~*~

The Book of Carmen

Chapter XXI: A Brief Respite

~*~

As the injured group approached the great stone door Remus called them to a halt, "Sirius, stop."

"Why?"

"Because you're Sirius," Remus said and received a strange look, "as opposed to Padfoot? You can't very well go in there as Sirius with an injured Dumbledore hanging on your arm. The other professors would kill you on the spot."

"Not necessarily, why don't you try it?" Snape asked.

"And why don't I leave your pathetic skin outside?" Remus answered. "Give Dumbledore to me. I don't think he can stand by himself."

Dumbledore spoke as Sirius transferred him to Remus, who wrapped his other arm around the old wizard's waist, supporting him. "You're assessment is correct Remus, I feel as though my body is beginning to feel its age at last." He dug into his robes and pulled out the key ring. "You'll need this," he said singling out the stone key and handing it to Sirius who placed it in the lock and pulled back the door before turning into his animagus form.

Remus stepped slowly into the large room. He was glad he didn't have far to walk, because his muscles, while already sore, had begun to protest fiercely at the addition of extra weight to his load. Several professors, who had been waiting in front of the door, spotted them first. "Wait here," Professor Sprout said.

Like hell, Remus thought and was about to say so when he realized she was trying to divert the student's attention away from the door. Another professor, whom Remus didn't recognize, ran to gather the other professors, among them Will. When Professor Sprout had managed to distract the children Remus, Dumbledore, and Snape slid into the room. Dumbledore and Snape were taken from Remus and put behind a small area that Pomfrey had cornered off as a makeshift hospital. It was partitioned from the rest of the room by a curtain. Good thinking, Poppy, Remus thought. Suddenly Madam Pomfrey appeared at Remus' side. "What happened?" she asked.

Remus tried his best to explain everything. When Pomfrey hurried away to tend to her new patients, Remus became aware that many pairs of eyes had focused on him, belonging to both students and staff. He wondered if he had some sort of gushing wound that he had not been aware of, but that wasn't possible. He knew his face was a little dirty, but- suddenly a realization hit him – face, they could see his face. Although he had remembered about Sirius, he had forgotten to replace his own hood, and now he stood under the gaze of several hundred eyes. He smiled, albeit weakly, and spotted a corner of a far wall that was not too crowded. He walked over to it, with Sirius walking behind, and felt a slight twinge in his gut as the students gave him a wide berth as he walked past them. He met the eyes of a few students, and saw each one of them give him a nervous smile as they backed away. Remus shook his head and plopped down against the wall. Sirius gave him a comforting nudge and Remus in turn patted him behind his ears, and watched Harry, Hermione, and Ron approach.

"What happened?" Harry asked.

"We ran into a bit of trouble."

"Is everyone okay?" Hermione asked.

Remus nodded, partially because he did not want to alarm them, but also because he was just too tired to relate the whole event again.

"Did you get the spell?" Harry asked.

Remus shook his head sadly, "No. It was destroyed."

"What are we going to do then?" Harry asked.

Remus shrugged and laid his head against the wall, "Think of something else."

"Do you want something to eat?" Hermione asked.  "They set up a table at the far side of the room with some food. Would you like us to bring you something?"

Remus smiled at the girl, "That would be lovely, Hermione."

Hermione returned the smile, glad for something to do. She and Ron got up to leave, "Coming Harry?"

"Just a minute," Harry said. "Are you sure you are okay?" he asked Remus.

Remus nodded, "We are fine. Go have something to eat with the others. We will talk later about what to do."

Harry nodded and ran to catch up with the others. "Padfoot? Does that look familiar to you?" Remus asked as he watched Ginny embrace Harry in a comforting hug. Padfoot looked at the couple and then back to Remus. "You know," Remus continued, "black haired boy courts red hair girl?" Padfoot snorted and Remus smiled, "I thought so too."

Remus closed his eyes and was aware of Padfoot settling down beside him, his chin resting on Remus' leg. He was almost asleep when he heard someone approach. He lazily opened one eye and saw Madam Pomfrey approach him with a white basin. "I thought you might want to wash up a little," she said setting the basin in front of Remus and handing him two white cloths. "Thanks, Poppy," he said dipping the cloth in the warm water.

Pomfrey watched him wash his face and arms, ridding them of the soot and revealing several cuts and scratches he hadn't know where there. "They don't all hate you," she said when he was done. "They are just nervous, with all that's happened and all. You know that they can be a little immature and closed minded at their age."

"Are you referring to the students or the staff?"

Pomfrey smiled, "Both. They will come around, just give them time."

Remus nodded. "How is Dumbledore?"

"He'll be fine. I'm afraid he inhaled a lot of smoke and has a concussion. I would advise that his movements be restricted," she said emphasizing the last point. "He can't be parading around this castle and fighting dark creatures with his injuries, if you understand me."

Remus did, but was not looking forward to confronting Selene without Dumbledore. "And Snape?" he asked.

She sighed, "His right leg, below the kneecap, is severely damaged. Most of the skin is gone and several muscles are torn."

Remus grimaced and Pomfrey continued, "If he is to gain full mobility he needs more help than I can give him. He needs to go to Saint Mungos."

"We will get him there as soon as we can," Remus said.

Pomfrey nodded and bent down to retrieve the basin, "That's okay Poppy, leave it there please."

She nodded and returned to her patients. Remus had settled back against the wall and was about to go to sleep, when once again he was interrupted. However, this time it was his sense of smell that forced him to open his eyes. Hermione stood in front of him holding a plate full of food. Ron set a similar plate in front of Sirius, who sniffed it eagerly.

