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Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, only the story line and any OC's belong to me
Sunday, October 7th, 1979
Ten minutes South of Little Hangleton, Northern England, UK
Over the last few days Ginny has charmed most of the Manor occupants, although Lucius remains staunchly on the fence. Emmeline has been staying with Marlene and Dorcas since Ginny woke; she's giving Harry the space to choose. Harry has been miserable since she left.
Ginny spends most of her time outdoors. As if she hates being inside for extended periods, as if the Manor becomes a cage.
It's like Sirius. He can't sit still for too long or he goes stir crazy, Remus thinks.
"It should be somewhere around here," Lily muses aloud. Remus looks around at their small group: Lily, Ron, Frank and himself. It is their responsibility to retrieve and potentially destroy the horcrux.
They are taking turns dealing with the respective horcruxes. Frank has been restless as of late, worried about his wife and unborn son, so he requested to join them. The rest of them drew lots, but at least one of the Golden Trio needs to be present to help identify the horcruxes.
"Although they reek of dark magic so you should be able to identify them the moment you get close," Hermione said during their meeting yesterday. However, most of the horcruxes had been hidden away or there were wards around them to keep people at bay.
(It was the first group meeting Ginny had attended. The introductions were short and sweet. Lucius was surprisingly pleasant, but Remus imagined that it had something to do with the hand his wife had casually placed on his thigh. Remus swore he saw Narcissa dig her nails into Lucius's flesh at several points.)
Another topic of conversation was Dumbledore's visit a few days prior. Dorea had taken the wizard into her private study; Remus wasn't privy to the exact details of what had transpired, however, they'd been given the cliff notes.
Dumbledore hadn't officially broken the accord they'd agreed upon during his Wizard's duel with Dorea. He'd offered a trade and hadn't meddled in their business directly without express permission.
Dorea allowed him to have a brief chat with Regulus. Remus hadn't seen the wizard since; he had locked himself up in his room. It bothered Ron, but he was trying not to let it show.
Presently, a select group had been elected to track down the lead Dumbledore had provided them with.
Little Hangleton is out of the way, but they are also completely exposed. Which is why they decided that four of them should go.
"It's too quiet," Ron murmurs, drawing his wand.
The trees are sparse, there are large, bare areas of dry grass and dirt. The land looks parched as if moisture hasn't touched the ground for a time. They'd asked for directions in the small village before they ventured into the wilderness; it has rained nonstop for three days in this general area.
Lily places a hand against a tree. She frowns at the flaky bark that sticks to her skin as she removes it a few moments later.
Frank is on high alert, his back is against Ron's. Blue eyes darting around them, scanning for potential threats.
Remus's wand is drawn, but he hasn't gotten into a defensive stance like his companions.
Lily seems to be the most cavalier, her wand still tucked behind her ear. She dusts off her hands and stares into the distance. The trees get closer together, and a shadowy structure looms in the distance. Remus's skin crawls as he looks at it, and the sudden urge to sprint in the opposite direction rises within him.
Lily takes a small step, then another, and after a few more her pace quicks and she is jogging towards the ominous building.
"Lily!" Ron hisses out harshly. The witch pays him no mind. It's as if she's possessed.
Ron scowls. He peers over his shoulder to tap Frank's arm, and then he meets Remus's gaze. "We've found our destination. Now let's get over there before Lily finds herself in trouble."
They hurry through the barren, rotting trees after Lily. The ground is hard underfoot and the impact sends a jolt up his legs into Remus's knees.
The trees clear and the derelict house comes into full view. Lily has stopped in front of it. No life is thriving around it, there are cracks in the earth. The shingle roof is sagging inwards and there are several holes punctured through it. The red brick walls look like they may collapse if you blew on them. The front door is rotting and hanging off rusted hinges.
An sinister aura chokes the air; there is a heavy, tar-like quality to it. It sticks to their skin and adds weight to their limbs.
Lily begins to ascend the short staircase up into the house, the steps groan and creak; the wood is splintered. Remus is amazed that it can hold her weight.
"Lily," Ron says, but the witch ignores him.
"Can't you feel it," Lily murmurs, clenching her wand tightly when she reaches the landing. "The wrongness?"
