Outside her window, the sunset poured its light down upon the lawn, expending the force of its rays before giving way to a full moon. It provided good sport for Malhereuse, who was searching for his dinner amongst the rodents and small beasts that had come out to enjoy the last of the day's heat. With a sigh, Viviane closed her copy of Warfare for Wizards, French version, annotated by her father, and got up to stare outside, her arms crossed, shivering despite the warm breeze blowing through her open windows. Memories of horrific nights under a full moon came back to haunt the peaceful evening. "Remus," she whispered. The thought of him spending these last few hours alone and in dread, tore at her, and, throwing some Floo powder into her fire, she called to him. He did not answer.
"Stubborn wolf. Well, too bad. You're not sulking alone, not any more," she muttered as she left her rooms and headed to Gryffindor Tower.
"Remus?" she said, pounding the base of her hand against the door. "Remus, open up. I refuse to let you lour about in there by yourself. Remus, open up." After a moment's hesitation, she pulled out her wand, let the Guards down and threw open the door.
"Remus, I think you've become even more exasperating-"
She did not have time to do more than take a few steps forward and glance about the sparsely furnished room before she heard a cold voice say, "Excuse me," and a tall form pushed unceremoniously past. Severus Snape turned back to her, smoking goblet in hand.
"Oh, it's you," he snarled. "Checking up on your vicious pet?"
"I am visiting Professor Lupin," she replied, in a voice that should have shattered the goblet. "Leave it on the desk and go."
Snape bared his teeth at her. "You should be more polite to the brewer of the Wolfsbane that Lupin depends on to keep him barely, er, human. Without it, the Headmaster would never dream of letting him teach. As it stands-"
Viviane's hands trembled from the effort of keeping them off of his neck. "If Albus let you skulk here all these years, bloodsucker-"
He slapped the goblet down on the desk, some of the potion falling over the rim and hissing away on the wood surface. "How dare you call me - imply that I-"
"Am a vampire? You're right, it is impossible. Vampires have better personal hygiene. Now, get out."
"Vampires have better manners than you, certainly. I-" He paused. "Where is the beast, anyway?" He ripped aside the curtains, and both of them stared, breathless, at the sky, just begun to glow with the onset of moonrise. He turned on Viviane. "If he so much as scratches a student, I'll have him in Azkaban, next to his friend the murderer. Do you have any idea where-"
Something seemed to catch his eye and his head swung towards the desk. He pounced upon a sheet of parchment lying there, bringing it closely to his face. "I knew it. I knew it, those damnable-" he breathed, and then looked back up at Viviane, his eyes glowing with savage triumph. She almost took a step backward as he glided to her, but caught herself and stood her ground.
"Professor Snape-"
"I am sorry, Professor Chance, but I must go. And you must stay." As swift as Mrs. Norris on the track of an errant student, Snape took Viviane's arm and swung her into the bedroom, slamming the door after her and muttering a set of Locking charms before hastening away.
Viviane stood on the other side, staring blankly at the slab of oak in front of her.
"Professor Snape?" she called. "Snape?"
Rattling the door handle did nothing, nor did enthusiastic banging. Grinding out the nastiest Gallic curses in her repertoire, she set herself to breaking the charms he had locked her in with. "These are much more complex than I thought him capable of," she muttered. "Breaking them will take an hour, at least. He will regret this, that unwashed, dungeon-dwelling-" She stopped, her wand still pointed at the door, then whirled around to face the window. Running over, she unlatched it and threw the window wide, leaning out to gauge the distance down. "No good. I'm too far up, and my Levitation isn't good enough to get down in one piece. Damn you, Remus, why didn't you get assigned rooms on the first floor." Viviane began to pace the room, tripping over chairs and empty glass cases.
In frustration, she began ripping up his bedding, hoping to lower herself down far enough to Levitate herself the rest of the way without serious injury. Before she got to the point of knotting the strips together, she gave up, tossing the ruined linen in a heap. "I refuse to impersonate Rapunzel," she declared to the cracked mirror over the bureau. "That girl was an idiot - she's what comes of refusing to educate witches in anything but beauty spells."
