DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Chapter 13

The Best Laid Plans

Albus Dumbledore sat at the table in the makeshift office at headquarters. His mind was a jumble of thoughts. His anger brewed just below the surface, though he wasn't sure where it should really be directed. He couldn't remember ever feeling this out of control since Grindelwald was at the height of his power.

Remus' letter shook him. He could not believe that Remus' calm demeanor could even allow him to write such a letter; it seemed much more like Sirius' style. Remus had cursed more in that one letter then Albus' ever thought he heard him curse in his life. He wondered briefly what would cause him to react such a way.

His twinge of self-doubt was soon replaced by the underlying principle that surely one life was worth sacrificing to save the rest of the world. Remus' protectiveness was obviously overshadowing his reason. Surely, now that Remus knew the prophecy he understood. Couldn't they see it was after all for the best? Adversity built character. It wasn't as if he could be killed; he did not equal Voldemort's power yet but soon he would. It wasn't like Harry had failed these tasks, either. He grew stronger because of them. Harry needed to be strong to save them all. These controlled skirmishes would help build the strength and resolve needed for the final conflict.

Sure there had been losses, Cedric and Sirius had been lost. Albus felt sorrow for their loved ones and missed them, but sacrifices had to be made to save the world. It wasn't as if Albus had not known loss. Grindelwald had taken his family, his wife, his children. It had given him the resolve he needed to survive, to defeat the evil in that time.

His thoughts twirled. Albus was stunned to learn that Remus was the only person with access to the Black Family Estate, as well as an heir, he was the trustee of Harry, regardless of guardianship. Even with magical guardianship of the boy, Albus could not get so much as a simple account balance so he turned to Bill.

Bill was very reluctant to try to obtain information on the account. It was well known that the Black Estate was large and important to the goblins. They would not want to jeopardize their relationship with the owners. He told Albus, the only reason Bill had known that there was a transaction made on the day they disappeared was due to an uncertainty regarding a transaction in another account. He was given the transaction log to decipher whether any untoward behavior had occurred. He was not an accountant; he was a curse-breaker. He did not have regular access to that type of information. Goblins took client confidentiality very seriously.

The werewolf. The current bane of his existence. Not that Albus didn't like him, he did, but he knew that Remus was dangerous more then once a month. With the natural immunity to Legilimency, Remus was always the wild card. His keen intelligence should have placed him in Ravenclaw, especially with his almost Slytherin-like ability to strategize, but the strength and courage he faced his affliction with won out.

Remus showed little of the impulsivity common in Gryffindor and of his friends. Moreover, his natural distrust of people due to his condition was strong. He was not easy to manipulate. If he had decided to ignore Albus' careful planning, he could be quite the adversary. This was the reason Albus didn't want Harry placed with Remus in the beginning. Now he was even more perilous. He had the funds of the Black Family Estate to support them. If Remus struck out on his own with the boy, who would see to it that he was prepared – honed to kill the Dark Lord. He needed them back – NOW!


Remus sat nervously in the Nags Head. It was a muggle pub. Remus would like to say he chose it because of the atmosphere but in truth it was the only muggle bar he frequented. Tonight, at least, it was busy even if the crowd were a bit younger. At least it would be difficult to overhear their conversation, if there was a conversation. Remus wasn't quite sure what whether he would be arrested, though Tonks had told him they had not notified the Ministry, have the order take him in, or whether Mad Eye would meet him as he asked for him to do.

That question was answered as Mad Eye Moody appeared before him. Remus was a bit awed. That a man of with such a distinctive appearance could gain entry unnoticed was surprising; that he snuck up on a fully trained wizard and a werewolf was astonishing. The man was truly an artist, at times.

"Remus," he nodded.

"Mad Eye... I'm glad you came... should I be worried?" Remus asked tentatively.

"Not yet." Moody growled out. "I got your letter."

Remus smiled nervously, "So I see ... Er ... well ..." he stopped a moment to cast an Imperturbable charm around the table. Moody's magic eye surveyed the charm, then he nodded.

"I think you should know," Remus began thoughtfully, "That Albus told Harry the prophecy ... well, basically it states that the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord would be born around Harry's birthday ... He would be marked as an equal, and have the power Voldemort knows not ... You can see how it could be construed to refer to Harry?"

"Aye." Moody said non-committally. "But I am not sure why you think that I need to know or what you think I can do to help. Though, I'll admit I'm intrigued by some of the things you wrote to Albus."

"Er ... Well, I rather thought he deserved, at least, a good telling off ... but as to why I thought you might be able to help ... I know that you helped to create the tracking charms used to detect underage magic, Mad Eye. I need to know how to get around them ... Whether or not the prophecy does in fact refer to Harry, and personally I find it points to him a bit to blatantly for it to actually be him ... He needs to be prepared. What is it you're always saying? Constant vigilance."

"Aye." Moody barked. "Would do you well to remember that as well, Lupin."

Remus grinned feeling a edgy but better now that Mad Eye was at least hearing him out. "Harry has someone try to kill him once a year. With Voldemort back it will only get worse."

"Aye." Moody said sadly.

Remus looked hopeful. "So you'll help us?"

"I doubt I have too."

Remus looked puzzled.

"The charm the ministry uses to track magic, especially underage magic, is a variation of my original charm. If the boy is somewhere unplottable," Moody eyed Remus carefully, "And I'm assuming he is since we haven't turned him up, the tracking spell won't work. The wards interfere with it ... You didn't think those rich arrogant little berks let their children do without magic all holiday, did you?"

Remus growled deeply. "So you mean to tell me that Harry could have been practicing all last summer when he was at headquarters?"

"Aye."

Remus looked sincerely at Moody. "Thank you, Alastor."

Moody nodded. "If you need help with training the boy ..."

Remus froze unwilling to give up their location just yet, but he forced himself to smile gratefully. "I don't think he's ready to let me, or anyone else in just yet; but later ... I'm sure. I'd imagine you could teach him things I've never dreamed of."

Moody grinned scarily, "Aye. I imagine I would."


A/N: Thanks to all of you for your support. I've decided I'll keep posting as I am & those who find it too short can check in once a week or so.

TO: lmill123 - ::chuckles:: and they tell me I'm a conspiracy fan. ::grins wickedly:: Though I'll admit Dumbledore as the next Dark Lord has possibilities ...