Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters, places, etc. associated therein. Everything but the plot of this one story belongs to JK Rowling and publishers. Sirius' adventure was based on the story Clever Tom and the Leprechaun, written by Linda Shute and published by Scholastic.
Author's Note: I have had several people ask me what the pairing for this fic will be. I will now answer this much anticipated question (right). The pairing will be....Remus/Tonks. Although I do support Remus/Hermione, I have found that most of the fics end up being carbon copies of each other, so I wanted to take a twist on their relationship.
Chapter: 5/15
The cold moonlight
Is clear and white
She will not go,
This I know
'Till all the stars have fallen
~This I Know, by Anne Corkett
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 5- Bad Timing
"Remus, can I just go and get a drink?" Hermione asked, carefully staying perfectly still.
"What?" Remus asked, looking up startled from his painting. Hermione was sitting on the edge of the wishing well, her head tilted slightly as she lifted one hand to finger a bleeding heart. Remus was sitting several feet away, sketching her with all the precision of a professional artist. He had gotten caught up in his work and had completely forgotten that standing still for almost half of an hour would be no small task for an active teenage girl. "Oh, a drink. Of course you can. Sorry, I got a little caught up in the drawing. Would you mind getting me something, love?"
"Yes, of course," nodded Hermione, leaping up. She stretched and arched her back a bit, working out all the little kinks that had formed there from staying motionless for so long. She skipped into the kitchen. Remus sat, watching her go. It was amazing how well she had flourished living in the cottage. Her cheeks had lost their pale pallour and she had gotten more than a little sun in her two weeks with him. She had learned to laugh again and, frankly, had taught him how to live after Sirius. He could barely believe that at one point he had thought having her come stay with him was a bad idea.
But, he was beginning to have doubts again. The moon was almost full and the following night, he would transform into a werewolf. He had mentioned it briefly to Hermione, but she had been completely guileless to his hints that 'wouldn't she like to go and visit Ron at the Burrow for a while?' He was quite sure she knew he wanted her to go, but he was just as sure that she wouldn't even mention it unless he spoke of it outright.
"Can I see how much you've done?" Hermione inquired, holding a glass of fruit punch out in front of him. He took the glass gratefully and shifted so Hermione could get a good look. She took a sharp intake of breath. "Remus...its beautiful. You've captured me wonderfully."
"Its hardly done, 'Mione," he laughed lightly. "I've just got the barest details done on paper and a few more thought out in my mind. I have to agree with you though, I think this could be my best work yet!" He drained his punch in one gulp, the hot July sun had parched his throat.
"Yes," she agreed, face completely blank. "Certainly a lot better than that dreadful painting of the werewolf. Of course, you're inspiration for this one was better looking."
Remus roared with laughter and pulled her on to his lap. "Aren't we just Miss. Modest today?" he teased, tickling her. She giggled and squirmed in his grip. However, when he let her go, she didn't remove herself from his lap, leaning contentedly against his chest. He took the quiet moment as the perfect opportunity to quiz her on the full moon. "'Mione, we have to decide what we're going to do with you tomorrow night."
She stiffened, and he could almost feel her steeling her will. "I thought I had already made that clear," she said coolly. "I'm staying here."
"Hermione, I don't want to have to order you to do anything," Remus admitted. "But I will if..."
Hermione leapt up off of his lap. "Remus, no!" she protested. "I know you and I know how you can feel! You're always depressed after your transformation. I don't want you to have to go through that, especially after you lost Sirius. I'm afraid I'd come back and find you..." She trailed off, unable to complete her sentence.
Understanding flooded Remus and he reached out for her. "Come here, you little fool," he said fondly. "You're afraid you'll find me dead?" She nodded mutely. "Never ever, 'Mione, would I commit suicide. Maybe if you hadn't come to live with me, I would have been tempted after transformation and Sirius, but not now. I have you to live for, hun."
