BLACK MOON ⍋ Remus Lupin

Chapter SeventySeven- A Werewolf.

"Oh come on." I rolled my eyes at her.
"You could have at least attempted to be convincing. Nice acting though."

She looked at me as if I were mad and that it was shocking that I didn't believe her and of course I didn't.

Werewolves were beasts. It was common knowledge that people with the curse live with it everyday, described as looking animalistic even in their human form. It wasn't something that could be controlled. Sharp teeth and a sharp temperament to match. They were described as not even being close to human once contracting the curse, just using the body as a disguise that meant they could walk amongst us.

The books I had read referenced studies on werewolves, scientific not just speculation. Some werewolves could change without the full moon and some couldn't, it was the same as some wizards being powerful and other not, some studies suggested. These beasts were inherently blood thirsty regardless and were driven by a predator instinct to hunt for sport.

Something that was fascinating in the studies was the fact they weren't considered pack animals, often hunting alone. Despite being closely described as contorted wolves. Though there were the rare occasions where groups of werewolves would be spotted together, one occasion being in Russia in the wilderness. They were never disturbed and have little sightings.

The specialists said that human behaviour was mimicked by the beasts, as a hunting mechanism and all characteristics of the wizard before being affected by the curse was dead. Vanished and eradicated by the poison that now infested and warped their DNA.

A number of years back a few school children went missing on a camping trip. Muggles. It was discovered that they had been baited by a werewolf. His picture was printed in all of the wizarding papers. He was grotesque, hairier than a usual man and an evilness surrounding his energy. You could see he wasn't human but a beast disguised as one. The curse was sucking all life out of the body he inhabited, frail looking though possessing obvious strength. A walking contradiction. An old tired looking man but a strong beast on demand.

Werewolves weren't people. They were a walking disease that deteriorates the mind and body of a wizard and the only way they can continue to survive is to kill and breed. Like dogs.

There were speculations that the existence of werewolves (and vampires too) was to act as population control for the human species. Both muggle and wizarding kind alike. Who better to hunt us but the combination of man and beast? Though that theory begs the question how they began to exist and if it was planned, like when a predator is introduced to an environment where wildlife is taking over and destroying crops and eating the wilderness away. Introduced to promote balance within nature. It was interesting to think about but didn't change the fact werewolves were a blood thirsty threat and were often mistaken as wizards.

It made sense why the ministry were beginning to consider a compulsory list of who was infected but it was ludicrous to insinuate that he could be on the list.

"Artemis I'm not lying. Remus Lupin is a werewolf." She whispered angrily at me.

"As I said, you're welcome to visit whenever you want." I tapped her address book and raised from the seat I was sitting in.

"I have to pack my things and go sign some paperwork. Thank you for all the help." I said politely though signalling I was done with the conversation. I felt beyond irritated with her storytelling.

To claim someone was a werewolf was beyond dramatic and she was just trying to frighten me from never speaking to that group again, because she knows that simply being a troublemaker wasn't a deterrent. Which is all they were.

I left her at the table gobsmacked as I held my head high and walked away. I wasn't going to just believe viscous rumours, especially ones that could destroy someone's life. It was reckless and childish of her, and I expected better.