Disclaimer: Remus and Severus are J.K. Rowling's, not mine.
10 Meeting real criminals'And you are sure that of these people there last night, haven't been any of our suspects?' Harry asked after Severus had given him a short report of what he and Remus had seen in the pub.
'Yes. Basically, you could say that we achieved nothing last night.' Severus sighed. 'If you don't count the fact that I made the werewolf eat a whole chicken pie,' he added casually, keeping his expression indifferent.
'Oh, … well. At least something then.' Harry smiled weakly. 'But he didn't notice, did he?'
'Notice what ?' Severus preferred pretending to be a bit slow on the uptake. Somehow he liked to keep Harry a bit uncomfortable. And he definitely was, judging from his expression, when he went into more detail.
'You know what I was getting at, Severus. Did he suspect anything, I mean that I asked you to watch his eating habits. You didn't tell him, did you?' he asked anxiously.
'No. I am not that stupid. But on the other hand, Remus Lupin isn't either. As soon as I started to speak about having dinner at that place, he thought that I was acting on your behalf. I would, too, if people were nagging at me about that constantly.' He gave Harry a pointed look.
'Yes. I know. But, … just look at him! He is so thin and he's definitely working too much.' Harry made a helpless gesture by throwing his arms up and sighed. 'If he's happy like that …'
'Well,' Severus began, although he didn't see any need to discuss Remus with Harry. Who was he to judge other people's feelings when he was so discontented himself?
'I don't know if Remus talks to you about that. He is definitely devoted to his job, not that he's got a choice to chose a different profession, though. But he seems to be a bit frustrated that he cannot give all the help which would be needed, you know. That he is restricted by the law and the aurors of the Werewolf Department. That is hard for somebody in whose life helping other people plays a major role.'
'As long as you two get along well …'
'Generally, yes. But I'd rather not do these observation jobs when they are too close to the full moon. As you surely have experienced yourself, Remus seems to be a bit irritable at these times,' Severus objected. 'Not that I cannot deal with that,' he lied, 'but it's a bit embarrassing and, what is more, can proof to be quite dangerous if we should ever meet the real suspects.'
Harry frowned. 'Irritable? Yes, I remember when we lived at Grimmauld Place, but … you didn't have an argument, did you?' the young auror suddenly asked concerned.
'Kind of. To tell the truth, we only came to our senses just in time to prevent a serious fight.' Harry began to look alarmed at that information, but let Severus carry on. 'Don't worry, I think we'll both be able to manage. As I've said before, the time was badly chosen, at other times, we get along quite well.'
'Right.' Harry finally said and took a deep breath. 'If you say so … here is a new list. It's kind of an update, with the old names and a few new ones. There are also some new places added to it, where they could probably be found when some of them meet because they have been seen there before.'
Severus took the paper from Harry and gave it a quick look.
'Very well. If you've got a copy I could give it to Remus. I think I will meet him at the canteen somtime this week.'
'Uhm, yes.' Harry seemed a bit embarassed.
So he proved to be just another of those wizards who tended to forget, at least at times, that the former Potions master wasn't able to perform the simplest spell, as a copying spell would have been. That was, if a document wasn't charmed with a copyproof charm which was designed to prevent excactly that, but even those were breakable.
Harry took the paper from Severus, tapped it with his wand and spoke the incantation, then gave the two copies back to him.
'Thanks. Anything else?' Severus asked.
'No. Thank you for your help in this matter, Severus. I really appreciate that.'
Severus shrugged his shoulders. He thought that the young auror looked a bit lost behind his desk, surrounded by all the paperwork. He didn't envy him for his job, having to deal with Fudge and at the same time trying to do something useful. Compared to his own situation, Severus thought and was a bit astonished about that idea himself, he had an easier life. He was free to hate the Minister from the bottom of his heart and was left in peace in the registry. On top of that, he now had even acquired a pasttime which would, as he hoped, prove to be a bit interesting. And, even more important, he wouldn't be doing it alone.
'Right. I'll go back to my exciting job of disturbing the house elves in their working routine. Tell me or Remus if you have a new observation assignment for us.'
He got up, gave Harry a short nod and turned on his heels, creating the characteristic swish of his robes. He hadn't given up this habit, but it only worked in the Ministry, of course, when he was wearing his working robes. Not that he expected to impress anybody with it, he just didn't see the point in changing anything about his person when so much of himself had already been changed against his will.
-------
His hope that their spying job would become more interesting seemed to fulfill itself a few weeks later, but not in a way Severus would have expected. During their pub visits, and he and Remus had have quite a few of them, nothing interesting ever happened. Severus didn't mind, though. To his surprise, and also perhaps to Remus', they always found enough subjects to talk about. They even discussed their own school time and Severus was finally able to laugh about some of the Marauder's pranks, something he wouldn't have dreamed about a few month earlier. They had a silent agreement with Harry that they wouldn't go out two days before and after a full moon and that had proved to work well, as Remus was his usual self and didn't show any signs of werewolf mood changes.
