Chapter Twenty-Seven - More Than Blood
"Where are those idiots!" Severus snapped with annoyance and anger overshadowing the worry he was feeling for Harry's sudden disappearance along with his friends. He stepped out of the Weasley twin's joke shop, peering up and down the street.
"Ronald Weasley!" Molly shouted close behind Severus as she followed him out of the shop.
With worry settling heavily in his stomach, Severus asked, "Hagrid, did you see them walk by you?" The half-giant had been standing guard outside the shop the whole entire time. He was bound to have seen them leave.
"No, they must've used that ruddy cloak!" Hagrid said as he examined the street up ahead for any sign of Harry and his friends.
"Fuck!" Severus shouted. He didn't want to blame Hagrid, but the fool had one fucking job! Severus knew it was a mistake to assign Hagrid as the extra guard for the day! And that insolent boy was going to get an earful of a lecture from Severus as soon as he was found! Severus had given his cloak and wand back to Harry thinking he could trust him, and the first thing Harry had done was put himself in danger!
At least Harry could protect himself with those things if anything did happen! That thought was the only thing that calmed Severus enough to stay where he was and not go off searching by himself.
They only had to waste a few precious moments discussing where the missing teenagers might've gone when Hagrid suddenly pointed down the alley.
"There they are!" Hagrid shouted.
Severus bolted towards the teens, swooping over to them like the overgrown bat he was so often described as. Hagrid, Molly, and Arthur who'd just stepped out of the shop, followed after him.
Severus' heart jolted in panic when he'd realized Harry wasn't with them.
"Where's Harry?" Hagrid shouted. Thankfully Severus wasn't the only one to notice Harry's disappearance.
"Ronald Billius Weasley! What were you thinking going off like that?!" Molly shouted, beating Severus in reaching the kids first. She grabbed her son by the ear, pulling Weasley closer to her, scolding him.
"Are you children alright? What happened?" Arthur asked, the normally calm and mellow wizard was shaking with fear and relief that his son was safe. However, Arthur's questions were overshadowed by Molly's frantic and fierce scolding.
"Don't you understand the danger you had put Harry in! Why do you think we have all these security measures in place just to shop here today?! Anything could've happened! Anything!"
Over the chaos, Severus couldn't stand to wait any longer for Molly to finish her scolding. It seemed in her panic, she hadn't yet noticed that Harry was missing.
Seeing the shock Granger and Weasley were clearly in, Severus knew something was terribly wrong. He could see it in their pale faces. He could feel it in his gut. And Severus was almost afraid to ask them, hoping Harry would appear from the crowd behind them. Maybe he had just fallen behind?
"Where's Harry?" Severus demanded. His voice was slow, so icy and tense, that everyone quieted down.
The two teens who seemed dazed during Molly's scolding, looked up at Severus with fear and guilt. Fresh tears ran down Granger's cheeks. Her hair was looking more bushier and frazzled than ever before.
"Harry, he…" Granger choked out. "We tried to help him… We're so sorry! There wasn't anything we could do! He told us to go!"
"What happened!" Severus shouted. Irritation and impatience was making him lose his temper. Icy-cold fear was seizing his heart, his mind, everything….
"We've followed Malfoy. He met Fenrir Greyback in front of Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley," Granger said.
In response to Granger's answer, Molly gasped in anger and fear. Arthur grabbed his wife's hand to perhaps comfort her or steady himself. Hagrid's mouth hung open in shock, gripping his pink umbrella so tightly that it looked like it was in danger from snapping in half.
Those words stopped Severus' heart, and for a second he couldn't breathe. Fenrir Greyback was the last person he wanted his son around. And what the fuck was Draco doing with that werewolf?! It had to be for his task, it had to be. And Severus quickly pieced everything together in his mind. Harry must've seen Draco walk by. And not being able to control his insolent need to put himself in danger and sticking his nose in where it doesn't belong, Harry of course trailed after him.
"After Malfoy left the shop, Greyback came out of nowhere…" Then Granger was crying too hard to say anymore.
Severus turned his cold glare on Weasley, silently demanding the red-headed boy to finish.
Weasley's whole body was shaking from the shock, and his face was so deathly pale that his freckles stood out. "Greyback held Harry by knifepoint, made us drop our wands," he choked out.
And Severus lost his control. How could they have let their best friend be taken?! Severus grabbed Weasley by the shoulders. Panic overwhelmed him to the point that he couldn't see clearly. "Where did Greyback take Harry? What did he say?" Severus shouted.
"Severus!" Molly and Arthur protested at the same time.
"Oi! Let go of him!" Hagrid shouted.
"What did Greyback say, Weasley?!" Severus shouted over them, not caring that he was acting out of line with the Weasley's son. Severus had to know why Harry was fucking kidnapped by Fenrir Greyback!
"He said...he said you have a day from now to return what you and Professor Dumbledore took from him! Then he used a portkey to take Harry away!"
Severus let go of Weasley. Greyback's threat was slowly registering in his mind. He stepped back in shock.
Hagrid placed a hand on Severus' shoulder with perhaps the intention to steady him, but all he did was almost make Severus' knees buckle. "Professor Snape, are you alright?" Hagrid asked. He was standing over Severus with his large body blocking the scene Severus was causing from the few crowds of people passing by.
Severus couldn't answer the half-giant. Shock was taking over as if he were drowning in the Black Lake at Hogwarts. Harry was with that monster! Anything could happen! Harry could be hurt or worse, dead or taken to the Dark Lord! And suddenly all of Severus' senses had shut down. He couldn't see or hear. He felt like his legs might just give out without the help of Hagrid's heavy hand this time. And Severus was sinking down…down underwater and just above him was the glow of the sun.
"What were you thinking about going to Knockturn Alley!" Molly shouted at the children. Her sudden shout brought Severus back, like he just pulled his head out from underwater.
"Mum!" Weasley whined again.
"Arthur..." was all Severus could say.
Arthur didn't need an explanation. He must've known what Severus was feeling. He had gone through the same thing once before, when his daughter Ginny was taken into the Chamber of Secrets.
"Go to Hogwarts, Severus. I'll alert the Order," Arthur said over the harsh scolding of his wife.
