A/N: This fic is a chronological sequel to my previous work Oblivious and does contain several of the original characters created for that story as well as referencing its plot on occasion. However Imperius is also a story in its own right and much as I would love you all to go and read Oblivious too, it isn’t absolutely vital that you do so. If you do want a clearer idea of some of the background behind characters and events mentioned here but don’t necessarily want to read Oblivious in its entirety (I would understand, it’s a hefty story!) I recommend that you simply read Chapter 6 (The Werewolf Lesson) for an understanding of the important lycanthropy-related background information that will be very useful to know and Chapter 15 (Into the Woods
) for a rough guide to some significant Lupin family history. The Epilogue
would also be enlightening if not vital.

I planned and started writing this fic prior to the release of HBP. And though Oblivious got close (so close!) to several plot points, this fic is officially an AU. I’d also like to apologise for how long this has taken to get up – I was ready to submit a few weeks ago but the last part of In From The Cold took a very long time to appear on site and I couldn’t submit this until then due to the one story at a time rule. Sorry!

Disclaimer: This is the house that JKR built. I am merely squatting. I do however claim squatter’s rights over anything not canon.

1: Necessity

The tumble of rain beat down upon the sloping tiles, trickling nosily into the battered guttering before cascading into the dirty alley beneath in a string of waterfalls more heard than seen against the darkness. Torches spluttered against this assault from the heavens, their light waning damply against the vastness of the cloudy black. Even the denizens of Knockturn Alley, who did much of their best business by the cover of night, had not ventured out this evening.

Hunching his shoulders against the creeping wetness that was permeating even his thick hooded cloak, Kingsley Shacklebolt pulled himself more deeply into the shadows of a gargoyle-strewn overhang and gazed along the dark, deserted alley.

He didn’t like this. Not one bit.

But what else could he do?

A wizened old wizard, his face covered in hairy boils, reeled his way around the dark corner, splashing in puddles and singing a bawdy ballad in a voice severely off key. Kingsley shrank more deeply into the darkness and watched as the man staggered drunkenly past, apparently too addled with firewhisky to spy him. A patron of the Pickled Toad, no doubt.

Kingsley shook his head, scattering water droplets out into the damp night air. Folke should have been back by now. He should never have agreed to let him go down to that filthy dive on his own…

The Pickled Toad. Now there was a pub with a reputation that stank like rotten eggs. Hidden in a dark corner of Knockturn Alley, it played host to an interesting cross section of the wizarding world’s less savoury characters on a nightly basis. Kingsley knew for a fact that Mundungus Fletcher acquired many of his business purchases there and Dung had described it as a playground for corrupt goblins, for foul-mouthed hags and the occasional vampire, for refugee werewolves who had lost their playground at The Howling and of course, for those witches and wizards who found such a place to be just up their alley.

And tonight, apparently, a Death Eater.

Kingsley shook his head. Normally, he would have believed the Toad to be a step down for a Death Eater – they usually had more class than this. But the tip off had to be looked into, in spite of its strange arrival and the ominous feeling it had imbued within his chest. They were Aurors. That was their job.

And it was a dangerous job at times. Especially these days.

He checked his watch, ducking his head as the rain intensified. What was taking so long? Where was Folke? Why hadn’t he reported back? Folke was a by-the-book Auror, never late for a rendezvous if he could help it. It was strange for him to be so long on reconnaissance – but then, this had been a strange business all round.

It had all started a few hours before. Kingsley had just been leaving his cubicle after a long day spent investigating an alleged Peter Pettigrew sighting in Derbyshire when a distinctly bruised and battered owl had tumbled down the emergency owl chute from Ministry’s external post office, flapped three beats and then collapsed in a heap on the desk of a shocked looking Jago Folke. A bloodstained note had been wrapped around its leg.

It was difficult to read. Blood and what looked like some kind of potion had smeared across the paper and the hand with which it had been written had shaken so badly that in some places the words were very difficult to make out. But using a magnifying glass, a few careful cleaning spells and a lot of concentration, the two Aurors had managed to translate the message at last.

The Pickled Toad. Death Eater. Full Moon. He~~~

It looked at though the author had tried to write more. But they had not succeeded.
Kingsley did not like consider the reason why.

And the full moon was that night.

It might be a trap. They knew that. But he and Folke were Aurors. They’d had no choice but to investigate.

Folke, an expert undercover operative whose face was little known in dark circles, had immediately volunteered to go in. Kingsley, who was rather better known, had agreed to wait at the mouth of the alley in case Folke needed help or had to apparate out in a hurry.

And now here he was. Waiting.

A small witch wrapped in a sodden cloak scurried hurriedly out of the shadows, darting passed Kingsley with a furtive glance his direction before vanishing out into the better-lit expanse of Diagon Alley beyond. A moment later, he was again alone but for the rain.

He checked his watch again. Jago Folke was nearly fifteen minutes overdue.

Abruptly, Kingsley’s resolve hardened. That was it. He’d waited enough.

But he had barely managed half a step before all hell broke loose.

Sudden screaming echoed the length of Knockturn Alley, the sound of shattering glass and breaking tables and voices shouting spells. And it was coming from the direction of the Pickled Toad.

And one of the voices was very familiar.

Folke!

But groping for his wand, Kingsley managed only a half a step before the crack of apparation echoed the length of Knockturn Alley.

But the tone was wrong. Painfully wrong.

A second crack ricocheted against his ears, painfully close. Something splattered down against the sodden cobbles just inches from his feet. He heard a strangled cry of frustration.

He looked down. And nearly vomited.

Half of Jago Folke lay twitching and gasping in the onslaught of the rain, scattered, battered and damaged. Both legs were missing as well as half an arm and a good chunk of his torso, several vital organs noticeably absent from their cavities. It was by far the messiest splinch that Kingsley had ever beheld and he had thought he’d seen it all.

Folke was breathing in desperate rasps, his eyes wild as he raked his dismembered body. Appalled, Kingsley took a rapid step forward, dropping to a crouch at his fellow Auror’s side.

“Jago,� he asked hurriedly and in desperate concern. “What happened? Where’s the rest of you?�

But the answer became immediately apparent as Folke began to scream in utter agony.

Kingsley could hear the ruthless burst of spells. Sickness welled within his stomach. Somewhere not too far away, someone – several someones – were systematically destroying the body parts that Folke had left behind.

And with a realisation that hung like a leaden weight across his heart, Kingsley knew it was already too late for him to stop them.

Fingers, detached fingers, grasped suddenly around his wrist. Kingsley stared down into Folke’s pain filled eyes.

“Imperius!� he gasped.

“What?� Kingsley was instantly at his companion’s side. “Jago, what? Who did this? What did you hear?�

“Imperius!� Folke rasped again, his voice strangled with choking pain. “Imperius… Werewolves…You…Know…Who…�

What? Kingsley could see the light fading from his fellow Auror’s eyes as he scrambled desperately closer. Jago’s head and shoulders lurched suddenly, his face thrusting to within inches of Kingsley’s own as he spat out two last words with his final gasp of breath. “Feral…Inst…ti…tute…�

An emphatic shout sounded from the far end of the alley; blood spurted violently from Folke’s nose and the corner of his mouth as he drew a final, ragged breath. His fingers, still gripping Kingsley’s arm, convulsed abruptly, his scattered body parts vibrating in the throes of terminal wounding. His eyes went wide with horror.

And then the fingers dropped with a splash onto the wet cobbles as the light faded from behind his gaze. A moment later, only the splash of pattering water moved against the soaking ground.

Kingsley drew a ragged breath. Jago. Dear God, Jago, what a way to…

A jumble of harsh voices drew his attention sharply back to his situation. They were drawing rapidly closer.

“…heard the crack echo,� a voice remarked with cold detachment. “The rest of him can’t be far away…�

Anger welled within Kingsley’s chest. However oddly it had arrived before them, this mission had seemed like no more than a simple reconnaissance. But now Jago Folke, a good Auror, a good man, was dead. And the owner of these voices had killed him.

He wanted to stay. He wanted to gather his poor colleague’s remains and see them safely back to his family. He wanted to confront Jago’s killers face to face and bring before justice. That was his duty. That was his job.

He was an Auror.

But he couldn’t.

The echoes of the alley told him that he was outnumbered six to one. And, whatever else he was, Kingsley was no fool.

The Ministry needed to know about this. And the Order needed to know even more.

He had to leave. It was necessary.

The rain was falling harder now. Folke’s eyes gazed sightlessly into the cloud-strewn night.

Curse necessary.

The footsteps were almost upon him. Grimacing, Kingsley pulled himself to his feet, Folke’s last words replaying in his mind. Imperius. Werewolves. You-Know-Who. And the Feral Institute. Behind the curtain of cloud, he knew the full moon gleamed and werewolves across the country lay trapped beneath its thrall. But was it just the moon alone with such plans?

Definitely needed to speak to Dumbledore.

With a final nod, Kingsley acknowledged his fallen comrade. And then with an echoing crack, he was left the dark alley and its secrets behind him.

Two Weeks Later

The moors were cold that day.

Clouds churned above in ragged clumps, wispy and grey, allowing only occasional glimpses of the sharp blue sky they concealed. Patches of pale sun and low shadow washed, jigsaw like, across the dark heather and first hints of spring bracken, bringing brief warmth and then chill cold in quick succession. But it was not nature that drew the eye here on this bleakest of spots but the enormous concrete cube that rose out of the earth like a vast, truncated pillar, brooding, windowless and dark as it surveyed the landscape around it with haughty disregard. It loomed, almost seeming to glare down upon the two insignificant figures that stood, staring, at its base.

With a sigh, Remus Lupin pulled his cloak more tightly around his shoulders as he gazed up at the monstrous grey walls and slowly shook his head.

“I must be insane.�

From his right, there came a snort. “Don’t expect me to disagree.�

Remus shot his companion a carefully measured dark look that she, with equally careful measure, ignored. The wealth of wild white blonde curls that crowned her round, chubby face bobbed and bounced in the gusting wind, her green-rimmed glasses pushed down on her nose as she ran a rather more familiar pair of dark eyes over the towering building before them. The clipboard she was holding twitched, the only sign that betrayed her certain nervousness.

“Merlin, that thing’s ugly,� she exclaimed abruptly. “It couldn’t have been more ugly if they’d tried.�

Remus smiled humourlessly. “They did try. An ugly building to do an ugly job. Besides, an architects dream of columns or spires would have drawn far more interest and attention from the Muggles.�

With a roll of her eyes, Nymphadora Tonks pushed the glasses of her disguise back up her nose and shook her curly head with a ripple of ringlets. “How do they not notice this?�

Remus shrugged wearily. “They do notice. They just don’t dare come near. They believe it’s an installation for the Muggle military and if they come too close, they’ll be arrested.�

Tonks crinkled her nose. “Lucky them. I think I’d rather be arrested than go in there.�
Remus, who was already feeling a great deal more apprehensive and uncomfortable than he would ever willingly admit, stared up at the patchwork sky and took a deep breath before responding. “At least you stand a good chance of coming out.�

He felt a soft touch against his arm. “Remus, it’ll be fine. That’s why I’m here, remember? I’m your research assistant-cum-secret bodyguard, here to watch your back and ensure that a significant member of the Order of the Phoenix doesn’t end up drugged in a cage being poked and prodded by wild-eyed mad scientists for all eternity here in the outer reaches of humanity.� She grinned cheerfully. “You should be grateful.�

Remus gave her a sardonic glare. “Thanks.�

Tonks smiled brightly. “Don’t mention it.�

Remus rolled his eyes. Although he appreciated the sentiment behind her attempts to jolly him out of his nervousness, it was much akin to trying to batter down the doors of Hogwarts with an ant. Nothing in the world would ever make him ready to enter this place willingly.

“I don’t want to be here.� The words slipped out softly, almost unconsciously.

“I know.�

“I have better things to do with my Sundays. I should be having dinner with my father today, not standing on some godforsaken moor waiting to find the courage to enter a godforsaken building that I always swore that I’d never see the inside of, to visit the one person I really never wanted to see again.� The thin scroll he held between his fingers crumpled delicately as his grip tightened. “I’ve had this pass for three months now. There’s a reason I’ve never used it. I don’t know why I agreed to this.�

Tonks’ smile was sympathetic in the face of his uncharacteristic agitation. “I know, mate.�

He shook his head, barely listening, his eyes tracing over the dark walls as though to pierce the concrete and catch a glimpse of the source of his dread beyond. “What am I doing here?�

“What you always do.� There was an uncharacteristic seriousness to Tonks’ tone. “You’re doing what’s necessary. We have to know what Folke was talking about, Remus; if You-Know-Who really is making some kind of move here, you know better than anyone that it could be disastrous. But this place is tighter than a drum – even Dumbledore would have trouble getting an appointment. The Ministry barely bothered – they didn’t take Kingsley’s report seriously which is why we have to get in. And you…� She sighed. “Uncomfortable as it is, Remus, it had to be you. Because ever since what happened when Kane was Kissed…� She gestured to the scroll clutched now tighter in his fingers. “You’ve had an open invitation.�

Remus shook his head once more, attempting to dispel the flood of memories that were surging in his brain, the events of the previous autumn that had nearly cost both his life and many others and the apprehensive look on the face of Alastor Moody that December Sunday as he had stood in front of the cottage at Winter Hollow and watched as Remus and his father emerged from the snowy woods to stare at him in bewildered confusion. That had been a strange conversation…

And then the invitation had arrived to come and see for himself…

Three months later, here he was.

“Why do they think I’d know more than anyone else?� The words were addressed more to the indifferent air than in the direction of the disguised Auror at his side. “I’ve met him all of five times and four of those times, he almost killed me.�

Tonks smiled dryly. “For a feral? That’s probably the definition of close.�

Remus, whose scroll-clasping fingers had been unconsciously tracing the unseen line of a crescent along his side, sighed and did not answer. With his free hand, he adjusted the high collar of his robes to conceal the still vivid red lines that scarred his throat.

Even before he had learned that Abraham Kane was to pass the rest of what remained of his life within these dark and brooding walls, this place had always the stuff of his nightmares. He still remembered vividly the cruel gleam in the eyes of the plump secretary that had fronted the Werewolf Registry during his childhood as she had leaned over the desk one day out of earshot of his parents and whispered in his six-year-old ear that if he didn’t behave himself absolutely, he’d be dragged inside the very stone walls that now stood before him and never be seen again. He had told his mother what the secretary had said and Diana Lupin had promptly hauled the woman out into the corridor and harangued her for twenty minutes about her utter lack of compassion. But even at so young an age, it had not escaped Remus’ notice that at no point had his mother said that the woman’s words weren’t true.

Lose control for an instant, turn feral for half a moment’s breath and it was Azkaban or here.

The Feral Institute. The place no werewolf ever wanted to enter. The place no werewolf was ever likely to leave.

And Remus Lupin, whose two traumatic feral incidents and two further near misses had thus far escaped detection, was about to willingly step inside on the pretext of assisting their research into the mental state of the feral who made him a werewolf in the first place. And all because a dying man’s last words had whispered of this place and Voldemort.

“I must be insane,� he repeated softly.

Tonks grimaced as she nudged his elbow, her eyes darting forwards as a crack abruptly opened in the hunkering face of the wall to reveal a grim faced man who eyed them with cool suspicion.

“Join the club,� she whispered softly.

“Professor Lupin, I presume.� The tall man’s rumbling baritone carried across the patchwork heather sternly. His eyes raked down Remus’ windblown robes before switching to Tonks’ unruly blonde mop. “And you said you were bringing an assistant.�

Tonks smiled with deliberately mindless cheer. The man did not smile back.

“Professor Goldstein is expecting you,� he simply said. “Come inside.�

Tonks looked at Remus. Remus looked at Tonks.

And then, side by side, they covered the final few steps across the heather and stepped into the shadow of the newly formed arch. A moment later, the arch contracted and the Feral Institute swallowed them whole.

2: The Feral Institute

It was safe to say that the interior of the Feral Institute was no friendlier than its façade. Grim, grey, windowless walls rose around them, uniform and unremarkable, broken only occasionally by heavy black doors marked with symbols or numbers or long, identical corridors that stretched away into the building. Even the lights, round crystal balls that shone with an illuminating white glow, seemed dull somehow, subdued and shadowy, as though light itself was an unwelcome presence.

In the distance, Remus was sure he could hear voices. But they saw no one as they walked.

The grim man continued his relentless stride a few paces ahead. He was, at close quarters, quite impressively tall, with brown hair that thinned drastically across his crown, a strong prominent nose and a heavy jaw set firmly. His robes were grey and red in colour, marked with a badge that showed a wolf’s – a werewolf’s – footprint against a white circle that Remus assumed was supposed to represent the full moon. His wand, tucked in a leather holster, was prominently displayed.

To Remus’ right, Tonks caught his eye and mouth the word security. Remus nodded in return. This man was no researcher.

Ahead, the corridor that they had followed straight and true came to an abrupt end at a large pair of black double doors marked prominently with the same symbol emblazoned on the security guard’s chest. Another man dressed in the same red and grey uniform was sat at a desk in an alcove just beside it, tapping his wand against the wood with a distinctly expression of boredom.

“Falconer.�

The man jumped violently as their stern guide addressed him from beneath frowning brows, jamming his wand back into its holster as he dusted his robes off and stood to a sort of attention.

“Yes, sir?�

The first man turned his steely gaze upon Remus and Tonks. There was nothing precisely hostile in his eyes, no dislike on grounds of prejudice as Remus had briefly suspected, but a simple but firm distrust of everyone and everything. This was a man who expected you to do wrong whether he knew it was likely or not.

“Falconer, sign this lady and gentleman in,� he rumbled in his deep emotionless baritone. “And then wait here with them. Someone will be coming down from Level Five to escort them shortly.�

Falconer nodded crisply. “Yes sir.�

Their escort inclined his head briefly in Remus’ direction, a gesture that Remus politely returned, and then turned to the double doors. Stiffly, he pulled his wand from its holster and tapped it sharply three times against the left toe of the werewolf’s paw.

“Alexander Aylward,� he stated precisely. “Security Clearance Alpha.�

With a shrill whistle, the circle rotated sideways by ninety degrees. The door released with a loud click. A moment later, Aylward had stepped inside and was gone. The lock sealed itself sharply behind him.

Behind his desk, the security guard called Falconer smiled wanly at Tonks as he deposited a large, leather bound tome on the wooden surface. A quill, attached to a small inkpot by a silver chain, was already sunk into the grain.

“If I could have your pass?� he said, smiling at Remus with distinctly uncertain cheer.

Smoothing the now slightly crumpled scroll of parchment still grasped between his fingers, Remus handed it across the desk to the young man who accepted it with a nod as he scanned the curly writing with a frown.

“That seems to be in order… Professor,� he said, handing the pass back as he lifted the quill and scribbled something down in his leather bound book. “If I could just have your assistant’s name?�

Name. Ah.

Remus was aware that Tonks had a tendency to name her various disguises - tweedy old Dolly, Betty the bland and unremarkable, Buffy the blonde bombshell to name but three – as it was considered prudent both by herself and her employers that she not necessarily advertise her identity as a rather distinctively named Auror whilst alternately faced. Indeed, Remus had sat through most of her repertoire that morning as she selected a suitably harmless looking persona to adopt, but in the rush to apparate in time to catch the right train into the Institute’s anti-apparation zone, the look she had chosen had not been christened.

Use of Nymphadora Tonks was certainly out of the question. But, quite typical of the usual fluctuations of his brain, it suddenly seemed to be the only name that he could think of.

Tonks was glaring at him, her eyebrows working in a universally understandable declaration that he should hurry and just make one up. And at his hesitation, Falconer was looking slightly puzzled.

“Sir?�

“Undine.� The name tripped off Remus’ lips before he could stop himself. “Undine Blackwood.� He smiled in a faux sheepish manner. “I’m terrible at remembering people’s surnames.�

Falconer’s replying smile was more genuine. “You know, my little brother always said one of things he liked about you when you taught him was that you used his first name. He thought it was more friendly.�

Remus made himself chuckle. “It was meant to be friendly. But there was an element of bad memory too.�

Falconer laughed too, as he looked down to scribble in his book once more. “I won’t tell if you don’t.�

At his side, Tonks was mouthing Undine Blackwood? with a distinctly incredulous expression. He ignored her pointedly.

“All right.� Falconer slid the book carefully across the table, the quill extended before him. “If you could both sign against your names?�

Tonks accepted the quill from Falconer’s outstretched hand. With a subtle but noticeably dirty glance at Remus, she wrote the name Undine Blackwood in pointedly large letters before shoving the quill into his hands.

Remus signed his name neatly. Falconer smiled again.

“If you’ll just wait a moment, I’ll issue your day passes. Welcome to the Feral Institute.�

The moment Falconer had turned his back, Remus felt sharp fingers digging into his arm as he was yanked several feet out of the security guard’s earshot. The disguised but nonetheless irate features of Nymphadora Tonks thrust themselves into his view.

“Undine?� She hissed acidly. “Undine? I have to hand it to you, Remus. I didn’t think it was possible to find a first name worse than mine but somehow, you’ve managed it.�

Remus had the grace to flush. “It means water nymph. I had your name stuck in my head and that was the first thing I thought of.�

Tonks shook her head, blonde curls bobbing with cheerful disregard of their owner’s mood. “If that is the first name you thought of, I think you need to trade in your brain. Undine, Remus. Honestly.�

“Here you go then.�

Tonks’ face broke at once into a chirpy smile as she stepped past her companion and took the two badges marked with the Institute symbol from Falconer’s hands. He smiled back.

“Your escort is on her way down,� he said, his eyes darting between Remus and Tonks. “But go easy with her. She’s a little…shy…�

Behind them, the door gave a distinctive clunk. Remus turned and found a pair of blue eyes peered out from behind the heavy wood.

Remus smiled slightly. The eyes didn’t move.

“Ummm… hello?� he ventured.

The eyes jumped violently. Paper cascaded across the floor.

“Oh bother!� With a high pitched exclamation, a small figure darted out from behind the doors, rushing from side to side as she gathered the fallen papers hurriedly in her hands. She was a short, mousy woman, chubby but not fat, with a broad, plain face clumsily daubed in badly applied make-up and wide blue eyes magnified behind large, gold-rimmed spectacles. Her hair, lankly curled, was a vivid, almost alarming shade of ginger, although a smudge of brown around her roots implied that the colour was not natural.

Exchanging a look, Remus and Tonks moved hurriedly to the unfortunate woman’s aid, gathering the scatter of paperwork quickly from the tiled floor. The woman’s eyes flashed towards them instantly, quick and furtive, her movements twitchy and nervous – indeed, when in the course of gathering the last few sheets, Remus accidentally brushed his hand against hers, she jumped a good foot in the air and darted back as though she expected him to explode at any moment.

And this woman was working in a building full of potentially feral werewolves?

Eyebrow raised, Tonks carefully extended the sheets she had gathered in the woman’s direction. Breathing slightly too rapidly, the woman reached out and cautiously accepted them.

“H...Hello there,� she stammered. “M...M…Mr... sorry, Professor Lupin, isn’t it?�

Remus nodded carefully. “That’s right.�

Abruptly the woman’s expression blossomed into a smile. “C… Cymone Wrigley,� she introduced herself with a quick little nod. “I’m Dr Goldstein’s personal assistant.�

“Nice to meet you,� Tonks stepped forward. “I’m Undine Blackwood, Professor Lupin’s assistant.�

At the sound of her voice, Cymone jumped again but this time she composed herself rather more quickly. “N... Nice to meet you too,� she replied. “If you’d like to follow me?�

Exchanging a look, Remus and Tonks fixed their badges quickly in place and fell into step behind Cymone as she hurried back behind the safety of the large black door. The shiver of a protective ward sent a vibration down the length of Remus’ spine as they crossed the threshold, but the badge on his robes pushed back the barrier and allowed him to pass through unhindered.

The room beyond was small and dark, a bleak, windowless little foyer dwarfed by the doors that accessed it. Remus’ eyes fell at once upon the opposite wall, into which three dark grey grills of woven latticed metal had been sunk. From the grill in the centre a dark staircase vanished upwards, unlit and grim with shadows; behind the grills on either side gaped empty holes, square and blank, the foot of a shaft that burrowed upwards like a chimney into nothingness.

The door clanged shut behind them. Lights flared.

As the growing light from the ignited bulbs tickled the three grilled archways, black painted words came into focus above their mantles. To the left, Remus found the words “Resident Levels�, to the centre “Emergency Access� and to the right, the direction in which they were led by Cymone were the words “Staff Levels�. In place of locks, Remus could now see each grill was sealed shut by the increasingly familiar symbol of the Institute.

“D… Don’t touch the grill in the centre.� Cymone’s was a breathy gasp, hurriedly expelled. “It’s sealed with a stunning spell that’ll knock you unconscious for hours.�

Tonks frowned as they followed Cymone to the empty right hand shaft. “How come?�

Cymone’s eyebrow twitched. “It… it’s the only access to all floors at once,� she said nervously, fumbling with her wand. “Or... all floors but Level Six.� She smiled fleetingly. “T... that shaft only goes to the levels where the potential ferals live. And this one only goes to the staff levels. It’s all s...separate for security reasons. C…can’t risk too many escape routes!�

Remus frowned at her choice of words. Cymone’s expression dropped instantly – turning hurriedly away, she tapped her wand against the symbol three times in quick succession.

“Cymone Wrigley,� she exclaimed. “Security Clearance Gamma.�

The empty shaft shimmered and vibrated and all at once the metal cradle of an old fashioned lift melted into view before their eyes. The grill released with a click – Cymone slid it carefully aside and beckoned them quickly inside.

“A disillusioned lift,� Tonks was glancing around with a hint of respect. “Nice trick.�

In spite of containing only three occupants, the lift was very cramped. Cymone pulled the grill closed in an awkward flurry of elbows, leaning close to the elegant speaking horn with rapid breaths. “Level Five,� she said with careful clarity. “Reception.�

With an unwieldy clunk, the lift jerked into motion – Remus grabbed Tonks’ elbow as she staggered back a half step and grasped his robes as her balance faltered. But the remainder of the ride was far smoother, the lift sliding up the narrow shaft with a swiftness that defied its apparent age before slipping to a tidy halt in front of a silver grill that appeared almost quietly behind them. With an odd sucking sound, the lift rotated neatly around to face this new entrance.

Luckily Remus was again on hand to prevent his companion from taking an ungainly spill. She flashed him a grateful smile as he eased her gently back to her feet and stepped out after Cymone.

The room beyond was marginally friendlier than the rest of the Institute thus far, a small room with the now familiar grey walls but lined with soft chairs and settees around its edge, grey cabinets containing books and old magazines and what looked like a decanter of firewhisky and a picture – Remus’ lip twisted slightly – of an ordinary wolf howling before the full moon. Someone had at least made an effort to bring a little colour here – there was a bright Moroccan rug covering part of the grey carpet and scarlet and blue cushions lay scattered over the chairs – but it seemed like a slightly futile effort against the weight of the building around them.

Ahead, the wall retreated slightly into a small alcove in which sat a messy little desk covered in files and papers and a battered old quill pot. A shelf ran along the wall behind, lined with little mouse and rabbit shaped knick-knacks and pictures of pudgy parents – clearly this desk belonged to Cymone, a fact confirmed a moment later as she bustled over to it and deposited her papers in a heap on the desk. Her eyes flitted to beside the desk, where a dark door marked with a silver nameplate was firmly closed. Glancing over her shoulder, she waved an awkward hand that Remus took to mean that they were to stay where they were, knocked at the door and then abruptly vanished inside.

Tonks was immediately at his side, blonde curls bobbing as she dropped her voice to a low and urgent whisper. “Right. You concentrate on sounding out Goldstein, try and find out what kind of things they’re up to here at the moment that You-Know-Who might take an interest in. I’ll keep my eyes on anyone else who’s about, see if I can spot any candidates for a certain tattoo.� She glanced quickly around, her eyes running over the closed black door. “I’d love to sneak off, maybe have a scout around with a different face, but I don’t think us splitting up is a good idea. I don’t like this place.�

“Me neither,� Remus replied with feeling. “That sounds like a good plan. We just have to…�

“But it’s so interesting!� Tonks’ sudden gush caught Remus by surprise as he found the clipboard thrust abruptly into his face. “And I was reading all about it, Professor, and I think it’s a fascinating theory, don’t you?�

A throat was carefully cleared to their left.

Tonks looked up and beamed brightly. “Oh hello! I didn’t see you there!�

Following her gaze, Remus turned. Standing in an archway that led away into yet another grey corridor, a tall figure in robes of white and grey gave a slow and oily smile.

