"Remus, stay here. I'll get rid of him." She mussed up her hair and applied a spell to make herself look pale and ill. She affected a fake cough as she shuffled down the hall.
"Lucius, what a surprise to see you. What brings you here?" she asked weakly.
He looked like he had been about to embrace her, but a coughing fit made him change him mind. "Well, I heard at the Ministry that you were ill, and I thought I would see how you were doing."
"I'll be fine a few days. It's rare, but they don't think it's contagious," she replied, trying her best to sound sick.
"Do you know where you caught it?" He was trying to sound concerned.
"They think it might be from some foreign wizard we caught playing around with Dark Magic."
"And where was this?"
After another fit of coughing, she replied, "Out in Wales." She didn't want to give him any reason to think she had been up north.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
She could tell it was a polite yet insincere offer. "I'm afraid not. I just need to rest and recuperate. I appreciate the offer, though."
"Yes, well, if there's nothing else I can do for you, I think I'd best be on my way. I'll come check on you in a few days." He seemed relieved by her answers.
"I look forward to it." She was thankful she was sick. "Thank you for stopping by."
He stood in front of her and placed his hand on her cheek. "Of course, I am very concerned about your well-being. Do get well soon." He smiled his insincere little smile and left.
Once she was sure he was gone, she reversed the spell and returned to the library. "Well, I think I've convinced him it wasn't me up north. He seemed to believe I was sick and I told him the source of my illness was a foreign wizard in Wales. Since I know he knows nothing of Legilimency, I'm confident he believed me."
Remus put aside the book he was reading. "But he will return, won't he? Wendy, this is too dangerous. You need to stop this before you get yourself killed, which I would like to point out, nearly happened the other night."
She hugged him and he very carefully avoided her back. "I know. But we nearly made a difference from what I learned."
"Now that sentiment is positively Gryffindor," he said playfully.
She replied sharply, "Mind your tongue. This is all about revenge, nothing quite so noble as your Gryffindor mind imagines. Followers of the Dark Lord turned my life upside-down, and I want them to pay for that."
He smiled at her as she buried her nose in a book. She could believe what she wanted, but he thought he was right.
Evening was approaching and they still had no idea how to cure the burn mark on her back.
"You will go to St. Mungo's, won't you?" he asked. He knew that time was running out.
"I can't. The answer is here, it's just a matter of finding it." She was tired and frustrated and it was showing, but she wouldn't give up.
"You read about the curse. We don't have time to waste," he insisted. He didn't want to lose her.
"If Clarice has no idea how to treat it, I doubt anyone else would. I would lose time at the hospital and possibly get worse. Here, I have the best possible chance of finding the cure. I have books that no one else has ever heard of. Now, let's not give up. We still have about half an hour before Clarice arrives."
"You're impossible," he replied as he opened another book.
"Yes, I know," she replied smugly.
Clarice would be arriving at any moment and Wendy had begun frantically skimming books about ten minutes ago. Remus thought it would be highly unlikely for her to find anything that way, but he knew better than to comment.
When the doorbell rang, it was only a few seconds before Clarice arrived in the library doorway. "Should I ask what you are doing out of bed?" she asked sternly.
"Looking for a cure. I know what caused it, but I don't know how to fix it, yet. The answer is here," Wendy replied and gestured at the library walls.
"That's wonderful, but if you know what it is, I can take you to St. Mungo's and we can get about making you well." Clarice had grown used to Wendy's stubbornness, but this was setting a new mark. She couldn't believe Wendy was gambling with her life. Especially since it was obvious the spell was making her weaker.
Wendy looked up from her work as she put the latest book on one of the 'read' piles. "Not bloody likely. This is very old Dark Magic. It's over there," she pointed toward the other end of the table while grabbing a new book off the 'to read' pile.
"Here." Remus led Clarice over to the book, once he realized picking the right book out of the haphazard piles would be impossible.
"I hold you responsible for this. You were supposed to make sure she rested," she reprimanded.
He shrugged and replied resignedly, "I did the best I could."
The color drained from Clarice's face as she read about the spell Wendy had been hit with. "I'm taking you and this book to St. Mungo's."
"NO! That book does not leave this house," she said forcefully. She watched the two of them stare at her in shock at her outburst. She moderated her tone. "If that book were to be discovered, there would be too many questions. Questions I cannot afford. Wait a minute. Ah-ha! Here!" She stabbed at a page in her most recent book.
