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A/N: Arg, yes, I know, this is incredibly late in coming…school started up again this week and I had midterms and a nasty tutorial paper due so I had to get those out of the way first. I like to try to stay at least one chapter ahead, and especially so after this chapter…you'll see what I mean.
A/N 2: Teehee, I was going for a little fragmentation for this chapter….basically, I knew where I wanted to end (because I'm a cruel person), and had to try to get this chapter to a barely-acceptable length…so forgive me if it's a bit slow for the most part. I did throw in a couple hints to keep you occupied until the end… :-) But I will say that in the process of trying to write this stupid chapter my plot bunnies started mutating and multiplying like mad…insert evil Voldemort-esque laugh. Oh, speaking of everyone's favorite Dark Lord, I'm finally letting Voldemort come out and play…like I said, he was dying to jump into chapter three but that chapter was already running long (well, long for my writing-chapters- between-writing-papers-for-classes standard) and I needed filler here, so…yeah. But it's important, I swear! Oh, and as for Remus…there have been too many 1970s cold war spy movies playing on tv…and I swear, Dumbledore is not an alcoholic. It's just a diversionary tactic. It's pumpkin juice or something that he's constantly sipping. Um, yeah. Right.
Many ***heartfelt thanks*** to everyone who has reviewed…I'm absolutely stunned that people are bothering to read this! I'm going to try and write individual responses as soon as I finish up the next chapter…I trust after you finish reading this chapter you'd prefer I work on the next part rather than replies…
Disclaimer: Ain't mine.
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The Color of Crimson
By Lady of Arundel
Chapter Five: Fragments in Crimson
"M-M-Master…?"
The figure swathed in black sat regally in the high-backed chair. He pressed his fingertips together and narrowed his eyes at the intruder.
"Speak."
The crumpled, nervous man stumbled into the room, sinking to his knees. "Y- you w-wanted to know, s-since It be-began, sh-should there be –"
Steepled fingers clenched into angered fists. "I said, speak!"
"S-s-sorry, Master. Our s-spies report an-an opportunity h-has arisen…they have b-been care-careless…"
A fist relaxed and lowered to the arm of the chair, elongated, bony fingers idly caressing the wand balanced there.
"Excellent. Instruct Lucius to proceed."
* - * - * - * - *
A cursory search of the house revealed the owner was not at home. He knew Arabella to run errands around midday so Remus was not overly concerned by her absence. Returning to the fireplace he drew his wand and tapped the brick three down and four over from the right. Recognizing the magical signature of his wand, the brick slid out of place to expose a hidden compartment half filled with an assortment of scrolls. He exchanged the scrolls with those in his jacket pocket, quickly resealing the nook and replacing his wand.
Seeing as he was not expected at the Dursley's for another half hour Remus settled into a chair and perused the new scrolls. The top scrap of parchment confirmed that Arabella had just stepped out for an hour or two and he quickly set the note aside, turning his attention to the main bulk of parchments. Taking up the first scroll, he slid off the ring usually worn on his right ring finger and pressed the seal of the ring to the crimson wax seal on the scroll. The scroll immediately unfurled and Remus leaned back into the chair as he skimmed the letter's contents.
* - * - * - * - *
Having spent the last few minutes berating himself for the selfish foolishness of trying to hide from a Hogwarts professor, Harry was just about to ease himself out of his hiding place when he heard a series of faint pops followed by a crash emanating from the other side of the front door.
It couldn't *possibly* be noon already.
Also, wasn't there only one person coming to collect him? Not several?
Harry painfully eased himself back into the cramped space between his trunk and the under-supports of the stairs, wrapping his invisibility cloak tighter around his frail form. He closed his eyes and pressed his burning forehead against the cool cement of the wall, trying to will away the eerie sensation that his very blood was on fire and fervently hoping that whatever or whoever was outside trying to break into the house would not succeed.
* - * - * - * - *
At quarter of, Severus finally emerged from the dungeons. Lunch would be the last meal he would be able to enjoy in the Great Hall in relative quiet for a good eight months or so and he would be damned to let the opportunity slip. Entering the hall he noted the absence of the good majority of his colleagues. Albus, however, was present and already calling Severus's name as he drew a bejeweled goblet to his lips.
"Severus, my boy, do come and join me!" Albus beckoned to the professor and Severus dutifully took the chair to his right. "It seems as though most of the others have been detained….last minute preparations for the new year, no doubt." The headmaster smiled impishly. "Of course I knew I could count on you to be on task."
"Thank you, Sir," Severus smoothed his robes absently. He dropped his voice slightly, leaning to his left. "On that, Albus, you should know that I have the year's lessons plans for each level prepared, as we discussed. You will have them by the feast tonight."
Albus drew another sip from the goblet, considering a moment. "Do you still think it wise to teach this year? After the events of this summer –"
Severus angrily flattened a palm on the table. "Yes, Albus, I do. I have made my sacrifices. I will no longer let Him alter my life!"
