Sorry I didn't update yesterday.
For those who have read chapter 14 I just wanted to let you know it was updated. I wasn't happy with it at all so I did a little....repairing.
Thanks for your reviews. I appreciate them so much! And here's another long chapter for you patient people :)
And, fyi, I proofread this chapter like three times but I still have the feeling there's a misspelling in there, so bear with me.
Chapter 15
After Remus had carried Analise up to bed he went downstairs to wait for Snape and Dumbledore. He brewed a cup of tea and made himself comfortable in her homey living room. The relief and happiness of her being safe and in his care still pulsed through his veins, and without her so near he was free to relive the past couple of hours.
When he and Snape had first burst in on them, the only thing that Remus could focus on was Malfoy. He had noticed immediately that Lucius had Analise under the Imperius Curse but it wasn't until this moment that he registered what she was doing. She had been holding out her gold locket to Malfoy. Why would Malfoy need to use the Imperious to get Analise's necklace. He's so rich, he hardly needs to rob someone of their gold. What does he want it for, he asked himself as he tried to make sense of the situation.
Dumbledore's words from their first meeting flashed back to him. If Analise does indeed have it in her possession, I do not believe she knows what it is, he remembered. Doesn't know what it is?
What it is, he thought as he analyzed the wording. Dumbledore said what. Wouldn't the proper wording be where, not what?
Merlin! Her locket is the journal, Remus thought happily feeling rather pleased with himself. But why didn't Lucius just take it from her? He jumped to his feet and raced to the stairs, preparing to wake Analise, but halfway up there was a knock at the door. He made his way to the front door and looked out to find Dumbledore and Snape on the other side.
"Hey! Come in." Remus invited.
"Where is she?" Dumbledore asked.
"She's sleeping." Remus answered.
"Good. Let her sleep awhile longer while we speak." Dumbledore said as he sat and waited for the other two men to do the same.
"How is Madame Shimmer? Is she feeling well?" Dumbledore asked with concern.
"Fine. She slept most of the way here." Remus answered.
"Glad to hear it. She went through an awful ordeal." Dumbldore said.
"Did you get Lucius sent off to Azkaban?" Lupin questioned.
Snape nodded before speaking. "He's going to have quite the term to serve. He'll wish Analise had killed him that first night."
"Any news on if he got any information out her?" Remus asked.
"Severus administered Veritaserum to Lucius. She did not tell him anything." Dumbledore said.
"Albus, I think I have some information. When Snape and I arrived, Malfoy had Analise under the Imperius Curse. She was holding her necklace out to him." He paused.
" What if the journal wasn't a book? What if the journal is her locket?" Remus suggested.
Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully as he mulled over the possibility. "That is an excellent thought, and knowing Rosmerta that would be something she would do. I guess there's only one way to find out. Remus, why don't you go wake Madame Shimmer and have her join us?"
Remus nodded and ran up the stairs. He quietly pushed her bedroom door open and felt his heart skip a beat at the sight of her. Her golden hair was spilling invitingly over the pillows and her enticing mouth was open partially as she breathed deeply in sleep. She's stunning, he allowed himself a moment to take in her sleeping body before the got back to the task at hand.
"Analise?" He said softly and shook her shoulder gently.
He watched her eyes open slowly and focus on him. He brushed a strand of hair out her eyes and she reached for his hand to press a kiss to his palm; he had to repress a shudder.
"Yes Remus?" She asked drowsily.
"Albus Dumbledore is downstairs and wants to speak with you." He said.
He watched as her eyes snapped open in excitement. "Albus Dumbledore? The Albus Dumbledore wants to talk to me? He's only the greatest wizard of our time! Why does he want to talk to me?"
"He's the head of the Order of the Phoenix. He has some questions. He's the one who assigned Snape and I to protect you." He smiled.
"Well remind me to thank him for that." She smiled back as she jumped out of bed and began tidying up her hair.
She followed Remus down the stairs and grinned stupidly as she reached out to shake Albus Dumbledore's hand.
"It is such an honor to meet you sir." She gushed.
"The pleasure is all mine Madame Shimmer." He said warmly.
"Call me Analise." She said.
"All right then Analise, you may call me Albus." He stated.
"Umm ok. How can I help? Albus." She asked, testing his name out.
"Is there anything you can tell us? Did Malfoy tell you anything useful?" Dumbledore asked.
"Plenty, actually. The journal that you've been looking for," She said as began fingering the necklace. "The journal is this locket."
"Excellent job Lupin! May I?" Dumbledore asked for permission as he reached out towards her.
Analise nodded automatically but then swatted his had away at the last second as Malfoy's words came back to her. I am unable to touch it without grievous consequences.
"No!" She cried sharply. "Malfoy said there will be grievous consequences to those who touch it." She explained as she attempted to ease his affronted look with a smile. "Sorry."
"That's quite all right. Thanks for remembering." Dumbledore said comfortingly.
"I think I'm the only one who can unlock it's secrets." Analise said shyly.
"Well then, will you assist us?" He asked.
"Of course." She answered as she undid the chain from around her neck and placed the gold locket delicately in the middle of the table.
Analise tapped her wand against the necklace and firmly said "Reveal your secrets!"
She looked around at Remus, Snape and Dumbledore expectantly but nothing happened. She went to tap her wand again when suddenly the locket burst open in a fit of red light and harsh wind which cause all four of them to topple backwards in their chair.
The bone chilling voice speaking made her afraid to get back up. So she sat on the floor listening until she felt Remus pulling her to her feet and wrapping her in his arms as the wind continued to whip fiercely.
"So, Wormtail, you see the brilliancy of the plan? By killing Dumbledore, we rid ourselves of the Order." The cold voice cackled,
Then another voice, a woman this time, began speaking, "So you see how easy it was to torture the Longbottom's into insanity, Rabastan? You'll get your practice. Don't worry. I think the Weasley's would make excellent first victims for you."
"Harry Potter will be taken care of, Master I assure you. Consider it done. We will not fail this time." Came a man's voice.
"When we return in December, wizard-kind will either flee in terror and die or join us and live." Came another voice.
"Yes, Rookwood, we have to kill Rosmerta! We've found out she knows too much. She will need to be murdered, tomorrow. Before she can leak any information." Came a voice she recognized as Malfoy's. Analise felt Remus' arm tighten comfortingly around her.
And on and on it went for a good hour. The voices coming and going, carelessly spilling secrets that Voldemort would be positively livid if he knew they were talking about in public places.
Snape was furiously scribbling notes on a piece of parchment and Dumbledore was sitting pensively with his long fingers pressed together.
When the journal was at last done speaking Dumbledore and Snape rose to leave.
"That was very enlightening. Thank you for all you help, Analise. It is very much appreciated." Dumbledore said as his blue eyes twinkled.
"Anytime sir." She said.
"Actually, Remus and Severus tell me great things about your abilities. You should think about joining the Order." Albus and then he and Snape disappeared into the night.
:) Thanks for reading!