Message In The Ashes

Chapter Ten

Cross of Changes

The air grew colder; the leaves turned to brilliant shades of orange, brown, and gold, eventually falling to earth to gather in huge mounds. Soon, all the trees were stripped of their foliage, and the first frost came to settle over the land. Winter came.

Nearly three months had passed since Remus had helped the Pack obtain fifty gallons of dragon tears and hand it over to Duryan of D Two. Since that time, he had kept his distance from Alpha. Puck continued to berate him with cold distaste. The others were simply indifferent, and it was Thistle that Remus found himself helping when he was needed at the Den. For the past full moons, he stood apart from the rest, being the rogue that he was.

Beta, however, was hardly seen at all since he had taken a stand for her. Once in a while she would appear in the large room of the Den, her right arm in a sling, saying nothing and doing little. Then Alpha would turn to her, and immediately she retreated back to the other rooms. Remus never ventured to see where she was.

In a way, he was glad that she would not speak with him. Since that night when he saw her outside of the Bubble Room, Beta had not shown herself to him outside of the Den. But there was this strange feeling that kept nagging the back of his mind. He could not identify it, and it sometimes gave him a strong sense of unease when with the Pack.

Remus did, most of the time, feel more relieved. That small flash of doubt he had when he saw Puck’s expression when he handed Duryan the dragon tears was vanquished when they heard nothing from D Two. Remus assumed that they had gotten what they had wanted and that was that. Yet, when he pointed this out to Churo one day, Churo’s expression darkened slightly.

"Ah, but what Duryan most likely did not know, is that it takes six months to brew the concoction that he desires. He won’t find out if it works until it is finished," he said.

Remus looked at him, mildly shocked.

"I did not know you were familiar with brewing potions."

Churo averted his eyes, his answer muffled slightly as he turned away.

"Aye, I was told."

And so work with the Pack was little, and Remus felt more at ease when back among his true friends. He still resolved again not to tell them his secret role with the Order, and they showed no sign of suspicion.

Dumbledore was pleased with Remus’ work, and told him when they were alone just how valuable his information was and continued to be. He said great progress was being made. Even work with the Order was going well, and more and more Death Eaters were being found and prosecuted. James and Lily were especially skilled on this.

Just before the Christmas holidays, Dumbledore gave them permission to head up traps within known areas of Death Eater activity. This proved very successful, and soon James and Lily were promoted to higher ranks within the Order- next to Fletcher and Figg, who oversaw the rite’s operations under the instruction of Dumbledore. Things looked brighter than they had before, and with no more reports of deaths and the continuous arrests, it appeared as if the war would be over soon.

It would be the last peaceful Christmas for them.

"Honestly, Moony, you’d never think it was Christmastime with your décor," Sirius pointed out two days before Christmas Eve. Remus had invited him over for tea after work that day. He was feeling the best he had since he left Hogwarts last summer. Things truly did look bright those days, and his spirits were lifted. Although, he was still distracted in his mind, trying to stay positive with his double role, and it never occurred to him that he should decorate his home for the season.

"Maybe I’ll venture out and find a small tree, later," Remus said, stirring a lemon slice in his mug.

"A small tree? Moony, come on! It’s not Christmas unless you have the biggest tree and the most lights and the most decorations than anyone around!" Sirius emphasized by hitting his fist on the table with each point.

Remus looked up at him from his mug.

"In case you’ve failed to notice, I could hardly fit a large tree in my sitting room, and there is scarcely a soul living closer than three miles to here. The squirrels are hardly competition for festivities, if that is what you’re thinking."

"But you’d be the envy of all the squirrels," Sirius grinned stupidly at him.

"Oh, that’s something to be proud of."

When Christmas Eve arrived, Dumbledore had given the entire Order the holiday off. Remus had been shopping for his friends after work when he could, and used the whole day of Christmas Eve wrapping and baking the only thing he could manage not to burn and keep edible. It was something his mother used to make on holidays when he and his brother were small still.

"There is a story," his mother always began to tell when she baked thus. "About a prince who wanted to taste the most exotic and the most delicious food his money could buy. Every Christmas he held a feast, and he invited every lord, lady, duke, and duchess from every land to join him at his table. To show respect, his guests would instruct their finest baker to make the most unique dessert he could create. So the Prince ate, and ate and ate, until by the time he was a man grown, he believed he had tasted everything the world had to offer. But he was not satisfied. The Prince believed that there was still something more exotic, more delicious than anything any highborn could offer. He ordered his most trusted swordsmen to venture out and return with a dessert that he believed to be the most exotic and delicious, one that was fit to serve God.

