Chapter 9 The Heartless Home
Mum's body was taken away and I was left in the house, alone and cold. I watched her frail body being covered up and brought to a car waiting outside to take her to a hospital then to be prepared for burial. I could only look at them leave the house through the doorway while Remus still stood next to me, shacking slightly, but trying to stay calm.
"Christian…. I don't think it would be safe for you too stay here any longer. The Death Eaters apparently knew that your mum worked with us…I mean, she worked against them and they will think the same of you and I do not want them to find you as well. I think it best if you come with me to a safer place to…"
"To hide you mean?" I retorted as I turned to face him angrily. "To hide from those you've given a reason to want us dead?"
Remus froze and looked past me to the hallway and mum's body now being carried away under a sheet that matched her expression…blanc. I looked over my shoulder and felt a lump form in my throat. I didn't want to cry. I wanted to hurt the person… the people responsible for her death. I wanted to rip their heart out, as they have done to mine. I want to hold there heart in front of their eyes so they can watch it beat without result…beat and beat and beat..beat…beat…..beat……...beat………then die.
I want their heart to beat without giving them life…without a purpose but to fade away into coldness. I turned sharply back to Remus who seemed to have gained back his composure and looked me in eyes with his gold ones. They seemed distant as though still focused on mum as she was carried away to a waiting car outside.
"Your mum knew of the danger the Death Eaters posed and I wish I had paid more attention to their movements and maybe stopped this from happening but, like the other murders, it is hard to predict where they want to strike. We can only prevent them from major attacks. Minor ones are too hard to predict and track down to be able to stop in time." He said as calm as he could manage.
I watched mum's body being placed gently into the car then looked into Remus's eyes and felt like I should have claws like Judas to rip them out. I wanted nothing more but to hurt Remus as much as I could at that moment. I just wanted to hurt the one responsible for her lifeless eyes.
"I think it will be best if you come with me. You can get some of your things packed. Just some books and clothes. I will wait for you down here." Said Remus.
"And where do you suppose I will be safe?"
"It's better if we do not discuss that here. I don't know who might be listening." Remus looked back at the waiting car out front again, then back at me.
"I don't think being with you is any safer then being alone." I retorted angrily.
"After all mum trusted you and didn't seem to work out for her very well now did it!" I yelled this time and Remus looked taken aback slightly.
"I am not going with you and you will not take me anywhere where you suppose I will be safe. You can barely protect the only person in this family who actually loved you." I ran up the stairs and decided I would pack up some things, but not to go on a trip with Remus but to be on my own. I think I'll try and get to the air port and get the next plane to Australia or the U.S with my other family members…. anywhere but here.
I threw some clothing into a book bag and grabbed my brush and other items that came into view and could fit in the large book bag in my hand. I stopped at the bed where the large werewolf book sat waiting to be opened before bed. I had run out of room in my book bag and decided to grab the pillow and shoves the book into the pillow case and threw the bag on my back before heading down the stairs. I found Remus waiting for me and I pushed past him making him stumble slightly to the side. Sandman trotted by my side and reminded me that he was still there and didn't want to be left behind. I grabbed his leash and brought him with me as we exited the cold dark house into the warm air of spring.
"Chris come back here!" Remus ordered with a sign of tension in his voice.
"I am not leaving without you and you are not going off alone. Michele…your mother would not want you to be out on the streets alone."
"Then I'll go through a forest." I spat back.
"If wont be safe even there." Remus said almost quietly.
I stopped. I looked back at the man on the porch and saw his tired face and worried eyes gaze at me as though pleading that I should not leave him now.
"How will I be any safer with you then out on the streets? You could barely keep the garage safe from yourself."
"I wont be the only one watching over you Chris. There are many people involved with helping Deal with the Death Eaters. They will all protect you as they protect each other. You will be safer there now, then anywhere else."
"How about my father?" I asked thinking of my trip plane.
"The Death Eaters know of your father and would expect your trip there. It is best if you are somewhere they cannot find you easily and also have plenty of protection if they do find you."
"Ah I see, you mean the same protection you gave my mother? Some promise I feel very safe now Remus!" I said angrily.
