Chapter Twenty-nine

Remus Lupin quickly changed into fresh robes and laid out his traveling cloak. The strain of recent events was beginning to tell on him and, after this morning's encounter with Moody and Snape, he was desperate to get out of the castle. He was simply not in the right frame of mind to deal with anything or anyone and, at the moment, that included Harry Potter.

Lupin had just gotten his things together when there was a knock at the door. As expected, it was Albus Dumbledore, his face somber. Striding into the room, he took a seat. Remus remained standing.

"How's Harry?" he asked the old wizard dutifully.

"Nurse Pomfrey informs me that he is much improved. She thinks he may be ready to return to his House but at my request she is keeping him for observation."

Lupin was confused. "You haven't been in to see him?" He would have though that would have been Dumbledore's first step.

Dumbledore sighed. "It may be best if I wait to see Harry until after we've figured out what has happened."

Lupin bristled. Why was everyone so anxious to contradict his account of what had occurred? If any of them had been the one to walk into Grimmauld Place that day they would have come to the same conclusions he had.

Predictably Dumbledore wanted Lupin's account of the incident and Lupin gave him a detailed narrative of the dizzying span beginning with Christmas Eve festivities and ending with the decision to send the boy to Nurse Pomfrey. Remus was still in shock. He just could not see how things had gone from happily opening presents with Harry and Tonks to mortal peril.

"I thought he was dead," he concluded hollowly. "When I walked up those stairs and saw him lying there …"

"We can only be thankful that you were there to come to his assistance," Dumbledore muttered somewhat absently.

Although he was fairly certain that Dumbledore already knew, Lupin mentioned the fact that Harry had taken the Elyssian Elixir again during his stay, possibly the night before the attack. He hated to bring up the subject. He was angry at Harry for taking it behind his back and was very disappointed in him. He had thought they had a better rapport than that. Still, he needed to mention it in case it had contributed at all to what had happened.

"Remus, I'm going to need you to have a talk with Harry this evening," Dumbledore said pleasantly. He went on to say that he had a number of specific questions that he wanted answered.

Lupin shouldered his bag. He was weary of the entire situation and now that he had reported to Dumbledore he was keen to be off.

Dumbledore, however, made no move to leave. He eyed Lupin's cloak shrewdly and frowned.

"I hope you are not allowing Severus' idle rancor to bother you."

"It's hardly idle, though, is it?" Lupin replied bitterly. He knew that Dumbledore was referring to Snape's last and most devastating comment, the one about Harry's connection to Voldemort. A sudden realization hit him. "And that's why you don't want to go in there, isn't it?"

Dumbledore did not attempt to contradict him, nor did he make any move to leave. Lupin informed him, rather bluntly, that he was taking the evening off.

"I do intend to talk to Harry but it can wait until tomorrow."

Clearly flummoxed to have his request denied, Dumbledore seemed to be contemplating how best to respond. It was then that Lupin reached around him and gathered up his things. Saying goodbye, he strode out into the corridors, leaving the old wizard speechless.

Getting a break from the situation proved to be quite beneficial for Lupin. While still upset with Harry, he was resolved to handle things. Now that the boy was up to conversation, Lupin knew a discussion was in order. Feeling unusually anxious at the prospect, he decided to check in with the headmaster before heading to the hospital wing.

As he approached Dumbledore's office, he could make out the figure of Severus Snape pacing about and looking agitated. Lupin groaned. For a moment yesterday, Lupin had felt quite bad for Snape over Mad-Eye's unfounded accusations. Although an out and out attack was unheard of, Lupin knew that Moody detested Snape and never wasted an opportunity to show it. Oddly, Snape, who complained about nearly everyone else, was uncharacteristically silent on the subject of Alastor Moody unless actually provoked. Still, any sympathy that he had had for Snape had evaporated as soon as he had started in on him.

Remus nodded at Snape who glared back.

"Is Dumbledore in his office?"

"Ah, yes, Lupin. He's filling out the paperwork for you to be promoted to head of house. He was so impressed with the manner in which you handled the responsibility of your one charge."

