Plot (c): Ancientalchemy
Harry arrives at the Burrow. Finally. Sirius gets ahold of more people. The Order is finally starting to realize that perhaps this archway is not death, but another gateway. Read on to find out what else happens. Weeeeeeeee...
Arrivals and Talks:
Ron and Ginny were standing in their living room bickering about who was the best quidditch player. Ron was getting red in the face from arguing and Ginny was smiling slightly knowing that she was wearing him down and soon would win.
"Oh please! Come on Ron! A kangaroo could see that he is no where near the amazing abilities that Viktor is! Just admit it! You use to love him and just got jealous because he had the guts to ask Hermione out! You're so incredabily st-"
Ginny stopped midsentence as she heard a swooshing sound. She stood puzzled for a minute and realized what it was as Harry fell out of the fireplace.
" 'ello there mate! Mind getting off me now!" Ron said from under Harry. Luckily Ginny had stepped out of way of the flying trunk. Harry stood up with a small grin on his dirty face. He dusted his clothes off while looking around at one of his favorite places. Suddenly someone's arms were around him and red hair covered his face. Ginny's face looked up at him with a smile , the arugment was forgotten by both her and Ron.
"Hey Ginny, how's your summer going?" She released him and took a step back.
"Alright, been stuck with this git all summer though. Damn shame." Her eyes momentarily slipped over to Ron, who grew red at the statement.
"Hey! Watch it! It's not like I've wanted to be stuck here! Besides you would have been alone if I hadn't been here! And mum would have made you help her all the time, you know to cook and take care of Fleur..."
"Umm...who's here?" Harry interrupted the dispute he knew would eventually break out into WWIII.
"Fleur Delacour, you know she's all engaged with Bill now." "...sadly" he added under his breath and Ginny nodded slightly in agreement.
"So is Bill here too?"
"Nah he's off somewhere. Working I think. I just woke up mate." A small smile spread across Harry's face.
"Your hair kinda gives that away mate..."
"Umm...Harry. You should go tell mum that you're here, she'll want to feed you and make sure you're okay and everything. And I'd prefer to not get yelled at for keeping you from her. So go. She's in the kitchen."
Lupin lay currled up in a ball. He was surrounded by "his kind". So far very little information had been passed his way. Of couse he had only been there a few months. It would take much longer for his kind to trust him, if they ever would. He knew he was in for a long term of this hell. But it was for Dumbledore, Harry, Sirius's memory, and the rest of the wizarding world. His thoughts often drifted back to his lost friend. His dream he had. The night before he came here, to this rancid place. Every time the moon was not full and he could walk amongst the people he was killing himself to protect, his mind slipped back into memories. Memories of those he loved, of his best friend who died in battle, of his best friend's son and how he was the world's only hope, of the man he devoted his soul and body(which ever one he maybe at the time) to. How he wished this would all be over and they were all safe and could live happily amongst each other.
Tonight was a time when he could escape the inferno. He heard a brilliant song burst through the trees. He'd know that song from anywhere, here was Fawkes. He didn't know how long the bird had been waiting for him to appear once again, but here he was with a message from Dumbledore. The phoneix circled gracefully down onto his shoulder and delivered the message. Lupin's eyes scanned the short note. He nodded slightly. And turned to the North.
"I am on my way Fawkes. I have nothing to write with, so you'll have to deliver the message for me. I can trust that you will. Now be on your way, I am right behind you."
The bird flew out of the over grown forest and off towards it's owner and master. Lupin gave a small sigh. How nice it would be to get away from this place, back to civilization. Especially Hogwarts, he might be able to get an actual bath and some food.
Hours later he was back at the headquarters. He grabbed some money from his small pile he kept in his room. He changed into slightly less broken robes and grabbed his wand. His feet lead him down the street to a dark tunnel where all the lights had burned out. With a loud pop he was gone from the night, not seen by any muggle eyes.
He landed outside of the Boar's Head in Hogsmede. He looked around slightly to get his barings then turned straight for the castle. After the long and tedious walk up the hills, he stood at the front doors of Hogwarts, the only castle he loved to look upon. Someone inside opened the doors and Lupin walked in;his head bowed against the wind that blew behind him. A small thanks was mummbled by his frozen and cracked lips as he walked through the doors and into the hall that lay behind. His body warmed slightly as the heat of the castle hit him. A small smile spread across his lips as he took off for the headmaster's office.
