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The Shadow of Death
Chapter 12: Dancing in the Pale Moonlight
Oppressive gloom spilled through the cold room, its presence palpable, its source indiscernible. The flickering light of the hearth did little to overcome it, just as always. Grimmauld Place seemed to have a life of its own, consciousness of a sort.
Moonlight filtered through the sitting room window, illuminating the dust suspended in the air. Mould-infused air filled his chest, his lungs tightening in an instant. The ancient home left nothing untainted.
A weathered and scarred hand raised to rub at his drooping eyelids. His eyes turned to the window. He could hear its call just as he had for the past three decades.
The bright white orb sang a sickly sweet, seductive tune that set his skin aflame. The beast within crooned and slammed against its cage. He screwed his eyes shut and rubbed them again.
But still it rattled him, tormented him. A dark part of him craved its release.
He hated it and it hated him.
Remus Lupin frowned and turned from the window. Its siren call didn't leave however. It never did.
He ran a hand down his weary face and sighed.
"Tomorrow's the full moon. What I wouldn't give for another run, just like the good old days." A snore met his statement. Remus scoffed. "What a sight you are, Padfoot. If James and Lily could see you now…"
He shook his head, his frown deepening.
Sirius coughed and rolled into the couch, a vodka bottle nestled in his arms. Remus sat on the arm of the faded, peeling couch and rubbed his temples.
"Wotcher, Remus. Passed out again, is he?"
Remus caught Tonks's sad gaze resting on her cousin. It'd become something of a tradition for them to meet after Sirius had passed out for the night. Remus scoffed.
"At least he's not in a puddle of his own piss this time." Tonks wrinkled her nose and shivered. Her hair shifted to a drab brown. "You think he'll ever get better?"
Her deep aquamarine eyes bored into his. Remus looked away and shook his head.
"He doesn't have a reason to, Tonks." He reached over and pried the bottle from Sirius's grip. Remus tipped the bottle; nary a drop came out. "He started drinking after Harry was legally proclaimed dead. He had nothing and he's too far gone now."
Tonks pinned him with a stare, tapping the back of the couch. "You got better. So can he."
Remus's lips twitched, a grim smile stretching across his face. "I had a reason to. Albus never would've let me teach if I'd kept drinking and I needed to go back to where it all started."
"And Harry's back." Tonks reached over the couch and nudged Sirius. "So he's got a reason to get better now. Just remind him of that."
"Harry wants nothing to do with Sirius." Remus stood and grabbed a stained blanket to drape over his friend. "At least until he's sober. He's made that perfectly clear."
Silence settled over the room as Remus stared at his last remaining friend. Tonks moved around the couch to stand beside him. Her lip curled.
Remus wished he only had her sense of smell. Sirius could use a bath or ten.
"What do you make of 'im?" Tonks waved her hand in the air. Remus raised a brow. "I've not met the little crotch goblin, have I? So what do you think of 'im?"
"Harry, he's… intense."
Tonks whacked the back of his head. He looked down at her and scowled.
"Well it's a bullshite answer, innit?" Tonks smirked deviously up at him. "Sirius told me about your mirrors. I'm sure you had some late night pillow talk with the little bugger. Tell me."
He shook his head. "I've not spoken with him. I overheard him talking with Sirius a couple of times. He's… not what any of you would expect. Harry is angry, more so than the average teenager."
Her hair returned to its normal pink hue.
"Then he needs an uncle he can actually look up to." Tonks poked his ribs hard. He hissed at the action and rubbed his side. "Just be there for him, Remus."
"I —I can't." His shoulders slumped. "He wouldn't accept—"
"That's a heap of hippogriff shite and you know it."
Remus glared at her and she shrank into herself.
"I'm sorry, Remus." She placed a hand on his shoulder. He pulled away. "It's just… you never know 'til you try, right?"
His eyes hardened. "I don't want to talk about it, Tonks."
Tonks shuffled in place, twiddling her thumbs. "Right. Got it. So you've got a mission tonight?"
Nodding, he walked to the window. The moon was bright. He knew his eyes glinted amber and he sighed. 'It's almost that time of month.'
Shaking his head, he forced himself to focus on what was to come.
"Dumbledore is sending me with...him."
Tonks hissed. Unspeakable, as Severus called him, had garnered a reputation within the Order. Only a scant few endorsed his methods.
'Moody would've loved him, had he still been alive.'
"You sure that's wise?" Her dark eyes flitted about the room as if the grey wizard would jump at her. "He's a murderer, after all. Dunno 'is reasons for being here. He could stab us all in the back if he wanted."