"I just...feel so helpless," stumbled Hermione. "I mean, you've been so strong for me. I could never have gotten through all of this without you. Now your time of suffering has come and there's really nothing I can do for you. I just wish you would open up to me. I want to know what makes you the way you are, and why sometimes you get that pained look on your face and I have to call your name several time before you hear me. I can't leave you alone for your lycanthropy. Please let me stay, Remus. Please don't send me away."
Heart in his throat, Remus clutched her to him, unable to find the words he needed to thank her for the great love she was showing him. "Sometimes," he began. "Sometimes I can't help but notice, that anyone who I am close with ends up hurt or dead. James and Lily died, Peter became a Death Eater, Sirius died, Harry lost a loved one and you lost your parents. And still, I'm standing here, the very dregs of human existence, unscathed. Everyone I get close to is in danger...I have to send you away, 'Mione. I don't want to lose anyone else."
Her arms tightened. "I'm not going anywhere," she declared, heated intensity in her voice. Remus buried his head in her shoulder and knew he had to give in. This was one battle he was going to lose and he could admit that he was happy losing it.
"No," he finally sighed. "No, I guess you're not. I'm not strong enough to deny you. And, Merlin help me, you may regret it yet, Hermione."
She smiled through the tears that were coursing down her cheeks. "I highly doubt that, Remus, I highly doubt it. Now, shall we get back to that painting?"
Hermione tossed and turned fitfully, unable to sleep. Remus hadn't got around to putting curtains up on her bedroom window, so the almost full moon shone in, taunting her and keeping her from her slumber. Finally, she gave it up for a lost cause, climbed out of bed and crossed to the window. The moon was high above the trees, shining down on the world. She had used to love the moon. She couldn't bring herself to love its cold beauty anymore. Not after what it did to Remus.
As her thoughts turned to Remus, she spied him. He was sitting outside, carefully balancing on the fence post out front. 'What is he doing?' she thought curiously. After watching him for five minutes and realising he wasn't going to be leaving any time soon, she decided to go down to him.
The house was deadly quiet, as though everything in it was sensing the feeling of dread over the house's main tenants. As the night of the full moon drew closer, Remus became more alert. He walked stiffly and his eyes darted around, always aware of anything that moved. Hermione began more and more antsy, forever feeling Remus' pain and wishing the moon would just reach its zenith so they could get it over with and move on. She exited the house softly, hoping not to alert Remus until she was by his side. It was hopeless, of course. His senses were magnified as the wolf became more prominent in him and he heard her the moment she opened the door. "What are you doing out here, 'Mione?" he inquired without turning to look at her.
"I couldn't sleep," she explained. "I thought I'd just look out the window for a bit and I saw you sitting here. I thought you might like some company."
He jumped down from the fence post and walked over to her. "You were wrong," he said coldly. Hermione winced at his icy fury.
"I'm sorry," she said, hanging her head. 'Just relax, 'Mione,' she angrily told herself. 'If you love him as much as you claim to, you have to realise that during the full moon he's going to get a bit more...hard...to live with.'
He sighed deeply and knelt by her. "No, I'm the one who's sorry," he apologised. "We both know you didn't do anything wrong." He laid his strong, callused hands on her shoulders, left nearly bare by the strappy nightgown she wore. "My behaviour is a bit less charming around this time of month."
"Oh trust me, I understand that," Hermione tried a weak joke. "Women call it PMS."
He chuckled dryly. "I wish my time of month was as simple as that," he mused.
"You've never PMSed before, have you?" Hermione asked wryly. She shivered, the cold night wind nipping at her.
"No, can't say I have," admitted Remus. "Now, lets get you inside before you freeze."
They walked hand in hand back up to Hermione's bedroom. Remus lifted her into bed and covered her up. He then climbed into the bed, laying above the covers, propping himself up with his elbow. "Do you think you'll be able to sleep now?" he asked.
"No," answered Hermione truthfully. "Its that damn moon."
Remus glanced over at the window, sparing a quick look for the moon. "Now, now, Hermione," he reprimanded. "Language, language. I'll get you some curtains next week. How can we put you to sleep?"
