CLASSIFICATION: PG-13 for mild violence later on in the story.
SUMMARY: Is Dumbledore all he seems to be? Why was Harry at Hogwarts, when this seemed to have nothing to do with him?
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter, in any way, shape or form. I love to read the books, but I sure don't own them. J.K. Rowling and WB do. This is simply a tribute to the Harry Potter series. I am making no money from this and I'm just enjoying sharing my own crazy ideas.
AUTHORS NOTE: This was my first fan fiction that I ever posted. I pulled it down because it needed to be re-written. However, I have decided to keep this as it is, and use it as a template for the next fic after 'Hate & Love' I hope you all enjoy... This was written almost three years ago and hasn't been changed since. I am under no delusions that it is any good. Just something I wrote.
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From Chapter Three:
Speaking softly, her voice quiet. "Not wrong, just misinformed. Strength is not always what you can see."
Harry watched this with growing fascination. How did Sirius and Remus proven themselves to the Keeper, and how was Sirius wrong? Most of all, why was he called here? This still didn't seem to deal with him in any way.---------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Four
The Battle
Sirius looked up at Madam Nurr and smiled softly. The lines etched upon his face softened a bit. "Your right, Tei. I had been very misinformed. Had we had only known the extent of what was waiting for us though, perhaps we could have been better prepared."
Looking back at Harry, his face grew somber. "It was ten days ago that everything came to a head. It is only fitting that it was the last day of the month I suppose. Our trouble arrived in such a way that none of us expected."
"Miss Kefira woke me up early that morning, a storm had washed in from the ocean over night, it was coming down in sheets, and the lightning forked overhead. She was fretting around the farm trying to get the animals in out of the storm, and get to that part of the farm that she would not let us in. Both Remus and I went out to help. It was crazy out there. The whole village seemed to be in a state of panic. From what Miss Kefira was telling me as we worked was this kind of storm was not regular around there at this time of year. They would expect this in early spring or late fall, but not early summer."
"I turned around to do some work settling the cattle that she kept and that was when she snuck out on us." Sirius shook his head ruefully. "How were we supposed to keep an eye on her and protect her if she kept slipping off?"
"As soon as I noticed she was not in the barn with us, I ran out into the storm, followed by Remus. We quickly surmised that she wasn't back at the house, but had slipped to that part of the farm land we were given strict orders not to cross."
"I knew that she was a strong woman, I saw her set a bone with her bare hands, but I did not trust the storm. Something was not right about it. I was feeling increasingly uneasy with each lightning strike that lit the sky." Sirius's eyes shone with concern as he relived the scene within his mind. "As Remus and I got closer to the border of the land we were not to cross, a scream filled the air. A woman's scream."
As Harry watched, Sirius closed his eyes and reached out to take Madam Nurr's hand.
Taking a deep breath, Sirius opened his eyes and started again. "I changed then, wanting to get to my destination as quickly as possible. I thought that as a dog I could do that, where as, as human I could not. What I saw..." His voice broke and his whole body seemed to shutter. Shaking his head, he motioning Lupin to continue, for he was unable to go on.
Lupin put his hand on Sirius's shoulder, frowning, feeling the heat coming off of him. He know that Sirius did not wish Harry to know exactly how bad his godfather was, but he needed to rest. Taking over the story from that point on. "I was right behind Sirius when her scream filled the air. All I knew was to speed up, not even thinking of what we might face when we reached her." He looked down at his friend, and squeezed his shoulder gently. "I'm not exactly sure what I expected, but it was not what I saw that is for sure. Shortly before we reached her, the scream had stopped, though how much time had really passed, I cannot tell you. I do know that the sky had only just started to get light, and in that semi-darkness, I could see about ten figures advancing on a point of light. Then from behind I heard more movement. Not knowing what else to do, I ran towards the light."
"I felt certain that if we reached the light before the others, we could save her." Lupin stopped for a moment, as if trying to pull together what he was going to say next. With in his own head he was wondering how he was going to explain exactly what he saw that morning and what he did.
