In which Remus's furry little secret is revealed, and Emma delivers bad news.

***

Granny didn't seem to realize what a bombshell she had dropped on her granddaughter, for she went right back to humming absently as she looked through her books. "What do you mean you haven't seen him in a few days?" Ruby finally sputtered, her eyes wide and worried.

Granny shrugged. "Like I said, he hasn't been in here in a few days."

Ruby huffed. Maybe if she hadn't quit her job at the diner, she would have realized she hadn't heard from or seen Remus in a few days. Ruby's eyes narrowed, and she quickly checked the clock on the wall. Afternoon had bled into evening . . . and Remus hadn't been seen for two days? "I can't work now, but I can work tomorrow night," she said, her mind whirling with ideas. "I have to go see what's going on."

Granny shrugged, waving her away. "Go ahead," she said. "Just remember to eat."

Ruby, without so much as a glance at Granny or the customers in the diner, immediately grabbed her jacket and purse with the intent of marching out the door and finding Emma before she left the sheriff's station. Before she reached the door, however, she ran smack into Victor's chest. "Whoa!" Victor blinked, quickly reaching out to steady Ruby when she wobbled. "You're quick to try and leave again."

"Have you seen Remus the last couple days?" she blurted, her voice frantic as she looked at him with desperation.

Victor opened his mouth to reply, then he shut it and reconsidered. "Now that I think about it, no," he replied slowly, shaking his head with a frown. "Not since he asked Emma if you could stay with them."

Ruby swallowed hard, her hands starting to shake as she gripped Victor's hands. "Granny hasn't seen him, either," she muttered, a wild look in her eyes as she met Victor's gaze. "Where could he be?"

"Hey," Victor reached up and cupped her cheek, making sure she looked at him. "Take a deep breath, OK? We can ask around. It can't be too hard to find the others, right? Emma should be at the station, and Queenie is likely still setting up her bakery. One of them may know."

"Yeah," Ruby nodded and took a deep breath. "OK. Good idea."

"I have them from time to time," Victor smirked, chuckling when Ruby weakly smacked him in the shoulder. "Come on. We pass by the bakery on the way to the sheriff's station."

Ruby could only nod, and Victor caught Granny's grateful eye as he held open the door for the waitress. As soon as he stepped out after her, Ruby threaded her arm through his and tucked close against his side, her green eyes darting to and fro as if hoping Remus would magically appear from some alley. Then again, Victor mused as he gently tugged Ruby closer, their knees now brushing as they walked, he's a wizard. That could actually happen.

Queenie's bakery wasn't too far away, but Ruby gasped and pulled Victor to a stop before they could reach the door. "What?" Victor asked, frowning in concern.

"Look!" Ruby hissed, pointing through the window.

Victor blinked then focused on where Ruby indicated. Harry, Draco, and Hermione were at one of the tables, the entire surface covered in books. Queenie was bustling behind the counter, but Narcissa walked behind the children, perfectly-manicured nails tapping against her arm. When Hermione's head finally raised from where she had been reading, Narcissa immediately stopped behind her and leaned down to listen to her question. "Narcissa is tutoring them tonight?" Victor asked in surprise.

"That's what Remus has been doing for Harry," Ruby whispered, looking at Victor with wide eyes. "Victor, if he isn't here . . . "

"OK," Victor backed away. "Forget Emma. Didn't you say earlier that Newt was supposed to help her with the Kathryn Nolan case?"

"Yeah," Ruby nodded. "But he couldn't help because something . . . " She trailed off, realization flashing in her eyes. "Because something came up."

"Right," Victor turned on his heel. "Newt's room, it is."

Ruby nodded and hurried after him, this time bypassing the diner. Instead, they walked across the alleyway, which led to the inn, and walked up the stairs, going straight to the hall where Emma's family resided. Ruby marched up to the door she knew led to Newt and Queenie's room, and she knocked on the door as hard as she could. For all she knew, after all, Newt could be somewhere in his suitcase. "Newt?" she shouted, swallowing hard when she heard how her voice shook. "We need to talk!"

