Chapter 4

Author's note: Thanks for the reviews, I hope they keep coming!

As Remus left the train platform, he felt a little disgruntled. Harry was no where to be seen on the train, and though Ron and Hermione had convinced him that he had probably already left, he was still not happy about leaving the express train without a final search. As they got on a carriage and the thestrals started moving, Hermione noticed Remus' look of worry etched on his face.

"I'm sure he's just with Luna Remus, he'll be okay," she said, but her voice was lacking in conviction. In truth, she was a little worried too.

"He's fine," said Ron casually, before looking up at the castle. "Wow! It's not raining so we can really see the castle clear from here!"

And when no one gave a reaction to this, he prodded, "Did you notice all those aurors at the entrance? They really are tightening up security aren't they?"

Remus looked back towards the entrance, which now looked rather small.

"Speaking of security, I ought to have searched that train. I'll catch you up later," he said abruptly, before leaving the two of them, jumping off the carriage.

"Ok," said Hermione a little nervously, but Remus had already turned around, sprinting back down towards the entrance.

"It's weird, isn't it?" said Ron quietly, "seeing Remus looking so young. He looks fairly good now, appearance-wise, don't you think?"

"Ron!" scolded Hermione as they turned around a corner.

...

He smiled in hidden appreciation as his legs ran effortlessly down the path. No adult could deny that youngsters had a couple perks that had to be envied. As he approached closer towards the entrance, he notices that another figure was walking the same direction as well. At the sound of his footsteps, the figure turned around. It was Tonks. Except…. Lupin felt his momentary adrenaline fizzle out as he observed her appearance. Mousy-coloured hair, her complexion very pale and her tired and worn out posture spoke anything but of her usual vivid and lively self. To put it bluntly, she looked terrible.

"Tonks," said Lupin, his voice faltering.

"Hello Remus," said Tonks, staring roughly above his head.

"I didn't realize that you were one of the aurors-"

"I tried to convince Kingsley to put someone else on. I wanted to help you Remus, not observe you walking around Hogwarts as a student," said Tonks desperately, her eyes contorted in anguish.

"Don't worry, Mad Eye will sort out that out," said Remus reassuringly, giving a weak smile. He couldn't stand the sight of her, to think even for a second that he was the reason behind her terrible appearance. He bet that she hadn't eaten in days.

"How can I not worry!" said Tonks, staring at Lupin incredulously. "Do you think that after your silly little speech that I would stop loving you?!"

Silence filled the air as Remus stared at Tonks, hopeless as he wondered what to do. After a moment however, he collected himself before saying,

"Have you seen Harry?"

He was staring at the ground, imagining Tonks' crest fallen face.

"I was about to go get him," said Tonks in a low voice.

"So was I," said Lupin, looking up. Tonks was expressionless, lifeless. No, this was worse than seeing disappointment. Much worse.

"Well, you leave Harry to me. Dumbledore wants to see you anyway, so you'd better hurry up and go," said Tonks quietly, no longer looking at Lupin, walking down towards the entrance.

Lupin sighed. He couldn't live with himself. But then he remembered; he had to protect Harry. Dumbledore trusted him. Forget about everything else, and just listen to him. Protect Harry, that's why you're here.

…..

As he entered the Great Hall, it was apparent that the first assembly had already gone right underway. Sudden nostalgia hit him as he walked past students talking about their various summer holidays. He remembered when Sirius would boast about staying with James' family. He had felt a little bit left out, but he did not mind. There were obvious reasons why he couldn't…. As he spotted Hermione, who was in the process of shouting at Ron who was meanwhile scoffing jelly down his throat, Remus noticed that Dumbledore had been observing him from the far end of the hall. He gave a short nod towards the Headmaster before sitting down. He would talk to him later.

…

"Uh, acid pops," muttered Lupin as he stood in front of the gargoyle guarding the way to Dumbledore's office, the password which McGonagall had given to him as he was leaving the Great Hall after the assembly. To his great relief, Harry had appeared, but also bleeding, which he refused to give an answer to, but no doubt Tonks might be able to enlighten him about later. Tonks.

