Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and
owned by J. K. Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to
Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros. No
profit is being made from this publication.
Author's Note: Many thanks to all following my fic - which will be completed after this unless I change my mind for some strange reason.. As usual, please review. It would be appreciated very much. Thank you all. ;)
Chapter 9 Lovely Meeting
She was going to visit today. It had only been a week since the trial, though it felt like a century. Remus would finally get to speak to the mystery woman who had saved his life.
Remus could not deny that he was nervous. Usually, he did not make too much of a fuss over unexpected guests. 1) The traditional visitors were only his friends or people he was close with them so it never made much of a difference to him. 2) His home wasn't too messy to begin with. It was rather quite neat and tidy, just worn down, and seldom required serious cleaning.
Almost unintentionally, Remus swept down to a small table next to one of the two couches and began dusting it energetically, whipping here and there with a torn dust rag. Moeris slipped in very coolly through the back door, and witnessed Remus knock over several photos on the table from his haste. Moeris leaned down and picked up a picture of James hugging Lily around the waist.
"Wow," he commented. She's not like, the Queen of England, you know."
He was not referring to the photo of Lily and James, of course.
"I thought I told you to weed the garden!"
"Oh," he exhaled, "I know. You just want to be alone with her while she's here and have me outta the house!"
"Precisely." He then bustled over to the coffee table, stopping to cross his arms at the chest. "It's missing something. I just don't know what." he trailed off.
Moeris muttered something under his breath. "Here," he said slyly. "That's why I brought these." He slid his hand from behind his back and a bouquet of lilies blossomed in his left hand while a wand occupied his right.
Remus first tried to look disgusted. That didn't exactly work (as he considered from his cousin's laughter). He forgot all about cleaning and lunged at Moeris's hair and to give him a deep noogie for the anguish. "What would I do without you?" he heaved while tackling him to the sofa.
As quick as lightning, Moeris's glee vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Was it something I said?" Remus asked with concern and befuddlement. Aversely he released Moeris and motioned for him to sit up.
"Well, I just want to say that I'm sorry."
"We've already been through this. I thought we had come to an understanding. It's not your fault."
"Yes it is!," Moeris interjected angrily. An arm reached out and patted his shoulder comfortingly. "Yes, it is," he repeated more softly. He bit his lip anxiously.
"It's just that I feel that. that. I feel guilty. Not just because of me coming to you because of my own problems, not just because I endangered your life on the full moon that night, or because I nearly aided you in being sent to prison for the whole rest of your life. Generosity should not be unappreciated. You wouldn't believe it, but I was - I can't describe it - jealous."
"Jealous?" he almost laughed. "why would you be jealous of me? Really," he added miserably, "I have nothing you would want."
"Friends. You had friends."
"Had."
"I know."
A long beat. "But having you in my life has finally given it meaning. I guess that's why. that's why I'm so nervous about this." He got back up and reached for the rag he had dropped earlier, fastidiously aware that time was not on his side.
Before he knew it, there was a soft knock of five taps on the door. He cursed along the way to the kitchen. "Moeris, keep her busy while I get ready!"
"Uh huh. Right way, Sir."
Remus dashed down the hall and into his room. It was plain like himself. It contained nothing more than the necessities: a bed, a wardrobe, a mirror, a bookcase, a dresser, and an adjacent bathroom. He ran to the dresser first and pulled out his nicest silk white shirt - a gift from Lily on his sixth year Christmas - along with a handsome golden tie. He had barely worn both items since he was seldom ever convinced to go to balls or dances - so these items were in very good condition. He jumped into some nice dark gray suit-type pants and tucked in his shirt. He then raced into the bathroom, nearly slipping on the rug in front of the sink. He straightened up to see that his result was much too formal for his desired effect - which was to look nice but not rich (he couldn't see how that could occur anyway) but not too shabby at the same time. He struggled and tugged and the tie to finally manage to tear it away from his neck. Ties often made him feel like a dog on a leash, and they weren't to his taste. Flushing away thoughts of Sirius, he finally pulled out his shirt very slightly, so the edge dangled out a little on the side.
He ran back to the dresser to find some cologne but found Moeris at the doorway instead.
He hissed, "I don't think I can hold onto her much longer, Remus. You need to -" He forgot to close his mouth in shock. "You look. you look." He seemed at a loss for words.