Shaking his head, Harry could feel the questions burning in his throat that he wanted to ask. He knew though not to break in at this point.
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Dumbledore moved quietly further back within the shadows of the room, listening to the tale that the two men were telling.
Although he had heard this once before, it had been Lupin to tell it, not Sirius. It was the same, yet very different. Because of the condition that Sirius was in, he had waited on speaking to him until today. With both men speaking, taking turns as they were, there was a whole other side that he was seeing for the first time, and that side dealt with the woman standing holding Sirius's hand.
Keeping his silence, he turned his gaze upon Harry. How he had grown since he had joined them at this place six years before. Who could have know the trials and tribulations he would have to overcome to even sit in this room. The young boy... no, young man, he remind himself, had become much more than anyone had ever expected, but this next year would be the test.
Thinking over his decisions, he nodded to himself, knowing he had placed everything as best as he could for helping young Mr. Potter in what was needed. He also told himself that Harry was much stronger than his father had been. The stars had spoken before his birth; young Potter was what he had been waiting for.
As Lupin started to speak again, he turned his gaze upon him, and listened intently. Though he had heard this before, it had not ceased to wonder him.
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After not speaking for a few seconds, Lupin took a breath and started up again. "What I saw in that light, I can't really say. I know that Miss Kefira was in there, but it was not exactly what I saw. Perhaps someday it can be explained, but not now." He shook his head. "I reached for my wand, and pointed it at the glowing light, when I felt a hand from behind, and I spun around. There was a young woman there who looked a lot like Miss Kefira. Although she was different, wilder, yet gave off a presence that made you trust her. She said to me, 'Use your magic on the men who come.' then pointed towards the advancing wizards."
"Sirius had already taken a station in front of Miss Kefira's glowing form. First as a dog, with his hackles raised and then, as a man, his wand out. Even the night we had Wormtail; I have never seen him so angry. Harry, he was like a wild man, protecting the thing he held closest to him. Also, I must admit," locking his gaze with Harry, "after that woman touched me, I was the same."
Once again, Harry felt the urge to break in and ask about this mysterious woman as Lupin fixed his gaze upon him. However, over the years, he had learned it wise to keep his interruptions to a minimum. There was so much to this story that he felt drawn within it. He still did not understand why he was asked here, or to why he was being told all of this, but he had a feeling that it would come soon.
With his gaze fixed upon Harry, Lupin struggled within himself to describe exactly what happened. "The woman moved behind the light that was surrounding Miss Kefira and touched it. It was if she was strengthen or adding to it, because the light in that glade got brighter. I do not know exactly what was happening to Miss Kefira within that light, but I got the feeling that as long as that woman stayed there, she would be safe. What we had to do was get rid of Voldemort's men."
"At first, it was just Sirius and I, fighting for our lives. I almost did not care if they used any of the unforgivable curses though. I have never felt that kind of confidence when facing the danger that we were. I felt in control of my own fate there." He shook his head once again. Trying to understand what happened so he would be able to explain it. "There were ten of them, and only two of us. Miss Kefira was in that ball of light and the woman behind her. I could not count them as part of the fighting team." He shrugged. "Perhaps I was wrong in thinking like that.""Sirius and I faced off the other wizards alone as best we could. I personally was wishing that Dumbledore had sent us with more people." Lupin chuckled a bit. "I've had to deal with worse situations though."
Sirius snorted in disgust.
Lupin smirked a bit and then shrugged. "Alright, I had not faced something like this before. Dumbledore had told me about the note that he had received. In addition, Sirius told me about the one that he had received as well. I knew that we had to protect this woman from Voldemort's toadies. This was not something that I usually do. Normally I am in hiding, trying to stay away from both wizards and muggles because of my curse. Only while I was here at Hogwarts did I ever have true friends."
He smiled a little bit, remembering his old friends. "Your father, Harry, and ol' Padfoot were the only two that I considered my friends for life. I once thought there was another, but you know what happened there." He sighed a bit, shaking his long mangy hair.
