Chapter 104: Friday, July 5, 2002
"We must expect to fail...but fail in a learning posture, determined not to repeat mistakes, and to maximize the benefit of what is learned in the process."
-Ted Engstrom
In the course of ten days, Remus saw more planning go into a rescue mission than he had ever seen from The Order the first time around. Harry was an impressive leader, flanked by the others and unafraid to admit fault with one of his own ideas. He was much like James, in that respect. Often, Remus would find himself watching the table before him as everyone talked and plotted and he would go right back to being sixteen, planning pranks in the dormitories.
Everyone just listened to Harry. Even Draco, who seemed to love a good squabble, sat attentive during meetings. His snide remarks were nonexistent as he jotted down notes and brought up problems that could arise. Ron spent the better part of the meetings charting out the surrounding landscape and making himself as familiar with the area on paper as he could. He interrupted here and there, explaining to Harry why certain points of entry wouldn't work, or questioning what spells they could use to gain access to the different wings of the Death Eater Headquarters.
Hermione spent much of her time brewing potions and restocking her supplies for herself and Draco. She worked with Charlie to begin procuring a stock of dragonhide armor from the reservation in Romania and kept a log of every moving part that had been brought to light. The level of technical organization exhibited by Hermione alone was enough to render Remus speechless most of the time. But, to see it in action amongst all members of The Order was almost surreal. She was in her element—answering questions before they were asked and paying close attention to every single detail, no matter how insignificant it seemed.
"Thirteen," Pansy announced, stepping into the room with purpose and combing her fingers through her bob to situate the hairs.
"You're sure?" Harry asked.
"I have spent over ten hours a day for a week, sitting in a tree in Wimbourne, staring at a house. I'm pretty fucking sure, Potter," Pansy deadpanned.
"Okay, yeah." Harry nodded, marking the count down to on the map of Thorfinn Rowle's estate that had been meticulously drawn by Ron with help from Pansy and Luna.
"Do they stand guard in the same spots?" Remus asked, a sudden thought occurring to him that could benefit them during the ambush, should he be able to work it out in time.
"Approximately," Pansy confirmed.
"I've seen a few go in and out here and there," Ron added. "But, they always hang around the same areas."
"But they do enter the house from time to time?" Remus looked around the room, his mind whirring as he began mentally dragging up charms work he hadn't needed to use in years.
"Oh yeah," Ron nodded. "There's definitely people inside. But, there's only ever the thirteen outside. They watch every corner of the estate, not very well obviously, but it's enough that they feel secure."
Remus turned to Pansy, "Could you get close enough to get me some of the foundation?"
"The foundation?" Pansy repeated, her brows knitting together.
"Yeah, just a bit. I don't need a brick or anything. Just some rubble or dust off the actual stones holding the place together," Remus explained.
Hermione looked up at that, one hand buried in the side of her hair as she leaned with an elbow on the top of the table, a small frown pulling her mouth down. "Getting that close without alerting them could be difficult."
"That's why I asked Pansy to do it," Remus reasoned. "You know, animagus and all."
"Am I to just hold a bit of dirt in my beak for you then?" Pansy asked, arching an eyebrow high on her forehead, "Because if you need a phial of the rubble, I'll have to shift bodily to collect it."
"There's a change of guard, though." Ron piped up, giving a shrug of his left shoulder. "Could do it then."
"What's this for?" Hermione asked, her eyes roaming over his face with curiosity.
Remus smirked and stepped closer to the table, pointing to the map drawn before Harry. "What we have here is a map," he began, waiting to see if anyone would catch on. When no one spoke up, he continued. "And I'm not sure if you're aware," at this he could feel his smirk grow. "But, you happen to have access to a wizard who spent a few years dabbling in magical cartography."
It took approximately four seconds before the look of understanding donned Hermione's face. Her eyes went comically wide as her mouth dropped open and she let out a puff of laughter.
"Of course!" She exclaimed, shaking her head as she continued to laugh. "How could we have not even considered it?"
Harry let out a bark of laughter and smacked the table with both hands, "Brilliant! You can make it work with this then?"
"I think so, yeah." Remus confirmed, smiling.
"Would someone mind filling me in on why the hell I'm going to risk my neck by myself for a bit of dust?" Pansy asked, looking around at the group.
"The Marauder's Map," Ron answered.
"The map we use to keep an eye on the school?" Pansy clarified.
"The very same," Harry nodded.
"Okay, I still fail to see how a map of Hogwarts will help us get into Rowle's keep?"
"Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs are proud to present, The Marauder's Map!" Ron sang.
Pansy was beginning to look noticeably irritated with them all now, her arms folded across her chest as she kicked a hip out to the side and huffed a breath that caused her fringe to dance around her eyes.
