18. Goodbye Doesn't Mean Forever

Alastor wasn't surprised to find himself on the floor of his father's study once more. This time, Augustus had sent him crashing into the desk. He cracked his head on it quite hard, and he felt something warm and sticky against the back of his head. He touched his fingers to the spot. He didn't even have to look at his fingers to know they were slick with blood.

Two backhands in rapid succession left Alastor in a heap on the floor—both cheeks throbbing—when he tried to get to his feet carefully. His head was throbbing horribly and his cheeks were on fire. He was too dizzy to even bother trying to get up.

Augustus grabbed Alastor's upper arm and dragged him from the room. The fact that his father was actually dragging him anywhere coupled with the fact that he hadn't spoken—not even to berate Alastor as he usually did—informed him that he was in for a world of pain. He felt sick and more frightened that he'd ever felt before.

It'll be over soon. It'll be over soon. It has to be over soon…

Alastor was dragged to the stairwell where a tapestry covered a door underneath the stairs. What was behind the door was an absolute mystery to the family. No one was permitted to enter it. Alastor, who had never even looked at the spot lest he get in trouble for it, had never once held any curiosity about it. Now the tapestry was wrenched back and the door opened, and Alastor felt his heart clench.

What lay behind the door was a narrow curving stairway that led downwards, shrouded in darkness. When they reached the bottom Augustus lit the candelabra, which was the sole source of light in the room. There wasn't much to see, just a cold empty chamber with a hard uncomfortable chair with straps, an awful wrought iron cage that hung high overhead, and a chest with things that Alastor didn't care to imagine.

Suddenly his father tore his shirt open, shaking him roughly as he wrenched it off. Alastor screamed, his pain exacerbated by the rough shaking. Augustus shoved him against the cold stone wall, pinning Alastor's hands high above his head. Cold shackles encircled his wrists as he heard his father walk away. The chest opened and then closed.

The cruel crack of a whip cut through the air…

"Al, you need to wake up. Oh, please, wake up."

When Alastor woke, he wondered briefly if he were dead. The darkness was so absolute. Then a second later he registered the feel of a futon beneath him, a soft pillow beneath his head, a warm presence beside him, the faintest scent of apples, and the soft stroking of someone's hand along his cheek and hair. Then came the realization that—while he was still in a lot of pain—it wasn't the pain he should be feeling from the brutal beating and whipping he'd taken.

I must be dreaming.

"Al?"

Now I know I'm dreaming! That can't be…

"Rrem?"

"Al! Oh, thank Merlin!" Rremly whispered. His voice was thicker than Alastor had ever heard it. He could hear the tears and the relief in that voice. He felt Rremly shift. The darkness became less oppressive now that Rremly had lit a single candle.

"Oh no, Al, please stay awake!"

He blinked his eyes a few time to keep them open.

"You can't fall asleep," said Rremly, quietly.

"Why not?"

"You have a concussion," Rremly explained. "You need to stay awake, and it's better if you're up." He gently took Alastor's hand, clasping it. "I know it'll hurt, but do you think you can sit up?"

It broke his heart to hear the anguish in Rremly's voice. "I can try."

"Don't worry, I'll help you," came his tearful reassurance.

Gently, Rremly cupped his elbows, taking great care as he slowly drew Alastor up into a sitting position. Gritting his teeth, Alastor struggled against the brief darkening of his vision and the rush of lightheadedness. Easing to lean back against the wall, Rremly carefully pulled Alastor to rest against his chest, keeping his arms around him.

"There, you did fine," murmured Rremly as Alastor buried his face against Rremly's neck, crying quietly.

"No, please don't cry," said Rremly, shedding his own tears. "It'll make you hurt worse."

Rremly was right. It did make him hurt worse, but now that he'd started he couldn't stop. He curled into Rremly's hold, his hand gripping Rremly's shirt. He kept crying even as he felt Rremly stroking his hair with one hand while the other stroked his side, never once straying to his back. Alastor knew good and well why Rremly wasn't stroking his back as he usually did. The wounds on his back were slicked with balm. It would be a week or more before his back was clear and unmarked.