Hermione frowned thoughtfully. "I wouldn't mind a story about the Mauraders," she replied.
Remus cast his mind back and found one that he thought would amuse her. "I've just the one. It was the summer of our fourth year. Sirius was on vacation in Ireland...
Now, as you remember, Sirius didn't get along very well with his parents, so they were only too eager to send him off to visit his aunt and Tonks, who were living in Ireland at that moment. Sirius got along well with Tonks, but she was a bit too young for his constant camaraderie, so one day he took a ramble down the lane outside their small cottage. He had been walking for a quite a while and was thinking about turning back when he heard a strange clacking noise from the hedge. He quietly tiptoed closer to take a look.
The clacking noise stopped when Sirius peeped through the bushes. There in the shadow of the bushes was a small man with a brown leather apron and a three-cornered hat, resting against a big gallon pitcher. As Sirius watched, the small man climbed up on the small wooden stool he had been sitting on and dipped his little piggin in to the crock. Then he settled down, with his full mug beside him and began to hammer on the heel of a fairy-sized shoe.
Now, Sirius knew, of course, that this had to be a leprechaun. As I said, he was itching to get away from the Blacks, so he thought he would catch the leprechaun and force him to give him his gold. He stared carefully at the leprechaun, not blinking. Finally, he crept near to him and tipped his hat saying "Good day to you, neighbour. Blessings on your work."
"Thank you kindly," said the leprechaun, not looking up from his work.
Not despairing in the least, Sirius kept talking. "Today's a holiday," he said sweetly. "You shouldn't have to work."
"If I do, that my business and none of your own!" frowned the leprechaun sharply. "Instead of pestering me, young man, you ought to be helping you little cousin! Look there! Those garden gnomes are attacking her!"
Sirius, knowing very well that Tonks was away visiting her friend from the village, pretended to start to look. Just as the leprechaun started to dart away, Sirius dived for the little imp and caught him fast. "Now you're my prisoner!" he taunted. "Tell me, where is your gold?"
The leprechaun wiggled and twisted, but Sirius' grip was firm. "I'm just a poor old man," he whined.
"You and I both know you're lying," snarled Sirius.
Finally, the leprechaun stopped trying to escape and resigned to his fate. "Sirius Black, you're too clever for me. I see you are after my buried treasure, so I'll have to show you where it is hid."
The leprechaun, still held tight in Sirius fist, lead Sirius to a great field of weeds. "Dig there," said the leprechaun, pointing to a bush. "Deep under that boliaun is where I put my gold."
"Bloody hell," cursed Sirius. He had not thought to bring his wand with him and he was not able to turn into Padfoot yet. "I'll need to fetch a spade, but when I return I'll be lost. There are forty acres of boliauns here and each plant looks just like the other."
Sirius thought quickly, his eyes still on the leprechaun. Sirius was smart and he quickly came up with a simple enough plan. He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a bright red ribbion. He had stolen it from Tonks when they were teasing each other by the hearth the previous night. He tied it tightly to the bush. "Swear, you old rascal," he ordered the little man. "Swear that you won't take this off while I run back to get my spade."
"That I will promise you," the leprechaun agreed readily. Sirius grinned, knowing that leprechauns always kept their word. The leprechaun continued. "Now, since I have shown you where my treasure is, I don't suppose you'll need me anymore."
"No," admitted Sirius. "My fortune's made. You may go and good luck go with you!"
"Then good-bye to you, Sirius Black," waved the leprechaun, already skipping off. "May you do much good with what you find."
Sirius didn't give another thought to the leprechaun as he dashed back to the cottage where he was staying. He grabbed a nearby shovel and headed back to the field of boliauns. But when he got here, lo and behold! A red ribbion, just like little Tonks' was tied to each and every bush as far as he could see.
Angrily, Sirius began digging and digging. He dug until the moon was high in the sky. Finally, after he had dug nearly a hundred holes, and he knew he had been tricked. With a heavy heart, he gave up and headed for home.