"Remus is one fourth of the group of boys who called themselves 'The Marauders'," Hermione said, a fond smile on her face.
Remus stretched a hand out to Pansy, giving hers a quick shake. "Messrs Moony, pleased to meet you."
Pansy rolled her eyes, suppressing the beginnings of a smile, "Of course you are."
Hermione paced the floor of the sleeping quarters as she went over her mental checklist of the plan. After Remus (with assistance from Theo) spent the better part of the last four hours doing a series of complicated charms work over the map Ron, Pansy and Luna had painstakingly drawn out, it was finally time to make their move.
They would be going in small groups, each armed with a copy of the map and their wands. Hermione would be with Harry, Remus, and Pansy. They were the second group that would be infiltrating Rowle's Keep after the first created a diversion. It was the goal to get in and out as quickly as possible—go to Justin, apparate him out, and leave quietly. Minimal damage.
The problem, however, was that it very rarely worked out with minimal damage. And with only twelve Order members—three groups of four—infiltrating the Death Eater camp, they were already outnumbered by only the guards...not to mention anyone who resided inside the walls of the estate.
After experiencing the war in two different decades and watching so many people sacrifice themselves, Hermione found it increasingly difficult to remain positive that their plans would work. She spent hours poking holes in every suggestion made, poured over sheets of parchment with notes sloppily etched into them, trying to find every loose end and tie it up before they risked their lives again.
Remus had seemed to be more determined than ever for this ambush to work in The Order's favour. Even going as far as to argue the very valid points Hermione continually made as they began to map out the plan. He was more invested in this rescue mission than he had been in anything since his arrival here. And, frankly put, Hermione didn't quite understand the drive behind it.
"You'll put holes in the floor if you keep pacing."
She looked up and saw Remus slightly bent in the doorway to avoid smacking his head on the frame. Hermione paused her steps, trying to offer him a small smile that she was certain looked more like a pained grimace than anything.
"What's wrong?" He asked, taking four long strides to meet her in the center of the room. He placed a hand under her chin and tipped her head up slightly, his eyes flickering over her face.
"Nothing's wrong, per se."
He arched an eyebrow, his thumb brushing her jaw slightly. "You really are a dreadful liar, especially when you aren't bound by an Unbreakable Vow. You know that, right?"
She snorted, biting back a smile as she shook her head. "I just...I worry."
"That's usually my job."
Now, she allowed the smile to break past her lips and took a step closer to him. His hand remained on her skin, slipping slightly to cup her neck. She turned her face, pressing a kiss to the inside of his wrist.
"No, I know. It's just...you seem very…" she sighed and her eyes found his again, "You seem very motivated for this task. And, while we need all the help we can get and turning the makeshift map we had into a tracker was brilliant, I don't fully understand the investment. You barely know Justin, you could get killed, or even worse—they could capture you again. Or they could recognize you...there's just so many different things that could happen and I—"
"I talked to Pansy," Remus interrupted. "And I get it. I get her, at least, right now. The obsession over getting Justin back, the absolute disregard of fear of what could go wrong...I just...I understand it. And, I promised her I would be on her side with this."
His hand fell from her neck with a weak shrug and Hermione nodded, "I understand. I do. It's just risky, you know? You being there."
"Do you think I can't handle it?"
There was no bitterness to his tone, no anger or bite to the words. He was simply asking her opinion as if asking about how she liked the rain in the summer or if she preferred fried eggs over scrambled. Somehow, the lack of irritability made the question worse.
"No. No, it's not that I think you can't handle it," she began, folding her arms over her torso and running her palms over her biceps. "I know you can. I'm...I think I'm afraid of losing you...again…"
She trailed off as the words slipped past her lips and Remus' face fell from inquisitive to sad in the span of a heartbeat.
"We have the maps," he murmured, arms hanging limply at his sides. "We can get in and out quickly, all of us will be disillusioned and—"
"I know," she said. "I know the plan. I know that theoretically it sounds easy. But, Remus, how many easy missions have we had?"
His shoulders slumped forward and he ran a hand over his face. "I keep picturing Marlene," he admitted.
"Marlene?" Hermione asked, completely thrown off by the admission.
His head bobbed. "In and out, go look for her and be right back in a jiffy," he said, on the end of a sigh. "And it got Gid and Fab killed, it got all of us locked up and tortured and she died anyway."
Hermione blinked, trying to figure out the direction Remus was taking this. "Which is why I'm saying that even though it seems a simple mission, it might not be."
"I know. And it's all I can think about," he let out another heavy, long breath, looking up to the ceiling as he did. "I know Justin is alive," he motioned to the map that laid rolled up on the bunk beside Hermione, "but there's no telling what state he's in. And that's terrifying. But, I can't let another person experience that fear on their own, you understand? We know that fear. We understand that this could very well get half of us killed. But, they're still hopeful."