One day, Severus hadn't seen the werewolf for some time and they hadn't been on an observation mission for quite a while, he became witness of a conversation which triggered all his alarms who seemed to have been asleep for years now.
Just two days ago, he had talked to Harry about changing their methodical approach and becoming more 'active' as spies, but Harry had denied that, because he thought it to be too dangerous.
Now he found himself in a very private place, indeed. Actually, he was in a cubicle of a bathroom from where he was forced to listen to two men who were talking very excitedly, obviously not aware that they were overheard. Severus wondered why they were acting so careless but didn't follow this line of thought any further because he was so taken by the contents of the dialogue.
'… and you're sure he will bring that new stuff? I don't quite trust him, you know. Alec always tries out new things, and almost every time we meet he brings strangers. If you ask me, that's quite a risk,' one of the two men said.
'Yeah, I know, Alec is a bit mad. Always exaggerating. But you can't blame him for not providing us with good clients. Their payments are always punctual, and, not to forget, generous. And this time, it will be a new creation. He said that it's really magic, bringing the people into new dimensions,' the second voice, which sounded very young and enthusiastic, explained.
'Are there any side-effects known?' the first man wanted to know.
'Oh Jeff, you sound like a bloody doctor!' the second voice became impatient. 'Side-effects! What the hell do we care about side-effects? Let them take the stuff. No matter what Rick creates with his team, there will always be some nutters who are willing to swallow anything just for the kick of it. Even if it should kill them. You now that some of them are so far gone already, they don't really care.'
'Well, it's not that I care for these people, but don't you think it could be dangerous when too many people snuff it and they find out a connection to us? The police seems to have a track already, you know.'
'True, but never mind. Our job is only to deliver the stuff and to collect the money. That's it. Anything else isn't our business. Stick to that and don't do so much thinking about what could happen. I am telling you, it'll be much easier and safer like that. It's Alec's job to keep everything safe.'
'Right. Although I can't help having a bad feeling about this. Little Whisping-on-the-Whisp it was?'
'Well it's not a real place, it's only an abandoned farm. But I've got a map of the sourroundings. It's north-west of London.'
When the two had obviously left the bathroom, Severus was very excited, seeing suddenly the chance to get after some of their suspects and to get some light in their obscure mission. He had to restrain himself not to follow them straight away. He'd have liked to see where they were going or what means of transport they had, but it wouldn't have been much use. It wouldn't do to make his face known to them, in case he came too close upon them. He knew the name of the place and that was enough. The only question was now, what to do first. These people couldn't apparate and if he would be able to contact some wizards, they would definitely have an advantage. The problem was, he couldn't just apparate to the Ministry to speak to Harry. True, he had that telephone number which could be used by squibs to contact somebody in the Ministry if they had an emergency. But you couldn't ring the Ministry directly. Usually the person on the other end was a witch or wizard on duty who had a telephone at home and from there would contact the Ministry. But that would mean to spread information about their secret mission unnecessarily. The only other person he would be able to ring up was Remus.
He had talked Remus into buying a mobile phone to be able to reach him in situations like these. Although he didn't want to lose too much time, he didn't want to make the same mistake as the two men. Therefore he went out of the department store to chose a more populated area in order not to be overheard too easily. Outside, the impatient former Potions master had a bit of a struggle until he got Remus' number out of the address directory of the muggle device which was still a strange concept to him. He was hoping that Remus wasn't at the Ministry at the moment, as mobile phones, as most muggle apparatus, didn't work there.
Judging from his sleepy and hoarse voice, Severus was quite sure he had woken up the werewolf, so he was probably at home. Unusual at that time of the day, but Severus had a rough idea that the full moon was approaching, and Remus was perhaps already suffering from the beginnings of a migraine. Severus didn't know the moon chart by heart. Maybe he should, as he was working with Remus so closely, but as the whole werewolf matter wasn't something Severus wanted to be reminded of constantly, he suppressed thinking of it most of the time and let Remus decide if and when he was fit for their little spying missions. In that respect, Severus had come to trust Remus.
'What? Oh it's you, Severus. What do you want?'
'I've come across some muggles who were talking about some 'magic stuff'. I'm quite sure they've got something to do with our case.'
'So? … Are you sure?' the werewolf answered reluctantly. 'And what do you expect me to do now? he drawled uncharacteristically.
'Well, I'd need someone to apparate me there quickly. It's a strange place. Have you ever heard of a certain Little Willow-on-the-Whisp?'
'No.' There was a long pause after that and Severus wasn't sure if Remus was still there.
'What is it, Remus? Are you going to come, or not? That's our chance!' He tried desperately to convey some of his enthusiasm onto his partner, but that didn't seem to be an easy job.
'Uhm. … If you think it's that important. … But I'll have to use a map. It's difficult, if you don't know exactly where you are going. … Okay then, I'm coming.' He sighed.