A frown appeared upon Madam Nurr's face at Lupin's last statement.
Taking a breath Lupin started talking again, resting one hand on Sirius's shoulder. "I think if it had not have been for Padfoot, I would not have made it out of that glade that morning." A tear appeared in his eye. "My back was turned, for I was fighting two wizards. Two to one is not a fair fight, but those odds I would rather go against than ten to one. Sirius saw what I could not; someone was sneaking up on me from behind."
"As the wizard attacked me from behind, Sirius jumped in the way. The curse that was sent towards me, hit him instead. I heard a scream from behind, but could not turn. I could not turn my back on the two wizards that were attacking me. By that time I knew that there were at least, four other wizards left. I hoped that Sirius was all right, that the scream I had heard was another wizard."
Lupin's face started to screw up. "The glade was getting brighter, but the rain was still falling in sheets. It was horrible, I could not see very far in front of me clearly, but I could make out shapes moving around. I did not think anything of the light at first while I was fighting. Now that I think back, I should have realized what was happening." He shook his head.
"I think I already mentioned that I could see movement though the rain. I believe now that Miss Kefira was keeping something at bay. I do not know what it was, but as the light got brighter, most of the figures disappeared."
Madam Nurr whispered, "It can not be done again, they'll know how to bypass it next time."
Harry heard what she said, but because she whispered so quietly, Dumbledore missed it.
Lupin sighed, and continued what he was saying. "Then it was if people started to materialize out of the trees. Just as the woman had, they gave off this presence of trust. They joined us in the end, fighting against the worst of the wizards. I cannot remember if any of them had wands, but they all used magic. I believe they were animagus, they had to be animagus..." He shook his head. "Like Padfoot, they changed from human to another form of animal. Some turned into wolves like me, others, into tigers. I have never seen so many animagus in one place at the same time. I do not know who they were, they did not stay after the battle, and they slipped back into the woods as soon as it was finished."
"The battle though, was fierce, and three people were seriously injured. Luckily though, no one died. I do know that at least three wizards escaped though." Muttering under his breath. "I would have liked to have caught them." Speaking up again. "We caught seven of Voldemort's cronies. That was probably the only good thing that came of that."
"Sirius had been cursed, but before he had been hit, he had sent out a counter curse at the offending wizard. I had never seen this kind of curse before. You would think that I, one who used to teach 'Defense Against the Dark Arts' would know this one, but I did not."
"Before I knew what happened, Miss Kefira was kneeling beside Sirius's side, along with the young woman who had come up to me and touched me. She looked up to me, and told me to take care of the men that sprawled along the ground (the other wizards). She had taken control of the situation. Somehow, rope had appeared on the edge of the glade, and I used that to tie up the seven wizards who were unconscious on the ground. Two of whom were also in serious condition, one because of Sirius."
Sirius's face had started to grow pale, as Lupin had been saying that some of the wizards had been serious injured. By the time Lupin had finished, he started coughing. Madam Nurr wrapped one arm around his back and placed her other hand upon his chest, helping to support him.
Harry jumped out of his seat and moved quickly to his godfather's side. "What exactly happened to him? Do you know?" He looked pointedly at Madam Nurr.
Madam Nurr looked at Harry, and sighed softly while nodding. Her voice soft and soothing, she spoke. "He was cursed Harry, one of the worst that I know of. It is one of the forbidden curses. It was not as bad as the three worst, but is one of the ones I believe should be added to the list of unforgivable." As she frowned, a line furrowed her forehead. "He was in a coma until three days ago, and only now able to get out of bed. I did not wish for him to come up here this day, but they told me that it was necessary for everyone." She flashed a look at Lupin, who had the right frame of mind to look ashamed.
"Three days ago? That's when I recieved the letter from Dumbledore." Harry exclamed.
As soon as Sirius finished his coughing fit, she fixed her gaze upon Lupin. "Perhaps it is time."
Lupin looked down at Sirius for his consent, for Sirius was in no condition to speak for himself. Sirius nodded his accent.
