"There is no way. Okay? No."
"It's more convincing like this. Look at the size of you!"
"No, no, no. I mean it! They won't question you!"
"We can't risk people getting suspicious! Everyone's on edge enough as it is."
"They won't be! No one's going to care ..."
"And do you want to wait and see?"
"I ... but ... you --"
"Great! I knew you'd agree in the end!" And with that Remus walked cheerfully, albeit quickly, out of the living room, leaving a disbelieving Sirius standing gaping after him. You can run, but you can't hide, he thought darkly after a moment. He glowered around the room in general, wondering how, despite his determination that Remus was not going to make him back down on this, he was now standing with a cheerful red collar in his hand.
Remus' voice called through to him from the kitchen. "And don't moan about it or I might accidentally make it pink and flowery."
Sirius, knowing it was probably wise to take Remus at his word, kept sullenly quiet.
**
Once they were satisfied that the house was locked up, and Remus was satisfied that Padfoot had his collar on, they set off by Floo to Hogwarts. The two of them stumbled ungracefully out into Dumbledore's office with five minutes to spare, where most of the Order already sat around chattering. Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody sat in a corner glaring suspiciously around the room, magic eye rotating wildly. It seemed, and understandably so, Remus supposed, that last year's experience had done his already considerable paranoia no favours. Albus was chatting amiably to a young man whom Remus recognised as the eldest Weasley boy. Bill, if he remembered correctly. Minerva McGonagall sat regally in an armchair, talking to Arabella Figg. Remus saw to his great amusement that the conversation was looking rather heated. He knew that when the two women got into a debate about something, there was no stopping them. Equally opinionated and strong-minded, neither would back down, and their 'discussions' could go on for hours. There had been some memorable ones in the first war. Gilbert Whimple entered right behind Remus and Sirius. There were a few other people whom Remus recognised, but did not know. "Remus Lupin!" called a gruff voice. "How are ye, lad? It's been a while, eh?"
Remus smiled and took a seat beside the ageing Ministry worker. "Mundungus," he said warmly. "It's good to see you again." Mundungus Fletcher worked in the Improper Use of Magic Office, and had done for as long as Remus had known him.
"Aye, lad, it is that." He nodded down at the distinctly annoyed-looking dog sitting at Remus' feet. "And I suppose this is Si ... er ... Snuffles, then?"
"Yes, it is," said Remus, grinning down at a disgruntled Padfoot.
Mundungus snorted with laughter. "What in God's name have ye put around the poor thing's neck? He looks like a bloody girl!"
Padfoot narrowed his eyes and snorted. Remus laughed. "I told him if he didn't behave it was going to be pink." He turned his attention to Sirius. "And if you so much as move a muscle when Severus arrives I'll top the ensemble off with a pretty bow."
Mundungus burst out laughing, a hoarse rumble. "Aye, I can just see it," he said, reaching down to scratch behind Padfoot's ears. Remus cast Padfoot an amused look, which was reciprocated with a soft growl.
At that moment the door burst open and in stalked Severus Snape, black cloak billowing, looking even sourer than usual. What was annoying him became apparent immediately when Hagrid followed him in. "An' that's when I realised I wasn' givin' them the righ' kind o' lettuce," he was saying loudly, apparently completely oblivious to Snape's lack of interest. Snape stomped in over to the window and threw himself down into a chair, while Hagrid completely abandoned his tale and made a beeline for Padfoot.
"An' who's this?" he asked. He looked at Remus. "Well if it isn' Professor Lupin!" he said cheerfully. "How've yeh been?"
"I've been well, thanks, Hagrid," replied Remus. "Yourself?"
"No' bad, no' bad," came the reply. He wasn't looking at Remus, however, but at Padfoot. "Look at the size o' that! What kind o' dog is he? I could've done with a dog that size when I was lookin' fer a playmate fer Fluffy!"
"Er ... I'm not sure, actually. He was a stray until he turned up on my doorstep. I decided to take pity and take him in."
