A/N: Everything starts to come together in this chapter….I hope. Does anyone want to volunteer as a beta reader? I'm starting to feel like I could use one, if it wasn't already evident that I don't use one already. Email me at firebolt909@yahoo.com if anyone is interested.
As much as it pains me to admit this mistake, it appears that I said that Belle lived at Number 6 Privet Drive in Chapter 1. After re-reading PS/SS again, I realized my error. Mrs. Figg actually lived two streets over from the Dursleys. This isn't very important, however I just wanted to point this out and say that let's all pretend that JKR meant to have her live next door from Harry. : )
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Belle was so confused. She'd hardly been here for two days and already she was going absolutely insane. Damn Remus for ripping into her old wounds, breaking the ice that she had so carefully wrapped her heart into. He'd dug up the past, when she had it buried years ago. It's so hard, trying not to set herself up for the heartbreak she knew was waiting for her again, but like a moth to a flame, she knew exactly what she was getting into. She just didn't know how to fight against it.
I guess I never realized how much being a werewolf affected Remus. Not until it was too late, Belle thought. Maybe I thought he loved me enough to look past what he was.
Belle pointed her wand at another rose bush, which suddenly picked up its roots out of the ground and moved over to another part of the garden where there was more sunlight. She had been here all morning, trying to take her mind off her troubles by doing a bit of old fashioned garden work. The manor garden appeared as if it hadn't been cared for in decades, the roses were wild, the hedges untrimmed, weeds and vines had taken over the flower beds. Remus would just have to deal with the changes she was making.
"Looks good." A dark shadow fell over her. Belle raised her hands over her eyes to shade them from the glaring sun.
"Hello, Sirius."
Sirius Black smiled down at her. "Fletcher just got word from Dumbledore. He'll be here this evening." He dropped down on his knees to look directly at her. "Did you and Remus have your talk?"
Belle sighed, looking at the rosebush she had just transplanted, watching a butterfly fit and flutter about the blooms, not wanting to discuss this right now. "Yes, but nothing was settled. Sirius, I know what you're trying to do, and I really appreciate—"
"It's not what you think," Sirius broke in. His eyes glazed over and a strange, haunted look appeared in their dark depths. "Belle, I spent a lot of time in Azkaban thinking about all the mistakes I made, all the things I should have done. Life is too short, too precious, to waste. That was the lesson I learned. Remus made a mistake, true. He thought he was trying to protect you from the pain of having to deal with a werewolf. He wanted you to have all the things you deserved in life. Your mistake was not telling him you knew the truth." Sirius laid a hand on her shoulder, forcing her to look up at him. "You both lost a lot of time over those mistakes. Don't waste anymore. You've punished yourselves enough now. You belong together."
Tears flooded down Belle's face at his words. She felt Sirius pull her to him in comfort. "It's just so difficult, Sirius. It's just so difficult."
"I know, Belle," Sirius said, gently rubbing his hand up and down her back. "But you both gotta try."
********************
Belle spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden, working like a house-elf. Slowly getting to her feet, her gray eyes scanned the garden, looking for any last minute changes. She did a good job, for one who's never worked much outside before. The rose bushes were now happily waving their branches in the sun as butterflies and bees zoomed around. The deep green shrubs and hedges were pruned, and stood in neat boxes along the paths leading down to the Victorian fountain that stood in the center. The once overgrown grass was a soft lush carpet, perfect for walking barefoot upon, or having picnics in the shade of an oak tree in the late summertime.
Smiling to herself, she turned around, only to come face to face with the one person she'd tried to avoid.
Remus stood at the door, surprise etched into his face. "You've been busy here."
"Yes, I hope you don't mind," she said.
"It's beautiful. I don't come out here often anymore. My mother would have had fits over the state of the rose beds. She was always the one in the family with the green wand." His smile turned sad as his gaze roamed over the changes she made. Belle's heart ached at the memory of Remus' parents. She'd never met them—they'd died while Remus was at school—but she remembered how much he missed them.
"Dumbledore's here," he said abruptly, his eyes losing that far away look. "He's waiting to speak to us."
"Let me go change my robes, I must look a fright," Belle replied, absently dusting the dirt, leaves, and grass from her robes. Remus reached out and pulled a stray leaf from her pulled back hair.
