Closing your eyes to disappear
You pray your dreams will leave you here
But still you wake and know the truth
No one's there
My last Breath, Evanescence
Chapter 14
The Taste of Tears
It looked as if a hurricane had passed through the Defense classrooms. The shelves around the room that contained books and all sorts of magical items were severely damaged, and some dangled from the walls, its contents all over the floor. Pages of books and wood from destroyed desks and chairs were everywhere, making it look as if there had been an explosion inside the room…and there had been, in a way. The door that connected both classrooms ceased to exist as did the two others in Moira's classroom. From the corner edges of the desks and doors, gray fur could be found… as could a few pieces of light blue fabric.
Inside Moira's office, under the window, where the curtain touched one of her shelves, was Abigail. The witch was curled up on the floor, her knees brought to her chin. Her eyes looked in front of her but saw nothing. Her dress was torn in several places as her ivory skin was tainted with several lashes of red. She wasn't crying anymore. There were no more tears left.
"Abby!" a familiar voice called from afar "Abby, can you hear me?"
Abby nodded in the dark as she heard footsteps get closer. Noises from the outside reached her ears; someone was inside the room. Should she be afraid? She didn't know, and she didn't care anymore. The sounds of someone trying to pass through debris caught her attention, but she couldn't move. Her red-rimmed eyes were still focused ahead of her, as if hypnotized. A shadow cast over her as a man stood by the entrance of the room. Limping, the man ran inside and knelt down in front of Abigail. He was saying something but she couldn't make out the words. Then she felt two hands cup her face gently and turn it in the direction of the man's. Finally, her eyes found another pair of orbs and they were as blue as her own and not yellow. She was so glad they were not yellow.
"Abby, please… talk to me" Nicholas begged as he looked at his sister.
She simply looked at him, as if she could hear him, but not see him. She didn't have the strength to talk to him, to tell him anything. Her lips formed only one word: Why.
"Abby… Abby, focus" Nicholas asked as he took her face in his hands once more "Did he bite you?" he asked, his eyes searching hers and his heart made it's presence known again as she shook her head.
Without any more delay, Nicholas got back to his feet and pulled Abby up as well, leading her away from the room. Chloe was helping Aberforth by the door. Clinging to each other, the family made their way toward the Hospital Wing.
Hermione woke up startled as she heard it. As she opened the curtains of her four-poster bed, she saw that she wasn't the only one; Lavender and Pavarti were already up.
"What was that?" Lavender asked, curled up in her bed, her eyes wide.
"It can't be" Hermione whispered to herself as she jumped from her bed, put a robe around her and opened the dormitory's door. She went downstairs and in the common room Ron and Harry were there still in pajamas and messy hair.
"Was that what I think it was?" Ron asked as Hermione joined them.
"I don't know" Harry replied "But I hope he didn't get to Professor Lupin"
"What are you talking about Harry? The barriers are up again, we're safe" Hermione said.
Harry's emerald green eyes found Hermione's. They looked older, more tired than she had ever seen them before. For the first time the girl was sure Harry was not going to go after his father's invisibility cloak and that scared her.
"I'm talking about the other. He's here…at Hogwarts" Harry whispered to them.
"Make sure he's safe" Dumbledore said as he looked at Lupin's werewolf figure. The beast was chained to the wall of a room by his waist, arms and legs. Magical ropes circled his mouth and neck.
"He will be" Hagrid replied heavily as he finished tying Lupin up. Silence filled the room for a moment as Hagrid moved to pluck out the arrow from the back of Lupin's neck.
"No one will find him in this room but us" Dumbledore said, his eyes on Lupin, but his mind elsewhere… "We'll all be safe" he added to himself.
The magical room in Hogwarts that changed according to the user's needs, the Requirement Room, was the one that was to keep Lupin safe until the full moon vanished from the sky. Sirius Black and Severus Snape stood by the door. Both men's faces were hurt, and they limped a bit, but both their eyes were on the werewolf's slumbering figure. Dumbledore turned to them.
"Hagrid will watch over him until he turns back"
"I'm staying." Sirius said firmly, his eyes fixed on Lupin.
"Sirius, I don't think that is a good idea. He can…" Hagrid started but fell silent as Sirius's dark eyes met his.
"I've been beside him through his worst… that is not going to change now" Sirius said as he went into the room "Leave me a few arrows and I'll be fine" he said without looking at Snape, who was standing behind him.
Dumbledore looked from Sirius to Snape and nodded. Snape put the arrows and the bow on the floor on the inside of the room and left. Hagrid left the room with a heavy conscience; it was not a good idea to leave a human and a werewolf alone together, especially one that was blocking magic. But nothing he could say or do would change Sirius' mind, he knew that, so he left, only hoping for the best. Dumbledore followed Hagrid out of the room but stopped as he reached Sirius. His long fingers rested in the tall man's shoulder.
"I want to know who, Dumbledore. Tell me who did this" Sirius said, his eyes angry, holding a fire Albus hadn't seen burn since he had left Azkaban. In usual circumstances he would have found it dangerous, but there was nothing normal about what was going on and seeing Sirius wrath burn in his eyes made it better… it wasn't only him that was going to have a very long talk to whoever did this to Remus… and to the girls.
