Fragments of Us
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: None for this chapter.
Chapter 27 – A Casualty in the Order
Despite Snape's surprise and – for Sirius and Harry – unwelcome intrusion the tension among the principal residents of Grimmauld Place had lessened. Kate and Sirius were obviously back on healthier terms, which made Sirius' behavior more predictable and, as before, far more pleasant. This time around, Kate was more cautious and less inclined to be as demonstrative as she was when she and Sirius first renewed their relationship. At times when Kate was more overtly holding herself back a bit, Sirius found himself watching her from a distance, his insecurities and anxieties never too far away. On those occasions, his hand crept to the promise ring, which was, indeed, serving the purpose Kate intended. It seemed that having assured himself of its presence, Sirius could cast off some of the doubt and move forward in a more positive way than before. The one relationship that seemed to still have Sirius a bit out of sorts was his friendship with Remus. Dumbledore had sent Remus on a mission for the Order and Remus had left the night Sirius and Kate had reconciled. It bothered Sirius that he and his oldest friend had ended their conversation that night on a low note. Sirius was all too aware of the dangers of their current situation and felt it keenly when those he loved were not within arm's reach. To have unsettled business between them bothered him even more.
One evening, when they were all seated in the library, Kate suggested that they have a small party to ring in the New Year. Sirius looked up from his chessboard and smiled warmly, even as Harry captured his Bishop. "Kate, that's a grand idea!" he exclaimed. "We could decorate … shut it, you!" Sirius addressed the follow-up comment to Harry, Ron and the twins who had groaned, en masse, at the idea of more glitz and glimmer added to what was left over from Sirius' Christmas decorating scheme.
"I could make a big dinner," Molly chimed in, to which Kate added, "and I'll help you. There's no need for you to do all the work, Molly!" Even though she protested a bit, Kate knew that the two of them would lighten the workload and Kate didn't really mind Molly, despite her occasional cloying behavior toward Harry – and more than occasional condescending attitude toward Sirius. Kate knew that Molly's intentions were good and so made an effort to work around the petty annoyances…most of the time, anyway.
"Perhaps Professor Lupin will be back by then," Harry said and Sirius nodded. "It's three days away," he said to the boy. "I can't believe that even Dumbledore would expect Remus to stay away on New Years Eve!"
The upcoming party plans occupied the gathering for the rest of the evening. They discussed the guest list: the Order, of course – including Snape, at Molly's insistence, Hermione Granger, if her parents would agree to spare her – and the entire Weasley clan, including those not yet old enough to achieve Order membership. Kate and Molly put their heads together on the menu for the dinner on New Year's Day as well as party appetizers and sandwiches for New Year's Eve. Sirius weighed in on his preferences and asserted that all "libation" would be supplied by the Black family's wine cellar, which featured some lovely champagne. Spirits were running quite high by the time everyone headed off to bed. Sirius and Kate stayed downstairs for a while longer – Kate with her files and Sirius doing some research on charms that he assured her would add "animation" to their party. Intrigued, but unable to wheedle any detail from the Marauder, Kate decided she, too, had had enough and was going to head up to her room. As she gathered up her files and headed for the door, Kate found herself humming under her breath, quietly content. Sirius fell in behind her, putting his hand on the small of her back. Instinctively, Kate leaned into the touch and Sirius responded by moving his arm to encircle her waist. "Mmm, nice," she commented when Sirius nuzzled her hair.
"You smell so good," he whispered, kissing her temple and enjoying the shiver his attention produced. He kissed her again, relishing the closeness especially after their recent estrangement.
Kate turned, but her response was interrupted by the sound of a crash that came from the direction of the kitchen. Immediately, both drew their wands, Sirius stepping in front of Kate to lead the way downstairs. They moved silently, senses alert to any further sound that might indicate who or what had made the noise. Reaching the closed door, Sirius flattened himself against the stairway wall, noting that Kate did the same. He turned to her and mouthed, "On three," and, at her nod, counted off using his fingers. As Sirius finished, they both moved into the darkened kitchen, again flattening themselves along the wall to the left of the door. As they waited for their eyes to adjust to the darkness, Kate felt Sirius again step in front of her. She glanced beyond him, into the room and began to make out shapes in the dimness. A chair was overturned at the side of the table and next to it a form lay sprawled on the floor. After waiting several moments for any movement, Kate heard Sirius cast a whispered "Lumos" and then both gasped loudly at what the wand light revealed.