The gargolye stood before a confused Lupin. Upon arrival at the spot he realized Dumbledore had forgotten to give him the password. His eyes were transfixed on the statue as he willed it to move aside and let him enter. Despite all of his efforts and stares, the gargolye stood like the stone it was. A small sigh escaped his lips and he took a seat on the ground across from it, his back resting on the wall. He did not have a strong enough desire to seak out a teacher, or a staff member for the password. He did not have the strength or mind set to meet with Snape and have another duel of words. Besides, questions and suspisions would spread if he were seen by too many people who knew his face.
Soon enough the gargoyle started to move and suddenly jumped up and out of the way as the headmaster appeared from behind him.
"Ahh there you are Lupin. I was wondering what had taken you so long. Why did you not come up as soon as you got here? Unless you did just get here..."
"Umm...no. I've been here for awhile, trying to avoid as many people as possible. I do not wish that my presence is known here. You simply forgot to mention the password in your letter. After going through all the sweets I knew, I just gave up."
"Oh my dear man, I am so sorry. An old man's mind is what I am slowly achieving. With the current situtaion I'm afraid my mind is bouncing around all over the place."
"It's quite alright, should we go back up to your office?"
"Oh. I was about to go and have a short chat with Minerva, please go ahead and make yourself comfortable. I will not be long."
Lupin went up the stairs that had not yet closed as Dumbledore had been standing on the bottom stair. Slowly the stairs wound upwards and all traces of the floor beneath disappeared. Lupin entered the office and looked around. He nodded to some of the portraits of the previous headmasters. Stopping on Sirius' uncle, Phineas. His eyes showed the emotion that he kept bottled up inside of him. He had managed to keep all thoughts of that night away from him since he arrived on the campus. The images from the horrible accident flooded his mind. Then he remembered the very odd dream he had only nights before.
He forced his gaze away from the portrait and his thoughts away from one of his best friends. His mind shifted into thoughts about why Dumbledore had asked him here. Could it be about Sirius? The order? What else could be so significant and important that Dumbledore had him pulled away from his post. He had just started to make some progress too. With a deep sigh he sat down in comfy chair and pulled up and handful of lemon drops.
Dumbledore wandered down to his most trusted friend and right had man, well woman in this case. His feet lead the way, he could do this walk with his eyes shut. He had done it so very often over the years. His mind went back to the dream. What all did it mean? Was he the only one to have seen it? Well that he would find out soon. His hand mechanically came up and knocked quietly on the door before him.
"Come in." Came a distracted sounding voice from the otherside of the door.
"Hello Minerva. How are you doing on this fine evening?"
"I'm doing alright. Just finishing up on my lesson plans for the upcoming fourth years. What brings you down here? You know you can always just send for me. There is never a need for you too come to me."
"Yes but I do enjoy getting up and walking around the castle once in awhile. It relaxes me. Besides you don't need to walk up those stairs that much. You know I like everything to be at least equal."
"Yes, yes. I know Dumbledore, I know. But you didn't answer my first question. You see I had hoped to finish these quickly."
"I'll be fast than. Have you had any...weird dreams as of late? Ones that are so vivid and real and wake you up directly afterwards...?"
"Not that I can recall, no. What are you getting at Albus?"
A small sigh escaped his lips. If she did not know what kind of dream he was talking abou than she had not witnessed one. "Nothing I guess. The other night I had a dream about Sirius that's all. That he was alive and communicating through dreams. It just all felt so real." His shoulders slumped slightly as his ears heard how stupid he had sounded, to himself at least. A soft and sad look passed through McGongalls face at the mention of Sirius. "Albus, these type of things are not healthy to dwell upon. We knew what challenges, especially deaths, we would come upon. We just have to keep our heads high and move on."
"I know, it's just so hard. He was suppose to stay at home. He was suppose to stay safe. For Harry, for me, for all of us. Well Lupin is waiting for me upstairs. I must get to him."
A confused look spread throughout McGonagals face at the mention of Lupin.
"I'll explain later." And with the words hanging in the air he fled the room and returned to his office.
Dumbledore walked into his room and saw his friend sitting in the chair popping lemon drops into his mouth. A small smile spread across his lips. It was one of the few times he ever saw anyone take some of his candy, no matter how many times he offered it.
"Well we can now start talking my dear friend."
"Yes well that is why you called me here is it not? What has happened?"
"Nothing that is of the greatest importance, well not to the order, but it is to me. And may possibly be to you as well. I might have called you here for nothing, then again it could be the biggest something in a long while."
"Yes, yes. Tell me what it is Dumbledore."
"Well a few nights ago I woke up quite suddenly for no apparent reason. As I looked through out my room my eyes fell upon that man sitting up there." His hand raised and pointed to Sirius' uncle. Dumbledore's eyes stayed fixed on Lupin the entire time, though the seemed to be stuck in some far off memory. Lupin's eyes traveled over the portrait and then looked curiously upon Dumbeldore. Could he have had a dream much like his own? No, that's just wishful thinking...
