Bartley's eyes widened for a moment. "I'm impressed, that's rather advanced for your age. You should be in Ravenclaw. No wonder why Magnus has a crush on you. It is true, we could transfigure some food. But I question if I should subject you children to watch him take down any prey. My haste to make my son comfortable in this state may have caused a lapse in judgement. However, I believe we could come up with an adequate solution that would at least lessen the degree of harm he would bring to himself as well as trauma to you lot witnessing such an act. Though it will take about an hour or more to get everything and I will have to summon my house elf here as I refuse to lower the shield ward. We must ensure your safety as well as my son's."

Aderyn glanced around, meeting other students' gazes in the wake of Magnus' transformation. She could see that Beth was traumatized by the tear tracks on her face and she stepped closer, putting a hand on the girl's shoulder, her mind going to the vial of draught of peace she had hidden away in her trunk for nights where she was having trouble sleeping. If Beth was still very upset when they left, she figured she could offer it to the girl.

"How are you holding up?"

"Wow, Sam, are you serious? That's impressive!" Katsumi was amazed. She'd never seen anyone her age do a spell such as the one the Slytherin girl mentioned. She was a little jealous. "Um, if you want to do that, we could look away." She thought that watching a violent kill might be more than she was ready for. Mr. Bartley had a better idea, however.

Sam blushed furiously at Mr Lee's comment. And nodded her thanks to Katsumi '"Well it wasn't easy to learn, I'll grant you, but I had to either master that spell or see Chua starve. He only eats live food, and sending an owl to a muggle pet store to pick up live mice every other week would be against more secrecy laws than even I care to break.
Not only that, but my greedy guts great gray would most likely devour them all herself before she got ten feet from the store. She goes into a horrible tantrum if I don't give live prey to kill frequently enough." She stroked the little king snake coiled around her neck, and took a deep breath before admitting. "I never learned to turn'em back though, and that rabbit's too big even for Umbra to eat. I guess the house elf could take it back to the kitchen with her..., Unless someone wants a bunny?"

Katsumi looked confused momentarily, before realizing that Chua was the snake, not an owl. "Ah, yeah, it's not quite as easy to send a snake out hunting as it is to send an owl, is it?" She looked at the rabbit. "I don't have a place for another pet, but I can ask around."

Aria wanted to blurt out another question but waited until Bart was finished answering the other students before asking. "What happened to the werewolf who attacked Magnus()? It seemed rather premeditated. " She asked a bit nervously.

Mr Lee chuckled, "I believe one unexpected pet is enough for the day, do you not?" He waved his wand and the rabbit returned to an owl treat. "Turning them back, can actually be far more difficult. You take into consideration the power of the wand and the core it contains, as well as the weight of the object or animal in question and then you must have the exact intent and calculate the weight of the object or animal to which state it should be returned... well, in short it is not only magic, but it is science."

Bartley unconsciously rubbed his goatee as he still pondered if he should provide Magnus with more food. "One can only look away so much... and then there is the noise. I am beginning to have reservations and thus we will hold off...for now. You are all my responsibility as much as my son is."

"Darling," Bartley said with a fire in his eyes, "it was exactly premeditated. That man set about to murder Magnus and for it he was given the dementor's kiss. But there was outrage when the Wizengamot learnt that not only was the wizard in question hunting children but hunting in muggle settings. To violate the secrecy of the wizarding community in such a violent and purposeful intent--especially given the nature of the crime... well people weren't content with just the dementor's kiss. He was found later, with wand wounds mimicking those he gave to Magnus; wounds that he died of. There was a brief inquiry but no one really seemed to put much effort into finding the person or persons involved. In fact it seemed most felt he got just what he deserved."

"I keep insisting that magic is actually a science, but so few wizards see it that way." Katsumi was pleased that someone outside of her family shared that view. The details about what had happened to Magnus were unpleasant, but the fact that it had been planned was just terrible. Her eyes flashed. "It was less than he deserved," she stated, her voice turning terse. "My understanding is that after the kiss of a dementor, there's really nothing of the person left, even though they are still alive. In that light, what happened to him after can't really be counted as retribution."