"As soon as we find out, you will too" Albus said before leaving "That I promise you" he added as the door closed behind him.
Silence fell only to be disturbed by the soft but deep werewolf breathing. Sirius sat on the floor, across the room from Lupin, back against the wall, bow and arrow on his lap.
"Come on Moony. Snap out of it and tell me why" Sirius said softly as he watched Lupin breathe.
"This is going to sting a little" Poppy said as she put a cloth wet with some kind of disinfecting potion to Moira's left ankle. The witch took in a breath and closed her eyes, but didn't complain.
Moira's foot had gotten stuck in some roots which had torn her flesh, spraining her right ankle as she tugged, trying to get away from Lupin. As she closed her eyes, the image of him, lying on the ground, torn pants and what was left of his shirt were stained with blood as was his gray fur; an arrow stood out of the back of his neck. Lying in the Hospital Wing, away from where Lupin was, she could still smell the blood, violets and mint in the air and that was driving her crazy.
Moony. Moira thought as she opened her eyes again. Remus had lost control and the beast had taken over. The furry monster that had chased her barely resembled her friend. He didn't have the thin figure, the sweet smile and revealing eyes. No ... he had amber eyes that had looked at her hungrily; Remus had completely vanished from behind the yellow orbs. He had blocked off magic, stripping Moira of all she could do, and that made the knot tighten in her throat. If Sirius hadn't fired, she wouldn't have been able to stop Lupin. Even if she had her magic on her side, Moira knew she couldn't stop him... she wouldn't be able to hurt him.
"You'll be walking in no time, dear" Poppy said encouragingly but Moira paid no attention "Now, I do believe she needs to rest" she said firmly to the remaining teachers in the room, who had helped bring her inside. They nodded and started to make their way out of the door but they came to a halt when Aberforth, Chloe and Nicholas came inside, Abigail being led by her brother.
"Oh, Merlin" Moira whispered as her eyes found her cousin's back. The back of Abby's dress was ripped in pieces, revealing the cuts from Lupin's claw on her ivory skin. Moira followed Abby's movements and frowned, as the girl didn't seem to be feeling any pain, she didn't seem to feel anything at all.
"Oh…." Chloe whimpered as she found Moira in almost equal condition of her daughter. Her black dress torn in several places, her skin tainted by crimson cuts and her feet severely hurt "Has he…"
"No" Moira cut her aunt off. She could never conceive the idea of Remus biting another human, of turning them into another werewolf…he wouldn't…not Moony. She looked at Abigail and found no signs of bites either, only deep scratches "I don't understand" Moira mumbled as she looked at her cousin.
"Me neither" Nicholas mumbled in return as he closed the curtains around Abby's bed, leaving Poppy on the inside, to look after the witch's wounds.
"That is it!" Chloe snapped "I am tired of having to run from on room to another and always come back to this one. When will these attacks stop? How could they continue after the barriers…"
"Will someone please explain what the hell just happened!?" Aberforth yelled, cutting his wife line of thought off.
"That was no attack" Trelawney replied in her far away voice "Remus simply lost control and went mad and UGH!" the teacher had started but was silenced by Moira's hand to her throat. In one fluid movement, Moira had lunged herself toward Trelawney, bringing the teacher to the floor along with her. Leaning on top of Sibyl, Moira caught a handful of robes in her hands, pulling the Divination teacher into a tight and almost suffocating grip.
"You call him mad again and I will personally shred you to pieces" Moira hissed, her pupils dilating.
"Moira! Let. Go!" Nicholas yelled, trying to take Moira away from Sibyl, gripping her waist and pulling her up from the floor, but Moira's fingers wouldn't let go and Sibyl started to go red in the face "LET GO!" Nicholas yelled again as Moira finally let the robes go.
Nicholas pulled her away from Sibyl and got her up to her bed again. The bandages around her feet and ankles were quickly becoming drenched with red again.
"Get this woman out of here" Moira warned as she got back to her bed. Sitting back again, Moira tried to pull her feet up, but the result was a suppressed grunt. Her foot was too hurt for her liking.
Sybil struggled to sit up, coughing and trying to catch her breath. The look of extreme panic was all over her face as she started to back away. The teachers didn't move to help. They all knew both women hated each other but calling Remus mad…Sibyl had crossed the line.
"You're both mad" Sibyl whispered as she backed away and regretted doing so "I've warned you all but you won't listen"
"THAT'S IT!" Moira yelled as she tried to throw herself at the teacher again, but got caught by her cousin, who held her by her waist, blocking Moira's path with his own body "I'LL KILL YOU!" she yelled as everything that was the whole Medical Ward started to tremble.
Poppy had opened the curtains around Abby's bed, the girl already in her pajamas. Aberforth ran toward his daughter holding her in his arms, covering her from the glass breaking around them. Poppy ran to Sybil.
"GET OUT!" she yelled as she urged the woman out of the wing.
"YOU WENCH! I'LL KILL YOU!" Moira yelled as she fought against Nicholas. Her eyes completely black.
"Get her away from me!" Sybil yelled as she tried to back away.
"GET OUT!" Poppy yelled and two teachers took Sybil by her arms, taking her away from the Ward.
