The Casting Stone 17
Sorry for the delay – flattened by the flu, immobile for days, really. Then Peter wouldn't cooperate. Had this chapter – this story – almost done, but Mr. Pettigrew wouldn't fit with the program, demanded a rewrite, and I had to go back and redo everything. Evil little rat!
Summary: Peter has set in motion an ancient spell that will ultimately reveal the true nature of Set's magic. Demoncles explains his own history, somewhat, and then reveals what he really wants from the current situation. Draco and Katie hold him off, temporarily, but time is most definitely running out.
***
Remus felt the expression of shock that spread across his face as the old werewolf confirmed Draco's stunned statement. Impossible. How could he…how could anyone survive? Even those spells that alter time…never on a scale such as this. To have endured over 2000 years?
Demoncles flashed him a small, subdued smile, then crossed his arms and walked halfway down the stairs towards Remus and the others, watching his feet as he stepped and seeming almost lost in thought.
He stopped and his gaze came up again to rest on Remus. There was a noticeable change in his expression; a harshness, a menace, was evident for the first time. And a sense of exhaustion from the man became almost palpable to Remus as he and Demoncles watched each other carefully. Remus could feel his heartbeat had picked up and his muscles had tensed; a primal fight response starting to hone his senses as the events of the last 48 hours began to take their toll and eat away at his so carefully held, so carefully mannered, control. Part of him knew that now he had Malcolm back, but not out of danger, it would be harder for him to keep his temper. The wolf's instincts at feeling such a threat coming from this impossible man burned at his core.
Remus just made out Sirius shifting almost imperceptibly next to him. He can feel what's happening. He knows both of us have become more agitated…basic; more feral and innate. Remus knew that Sirius, who was used to both feeling and dealing with Remus' temper and moods, was subtly turning the lead over what was to happen next to Remus, and getting 'out of the way', after a fashion. Remus took the hint and moved forward purposely to stand at the bottom of the stairs. As he stood there, he let the cracks in his control widen, allowing the instinct to have him, and allowing Demoncles to understand on no uncertain terms that he was not to be taken lightly.
Demoncles looked at Remus with a slightly puzzled expression at first, then a spark came into his face and his eyes started to glow slightly. Remus could see that this wolf was very close to the surface. Demoncles fixed his burning eyes on Remus with an oddly triumphant and satisfied expression, his mouth twisting into a wry and dark sneering grimace.
"Time," he said quietly," is not as absolute as one might think."
Remus was not interested any longer in having pointless conversations with this man.
"We wish to leave."
"I'm sure you do, young one."
"Do you know where the other wizards and the other witch are?"
"Of course. They'll be here soon. But we have a little time yet for us."
"Us?"
"You and me, young one."
Remus leaned forward more at that. "If it's me you want, then let the others go, and I'll stay."
Demoncles chuckled and rolled his eyes a bit. "Very gallant, and of course impossible."
"You brought us here. Surely you can get us out."
"Not out of this place, actually no, although moving you within its confines is no issue. Things are different here now. Do you not feel it? Concentrate, young one. The first time I walked across the flagstones, I knew I had found what I came for. I felt the power of this place; I felt the awesome and intoxicating sense of knowing that. And in gratitude to Set for giving me that, I gave my self to him utterly. We are his children, young one. We are his awesome gift. Do you know, I had never seen a wolf before I came here? Never. But as my grandfather told me of them when I was the age of your Malcolm there, I knew exactly what I wanted to be. More powerful than any simple man, and more feared than anything. Set was the first magician who truly understood the power of nature, of the forces that drive us all and link us to each other and to this very earth. And he so loved the earth, he worked only to understand it, and make it greater."
"This curse is nature corrupted, Demoncles, not revered!"
"Only a di would call the nefer mat a curse; only a di would believe the lies they were told and struggle to deny how they truly feel. You are far greater than your weak companions. Even greater than your own child. In your heart you know this."
Remus knew his own eyes were burning now as well as he glared at Demoncles and felt a lifetime of fury start to unravel at these words. Demoncles was deliberately taunting the wolf, who had always struggled to demanded a respect from Remus that Remus never gave it. He respected only its power to harm; never its existence.
"I am only greater than this wretched and evil damnation that I live with every single day of my life," he said in a harsh whisper. "I am only greater than that."
"You are just a man, is that it, young one? You know that isn't true. You have not been a man from the moment you first felt this power inside of you. You have no need to deny this to me, because I understand, where they never will. Unless you give them the power to do so."