When he came back to school in September, he hauled James off to the library every day until they had figured out how to become Animagus. He was delighted when he became the big black dog in November. He spent the rest of the year declaring to any who would listen, mainly Peter;
"And now, since I can dig faster than I could have with a shovel, the next time I catch the leprechaun, I'll have my fortune made!"
Hermione laughed thickly, her eyes drooping with sleep. "You have the most wonderful stories, Remus."
"I've lived some wonderful stories," mused Remus, still reminiscing.
"Poor Padfoot," sighed Hermione. "He never found another leprechaun, did he?"
"No," answered Remus, lying back on the pillow. He couldn't summon the energy to move into his own room. He glanced over at Hermione's nightstand. There was an alarm clock and a glass of water, as well as as a framed picture. From it, Sirius and Harry were waving from in front of the fireplace at Black Manor. Ron was lounging on the couch, snoring. As Remus watched, Sirius pulled Harry to him and whispered something in his ear. Harry smiled lazily and they lay down, Harry nestled tightly in Sirius' protecting arms. "No, he found something better."
Hermione, not needing the picture to know what Remus was talking about nodded. "Yea, I guess he did."
"Mind if I crash here tonight, 'Mione?" inquired Remus, eyes closing.
"No, s'okay," agreed Hermione. Remus rolled over and flung a protective arm around Hermione before drifting off to sleep.
"Yes, Snape," nodded Tonks. "I know the message, as you've told it to me no less than three times."
The bitter Potions professor glared at her. "Just go," he hissed. His head disappeared from the flames of the Black Manor fireplace.
"That man could irritate a sloth," Tonks declared.
"You don't say?" Clay Stoat laughed from the kitchen table where he was studying a map of Azkaban.
"I do!" insisted Tonks. She opened up the pot of Floo Powder and dipped into it, removing a handful of the silvery powder. She stared at it, nervous now that the moment had come.
Clay looked up from his map. "Oh, will you just go, Tonks?" he said, rolling his eyes. "It is so obvious you want to see Remus again. Stop dwelling on Professor Snape and go capture that werewolf's heart!"
"Is it that obvious?" Tonks asked, wincing.
"Yes," Clay said, mercilessly. "But he is just as obvious!" He stood and took the Floo Powder from her. Tossing it into the fireplace he called out "Remus Lupin!" He shoved her into the fire and she was gone.
She stepped out into Remus' living room. The entire house was silent, neither heads or tails of Remus or Hermione evident in the living room. Cautiously, Tonks left the living room and entered the kitchen. Still no sign of the pair. "Hello?" she called out anxiously. "Anybody home?"
She glanced at the clock. Both handles were pointing to Asleep. 'Oh, just bloody perfect,' Tonks drawled. 'I have to go and wake him up. I really hope he doesn't sleep in the nude.'
She climbed up the stairs and chose a random door. There was a bed and chest of drawers, but the bed was made and there was no sign of Remus or Hermione. She walked down the hall and chose the door at the very end of the hallway. Her face softened the moment her eyes landed on the bed.
Remus and Hermione were both curled up in bed, Hermione, under the covers, nestled in Remus' arms. Remus was still fully clothed and lying on top of the covers. He had probably not meant to fall asleep in her room, which made the whole situation that much cuter. 'Looks like Dumbledore was right,' Tonks smiled to herself. She was reluctant to wake either of them, but Snape's message was rather pressing. She laid a hand on Remus' shoulder, trying to ignore the sparks that seemed to spark whenever she touched him. "Remus," she whispered, shaking him. "Remus, wake up!"
Slowly, his eyes pried open. He stiffened under her touch. When he saw who it was, his eyes widened, but he relaxed. He carefully untangled himself from Hermione. "I'll be right back, 'Mione," he promised, kissing her forehead. He turned to Tonks and smiled. "Come downstairs. I don't want to wake her."
He settled Tonks down at the kitchen. "Hot chocolate?" he inquired with a teasing smile. "Neither of us are trying to sleep, right?"
