Author's Note: This chapter is dedicated to Liz P who made me the most gorgeous banner for Wolf and Child. You can find it here;
Thanks again, Liz P, the banner is lovely and you did a marvelous job!
Edit: I have rewritten chapter nine due to a review I received and found myself with agreeing with all to readily. The revised edition of chapter nine is dedicated to Falconeyes and Mizuki Ashiya for saving me from what, upon reflection, turned out to be quite an awful plotline.
Chapter: 9/15
And I wonder where you are
And if the pain ends when you die
And I wonder if there ever was
Some better way to say goodbye
~Goodbye by Martina McBride
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Chapter 9- A Night with No Moon
Hermione paced restlessly across Professor Lupin's office. She had asked to talk to him, but now that the time came, she was too nervous to speak. Not to mention that her mind was filled with facts for her Arithmacy test tomorrow. She should have been studying right then, but she knew she had to talk to somebody. Professor Lupin seemed a good a choice as anyone. Besides, some of her stress was due to him. Sighing, she halted her constant pacing and turned to face him.
He was sitting at his desk, grading what looked like their third years' papers on Kappas. Occasionally, he would look up at her, before quickly returning to his work. She sighed. He was so young, but so...old. It was awful, really. She had had several chats like these in his offices and had come to realise he was a wonderful person. She thought it was terribly unfair that such an unjust punishment as being bitten by a werewolf had been forced on him. He had talked of being bitten once. The pain etched on his face had almost brought tears to her own eyes. She truly wished there was more she could do for him.
"Was there anything specific you needed, Hermione?" he asked. "If you just want to talk, then I have an ear, by all means, but you seemed a little distracted."
"Professor, can I please tell Harry and Ron?" she blurted out. She winced as soon as the words left her mouth. So much for diplomacy. "I'm sure they won't care two figs' worth if you're a werewolf. Its so hard not being able to tell anyone."
He sighed and put down his quill. "I know its hard, Hermione," he admitted. "But, I'm afraid I have to ask you to keep it to yourself. Its just too risky."
"Professor," sighed Hermione, exasperated. "Harry is just like his father, from what you've told me. James didn't care and neither will Harry."
"No, Hermione," Lupin said firmly. "You swore you would tell no one, and I mean to hold you to your promise." He stood and crossed to the window. Curious, Hermione joined him. She had meant to continue arguing her case, but something in Lupin's stance halted her words.
"You're worried about something," Hermione observed. "What is it?"
"Its nothing," Lupin shrugged off her concern. "Just tired, I suppose. There was a full moon over Christmas, you'll remember."
"Of course," Hermione said absently. She frowned, recalling several conversations with Lupin and the disasterous overheard conversation at the Three Broomsticks. "You know him, don't you?"
Lupin blanked. "Sorry, know who?"
"Sirius Black," she intoned. "Thats whats got you so worried. Oh, Professor, if you were friends with him, do you know how he keeps getting into the castle? There must be something."
"I thought I knew Sir...Black very well," Lupin said coldly. "However, I was wrong. Anything I knew about him was a lie." Was it Hermione's imagination, or did his face close off a little too quickly?
"I see," Hermione mused. She didn't feel like pressuring Lupin. He was a very good friend to her. She trusted him explicitedly. If he did know anything, he would undoubtably let her in on it. She erased Black from her mind and reached into her school bag. "Professor, were you any good at Arithmacy?"
"I received 267 percent on my seventh year exam," Lupin informed her. He wasn't bragging, just stating a simple fact.
"Well, I was wondering if you could help me with question 89 g..."
Hermione slowly pried open her eyes. She was looking at the roof of her bedroom at Black Manor. That didn't add up. Shouldn't she be at the Ministry of Magic? She suddenly bolted up, Fudge's words crashing back down on her. "Hermione!" Harry cried. He rushed over to her bed from where he had been sitting on her window seat. "You're up!"
"It would appear so," she observed dryly. "Harry, where is Remus?"
Harry suddenly looked very uncomfortable. "Hermione, we still don't know where he or any of the others are," he finally admitted.