Not even a rustle came from inside the room, and Victor's frown deepened. "He's usually quick to answer, even when he's in his case," he muttered.

"Wards," Ruby guessed, shaking her head and bitterly chuckling. "God, I sound ridiculous."

"Magic exists," Victor deadpanned. "Of course, we're gonna sound a little ridiculous."

Ruby huffed and banged on the door again. "Newt!"

The door to Newt and Queenie's room didn't open, but a door further down swiftly opened, and Lucius frowned as he stepped out of his room. "Ms. Lucas?" he asked, shutting the door behind him. "Is everything alright?"

"Where's Remus?" Ruby demanded, stepping away from Newt's door to approach Lucius.

Lucius blinked then frowned. "I don't - "

"Don't give me that," Ruby snapped, her voice trembling. "Granny says he hasn't been seen for two days, but he was just fine when I saw him the night I quit. Narcissa is tutoring the kids right now when I know that's been Remus's job, and Newt bailed on Emma because something happened. If Remus is hurt - "

She cut off at the thought, wrapping her arms around herself as if to shield herself. Victor wrapped his arm around her shoulders and looked at Lucius, whose steel grey eyes had softened. "We just want to know," he said softly.

Lucius closed his eyes and sighed heavily, looking like he was debating with himself. "Ruby, there are some things you don't know yet," he said.

"Why can't I?" Ruby challenged with a glare at the wizard. "What, did he come down with some sort of . . . I don't know, disease that only witches or wizards get?"

Lucius winced. "That's actually more accurate than you know," he muttered.

"Well, then we can't get it, can we?" Ruby gestured to Victor. "Hell, Victor is a doctor! Maybe not from your world, but surely there's some way we can help!"

Ruby was so focused on getting her point across that she missed Lucius's quick glance towards the window. Victor did notice, however, and while Lucius's gaze snapped back to Ruby almost immediately, Victor frowned, wondering what was out the window that had caused concern to flash across the aristocrat's face. "It's more complicated than that, Ruby," Lucius began.

"Then uncomplicate it!" Ruby all but screeched, the full moon light making her green eyes flash.

And with what felt like a punch to his gut, Victor suddenly understood. He gripped Ruby's arm to keep her from stepping closer, and he swallowed hard. "Remus is ill," he said slowly, looking at Lucius intently to watch his reactions. "Newt suddenly called off helping Emma because of an emergency. My guess is he's here helping Remus. A Magizoologist, an expert on magical creatures . . . on the night of a full moon."

Ruby froze, her eyes widening, and Lucius slowly exhaled. "Correct."

"Oh, my God," Ruby whispered. "Remus . . . he's a . . . he's a werewolf?" Lucius merely nodded, and Ruby swallowed hard. "He . . . could he hurt us?"

Here Lucius hesitated, but he hastily held up his hand when Ruby balked and appeared ready to faint. "We don't think so," he said slowly. "Had we still been at Hogwarts years ago, I would say yes. Nowadays, both Newt and Severus are capable of brewing a potion invented after our school years. When werewolves take it, they retain their human consciousness while they are transformed. Remus has taken his diligently this week, so there shouldn't be any complications."

"Shouldn't?" Victor repeated sharply.

Lucius sighed. "How do I put this delicately?" he muttered, rubbing his forehead. "If Remus doesn't spend a full moon with Wolfsbane Potion at his home, alone, he is used to me, Cissa, or Severus."

Victor nodded in understanding. "But he hasn't seen us."

"Not as a werewolf."

"But . . . " Ruby shook her head and ran a hand through her hair, biting her lip as she thought. "You just said this potion helps him keep his human mind. He should know us."

"He should," Lucius agreed. "But I can't say for certain, Ruby."

Ruby swallowed hard. "Can we see him?"

Lucius's eyebrows rose. "It may not be safe," he warned. "And he would never forgive me for letting you get close if he hurts you, not to mention he wouldn't forgive himself."

"But you'll be there!" Ruby argued, her voice trembling. "You'll be there. If you're here, I'm guessing Newt's already with him. You would make sure nothing happens."