"I asked your mother to come to safer place but she didn't want to move away from here. She didn't feel as threatened as I thought she would be. Michele didn't want to move because she didn't want to have to move you away from Harry and your school." Remus responded.
I stood shocked. He had just used me as a reason for mum's death. I could feel Sandman next to me nosing my hand with his cold nose seeing if I was okay as I began to trembled from anger. Remus put his hand on my shoulder and Sandman growled revealing two rows of sharp teeth in his long pointed muzzle. Remus drew his hand back quickly at the sight of the growling dog and looked back at me.
"I promise you, you will be safer where I take you then anywhere else. Please trust me I… can't bring back your mother and I wish had been here but I can't and I want to make sure that you are safe. Your mother doesn't want you to be alone Chris. Not with the Death Eaters about. Please…" Remus then got down on one knee and held my hand gently.
I looked down at him and could see him trembling slightly and his eyes pleaded with me to come with him. He won't give up on me even if I run now and allow Sandman to bite his hand off. Mum wouldn't have married Remus if he weren't at least a bit trustworthy. I nodded my head slowly and allowed myself to be lead to the car and seated in the backseat along with the now calmed Sandman.
Remus sat up front next to the driver who took off as soon as everyone seatbelts were clicked. I stroked Sandman on the head and he yawned and lied down placing his head on my lap and looked up at me with his amber eyes. I smiled despite myself and rubbed his small soft ears and he cocked his head and grumbled in pleasure.
Remus looked back and smiled at the dog. "It was quite shocking to find Sandman alive. He apparently got out of the house after he sensed danger and warned Mrs. Figg. She followed him to the door and found that the intruders had left and she was too late to save your mother. She is deeply sorry and wishes for you to forgive her for not coming in time."
I shook my head. "She doesn't need to apologize for her concern. I am glad some one was around to at least have some knowledge of my mums endangerment."
Remus looked away at this comment and addressed the driver who had had just noticed had been listening to our conversation. The driver was a tall man with short red hair and glasses that looked as though they were slightly askew on his thin face. He had freckles around his face and I could have sworn I had seen him before.
"Thank you for coming Arthur. It would not have been pleasant to have the ministry wipe her memory and bring her to her father. I don't think it would have been honorable for her mum's death." Remus said to the driver.
"They know of the attack Remus, but they still won't allow muggles to see the danger as much as they should. If we have the muggles aware of the attacks and who is behind it, well not telling them the nature of the attacks, then we might be able to have some help from them as to where the attacks might occur next or of suspicious gathering places that we may not have tracked down yet. But yes, hopefully the Ministry won't bother with Christian here as long as she is under your care and Dumbledore's care." Said Arthur taking a sharp turn at a red light causing Sandman to grunt in discomfort.
"Where is this safe house?" I asked the two men.
"It is an old house that was donated by a friend. Quite protected and the Death Eaters won't be able to go because of the new spells Dumbledore placed on it." Stated Remus.
Before I could ask another question Arthur pushed a button and the car suddenly stretched and became thinner and squeezed between a rows of cars stuck in traffic. Sandman lifted his head up and stiffened out of surprise and I stayed as still as possible as the pressure of the shape shifting car took effect on my body causing it to shape shift to accommodate the change. After squeezing through the long rows of traffic the car bolted forward at its first chance of freedom and we continued down the road at a speed I am pretty sure is illegal.
Arthur smiled and nearly laughed as he drove down the road and at my questioning look Remus looked back and smiled.
"He likes muggle objects, especially cars."
I couldn't help but smile at this as I look at the over excited man in the rear view mirror. It seems odd that nobody notices this fast paced car squeezing passed them on the road. How can you not notice a bright red car driving at a speed that could break a sound barrier for goodness sake?
Arthur took a final sharp turn and we entered a rather run down neighborhood crowded with tall apartments and dying plants that needed nourishment and sun. Not that England has much sun to offer but they can at least have some form of photosynthesis to stay alive. The car stopped in a small parking lot and Remus got out of the car along with Arthur. Remus opened my door and I exited the car followed by a now dazed Sandman who I can swear just glared at Arthur. I grabbed the shaking greyhound by the collar and followed the two men as they walked to a spot in front of two apartments and stood waiting.
