Ron's Worst Nighmare
A/N: THANX TO j@nine: *taken aback* I'd feel bad for the guy if he ever gets in your way! ^_^ chimerical: *giggles* I'll be sure and have more fluffiness for you, love! Lulu-Chan: Nah, I'm not the killing type. @_@ Thief: Yes, poor Ronnikins!!
Chapter Fourteen: Moon Dog
Bill had paced until his knees were weak. He couldn't tell his mother of his father what had happened. No, that would be stupid. Very stupid. They didn't need it right then anyway, at all. So the man did the next best thing: He got his brother, Charlie.
Charlie Weasly was in Ireland at the time working with some wizards when Bill Apparated into the roughly made compound. The redhead didn't even spare the beautiful green eyed dragons a glance as he hurried to find his brother. A couple of witches or wizards waved to him or called out directions. Bill gave them all a nod and hunched down in his cloak. Worry gnawed at his mind, a thousand grim possibilities flitted across his conscious. It was a good thing Charlie was always the level headed one. That was what made him such an exceptional Seeker back when he flew on broomsticks, not the backs of dragons.
"Bill!" A muffled voice made him pull up short and he whirled around to come face to face with his brother and an angry dragonling. He squawked and stumbled backwards as a thin jet of steam issued from the dragon's mouth. Charlie grimaced and motioned over another witch, keeping tight hold on the baby with one arm. "Mina, could you-"
She took the baby gingerly from his arms and arched an eyebrow at Bill, lying sprawled on the ground. "Wimp." Then she stalked off.
Charlie helped his brother up and smiled sheepishly, dusting the taller man off with even dirtier hands. Bill finally grabbed his brother's hands and held them still. "Charlie, the kids are gone."
It took about two minutes for the information to sink in before Charlie blinked and said softly, "What do you mean?"
"No trace. Gone. And the clock said that Ginny and Ron were in mortal danger. But we can't tell mum or dad-"
"Are you mad? Of course not! How long have they been gone?"
"I - I'm not really sure. Some hours."
"Alright. Let me tell Tom I'm leaving...." The red haired dragon keeper disappeared into a pillar of steam and Bill started off to the entrance of the camp. When he got there, Charlie was already there, waiting impatiently for him, not even bothering to remove the dragon wear he had dawned more then two days ago. Bill wrinkled his nose, "You reek, bro."
"It's the price I must pay for being the best looking brother."
Then they Disapparated-
-And Apparated in the middle of a milling crowd of violent reporters and photographers harassing the poor flustered Minister of Magic, Cornilius Fudge. Bill winked at his brother and whispered an incantation. Under the cover of many pressed bodies of reporters, no one saw Bill shooting his curse into the air until it was too late and the room was filled with fluffy pink stuffed elephants. The security, still quite busy keeping back the crowding paparazzi, didn't notice the two young red haired men slip into an EMPLOYEES ONLY marked door.
Unfortunately, Bill and Charlie snuck through, thoroughly satisfied with themselves, they ran straight into the worst step up from a schizophrenic security guard with a rash and no sleep for ten straight days.....
Their brother, Percy.
"What are you doing here!?" he squeaked, dumping the tower of papers he held into the unsteady arms of a secretary. She tottered, and with a small cry, toppled right over. Percy ignored her and stalked up to his two older brother, ears deep red, cheeks flushed. "I was in the middle of a *very* important assignment," he hissed.
"Carrying around huge stacks of paper is considered a '*very* important assignment', Perc?"
"You don't know!" His high voice had become immensely shrill and if Bill wasn't under such stress, he would've laughed and thumped his fragile brother good-naturedly on the back. Instead he sighed heavily and said, "Perc, we need to find Sirius and Iris right away. Can you tell us where they are?"
Percy's expression changed from embarrassed annoyance to a well guarded glare. "Why?" he questioned suspiciously. Bill started to answer, but Charlie beat him to the chase.
"Buckbeak's taken rather ill lately and I've gotten some dried Dragon's blood for a potion. It'll help with his sickness. Sirius is really distraught, Perc."
"He doesn't look it to me," said Percy stiffly. "Why don't I just take it to him?"
"Very delicate stuff," said Charlie importantly, Bill nodding beside him.
Percy narrowed his eyes and started to say something, but both of his brothers looked at him earnestly and he informed them grudgingly, "I think they're on their break now, so they might be in their office. But-"
"Thanks, Perc," the two oldest Weasleys chorused, springing down the hall on their long legs towards the way Percy had indicated.
