-Chapter Ten-
Detective R.J. Lupin, at Your Service
'Wow,' said Ron quietly. 'It's...it's empty...' They peered around. 'D'you suppose it's safe to take off the cloak now?'
'Yes, I think so,' Harry answered incessantly. 'Just make sure to put it back down if there is any movement at all, you hear me?' Ron nodded. Harry quietly, but swiftly lifted the cloak from himself and Ron, so that they could see again. 'Lumos,' he muttered, and a beam of light protruded from his wand.
The dark grey walls were dirty, and there were pictures all over them. Harry stepped forward, into what he assumed to be the way into the vaults. Ron quickly staggered to catch up. They headed east for awhile, until they reached vault 666. Harry gasped.
'Where's....where's vault 667?' he said shrilly. 'I thought Fred and George were just making that up about the invisibility thing!'
'Me, too!' admitted Ron. 'D'you suppose a revealing spell'd work on it? You know, make it show up'n all...'
'Worth a try,' Harry shrugged. 'Renvelo!' Blue sparks flew out of his wand, and bounced off the wall. 'Oops!-Er-wrong spell, heh...' He took out his wand again. 'Relivo!' This time, orange sparks hit the wall. There was a flash that illuminated something that looked kind of like a door.
'Let's try, then,' Ron said, after seeing the image of a door. Harry reached out a hand, and it fell onto something hard, and knob-like. He turned it to the right, and the door creaked open.
'Crikey!' Harry said. The inside of this vault was completely red-with blood or just paint, Harry didn't want to know-and it had a smell that reminded him of Professor Trelawny's room.
The two walked inside. A light flickered, as though trying to come on, but it wasn't strong enough. On the wall read an incantation of some kind. Harry read it aloud:
'Spector inanium topalis tret,' he said. There was a large rumbling sound, and a hole opened up in the ground in front of them. 'Bloody hell! I wonder what's down there?'
'Who knows?' Ron said quizzically. 'But I guess there's only one way to find out...we go down there...'
'Yeah,' said Harry. He sighed deeply, and then looked over to Ron. 'I'm game if you are.' Ron grimaced, and bit his lip nervously.
'Are you sure it's safe down there?' he inquired. 'Like, there's no chance of....spiders...' Ron absolutely hated spiders, and ever since their encounter with Aragog (a giant spider who was going to kill Harry and Ron), he's been even more so.
'Naw,' Harry said roughly. 'Well, I'm going down.' He took a deep breath in, and exhaled. '1...2...3...here goes nothing!' Harry took a big jump, and slipped down the hole swiftly. He landed on his stomach on what seemed to be hard cement floor.
'Harry!' Ron bellowed. 'Are you all right down there? Any sign of spiders or anything?' Harry straightened himself up, and brushed off the dirt from his robes.
'Yeah, it's fine down here, Ron,' he said flatly. 'Come on down, then.'
'But...but...'
'Oh, come off it!' Harry shouted. With that, Ron leapt down the hole, and Harry quickly jumped out of the way. They both lit there wands, and started down the darkened path-which neither of them knew where it lead-and seemed to have twists and turns everywhere. Eventually, the two came to a room, with a light blazing down on a figure with his back to them. The light bounced off his young, yet greyish hair, and immediately, Harry knew who he was-Professor Remus Lupin; their third-year Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.
'Professor Lupin!' Harry called, running up towards him. The taller man quickly swivelled around, and immediately turned his mouth into a smile when he saw Harry.
'Well, if it isn't Harry Potter!' Remus said brightly. 'How are you, old boy? Doing well in school, I suppose?'
'Yeah, I'm fine, just fine, and you?' Harry asked. 'What have you been doing since that...er..."unfortunate incident" two years ago?' Professor Lupin placed a hand on his forehead, and waved for Ron to come over. When he did, Lupin explained all about what had happened.
'Well, you see,' he said, 'after everyone found out I was a werewolf, I resigned-this part you already know-and therefore, I set foot in one of the wizarding towns to try and get myself a job. Praise Merlin I finally found one!
'It wasn't easy, I tell you, convincing people that I was a good werewolf when taking a certain potion. Anyway, I finally said to myself, I said Remus Jameson Lupin! You go out there and get yourself a job at the Ministry!
