Behind the veil
by
Enye
Chapter 1
Albus Dumbledore seemed to have taken up residence in the hospital wing, much to Poppy's extreme dismay. After several hours of being glared at for being under the said matrons feet, he had retreated to a far corner of the ward where he had transfigured a bed into a desk and chair. From there he continued both work on order business and his continuous vigil.
His vigil over James potter.
He kept mentally reminding himself of the reality of this situation. As a headmaster, he should of course be passive to his students, yet he could not deny that James, and his son, had a hold over his heart. Presumably, he smiled wryly, why he let them get away with so much rule breaking.
He glanced up, studying the figure on the bed, or what he could see of him at least.
James was covered from neck to toe in thick blankets, all heat charmed. The ward itself was at least three times hotter than it normal, yet the young man still shivered violently.
Young.
Albus paused at that, young. Yes, James was young. He hadn't aged a day since Halloween 1981. That fact had only affirmed the headmaster's suspicions over which spell Voldemort had cast.
Dropping the quill he had been writing with to the desk, Albus silently walked over to the resident patients bed.
So much had happened. He had been overjoyed to learn of James' continued life, not only for himself but for Harry and Remus. But now his mind was troubled. Would Harry accept this? Gaining a Father now so soon after loosing another?
After all, that is what Sirius was, a Father to Harry. In more ways than one. It had come as a shock to say the least when Sirius Black had revealed to him at Grimmauld place the true nature of the relationship between himself, James and Lily.
It seemed now so obvious, the gift of retrospect, Albus mused. Sirius and James had always been so close, brothers the world had assumed. Yet no one saw, no one suspected that there was something behind the surface friendship?
And then there was Lily. Lily Pott.Evans, a wonderful woman but she and James never had anything in common, up until sixth year they didn't even speak to one another. Even then, every other sentence was an insult.
His thoughts returned to Sirius, a man who had suffered Azkaban for twelve years for crimes that were not his. Somehow it was easier to accept that fact when you believed he had felt guilt for the fates of his best friend, his best friends wife and his Godson, rather than the fate of his husband, friend and son.
To suffer so cruelly after losing your soul mate?
A gentle cough bought him from his musing. Albus quickly removed his hand from the former students icy forehead and turned to see Minerva McGonagall standing a little way behind him.
In all his long years of knowing Minerva, he could count the number of times he had seen behind her hard façade on the fingers of his right hand. Although if she visited the hospital wing once more he would have to start using his left hand as well.
Clearing her throat, Minerva said softly, "Remus arrived a few minutes ago. He is waiting for you in your office." She turned quickly and retreated, presumably to gain control over her emotions.
Sighing Albus turned back to James, this would not be an easy conversation. "Wish me luck," he whispered to the unconscious man and with a flurry of purple and green checked robes, he was gone.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Remus turned quickly as he hared the office door swing open. He began to stand from his seat in front of the roaring fire but a gesture from Professor Dumbledore stopped him.
Relaxing back into the accommodating leather seat, Remus watched his former headmaster and employer with unguarded curiosity. What had been so important Albus had to call him from a mission?
As the headmaster stood before him, Remus flinched; he knew he was under the scrutiny of those unnerving twinkling blue eyes. He also knew he looked terrible.
For twelve long years he had lived in isolation, he had accepted it. It was safe after all. Safe for the would-be-companions, they couldn't be hurt by the wolf. And safe for him, he couldn't be betrayed like he once believed Sirius had.
Sirius.he felt like weeping at the mere thought of him. It had been a miracle when he realised he was innocent. Remus had always had always found letting people close difficult, if not impossible but Sirius had been persistent. Breaking through the walls. He knew Sirius and James were best friends but he had, ever since Sirius had defended him that first day at Kings cross Station, consider Sirius his best friend.
A fellow canine, one who understood him, understood the wolf, the one whose animagus form had play fought and tumbled with and alongside the wolf. In those two short years Sirius was once more a large part of the lycanthropes life, and then he was gone.
He fell.
That was it.
It had taken Remus years before to accept the loss of his pack. Sirius' return had meant so much but to lose him again?
Suddenly there was no point. No one to talk to, to reminisce with, to joke with.to the marauders he had always been free and unguarded, with everyone else he had to hide.
He couldn't bring himself to eat, to sleep, transformations seemed ten times more painful than usual. Moony missed Padfoot.
Glancing at the chair opposite he saw Dumbledore had sat down and was studying him with concerned eyes. Remus took a minute to study him too. His eyes still twinkled, why wasn't he mourning? Didn't he care? He wasn't wearing black, instead purple and green. Purple admittedly was a symbol of mourning and grief but green? New life?
"Is there any point in asking how you are?" Remus started suddenly, realising he was here to talk.
"I'm fine."
Dumbledore smiled sadly, hand fishing through a pocket he produced a small paper bag. He held it out to Remus in silent offering he shook his head. Sighing, Albus popped what was presumably a sherbet lemon into his mouth.
