We skip to one year!

Chapter 5

A year has passed since then. In that year many things has happened to not only Remus but to Harry as well.

In the letters Harry has occasionally sent out to Remus and by extension to Sirius –whom he had found much easier than expected-, he –or rather they, had learned of the inner happenings of the newly resurrected Tri-Wizard Cup during his fourth year, other than what was given in the daily news of The Daily Prophet. It both angered and thrilled them when they had read that Harry was to unexpectedly join as one of the champions for the Cup. They were disappointed though when they learnt that they couldn't go and watch as Sirius' escape was still fresh on the minds of Aurors who will act as security all throughout the tournament, even with his animagus form. Remus on the other hand, was now a known werewolf and thus can't be seen, lest he wants to be ridiculed in public and be thrown out as a safeguard for the protection of the Minister and other important officials, but Harry understood their reasoning and instead promised to show his, Ron's and Hermione's memories in a pensieve after. It was then, in the show of Harry's memories of the resurrection of the Dark Lord that shocked him the most.

"Remus, you shouldn't concern yourself anymore with him. You didn't know that he was a Death Eater, he probably only saved you to try to recruit you." Sirius told his remaining best friend.

"But he didn't, Siri" Remus said, snapping himself out of his thoughts, "I might not know much about him but he isn't the kind to trouble himself with war… at least, that was the impression I got from him." Remus then returned back to his thoughts, unconsciously voicing it out for the others to hear. "He's all about his wolves. From the way he dressed, he looked like a muggle native we saw in those cowboy movies you love so much –with the spear and everything. His rubber shoes alone signify that he is costumed to muggle life –not to mention the way he act—" Hands on his shoulders and a shout of his name startled him from continuing. He glanced questionably back at Sirius.

"Yes, yes we get it already, no need to babble." Sirius teased. Remus flushed when he realized the return of his bad habit showing, cursing his de-aged body.

It was incredibly awkward the first time his old peers saw him de-aged. Sirius at first sight did a back track on him before finally believing in him when he said that he wasn't a death eater trying to lure him in with a false sense of security by using Remus' identity as bait. He even said how stupid he was to glamour himself –because obviously, it wasn't a potion- as a younger version of Remus when he just saw the real Remus at school just a few months ago looking much older than his real age. Remus of course didn't forget to punch his best friend in the gut after Sirius confirmed that it was the real him but did apologize right after saying that it wasn't really Sirius' fault for judging him. It was much of the same reaction from when he showed himself to their old peers who knew and grew up with him except for the physical pain Sirius' endured –he could never get to hit Moody even if he tried.

Currently, they were in their new base at Grimmauld place, where he and Sirius have been staying –to the displeasure of Sirius, seeing as he hated the place- sitting around the dinner table, waiting for their leader to show up. 'I could never understand why Dumbledore always insists of showing up 'fashionably late'' he snorted at that thought, the colorful robes his ex-headmaster usually wore popping in his mind as his eyes wandered around the table.

"Do share with us what is so funny, Mr. Lupin" asked the sudden appearance of Severus Snape in a drawl, shattering Remus' images of twinkling robes.

"Snivelus, how kind of you to visit" said Sirius sarcastically.

"Not even in the very least, mutt" replied Snape, quickly sitting down on an empty chair. Sirius growled but as he was about to open his mouth to say some not-so-nice words, Dumbledore walked in with his strange yet eye catching set of robes.

"Good evening everyone," Dumbledore greeted as he took his seat at the very head of the table. Everyone greeted him back and then started their meeting.

"Now then," Dumbledore started, "I assume everyone here knows of the reason we have reunited?" he asked, looking at his old followers. Some nodded grimly in reply and some shared disbelief as if just realizing a dreadful truth.

"So it really is true then?" murmured the plump Mrs. Molly Weasley with furrowed brows. Dumbledore nodded sadly confirming their thoughts, "Yes, I believe it is. The Dark Lord Voldemort –some flinched at the name- has risen from the dead."

"How?" a new member of their crew, Nymphodora Tonks, asked.

"With Dark Magic of course," snarled Mad-Eye Moody, "Merlin only knows what dark forbidden rituals lies within Dark Magic."

