CH: 53 Werewolf Arm

Time ticked by slowly, and the night, which typically passed in the blink of an eye, now felt interminably long.

Lisa's tears gradually ceased. She made an effort to confront the werewolf, endeavoring to acclimate herself to Lupin's beastly form.

"It's not easy." Anton remarked, maintaining his focus on the werewolf's arm, the flickering light and shadow of the recording magic beside him creating intricate and seemingly chaotic lines.

"My teacher, the ghost you encountered at home is named Alex Fiennes." He revealed.

"It required immense effort and perseverance in my life to accept a ghost." He confessed.

"During that period, he had a penchant for gliding past me as I gazed into the mirror or fixing his gaze on me. Consequently, I developed a fear of anything reflective, convinced that a headless ghost would materialize whenever I looked back." He recounted.

"It was a truly harrowing experience." Anton added somberly.

Lisa could vividly envision this chilling scenario and couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy, prompting her to inquire, "What happened next? How did you end up living together?"

Beaming radiantly, Anton turned to her. "I accepted him, and we established a harmonious bond."

Clutching her arm firmly, Lisa met Anton's gaze with unwavering determination. "I can do the same."

Anton shrugged casually. "I look forward to it."

"Poor Lupin is so isolated. Bitten by a werewolf at a tender age, he would have been utterly alone if the esteemed Dumbledore hadn't provided him with the opportunity to study at Hogwarts. He might not have had a single friend." He remarked.

Eyes gleaming with curiosity, Lisa inquired, "Could you share more about Lupin? His friends? I aim to forge strong relationships with them as Lupin's wife."

Anton chuckled, somewhat impishly. "One passed away of murder, and another is incarcerated in Azkaban. Reports suggest he will remain imprisoned until his final days."

Lisa fell silent, casting a pitying glance at Lupin. "In that case, is he the only one left?"

Anton nodded solemnly. "For a decade, he's wandered, helpless and ostracized everywhere due to his werewolf status. He's struggled to secure stable employment and endures constant ridicule."

He cast a critical eye over the intricate pattern beside him, a mix of pride and weariness evident in his demeanor as he released a heavy sigh.

Redirecting his attention to Lisa with a firm look, he conveyed, "I'm unsure if it was right or wrong to bring you here. Lupin is in a pitiful state; he requires redemption."

"But it doesn't have to be you!" He emphasized.

Recalling Lupin's encounter with Tonks in the book, Anton's demeanor shifted, revealing a trace of bewilderment. "I'm uncertain whether his meeting you under my influence was beneficial or detrimental."

"Miss Lisa, you've visited my residence. It's inhabited by werewolves, ghosts, and goblins. You should realize that I'm not an ordinary individual." He disclosed.

"I am a dark wizard proficient in the Cruciatus Curse." Anton stated plainly.

Lisa recoiled in astonishment, her shock palpable as she instinctively distanced herself from him.

Anton continued, his tone unwavering. "Your presence could either save or condemn Lupin. You have the choice to accept this werewolf, but it won't be easy. I urge you to contemplate the consequences of being with a werewolf."

"The toll is heavy. You'll endure the same life of exclusion because of him. Despite your current well-being, as fellow wizards, you can envision the alienation within the wizarding community unless you sever ties with it. If you wish to shield your parents, you may need to distance yourself from them." He explained.

"It's truly challenging; please give it careful consideration." He urged.

"Love may be sweet, but reality can be harsh. It often carries bitterness. Should you commit to being with him, know that if you abandon him, he will be devastated." He warned.

"And at that point, I will unleash the Cruciatus Curse upon you!" Anton proclaimed with an intensity that sent a chill down Lisa's spine.

His gaze bore a chilling resolve as he locked eyes with Lisa, his words cutting through the air like a blade. "I'm dead serious. I'm not a benevolent individual; I'm capable of such actions."

He anticipated Lisa to recoil in fear, but she surprised him.

Jutting out her chest with defiance, Lisa proclaimed, "I will stand as Lupin's wife, and as your aunt, I will teach you not to use the Unforgivable Curses!"