"I wouldn't think it of you, dear," it answered. Viviane shrugged and began to rummage through Remus' drawers, heedless of order or place, looking for anything among his possessions that might help her escape. She found nothing useful amongst the tattered robes and thick socks, and got a nasty bite from something that resembled a set of rainbow-colored false teeth. The object exploded with a flash when she shook it off. Opening the bottom drawer of his bureau, she lifted off a freeze-dried lethifold (hmmm, I wonder what he uses that for?, she thought) to reveal a jumble of fascinating gadgets, neatly arranged by size. Orbs, clear and cloudy and some glowing with a faint radiance nestled next to conical metal shapes, needle-sharp at the tips, and a bundle of cut yew tied with scarlet leather cords.
Viviane sat down and began to examine the objects, occasionally burning her fingers or releasing a loud blast or shower of sparks. One of the tin conical objects, when she tapped it with her wand, started to glow so brightly she had to shield her eyes. It brought back to her mind her predicament, the half-hour she'd just wasted, and the fact that Remus was probably transformed by this time, and free.
Scrambling to her feet, she stumbled to the window through Remus' scattered belongings, determined to use the light to attract attention, then magnify her voice to hail the first person she saw below. The people she saw made her drop the glowing cone. Snape was rolling the bodies of what appeared to be students on to stretchers, as well as a man who was bound hand and foot. Viviane's hands tightened on the window ledge, but the man's hair was too dark and too long to be Remus. "Snape, what have you done?" she whispered. "And where is Remus?" she added before turning back to the room, desperately looking for a way out. She found herself staring at the fireplace.
"Floo. Remus, you better keep some Floo powder in here." Sweeping through neat piles of books, papers, and bags of sweets, leaving a mess behind her that destroyed the last vestige of order in the room, she finally found a cheap clay dish holding the powder she sought. "Ha!" she cried, lighting a fire and taking a pinch of the stuff. "Just wait till I retrieve my sword, and then find you, Professor Snape. You'll not play this trick again."
*~*~*
Sword belt slung around her hips, Viviane hurtled through the quiet corridors, throwing queries about loose werewolves at the suits of armor lining the walls, leaving behind her an echo of clinking metal as they shrugged their shoulders and shook their heads. She paused in the doorway of the empty Great Hall, her tense fingers curled around the swirling stone pillars of the archway, noting how the light from the fully risen moon streamed through the tracery of the windows, leaving spiky shadows on the walls. Viviane wanted to squeeze her eyes shut to block out the sight, but dared not. "Remus?" she called. After a careful survey that showed her nothing lupine was hiding in the shadows, she returned to the entrance hall and paused.
"Where are you, you damnable wizard?" she muttered, glancing around, then up at the massive staircase. "And Snape, what was on the desk that sent you off in such a hurry?" She took a step towards the front door, then paused, wondering if it was better to return to Lupin's room to see what had so interested Snape, or confront the Potions Master with whatever he was doing outside. She turned back to the front door, but before she could go much further, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick hurried out of Dumbledore's staircase.
"Viviane, stay here," the Headmaster ordered, as soon as he saw her. "I will need you in a moment, but until then, stay here and don't let anyone else outside. May I count on you for that, my dear?" The old wizard grasped her arm with more strength than she thought him to possess, and his normal twinkle was replaced by fierce, tense joy that made her step back in confusion and glance at Minerva. The other witch lifted her shoulders and glanced at Dumbledore in a show of baffled exasperation.
"Of course, Albus. I'll not let anyone out for an evening stroll. Is all of this-" She gestured to the massive bay window, through which they could see the parade of stretchers, led by Snape, making its way across the lawn, "about Remus? Do you know where he is?"
"There is no time, Viviane. I will tell you later." Dumbledore and his companions hurried off, leaving Viviane standing, puzzled, next to the great staircase of Hogwarts.
~*~*~
The echoes from the door bolt slamming back into its place had just subsided, when Viviane stepped to the window. The procession she'd glimpsed earlier was gone, and the lawn was as uncluttered and peaceful as usual, with only a tentacle of the squid trailing across the grass near the edge of the lake. She watched as it flopped about for a moment, then slid back into the lake, leaving a trail of wet grass behind. "Where has everyone gone?" she asked the spider busily spinning a web in the corner of the uppermost pane. "Albus said-"
"Thank you, Viviane, for guarding the hall."
