The Forbidden Forest seemed a bit darker than it normally did. Perhaps it was the lack of light coming from Hagrid's hut that always seemed to cast beams of light into the forest, or the eerie quiet that stretched on for miles. The full moon above him did provide some small measure of light, but that was hardly a mercy. Dean knew what creatures lurked in the Forest, and what the full moon could bring out from the shadows.

But, as was his nature, he did not hesitate to make his way into the gloom. Admittedly he could have made his life easier with a spell to help him see, but he did not want the light to bring any undue attention to him. The centaurs were still unhappy about his familiarity with the wolf trio and he did not feel like another conversation with Bane. His eyes adjusted to the light in very little time and he was able to make his way through the forest without running into hardly anything. He wasn't sure how long he walked for, nor how far, but that didn't bother him.

Sure enough, after a while of traipsing through the forest, he heard a muffled swear from off to his left in a voice that was somewhat familiar, though far less gruff than it typically was. "Dean?" the voice called. "Is that you?"

"Yeah, it's me." He called back. "That you, Dak?"

"I'm here too!" Star said, repeating Dak's muttered swear as she tripped over something.

Dean withdrew his wand and muttered, "Lumos."

Instantly, a bright light emanated from the tip of his wand and illuminated the clearing. However, it was not three wolves who stood before him then. It was three kids, garbed in tattered and filthy wizarding robes, with dirt-smeared faces. All of them were blinking and glaring at the sudden light, despite the fact that they were all smiling. "I'd say it's good to see you, Dean, but I actually can't."

"Don't worry, your eyes will get used to it." He said, setting his wand on a log in such a way that the small clearing was illuminated.

He turned to look at the three younger people and suppressed a sigh when he saw their clothes. Leaves and dirt were all over what, perhaps, had been robes at one point. They were either too big, in Star's case, or far too small in the case of Dak and Morgan. But, despite this, all three of them were smiling hugely at the Winchester.

"Dean!" Star squealed once she had acclimated her eyes to the new brightness. "I missed you!"

Dean smiled to himself. "I missed you too, Star." He said, ruffling her already wild hair.

He gave Dak and Morgan quick one armed hugs as well, and then the four of them formed into a loose circle. "How have you three been? The centaurs aren't giving you too much trouble, right?"

"Nope, they've been keeping to themselves." Morgan shrugged. "It suits us better that way in all honesty." Morgan's words had a slight slur to them, clearly unfamiliar with forming them with a human mouth rather than that of a wolf's.

"Firenze usually talks to us whenever we cross paths," Dak said. "The others just ignore us."

Dean had several comments that sprang to his tongue, but he considered his audience and opted not to voice them. "Well, at least they aren't trying anything."

"Yeah, that's something at least." Morgan shrugged. "So, where have you been Dean?"

"All over," he said, taking a seat on a fallen log. "it's been one hell of a summer. What have you guys been up to?"

"Surviving." Morgan said simply, taking a seat on the forest floor. Star and Dak sat down next to him. "Always surviving, Dean. Star made friends with the giant squid though, that was certainly something. We did some exploring in the northern part of the forest and found the bones of a few humans there. I believe, from the books you gave us, that we found the lair of a wendigo. We've been steering of it since."

"Probably smart," Dean nodded. "I'll take my brother along one of these days and gank it. It won't cause you any trouble."

Morgan nodded, but his eyes were distant. "Dean, there is something I need to tell you. And a favor I need to ask."

"What's up?" Dean asked, tilting his head to one side. He was used to Morgan's serious demeanor, but this was a different sort of intensity.

"Dak and I are leaving the Forbidden Forest," he said softly. "This has been our home for…. A very long time. We grew up here, thanks to Albus Dumbledore. But I am nearly seventeen, and Dak already is. We are used to the way the world is for… our kind. But Star deserves a chance at a normal life."

This was clearly news to Star as she immediately bristled when Morgan was finished speaking. "The hell I am! I'm part of this pack too, I get a say!"

"No, you don't!" Morgan snapped, causing Star to flinch. "Star, I'm the one who raised you."

"I was there too," Dak protested lightly.

Morgan reconsidered and nodded. "Dak and I were the ones who raised you when your parents left you in the forest." He told her gently. "it's too late for us, but you can still have a chance. After tonight, I don't want you to change back with Dak and I."

"No way!" she said at the same time that Dean said, "Change back?"

"Yes way," Morgan told Star before looking at Dean. "The three of us were born from two werewolves who bred during the full moon. That makes us different from your run of the mill werewolves that you usually come across, as you can tell tonight. When the sun is coming up, we have the option to well… not change back. We can remain as humans."

"How do you know all this?" Dean asked, curiously. He had read every book on werewolves that he could find, and none even mentioned their condition. Purebloods as they were.

"I guess we just sort of… know." Dak shrugged.

Morgan nodded his agreement. "Call it instinct. Call it premonition, call it whatever you want." He sighed. "Dean, when Dak and I leave, I'm trusting Star to you. We're still wizards, we still have magic, and this is the year that she would enroll in Hogwarts. Keep an eye on her for us, would you?"

"You know I will," Dean nodded. "But what about you two? Where are you going?"

"You know, I really don't know," Morgan said thoughtfully. "It might be animal instinct talking, but something is coming. Dak and I are going to go see the world some. The Forbidden Forest is a bit too… small nowadays."

"When will you leave?" Dean asked. He cast a worried look at Star, who was staring at the ground with silent tears pooling in her eyes.

"Tomorrow." Dak said softly, reaching for Star's hand. She allowed him to squeeze it once, and then snatched it away. He looked at her sadly, and then back to Dean. "At first light. We were going to go South first, avoiding all the people we possibly can. On full moons we will go into towns and…. Well we haven't really figured that part out yet."

"Well, it isn't like I can make you stay," Dean sighed. "But promise me you two will be careful. The real world is a hell of a place, and not always a good one. Actually, almost never good. If you two get into trouble, find yourself some Floo Powder and get back here. Send an owl. Something."

Dak and Morgan nodded, standing up at the same time. "Star, we will be back for you, when you finish school. If you still want to run with us."

They said nothing more, vanishing into the darkness leaving Star and Dean alone in the pale light of his wand.

Hello my readers,

I am terribly sorry about my absence. My work is incredibly busy during the spring months and I have scarcely time to write. But I will begin regular-(sorta) updates once again. I do hope you are all staying safe. As always, if you have requests or ideas for the story feel free to comment them or to message me.

Cheers, Hallowed