Chapter 14: Remus
Remus sighed with relief at Dumbledore's words but then looked worriedly at the older wizard suddenly needing more confirmation.
"Are you sure Head Master?" he asked nervously.
Dumbledore nodded in reply with utter confidence.
"Absolutely my dear boy, the ring is connected to Severus' magical signature...without that...it simply would not work," he explained.
Lupin understood instantly, if Severus were dead, the ring would have been unable to indicate his location on the map. It was a cold harsh fact but for now it helped to ease some of Remus' doubts and served to double his resolve to find the potions master.
Remus moved to get a closer look at the ancient parchment map. It was yellowed and faded in places but the location was unmistakable...the ring had definitely indicated an area deep within the Forbidden Forest. His right index finger found the area at which he, Severus and the students had entered the forest many hours ago. It began to hesitantly trace a path along the map as Remus recalled the route he took to the abduction site. An involuntary shiver shook his thin frame at the memory of what he had found there.
Severus' current location was merely a couple of miles to the north, it would take him no time at all to get there, he just hoped his colleague could hold on a little longer.
Remus stood up tall and resolute and looked the Head Master in the eye.
"I'm going back," he stated in a tone that allowed for no argument.
Albus stared back, appraising the younger wizard, fists clenched tightly, jaw set while determination burned in his expressive brown eyes.
He doubted words alone would sway the man from his personal quest, if he wanted Remus to stay in Hogwarts, he would have to use magic by force...something he was loathe to do.
And so he just nodded in understanding, giving silent consent.
"I shall contact the ministry and ask that they send reinforcements," Albus decided aloud.
He noted the furrows deepening in Lupin's brow.
"It's not that I doubt your abilities my boy but we're not entirely sure what you'll be up against one you find Severus...I do not wish another member of my staff to come to harm, I trust your judgement Remus...if you feel that you can handle the situation then by all means...do so. But do not recklessly rush in should caution be called for, please wait for the Aurors to arrive," Dumbledore implored.
"Of course Head Master," Remus nodded, fully aware of the serious nature of what he was about to do.
"Good," Albus stated, satisfied with Lupin's response, "now take this with you."
The Head Master removed the old map from the bindings of the book, folded it up neatly and handed it to Lupin, who tucked it safely into his inside pocket.
Dumbledore then held out the thick gold chain from which dangled Severus' ring and lowered it into Remus' outstretched palm. The younger wizard closed his hand tightly around the precious object, it was the only connection to Severus that they had, he would guard it with his life.
He quickly spun on his heels and crossed the office floor, crushing several lemon drops along the way then paused suddenly at the heavy oak door when the Head Master's soft words filled the room.
"Good luck Remus...bring him home."
He turned to face the older wizard and smiled reassuringly.
"I promise," he replied confidently, then fled the room.
Dumbledore stood alone in his office once more and prayed silently that the young professor would be able to keep his word.
Within minutes the fireplace flared to life and Minerva stepped through.
Her eyes darted around the room anxiously.
"Where's Professor Lupin?" she asked worriedly.
The look in Albus' eyes told her everything she needed to know.
"Merlin," she swore softly as her hands covered her face, "do you think that was wise Albus?"
"Do you honestly think I could have stopped him?" Albus asked in return.
Minerva sighed.
"No...no I suppose not," she admitted, knowing full well how stubborn Remus could be.
"Have you seen to the others?" Dumbledore asked softly.
"Yes, all is well for now, though Harry wishes to speak with you as soon as possible," she informed the Head Master.
"That is to be expected," he replied, then moved towards the two chairs by the fire. He gestured for the head of Gryffindor to join him.
"How is young Neville?" he inquired once she was seated.
Fresh tears welled up in the old witch's eyes.
"Oh Albus it is dreadful, the poor boy has been through a misery tis no mistake. Poppy completed more thorough scans in the infirmary once she had administered a calming draught to the lad. He has been the victim of many spells but...oh Albus the worst of it is...someone subjected the poor child to the Imperius..." her voice trembled remembering the initial horror the medi-witch's tests had revealed.
Anger burned brightly in Dumbledore's narrowed eyes turning them hard.
