A Disagreement with the In-Laws
by Matthew W. Quinn and Kyli Ann Rasco
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay. Been busy these last few weeks. Rest assured, this is going to get finished, hopefully in early 2010.
March 25th, 1998 AD
3 PM
Though he, strictly speaking, did not have to do this anymore, Remus Lupin put in a shift patrolling the edges of the free-fire zone surrounding the werewolf colony. It was good to get outside for awhile, plus it generated good feelings among the other werewolves.
There was also the dark-clad figure he'd seen in the woods around the colony recently. If it turned out to be Bellatrix Lestrange, he had no intention of engaging her — if he managed to defeat her, that would bring down the wrath of Voldemort, and Greyback would probably sacrifice him to save the colony — but he could at least confirm who it was.
"I saw something moving over there," Lupin told the werewolf immediately under him. "You're in charge of the patrol while I go check it out."
"Sir," he said. "If something should happen…"
"Then you'll see it coming and be ready."
Lupin turned and walked towards the region of the woods where he'd last seen the dark-clad figure. He'd spotted whoever it was in that area before, so the mysterious intruder was probably in the habit of using this as a vantage point. The area had its advantages — it had a clear view of much of the colony through a gap in the trees.
I should probably have this garrisoned. This would make a good enemy reconnaissance post or even a firing point for someone good at long-range spellcasting.
Lupin passed beneath some low-hanging branches, out of sight of the patrol. The forest closed up around him. He walked along a flat area partway down a hill, keeping a wary eye on the ground as it rose above him. He did not want anyone to catch him from above.
He stopped walking and looked around. Nobody was there. Lupin was not particularly experienced in woodcraft, so he figured whoever was out there — if there even was someone out there — must have heard him coming.
"Why if it isn't the cancer gnawing away at the House of Black," Bellatrix said from behind him.
Lupin whirled, raising his wand, only to find Bellatrix's wand pointing straight at his face.
Not in a good position right now.
Lupin forced himself to smile.
"I take it someone else is enjoying a brisk walk in these woods," he said. "Great minds think alike."
Bellatrix scowled.
"Only in your mind, doggie," she retorted.
Bellatrix smiled.
"I suppose you know why I'm here."
Lupin thought for a moment. Perhaps the evil woman thought Dora made a habit of visiting the colony due to her marriage to a werewolf?
"I assume it has to do with my lovely wife."
An expression of revulsion crossed the evil woman's face.
"Nothing would please me more than to wring where she is out of you," she growled, a warped grin crossing her face all the while. "Use the Cruciatus until you're a gibbering wreck, just like the Longbottoms."
Anger flared in Lupin's heart, but he kept it under control. He might take his chances with any other Death Eater, but Bellatrix was quick and strong as well as evil. She'd curse his head off before he got his wand all the way up. And there was still the wrath of Voldemort to consider.
"Unfortunately," she continued. "The Dark Lord thinks you beasts are too useful to simply put down on a whim."
Her grin widened.
"For now," she gloated.
More proof to convince the others the Death Eaters killed Greyback, when the time comes.
Of course, that assumed he got back to the colony alive and with his mind whole. Bellatrix would have to be foolish not to try to alter his memory.
"He also thinks you and the little Auror amusing. Two lovers, on opposite sides of the war and still together…"
"I wonder, is he envious? Considering how he probably can't love anyone…"
Anger flared on Bellatrix's face, quickly replaced by a more subtle malevolence.
"I had a little encounter with widdle Potter, Weasley, and the Mudblood a few weeks ago," she said, almost casually.
Lupin's guts clenched. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had encountered her?
His fear must have shown on his face, for Bellatrix laughed.
"Didn't have them for too long," she said airily.
Oh thank God, Merlin, Fate, or whomever.
"But I had such fun with the Mudblood while I did," Bellatrix continued. "The way she screamed and writhed under the Cruciatus. And the howling I could hear from the blood-traitor. It reminded me so much of Frank…"
He hoped Hermione came out of the situation all right. Prolonged Cruciatus could destroy minds, but that took hours of continuous application.
