seemed quiet.

"You sure he's home?" Mulder whispered.

"Positive," said Sirius with a nod. "Nowhere else he'd be. Plus, I'm sure Dumbledore sent a speed owl to let him know I was...what was that?" A moan wormed its way through the heavy wood of the door, and Sirius's face reflected alarm. "Told you he was in there...but what in the name of Merlin..."

In one fluid movement, Sirius flung open the door and transformed into a dog, baring his teeth and ready to attack if necessary. Mulder pulled in behind the dog, ready to lend some strength to the fight. Both he and Sirius turned towards the east wall, where they were greeted by the sight of a decidedly feminine back, naked, and obviously otherwise occupied with another body beneath her.

Sirius turned back into a human and shook his head. "Moony, would you stop shagging my sister for two moments and help me save the world?"

Mulder turned his eyes away, biting his lip to repress the laughter. A werewolf getting lucky -- Scully would never believe it.

The female back didn't move, but the woman responded, "You know, Snuffles, you should really forget about saving the world once in a while and have yourself a good shag. Would do wonders for the stick up your arse..."

Sirius sighed. "Go put some clothes on, Kit. I've brought company."

The woman turned around, clutching her sheet tightly to her chest, and her eyes widened as she spotted Mulder. "Gracious! Yes, I'll go freshen up..." Quick as a wink she slipped out of bed and over to a door that, Mulder assumed, led to a bathroom.

The man left on the bed, with only a pillow for modesty, offered a small grin and shrugged. "She showed up a couple nights ago, Padfoot. Wasn't expecting you so early, or I would have prepared a more delicate way..."

Sirius waved his hand, then grabbed a pair of trousers from the floor and tossed them towards the bed. "It's about time. Fifteen years is far too long to wait for that. I'm sure Prongs is having himself a good old laugh at both of us right now."

The man -- Mulder assumed this was Remus Lupin the Werewolf -- pulled on the pants and stood up, approaching Sirius with open arms. The two men embraced for a moment, not in the least conscientious of Mulder's presence. When they broke apart, Sirius gestured towards Mulder.

"This is Fox Mulder. He's a Muggle from America. I'll let him explain why he's here, but at any rate...Fox Mulder, Remus Lupin. Werewolf," he added with a broad smile.

Remus held out his hand, and Mulder grasped it firmly. "Nice to meet you. Please, don't call me Fox."

Remus laughed. "Fine, Mulder, don't call me Werewolf. Remus is just fine. Nice to meet you as well."

The woman came back out of the bathroom, conservatively covered in a pair of leggings and a baggy tunic. "Brother, it's been far too long," she said, jumping into Sirius's arms. "You look like hell, you know. Not as bad as in those Wanted posters that are still all over the Owlerys and shops, but still..."

With a thud, Sirius dumped her back onto her feet. "Thanks for the encouragement." He introduced her to Mulder as his little sister Addie, the only person in the world crazy enough to fall in love with a werewolf.

Remus crossed his arms. "Dumbledore's owl was terribly vague; would you mind explaining just what's going on out there?"

Over the next hour, Sirius and Mulder filled the other two in on the troubles in the Third Task, as well as Mulder's basic story. Remus and Addie both agreed with Sirius that Mulder should just go home and forget about the wizarding world, but Mulder adamant about learning more before making that decision.

"Dumbledore told me to lie low here for a day or two, and then I'll be setting out to gather everyone. The Order has been summoned again."

Remus drew in a breath. "Then times are grim indeed. How was Harry when you left him?"

Touching his hand to his forehead, Sirius replied, "Scared. Rattled by the whole thing. Probably mad at me for leaving him now." His brow was creased with guilt.

"And you said Snape knows you've been around now?" Sirius nodded, and Remus hung his head. "I hope he doesn't turn on you..."

Sirius clapped his hand to his friend's shoulder. "Chin up, Moony. I like to think Snape prizes his freedom from Voldemort enough to let me be."