'Remus! Wait.'
'What now?'
'You don't know where I am, do you?'
'Uh… no. Right. Where are you?' There was a strain in Remus' voice which raised a certain doubt in Severus if they should really proceed with his plan, but he was already so obsessed with this idea of a genuine track, … and what if this proved to be their only chance after they had probed the fog for months?
'Piccadilly Circus in five minutes. That'll be so crowded, nobody will notice you apparating there.'
Severus didn't hear any answer from Remus. The noise around him had increased and prevented any further communication. He could only hope that the werewolf had understood his directions. In order not to miss his partner at the meeting point, he hurried in the said direction, already scanning his surroundings for Remus. He stopped near a newspaper stall and pretended to look at the papers, but observed the street out of the corner of his eyes. He needn't have taken this precaution, though. It was a cold winter day, people who hurried past were muffled in coats and shawls, they wouldn't have noticed him anyway.
'Little Willow what's it's name?' a voice right behind him made him start.
'Remus! Really!'
'Well, here I am. I couldn't find it on my map. As I've told you, without any idea where to go it will become quite difficult.'
'They said it was northwest of London.'
'Just great. If you cannot give more precise directions, I'm afraid … '
'Let me see, here is the index.' Severus perused the register of the place and street names while Remus was leaning against the railing of a staircase, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
'There is a river or rather a little brook by the name of 'Whisp' northwest from here, would that do? Maybe we can try to get closer once we are there.' Severus looked up hopefully at the werewolf.
'You've got ideas.' Remus rolled his eyes, but took a step nearer to have a look at the map where Severus indicated what he thought was the right place with his forefinger.
'Yes. I'll have a go. But don't blame me if I happen to splinch us. Now then, relax.'
Saying this, he gripped Severus' right hand. Instead of relaxing, the former Potion's master stiffened, because he wasn't looking forward to what would come now. He had always hated being apparated by other wizards. Naturally, this hadn't been a problem as soon as he had been old enough to be allowed to apparate himself. As a child, his family had always avoided to apparate him, because he usually had become sick in the process. Fearing the apparating sickness, Severus took a deep breath to prepare himself. Splinching wouldn't be a problem, though. It would, if two wizards made the mistake to apparate together letting their magic powers work in opposite directions. If you planned to apparate in pairs you had to let one wizard take the lead for the process. That was why Remus had told him to relax. But there was no magic left in him to work against Remus' magic force which would bring them to Merlin knew where.
They apparated next to a narrow road in a small wood. This was good for Severus whose knees didn't feel as if they would support him much longer. He leaned against the next tree and closed his eyes. It didn't help much. Everything seemed to move, expecially in his head and he couldn't prevent retching.
'What now? Severus? … Oh no. Apparating-sickness? If I had known … '
'We would've taken the bus?' Severus cut in, still breathing heavily, but he had got his balance back, and the nausea was fading away slowly.
'Right. Do you see the road sign over there? 'Little Willow-on-the-Whisp' is that the place we are looking for?'
Severus turned in the direction Remus was indicating but was suddenly gripped by his coat and pulled back behind one of the bigger trees by the werewolf.
'I can hear a car coming. Might be them,' the latter explained his action.
Severus hadn't heard anything, but he wasn't a werewolf after all, he had to trust his partner in that respect. And indeed, after a minute or so a car came speeding up the otherwise deserted road.
'Shall we walk after them, or do you want to apparate once more?' Severus couldn't help noticing that Remus looked a little amused.
'5 miles? Don't be ridiculous. Apparating sickness is nothing you die of, you know. Let's go,' he answered the smirking werewolf.
'Very well then, one more go.' Remus seemed to have changed his attitude completely by now, his behaviour indicating that he was quite keen on their mission.
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They apparated near a farm which looked as if it had been deserted for years. They had not much time to lose, as they were in the uncomfortable position to have arrived before their suspects. Remus took the lead again and dragged Severus, who was again showing symptoms deriving from their means of travelling, towards some shrubs from where they would be able to oversee the drive and front of the main house.
Naturally, Severus had the same problems as before. Everything around seemed to turn, therefore he tried to hold on to something, which in this case, turned out to be Remus. The werewolf pushed him down into the shrubs while Severus fought his uprising nausea by breathing in and out deeply and regularly.
'Don't make any noise, they're quite close,' Remus demanded.
'Oh, shut up,' Severus managed to hiss between taking deep breaths struggling against the urge to throw up.
'They're vanishing round the corner. Come on let's go.'
Before Severus could protest, Remus had grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled the former Potions master, who was quite surprised by this turn of the action, after him. By now, he had recovered enough to participate again, but he had thought they would at least talk about a kind of plan, not act out of instinct. But as this seemed to be the method the werewolf preferred, and he had also made clear who was going to take the lead in this, Severus had no choice.
