Moonlit Horizons

Chapter Twelve – In which Remus and anna talk to Dumbledore then get stuck in a tunnel (coughcough)

By Dizmius.

Did I ever write a disclaimer for this? Ah well…

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A few of the last chapters were a bit weak, so I'll take longer in writing them, and they'll come out of the kettle better.. right? Good.  Why do the italics not work? Grr…. You'll just have to guess them…. Heheh I found a song for Voldemort to sing- Disney's The Lion King-  Be Prepared.  (not that he sings this in my fic)

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"Here." Remus opened the door to Snape's office, and ushered the small boy inside, "you'll be alright here on your own?"

"Yes.  I have some work to do before my father gets back."

"Work?"

"Learning some charms." Pytheus smiled. "Father says it will help me for when I get to go to School."

"You're going to go to Hogwarts I take it?"

"Well… Mother wants me to go to Durmstrang, but Father knows the headmaster, and said he was a complete dunderhead." Pytheus picked up a quill and took out a piece of parchment from one of the drawers in Snape's desk.  "If I learn the theory, they told me it would help in understanding of Magic."

"Sensible, I suppose." Remus nodded, "I have to go, take care won't you."

"Of course, I'm only in Father's office."

Remus decided that it might be wise not to mention exactly what mischief could be achieved with the contents of Snape's well stocked office, and quickly closed the door behind him, and sprinted up the stairs.

~*~

"Albus!" Remus uncharacteristically burst through Dumbledore's study door right in the middle of his meeting with Anna.  "Snapes… forgot to tell you… in trouble."  He coughed, I didn't realise it was quite so far to run in under fifteen minutes.  Next time I'll just use the in-castle floo network.

Dumbledore seemed to realise that Remus had something important to say and looked up, apologising to Anna, who was watching Remus with something akin to concern.

"Continue." Dumbledore nodded, conjuring a chair for Remus, who flumped down into it, exhausted. 

"I got a note, from a runner, when I was posing as Malfoy…" he rummaged around in the pockets of his robes until he found the crumpled piece of parchment.

Dumbledore read out the short letter. "Lucius, I am beginning to doubt the loyalty of Severus Snape, I am leaving it in your hands to ascertain the truth.  He is too valuable a pawn in my final plan to be lost to the opposition at so early a stage.  Perhaps your son might be of help in the matter once term recommences at Hogwarts.   V."

Anna frowned.  "That doesn't say that he's going to be harmed thought."

"You should know the way these people work." Dumbledore muttered. "If they suspect a traitor in their ranks they'll do their worst to snap the traitorous streak out of them, and if they fail, then they tend to kill them."

"But Lucius doesn't have this, I got given it instead… Surely…"

"I'm sure Severus was under investigation long before that note, Remus.   Why else was their home targeted?"

"Does Draezyc know?" Anna watched with apprehension as a bright red bird in the corner of the ornate study burst into flames.

"I'm sure whatever Snape knows, he's told her." Remus assured her. "I'm still in shock over that." He added quietly.

"I had the fortune of attending the wedding." Dumbledore smiled slightly. "Very small, very private affair- Very Severus."  He noticed the looks on both Anna's and Remus's faces and returned to his thoughtful face. "Let me assure you both they are in very little danger."

Dumbledore took out a small glowing globe.  He tapped it twice and it grew into a large scene on the table, it seemed to be playing from a person's point of view.  "Have you ever wondered why Draezyc's eyes glow so blue?  She performed a charm that allows anyone who possesses this globe to see as she does, when she wishes.  It has proved invaluable on various occasions.  Look."

A tall dark figure who was prowling round the circle of hooded figures was making a speech…

"… Prepare for the coup of the century!  I'll be the leader, undisputed! Respected amongst those who revile me!  Saluted by those who scorned me!  The Mudbloods shall be crushed beneath our army's footstep… I know it sounds impossible! But you'll all be rewarded, kings amongst the Wizarding world."

A noise from above the scene, and the gaze moved upwards sharply to see someone flying overhead on a broomstick, no, not one, three or four... her gaze moved again, a rustling in the bushes alerting her sight.

