Chapter 22: The Mind Is A Strange Place
Thanks for all the reviews.
In case you haven't noticed, I am still letting my muse write this story. I have a general direction, but the streets are still unpaved.
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Remus came out of the full moon a changed man. He was no longer an emo; he was now a combination of his werewolf and human self. Much like Greyback only not as feral. He had much better control over his wild side. However, he would no longer be Albus Dumbledore's lapdog, or anyone's for that matter. His wishy-washy days were over.
Sirius was glad to see this side of his friend because the first thing Remus did was to ask to take the vow. Which Sirius was glad to take from him, having remembered the wording from Tonks and Moody's vows.
When Remus did recite it, Sirius told him all about what had happened since the third task, who Tom was and what he had done since. He made sure to tell the werewolf that Tom saw Harry as family, or pack, to appease the werewolf side of the man.
"So, the man who kidnapped me is really Voldemort? And he didn't torture me because it would make Harry unhappy?" Remus asked, confusion laced his tone. From what he knew of Voldemort, the man loved to cause pain no matter what. Perhaps he was a changed man as well. If he could change because of circumstances, then so could Tom. That and Sirius had told him the theory of the potions and the ritual. It was feasible.
"That's right. Tom won't do anything that will upset Harry, and woe be the person who does," Sirius said with a chuckle, remembering the threat the Dark Lord made to Fudge. He told Remus of the threat and they both chuckled.
"And he wants to set up a sting operation to get Greyback killed, along with the rest of his Death Eaters?" the werewolf asked, his mind thoroughly blown over that thought. He was more than willing to get behind that action. He wanted that werewolf dead, and he was willing to deal the fatal blow. Greyback had been obsessed with him from the start, and he had no idea why. It had become worse when Dumbledore got involved.
"Yes, he feels that if he is to rule the wizarding world then those bloodthirsty people need to be culled," the dogman said, his eyes on Remus's. His friend looked like he could take on the world to get to the man who had turned him when he was a kid. "Something about them being a danger to Harry." He was sure that was the biggest reason.
"How do I get in on this action?" Lupin asked, staring down his friend. His eyes were rimmed with amber. His wolf side was so close to the edge. He could feel the strength just yearning to be released. He reined it in a bit, but let it fester just at the edge. It would be useful if he ran across someone that needed to be taught not to mess with the new him.
"Ask Tom. It's his plan," Sirius said, not sure if that was part of the plan. As far as he knew it was going to be the Aurors and not the Order.
"Do you think we should tell Albus? See if we can get the Order involved? It might get some of them involved in what is happening," Remus suggested, wanting to see if there were any more in the Order that wanted to do more than sit and watch the prophecy and spread gossip.
"I don't think there are any more that want to fight," Sirius said, bursting his bubble. He knew that Dumbledore was surrounded by submissive people this time, bar him, Tonks, and Moody. Well, maybe not Kingsley. "Well, maybe Kingsley," he said, putting his thoughts to words. "But he's part of the Aurors. So, Bones will have told him what he needs to know," he added, sure that that was true.
"When is the next meeting?" Remus asked, having been out of the loop for the last few days. Sirius had told him what had happened with him, and his little group, but not anyone else.
"Tonight, we're supposed to gather to discuss looking for you," Sirius said with a chuckle. It was kind of ironic that they were going to be talking about looking for the man he was talking to.
"Don't tell him I'm back," the werewolf said, then wondered if Tonks already did. The meeting hadn't been called off, so probably not. Oh well, it couldn't be helped if she had.
"I won't," Sirius said, picking up his teacup and heading towards the door. They had finished breakfast a while ago. It had been brought to them down in the basement. It had consisted of mostly protein, and both were happy for that. Remus wasn't under the weather like he usually was.
"Now what?" Remus asked, taking his cup up as well.
"You can have a room in the family wing now that you've taken a vow. But remember, Hermione hasn't taken one yet," his friend said, starting up the stairs from the basement.
"Why did you put her in the family wing then?" Remus asked, following him up the stairs.
"We thought the Weasleys were potioning her, and that they were going to be here. I could put her on the first floor now though," the dogman said, thoughtfully. Harry would understand. They were at the top of the stairs now and would be at the entrance of the kitchen any second.
"Probably a better idea," the werewolf agreed. He liked Hermione, but she had a huge case of hero worship. He should recognize it, he just got over the same. He didn't think having Tom kidnap her would work though. She was just a kid, and it would scare her too much. Perhaps just an intervention would work. Now that they had the information they needed, that put Albus in a dimmer light, it should.