"And so his man went out into the world, and for ten years he searched and tasted foods from every stretch of the Earth. Until, after he had been away from home for eleven years and his belly strained against his belt, he came upon an island in the middle of the ocean. It was the last place on Earth he had not visited, and when he came to stand before the island’s king, he struggled to his knee and begged, ‘Your majesty, I have come from far away and have traveled many years to taste the most exotic and most delicious food fit to serve God. I beg your mercy to bestow before me your most greatest dish.’

"The king then stood before him, and looked down upon the man with eyes as farseeing as the horizon. ‘I may have what you seek, but not just anyone can partake of such a delicacy. It is only for the man who is satisfied with what he has, and is glad for it.’

"The swordsman insisted that his prince was worthy, and so the king of that island covered the steaming earthen pan that held the prized dish and put a spell over it so that it would keep until it reached the Prince. When the swordsman finally reached his home shores, and with nervous esteem presented it to the royal table, the Prince was overcome with impatience- for he had grown old and irritable with the passage of time. When the pan was uncovered and the Prince laid his eyes upon what he most desired, his face fell."

Remus remembered watching with wide eyes and listening eagerly to his mother, as she finished her baking and moved to show him what was in the pan.

"For the most exotic and most delicious food in the world was simply a loaf of raisin bread." And Remus’ mother always smiled, a smile that lit her entire face, when she saw her sons’ expressions.

Remus pulled out his own loaf of raisin bread from his little oven, and he quickly put it on a trivet to cool. Where his mother learned such a story, he never knew. It was just something she always told every Christmas Eve, when she made the simple dessert. Perhaps it was her way of teaching him and his brother, or perhaps herself and his father, to be happy with what they had. For what they had was enough, and to desire more than what was necessary was foolish.

Those days were gone, he reflected as he cleaned the mess he made and prepared to get dressed for Christmas Eve mass. It struck him that it would be his first Christmas without her, and the pain of her loss surfaced again. Yet he refused to let his feelings dampen what he had. But he always took to heart the lesson his mother meant with the story. Remus was forever grateful for his friends, and he was more than content with what he had. He had no control over his fate, but he never wished for more than what he was blessed with.

Remus wrapped up his loaf of raisin bread with cheesecloth and put it in a bag with the small mound of gifts he had wrapped for his friends. He put a simple spell on the loaf before he put it away, however, to keep it fresh- not unlike the king of the island in his mother’s story. Then, dressed in his Sunday best, Remus put on his coat and apparated to James’ house.

The quaint and yet regal church that shadowed the streets of Hogsmeade was an old one, resplendent in its gothic architecture. Built with the founding of the small wizarding village, it was testimony to the fact that magical folk were not followers of the devil- but just as faithful as any Christian Muggle. However, magic was not permitted nor tolerated within the sacred walls. It was deemed improper, and there wasn’t a single soul who disagreed.

The beautiful stained glass windows glowed with the countless lit candles within the church, lighting the cobbled street below in a cascade of color. Candles also lined the pathways leading into the narthex, as was tradition on Christmas Eve. Evergreens were hung over the arched doorways, wreaths bedecked stone pillars, and towering trees covered in tiny shimmering lights graced every corner.

Remus, James, Lily, Sirius, and Peter (who had arrived almost late) took their seats in pews toward the front of the nave. As the service began, James leaned over and whispered in Remus’ ear,

"Lily wants me to tell you that you look handsome."

They stood and opened their hymnals to sing "Angels We Have Heard On High". Remus suppressed a blush and smiled.

"Tell her thank you for me, and that she is very beautiful as well."

After a few moments, toward the end of the hymn, James whispered to him again.

"Sirius says you sing like a girl." He snorted as an afterthought.

Remus narrowed his eyes and leaned forward to glare at Sirius, who was singing loudly and starring innocently straight at the alter.

"Tell him he sounds like a goose, then," he muttered to James.

The hymn ended and the priest began to recite affirmations, although his voice was drowned out by an indignant, "A goose?!" from the front pew.

"Hush!" Lily hissed to all of them, her expression a mixture of amusement, exasperation, and embarrassment.

Fortunately, they all behaved themselves for the rest of the service, and as they left the church singing "Silent Night" and holding their candles, they gathered in the courtyard to discuss plans.

"Nonsense! As soon as all of you are up in the morning, you’re coming over. It’ll be just like it was at Hogwarts that one year when we stayed!" James insisted merrily, dressed handsomely in his black overcoat and crimson scarf. Flurries had started to fall, and the little flakes began to gather on top of everyone.

"Oh, James, you know I would… but Mother insists..." Peter grumbled, his cheeks pink, although whether from the cold or from embarrassment Remus couldn’t tell. Peter shifted from foot to foot, heavily bundled in his thick woolen overcoat. The shine on his leather shoes was reflecting the colored light from the church’s stained glass. Peter was always insistent on being properly dressed and having his clothes spotless- the suit he was wearing under his coat must have been ironed several times.