Severus Disapparated without another word.
.
.
It didn't take too long for Severus to get to Albus' office. Wasting no time, he barged in through the door. "Greyback has taken Harry!" Severus announced, his voice full of urgency. It hid the panic that had settled inside him.
Albus jumped up from his seat. "Explain," he demanded. His blue eyes behind his half-moon glasses were shining with a cold fire.
"Harry followed Draco who was accompanied by the werewolf at Borgin and Burkes. Then Greyback snatched him. I don't think Draco had anything to do with this. I have a feeling he was only using the werewolf for his task."
"Severus, this shows that Greyback could be the one who was after Harry all along!" Albus paced the room, deep in thought. "Although it doesn't explain how he'd managed to get past the wards at the Burrow. He has to be working with someone else."
"Albus, I don't fucking care right now about whose behind this! Except that we know Greyback has Harry and we need to figure out where!" Severus snapped with his hands shaking. Severus hid them in his pockets and wrapped his fingers tightly around his wand. He imagined himself cursing that vile creature for daring to touch his son.
The headmaster didn't respond right away. Albus continued pacing, as if Severus hadn't spoken. And the panic inside him started to squeeze its tendrils around his heart and lungs, making it harder for Severus to breathe.
"Albus!" Severus shouted. "Greyback has my son!"
Albus shook his head and stared up at Severus. "I want you to alert Remus with what has happened." He swept around his desk in his light-blue silvery robes towards the fireplace.
"What are you planning?" Severus asked.
"I'm calling an emergency meeting. I'm assuming Ron and Hermione were the ones who've alerted you to Harry's kidnapping?"
Severus nodded. "Arthur's calling the Order as we speak."
"Excellent, I'm going to talk to Molly. I want her to bring the children to the meeting so they can give us a full account on what has happened. We need every detail before we plan the rescue. I want you and Remus to be at the meeting in no more than ten minutes."
Not wasting any more precious time, Severus turned around and left the office without another word. His pace through the castle towards the Defense corridor was so fast, Severus was practically running. Now that Severus was moving, now that it seemed like Albus was starting a rescue plan, the deep rooted panic that had settled tightly into his chest was now turning into rage, so fierce and hot, it took away every concern and feeling Severus might've had in seeing Lupin again so soon after their last argument. That didn't matter right now. Harry was what mattered. Fenrir Greyback was going to get what was coming to him. Screw cursing Greyback, because when Severus finally finds himself face to face with Greyback, he was going to wring his bare hands around that vile creature's neck, and Greyback was going to deeply regret he'd ever dared laid his filthy hands on his kid!
Remus was standing in his office, looking out of the window at the setting sun with a bottle of red wine in his hand. His neatly finished lesson plans for the new fall term were piled on his desk, next to them was a full vial of Wolfsbane to be taken tomorrow before the full-moon. Remus' gaze was fixed on the black forest, admiring the way the trees were creating long shadows on the grass. It seemed like a billion years ago when he used to run the grounds as a wolf with his pack under the light of the full-moon.
The full-moon was indeed almost near. Remus didn't need the reminder of the Wolfsbane Potion on his desk or even a lunar chart to know. He could feel it coming in every part of his body.
Remus took a long chug of the wine bottle. He could feel the full-moon approaching in the way his muscles were tense and sore, his bones feeling creaky and achy. The signs were there in Remus' eyes. His hazel-green irises were now permanently flecked with gold.
Remus caught a bit of his reflection from the window as the sky began to darken. His face was pale with dark purple shadows underneath his eyes, the pink scars that marred his face stood out more than ever.
And as always, Remus was dreading the change. Especially this one. This was the first full-moon since he was rescued from Greyback's training camp. The last time he changed was the night he'd killed Kaylie Porter. Remus tried not to let his resurfacing memories take over his mind. He tried not to lose himself in them. Memories that tortured him with guilt and fear and pain. Memories that kept Remus awake at night, memories that turned into nightmares. Memories that made Remus get out of bed and find comfort in a wine bottle as he sat on his windowsill or in front of the fireplace, trying to chase them away.
And in his nightmares, Remus relived the torture Greyback had put him through. He felt the pain they'd inflicted on him, and suffered from the burning thirst and endless hunger that never seemed to end. He felt the sickness ravage his body, feeling so weak he could barely open his eyes. Remus could still feel all of it, even as he felt himself linger between the waking world and his nightmares. And when Remus finally crossed that barrier, waking up in the darkness of his room, sweating with fear and with his blankets tangled around him from tossing and turning in his sleep, Remus had to remind himself that he was now safe at Hogwarts. That he was on his way to recovery thanks to Madam Pomfrey's daily care and the supply of Severus' carefully brewed medicinal potions. They had saved his life, and Remus knew it wasn't deserved. He was the wrong life to save. It should've been Kaylie's life… It should've been her's….
Sighing, Remus settled himself on the wide windowsill ledge. He placed the empty bottle on the floor. Since his change was so near, drinking a full bottle of wine had barely done anything but give Remus the comforting buzz that usually happened after one or two drinks. Remus felt the cool window pane against his side as he leaned his back against the wooden framework. He spotted Sirius' guitar leaning against his desk and he summoned it over with an outstretched hand. Remus hadn't realized that he had broken out in a cold sweat or that his body was shaking from thinking about his sleepless nights. Remus' time at the werewolf camp had really left a negative impact on him, hindering from being the man he used to be.
Remus now felt like his life was split into two parts. The person he was before and the person he became after what Greyback did to him. Just like when Remus was bitten as a small child. His mother always said that Remus was different before he was bitten. He was a happy, imaginative, hyper, little boy and then his whole personality changed to quiet and reserved. That night had changed everything, changed Remus' life, his personality and his relationship with his parents. And now after what Remus went through this summer, it changed him again… Remus was different, he could feel it… He was broken….
Remus began to strum his guitar. It was a melody he had started working on in the middle of the night when he couldn't sleep. He closed his eyes, immediately seeing Kaylie's accusing red eyes that were always in his nightmares. Red eyes that were always full of anger and pain for her lost life. Her voice whispered in his memory, causing Remus to stop playing.
