To Paris
Chapter VI: Prophets and Prophecies
Remus's trip to Hogwarts had provided Peter and him with a much-needed break.
*
"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Remus asked.
"Moony, be need time apart. To sort things out. Albus will understand. Wish him the best, for me, would you?"
Remus nodded and kissed Peter briefly.
*
The torn, tattered man sat on the Hogwarts Express. The trip had been a break from Peter, but not from the memories of Sirius.
*
The celebration for Albus Dumbledore's 50th year of teaching at Hogwarts took place in a wing on the second floor where students weren't permitted.
"The Ministry of Magic is doing its best to track down Voldemort's followers. Hopefully one of them will be able to tell us more about what Voldemort's plans are," Dumbledore reported.
The group flinched at each use of the Dark Lord's name.
A thin, middle-aged woman approached the group, eyeing Remus suspiciously as she made her way over. Dumbledore observed the looks of distress on the faces of James and Lily.
"There's nothing to worry about, you two. So long as your secret keeper remains silent, young Harold will be perfectly safe," Albus reassured the couple.
James, Lily, and Sirius exchanged glances that resembled worry more than relief.
"Ah, Professor Trelawney, these are the students I was telling you about," Dumbledore said through a thin smile.
The bony woman narrowed her eyes, staring at Remus.
"So you're the troublemakers, eh?"
"Oh, no, ma'am, we were perfect angels when we went to Hogwarts," Sirius grinned.
"Yes indeed. Lily and I were headgirl and headboy," James noted.
"And prefects, too," Lily chimed in happily.
"Where's the other one?" Professor Trelawney questioned, placing a finger on her head as if trying to remember something.
"Peter.. is... ah... busy," Remus simply stated.
"Then I suppose he'll miss out," Professor Trelawney sighed.
"Miss out? On what?" James asked inquisitively.
*
She told James and Lily they would live long, happy lives. She told Sirius he'd end up teaching at Hogwarts. I wonder what she'll have to say to me?
Remus entered the cold, dark, damp room which he assumed was Professor Trelawney's office. A bewitched ceiling showed the alignment of the planets, reminding Remus that the full moon was just two nights away.
The tiny office smelled of tea leaves and incense. Remus stopped in front of an incense holder and took a whiff of the fragrant aroma.
"Fairy dust."
"Excuse me?" Remus asked.
Professor Trelawney entered the room.
"You were going to ask what the incense was called," she told Remus.
"I was?"
"Yes, you were. But not any longer, for I've answered your question," she smiled.
"Er, right."
*
That woman was crazy. I should've left the room right then and there... I guess I was too curious to pass up the opportunity.
The Hogwarts Express was quiet. Remus suspected he may have been the only passenger.
*
Professor Trelawney sat down in the chair behind her glass desk and Remus took a seat across from her.
"I already know much about you, Remus Lupin," she spoke near-whisper.
"Is that so? Well, there's not much to-"
"Ssshhh! I'm getting something..." Professor Trelawney shushed, shutting her eyes tightly.
Moments later, she opened her eyes.
"I have three things to say to you, Remus Lupin. Three things and nothing more."
Remus waited patiently, staring at Professor Trelawney curiously.
"Beware the one with yellow eyes. It will only cause you pain."
Remus blinked. The one with yellow eyes...? Wormtail?
"In the most grim of situations, the best solution is to always walk away."
Grim situations. Walk away.
"Do not be selfish in your choices, or those whom you hold dear to you will suffer."
Don't be selfish.
Professor Trelawney stared at Remus for a few moments before gesturing her head towards the door.
"Oh, right..." Remus trailed off, rising from his seat.
"Thank you, Professor Trelawney," he said before leaving the room.
"Don't mention it, Moony..." she replied under her breath.
*
"So you'll be staying in the castle for a few days?" James inquired.
Remus nodded.
"I needed time away from..."
"Yes?"
"Paris. It's quite a, erm, lively city," Remus quickly answered.
"Hmmm... I think I understand. Well then, I hope you have a lovely vacation. There's a matter of great importance Lily and I must speak of you with, but I suppose it can wait till you've had your rest," James told him.
Remus placed several on his robes in a drawer and shut it.
"I'll see you in a bit, James," Remus said, monotone.