"I almost forgot about this," Harry said pulling the invisibility cloak out of his robes. "I sent this down with Ron, for safe keeping." Harry knelt in front of Sirius, "I thought you could use this if you wanted to transform, without anybody noticing." Harry blanketed the cloak over the large dog and could just discern the shape change before it disappeared.

"Thank you Harry," Sirius said, still covered by the cloak. "I enjoy my meals more when I have fingers." Harry watched as Sirius' hand appeared, floating midair, and grabbed a piece of chicken.  Harry, Hermione, and Ron sat with Remus and Sirius while they ate, talking about everything except Selene and The Book of Carmen."

"Does anyone know what time it is?" Remus asked, swallowing a mouthful of pumpkin juice. He had noticed that many of the students had curled up in sleeping bags and were sleeping, or, perhaps more accurately, trying to fall asleep.

"It is almost two," Hermione said.

"In the morning?"

"Yes."

"Time flies when you're battling evil?" Sirius asked.

"On the contrary, I feel I've aged a year in these few hours," Remus responded, picking through the remains of the food on his plate.

"You three look as if you could get some rest as well," Sirius said. "Why don't you try to get some sleep?"

"I don't want to go to sleep," Harry said and then mumbled, "I keep thinking about her."

Ron and Hermione glanced at each other. Harry had spoken very little about Selene since he and the others had returned. The sense of awkwardness increased as the silence did.

"Ron, Hermione, why don't we go and retrieve some more sweets?" Remus said, breaking the silence. He stood, somewhat reluctantly, and led Hermione and Ron away so that Harry and Sirius could talk. When they had left Harry took Remus' place by Sirius. They were silent for a few more minutes and then Sirius spoke. "Harry, I want to share something with you," Sirius said, somewhat uneasily. Harry pulled his knees to his chest and turned his head to Sirius' voice.

"No one with the exception of James and Lily was as happy about your birth more so Selene. Whenever your mother would bring you to us to watch while she and James went out, Selene would cradle and play with you the entire time, hardly ever letting your godfather see you," Sirius said, smiling to himself. "You were a very light sleeper and never took to a crib. So Selene would stay up with you all night in a rocking chair and sing to you while you slept. Mind you, Selene can't carry a tune, but you would sit quietly and listen to her, finally falling asleep in her arms.

Harry placed his head between his folded arms and looked at the floor. There was no way that he could have remembered that, and the harder he tried the more elusive the memory became.

Sirius continued, "I want you to think of her like that, not as what you saw upstairs. That was not Selene. Remember always how much she loves you."

Harry sniffed and rubbed his nose on his pant leg. "What about your child? It's trapped inside with that evil."

"But its mother is in there as well, I believe that, I have to believe that. You've felt her magic, it will keep our child safe."

Remus watched Harry from across the room. The more time he spent with Harry the more impressed he was by the boy's courage and strength of will, but he was also worried about him. How much could the young wizard take before he was defeated? He had lost two parents, and a godfather for twelve years. Remus regretted following Dumbledore's orders to not seek Harry out when he was a child. He knew that he would have done a much better job raising him than Lily's sister. He had only met Petunia once, but if he had ever really wanted to bite someone, it had been her. But then again, what sort of parent could he be? What fool would leave a child with a werewolf?

Will called his name and brought Remus out of his reverie. "How is Sirius?" Will asked.

"Hanging in there."

"Good. I feel terrible about some of things I said back there. He's in an impossible situation, and I didn't help matters."

"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to."

Will nodded, "I know." He paused before continuing, "Any ideas about what to do next?"

Remus shook his head.

"I figure it is up to us, you and I, to come up with a new plan. Sirius has enough on his mind, and well, Dumbledore being as injured as he is…."

Remus shot him a hard stare. Hermione and Ron had been standing right beside him and there faces turned white at the news that Dumbledore had been injured. "Let's get some sleep first."

Will nodded and walked away. Remus looked at Hermione and Ron, "I suppose you heard that didn't you?"

They nodded.

"Don't worry," Remus said placing a hand on each of their shoulders. "Will has a tendency to exaggerate, Dumbledore will be fine." Remus glanced above their heads and saw Harry approaching them. "Harry's coming back, why don't you three round up some sleeping bags? I'll let you know if anything happens."

Remus gave Harry a reassuring nod as he passed him and made his way over to the wall and looked at the empty wall. "Er, where are you Sirius?" Sirius uncovered his right hand and waved. Remus sat down next to him and sighed, "You two have a good talk?"

"Yes."

"About Selene?"

"Yes." Sirius paused, "Can I ask you something?"

Remus nodded.

"When Selene, the Book, when it kissed you, what happened?"

Remus shuddered at the memory, "She offered me part of her power. When she kissed me I felt stronger, like I could defeat an empire. I am ashamed to admit it, but I was tempted to take her up on the offer."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because no matter how tempting it was, I knew it was still evil. I've lived my whole life fighting the darker side of me, and I'll be damned if I lose that battle now."

Sirius snorted, "Some dark creature you are."

"That's what I keep telling people."

Sirius' mood turned somber, "Could you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Kill your wife, if it meant saving others? Could you kill the woman you loved and the child she carried?"

"Listen, Sirius, I love Selene. She is as much a part of my family as you are. Could I kill her and your child to save the lives of nameless people I've never met? I honestly don't know. I don't know of anyone who could answer that question quickly, and if I did, I wouldn't hand them the sword."

Remus could feel Sirius shift beside him, "Where is the sword now?" he asked.

"Will still has it," Remus answered, "Why?"

When Sirius didn't answer Remus continued, "We will find another way. We will save Selene and your child."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I have to be," Remus said, his voice wavering slightly, "because I have to believe in redemption."