"Too fancy? Not good enough? Do you think it's okay?" His eyes conveyed near hopelessness.
"Great. It's just perfect. Perfectly great," Moeris whispered in awe.
"Good. Thanks so much. You've been a big help. Now, go outside and weed the garden like I told you to!"
"Urgh!" He stomped out of the room, but decided to tiptoe the rest of the way out.
This was it. Remus took a deep breath, and marched into the living room.
There she was. Sally Roberts. Her curved body sat engraved into the couch like the most perfect mosaic piece. In fact, Remus thought, she'd look perfect just about anywhere. She wore a sapphire-colored short sleeved turtleneck and a dark skirt to go along with it. She was wearing her customary black beret and had her purse tucked away gently beneath her arm. Remus couldn't help noticing how peaceful she looked. Graceful and stunning like a statue - not to mention so out of place in this environment!
Remus crept a few feet closer but still didn't say anything. Unfortunately, she spotted him first.
"Hi." Her voice echoed musically.
"H - hi -" Grumble. "Hi." His voice came out more rougher than expected. He cleared his throat. "Hi, Sally." He hated being caught like this.
"Sally?" Her delicate eyebrows scrunched downwards in confusion. "My name is Salvie Riné."
"Hmm? But at the trial you said your name was Sally Roberts. You said that when under the truth potion. Just like you said everything else."
"No, no, no," she denied ever so sweetly. Remus couldn't see how that was possible but he just sat un-blinking on the couch.
"I met up with Albus Dumbledore after the trial. That is, he helped me out of the potion by some spell. We got to talking, and it seems he knows you pretty well." Remus nodded. "Anyway, they made that Truth Potion do the exact opposite - as I had expected. So it made me lie my way through the interrogation and that ended up being to our benefits, as you see. I really do hate those unjust prejudiced bastards."
"Me too. Even being temporarily confined in Azkaban isn't too great. Reliving your most unpleasant thoughts and memories does not help you get prepared for a trial at all. Sick creatures, those dementors are." He shuddered.
"Yeah, I wished they would get their filthy hands off of me. They made me want to vomit," she said disgustedly.
"So why'd you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Get up there and fight for me like that. There were only four people who weren't Dumbledore or my parents who ever loved me for who I was and didn't care for what I became. They're gone now. but that's another subject. And I don't even know you. Or at least I don't think I do. I was surprised that they didn't assume you a werewolf just for protecting me. Er, you're not a werewolf, are you?"
"No, silly!" she voiced. "I'm not a werewolf, but I guess you could call me an actor," she said timidly. Once again, she looked nervous - a rare sight.
"And a lifesaver," Remus chuckled. Salvie loosened up a bit more on the couch and played with the strap of her purse.
Suddenly self-conscious of himself, Remus remembered that he hadn't combed his hair. It very seldom got into a worse state than James's hair ever did - with the exception of full moons, of course. It never was the slickest though. He cleverly sneaked a smoothing pat on the head while Salvie rummaged in her purse.
She turned to look at him. Her eyes changed from ordinary hazel to a glowing hazel.
"What's wrong?" questioned Remus with panic.
"It's your. your... hair." She reached into her bag and magically summoned a mirror. "Look," she said with a smile.
"I uh, er, was in a rush," he said hoping it was the right answer. He never was too good with these types of things. His hair was sticking up almost as high up as one of those Muggle toys - if only he could remember! A troll. He resembled something of a troll. That was it. His eyes widened in shock.
"It was Moeris! I should've known. I mean. do you have a comb?"
"Certainly. Let me do it. Accio comb." A mini comb popped into her palm and she gave Remus's hair one short tug. "There."
"Th-thanks." This was absolutely embarrassing. Moeris was going to pay for this one! For now, both sat quietly just listening to each other's breathing. Remus found himself struggling to keep it even. He stared wordlessly at her lap and she did the same.
"You still haven't told me why you stood up for me. I don't know you," he added almost sadly.
"Truth be told, I am just a waitress at Pridesmeare Pub. I saw you every day every day for over a year. You were all I ever thought about whenever I was collecting and scrubbing dirty dishes, cleaning up messes, and taking orders. You looked so. miserable.
