November 7th, 1981
It was a crisp Autumn morning as a disheveled young man in dark holy jeans and a dirty, tattered, grey button up shirt sat in a cave atop a deep gully, somewhere in the northern-most parts of England.
He marked a small x on the sheet of parchment which sat beside him on the ground then counted the previously marked x's, 41. 41 days he had sat in this hellish cave, watching and waiting.
There had been whispers of a Death Eater camp situated within the gully, whispers which eventuated to be true. He had watched them for 34 days. Then suddenly, bit by bit the numbers started to diminish, it had started as ten fifteen of them, by the 37th day there were none. 4 more days had now passed with no sign of any life, human or animals.
The young man turned to the inside of the cave and gathered the supplies stacked neatly within, piling them into his rucksack, using his wand he used a cleaning charm to tidy himself up then removed the disillusionment charms he had placed on the cave and without looking back began the trek east towards the small wizarding community from which he had traveled 41 days prior.
After walking for what felt like days, the young man was relieved to realize that he was approaching the outskirts of the village as he passed a sign which read "Welcome to Waltorn, Population 400".
As he wandered down side streets to avoid drawing attention to himself he noticed that many of the buildings had new life, those which were simply piles of rubble had been reconstructed and there were people wandering the streets with expressions of cheer painted across their faces. He thought this was peculiar as the town had been deserted when he passed through just over a month prior.
He turned a corner and wearily approached the tavern, a humble building which could have been mistaken for a home had it not been for the sign emblazoned with a beer stein fixed to its front. He entered the building and approached the bar.
"what can I do for ye love?" asked the middle-aged witch behind the bar, her blonde hair woven into a messy bun atop of her head.
"I have been told that you will have bathing facilities available for me should I require them, my name is Wilfred Howell" said the young man nervously.
"ah yes! We've been expecting ye Mr. Howell, up the stairs and to the right, third door on the left-hand side of the corridor, I've been asked to instruct ye to go directly to the post office as soon as ye'v taken a shower" she replied as she pulled a key from her apron and handed it to him.
The young man followed her instructions and went upstairs to shower, he found that someone had left fresh clothing and shoes on the end of the bed for him, for which he was grateful. After a long shower, he went down the stairs and over to the post office directly across the street.
He proceeded directly to the counter where an elderly wizard stood sorting mail.
"what can I do for you son?" he asked without turning to face him.
"erm, I was wondering if there is any post for me sir, my name is Howell sir" he explained, anxiously hoping that there was in fact mail for him with news from home.
The old wizard handed him just one letter with Howell scrawled across the front in familiar hand writing. The young man retreated to a corner of the store and opened the letter.
Remus,
Your current station is no longer required, please return to the Burrow immediately for further information.
-Albus Dumbledore
Remus turned and started moving towards the door to the shop, stopping short to glance at the daily profit to confirm the date only to be pulled up short by the photograph which adored the front page. It was his best friend James Potter, his wife Lily and their son, Harry under the headline "Shocking developments in story of the boy who lived".
Remus grabbed the paper before stalking up to the counter and dumping payment for it, then leaving the store. He stood on the pavement and opened to the story.
Shocking developments in the story of the boy who lived
Shocking and heartbreaking revelations have come to light in recent days with regards to the tragic murder of a young wizarding family from England's West country and the incredible survival of their young son Harry, just one-year old, as it is confirmed by the minister for magic that the young family were betrayed by none other than on of their closest friends, Sirius Black, now locked away and awaiting trial under the Wizengamot in Azkaban.
It has been alleged that Black advised he-who-must-not-be-named of the Potters whereabouts sometime on or before the 31st of October, at which point you know who attended the location provided at which he successfully located and succeeded at savagely murdering both James Potter (21) and his young wife Lily, nee. Evans (21) before turning on and attempting the murder of their infant son Harry, just one-year old.
For reasons unknown, you-know-who was not successful in this attempt and has seemingly vanished in the days that have followed. The whereabouts of the child are unknown and Albus Dumbledore is remaining tight lipped on this information but has assured us that the boy is alive and well.