"Yeah, I'll explain it to Harry," Sirius said, going to the kitchen where Harry and Tonks were finishing their breakfast.
"Explain what?" Harry asked, having heard that part. He had just finished his breakfast of fruit and cereal. He was sipping on his pumpkin juice. He thought of asking for something not quite as filling, but he really loved the taste.
"Why Hermione needs to be on the first floor until she takes the vow," Sirius said, looking at him meaningfully.
"Oh," Harry said, a thoughtful look on his face. "I get that," he said after a moment or two. He knew his friend had her hang-ups and she needed to be vetted as well. He only hoped they could get across to her. He'd hate to have to cut her loose, but he would if he had to. Speaking of which, he really should write to Neville and Luna. He had only written them twice since the beginning of summer. But he had been so busy.
"I'm glad I didn't have to explain it then," his godfather said, sighing in relief. He had been so worried that it would come down to an argument, so he was glad that the teen saw reason.
"No, if Remus has to stay there until he takes it, then Hermione does too," the teen said, completely understanding.
"Remus took it this morning, first thing," Sirius said, looking at his friend with pride. "He'll move to the family wing today."
"Did you now?" Tonks said, looking at Remus in a new light. Maybe he wasn't such a lost cause after all.
"Albus Dumbledore is nothing to me," Remus stated firmly, his eyes glowing amber. "I will bow to the will of no one," he added, glaring at the room in large. His eyes landed on Tonks and stayed there. She was crushing on him. He knew this. However, he wanted to get used to the new him before he committed to any relationship.
"Glad to hear that," Tonks said, then got up to go to work. "I'll see you tonight. When is Hermione due?" she asked, wanting to get the schedule in her head.
"Tomorrow. We have a meeting tonight. To find this guy," Sirius said, clapping Remus on the back.
"Shouldn't we tell the Order he's back?" she asked, looking at them in confusion.
"No, let them come," Remus disagreed. He wanted to confront Dumbledore.
"Okay," she said, slowly, not sure how to handle the man in front of her. He was far more aggressive than the man he was last night.
"I just want to have a few words with the headmaster. I promise not to kill him," the werewolf said, flexing his fingers in a claw like fashion.
"Okay," she said again. "I'll let Madam Bones know you're okay. I know she was worried about you, even if she couldn't look for you," Tonks said, going to the door of the kitchen.
"See ya, Tonks," Harry said from his chair. He liked this new Moony. He was easier to get along with. That and he wasn't the indecisive man that he had seen last night.
"See ya, Harry," she said, leaving the kitchen and out the front door. She would go to one of the employee's floos. It would take her straight to the DMLE.
"So, you merged with your wolf?" Harry asked, being more observant than most gave him credit for.
"Yes," was all Moony said, picking up his now full teacup. He was feeling on top of the world.
"Good," the teen said, getting up to go and get ready for the day. "I'll see you guys later," he said as he parted the room. He had a few letters to write. He couldn't tell them everything, but a quick 'how are you?' letter would suffice.
"He's a good kid," Sirius said, looking at the doorway Harry had just disappeared through.
"He is," Remus agreed, then he turned towards his friend. "Tell me more about Tom," he ordered, though not in a demanding way.
So, Sirius spent the rest of the morning telling him all that he knew about the man.
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Crabbe was joined by Yaxley and Gibbons that morning. They showed up after breakfast, which was the plan. They were shown into the receiving room by Narcissa, who was looking more frazzled than usual. They decided not to ask.
"Crabbe, I need you to call Severus to me. You may use the floo here," Tom said when they came in.
"Yes, my lord," Crabbe said, leaving the room to do just that.
"Yaxley, you have news for me?" the Dark Lord asked, looking amazed that they had any information on the prophecy. He had set them up to fail after all.
"We cannot touch the prophecy, my lord," Yaxley said, bowing low. "However," he added quickly, holding up a sack, "we can get it off the shelf without touching it," he concluded, handing the sack to his lord.
"Very good," Tom said with a purr. He didn't think they would think of ways to do that. Most wizards were lacking in common sense to do so. He looked in the sack and sure enough the prophecy ball was inside. "You may leave with my blessings. I will have a new mission for you soon," he finally told them. He put the sack on the floor and watched them bow and leave.
Now he was going to find another way to be rid of them. He could just include them in the raid on Azkaban. That was still in the works. He would have had them go after Fudge's ledgers, but he had Goyle doing that, after meeting the man last night. Not one of his smarter men, but he was stealthy. He expected to have those ledgers by the end of the week.
Crabbe came back in, interrupting his thoughts. "I have nothing else for you today," he dismissed the man, who bowed out without a word.