She jumped and spun about, hand on hilt, as his voice rang out behind her, lighter and more carefree than she'd ever heard it. "I need you, Viviane. I need you to guard a man who no longer needs guarding." He glanced around, saw they were alone, and continued. "To keep a man in a room, who never deserved to be shut up in one, a man who has always been innocent, who I should have known to be…" The old wizard took a deep breath, and beckoning to Viviane, lead her up the stairs and to a small door in the north tower. He stopped and turning, grasped her by the shoulders.
"He is innocent. Twelve years innocent. Peter Pettigrew is the murderer of Lily and James Potter. He has been hiding at Hogwarts under the guise of Ronald Weasley's pet, and he escaped us tonight. Now, we must ensure the freedom of one who has been punished for the crime Peter committed," he said, and flung open the door, his gaze sliding past her to the still-bound man seated in the middle of the room. "The Ministry would not agree with me in the conduct of this affair…" His eyes lost their blaze, and, eyelids drooping, sought hers. "Do you understand?" Viviane nodded.
With a gentle shake, Dumbledore released her. "I must go; there is much confusion…a Hippogriff will be coming to take Sirius out of here. Unbind him and make sure he leaves on that Hippogriff. Promise me you will see this done, Viviane, then hasten back to the infirmary. You must not be seen."
"Of course, Albus," she said, glancing between he and the prisoner. "You had better go. You've got situations to take care of, I'm sure."
With a final pat of her arm, the Headmaster started back down the stairs. Viviane turned and walked into the room, closing and locking the door behind her. She stood, both hands folded over her sword hilt, for several seconds. At length, she produced her wand, released him from his bonds, then returned to her defensive position. He remained still, his sunken eyes flicking from her face to her sword and back again. "Who are you?" he asked.
Viviane tried to keep her face impassive as she studied the wasted figure. Handsome, very handsome, once. And he's one who stakes everything on bad odds. That look in his eyes wasn't acquired; he was born with it. A dangerous man, then and now. Oh Remus...
"Thoughts of you have tortured Remus for twelve years," she said. "Have you thought of him?"
Sirius began a prolonged hacking that was meant as a laugh. "You know Remus, do you? And yes, I thought of him. I thought of him bleeding, I've thought of him outcast, I've thought of him freezing, burning, starving, satiated, alone, crowded out, howling, speechless." He started that awful cackle again. "Thought of him...we've been fools, he and I, but we've made a new beginning tonight." He squinted up at Viviane.
"How do you know him?" he asked. "You're French, by your accent, and-""No matter," she interrupted. "I've known him long enough, and know how he so desperately wanted to think you-"
"-innocent. Ha!" His wasted face twisted, revulsion for uncountable things fighting against sudden hope. "How do we define that, now? Peter, Peter, you pathetic-"
"-rat." Viviane leapt from her chair and began to pace. "Rat. He got away by transforming just now, didn't he?" She whirled back around on him. "If only Remus had more trust in me than in your stupid friendships and false loyalties-"
A hand, wasted to the tendons, grasped her wrist. "We've paid for our breach of trust, Remus and I," the man said, his eyes staring up into hers. "You've paid some prices too, I see it."
Viviane pulled him up to face
her. "I'm done with paying, and I don't
want to see Remus wasting his time paying for something that he cannot
stop. Is there anything I can do to
help you? I have a lot of connections out there who'd be happy to lend a hand
to somebody who's escaped Azkaban."
"Really?" he replied. "You don't look like the type."
"A lot has changed in twelve years, Mr. Black. You may find it difficult
to distinguish types these days."
A bitter look crossed his face and he said, "There are some types that
never change." The mood passed and he said "I do have one favor to
ask - keep an eye on Harry for me, will you? And write to me once in a while if
you can. I'd like another perspective on events, so to speak."
"You may not like what you read, Mr. Black-"
"I don't care, as long as it's the truth.
Call me Sirius," he said.
"Call me Viv," she answered, then turned her head to the window,
where she saw a Hippogriff approaching the tower. "Take care, Sirius.
You'll be out of here, soon."
"You'll be hearing from me, Viv," he answered as she left the room
and headed back to the infirmary.