Clarice and Remus came around the table to look at the book. "I can't read Greek," Clarice said.
"Well, this is it." She cleared room on the table and brought parchment and quill over from the desk. "I'll transcribe it and then I'll need one of you to go out for ingredients. I don't think I have everything."
"Are you sure this is it?" Remus asked.
"Yes. It's specifically mentioned as a cure for the curse that hit me." She was only half listening to what they said as she began translating the text.
Clarice was examining some of the books scattered around the room. "Where did you get some of these books? There are some very rare and unusual tomes." As she continued perusing the titles, she noticed something else. "And banned."
Wendy looked up from her transcribing. "Most were part of the Westin library, some were ones I liberated from the Leah library over the years and never returned. Still others were rescued from the Black house." She looked at Remus and shrugged her shoulders in apology. "A few I've found at some of the less reputable bookstores around Britain and the Continent. I collect them. Now, if you will excuse me and let me finish transcribing this?"
Remus paced nervously. He still didn't like the idea of her trying to do this herself. He also didn't like the idea that she had essentially stolen books from the Black library. He began to wonder what else she might have taken.
"All right, here it is. Some of the ingredients are rare." She handed them a list of ingredients.
After looking over the list, Clarice said, "I'll take care of this. I don't think he'd be able to get some of these. What does the potion look like?"
"I haven't finished translating that yet. I wanted to get you started on the ingredients. I've placed checks next to the stuff I already have." She was now standing in front of a portrait on the wall, placed her hand on the edge of the frame and muttered an incantation before swinging it away from the wall like a door. She did the same for a safe door that was hidden behind it. She filled a small bag with Galleons. "This should cover the expense."
Clarice took the heavy bag of gold. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
Remus continued pacing as Wendy returned to her translation.
"Would you please stop that? I find it distracting," she asked.
"Sorry," he muttered and sat on the couch.
It took her nearly fifteen minutes to complete the translation. Once she was done, she read through the instructions several times. "I'm not sure I can do this one. It's very difficult. I have to ask you to go get Severus."
"You're kidding?" he asked incredulously. They had heard about how things were at Hogwarts with Umbridge. In the past, he might have been able to walk into the school and see Severus, but now, his presence would be questioned, especially with Umbridge's rule against visitors. He also knew that he would not receive a warm welcome.
"I can't afford to mess this one up. Surely, you remember enough from Potions to know that many of those ingredients are generally used in poisons. An error could kill me. Severus is the only one I trust to brew this potion," she implored.
"You've heard what it's like at Hogwarts with Umbridge there," he warned.
She sighed, "I know. I have an invisibility cloak you can use. That should keep your visit secret." She placed her hand on his arm. "Remus, I really need you to do this," she said urgently.
She left the room, leaving him to follow. "I don't suppose I have a choice in this, do I?" he asked. He found he was asking that question and awful lot lately.
"This is the only course of action. I don't know any of the potions brewers at St. Mungo's and that's why I want Severus. I know most of the rest of the Order doesn't trust him, but I do." She led him down into the basement. In the back corner of the basement, she waved her wand at the wall and door appeared. From a hook on the wall inside the door, she grabbed the invisibility cloak and handed it to him. "Thank you," she said softly.
He reached out to take the cloak from her and his hand froze as he touched hers. "You're quite welcome." Slowly, he pulled her towards him until they were nearly touching. In the dim light of the basement, he thought she was starting to look worse, as the effects of the curse started to prevail over the treatment she had received. "I'll return as soon as I can." He leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips. He found she was pulling him closer for a more passionate kiss, and he wrapped his free arm around her.
Wendy pulled away as Remus touched the wound on her back and stomped her foot, due to the sharp stab of pain.
"Wendy, I'm so sorry," he apologized.
She knew he hadn't meant to hurt her. "No, don't worry about it. Go, get Severus and I'll set things up here."
When Remus arrived at Hogwarts, he could immediately tell how oppressive the atmosphere was. While it was after dinner and there normally should have been students milling around, the castle was quiet. A part of him was thankful for this, but the other part of him was sad.
Quietly, he made his way to the dungeons. He could see a light coming from under the door to Severus' private laboratory. He knocked on the door and waited for Severus to invite him in.