Percy harumphed grumpily and stormed off, forgetting his '*very* important assignment' papers. Two minutes later he returned, looking livid with himself and magically picked them up to float behind him down the hall. The woman who had toppled over - into the garbage can no doubt - uncrossed her eyes dizzily and rolled over, the can falling sideways over her.
"Ow...."
~*~
"Sirius! Calm down for bloody sakes," hissed Iris hotly, closing the door to their mutual office behind her and pressing up against it, glaring at her partner, chest heaving with emotion. Sirius wouldn't meet her gaze, too busy raging about the room, cursing everything about the minister of magic, Cornilius Fudge.
"How am I supposed to be calm!? That old bastard still doesn't recognize the indications of Voldemort's presence here in the wizarding world! Even three years later, he doesn't quite get it through his thick skull." Sirius emphasized by jabbing his pointer finger into his temple. Iris sighed. She understood where Sirius was coming from. For the past four years, starting from the third Task of the TriWizard Tournament, Fudge had done his best to ignore the growing fact that Voldemort had returned. Even small wars did not change his mind that the Death Eaters may still be bluffing. Only because Voldemort failed to make any true public appearances (any that *did* see him never lived to tell of it).
Sirius sat wearily in the chair at the dark oak desk, conjuring up a steaming cup of tea. Iris perched on the corner of his desk, her head bowed in thought, a few loose strands of hair falling from her painfully tight bun at the back of her head.
"Why don't you ever wear your hair down anymore?" asked Sirius sincerely.
Iris smiled and shook her head. "Sirius, this is no time for-" But she was cut off by strong fingers undoing the clasp of her hair and letting the glistening locks of chestnut brown cascade down her back. She laughed as Sirius rounded the corner of the desk and took one of her hands, bowing. "If the lady would be so kind as to dance we with me....."
She sighed, setting down her wand and nodding. "You don't have to ask, you know."
"You always tell me that I'm never a gentleman, so I thought I'd go an extra mile for you today."
Iris smiled into his shoulder as they swayed to music that only they could hear. The two Aurors danced a slow waltz, Sirius stroking the thick brown of her hair and Iris breathing in the scent of her three year work partner. She drew away slightly and looked deep into his ebony eyes.
"You're beautiful, Iris Andua," he said regally, giving her a lopsided grin that melted her insides. She blushed and let him pull her closer, rising up on her tiptoes, his sweet breath brushing her cheeks as he leaned in to her. Their lips just brushed when the door to their office burst open and Bill and Charlie Weasly stumbled in, followed by several flustered and shouting secretaries.
They leapt away from each other like two teens caught snogging and Iris messed with piles of paper, trying to look busy. But she looked up when she heard a note of iron in Sirius' voice when he said the single word that sent a shock of worry through her body.
"Harry....."
~*~
"Hello Severus."
"Lupin."
"Please, Severus, sit down."
"Thank you, *Remus*," Snape replied sarcastically. He sat down stiffly, his eyes never leaving Lupin's weary, but pleasant face. The two men sat in a muggle restaurant in London, both dressed in suits: Snape was in a midnight black blazer and matching slacks with a black dress shirt and black satin tie. His ebony hair was slicked back into a tight ponytail and a few curly strands hung down in his pale face, brushing the waxen cheeks. Remus was in threadbare tweed, looking years older than in his mere 30s. Snape wrinkled his nose and Lupin hid a smile. In the middle of their table sat a lavish bouquet arrangement of dried roses resting in the very odorous seed called Rose Hip.
"May I take your orders now, misouer?" The young waiter walked with an elongated stride and spoke in a clipped French accent that Lupin guessed as easily fake. He smiled politely up at the man and flipped idly through the menu he'd reviewed before his dinner partner arrived.
"If I could have Baton le Sesquas, please."
"Very good misouer. And you, misouer?"
"Nothing."
The waiter made a small face. "Very well, misouer. And to drink?"
"Water please," said Lupin softly, watching Snape with amusement, "Just water."
"Liquoer," piped up Snape without a moment's hesitation.
The waiter left after giving them a curt bow. Lupin followed the young man with his eyes until the waiter disappeared through the double doors of the kitchen. Then he turned back to a very disgruntled Potions master, who glared at him testily, his fingers tapping the table with restless impatience. Lupin smiled mildly and gently reminded Severus that they were in no rush to be anywhere. To this, Snape sat back, his lids half covering the storming black orbs of his eyes. Long fingers pressed in a rigid steeple on the table. Remus cleared his throat.
"How are you, Severus?"
"I shall decide that after you tell me the exact purpose of this rather unexpected meeting."
"The sunset was beautiful yesterday night. The sky was red streaked and brilliant." The corners of the weary blue eyes crinkled in a smile. "What is that old saying? 'Red sky at night, sailor's delight - red sky in the morning, sailors take a warning'. Something like that."