They sat in silence for a while, for more than a while, until Remus felt fit to burst. Why was Dumbledore doing this? Was he purposely trying to annoy him?
Looking up at the old mans face, Remus realised with a start that, that was indeed what he was attempting.
"You are allowed to grieve Remus, Sirius was your best friend. Nobody expects you to be emotionless, being a werewolf does not remove your rights to feel pain."
Remus Lupin grimaced, that statement hit far to close to the truth. "With all due respect sir, can you please tell me why I'm here?"
Nodding Dumbledore stood, "Let us go for a walk."
The two men seemed to walk aimlessly through the silent school halls. After a short distance and another sherbet lemon Albus spoke.
"A week or so ago, Severus heard a whisper of a rumour at one of the 'meetings'. It seemed Voldemort had, all those years ago, devised some sort of plan the night he went to Godrics hollow. Just in case he failed to kill Harry, something he could later use against him."
Silence lapsed again and Remus began to panic, a weapon to use against Harry? Dumbledore had said it was urgent, was he in trouble?
"Is Harry in immediate danger?"
Dumbledore's lips twitched slightly, his eyes resuming their usual twinkle. "No my boy, no more than usual that is." They paused just before the door to the hospital wing. "You see Remus, once we knew Voldemort's plan we countered it. The 'weapon' is now in our hands."
The headmaster pushed open the hospital wing door. The first thing that hit Remus was the oppressive heat. The second was the unmistakable scent.
His werewolf senses registered a truth his brain couldn't begin to comprehend. Turning he stared dumbly at his old headmaster. Albus smiled, nodding his head in confirmation before gesturing to a bed covered high with blankets.
Turning slowly, Remus began to move towards the bed, his legs leaden and his hands trembling.
He reached the bed and gazed down at the unconscious form of James Potter.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Thank you for the feedback so far, I really appreciate it.
The Only One You Ever Feared - Thank you.
Jamie L. Fratilla - Thanks a lot.
Squall Morpheus Leonhart - Lol, thank you. My (ex) friend is a member of the group, she told me about this challenge and I thought I'd give it a try. Although she's now in my bad books as she told me that this challenge was from padfoot79 and forgot to mention it was Prongs! grr. Thanks for the review.
Prongs - Oh my God, you reviewed! Thank you so much, it was your story 'running to stand still' that got me hooked on this pairing.
rain-streaked - Thank you, a beta reader is a person that reads through and corrects mistakes. Like a teacher.hence my fear :)
Please review!
.
.
.
.
by
Enye
Chapter 1
Albus Dumbledore seemed to have taken up residence in the hospital wing, much to Poppy's extreme dismay. After several hours of being glared at for being under the said matrons feet, he had retreated to a far corner of the ward where he had transfigured a bed into a desk and chair. From there he continued both work on order business and his continuous vigil.
His vigil over James potter.
He kept mentally reminding himself of the reality of this situation. As a headmaster, he should of course be passive to his students, yet he could not deny that James, and his son, had a hold over his heart. Presumably, he smiled wryly, why he let them get away with so much rule breaking.
He glanced up, studying the figure on the bed, or what he could see of him at least.
James was covered from neck to toe in thick blankets, all heat charmed. The ward itself was at least three times hotter than it normal, yet the young man still shivered violently.
Young.
Albus paused at that, young. Yes, James was young. He hadn't aged a day since Halloween 1981. That fact had only affirmed the headmaster's suspicions over which spell Voldemort had cast.
Dropping the quill he had been writing with to the desk, Albus silently walked over to the resident patients bed.
So much had happened. He had been overjoyed to learn of James' continued life, not only for himself but for Harry and Remus. But now his mind was troubled. Would Harry accept this? Gaining a Father now so soon after loosing another?
After all, that is what Sirius was, a Father to Harry. In more ways than one. It had come as a shock to say the least when Sirius Black had revealed to him at Grimmauld place the true nature of the relationship between himself, James and Lily.
It seemed now so obvious, the gift of retrospect, Albus mused. Sirius and James had always been so close, brothers the world had assumed. Yet no one saw, no one suspected that there was something behind the surface friendship?
And then there was Lily. Lily Pott.Evans, a wonderful woman but she and James never had anything in common, up until sixth year they didn't even speak to one another. Even then, every other sentence was an insult.
His thoughts returned to Sirius, a man who had suffered Azkaban for twelve years for crimes that were not his. Somehow it was easier to accept that fact when you believed he had felt guilt for the fates of his best friend, his best friends wife and his Godson, rather than the fate of his husband, friend and son.
To suffer so cruelly after losing your soul mate?
A gentle cough bought him from his musing. Albus quickly removed his hand from the former students icy forehead and turned to see Minerva McGonagall standing a little way behind him.
In all his long years of knowing Minerva, he could count the number of times he had seen behind her hard façade on the fingers of his right hand. Although if she visited the hospital wing once more he would have to start using his left hand as well.