"We would certainly do whatever it took," Lucius reluctantly confirmed. "Ruby . . . werewolves are highly prejudiced in our world. Try as we might, Remus still has not shaken some of that prejudice."

"And that's why he never told us," Victor whispered.

Ruby took a deep breath. "I want to see him," she said firmly. "Remus is . . . he's important, Lucius. I don't care that he's a werewolf. I need to see for myself that he's OK."

Lucius glanced at Victor, and the doctor nodded in agreement. "It's Remus," he said.

The doctor's words were delivered with the simplicity as if they were merely discussing the weather, and despite the reservation that lingered, Lucius couldn't help the small smile that formed on his face. For all the teasing he and his wife had given Remus, he had truly appreciated seeing their friend truly valued by the waitress and the doctor. Seeing how they took the news of Remus's condition with barely a bat of the eye?

He pulled his wand from his sleeve and waved it over the door to Newt's room, waiting for the wards to lower before he opened it. "If Remus shows any sign of potentially hurting you, Newt and I will intervene," he told them.

"We understand," Victor nodded, removing his coat and hanging it on the back of the door.

Ruby did the same with her leather jacket, her face pale but determined. Lucius nodded in silent approval, turning to activate the wards again before walking over to Newt's case. "Stay close to me," he ordered. "Newt's case is full of magical creatures. It's the only place Remus felt safe enough to transform while here in Storybrooke. He didn't want to leave the town borders."

Ruby took a deep breath then gingerly followed Lucius into the suitcase. She shivered at the temperature change as she followed Lucius down the ladder and into what appeared to be a shed, and she quickly glanced up as Victor followed her and pulled the case shut. "Magic," she mumbled with an incredulous laugh.

When she reached the bottom, she turned and found Lucius quietly speaking with Newt. It was the most serious she had ever seen the Magizoologist, his usually warm eyes now as hard as stone as he listened to what Lucius was telling him. His blue coat was nowhere in sight, and his shirtsleeves were rolled up past his forearms, allowing Ruby to see how tightly his fingers clenched his arms as they were folded. Newt pursed his lips together tightly, eyes flickering between Lucius and the pair of Storybrooke residents, his reluctance evident.

Ruby licked her lips and stepped forward, drawing Newt's full attention to her. "Please," she begged. "We just need to see him."

Whether Newt looked to Lucius for a rebuttal or reassurance, Ruby didn't know. Lucius raised an eyebrow in reply, and Newt rubbed his forehead. "Alright," he finally said, and Ruby bit back a sigh of relief. "But what Lucius said stands. The Wolfsbane Potion has worked in the past, and from what I've seen tonight, it's doing its job now, too. But if we see anything that indicates something is wrong, you do what we say when we pull you away. Am I clear?"

His voice brokered no argument, and a chill went down Ruby's spine. This was Newt in his element, Newt where he was most comfortable. He was a Magizoologist, a specialist on magical creatures. If anyone would be able to know if Remus was a threat to them -

She discarded that thought as soon as it entered her head. This was Remus. "Clear," she nodded.

"Clear," Victor agreed.

Newt nodded curtly and walked out of the shed. Lucius gestured the pair ahead of him, and Victor took Ruby's hand and led her after Newt. Ruby clutched Victor's hand as tightly as she could, barely acknowledging the magic around her because of how hard her heart beat in her chest. On another day, she would marvel at the magical creatures around them and the whole world Newt had created inside his case. Right now, her mind had a singular focus.

Newt stopped on the border of a dark forest, and he lit his wand with a quiet murmur of "Lumos." Once Lucius did the same with his wand, Newt continued to trek forward, following a path only he seemed able to see. Victor and Ruby followed close behind, Victor's head whipping around at every noise.

Newt finally halted deep in the forest, and he turned to Victor and Ruby. "He was in the clearing ahead when I last saw him," he said. "Usually, it's a toss-up whether he wants people coming close to him or not. I don't know how he'll react to you."

"We'll be careful," Victor promised.

Some of the tension in Newt's shoulders lifted at his words. "Good," he nodded. "I don't want to see anyone hurt tonight."

"We'll keep watch," Lucius told them.