Remus shivered at that statement and Demoncles laughed at the sight. Then he brought the conversation back to what was happening now.
"Can you not sense how different it is here? I know you can. It became so much clearer to me after. Your companions are too weak and their sense too dull nefer mat, but you know it. And now the doors are open, and everything has changed. It is time for a change, I think."
Remus blinked slowly, but kept his eyes fixed on Demoncles as he considered what might be next. He had known, the moment he came to this place, that there was something…unstable…to this site. This was an agitated place; it felt much different than other lands rich with natural magic. Remus had been too preoccupied before to think much about it. He had not felt any concern, really, that once again, when faced with a strange environment, he had been unsettled. However, as he listened now to the old werewolf speaking in this low and dangerous voice, Remus' awareness of his surroundings became more honed. The wavering sensation was stronger than before. It seemed almost as if the air itself moved in waves around him; as if he stood in a river and let the quiet water whisper against him.
Resisting the urge to turn back and look at Katie to ground himself, Remus remained where he was, still looking into Demoncles' glowing black eyes. The threat was growing steadily between them. He wants something – and he's going to do whatever it takes to get it.
Demoncles turned away suddenly and walked back up to the top of the platform. Remus did take those few moments to glance back at the others. Draco and Harry stood near each other on his left. Each of the young men stood with an agile, but tightly wound, alertness to them. Young. They did not look back at Remus, each focused elsewhere but still positioned to keep an eye on Demoncles. Harry stood at an angle so he could see the hallway behind them and the doors to the entrance to the hall. Draco stood at an opposite angle to get a view of the side of the platform and whatever lay beyond it. Remus couldn't tell what might be behind there, but Draco kept a careful eye out, so Remus had to assume there was something there. Or, at least, something Draco can sense. He's far more sensitive than most people would assume.
Liz stood beyond Sirius to his right, the twins on either side of her. She was the only one not looking towards the werewolves on the raised platform. Instead, Liz was turned towards Katie and Malcolm. Remus knew from experience that the look on her face betrayed a conversation that she and Katie were having silently with each other. Sirius had discovered this interesting little phenomenon when he had inadvertently infuriated them both about two years ago. He decided to entertain Malcolm by taking him for a spin on Harry's old Firebolt. Remus had arrived home from an excursion the day after this incident to find a dangerous silence over his house.
Liz always pointed out that Sirius and Remus had their own system of nods, glances and other gestures that spoke volumes. She and Katie, however, could sit and look at each other without moving for a while and somehow, at the end, they had reached some mutual decision. That time, it had been to utterly denounce Sirius for being so grossly out of line for not asking prior to scaring both the women (who pointed out that two year olds had no business on brooms) to death. It earned him a week of silent fury, Liz and Katie exchanging knowing and testy glances whenever he walked by. Remus hadn't seen the Firebolt since, though he expected it to resurface once Malcolm started displaying his own magic.
Remus wished, move fervently than ever before, that he had managed to learn the nuances of this little trick, although his wife assured him with a smile that it was none of his business. He finally glanced at Katie.
Katie was holding Malcolm closely, and he had turned to bury his face against her neck and hold her tightly. Remus felt his chest tighten at the sight of his son obviously seeking comfort from Katie. He can feel that something has shifted. Just keep focused on what needs focusing on, Remus. Katie has Malcolm; you need to get them out of here. That's it. Looking at his son, who seemed smaller to Remus than he really was even against Katie's slight form because of his agitation, Remus finally wondered exactly where Narcissa and Peter might be, and what would happen when they arrived. They were all still armed, and Demoncles had shown no indications of trying to disarm them. Of course, judging from the powers he had already displayed, it may simply have been that he was not threatened by them and that in fact their magic, even all of them working together, might be useless against him and whatever else was here in this place. Despite a lifetime of struggling against darkness and dark magic in many fantastic forms, Remus had no idea what might happen here. Doesn't mean you can't beat it; you've managed to beat practically everything else life has thrown at you to try and destroy you. And when you get Peter, even those things you couldn't stop will find some justice.