"Ware! Aurors!" A voice beside Draezyc shouted- it was that of Severus Snape.  

The gaze started shifting, it was moving wildly around the group, she had to be running, the gaze turned behind her to see no other than Mad-Eye Moody gaining on her, even with the disability of a wooden leg, he was fast, and by the way she was crisscrossing between the trees, he was a sharp aim with his wand too. 

The connection went black.  The glowing orb returned to its globe form and hovered next to Anna's left ear.

"What happened?" Anna asked, reaching out to hold the orb, which was emitting a pleasant warmth.

"It takes energy to uphold a connection like that, she probably broke the contact to put more of her concentration into avoiding Moody." Dumbledore smiled faintly.  "Don't worry, Alastor knows she's one of ours, he just likes a good chase."

Remus wasn't so sure.  Mad-Eye Moody was well known for his dislike of Death Eaters, whether they were spying for the Phoenixes or not.  He hadn't ever grown to trust Snape over the years and probably disliked Draezyc just as much.  It'd be very much like Moody to hack off her leg and say it was for "show-purposes".

The wooden door swung on its' hinges and crashed against the wall as a very bedraggled Severus Snape stumbled in.  "Good, hoped you'd be in here, headmaster." He wheezed, holding onto his stomach as if he was in a lot of pain.  "You saw, no doubt?"

"You're bleeding Severus." Dumbledore pulled out a silk handkerchief and handed it to Snape, who wiped his forehead with it. "Figg.  Caught me just before I apparated to Hogsmeade Station." He explained.

"You're alive." Remus stated. Stupid statement of the day award goes to Moony…

Snape wore an expression that Anna thought resembled 'Well… duh' almost perfectly.

"I regret to inform you that it takes a bit more than a few slasher curses to rid your existence of me." Snape rolled his eyes

"Slasher curses?" Anna asked, warily eyeing the cuts on Snape's hands and robes.

"Work the same way as if you were attacking someone with a machete." Remus answered quietly, Sometimes I forget that she's never grown up in the Wizarding world.  There's so much that needs to be told.  "Except more effective."

"Where's the dog?" Snape scanned the room for any signs of Sirius.

"Went to see Harry.  Apparently he had DuCruet covering." Dumbledore conjured up four cups of tea.

"DuCruet? I thought DuCruet was with Moody in the raid?" Snape scowled. "If that fool is still chasing my wife through forestry…"

"What makes you so sure he won't have captured her?" Remus asked not-so-innocently. Oh the look on his face, it's a pity Padfoot isn't here. That has to be priceless.

"Have you ever watched Draezyc run?" Snape saw the dirty grin forming on Remus' face and sneered "Oh forget it, wolf."

"I think he has a point." Anna added, glaring up at Snape who merely raised an eyebrow in return.

"Forgive me if I choose not to stay any longer… I have a son to check up on." Snape gave Remus a daggered look and swept out of the door, ever majestic.

Typical- leave when you're losing.  Or maybe that should be quit whilst you're ahead… Maybe not in his case.  Maybe his should be quit whilst you still have a case.  I wonder if Moody actually has got the better of Draezyc… that would be one hell of a showdown. 

"I really don't like the way he talks to people." Anna frowned, looking out of the window, "Pity he only got a few scratches."

"Now, now." Remus laughed slightly. 

"Talk about antisocial, I bet he's never even been anywhere near a party." Anna was still grumbling.  "Probably just sits in a smouldering dungeon with the lights off and no heating and pretends to be a bat or something vile."

"That's very close actually." Dumbledore frowned, "But it does not help him in the least to be provoked, as you know well Remus."

We all know what that was about of course, even though I had no part in that at all, except scaring the pants off him.  Actually, it would have been nice to be able to remember his face at that moment in time, pity James had to drag him back so quickly really…  Remus covered his smile with a hand. I think that was Snape's moment of fugio hostis.  Oh yes, definitely. 

"Well, anyhow, I'm sure you will notice when Draezyc returns, she has… a way of making her presence known." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled slightly.

