Something Radiates - Chapter One

The Plan

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. I'd lie and say I did, but I think someone would figure me out… Oh, and the fic title is from the song "Round Here," by Counting Crows, although the song will not be used in this fanfic.

Remus crouched, shivering, behind a particularly thick bush. He squinted in the darkness for any sign of life inside the deserted Muggle warehouse before him, but all was silent aside from the sound of rain pelting the pavement. He thought of performing a heating spell, but grudgingly decided it would be too much of a risk. He could not let his presence be known until the perfect time. He needed to see them first – have the upper hand. Besides, he couldn't get too comfortable. He had been waiting outside for three hours and it was now well past midnight. If he felt too comfortable, there was no doubt in Remus' mind that he would fall asleep. He could not let that happen. Not when he was so close…

Remus had been back and forth about this plan for weeks. It had, in actuality, been designed two months ago - a week after Sirius' death, but he kept postponing to save himself. The consequences were grave and brought on his hesitation and ultimate delay. However, he knew it was his duty to avenge his late friend. Not only did he owe this to Sirius, but also, in a way, he owed this to James. Death Eaters should not have been able to walk freely with good wizards and Muggles alike, especially not those consumed with thoughts of Harry Potter's death. He could not sit by and allow Harry to die. It was his duty, now that both James and Sirius were gone, to protect Harry. He would not let them down.

Of course, his position at the current time was very likely to end in his own death. It was true that, in a way, he was failing them all. He would willingly leave Harry alone in the world again. At least James and Sirius hadn't chosen death over living. And yet, Remus thought there was something very right about what he was about to do. There were plenty of people who could still help Harry. He was not, in actuality, fit for such a position. He was unpredictable and untamable at his very worst. Certainly, he was not even close to the perfect guardian. There were better wizards like the Weasleys – Mrs. Weasley, in particular – Moody, Dumbledore, Tonks…

Tonks.

He sighed. She would be horrified if she knew what he was up to at this very moment. Not that the rest of the Order wouldn't have been, but especially Tonks. The two of them had become close over the past year, living together at Grimmauld Place. It was expected, really. Of course, there was Sirius, but Sirius would get into his "moods," as they referred to it, and hide upstairs with Buckbeak for hours at a time. It was during those times that he and Tonks would talk. At first, it was just discussing concern about Sirius' sullenness and Order-related business, but quickly it evolved into conversations about everything - from their experiences at Hogwarts, to the latest books they were reading.

As horrifying as the thought was, in a way, she replaced Sirius. He began to prefer spending time with her rather than Sirius, although he never voiced this secret. Remus had changed since they had served in the Order together the first time, but certainly, no one had changed as much as Sirius. What had once been youthful joy and general thirst for life glowing in his eyes had been completely quelled. In fact, the last memory Remus had of Sirius was not the look of surprise on his face, nor the smile that had never quite left it before he fell, but the look in his eyes. Hollow. Sad. Dark. That was not the Sirius he had been best friends with, in his younger years.

That was what made this mission so much easier for Remus. He hated Voldemort and his followers for the loss of Sirius' personality more than for his recent death. Besides, as far as Remus was concerned, Sirius had died almost fifteen years ago. He had died the moment Peter had betrayed him and the Potters. Azkaban was just a place like any other after that.

Then, of course, there were the letters Remus had left on his bed. One for Harry and one for Tonks. He was sure the letters would be found, when he didn't show up for the Order meeting tomorrow and they came to investigate…

That would still be a long time from now. By that time, he would be, well, he didn't want to think about it anymore. He wished the Death Eaters would show up so he could stop pondering his decisions. It made that feeling of guilt in the pit of his stomach swell.

-

After another uneventful hour, Remus heard shuffling coming from inside the warehouse. He held his breath, listening with all his might. Although the full moon, only three nights away, had heightened his senses acutely, he would not allow himself to fall into the trap of lycanthropy. He could just as easily be hearing sounds from much farther than the warehouse, a few meters in front of him. No, he could not trust just hearing. He knew he had to wait and see.