Snape's lip curled.
"I talked to Dumbledore, Severus."
"Hmmm."
"He's letting me back."
A slender, black eyebrow piqued. "Yes."
"You've heard?"
Snape's gaze bore into the delicate looking man across from him like daggers grinding into flesh. "He told me, recently."
Remus suddenly looked uncomfortable. He could only guess why Dumbledore would feel the need to tell Severus he was coming back before all the other teachers. Merlin knew how much the man wanted the Dark Arts position. "Ah, I see."
"You still have not answered my first question, Lupin.'
"Er - Ah, look, our drinks have arrived!"
Snape's lips pursed at his fellow staff member's exaggerated, shifty, and avoiding excitement over the arrival of the drinks. He decided to leave the real reason of their meeting for later. He knew Lupin would not tell unless he wanted to. It was a trait Severus envied, but would not reveal. If someone did not know what was going on, he felt the need to inform them so that they would not play the fool in the dark.
The dark amber liquid in his glass glowed with the dim, rose tinted light of the room. Snape picked it up and swirled it around in the tiny glass, his eyes trained on his counterpart piercingly. The Werewolf ignored him pleasantly, busying himself with his cloth napkin and deciding whether to lay in it his lap, or perhaps set it back on he table, or even wear it as a bib. Severus rolled his eyes and snatched the napkin away from the other man, annoyed. Lupin grinned at him sheepishly and Snape snapped, "For Baton le Sesquas, you keep it down."
"I'm not quite used to this sort of atmosphere, Severus. Forgive my impertinence." There was a hint of amusement in the light tone of his voice, and a lively spark in the pale blue eyes. Severus looked away, taking his own napkin and fiddling with it as Lupin surveyed him calmly.
"Do you make it a habit of your's to stare at people?"
"I'm sorry Severus. I'm just thinking."
"I find that most surprising."
"Please, Severus...."
"Please what!" snapped Snape irritably, crossing his arms defensively over his chest. At this movement, Lupin chuckled and leaned forward over the table, resting his chin on his fists.
"You used to do that when you were young, Severus."
"Younger."
"Quite."
A silence fell over the both of them. Snape finally broke it waspishly.
"You will tell me why I am here now, Lupin, or I shall leave."
"I don't know why youre here, Severus. Actually, Im surprised you even came."
Snape shrugged, his eyes like twin pools of utter darkness. "You sounded distressed."
"I didn't know you cared," said Lupin quietly, smiling as Snape glared.
"Don't be daft, Lupin. If you care to remember, I have the unpleasant job of being your keeper."
"Come now Severus, that's a bit harsh."
"I save your life and the lives of others every full moon. Otherwise, you might run wild and tear at any living flesh you can get to."
Lupin flinched, but recovered quickly, his face relaxing. "Did I ever say how sorry I was, Severus? That Sirius did that to you?"
Silence.
"You were badly shaken. I visited you in the hospital wing."
"All hail Saint Lupin."
"Seriously, Severus."
"Why should that have any relevance now, Lupin?"
"I don't want to come back to Hogwarts with you and I in bad airs."
'There is nothing *you* can do."
"Why not give me a chance?" Lupin whispered passionately, reaching out to take Snape's white hand.
But the sallo man snatched it away, his eyes flashing. 'Why not keep our distances until the blasted full moon rises and I must stand your presence for the few minutes I take with you."
The Dark Arts Professor looked thoughtful. "I always wondered, Severus, why is it that you stay with me?"
"To make sure you down the potion."
"Thank you, Severus. It's very kind of you."
"It's not for you, Werewolf," spat Snape venomously.
But Lupin caught the flash of guilt in the black gaze. Narrowing his eyes, he pressed, "You don't hate me, Severus. You never hated any of us."
"How do you know what I feel?"
"I know *you*, Severus."
"What are you getting at, Lupin?"
Looking around to see if anyone was listening in, Lupin cleared his throat and said rather humbly, "I want a truce, Severus. You have no idea how guilty I feel over that incident."
"It wasn't all your fault," said Snape gruffly.
"I could've killed you."
"Rant to Black."
"You've kept your grudge, Severus. I want no more bad blood between yourself and the Marauders."
"What good will it do now? I shall be content with the way things have always been. You stay clear of my way, I see you a couple of minutes out of every month."
"Minutes you spend making sure every single drop of potion makes it safely down my throat. To stay and make sure I am all right as I change."
"For the sake of innocent people who do not know of you!" insisted Snape a little shrilly, causing several heads to turn their way. Lupin allowed a ghost of a grin to creep across his face. He leaned back in his seat and Snape immediately narrowed his eyes with suspicion.