"Any of the others?" frowned Hermione, trying to fight the panic rising in her by thinking of something else.
"Of the five hundred and forty wizard werewolves, three hundred have disappeared for no apparent reason in the past week," Ron piped up from where he was sitting in her armchair. "The remaining two hundred and forty have checked in at the Ministry and are now being protected by a werewolf. Four of the captured werewolves were in company when they disappeared. Those with them told tales pretty much identical to yours."
"Please tell me someone has a clue to where they are," begged Hermione.
"Unfortunately, we can't do that," Harry sighed, rubbing his temples. He looked very old, Hermione observed. Certainly much older than his sixteen years. "The Ministry ran background checks on Elizabeth Markle and Daniel Petersberg, but they couldn't find anything suspicious. They are both Aurors. In fact, Markle is in the running for the position of Deputy Minister of the Aurors Department. They both have perfectly clean slates."
"Is...is anyone suspected?" inquired Hermione, trying to still the quaking in her voice. There was only one wizard capable of making three hundred people disappear...only one wizard who would want three hundred werewolves...only one wizard capable of pulling off such a stunt.
"Do you really need to ask?" grumbled Ron. "You-Know-Who, of course. I don't know of any other wizard who could pull it off."
"So, the Order's doing something?" Hermione asked, hopefully.
"Well, they sent Snape to Voldemort to try and sniff out whats going on," Harry answered. "He left about twenty minutes after we brought you back here. He's been gone for almost a day now."
Hermione remained silent, processing the information her best friends had given her. She closed her eyes slowly, drawing her own conclusions. She pushed the covers back and swung her legs over the side. She crossed over to the window and looked down on the front yard of Black Manor. Showna and Charlie were sitting in the porch swing, both frowning. Other than the two of them, there was no one in sight. Hermione turned to face Ron and Harry again. "I'm never going to see him again, am I?" she said slowly.
"You don't know that," Harry argued fitfully.
"Harry's right," Ron said quickly. "The Order is doing as much as they can. You'll have Remus back in no time, I'm sure of it."
"The Order has more important things to do," Hermione said coldly. "Besides, they're practically fumbling around in the dark. Now, if you don't mind, I need to get changed. I haven't even started on my summer homework and we go back in less than two weeks. I don't know what posessed me."
Ron and Harry exchanged startled glances, but filed out. Just before he closed the door, Harry stuck his head back in. "Hermione, you can't pretend you don't care that Remus is in trouble," he smiled sadly. "None of us are going to think less of you if you cry."
Hermione frowned, looking up from her book bag. "I don't know what you're talking about, Harry," she said shortly. "Remus and I said a very nice goodbye almost two weeks ago. I don't really see Remus as anything more than an aquaintance. My schoolwork is far more important."
"There's no good way to say goodbye," Harry said, wisely. "But, if you keep telling yourself that, maybe you'll start to believe it."
"You were leaving?" Hermione prompted, stotically ignoring his last comments. He nodded and closed the door. Stiffly, she emptied her book bag on to her bed. She picked up her copy of A History of Magic and Magical Theory. Sitting down at her desk, she flipped open her Magical Theory text and began writing out her Transfiguration essay on the thesis of Angimagus. However, that made her think of Sirius, which in turn made her think of Remus. She switched over to her A History of Magic book. Professor Binns had asked for a ten foot essay on the reasons for the start of the Werewolf Wars of 1245. She had not written three sentences before a tear drop had slipped on to the parchment. Angrily, she slammed the text book shut and ripped up the parchment.
"Perfect," she snarled to the empty room. "Hermione Granger can't do her homework. What is the world coming to?" Sighing, she ventured out of her room. 12 Grimmauld Place was surprisingly quiet. She would have appreciated more hustle and bustle. At least then it would appear as though something was getting done. Hermione wandered into the kitchen, devoid of anyone save Tonks.
Tonks was sitting at the kitchen table, staring glumly into her cup of tea. She didn't look up when Hermione entered. In fact, Hermione seriously doubted whether or not she was even aware of her presence. "Hello, Tonks," Hermione greeted.