After all, Remus was the wizard with the wand, and he wasn't armed at all. For a moment, while he was following Remus who was creeping towards the house carefully, Severus contemplated the question if it had been wise to do this without a weapon. He could have had a muggle firearm or the like. Well, they weren't supposed to come in contact with their suspects, weren't they? Strictly speaking, Harry's direction would include not to creep upon suspicious muggles in a remote place, as well. That couldn't be denied. So any kind of weapon would be handy in a case of emergency, especially in a place where help was far … Severus felt completely helpless in this situation without his magic. Just when he had made up his mind to talk to Remus about this (well, not that he was afraid, because he wasn't, but that it would probably be wiser to retreat a bit and watch from a bit farther away), the werewolf suddenly stopped and Severus nearly bumped into him.
'Umph. Sorry.'
'Shush. I want to hear what they are talking about.'
Another advantage his companion had, with his enhanced hearing abilities. Severus didn't want to disturb him now. Maybe these people were just about to discuss something relevant.
They were both sitting close against the wall, near a corner of the house. Remus was in front of the two, crouching on the floor, but very tense, wand in hand, as if ready for anything that might come. Severus strained to hear something, but the only thing he was able to get from that conversation between the muggles were parts of words which seemed to drift around the corner, nothing coherent.
That made him even more uncomfortable. He felt his heart speeding up, the sound drowning anything which he could have possibly heard from the muggles. Just when Severus thought the tension was unbearable, action came, but unsuspected and from behind.
'And who are you? Sneaking around, huh? Hands up!' an unfriendly voice bellowed.
Severus whirled around, taking his hands up (he was actually a bit surprised about that, but it was probably the many muggle films he had seen which caused this reaction from him). The man Severus hadn't seen as belonging to the group they had spied upon before, was wearing an expensive looking dark suit and, more important, holding a gun.
Remus reacted shortly after him. Severus couldn't tell if the werewolf had turned around as well or if he had taken his arms up. He felt stunned from the surprise and wouldn't have dared to turn and look at his companion. The only thing Severus realized was that Remus moved behind him, the next thing he would remember afterwards was that he heard the man's gun going off and that Remus collapsed right in front of him, clutching his left leg. While the beginning of the whole scene seemed to have happened very fast, he felt as if he watched these last scenes in a kind of slow motion.
'What happened, Alec? What is it. Strangers?? Are they police?' Several voices could be heard shouting. Three muggles came around the corner, Severus recognized two of them by their voices from their conversation in the public bathroom.
Severus watched in horror while Remus lay groaning in front of his feet, pressing his hands on his thigh were the bullet had hit. Blood was seeping through his hands so that a dark stain could be seen on his jeans. When Severus made to bend down to assist him in any possible way, the man with the dark suit barked at him not to move, waving around his gun nervously. More than ever the former Potions master felt a rage rising inside him because of his helplessness. Even if he had brought a muggle firearm, it wouldn't have helped much as they had been taken by surpise. No, a proper wand and a quick spell would have solved their problem easily. Well, maybe not so easy, but they wouldn't be left in this dangerous situation. They wouldn't be in this situation if Severus hadn't been so bend on meeting some real criminals, in the first place, Severus recalled desparately while he had to watch the suffering werewolf helplessly. His trousers were partly soaked in blood already.
Just when he felt that he had come out of his shocked state a bit and that it would be worth a try to begin a conversation with their opponents, he was grabbed from behind violently.
'Come on, let's go,' the person behind him demanded, pushing him forward. He could also feel something hard which was prodded in his back and which was probably another gun. Because he had been so distracted by Remus, he hadn't been able to hear what had been discussed and what these people were planning to do with them.
He stumbled forward, relententlessly pushed and now even held by his arms by another person. Behind him, he could hear Remus yelp out in pain. They were obviously dragging him along. When they reached the house, the stopped shortly and Severus pockets were searched. He realised, that they took his mobile phone away and by the crunching noise he heard behind him he guessed that they had broken it. Then they all went down some steps into a kind of cellar. Before he could wonder what was going to happen, he was being pushed roughly a last time and couldn't help but land on the concrete floor. From the sound Remus made, Severus could guess that he was right beside him. It was pitch dark in the room at first, especially after their 'guides' had slammed the door shut. The turning of a key could be heard. The voices of the men who had brought them down here receded and it would have become silent, if not for Remus who groaned loudly.
Severus didn't move for a moment. While he was trying to gather his thoughts he meant to hear the sound of a motor outside. Car doors were being shut and the decreasing sound of the machine indicated that somebody was driving away.
After a minute, Severus eyes, who were used to unlit surroundings, had adapted to the dark. There was also a small window high up in the wall which was giving a bit of light. He sat himself up. Remus was lying next to him and didn't move.
'Remus?' he touched him lightly on the shoulder. Another groan was the only answer Severus got.
'Well, I'm going to try to stop the bleeding all right? Although I might not be able to do it very expertly. And … it will certeinly hurt even more.'