"Remus!" Sirius cried, springing forward. Kate muttered a spell and the candles in the wall sconces blazed brightly. Looking over Sirius' shoulder, Kate gasped. It was, indeed, Remus, although one would need to know him well to recognize him tonight. His clothing was torn in places and filthy, trousers covered with mud and a darker substance Kate knew was blood. His worn overcoat was wet and it, too, bore evidence that beneath it, the werewolf had sustained significant wounds. Kate watched as Sirius smoothed Remus' wet hair back from his forehead. He had bruising about both eyes and his lower lip bore a deep cut and was noticeably swollen. "Mooney, what happened to you?" Kate heard Sirius whisper to his friend.
"Sirius," Kate said urgently. "Remus needs medical attention – from someone who knows a good deal more than I do. We've got to get him to St Mungo's. It looks like he's lost a good deal of blood and I don't like the way his breathing sounds."
Sirius turned to look at her and Kate was startled to see tears on his cheeks. "We can't bring him there; they won't take him now that they know what he is. Snape took care of that when he told the Slytherins about Remus' condition."
Kate stood and ran to the fireplace. Grabbing a pinch of Floo powder from the container on the mantel, she tossed it into the fire and shouted, "Albus Dumbledore's office – Hogwarts!" into the green flames. Almost immediately, the white haired wizard's face appeared before her. "What is it, Kate?" he asked, noting her pallor and the anxiety on her face.
"Albus, it's Remus. He's injured very badly; he's lost a great deal of blood and appears to have a high fever. Please, can you help us?" Kate implored the head of the Order.
Dumbledore nodded. "Tell Sirius that I will come through presently. I will be bringing Poppy Pomfrey with me. She has been working on stocking healing supplies for the Order for some time. She also knows about Sirius and I trust her implicitly." Kate nodded, feeling her eyes fill as the relief of having someone to help allowed her emotions to come through. Dumbledore noticed. "Go back and sit with Sirius and Remus, Kate. We will do everything we can for him." And he was gone.
Kate walked back over to where Sirius was seated, on the floor, next to his best friend. He looked over at her as she took up her place beside him. "Sirius," Kate spoke softly. "Albus will be coming through in a moment and he's bringing Poppy Pomfrey with him." At his panicked expression, Kate laid her hand on his arm and continued, "Albus said that she knows about you, your innocence and your situation. She's been working with the Order for a while now and Albus trusts her. It will be fine – and she will help Remus. You know how she took care of him all through school. It will be fine."
Sirius nodded, then turned his attention back to Remus, who still lay motionless, as before. Sirius was stroking the werewolf's hand and watching his face for any sign of awakening. Only a few moments passed before the fireplace blazed the curious shade of green that indicated Floo travel was in progress.
Poppy nodded to Kate, who rose, gently encouraging Sirius to do the same so the Healer had sufficient room to maneuver around the werewolf's inert form. Albus tactfully guided them to the other side of the room, giving her privacy with her patient.
Sirius addressed the Headmaster, "Where did you send him, Albus?" he asked, his voice harsh. "I've seen him endure transformations that weren't this bad."
The old wizard sighed. "Remus' work for the Order is critical, Sirius, and something only he can do. Yes, it is dangerous, but all Order missions carry significant risk to us all. Remus knew the danger, but accepted it based on his belief that in the end his work has the potential to significantly improve our chance to defeat Voldemort – once and for all."
Sirius raised his eyebrows. "You've sent him to the ferals, haven't you? Merlin, Albus, Grayback is out there roaming around with those packs. They're vicious and …"
Kate put her hand on Sirius back, rubbing slow circles between his shoulder blades. She saw him put his hand over his heart in an unconscious gesture that she had seen him make before. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly then returned his hand to his side. 'I promised', Kate remembered his quiet determination as he said those words. Despite the gravity of the situation, she smiled softly as she realized yet again exactly how completely he had meant those words.
"Sirius," Albus spoke quietly. "Remus' mission is to try to recruit werewolves to support us rather than Voldemort. We know the Dark Lord has instructed his followers to entice the feral packs to his side by all possible means. The Death Eaters are promising werewolves greater freedom in the wizarding world, more power, money – things that are not possible under the current Ministry. Remus' job is to convince them that these 'benefits' will not be granted by Voldemort."
Sirius looked past Dumbledore to where Poppy was working diligently on Remus' injuries. "It would appear that he ran into some 'unbelievers'."
Poppy approached the trio with a grim expression on her face. "I've done everything I can for now. I need to transport him to a proper bed where he can rest and allow the potions to try to heal his body." She turned to Kate. "Do you have any nursing experience?"
Kate nodded. "Basic medical training as part of the Auror's program and a slightly advanced course in America. I'm not a professional, however."
Poppy nodded. "You don't have to be. I'll come back periodically and check in on his progress, change his dressings and make sure the potions don't need to be adjusted."
