Sacrifice

Hi everyone :)

Big thank yous to everyone who reviewed as always :) It's you guys I write fanfiction for so it's always nice to know I'm doing stuff you like.
You'll all notice that this chapter's arrived a day early. That's because I have a busy day tomorrow morning and I won't be able to update. Being the nice person I am, I thought I'd give it to you all a day early rather than a day late :D
Nothing more to say for now, so on with the chapter :)

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It was the first day of June's full moon. Hogwarts was empty of both students and teachers, all on their summer holidays. The only people in the grounds of the school were Fenrir (off somewhere secluded where he wouldn't accidently jump his mate), Hagrid (who mostly kept to his hut when there was a werewolf wandering around), and Harry (who was getting increasingly bored on his own). The weather was still to get too hot and so the teenager was quite comfortable to keep wearing his robe just in case he came across Hagrid.

At that moment, the teenager was amusing himself by searching for mushrooms. Not to eat as the house-elves still provided food but simply for something to do. Perhaps for the sake of nostalgia as well as it was almost a year since he'd had to forage for his meals. He was actually impressing himself with how good he still was. At first he had thought he would be rusty but it was obviously something a person never forgot once they knew how to do it.

It was while he foraged that he came across a sight he hadn't seen for a while. The dancing mushrooms! The same ones he had seen earlier the previous year. Well, obviously not the very same ones, but the same species. They weren't dancing at that moment though, they were just gathered in a circle and slightly slumped over. Harry leaned in closer to them and he would swear that he could see them rising and falling as though they were breathing in and out.

Perhaps it was his proximity or maybe it was just them stirring naturally, but slowly the mushrooms started to twitch and straighten up a little. The teenager watched in great amusement as they started to dance for him. They waddled around in their circle, their bodies bowing forward before they'd straighten up again. After doing that once or twice in a row, they'd do a twirl while still moving in their circle. Then they'd go back to the first step. It was just about the cutest thing Harry had seen since the last time he had watched a patch of dancing mushrooms and a bright smile spread across his face at the sight.

"Alrigh' there, 'Arry?" The deep voice of Hagrid came behind him suddenly.

Harry immediately shushed him and made a flapping gesture with his hand. "Don't be so loud, you'll disturb them."

"'Oo?"

"The little mushrooms."

Hagrid leaned down the to see what Harry was talking about. "Oh, the Glooms, ya mean." He hummed in realisation.

"Is that what they're called?" The teenager whispered, sounding absolutely fascinated, his eyes only briefly moving from the fungi to the adult beside him.

"Aye. And ya must've done something to spook 'em good, they're doing they're little attack dance."

"Attack dance?"

"When they feel threa'ened, they'll group together with the rest of their cluster and perform that dance. If the predetor is still too close by the time they're ready to finish, they send a wave of spores flyin' that knock out most people and animals. Then they run away and settle somewhere else 'til they're disturbed again."

"So when they dance, it's because they're afraid?" Harry checked somewhat sadly as he straightened up.

"Aye."

"And there was me thinking they danced that time because they were saying thank you for not eating one of them."

Hagrid gave a deep chuckle at that and ruffled Harry's hair with one of his massive hands. "'Ard to believe something that looks so cute ain't a good sign."

Harry gave a hum of agreement as he slowly moved away from the mushrooms; if he was causing them anxiety then he didn't want to linger. Hagrid moved away with him and the teenager turned a smile onto the half-giant. "You teach a subject on magical creatures, don't you?"

"Aye, that's right."

"Do you teach about werewolves?"

"Ah," Hagrid hesitated, looking off to the side awkwardly. "Well, ya see, 'cause they're classified as Dark creatures, they come up in Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Harry felt both surprised and indignant about that. Werewolves were thought of as Dark creatures? Okay, they weren't as cute as dancing mushrooms but wasn't "dark" a bit harsh? After all, vampires were also classified as Dark creatures and they were much worse than werewolves! Werewolves were like any other wild animal and for that they deserved to be called Dark? It was then that Harry realised that he really didn't know much about the views wizards and witches had on werewolves. He only knew half a dozen or so after all, and they might've just been over looking the fact he was a werewolf (partly at least) because he was also the one they had to keep safe from Voldemort.

"Hagrid?"

"Yes?"

"What do magic folk think about werewolves?"