In spite of some notable physical differences, the immediate impression of this man was frankly… Snapeish. He was tall and rake thin with long straight limbs that seemed to bend only with slow reluctance and a small head that seemed to have been deposited upon his towering body with very little thought to the proportions. His hair was thick, dark and sleek and oiled back, his eyes deep sunk as they gazed from with the shadowed hollows of his eye sockets. His nose was long, straight and pointed, almost seeming to thrust at the watcher like a ballistic weapon and his wide mouthed smile was curled at the edges with distinctly unpleasant intent. Remus was instantly certain that this man was unlikely to become a dear and valued friend.

At his side, Tonks was regarding the newcomer over the top of her glasses with a raised eyebrow. It seemed she had come to much the same conclusion.

“Ah, Professor Lupin.� The man’s voice dripped with insincere friendliness; his eyes ran over Remus with a vaguely analytical air. “The infamous werewolf teacher. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.�

Remus managed a smile. “Thank you… Professor Goldstein?�

For some reason, he caught a glimpse of Tonks inexplicably wincing. The man’s oily smile spread. “Arcadius Croll, actually. Chief medical researcher for the facility.� He chuckled, an utterly humourless sound somewhat akin to claws scraping over a blackboard. “You thought I was Goldstein? My, for a teacher, you really haven’t done your homework.�

Remus regarded the man slowly, fighting to keep his features impassive in spite of the wave of irritation that had flooded him at the man’s smarmy mockery. He forced himself to be consoled at least in that Croll wasn’t Goldstein and hence he hopefully wouldn’t have to spend much time in his company.

“My apologies,� he replied carefully. “It is very difficult to find much in the way of information about the Institute. Your records are not openly available to those of us not cleared at the Ministry.�

Croll shrugged. “A necessary precaution. It would not do to advertise our work here, as I’m sure you’ll agree. But you are here now.� His slow smirk was frankly disconcerting. “To be honest, Professor, from all I’ve heard of you, I rather expected to see you here sooner.�

Remus nodded slightly. “The events of Kane’s capture were quite traumatic for me, Mr Croll. I did not feel comfortable accepting your invitation until now.�

Again came the nasty chuckle – Croll’s eyes glinted unpleasantly. “I wasn’t talking about the invitation.�

Remus stiffened. At his side, he caught a glimpse of Tonks’ fingernails digging hard into the back of her clipboard.

Croll’s smile widened. Against his sallow skin, his thin lips resembled a melon rind.

“Gentlemen. Now be polite.�

Remus started at the unexpected voice. He turned again.

The doorway through which Cymone had slipped moments earlier was now open. And in it, dressed in identical robes to Croll, stood a woman. She was medium in height, taller than Tonks though not by much, her build slender, her hair a reddish brown that glinted with colour in the light of the orbs along the walls. She was perhaps a couple of years Remus’ senior although she did not look it, her face still pretty and soft featured, but with brown eyes that were ruthlessly firm. Although not openly unfriendly, there was a distinct lack of welcome in her cross-armed stance.

And there was something else… Remus felt himself frown as he fought for an instant with his treacherous memory, unable to escape a brief sensation that he had encountered this woman before. There was something about her features, something he knew, something he was familiar with. Perhaps being so close in age, he had known her at Hogwarts…

“Rebekah Goldstein.� The statement was soft but distinct – Remus forced himself to concentrate on the matter in hand. “Head of this facility. And you are Remus Lupin.� Quite pointedly, she made no move towards him and nor did she offer her hand; instead she simply cocked her head almost thoughtfully to one side and ran her eyes across him with casual indifference. “I have to say, Professor, you aren’t quite what I expected.� She smiled slightly, not friendly but without Croll’s deliberate nastiness, just the cool smile of a professional going about business of which she could have done without. “And judging by your little faux pas, I’m not quite what you expected either.�

Remus shot a glance at Tonks, who was snickering against her clipboard – he mentally vowed to have words with her about sharing such information as the gender of their contacts in future. “To be honest, Professor, I didn’t know what to expect.�

Professor Goldstein’s nose wrinkled. “Rebekah will do fine. I can’t abide being called Professor, I’m afraid, and Goldstein is my husband.�

Remus smiled more genuinely. “I rather like being called Professor myself. But if you want you can call me…�

“I’m sure you do.� The interruption was cool – in spite of the invitation to informality, Rebekah remained distant. “But there is no need for you to return the favour, Professor. Since you like the title so, I shall use it.�

Remus considered protesting, but Rebekah’s steely gaze convinced him not to try. At his side, Tonks’ laughter had vanished as she stared at the woman with narrow eyes.

Rebekah’s gaze abruptly shifted. “Your assistant, I presume?�

Tonks plastered on her most vapid smile. “Undine Blackwood, Professor Goldstein. I’ve been reading your treatise on the feral mind and I must say…�

“Must you?� Rebekah’s cocked eyebrow dried Tonks’ fake enthusiasm in an instant. The Auror bowed her head as though embarrassed but Remus could see her eyes glittering darkly behind her glasses. Rebekah Goldstein was not making many more friends here than Croll.

Remus glanced between the two faces, Croll’s oily smile and Rebekah’s chilly rudeness and sighed internally. Clearly, he was not particularly welcomed.

Which rather begged the question of why on earth he had been invited in the first place.

He felt his nerves tingling as he looked again between the two faces, remembered the intricate security precautions that had now effectively sealed him inside. Just why was he here when the Institute’s head and her medical chief so obviously wished him far away? Had he truly been invited here to lend his insight into Abraham Kane’s unexpected condition? Or, as Croll’s nasty statement had implied, was there some motive afoot against him?

Folke’s last words had implied something sinister lurked beneath the surface of this place. He could only hope that it would not claim him.

“Well, Professor,� Her tone abruptly businesslike, Rebekah Goldstein interrupted his dark thoughts as she stepped briskly forwards, dusting her hands sharply against invisible grime. “I think it is fair to say that we all want to get this over with as quickly as possible. If you’d care to come with me, I will take you to Kane.�

Remus nodded, trying to fight off the warring butterflies that had suddenly flocked to life in the region of his stomach. But nonetheless; plots by Voldemort, sealed doors and seeing Abraham Kane again – it wasn’t as though he didn’t have plenty to be nervous about.

And the Rebekah spoke and her words spent his spiralling butterflies into a tailspin.

“Your assistant can wait here.� At the expression on his face, she elaborated. “We don’t allow access to Level Six to just anyone, I’m afraid, and although you have been cleared by the Ministry, she hasn’t. There really is no point in having a top security area that’s open to any person who happens to wander by.�

Remus mustered a smile. “Of course, I can understand that. But I was really hoping to show Undine…�

“No.� Rebekah’s sharp syllable cracked like a whip. “She waits here.�

Tonks smiled brightly, but the glow of the smile seemed slightly more wan than before. “Never mind, Professor, it can’t be helped,� she said with heartily false cheer. “I’ll just...umm…� She rolled her eyes pointedly around the room. “Entertain myself, I guess.�

The butterflies continued to plummet at her obvious indication of an intent to... explore. “Well then, do that.� Remus fought to smile but his mouth was deathly dry. If they catch her… “But do try and stay out of the way.� He met her eyes pointedly. “We don’t want to upset anyone.�

Tonks beamed. “Of course not.� Although a smile curled her lips, her eyes were deadly serious. “Good luck, Professor.�

He nodded, the dryness spreading like a desert sandstorm as the reality of where he was and what he was about to do crashed down. “Thank you.�

“Professor?� Rebekah smiled as she stood in the archway that moments before had held Croll – the older man had vanished without a word at some point during their conversation. “This way.�

Remus and Tonks exchanged a final glance. Tonks managed a smile. Remus did not.

And then he was walking, following Rebekah down the grey corridor, his heart pounding ridiculously, his breathing rapid. He was inside the Feral Institute with no way out but by the guidance of others. Voldemort was planning something within these walls – any face he met could be a Death Eater. And now, in spite of his own resolution never again to lay eyes upon him, he was about to once more enter the presence of what remained of the werewolf who had killed his mother and bitten him as a child.

All in all, he’d had better days.

But it was too late to back out now.

Just ahead, Rebekah Goldstein, cool and distant, was tapping her wand against a series of numbers drawn on the paintwork. Abruptly the wall shimmered and dissolved, exposing another silver lift grill. The Institute head stepped briskly inside and indicated he should join her.

Bracing his shoulders tightly, Remus took at deep breath and quietly followed.

A/N:This is what I will call the Imperius equivilent of The Werewolf Lesson - the chapter in which I attempt to get across a lot of exposition in an interesting way. This is also the chapter that reveals an important idea that underlies this fic but at the same time, it is likely to make a few people suck their teeth and go "Hmmmm... I'm not sure that would work." To be honest, I feel the same ;) but it was such a funky idea when it came to me I decided to run with it and combined with a few unused bits and bobs from Oblivious, this fic was born.

3: A Werewolf’s Soul

The lift moved slowly, seeming to cover half the rise of the previous lift in twice the time. Beside Remus, Rebekah Goldstein was an unmoving statue staring intensely at the wall. She did not speak to him.

Well, he thought sardonically to himself. With such a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, I’m surprised they don’t get more visitors.

But he was here to do a job. Sound out Goldstein, Tonks had said. But in order to do so, some sound was probably going to be needed.

“So Profes… Rebekah.� His own voice echoed disconcertingly around the lift shaft. “What kind of work do you do here?�

The turn of Rebekah’s head was slow and deliberate. To judge by the gaze with she pinned him, an onlooker would probably have believed that he had just asked her opinion on the right and proper way in which to sacrifice a chicken.

“Research.� Her tone was dripping with dryness.

Remus sighed inwardly. “Into..?� he prompted.

Rebekah raised a slow eyebrow. “Feral werewolves,� she said, slowly and precisely, emphasising each syllable as it passed her lips. “Hence the name of the Institute.�

It was like pulling teeth. “I was hoping for something more specific. As I’m sure you can appreciate, this is a subject I have…interest in.�

Rebekah regarded him coldly. “I’m sure you do.�

The lift ground to a halt. But this time, no simple grill enclosed the shaft. A solid metal lattice was buried portcullis-like into the solid stone. The Institute symbol had been etched into the surface.

Extending her wand, Rebekah tapped the engraving six times in a staccato rhythm. “Rebekah Goldstein,� she stated softly. “Security Clearance Alpha. With guest.�

With an audible groan, the portcullis pulled itself clear of the rock and sank seamlessly into the mantle above. Smiling in a slightly disconcerting manner, Rebekah stepped out into the predictably grey corridor beyond and sharply turned to face him.

“Well, Professor,� she said softly. “Welcome to Level Six, for top security residents.�

“Residents?� Remus glanced around as he stepped out into the corridor, taking in the solid metal doors that lined the passageway; all were ajar revealing a barren, windowless cell beyond each entry. “Odd choice of words.�

Rebekah smiled coolly. “Werewolves interned within this Institute are not prisoners, Professor.� At Remus’ raised eyebrow and glance towards the nearest cell, her smile faded grimly. “This level is only used for werewolves that have turned fully feral and present a clear danger to the community at large. Of the forty-four permanent residents here, this level houses only five. The majority of residents, those who have shown the potential to turn feral but not submitted fully, live on levels one to three. Quite comfortably, I might add.� Her eyes bored into his. “They are provided with regular meals, a sleeping chamber that contains their own possessions and facilities for entertainment. This is not a prison camp, Professor, and these werewolves are not chained to the walls. They live well – better in many cases, than they did before. They simply are not allowed to leave.�

Remus narrowed his eyes. “A comfortable prison is still a prison. And there is no evidence that one feral incident can make a werewolf more prone to turning.�

Rebekah’s expression was frosty, her eyes unreadable. “That, Professor, is what we are here to determine. I have devoted my life to uncovering the ways and means of the werewolf, the way it thinks, the way it acts and reacts, the effect it has upon the bitten because understanding the curse is the only way that I can see that the spread of lycanthropy can ever be stopped.� Her eyes ran almost clinically across him. “You carry within you a demon, Professor, a demon that destroys the innocent without the slightest thought.� Her stare darkened. “A demon I am determined to eradicate from this earth by any means I can.�

Remus fought to contain a shiver at the burning of her eyes. “The Wolfsbane potion…�

“…Is a suppressant, nothing more.� Rebekah shrugged dismissively. “Your mother’s work on the potion was exceptional, but it does not remove the threat. All it takes is one missed dose and we are right back where we started.�

Remus struggled briefly against his own painful awareness of the statement’s truth. “But to just lock these people away…�

“These werewolves have shown that they present a clear and present danger to innocent lives.� Rebekah’s tone was steely. “They should consider themselves lucky. Before the founding of this Institute, they would have all been sent to Azkaban. The Dementors would not have treated them so kindly.�

Remus fought down a shiver at the thought, his own mind unable to escape the thought that by wizarding law he should have been interned within these walls himself when he was no more than three years old. Would they have sent a child to Azkaban?

“We’re wasting time,� Rebekah’s interruption was brusque. “I didn’t ask you here to debate the rights and wrongs of what we do here, Professor. I asked you here for an opinion regarding Abraham Kane.�

Abruptly, she turned on her heel, marching briskly away along the corridor. Fighting once more with rampant butterflies, Remus hurriedly caught up, falling into step at her side. She did not turn to face him.

“You were not at the Kiss, I believe? Rebekah asked, her tone sharp but businesslike.

Remus shook his head. “I was invited. I chose not to go.�

“Pity. You missed an interesting spectacle.� They turned a corner, revealing a row of four sealed doors, each watched over by a red and grey robed guard. Rebekah nodded politely to each man as they passed. “As an expert in Defence Against the Dark Arts, I’m sure you’re aware of what usually happens when a person is Kissed by a Dementor.�

Remus nodded absently, his eyes drawn almost unwillingly towards the four sealed doors. Faintly, beyond the foot thick metal of the nearest, he could hear the faint strains of a drawn out screech. It seemed Rebekah had also heard – she paused briefly in front of the door’s guard with a vaguely clinical expression.

“Selkirk, when Dr Croll makes his rounds, tell him that Ulric’s dose of sedative needs to be increased again.� She raised an eyebrow at the sound of something heavy thumping into the walls. “He seems to have developed immunity to his present dose.�

The man nodded. Ignoring Remus’ penetrating stare, Rebekah proceeded on down the corridor, picking up the thread of her conversation as though nothing had happened. “As I’m sure you’re aware, a person Kissed by a Dementor becomes a shell, soulless, mindless, alive but without character, without a sense of self, an empty body with a void inside. Until Kane’s Kiss, it had been widely assumed that the effect on a werewolf would be no different. We were wrong. Very wrong.�

Ahead, the corridor came to an abrupt end at a large metal door. Standing cross-armed in front of it was Alexander Aylward, the grim security officer who had first escorted Remus inside. He inclined his head slightly in Remus’ direction. Remus politely returned the gesture.

“Well?� Rebekah addressed the tall man abruptly but Aylward immediately shook his head.

“He’s having a bad day, Professor Goldstein,� he said, his deep voice apologetic but firm. “He didn’t like his meal and got upset. It won’t be safe for you and Professor Lupin to go inside the cell. You’ll have to observe him from behind the blind for today.�

An expression of deep irritation flashed across Rebekah’s features. “Very well,� she said, her tone rich with bite. “Open the door, Alexander.�

With a nod, Aylward turned, tapping a sequence into the metal with a muttered incantation. Rebekah turned back to Remus.

“Professor, I have asked you here because I have a theory. And as you are the most notable werewolf scholar in the magical community, not to mention possessing a personal connection to the subject in question, I felt you were in a unique position to offer some significant insight.�

Remus suppressed the buzz of chilly anticipation as best he could as he nodded. “I’ll certainly do my best.�

“Good.� Behind them, Aylward had released the door locks, pushing the vast door open to reveal a small chamber. It seemed much as the rest of the facility had, grey and bland but for the upper half of the opposite wall, which curved outwards towards them, dark and glassy, ending only in another door, this one narrow but equally sturdy, leading into an unseen room beyond. The only furniture was a couple of plain chairs and a table scattered with papers, measuring instruments, potion vials and what looked like a rather more conservative Quick Quotes Quill, posed and ready for dictation.

Without a word, Rebekah stepped inside. His heart thumping far too fast, Remus followed her. Aylward closed the door behind them with an echoing thud.

The similarity of location to his last encounter with Kane was too much to be ignored. I don’t want to do this, I don’t want to be here, I don’t want to see him again. Whatever state he’s in…

Rebekah’s voice broke into his thoughts. “I have been studying Abraham Kane since he was brought here last December. And his… behaviour following his Kiss has forced me to reach a quite startling conclusion. As far as we are able to ascertain, it appears that werewolves possess something that is very akin to a soul.�

Remus felt anger flaring within his mind at her patronising words. “Of course we have souls,� he exclaimed at once, his voice remaining level only through great effort. “We are born as human as anyone else…�

“Your protest is noted, but you misunderstand.� Rebekah cut sharply across the remains of his sentence. “I did not mean to say that a werewolf in his human form is soulless. In fact, it appears you may have two.�

Remus could only blink at this extraordinary statement. Was she saying…? “You think the werewolf inside me has a soul? A soul apart from mine?�

Rebekah smiled slightly. “Not exactly. It may not be a soul as we consider it, more an essence, a sense of drive and character for the wolf that only usually arises beneath the light of the full moon. When questioned, most of the werewolves here have described their werewolf side as some kind of entity separate from them, sharing a body but different in mind, which certainly supports the idea. Two beings trapped together, fighting for control of one body, but how could the wolf fight so well if there were not something more behind it? It has memories after all, recollections it will share with its human host only grudgingly, and enough of a sense of self to occasionally fight for domination at the first sign of weakness. It could be that this something more, this werewolf essence is strong enough that it could be taken as a soul by a Dementor.� She cocked an eyebrow at Remus. “And since Kane was feral, since his werewolf essence was the dominant force within his body when he was Kissed, that, it seems, is what the Dementor drank…�

Remus could only stare. His mind was racing. The malevolent presence of the werewolf inside of him was something he had grown accustomed to over the years and he had always known that it possessed a life and a drive all its own; indeed he had experienced its attempts to gain control of the human it coexisted with at far too close a range. But the idea that such an essence, as Rebekah had called it, could be taken as soul-like, that he truly was sharing his body with…

Within his own skin, Remus Lupin began to feel distinctly uncomfortable. And not very alone.

And Kane – if the Dementor had taken his werewolf essence….

“Leaving what?� His own voice sounding strange against his ears. “If the Dementor drank his feral soul, what did it leave behind?�

Rebekah nodded to Aylward – stepping forward, the security guard tapped his wand briskly against the glass. It turned instantly clear.

“This,� she said.

And Remus saw Abraham Kane.

“Not fair!�

Remus took an instinctive step back as a cracked wooden bowl clattered against the glass, smearing splatters of a gruel-like substance down the now clear surface in unappetising globs. It was not alone – the brown sludge coated the opposite wall in drying clumps and stained the floor in smears skidded by the passage of bare feet. A pile of cushions and a sleeping mat had been tossed in all directions to lie haphazardly in corners and bizarrely, what looked like a red rubber ball was rolling casually across the floor. Remus had seen Kane’s violent attacks on his confinement before, but somehow this was different, for nothing was shredded or mangled or maimed, just tossed and kicked and hurled, in a manner not dissimilar to a small child’s angry tantrum. This was not a mindless, destructive rampage. It was a petulant one.

And there, in the centre of it all, stood Kane. There was no denying he looked different, his dark, curly hair grown longer and wilder, his toned muscles shrivelled by his confinement, the claws that had tipped his fingers filed down to impotent stumps. And the change was there too in the way he moved as he stumbled across his cell, loose robe flapping as he kicked the bowl again, the unconscious ease the feral gone, the sleekness and grace with which he had moved vanished into a kind of jerky, awkward twitch. Even his voice, low and gravelled and ever smooth had warped into a hoarse and breathless screech.

“Not fair!� he screamed again as the bowl ricocheted off the wall, tumbling into the softness of a battered pillow. “Not fair! Not fair! Not fair!�
And then he was on his knees, beating his fists viciously against the floor as he chanted his mantra over and over, not fair, not fair, always not fair in time with the thwack of his hands against the ground. And then, as suddenly as he had started, the violence ended; scrambling on his hands and knees, Remus watched in disbelief as the most feared feral werewolf of his time curled himself abruptly into the nest of pillows and blankets, hands wrapped around his knees as he rocked slowly back and forth in time with a rhythm that no other but he could discern. His lips were moving. Low and constant, the same words slipped out.

“Notfairnotfairnotfairnotfairnotfair…�

His eyes stared blank and unseeing at the glass screen.

His brown eyes.

It took a moment for the realisation of what he was seeing to sink in. Although Kane clearly still bore the marks of a feral, his fingertips clawed and his teeth sharp, the cold golden eyes that had haunted Remus for so long were gone. Brown eyes, not remotely sane, but definitely human, stared out at him.

“His eyes…� The words slipped out almost unbidden.

“Interesting, isn’t it?� Rebekah’s voice was clinical. “The teeth and claws remained unchanged. But when the Kiss was done, his feral eyes were gone. That was my first clue as to what might be going on. They do say that the eyes are a window to the soul – or in his case, what’s left of one.� She met Remus’ shocked gaze coolly. “The Abraham Kane you knew is gone forever, the evil that made him what he was consumed by a Dementor’s Kiss. For that we can only be grateful. But when the Dementor had taken its fill, the tattered remains of the human part of Kane were left behind. And Kane was bitten and turned feral as a child.� Her smile was twisted. “All that remains of the great and fearsome werewolf is a damaged body and the excessively unbalanced and deeply traumatised mind of a ten year old boy.�

Remus broke away from her gaze, staring once more through the glass to where Kane sat, rocking backwards and forwards in time with his muttered litany. But it was not Kane, not really, not if Rebekah was right, for Kane had been the creation of a twisted joining between the human and the wolf and with only the human left…

Abel.

He was Abel Isaacs, or what was left of him, the crushed remains of the human boy, his cousin, who had willingly placed his arm into a werewolf’s mouth and begged to be made stronger. And now here he was, more than forty years later, locked in a cell, weak and insane, clinging wild-eyed to what shreds of his mind had not been swallowed first by the feral Kane and then by a Dementor.

All the damage he had done because of one foolish impulse to get back at the world that he felt was treating him so badly. Pity mingled with anger in Remus’ heart as his fingers slipped almost unconsciously to his side and the crescent scar of his bite. Stupid, stupid little boy…

“He won’t respond to us.� Once more, Rebekah’s voice broke into his musing. “He won’t talk except to shout and scream or mutter to himself about how unfair everything is. He won’t even answer to his own name.� She shook her head. “But I suppose that’s no real surprise. His human mind has been crushed beyond all repair by his years as a feral, suppressed by the weight of a wolf’s mind for so many years that it cannot be recovered. A team of experts from St Mungo’s examined him thoroughly when he was first brought here but there was simply not enough of his humanity left to restore. Half his mind is gone and what is left is utterly damaged. He is irretrievably insane.�

Remus watched Kane’s mouth work, watched the glint of sharpened teeth. “Is he still a werewolf?� he asked softly. “Now that the essence of his werewolf half is gone, does he still transform?�

He tried not to show his slight shiver of disappointment when Rebekah nodded. For an instant, he had wondered…

“Oh yes, he still changes.� Rebekah was gazing through the glass almost thoughtfully. “Every full moon, just as before. The physical infection of his body remains uncured and incurable. But the difference is that there is no wolfish mind to take control. The effect is like Wolfsbane potion but without the need to suppress because there is nothing there to hold back. He becomes a wolf with the mind of an insane ten year old. Which is always fun,� she added sardonically.

Remus ignored her remark as he stared again at the pitiful figure rocking in his corner. “Does he remember being Kane?�

Rebekah sighed. “I told you, he won’t talk to us. We have no idea if he knows what he was, what he became.� She glanced at Remus. “That was part of the reason I wanted you here, Professor. I was hoping to see if there was any recognition; after all, you played a pretty significant part in his life in the latter months before his capture. And the Ministry are understandably keen to know if they are truly rid of the feral that he was.� Her expression darkened. “But his little temper tantrum has put pay to that – it will be hours, perhaps even days before he properly calms down. I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to come back another time.�

It took a moment to sink in. “Come back?�

“Yes.� It was remarkable the way that Rebekah managed to suck all hints of enthusiasm out of such a simple word. “There were experiments I wanted to run in your presence but of course now there’s little point. I’m afraid, Professor, that you seem to have had a wasted journey.�

Come back In the shock of seeing the state of Kane, it had rather slipped Remus’ mind that he had been supposed to be investigating for potential Death Eater activity. And even so, it was a little difficult to slip questions about a fondness for painful tattoos or a hatred of Muggles into a formal conversation about the mental state of an insane werewolf. But if he came back…

“Very well.� Remus nodded. “Then I will be happy to come back another time.�

Rebekah looked less than thrilled at his acceptance. For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to wonder if she was hiding some Death Eater plot she had no wish for him to lurk about and uncover – but then, a sensible corner of his mind pointed out that if that had been the case, he would never have been invited in the first place. Rebekah Goldstein was rude, cold and clearly did not like him without bothering to know him but that didn’t necessarily add up to in the thrall of Voldemort. He would just have to keep his eyes open.

They stayed perhaps a half hour longer, discussing Rebekah’s theory regarding Kane’s condition as Kane himself continued to rock unchecked in his corner. But then Rebekah turned to Aylward, whose silent presence Remus had quite forgotten and indicated that it was time to leave. A moment later, the security guard had tapped his wand shapely against the glass – darkness swallowed it as the rocking Kane was mercifully concealed from view.

And Remus was not sorry. The image had shaken him more than he cared to admit.

They left immediately, leaving Aylward behind on duty and moving back down the corridor past the guards and the sealed doors to where the empty cells gaped like hungry mouths. Rebekah did not speak and Remus did not try to make her.

It was not until the lift was carrying them slowly back down to Level Five that Remus chose to break the silence.

“When did you want me to come back?� he asked quietly as the lift came to a standstill. “Only it will have to be a weekend…�

For an instant, something odd seemed to flash behind Rebekah’s eyes. “Because of your teaching commitments. Of course. Is next Sunday too soon?�

Remus winced internally at the thought of what his father would say about him missing a second Sunday dinner in a row. Those Sundays had become a committed ritual ever since Kane’s Kiss and both father and son had come to rely on them. But this was for the Order and by extension, the good of the wizarding world. His father would understand.

He forced a smile. “That will be fine.�

“Good.� Abruptly, Rebekah tapped out the code and stepped sharply out of the lift. “Reception is that way, Professor. I’m sure you can find your own way. Cymone will be along shortly to escort you out.�

And then, without so much as a fake pleasantry, Rebekah Goldstein turned and strode away down the corridor.

Remus watched her go with eyebrow raised.

“Lovely woman,� he muttered wryly to himself. “Absolutely charming.�

He wanted to get out of here. Out of this grey prison full of lunatic ex-ferals and deeply unpleasant researchers, away from the echoes of his past and what could have been his future. He could only hope that Tonks had finished entertaining herself and was waiting in reception for him. With a weary sigh, he turned and strode quickly down the corridor. Enough was enough. No more shocks, no more sneers. He just wanted to leave.

And so it was that Remus was not best impressed when he walked into reception and found Felisha Hathaway rifling through the papers on Cymone’s desk.

Remus froze. Oh for Merlin’s sake, he had told her and told her to stop using that disguise! It had been vaguely funny once, just once, when in order to spring him from Ministry custody, she had adopted the face of the former school mate with whom he had once spent most of the night locked in with in the Prefect’s Bathroom, but it had long since become tiresome. Why the hell Sirius had ever seen fit to inform his cousin that Remus had since been unable to spend any time in her presence without blushing was a mystery. He could only assume the former convict had been bored.

But this was serious. They were in the middle of the Feral Institute searching for a Death Eater threat, and Tonks chose now to start playing games?

He would have to have words. For goodness sake…

He strode hurriedly to her side. “What do you think you’re doing?� he hissed furiously. “This is hardly the time!�

“Felisha� jumped furiously, spinning to face him, brown eyes wide in a face ringed by long, dark brown ringlets. In spite of the situation, Remus had to admit he was impressed – this mockery of Felisha was far closer to the mark than any of Tonks’ previous efforts, the soft features gently edged by a touch of age, the long lashes framing eyes of exactly the right shade of brown. He couldn’t help but wonder who she had been talking to in order to get such an accurate description.

