Call On Me
Chapter Twenty Three-The Investigation
REMUS.
Caitlin just was in hysterics. She just rested her head against my arm and sobbed.
"I'm so sorry," I said as my voice cracked. "I had to Kate."
Tears began streaming down my own cheeks as I pressed my face into Caitlin's hair and began sobbing myself.
"I wish I could take back ever going to Hogsmeade in the beginning…None of this would've happened," I sobbed.
Caitlin just continued to cry.
We sat there, holding each other and cried.
It felt like hours that passed when Caitlin cried herself to sleep in my arms with her head resting against my shoulder.
I couldn't move so I just brought my legs up on top of the cot and Caitlin shifted so that her head now rested on my thigh. My back was pressed against the headboard of the cot. I just began gently stroking Caitlin's hair as she slept. Professor Snape came into the hospital wing. He was carrying a smoking goblet in his hand.
"How is she doing?" he asked tentatively approaching us.
"She finally cried herself to sleep," I said looking down at her. "How would you feel knowing your boyfriend killed your best friend?"
Professor Snape sat down beside the cot and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his thighs. He clasped his hands and looked at me with his dark eyes. His greasy hair fell around his face, framing his dark eyes.
"I mean no disrespect," he replied. "I'm genuinely concerned."
I was stunned. I'd never known him to show this side before…the kind and caring side. It was a bit creepy, but welcoming at the same time.
"As for the rest, you had no choice," he continued. "Miss Evans wasn't herself. She didn't know what she was doing."
"I hope we find out who's behind this parasite," I said as my voice began shaking again.
"Dumbledore will not rest until he finds out who's behind this and what started it," Professor Snape said quietly.
"When she wakes up, give her this potion," he said handing me the goblet. "It's a calming draught. It would do her some good."
I placed the goblet on the end table and thanked him.
He glanced down at Caitlin before getting up. He began leaving the hospital wing; his dark robes billowing out behind him.
I rested my head against the headboard and I too, soon dozed off.
I felt warm sunshine on my face. I groggily opened my eyes. Madam Elkin was at her desk.
"Morning Professor Lupin," she said gently.
"Morning," I said yawning.
Caitlin was still curled up against me with her head on my thigh.
I gently shook her awake.
"Caitlin? Wake up," I said gently.
She moaned and began opening her eyes as she slowly sat up. Her hair was disheveled and standing on end.
"Drink this," I said handing her the goblet.
"What is it?" she asked warily.
"It's a Calming Draught. Professor Snape brought it in last night," I said as she took it and took several sips.
She handed the goblet back to me.
"How are you feeling?" I asked quietly.
"Sick to my stomach," she replied.
Alarms went off.
"Is it because of the baby?" I asked immediately putting a hand on her semi-flat stomach.
"No," Caitlin said shaking her head. "To think of that hard decision you had to make."
My eyes swelled with tears.
"I don't blame you at all," she said quietly. "You had no choice. Lily could've killed you and then turned to me. Besides, she wasn't herself."
I threw my arms around her and pulled her close. She hugged me just as tightly as well.
"I just miss our friends," she said her voice cracking again. "We've lost everyone that we ever cared about because of this fucking parasite. They'd better destroy it for good this time. I just don't want anything to happen to you."
"Don't worry," I said quietly and reassuringly. "I'm not going anywhere."
We held each other for a bit more until Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape came into the hospital wing.
"Miss Andrews, Mr. Lupin, how are you doing?" Professor McGonagall asked gently.
"Badly shaken and sick to my stomach," I replied swallowing down nausea. I decided that I needed to take a sip of the Calming Draught myself so I reached for the goblet and took a sip.
"Miss Evan's parents were contacted. Her body was sent to the Ministry for further testing. I'm expecting to hear the results quite soon and we might be able to put a stop to this parasite once and for all,"
Professor Snape sat down beside Caitlin.
"Does the Ministry know about the Three Broomsticks?" Caitlin asked.
