Disclaimer: Once again, no characters belong to me except Moeris and a few
random ones. All others are property of J.K. Rowling. None of this would be
possible without her ingeniousness.
Author's Note: Hope you enjoy the fic continuation!
Chapter 6
Capture
"Hey, Rem," a voice said. 'Huh?" Remus was alone- until now - in his four-poster, not under the covers, but in upright position staring out the window. Windows were nice for him. He liked them, He guessed it was because he wished his life were like a window; a window showed the person indoors the outside world - a peek, a glimpse. That's what Remus wished he could have of the future right now.
"It's me. Sirius. I was wondering where you were ever since Professor Dumbledore told us the news. You've been avoiding us," he condemned, but added: "You've been avoiding me." So far he was patient, and he intended to have his way. He could get really angry if things didn't work out as he had planned though.
"Remus, I know you have all these doubts about the Order. But let me tell you one last time - like we did yesterday, and like we did five years ago. We're your friends. We care about you. And most importantly, we won't ever desert you." Sirius smiled sympathetically, with a very rare spark of earnest begging in his eyes. Turning to face his friend, Remus stood up and reached out to shake a very surprised Sirius's hand. "It will be my pleasure to join. With companions like you at my side, I shall follow your lead - with you there. If you weren't there, I might as well give up altogether."
The memory wavered vividly in Remus's mind. Yes, he had joined the Order before - but with the agreement of his friends being there. And as the window failed to predict, his friends weren't here anymore. He was alone to do as he chose.
Remus thought it best to give Dumbledore a reply, so he attached a short note to the barn owl he had not rewarded earlier and gave him a tiny scrap of meat for the journey.
Dear Albus, I am pleased for the offer. Really, I am. I just can't decide yet. May I wait before giving you a sure answer? I am thinking about enrolling Moeris into Hogwarts this coming school year. He has the magic, since he told me he used to go to Adeline's Young Wizards and Witches Academy. I'd at least like to show him around, if there's no problem. He's really exited to go, and you can expect us in a day or two once the coach gets here. Thanks again. -Remus
Now, to tell Moeris. He shall be pleased, Remus thought knowingly. "Moeris, please come into the kitchen. I have something to tell you."
How can I face him? Moeris feared what he could do. Secret jealously was ever present in his head and he couldn't stand it anymore. He had no choice but face Remus though. If I envy him, at least he doesn't know about it. But if I don't come to him now, he's bound to suspect something and get suspicious. Nevertheless, he trudged to the kitchen against his will.
"You're going to Hogwarts!" Remus was ecstatic. What? He does all this for me and I want to hurt him? He's been hurt enough. I need to sound surprised. "Really?" Moeris said softly at first. No, not enthusiastic enough. "Really?!" he repeated.
"Yes, really. Dumbledore will send for a coach. We should leave by tomorrow evening the latest. Best get packed!"
Luckily, Remus had let him go into what he thought was overwhelmed joy that he had let Moeris enjoy by himself. But Moeris knew one thing, and he knew it wasn't overwhelmed joy.
* * *
The carriage pulled along rapidly - a bit more rapidly than a normal one, with the aid of magic of course. When it first arrived, there had been four well-groomed silvery-gray horses. But as they got closer to Hogwarts castle, their entire bodies were more and more difficult to see, until they eventually disappeared completely as they entered Hogwarts's grounds.
Moeris had just noticed the invisible horses, when the coach came to wrought iron gates with huge husky boars on them. Ahead of them, a huge castle, at least eight stories high, occupied the spotlight. "This is it, " mumbled Remus, sighing. "I haven't seen this place for a considerable amount of time. It's great to be back" Moeris didn't reply.
The invisible-horse drawn carriage came to a halt. The doors were opened by an invisible someone, if by anyone at all, and the two passengers scrambled out to gaze at the stone structure towering above them.
Remus and Moeris peered at their surroundings soundlessly, until the adult was the first to move. Moeris followed trustfully by lagged a bit behind. Probably from all of this, thought Remus as he observed the castle while walking. It's just like when I left it. I know I couldn't stop staring at it all when I came here for the first time.
