Chapter Twenty-Four: Fire, Earth or Water
There was a crack and suddenly Dumbledore was there, looking not at all surprised to see Remus.
"Ah, Mr. Lupin, how are you this evening?" he asked as if expecting the three of them to sit down for tea and crumpets.
"Alright, sir. You?" he answered without thinking because Remus knew he currently was not all right. He hated being reminded how alone he was in this, how unknown it all still was, and how his monthly transformations could somehow dominate his life more than it already did!
"Very busy, so I do so enjoy an excuse to leave my work. Staying out of trouble Remus?"
"Mostly sir." He tried to force a small smile but his lips seemed frozen in a neutral expression as if bracing themselves for any possibility.
"Good. If you did entirely that would be incredibly dull, wouldn't it."
Remus nodded, still finding himself unable to grin, even as Madam Pomfrey shot Dumbledore a most displeased look muttering something about 'men'.
"I suppose so sir."
"Everything alright with Mr. Pettigrew, Mr. Black, and Mr. Potter?"
His headmaster continued to speak as if he couldn't plainly see something was wrong with Remus. He nodded his head at those twinkling eyes trying to find comfort in them, Dumbledore at least would know what to do.
"Good, I heard from a very upset Minerva that there was...an altercation?"
"It was nothing sir," he replied quickly, perhaps a bit too quickly. Sharp blue eyes narrowed just slightly, peering down at him above half-moon glasses. "Just a….misunderstanding," he explained, trying to sound more casual about it.
"Yes, well friends are one of life's most precious gifts, Remus. I recommend you keep your friends close, and you never know, they may surprise you."
Remus, like usual, when speaking to Dumbledore, wasn't entirely sure what he meant but nodded as if he did.
"Good. Now then, having some difficulties, are we?"
Remus glanced at Madam Pomfrey who motioned for him to go on with an encouraging smile. Taking a deep breath Remus explained what was going on once more, somehow finding it even harder to explain than the first time.
"Yes, well that's perfectly normal Remus.''
A breath Remus didn't know he had been holding escaped him and he felt his too tense body, wound up like a coil ready to snap, sag in relief. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Madam Pomfrey shoot Dumbledore a sharp look but he quickly put it out of his mind. He knew Dumbledore wouldn't lie to him after all.
"Thank you, sir."
"Professor or just Dumbledore, Remus. Yes, you may experience other changes, and no matter how insignificant they seem you must tell them to Madam Pomfrey immediately alright?"
Remus felt a hint of doubt creep into him, if it was so normal why keep such close track of every difference. But that was a traitorous thought, he owed Dumbledore his life and he wouldn't doubt the man unless he gave him good cause to, very good cause to.
"Of course sir….ah Professor."
Dumbledore smiled at him, his eyes dancing with amusement, which gave Remus comfort. Of course, he had overacted, of course, it was normal.
Besides, if there really was something wrong with Remus surely his headmaster wouldn't be popping a piece of candy into his mouth and talking about other topics.
Because that's exactly what Dumbledore did. One minute they were discussing the completely normal, despite Remus never having heard of such a thing, changes in adolescent werewolves, and the next moment he somehow ended up playing Dumbledore in chess.
Madam Pomfrey fetched them tea with a huff, probably only because she didn't want to be treated like a maid. She did seem unusually overly irritated at the headmaster though...
Once more Remus had to shove down the nagging feeling Dumbledore either wasn't as informed as he'd like to believe or was deliberately not telling the truth. It was much more likely Dumbledore had uncovered this information in his travels and with his exceptional wit, both of which Remus' parents hadn't been privy to while he was growing up. Yes, that must be it.
"If you don't focus on the game Mr. Lupin you won't do very well," Dumbledore said lightly and Remus diverted his attention back to the chess pieces. He didn't think he had much of a chance of winning against Dumbledore but it was an exciting opportunity getting to play him and he was going to give it his all.
However, like Remus thought it quickly became apparent he had no hope of winning. But the way Dumbledore was peering at him it was like he was testing to see if Remus would continue strong, so he did. They talked about the visitors coming and Dumbledore 'let slip', with a wink, that the first task would involve the Black Lake.
"Why the Black Lake?"
