Remus knew that he really shouldn't overthink what happened at the last Order Meeting. It wasn't healthy. And he really should be planning his next trip into Knockturn. That was far more important. There were several people of interest who he needed to start forming an acquaintance with. This way he wouldn't look out of place. Unlike at that meeting. But of course, the meeting stayed on his mind even though he'd really rather not think about it.

Had he been standoffish? Rude? Cold? He hoped he hadn't. Well, not too much. He had just wanted to be left alone. Not been bothered. Molly at least had left him alone but that seemed to be because she had been bustling around Nym- Tonks. Something the younger woman definitely did not look like she appreciated but Remus was grateful as it meant he was left alone. Which was lonely but that was the point. He still maintained that it was better for everyone if no one was close to him. It just made everything easier.

His thoughts were distracted by a flash of silver flying through the wall. That could only mean one thing. Remus jumped to his feet.

"Your presence is needed at Hogwarts at once," came Albus' tone.

Remus stared dumbly at the dissolving Patronus in shock. That was definitely different than the usual messages Albus sent.

Not that he sent much by Patronus. Usually it was via Fawkes with a letter. This was definitely strange. He didn't know what to think of it. Frowning absentmindedly at the space where the Patronus was, Remus wondered what Albus wanted. The voice had been calm and collected, as usual but if it was something serious surely there would be some sense of urgency about it?

What was he doing just standing around? He had to get to Hogwarts!


'Crack'

Remus stumbled slightly as he appeared a mile away from the Hogwarts Gates. He hadn't done that since he had just learned to apparate.

The sound of apparition echoes around him enough tines that he knew that it wasn't just him that had arrived. What in Merlin's name was going on?

"Lupin?"

"Bill?"

Sure enough, there was the eldest Weasley, alongside his fiancée.

"Miss Delacour," Remus said with a polite nod.

"Fleur, Monsieur Lupin," she reminded him with a smile.

"Remus then."

"Are ye done with all your daft pleasantries?"

Oh, there was only one person that voice could belong to...

"Hello, Alastair."

Moody grunted and shook his leg. He must have landed funny when he apparated.

"Let's get going people!"

"You could at least say hello, Mad-Eye."

Remus' heart lurched as he heard that voice. He was not going to look around. He was not going to look around.

Okay, he looked around.

Tonks was standing to the left of him with her hands on her hips and giving Alastair a dark look. She almost looked like her old self if it wasn't for her drawn face and lifeless hair.

"Shut it, girlie and move!"

"I'm not your trainee anymore!" she complained but obediently trailed behind him.

Remus decided that he would not point out that Alastair was smirking in satisfaction.

"You lot too!" came the bark, making them all jump.

There was really no arguing with that tone. And really, who would even want to? They all traipsed after the grizzled Auror like some sort of demented nursery rhyme.

"Any idea what this is about?" Bill asked.

Remus shook his head. "No idea."

"I wish 'e would give more warning," Fleur complained. "We were in ze middle of something."

Bill blushed heavily at that, in the way only Weasleys could. Remus couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. That explained the smell that hung around them. Fleur appeared completely unconcerned by this.

"Fleur!"

"What? I did not tell them what we were doing."

A snort came from in front of them. A very familiar and adorable snort. Remus ignored it. Bill, on the other hand, did not.

"Shut up, Tonks."

"Nope, you don't want me to tell your mother, do you?" she teased in a tone he hadn't heard from her in a long time.

That got Fred and George interested, of course.

"What does mum-"

"- not want to hear?"

"No chatter!"

"We're not in the army, Mad-Eye!"

Thankfully, they were now approaching the gates. Hopefully that would make everyone behave somewhat. But the gates swung open by themselves, no one in sight to do so.

They all looked around suspiciously, the year they've been having getting to them all.

Then a silver phoenix appeared in front of them to explain.

"I let the wards let you in," came Albus' voice. "The gates will close behind you."

"It's freaky how he does that," Remus heard one of the twins mutter.

He had to hide a smile. Oh, to be young and completely in awe of people again.

Entering the grounds of the school seemed to make everyone realise how serious this was and there was no further talking. Not until they walked through the already open doors of the school and faced a waiting Albus.

"Good Evening, everyone," he greeted pleasantly.

"Albus, you called the Order?" Minerva asked, staring at the group of the with a measure of alarm. "What are you ex-"

"Just as extra reassurance, Minerva," Albus assured her.

Minerva gave him a long look but nodded in acceptance without questioning him any further.

He turned back to their group.

"I just wanted all corridors to be covered with patrols tonight."

"Is something coming, Albus?" Alastair grunted, tapping his cane on the ground impatiently.

"Maybe, maybe not," Albus hummed. "I just feel the need for a little extra security tonight."

Alastair grunted in response which made Albus launch into his plan for the evening.

"Remus, I want you to patrol along the corridors around the foot of the Astronomy Tower," were his orders. "William will assist you."

Remus looked over at Bill who nodded resolutely. That had to be the most serious expression Remus had ever seen on the young man's face.

Minerva, Kingsley, Fred and George were given corridors along the Gryffindor side of the school. Flitwick was asked to stay fairly centrally in the school alongside Tonks.

"Miss Delacour, I would appreciate it if you would aid Madam Pomfrey and patrol the Hospital Wing area."

Fleur nodded at him resolutely. The whole school was now covered. Was this really necessary? Not that he would question Albus but still. It seemed like he was reciting a plan that was already in place.

Remus felt like they were preparing for something big yet unknown and he did not like it one bit. The unknown was never good. But Albus didn't say anything. Surely if they needed to be warned about something, he would mention it? But he didn't. That didn't make Remus feel any better.

"How long will you be gone?" Kingsley asked into the uneasy silence.

"No more than a few hours," Albus replied serenely. "I shall be back tonight."

Still no mention of where he was going or why he was leaving the school. Then again, the man didn't exactly answer to anyone, did he?

Kingsley nodded unsurely, hands in his robes and almost definitely fisting his wand. The man was no fool.

Albus looked around at each of them and nodded slowly.

"I shall leave you to it then."

That was their cue to disperse.