"I know you're figuring out how to escape. Either that or Dumbledore is working very hard to find you. If you do manage to find a way to escape or someone does come for you, take me with you."
Remus opened his eyes, breathing heavily. Disgust at what he did made Remus' heart ache. He turned his head so he was faced with his reflection in the window pane once more. His golden flecked eyes were all he could see. The eyes of a murderous werewolf… A monster….
"I've failed you, I let you die…" Remus' voice cracked with grief then it turned into rage. He threw the guitar away from himself, the sound of the instrument crashing onto the wooden floorboards filled the office. The guitar was a gift from Sirius that wasn't deserved, because Remus had let him go too… Sirius was another lost life that Remus felt responsible for. The wolf inside him was triggered from the complex human emotions. It began howling, fighting for dominance. And for a second, Remus considered letting it win. Honestly, he had no idea why he even bothered suppressing it anymore.
A loud knock banged on his door. Remus looked curiously at it. Harry went to Diagon Alley with Severus today. They must be back already. The sun had finally set.
"Enter," Remus said.
The door slammed open, revealing a pale and furious Severus Snape. "Come with me!" he demanded. "Albus is holding an emergency meeting!"
Severus then turned and swept out of the office, not waiting for a reply, expecting Remus to follow him. Remus stayed where he was, shocked by Severus' sudden appearance and orders.
"Lupin!" Severus shouted in the corridor, snapping Remus out of his daze.
On the way to the Great Hall, the air between them was so tense. Even in his unexplained urgency, it seemed as if Severus hadn't forgotten their last conversation.
Remus had thought that staying away from Severus would be the right thing to do for both of them. It wasn't just because Remus was afraid of his heart getting broken again, to keep himself from going back to that dark place where he once wanted to die. It was to keep Severus safe from all of Remus' baggage and trauma that he had gone through with Greyback. And to keep Severus safe from all the stress that came along with caring for someone who was a werewolf, the changes, the injuries…everything… Severus deserved so much more than someone like him. And Remus wished Severus could see that his decision to stay away was more than just because he still loved Sirius… It was much more than that.
But there was no use in making Severus understand, because Remus had accomplished what he wanted after all. Severus had said he despised Remus. Now there was no way anything was ever going to happen between them. Remus got what he'd wanted. And shouldn't he be content with that? Then why was Remus feeling as if someone reached into his chest, wrapped their fingers around his heart, and squeezed it until it stopped beating?
Remus inwardly sighed at the turmoil of his thoughts. He was a good pace behind Severus. Watching him stride ahead, Remus couldn't help but feel as if something weren't right. What was this sudden emergency meeting about? Where was Harry? Hadn't they just come back from a day of shopping with the Weasleys? Has something happened?
Remus stopped in his tracks, closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply. Since it was so near the full-moon, Remus' senses were sharper. He could pick up the faintest scent, the smallest sound, and his vision was so much clearer in the dark. And the scent coming off Severus in waves, Remus realized it was fear. It worried Remus deeply. Severus was always so composed, always hiding his true emotions behind that mask, never letting anyone know when he was afraid or vulnerable. This just confirmed that something terrible must've happened to warrant such a reaction from Severus.
Remus continued walking at a faster pace until he caught up to Severus.
"What is this sudden meeting about? What happened?" Remus asked, finally breaking the tense silence between them.
Severus didn't stop nor slow down his pace. All he said in a terse voice was, "You'll know soon enough."
"Severus, I can smell fear coming from you," Remus said quietly, a bit hesitant to reveal that feature of himself. Remus has never let slip to anyone how powerful his senses were around the full-moon. It was another thing that separated him from normal humans.
Severus only gave Remus a look of pure loathing before saying those four words that crashed down Remus' entire world.
"Greyback has kidnapped Harry."
.
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Remus couldn't understand the voices around him as he paced in front of the fireplace. He had never felt more terrified and worried all at once, even when he was held captive in Greyback's cellar. This fear of the unknown for his cub was much worse than that. The members were all arriving, most of them were in small groups discussing what this sudden meeting might be about. Remus didn't join them. He couldn't sit or stay still. He couldn't think about anything other than where Harry might be and if he was badly hurt. What Greyback was doing to Harry that very second. The fear and anxiety rose up in Remus so greatly he couldn't breathe. He couldn't understand the voices around him. Everything around Remus just merged together into one giant blob of chaos.
The only thing that was keeping Remus from going off to rescue Harry on his own was the fact that he had no idea how this happened or where Greyback might be. And just knowing that his cub was with that monster was tearing Remus apart. Pacing in front of the fireplace, he imagined himself wrapping his hands around that foul-smelling werewolf's neck, until the light disappeared from Greyback's eyes. How dare he touch Remus' cub! How dare he harm a single hair on Harry's head! Remus let out an angry growl, not realizing how loud it was due to his anger and fear. Wrapped up in his emotions, Remus didn't notice the Order members nearest him become quiet. And most of them shot uncomfortable glances towards him.
The door opened and Dumbledore walked inside the room with the Weasleys. Ron and Hermione followed just behind them. Dumbledore's presence wasn't enough to fully bring Remus out of his trance.
About ten minutes earlier when Remus and Severus had entered the room, they didn't speak to each other anymore. Remus only started his pacing by the fireplace. Severus resumed a spot at the end of the long table. Standing in the shadows, speaking to no one, yet Remus could feel Severus' eyes following him.
Dumbledore immediately headed over to Severus. And seeing them start to quietly converse with each other with their eyes briefly flickering towards him, Remus tore his attention away from them and resumed his pacing.
A gentle hand suddenly gripped Remus' shoulder. Remus stopped pacing and looked up to meet light-blue eyes behind half-moon glasses. The flames dancing in the grate were reflecting off of them.
"Remus, why don't you sit down? The meeting's about to start," Dumbledore suggested gently.
