~*~
The Book of Carmen
Chapter XVI: The Day Before
~*~
Hagrid took a deep breath as he entered Dumbledore's office. He hated delivering bad news, especially to Dumbledore. He didn't see anyone when he entered, so he rapped lightly on the door, "Hullo. Professor Dumbledore?"
"Up here Hagrid," a voice called above him. Hagrid looked up and saw that the old wizard was on the top level of his office, welcoming him from above the door. He looked to be gathering a few books, which he floated down to a small pile by the door. "I take it that you have discussed matters with the centaurs?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes sir."
"And?" Dumbledore asked, walking down the stairs to meet Hagrid.
"They…er…won't be leavin'. I explained everything ter 'em, about the Book an' all, but they refuse ter leave. They said they'd rather stay an' fight, rather than run away. Great fools if you ask me."
"They are not fools Hagrid, they are very wise and ancient creatures, but perhaps a little stubborn. I expected their response would be as much, but I do wish they would reconsider. They are great warriors, but I do not believe they understand and are prepared for the battle they will be forced to fight by staying."
"I did manage ter round up all the good creatures in the Forest. Not that many, really. A few unicorns, a snidget or two, an Augurey, an' three Diricawls, which were very difficult to catch I might add."
"Thank you Hagrid. Where are they now?"
"Restin' back at my place."
"Would you be so kind as to move them down to the vaults?" Dumbledore asked. Hagrid's eyes grew large as he thought about keeping these animals in a locked vault. Dumbledore added, "You'll find that the vault on the far end is nicely equipped to handle animals. Besides I don't believe that they will have to be there for long."
Hagrid was not impressed.
"You are welcome to stay with them, if you like, while they are there."
Hagrid looked appeased, "Yes sir," he said.
"By the time you are done, the students as well as the rest of the staff should be arriving. At my request, William and Minerva went to London to make sure everyone boarded the train safely. I just received an owl from Minerva saying that the boarding went smoothly, but that many of the students are frightened and very nervous. When they arrive I would like you to meet them and help keep order. Your presence will provide both a sense of security and friendliness and perhaps will lighten the very tense atmosphere. Make no mention of the attacks or The Book of Carmen. Treat this as any other return to Hogwarts."
Hagrid couldn't help but smile at the fact that Dumbledore thought he was so well regarded in the students' eyes, "Yes sir. I'll do my best to make sure they feel safe."
"Thank you Hagrid."
~*~
Remus woke up in the midst of an insanely comfortable bed with no recollection of how he got there. He kept his eyes closed as he tried to remember where he was. His foggy senses cleared long enough for him to remember that once Madam Pomfrey had deemed Remus in good health he had abandoned his lumpy mattress in the hospital wing for a bed in the Gryffindor boys' dorm along with Sirius and Harry. That's right. I'm in Gryffindor tower, Remus thought to himself and opened his eyes. "Ah!" he cried as the sunlight battered his tired eyes and he shut them again. He fumbled around the room blindly until he found the window and closed the curtains. Through squinted eyes he saw that he was alone in the room, both Harry's and Sirius's beds were empty. "What time is it?" he said out loud and staggered over to a mirror.
He stood in front of it for a few moments, trying to coax his pupils out of hiding. Finally he got a good look at his reflection in the mirror and found it to be chiding him for his actions the previous night. His dusty brown hair fell awkwardly about his face and eyes, and when he tried to run his hand through the mess it got caught midway. His eyes were foggy and red rimmed and his expression matched one who had just eaten a Dungbomb, and his head felt as if a thousand were exploding inside of it. "The aftermath," Remus muttered, making his way to the showers.
After a forty minute shower Remus felt a good deal better. He left his hair damp and left the tower for the Great Hall hoping to find something to eat. When he reached it he found the room had only one other occupant, Snape, who was eating and reading a book. Remus sighed, "I thought I had missed breakfast."
"You did. This is lunch," the other retorted coldly.
"Where are all the others?" Remus asked.
"How should I know?" Snape replied, his eyes still on the book.
Remus shrugged and began to fix a plate of what had been left on the table. "By the way," Snape said, "you owe me twenty-three galleons."
"Whatever for?"
"My liquor cabinet is short one bottle of wine and one bottle of firewhisky."
"Sorry to hear that but-"
"There's no need to play the fool, Lupin, I know you took them."
"Have you any proof?"