'And so, I stepped inside, and talked awhile to a fellow called Percy Weasley-' he shot a glance at Ron, and said, 'I believe he's your brother. Anyhow, by chance, he said there was a spot open in the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures office, so I sent in my resume.
'After a week or so, they accepted me, and I began my adventures in there. No sooner than three months later, the whole incident of the stolen item from Gringotts bank erupted all over the Daily Prophet, and a good chap named Limonium Trappel, apparently aquainted with Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge, told me that I could investigate the scene.
'So, I began by looking at vault 666, and that's when I noticed that 667 was missing. I did a revealing charm, much like yourselves, and read the incantation to slip down here. Ever since, I've been trying to uncover something.' Lupin stopped, and heaved a big breath in. Then he looked at the two boys. 'Er-what are you doing here?' he asked defiantly.
'Same reason as you; looking for clues,' said Harry. 'We heard that it was a gem that was stolen.' Lupin furrowed his brow nervously.
'Yes, indeed...how about you guys walk with me, and I'll show you something?' Lupin said, indicating a direction to his left. Harry and Ron nodded, and they took off down the path, and into what seemed like a cavern.
'Sir, what is this place?' Harry asked, staring bug-eyed at the room around them. It had strange markings everywhere. Some of them with shiny gold figures, others with just plain black ink.
'This, lads, is where the gem was stolen,' Lupin said uncertainly. 'I've been able to recognise some of the markings here, except that one-' He pointed to a figure on the wall; it was a gold tomb of some kind, and it had something on it, but it was too small to make it out from where Harry, Ron and Lupin were standing.
'Sir-'
'Remus, please call me Remus,' Lupin said faintly.
'OK, Remus, is it OK if we go a little closer?' Harry asked.
'Hmm...yes, I suppose so,' he replied quizzically. 'Just be careful. I'm not sure what kind of crazy things will happen.' Harry took a step forward, while Ron took a step back.
'Ron, what are you doing? Aren't you coming?' Harry said hurriedly.
'There might be...spiders...' Ron squeaked nervously. 'I hate spiders...bloody awful things.'
'Fine, I'll go see without you,' Harry replied, rolling his eyes. He tip-toed over to the figure on the wall. The tomb seemed to have a green gem, fitted into a groove ontop of it. 'Remus, what does this gem look like?'
'It's green,' he replied, 'why do you ask?'
'Because there's a picture of a green gem on this tomb,' Harry said anxiously, pointing to the little pointed drawing. Lupin walked over, and took a look for himself.
'By Merlin's wand, you're right!' he said surprisedly. 'I wonder who put it there? And when, for that matter...'
'Good question,' Harry agreed. 'Tell me, sir-um, Remus, what is the gem's name?' he added.
'It's called the Gem of Earth,' Lupin said, 'but that's all I'm going to tell you in the matter. So, no more questions about the gem, Harry.' Harry frowned slightly.
'Sorry,' he murmered. He quickly changed the subject. 'So, do you know who stole it?' Lupin furrowed his brow.
'Not a clue as to who did; left naught a trace,' he sighed. 'But we're working on it. Hopefully we'll uncover something soon.'
*
Back at Hogwarts, in the Head dormitory, things were no better; the way Hermione saw it, she should have been off gallivanting with Harry and Ron! Draco was in the other bed on Hermione's right, and he kept tossing and turning; he'd kick off the covers, thinking he was too warm, and then take them back up, thinking he was too cold.
'Draco, can't you just stay still for one moment?!' Hermione said frustratedly. 'There are other people in the room here, too, y'know. If you don't get to sleep soon, I'm going on the couch...' Draco rolled over towards her, almost falling off the bed in the process (they were very small twin beds).
'I'm sorry, Herm, I just can't get to sleep,' he replied wearily. 'I keep thinking about Lucius...like, what if he tries to kill me because I'm in love with someone who's not a pure-blood like our family is? Who knows; he might come after you instead!'
'What Lucius doesn't know can't hurt him, so go to sleep,' Hermione groaned, rubbing her eyes. 'Please, just close your eyes and sleep still; nothing is going to happen!' Draco sat up, and went for the door. 'Hey! Hey! Where are you going?' He turned around.