Remus shook Dumbledore's hand away. He didn't want anyone touching him at the moment. He was feeling too triggered from the memories of his time with Greyback. The full-moon was too close, causing the deep darkness of depression to rise up. And all of that mixed with the fear for his cub's safety, Remus was losing control and he hadn't even realized it yet. He just felt the wolf inside him fighting for dominance, the human emotions were making it agitated. And suddenly the idea of strangling wasn't enough, Remus wanted nothing more than to sink his teeth into Fenrir Greyback and rip out his throat!
"Remus, don't let it win. You're stronger than that," Dumbledore said quietly, gripping Remus tight, not letting himself be pushed away. Dumbledore stood so close to Remus with Severus standing in front of them, working together to block Remus from the Order members.
Remus bared his teeth at the old wizard's stubborn touch.
"Harry needs you to stay present."
And with those words, Remus pulled himself out of his trance. He was met by Dumbledore's light-blue eyes and Remus suddenly felt like the turmoil of emotions going on inside him was being seen.
"Don't let it control you," Dumbledore said again.
Remus then realized what was going on. He was losing control of the wolf, and Dumbledore was trying to help him reign it back in. His thoughts on attacking Greyback… They were coming from the wolf! Not from him. And it seemed like the wolf saw Harry as pack. It wasn't howling and fighting Remus for dominance to be free, it was fighting for dominance to protect its pack. To protect Harry and kill the enemy.
Remus took a deep breath, trying to calm down the wolf and suppress it. He couldn't lose himself to it if Remus wanted to be a part of Harry's rescue team. With that thought in mind, Remus suddenly caught his reflection against the windowpanes of the tiny room they were in, which was located behind the staff table from the Great Hall. Remus could see his eyes. They were completely golden. The shadow of the wolf was clearly seen in his face. And discreetly wiping his tongue over his teeth, Remus could feel how sharp his canines were.
Remus turned his gaze back to Dumbledore, not daring to look at Severus. He didn't want to see Severus' reaction to the visible evidence of Remus being a werewolf. Severus already despised him enough. And filled with shock for letting himself lose control, Remus couldn't speak. He only nodded his apology. His hands trembled as he took the nearest seat at the long table, ignoring the Order members who stepped cautiously away from him. Tonks was sitting across from Remus. She didn't change her seat or look at him with fear. All she did was reach across the table and cover Remus' trembling hands with her own.
"Don't worry, Remus, we're going to find Harry," Tonks said.
Remus looked up, finding himself peering into her blue eyes swirling with concern. Her hair was styled in a pink-colored pixie cut and she had freckles scattered across her nose and cheeks. She gave him a small close-lipped smile. Remus couldn't say anything in return. His words were caught in his throat. He only squeezed her hand back, finding her friendly presence comforting. The wolf was now nothing more but a restless feeling deep in Remus' soul.
They then turned their attention back to Dumbledore who was standing at the head of the long table with the roaring fireplace just behind him. Its light from the flames casting shadows in the dark room. Ron and Hermione were standing just behind him, looking pale and nervous under the scrutiny of the Order members. And Remus' heart went out to them. They were the last ones to see Harry before he got taken, and no doubt they were reprimanded harshly already by Mrs. Weasley.
Severus was standing on Dumbledore's right side. Remus finally chanced a quick look at the Potions Master who was surveying the seated Order members with cold black eyes and a scowl on his face. Severus was holding his mask together well. To everyone in the room Severus seemed like his usual self, annoyed at the idea of Harry causing trouble. But Remus could see past that facade. He could see how worried and afraid Severus truly was for Harry in the way he carried himself. His body was tense. His hand was wrapped tightly around his wand, his knuckles white. Remus could still scent the fear wafting off of him. And like Remus, Severus had hardly spoken a word to anyone but Dumbledore.
Once the room began to quiet down, Dumbledore beckoned the teenagers forward.
"Go on now," Dumbledore said to them. "Tell us what happened."
Everyone listened with a shocked silence as Ron and Hermione began to explain how they had seen Draco Malfoy giving his mother and the guards the slip. How they had snuck out of the joke shop using the invisibility cloak and followed Malfoy into Knockturn Alley, straight to Borgin and Burkes to find Fenrir Greyback standing outside. How they overheard Malfoy's conversation with the shopkeeper about getting something fixed. And after Draco had left, Greyback had snuck up from behind them. He had caught their scent from underneath the cloak. Right when Harry had dropped his wand from Ron's scuffle with Greyback, the werewolf grabbed Harry with a knife to his throat to keep Harry from fighting back. Then threatened Ron and Hermione to drop their wands by placing his teeth on Harry's throat.
Not saying a word, Remus stood up with anger coursing through his veins at the mention of the werewolf's sharp yellow fangs on his cub. The wolf was fighting again to be free, but this time Remus fought it down. He wasn't going to let himself lose control again and because of that, Tonks was able to get Remus to sit back down so Ron and Hermione could continue speaking.
As they spoke about Harry's insistence to do what Greyback ordered them to do and the chilling words Greyback had said before using a portkey to disappear with Harry…
"When you two brats run off to your Potions Professor, tell him and your headmaster that if they want their precious Potter to stay human, they have one day to return what is mine!"
Remus finally caught Severus' eye. The look in those obsidian depths were smothering black and icy flames. Remus had no doubt that Severus was itching to have Greyback on the other end of his wand.
And once Ron and Hermione were done speaking, the room was silent. Greyback's threat was heavily hanging over them. Remus repeated the words over and over in his head. He knew who Greyback was referring to. Remus knew it had to be himself. He knew everyone else was thinking it as well but was not willing to state it out loud.
And finally having enough of the tense silence, Remus snapped out with frustration, "It's obvious isn't it?"
Everyone in the room turned their heads towards Remus. It was the first time he had spoken during the entire meeting. Their gazes were still cautious and unsettled towards him, and for a moment it overwhelmed Remus. Yet, he couldn't blame them for being afraid. The shadow of the wolf could still be seen on his face. Remus cleared his throat, trying not to let their discomfort stop him from speaking up.
"I'm the one Greyback wants. He knows that by taking Harry, I'll go after him. He's been planning this for weeks. It has to be him who was behind the attack at the Burrow. He somehow did it without setting off the wards. That means Greyback is working with someone that's on our side. It's the only way," Remus said.
