The Casting Stone 3
Okay – I was determined to get this out before we're off for a few days. Apparently, the computer is staying here darn it! Final touches as the car is being packed with snowboards, CDs and what I suspect were three cases of champagne. For six people? Are they mad? Off to the snow covered mountains – oodles of snow; perhaps that's why I'm busy writing about glorious hot summers in breathtaking Greece….
Note, because someone asked: Harry will be with us later – he's busy right now….
Remus and Draco meet up with Liz and Sirius in Athens, and Remus tells Sirius that his boorish behaviour during their Hogwart's days may have paid off in spades. They head for Nafplion, where they get assistance from a rather interesting pair of….
***
Remus sat with Draco in the heavy and rather dirty air outside of a taberna in Athens. Remus had always loved Greece, but he hated this city. He disliked most large cities, but Athens particularly jarred him for some reason. He would be happier once they left for the Peloponnese that afternoon. Draco seemed utterly unmoved by the noise, and sat silently across from Remus reading a muggle newspaper with a bemused and vaguely scornful expression. They had arrived early that morning, after flying all night to get here. I sincerely hope Liz and Sirius make it here on time. I don't want to hang about….
Remus had actually spent nearly two years in Greece during the time he had wandered about, after the death of Lily and James and before he had finally come home to Exeter. He had found a Greek Auror who, although he instantly recognized Remus for what he was, allowed him to work quietly with him, as long as nobody knew that he was there. That had ended when the Auror had decided to retire. He thanked Remus for his help, wished him luck, and sent him on his way. It had always been an uneasy truce of sorts, so Remus had made no fuss as he was summarily dismissed. Remus wandered around Greece for a few more months, until what little money he had had run out, then made his way back to England. He was tired; he had decided to go back to his parents' old home and see if maybe he could just retreat to that solitary spot and live in isolated anonymity. Little did I know Katie would be there waiting. Interesting where life takes us.
He started when he heard Draco ask the waiter for more coffee, not realizing he had drifted off a bit. The flight was exhausting to him, but Draco, who was admittedly much more adept at flying than he was, seemed rested and unmoved. He had been a little curious as to why they were going to Athens in the first place, if Remus detested it so much.
"If you don't like Athens, why are we going there?"
"Cities are excellent for anonymity, don't you find?"
"Of course."
They had spent the previous day reading the letter from Peter, trying to get through the diatribe on all the mystical powers that would be Voldemort's if only they found the object, to actually decipher real points where such a search could take place. Remus had written to Dumbledore, explaining the situation. Dumbledore had sent back a very short note.
Interesting. I agree with you that no such object truly exists; however, be careful. One never knows. Good luck, and keep me informed. Let me know if you need anything.
- A
Remus found himself daydreaming about Peter – wondering, as he had time and again for years, what possibly could have happened to Peter, and what he could have done to stop it. Funny. Last time I was here all I could think about was how could Sirius have betrayed us. Now I wonder how could Peter have betrayed us. He felt a little ashamed that the thought of Peter being a traitor had never upset him as much as the idea of Sirius being one. That had broken his heart; but Peter, Peter's friendship with us was always different. He hero-worshiped James, was always a little scared of Sirius, and never really knew what to make of me, I think. And he started pulling away from us years before. I just didn't understand it was happening.
***
"Go away, Remus."
"Peter, come on, what is it?"
"Nothing. Just leave me alone!"
Remus stood at the foot of Peter's bed, arms crossed, giving his friend, or at least the pillow he held over his head, a hard stare. Peter had vanished right after dinner and none of them had seen him until a few minutes ago when he climbed through the portrait hole and bolted across the Common Room for the dorms, ignoring their concerned calls after him. Sirius had said to leave him alone, as he was probably just being overdramatic about something inconsequential again, but Remus had gone up anyway to find Peter lying face down on his four-poster.
