AN: The chapter numbers have hit double digits. Hoorah! Sorry for the delay, I've had a horrible case of writer's block. My muses decided to take a holiday and not tell me. Plus my computer converted this chapter into something other than text and I lost nearly half the chapter trying to get it back! –chucks computer–
Disclaimer: Let's break the word down: fanfiction. Fan – Fiction. I am but a humble fan writing fiction for absolutely nothing. Except maybe…reviews…
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Last Chapter: All three jumped to their feet to see who or what made mincemeat out of the upper rooms.
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"I'm going up to see what happened," said Snape. "Lupin, stay with her and if I don't come down in a few minutes, Apparate out."
Remus shook his head. "I can't let you go up there alone, Severus. Who knows what all is up there. I'm going with you."
Leaning in toward the huddled figures, Hermione whispered, "What about me?"
"You can't stay down here by yourself," replied Remus immediately. "They could attack this floor." He rubbed his eyes. "You're going to have to stay between me and Severus. It's the only way to keep you protected from all sides."
Another thump sounded from above their heads. "Let's go," said Snape.
Feeling completely naked now without her wand, Hermione filed behind Remus going up the stairs. Snape followed closely behind, so much so, she could hear his nasally breathing. The air's tension pressed in, only broken by the occasional creaking board. Hermione gripped the handrail firmly; it helped steady her hand and occupied the longing brought on by the lack of her wand. She strained for any noises as they reached the landing but knew if anyone heard anything, it would be Remus.
Remus cautiously made his way onto the second floor. Careful to not be noisy, Hermione took the last step up. As she strode forward, a slight halt sent her lurching forward toward the hardwood floor. Instinctively, Hermione threw her arms out in front of her. She braced for impact but nothing ever came. Seemingly able to sense the fall coming, Remus turned to catch her and then gave Snape a look, whose pale face appeared apologetic from the stairway.
"Okay?" Remus mouthed soundlessly.
Hermione nodded in reply though her heart continued to pound mercilessly in her chest. Remus pulled her aside, allowing Snape to pass by and stand nearby. Peering behind her, Hermione could clearly see a dirty shoe print on the hem of the robe. Remus' robe, several inches longer on her, must have trailed out on the steps. Unfortunately, fabric had still been there when Snape stepped up.
Apparently, back to his old surly self, Snape looked hard at Remus as if waiting for him to make a move. He glowered even more at the sight of the other still holding on to Hermione, despite the fact that she was perfectly able to stand. Remus hastily let go of Hermione at the sight of Snape; he did not return Snape's piercing gaze. An intense light shone from the room Hermione had stayed in, dazzling them. A dull thud sounded after it dissipated. Remus motioned to himself then the door and then motioned to Snape and Hermione. The dark-haired man nodded and stepped slightly in front of Hermione in a protective stance.
Creeping, Remus made his way to the door. He tensed in front of it then threw it back quickly, hoping to startle the person or persons on the other side. Wand in mid-wave and mouth in mid-spell, Remus froze. This was not what he had been expecting. Moonlight from the window fell on numerous suitcases and trunks. All sat strewn haphazardly across the room as though someone had gotten angry and thrown them. Seeing no one, Remus motioned for Snape and Hermione to follow.
Both picked their way through the wreckage of the room, peering curiously around. Remus bent down over a few pieces of luggage that had somehow managed to stay on the bed and not tumble off. "I do believe these are mine," he said, pointing to the rather shabby gray cases.
"That was obvious," muttered Snape.
Either not hearing him or choosing not to, Remus popped one open. Inside were some of his Muggle slacks and shirts, all neatly pressed and folded. Someone had even matched his socks together. Smiling slightly, he closed the suitcase back and looked up. Hermione apparently had found her belongings, too, her head shown over the top of the glossy brown trunk from her position on the floor. Relief appeared the most on her face, as she pulled out a shirt and trousers with a quick glance down at the worn hospital gown.
"Looks like Dumbledore sent your things ahead of him. Only he could get this number of items to a destination unaccompanied like this," Snape said as he cleared a seat for him on the bed. "He won't be far behind."
"Thank goodness," said Hermione, "I've got to get out of this hospital gown and change into some proper clothing." Clothes in tow, she made her way through the maze and stopped at the door. "I'll be in the bathroom," she called as she left.
Snape leaned against one of the bed's four posts and watched Remus begin grouping his possessions together in a neat section. He regarded the other as the number of things to sort into the sandy-haired man's pile dwindled. Loudly, he cleared his throat to get Remus' attention.
"I think this would be a good time to give you a few choice items before Miss Granger returns," said Snape.
Remus raised an eyebrow of instant suspicion, "Such as?"
"Don't play stupid, Lupin. I've brought along all the potions for you and her. They're in my cloak. I thought there might be some you'd rather not have her find out about."