With that last statement, voices rose up in protest on the clear evidence of a spy among their ranks.
Remus didn't say anything else. He caught Tonks' encouraging gaze from across the table as Dumbledore began to quiet everyone down.
"Remus' theory makes sense. We can't argue against it no matter how tempting it is. There was no way Greyback could've gone through the wards unnoticed. He had to have help," Dumbledore said.
"Albus, really? A spy in our ranks?" Charlie Weasley asked.
"We can't rule that possibility out. We must be careful until we find out more on this issue. Severus, when this is over, I want you to speak to Narcissa. If there was a slight possibility of her being the one behind it or not, I have a feeling she knows more than what she lets on."
Severus only nodded his head once.
"Now, let's not waste anymore time discussing this, we'll return to this topic once we have more information. We at least know the reason for the kidnapping and the person Greyback is asking for, now we must find out where they are," Dumbledore stated, scanning the members for any ideas.
"The werewolf training camp… He knows that's the first place I would look…" Remus said quietly, hesitant to speak after the uproar he'd caused.
"The Aurors had that place shut down as soon as you were found, Lupin," Kingsley Shacklebolt said.
"A perfect reason to hide then…at an abandoned camp," Alastor Moody growled.
"Remus, why are you certain that's where Greyback may be hiding Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"I… I made a bargain with Greyback just before the last full-moon. He wants the price of that bargain… He'll be somewhere easy for me to find him. That's the only place I can think of."
Remus' face turned red as he revealed the horrid words of Greyback so quietly, he wasn't even sure if the people sitting at the end of the table could hear him.
"Tomorrow morning when the sun rises and its rays shine on her blood, then you are mine!"
And everyone became silent, not a voice spoke up at what they'd just heard. They knew Remus was talking about the death of Kaylie Porter.
"Lupin…" Severus said, finally addressing him.
Remus couldn't meet Severus' dark eyes because he felt like by keeping this information, he had failed in helping Severus keep Harry safe. If Remus had told him, maybe it would've prevented Harry's kidnapping somehow.
"Remus, can you tell us more about this bargain?" Dumbledore asked.
Remus shook his head, finding it hard to continue. He couldn't reveal anymore of that night. It was still too fresh, too painful… Kaylie's echoed screams were all Remus could hear. That's all the Order needed to know, to assure them the werewolf camp was the definite place. It all made sense. Why else would Greyback do this? Where else would he hide Harry that would trigger Remus in the worst possible way?
Losing himself in his thoughts as Dumbledore turned his attention away from Remus and began to plan the rescue mission, Remus couldn't help but go over the threat Greyback had left for them.
"When you two brats run off to your Potions Professor, tell him and your headmaster that if they want their precious Potter to stay human, they have one day to return what is mine!"
Twenty-four hours. They had twenty four hours to find Harry before something awful happened. Remus churned the threat over and over in his head. One day to return what was Greyback's if they still wanted Harry to be human… Human… And then Remus felt the blood rush to his head with fear. In twenty-four hours, there was going to be a full-moon. In twenty-four hours, Greyback was going to change into a werewolf with no one around for miles, except for Harry. Only Harry would be left at the mercy of a bloodthirsty monster.
That realization shook Remus' entire body. He turned his attention back to the meeting. Dumbledore was listing the members on the team. Remus realized with an angry jolt of his heart that his name wasn't called. No way was he going to be left out of this!
"Albus, I'm going to be on the rescue team!" Remus demanded, interrupting Dumbledore.
The Order all looked at Remus as Dumbledore stopped naming the rescue team and turned his attention to him.
"The full-moon's tomorrow night," Remus said, then repeated Greyback's threat. "Return what is mine if they want their precious Potter to stay human, human … Greyback's planning on biting Harry!"
"Merlin, he's right!" Molly gasped. Arthur pulled her close for comfort at the clarity of Greyback's threat.
Ron and Hermione's faces turned white as sheets.
"Albus, whatever plan we come up with can't wait till after the sun sets! We must set out as soon as possible!" Severus demanded. The urgency in his voice was clear and this time there was a bit of panic as well. The danger Harry was in was causing Severus to finally break his emotionless facade.
"You can't risk sending anyone alone in that cabin with the possibility of getting bit or killed. Use me," Remus said. "I'm the one he wants. I'll surrender myself in exchange for Harry. Then I'll hold him off just until Harry's brought to safety."
At first no one said anything as they processed what Remus' plan implied… It was a suicide mission. Remus could be killed being in the presence of another werewolf so close to the full-moon, especially one that had an intent to kill.
"Remus, think about what you're saying!" Tonks said, and Remus was shocked at her words. During the entire meeting she had been supportive and reassuring towards Remus. Now she was going against him?
"Well, what other plans do we have? Trying to come up with a rescue plan can take hours before we even figure out how to execute it! We don't have that much time! I say we use my idea and start planning from there!" Remus argued back, ignoring the hurt facial expression on Tonks.
"Remus! I don't want you to die!" Tonks shouted. "This is too much like Sirius… Like…"
"This is different!" Remus shot back. "It isn't like the last time. Sirius had a choice! I don't have one. This is happening because of me and I have to fix it!"
"Lupin, this isn't your fault. This is all on Greyback, not you!" Severus shouted. "Stop acting like a fucking martyr! Don't you have any idea what it took for me to rescue you from that cellar?I didn't go through all of that just for you to go back in there and get yourself killed!"
Remus rounded on Severus. Not him either! Remus thought he would be the one to understand. Wouldn't Severus want to try anything if it meant getting his son back to him safely, no matter the cost?
"Don't you see that this is the only plan that might work? Do you have anything better, Snape? I thought you would understand! Harry's your charge for the summer!" Remus shouted, even with his anger he made sure to not reveal that Harry was actually adopted by Severus. Not everyone in the room knew about that.
Severus glared at Remus in return, stepping forward but was held back by Dumbledore's hand on his shoulder.
"Now, that's quite enough!" Albus said. "We're wasting precious time we don't have on arguing amongst each other. Remus, you're not just a valuable asset to this Order, you mean alot to Harry and to us. We don't want to put your life in danger. This mission can be suicide for you."