Tom took a minute to listen to the prophecy and then dismissed it from his mind. To him it had already come to pass. Harry had vanquished him that Halloween night all those years ago. Now was a new era.
Snape came in a few minutes later. "You have need of me, my lord?" he asked, bowing low.
"It has been a while since we have had tea," Tom said, going to the sitting area and calling Topsy for tea. "Join me," he instructed.
"Yes, my lord," Severus said, taking the indicated seat.
They doctored their tea and settled back in their chairs.
"Tell me of Dumbledore. I heard that he is suspended from all his positions," Tom said with glee in his tone. Anything that had to do with the downfall of Dumbledore made him happy.
"Yes, my lord. He now has time to interfere with everything and everyone's life. I have heard from him three times a day. He is constantly asking me about you and Potter. No matter how many times I tell him I have heard from neither of you," the potions master said, taking a deep breath. It was difficult dealing with a bored headmaster.
"Is his sanity slipping?" Tom asked, confused at the direction of Dumbledore's questioning.
"I believe it is," Snape agreed. Albus was making strange request upon his time. Like watching the corridor on the seventh floor, but not telling him what to look for.
"Do you believe it is because of me being back, yet there being no signs?" the Dark Lord asked, again with some glee.
"The disappearing mark might have tipped his mind a bit," Snape said, knowing that Albus had lost the plot when he found out about the marks on the inmates vanishing. "Please, do not underestimate him. He is still well connected and does not appear to others to have any diminished capacities." Minerva still thought the man was in fine health. As did the other teachers. Even if they thought he potioned the student body, they were making excuses for it. Like it was a calming draught to keep the children from mischief, like that was a good enough reason.
"Believe me, the last person I would underestimate would be Albus bloody Dumbledore," Tom said, sipping his tea and then putting his cup down. He then told Snape what he and Harry and his guardian had been up to lately. Who all was in on his secret and what he had talked with Bones about.
"Are you sure we can trust Mad-eye Moody?" Snape asked, very worried over that. That man hated Death Eaters and Tom with a passion. He would never trust Snape, or Tom.
"No, but he will keep his vow," Voldemort said, knowing that Alastor was a man of his word. "If I ever slide into being a Dark Lord in his eyes, he will kill me," he added, his tone solemn.
"If you say so, my lord," Severus said thoughtfully. He didn't know the man that well, and it appeared that Voldemort did.
"When is the next meeting?" Tom asked, picking up a sugar biscuit.
"Tonight. We are discussing the wolf," Snape said, derision in his tone. He hated Remus Lupin for almost killing him as a werewolf. Sure, the man wasn't in control, but he never should have been at Hogwarts in the first place.
"I know you scorn the man, but he is someone that Harry likes, therefore you must put up with him," Tom said, not wanting any contention in their group. Moody was bad enough. He needed Snape, Black and Lupin to at least tolerate each other.
"I will endeavor to do my best," the other man said, placing his cup on the table and standing. "I must get back. I have potions brewing," he said, which was true. He was a potions master after all.
"Speaking of potions. Harry had a theory, that he wrote me about. He thinks that Dumbledore is trying to get you to break your vow. If Albus asks you to brew the loyalty potions again, deny him, or your vow will be broken," Voldy said, standing to escort the potions master to the floo.
"Blast," Snape said, thinking on that. He could see where that would be reneging his vow. He would have to be careful from now on. Albus would have to be handled with kid gloves.
"Come tomorrow and let me know how the meeting went," Tom ordered when they reached the floo.
"Yes, my lord," Snape said, going to the mantel and grabbing some powder. He threw it in and disappeared in the green flames.
"Yes, Draco," Tom said to the shadow where the teen hid. He had felt the boy lingering there. He was not good at hiding.
"My lord, I was wondering if you gave thought on my inheritance," Draco asked, coming from the corner where he had been observing them talk. He had not heard anything important, but it always paid to listen.
"Crucio," Tom said, aiming his wand at the teen for the count of three. He lifted the spell and then walked to the whimpering boy. "Do not ever listen in on my conversations again," he intoned, and then he walked away, passing Narcissa as he went. "Teach your son better manners," he told her as she ran to her son.
He then went back to the receiving room and pondered on the diminishing mind of Albus Dumbledore.
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It was going on eight o'clock and the meeting would start soon. Harry was sequestered in his room. He was doing homework, which he was almost done with. He was going to write to Tom after, to let him know about Remus and thank him for his intervention. He was miffed about not being allowed to attend the meetings, but he knew Sirius would tell him anything important.