Tonks looked up, startled. When she saw Hermione, she relaxed and brushed a hand over her eyes. Hermione noticed her eyes looked suspiciously red. "Oh, hey, Hermione," she mumbled. "Would you like a cup of tea?"
"No," Hermione answered. "I'm not that thirsty." She joined Tonks at the table. "Tonks...I...I thought you said you got over Remus. Bill and Showna were making bets on how long it would be before you and Clay finally stopped beating around the bush and started dating."
Tonks smiled bitterly. "Yes, if only it were that easy," she mused. "You're still fairly young, Hermione. I don't pretend to know anything about you- I don't even know if you have a boyfriend or a crush, but I'll level with you. Remus Lupin is...an amazing man. He's attractive, intelligent, caring, considerate, athletic...he has very few faults, lets say. I remember I had an awful crush on him when I was a kid as well. James, Remus and Sirius were collectively the most amazing men I have ever met. I've been in love with Remus since my fifteenth birthday- ten years. I just 'got' him, and then I lost him quite quickly and realised this past ten years I've been mistaken. Remus and I aren't meant to be. I...I was starting to get over it, but now this happened. How is anyone suppose to deal with that? You never get over your first love, you know."
"I suppose," Hermione agreed. "Tonks, you were honest with me, so, can I tell you something? And you promise not to laugh?"
"Of course, sweetheart," agreed Tonks readily, taking a sip of her tea. "You know you can tell me anything."
Hermione stared off into the distance, not really seeing anything. She spoke haltingly, eager to get her feelings off of her back, but afraid to open up to anyone. "I...I'm so scared," she admitted. "I just got Remus back and then not ten minutes later, he was stolen away from me. He's the world to me, quite bluntly. I can't be happy when he's angry with me or away from me. This whole thing is my fault. I was right there when it happened! I shouldn't have let him go away. I didn't trust those Aurors, but I let him go with them, because I was afraid if I put up too much of a struggle, he'd get angry with me. Tonks, I don't know what I'll do if we don't get him back. I can't stand to lose another parent."
By now there were tears coursing down Hermione's cheeks. Tonks, too, look closed to tears. She left her chair and wrapped her arms around Hermione. Hermione lost sight of her dignity and gave into the embrace, squeezing Tonks tightly and sobbing shamelessly on to the Metamorphmagus' shoulder. She didn't know how long they stayed there, soaking in their sorrow and fear. But when they finally drew back, exchanging shaky smiles, Hermione felt infinitely better. More importantly, there was a fierce fire burning in her. She recognised this fire. She had felt it three times before- once when she had accompanied Harry through the trapdoor after the Stone, once in the most passionate moment during Harry's confrontation with Sirius when she had kicked the ex-convict in the head in order to save Harry and finally just months ago when she had joined other members of Dumbledore's Army to save Sirius.
"Are you all right, sweetie?" asked Tonks, drying her own eyes.
"Yes," agreed Hermione, a fire burning in her eyes. "Whats more, I'm ready to do something."
Harry wandered aimlessly around his house, aquainting himself with every little corner. He popped into the kitchen to visit his new house elves. When Dumbledore had learned of Kreacher's new found freedom, he had offered Harry two of the house elves at Hogwarts, assuring Harry that the kitchens would not miss two of the elves. Dobby and Winky had both been thrilled to come and serve at Black Manor, Dobby more so than Winky. But, Harry made a point of visiting them both at least once a day, and surely, if slowly, Winky was feeling more and more at home. Under only Dobby's influence, she began to embrace her freedom and had even accepted Harry's offer of a galleon a week and Sundays off. Both house elfs had vehemently refused his offer of ten galleons a week and weekends off.
After leaving his happy servants bustling around in the attic and organising all the junk that had accumulated there through the years, he had ventured back into the main part of the house. Black Manor was still quiet. Most of the members were out, investigating Remus' disapperance. Each day they became more and more frantic. Now, four days after his capture, they were beginning to seriously worry. The longer it took, the colder the trail would grow. Snape had been gone for four days, with no word. Harry couldn't help but feel that all the opperatives were his responsibility- especially since they were using his home as their Headquarters. He wondered if Sirius had felt the same way. Before he could dwell on this too long, voices from the kitchen distracted him.