"Hot chocolate sounds lovely," smiled Tonks, warily. "Its good to see you again, Remus."
He turned from where he was filling up a kettle. "Its good to see you too, Tonks," he assured her with one of his brilliant smiles. Tonks felt her heart melt. "How have you been?"
"Oh, pretty good," she said glibly. "Really busy, what with work and the Order. Mostly our missions co-exist now, so its not like last year. I've done a lot of Death Eater arresting in the past week or so. But...I don't know. It doesn't feel like we've made a dent in Voldemort's armour."
"Every little bit counts," Remus said helpfully.
"I suppose thats true," conceded Tonks. "What about you, Remus? How are you and Hermione?"
He smiled even wider. "We're both fine, not to mention exuberantly happy," he answered, sitting down at the table and handing her a mug. "Have you ever met a person who never fails to make you smile? Thats like what it is with Hermione. She can do anything and I can't help but hold her even dearer to my heart every minute. She's...absolutely wonderful."
"I know what you mean," Tonks said, taking a deep breath. "And, I...I do know one of those people."
"Really?" Remus said, taking a sip of his chocolate. "Who is it? Do I know them?"
"Oh...you know them fairly well," Tonks said, her voice shaking. "You see...its you."
Remus spit out his hot chocolate in his shock. "What?" he exclaimed. "Tonks...we've been over this. We've done this. We decided it would be better if we didn't act on it." He hastily wiped his mouth and made as though to stand up.
Tonks caught his arm. "No, Remus," she frowned. "We didn't decide anything. You decided everything. In fact, I don't remember having much say in anything."
With a sigh, Remus sat back. "Tonks, think!" he protested. "Do you really want to be burdened by an old werewolf?"
"You're not old!" laughed Tonks. "We definitely have been over that! And, if Hermione's willing to be burden with it, then I certainly am as well. I...I think I might be in love with you, Remus. And I know you feel something for me too."
Remus' eyes widened even more at her declaration of love, and his mouth dropped. He stood hastily and crossed over to the screen doors, staring blankly out at the garden. Tonks, now intent on her prey, followed him. She laid a hand on his arm, but was shocked when he turned and grabbed her waist. "Maybe I do love you, Tonks," he admitted. "The thing is, I'm not sure. With a werewolf, you have to be sure. You have to be. Its too much of a risk on the other person's behalf if both of them aren't positive."
"There's only one way to figure out if we're both sure," Tonks said firmly.
Remus stared at her, unwilling to admit that she was right. Finally, he smiled and dipped his head, cupping hers with his hands. Their lips grew closer and Tonks knew she was trembling in anticipation. Her heart swelled when she realised he too was shaking.
"Oh...oh crap," cursed a voice from behind them. Remus leapt away from Tonks as though burnt. Hermione was standing halfway down the stairs into the kitchen, dressed in a housecoat. Her hair was still messy from sleep and her bleary eyes were staring at the floor. It was quite clear from her flushed cheeks that she had seen something of their exchange. "Sorry, sorry...I..." She stopped and cleared her throat. "If anyone's interested, I'll be reading Hogwarts: A History behind my locked bedroom door for the next two hours." She turned abruptly and dashed back up the stairs. They listened in silence as her door slammed and clicked as she locked it.
"Well, that was a bit of a mood spoiler," Tonks said, disappointed. She started to apologise, but Remus turned her around and captured her mouth in a kiss. Hungrily, Tonks returned it. This was nothing compared to their first kiss. Every ounce of longing she had for him since she had met him was poured into there kisses. He was a passionate lover, she could tell. Each kiss was better than the last, each tearing her breath away from her.
Finally, he ended it. With a lazy smile, he brushed her hair behind her ears and kissed her forehead. "That was lovely," he drawled. "Shall we move to the couch?"
"Yes...yes, please," Tonks said eagerly. Laughing, Remus lead her to the rather large couch in the living room. He lay down and then pulled her to him, trailing tantalizing kisses up and down her neck. "Remus," she said breathlessly.