Remus didn't speak, but he didn't move either. Peter had become more withdrawn that year, for some reason. Always quieter than James or Sirius, though that could be said for practically everyone in the school, Peter seemed far more serious and sad than he ever had. Remus thought at first he was just disappointed that he had only got 9 OWLS, compared to his and Sirius' 11, and James' full 12. But months had passed, and no change.
Finally Peter sat up and threw the pillow at Remus. Startled, Remus just managed to avoid getting smacked in the face, and turned back to glare at Peter. He stopped himself from saying anything, however, when he saw the Peter had the beginnings of what would most likely be a rather gruesome black eye and a split lip.
"Get out! I can take care of myself, you know! I can take care of my own problems! I don't need you to protect me! No matter what anyone else says!"
Remus thought that this was pretty unfair of Peter, but stopped himself from yelling at him.
"I'm not protecting you, Peter," he said evenly, "and I know you can take care of your own problems. I'm your friend, and this is what friends do, that's all. I'm just asking what's wrong. Did Ferris do this?"
"What if he did? I don't need you to fight for me. Bugger Ferris and bugger you." He turned face down on the bed again, grabbing his second pillow so he could cushion his injured face, his thin blonde hair falling forward over his eyes.
It seemed pointless to argue with him after that outburst, so Remus turned to leave. "Fine. I'll just go back down so James and I can finish our arithmancy."
"You do that, Moony."
Remus went back down to the Common Room to rejoin the others. They were silent while he sat down, then James asked, "What's up with Wormtail?"
"I think he got into, and lost, a fight with Ferris."
"He lost to Ferris? The Hufflepuff who's been dogging him about how he screwed up their herbology assignment?"
"Sirius, shut up; he's upset as it is. Try offering him something other than ridicule."
"Moony just tried that, Lily, and obviously got nowhere."
"So? You're going to give up? Why don't you try to talk to him?"
"No, Lily; we need to just leave him alone for the time being."
"We've been leaving him alone for two months now, James, and it seems to have made it worse. What's with you three? Someone needs to talk to him and find out whatever it is that's been bothering him."
James looked at Lily evenly. "Lily, look, I know you mean well, but this sort of thing should just be allowed to blow over. Really."
Lily sat back and gave the three of them a rather deadly look. "If any one of you tells me that this is something girls won't understand, I shall pitch a fit to rival Sirius' more childish moments."
There was a cool silence.
"Unbelievable. Where's Macmillan?"
"I haven't seen the professor all evening," said Remus, cautiously.
"Good. Then he shouldn't catch me out of bounds. Well, I hope you clots picked up after yourselves, because I'm going up there to talk to him. If there's anything you don't want me to see, too late." She stood up and marched up the stairs to the boys' dormitories. They heard a door slam a few moments later.
Sirius grinned. "Well, at least that'll get his attention."
***
Remus had no idea what Lily had said to Peter, but his mood had improved after that night, and everything had gone back as close to normal as it ever got with them. Remus didn't tell James or Sirius, though, that Peter had still felt 'off' to him. It was hard enough to get them to really understand that, as a werewolf, he did experience the world differently than they did; things felt different, looked different and sounded different. When he did try to explain this, James said he was just being morbid, and Sirius stubbornly refused to accept it. Part of their ongoing 'you're no different so shut up about it' campaign. Nobody ever understood that. Until Katie.
Remus finally spotted Liz and Padfoot coming down the small street to the left of the museum next to the stone garden. She waved when she caught his eye and Padfoot let out a loud bark. Draco's head finally came up out of his paper at that, and he looked at Remus, who just nodded his head in the direction of the street. Draco turned to see Liz starting across towards them, practically being pulled over by Padfoot. His eyes narrowed a bit and Remus thought he heard a sigh, but nothing was said.
Liz walked up and gave Remus a hug as he stood to greet her. "How's the new dad doing?"
"Just fine. And yourself?"
"Quite chipper. Hello, Draco, I'm surprised but pleased to see you as well. How are you then?"