"Unfortunately, he's right," confirmed Sirius, "trust me, I've read a couple of books in the Black's library and most if not all contained several forbidden rituals to achieve impossible feats that even a wizard can't reach. I don't doubt that he found a book that contained the secrets of immortality." He said seriously, causing some others to gasp in shock. Dumbledore merely nodded in agreement.

"So then how in blazes are we supposed to stop a bloody immortal being?!" cried Mundungus Fletcher.

"Hush your tongue!" scolded Molly to Fletcher, "I'm sure that there is a way to stop the Dark Lord, even vampires have their own weakness against the Sun." she said.

"Molly is right, Fletcher." Dumbledore agreed, "The Dark Lord may have avoided death but that doesn't mean that he cannot die." He explained to the members of the group.

"You know of his weakness then, Albus?" asked his Deputy Head, Professor McGonagall.

"I have a couple of theories, Minerva," answered he, "but I'll have to do more research"

"If I may, Professor," interrupted Remus, continuing when Dumbledore gestured to him, "Harry showed Sirius and I his memories in a pensieve that Ron acquired for us," "When did he—" Molly started but Remus ignored it to continue, "He might not recognize him but I saw Lee with them in the graveyard." He finished with a slight furrow of his brows.

"Your savior, I presume?" Dumbledore asked to which Remus nodded in reply. "Yes, I saw him there but he didn't seem to have done anything but watch maybe—"

"Rem! Not this again! You can't just walk up to him and ask! He may have saved you but that was a year ago! He might not even remember you!" exclaimed Sirius.

"It's worth a try Sirius," Remus calmly replied.

Dumbledore held up his hand before Sirius could reply and said coolly, "Severus," he called out, turning to said man. "Have the Dark Lord gathered his followers yet?" he asked, bringing the attention to his stoic Potion's Professor to which he responded with a resounding "Yes."

"But unfortunately," Snape continued before anyone can interject, "I have not shown myself to him since I was otherwise preoccupied." He finished sourly. Sirius snorted loudly at that from which he received a glare from both Snape and Remus.

"I see." Dumbledore said simply. "Well then, try and get information if you do see a suspicious character then." He instructed to Snape whom nodded unpleasantly obviously not happy with the vague description, in which Remus' felt guilty and mumbled an apology but was only ignored by the Slytherin.

The meeting continued from there on, the others asking about Remus' savior, Sirius' Miraculous escape to which Black delightedly gave to those who were listening and also about Remus' restored youth. They had a spectacular home-made dinner from Molly Weasley and talked about what they were up to in these past fifteen years. It turned into a celebration for their reuniting, sort of like a gathering of old friends and colleagues –Snape left early- and ended near midnight with the Weasleys the last to leave and Molly promising Sirius to help with the clean-up for when they visit again.

Remus couldn't wait until the next meeting; he hoped Severus would be able to find Lee no matter the circumstances. He just really wanted to continue with their conversation and get him to answer all his questions without being sidetracked again. 'There's no way I'm going to fail this time.'

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In a hidden Mansion, a horrible shriek of pain could be heard resounding from its walls; the source of it coming from a short, fat, rat liked faced man curled on the marbled floor in a large throne-like room. Inside the large decorated room, a gathering of black cloaks with silver masks stood just a few feet away from the tortured man. Across from them, a throne-like chair was placed upon the raised platform from where their newly resurrected Lord stood, wand raised, indicating that he was the one causing the man pain. He stopped when he had enough.

"You're lucky that I'm feeling generous enough to spare your life Wormtail" he hissed spitefully to the convulsing man.

"Y-Ye-Yes, m-my Lo-lord" Wormtail spluttered out. The Dark Lord raised a hand and two of the black cloaks immediately carried the rat liked man away, probably to the mansion's infirmary wing.

A clap was heard as the Dark Lord took to his seat on the throne-like chair, the others tensing at the sound. "Well done, Lord Voldemort" a voice said echoing around the room. The black cloaks started to whip their wands out in defense and confusion as they searched for the owner of the voice, clearly not familiar with the voice.

"Calm my followers," Voldemort bellowed then said, "Lee, I appreciate it if you do not send my followers in a panicked frenzy." He hissed out angrily, which confused the black cloaks but lowered their wands. A muggle wearing suited teen –complete with top hat and cane- suddenly appeared from the inside of a shadowed corner, his gloved hands in a position which revealed that he was the one clapping.