Clearing her throat, Minerva said softly, "Remus arrived a few minutes ago. He is waiting for you in your office." She turned quickly and retreated, presumably to gain control over her emotions.
Sighing Albus turned back to James, this would not be an easy conversation. "Wish me luck," he whispered to the unconscious man and with a flurry of purple and green checked robes, he was gone.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Remus turned quickly as he hared the office door swing open. He began to stand from his seat in front of the roaring fire but a gesture from Professor Dumbledore stopped him.
Relaxing back into the accommodating leather seat, Remus watched his former headmaster and employer with unguarded curiosity. What had been so important Albus had to call him from a mission?
As the headmaster stood before him, Remus flinched; he knew he was under the scrutiny of those unnerving twinkling blue eyes. He also knew he looked terrible.
For twelve long years he had lived in isolation, he had accepted it. It was safe after all. Safe for the would-be-companions, they couldn't be hurt by the wolf. And safe for him, he couldn't be betrayed like he once believed Sirius had.
Sirius.he felt like weeping at the mere thought of him. It had been a miracle when he realised he was innocent. Remus had always had always found letting people close difficult, if not impossible but Sirius had been persistent. Breaking through the walls. He knew Sirius and James were best friends but he had, ever since Sirius had defended him that first day at Kings cross Station, consider Sirius his best friend.
A fellow canine, one who understood him, understood the wolf, the one whose animagus form had play fought and tumbled with and alongside the wolf. In those two short years Sirius was once more a large part of the lycanthropes life, and then he was gone.
He fell.
That was it.
It had taken Remus years before to accept the loss of his pack. Sirius' return had meant so much but to lose him again?
Suddenly there was no point. No one to talk to, to reminisce with, to joke with.to the marauders he had always been free and unguarded, with everyone else he had to hide.
He couldn't bring himself to eat, to sleep, transformations seemed ten times more painful than usual. Moony missed Padfoot.
Glancing at the chair opposite he saw Dumbledore had sat down and was studying him with concerned eyes. Remus took a minute to study him too. His eyes still twinkled, why wasn't he mourning? Didn't he care? He wasn't wearing black, instead purple and green. Purple admittedly was a symbol of mourning and grief but green? New life?
"Is there any point in asking how you are?" Remus started suddenly, realising he was here to talk.
"I'm fine."
Dumbledore smiled sadly, hand fishing through a pocket he produced a small paper bag. He held it out to Remus in silent offering he shook his head. Sighing, Albus popped what was presumably a sherbet lemon into his mouth.
They sat in silence for a while, for more than a while, until Remus felt fit to burst. Why was Dumbledore doing this? Was he purposely trying to annoy him?
Looking up at the old mans face, Remus realised with a start that, that was indeed what he was attempting.
"You are allowed to grieve Remus, Sirius was your best friend. Nobody expects you to be emotionless, being a werewolf does not remove your rights to feel pain."
Remus Lupin grimaced, that statement hit far to close to the truth. "With all due respect sir, can you please tell me why I'm here?"
Nodding Dumbledore stood, "Let us go for a walk."
The two men seemed to walk aimlessly through the silent school halls. After a short distance and another sherbet lemon Albus spoke.
"A week or so ago, Severus heard a whisper of a rumour at one of the 'meetings'. It seemed Voldemort had, all those years ago, devised some sort of plan the night he went to Godrics hollow. Just in case he failed to kill Harry, something he could later use against him."
Silence lapsed again and Remus began to panic, a weapon to use against Harry? Dumbledore had said it was urgent, was he in trouble?
"Is Harry in immediate danger?"
Dumbledore's lips twitched slightly, his eyes resuming their usual twinkle. "No my boy, no more than usual that is." They paused just before the door to the hospital wing. "You see Remus, once we knew Voldemort's plan we countered it. The 'weapon' is now in our hands."
The headmaster pushed open the hospital wing door. The first thing that hit Remus was the oppressive heat. The second was the unmistakable scent.
His werewolf senses registered a truth his brain couldn't begin to comprehend. Turning he stared dumbly at his old headmaster. Albus smiled, nodding his head in confirmation before gesturing to a bed covered high with blankets.
Turning slowly, Remus began to move towards the bed, his legs leaden and his hands trembling.
He reached the bed and gazed down at the unconscious form of James Potter.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Thank you for the feedback so far, I really appreciate it.
The Only One You Ever Feared - Thank you.
Jamie L. Fratilla - Thanks a lot.
Squall Morpheus Leonhart - Lol, thank you. My (ex) friend is a member of the group, she told me about this challenge and I thought I'd give it a try. Although she's now in my bad books as she told me that this challenge was from padfoot79 and forgot to mention it was Prongs! grr. Thanks for the review.
Prongs - Oh my God, you reviewed! Thank you so much, it was your story 'running to stand still' that got me hooked on this pairing.
rain-streaked - Thank you, a beta reader is a person that reads through and corrects mistakes. Like a teacher.hence my fear :)
Please review!
.
.
.
.