"That doesn't matter!" Remus snapped. "I have to do this! If something happens to Harry, I'll never forgive myself for letting you talk me out of this plan, for making me stay behind. Harry's the closest thing I have to a family. And I'm not doing it to be a martyr, Snape! I'm doing it because it's the only chance Harry has!"
The room was so quiet, no one dared to say anything more. Remus and Severus held each other's gaze. Remus knew without a doubt that out of everyone in this room, besides the Weasleys and Harry's friends, that Severus wanted Harry back as much as Remus did.
Then suddenly Remus felt something pushing against his mind, asking for entry. It was Severus using Legilimency on him.
Remus allowed him in because he wanted Severus to understand that his plan was the only way to get into that cabin and get Harry out of there safely without being bitten. Remus was the one Greyback wanted, he was merely using Harry as bait. Remus thought about how he would do anything, even sacrifice his own life if it prevented Harry from living the hard life as a werewolf. And Remus hoped that Severus could read those thoughts, and could feel his intense fear and desperation for Harry. Remus wanted Severus to understand that Remus' plan was just the only fast option they had at the moment. And he was only doing it for the sake of Harry and not because he wanted to get himself killed. Remus was past all that.
"This is the only chance Harry has!" Remus pleaded.
"You're going to get yourself killed!"
"I won't! I've made a promise to Harry and I intend to keep it!"
"And what promise was that?"
And Remus released his memory of himself talking to Harry after their dueling lesson to Severus. Severus watched Remus confront Harry on his distant behavior, watched Remus allow Harry to shove him and hit him to let out all of his anger. How Harry had figured out Remus' true intentions of taking on Albus' mission, and how Harry was so angry with Remus for not just almost dying, but wanting to, for almost leaving him just as Sirius had done. And the whispered words of comfort Remus had given Harry, "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here… I'm here…" and as Severus watched a crying Harry in Remus' arms, Remus felt Severus begin to understand just how desperate he was to get Harry back safely. That it wasn't because Remus wanted to be a martyr or get himself killed or rush off without thinking just like Sirius had done. Remus knew it was risky, he knew so much could go wrong, but Remus promised Harry he wasn't going anywhere. He wasn't going to let himself die. This plan was just the only way.
"Do you understand now? I won't let myself get killed. I won't leave Harry like that again," Remus said internally. Severus' understanding was warm and bright before he finally left Remus' mind.
They kept their eye contact. Remus wasn't sure if anyone in the room knew what just happened, except maybe for Dumbledore who was watching them with a curious gaze.
"Let Lupin do this. It's stupid and risky, but he's right. It's the only chance we have in getting Harry before the full-moon rises, without risking someone getting bit. We don't have time to waste planning another way."
At Severus' supporting words for Remus, the room filled with urgent voices. Some agreeing and others disagreeing. Remus didn't say a word. He sat in his seat, not noticing the sad look Tonks shot at him. Remus kept his eyes on Severus. The memory of their last argument, the memory of their kiss was on Remus' mind, and he wondered if Severus was thinking about that too. This was the first time in days since they've spoken to each other, looked at each other without arguing. It was because of their shared fear for Harry, for their shared desperation to get their kid back, and the need to get their hands on Greyback, that was bringing them together once more.
"Show of wands if they agree with Remus' plan and think we go forth with it?" Albus asked, raising his voice to be heard.
More than half the room raised their wands. Remus finally tore his gaze away from Severus who raised his wand, and looked around the room to see who's support he had. Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklbolt, Mundungus Fletcher, Hagrid, Dedalus Diggle, Fleur Delacour. And Remus was surprised to have the full support of the Weasleys that made up a good number of the Order of the Phoenix.
"Show of wands for those who don't agree with Remus?"
There weren't many people who raised their wands. Although Tonks was one of them. It hurt Remus to see that he didn't have her support. He really liked her as a friend, and he hoped later they could talk about this.
Everyone put down their wands, the room was silent. Remus tore his eyes away from Tonks. He looked to Dumbledore and said, "So it's decided, I'm going to Greyback in exchange for Harry before the full-moon completely rises."
The idea of confronting Greyback, of going back to that cellar terrified Remus beyond measure, beyond any level of fear he had ever felt in his life. His nightmares were now on the verge of becoming a reality. But his fear and his trauma didn't matter now. This was all for Harry. His cub's life was on the line. That is what mattered. And Remus would face every nightmare, thousands of nightmares, if only that would bring Harry back home.
As soon as Harry's feet hit the ground, he struggled against Greyback's tight hold.
"Let me go!" Harry shouted.
There was only a growl in response and a blinding pain coming from the back of Harry's head that made him fall to his knees. The last thoughts Harry had before losing himself to the darkness of his consciousness was how bad the smell was and how cold and hard the floor felt underneath him.
.
.
The first thing Harry felt when he finally awoke was the hammering pain in the back of his head. He placed his hand on the tender area, feeling something wet and sticky. He drew his hand back to see dark red covering his fingers.
How long have I been out? Where am I? Were the first questions that popped into Harry's mind. He hoped Severus and Remus were on their way. Harry hoped they already had a plan in place and were coming to rescue him as soon as possible. Those thoughts were the only thing that was keeping Harry calm as he tried to take in his surroundings, but they were a complete blur. Harry had no idea where his glasses were and the room just reeked of old blood, feces, urine and death.
There were heavy footsteps and a sound of a door closing. Harry tried to stand up, but he felt too dizzy. And he was chained to something… Harry backed away with his heart beating fast against his chest. He needed his wand… Where is it?
Glasses were shoved roughly on his face. And with his vision now clear, Harry didn't get a chance to feel relieved because the face of Fenrir Greyback was inches from his face. The werewolf inhaled deeply, taking in Harry's scent, then exhaling. His breath was strong and foul.
"Nice of you to join me, Potter," Greyback spat out Harry's last name, spraying his face with droplets of spit.
Harry backed away from the werewolf until he felt the wall against his back. His mind was finally clearing up to realize he was chained to the wall with metal cuffs on his wrists. The cuffs had dried up blood that wasn't his. It took all Harry had to not throw up.