"Yeh ... fine size o' a dog, that. I'm no' sure about the collar, though. No' very in-keepin' with his size ... bit girly if yeh ask me ..." He eyed the collar doubtfully.
Remus barely swallowed a laugh as Padfoot bristled at that comment and shot a doggy-glare at him.
"If I could have everyone's attention, please?" came Dumbledore's voice over the chatter. Everyone quietened down immediately. "Thank you. Now, before we start, there are a few people I'd like to introduce. Firstly, for those who do not know him, this is Bill Weasley, Arthur Weasley's eldest." He indicated the red-haired man to his right. "He works for Gringotts as a Curse-Breaker. Simon Keddle," here he nodded towards a tall, thin man with a goatee, "works for the Daily Prophet. Daphne Miles, Aizel Beckett and Gilbert Whimple work at the Ministry in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures and the Committee on Experimental Charms, respectively."
There followed discussion about the (admittedly few) Death-Eater attacks that had so far taken place. It seemed that the Death-Eaters were choosing their victims carefully and had so far only attacked Muggles. The Ministry were, in effect, helping them by turning up soon after, clearing up the mess and trying to hide that it ever happened.
"Well, it looks like we're going to have to get someone in there first," said Arabella. She looked at Daphne. "You'll hear about these things fairly quickly, won't you? Working where you do? If we make sure there's always someone standing by, you could contact them immediately and they can get to the site of the attack, hopefully before the Ministry. If we can get evidence, Mr Keddle can easily put together a story about it. Then there won't be any way for Fudge to deny that You-Know-Who is back."
Daphne Miles nodded thoughtfully. "I could, but I'd have to be informed every day who I'd be contacting. And there's no guarantee that I'd get the news before someone else did."
"Are there others in your department who will be willing to help?" asked Arabella.
Minerva interrupted. "Arabella, all that will happen there is that we will have a wide-scale panic on our hands. It's amazing what people will do for money, and Minister Fudge could perfectly easily counter-attack with accusations against us. We'll need far more solid proof than that before we can make the return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named public, especially if we're going to be accusing the likes of Lucius Malfoy of dark activities. Many of the Death Eaters Harry Potter saw in the graveyard that night work for Fudge."
Arabella leaned forward. "I disagree, Minerva," she stated simply. There were collective groans around the table as everyone familiar with the proceedings prepared for the imminent argument, but Remus saw a twinkle in the Headmaster's eye. Arabella continued. "Fudge cares more about his position than he does about the safety of his constituents, yes? If anything will persuade him to take precautions, it's public opinion. And if the public believes that Lucius Malfoy and whoever else are involved in the Dark Arts, it won't be long before the Minister acts accordingly."
"Lucius Malfoy is a very influential man, Arabella," Minerva said, also leaning forward. The fact that they were both dangerously light in tone was usually indicative of tempers flaring. Around the table, Remus was aware of people looking nervously at Dumbledore. "He can and will make things difficult for us. Fudge is a blithering fool. And if we make the rift between us and the Ministry public, there will be chaos."
Arabella looked annoyed.
**
Twenty minutes later, everyone at the table except Minerva, Arabella and Dumbledore were staring vacantly around with glazed eyes. Even Padfoot was sprawled messily on the floor, the picture of canine boredom. Minerva and Arabella were really going at it now, and Dumbledore was attempting in vain to placate the two women.
"If you think that he's just going to change his mind like that," Minerva said hotly, snapping her fingers, "then I'm afraid you're very much mistaken!"
"Now, if we can just --" began Dumbledore.
"We cannot keep something this big a secret!" interrupted Arabella shrilly. "The Minister is far too --"
"Ladies!" rumbled Dumbledore, and the two women, along with everyone else in the room, jumped and stared at him. He continued, as pleasant as ever. "I'm glad we're tossing ideas about, but I fear we will have to move on. There are other things to discuss, and I would like to get to them fairly soon, if you please."