Ruby squeezed Victor's hand and carefully stepped out of the trees. She blinked rapidly at the sudden brightness from the full moon overhead, then a quiet growl rumbled from nearby. She froze in her tracks, then she swallowed hard. "Remus?" she tentatively called.

Silence hung heavy in the clearing for a moment, then bushes rustled nearby and a large wolf emerged from behind one of the larger trees. Victor inhaled sharply behind Ruby, and the waitress couldn't blame him. She couldn't look away from eyes that shone gold in the moonlight, and the wolf lowered his head as he looked warily at the pair. Had Ruby not known Remus's lycanthropy, she would have thought she was seeing just another wolf, albeit one that was unusually large. As she focused on Remus, however, she noticed his shorter snout and his tufted tail.

And those were not the eyes of a beast. Those were intelligent, human eyes that stared at her. "Oh, Remus," she whispered, taking a few more steps into the clearing. "Look at you."

A hand gently wrapped around her elbow, and Ruby whipped her head around to glare at Victor. "Let him decide," the doctor whispered, moving so they stood side by side. "We can't make him." Ruby swallowed hard but nodded in agreement, and Victor turned to the wolf, hesitating for only a moment before meeting his eyes. "We'll go if that's what you really want, Remus," he said gently. "But we aren't going anywhere otherwise. We want to stay."

Remus stilled, his golden eyes darting back and forth between Ruby and Victor. Ruby held her breath and Victor's hand tightened around her elbow, but neither moved, letting Remus stare them down. She felt the eyes of Newt and Lucius on them, the pair of wizards waiting for any sign that they should move in, but time stood still momentarily, all of them waiting for what the wolf would decide.

When Remus finally lowered his head and slowly padded forward, Ruby released her breath in a rush. She slowly crouched down on the ground, and when Remus reached her, he rested his muzzle on her knee, looking up at her with molten eyes. "Look at you," she whispered again, carefully lifting her hand. She hesitated before she touched him, however, and only moved when Remus nosed her palm. She immediately stroked his head, and she watched in awe as his hackles lowered. "Why on earth did you think we wouldn't want to see you?"

Her only response was a whine, then Victor sat on the ground next to her. "It's us, Remus," he said, slowly running his hand over Remus's back. "We're here for you."

Remus's eyes fluttered, and the noise that came from his throat made Ruby blinked. "Is he . . . ?"

"Purring?" Lucius asked dryly, smiling as he watched. "Yes, he is."

"Merlin," Newt marveled with a grin. "I don't think he's going to like it if you leave him."

Ruby smiled happily and adjusted her position so she sat on the ground, and Remus immediately flopped on his belly so his head rested on her knees. "Then I hope you don't mind if we stay here," she said, scratching behind Remus's ears. "If he wants us to stay, I'm inclined to stay."

Victor nodded in agreement. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Then it appears I'm not needed," Lucius chuckled, patting Newt on the shoulder. "Newt?"

"Go on, Lucius," Newt nodded. "I'll keep watch. And maybe get a few blankets or pillows."

Ruby shifted on the hard ground and made a face. "Yeah," she agreed. "Thanks, Newt."

"Seriously?" Newt smiled, gesturing to the werewolf lying across their laps. "This is the most relaxed I've ever seen a werewolf under the Wolfsbane before. If anything, we should be thanking you . . . and apologizing for before."

"Thank you for caring," Victor smiled in return.

"He's family," Lucius said simply. "And since he obviously cares about the two of you, so are you."

Ruby preened at the acknowledgement and looked down at Remus, molten gold eyes meeting her emerald ones. "Sorry, Remus," she told him. "You're stuck with us."

Based on how Remus's tail thumped against Victor's calf, the wolf didn't mind at all.

***

Harry blinked his eyes open, noticing that Hermione, Draco, Neville and the small Seer that always seemed to know what was going on were all there, all wearing the royal regalia they were always in when they all met in this room. Hermione was in her blue and gold dress, Harry in his emerald green suit, Draco in his maroon suit, Neville in his black and gold suit, and Lady Ravenclaw was wearing her royal blue and bronze dress.