Sirius spoke up. "Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. I know that Remus is in the best hands possible. Can you tell us what's wrong?"
Poppy appeared momentarily flustered at his words, but recovered quickly. "I've healed broken bones in his left hand, his right leg and foot, his collarbone as well as two ribs. In addition, I've healed numerous lacerations, but the tissue is still sensitive, so the skin won't be completely fine for another couple of hours. His fever will abate over the next hour or so, I would expect, and he'll need additional blood replenishing potions throughout the rest of the night."
Sirius nodded, gravely. "When will he wake up?" he wanted to know.
Poppy shook her head. "I've no idea, Mr. Black," she said quietly. "He has a rather large bump on the back of his head which, combined with the severe blood loss, could easily result in loss of consciousness. I am concerned that he's remained unconscious throughout the treatment I've just completed. I'd like someone with him at all times until I return tomorrow to check on him."
"I'll do it," Sirius said, looking over at his friend.
Kate nodded, threading her arm through Sirius'. "We'll both sit with him."
Poppy turned toward Remus and said, "I'll need some help getting him to his room. I'll conjure a stretcher, but I'll need someone to move him with me to ensure he isn't bumped at all. Those broken bones still need some time to fully recover."
Between Sirius and Poppy, the patient was gently lowered onto a conjured stretcher after which both witch and wizard worked in tandem to move Remus up two flights of narrow stairways to his room. The trip was painstakingly slow to ensure that he wasn't jostled or subject to unnecessary motion. While they dealt with the injured werewolf, Kate and Albus set the kitchen to rights and did what centuries of Englishmen had done in times of crisis: prepared a pot of tea as a balm for overwrought nerves. Over tea, they discussed probabilities surrounding Remus' attack, for that is what they were sure had happened. They were divided, however, on responsibility. Kate was sure that the ferals had done the damage, while Albus seemed to feel that Death Eaters at least had a hand in it. When all was said and done, however, they would never really know until Remus awoke and could tell them.
"You won't be sending him back out there when he's recovered, will you?" Kate asked the Headmaster.
Albus shook his head, his long, white beard swaying along the table top with the motion. "If the packs did this to him, I can't send him back. It's too dangerous for Remus and serves no purpose. If the Death Eaters are involved, it's almost the same situation, isn't it? For a time, he'll need to focus on his recovery – to whatever extent that involves. Later, I'll assign him to research and translation projects, which will eliminate traveling and his risk of exposure. It will also – I suspect – keep Mr. Black a bit more settled. He'll not be alone quite as much."
Kate nodded. "True. I guess we'll have to wait and see what Remus can tell us when he awakens."
At that moment, Poppy appeared in the kitchen, announcing that Remus had been settled into his own bed, watched over carefully by a very diligent Sirius.
Kate smiled at the older witch. "I'd better join them – with tea," she said, picking up the tea tray and making her way toward the stairs. "I'll see you later Poppy," she called over her shoulder and disappeared through the door.
Upstairs, in Remus' room, Sirius sat a silent vigil in a chair that he'd dragged over to the side of Remus' bed. He again had Remus' hand in his own and his gaze was fixed on his best friend's face – pale from blood loss, mouth set with a pinched appearance from the pain he'd experienced. Sirius turned at a noise from the doorway and rose to take the tea tray from Kate, despite her softly whispered protest. Sirius put the tray down on the small desk Remus had situated in the corner of the room, clearing a pile of parchment to make room. He looked up at Kate and quirked an eyebrow and she nodded. Sirius set about fixing each of them a cup of tea. When each had a steaming cup, Sirius levitated a second chair to the other side of Remus' bed and the couple began their watch.
A couple of hours later, Kate awoke from an unintended nap in the hard, wooden chair. Looking immediately across the bed at Sirius, she realized what had awakened her. Sirius' face was streaked with tears and a small sob had escaped his throat; he still maintained his throttlehold on Remus' hand. Fearing the worst, Kate allowed her gaze to travel to the pillow where Remus lay. To her delight, she saw that his eyes were open and that he was looking directly at Sirius, great affection and concern in his tired eyes.
"Padfoot, don't," the werewolf whispered, his throat raw. "I'm here. I'm ok."
Sirius shook his head. "What would I have done if you hadn't made it home? What would I have done if I'd lost my brother?"
A lone tear traveled from the corner of Remus' eye and disappeared into the gray-tinged hair at his temple. "Endured," Remus whispered. "For the rest of us; for Harry." He paused and Sirius lifted his head gently and placed a glass of cold water to his lips. Remus drank for a moment then removed his lips from the glass. He caught Sirius' gaze. "That's what brothers do," he finished, lying back on his pillows and closing his eyes again – this time falling into a restful, healing sleep.