Chapter Two
Rachel picked up her pen and her diary. Thinking for a moment, she started scribbling down notes.
7-24
9:00 p.m.
I definitely heard the men from West Side discussing something called 'Quitish' at the inn tonight. They were talking about who was going to win a cup, or something like that. I didn't get close enough to hear everything, because I noticed Samantha was looking at me pretty hard. I'm very sure she's in on this. I'm really very glad I've been writing down what I've been hearing. Something has been happening to my memory, or else I'm just really forgetful.
Also, a stranger came in the inn last night. Samantha put on those funny glasses and stared at him before taking his order. I was watching. I'm going to have to find out what those things are.
Samantha told the man she lived in West Side, and I'm pretty sure the man lives there too. Maybe saying that you live in West Side is a secret code. The man said something about 'Hogwarts' and said he taught 'defense against the dark arts'. I'm not sure if that's important, but I'll write it anyway. Samantha said that she could give him a job. I'll go back tomorrow night, see if I can pick any more news up.
Oh, and one more thing. Last night six of this farmer's sheep were killed. I'm not sure, but I swear Samantha looked out of the window when she heard this. I'm just taking a stab in the dark.
-Rachel
Samantha and Remus walked home together. Remus wasn't sure what his house would look like, though. After all, he hadn't visited it in fifteen years. Samantha said she lived on the very edge of town, so she could walk him all the way home.
Remus sighed as his house came into view. It didn't look as bad as one might think, but it still looked like a wreck. It was small, and several of the windows were broken, and boards were falling off of the sides. It looked very gloomy and creepy.
Samantha pretended not to notice. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."
Remus smiled. "Tomorrow,"
* * *
Remus showed up a few minutes early at the inn the next day. Samantha was already there, making breakfast.
"I suppose it's just asking too much that you can cook?" she asked. "I don't like using magic much, because of Rachel, but you're free to go ahead if you think you're good enough,"
Remus laughed. "If I wasn't so handy with my wand I'm sure many houses would've burned down long ago,"
Samantha laughed. "Right. Just a few tips. Number one: Look out for Rachel. She's a muggle girl with great big glasses and haystack hair, and she's incredibly nosy. If she sees anything, wipe her memory. Trust me, don't give Rachel slack.
"Number two: Stay away from Cuimín Snape. He's trouble."
"Snape?" Lupin asked, whipping around to face her. "He doesn't happen to be related to Severus Snape, does he?"
"Cousins, I think. Cuimín hates muggles, but he comes in once in a while to curse them. Rachel's been picking up on that, too.
"Number three: Don't say anything that even faintly hints of magic to Terry McClosh, you'll know her when you see her, she's covered with four leaf clovers and horse shoes and other superstitious nonsense."
"Number four: Try to stomp out any rumors you hear pertaining to magic. There's a werewolf lose in town, he... or she... got a muggle's sheep yesterday."
Remus swallowed nervously. Where was he the night before yesterday...? No... it couldn't have been him... he'd locked himself in an abandoned tool shed...
Samantha was watching him carefully now. "Scared of werewolves?" she asked.
Remus forced himself to smile slightly. "Who isn't? I just hope it didn't bite anyone..."
"Yea..." Samantha said, shuttering. "I guess we'll find out soon enough. The inn's about to open. I'd better start cooking,"
Remus nodded and started washing the tables, fixing the fire. At nine o'clock Samantha opened up the inn.
The first person inside was a short muggle girl, with over large classes, yellow hair, and a crooked smile. "I saw you here yesterday, didn't I?" she asked him.
Remus nodded. Could this be Rachel?
"Samantha gave you a job, then. That would be like Samantha. She's the nicest lady in town." Rachel's hazel eyes sparkled. "I haven't seen you here before. Where you from?"
Remus smiled. Rachel seemed friendly enough, and she wasn't nosing at all. "I just came in from the north. I used to live here, fifteen years ago or so,"
Rachel smiled. "What was this place like then?"
Remus started washing another table. "This was an inn, but it wasn't so nice. It was called 'The Weeping Lady' back then."
"'The Weeping Lady'... that sounds so tragic. I think I prefer 'The Howling Wolf', though. It seems mysterious and magical." Rachel glanced at him sideways, studying him carefully. Play it slow, she reminded herself. No sense in rushing.
Remus walked over to tend the fire. "I didn't like this place much as 'The Weeping Lady'. You're right, 'The Howling Wolf' does sound better."
Rachel frowned. "Did you hear about the attack on Greatric's sheep? He lost six of them."
Was it her imagination, or did Remus stand up more quickly then was natural?