But there was no time now. And for some reason, “Felisha� was staring at him as though she hadn’t expected to see him there at all.

“Remus?� she croaked.

Remus blinked. Even the voice was…

“Professor Lupin?�

He turned. Standing in the doorway a few feet away, the blonde curled form of Tonks-as-Undine was staring at him over the top of her clipboard with a growing smirk upon her face.

Remus stared at Tonks. He stared at “Felisha�. He stared back at Tonks.

But wait. If that was Tonks…

Oh.

Good.

God.

Felisha Hathaway – the real Felisha Hathaway – was staring at him wide eyed, her fingers crumpling around her handful of paper with unconscious shock. A scarlet blush was creeping up her cheeks, a blush that Remus could feel mirrored upon his own features, burning his skin like fire.

He’d missed his dinner with his father. He’d come inside the Feral Institute, the one place in the world he’d never wanted to be. He’d been sneered at by Arcadius Croll. He’d been snubbed by Rebekah Goldstein. And he had been forced once more into the presence of what was left of Abraham Kane.

And now Felisha Hathaway was staring at him like a lunatic because he had just mistaken her for Nymphadora Tonks in disguise.

Oh yes. He’d definitely had better days.

4: Brief Encounters

He had to say something. He knew he had to say something. But his mouth felt like the Sahara and his brain, aware that he had just been made a fool of, had decided to flee for cover. Remus dearly wished he could do the same.

He worked his mouth furiously for a moment in an effort to expel some kind of words. In the end, he just about managed it.

“Um. Hello.�

Crimson as the Hogwarts Express, Felisha managed a wan smile. “Hello Remus,� she replied, with a kind of vague desperation. “It’s been a while.�

Oh dear Gods, why couldn’t he stop blushing? I am thirty-seven years old! He reminded himself sternly. I am not an embarrassed sixteen year old! This is not the Hogwarts Prefect’s Bathroom. Be an adult, Lupin!

But his treacherous mind refused to listen, flashing up image after image from that night in the bathroom and the look on her face when she walked in and saw…

Remus swallowed hard and forced himself to smile.

“It has, hasn’t it?� he managed bravely. “And I have to say this is the last place I expected to run into you again.�

“Oh, I work here,� Felisha leapt immediately onto the opening in the conversation. “I’ve been here about six months now. I’m a magizoologist.�

Remus smiled more genuinely, his mind flashing back to more pleasant recollections of a Ravenclaw prefect who smiled through even the worst of weathers in the classes of Professor Kettleburn. “Well that’s no surprise,� he said almost cheerfully. “You always were very good at Care of Magical Creatures.�

A few feet away, Tonks snorted violently against her clipboard, clearly fighting the giggles. The glare with which Remus pinned only made her struggles worse.

Felisha’s blush deepened sharply. “Well, anyway,� she said awkwardly. “I have work…� She flourished her now crumpled papers almost frantically. “Nice seeing you again, though.�

“You too.� Was it wrong to pray so hard for the earth to swallow him up? “And I’m sorry about earlier, I…� He waved one hand in wild circles, shooting a quick but hard look at Tonks. “I thought you were somebody else.�

Tonks leapt hurriedly in. “I change my hair a lot,� she said with a silly smile. “I charm it different colours, especially when I’m bored or waiting for someone.� She giggled. “It annoys the Professor rather. And I think, from the back, he thought you were me…�

Felisha’s expression was vaguely relieved. “Ah,� she said with a nod. “I see.�

Remus smiled again. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he probably resembled a manic clown. “Sorry,� he said again. “My mistake.�

And then, blessed be her name, Cymone appeared from the office behind her desk, glancing between Felisha and Remus with a slightly strange expression on her face.

“Ah… R…ready to go, Professor Lupin?� she asked uncertainly.

Remus nodded emphatically. “Absolutely.�

Felisha was nodding too. “I’d hate to keep you. Waiting,� she added hurriedly. “Don’t want to keep you waiting if you have to go…�

“I do have to go.� Remus gestured over his shoulder. “So… Bye then.�

“Bye.� Felisha repeated with a quick, awkward smile. And then she was gone, rushing into a nearby corridor at a near run and vanishing hurriedly from sight.

Mortification was an interesting sensation, Remus mused, for caught up in its grasp he managed to ignore the smirk of Tonks and the bemused expression of Cymone. Instead, he simply walked quietly over to the nearest wall, closed his eyes, and laid his head against it in silent but profound embarrassment.

* * *

“You knew. Didn’t you?�

The wind whipped across the heather as Remus and Tonks descended briskly down the narrow path that lead into the wooded valley below the moor and to the quiet, lonely little station for the Muggle steam train that would take them safely out of the Institute’s extensive anti-apparation zone. Pulling her cloak more firmly around her, Tonks gave Remus a cheeky smile.

“Course I knew,� she replied easily. “I read up on the Institute staff before we came, to see if there were any likely suspects. And there was her name, clear as day.�

“And you didn’t tell me?� Remus was gazing down into the woods below with an intense and deliberate calm. “Why didn’t you tell me?�

Tonks grinned wickedly, in a manner much reminiscent of her cousin. “I didn’t want to spoil the surprise?�

Remus did not look at her. He did not even turn his head. He simply continued to stare straight ahead and his voice, when it came, was bland and casual.

“Tonks,� he said quietly. “I’m going to kill you.�

“I appreciate that.�

“It will be a slow death.�

“That’s understandable.�

“There will rending of limbs.�

“Moody always says I’ve got more limbs than I can safely deal with.�

“Much blood and much pain.�

“Goody-good.� Tonks clapped her hands together. “It’s always fun to have something to look forward to. But can I have a last request before my gruesome death?�

Remus glanced at her sideways. “That depends on the request.�

Tonks smiled more genuinely as they dropped down off the edge of the moor and into the trees below. “Can I have a last drink at the Three Broomsticks? That moor was freezing and I’m dying for a butterbeer.�

In spite of himself, Remus smiled back. “I suppose since we were split up we do need to debrief before reporting to Dumbledore. All right, you have your stay of execution. But it’s only a stay.�

Tonks grinned again. “You’re a soft executioner. I may yet wheedle my way to freedom.�

Remus’ glare was mock steel. “After putting me through that? Not likely.�

There were only two other people waiting at the remote station when Remus and Tonks arrived, a pair of Muggle walkers who nodded politely to Remus as he joined them, his robes temporarily transfigured into a scruffy Muggle jacket and jeans. Tonks, who was not a fan of messing with her clothes, lurked disillusioned in the shadows at his shoulder until the Muggle steam train puffed to a halt at the platform. Remus smiled fondly – the old steam train could have been the Hogwarts Express but for the holidaymakers and tourists that roamed its compartments in place of the children. They moved quickly on board and travelled quietly down a barren valley to the pretty station at a nearby village, before slipping off quietly into the station toilets and apparating quickly to Hogsmeade.

The Three Broomsticks was packed, as one would expect on a Sunday afternoon in spring, but Tonks managed to grab a secluded table in a corner by the fire and cast a rapid charm to conceal what they were saying from any eavesdroppers who might have been lurking nearby. And then, nursing a butterbeer each and a plate of Madam Rosmerta’s delicious beef stew, they got down to business.

“Weird.� Tonks shook her head quietly as Remus finished his recitation of all that had occurred with Kane on Level Six. “Do you really think Professor Goldstein’s right? About this werewolf essence thing?�

Remus pursed his lips. “I think she might be. I mean it makes sense in a disturbing kind of way. And much as I dislike the woman, I would be interested to see where this research takes her.�

Tonks nodded sympathetically. “And seeing Kane again?�

“Was strange,� Remus admitted with gross understatement. “But then again, he wasn’t really Kane anymore. The feral that bit me is gone, almost certainly for good, and I can’t say any part of me is sorry. But to see the wreckage left behind…� He shook his head. “Strange.�

“What about Goldstein?� Tonks asked. “Did you get any feeling from her? Any sense that she was hiding something?�

Remus chuckled dryly. “Oh, I think she was hiding plenty. But whether that was because she was a Death Eater or because she just didn’t like me, I couldn’t possibly say.�

Tonks gave a wry smile. “You noticed that chill in the air as well?�

“Oh yes.� Remus sighed. “She definitely wasn’t interested in talking to me about anything but business. I had clearly been tried, judged and found guilty long before I even arrived. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the charges were.� He shook his head again. “The annoying thing is I could almost swear I’ve met that woman somewhere before. There’s something familiar about her that I just can’t place…�

Tonks looked thoughtful. “Do you want me to see what I can find out?�

Remus nodded absently, his mind still struggling to place his elusive sense of familiarity. “That might be good. Take a look at the others too while you’re at it.� He focussed himself abruptly. “Now what about you? Did you find anything interesting while you were entertaining yourself?�

Tonks made a face. “Nothing earth-shattering. No portraits of You-Know-Who or a thick dossier marked “Evil Death Eater Plans� alas. I checked out a few offices, looked over some files to see what they were up to but it was mostly bog standard werewolf research – questioning the residents about their condition, studies on the behaviour of the ferals you mentioned on Level Six, comparisons of werewolves on Wolfsbane as opposed to those not. Just what you’d expect from a werewolf research facility.� She sighed. “I couldn’t get into Goldstein’s office. I tried but Cymone was there and I had to pretend I was looking for the bathroom. I had a bit of a chat with her – she’s a lot calmer when she’s not in the same room as a werewolf, you know; apparently she had a bad run in with one a few years ago which is why she’s so twitchy around you.�

Remus raised an incredulous eyebrow. “And she works in the Feral Institute?�

Tonks shrugged. “She told me she wants to help. To stop it happening to anyone else. Anyway, I chatted with her, asked her about her workmates. She doesn’t like Croll, but then who would? She said he was nasty to everyone and very secretive about his medical work. Apparently he believes that his colleagues are out to steal his research and take his credit. Oh, and he hates werewolves. Treats them like nothing more than lab rats.�

“Hence his reaction to me.� Remus sighed. “Oh joy. What else did you learn?�

“Goldstein doesn’t like you but she doesn’t know why.� Tonks shrugged. “But she reckons she needs your opinion for something to do with her research or she’d never have asked you to come. Apparently she’s almost human with everyone else.�

“Lucky me,� Remus drawled sardonically. “To be so favoured.�

Tonks grinned. “Aylward, the security chief, is a humourless sod but he’s absolutely straight down the line,� she continued with a smile. “He’d sooner break his own fingers than the rules and he picks out men who think the same. And then there’s Unwin the caretaker, who we didn’t meet but apparently is in charge of looking after the werewolves downstairs, who Cymone described as a cantankerous old git, and Zelia the potions mistress, a new age idealist who sings folk songs over her cauldron of Wolfsbane to help the brewing process.� She grinned wickedly. “Oh and Felisha is a sweetheart.� At a dirty look from Remus, she rapidly moved on. “There are various other support staff and security officers but those are the Institute’s major players. So that probably makes them our chief suspects.� She frowned thoughtfully. “Maybe we’re going about this wrong headed, assuming one of them has to be a Death Eater. Folke did mention the Imperius curse…�

But Remus was already shaking his head. “Imperius can be broken. Someone would have to stay close at hand, maintain the spell and make sure the victim didn’t get free long enough to spill the beans. If Voldemort really is making a move of some kind within the Institute then someone there has to be either a Death Eater or a sympathiser. But the big questions have to be – who and why?�

Tonks shook her head. “Haven’t the foggiest. You and Dumbledore are the brains of this operation, not me. I’m too tired and full of butterbeer to think.�

Remus smiled in spite of himself. “Succinctly put. And me too. My brain seems to have gone into hiding since my little encounter, for which, I might add, you are still not forgiven. Now come on. We’d better head up to Hogwarts and report what little we’ve found.�

“Sounds like a plan.� Concealing her wand beneath her cloak as she rose, Tonks quietly dropped the privacy spell, but her grin implied that she was not thinking about business. “But in spite of the threat against my life, I have to ask; what did happen between you and Felisha Hathaway in that bathroom?�

Remus froze. Slowly, deliberately and with definite threat, he raised his eyes to meet the wickedly grinning Tonks.

“That,� he intoned softly, “is information that goes with me to my grave. Or possibly to yours.�

Tonks raised her hands in a placatory fashion. “All right, all right. Now how are we getting in to the school?�

Remus fell in at her side as they moved towards the pub’s front door, which had just swung open to admit an awkwardly moving man wrapped in a green cloak. “Well if there’s no one in the courtyard, we can nip down the well passage and…�

His voice trailed off. His eyes fixed more distinctly upon the limping figure that had just stepped inside the bar. He stared.

“Dad?�

The cloaked figure started sharply, looking up. Hands wrinkled but still strong wrapped around the head of the cane that offset a crippled leg. Thick silver hair crowned a face that bore a distinct resemblance to Remus. A pair of brown eyes blinked.

It was indeed Reynard Lupin. And he was staring guiltily at his only son like a rabbit caught in a dragon’s den.

A/N: For anyone who is wondering why I chose to use a steam train rather than an ordinary train to convey Remus and Tonks out of the anti-apparation zone (I know my beta was!) – it was, in truth, a bit of an in-joke. The setting I have turned into the Feral Institute is actually a real place (a military base, not a werewolf centre!) and it so happens that in the next valley along runs a restored steam train that by extraordinary coincidence has been used as a certain Hogwarts Express in a certain set of films. I became aware of this fact when I went on holiday nearby, caught the train for a day out and found it full of small children who had been dressed in robes, carried broomsticks and had lightning scars painted on their foreheads in red marker. ;) So everything described – the route of the train, the lonely wooded station in the little valley and the pretty station that Remus and Tonks disembark at (which happens to be the film’s Hogsmeade station!) is completely real. What can I say? I liked the irony. ;)

5: Matters of Some Concern

“Remus?� It took a moment for Reynard to re-gather his composure, though exactly why he was squinting at his son with such shock in the first place was rather a mystery to Remus. “What are you doing here? I thought you had some kind of appointment today.�

“I’ve been.� Remus smiled at his father reassuringly, if slightly bemused by his reaction. “I was just having a drink with Tonks before heading back up to the castle.�

“Hello, Mr Lupin.� Tonks smiled politely at her friend’s father who smiled back slightly awkwardly. “Nice to see you again.�

“You too.� Reynard nodded, quick and brisk, the set of his shoulders radiating tension, his features drawn and anxious. His eyes darted briefly towards the bar and the fireplace beyond before flickering back to his son.

Bemusement faded abruptly; Remus felt an immediate prickle of alarm. He knew Reynard Lupin. And his father wasn’t just surprised to see him. He was nervous.

He turned to Tonks at once. “Tonks, do you think you could nip outside and check that the courtyard’s clear? Better safe than sorry and we can’t risk being seen.�

The young Auror’s eyes narrowed – for an instant, Remus thought she intended to query his request but then she appeared to sense the subtle tension that shrouded the two Lupin men and with a friendly nod and a quick, curious glance at Remus, she bid Reynard farewell and slipped outside.

“So, dad.� Remus turned back to his father, who smiled wanly in reply. “You know why I’m here, but what about you? Having a quiet drink?�

Reynard stared awkwardly down at the floorboards. “I’m… meeting someone,� he admitted hesitantly. “For a drink.�

Remus raised an eyebrow, privately fighting a distinct unease at his father’s obvious discomfort. “Anyone I know?�

Something odd flickered behind his father’s eyes. “No. No one you know.�

The evasion did not go unregistered, hardening the younger Lupin’s suspicions that something was badly amiss. And clearly, quiet coaxing would get him nowhere – his father, it seemed, was not going to share anything he didn’t have to. The time had come for direct action.

“Dad, what’s the matter?� he asked bluntly

Reynard’s eyes darted sharply to his face, clearly taken aback by this sudden change of tack. “Matter? Who said anything was the matter?�

With a shake of his head, Remus folded his arms sternly. “Who am I?�

A glint of more familiar mischief appeared in the older man’s brown eyes. “Now Remus, if you haven’t worked that out in thirty-seven years, there probably isn’t much hope for you…�

It took a great deal of will not to smile. Much as he would have liked to submit to the note of lightness that had just been injected into the conversation, he couldn’t allow himself to be distracted off the subject by his father’s banter.

“I’m your son,� he reminded Reynard firmly. “And I know you better than any other person alive. And yet somehow, you seem to think I won’t notice that you’re twitchier than a grindylow in a hot cauldron?� He frowned as severely as he could manage. “What’s wrong, dad?�

Reynard stared at him with a mild frown. “Are you channelling your mother?�

At Remus’ stern glare, he raised one hand in a placatory manner. “All right, don’t give me that look. Definitely Diana’s little boy.� He shook his head, his expression suddenly weary; Remus felt a twinge of regret as the brief spark of levity faded within his father’s eyes. “You aren’t going to be put off from this, are you?�

Remus hardened his jaw. “Not when I know something’s wrong. I love you, dad, and when you’re upset, I want to help.�

Reynard sighed deeply. “I’m not upset, exactly,� he said, his eyes heavy beneath silvery brows. “Just… uncertain. And I know you want to help, and I wish you could but…� His jaw firmed in a mirror of his son’s. “Remus, you aren’t going to like this but I’m going to say it anyway. Yes, something is the matter, or could be the matter, but I’m not able to turn around quite just yet and tell you what. I’m not trying to keep secrets…� He sighed deeply. “Merlin knows I’ve learned that lesson. But now just isn’t the time, son. I made a promise to someone and I have to test the ground before I bring you in on this. Beside, this isn’t something I want to talk through standing in a crowded pub with your friend Miss Tonks waiting outside for you to join her. I want to do it at home, at Winter Hollow. And I promise, the next time you come to dinner, I will explain.�

Through his confusion and bewilderment, Remus felt a stab of guilt. “Dad, I don’t think I can come next weekend…�

Reynard smiled slightly. “That’s handy,� he interrupted wryly. “Because I’m not sure if I can either. But the Sunday after, Remus, after the full moon; you have my word, then I’ll tell you everything.�

A welter of emotions welled up inside Remus – confusion, concern, curiosity, anxiety, a tumble of feeling that he wasn’t sure could be suppressed for two whole weeks. But underlying it all was the love and respect he held for his father and if that was what he wished, then he had no choice but respect it.

Two weeks. It wasn’t that long to wait…

It was no good. He would worry himself to death if he didn’t at least ask.

“You’re sure you’re not in trouble?� The words emerged almost in spite of themselves. “If you need my help, you know…�

Reynard’s smile was more genuine. “No trouble, Remus, I promise. If I were in trouble, I would tell you. I’m not. So don’t worry.�

It was Remus’ turn to grin wryly. “That’s easier said than done.�

Reynard laughed outright. “Too true. Now run along, before Miss Tonks thinks you’ve abandoned her.� At Remus’ look, he gave a dry frown. “I’m fine, really. Now go. I’ll see you in a fortnight.�

Remus gave a reluctant nod. Clearly, he was not going to get any more reassurances today. “A fortnight then. Bye dad.�

His father patted his gently on the arm. “Bye son.�

With a final smile, Remus forced himself to swallow his emotions as he walked out of the Three Broomsticks. It was phenomenally difficult.

He glanced back, just once, from the open doorway. Reynard Lupin, settling awkwardly at a table, flashed him a smile both reassuring and grateful.

Biting his lip, Remus made himself step outside before the urge to run back and demand answers overwhelmed him.

He tried not to think about it as he moved quickly down the street towards the alley that lead to the yard behind the pub, but it proved an impossible task. Who could his father possibly be meeting that he felt he could not tell his son about? What could be so secret and so delicate that it could not be shared with his only family? He and Reynard had become closer than they had ever been in the few months since Kane’s return had once more disrupted their lives. There was little they did not discuss, little about the other’s lives that they did not reveal, or at least so Remus had thought. So what could be so secret that his father felt he had to wait another fortnight before telling him?

He was not in trouble, Reynard had claimed. Somehow that seemed scant consolation.

The yard behind the pub was fortunately deserted but for Tonks, who was leaning nonchalantly against the well when Remus appeared from the street. She scrambled upright, almost tripping over her own robes as he approached.

“Everything okay with your dad?� she asked with soft concern. “He seemed a bit…�
She trailed off pointedly as Remus shook his head. “He said he was fine,� the professor said wearily. “But something was wrong. He was tense. Something was bothering him and he wouldn’t tell me what even when I asked him. He said not to worry.� He snorted wryly. “And that worries me even more�

Tonks chuckled slightly. “Typical Remus. He didn’t give you any idea at all?�

Remus shook his head. “Not one. All I know is he’s meeting someone and he can’t reveal who or why. He said he’d tell me when I see him in a fortnight. But if he can tell me then, why can’t he tell me now?�

Tonks frowned. “Do you think he’s in trouble?�
He sighed again. “He said he wasn’t. I don’t think he’d lie to me. Not after all we’ve been through this year.�

There was an odd nervousness underlying Tonks’ expression as she regarded him. “Remus,� she said uncertainly. “Maybe he has a date.�

Remus blinked. “Pardon?�

“A date,� the Auror repeated with a too-casual shrug. “You know, maybe he’s meeting a woman?�

Dad? With any woman but mum? The very notion was absurd and Remus shook his head at once at the suggestion. “I very much doubt it.�

“Why?� Tonks waved a hand, apparently aware that she was venturing onto rocky ground. “I mean, no disrespect to your mum, but he’s been a widower for quite a few years now. He must get lonely…�

“He’s fine.� Remus’ brow knitted. “He has me and plenty of other friends. And anyway, why would that be such a secret?�

Tonks smiled awkwardly. “Well, sometimes grown up kids can have trouble seeing their parents with anyone but each other…�

“That wouldn’t bother me if he was happy.� Remus clamped down firmly on the odd kind of inexplicable cold that had whispered in his chest at the very thought of his dad being with anyone, anyone who wasn’t his mother. “But that’s beside the point. He wouldn’t have a date. Dad’s always said he still considers himself married and always will. He says mum is always with him and he wouldn’t do that to her. He wouldn’t, Tonks.�

For a moment it seemed that Tonks intended to argue the point, but something flickered in her eyes as she stared at him and with abrupt diplomacy, she dropped the sensitive subject.

“Never mind. It was just a thought,� she said diffidently, tapping the well stones with her fingers. “Come on then, let’s get this over with. I want to go home and put my feet up at least briefly before going back on duty first thing tomorrow.�

Fighting back the now even stronger worry that was gnawing at his chest, Remus stepped forward and climbed over the side of well.

They made quick progress down the iron rungs that lay concealed against the slimy brick of the old well, before ducking into the passageway that appeared abruptly in its wall about halfway down. The passage was windy and uneven and dripping with dampness but it got them back onto the school premises unseen and that was what mattered most. Using his fresh copy of the Marauder’s Map, Remus established that the coast was clear – luckily, most of the staff and students were in the Great Hall, enjoying their dinner - before tucking the parchment safely back into his robes and leading Tonks out of the broom cupboard next to the staff room and out in the direction of Dumbledore’s office.

Desperate to take his mind off his father’s evasiveness and possible socialising, Remus wondered out loud just what they had from their trip to report.

“You know, you’re right. We really haven’t got that much to tell the Headmaster.� Tonks mused as they made their way quickly down the corridor. “Aside from the fact that Rebekah Goldstein doesn’t like you – oh, and your ex-girlfriend’s on the staff.�

Remus battled not to blush at this reminder of another reason this day was turning out so poorly. “We never dated, as you well know. Sirius’ bathroom stunt nicely put pay to that.�

Tonks chuckled. “If you say so. But we really don’t know much more than we did. You-Know-Who might be up to something at the Feral Institute. There may or may not be a Death Eater there who may or may not be making maniacal plans involving werewolves. Really, we might as well just…�

“Ow! Ron!�

A few yards ahead, something scuffled awkwardly against the stone floor. Tonks’ wand whipped out in an instant but Remus clamped a firm hand around her wrist, staying any possible spells. His eyes fixed upon the empty air just ahead.

“Harry. Ron. Hermione,� he intoned firmly. “Are you going to take that cloak off or are you going to make me do it?�

There was a pregnant pause. But then with a triple sigh, a hand appeared in mid air, clasped a handful of invisible cloth and pulled James’ old cloak from three rueful heads.

Harry looked vaguely resigned. Ron, however, was staring daggers at an indignant looking Hermione.

“What did you have to go and make that noise for?� he snapped irritably.

Hermione glared back with equal venom. “You trod right on my foot! It hurt, Ron!�

Remus cut in before full-scale war could be declared. “What are you three doing here? Why aren’t you at dinner?�

Harry brushed his fingers pensively against his fringe. “We had a DA meeting and things needed tidying up,� he said diffidently. “We were just on our way to dinner now.�

Remus raised an eyebrow. “Under the cloak?�

Ron broke off his silent bicker with Hermione in order to chip in. “We thought Filch was about. He’d give us detention for anything.�

But Remus’ eyes had already fixed upon the familiar ratty piece of parchment clasped in Harry’s hand; reaching into his robes, he drew out the crisp, fresh copy he had made at Grimmauld Place just before the start of the school year.

“Mr Filch is currently in the dungeons, well away from here,� he stated softly. “As you well know.�

Ron blushed beneath his freckles. Hermione stared at her shoes. Only Harry met his eyes, green gaze unrepentant and vaguely challenging.

Remus did not flinch, in spite of a strong desire to. “The truth please,� he simply said.

Harry sighed. “All right. We were checking the map to see if the coast was clear and we saw you and Tonks coming in down one of the secret passages. We thought something might be wrong…�

“And so you waited for us under an invisibility cloak.� Tonks looked surprisingly severe as she sheathed her wand. “Why didn’t you just say hello? Honestly Harry, I could have cursed all of you.�

“Okay, it was stupid.� Harry admitted with a shrug. “But if something was wrong, I just wanted to know what it was…�

Remus felt a powerful twinge of guilt beneath the gaze of those intense emerald eyes; he knew all too well what the price of concealing too much information from Harry could be. But unlike the secret of the Department of Mysteries that had cost Sirius so dearly, there really was nothing about his current Order mission that Harry needed to know. There was barely anything to know.

He took a deep breath. “It’s nothing you need to worry about. We’re just debriefing Dumbledore after a mission.�

Harry frowned sharply. “You mentioned Voldemort and Death Eaters. I heard you. What’s he doing now? And what’s the Feral Institute?�

“Nothing that concerns you.� The words came out far more calmly than Remus had expected, given the onslaught of emerald before him. “Honestly Harry, you have enough to think about without needing to know every detail of a fairly mundane Order mission. Now you should hurry up and get to dinner, there won’t be much left otherwise.�

Harry frowned more deeply, his expression of hurt and resentment cutting a painful strip into his teacher. “But…�

“Harry, really, it’s just an investigation,� Tonks cut in neatly with a reassuring smile. “Remus and I are looking in to the truth of some information we received, that’s all. There may not even be anything to find.�

“You mentioned Rebekah Goldstein.� Hermione’s voice broke suddenly into the conversation. “She’s the leading authority on feral werewolves – I know, I read her book.� She took a deep breath as she squared up to Remus’ eyes. “Does this have something to do with Kane?�

Remus forced himself to relax his shoulders. “That isn’t something I want to discuss. Now please go to dinner.�

Ron’s eyes had widened at the mention of Kane. “Is he out again? Kane? Is he coming here?�

“Kane is locked away. You’re in no danger from him.� Remus was rather proud that he managed to hold his outward composure with barely a flicker of expression. “Now dinner. Please.� He fixed them with his most teacherly look. “I’m not going to ask again.�

Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged a flurry of glances. But the look on their professor’s face appeared to have convinced them that this was a battle that they were not going to win.

Their spat forgotten, Ron and Hermione shared a look of concern as they both glanced at their friend. For his part, Harry was apparently preoccupied with folding the invisibility cloak and stuffing it inside his robes. “Yes, Professor Lupin,� he said dully, his expression cloudy with hints of thunder. “See you in class then.�

More secrets. More half heard whispers and things that could not be revealed. Remus felt an unpleasant flicker as it occurred to him that he was behaving exactly as his father had not long before.

His hand caught Harry’s shoulder as the teenager moved to brush past him. Emerald eyes rose to meet his.

“I’m sorry,� he said sincerely. “But there’s really nothing to tell.�

Harry’s expression cleared slightly. He nodded. But there was no mistaking the look in his eyes as he turned with his two friends and walked away down the corridor.

Tonks stared over her shoulder until they were out of sight, shaking her head slightly. “How much do you think they heard?�

“Everything.� Remus gazed blankly down the corridor, wishing very strongly for a warm bed and hot chocolate. “Every word we said.�

Tonks grimaced. “I didn’t like that look on Harry’s face. Do you think he’s going to poke about? Try and find out about the Institute?�

Remus sighed, another face, identical but for hazel eyes in place of green, playing before his mind’s eye. He knew that look far too well.