Lily broadens her stance, lifts her leg slowly, and in a flash of movement she swings her foot into the door. Its wood splinters, the door snaps off its hinges and falls inwards with a loud thump. The hole that's been left gives way to impenetrable darkness; a shiver runs down Remus's spine.
"Let's go," Lily says firmly. She doesn't wait on the others to step inside the dark space. All the bits and pieces that have been cobbled together—down to the last stitch to make him who he is—are screaming to go in the opposite direction. To get as far away from this place as possible.
Ron sighs heavily and follows after the redhead. He disappears into the darkness. Frank and Remus stand shoulder-to-shoulder, staring up at the house, but neither moves.
"Do you get the feeling that something terrible is going to happen?" Frank whispers. He raises his chin and takes a step forward.
"I do, but we can't let them face whatever it is on their own," Remus swallows thickly. He also takes a step toward the house.
A deafening bang and slicing gusts of wind explode out of the house, shaking its foundations. The roof caves in.
"What?" Remus says, eyes blowing wide. He sprints towards the house, yelling Lily and Ron's name.
"Ron! Lily!" Frank tells alongside him. He leaps up the staircase and heads into the darkness. The entrance isn't blocked. Remus is close on his heels.
The roof's debris litters the floor as does a thick layer of dust and dirt. The bleak light is shining down on them from the massive hole where the roof used to be, but somehow they are still cloaked in darkness. It makes everything look streaky and surreal.
The inner walls of the house had long since crumbled and fallen. What room they are standing in is indiscernible. It seems bare, devoid of furniture, mementos, of life. As if it has never been occupied.
Lily and Ron are standing in the middle of the space, panting heavily, wands outstretched in their direction.
In between them, a set of rotting floorboards had been pried upwards—presumably by Lily or Ron—and a ring of debris surrounds them. Remus catches a glint of gold from the hole in the floor.
"Behind you!" Ron exclaims. Remus's blood runs cold and icy fingers land on his shoulder one-by-one.
"And who might you be?" A voice hisses in his ear. The sounds are velvety yet coarse, smoky and somehow grating.
"Don't listen to him, Remus," Ron says, inching forwards.
The hand digs into Remus's flesh, digs into him. His fingers are scraping under Remus's skin, scratching against bone and sending a jolt of ice through him. His bones ache. Remus falls to one knee.
"A werewolf. A werewolf who rails against his more primal nature…but for how long?" The fingers enclose around his collarbone. Remus blinks. Hermione is lying on the ground, curls bloodied, her body bent at an unnatural angle, her throat has been ripped out and large slashes have parted her flesh; claw marks.
"No," Remus whispers in horror.
"It isn't real, Remus. Whatever he's showing you. It's not real. Trust me," Ron says calmly, soothingly. Remus can't tear his eyes away from the broken body of his mate. Of what he did to her.
Frank shoves Remus harshly, shaking him loose from his grasp. Remus falls onto his side, colliding with bits of stone and he winces at the harsh impact.
Remus glances towards his friend, and his breath catches at the partially corporeal figure in between them.
It's a teenage boy, he looks around eighteen. Jet-black, luscious locks. Fine features. He quirks a manicured brow at Remus and clasps his hands behind his back. A disapproving look has twisted his lips to the side.
Remus has heard brief descriptions of Tom Riddle from Harry after Dorea faced the sixteen year-old version trapped in his diary. The woman had been shaken for days and Remus asked Harry what she would have faced, what she would have seen.
Fitted black and white pinstripe trousers, gleaming black dragonhide shoes, viridian robes. Tom Riddle taps his foot on the ground. His likeness is thick smoke, yet he looks oddly solid. Remus can make out Frank's form through the apparition.
"I thought the deterrents I placed around this place would keep unwanted persons away…but you somehow survived the traps I set," Riddle frowns, looking oddly put out by the concept. As if his fun had been ruined, or a play thing was broken.
Lily had pushed past his enchantments easily, and they'd fought against their instincts and chased after her.
The traps he is referring to must have been what caused the loud bang and all that followed.