~*~*~
As Viviane slipped into the hospital dormitory, she noticed that Harry and
Hermione were there and being practically force-fed chocolate by Madam Pomfrey.
As Madam Pomfrey turned her attention to Harry, Hermione whispered, "What
are you doing here? You weren't here before!"
"The Headmaster told me to come," whispered Viviane back. "I
took Sirius to Professor Flitwick's office - did
he get away all right?" Hermione nodded as Snape's voice, raised in an
infuriated screech, was heard ricocheting down the hallway, and they all froze
as he, Fudge and Dumbledore burst into the room, trailed anxiously by Professor
McGonagall.
Snape entered the room in a flurry of robes, hands, and venom, and Viviane almost felt sorry for him in his ranting frustration, as he twisted between Fudge and Dumbledore. She stood very still, trying to will herself invisible, as accusations and explanations merged in a loud babble of voices.
Suddenly, in the midst of the confusion, Fudge grabbed Viviane's shoulders and peered intently up into her face. "No, it can't be. You can't be. Viviane Devereaux?" Viviane closed her eyes. Lie? Bluff? Run away? None of those options, however attractive, seemed possible. Slowly, she opened her eyes and backed away from Fudge. "Yes, it must be. Child, we thought you must be dead! But there's no mistaking your face, my dear. That famous Devereaux, er, bone structure! I remember you so well from the last time the Ministry visited Aquitaine."
They both turned at the sound of
someone sliding off of a bed, and the thump of feet onto the wooden floor of
the infirmary. Hermione took a step
forward.
"So it's true!" she burst out. "You did attend Aquitaine! You
have a grudge against Hogwarts and probably helped Peter Pettigrew in hopes he
would help destroy Harry and the school." The crowd in the room turned to
stare.
"Oh Hermione, do you really think I'd be so self-destructive?"
Viviane asked. "How little you know of the world. And how did you guess
who I was?"
Hermione looked at her, chin up defiantly. "My parents took me on holiday
in France last summer. When I was in the library-"
"On vacation?" Ron interrupted, awestruck, and suddenly alert.
"I found a book about Aquitaine." Hermione continued, ignoring Ron.
"You pronounce Chance in the French way, and I - I -," she stumbled
to a stop.
"You what, Hermione?" answered Dumbledore.
"When I came to your room for help with the Shield, you left the room for
a few minutes and I did some - research - in your desk. There was enough there
to prove who you were," Hermione said, chin still up but blushing bright
red.
"Ah," said Viviane. "It seems we've underestimated each other
from the start, Hermione. Good work."
"What are you talking about?" Ron asked. "Aquitaine? Isn't that
some old school that existed in France a long time ago?"
"Not so long ago, Ron," said Dumbledore, "and with some timely
assistance from Hogwarts it might still be in existence." Dumbledore began
to pace the floor, looking more disturbed than anyone had ever seen him.
"Aquitaine was attacked by Voldemort and the Death Eaters before he became
a threat in England. I was a teacher here at the time, and although I
disagreed, most of the others felt we did not have the resources to effectively
help our colleagues in France. So we insulated ourselves and Aquitaine was
totally destroyed by Voldemort and his helpers, except for three students who
escaped. Viviane was one of them, and I feel privileged to have her at
Hogwarts. Although she's never expressed her feelings on the subject of
Aquitaine," he added as he glanced at her.
"Nor do I care to, at least not right now." Viviane paused, then drew
her sword out of its scabbard and held it up, where it sparkled in the light of
the torches. "This is all that has
stood between me and oblivion, all these years, and all that I carry out of my
considerable inheritance. Whatever
my…feelings for Hogwarts may be, my sword is at your service." She lowered her weapon, glanced at Harry and
said "Voldemort began with Aquitaine because it was the oldest school in
existence and he thought it might contain secrets pertaining to immortality. If
it did, I never saw them. But he was also looking for me. My parents were both
from ancient wizard families, and Voldemort thought I could...could come in
useful. He killed both of my parents trying to make them reveal where I was.