The mere fact that Hagrid didn't answer straight away and still hadn't answered after several seconds told Harry more than words ever could. Werewolves were obviously disliked, most likely to a fairly intense degree. But why? They really weren't that scary, were they?

"Harry, listen..." Hagrid began.

"Pup?" Fenrir's sudden call cut Hagrid off.

"I have to go." Harry murmured, turning to leave even as he spoke. "It was nice talking to you, Hagrid." He didn't wait for an answer before he dashed off, towards the sound of his Alpha's voice.

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Harry felt undeniably content as he floated on the surface of the Great Lake. Above him, the sun was starting to set and the sky was turning a lovely peachy-orange colour. The evening was warm and heated his chest which was a strange sensation when mixed with the slight chill of the water under his back and lapping at his sides. The light movements of water swayed his body in a most relaxing way and even though he had only been awake an hour at that point, he was already feeling rather tired again.

Back on solid ground, Fenrir was watching his pup with a vague interest, simply because there was nothing else to watch. As it was the summer and they were spending most of their days alone and undisturbed (occassional visits from the half-giant for Harry didn't really count) the two werewolves had returned to their nocturnal existence, sleeping most of the day and being active at night. Fenrir was actually rather startled by how much he had missed his nocturnal life. During the school year, he had to admit that he had never felt completely awake, there had always been the desire to nap. Now, however, he felt completely alert with absolutely no desire to sleep at that moment. It was re-freshing and he was sure that when September rolled around, he'd be fully recharged and ready to deal with those insufferable wizards once again.

Speaking of insufferable wizards, footsteps approached then and a quick glance to the side proved that it was Snape heading his way. True, there were people who were more annoying than Snape, but the man still wasn't someone Fenrir would associate with if Harry wasn't around, and not just because the man was a wizard. Of course, Fenrir was grudgingly thankful to the professor for helping him to protect Harry from Moody and for providing company for the boy (as much as he loved his pup, he'd go crazy if he had to spend all day every day with the teenager and he was sure Harry felt the same about him). Other than those two things, Snape was somewhat of a bother, especially when he forgot his place and tried to butt into their lives just a little too much.

"Greyback." Snape greeted in a monotone upon reaching the Alpha.

"Snape." Fenrir grunted back.

"Where's Harry?"

"Lake."

There was pause then as the wizard turned to search Harry out with his eyes. Upon spotting him, he returned his attention to Fenrir. "I have a proposal for you in regards to Harry's birthday." He revealed primly.

Fenrir couldn't deny it, that had intrigued him. "Oh? And what might that be?"

"I thought it might be enjoyable for him if he and I spent a weekend in Muggle London. There are several musicals and other theatre productions being performed at the present that I think may interest him and it would be an experience for him to live in a civilised manner for a few days at least."

"And you expect me to tag along on this ridiculous venture?"

"Obviously not considering I made no attempt to mention you in my proposal. The idea was to take him just before his birthday, during the full moon of July."

Hmm, that changed things in Fenrir's mind. He had been more than ready to say "no" but hearing that it would be during the full moon, that made him reconsider his decision. It would be convenient, no doubt about that, and they'd be spending the nights apart during that time anyway. But it would be such a distance between them. Sure, they had been separated for three days at a time before but never had they been separated by such a great distance. If something happened, there would be no way for Fenrir to get to his pup and protect him. But Snape would be with him and the professor had proven that he was capable of protecting Harry...

A long moment of nothing passed as thoughts ran rampant through Fenrir's mind as he attempted to come to a decision. It was hard, very hard, and even as he began to speak his decision, he still had his doubts as to whether or not it was the right one to make.

"I'm fine with it, but you'd better ask him before you arrange anything."

"I had intended it to be a surprise." Snape revealed, sounding put out by the thought of asking/telling Harry beforehand.

"That's all well and good but what happens when you spend a fortune on a weekend away only to have the pup refuse to go because he's antsy about the separation from me? Best to ask him first, I'd say."

Snape looked rather disgruntled, probably because he couldn't deny what Fenrir had said made sense. A smirk played across the werewolf's face, one he made no effort to hide or disguise.

"Very well," Snape conceeded reluctantly. "I will ask Harry's opinion on it when he joins us."