My life was so screwed up too. At least I figured that yours was also. Nobody acts like that when they're happy. I had not gone to college like I had planned, I was broke, and my mom died. I guess I thought that by helping you in the trial, I could somehow help myself and make it all better."
"Oh. Do you want to know about my life? I wouldn't see why you would but what you just told me seemed really meaningful."
She sighed in clarification. "It was."
Would it be right to hug her now? Even touch her hand? This was their first official meeting and they could be well considered acquaintances. Normal people - Muggles and wizards alike - know better than to fall over someone just like that at once. But then again, what had she done for him? She risked her own life for him - barely taking care as to what could happen to her. She only cared for his justice and saved him because of that. He lifted his hand off his lap cautiously. It was shaking badly as he reached out extremely close to Salvie's arm.
Knock-knock-knock.
Someone was at the door.
"I'll be right back." Remus felt himself blush. He quickly turned away before she could notice and heard Salvie do a sort of giggle as he stepped away from her and toward the door.
As the old wooden door was opened, an elderly wizard appeared. He had silk robes on because of the warm weather and smiled all-knowingly with the common bright eyes.
"Hello, Albus."
"Good day, Remus. I hope I'm not intruding." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled fiercely.
"Well. no. Salvie's here though. We thought that we should get to know each other, after all that's happened." Dumbledore kept his face impassive and gave Remus an understanding look.
"Come in then."
Dumbledore walked in calmly, where as Remus's gait included a little bit of nervous prancing. He moved sinuously around him and took at seat beside Salvie across from the elderly man.
"Good evening, Dumbledore," chanted Salvie.
"Albus, please."
"Alright. Albus. Um, could you tell me where the restroom is, Remus?"
"Down the hall two doors to the left." She was going to leave for the better part of this conversation. Damn, she was so -
"So are you both accomplishing what you met up for?"
"Huh? Oh, yes. It's finally almost all clear to me." Remus set his elbows to his knees and rested his head upon his arms.
"Is there something you would like to tell me?"
This man did not miss anything.
"I won't lie to you. Yes, there is. If I honestly did not kill Richard Ellings, then who did?"
Dumbledore remained silent. He was thinking about the best way to explain. He took a breath and began.
"I think you and I both know. You just don't want to admit it to yourself. Moeris is the most liable suspect that I would even consider."
"I. think so-" his voice stumbled "-too." He wasn't going to allow himself to fall apart then and there. He smiled wryly.
Dumbledore continued, "I think he knows it too. We spent a lot of time together when you were gone. (I had him stay in the castle with us.) He's a fine lad. I think he'll be a great wizard, and he should be happy to know that he'll be joining the other children at Hogwarts next year."
"You have no idea," exclaimed Remus exuberantly. "But, will he ever truly find out that he was the murderer?"
"Not unless we tell him." Dumbledore smiled like only a wise man could.
"Then I guess not."
Dumbledore smiled toothlessly. "You know Remus, now that this trial and its affairs have been taken care of, let's pick up at where we left off. We were going to discuss the Order of the Phoenix when you came you came to Hogwarts with Moeris, and it's time we completed the discussion we never had. Have you made any decisions yet?"
"Honestly, with all that's happened, I can't remember what it was. or would be." Dumbledore whistled impatiently. "Okay, okay," he barked, finally giving into the pressure. "I'll join the Order of the Phoenix. If they really need me - for whatever reasons they may be - then I'll do it. I'll finish off what is left of Voldemort. Rid the world of this evil," he said politically, purposely dramatic.
"I'm glad you've chosen to do so. It will not be easy and will most likely involve relations with dangerous wizards."
"Trying to make me change my mind now, Headmaster?"
Dumbledore chuckled in return with his pearly white beard bouncing up and down on his chest.
Salvie waltzed in wearing a reclusive expression. She had said she liked Dumbledore earlier, thought Remus, but why was she now so unresponsive to him?
"I think my visit's up," uttered the Headmaster out of the blue. "I'm sorry that we did not get to talk much, Salvie, dear, but I have to attend the anniversary party of my great-great cousin Louisster in Ipswich. Some type of odd celebration involving imps. Hmm. Don't want to miss it!"
"I'll show you to the door," Remus pronounced, not giving Dumbledore's strange private-life events a thought, and led him to the entrance of his home.