"Well Mr. Lupin, this is the first time in a very long time that we are attempting the tournament and it is sort of like...a trial run if you will. No press allowed for the first competition since we want to make sure things are running smoothly. If all three tasks proceed well then chances are we'll see the tournament again in another four years."
Remus nodded patiently already having had Lily explain this to him.
"So all the schools are being careful about the first task since they want it to at least last that long?"
"Quite right. Hogwarts' Black Lake is a place I have a great deal of control over."
"But why not have it in the castle?" Remus asked, confused, having stopped listening as Sirius and James went on and on about past tasks. He assumed there was a pattern but he had been too tired at the times to properly listen.
"Well, it is tradition that each test incorporates either fire, earth, or water in no specific order. It's an unspoken tradition and it leaves lots of room for creativity and differences between the tasks but not having those elements would make those who scoff upon the idea of this tournament do so even more."
"Is….is it a good idea s...Dumbledore?"
"I assume you mean with the timing."
Remus nodded, unable to not find it odd that there would be a contest in the midst of a brewing war.
"Well I believe now is exactly the right time. We need to band together to be stronger and some friendly competition can do just that."
"This isn't about the tournament at all!" Remus gasped finally understanding.
Dumbledore chuckled replying innocently 'he hadn't the faintest clue what he meant.' But Remus was sure he was right and it suddenly all made sense, he couldn't wait to tell his friends about the first task and what real purpose the tournament held.
"Oh my look at the time. I believe that is a checkmate for me anyways. Good game but I must go or Professor Corbyn will be irritated with me. Pip pip."
"Sir why…."
But Remus didn't get to ask why Dumbledore was meeting with the DADA Professor since the headmaster was gone with a pop before he could even get the word 'why' out.
…...
"So we have to be careful, agreed?"
Sirius nodded only half listening as James once more repeated the rules about tailing Remus.
Who had made him the boss?
Peter sat on his bed wisely not pointing out that he wasn't coming. Sirius had sort of...maybe forgiven him... only not quite.
At least he wasn't glaring or insulting the boy anymore, he was just….ignoring him a bit. Well, he deserved it! Sirius' eyes met Peter's who looked hopeful. 'Everyone makes mistakes, Sirius. You say you're mature, well this is a good way to prove it,' came Remus' voice in his mind as clearly as if he was standing in the room. Sirius scowled, Peter, flinching and looking away, then he sighed knowing, deep down, Remus, as per usual, was right.
"If you continue your training Peter maybe if we fail this time you can come next time," he mumbled, if anything he was being too nice to Peter who deserved much worse.
Of course, it was all Remus' fault in the first place for making forgiving Peter something of a challenge. Peter's pudgy little face lit up with excitement and Sirius continued pacing the room with Elvis curled up on his head.
"Which you might have a good shot at Peter. Since it's possible Remus is already gone. It's only a few minutes until curfew and he isn't back yet," he muttered, aware of the fact he sounded like an anxious mother even before James smirked at him.
"Relax Sirius I'm sure he was with Lily. See that's probably him now."
Sirius was both annoyed and relieved that the footsteps up the stairs turned out to indeed be Remus. Their friend looked a little flush as if he had rushed back quickly, the swat was probably worried about being out past curfew even though he did it with them often.
"Guys you won't believe what I learned…!"
It was unusual to see Remus look so excited to tell them something, so obviously he immediately had their undivided attention. Sirius listened to Remus explain how he had just run into Dumbledore out of nowhere, which was odd but then again the headmaster was quirky, and what he had told him about the tournament.
No wonder he was so excited!
"Wow! So you reckon if we investigate the lake tomorrow night we can figure out clues to help whoever the Hogwarts champion will be?" James asked excitedly, all of them, well at least he and James, still secretly hoping the champion would be them despite the age restriction.
Because how cool would that be!
"Why tomorrow night?" Remus asked with a slight, nearly untraceable, edge to his voice. So, it was tomorrow night, was it?
Whatever it was.
Remus seemed to realize he had reacted too strongly since he tried to backtrack.
"I only mean why not go tonight?"
"Remus are you suggesting we break the rules!" Peter gasped and while Remus turned his attention to the one friend who hadn't picked up on the implication of tomorrow night, James shot Sirius a look that clearly said hold your tongue.