"It's going to be all right, Al," Rremly spoke softly, trying hard to comfort him. "We're getting you out of here tomorrow."

This certainly got Alastor's attention, "What?" Through his crying he managed to ask, "We? Who's we?"

"Your brother, Bella, and I. He and Lolo tended to you before he sent Lolo to fetch me. It's only been two hours since you left, but you really can't tell with it being so dark in here. I was really worried. Bella and I had such bad feelings- we both knew something bad was going to happen. We went back to my house to talk about things- to think of something we could do. Stew and Percy came just before Lolo appeared. Bella and I had to convince them to stay behind with Holden to explain things to my parents—"

"Wait, Bella's here?"

"Yes, she's up at the top of the stairs keeping vigil at the door. Your father's planning to keep you down here for the next two months. Only Lolo's allowed to come bring you food and tend to you. Your father's also going to remove you from school."

Alastor's heart and lungs tightened horribly inside him. He struggled to breathe. He heard Rremly's voice as if it were coming from a great distance. Then Rremly's lips were against his hair, temple, cheek, and then his lips. The cold he felt slowly began to recede. The tiniest bit of warmth stole through him and his chest no longer felt so heavy and tight.

"We're getting you out of here, just remember that," whispered Rremly, looking deep into his eyes. Alastor rather liked how soothing and comforting it felt to have Rremly's warm breath fanning against his skin.

"How?"

"Tomorrow, after your parents have left, Lolo will come and take us all back to my house. Aurelius will wait until your parents are asleep to go through your room and pack everything up and have it sent over. Then he'll free Lolo and he'll ask Lolo to go to Hogwarts after he gets us home. Of course he'll make it look like an accident, his freeing Lolo, I mean. He said he'll take the consequences himself so that you and Lolo don't get hurt."

It was too much to believe. It was enough to reaffirm to Alastor that this was a dream, only a dream.

"He's really going to do that?"

"You didn't see him when Lolo brought us here. His eyes were rimmed red from crying and there was blood all over his clothes from tending to your wounds. He kept apologizing to you over and over again- said something about his having meant to warn you to get to Stew's before your father was due to come, but your father went to fetch you earlier and he only found out about it when you were brought home."

Tears slid down Alastor's cheeks. Aurelius truly cared for him. "Will I be able to say goodbye to him?" He almost choked on his tears.

"Yes," Rremly reassured him, kissing his cheek. "He'll come down when he's finished packing up your things."

"This can't be real… I mean, why not leave now?"

"You're not fit for any sort of travel- not with your concussion. You can hardly move."

Alastor sighed. It was true, he could hardly move without eliciting dull throbs of pain from his head and dull stinging from his back.

"It still doesn't make sense," he voiced, working to keep his thoughts in order and his eyes open. "Why bring you and Bella here when there's nothing to do but wait?"

"He wanted someone to stay with you and take care of you. He has to stay visible to your parents otherwise they'll find out what he's planning to do." Rremly told him quietly. "Al, I told you he was half-mad when we came. When he first saw you he thought you were dead. He was so scared, but then you came around long enough for him and Lolo to treat you. When you passed out again, he knew to send for me- knew that I'd keep you awake long enough to get you past danger."

"Why you?"

"He sees a lot more than you think, Al. He's been watching you a lot at Hogwarts. He knew we were close- that we're all very close. I really think he was jealous. I think he really wants what you have. He hasn't any real friends of his own. When you started at Hogwarts and met us—stood by us even though you knew it went against what your family wanted and that you'd be punished for it—you really gave him an example of real courage and true friendship."

"What? But, he's the favorite- our parents love him."

"You're not listening. If he were truly loved, he would have known what love is. He would have known what friendship is. If he was loved, he wouldn't have treated you the way he did your first year. He wouldn't have had to secure his standing with your parents at your expense. Your parents don't love him any more than they love you. Don't think for one minute they won't turn on him the moment they realize that not only was he the one that orchestrated your escape, but that he's also been helping you as much as he could the past year."

