This story is rated R for language and sexuality. I put especially R rated chapters in the comments at the top as an additional warning. Just so everyone knows, I update regularly unless I get writers block. So once I start, I will finish it. Enjoy! Please read and review.
Chapter 1
"Remus?" Called a disembodied head from the flames of the fireplace.
Remus Lupin looked up from his book and gazed into the twinkling blue eyes of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's headmaster.
"Hello Albus. What can I do for you?" Remus asked Dumbledore.
"I was wondering if you have a moment for a chat at my office." Dumbledore implored.
"Of course. Let me grab my cloak and I'll be right there." Remus replied.
"Will you see if you can find Severus and bring him as well." Dumbledore inquired.
"Certainly." Remus answered.
"Thanks." And with a pop his head disappeared from the fire.
Remus glanced around the Order of the Phoenix headquarters for Snape. He knew he was lurking around here somewhere but he didn't see him downstairs so he figured he must be in the attic messing around with his potions. Remus made his way upstairs and saw that his guess was correct.
Severus was in the middle of making a complicated potion when a noise at the door distracted him. He dropped the vile he was holding delicately in his hand, jumped away from the table and crouched down as he yelled "Dammit Lupin! Duck!"
Remus turned his back and squatted close to the floor as something on the table exploded. He waited for the glass to stop breaking before standing upright again. When he met Severus' eyes he saw the cold fury brewing, just waiting to be unleashed. He thought it best to get to the point of the interruption before Snape had a chance to tell him off.
"Dumbledore wants to see us in his office." Remus said like nothing had happened.
"Now?" Snape asked irritably.
"Yes, now." Remus answered good-naturedly.
"Dammit. Give me a minute to clean this up and I'll meet you downstairs." Snape snapped.
Remus turned on his heel and left Severus muttering to himself about the idiocy of being interrupted between his cleaning incantations and Remus had to fight off a smile. The man really is an asshole, he thought to himself as he went back downstairs.
When Severus had joined Remus on the landing they traveled by floo powder to Dumbledore's office. They found him pacing with a very pensive look in his wise eyes and both men wondered what was going on.
"Headmaster. Sorry for the delay. I had to...clean up some spilled potion." Snape said while shooting an accusatory look at Remus who was staring innocently ahead.
"No problem at all. Gentlemen, please have a seat." Albus said seriously.
"What is it headmaster?" Remus asked curiously.
"I'm afraid this is not a happy visit." Dumbledore said as he watched the two men lean forward anxiously. "Madame Rosmerta is dead."
"What? I just saw her yesterday. She was fine. Now she's dead? Rosmerta?" Lupin said disbelievingly.
"How did it happen, sir?" Snape asked.
"Murdered. By the Deatheaters I'm sorry to say. Seems that she has overhead quite a lot of conversation that went on in the Three Broomsticks and she began keeping a journal of everything. The Deatheaters became aware of this and killed her before the information could be leaked to the Order. The problem is Rosmerta was very cautious about writing the information down. No one knows where it is." Dumbldore paused so that Severus and Remus could absorb this information. They both looked completely dumbfounded and he could hardly blame them.
"The Three Broomsticks has been left to Rosmerta's niece from the U.S. Her name is Analise Shimmer. A sharp young witch who knows nothing of our problems here. I have a assignment for the two of you. If you are up to it." Dumbledore said.
"Of course Professor." Snape answered at once.
"Anything, sir." Lupin said.
"I want you to watch over this woman. Make sure she is protected at all times." Dumbledore stated.
"You want us to babysit?" Snape said crossly.
"Young Mr. Potter has had another one of his visions. Lord Voldemort and his faithful Deatheaters will be coming after Madame Shimmer for the journal. They believe she is in possession of it." Dumbledore said serenely.
"And what do you think, sir?" Remus asked.
"Rosmerta was a very clever witch. If Analise does indeed have it in her possession, I do not believe she knows what it is. She will be in grave danger if she goes unwatched." Dumbledore answered.
"I'll do it." Remus said immediately.
"Good. Thank you Professor." Dumbledore said genuinely as he looked at Severus trying to decide to agree or not.
"Of course I'll help headmaster." Snape answered a little reluctantly.
"Excellent! Now the only thing I ask is that you do not tell Madame Shimmer what's going on....until we can confirm that she can be trusted. Just because she is family to a trusted, well respected witch does not mean she will have the same characteristics. So she will need to be evaluated."
"Definitely Albus." Snape said, his eyes already glimmering with distrust.
"Don't worry Albus. We'll get it done discreetly. " Remus said as he stood and held his hand out.
Dumbledore stood also and shook his hand while speaking "I knew I could count on you two. She'll be arriving in three days. That should give you plenty of time to come up with a plan." He turned and clasped Severus' hand as well as he led them to the fireplace. After they had gone he sank into his office chair, feeling very tired indeed.