Jesus, it's finally happened. It was like *WHAM!* Remus KNOWS!!!!
Mwahahahahahahahaha! Question: I am very worried with the quality of this
fic. It *is* okay, isn't it? Apart from grammar and spelling mistakes...
An apology: I haven't written about them - two transformations have gone by and I didn't realise. Ooops! I'll add them in sooner or later... maybe later...
Oh yeah, to Lunatic: I was going through the reviews and yes, Ian McKellen *is* kinda good looking for his age, isn't he? *coughs nervously* Well... since *that's* come out, where should we go and hide for the rest of our lives (and send anonymous posts to our unusual tastes...)???
Chapter 26: Woman of Troy
When Sirius had alerted them so suddenly, Remus had thought that there was a problem with Lira. However, they went right past Sirius' rooms - halting to meet up with Lira who was waiting outside - and then straight up to Dumbledore's office.
After they had entered the office, a good deal many more did as well, all looking rather confused and bewildered.
Dumbledore, filled with purpose, went to the desk when there were enough people there, ready to listen. His eyes scanned them all, rather critically, it seemed to Remus. Something the werewolf hadn't seen in the man's eyes before.
**Dirty old--**
"Hasty arrangements, I am very sorry," he began. "I simply wanted to speak with Eleni and Severus."
Before he could help himself, Remus gave Severus an anxious look then managed to look away. As the man had said before, he had had quarter of a century to deal with it and he'd coped before Remus had come along.
The two went up to talk to Dumbledore whilst the others there filed out. Remus made sure that he was the last one to go.
He waited for them to come out.
Although he knew that Severus had made him promise that he would never tell anyone, Remus couldn't help wondering if maybe Eleni knew and if that explained her coldness towards her younger brother. However, the more he thought about it, it would be more of a reason for her to hate *Dumbledore* rather than her brother.
He was no Messiah, and he didn't pretend to be, but perhaps simply bending his promise a *little*... for the good of all...
The two Snapes exited. Severus looked none too surprised - exasperated if anything - by the fact that Remus was there. Eleni rose an eyebrow, smiled politely and walked off in the opposite direction. Remus dropped in step next to Severus.
"Does she know you're gay?" He murmured.
"I doubt. But she probably *thinks* I am... suspects it a bit..." Rat crawled along to sit on Severus' shoulder, and sat in the position of a watchful meercat. "Get *down* you!"
-Be quiet you-
"I shall put you in a cage," Severus threatened. "With sawdust at the bottom and metal bars..."
-Ha ha-
"And empty toilet rolls and little plastic rungs..."
-*Stop that!*-
"Get down then."
Rat obeyed, causing Remus to smile broadly. "You know," he began. "Your nephew Martin thinks you're a vampyre."
Snape smirked grimly. "Does he now?"
"Mm. He's beginning to wonder why he doesn't have an auntie from you, now. Thinks that Society is to blame..." Severus actually grinned at this point.
"Would you like to be Aunty Remus, then?"
Lupin shuddered. "Drag takes up too much time. I can never get it on right." He looked back at Eleni. Severus noticed this and nudged Remus in the side.
"I really don't want you to tell her, Remus," he murmured, so quietly that Remus almost couldn't hear him. "*Really* don't want you to tell her."
Remus nodded. "Alright."
**Loop-hole**
Severus remained looking uncomfortable, however. Well, Remus couldn't do anything about that.
However, he asked him anyway. "You still seem really uneasy... are you sure it's nothing I've done?"
"I keep on getting the feeling that someone might've overheard: we raised our voices a fair number of times..."
-Goodness. Get him to stop fussing, moon-dog. At least in my presence-
**I don't think I can**
~
"So..." Remus began. "How long will you be away?"
Snape crossed over the room again. "It's hardly that long," he said through gritted teeth. "Eleni will return first after 29 hours and then I'll be back in an additional 12." Off he went into the adjoining study and returned with several sheafs of parchment.
"Will Rat be going with you?"
-No-
"Why not?"