"Somehow, he found out that I
was at Aquitaine, and what secrets Aquitaine might hold, so he destroyed it
stone by stone looking for both me and the secret to immortality. I, and a few
others, made it into a hidden room and cowered there until he finished. My
parents, my home and my school were destroyed through his ambition. If
Voldemort is really seeking power again, then we must destroy him and then get
on with the business of teaching the next generation of witches and wizards. We
had just enough warning at Aquitaine before Voldemort attacked to save the most
important aspects of the library and a few other items, which are now in my
rooms. I'd like to see them actively used again."
"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named," chorused Fudge and Madam Pomfrey.
"What happened to the other two students?" Harry asked.
"Death Eaters hunted them down and killed them years ago." Viviane
said. "Vold, I mean He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is, if anything,
thorough."
"So- so you're the daughter of Philippe Devereaux? THE Philippe Devereaux?
And Aimee de la Fontaine? Philippe Devereaux died as a great- a great-"
asked McGonagall, in a tone of disbelief.
"Hero." Viviane gave a cynical smile. "Yes. She glanced at Ron
and Harry. "That explains all the snakes. Our house symbol is the serpent.
After I escaped I took the name Chance from one of the branches of my family
that died out ages ago. Devereaux is a bit ostentatious for a woman who's
merely a hired sword."
"Does Voldemort know you're alive? Are you in danger?" Harry asked.
Viviane shrugged. "I don't know. I doubt it - I'm not his first priority
at the moment, and it's in his interest to keep me alive and well, for
now." She smiled a slightly ferocious smile. "I haven't wreaked
enough havoc among Death Eaters to turn his attention to me - yet. It is your
back that needs watching, Harry."
Fudge stepped forward, saying in an overly hearty manner "Well, Miss -
Mademoiselle - Professor Devereaux, with Sirius Black on the loose again, we
could use you in the Ministry. If you ever decide to leave teaching, you will
always have a position in the government if you want one. You'd be an excellent
department head, with your experience, and with your ancestry-."
Viviane turned to him, one eyebrow raised. "My experience would make your
bureaucrats run screaming, Fudge. I think I'll pass. And I'll keep the name of
Chance for the time being. Albus, I need to check in with Hagrid."
Dumbledore nodded, and as Viviane walked from the room she noticed Snape for
the first time since Fudge recognized her, sitting in a chair by the door. He
had an unreadable expression on his face, but his eyes were darker than Viviane
had ever seen them.
*****
"Remus, where the heck are you?" Viviane muttered to herself as she
searched the teachers' lounge and proceeded to his office. There she stopped
short in astonishment as emptied drawers and blank shelves met her gaze.
"Ah, Viviane, there you are. I have been looking for you," Dumbledore
said as he walked into the deserted office.
"Remus? Where is he? What's happened?"
"Severus took it upon himself to tell the Slytherins that Remus is a
werewolf and-"
"He what?" Viviane paled and
grasped the Headmaster's arm. "He
did what?"
Dumbledore placed a hand over hers.
"Remus immediately resigned, and I must say that under the present
circumstances it is for the best-"
She snatched her hand back.
"Albus, how can you say that? How can
you let Snape get away with this?"
"Viviane-"
She stepped forward, eyes blazing, up to Dumbledore. "Do you have any idea
what life is like for Remus out there? I've shared lodgings with him over the
years, and I do know. I've broken into his room and found him in rags, near
death from blood loss where he'd ripped his arms to shreds. There were times
when he's begged, begged me to leave
him to die. I've found him in gutters, in the same condition, where he'd
escaped to the woods and then tried to find his way back but fainted from
exhaustion and wounds. I've found him beaten up, robbed of what little he had,
raving like a madman... how can you send him back out to face that?"
"Viviane, there is nothing I can do. Please, no more of this, now or
ever." Dumbledore gave her a rare, freezing look and walked away, down the
hall towards his office.
Viviane was startled momentarily, but recovered enough to shout, "I just
bet you don't!" after his retreating figure.
****
Ex-Professor Lupin was about to get into the carriage when Viviane ran up and
grabbed his arm, pulling him back from the vehicle. "Remus! What's going
on? Albus says you're leaving. This is
- "
Remus grabbed the door of the carriage for balance and looked sternly at her,
his brown eyes hard. "Viv, I must.