"So," Lupin said, trying to sound confident. "What happened?"
Bellatrix arched an eyebrow.
"Why should I tell you?"
"Well," Lupin said. "It would give you more time to gloat, more time to show off your glory."
Not that you overpowering the kids is much of a victory, given your greater experience.
Instead, Bellatrix just laughed.
"I think I'll keep you in suspense," she said airily. "You loved those brats."
Lupin felt sick, but he mastered the growing grief. Bellatrix might be trying to keep him in suspense, or she might be trying to hide something embarrassing.
"You know, Bella, I think the real reason you're not telling me is—"
Bellatrix thrust her face into his.
"Don't call me that," she ordered. "Ever."
The ultimate retort materialized in Lupin's brain.
"Would you prefer Auntie?"
Bellatrix's lips peeled back from her teeth. A low growl emerged from her mouth and her wand hand began to shake, as though she was having trouble restraining herself.
Lupin did not get the chance to further test the limits of her self-control, for a huge blue-silver wolf erupted onto the scene, landing on the ground nearby.
"Remus Lupin," it growled with the voice of Fenrir Greyback. "I need to speak with you."
Lupin smiled at Bellatrix.
"I'm sorry, but I'm needed elsewhere at the moment."
He smiled.
"Auntie."
Her railings filled his ears as he Disapparated back to the edge of the free-fire zone.
March 25th, 1998 AD
3:30 PM
"What do you know about Harry Potter?" Greyback demanded.
Lupin repressed the urge to swallow nervously as he faced his overlord over the latter's great desk.
"Not much," Lupin said. "All I know is that Dumbledore gave him some kind of task before he died. Harry took two of his friends with him and I have not heard from them since."
"Don't bother trying to hide who he's traveling with. I know it was Weasley and Granger."
Lupin's heart sank. Greyback laughed.
"I brought them in, along with some other Snatchers."
Lupin's heart leaped. Although he suspected Bellatrix had lost the kids, the worry that the insane woman had hurt or killed them still gnawed at his heart.
"They had a bloody fine sword," Greyback growled. "But Lestrange didn't want to give it up. Got a mite unfriendly when we tried to push the issue."
He rubbed his neck, as if recalling an injury. Lupin felt strangely conflicted about that — Greyback had put the curse on him and deserved every bit of pain in the world for that, but part of him disliked Bellatrix for hurting the senior werewolf.
He hoped his loyalties weren't starting to shift.
"They got away though. Lestrange was right pissed about that," Greyback interrupted, yanking Lupin away from his momentary introspection.
Oh thank Merlin.
"All three of them?" Lupin asked.
Greyback eyed him suspiciously.
"Why do you care? They're enemies."
"They also did not care what I was," Lupin said. "They might be useful to our cause."
"Very well. What kind of task did Dumbledore give him? What's he doing?"
"I don't know, sir."
Anger crossed Greyback's face.
"I made you my second-in-command," he growled. "I can un-make you just as easily. And the things I can do to Tonks…"
"I still don't know what Harry and his friends are up to. The things a person doesn't know can't be gotten out of them with Veritaserum or the Cruciatus. Surely there are things you keep from me."
Greyback was silent for a moment.
"A fair point."
He laughed grimly.
"The kids looked like they'd been traveling. If the old man wanted them to wander around Britain while the Dark Lord tightened his grip, he must have gone senile long ago."
Greyback fell silent again. After several moments had passed, Lupin began edging towards the door.
"Wait."
Lupin froze. Greyback leaned forward.
"I want you to train the army harder than ever. My little tiff with Voldemort's attack bitch showed us we've still got a ways to go if we want to fight them and win."
Lupin nodded.
"Understood, sir."
Lupin turned to go.
"Wait."
Lupin froze again.
"All three of the kids got away," Greyback said. "It's a pity — the bitch offered me that Mudblood. She'd be a fine addition to the pack."
The notion of Hermione being lycanthropized made Lupin somewhat sick, especially since he had some idea as to what Greyback intended for her. But he had to play along, lest Greyback dwell on his concern for the kids and question his loyalties.
"She would be, sir. She's a smart one."