He thought back to Longbottom's frantic words of apology in Severus' quarters. Things were beginning to make sense. Someone...quite possibly Lucius Malfoy had used an Unforgivable on a child, forcing them to cause harm to another. Raw power radiated out from the old wizard causing some of the nearby portraits on the wall to shudder.
Minerva reached out tentatively and grasped a wrinkled hand within her own, her touch had in instant affect...quickly calming the man.
"It will all work out in the end," she said with total conviction, as much to assure herself as to assure the Head Master, "Remus will return with Severus both he and Neville will heal in time and those involved will be made to pay."
Albus didn't miss the hint of vehemence that coloured McGonagall's final words and in truth he could not blame her for he felt exactly the same way and he didn't care what ministry official's toes he'd have to stand on to make sure that it happened.
~~ooOoo~~
Remus Lupin tore through he corridors of Hogwarts like a man possessed. He blatantly ignored the curious looks of some of the early risers heading to breakfast and made straight for the main door, grabbing his heavy outer robe along the way. He struggled to put the garment on while crossing the grounds, not slowing for an instant. Only when he passed through the main entrance gates did he pause momentarily to open his tightly clenched fist. Ever so carefully he eased the gold chain over his neck, removed his wand from his coat and without further delay he apparated to the now familiar abduction site.
The area looked some what different in the early morning light. Weak rays of sunlight struggled to break through the thick canopy overhead, where they did penetrate they caused the heavy dew on the decaying mulch to glisten brightly. Once he was sure he was alone, Remus studied his surroundings. He could more easily make out the signs of struggle on the damp ground, several deep shoe impressions still remaining here and there and he was pretty sure that he could distinguish three different sets of footprints.
There was very little else he could determine from the site as the heavy rain from the night before had soaked the earth so he decided to head to Severus' location without delay.
He removed the ancient map from his inside pocket, then carefully eased the chain over his head and allowed it to fall. It seemed to take longer for the ring to settle on a specific point, Remus tried not to let this fact worry him, he refused to believe the slight delay may have been caused by a weakening in Severus' magical core. He could not lose the potions master now...not when he was so close.
With renewed determination, he orientated himself to the map, then put the items away safely once more and headed off in the right direction at a full run.
He tore across the uneven ground at breakneck speed, no ordinary wizard would have been able to keep pace with him, he ran for the best part of fifteen minutes before he slowed his pace. He crouched down behind a large decaying tree stump and checked his position one last time, the ring indicated to an area a mere couple of hundred yards away.
Remus studied the landscape before him but his keen eyes failed to make out anything. Of course it was most likely that the area had been obscured by magic. He sniffed the air but again nothing was revealed. He would have to be very careful from here on in. Frustrated, Lupin tightened his grip on his wand and silently stalked through the lush undergrowth.
~~ooOoo~~
Safe inside the Knock, Perkins awoke with a jolt. At some stage during his watch he had nodded off to sleep, probably due to the large amount of whiskey he had consumed. Automatically, he scanned the room to see if Malfoy was around but of course he was alone. If Malfoy had been there and discovered him sleeping, he would have be cursed to within an inch of his life by now. A long foul breath escaped his lips with relief.
He cautiously stood up from his chair and eased some of the aches in his back and neck...falling asleep sitting up was never a good idea. His head throbbed a little but it was nothing he couldn't put up with.
A life long craving nagged at his brain and his hands automatically patted down the breast pocket of his coat. His right hand disappeared inside and pulled out a long wooden pipe.
For about two seconds he considered lighting up the pipe inside but then thought better of the idea. Lucius hated the acrid smell of pipe smoke and even when Perkins had tried in the past to banish the smell form the room, the blond wizard had still been able to detect it and had punished Perkins accordingly.
He left the basic comforts of the small room and headed outside, passing by the room that held his two prisoners, he gave the door a hard kick for good measure. If he had to be awake...then so would they.
Perkins pulled out his wand and released the sealing spell on the door. After a short squelshing sound, it swung open. The death eater crossed the threshold and the door sealed behind him.
~~ooOoo~~
Remus Lupin, partially obscured by a tall tree, had been staring intently at the area in front of him for several minutes. There was absolutely nothing there and yet the area practically buzzed with magical energy, it was always something he was very sensitive towards. The hairs on his arms were practically standing to attention. He was willing to bet a years supply of wolf'sbane that Severus Snape was only yards away. It was a comforting notion and yet it only served to increase his frustration...how on earth was he going to get past the charm?
