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Warnings: character death(s), HBP spoilers

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CHAPTER SEVEN

As Fenrir groped with those claw-like hands of his, Lupin tried to keep himself calm, knowing that he'd have to think quickly if he was going to get himself out of this sticky situation. It was difficult, however, for Fenrir's hands had already begun to undo his robes, while Lupin's neck was still being licked and sucked.

The young boy was still kneeling on the floor with his eyes shut. He whimpered, while tears ran down his face.

Lupin opened his mouth to say something, but Fenrir's licks and kisses were moving away from his neck, further down ... his robes had somehow come undone, and the other werewolf began to make his way down Lupin's chest. He had to keep calm, he had to ... it was difficult thinking of something to do to get himself (and the boy) out of this mess alive, with Fenrir busy molesting him with those gnarly hands, that awful, stinky breath breathing down on him greedily ...

Looking away from the awful lump of hair and bad breath that was playing with his robes, Lupin saw the little boy open his eyes and watch the two werewolves for a moment, his eyes shining with tears. Then the boy, seeing that his captors were somewhat occupied, crawled silently to the open door and slipped out of the room.

And suddenly, a gnarly hand made its way down Lupin's pants ... Lupin immediately reacted, shoving Fenrir onto the ground.

Fenrir snarled--his facial expression was a curious mixture of anger and hunger. Lupin, though somewhat relieved that he had managed to do SOMETHING, began to reach into the pocket of his robes for his wand, only to find that Fenrir was now smirking at him, and only too late, Lupin noticed his wand clutched tightly in Greyback's hand.

And suddenly, Fenrir pounced, pinning Lupin to the floor, those sharp, pointy, yellow teeth gleaming with saliva in the dim light ...

"Stupefy!"

Grunting as he pushed Fenrir's dead weight off himself, Lupin sat up on the ground and looked toward the source of the voice, and he couldn't believe his eyes.

Severus Snape stood before him, looking rather solemn. Lupin eyed his wand, and waited for the sarcastic comment that he was sure to receive from his school rival before receiving the killing curse; instead, there was an awkward silence.

"What are you doing here, Severus?" Lupin asked wearily. He noticed that Snape had lost some weight--he had become, if possible, paler than before, and his long dark hair looked greasier than ever. Lupin almost felt sorry for the man, before reminding himself that his saviour had been the same man who had killed Dumbledore.

Severus stared at Lupin for a moment, thinking about his answer. Finally, he said, "We've been bitter rivals since our schooling days, Remus, but for the first time, I'm going to have to ask you to put aside our differences and hear me out ..."

"And why should I do that?" Lupin interrupted, starting to feel rather cross, despite the fact that Snape had just saved his life.

"Because I've just saved your life, you stupid fool," Snape spat, looking livid. Then, his shoulders slumped, and Snape just looked tired. "I'm just asking you to let me explain my actions, Remus. You don't know the whole story."

Standing up shakily, Lupin dusted off his robes, and looked Snape in the eye. "I don't trust you, and I'm not going to stay and listen to your lies." He bent down and snatched his wand away from Fenrir's limp hand.

"You're going to have to wipe his memory, if you want to come back underground and keep your position as spy," Snape pointed out. "Do you want me to ..."

"I'm quite capable of performing a simple charm, Severus!" Lupin snapped, and then he pointed his wand at Fenrir. "Obliviate."

Snape was, to Lupin's surprise, beginning to look desperate. There's a first time for everything, Lupin thought to himself.

"Please Remus ... listen to me. You weren't there, last year, when I ..." Snape gulped, and a somewhat pained expression appeared on his face. "... when I did ... it. You don't understand, and I have to make you ..."

But Lupin was turning away, looking ready to Disapparate, and Snape, seeing his chance slipping away, grabbed at Lupin's arm. Lupin stopped and glared.

"I'm not going to try to convince you for my sake, Remus," Snape said urgently. "I'm doing this because ..." He trailed off, looking rather at a loss for words.

"You're doing it for that Malfoy boy," Lupin said flatly, and Snape saw that he was starting to weaken.

"He's young, too young," Snape started again, "and the only reason he did what he did last year was in an effort to save his parents and himself. Even if you don't give me a second chance ... give Draco one. He needs it."

Looking uncertainly at Snape, Lupin sighed, and the former Potions Master knew that he had won. An expression of relief appeared on Snape's features.

"Alright," Lupin finally said. "We're going to have a long talk about this ... but not here."


The Hog's Head hadn't changed a bit since Harry's fifth year, where he, Ron and Hermione started up the DA. Harry wasn't surprised, therefore, when he peered into the pub through a window, to see it quite bare, except for one or two customers sitting at the bar. Harry didn't mind this, however ... it made it easier for him to find what he was looking for.

And there he was--Harry spotted Mundungus Fletcher showing a customer some of his wares. He felt a little annoyed when he saw Mundungus ... he hadn't forgotten that the sneaky thief had gone through Sirius' things and taken some to sell.

But that was the reason why he was here today, at the grubby pub, wasn't it?

"Hermione, Ron, I think you two should go talk to Mundungus without me," Harry said, turning away from the window to face his two best friends. "He's in there, trying to sell something ..."

"Why can't you come in with us?" Ron asked, and Hermione sighed behind him.

"Because if Mundungus sees Harry, he might disappear like he did last time," she said, sounding exasperated. "Don't forget, he knows that Harry knows that he took Sirius' belongings from Grimmauld Place ..."

A look of comprehension appeared on Ron's face. "Oh ..." he said. He glanced at Harry and said, "Better go get it over with, then, eh? And let's hope Dung doesn't do a disappearing act when he sees 'Mione and me."

Taking Hermione's hand in his, Ron marched into the Hog's Head, while Harry watched what happened through the window. He watched as they approached Mundungus--his friends were smiling brightly, too brightly, as they tapped Mundungus on the shoulder and began talking to him. As he watched, Harry began to worry. What if Mundungus hadn't taken the locket after all? Or what if he had taken it, but he'd already sold it? Dung didn't look like the type to make receipts or keep track of what he sold to whom ... Harry just hoped that he hadn't come to another dead end in his search for the Horcrux.

However, he needn't have worried--to his relief, he saw Hermione hand over a few Galleons and Sickles, and Mundungus handed a package to Ron. Harry smiled, and continued to watch as Ron unwrapped the package, obviously checking to see if the locket really was in there. Then Ron and Hermione smiled, waved at Mundungus, and left.