"But I enjoy seeing people squirm, especially when they're crowded like this." The one called Lee said with a sharp grin. He went near the Dark Lord then faced the crowd.

"Good day to you lads. My name is Lee, pleased to make your acquaintance." He introduced with a very sophisticated bow, grasping his top hat and placing it on his chest. He put it back on when he straightened up again, the grin never leaving his face he then turned to look back at their Lord, or that's what they assumed. His straight hair that stopped just above his shoulders had bangs that were so long it covered his eyes, so they could not tell where exactly he was looking at but an over-all look of his appearance –even with the muggle clothing- said that he was a wealthy, sophisticated sort of man, just one with extremely long bangs. The only reason that they did not raise their wand on him, even if he had a high rank among the muggles was because their Lord seemed to know him.

"And a good day to you as well, Lord Voldemort. Congratulations on your coming back, I see your resurrection went according to plan." He greeted their Lord with a smile. No one knew if his sincerity was genuine or not.

"I would say it did if I didn't sense you watching that day." The Dark Lord accused the smiling teen.

"It seems more interesting like that, wouldn't you say?" Lee replied casually, not denying the accusation. The Dark Lord half-heartedly sneered in response then turned back to his black cloaks.

"Luscious" he hissed out. A blond man walked forward and removed his mask in favor of the Dark Lord, "Yes my Lord?" he asked obediently with a kneel ignoring the amused smirked the muggle teen gave him.

"Tell me, what has Severus been doing during the time I have been away?" their Lord asked with narrowed suspicious eyes making him look even more of a snake than he already did.

"My Lord, Severus informed me that he had never stopped being your spy in Dumbledore's Order, I believe he had been called away by Dumbledore in order to reunite his old crew." Luscious informed their Lord, who glanced questionably at the teen.

"Very wise." Lee said interestedly.

"I expected as much," the Dark Lord said, "and what of the Ministry?" he asked the blond.

"Minister Fudge denies the words of Harry Potter, –Voldemort raised a non-existent brow at the name- he and the Department of Ministry does not acknowledge your return my Lord." Luscious clarified to their satisfied Dark Lord.

"What an advantage you got there." Lee commended with that never-ending grin of his. Voldemort simply ignored the commenting teen and continued with his questions.

"And what of our dear Harry Potter?" he mocked sweetly –some flinched at that.

"My son informed me that Harry Potter might be under the care of muggles." Luscious said to the surprise of everyone, except of course the all smiling muggle suited teen.

"Muggles?" inquired Voldemort, signaling the blond to continue.

"Yes my Lord. Though Draco failed to gain the trust of the boy, he did notice the boy's curiosity towards our world." He said with pride towards his son perceptiveness. "He told me of the boy's lack of knowledge when it comes to our customs" he conveyed to their Lord.

"It seems that old fool hid the boy from his birthright," the Dark lord stated then smirked, an idea forming in his head, "tell me, who are the boy's most trusted people right now?" he asked Luscious.

"According to my son, he has continuously been spending time with a mudblood girl named Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, the youngest of the Weasleys."

"I see." Voldemort said with a wicked sort of smile that his followers recognized with a shudder. He was glad to see that he hasn't lost his touch.

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As a certified Master of Potion Brewing, Severus Snape is a man of logic and perception. He had to be, if he didn't want to ruin his reputation as one of the best by screwing up a potion just because he didn't pay more attention to it, but of course, being a Slytherin he knows how to cover up his mistakes. So by the time that he answered to the summoning of the Dark Lord, he was prepared with useful information to give in exchange for his life as well as show that he still is useful to the Dark Lord.

It isn't that he wants to continue to be the order's spy nor he wants to be the Dark Lord's tool. In the past, in his school days, he saw the agenda that the then rising Dark Lord was fighting for and wanted to help. His fascination for the Dark Arts with his ability to practice said Dark Arts, made him want to join, despite the beliefs of an old fool of a Headmaster. Really, as much as he loved his best friend, he wasn't about to get jealousy get the better of him. He was a Slytherin, and as such, he has the mindset of not getting his emotions get the better of him. He joined because he wanted to. Not because of some Gryffindor-like notion of wanting to prove himself better than a certain untidy looking raven head from his school days which-shall-not-be-named.

