Chapter 1: The Refuge
~Winter of 2015~
Remus Lupin knocked on the door. "Jeremy?" He said when there was no answer. He turned the knob and the door opened. "Jeremy, you're not still asleep are you?"
He glanced around the room. Jeremy—surnamed Campbell—wasn't there. Remus sighed and walked to the window. Jeremy was floating around on his broom outside in the cold.
Jeremy had mousy brown hair that curled down his shoulders. He usually tied his hair back despite Remus' urging that Seventy's style hair did not suit him whatsoever. "There you are," he said. Jeremy looked at him with hazel brown eyes that seemed like Cat's Eye crystals. He also had a strong jaw line that made the fourteen year old appear to look much older than just fourteen. "What are you doing out here?"
"Nothing," Jeremy said.
"Well, come on," Remus said, "Or are you planning on skipping breakfast?"
Jeremy flew back to his room. He set his broom on his bed and followed Remus to the dining hall.
The hallway he walked down had high marble arches with angels glancing down at him. The floor was marble, covered with a deep crimson carpet. As he walked he passed the occasional gold engraved vase, cherry oak table covered in a silk cloth with a small statue resting on it, and even other wizards and witches like him.
Most of them, if not all, had lost someone precious to them because of the Beast.
Remus stopped at a great oak door with a more manageable entryway on the right. He opened the door and allowed Jeremy to enter first.
The dining hall also had marble walls, pillars, and floors. The tables, like in the hallway, were cherry oak and covered with white table cloths made of Dragon's Tooth Silk—which was much stronger than normal silk and had a leathery feel to it in contrast. The tables were aligned into a square-spiral like pattern, the younger ones and their parents would sit in the center table—one long table that was connected by the other tables. All in all there were at least one hundred tables connected together to create the dining hall.
Jeremy sat by Remus at the third inner table. Across from him sat Terra Chapman.
Jeremy opened his mouth to say hello, but Cole Ridgeport clapped his back. "Jerry," Cole said. Cole was three years older than Jeremy and Terra, yet all three of them were under care of the Third Councilman.
Cole was tall and powerful in build. His cropped black hair made him rather recognizable—almost no one had cropped hair in the refuge. His azul eyes were friendly enough to gaze at and he had a streak for troublemaking. "Where've you been? I thought you were going to play some late night Quiditch."
"Yeah," Jeremy said, "I just wasn't feeling up to it. Maybe later."
Cole shrugged. "Sure, whatever—Terra, baby," Cole said leaning across the table to peck Terra's cheek.
Jeremy rolled his eyes and looked away. Remus ruffled his hair and shrugged at his wife, Nymphadora—who preferred to be addressed by her maiden name, which was Tonks.
Cole sat down. "Come on, Terra, why you do this to me, huh? Breakin' my heart."
Terra rolled her eyes and smirked at Jeremy. She had dodged Cole's lips again. Cole looked from Jeremy to Terra. "Oh, I get it now."
"Do you really?" Terra asked.
"I'm hurtin', Babe, I don't appreciate bein' treated like that."
"I never liked you," Terra snapped. "Not once."
Cole glared and stood, grabbing a roll. He left.
"Finally, he's gone."
"Terra!" Tonks lectured. Her hair changed from its usual shade of pink to bright red.
"What? I don't like Cole—he's been after me ever since I started getting breasts. Or did you forget how much of a jerk he was to me before."
Tonks wrapped Terra in a one arm hug. "I know," she said, "but that doesn't mean you should be a jerk back."
"She's got a point," Jeremy said. Terra tossed a slice of apple at him. Jeremy grabbed the apple, which had landed in his porridge and stuffed it in his mouth, smirking at her.
Terra smiled at him, her sapphire eyes glinting like Aztec jewels. She bit her cherry blossom lips and shook her obsidian bangs out of her eyes.
Jeremy didn't blame Cole for harboring feelings for her, even if Terra didn't return Cole's feelings. Jeremy himself had always felt captivated by her. He always felt strange when around her. The tingle that always presented itself in his body had yet to go away even after all the time he had known her since coming to the Refuge ten years ago.
The Refuge was a valley area in France that was built around Beauxbaton School for Sorceresses. The school, elegant in itself, had grown to accept more than just witches, but all wizards and witches who were able to escape Helena the Beast's claws.
