Plans Taking shape
"Which of you can tell me how we distinguish between the werewolf and the true wolf?" Snivellus' nasal voice could clearly be heard out in the corridor as he carefully enunciated each syllable. Simply the sound of that voice made Sirius' skin crawl. It was obvious what he was doing. He was trying to expose Remus and ruin what was probably one of the best opportunities his old friend had had in years. Sirius wished that he could have gone into the classroom and caused so much havoc that that Snape wouldn't dare teach Defence again. And, had it been another time, maybe he would have bolted into the classroom and showed just how defenceless the stand-in teacher was. However, if he didn't carry out his plans that day it would be a whole month before he would again be able to
Reassuring himself that Snapes' office and stores would now be empty Sirius slipped down the stairs leading to the first floor. Stopping for a moment he almost turned back to defend his friend. Almost, except he had to go on- it was the only way of discovering the truth. Poor Remus though….
He hadn't expected him to look so old. Older, of course, but notthat old.Yet, when Sirius looked upon Remus it was hard to believe that only twelve years had passed. He was an old man with grey hair, bags under his eyes and a rather pale and sickly air about him. It had been like looking at a different person. It was strange because somehow he had never imagined himself and his friends growing older. Yet there, lying before him was the living proof that they were. Except James and the thought of James never growing old seemed worse than the fact that Remus was an old man.
He had been lucky to find Remus in a deep sleep and so had been able to approach without him noticing. Using a pair of scissors he had carefully cut a lock of hair and left the room without Remus waking. Sirius had knocked some books off a desk, half-hoping that his old friend would discover him. He had missed him so much. It seemed almost like a betrayal not to tell him the truth, but deep down Sirius knew that he would have to wait in order to find the right time and the right place for it seemed unlikely that his friend would believe him otherwise.
He made his way carefully down the stairs leading to the dungeons. The corridors were empty; everyone seemed thoroughly engaged in their lessons but still Sirius kept concealed himself as much as possible. There was no point in taking unnecessary risks.
It was surprising to find that Snape's personal stores weren't locked in any serious way and were easy to break into. Sirius' task was made even easier by Snape's meticulous labelling of ingredients and pre-made potions. He only had to quickly scan each shelf before he came across a bottle with about an inch of muddy brown potion pulsing in the bottom. Sirius grabbed it, removed the stopper and smelt its contents. It smelt fresh enough. He wasn't sure, however, about the quantity. Nevertheless, he thought, it would have to do.
He placed it down on the floor then transformed back into Padfoot, picked up the bottle between his teeth then made his way back up the stairs so he could leave the castle and disappear back into the forest. The first stage of his plan was complete and he had managed it without even the slightest mishap. There was just one more thing that he had to do.
Sat in the forest with the bottle of Polyjuice Potion, the lock of Remus' hair, a piece of parchment and a quill Sirius picked up the writing implements and began to think. He needed a way of convincing this Caster to meet with- with Professor Lupin so he could finally have a chance to speak with him. Sirius frowned, what reasonable excuse could he give the boy for him to go to Remus' office? He needed to give it some thought for he only had one piece of paper.
As he was trying to think it through in his mind he discovered an immediate problem; how was he going to address the boy? He didn't know his surname. But then Remus was a friendly sort of person, maybe he would address his students by their first names?
After much 'umming' and 'ahhing' Sirius finally came to write the following message;
Following several witness reports of you being seen going into the forbidden forest, without prior consent by a member of staff, you are to be issued a detention in the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom at seven o' clock tonight. I hope you realise the consequences of your actions and consider how the rules have been put in place both for your protection and the protection of others.
Professor R. J Lupin
Feeling satisfied with what he had written, and secretly congratulating himself on how he had imitated Remus' handwriting, Sirius went in search of an owl to carry the message that would finalise his plans. If only the disposal of that worm Pettigrew could go as smoothly!