Sirius laughed and shoved him playfully in the shoulder, getting snow smudged on his new coat that he had bought for the holidays. This he did not even frown at; Sirius was lucky that his dark green suit looked more festive than ugly, and that people don’t often stare at the floor, where one could see his black boots.

"Father Christmas coming, eh?" he goaded Peter.

"Padfoot, you’re impossible," Lily said.

James shrugged and held Lily closer to him, for she had begun to shiver. She drew her black fur lined coat collar against her neck, and brought her feet together. The soft leather of her heeled black shoes did not help against the wet snow.

"Well, come over when you can, at least. We’ll have a big feast for dinner. Now let’s go home before we freeze to death!"

James had a way with people that made it hard to argue with him, and so Remus and the others obliged. Sirius left on his motorcycle, heedless of the cold and the flurries. James and Lily apparated, as well as Peter, not far from the church. Remus, however, felt a need to be outdoors and it had been a while since he walked around Hogsmeade. He pulled his coat tighter around himself and began to make his way up the sidewalk to nowhere in particular.

He had not been walking long when he heard a voice that was strikingly familiar. A voice that for the past seven years held nothing but scorn and distaste. Remus paused, coming upon an alley to the right. Cautiously, he leaned up against the wall of a vacant store and strained his ears.

"What are you doing here?" There was no denying it. Remus knew that cold, silky voice. Only Severus Snape could speak with such venom in his words, as if he hated everyone and everything in the world that did not succumb to his advantage.

"I was told to keep a watch," said another voice, quieter and somewhat defiant. A brave man to stand up to the likes of Snape.

"On whom? You realize that the town is crawling with aurors and Ministry officials!" Snape hissed.

There was a pause, as if the man to whom Snape was speaking was mildly shocked that his job was assessed correctly.

"That information, sir, is strictly classified. By orders of the Master himself," the man said somewhat hesitantly.

Another pause; Remus could just see Snape’s face contort with outrage at such insubordination.

"I’ll have your head displayed on my mantel if you do not tell me who you are looking out for. You wouldn’t want me to let it slip what I saw you doing with a certain blonde the other night!"

One of them moved and shuffled their feet. Remus leaned closer to hear. Surely… surely Snape wasn’t low enough to become a Death Eater? But then weren’t most, if not all the Death Eaters arrested so far graduates from the Slytherin house? Now, come to think of it, it wasn’t all that surprising to Remus anymore. Snape proved his was evil ever since the end of their first year at Hogwarts.

"Answer me!" Snape demanded.

Remus had leaned over so far he was beginning to loose his balance. He bit his lip to keep from crying out and lashed out his left arm to grab something to steady him. His hand grabbed an old drainage pipe, and as soon as he let his weight pull on it, the rusted pipe broke free. He fell flat on the concrete and the pipe clattered loudly to the ground.

"Disapparate, you fool! Or we’ll be spotted!" Snape ordered, and Remus heard two distinct pops as the air rushed into the spaces where the two men had stood.

Remus slammed his fist on the sidewalk, ignoring the scrapes he had gotten from the fall. He had the chance to apprehend Snape and that man, who were more than likely Death Eaters, and he had to go and expose himself. Now they were gone, and all he had to go on was a suspicion that they were, in fact, Death Eaters. Especially Snape. Dumbledore would not be pleased with such news.

Remus’ need for fresh air and a walk were replaced with his need to be alone, in his room. He got up and stepped out to look down the alley where the two men had been, and he scowled angrily. There was no evidence that anyone had been there. Snape or the other man must have covered their tracks. Balling up his fists, Remus hesitated no longer to apparate home.

He did not bother to light any candles when he took off his clothes, folded what did not need to be cleaned, and put his warm pajamas on. There was simply the light of the crescent moon that shown through his window. He sat down on his bed, staring ahead blankly at the wall.

Why didn’t I immediately call for help? Why didn’t I just stun them right away? Why didn’t… why didn’t… his mind kept playing what happened over and over. He should go to Dumbledore right away, he should notify the Ministry- but everyone was away on holiday, keeping the bare minimum on guard for the risk of any attacks. Well, this much he could tell James and the others. They would know what to do; they always worked things out.

Remus sighed and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he noticed something he hadn’t noticed before. There, on the wall next to his bed was a small indentation. He followed it with his eyes, and noticed that there was an outline of a doorway… as if the wall concealed a hidden entrance. Immediately curious, Remus got up and felt the wall with his hands. Sure enough, he could feel a door concealed in the wall. The man who sold the house to him had not pointed it out, if he even knew it existed.

Picking up his wand from his bedside table, Remus stood back a pace and muttered, "Alohomora."