Author's Note: Many thanks to all following my fic - which will be completed after this unless I change my mind for some strange reason.. As usual, please review. It would be appreciated very much. Thank you all. ;)
Chapter 9 Lovely Meeting
She was going to visit today. It had only been a week since the trial, though it felt like a century. Remus would finally get to speak to the mystery woman who had saved his life.
Remus could not deny that he was nervous. Usually, he did not make too much of a fuss over unexpected guests. 1) The traditional visitors were only his friends or people he was close with them so it never made much of a difference to him. 2) His home wasn't too messy to begin with. It was rather quite neat and tidy, just worn down, and seldom required serious cleaning.
Almost unintentionally, Remus swept down to a small table next to one of the two couches and began dusting it energetically, whipping here and there with a torn dust rag. Moeris slipped in very coolly through the back door, and witnessed Remus knock over several photos on the table from his haste. Moeris leaned down and picked up a picture of James hugging Lily around the waist.
"Wow," he commented. She's not like, the Queen of England, you know."
He was not referring to the photo of Lily and James, of course.
"I thought I told you to weed the garden!"
"Oh," he exhaled, "I know. You just want to be alone with her while she's here and have me outta the house!"
"Precisely." He then bustled over to the coffee table, stopping to cross his arms at the chest. "It's missing something. I just don't know what." he trailed off.
Moeris muttered something under his breath. "Here," he said slyly. "That's why I brought these." He slid his hand from behind his back and a bouquet of lilies blossomed in his left hand while a wand occupied his right.
Remus first tried to look disgusted. That didn't exactly work (as he considered from his cousin's laughter). He forgot all about cleaning and lunged at Moeris's hair and to give him a deep noogie for the anguish. "What would I do without you?" he heaved while tackling him to the sofa.
As quick as lightning, Moeris's glee vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Was it something I said?" Remus asked with concern and befuddlement. Aversely he released Moeris and motioned for him to sit up.
"Well, I just want to say that I'm sorry."
"We've already been through this. I thought we had come to an understanding. It's not your fault."
"Yes it is!," Moeris interjected angrily. An arm reached out and patted his shoulder comfortingly. "Yes, it is," he repeated more softly. He bit his lip anxiously.
"It's just that I feel that. that. I feel guilty. Not just because of me coming to you because of my own problems, not just because I endangered your life on the full moon that night, or because I nearly aided you in being sent to prison for the whole rest of your life. Generosity should not be unappreciated. You wouldn't believe it, but I was - I can't describe it - jealous."
"Jealous?" he almost laughed. "why would you be jealous of me? Really," he added miserably, "I have nothing you would want."
"Friends. You had friends."
"Had."
"I know."
A long beat. "But having you in my life has finally given it meaning. I guess that's why. that's why I'm so nervous about this." He got back up and reached for the rag he had dropped earlier, fastidiously aware that time was not on his side.
Before he knew it, there was a soft knock of five taps on the door. He cursed along the way to the kitchen. "Moeris, keep her busy while I get ready!"
"Uh huh. Right way, Sir."
Remus dashed down the hall and into his room. It was plain like himself. It contained nothing more than the necessities: a bed, a wardrobe, a mirror, a bookcase, a dresser, and an adjacent bathroom. He ran to the dresser first and pulled out his nicest silk white shirt - a gift from Lily on his sixth year Christmas - along with a handsome golden tie. He had barely worn both items since he was seldom ever convinced to go to balls or dances - so these items were in very good condition. He jumped into some nice dark gray suit-type pants and tucked in his shirt. He then raced into the bathroom, nearly slipping on the rug in front of the sink. He straightened up to see that his result was much too formal for his desired effect - which was to look nice but not rich (he couldn't see how that could occur anyway) but not too shabby at the same time. He struggled and tugged and the tie to finally manage to tear it away from his neck. Ties often made him feel like a dog on a leash, and they weren't to his taste. Flushing away thoughts of Sirius, he finally pulled out his shirt very slightly, so the edge dangled out a little on the side.
He ran back to the dresser to find some cologne but found Moeris at the doorway instead.
He hissed, "I don't think I can hold onto her much longer, Remus. You need to -" He forgot to close his mouth in shock. "You look. you look." He seemed at a loss for words.