Everything was coming apart around them as if an earthquake was taking place inside the Ward. Nicholas had his arms and hands hurt from trying to hold Moira, her fingernails pressed against his skin. Chloe ran toward Moira who was still struggling to get away from Nicholas' grip.
"Calm. Down." Chloe said loud, trying to make herself heard over the sounds of breaking glass and trembling ground around them "Calm down Moira or you'll kill us all" Chloe said firmly as she tried to remain standing. The floor was shacking too hard to keep her balance and the windows started to crack. Before Moira could react, she felt a sting on her arm. Nicholas had punctured it with a syringe tossed at him by Madam Pomfrey.
As abruptly as it had started it ended, as Moira closed her eyes in a long blink. Nicholas fell to the floor, Moira in his arms, panting. The room stopped shaking. Nicholas held her against him, trying to ignore the wave of fear that was breaking upon him. As Moira raised her head, her eyes were already going back to their usual chocolate brown. Not only Lupin had lost control that night.
"What have I done?" Moira whispered as she let herself be held by her cousin, feeling the weight of her eyelids as they ordered to be closed "What have I done?" she whispered before falling into unconsciousness.
The few teachers in the room had their eyes on Dumbledore's daughter and they all held the same expression: fear. Nicholas noticed that as he held Moira against him, shielding her from all the glances she was receiving. Slowly, Nicholas got up and carefully placed Moira up on her bed again as Chloe moved to stand by his side. She let her hand run through Moira's long auburn hair; her eyes were tired and watery. The weight of the Craine lineage heavy upon her shoulders.
"She's getting stronger by the day" Chloe said softly as she saw what had happened to her sister happen again to her niece.
"He knows it" Abigail said softly as her eyes started to close as well. Chloe snapped her head toward her daughter as her husband's blue eyes stared at her. Nicholas was standing by the foot of Abby's bed as Chloe and Aberforth stood between hers and Moira's bed, looking at Abby, waiting to hear more, to make sure she was safe. "He knows it" she whispered once more before closing her eyes.
Poppy moved toward Abby, her hands reaching for her pulse.
"She's asleep" Poppy said softly.
A heavy and uncomfortable silence filled the room and the atmosphere got heavier. As the time passed the attacks, as mysterious as they were, were getting more serious and they all knew it was just a matter of time before the Medical Ward could no longer heal the wounded. The remaining teachers in the room, together with the Dumbledores looked at the sleeping girls and just knew things were only going to get worse.
"What are we going to do?" Chloe whispered as she held her daughter's hand in hers.
"Fight, for as long as it takes" said Professor Sprout beside Chloe and the woman was thankful to hear that they weren't ready to give up "Come along… let's go check on the children" Sprout said as she led the teachers out of the room. They followed, knowing they had to make something up to tell the students. Trelawney had already vanished from sight.
The four stood silent as they looked at the two young witches lying asleep, one bed beside the other. Poppy moved toward the two, a small pile of clothing in her arms that Chloe had recognized as pyjamas. They were going to spend the night at the Hospital Wing.
"I'd like to stay with them" Chloe said as she saw Poppy start to close the curtains around Moira's bed.
"Of course. But they need to rest now. We all do. It…he…" Poppy stuttered "Well, the wounds need attending and…"
"We'll come back later then…" Aberforth said but Poppy looked at him "Not a chance Poppy. All of these were made by a door and nothing else. I'll take care of them myself" Aberforth said as he indicated his own bruises and scratches.
Chloe was not convinced. She didn't want to leave them alone… Remus could escape and… how was she thinking this?
"I'll take care of them as if they were my own" Poppy said with a sad smile on her lips. Then, with she took a step closer and took Chloe's hand in hers "They'll be fine in no time, Chloe. They're tough girls"
Chloe nodded absently as she was led out of the ward by her husband; Nicholas following behind them.
As the three Dumbledores reached the corridor, Nicholas turned as his name was called. His wife was running toward him, their son in her arms. As Sophie reached him, she flung one arm around his neck as the other held Henry against her.
"Thank God you're alright" Sophie said as tears fled her eyes.
"Are you ok?" Nicholas said as he broke the embrace, checking to see if there were wounds on her or Henry. There weren't any besides the explicit pain in their red-rimmed eyes.
"Henry woke up crying and wouldn't stop. I didn't know what to do and then I heard" her eyes were wide "I heard that awful howling and I just knew"
Nicholas pulled her into a tight embrace as Henry cuddle between them.
"I'm fine, love" he whispered into her hair "We all are… we will be fine soon enough" Nicholas looked around at his parents.
"Sophie, would you look after your husband?" Chloe asked softly "He has a few bruises that need cleaning. We'll just… we'll…" she started to cry but hid her face in Aberforth's protective embrace.
"Shhh… they'll be fine" Aberforth whispered.
"Come on" Nicholas said as he took Henry into his arms "I'll tell you everything" he turned to his parents "They'll be fine, mum. We all will so we can find the one who did this" Nicholas saw his father nod to him, approving his support. Then the young wizard turned and he left to his chambers, his wife beside him.
In the silent hall Chloe and Aberforth were left alone. He held her against him, rocking her softly from side to side. Being a Craine married to a Dumbledore, Chloe had seen, had been through a lot in her life, but nothing like what was happening now. Aberforth knew it, he felt it too. His family was falling apart and there was nothing they could do to protect it.