"Yes, yes, I know you feel that way. I only wanted to make sure." Another pause to sip as the headmaster gathered his thoughts. "Matters might very well become more difficult this year because of…" Albus gave Severus a meaningful glance. "Yes, well, I'm just concerned for your safety." A fatherly smile. "I couldn't bear seeing you put in harm's way again…"
This was a conversation already had five times over, and Severus had no intention of rehashing the past. He had more pressing concerns at the moment. He paused a moment before speaking.
"It must have been thoughts of my safety that made you chose Lupin rather than Black this morning. I had a most disconcerting discussion with your Defense Professor, Headmaster, and I believe it is to you I owe my thanks."
The headmaster hazarded a quick glance at the Potions Master. Suddenly, the plates before them conveniently chose that moment to fill with food. Severus was not to be deterred.
"You did not feel that I should be a present for such a conversation?"
Blue eyes twinkled slightly. "If I had asked, would you have come?"
A sharp scowl.
"I thought not."
"Still, I would have appreciated the opportunity to have turned you down," Severus remarked darkly. He respected the old man above all others, loved him dearly as a surrogate father, but he hated, he absolutely detested the man's inclination to make other people's decisions for them. It was irritating at best and at worst he felt used as though he were a tool at Albus's disposal. True, Severus mused, he had veritably presented himself as such, but others had not been given that choice. Indeed, Albus did the same to Harry frequently, and that thought sickened him…
As if sensing the younger man's disquiet or perhaps detecting the trace of rancor in the otherwise light barb, Albus placed a weathered hand on Severus's hand and gazed at the man.
"I do apologize, Severus. Truly I do. I shall not proceed in this matter without your permission."
The Potions Master held his gaze for a moment and then glanced away, relatively contented. The hand on his shoulder squeezed gently.
"We shall continue this discussion later. For now, enjoy your last meal of freedom," winked the headmaster.
* - * - * - * - *
Remus took to his feet, brow furrowed worriedly – some of the contents of the correspondence had been quite troubling indeed. Ensuring all the scrolls were tucked back safely in the confines of his muggle coat jacket he scribbled a note for Arabella before taking his leave.
Gate locked smartly behind him, Remus strolled to the end of the street. As he rounded onto Privet Drive, Remus was distracted checking the time by his pocket watch so that it took an extra moment of two to register that he had easily passed by the point where the magical wards should have arrested him on the spot. When realization did hit, Remus jerked his head up, a feeling of terror wrapping around his heart as he looked up at 4 Privet Drive.
And gasped.
TBC…
A/N: Arg, yes, I know, this is incredibly late in coming…school started up again this week and I had midterms and a nasty tutorial paper due so I had to get those out of the way first. I like to try to stay at least one chapter ahead, and especially so after this chapter…you'll see what I mean.
A/N 2: Teehee, I was going for a little fragmentation for this chapter….basically, I knew where I wanted to end (because I'm a cruel person), and had to try to get this chapter to a barely-acceptable length…so forgive me if it's a bit slow for the most part. I did throw in a couple hints to keep you occupied until the end… :-) But I will say that in the process of trying to write this stupid chapter my plot bunnies started mutating and multiplying like mad…insert evil Voldemort-esque laugh. Oh, speaking of everyone's favorite Dark Lord, I'm finally letting Voldemort come out and play…like I said, he was dying to jump into chapter three but that chapter was already running long (well, long for my writing-chapters- between-writing-papers-for-classes standard) and I needed filler here, so…yeah. But it's important, I swear! Oh, and as for Remus…there have been too many 1970s cold war spy movies playing on tv…and I swear, Dumbledore is not an alcoholic. It's just a diversionary tactic. It's pumpkin juice or something that he's constantly sipping. Um, yeah. Right.
Many ***heartfelt thanks*** to everyone who has reviewed…I'm absolutely stunned that people are bothering to read this! I'm going to try and write individual responses as soon as I finish up the next chapter…I trust after you finish reading this chapter you'd prefer I work on the next part rather than replies…
Disclaimer: Ain't mine.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––
The Color of Crimson
By Lady of Arundel
Chapter Five: Fragments in Crimson
"M-M-Master…?"
The figure swathed in black sat regally in the high-backed chair. He pressed his fingertips together and narrowed his eyes at the intruder.
"Speak."
The crumpled, nervous man stumbled into the room, sinking to his knees. "Y- you w-wanted to know, s-since It be-began, sh-should there be –"
Steepled fingers clenched into angered fists. "I said, speak!"
"S-s-sorry, Master. Our s-spies report an-an opportunity h-has arisen…they have b-been care-careless…"
A fist relaxed and lowered to the arm of the chair, elongated, bony fingers idly caressing the wand balanced there.
"Excellent. Instruct Lucius to proceed."
* - * - * - * - *
A cursory search of the house revealed the owner was not at home. He knew Arabella to run errands around midday so Remus was not overly concerned by her absence. Returning to the fireplace he drew his wand and tapped the brick three down and four over from the right. Recognizing the magical signature of his wand, the brick slid out of place to expose a hidden compartment half filled with an assortment of scrolls. He exchanged the scrolls with those in his jacket pocket, quickly resealing the nook and replacing his wand.