"Too fancy? Not good enough? Do you think it's okay?" His eyes conveyed near hopelessness.
"Great. It's just perfect. Perfectly great," Moeris whispered in awe.
"Good. Thanks so much. You've been a big help. Now, go outside and weed the garden like I told you to!"
"Urgh!" He stomped out of the room, but decided to tiptoe the rest of the way out.
This was it. Remus took a deep breath, and marched into the living room.
There she was. Sally Roberts. Her curved body sat engraved into the couch like the most perfect mosaic piece. In fact, Remus thought, she'd look perfect just about anywhere. She wore a sapphire-colored short sleeved turtleneck and a dark skirt to go along with it. She was wearing her customary black beret and had her purse tucked away gently beneath her arm. Remus couldn't help noticing how peaceful she looked. Graceful and stunning like a statue - not to mention so out of place in this environment!
Remus crept a few feet closer but still didn't say anything. Unfortunately, she spotted him first.
"Hi." Her voice echoed musically.
"H - hi -" Grumble. "Hi." His voice came out more rougher than expected. He cleared his throat. "Hi, Sally." He hated being caught like this.
"Sally?" Her delicate eyebrows scrunched downwards in confusion. "My name is Salvie Riné."
"Hmm? But at the trial you said your name was Sally Roberts. You said that when under the truth potion. Just like you said everything else."
"No, no, no," she denied ever so sweetly. Remus couldn't see how that was possible but he just sat un-blinking on the couch.
"I met up with Albus Dumbledore after the trial. That is, he helped me out of the potion by some spell. We got to talking, and it seems he knows you pretty well." Remus nodded. "Anyway, they made that Truth Potion do the exact opposite - as I had expected. So it made me lie my way through the interrogation and that ended up being to our benefits, as you see. I really do hate those unjust prejudiced bastards."
"Me too. Even being temporarily confined in Azkaban isn't too great. Reliving your most unpleasant thoughts and memories does not help you get prepared for a trial at all. Sick creatures, those dementors are." He shuddered.
"Yeah, I wished they would get their filthy hands off of me. They made me want to vomit," she said disgustedly.
"So why'd you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Get up there and fight for me like that. There were only four people who weren't Dumbledore or my parents who ever loved me for who I was and didn't care for what I became. They're gone now. but that's another subject. And I don't even know you. Or at least I don't think I do. I was surprised that they didn't assume you a werewolf just for protecting me. Er, you're not a werewolf, are you?"
"No, silly!" she voiced. "I'm not a werewolf, but I guess you could call me an actor," she said timidly. Once again, she looked nervous - a rare sight.
"And a lifesaver," Remus chuckled. Salvie loosened up a bit more on the couch and played with the strap of her purse.
Suddenly self-conscious of himself, Remus remembered that he hadn't combed his hair. It very seldom got into a worse state than James's hair ever did - with the exception of full moons, of course. It never was the slickest though. He cleverly sneaked a smoothing pat on the head while Salvie rummaged in her purse.
She turned to look at him. Her eyes changed from ordinary hazel to a glowing hazel.
"What's wrong?" questioned Remus with panic.
"It's your. your... hair." She reached into her bag and magically summoned a mirror. "Look," she said with a smile.
"I uh, er, was in a rush," he said hoping it was the right answer. He never was too good with these types of things. His hair was sticking up almost as high up as one of those Muggle toys - if only he could remember! A troll. He resembled something of a troll. That was it. His eyes widened in shock.
"It was Moeris! I should've known. I mean. do you have a comb?"
"Certainly. Let me do it. Accio comb." A mini comb popped into her palm and she gave Remus's hair one short tug. "There."
"Th-thanks." This was absolutely embarrassing. Moeris was going to pay for this one! For now, both sat quietly just listening to each other's breathing. Remus found himself struggling to keep it even. He stared wordlessly at her lap and she did the same.
"You still haven't told me why you stood up for me. I don't know you," he added almost sadly.
"Truth be told, I am just a waitress at Pridesmeare Pub. I saw you every day every day for over a year. You were all I ever thought about whenever I was collecting and scrubbing dirty dishes, cleaning up messes, and taking orders. You looked so. miserable.