"You do that." Fenrir grunted as he leaned back, his hands coming up behind his head and his eyes closing. However, not a moment later, his eyes were open again and were looking at his company. "Can you get into the school?"

"If I had to. Why, does Harry need something?"

"No. I want you to get the key to my family's Gringott's vault. Take out as much as you need to pay for half of the gift."

"Just take it straight out of the vault, without your presence?" The wizard queried, sounding rather suspicious of that idea. "That's very trusting of you."

Fenrir offered him a smirk as he closed his eyes again. "You ain't the type to steal something like money. Even if you were, I'd give you credit enough to know not to steal from from me."

"You're so sure of that?"

The Alpha lazily cracked an eye open and gave the other man a pointed look. "Yes, 'cause you're smart enough to know it'd end up being far more trouble than it's worth."

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It had taken a little persuading and several assurances from Fenrir that he was fine with the situation before Harry agreed to allow Severus to take him into Muggle London for the period of the full moon of July. Once he had agreed, however, he could hardly contain his excitement. Every chance he got before they went he quizzed Severus on what they were going to do, what they were going to see, where they were going to stay. The professor answered all the questions in good humour, never giving too much away but enough to sataisfy the teenager's raging curiosity.

Now the evening of their departure had arrived and it was an odd combination of anticipation and anxiety that had Harry almost vibrating. He was with Severus and Fenrir inside the school, the Headmaster's office to be precise as they would be using the floo network to get to London (much to Fenrir's disgust and Harry's trepidation). And, just in case Harry managed to somehow forget where they were going, the clothes that he and Severus were wearing would have reminded him in a second.

They were to stay in Muggle London, so they couldn't wear robes unless they wanted to attract a lot of attention. Therefore, they both wore Muggle suits. Harry had to admit that Severus looked very smart in his black dress trousers and blazer, a crisp white shirt (with a Slytherin green tie around his neck) underneath and super shiny shoes on his feet. Harry's didn't feel quite so smart, mostly because he felt too uncomfortable. He hadn't worn trousers or shoes since he was six and he was finding wearing them again was rather stifling. His legs felt trapped and his feet were already aching. He knew the first oppotunity he got, he was getting the awful shoes off of his poor feet.

"I'll go through first," Severus said as he took a handful of some ordinary-looking grey powder in his right hand. "You'll be able to see how, exactly, to do it, and you'll have a moment alone to say your goodbyes. Now, are you paying attention?"

Harry gave a firm nod and watched his teacher carefully. Severus stepped into the fireplace and said the destination in a booming, crystal clear voice before dropping the powder. Then, there was a flare of violent green flames that encircled the man completely. Harry couldn't stop himself from cringing away from the display but he managed to keep his eyes open to see the fire die away and the absense of Severus' form.

"That doesn't look as harmless as Severus was insisting." The teenager mumbled apprehensively.

"It doesn't hurt." Fenrir assured gruffly. "Most you'll suffer is dizziness when you pop out on the other side."

"Still looks dodgy to me."

"Don't trust me suddenly?"

"No!" Harry immediately protested, turning his eyes onto his Alpha only to find the man was smirking. The teenager huffed and looked away again when he realised he was being teased. "You're not the one who has to do it."

"Done it in the past."

"Yes, well, I know I have to do it, Severus is waiting for me." Harry grumbled before sighing and once again returned his gaze to his mate. "I'll see you the first morning after the full moon."

"Don't let your guard down," Fenrir advised gruffly as he brought a hand up to run through Harry's hair in a rough display of affection. "And if something happens, let Snape take care of it. Don't go doing anything stupid. Oh, and just one more thing," he leaned in closer then, until their noses were almost touching. "Miss me like Hell." That said, he stole the teenager's lips in a deep kiss.

The kiss lingered for about a minute before Harry forced himself to move away; he couldn't keep Severus waiting any longer. He pecked a very quick kiss before he moved away to the fireplace, not hesitating to step inside and grab some powder as he did so. Harry offered Fenrir a final, slightly nervous, smile and then spoke his destination very clearly.

"Diagon Alley."

The powder fell from his hand and seconds later he was engulfed by a swirl of green flames. Just as he had been assured, there was no pain and when the flames had died down, he found himself being thrust out of a different fireplace. A small cry left Harry as he stumbled out awkwardly, almost over-balancing but being saved by the waiting arms of Severus. The teenager's nose bumped heavily into the man's chest but he otherwise suffered no other injuries.