They crawled up a few steps and to two enormous oak doors. Remus dug inside his cloak and whipped out a wand, which he used to produce a booming pounding on one of the doors. A few minutes passed (Hogwarts is not a very small place) and out came a tall wizard with unicorn-white hair, half-moon spectacles, and a beard that now fell a little past his abdomen. (A few inches longer than Moeris had last seen him.) Remus, on the other hand, didn't appear the least bit surprised and gave a pleased smile to the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
"Glad you've decided to come, you two. And accept my preposition," he added to Remus. Moeris had no clue what his two elders were talking about by the look on his face. "I apologize for having you wait, but I'm afraid that I was distracted by one of our, let's see. more rambunctious ghosts, Peeves the Poltergeist." Moeris's smile diminished a bit in worry. Dumbledore saw him and continued. "No, no, he's not that much of a problem. The Bloody Baron can always calm him down." That didn't cheer up Moeris a bit. Who has the word "Bloody" in their name?
Dumbledore turned to Remus. "Did you bring those papers I sent you a while ago about enrollment?"
"Oh, yes, why I did. I left them in the carriage though, and I don't want to delay your Hogwarts exploration, Moeris. You go ahead with Professor Dumbledore and I'll be along soon enough." Moeris was about to question him about how he'd find them in such a big place, but Dumbledore pushed at his shoulders to lead him in. His eyes twinkled, for he knew Remus would find a way, with his history.
Remus jogged away briskly at first, but slowed after he turned a corner to the carriage shed. It wasn't really a shed since it was crafted of stone like the main building and was at least fifteen feet high. It smelt strongly of horse droppings, but the grass odor from the Quidditch field not far off made up for it.
Remus searched for the coach that he and Moeris had ridden. He found it soon enough since it was near the shed doors and the letter "H" on it looked more like an "I" because of a fourth year kid that was hexed and thrown back at it sometime during Remus's sixth year. He climbed inside and picked up the folder with the papers and began the brisk walk back to the castle.
"Oh, look! There's a man over there. Maybe he can help us find Albus Dumbledore. Sir! Sir!"
"Yes? Remus straightened up and tried to fix his shabby clothing as much as possible. He cleared his throat as the two people approached him. "How may I help you?" Two stout gentlemen, one in about in his sixties and the other much younger in contrast both looked much wealthier than the werewolf did in his ordinary threadbare clothes. The older, more-experienced looking man spoke first with a self-satisfied smile. He appeared to be a former Slytherin in his urge to be better than his more friendlier and sociable partner. "We're from the Beast Division of the Ministry of Magic and we're in search of Albus Dumbledore." The bright-eyed apprentice felt he needed to add to that. "We're here concerning the dead Muggle, Richard Ellings. We're consulting Dumbledore and trying to get him to contact the ogres, giants, and primarily: werewolves about it."
This was indeed interesting. Remus gulped. To his luck, the two men didn't notice since the elderly one was scolding his rookie partner. "You would never succeed in the Unspeakables Department, with the way you blabber! I wonder how you even made it here!" The older one had a point, but Remus wasn't going to interrupt. He continued watching them, hoping they wouldn't ask anymore questions. He imagined of ways to slip away, but each way he thought of was too noticeable.
The younger man finally gave up his protests and put on a professional indifferent face while the other took the floor. "I don't believe we introduced ourselves. I'm Martin Macnair and this lad here is," he sneered, "Newt Scamander. You are?"
So he wasn't going to avoid this after all. "Remus Lupin." Macnair summoned something from his coat pocket. He opened it to reveal a directory of the records of all wizards and witches in the region - a very useful Ministry of Magic tool. He flipped slowly to the "L" names and read his file patiently with a smirk tearing at the corners of his mouth. Young Scamander watched over his shoulder defiantly while Remus began sweating but kept a stoic composure nonetheless.
"You live in Carlisle, eh. Where were you on the thirteenth of this month?"
"I live on the outskirts of Carlisle," he corrected. "Yes." He hesitated. "But I don't know where I was."
"Ah, because you're a werewolf. I see. Now it all makes sense.," the old man murmured. "I'm afraid you're going to have to come with us." Remus was speechless.
Out of nowhere, Scamander began defending him. "Just because he's a werewolf it doesn't mean anything. He deserves a medical testing or some proof of evidence against him before you take him away like that. He's been really kind to us and -"
"Being a werewolf is proof enough! They have trickery unknown to us humans!" he spat. "They lie and deceive!" Remus meanwhile was inching away as inconspicuously as possible. If Sirius was here, he would already be cussing out the old man, blaming him for being narrow-minded and a very inconsiderate person, not worthy of being called a human. That was the type of person Sirius was, and look where it got him.
Macnair finally ended his lecture and noticed Remus already about ten feet away. BANG! And cords shot out of his wand to slither around Remus's waist.
"I didn't do it!" shouted Remus in defense, although he was also trying to convince himself the same too. "I didn't!"