It was hard to but he wasn't about to ask questions now, not after spending another whole month being oh so good so they could finally, finally, figure out what was happening to their friend.
"Well, I just….."
"We are training them well aren't we James!" Sirius gushed, perhaps a tad bit too dramatic even for him, but he knew if he kept quiet a moment longer he was going to fold and ask Remus what the hell was going on with him.
"Yes quite well, I believe they are ready for phase two!"
Peter, who had already received some personal 'training' from James and Sirius, looked downright terrified, while Remus just rolled his eyes though he relaxed slightly.
"Phase two! YOU can't mean…..!" Sirius feigned horror, giggling as Peter swayed looking a little ill.
"Yes I think it's finally time," James replied, his tone now grave.
Peter, it seemed, couldn't take anymore and he let out a squeak of horror clamping his sweaty palms over his ears. Remus who seemed a bit distracted finally noticed who the target of their teasing had become and frowned in disapproval.
"Oh come off it you two! Peter, they are only joking. There is no phase two."
"Pretty sure phase two is locking Peter and Marlene in a closet and…."
"Enough!" Remus snapped and James trailed off looking startled.
In fact, they all looked at him startled, it's not like Remus hadn't chewed them out or lost his temper on them before. But usually, it was because they were honestly being arses, they were just teasing Peter who…. Then Sirius noticed tears trailing down Peter's cheeks and immediately felt bad.
"Peter I'm sorry. Marlene isn't good enough for you anyways," James quickly pointed out looking uncomfortable as Remus wrapped his arm around Peter comforting him. Peter shifted and wailed into Remus' chest and Sirius felt a tinge of jealousy, but only because….well he wasn't quite sure why.
He didn't think he was jealous of Peter and Marlene who now sat together in potions and who had been spending a lot of time together. Sirius wasn't aware of Marlene rejecting Peter or anything so maybe he was just irritated by his friend's unnecessary tears, that must be it.
"She will never like me! I don't even know why I bother!" wailed the, it seemed, helplessly in love boy. Sirius chanced a glance at James who still adamantly denied feeling anything besides utter loathing for Lily, but who looked a bit pale.
"That's not true Peter. She likes you quite a bit."
"Yeah," Sirius cut in, "in fact, you should invite her to the dance thingy happening with the visitors," he suggested seriously, figuring Peter being a bit obnoxious over getting a girlfriend first was, at the very least, better than this.
"It's called the Yule Ball Sirius," Remus pointed out patiently, rubbing Peter's back who sat beside him stiff sniffling but had calmed down quickly.
"You really think so?" he asked in an uncertain voice, his cheeks a bit pink. James glanced at Sirius and subtly rolled his eyes, which only probably wasn't subtly enough since Remus shot them a sharp look.
"Yeah, Peter, sure do. Only don't become a complete and utter twat once you get a girlfriend first."
Peter gave a half-smile.
"No promises," he teased then excused himself to the bathroom, probably to wipe his now horribly runny nose.
"What is his deal lately?" he asked once he was sure the sound of running water would mask his voice. For a second he thought Remus was going to snap at them again, he seemed sort of...jittery for some reason. But instead, his friend sighed heavily.
"You two ought to be nicer to him. I won't tell you what he told me. But he isn't crying about Marlene."
James raised an eyebrow in question of Remus' sanity because it was quite clear Peter had been crying about that. Remus blushed, biting his lip slightly as he pondered how to explain better to them.
"Well, he was but only not really. I mean…...look he's upset about other things and this….Marlene just….tips the scale. You should ask him how he's doing…," Remus' voice lowered so they could barely hear him as the water turned off, "about his dad. Especially you Sirius since he still thinks you hate him."
"Well to be fair…" Sirius began in a teasing manner, earning a very unamused look from Remus and a chortle from James.
Then Peter was back and they all sort of dropped it, setting about doing their homework and all of them suddenly growing very concerned as Remus announced briskly he was going to bed
before it was even nine.
So they were forced to pack up their scrolls and quills and move down into the common room where homework was forgotten as they instead whispered nervously and excitedly about tomorrow, all of them swapping ridiculous ideas about what their friend's secret could be.