(A/N: I do not own Harry Potter. In fact, I don't even own the premise for this story. That belongs to PadfootIsMyHomeDawg, who wrote the first few chapters. I am mixing some of Pads' words with my own, so if you ever notice a break in voice, let me know!)

"Sweetie, it's time to come inside now. It's getting late."

Four-year-old Remus Lupin looked up from a game tug-of-war with his puppy. He peered through his light brown fringe at the plump woman standing in the doorway.

"But Mummy," he whined. "I'm playing!"

"I know you've been playing," Hope Lupin replied with a broad smile. "But the sun's almost set. Come inside for the night."

The four-year-old huffed, ambling into the warm house. The Beagle pup followed beside him. Once inside, Remus' mother frowned and touched his cheek with her gentle fingers.

"Goodness, you're freezing!" Hope exclaimed. "Wash and come to the table – I'll heat up some stew for supper." She sighed as the dog followed her little boy around the house.

"It wasn't that cold, Mummy," Remus argued as he went into the kitchen. "Me and Pig were having fun playing in the garden." The pup barked at the sound of his name.

"Yes, I saw the fun you were having," she chided. "But it's very cold out there – it's October. I expect the snow will come soon."

"Hooray!" the little boy cheered as he stretched on the step stool in front of the sink to reach the faucet. "I like snow," he said. "I'm gonna build a huge snowman this year, and it's gonna be even bigger than me!"

Hope smiled at her son as he rubbed soap into his dirty hands. "I bet you will," she agreed. "Are you going to put a hat on his head?"

"Last time I used my hat, Ms. Figg's cat chewed it up and I couldn't have one for a really long time!" As Remus continued to chatter away, Hope reheated some stew over the stove. Pig scampered about their feet. Just as Remus sat at the table, Lyall Lupin came in the back door.

"Daddy!" Remus cheered, waving his spoon and smiling at the tall, lanky man.

"How's my little boy?" Lyall said with a grin. He swooped down and picked up his son. Lyall set Remus on his shoulders and trotted around the kitchen.

Remus laughed and tugged at his dad's hair. "Go faster, Daddy! Go faster!"

"Alright! It's gonna get crazy in here!"

"Lyall!" Both boys turned their attention to Hope. "He's freezing and needs to eat his stew. You can't go gallivanting around the kitchen – it's much too small for rough housing."

"Right then," Lyall said with a grin. He swung Remus off his shoulders and into the chair. "Your stew smells delicious." As Hope went to fill another bowl, Lyall leaned over to Remus and whispered, "We'll go gallivanting while she isn't watching, okay?"

Remus giggled and nodded.

Remus woke up that night to a low growling sound at his door. He blinked and sat up, rubbing his eyes. His puppy was standing in front of the closed door, making low growling noises.

"Pig?" Remus yawned and rolled out of bed. "Here you go, boy," he said, letting the dog out of his room. Pig bolted to the back door, where he began scratching.

"It's cold out there," Remus whispered. The pup whined and scratched the door again. Remus sighed and pulled his coat from the rack. He put on his shoes without bothering to do up the laces – he would only be out for a minute, after all. Remus undid the latch and opened the door to let the puppy out.

But Pig didn't stay in the yard – he shot straight to a spot in the fence where the wood was loose, and crawled into the dark forest just beyond their property.

"Pig, come!" Remus called. When the untrained puppy didn't come back, Remus ran through the gate and into the forest.

The trees obscured the light of the full moon. Remus squinted, struggling to run without tripping.

"Pig," he called. "Come here, Pig."

Remus ran for what felt like forever, but was probably twenty minutes. Calling for Pig, he wandered farther and farther from his house.

Lost and desperate, Remus came to a clearing with a stump in the middle. He sat on the stump, his tiny shoulders trembling as he sobbed for his lost dog. Remus didn't hear the twig that snapped behind him. He did not see the large man with unkempt hair and a feral grin drawing nearer.

Remus heard nothing, saw nothing, and it was that night the man known as Fenrir Greyback took another victim.