Lupin frowned. "Is he in there or not?"

"He's in there," Snape hissed. "But he cannot be disturbed at the moment. He's got Potter's wand."

"Priori Incantatum? Why? Harry didn't do anything wrong."

"Why exactly do you think Moody summoned us back? Because Potter had a headache? We returned when we were informed that Potter attempted to infiltrate Moody's mind."

Lupin was dumbfounded. "There must be some mistake. Harry's no Legilimens. And why would he attempt to access Moody's mind?"

"Why indeed?" Snape mused, arching his eyebrows.

Lupin moved towards Dumbledore's office but Snape stepped neatly in front of him.

"Open your eyes, Lupin! The boy is hiding something. Moody suspected it and, when he tried to question him, Potter attempted Legilimans."

His trust in Harry recently shaken, Lupin hesitated. He no longer knew what to think.

Snape loomed in, pressing his advantage. "I told the Headmaster that you would be unable to manage Potter but he refused to listen to me and now we see the results. Potter back in the grasp of the Dark Lord!"

"You don't know that. Let's wait and see what Dumbledore says."

"It should not be a surprise to you, Lupin. You are supposed to be close to the boy. And, if you were at all adept in potions, you would know –"

"I'm aware of the problems associated with Elyssian Elixir," Lupin said quietly. "As was Dumbledore."

"And yet it was uncovered among his things at Grimmauld under your supposed vigilance."

The last thing Lupin wanted to hear was Snape's opinion on this particular topic. He cut him off. "Obviously I did not realize he had brought it with him, Severus. I certainly would not have allowed it."

"You should have searched his things!" Snape hissed.

"I didn't think it was necessary. I believed that particular issue had been resolved." He paused. "I trusted him."

Snape snorted. "If you are placing your trust in Harry Potter, it is poorly placed indeed. He's never given me any indication that he merits trust. Quite the contrary, he's shown a penchant for the Dark Arts."

So now Harry Potter was a Dark Wizard? What was wrong with this man? Lupin was outraged. These were serious allegations to be throwing out and he told Snape as much.

Severus immediately became much more animated. "Again you are unable to see what is plainly before you. Already I've informed you that he used a hex on a student which was unusually, unnaturally powerful. Apparently you did not see the need to address that. Now he's advanced to using Legilimans to attack another wizard's mind."

Lupin was dismissive. "I'm not saying that he's without fault but I know Harry-"

"You think you know the boy? You think you have a relationship with him?" Snape spat, biting off each word. "Did you know that he used a Cruciatus Curse on Bellatrix Lestrange?"

Remus gasped before he could stop himself. "What? No!"

Thoroughly pleased to have rattled him, Snape continued on. "Oh, yes, last summer in the Department of Mysteries. He chased her down and then cast the Unforgivable Curse. Not to defend himself. Oh, no, not Harry Potter. He did it to cause horrific pain – to torture another human being."

Lupin's mouth went dry remembering the scene. He had been restraining Harry after Sirius' death to prevent him from running through the veil after his godfather but Harry had broken away, running after the Death Eater who had killed Sirius.

"Bellatrix Lestrange is hardly a reliable witness."

"Of that I am well aware," Snape sneered. "Which is why I confirmed it with a more reliable source – Mr. Harry Potter himself."

Lupin stared at Snape. The entire scenario was so unbelievable.

"And he knew exactly what he had done," Snape continued. "He tried to hide it from me but I saw it in his mind. He is no match for my Legilimans. I encountered more resistance than I had anticipated but in the end I was able to penetrate his feeble mind and learn the truth."

The fact that Severus Snape had forcibly broken into Harry Potter's mind did not even register with Lupin. All he could think about was the fact that Harry had used the worst of the Unforgivable Curses. Snape's tone indicated that it was true but he could scarcely believe that Harry was even capable of such an act. He felt as if he did not even know the boy.

Suddenly, Snape swiveled around on his heel. The Phoenix statue was moving to open the Headmaster's office. Remus closed his eyes. He so wanted to hear that Harry was blameless and he knew he was not going to.