Lupin started to speak "Now, as to the reason we wanted you here."
SUMMARY: Is Dumbledore all he seems to be? Why was Harry at Hogwarts, when this seemed to have nothing to do with him?
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter, in any way, shape or form. I love to read the books, but I sure don't own them. J.K. Rowling and WB do. This is simply a tribute to the Harry Potter series. I am making no money from this and I'm just enjoying sharing my own crazy ideas.
AUTHORS NOTE: This was my first fan fiction that I ever posted. I pulled it down because it needed to be re-written. However, I have decided to keep this as it is, and use it as a template for the next fic after 'Hate & Love' I hope you all enjoy... This was written almost three years ago and hasn't been changed since. I am under no delusions that it is any good. Just something I wrote.
From Chapter Three:
Speaking softly, her voice quiet. "Not wrong, just misinformed. Strength is not always what you can see."
Harry watched this with growing fascination. How did Sirius and Remus proven themselves to the Keeper, and how was Sirius wrong? Most of all, why was he called here? This still didn't seem to deal with him in any way.
Chapter Four
The Battle
Sirius looked up at Madam Nurr and smiled softly. The lines etched upon his face softened a bit. "Your right, Tei. I had been very misinformed. Had we had only known the extent of what was waiting for us though, perhaps we could have been better prepared."
Looking back at Harry, his face grew somber. "It was ten days ago that everything came to a head. It is only fitting that it was the last day of the month I suppose. Our trouble arrived in such a way that none of us expected."
"Miss Kefira woke me up early that morning, a storm had washed in from the ocean over night, it was coming down in sheets, and the lightning forked overhead. She was fretting around the farm trying to get the animals in out of the storm, and get to that part of the farm that she would not let us in. Both Remus and I went out to help. It was crazy out there. The whole village seemed to be in a state of panic. From what Miss Kefira was telling me as we worked was this kind of storm was not regular around there at this time of year. They would expect this in early spring or late fall, but not early summer."
"I turned around to do some work settling the cattle that she kept and that was when she snuck out on us." Sirius shook his head ruefully. "How were we supposed to keep an eye on her and protect her if she kept slipping off?"
"As soon as I noticed she was not in the barn with us, I ran out into the storm, followed by Remus. We quickly surmised that she wasn't back at the house, but had slipped to that part of the farm land we were given strict orders not to cross."
"I knew that she was a strong woman, I saw her set a bone with her bare hands, but I did not trust the storm. Something was not right about it. I was feeling increasingly uneasy with each lightning strike that lit the sky." Sirius's eyes shone with concern as he relived the scene within his mind. "As Remus and I got closer to the border of the land we were not to cross, a scream filled the air. A woman's scream."
As Harry watched, Sirius closed his eyes and reached out to take Madam Nurr's hand.
Taking a deep breath, Sirius opened his eyes and started again. "I changed then, wanting to get to my destination as quickly as possible. I thought that as a dog I could do that, where as, as human I could not. What I saw..." His voice broke and his whole body seemed to shutter. Shaking his head, he motioning Lupin to continue, for he was unable to go on.
Lupin put his hand on Sirius's shoulder, frowning, feeling the heat coming off of him. He know that Sirius did not wish Harry to know exactly how bad his godfather was, but he needed to rest. Taking over the story from that point on. "I was right behind Sirius when her scream filled the air. All I knew was to speed up, not even thinking of what we might face when we reached her." He looked down at his friend, and squeezed his shoulder gently. "I'm not exactly sure what I expected, but it was not what I saw that is for sure. Shortly before we reached her, the scream had stopped, though how much time had really passed, I cannot tell you. I do know that the sky had only just started to get light, and in that semi-darkness, I could see about ten figures advancing on a point of light. Then from behind I heard more movement. Not knowing what else to do, I ran towards the light."
"I felt certain that if we reached the light before the others, we could save her." Lupin stopped for a moment, as if trying to pull together what he was going to say next. With in his own head he was wondering how he was going to explain exactly what he saw that morning and what he did.
