A/n- Uhg... I have an unhealthy obsession now, this fic is making me so insane. ::muses remind Iggie that Iggie is already insane:: ::Iggie slaps away her muses:: On with the time-consuming story!

Disclaimer- I trust that after 52 chapters you KNOW who owns Harry Potter.

Rating- PG-13 for some very angry Professors...




Seeing Grey - Part LIII - Deny Thy Truth




BOURNEMOUTH UNDER SIEGE: HOSTAGES TAKEN, MINISTRY UNRESPONSIVE

Remus threw the paper aside, the headline telling him more than enough.

Nice government we have there, isn't it? Sirius mumbled sarcastically, stabbing his breakfast sausage. Bloody prats don't even move an inch to try and help out. Bunch of bastards.

Black, Potter, you're due in detention now. Professor McGonnagal reminded as she went by. She paused, and shook her head with a sigh of disapproval. Remus had the small thought that she was beginning to regret becoming an instructor.

Can't it wait? James mumbled, looking distantly across the Hall at Lily.

was the firm answer. As neither boy made any motion, she flicked her wand twice, and they rose a few feet off of their seats.

Sirius protested before being whisked out of the Great Hall to the amusement of the students. James followed soon after.

Spoiled little deliquentients. she said under her breath as she made way to the Head Table.

She didn't make it very far, though.

Scrambling to his feet, Remus caught Ms. Horder before she hit the ground.

He looked hopelessly at Dumbledore, waiting for an answer or some help. All he got was an expected sort of smile and a wave of hand.

Get off me. she said weakly, trying to push away from the support. He sat her down against the wall, motioning for Alex to keep the crowd back.

Good show Lupin, you actually did help. Forson said with a slight smileas he shoved through the throng of students.

Is she alright? he asked in a half-voice, the words catching in his throat. Professor Forson told off any staff member who tried to shove Remus away. In the back of his mind, some forced respect allowed him to stay.

She'll live. he said tightly, yelling out for someone to fetch Madame Pomfrey. Not happily though... For whatever reason, she's been refusing to let me help her since I went in to get her. Rather ungrateful I'd say, but what can a man do? At least she's well.

Taking in a ragged breath, Remus momentarily doubted it. She was freely bleeding from more wounds than he could begin to estimate, and her entire body seemed bruised and broken.

He isn't dead, I swear. she mumbled pathetically, coughing up a small amount of blood.

In a protective manner, Forson thrust a hand behind her back, forcing her to lean forward. Another portion of blood came forward, and then her seizing subsided.

Don't talk, don't move. he ordered monotonously. Lupin, go get Pomfrey. I'm sure you can make it there faster than these needle-minded idiots that can't seem to do anything but gawk. he added, not looking up. Remus nodded to himself, and ran immediately for the quickest passage he knew of.

This means we don't have detention, doesn't it? he heard Sirius say as he dashed through the hall.





Remus,


I heard one of your Professors was taken in with that rubbish going on in Bournemouth. What the hell is happening? Hogwarts is supposed to be safe. I'm starting to think you'd be better off just staying with us. Alright, shameless begging, I know. It was a cheap shot, but the runts keep asking when you're going to come stay here permanently. Maybe that'll be decent insensitive for you.

Caleb

PS- If you can spare the detention time, knick echincea leaf. We're fresh out and our local doctor could use a bit for Pepper-up Potions. Thanks.


Hey Prongs, where would I find echincea leaf? Remus yelled. The Common Room was bustling with noise in preparation for the Quidditch game in half an hour, making it impossible to uphold a normal conversation.



Echincea leaf! he yelled again, cupping his hands. What dungeon?

No clue! James shouted, shrugging in case his friend didn't quite hear the message.

Remus rolled his eyes, and shoved his way through the pack of Gryffindors to the portal.

Moony, we have a game in-

I know, I'll be back. he snapped before Sirius could finish his sentence. I just need to take care of something before I forget.

If you're not in the locker rooms ten minutes before the match I'll come after you. Sirius said with a grin, tapping his nose. Nothing escapes Padfoot!

Not unless he gets sidetracked going past the kitchens. Remus laughed, ducking through the portrait.



Echincea... No, that's boromill root. Ah, there it-no, hogplant. God, where the hell is the echincea? he cursed, pushing vials aside on the shelf. A large bottle of gecko fluid crashed to the ground, shattering on impact.

he muttered, looking around wildly. His criminal record was bad enough as it was, getting caught stealing a Class-B ingredient wouldn't roll over well, he thought.

Who's there?