Severus is right when he says I'm a danger to the students-"
Bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet, she snapped, "That's
nonsense! I can't believe Snape's done this to you, just wait till I get my
hands-"
"Viviane, please. Don't make this any harder." He let go of her,
trying to smile. "It's been great, being together. Keep in touch."
Viviane shook her head in exasperation and then hugged him fiercely, trying to
will some warmth into Lupin's chilly body.
"Remus, if you insist on caving in to Snape, at least take care of
yourself. Swallow your damned pride and let me help you if you need it - you've
helped me so much since I've been here and it will be so difficult without
you-" Viviane choked and tried to keep the tears back, but they escaped as
she buried her face in his chest.
He rested his cheek on her hair for a moment as he said, "I'll write to
you, Ms. Devereaux. Yes, Albus just told me," he said, as she
looked up, startled. "Don't let Severus get on your nerves, my brave girl.
Oh Viv, if only I'd known what you've lost-." He extricated himself from
her arms, kissed her quickly, and scrambled back into the carriage.
As she stood and watched it drive off, a dizzying surge of rage swept over her.
"Unfair," she snarled as she turned and stalked to Snape's office. Beating both fists on his door, she shouted,
"Open up, Snape. I need to talk to you."
His voice, irritated and rough, echoed back.
"Go away. I'm busy right now."
Taking out her wand, she stepped back and blew the door to bits. Snape looked
up from his cauldron, appalled, as fragments of the door flew past his
head. The doorknob fell into his
potion, causing it to froth over and turn from green to fuchsia. "How dare you?" Viviane hissed as
she walked in. "How dare you play such a dirty trick on Remus?"
"My door!" he gasped. "I always
knew you were insane. As for that werewolf that nearly killed me-"
"You mean the professor who was doing such good work with Hogwarts
students," she snapped back. "You know how hard Remus has it out
there. You know we need him for the Defense position. You jealous, insecure,
nasty, backstabbing-"
"Oh please," said Snape. "Get out of my office and take your
Diagon Alley manners somewhere else. They don't belong at Hogwarts any more
than the werewolf does. I don't care who your parents were or how highly the
Headmaster thinks of you. Why don't you resign in protest? I'm sure nobody
would mind."
Viviane stepped up to Snape, steel in eyes and voice. "You let a childhood
prank dominate your life to the point of idiocy. Your students are terrified of
you. And I may have Diagon Alley social skills, but you have none at all. Of
the two of us, you are the one who doesn't belong at
Hogwarts."
Snape finally, completely lost his temper at the same time Viviane let hers
loose. They were so busy screaming unbelievably rude insults at each other that
Dumbledore had to get between them to make his presence known. "Stop
it!" he thundered at them, looking so forbidding that both stopped
shouting immediately. "I have never witnessed - nor heard - such behavior
in this school by either students or teachers. I am heartily ashamed of you
both."
"Headmaster, look at my door! Professor Chance burst in-"
"I don't want to hear it, Severus, nor from you, Viviane. You both should
know better. Since you'll be working together for some time, I see I'll have to
get you to agree on something. Viviane, you don't have any experience in
brewing potions, do you?"
"No, Albus," she said tersely.
"Well then, here is your opportunity. Severus, I understand that Viviane
has given you a book of potions, some of which you may need her help in
translating." Snape simply glowered at Dumbledore. "Very well.
Starting next term, once a week, for two hours, Viviane, you shall help Severus
translate potions from the book you saved from Aquitaine. Severus, here is your
chance to teach a bright new student. Shake hands, and not another word on this
matter."
"Albus-" Viviane said.
"Shake hands," Dumbledore said, in a tone that brooked no argument.
Looking at distant points over each other's shoulders, they quickly brushed
their hands together. "Good," said Dumbledore. "I trust this
will never, ever happen again, and I'll make sure both of you have an evening
free in your schedule. Severus, I suggest you start working on Viviane's lesson
plans for next fall. As they exited Snape's office, Dumbledore took her firmly
by the arm and said, "Before you leave on vacation Viviane, there are a
few things that I fear you need reminders about, one of which is the respect I
merit as Headmaster of this school." As they headed towards Dumbledore's
staircase, Viviane steeled herself to make a few apologies before she left for
the summer.
The end.
A/N: Thanks to Yolanda, who put up with the umpteen revisions of the
Sirius/Viviane scene!