Sort of a hasty chapter, though I know I had long to work at it. Fifty-three will be along tomorrow, and that is a promise if I ever did make one.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO The Plaguing Troubles of One Mr Lupin, Part Two
The Headmaster stood at their arrival, motioning to a few chairs in front of his lavish desk. They both looked around in wonder at the instruments around the room, many of which were spinning away crazily.
"So I am to presume that you have seen this morning's Daily Prophet?" asked the older wizard, his eyes twinkling. "You haven't exactly had the easiest start to the school year."
Remus scoffed good-naturedly. "You could say that, Professor. But if I may be as bold; what were your reasons on asking me up here?"
Dumbledore took a deep breath and rose to his feet, turning to peer out the window. "As you know, I am one of the members of the Wizengamot, which will hold some say about how this is dealt with. And although it was not reported in the Prophet, these records-- if created --will not be open to the public. I doubt if more than a handful of officials would have access to it."
"I suppose that's--"
"Professor, we were thinking more along the lines of protesting against it's arrival," said Ophelia, rudely interrupting her brother. "There's something that Muggles have been doing in the past years, along lines of protestation. Erm... they've picketted, started letter writing campaigns... there is so much that we can do to stop this."
"Not without drawing even more attention to Remus we couldn't," the Headmaster replied kindly. "I'm afraid that that would only cause speculation around those protesting, and it would only be a matter of time before Remus' lycanthropy was discovered. At least with this Act you have a chance of anonymity."
Remus turned to Ophelia. "The Headmaster is right," he said. "I don't want to draw anymore attention to myself... or any of you, really. I'd rather just comply with what they're asking of me."
"The Ministry is not asking anything yet," smiled Dumbledore. "All we can do now is wait."
With those words-- and once the Headmaster was satisifed that they had had enough sweets --Remus and Ophelia headed back to the Gryffindor Tower.
They silently made their way up the boys' dormitory, where they found Sirius and Peter already waiting their arrival.
"So?" Peter began, smiling encouragingly. "Is Dumbledore on the case? I bet he's notifying the appropriate authorities as we speak, isn't he?"
Sirius took a step forward and dropped a hand onto Pete's shoulder, causing his friend to fall silent. "What's happening?"
"Professor Dumbledore thinks the best plan of action is to take none at all," replied Remus, running a hand through his already disheveled hair. "And I for one, agree with him."
"You're right, you are the only one who sees it reason in his indifference," said Ophelia immeadiatly. She folded her arms over her chest and exhaled deeply, not worried in the least about hiding her irritation.
"Well fortunately for me, my opinion is the only one that matters right now," began Remus, collapsing onto his bed and pulling off his shoes.
Ophelia snorted and turned to leave the room. "I'll keep that in mind, Remus John." The sound of his sister stomping down the stairs echoed off the walls for the next few moments before fading away.
Sirius waved his hand at where she had been standing, "Don't worry about her, at least her heart's in the right place."
"I have no doubt about that," said Remus absentmindedly, as he began fiddling with the string of his shoes. "Do you think I'm doing the right thing, by not taking any action?" he asked of his two friends.
Peter flopped down heavily onto the floor in front of him, crossing his legs. "If you're comfortable doing it, Moony, then I've no question that it's right. It has to be."
"Wormy's right, mate. You're a Marauder for Merlin's sake, have some stones in your decisions," said Sirius, only half-jokingly.
Remus nodded, closing his eyes for a moment. "I just never imagined-- even for a second --that something as horrendous as this could possibly arise from... it."
"Okay well this is getting us nowhere," interrupted Sirius, shaking him from his thoughts. "If you're not going to have faith in your own mind, at least let it rest for a moment in Dumblydore's hands. I may mock his name, but that wizard is like the Bionic Man of the wizarding world." Sirius was met with two sets of confused looks. "It's just some Muggle teleefision thing..." he muttered, running a hand through his hair.
After a few moments of silence, Peter piped up once again. "Oh! Oh! You can ask for Lily's view on the whole matter, she's great at putting things like this into perspective."
"Things like this?" repeated Sirius, his eyes gleaming. "Do you often go to Lily to ask her what Remus here should do if the occasion should ever arise that they tag and track every Werewolf in England?"
Peter made a face at him. "I meant that in a very ambiguous way, Padfoot."
"Ah yeah? Tell me, what does ambiguous mean Wormtail?"
"Sirius, let off Peter," said Remus, raising two fingers to his temples. "Gods, do I have to moderate over your bickering as well?"
"He's cranky because he hasn't eaten in the past few hours," replied Peter nonchalantly.
Sirius slowly turned to him, his eyes narrowed but a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. "And how, on Morgana's green Earth, would you know that?"
Peter snorted, getting to his feet. "The traits of one Sirius Black are not all that hard to crack. Especially when you're forced to live alongside him for six years."
"Aww, and you loved every solitary moment of it, didn't you, Pete?" Sirius grinned, slinging an arm around his friends' shoulders.
"Honestly," began Remus, raising himself up, "It's like living with an old married couple, it is. Always either fighting or making up; it can drive a man crazy you know."
"But that's where you're mistaken, my wee little Remus," answered Sirius, inching his way closer to him. "If you were only a man, you wouldn't be finding yourself in this mess, now would you?"