"What do you plan to accomplish by your assumptions, Remus?"
Remus ignored the use of his first name and shrugged innocently, "It's natural for a Werewolf to wonder. I don't have much use of anything except for thought while I'm changed. And I wanted to thank you for making that potion when we both know that you could do one thing wrong on *accident*, and I would be gone forever out of your hair."
"Dumbledore would-"
"Not be able to do a thing, Severus. He trusts you with his life and the lives of others. He trusts you with mine. As do I." Lupin's voice had dropped several pitches and Snape had unconsciously leaned forward to hear the slighter man. He caught himself and sat up straight stiffly, glaring.
He opened his mouth to speak, but there was a sudden bang, and screams coming from the kitchen. Cooks and helpers stumbled out of the room in white aprons as smoke billowed from between the swinging double doors. Snape saw their waiter run out, his long legs carrying him impossibly fast. Lupin was on his feet, wand held his his hand, hidden by his sleeve. Snape followed suit slower, taking his own wand, not bothering to hide it.
Out of the swinging doors stepped a woman with unruly chestnut hair sticking out every which way from a hurriedly dressed bun at the nape of her neck. Streaks of black soot smudged her cheeks and dotted her nose. Her bright brown eyes scanned the room until they came to rest on the two wizards. Remus recognized her as she started towards them.
"Iris! What's the matter?"
She only shook her head, grabbing Remus and motioning for Snape to follow. They trotted behind her into the kitchen, Remus apologizing to everyone they passed, not that they listened. As they approached a huge fire pit in back for the smoked turkeys and fancy dishes, Iris pulled a small sack out of her pocket and extracted a clump of powder, which she tossed into the fire.
"Ministry of Magic!" she yelled, jumping into the flames. Remus shot Snape a confused look. Snape only pursed his lps and followed the woman in.
~*~
"What makes you think that Lucius Malfoy has them?" asked Remus calmly, trying to soothe his best friend, rubbing wide circles into Sirius' hunched back. Iris was pacing, sputtering out a choppy explanation that no one could really follow. She had still not removed the soot from her cheeks and Remus thought it best not to point out her appearance at the moment.
"It's what he would do. It is my belief he stole the young Weasly. A perfect trap for Potter to fall into," said Snape, hanging back in the shadows.
"And Draco," added Bill quietly, chewing on the end of his ponytail. The others looked at him solemnly. Just then, the door to the two Aurors' office open and an older witch strode in, not even sparing the other occupants a glance, just making a straight bee-line for Iris.
"Iris, I've a report from the village surrounding Knockturn Alley that they've seen movement up around where the Manor supposedly lies."
"Thank you, Meredith." Iris turned back to her friends and glanced at Snape. "He's right. It must be Lucius behind all of this."
"Than we need to get the Hell over there!" cried Sirius near hysterically, his eyes wild with worry.
"That would be as good as signing the students' death warrants," Snape hissed. Sirius shot him a scathing glare, but held back a retort as Remus sent a him a warning look. Snape continued, a sneer working its way onto his face as he went, "Malfoy Manor is the most highly protected building besides Gringotts. It would take months to crack into it if the owner did not want company. Obviously Lucius does not. If he catches whiff of anything, and *does* posses Draco and Potter, then he will use them to his will as hostages."
"Then what do we do?" Sirius ground out through tightly clenched teeth. Remus layed a soothing hand on his friend's shoulder.
Snape's eyes glittered and he smiled greasily, causing Sirius to scowl in such a way that Remus griped his shoulder tighter. But then the Dark Arts Professor let his hand fall away in shock as Snape said flippantly, "Dark Magic allows Dark Magic. There is one option which we can take: We send the Werewolf in."
Lupin's already pale complexion turned waxy white and Snape grinned widely, biting back the temptation to rub his hands together evilly.
"With his senses, expertise, and dark nature, he'll be able to pass the boundaries easily. Granted, he will not be able to get all the way into the Manor, but he can let *us* inside. And I happen to have a vile of Malfoy's blood so that we may see," he said, "It is the only way, and the moon rises tonight."
A/N: Ghee, I know the time seems a bit awry, but..... work with me here people. I'm trying to wrap this impossibly long story up gracefully. *grunts* Not to mention how dang long I took! I apologize by the way. Newbie to high school. Hee. Stress. But ya know, it's so incredibly boring!! Yeah, the guys are hot and I have found a whole new light to goatees, but there is no time to SOCIALIZE!! And that's what I live for! Yup, Villain the social butterfly. (no joke, that's my name at HS! ^_^) Au revior!