"Hope and bravery can look an awful lot like stupidity in the wrong lighting," Hermione whispered.
Remus nodded, "It's better, this time 'round. Everyone is on the same page, everyone is informed. Which almost makes their bravery seem arrogant, you know?"
"You think this is history repeating?"
"I certainly hope not," Remus said.
Hermione closed the space between them, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in the soft material that clung to his chest.
"We've lost people too," she said. "Harry and I. The Order as it is now. We've lost so many and they keep getting picked off."
Remus' arms snaked around her shoulders, holding her to him. "We're gonna find a way to end this," he murmured. "And, I'll kill Dolohov myself for the pain he's put us through. But, it's going to end. It has to."
"What if we're not meant to win?" Hermione whispered.
"Impossible," Remus said, with his lips pressed to the top of her head. "I can't let myself believe that we've lost so many battles, only to lose the war as well."
"Listen to you, being almost optimistic," she chuckled. "Strange change of pace."
Remus let out a loud puff of laughter, squeezing her tighter and kissing her head again. "It's the only thing I have left to try."
Remus stood between a disillusioned Harry and Hermione, his ear turned toward the sky. He could hear the ruffling of feathers as Pansy flapped her wings, climbing higher above the estate to swoop down and rest on a gutter, to stand watch over an entrance at the side. Harry had the map clutched tightly in his hands, the edges of the paper crinkling from his white-knuckled grip as he muttered the names of the Death Eaters standing guard outside.
"Wonder if a cupcake filled with sleeping draught would work again," Harry chuckled, handing the map over to Hermione. "Goyle's been pacing for at least six minutes just inside in the entrance."
"She's past the wards," Remus murmured, the sound he had been tracking, disappearing beyond the veil of magic.
"There," Hermione held the map out, presumably pointing to Pansy's little dot above the side door. "She's in position."
"Remember," Harry said. "They're keeping him in the lower level. Get in and out. If anything goes wrong—get out. Get past the wards as quickly as possible and apparate out. We'll see it on the map when someone has to leave, so we'll know you've gone back to the Shack."
Remus nodded, then remembered Harry couldn't see him and let out a sound of acknowledgement.
"Stay together, as much as possible," Harry reminded them. "If we get separated, that's when the real trouble always starts."
"She's coming back," Remus said.
His heart was thundering against his ribs; adrenaline pumping through his veins. He had been on many missions in his time—usually far less organized than this was—but the fear of being captured was still a very real fear. He couldn't care less if he got captured, it wouldn't be the first time. But, to think that Hermione might be stolen again, left to bleed and scream in a dark den somewhere...it left a chill on his skin he couldn't quite shake.
In and out. Quick job. He reminded himself.
Don't let her get hurt, you useless meat suit.
I won't.
If she does, I'll kill us both the next moon.
If she does, I'll let you.
Pansy appeared before them in a flourish of black feathers and instantly tapped the tip of her own wand to the top of her head, muttering the disillusionment charm and clearing her throat.
"They're out," she announced. "Stunned both guards. We've got a few minutes before anyone notices, let's go."
Remus didn't need to see her to know she wore a look of determination on her face. But, he could very nearly smell the fear that rolled off her in waves. He felt Harry shuffle on his right, heard a small puff of air come from Hermione and then watched as the grass around their feet began to rustle in time with their movement.
With feather-light steps, they quickly made their way across the small stretch of land. Remus could feel the uncomfortable weight pressing against him as they ignored the urge to turn around and instead, stepped through the wards and made their way closer to the house.
It was a large structure—not quite as impressive as a mansion, but definitely nothing to be scoffed at. It sat, dark and imposing, against the green backdrop of the midsummer surroundings.
"Remus, Hermione, you take the right. Pansy and I will go left. Remember, first sign of struggle, apparate out. Ron should have disabled any anti-apparition wards by now."
"You two take the map," Remus said.
"No, you'll need it before—"
Remus cut Harry off, "No, we won't. I have the advantage of heightened senses, you don't have that. Take the map."
He watches as the map floated to his right, disappearing again with a shuffle of paper being stuffed into a pocket.
"Thanks," Harry breathed.
"Remus?" Hermione's voice came from his right and he stretched his arm out, grappling around in the air to land on something solid.
"Be careful," He whispered in Harry and Pansy's direction.
"Take your own advice, Lupin. I've come to like you. I'll be rather cross if something happens," Pansy said.
He smirked and then sighed a small puff of relief when his hand finally collided with Hermione's elbow. She placed a hand over his knuckles, holding him there for a moment before slotting her fingers through his and pulling him along.