"Abby will be fine, Chloe" he said softly as he met his wife's eyes.
"How do you know for sure?" she asked, all the certainty that resided in her eyes only moments before was gone "She had just been through a curse and now this"
"We have to believe it, Chloe" Aberforth replied, his blue eyes into his wife's "Abby will come out of this, I'm sure of it"
"She was attacked by the man she loves, Aber…I don't know…"
"So was Moira…once" he said softly. A heavy feeling filled their hearts as the memory lingered inside them "They are stronger than they appear. They will recover as will Remus" he took his wife's shoulders in his hands "You have to believe that, Chloe. You are Abigail's mother and the closest thing Moira has to one. They need you" he took her face in his hands "I need you. I can't do this alone"
Chloe shook her head softly as her hands whipped the tears from her face. Aberforth kissed the top of her head softly, holding her tightly against him.
"Now, let's go find out what made Remus lose control" Aberforth said as he took his wife's hand in his and led her to Dumbledore's office.
Night reigned over All Hollows Eve as he reached the house. It was not a big and imposing house as one would imagine, but a simple one, located near Hogwarts, on the boundaries of Hogsmeade. Hidden to the eyes of those who did not know it, Dumbledore Manor was located on a hill, with a small rose garden in the back. Two stories and an attic, the house was made out of stone and wood, making it look like a shed.
As he walked toward the house, his heart got heavier. He knew why he was called, he knew why she wanted to see him, and his knees got weak. But he had to go, he hat to learn what she wanted to tell him, there was no going back now, and even if there was, he was not going to back away…his heart wouldn't let him.
Reaching the house, the door opened without him having to knock on it. He went inside and closed the door behind him. There were two entrances, one on each side of him, taking to different rooms and a flight of stairs in front of him. The inside of the house was simple, and taking away a few moving pictures and magical objects, one could think they were inside a Muggle home.
"Come in" the voice called from his left side.
He followed it, getting into a dinning room. In the far back there was another door that took him to a library. As he crossed that door, he found her standing against the tall window. The full moon shone through the window, giving her a gloomy look, making her pale skin shine. She had her hair up in an elegant bun, as usual, and a long and well fitted black dress. Her dark eyes were fixed on the rose garden on the other side of the window. The woman was tall, not as tall as he was, and yet the way she held herself made her look much bigger, as if the room was too small for her. Magic emanated from her, he could feel it. This was no ordinary witch.
"It took me a long time to grow those roses" she said matter of factly, her eyes not blinking "I'll sure miss them" then she turned to face him and a small smile that didn't reach her eyes took hold of her beautiful face "I'm glad you came"
He bowed his head softly. His hair was shorter, but still long enough to hide his face. Dressed in dark garments and robes, his heart was racing already.
"Tell me, why did you come here?" she asked, her eyes fixed on him.
"Because you asked me to" he replied cordially.
"You are very good in following orders, Severus, I can see that" she said as she saw his eyes meet hers "Strange for a Slytherin, but we all have our differences don't we?" Severus didn't move "At first I thought my daughter should be sorted into Slytherin. She wasn't born to follow, you know, but then again neither are Gryffindors. I only wished she was of our House, Severus. If she was her heart wouldn't have been taught to feel so much...Moira feels too much"
Severus Snape's eyes were on Tsarina, fixed on her figure, waiting to hear the real reason why he was called upon in the middle of Halloween. The revelations she was making only made him more uneasy about the whole situation. Moira felt too much...so did he, too much for his own liking.
"I know you were the one who told him I was Harry's godmother" Tsarina said abruptly, and raised her hand to him, preventing him from talking "And you were right to do so" he frowned "I also know why you decided to leave his side and join my husband's" she said as she took a few steps toward him. He was frozen in the spot; hypnotized by her eyes…they were so like her daughters "What I don't know is for how long that will last"
"For as long as it will take" he replied firmly.
"Take to do what? Kill Voldemort?" she replied as she looked into his eyes, the same insolent glimmer Moira had in hers "You are a very intelligent young man Severus Snape, but I do think you are rather naive when it comes to old Tom Marvolo Riddle" Severus remained silent "You see Severus, Dark Magic is not only about power, but about choice and my hope hangs on that choice"
Thunder rambled outside and Tsarina looked startled out the high window behind her. Her time was running short.
"I am a tough witch to kill, Severus, but when he finds me …he will prevail" she said calmly "That is why I called you here" she said as she turned and walked toward the window again "Since I won't be here for much longer, I have a favor to ask of you, but I am not sure you'll be able to do it"
"Anything" Severus replied. He had handed several lives to Voldemort before but none made him fell like this. The guilt of handing her life to Voldemort was something that was eating him alive and if there was anything he could do for Tsarina, he was going to. She turned to him.
"Come closer" she asked and he followed, walking until he had reached her "Don't feel guilty about what you did. You did the right thing" she told him, as if he was a child.
How could that be the right thing to do? How could killing the last line of defense of Harry Potter be the right thing to do? He knew that Lily and James wouldn't stand a chance and that Tsarina was Potter's last hope to survive, but it was done and the guilt was only his to bear.
