Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter Eleven: Suspicions Raised
It was July of 1988; Reuben Palmero was walking along the sidewalk in downtown London, his cloak thrown casually over his shoulder and his shirt sleeves rolled up above his elbows. It was very hot today and humid as well. Reuben would have preferred, today only, to be sitting behind his desk back at the Auror department where it was cool and there were no temperamental eight year olds hounding him.
The Hillsborough Orphanage came into sight as it always did, large, imposing, and intimidating. Reuben's step didn't falter and he pushed past the gates and up the front steps, careful to avoid those kids who could stand the hot weather and were lazing on the porch.
As soon as he opened the heavy oak doors, however, Reuben stopped in his tracks. The Head Matron was sanding in his way with her arms crossed in front of her large chest and a deep set frown. "You can't see him today."
She was of course referring to Reuben's assignment, Draco Malfoy.
"Why not? The date was scheduled by the Ministry several weeks ago and…"
"You are not helping at all. Yesterday he levitated all of the tables in the kitchen, during breakfast. It was the most outrageous disturbance yet, I think it is best if you go and don't come back, it clear you are of no use here."
Reuben frowned. "Again ma'am, this is a Ministry mandated appointment. Any hindrance to the appointment is considered an obstruction of law. Could I at least speak with Draco?"
The matron looked like she wanted to take Reuben by the collar of his freshly pressed shirt and fling him out the door. Instead she gave him a look and pointed towards the bedrooms. "I believe you know the way."
"Is he being punished?"
"Of course he is! No breakfast this morning, no books, and no leaving the bedroom."
"No breakfast? That seems a bit harsh doesn't it?" Reuben hung his cloak on a coat rack and started up the hallway.
"He upset everyone else's breakfast yesterday, fair's fair." The matron called after him.
When Reuben pushed open the bedroom doors, he noticed the room was empty save for one little boy lying on his stomach on his bed, looking out the window and thumping his foot against the headboard.
"Causing mayhem again Drake? I thought we had gotten past this whole tantrum thing."
Draco jumped and turned on his side to look at Reuben. "It wasn't a tantrum, Joey dumped his oatmeal on my new jeans and then I got mad and the next thing I knew, everything was floating. Joey too…on his chair though."
Reuben walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, pushing Draco's legs aside to make room. "You lost control then, that's all right. In that case, you just have to maintain better control over your emotions."
"I know, I know. You say that every month." Draco grinned crookedly at Reuben from beneath shaggy blond hair.
"If you know it, then show it." Reuben answered with his own grin. Over the many months he had spent coming to this orphanage, he really had grown quite fond of the youngest Malfoy.
"I thought Matron Sarah wasn't going to let you come today?" Draco said, picking at a corner of his raggedy blanket.
"And miss our Quidditch game? I've been waiting three weeks to play and some scary old matron isn't going to stop me!" Reuben collapsed backwards on the bed and threw an arm melodramatically over his face.
Draco laughed behind his hand and kicked Reuben in the side. "But Quidditch got taken away from me 'cause of yesterday so we can't play."
Reuben looked sideways at Draco. "I suppose I can wait a few more weeks. Ready for your lesson today?"
Draco sat up with a smile. "Yeah, are we working with the wand?"
"Nope. Today I thought I would tell you a little about magical history." Reuben stood up and walked over to a bookshelf on the far side of the large room, weaving his way around the many beds that stood in neat rows. For a bookshelf, there were surprisingly few books there, mostly clothes and various toys were scatted across the shelves. Reuben found what he was looking for though. A Children's Guide to the World of Magic, a large tome that most wizarding dwellings had.
"History, but why? That's so boring." Draco whined, following Reuben across the room and leaning against the bookshelf.
Reuben showed Draco the book. "I read this at least fifteen times my first year at Hogwarts. You know I'm a muggle born, I had no idea about anything in the wizarding world and what I read in this book presented it to me in a way I could comprehend. All the important battles, people, potions, spells, charms. You get the idea. Anyway, this way I was able to keep up with my school mates who had grown hearing this stuff as bedtime stories."
Draco took the book and raised an eyebrow at Reuben. "But why do I need to read it. I've heard of Merlin and all that stuff."
"And Merlin's staff? Morgana? Daedalus' labyrinth? The quintapeds of the Isle of Drear?" Reuben watched a glazed look come over Draco's face and laughed. "I didn't think so. Besides, the best way to understand how to control your magic is to know what kind of magic you're using," Reuben tapped the book. "This will help you with that."
