Chapter 4- In Order to Trust

"Potter, Black—get back downstairs. You," he said, turning to Remus. "Come with me."

Much to his disappointment, Sirius' immediately stepped away.

He watched as the dark-haired boy followed obediently behind James—leaving Remus alone and with little choice but to follow the older man.

No words were spoken as they began a steady progression up the nearest flight of stairs.

Where was the man leading him? Would he be able to help? How come Sirius had been so compliant? Remus' mind was spinning.

Not until they started down another darkened hallway did he begin to notice the sound of doors being unlocked.

He looked up from the stone floor to find, left and right, figures were emerging from their dorms—feral eyes captivated by Remus' every move.

The boys were awakening.

He shuddered with this realization and decided it would be best if he kept his head down until they finished passing through the halls. He wondered briefly why the older man had taken him this way—past the dorms.

Numerous turns and ascents, followed by a dozen more leering young men, led them to arrive in front a massive door made of steel.

At the wave of the older man, the handle shined brightly for a moment, before opening up to reveal the room.

It was arranged similar to the way Remus remembered Dumbledore's office—except everything here seemed to have a slightly darker touch to it.

In place of the portraits of former headmasters were much more dangerous looking faces; and Remus immediately noticed the absence of the ever present phoenix.

There were no dishes brimming with sweets.

"Asher," the old man turned sharply towards the other boy. "Wait outside."

To Remus' astonishment, the boy did as he was told without hesitation.

"You," he addressed Remus. "Sit down. Explain yourself."

"Well," Remus started momentarily intimidated by the harsh gaze of the older man. "You see, sir, I'm not entirely sure how it happened, but it seems I've somehow altered my world…"

Quite a while later, Remus found himself in the same seat, concluding the story with his most recent encounter in the hall (though, of course, leaving out as much detail as he could).

"A very unfortunate occurrence," the older man muttered, turning to focus his gaze on the wall opposite him.

They sat for several minutes but, for once, the silence was not reassuring to Remus.

"My apologies," the man spoke suddenly. "But I'm afraid I cannot help you."

Remus swallowed tightly but did not respond.

"You see, in our world there exists a schism between two types of beings. One cannot function properly without the other and unfortunately, there has been a significant drop in the supply of your type."

"In the supply?" Remus asked. "But I don't—"

"This shortage," the man continued. "Does not permit us to be frivolous when it comes to the distribution of your type."

"Distribution—!" Remus started, too indignant to remain calm any longer.

"If you'd used your head and stayed at the house—as I'm sure Miss Anna warned you to do—then your predicament would be much easier to resolve. Unfortunately, that is not the case. You've seen by nearly every male student inside these walls—and don't assume you can fend them off with polite appeals. Let me assure you…you will be pursued—what you experienced this morning is only the beginning."

"But I'm not one of your-your beings! I'm not even from here. This isn't where I belong!"

"Well, you cannot leave now." The older man said harshly. "As far as I can tell, you aren't returning to 'where you belong' anytime soon, so it's safe to say that, for now, you belong to the school…to me. In fact, I think we will find you are quite the incentive for our young men."

"But—"

"With that said," he raised his voice before Remus could argue further, "the next matter to discuss is your new residence. It is clear by your story that you've had the fortune of meeting the young Miss Anna. If she hasn't already, she will set up a permanent room for you and help you get settled. Meanwhile, I will remind the students that they are to behave themselves."

"Behave themselves?" Remus asked, incredulous. "Do you have any idea—"

"I am not ignorant of the actions of my men," he interrupted Remus once again. "I know they…watch while I'm not around. But in addition to having to answer to me, they are aware there will be severe punishment for anyone who touches you or anyone else from the house. As Mr. Black will soon find out…"

Remus shuddered. He had been careful earlier to leave out the incident in the courtyard when recounting his story.

"I do hope, for his sake, that this morning's encounter was the only time he's touched you."

"Yes," Remus said quickly, feeling the sudden urge to protect the other boy. "It was."

The man's cold eyes bored into his own for several long moments.