"Very graceful." Severus said snidely.

"Ow." Harry muttered as he was straightened up and rubbed his hand over his nose a few times.

When the pain had faded sufficiently, he paid proper attention to where he was. It dawned on him that it was the first he'd been in the Wizarding world outside Hogwarts and that everyone around him was a wizard or a witch. That was a rather daunting thought and Harry unconsciously shifted a little closer to his teacher. He remembered only too well that werewolves were thought of as Dark creatures. True he was only part werewolf and no one would probably be able to tell unless he told them, but still...

"There's nothing to be concerned about." Severus spoke then, as though he had read the boy's thoughts. "If anything happens, I'll protect you."

Harry said nothing to that but instead lightly gripped the adult's arm. He was sure Severus was right and there was nothing to worry about but there was no harm keeping extra close just in case.

If the teenager's close proximity bothered the man then no comment was passed. All Severus did was start them forward, heading out of the building they were in and out onto the street to journey into Muggle London.

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The afternoon would've been more enjoyable if Harry's feet hadn't felt like they were about to drop off. He could confidently say that he hated the person who invented shoes more than anyone else in the world. They were torture devises more than anything! At least the time when he could take them off would soon arrive, however. It was early evening and before they set off to search for a place to have dinner, they were going to check into their hotel (a very posh one thanks to the money Fenrir had handed over). So, while Severus was inside doing that, Harry remained outside, cooing over a cat he had randomly noticed.

"Who's a beautiful little kitty?" He cooed to the creature as he scratched behind the cat's ear before trailing his fingers down to scratch under the chin, something the animal seemed to love if the purring was anything to go by. "Yes, you like that, don't you?"

The cat continued to purr and leaned into the touch for several more moments before something seemed to spook it. It gave a start, seemed to look behind Harry for a moment before dashing away down the street. It was rather odd in the teenager's mind and he stared after the animal in confusion as he stood up once again. However, when the familiar scent of werewolf caught his nose, he began to understand what may have frightened the cat.

Harry tried to follow his nose without moving, discreetly sniffing the air as he looked around. There wasn't anyone immediately apparent as being a werewolf which was surprising. It was evening, the sun would soon be setting and the full moon would rise. Surely a werewolf would've been well on the way to getting away from civilisation completely, not wandering around one of the most active parts of Central London. Various different scenarios and possibilities started to run through his mind, from the possibility of it being a newly turned werewolf, to the idea that it was a violent one who wanted to change among a lot of people so there would be more to kill.

After a while, his ideas became less and less likely and were mostly just something he was doing to amuse himself. Even when Severus called him over to go up to their room, Harry's thoughts continued and he was lost to real life. That was probably why he missed the sensation of someone staring at his back intently and why he missed the form of the man standing no more than a few feet away from him.

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"Goddess, look at the size of this bed!"

As Harry all but yelled those words, he threw himself onto the huge, single bed. He bounced a few times before coming to a rest, laying on his stomach across it. Severus shook his head lightly at the behaviour as he set his suitcase down just beside the wardrobe.

"Our bed at Hogwarts is much smaller than this!" Harry declared as he kicked his shoes off before he rolled over so his head was closer to the pillow. "Hey," he said suddenly as he picked up something shiny and green that was resting on the pillow. "What's this, Severus?"

The professor spared a quick glance before he returned to his task of making himself more comfortable. "It's a mint chocolate. Hotels often leave them on the pillows for their guests."

"Chocolate?" Harry echoed as he looked at the foil-wrapped disc curiously. "I've never had it before; what's it like?"

"Sweet and, in the case of that particular chocolate, minty." Severus answered as he started to concentrate on his suitcase. "Have the house-elves never bought you sweets and deserts with your meals?"

"I don't think so, but I only really go for the things I know I already like. It's the safest way to avoiding meat."

"You don't eat meat?" The man questioned, clearly surprised by that.

"Nah, haven't since the first time I saw Isaac kill a deer. All that blood and noise..." Harry trailed off then before giving a shiver. "Trust me, you see an animal being killed and you never feel right about eating meat again. Plus, raw meat makes me ill and cooking it was never really an option when I was younger. I suppose a lot of it is just habit now. It's not a habit I want to break though."

