The grey sky settled over the Forbidden Forest, which at this time of year was aflame, crowning with red, orange, and yellow. A flock of crows flapped in the frigid air as they heard the footsteps of the two wizards walking side by side on the edge of the forest. Their feet, disturbing the tranquillity of the frozen earth, prepared for the impending winter.

"Wolfbane, silver and moonstone. Wolfbane, silver and moonstone". - Dumbledore said with a hint of amusement. - "It must remind you of something, right?"

"The Wolfbane potion." - Snape replied with disdain.

"It gives us a hint about Greyback's mania with the Akardos. However, we do not have enough data. I would recommend you have a little chat with Remus. Seek his opinion. "

"Lupin?" - Snape asked with disgust clearly etched across his face. - "Why should Lupin meddle in this?"

"We are fortunate to have a werewolf in our ranks. I'm sure Remus would have no problem helping you. Unless, of course, you would rather ask Greyback's opinion, which would not be advisable".

"Nor desired".

"Then it is decided".

Snape examined the vial, turning it between his fingers. Indeed, he had been greatly surprised to find that small test tube in his pocket earlier that morning and was even more surprised to learn the ingredients involved in that reaction. Despite the great interest that had aroused in the mind of the previous potions teacher, this was not the direction he was trying to take in his research. He was looking for a way to repel magical attacks, not a potion that attracted lycanthropes. The enthusiasm reflected in Dumbledore's eyes was also disconcerting to him.

"Won't you insist on focusing on the original plan? In obtaining the potion that the Dark Lord wants?"

"Of course, Severus, but why put aside what you've discovered so far? As far as we know, the Akardos can be a source of important resources for the well-being of the wizarding world. "

"She is not just ..."

"I know you care for her, but you must not forget that Laurel can become a great threat to us. You should make the most out of your research time with her. I am sure that she would be delighted to cooperate for our cause".

"It's just a fancy way of saying you only want to use her, Dumbledore."

"All I want is to defeat Voldemort, which would be tantamount to freeing her completely. I don't think the life of an Akardos would be very pleasant under the tyranny of a world ruled by your Dark Lord".

Snape lowered his head at the old wizard's words. He was right, there was only one way to win the war, to protect Lily's legacy, to save Laurel from certain death and that was to follow the directions of Albus Dumbledore, his mentor, his protector, his friend.

"Any news about our youngest Death Eater?" - Asked the Headmaster when he saw how his words seemed to have had the expected effect.

"I haven't been able to get anything out of him. He has withdrawn into himself; he has not even commented on anything with Crabbe or Goyle. All I know is that he's planning something in the Room of Requirement. He goes there every day".

"Keep an eye on him. A desperate teenager can only bring bad news".

≫ ──── ≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫ ──── ≪

The shack from which Lupin had decided to carry out his operation under cover, was in ruins. Undergrowth had taken over most of its exterior, camouflaging the grey walls and asphalt roof with the thick pine forest around it. Broken windows let in the chilly mountain air, but the man lying naked, curled up next to a dead stove, didn't seem to care.

Remus Lupin had spent another of his terrible nights as a werewolf, a few more scars were added during his transformation. This time he had bitten and attacked himself more frantically than ever. His werewolf mind yearned to rip apart a human body, but deep down, deep inside his brain, Remus still held a tiny bit of humanity during full moon nights. Last night, the little human vestige of him kept calling out a name: "Nymphadora."

His acute hearing made him wake up suddenly when he heard the footsteps of a presence alien to the other inhabitants of the forest. His wolfish nose was able to recognize the unmistakable smell of medicinal herbs and dungeon dampness. What was Severus Snape doing in this place? He was on his feet immediately and he barely put on his trousers when the door slammed open.

"Lupin." - Snape's silky, cynical voice didn't waste a second attacking him. - "It's almost noon and you're still sleeping. What a way to be useful to the Order".

"Snape." - he snapped back. - "What are you doing here? I don't think I have sent you an invitation".

"No, to come to such a charming place, there's no need of an invitation". - He replied, looking around with contempt. - "I'm here on Dumbledore's orders".

Lupin gulped and nodded, allowing Snape to enter the crumbling house. He hurriedly finished dressing in his sweater and wool jacket. With his wand, he rekindled the embers of the stove, trying to heat the small space, but it wasn't easy at all; In addition to the cold wind that entered through the windows, Snape's presence had the peculiarity of imposing a gloomy and icy effect on any space where he found himself.

"Tea?" - He asked as he put an old kettle on the fire.

"I would love to, Lupin, but I just don't have as much free time as others, more fortunate ones." - Snape replied. - "Dumbledore has insisted on showing you this".

Lupin looked at the small vial Snape handed him in surprise. The silver whirlpool, glittering in the midday light.

"What is it?" - he asked, opening it slowly.

"I was hoping you were the one to answer that".

Lupin arched an eyebrow and brought the contents up to his nose to take a sniff. He felt how the aroma seemed to cling to the back of his throat and he had to be careful not to drop the vial, as he began to retch uncontrollably; his face flushed and his eyes watered. It was absolutely revolting, it had the sickly-sweetish smell of rotting flesh, the intense ammonia stench of a body left out in the open for days. It was the unmistakable scent of death.