"Sir," he began again, hoping to have at least a couple of his questions answered. "I don't understand. Why are the students like this? What is it that makes them so dangerous?"

"What they are taught here is none of your concern." He replied contemptuously.

Remus frowned.

"Can you at least tell me why such rules are even necessary? What makes the students incapable of controlling their actions?" Remus asked, becoming increasingly more frustrated.

"Because that is the way things are here," he said shortly. "These students have lived almost their entire lives within these walls. As they near adulthood, the desire to claim becomes stronger. Loneliness is a powerful emotion, Mr. Lupin, and as I said earlier…there is not an equal supply of each. No one has been allowed to claim in years."

Again, he looked at a point beyond Remus for a moment.

"You will stay away." He said finally, in a deadly tone that brooked no room for argument.

"Although the students are quite aware of the rules, you cannot go parading about in front of them. Especially seeing as you are…unique. If you continue to tease my students, Mr. Lupin, they will become even more persistent."

He studied Remus' face for a moment.

"At the moment, that house and I are the only two things keeping you safe."

Remus sensed the truth in this statement and somehow knew this fact could not have pleased the older man more than it did.

"I think it is time you return to the house. And I must insist you remain there. I'll check up on you soon."

Remus did not argue.

"Asher," the man called out. The brown haired boy appeared from behind the door.

"Escort Mr. Lupin to the barrier. Once you are certain he has made it safely inside, return to my office."

"Yes, Professor."

"Oh, and Lupin?" the old man spoke up again. "If you find you suddenly have the inkling to take an early leave, do remember there will be consequences."

Remus said nothing but stood and turned to follow the boy.

As the two walked the length of yet another hallway, Asher leading, Remus felt unease settle in the pit of his stomach. He nearly came to a halt when he noticed movement in the shadows. It seemed the dark figures were once again emerging.

Though he couldn't quite make out faces, he could see their eyes clearly. Remus felt certain, were it not for the threat of punishment, he would be pinned under one of the many muscular forms.

Within minutes, they'd reached another floor on which classes were taking place.

Instantly, the young men in the rooms turned, fascinated, to get a better look at him. They seemed to lean toward him and inhale deeply, their intense eyes filling with desire.

Remus did his best not to make eye contact, instead focusing on Asher's unnecessary closeness and wondering anxiously where Sirius might be.

Though it was an uncomfortable walk, it was not too much longer before they were outside and stepping across the courtyard, away from Hogwarts.

Remus knew he should be relieved at the distance put between him and the castle, but being alone with Asher only succeeded in unnerving him further.

Just as the house came into sight, he felt the other boy push hard against him until they were surrounded by trees—out of sight from both Hogwarts and the house.

"So," he hissed. "Someone finally caught the eye of the infamous Black."

Remus struggled but the other boy held him firmly.

"I'm sorry to say, you've caught the eyes of others as well." He leaned closer to Remus' ear, now whispering dangerously. "I saw the way you let him touch you. You know, we aren't so different, he and I…I could hold you too."

Remus tried again to pull away.

"You can't leave here, Remus," the boy said, the same malicious glint from earlier returning to his eyes. "You see, I won't let you. I like you better than any of the others. And my father is a very important associate of Professor Nevar. It's only a matter of time before I get to stake my claim…until you're mine."

He leaned forward to bury his nose in Remus' neck but Remus shoved with all his strength and was surprised to feel the boy release him.

Wordlessly, he ran as fast as he could to the house, not once risking a glance behind him.

"It's a matter of time, Remus!" He heard Asher yell. "Professor Nevar has his reasons for keeping you here, as do I."

Remus felt himself pass through the invisible barriers and nearly tripped on his way up the steps.

He heard the door open as he neared the top.

The blue eyes looked neither angry nor surprised but Remus felt guilt settle in at the sight of the girl.

"Are you alright, Remus?" She asked softly.

Remus was silent as he stepped closer to the house. From the doorway he turned, eyes scanning the grounds through the open door until he found what he sought.

Not far from the house stood the towering gates of Hogwarts—his escape.

He stepped inside and the sound of the door closing echoed through the house.

"Yes," he said finally, "I'm alright."