I came up next to Arthur carrying my small briefcase and holding the nervous greyhound while I waited for the two men to enter one of the old apartments. They didn't budge. Arthur stepped a little closer and paused. As soon as he had done this, an old battered door appeared out of nowhere followed by a new house that had squeezed itself right between the two other apartments. I stared in amazement and felt Sandman even stay still as he sniffed the air in confusion.
"How…" I stammered.
"Magic." Remus replied simply with a slight smile.
Remus tried to take my suitcase but I tightened my grip on it and glared. He isn't going to touch my stuff, or me, while I am here. If I have to live with him in this unfamiliar place I don't want to be near him. I followed Arthur into the house leaving Remus behind with Sandman.
My first impression of this house is the need for a serious redecorate and maybe just a few more windows so actual light besides fire can be seen inside. The house is obviously old with its old-fashioned furniture and moth eaten curtains hanging over what looks like a false window. I want to see what kind of odd window they have here. I walked towards the curtain and pulled it back to take a look at what it hid. As soon as the curtain was removed a lady all in black took one look at me then began to yell causing me to jump back in surprise and nearly trip over poor Sandman who had also backed up from the noise.
"MUGGLES, FILTHY MUGGLES, EVEN WORSE THEN MUDBLOODS. GET OUT OF MY HOUSE YOU DISGUSTING CREATURE!"
A thunder of footfalls came up behind me making me jump and run towards the door where Remus now stood. A chorus of voices shouted a word and the heavy curtain fell over the woman once more and everyone sighed with relief.
"I am sorry I forgot to warn you about our permanent resident Mrs. Black. She is just a painting with a big mouth and isn't too fond of new people in her home. But just keep her covered and she will be no bother to you." Said Remus
"Ah, demon paintings. These people certainly did have the best of taste when it came to art work didn't they." I snapped.
Remus only walked up a set of stairs and beckoned me to follow with a swift wave of his hand. I reluctantly followed him up the step stairs and called Sandman to follow suit. The dog walked cautiously by the painting and ran up the stairs behind us. Remus led us down a dark hallway where I could swear I saw something come out of a wall and stuck its tongue out at me. I have a feeling something is wrong with this house, even more then the decorations and the screaming painting.
Remus stopped and entered one of the rooms at the furthest end of the hallway from the stairs that had a dark wood door with a faded copper doorknob. I stepped into the room and was met by an elegantly decorated room that had soft red walls with red cushioned chairs and red wood furniture and bed covers. The bed was a canopy bed with a red curtained window next to it that was slightly opened allowing a few sun raise to shine threw. The floor was even a red wood along with a large painting of red dogs hanging on the wall that looked a lot like jack Russell Terriers with forked tails.
I dropped y suitcase next to the bed and looked out the window at the dreary streets below with passerby's who were unaware of me watching them. It seems these people could have watched anyone from here and not be suspected. They could have been little perverts!
"It's the nicest room left in the house that is not currently occupied." Said Remus looking around the room modestly.
"It reminds me of the red room in The Haunting of Hill House." I commented.
"Hmmm…you're right it does have the same theme doesn't it." Remus replied.
I rolled my eyes. "Do ghosts and demons come with the theme too?"
"Well I do suggest you do watch out while you are here. There are a few rooms we have not explored yet that may contain things that you don't want to deal with alone."
"And this is safer then my dads house…how exactly?"
"Because we will be right down the hallway and ready to jump up at the sign of fetal danger. That's why. So get comfortable and I will see you tonight at dinner. Mrs. Weasley down stairs will show you about when you are ready."
I nodded and turned my back on him as a sign to get him to go away. If this is my territory for now then he is not allowed in it after today. As soon as his footsteps faded down the hallway I turned and looked out the window again then drew the curtains and began to unpack my things and arranged them in the drawers and in the bathroom, which by the way is a contrast from the room, all black. Figures.
This is going to an interesting stay. My only hope is to stay away from Remus as much as possible or so help me god I will kill him.