~*Villain*~
A/N: THANX TO j@nine: *taken aback* I'd feel bad for the guy if he ever gets in your way! ^_^ chimerical: *giggles* I'll be sure and have more fluffiness for you, love! Lulu-Chan: Nah, I'm not the killing type. @_@ Thief: Yes, poor Ronnikins!!
Chapter Fourteen: Moon Dog
Bill had paced until his knees were weak. He couldn't tell his mother of his father what had happened. No, that would be stupid. Very stupid. They didn't need it right then anyway, at all. So the man did the next best thing: He got his brother, Charlie.
Charlie Weasly was in Ireland at the time working with some wizards when Bill Apparated into the roughly made compound. The redhead didn't even spare the beautiful green eyed dragons a glance as he hurried to find his brother. A couple of witches or wizards waved to him or called out directions. Bill gave them all a nod and hunched down in his cloak. Worry gnawed at his mind, a thousand grim possibilities flitted across his conscious. It was a good thing Charlie was always the level headed one. That was what made him such an exceptional Seeker back when he flew on broomsticks, not the backs of dragons.
"Bill!" A muffled voice made him pull up short and he whirled around to come face to face with his brother and an angry dragonling. He squawked and stumbled backwards as a thin jet of steam issued from the dragon's mouth. Charlie grimaced and motioned over another witch, keeping tight hold on the baby with one arm. "Mina, could you-"
She took the baby gingerly from his arms and arched an eyebrow at Bill, lying sprawled on the ground. "Wimp." Then she stalked off.
Charlie helped his brother up and smiled sheepishly, dusting the taller man off with even dirtier hands. Bill finally grabbed his brother's hands and held them still. "Charlie, the kids are gone."
It took about two minutes for the information to sink in before Charlie blinked and said softly, "What do you mean?"
"No trace. Gone. And the clock said that Ginny and Ron were in mortal danger. But we can't tell mum or dad-"
"Are you mad? Of course not! How long have they been gone?"
"I - I'm not really sure. Some hours."
"Alright. Let me tell Tom I'm leaving...." The red haired dragon keeper disappeared into a pillar of steam and Bill started off to the entrance of the camp. When he got there, Charlie was already there, waiting impatiently for him, not even bothering to remove the dragon wear he had dawned more then two days ago. Bill wrinkled his nose, "You reek, bro."
"It's the price I must pay for being the best looking brother."
Then they Disapparated-
-And Apparated in the middle of a milling crowd of violent reporters and photographers harassing the poor flustered Minister of Magic, Cornilius Fudge. Bill winked at his brother and whispered an incantation. Under the cover of many pressed bodies of reporters, no one saw Bill shooting his curse into the air until it was too late and the room was filled with fluffy pink stuffed elephants. The security, still quite busy keeping back the crowding paparazzi, didn't notice the two young red haired men slip into an EMPLOYEES ONLY marked door.
Unfortunately, Bill and Charlie snuck through, thoroughly satisfied with themselves, they ran straight into the worst step up from a schizophrenic security guard with a rash and no sleep for ten straight days.....
Their brother, Percy.
"What are you doing here!?" he squeaked, dumping the tower of papers he held into the unsteady arms of a secretary. She tottered, and with a small cry, toppled right over. Percy ignored her and stalked up to his two older brother, ears deep red, cheeks flushed. "I was in the middle of a *very* important assignment," he hissed.
"Carrying around huge stacks of paper is considered a '*very* important assignment', Perc?"
"You don't know!" His high voice had become immensely shrill and if Bill wasn't under such stress, he would've laughed and thumped his fragile brother good-naturedly on the back. Instead he sighed heavily and said, "Perc, we need to find Sirius and Iris right away. Can you tell us where they are?"
Percy's expression changed from embarrassed annoyance to a well guarded glare. "Why?" he questioned suspiciously. Bill started to answer, but Charlie beat him to the chase.
"Buckbeak's taken rather ill lately and I've gotten some dried Dragon's blood for a potion. It'll help with his sickness. Sirius is really distraught, Perc."
"He doesn't look it to me," said Percy stiffly. "Why don't I just take it to him?"
"Very delicate stuff," said Charlie importantly, Bill nodding beside him.
Percy narrowed his eyes and started to say something, but both of his brothers looked at him earnestly and he informed them grudgingly, "I think they're on their break now, so they might be in their office. But-"
"Thanks, Perc," the two oldest Weasleys chorused, springing down the hall on their long legs towards the way Percy had indicated.
Percy harumphed grumpily and stormed off, forgetting his '*very* important assignment' papers. Two minutes later he returned, looking livid with himself and magically picked them up to float behind him down the hall. The woman who had toppled over - into the garbage can no doubt - uncrossed her eyes dizzily and rolled over, the can falling sideways over her.
