Disclaimer: (Oh Christmas Tree)Oh J. K Rowling
Oh J. K. Rowling
How lovely are your stories
I'm only here to have some fun
Please don't sue me, or anyone
Oh J. K Rowling
Oh J. K. Rowling
I'm not stealing your stories
Chapter 4: Laying in the corridor.
Draco crept closer and closer to Lupin's office, feeling a growing sense of foreboding.
His father had told him that Romulus Lupin was going to be teaching at Hogwarts after
the Christmas holidays, though this had not explained much. It did not explain how
another Death Eater had made his way onto the staff unnoticed, nor did it explain the
disappearance of the previous DADA teacher, who Professor Lupin had cleverly not
mentioned in his introduction.
Thinking of this as he shifted through the shadows, Draco felt privately that he would
rather not know what had become of the other professor, for it may shortly be his own
fate as well. There were people out to kill him; this Draco had learned in the last letter he
had received from his father. The younger Malfoy was connected to the fate of some
curse and therefore had to be destroyed. What Draco worried about the most was his
father's tactful avoidance of which side was after him. Draco smugly felt that it made no
difference. He could use the unforgivable curses, couldn't he? That was all he needed
against any Order.
Draco's mission tonight was vital for his own survival. Romulus was a Death Eater and a
friend to the Malfoys, but he had been very shocked to see Draco at Hogwarts. He was
Draco's key to learning where he could place his safety.
As he came towards Lupin's office, Draco could hear voices inside, discussing in heated
voices. For a moment, Draco thought it was Snape, another loyal Death Eater, but
pressing his ear to the office door, Draco knew he had never heard the second voice
before.
Maybe he hadn't... and yet the voice was still familiar...
"Did no one tell you that the Malfoy was at Hogwarts? Even I knew that."
"I didn't think that Lucius would keep him at Hogwarts, not after the word got out
that he is part of an important curse..."
"And who let that information loose by the way? It surely wasn't you, was it?"
"It was Severus, but they think he meant a curse for the Order, some of the Lords
Death Eaters aren't so swift."
"Well... Snape could've mentioned it to me; I need to know at all times which
side his hearing what."
"When would you have been able to speak to him, my Lord?"
"He could've spoken to me while he was working with the Order..."
"And let Dumbledore know about the curse? Honestly, where did you leave your
brain?"
"Where did you leave your respect for your lord?"
"In my classroom."
"Oh, we are all very amused... whatever happened to Slytherin pride? Now stay
focused. Who has Voldemort sent out after the Malfoy boy?"
"MacNair, that could cause us some problems, sir."
"Why is that, Romulus?"
"He favors muggle weapons; there is no counter curse to sharp steel."
"Hmmm. I see what you mean. How close are we to needing the Malfoy?"
"It's Draco, my lord and we-" The discussion stopped short. Draco waited, not
breathing, for Romulus to continue, to reveal more...
The door to Romulus' office jerked open, causing Draco to jump back in alarm.
Romulus' eyes were holding firmly to the dark bags that hung beneath them. His face
was pale, but not, it seemed from complete shock. Romulus was really in need of rest.
"What are you doing here?" Romulus demanded his gaze boring into Malfoy's
colourless eyes. Even though his eavesdropping may have placed in him in grave danger,
Draco couldn't help but look past Romulus into his office. The Slytherin's blonde
eyebrows shot up in surprise at what he beheld. There were boxes laying about, a ripped
open package, whose contents were hidden by a stack of books, but there was no one else
in the room.
"Who were you talking to, professor?" Draco asked before he could stop himself.
Romulus' eyes narrowed, he wondered of much the student had heard...
"I wasn't talking to anyone Draco." When Draco merely stared at him, Romulus
realized he shouldn't have said that.
"Just, just go back to your common room before I give you a detention." He
snapped, sending the boy regretfully away.
As the professor once more closed his door, Draco just barely heard him say.
"That was too close for comfort."
"Indeed it was." Chimed in the second voice.
By the next morning, over half the school knew that Romulus was talking to himself.
Severus had no idea where the rumor had started, but it was certainly troubling. He had
healed Romulus with the potion, hadn't he? The last thing he needed was his only living
ally to go insane.
Romulus slumped into his chair at the staff table. His mind was racing from last night's
conversation. He was being reprimanded; the curse he had set so long ago was closely
approaching, and honestly wasn't prepared.
"Are you aware of the rumors going around the school?" A voice edged in ice
inquired from behind. Romulus turned to come face to face with Severus Snape, who was
looking furious.