"So, you're assigning me homework?" Draco tucked the book under his arm.
"Well, I don't think the matrons are giving you enough to keep you busy. You like to read anyway, this should be fun for you." Reuben thumped Draco on the back.
"Yeah, I like to read adventure books, with heroes and sword fights. That kind of thing. Not about potions and spells." Draco reminded Reuben.
"That's what this is Draco!" Reuben took the book back and opened it up to the contents page. "Look here, Greek heroes, Gorgons, man-eating monsters, quests, medieval knights. This book is loaded with all sorts of exciting stuff. You'll like it, just trust me."
Draco took the book back from Reuben and held it, eyeing the cover suspiciously. "Okay, I'll read it. But not until my punishment's done because I can't read right now anyway."
Sirius glared at Remus from the ladder. "I've spent the last half hour trying to fix that bloody banner and my legs hurt from climbing up and down this cheap ladder and I'm coming down right now to get some cake."
Remus frowned. "But you just need to fix that one corner. And no cake until Harry's friends get here."
"But by then I'll be a dog."
"So? You like to make messes anyway. It's not a problem, now go back and fix the banner."
"You do it! And the frosting will get stuck in my fur and it's so hot today it will get sticky and melt and just be overall very uncomfortable." Sirius jumped down from the ladder and sat down on the ground stubbornly.
"Fine, I'll do it. I thought Harry was the eight year old around here." Remus took hold of the ladder and stepped up onto the first rung. When he placed his foot on the second step, the rung gave way and Remus fell back to the ground, landing hard on his rump.
"What the…?" Remus rolled over and rubbed his backside. Sirius snickered at him, pointing up. "Look."
Remus looked.
The ladder swung to the right off-balanced and knocked into Harry's birthday banner. It caught the left corner and dragged it down to the ground, Remus rolled to the side to avoid getting hit by the ladder as it crashed own where he had been lying.
Remus looked at Sirius and they both looked at the ladder. "Maybe we should just ditch the banner idea. Too dangerous for my tastes." Sirius suggested.
Remus nodded his agreement. "Much too dangerous."
"More dangerous than rampaging manticores I bet." Sirius grinned.
Remus shook his head. "No, more dangerous than a pregnant Lily."
Sirius burst out laughing. "Merlin she was a mess of hormones. I was terrified of her."
Remus nodded sagely. "We all were Pads."
"Uncle Robert? We're back!" Harry's voice called from inside the house. Sirius transformed into Padfoot just as Harry led Asher and Gordon into the backyard.
Asher grinned and patted Sirius on the head before whistling at the decoration. "This place is spiffed up."
"I thought banners were supposed to be hanging, you know, in the air." Gordon pointed at the mess the ladder had left behind.
Remus stood up and dusted himself off. "Yes, well. It's a lot trickier than you think. How was the game?"
Harry and Gordon launched into a vivid account of the soccer game while Asher rolled up his pant leg to show Remus his cut, proudly displaying his injury and calling it a "war wound."
"…then Carter knocked Mark to the ground but Shane came out of now where and stole the ball."
"Shane passed to Tobin who passed to Ash…"
"…who scored! Wilson almost got his hands on it though."
"Almost wasn't quite good enough though, was it Tobe?"
Harry laughed. "Not when Ash is shooting. All Wilson got was a face full of dirt." All three boys laughed.
Remus smiled. "Sounds exciting. You guys ready for some cake then?" All three immediately shouted an enthusiastic "yes!" and ran over to the table where an enormous birthday cake was waiting.
Remus took out a knife and sliced out three pieces and gave the largest to Harry. Asher and Gordon waited patiently while Remus lit eight candles on Harry's slice. "After this be sure to thank Mrs. Rees, she made the cake you know." Harry nodded absent-mindedly, his eyes on the flames.
Sirius put his head in Harry's lap and looked at the boy's face. He was absolutely delighted at the attention; he had probably never had a birthday cake of his own when he lived with the Dursleys.
Remus started singing and Asher and Gordon were quick to join in. "Happy Birthday tooooooo Tobiiiiiiin! Happy Birthday tooooooo yooooooouuuuuuu!" Sirius howled the last line, making the boys laugh.
"Here Tobe." Asher handed Harry a present wrapped in silver paper. Tearing the paper aside, Harry held up a handheld soccer game and an England National jersey for everyone to see.
Asher took the jersey and showed Harry the back. "Look, I got you a Gary Lineker jersey."