Her eyes were red and puffy from crying so much the night before. I knew she had cried herself dry and had no more tears left. I felt the same way.
"Yes," Professor Dumbledore said nodding. "In fact, their sending 3 Aurors here to Hogwarts this afternoon. They want you to go with them, Remus."
"What? Why?" Caitlin asked sharply snapping to rapt attention.
"Because they need to know from someone that was there what the drinks looked like," Professor Dumbledore said patiently.
"Can't someone else go?" Caitlin asked looking around at the Professors.
"Unfortunately not," Dumbledore said calmly. "You and Remus are the only ones left that can describe everything to them. You're in no condition to go to Hogsmeade, Miss Andrews. You need to take it easy and rest. Remus is the only one fit enough to go."
I turned to her.
"Don't worry," I said softly. "I'm going to have 3 Auror's with me. We aren't going to be drinking anything."
Caitlin shook her head violently and abruptly got to her feet. She stalked out of the hospital wing.
I sighed and followed her.
CAITLIN.
I stood next to the window and crossed my arms over my chest. I stared out at the snow covered grounds. A cold gust of wind blew my hair back over my shoulder. I felt someone standing beside me.
I turned and it was Remus.
"Caitlin," he said patiently. "I have to go okay? I have to help them put a stop to his parasite. I don't think Lily, James and Sirius would want to let that go."
I bit my bottom lip.
"I know," I said quietly. "I'm just scared that you'll get infected with it and I'll end up losing you."
Remus smiled.
"Trust me. I won't be drinking anything alright?"
I sighed. I didn't want him to go, but I knew he had to. He was right. This wasn't something to easily let go.
"Fine," I muttered.
He gently took my face in his hands and tilted my face up toward his. He brought his face close to mine and gently kissed me. I returned the kisses the same way.
He pulled back after a few moments.
"I'll be fine," he said reassuringly.
I smiled and pursed my lips still tasting his lips on mine.
"I'll be back soon," he said gently putting a hand on my stomach before turning and heading back into the hospital wing. I heard him relay to Dumbledore that it was okay he was going.
I headed back to the common room.
REMUS.
I glanced back out into the hall. Caitlin had disappeared. She was probably heading back to the common room as both she and I were set to leave the hospital wing.
That afternoon, 3 Auror's from the Ministry arrived. A tall, well built man in dark blue robes named Eric Moors; a medium height male dressed in emerald robes named Tom Larks and a medium height woman named Eleanor Danes in pale blue robes.
Eric had short, dark blond hair and blue eyes; Tom had short dark brown hair and brown eyes with sharpened features and Eleanor had shoulder length light brown hair and green eyes.
We all met in Dumbledore's office.
"So this young man witnessed this 'parasite' first hand?" Eric asked looking at me.
"Yes," Dumbledore said nodding. "He lost very close friends of his to it."
"What happened exactly?" Eleanor asked kindly. "If you don't mind me asking."
I glanced at Dumbledore. He nodded, signaling me to go a head and tell them.
"They know about me sending you back," Dumbledore replied softly.
"Well, first we all had gone to Hogsmeade. Our best friend Sirius was the first to try this new drink from Romania. It was called the Manehiem drink. We all noticed this small little thing at the bottom and warned him not to drink it, but he did anyway. He was fine for a bit then began expressing aggressive behavior. He threw Caitlin onto the table and she was killed. James, our other best friend, tried to get him off me but Sirius fought back and James was killed. That's when Dumbledore came into the picture and killed Sirius. Caitlin was dead and that's when Dumbledore sent me back."
I took a deep breath and continued.
"It happened all over again," I said swallowing. "The Hogsmeade trip, everything, except this time Caitlin, Lily and I managed to survive and it was in butterbeer. A second year named Danielle Morgan drank it, but due to the fact that she was a Tricroux, the parasite showed itself much faster. Thing's seemed okay but she tried to kill Caitlin and Lily had gone to Hogsmeade with Professor Dawes. She had gotten drunk and began expressing the aggression slowly. That's pretty much bringing you up to the present."