"What delicate sensibilities you have."

"Fenrir said something similiar when he first found out." Harry recalled with an amused smile. "You and he are pretty smiliar in a lot of ways, really."

"I think I should be insulted by that."

"Well obviously you're not similar in every way. There are definitely elements of your personalities that are the same though."

Severus gave a displeased murmur as he pulled their pyjamas out of the suitcase and put his own on the end of the bed Harry wasn't laying on. Then, he moved over to Harry's bed and placed the boy's pyjamas on the end.

"What are you doing?" The teenager asked.

"I refuse to dignify such a needless question with an answer." The professor replied.

"We're not sharing a bed?" Harry cried, rolling off the bed and approaching his companion.

Severus raised an eyebrow at the boy. "I wouldn't have booked a room with two beds if we were going to share. Why would be share a bed anyway?"

Harry looked off to the side a little awkwardly and gave a light shrug. "I just...I haven't slept on my own since I left my relatives. I mean, I have slept alone during the full moon when Fenrir's away, but otherwise...I guess I just assumed we'd share."

"You assumed wrong then." The man said simply, trying to ignore the disappointment that was clear on the teenager's face. His resolve didn't last for very long, however, when a silence stretched between them and Harry remained looking sad. "Are you really so eager to share your bed?" He asked in slight disbelief.

"I like sleeping next to someone." Harry mumbled a little self-consciously. "It's reassuring, and comfortable, and...I just thought it might be nice to sleep next to you for a few nights."

The words may have been quiet but that didn't detract from their impact. Severus looked from the boy to where his own pyjamas rested on the end of the bed that had yet to be messed up by someone jumping on it. Those crisp, un-ruffled sheets, that chocolate resting un-disturbed on the pillow; why did it suddenly look so unappealing compared to the rumpled sheets and absent chocolate of the other bed?

The man's resolved cracked and he knew, at that very moment, that it was useless to continue to argue his point; he would never win. "Very well." He sighed, moving to pick up his neatly folded pyjamas. "We may share a bed for at least one night," there, he picked up his pyjamas. "If I decide you do not fidget too much and you do not disturb my rest in any other way, we can continue to share a bed for the next two nights." As he finished, he placed his pyjamas just next to Harry's on the edge of the bed.

Hearing that made Harry immediately feel better and he gave a small cry of joy as he jumped back onto the bed and got comfortable again. In the process, he knocked both pairs of neatly folded pyjamas to the floor so they landed in a crumpled, messy heap. The irritation at the mess Severus knew he should've felt never came and he knew that was because he was just glad that his young friend had cheered up.

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What a three day break it had been! Out of everything, the musical they went to see, Sweeney Todd, was by far the best (Severus had given into Harry's begging and bought not only a programme but a book of the music so they could learn the songs during their music lessons). However, everything else they had done was still amazing to Harry. So many different places visited, so many different types of food consumed, so much time getting to know Severus better, so much time away from Fenrir. It had been incredible, it had been exhausting, it had been fun. But it had also been murder on Harry's feet, which weren't used to being confined in shoes, and the teenager was also missing his Alpha more than a little. It was time to return to him, sooner rather than later.

It was the morning after the full moon was over and Harry and Severus were in the process of returning to Hogwarts. While the adult took care of checking them out of their hotel room and paying the bill, the teenager was outside cooing over the odd pigeon that crossed his path. He was tempted to run back into the hotel and nick a bread roll from the breakfast room, but he refrained. Instead, he just complimented them and apologised for the lack of food he had to offer. Anyone around taking notice of him probably thought he was a bit odd, not that he really cared though.

"Oh, hello Mister Pigeon, have to come to join our conversation?" Harry asked pleasantly as another bird flew over to join the five or so that were waddling around his general area.

Quite abruptly, every pigeon took off into the air, one coming very close to Harry and causing him to shrink back slightly, turning his head away just in case. When he opened his eyes again, all the pigeons were gone to be replaced with the figure of a man Harry didn't recognise. However, the scent that assaulted his nose made him gasp and he stared back at the stranger with slightly widened eyes. Never before had he met the man and yet there was something in his scent that was familiar. It took a moment for Harry to figure out that it was the same scent that had tickled his nostrils the night he and Severus had arrived in Muggle London; the man in front of him was the werewolf he had smelt.

