Remus awoke in darkness. He was lying on the floor, damp stone that chilled him all the way through, his ragged clothes offering little warmth. His brain spun in his skull, causing dizziness and nausea as he tried to sit up, but found his arms were quite heavy, restrained by heavy iron shackles, which were anchored to the wall and allowed little movement. He leaned against the wall, staring, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the darkness and tell him where he was. In time, he could make out stone walls all around him, and a large oak door to his right.
He was a captive. But where? Had Dumbledore found him and placed him here for safety?
No. Dumbledore would never have shackled him, for to wake up restrained was terrifying. Even after-
Dear gods, what had he done? He could vaguely remember bits and pieces, but he knew he had attacked Moira. He prayed he had not harmed her seriously, or worse.
The scrape of the latch being lifted drew his attention to the door. Slowly it opened.
Moira, Severus, Sirius, McGonagall, and Filius Flitwick were gathered in Dumbledore's office, sitting and standing in various places, their eyes riveted on the Headmaster and the young man standing beside him. Harry Potter's eyes strayed between his godfather, Sirius, and Professor O'Shaughnessy, still stunned by the information he had learned in Dumbledore's penseive. Professor O'Shaughnessy sat very still in a high backed chair, her eyes stony and serious. There was no glow about her, no energy that she exuded during classes or when he saw her in the Great Hall. She was a grim-faced soldier, waiting for information and a mission. Harry could see that she must have been a very dangerous Auror in her day.
Sirius leaned against the wall behind her, his arms folded across his chest. He too was silent and serious, but Harry could see something there he did not see in Professor O'Shaughnessy. His eyes gave away emotion far more clearly than hers. He was worried. Sirius' large brown eyes gave it away. They were almost haunted as he glanced down momentarily at Professor O'Shaughnessy, then up at Harry. He smiled grimly.
"I am afraid that the mystery of Remus Lupin's disappearance may have a very serious explanation," Dumbledore was saying. "And that explanation is quite distressing to me." He took a moment to examine the faces of those around him. "As we all are aware, Young Mr. Potter here at times can see and feel Voldemort when his wrath is at its worst." The men and women in the room nodded, as if this was common knowledge. "And last night, he had a most disturbing dream. Harry, please share what you saw."
"Uh, well, I saw Professor Lupin, a werewolf, in some woods. He was running, as if escaping something. And then flashes of light and the werewolf fell to the ground. Peter- Peter Petigrew was there, and behind him, a man in a black cloak. Voldemort. He told him to take the werewolf back to the stronghold and keep him there."
"Stronghold?" Snape spoke up. "Is this the exact word he used?"
"Yes," Harry answered, slightly surprised that Snape had neither hissed at him nor demeaned him in any way.
"Does this mean something to you, Severus?" Dumbledore's blue eyes were fixed on the Potions master.
"Voldemort holds many properties throughout England. I have heard him refer to only one as a stronghold, though I, personally, have never been there. Supposedly, it is an old castle, broken down and out of use, but for the subterranean levels. It holds an entire fortress underground, unseen from above."
"Do you know where it is?"
"No. None of his followers are allowed total access to any of his holdings. I know of only a few who have seen this one."
"Harry." It was Professor O'Shaughnessy who addressed him this time. "You said you saw a werewolf and referred to him as Professor Lupin. How can you be sure it was him?"
"Peter Petigrew referred to him as Lupin, no, Remus. He called him Remus. He, he kind of kicked him when he was down and asked him if he liked the sugar in his tea."
"He said that? He actually said that?" She exchanged a tense look with Snape and mouthed the word 'How?'
"He must have slipped into the house," Sirius said softly, "and poured sugar into the cup. It was left sitting downstairs when I went to find Remus to let him know Snape had brought it by."
"Well," Dumbledore sighed, "know we know what happened and how. Now we need to know the why. Harry, you may go back to the Common Room. Speak of this to no one." When Harry was gone, Dumbledore looked around at those still in the room. "That Voldemort had Remus taken to his stronghold gives me hope that he is still alive. However, we need to learn exactly where he is and what is to be done with him. Severus, you must discover all you can about this."
"It will be difficult. Those who ask too many questions are suspect."
"I understand. Be careful." When Snape nodded, Dumbledore continued. "As for the rest of us, we must keep our eyes and ears open. We have many students here who are aware of what their parents, their very dangerous parents, do. Pay careful attention to what they say and do. Many are not disciplined enough not to brag or threaten when they feel their parents have some upper hand.
"And as for Remus, we must be patient, and hope we can discover his location before Voldemort's plot, whatever it may be, comes to fruition."
"Remus, how are you? Feeling a little ill perhaps? You look as if the effects of the moon have not yet worn off."
Remus blinked up at Peter Petigrew hovering smugly above him.
"Wormtail, I should have known you had something to do with this."
"With what? With saving your pathetic life? Moira certainly hasn't lost any of her old flair, with trying to kill you and all. Don't you remember, old friend? Why else would you have attacked her?"
"You're a fool, Peter, if you think I would believe that."
"You're right. But I'm sure you do remember her holding a knife at you. Is that the way friends treat each other nowadays? Or is that only werewolves?"
Remus leapt to his feet so quickly, Peter fell over backwards to get away from him. He scrambled back to his feet when he saw the chains tighten and hold Remus back. A deep laugh escaped his throat..
"It always surprised me, you know, that you and she never ended up together. You were both so close when we were in school. And you did love her. Don't think that dim little Peter never noticed the way you looked at her. But then, it's no wonder she ended up with Sirius. He was always so cool, so handsome, so rich. So unlike Remus Lupin in his ragged robes and his sickly mother. Do you really think he had no idea how you felt? Of course he did. He didn't care. None of them really did. You were always just the werewolf. He and James only hung out with you because you were a werewolf, a secret no one else could have."
"Liar."
"Am I? Remus, you were more powerful than both of them put together, and yet they were always telling you what to do. They controlled you. You were their pet."
Lupin's eyes were aflame as he backed up against the wall. Peter stepped closer.
"Were James still alive, you would be wearing a collar and leash right now."
Lupin lashed out with his arm, leaning back against the wall for as much distance as the chain would allow. He caught Peter by the throat, and the little man twisted and flailed in his grip, before swinging his silver hand, a gift from Lord Voldemort, around and striking Remus hard on the side of the head. He fell to the ground, blood trickling from his temple.
Peter backed away, trembling as Remus looked up at him with malice shining in his eyes, before collapsing to the ground. Even with Lupin restrained and unconscious, Peter nearly ran to the door, threw it open, and escaped to the other side.