It took a little while for what Rremly said to sink in. It was a lot to process in his current state. They wouldn't really hurt him, would they? He'd always thought it impossible- unthinkable, even. Yet now, things have changed so drastically. Anything was possible now.

Several minutes passed by in silence. Then a sudden crack announced Lolo's presence. The elf set down three goblets and a large platter, uncovering it to reveal enough food to feed all three of them.

"Thank you, Lolo," said Alastor. The poor elf nodded, his large eyes full of sorrow for his master. "Before you go, could you please ask Bella to come down?"

"Yes, of course, master Al," nodded Lolo, leaving them to climb the stairs.

A minute passed by before they heard another crack and the sound of descending footsteps. Then, out of the darkness, Bella appeared. She came close and sat beside them. In the candlelight, Alastor could see her eyes were a little bit red. She, too, had been crying. She took his hand and held it tight. Her palm felt a bit moist and a little bit sticky.

"Bella, your hand—"

"It's nothing," she said, drawing her hand back. There were very small cuts on her palm, and there was a little blood. "Just gripped my hands too hard," she took the end of her shirt to clean away the blood. "Should've just let me hex the bastard." Her words brought to mind the letter she'd written last year. It just nearly got a smile from him.

"You should really drink something, Al. You must be parched. Bella, can you please—" Rremly carefully took the goblet she'd handed to him. "Thanks," now he offered it to Alastor, who, with a shaking hand, tried to hold it carefully. He spilled just a little bit of the drink, but Rremly kept his hand steady over Alastor's, helping him drink. When he'd had enough to drink, Rremly set the goblet aside. Then, taking one of the small bowls of risotto and a fork, Belladonna eased closer. She kept a firm hold on the bowl as she offered the fork to Alastor. When he took it, she held his hand steady. It took a while, but eventually Alastor managed to eat close to half the bowl. Both Belladonna and Rremly finished off the rest. Rremly said they should save the rest of the food in case they get hungry again before Lolo was to come with dinner.

For the next three hours (according to Rremly's pocket watch) Rremly and Belladonna took to quizzing Alastor on Herbology, History of Magic, Charms, Transfiguration, and Astronomy—not just to help him review for the new term, but mostly to keep him alert and talking. When he began to give them strange and nonsense answers, they wisely changed tactics. Belladonna suggested they teach Alastor the words to one of Stewart's newest silly songs. That was more than fine for Alastor.

I have a tale to tell.

It might just save your lives but only if you listen well.

'Cause there before the breakers

And just around the way,

There's a sign that says,

"Beware The Beast of Pirate's Bay!"

Some say he's a guppy a kid threw in the sea.

He ate so many sailors, now he's bigger than a tree.

His teeth are sharp as scissors

His claws, they are like knives.

And if you think he's ugly, wait 'til you see his insides!

Oh, don't you sail and don't you row and certainly don't you swim,

'Cause if you aren't careful you'll end up inside of him.

He'll eat you up, he'll spit you out. You'd better stay away.

Heed the sign that says, "Beware the Beast of Pirate's Bay!"

Some say he's a serpent that came straight from hell,

He came to eat the souls of pirates and other ne'er-do-wells.

Some they don't believe it, as for me I've got a hunch.

'Cause they used to have some pirates here.

But he ate them all for lunch!

Oh, don't you sail and don't you row and certainly don't you swim,

'Cause if you aren't careful you'll end up inside of him.

He'll eat you up, he'll spit you out. You'd better stay away.

Heed the sign that says, "Beware the Beast of Pirate's Bay!"

It was near midnight. They'd long since ceased to talk. Lolo had come again with dinner and with more Murtlap Essence for Alastor's back and bandages for his scarred wrists. The shackles had bruised and torn his skin, drawing a fair amount of blood. Something else Lolo had brought with him were two new candles, as the first one was moments from burning itself out.