Katie looked at Remus just before he turned back to face Demoncles and Jack again. As he caught her eye, he couldn't help but return the ghost of a smile she gave him. Remus may not have had the ability to carry on a full conversation without speaking, but he and Katie had never had any trouble saying how much they loved each other with a glance. Even all those years ago, he knew, before he was able to consciously admit to himself that he was in love with her, this look had always been there. There was also an air of determination in his wife's stance that Remus knew intimately. Whatever she and Liz are thinking, best to let them get on with it. I'll just keep Demoncles focused on me. He raised an eyebrow towards Katie slightly and watched her nod briefly, then move silently towards George, who stood only a few steps from her.
Remus turned back fully now, but the faint sounds behind him suggested that Katie must have handed Malcolm to George. Demoncles turned back himself at that moment. Remus could tell from his glance that he noticed the slight shift in their party's positions, but he didn't seem to put any import to it. Probably just thinks Katie's tired; a decidedly foolish assumption. She wasn't a threat when she held Malcolm…now she's dangerous.
"Demoncles?"
"Yes, young one?"
"How?"
The old werewolf gave another low, dry chuckle and ran a hand over his newly shaved head, shaking it slightly before looking towards jack and holding a hand out. Jack had picked up what appeared to be a long vest, decorated in gold, carnelian, and lapis lazuli. It stood in stark contrast to the plain long black robes they each wore.
"Do the logistics matter? I have already told you, time is very different in this place. I asked a foolish question once; such is the folly of youth. Well, at the time I was in fact forty-three, and in all honesty considered myself quite incapable of mistake. In retrospect I was quite appallingly young."
"Is this before or after you murdered the wizards here?" Sirius suddenly asked, darkly.
"After, actually. It was my success in that endeavour which I feel actually caused my carelessness. We came here to this place, my armies and I. We were going to rebuild from this spot. After what Alexander had done…. We were going to crush him. An army of darkness, of nearly invincible creatures. Feared by men and wizards alike. As I'm sure you noticed," he continued, looking pointedly at Sirius, "my army did not fare well here either. That is my one true regret. I believed I was repaying their loyalty, but in fact I delivered them into slavery and death."
Remus wasn't sure what Demoncles meant by this, but it was evident from Sirius' expression that he did. Demoncles continued.
"I was bound here, as you see. This palace, and the island where we first met, has been my home for the past twenty-three hundred years. I know of events in the world, I am not isolated from knowing, but I found after a time that everything that happened just seemed to grow tiresome. Everything is a constant, even the nature of man. This dark wizard you have just defeated is hardly the first," here he gave a rather dark grin, "to seek such power, nor will he be the last. But you know this." He stopped for a moment and looked up, past them towards the front doors. He seemed almost to be listening to something for a few seconds before he looked back at Remus.
"I am not sure if I am, after a fashion, dead, or simply life enchanted to live in suspense. I spent several decades, actually, trying to figure that one out. I gave up finally when it was evident that this simply didn't matter, though I did become something of a philosopher. You fancy that death is the greatest punishment? It is not. The darkest magic denies death; denies release. When I was young I dreamed of a long and glorious life. Now I am very old, and dream only of release. But as you know, we cannot kill ourselves. So it seemed that there was no release to be had. But then, quite by accident, I discovered something wonderful."
"A Muggle scholar, who was in possession of an object that belonged to me, was studying ruins of temples made my members of this sect on Greece. Remember, I told you that Set travelled extensively in his lifetime, and gathered quite a following. Wherever Set went, of course, we went with him, as his guards and his companions. But we were not well received. I'm not sure we were meant to be, of course. We were meant to terrify and to inspire loyalty. However, one of Set's key lieutenants, one of the keepers before me, fell in love with the daughter of a chief wizard in Greece. Being accustomed to getting what he wanted, he simply took her and brought her back here, and gave her the dark gift."
"There was quite a commotion over that. To make peace, Set agreed to allow the woman to return to her family while the moon travelled, but for the week of the full moon, when she was truly one of us, she returned to her husband. The girl's mother, a powerful witch, was overcome with grief. During the periods her child was away, her anguish caused rains to pour, food to rot, and vines and stems to wither and die."
"Over time, the Muggles took this story and incorporated it into their own legends. You know the tale, I assume? Of how the god of the dead found a beautiful mortal woman, and carried her to the underworld to be his wife? I knew the story of Persephone and Hades from my childhood, of course, but how could I have known that it in fact that version was incomplete. The Muggle scholar discovered this, but of course he had no idea at that time what it was he had truly uncovered. I couldn't believe it at first myself; I assumed I was dreaming. But not so."