Seeing as he was not expected at the Dursley's for another half hour Remus settled into a chair and perused the new scrolls. The top scrap of parchment confirmed that Arabella had just stepped out for an hour or two and he quickly set the note aside, turning his attention to the main bulk of parchments. Taking up the first scroll, he slid off the ring usually worn on his right ring finger and pressed the seal of the ring to the crimson wax seal on the scroll. The scroll immediately unfurled and Remus leaned back into the chair as he skimmed the letter's contents.
* - * - * - * - *
Having spent the last few minutes berating himself for the selfish foolishness of trying to hide from a Hogwarts professor, Harry was just about to ease himself out of his hiding place when he heard a series of faint pops followed by a crash emanating from the other side of the front door.
It couldn't *possibly* be noon already.
Also, wasn't there only one person coming to collect him? Not several?
Harry painfully eased himself back into the cramped space between his trunk and the under-supports of the stairs, wrapping his invisibility cloak tighter around his frail form. He closed his eyes and pressed his burning forehead against the cool cement of the wall, trying to will away the eerie sensation that his very blood was on fire and fervently hoping that whatever or whoever was outside trying to break into the house would not succeed.
* - * - * - * - *
At quarter of, Severus finally emerged from the dungeons. Lunch would be the last meal he would be able to enjoy in the Great Hall in relative quiet for a good eight months or so and he would be damned to let the opportunity slip. Entering the hall he noted the absence of the good majority of his colleagues. Albus, however, was present and already calling Severus's name as he drew a bejeweled goblet to his lips.
"Severus, my boy, do come and join me!" Albus beckoned to the professor and Severus dutifully took the chair to his right. "It seems as though most of the others have been detained….last minute preparations for the new year, no doubt." The headmaster smiled impishly. "Of course I knew I could count on you to be on task."
"Thank you, Sir," Severus smoothed his robes absently. He dropped his voice slightly, leaning to his left. "On that, Albus, you should know that I have the year's lessons plans for each level prepared, as we discussed. You will have them by the feast tonight."
Albus drew another sip from the goblet, considering a moment. "Do you still think it wise to teach this year? After the events of this summer –"
Severus angrily flattened a palm on the table. "Yes, Albus, I do. I have made my sacrifices. I will no longer let Him alter my life!"
"Yes, yes, I know you feel that way. I only wanted to make sure." Another pause to sip as the headmaster gathered his thoughts. "Matters might very well become more difficult this year because of…" Albus gave Severus a meaningful glance. "Yes, well, I'm just concerned for your safety." A fatherly smile. "I couldn't bear seeing you put in harm's way again…"
This was a conversation already had five times over, and Severus had no intention of rehashing the past. He had more pressing concerns at the moment. He paused a moment before speaking.
"It must have been thoughts of my safety that made you chose Lupin rather than Black this morning. I had a most disconcerting discussion with your Defense Professor, Headmaster, and I believe it is to you I owe my thanks."
The headmaster hazarded a quick glance at the Potions Master. Suddenly, the plates before them conveniently chose that moment to fill with food. Severus was not to be deterred.
"You did not feel that I should be a present for such a conversation?"
Blue eyes twinkled slightly. "If I had asked, would you have come?"
A sharp scowl.
"I thought not."
"Still, I would have appreciated the opportunity to have turned you down," Severus remarked darkly. He respected the old man above all others, loved him dearly as a surrogate father, but he hated, he absolutely detested the man's inclination to make other people's decisions for them. It was irritating at best and at worst he felt used as though he were a tool at Albus's disposal. True, Severus mused, he had veritably presented himself as such, but others had not been given that choice. Indeed, Albus did the same to Harry frequently, and that thought sickened him…
As if sensing the younger man's disquiet or perhaps detecting the trace of rancor in the otherwise light barb, Albus placed a weathered hand on Severus's hand and gazed at the man.
"I do apologize, Severus. Truly I do. I shall not proceed in this matter without your permission."
The Potions Master held his gaze for a moment and then glanced away, relatively contented. The hand on his shoulder squeezed gently.
"We shall continue this discussion later. For now, enjoy your last meal of freedom," winked the headmaster.
* - * - * - * - *
Remus took to his feet, brow furrowed worriedly – some of the contents of the correspondence had been quite troubling indeed. Ensuring all the scrolls were tucked back safely in the confines of his muggle coat jacket he scribbled a note for Arabella before taking his leave.
Gate locked smartly behind him, Remus strolled to the end of the street. As he rounded onto Privet Drive, Remus was distracted checking the time by his pocket watch so that it took an extra moment of two to register that he had easily passed by the point where the magical wards should have arrested him on the spot. When realization did hit, Remus jerked his head up, a feeling of terror wrapping around his heart as he looked up at 4 Privet Drive.
And gasped.
TBC…