"Dumbledore, I don't know I can't stay long, I have to get back," came the voice of his Potions Master. "I found a fireplace in the kitchen and took the opprotunity to speak with you."
"I understand that, Severus," Dumbledore's voice replied. Attention caught, Harry crept to the door into the kitchen and pressed his ear against it, feeling only a little guilty about listening in on to his professors. "Have you had any sign of Remus or the other werewolves?"
"Yes," answered Snape. "I've seen Remus, though I did not get a chance to speak with him. There is a meeting tonight. Hopefully, Voldemort will tell us exactly what he plans. If he does not though, I will have to figure out another way. We only have a little time, I'm afraid. Whatever Voldemort plans, you can be sure it will take place on the full moon- which gives us a little more than a week."
"I have the utmost faith in you, Severus," Dumbledore said, assurance strong in his voice. "Just do your best."
"Thank you, Headmaster," Snape replied. There was a popping! noise and Harry knew Snape's head had disappeared from the fireplace. Hastily, Harry got away from the door, eager to be away when Dumbledore exited the kitchen.
So, Remus was still alive. That was something to tell Hermione. But, by the sounds of it, they were not even close to getting him out. Harry walked aimlessly through Black Manor, finally finding himself back in his bedroom.
'If this is how eventful my summer is, I am definitely not looking forward to going back to school,' he couldn't help thinking exasperatedly.
Remus stared out the tinted window of the van he had been riding in for a day and a half, hoping to recognise his surroundings. He couldn't though, so he returned to his bleak thoughts. He kept telling himself it would be all right, but somehow he couldn't believe it. Apparently it was difficult to be confident when you were on your way to a reserve with your hands bound. He decided to strike up a conversation with Markle and Petersberg, who had seemed quite pleasent, despite the circumstances. "Where exactly is this reserve?" he asked.
"You'll keep quiet until you're spoken to," Petersberg replied back. "Its none of your concern anyways."
Remus sat back in his seat, quite taken back. Warning flashes started going off in his brain. Markle swatted Petersberg lightly. "Lay off him, you idiot," she snarled. "Let him have a nice car ride. Probably be the last enjoyable experience of his life." She snorted in laughter.
"You're not Aurors, are you?" he asked, icy fear coating his insides. "And there was no degree."
"Not quite," Petersberg disagreed as Markle turned off the van. "We are Aurors, we just work for someone else. However, you are correct in the fact that Fudge didn't issue a degree. Lord Voldemort, on the other hand, did."
Remus was floored. How had this happened? How had he tripped into a trap so easily? A trap that he had been fearing for quite sometime. Petersberg and Markle got out of the vehicle. Soon, the van door swung open. But neither Petersberg or Markle stood outside. Remus wasn't surprised.
"Peter," he said coldly.
"Hello...M-Moony," greeted Peter, a cold glint in his eyes. "How are you?"
"I've been better," Remus growled.
"Yes...I suppose you have, haven't you?" Peter smirked. Gone was the shaking, stuttering Peter he remembered. Seeing the last of his friends bound and captured must have given him a sudden jolt of self esteem. "Have you seen Sirius lately?" Peter continued. "I must say, I've missed Sirius' comraderie. He was always so humorous. Always joking around, was Padfoot."
"Don't you dare call him Padfoot," snapped Remus. "Did you have a hand in his death as well?"
"No," Peter said, sounding completely honest. "In fact, the Great Lord was not intending him to die at all. Bellatrix was just meant to capture Sirius. He never could resist the Imperious Curse and, besides that little weakness, he was a formidable wizard. By far the strongest of our generation- second only to Dumbledore, some say. We wanted him on our side. Now, get out of the damn van."
Remus proudly stepped out the van, determined to not show fear or uncertainty in front of the two-timing bastard he had once called a friend. However, he nearly fell out of the van, unable to use his hands for balance. Peter grabbed out of him. Remus howled in pain. Peter had touched him with his silver hand. Peter held on for a few agonising seconds, before releasing him. "Oh, Moony," he gasped. "I'm so sorry. Completely forgot about the whole werewolf bit. Can you forgive me?"