The Auror's listened intently.
"Wow," Tom said shaking his head. "You've had a rough time huh?"
I nodded.
"Well, don't worry," Eric said firmly. "We're going to put a stop to this and investigate it thoroughly."
"You should get going," Dumbledore said.
"Right," Eleanor said. "Please come with us, Mr. Lupin."
"How are we getting there?" I asked curiously as I stepped over to them.
"Apparating," Eric replied. "Dumbledore lowered the magic a bit so we would be able to Apparate in and out of the school."
I nodded.
We learned Apparation in school. Caitlin and I passed.
"Do you know how to Apparate?"
I nodded again.
"Excellent,"
So on the count of 3, we all Apparated out of the school.
We appeared in Hogsmeade. Even now, being here again, my stomach was all in knots.
The street was deserted and no one was walking around. It was nearing the holidays so that had a lot to do with it.
"Let's go," Tom said urgently.
We began walking to the Three Broomsticks. I nervously followed, hugging my robe around me tighter. I had completely forgotten to take my cloak.
We entered the Three Broomsticks. I glanced around the place. It was deserted except for the bar tender behind the bar wiping a small glass with a rag.
"Excuse me," Tom said in a business like tone. "We're from the Ministry of Magic. We're here investigating reports of a Manehiem drink you served? And your butterbeer."
The bar tender looked nervous now.
"Eh? Really? What for?" he asked looking at each of us.
"Evidence that there is a parasite in it," Eric replied.
"Parasite?"
"Show us the butterbeer barrel," Eric demanded.
The owner shrugged and led us toward the back. We followed him.
He opened the barrel and immediately, I saw the parasites…only they didn't look like a small little worm floating at the top in the foam.
"Oh. My.God," Eric said wide-eyed.
"Good Lord," Eleanor said next completely stunned and shocked.
"Is this what was at the bottom of the drink?" Tom asked me.
I shook my head still transfixed at the sight.
"No," I said. "They were much smaller. I don't understand this."
They were about the size of caterpillars and red. They had black bands around their bodies as well.
"Where did you get this?" Eric demanded to the bartender.
"A shipment came in from Romania," he replied. "It was sent directly to here."
"Did you know who it came from directly?"
The bartender shook his head.
"No, only this man dressed in a black cloak,"
We looked at each other.
"He was tall too," the bartender continued thoughtfully. "And smelled funny."
"Smelled funny?" Tom asked curiously. "How?"
"Like earth,"
Again we looked at each other.
"He gave instructions as well," the bartender went on. "He said I must serve this butterbeer to students at Hogwarts only."
"Only Hogwarts?" Eleanor asked shocked. "Why?"
"That much he didn't say," the bartender said.
"Well," Tom said clearing his throat. "You are to come with us to the Ministry. Several people have died from drinking this. Mr. Lupin? Are you able to Apparate back to Hogwarts by yourself okay?"
I nodded.
"Good," Tom said. "Let's go."
He grabbed the bartenders arm and they soon popped out of sight.
I pulled out my wand, aimed it at the barrel and took a deep breath.
"Arimus Destructus!"
A jet of white shot out from the tip of my wand and hit the barrel. It exploded sending butterbeer all over the place. The parasites were destroyed as well.
Feeling much better, but still not sure of who sent the shipment, I tucked the wand back into my robe and prepared to Apparate.
Once I was back inside Hogwarts, I told Dumbledore what had happened.
"Hmm," he said thoughtfully. "That does sound odd. But who on earth would do something like this?"
A sudden, horrible thought entered my mind.
"You-Know-Who?" I suggested.
Dumbledore looked at me.
"What would be the reasoning for him to do that?"
I frowned.
It was true. What would he get out of putting aggressive parasites into human beings?
"To start a super weapon," I replied at last.