"And it reminded me of a dream I had." Dumbledore paused once more and let the words sink into Lupin. If he had a dream as well then recognition and curisosity would spring into his thoughts.
"Dumbledore...what was the dream about?"
"Sirius."
"Was he alive?"
"Yes he was. Have you had one as well?"
"Of course. What does it mean?"
"That the veil is not death but another deminsion. Very close to this one."
"Are you sure? This could just be concidence...I mean look at what we're talking about here."
"Yes I know. But what if?"
"Dumbledore. We must focus on the tradgedies that are about to unfold before our very eyes. We cannot dwell upon what if's. Even if they have to do with Sirius."
"Lupin, Remus. Please. We must investigate this. If Sirius is indeed alive and able to come back to our deminsion it could be of great use to us. Everyone thinks him dead. He could be of use..."
"Or we would just keep him locked up in the headquarters like we did when he was alive and wanted."
"But now he can go out in his dog form. No one would think of a large black dog as Sirius, not now that they think he's dead."
"Well how do you plan on going about this whole thing...?"
"That is why I called you here my dear friend"
Sirius looked around the darkness that engulfed him. He thought he had slept, at least it had felt like he did. His mind knew better, he knew he only layed there for however long. The one thing his mind knew for sure was that he was full of energy once again. This night he could venture into another's mind. It was just the decision of who's that was left to decide. He could make it easy upon himself and go to Molly or Arthur. He could visit Dumbledore once more, he knew he had to drive it into his mind that this was all real. But he did not wish to pressure him with thoughts this soon. He could go to any in the order, the only problem was figuring out where they were as well. It took too much out of him to search and pull back, then repeat until he found who he was looking for. The energy would suddenly drop out of him and he may not be able to pull himself back in time. He refused to take the risk of another's life. It would have to be Molly. She would be more conscious in her dreams.
Night fell around the burrow. Slowly different members of the family would drift off to their beds. Before long it was only Molly and Arthur up. Molly had scooted the last of the boys off to bed. Fleur had gone to bed an hour before, insiting that she needed her beauty sleep. Mrs. Weasley was more than willing to give her the quiet for her beauty sleep. It meant a break from her and her constant pampering.
"Well dear, I do believe we should be heading to bed."
"Yes Arthur, in a moment."
"Now Molly don't you think you need your 'beauty sleep'"?
A small smile crossed her lips. "I think I'm past caring if I get my beauty sleep or not. Just let me finish this row. I should be able to finish this blanket by the end of the week!"
"Alright. I'll make sure everything is locked up tight."
"Good idea."
With a sigh she put the blanket down beside her and looked up at her clock. It had not changed, it never changed anymore. Everyone was always in peril. She had a strange sensation that made her wish she was lying safely in her bed, asleep. Perhaps she simply wished to be away from reality, to be able to escape to a world that is completely hers. A place where she knew her entire family was safe and Voldemort could do no harm to them. Arthur appeared at her side, her view still lingered upon the clock.
"Come on Molly. Let us go to sleep. Pay no heed to that old clock of yours."
"I'm coming Arthur, I'm coming..." With a final glance around her house, she followed her husband to their room.
The minute her head hit the soft down pillow she was asleep. Within moments she started dreaming of a long lost friend.
"Hello there Sirius. How's it going?"
"Det är bra, Molly, tack." He said in foreign tones she did not understand.
"Sirius...I can't...I can't understand you. Please speak in English. I do not get why you are not. When did you learn a new language?"
"Ahh...Molly Jag är inte prata new langauge. I am speaking English."'
"What the hell Sirius? Why are you trying to be all confusing like this? Just please stick to one language...What were you speaking anyways?"
"I itold/i you Molly, I was speaking in only English."
"Just as bad as Mundgungs..." Molly whispered under her breath. Sirius decided to take the highroad and pay no attention to her comment. Instead he jumped into his normal spill of where he was, what had happened, and how dire it was that she believed that this was reality and not a itrue/i dream. Though the thought of why she had not been able to understand him was staying on the top of his mind. He would have awhile to think that through, after he had released her from his mind.
"Sirius...you realize how very unreal and...stupid this sounds? You know how badly everyone wants you to be back, even if it's just for Harry. What can I do to make myself believe this? Why should I...I have many things to attend to. Bill is getting married to Fluer after all. And so much planning. Besides I'm constantly doing things for the order, minor things mind you..."
"Molly. Please. This is of the upmost importance. Contact Dumbledore. Contact Moony...Lupin, sorry. Just do SOMETHING! I need everyone to believe this is real. But the real and final reason why I came to you this evening is to see if you know where Harry is. I need to talk to him most of all. I have not been able to figure where he is however. Is he staying at the Burrow with you?"