The injured werewolf still didn't answer but Severus had no choice but to begin. Typically, magical first aid spells sprang to his mind, which he couldn't make use of. Instead, he shed his winter cloak and started undressing his jacket, shirt and undershirt, as this would be the only way to get some material for bandages.
Luckily, Remus' jeans were quite worn, so Severus was able to rip the fabric further apart where the bullet had produced a small hole into the material. He then ripped his shirt and somehow managed to fabricate a compression bandage. Remus cried out when he started to pull it close.
'I'm sorry, but there is no other way.'
When he had finished fixing the bandage on Remus's leg he took his jacket and put it on again. It was quite cold down there, which wasn't a surprise, being in the middle of winter.
'You'll soon wish … that you hadn't … done this,' Remus gasped, hardly audible.
Severus looked at his injured companion questioningly.
'You surely must know what day - or … should I better say … night it will be … tonight?'
Severus took a deep breath. Somehow he had expected that, given by the werewolf's earlier behaviour. He should have known, but it was too late now. He told himself not to panic, because this situation needn't necessarily lead to a catastrophy. For once, there was the wolfsbane potion, which was, as far as Severus was concerned, one of the more important achievements of modern potion brewing.
'Well, I suspected it, but I wasn't sure. Now that you mention it, it's the full moon, isn't it? I am not going to pretend that I am looking forward to this … this uhm experience. But surely, under the wolfsbane, you will have everything under control, won't you? I will certainly be terrified, but that isn't going to kill me, Remus.' He tried to sound as if he was quite sure of himself, not so much to present himself as fearless towards Remus, because he would look through that anyway, but to convince himself that there was no real danger …
'If … if … I had … taken it.'
This information struck Severus like a blow. Remus Lupin, the most careful werewolf who was always so concerned about other people's safety, Remus Lupin, the werewolf streetworker who was working for the Ministry had forgotten to take the wolfsbane potion? The only known remedy which could make the difference between a raging bloodthirsty beast and a tame predator?
He felt as if ice was filling him up from inside, his heartbeat speeding up. Remus had closed his eyes and lay motionless. Slowly, Severus got up from where he had sat near the werewolf. He recoiled from him in horror, his knees shaking.
He went backwards until his back met the wall. All his instincts told him to run. As this wasn't possible, panic was taking over. He could sense how his adrenaline level rose, a rushing sound was building up increasingly in his ears, as if shortly before fainting. He realized that his hands were trying to get a grip on the wall he was leaning against, but he had no real control over his movements. It was like watching from the outside. When the pressure became to much he just lost it and shouted at the injured man who was lying on the concrete floor looking more like a heap of misery and not as if he would transform into one of the most dangerous magical animals in no time.
'YOU WHAT??? … YOU … DID … NOT … TAKE IT? … REMUS LUPIN!!! I HAVE TRUSTED YOU! DO YOU HEAR ME? … I MUST HAVE BEEN MAD. I TRUSTED THE MAN WHO ONCE NEARLY KILLED ME!!! WELL DONE!… THIS TIME IT IS GOING TO WORK! JUST BRILLIANT!
He had become so hysterical that his voice reverberated shrilly from the walls. But as violent as this verbal outburst had been, it was over within a minute, as it had taken all energy out of him causing his knees to give way. Before he could collapse he managed to let himself glide down onto the floor.
'So, this time … all my nightmares will come true,' he was whispering hoarsly now, panting. He slung his arms around his knees and put his face on them, his favourite position when in distress and normally a good means if he attempted to get control over himself again.
After a few minutes, Severus felt that not only his breath was becoming something like normal, but also that thinking was possible again. Maybe not all was lost. For once, there was the possibility that the muggles would come back and let them out, or … perhaps somebody else would free them? Who, Severus, who? he scolded himself. Nobody, not even Harry knew where they could possibly be. They had acted like bloody amateurs, like schoolboys who played detective. So, that was obviously no option. But they should try to free themselves, at least a try couldn't hurt, he decided. Well, it would certainly be painful for Remus, because Severus would need a wizard to open that door. Even if nothing worked, he had to try everything he could think of, he couldn't sit here and wait until … .
He shuddered and got up, walking back over to Remus who hadn't moved since he had said that desastrous sentence.
'Remus! Where is your wand? Even if you are injured, you should be able to perform a spell which should help us to get out of here.' He touched Remus at the shoulder, because he wasn't sure if he was conscious or not. Remus flinched at that as if he expected being beaten by a furious Severus. But then he answered, timidly.
'Must have lost it when … when I was shot.'
'Great. Let's try something else then. What about your wandless magic?'
'Sorry to disappoint you. I … I have never been very good .. at that. It has also got to …to do with my lycanthropy.' He suppressed a groan and took a few deep breaths before he spoke again.
'But I will do anything to help .. I promise … I will try hard …'
'Well, there are not many options, are there?' Severus was talking harsher than he had intended to. He didn't hate Remus, not even after this fatal error, but indifferent behaviour and speech had always been one of his favourite means to control his own panic when in difficulties.