Albus Dumbledore was not surprised to see the two men waiting outside his office. They were the two men that he most wanted to speak with: Severus with his knowledge of the Dark Arts and their master and Remus who knew and loved the boy best. Perhaps they best could advise him in some rather difficult decisions.

The three men took seats in the office. Harry Potter's wand lay in the middle of the Headmaster's desk and they all stared at it while Fawkes sang dolefully in the background.

Finally, Dumbledore began to speak. "The last spell this wand cast was Legilimens," he informed them as he picked it up off the desk. Twisting it thoughtfully in his fingers, he paused before continuing, "And prior to that – Avada Kedavra. It was Harry who killed Kreacher. There was never any attack on headquarters."

Severus Snape met his eyes and arched an eyebrow. He appeared surprised but not shocked by the news. He, Dumbledore, had felt the same. Although both he and Snape had feared that Harry might eventually fall into the Dark Arts, he had also believed that they would have some warning before it had gotten as far as this.

Lupin, however, was clearly horrified. Still, he attempted to maintain an even tone. "Did he do it under the influence of Voldemort?" he asked calmly, perhaps hopefully.

"I am afraid that is unlikely." Leaning back, Dumbledore put the tips of his fingers together. "You see the echo of the Legilimens spell is markedly different than that of the killing curse. Although there is little doubt that Voldemort is in at least partial possession of him now, I do not believe that was the case four days ago."

"Using such powerful Dark Magic probably opened him up to the Dark Lord," Snape interjected.

"Yes, Severus. I believe you guess correctly. He probably struggled against such an incursion which is why he fell so very ill. That he is no longer in distress likely demonstrates that he is no longer putting forth an effort to throw him off. Needless to say, it is a dire predicament."

"So who exactly is in the hospital wing?" Lupin asked warily.

"Harry."

"The Dark Lord." Dumbledore and Snape answered together.

Lupin sat back heavily and ran his hand through his graying hair. He looked as if he had made his last contribution to the current discussion.

Dumbledore looked at him and frowned. He felt a sudden pang. Remus Lupin was obviously devastated by this most recent turn of events and Dumbledore wondered if he could have spared him some pain by being more open with him from the beginning. Moreover, he was beginning to fear that Lupin was going to be of much less use now. Already he seemed to be pulling away from Harry as he had demonstrated last night.

To make matters worse, Severus appeared intent on placing all blame squarely on Lupin's shoulders. "Sir, is it possible that at least the possession could have been prevented if we were called back immediately?" he asked pointedly.

Albus glanced away quickly. He did not want to meet Remus' eyes. "It is possible," he demurred. He did not add probable though it was likely the truth. "But what is more important is to determine our next course of action. I confess I am at a bit of a loss."

Lupin remained silent but Snape spoke out. "Will you be able to free Potter from the Dark Lord's grasp?"

Certainly, I shall attempt to but, even if I am successful, I am not at all convinced that he should return to school." Dumbledore shook his head. "On the other hand, what then are we to do with him?"

Alone in the knowledge of Dumbledore's plan for Harry Potter, Snape seemed to grasp immediately the enormity of their dilemma. Yet he had no recommendations.

"What do you think, Remus?" Albus asked turning back to Lupin. "After all, you know him best."

Lupin made a defeated gesture with his hands. "I don't know. I certainly do not want anything to happen to Harry but if he's already dabbling in the Dark Arts …"

"Perhaps it is premature to make a decision," Dumbledore said. "If I can speak with Harry without Voldemort's influence, I can gauge exactly how far down the path he's gone."

"It's pointless to speak to him," Lupin muttered. "He's not going to be honest with you."

Dumbledore surveyed him sadly over his half-moon glasses. "That may be, Remus, but I am a Legilimens myself. I shall know if I am being lied to."

Lupin made a curious sound in his throated and glared over at Snape who was looking pointedly away.

"Is there something you wish to add, Remus?" Dumbledore asked. "Severus?"