"Well, Miss Harker, thank you."
"Draco, I shall slap you if you ever address me as anything other than 'Liz' again. Loosen up!"
Draco looked surprised, but nodded and sat back down. Liz half turned Remus so his back was to Draco and handed him a note. Padfoot growled slightly.
"A quick question from the grumpy one," she whispered, giving Padfoot a pat before she turned to sit down next to Draco at the table, waving for the waiter to come over.
Remus opened the small piece of paper. He could guess what it said judging from the look Padfoot was giving him. He was right.
What the bloody hell is that boy doing here!?!
Remus knelt down so he was eyelevel with Padfoot. "Helping you," he said very quietly and very firmly. Padfoot blinked, then flopped down heavily next to Remus' chair and put his head on his forearms, somehow managing to look vaguely apologetic.
"Nice to see you too, Snuffles." Draco said in a tired sounding voice. Liz gave Padfoot a small kick, but he didn't get up.
"Ignore him, Draco; he's very on edge as you can imagine, and has slept little since he met up with me a few days ago. It's hard on him; he still has issues with nightmares and the like."
"I'm sorry to hear he's not feeling well, but I doubt it would make much difference were he at the top of his form."
Remus decided to end this before it escalated as he felt Padfoot growl very softly.
"Liz. Draco has something that we think has a very good chance of actually leading us to where Peter might be. We need to get somewhere where we can talk, though. Where did you park?"
"Just up the street there. What a city! Those road markers seem to be painted for decorative purposes only."
"Well, we need to leave for the Peloponnese right now, so you'll have nothing but fantastically small country roads to contend with."
"Right now? Can't we take a quick tour of the Acropolis? I've never been here, you know."
Remus was about to say something when he noticed she was grinning at Padfoot's back. He didn't rise to what was obviously bait, however, and stayed where he was. 'Really grumpy' she mouthed at them and took the drink she'd ordered from the waiter as he reappeared.
"Draco, why are you here? You realize that travelling about with these two can be quite an adventure."
Draco gave Remus a small glance. "Indeed. My being here is necessary, as the item that should be of assistance is something only I can touch. Besides, I've barely left the house for six months now, so a little 'travelling' is a welcome change." He sat back. "No matter who I'm to be travelling with."
Padfoot did stand up now and face Draco. They glared at each other while Liz finished her drink and Remus asked the waiter for their tab. They left the café a few minutes later, Liz and Padfoot leading the way while Remus and Draco followed them with their things.
"Professor, why are we driving? Can't we just apparate to where we need to be?"
"Draco, if Peter is there he'll have set up spells to detect any magical movement near him. Right now this is the best thing we can do while we get started on this. Once we learn more, I'll allow us to move about more conventionally, but not before."
"I see."
"Liz is a good driver, don't worry. And I'll bet a month's pay that Sirius will stay as he is for the time being, as he seems to be sulking."
"That would be my fault, I assume?"
"Partially. He's also mad at me for bringing you in the first place, and he is furious about Percy Weasley."
They reached the truck Liz had rented for them and carefully packed their things in the back. Remus told Draco to sit up front with Liz and help her navigate while he climbed into the back with Padfoot. True to his prediction, Sirius did not transform, but simply lay next to Remus even after they had left the city behind. Draco and Liz talked quietly about Liz's current activities tracking Death Eaters who had escaped to the Continent, but Remus and Padfoot quietly drifted off to sleep in the warm, clear air of the beautiful countryside.
***
Draco shook Remus awake that evening. He had slept through their entire six-hour drive to Nafplion, but felt much better for the rest. He got up and stretched, looking up and down the narrow street where the inn he had booked rooms at was located. There was a small wizard community just over the hill from the main town, as he recalled, but he deliberately avoided it. He only saw muggles moving about here, much to his relief, and walked into the inn as Liz and Draco unpacked their things.
