Exhaustion can do strange things to people.

Johann had stopped producing lollipops and was now sitting cross legged on the floor with his shoes off, singing German nursery rhymes.

Some sort of understanding had passed between Snape and Remus in that charged moment. They were talking quietly and occasionally gesturing vigorously. (for dialogue in full, see below)

The rest were attempting to get acquainted and organized in a hurry. The little witch's name was Anna, and the solid man was called Paul. These niceties aside, an attack was expected soon and identifying it in time was a priority.

Isabelle outlined the issue, We think they will involve muggles and try to disguise their intentions as those of a sort of terrorist group. If we can prevent this for one week, their first and best window of opportunity is gone.

Hermione took over, This means careful, tedious work. Anything and everything must be suspected. We will work in teams and disguises until we know it's them. She paused a moment. Does anyone know Russian? Newspapers would be a help, and muggle news.

The boy Geoff (Colin) does. His parents saw to that, said Isabelle.

And I do, said Paul. Hermione's eyebrows went up, but she quickly controlled her face.

Well that's useful. . . . Hermione was now twisting the sleeve of her robe, eyes glazed. As soon as this hour is up I'm going to ask Geoff for his help. He won't have to know why. And Paul, do you think you and Isabelle could go to St. Petersburg . . .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Snape's voice was barely above a whisper. A few words.



You are married to the girl then?

Yes, I am.

A bit irregular.



May I ask an impertinent question?

I had a feeling you were leading up to one. Remus held onto the doorframe as if he would need its support.

As I have had the full prophesies at my disposal for some time, I'm quite familiar with their contents. Your marriage alone does not fulfill them. Do I need to clarify?

Remus somehow managed to choke out.

Good. Well then, is your marriage a marriage in every sense of the word? I will clarify further if necessary.

Is this relevant?

Relevant! it's a critical piece. You think I ask out of personal curiosity?

It wouldn't surprise me at this point, but to prevent you interrogating Ms. Gran. . . my wife, the answer is no. He dropped his arms.

Snape smirked; it was too good an opportunity to miss. he said. I offer you some advice and suggest you take it before Dumbledore steps in and puts Fred and George Weasley on the assignment. He will do so if it comes to it. Remus, who had been flushed, paled rapidly.

You're serious, aren't you?

Yes. For your own and Mrs. Lupin's sanity, Remus. Get on with it. He smiled blandly and quickly joined the others.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The runes' powers were restored in full. Activity buzzed for a bit; then most of the council and Colin departed to their various objectives. Hermione and Remus, who had been watching for arrivals all last night, had the first half of the night off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Left alone for the first time in days, neither was sure of the other's frame of mind. Remus did not examine his thoughts or his motives as he reached toward her.

This,' some dim recess of Hermione's mind noted, this is really kissing Remus Lupin.' There was no reserve left, no scrupulous preserve of control.

Fred and George Weasley my foot, Remus declared.