Aria listened in horror as Bart() answered her question. Dementors were something she hoped to never be near again, though she had seen them before. She thought they were like the invisible monsters who lived in closets, at least that is what she was told after she had seen one in action. "I'm glad that the boy did not get away with hurting Magnus. Is it wrong to still feel sorry for him though? I just know how terrible dementors are." She said letting her voice trail off for a moment.

She looked up at Bart and felt like she wanted to cry. "Why would he want to hurt Magnus?" She asked feeling full of confusing conflicting emotions.

Aria nodded with Katsumi() in agreement. "It's so true," she commented, "my mom had me believing magic didn't exist. The only memories I have of my father, before he was killed with my older brother in a magic fight, he was using magic without making a sound. My mom convinced me that I just had an overactive imagination as a child." Aria paused and smiled up at Katsumi, "Come to think of it, I still do have a very active imagination." Aria giggled as she spoke.

"I'm glad to know that everything I believed in is real though." Aria sighed and looked at Magnus(), "even though some of it can be so painful or bad." She thought of the dementors and shuddered involuntarily.

"Oh magic is very much a science. Particularly the fields of transfiguration and potions. If you miss calculate in either of those, the results can be quite nasty. I agree with you though; either punishment does not seem enough for the life he condemned Magnus to. But Aria, never think compassion is wrong. To be able to see both perspectives is an admirable trait. To decide such a fate for someone is not taken lightly. Alas, if a dementor is not used, do we then use Avada Kedavra? How to mete out justice in the wizarding world is a topic of much debate; fraught with ethical ramifications. What do you do with someone who is determined to kill and magical?" He shook his head. "There are things that I cannot answer, sweetheart. There are people who choose to become monsters. I don't mean that he chose to become a werewolf. I mean he, the man, chose to hunt Magnus in human form. The human chose to allow the werewolf to kill him. That is why I would hold the man accountable. The difference is he elected harm, whereas others lock themselves in cages and take wolfsbane so as not to harm anyone. They would rather take three days of misery and pain to themselves rather than harm another soul.

"Take Magnus for example. The boy was upset at the idea of hunting a llama. He gets upset when he can't control his anger and blames himself. He rarely complains about his condition. He couldn't even understand why Sam called him brave. He doesn't see it that way. To him, it is just what it is. He even tried to not call out when he was transforming. Even in face of everything, he still maintains an innocence about him."

Summery thus far

Magnus’ Dad and three unspeakables set up the special security measures for the students to remain safe. His Dad, Bartley Lee, also brought a llama for werewolf Magnus to snack on. But since Magnus was unable to stomach the thought Bartley put a spell on the llama making it stay small and giving the “stupid thing” to his son. The draught of peace has worn off and Magnus is starting to get aggressive and is close to the change. He also started quoting lines from the Three Little Pigs. Magnus transforms with extreme pain. Many of the students felt awful for Magnus. Mr. Lee explains how Magnus was found as an infant on the streets of London in a baby carriage. He also explains that the man who was responsible for Magnus becoming a werewolf had actually deliberately waiting to transform into a werewolf in order to harm the boy.

Meeting the Werewolf

Magnus snarled, showing his long white fangs. The werewolf stretched his body and let out another howl. He smelt food and turned towards the onlookers that he could not see. The unspeakables had made it so it was one-way, of course the werewolf did not know this. He only knew he could smell meat. He stalked forward only to hit something solid. For a fraction of a second the bars in his cage showed. A growl escaped his lips as he moved his paw forward. This time the paw slid through, only to be stopped again. The shield ward cracked and sent out a shock that pushed the werewolf backwards. Angrily, the werewolf turned around to gain distance and charged forwards, trying to get to the source of the smells. He hit the bars and the shield ward and yelped in pain as he landed a foot backwards on his side. Slowly he got up and shook his body, the black fur ruffling in places. His long tail swished in the air. Something was off to him. Why could he not progress forward? He lumbered slowly, cautiously as around the inviable walls. Soon he had covered the entire cage and knew his territory. He could hear the animals communicating with each other but did not understand their words. There surely had to be away to get to the unseen prey, he thought.