"Harry!" Hermione's voice came from his side, and he smiled at her when he saw her smiling at him, her smile brighter than the staff in her hands.

He looked around, seeing that they were sitting on their thrones, and then he looked forward, head held high, no longer startled by the men and women standing in front of him. "Lords and Ladies, we bid you welcome," Merlin said.

Each of the five waved, and then all five Founders bowed toward them. "Hello," Lady Ravenclaw's soft, ethereal voice filled the hall, and each Founder had a smile on their face. "You're here to tell us about Hogwarts, yes?"

Salazar Slytherin, the man who Harry's bloodline originated from, nodded. "Yes, lords and ladies. There is something we have to tell you about your next year," he said. "And your first year," he added with a nod to Lady Ravenclaw.

"First year? You're a year younger than us?" Neville asked in surprise, glancing down at the blonde.

She nodded with an airy smile. "That's why we haven't met," she said. "I'll be seeing each of you on the train on September 1st."

Hermione grinned. "I can't wait to have another girl in the group!" she said excitedly.

Harry looked at Lord Salazar then at Lord Merlin. "What's going on? Why do you need to warn us about second year?" he asked, suspicion filling his eyes and tone.

Salazar sighed, meeting Harry's eyes. "Not so much as warn you but give you information that we've heard from the headmaster, as our portraits are still connected to us, they just don't know it," he said with a look at Merlin, who crossed his arms over his royal purple tunic.

The wizard's face held contempt, and Harry wanted to know why. "You mean Dumbledore? What's his plan?" Draco asked.

"We don't quite know," Merlin admitted, holding Drac's gaze. "All of you know by now that Dumbledore doesn't teach you about us, especially me. But recently, he's been trying to find something that belongs to each of us. Many eons ago, when we were all still alive, we each created a private room, almost an office, one that students could not enter due to blood wards and enchantments that keep everyone safe and their privacy intact. Your room, Hermione, is in the Astronomy tower when you first enter. It should open in the wall if you place your hand on it. It has not been opened or occupied in centuries. None of our rooms have."

Hermione gasped, her eyes wide. "I have my own space?"

Merlin nodded at his heir. "Yes, my child. You can invite anyone you choose inside." he said. "The same goes for all of you," he added, looking around the room at each of the heirs. "Each room is fitted with wards to let you, and anyone you choose, in."

"Little moon," Rowena Ravenclaw said to the small seer, who looked at her ancestor with a serene smile on her face. "Your room is near Ravenclaw tower, in the hall the ghost of my daughter occupies near the spiral stairs that lead to the opening of the tower. Place your hand on the railing, and a door should appear leading to my own personal library." The Seer nodded, taking in the information and Harry knew as soon as they met their missing link, Hermione would demand to see it.

"Draco," Godric Gryffindor started, making Draco's spine straighten. "Your room, son, is on the fifth floor. If you go to a portrait of myself and my daughter and son, you'll find your room. Place your hand on the broken brick next to the right bottom corner of the portrait, and a golden door shall appear and open."

Godric seemed like the kind of man to have a lot of red and gold, Harry thought with a grin at Draco, who smiled back. "It would be easier to talk about all of this than it is in the library!" he declared, and Harry nodded in agreement.

"Neville, my dear," Helga Hufflepuff said. "Your room is by the kitchens. You will find a small broken portrait of a pair of badgers, and if you place your hand on it, a wooden door will pop up, and you'll find your room."

She smiled at Neville, and he smiled back at her. "Does it lead into the kitchen?" he asked eagerly.

Helga laughed brightly. "No, but to get into the kitchens, you just need to tickle the pear in the portrait," she explained.

"And finally, Harry." Salazar sounded more grave than the others, drawing everyone's attention to him. "Your room, which I and everyone else call the Chamber of Secrets, is a little harder to reach. This is mainly for the reason it resides under the school, and the only way in is by speaking Parseltongue. That is an ability you were born with and will have for the rest of your life. You can speak to snakes, Harry. It is very, very rare, and you must not tell anyone outside of this room and your family that you have it. That is the reason no one has ever been able to find it. No one has had the ability of Parseltongue since my death, except one person."