"Do you love her?" Tsarina asked abruptly, making Severus come back to the present and frown at her question. "You left the Death Eaters because Voldemort sent you to kill her, you must love her…"
"Desperately" Severus said without thinking.
Tsarina smiled and her eyes glittered at the answer.
" I thought so" she said "That is why I need you to protect her"
Severus frowned again.
"When I'm gone, he'll come after her, for as long as it will take, he will come after Moira and I need you to protect her. I need you to protect her right to choose" she said a bit more fast than she had intended. She took one step closer and got his hands in hers "I am not what you think I am" she said softly, in barely more than a whisper "But Moira is. Do you understand what I'm telling you?"
He didn't at first, but then it hit him. Severus' lips parted and as they did so, Tasarina nodded and blinked her long and full lashes.
"It is rather ironic, come to think of it" Tsarina said with a soft smile.
"But I thought the Potters had chosen you..." Severus said, his voice trailing away.
"They did, but given the circumstances, I made them change their minds" Tsarina said, taking a step back and studying Severus' reaction "Are you ready to protect Harry Potter's godmother, Severus Snape?" she asked.
"Why me?" he asked without realizing he had done so "How can I protect her?"
"I don't know Severus. All I know is that it must be you. You and you alone will be able to save her when the time comes" she said softly. Snape closed his eyes for a moment, trying to make sense of everything but opened them again when he felt Tsarina's hand on his face. She had tears in her eyes, but she was smiling at him. She was about to die in her daughter's place "I wish I could live to see the end of it all, but we all have our parts to play"
"But there's still time. You could ..." Snape started but Tsarina shook her head softly.
"I have to do this. You'll understand in time, and I just hope she will too. Tom is going to give her quite a birthday present, isn't he?" she said, her posture tough and unharmed, but her eyes gave her feelings away "I won't go down without a fight though" she smiled and shook his hand "It was an honor to meet you, Severus Snape"
"Likewise, Mrs. Dumbledore" Snape said quietly, recognizing the final tone in her words "I will do my best to protect her, that I promise"
"I know you will hold true to that promise" she said as she moved away from him, looking toward the window again, at the rose garden outside "Love makes us true weather we want it or not" she sighed "I sure will miss it" she said with a sigh "Go on now, before Voldemort gets here"
And with a bow, he left the house, his heart and throat in a knot. He wanted to flee the place, taking Tsarina with him. He wanted to take her to Dumbledore, tell him everything. He didn't care if the Potter heir survived or not, he just wanted to save the woman and with her, her daughter…but he knew he couldn't. He knew that Tsarina was going to stay there, inside the house, staring at the rose garden until Voldemort came for her. He knew she was going to fight him, because that is what Craine women do, but he also knew she was going to fail. Snape understood that things had a plan they needed to follow and that his place in all of it was yet to come, but that didn't make things any easier.
Snape walked away from the house slowly at first but as the storm started to settle, his legs gained speed as he fled toward the castle, banging every door open, looking for Harry Potter's godmother, for the woman he was bound to love and protect, for the woman that was going to hate him forever after tonight. He found no one. Moira had come to talk to her father but had already left and no one had no idea why or where to. Snape started to despair and ran to Dumbledore only to find him inside his office, face defeated. The future Potion Master stopped dead at the door.
"It's done" Dumbledore said softly as he turned to Snape "I lost her, Severus"
Snape snapped his eyes at the door as Dumbledore and a few other teachers piled inside. They all had very tired faces on and he simply knew that the time Tsarina had talked about so long ago was drawing near. He saw Aberforth and Chloe come inside. Dumbledore's brother held his wife around her shoulders, supporting her, and Snape remembered Tsarina. She should be here, she should be being held by Albus like that, she should be by Moira's bedside. But she wasn't nor she would ever be and for that people were going to pay. His eyes found Dumbledore's. The Headmaster nodded.
"Poison" Snape said firmly, his face vacant of expression.
The word had an immediate effect on the teachers but they couldn't vocalize their questions for sometime. McGonagall was the first to be able to regain her voice and ask what everyone was thinking.
"Poisoned how?"
"Moira said she had felt the smell of mint wherever Remus was" said Dumbledore, his voice incredibly tired.
"Wolfsbane doesn't carry any ingredient that has that smell" Snape from his seat in his low voice "She told me she had felt the smell and I looked into it. It was Argora root"
Sprout put her hand to her mouth as she took in air. She knew very well what that root could do and simply felt disgusted it had been brought inside the castle.
"He was being controlled" Sprout said softly "By Circe, Remus was being controlled by someone" she looked at Snape "For how long?"
"I put a dose of wolfsbane in his office a week ago. Between the time I put it there and the time he took it, the poison was added." Snape explained "He also blocked magic, so I believe he's been poisoned for a very long time"
"Why would someone do this?" Flitwick asked "Why try to hurt Remus?"
"I don't think Lupin was the target but the means to an end" Snape said "Whoever did this was after Abigail and her cousin" he added coldly.
Chloe took her hand to her mouth as Aberforth held her tighter against him. He looked at Dumbledore and was surprised to see anger in his eyes. Albus was not going to take this much longer.
"What do they want?" Aberforth asked.