Ms. Horder? Remus accidentally blurted out.

Lupin? What are you doing down here? she asked quietly, stepping out of the office in the corner. She frowned down at him, kneeling at the ground attempting to clean his mess.

Stealing. And you? he asked casually, smiling slightly.

Guilty as same. I'm a runaway from the Infirmary and this is the only remote dungeon Poppy won't dare set foot in.

Yeah, afraid of rats. Remus said offhand. The last time she had seen Peter, or Wormtail...

Any idea where the echinea leaves are? she asked idly, browsing through the labels on a far cabinet.

That's what I'm here for. Remus snorted. Been here ten minutes and I can't find a trace of it.

Oh well, I suppose Greg has some.

Professor Forson?

she said slowly. I was attempting to brew something on my own, but considering my lack of skill in that field, I'd say he'd be more than willing to help.

Are you implying something? Remus questioned with an obvious grin. He was resisting the urge to ask her how she was feeling for fear that he'd be pinned to the ground, so he instead decided to pester her personal life, a much safer field.

Don't you have a Quidditch game? she asked with a cough.

Glancing at his watch, he let out a long string of four-letter words and jumped to his feet.

Good luck. Ms. Horder said lightly, shaking her head as he dashed out of the room at a very inhuman pace.



You alright?

Does seeing triple constitute as alright? Sirius yelled, scowling at the Slytherin Beater who's bat had collided with his head.

You're fine. Remus declared. Because if you're not, we loose the game.

And if we loose the game I loose ten Galleons. James butted in as he came by.

Barking mad. Sirius mumbled.

Both of you are. Now get back in the game, the whistle's about to be blown.

Thank you much, Oh-So-Concerned Captain-

You're welcome. Remus cut in before Sirius had chance to be sarcastic again.


And with the score at Gryffindor 50, Slytherin 70, we go to a time out. the announcer said dryly. The game had already elapsed over an hour and twenty minutes, and there had been little action in the past half hour.

This is insane, we're never going to catch the Snitch if they keep smacking James around. Kayre protested.

The whistles singled the end of the rest, and the team rose into the air, shouting at each other loudly.

James, catch! Remus bellowed above the others, whipping his broom around sharply before he even started back for the goal posts. As the game had just begun again, the Seeker turned around in confusion.

Startled, he wildly grabbed at the small object that Remus had smacked in his direction. In a whoop of joy, he held up the Snitch, rolling in the air on his broom as the rest of the players tried to decipher what had just happened.

Sirius yelled out, punching the air in triumph. Way to go Moony!

Just, just doing my-Ouch! he said, muffled beneath the mass of scarlet-clad players that surrounded him joyously.



Damn, I always leave my bishop's open. Alex muttered to himself, shrugging slightly as his piece was taken.

You aren't concentrating at all. Remus pointed out. He shook his head, and again took the pawn his opponent left open. And I can tell it isn't post-victory excitement.

Yeah, I know.

What's bothering you? he asked, telling himself it was rather rhetoric.

School will be over soon. I don't want to go home...

You could stay here, I'm sure Dumbledore would allow it. Remus suggested.

They wouldn't let me...

Tell your parents your doing some in-town work. Lie a little. he tried. Alex smiled faintly, and sort of glanced up.



I didn't do-

For not telling anyone. he interrupted, nodding his head. It's good to have someone to trust.

No problem. Remus smiled, and let one of his knights be taken.

He did a poor job of concealing his smile, Remus noted.

Reassuring to know someone else's life is as complicated as mine.' he mused.



Jesus, you'd think she'd let us off a little easy for a while. Sirius said, groaning painfully as he slumped against the wall. His back shifted, and everyone around could hear a little crack of bones sliding into place. Lily made a face, and walked away to join the other line.

I rather expected she'd be just as difficult as ever. James offered. You know, I'll bet she was tortured.

Remus bit his lip, and shrugged lightly. It's not really our business.

Has that stopped us before? Sirius said, rolling his neck to relieve the ache.

he admitted, shaking his head. If you pry though, she'll find out. Do you really want to face her wrath in closed quarters?

Definitely not. James said firmly, ducking behind a few people in line to avoid his turn.

Miss Horder, clad in Muggle jeans and a loose shirt, cocked her head sharply. Silently she beckoned James forward, glaring at him with all her might.

You should've learned by now Potter. she said icily, sporting a very slight smile that was broken by a deep cut across her face. I don't tolerate cheating in this classroom.

It's pointless though. James stated, looking up as he positioned himself for the duel. If we were facing someone intending to kill us, as you always say this class is preparation for, they wouldn't fight clean.