James gave Remus and odd look and left the room; a 'guest room' of sorts in the wing of Hogwarts opposite the teacher's living spaces.
Remus deeply sighed, removing a picture of Peter from his briefcase. He remembered what Professor Trelawney had said.
"Do not be selfish in your choices, or those whom you hold dear to you will suffer." I should go to Peter. Tell him how I really feel.
*
"White-bearded pumperknickle," Remus told the Gargoyle statue. It slid sideways and Remus stepped into the opening.
"I'm leaving, Albus. I'm sorry, but there's something very important that I must do."
"I understand, Remus. I hope this isn't about what Professor Trelawney told you. It's wise to be mindful of her predictions, but foolish to endow them with too much faith," advised the aged wizard.
"It's unfortunate we did not get to speak in length-"
Dumbledore raised a hand.
"All is forgiven. Go now; take care of your business."
Remus narrowed his eyes. There was something in Dumbledore's voice.
He sounds, almost, scared. But what would he have to be frightened of?
"Very well, sir."
*
The Hogwarts Express slowed. Remus transferred trains. Quarter of an hour later, he returned to Paris.
"Home, sour home," he moaned, turning onto his street.
A black robed figured pushed past him, almost knocking him over. It appeared to be a man.
Black hair... Severus? No, couldn't be.
"Peter... Peter? I have to talk to you about something."
Remus walked into the bedroom of his apartment and found Peter staring out the window. "Peter?"
Wormtail shook for a moment, then turned his head sideways to look at Remus.
"What is it, dear?" he asked.
"Are you... okay... Peter?"
"You're going to hurt me, aren't you, Remus?"
Remus sighed inwardly.
"No-- well, maybe. I can't be selfish anymore. I-"
Peter rushed towards Remus and pushed him onto the bed, pressing the tip of his wand to Remus's throat.
"Don't you understand?! This is selfish of you! You aren't happy with me. You want a clear conscience. You told me you wouldn't hurt me, Moony! You. Promised."
Peter's eyes darkened as he and Remus both began to cry.
"Peter... No, I would've been lying to you. I love Sirius," Remus cried.
"I don't care! Look at me, Moony. Who could love me? I was ready to be lied to. You've taken that away from me! I told you, I'm not like you! I'll settle for less. I'd rather be lied to than be alone!"
Tears fell from Peter's eyes on to Remus's face. With each tear came a searing pain.
"Lies lies lies lies lies lies lies..." A flurry of whispers filled Remus's head.
Peter's eyes were black. His teeth were clentch and there was a horrible crackling noise coming from the end of his wand. He jumped backwards, off of Remus, and waved his wand every which way, as if directing an orchestra of chaos.
The windows broke, the nightstand was knocked over, bulbs burst, and Remus was hurled off of the bed and onto the floor just before the mattress and the bedframe were sent flying into the closet.
Peter wiped away his tears with the sleeve of his robe. He calmly walked over to a box that had been under the bed. He squated down and pulled out several photographs.
Walking over to where a crying Remus lay, he dropped the photographs.
In a deep booming voice he asked, "Where's your precious Sirius now? He wouldn't lie to you. Wouldn't you want to be lied to?"
"No Peter, never," Remus spoke.
I wouldn't want to be lied to...
And if Sirius told you that he loved you?
I would believe him.
And if it was a lie?
I would love him back.
Peter gathered his things and left within the hour. All Remus could do was lay on the floor of the ravage room and watch Peter as he ripped his clothes out of the closet and forced them into his suitcase, all the while mumbling things like "selfish" and "pathetic" under his breath.
*
The next morning, Remus thought the worst was over.
"Ariel... Ariel, where are you?" Remus chirped, searching the apartment for his pet.
A soft tapping came from his door.
"Mister Lupin? Mister Lupin, this is Miss Harpy..."
Remus swung the door open and faced Miss Harpy, the middle-aged woman from next door. She wore a frown on her face and a collar in her hand.
"This is Ariel's-- where did you-"
"It was left in front of my door yesterday morning. You weren't home, I..." she explained.
"Peter," Remus said through clentched teeth.
*
Remus knew what he had to do. To put an end to the 'games.' He boarded another train headed towards Sirius. Not only to confess his love for him once more, but to warn him of the unstable Wormtail, which he suspected was under the influence of a force he could not speak of.
"It's for the best, Peter..."
