Disclaimer: See Chapter One!
Uploaded: 18th January 2005
"Black Light"
By Dante Lewis
Chapter Nine: Liberation.
The last few months since the death of his friends and the removal of his Goddaughter hadn't treated Remus very kindly. Asides from his monthly moonlight sojourns in the shrieking shack, Remus spent most of his time drinking and wallowing in self-pity. It was well documented that the consumption of alcohol any later than 24 hours prior to a transformation would result in the change being increasingly painful and all together hazardous, but Remus wore the risk like a gift. He welcomed the amplified pain and, when it consumed him, found comfort in the possibility that he may not wake up.
As the screams of his goddaughter echoed in his every waking thought, so too did the manner of his friend's deaths and their assumed disappointment in him plague his dreams. As a result he stopped eating and the only time he ever slept was when he was rendered unconscious by drunken stupor. Due to a lack in hygienic routine, his normally clean yet threadbare appearance and wiry frame became all the more indigent looking and emaciated. Remus was steadfastly becoming a shadow of his former self.
In a cruel twist, he hadn't even been allowed to visit Estella in her captivity. All parties unrelated to a Ward of the Ministry – regardless of being nominated as guardian by the parents in good faith or not – had to pass an impossible criteria. Remus had neither the mandated written consent from a surviving adult blood relative nor was he able to source reputable character references from upstanding members of magical society. All of the people that would have been able to assist him in those fields were dead. Even Dumbledore could be of no help. His position of power on the Wizegamot and on the Hogwarts staff rendered him incapable of subjecting an opinion on such matters without running the risks of unduly influencing the overall decision; and thus he was excluded from making a reference. Not that the man would have even consented to giving a favourable recommendation of the man in his present state – no one would have.
But now, Remus Lupin was on a mission. A brief fire call from Dumbledore and a few hastily cast self-cleansing charms later and he was flooing to Hogwarts. Estella had been released from the hell he had so foolishly sought to recreate in his own life. As he threw down the floo powder and stepped into the harmless flames he vowed never again to lose control of his resolve and brood. He would be damned if he would let his self pity get in the way of doing what was best for Estella. That child deserved better than him, he knew, but from that moment on he swore to Selina's memory that he would try his damnedest to make the most of the second chance he had just been given. Severus had been granted provisional custody of Estella, and Remus knew that although the two men had their differences, the man was going to need all the help he could get in raising the child.
"Ah Remus, such enthusiasm!" Albus Dumbledore smiled, eyes twinkling, as he barely made it out of the hearth and the path of Remus' ungraceful entrance.
"Where is she? Can I see her? Is she all right?" Remus cried, getting to his feet and grasping the older wizard gently, but firmly, by the arms.
The old man sighed and pulled a lemon drop out of his pocket, offering one to the fraught man in front of him in what was clearly a delaying tactic. "Are you quite sure you don't care to sit down and join an old man for a spot of tea?" He asked needlessly, already knowing the answer. "You're looking a little under the weather."
Remus let go of the older wizard and ran a shaky hand through his hair. "Professor, I really don't have time for this!" he said, exasperatedly.
Albus locked eyes with the wild-eyed youth before him and nodded softly. "Please call me Albus, Remus, I am not your headmaster anymore."
Remus nodded, "Fine, Albus. Now, where is my Goddaughter?"
"I do believe she is currently with her Uncle in his quarters." He stated. "Estella, such a wonderful choice Remus. Sirius and Selina would have been proud, mmm?"
Remus ignored the last part of Dumbledore's comment as his feet were already out the door as soon as he'd said 'Uncle'. Finally, Estella was safe, and he would hopefully be permitted to see her.
End Chapter: Liberation