“I’m certain of it,� he said, his mind tumbling resignedly through the catalogue of the day’s events. What with Kane, Rebekah, Felisha, his father and now Harry, it made for quite a list. “Which gives me one more thing to worry about.�

A/N: The early chapters of this fic – up to chapter 8 in fact - were written before HBP came out. So mention of the now canon discontinued DA and any other discontinuities or similarities are entirely coincidental. :)

A/N: I would like to state for the record that all characters in this section were named before reading HBP. Honest! ;)

6: Shaking Hands

Hideous embarrassment, Remus mused as he forced a smile onto his face, was, fortunately, never quite as utterly appalling the second time around as the first.

From across the Level Five reception room of the Feral Institute, Felisha Hathaway smiled back with the grimly determined air of one who already knew that it was impossible for this time to go as badly as the last.

Remus could only hope she was right.

It seemed less the passing of a week and more an indistinguishable blur of time that flew past with unnecessary haste that had brought Remus once more within the grim grey walls of the Feral Institute. The teaching of his classes was a dim memory, punctuated only by occasionally vivid recollections of Harry Potter’s suspicious eyes gazing at him from behind those familiar glasses and one rather notable incident during a duelling lesson involving Vincent Crabbe and a badly aimed combination of rictusempra and tarantallegra that he doubted he could erase from his memory even with a scrubbing brush. The weekend had struck abruptly, its imminence heralded on Thursday by Severus Snape’s bad tempered appearance with his first dose of Wolfsbane potion in advance of the following Wednesday’s full moon and then suddenly it was Sunday morning and he was meeting Tonks in Hogsmeade in preparation for their journey to the moors.

They had discussed plans along the way. Since it seemed unlikely that Rebekah Goldstein would be any more welcoming of “Undine� than she had been before, they had decided that divide and conquer was the way to go. Remus would continue his efforts to squeeze blood from the stone that was Rebekah; Tonks would concentrate her efforts on whoever else she happened to encounter. But with a glee that was frankly unbecoming, the Auror had then made a suggestion.

“What about Felisha?� the metamorphmagus had declared as they watched the tourist steam train pull away from the lonely station and turned to start up the hill into the woods.

Remus had fixed her with the dirtiest look he could muster. “What about her?�

“You know her.� Tonks’ grin had been wicked. “She may be a useful contact for us on the inside of the Institute. We could use that.�

Remus had felt his insides give an uncomfortable squirm. “I suppose.�

Tonks had gazed airily up into the leafy canopy. “But of course,� she had added with humour-filled nonchalance. “That would mean you’d have to actually talk to her…�

He had protested that such a thing would not be a problem. Out there on the moor, it had all seemed so easy.

Staring Felisha in the face, he found it rather less so.

He risked a glance over his shoulder to where Tonks was standing, chatting with Cymone beside the lift shaft. After a stern conversation on the long walk across the dewy heather, he had drawn from the Auror a faithful promise not to stir up trouble regarding his former schoolmate for fear of destroying what tentative communication they could manage. Given the quite inordinate and unreasonable amount of pleasure she seemed to take from his discomfort, he had not been entirely convinced of her sincerity but he had been relieved to note than when they had found Felisha waiting for them in the reception room, Tonks had stepped politely back and allowed him to be humiliated a little more privately.

“Remus.� There was a nervous heartiness to Felisha’s tone and she stepped determinedly forward towards him. “Do you have a minute? I was hoping we could have a word.�

Remus, who had been expecting the same rush of forced pleasantries before a rapid flight from his presence as happened last time, was taken slightly aback.

“Ummm… all right,� he managed. “That is… if I’m not needed yet?�

The last was spoken in a slightly raised voice as he turned his head towards Cymone. The little woman jumped at being addressed, her eyes wide beneath her crooked blue eye shadow as she picked nervously at her sloppily painted silver nails. As she always did when faced with Remus, she began to twitch nervously.

“P…Professor Goldstein will be a few minutes yet,� she stammered. Tonks, standing beside her, raised a pointed eyebrow as she battled not to smirk.

Remus blessed her with a glare that nearly sent Cymone fleeing for her desk. With a slightly apologetic smile, he turned back to Felisha.

“Looks like I’m all yours then,� he said with awkward cheer.

The distinct beginnings of a blush touched the edges of Felisha’s cheeks. In spite of her promise, he distinctly heard Tonks snort with laughter.

Felisha braced her shoulders. “This way,� she indicated.

Battling against the heat of his own cheeks, Remus turned to follow.

They walked in blessed silence down yet another dull grey corridor, avoiding each other’s glances as they both waged an unspoken battle to behave like normal human beings. Fortunately the awkward walk ended quickly – Felisha stopped before a wooden door and pushed it hurriedly ajar.

“My office,� she said with a wave of her hand, indicating that he should enter. Nodding politely in response, Remus stepped inside.

The room he entered was quite unlike any other part of the Institute that Remus had seen. For one it was brightly lit and full of colour; there was a rainbow rug covering much of the floor and a Celtic tapestry draped over the chair’s back, a framed English landscape in golden summer sunlight glinted on the wall and the desk was a muddle of vividly painted pen pots and patterned notebooks, some laid open to reveal a quite familiar, neatly curled script.

Felisha had apparently followed his gaze. “This building is so grim,� she said with feeling, in the closest to a natural tone that Remus had heard her use with him for years. “I had to do something or I’d have gone round the bend. Grey, grey and more grey.� She laughed suddenly, though her expression was wry. “You know, if I work here long enough, I can just see myself cackling like a lunatic as I run up and down the corridors throwing paint at the walls.� She gave a mock-thoughtful frown. “I think Croll would look quite fetching in a creative splatter of gold and puce.�

Remus chuckled too at the mental image of Croll’s pointed nose dripping with hurled colour. “I think I’d pay good money to see someone throw paint at Arcadius Croll.�

The warm smile on Felisha’s face took Remus back by twenty years. “So speaks a man who has clearly met our charming Chief of Medicine. Trust me, you’d need to join the queue.�

Again they shared their laughter and the years seemed to drop away into the corridors of Hogwarts castle as he shared patrol and a shy joke with a pretty, curly haired prefect from Ravenclaw. He remembered the tentative beginnings of a nervous friendship with a girl he’d admired for a while but somehow never found the nerve to speak to, quiet study sessions in the library, usually suggested by a Lily who would inevitably remember some urgent appointment that needed her immediate attention and depart hurriedly with a grin. And he remembered the way all those fragile bridges had come crashing down on the day that Sirius Black had ushered her into the Prefect’s bathroom just as he had been pulling himself from the water…

His laughter abruptly died as the wash of briefly-forgotten awkwardness flooded back across his senses. The look on her face…

Felisha’s laughter dried away in tandem with his creeping blush. She sighed deeply.

“Remus, this is silly,� she exclaimed, the steel in her voice parrying her own embarrassment ruthlessly. “For two intelligent, reasonable adults in their thirties to continually let some foolish teenage prank ruin every conversation they have – we can’t let this go on. We let our friendship at school dwindle away because of that stupid night and now look at us! We used to be friends, Remus, and now we can barely manage to string together a civilised conversation!� She took a deep breath. “I wanted to talk to you now because I wanted to ask that we put this whole business behind us. I want us to make a fresh start. A start without all this damnable blushing.� Firmly, she thrust one hand out towards him, palm extended. “Hello,� she said with measured cheer. “Nice to meet you. I’m Felisha Hathaway.�

Remus stared at the hand. He stared at Felisha. And then he reached out, enfolded her fingers in his own and firmly shook her hand.

“Remus Lupin,� he said with a slowly dawning smile. “Nice to meet you too.�

Felisha gave a rueful chuckle. “Now, wasn’t that easy? Not a blush in sight.�

Remus joined her. “Oh yes. My cheeks are as pale as ever.�

Felisha cocked her head thoughtfully. “I’d suggest covering you in puce and gold but I’m not sure that those are your colours. Though a nice burnt orange and a bit of forest green would offset your eyes very nicely.�

Remus shook his head, determined to ward off further blushing. “I’ll bear that in mind the next time I want to be splattered with paint.�

As her laughter faded, Felisha glanced towards the door. In the quiet lull that followed their moment of levity, Remus could distant voices at the end of the corridor.

“I’d better let you get on.� Felisha brushed absently at her dark brown ringlets. “Considering the mood that Rebekah has been in recently, I don’t like to think what she’d say if I made you late.�

Reality re-imposed itself with a dull thump. “I suppose so.�

“But we’ll catch up.� Felisha’s smile was sincere. “We can meet for a drink – I’ll owl you about it. You’ll be at Hogwarts?�

Remus nodded. “That’s right.�

“Good.� Felisha smiled again. “Do you want me to take you back?�

He shook his head. “I think I can find my own way. But thank you.� He smiled, genuinely. “It was nice to have a proper conversation again.�

She shared the smile. “Wasn’t it just? I’ll be in touch, Remus. And I’ll be utterly unembarrassed about it.�

He glanced back over his shoulder as he turned towards the door. “I look forward to it.�

And then he stepped out into the corridor and headed back towards reception with shoulders that felt oddly lighter and cheeks that were remarkably cool, shared laughter ringing in his ears. For the first time in more than twenty years, he’d just held a reasonably normal conversation with Felisha Hathaway. He’d honestly never thought he’d see the day. A part of him half expected to see a flying pig flittering down the dull grey passage ahead of him for after what had just happened, almost anything seemed possible. Perhaps Rebekah Goldstein would greet him warmly and offer to teach him to play the maracas. Perhaps Arcadius Croll would crack a genuine smile.

The loss of Felisha’s potential friendship had always been one of his life’s great regrets.

But perhaps it wasn’t too late to change that.

* * *

Remus’ buoyant mood lasted until he arrived back in reception to find Tonks-as-Undine engaged in a slightly glassy eyed conversation with a pair of strangers. Cymone had disappeared, presumably behind the slightly ajar door of Rebekah’s office and Remus had a strong suspicion as to why; although the tall woman in researcher’s robes with dark, flyaway hair and a vaguely Trelawney-like air seemed harmless enough, the man at her side wearing plain brown robes and sporting a brown goatee was flexing a rather mangled right hand that bore the unmistakable drag of canine teeth.

“…and I find a few songs of hope and peace do wonders for the brewing process,� the woman was saying, her long fingers tracing the outline of a series of Celtic pendants and zodiac symbols hanging on leather thongs around her neck. “Wolfsbane is such a delicate potion but even volatile ingredients can be soothed by the presence of harmony and goodwill. I make sure to cleanse every negative thought before I even touch a cauldron and Dolph here has told me that the love behind my Wolfsbane can be found within the taste…�

Tonks glazed eyes alighted upon Remus with an almost desperate air. “Professor!� she hailed with a heartiness that made woman beside her jump slightly. “Why don’t you come and meet Zelia? She’s the Institute’s Potions Mistress.�

The woman smiled in an unnervingly ethereal manner. “I’m Zelia Phelan,� she introduced herself breezily. “And you must be Professor Lupin. Your mother developed the Wolfsbane potion, I believe?�

“That’s right.� Potion brewers, it seemed, came in all shapes and sizes, Remus mused as he accepted Zelia’s outstretched hand, oddly aware that she was the first member of staff besides Felisha to willingly touch him. Snape was as bitter and sour as his ingredients, taciturn and unhelpful; his mother had been cheerful and practical in her approach, never disheartened by a failure or over-inflated by success. And now here was Zelia Phelan who sang songs over her potions and cleansed her negative thoughts before brewing. Remus couldn’t help but think that if cleansing negative thoughts were necessary to potion making, Snape would never be able to touch a cauldron again.

“A wonderful development,� Zelia intoned with a vague smile. “It has made a great difference here at the Institute. Wouldn’t you agree, Dolph my dear?�

The man’s smile was rich with dry tolerance. “Very much so, Madam Phelan,� he replied, his voice soft and deep and tinged with the slightest hint of a Germanic accent. “Many of the residents had never been able to acquire the potion prior to their… arrival here.�

Zelia’s pale eyes suddenly opened wide. “But where are my manners? Professor Lupin, this is Dolph Greymoor. He was recently appointed as ombudsman to represent the needs of our residents to those of us charged with their care; he is, in fact, the only resident we have here who is permitted on Level Five. Dolph, this is Professor Lupin, a fellow werewolf and a teacher at Hogwarts School.�

Dolph’s neat eyebrow rose slightly. “Truly? The werewolf teacher? I had heard of you, Professor, but given my…� he cleared his throat slightly, “...unfortunate situation at present, I had never thought to cross your path. An honour indeed. Though I hope you’ll forgive me if I don’t offer my hand.�

He raised his damaged right hand into view with a slightly ironic twist of the lips. Remus fought down a wince as his eyes ran across the vivid red tooth marks torn out of the flesh, the twisted thumb and the half missing middle finger and the continued scrape of scars along the wrist that thankfully vanished from view beneath a sturdy leather wrist guard that he could only suspect was necessary to support the damaged tendons. The wounds did not look more than a year or two old.

“I was bitten early last summer.� Dolph answered the unspoken question; it seemed that Remus’ curiosity had registered in his eyes. “I was part of a research team in the Black Forest and we had a quite unpleasant encounter one full moon night. I came to England in order to learn about the Wolfsbane potion but there was an…incident during my stay.� He shook his head. “I should have been more careful. But I am not a bitter man, Professor. If I truly am as much a danger as I briefly became, then it is better I am here. I would not wish to see anyone else get hurt.�

Remus felt a painful stab of guilt. By the law of the land, he too should have been incarcerated here twice over, living side by side with Dolph and the other residents; he too should have been trapped with no more to look forward too in life than the next experiment on the research calendar. It was not a life he wanted, not a life he felt he deserved but it was the life that had been forced upon men and women like Dolph who had probably never come nearly as close to turning feral as he had. He had been lucky; he had a loyal family and influential friends like Dumbledore and Moody who had protected him from such a fate as this. So many others had no such luck. But they no more deserved this place than he did.

He felt a well of helpless fury surge within his chest. This whole building was a travesty. It wasn’t fair.

“Professor Lupin?�

He looked up. Alexander Aylward, the security guard, was standing impassively in the mouth of the corridor.

“If you’d like to come with me,� he said in his rumbling baritone. “Professor Goldstein and Dr Croll are waiting for you on Level Six.�

Remus gave a polite nod. “Of course.�

“We must also be going.� Zelia smiled beatifically. “We must take today’s Wolfsbane down to distribute amongst the residents. Dolph?�

The urbane werewolf nodded respectfully in Remus’ direction. “Again, professor, a pleasure. And you, Miss Blackwood.�

Remus and Tonks both returned the gesture. With a slight smile, Dolph turned and followed Zelia into the lift. A moment later, both had sunk from view.

Remus turned to Tonks. “You’ll be all right here, Undine?�

Tonks’ smile was slightly pointed. “I’ll entertain myself, Professor. Just like I did before.�

He longed to tell her to take care but such an admonishment would have sounded strange from a Professor leaving his assistant to sit alone in a grey room. “Have fun then,� he said softly instead, placing the true weight of his meaning into his eyes. Her slight smile implied that the message had been received and understood.

“I will,� she replied.

With a final smile, Remus turned and made his way over to join the unsmiling Aylward, who fell in at his side without a word. Remus felt himself take a deep breath as he approached the lift to Level Six. On the one hand, at least he knew what to expect. But on the other, it was still Kane.

And Rebekah. And Croll.

In other words, it had all the makings of a fun afternoon.

7: A Little Entertainment

Nymphadora Tonks watched Remus go and felt herself give a weary sigh.

Poor Remus.

It would have been a lie to say that she wasn’t more than a little worried about him – even the world’s thickest prat could see the stress that the weight of this place and fresh encounters with what was left of that utter git Kane was inflicting upon his mind and emotions. He had been through so much already and yet somehow fate managed to just keep his troubles coming. There was no denying it. Fate stank.

Especially considering it had seen fit to shove him into the midst of the – ahem - infinite joys of the Feral Institute and its staff, an insane feral and a potential Death Eater plot. It just wasn’t fair.

She did her best to help, of course, surrounding him as much as she could with laughter and banter, with silliness and jokes, or just an understanding ear to lighten the load that he carried. It was always so easy to be with him once he did let himself relax, their daft chats and conversations flowing like a bubbling stream, untamed, un-dammed, unstoppable. She had to admit that when she had first encountered the pale, tired-looking werewolf who had smiled wanly at her in the kitchen of 12 Grimmauld Place at her very first Order meeting, she couldn’t have imagined he’d end up being one of the best mates she’d ever had.

True, she also teased him with a ruthless lack of mercy on the subject of Felisha, but that was not just for the fun of it; there was something oddly endearing about watching her usually calm and reasonable friend dissolve into a flustered mess at the memory of a teenage embarrassment and it certainly took his mind off other things. Beside, strangely, it was almost reassuring to realise that once upon a time, Remus had been as much a hormonal teenager as the rest of them. Somehow, it made him more…more…

An appropriate word failed to materialise. But Tonks knew what she meant.

She smiled.

Well anyway, back to business. It was time to entertain herself.

To be honest, she had intended to lurk around in reception being vapid and perky with Cymone until Remus returned from his visit with Rebekah and Kane. The assistant had proved a valuable source of information on their last encounter, one Tonks considered to be worth re-tapping; but before she had the chance to even open her mouth, the little woman, who had until that moment been watching Remus and Aylward depart together with an oddly pensive expressive, suddenly shuffled her ever present handful of papers, muttered something about filing and abruptly vanished in the other direction.

And Tonks found herself suddenly alone.

It was then that she noticed the door to Rebekah’s office had been left ever so slightly ajar.

Hmmm…

She glanced left. The corridor was empty and silent. She glanced right and saw the same. The lift was still and showed no signs of motion.

Zelia and Dolph had gone downstairs. Rebekah, Croll and Aylward were upstairs with Remus. And now Cymone was filing.

She was not going to get a better chance than this.

She could almost imagine the look on Remus’ face when she told him about this. She could certainly imagine the look on his face if she was caught. But this was no time to faff around.

Grasping her clipboard firmly in one hand, Tonks crossed the reception in a few swift steps, turned the handle and stepped hurriedly inside.

The room beyond wasn’t as large as she’d expected, a small blocky office utterly lacking in windows, its walls lined with bookshelves, cabinets and boxes piles with files and folders. A broad desk dominated its centre, quill pots inset into the stained wood next to neat wooden trays stacked with documents and a red notebook propped against a square open-topped box filled with a crisp pile of notepaper. Two photo-frames had been precisely placed in one corner; the newer showed a smiling, brown-haired man laughing and waving as he slung his arms over the shoulders of a teenage boy and younger girl while the older, grainier image showed a family of five, two parents, two girls and a younger boy all smiling from the front lawn of a decent sized stone house set against a backdrop of hillside. The younger of the girls bore a noticeable resemblance to Rebekah.

Aside from the photos, the room was bare of any decoration. There was no dust, no mess and not a paper out of place. There was an almost stiflingly clinical quality to the cleanliness here that almost reminded Tonks of her visit to the Dursleys. Raised in clutter as she was, such orderliness always seemed distinctly unnatural.

There were also a great deal of places in which to poke around for clues. The bookshelves were crammed. Folders and files were neatly piled all around the office. There were several locked cabinets and the desk had five closed drawers.

In other words, she had kappa in hell’s chance of covering everything before Remus got back.

Great. Just great.

Take your time, Remus, she thought silently. Now is not the time to rush.

The shelves would take hours and probably so would the cabinets. No, trawling through all that stuff was pointless; the best bet for now would be to stick with the desk.

She glanced at the immaculately stacked papers, painfully aware that was unlikely to be able to return them to a similar state of perfection once she had rifled through them. Besides, how likely was it that an intelligent woman like Rebekah Goldstein would leave evidence of a Death Eater conspiracy lying in the open in her in-tray?

Drawers then.

She tried the first drawer on the right. It was locked. She tried the second. It was also locked.

The third burnt her fingers.

Darting back in shock, Tonks just managed to catch the older family photo that the jerky sweep of her elbow had sent flying. Sucking one tender finger, she replaced the photo carefully as she examined the drawer with irritated eyes.

Bugger.

Warded. Seriously warded. Possibly even wand-sealed.

Tonks allowed herself a moment to swear. She felt that she’d earned it.

More in hope than expectation, she moved to the left and tried the fourth and fifth drawers too. But they neither opened nor burned; both were locked and placid.

She sighed deeply. As far as she could tell, no additional magics appeared to be in place on the four more innocent drawers – a simple alohamora would probably do the job. But would anything that opened with a simple alohamora be worth finding?

No. The only draw worth fiddling with was the third drawer on the left. And that wasn’t looking very likely.

Never simple, is it? Never flipping simple.

If it was wand-sealed, the battle was lost before she started – without the wand of Rebekah Goldstein or someone else authorised to access the contents, an army of rampaging giants wouldn’t be able to drag the drawer open. But if it was just a ward, then maybe…

She hadn’t wanted to mess about with magic – she had no idea what kind of security precautions the Institute might have in place to detect illegal use of a wand. But the very fact that this drawer was so comprehensively locked suggested that any information significant to the investigation was likely to be kept inside and Merlin alone knew if she’d ever get a shot like this again. She had to try or there was just no point in coming.

But if there were alarms…

Bloody hell. I wonder if they’d believe I was still looking for the toilet.

Do it. Just do it.

Placing her clipboard carefully down upon the polished desk, Tonks reached for her wand.

And then she heard the footsteps.

“…think I left it in Rebekah’s office, Felisha. Hang on, I’ll take a look…�

Cymone!

There was no time to morph, no time to get out, no time to do anything but swipe her clipboard off the desk and dive unceremoniously beneath it. She winced as she heard the clatter of the box of notepaper tumbling to the floor, its loose sheets tumbling across the carpet and drifting near the desk to join her, victims of a glancing blow from her fingers. The red notebook bounced once and fell open just beside her, notes in a concise, neat hand visible against a slant of light. A tatty scrap of paper had fallen free from its pages and landed with a gentle forward drift upon her foot.

But it was too late to undo the damage, to tidy, to cover her trail – the door creaked open and Cymone’s booted feet came shuffling into the room.

Holding her breath, Tonks pressed her herself back against the dark wood as hard as she could, clutching her clipboard tight against her chest. Her eyes drifted to the sheets of paper scattered mere inches from her left leg, to the notebook all but touching her hand. If Cymone bent to retrieve them…

“What the…?�

Stubby, silver nailed fingers closed around the fallen paper box, lifting it from the floor. Tonks heard it drop with a clonk onto the wood just above her head.

Please leave the paper, please leave the paper, please leave the paper…

Cymone was muttering rather bad-temperedly as she fiddled around on the desk. “…should just leave it… not a bloody servant… Accio notepaper!�

With a flutter, the papers cascaded into the air. Tonks felt the tattered note upon her foot twitch slightly, but it did not follow. She could hear Cymone shuffling the paper as briskly piled it back together within its desk top container.

But there was still the notebook.

Perhaps Cymone had not seen it, would not see it as it lay, half in, half out of the light. Perhaps she could hide it, pull it out of sight; but if Cymone had seen it fall, decided to look under the desk for it, that would be the end of that. Or maybe the other way was the answer; perhaps if she could just push it a little further away, just far enough so that she would not be seen or felt when Cymone leaned down in search of it…

She glanced down at the open pages almost desperately, grasping her wand. Perhaps a subtle pushing spell…

And then she caught a glimpse of the writing. And froze.

Need Lupin, it said. Underlined three times.

Pushing spells were forgotten. Her eyes locked on the page as she hurriedly drank in the rest of the visible words.

It was a diary. The date was almost a month previously.

Need Lupin before first test but keep out of lower levels. Establishing non-rec vital for hold; subject may die w/out it. Care needed - hold fragile but lapse corrected. Also require back-up for res. D-tests – after full moon? Acquire Lupin if possible – v useful for HW work if successful…

“What’s that doing out? Accio Diary!�

And then the diary was gone, whipped out of sight as Cymone’s feet rounded the desk briskly. Tonks shrank further back into the shadows, daring not to dwell on the confusing words she had just read in an effort to concentrate on not getting caught… don’t bend down, don’t bend down, please don’t bend down…

A wand tapped against the third drawer on the right. There was a flare of blue.

“Liber Emitto!�

Liber Emitto. Wand-sealed. Damn!

The drawer opened. Tonks caught the briefest glimpse of something red and diary-like clattering against the corner of what appeared to be a dark, ebony box but before she could get a better look, the drawer slammed shut, flared blue again and locked with an audible clunk.

“Cymone?� A vaguely familiar female voice drifted in from the reception area. “Are you all right?�

“Coming!� For a few moments more, Tonks heard Cymone bustling about above her, and then, thank Merlin, Circe and Nimue, she turned and scurried out, closing the door behind her. Muffled voices sounded in the reception beyond.

Tonks allowed herself to release the breath she had been holding. Dear Gods, that had been close!

And the diary – why hadn’t she looked in the blasted diary when it was just sitting on the desk? Need Lupin for first test, acquire Lupin if possible… What did that mean? Just what did they want with Remus?

She fought a chill. Nothing good. She’d bet that much.

Suddenly Tonks really wanted to be anywhere but inside the Feral Institute. And she really, really wanted Remus to be elsewhere with her.

Just what was being done to him up there?

She had to get out of this office. She had to get him out…

She started to rise.

“Ow!�

Pain, bright and vivid, echoed through her skull as the top of her head impacted solidly with the underside of the desk. Stars danced before her eyes – she rolled sideways to lie gasping on the floor, dropping her clipboard as she clutched her crown, fighting back the waves of pain. Biting her lip she forced herself to rise, gathering together her scattered clipboard papers hurriedly – she spotted the tatty scrap of paper that had dropped out of the diary and swept that up too - as she scrambled to her feet. She glanced resentfully once at the third drawer on the right, but a wand-seal was a wand-seal – she wouldn’t be getting that open in a hurry. The call with Cymone had been too close. She had to get out of here.

Staggering to the door, she gathered herself sharply and placed one ear against the wood. She heard no voices. Tentatively, nervously, still struggling against waves of pain, she turned the handle and slowly peered around the door.

Reception was empty.

Well, at least something had gone her way.

Moving rapidly, Tonks stepped back into reception and turned to close the door behind her.

“What are you doing?�

Tonks jumped violently, her eyes darting back over her shoulder. She froze.

Felisha Hathaway was standing in the mouth of the corridor, hands on hips. She was regarding her with outright suspicion.

Tonks smiled as brightly and vapidly as she could as she clutched her clipboard, her throbbing head blanking her mind of any excuse as she desperately turned to face the researcher with Undine-esque blitheness. Almost unconsciously, she found herself jiggling on her feet.

Felisha’s eyebrow raised as her eyes drank in the strained smile and the nervous shuffling. The corner of her mouth twitched slightly.

“If you’re looking for the toilet,� she remarked helpfully. “It’s just down the hall.�

Tonks’ smile was the dawning of utter relief. “Oh really? Thanks ever so, I do get turned around in here!�

And then clutching her clipboard, she turned and fled the reception, breathing deeply in and out as she rushed away from Felisha’s slightly bemused stare. Thank Merlin for nervous twitching!

8: Back and Forth

Remus’ reception on his arrival with Aylward in the outer chamber of Kane’s cell was about as warm and friendly as Severus Snape’s dungeon. Croll, who was measuring what Remus suspected was a powerful sedative into a vial, honoured him with an oily smirk and a nod. Rebekah, who was gazing through the clear glass with a strange intensity, raised one eyebrow as he entered but otherwise failed to acknowledge him at all.

As Aylward closed the door behind them, Remus lingered awkwardly for a moment, his eyes straying to the glass pane and the imprisoned feral beyond. Kane’s chamber looked much different than it had before – the blankets and pillows had been restored to an unruly pallet in one corner, the wooden bowl and what appeared to be a chamber pot sitting battered if intact on a small shelf on the wall opposite. The walls bore the scars of past temper tantrums but the damage was slight and easily ignored. After the previous chaos, the calm within was almost eerie.

And in the centre of the floor sat Kane. He was cross-legged, his robe ragged at the cuffs and stained with food, his hair tangled and his eyes wide as he gazed down with intense concentration at the scruffy red ball that he was batting between one hand and the other. He seemed utterly absorbed by the motion.