Harry's face nearly split in two. Asher had been teaching him the gods of football and Gary Lineker was among the mightiest. He had single-handedly pushed England pass Poland in the 1986 World Cup and he had won the Golden Boot too.
"Open my present Tobin!" Gordon shoved his blue wrapped gift at Harry with his trademark grin on his face. Harry tore the paper away and removed a huge magic kit, complete with wand.
Remus looked at Sirius, who was wheezing in laughter, and tried to hide his own amusement by taking a piece of cake and putting it one the ground for Sirius to eat.
"Thanks guys. This is so great!" Harry put his gifts aside and the three boys ran off to play.
Later that night, after the decoration and food were cleaned up, Remus, Sirius, and Harry were lounging on the couch watching TV. Harry was playing his new handheld game while Sirius flipped idly through channels when Remus cleared his throat loudly.
"Did you like your party Harry?"
"Yeah it was the greatest!" Harry paused the game and smiled and Remus.
"Did you like your presents?" Sirius asked, turning the TV off.
"Sure, this game's a load of fun."
"How would you like another one?"
"More presents? Sure! Where are they?" Harry asked excitedly.
Sirius grinned at Remus who got up, went into his bedroom, and came back with a small box. "You know after your parents died. I was able to get some of their possessions from the Aurors. Sirius and I decided that this is for you."
Harry took the box slowly, not sure what to say, and flipped the lid off. Inside was a thin gold chain with two rings on it. He lifted it up carefully and looked at it with confusion.
"Your parents' wedding bands Harry. We put it on a chain for you to wear." Sirius explained and helped Harry with the clasp so he could get it around his neck.
"There's more." Remus said, gesturing at the box.
Harry reached inside and pulled a book out. It was a photo album. Remus flipped the cover open for Harry. The first picture was of a group of smiling teenagers. All were waving at the camera, the two in the middle, one with wild black hair and the other whose black hair seemed perfectly in place, were tossing graduation caps into the air. A blond boy on the end looked like he was debating whether to throw his cap as well, and the brown-haired boy and red-haired girl had had their caps stolen by the two boys in the middle.
Sirius chuckled quietly and pointed at the boy with perfect hair. "Do you know who that is?"
Harry squinted at the picture. His face was rounder but the eyes were the same. "It's you Sirius!" Harry exclaimed. "And that must be my mum and dad! And you Remus!" Harry pointed at the brown-haired boy and then looked at Remus.
Remus smiled. "Yes, that's us on the day we graduated from Hogwarts. This photo album was put together by your mum. There are a lot pictures of us from school, and afterwards during the war too. Your parents' wedding, when you were born, Christmas. Loads of pictures for you to look at."
Sirius squeezed Harry's shoulder, which was beginning to feel less bony and more like an eight year old boy's shoulder. "Happy Birthday Harry."
"Because I've never been there. Besides, I'd get to do some runes stuff and I got an O in Runes. Please mum, don't go into hysterics. I want to go and Gringotts has offered me a good position. I promise to write often."
"Writing often isn't the point son; we are just concerned for your safety. Those Egyptian runes contain all sorts of curses and tricks. Are you sure you couldn't find a job here in England?" Arthur Weasley tried to reason with his eldest son.
Bill sighed and stood from the table. "I don't want a job in England! I'm of age now ad I get to decide what to do with my life. I love runes and I want a job where I can do what I love and advance myself. Egypt is the best place for me right now."
"But it's so far away, and it's so hot. You don't do well in the sun Bill dear. You'll be burned to a crisp!"
"Mum, that's getting into hysterics. There are spells I can use…"
"And sand! You hate sand! Remember that time at the beach, it was all in your bathing suit and you had a rash for weeks!"
"Mum!" Bill's face went as red as his hair. There were snickers from the stairwell.
"Go back to bed children." Arthur called out.
Fred poked his head out into the room. "Is Bill going to Egypt?"
Bill said "Yes" at the same that Molly said "No."
"When would you leave with this exploration group Bill?" Arthur asked, pinching the bridge of his nose tiredly.
"Day after Charlie and Perce go to Hogwarts. Mum, I promise. If a job I like opens up here in England or I feel like I should come back, I'll be here in an instant. Can you trust me on that?"
Molly dabbed at her eyes with the corner of her apron. "It's not that I don't want what's best for you Bill. You know that don't you? It's just hard on a mother of a child to move so far away. I'm used to having you right down the hall from me, what if something happens?"
