Disclaimer:

All characters in the story are the property of J. K. Rowling and Bloomsbury Books, with the exception of Eleanora Sterling and a few supporting characters, who are my own creations. This story is created purely for the entertainment of myself and other like-minded readers and no copyright infringement is intended.

By mentioning J.K. Rowling in this story I do not intend to present her as a fictional character or to imply that the Harry Potter books are not her own 100% original works.

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Chapter 20: Summoned to Hogwarts

Two days later, Lupin realised that he could no longer hold off Dumbledore. In the interim he had spoken to Snape and told him that Devani was in India and Plotkin was not to be found, in Armenia or elsewhere, it seemed. In any event, while he would be happy to owl Rakesh Devani on his behalf, did Snape really want to waste his or someone else's resources looking for Plotkin? Grudgingly, Snape agreed that the plan could probably go forth without troubling either wizard.

The former potions master seemed quite pleased to hear that Miss Granger could be counted upon. When Remus mentioned how surprised he was at Hermione's conniving streak, Snape replied "I always knew that girl had it in her, from the way she used to conspire with Potter and Weasley to investigate things they had no business knowing about. She may have appeared to be a bookish little mouse, but I had a feeling that one day she might make an excellent spy." He paused for a moment. "Now, what can you tell me about this Morgan LaFay woman? Do we have any word on her yet?"

"Not much I'm afraid. I did speak to someone who works with her, and it seems that she's worked for Walsh's for some time. So it's highly unlikely that she's a Death Eater plant sent to spy on me specifically. As to whether she lives in the Mundane dimension or ours, or if she's a registered wizard or not, I've asked Miss Granger to look into it. I should have an answer shortly."

"If it turns out she's not registered, then it is highly likely that she's an adept, like Nora?"  This was more of a statement than a question.

"Quite probably."

"Either way, be sure you handle this very carefully. If she is from our dimension, even if she is not a Death Eater plant, we should be sure that she doesn't get wind of what we're really up to until we are sure we can trust her."

"I had no plans of telling her anything more than I have already told her associates. None of them has an inkling of what we're 'really up to.'"

Lupin breathed a sigh of relief when that conversation was over. At least Snape was none the wiser about Dumbledore finding out that he planned to come home, and his partner in crime had a much bigger problem to stew about: the Goodge Street witch.

Now, the matter of what to tell Dumbledore: unfortunately, that conversation was not going to take place over the telephone. For this, he was going to have to go up to Hogwarts in person. To that end, he composed a note to be owled to the headmaster and took it across to the Ministry office. Thank goodness travelling between Mundane and Muggle London was as easy as getting in the Underground and walking through a doorway at King's Cross Station. At this rate, he would soon be finding himself going back and forth several times as day.

Albus:

Coming up to Hogsmeade tomorrow morning.

Have Hagrid meet me at the Three Broomsticks with the cart. Will tell you what I can when I see you.

Regards,

R. Lupin

Once he had mailed his note at the Owl Post counter in the Ministry office, he arranged transportation to Hogsmeade. Since one is not allowed to apparate on Hogwarts grounds, it was necessary to go to the village instead and make his way up to the school from there. The Hogwarts Express wouldn't run until first day of classes. Accordingly a portkey was set up for him leaving at 8:00 a.m. from an alleyway directly behind the Ministry office. He'd have to set up a return key once he got to Hogwarts and knew when he'd be coming back.

* * *

Hogsmeade, Scotland, in late August was certainly not as warm as London. Remus noted with displeasure that he had not dressed warmly enough for the visit. He'd also have to see if he could borrow some robes once he reached the castle. He had almost gotten too used to wearing Muggle clothing, and Vera had been a strong influence on his tastes. Wearing robes almost seemed a foreign idea to him these days.

Hagrid arrived with the cart moments after he had popped up near the Three Broomsticks. He'd brought a friend along: Remus grinned as "Snuffles" leapt from the cart and licked his hand joyfully. Thank goodness Sirius Black wasn't as free with his affections when he was in human form; at least not with Remus, at any rate. Ruffling the black dog's shaggy fur, he climbed up into the donkey cart next to Hagrid and they set off around the lake to the castle.

"Would ha' brought the boat," Hagrid commented, "but the squid's been actin' a bit nasty lately, so I thought it'd be safer ter drive yeh over. Side's, Snuffles 'ere doesn't like the water much, do yeh, boy?" he said, scratching the dog behind the ears.

"Where has Snuffles been staying while I was away?" Remus asked.

"Oh, he's been bunkin' in with me and Fang. We've been gettin' along famously, we have," Hagrid replied. Snuffles rewarded him with a tongue-lolling grin.

Amazing, really, thought Remus, that Hagrid regarded the animagus so affectionately, when just a few short years ago Sirius Black was one of the most feared and hated wizards in the realm, next to Voldemort himself - still was, in most parts, since he hadn't yet been fully exonerated. But here on Hogwarts grounds, at least, he was loved and respected by a small select circle of wizards who knew the truth. How long would it be before Sirius could show his face freely in society again, without having to disguise himself as a dog? Probably not until Peter Pettigrew was finally apprehended.