"Ow...."
~*~
"Sirius! Calm down for bloody sakes," hissed Iris hotly, closing the door to their mutual office behind her and pressing up against it, glaring at her partner, chest heaving with emotion. Sirius wouldn't meet her gaze, too busy raging about the room, cursing everything about the minister of magic, Cornilius Fudge.
"How am I supposed to be calm!? That old bastard still doesn't recognize the indications of Voldemort's presence here in the wizarding world! Even three years later, he doesn't quite get it through his thick skull." Sirius emphasized by jabbing his pointer finger into his temple. Iris sighed. She understood where Sirius was coming from. For the past four years, starting from the third Task of the TriWizard Tournament, Fudge had done his best to ignore the growing fact that Voldemort had returned. Even small wars did not change his mind that the Death Eaters may still be bluffing. Only because Voldemort failed to make any true public appearances (any that *did* see him never lived to tell of it).
Sirius sat wearily in the chair at the dark oak desk, conjuring up a steaming cup of tea. Iris perched on the corner of his desk, her head bowed in thought, a few loose strands of hair falling from her painfully tight bun at the back of her head.
"Why don't you ever wear your hair down anymore?" asked Sirius sincerely.
Iris smiled and shook her head. "Sirius, this is no time for-" But she was cut off by strong fingers undoing the clasp of her hair and letting the glistening locks of chestnut brown cascade down her back. She laughed as Sirius rounded the corner of the desk and took one of her hands, bowing. "If the lady would be so kind as to dance we with me....."
She sighed, setting down her wand and nodding. "You don't have to ask, you know."
"You always tell me that I'm never a gentleman, so I thought I'd go an extra mile for you today."
Iris smiled into his shoulder as they swayed to music that only they could hear. The two Aurors danced a slow waltz, Sirius stroking the thick brown of her hair and Iris breathing in the scent of her three year work partner. She drew away slightly and looked deep into his ebony eyes.
"You're beautiful, Iris Andua," he said regally, giving her a lopsided grin that melted her insides. She blushed and let him pull her closer, rising up on her tiptoes, his sweet breath brushing her cheeks as he leaned in to her. Their lips just brushed when the door to their office burst open and Bill and Charlie Weasly stumbled in, followed by several flustered and shouting secretaries.
They leapt away from each other like two teens caught snogging and Iris messed with piles of paper, trying to look busy. But she looked up when she heard a note of iron in Sirius' voice when he said the single word that sent a shock of worry through her body.
"Harry....."
~*~
"Hello Severus."
"Lupin."
"Please, Severus, sit down."
"Thank you, *Remus*," Snape replied sarcastically. He sat down stiffly, his eyes never leaving Lupin's weary, but pleasant face. The two men sat in a muggle restaurant in London, both dressed in suits: Snape was in a midnight black blazer and matching slacks with a black dress shirt and black satin tie. His ebony hair was slicked back into a tight ponytail and a few curly strands hung down in his pale face, brushing the waxen cheeks. Remus was in threadbare tweed, looking years older than in his mere 30s. Snape wrinkled his nose and Lupin hid a smile. In the middle of their table sat a lavish bouquet arrangement of dried roses resting in the very odorous seed called Rose Hip.
"May I take your orders now, misouer?" The young waiter walked with an elongated stride and spoke in a clipped French accent that Lupin guessed as easily fake. He smiled politely up at the man and flipped idly through the menu he'd reviewed before his dinner partner arrived.
"If I could have Baton le Sesquas, please."
"Very good misouer. And you, misouer?"
"Nothing."
The waiter made a small face. "Very well, misouer. And to drink?"
"Water please," said Lupin softly, watching Snape with amusement, "Just water."
"Liquoer," piped up Snape without a moment's hesitation.
The waiter left after giving them a curt bow. Lupin followed the young man with his eyes until the waiter disappeared through the double doors of the kitchen. Then he turned back to a very disgruntled Potions master, who glared at him testily, his fingers tapping the table with restless impatience. Lupin smiled mildly and gently reminded Severus that they were in no rush to be anywhere. To this, Snape sat back, his lids half covering the storming black orbs of his eyes. Long fingers pressed in a rigid steeple on the table. Remus cleared his throat.
"How are you, Severus?"
"I shall decide that after you tell me the exact purpose of this rather unexpected meeting."
"The sunset was beautiful yesterday night. The sky was red streaked and brilliant." The corners of the weary blue eyes crinkled in a smile. "What is that old saying? 'Red sky at night, sailor's delight - red sky in the morning, sailors take a warning'. Something like that."