"You look beautiful as always," he murmured. She bit her lip, her face turning red, wondering how to reply to that, while Sirius' words echoed in her head. You belong together.
She walked past him into the house. "Tell the professor I'll be down in a minute," she called, rushing up the stairs.
******************
Remus watched her retreating form. What had possessed him to go to her after last night? He knew the answer already. She. She was in his blood, a fire burning through his veins, tormenting him with each breath he took. There was no purging her from his soul, she had invaded it when she was barely fifteen. He had been so lonely for so long, so lost without her. For the past few days he felt as if he'd been treading on broken glass around her, each shard piercing his heart with every step. He needed her, wanted her in his life, but had no clue as to how to begin to ask her to give him another chance. He'd stayed up all night last night, wondering why he didn't just let her go, let her walk out of his life, but he knew he couldn't do it. Wolves mate for life. She was his. He couldn't let her go; not this time.
Remus sighed, his eyes once again roaming over the new world she had created out of the weeds and thorns. He could picture them there out under the oak tree sharing an afternoon picnic, or secluded in the tiny maze behind the fountain making love under a twinkling blanket of stars. There was so much he didn't know about her, where she worked, what she did, where she lived. He knew she wasn't involved with anyone, he could sense it if another had touched her.
He only had one more day with her. Tomorrow night, the moon would be full and he would have to escape down to the cellar to transform. Dare he ask her to wait for him? Remus turned to rejoin the others inside.
"Ah, Remus," the Hogwart's Headmaster said as Remus sat down on the dusty sofa in the great living room. "Is Arabella coming?"
"I'm here, Professor." Belle rushed into the room, walking towards Dumbledore who gave her a brief hug.
"Arabella! Goodness me, I haven't seen you in ages! Certainly not like this!" Dumbledore drew back to look at her admiringly. Remus frowned. What did he mean he hadn't seen her in ages? She's on some assignment for him! And what did he mean "certainly not like this"? Remus watched curiously as Belle blushed and quickly took a seat in the chair opposite him. Remus and Sirius were on the sofa and Fletcher occupied the other chair in the room. Dumbledore stood in front of the empty fireplace gazing over them all.
"Well, now that we are all here, I need to tell you why I've asked each of you here." He heaved a great sigh, as if the weight of the world was placed upon his shoulders. "Voldemort is back."
"How?" asked Fletcher.
"I'm sure you all knew of the Tri-Wizard tournament and how Harry Potter was named one of the champions," began Dumbledore, his voice grave. He quickly filled them in on who had placed Harry's name in the goblet and the events of the third task. Remus paled at the thought of what Harry went through and turned to Sirius, to gage his reaction. Sirius was almost calm, as if he heard this before.
"Is Harry alright?" Remus asked.
"He's as well as can be expected, but we'll get to him in a minute. Now I'm bringing you all together because—" began the Headmaster.
Belle jumped up, interrupting Dumbledore. She looked panicked and was deathly pale. "Professor! Why am I here? Shouldn't I be at my post?" she almost shouted.
"I'll get to that in a minute, Arabella." Dumbledore said. Belle sat back down, her gray eyes wide with fright. Dumbledore continued on. "I've asked you all here because each of you are my most trusted friends. I'm reinstating the Order of the Phoenix." The room fell silent as each pondered those words. The Order of the Phoenix, Remus remembered, was the secret society of wizards against the Dark Arts. It had been formed only once before, during the last of Voldemort's Reign. Remus was aware of only a few members: Sirius, James and Lily, Peter, Fletcher, and McGonagall were the original members, all working together to fight Voldemort, through whatever means necessary. Remus, Sirius, and Peter were secretly guarding James and his family. Of course, that didn't end as it should have. Remus scowled at the thought of Peter and his betrayal, vowing he'd see Peter dead before this was over for his part in their deaths and his role in helping Voldemort return.