Instantly, the hidden door swung inward, creaking angrily after being shut for so long. He looked into the darkness, lighting his wand. The hidden doorway revealed a small staircase, barely big enough for a single person to climb and very steep. Carefully, he slowly ascended to the top. The light from his wand revealed that the stairs merely led to a small little alcove, where a tiny rosette window attempted to filter in light.

Remus had never noticed this window from the outside, but it was easy to miss. The window was completely covered in years of dust and hardly distinguishable. It would appear that this alcove and the hidden stairs were merely there to access this window.

Unusual, he thought to himself mildly.

Looking around the small space, which was only just large enough to fit maybe two adults, Remus noticed a few old rags that had been left without care. Carefully, he moved into the alcove and picked up a rag, moving over to the rosette and attempted to wipe it clean. He managed to remove a lot of the dust, but not all of it. He would have to come back later with some supplies.

Sighing, Remus sat down cross-legged on the floor. For all its darkness, the alcove had a calming effect on him. He felt as if this one space was completely apart from the world, full of secrets that the walls would never tell. Without knowing why, he felt secure and safe here. Anything could happen, anything could be told, and no one would know or judge you.

After a while, ignoring the bitter cold that chilled the alcove, Remus let go of his mind and opened up his thoughts, spilling it out as if this place would hold it all and keep it safe. No one would be hurt here, he resolved. This was his place now, his harmless secret.

And he sat there, until the morning’s rays began to shine anew through the window, and Christmas blanketed the earth.

"You’re so quiet, Moony." James was grinning like an overjoyed little boy.

Remus had went down to his bed after his stay in his newfound solace to catch what sleep he could before going over to James’. Later that morning he gathered himself and his things to go over, and he found himself then sitting amid piles of gifts in James’ sitting room.

James was crawling under the enormous tree that he, Remus, Lily, and Sirius had cut down, decorated, and lighted themselves. That was a project Remus cared not to go through again, after all the sap he had to wash out of his hair. James was pulling out gifts addressed to many people, but mainly to his friends and Lily. Sirius was also grinning merrily, playing around with a new prank item that James had given him.

"Look, look, look!" he shouted excitedly. "You only need to look at it and the thing turns into whatever the person feels is the most disgusting! Oh, James, awesome!"

Remus rolled his eyes. Lily held up yet another gift to him, brightly wrapped.

"Smile, Remus! It’s Christmas! Look, this one’s to you!" Her eyes were alight, her hair decorated with mistletoe.

"You’re too generous, Lily. Thank you," Remus couldn’t help but to smile back. "Here, I have another for you as well."

Lily got up from the floor to sit on the arm of Remus’ chair. Both of them unwrapped their gifts, and Remus grinned as he held a fine pair of leather gloves and Lily took out a pair of fleece mittens.

"Great minds think alike, they say," James said, watching the two of them laugh.

"Hey Prongs, where’s that one from all of us?" Sirius asked James. James looked pointedly at him with a slight grimace.

"I told you…later."

Sirius did not let his tone deter him. He crawled over to James on the floor and started to sift through what gifts that had yet to be opened.

"Aw, what difference does it make if we give it to him now? Who knows when Wormtail is going to make it over? I want to see Moony’s face!"

"Oh, you guys, you’ve given me too much already!" Remus blushed, looking over at the small pile next to him. Other than the leather gloves from Lily, James had given him a leather-bound desk planner, Sirius a special quill that had Remus’ name engraved upon it, and Peter had sent over a small package earlier that had contained a journal.

"All that’s only part of your Christmas present!" Sirius said over his shoulder, pushing past James. Both of them looked like twin brothers arguing and laughing under the tree.

"We really should wait for Peter," Lily said tentatively.

"Two against one," James said triumphantly to Sirius, who scowled under a pile of discarded wrappings.

Later, after the presents were opened and Sirius insisted they attempt a game of Quidditch outside despite the falling snow, dinner was served. Roast duck was the main course, with countless other trimmings and side dishes that the house-elves prepared with bright, smiling faces and their clean pillowcases adorned with holy berries and evergreen swaths. Peter arrived just as Remus and the others were sitting down, excusing his tardiness that his mother kept him longer than anticipated. Sirius was going to comment, before James kicked him from under the table.

After desert that left Remus feeling as if he gained twenty pounds and would need to be rolled from the table, they settled into the freshly cleaned sitting room to exchange the last of the gifts. Peter was overwhelmed with emotion, squealing with delight as he opened a Rememberall from James, a pair of earmuffs from Lily, a book about Quidditch from Sirius (in which Peter profusely reminded him that he was hopeless at the sport), and a sampler of his favorite candies from Honeydukes from Remus.

"All of you are too much," Peter was smiling from ear to ear. "Thank you."