"Molly dear, Bill is a good wizard. He was Head Boy, which means Dumbledore thinks he's a good wizard, best in the school. If he runs into trouble, well, I'm sure Bill will find a way back out of it." Arthur winked at Bill who smiled gratefully.
"Okay mum…can I go with your blessing?"
"Of course dear." Molly stood and pulled Bill into a hug.
"One more thing mum." Bill said, pulling away slightly.
"What is it?"
"Since Charlie's Quidditch captain this year, trade in my old broom so he can get the latest model. Beat Slytherin all the faster that way."
"Thanks Bill!" Charlie's voice echoed down from the stairwell.
Kingsley looked up from his paperwork as his young assistant Reuben Palmero came in from the blistering heat. Wiping sweat from his forehead, Reuben turned to his boss with a grin, and then frowned as he saw what Kingsley was holding up.
It was a complaint, filed by the Head Matron of Hillsborough Orphanage. A complaint, no doubt, about either him or his young assignment Draco Malfoy.
"Palmero, this is the fifth complaint we've gotten since you started seeing that Malfoy kid. Be honest with me, are you making any kind of progress?" Kingsley looked weary and tired of filling out forms.
"Yes. I know I've made progress. His incidents are becoming fewer and farther between. Give me just a few more months and I think he could have total control over his accidental magic."
Kingsley smiled. "I think I've told you this before, but you really can't let emotions get in the way of your work."
Reuben nodded. "I know sir."
"Good, now I wanted to talk to you about the Black case." Kingsley handed Reuben a stack of stapled papers.
"Black? But we haven't had a lead on him in months. What have we got now?" Reuben asked while flipping through pages.
"On the night that Remus Lupin disappeared, his neighbor told authorities that the last time she saw Lupin was when she was returning his dog to him…"
"Yeah, it says here that the dog had gotten out and was in the neighbor's yard and she brought it back to Lupin's door. He took the dog, thanked her, and went inside. That was last anybody saw of him."
Kingsley nodded at the report. "Keep reading."
"All it says is that the neighbor wasn't even aware that Lupin had a dog in the first place." Reuben looked up from the file. "What does the dog have to do with anything?"
"Now suppose that that dog wasn't a dog."
"What? You mean like Black transfigured himself? With what wand? Nobody had reported a missing wand at the time of Lupin's disappearance."
Kingsley handed Reuben another file. "Read this one."
Reuben opened it and read the first page, this file was much skinnier than the Lupin one, but told Reuben much more. "It's a complaint from a muggle about the disturbance a large bear-like black dog caused outside his store in Sutton Coldfield."
Kingsley nodded with a small grin. "And how was the dog described in the first report?"
"Large, bear-like, and black. It might just be a coincidence."
Kingsley took the report and started reading aloud. "Muggle authorities were sent to the owner's house and he promised his dog would not be any further trouble to the town. One officer noted that the man had a large scar on his exposed forearm."
"Wait? A scar like from the Dark Mark? Was the man Black?" Reuben asked, more confused than ever before. Hadn't Kingsley just insinuated that the dog was Black?
"No, the scar was on the man's right forearm, not his left. I knew Remus Lupin personally, we were good friends. Little known fact about him, ready to hear it?"
Reuben nodded.
"He was a werewolf."
Reuben's mouth fell open. "Really?"
Kingsley nodded again. "Yeah. Anyway, he had these scars all over his body from full moons. He tore himself up because he didn't have anything else to chew on. I remember he had one huge scar that started on his right wrist and went all the way up to his shoulder."
"So you think that Lupin ran away with Black, disguised himself, and that Black transfigured as a dog?" It did sound unlikely.
"Yes, I do. And more, I think they have Harry Potter."
"NO WAY! I don't believe you!"
Kingsley handed a photo to Reuben. "I did a little researching of my own. Turns out the owner of the dog has a nephew who's been living with him since his parents died in Dublin. Here's the thing, no deaths were recorded under the name Wolfson in Ireland at all in the past year, and the kid is listed in his school directory as being eight years old."
Reuben was barely listening to his superior; he was too busy staring at the picture Kingsley had handed him. A small boy with incredibly messy brown hair was smiling at the camera, not moving like in magical photos. It was obviously the boy's school photo, and the child's startlingly green eyes matched the canvas backdrop perfectly. Those green eyes were plastered on LOST posters all over England.
Author's Note:
Would you look at that! I got the next chapter up relatively on time in the midst of studying for seven final exams! I'm amazing I know. Now go REVIEW and tell me how amazing I a