After eating, Alastor was allowed to sleep for a bit, as Lolo and Rremly had said he was past the danger. However, even so, he was woken every now and again, only so briefly, by Rremly who was obviously still a little frightened he might slip away in his sleep. Rremly kept hold of Alastor even though he protested that Rremly must be sore and cramped from sitting and holding him as long as he had without shifting and changing positions completely. He knew Rremly was afraid to let him go, and truth be told, he was afraid to be let go. Even Belladonna remained glued to their side, keeping a firm grip on Alastor's hand. Alastor felt her leave a few times to listen at the door and make certain that all was calm and clear, but she always came down within a few minutes to re-join them, holding Alastor's hand once again.

A little while later Alastor woke to the sound of Belladonna leaving again. He thought nothing of it until he felt a firmer hand, just a little larger than Belladonna's, touch his arm. Alastor blearily opened his eyes to find Aurelius where Belladonna should have been.

"Aurelius!"

"Promised I'd come, didn't I?" He said quietly. He looked sadder than Alastor had ever seen him. "Here, I brought down a shirt for you. It's too cold down here. Don't worry about your back. It's looking a lot better than it did when I found you- not saying that it won't hurt to have fabric against it, but it's that or catch a chill."

Alastor nodded slightly, steeling himself for the pain. Rremly helped ease him up again, and carefully helped to get his arms through the sleeves as Aurelius held it up. Thankfully it didn't take too long to get it on, with Rremly making quick work with the buttons while Aurelius held Alastor up.

"Thank you," Alastor managed to say, trying to keep his breathing even as he waited for the pain to abate.

"Don't thank me yet," said Aurelius. Alastor could hear the regret in his quiet voice. "Thank me when you're out of here- when you're safe."

He nodded, too worried to argue. "You should come with us. I mean- do you have any idea what might happen to you if you stay?"

"Nothing that hasn't already happened to you. As far as first offenses go, this is pretty serious," here he held up a finger to keep Alastor from speaking. "Don't worry. First chance I get, I'm leaving. I'll come to see you then."

Alastor clasped his hand. "You promise?"

"No, don't make that promise," Rremly said suddenly, quite startling Alastor. "Just say you'll do everything you can to be there."

Confused, Alastor looked between Rremly and Aurelius. His best friend had tears in his eyes. Aurelius's eyes weren't dry either, and he was looking at Rremly strangely, as if he was seeing—truly seeing him—for the first time.

"I'll do everything I can," he managed to say through the thickness of his voice.

A horrible coldness cut through him. Fear was beginning to fill him, squeezing out the air from his lungs. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Aurelius said soothingly, leaning forward to gently hug him and Rremly. "Everything's going to be all right."

They held on to each other for several long minutes. Alastor could feel that time slipping away, could feel himself begin to quietly cry again. He couldn't understand why he felt as though something awful was going to happen to Aurelius. After a few more minutes that felt like only so few seconds, Aurelius gently drew away. He put his hand in his pocket and withdrew his monogrammed handkerchief, placing it in Alastor's hand.

"Goodbye, Alastor."

"Don't call me that. Call me Al," he choked on his words, "and don't say goodbye!"

"Goodbye doesn't mean forever," Aurelius squeezed his hand. "Remember that, Al."

Swallowing back a sob, he nodded. Goodbye doesn't mean forever. He mentally repeated the words several times, wanting it to sink- needing to believe it.

"You'll be all right," Aurelius whispered, giving his hand another squeeze. "Be true to yourself. Live honestly. Be the better man."

"I will." He could barely get the words out. "I'll make you proud."

"I'm already proud," Aurelius smiled- his first smile. It broke Alastor's heart.

Aurelius kissed the top of his head, gave his hand another gentle squeeze, and left. He could hear Aurelius's steps upon the stairs, growing fainter and fainter. He was shaking with the need to cry again. Rremly kissed him again, doing his best to comfort him, coaxing him to lie down. Suddenly Belladonna was there beside them. Alastor hadn't even heard her coming down. She waited until they'd gotten comfortable before taking the blanket Aurelius had left her to drape across them. When she made to leave, Alastor grasped at her pant leg. A second later she settled herself on Alastor's other side, taking care not to press too close to his back.

Without any verbal agreement, they left the candle lit.

A/N: "The Beast of Pirate's Bay" – Voltaire 2008