Note: Please look to prologue for disclaimer and additional notes about the story.

A Dance With Fate

Canopus Carina

Chapter 5 of 20

The name seemed to be glaring at him with all its might, just as he was glaring at it. They had found the name of the Healer who had found the cure to the Manas Curse and the residence of said Healer. He continued to glare at the words Remedius Partromi on the lone gravestone on the hill. It did not even state the healer's titles or acculateds, only the two words of his name as if all he had been was a useless entity in the world.

She was still back in the castle, pouring over books that have long been scanned for any scrap of information. It was not like him to give up, but the deep fear was quickly entering him and refusing to let go. He had succeeded in defeating a foe ten times more magically mature than he, had succeeded in putting peace back into a war torn country

But he had failed at bringing peace to himself.

Thursday 1 September 1977

"Do we really need to do this?" Peter asked nervously. "He probably already knows its going to happen, he'll ruin it!"

"And why would he know?" Sirius asked dangerously. "You haven't gone telling him about it, have you?"

"Oh come on," Remus interrupted, pulling Sirius away from the now cowering rat animagus, "he lived with us when we were plotting half of them. He would have to be an idiot not to notice it."

The moon threw her silvery glow on the Marauders as they wandered the corridors. It was still only the first of September. Usually that night had the highest security looking for students like them who were out after curfew. The Marauders had never challenged that security as they had been almost caught due to regular patrolling. But Sirius had convinced the others to brave the corridors for their revenge. One thing the Marauders trusted most of all is trust. Without it, once they were caught for some mischief, they could be caught in a lie and land all of them into detention. Without it, certain pranks, especially those involving food or flying, would never be attempted limiting them to normal and eventually boring pranks. And Harry broke that trust.

They checked the Marauder's Map and saw that Harry was in Dumbledore's office with the headmaster. The room they were about to enter, Harry's new office, was fortunately empty. Once inside, they immediately set to work, only pausing to double check some point in the plan with another Marauder or to make sure no one was in the corridor outside.

As his watch announced that it was two in the morning, which was a perfect time to return back to Gryffindor tower, they were just finishing the last touches on the first prank of the year. To an untrained eye, the room looked perfectly harmless, nothing out of place. But there were various strings of magic that lined the walls and doors, waiting to be triggered and let loose their spells. The only difference was a cardboard box, big enough to hold a medium sized television if needed, was hidden in a back corner. As soon as the spells were triggered, the box would open as well.

Remus hissed and motioned for the others to follow him out of the room. They cast the last spell, one that would trigger the others half a minute after the door was opened. Sirius had come up with the timing as he argued it would be the amount of time for Harry to enter the room, close the door, and get situated in whatever Harry does. It was a perfect plan, but Remus felt a little unnerved about the whole thing.

That feeling was raised significantly when he sensed someone coming.

"Is it really necessary?" a voice penetrated the calm, quiet air. The Marauders automatically hid behind suites of armor they knew wouldn't squeal on them. Portraits wouldn't say anything unless asked or threatened, but certain armor had senses of honor and apparently being hid behind is in violation of that honor. They were hidden just in time as Harry rounded the corner with Dumbledore at his side. Remus stopped watching, making sure to be completely hidden, as Dumbledore had a knack for seeing in the dark. Hopefully the other Marauders remembered as well and hid themselves well.

"You had stated that you knew what Fate had in store for them," Dumbledore answered, "it would be beneficial to equip them with knowledge so they are not just sacrificed."

The corridor fell silent and Remus was tempted to look at where the other two unhidden occupants were. To his dismay, he noticed that the two were standing less than two feet away from him, apparently decided not to continue down the corridor. Dumbledore was waiting patiently as Harry looked into the shadowed distance with vacant eyes. Remus was almost saddened by the new instructor as his face was covered with a pained expression, like a wild animal trapped in a corner. At length, Harry stood there with the patient Headmaster as a statue until he softly murmured, "I can not interfere with Fate." He then turned to the headmaster with a set face, erasing any pain from before. "By changing anything that is set to happen, I destroy everything good that comes from it. As much as I want to say certain things, I can't. I hope you understand this."

The headmaster's reaction could not be seen as his back was turned to Remus, but the silver head bowed down in a nod. "You truly hold strength far surpassing any of your own age, my boy. I will not overrule your decision; however I implore you to consider taking the position. Do not interfere, only teach some of what you have been taught. The powers of Darkness can not have the upper hand."

After some consideration Harry answered with, "I will need to leave the castle many times."

"Which is why you are to be our Dueling instructor and not Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. You are given free reign of the castle and its resources, and all we ask in return is two hours a week of instruction which you choose yourself to be most beneficial to you."

"I'll sleep on it," Harry answered softly.

"That is all I ask."

The two continued their journey through the corridor without a word. Harry turned into a room, the door resounding in a soft click, and the headmaster walked away. It was only when he turned down another corridor and his steps faded away did the Marauders leave their hiding places. "That was close," James muttered. "Any longer and we would have been caught in the act."

Remus then saw that Harry had entered the room they just trapped. The other three Marauders were silently celebrating a successful prank. Yet the hallways were still silent instead of reverberating with the sounds made by the firework display and release of a niffler in the closed room. "He must have placed a silencing charm," Sirius said when Peter asked about the silence, "but we should leave before he comes out to find us."

The four Marauders ran back to Gryffindor Tower. By their lack of caring, Remus realized that the other three must not have heard the conversation like he had. Harry must not have known about the position he supposedly was to fill if he was complaining about something about it. Therefore he did not knowingly betray the Marauder's trust and did not deserve the prank they played on him. Especially one as destructive as that. When they were safely out of harm, he would explain it to them. But if their perspective did not change, he would break their trust himself by turning them all in to face the school's wrath. It would be the least he could do.

The next morning, the Marauders slowly made their way to the Great hall as cattle on the way to slaughter. Remus made sure to go deep in the reprimanding their actions, though he too participated. It hurt him more when he realized he was the only words of reason but did not jump to the young instructor's side and convince his friends not to take the useless revenge. He should feel their pain, and gladly placed it on himself. Students around them were wondering what happened to put such a gloomy disposition on each of the normally cheerful group. The feelings only increased as Harry walked briskly passed the tables on a path towards the headmaster, as cheerfully as could be.

As soon as the newcomer reached the High Table, he bent to have a private discussion with the old man, one that raised the man's expression considerably. That is if it were possible to make the cheerful man even happier. Silence fell upon the room as the headmaster rose from his seat. The silver stars bounced excitedly off the deep purple robes as the headmaster waited patiently for each student's attention. "Mr. Potter has graciously accepted the offer to provide lessons to us which will impart you with the gift of life if you find yourself in an unfortunate battle with one of the Dark Lord's followers. All students fourth year and above are required to attend the first month's lessons. Any younger are allowed to join their peers, however," he paused here to gaze upon some of the younger students who were watching, "I advise you to evaluate your decision greatly before you join. I could only assume Mr. Potter will be showing you complicated or disturbing situations you may find yourselves in. Any younger than the prescribed years may not grasp some of the concepts, but as each of you know, it is a dangerous world and each have the same chance of running out of luck. The first meeting shall be tonight. Take the course if you wish: You have been warned."

A wind of whispered wind rushed through the Great Hall as the students deciphered the headmaster's warning.

End of Chapter 5 – 1,516 of words

Posted: 30 May 2007