"Shut up if you know what's good for you, werewolf! You're coming to the courts of Azkaban with us. The dementors will help settle this nicely."
Author's Note: Hope you enjoy the fic continuation!
Chapter 6
Capture
"Hey, Rem," a voice said. 'Huh?" Remus was alone- until now - in his four-poster, not under the covers, but in upright position staring out the window. Windows were nice for him. He liked them, He guessed it was because he wished his life were like a window; a window showed the person indoors the outside world - a peek, a glimpse. That's what Remus wished he could have of the future right now.
"It's me. Sirius. I was wondering where you were ever since Professor Dumbledore told us the news. You've been avoiding us," he condemned, but added: "You've been avoiding me." So far he was patient, and he intended to have his way. He could get really angry if things didn't work out as he had planned though.
"Remus, I know you have all these doubts about the Order. But let me tell you one last time - like we did yesterday, and like we did five years ago. We're your friends. We care about you. And most importantly, we won't ever desert you." Sirius smiled sympathetically, with a very rare spark of earnest begging in his eyes. Turning to face his friend, Remus stood up and reached out to shake a very surprised Sirius's hand. "It will be my pleasure to join. With companions like you at my side, I shall follow your lead - with you there. If you weren't there, I might as well give up altogether."
The memory wavered vividly in Remus's mind. Yes, he had joined the Order before - but with the agreement of his friends being there. And as the window failed to predict, his friends weren't here anymore. He was alone to do as he chose.
Remus thought it best to give Dumbledore a reply, so he attached a short note to the barn owl he had not rewarded earlier and gave him a tiny scrap of meat for the journey.
Dear Albus, I am pleased for the offer. Really, I am. I just can't decide yet. May I wait before giving you a sure answer? I am thinking about enrolling Moeris into Hogwarts this coming school year. He has the magic, since he told me he used to go to Adeline's Young Wizards and Witches Academy. I'd at least like to show him around, if there's no problem. He's really exited to go, and you can expect us in a day or two once the coach gets here. Thanks again. -Remus
Now, to tell Moeris. He shall be pleased, Remus thought knowingly. "Moeris, please come into the kitchen. I have something to tell you."
How can I face him? Moeris feared what he could do. Secret jealously was ever present in his head and he couldn't stand it anymore. He had no choice but face Remus though. If I envy him, at least he doesn't know about it. But if I don't come to him now, he's bound to suspect something and get suspicious. Nevertheless, he trudged to the kitchen against his will.
"You're going to Hogwarts!" Remus was ecstatic. What? He does all this for me and I want to hurt him? He's been hurt enough. I need to sound surprised. "Really?" Moeris said softly at first. No, not enthusiastic enough. "Really?!" he repeated.
"Yes, really. Dumbledore will send for a coach. We should leave by tomorrow evening the latest. Best get packed!"
Luckily, Remus had let him go into what he thought was overwhelmed joy that he had let Moeris enjoy by himself. But Moeris knew one thing, and he knew it wasn't overwhelmed joy.
* * *
The carriage pulled along rapidly - a bit more rapidly than a normal one, with the aid of magic of course. When it first arrived, there had been four well-groomed silvery-gray horses. But as they got closer to Hogwarts castle, their entire bodies were more and more difficult to see, until they eventually disappeared completely as they entered Hogwarts's grounds.
Moeris had just noticed the invisible horses, when the coach came to wrought iron gates with huge husky boars on them. Ahead of them, a huge castle, at least eight stories high, occupied the spotlight. "This is it, " mumbled Remus, sighing. "I haven't seen this place for a considerable amount of time. It's great to be back" Moeris didn't reply.
The invisible-horse drawn carriage came to a halt. The doors were opened by an invisible someone, if by anyone at all, and the two passengers scrambled out to gaze at the stone structure towering above them.
Remus and Moeris peered at their surroundings soundlessly, until the adult was the first to move. Moeris followed trustfully by lagged a bit behind. Probably from all of this, thought Remus as he observed the castle while walking. It's just like when I left it. I know I couldn't stop staring at it all when I came here for the first time.
They crawled up a few steps and to two enormous oak doors. Remus dug inside his cloak and whipped out a wand, which he used to produce a booming pounding on one of the doors. A few minutes passed (Hogwarts is not a very small place) and out came a tall wizard with unicorn-white hair, half-moon spectacles, and a beard that now fell a little past his abdomen. (A few inches longer than Moeris had last seen him.) Remus, on the other hand, didn't appear the least bit surprised and gave a pleased smile to the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
"Glad you've decided to come, you two. And accept my preposition," he added to Remus. Moeris had no clue what his two elders were talking about by the look on his face. "I apologize for having you wait, but I'm afraid that I was distracted by one of our, let's see. more rambunctious ghosts, Peeves the Poltergeist." Moeris's smile diminished a bit in worry. Dumbledore saw him and continued. "No, no, he's not that much of a problem. The Bloody Baron can always calm him down." That didn't cheer up Moeris a bit. Who has the word "Bloody" in their name?
