HP AU Not all is mine. Not all is JKR's. I'm borrowing from H. G. Welles, The Matrix, Forever Knight, Neverwhere, The Labyrinth, and some peoples' fanfics. When you read a lot it all goes somewhere! I make no money from this fic.
Gryffindor-50 Points- Caprice earns 10 Points for enthusiasm on the subject of creative writing.
Slytherin-120 Points- Bookofdays, is awarded 10 points for saying something worth listening to; RivanKnight is awarded 10 Points for taking meticulous notes in class;
Ravenclaw- if you reviewed and I didn't count you tell me, or review this chapter and get some points for your House.
Huffelpuff- if you reviewed and I didn't count you tell me, or review this chapter and get some points for your House.
Chapter 34:
Turning to face the male when Remus' question came, Sirius fell off and managed to get his feet tangled with the steel legs of the stool. He cried out, this time as he fell, but no one heard. Hurting pretty good, he couldn't find the breath to try and plead with the male, 'Remus is Moon Struck, he didn't really mean it! Ow-ow-ow-ouch.'
"I'm not screwing anyone," the male set down the vial he had been studying, "Where would you get that-"
Sirius cringed when the male's strange blue eye fixed on him.
"You told him, that I'm…" he shook his greasy black head and went back to comparing vials of apparently identical purple fluid. "Lupin, I told you, you were right before."
Finally back on top of the stool, Sirius tried to remember something that Remus had been right about.
"Where do you think I got my nickname?" he handed the pair of vials to the female and she looked them over carefully.
She muttered under her breath, "You don't get a name like Necro because you like a challenge," and handed him back the left one.
That broke through the fog in Remus' head, "No woman alive would have him," he echoed his own words from nearly a month ago.
"Just about ready to start," the female said while pulling on a pair of the disposable gloves.
"But," Sirius could hardly hear himself saying the words, "But we were talking to Snape-"' Holy Merlin… "I don't exactly have a name, I guess you could just call me Snape. You always have." But… what does that mean?'
"I saw his eyes," Remus dazedly followed the female's urging and lay back on the slab.
The male gathered the last few pieces of equipment they would need and set them on a tray beside Remus on the slab. "I'm not into pedophilia or bestiality or sadomasochism or bondage, and I'm not a necrophile." He snapped on one glove while thinking about his next words. "But I am named what I am named, for a reason." Snapping on the second glove he looked into Sirius' eyes.
Sirius realized, after a moment, that it was the first time he had actually done more than just check to see if the eyes were blue or black. 'He looks so much like Snape,' for the first time it really hit him. Then Sirius realized that it was also the first time the male had not avoided his eyes, and he suddenly knew why.
~
The Founders' stable was exactly as before, except this time it was rot iron with a stained glass top. Along the table's legs and crosspieces there were intricate openwork representations of the Order. The four chairs were of a similar rot iron design, but the legs and backs of the chairs bore images based upon qualities of the House each represented.
It was late Sunday night, and they were waiting for the Slytherin House representative to arrive. He was late. The first time he had ever been late, and no one was comfortable with the possible explanations that were occurring to him or her.
Albus stood, "I am going to find him." On hearing his tone, Alastor and Rita's objections died unspoken.
He walked away from the table and the room seemed to dissolve around him, reforming itself into the shape of his Official Office. There was no sign of the Order of the Phoenix's meeting place. No sign that Rita Skeeter and Alastor Moody were a few steps away, in any given direction. More importantly, there was no sign of the missing member of their circle.
It hadn't been a question, by any means, of whether or not Albus could find him. If he were on the school grounds all it would take would be the opening of any door to the outside. If he were in the school herself, the halls would be redirected. But the fact that could not be avoided was that it would take some time.
~
"He isn't on the grounds or in the school," Albus sat heavily in the Gryffindor chair. Above his head, on the chair's back, a male lion stood protectively before his mate and cubs. It soundlessly snarled a threat against the hunter who was holding a spear at the ready.
"And Severa," Alastor suggested.
Albus shook his head.
"She mentioned his being certain that something was up." Alastor suddenly hit the glass table top with his fist. It didn't break of course, but it should have. "A dark servant on a dark errand for a Dark Lord."
