THE TIME ANOMALY

CHAPTER 5:

Disclaimer: I own nothing except 'Mark Evans' (No, it's not Lily's dad's name. Unless it is?). (JKR still owns Belby-down to his first name!)

Headmaster Dumbledore,

I request a meeting with you at your earliest
convenience. I will not divulge who I am in this
missive, but I request that no one else be present.
I will bring a friend - and I promise you, we are not
enemies. This meeting may take a long while, so be
sure to have a few hours free.

~~One who wished to give
and receive information
(Unknown)

James was satisfied with his letter, and sent it off on the fifteenth of November.

Dumbledore received it on the twenty-fifth, as the House-Elves scanned every anonymous letter for malicious spells. The elves found James' magical signature on the letter, however, and, remembering James from when he continually asked them for food in his Hogwarts years, thought it was a grand prank on James' part. They laughed as they sent of a letter of apology for Dumbledore's lateness in receiving the letter to James. James also laughed.

On the twenty-sixth, James received a reply from Dumbledore:

Unknown,

I shall be pleased to make your aquaintance,
providing I know who are at the time of meeting.
You and your friend intrigue me. I will be free all
day on the thirtieth of the present month. I will
have Hagrid, the gamekeeper, escort you to my
office. If you do not wish him to know your
identities, simply conceal your face or alter your
features temporarily.
I hope to see you soon,

~~Albus Dumbledore,
Order of Merlin, First Class,
Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump,
International Confederation
of Wizards,
Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

James snorted at the list of titles nearly as long as the letter. "Remus! I finally got the reply from Dumbledore!" he called. "We'll meet him on the thirtieth, escorted by Hagrid. You might want a disguise, too."

"Me, too?"

"Yes, don't want Hagrid recognizing you, do we?"

"No, I meant, I'm going too?"

"Remus!" James said, looking up. "You weren't not going! What's gotten into you? Is this more of your 'I'm a werewolf, I don't deserve anything' pile of dragon dung?"

"James - there'll be children there."

"Remus!" James nearly screamed in vexation. "It's not the full moon! You're not dangerous! And I'm not scheduling anything on the full moon! That's Marauder time, Remus! That's Prongs and Moony and Padfoot time! And if it's not the full moon - heck, if it is the full moon - your not dangerous! You've got Wolfsbane, Remus! You told me it was invented several years ago! You've had plenty time to get used to it! You know it's capabilities!"

"Actually - James - that was the first time. I couldn't afford it before," Remus said softly.

"You mean whoever invented it - "

"Belby,"

"priced it so high nobody can get it? How's he expect to make money that way?" James demanded.

"You could say that."

"I think I know what I'm doing until the thirtieth," James growled.

Damocles Belby was very happy. Not only had he made a goodly amount of money selling Wolfsbane, but he had been told by his old professor Horace that had he still been teaching at Hogwarts, his nephew Marcus would be in his Slug Club. It had been a point to brag about in his days at Hogwarts, for his brilliant Potions scores.

His musings were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Mr Belby, there is a Mr Evans wanting to speak with you. He doesn't have an appointment."

"Show him in, I'm not busy." Damocles said cheerily.

A moment later, a man with light-brown hair and a slightly indignant expression entered his office.

"Hello," said the man, awkwardly. Then, as if warming to the subject, he continued, "My name is Evans. Mark Evans. I have a friend, who is a werewolf. I just found out recently that he has only been able to get one month's worth of Wolfsbane because it is too expensive. You think you are making a lot of money now?" he asked, adressing Damocles main interest. "Once you have wolves buying Wolfsbane once a month instead of once a year, that'll go up fast. Most werewolves that my friend in aquainted with only get it once a year, and they are lucky to get that. They consider it an unaffordable luxury to save up their scanty earnings for. I know it might seem risky at first, but trust me, these werewolves will kill for some good Wolfsbane."

"But - but - "

"It might seem risky, like I said, but I'm going to start a charity for the poor wolves - and not just Wolfsbane. I'm serious about this. It certainly wont get you a downturn in sales, and you have a workforce of potioneers brewing the stuff, so you still have enough if one batch goes wrong. The ingredients might be a bit costly, but there is huge demand out there, and your supply is the only one there is. I know you want to make money, but that can't be the only reason for inventing Wolfsbane. Have pity on those wolves who can't get your remarkable potion."

"I-I'll think about it."

"My charity will get started in the New Year. It might be a good idea to publish the downturn in prices if it happens. I don't want to have to add Wolfsbane to the list of supplies."

Evans left Damocles in a very thoughtful mood.

"Do you think it worked?" Remus asked.

"Very probably. He seemed to like the idea of the Potter's Full Moon charity, but anxious to keep Wolfsbane off the list of supplies we'll need. I gave him until the New Year. Would be a good idea to file it with the Ministry, however. We do need a permit."

"I'll get it after the meeting with Dumbledore." Remus replied easily. He had gotten much more familiar with James after James' rant about Remus being equal to him. It had relieved his feelings. He had forgotten for a while that James had jumped in time, not run away for ten years.

"I still think you need a disguise, Remus."

"No, I plan on asking Hagrid questions about Harry. Would seem more natural for me to do it, than you who he has no idea who you are?"

"Remus," James mock-groaned. "You're making me look stupid."

"Very funny."

"True though."

"Right."