“The ball calms him.� Although Rebekah’s gaze did not shift from the feral, her voice drifted out towards Remus and his quizzical stare. “We’ve no idea why. But it does at least mean we’ll be able to enter the cell today. He rarely loses his temper when he’s playing with it like that.�

Remus felt himself shiver slightly. Memories tugged against his mind, Kane’s claws at his throat, his full moon teeth tearing chunks out of skin and fur… Although he had quite decisively come to terms with the events of the previous autumn, it was hard to shake the overhanging recollections of all that the feral had done. He had not realised until that moment just how much he had been hoping that Kane would once again be too upset to disturb.

Croll’s eyes fixed upon his suddenly pale features. He smiled unpleasantly.

“No need to worry, professor,� he drawled unctuously, tapping one long finger against the vial he had just filled. “Mr Aylward and I will be standing by if Kane becomes unruly. This sedative induces a rapid stupor in even the most hardy of feral constitutions.�

“We’re wasting time.� Abruptly Rebekah turned on her heel, wheeling towards Remus with a stern and unyielding glare as though he and not she had been the one delaying. “Croll, make sure to take notes. Professor, if you’d join me?�

In spite of private flare of resentment at being so commanded, Remus bit his lip and fell in at Rebekah’s side. “What exactly is the plan?� he asked softly, carefully concealing any hint of nervousness or discomfort from his tone. “Just walk in, wave at him and see what happens?�

Rebekah’s lip curled slightly in the corner. “Essentially, yes. We need to look for any sign of recognition, any hint that his previous feral personality may still be present, however fractured, within his mind. We need to establish whether or not he still poses a danger.�

“By confronting him with me.� Remus fought back another shiver. “The one person whose presence is most likely to enrage him to the point of violence.�

“It’s sound scientific method.�

“It’s waving a red rag to a bull to find out whether or not he’s blind.�

Rebekah’s smile was more than a little unnerving. “But we’ll certainly know the truth afterwards. Wouldn’t you agree?�

Oh yes, Remus thought sardonically to himself. If he rips me to pieces, he remembers me. An indisputable truth indeed. And somehow, I doubt she’d mourn me.

But he prudently chose not to voice these thoughts out loud. And Rebekah simply absorbed his silence and smiled again.

At the small, heavily locked door that led into Kane’s cell stood Aylward, his wand tapping out an intricate pattern to release the spells that bound it. Bracing himself, he gave the door a final rap and stepped back.

The door opened.

And then Rebekah Goldstein stepped inside and beckoned him to follow.

The smell of Kane’s cell was less than inviting. Stale sweat, old food and a hint of blood mingled with the stench of ammonia and just the slightest tinge of fur that implied that this was also the place where Kane endured his transformations. Remus gagged briefly in the doorway, bravely fighting down the urge to retch as his mind flashed up unpleasant half-remembered images of the Shrieking Shack. The odour there, born of too many moons alone, had been much the same.

Rebekah waited in silence a few yards inside as he joined her, still fighting to ignore the stench as he clenched his hands at his sides. Aylward did not close the door behind them but stood, looming, wand at the ready by the entrance. Behind the invisible glass, Croll could not be seen.

Kane did not move. He did not look up. He did not make any sign that he was aware that he had company.

Back and forth went the ball…

Rebekah cleared her throat. “Abraham,� she said, her voice low but firm. “Abraham Kane. Look at me.�

Kane did not look. He did not even twitch. Back and forth went the ball, back and forth, back and forth…

“Abraham Kane.� Rebekah’s was louder now, more strident, more commanding. “You have a visitor. Look at your visitor, Abraham.�

But he did not. He did not look. He did not care for anything, it seemed, but back and forth, back and forth, always back and forth…

“You see?� There was frustration and annoyance in Rebekah’s tone. “He doesn’t respond. He doesn’t even recognise his name.�

But Remus knew why.

It wasn’t his name.

It was sometimes easy to forget that the full truth of his family’s history with the feral known as Abraham Kane was not public knowledge. Thanks to the work of the ever-charming Rita Skeeter, most of the wizarding world was aware that Kane had been responsible for making Remus a werewolf at the tender age of just three years but few if any knew of Kane’s true motives for the attack and both Remus and his father were happy to let it stay that way. He’d been accused of collaboration with the feral in the past and knowing they shared a link by blood would have been fuel to feed a fiery blaze.

But with that link concealed, as was Kane’s true name, the name he had only abandoned after being bitten by the werewolf Hel. And with his feral mind now gone…

“May I try?� The query was soft.

Rebekah shrugged. “Be my guest.�

Carefully, quietly, Remus leaned forward, resting his hands against his knees. “Abel,� he said quietly.

Back and…

The ball rolled unheeded, unstopped, away into the corner. Brown eyes fixed upon him with an intensity that was alarming.

He heard Rebekah gasp. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the shock and confusion that registered on her features.

“Hello Abel,� he repeated softly.

The eyes did not leave his face. They burrowed into him beneath frowning brows, deep, sharp, piercing, searching his expression with a sudden dawning, a hint, a twist and then a flare of something Remus had prayed he would not find within his gaze.

Recognition.

“You.� The words were low, uncertain. “I know you.�

He knows me. Oh Merlin.

But how can that be? Unless…

“Aylward.� A step behind him, Rebekah’s voice was filled with alarm.

“Wait.� Remus raised a hand that forestalled that security wizard’s advance, desperately fighting down the urge to get the hell out of the room with all the strength he had. Appalling as the prospect was that some part of Kane remained, something was nagging at him, a sense, a feeling, that this wasn’t right somehow, that things weren’t quite as they seemed. A suspicion was whispering within his mind. And in this of all things, he had to be sure…

Ignoring Rebekah’s distinct look of fear, he turned back to face Kane’s bright eyes. “How do you know me?� he asked gently. “Where have you seen me before?�

“You came.� Kane spoke the words almost as though he was unaware of them, as though speaking thoughts out loud. “You came to the place where many children were. You came to see me there.�

“Hogwarts.� Rebekah’s voice was agitated. “Professor, he clearly remembers, we need to leave before…�

“Just a minute.� He heard the researcher’s huff of anger as he raised his hand once more. “I don’t think he means Hogwarts.�

He turned back to Kane. “Why did I come?� he said, maintaining his quiet and level tone as best he could. “Why did I come to see you?�

Kane’s voice was suddenly sharper, harder, almost accusing. “A home. You said I could have a home. You said I could come home with you.� His eyes narrowed. “You said you were my uncle.�

Dad.

Of course.

The anxious hand that had closed around his heart released its grip abruptly. Kane wasn’t remembering him at all. Abel had mistaken him for the uncle who had come one day to the children’s home and asked if he’d like to be adopted. He had mistaken Remus for Reynard…

“Uncle?� There was a strained note to Rebekah’s voice now. “Professor, what…�

“He doesn’t remember me.� Remus’ interruption was quiet but firm. “There’s no need to worry, Rebekah. This isn’t Kane the feral; it’s the ten-year old boy. He’s mistaken me for my father.�

“Your father?� There was an acid note to Rebekah’s confusion. “Why would he do that?�

Remus breathed deeply. It was safe to say that Rebekah Goldstein was one of the last people alive with whom he wished to discuss his family history.

“We look very alike,� he remarked vaguely.

The dodge did not go unnoticed. “That isn’t what I meant. How does he know your father, Professor?�

Remus sighed. It seemed there was no avoiding it. “Because my father almost adopted him once,� he admitted, carefully dancing around the fact that the adoption had been offered because Kane had been Reynard’s sister’s only son. “When he was orphaned, my father considered taking him in. He changed his mind.� He pursed his lips wearily. “That was one of the reasons his feral self later targeted us so deliberately. Or rather targeted me.�

Behind him, there was silence. Rebekah, it seemed, was at a loss for words.

“You didn’t come back.� The words, low but distinct, drew Remus’ attention instantly back to Kane. The feral was half crouched now and something unpleasant was gleaming in his eyes as they roamed over Remus’ face with gradually swelling hatred. “You left me there.�

The cold fist clenched around his heart once more as he realised the sudden danger. Mistaken identity was no protection. Abel had hated his father before he had ever turned feral.

He rose slowly, carefully, his eyes never leaving Kane’s contorting features as he took one soft step back. His eyes flickered towards Rebekah.

“Time to leave. Now.�

Rebekah could read the danger signs as well as he had. “Agreed.�

“You went away…�

“Aylward.� This time Remus did not forestall the security man’s approach, as he backed with agonising slow caution in the direction of the door. Now was not the time for sudden moves.

“You went away and never came back.�

“Aylward!� Rebekah’s voice was shrill. Kane’s eyes glowed with rage.

“I hate you.�

Three yards to the door…

“I hate you!�

Two yards…

“I hate you!!!�

One…

“Hate you!!!� With a scream of fury, Kane launched himself forwards with fingers outstretched as though to tear the very air apart and cast its shards against his foe. “Hateyouhateyouhateyouhateyou!!!�

“Stupefy!� Aylward’s curse caught Kane squarely in the chest, hurling him backwards with violent force, but it was immediately clear that whatever his mental state, his feral resilience to magic remained; with only a slight shake of the head, he came back to his feet, face filled with hurt and rage. Aylward’s normally impassive expression blanched slightly but he held his ground, wand extended against the fresh charge as the feral barrelled forwards once more.

“Hateyouhateyouhateyouhateyou…�

Half through the doorway, Remus fumbled for his wand. Behind him, Rebekah’s was already drawn.

“Impedimenta!�

“Imperio!�

And everything was still.

Aylward’s Impediment jinx had slowed Kane. But the Imperius curse of Rebekah Goldstein had stopped him dead.

Remus stared in disbelief. But Rebekah’s eyes never left Kane.

“Croll,� she said sharply.

Still half-shaken by shock, Remus stepped hurriedly aside as Arcadius Croll strode through the doorway, vial of potion extended in one hand before him. He held it out to Kane.

“Drink it,� Rebekah commanded. “Drink it all.�

Mindless and obedient, Kane took the vial from Croll’s fingers and downed it in a single gulp. For a moment, he simply stood. But then his eyes rolled towards the ceiling, he swayed and teetered on his feet and then collapsed in a heap on the floor.

With a brisk motion, Rebekah shook herself and sheathed her wand. “Aylward, put him on his pallet,� she ordered with a remarkably casual air. “Croll, check his vital signs. Professor, join me please.�

Remus was only to happy to step out of the cell as the two men moved to obey Rebekah’s commands. He could feel his heart thumping; his mind was racing with shock. How could that have happened? How could…?

“Professor, don’t look at me like that.� Rebekah’s brusque interruption cut into his confusion. “I have the permission of the Minister of Magic to perform that curse. If you insist, I can show you the documents.�

“It’s not that.� Things were clicking into place in Remus’ mind, settling into a pattern that filled his chest with icy dread. It had not occurred to him before, not even crossed his mind for it was such an absolute, unshakeable fact of lycanthropy. But Rebekah’s theory explained that fact too well and now…

Now it would work. For Kane, the dubious safety net was gone.

And maybe that was just what the Death Eaters wanted. Just what they needed in fact.

And the implications of that were appalling.

Abruptly, Remus turned to face Rebekah, praying his eyes did not expose the shakiness he felt. “I’m not shocked that you used an Unforgivable, although it was rather a surprise,� he said, his voice resonating through the small chamber. “I’m shocked because it shouldn’t have worked in the first place.� He breathed deeply. “I’m shocked, Professor Goldstein, because you are the first person who has ever successfully used the Imperius curse on a werewolf. And that is quite a feat.�

Rebekah’s smile was cool and calm. “Well, Professor,� she replied. “Not, it seems, anymore.�


A/N: For anyone who hasn’t read Oblivious, or can’t remember this particular factoid from that vast ream of information ;), here is a quick summary of Remus’ speech on the subject of werewolves and the Imperius Curse from way, way back in Oblivious Chapter Six:

“Now, the Imperius Curse, as I’m sure you’re all aware, puts the human mind into a dreamlike state in order that it be more pliable, more open to suggestion. The victim must then watch helplessly as his or her body performs acts that they themselves do not wish. I have been told that the experience is quite blissful at the time.� Remus paused, resting one hand against the wall. “Excepting the bliss, being placed under the Imperius Curse is very similar to what occurs with the mind of a Wolfsbane-free werewolf at full moon… The human part of the mind fades, drops into a kind of numbness as the wolf’s mind takes control… But the human mind is, in some part, still aware. The senses of a werewolf are very different to a human’s, very difficult to interpret and comprehend, so the images the human takes away from the full moon are confused, half-forgotten, vague impressions, no more. But you always know that you are trapped – that this is your body, what’s left of it, and you have no control. The wolf can do as it pleases and you can only watch… The same, as every werewolf knows, applies to the wolf during the rest of the month. It is, to some extent, aware. Waiting. And that is why the Imperius Curse is ineffective. The moment the victim’s mind succumbs to the curse, it replicates the numbing of their mind at full moon. The moment the human mind shuts down enough for it to be controlled, the wolf steps in and takes over.�

Hermione gasped. “It makes you transform?�

“No, there is no transformation. A werewolf can only change form under the full moon… It is a kind of inverted Wolfsbane effect. The wolf’s mind takes over the human body. And there are few forces on earth more powerful. If the caster of the Imperius is lucky, they are simply thrown backwards by the force of their expulsion. If they are unlucky, the power of the backlash could kill them.�

9: Vulnerable

“Oh Merlin.�

From her seat opposite him, alone in their warded compartment of the Muggle steam train, Tonks stared at Remus with wide eyes and pale features, her fingers twitching nervously with the papers of her clipboard. A narrow, winding valley flashed past the windows, casting flickers of light and shade across her face.

“You think that’s it?� she whispered softly, her tone rich with fear and horror. “You think that’s what the Death Eaters want with Kane? With the Institute?�

“I’m certain.� Remus leaned back wearily against the rather threadbare pattern that covered the seats, gazing at the passing landscape without really seeing at all, his mind lost to the prospect of potential horror that had so recently taken an unshakable hold in his thoughts. “Folke said Imperius first. He realised the awfulness of this as much as I have.�

Tonks was shaking her head slowly back and forth. “But it’s just Kane who’s vulnerable,� she said, a hint of something close to desperation edging her tone. “I know that’s bad but is one werewolf under an Imperius curse at full moon so much more dangerous than he would have been without it?�

Remus closed his eyes. “Possibly not. But imagine the prospect for Lord Voldemort – creatures as dangerous as a werewolf at full moon on his side, but without the risk of them turning on their allies or handlers in the heat of battle. No need for bribes or tricks or promises – one spell and they have a killing machine at their disposal that can increase their numbers with a single bite.� He fought down a shiver. “There are more than forty werewolves in that building alone, Tonks, and the Dementors are answering to Voldemort now. A few well-placed Kisses and the Death Eaters will find themselves with an army that are werewolves on the full moon, feral for the rest of the month and completely under their control.�

“And every full moon bite increases their ranks. Until we’re completely outnumbered.� Tonks swallowed hard. “Bloody hell, Remus. What are we going to do?�

It was a good question. And at the moment, Remus had no answer to it.

“I don’t know,� he replied honestly. “I suppose on our next visit to the Institute, we’ll have to…�

“Wait… what?� A look of unmistakable alarm flashed across Tonks’ features as she sat bolt upright. “What do you mean next visit?�

Remus gazed at her with frank surprise. “In a fortnight. Rebekah’s asked me to come back again. She says there are a few more things she’d like to try.�

Tonks’ fingers clenched. “I’ll bet there are,� she almost snarled. “Remus, weren’t you listening when I told you about that diary entry?�

Remus met her glare calmly. “I was listening.�

“Well then, perhaps you missed the subtle inference?� The Auror regarded him fiercely. “Need Lupin, acquire Lupin, talking about tests... It’s glaringly obvious, Remus; they want to do this to you.�

“I had spotted the implications.�

“And you still want to go back? To lock yourself in a high-security building full of people who want to suck out your soul and use you to kill?�

Remus closed his eyes, laying his head back quietly as he listened to the rattle and clunk of the trundling train. “I’ve thought of that, Tonks,� he said softly. “But if I don’t go back, what then? We have no proof we can take to the Ministry. No one else from the Order will be able to get access to the Institute in time. We are the only ones who can find that evidence or are in a position to do anything about it. It’s a risk for me, yes, but a risk I have to take.�

Tonks hunched forward, her eyes suddenly intense. “Then let me take the risk instead. Next time we go, you can polyjuice as me and I’ll morph into you. That way…�

Remus’ eyes snapped open. “No.�

“Remus…�

“Absolutely not.� It was Remus’ turn to sit forwards, his face now just inches from hers. “Do you think I would ever, ever agree to putting you in that kind of danger? That it’s somehow more acceptable for you to risk getting Kissed in my place?� He shook his head emphatically. “Out of the question, Tonks.�

Her eyes flared. “But I can’t protect you any other way in there!�

“I’ve never asked you to protect me.�

“I know that. But it doesn’t stop me wanting to.�

There was a long silence. Their eyes locked. Remus was suddenly, almost uncomfortably aware of how close her face was to his.

The whistle of the steam engine echoed the length of the train and Tonks jumped violently, spilling her clipboard and its loose sheath of papers across the floor of their compartment. Swearing fluently, she scrambled off her seat, forcing Remus to sit back hurriedly to avoid a clash of heads. She shot him an apologetic glance and he smiled at her as he leaned down towards the window instead, gathering a few loose sheets and a tatty little scrap of grubby paper that had drifted out from in amongst them.

“So bloody clumsy,� Tonks was muttering to herself as dropped back into her seat, grasping the untidy bundle of loose paper she had gathered in one hand and the weak clipped clipboard in the other. “I need to get a folder or something less spillable. No, hang onto those for a sec, mate, while I sort these out,� she added, forestalling Remus’ offer of the papers he had gathered. “It’ll just be more to drop again otherwise.�

Smiling, Remus settled back, glancing down as he placed the papers on his lap. They were mostly cover – notes on werewolf research, on the history of the Institute and new theories about Wolfsbane, not to mention…

Bound. Trapped.

Remus froze.

There they were. Two little words, scrawled upon the tatty scrap that he’d swept up but barely noticed, written in a hand that shook so wildly that the script was hard to read. But it was also unmistakably familiar.

The wild handwriting on the potion and blood stained tip off note that Kingsley had shown him that first morning in the briefing after the death of Folke had been exactly the same.

“Remus?� Tonks had noticed his distraction, her heart-shaped face filled with curious concern. “What is it?�

He touched the scrap, lifting it and holding it up. “Tonks, where did you get this?�

For a moment, her expression was bewildered but then recognition flared. “It was in the diary!� she exclaimed. “It fell out under the desk when I knocked it off. I picked it up with my papers after I hit my head, but after that close call with Felisha I completely forgot I had it. Why, what…�

He handed it to her wordlessly. She took it with a frown, glanced down and froze just as he had.

“The tip off,� she whispered.

Remus nodded. “Which means the tip off probably came from someone in the Institute.�

Tonks blinked. “A trap?� she said at once. “To lure you there maybe?�

He shook his head at once. “Not me, I don’t think. The message was sent to the Aurors. Even if they knew of my links to you and Kingsley, how would they have known that any message would reach me?�

“Then a real tip off? From someone who knows what’s really going on and doesn’t like it? Or possibly can’t do anything to stop it?�

“That seems more likely. Especially given the sentiment of that note.�

Tonks swallowed. “A prisoner?�

“Possibly.�

She shook her head. “But then why would this have been tucked inside Rebekah Goldstein’s diary?� Her face paled slightly. “Unless the note-sender got caught by Rebekah…�

Remus gave her a long, slow look. “Don’t jump to conclusions, Tonks. For all we know, she sent it.�

“You’d think she’d be happier to see you. And that she’d have tried to say something in all that time you and she were alone.�

Remus shook his head. “Tonks, we don’t even know for sure that was her diary.�

“It was on her desk. Cymone put it in her drawer.�

Frowning, Remus reached down and rooted for a moment in his pocket. “Here,� he said, holding out the now rather battered and well-folded scroll that had provided his initial invitation to the Institute. “This was from Rebekah. How does the handwriting compare?�

Tonks ran her eyes over the crumpled paper. Her brow creased instantly.

“It was dark under that desk,� she ventured.

“Tonks…�

“All right, all right!� Tonks thrust the scroll back into his hand. “It doesn’t look the same. But we don’t know that Rebekah wrote that note personally!�

“She signed it.�

“But she might not have written it out. She’s got an assistant for menial tasks like that, remember?� The Auror pulled a face. “Remus, why are you being so awkward about this?�

Remus sighed. “You’re assuming she’s the Death Eater?�

“You’re assuming she’s not?� Tonks waved the note with a flourish. “Remus…�

Remus gave a long sigh. “I’m not trying to be annoying. But if the events of the last few years have taught me anything, it’s that one should never assume the obvious to be true. Look at Sirius. Everyone though he was guilty, didn’t they?� Tonks winced slightly and he managed a reassuring smile. “If we close our minds to other possibilities, we may become so caught up in our assumptions that we miss the truth. I’ll admit – you have several very compelling points that I will bear in mind. But I’m sticking with innocent until proven guilty for now.�

Tonks cocked an eyebrow. “You have far too much faith, Remus Lupin. She has a wand-sealed drawer in her office and a diary containing secret notes about doing tests on you. She’s openly hostile towards you but keeps on inviting you back. And she cast the Imperius curse on Kane when any other spell would have done. That all sounds pretty guilty to me.� Suddenly she clicked her fingers. “Of course! That’s why she was so keen to find out if Kane recognised you! She wanted to be absolutely sure his feral half was gone! She must know the dangerous of Imperius on a werewolf, she’s an expert on them. And if some hint of the wolf had remained…�

“She’d have been injured by the backlash.� Remus completed the thought, trying to ignore the sudden cold chill in his chest. “Possibly even killed. She had to be absolutely sure her werewolf essence theory was correct before she could risk trying it for herself…�

“Exactly.� Tonks sat back with an emphatic nod. Her eyes were suddenly bright. “And they’ll need more tests,� she added suddenly. “Because she only Imperiused the mind of a deranged ten-year old. Who’s to say trying to Imperius the werewolf side wouldn’t be just as dangerous as it normally is?�

“They’ve a long way to go with this.� Remus’ voice was soft against the slowing clatter of the train as it approached the pretty little village station. “At least if we assume that really was the first Imperius she’s tried. They’ll need more tests. More werewolves.� His eyes hardened. “We have to find a way to get downstairs next time. To the residents level. We have to know what’s really happening down there.�

“The level that her diary says she wants you kept out of,� Tonks added, accepting the last of her papers as she came to her feet. “Agreed. Still think Rebekah’s innocent?�

Remus pulled a face. “Just let me keep an open mind, all right?�

“You do that.� Tonks grinned. “And I will remain suspicious, if that’s okay with you.�

“If you must.�

“I must. And my suspicious mind says she’s got a fortnight to work with. If only we were going back sooner…�

“There’s nothing we can do about that.� Remus rose too, pulling back the compartment door as they joined the gaggle of tourists stepping off onto the platform. “We know better than anyone that you don’t get into that place unless you’re invited. And you’re still assuming it’s Rebekah. A lot of people have access to that office. I say again - we don’t know the diary was hers.�

“I’m going to run checks,� Tonks declared, shuffling her papers as she followed Remus out of the platform gate and towards a quiet corner of the car park. “Rebekah, Croll, Cymone, Aylward, Zelia Phelan, Dolph – even Felisha.� She shrugged apologetically but he smiled his wan agreement. “I want to know if anyone with access to that office has even so much as brushed past a Death Eater in the street.�

“Good idea.� An old fashioned car started up nearby with a shudder and a bang. “Come on, let’s get back to Hogsmeade. I think Dumbledore will want to hear about this.�

Tonks nodded, joining him as he stepped behind the concealing bulk of an empty white transit van. And then, as the classic car coughed and spluttered its way out of the car park, the two cracks of their apparation went quite unnoticed.

* * *

The full moon glowed deeply before it was swallowed behind the concealing bulk of clouds that sat over the mountains. But its influence was no less intense.

Remus stretched his lupine form from paw to tail tip, wishing heartily as he did so that the tension that strung his muscles taut could be attributed entirely to the stress of the change. But life was not so simple.

Dumbledore had absorbed their suspicions regarding Rebekah Goldstein and the potential Imperius cursing of werewolves with grave-eyed concern. But his assessment of the situation had echoed Remus’; there was distressingly little they could do until their next invited visit. With help from Kingsley, Tonks had devoted every moment she could sneak whilst at work to research the staff of the Institute but thus far she had not managed to dig up anything of relevance to the investigation. The profound distraction of a Death Eater attack on Muggle tourists in Devon had rather stymied her attempts to find spare time.

Remus, on the other hand, had not even had the consolation of investigating. With the help of Madam Pince, he had tracked down Rebekah’s book on ferals in the Hogwarts library, not to mention a dull and tedious tome on the physiology of shape-shifting species by Croll and he spent those hours not used to teach or mark trawling through in search of any glimmer of useful information. He had yet to find a thing.

And so, all things considered, Remus had found himself more than a little tense by the time Wednesday night’s full moon had rolled around. With that in mind, he had prepared himself carefully, taking his last dose of Wolfsbane promptly, wand-sealing his office door closed and placing his clothes and wand safely into a desk drawer. Aware of the necessity of remaining as calm as possible for an easy transformation, he had arranged his surroundings with intent for a relaxing night, laying out a plate of sandwiches in case he grew peckish, charming a music box to play the soothing tones of Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis on a repeating loop and placing Croll’s book open within reading distance – even if he couldn’t be bothered to read it, he thought more with longing than any real intent, it would give him something to chew on. It was a nice thought but he knew deep down that the wrath of Madam Pince would be fearsome to behold if he were to dare.

And then he had opened the window slightly, settled down with a cushion under the gaudy yellow blanket that Molly Weasley had given him for his birthday and waited for the contortions of moonrise.

And they had come, as they inevitably did.

A half hour, perhaps, had passed now since the change. Remus had chewed half-heartedly at one of the sandwiches for a while and glanced down at Croll’s book for a few minutes before coming to the conclusion that he just couldn’t bring himself to care about anything it said. So instead he had closed his eyes, allowing the music to wash over him and lull him into the quiet of sleep. If nothing else, he needed the rest…

“Ow!�

A flare of light jerked Remus back from the dark abyss of sleep, punctuated by the sharp rattling of the door handle. Vaguely, he could hear voices.

“Look, he’s not moving! He’s not answering! The door is magically sealed! You heard what McGonagall and Dumbledore said! What if he’s been attacked? Alohamora!�

As Remus blinked, the door flared again. There was another yelp of pain.

“Don’t think that’s helping, mate,� came a second, much sleepier voice. “Maybe he’s just dropped off at his desk…�

The music was sweeping once more through a stirring passage but it was not enough to obscure the familiar voices that had dragged him from his snoozing.

Harry?Ron?

“In the dark?� was the fierce reply. “And why would he seal the door?�

“Harry…�

Oh dear. Remus struggled to rouse himself as a voice pierced the wood of the door sharply. It was not an easy task. Half asleep and dozily forgetful of his present less than human condition, he started to call out but the resultant gruff bark was entirely obscured by the swell of the music. Not that it would have mattered as he routinely placed one-way silencing charms over his office door at such times of the month. Without his wand, nothing he could do would make Harry hear him.

And Harry, it seemed, aware from the Marauder’s Map that his teacher was inside but unable to hear his reply or enter the heavily sealed door, had for some reason jumped to the conclusion that he was in danger…

“Professor Lupin, are you all right? Professor? I know you’re in there, I’ve got the map! Are you all right? Why is the door locked?�

Wearily, Remus reminded himself to ask Professor Sinistra about Harry’s OWL Astronomy marks. He had clearly forgotten the current phase of the moon.

“Look, we’re coming round, okay? Just hold on! Ron, come on!�

Coming round? Remus wanted to cry out. Coming round to where?

The sound of running footsteps could be heard vanishing down the corridor. With a weary huff, Remus sank his muzzle into his cushion and slowly shook his head. Why on earth Harry had decided to come and see him at this time of night, he really had no idea. But if he hauled the castle into uproar over a mysterious attack on Remus that really wasn’t an attack at all…

Oh good grief. Snape will have a field day if he hears about this…

Once again, there was little he could do but wait for the inevitable and so wait he did. The room was dark now, the guttering lantern on his desk extinguished as he slept, the sun fully set, the moon lost behind thick tufts of Scottish cloud. The wind whistled softly past the open window…

The window. No, surely Harry wouldn’t…

Harry would.

He heard the approach of the broomstick just moments before a pale face crowned with scruffy black hair swept into view outside the window. Green eyes peered intently into the room as a poised wand darted into view.

