Chapter 13
A/N: As always I do not own the Harry Potter Books or the characters. Thank you everyone for your support.
Remus' hands were shaking he hadn't been able to calm down since his last encounter with Octavian Black. The man may very well be innocent in all regards but that didn't mean he wasn't completely capable of terrifying Remus. It was a Black family trait that even this bastard who had been raised far away from the influence of the Nobel and Most Ancient House of Black had seemingly inherited. Even when Sirius had been eleven years old his temper had made Remus anxious. This new Black was just as terrifying. Remus hated being scared. To this day he still doesn't understand why the sorting hat placed him in Gryffindor when he was such a coward.
He was just very good at pretending not to be afraid. When they were in their seventh year Remus had broken down about being terrified of having to venture out into the world away from the safety of Hogwarts. When the other boys forced him to tell them what was going on, he laughed about how cowardly they must think he was. Each of his friends acted in typical fashion. James told him he was being an idiot, that was James so privileged that he often failed to see the bad in any situation. To James there was nothing you couldn't get through with your friends by your side. Peter sympathized, he knew what it was like to be afraid and then he had managed to do the unthinkable. It was Peter who summed up the courage to go after Sirius despite the odds being monumentally against him. Who would have know that their weakest link would turn out to be the strongest. Sirius mirrored James' comment about him being an idiot, stating that for someone so smart Remus could be incredibly stupid sometimes. " The fact that you are willing to go on despite your crippling fear is what makes you strong, the sorting hat put you where you belong," Sirius snapped at him.
That comment had lighted a fire in Remus' heart and he had kept it with him during their years after Hogwarts. Sirius had been funny that way, he tended to say the most profoundly kind things in such a derogatory way. He hated when his friends had doubts and could never understand how they couldn't see their own worth. How had that young man turned into the man who would betray his friends. That is why Remus had agreed to work with Dumbledore he wanted to know why? It was his anger at the betrayal rather then courage that had brought him here to the compound.
Today the lists of the first fights were going up. Remus knew he was unlikely to be able to win any of them. Despite being a strong dueller when using contemporary magic he had issues when performing Natural Magic. His instructors said it was because in order to be able to perform Natural Magic to the best of your ability you had to be at peace with yourself. You had to access your magical core, you weren't channelling it through the core of a wand it was purely from your own magical power. Patrick said he would need to make peace with the wolf before he would see his true ability. Remus had no idea how he was supposed to make peace with the monster that ruined his life.
"Remus, I need to talk to you in my office, would you mind coming along?" asked Patrick from the other side of the field. Remus nodded and followed the man to his office. Patrick seemed tense and the aurora surrounding the man sent Remus on edge this was not good news.
" I wanted to tell you who your first fight is with, before the list goes up."
" It's Black isn' it," sighed Remus.
"Unfortunately yes, the villages elders are responsible for choosing who fights who and they seem to think that your animosity will help fuel both of your powers. Your first three fights are meant to encourage abilities. I only worn you because Tavian is a formidable opponent and you seem to be struggling still."
"He'll destroy me, he hates me,"
" He won't destroy you seriously injuring and maiming are not allowed but he will push you. You should prepare yourself physically and mentally over the next week you will need all the help you can get."
"Thank you, sir."
" I don't play favourites here Remus so don't mistake my kindness for acceptance of your behaviour. People come here to escape things to find peace and for someone who wishes for such acceptance you don't seem to want to allow Tavian that."
"But, he could have connections to Sirius Black," snapped Remus indignantly. He wasn't fond of being lectured he was the good one.
" I don't want to hear it Remus, the compound will not let those with ill intentions through. Evil is not welcome here. It is ancient magic and one that has far more insight into the minds of others then you do." said Patrick in a calm tone but one that indicated discussion was not welcome on the subject.
"Then why did it allow a werewolf onto the property then?" growled Remus.
"The wolf is not evil the wolf is a force of nature that can't be controlled the person that the wolf resides inside is who the compound judges."
"Oh," was all Remus could say.
" Now I suggest you start practicing now,"
Meanwhile at the other end of the compound the group of friends were hanging out in Aatos' trailer waiting for the list to go up. The kids were playing quietly on the floor as the adults discussed the upcoming event.