The Potions Master stopped. Although surverying the room carefully, he said at the same time, "it's completely uneccessary."
Remus looked towards Rat who was seated on the bed. The rat sneezed. -Aye, he's right-
"Don't you take my word for it?" Severus looked at the werewolf sharply.
"Oh-" Remus added quickly, so as not to cause offense. Snape seemed particularly tense. "No, no... nothing like that."
"Don't say anything stupid whilst I'm gone, mind," Snape added, absent mindedly taking out a walnut for Rat to nibble on. He stroked the rat's back. "And I expect you to change your mind about our... relationship by the time I get back."
The werewolf snorted. "I doubt it'll happen. I do care for you, Severus... as much of a surprise as it must be."
"Hm. Go away, now Remus."
"Yes sir." Before Snape could protest, Remus kissed him thoroughly, leaving Snape rather short of breath.
"Bastard."
The werewolf pecked his cheek and walked out of the room.
At times, Remus feared for his sanity. Usually, he reassured himself that he had good reason to, but sometimes, he would just shrug and pretend to ignore it. This was one of those times in which he feared for his sanity.
He took the extended journey to the Entrance Hall, something in him - however unconsciously - hoping to meet Eleni.
She was there, getting her cloaks and equipment on with the help of a fussing Miriam and excited nephew and neices. As Lupin approached - she was putting on some lightweight gloves which made Remus realise that this journey must be especially serious - she looked up, oblivious to exclamations from Miriam and her young relations.
"Mr. Lupin?" She asked.
"Yes." He replied with a nod. "Before you go - may I have a word?"
Eleni gave him a carefully blank look (though he could tell it was the one she used to regard others. It was the same as Severus') then nodded. Miriam looked up at her with a question in her eyes.
She nodded again.
Making sure her sister-in-law and relations had departed well out of hearing, she turned to Remus face on. "What is it, Remus?"
Firstly, he made sure that their gazes were locked. Rather ruthless, maybe, but he wanted to see her reactions.
"You and Severus," he began. "For brother and sister, you're none too close."
"Ah," she raised an eyebrow. "You've noticed." She gave a rather tired smile, her eyes weary, and it made her look so much older. "Yes, we're none too close. Why?"
"Actually," he began softly, "That was what I was thinking, too."
Eleni sighed. "I don't know, to be honest. Probably some sort of silly feud, as you get in most families."
"Really? Couldn't you just apologise then?" He raised an eyebrow.
She actually laughed. She laughed so hard, when she spoke, she sounded slightly hoarse. "Yes! Yes, of course! Why *couldn't* we just apologise?" Eleni shook her head. "It's not that simple... some time ago now, he made it quite clear that he wanted nothing more to do with us."
Remus ploughed on. "Didn't you think, *why* though?"
She gave him a look. "No. Obviously I didn't."
"Why not?"
"Because I had my own family to raise... I was a young, orphaned, Jewish mother with four, young children at that time. If someone had told me that I'd have two more, I would have killed myself," she saw the look on Remus' face. "Seriously. You could say it was something to do with my nerves, I wouldn't know." She paused. "After realising that my pleadings - and I'm not one to beg - weren't getting anywhere... I decided to call it a day. I left him be."
Lupin paused. What had impressed him, was that Eleni had kept her eyes firmly locked onto his.
"Did you regret it?" He asked softly.
She gave a snort. "Of course I did," she replied in a voice that sounded like a hiss; her eyes had narrowed slightly. "I went mad over him. He was my little brother, but he also was my superior, if you look at it traditionally. I loved him so much... isn't that odd? I never cared much for Jona, I'm ashamed to say... He had everyone crowded round him, he didn't need his siblings as much as Severus' and I had needed each other." Eleni finally looked down at her shoes. "But when he gradually pushed me away, when I needed him so much," she shrugged again, meeting Remus' gaze. "I decided to let go."
After a pause, she muttered, "Damn, I need a smoke."
Remus laughed. "It's bad for you, you know."
Eleni gave him a guilty grin. "I can see why Severus would like you."