"Good evening, I have three rooms booked under the name of Harker."
"Yes, yes, sir. Pleased to see you. Here, please sign this, and I will get your keys."
The man at the desk turned and yelled something in Greek that Remus didn't catch and a young man appeared next to him.
"Do you need any help?"
"No, thank you, but we need dinner. Where do you recommend? I am anxious for my companions to taste your exceptional seafood."
This had the desired effect of deterring the assistance of the young man and endearing him to the owner.
"My brother has the finest restaurant in town, just up the street. I know everyone says this, but for us, it is true. I will make him give you your money back if I am lying."
Remus laughed. Greek hospitality was unrivalled, as far as he was concerned, and he had no doubts that the restaurant would be as good as promised.
"Excellent. We'll be down shortly and would be pleased if you would direct us there."
Liz and Padfoot came to stand next to him and collect a key. The manager couldn't help but stare at Padfoot for a moment.
"That's some dog you have, madam."
"Thank you. He'll be no trouble, will you sweetie?"
"Dogs are good luck, madam. He is welcome."
Draco gave a small laugh and took his own key from Remus. "Are they? You know in some countries they eat them."
"Not here, sir."
They walked out of the inn a while later, and as soon as they turned a corner, Sirius transformed back to his normal form and patted Remus on the back before taking Liz's arm.
"Remus, how's my little marauder?"
"Sad to see you go, but otherwise very well. He was very proud that he managed to read your goodbye note practically by himself, and now wants us to start him on writing."
"Tell him to enjoy being three, for goodness sake."
"I did. He says he's almost four, thank you very much."
"Still unimpressed with Roarke?"
"Singularly. But I caught him reading one of his books to her, so we'll just have to put up with his act of total indifference."
"Hmmm. Draco, how are you?"
Draco looked at him coolly. "Fine. Thank you."
"Draco, I'm sorry if I seemed ungrateful for your assistance," Sirius said brusquely. "Let's leave it at that and call a truce."
"Fine."
Remus glanced at Liz who seemed to also be thinking 'this could be a long trip indeed'. They reached the restaurant and Remus laughed at the looks of surprise from the others when they were led directly to the kitchens.
"There are no menus in traditional places like this. You go through the kitchen and see what they have that night and choose what you want to eat."
They sat down in an isolated table on the back patio and started discussing what was going on in detail once their food had been brought out and the waiters vanished.
"So? What's the news you have?"
"Sirius, remember how in our younger days you used to take such delight in telling us the most outlandish myths your fevered brain could come up with?"
"Maybe. Why, am I about to get yelled at about it?"
"Shockingly, it may have done some good."
"Really? And you always told me I was impossible."
"You are impossible. Now, remember the one about the Casting Stone?"
Sirius ate some of his stew and thought for a moment. "Um…oh yes. Why?"
"Casting Stone?"
"In a minute Liz. I want to savour the expression on Sirius' face when I tell him this next bit."
Draco shook his head and turned his gaze up to the stars while Remus continued.
"Sirius, it would appear, despite my best efforts at the time, that your rather colourful tales, in particular that one, were in fact taken to heart. By Peter."
Sirius' expression went very dark at the mention of Peter's name. He stood up quickly and started pacing behind Liz, who ignored him and continued her meal. After a few minutes, Sirius sat back down and looked at Remus, who was calmly sipping his wine with an amused expression.
"Remus, you're saying we're in Greece because…."
"Because Peter seems to feel that your little story may be true."
"It's not my little story, Remus, I did read it somewhere, you know."
"Okay, your convincing retelling of the story." Remus started to laugh. Suddenly Sirius broke into a wide grin.
"Are you telling me we're going to get our hands on that bastard because…."
"Because you were impossible at 11. Yes."
Sirius placed a hand on his heart. "Never again will I pay attention to anyone who says nothing will come of my behaviour."
"Oh, Sirius…."