Another ten minutes passed as Remus' heart beat unnaturally fast in his chest. Just when he thought his rib cage was going to explode with anxiety, he saw a flash of light. Someone was definitely there and they had just lit a fire. Remus took a deep breath, closing his eyes tightly for a moment, before Disapparating.

He appeared in the warehouse with a loud 'crack' that reverberated throughout the vacant room. He idly hoped no one had heard, but it would not really matter if they had. Secrecy would help, but it was not necessary. They were not expecting an intrusion.

Holding his wand out in front of him, Remus opened the door, cringing as it creaked on its rusty hinges, before walking carefully up the dusty stairs. He could hear the voices in earnest now. There were four men and a woman. One of the men and the woman were arguing. Remus stopped walking, curious to know what they were arguing about.

"It was I who murdered him!" the woman yelled furiously, "I should get the next one!"

"Yes, Bella, that is true," the man answered lazily, "But I recognized that he was that…animal… back in September. Besides," he added as she attempted to interrupt, "You hold nothing over me.

Remus balled his fists up. He was right. She was there. Suddenly, all the guilt he had been feeling disappeared, replaced by a thirst for blood that was unlike any he had felt in his human form. Yet, he still stopped, listening…

"You are both foolish!" came a raspy voice that, even after all these years, Remus could not misplace.

Wormtail.

"I was the one to bring the Dark Lord back, not you! Stop your bickering. I am the one who will be rewarded with this, not you!"

Silence followed. Anger was thick in the air. Remus could feel it burning under his own skin. He knew that the Death Eaters were now blinded with rage. He could sneak up on them. It was now or never.

The door exploded with the force of Remus' reductor curse. The dust momentarily hid Remus from view as he climbed over the remains of the door. The five Death Eaters stared in a stunned stupor for a few moments, giving Remus the upper hand. Pointing his wand at the ceiling, he caused the large, broken light fixture to fall. It pinned Lucious Malfoy to the floor, knocking him unconscious in the process. As the shock wore off, though, Bella had realized what was happening and pointed her wand angrily at him. Peter Disapparated. The two remaining men - Dolohov and Macnair - stood on either side of Bella, wands also pointed at Remus. His heart sped up again. The surprise was over and he was outnumbered. Well, he knew the scheme was a death sentence from the start.

With that thought, he pointed his wand at the three of them and bellowed, "Stupefy!" as the three Death Eaters each sent a curse spiraling toward him. Remus ducked out of the way just in time. His curse, on the other hand, hit Dolohov, on Bella's right, square in the stomach as he froze, mouth open in surprise. Remus remained flat on the ground, head and wand pointing upward. Bella stood in front of him, a twisted smile present on her face. Remus felt the bile sneak up his throat as he attempted to gain composure. It was the same, sinister smile she had held when she'd murdered Sirius. A powerful surge of energy filled him at that revelation. He jumped up from the floor.

"Ah, so you've returned to avenge your late friend have you?" She smiled again as the man on her left began to laugh. The laugh did not reach Macnair's eyes.

Remus did not answer.

"Silent defiance… isn't that cute? Although I can't say I would not like to hear you scream as I rip apart your body, limb from limb, Werewolf… but it is far better you remain silent than laugh…as my poor, deceased cousin did."

Although his brow furrowed in concentration, Remus did not let a single sound escape his mouth. Macnair walked behind Remus, as Bella stood in front of him. He could not fight them both. This was it. He was doomed. But so was Bella. He would not let her live.

Ignoring the man behind him, Remus defiantly faced Bella's sneering face and ducked before he even saw the curse coming. Wand pointed at her, he yelled, "Avada Kedavra!" but before he could see if she had been hit, Remus felt a curse singe the back of his leg and the entire room went black.

A/N: Thanks to my wonderful beta, Yen. Reviews are most appreciated, although not flames. I can handle them though, if need be. :/ TBC soon.