Lupin was eying Snape with an uncharacteristically ugly look and Snape was returning it with an equally ugly but not altogether unfamiliar expression.

Finally, Snape spoke. "Headmaster, if you do attempt to access Potter's mind, I believe that you may encounter some damage there."

Dumbledore's heart sank. There was something very wrong here. He was about to question Snape further when Lupin broke in.

"You actually caused him harm?" he demanded in outrage. "Dumbledore, he forced his way into the boy's mind."

A strange, hungry look flickered across Snape's face before it was replaced by a distinctly closed expression. Dumbledore noted it.

"Legilimancy of that magnitude is powerful Dark Magic, Severus," he said calmly.

"I had no choice," Snape insisted. "The Death Eaters informed me that he had used a cruciatus curse and I needed to confirm it. You were unavailable at the time."

Dumbledore's mouth went dry. "Another Unforgivable Curse?" he murmured. It was beginning to look as if Harry Potter had already strayed too far into the Dark Arts to be recovered.

Snape recounted what he knew about the curse but something was not adding up. The man obviously knew how crucial the information was yet he had kept it to himself. Why?

When pressed for details about his incursions into Potter's mind, Snape became quite sketchy. Dumbledore's eyes, however, were drawn to Snape's left hand which was twitching sporadically over his wand. Suddenly Dumbledore realized why Snape had kept this secret. The glint in his eyes confirmed it. He had tasted the power of Darkness once again and he longed even now to taste it again.

Dumbledore had feared that this could happen with Severus working as an informant. The temptation to fall back into Dark Magic was great and now that Snape had channeled that power it would take all of his resolve to keep him from sinking into his old ways.

He wanted to address the issue immediately with Snape but he dared not do so with Lupin in the room. Lupin, who had been silent since his last outburst, was now clearly appalled at the proceedings. Snape, however, was still droning on."

"That's enough, Severus," he interjected sharply. "I think I know what happened."

"Sir?" Snape looked up anxiously.

Dumbledore gave him a significant look. "Oh, yes, Severus. I know." The old wizard had apparently made his point.

Stiffening in his chair, Severus began clenching and unclenching his fist.

"Now, as for Harry, in light of this new development I have to say I do not believe it would be advisable for him to stay on here. Hogwarts is a stronghold of ancient magic both dark and conventional."

"And with two Unforgivable Curses under his belt …" Lupin trailed off.

"Yes, it is very unlikely that he'll feel able to relinquish the power," Dumbledore lamented. He glanced over at Snape but he did not appear to be following the discussion. He was apparently lost in his own thoughts.

"Once a wizard goes dark there's no one that matters to them anymore," Remus complained.

With everyone in agreement, Dumbledore was not keen to prolong this. Lupin was clearly desperate to depart and he still had to reckon with his potions master. "I'll need some time to make arrangements for his safety. I am afraid that I did not foresee this-"

He was interrupted by a wholly unexpected outburst from Snape, an outburst which would lead both men to change their minds about the boy.

"Harry Potter is not lost!" Snape exclaimed leaping to his feet. "He can still come back."

The other two wizards stared at him in disbelief.

"He's pretty far involved in the Dark Arts, Severus," Lupin finally said.

Snape was adamant. "It matters not how far he's gone. He can come back if he wants to. If he wants to …" He rounded on Albus Dumbledore. "Will you not afford him the same opportunity you gave me?" he demanded. "And you," he said pointing a long finger at Remus Lupin. "I thought you fancied yourself his de facto family, yet you send him away at the first sign of trouble."

Lupin looked distinctly ashamed and Dumbledore too began to think that they may have given up on Harry a little prematurely. Never could he have imagined that Severus could muster up this much passion about anything, let alone a second chance for the Potter boy. Maybe it would be best to give Harry another chance if only for this man's sake.

"If you feel that strongly about the boy, perhaps it is best to try and work with him here. I shall see how my conversation with him goes."

"It is not for that insufferable youth that I feel compelled to speak," Snape replied acidly and, retaking his seat, he fixed his steely gaze on the shield hanging above the desk.