He paused. "Yes, love?" he inquired.
"Don't...don't let me go too far," she begged. "I...I'm not ready for that yet."
"I know," he said simply, before kissing her again. This assault was even more breathtaking than the last. Tonks didn't know when she lost her head, but she had the sinking feeling that Remus never lost control. She didn't know whether to be glad that one of them had managed to stay sane or to be disappointed that she didn't have as strong an affect on him as he had on her.
~*~
Remus breathed heavily as he finally forced himself away from Tonks. The kissing had been...nice. He had been a little shocked by the ferocity in her kissing. She was now lying, near exhausted, across his chest. He was glad he had managed his tentative grasp on sanity. His arousal had been quite large at the peak and it had taken all of his will power not to tear off her clothes. He kissed the top of her head lightly.
"Remus," she said softly.
"Mhm?" he questioned, wishing she wouldn't talk so he could bask in this wonderful moment.
"I have to go," she sighed. "But, first, I had better do what I came to do."
"You mean your mission wasn't simply to ravish me?" he teased as she lifted herself from his chest.
"No," she admitted. "That was just the reward. I have a message from Snape."
"Snape!" he cried, shock flooding him. "Right, I can't believe I forgot. He's coming today with the Wolfsbane potion. He could have just walked in on us."
"No, no," Tonks said. "Thats what the message is about." She straightened her robes, as Remus stood and did the same.
"The Wolfsbane potion?" he said sharply. "What about it?"
"He's going to be a bit late," Tonks reported. "Not too serious, but he didn't want you to worry. He was on his way over with a goblet when Voldemort summoned the Death Eaters. He had to go."
"Oh," Remus said, relieved. "You scared me there for a moment."
"Also," Tonks continued. "Molly sent me to collect Hermione."
"Actually...about that," Remus frowned. "Hermione has decided she is going to stay here."
Tonks blinked. "Oh...all right then," she nodded. "I'll...I'll make sure Molly knows. But, Remus are you sure thats...wise?"
"No, not really," Remus admitted. "But Hermione can be very stubborn. Would...would you stay if you were living here?" He hated putting the woman he thought he could love on the spot, but he had to know the strength of her feelings at that moment. He could see her blank and his heart almost broke.
"I...I don't know," Tonks shrugged. "Its...very...dangerous. I'd better get going." She hastily kissed him one last time and then Apparated back to 12 Grimmauld Place.
Remus sat back down on the couch with a heavy sigh. Just because she wouldn't stay didn't mean she didn't love him. She was just looking out for number one. He would expect any normal human being to do the same. So why did it cut so deeply? He was still pondering that when Hermione crept cautiously down the stairs twenty minutes later.
She sat down with Remus on the couch, saying nothing, her lips twitching with a barely contained smile. He put his arm around her and hugged her tightly to his side. She kissed his cheek quickly and wiggled out of his grasp, singing softly.
"Tonks and Remus sittin' in a tree
K-I-S-S-I-N-G
First comes love
Second comes kiss
Third comes Tonks' with a baby carriage!"
"Oh, thats mature," drawled Remus.
"Remus is in love, Remus is in love," taunted Hermione, eyes twinkling. "So, when am I gonna have a new baby brother or sister?"
"Thats it!" roared Remus, lunging for her. She let out a little squeal and dashed away. Laughing, Remus chased after her, worries over Tonks completely gone.
Remus could only pick at his tuna casserole. The day had passed quickly, spent laughing and playing like a child with Hermione in the garden. Finally, around four in the afternoon, they had collapsed, completely spent. They took their tea under the great willow tree that Remus had planted in the far left corner of his back yard. Around five o'clock, Remus had begun to worry about Snape's lack of arrival. Hermione, probably thinking Remus had taken the potion earlier this morning before Tonks, was completely unconcerned as she sang lightly to herself, conjuring up the casserole now in front of him.
"Don't you like the casserole?" she frowned. "I did everything just the way the book said."