Covering the whole valley, and even far into the forests and mountains, protecting wildlife of all kinds and establishing education and housing for Underage Wizards and Witches.
The Refuge's outer walls were made of three feet thick stone, thirty stories high, and guarded by eight Dragons, four looking in all directions and four looking in between the directions. Each Dragon was strong and powerful.
Giants also stood guard at each gate. And if that wasn't enough, the Council of Elders established several protection charms around the Refuge to keep it from ever being found.
Beauxbaton, now simply called The School, was the center of politics and learning in the Refuge. Most students were orphans and were given their own rooms and private quarters. Each student would have their own private teacher who lived in the Refuge.
Remus taught Jeremy; Tonks taught Terra. "How are you Jeremy?" Terra asked him.
"Well," he said. "A bit tired, but other than that…"
"You're always tired."
"I don't know about that. Maybe I just say I'm tired."
Remus and Tonks smiled at each other.
"Maybe you do, but I can't read minds," Terra replied tilting her head to the side. Jeremy smirked wider.
"You're going to break Cole's heart."
"Let it," Terra snapped, leaning back in her chair. "I don't care about him—"
"Ouch, you're so cold, Terra."
"So what if I am?" Terra asked. "Maybe I'll just be a femme fatal kind of girl."
"No. You're too nice to be a femme fatal."
"Okay, enough flirting, you two," Tonks said, petting Terra's head. "Big day ahead. Come on, Terra."
Terra and Tonks stood. After giving her husband a quick kiss, Tonks led Terra out of the Dining Hall. "One of these days," Remus said, "You've got to tell her."
"Not happening."
"You're just beating around the bush, Jer," the aging Werewolf said, biting into his apple. "Tell her before Cole finally snaps and steals her first kiss. If he can."
Jeremy glared at Remus, who smiled broadly at him as though it was something he'd usually say. It wasn't. Remus was trying to lighten the mood for the rough day they had ahead.
But if Jeremy could skip his classes for the day he would simply because his reason was the day:
It was Monday.
The worst day of the week.
Jeremy hated Mondays because that was History and Meditation—first day of the week be damned! Meditation had become a class after the rise of the Beast when it became imperative that students knew how to control their emotions. Once they turned fifteen, they would begin Occlumency and Leginimency.
His favorite day was Tuesday when his classes were Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. And since Remus was a poor teacher at Potions, Jeremy would have classes with the Third Councilman, who used to be a teacher himself at Hogwarts back at the Island, Norwest of the Refuge (Britain).
He was fairly good at Animology—a class formerly known as Care of Magical Creatures—and Herbology which were on Wednesday.
Friday, he liked almost as much as Tuesday because there was only one class: Transfiguration.
But it was not Tuesday or Friday.
It was Monday.
Jeremy always found History to be dull and he couldn't concentrate during Meditation—Remus tried several different methods, but the most effective method, which was meditating in a waterfall, had even less effect.
They even tried Yoga, but Jeremy had little flexibility.
Remus could only conclude that Jeremy's lack of concentration was due to restlessness.
Remus and Jeremy headed downstairs to the Library and to Room Three Thousand and Thirty-Four.
The Library had various hallways that lead to the various classrooms. Each classroom was designated for different areas of study. Three Thousand and Thirty-Four was the room for History.
The Library was open to everyone for research and study, many students spent time in the library when studying for various subjects. There were even examination rooms where a student's designated Councilman or Councilwoman would test them in various areas of study.
Jeremy had yet to be tested on his potion-making ability, but he had sat through different types of examinations for the Third Councilman and every time the exam would get tougher and tougher.
As much as Jeremy liked the Third Councilman, he was no better than a slave driver on all of his wards.
Cole was lucky to be so close to finishing his days as a ward and finally be accepted as a fully grown, educated wizard.
At least, Jeremy thought, when you become an adult you don't have to take examinations unless you want to be a Councilman or –woman.
Jeremy followed Remus into Room Three Thousand and Thirty-Four.
Actually, calling it a classroom was a bit of a stretch: it was more of a cell for two people.
"I'm sure you'll like today's lesson," Remus said. Jeremy scoffed. He said that when he had Jeremy hear a lecture on Merlin and his time as an Advisor to the Muggle King Arthur and the battles against Morgan Le Fay. Remus ignored him. "I'm sure you've heard of Albus Dumbledore."