“Lumos!� The wand flared. “Professor Lupin?� he bellowed just as a second head, a dishevelled mop of red hair over a sleepy freckled face also hovered into view.

Remus stood up.

And with a considerable sense of timing, the moon chose that moment to slide out from behind its concealing cloud and bathe the scene in silver light.

Harry stopped dead. Ron blinked.

“Blimey,� he said.

Clearly being curled up on the floor with cushions and a Molly Weasley blanket, eating sandwiches, reading and listening to classical music was not exactly how Harry and Ron had expected a werewolf to pass the full moon. In spite of himself, Remus couldn’t help but feel vaguely embarrassed.

He considered smiling but was rather concerned it might appear to be baring his teeth. He settled for cocking his head in what he hoped was a friendly manner.

Harry’s mouth was working silently. He swallowed hard. “I…� he managed. “Professor Lupin, I’m really sorry, I completely forgot it was…� He gestured helplessly towards the gleaming moon. “I wanted to talk to you but… It can wait. It really can.� He gave an awkward frown. “I’m really sorry,� he said again. “I’ll just… go. Come on Ron.�

Harry’s dark head vanished from view. Ron’s lingered a little longer.

“I’ll tell mum you liked the blanket,� he remarked sleepily. “’Night, Professor.�

Remus nodded slightly as Ron too vanished back into the night before dropping quietly back onto his cushion and absently staring into the darkness.

Now what on earth had that been about?

Out of his vague sleepy memory, something stirred. You heard what McGonagall and Dumbledore said…Those had been Harry’s words. Just what had he overheard now? What was so urgent that he had come looking for him in the middle of the night?

He felt a cold chill. What had he found out?

He forced himself to calm. There was no point in worrying about it now. It wasn’t as though he could track Harry down and have a heart-to-heart with him in his present condition. Come the morning though…

Huffing wearily, Remus settled back down to the strains of his soothing music. But it was a long time before he fell asleep.

10: Into the Open

Morning came and with it, a blessed return to humanity. There was always something deeply satisfying about waking up, aching but human, and realising another full cycle of the moon lay between him and another wolfish night. But relief did not prevent his tiredness and nor did it waylay the personally important necessity of not letting his condition impact upon his job.

“So,� Remus hoped very much that no students in his fifth year Gryffindor and Ravenclaw class had noticed his attempt to stifle a yawn as he leaned against his desk, quietly praying for the imminent bell and a much needed lunchtime nap. “In conclusion, what is the most important thing to remember when dealing with an object that has potentially been cursed?� He ran his eyes over the sea of hands. “Luna?�

Luna Lovegood smiled vaguely. “Look out for Spurglepuffs,� she remarked dreamily. “They feed off cursed objects, you know. And if you let a Crumple-Horned Snorkack lick over it, you can tell if the object is cursed by the colour its tongue goes…�

Remus was rather proud that he managed to keep his face so straight. “A unique, if rather unconventional approach,� he remarked as titters rose from the rest of the students present. “But I was looking more for something we had covered in class. He hesitated a moment before making his next selection. “Ginny?�

The youngest Weasley’s smile was slightly strained. Remus had kept a careful eye on her throughout the lesson, aware that this was a subject to which she was likely to be sensitive; but despite the edge that her lingered in her eyes throughout, she had given no overt signs of distress and Remus had taken care not to draw attention to her until now. “Don’t touch it,� she said softly. “Don’t talk to it or try to cast any spells on it. If in doubt, leave well alone. And…� She hesitated only briefly. “Never trust anything that thinks for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain.�

Remus nodded, his smile reassuring. “A succinct and accurate summary, not to mention a fine piece of addition advice. Five points to Gryffindor.�

Ginny’s sincere returning smile was punctuated by the bell. Remus raised his voice over the immediate clatter of books and quills tumbling into bags. “Homework, please read chapter ten of Arestor Curetes’ Banishing the Darkness and summarise how you would recognise and deal with a cursed object in your home. Two foot by next lesson please and remember we’ll be testing what you’ve learned on a couple of items I’ll be hexing with an itching spell so unless you want a very uncomfortable time, I’d read up.� He joined the gentle chuckling of his students. “Thank you all. Now go to lunch.�

With kind of jostling clammer that only a class full of hungry pupils could muster, the fifth years bustled out of the classroom, chattering and laughing. Luna Lovegood departed dreamily, her bulging eyes raking the ceiling as though it was the most fascinating thing in the world; Ginny Weasley on the other hand, lingered briefly in the doorway, flashed her teacher a quick and grateful smile and was gone.

The moment the clatter of the departing hoard of students had faded down the corridor, Remus closed his eyes and allowed himself to fold into his chair. Moving aside Rebekah’s book and the fifth year textbook, he crossed his arms flat on the desk in front of him, yawned widely and lowered his head into their embrace.

Merlin, he was tired. No matter how much sleep he got on a full moon night, it never quite seemed to be enough to cover the sheer bone-wrenching exhaustion of transforming from man to wolf and back again in the space of just one night. And of course, he had not slept as much as he could have…

Harry. Tired as he was, Remus had not been able to muster the energy to go in search of James’ son and discover just what had brought him to see his teacher at that particular time of night. That it could not have been anything desperately urgent had been reinforced by the fact that Harry was not, as he had half expected, waiting urgently outside his office door at moonset; instead the young man had settled for merely catching his eye awkwardly at breakfast that morning and sharing with him a half nod that Remus had interpreted as I’ll speak to you later. But Remus had to admit, he had not expected later to be as late as this. Perhaps he should…

“Professor Lupin?�

Remus raised his head. Harry, Ron and Hermione stood clustered in the doorway.

Harry looked uncomfortable. Ron looked rueful. Hermione looked outright annoyed.

Fighting back another yawn, Remus sat up slowly and beckoned them inside. They obeyed wordlessly, Ron pausing only to pull the classroom door shut behind them before joining his two friends in front of their professor’s desk. Settling back in his chair, Remus managed a smile.

“So,� he said quietly. “Now that I can talk, what can I do for you?�

A tinge of red touched Harry’s cheeks. “Look professor, I’m really sorry about last night,� he said, the words spilling out in a bit of a rush. “Now I’m not doing Astronomy, I’d kind of lost track of the phase of the moon…�

“I could have told you,� Hermione’s voice was clipped and terse. “If you’d asked me.�

Ron glanced at her sharply. “You’re the one who wanted another look at that Gold-thing woman’s book!� he exclaimed irritably.

“Yes, but I didn’t mean for you two to go sneaking…� Hermione cut herself off with swift abruptness as she caught Harry’s warning look. Glancing down at her teacher’s desk, her eyes alighted on the topmost of the two books that Remus had earlier pushed aside. Her face flushed slightly pink.

A somewhat clearer picture of events was forming in Remus’ mind. “Let me guess,� he said softly as the three teens regarded him with sudden apprehension. “After hearing my conversation with Tonks, you wanted another look at this.� Gently he lifted Rebekah’s book in one hand. Hermione’s expression was answer enough. “But on going to the library, you discovered the only copy had been taken out and could not persuade Madam Pince to share with you who had it. So last night, you, Harry and Ron, decided to sneak down to the library under James’ cloak and take a peek at her records. How am I doing so far?�

“A bit too well,� Harry remarked wryly.

Remus grinned outright. “How easily you forget I shared a dormitory with your father and Sirius for seven years. Now let me see – you searched her cards and found that the book had been lent out to me. On consulting the Marauder’s Map, you found that I was alone in my office and decided to bite the bullet as it were and ask me outright if you could borrow it. But on arriving at my office, you found the door sealed closed…� He trailed off thoughtfully. “You know, Harry, I can understand that you might have been a little concerned at finding my door warded. But I have to ask – what on earth made you so convinced I was in imminent danger?�

Harry and Ron exchanged a long troubled look. Hermione frowned.

“We’ve been looking into this Feral Institute you mentioned,� she admitted with a sigh, wincing slightly at the slightly reproachful look on her teacher’s face. “And what little we can find has made it pretty clear that, Death Eaters or not, it isn’t a place that any werewolf wants to be. Werewolves who go in there only tend to come out…well, dead.�

“And then last night,� Harry picked up the tale. “As Ron and I were leaving the library under the cloak, we heard Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall walking along nearby. And they were talking about you.�

Remus frowned. “Me?�

“Yeah,� Ron said, his freckled nose wrinkling with concern. “Saying how dangerous what you were doing was and how worried they were that some people they just called them would come along and lock you up or even try to kill you now that they had proof you were a target. And then when we found your door was all warded and you didn’t answer…� Ron’s voice dropped to a hush. “We thought this they might have already tried something.�

Remus smiled slightly, fighting a cold chill that wrapped around his heart. Dumbledore was that worried? Well, that was reasonable enough, he supposed – after all, he wasn’t exactly joyful about his situation himself. And it certainly explained Harry’s over-reaction the night before but flattered as he was by the three Gryffindors’ obvious concern for his well being, it still did not change the fact that this was not Harry, Ron or Hermione’s problem. But how on earth could he say as much without making Harry feel as though he was once more left in the dark?

“Harry,� he began gently. “Your concern is appreciated but as I said before, this really isn’t something you need to worry about. There is no specific threat against you or the school…�

“We’re worried about you, Professor,� Harry interrupted sternly, his green eyes flashing. “Not ourselves.�

“And I’m worried about me too,� Remus admitted candidly – three pairs of eyes blinked in surprise at the statement as he leaned forwards, his gaze pointed. “But I’m not going to let that stop me doing an important job that only I can do. Honestly, believe it or not, I’m not going into this blinkered and I can look after myself. And you certainly don’t need to sneak around libraries researching it for me.�

“But we want to help!� Ron burst out suddenly. “We want to do something!�

Remus smiled gently. “And I appreciate that. I really do.� He sighed, steepling his fingers as he propped his elbows on the desk in front of him and rested his nose against his fingertips. All this dancing was getting them nowhere and if he simply brushed them off once more, he could only imagine that Harry, Ron and Hermione would throw themselves into their investigations with even greater fervour. But perhaps…

“Look,� he said suddenly, carefully avoiding the gaze of three pairs of expectant eyes. “Whatever I say, you’re going to keep looking into this aren’t you?� Their stubborn expressions were answer enough. “Well, then,� Remus sighed. “I can’t see how telling you this will make you any less worried but at least it will stop you making up scenarios all your own.� He looked up sternly. “But you have to promise me that if I tell you’ll stop investigating. And I hope I can trust you to have the good sense not to spread anything I tell you around.�

“Of course, Professor!�

“We promise!�

“We won’t say a word!�

“Well then.� Remus leaned gently back in his chair once more, trying to fight the feeling that he was making a terrible mistake. “In that case, take a seat and I’ll begin…�

* * *

All things considered, Harry, Ron and Hermione had taken the news about a potential army of Imperiused werewolves surprisingly well. Harry’s jaw had hardened grimly, Ron’s lip had twisted nervously and Hermione’s thoughtful frown had deepened with concern but none of them had displayed any outward signs of panic. Instead they had calmly, if uncertainly questioned him on the matter and he had responded accordingly, providing Hermione with an appropriate booklist to study her defences and agreeing with Harry’s assertion that he would immediately if subtly start the DA practising suitable non-direct spells useful for driving a transformed werewolf back. And then they had departed, slightly pale and unusually quiet but otherwise showing no outward sign of nervousness.

Remus wondered if he’d done the right thing. But it was too late now.

Besides, coddling and protecting Harry the year before had led them to disaster. He was sixteen years old. It was time to start trusting him.

And then he thought of Sunday and wondered whether his father would now be ready to grace the same favour upon him.

Friday and Saturday had passed with quiet uneventfulness. He had met Tonks for a drink in the Three Broomsticks on Saturday night, where the Auror had informed him with profound irritation that information regarding the backgrounds of the Feral Institute staff had been restricted to a clearance several levels above hers.

“I can ask Kingsley to have a look,� she had told him, as she had twisted and contorted a napkin bad-temperedly between her fingers. “He’s got clearance high enough. But Umbridge…� she had paused and mock-spat, “has erected this great wall of bureaucracy that you have to climb to get any information these days and Kingsley’s so busy at the moment that Merlin knows when he’ll be able to find the time. I don’t fancy our chances of getting a look at those files before the Millennium. Sorry mate.�

They had drowned their sorrows together with butterbeer for a couple of hours before going their separate ways – Tonks down the floo to her flat in London and Remus on foot back to Hogwarts. And so the night had passed and Sunday had sluggishly dawned, drizzly and grey, the sky heavy with the weight of April showers.

And Remus had gone home.

The weather in mid-Wales was little better than it had been in the highlands of Scotland, grey skies and drizzling rain that shrouded the surrounding trees, still mostly leafless in spite of the onset of spring, in a grim and swirling mist. The cottage of Winter Hollow was pale and slightly blurred, its bookend chimneys rising half-hidden out of the cloak of cloud, its red front door bleached of colour. Wrapping his cloak tightly around him, Remus hurried across the meadow towards the muted glow of light against the windows and let himself quickly inside.

“Remus?�

Remus glanced up as he pushed the door closed, meeting his father’s eyes with a smile. Reynard smiled warmly back as he leaned against the doorframe of the living room, his stance easy enough in comparison to the previous fortnight’s tension to allow a touch of relief to swell in Remus’ chest. But still, as he looked closer, around the edges of his father’s eyes and in the set of his shoulders, there lingered an undeniable uncertainty, a slight apprehension as he watched his son hang his cloak on the peg beside the door and move over to join him.

In spite of a ridiculous temptation to flood his father with the questions he had previously refused to answer, Remus forced himself to quell the whisper of worry in his mind. Instead, he simply tossed a glance towards the kitchen.

“Are we eating out today?� he asked with deliberately careful cheer. “Only I don’t smell a roast from Mrs Wenn.�

“No, no roast.� Flexing his crippled knee awkwardly, Reynard made his way slowly over to his familiar chair by the fire. Damp weather always affected him this badly, but Remus knew his father’s pride well enough not to offer any kind of help. “I asked her not to come today. I had a feeling you would want to talk before doing anything else and there’s no point in letting good food get cold.� He smiled slightly ruefully as he settled the garish green Molly-Weasley blanket over his obviously painful knees and poked his cane at the embers of the fire to make them flare. “I think I should congratulate you on your restraint, son. I half-expected to be hoisted up by my robes and shaken for answers as soon as you walked through the door.�

Remus chuckled softly as he settled on the settee beside the window, rubbing one hand unconsciously up and down his wrist as his mind flitted awkwardly back to several similar imaginary encounters that had flashed through his head in the prior fortnight. “Oh, it was a close run thing,� he replied with careful lightness. “But my fingers aren’t what they were. I decided I’d catch you unawares and quietly grill you over the fire instead.�

“At least you had a plan.� Reynard twitched his cane slightly between his fingers as he settled back against the cushions, a familiar gesture of his own nervousness. “But honestly, Remus – the smell would have been terrible.�

Remus shrugged wryly as he crossed his legs and leaned back. “Son of a Potions Mistress and an Exterminator, remember? My nostrils were desensitised before I reached five. I’m immune to foul odours.�

Reynard cocked an eyebrow playfully but his smile was tight. “In other words, you mean the scent of your mother’s concoctions burned your nose hairs off.� He clicked his fingers in mock annoyance. “I knew we shouldn’t have given you the bedroom over the kitchen.�

“Not to mention the piles of kappa droppings in the yard. And the stench of you dissecting red caps on the kitchen table. And…�

“All right, all right.� Reynard raised his hands in wry defeat. “You had a smelly upbringing, I admit it.�

“And a loud one. What with mum blowing up the kitchen and your menagerie out the back and mum telling you off about your menagerie in the back…�

“We were terrible parents.� Reynard admitted with a more genuine grin. “I’ve never pretended otherwise. I mean people only have to look at how badly you turned out to tell…�

Remus returned the grin broadly. “Living here did teach me one valuable lesson. I learned how to sit quietly and block out the world as all hell broke loose around me. Given who I shared a dormitory with, I’d never have passed a single exam without that skill.�

“Nice to know I made a difference,� Reynard remarked with a sudden air of careful nonchalance. “I’ll thank you to remember that when you have me strapped to a spit, the stench of charred parent wafting on the breeze.�

Remus smiled again. “Weren’t you listening? I’ll be able to ignore you nicely as you rotate away.�

There was no doubt this time – the lightness of his father’s tone had slipped into uncertainty. “But then how will you hear my answers? And for that matter,� he smiled wanly, “what were you planning to ask me?�

Remus’ felt his smile droop rather as the daft conversation dropped abruptly back into seriousness, back into the lap of the subject that both had been skirting. “I was hoping you might just start to talk,� he ventured.

“I might have been a little distracted by the flames.�

Remus gave him a stern look. “Dad.�

“Sorry.� Reynard raised an apologetic hand at his brief but blatant attempt at humorous diversion. “Let’s forget the metaphorical torture for now. I asked you here to talk about something… something important that’s happened to me in the last few weeks. Something I want to share with my only son.�

Remus fought back a ridiculous chill in his chest as Tonks’ suggestion for his father’s odd behaviour reared irrationally against his memory.

“Look, dad,� he said suddenly, determined to head off any potential awkwardness the older man might feel in confessing such a liaison. “I think I know what you might be about to say and I just want you to know that if you have decided to start… seeing someone, I wouldn’t dream of being anything but happy for you and I know mum would have only wanted to you to be happy too…�

“Remus, slow down.� Reynard sat slowly forward, regarding his son with suddenly wide eyes as his fingers tickled his cane once more. “What on earth are you talking about?�

There was a substantial pause. “About you seeing someone?� Remus offered at length. “A female someone?�

Reynard stared. “Remus,� he said slowly. “I’m married. Remember your mother?�

Remus immediately felt distinctly silly. “I know. But my friend Tonks suggested you might be meeting someone on some kind of date the day we saw you and that you’d been widowed for a long time…� He trailed off at his father’s incredulous expression. “I told her it was daft,� he finished wearily.

“Completely daft,� Reynard agreed with a nod. “Honestly, I thought you knew me better than that. For me, there is no woman in the world that could ever compare to your mother.�

“I did say that to her.�

“I should think so.�

Remus frowned. “All right, I’m sorry. But if you weren’t meeting a woman, who were you meeting?�

The twitching hands stilled. Reynard’s eyes lifted slowly to fix upon his son’s.

“My brother,� he said softly.

There was a lengthy silence.

Whatever Remus had expected, it wasn’t that. Though in hindsight, he wasn’t quite sure why.

“Your brother?� he repeated at last, his voice equally soft. “As in Rolphe Lupin? The brother you haven’t seen or spoken to in thirty years?�

Reynard nodded slowly. “Until two weeks ago, yes.� He smiled wanly. “I don’t know why you’re so surprised. You’re the one who told me I should get back in touch with him.�

“I…� Remus breathed deeply. “Dad, that was four months ago. When you didn’t say anything, I suppose I assumed you’d decided against it.�

Reynard’s smile grew rather rueful. “No, just working up the courage. And I think the same was true for him. It took him over a fortnight to reply to my letter.�

Remus’ mind flashed back to the three months wait and significant push from the Order it had taken to get him to accept Rebekah Goldstein’s invitation, not to mention his days of procrastination before deciding to visit Kane prior to his Kiss. Clearly indecisiveness on matters of great personal importance was a bit of a Lupin trait.

“What did he say?� he asked softly.

Reynard shrugged but his casualness was obviously false. “That he wanted to meet in person and talk at the Three Broomsticks that Sunday. And that he wasn’t angry with me any more.� He chuckled dryly. “That’s why I was…well, jumpier than a grindylow in a hot cauldron, as you so diplomatically put it when you saw me that day. I was about to see my little brother for the first time in more than thirty-three years.�

A slow realisation was dawning on Remus. “Not to mention it must have been rather nerve-wracking to have your werewolf son appear when you were about to have a delicate reunion with a man whose wife and son were killed by the same werewolf that bit him.�

Reynard flushed instantly. “You know I don’t think like that, Remus.�

“But you didn’t know that Rolphe didn’t,� Remus offered easily. “Dad, don’t worry. It makes perfect sense.�

Reynard still looked uncomfortable. “I’ll admit, I did wonder. But as it happens, he was quite reasonable about it.� He smiled slightly. “He’s rather warmed to you since you brought his wife’s killer to justice.�

Remus raised an eyebrow in slight surprise as vicious headlines and misleading articles danced before his mind’s eye. “Considering Rita Skeeter’s charming piece of venom in the Prophet, I’m surprised he didn’t tar me with the same brush.�

“Oh he did, at first.� His father smiled more fondly. “But apparently you’re his grandson’s favourite teacher. And he told Rolphe that Rita’s report was utter dragon dung. Apparently, the boy even signed your petition.�

Remus laughed outright. “Good to know,� he chuckled as his mind skimmed over class lists. So I teach my uncle’s grandson? Since he was fairly certain that he would have noticed another Lupin in the register, Remus could only assume the grandson mentioned belonged to one of Rolphe’s daughters.

“What’s the boy’s name?� he asked curiously.

“You know, I forgot to ask.� Reynard was smiling more easily now. “But I doubt I would have remembered anyway. You know he has nine grandchildren from four of his five grown up kids? The eldest lad’s at Hogwarts and another couple are due to join him next year. And his youngest daughter’s had a baby just last Christmas.� His smile turned slightly bittersweet, his eyes a little wistful. “It’s probably a good thing my father left him the family home. The three of us would have rattled around rather in that big old house compared to Rolphe and his hoards of offspring.�

Remus felt his heart twist unpleasantly inside his chest. He knew better than anyone just how much his parents would have loved a rampaging hoard of children and grandchildren careening through their lives. But fate had not been kind in that regard – fertility problems had meant that Remus was their long awaited first-and-only child and his bite aged only three had put pay to any realistic ambitions towards a family of his own long before he’d ever had time to formulate them. Even if by some miracle he did happen across a woman brave or foolish enough to be willing to marry and have children by a werewolf and even if he were to allow such a woman to make such a sacrifice, a hoard of grandchildren clustered around Granddad Reynard’s knee did not seem especially likely.

Biting his lip, Remus forced himself to speak. “Do you know what year he’s in? Or his House?�


Reynard sat back, his eyes still a little melancholy but his smile was real. “All I know is that he’s in his teens and a Ravenclaw like his grandfather was. Rolphe was very proud of that.� The smile faltered slightly. “There’s old family tradition of Lupins in Ravenclaw, as my father was always reminding us when we were young. He wasn’t best impressed when Rhea went to Gryffindor and even less when I became a Hufflepuff like mum. At least Rolphe restored the family honour for him.�

Rafe Lupin was a subject that Remus most definitely did not want to touch upon. “He didn’t say anything else?� he deflected quickly. “If I’m teaching a cousin’s son, I’d like to at least know about it.�

His father’s smile became a little rueful. “Sorry, Remus. I honestly don’t recall. But whoever the lad is, I’m very grateful to him. It was his endorsement above all else that convinced Rolphe to write back to me. He wrote to this grandson and asked what he thought of you. The report was apparently glowing.�

Remus smiled back. “That’s very reassuring.�

The cane has begun to twitch once more. “And that is also the reason,� Reynard added softly. “That when I saw him again last week back at our family home, he invited both of us to a family dinner in two weeks time.�

Remus blinked. Had he just said…? “Pardon?�

“A family dinner,� Reynard repeated with a slight smile. “Both of us. With Rolphe, his wife, his five children and his nine grandchildren all in attendance to meet us. He’s holding it during the Hogwarts Easter holidays especially so the whole family can meet us.�

Remus stared at his father in outright disbelief. “They’ve invited me?�

Reynard grinned. “Indeed they have.�

“To dinner.�

“That’s right.�

“With their family�

Rey smiled warmly. “With our family.�

Remus struggled slightly to bring his mind into focus. “But Kane…�

“You stopped him.�

“I’m still a werewolf.�

Reynard laughed fondly. “And that’s just it, Remus. I won’t lie to you and say that Rolphe is entirely comfortable with that. But you captured Kane. You’re his grandson’s favourite teacher. And you’re my son.� He smiled. “He says he can live with it.�

Remus felt a rush of fond warmth. Acceptance was always something that he had craved far more than he had ever received. But if Rolphe Lupin, a man whose wife and son had fallen to a feral’s claws, could swallow his distrust enough to issue such an invitation, then he certainly did not intend to refuse it.

“Well then,� he said with a smile. “Then I guess I’ll be meeting the family.�

11: The Worst Kind of Hypocrite

Nymphadora Tonks stared absently at the dull grey ceiling of the Level Five reception at the Feral Institute and wished fervently that she could be anywhere else but where she was.

Almost fifteen minutes had passed since Remus had disappeared once more up into the mysterious Level Six in the company of Alexander Aylward – fifteen Merlin-cursed, everlasting minutes that seemed to drag with vicious intent so that the fears and worries that filled her mind for Remus’ safety had plenty of time to multiply and swirl in the recesses of her skull. They had met, as usual, at the Three Broomsticks on the Sunday a fortnight following their last adventure inside the Feral Institute and, once she had dragged a vow from him to take care, and he had – eventually – dragged a concession from her that he could indeed look after himself and that she could safely allow him out of her sight in spite of the acknowledged dangers, they had apparated to the pretty station of the Yorkshire steam train and set out for the Institute once more.

And here she was again, stuck in a grey and silent room worrying herself sick over a friend who had once again placed himself in the hands of people who they knew for a fact wanted to experiment on him.

Not to mention she was bored.

She also couldn’t help but wonder if Felisha had mentioned something in regards to her – ahem - search for the toilet for unlike on her previous encounter, she had not been left alone since her arrival. Zelia and Dolph had appeared briefly, deep in some dull conversation regarding the properties of Wolfsbane potion and then Cymone had appeared with a flighty smile and settled down at her desk with a bob of her dyed red head and a flick of badly applied silver nail polished fingers to do paperwork. And she showed no sign of running out of ink anytime soon.

Which left Tonks rather starved for entertainment.

She had been desperately anxious not to waste this opportunity to do a more detailed search of Rebekah’s office. A Pensieve search of her memory was out of the questions – one could not turn the pages of a remembered diary or open a remembered drawer; but given the revelations just a few brief sentences had provided, she had really wanted a chance to get a better look at the mysterious diary, perhaps establish once and for all if it was Rebekah Goldstein’s as well as conducting a thorough search for other evidence. But with Cymone settled in state at her messy desk beside the office door, not even the well-worn toilet trick seemed likely to get a result.

Bloody hell. She was an Auror. She was a member of the Order of the Phoenix. She was a creature of action, of energy! She was not built to sit and wait and wait and wait and wait…

“Bother!�

Her head shot up. For Cymone had come to her feet.

“Zelia,� the little woman declared, flourishing a piece of paper. “She never signs anything. She always says that signatures steal a portion of your soul. I’ve been saying for ages that we should get her an ink stamp.� She shook her head as Tonks gave an obligatory chuckle. “I don’t suppose you saw where she and Dolph went, did you?�

As it happened, Tonks had seen exactly where they’d gone. She’d watched as Zelia and Dolph had vanished up the right hand corridor, talking about fetching something from her lab.

But that was not the entertaining answer.

Adopting her best vapidly Undine-ish look, Tonks smiled with mindless cheer. “Downstairs,� she replied with shameless sincerity. “To talk to the residents, I think she said.�

Cymone huffed her cheeks in gerbil-like annoyance. “Typical. Are you all right here for a few minutes?�

“Fine!� The utter innocence of the word was frankly impressive considering that Tonks’ brain was currently chanting bugger off, bugger off with fervent enthusiasm. “I’m fine.� She flourished her clipboard. “I have reading to do if I get bored.�

“If you’re sure…� Cymone swept the offending papers off her desk. “I won’t be long.�

“Oh, don’t hurry on my account!� This time, the sincerity was not faked. Cymone smiled as she pulled the lift grill closed. A moment later, she sank out of sight.

Tonks was on her feet in an instant. She hadn’t bought herself long, she knew that, but even a quick look at that diary…

She reached for the door-handle of Rebekah’s office…

“Still looking for the toilet?�

Tonks jumped violently at the unexpected voice, her heart suddenly racing. She turned.

Felisha Hathaway was staring at her from the shadows of the nearest arch. But this time, the researcher did not look particularly friendly. Her arms were crossed and her forehead creased into a frown. She raised an eyebrow slowly.

And Tonks was at once sure that there would be no bluffing her way out of this one.

“I knew it,� Felisha said softly, her eyes fixed upon Tonks as though to pin her in place. “I was suspicious when I caught you last time but now I’m sure. You’re investigating us, aren’t you? You’re snooping around.�

Uh oh. I’m so doomed.