Remus shrugged. "Dumbledore trusts him."
Tonks spat on the ground. "And Dumbledore trusted Pettigrew and he trusts Snape. Not good enough if you ask me."
"Then it's a good thing nobody asked you, Auror Tonks."
Both of them jumped at the voice and turned. Tonks glared at the intruder.
"I hope I am not interrupting, but we do have a mission tonight, Lupin." Unspeakable's cowl twitched in Tonks's direction. "Leave."
Tonks drew her wand and Unspeakable shot forward in a blur, the tip of his wand leaving an indent in the hollow of her throat.
"I don't take orders from murderers." The Auror glared up into his shadowed hood, her eyes a fiery orange.
"Then I will force you to leave." Unspeakable jabbed his wand at her throat. A small, glistening trail of red trickled down her neck.
Remus stepped between them, hands raised. "He's right. We have to discuss our mission in private. I'll talk to you the day after tomorrow."
The auror stowed her wand and stomped away, stopping at the hallway that led to the exit.
"If you harm one hair on his head… If he dies," she spat at Unspeakable, "I'll fucking kill you myself, Dumbledore or no."
The door slammed behind her a few seconds later.
Remus looked at the other wizard. Unspeakable's inscrutable gaze pierced him. The grandfather clock's ticks vibrated through his chest.
He scratched his scarred cheek. "So, erm… The mission."
"The Headmaster briefed me on what is to happen." Unspeakable turned toward Sirius's curled form and scoffed. "I assume you know what we are to do?"
He nodded.
"Do your part and I will not need to involve myself." Unspeakable turned, his shadow enveloping him. "Perform poorly and…"
Remus nodded, his tongue coarse as sandpaper.
"Then let us be off." The grey wizard held up a piece of torn parchment. "Are they still located at these coordinates?"
"Yes," Remus replied. "If you apparate there then the cave will be a few hundred metres away."
Unspeakable disappeared without a sound. Remus followed soon after.
Cold air bit his cheeks. Pine needles and frost crunched beneath his trainers. The forest's various, wild scents overwhelmed his nose.
A crow cawed above them.
'An ill omen.'
Unspeakable appeared to his right, wand drawn. Magic seeped from the shrouded man, cold and malicious. Remus shivered.
"I can smell your fear, Lupin." His low, harsh voice carried on the breeze. "Do not force me to act tonight."
'I can't afford to fail.' He shook his head. 'Their lives are in my hands.'
The grey wizard lifted his hand. "Lead the way."
The emotionless wizard shimmered from sight. Remus's nostrils flared, his senses pricked, but all traces of Unspeakable had vanished.
The moon's rays pounded his sore, tired eyes. Trees, many bereft of leaves, groaned in the soft breeze.
The forest was otherwise still. 'This is wrong.'
Tracks, human and werewolf, littered the forest floor. There were no animal tracks.
"Are there any nearby settlements?"
Remus jumped. Turning his head, he saw nothing but forest behind him.
"Yes," he muttered. "There are two small villages within walking distance, but we've not gotten reports of attacks."
Frosty earth crunched under his foot and unease tore through his gut at the trees' sombre song. The crow cawed again, sending shivers down his spine.
Unspeakable remained silent for the remainder of their journey.
Wind buffeted him from ahead. Filth and squalor filled his nose. His stomach flipped in his torso.
"What brings you back, Lupin?" A thin woman with fading blonde hair and tattered robes stepped from behind a tree, a dagger in her hand. "Greyback exiled you. He'll kill you for coming back."
Remus held up his hands as she approached. Her green eyes scanned him. His nose wrinkled when she neared.
"Greyback is unfit to lead the pack, Janet," he growled. "I'm here to see our customs done."
Janet shook her head, a deep frown etched on her face, and held out her hand. Remus fidgeted, his gut twisting.
"You know the rules, Lupin." She raised a brow. "No magic. No weapons 'til the final blow. This has to be done right."
Nodding, Remus handed over his wand. The moon hid behind a cloud and shadows tore across the ground at him. All the warmth within him, meagre as it was, fled at their advance.
'Will it be enough?' He held out his arms as she patted him down. 'Am I strong enough? Will we live to see the dawn?'
Blood thundered in his ears. 'No. Now is not the time. You've waited decades for this moment. You have to do this… For them… For me.'
Janet's eyes flitted around. "You don't have to do this, Remus," she whispered.
His eyes narrowed. "But I do. You know why, Janet."
Nodding, she beckoned him to follow. He ignored the worried glances she sent his way as they walked. Their feet scraped the barren, wintered topsoil, disturbing the eerie silence of the forest.