"Now can we give it to Moony?" Sirius looked at James, who nodded back.

"Give what to Moony?" Remus asked, blushing again. "Honestly…"

"It’s the last part of your gift," Lily said, smiling at him. "From all of us."

James put a large box in front of Remus.

"It was Lily’s idea," he said, grinning. Lily blushed slightly.

Remus looked at them all with a "you shouldn’t have" expression, before lifting the box to his lap and unwrapping it. He gasped slightly as he took out a small case, just big enough to hold business utilities. His name was stamped upon it in one corner; R. J. Lupin.

"Oh, you guys, this is wonderful!" Remus ran his hand over his name.

"You can add more letters, too, to add your profession should it change in the future," James said.

"Now you know why we gave you the other stuff," Sirius said, winking.

Lily took the case gently from Remus, and began to show him how it magically expanded to hold anything and everything.

"I think," she said softly, running Remus’ new quill over her fingers. "I think I see Remus as a professor. A professor at Hogwarts… there, with his case and his little possessions, his hair gray with age, teaching the students of tomorrow."

"Yeah, teaching them how to sneak out of the castle in no less than five ways undetectable." Sirius grinned.

"Use it in good health," Peter chimed merrily.

"Thank you for everything, everyone." Remus smiled genuinely.

"Thank you," everyone said in union.

It would be later, as Remus arrived home to his cottage and began to put his gifts away, that he remembered all that had happened on Christmas Eve. The joys of the holiday had completely occupied him, and now the memory came back full force, as well as the guilt. How much damage had been done because he did not tell anyone yet? If he had told, it would have spoiled the day for his friends. They were so happy, why, at dinner James and Lily had announced that they went ahead and made a date for their wedding. How could Remus spoil it all? Knowing James, he would have wanted to get back to the Ministry and alert Dumbledore.

"Well then," Remus said to himself as he pulled his pajamas on. "First thing tomorrow I’m going in to tell Dumbledore, and I’ll notify James and Sirius afterward."

He crawled into bed, still exhausted from the night before and tired from the events of the day. The covers were warm and inviting, and he moved to blow out his candle, when he heard a faint noise. Remus cocked his head, listening intently. The cottage was quiet, snow fell gently on the windowsill, and the fire in the room next to his was crackling.

"…Rogue!" came the yell.

Remus got out of bed and walked over to his window. Standing out a good twenty feet from the cottage and under the trees was a shadow.

"…Rogue!"

His mouth set, Remus pulled on a robe and threw on his shoes. He ran outside where it was bitterly cold, and he stood shivering on the porch.

"What is it?" he cried, his teeth chattering.

The shadow came within enough light from the cottage for Remus to make out a face. It was Beta, completely covered in snow, and trying desperately not to shiver.

"It’s an emergency," she called out. The warding spells around the cottage were keeping her out, for she was not one of the names Remus had allowed to come through the barrier. "You need to come with me."

"Why? What’s the emergency?" Remus asked, not thoroughly convinced.

Beta shifted her feet in the snow, looking completely worn out and exasperated.

"There’s no time for stupid questions, just move it!"

Remus gritted his teeth, too cold to argue. He ran inside, threw on the clothes he had worn earlier, and trudged out to meet her with complete annoyance on his face. If Beta saw or cared, she didn’t say anything. She simply began a quick pace and led him away.

Later, Remus would wonder just how he ended up at the Den that night. He was so cold; his skin had turned a nasty pale and his lips blue. Beta’s teeth were chattering loudly, not looking any better. The one thing Remus remembered was the scent. It was not only the usual smell of the Pack, but there was a terribly ominous odor as well.

Remus quickly learned the scent’s source, for as Beta led him, still shivering, to the room that held the oddball furniture, there was the Pack. Alpha stood with his arms crossed in a corner. Thistle and Ice were standing around a beaten sofa, where Churo was lying, gasping for breath and flush with fever. Beta had disappeared, and Remus did not see Lori or Puck, but the two figures he saw also standing close to Churo made the hair on his neck stand up.

Two men, dressed in long black hooded robes. Death Eaters.

There was an awkward silence, save for the irregular gasps Churo was making from the sofa. Everyone seemed to be afraid to speak. Thistle busied herself with sponging Churo’s forehead with a damp cloth, and Ice was holding a bowl of water for her. Remus merely stared at everyone in the room, feeling his blood boil as he looked at the Death Eaters. The werewolves were on Voldemort’s side, and Remus had to keep up the pretense that he was one of them. However, everything felt wrong- he should be arresting all of them, especially the Death Eaters right then and there. They were all his enemies, and yet he did nothing.

"Churo is sick," Thistle said unnecessarily, trying to break the silence.

"I can see that. Why are they here?" Remus looked at the two Death Eaters.