'I suggest that we try an Alohomora charm on the door, because that would be a simple one. I will carry you over there, right?'
He didn't wait for an answer, though, but gripped Remus under his arms and pulled him up. But there was no way the werewolf would stand or even walk the short distance, therefore Severus let him down again. Instead, he dragged him towards the door which must have been as uncomfortable for Remus, but he didn't complain. When they had reached the door Remus placed his hands over the lock while Severus was holding him upright. After a short moment of concentration he spoke the incantation, but nothing happened. They tried again, and again, but the door didn't react in even the smallest way.
Severus had somehow feared that this would happen. If Remus was a wizard with only limited abilities regarding wandless magic, and that wasn't unusual even for strong wizards, he was even more handicapped by his injury which would interfere with his whole system, the chance that they would have got out this way had been very limited beforehand. Health was an important factor when it came to the magic flow in the body. As Remus' health would rather deteriorate within the next time, using magical means were obviously out of question.
Having accepted that fact, Severus dragged Remus back from the door without any comment and eased him down on the floor again. When he noticed that the werwolf was shivering, he took his coat he had discarded before taking off his other clothes and wrapped him into it. That was about all he could do for him. Without any magic at their hands, they could give up any plans about leaving this place in time.
'All right, as this is obviously not going to work, we have to think of something else. Let's try an academic approach, shall we?' Severus tone had shifted towards sarcastic which was always a bad sign, mostly when he was becoming desperate. 'We'll have to collect everything we know about werewolves. There is the slight possibility that that will lead us towards some solution … and if not, … well then it will help to keep our minds busy,' he stated dryly.
'Ask me anything you can think of. … I'll tell you everything … if it helps,' Remus offered with a strained voice. Severus knew from their shared experience at Hogwarts and in the Order, that one reason for Remus being good at Defence was that he was an exceptionally strong wizard. Strong enough to endure all sorts of pain. Therefore he could only guess hwo much the werewolf was suffering at the moment. But he couldn't spare him the following conversation. He also felt the need to talk to him and tell him that it wasn't all his fault alone, but how to begin?
'Look, Remus. Just to let you know, I think it was also partly my doing which led us into this. I should have known the date, and if I hadn't been so blind because I was so obsessed with the idea to finally achieve something in our mission … '
'No, Severus. I am the werewolf. As such, I am responsible for everything. I should have never come. When you called, I thought it was still early and I would be back in time, and then I forgot about the wolfsbane potion. Werewolves are only tolerated by wizarding society as long as they live and behave as is stated in the Code of Conduct for werewolves, meaning to prevent any danger coming from the beast. I have failed in that respect. It's unforgivable.' Remus was whispering and breathing heavily during his little speech.
'Right. If you say so.' Severus cleared his throat several times, before he went on. 'Well, I think, everybody has a right to make a fault or wrong decision, and if I should ever come out of this alive, I might even forgive you, but at the moment, nothing of this is going to help us. I would like to gather some information. Maybe that will give us an idea … ' He tried to sound hopefully.
'How big … I mean … as a wolf … how big would you be?' As soon as he was touching the very subject, Severus became so unsure of his voice which was developing a tremor now, that he only whispered.
'If you remember me back from … the Shrieking Shack … well, I wasn't fully grown then.'
Severus shuddered. This information clearly wasn't what he needed just right now. He knew, of course, that werewolves were slightly bigger than normal wolves. He knew natural wolves from his visits to the zoo when he had tried to become used to the sight of these animals. Naturally, he did remember that night all too well and Remus had been very large …
'And is there … any weak spot a werewolf has? … Any part of the body which would be more …. vulnerable than others … anything … I could …' attack he had wanted to say, but was unable to finish the sentence. To speak out loud that he was going to fight a genuine werewolf was just unthinkable.
'Let me think … the belly? … Yes, the belly would be a good spot. … If you had a knife…'
'But I'm not so lucky to have one. And I am certainly not planning to bend down and present my neck to the beast to get under his belly!' Severus cut in impatiently and harsher than he had intended to. If I had a knife, I would probably cut my wrists to die before you transform, he thought.
'No, you're right.' Remus kept his eyes closed, his face was contorted in pain.
For some time, there was silence, only disturbed by Remus' laboured breathing. Severus doubted that his enquiries would lead to anything he could use, but he had to keep his mind busy to prevent himself from turning mad. And, perhaps, he could give Remus the impression that he was a bit in control over their unfortunate situation. No, there he was certainly wrong. Remus knew as well as himself that the whole thing would be hopeless. What they were doing right now was to play a game of question and answer to avoid thinking of the inevitable.
As these thoughts caused panic rising again in Severus, he tried to force his mind back to thinking. He probed his memory for anything remotely associated with werewolves.
'The nose.' Severus suddenly said.
'What?'
'What about a werewolf's nose, Remus? I've read somewhere - but the source wasn't a very trustworthy one, I'm afraid - that the nose is very sensitive and also vulnerable. Would that be a weak point?'