Bartley watched with the others as Magnus hit the cage and flew backward. His heart did a leap and he winced for the boy’s pain but he forced himself to stay put. This was the other reason he brought his colleagues with him. They were staying out of sight, out of the conversations but they were there not just as security and to render medical aide but to make sure Bartley didn’t do anything rash either. Bartley sigh and said in a low voice, “and so it has begun.”

((OOC: removed pings from first group as that seems to help everyone get the pings.))

Millie could tell Beth () was upset. She sled her hand into Beth's hand and squeezed it. "You okay?" she asked. She could understand why she was upset. It was hard to watch one of their friends suffer. She wished there was more she could do to help Magnus but she knew only time would help him. Millie would hate to lose control, so she understood Magnus's anger

Aria thought about what Bart() had said and decided it was very convoluted indeed. "I can see where the ethical issues around wizarding punishment could become a tangled mess to deal with. I agree that the man should be held accountable and I'm glad he was." In an effort to comfort herself, Aria looked down and ruffled the soft fur between Dax's ears.

A moment later and with more careful consideration, Aria looked up and said, "I am glad that we have special rules for those who wield magic with criminal intent."

Aria nodded in agreement with everything Bart said. "I think that those who have been given difficult challenges rarely see themselves as brave or courageous when they rise to meet the difficulties. Rather they see that they have simply chosen to act, where others might be acted upon."

Aria watched as Magnus hit the wall of the cage with his large wolf body. She felt a mixture of worry and sadness. She was surprised that she didn't feel any fear at all. Taking a look at Bart she knew why, my dad is here, she thought and a different feeling of gratitude and warmth filled her heart briefly.

Paddy couldn't blame Magnus for not wanting to eat live prey. Sure, she'd eaten rats and the ocassional bunny when she was running the forest with her Uncle as a pup, but looking at the llama shaking with fear, she understood Magnus' reservation. If he'd encountered the llama when he'd transformed, she knew it would've been a different story.

She winced as Magnus ran straight into the cage bars, knowing how much that will hurt when he finally changed back after the moon. She felt more admiration for Magnus, knowing he had chosen to go through this so his fellow classmates could understand werewolves a bit more, even though being in that cage must be driving him crazy.

"Erm, Mr Lee," she said, waving her paw.... no, hand (being furless is taking some getting used to still), "would my howls still sound like a true werewolf and be something Magnus would howl back to, or since I'm human for the course of this full moon would they not have any effect?"

Fade wore his concern on his face, plain for anyone to read. He didn’t care what the others thought of him, even if he knew most of them as friends and that none of them would think any less of him for having basic human compassion. There was a weight in his chest that pressed against his lungs. It increased when the werewolf Magnus (()) threw himself against the cage. “Anyone know any scent concealing spells?” If finding a common ground with his friend in this form was as impossible as it sounded, maybe they could ease his frustration in another way.

Fade’s concern for Magnus glazed over when asked about her howl. He looked up at her with a blank expression until his brain made the connection and his mouth dropped open. Somehow not only was she unaffected by the full moon, but the opposite transformation had apparently taken place at some point in time. The notion made Fade’s head spin. “How… What… You’re… And he’s…” Looking between Paddy and Magnus, his question became evident. Apparently being late the club meetings meant you missed out on a few important conversations.

Paddy looked over at Fade and realised that he probably was thinking much the same as the other students in the group, as she'd been so wary of turning up furless, she hadn't spoken to anyone other than Bartelby when she entered the dungeon. "Magnus' father found a way for me to be human for the duration of this full moon," she replied (), "it was so I could join in, as otherwise I'd have to be in the Hospital Wing. I hadn't expected it to be this hard though, watching from a human's perspective." She stared at Magnus for a few moments before adding, "me being human can only happen once though - after three days, the effects will wear off, and I'll be back to my usual furry self."

