Chapter 2 – Guardian Angels

'Who… who are you'

'I'm Remus… Remus Lupin… and this is Lucien'

The man smiled wearily, his hazel eyes taking in her appearance with one sweep. Meissa felt as though her legs were going to collapse under her and although it was warm she was shivering. 'Perhaps you should come downstairs… we could have some tea… explain a few things'

'So you got your letter then?'

'Yes… Madeline said it was probably some joke junk mail'

'She couldn't have been more wrong' Remus was tapping a kettle with his wand as he said this, a billow of steam erupted from the spout. 'Is that why you were locked in that room?' Lucien sat on a stool by the large pine table. Meissa was too busy staring around the kitchen to answer. 'What happened to them? Where did they go?' she enquired, seemingly unfazed by their disappearance. Remus gently touched her shoulders, manoeuvring her to a stool. 'I'm… not sure' he replied quietly.

'Who were they? Those hooded figures?' Meissa suppressed a shudder.

'Dark wizards' Lucien said quietly, ignoring Remus who was shaking his head behind though Meissa didn't notice. She studied the man sitting opposite. His young, pale face was framed with dark hair that fell past his shoulders and his grey eyes were intense with thought as he stirred the coffee Remus had placed in front of him.

'Well, Meissa… I bet you have lots of questions to ask us' Remus said, propping his hand under his chin and looking at her expectantly. She studied him as well, light brown hair flecked with premature grey, hazel eyes that were somewhat softer than those of Lucien. Young face, old eyes, she thought, seen much more than he should have probably. 'Err… well, just one actually… why did you bring me here?' Lucien was busy spooning lumps of sugar into his coffee, leaving Remus to talk. 'Well, you see… when your parents were… when they… well the Ministry of Magic decided it would be safest for you to remain in the care of a squib until you were of age to attend Hogwarts… someone who knew your powers but could not exploit them'. Meissa could tell Remus was avoiding something, but let him carry on. 'No one would be able to find you except those that were told you were there see… but as your due at Hogwarts it was decided that you could get to grips with your wizarding background before… well… facing school I guess' Remus looked uneasy. 'So, I gather that my parents are still locked up then?' Meissa asked. Remus and Lucien exchanged a dark look and Meissa felt her stomach turn over. 'Yes… in Azkaban… but you don't need to worry about them' Remus was avoiding her eyes now.

Meissa was speechless, as a million thoughts ran through her head. She swallowed trying to get rid of the lump that was forming in her throat. 'Why..? Why were the dark wizards…' Lucien interrupted her. 'They were not after you. They did not know you were there. They had been tipped off that members Order would be there and they came to intercept'

'The Order?'

'The Order of the Phoenix' Remus told her 'Albus Dumbledore's against Lord Voldemort'

Meissa turned this information over in her mind. Dumbledore – that sounded familiar. 'His name was on my letter'

'Yes… he's Headmaster at Hogwarts' Lucien said, yawning.