Snape's lip curled.
"I talked to Dumbledore, Severus."
"Hmmm."
"He's letting me back."
A slender, black eyebrow piqued. "Yes."
"You've heard?"
Snape's gaze bore into the delicate looking man across from him like daggers grinding into flesh. "He told me, recently."
Remus suddenly looked uncomfortable. He could only guess why Dumbledore would feel the need to tell Severus he was coming back before all the other teachers. Merlin knew how much the man wanted the Dark Arts position. "Ah, I see."
"You still have not answered my first question, Lupin.'
"Er - Ah, look, our drinks have arrived!"
Snape's lips pursed at his fellow staff member's exaggerated, shifty, and avoiding excitement over the arrival of the drinks. He decided to leave the real reason of their meeting for later. He knew Lupin would not tell unless he wanted to. It was a trait Severus envied, but would not reveal. If someone did not know what was going on, he felt the need to inform them so that they would not play the fool in the dark.
The dark amber liquid in his glass glowed with the dim, rose tinted light of the room. Snape picked it up and swirled it around in the tiny glass, his eyes trained on his counterpart piercingly. The Werewolf ignored him pleasantly, busying himself with his cloth napkin and deciding whether to lay in it his lap, or perhaps set it back on he table, or even wear it as a bib. Severus rolled his eyes and snatched the napkin away from the other man, annoyed. Lupin grinned at him sheepishly and Snape snapped, "For Baton le Sesquas, you keep it down."
"I'm not quite used to this sort of atmosphere, Severus. Forgive my impertinence." There was a hint of amusement in the light tone of his voice, and a lively spark in the pale blue eyes. Severus looked away, taking his own napkin and fiddling with it as Lupin surveyed him calmly.
"Do you make it a habit of your's to stare at people?"
"I'm sorry Severus. I'm just thinking."
"I find that most surprising."
"Please, Severus...."
"Please what!" snapped Snape irritably, crossing his arms defensively over his chest. At this movement, Lupin chuckled and leaned forward over the table, resting his chin on his fists.
"You used to do that when you were young, Severus."
"Younger."
"Quite."
A silence fell over the both of them. Snape finally broke it waspishly.
"You will tell me why I am here now, Lupin, or I shall leave."
"I don't know why youre here, Severus. Actually, Im surprised you even came."
Snape shrugged, his eyes like twin pools of utter darkness. "You sounded distressed."
"I didn't know you cared," said Lupin quietly, smiling as Snape glared.
"Don't be daft, Lupin. If you care to remember, I have the unpleasant job of being your keeper."
"Come now Severus, that's a bit harsh."
"I save your life and the lives of others every full moon. Otherwise, you might run wild and tear at any living flesh you can get to."
Lupin flinched, but recovered quickly, his face relaxing. "Did I ever say how sorry I was, Severus? That Sirius did that to you?"
Silence.
"You were badly shaken. I visited you in the hospital wing."
"All hail Saint Lupin."
"Seriously, Severus."
"Why should that have any relevance now, Lupin?"
"I don't want to come back to Hogwarts with you and I in bad airs."
'There is nothing *you* can do."
"Why not give me a chance?" Lupin whispered passionately, reaching out to take Snape's white hand.
But the sallo man snatched it away, his eyes flashing. 'Why not keep our distances until the blasted full moon rises and I must stand your presence for the few minutes I take with you."
The Dark Arts Professor looked thoughtful. "I always wondered, Severus, why is it that you stay with me?"
"To make sure you down the potion."
"Thank you, Severus. It's very kind of you."
"It's not for you, Werewolf," spat Snape venomously.
But Lupin caught the flash of guilt in the black gaze. Narrowing his eyes, he pressed, "You don't hate me, Severus. You never hated any of us."
"How do you know what I feel?"
"I know *you*, Severus."
"What are you getting at, Lupin?"
Looking around to see if anyone was listening in, Lupin cleared his throat and said rather humbly, "I want a truce, Severus. You have no idea how guilty I feel over that incident."
"It wasn't all your fault," said Snape gruffly.
"I could've killed you."
"Rant to Black."
"You've kept your grudge, Severus. I want no more bad blood between yourself and the Marauders."
"What good will it do now? I shall be content with the way things have always been. You stay clear of my way, I see you a couple of minutes out of every month."
"Minutes you spend making sure every single drop of potion makes it safely down my throat. To stay and make sure I am all right as I change."
"For the sake of innocent people who do not know of you!" insisted Snape a little shrilly, causing several heads to turn their way. Lupin allowed a ghost of a grin to creep across his face. He leaned back in his seat and Snape immediately narrowed his eyes with suspicion.