Remus smiled. "I've heard something like that. Can I get you anything?"
"Samantha has my usual cider ready in the kitchen. She'll bring it out in twenty six seconds." Rachel removed her glasses and smiled mischievously. "I've got my routine down to a fine art,"
"So, what's you're name?" Remus asked. "Call me Lupin,"
"I'm Rachel. Samantha calls me Nosy Rachel, keeper of all small town gossip. I've got tittles with my name."
Samantha appeared suddenly, holding a steaming mug of cider. "There you are, Rachel. Remus, Berwyn is going to be here soon. Help me dish his plate up."
Remus followed Samantha back into the kitchen. "I warned you," Samantha grinned. "She was going slow, that time."
"Who's Berwyn?" Remus asked, getting a plate.
"Berwyn Deyoung. Big, white haired man. He's a wizard, pretty interested in muggles, though, actually. He's taken to breeding sheep, although he helps them out a bit," Samantha shook her head. "He's using his magic to make his sheep better then all the others. Making a bundle, I hear."
Remus nodded, and Samantha gave him the loaded plate. Remus took it out to the dinning room.
As if on que, a large, muscular young man with snow-white hair opened the door. "Right on time, as usual." Samantha called from the kitchens.
Berwyn smiled and nodded. Remus continued to work at keeping the inn tidy. Rachel left after about an hour, although she seemed very reluctant to go. Samantha assured Remus that this was usual.
"We all have our routines, and Rachel always leaves at exactly this time and comes back every night at seven. She'll be back. I wish some of our other customers had similar schedules. It would be so much easier to keep things running smoothly."
When the inn closed at ten, Remus was only too happy to leave. The work was pleasant enough, but it still was a long, hard workday. Samantha walked him home again.
"Take a day off tomorrow. I have a part time worker coming in," She said. "I take time off at one... you want to come with me around town? I could introduce you to a few of the people around here..."
Remus agreed, wondering if he really looked that tired.
* * *
Rachel walked quietly as she could to the West Side of town. The houses grew taller and more mysterious. If at all possible, Rachel wanted to live in a house like that when she got older. A bit of red light caught her eye, but as soon as she focused on it, it was gone.
There was something interesting and exciting about this neighborhood, and only time would tell exactly what it was...
* * *
Remus tried desperately to smooth down his hair and wear his nicer clothes the next day. It didn't work, especially. The house was old and creaky, although Samantha pretended not to notice.
Samantha arrived at his house right on time. Remus smiled. She had put her long yellow hair into a ponytail, and was wearing muggle clothing, which looked rather nice on her.
"Thanks for coming with, Remus," Samantha said, smiling. Remus nodded and headed into West Side town, with Samantha.
"Remus? Look over there, at the lady on the other side of the street. That's Sophie Deattle, one of the sweetest ladies in town."
Remus glanced up. If someone didn't know what the words 'first impression' meant, one look at Sophie Deattle would tell all. She was a chunky older woman, wearing gaudy bright clothing with pastel jewelry, carrying an enormous polka dotted handbag. She smiled broadly as Samantha waved to her.
"Well! Hello, Samantha! And who might you be?" Sophie's words were cheerful and energetic. Remus smiled, instantly liking Sophie.
"This is my friend Remus Lupin. He just arrived in town the other day," Samantha said.
"Well! Isn't that lovely! You two make such a cute couple!" Sophie declared. Remus glanced over quickly at Samantha, who looked rather resigned.
"We need to go into town, Sophie, but why don't you come over some time?" Samantha said cheerfully.
"You know, I bet I will! Good bye, Samantha, Remus!" and with that, Sophie turned and marched down the street.
Samantha sighed a bit. "Sorry about that. Sophie is known around town for being an ecstatic matchmaker. You wouldn't believe the stunts she's tried..."
Remus smiled, and together, he and Samantha walked through the town.
* * *
Remus was back at the inn the next day, making sure Rachel wasn't up to anything and keeping an ear on the muggle's gossip. Samantha had said that this was one of the biggest parts of the job, since when a muggle wanted to gossip, they would come straight to the inn.
Rachel hadn't tried anything sneaky, and so far, in Remus's eyes, she was just a sweet muggle girl who was so interested in fantasy that she had Samantha all stirred up.
Later that night, after Samantha had gotten Rachel's usual seven o'clock mug of cider, Cuimín Snape entered the inn.
The first thing you would think of when you saw Cuimín Snape were the words 'tall, dark, and deadly'. He had a slim, tall figure, with dark brown hair, and seemed to be very silent in a scheming sort of a way. Remus shivered involuntarily when he saw him for the first time. It brought back the words from a muggle poem he had read once, "...and his eyes have all the seemings of a demon's that is dreaming..."