It was this very question that plagued him when suddenly the area in front of him began to shimmer, there was a strange sound and the of all things! an actual door appeared, quickly followed by the rest of a battered ruin.
Remus couldn't believe his luck as he watched silently from his hidden position. A large man stepped out through the door and made his way over to another nearby tree, he leaned heavily against it then shoved his wand into his coat and proceeded to fill an odd shaped pipe with tobacco.
Mistake number one.
Lupin leapt out from behind the tree, wand pointed directly at the man.
"Expelliarmus!," he shouted.
The man looked up stunned as his wand was ripped from his coat and thrown far away to his left. Before he could react he found himself pinned up tightly against the tree by a wild looking wizard.
He struggled fruitlessly against the man's grip and for a second he found his own pride was stung. How in Merlin's name was this scrawny lank of a wizard able to best him?
"Who the hell are you?" he shouted indignantly.
A wand was shoved sharply up under his jaw, Perkins suddenly stilled, it felt as if the wood would pierce his skin.
"I'll ask the questions if you don't mind," the wizard retorted calmly but Perkins could clearly see the rage swirling in the man's brown eyes contradicting the calm tone. In a strange way it reminded him of Malfoy.
"Are you alone?" the wizard demanded through gritted teeth.
Perkins didn't answer fast enough and the wand was shoved deeper into his skin, he winced at the sharp pain.
"Yes," he growled back, "yes...I'm alone."
The strange wizard tightened his hold on the Death Eater and raised the heavy man slightly off the ground. Perkin's eyes widened in suprise and fear.
"If I find out later that you are lying to me...I'll rip you to pieces...do we understand each other?"
Perkins nodded frantically in agreement.
"Is Severus Snape inside?" the wizard growled.
Torn momentarily between getting cursed by Malfoy later or getting ripped to shreds now, Perkins answered the man.
"Yes," he replied.
"Good."
Perkins suddenly found himself being brutally dragged across the forest floor, before he could make any kind of protest, he was shoved up against the wall of he Knock right beside the sealed door.
"Open it!" the wizard demanded.
A slight panic poured over Perkins once more.
"It..it needs the blood of a Death Eater to open," he explained nervously, "it must be placed on the door knocker."
The wizard glanced at the ornate brass door knocker and sneered at the serpent desig, then turned and stared at his captive.
The burly man suddenly feared for his life and he could have sworn he saw a hint of yellow tinge the man's eyes.
Suddenly a fist lashed out and caught him squarely in the nose.
Pain flared in his face and his eyes began to tear up. He howled in agony while one hand flew up to cup his shattered nose. Blood flowed freely from the injury.
The wizard stood back slightly, his gaze never wavering and his wand pointed unflinchingly at Perkins.
"Now open it," he ordered.
Perkins sniffed painfully and moved towards the knocker. He used some of his blood to coat it and hit the knocker against the door three times.
Almost instantly the same strange sound filled the air, then the door swung open.
Remus glared at the Death Eater, then moved to wave his wand at the man.
Perkins lifted his hands in supplication.
"Please no!" he begged.
Remus wondered fleetingly if the man had spared Severus at any time during his incarceration...he doubted it. But even so he would not lower himself to the level of this animal, he would not use an Unforgivable.
"Petrificus Totalus!" he shouted.
Suprise filled the Death Eaters eyes for an instant before he fell rigidly to the floor. Remus blatantly ignored the man, the Aurors could take care of him. As he stepped over the frozen form...Remus Lupin entered the Knock.
~~ooOoo~~
Author's note: Well there you have it folks, the latest installment & yep as usual it's late...sorry. Once again I've pretty much typed this up in one evening, I had the idea in my head but not the time to type it out...so apologies in advance for any shortcomings...hopefully this won't be a recurring habit!
As always I'm dying to read your feedback...you all know how much it means to me..so don't be shy!
Until next time,
Take care & Happy Christmas to those that celebrate it!
~Lai.
PS: please get an account Potions! I'd love to reply to your reviews!!!