"No, the casserole is delicious," Remus assured her. "Its just.."
"You're still worried about me being here for your transformation," Hermione finished, glancing out the window. "Remus, don't worry about it. Here, I'll make you a deal. If you're still worried about it after tonight, I'll spend the rest of full moons from here to eternity at Black Manor or the Burrow. But, honestly. What could possibly go wrong?"
"I could be without potion," Remus said, tiredly.
Hermione laughed at the absurdity. "Don't be foolish! Professor Snape might not be overly fond of you, but he'll make the potion, he always does. You have it for tonight and thats all that need concern us right now."
"But thats just it," sighed Remus, burying his head in his hands. "I don't have the potion."
"Excuse me?" Hermione blanked, worry in her tone.
"Snape hasn't shown up," Remus continued. "Thats what Tonks was here for in the first place. She told me he had said that he had a Death Eater meeting and he was going to be a bit late. He still hasn't popped in yet. In less than three hours, I'm going to be a raving werewolf."
"All right, thats a problem," admitted Hermione, nibbling at her bottom lip. "Well, lets just play it by ear. I...I can still lock myself in my room. And you can do the same, right? Right, Remus?"
"Of course," he said dully. 'No, it won't matter, 'Mione,' he thought despairingly. 'I should send you away, but you won't let me and I'm too weak to force you to go. You're going to die tonight more probable than not and its all my fault.'
Suddenly, Hermione bowled into him, flinging her arms around him. "Remus, I said I wasn't going anywhere, and I'm not," she said firmly. "Its me and you, for now and ever and I'm not losing you. Better get used to it."
Remus couldn't help but smile.
Snape shifted, irritated. He had been standing here by Voldemort for almost seven hours, only taking one break to get something to eat at the Dark Lord's bidding. It had been surprisingly easy to restore Voldemort's favour in him. Others had not had the luck of it. Five of those seven hours had been spent watching Voldemort perform the Cruciatus curse on his servants who had displeased him. Snape was beginning to think that he and Wormtail, standing on the other side of Voldemort, were the only Death Eaters who had not been cursed. Snape was still not sure how Wormtail had procured the favour of Voldemort, but he was determined to bring him down. It was because of that rat that Lily Evans...he would not think of her as a Potter...the only person who had shown him kindness in his childhood, was dead.
Voldemort turned from where he was casually causing Narcissa Malfoy, who had yet to free her husband, to wither on the ground in pain. "Do you tire of these trivialities, Severus?" inquired Voldemort.
"No, my Lord," Snape assured him. "It is just there is a meeting of the Order tonight. I am supposed to attend. You would not want Dumbledore to be suspicious."
"True," nodded Voldemort. "But, do not trouble yourself. You have proved your worth countless times. If the old wizard should find you out, I will shelter you from his pitiful wrath. Just watch and enjoy the show. I will let you perform the next curse."
"Thank you, my Lord," Snape said smoothly. "My Lord is too kind."
"You are a good servant to me," Voldemort smiled, patting his arm soothingly. Snape desperately kept his face smooth. He hated his double agent role...one minute a leading member of the Order of the Phoenix, the next minute, playing the part of Voldemort's lap dog. Voldemort was another one he could hardly wait to curse into oblivion. He would gladly face a life sentence in Azkaban if he could only perform the killing curse on the Dark Lord. "Your rewards will be great. Ah, look, Snape. The full moon has risen." He turned to Wormtail. "Go and check on the werewolves. If they are restless, there are some prisoners in cell five you may give them."
"But...My...my Lord," stuttered Wormtail. "I...I must protect you."
"Snape will be able to do the job quite well, Wormtail," Voldemort snarled. "Now do as I say or join Narcissa here." He returned to Snape. "Not thinking of that pitiful excuse for a werewolf Dumbledore's got working for him, are you? Don't worry, he'll be made to pay for what he did to you."
"I...I eagerly await the day," Snape said, mouth dry.'Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn,' he cursed in his head. 'God help Hermione and Remus. God forgive me for letting her down a second time.'