My life was so screwed up too. At least I figured that yours was also. Nobody acts like that when they're happy. I had not gone to college like I had planned, I was broke, and my mom died. I guess I thought that by helping you in the trial, I could somehow help myself and make it all better."
"Oh. Do you want to know about my life? I wouldn't see why you would but what you just told me seemed really meaningful."
She sighed in clarification. "It was."
Would it be right to hug her now? Even touch her hand? This was their first official meeting and they could be well considered acquaintances. Normal people - Muggles and wizards alike - know better than to fall over someone just like that at once. But then again, what had she done for him? She risked her own life for him - barely taking care as to what could happen to her. She only cared for his justice and saved him because of that. He lifted his hand off his lap cautiously. It was shaking badly as he reached out extremely close to Salvie's arm.
Knock-knock-knock.
Someone was at the door.
"I'll be right back." Remus felt himself blush. He quickly turned away before she could notice and heard Salvie do a sort of giggle as he stepped away from her and toward the door.
As the old wooden door was opened, an elderly wizard appeared. He had silk robes on because of the warm weather and smiled all-knowingly with the common bright eyes.
"Hello, Albus."
"Good day, Remus. I hope I'm not intruding." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled fiercely.
"Well. no. Salvie's here though. We thought that we should get to know each other, after all that's happened." Dumbledore kept his face impassive and gave Remus an understanding look.
"Come in then."
Dumbledore walked in calmly, where as Remus's gait included a little bit of nervous prancing. He moved sinuously around him and took at seat beside Salvie across from the elderly man.
"Good evening, Dumbledore," chanted Salvie.
"Albus, please."
"Alright. Albus. Um, could you tell me where the restroom is, Remus?"
"Down the hall two doors to the left." She was going to leave for the better part of this conversation. Damn, she was so -
"So are you both accomplishing what you met up for?"
"Huh? Oh, yes. It's finally almost all clear to me." Remus set his elbows to his knees and rested his head upon his arms.
"Is there something you would like to tell me?"
This man did not miss anything.
"I won't lie to you. Yes, there is. If I honestly did not kill Richard Ellings, then who did?"
Dumbledore remained silent. He was thinking about the best way to explain. He took a breath and began.
"I think you and I both know. You just don't want to admit it to yourself. Moeris is the most liable suspect that I would even consider."
"I. think so-" his voice stumbled "-too." He wasn't going to allow himself to fall apart then and there. He smiled wryly.
Dumbledore continued, "I think he knows it too. We spent a lot of time together when you were gone. (I had him stay in the castle with us.) He's a fine lad. I think he'll be a great wizard, and he should be happy to know that he'll be joining the other children at Hogwarts next year."
"You have no idea," exclaimed Remus exuberantly. "But, will he ever truly find out that he was the murderer?"
"Not unless we tell him." Dumbledore smiled like only a wise man could.
"Then I guess not."
Dumbledore smiled toothlessly. "You know Remus, now that this trial and its affairs have been taken care of, let's pick up at where we left off. We were going to discuss the Order of the Phoenix when you came you came to Hogwarts with Moeris, and it's time we completed the discussion we never had. Have you made any decisions yet?"
"Honestly, with all that's happened, I can't remember what it was. or would be." Dumbledore whistled impatiently. "Okay, okay," he barked, finally giving into the pressure. "I'll join the Order of the Phoenix. If they really need me - for whatever reasons they may be - then I'll do it. I'll finish off what is left of Voldemort. Rid the world of this evil," he said politically, purposely dramatic.
"I'm glad you've chosen to do so. It will not be easy and will most likely involve relations with dangerous wizards."
"Trying to make me change my mind now, Headmaster?"
Dumbledore chuckled in return with his pearly white beard bouncing up and down on his chest.
Salvie waltzed in wearing a reclusive expression. She had said she liked Dumbledore earlier, thought Remus, but why was she now so unresponsive to him?
"I think my visit's up," uttered the Headmaster out of the blue. "I'm sorry that we did not get to talk much, Salvie, dear, but I have to attend the anniversary party of my great-great cousin Louisster in Ipswich. Some type of odd celebration involving imps. Hmm. Don't want to miss it!"
"I'll show you to the door," Remus pronounced, not giving Dumbledore's strange private-life events a thought, and led him to the entrance of his home.