Sirius was sitting at the head of the table, Remus to his right and Tonks to his left. Moody was next to Tonks and the rest of the Order fanned out around the table. Like last time there were various dishes to be eaten after the meeting. Sirius provided the beverages.
He and Remus were quiet and let the conversations flow around them. They were observing who was saying what, and who was more inclined to be on their side, and who on Albus's. It didn't look good for them.
Albus showed up on time and sat at the foot of the table. He looked up and saw Remus Lupin sitting next to Sirius. "I thought you were missing?" he said to the werewolf in a questioning tone.
"No, I was taking a break," Remus said, lying through his teeth. He wasn't going to let them even get a hint that Tom was back.
"Voldemort did not kidnap you?" was Albus's next question. He had been so sure.
"There has been no sign of the Dark Lord," the werewolf said, tilting his head looking at the headmaster in a queer manner. "How would a dead man capture me?" he asked, making the table break out in whispers.
Remus had been a staunch supporter of Dumbledore. He was one of the loudest to say that You-Know-Who was back. Now he was saying the opposite. What had changed?
"Come now, Remus, my boy, you know that Voldemort is back," Albus said, folding his hands and placing them on the table.
"Don't call me your boy," Remus snapped, then took a deep breath and calmed down. "There have been no words of recruitment from the packs," he reported. "Not even Greyback thinks the Dark Lord is back and he would be the first to know," he concluded. It was true after all. At the time he talked to the packs there had been no word of Tom trying to recruit. Now he knew why.
"Remus, don't talk to Albus that way," Molly said, her voice chastising.
"I am not one of your children, do not speak to me as if I were," the werewolf said, his eyes ringed with amber. "As for you, Albus, I will not speak to the packs again. They do not like me and would rather kill me than talk to me," he said, speaking to the headmaster in a no-nonsense manner. "I am done putting my life on the line for your fairytales." There was finality in his tone.
"But you must," the headmaster protested, giving him his patented disappointed look. Remus had always done what he had been told before. What had changed? Did Tom get to him? Was he Imperiused?
"No," was all Remus said, giving the old man his new 'don't fuck with me' look.
"Now see here," Diggle said, not liking the way that cur was speaking to Dumbledore, "you will do as you are told," he said, like he was important enough to give such an order.
"I can kill you with my pinkie, old man," Remus said, a growl in his tone.
"Remus, what has gotten into you," Molly said aghast.
"I learned a few home truths," was the answer. "Like did you know that our esteemed headmaster was lovers with Grindlewald?" he said, throwing the least damning thing out there.
The entire table gasped.
"Who I dallied with in my youth is not up for discussion," Albus said in a firm tone. His eyes glared at those looking at him. His whole demeanor stated it wasn't up for debate.
"I think that you 'dallied' with a Dark Lord is something we should know," Sirius said in disagreement.
"That is not the only thing I learned," Remus said, looking Dumbledore straight in the eye.
"This meeting is over since Remus is obviously not missing," the old man said, getting up and leaving like he thought with him gone the conversation would be over. And for a good half of the group, it was. They got up and followed their leader out of the house. Kingsley, Snape, Pudmore and the Weasleys sat and waited to hear what Remus had to say. Arthur had kept Molly in place with a hand on her arm.
So, the werewolf told them what he had learned from the folder. Molly didn't believe a word of it, and soon was dragging Arthur, who did, home. There would be some debating going on at the Burrow tonight.
"Moody, can you confirm any of this?" Kingsley asked the ex-Auror. "You know Albus better than anyone else."
"Ay, it's all true," the man said, his magical eye going crazy inside his head. He was still coming to grips with the fact that the Dark Lord was no longer such.
"Damn," the Auror stated, slumping in his chair. Pudmore doing the same.
"Albus is losing his grasp on reality," Snape said, talking for the first time.
"Do tell," Sirius said, picking at one of the biscuits that were left behind. Many had left their dishes on the table when they stormed out. He would have Dobby clean them and send them back to their owners tomorrow.
"He refuses to believe that the Dark Lord is gone. No matter what evidence is presented to him," the potions master said, taking a seat at the table close to where he had been leaning against the wall.
"Ay, that is true," Alastor said, moving that thought along for the others. He was concerned for his friend, but he noticed that Albus wasn't doing well.
"Do you think he might become dangerous?" Kingsley asked, not sure if they could contain a dangerous Albus.
"I do not know," confessed Snape.
"That is worrying," the man said, looking around the room at the concerned faces.
"Yes, yes, it is," Alastor agreed, looking to those in the know. They knew that the only person who could contain an out-of-control Dumbledore was Tom Riddle.