Demoncles moved again down to the middle of the stairs and smiled with malevolent triumph at Remus. Remus saw that Jack, who up until now had said nothing and who had barely moved, was now looking upset again, and pacing lightly on the dais while watching Demoncles closely.
"The Muggle uncovered a hidden chamber in the ruins, one hidden by magic centuries before my own birth. How he managed this, I have no idea, but he must have had wizards with him, weather he knew it or not. It is no matter; none of them could have possibly understood the significance of what they uncovered there. Rather, they had no concept that it had significance to anyone but me."
"There is more to the story, and that is what they found. A secret hidden, most likely from Set himself, for fear of his wrath. The witch begged her husband to seek revenge for what had been done to their child. Like you, young one, they refused to see what great things had been given to their daughter. But they knew it was impossible for them to kill the keeper. True, you can kill a werewolf if you really mean to do it, but like me, this man was different. No simple human hand could harm him. The witch would not give up, however. She went to the other werewolves to ask for help. She was ignored by all but one. This wolf was a willing servant to Set, and he had taken the oath that gave him the wolf's powers. Or, as you insist, the curse. But his true ambitions were unrealised. Jealous that the keeper had been given the position he craved, the aggrieved wolf agreed to help the witch, because he knew something that was terrible, and unspoken. The next full moon, the conspirator laid in wait for the keeper, and when he came to run and hunt, he ambushed him and ripped him to shreds."
Demoncles paused here and took a deep breath, then let it out slowly, a look of satisfaction on his face.
"I can die. But only at the jaws of another wolf; one strong enough to kill me, in my wolf form. I suddenly understood why my men were destroyed so systematically; in case I figured this out, or in case one of them tried to kill me. I did ask to be the keeper. I did ask to rule them. And my wish was granted. I told you it was a rather silly thing to ask."
Remus didn't say anything, but looked over at Jack, suddenly realizing why this young man had been cursed. Demoncles followed his glance then gave another cold smile.
"Yes. Now that I had the knowledge, I didn't have the means. The Spelldoors will only permit me to pass beyond the confines of this place for very short periods of time, and then the Servant comes for me. At first I couldn't at all, but I have learned a few things over time. I was the only werewolf here, obviously. Then it occurred to me that I could make a wolf, and bring him here, and wait for him to grow strong enough to kill me. The Servant may not harm us; it is forbidden. So I would have all the time I needed, so long as I bit my victim before I brought him back and the Servant figured out what I was up to."
"I sat in front of the Spelldoors the day of the next full moon, and waited. I knew the Muggles were still at the temple working. All I needed was a few seconds, and one careless person. You asked how Jack can survive? I allow him to survive. As the moon rose, and the change came over me, I waited to see who would come. As soon as I saw Jack, I went through the door. I threw myself against him, bringing him to the ground, and sank my teeth into his shoulder. It was quite astonishing to taste human blood again after thousands of years, but I was able to keep my wits about me enough to remember my true intent and not to simply let go and kill him. I grabbed his leg and dragged him with me back through the gate."
"I nursed him back to health, and started to teach him his true nature. I knew I needed a strong wolf; I knew it would take years to train him. But Jack has proven to be even stronger than I had hoped. Like you, young one, his will is great. He refuses to give in. Of course, you see the results this has had on him. At the very least, I was joyful at having a new companion. And he is an interesting distraction, knowing nothing of us or our ways. But it will be years before he is strong enough to fight me, to kill me. But that is a moot point now. Now I have you."
Remus gaped at Demoncles. He's mad. I am not going to kill him….
"No," he managed to say out loud, although he could hear a slight tremor in his voice.
"No? I think yes. You've never done it, have you? You've never killed another person? Surely you've eaten a rabbit or two in your time? Think of it like that. You there," he said, looking at Sirius, "the dog. Very interesting, you are, but not so strong as you think. Back on the island it was my intent to have you transform, young one, but you fought me. He could not, and did transform. You proved to be a nice, strong, older wolf at that. Exactly what I need; I needn't wait for Jack any longer. But now there will be no resisting. And you will give me exactly what I want."
Demoncles stood there, face burning with a look of triumph.
"Oh, yes, you will, young one."
He began to chant something, slowly and methodically, his eyes never leaving Remus.
Remus suddenly felt himself shake, and a burning feeling started in his hands and feet. Just like, like…
Demoncles' voice began to rise, and the words he spoke seemed to resonate in the space. His own arms twitched as well, and a slight spasm caused him to stop for a moment.