She looked him over, peering as though trying to break the seal to his thoughts. It was uncomfortable to witness, even for the bystander. Clapping her hands together, she nodded, and pulled back her now ragged hair.

Alright, you want to play without rules. she said with another malicious grin. I'm up for that. Only rule is that there are none.

Wait a minute, you could kill me! James shouted, stepping back. The tone of his voice firmly indicated he wouldn't have put it past her, either.

So? You said we're playing dirty.

I'm just a student, I-

So now you want to play clean? she asked, standing up tall and crossing her arms. Since Potter can't seem to make up his mind, how about we do it for him? Ms. Horder turned to face the two lines of Gryffindors and Slytherins against the wall, peering down at each person individually.

Who thinks we should play with restrictions? Her voice was scarcely above a whisper, but in the deafening silence, it was heard as a bellow.

No one dared to speak up.

And what's the vote for free-brawling? she asked coyly.

In unison, every witch and wizard raised their hand. With a disturbing smirk, she turned back to James, who was frozen in anger.

See how quickly your closest friends will betray you? she asked smoothly.

Even your enemies, who alone hold the deepest unspoken respect, she continued, waving her hand at the line of Slytherins. will not give a second thought turning on you. This is dark magic of another kind, dear students, one that I cannot teach the defense of.

One by one, she looked into every set of eyes, reading their emotion.

The truest friend will stab you in the back at mere mention of reward, or the slightest threat can turn a whole pack of comrades for your skin. Horder went on, and looked intently at Remus for a moment. The closest of kin will not even think twice to become the traitor. Friendships torn in a second, or over periods of secretive lies... She snapped her fingers, the sound cracking through the room. Several people jumped, and one girl let a squeal escape her pressed lips.

You'll come to face a time when you have to choose between what is right, and what is safe. Keeping your loyalties and morals intact could easily cost you a life, or cause your loved ones to be taken away in some cruel, twisted game. Those who are too weak to withstand the pressure, they'll crack in an instant.

Remus looked over at Sirius, some lingering dream fogging his mind.

Sirius, how could you? Lily and James, how could you betray them?

For those who have the courage to stand against the Dark, you're the strong, the few. Without those few brave men, there would be no hope. It takes countless sacrifices to leave an impact, lives taken for a better cause... Stand by your friends, even if it means your certain demise. she said, her voice soft and airy. Her eyes glittered brightly, looking around in some somber trance.

You're the future of the world; what you choose now will decide the ultimate Fate. Betray your companions, and there is no salvation. The traitor shall find no redemption.



I about wet myself listening to that. Sirius said quietly at dinner. That is one completely mental woman, if you ask me.

She must have been through hell, being taken in. You think she had some meaning behind what she was telling us? James wondered.

Maybe one of her friends turned on her. Peter suggested.

James looked very pained, and he glanced around nervously for a moment.

Let's make a pact, right now, to never betray each other. Even on life or death, we stick true. he declared, clasping his hands together melodramatically.

No matter what happens, we'll stay the Marauders. Sirius added.

No exceptions. Remus proclaimed. They joined hands in promise, and looked directly at Peter.

Come on Wormtail, are you in?

After a second of hesitation, he bit his lip.

Life or death?

Sirius smacked him across the back of his head, and Peter laughed.

Alright, alright! I'm in!

As he munched on the remans of his meal, Remus couldn't help but gaze about the Great Hall.

You're the future of the world; what you choose now will decide the ultimate Fate.

He hadn't decided if his future was something to look forward to. Secretly, he had his own personal doubts that the lot of children surrounding him were even capable of creating a future.

Time will tell. he muttered with a carefree shrug, swallowing down a chunk of ham. Right now, I've got other things to do. Fate can wait.

Are you talking to yourself again? Sirius asked, breaking the moment of intense thought.

Remus sighed, and rolled his eyes at God.

This is what you give me? Did I betray someone in a past life or what? he asked the ceiling in exasperation.

Prongs, I think Moony finally lost it. Sirius whispered.

He never had it Padfoot. Worry not.

Ah, alright then.



A/n- Believe it or not, I finished this in two days. Two days spent being a neurotic mess because of the worst weekend of my life, mind you. Be proud.

Iggie

Fic of the Day- PMS by Dragonelle: Just... Just take my word. It is idiotic, pointless, Monty Pyhton-like in hilarity and just plain ridiculous. You can't afford to miss it... A Remus story, but my God is it odd. Highly recomended :)