For the first time Snape's eyes left the book and peered over the cover, "Your red eyes are all the evidence I need."
"I don't believe that would stand up in court."
Snape shut his book and slammed it hard against the table, making Remus' eardrums feel like they were going to explode. "Do you really think it was a good idea to get drunk the night before we face pure evil?" Snape snapped.
"Severus, if there is a perfect time to get drunk, it is the night before you face evil." Remus answered, constructing a sandwich out of scraps of ham and a large roll.
"Well I guess in your case…" Snape muttered.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing," Snape replied with a smile.
"No, you started it, finish what you have to say."
"Well considering your past history with the Book. I would say that you have the most to be concerned about."
"How do you figure?"
"Lupin, in case you haven't noticed, you are a werewolf. Werewolf. Otherwise known as a Dark creature," Snape said emphasizing all the right words so that Remus felt his anger rise. "I know your little friends had you convinced that you weren't the animal that you are, but I know that Book had an affect on you. You and the Book are from the same material, cut from the same cloth. I know you must be terrified of seeing it again," Snape paused enjoying the sight of the blood draining from Remus' face. He smiled, "Or maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you are not dreading it, you are anticipating its arrival."
Without thinking Remus grabbed Snape's collar from across the table. Snape tried to wiggle away, but Remus' grip was too strong, "You have no idea what you're talking about. I know that you were a minion of Voldemort and so you think that you know evil, but let me enlighten you," Remus drew him closer, "you don't. I resisted the Book once and I will do it again." He released Snape who slid back and straightened his robes.
"You were always violent," Snape said.
"Yes, because I am a werewolf. Come on Severus, get new material, this bit is getting old."
Snape turned away and walked off, slamming the doors behind him. Remus put a hand on his throbbing head and sat back down. He poked at his sandwich with his finger. Leave it to Snape to ruin my appetite, he thought to himself.
~*~
Sirius moved quietly through the barren halls of Hogwarts. He wasn't trying to be covert as much as he was trying to calm his aching head. He had been looking for Remus for close to an hour now. The first place that he had looked was Gryffindor tower, where he and Harry had left him sleeping when they had gone to breakfast. When he wasn't there he had checked the hospital wing and Dumbledore's office without any luck. He opened the door to the Great Hall and saw his friend sitting at the end of one of the long tables, "Finally," Sirius said and approached Remus, "I've been looking everywhere for you."
"Mission accomplished," Remus said playing with the remains of a ham sandwich on his plate.
"How's your head?" Sirius asked.
"A bit like yours I suspect," Remus answered. He then smiled and rubbed his chin, "but slightly more handsome of course."
Sirius grinned, "I see your vision is still impaired by the alcohol."
"When are the students arriving?"
"In about an hour, that's partially why I wanted to talk to you. I'm going to head up to Dumbledore's office shortly. I don't think my presence would do anything to lighten the atmosphere if the students saw me."
Remus nodded, "I will go with you."
"Why's that?"
"Same reasons."
"But from what I hear you were loved by the students. I think your presence would be beneficial."
"Well Snape but an end to that," Remus said bitterly. "The students think differently about me now."
"How?"
"Don't be daft Sirius." Remus stiffened his hand and scratched at the air, "Big claws. Nasty bite. Get the picture?"
"Yes but…"
"No buts. It's the way people are. Next subject please," Remus said, irritated, his conversation with Snape still fresh on his mind.
Sirius held up his hands in defeat.
"What else did you want to talk to me about?"
"Did Dumbledore tell you about Harry?"
Remus had been wondering when Sirius would bring this up, "About his joining us?"
Sirius nodded.
Remus pushed his plate away and wiped his hands, "What do you think about it?"
"I think Dumbledore should have discussed it with me first. After all, I am his godfather. I think I should have a little say over something like this. What if he gets hurt or killed?"
"That is a possibility."
"And it isn't just that. I don't want him to see Selene being controlled by that monster. I don't him to associate his aunt with that evil."
"That is understandable."
"The comfort you are providing is overwhelming."
"I'm not trying to be comforting, I'm trying to be honest. But think of it this way. Dumbledore's motives are usually ambiguous, but never foolhardy. I don't think that he would stick Harry in the lion's den just to see what happens. Besides, the Book would have to go through you, Dumbledore, and me before it would be able to touch a hair on his head. As to your second concern, think back to when Harry first saw you. You were death personified, but Harry still managed to see through all the dirt, grime, and lust for Peter's blood, and he trusted you. He still does. Children are a lot more insightful than we give them credit for. I think Harry is more than capable of separating what Selene was and what the Book has forced her to become."