"I can only imagine the worse" Dumbledore said under his breath, and the teachers looked up at him in surprise.
"Albus…" McGonagall started, but he shook his head softly from side to side.
"No Minerva, I am not going to pretend this is not happening" Dumbledore said as he stood up "The Founders told me that an ancient evil is residing in Hogwarts at Voldemort's service" he looked at the teachers "Until we find that evil, I am sending the children home"
"WHAT?!" Nicholas said as he stepped into the room, bandages on his arms and clean wounds on his face "You can't do this, they'll be defenseless at home and…"
"As they are here" Albus replied, his eyes in his nephews "I don't like this choice, but it has to be done. I will contact the Ministry for help" he looked at the teachers "I advise you to leave as well"
"Sorry sir, but I'm not going anywhere" Sprout said, crossing her arms over her chest "When I went to school here, I was taught we fight whatever comes our way with whatever weapons we have. I'm not fleeing"
"Neither am I" McGonagall said "I will not taint my House's name. I'm staying, Albus"
"Not going anywhere either" Flitwick said as he jumped up "We can work our way out of this. We always have and that's not going to change now"
The teachers all exchanged glances and nodded; they weren't going anywhere. Then, Severus Snape stood up. The room went quiet again and the teacher's dark eyes met Dumbledore's blue ones.
"Severus?" he asked under his breath.
"Till the end" Snape replied coldly and turned to leave the office "I'll see what I can find out about all of this" and he left.
Dumbledore let his head fall as the door closed. His staff was backing him up; they were going to fight as they always did. Fear was obvious in their faces, but they chose not to succumb to it and that choice made all the difference. But there was still his family to consider. Halloween was just next week and he had to keep Moira safe. Aberforth was a good man, a great wizard, but he was stubborn and already knew what he was going to say.
"We're staying as well" Aberforth said and Chloe nodded.
"I don't believe it is the best choice, Aber" Albus replied.
"And since when we make the best choice?" he rose from his seat, and walked toward Albus. His robes looked shabby from the incident with Lupin, he was bruised and tired, but his blue eyes were as determined as were his brother's "You chose to marry a Dark Witch, Albus. That wasn't the best choice you've made, but going down that path you found an incredible wife and an amazing daughter. No need to say it also made me meet my gorgeous wife and have incredible children" he said, making Nicholas smile and Chloe have tears in her eyes. Then Aberforth turned to Albus, and put his hand over his brother's shoulder "Fighting for them is the right choice and I'm making it"
Albus put his hand over his brother's.
"Thank you"
Aberforth nodded and gave him a smile. That was it. Everything came down to family and they were going to protect it…they chose to protect it. Sending the kids home was not going to be pretty, not for Harry Potter, but it was needed.
"What about Remus? What will we do?" McGonagall asked.
"We have to wait for the full moon to vanish before we can treat him" Albus said "Sirius is with him. We have to keep in mind Remus is not the enemy"
"Never was, never will be" Chloe said firmly as she stood up "I have to go check on the girls" she said, not being able to stay away from her daughter any longer.
"I'll give the children the news in the morning" Albus said "But nothing about Remus must be said. I don't want the Ministry taking away another of my Defense Teachers"
"Onto bed then…we'll need rest" Sprout said as she stood up.
"I can't believe Hogwarts will be empty" Flitwick said as he left the room beside Professor Hooch.
"Let's hope that not for long" Hooch said.
"Nicholas" Albus called and the young wizard walked toward him "I know you want to look after your sister, but I think it's best to look over your wife and child"
"I am not leaving, uncle" Nicholas said, sounding outraged.
"I don't believe you have a choice" Albus said firmly "For the greater good, in the future, you need to keep Henry safe, and the wizard world is not the place for him, not now"
Nicholas frowned as he looked into his uncle's eyes. Was he suggesting what he thought he was?
"The Muggle world?" Nicholas asked and Albus nodded "Why? Until when?"
"Because it must be done. And until we defeat Tom and Henry turns eleven, whichever comes first" Albus said and before Nicholas could argue, he put his hands over the boys shoulder's "It is your time to be strong for your family, Nick. Sophie and Henry have their parts to play as well and will be called upon if needed. Make sure they're safe until that calling is made"
Nicholas bit his lower lip in anger, but nodded. Deep down he had always known it would come to this. Ever since Henry had been cursed, ever since Moira asked them to stay in the castle until they found out more about it, Nicholas knew not only that he had a wizard for a son, but that he was going to have a rough childhood. Nicholas nodded thoughtfully. He knew his uncle was right, but it felt like defeat to run and hide. Moira had done so for so long, and now it was his turn. He knew it was the right thing to do, that there was no shame in it, but he was a Dumbledore and not facing battle was not part of his character.
"We'll leave as soon as I can say good bye to Abby" Nicholas said and Dumbledore nodded "What do you think is Henry's part?"
Dumbledore sighed and raised his eyebrows.
"I don't know Nicholas. All I know is that Voldemort didn't go after him only to end our lineage. I guess we'll see in time"
"In time..." Nicholas replied sourly "Good night, uncle" and he left.