Tonks managed a wan smile. “What makes you say that?� she exclaimed with limp heartiness, her stomach twisting itself into knots. Oh, don’t turn us in, you have no idea what’s at stake…

Felisha’s expression wavered a little. “Well, that’s twice I’ve caught you at that door,� she replied with a slight shrug. “Unless you’ve caught a quick case of amnesia, you can’t have mistaken it for the toilet again. And besides…� She smiled slightly. “I knew Remus wouldn’t have chosen an assistant as apparently mindless as you without good reason. You aren’t as bubble-brained as you behave, are you?�

Several options flitted through Tonks’ mind; flight, denial, Undine-esque blankness. But slightly to her own surprise, what emerged from her lips when they parted was honesty.

“That would be hard,� she admitted wryly.

Felisha grinned outright, her severe expression melting and Tonks’ felt the tight knot that had seized her stomach loosen slightly. Perhaps she wouldn’t turn her in…

“True,� she replied candidly, her features growing suddenly more serious. “Normal procedure would be to call Security, you know. That’s what I’m supposed to do.�

The knot flexed. “Is that what you’re going to do?�

“No.� Felisha smiled gently. “Because you’re here with Remus and he must know about you because he’s not so dim as to be taken in by blank smiles and brainless cheerfulness. So he must trust you. And I trust Remus.�

Tonks smiled in spite of herself. “He’s a good man to trust.�

Felisha nodded wordlessly. Her face was pale. She looked like a woman on the verge of a plunge from the deep end. “You know something’s rotten here,� she said suddenly, her voice low as her eyes darted anxiously up and down the empty corridors. “That’s why you keep trying to get into that office. You suspect Rebekah.�

Tonks pressed her lips together but said nothing. But her silence was apparently enough of an affirmative for Felisha.

“Well, I think you’re right,� she continued, her voice now little more than a whisper. “And I think that you, me and Remus really need to have a talk…�

* * *

“Pointless!�

Rebekah Goldstein resealed the entrance to the Level Six lift with an unnecessarily harsh tap of her wand and wheeled on Remus with a look in her eye that could most kindly be described as venomous. “It seems young Abel must have really despised your father, professor, to have so violent a reaction on his every encounter with you.� She glared outright. “Unfortunately, it also means that any attempt at further research in your presence is likely to be as pointless as today. As long as he thinks you are your father, he will have none of you.�

Remus fought down a ridiculous urge to apologise for a quirk of genetics over which he had had no control. He had returned to the Institute after the passing of the requested fortnight to find - both his relief and disconcertion - no real sign that anything had changed. The now familiar routine had been observed, an escort from Cymone, an anxious and edgy Tonks left in the reception area, a trip up to Level Six and a psychotic encounter with an agitated Abraham Kane that had ended in sedation and a highly irritated Head of the Institute. Quite what tests Rebekah had intended he had been unable to discover but their thwarting was clearly a source of some aggravation.

In spite of his protests to Tonks on the train, Remus had found himself observing Rebekah Goldstein in an attempt to divine any suspicious behaviour. Thus far he had seen nothing he had not come to expect from her – her cold rudeness, her brusqueness, her unconcealed dislike of him, but there was nothing about her that outright screamed Death Eater. After all, if disliking him were a mark of evil, most of the wizarding world would be passionate supporters of Voldemort.

He half-opened his mouth, intending to offer a mild reply, but before he could speak, the wall to his right shimmered again and Croll appeared out of the lift, grasping an empty vial in one hand and his wand in the other.

“He’s out cold,� he stated without preamble. “Say what you will about Zelia’s strange beliefs, but she certainly knows how to brew a good sedative.�

Rebekah’s lips quirked. “Alexander is standing guard?�

“He is.� Croll resealed the lift with a tap as irritable as Rebekah’s before sheathing his wand in the pocket of his clinical robes. “With his usual verve and infectious enthusiasm of course.� His heavy eyebrows lifted slightly as his gaze fixed on Remus. “Our mild mannered professor here certainly seems to know how to make and impact,� he added with a smirk. “One glance and we have a rioting feral on our hands.�

Rebekah looked rather less amused. “A rioting feral that has yet again delayed our research,� she replied acidly. The smirk was wiped from Croll’s face in an instant. “Talk to Zelia. See if she can brew us a calming draft of some kind. I do not like the thought of our subject being medicated during the tests but given the strength of his feelings towards the professor, I can’t see another alternative.�

She shot Remus another icy look. Prudence would have suggested silence but Remus was not feeling particularly prudent.

“It is unfortunate,� he offered mildly. “If I may ask – what tests were you planning to run?�

Rebekah’s expression darkened, if possible, even further. “You may not ask.�

Remus felt the prickle of profound annoyance. “If I am to be involved in these tests, I think I have the right to know what they are.�

She glowered at him. “This is my project.�

“And I am involved.�

“At my invitation.�

“Exactly.� Remus was proud that he managed to keep his voice so level, especially given that he was annoyingly aware of the spreading smirk of Arcadius Croll to his right. “You invited me here. But all you have done so far is restrict my movements and snap at me.� He took a deep breath, aware of risky-ness of the subject he was about to broach with the already annoyed researcher. “For example, after meeting Dolph Greymoor, I would be interested to go downstairs and talk with some of the other residents…�

He knew instantly that he had made a mistake. “Do you think you are here for fun?� Rebekah’s voice was utter acid, her shoulders locked with instant cold fury. “That we should welcome you with open arms and give you the grand tour of our premises?� He heard Croll chuckle coldly at the remark. “You are here, professor, to assist in my experiments. Do not delude yourself that I asked you here as some kind of equal. You are here as a glorified stimulant for my test subject and nothing more.�

Well, at least she was finally being honest with him. “You still wanted my help.�
Rebekah’s eyes were daggers. “I do not need your help.�

“Then why do you keep asking me back?�

She stared at him, glacial and angry. “I’m starting to wonder.�

To his right, Croll folded his arms with an even broader smirk. Clearly this was his idea of classic entertainment.

Suddenly, Remus was tired. Tired of Rebekah and her rudeness, tired of Croll of his sneers, tired of continually having to pretend he could stand spending more than a few minutes in these people’s company. And he was tired of being the only one who didn’t say exactly what he thought of those around him.

Time to get to the point.

“For someone who makes her livelihood researching here,� he remarked almost conversationally. “You don’t like werewolves very much, do you Rebekah?�

To his slight surprise, she reacted to his frankness with a cool chuckle. “I like werewolves perfectly well, Professor,� she retorted evenly. “I just don’t like you.�

Remus felt his jaw harden. “You don’t know me.�

Her eyes seemed to gleam with hidden depths and icy fury. “I know enough. I know that a werewolf who has twice endangered the lives of innocent children has no right to walk free, let alone to still be called Professor.� Her voice rose sharply. “After what you did three years ago, running loose and unfettered on the grounds where any child could have crossed your path and yet they take you back! And again before Christmas, tempting a feral into a Great Hall packed with children and somehow still, they keep you on! Other werewolves who’ve done less are now destined to spend their lives within these walls! It’s a disgrace to the wizarding world that they even allowed you within a hundred miles of Hogwarts!�

Now we’re getting somewhere. Remus stared at her, stared at her furious face, at her flashing eyes and inside, finally, something clicked.

Any child… Goldstein…

Abruptly, several things came sharply into focus. The personal nature of her hatred, her disdainful use of his title and of course, that was why she had seemed so familiar on their first encounter – he could not believe he had not seen it sooner. She looked just like…

“Anthony.� The name escaped his lips; Rebekah’s jaw hardened tightly. “Anthony Goldstein. Sixth year, a Ravenclaw Prefect. I teach your son.�

The cold descended over Rebekah like a wave. “You endanger my son.�

A protective parent. Remus sighed. He could understand her sentiments, of course he could – what mother would want their child in such proximity to a creature who’d dangers she knew better than any other? He had had known that when he had resigned for the first time, had thought of it when he had tried to resign again the previous November – he could share her fears probably more vividly than anyone else. But genuine as they were, her feelings certainly weren’t making his life here any easier.

And it also made it very difficult for him to argue his case. Because, deep down, he agreed with her.

“I take precautions,� he stated, with far more conviction than he felt. “I’m on Wolfsbane and…�

“Wolfsbane didn’t prevent you running loose on the grounds three years ago,� Rebekah snapped back. “Wolfsbane didn’t prevent you from fighting like an animal with Abraham Kane in the entrance hall at Hogwarts. Anthony was there, the foolish boy, he helped to move an injured professor and ended up jumping into the Hogwarts harbour to escape from the danger you put him in. He was still suffering with the chill he caught that day when he came home for Christmas!�

“Anthony was very brave…�

“Anthony was very stupid!� Rebekah interrupted harshly. “He has been taught the dangers of werewolves all his life. And yet he stayed that day, in the danger you created because for some reason, he likes you! I don’t know what you have done to twist his mind…�

Sympathy was rapidly waning into failing patience. “I twisted nothing. I merely teach…�

“That werewolves are kind and gentle and misunderstood?� At Rebekah’s sneering retaliation, Croll laughed outright. “You know even more than I do the lie in such words.�

That was painfully close to the mark. But Remus forced himself to defend his position. “I have never taught such foolishness…�

Rebekah’s voice was an outright snarl. “Then you should know better than anyone alive that you should not be allowed to teach at all.� Her eyes raked over him with disdain. “You are the worst kind of hypocrite, Professor Lupin. Now get out. I’m sick of the sight of you.�

And then with a sweep of her reddish-brown hair, Rebekah Goldstein turned on her heel and stalked away down the corridor leaving a speechless Remus alone with the cruelly smirking Croll. The medical officer watched the werewolf with a curl of his thin lips.

“Oops,� he remarked cheerfully. “I think you might have upset her.�

Remus had never in his life felt such a powerful urge to thump someone. But through sheer force of will, he managed to resist it.

All his doubts about Rebekah Goldstein the Death Eater came flooding back in a rush. Now that he knew the reason for her cold behaviour, could understand it well, in fact, he could no longer attribute it to the disdain of a servant of Voldemort as Tonks had. Oh yes, her reasons for inviting him were murky at best and there was still the matter of the Imperius curse she had cast on Kane. But her treatment of him was now clearly pegged out as the resentment of an angry mother to a man who had risked her son.

The justified resentment, a part of him whispered. Because you are the worst kind of hypocrite, Professor Lupin.

“You certainly are popular.� Croll’s sneering voice broke into his moody contemplations like a slither of grease. “Why, I was talking to an old friend of mine only the other day and he was telling me how well he thought of you. Why the terms in which he spoke glowed like a dragon’s maw. He seems almost as fond of you as dear Rebekah.� The smirk was practically splitting his cheeks. “You know him quite well, I believe. His name is Severus Snape.�

Remus stared. Well that explained a lot.

“He told me about your glorious school days and your many moments of triumph as a teacher,� Croll continued with mordant glee. “He near enough exploded trying to sing all your praises at once.� With a casual swagger, the tall man turned in the direction that Rebekah had stormed away. “Goodbye Professor,� he said softly. “And after that…� he jerked his head in the direction of his colleague’s retreat. “I suspect it is also good riddance.� He positively beamed. “I’d say have a nice life but I just wouldn’t mean it. And I’d say I’d hope never to see you again but…� He chuckled nastily as his eyes drifted towards the ceiling and the cells of Level Six above. “I suspect that won’t be true. I think you may get to visit the Resident’s Level after all.�

And then Croll too turned and strolled away. He was whistling.

Remus felt himself glare at Croll’s retreating back. Birds of a feather flocked together – that was certainly true. But the question remained – if Croll was a friend of Snape’s, who else was he flocking with?

“Remus!�

Remus jumped a good foot at the hiss of his name. He wheeled round and, to his surprise, found himself face to face with Tonks-as-Undine and Felisha Hathaway. Felisha was regarding him with some concern.

“Are you all right?� she asked, her face pale beneath her dark curls. At his bemused look, Tonks grimaced.

“We heard,� she stated grimly. “Felisha and I were talking in reception when Rebekah’s charming diatribe drifted out to us. We came a bit closer to find out what was wrong and…� She shrugged slightly but Remus could read the mixture of relief and anxiety across her changed features as her eyes met Remus’. “Well, I think our future invitations might have just been rescinded.�

Remus frowned wearily. “It was my fault. I should have just kept my mouth shut.�

Felisha’s brown eyes regarded him with frank astonishment. “I’m surprised you’d want to come back,� she said bluntly. “I’m not even sure I want to keep coming back anymore and I work here.�

Tonks gave Felisha a suddenly meaningful look. “Felisha, why don’t you tell Remus what you were telling me a few minutes ago? Like you guessed, I think he’ll be interested.�

Felisha sighed slightly. “You didn’t just come here because you were invited, Remus,� she said abruptly, her words a statement not a question. “You’re here because this place stinks like a cauldron of badly brewed Wolfsbane and you and Undine want to know why.�

To say Remus was taken aback was rather an understatement. His eyes flitted to Tonks.

“Don’t look at me,� the Auror said with a slight grin. “She sussed us out all by herself.�

“It didn’t take much sussing,� Felisha gave a small smile. “Remus, you’d never work with someone so mindless, even out of pity – even your infinite patience would have been driven to sarcasm long ago. And Undine, nobody needs the toilet that much.�

Tonks laughed outright and Remus smiled. “Very perceptive,� he said.

Felisha returned the smile. “My powers of observation are infinite,� she declared dryly. She shook her head, her eyes suddenly tired. “But I barely need to switch them on to see that things are all wrong around here.�

“You’ve noticed something strange?� Remus was instantly on the alert. Felisha met his anxious eyes with a creased brow. She sighed.

“I’ve noticed everything’s strange,� she stated wearily, her voice carefully low. “In the last few months, this place has changed. There are things kept here that shouldn’t be, secrets being hidden, people behaving oddly – and there’s an atmosphere about the place that there has never been before. And I don’t like it. Not at all.� She glanced around with quick anxiety. “I know you’ve noticed that atmosphere.� She took a deep breath. “I know you’re here because of it. To do something about it, maybe.� At Remus’ look of surprise, she half-smiled. “I know you, Remus. And I know the look on your face when you’re up to something.� She chuckled slightly but then seriousness washed over her once more. “But I don’t want to discuss it here. As Undine and I just proved, anyone could be listening.�

“We’ve had a chat,� Tonks took up the thread, her voice also soft. “And made an appointment to meet later. I’ll tell you about it when we’re out of possible earshot.�

Remus nodded, his mind still racing from the conversations of the last few minutes. An unpleasant thought had just occurred. “That’s all very well,� he said quietly. “But whatever you may be able to tell us, Felisha, I don’t think it’s very likely we’ll ever be allowed back to do anything about it. I think this may be my last informal visit to the Feral Institute.�

Tonks gave him a sharp look at his implication. Felisha, meanwhile, was biting her lip. “You may be right.� She looked up suddenly. “Did I hear Croll say something about you wanting to see the Resident’s Level?�

Remus frowned carefully. “I was just curious…�

Felisha’s gaze was meaningful. “Significantly curious?�

Tonks and Remus exchanged a long slow look. “Possibly,� Tonks replied cautiously. “Why?�

Felisha’s eyes were vaguely frantic but her jaw was firm as she switched her gaze from Remus to Tonks and then back again. “Because I have access to those levels,� she said softly. “And if this is to be your last visit, I think you should have a proper look round, don’t you?�

Remus stared at his old school friend, at her fearful eyes and determined shoulders, aware that she was putting her job and, if their suspicions about this place were correct, possibly her life on the line over something she did not fully understand.

“Rebekah said no,� he told her frankly. “I don’t want to get you into trouble.�

Felisha’s smile was rueful. “Working here, I think I’m already in trouble,� she said bluntly. “I want to do this, Remus. And if we’re careful, Rebekah won’t ever have to know.�

Tonks looked at Remus. Remus looked at Tonks.

It was a risk, a risk for Felisha’s job, for Tonks’ cover, for Remus’ life. But it was also very likely to be the only opportunity they would get.

As one, they nodded.

“If you’re absolutely sure,� Remus simply said. “Then let’s do it.�

Felisha swallowed hard. “I’m sure,� she replied. “So follow me.�

12: At The Gate

It was a nervous journey. For all involved.

And who could blame them? They had no illusions about what would happen if they were caught by Rebekah. Tonks was risking her cover. Felisha was risking her job. And Remus was risking his freedom.

“There’ll be two guards at the top of the Resident’s Level lift,� Felisha informed them tersely as they sunk quietly back down towards the ground floor where the lifts to the two disparate parts of the Feral Institute met. “And another standing watch inside the Resident’s chambers themselves but he’s a friend of mine and shouldn’t bother us or tell Rebekah if I say you’re helping me with my research. The trouble will be the first pair. They won’t take my word for it alone – you’ll need to show passes. And since you don’t have passes for that level, that means that you can’t use the lift.�

Remus and Tonks exchanged a long glance. “Then how…� Tonks began.

“The emergency stairs.� Felisha’s jaw tightened grimly as the lift emerged into the ground floor chamber and came to a gentle halt. “I have clearance to open the grates without activating the alarms or the stunning spells. I’ll open the grate and you two can go up the stairs. Ignore the first floor grate; that just leads to the cages where the residents transform at full moon. But the second floor grate will take you into the secure corridor outside the resident’s refectory. I’ll take the lift and meet you there to open it. But don’t touch the grate, whatever you do. Explaining to Rebekah why either of you are lying unconscious on the emergency stairs is something I’d rather not have to do.�

She glanced around the empty lift chamber, stepped forward and then beckoned them out after her. The room was dark and quiet and almost uncomfortably still.

Felisha was casting anxious glances towards the large doors that led to the ground floor reception. “I’ll check the coast’s clear before I let you through. I really, really hope that Unwin Dempster won’t be there – most of the caretakers are nice, but he’s a mean old sod and a good friend of Croll’s. Anything we say in front of him will be relayed straight upstairs at the first opportunity.� She sighed. “Staying out of his way will be crucial.� The sleeve of her robe twisted mercilessly between her fingers; her eyes were unmistakably nervous. “I must be mad. Any one of these things is enough to get me fired all on its own.�

Remus felt a wave of guilt. “Felisha, if you don’t want to do this, we would understand…�

But the researcher had already waved a dismissive hand. “I want to do it, Remus,� she informed his sharply. “I’d rather be fired than live with the atmosphere that’s taken over here of late. This is too important. I want to know what’s going on as much as you do. And maybe you can spot something that I’ve missed.� She sighed again, deeply this time. “Let’s do it if we’re going to do it. That way…�

Her voice broke off abruptly as her eyes snapped towards the Resident’s lift shaft. They widened.

And then Remus heard it too – the rattle and clink of a lift descending.

“Someone’s coming!� Tonks’ voice was a hiss – abruptly she grabbed Remus’ arms and hauled him round to face her, her expression dropping almost shockingly into Undine’s vapid wide eyes.

“And the Professor has several interesting theories about the nature of the feral mind,� she declared loudly, her gaze switching between the slightly bewildered Felisha and the instantly faux casual Remus as the lift ground to a halt behind them. She rustled pointedly with her clipboard as Felisha hurriedly rearranged her features into a look of mild interest. “In fact, I have some notes here that you might be interested in looking over…�

“Hathaway.� The gruff voice drew their attention. “What are you doing?�

The man who emerged from the lift was short and wiry, dressed in well worn robes of grey and blue, his face grizzled, his clear blue eyes penetrating. In spite of his advancing age, he moved with ease and confidence and he had a squint that reminded Remus inexplicably of Mad-Eye Moody, along with an expression of distrust to match. He was looking the three of them over with outright suspicion.

Felisha mustered a smile. “Unwin,� she said with apparent friendliness. “I was just escorting our visitors out and we got into a bit of a debate. Nothing to worry about.�

Unwin the caretaker snorted. “That’s what you say,� he muttered darkly. “I’ve heard things about these visitors. Best get them off the premises, Hathaway. A werewolf loose in the Feral Institute is more trouble than it’s worth.�

With a final, bad-tempered glare, the old man turned and strode away towards the door. With a tap of his wand, he passed through and moved out of sight.

Tonks’ eyebrow rose with slow deliberateness. “Wow, Remus,� she said dryly. “You just make friends so easily around here. Your instant popularity is startling.�

Remus graced her with a long, slow look. “Thanks,� he retorted sarcastically.

Felisha pulled a face. “Oh, it’s not just Remus. Unwin and Croll have always been that charming. They’re even like it with Dolph.� She reached into her robes and drew out her wand. “But if Unwin’s out here, he’s not up there. So getting this over with before he comes back is going to be the best chance we’ll get. Come on.�

A few taps of Felisha’s wand and a murmured clearance was enough to release the grate on the emergency staircase. Once the grate had been sealed behind them, Felisha vanished towards the lift and Remus and Tonks made their way hurriedly up the two flights of stairs to the Level Two grate.

The stairs were unlit, dark and narrow and Tonks’ feet proved unequal to the task of negotiating them safely on more than one occasion. But Remus was quickly on hand to help her up and they reached the second floor grate with only a few bruises for their trouble.

And Felisha was not there.

Remus went cold. She’d said she’d be there to let them out. Where was she? Had they got the right grate? Or had something gone wrong? Had something happened to her?

At that prospect, the cold went glacial.

Tonks also looked deeply disconcerted at the lack of Felisha. Stepping past Remus, she leaned carefully closer to the grate as she peered into the short, predictably grey corridor beyond, taking in the broad double doors that filled the end to their left and the small, solid looking door indented into an alcove at the corridor’s conclusion to their right. But there was no doubt. It was empty.

Remus frowned, trying to fight the chill that had settled in his chest as he forced himself to speak. “Where…� He broke off, lowering his voice carefully to stem the ripple of echoes that bounced against the stone stairwell at his words. “Where is she?� he repeated with a hush. “The lift should have been quicker.�

Tonks’ brow had also creased. “She had guards to get round,� she whispered softly in reply. “Maybe they held her up.�

“I hope that’s all it is,� Remus glanced up and down the corridor anxiously, almost as though the touch of his eyes would bring her into view. “I just hope she isn’t trouble.�

Tonks gave him an odd look. “So do I,� she replied. “But if she’s in trouble, we’re doomed.�

Remus glanced at her sideways. “Doomed?� he said. The word echoed softly against the walls and once again, he forced himself to lower his voice for fear of being heard. “That’s a bit melodramatic, isn’t it? We’re safe enough for now.�

There was a hint of exasperation in Tonks’ expression. “Safe?� she almost hissed. “Remus, if you define safe as being trapped on a restricted staircase in a building you’ve been all but thrown from, sealed in by grates that’ll stun you if you touch them, then I’d hate to see your idea of trouble. We couldn’t be more trapped if we locked ourselves in Azkaban.�

Glacial surged into sub zero. “Ah.�

“Quite.� Tonks gave a long sigh. Silence, potent and awkward dropped heavily upon them both. Side by side, they waited.

The quiet was frankly eerie. The thick walls of the Institute meant that they could hear no footsteps from above, no clanks or chattering from any direction. Drifting by echo up the stairwell came the occasional far distant creak of a door or hint of a footstep, but it was fleeting, ghost-like, barely heard and then gone before confirmed.

And still Felisha did not come.

Remus was good at waiting in silence. It happened for him on a monthly basis. Even given the powerful concern for Felisha’s well-being that was gnawing at his heart, he knew that nothing was to be gained by fretting and panicking too soon.

Tonks however, was not such a graceful waiter. She shifted, as quietly as she was able, on her feet, she fiddled with her clipboard and sighed often, glaring into the dark silence as though to chase it away with her eyes. Remus could tell that she would not be able to stand the quiet much longer.

He was right.

Suddenly she was at his side. “So, Remus,� she said, her voice carefully soft to combat echoes, “any bright ideas as to what we do if Felisha doesn’t come?�

She was frustrated, he could tell. As an Auror, Tonks was used to action, to being able to act; she was not accustomed to standing caged and relying on another for relief. She needed to relax and he was the only one who could help her do that.

Remus forced a wan smile. “We could claim to be looking for the toilet.�

Tonks snorted a chuckle almost in spite of herself, stifling it hurriedly as the sound carried. “I think I’ve used that one to death already,� she informed him softly. “Surely the infamous Mr Moony can do better than that?�

“The infamous Mr Moony had access to an invisibility cloak. But I think I’d rather face the wrath of Professor McGonagall again than Rebekah if she finds us here.�

Tonks’ lip twisted. “Oh, I don’t know. Even a potential Death Eater would probably be better than that glare over those glasses.�

The banter was at least a way to stem the flood of cold, the sting of worry for Felisha and the realisation of their potential fate. “That’s very true.�

Tonks had apparently caught on to his tactic. “Oh yes,� she continued with forced cheer. “We should have thought of it sooner. We send McGonagall in to interrogate the Death Eaters. Once glare from her and they’ll be putty in our hands.�

Remus allowed himself to chuckle, but the sound seemed to fade and be swallowed by distorted echoes in the unlit, empty well of stairs. His laughter died in the dark and coldness swelled once more. He could not keep it up.

“Tonks,� he said softly. “What are we going to do? If she doesn’t come?�

Tonks’ bright smile was false. “Charades?�

His failure to even attempt a smile quashed her deliberate cheerfulness instantly. “I’m serious.�

With a deep sigh, Tonks turned away from the grate and leaned back against the wall, toying her clipboard between her hands. “She’ll come,� she replied softly. “She has to.�

Remus rubbed one hand absently across his brow. “I’m worried about her,� he admitted.

Something indefinable glinted in the Auror’s eyes. “I can see that.�

“She didn’t have to help us. I got her into this. If anything happens to her because of me, I’d never forgive myself.�

A small hand touched his wrist in a gesture of comfort. “I know.�

Remus shook his head. “This is too dangerous. I should never have let her get involved.�

Tonks’ look was pointed. “She works here, Remus. She was already involved.�
“I know, but still I should have…�

Rattle.

His voice broke off instantly. At his side, Tonks froze.

“Was that the door?� she whispered softly.

Remus started to nod. “I think so.�

Tonks started to smile. “There! See, I told it would be…�

A sharp creak cut away her words as the knob of the smaller door turned and jerked abruptly open. A high-pitched voice drifted down the corridor, accompanied by the rustle of paper and rapid, ungainly footsteps.

“She says the Residents Level. They say upstairs. What did I do to deserve this?�

Cymone!

Remus caught a flash of dyed red hair but he did not hesitate long enough to get a better glimpse. Grabbing Tonks by the arm, he hurled them both in the direction of the concealing banister of the next flight of stairs.

“Running around like an idiot all day just because…� The footsteps were closing. “Why if it wasn’t for me… No gratitude! Do I look like some kind of…of…gopher? It’s hardly…�

Already off balance from the sudden shove, Tonks stumbled, staggering sideways as her clipboard clattered onto the bottom step, her hand flying out in search of support as her momentum half dragged Remus down with her. He tried his best to grab her, reeling, frantic, but his own balance was long gone – with a jolting, painful thud, he tumbled back onto the rising stairs. He felt his fingers jerk as her robed arm was torn from his tenuous supporting grasp - he caught one brief glimpse of her falling form, of one hand stretched out to slap against the dark panel of what looked like some kind of hatchway in a desperate hunt for balance.

And then there was blue.

Half-fallen, disorientated, Remus only had the vaguest idea of what had happened. He saw Tonks’ hand contact the dark panel and he saw the panel glow with an alarmingly familiar surge of blue light; and then, with a gasp of pain, Tonks was flung backwards, tumbling into his lap with a look of deep shock on her disguised features. Without stopping to think, Remus wrapped his arms around her waist and dragged her up with all his might, scrambling backwards a few feet up the steps to collapse in a heap just behind the merciful concealment of the banister. He felt her hand close around his arm, the heave of her breathless chest against his, met her wide but thankfully conscious eyes behind Undine’s green spectacles and then as one, they froze.

There had been a flash. There had been several bangs. Had Cymone seen? Had Cymone heard?

They found an ominous silence.

The muttering had stopped. The footsteps had stilled.

“What the…?� Remus heard a voice murmur.

Tentative, uncertain steps moved in the corridor beyond. They sounded close.

Tonks’ grip on his arm tightened. Her breath was shallow against his neck.

And then, again, they heard the rattle of a door.

“Cymone?� called a voice. “What are you doing?�

Remus felt a great surge of relief. Felisha!

