Title: The Inferno, Canto I

Author: "Kitten Malfoy"

Disclaimer:  The characters do not belong to me.  They belong to JKR.  The title does not belong to me.  The book that this fanfiction is based on was written by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321).  I have used quotes from his book as an introduction and to show some of his description. 

Author's Note: This is only Canto I.  There are 34 Cantos in the Inferno.  I would like to know if you are interested in reading more.

Warning:  SLASH!!!!  MEN WITH MEN!!!!  This is based on a book that describes hell.  This is Dante's version of hell and the only version I can agree with…if I believed in hell.

Dedication:  To Lady Feylene for agreeing with me about the pictures by Gustave Dore and to my high school English teacher for giving me the obsession with Dante and Dore's work.

            Half way along the road we have to go,

            I found myself obscured in a great forest,

            Bewildered, and I knew I had lost the way.

            It is hard to say just what the forest was like,

            How wild and rough it was, how overpowering;

            Even to remember it makes me afraid.

*          *            *

            Remus Lupin glanced around the forest quickly, his fear subsiding once a road was visible.  He could not recall how he had entered the forest or what he was doing there.  Everything seemed as if he was in a deep sleep and somehow he had left the proper way.     

            The road led to a large hill.  Remus assumed that it was the way out of the dark and overpowering forest.  However, at the side just where the slope began a leopard appeared.  The leopard paced slowly ahead of Remus, blocking the path with its immense body.  Remus was forced to turn back along the road he had been journeying upon.

            It was not long before a roar signaled the approach of another animal.  As the Lion stepped onto the path and made it's way towards Remus the man froze.  To Remus it seemed ravenously hungry. 

            Remus turned quickly at t he sound of a low and menacing growl.  A thin gray she-wolf blocked the path behind him, eyes flashing dangerously in the dim light that showed through the thick trees. 

*          *            *

            While I rushed headlong to t he lower slopes,

            Before my eyes a man offered himself,

            One who, for a long silence, seemed to be hoarse.

            When I saw that fellow in the great desert,

            I cried out to him: 'Have pity on me,

            Whatever you are, shadow or definite man.'

            And he replied: 'Not a man, though I was one.'

*          *            *

            It was then that Remus recognized the man.  Remus was confused.  He had not heard anything of this man's death though he had heard of the others.  That was what dragged him back.  That must have been the reason for his journey in the forest.

            " Severus?"  Remus whispered.  Why hadn't anyone told him that his former lover had been killed with the rest?  Really, there was no one left to tell him.  All those that knew of their former relationship were gone.  All of them were casualties from the terrible war that had nearly ended their world.

            Severus nodded.  His face emotionless as it often was.  Remus turned back to the she-wolf and her companions.  Perhaps Severus would help him get past these beasts.  Or was he one of them as well?

            " If you wish to get away from this place you must take a different path."  Severus' eyes met Remus'.  Though they were cold and dead Remus saw that Severus' eyes were the same as they had been since he learned what Remus was.

            " Which way should I go?"  Remus was lost.  There was no place that seemed safe enough to continue.  Some deadly beast blocked three of the paths and the only free one that remained was dark and smelled of danger as it stretched out behind his former schoolmate and lover.

            " If you would like I will guide you on this path."  Severus gestured behind him.  " But it is a path in eternity.  Here, on this path you will hear the shrieks of men without hope and you will see spirits in so much pain that they cry out for a second death."

            Remus didn't have any other choice.  At least on the path that Severus spoke of he would have a guide.  But on the others he would be alone to face whatever would come.  " I will follow you."  Remus sighed.

*          *            *

            Then he moved forward, and I kept behind him. 

*          *            *

((Let me know what you think, should I continue this?))