Oh my god; he's forcing us all to transform.
Remus started to fight what was happening to him, desperately turning to look at the others behind him.
"Katie, run. Take Malcolm and run! All of you…the wolf… Please…." Remus had to choke to a stop as the burning turned into the sharp pains that shot through his body and closed his throat. He was shaking violently now, and saw out of the corner of his eye that Jack had started to whimper and claw at his hair, falling forward to his knees and trembling from head to toe.
"GO!"
"NO!"
Draco suddenly stepped forward, and with a firm voice yelled something himself in the strange tongue.
Demoncles stopped what he was doing and stared at Draco in amazement and fury. Draco didn't so much as flinch and repeated what he said. Remus felt the burn subside somewhat, but he was still shaking; the transformation was still waiting, right there at the surface.
Demoncles snarled at Draco and raised his hands, but at that instant Harry and Fred raised their own wands and yelled a spell Remus couldn't catch because of the ringing in his ears. A blue haze seemed to envelop Demoncles for an instant and he staggered slightly, but quickly regained his balance and flew forward, again yelling the same words as before.
Jack transformed; being the youngest and weakest, he could not fight what was happening to him. The grey wolf seemed to blink in surprise for a few moments, then regained his senses and let out a horrific howl and started to move towards them. Sirius transformed in an instant and threw himself at the young wolf, grasping his neck brutally and thrashing, trying to stun the beast. Remus felt a wave of odd relief that years of fighting with him had taught Sirius exactly how to stop that animal. But he felt his own sense of self slipping at the same time, even as Draco continued to repeat his incantation. The wolf was right there, triumphant and hungry.
Remus never knew how Katie managed to do what she did at that moment. Katie told him afterwards she wasn't sure herself how she managed it, but it wasn't something she really wanted to reflect on. Remus saw something shimmering out of the corner of his eye as he stood there, trying to stop the wolf from claiming his body and soul. A few moments later he felt a snapping sensation, as if whatever spell Demoncles had on him was physically severed from him. He gasped for air and staggered, but managed to stay on his feet. Looking back up at the platform, he saw that a cloud seemed to envelop the old werewolf where he stood. It was a liquid of some sort, and swirled about in odd thick patterns in the air. Remus raised his head to see that Katie had stepped forward and held her wand towards the cloud, chanting something under her breath. Remus moved backwards when she grabbed his arm and pulled him towards her, then fell to his knees near Liz and the twins. He could still hear Draco chanting something, but stopped listening when he suddenly felt Malcolm come to stand in his arms.
His first instinct was to push Malcolm away from him, but instead he wrapped his arms around the boy and felt his head clear somewhat as he revelled in the joyful feeling of his son wrapping his arms around his neck. He looked back over at the dais, and realized that Demoncles was encased in a cloud of liquid silver. Somehow Katie had actually melted one of the gigantic silver doors and brought it over to encase the Caretaker, holding him back and rendering him helpless.
But before Remus could stand and move to help the others, a wind suddenly blasted them with a force that staggered him. Remus clung tightly to Malcolm and twisted so that his back was to the wind and his son was protected against him, but he was stung as the liquid silver was scattered by the force. Magic…. He gave a sharp cry at the pain, but refused to let go of Malcolm. After a few seconds the wind came to a sudden stop. Remus looked at Malcolm, who had started to cry silently but who looked at him with a strong and trusting face at the same time. He kissed Malcolm on the forehead and turned to look behind him.
Demoncles was lying at the top of the steps unconscious, and vicious red burns covering his head and neck where Remus could see skin. Jack and Sirius were at the bottom of the steps, Jack having regained his human form. He was awake, but also burned and looking stunned as he stared up at the platform. Sirius was also back in his human shape, but he seemed to have been knocked unconscious as well, and didn't move. Remus couldn't help but notice the vicious cuts and bites on his neck and chest, and prayed that Padfoot had taken those, not Sirius….
"Well, hello, Remus."
Remus looked back at the top of the platform to see Peter at last. Remus might barely have recognized him if he didn't know who it was. Peter looked old, and ragged. His once yellow-blonde hair was white and thin, his small frame stooped and broken looking. The eyes, which had once held mirth and curiosity, were flat and cold. Had nothing passed between them, had this man walked up to Remus on the street and claimed to have been the friend of his youth, Remus would have smiled politely and walked on. You knew he was changed…. Darkness did terrible things to people; but for the life of him Remus still had no idea what had happened to turn Peter into this broken and malevolent man. This he never understood.