'To sleep somewhere else, if I'm bothering you so much,' he replied, taking the doorknob in his hand and twisting it.
'I didn't mean that you had to leave,' Hermione said softly, 'I'll sleep on the cou-'
'That's not where I was planning to go, anyway, so you can just forget about it. This has nothing to do with you, all right?' Draco stepped out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.
He pulled his green pyjama robes, and slipped out into the darkened hall. He quickly made his way to Professor Snape's office-but was that where Severus really slept anyway? He thought he'd may as well try, so he knocked on the door. Nothing. He tried knocking again. Nothing.
'If you're looking for me, that's not where I sleep at night,' said Snape from behind. Draco whirled around. 'Come along.' He led the way down steep, unsteady stairs, and into an all-green and black room.
'This....is a bedroom?' Draco said, wide-eyed.
'The one and only Severus Snape's bedroom; oh, the horror!' Snape said sarcastically. 'The reason it's green and black is because I have a gloomy attitude, as you know.'
'Well, obviously. But not all the time, you don't,' Draco replied. 'Anyway...I was just...walking....couldn't sleep...'
'Yes, I know what you mean,' Snape said calmly. 'As you can see, I have many spare beds. Go ahead and take one for the night, if you wish. Now, tell me, why can't you sleep?'
'Too many thoughts about Lucius,' Draco mumbled. 'Just the thought of going back there in a few months makes me nervous and uneasy...'
'Is it because you are in love with a Mudblood?' Snape said, sitting down on one of the beds.
'Partly,' Draco answered, 'plus, I just hate him to death....by Merlin's wand, I swear if he does one of the unforgiveable curses on me one more time, I'll take off his hands, I will...'
'Tell me, Draco; does your Mother know that Lucius likes to do the Cruciatus Curse on you?' he asked. Draco just rolled his eyes.
'Of course she does...I've told her a million times,' Draco said, 'but most of the time she's too drunk to notice me talking to her.'
'I see...' Snape folded his arms, and looked down at the floor. 'You know, Draco, there are laws in which your Father could be banished to Azkaban; though, I am sure you are aware of that already?'
'Correct, I am,' Draco said, lying down on the bed, and staring up at the ceiling. 'But no one deserves to be eaten away by the Dementors....well, except for You-Know-Who.' He sighed deeply. 'I'm just confused....what shall I do in the summer? Surely, I want to stay away from home as much as possible...'
'Well,' Snape began slowly, 'you have friends that would let you stay for the summer, don't you?' Draco scrunched up his face.
'Friends? Likely story...' he retorted. 'Crabbe and Goyle aren't my friends; the only reason they even talk to me is because they envy me for my riches and power. Then there's Pansy; God, I never want to sink that low, as to depend on her. I suppose I could see if Hermione's parents would let me stay....then again, how would they feel if they had another magical-inclined person in the house? Probably swarmed, I'm guessing...'
'Any relatives you can stay with?' Snape asked thoughtfully. 'Cousins, aunts, uncles?'
'No living relatives,' Draco sighed. 'Well, my cousins live in Argentina-I'm not planning to cross the world to get there!'
'Well, I'm sure Dumbledore could arrange something, Draco,' Snape said gruffly. 'You know, he always has ideas of some kind. Unless, of course, you decide to....no, no, nevermind...'
'What? What is it, sir?'
'Unless you befriend Potter or Weasley,' he replied coldly. 'Both of which have no interest in talking to you.'
'And I them,' Draco said haughtily. 'I guess I'll ask Hermione...in the meanwhile, can I spend the night here?'
'Well, wouldn't you rather go back to your own room?' Snape asked. 'It naturally makes more sense than to stay here.'
'I suppose so,' said Draco, and he quickly thanked Snape for his help, and started back to the Head dormitory.
*
'Harry, Ron,' Lupin said, 'you should go back to Hogwarts. It is very late, and you two need your sleep.' Harry and Ron nodded solemnly, and said one last good-bye to Lupin, and wished him luck in finding anything.
When they were back in Hogwarts, they rushed up to the Gryffindor common room, trying not to wake anyone. They quietly crept into their beds; no one seemed to notice-for now, that is. But someone in the room was still awake, and went over to their beds to ask what they had done.