Looking suitably abashed but no less angry, the women fell silent.
**
An hour later, the members of the Order were preparing to leave. "Severus and Remus," said Dumbledore. "If you two could stay here for just a few minutes more, please."
Severus shot a poisonous look at the large black dog lying at Remus' feet. Sirius wasted no time in baring his teeth menacingly. Snape scowled but said nothing.
"Now then," said Dumbledore cheerfully one everyone was gone. "Lemon drop?"
Snape shook his head, glaring at the bag of lemon drops as though it was single-handedly responsible for his being stuck in a room with the two people he hated most.
"No, thank you," Remus replied.
Sirius regained his human form and stuck his hand in the bag, receiving a very pleased look from Dumbledore. "Thanks." Snape snorted and muttered something under his breath.
"Now, I'll tell you all what I need you to do for me." He looked at the three men, no doubt taking in the Death Stares passing thick and fast between Sirius and Snape and the determination Remus was putting into ignoring them. Dumbledore sighed. "You probably won't like it, but I can't think of anyone who I would rather have do this. That, and everyone else has jobs that they cannot leave. I can find a part-time Potions teacher for while you are away, Severus. And, of course, you will be paid."
"Away?" asked Snape, looking viciously at Sirius and Remus. "Away with them?"
"Yes," Albus replied. "Tell me, have any of you heard of a man named Vlad Comaneci?"
Remus frowned slightly. The name certainly rang a bell. Sirius and Snape both shook their heads.
"He resides in Romania and is the head of a powerful werewolf clan." Oh. Snape raised his eyebrows in a what-do-those-disgusting-creatures-have-to-do-with-me? fashion and glowered at Remus.
"Now, we know that Voldemort will try to get the werewolves on side, and we need to prevent that. Preferably by persuading them to fight for our side. If not, then even for them to stay neutral would be a big help. So I need you three to go to Romania and see what you can do."
Severus looked horrified. "What?" he exploded. "You want me to go to Romania, with them, and try to make friends with the werewolves?"
"Yes, Severus, I do," said Dumbledore quietly. "You need to learn to work together and I believe that your combined powers and skills will be invaluable."
Sirius was looking furiously at Snape. He opened his mouth to say something.
"Where can we find him?" interrupted Remus, preferring to leave the fireworks for when they were not in the Headmaster's presence.
"He is reputed to be staying somewhere just outside of a town called Brasov. I expect he'll know of your arrival, so if you cannot find him, I'm sure he'll find you."
"And how long do you want us to stay there?"
"Well ... unless there is absolutely no way of persuading them and they utterly refuse...as long as it takes, I think."
Remus nodded. Sirius and Severus didn't, choosing instead to sit scowling at each other. The Headmaster sighed. "I believe that if the three of you work together, you will be successful. Severus, I will need you to bring supplies so that you can prepare the Wolfsbane Potion for Remus, please."
Snape nodded, looking from pleased. "Yes, Headmaster."
Albus clapped his hands together cheerfully. "Wonderful! Now, is tomorrow too soon to leave? I have sorted out accommodation for you. There is a cottage just outside the town of Brasov that I believe will be suitable. Here is the key."
Remus, startled, took the ornate brass key from the Headmaster's outstretched hand. How did he do it? The Headmaster looked at Snape. "If you are summoned, Severus, you will be able to Apparate immediately, which will prevent any suspicion."
Snape nodded tightly. "The only problem is," continued Albus, "that you cannot Apparate into the cottage. You will have to Apparate into Brasov and walk from there."
Another nod. "Fine."
"Excellent. In that case, you should probably get plenty of rest tonight. Apparition to somewhere so far will require a good bit of energy."
The three men bid the Headmaster goodbye. Surprisingly, neither Snape nor Sirius said a word when they got out. Snape swept past them with a dark look when they got out and Sirius muttered "Git" softly before transforming, but no more. Remus hoped that they could show as much restraint when they were away.
Please review!
