You Find Out Who Your Friends Are -- Spring 1997

I looked at Professor Lupin and nodded.  "I am well aware of what lengths my father will go to to get what he wants," I said to him.  I pointed at my shoulder.  "He brutally attacked me rather than just let me be a Wizard.  He bit my brother, too, just to have a werewolf son from infancy."  I registered the surprise on Professor Lupin's face when I mentioned my brother; he did not know about Nolan.  I was not entirely sure if I ever really spoke of Nolan to Lucy, either.

"Ah, yes, I have a brother who goes to Alma Aleron in the States.  My father has already practically turned him into a mini version of himself -- I at least had my mum to protect me while she was alive.  Now I believe he is making up for lost time," I explained.

I shook my head.  "I'm sorry to hear that, Ayden," I said to him sincerely.  All this story did was remind me of little Liam and the other children.  I never thought that Greyback had children until Ayden came to Hogwarts.  And then I felt horrible for not even thinking of that aspect.  I saved Liam but no other children... and Ayden and his brother were part of those I did not save.

I was surprised to hear the sincerity in his voice.  I looked at him.  "I am just sad that things are escalating," I said to him.  "Because if it continues this way, then I will have to protect Lucy and that will probably mean breaking her heart."

I raised my eyebrows at him, a bit surprised to hear him say that.  "Well, let's hope that Lucy's heart will remain unharmed," I said to him.  "You have my help if necessary to make sure it does not end badly between the two of you... at least not because of your father."

I was so stunned.  "Thank you, sir," I said to him honestly and in disbelief.  I looked away from the headmaster and sighed heavily.  I always knew that it would end this way -- with me becoming a werewolf -- but I never thought of having to tell someone what I was changed into.  "I should go... I need to figure out what to say... what to do..."

I took a deep breath and gave him a smile.  "Just be honest and that will do wonders with Lucy," I assured him, walking to the doorway with him.  "You may have to give her space, too, because if you push her, you will feel her wrath."