An eternity passed before they stopped at the mouth of a cave. It was hidden behind loose brush and clumpy soil.
Janet turned toward him, her mouth twisted in a frown.
"Good luck, Remus," she whispered, eyes downcast. "You'll need it."
He nodded and followed her into the abyss.
Magic washed over him and his muscles tensed. Shadows lept at him from every nook.
But they were not set upon by tooth and claw. Feet slapping against stone echoed around the cave's entrance.
His skin tingled as they passed through another magical barrier.
Growls and gnashing teeth met his ears. Janet continued forward, unconcerned. His nostrils flared and his eyes watered; the scent of fresh blood assaulted his nose.
He shivered as they traversed the winding cave.
Water dripped onto stone, the soft pitter-patter a torrent to his ears. Tearing flesh and malignant cheers echoed through the tunnel. They were close.
'They've already decided.' Remus clenched his fists. 'I can only hope they aren't all lost to us.'
"Pack Leader." Janet knelt at the front of an open area. "Lupin has returned. He seeks to challenge you for leadership of the pack."
The gathered werewolves laughed, howling and growling their anticipation. But his eyes weren't on them. They were focussed on the centre of the large area.
Three muggles laid stiff in the middle of the group, mauled beyond recognition. Maggots writhed and wriggled in their open, crusty wounds. Their clouded eyes stared into the void, their faces forever twisted in pain and terror.
Remus swallowed bile, searing his throat. 'Nothing but cattle to them, this man, woman, and—'
He forced his eyes to Greyback. Blood coated his front, a demented smile stretching his face. Remus's stomach bubbled and writhed.
'I'll kill him.' He made the pact to his deceased parents, to the muggle family, to the gods themselves.
"And on what grounds does 'e challenge me?" Greyback picked at a stringy substance between his teeth with a yellowed claw.
The other werewolves laughed again.
"He claims you are unfit to lead us, Pack Leader." Janet's gaze remained on the stone beneath her knees. "He is without weapons, as is custom. Do you accept?"
It was formality. Greyback would forfeit leadership if he didn't.
Remus's skin prickled and his muscles tightened beneath his tattered robes.
Greyback bowled through Janet. A yell and the snap of bone was the only warning he received.
Howls echoed from every direction as the larger werewolf slashed at his torso. Remus stumbled away. Strips of cloth fluttered to the stone floor between them.
Red saliva ran down the larger man's chin, splashing against the stone floor. Greyback's amber eyes flashed in the low light. Stringy muscle strained against the scarred skin of his chest and neck.
"I should've killed you, Lupin." Greyback's bared, yellowed teeth were painted in gore. "I did you a favour letting you leave. I won' make tha' mistake again."
"Your mistake was turning me in the first place, Greyback." Remus planted his feet.
Greyback howled and charged again, his amber eyes as sharp as his claws.
Remus ducked the swinging appendage and hooked his arm around Greyback's shoulder blades. He shifted his leg forward and swept the larger man's legs. Pulling up, Remus's eyes focussed on the back of Greyback's head.
Guttural growls vibrated in his chest. He brought his foot down. Blood surged through Remus's veins. The beast howled and broke from its cage.
His foot pounded against the cold, wet stone.
A large foot forced the air from his lungs. Gnarled hands fisted in the fabric of his shoulders.
Air whistled through his ears and he heard a sharp crack. Pain blurred his vision and stars danced before his eyes. Remus's ears buzzed and whined.
He touched the back of his head and brought his hand to his face. 'Why is my hand bleeding?'
"Give— kni— finish 'im." Greyback's grunted words pierced through the fog in his mind.
A silver flash streaked down at him.
'Death,' his mind warned. Remus pushed up from the ground, his back slamming into stone.
Adrenaline coursed through his pumping heart and his vision sharpened. Greyback tossed his bent dagger to the ground.
"Should've taken the easy death, Lupin." Bloodied foam dribbled from Greyback's mouth.
Remus charged, his fist sailing through the air. A strong, gnarled hand gripped his hand. Grimy, yellow nails stung his skin and drew blood.
A large arm cocked back and the older werewolf's neck strained. Remus threw his head forward. He smirked at the resounding snap and howl. Greyback fell.
Remus stumbled forward and pounded his foot against the writhing man's ribs.
SNAP.
SNAP.
SNAP.
Greyback yowled and thrashed. Blood streamed from his mouth, his breath gurgling in his chest. Remus brought his foot down again.
Greyback caught it. Yellow flashed through the air and muscle tore. Remus's scream ravaged his dry throat.
Blood streamed down the back of his leg. Remus fell to his knees beside Greyback.