"Go to hell, Wormtail," grimaced Remus.
"Well, I'm not going to hell," Peter answered. "But you might as well be. Take a look around you, werewolf."
Remus suddenly realised where he was. They were on a beach, looking out across a dark, stormy sea. Just barely visable, hidden by the fog, was an island. A huge black castle covered the island. About fifty feet in front of them, there was a dock with a single barged tied to it. Two Dementors were standing guard on the barge. Remus knew where he was now. He had been there before, fifteen years ago when he went to say one last goodbye to Sirius Black.
He was on his way to Azkaban.
Remus splashed a little bit of water on his face, washing away the dirt that had accumulated there after a night running wild in the forest. He towel dried his face and crossed to his wardrobe, taking out robes and folding them up. He had received word from Albus assuring him that Sirius had escaped and was now well out of harm's way. Even that had not changed his mind. If not for him, Sirius would be free and busy preparing a home for Harry. He had resigned from his position at Hogwarts with a heavy heart, but with a firm conviction of doing the correct thing.
A loud knock startled him from his reverie. He had just opened the door, when Hermione Granger stormed into the room. Her eyes were flaring and she disdainfully took in the folded robes and the opened suitcase. "Have you decided to run away then?" she demanded. "I thought you might."
"Hermione, what are you doing here?" he demanded. "You should still be in the hospital wing!"
"I was just released," Hermione explained. "I gave Harry the slip and came here immediately. Professor, what are you doing?"
"I'm leaving," he pointed out dryly. "I've just gave Dumbledore my resignation."
"Resignation?" repeated Hermione. "Whatever for? Ron and Harry don't care if you're a werewolf. None of the students will!"
"Really?" questioned Remus dryly. "I believe Ron's words were 'Stay away from me, you werewolf.' Professor Snape accidentally let it slip I was a werewolf at breakfast, and so far I have received no less than five letters from students declaring I should do the world a favour and shoot myself with silver bullets. One of them even thought it would be humorous to include a silver knife in the envelope."
Hermione gaped, obviously taken back. "I had no idea students could be so cruel," she admitted. "But, you mustn't think Ron cares. He just said that because he thought you were helping Sirius. Now that we know you weren't, none of us care. Probably all of those letters were written by Draco Malfoy- definitely all Slyterins. Who cares about Slytherins anyways?"
"I'm happy you can be so optimistic," Remus smiled sadly. "But as soon as the parents are informed, the school govenors will have no choice but to fire me. I'd rather leave with what little of my dignity I have left, if you don't mind."
Hermione didn't say anything, clearly realising he was not about to change his mind. "It was a pleasure teaching you, Hermione," he finally said. "You're going to go far one day."
"Not as far as I would have if you'd been my teacher," Hermione said stubbornly. "I suppose I'll let you go, then." She turned and went towards the door. Remus sighed and turned to go back to his bedroom.
"Professor," she called out. "I'm...I'm going to miss you and all of our talks."
"I'll miss you as well," Remus assured her. "But don't worry, Hermione. I have a very good feeling will meet again soon."
She smiled. "Then I guess there's really no need to say goodbye."
Remus jolted up. He peered around at his surroundings blearily. He was in a cell. The stone floor was cold and the chill creeped in through his threadworn robes. There was a drip somewhere and the smell of mold hung heavily in the air. There were a few patches of straw scattered around his cell, which was quite small. He thought it would be no more than twenty feet on all sides. As his sleep fogged brain cleared, the feelings of despair settled back on him. He felt hope, love and contentment drain from him, to be replaced by sorrow and desperation.
"Oy, Moony!" hissed the now all too familiar voice of Peter Pettigrew. "Come and get your grub."