The Daily Profit can also exclusively reveal information surrounding the explosion in muggle London just a few days ago, taking the lives of 13 people, 12 muggles and one wizard, the attack was believed to be orchestrated by death eaters enraged at the news of their masters' downfall, we can now reveal confirmed information from the ministry for magic that this was not however the case. The attack was orchestrated and carried out by none other than Sirius Black and that the wizard killed was Peter Pettigrew. The two are believed to have been long term friends throughout their schooling at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and it is speculated that Pettigrew had known of Blacks betrayal of two of their closest friends and intended to report the information to the ministry, prompting Black to attack him and murder him in an attempt at self-preservation. As previously mentioned, Black was arrested at the scene and is awaiting a trial under the Wizengamot in Azkaban.
- Tilda Botsworth
Remus couldn't believe what he was reading, it couldn't be true could it? His best friend and his wife dead, betrayed by his other best friend, now locked away in Azkaban, poor Peter killed as well, he had to find out. He ran across the road to the tavern to fetch his rucksack, taking the stairs two at a time. He started pacing in front of the fire place, trying to remain focused on protocol. Make three stops before the final destination, send warning from each stop –
"Fuck protocol!" he said as he stepped into the fireplace, a hand full of floo powder at the ready.
"The Burrow" he said clearly dropping the powder as cool green flames enveloped him and the room before him went spinning out of sight.
Remus began to feel dizzy as the spinning around him slowed and the living room of the Burrow came into focus and he landed with a thud, a moment later came a resounding bang from within.
"ARTHUR THE FLOO" came a shrill shriek from a panicked Molly Weasley, followed by the hurried shuffling of feet.
"Take the boys upstairs Molly" said the concerned voice of her husband Arthur, it was at this moment that Remus felt guilt for his decision to not follow protocol.
"who goes there?" asked Arthur, who Remus was certain was stood with wand fixed on the fire place, although he couldn't see him.
"Wilfred Howell" replied Remus calmly and clearly.
"your password Mr. Howell" asked Arthur, clearly unconvinced.
Remus paused and sighed before clearing his throat "Lupus ad me in nocte" he recited, thoroughly unimpressed. He hated this password, a joke he felt at the expense of his affliction.
Before he could dwell any longer he felt the barrier on the fireplace release as Arthur called to his wife "it's okay Mol, it's Remus!".
Mollys enraged voice travelled down stairs, just clear enough for Remus to catch the words "bloody Remus, no warning, protocol out the window, could have been killed!".
He looked to Arthur who gestured for him to follow to the kitchen where he put the kettle on, Remus looked around at the familiar surroundings and placed his rucksack beside the table. He fished out the newspaper and slid it across the table as Arthur took a seat.
"tell me it's not true Art" he pleaded.
"sit down Remus, I'll go fetch Dumbledore, he's asked us not to discuss this with you without him. Had you followed protocol he could have met you here" Arthur replied as he stood up and dissapparated.
"Oh Remus, it's wonderful to see you again, goodness let's get some food into you!" Molly exclaimed as she entered the kitchen.
Molly appeared to have aged at least 10 years since the last time Remus had seen her 3 months prior, her hair was greying and she looked incredibly tired, Remus supposed that this was after effects of the war and caring for so many children, she still seemed happy none-the-less.
Molly poured Remus a cup of tea and placed it on the table in front of him before setting to work at the stove to cook him a meal.
Remus took a sip of his tea and just a moment later Arthur apparated with none other than Albus Dumbledore himself in tow.
"Remus!" exclaimed Dumbledore after straightening himself out "how wonderful to see you in one piece!".
"is it true Dumbledore?" Asked Remus immediately, abandoning his chair.
"now Remus, take a seat and we can discuss this" reasoned Dumbledore.
"IS IT TRUE?" Remus pleaded, an air of desperation in his voice
"I'm afraid so Remus, we are still unsure of exactly what occurred but the evidence strongly suggests that Sirius played a large and sinister role in what has occurred" Dumbledore began to explain.
Remus sunk back into his seat at the table, no longer listening to what was being said around him, not even noticing when Molly placed a large plate of sausages and eggs before him.
How could this happen? He knew Sirius had been losing it, hell, he'd even accused Remus himself of being a spy for you-know-who, but to betray Lily and James? To betray Harry, his godson? Remus couldn't understand how it had all come to this moment. As his body went numb he thought back to the very beginning…