"Alastor, please!" Dumbledore's voice was strained.
The retired Auror stood to his feet and leaned forward, hands flat on the table, "If you are this torn up about sending him back now, what are you going to do when he comes back like he did before? Twitching from Cruciatus and crying out silently because his vocal cords were too mangled to scream. Or are you afraid he will turn on you the way Sna-"
"Moody," Rita glared the man straight in the eye, as no Death Eater had ever dared. She smoothed her surprisingly tasteful evening gown, "I am late for the opera. As he is obviously not coming to the meeting, contact me when he is recovered enough to try this again." As she stepped from the light around the table and into the shifting obscurity of the shadows she took a moment to give Albus a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder.
Albus' eyes were not twinkling.
As they exited the Official Office, Alastor suggested that they check on Remus again. (His version of an apology involved not pursuing, further, the thing that had started the argument.)
Albus nodded, "He was sleeping the last time I went down," they understood each other well. "Maybe Severa can spare a few moments to update us on his condition. And I know you are concerned for her as well."
"She is not suffering as much as he is. But then she is not fighting back nearly as hard as he is. So how did it go?" Alastor asked changing the subject and trying to forget that his voice had nearly cracked. "Do they know if the serum worked the way they expected, or will it take more time to make an evaluation?" As they gained the base of the moving stair and waited a moment for the Gargoyle to move Albus reached out to touch his friend's shoulder.
"He said that it would take three months to be sure," Albus adjusted his glasses. A sign of the extremity of his concern for the missing blue eyed fraud, "He actually tried to explain it to me," he forced a lighter tone, "but I was always far better at Transfigurations than Potions I'm afraid. He said it was a sort of paradigm shift, from the way that the problem has been looked at in the past."
"Meaning?" Alastor asked. Purposely ignoring the three figures under an invisibility cloak. They were obviously huddling close to a suit of armor in the hopes that the two men would not walk into them on accident. "I have heard," he spoke a little louder than necessary, if he were only talking to Albus that is, "That Sirius Black, has managed to get an interview with a Witness."
Albus suppressed a faint smile, "Really? Will the Ministry hear his case then do you think."
"I have heard rumors," Alastor's awkward gait would not normally have slowed his progress down the hall nearly as much as it did on this particular night. "Rumors that Fudge has been forced to actually give him a hearing, but that he has managed to speed up the claims process so that Black will need to show himself at the Ministry's Head Office tomorrow morning by eleven o'clock. Imagine the scene that'll make for the morning Porters heh?"
Alastor managed to catch a Magical last glimpse of Harry's face as he and Albus began descending the stairs to the dungeons. Black had mentioned his frustration at not being, conscionably, able to tell his godson of the possibility of a pardon. One of the only items that they had been able to discuss without the Other there, was whether or not to tell Harry. It had been decided in the end, to tell Harry as soon as possible as little as possible while stressing the fact that it would be dangerous. Just incase something went wrong. They did not want Harry to find out about it at breakfast if Sirius were caught on the way to his hearing.
The Potions classroom was hot poorly lit and not as empty as they had expected.
"Remus," Albus smiled weakly. "It is good to see you getting up and about so soon."
@---'----,--------------
Harry Ron and Aidan had been charming all of the suits of armor to make insulting comments about the Slytherins that walked past, when the Gargoyle had moved aside and the Headmaster and Alastor Moody nearly walked into them.
In the Closet now, Ron was trying to explain why it really was good news that Sirius Black was going to be cleared of all charges and convictions. Aidan might have been from a mixed marriage, but he had been raised in a Wizarding community. It took a great deal of persuasion to get him to believe that Sirius Black was not betrayal personified.
Harry had been picked to wake Hermione and bring her down. At thirteen, Aidan was not willing to risk the bad press that getting caught would create among the second year girls that he was hoping were interested in him.
The fifth year girls' dorm was minus one occupant in a very short period of time. Hermione was getting used to being surprised awake by an Enervate and a pair of Harry-green or Ron-blue eyes.
The closet was still small. But it made room for everyone and the news was shared again.