That made him start. Then she gave anther laugh, now sounding like a wise grandmother. "Don't be surprised. I know he's a homosexual. I know you're close, I can tell: I didn't poke around, so don't worry - it's none of my business. I do know, though."
"Then I ought to tell you something I know," he said, eyes serious in - though he wasn't aware of it - that gentle way of his. She looked at him. "Severus was abused by Dumbledore whilst he was in school," he said. "From what he's told me, it started when he was around 12 years old." Eleni's face had frozen, her eys filled with a kind of horror and her mouth slightly open.
"Why didn't he--?"
"--Tell you?" Remus finished for her. He gave a low, short, rather cold laugh. "Why should he. He hated himself. He had no reason that anyone would want to help him." He sighed.
She had her hands clenched. It took Remus a few moments before he realised that she was trembling with fury. Tears had started to film her eyes. "That... that *bastard*... I'll - I'll... I'll fucking choke him on his own scrotum, I will..." Speaking calmly seemed to be take a large amount of effort. "He ruined my family, Remus! He *ruined* it and I'm working for him!"
"No!" Remus said, reaching out for her and holding her arms. "You're working for him, fighting for *us*... fighting for people that could be killed just because they can't use a wand or their parents can't!" He tried to catch her gaze, but she was furious. "Eleni!"
Eventually she blinked, stopped an swallowed. "Yes," she murmured. "Yes, you're right... it's for those poor muggle children who could end up mutilated and raped or whatever..." She spoke again, eyes far away. "I found out... that Severus was part of that group... but he left of his own accord... I wonder why?"
Footsteps could be heard on the stairs behind him. They both turned round and saw Severus, smilarly attired with a similar bag on his shoulder. His gaze shifted from one to the other.
"Eleni?" He asked softly, eyes on Remus. "Are you ready?"
She nodded.
Together, the two walked on, to the doors, and opened them. Severus turned to Remus. "Bye," he said, a gentle look in his eyes.
Remus nodded and laid two fingertips against his lips. Severus gave him a look of mild disgust, then closed the door behind him.
"Good luck," The werewolf whispered.
*
Sorry it took so long. Got a bit corny, didn't it? I was in a hurry...
An apology: I haven't written about them - two transformations have gone by and I didn't realise. Ooops! I'll add them in sooner or later... maybe later...
Oh yeah, to Lunatic: I was going through the reviews and yes, Ian McKellen *is* kinda good looking for his age, isn't he? *coughs nervously* Well... since *that's* come out, where should we go and hide for the rest of our lives (and send anonymous posts to our unusual tastes...)???
Chapter 26: Woman of Troy
When Sirius had alerted them so suddenly, Remus had thought that there was a problem with Lira. However, they went right past Sirius' rooms - halting to meet up with Lira who was waiting outside - and then straight up to Dumbledore's office.
After they had entered the office, a good deal many more did as well, all looking rather confused and bewildered.
Dumbledore, filled with purpose, went to the desk when there were enough people there, ready to listen. His eyes scanned them all, rather critically, it seemed to Remus. Something the werewolf hadn't seen in the man's eyes before.
**Dirty old--**
"Hasty arrangements, I am very sorry," he began. "I simply wanted to speak with Eleni and Severus."
Before he could help himself, Remus gave Severus an anxious look then managed to look away. As the man had said before, he had had quarter of a century to deal with it and he'd coped before Remus had come along.
The two went up to talk to Dumbledore whilst the others there filed out. Remus made sure that he was the last one to go.
He waited for them to come out.
Although he knew that Severus had made him promise that he would never tell anyone, Remus couldn't help wondering if maybe Eleni knew and if that explained her coldness towards her younger brother. However, the more he thought about it, it would be more of a reason for her to hate *Dumbledore* rather than her brother.
He was no Messiah, and he didn't pretend to be, but perhaps simply bending his promise a *little*... for the good of all...
The two Snapes exited. Severus looked none too surprised - exasperated if anything - by the fact that Remus was there. Eleni rose an eyebrow, smiled politely and walked off in the opposite direction. Remus dropped in step next to Severus.