Snape barely saw as Narcissa was lead away and MacNair was made to kneel in her place MacNair's curse on Hermione's grandmother had been broken, allowing her to get away with Remus. "Severus?" nodded Voldemort.
"Yes, my Lord," smiled Severus. "Crucio." Snape's Cruciatus had always been strong, but with all the fury and hate boiling up inside him, it was no surprise when MacNair instantly began screaming and withering on the ground.
"Very good, Severus," Voldemort complimented. "Its good to know you haven't lost your touch."
"Thank you, my Lord," Snape said dully. In his mind's eye, it was himself, not MacNair withering on the ground begging for mercy.
Hermione paced in her room. Remus had sent her up here at seven thirty, finally deciding something had prevented Snape wasn't coming. There was no way she was going to make it through the night. Distracted by her anguish for Remus, faced with a night of terror and pain, she had completely forgotten to bring up the book she was reading. She glanced out the window. The moon was barely visible. Surely she had enough time to fetch her book. Mind made up, she unlocked the door and ran downstairs.
Remus was sitting at the kitchen table, staring blearily into a cup of coffee. "Hermione!" he cried when she ran into the kitchen. "What the hell are you doing here? Get back up..."
"Sorry," she apologised, picking up her book. "I just wanted to grab my book. Good night and I-"
A scream was ripped from Remus' throat. Horror stricken, Hermione turned, clutching the book to her chest. Remus was transforming before her very eyes. 'Run, Hermione!' Sirius' voice pounded inside her head. 'Run! I can't take care of it this time.'
Try as she might, she could not obey Sirius. She watched, appalled, as Remus' snout and body lengthened. There was hair sprouting up everywhere. His robes ripped and he began howling in pain. It seemed to go on forever, though it really only took a few moments.s
Finally, the transformation stopped and it was no longer Remus standing there, but the full grown wolf she remembered all too well from the night she had met Sirius Black.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's Notes:
That wasn't cruel, was it?
heart-on-her-sleeve: Thank you kindly!
Allyrien Chantel de Montreve: Thanks for your review. I'm glad you like it!
Sparky: Was that enough Tonks and Remus for you? LOL! You don't sound pathetic at all! Thanks again!
padfoot1979: Who doesn't hate Pettigrew? LOL. Glad you liked the silver bullets. I always thought Remus might have a bit of a suicidal tendancy. Thanks for the review. I've been meaning to ask...does the 1979 in your name have any particular meaning?
Ember16: Thanks for your review! Glad you're liking it!
Li-chan: I'm glad I got the funeral right. I gave you a Remus/Tonks moment in this chapter...I hope you liked it! Thanks for reviewing and I'm glad you're liking it!
Stefanie: Thanks for your review! I'm glad I'm somebody's fav. :) Glad you liked the silver bullet idea!
cosmo-queen: Aw, thanks. You're the sweetest. Don't worry about the length of the review- the longer the better! Sorry I made you cry...I didn't think it was that sad. Glad I was wrong!
padfootsgurl4eva: It is a Remus/Tonks. Sorry about the confusion. Thanks for your review and I'm glad you are liking it!
starchild33: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you're liking it. Aw, thanks for the compliment. They're two of my three characters, so I hope I'm doing them justice. This is going to be a Remus/Tonks story...sorry about the confusion.
Nihtfyr: Thanks for your review. I suppose its a good thing you've never been to a funeral. Um, about the started bit...I've always thought when someone 'starts' it could be taken two ways...1)the begin or 2) they do a double take. Maybe I was wrong. Sorry bout that. Ah, that reminds me. I've gotten you something...its a Hug Me Snape. **presents Nihtfyr with a Hug me Snape plush toy** Enjoy! I think it will be easier to hug than the real thing who strikes me as being a bit prickly ;)
InkFairy: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you're liking it. As to the end of chapter four...they only meant the love between father and daughter...this story is strictly Remus/Tonks romance! Thanks again!