"Usually the winner is someone who thinks outside the box, uses their element in creative ways and doesn't forget that they can summon other elements if they wish," stated Calist her insight into the compound was proving to be quiet useful. They heard the bell ring and slowly walked towards the centre of the village. A list was taped to the ruins Sirius did not recognize the names listed next to his friends but the name next to his fake name was all to familiar Remus Lupin. Calist tapped his shoulder and beckoned him to follow her.
"I know their is more to your hatred of Lupin then you let on, I'm not going to ask, you've respected my secrets and I will do the same to yours. But, you can not let your hatred of him rule you in the ring. Emotions can help fuel your power but they can also hinder it. Stay focused and calm if you manage to do that you will be unbeatable. He may not have had the practice but his hatred doesn't run as deep as yours he will have the advantage if you lose your cool."
"Thank you" was all he could muster.
"If you want some practice I don't fight till the day after you,"
"Sure," he smiled.
"Kay, meet me in the back field at nine tommorrow"
" See you then,"
The next day Sirius got ready and dropped Harry off at Kathleen's who had agreed to watch him well Sirius practiced.
"Thanks for this again Kath,"
"No problem Tave, Jules and Aedan will have a great time, won't we boys?"
Over the next week Sirius and Calist practiced everyday. She taught him tricks of the trade things that could only been known through growing-up around Natural Magic. He taught her flare and creativity. Using bits and techniques he had picked up in auoror training and incorporated into Natural Magic. They didn't have duels per say it was more of a competition of who could create the most elaborate forms of magic. Calist may have been performing Natural Magic longer Sirius' pranking abilities made the contest pretty even. On the last day after a particularly gruelling practice the two laid on the grass in the middle of the field.
"You'll do great tomorrow Tave," she smiled as she rolled on her side to look at him.
"All thanks to you," he said rolling over to face her.
"Yeah I am pretty great aren't I," she smirked. Sirius let out a bark like laugh. The sun was starting to go down and Sirius couldn't help but be taken in by Calist's beauty. Her brown hair fell in waves down her shoulder and her blue eyes though weary from the match sparkled. It took all his will-power not to kiss her. He couldn't afford to start a relationship with her, she was accepting of his secrets now but a relationship required honesty and honesty was the one thing he couldn't give.
The next day Sirius dressed himself and Harry in their cerulean blue robes and headed out to the field. He dropped Harry off with Kathleen and Brawin, giving the boy an extra hug.
"I love you Jules," he said passing the boy to Kathleen to hold.
"Love you too Pa," whispered Harry. The boy was feeding off of Sirius' nerves and he felt extremely guilty for exposing the child to that. He walked to the centre of the field where Remus was already standing. Patrick stood between the two of them a hand facing palm out towards each of them.
"The rules are as follows you will play until one gives in or passes out. You will not maim or seriously injure your opponent. You may only use Natural Magic and remember this is all in fun. On the count of three. One …. two … three!" and with the Patrick left the circle. Sirius shot a beam of fire directly at Remus who rolled out of the way. He responded with a stream of water shot back at Sirius' way. Without even thinking taking in Calist advice shooting a jet or air towards the water splitting it down the middle. Remus visibly paled he had not known that people could use other elements.
Sirius smirked to himself and before Remus could react he encircled Remus in a ring of fire. Remus attempted to put it out but Sirius summoned up the air element and forced the flames higher Remus's feeble water stream couldn't compete. Sirius brought the flames back down and Remus sent clouds with a down pour towards Sirius. The rain was so strong Sirius couldn't see. But, he wasn't about to be out down. He summoned the wind pushing the rain clouds back towards Remus. His heart was pounding with the familiar rush of duelling. Sirius had always had a reckless streak and duelling sent that into overdrive. The all of a sudden just as Remus had made the clouds dissipate Sirius screwed up. He dropped into a duelling crouch forcing his hand towards the ground hard sending a wall of fire hurling towards Remus. Remus' eyes widened in realization and Sirius knew he screwed up. It was similar to a move he was famous for. He used to call it bowling like the muggle game. He would just send raw energy at his opponent knocking them back no curse no spell just magic. When the wall dissipated Remus' eyes narrowed for a second and then passed-out cold. As the crowd jumped up in celebration all Sirius could think of was "Oh shit."
A/n: Its a little longer then my usual chapters but I wanted all of this together. There seems to be some romance in the air but I assure you romance will not takeover this story is a bonding flick if any romances develop it will be strictly a side-story. I hope you guys liked the duel and Sirius' slip-up as well as Remus' brief POV. Thank you again for all your support and the next chapter should be up relatively shortly.