Shaking his head, Harry could feel the questions burning in his throat that he wanted to ask. He knew though not to break in at this point.
Dumbledore moved quietly further back within the shadows of the room, listening to the tale that the two men were telling.
Although he had heard this once before, it had been Lupin to tell it, not Sirius. It was the same, yet very different. Because of the condition that Sirius was in, he had waited on speaking to him until today. With both men speaking, taking turns as they were, there was a whole other side that he was seeing for the first time, and that side dealt with the woman standing holding Sirius's hand.
Keeping his silence, he turned his gaze upon Harry. How he had grown since he had joined them at this place six years before. Who could have know the trials and tribulations he would have to overcome to even sit in this room. The young boy... no, young man, he remind himself, had become much more than anyone had ever expected, but this next year would be the test.
Thinking over his decisions, he nodded to himself, knowing he had placed everything as best as he could for helping young Mr. Potter in what was needed. He also told himself that Harry was much stronger than his father had been. The stars had spoken before his birth; young Potter was what he had been waiting for.
As Lupin started to speak again, he turned his gaze upon him, and listened intently. Though he had heard this before, it had not ceased to wonder him.
After not speaking for a few seconds, Lupin took a breath and started up again. "What I saw in that light, I can't really say. I know that Miss Kefira was in there, but it was not exactly what I saw. Perhaps someday it can be explained, but not now." He shook his head. "I reached for my wand, and pointed it at the glowing light, when I felt a hand from behind, and I spun around. There was a young woman there who looked a lot like Miss Kefira. Although she was different, wilder, yet gave off a presence that made you trust her. She said to me, 'Use your magic on the men who come.' then pointed towards the advancing wizards."
"Sirius had already taken a station in front of Miss Kefira's glowing form. First as a dog, with his hackles raised and then, as a man, his wand out. Even the night we had Wormtail; I have never seen him so angry. Harry, he was like a wild man, protecting the thing he held closest to him. Also, I must admit," locking his gaze with Harry, "after that woman touched me, I was the same."
Once again, Harry felt the urge to break in and ask about this mysterious woman as Lupin fixed his gaze upon him. However, over the years, he had learned it wise to keep his interruptions to a minimum. There was so much to this story that he felt drawn within it. He still did not understand why he was asked here, or to why he was being told all of this, but he had a feeling that it would come soon.
With his gaze fixed upon Harry, Lupin struggled within himself to describe exactly what happened. "The woman moved behind the light that was surrounding Miss Kefira and touched it. It was if she was strengthen or adding to it, because the light in that glade got brighter. I do not know exactly what was happening to Miss Kefira within that light, but I got the feeling that as long as that woman stayed there, she would be safe. What we had to do was get rid of Voldemort's men."
"At first, it was just Sirius and I, fighting for our lives. I almost did not care if they used any of the unforgivable curses though. I have never felt that kind of confidence when facing the danger that we were. I felt in control of my own fate there." He shook his head once again. Trying to understand what happened so he would be able to explain it. "There were ten of them, and only two of us. Miss Kefira was in that ball of light and the woman behind her. I could not count them as part of the fighting team." He shrugged. "Perhaps I was wrong in thinking like that.""Sirius and I faced off the other wizards alone as best we could. I personally was wishing that Dumbledore had sent us with more people." Lupin chuckled a bit. "I've had to deal with worse situations though."
Sirius snorted in disgust.
Lupin smirked a bit and then shrugged. "Alright, I had not faced something like this before. Dumbledore had told me about the note that he had received. In addition, Sirius told me about the one that he had received as well. I knew that we had to protect this woman from Voldemort's toadies. This was not something that I usually do. Normally I am in hiding, trying to stay away from both wizards and muggles because of my curse. Only while I was here at Hogwarts did I ever have true friends."
He smiled a little bit, remembering his old friends. "Your father, Harry, and ol' Padfoot were the only two that I considered my friends for life. I once thought there was another, but you know what happened there." He sighed a bit, shaking his long mangy hair.
A frown appeared upon Madam Nurr's face at Lupin's last statement.