Severus watched the door open, but he didn't see anyone. He drew his wand and was about to throw a hex at the door, when he saw Lupin emerge from under an invisibility cloak.
"It's just me," said Remus.
Severus did not lower his wand. "What are you doing here? You know how dangerous it is." He quickly locked and warded the door.
"I do. Wendy has been injured and needs a very difficult potion brewed. You are the only one she trusts," he reported.
Severus finally lowered his wand and held out his hand. "Where are the instructions?"
"She wants you to come to her place and brew it there," Remus replied.
"Is she mad? I can't just leave the castle." He was currently on Umbridge's good side, if she had one, and he didn't want to do anything to change that. Leaving Hogwarts would be a quick way for that to happen.
"Severus, without this potion, she will die. She flatly refuses to go to St. Mungo's, saying that she can't trust them. It was a very obscure curse that hit her, obscure Dark Magic, and she doesn't want the scrutiny that would come along with explaining the injury."
"And how did she come to be injured with this obscure bit of Dark Magic?" He had a fairly good idea, but wanted confirmation before he formally committed himself to this task.
"She thought she had learned from Malfoy where the Death Eaters were meeting and hoped to find the escapees." Remus didn't really want to tell the whole story and hoped this would be enough.
Severus arched an eyebrow. "And?"
"We found them, well, actually, they found us. Are you coming or not? I'd really prefer you did, because if you don't, I fear she will try to brew the potion herself, and she has already indicated she thought it was beyond her capability. If she does it wrong, it will kill her." Hopefully, this revelation would be enough to get Severus to cease questioning him.
"Do I need to bring anything other than myself?" Severus asked. He had always known he would help; he just wanted to torment Lupin. He had never before turned down an opportunity to further his knowledge of obscure magic.
"No, she has a Healer friend of hers getting the ingredients she didn't have. Do you know where her house is?" Remus was relieved that it looked like Severus would be coming.
"I do. I will meet you there."
"Thank you," Remus replied and wrapped himself back in the invisibility cloak.
When Remus returned to the house, he found Severus and Wendy in the basement debating over her translation of the original text. He was surprised to see that Severus had arrived before him. He was even more surprised to see how sickly Wendy looked. He knew the curse would kill her, he just hadn't expect it to happen so quickly.
"Your translation cannot possibly be correct," insisted Severus.
"This is ancient Greek, Severus. There are differences," she replied condescendingly.
He argued, "I am aware of the differences. As you know, the correct translation is imperative. Using my expertise as a Potions master, what you have written is wrong."
She slammed her hand against the table. "Damn it, Severus, I know I'm right. I'm the one that has to take this potion. I know that if it's wrong it will kill me." She pointed at the parchment. "Do it that way."
Severus glared at her. "Fine, but when you die, it is not my fault."
Remus pulled her aside. "Are you sure you want to argue with him?"
"My Greek is impeccable. I know I'm right." Her knees buckled and Remus caught her before she fell. "I think I should sit," she said quietly.
"Has Clarice returned yet?" Remus asked as he led her over to the small couch.
"No. She should be back soon." Wendy was surprised at how quickly the curse was taking its toll. She had expected her decline to be more gradual.
"Can I get you anything?" He was very concerned by what he saw. Had they found the cure in time?
"Just some water," she replied weakly.
As he was heading upstairs to get her water, he ran into Clarice. "They're down in the basement."
Clarice saw Severus hard at work on the potion and Wendy resting on the couch. After a quick examination, she realized that Wendy was quickly getting worse. "How is the potion coming?" she asked.
"You have the rest of the ingredients?" he asked tersely.
She placed a bag on the worktable. "Of course."
"It will take several hours, and before you tell me, I do realize that time is of the essence. The less I am interrupted, the sooner I will finish," he said shortly.
Remus returned with the water, and Wendy slowly sipped from the glass, doing her best to keep her hands from shaking. "Thank you."
Remus and Clarice could do nothing but watch and wait as the hours passed. Remus sat on the couch with Wendy leaning against him. "How much longer does she have?" he asked Clarice.
"I'm not sure. The book said two to three days, and we're nearing the end of day two." She noticed that Wendy's breathing was becoming more labored. "Severus, do you know how much longer?"