"Does she know you're gay?" He murmured.
"I doubt. But she probably *thinks* I am... suspects it a bit..." Rat crawled along to sit on Severus' shoulder, and sat in the position of a watchful meercat. "Get *down* you!"
-Be quiet you-
"I shall put you in a cage," Severus threatened. "With sawdust at the bottom and metal bars..."
-Ha ha-
"And empty toilet rolls and little plastic rungs..."
-*Stop that!*-
"Get down then."
Rat obeyed, causing Remus to smile broadly. "You know," he began. "Your nephew Martin thinks you're a vampyre."
Snape smirked grimly. "Does he now?"
"Mm. He's beginning to wonder why he doesn't have an auntie from you, now. Thinks that Society is to blame..." Severus actually grinned at this point.
"Would you like to be Aunty Remus, then?"
Lupin shuddered. "Drag takes up too much time. I can never get it on right." He looked back at Eleni. Severus noticed this and nudged Remus in the side.
"I really don't want you to tell her, Remus," he murmured, so quietly that Remus almost couldn't hear him. "*Really* don't want you to tell her."
Remus nodded. "Alright."
**Loop-hole**
Severus remained looking uncomfortable, however. Well, Remus couldn't do anything about that.
However, he asked him anyway. "You still seem really uneasy... are you sure it's nothing I've done?"
"I keep on getting the feeling that someone might've overheard: we raised our voices a fair number of times..."
-Goodness. Get him to stop fussing, moon-dog. At least in my presence-
**I don't think I can**
~
"So..." Remus began. "How long will you be away?"
Snape crossed over the room again. "It's hardly that long," he said through gritted teeth. "Eleni will return first after 29 hours and then I'll be back in an additional 12." Off he went into the adjoining study and returned with several sheafs of parchment.
"Will Rat be going with you?"
-No-
"Why not?"
The Potions Master stopped. Although surverying the room carefully, he said at the same time, "it's completely uneccessary."
Remus looked towards Rat who was seated on the bed. The rat sneezed. -Aye, he's right-
"Don't you take my word for it?" Severus looked at the werewolf sharply.
"Oh-" Remus added quickly, so as not to cause offense. Snape seemed particularly tense. "No, no... nothing like that."
"Don't say anything stupid whilst I'm gone, mind," Snape added, absent mindedly taking out a walnut for Rat to nibble on. He stroked the rat's back. "And I expect you to change your mind about our... relationship by the time I get back."
The werewolf snorted. "I doubt it'll happen. I do care for you, Severus... as much of a surprise as it must be."
"Hm. Go away, now Remus."
"Yes sir." Before Snape could protest, Remus kissed him thoroughly, leaving Snape rather short of breath.
"Bastard."
The werewolf pecked his cheek and walked out of the room.
At times, Remus feared for his sanity. Usually, he reassured himself that he had good reason to, but sometimes, he would just shrug and pretend to ignore it. This was one of those times in which he feared for his sanity.
He took the extended journey to the Entrance Hall, something in him - however unconsciously - hoping to meet Eleni.
She was there, getting her cloaks and equipment on with the help of a fussing Miriam and excited nephew and neices. As Lupin approached - she was putting on some lightweight gloves which made Remus realise that this journey must be especially serious - she looked up, oblivious to exclamations from Miriam and her young relations.
"Mr. Lupin?" She asked.
"Yes." He replied with a nod. "Before you go - may I have a word?"
Eleni gave him a carefully blank look (though he could tell it was the one she used to regard others. It was the same as Severus') then nodded. Miriam looked up at her with a question in her eyes.
She nodded again.
Making sure her sister-in-law and relations had departed well out of hearing, she turned to Remus face on. "What is it, Remus?"
Firstly, he made sure that their gazes were locked. Rather ruthless, maybe, but he wanted to see her reactions.
"You and Severus," he began. "For brother and sister, you're none too close."
"Ah," she raised an eyebrow. "You've noticed." She gave a rather tired smile, her eyes weary, and it made her look so much older. "Yes, we're none too close. Why?"