The man looked incredibly tired and was obviously in some physical discomfort as well as needing a walking cane to help him stand, something Harry thought was strange for a werewolf. His hair was limp but still rather shiny and was a colour somewhere between blond and light brown. And the way he was looking at Harry, it was rather odd: partly in disbelief; partly in wonder; and, most strange of all, partly in horror.

The longer Harry continued to be in the man's presence, the more his scent became more and more apparent to him. Eventually, the teenager caught a hint of something that caused his own eyes to widen just a little more in disbelief. The scent, the werewolf part of the scent, it was like Fenrir's! Just as Harry had Isaac's scent mixed with his own, this man had Fenrir's scent. It meant that Fenrir was this man's Sire!

Harry opened his mouth to address the man at that realisation. However, before anything could make it out of his mouth, his shoulder had been suddenly grabbed from behind. The teenager was quite startled by that at first until he glanced over his shoulder to see it was only Severus. A rather wary/angry looking Severus, who was pinning a dark look onto the man in front of them. That immediately made Harry wonder. Such a hostile reaction would surely be reserved for an enemy but surely a fellow werewolf, a Childe of Fenrir's no less, was of no threat to them?

"Can we help you, Lupin?" Severus asked stiffly, keeping a firm grip on his student's shoulder.

"Harry Potter?" Was all the man said, completely ignoring the fact that Severus had spoken.

"...Yes." Harry confirmed a little hesitantly. No sooner had he confirmed his identity than Severus had moved his hand to grip the teenager's wrist and then proceeded to drag him away quickly.

"Severus, wait!" The man, Lupin, called out to them.

The professor paid the plea no mind and continued to pull Harry away through the crowds around them. Harry could do nothing but follow on, trying his best to keep up with the fast pace. Whether Lupin followed them or not was unknown to them both but they heard no more from him and when they finally came to a stop a few minutes later, there was no sign of the sandy haired man.

"Severus, who was that man?" Harry asked carefully.

The dark haired man remained silent and motionless for a long moment and Harry began to think his question was just going to be ignored. However, eventually, Severus began forward again, one hand still holding the teenager's wrist.

"It was no one you need concern yourself with."

Harry frowned lightly at that but said no more. Perhaps he would bring the subject up with Fenrir in the near future.

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"Fenrir!"

The excited call of his name was all the warning the Alpha got before he had his arms full of a happy Harry. He hefted the boy off of the ground and Harry wrapped his legs around the man's thick waist. A few feet behind, Severus followed on at a more sedate pace.

"Oh, I missed you." Harry gushed before he pitched forward and took Fenrir's lips in a kiss. He pulled away again not a moment later (too soon in Fenrir's secret opinion) and looked the Alpha in the eyes. "Did you have a nice full moon?"

"It was boring." Fenrir grunted. "How was your time amongst the masses of ignorant Muggles?"

"It was great! Even if I did have to suffer these God awful shoes; never again am I wearing shoes!" The teenager declared as he wriggled to be put down just as Severus reached them. Immediately, he started to kick off the offending shoes even as he continued to talk. "We went to see where the Queen lives and then we went to see where the old kings and queens used to live, and we went to museums. Oh, and on the second night we went to see a musical called Sweeney Todd. I think you would've liked it, there was loads of blood and violence and murder in it and quite a bit of swearing too."

Fenrir sent an amused glance to the other adult. "Encouraging anti-social behaviour?"

"Hardly, considering all those in the wrong die." Severus defended.

"Oh, and look here, at the programme," Harry said then as he took the booklet from Severus and held it out for Fenrir to see. "Who does that actor remind you of?" He grinned, pointing to the man who played the part of Judge Turpin.

Fenrir gave a small snicker. "Strange how the bad guy looks almost exactly like you, Snape."

"Yes, I would've thought he'd look more like you, considering he wanted to marry his fifteen year old ward." Severus sneered.

The Alpha simply gave a wolfish smirk, not in the least bothered by the snide pointing out of his unconventional relationship with the almost fifteen year old Harry. While the teenager occupied himself with cuddling up to Fenrir, the man threw an absent-minded arm around the boy as he concentrated on the programme once again. His eyes roamed over the page until they fell onto the woman who played Mrs Lovett. "Looks like Lestrange before she lost her senses." He said to the other adult, obviously finding that amusing for some reason.