Detective R.J. Lupin, at Your Service
'Wow,' said Ron quietly. 'It's...it's empty...' They peered around. 'D'you suppose it's safe to take off the cloak now?'
'Yes, I think so,' Harry answered incessantly. 'Just make sure to put it back down if there is any movement at all, you hear me?' Ron nodded. Harry quietly, but swiftly lifted the cloak from himself and Ron, so that they could see again. 'Lumos,' he muttered, and a beam of light protruded from his wand.
The dark grey walls were dirty, and there were pictures all over them. Harry stepped forward, into what he assumed to be the way into the vaults. Ron quickly staggered to catch up. They headed east for awhile, until they reached vault 666. Harry gasped.
'Where's....where's vault 667?' he said shrilly. 'I thought Fred and George were just making that up about the invisibility thing!'
'Me, too!' admitted Ron. 'D'you suppose a revealing spell'd work on it? You know, make it show up'n all...'
'Worth a try,' Harry shrugged. 'Renvelo!' Blue sparks flew out of his wand, and bounced off the wall. 'Oops!-Er-wrong spell, heh...' He took out his wand again. 'Relivo!' This time, orange sparks hit the wall. There was a flash that illuminated something that looked kind of like a door.
'Let's try, then,' Ron said, after seeing the image of a door. Harry reached out a hand, and it fell onto something hard, and knob-like. He turned it to the right, and the door creaked open.
'Crikey!' Harry said. The inside of this vault was completely red-with blood or just paint, Harry didn't want to know-and it had a smell that reminded him of Professor Trelawny's room.
The two walked inside. A light flickered, as though trying to come on, but it wasn't strong enough. On the wall read an incantation of some kind. Harry read it aloud:
'Spector inanium topalis tret,' he said. There was a large rumbling sound, and a hole opened up in the ground in front of them. 'Bloody hell! I wonder what's down there?'
'Who knows?' Ron said quizzically. 'But I guess there's only one way to find out...we go down there...'
'Yeah,' said Harry. He sighed deeply, and then looked over to Ron. 'I'm game if you are.' Ron grimaced, and bit his lip nervously.
'Are you sure it's safe down there?' he inquired. 'Like, there's no chance of....spiders...' Ron absolutely hated spiders, and ever since their encounter with Aragog (a giant spider who was going to kill Harry and Ron), he's been even more so.
'Naw,' Harry said roughly. 'Well, I'm going down.' He took a deep breath in, and exhaled. '1...2...3...here goes nothing!' Harry took a big jump, and slipped down the hole swiftly. He landed on his stomach on what seemed to be hard cement floor.
'Harry!' Ron bellowed. 'Are you all right down there? Any sign of spiders or anything?' Harry straightened himself up, and brushed off the dirt from his robes.
'Yeah, it's fine down here, Ron,' he said flatly. 'Come on down, then.'
'But...but...'
'Oh, come off it!' Harry shouted. With that, Ron leapt down the hole, and Harry quickly jumped out of the way. They both lit there wands, and started down the darkened path-which neither of them knew where it lead-and seemed to have twists and turns everywhere. Eventually, the two came to a room, with a light blazing down on a figure with his back to them. The light bounced off his young, yet greyish hair, and immediately, Harry knew who he was-Professor Remus Lupin; their third-year Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.
'Professor Lupin!' Harry called, running up towards him. The taller man quickly swivelled around, and immediately turned his mouth into a smile when he saw Harry.
'Well, if it isn't Harry Potter!' Remus said brightly. 'How are you, old boy? Doing well in school, I suppose?'
'Yeah, I'm fine, just fine, and you?' Harry asked. 'What have you been doing since that...er..."unfortunate incident" two years ago?' Professor Lupin placed a hand on his forehead, and waved for Ron to come over. When he did, Lupin explained all about what had happened.
'Well, you see,' he said, 'after everyone found out I was a werewolf, I resigned-this part you already know-and therefore, I set foot in one of the wizarding towns to try and get myself a job. Praise Merlin I finally found one!
'It wasn't easy, I tell you, convincing people that I was a good werewolf when taking a certain potion. Anyway, I finally said to myself, I said Remus Jameson Lupin! You go out there and get yourself a job at the Ministry!