"Correct," mumbled the gargoyle as it revealed the spiral staircase. As he reached the top of the staircase, which revolved around itself, he was surprised to see the door already open, Dumbledore standing at the doorway. Lupin eyes glanced over his appearance, widening slightly as they took in Dumbledore's blackened and wounded hand. The Headmaster looked tired, reminding him strangely of himself. Before his transformation… He always seemed somehow more intimidating and taller than he had previously thought.

"I'm so sorry, am I late?" asked Lupin, tearing his glance away from Dumbledore's injury to check his worn-out leather watch.

"Oh no, not at all, I was just making sure that er- well, you'd better come in Remus," said Dumbledore, turning around and walking back into his office. It was the same as it had been the last time he had seen it. It reminded him of when he had taught Harry about the patronus.

"I'm afraid that I might be expecting some Ministry workers Remus, so this will have to be brief," said Dumbledore apologetically as he sat down behind his desk.

"The most alarming news has just reached me. Last night, a Ministry official by the name of Mr Mountbatten was kidnapped, right from the middle of the Ministry, right under their noses!" said Dumbledore incredulously.

"How?" asked Lupin, frowning while silently wondering what this to do with him….

"Well, that is the question isn't it? They don't know. What they do know however, is who did it," said Dumbledore gravely, staring at Lupin. Remus felt a cold chill run down his spine. The directness of Dumbledore's eyes irked him slightly.

"Morsmordre," muttered Remus.

"Exactly," said Dumbledore.

After a moment, Remus stammered, "And, er, what does this have to do-with me?"

"Oh, of course!" said Dumbledore, as if his mind had been somewhere else, which it probably was. "He has a daughter, a certain Felicity Mountbatten in Slytherin house who I fear for," said Dumbledore carefully.

Lupin felt sudden dislike within him upon hearing the name that it even surprised him.

"What has she to do with me," said Lupin icily, which made Dumbledore blink several times, slightly surprised. Lupin was rarely cold towards someone he not doubt hardly knew. Although Dumbledore could partially understand the psychology behind it..

"I understand now that you know the lady in question?" asked Dumbledore expectantly.

"Yes," said Remus abruptly, looking outside across the grounds where McGonagall was hastily ushering a group of children inside.

"Right, well, that just makes it easier then. I know she can seem difficult, perhaps cruel at times, but she is not one to immediately dismiss as a cold-blooded purist," said Dumbledore warmly.

"Well, you seem to know a lot about her," said Remus bluntly.

"Indeed, she is from a well-known family. The Mountbattens, like the Mafloys and Blacks are a well-known pure blood family. Most have been Slytherins and become well-respected Ministry officials. Some of them have ended up in er, well on the other side, but on the whole, there are good people. The current family is at least. Mad Eye is heading an operation to try and find Mr Mountbatten. My concern is they may try and target Miss Mountbatten also, which is why-"

"You want me to keep an eye out for her, is that it?" finished Remus, eyebrows raised. "She's a fairly head-strong girl, not afraid to put up a fight, I'm sure she'll be fine, if anything she would be one their si-"

"Remus! You are not telling that you have already been caught up fighting with her?" said Dumbledore, frowning.

"Afraid so," said Remus, keeping his head down, slightly ashamed. He felt like he had been caught doing something stupid with Sirius or James.

"Oh," said Dumbledore, the tone of his voice slightly altered, as if he had suddenly remembered some distressing news. This made Remus look up at the Headmaster.

"What is it?" prodded Remus, while Dumbledore sighed in anguish.

"Another thing, Remus. Please, please be careful to remember who you are."

"What do you mean?" asked Remus, puzzled.

"Remember that you are not, I repeat, not a sixteen year old boy. You are an adult. I can already see the effects happening. Please remember. Make sure that those who know who you are also do not forget that. Especially Harry."

"Yes, Professor," said Remus, standing up as he sensed the conversation coming to a close.

"So, Miss Mountbatten-"

"Why though?" interrupted Remus. "What would they want with a Ministry official now, and his daughter? What has she to do with anything?"

As Dumbledore prepared to answer, a loud knock came from the door.

"That will be the Ministry people. I'm sorry Remus, but that will have to be all for now. But remember what I said, please remember."

But as the officials came in, giving Remus a disapproving look, as if he no business to be there, he suddenly realized just how hard that was going to be. He wasn't completely sure, but he swore that Dumbledore wanted him to find out for himself, the very answers to the questions, which he had asked him. What was so crucial about Felicity Mountbatten?