"Some of them... They say someone snuck into the castle last night..." Severus'
face grew sharp with suspicion, he hadn't heard that...
"That's not what I mean! The students all think that you were talking to yourself.
Draco Malfoy has told me that he heard you." Romulus brought his hand up to his
forehead. He knew he should've wiped the boy's memory! He lowered his voice as to
permit himself from being overheard.
"I wasn't alone. I was speaking to the true Dark Lord." Severus' eyes widened.
He knew who Romulus spoke of, there could only be one Dark Lord...
"Well, be careful then, you can't afford for anyone to find out that he's plotting
here, at Hogwarts. The Headmaster," Severus couldn't help a sneering glance in
Dumbledore's direction, "would have a fit." Snape took professor Flitwick's vacant seat
in order to speak lower. "What about someone sneaking in?" He questioned.
Romulus fiddled with his food. When he spoke, it was not to Severus but to the empty
air, not wanting to draw attention to himself.
"Professor McGonagall was worried about it. Apparently she thought she saw one
or two figures on brooms arrive at the castle last night. Don't worry, I told her it was just
me out to clear my head." Severus nodded, Minerva was too panicky to be told that
potentially, there were wanted escaped Death Eaters hiding in the castle grounds.
"Are they after Malfoy?" Snape muttered, he stood, getting ready to set off to the
dungeons. Romulus nodded, it was inescapable; they would have to take serious
measures to protect the boy.
"It would be best, I think, if we guarded the halls tonight, to watch for our newly
arrived guests." Romulus said airily, as though it were a light comment.
"Of course." Severus agreed, striding from the hall. He had to put distance
between himself and his ally. Already he worried that Dumbledore might over hear one
such conversation. Severus knew that his plotting was currently beyond explanation.
The thing about swift separation and hushed voices among conspirators, was that
they didn't do much for secrecy when it came to the three Gryffindor Sixth- years
crouching beneath the staff table.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That night, huddled beneath Harry's invisibility cloak, the three eavesdroppers walked
carefully along the dungeon's corridor. Excitement still filled them from the talk they
heard.
"I knew Snape was in it with You-Know-Who! I told you, I don't know how
many times..."
"Yes yes, Ron we KNOW. We heard the first three dozen times!" Hermione shot
at Ron.
"I wonder why exactly anyone would want to kill Malfoy..." Harry wondered.
"Who wouldn't?" scoffed Ron. He could not see how Malfoy's death would be a
loss.
"Shhhh! someone is coming!" Hermione said in a frantic whisper. The three of
them backed up firmly into the shadowed wall of the gloomy hall as a figure rounded the
corner.
The figure's movements could only be described as stalking. He walked through
the hall in his elected gait, slowly turning his head from side to side. It was too dark for
Harry to clearly see the man's form or features, but he had that dreaded feeling of
recognition that he could not brush away.
A second shadow entered the hallway. The first figure hid momentarily to let the other
pass. As the second person looked around, the first let out a small laugh.
"Who's there?" A horse voice called out, coming from the second shape in the
dark. "You won't get past me. The common room is out your reach tonight, but not
mine." Another laugh comes from the first figure, causing the second to stiffen angrily.
"Is that you, Lupin?" A gruff, sinister voice inquired. A toned of pleasure rising in
his voice.
"Yes... who's there?" Professor Lupin asked words thick with suspicion. Before
any of the observers in the gloomy corridor could react, the other figure rushed towards
Lupin. There was a glint of metal in the near darkness, followed by a haunting cry, which
was transformed into a gurgling cough. Professor Lupin fell to the floor, leaving the
figure to flee the hallway.
Only when they could be sure that the attacker had gone, did Harry, Ron and Hermione
light their wands. The ample light that now lit the grey stone hallway allowed them no
merci. It was with a shaken horror that the three students took in their harsh surroundings.
Lupin lay on the bitter stone floor, his face a mask of agony. Sweat slid from his face,
while he weakly coughed blood onto his chin. A wickedly detailed knife protruded from
the center of his torso, just under his ribcage. The knife had been twisted after it had been
thrust in, and a generous flow of blood was spilling from the wound, soaking his robes
and pooling around him on the floor.
"H-Harry." He barely managed to splutter. More blood bubbled up from his
throat. Hermione reached forward to touch the knife, but jerked her hand backwards
seconds before making contact.
