Werewolves: A Study

Introduction

"This is incredible," Remus said in breathless wonder as he turned in a circle taking in the various sections in the case. "And each one is a habitat for a different creature?"

Newt filled a small plate with pellets and placed it at the base of a tree. Almost instantly the plate was swarming with bowtruckles. He watched the bowtruckles for a moment then looked over at Remus and nodded. "Creatures do best when they are kept in there natural surroundings, unfortunately, that isn't always possible. I try to replicate their environments here, although I'll admit nothing I create will be a perfect substitute, no amount of magic can do that."

Remus noticed that Newt had an almost sorrowful look as he admitted that. "I think they are lucky to be here. The real world isn't very kind to creatures." There is a hint of bitterness in his voice as he spoke. "But here they are fed and cared for. You keep them safe, it's quite an accomplishment."

Newt considered Remus for a moment. Although people skills weren't his strong suit by any means, assisting creatures was second nature for him. It was plainly obvious that Remus hadn't had an easy life but Newt sensed there was something more than that. He had been wounded, not just physically, something mentally had cut him deep and left its mark. Newt was used to rehabilitating the wounded and on countless occasions had found that the scars you couldn't see were often times far worse than the ones you could. "Thank you." He finally answered and forced a small awkward smile. "Now that everyone else has been fed I think it is our turn."

"Do we get pellets too?"

Newt actually laughed at this. "I was thinking about a nice steak with some potatoes perhaps?" He said it more as a question than a statement to make sure this agreed with Remus.

Before Remus could answer his stomach replied for him with a drawn-out gurgle. "Sorry," Remus said turning pink with embarrassment.

"Don't be it's completely natural," Newt told him dismissively. "You see when you are hungry the brain releases a hormone that signals your stomach and your intestines. Essentially the hormones cause them to contract in preparation for digestion. It's the contractions are causes the sound. Sometimes it can even signal a bowel movement-" Newt's voice faded slightly as he mentally heard Tina reprimanding him for such a comment before dinner. "Food," Newt said quickly trying to cover his up this slip and turning towards his hut motioned for Remus to follow. "Let's get food."

Remus followed Newt to his hut with an amused expression on his face. This was far from the day he had imagined when he woke up on that park bench earlier that morning. Yet here he was with Newt Scamander! The world's greatest Magizologist! The only thing Remus wanted to know was why was he here?