Remus walked over to his cage bars. He was surprised that he had not been tortured in the four days he had spent here. Well, if you didn't count Dementors hovering around his cell day in and out. His memories were quickly slipping away. He could barely remember what Lily and James looked like and even Sirius' face was beginning to fade. However, one image remainded strongly with him. Hermione's face seemed to be branded forever in his mind. Her eyes stared out of a pale face, defiant and determined. She wouldn't let him stay here. She would save him, him and all the others, he was sure of it.
He accepted the bowl of mush and water flask from a grinning Peter. The cells of Azkaban were all filled, some with four or more to a cell. He was the only prisoner to be alone. Peter had told him on his first day here, it was due to the fact that he was a member of the Order of the Phoenix. According to Peter, he would be the pack leader. He dreaded what that meant. He had quickly learned that all of his fellow prisoners were werewolves. He glared up at Peter as he hastily shoveled the food into his mouth. When he had scraped the last bit of food from the bowl, he returned it. Peter however, did not leave. Finally, Remus could contain himself no longer.
"Peter, why are we here?" he demanded. "What use does Voldemort have with five hundred werewolves?"
"You mean, you haven't figured it out yet?" smirked Peter. "Strange, I always thought you were the smart one. Even Sirius or James would have figured it out and they're both dead by they're own foolish mistakes." Remus fought down a growl, knowing that if Peter felt threatened, he would learn nothing.
After a lengthy pause, Peter continued. "Think really hard Remus and tell me what occurs in a week and a half." He stopped, obviously waiting for an answer.
"The full moon," Remus grunted.
"Good," smirked Peter. "But, what else happens on that very same night in Diagon Alley?"
Remus cast his mind around and came up with an answer. "The Diagon Moon Fair," he replied, panic seeping into him and he grasped at what Voldemort had planned.
"Very good, Moony," laughed Peter. "Now, take those two facts, put them together and think really really hard."
Remus knew immediately, of course. "You sick bastard!" he exploded. "You're going to release five hundred werewolves on a group of defenceless witches and wizards!"
"It wasn't my idea," laughed Peter. "That brain wave would go to Lord Voldemort. Now, as enchanting as this chat was, I must be off. But, I'll give you one more piece of information. Harry, Ron and Hermione have decided to go to the Diagon Moon Fair. They're looking forward to it. They'll be most surprised to see you, I'm sure."
Remus didn't pay any attention to the rat of the man. He sank back into the shadows of his cell, wallowing in dispair.
Hermione frowned over her Arithmacy summer homework. More and more she found it impossible to focus on her work, a feeling she was not at all accustomed to. Ron and Ginny had returned to the Burrow for the weekend to visit with some of their cousins who had come over from America and she was startled to find herself missing Ron tremendulously. Ron promised to get back to 12 Grimmauld Place as soon as possible, but Hermione felt as though each day with him gone dragged by. She just wanted him here with her. Was that so wrong to want to have your best friend to sit with you and just talk about anything? Of course, she supposed Harry would have made some time with her if she had asked, but she just really wanted Ron back. It was more than a little confusing, to say the least.
She returned to her Arithmacy homework. It was a little disconcerting to have Professor Vector watching her closely as she worked out the problems she had set for their summer homework. Besides Vector, Tonks, Showna, Clay and Charlie were sitting at the kitchen table. Bill Weasley was on his way to pick up Fleur Delacour who had just signed into the Order. Before she moved in to 12 Grimmauld Place though, she would be visiting Bill at the Burrow. Charlie was just waiting for them, but he seemed to be quite happy in Showna's company. Clay and Tonks certainly didn't look miserable either. 'Am I the only one who doesn't have someone?' Hermione thought absently.
Before she could sulk too long, she was distracted by the arrival of Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout and- Snape! "Professor Snape!" grinned Hermione, jumping up to meet him. "You're back! Have you seen Remus? Is he all right?"
"He's all right for the moment," Snape said shortly. "Just wait a moment, Miss Granger. I'll explain as soon as everyone is here." Tonks leapt up and rang a large brass gong that had been hung by the back door. It was a summons and any member of the Order would hear it and know that their attendance at 12 Grimmauld was mandatory.