"Things have changed, haven't they Moony? What say you and I go somewhere to talk? And Padfoot; mustn't forget dear, trusting Sirius."
What? Remus started to say something, but the air shimmered around him and he felt the same pulling sensation he had before when, while standing in the tunnels below the temple with Harry and Katie, Demoncles had suddenly moved them into the hall where they were. He blinked, and found himself, and Malcolm, in another room in the palace complex. Sirius was also there, still unconscious, laying a few feet away. And Peter stood in front of them both.
"Hello, Remus," he said again, smiling quietly. "Sorry for the dramatic entrance, but I couldn't let Demoncles spoil everything. He was so sure he'd get what he wanted from you before we got there."
Remus stood up quietly and gently pushed Malcolm to stand behind him. Malcolm held onto his leg and stayed at his back, not saying a word. Peter smiled at him with an odd expression on his face.
"Peter, whatever Demoncles was trying to do, Draco stopped it."
"Draco didn't stop it, Remus; he just delayed it. But I'm very impressed with him; I didn't realize there was a spell to stop the transformation. I wonder where he learned it?"
Remus struggled to think of something to
say in order to reason with Peter. It
wasn't lost on him that his wand seemed to have vanished this time. Presumably Peter had it now. Get Malcolm and Katie out of here; get
them back home with your daughter. Peter can't really want anything to do with them? Gods, I would have
loved to have seen Roarke grow up…. Don't think that; don't do it.
"Is that Harry with you? Doesn't he look even more like James that ever! But that doesn't matter; now, I've a timetable to keep here. Very precise, all of this. You've noticed time is different here, yes? Even as we stand here, time is speeding forward, and we are closer to where we need to be."
"That's impossible…."
"You would think so, wouldn't you? But that was Set's greatest triumph; that was his real magic. The magic of space and time. The ability to shift them both…."
Peter stopped and looked at Malcolm with a rather curious look, as if noticing him for the first time. Remus said nothing but gave Malcolm's impossibly small shoulder a little squeeze just to assure him that he was right there. Nothing, nothing is going to hurt you. Remus glanced down at his son.
Malcolm remained very still, his eyes fixed on Remus. Remus looked back at Peter, who had now started to pace.
"Don't hurt my son, please," said Remus, very quietly.
Pettigrew continued his pacing, wringing his hands lightly and mumbling to himself.
"Peter?"
Pettigrew stopped his pacing and looked at Remus.
"Peter, please. Don't hurt Malcolm. Let him go home with his mother. He's not part of this."
"Of course he is, Remus. We all are, don't you see that?"
"Peter…."
Pettigrew flinched this time and looked angry, gazing down at Malcolm. Remus froze and didn't press the issue, but turned to smile at Malcolm as steadily as he could.
"He doesn't look like you, Remus."
"No. He looks like his mother."
"Ah, yes, I suppose he must. Is he like you, though? Is he a wolf too?"
"No, Peter."
"He'd make a splendid wolf, I dare say."
Remus suddenly felt very anxious. Surely Peter couldn't mean to….
"We may know soon enough. I promised Demoncles he could have what he needed. As you know, that is you. Or, at least, your curse. He's not interested in much else other than having you kill him, and I really don't think you're going to stop him."
"I am not going to kill him, Peter."
"Daddy?"
"Malcolm, please don't speak."
"Yes, yes; a splendid little wolf. Just like you at that age! No, wait, you were six. He doesn't look six yet." Pettigrew walked right up to Malcolm now and put a hand out to tilt Malcolm's head up and get a better look at him. Remus fought back the urge to simply rip Peter's arm off for touching the boy.
"How old are you then?"
Malcolm looked back at Remus, his eyes very wide. Remus nodded at him. Try and keep Peter happy. Maybe we can still stop this.
"Almost four."
"Oh, very young yet. Well, we'll see. Hopefully your father won't actually kill you."
Remus felt ill and struggled to keep his composure. It's just talk. He's trying to scare you as best he knows how. He won't do this; he won't. He's just playing with you. He won't hurt Malcolm.
Pettigrew stepped back from Malcolm and turned to glance at the still motionless Sirius.