"Liz, predictable and unnecessary comments like 'you never did' are inappropriate at such a moment."
"What if it's true?" asked Draco. "What if the object really does exist?"
"Rubbish. You can consider that story in the same vein as goblin's blood being a cure for baldness," said Sirius, in an amused voice.
"Liz, the legend of the Casting Stone is about a fantastic talisman that has the power to increase a wizard's personal power many times over. That would make a wizard nearly invincible. Peter, as long as we knew him, was always worried that he was not a powerful wizard. Obviously, this thirst for power is what led him to the Dark Lord in the first place. Draco, you need to understand that this stone is not an object, it's an ideal. Myth has the dual purpose of narrative and example. The stories of myth are there to present an ideal, or a warning, about the human condition. You know the legend of Maccairne?"
"The wizard who got himself entombed in a rock?"
"He was entombed for his pride. It is a story warning against the danger of being too proud. There is no wizard in a rock off the Scottish coast. Well, I'm pretty sure. Let's ask the expert shall we?" he smiled at Sirius who just chuckled and shook his head.
"The Casting Stone, I have no doubts, is another example of this. Who wouldn't want such an object? That's why our culture and any number of muggle cultures have the same story, that's all."
"They might all have it because such an object did in fact exist, and still might."
"The only thing I will believe, regarding the actual existence of this object, is that at one time a wizard, or maybe a small group of wizards, convinced someone they did have such a thing. No doubt locked deep away in a temple of sorts, where only they could see it. Now, would you argue with them about it? And consider this; if it were in fact believed that this was a true object, why on earth wouldn't everyone be looking for it?"
"You know Draco," said Sirius, smiling at him, "the really sad thing about listening to this highly sophisticated and intellectual rhetoric from Remus is knowing that he is in fact a romantic at heart. This rather stuffy conversation would never suggest it, would it?"
Draco was so surprised to hear Sirius address him in such a casual tone, he didn't reply other than to shrug his shoulders.
"I think that I am not given to false hope, Sirius. I've heard enough stories." Damn it; I shouldn't have said that….
Sirius stared at Remus for a moment, his expression clouding again. "Remus.…"
"Fact is what we need to focus on," said Remus, cutting off whatever Sirius was going to say. "We get right back to where we started with this. We all know the story, but only Peter is taking it seriously…."
"Is that a pun?"
"No, Padfoot; do shut up a moment. Though I am glad to see your mood has improved. Peter believes this object might be real, or as I said to Draco a few days ago, Peter needs to believe it is real, and he indicated to Lucius that he thinks he knows where to find it. Forget fantastic objects for the moment; all we are concerned with is following this map and seeing if it leads us to Peter. Period."
***
The next day they drove about half way to the ruins of an ancient temple Draco and Remus were convinced was the first spot on the map. They all got out and, taking up their packs, started across the hills on foot for the rest of the journey. Remus walked ahead, to keep an eye out for wards and spells, followed closely by Draco. Sirius and Liz hung back a bit, talking quietly. Remus stopped for a moment and looked at Draco.
"All right? It gets very hot out here. You and I don't exactly have the right complexion for this."
Draco smiled slightly. "'Mad dogs and Englishmen, out in the noonday sun.' I doubt Mr. Coward envisioned this scenario, however." He started on again, pulling his cap a little further down to try and shade more of his face. Draco reads Noel Coward? That's rather shocking. Remus waited for Sirius and Liz to catch up to him.
"Moony? How are you doing?"
"I was complaining to Draco that our lovely white skin might get ruined out here."
Liz, who had a good tan, laughed at him. "Nothing like a little colour in the cheeks, Remus. Katie might like it, you know."
"I guess we'll find out."
After about an hour, they saw a thick grove of olive trees and some ruined walls ahead of them. Draco pointed at it and said that this was where they needed to be. Carefully checking that no one else was about, they all took out their wands and slowly walked into the grove.
