A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Chapter Fifteen

Nathan smiles as the twins fought over who gets to hug him goodbye before he leaves for the Christmas break "We're being abandoned!" Fred fake cries. "I can't believe it!" George also fake cries. Nathan laughs "I'm not abandoning you, I'll be back after the Christmas break. I'll make sure to write to you both, promise." he tells them. "You better." Fred tells him. "We need to know what our baby lion is doing." George nods. Nathan smiles and shakes his head slightly "I'll also send you your Christmas presents." he tells them. "Aw, Nath has got us presents Georgie!" Fred smiles. "How sweet of him Freddie!" George grins back. Nathan laughs and rolls his eyes "I'll see you both after break, I've got to get to the carriages." he tells them. "Alright. Bye Nathan. bye Valour." the twins smile. "Bye Fred, bye George." Nathan smiles back, heading to the carriages. Hermione smiles and walks over "Hey Nathan, you alright if I sit with you? Harry and Ron are both staying here." she explains. "S-Sure." Nathan smiles, climbing into a carriage with Valour and Hermione. "You looking forward to Christmas?" Hermione asks. "Y-Yeah, it'll be my f-first one with my U-Uncle since I was a kid. What about y-you?" Nathan asks her. "I'm looking forward to seeing my parents and telling them all about the school properly, telling them about it in my letters doesn't do it justice. They probably won't understand a lot of it but I think they'll still find it interesting." Hermione tells him.

Jumping off the train, Nathan smiles when he sees his Uncle waiting for him on the platform "I-I'll see you after Chr-Christmas, Mione." he smiles, giving her a side hug. "Have a good Christmas, Nate." Hermione responds with a smile. "Uncle Remus!" Nathan exclaims, running over with Valour. "Nathan!" Remus smiles, hugging his nephew. Nathan smiles as he hugs his Uncle back, Valour barking. Remus chuckles "Sorry, hello to you too Valour." he tells the dog, giving him a fuss. The two of them go to the luggage carriage and grab Nathan's bag "You ready to head home?" Remus asks. "Yep." Nathan nods with a smile. Remus nods and apparates the three of them to the cottage "Why don't you two go get cleaned up while I sort out dinner?" Remus suggests. "Will do." Nathan nods, taking Valour's harness off before heading up to his room. Once in his room, Nathan puts his bag and trunk down by his bed before going to the bathroom to wash his hands. Valour follows him, sitting by his heels every time he stops "You a bit clingy today Bud?" Nathan asks, patting his head. Walking back to his bedroom, Nathan pulls on a clean jumper "How'd I look?" he asks Valour. The dog sniffs him before barking happily "Thanks, come on. Uncle Remus probably has dinner done by now." Nathan smiles, patting Valour.

Walking back downstairs, Nathan walks into the kitchen "Need a hand?" he asks his Uncle. "Could you grab the cutlery?" Remus asks him. Nodding, Nathan grabs the cutlery out the draw and lays the table as Remus plates up their food. The two of them sit at the table, beginning to eat "Have you been enjoying your first term?" Remus asks. Nathan smiles and nods "Yeah, it's been great. Fred and George have shown me round and helped me find the quickest routes based on my timetable each day." he responds. "That's good, what about your other friend? Hermione?" Remus asks him. "She's a great help in classes, I'm pretty sure she's the top of the class in everything. I'm also kind of friends with Ron and Harry, I haven't spoken to them as much as the others though." Nathan smiles. "Well it is your first term, you'll have plenty of time to talk to them." Remus responds, Nathan nodding. Valour rubs his head against Nathan's leg, making him smile and give him a small bit of meat off his plate "You can have your proper food in a minute." he tells him. "Has he been good at school?" Remus asks. "Yeah, he's helped me calm down when I get too stressed. He's also beginning to learn different commands too, like this; Valour, bag." Nathan says. Valour runs upstairs, coming back with Nathan's book bag in his mouth "You've got him really well trained." Remus smiles as Nathan gives Valour a treat as a reward. "He's great." Nathan nods.