Within ten minutes, the entire Order of the Phoenix, as well as Hermione, Harry, Ginny and Ron were gathered in the kitchen of Black Manor. Even Fleur and Bill had arrived in time. Fleur had greeted Ron and Harry quite warmly, still obviously thinking herself indebted to them for saving her little sister in their fouth year. All of the witches and wizards were talking very quickly and over top of one another, clearly spectulating over what they had been summoned for. Hermione and her friends remained largely quiet, fearing they would be excluded from this meeting as they had been for the others. Finally though, Hermione could stand the suspense no longer. She spoke above the chatter of the Order. "Can someone please tell me what happened to Remus?" she demanded.
The room fell silent instantly and Snape finally began his tale. "Voldemort is indeed the one who has caused all of the werewolves' disapperances," he began. "They are all being held in Azkaban, which is now completely under Voldemort's control. The Aurors, Elizabeth Markle and Daniel Petersberg, are turncoats and not to be trusted. They were both given their Death Marks after playing such an important role in the capturing of the werewolves."
The room burst into conversation- exclaminations, mutters, and cries of dismay. Snape continued speaking though, and soon the talk died again. He had just as much command while speaking to adults as he did to children. "Our coworker, Remus Lupin, has been dubbed their 'pack leader' and is being kept in surprisingly good conditions. His wand was taken, but not snapped. He is, ironically, in the same cell where Sirius Black was imprisoned, although I don't believe he is aware of this."
"Well, thats all very well," shouted Fletcher from the back of the crowd. "But what are we supposed to do? What does You-Know-Who have planned?"
"Will you for once in your life learn to be quiet, Mundungus Fletcher?" snapped McGongall. "I'm sure if you would let Severus finish, you would hear the answer to your questions!"
Snape looked a little uncomfortable. "Unfortunately, I can't tell you what Voldemort plans to do with the werewolves," he admitted bitterly. "Voldemort suspects a spy amongst his followers, although I can assure you, I am not the suspect. He is not telling anyone the plans for the werewolves, although we can assume they will be let loose somewhere during the full moon."
The room burst into noise again, and this time no order was restored as the members began discussing methods by which to free the werewolves. However, Hermione listened dispairingly as she realised that every plan was countered with a hundred pitfalls and reasons that it would not work. She moved her chair closer to Ron and he applied a little pressure to her hand. "Don't worry, Mione," he whispered. "They'll get him out."
After about one hour, Molly Weasley halted the discussion to usher the children out. "There's no reason for them to be here," she reasoned. "They look frightfully bored. Don't worry yourself, Hermione. You'll be informed as soon as we know whats going on."
Within a few minutes, they found themselves in the hall, alone and worried. "Things don't look good," Ginny said uneasily. "They're all scared. Hell, I'm scared."
Harry squeezed her hand and offered Hermione a smile. "I'm sure they'll figure something out. Until then, we might as well occupy ourselves. Who's up for a nighttime game of Quidditch?"
Hermione allowed herself to be carried off with the others. They played Quidditch until almost ten o'clock at night. However, she couldn't help but noticed that they laughed a little too loud and tried to smile a little too hard. Finally, when they could no longer hope to see even the bright red Quaffle, they gave up and treked back inside. Hermione eyed the kitchen door, which was now quite silent. They all exchanged looks, before simutaneously rushing towards it. Hermione and Harry got their ears pressed up to the door first.
"So, what you're saying is that none of you can come up with any good ideas?" Tonks' voice said, exasperated.
"Its not as though we haven't tried," Charlie sighed. "We've been here for almost four hours. Maybe its impossible."
"I cannnot believe zis," Fleur's heavy french accent broke in. "I was told zat zis Order of the Phoenix was ze best army in ze world. How is it zat we cannot come up with an idea?"
"Its no use," Snape declared, bitterly. "Voldemort got one up on us, simple as that!"
"No!" Vector argued. "We can't abandon Remus! He'd go through the hells of fire and back again for us! We must show him the same respect and loyalty."
"Its no use, Amara," McGonagall said, her voice shaking. "We...we must abandon the werewolves and put our attention to making sure we are wherever they are released."