'Yes, that's true,' Remus was only whipsering now. 'Where did you read that?'
'Uhm. … Lockhart'.
'As a former Defence teacher, I know his books, Severus. It's not all nuisance and made up. At least not the information he got from other wizards who really did experience what he wrote down.'
This rather long speech had clearly been too much for Remus in his situation. He closed his eyes and sighed. Severus made a helpless attempt to make him more comfortable, knowing that there wasn't really much he could do. He tried to wrap his coat around the werewolf more closely and converted one of the sleeves to a kind of cushion he then put under Remus' head.
'I know that, Remus. But I'm sure you know about everything he did at Hogwarts. I bet, Harry has told you everything. He was such a nuisance, and really, trying to obliviate students … ' He shook his head.
'Did he act the same way around the teachers as he did in class or with students?' Remus seemed to have recovered a bit, but he spoke very low and his voice sounded hoarse. 'I only know him from Harry's perspective. And that didn't sound very promising.'
'Well, now. I could tell you all sorts of more or less weird things about that man. Not to mention his teaching methods … well, everybody has his faults in this discipline … but what annoyed me most during his time at Hogwarts was, that he always tried to skip his nightwatch shift. Almost every time when it was his turn to make rounds, he found some excuse to avoid it. Most of the time it was headaches. For some reason, he always came to me for a headache potion.'
'Well, maybe he was afraid of Poppy. She could be very strict,' Remus cut in. 'And from experience, as you well know, I do feel with people who suffer from headaches.'
'More afraid of Poppy than of me? I can't remember ever being friendly towards him, you know. And headaches always on the night of his shift? I have my doubts about that. The point was, that I was almost always available at the castle, meaning that in most cases I was the only one who would be there to do his shift when he was ill. And that wasn't the worst. He seemed to have expecially chosen me for conversation whenever we met. Always talking about his books and how clever he was. I was almost under the impression that he did it to test how far my patience would last. Anyway, one day I got enough of this sharade of his and gave him … Oh, I'm sorry, that must be quite tiring for you.'
He looked down at Remus and also gave his injured leg a quick look to check if the bleeding had really stopped. Fortunately, there were no new traces of fresh blood. The makeshift bandage seemed to do its work.
'No, please, go on.' Remus answered, almost pleading. 'I'm glad for any distraction.'
'Very well then. As I said, one day I had enough and gave him a combination of headache and silencing potion, causing him to become dumb for some time.'
'You did? Really?' Remus face seemed to have lit up a little by Severus story. 'Cool ... You, playing a prank on Gilderoy Lockhart. Poisoning a fellow teacher … What a pity that Harry will never now about that.' Severus thought he could even detect a small smile on the werewolf's painstricken face.
'Thank you. I take that as a compliment. But it didn't do me any good. Naturally, he panicked when he realized that he had suddenly lost his voice. He wrote a note to Albus, saying that he wouldn't be able to do his nightly round in that state - meaning, of course, without being able to cry for help. He got his voice back in the morning, of course, I'm not that mean, you know. But he persuaded Albus that he wouldn't be able to do any night watches in the future as well, because of his nerves. Guess who was the lucky one who got additional night shifts … . Maybe it was as well. I don't think the castle would have been very safe with him on the watch. But I also think that Albus had found out about my little prank and wanted to punish me. He was quite tightlipped for some time after that incident.'
'Knowing Albus, I am quite sure that privately, he had a good laugh.'
'Maybe. But as much as you seem to enjoy my performance as a storyteller, Remus, this is not going to help us out of this unfortunate situation. May I ask how you are at the moment. How is your leg?'
'Just don't ask.' Remus sighed, trying, unsuccessfully though, to suppress a groan.
'Right. Back to our strategy then.' Severus tried to sound cheerfully, as if they were about to discuss some academic problem at lunch break, but he was afraid that he wasn't very convincing. Telling the story hadn't been a problem, but as soon as they were back on their subject, he couldn't keep his voice completely free from trembling.
'Wait,' Remus suddenly cut in Severus' line of thinking, 'what about your mobile phone? You had it with you when you phoned me at home, didn't you?'
'They took mine and destroyed it.'
'As far as know, mine must be still inside my jacket. If you will have a look.'
Suddenly new hope was beginning to form inside Severus. How could he have forgotten to ask Remus that first thing? The reason was simple. He was a wizard, and no matter how used you got to muggle devices, in desperate situations like these, a wizard would always think of magical means for rescue at first.
Eager to see if Remus' was right, he bend over him and lifted him gently, not to cause him any more pain than necessary. He found the phone quickly, but was soon deeply disappointed. What could have turned out as their last straw to help them out of this place wasn't working.
'It's dead,' he said in a low voice.
'I remember now. The batteries had been very low already when you called. Sorry' Remus whispered. 'Whom were you planning to call anyway, Severus? Harry hasn't got a phone nor at his office nor at home and as far as I know no mobile one, either.'