"Perhaps half an hour," he replied. He was actually quite impressed that they had been able to leave him undisturbed for so long.
Remus closed his eyes and kissed the top of Wendy's head. He wasn't sure she would last that long as she had long since lapsed into unconsciousness. "Is there anything you can do for her?"
Clarice shook her head and replied sadly, "I'm afraid not."
After close to an hour, Severus ladled the potion into a glass. "It is finished. Though in my opinion, it will kill her."
"Severus, she will die without it. What do we do with it?" Remus asked.
"She needs to drink this dosage and some will need to be placed topically on the wound." He handed the glass to Clarice as he ladled another dose of the potion into a bowl.
Remus held Wendy as Clarice gently dripped the potion into Wendy's mouth. It took several long minutes before the entire dosage was gone. He then shifted her so that they could expose her back. As Clarice pulled off the dressing, he grimaced. The wound looked worse than it had before.
Clarice took the bowl from Severus and began dabbing it on the wound.
"How long will we have to wait?" Remus asked.
"Unknown. Books of that age tend not be incredibly detailed. Unfortunately, I cannot stay. My absence would be noticed and questioned. There is nothing more I can do, in any case." With that, he swept out of the room.
Clarice looked at Remus. "I think we should get her upstairs. It will be more comfortable for her." With a quick wave of her wand, she levitated Wendy upstairs. Once they had her settled in bed, Clarice said, "There is little more that I can do. I'll leave you to keep an eye on her. Contact me at home if you need any help. Tomorrow's my day off. Good night." She gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"Good night. Thank you, Clarice." He sat next to Wendy and cradled her in his arms.
Hours passed and Remus could not detect a change in her health. Her breathing was still shallow and now she had broken out into a cold sweat. He knew that Clarice had said there was nothing more to be done for her, but he couldn't stand helplessly watching her suffer. When he picked up her hand, he was shocked at how cold it was.
"Excuse me, Master Lupin? Mistress is having a visitor," said Cappa meekly.
"Who is it?" he asked quietly.
"Mister Kingsley has come to see her. I is not knowing what to tell him," she replied nervously as she wrung her hands.
"I'll go see him." He kissed Wendy's forehead before going downstairs.
"How is she doing?" asked Kingsley when he saw Remus.
"Not well. She's taken a potion, but it doesn't seem to be doing any good." He ran his hand through his hair, hoping to straighten it out somewhat. He must look a mess.
"How are you doing?" Kingsley asked taking in Remus' particularly haggard appearance and the dark circles around his eyes.
"Not much better, I guess." He was physically and mentally exhausted from this whole ordeal.
"You know, I'm glad that she has someone like you to look after her." Kingsley had long since lost any jealousy he had over Wendy choosing Remus.
"It's a bit of a change. Normally, she looks after me," he tried to sound upbeat.
"You're a lucky bloke. Someone will come by tomorrow to see how she's doing. Hopefully, the potion will work."
"Did you want to see her? She's unconscious…" Remus realized how absurd this sounded, but he didn't know what else to say.
"No. That's quite all right. If you need anything, send the elf to me or Tonks, and we'll see the message gets passed on. You should try to get some rest," Kingsley offered.
"I'll try. Has anyone said anything about Severus being gone from Hogwarts?" He knew that if Severus did get in trouble, the Potions master would be sure to remind him that he was at fault for the foreseeable future.
Kingsley shook his head. "I haven't heard anything. I don't think anyone noticed he was gone. He's good at sneaking in and out of places."
So I noticed, he thought. "That's good. Thanks for coming by." He was starting towards the stairs, intent on returning to Wendy's side, when he saw Cappa standing on the bottom stair.
"Master Lupin should be eating something. You is not taking care of yourself, sir. I has made you dinner and it's on the table."
"Thank you, Cappa." It occurred to him, as he ate his dinner, that Cappa had been referring to him as "master" for quite some time. Malfoy and Kingsley had both been "mister". From what little he knew about house elves, this was highly unusual. He would have to speak to Wendy about that. He looked down and saw that he had cleaned his plate. He hadn't realized how hungry he was.
After his second helping, he returned upstairs to his vigil. She was shaking from chills so he cast a warming charm on her, hoping it would help. He pulled a chair next to the bed and fell into a restless sleep; he didn't want to get too comfortable and fall into a deep sleep in case she needed help.