It took a moment for their eyes to adjust properly to the dimness of the shadows made by the trees. There was a total stillness to the place that Remus found a little odd. No birds even. Carefully moving forward, Remus strained to hear anything other than their own footsteps on the dusty old path and the quiet breathing of his companions. They reached the edge of the ruined walkway leading into the temple.
The temple itself was reasonably intact. Sections of the inner walls and the roof still stood, though they were grey and covered in centuries of lichen, the marble that once would have covered these inner stones having been stripped for other buildings ages ago.
"Remus?"
"What?"
"Who was this temple supposed to be for?"
"Demeter, goddess of the Harvest. Very important to these people, you can imagine."
"Moony, you're making that up. How can you know that?"
"Because I can see the relief above the door, Padfoot. That's Demeter and her daughter Persephone, being reunited after Persephone has spent the winter with her husband in Hades."
"See how clever you are when we get to Egypt."
They started down the path and into the temple. As soon as he entered the walls, Remus felt himself shiver. There's something in here. He put out an arm to stop the others from following him, and then took another step forward. He was certain he heard a faint rustling in the next room, like heavy cloth. Remus glanced back at Liz, who was watching the path behind them. She looked over her shoulder at him, and shook her head.
"Draco," he whispered, "stand to the left there." Draco stepped to the left of the doorway without a sound and held his wand in front of him. Sirius moved to stand next to Remus, and together they walked into the darkened inner room. Nothing.
Liz and Draco joined them. Remus lit his wand and inspected the stones along the back wall. "I heard something, I know it, but…." He trailed off as he turned around and looked back at the doorway. He saw the others see the look on his face and turn slowly themselves.
Two large sphinxes perched on columns on either side the door. Their wings were tucked tightly up behind their lion bodies, their serpent tails wrapped delicately around their feet. Remus could just make out their flanks slowly rising and falling as they breathed, but their faces looked as stone, and their eyes were closed. Nobody moved.
Slowly, the sphinxes opened their eyes and regarded the four humans in front of them. The one Draco stood near leaned forward slowly and sniffed at his face and hair for a moment, before sitting back up and looking at its companion.
"Ing – glishhh", it whispered in a voice that sounded like cold water being poured over a scalding pan. Remus fought the urge to flinch and stood his ground. The second sphinx looked at him closely.
"And a wolf," it commented in an equally quiet and unpleasant tone. "Wuh-ay are you heeere?"
Remus stepped forward to face the pair more fully. "We're looking for a wizard who may have been here."
"N-hot many passss through here, you can h-imagine"
"I suspect not. Have you seen one?"
The first sphinx that had spoken gave a very unpleasant sounding growl and smiled darkly. "How n-hice to have someone h-here who is as usss. Now, m-hy fellow daaark one, why do you w-hish to know?"
Remus ran over anything he could remember about Greek sphinxes in his head. Dangerous, yes, but reasonable. And inquisitive. He reasoned that if he simply continued to answer their questions, he could get what he needed. As long as he answered truthfully. Lie to them and they'll know it. Not good.
"He has done us a great injustice and we need to find him."
"Ah. Revenge." The pair looked at each other again and growled. Remus realized that this must be the sphinx equivalent of laughter, somehow.
"H-and when you fah-ind this one, what isss to be done wh-ith him?"
"He will answer for his crime."
The second sphinx seemed to roll its eyes.
"How v-hery draaamatic."
There was a long silence, as the sphinxes seemed to be pondering the situation. Finally the first sphinx leaned back down towards Draco. Remus was relieved to see that Draco didn't so much as twitch an eyebrow, but stared back at the sphinx with his customary coldness.
"There w-has a wizard here a while ha-go, y-houng one. You seeeek him too?"
Draco spoke very quietly. "I am here to help the others." Excellent Draco.
The sphinx growled again and looked at Sirius. "You h-are par-ticularly h-angry with this wizard."
"Yes."