And I'm sure you know that I'm going to have the same reaction I did when we covered Merlin last year, Jeremy thought.
And off Remus went, speaking of the greatest wizard of the previous century. Not one thing interested Jeremy about the man. He sounded like a crackpot old fool to him, but he dared not speak a word. There were a lot of Wizards and Witches in the refuge that revered Dumbledore as being the only Wizard that the Dark Lord Voldemort—whose name was no longer feared to speak—was frightened of.
"Dumbledore was Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the last fifty years of the twentieth century. Towards the end of his life, he had the privilege of schooling Harry Potter."
Big whoop, Jeremy thought. Harry Potter was just some glorified kid simply because he was spoken about in some dumb prophecy that never came to pass because the Beast killed him before the prophecy was fulfilled. So stupid…
"Jeremy, are you listening?"
"Er…We were talking about Albus Dumbledore and somehow moved into Harry Potter?"
Jeremy refused to cower under Remus' piercing stare. Remus sighed and leaned on the desk. "Jeremy, I understand that you don't like history. Not many people were good at history before the rise of the Beast—on the fault of the teacher at Hogwarts."
"What's your point?"
"My point is that there are so many wizards and witches out there that would much rather retake their history courses—if you just tried a little bit harder you'd do fine. You do fine in all your other classes."
"Save Meditation."
Remus bowed his head. Jeremy smirked inwardly. "Maybe I can see if Severus would be willing to take you on for Mondays…"
Jeremy's heart skipped. "Okay! Okay! I'll work harder at History! Just not that! He's hard enough in Potions as it is!"
Remus muttered under his breath. "Fine, but any more and I'll definitely talk to Severus." Jeremy breathed a sigh of relief. A bell rang three times—all adults were being called. Remus handed a book to Jeremy. "Here, take notes until I get back."
Jeremy took the book and looked at the cover as Remus left the classroom. Albus Dumbledore—a Biography by Hannah Abbott, Jeremy read. Grudgingly, he opened the book and began to read the introduction…
Remus walked into the throng of men and women heading to the Council Hall underground the School. Tonks stood by him. "Did you get wind of what's going on?"
"Nope," he answered, taking her hand. "Did you?"
"No."
They filed into the room and sat down in their respective seats in the ninth row.
The Council Hall was only used when the discussion was to involve all the adult wizards and witches as a collective. Otherwise, the Council only discussed private matters.
The Council Hall, despite being underground, was rather well lit and had its comforts despite being a place of meeting. There were ten rows that circled around the Lower Table where the Twenty Council Members sat.
Remus, at first, would have rather sat closer to the landing as to get a closer look of Severus.
While Remus continued to be a teacher to some degree, Severus—who only had so much patience—had elevated to the Council almost instantaneously.
Sometimes, Remus would pass his old schoolmate in the halls. Severus actually looked worse for wear than when he was a teacher. Council Members had more responsibility and were the only ones who could leave the refuge and take in orphans.
For instance, Severus had authority over at least twenty children, two already were adults and Cole would be joining them soon. As soon as everyone, it seemed, had taken a seat in the hall, the Council Members entered in rank.
Remus kept his eye on the third Council Member, trying to get a better look at him, but no matter what he did Severus still looked like a blur of black—like an ant—from where he sat.
The First Councilwoman, an elderly witch that previously taught at Beauxbaton, stood at the podium. "I know that some of you were currently in the middle of teaching our young ones," she began, "but this meeting is called in uttermost urgency. The Beast is on the move."
The crowd murmured. Tonks tensed and Remus took her hand, trying to sooth her nerves.
"A black wolf has been spotted by one of the dragons coming from the West, and another black wolf from the North by a Giant. Though we are unsure whether or not this really is a sign that the Beast is on the move, we urge you all to remain cautious. For all we know, the Beast may be looking for the Refuge."
She sat down and Severus stood. "In addition, I as well as the Fifth," he motioned to a young man, "have agreed to accompany a scouting party to see whether this really is a threat or not. If it is, we will return. If not, we will return. We do not wish to engage the Beast in a fight, nor is that our intent. We will need at least eight more able bodied wizards to set up the party."
He sat down. The First Councilwoman stood again. "Dismissed."
Remus and Tonks filed out of the room with the others. "Wolves," Tonks muttered, "All this caution over wolves. They've become paranoid."