"Actually," he began softly, "That was what I was thinking, too."
Eleni sighed. "I don't know, to be honest. Probably some sort of silly feud, as you get in most families."
"Really? Couldn't you just apologise then?" He raised an eyebrow.
She actually laughed. She laughed so hard, when she spoke, she sounded slightly hoarse. "Yes! Yes, of course! Why *couldn't* we just apologise?" Eleni shook her head. "It's not that simple... some time ago now, he made it quite clear that he wanted nothing more to do with us."
Remus ploughed on. "Didn't you think, *why* though?"
She gave him a look. "No. Obviously I didn't."
"Why not?"
"Because I had my own family to raise... I was a young, orphaned, Jewish mother with four, young children at that time. If someone had told me that I'd have two more, I would have killed myself," she saw the look on Remus' face. "Seriously. You could say it was something to do with my nerves, I wouldn't know." She paused. "After realising that my pleadings - and I'm not one to beg - weren't getting anywhere... I decided to call it a day. I left him be."
Lupin paused. What had impressed him, was that Eleni had kept her eyes firmly locked onto his.
"Did you regret it?" He asked softly.
She gave a snort. "Of course I did," she replied in a voice that sounded like a hiss; her eyes had narrowed slightly. "I went mad over him. He was my little brother, but he also was my superior, if you look at it traditionally. I loved him so much... isn't that odd? I never cared much for Jona, I'm ashamed to say... He had everyone crowded round him, he didn't need his siblings as much as Severus' and I had needed each other." Eleni finally looked down at her shoes. "But when he gradually pushed me away, when I needed him so much," she shrugged again, meeting Remus' gaze. "I decided to let go."
After a pause, she muttered, "Damn, I need a smoke."
Remus laughed. "It's bad for you, you know."
Eleni gave him a guilty grin. "I can see why Severus would like you."
That made him start. Then she gave anther laugh, now sounding like a wise grandmother. "Don't be surprised. I know he's a homosexual. I know you're close, I can tell: I didn't poke around, so don't worry - it's none of my business. I do know, though."
"Then I ought to tell you something I know," he said, eyes serious in - though he wasn't aware of it - that gentle way of his. She looked at him. "Severus was abused by Dumbledore whilst he was in school," he said. "From what he's told me, it started when he was around 12 years old." Eleni's face had frozen, her eys filled with a kind of horror and her mouth slightly open.
"Why didn't he--?"
"--Tell you?" Remus finished for her. He gave a low, short, rather cold laugh. "Why should he. He hated himself. He had no reason that anyone would want to help him." He sighed.
She had her hands clenched. It took Remus a few moments before he realised that she was trembling with fury. Tears had started to film her eyes. "That... that *bastard*... I'll - I'll... I'll fucking choke him on his own scrotum, I will..." Speaking calmly seemed to be take a large amount of effort. "He ruined my family, Remus! He *ruined* it and I'm working for him!"
"No!" Remus said, reaching out for her and holding her arms. "You're working for him, fighting for *us*... fighting for people that could be killed just because they can't use a wand or their parents can't!" He tried to catch her gaze, but she was furious. "Eleni!"
Eventually she blinked, stopped an swallowed. "Yes," she murmured. "Yes, you're right... it's for those poor muggle children who could end up mutilated and raped or whatever..." She spoke again, eyes far away. "I found out... that Severus was part of that group... but he left of his own accord... I wonder why?"
Footsteps could be heard on the stairs behind him. They both turned round and saw Severus, smilarly attired with a similar bag on his shoulder. His gaze shifted from one to the other.
"Eleni?" He asked softly, eyes on Remus. "Are you ready?"
She nodded.
Together, the two walked on, to the doors, and opened them. Severus turned to Remus. "Bye," he said, a gentle look in his eyes.
Remus nodded and laid two fingertips against his lips. Severus gave him a look of mild disgust, then closed the door behind him.
"Good luck," The werewolf whispered.
*
Sorry it took so long. Got a bit corny, didn't it? I was in a hurry...