The second sphinx shook out its wings and smiled again.
"W-hee almost ate him, b-hut he did n-hot seeeeem very t-hasty. Lucky for you."
Remus looked at the sphinx that had spoken.
"So it would seem. Thank you for that. Do you know where he went, or what he was doing here?"
"Heee sp-hent the day reading the m-hap."
Remus looked around at the barren room, before turning back to the sphinx. Before he could say anything, however, the sphinx gave its little growl again.
"L-hook uh-hup, wolf."
All four humans turned their gaze to the ceiling. In the dim light, Remus could just see the faint traces of an ancient spell map. Muggles would never have noticed such a thing, but they could see it plainly. He reached over to touch Liz briefly on the arm. She looked at him and he nodded at her wand, but put out a hand to stop her from moving for the moment. Liz glanced back at the sphinxes.
"May I make a copy of your map?"
"B-hy all meansss."
Liz quickly said an incantation under her breath and waved her wand at the ceiling. Draco looked at little surprised, but said nothing when he caught Remus' eye.
The sphinxes seemed impressed.
"D-hark magic. Hin-teresting."
Remus took a step closer to them.
"May we leave now?"
"Do you not w-hish to talk some m-hore? There isss much we can t-hell you, wolf."
Remus got an uneasy feeling at this, and shook his head. "No, thank you. We would like to leave."
"P-hity. Verrry well."
Draco looked at the sphinx nearest him. "Are you not going to ask us your riddle so we can leave?"
"Wuh-hi? Do you w-hish to play games?"
Draco looked confused. Remus suddenly realized something as the sphinx continued in its rasping, whispering voice.
"I h-ave no r-hiddles for you. Only the fuh-hemales. They assssk the r-hiddles. The-hey are a curious l-hot. We do not h-understand them h-either." The sphinx fixed its gaze on Liz. "No ho-fence."
"None taken. Goodbye and thank you." Liz walked out of the door without looking back. Draco followed her immediately, not looking up at the sphinxes as they watched him walk by. Sirius and Remus stepped forward, and the sphinxes suddenly spread their wings wide to block their path.
"One m-hore thing for you both. We saw you h-in his t-houghts too."
Before they could say anything, a screech was heard in the courtyard. The sphinxes lowered their wings and looked over their shoulders. Sirius jumped past them and Remus saw that two small griffins were sitting on one of the trees above Liz and Draco. The sphinxes looked disgusted.
"G-hrrrriphins. St-hupid creatures. B-hest to hig-nore t-hem or they w-hill follow you looooking for food."
Remus looked back up. "Thank you again. Goodbye."
"G-hood bye, wolf" they whispered in unison, and settled down and closed their eyes once more.
Remus walked out to join the others. The little red griffins gave no indication of coming any closer, and Remus told everyone to get a move on and ignore them. They walked out of the temple and to the road leading back to their car. They stopped when they were sure the griffins weren't following them and looked at each other. Sirius suddenly laughed.
"Well, that was new. Moony, did you know only the females asked riddles?"
"Yes, but exactly how was I supposed to tell if those were male or female sphinxes?"
"Draco, your expression was priceless."
Draco did manage to smile slightly. "Rather stupid of me, I suppose. It didn't occur to me that they could even be…."
"Draco, if there were no male sphinxes where would we get more?"
"Black, I gave up asking such questions a number of years ago when I realized there were never any simple answers."
"Good point. Well, at least we know someone has been here, and it seems reasonable to assume it was Peter. So, what next?"
Liz took a large piece of parchment out of her backpack and unfolded it. "Let's see, shall we?"
She waved her wand over the parchment where she had placed it on the road, and a map burned its way onto the paper. Draco looked at it closely.
"Liz…."
"Yes, Draco, dark magic. But for a good purpose. Now let's get back to town and study this where we can have a cool drink."
Remus laughed at that.
"What?"
"Nothing; just something Katie said before I left. Let's go."