"Everyone's paranoid, Nymph," Remus reminded her. "And the Beast does keep two black coated wolves."
"But this is no reason for us to lose our heads! Madame Raquela is becoming cynical."
Remus shrugged. "Maybe, but even if there's a shred of doubt, it should be examined closely. That's how we've survived so far."
Tonks turned to face Remus once they were in the hallway, she crossed her arms and her hair began to darken to red. "Are you saying," she snarled, "That I'm losing my touch?"
"Not at all, just that we shouldn't be led into a false sense of security," Remus said. "I'm going to talk to Severus."
"No, you're not," Tonks snapped, grabbing his arm. "You are not joining that scouting party. Leave it to the young ones."
"You've no problem with Severus going."
"Severus is not my husband. Besides, you have a duty to Jeremy and to our children. I know Severus said that it won't be any more than just a scouting party, but you could get caught none the less. And if you do get caught—"
"We won't."
"If you do get caught," Tonks said, "You won't come back—those wolves will tear you all to shreds. And if the Beast is there, she'll massacre every one of you. Remus Lupin, you are not going on that scouting mission. No. I'm not going to let you risk leaving me to raise teenagers on my own, do you understand me? The Order of the Phoenix ended the day Dumbledore died. The moment Harry died. I loved that kid, Remus, as well as his friends, the Beast especially, and she killed him. She'll kill you—don't risk your life just too relive your glory days."
Remus sighed. "Alright, I'm sorry," he said, embracing Tonks. "I'm sorry. I'm just tired of staying in here not knowing what she's doing."
"She's not Hermione anymore, Remus," Tonks sobbed. "Hermione died with the rest of them. You know that."
"She isn't dead," Remus reminded her.
"Not physically," Tonks stated. "But she is dead none the less. How could you even view that woman as Hermione? How?"
Remus rubbed Tonks back.
Tonks did have a point: Hermione Granger was no longer Hermione Granger when she turned seventeen—she became Helena Riddle, the missing Slytherin Princess; Helena the Beast; the Dark Lady.
"I love you," Remus muttered, kissing Tonks' head. "We best get back to work," he said resignedly.
"Oh, that's right," Tonks said, snickering, "Monday."
"Yes. Monday," Remus repeated.
"Good luck salvaging your lesson plan."
"I'm just hoping he at least read the book," Remus muttered darkly, "or off to Councilman Severus he goes."
Tonks laughed and they returned to the library…
Jeremy turned the page. Chapter Five…
He hated to admit it, but he rather found Dumbledore's story interesting. Maybe, Jeremy thought, I should ask Ms. Abbott to teach me history instead.
The door opened and Remus came back in. "So," Jeremy said, "What's got old lady Raquela's knickers in a twist this time?"
Remus didn't have the energy lecture him. "Two black wolves were found outside the refuge. She thinks they might belong to the Beast."
"Another Beast Scare?"
"Apparently—hey, it's actually a good thing. Without them we'd be led into a false sense of security."
"What was it last time? A troll wandering around in the woods aimlessly?"
"Yeah, I think so—don't distract me, kid," Remus snapped. "How far are you?"
"Chapter five," Jeremy said. "Can't I just read this stuff and still pass?"
"Not if you expect to retain the information. Let me see your notes." Jeremy handed it to him. Remus stared at it. "Only two pages?"
"I got so wrapped up, I forgot to take them," Jeremy admitted. Remus took the book and flipped through the pages, asking questions. Jeremy answered each question to the best of his ability.
Remus shook his head and handed the book back to him. "Fine, maybe we'll modify the way I teach you history or something. Read the book and give me a five foot report in two weeks on Dumbledore."
"Five feet!?" Jeremy exclaimed. Only the Third Councilman assigned that much work to him.
"Want six feet and due next Monday?" Remus threatened.
"No," Jeremy said. "What did you do? Take tips from the Third?"
"Maybe I did, I don't know," Remus said. "If so, it would have been at least…twenty years ago."
Jeremy glared at him. "You're old," he said before running out the door, Dumbledore's biography tucked under one arm. Remus hid his face in his hand and shook his head.
"I don't want to hear that from a punk," Remus muttered to himself before following Jeremy to the dining hall for lunch.
well, no one asked me to take it off, so here's chapter 1! Hope you liked it!