Severus moved closer to see the picture in question. "Ah, yes, I thought she looked familiar, I just couldn't remember from where. Indeed, quite a startling similarity."

"And this one," Fenrir said, pointing to the actor who played Beadle. "Spitting image of Peter Pettigrew."

Severus' eyes widened at that and he looked at the other man in shock. "How, in Merlin's name, do you know Peter Pettigrew?"

"What do you mean how do I know him? He was a Death Eater." At the professor's look of pure astonishment, Fenrir frowned. "You didn't know? Then how do you know him?"

"I went to school with him." Severus revealed. "You're sure Pettigrew was a Death Eater?"

"Can't think of way else he'd be grovelling at the Dark Lord's feet and calling him "Master"."

"That doesn't make any sense though." The Potions Master murmured, mostly to himself. "If Pettigrew was a Death Eater then why did Black murder him?"

"Who?" Fenrir asked.

"Sirius Black, currently serving life in Azkaban for the murder of Pettigrew and several Muggles. He's also the one who told the Dark Lord of the whereabouts of..." He trailed off there and threw a glance at Harry who was immersed in the programme and obviously wasn't paying attention to the conversation of the two adults.

Fenrir’s gaze flickered onto the teenager beside him before looking back to Severus. "Well, since you didn't know Pettigrew was a Death Eater, maybe Black didn't either."

"Perhaps, but surely the Dark Lord had Pettigrew working on the same thing as Black. With them working so close together, you'd think they would've been aware of each other. And even if they weren't, what reason did Black have to kill Pettigrew if Pettigrew was a traitor to the Light as well?"

"What's your point?"

Severus paused then, perhaps in thought. Then eventually, he gave a tired sigh and shook his head before looking off to the side, staring at nothing. "I have no point, I suppose. It just seems very peculiar."

Fenrir gave a bored grunt, obviously tired of the conversation at that point.

Severus sent him a glance before speaking again. "We came across a figure from your past the other day."

"Oh yeah, that's right." Harry spoke up, once again entering the conversation. "It was a Childe of yours, Fenrir."

"Remus Lupin." Severus revealed.

"Fascinating." Fenrir grunted, not sounding the least bit interested. "Nothing happened, I take it?"

"There was no time for anything to happen." The professor reassured.

"No harm then." The Alpha mumbled, leaning back and closing his eyes, taking himself out of any future conversation.

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End of Chapter 18.
Hope you all got the references to Tim Burton's movie version of Sweeney Todd :D If not, then I'll just tell you now that the actors who play Severus and Pettigrew in the movies also play characters in that film, and the actress who plays Bellatrix plays Mrs Lovett.
And for those of you who have been impatient for Remus, he's finally popped up; more from him next chapter. And the next question you'll all ask is where's Sirius, to which my answer is you'll just have to wait and see :D

Reviews!

Rokkis
I think a lot of Fenrir's previous reputation was born from people not really knowing. When you're around people for more than a little while, they see you for how you really are. Since they see him around Harry almost constantly, they're naturally going to see his softer side XD

darkpyroangel06
I loved the cleaning of the head wound as well ^_^ That was one of the only events I had in my mind that had to happen. That and Severus stopping Fenrir from killing Crouch jr. The rest of it was made up as I wrote it down XD
Ooo, Lucius/Harry. I didn't like that much at first but then, like you, I fell in love with it. I've always wanted to write a Lucius/Harry but all my ideas turn into something else over time (the Harry/Harry idea I have was originally going to be a Lucius/Harry).

Kati-chan
As you've probably found (if you looked that is XD) my drarry stuff isn't posted here mostly because the majority of it is innocent as it was before my smut-writing days. Some of it's smutty and I might post those here, but the majority is clean unfortunately XD You're right about all the crap Drarry though, it's one of the reasons I stopped writing it; there was nothing out there to inspire me to write more.
I'm glad you liked the chapter and I hope you liked this one too :)

Sirin Black
Yes, Harry's noggin has been bashed about good and proper in the last couple of chapters XD
And my New Years was awful but I won't got into why ^_^;

Kuromei
Although a review every chapter is nice, it's not essential. Just let me know what you think every so often and I'm happy :)

I'm all done for another update. See you all soon, my lovelies :)

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