"In any case," Addie said, "you've been on the run for over a year, Sirius -- I doubt that dolt Fudge will suddenly turn competent. You'll be fine."

Remus stood up. "Right then. Sirius, you're going to need things, and we've got less than two weeks to get them all before the full moon. Let's get a list together and head for Diagon Alley tomorrow."

Sirius looked skeptical, until Addie assured him that she could cast something called a "glamour" on him to protect his identity. As the three wizards planned their next moves, Mulder started to feel the beginnings of uselessness come over him. Finally he broke into the conversation.

"Is there anything I can do besides walk around looking clueless?"

The wizards looked at him in surprise, as though they'd forgotten he was in the room.

"Let's see," said Sirius, looking at Mulder with an inspecting eye. "Here's a thought: can you drive?"

Mulder nodded. "Sure. And I've even mastered driving on the left side of the road, since I went to college at Oxford."

"You drive differently in America?"

Addie nodded, cutting in. "But it's not a big deal. Getting a car, though...that will be more difficult. Do you have access to enough funds to rent one?"

"Technically I do," said Mulder, with a shrug. "But I'd rather not dip into them; I *am* supposed to be in hiding."

Remus held up a hand. "I may actually have a solution for that. A couple years ago I was out for a walk, and I heard this terrible racket. Naturally, I went to see what it was. Imagine my surprise when this wild *car* drove past me! No driver, and it was covered in scratches and dents. I believe it was, at one time, a lovely shade of turquoise blue."

Mulder, Sirius and Addie all regarded Remus with the same skeptical look.

"What? I wouldn't make that up! It seems to circle around the outer parts of the forest, showing up near here every few days. We might be able to catch it tomorrow or the next day, if we're lucky."

Sirius shrugged. "Well, it's the best idea we've got. But we can't hang around here too long; we've got to get out to the rest of the Order."

Remus stood and walked to a small desk, pulling out a quill and parchment. "Let's make a list of who's still around; we'll split it up so it'll take less time."

"Right. Well, here in Scotland there's Artemisia and Wren and Malcolm." Sirius frowned. "You should probably stay as close to here as you can, Moony, since you may run into the moon."

"Good thought. I'll do the Scots and the folks in Wales, then. That's, er, Olwen and Ariadne, right?"

"And Sage," said Addie. "She and Dash had a huge row a few years back, I've heard. I think she was just tired of being a twin, frankly."

Remus nodded. "All right, we'll look up Sage then, too. That leaves you with England and Ireland, Padfoot. Cassi, Jude and Ari, Dash and Arabella and...oh dear..."

Sirius groaned. "Fletcher. Bloody hell, I hate that bloke! How that idiot didn't get sorted into Slytherin will always be a mystery to me..." Remus and Addie laughed, while Sirius just scowled. "Fine then. That'll at least put me in Surrey -- I can stop in on Harry."

The wizards finished their planning for the time being, and Remus suggested that everyone catch some sleep. Both Mulder and Sirius declined Remus's offer to use his bed, and Mulder took the couch while Sirius transformed and lay at the foot of the bed.

Mulder settled into the couch, which was surprisingly comfortable. Of course, he thought to himself, there's really no excuse for a wizard's couch *not* to be comfortable, is there?

The curtains on the windows were drawn tight, and only a sliver of light passed around the top edge, reminding Mulder that it was the middle of the day. He was still tired from the night's long trek across the forest, but now he found he couldn't get his eyes to close. The reality of what he'd gotten himself into was begin to sink in, and in his mind the scared twelve-year-old who'd never grown up began to whisper.

What if these wizards were right? What if it was too dangerous for William? He truly didn't have any idea what may lie ahead -- was he so sure he wanted to find out?

And what if, while trying to make this best decision, something happened at home? What if there was nothing he could do? What if he finally and the answers, and went home only to find that he'd been too late.

What if...

Eventually, Mulder questioned himself to sleep.

END CHAPTER EIGHT