"Surprised, are you?" one of the hooded men suddenly asked. Remus could not help it, he visibly shuddered. It couldn’t be! Of all people, it had to be him!

The Death Eater lowered his hood, and there, smiling sardonically, was his brother. Remus clenched his fists, his eyes narrowed. Everyone else, that could, seemed to take a step backward as the two brothers eyed each other.

Neo calmly walked up to Remus until they were nearly nose to nose. Remus wanted badly to be sick; his brother’s eyes were so cold and malicious. How could his parents possibly have produced such a man?

"What? No joyous words of greeting, little brother?" Neo smirked. "It’s been so long since we’ve had a chat."

"What are you doing here?" Remus hissed vehemently.

"Churo is the reason," Alpha said, stepping forward with his arms still crossed. He looked at Neo with an expression no less enthused than Remus’. "Because of him and the others like him, Churo is dying."

"That is a lie and you know it!" growled the other Death Eater. Remus looked at him more carefully, trying to ignore Neo in front of him. This Death Eater’s voice was also familiar.

"Oh yeah?" Ice suddenly shouted. "Then you explain why a simple meeting with your lord turned into nothing but a pleasure show so you could watch an innocent man be tortured to death!"

Remus looked at them with horror. Torture? Weren’t they all working for the same so-called cause?

"Lord Voldemort does not tolerate being challenged. You challenged his decision! It is your own fault that this happened." And that Death Eater lowered his hood, and Remus had his third shock for the evening. Severus Snape was glaring his characteristic slimy glare at Alpha.

"He was bringing a proposition to you," Alpha said, dangerously calm. "He was representing the Network as a whole. We are true to our word, the werewolves continue to work for your favor, however your courtesy toward our kind has been somewhat feigned."

"My lord was extremely generous in extending apologies to you and your people," Snape said, keeping his eyes fixed on Alpha. "However, your proposition was too much to ask. You do not ask him for more than what he willingly offers."

"And so you hit him with your fancy magic until he cannot possibly recover?" Thistle practically shrieked, her hand shaking as she wiped the damp cloth over Churo’s red cheeks.

"He would recover, if my great, grand brother here will stop gaping like a fish and see what he can do with his educated mind." Neo looked at Remus with mocking.

"I am not a doctor!" Remus blurted out, now looking to everyone else in the room. They all looked back with expectant expressions. "Is this why you brought me here? You think I can heal him?"

"Certainly your prestigious magic school taught you a spell or two for the common cold?" Neo asked casually, crossing his arms.

"Why are you doing this, Neo?" Remus whispered. He was fed up with this; he didn’t care about anyone else in the room. "What did Mother and Father do to you that was so terrible that you had to go against us, go against everything you were taught? Why did you kill her?"

"Are you really so dim that you have to ask?" Neo’s expression was no longer sardonic. "Why don’t you go ask Father? I’m sure he could explain, when he’s sober."

Remus instantly grabbed his wand, aiming it at Neo. Before Remus could even blink, another wand was aimed at him, held by Snape. They glared at each other violently.

"ENOUGH!" shouted a voice from behind Remus. Beta came up from behind and grabbed Remus’ wrist, looking him dead in the eyes. "This is not the place. You don’t have time for this. Churo needs your help. I know you can do it."

Remus stared at her, then back up at Snape, then to his brother, who looked back at him with an expression so infuriating that it took every fiber of Remus’ being not to fire one of the Unforgivables. With Beta’s firm grip on his wrist, he slowly lowered his wand. Snape reluctantly did the same, and Neo barked out a laugh.

"Figures," he said simply.

Remus ignored him and turned his angry glare on Beta.

"I told you, I am not a doctor. What do you think I could possibly do?

Beta glared back and suddenly shoved an enormous volume of text into his hands. Remus blinked and looked at the cover of the worn leather textbook. In fading letters, BASIC CONCOTIONS FOR CURES was written across the top.

Remus looked at Beta, who shrugged back at him.

"You’re the wizard. Concoct."

It was hard to remember afterward just how long Remus was there in that room, pouring over the old potions textbook, instructing Thistle and Ice what to do, checking Churo’s pulse, and basically feeling he had no idea what he was doing. What he did remember, though, was that Beta was at his side the entire time. Silent and watchful, sometimes doing as he asked if he needed something.

Finally, when Remus felt he had barely enough strength left to breathe himself, Churo no longer gasped for air and his color softened. The old man fell into a comfortable, healing sleep. When Remus shakily looked around the room, the whole Pack was there, his brother, and Snape.

"You’re still here?" Remus queried with a glare at his brother.

"Of course. You know I love to watch you suffer," Neo taunted.

"Shut up," Snape snapped suddenly. "I’ve had enough of your useless banter. The man will live. The Master wished to know, so our duty here is finished."