"What do you plan to accomplish by your assumptions, Remus?"
Remus ignored the use of his first name and shrugged innocently, "It's natural for a Werewolf to wonder. I don't have much use of anything except for thought while I'm changed. And I wanted to thank you for making that potion when we both know that you could do one thing wrong on *accident*, and I would be gone forever out of your hair."
"Dumbledore would-"
"Not be able to do a thing, Severus. He trusts you with his life and the lives of others. He trusts you with mine. As do I." Lupin's voice had dropped several pitches and Snape had unconsciously leaned forward to hear the slighter man. He caught himself and sat up straight stiffly, glaring.
He opened his mouth to speak, but there was a sudden bang, and screams coming from the kitchen. Cooks and helpers stumbled out of the room in white aprons as smoke billowed from between the swinging double doors. Snape saw their waiter run out, his long legs carrying him impossibly fast. Lupin was on his feet, wand held his his hand, hidden by his sleeve. Snape followed suit slower, taking his own wand, not bothering to hide it.
Out of the swinging doors stepped a woman with unruly chestnut hair sticking out every which way from a hurriedly dressed bun at the nape of her neck. Streaks of black soot smudged her cheeks and dotted her nose. Her bright brown eyes scanned the room until they came to rest on the two wizards. Remus recognized her as she started towards them.
"Iris! What's the matter?"
She only shook her head, grabbing Remus and motioning for Snape to follow. They trotted behind her into the kitchen, Remus apologizing to everyone they passed, not that they listened. As they approached a huge fire pit in back for the smoked turkeys and fancy dishes, Iris pulled a small sack out of her pocket and extracted a clump of powder, which she tossed into the fire.
"Ministry of Magic!" she yelled, jumping into the flames. Remus shot Snape a confused look. Snape only pursed his lps and followed the woman in.
~*~
"What makes you think that Lucius Malfoy has them?" asked Remus calmly, trying to soothe his best friend, rubbing wide circles into Sirius' hunched back. Iris was pacing, sputtering out a choppy explanation that no one could really follow. She had still not removed the soot from her cheeks and Remus thought it best not to point out her appearance at the moment.
"It's what he would do. It is my belief he stole the young Weasly. A perfect trap for Potter to fall into," said Snape, hanging back in the shadows.
"And Draco," added Bill quietly, chewing on the end of his ponytail. The others looked at him solemnly. Just then, the door to the two Aurors' office open and an older witch strode in, not even sparing the other occupants a glance, just making a straight bee-line for Iris.
"Iris, I've a report from the village surrounding Knockturn Alley that they've seen movement up around where the Manor supposedly lies."
"Thank you, Meredith." Iris turned back to her friends and glanced at Snape. "He's right. It must be Lucius behind all of this."
"Than we need to get the Hell over there!" cried Sirius near hysterically, his eyes wild with worry.
"That would be as good as signing the students' death warrants," Snape hissed. Sirius shot him a scathing glare, but held back a retort as Remus sent a him a warning look. Snape continued, a sneer working its way onto his face as he went, "Malfoy Manor is the most highly protected building besides Gringotts. It would take months to crack into it if the owner did not want company. Obviously Lucius does not. If he catches whiff of anything, and *does* posses Draco and Potter, then he will use them to his will as hostages."
"Then what do we do?" Sirius ground out through tightly clenched teeth. Remus layed a soothing hand on his friend's shoulder.
Snape's eyes glittered and he smiled greasily, causing Sirius to scowl in such a way that Remus griped his shoulder tighter. But then the Dark Arts Professor let his hand fall away in shock as Snape said flippantly, "Dark Magic allows Dark Magic. There is one option which we can take: We send the Werewolf in."
Lupin's already pale complexion turned waxy white and Snape grinned widely, biting back the temptation to rub his hands together evilly.
"With his senses, expertise, and dark nature, he'll be able to pass the boundaries easily. Granted, he will not be able to get all the way into the Manor, but he can let *us* inside. And I happen to have a vile of Malfoy's blood so that we may see," he said, "It is the only way, and the moon rises tonight."
A/N: Ghee, I know the time seems a bit awry, but..... work with me here people. I'm trying to wrap this impossibly long story up gracefully. *grunts* Not to mention how dang long I took! I apologize by the way. Newbie to high school. Hee. Stress. But ya know, it's so incredibly boring!! Yeah, the guys are hot and I have found a whole new light to goatees, but there is no time to SOCIALIZE!! And that's what I live for! Yup, Villain the social butterfly. (no joke, that's my name at HS! ^_^) Au revior!
~*Villain*~