Edger Allen Poe, what would we be doing without you? Remus thought as he cleared a table for Cuimín. Probably sleeping much easier. That poem, called 'The Raven', was one of the creepier pieces of literature Remus had ever read.
Cuimín sneered at Remus and sat down at the table. "Bring me some wine. Samantha knows what I like,"
Remus nodded and left for the kitchen. Samantha frowned.
"Cuimín wants wine?" she asked. "Last time he asked for wine he nearly blew the inn in two... I'll get it."
She handed Remus a bottle, and whispered, "Keep a sharp eye on him. He's more trouble then Rachel."
Remus nodded. Judging from his cousin, that was most likely true.
Cuimín sneered when Remus brought him the wine. "It took you long enough,"
"My appoligies," Remus muttered. He noticed Rachel watching Cuimín intently, a clever looking frown on her face.
Cuimín was quiet for about a half an hour. Rachel sipped her cider, listening to the local gossip, if not contributing to it. At first Remus thought Samantha was just worrying over nothing.
"Would you like to repeat that?" Cuimín asked one of the farmers. Remus, trying to keep track of half a dozen conversations at once, missed what had been said. He sounded just like Severus when he was about to draw his wand.
"I asked if you made it a hobby insulting people or can you just not help yourself?" a muggle asked him, wearing an identicle sneer. Remus glanced at Samantha who winced and jerked her head at Rachel who seemed to be taking in everything. Samantha mouthed the words, "No magic,"
Without warning, Cuimín Snape socked the farmer in the jaw. At least three farmers returned by jumping on him. Cuimín went for his wand.
Samantha grabbed her wand and made a sound like a gun shot. "No more!" she yelled. Everything seemed to freeze.
"Cuimín, I have told you again and again, if you can not control yourself, then get out of my inn!" Samantha growled. Cuimín scowled at her, and with deliberate slowness, got up and left.
Samantha scanned the inn, wondering if there was need for memory charms. Rachel would be getting one, she knew too much already...
Samantha swallowed in surprise. Where Rachel had been sitting was a near empty mug of cider, some money on the table, and an empty chair.
Samantha had to wonder for a moment exactly how much Rachel knew...
Rachel picked up her pen and her diary. Thinking for a moment, she started scribbling down notes.
7-24
9:00 p.m.
I definitely heard the men from West Side discussing something called 'Quitish' at the inn tonight. They were talking about who was going to win a cup, or something like that. I didn't get close enough to hear everything, because I noticed Samantha was looking at me pretty hard. I'm very sure she's in on this. I'm really very glad I've been writing down what I've been hearing. Something has been happening to my memory, or else I'm just really forgetful.
Also, a stranger came in the inn last night. Samantha put on those funny glasses and stared at him before taking his order. I was watching. I'm going to have to find out what those things are.
Samantha told the man she lived in West Side, and I'm pretty sure the man lives there too. Maybe saying that you live in West Side is a secret code. The man said something about 'Hogwarts' and said he taught 'defense against the dark arts'. I'm not sure if that's important, but I'll write it anyway. Samantha said that she could give him a job. I'll go back tomorrow night, see if I can pick any more news up.
Oh, and one more thing. Last night six of this farmer's sheep were killed. I'm not sure, but I swear Samantha looked out of the window when she heard this. I'm just taking a stab in the dark.
-Rachel
Samantha and Remus walked home together. Remus wasn't sure what his house would look like, though. After all, he hadn't visited it in fifteen years. Samantha said she lived on the very edge of town, so she could walk him all the way home.
Remus sighed as his house came into view. It didn't look as bad as one might think, but it still looked like a wreck. It was small, and several of the windows were broken, and boards were falling off of the sides. It looked very gloomy and creepy.
Samantha pretended not to notice. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."
Remus smiled. "Tomorrow,"
* * *
Remus showed up a few minutes early at the inn the next day. Samantha was already there, making breakfast.
"I suppose it's just asking too much that you can cook?" she asked. "I don't like using magic much, because of Rachel, but you're free to go ahead if you think you're good enough,"
Remus laughed. "If I wasn't so handy with my wand I'm sure many houses would've burned down long ago,"
Samantha laughed. "Right. Just a few tips. Number one: Look out for Rachel. She's a muggle girl with great big glasses and haystack hair, and she's incredibly nosy. If she sees anything, wipe her memory. Trust me, don't give Rachel slack.
"Number two: Stay away from Cuimín Snape. He's trouble."