Hermione's eyes widened alarmingly, shook flooding her. In a daze, she left the door and walked stiffly away. Ron's angry outburst on hearing the news was some small comfort. "Thats shit!" he cussed. "They're supposed to be unbeatable."
"No one's invincible," Harry pointed out, sounding extremely tired.
"Hermione, are...are you all right?" Ginny called after her. Hermione turned to her and shook her head slowly.
"No, no, I'm not," she admitted, before fleeing into her room.
Harry and Ron both headed after her, but Ginny stopped them. "Let her go," Ginny suggested.
"She's hurting though," Ron argued.
"Trust me, Ron," Ginny said firmly. "There's absolutely nothing you can do."
I'm really sorry, but there won't be any updates for a while as I am going away for a week. I'll try to update the day I get back from my vacation. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter!
Katrina: Well, don't bet anything. I have a small weakness for small original characters. Thanks for the review though!
Natselane: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you like it! I've never heard Remus called Lupie...but bad things happen to 'Lupie'
Maggie: I'm glad you're enjoying it! Thanks for your review!
Stefanie14: Glad you're liking it! Thanks for your review!
JI14: Technically you were right, but technically they were Aurors...just not nice ones. Please don't go crazy during the wait for the next chapter!
padfootsgurl4eva: I'll bring him back...yes...no...mebbe. Thanks for the review!
Rykatu*L: I'm glad you're liking it! Yes, I did update quickly. I was just so thrilled by my brilliant reviewers, I have to give them more!
cosmo-queen: Aw, I'm glad I made your day. From now on, your Massage Me Remus can make everything better if I'm not around.(Seriously, its in his contract.) What can I say? I'm a very evil person. Don't shut up! I love listening to people ramble. Thanks for the review!
Bombshell: **cowers** I updated, I updated. lol. Thanks for the review!
Phoenix With a Head Cold: Do you think if you repeat that over and over again, it'll come true? lol. I updated fairly quickly. Hope you like!
Oriana8: I'm sorry...lol. But, I hope you enjoyed it. From now on, Remus will be officially known as the Big Stupid-Head, just cause that made me laugh so terribly hard. Thanks for your review!
Christina: Aw, thanks! I don't think I'm good enough to be a real author though- its just a hobby. Thanks for your review!
Rouge Mage: Hahaha...its not me, its JK Rowling. Thank her for making such awesome characters. Thanks for the review!
MandaB: Thats a weird situation with your schedule. Hmm..IDTFF...someone should really think of a cure for that. LOL. Thanks for your review!
InkFairy: Oh my gosh...that was waay too much of a compliment. Don't go overboard on me here. **blushes** But thank you very much. You really made my day. I really glad your enjoying it and thanks so much for your wonderful review! You're the greatest.
QTpie-pippinsgurl: Oh, I know. I can't believe its in less than two weeks. Completely unfair. I didn't get anywhere near enough writing done! **Pouts** Anyways, thanks for your review and I'm glad you're liking it.
Sparky: Well, he's not dead...yet. Can't make any promises for future chapters. Yea, gotta love plot twists!
crazych99: YOUR Remus, huh? Well, if I can have Sirius, than I guess I'll let you keep Remus.
padfoot1979: Thanks for your review. I'm glad I confused you. Its exactly like something Fudge would do though...but I think now he is going to be afraid of Dumbledore again, so he'll be on his best behavious.
Allyrien Chantel de Montreve: **laughs quite evilly** Thanks for your review. Mwhaha.
heart-on-her-sleeve: Well, that was brilliant timing on your part. **hugs** Don't worry, just remember, its only fanfiction. Thanks for your review!
October Spirit: **cowers from sword** Point taken...you really know how to drive things home, doncha? I'm really glad you're liking it! Also, I'm glad you are liking Snape. I didn't really think I could write him. Thanks for the review!
Sayra Louise: Hehehe...I made someone swear. Thanks for your review!
Kady Rilla Wholi: Actually...neither of them are either of those people...but its good your thinking. lol. Don't worry...Bellatrix is going to get her just desserts. **smirks** Thanks for your review!