"Maybe Padfoot will keep you safe, Malcolm. For a while at least. But Demoncles is going to do me one final favour and put our beloved Sirius out of his misery. And when I bring him back with me, when I give his body to the authorities, well, finally history will be proven right. The traitor will be forever remembered for what he was, for what he did."
Peter turned and looked towards the large silver doors at the top of the room. Remus suddenly noticed there was another man standing there, silently watching what was happening.
"Soon, Remus. Soon everything will be finished. And they'll all know. They'll know not to underestimate me ever again. Always looking down, everyone. Weak little me; I'll show them who's weak and useless."
Wormtail was muttering to himself again, running his good hand through what was left of his hair in a fashion similar to Jack as he moved past Remus towards the door.
Remus snapped; he leapt forward, grabbing Peter by the shoulders and spinning him back to face him. The rage brought on by the wolf that Remus had been struggling so hard against flared and burned at Remus. He is not going to kill my boy.
"Peter! Take Malcolm out of here!"
"No! Let go of me, Remus! I'm not going to be bossed around by you ever again! I stopped being bossed by you years ago!"
"Peter…." Remus struggled to regain his control, gasping for breath and feeling sweat starting to run down his face and neck as the burning rose within him again. He shook with rage and the pain of fighting back the wolf, but forced himself to calm down and look at Peter.
"Peter, it's never too late. I don't know what happened, but I don't think…. This is not who you are, Peter. I don't know this man. I need to speak to you as I know you; as the man you were; my friend. I never looked down on you. Sirius…Sirius trusted you so much he gave you the power over James and Lily's lives Peter! He didn't trust me with that, he trusted you! How can you not see that!"
Peter gave him a sneer. "You could hardly afford to look down on anyone, could you? I was scared of you then, but I'm not now. Stop begging. It's very unlike you, and you haven't changed a bit. Sirius made me the secret keeper because he was to weak do to it himself! Wonderful Sirius; the most important thing anybody ever asked him to do, and he failed."
Remus dropped his grip immediately as Peter raised his silver hand and grasped at Remus' throat for a moment. Remus choked back a shriek as he hand burned into his flesh and he fell heavily to his knees, clutching his chest and gasping for breath. Peter gave a quiet laugh and Remus saw his boots move away from him through the blurry haze of his tears of pain, and then heard the doors slam.
Malcolm ran to Remus and threw his arms around his neck, but said nothing. Remus winched slightly as Malcolm's arms brushed the fresh burn, but he simply returned the embrace, clutching at Malcolm in desperation for a few moments, and taking deep breaths to try and clear his mind. His vision improved, but he still felt ill from the effects of the silver on his skin and the burning in his arms and legs was getting to the point where soon they would again turn to the sharp pains of the transformation. He tried not to shake, so as not to scare Malcolm, but it was no use, and he trembled slightly as he rested on his knees, holding his son closely. Finally he pulled himself together and moved back to look at Malcolm and gave him a very weak smile. He had to wake Sirius up; it may be Malcolm's only chance. Malcolm was looking a little teary, but seemed calm. He reached forward to stroke his father's cheek and returned the small smile, his expression open and questioning. Remus closed his eyes for a moment just to keep his calm, then returned Malcolm's gesture and stood up carefully. Malcolm's smile became stronger and wider as Remus stood and he watched him closely.
"Malcolm, we need to wake Sirius up. It's very important."
"Alright."
"Malcolm, do you understand what's happening to me?"
"Yes. The wolf is coming. I can feel it."
Remus looked up at the ceiling quickly and blinked back tears at that statement. You don't have time to mourn anything, Remus. Malcolm doesn't have time for you to feel sorry for yourself. He looked back down.
"Yes, Malcolm. But this wolf is very different. He's going to be very angry and you have got to stay far away from him."
Malcolm looked a little surprised. "But…."
Remus held up a hand to stop him, then reached over to smooth his hair carefully. "Don't worry. You know that I will never let anything hurt you. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me, back in London," Remus hesitated for a moment, looking into Malcolm's eyes, "But I'm here now, and I won't let anything bad happen to you again. Forgive me?"
Malcolm shook his head. "It wasn't your fault, daddy!"
Remus reached forward and cupped Malcolm's face in his hands, smiling at him. "How did you get to be so smart, my little marauder?"
Malcolm smiled back at him. "Sirius says it's thanks to him that I have any sense at all 'cause you and mummy are just too silly for your own good."
"Well, Sirius would know. Let's wake him up."