"Snape?" Lupin asked, whipping around to face her. "He doesn't happen to be related to Severus Snape, does he?"
"Cousins, I think. Cuimín hates muggles, but he comes in once in a while to curse them. Rachel's been picking up on that, too.
"Number three: Don't say anything that even faintly hints of magic to Terry McClosh, you'll know her when you see her, she's covered with four leaf clovers and horse shoes and other superstitious nonsense."
"Number four: Try to stomp out any rumors you hear pertaining to magic. There's a werewolf lose in town, he... or she... got a muggle's sheep yesterday."
Remus swallowed nervously. Where was he the night before yesterday...? No... it couldn't have been him... he'd locked himself in an abandoned tool shed...
Samantha was watching him carefully now. "Scared of werewolves?" she asked.
Remus forced himself to smile slightly. "Who isn't? I just hope it didn't bite anyone..."
"Yea..." Samantha said, shuttering. "I guess we'll find out soon enough. The inn's about to open. I'd better start cooking,"
Remus nodded and started washing the tables, fixing the fire. At nine o'clock Samantha opened up the inn.
The first person inside was a short muggle girl, with over large classes, yellow hair, and a crooked smile. "I saw you here yesterday, didn't I?" she asked him.
Remus nodded. Could this be Rachel?
"Samantha gave you a job, then. That would be like Samantha. She's the nicest lady in town." Rachel's hazel eyes sparkled. "I haven't seen you here before. Where you from?"
Remus smiled. Rachel seemed friendly enough, and she wasn't nosing at all. "I just came in from the north. I used to live here, fifteen years ago or so,"
Rachel smiled. "What was this place like then?"
Remus started washing another table. "This was an inn, but it wasn't so nice. It was called 'The Weeping Lady' back then."
"'The Weeping Lady'... that sounds so tragic. I think I prefer 'The Howling Wolf', though. It seems mysterious and magical." Rachel glanced at him sideways, studying him carefully. Play it slow, she reminded herself. No sense in rushing.
Remus walked over to tend the fire. "I didn't like this place much as 'The Weeping Lady'. You're right, 'The Howling Wolf' does sound better."
Rachel frowned. "Did you hear about the attack on Greatric's sheep? He lost six of them."
Was it her imagination, or did Remus stand up more quickly then was natural?
Remus smiled. "I've heard something like that. Can I get you anything?"
"Samantha has my usual cider ready in the kitchen. She'll bring it out in twenty six seconds." Rachel removed her glasses and smiled mischievously. "I've got my routine down to a fine art,"
"So, what's you're name?" Remus asked. "Call me Lupin,"
"I'm Rachel. Samantha calls me Nosy Rachel, keeper of all small town gossip. I've got tittles with my name."
Samantha appeared suddenly, holding a steaming mug of cider. "There you are, Rachel. Remus, Berwyn is going to be here soon. Help me dish his plate up."
Remus followed Samantha back into the kitchen. "I warned you," Samantha grinned. "She was going slow, that time."
"Who's Berwyn?" Remus asked, getting a plate.
"Berwyn Deyoung. Big, white haired man. He's a wizard, pretty interested in muggles, though, actually. He's taken to breeding sheep, although he helps them out a bit," Samantha shook her head. "He's using his magic to make his sheep better then all the others. Making a bundle, I hear."
Remus nodded, and Samantha gave him the loaded plate. Remus took it out to the dinning room.
As if on que, a large, muscular young man with snow-white hair opened the door. "Right on time, as usual." Samantha called from the kitchens.
Berwyn smiled and nodded. Remus continued to work at keeping the inn tidy. Rachel left after about an hour, although she seemed very reluctant to go. Samantha assured Remus that this was usual.
"We all have our routines, and Rachel always leaves at exactly this time and comes back every night at seven. She'll be back. I wish some of our other customers had similar schedules. It would be so much easier to keep things running smoothly."
When the inn closed at ten, Remus was only too happy to leave. The work was pleasant enough, but it still was a long, hard workday. Samantha walked him home again.
"Take a day off tomorrow. I have a part time worker coming in," She said. "I take time off at one... you want to come with me around town? I could introduce you to a few of the people around here..."
Remus agreed, wondering if he really looked that tired.
* * *
Rachel walked quietly as she could to the West Side of town. The houses grew taller and more mysterious. If at all possible, Rachel wanted to live in a house like that when she got older. A bit of red light caught her eye, but as soon as she focused on it, it was gone.
There was something interesting and exciting about this neighborhood, and only time would tell exactly what it was...