Dumbledore turned to Remus. "Did you bring those papers I sent you a while ago about enrollment?"
"Oh, yes, why I did. I left them in the carriage though, and I don't want to delay your Hogwarts exploration, Moeris. You go ahead with Professor Dumbledore and I'll be along soon enough." Moeris was about to question him about how he'd find them in such a big place, but Dumbledore pushed at his shoulders to lead him in. His eyes twinkled, for he knew Remus would find a way, with his history.
Remus jogged away briskly at first, but slowed after he turned a corner to the carriage shed. It wasn't really a shed since it was crafted of stone like the main building and was at least fifteen feet high. It smelt strongly of horse droppings, but the grass odor from the Quidditch field not far off made up for it.
Remus searched for the coach that he and Moeris had ridden. He found it soon enough since it was near the shed doors and the letter "H" on it looked more like an "I" because of a fourth year kid that was hexed and thrown back at it sometime during Remus's sixth year. He climbed inside and picked up the folder with the papers and began the brisk walk back to the castle.
"Oh, look! There's a man over there. Maybe he can help us find Albus Dumbledore. Sir! Sir!"
"Yes? Remus straightened up and tried to fix his shabby clothing as much as possible. He cleared his throat as the two people approached him. "How may I help you?" Two stout gentlemen, one in about in his sixties and the other much younger in contrast both looked much wealthier than the werewolf did in his ordinary threadbare clothes. The older, more-experienced looking man spoke first with a self-satisfied smile. He appeared to be a former Slytherin in his urge to be better than his more friendlier and sociable partner. "We're from the Beast Division of the Ministry of Magic and we're in search of Albus Dumbledore." The bright-eyed apprentice felt he needed to add to that. "We're here concerning the dead Muggle, Richard Ellings. We're consulting Dumbledore and trying to get him to contact the ogres, giants, and primarily: werewolves about it."
This was indeed interesting. Remus gulped. To his luck, the two men didn't notice since the elderly one was scolding his rookie partner. "You would never succeed in the Unspeakables Department, with the way you blabber! I wonder how you even made it here!" The older one had a point, but Remus wasn't going to interrupt. He continued watching them, hoping they wouldn't ask anymore questions. He imagined of ways to slip away, but each way he thought of was too noticeable.
The younger man finally gave up his protests and put on a professional indifferent face while the other took the floor. "I don't believe we introduced ourselves. I'm Martin Macnair and this lad here is," he sneered, "Newt Scamander. You are?"
So he wasn't going to avoid this after all. "Remus Lupin." Macnair summoned something from his coat pocket. He opened it to reveal a directory of the records of all wizards and witches in the region - a very useful Ministry of Magic tool. He flipped slowly to the "L" names and read his file patiently with a smirk tearing at the corners of his mouth. Young Scamander watched over his shoulder defiantly while Remus began sweating but kept a stoic composure nonetheless.
"You live in Carlisle, eh. Where were you on the thirteenth of this month?"
"I live on the outskirts of Carlisle," he corrected. "Yes." He hesitated. "But I don't know where I was."
"Ah, because you're a werewolf. I see. Now it all makes sense.," the old man murmured. "I'm afraid you're going to have to come with us." Remus was speechless.
Out of nowhere, Scamander began defending him. "Just because he's a werewolf it doesn't mean anything. He deserves a medical testing or some proof of evidence against him before you take him away like that. He's been really kind to us and -"
"Being a werewolf is proof enough! They have trickery unknown to us humans!" he spat. "They lie and deceive!" Remus meanwhile was inching away as inconspicuously as possible. If Sirius was here, he would already be cussing out the old man, blaming him for being narrow-minded and a very inconsiderate person, not worthy of being called a human. That was the type of person Sirius was, and look where it got him.
Macnair finally ended his lecture and noticed Remus already about ten feet away. BANG! And cords shot out of his wand to slither around Remus's waist.
"I didn't do it!" shouted Remus in defense, although he was also trying to convince himself the same too. "I didn't!"
"Shut up if you know what's good for you, werewolf! You're coming to the courts of Azkaban with us. The dementors will help settle this nicely."