'And so, I stepped inside, and talked awhile to a fellow called Percy Weasley-' he shot a glance at Ron, and said, 'I believe he's your brother. Anyhow, by chance, he said there was a spot open in the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures office, so I sent in my resume.
'After a week or so, they accepted me, and I began my adventures in there. No sooner than three months later, the whole incident of the stolen item from Gringotts bank erupted all over the Daily Prophet, and a good chap named Limonium Trappel, apparently aquainted with Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge, told me that I could investigate the scene.
'So, I began by looking at vault 666, and that's when I noticed that 667 was missing. I did a revealing charm, much like yourselves, and read the incantation to slip down here. Ever since, I've been trying to uncover something.' Lupin stopped, and heaved a big breath in. Then he looked at the two boys. 'Er-what are you doing here?' he asked defiantly.
'Same reason as you; looking for clues,' said Harry. 'We heard that it was a gem that was stolen.' Lupin furrowed his brow nervously.
'Yes, indeed...how about you guys walk with me, and I'll show you something?' Lupin said, indicating a direction to his left. Harry and Ron nodded, and they took off down the path, and into what seemed like a cavern.
'Sir, what is this place?' Harry asked, staring bug-eyed at the room around them. It had strange markings everywhere. Some of them with shiny gold figures, others with just plain black ink.
'This, lads, is where the gem was stolen,' Lupin said uncertainly. 'I've been able to recognise some of the markings here, except that one-' He pointed to a figure on the wall; it was a gold tomb of some kind, and it had something on it, but it was too small to make it out from where Harry, Ron and Lupin were standing.
'Sir-'
'Remus, please call me Remus,' Lupin said faintly.
'OK, Remus, is it OK if we go a little closer?' Harry asked.
'Hmm...yes, I suppose so,' he replied quizzically. 'Just be careful. I'm not sure what kind of crazy things will happen.' Harry took a step forward, while Ron took a step back.
'Ron, what are you doing? Aren't you coming?' Harry said hurriedly.
'There might be...spiders...' Ron squeaked nervously. 'I hate spiders...bloody awful things.'
'Fine, I'll go see without you,' Harry replied, rolling his eyes. He tip-toed over to the figure on the wall. The tomb seemed to have a green gem, fitted into a groove ontop of it. 'Remus, what does this gem look like?'
'It's green,' he replied, 'why do you ask?'
'Because there's a picture of a green gem on this tomb,' Harry said anxiously, pointing to the little pointed drawing. Lupin walked over, and took a look for himself.
'By Merlin's wand, you're right!' he said surprisedly. 'I wonder who put it there? And when, for that matter...'
'Good question,' Harry agreed. 'Tell me, sir-um, Remus, what is the gem's name?' he added.
'It's called the Gem of Earth,' Lupin said, 'but that's all I'm going to tell you in the matter. So, no more questions about the gem, Harry.' Harry frowned slightly.
'Sorry,' he murmered. He quickly changed the subject. 'So, do you know who stole it?' Lupin furrowed his brow.
'Not a clue as to who did; left naught a trace,' he sighed. 'But we're working on it. Hopefully we'll uncover something soon.'
*
Back at Hogwarts, in the Head dormitory, things were no better; the way Hermione saw it, she should have been off gallivanting with Harry and Ron! Draco was in the other bed on Hermione's right, and he kept tossing and turning; he'd kick off the covers, thinking he was too warm, and then take them back up, thinking he was too cold.
'Draco, can't you just stay still for one moment?!' Hermione said frustratedly. 'There are other people in the room here, too, y'know. If you don't get to sleep soon, I'm going on the couch...' Draco rolled over towards her, almost falling off the bed in the process (they were very small twin beds).
'I'm sorry, Herm, I just can't get to sleep,' he replied wearily. 'I keep thinking about Lucius...like, what if he tries to kill me because I'm in love with someone who's not a pure-blood like our family is? Who knows; he might come after you instead!'
'What Lucius doesn't know can't hurt him, so go to sleep,' Hermione groaned, rubbing her eyes. 'Please, just close your eyes and sleep still; nothing is going to happen!' Draco sat up, and went for the door. 'Hey! Hey! Where are you going?' He turned around.