Hagrid let Lupin and the dog off at the imposing front entrance to the school and with a cheery wave drove the donkey cart back to the stables. Lupin entered tentatively, his stomach sinking. The moment of truth was at hand... and he still did not have a clue as to how he was going to handle this.

Once inside, Sirius reverted to his human form. "Good to see you, Remus. How are things in London?"

"It's been interesting," Remus admitted. "But we can catch up later. I should get going - I have an important meeting with Dumbledore."

"So I gathered," Sirius said with a slight smirk. "Seems he's rather peeved about something. Hope everything goes well for you…"

Lupin grimaced and nodded stiffly in reply and made his way to the headmaster's office. As it was still summer, a password was not required: Albus did not usually place his student-repelling charms until the school year started. Knocking on the elder wizard's door, he felt as guilty and nervous as a student sent up for playing a prank.

The door opened soundlessly and Lupin ventured in. Albus was seated in his inner office, waiting grimly. Lupin took the seat opposite Dumbledore's desk.  "Good day, Albus," he said softly. "I trust you've been well?"

"Very well, thank you. And yourself?" Albus replied coolly.

"Good, thank you."

"Things have been quiet in the Mundane dimension, have they?" Albus asked.

Remus' stomach gave an uneasy flip. "I have not detected any unauthorized wizard activity, if that's what you're asking."

"Funny that you should put it that way," Dumbledore replied. "I have a distinct feeling that there's a certain wizard in Mundane North America who is engaging in some unauthorized activity, and that you may, in fact, know something about it."

"You're referring to Snape, I presume?" Lupin suppressed an audible gulp.

"It has come to my attention that he's planning to return, against my wishes, and that it appears he's asked for your assistance in some matter. Can you kindly enlighten me?"

"Ah, well, the fact is… he has asked me if I can obtain another passport for him."

"And what is wrong with the passport he currently has?"

"The – um- transfiguration that Minerva performed on it... with the text and photograph and so forth... did not appear to hold once they got over to the Mundane dimension. Therefore it was useless. I gather he had to use some sort of mind control on a customs agent in order to get into the country."

"Dear, dear. That must have been very awkward for him. So he has requested that you obtain a replacement. And have you?"

"I did put in an order for one and I believe it was just completed, but have no immediate plans to send it to him."

"And why not?"

"Because, Sir, I knew you would not want him to use it." Remus was surprised to find himself referring to his former headmaster as though he were still a student.

"Ah, that was very admirable of you. But why did you bother at all to have it made?"

Remus squirmed uncomfortably. "It seemed best to get one ready for him just in case he needed to return home on short notice. They are good for a few years, and I thought, why not…"

"And why, pray tell, did you not inform me directly of his request?"

"Erm, well, I just thought you'd be so busy planning the upcoming semester that you wouldn't want to be concerned with such a frivolous detail."

"Thank you for your consideration, but I think I should be the judge of what details should concern me, and which should not," Dumbledore said dryly.

"Quite." Remus choked.

"So, do you have an idea why Snape wants to return to Europe, when he knows that to do so would be a death sentence for him?"

"Well, I really do not think he's planning to return here to Hogwarts so much as that he has an idea of staying in Mundane London, Sir," Remus explained. "I think he feels he'd be far more useful there than where is at present."

"Since there's currently no Death Eater activity in Mundane London, why would he feel a need to be there?"

"I suppose he feels he'd be more readily available if he were needed here."

"No doubt he does feel that way, but it's far too close for comfort. Naturally, his return is out of the question."

"Naturally. I'm in complete, 100% agreement with you on that score." Remus sat back with the faint hope that perhaps this would be all there would be to the interrogation.

"Now, why do I have the feeling there's something you're not telling me?" Albus asked abruptly.

"Erm, what do you mean?" he replied, caught off guard.

"Knowing Severus Snape as well as I do, as brave as he has proved himself to be on many an occasion, I do not believe he'd willingly place himself into danger unless he had some hope of prevailing. In other words, he wouldn't come back here unless he had an something up his sleeve. Is he by any chance planning something?"

Remus looked blankly at him for a moment, as he considered his options. He would not likely get away with lying to the elder wizard, and that would cost him Dumbledore's trust forever. Nothing was worth that. Best to tell the truth then, but could it be told in such a way as to intrigue his superior?

"Knowing how magical forces and wizards' abilities are greatly reduced in the Mundane dimension, Snape has a very interesting theory about what might happen to Voldemort if he were somehow induced to cross over."

Dumbledore pondered this for a few moments, his eyes narrowed contemplatively. "Does he presume that Voldemort's powers would somehow be nullified?" he asked.

"Not just his powers, Sir. Snape believes, and I'll admit I am inclined to agree, that Voldemort himself might be nullified. His current physical form has been created out of a purely spiritual one by several dark spells. Dark magic is the glue that holds him together. If he were to be suddenly introduced into an environment where dark magic does not exist, then…"

"Poof. No more Lord Voldemort."

NEXT: The Headmaster's Plan