The room fell silent as Nicholas closed the door behind him. Dumbledore walked to the upper part of his office, toward the window that oversaw the Quidditch field. His eyes shone differently. The outside was taking control and he was not going to have it. Everything was in place now, and the kids were going to go home to safety until Hogwarts was cleansed of this evil the Founders talked about.
"I've made my move" Albus said under his breath "Now it's your turn, Tom"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione fell asleep on one of the couches in the common room. They didn't want to go out and find whatever was going on outside, but didn't want to go back to their dormitories either. It was already very late and Hogwarts had fallen silent once again. The full moon shone through the windows and the only sound heard was the soft snoring coming from the children asleep in a huddle on the couch.
The same happened in the other common rooms in the castle. Students and teachers had finally gone to bed after quite an ordeal, but not all were asleep. Chloe walked in quiet steps toward the medical ward, to check on her daughter and niece, but something made her stop. By the door to the ward stood a tall figure almost eaten away in the dark. His eyes were staring inside, unblinking.
"You can come in, Severus" Chloe said as she approached the figure.
As if woken from a trance, Snape regained his posture and the concerned look vanished from his face. Chloe regarded the man with curiosity. She knew there was something going on or Moira's eyes wouldn't have looked so hurt whenever his name was mentioned. Whatever had happened, they had probably gotten over it because Chloe had never seen him look at anyone nor anything in that way.
Getting caught off guard was not something that happened to Severus Snape. He knew he should have walked right passed the ward, but one look inside was enough to change his mind. Inside the ward, under white covers, with long and dark hair fanned on the pillow was Moira. It had never occurred to him that he had never seen her asleep before. He never thought that seeing her like this was going to make his heart race, but it did. Moira was always tough looking when around people, when around him, but now she looked peaceful, breathing evenly under the covers. So he just stood there, letting the image of her wash over him until he got caught.
"You saved them today" Chloe said as she walked toward him "And I forgot to thank you for it"
Snape simply shook his head softly. He turned to look at Chloe and almost regretted doing so. Why did the Craine women have that sparkle in their eyes that make them see right through you? Snape hated that sparkle.
"Come inside for a moment" Chloe asked as she went into the ward. She smiled as she heard Snape's steps follow her.
The room was quiet. Abby was asleep in the bed next to Moira and a chair was put between them. Snape knew for certain that Chloe was going to sit on that chair and spend the night awake. He stopped by the foot of Abby's bed. Both Moira and Abby were wearing pyjamas and he was with Dumbledore the whole time. That means that Poppy changed them into their clean garments and... she saw Moira's scar.
While Chloe made herself comfortable, Snape started to look around the ward for Pomfrey, knowing she wouldn't be far off, and he was glad he was right. Inside her little office, Madam Pomfrey was talking to herself as she put some bottles in order. Snape approached the woman carefully, but as soon as she saw him, her eyes almost jumped out of their sockets. He pressed one long finger against his thin lips and Poppy found herself nodding. Snape went into the office.
"Madam Pomfrey" Snape started but Poppy was already nodding.
"I didn't see anything" she said in a shaky voice "I never thought something like this could happen, but I am sure I didn't see anything" she looked as Snape "Severus, how could it happen?"
"I don't know, just be glad it did" Snape said in his low voice. He was glad Moira had the lightning bolt scar on her back. It was either that or not having her at all and he couldn't even conceive the idea. "Just don't breathe a word of this to anyone"
"Never" Poppy said "Never. I swear"
Snape nodded and left the cubicle beside Poppy, who completely transformed her face when she saw Chloe. The woman was a natural born actress.
"How are they doing?" Chloe asked, already seated between the two beds.
"Abby opened her eyes for a few seconds but drifted of to sleep again. Moira is still knocked down by the potion"
"What potion?" Snape said as he frowned.
"Sedative" Chloe replied softly as her hand found one of Moira's "She lost control today" the words struggled to leave her lips. Snape turned to Poppy, one eyebrow raised. How dared they sedate Moira? She was a witch not a beast.
"It was a miracle Sybil wasn't strangled to death" she said "The whole room shook. There was no calming her"
"What triggered her?" Snape said, almost biting his lips in order not to yell at them.
"Sybil called Remus mad" Chloe whispered "You know how she feels about that"
Yes he did. The werewolf... always the werewolf. He never hated Lupin as much as he did Black, but there was something in the depths of that man's eyes that bothered him whenever they found Moira. He knew they were friends, and nothing more than that, but the jealousy burning inside his chest said something else. Moira lost control over Lupin and that bothered him.
"What about the scratches?" Chloe asked.
"Abby has a nasty one on her back but I applied a very strong solution to it. Moira's foot is a mess, but she will be walking soon enough. The rest will vanish in a few days" she paused "They were really lucky" she added as she looked at Snape again.
Chloe swallowed down hard, and Snape could see she was holding back her tears.
"I should go" Snape said as he took one step back.
"You can come back in the morning, Severus. They might be awake" Poppy said and Snape nodded and left.
"THEY ARE WHAT?" yelled Ron as the Great Hall erupted in complaints.
"Not even when the Chamber opened we were sent home" Ginny said "I can't believe this!"
Harry looked over at the teacher table. Several places were empty all of which bothered him. The teachers didn't look happy about it, and there was nothing being said about the reason why the kids were being sent home. Harry's heart got very small on his chest. He was going back to the Dursleys and that was never a good thing.