Taking a breath Lupin started talking again, resting one hand on Sirius's shoulder. "I think if it had not have been for Padfoot, I would not have made it out of that glade that morning." A tear appeared in his eye. "My back was turned, for I was fighting two wizards. Two to one is not a fair fight, but those odds I would rather go against than ten to one. Sirius saw what I could not; someone was sneaking up on me from behind."
"As the wizard attacked me from behind, Sirius jumped in the way. The curse that was sent towards me, hit him instead. I heard a scream from behind, but could not turn. I could not turn my back on the two wizards that were attacking me. By that time I knew that there were at least, four other wizards left. I hoped that Sirius was all right, that the scream I had heard was another wizard."
Lupin's face started to screw up. "The glade was getting brighter, but the rain was still falling in sheets. It was horrible, I could not see very far in front of me clearly, but I could make out shapes moving around. I did not think anything of the light at first while I was fighting. Now that I think back, I should have realized what was happening." He shook his head.
"I think I already mentioned that I could see movement though the rain. I believe now that Miss Kefira was keeping something at bay. I do not know what it was, but as the light got brighter, most of the figures disappeared."
Madam Nurr whispered, "It can not be done again, they'll know how to bypass it next time."
Harry heard what she said, but because she whispered so quietly, Dumbledore missed it.
Lupin sighed, and continued what he was saying. "Then it was if people started to materialize out of the trees. Just as the woman had, they gave off this presence of trust. They joined us in the end, fighting against the worst of the wizards. I cannot remember if any of them had wands, but they all used magic. I believe they were animagus, they had to be animagus..." He shook his head. "Like Padfoot, they changed from human to another form of animal. Some turned into wolves like me, others, into tigers. I have never seen so many animagus in one place at the same time. I do not know who they were, they did not stay after the battle, and they slipped back into the woods as soon as it was finished."
"The battle though, was fierce, and three people were seriously injured. Luckily though, no one died. I do know that at least three wizards escaped though." Muttering under his breath. "I would have liked to have caught them." Speaking up again. "We caught seven of Voldemort's cronies. That was probably the only good thing that came of that."
"Sirius had been cursed, but before he had been hit, he had sent out a counter curse at the offending wizard. I had never seen this kind of curse before. You would think that I, one who used to teach 'Defense Against the Dark Arts' would know this one, but I did not."
"Before I knew what happened, Miss Kefira was kneeling beside Sirius's side, along with the young woman who had come up to me and touched me. She looked up to me, and told me to take care of the men that sprawled along the ground (the other wizards). She had taken control of the situation. Somehow, rope had appeared on the edge of the glade, and I used that to tie up the seven wizards who were unconscious on the ground. Two of whom were also in serious condition, one because of Sirius."
Sirius's face had started to grow pale, as Lupin had been saying that some of the wizards had been serious injured. By the time Lupin had finished, he started coughing. Madam Nurr wrapped one arm around his back and placed her other hand upon his chest, helping to support him.
Harry jumped out of his seat and moved quickly to his godfather's side. "What exactly happened to him? Do you know?" He looked pointedly at Madam Nurr.
Madam Nurr looked at Harry, and sighed softly while nodding. Her voice soft and soothing, she spoke. "He was cursed Harry, one of the worst that I know of. It is one of the forbidden curses. It was not as bad as the three worst, but is one of the ones I believe should be added to the list of unforgivable." As she frowned, a line furrowed her forehead. "He was in a coma until three days ago, and only now able to get out of bed. I did not wish for him to come up here this day, but they told me that it was necessary for everyone." She flashed a look at Lupin, who had the right frame of mind to look ashamed.
"Three days ago? That's when I recieved the letter from Dumbledore." Harry exclamed.
As soon as Sirius finished his coughing fit, she fixed her gaze upon Lupin. "Perhaps it is time."
Lupin looked down at Sirius for his consent, for Sirius was in no condition to speak for himself. Sirius nodded his accent.
Lupin started to speak "Now, as to the reason we wanted you here."