'There is an emergency number for squibs you can call. It will be passed on to the Ministry. But as this will be of no use to us now …' Severus took a few deep breaths before he could go on. This sudden glimpse of hope which had been shattered so brutally was worse than if they hadn't have Remus' phone at all in the first place. He had a hard time not to show his disappointment too much when he ventured further on his orginal line of thought.
'Would your injury play a role … in your behaviour? Would … would it alter it's behaviour or even … weaken the … the wolf?'
'Werewolves act in no way as normal animals would. But you know that already, Severus. Their only goal, if you assume that their behaviour is directed by something like planning or rational 'thinking' which is certainly not the case, but anyway, … what they want is to kill, nothing else. It doesn't matter whom they kill or how many or why. It is not known if they are doing it because they are hungry. I guess that there must be a kind of bloodthirst involved, but … you see, it's difficult, because you cannot ask a transformed werewolf, and afterwards we don't have memories of what we've possibly done. … I do feel a kind of pulling in the hours before the transformation, though, even when I've taken the wolfsbane potion. A general urge to run … , but I wouldn't describe it as 'hunting fever' or something like that …'
Exhausted, Remus closed his eyes, trying to calm his breathing. Severus felt uneasy. He didn't want to cause Remus more distress than he was already in, but he was still desperately hoping that by the information the werewolf could give they would find some kind of solution.
Trying to spare Remus the talking part, Severus began to summarize his own knowledge, letting the werewolf confirm.
'So, a normal wolf would flee from humans, even if it was hungry, because they only hunt in packs or go for smaller prey. If the animal was injured, it would flee as well, and only attack when it couldn't run away, like in our case. But all this doesn't count for a werewolf, right?'
Remus nodded. 'The only way would be … to kill the beast, or … if you're a wizard, … to stun it.'
Severus sighed. 'Would the werewolf be ready to act right away after the transformation is complete?'
'Depends. I think, I usually need a minute or so. … Severus?'
Severus hadn't looked at Remus during the last sentences. Somehow he couldn't bear to look at this face anymore which showed so much pain and would transform in no time. There was also the smell of blood mingling with the mouldy atmophere in the room which made him nauseous. Since he had learnt about Remus' shortcoming, his heartrate had never slowed down back to normal again.
'Severus?'
He looked in Remus' direction who was looking back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming over his contorted face.
'Ddd … don't give it too much room to … to act, Severus. If you want to fight, …don't wait … until … until … it jumps … at … you.' He was sobbing now.
This was too bad. Severus felt really sick now. It was so hard to watch the man in distress in front of him, that he wished something would happen, and be it the most feared, if only it would be over soon. The waiting was driving him more and more into despair.
'I'm sorry,' Remus went on, 'I know … there is no excuse ….'
'It's not all your fault, but I think we've had that discussion already. If it makes things easier for you … I … well as I've said before, I cannot say that I don't blame you, but let's say I forgive you, Remus.'
'Thanks. … It was nice to have met you.'
Remus closed his eyes again. Even in the dim light, Severus was able to see the man's tears leaving dark stains on the concrete floor.
'Pleasure.'
Severus took Remus' hand and squeezed it. Then he sat back against the wall and waited. Remus didn't speak anymore and it didn't look as if he would at all. He had stopped crying and for Severus it seemed as if the werewolf was asleep. Maybe he was unconscious, he couldn't tell. From time to time he took a closer look to make sure that he was breathing at all. Frankly, the easiest thing for both of them would be if he just died.
But that was obviously not going to happen. Severus had no idea how long they had been in that room or how much time they had spent talking. It had been early afternoon when they had left London. It was winter and had become dark during their conversation. He hadn't bothered to look at his watch. What for? The only thing which counted at the moment was the moon.
It finally rose, sending a bit more light through the little opening in the wall. Remus suddenly stirred and then started to scream. It was so terrible that Severus had the feeling of his blood curdling in his veins. He sat frozen, watching the man transform helplessly.
As far as Severus could tell, it took several minutes before the animal form emerged. It was then, that Remus' screaming changed to a howling which wasn't any better for Severus' nerves, but it finally caused him to act.
'Don't give it too much room' Remus had said.
Before the transformation was complete, he had made his decision …
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A/N:
All right, this was quite hard to write. It's probably also too dramatic or too long? Let me know.
Okay, I know it's probably a bit weak, letting Severus forget when the next full moon was, but as I said, I think he always tries not to think about it. And in this situation he was very excited too, seeing some success with their mission within reach. Also, as the werewolf, it would clearly have been Remus business either not to come or to take the potion beforehand. In his case he is, of course, already affected by the oncoming transformation and, on the other hand, he is also quite taken by their new track. So clear thinking, although generally a strong character trait of the two, is made impossible in this situation.
I also let them act a bit naïve when they went after the muggles, because I think despite their frequent observation sessions of muggles they have no idea about their criminal ways.