Wow, just a little bit over a week later. I'm on a roll. Thanks to reviewers, good feedback really helps. The next one may be a little longer due to my being away from a computer for two weeks and then to start of school, but I'll see how it goes. Until next time; enjoy!
Chapter 5
The light of day is blinding as the passengers step out of the carriage. They are herded through an ominous looking gate and told to form two lines; one for men, the other for women. "Stay with Remus and Sirius Johnny," instructs Johnny's mother, "I'm sure I'll see you soon." She tries to kiss his head, but he ducks it.
The line moves slowly. While the sun beats down, it's still blistering cold and everyone is hungry and thirsty. A woman collapses. The people around her try to rouse her, but to no avail. They are forced to move on without her and some time later a guard levitates her away. This happens to two other people, a man who looks to be about sixty and a toddler.
Finally, after about two hours of waiting, Remus, Sirius, and Johnny reach the front of the line. At the head, a sinister looking figure covered in a heavy black cloak stands with a clip-board. "Name," he says coldly.
"Johnny Teller."
"Blood and human status?"
"I'm a squib, and fully human."
"Age?"
"Twelve, sir."
"Left," shouts the masked man as he shoves Johnny rather hard in that direction. The process is repeated for both Remus and 'Simon'. Both are sent to the right.
"Excuse me," says Remus rather timidly, "that boy, Johnny, is with us. We're supposed to be looking after him; do you think he could come with us?"
The man smacks Remus hard across the face. He stumbles and Sirius steadies him before pulling away. "Decisions are final," barks the man. "And don't speak unless spoken to. Got it werewolf?" Remus nods and, with a last apologetic grin at Johnny, hurries off into the group already assembled. Sirius restrains himself, barely, and once they are well enough away examines Remus' cheek. It's bright red, and already starting to bruise. Sirius caresses it tenderly, but can do nothing else at the moment. They never see Johnny again.
When the line is finally gone and all the prisoners have been sent either right or left, the groups are moved again. Remus and Sirius, along with the others, are herded into a long building. "Remove all your clothes and leave them on the floor," bellows a guard, "then line up here." He indicates to the spot in front of himself. Remus is hesitant, and starts undressing slowly. He knows that he should just do it quickly and without a fuss, but years of shielding his scared and thin body from others is hard to overcome. A little ways away, another man appears to be having a similar dilemma. When his dead body falls limply to the floor Remus picks up the pace.
"Just look at me," whispers Sirius, "you won't feel so self-conscious." Remus does so, and it helps a bit. Sirius has always had a calming effect on him.
When all the men are undressed and assembled in front of the guard, they are led into another chamber. It's round, and every few feet there is a small hole in the wall. This is true of the ceiling as well. The guard instructs them to stay in the room, then leaves through a door different from the one they entered. The men shift and whisper nervously. Suddenly, jets of water burst from the holes. It's freezing, but the prisoners jump into it, trying to catch droplets in their mouths.
The water ends as abruptly as it started. Shivering and huddling together for warmth, the prisoners pass through the same door the guard exited through. They find themselves in another chamber. Here, many new guards have joined the first.
The next half an hour passes in a blur. Spells are cast to rid the prisoners of their hair and of any parasites they may have contracted on the trains. There is searing pain as they are branded with a series of numbers and letters, based on their blood and human status. They will soon learn that the marks are magical and work in a very similar way to the dark mark of the Death Eaters. Finally, ill fitting, old, faded black robes are issued, along with shoes, and the prisoners are marched out of the building.
After some effort Remus and Sirius find each other again. With the non-descript clothing and lack of hair it's difficult at first because they'd been separated in the large building, but they find each other in the end. Remus can't help but let out a small shaky laugh when he sees Sirius. "You look so funny without hair Padfoot." He lets out another laugh as a thought crosses his mind. "I wonder if Padfoot is hairless as well."
"If we weren't in such big trouble right now I'd kill you."
"No, you love me too much to do that."
"Yes I do," Sirius says softly.
Before Remus can reply, the guards are back and shouting for a single file line. They are marched along a fairly clear path, but snow does manage to make its way into shoes, and sock-less ankles are freezing by the time they reach their next destination.
"This will be your home until further notice," sneers the guard nastily, "two to a bed, and none on the beds already taken. Your roommates will arrive shortly. Take a blanket as you pass." Another guard stands at the entrance of the barrack holding a stack of faded silver and green blankets. The prisoners file in, and the door is locked behind them.
"Come on Moony," says Sirius, "let's find a bed." The beds are bunks, and not really beds at all, just some straw with something vaguely resembling a sheet covering it. They hurry and secure a bottom bed. Someone is already occupying the top one. It's dirty, and the whole room smells horrid. Remus thinks he sees a blood stain on the floor and tries to ignore it.
Remus and Sirius lay down together, using both of the thin blankets to cover them together, and snuggle up close. Let the other prisoners think it's for warmth alone. Miraculously they fall asleep for about an hour before the others return. Groggily, they sit up as a man looks down at them. He's about medium height, with green eyes. The bristles of hair that have started growing from his head look to be blond.
"Hi, I'm Will Fridolf, I'm on the bed above you," he says with a smile, "and you two are?"
"I'm Remus Lupin and this is Sirius, um, I mean Simon Brown," says Remus.
"Sirius then," says Will, "it's safe to use real names now, we're all numbers and letters to them. It's nice to meet you. I would, however, keep the fact that you're a couple quiet."
"How did you…?" exclaims Sirius.
"Well for starters," replies Will, "your hand is on his hip." He indicates to Sirius' hand, which has subconsciously fallen protectively onto Remus' hip. Sirius removes the hand swiftly.
Remus changes the subject quickly, "so what's this about numbers and letters?"
Will rolls up the threadbare sleeve of his robe and explains, "You remember when they gave you those tattoos?" They both nod. "Well it's their way of identifying us and calling us. The letters stand for different things. For instance, I have an 'M' and a 'W'. The 'M' stands for mudblood and the 'W' for werewolf. The numbers, as far as I can tell, are just used in order."
"You're a werewolf?" asks Sirius.
"Yeah, but please don't hold it against me, I hardly ever bite I assure you."
"How do they handle the transformations?" asks Remus.
"There's a potion they give all the werewolves on the day of the full moon," says Will his voice taking on a slightly icy edge, "but don't worry I won't hurt either of you." He turns to leave.
"Wait," calls Remus as he stands and walks towards Will, "I'm a werewolf too."
The barrack goes deathly silent. "What are you all looking at?" says Will loudly. The other prisoners turn quickly and resume whatever they were doing. Remus looks down, Sirius moves to him, and Will looks around defiantly.
A loud bell sounds and everyone scrambles up and out of the room. "Dinner time," announces Will to Remus and Sirius cheerfully. They follow him out silently.
"I think we're going to get along very well," Will announces as they fall into the line where food is served. The other two smile, but say nothing.
After a while of silence Remus says, "I have a question."
"Ask away."
"What do they do with the people who were sent the other way when we first arrived?"
Will's face takes on a somber look, "they're killed. That green light you see every so often is a killing curse. Everyone who's too young, old, or weak to work is killed immediately."
"Oh," Remus says quietly. Sirius looks down and Remus pats his back a few times before moving away.
"Welcome to hell boys," says Will as they move forward to collect their meager meal.