"I smell him on you. It won't be long until my traitorous son comes crawling back with his tail between his legs," Greyback growled.
"Your son?" Harry asked, more for distraction than curiosity. He needed to buy time to think of a plan. Or perhaps to buy time for Severus and Remus to get here.
Harry wished Greyback wasn't staring so intently at him with his malevolent red eyes. He needed to take a complete look of his surroundings. Greyback would know something was up if he saw Harry glancing around.
"My son, a cowardly fool. Still, he is pack… He must be reminded where his loyalty lies…with his family. Family is everything. There's no hard feelings here, Potter. This is just to get him to see the error of his ways and come back to his pack. The family he truly belonged to his whole life, not with Albus Dumbledore."
"Family is everything to you? Then why are you planning on hurting your kid? You're twisting the idea of family. Shouldn't you accept who he is no matter what?" Harry blurted out without thinking, not really understanding who or what Greyback was talking about.
Greyback snarled, throwing himself closer to Harry and slapping him hard across the face. Harry shouted out in pain. His cheek stinged from Greyback's sharp yellow nails.
"Don't speak about what you don't know!" Greyback yelled. "You know nothing!"
At the mention of family, flashes of the Dursleys swam at the forefront of Harry's mind. They were the ones who'd raised him. He shared blood with Aunt Petunia and Dudley, yet he'd never once considered them his family. Then Harry remembered the camping trip this summer with Severus. The ghost stories and games by the fireplace while roasting marshmallows. The long talks they'd shared about their past and the hikes they'd gone on together. Severus teaching Harry things like skipping stones, closing his mind, dueling and how to meditate. Harry thought of the way Severus was always there for Harry if he needed anything. How he was always there during Harry's panic attacks, never judging him, never hurting him, just giving Harry love and support. And how Severus decided to adopt Harry. And they didn't need to share blood or to sign a document to become a family, they just did.
And Harry thought of Remus… Remus who stood his ground against Harry pushing him away. Harry thought about how Remus had got to the bottom of why Harry was so upset with him, talking it out, letting Harry take his anger out on Remus until they were okay again. Harry was touched at the way Remus refused to let Harry distance himself away. It was the fact that he'd cared enough to fight for Harry's forgiveness. And how Remus made sure to tell Harry that Sirius' death was in no way Harry's fault. Harry thought of the way Remus was always ready for dueling or guitar lessons or even just to talk over some butterbeers, no matter the time of day. It was just how Remus was always genuinely happy to spend time with Harry, something the Dursleys had never done. It warmed Harry up inside at the thought of Remus being another father-figure in his life.
Severus and Remus were becoming the family Harry had always longed for as a child.
Sure, the Dursleys were family to Harry by blood, but all they did was hurt him. They had never done any of those things that Severus and Remus had done. They were the ones who've earned their places to be Harry's family, not the Dursleys. And realizing all of this, Harry knew family wasn't just about blood. It was more than that. It was the bond that was shared, the love that was earned. Greyback was missing all of that in his twisted concept of family.
"I think I know a little bit more about family than you!" Harry shouted. He threw his knees up to his chest. He wrapped his fingers around the metal cuffs on his wrists and tried to pull them off. Harry clenched his teeth in pain. The harder he pulled, the deeper the metal scraped into his flesh.
"Wise guy now, are you?" Greyback laughed. "Do you really consider Remus Lupin and Severus Snape family?"
Harry glared at Greyback. His heart was beating fast and heavy against his chest. His head was throbbing, and he couldn't quite understand what Greyback was implying due to the concussion he knew he had.
Greyback laughed out loud at Harry's silence.
"Remus Lupin, my incorrigible son, and Severus Snape the traitor!"
"Lyall Lupin was Remus' father!" Harry shouted. "Not you!" And what does he know about Severus? This guy's bloody mental!
"Ah in blood, yes, but in the creation of the wolf Remus holds in his very soul, I am his father. Now if you see Remus as your family, then why did he put you in such danger? Why didn't he take precautions to keep you safe from my attacks? Why didn't Remus look after you after your parents died or when Sirius Black died? He's never been there for you, Potter, because he's not your family. He's mine!"
"No, shut up! You don't own Remus!" Harry shouted, struggling harder with the chains, ignoring the pain shooting through his wrists.
Greyback only laughed. "You know I'm right! I could smell the distrust off of you every time you're near Remus!"
"How do you know that?!" Harry shouted, thoroughly freaked out. "Have you been watching me?"
"No, not everything's about you, Potter! It's Remus I've been watching, the one I'm after! It was never about you, you're just the bait in my trap! I knew my son wasn't dead. That night I could still scent his blood flowing in his veins. Snape was a fool to cross me! By killing that girl, Remus proved his worth to me! He can be loyal, he can be strong! He just needs to be reminded! And Snape took him from me!"
Harry shouted out in frustration, still fighting in vain against the restraints as Greyback laughed with his voice full of malice. Harry couldn't get over the fact that Greyback had been watching them this whole time! That meant he knew everything! That meant the adoption, Harry's problems on his mental health, taking all that information straight to Voldemort! That meant Severus was in danger! And Remus! If he came now to rescue Harry, that would only bring him straight to Greyback's trap!
"Ever since that night, I was looking for something that would result in Snape's downfall with the Dark Lord as revenge for taking Remus from me. I've waited for an opportunity to prove that Remus was still alive, that Snape lied, proving he wasn't loyal but a traitor. And at last, during a meeting I caught a whiff of Remus' scent on Snape. It was faint, but it was there. It was enough to know that I was right, my son was still alive. So I contacted someone at Hogwarts using the rat Pettigrew. Just like for the Burrow, he doesn't set off the wards."
"You're fucking insane!" Harry shouted.
"I've been watching with their help," Greyback went on with his tirade as if Harry hadn't interrupted him. It was just as well, it was better to keep him talking. "And to my pleasure and surprise, we've found you living with Snape, that you two have somehow created some sort of pathetic little family. A family my son is on the brink of becoming a part of and I won't allow it. Remus is mine! You see, Potter, we were rewarded for these valuable secrets. My reward was Remus Lupin. I've received permission to take you to lure Remus here as long as I don't bloody you up too much. The Dark Lord doesn't care if you end up being a werewolf. As long as you're still alive for him to play with!"