"It's been cursed." She explained. She looked down uncertainly for a moment
before her own mind caught up with her. "HELP! Someone!" She cried, putting all her
effort into the shout.
"What is going on here?" A voice drawled in a tired manner.
Draco Malfoy slouched out of the concealed entrance to the Slytherin common room, a
few yards down the corridor. He had the appearance of someone who had just hastily
pulled one's robes over one's head. "Can't you play your silly little night games
somewhere el-" Draco paused in his sentence, his hand frozen in the motion of fixing his
hair. His eyes were stuck as though hypnotized on Lupin's bloodied form. Any slight,
mocking form of colour that had once been on Draco's face had drained away. "Oh my
God."
Sitting in the hospital wing, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco said nothing. They
were uncertain as to why they had been brought along. It was Snape who had found them,
helpless, unable to ease any of Lupin's pain. The knife had been removed, but the blade
and the implanted curse had done their jobs. Madam Pomfrey did everything she could
while Lupin clung to his life with a weak hold.
Snape was speaking to Dumbledore, his voice carrying in the stiff silence.
"The man responsible is no longer in the castle, headmaster, but he could easily
return. He only attacked Professor Lupin because he was in his way." Dumbledore
nodded slowly, giving Snape one of his thoughtful stares.
"Do you know who is behind this, Severus? Is there something you're not telling
me?" Snape shook his head.
"I can only guess, Headmaster, I can't see why the Dark Lord would attack would
attack a Malfoy. After all..."
"That's enough." Dumbledore cut in, while Severus smiled slightly at his
successful diversion tactic. "If Draco is in danger here at Hogwarts, then perhaps-"
"He CANNOT leave the school!" Snape said with a forceful insistence. Everyone
but Lupin turned their eyes to him, shocked at his nearly panicked outburst.
Severus, kicking himself mentally for exposing hidden information, was spared
having to explain himself by a much more rattling event.
"Dumbledore, what happened?" The man at the doorway stared into the
infirmary, surprise and disbelief shaping his exhausted features.
Looking up from his bed, Professor Lupin beheld his mirror image looking over at
him. Both men were purely astonished to see one another.
"Brother?" Lupin inquired in an exhausted rasp from his infirmary bed.
A/N: Okay, done for now. Like it? Don't like it? Well review any. Please, I beseech you. Next Chapter: The Curse and the Boggart
Oh J. K. Rowling
How lovely are your stories
I'm only here to have some fun
Please don't sue me, or anyone
Oh J. K Rowling
Oh J. K. Rowling
I'm not stealing your stories
Chapter 4: Laying in the corridor.
Draco crept closer and closer to Lupin's office, feeling a growing sense of foreboding.
His father had told him that Romulus Lupin was going to be teaching at Hogwarts after
the Christmas holidays, though this had not explained much. It did not explain how
another Death Eater had made his way onto the staff unnoticed, nor did it explain the
disappearance of the previous DADA teacher, who Professor Lupin had cleverly not
mentioned in his introduction.
Thinking of this as he shifted through the shadows, Draco felt privately that he would
rather not know what had become of the other professor, for it may shortly be his own
fate as well. There were people out to kill him; this Draco had learned in the last letter he
had received from his father. The younger Malfoy was connected to the fate of some
curse and therefore had to be destroyed. What Draco worried about the most was his
father's tactful avoidance of which side was after him. Draco smugly felt that it made no
difference. He could use the unforgivable curses, couldn't he? That was all he needed
against any Order.
Draco's mission tonight was vital for his own survival. Romulus was a Death Eater and a
friend to the Malfoys, but he had been very shocked to see Draco at Hogwarts. He was
Draco's key to learning where he could place his safety.
As he came towards Lupin's office, Draco could hear voices inside, discussing in heated
voices. For a moment, Draco thought it was Snape, another loyal Death Eater, but
pressing his ear to the office door, Draco knew he had never heard the second voice
before.
Maybe he hadn't... and yet the voice was still familiar...
"Did no one tell you that the Malfoy was at Hogwarts? Even I knew that."
"I didn't think that Lucius would keep him at Hogwarts, not after the word got out
that he is part of an important curse..."
"And who let that information loose by the way? It surely wasn't you, was it?"
"It was Severus, but they think he meant a curse for the Order, some of the Lords
Death Eaters aren't so swift."
"Well... Snape could've mentioned it to me; I need to know at all times which
side his hearing what."
"When would you have been able to speak to him, my Lord?"
"He could've spoken to me while he was working with the Order..."
