The Owlery was a wonderful place to go when you wanted to think, as long as you didn't mind the squawks and owl droppings.
Remus often journeyed to the West Tower when it got close to the full moon, seeking a few moments of peace before the fear started to take over, but now, he needed somewhere even more secluded.
The one place no one ever dared go near. The Shrieking Shack.
There were only three days until his other side took over, and a new and unfamiliar panic was washing over him.
Lark.
At first, Remus had made a promise to himself not to become attached, but now, he had lost all hope of ever being able to let Lark go.
The joy and hope that the Ravenclaw boy brought with him were all that Remus had ever wanted but feared to have.
No one had ever made him think twice about having a connection that could someday blossom into something beautiful.
Remus had made a plan long ago to never even contemplate having romantic connections while he was at Hogwarts; perhaps that would go for after he graduated as well.
Affections and feelings only led to sorrow and heartache later; he was sure of that.
But damn it, Alexander-fucking-Lark had to go and mess up his carefully laid out plans.
Now, Remus didn't know if he could go through the rest of his life being lonely, secluding himself from those who cared for him, letting fear control his every move.
He didn't think he could live without being able to see the green eyes and charming smirk he had grown to adore.
He didn't want to live without them.
Remus wanted to let himself fall head-over-heels for Alexander.
But that could not happen. Not yet.
If Alexander found out about Remus's other side, the thing he feared the most, the Ravenclaw would never want to be around him again.
He couldn't risk it. He wouldn't.
A deep sigh escaped his lips as he wandered down to the secret tunnel that led to the Shrieking Shack.
********
Alexander felt nervous for the first time in years, something he had long ago decided was useless and totally annoying, so therefore unneeded in life.
But as he slowly made his way down the worn path towards the Whomping Willow, Alexander couldn't help but worry about what the outcome of his plan would be.
Weeks of anxiety and doubt were really beginning to piss him off, and at this point, he just wanted to yell at someone.
Kicking a small gray stone out of his way, Alexander glanced up and stopped in his tracks.
At the base of the willow tree's roots, a tall figure could be seen stooped over, preparing to enter what looked to be a dark cut out in the wood.
Alexander squinted to try and get a better view, and then his brows furrowed in confusion when he realized that it was Remus's figure he saw.
Before he could call out to the Gryffindor, Remus disappeared into the tree, leaving a stunned witness.
Alexander only hesitated a second before he bolted after him, ducking quickly when a willow branch flung his way.
The tunnel was damp, as though it was underground and darkness closed in around him.
Counting his steps, the blonde slowed when he came to a thick wooden door that opened into a dimly lit, unfurnished room.
A chill crawled up his spine and Alexander cautiously took a step, wincing when a floorboard squeaked loudly.
"Bloody hell, this place is a dump!" He muttered.
Creaking from the floors above him caught the Ravenclaw's attention.
Finding the rickety staircase, Alexander took the steps two at a time, trying his best to avoid the danger of splinters from the rotting banister.
Whispers of sound coming from behind a closed door near the end of the short hallway at the top of the stairs called his name seductively.
If it hadn't been for Remus's sake, Alexander would not have journeyed this far into the decrepit house, would not have danced around the chilling atmosphere.
But his curiosity was laced was an equal amount of worry, driving him to go further down the barren hallway.
Drawing to a stop in front of the wooden barrier, Alexander inhaled deeply, forcing his heart to calm from its frantic beating.
Resting his palm against it, he gently pushed, causing the hinges to groan in protest.
*********
Remus wasn't expecting to see Lark walk into the room he used for his transformation.
He wasn't ready for the panic to surge forward or the butterflies to take flight just by the sight of the blonde-haired boy.
"W-what are you doing here?" He stuttered, eyes wide as saucers.
"I could ask you the same thing, Lupin," Alexander said as he glanced around at the tumbled piles of torn blankets and pillows.
Remus wrung his hands, unable to answer him.
"You know, Lupin, if this is where you live, we are going to have some serious problems. I don't think I can do anything to spruce up your abode." There was a mischievous sparkle in Alexander's that set Remus's chest ablaze.
"It's not where I live."
"Well, I should hope not!"
Remus couldn't help but chuckle.
"What are you doing here?" He asked again.
"I saw you at the Whomping Willow and followed, simple as that. Now tell me, what are you doing in this decaying shack?" Alexander questioned, his fair brow arched.
Remus could feel his shoulders slump.
How could he get out of this one?
"I was -"
"The truth, please."
"What do you mean by that?" Remus said, taken aback.
"Your nose wrinkled a tad bit, that means you're fibbing," Alexander explained easily.
Startled by how well Lark could read him, Remus stood staring blankly.
"The truth, now, please."
"I can't tell you the truth."
"Are you a serial killer?"
"What! No!"
"Then you can tell me anything," Alexander reasoned with a shrug.
"No, I can't!" Remus said, letting out an exasperated sigh.
"If you can't tell me, can you at least give me something to help ease the worry?"
"You shouldn't be worried about me."
"Little late for that."
"Why do you have to do that?" Remus growled, raking his hands through his hair angrily.
"Do what?" Alexander snapped, folding his arms and frowning.
"Why do you have to make it hard not to like you? Why do you have to worry? Why can't you just not give a shit about me and move on? It would be so much easier for you!" Remus yelled, his face red and tears threatening to well in his eyes.
Alexander didn't flinch back as he expected. He stood his ground, returning the heated glare.
"You want to know why? I'll tell you why!" He growled. "Because I like you! As a person, as a friend, as someone who I want to spend time with! I want to like you, Remus! And that is the bloody truth!"
"You can't like me! I'm not who you think I am!"
"Who are you then?"
"I'm a fucking Werewolf!" Remus erupted in fury, tears beginning to slip down his pale face.
Alexander waited for the punch line to the joke, for the Gryffindor to add to this statement.
Nothing came.
"You ... are a ... Werewolf?" He said slowly, tasting the words carefully.
Remus could feel the adrenalin exiting his body quickly, leaving him shaky and weak, waiting for the final blow.
"Merlin be damned, that is not what I expected," Alexander muttered, tilting his head and letting his green-eyed gaze rake over Remus's form. "But I will say, you are by far the hottest Werewolf I've ever met." He nodded in approval, a smirk making its way to his mouth.
"What?" Remus gasped, unsure if he heard correctly, "I'm a Werewolf!"
"You're a hot Werewolf. I feel like we've already gone over this."
"But -"
"Enough with the 'I'm-a-big-bad-wolf' act, Lupin. For Merlin's sake!" Alexander said with a roll of his eyes.
"You aren't scared of me?" Remus felt his tired body sagging, relief and hope trickling into his bloodstream.
The way it came out of the poor boy and the fear still painted in his face made Alexander soften.
"No. I am not, and never will be scared, of you, Remus," He said, taking a step to close the space between them.
"You should be."
"Probably. But I like to make my own decisions about the people I could be in love with."
Alexander smiled, reaching out to gently grasp hold of his new favorite Werewolf's hand.
Remus watched their fingers as they interlaced, letting his heart calm and find a steady rhythm. He wanted to stare for a long time, memorizing every detail of this moment so that it could last forever.
"Can I hug you?" He whispered.
Instead of replying, Alexander took another step forward, looping his arms around Remus.
Resting his head on the Raven's shoulder, the Lion allowed himself to finally believe that he could have something he wanted.
Better yet, someone.