"He'll get to see me play next weekend," Harry was in a daze.
"And you won't have to go back to Privet Drive for the summer," Hermione added gently. She shot Ron a look, he was sitting quietly instead of being as excited as he should have been, "What is it Ron? Is there something wrong?"
"It's just that," Ron gave Harry a brave smile, "I mean the Headmaster has probably worked it all out so there's nothing to- He'll have to show up at the Ministry's Head Office Harry! Do you know what that means?"
Harry just thought of the pain that he had felt when he had stepped back across the threshold of his aunt and uncle's home that spring. "What are you talking about?" He sounded like someone who knew that there were horrors yet to come.
"There are going to be Aurors and Dementors there waiting to catch him and probably some Death Eaters too." Ron looked away from his friend's green eyes, "I'm just saying, it'll be dangerous. That's all."
"What on earth would Death Eaters want with my godfather? He's innocent." Harry's voice had lost all of the wonder and hope it had held.
Hermione also raised a questioning brow at Ron, "Yes Ron why would Death Eaters go? The Aurors I understand, they belong there. Much as we all know Fudge is just plain foolish for keeping them even the Dementors belong there too. But why would Death Eaters go to any place that they know will have a lot of Aurors?"
"Well, they sure don't want it proved that he didn't kill Harry's parents and all those people," Ron blustered. "I mean if it is proved that he didn't, then the Ministry has to accept that there might be something to the Headmaster's claim that Pettigrew is alive and that he killed them. If they accept that, then there is going to be a lot of pressure to accept that you-know-who is really back."
"Ron," Hermione looked at him with surprise and approval. "That is perfectly logical. I'm impressed."
He blushed, straight up to his ears, and mumbled, "Well, I'm not just a pretty face, you know, I can play Chess, Quidditch, and think."
"Harry," Hermione she sounded more excited than there seemed cause for. (In Harry's opinion that is.) "Harry, didn't Sirius say that you wouldn't be able to see him for a while?" Three blank stares. "Come on guys! He said Harry couldn't see him. He should have said, 'I won't be seeing you for a few days,' or something like that. What if he's under the Fidelus charm?"
Harry brightened in an instant, "Of course! The Headmaster would do something like that, he could even be my godfather's secret keeper."
"We'll know for sure," Hermione beamed, "if the Headmaster doesn't come out for breakfast."
The meeting broke up soon after but Ron softly asked Hermione to wait a minute. Harry and Aidan said their goodnights and gave Ron suspiciously encouraging looks before heading up to their beds.
"Yes Ron," Hermione perched on the armrest of the nearest couch and waited.
Nervously Ron tried to say something at least three times before finally blurting, "WouldyoucometotheHalloweenBallwithme?!"
Hermione blinked, Ron blushed. Hermione worked to unscramble what he had said, Ron started to sweat. She smiled and softly said yes, Ron practically floated up to his dorm.
@--'----,------------------
"Remus," Albus smiled weakly. "It is good to see you getting up and about so soon." He turned d to his new Co-Head of Slytherin, "Professor Moody, how are you this fine night?"
"Severa," Alastor gave her a quick acknowledging nod.
She nodded in return, then went back to her cauldron. "Headmaster, it is rather late, is there something that you wished of me?" Her voice was cold and she did not even try to return Albus' smile.
"I was wondering how you have been adjusting to Hogwarts," he regained a form of his usual good humor as he added, "We have a morning staff meeting every week day you know. If you would like to meet the rest of the faculty-"
"If I wanted to meet them I would. Now if that is all," she poured one liter of Mellonrat blood into the simmering brew, causing it to turn a bright green before half of the cauldron's contents spontaneously evaporated.
Albus was not the least bit put off, (Snape had gone through the same sort of self-protective aggression phase his first few months on the faculty.) "I expect that you must be finding Hogwarts to be quite different from Durmstrang…" he trailed the statement off into a question.
After a pause, which reminded Alastor of all the times he had given her lessons on how to craft an answer, she set the half empty cauldron on a lower heat and pulled up her protective goggles. "The biggest challenge that I have faced, aside from Heading a House for the first time, has been the schedule." She set aside her thick Dragonhide gloves. "At Durmstrang Potions classes were held before and after every meal. The only time it was warm enough to have the students work, was when the kitchens, in the next chamber over, were hot."