"And let Dumbledore know about the curse? Honestly, where did you leave your
brain?"
"Where did you leave your respect for your lord?"
"In my classroom."
"Oh, we are all very amused... whatever happened to Slytherin pride? Now stay
focused. Who has Voldemort sent out after the Malfoy boy?"
"MacNair, that could cause us some problems, sir."
"Why is that, Romulus?"
"He favors muggle weapons; there is no counter curse to sharp steel."
"Hmmm. I see what you mean. How close are we to needing the Malfoy?"
"It's Draco, my lord and we-" The discussion stopped short. Draco waited, not
breathing, for Romulus to continue, to reveal more...
The door to Romulus' office jerked open, causing Draco to jump back in alarm.
Romulus' eyes were holding firmly to the dark bags that hung beneath them. His face
was pale, but not, it seemed from complete shock. Romulus was really in need of rest.
"What are you doing here?" Romulus demanded his gaze boring into Malfoy's
colourless eyes. Even though his eavesdropping may have placed in him in grave danger,
Draco couldn't help but look past Romulus into his office. The Slytherin's blonde
eyebrows shot up in surprise at what he beheld. There were boxes laying about, a ripped
open package, whose contents were hidden by a stack of books, but there was no one else
in the room.
"Who were you talking to, professor?" Draco asked before he could stop himself.
Romulus' eyes narrowed, he wondered of much the student had heard...
"I wasn't talking to anyone Draco." When Draco merely stared at him, Romulus
realized he shouldn't have said that.
"Just, just go back to your common room before I give you a detention." He
snapped, sending the boy regretfully away.
As the professor once more closed his door, Draco just barely heard him say.
"That was too close for comfort."
"Indeed it was." Chimed in the second voice.
By the next morning, over half the school knew that Romulus was talking to himself.
Severus had no idea where the rumor had started, but it was certainly troubling. He had
healed Romulus with the potion, hadn't he? The last thing he needed was his only living
ally to go insane.
Romulus slumped into his chair at the staff table. His mind was racing from last night's
conversation. He was being reprimanded; the curse he had set so long ago was closely
approaching, and honestly wasn't prepared.
"Are you aware of the rumors going around the school?" A voice edged in ice
inquired from behind. Romulus turned to come face to face with Severus Snape, who was
looking furious.
"Some of them... They say someone snuck into the castle last night..." Severus'
face grew sharp with suspicion, he hadn't heard that...
"That's not what I mean! The students all think that you were talking to yourself.
Draco Malfoy has told me that he heard you." Romulus brought his hand up to his
forehead. He knew he should've wiped the boy's memory! He lowered his voice as to
permit himself from being overheard.
"I wasn't alone. I was speaking to the true Dark Lord." Severus' eyes widened.
He knew who Romulus spoke of, there could only be one Dark Lord...
"Well, be careful then, you can't afford for anyone to find out that he's plotting
here, at Hogwarts. The Headmaster," Severus couldn't help a sneering glance in
Dumbledore's direction, "would have a fit." Snape took professor Flitwick's vacant seat
in order to speak lower. "What about someone sneaking in?" He questioned.
Romulus fiddled with his food. When he spoke, it was not to Severus but to the empty
air, not wanting to draw attention to himself.
"Professor McGonagall was worried about it. Apparently she thought she saw one
or two figures on brooms arrive at the castle last night. Don't worry, I told her it was just
me out to clear my head." Severus nodded, Minerva was too panicky to be told that
potentially, there were wanted escaped Death Eaters hiding in the castle grounds.
"Are they after Malfoy?" Snape muttered, he stood, getting ready to set off to the
dungeons. Romulus nodded, it was inescapable; they would have to take serious
measures to protect the boy.
"It would be best, I think, if we guarded the halls tonight, to watch for our newly
arrived guests." Romulus said airily, as though it were a light comment.
"Of course." Severus agreed, striding from the hall. He had to put distance
between himself and his ally. Already he worried that Dumbledore might over hear one
such conversation. Severus knew that his plotting was currently beyond explanation.
The thing about swift separation and hushed voices among conspirators, was that
they didn't do much for secrecy when it came to the three Gryffindor Sixth- years
crouching beneath the staff table.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That night, huddled beneath Harry's invisibility cloak, the three eavesdroppers walked
carefully along the dungeon's corridor. Excitement still filled them from the talk they
heard.
"I knew Snape was in it with You-Know-Who! I told you, I don't know how
many times..."
"Yes yes, Ron we KNOW. We heard the first three dozen times!" Hermione shot
at Ron.