* * *
Remus tried desperately to smooth down his hair and wear his nicer clothes the next day. It didn't work, especially. The house was old and creaky, although Samantha pretended not to notice.
Samantha arrived at his house right on time. Remus smiled. She had put her long yellow hair into a ponytail, and was wearing muggle clothing, which looked rather nice on her.
"Thanks for coming with, Remus," Samantha said, smiling. Remus nodded and headed into West Side town, with Samantha.
"Remus? Look over there, at the lady on the other side of the street. That's Sophie Deattle, one of the sweetest ladies in town."
Remus glanced up. If someone didn't know what the words 'first impression' meant, one look at Sophie Deattle would tell all. She was a chunky older woman, wearing gaudy bright clothing with pastel jewelry, carrying an enormous polka dotted handbag. She smiled broadly as Samantha waved to her.
"Well! Hello, Samantha! And who might you be?" Sophie's words were cheerful and energetic. Remus smiled, instantly liking Sophie.
"This is my friend Remus Lupin. He just arrived in town the other day," Samantha said.
"Well! Isn't that lovely! You two make such a cute couple!" Sophie declared. Remus glanced over quickly at Samantha, who looked rather resigned.
"We need to go into town, Sophie, but why don't you come over some time?" Samantha said cheerfully.
"You know, I bet I will! Good bye, Samantha, Remus!" and with that, Sophie turned and marched down the street.
Samantha sighed a bit. "Sorry about that. Sophie is known around town for being an ecstatic matchmaker. You wouldn't believe the stunts she's tried..."
Remus smiled, and together, he and Samantha walked through the town.
* * *
Remus was back at the inn the next day, making sure Rachel wasn't up to anything and keeping an ear on the muggle's gossip. Samantha had said that this was one of the biggest parts of the job, since when a muggle wanted to gossip, they would come straight to the inn.
Rachel hadn't tried anything sneaky, and so far, in Remus's eyes, she was just a sweet muggle girl who was so interested in fantasy that she had Samantha all stirred up.
Later that night, after Samantha had gotten Rachel's usual seven o'clock mug of cider, Cuimín Snape entered the inn.
The first thing you would think of when you saw Cuimín Snape were the words 'tall, dark, and deadly'. He had a slim, tall figure, with dark brown hair, and seemed to be very silent in a scheming sort of a way. Remus shivered involuntarily when he saw him for the first time. It brought back the words from a muggle poem he had read once, "...and his eyes have all the seemings of a demon's that is dreaming..."
Edger Allen Poe, what would we be doing without you? Remus thought as he cleared a table for Cuimín. Probably sleeping much easier. That poem, called 'The Raven', was one of the creepier pieces of literature Remus had ever read.
Cuimín sneered at Remus and sat down at the table. "Bring me some wine. Samantha knows what I like,"
Remus nodded and left for the kitchen. Samantha frowned.
"Cuimín wants wine?" she asked. "Last time he asked for wine he nearly blew the inn in two... I'll get it."
She handed Remus a bottle, and whispered, "Keep a sharp eye on him. He's more trouble then Rachel."
Remus nodded. Judging from his cousin, that was most likely true.
Cuimín sneered when Remus brought him the wine. "It took you long enough,"
"My appoligies," Remus muttered. He noticed Rachel watching Cuimín intently, a clever looking frown on her face.
Cuimín was quiet for about a half an hour. Rachel sipped her cider, listening to the local gossip, if not contributing to it. At first Remus thought Samantha was just worrying over nothing.
"Would you like to repeat that?" Cuimín asked one of the farmers. Remus, trying to keep track of half a dozen conversations at once, missed what had been said. He sounded just like Severus when he was about to draw his wand.
"I asked if you made it a hobby insulting people or can you just not help yourself?" a muggle asked him, wearing an identicle sneer. Remus glanced at Samantha who winced and jerked her head at Rachel who seemed to be taking in everything. Samantha mouthed the words, "No magic,"
Without warning, Cuimín Snape socked the farmer in the jaw. At least three farmers returned by jumping on him. Cuimín went for his wand.
Samantha grabbed her wand and made a sound like a gun shot. "No more!" she yelled. Everything seemed to freeze.
"Cuimín, I have told you again and again, if you can not control yourself, then get out of my inn!" Samantha growled. Cuimín scowled at her, and with deliberate slowness, got up and left.
Samantha scanned the inn, wondering if there was need for memory charms. Rachel would be getting one, she knew too much already...
Samantha swallowed in surprise. Where Rachel had been sitting was a near empty mug of cider, some money on the table, and an empty chair.
Samantha had to wonder for a moment exactly how much Rachel knew...