"The pre-breakfast and post-dinner classes must have been difficult," Albus said thoughtfully.
"They were," she shrugged and cast a quick glance back at the potion. "The castle moves a great deal more than I am used to as well," she added as an after thought.
Albus had been going to reply with some anecdote (about the Chamber of Chamberpots no doubt) when Hagrid's unmistakable tread began to echo down the stairs. Alastor and Remus fell silent as he neared, and his shouts became intelligible.
The greasy hared Professor immediately cleared her notes from one of the lab tables, and with a swish of her wand, and a softly spoken charm, the stone table was pushed against the one behind it.
When Hagrid finally did burst into the room, he was thoroughly exhausted, and covered in blood. In his arms they could just make out the form of a very young Centaur. Without prompting he lay the badly injured and unconscious child on the improvised slab.
Most questions had to wait until he had regained his breath, he did pant responses to Miss Moody's sharp demands for information, but that was all.
"Aye- 'e were jus'- ou'side the Leshy's clear-slearing. Nah, no-no one saw wh- wha' 'appened."
"Looks like knife wounds," she said after a moment. "The cuts are too clean for any sort of animal attack I've seen."
Hagrid shook his wooly head, he had his breath back now, "Nah, they were Stymphalian birds, Oi'm shur uv it. Oi 'eard a few 'ad escaped from a breeder, off South Puddle way."
"Stymphalian birds!" Remus jerked to his feet. He addressed the Headmaster with a great deal of concern obvious in his posture and eyes, "We need to get those out of the forest sir, I encountered a flock of them when I was traveling through Greece. They'll come out of the forest to attack the students."
"Yes, Remus," Albus made a calming gesture with his hands. "Rubeus, do you think that you could take care of this yourself?"
"Nah sir," the half-Giant looked helplessly on as various potions and ointments were applied in the hopes of saving the youth's life. "Oi'd rether 'ave some 'elp." He turned beetle black eyes to Remus, "Ef you're up to it, Oi could use yer help sir, yeh know what they are an' all. Oi knows it's jus' two nights from the moon..."
"No," Lupin drew his wand and headed for the door. "I'm fine, and you're right, it would be too dangerous to go after them alone. Any idea how many there are?"
"Tell them that he'll live," Severa Moody's voice cut through the mild argument Dumbledore was putting up against Remus going.
Albus knew it was smart to take a person already experienced with the creatures in question, he just wanted to be sure that Remus was fit, so soon after the passing of the full moon. As Hagrid had pointed out, it had been only two nights ago.
But," she added, "I couldn't do anything about his eyes. He's lost those, too completely." The potion she had been working on was forgotten as she worked to brew a version of Skel-o-grow that would work on non-Humans with an equine base.
(A horse's leg bones are difficult to heal, being half equid Centaurs have the same problem. But because they are sentient and aware, their culture has developed many ways of diagnosing and treating broken bones. Simple hair-line fractures are well cared for with splints, ointments, and herbal compresses. Compound fractures, similar to those suffered by the little colt Under Severa Moody's care, would be treated with a ritualistic execution/mercy killing.)
~
The Leshy's clearing was deserted. Nothing wanted to stay in an area that the savage, brass clawed and beaked, Stymphalian birds had claimed as theirs. Blood was pooled on the ground and splattered on the bushes where the attack had occurred. Remus checked for tracks, just to be sure.
"Yep, Stymphalians alright." He looked up at Hagrid, "I think they went, that way," he pointed over Hagrid's right shoulder, and his blood ran cold.
Wands already drawn the two men went back to back and tried to ready themselves for what would come next. The Stymphalians had indeed gone in the direction Remus had indicated. They had then been promptly caged and Silencioed. It was a trap.
The first curse was a cutter. (The usual type of wandless shielding can not stop a curse that acts as a physical attack.) It caught Hagrid in the thigh; he was the easier target because he could not see as well in the dark. The next (a heavy concussive pulse aimed at the new wound) brought him to his knees, exposing Lupin's back.