"I wonder why exactly anyone would want to kill Malfoy..." Harry wondered.
"Who wouldn't?" scoffed Ron. He could not see how Malfoy's death would be a
loss.
"Shhhh! someone is coming!" Hermione said in a frantic whisper. The three of
them backed up firmly into the shadowed wall of the gloomy hall as a figure rounded the
corner.
The figure's movements could only be described as stalking. He walked through
the hall in his elected gait, slowly turning his head from side to side. It was too dark for
Harry to clearly see the man's form or features, but he had that dreaded feeling of
recognition that he could not brush away.
A second shadow entered the hallway. The first figure hid momentarily to let the other
pass. As the second person looked around, the first let out a small laugh.
"Who's there?" A horse voice called out, coming from the second shape in the
dark. "You won't get past me. The common room is out your reach tonight, but not
mine." Another laugh comes from the first figure, causing the second to stiffen angrily.
"Is that you, Lupin?" A gruff, sinister voice inquired. A toned of pleasure rising in
his voice.
"Yes... who's there?" Professor Lupin asked words thick with suspicion. Before
any of the observers in the gloomy corridor could react, the other figure rushed towards
Lupin. There was a glint of metal in the near darkness, followed by a haunting cry, which
was transformed into a gurgling cough. Professor Lupin fell to the floor, leaving the
figure to flee the hallway.
Only when they could be sure that the attacker had gone, did Harry, Ron and Hermione
light their wands. The ample light that now lit the grey stone hallway allowed them no
merci. It was with a shaken horror that the three students took in their harsh surroundings.
Lupin lay on the bitter stone floor, his face a mask of agony. Sweat slid from his face,
while he weakly coughed blood onto his chin. A wickedly detailed knife protruded from
the center of his torso, just under his ribcage. The knife had been twisted after it had been
thrust in, and a generous flow of blood was spilling from the wound, soaking his robes
and pooling around him on the floor.
"H-Harry." He barely managed to splutter. More blood bubbled up from his
throat. Hermione reached forward to touch the knife, but jerked her hand backwards
seconds before making contact.
"It's been cursed." She explained. She looked down uncertainly for a moment
before her own mind caught up with her. "HELP! Someone!" She cried, putting all her
effort into the shout.
"What is going on here?" A voice drawled in a tired manner.
Draco Malfoy slouched out of the concealed entrance to the Slytherin common room, a
few yards down the corridor. He had the appearance of someone who had just hastily
pulled one's robes over one's head. "Can't you play your silly little night games
somewhere el-" Draco paused in his sentence, his hand frozen in the motion of fixing his
hair. His eyes were stuck as though hypnotized on Lupin's bloodied form. Any slight,
mocking form of colour that had once been on Draco's face had drained away. "Oh my
God."
Sitting in the hospital wing, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco said nothing. They
were uncertain as to why they had been brought along. It was Snape who had found them,
helpless, unable to ease any of Lupin's pain. The knife had been removed, but the blade
and the implanted curse had done their jobs. Madam Pomfrey did everything she could
while Lupin clung to his life with a weak hold.
Snape was speaking to Dumbledore, his voice carrying in the stiff silence.
"The man responsible is no longer in the castle, headmaster, but he could easily
return. He only attacked Professor Lupin because he was in his way." Dumbledore
nodded slowly, giving Snape one of his thoughtful stares.
"Do you know who is behind this, Severus? Is there something you're not telling
me?" Snape shook his head.
"I can only guess, Headmaster, I can't see why the Dark Lord would attack would
attack a Malfoy. After all..."
"That's enough." Dumbledore cut in, while Severus smiled slightly at his
successful diversion tactic. "If Draco is in danger here at Hogwarts, then perhaps-"
"He CANNOT leave the school!" Snape said with a forceful insistence. Everyone
but Lupin turned their eyes to him, shocked at his nearly panicked outburst.
Severus, kicking himself mentally for exposing hidden information, was spared
having to explain himself by a much more rattling event.
"Dumbledore, what happened?" The man at the doorway stared into the
infirmary, surprise and disbelief shaping his exhausted features.
Looking up from his bed, Professor Lupin beheld his mirror image looking over at
him. Both men were purely astonished to see one another.
"Brother?" Lupin inquired in an exhausted rasp from his infirmary bed.
A/N: Okay, done for now. Like it? Don't like it? Well review any. Please, I beseech you. Next Chapter: The Curse and the Boggart