Amber eyes bored into his as he fell forward. His laboured breathing intertwined with Greyback's rattling breaths. Greyback smirked and burrowed his hand deeper.
Gritting his teeth, Remus grabbed the man's mangy hair. He pulled up. His hand soared down, his face etched with primal fury.
Again and again Remus smashed his head into the hard stone. Greyback shuddered, his amber eyes rolling into the back of his head. Remus stood over his bloodied body and howled.
The cave fell silent.
"Greyback still breathes." Janet held a large silver dagger in her hand, its pommel fashioned after a wolf's head. "Finish him and claim your place."
Sighing, he reached a shaking hand forward. He slammed his eyes shut, his hand hovering over the blade.
'For so long,' he thought, 'I've dreamt of this day.'
His eyes shot open at Janet's gasp. Red-hot pain pierced his center. He couldn't breathe.
He looked down. Amber flashed in the dim light and hot, rancid breath beat against his neck. A growled chuckle sounded near his ear.
Remus looked down. A steel wolf's head hung in the air in front of his gut.
"But...but...where's the blade?"
Rough hands shoved him to his back. Cold, wet stone dug into his spine. His abdomen spasmed and waves of pain consumed his existence.
Hot breath tickled his ear. "I win."
Metal twisted in his gut. His screams were drowned by lupine howls.
Tears leaked from his eyes. He raised trembling arms, desperately grasping at the figure above him. Remus's arms were batted away. Feral chuckling vibrated from the looming figure.
It was blurred, shadowed. Amber glimmered like flames in the dark. Metal clanged against stone.
"Farewell, Remus Lupin."
Snaps pierced the night. Skin and flesh ripped. Ribbons of dark ichor flowed like rivers from his body. Tooth and claw pierced and pulled in flashes.
The wolf within whimpered and retreated to its cage.
A flash of light burned through his eyelids.
'Am I dead?' he thought. 'Is it over?'
Thud.
Silence.
Remus forced his eyes open. Dull amber stared back at him. Magic rolled over him in cold waves. His skin shuddered and tingled. The ichor's flow stalled.
A black blade filled his clouded vision. Dark liquid rolled down its length and streamed to the stone below.
Sounds, cautious and confused, blended together in his ears.
"— killed Greyback," a low voice growled. "He's our leader."
'Who killed Greyback?'
A gurgling cough wracked his body.
"Lupin brought— here," a woman yelled. "He interfered— must— killed."
He strained to hear over the buzzing whine in his ears.
Remus closed his eyes. 'It hurts.'
"Not one— us."
"Turn him— then— lead— pack."
Voices rumbled and growled. Teeth gnashed. He closed his eyes and spat the iron filling his mouth.
"No." The voice was distant, muddled, familiar.
Heat seared his cold body. The dark behind his lids filled with orange light.
Screams filled his ears and the smell of burnt flesh made him retch.
His skin sizzled and his hair stood on end. Brimstone and sulfur coated his tongue.
'Am I in hell?' Tears failed to cool his cheeks.
A high pitched wail tore through the air before a rush of air roared in his ears.
Silence.
Remus opened his eyes. A blurred, grey figure dropped something on him. Fire danced behind it, howling in triumph. His eyes widened.
'Demon. Devil.'
He opened his mouth in a scream as his body jerked.
*****BREAK*****
Moonlight broke through the dark of her abode in warm streams. The air chilled her pale skin as she skipped along the cool stone. No flame lit her path, but she'd never had need of its light.
Colours swirled around her in flowing, writhing streams. They danced and whispered and sang. Their shapeless forms flittered and glistered playfully, lighting the halls with their decadence.
A large smile blossomed on her face as she twisted and twirled, laughing joyously all the while. She danced with them, never once questioning their existence.
They'd never told her who or what or when they were. She didn't mind that, however. They'd been her constant companions, her only friends. Until recently, at least.
Ethereal animals frolicked or ran at her approach. They tittered at her every step, some cautious and always watching.
Whispers floated to her ears from all directions in a never ending stream of indistinct mutters. Songs unraveled before her eyes in a symphony she seldom understood. They touched all her senses, setting her heart aflame.
And through the chaos, she walked, unconcerned and light as a feather.
None understood her, not really. Though, to be fair, she didn't understand herself most times.
She giggled at a mother's bedtime story and her eyes lit up at a gift wrapped tight with love and care. She stopped at a window and marvelled at the colours. There was so much good, so much reason to rejoice.
She frowned and her brow scrunched. The mar was back, twisting and fading and pulsing back to life.
"He's been busy tonight." She looked down at her toes. They'd turned blue.