Bartley glanced at the look across the student's faces. His expressions might not show it, but he was touched nonetheless. It was clear that Magnus had many friends that loved and cared about him deeply. In almost a whisper he said, "as am I." He smiled, "Very well said." He smiled affectionately at his new daughter.

"I did say you could call me Bart," he said, "But no Paddy. Your vocal cords only resonate human for this brief span, you would be of no help to him. And even if they would, I have a feeling that having a female werewolf would only escalate his violence. Remember, you are not family and therefore to this werewolf you are a possible mate. Have you not wondered why you are not permitted to be together on the full moons? You have never been around another male werewolf that wasn't related to you. And I for one, am eager to keep it that way, for both your sakes."

"There are such spells, Fade, but for our case, it is fruitless. Magnus can smell, see and hear better in human form but in werewolf form it is amplified to a point that none of our spells really will be of any help. I know this is difficult but one of our Unspeakbles knows healing magic. We have some things in place if we must try to defuse a grave injury. In short, there is not too much we can do short of waiting it out. It breaks my heart as well. I think I might call our house elf to bring him a side of beef. Perhaps that will help ease everyone's concern."

Paddy was even more in awe at the locket that had changed her to a temporary human. She hadn't considered her vocal chords being effected, but she felt that made sense, as her voice seemed a different pitch to normal.

"I'd always just thought it was because it's easier to keep control of a solo werewolf rather than a pack," she replied, her head struggling to take in the details, "I think there's quite a bit about werewolves that my Uncle seemingly forgot to tell me."

()

"You and Magnus are both young, I believe your family wished to ignore such facts. Up until you coming to Hogwarts, there was no such threat. Your family surrounding you, even if you met another male you all would be pack and your father and uncle would protect you. I think they believe that since I was the one to insist my son be locked up with our house elf under wolfsbane potion that there was no need to further explain it to you yet. I--however, am far more practical."

Millie perked up when she heart Mr. Lee say he would call for a house elf to bring some steak. "Tell them I'm here. They'll take care of him. The house elves love me because I'm very kind to them."

Feeding time

Bartley had decided that his first plan on making a fake animal target filled with meat was still too much for the children before him. Though his elf would never have met Millie before, he didn't question her desire to help either. "Mimsy," he said. With a crack, a female house elf appeared.

"You is calling, Master Bartley?" she said with a deep sweeping bow. "Would you be so kind as to retrieve that side of ribs in our storage please and then give it to Magnus." "Yes sir!" She vanished with a crack and reappeared inside the cage with the werewolf. Dropping the large slab of ribs she bowed to the werewolf. With another crack she arrived back outside of the cage and bowed yet again. "Anything else sir?" "No, thank you Mimsy." She bowed, and then spotted Fade. Running up to him she gave him a hug and said, "thank you for the most splendid gift Master Fade. I is loving my picture. Master Bartley and Mistress Stella framed it and put it in Mimsy's room." She kissed his knee and said, “I is going now.” She bowed to him and then vanished with a crack.

Meanwhile, werewolf Magnus saw the house elf appear and with it a large slab of meat. He sniffed it questioningly for a moment before beginning to slash at it with his tremendous claws. Snarling he ripped the side of beef in to sections with little effort. Growls and other such bestial sounds could be heard as the werewolf devoured his food. He crunched the bones in his first section and then went to the next section. Small bits of flesh flecked here and there as it savaged its way through the food. After all of it was gone, he licked the ground—cleaning up any blood or missed meat. Then he stretched and started running around the enclosure. With low howl he came back to where he had smelt the unseen food. He made a few more attempts to get to the people on the other side at different parts of the cage, hoping for a weakness. Each attempt caused him to fall backward and bruise himself. He sat at the edge of his cage and stared with an angry growl. There had to be a way to get out of this cage, he thought.

Bartley clenched his fists. He really did wish there was something else he could do, but there wasn’t. Still they could send stunning spells at him if it got really bad. In his mind, the night couldn’t finish fast enough.