Werewolves: A Study

Interview

Remus sat at a small wooden table in the corner of Newt's hut and watched as Newt bustled around cooking dinner. The walls of the hut reminded him of the potions classroom at Hogwarts, the walls were covered with shelf upon shelf of potions, only here the shelves were of worn wood instead of stone. Glass jars and containers of all shapes and sizes sat containing a myriad of ingredients and liquids. Remus watched in amazement as Newt worked,  barely looking up he grabbed a bottle to season the meat then put it back and grabbed another. 'How does he keep them all straight? What if he doesn't and we are both poisoned by essence of mooncalf dung or something?' Remus sniffed the air. 'It certainly doesn't smell like poison.' Once again his stomach growled at the prospect of food.

The sound causes Newt to look over in Remus's direction. "You'd like yours on the raw side, correct?" He asked knowing the answer but wanting to give Remus the option to choose.

"Please," Remus replied inclining his head in thanks.

Newt gave him a small smile, what was more a slight twitch of his lips, then drew his wand and pointed it at the steaks. Instantly the slices of meat began to sizzle on the cutting board. Stopping one before the other he carried it over to Remus on a plate along with baked potatoes and vegetables. "Dig in."

"Thank you," Remus said gratefully. He hadn't had a decent meal in over a week and it took all his control not to wolf down the food.

Newt carried his own plate over to the table and taking a seat across from Remus studied him as he ate. A werewolf was very different from any other creature Newt had brought to his case before.  Newt was surprised to find that communicating with Remus was more difficult than he had anticipated. He took a deep breath and tried to rehearse what he was going to say to Remus.  This situation would require tact and of course choice. Participating in this would be entirely up to Remus. Like any other creature, Newt would not force him to do something he didn't want unless it was for the benefit of their life.

"Mr. Scamander?" Remus asked looking at Newt.

"Oh?" Newt realizing he had lost himself in his thoughts forced himself to meet Remus's eyes. It works but only for a moment before he looks back down at his plate. "Yes?"

"Grateful as I am for this meal I can't help but feel like you wanted more than just a dinner companion."

"Yes," Newt replied wiping his face with his napkin and chewing the piece of potato he had in his mouth. He set the napkin on the table and glanced up at Remus. "You see Mr. Lupin you are a werewolf."

Remus laughed at this. "Yes, I have realized that."

"Well, it's not just that," Newt continued with his eyes focused down on the table, "Dumbledore has told me about your disposition and I think you are the only one who would be able to help me."

"Help you?" Remus asked uncertainly.

"Yes, you see werewolves are severely misunderstood, creatures."

Remus snorted at this. "You're telling me?"

"Mr. Lupin no one has taken that actual time to study a werewolf up close."

"That's because no one is that crazy. We aren't overgrown dogs we are dangerous dark creatures. We should be left alone." The words flowed out of Remus as if it were an admission of guilt.

Remus's words cause Newt to regard him with surprise. There was a note of animosity in his voice that Newt would not have expected. "No one should be alone Mr. Lupin. And there have been advancements that you may not be aware of."

A spark of hope that Remus thought had long ago burnt out flickered at those words. "A cure?" He whispered with his full attention on Newt.

The direct stare makes Newt uncomfortable and his gaze dropped back down to the wooden table. "No, I'm afraid not. That would be quite impossible. But there have been some recent developments and a potion has been created that will alleviate the effects of the transformation." He tried to explain.

"You mean it will numb me? I won't feel the pain anymore?"

"Actually it's quite the opposite. It will ensure that you retain your mind." Newt answered once again looking up at Remus. "That means that you would be conscious for the entire transformation but it also means that-"

"The wolf won't be in control," Remus asked awed by the concept.

"Yes, quite so." Newt nodded his head.

"And you need to test this potion on someone?"

"No, no not at all. The potion has been tested and it works. But with this potion comes new opportunities."

"The opportunity for you to observe a fully transformed werewolf up close."

"Yes. Think about the possibilities Mr. Lupin. The amount of recorded information on werewolves is minuscule compared to other creatures and the majority of it is sketchy at best. A few facts mixed with legends, masking the truth.  I believe that imperfect understanding is often more dangerous than ignorance. But if we work together we can change that and perhaps change the way much of the wizarding world views lycanthropes."

Remus listened to all this with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. He knew Newt was right but what if something went wrong and he ended up harming the famous author and magizologist? "Why are you doing this?"

Newt turned slightly away from Remus and seemed to be studying the bottles on his shelves. "My last attempt to help lycanthropes was... well let's just say I bungled it. When I pushed to pass the Werewolf Registration act it was with the intention that werewolves be identified to receive aid and care. I never imagine that it would be used as a way to single them out and discriminate against them. Because of how they are treated when they register many of them feel that they have no chance of integrating into normal wizarding society. As a result, they will join one of the various werewolf colonies around Britain and as we both know conditions there are sorely lacking. I've spent my life trying to help creatures and to know I have failed so many because of my misguided attempt to help... well I would like to make things right. Will you help me Mr. Lupin?"

Remus observed Newt carefully as he spoke. It was obvious he truly did care about the well being of werewolves. 'This could improve the living conditions of thousands of werewolves.' After a moments pause, Remus finally answered, "I will help on two conditions."

Newt nodded feeling excited now, "Of course it will all be on your terms."

"First, we take precautions to secure me in case the potion doesn't work. Second, call me Remus." Remus said with a grin holding out his hand.

Newt eagerly took Remus's hand and shook it. "Well, Remus, we better get to work then the moon is almost a week away."