"We need to get to the library," she whispered.
"I remember where it's at," Remus said, his tone more confident than he felt.
They entered the house and were met with the sight of four Death Eaters slumped over on the ground, mouths slackened and eyes shut.
"Luna and Tonks' work, I'd wager," Hermione mumbled, stepping over a large, ginger man that was curled in a heap on the gleaming, wood floors.
"You think?" Remus asked, following closely behind her, eyes scanning the area as they made their way through the main room.
"Tonks was an Auror before the Ministry fell," she explained. "I remember Mad Eye saying she was efficient. Plus, Luna has an affinity for spells that don't really cause harm. She's incredibly good at protection charms and things of the like, so I imagine she convinced Tonks to just put them to sleep and not bother with maiming them."
Remus hummed in understanding before quickly pulling Hermione into his chest and flattening himself against a wall.
"What are you—"
"Shh."
He took a few slow, controlled breaths as he waited, the distant footfall becoming louder as it echoed around the grandspace of the main room. A lanky man with a severe jawline and protruding eyes rounded the corner, standing a mere three feet away from them. Remus felt Hermione move slightly against him and seconds later the Death Eater collapsed on the floor in a heap.
"Good aim," Remus whispered, releasing his hold on Hermione.
"Thanks. Looks like the coast is clear to continue," she said, grasping his hand again and pulling him behind her.
As they tiptoed through the expansive house, Remus' heart raced. Every moment they flattened themselves against a wall to avoid a close encounter or entered a hall with a crumpled form on the ground, his mind supplied violent images of how quickly this mission could go south.
Finally, they reached the library and began searching for a door or a passage to lead to where it looked Justin was being kept. As they combed through the shelves and tapped their wand against sconces, he began to relax. Harry and Pansy were now standing just outside of the Library's entrance, keeping watch to make sure they were not interrupted on their search for the entrance.
Remus moved toward the east side of the room, eyes scanning the walls and ears straining for a sign of life when a nauseating stench hit him—gripping his gut with an iron fist and rooting him to the spot. It was a pungent trail of human waste and the beginnings of rot.
"Over here," Remus said, urgently. "There's something over here, I can smell it."
Pansy was next to Remus in a flash, her disillusionment charm gone. "It's him. It's on the map! It's him!"
"Pansy, you can't—"
"They're all unconscious, Granger," Pansy snapped. "Every person in this place is knocked out cold. I want him to see me when we get in there, I don't want him to think…" she took in a slow breath, the conviction in her voice wavering slightly. "...to think they're fucking with him or something."
Remus sighed, "She's right. If he doesn't see us, he might try to fight against us, which could cause some trouble."
"Fine," Hermione relented. "But, we need to be quick."
Remus shuddered as the disillusionment charm disappeared from his skin in a strange warm rush.
"He's alive?" Pansy asked, hopeful.
Remus swallowed, "Yeah. Yeah, I think so. But—"
"No," Pansy shook her head, pointing a finger angrily at Remus. "No 'buts'. He's either alive or he isn't. I don't care what state he's in. If he's alive, we can...we can heal him. Can't we?"
Hermione pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, turning apologetic eyes toward Pansy. "I hope so."
"He's beyond that wall," Remus cut in, gesturing to the wood paneled wall to his left. "I don't know how we can get in though. There's no door."
"We don't need a door. We have wands," Pansy said, pointing her wand at the wall. "Bombarda Maxima."
Remus dove backward, grabbing Pansy's wrist and knocking Hermione out of the way as a deafening blast sounded and chunks of wood and stone sprayed in all directions. He heard Harry shout from the hall, a rush of footsteps as he bound into the room, cursing loudly at the explosion.
"Quietly," Harry hissed. "We were supposed to do this quietly! What the hell were you thinking?!"
"I needed past that wall and it was sealed magically, Potter!" Pansy shook Remus' grip from her arm and pulled herself to her feet, dusting off her trousers. "I don't want to waste time looking for an entrance and frankly, I don't care about property damage to Rowle's estate. Now shut up and come on!"
Remus pushed himself to his feet and stooped over, grasping Hermione's elbow to hoist her up as well. "All right?"
Hermione nodded, "'M'fine. Let's go."
Together, the group of four stepped over the rubble and into a dark, cold room.
.
.
a/n: Hey everyone! So, if you're in my FB group you know this already, but I was on vacation the last two weeks and I had horrible service. So, I took a little break from fanfic altogether and used the time to unwind. So, sorry about the couple weeks between updates! Anyway, back on schedule for saturady weekly updates! Hoping to go back to 2x a week after the end of the month (but lets not jinx that haha)
thanks for reading!
xo