Harry yanked at the chains harder, grunting in pain as he tried to squeeze his hands through the tight metal cuffs. The old blood crusted into them was getting into Harry's scraped up skin. And he realized, this had to be the place Remus was found. How else would Remus know where to look if this was supposedly a trap for him. And with that sickening thought, Harry realized the blood on these cuffs was probably Remus'. Harry's stomach clenched painfully and he suddenly found himself throwing up.
"Say goodbye to your Potions Master and your pet wolf, say goodbye to living a normal life as a human, Potter! When the dawn approaches everything will be mine!" And Greyback started laughing hysterically.
"Go to fucking hell, you bastard!" Harry shouted, spitting out the last of his vomit and wiping his mouth with his sleeve. Harry then shouted more profanity at the werewolf, using some of Severus' favorite swear words.
Greyback suddenly stopped laughing and grabbed a chunk of Harry's hair. Harry bit his lip hard to prevent himself from shouting out from the pain. No way was he showing this sick bastard anymore weakness! Greyback jerked Harry's head up so he was forced to look at a small open window high up in the wall.
The sun was setting, red rays were streaming through the window.
"You've been unconscious for the whole day and all of last night. Your time is almost up, Potter! When that sun goes down, and if my son isn't here, then you're going to wish you'd never survived the Dark Lord's killing curse as a baby!"
Harry tore his face away from Greyback in defiance.
"You don't know Remus!" Harry spat. "Or Severus, they'll come for me! And when they do, you're the one who's going to wish you were never born! They're way more powerful than you! You're nothing compared to them!"
Greyback only laughed at Harry's threat.
The last of the rays were slowly fading away, and Harry hoped that what he'd said was true. He hoped Severus, Remus and the Order had something planned by now. He hoped they knew where he was. Harry hoped they knew his time was running out.
Remus met Severus on the steps of the castle. They hadn't spoken to each other since the meeting, since the planning of the rescue. Severus was dressed in black pants with a black long-sleeved shirt and a charcoal grey vest.
"No robes?" Remus asked.
"Just in case I need to run," Severus only said.
The air between them was still awkward. At least there wasn't any anger between them anymore. They didn't say anything more as they started their way through the grounds towards the castle gates.
The plan was set. Their time was almost up. They had taken too long….
The Order had finally located the cabin. It took them longer than they'd thought to confirm that Greyback was there with Harry and to bring down the wards that were set up without alerting their presence. It took longer than they thought to get into position, ready to attack once Harry was out safely. Now, they had two hours before the full-moon. The sun was now setting, casting its red rays across the lawn.
The color of blood, Remus shuttered at the thought.
The pull of the moon was stronger than ever, even if Remus couldn't see it yet. His wolf spirit was howling to be free, sending vibrations in Remus' soul. It was sensing the upcoming change. It was impatient and wild, ready to attack the enemy that had threatened its pack.
You'll have to wait just a little longer… Remus internally said to the wolf.
Severus and Remus finally walked past the gates and towards the Apparition point. They were to Apparate straight to the camp as close as they were allowed to; not all the wards were completely down. Order members were already stationed a good few miles away so Greyback wouldn't find them. They were ready to fight, just in case the plan went wrong.
Once Remus arrives at the cabin, he has to calmly exchange himself for Harry without setting Greyback off. Severus would be waiting for Harry just at the tree-line under an anti-detection charm to prevent Greyback from catching his scent.
If that went wrong, Plan B was for Remus to just hold Greyback off before the full-moon rose. Buying Severus time to get Harry out of there and towards safety. All Remus had to do was to make sure he survived the unavoidable fight that would surely happen no matter what plan played out, just until Albus and the Order could intervene.
"Are you ready, wolf?" Severus asked in his deep voice. No matter how calm Severus sounded to Remus, Remus could still sense the fear coming from him. "Did you take your Wolfsbane tonight? That's an advantage Greyback might not know you have."
"Of course I did. And I'm ready as I'll ever be," Remus grimaced. "Don't be afraid, Severus. We're going to get our kid back."
"Remus…"
Remus looked at Severus, surprised that he had called him by his given name with such warmth and feeling. And not a single touch of anger and hate was in his voice. His eyes were no longer cold. Severus didn't even get upset at Remus for accusing him of being afraid.
"I'm afraid for you too, not only for Harry. I know you won't fail me. I know you're going to bring Harry home. Just please take care of yourself. Don't break your promise to him. Harry needs you."
"I'll do everything in my power to come back alive, I promise you that," Remus said with every intention of not breaking it. He'll die trying not to break it.
Severus nodded. Their eyes met with their racing hearts beating in sync.
"I'll see you there," Severus said softly. And with a loud pop, he was gone.
Remus took a deep breath. Taking one last worried look at the setting sun before Disapparating to the place of his nightmares.
Review responses!
Mynamemattersnot: I hope Harry will be okay also! And thank you!
Magan14uderian : Thanks for your review! And I'll try to put in more Sev and Harry before Already Home ends… I might maybe go one chapter over.. I'm not really sure yet. Don't be sad when my story ends…I'm planning a sequel! Don't tell anyone ;)
Takingitinstride: Thank you! =)
BlueWater5: Sorry, I'm known for those lol
Makurayami Ookami: Thanks!
Snow Leopard Pasha: Thank you for the typo/grammar alert! I'll fix it right away! And yeah good point about the water thing… I didn't realize that when I wrote it… I'll change it once I'm done writing this story. Thanks for letting me know and please keep reading!
sakraprace:Sorry about that cliff hanger haha! And yup it's up to Remus now!
aixx:Yeah I see that moment in my mind where Severus tells Harry about Remus… it's going be a bit awkward for him haha ..it's going to be fun to write! And thanks for your constant reviews! I love them!=)
CraftyWott: I'm sorry you didn't like it ….
chronos-girl: Thank you! And I hope you liked my chapter! You will have to wait awhile until all your questions can be answered, I'm afraid lol
teamcarlisle21G: Thank you! =D