Neo looked at Snape with cold contempt, but raised his hood anyway. They both moved to leave, Remus noting that Snape would not apparate without Neo. Alpha took a step forward, blocking the door.

"You haven’t heard the last from us," he said darkly. "The Network will be alerted. You tell your master to be careful with his allies he does not wish to make more enemies."

Snape, surprisingly, said nothing and pushed his way past the large man that was Alpha. Neo paused a moment, glancing back at Remus.

"Until next time, little brother." He whispered with a menacing smile as he left the room. Everyone remained silent until they could no longer hear footsteps up the hidden stairway outside.

Remus had passed out then, after so little sleep and exhausting himself. When he woke up, he couldn’t tell if it was night or day, since the Den was underground. Remus opened his eyes and found himself to be stretched out on another of the decrepit, ugly sofas in the same sitting room. Churo was gone, as Remus looked to where the other one was. A blanket was thrown over him and a pillow was nestled under his neck.

Remus sat up to get a better look around him, and nearly started when he looked straight at Beta, who sat in stained recliner next to him. She was awake, flipping through the potions textbook that she had given Remus to help Churo.

He considered his words a moment, before finally making himself known.

"That’s quite an old magical textbook."

Beta showed no sign of surprise that he was awake, not even looking at him.

"It was my mother’s," she whispered.

Remus raised his brows. "Really?"

Beta nodded. "She was a witch."

Swinging his feet down to the floor, Remus winced as he felt all his muscles become tight after sleeping so awkwardly. He tried to stretch a little, genuinely surprised to hear what Beta was telling him.

"What happened to her?"

Beta shifted a little, and Remus bit his lip, thinking he struck a nerve. After a few moments, she answered him.

"She died. My father survived only a little longer to bring me here."

Remus cocked his head, confused.

"Bring you here? Here, as in the Pack?"

Beta sighed and closed the textbook, running her hand over the worn cover. She shook her head and looked at him.

"No, here to Britain. I was born in America. My parents moved there from England when they were exiled from pack C Three. They were both werewolves, obviously, and because our kind is widespread in the States they thought things would be better there anyway. They were wrong. When I was still little, Mother caught a very strange disease, which even the local werewolves were baffled with. Father soon contracted it, and to save me, he brought me back here and handed me over to Churo. Then he disappeared. He probably died too."

Remus was unsure of what to say. It was very unlike Beta to be so open. He had a strange feeling that her background was something very few were aware of and a secret no one dared to mention.

"All he left me was what few things I had, the clothes on my back, and this book." Beta looked at him. "He was the most powerful man I knew. My father could do anything. He promised me he would stay by my side forever. But he didn’t. Instead he left me here, and I know why."

Remus carefully looked into her eyes. He had a feeling he knew the answer to what he was about to ask.

"If your mother was a witch, then…"

"My father was a wizard. He left me because my raw magic drew the Ministry to him."

Remus wasn’t sure what to say at that point. Beta’s face was void of emotion, but her eyes, which he could see through her long bangs, held a hurt that scarred her very soul.

After a moment, she looked away and back down at her book. Remus cleared his throat.

"How did you learn to keep your magic under control if you never had magical education?" he asked.

Beta shrugged and tossed the book unceremoniously on the broken coffee table in front of them.

"Taught myself," she said.

At that moment, Alpha walked in. He looked at Remus with an indifferent expression, but it hardened as he glanced at Beta.

"If Rogue is no longer knocking on death’s door, I would rather you help me with something, Beta."

Remus could see Beta stiffen out of the corner of his eye. She answered Alpha, her voice flat. "It can wait."

Alpha appeared to make a very hard effort to keep his voice level.

"No. You’re needed in my quarters. Now."

Slowly, Remus began to think he understood. It was most likely not business that Alpha always discussed with Beta, always insisted they be alone together. Alpha took his role in the pack seriously… a little too seriously. Beta was not just his second-in-command. Remus began to sense a faint touch of fear begin to vibe from her, something that was so infinitely minute before. He looked at her, took in her tired features, felt the anger as well as the fear. Alpha was taking full advantage of his title, by taking full advantage of her.

Remus unsteadily got to his feet. He grabbed his coat and put it on, walking over to Beta while looking at Alpha. Gently, he put a hand on her shoulder. She went rigid, but did not flinch away.

"Churo will be fine. If you should need my help again before we meet, don’t hesitate to drop by." He looked at her as he emphasized his last words. Beta quickly looked at him, and for half a second he could see desperation in her eyes, before she looked away with a dismissive nod.

Remus took up his scarf that he kept in one of his pockets and put it on as he approached Alpha. Remus paused, and regarded Alpha without looking at him. There was a faint memory at the back of his mind that the time would come when he would need to challenge this man. To take his stand in the pack and become alpha male. Now this was more important, for a life was at stake. Beta’s.