Snape was staring at him in fascination, the corners of his mouth curving into a slight smile at the sight of such dislike and disgust in Lupin's reaction. "So, it's not a potion to attract lycanthropes".

"Take it ..." - Lupin murmured, breathing heavily. - "It is disgusting".

Snape grinned and sniffed the potion as well but couldn't register any particular scent. It was clear that the smell could be recognized only by the nose of a lycanthrope.

"How delicate you are, Lupin." - He said as he poured the potion on the tabletop and drew a line with the tip of his wand over it. - "Discidum Pars"

The potion, which outside its receptacle acquired a watery and translucent consistency, rose into the air and began to separate into what appeared to be five different wisps of smoke, floating and twirling thanks to Snape's spell.

"Do you see anything that catches your attention?"

Lupin stood in front of the five components of the mysterious potion, stirring them a bit with his wand. At least the foul smell was gone, but it was replaced by something else, a faint smell of damp earth, of rain. His eyes flicked to the smallest wisp. This one had a bright red colour and unlike the others, it was static. It was almost like submitting to the Imperius curse. Lupin suddenly felt how his mind was filled with a fog that silenced all his thoughts, he was in a trance and the only thing he was able to think about was the beautiful scarlet colour of that celestial substance; the scent intensified as Lupin, hypnotized, brought his hand closer to it: Camphor, wildflowers, honey and blood. The substance spilled onto his hand on contact and Remus completely forgot that he was human. He licked his fingers, intoxicated with the taste of that warm liquid that gave him sublime pleasure.

Snape's smile erased completely, he was staring at the scene with a mixture of bewilderment and revulsion. Lupin turned to him, a crazed look on his bloodstained face. He jumped suddenly, pouncing on him, grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and with superhuman strength began to slam his head against the ground.

"More!" - The customary gentleness in his voice was gone, replaced by a guttural growl. - "MORE!"

"Stupefy!" - Snape yelled, pointing his wand with difficulty. The blows to his head had left him seeing double.

He missed his target, but the thunderous noise the stove made when hit by the hex was enough to distract Lupin. Snape slipped away, putting distance between himself and the deranged man. He rummaged through his garments for the pouch bag in which he always carried his potion kit, reaching for the ampoules containing samples of Laurel's blood that he collected to work during his free time between classes. He threw one of the small bottles towards Lupin and he caught it in mid-air, breaking it with the force of his fingers and drank the thick liquid without caring about the cuts he made on his lips with the broken glass.

Snape was ready to cast the stunning spell when he saw how Lupin finished sucking his fingers and turned his manic face towards him, looking for more blood, however, he realized something was happening to him. His amber eyes rolled back, leaving them blank. His mouth, open in a silent scream, let out a light foam. He tried to take a step towards Snape, but he fell to the ground, his limbs jerking in violent spasms.

"Remus? Remus!"

Snape approach him carefully, his wand at the ready, trying to understand what was going on. The blood, the blood might be poisoning him. He searched inside his bag for a bezoar, but before he could find it, Lupin vomited. Finally, his body stopped shaking, and he lay still on the ground, breathing faintly. Snape moved him away from the vomit, positioning his body on its side, in case he would get sick again. That action brought back bitter memories of his childhood and adolescence, when together with his mother, took care of dealing with his alcoholic father. He pushed those dark thoughts from his mind, concentrating on examining Lupin, who seemed to have come to his senses.

"You are a total twat, Lupin". - Severus whispered as he checked his pulse and examined his pupils. - "But what else could I expect from a werewolf?"

"I am sorry." - He said in a tired voice. - "I couldn't control myself. I couldn't resist... That blood... Does it belong to the Akardos?"

Snape ignored his question, wary of talking about Laurel. At least it was already clear that Greyback's obsession with her was due to a mere chemical reaction, there were no real feelings involved. Still, he hated that Lupin displayed the same disturbed behaviour when exposed to just a little of her blood.

"Severus," - Lupin put a weak hand on his shoulder. - "Answer, it's the blood of the Akardos, isn't it? I want to meet her".

Snape gritted his teeth, the familiar feeling of jealousy stinging his stomach again. How dare Lupin make such a request? He stood up, turning to the destroyed stove, repairing it, and putting the kettle back on the fire. He hoped in vain that Lupin wouldn't insist on knowing more about Laurel. He wasn't about to let another Marauder ruin such a precious bond. He would not allow history to repeat itself.

"I need her alive, Lupin." - Snape replied, - "I'm not going to expose her to you. She already has enough with Greyback's attentions".

"So that's why he has disappeared". - Lupin's eyes gleamed as he realized the mysterious disappearance of the leader of the werewolves. - "The clan is on the verge of a revolt. Greyback has been gone for months".

"He's in Wiltshire, hanging around Malfoy Manor. He never strays too far".

"But then, she is in grave danger!" - Lupin tried to get up, but Snape stopped him. - "I can't even imagine what Greyback would be able to do to her..."

"Don't get up, Lupin, you're still weak. As for Greyback, I've already made sure to put him in his place".

"No, you don't understand. He will not stop".

"She is under my watch. I am protecting her, and I will do anything to keep her safe; from Greyback, from anyone who dare hurt her". – Said Snape, tinting his words with a no so subtle threat. - "Now, if you don't mind, I have to ask you a few questions".