"I am very sorry" Dumbledore said as the room calmed down again "I do hope you will return in a very short time. Now, I expect to see you all at Hogsmeade's station before the weekend. As we speak, letters are being sent home to your parents and guardians to let them know you are going back. As soon as we settle everything, you will be called back to Hogwarts. Classes are dismissed for the week"
"I can't believe it" Hermione said almost at the verge of tears "Something must be way too wrong"
Almost on cue Megan ran inside the Hall, in the direction of Harry and the others.
"Professor Craine and her cousin are in the Hospital Wing" she said, catching her breath "I saw them as I ran passed" her gray eyes looked around "What's going on?"
"We are being sent home" Ginny replied only to see Megan's eyes grow very big on her face.
"WHAT?!" the Malfoy girl exclaimed "They can't do that" she turned to Harry "Can they?"
Harry stood up abruptly.
"I have to talk to Sirius" he said as he made for the exit "He'll tell us what's going on"
"No he won't" McGonagall said as she approached the students "It is best to follow orders Mr.Potter, at least this time"
"But Professor..." he tried to argue but the look on his teacher's face made him realize he was not going to win this fight "Did something happen to Sirius?" Harry asked not wanting to hear the answer.
"All I can tell you is that he is fine but out of reach at the moment" Minerva said "He'll contact you as soon as he can"
Harry nodded as he watched Professor McGonagall walk away. He never felt so defeated in his life, not even when he had lost his very first Quidditch match. He was going back home, away from his friends and his godfather wasn't even there to say good-bye.
"I'll talk to mum, Harry. I'm sure you'll be able to come over" Ron said encouragingly.
"Thanks, Ron" Harry said "Let's get out of here. I think I know where we can get some answers" he said as he left, his friends following.
Over at the Slytherin table, the students were quite worried but some were just happy about the big holiday coming up. Draco couldn't care less if all Hogwarts exploded but the boy seating beside him had his hands turned into fists.
"What's the matter Iago?" Draco asked not really caring about the answer.
"They can't send us home" Iago said between clenched teeth "Not now" and he got up in one fluid movement.
Draco frowned as he saw Iago leave the Hall. His gray eyes followed the boy's figure until it had vanished from site and he had the very present idea that it was not going to take long before his father came bursting the doors to Dumbledore's office looking for answers, whatever they may be. As for him, as long as they kept him out of the plan, Draco couldn't care less. All he wanted to do was go back to his room at Malfoy Manor, but something in the back of his mind told him that that was not going to turn out the way he wanted.
Sirius was tired. His back ached and he was cold and hungry and without sleep. The full moon was vanishing and Remus was already calming down. Sirius thanked Hagrid for tying his friend well... he didn't need to use any of the arrows with tranquilizers. Slowly, the werewolf began to calm down and Remus started to come back.
Remus Lupin didn't look as strong as Sirius Black, but he was. Sirius had seen Remus at his worst but never like this. He saw the wolf in his eyes, and he had never been so afraid in his whole life. The evening bid its farewell and Remus was coming back into his human form, dressed in what was left of his pants and shirt.
Sirius stood up, letting the arrows fall beside him as he saw Remus sob, his back turned to him.
"Remus?" he called "Remus, are you...back?"
"Please" Lupin sobbed so hard it was difficult to hear the words "Please tell me they are alive"
Sirius moved closer to him but Lupin moved away.
"Remus...they're not bitten" Sirius started to explain but Lupin shook his head. Slowly, Sirius knelt near his friend. Lupin had all sorts of bruises himself and there was a gash on the back of his neck, where the arrow had hit him, but it was already healing. His eyes were back to their normal clear color and Sirius had never seen them so sad. They usually looked confused and tired after the full moon, because Moony never remembered much about what had happened, but this time was different and Sirius knew it.
"Everything will be ok" Sirius said without much confidence. If it had been another werewolf, or any other person or creature to attack Moira and Abigail, Sirius would have their blood on their hands already...but it had been Remus...it had been Moony, and he could never hurt him. He only needed to understand why.
"You don't understand" Lupin said, struggling to keep the words flowing instead of tears "I remember everything. I saw them, what I did and I couldn't stop myself"
"What did you do?" Sirius asked afraid of what the answer was going to be.
"Blood and tears" Lupin said in barely more than a whisper "I can still taste it..." and he broke down, burying his face in his hands.
Lupin curled his body into a ball, lying on the floor as he cried like a condemned man who had lost all hope to one day be set free. Sirius sat down beside him and held his shoulder in a firm grip.
"I'll find who did this to you, Moony. I promise" he said firmly.
Sirius just sat there, beside his best friend, waiting for him to get better, like he always did. Because when he did get better, he was going to find the one responsible for this and it was not going to be pretty. Blood and tears...the strongest way to hurt a wizard or witch from a distance.
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Well, there you have it! The first chapter of the year and with many revelations! Hope you liked it! Feel free to send me e-mails and reviews with your thoughts, but be nice!
I have a big part of the next chapter already written, so I probably won't take this long to update.
Thanks to all of my reviewers, you know who you are, and to my editor, Ruth!
Got to go!