"Oh, yes," Remus nodded, looking wearily at Snape, "I'll take them now. While she's out, I can hopefully get them into my room."
Rummaging around in the inner folds of his cloak, Snape produced first a green bottle labeled WB then hastily put it back. Next, he extracted a wispy blue liquid with AP written on it and pressed it into Remus' palm. A red opaque vial was second to be shoved at him, the lettering nearly too small to make out the double E's. Finally, Snape gave Remus a black and purple potion with a simple flame design.
"I'll give you the rest when Dumbledore comes. Some of them are for Hermione and the others she already knows you need. I'll have to go over the proper usage with her on each," said Snape, look as if the prospect of doing so gave him immense pleasure…after eating a lemon. "Though I'm sure she could give me a hour lecture on each."
"I'm sure she could," echoed Remus as he slipped the vials into his trouser pocket.
He picked up a couple of his suitcases to carry over into his room across the hall. They gave him an excuse for going over there. Walking over into his room would look odd being empty-handed. Remus did not need any questions asked what so ever; he did not want to give those answers. With ease, he maneuvered his two heaviest pieces out the doorway, leaving Snape to enjoy a few moments alone.
Quickly crossing the hall, Remus dropped his luggage on the floor and hastily pushed the three vials into his desk's bottom drawer. He stared at the drawer for a bit longer then shook his head and turned around to leave. Through the open door, he could see Snape muttering and arranging various glass bottles on the vanity. A set of fluorescent green vials glowed at him in the fading night. What a blessing and yet a curse. He began to walk back to the other room but a cry from the bathroom sent him rushing down the hall.
Snape appeared not far behind him. A resounding hit reverberated through the closed door. Remus tried to turn the doorknob but found it locked. He began pounding on the door. "Hermione! Hermione! Are you okay?" Not waiting for a response, Remus squared his shoulders and rammed them hard against the door. With one hit the door gave. Inside stood Hermione looking rather stricken at a man in sage robes sitting on the edge of the tub. He held his nose with his hand and a bit of blood stood out against his skin.
"Albus?"
"He just appeared behind me and I reacted…by hitting him," Hermione said, groaning. "I'm so sorry I punched you, Professor."
Dumbledore waved his free hand in her direction. "No need to keep apologizing, Hermione. I was in a hurry and my calculations became off so I arrived in the wrong room. It is quite all right. I do believe you have straightened my nose out, though."
"Here, sir," said Lupin handing a handkerchief to him.
"Thank you, Remus. Now we must get down to the matter of business. The charm needs to be performed first and all other arrangements can come after the house is protected," his voice came muffled through the handkerchief. "It could be cast in here but we're a bit crowded."
"I'd suggest the bedroom down the hall. The luggage arrived in there and I've already set out the potions," said Snape.
"Ah, good. They arrived all right then! Lead the way."
The group trudged down the hall into the more spacious room. From the window, the sky began to become illuminated, casting a dull glow on the world. Some rather rough places in the floor were noticeable where the luggage had a landed. With the wave of his wand, Dumbledore popped those back into place then instructed everyone to make a circle around him.
Hermione bit her lip nervously as she stood between Remus and Snape. Of course, she had read about the charm but all the library books had been terribly vague on the subject. It seems for once she really had no idea what was going on. She only hoped it did not involve having to draw blood like some of the other, more er…involved protection spells. Hermione then clasped the others' hands as instructed.
"Now that we have formed our circle, I can begin the procedure. Although Severus is here for the charm, I will have to inform him of its whereabouts after we leave since it will only be stored here," Dumbledore tapped his forehead. "Please do not move much, it could displace a few things we'd rather keep put, and this will be over rather quickly."
Instinctively, Hermione squeezed the hands holding hers tighter. Each of them tried to give a reassuring look though Snape's was more of just a nod. With a sweep of the wand, Dumbledore produced a bit of wood from the floor to float in mid air. All eyes fixed on it as it glowed under Dumbledore's close vision. As it became so brilliant, when they could only squint, he yelled out into the present roar, "Wood of the home needing protection, you will hold your secret in me! FIDELIUS AGORENA!"
The bit of wood burst into a ball of light that soon began growing until it engulfed the entire room in its pulsing bubble. It did not stop there; soon it went through the walls and Hermione could distinctly see a vibrant wall hovering outside the window. As soon as Hermione felt her heart start slowing down, the light suddenly imploded, rushing back into the room. The oddity of it was the absolute silence with which it did it. Dumbledore reached out and took the piece from the air. The light snuffed out with only gray ashes left in his hand.
With that, the spell over Dumbledore broke and his straight posture slumped into that of an old man. His wrinkles stood out more, deep crevasses against pale skin. He looked wearily at the trio whose arms now hung at their sides.
"You will have to speak for awhile, Severus, until I can get my voice back," said Dumbledore hoarsely as Remus rushed to hold up the collapsing wizard.