'To sleep somewhere else, if I'm bothering you so much,' he replied, taking the doorknob in his hand and twisting it.
'I didn't mean that you had to leave,' Hermione said softly, 'I'll sleep on the cou-'
'That's not where I was planning to go, anyway, so you can just forget about it. This has nothing to do with you, all right?' Draco stepped out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.
He pulled his green pyjama robes, and slipped out into the darkened hall. He quickly made his way to Professor Snape's office-but was that where Severus really slept anyway? He thought he'd may as well try, so he knocked on the door. Nothing. He tried knocking again. Nothing.
'If you're looking for me, that's not where I sleep at night,' said Snape from behind. Draco whirled around. 'Come along.' He led the way down steep, unsteady stairs, and into an all-green and black room.
'This....is a bedroom?' Draco said, wide-eyed.
'The one and only Severus Snape's bedroom; oh, the horror!' Snape said sarcastically. 'The reason it's green and black is because I have a gloomy attitude, as you know.'
'Well, obviously. But not all the time, you don't,' Draco replied. 'Anyway...I was just...walking....couldn't sleep...'
'Yes, I know what you mean,' Snape said calmly. 'As you can see, I have many spare beds. Go ahead and take one for the night, if you wish. Now, tell me, why can't you sleep?'
'Too many thoughts about Lucius,' Draco mumbled. 'Just the thought of going back there in a few months makes me nervous and uneasy...'
'Is it because you are in love with a Mudblood?' Snape said, sitting down on one of the beds.
'Partly,' Draco answered, 'plus, I just hate him to death....by Merlin's wand, I swear if he does one of the unforgiveable curses on me one more time, I'll take off his hands, I will...'
'Tell me, Draco; does your Mother know that Lucius likes to do the Cruciatus Curse on you?' he asked. Draco just rolled his eyes.
'Of course she does...I've told her a million times,' Draco said, 'but most of the time she's too drunk to notice me talking to her.'
'I see...' Snape folded his arms, and looked down at the floor. 'You know, Draco, there are laws in which your Father could be banished to Azkaban; though, I am sure you are aware of that already?'
'Correct, I am,' Draco said, lying down on the bed, and staring up at the ceiling. 'But no one deserves to be eaten away by the Dementors....well, except for You-Know-Who.' He sighed deeply. 'I'm just confused....what shall I do in the summer? Surely, I want to stay away from home as much as possible...'
'Well,' Snape began slowly, 'you have friends that would let you stay for the summer, don't you?' Draco scrunched up his face.
'Friends? Likely story...' he retorted. 'Crabbe and Goyle aren't my friends; the only reason they even talk to me is because they envy me for my riches and power. Then there's Pansy; God, I never want to sink that low, as to depend on her. I suppose I could see if Hermione's parents would let me stay....then again, how would they feel if they had another magical-inclined person in the house? Probably swarmed, I'm guessing...'
'Any relatives you can stay with?' Snape asked thoughtfully. 'Cousins, aunts, uncles?'
'No living relatives,' Draco sighed. 'Well, my cousins live in Argentina-I'm not planning to cross the world to get there!'
'Well, I'm sure Dumbledore could arrange something, Draco,' Snape said gruffly. 'You know, he always has ideas of some kind. Unless, of course, you decide to....no, no, nevermind...'
'What? What is it, sir?'
'Unless you befriend Potter or Weasley,' he replied coldly. 'Both of which have no interest in talking to you.'
'And I them,' Draco said haughtily. 'I guess I'll ask Hermione...in the meanwhile, can I spend the night here?'
'Well, wouldn't you rather go back to your own room?' Snape asked. 'It naturally makes more sense than to stay here.'
'I suppose so,' said Draco, and he quickly thanked Snape for his help, and started back to the Head dormitory.
*
'Harry, Ron,' Lupin said, 'you should go back to Hogwarts. It is very late, and you two need your sleep.' Harry and Ron nodded solemnly, and said one last good-bye to Lupin, and wished him luck in finding anything.
When they were back in Hogwarts, they rushed up to the Gryffindor common room, trying not to wake anyone. They quietly crept into their beds; no one seemed to notice-for now, that is. But someone in the room was still awake, and went over to their beds to ask what they had done.