Harry titled his head, but upon seeing that Salazar did not want to speak on it he immediately nodded his agreement. "Because if Dumbledore knows I have it, he can exploit it?" he guessed.

Salazar nodded, appearing pleased by his response. "Exactly. Now, to find the Chamber, you will need to go to the third floor girl's bathroom, one that doesn't get used as often as the others, and go to the sink. You'll find one that has a serpent on the side of it. When you touch it, say 'hello' in Parseltongue, and an opening in the floor will lead you down a slide into a smaller chamber. Go through the door located there, and you'll be in your room," he said.

"Now, before we send you back to the real world, there is something else you all need to know," Rowena said, her eyes sharpening. "There is danger lurking around Hogwarts this year. You need to be very careful and always keep a mirror on you."

Her cryptic words made all of the children confused, but none had the time to ask as an array of colors swirled around them, whisking them from the dream and back to the real world.

***

Emma stopped outside the bakery door, chewing her lip nervously. An hour after she had sent the message out, Queenie had confirmed everyone had arrived and the children were still sleeping at the inn with Newt promising to keep an eye on them. They would have the front area to themselves.

The steady tap of a cane behind her made her close her eyes, then a gloved hand settling on her shoulder made her flinch. "Emma?" Lucius asked carefully.

"I don't want to do this," she whispered.

His hand tightened comfortingly. "Whatever you have to share, you have my support," he said firmly.

Emma chuckled bitterly. "I'm gonna need it." She straightened her spine and took a deep breath. "Remus?"

Lucius smiled. "In good hands."

"Glad someone is," Emma muttered, then she opened the bakery door.

David's head shot up from where it had rested in his hands, and Mary Margaret, Queenie, and Narcissa turned to watch her enter. "Did you find something?" David asked desperately. "Did you find Kathryn?"

"We found a box," Emma replied.

"A box?" Narcissa repeated. "Which means . . . ?"

"We think it . . . " Emma swallowed. "We think that she . . . " Lucius squeezed her shoulder, grounding her, and Emma closed her eyes and let out the rest of the words in a rush. "There was a human heart inside it."

Narcissa's eyes widened, and Mary Margaret covered her mouth with both hands. "Oh, my God," she choked.

"No," David breathed in horror. "No, no . . . "

Emma lowered her eyes, knowing exactly where David's mind had gone. "We're going to send it out for some tests, but there aren't any other missing people."

David could only shake his head numbly, and he was barely aware of Mary Margaret rushing to his side to hug him. "Kathryn," he whispered brokenly. His heart was fully claimed by Snow, yes, but he had cared for Abigail in the Enchanted Forest, and David's memories lingered in the back of his brain. To think that Kathryn was dead . . .

"Emma." Queenie's voice was hushed, matching the dread that had filled the bakery. "What else?"

Emma fiddled with the signet ring on her finger before she answered. "There were fingerprints inside the lid of the box," she answered. "I ran them through the records of everyone in town . . . and there was a match." David's head shot up, but Emma held up her hand. "They weren't yours."

She saw the exact moment pieces clicked into place for David, for her father's face drained of color and his jaw hung open. "No," he whispered. "No, Emma, please, no."

Emma could only nod miserably and turn her green eyes on the woman sitting next to David. "They were Mary Margaret's."

***

Have some hurt with your comfort on this fine day, everyone. Such a wonderful combo, isn't it?

Ruby turns into an actual wolf as a werewolf, and the way werewolves were described over on the Harry Potter wiki said the same thing. So hey, Remus turns into an actual wolf, too. Maybe the missed Wolfsbane Potion affected his transformation in the PoA movie? (That was hella creepy, by the way) I have no idea, but Remus's appearance here is what we're rolling with, and it turns out he turns into a big puppy around his two favorite people. Who knew?

Onwards we go into one of the final big arcs of the season! "Heart of Darkness" comes next!

***

We love Remus, can you tell? He deserves all the love, all the time <3 Also, longer dreams this time, how'd I do? Anyway, "Heart of Darkness" is next, so stay tuned!

As always, stay kind, stay safe, and stay warm! <3 <3