But that wasn't a concern. Her eyes turned back to the expanse.
Dripping red wreathed the star-speckled sky. It was haloed in a shimmering coat of orange. It was cold and hot, it's song bittersweet.
The tang of iron plastered her mouth and she wrinkled her nose.
The red crooned and contorted. Waves of despair and misery pounded her like a raging ocean. The fire was bright and wild. Hungry.
She cocked her head. A complex web of gold and silver strands wove into existence amid the red and orange. Strands blackened and withered while others gleamed and grew.
Silver-grey blobs sailed across the skies in waves, wailing. Sorrow filled her soul and a tear escaped her eyes.
They'd find no rest.
She muttered a quick prayer to any who would listen and received no answer. She never did.
Turning, she skipped down the hall humming a tune she'd never heard before. It was imprinted on her soul, but she knew not from where.
She stopped just outside the entrance to the Ravenclaw Tower. Cocking her head, she walked toward a shimmering form. Light blue and black streams flowed to and fro from its form. Mottled red stains covered its outline, covering torn flesh.
It was cold, dangerous.
She smiled brightly.
"You've been busy tonight, Harry Potter." She saw him. She'd always seen him. Even when he wasn't there. "The skies are red and orange tonight. How much was lost? How much was gained, I wonder?"
"L-Luna?" He rasped. She giggled as he drew his wand. "You can see me?"
She turned her back on him and poked at a stream. It wrapped around her finger. The magic was cool and soothing and tasted like peppermints. It was a healing stream from a long forgotten place far, far away.
It was lonely. She wept for it, whispering soothing words.
"Of course I can see you, silly." Luna looked over her shoulder and smiled. "You're right there."
He held his wand at the tip of her nose. She looked at it, cross-eyed, and touched it with the tip of her index finger. Ice coated her finger and it whispered in her mind.
"Begone girl. Steal your sight from me for I shall bring nought but Death."
"Oh, I know you!" She clapped her hands and jumped to her toes. "I've heard your song from the grey streams! But where do you end? Hmmmm."
Harry frowned beneath his cowl. It was bright and dark, shadowed and clear as day.
"Who are you talking to?" He shook his head. "Nevermind. You know I cannot allow you to remember this?"
Luna placed a finger on her chin. "But that won't solve your problem, will it? It won't be like what you did to Fleur. I'll still remember you. I'll still see you. Did you know you taste like ash and ice?"
She opened her mouth and allowed the grey mist in. She rubbed her tongue against her sleeve and spat on the ground.
Harry lowered his wand. "What are you?"
"That's a good question." Luna shrugged. "I've asked but they've never told me."
"Who?" His eyes narrowed.
"They won't say." She wriggled her cold toes. "But they're always talking. I only understand some."
"So you'll remember me through them?" She nodded. "What do they speak of?"
"Everything." Her visage darkened. "Nothing. But never directly to me."
He tapped his foot against the stone. It echoed against the walls in hues of pinks and yellow sparks. She looked at the wand held at his side. Black ichor dripped to the ground and she shuddered.
"I do not underst—"
Her body went rigid. She felt the stream, saw its whispers. It ebbed and flowed, as it always did. It danced in her ears and wound through her mind.
A sense of calm, of otherness, invaded her. It was happening again. She lowered her gaze and the world went dark. Her voice, and not her voice, thrummed in the night in violent gold.
"You stray far from your path," not-Luna proclaimed.
She was trapped but she didn't fight it. It would soon pass. Her eyes rolled in the back of her head and warmth flooded her body.
"What path?" His eyes widened beneath his cowl.
"You mustn't convene with Him," not-Luna continued in her gravelly voice. "For only destruction shall follow in His steps. Woe unto thee, Harry Potter, should you cross me. Heed my call and live. Disobey, and become chaff on the wind."
Luna shuddered and fell to her knees, her breathing laboured. She smiled up at him. Not-Luna fled from her in a whisp of gold flakes.
"She's most angry with you, Harry Potter." She stood shakily.
"Who?" Sparks flew from his wand. The streams twirled around them.
She shrugged. "I don't know."
Harry pocketed the Elder Wand. "Are you a seer?"
Luna cocked her head. Murky shadows crept upon him. They twisted angrily and bit the golden web surrounding him. Thin threads broke away under the onslaught.
She hummed sadly. The words tasted bitter.
"If only the world were so simple, Harry Potter." Luna's smile was wreathed in glistening tears. "I am what I am, even if I don't know what that is. And you… well… you've already fallen. I'm sorry."
Humming a haunting tune, Luna skipped down the hall and into the bright night.