Sirius nodded. "Your right. Harry is a lot stronger than I first realized, he showed that at the Shrieking Shack, the TriWizard Tournament, as well as in Dumbledore's office when he agreed to help me."
"You should tell him that."
"Tell him what?"
"That you're proud of him. That you love him."
"I know. I try, but I don't know how to say it without coming off as being ridiculous."
"Harry won't think of it as ridiculous, no matter how you say it."
"I never thought it would be this hard."
"What?" Remus asked, a sly grin forming, "Parenting? It's not all about rules and consequences you know. You have to figure out how to deal with emotions like these, how to tell a teenage boy what he means to you in a way that lets him know that you will be there for him no matter what. That's what makes and breaks parents, the ability to understand their children and what they need."
"How do you know all this?"
"My natural brilliance of course, that and plenty of observation."
~*~
Harry stood in front of the doors of Hogwarts pacing back and forth. He had seen Hagrid leave the castle half an hour ago and knew that he would be returning any minute with the rest of the school, more importantly with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny.
It had surprised him how much he had missed his friends while they were gone, and when he learned of the Book of Carmen's attacks his emotions had turned to worry and then to fear. He had sent both of them owls after the meeting with Dumbledore, just to see if they were okay. He had not received a response, but that was not surprising, the recent events had kept the Owlery very busy indeed. In his gut he knew they were okay, but his mind would not be at ease until he saw them again.
Eventually the carriages came into view, first as only black dots on the horizon, and then Hagrid's large form came into view as he sat beside the driver of the first carriage. Soon Harry could see all of the drivers clearly as they slowed upon reaching the front of the castle. The grounds in front of Hogwarts became a mass of people as students exited and walked swiftly into the school.
There was none of the usual chatter about everyone's Christmas and gifts that they had or had not received. Instead the mood was very solemn, despite Hagrid's attempts to lighten it. The students spoke in low whispers about the attacks and if they would be safe inside the castle. Harry heard a couple of students say that they wished they could have stayed with their parents, and what would become of them while they were here? A student asked where Annie Meadows, a first year Ravenclaw, was, and someone said that she had heard that Annie had been a victim of this mysterious evil. Harry heard all this in passing as he scanned the crowd for his friends. His stomach was in knots when he heard Hermione call his name behind him.
"Harry!" she yelled, breaking the eerie silence of the rest of the students. Harry pushed a few students aside in an effort to reach her. He found her and wrapped his arms around her. When they broke apart Harry noticed that Ron and Ginny were standing beside her. He gave Ginny a hug as well and he and Ron exchanged grateful, but concerned looks. People pushed past them, eager to get inside, but the friends stood where they were, four still forms in a sea of black robes.
"Are you okay? Are your families safe?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Ron said, "Mum left today to join Bill in Egypt, they haven't had many problems there yet. Charlie will be joining them, the dragons that he has been studying have become too dangerous to be around." Ron swallowed hard, "Dad's staying here, he's working with the Ministry to try to find ways to keep people safe."
"The Muggle world isn't quite as concerned about what's happening yet, but my parents found my copy of a Daily Prophet detailing the attacks," Hermione said. "They almost did not let me come back but I assured them that this was the safest place I could be."
"You four better get inside," Hagrid said behind them, "the professors want to talk to all of the students."
They nodded and walked up the steps to the castle. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny joined the rest of the students in gaping at the barren halls of Hogwarts. "What is going on?" Ron whispered to Harry.
Ginny gave Harry a reassuring look and left them to join her friends, each of whom gave her a big hug. Harry watched McGonagall as she began to usher all of the students into the Great Hall. "Come on," Harry said pulling Hermione and Ron in the direction of Gryffindor Tower.
"Wait Harry," Hermione said. "Shouldn't we hear what she has to say?"
"I already know what she is going to say. I'm going to tell you what is really going to happen."
~*~
Action is coming, I promise.
23 galleons is roughly equivalent to £115 or $170, about the price of a fairly nice Italian wine and a single malt scotch whiskey. Rawiya looks over at her glass of $4.00 Blackberry Merlot, and sighs.