Werewolves: A Study

Encounter

Newt had faced numerous creatures in his lifetime, from the cute and cuddly to the fierce and dangerous but this was different. Although a werewolf would become a murderous beast under the influence of the full moon during any other time of the month they were just like every other witch or wizard. Which meant that just like every other witch and wizard in the world, besides Tina, of course, Newt would have to work up the courage to start a conversation. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter from Dumbledore to double check the name on it. "Remus John Lupin," he repeated quietly to himself, "Remus Lupin." 'It is as if his parents marked him for lycanthropy.' He mused as he compelled himself to walk across the street.

Remus was resting with his eyes closed and his head against the wall of the shop. The pitter-patter of raindrops falling off the roof had almost lulled him to sleep when someone nearby cleared their throat. Remus opened his eyes and looked up to see an older man standing next to him.

"Hello." Newt forced the word out.

"Don't worry I'll be going. I don't want any trouble." Remus replied automatically, he was used to getting told to leave by now. With a groan, he willed his stiffened joints to bare his weight as he stood up. At least this shopkeeper was being courteous many weren't.

"What? Oh, no!" Newt blurted out when he realized that Remus was leaving. "I... you can stay... well I don't want you to stay I want you to come with me." Newt stammered. He inwardly groaned realizing he was making a mess of everything. 'Why didn't I wait for Tina to come back from America before doing this? She's always been better with people than me.'

"In the shop?" Remus asked clearly confused.

"Shop?" Newt looked at the building and his nose wrinkled a bit at the thought of working there. 'Trapped indoors all day certainly not.' It would be like a cage and he didn't believe in cages. Nothing deserved to live locked up. "No, no. I've come for you Mr. Lupin."

Remus took a step back defensively. 'He's too old to be an Auror. Is there some new werewolf law they are enforcing in muggle towns now?' "I've done nothing wrong. I was only resting."

"Would you like to rest somewhere dry?" Newt asked calmly as he took a step back and away from Remus. He wanted to give Remus his space and not feel as if he was being attacked.

"Not a cell." Remus shot back.

"No, not a cell." Newt shifted a battered old briefcase between his left and right hand. "In my office for tea? Biscuits perhaps?" Newt added the last part after assessing Remus. It was obvious that it had been some time since he had something to eat.

The thought caused Remus's stomach to growl and he blushed embarrassed. It was a tempting offer but would it be wise of him to follow a strange man solely based on the promise of tea, biscuits, and a few moments of comfort? Then again what did he really have to lose? He didn't have anything valuable and surely if he needed too he could fight this older man.

"You'd be free to leave whenever you like," Newt explains to him. He had seen the look in Remus's eyes before. It was the look creatures often had when assessing a situation, this would usually bring them to a fight or flight response. Newt didn't want Remus to feel as if he was being cornered and the last thing Newt wanted was for him to bolt. He had to give him something to calm him, something he knew that would soothe him. With a Niffler you would just offer it a shiny object and with a mooncalf a tasty treat would work. But a werewolf was more human than creature, which meant Newt was at a loss. 'Think Newt, think.' "Dumbledore." He blurted out the name suddenly.

"What about him?" Remus asked narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

"Dumbledore was the one who gave me your name. He suggested that I find you."

Remus looked at him skeptically. Why would Dumbledore give someone his name? 'I'm surprised he even remembers I exist.' He thought sourly. After everything that had happened Remus had simply been forgotten. Alone. "Who are you?"

"My name is Newton Artemis Fido Scamander but most people just call me Newt." He said simply. "I am a-"

"Magizologist!" Remus exclaimed excited now. How could he not have known? Then again his copy of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" was an old second-hand copy with a picture of a young Newt Scamander on the dust jacket. On closer inspection, Remus realized that Newt's hair hadn't really changed that much and his eyes were still the same. 

Despite years of trying Tina had never been able to help Newt feel completely at ease with people and Remus's close scrutiny of him was more than he could bear. His gaze dropped down to the sidewalk below Remus's feet. "Yes, that's right." He nodded feeling slightly embarrassed. "So will you come with me then? For tea?" 

All of Remus's previous reservations had fled the moment he learned that identity of this mystery man. "Yes, of course, it would be an honor."  'If only my father could be here. He would have loved this.'

Newt blinked in surprise, he had expected to need to convince Remus a little more. "Oh, right this way then." Newt motioned for Remus to follow him. Together they walked across the street and in between two buildings. Newt lead Remus down into a small alley and behind a dumpster. Then crouching down he placed his case on the ground and undid the latches. "In you hop."