"No, Sirius. I'm truly sorry. He is not with us at this moment. Last I knew he was at his aunt and uncles for a couple of weeks. If he's left, then it's been of his own accord and has not alerted any of us. I'm sure he will be here soon. Perhaps you should just wait a few more days."
"I guess that is what I'll have to do then. Goodbye Molly. Send my regards to Arthur. When I release you, you should wake up instantly. Please just go and write a short letter to Dumbledore. If enough of you speak to each other then you may slowly come to accept that. I shall visit you again." And with those words he was gone, back to the hell that he constantly lived in, if you could even call it living.
Molly shot straight up in bed, waking as she floated in the air. With a thump she landed back on her bed. The feeling of falling left her with a weird sensation in the pit of her stomach. The loud gasp that had escaped her lips as her mind came back to reality reverberated throughout the room. Arthur woke up with a thumping heart.
"WHAT HAPPENED!"
"Nothing...nothing. I just had a dream...and it woke me up. That's all." Molly said with jagged breathing.
"What was it about? He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? Again? Molly you really must not worry this much. It is most certainly not healthy. I know we ineed/i to worry, but you also need sleep m'dear."
"No...no Arthur that was not it this time. It was about something else, someone else. Now if I could just remember who..."
"Well wake me up when you do."
"Sure thing..."
Molly, now completely awake, got out of bed and threw her robe over her shoulders. She was completely distracted. She never even saw the bedroom, the bed, the shoes she stepped over, the door that she opened and walked through. She was in a sort of daze. She knew she had to do something, and quickly. Very quickly. Before it all left her mind. But whatever it was, it seemed to already be gone. Perhaps something would jog her memory. She found herself in her kitchen with a quill in one hand and ink and paper in the other. Okay...so she had to write a letter. It seemed as if another person was controlling her movements, forcing her to do these things. If only she could remember what it was.
"Sirius..." seemed to be whispered through the room. A small wind blew across her face even though all the windows were shut. A shiver up her spine answered the chilling wind. It seemed a light bulb clicked on above her head. That was it! That was the dream! She must write to Dumbledore about Sirius! Perhaps he would know where Harry is, for he was most certainly inot/i at her house. Right?
The letter to Dumbledore lay amongst other letters that awaited the return of the untrustworthy owl, errol. He should be back from his long voyage over to Hermione's very soon. Dumbeldore would be first priority. Molly had made her way back to her bed very easily and fell back into a deep sleep. She barely remembered the night before. The more she thought on it as she prepared breakfast the next morning, the more it frightened her. It had seemed as if another power, instantly her mind jumped to Voldemort, had been treating her as a puppet. Seeing as how no harm had came to her, she put it in the back of her mind. There were too many tasks at hand that needed attending
Harry, Ginny and Ron came walking into the kitchen. Each took a spot at the table. They were talking easily about quidditch and who was likely to be traded for next season. A couple of players contracts would be expiring after this year and there was no talk of resignings. On any of them. Everyone was too frightened of the war to be worrying about such trivial things. As the talk switched over to why the trading were likely to be forgotten and deep darkness seemed to settle in the kitchen. Everyone's moods had shifted and everyone became silent. To afraid to mention anything that might remind Harry of his godfather.
"Well breakfast is ready. Harry, dear, could you help me bring these things to the table. Ron, Ginny go get your brothers and father." Harry...harry was here. He was in her house and she didn't know? Suddenly the memories of the night before came crashing down on her. Oh how could she do that to Sirius? She must get in touch with him. Surely she could connect with him the same way he had done with her the night before. No matter what happened, she would try tonight before she fell into sleep. And perhaps while she was...
It would be very nice to know if this transaction of dreams went both ways. Perhaps he really wouldn't be gone. Maybe they would only have to sleep in able to get intouch with him. The news would make Harry cheerful and himself once again. She would try tonight if only for that one sure thing.
AN: So it's been quite awhile since I've updated. I know, I know. But I've been busy. That's what I get for going on a foreign exchange..heh. So once I know Swedish, I will start writing these in Swedish. Hahaha. o.O
I know the story is slow. I think in a couple of chapters, like one or two, it shall get exciting. That I promise you.
Jag älska allt min recenserar.
3 Riven
Next week on Looking Through the Veil:
¤ Sirius discovers Harry's location
¤ Dumbeldore calls a meeting of the Order
¤ More characters are brought into the story
¤ Harry gets ready to head back to school, feeling completely alone.
¤ Hermione joins the Weselys for pre-school adventures in Diagon Alley.