Dumbledore spoke again, his voice grave. "I have certain tasks that I need each of you to perform. Fletcher, I need you and Arthur Weasley to use every connection you have at the Ministry. Get notes on who can be trusted, who want to help us in our cause. Bring that information directly to me." Fletcher nodded and Dumbledore turned to Sirius. "Sirius, I'm afraid my task for you is the most dangerous. You once escaped Azkaban, the only person who has ever done so. I need you to draw me a detailed blueprint of Azkaban. Voldemort's first move will be to gather the surviving Death Eaters there and ally with the Dementors. I need you to break back in, make a map of all the tunnels and entrances in and out of the fortress." Sirius never blinked as he agreed. Remus felt sick to his stomach at what his friend was being asked to do. Breaking out was one thing; getting back in was another.
"Hagrid and Madam Maxine are both currently working on meeting with the giants to discuss a possible alliance with them. We are going to need all the help we can get." Dumbledore informed them. "Severus Snape is also working on something for me as well."
"Remus, Arabella." Dumbledore looked at each of them. "Your tasks are intertwined—and the most important of all. Remus, I ask that you provide us with a meeting place here. The remote location is perfect for our plans."
Remus agreed at once, wondering why his task was so important and what it had to do with Belle. His question was answered when the Headmaster turned to Belle, looking down at her over his half-moon spectacles.
"Arabella," he began, "You volunteered for your task fifteen long years ago, performed it with courage and unquestionable loyalty. I need you to continue."
"Of course, Professor."
"However, I need to move you. Your post is too dangerous at this moment. You are to move here with your charge. I shall explain more later on."
Dumbledore stepped back to the fireplace and faced them all again. "Fletcher, if you are ready, I need you to leave immediately. Meet with Arthur Weasley. He already knows what to do." Remus watched as Mundungus Fletcher stood up and Apperated, a loud pop echoing in the room.
"Professor," Belle spoke at last, "Wouldn't my…my charge be better off where it's at?" Remus' sharp eyes didn't miss the glance she gave in his direction.
Dumbledore smiled, his blue eyes twinkling in the fading sunlight. "It's ok Arabella, Remus needs to know what you've been up to."
Remus sat up with excitement at finally getting to learn what she had been doing for so long. "Remus, Arabella has been guarding Harry Potter at his relatives' house ever since that night I left him on the Dursley's doorstep. She's been undercover as an old woman, living in the next house over, closed off from the rest of the world for the past fifteen years. She's placed an innumerable amount of protection charms over the house, keeping Harry's location a complete secret."
Remus' heart stopped in mid-beat as another piece of the puzzle fell into place. Why? Why would she volunteer to do something such as that? Didn't she know what she'd have to do?
Dumbledore explained further, "To answer you question Arabella, the Dursley's is no longer as safe as it once was. I knew you could keep Harry from the last of Voldemort's followers, and even the Dursley's own anti-magical ways would hide him from the best of wizards. But now…now things are different. Voldemort is back, and I fear more powerful than before. The location of this place here is perfect for you to hide Harry until the school term starts and both you and Remus have enough power to keep him well protected here." He turned to Sirius. "Sirius, as Harry's god-father, I feel I should ask you for your permission. Perhaps you would like to bring him here before starting your own mission?"
Remus watched dumfounded as Sirius grinned. "I'll go write him immediately," Sirius said, getting up from the sofa and heading upstairs.
"I must go," said Dumbledore. "I'm
needed back at the school and I must meet with others. Good luck to you all."
Remus nodded absently, his mind occupied with a thousand questions; all revolving around the beautiful silver haired witch sitting stonily across from him. "Good bye, Dumbledore."
"Bye, Professor," Belle muttered, staring off into space, lost in her own thoughts. She suddenly hopped up. "I'll go get dinner started. I'm starving aren't you?" she asked in a forced cheerful voice.
Remus stood up and grabbed her arm as she passed the sofa. "Why did you do it, Belle? Why did you volunteer for a task such as that?"
"I don't want to talk about it, Remus."
"You were heading into a high ranking position at the Ministry," Remus continued harshly, ignoring her statement, trying to get her to look at him. "You could've been the next Minister in a few years. Why did you do it? Why did you give all that up to protect a boy you hardly knew? Damn it, you had so much to live for!"
A pair of ice cold eyes met his own. "No I didn't. Not anymore," she said bitterly. She jerked her arm out of his grasp and left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Whew! This was a long chapter for me. This just seemed like a good place to end this one, I might have the next one up later on tonight or tomorrow! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews!