Rah! I got the second chapter up! It is a little rushed, because I am
going to leave this weekend. But that's not the whole excuse. Beware.
This is what happens when someone who doesn't have good grammar has an
overactive imagination!!
Same disclaimer. And a note. I let a friend of mine read it and she was confused about 'Angi's name. It is pronounced Angie. Just spelled different. (I had a teacher with a name like that) Her REAL name is Angelica, and only Remus calls her Angel. =) Enjoy!
Silver Moon, Golden Heart
Ch2 Hogwarts Meetings.
Angi waited for a good ten minutes before the Headmaster had finally appeared and led her in his office. Apparently he was just as busy during the summer vacation as he was during the school year. He motioned her to a chair in front of the office. He then took a seat behind the desk smiling at her.
"Well Miss. Greystone, to what do I owe this surprise, and pleasure? I haven't seen you in person since your graduation night. Although, I have been avidly following your extraordinary literary works." He gestured to a few of her biographies sitting on the shelf, and she felt a flush creep up her face. "Did you perhaps come to offer to sign them?"
The flush turned into a full blush at this point. "Err, thank you sir. I'm pleased you like them Headmaster. But I actually came to ask you a few questions. They are rather sensitive in nature, and you are the only one who can answer them for me."
Dumbledore gave a knowing smile. "Call me Albus. Now let me see which answers I can help you find. Oh, by the way, lemon drop?" He passed her a dish of the yellow candies. "Watch out, they are actually very potent." His eyes were twinkling merrily. "I'm afraid my last guest didn't seem to fond of them. Severus seems to have no liking for them. At least not after a pair of twins got a hold of them." He shook his head, "Feathers everywhere."
"Someone tampered with Severus's candy?" she couldn't believe it. Even she wouldn't dare do something like that. Dumbledore gave her a conspiring smile. "Actually it is my belief he confiscated it, so I dare say that the intended err, victim was someone else entirely. Unfortunately for the student body, he ate it in the great hall. But don't tell him I told you."
"Severus is here? At Hogwarts? Could I see him?"
Albus nodded. "Yes, I think it would be a pleasant surprise. But first lets get your ambiguous questions answered."
"Well, first I need to find someone, I ask you only because he taught here for a while. And I haven't the first clue of where to look. Do you know how I can find Remus Lupin?" She held her breath and waited for his answer.
"Ahh, Lupin hum?" He smiled. "Yes, I think I might be able to find him for you. Do you care to tell me why?" He gave her an look that caused her to flush again.
"It's not like that" she said hurriedly. "I haven't seen him in ten years. I doubt he even remembers me. And it, it's just not like that." She took a deep breath. She was starting to babble like a child. "I would like to ask him to help me prove a theory I have about werewolves. I think that there is a way to change and still keep the mind."
"And he is the only one still not married, or attached. And since I don't know how long we would have to work together, I didn't want to put a relationship in danger. Werewolves have a high jealousy rate. Anyone not of their pack is subject to suspicion. I think it is part of the soulmate principle. But I haven't proven it yet."
"Anyway, he is the only one who doesn't seem to even have a pack. At least, not any more. So there would be no danger of running a relationship. Besides, we were fairly close before the orphanage was closed, and I thought he might be willing to help me."
Dumbledore nodded in understanding. "Well, it sounds reasonable to me. I certainly will see what I can do. In fact I think I know just where to get in touch with him. But first what about the second question?"
Angi took a deep breath. "Well Sir, I mean Albus, I was in Canada when I heard some roomers. Roomers that Voldermort was back. But when I got back and asked around, I was told that it wasn't true, that the Ministry of Magic had denied any odd happenings. Well considering my faith in the Ministry, I started to do some checking around on my own. The Ministry may deny it all they want, but something is going on. The air smells like it did just before my parents died."
Albus nodded. "Well then, I would say that you have one incredible nose for the true situation. Angi, I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but it is true. He returned the end of last year. And your right, Cornelius Fudge will not accept the fact that anything is amiss. In fact he threatened to have me removed from this school if I did do anything." She stared at him in horror.
"But," he added as he saw her start to protest. "I don't see what he can say if he doesn't know what we are doing. After all, I am only getting re- aquatinted with a few old friends." The twinkle, was more pronounced than ever. "Don't you think so Miss Greystone?" she nodded in agreement. "Yes, completely."
"Would you perhaps like for me to introduce you to them?" They both knew it was a loaded question. He was giving her a chance to choose. Her mind was made up. This was her chance to get even with an old score. The war had finished when she was thirteen. She would fight for what she believed in. Just like her parents. Besides, she had a plan.
She looked into the headmasters eyes. "Yes, I would like to meet your friends. Very much so." Dumbledore clapped his hands together. "Just wonderful! Shall we go? In fact I think you might meet more than a few people you already know."
Albus lead her through one of the many halls of Hogwarts towards the staff room and guided her inside. There were about ten or so people in various positions in the room all of whom looked at her in surprise.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, may in intro." but the rest of Dumbledore's sentence was interrupted by Angi launching herself at a character dressed in black standing in the far corner of the room. "Severus!" Severus held out a hand to shake hers. He needn't have bothered, because she bypassed it and hugged him instead.
Silence reined supreme. There she was hugging the dreaded Potions Master. Few people cared to shake his hand, but a young woman had just thrown herself at him in, dare they think it, happiness at his presence. And then he lightly hugged her back.
McGonagall dropped her teacup, Flitwik fell off of his stool. Author Weasley started having a coughing fit. Arabella Fig smothered a small laugh. A large black dog seemed to have fainted with a loud thud. Dumbledore pretended nothing was amiss by rearranging his cloak. And Snape just glared at them all from over the top of her head.
She finally released him and stepped back. "I never got to thank you for your help Snape. For both helping me pass potions, and for your knowledge and work with the wolfsbane potion. I gave you full credit of course." He nodded. "I am sure you did."
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Severus, perhaps you would like to introduce the lady? After all she seemed to have better things in mind when I tried." Angi gave a sheepish grin.
Severus sighed impatiently. "This is Angelica Greystone, . Certifiably the worst potions brewer to ever graduate from Hogwarts." At this Angi winced and nodded. Jaws dropped. And he was supposed to like her?
"However, she also happens to also be the very best authority on Shape- shifters, and any version of Were-beings that you will ever meet. That, and I would trust her with my life. So long as she wasn't supposed to brew something. Now do you think we can continue our discussion now? I do have better things to do with my time than stand around and make idle speeches." Dumbledore held up his hand in supplication.
"Yes. I realize that some of you have a hard time attending this meeting without arousing suspicion. And all of you have people waiting on you to relate the outcome. But please be patient. We are still missing one member. He should be here any moment. Now, let me run through some basics."
"Author Weasley, Mundungus Fletcher, Madam Rosmerta, Hagrid, and Severus Snape shall be in our intelligence. Without information we are wandering around blind. The more we know about the moves Voldermort makes and the reaction of our world the better prepared to deal with it." He ignored the shudder Voldemort's name had created and continued."
"Author, watch the ministry. Try to convince everyone who will listen. Fletcher, Foreign Relations find the right people, and warn them. Rosmerta, find out what the average wizard thinks. You will know better than any of us what is going on. Hagrid is contacting the Giants with the help of the headmistress of Beauxbaton, Madame Maxime. Severus will be watching the Death Eaters. From the inside." Collective breaths were drawn. And Dumbledore looked at them with an expression that allowed no doubt.
"Severus is loyal to us. Some of you may not like him personally, but never doubt him. He does this at great personal risk. We are all on the same side." With this statement he sent a strong look at the black dog in the corner. The dog grudgingly nodded once."
"Minerva McGonagall, Arabella Fig, Flitwick, and Maddam Pomfrey will work with our students. I know that this is an unusual request, but one that I feel will prove fruitful non the less. The students rarely have preconceptions of what is possible. Let them experiment, challenge them to make impossible things happen."
"Minerva work with the shields of Hogwarts I think you will find that certain students know more about Hogwarts than we remember. Arabella, you being the best dueler I know, I need you to start teaching them how to fight. Make them learn to think on their feet. Teach them how to think. Flitwick, create a group of students for brainstorming. Listen to anything they come up with. Then help them to do it. Poppy I need you to find all student's interested in medicine. Teach them as much as possible. We will need them in the future." They nodded, each it seemed was already mentally listing student's that would best fit the criteria.
"Now, I think that everyone here needed to know something. During the aftermath of the death of Voldermort a grave injustice was done." The entire room had gone oddly quiet. "A man was wrongly accused of murder. Sirius Black did not commit the crimes he was accused of." The explosion was near deafening as everyone started to talk at once.
Angi stood there frozen taking in the whole situation. Severus stood besides her radiating anger, and hatred, but not shock. He already knew. It was then that she thought of the black dog. He was currently siting down in the other corner his head hung low. Black. She knew it was him. The body posture was of a defeated man, not of a scolded dog.
She pushed her way through the crowded room unconsciously shouldering through everyone as they tried to talk to Dumbledore at the same time. The only thing she could think of was the fact that Remus wasn't completely alone anymore. One of his closest friends was alive. Or innocent in this instance.
As she knelt down to look him in the eye she knew without a doubt that Sirius Black was innocent. She smiled gently at him and rubbed the visible scars on his muzzle. "I Believe Dumbledore. You didn't do the things your accused of. But I need to know, does Remus know about your being innocent? Because if not, you have to tell him. It almost killed him when you went to Azkaban."
"Yes, I know. I was the first one to figure it out. Quite by accident." Angi gasped. Even with her hearing she hadn't heard him come up behind her. She quickly stood up spinning to face the speaker. Sandy blond hair, that little scar under the right eye, and that voice.
"REMUS!" then for the second time that day she launched herself into an man's unsuspecting embrace. However unlike Snapes reserved response Remus hugged her tight and swung her in a circle grinning. "Angel! It's been a long time." They were both unaware of the fact that the entire room had looked at them when she had yelled his name.
"As charming as this little reunion is may we please get back to the subject at hand?" The smooth yet cutting voice of Severus lashed out like a knife. "Oh, and Angi, if you think you can refrain throwing yourself at anyone else we might be able to leave sometime soon. Certain odors in here are making me ill." By her feet Sirius growled mincingly.
Angi let go of Remus and stuck out her tongue at Severus. Completely unconcerned about receiving a look that promised a slow and painful death from the surly potions master. She had to try hard not to laugh. He was fairly pissed right now. It must have something to do with the stress.
Dumbledore chose that moment to clear his throat and at least attempt to continue the meeting. "As I was saying, Sirius Black is innocent. As of now, I have no real place for him. So he will remain here, safe from the patrolling dementors, at least until the school year starts up again.
"I plan to use him as a messenger of a sorts. For messages to sensitive to send by owl post. I need you to all at least try to work with him. He was the second top in his year. Loyal to a fault and someone who can think on his feet. He has no constant obligations on his time, and he can be anywhere at any time. We need him. And we owe him a chance to publicly prove his innocence." There was a great deal of dark mumbling about this. But Albus continued on.
"Now, Remus. Severus has told us that the dementors will join with Voldermort when he asks them. You are the person with the most knowledge of dark creatures. I need you to find out if there is a way to make something that would repel them automatically. A charm, amulet, anything you can possibly think of. The same goes for any other dark creature you and Severus think he might try to recruit. greatly help in that department." Lupin looked at Snape, who gave a barely perceptible nod.
"I also think that you should start getting in touch with your fellow werewolves. I think Miss Greystone will be able to help greatly. That is if you are going to be staying with us?" The sentence ended with a question. Angi nodded she wasn't leaving now. Besides if he would let her, she'd be right in the middle of things.
"And last, but not least, Angi. I think that you believe you have found something I haven't thought of , judging by that look in your eye." She vaguely noticed the knowing twinkle was back. "Would you care to let us in on your idea?" Angi nodded and released Remus's arm that she hadn't realized she was still holding.
"Well, I've been thinking." Remus let a groan slip that she pointedly ignored. "You have thought of almost everything. But I ask you, how are you going to covertly keep in touch with each other?" she looked around. "I think Dumbledore is right wen he said the key to winning this time is communication. But where can you meet without arousing suspicion?"
"At Madam Rosmerta's? There is always a chance that you could be spied on. And it would be impossible to have a completely private conversation. All the Death Eaters would need to do was have someone constantly on watch. And follow who talked to who. It would be so very easy to set up an ambush."
"Here is not an option either. And I know this school. I did go here. The student grape-vine has a gossip relay time that a team of highly trained wizards couldn't reproduce. Someone is bound to notice something, and make an idle comment. And we have to face the fact that not all of the student's attending here will be loyal. Some will act as spies, for their parents, and for Voldemort. We need what the Muggles call a 'Safe House'."
For people like Black, and Lupin. Rejected because of who they are, even if they fight on the right side. What if Snape were found out. Do you think the parents of the children at this school would all welcome him with he knowledge he was once a death eater? Everyone in this room knows what would happen. The fact that he spied and risked his life would be swept under the rug. We all saw it happen." She stopped to let the others absorb her words.
"A place for target families to stay like the Potters, Longbottem. Or perhaps to take care of the orphans that we all know are coming. Someplace as safe as Hogwarts. Where everyone would be united. Someplace easy for everyone to get to, without arousing suspicion. Unlike the first time someone sees Madame Rosmerta holding a serious conversation with Hagrid, and Severus Snape." There were a few nods of agreement at this. That would arouse suspicion.
"And just where would we find such a place? Nowhere is as safe as Hogwarts." Angi Gave a bright smile at the woman by the fire who had spoken. Arabella Fig if she wasn't mistaken.
"Ah, but that would be where you are wrong. Wolfe Mansion has just as many safety protection wards as Hogwarts. In fact, I have my suspicions that Hogwarts and Wolfe Mansion may share a few. It is my personal belief that Wolfe Mansion was once, many years ago, used for the very purpose I propose. Therefore most of the oldest, and strongest wards overlap. And I believe that it wouldn't take much to reinstate some of the newer ones." She held her breath as she waited for someone to say something. In the end it was Author Wesley who spoke first.
"I agree. I had forgotten about it being so protected, but there is one major problem. After the Werewolf/Death Eater alliance the Ministry decided to revoke the right for werewolves to own land. They only let Linden Walker stay technically in possession of the land until his death. Mainly because nobody else had wanted to deal with the young orphans. So Linden held on until his last ward had graduated before he let himself die." He gave a sad smile at Angi.
"But, apparently as he died he did a series of death-bed magic. A curse of sorts. One stating that only when someone of werewolf blood held the deed would anyone be able to set foot on the estate of Wolfe." He gave a disparaging shrug. "Unfortunately the ministry will not alter that law any time soon. And I doubt very much that they would find sympathy for us if we explained what we wanted it for." He gave a shake of his head to show what he thought of his fellow workers at the Ministry.
Angi reached into one of the pockets in her robe, pulled out a scroll and handed it to Author. "You might like to know that as of this afternoon someone has steeped into the grounds of Wolfe Mansion." Everyone but Dumbledore and Remus gaped at her.
She decided to ease their curiosity. "My parents were both registered werewolves. But I had no aversion to silver, my strength is the same as normal people, and I don't change on every full moon. So technically I'm not a werewolf. But I do have the blood of them in me. My eyesight, reflexes, balance and sense of smell is equal to Remus's. And while I don't have to change into a wolf every full moon it doesn't mean I can't." She smiled brightly at them all. "So, I bought Wolfe Mansion."
"Well, done girl." Mundungus Fletcher applauded her in the background. Linden said that he would make sure that one of his wards got the Mansion, but honestly I doubted him. Well done." Dumbledore clapped his hands together to regain the attention of the room back to him smiling brightly at them all.
"Well, that would be splendid. Just splendid. Sirius I'm sure would like to go stay with you, than stay here at this old castle, and Remus needs a decent place to do his research without any disturbance. That is if you honestly don't mind Miss Greystone."
"Not at all Sir. Anyone who wants to stay at the Mansion is welcome to. Although I haven't had a chance to clean it up yet. It has sat empty for ten years. It needs a lot of work. I haven't even gotten a chance to start one it. And it's really big. Just over fifty rooms. And that is just dealing with the main house, not the grounds, or the outbuildings."
"I will help" She looked at Snape, who looked distinctly uncomfortable now that he had made his offer, and everyone was staring at him. "The sooner Black is not in this castle the better." He said defensively. "And I, of course, will help." Remus's voice sounded just behind her. She gave a grateful look at both of them.
"Thank you. I will need all of the help I can get." Just then Black nudged her hand with his nose to get her attention, and then nodded. So he would help to. She vaguely wondered if they would change their mind when they saw the state of disrepair it was in. Well, only way to find out.
"Well then. I believe that it is time that we adjourn. I suggest that we meet this same time in two weeks for a second meeting at the Wolfe. Are the coordinates still the same to Apperate at?" he sent a questioning look at Angi who nodded. "Splendid. I trust that everyone still remembers them? Yes? Good."
"Now I want to remind everyone to make regular reports to Sirius as he will be in charge of communications in the time between. I want to remind everyone that it is essential that we work together" she saw him alternate pointed looks at Black and Snape. "The muggle Americans have a saying. 'United we stand. Divided we fall'. I suggest we put it into practice as well."
With the meeting apparently finished there was a small flurry of activity, people getting notes they had taken, saying good-buy, and heading out the door. She herself got caught up in talking to professors Flitwick, and McGonagall. After taking her leave she headed out the door only to be stopped by the Headmaster.
"My dear, I wanted to thank you for offering to do this. And to offer you luck with your cleaning" He said this with a definite twinkle in his eyes. "Don't hesitate to call for me if the mess becomes unbearable." With that he smiled at her and turned to speak with Madame Pomfrey. He had probably guessed at the state the mansion was in. With that thought she went down to meet Remus, Sirius, and Severus.
She would shortly find out exactly why he had wised her luck. What a mess.
Chapter three is coming soon! Duels, Dust, and House-Elves! Forgive me if Doumbledore seems a little OOC. I really am trying. Well, let me know what you think. Review, criticism. please! How else am I going to get better?
Oh, and I think that Remus remembered her, don't you? *wink*
Same disclaimer. And a note. I let a friend of mine read it and she was confused about 'Angi's name. It is pronounced Angie. Just spelled different. (I had a teacher with a name like that) Her REAL name is Angelica, and only Remus calls her Angel. =) Enjoy!
Silver Moon, Golden Heart
Ch2 Hogwarts Meetings.
Angi waited for a good ten minutes before the Headmaster had finally appeared and led her in his office. Apparently he was just as busy during the summer vacation as he was during the school year. He motioned her to a chair in front of the office. He then took a seat behind the desk smiling at her.
"Well Miss. Greystone, to what do I owe this surprise, and pleasure? I haven't seen you in person since your graduation night. Although, I have been avidly following your extraordinary literary works." He gestured to a few of her biographies sitting on the shelf, and she felt a flush creep up her face. "Did you perhaps come to offer to sign them?"
The flush turned into a full blush at this point. "Err, thank you sir. I'm pleased you like them Headmaster. But I actually came to ask you a few questions. They are rather sensitive in nature, and you are the only one who can answer them for me."
Dumbledore gave a knowing smile. "Call me Albus. Now let me see which answers I can help you find. Oh, by the way, lemon drop?" He passed her a dish of the yellow candies. "Watch out, they are actually very potent." His eyes were twinkling merrily. "I'm afraid my last guest didn't seem to fond of them. Severus seems to have no liking for them. At least not after a pair of twins got a hold of them." He shook his head, "Feathers everywhere."
"Someone tampered with Severus's candy?" she couldn't believe it. Even she wouldn't dare do something like that. Dumbledore gave her a conspiring smile. "Actually it is my belief he confiscated it, so I dare say that the intended err, victim was someone else entirely. Unfortunately for the student body, he ate it in the great hall. But don't tell him I told you."
"Severus is here? At Hogwarts? Could I see him?"
Albus nodded. "Yes, I think it would be a pleasant surprise. But first lets get your ambiguous questions answered."
"Well, first I need to find someone, I ask you only because he taught here for a while. And I haven't the first clue of where to look. Do you know how I can find Remus Lupin?" She held her breath and waited for his answer.
"Ahh, Lupin hum?" He smiled. "Yes, I think I might be able to find him for you. Do you care to tell me why?" He gave her an look that caused her to flush again.
"It's not like that" she said hurriedly. "I haven't seen him in ten years. I doubt he even remembers me. And it, it's just not like that." She took a deep breath. She was starting to babble like a child. "I would like to ask him to help me prove a theory I have about werewolves. I think that there is a way to change and still keep the mind."
"And he is the only one still not married, or attached. And since I don't know how long we would have to work together, I didn't want to put a relationship in danger. Werewolves have a high jealousy rate. Anyone not of their pack is subject to suspicion. I think it is part of the soulmate principle. But I haven't proven it yet."
"Anyway, he is the only one who doesn't seem to even have a pack. At least, not any more. So there would be no danger of running a relationship. Besides, we were fairly close before the orphanage was closed, and I thought he might be willing to help me."
Dumbledore nodded in understanding. "Well, it sounds reasonable to me. I certainly will see what I can do. In fact I think I know just where to get in touch with him. But first what about the second question?"
Angi took a deep breath. "Well Sir, I mean Albus, I was in Canada when I heard some roomers. Roomers that Voldermort was back. But when I got back and asked around, I was told that it wasn't true, that the Ministry of Magic had denied any odd happenings. Well considering my faith in the Ministry, I started to do some checking around on my own. The Ministry may deny it all they want, but something is going on. The air smells like it did just before my parents died."
Albus nodded. "Well then, I would say that you have one incredible nose for the true situation. Angi, I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but it is true. He returned the end of last year. And your right, Cornelius Fudge will not accept the fact that anything is amiss. In fact he threatened to have me removed from this school if I did do anything." She stared at him in horror.
"But," he added as he saw her start to protest. "I don't see what he can say if he doesn't know what we are doing. After all, I am only getting re- aquatinted with a few old friends." The twinkle, was more pronounced than ever. "Don't you think so Miss Greystone?" she nodded in agreement. "Yes, completely."
"Would you perhaps like for me to introduce you to them?" They both knew it was a loaded question. He was giving her a chance to choose. Her mind was made up. This was her chance to get even with an old score. The war had finished when she was thirteen. She would fight for what she believed in. Just like her parents. Besides, she had a plan.
She looked into the headmasters eyes. "Yes, I would like to meet your friends. Very much so." Dumbledore clapped his hands together. "Just wonderful! Shall we go? In fact I think you might meet more than a few people you already know."
Albus lead her through one of the many halls of Hogwarts towards the staff room and guided her inside. There were about ten or so people in various positions in the room all of whom looked at her in surprise.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, may in intro." but the rest of Dumbledore's sentence was interrupted by Angi launching herself at a character dressed in black standing in the far corner of the room. "Severus!" Severus held out a hand to shake hers. He needn't have bothered, because she bypassed it and hugged him instead.
Silence reined supreme. There she was hugging the dreaded Potions Master. Few people cared to shake his hand, but a young woman had just thrown herself at him in, dare they think it, happiness at his presence. And then he lightly hugged her back.
McGonagall dropped her teacup, Flitwik fell off of his stool. Author Weasley started having a coughing fit. Arabella Fig smothered a small laugh. A large black dog seemed to have fainted with a loud thud. Dumbledore pretended nothing was amiss by rearranging his cloak. And Snape just glared at them all from over the top of her head.
She finally released him and stepped back. "I never got to thank you for your help Snape. For both helping me pass potions, and for your knowledge and work with the wolfsbane potion. I gave you full credit of course." He nodded. "I am sure you did."
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Severus, perhaps you would like to introduce the lady? After all she seemed to have better things in mind when I tried." Angi gave a sheepish grin.
Severus sighed impatiently. "This is Angelica Greystone, . Certifiably the worst potions brewer to ever graduate from Hogwarts." At this Angi winced and nodded. Jaws dropped. And he was supposed to like her?
"However, she also happens to also be the very best authority on Shape- shifters, and any version of Were-beings that you will ever meet. That, and I would trust her with my life. So long as she wasn't supposed to brew something. Now do you think we can continue our discussion now? I do have better things to do with my time than stand around and make idle speeches." Dumbledore held up his hand in supplication.
"Yes. I realize that some of you have a hard time attending this meeting without arousing suspicion. And all of you have people waiting on you to relate the outcome. But please be patient. We are still missing one member. He should be here any moment. Now, let me run through some basics."
"Author Weasley, Mundungus Fletcher, Madam Rosmerta, Hagrid, and Severus Snape shall be in our intelligence. Without information we are wandering around blind. The more we know about the moves Voldermort makes and the reaction of our world the better prepared to deal with it." He ignored the shudder Voldemort's name had created and continued."
"Author, watch the ministry. Try to convince everyone who will listen. Fletcher, Foreign Relations find the right people, and warn them. Rosmerta, find out what the average wizard thinks. You will know better than any of us what is going on. Hagrid is contacting the Giants with the help of the headmistress of Beauxbaton, Madame Maxime. Severus will be watching the Death Eaters. From the inside." Collective breaths were drawn. And Dumbledore looked at them with an expression that allowed no doubt.
"Severus is loyal to us. Some of you may not like him personally, but never doubt him. He does this at great personal risk. We are all on the same side." With this statement he sent a strong look at the black dog in the corner. The dog grudgingly nodded once."
"Minerva McGonagall, Arabella Fig, Flitwick, and Maddam Pomfrey will work with our students. I know that this is an unusual request, but one that I feel will prove fruitful non the less. The students rarely have preconceptions of what is possible. Let them experiment, challenge them to make impossible things happen."
"Minerva work with the shields of Hogwarts I think you will find that certain students know more about Hogwarts than we remember. Arabella, you being the best dueler I know, I need you to start teaching them how to fight. Make them learn to think on their feet. Teach them how to think. Flitwick, create a group of students for brainstorming. Listen to anything they come up with. Then help them to do it. Poppy I need you to find all student's interested in medicine. Teach them as much as possible. We will need them in the future." They nodded, each it seemed was already mentally listing student's that would best fit the criteria.
"Now, I think that everyone here needed to know something. During the aftermath of the death of Voldermort a grave injustice was done." The entire room had gone oddly quiet. "A man was wrongly accused of murder. Sirius Black did not commit the crimes he was accused of." The explosion was near deafening as everyone started to talk at once.
Angi stood there frozen taking in the whole situation. Severus stood besides her radiating anger, and hatred, but not shock. He already knew. It was then that she thought of the black dog. He was currently siting down in the other corner his head hung low. Black. She knew it was him. The body posture was of a defeated man, not of a scolded dog.
She pushed her way through the crowded room unconsciously shouldering through everyone as they tried to talk to Dumbledore at the same time. The only thing she could think of was the fact that Remus wasn't completely alone anymore. One of his closest friends was alive. Or innocent in this instance.
As she knelt down to look him in the eye she knew without a doubt that Sirius Black was innocent. She smiled gently at him and rubbed the visible scars on his muzzle. "I Believe Dumbledore. You didn't do the things your accused of. But I need to know, does Remus know about your being innocent? Because if not, you have to tell him. It almost killed him when you went to Azkaban."
"Yes, I know. I was the first one to figure it out. Quite by accident." Angi gasped. Even with her hearing she hadn't heard him come up behind her. She quickly stood up spinning to face the speaker. Sandy blond hair, that little scar under the right eye, and that voice.
"REMUS!" then for the second time that day she launched herself into an man's unsuspecting embrace. However unlike Snapes reserved response Remus hugged her tight and swung her in a circle grinning. "Angel! It's been a long time." They were both unaware of the fact that the entire room had looked at them when she had yelled his name.
"As charming as this little reunion is may we please get back to the subject at hand?" The smooth yet cutting voice of Severus lashed out like a knife. "Oh, and Angi, if you think you can refrain throwing yourself at anyone else we might be able to leave sometime soon. Certain odors in here are making me ill." By her feet Sirius growled mincingly.
Angi let go of Remus and stuck out her tongue at Severus. Completely unconcerned about receiving a look that promised a slow and painful death from the surly potions master. She had to try hard not to laugh. He was fairly pissed right now. It must have something to do with the stress.
Dumbledore chose that moment to clear his throat and at least attempt to continue the meeting. "As I was saying, Sirius Black is innocent. As of now, I have no real place for him. So he will remain here, safe from the patrolling dementors, at least until the school year starts up again.
"I plan to use him as a messenger of a sorts. For messages to sensitive to send by owl post. I need you to all at least try to work with him. He was the second top in his year. Loyal to a fault and someone who can think on his feet. He has no constant obligations on his time, and he can be anywhere at any time. We need him. And we owe him a chance to publicly prove his innocence." There was a great deal of dark mumbling about this. But Albus continued on.
"Now, Remus. Severus has told us that the dementors will join with Voldermort when he asks them. You are the person with the most knowledge of dark creatures. I need you to find out if there is a way to make something that would repel them automatically. A charm, amulet, anything you can possibly think of. The same goes for any other dark creature you and Severus think he might try to recruit. greatly help in that department." Lupin looked at Snape, who gave a barely perceptible nod.
"I also think that you should start getting in touch with your fellow werewolves. I think Miss Greystone will be able to help greatly. That is if you are going to be staying with us?" The sentence ended with a question. Angi nodded she wasn't leaving now. Besides if he would let her, she'd be right in the middle of things.
"And last, but not least, Angi. I think that you believe you have found something I haven't thought of , judging by that look in your eye." She vaguely noticed the knowing twinkle was back. "Would you care to let us in on your idea?" Angi nodded and released Remus's arm that she hadn't realized she was still holding.
"Well, I've been thinking." Remus let a groan slip that she pointedly ignored. "You have thought of almost everything. But I ask you, how are you going to covertly keep in touch with each other?" she looked around. "I think Dumbledore is right wen he said the key to winning this time is communication. But where can you meet without arousing suspicion?"
"At Madam Rosmerta's? There is always a chance that you could be spied on. And it would be impossible to have a completely private conversation. All the Death Eaters would need to do was have someone constantly on watch. And follow who talked to who. It would be so very easy to set up an ambush."
"Here is not an option either. And I know this school. I did go here. The student grape-vine has a gossip relay time that a team of highly trained wizards couldn't reproduce. Someone is bound to notice something, and make an idle comment. And we have to face the fact that not all of the student's attending here will be loyal. Some will act as spies, for their parents, and for Voldemort. We need what the Muggles call a 'Safe House'."
For people like Black, and Lupin. Rejected because of who they are, even if they fight on the right side. What if Snape were found out. Do you think the parents of the children at this school would all welcome him with he knowledge he was once a death eater? Everyone in this room knows what would happen. The fact that he spied and risked his life would be swept under the rug. We all saw it happen." She stopped to let the others absorb her words.
"A place for target families to stay like the Potters, Longbottem. Or perhaps to take care of the orphans that we all know are coming. Someplace as safe as Hogwarts. Where everyone would be united. Someplace easy for everyone to get to, without arousing suspicion. Unlike the first time someone sees Madame Rosmerta holding a serious conversation with Hagrid, and Severus Snape." There were a few nods of agreement at this. That would arouse suspicion.
"And just where would we find such a place? Nowhere is as safe as Hogwarts." Angi Gave a bright smile at the woman by the fire who had spoken. Arabella Fig if she wasn't mistaken.
"Ah, but that would be where you are wrong. Wolfe Mansion has just as many safety protection wards as Hogwarts. In fact, I have my suspicions that Hogwarts and Wolfe Mansion may share a few. It is my personal belief that Wolfe Mansion was once, many years ago, used for the very purpose I propose. Therefore most of the oldest, and strongest wards overlap. And I believe that it wouldn't take much to reinstate some of the newer ones." She held her breath as she waited for someone to say something. In the end it was Author Wesley who spoke first.
"I agree. I had forgotten about it being so protected, but there is one major problem. After the Werewolf/Death Eater alliance the Ministry decided to revoke the right for werewolves to own land. They only let Linden Walker stay technically in possession of the land until his death. Mainly because nobody else had wanted to deal with the young orphans. So Linden held on until his last ward had graduated before he let himself die." He gave a sad smile at Angi.
"But, apparently as he died he did a series of death-bed magic. A curse of sorts. One stating that only when someone of werewolf blood held the deed would anyone be able to set foot on the estate of Wolfe." He gave a disparaging shrug. "Unfortunately the ministry will not alter that law any time soon. And I doubt very much that they would find sympathy for us if we explained what we wanted it for." He gave a shake of his head to show what he thought of his fellow workers at the Ministry.
Angi reached into one of the pockets in her robe, pulled out a scroll and handed it to Author. "You might like to know that as of this afternoon someone has steeped into the grounds of Wolfe Mansion." Everyone but Dumbledore and Remus gaped at her.
She decided to ease their curiosity. "My parents were both registered werewolves. But I had no aversion to silver, my strength is the same as normal people, and I don't change on every full moon. So technically I'm not a werewolf. But I do have the blood of them in me. My eyesight, reflexes, balance and sense of smell is equal to Remus's. And while I don't have to change into a wolf every full moon it doesn't mean I can't." She smiled brightly at them all. "So, I bought Wolfe Mansion."
"Well, done girl." Mundungus Fletcher applauded her in the background. Linden said that he would make sure that one of his wards got the Mansion, but honestly I doubted him. Well done." Dumbledore clapped his hands together to regain the attention of the room back to him smiling brightly at them all.
"Well, that would be splendid. Just splendid. Sirius I'm sure would like to go stay with you, than stay here at this old castle, and Remus needs a decent place to do his research without any disturbance. That is if you honestly don't mind Miss Greystone."
"Not at all Sir. Anyone who wants to stay at the Mansion is welcome to. Although I haven't had a chance to clean it up yet. It has sat empty for ten years. It needs a lot of work. I haven't even gotten a chance to start one it. And it's really big. Just over fifty rooms. And that is just dealing with the main house, not the grounds, or the outbuildings."
"I will help" She looked at Snape, who looked distinctly uncomfortable now that he had made his offer, and everyone was staring at him. "The sooner Black is not in this castle the better." He said defensively. "And I, of course, will help." Remus's voice sounded just behind her. She gave a grateful look at both of them.
"Thank you. I will need all of the help I can get." Just then Black nudged her hand with his nose to get her attention, and then nodded. So he would help to. She vaguely wondered if they would change their mind when they saw the state of disrepair it was in. Well, only way to find out.
"Well then. I believe that it is time that we adjourn. I suggest that we meet this same time in two weeks for a second meeting at the Wolfe. Are the coordinates still the same to Apperate at?" he sent a questioning look at Angi who nodded. "Splendid. I trust that everyone still remembers them? Yes? Good."
"Now I want to remind everyone to make regular reports to Sirius as he will be in charge of communications in the time between. I want to remind everyone that it is essential that we work together" she saw him alternate pointed looks at Black and Snape. "The muggle Americans have a saying. 'United we stand. Divided we fall'. I suggest we put it into practice as well."
With the meeting apparently finished there was a small flurry of activity, people getting notes they had taken, saying good-buy, and heading out the door. She herself got caught up in talking to professors Flitwick, and McGonagall. After taking her leave she headed out the door only to be stopped by the Headmaster.
"My dear, I wanted to thank you for offering to do this. And to offer you luck with your cleaning" He said this with a definite twinkle in his eyes. "Don't hesitate to call for me if the mess becomes unbearable." With that he smiled at her and turned to speak with Madame Pomfrey. He had probably guessed at the state the mansion was in. With that thought she went down to meet Remus, Sirius, and Severus.
She would shortly find out exactly why he had wised her luck. What a mess.
Chapter three is coming soon! Duels, Dust, and House-Elves! Forgive me if Doumbledore seems a little OOC. I really am trying. Well, let me know what you think. Review, criticism. please! How else am I going to get better?
Oh, and I think that Remus remembered her, don't you? *wink*