Remus risks a peek at Ron and Lily. From this angle he sees blood trickling down Lily's face from her hairline. Ron has several cuts and dirt is smudged across his face. He wonders what they'd defended themselves against in the few moments they'd been separated.
Remus realises the image of Hermione has vanished. He turns back to look at Riddle, except the boy is crouched at Remus's feet, his elbows resting on his thighs, his hands clasped together and his dark eyes boring into Remus's.
Indefensible cold pierces Remus's corneas. Riddle smiles briefly before he tilts his head to the side and sucks in a sharp breath.
"You've come to destroy me," Riddle guesses astutely. "It doesn't take a genius to figure it out, but you have a look in your eye. A determination."
"Remus," Ron warns. "Ignore him—"
"Silence!" Riddle commands, his voice sharp and horrible. He leaps to his feet and stalks towards Ron. Remus scrambles to his feet, able to move again.
Ron has been cautiously closing the distance between him and the golden box in the ground; the ring must be inside. Riddle snarls as he throws his hand towards the pair. A vicious gust lashes out at Ron and Lily and sends them flying into the wall behind them.
Ron twists his body and pulls Lily to him so he cushions her landing. The pair slam against the bricks and slide down the wall. Grunts of pain escape their lips.
Riddle is distracted. Remus sees his chance. There is a dagger dipped in basilisk venom holstered on his thigh. He isn't proficient with fiendfyre, however, he'd come prepared. Remus withdraws the dagger from the holster and runs towards the box.
Riddle whirls around with waves of cold fury emanating from him. His eyes are now blood red, his face contorts into an unattractive snarl. A beast has taken over the apparition. He is fighting for survival.
Remus blinks and he is sailing through the air. He crashes into something sturdy yet soft. He and Frank end up sprawled awkwardly on the floorboards. Frank groans, his foot had smashed through the ground when they landed, and it is trapped in a splintered hole.
"Fuck, Frank. Are you alright?" Remus asks stupidly.
"Been better, mate," Frank says.
"Fools. Did you think it would be easy?" Riddle mocks. His features return to normal, however the eyes stay.
"Oh I definitely envisioned a walk in the park," Ron drawls as he shakily gets to his feet, he leans on Lily for support.
"I don't think we have another choice," Lily heaves out. One of her eyes is squeezed shut, and a rattling wheeze echoes in her chest every time she breathes. Something is wrong.
"Lily, what are you doing?" Remus asks with wide eyes. He recognises the stubbornness in her bright green eyes. She is about to do something incredibly foolish.
Remus helps Frank remove his leg from the floorboards with a large grunt of effort. His limbs sag from exhaustion.
"Boys, we need to get out of this house," Lily instructs. "I have a plan."
Ron points his wand at the wall behind him, but quickly faces Frank and Remus. "Get the fuck out before this entire place collapses."
Ron turns back to the wall. Lily hasn't torn her gaze away from Riddle. He looks mildly amused.
"As if I would let you live."
"Afraid you don't have a choice," Lily smirks.
"Bombarda!" Ron yells, blasting a hole in the brick wall. The structure rumbles, dust blows everywhere. He can't see Ron or Lily through it, Riddle mixes in with it and he lets out a mighty roar.
Remus spins around, grabs Frank by his upper arm and drags him towards the front door. The entire house is about to collapse.
They dive outside, and land ungracefully on the earth. The sunlight is overbearing for a few moments, but Remus quickly adjusts to it. He flips onto his back.
Riddle is standing on top of the rubble, balancing on an unstable stone. He appears bored as he hops onto a large pile of bricks. His appearance has reverted back.
Remus gets up, his body aches and protests, but he fights through the fog of pain. He helps Frank to his feet.
He shouldn't be so corporeal, or this strong, Remus thinks. He is purely basing this on the accounts of the others who had faced his other horcruxes. Something is off about this one.
This portion of Tom Riddle's soul is callously cruel and bitter. There is an essence of vengeance and restless anger to him. He has been forged with vehement darkness.
Remus sees Lily and Ron on the other side of the ruins. They appear to be in the same shape as before.
"Get back!" Lily demands loudly. Remus's eyes widen as he realises her foolhardy plan.