Anton stood in stunned silence, his disbelief palpable.

Meeting his gaze with steely determination, Lisa continued, refusing to be overshadowed. "Having chosen a werewolf, I am fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead. You need not concern yourself about my family; they are all Muggles."

"Muggle?" Anton blinked inquisitively.

"Yes, both my parents hold high-ranking positions!" Lisa's eyes sparkled with pride at Anton's perplexed expression, relishing in sharing this revelation. "I displayed magical abilities at a young age, prompting the school to admit me. However, to prevent wizard interference in Muggle affairs, my parents signed an agreement with the Ministry of Magic prior to my enrollment, severing ties with me."

She proudly ran her fingers through her flowing blonde locks with a sense of defiance. "I refused to comply, and eventually, the Ministry of Magic relented, permitting me to visit my parents once a year under Ministry supervision."

"No one can disrupt my family due to my marriage to a werewolf, and the Ministry of Magic supports my decision wholeheartedly." She affirmed confidently.

"Remarkable!" Anton exclaimed, his astonishment palpable.

"You'll see." Lisa asserted with pride, her gaze fixed firmly on Anton. "Upon becoming your aunt, I will guide you on the right path, steering you away from the influence of dark wizards. You're still young, with ample opportunity to become a virtuous and upright individual."

A mix of bewilderment and intrigue flickered across Anton's features.

"I never imagined that Lupin's quest for a wife would impact me. I truly encountered a ghost." He murmured, redirecting his attention to the intricate details of the werewolf's arm.

The preparation cost for the 'Oculus' potion was notably high, leaving no room for further delay.

Silently, time slipped by.

The cave's ceiling gradually illuminated, signaling dawn.

The werewolf began to undergo a transformation, reverting to human form.

It was a truly remarkable moment.

Anton scrutinized Lupin's arm intently, ensuring not to miss even the slightest detail. Dozens of light and shadow images from the recording magic floated around him, his mind racing to process the information.

Under the 'Oculus' vision, those filamentous lines collapsed violently and swiftly, morphing into dark green, filamentary concave cracks that rapidly expanded, flipped, and twisted into the magical curve of a typical wizard.

"I..." Lupin began, his gaze fixed on Lisa with a myriad of emotions swirling within him. "I overheard everything."

Lisa's eyes sparkled with hope as she addressed him, "Lupin!"

Lupin let out a heavy sigh, he continued. "When I transformed into a werewolf, it felt like I became a specter hovering beside the beast's instincts. I could only helplessly witness the werewolf causing harm, knowing that I would eventually resume control of my body and confront the aftermath."

"Thus, I heard it all." He concluded.

Grasping his hand tightly, Lisa's eyes conveyed a depth of understanding and compassion. "Say no more."

Meeting her gaze with a newfound brightness, Lupin's smile radiated warmth, like a beacon breaking through shadowy clouds. "Embracing the life of a werewolf comes at a considerable cost."

"I accept!" Lisa's jubilant expression lit up the room.

She pulled Lupin to his feet, brimming with joy. While she yearned to embrace him and convey her excitement with a passionate kiss, the presence of the watchful Anton beside them made her feel slightly self-conscious.

Approaching Anton, Lupin playfully tousled his hair. "You rascal, it's despicable of me to label you as weak and pitiful."

"Hold on!"

Anton took a step back, still fixated on his hand, and closed his eyes deeply, lost in thought.

A subtle curve graced his lips as he reopened his eyes, casting an enigmatic glance towards the pair. "Are you interested in witnessing a miracle?"

Anton raised his right hand high, waving his wand in his left hand while murmuring incantations.

In the end, he arched his eyebrows proudly.

Countless wolf hairs sprouted from his hands.

Subsequently, his arms rapidly expanded.

Rrrrrip!

His garments shredded, revealing massive werewolf arms covered in fur from shoulders to palms.

The two-meter-long werewolf arm was incredibly robust. Anton flexed his fingers, extending the sharp wolf claws, and gestured with a "yeah."

"Tsk." Anton marveled at the transformation. "Impressive!"

Lupin and Lisa gaped in astonishment, both rendered speechless.