Though, in all honesty, he did not see this future coming. To think that the war has gone out of control to the fact that he didn't even know which he would stand for. The beliefs of his side of the war, all but disappeared with their Lord's slowing but fading sanity and switching sides would only mean that he was abandoning the reasons he joined in the war in the first place. It was beginning to look like, to him, that he was being corned between a rock and a hard place, both of which he wouldn't want to further divulge in, at least not anymore, and as he continued to walk through his Lord's Headquarters, he was beginning to think that continuing to fight in this war was more suicidal than anything.

And deep in his heart, he wanted nothing more than to run.

He jump and pulled out his wand in defense when an echo of laughter bounded along the dark hallway he unknowingly walked in. Glancing around with his wand giving light, he saw no one but an empty, dark –admittedly eerie- corridor that reminded him somewhat of the dank dungeons he would frequently use for potions.

When no one was in sight, he relaxed from his tense posture and turned to continue only to give a startled step back when a child with a creepy grin suddenly appeared from nowhere. He instinctively pointed his wand at the said child.

Said child only grinned more, as if amused by the wand. Snape narrowed his eyes at that, never wavering. A couple of minutes of silence as they both –unknown by Snape, since he couldn't see the child's eyes- scrutinized each other before the child let out a giggle.

"Hi!" said the strangely dressed –even for a muggle- child. Snape didn't reply, slightly confused but not letting his guard down, even from just a child. Snape could tell that the child was waiting for a response from him. Not one to beat around the bush, he answered.

"Who are you?" Snape asked, still not lowering his wand. He could already guess that this must be the 'Lee' that everyone –in his circles- was talking about. The 'Lee' that Remus was looking for, as well as the 'Lee' that some of his 'companions' were talking about.

The muggle child that their Lord somewhat 'favored'.

"Heh, I'm honored to be thought as much" Said Lee, crossing his legs and bending with his bowed and a hand on his heart. It was such a bow that ladies would give but for some reason, it fitted the young male teen. Snape did not comment.

When 'Lee' looked up again, his grin was still in place.

"You have not answered my question." Snape said. He did not question how the child knew what he was thinking; he was warned as much by the ever so considerate werewolf.

Lee's grin, much like that of Snape's pointed wand, did not waver.

"Isn't it only right to introduce yourself before you ask of another's? ah, but not to worry! I do not take any so offense of such things. Well, then let me introduce myself." Lee back up a few steps away from the other's wand and gave a formal, graceful bow similar to the one he gave to the other death eater's. "I am Lee." He straightened back up again, "Just Lee. I am afraid that my family name has been lost to me from time." He finished his introduction. Snape still would not lower his wand. His gut instinct –from years of experience- told him not to trust the 'child' as much.

If the show of distrust gave Lee any disappointment, he did not show it on his face.

"Not much of a talker, are you, Professor?" Lee said. Not waiting for a reply, he continued. "Well, that's all well and good but I did show myself to you for a reason." At this, Snape raised a brow. Lee nearly smirked but Snape could tell that the child was feeling triumphant for having been given a show of interest. He finally lowered his wand when he felt a near sincerity in the child's words but did not tuck it away nor lower his guard. Lee just looked satisfied.

He reached in his fur coat and pulled out what looked like a formal letter of invitation and handed it over to the Professor, who looked at it critically.

"Now, now, Professor! Don't think that I would intentionally harm those I personally invite. Why, this is a rare sight to see! I don't normally give away direct entrance to my home, sir! In fact, you should be honored to be welcomed in my humble home!" Now Snape had no restrictions whatsoever to give a 'look' at the child, but nevertheless, took the letter and placed it under his robes. Lee grinned again, gave a bow and before Snape knew it he simply disappeared, startling the Potions Professor, who looked around in his given shock.

When he saw of no indication of how the child vanished from spot. The slightly perplexed teacher checked his robes to see if the letter given was still there, an indication that his meeting with the child was real. He stared at it for some time, half-expecting it to vanish within his hands but when it did not, he placed it back under his robes and walked away. He needed to get back at Hogwarts as soon as possible and show it to Dumbledore as he has a feeling that it was not intended to him alone. For some reason, he believed in the child's words no matter how much he refused to admit so.

TBC

A slightly sane Dark Lord... but still 'deformed' hmm.. need to fix that.. Please Review! Thank you! ^^