Prongs is going to kill me, Remus thinks in shock. He doesn't have a chance to disagree, to tell Lily to rethink her next course of action. A formidable shout passes her lips, her wand is pointing at the rubble and brilliant, blinding whips of flame burst from the tip. Whips of fiendfyre.
The flames are alive as they snap, crackle and slam into the ruins. Ron is beside her, limbs slack, looking fearfully at the flames.
None of them can control them, not even Lily. They might destroy the horcrux, but if the flames get out of control, they will destroy everything in their path, including them. And who knows the extent of their destructive force if left unchecked.
Tom Riddle lets out a earth-shattering roar, back curved as he faces the sky. Tendrils of darkness like slithering snakes erupt from him, slamming into the fiery whips. They sizzle and burn upon impact.
Remus does the only thing he can think of, he turns on the spot and apparates. They need Charlus Potter.
A glass of freshly-pressed apple juice; made from apples Mipsy had gathered from the Orchards yesterday morning. A pile of weeds to his left, gardening tools on his right. Charlus Potter is arms deep in a flower bed tending to his gardens.
Through careful cultivation and the right balance of magic he is able to keep some of the plants in full bloom year round. Most he lets follow nature's ordained path as the seasons change.
Charlus sits back on his haunches, and tugs his gloves on tighter, wiggling his fingers as he does. His knees are on the edge of the bed, covered in thick dirt.
"CHARLUS!" A familiar voice screams. Charlus peers around the tops of the plants at the back porch. The door flings outwards and Remus Lupin stumbles outside.
"Remus?" Charlus asks in shock. Remus went to go hunt down the horcrux with Frank, Lily and Ron. The frantic way he tumbles onto the lawn and sprints towards him strikes fear in Charlus's heart.
The original plan was to bring the cursed object back here and they would attempt to destroy it together. Charlus would set up a ring of fiendfyre around the ring if necessary.
"No time to explain," Remus heaves out as he falls to his knees beside Charlus. The boy is littered in superficial wounds, a thin layer of dirt and sweat covers him and he smells distinctly of smoke. "We have to hurry before we're too late."
There can only be a handful of reasons why Remus would seek him out intentionally—for complications that arise during a horcrux hunt in any case.
Before Charlus can confirm his suspicions, Remus drops a hand onto his shoulder and an intense sucking sensation spirals from his navel. They vanish with a loud crack.
Hermione, Dorea and Harry—Remus had bumped into them on his way to find Charlus—run out onto the porch in time to see them disappear.
The air scorches Remus's lungs, the smoke is hazy and he can't see properly. Flames are leaping around each other, feral like beasts as they spread further.
Remus searches for his friends, but he can't see anything. All he sees is flame, every breath smoke fills his lungs. Remus coughs and leans against a tree. Its trunk splinters and cracks underneath his weight.
The flames crash like waves and beat the dry earth as they continue to spread without discrimination, greedily gobbling up what they can.
Charlus tears off his gloves and throws them to the side. "It's worse than I thought." He doesn't reach for his wand, he closes his eyes and holds his hands out. He roars as blue tendrils of icy flame shoot out from his hands and slam into the white and orange flames Lily had summoned.
"LILY! RON! FRANK!" Remus screams hoarsely. He devolves into a sputtering coughing fit. His lungs burn.
Charlus's ice-blue flames engulf the others, swallowing them whole. They hiss in raucous protest as they are extinguished. Charlus is panting heavily, beads of sweat are running down his face, his hairline soaked.
Remus's vision is blurring but he is desperately searching for his friends. Charlus has almost gotten rid of the out-of-control fiendfyre, but it's taken its toll.
As Charlus snuffs out the last of the flames he falls to his knees. Shoulders rising and falling laboriously. He is trying to catch his breath amongst their smoky environs. Remus teeters over to him.
Where are they? Remus thinks. A ways away, he can see the rubble now made into ash, and a burnt, twisted object covered in soot. His friends are nowhere to be found.
"RON! FRANK! LILY!" Remus screams. His throat closes, he can't breathe and he is sent into another coughing fit. Where are they? Remus thinks desperately. Where?
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