"Take care of Beta," he said casually. "She needs her rest as well. We had a long night."

Alpha leaned in close, partially blocking Remus’ way. His voice was very low, and for the first time there was a threat in his tone.

"My first woman is strong. You need not worry about her, Rogue. Just worry about your place and keep an eye on your tail. Churo was just lucky."

Remus looked up at him and frowned. He buttoned his coat and, with a short glance back at Beta, left the Den.

It was all he could do to keep from going insane. Remus had to get to Dumbledore and tell him about Snape as soon as he was able. There were owls waiting for Remus at his cottage, one each from his friends, but there was no time. Remus changed his clothes and apparated immediately to Hogsmeade, where he ran flat-out toward the Hogwarts grounds and up to the castle. McGonagall was very confused when she answered to his pounding at the front doors, but let him through after he insisted that it was urgent. In no time at all, Remus found the stone gargoyle and nearly shouted the password, taking the spiraling staircase two steps at a time, and stumbling into Dumbledore’s office without knocking. When he saw who was standing in front of the huge oak desk in the room, Remus nearly passed out.

Severus Snape did not look any better. Dumbledore, from behind his desk, merely looked highly amused.

"Remus, how charming to see you. Curious, however, that you could get through the ward on my door in your obvious hurry to enter."

"Professor!" Remus gasped, rushing over and pointing at Snape. "There is something you need to know."

"I would step back if I were you, you disgusting beast!" Snape nearly snarled, stepping forward.

Remus pulled out his wand and pointed it at him, shielding Dumbledore. There was no telling why Snape was there, but it was clear that his intentions were not good. Why else but to kill Dumbledore? The head of the Light’s only resistance against Voldemort!

"This man is dangerous, Professor!" Remus shouted over his shoulder. "He is a traitor! One of Voldemort’s henchmen! A Death Eater!"

Snape looked as if he was slapped. He pointed his own wand at Remus, his face contorted in fury.

"That is a lie! It is you who is the traitor, you bloodthirsty scum! Professor, you know this man is a werewolf! Like the monster he is, he has been a traitor this whole time! He works for the other demons just like him, helping the Dark Lord!"

Dumbledore immediately stood up, and shouted "Expelliarmus!" Both Remus’ and Snape’s wands were instantly blown from their hands and fell in opposite directions of the room.

"Gentlemen, if you would kindly take a seat, I will explain." Dumbledore waved his wand and both men nearly fell into the two chairs that appeared behind them. Remus and Snape glared at each other, the blood pumping throughout Remus’ body in a furious rush.

"Now, if all thoughts of murder has left your systems, I will not hesitate to make it clear that neither of you are a traitor. Both of you are working for me."

"What?" Both Remus and Snape blurted in union, before looking back at each other in pure disbelief. "But…"

"Mr. Snape is my sound contact in Voldemort’s inner circle, and Mr. Lupin is my trustworthy key into the workings of the Werewolf Network. And, might I add, that both of your jobs are highly classified and your knowledge of each other’s true roles remains only known to you and none other that needs to know outside this room."

Remus’ jaw dropped, Snape looking more pale and slimy than usual. Dumbledore looked at them both, trying hard not to laugh at their reaction. His eyes were alight, however, and his grin could not have been any wider.

"Honestly, it’s not that surprising, is it?" he asked them genially. "I had meant to tell you both, at some point. I am, however, truly glad that you found out this way and not at one or the other’s funeral."

Remus still couldn’t understand. Snape wasn’t one of the Order of the Phoenix, though! How did he come by the job if not for the Order or the Ministry?

"But, Professor…" Remus hesitated, glancing heatedly at Snape who glared back. "He’s… he’s not one of the Order, is he?"

Dumbledore looked at Snape carefully a moment before answering.

"No. Severus is working for me under different circumstances."

"Which is none of your concern, wolf," Snape snapped bitterly.

"Come now, Severus," Dumbledore said more sternly, his eyes sharp. "You are both on the same team working for the same cause. I will not tolerate childhood grudges."

Remus clutched at the end of his scarf, which he had not removed nor his coat when he had arrived. There really wasn’t much more to say, as shocked as he still was, and he got to his feet.

"Well then, when should I send in my next report?" he asked Dumbledore.

"Later, after New Year’s. Relax, Remus, you’re still on holiday." And with that, both men were dismissed.

Remus and Snape paused as they reached the corridor, the stone gargoyle sliding back into place, not quite looking at the other.

"I’ve got my eye on you, wolf, mark my words," Snape hissed.

Remus straightened his coat and re-tied his scarf, his expression dark.

"On the contrary, I’ve got my eye on you."