Title: The Inferno, Canto VI
Author: "Kitten Malfoy"
Disclaimer: The characters do not belong to me. They belong to JKR. The title does not belong to me. The book that this fanfiction is based on was written by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321). I have used quotes from his book as an introduction and to show some of his description.
Author's Note: I lost interest in this for a while but now I'm back. I hope all of you enjoy it.
Warning: SLASH! MEN WITH MEN! This is based on a book that describes hell. This is Dante's version of hell and the only version I can agree with…if I believed in hell.
Dedication: For my family: Chris, my fiancée. Hayden, our son and Stitch, our puppy. I love you all.
At the return of consciousness, that closed
Before the pity of those two relations,
Which utterly with sadness had confused me,
Remus looked for a sign of something familiar, yet there was nothing. A foul stench filled the air and it caused his stomach to turn. It took all his strength not to faint again. His werewolf senses had their disadvantages. If he were human, the smell would not affect him in such a way. There were new torments around him. And from the sky fell something similar in shape to rain at first glance, but soon showed that it was only a putrid sludge made from things so grotesque even Remus could not to place them.
Upon closer observation, Remus was made aware of hail and snow-like forms of the same wretched slime. It was cold, heavy, and nearly unbearable to him. It was the third circle of Hell. Severus called him forward and he followed with obedience.
An enormous creature stood menacingly over the tortured souls. From its three massive heads came a sound that echoed throughout the circle. Its bark rang loudly above the sound of the falling filth. The three headed dog snarled as it looked down on Remus and Severus. Six red eyes stared mercilessly through Remus.
Severus moved ahead to quiet the beast. It obeyed, like a dog to his master. Remus followed behind, walking on through the thick and sticky sludge beneath his feet. The souls around him lay still, staring and silent. It was then that he came upon a soul that promptly sat upright.
"You there, the one led through this place of sorrow…do you remember me? Can you recall the man I was?" The soul seemed to plead with Remus. Remus stared, unsure who the man was.
"The way you suffer now has made it impossible for me to recall." Remus replied. The soul remained staring up at Remus.
"I was called Cornelius Fudge in life. Tell me, what has happened since my death? Tell me of the war." Cornelius' eyes were filled with sorrow and pain. He did not look like his former self. Remus shuddered as he thought about how the man was changed through his punishment.
"The war is over. Many have died. I cannot tell you more." Remus watched as the tortured soul returned to his punishment.
"Let us move on." Severus ordered and Remus obeyed.
"Will their punishments ever lessen or will they be forced to face this torture for all eternity?" Remus asked his guide. Severus stopped and turned to his former friend.
"They will remain this way. Their sins are too great to be swept clean." Severus spoke no more. He merely continued on their path through the third circle in silence.
Round in a circle by that road we went,
Speaking much more, which I do not repeat;
We came unto the point where the descent is;