"She's going to kick his…ah … sorry Albus." Remus blushed suddenly.  "Right, well…"

"Remus was going to show me Hogsmeade, weren't you." Anna looked brightly at Remus who was wondering how her smile was so infectious.

"Yes, I was." Remus nodded standing up, "If Sirius gets back tonight, I'm sure he'll know where I am."

"And I'm sure he'll comment." Anna smirked. "I heard about the coats of armour.  Or should that be coats of amour."

Remus' eyes widened in horror. "I'd like to inform you that the coats of armour in this building have a reputation that precedes them."

Dumbledore chuckled as Remus argued all the way down the stairs with Anna about the justification of coats of armour spewing love poetry.

~*~

"How much further is it?" Anna asked, rubbing her neck from crouching down for too long.  "Are you sure this is the right tunnel?"

"Yes, and not long.  Why? Do you want to turn back?" Remus turned round, and hit his head on a tree root. "Ow." He dropped his wand and the tunnel faded into blackness.  "On the scale of cleverness… this must rate very low." Remus muttered, searching round on the floor for his wand. 

"Are you alright… I can't see…" Anna knelt down, helping Remus search in the dim light.

"I'm fine."

"Your head…" Anna reached out to touch his forehead, which was now scratched from the tree root. 

"Will be fine." Remus said quickly, turning away abruptly lest she see the blush creeping up his face.  "Wand." Remus exclaimed as he picked up his wand and lit it again.

"Why are you blushing?" Anna asked, raising a suggestive eyebrow. "Remus?"

"I…" Remus bit his lip… "I just need some fresh air… once we get out of here… I'll be fine."

Anna smiled to herself and followed him through the tunnel and up into Honeydukes.

~*~

Remus had almost finished giving her the grand tour, he had taken her up to he style at the end of the village and climbed over the fencing.  "Coming?" He asked, helping her over.

"Where now?  I want to go back to that joke shop before it closes… I have plans for Sirius's downfall." Anna smirked, "Big  plans."

Remus laughed, "Let me see the results, I'm intrigued." He tucked his hands into his pockets. "We're going for a walk to somewhere I used to go to as a child, I haven't been there since."  Because I've never been here without James and Lily, it wouldn't seem right.  But it's time I went back.  And I'm sure she'll understand.

Remus and Anna walked through a quiet patch of trees until he stopped and stared out to the small stream that flowed in between the forestry. "We used to come here in the summer… Before…"

"I know." Anna murmured, taking his hand.  Remus started at the gesture, but then smiled weakly and nodded.

"Maybe…" Remus looked thoughtful. "Maybe I could conjure up a small something…"

"A small something like what?" Anna asked watching as he drew out his wand and pointed it at the grass, a tartan rug covered a patch, with a wicker basket and a large floor candle.

"Like a picnic… I thought you might be hungry, and I took the initiative of er… summoning the food from the kitchens, I'm sure the elves must have been less than amused to see food fly about into a basket." Remus sat down. "Care to join me?"

Anna sat down beside him, watching with amusement as the basket unlocked itself and the plates of food floated out onto the rug. 

"Sirius taught me that, he thinks with his stomach you see." Remus picked up a thickly filled sandwich.  "He's proved useful after all."

The food quickly disappeared as the afternoon drew to a close, Remus had conjured up a few bottles of Muggle champagne for the effect, and Anna was showing him the finer points of making strawberries expand and explode in a glass of the bubbly stuff.

"You know something?" Anna set aside the glass, letting the final strawberry explode silently by itself.

I should hope I know something, I should hope I know a lot more than something.

"This afternoon has been really lovely, and I'm not just saying that,"

"You think?" Remus smiled, looking up at the pink evening sky.  "I hoped it would be."  He leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her. "I really hoped it would be."

Anna leaned back, closing her eyes.  Nothing could spoil the rest of the evening, not even if the coats of armour decided to band together to strike up a jaunty number in tutus about Lord Voldemort.  She smiled, thinking about just how funny that would be.  Revenge, how sweet. Sirius Black was going to eat his words.

TBC- sorry I left it here. Big 13 to follow heheh. Bit of irony in that last statement- just you wait….