To judge by the rustle of papers, Cymone had been given quite a start. “Oh! Felisha!� she gasped. “Come here, quick!�

“What in Merlin’s name is the matter?� Rapid footsteps closed quickly towards them down the corridor. “What are you looking at? And why have you drawn your wand?�

“There’s something on the stairs!� Cymone’s voice was almost accusatory. “I heard noises in there!�

“Are you sure it wasn’t just something going down the laundry chute?� Felisha’s tone was carefully dismissive. “It does make a real bang sometimes…�

“I don’t think they use that laundry chute any more.� But Cymone now sounded blessedly unsure. “And anyway, it was more of a…scrabbling noise.�

Remus held his breath. He could hear the pounding of a heartbeat against his body but given their proximity, he could not tell whether it belonged to himself or Tonks.

“Well…� It sounded as though Felisha was clicking her tongue. “It could be rats.�

Rustle, rustle went the papers. “Rats? We…we d…d...don’t have rats!�

“I’m not so sure about that.� Perhaps it was his imagination, but Remus almost got the feeling that Felisha was enjoying herself. “One of the caretakers told me that he’d seen a rat scurrying around in the laundry room only last week. Came in off the moor, he reckons, maybe a foot long. And you know, a rat can climb almost anything. Maybe it got up the laundry chute and onto the stairs?�

To judge by the amount of paper rustling, this was not a prospect that Cymone found very appealing. “Y…You think?� she managed shakily.

“Oh yes.� Remus could almost imagine the look of wide-eyed innocence on Felisha’s face. “Maybe you should speak to Rebekah or Unwin – see about getting some traps laid.�

“Traps?� There was a slightly faint note to Cymone’s voice now. “You think we need t...traps?�

“Don’t you? I don’t think this is something we want to get out of hand.�

“Absolutely!� The rustling was almost rhythmic against the sound of feet edging away from the door. “I… I’m going to… to find…U…Unwin…Traps.�

There was a rattle. A moment later, a door slammed shut.

Remus released the breath he had been holding. He felt Tonks slump against his arms.

It was at that point that Remus became aware – uncomfortably aware – of the warmth of Tonks tightly pressed against the length of his body. Her fingers were soft presses against the flesh of his arm as her breath tickled his ear in gentle squalls and he could feel the rise and fall of her chest as each breeze came…

Fighting with all his might not to blush, Remus scrambled backwards and hauled himself awkwardly to his feet just in time to see Felisha standing by the now open grate with a quizzical expression on her face.

The blush redoubled instinctively. Damn!

“Sorry about the delay,� she said softly. “I was checking inside and my friend from security decided to chat to me before going on his rounds of the sleeping chambers. I could hardly tell him I needed to come and let you out…� She squinted as his flushed face. “Remus, are you all right?�

“Fine.� Remus could only pray he sounded rather more composed than he felt. “Just a bit of a close call, that’s all. We didn’t expect Cymone to be here.�

Felisha pulled a face. “Neither did I. She almost never comes down here. I wonder why…�

“My fault.� Tonks’ voice drifted from the stairs as she began to struggle upright – courtesy quickly overruling his discomfort, Remus offered his hand and pulled her gently to his feet. “I told her Zelia was down here so I could get rid of her and have a poke in Rebekah’s office. Sorry about that.� She grinned slightly as she dusted herself off and glanced over at Felisha. “But you were great. How did you know Cymone was afraid of rats?�

Felisha shrugged with a slight smile. “I didn’t. But since she’s afraid of just about everything else, it was worth a try.�

Rats. In spite of himself, a shiver ran down Remus’ spine. “You didn’t really see a rat here, did you?� he asked softly. He saw Tonks’ eyes widen slightly as she caught up with his thinking.

But to both of their relief, Felisha was shaking her head. “Not in this Institute. The warding spells around the perimeter would never allow even a spider inside without clearance. But it’s a good thing Cymone doesn’t know that. Now, are you two sure you’re okay?�

The shiver died a merciful death. “I’m fine. Tonks?�

“Bruised.� The metamorphmagus fixed him with a cheeky-edged mock glare. “Honestly Remus, the next time you pin me to a staircase, I expect you to have put on some nice, soft flab. You have got the boniest elbows I have ever felt.�

Remus managed a smile. “Well, pardon me,� he retorted dryly. “If you can recommend a good diet to increase my elbow fat, I’ll take it gladly. But otherwise perhaps you should refrain from landing in my lap.�

Tonks glanced across at Felisha’s bemused expression before giving him a wry smile. “Nah,� she replied. “The look on your face was too priceless.� Bending down, she scooped her fallen clipboard from the bottom step. “But what I want to know is why a rarely used staircase has a hatch with a strong enough wand-seal on it to propel me into your lap in the first place.�

The blue flash…Of course it was! Harry’s voice beyond a warded door flashed across Remus’ mind. That was why the glow had seemed so familiar – he had used wand-seals himself every full moon.

“That’s a good question.� Remus stepped passed the Auror as he bent closer to the firmly closed hatch, running his eyes over its lines as best he could in the limited light whilst carefully avoiding contact. “Felisha, do you know what this hatch is?�

He felt the researcher’s presence at his side. “It’s just a laundry hatch,� she said, her tone distinctly surprised. “And Cymone was right, it isn’t even one we used any more. When Aylward realised it gave unwarded access to the emergency stairs from the ground floor, he vanished the door of the laundry room this chute led into and sealed it over. But I don’t recall him doing anything to this hatch at the time. He seemed to think sealing the room was enough.�

A sealed off room accessible only by a wand-sealed laundry chute in a high clearance stairwell. The conversation on the train when they had found the note from the mysterious diary swam into Remus’ mind.

“Trapped.� Tonks’ voice was soft but crystal clear, indicating that her thoughts had followed the same path. “Remus…�

A perfect prison cell. But if so, why? And for who?

“I know,� he said softly. “But there’s nothing we can do now. Without the right wand, a wand-seal could survive anything the three of us could throw at it.�

Felisha glanced between the two Order members uncomfortably. “Remus, what’s going on?�

Remus shook his head. “There isn’t time now. We have to get in and out before anyone else comes along.�

Felisha shook herself. “You’re right. As I said, my friend from security is on the next level at the moment, inspecting the sleeping quarters. If we want to get you in unseen by anyone else on the staff, this is the only chance we’re going to get.�

“Then let’s take it.� Tonks gripped her clipboard, as she gave an uncertain smile. “It’s about time we went into the werewolf’s den.�

Remus smiled slightly as he followed the two women back into the corridor. But inside, he was cold once more.

This could have been my home. The thought slipped unbidden into his mind. Several times over.

Well, he had dodged such silver bullets before. He could only hope his luck would hold long enough for him to become the first werewolf to leave the Feral Institute’s Residents Level alive.

Ahead, Felisha was tapping her wand against the smaller door in an intricate code. It released with a click.

With a deep breath, Remus gathered himself and followed her inside.

13: Cabin Fever

Eyes.

They drilled into him from all directions, two score pairs of them, some intense, some lazy, some curious and some resentful, burning within faces that ranged from late teens to silver-haired old age, male and female both. They were scattered about within the large, open, high-ceilinged room, some settled nearby on long benches next to large wooden tables as they scraped the last of their dinner from metal plates and swilled pumpkin juice from plain goblets, others lounging casually amongst the scatter of chairs and cushions beyond, two playing Chess, one reading, three sharing a game of Snap with ordinary Muggle cards and one performing vigorous press-ups in a patch of open space. A bookshelf with a tattered collection of tomes, old battered boxes containing games and a heap of parchment and ink quills leaned against the wall behind it. Just beyond this living area, a large staircase with plain metal banisters curled up to a higher level on which Remus could just glimpse a regimented row of sturdy doors that he could only assume were the sleeping quarters; and beneath the stairs, half-missed at first, a final group of residents were huddled in what Remus could best describe as a den – a cluster of tatty cushions and damaged chairs where five hard-eyed figures crouched together and glared their resentment out at the more civilised trappings beyond.

And every one wore the same plain brown robes as Dolph Greymoor. But with one addition.

On each and every wrist, an inch wide bracelet of solid metal curled tightly around the skin. Numbers were engraved upon them.

Shackles. Numbered shackles.

Felisha, it seemed, had followed his gaze.

“They’re a security measure,� she said softly, almost soothingly, her fingers brushing his wrist in a reassuring manner. “All residents are fitted with them the day they arrive – it was Alexander Aylward’s idea. They’re charmed to set off an alarm if they pass into any part of the Institute where residents are not permitted, or if the resident in question somehow gets hold of a wand. They also activate restriction charms in the corridors and trigger the emergency lock down procedures.�

Tonks was frowning. “What about Dolph?�

Felisha shrugged slightly. “As ombudsman, Dolph is allowed to have his removed when he needs to move freely within the building. But he is always accompanied and it is always replaced at night.�

Replaced at night… So even Dolph’s apparent freedom was a pale illusion. Remus ran his gaze slowly across the room once more, guiltily avoiding the eyes that stared at one they were unaware should be among them. Comfort, Rebekah had said, and yes, while the conditions were not as dank and squalid as one might expect in a werewolf holding centre, their situation was hardly luxurious. The furniture was old and worn and damaged, the leisure facilities Rebekah had mentioned apparently consisting of a few well-used games and some battered books that probably grew dull within a month. Again, it was true that this was probably a better life than most of these werewolves had been used to but that said more about the sad state of society than it did about the benefits of the Institute.

And this was their world. This one refectory, with sleeping chambers above and cages below. This was all that they would ever know until the day they died. And some of them were still only teenagers.

It was nightmarish to contemplate.

“Where do we start?� Tonks’ quiet murmur thankfully cut into his grim musings, an abrupt reminder that he was not here just to stare. “It’s hardly a mansion but I don’t see anything here that Rebekah would desperately not want you to see.�

Remus couldn’t help but agree. Aside from a quiet resentment of the security bracelets, there was nothing here that screamed conspiracy, secret or Death Eater plans at him. The residents themselves, though watchful, did not have the look of people who had been subjected to Dementor related experiments – certainly, they still seemed to possess their souls. Which rather suggested that either the experiments had yet to start or things here were not quite as quiet as they seemed.

“We need to look around,� he replied with equal softness. “Maybe talk to the residents. See what we can find.�

“Avoid the Pack.� Felisha gestured inconspicuously in the direction of the five beneath the stairs. “To call them unfriendly would be to say that Croll isn’t a fluffy bunny of cheeriness. They were recruits of Kane.� At Remus’ sharp glance, she raised an eyebrow. “They never turned, not properly, although they were keen enough on the idea to be locked up here after they were arrested in a raid at a werewolf club called The Howling last autumn. But since they don’t do anything but huddle under the stairs and scowl, Rebekah decided to spare the expense of guarding them in cells and keep them down here with the rest of the residents.� She smiled slightly. “They’re more bark than bite. But I doubt they’d take kindly to questions.�

“Understood.� Nodding in her direction, Remus allowed himself to glance around in search of a likely candidate with which to broach a conversation and one pair of eyes in particular caught his eye at once. They belonged to the reader, a blonde woman a few years his senior, who was staring at him curiously over the rim of her book. When she caught him looking, she smiled slightly, placed the book carefully aside and rose, stepping around the exerciser as she drifted over to join them. Around her, her fellow residents seemed to take this as some kind of signal – abandoning their staring, they turned listlessly back to whatever it was they had been doing. Only two other pairs of eyes remained fixed on the three new arrivals – a grizzled, unshaven man slumped over a messy plate at a nearby table and one of the Snap players, a young man with pale features and dark eyes who was watching Remus with an intense, almost uncomfortable scrutiny.

The woman halted a few yards away, rubbing her fingers absently around the rim of her security bracelet as she smiled vaguely at the researcher.

“Felisha,� she greeted casually. “Everything all right?�

Felisha smiled. “Everything’s fine, Censermealia.� She gestured at Remus. “This is Professor Lupin. He’s an old school friend of mine and he has…� She paused slightly, “… an interest in werewolves. I was just showing him round.�

The woman called Censermealia smiled. “Well, Professor, it’s nice…�

Her pleasantry was interrupted by a loud snort. Her eyes abruptly narrowing, Censermealia turned a dark glare in the direction on the unshaven man who was smirking at the four of them over the remains of his dinner.

“Something to say, Thor?� she asked tartly.

The man called Thor twirled his fork absently between his fingers. “Now don’t you get so high and mighty with me, missie,� he drawled, the corner of his mouth curling with mordant amusement. “Just because you’ve been here fifteen years, that don’t make you the boss of the rest of us. You swagger round like it’s something to be proud of but to that, I say – if you’re so much better than the rest of us, why didn’t they make you the ombudsman?�

To judge by the expression on Censermealia’s face, this was a sore point. “Did you have a point, Wilding, or this just your daily bile attack?�

“Nothing much.� Spearing half a carrot on the end of his fork, Thor Wilding dropped it into his mouth and gave a slow and indolent chew. “Just made me laugh, what she said.� He gestured at Felisha with his utensil. “An interest in werewolves, she called it. I’d say he’s got an interest. You see, missie, those of us who’ve lived in the world up until a couple of years past would know the name Professor Lupin. And I’d have to say that an interest in werewolves is an odd way of saying you are one.�

The reaction was instant. Eyes flicked up to stare, to burn, sharp, surprised, almost accusing. The young Snap player’s eyes widened with shock; the exerciser ceased his motion. Even the pack of five under the stairs trained their gazes viciously upon him.

It was, to say the least, uncomfortable.

To Remus’ left, Felisha bit her lip – this was clearly not a piece of information she had intended to divulge for fear of jealous consequences. To his right, he felt Tonks rest her fingertips upon his arm.

Censermealia was noticeably taken aback. But after a moment’s hesitation, she slapped her smile back on.

“Join the club,� she said with deliberate light-heartedness. “Or on second thoughts, don’t. There are better clubhouses than this.�

Remus smiled, genuinely. “Thank you,� he said quietly. “I…�

“Teacher, he was.� It seemed that Thor was not so willing to be tolerant. “At Hogwarts. Got thrown out for nearly eating a couple of students one full moon. And yet he can walk in and out of this place on a tour. If I’d nearly snacked on a couple of kids, I’d be up on Level Six for sure.�

Prejudice from wizards for being a free werewolf. Prejudice from werewolves for being a free wizard. Sometimes Remus felt he just couldn’t win. He met Thor’s stare with steely eyes, carefully pushing back his own feelings of guilt for the sake of avoiding a riot. He could see danger in the accusing eyes around him at this piece of news. He could see the words forming on their minds – why are you free when we are not? How do you stroll in when we can never leave? And in all truth, he had no answer but that life was just not fair.

“Nobody was hurt,� he stated softly. “And the decision to resign was my own. Not that it matters now.�

“He’s teaching there again.� A voice cut across the room, quiet, uncertain, but crystal clear – Remus turned to find the dark eyed young man, his eyes unblinking as they burrowed into his face; for an instant, as Remus stared back, he seemed almost… familiar. “A few months before they brought me here. It was in the paper. They took him back. He’s teaching there again.�

The temperature in the refectory dropped a noticeable few degrees. Sadness, envy and anger bombarded him from every quarter.

There were no prizes for guessing Thor’s reaction. With a vicious swipe of one hand, his plate went flying.

“They let you teach?� he roared. “They let you teach children after that? While we spend our lives here for less?�

The fork went flying from his fingers and buried itself deep into the wood of the table. His features were twisted with rage.

Remus took an instant step back. At his side, he saw Tonks reach for her wand.

Censermealia’s eyes had widened with alarm – she darted past the shocked trio and rushed towards the door and the large red button that sat just next to the doorframe. Following her rush, Felisha went instantly pale.

“The Security Summons!� she gasped.

Oh Merlin. Images of a flock of security guards swarming upon them flashed across Remus’ mind, of Rebekah’s furious face. But she was already too close…

And then, a miracle. The door opened.

And Censermealia collided headlong with Dolph Greymoor.

It was hard to tell who was the most surprised. Dolph staggered backwards, grasping the door for support with his good hand as Censermealia tumbled against the doorframe with a breathless gasp. On catching a glimpse of his manicured face, she shot him a look of pure venom.

“Watch where you’re going!� she snapped furiously. “This is an emergency!�

“Emergency?� Dolph’s head snapped up – his eyes fixed upon Remus, Tonks and Felisha and filled instantly with shock. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by a roar of fury from Thor, who was now doing his very best to upend the heavy table as his fellow residents grabbed their plates and got hurriedly out of his way. To judge by their faces, such a temper tantrum from Thor was not an unusual occurrence.

“See?� Censermealia gestured furiously in Thor’s direction. “He’s having one of his fits! We need help!�

Her hand darted towards the alarm. But in a sudden surge, Dolph grabbed her wrist and yanked her away from the still open door. She wheeled on him in fury.

“What the hell are you…�

“Thor!� Dolph’s bellow froze the raging werewolf on the spot. “Oh for goodness sake, stop being so ridiculous! Or do you like being dragged off to solitary?�

Thor’s grizzled features flushed. With a clatter, he dropped the table.

“Then sod you all!� he roared at the top of his voice. Turning on his heel, he wheeled and stamped away up the stairs. A moment later, a door slammed loudly.

With a slow, deliberate stare, Dolph turned on Censermealia, as with a vicious tug, she extracted her wrist from his grasp.

“You superior bastard,� she snapped. “Just because you’re ombudsman, you think you’re so much better than the rest of us…�

“Oh do grow up.� Dolph was massaging the bridge of his nose between two fingers. “If we called for security every time Thor had one of his tantrums, we’d see them twenty times a day. You ought to know by now that he needs momentum when he rages. All you need to do is shock him out of it. But no, you always overreact…�

“Overreact!� With a huff of rage, Censermealia turned and stormed away across the room, and causing the young man to scramble up out of her path as she hurled herself into her chair with such force that it sent the book that rested there flying. Her resentful glare continued to assail Dolph from a distance.

With a sigh, Dolph rolled his eyes and muttered something that sounded distinctly like cabin fever. But then, his gaze fell once more upon Remus and Tonks and he snapped instantly to attention.

“What in Merlin’s name are you two doing down here?� he exclaimed abruptly as he rushed over, awkwardly adjusting the leather sheath that held his battered arm. “You shouldn’t be in the Residents Levels at all!�

Felisha stepped forward with a careful smile. “It’s all right, Dolph,� she said with deliberate cheerfulness. “Professor Lupin was interested in seeing how the residents live. I was just giving him a tour…�

“…When I know for a fact that Rebekah told him no and ordered him from the premises?� Felisha’s mouth snapped sharply shut at Dolph’s interruption. “Croll told me. He was laughing his head off about it. And he’ll be laughing even harder when he comes down here in a few minutes to do the daily medical checks and finds you standing here where you were expressly forbidden to be.�

Remus jumped in instantly before Felisha could speak, could dig herself more deeply into a pit from which only he could haul her free. “I’m sorry, Felisha,� he said, with as much sincerity as he could muster for a fake apology. “I lied to you when I said Rebekah had given her permission. I took advantage of our friendship because I wanted to look around. I shouldn’t have done that.�

Felisha gave him a flash of a grateful look at his blatant efforts to scapegoat himself before quickly arranging her expression into a suitable look of hurt and shock. “Oh, Remus,� she replied with feigned horror. “How could you? My job…�

Dolph was shaking his head. “There’s no time for this now,� he exclaimed. “Croll is on his way.� He smiled slightly. “And the last thing we werewolves need is for our only reputable representative out there to be locked up here instead. The convoluted politics in this room alone will send you round the bend.�

Remus managed a grateful smile. “Thank you.�

Dolph scowled. “Don’t stand there thanking me. Just go.�

Tonks was nodding her agreement. “Remus, he’s right, we need to…�

“I do know you.�

Fingers grasped the edge of his robes. Remus turned sharply.

The pale young man was staring at him, his dark eyes intense, his brown hair wild. His eyes were filled with sudden recognition.

“You were in The Howling.� The young man’s smile was slightly manic. “At the bar. I talked to you.�

Remus went cold. The Howling? Oh no, oh no, no, no, not now…

He tried to smile. “I think you must have mistaken me for someone else.�

“No.� He was familiar. The young man was familiar. Who had he talked to in The Howling apart from the barman and Kane? “No, it was you, I’m sure it was.� Felisha was staring. Tonks had gone pale. Dolph had crooked an eyebrow. “You were wearing a leather coat then. And a ring.�

And then, Remus remembered. A young man at the bar, his hair dyed black, his eyes illuminated by yellow contacts, talking almost desperately about his love of the club. He had called himself Fenris.

And now he was here. Locked up in the Institute. Oh you foolish boy, what did you get yourself into?

Dolph stepped forward slightly. “Daniel, this isn’t a good time…�

But Daniel…Fenris… whatever name he used, was not finished. “And you came again later,� he said almost dreamily. “You’d died your hair like I did. And you fought with that feral. That was the night they brought me here.� He frowned slightly. “They saw the gold eyes I put in and said I had to come with them. Even when I took them out, they still said I had come.� His smile was absent and alarming. “They took me but not you. And you didn’t need my contacts to make your eyes go wild. For that moment you threw that feral to the wall, they went all by themselves.�

Horror flooded Remus’ chest in a wave of icy cold. Oh dear Merlin.

He’d wondered. He knew he had got close that night to turning, that he had narrowly avoided a full blown feral incident that night when Kane had goaded him with tales of killing his mother. But to know that in that instant, his eyes had turned feral gold…

He had been even closer than he’d known.

And others had seen it. Daniel had seen it. And if word got back to…

And then, from the direction of the open door, a throat was softly cleared.

Ice froze to arctic. Remus turned his head.

Flanked by the grim Aylward and the smirking Croll, Rebekah Goldstein was staring at him with a mixture of surprise and fury. She folded her arms.

“Well, Professor,� she said quietly. “Aren’t you full of surprises?�

14: Hidden Meanings

She heard.

Oh dear Merlin, she heard.

Remus struggled to breath. He felt exposed, naked, his deepest secret laid out at the feet and the questionable mercy of a woman who hated him utterly. That the incident for which he was about to be condemned had not been a true feral incident was not the point. He had dodged silver bullets before, but this one was about to do him in. For when Daniel had “outted� him as a potential feral in front of the Head of the Feral Institute, he had condemned him to share his fate, at the hands of the Institute or the Death Eaters. It seemed that he would not be the first werewolf to leave the Residents Level alive after all.

But he would be damned if he would take anyone else down with him.

“Don’t blame Felisha for bringing me here,� he said, his voice surprising calm considering the turmoil in his chest. “I lied to her, told her I had your permission. We knew each other from school so she believed me. This isn’t her fault. And Undine didn’t want to come at all…�

Rebekah’s eyes narrowed coldly. “Oh don’t worry, Professor. I’m not planning on blaming this on anyone but you. Such utter disrespect and lack of regard for the rules is no more than I’d expect from you.�

Remus braced his shoulders. “Well, I was fairly sure this was the last chance I would have to meet the residents.�

“And you’d be right.� Rebekah flicked a glance at Aylward. “Escort him out.�

For a moment, Remus was certain he’d misheard. “Pardon?�

Rebekah’s eyes drilled into his. “I want you out, Professor Lupin. And I never intend to ask you back. I really have had quite enough of you. Aylward.�

Remus was so shocked that he barely reacted as Aylward took a firm grip on his arm and escorted him roughly towards the door. He caught a brief glimpse of Felisha as she whispered something quickly to Tonks – and then the Auror too was being hauled in the direction of the exit. He saw Croll, his face suddenly furious, saw Dolph disbelieving but vaguely satisfied and then the refectory was out of sight. They were propelled into the lift without downright roughness, all but shoved through the lift chamber and down the corridor and then the archway parted and both Remus and Tonks found themselves tumbled unceremoniously out onto the moor. A moment later, the archway had sealed behind them.

Tonks stared at Remus. Remus stared at Tonks. They both stared at the solid bulk of the Institute.

It was Remus who first found his voice. “What in the name of Merlin just happened? I thought I’d be on my way to Level Six by now.�

“So did I.� Gathering her fallen clipboard, Tonks managed to haul herself to her feet. “I was sure she must have heard him.�

“Me too.� Extracting heather from the hem of his robes, Remus also stumbled upright. Exchanging a look, the two friends turned and quickly began the walk towards the wooded valley and the steam train – neither wanted to be about should Rebekah change her mind. And Remus still could not believe it, could not believe he was breathing fresh air and walking free after what Rebekah had surely overheard.

Another silver bullet dodged… but how?

“I just don’t understand,� Tonks was shaking her head. “I’d have thought she’d have jumped at the chance to lock you up. Especially considering the diary…�

“We still don’t know that was hers, Tonks…�

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.� Tonks waved a dismissive hand. “But even so. She hates you, Remus. You’d have thought she’d have loved to see you locked up and miserable at her mercy.�

Remus couldn’t disagree with that. “She can’t have heard. She’d never have let me go otherwise.�

Tonks pulled a face. “You know, given your popularity at the Ministry, she’d probably have been able to swing an internment with just a trespass charge.� Her adopted features grew suddenly thoughtful. “But then again, if she is about to start secret experiments, the last thing she’d need would be the fuss that would come from interning you.�

Remus stared at her. “Pardon?�

Tonks shrugged. “Well, Dolph had a point, Remus. As werewolves go, you’re pretty high profile. For you to be taken into the Feral Institute would be big news. Dumbledore would make a fuss. The Prophet would take an interest. Is that the kind of attention you’d want if you were a Death Eater conducting top secret research for You-Know-Who?�

Remus frowned in reply. “Tonks, we don’t know that she’s the Death Eater. After all, if today proved anything it’s that she has more than enough other reasons to hate me…�

“Exactly!� Tonks emphasised the word with a slap against her clipboard. “And if it was just hate, do you think she would have passed up an opportunity like this to lock you up? No, of course she wouldn’t. Not unless she had a reason – a reason like not wanting the bad publicity to risk exposing her plans.�

“Or a moral code that prevents her from acting out of a selfish desire for revenge.�

Tonks gave an exasperated sigh. “Remus, if she heard you, a moral code would have nothing to do with it. Locking up ferals is her job.�

“Then I guess she didn’t hear me.�

“Or she did hear you but isn’t ready for you yet.� Tonks’ features contorted with sudden concern – almost unconsciously, the Auror reached over and wrapped her arm around his. “Which also brings the possibility that Rebekah did hear what Daniel said and she’s waiting until she needs you to have you arrested.�

Remus sighed deeply. “If she’s the Death Eater. I’m still not convinced. Croll let slip to me today that he’s an old friend of Snape’s and though I’m not jumping to any conclusions…� He saw Tonks roll her eyes distinctly, “I would be very interested to know just how old a friend he is. Not to mention he looked downright furious when Rebekah released me and has stated several times just how much he’d like to see me interned as a resident.�

“Well, he is a git,� Tonks stated conversationally. She laughed suddenly. “Look at the pair of us,� she said almost wryly. “You with your determination to think the best of everyone no matter how they treat you and me with my Auror honed instincts to automatically assume the worst. What a team, eh?�
Remus smiled more genuinely. “At least we’re looking at the problem from all sides. And since the truth is probably somewhere between us, at least we stand a chance of catching it.�

He felt Tonks shiver slightly against him. “As long as it doesn’t catch you first. Mate, if you don’t mind me saying, I don’t think you should go wandering off alone outside of Hogwarts for a while. Both Croll and Rebekah were in earshot of Daniel’s outburst and if either of them is the Death Eater, we’re right back at the possibility that they’re biding their time before coming to get you.�

Remus sighed again. “Wonderful,� he remarked dryly. “As if my life wasn’t complicated enough. Now I have to live every day in fear of being dragged off to werewolf prison to live with Thor Wilding and the Pack.�

Tonks leaned her blonde, curly head against his shoulder wearily. “All in all, we’ve had better days. I see a certain creek ahead, but we appear to be lacking a paddle.�

“Not just us.� Remus glanced back over his shoulder, his cheek brushing absently against soft hair as he tried to fight the worry that gnawed at his heart for the woman they had been forced to leave behind. “We’ve dragged poor Felisha right down the creek with us.�

He could feel Tonks’ eyes upon him as her head lifted sharply. “I think she’ll be all right. She put on a good show and so did you.�

Remus made a noncommittal noise. “I hope so. Though I can hardly owl her to ask.� He glanced down at Tonks. “What did she say to you just before they tossed us out?�

“Oh!� Tonks clicked her fingers. “Glad you reminded me. Do you remember we said that we’d arranged to meet outside the Institute for a chat? Well, just before I was dragged out, she said it was still on. On her day off, next Saturday, at the Three Broomsticks. A few well placed silencing spells and we’ll be able to talk freely without looking like we’re hiding away.�

“Saturday?� Remus twisted his lip. “That’s nearly a week. Anything could happen…�

“I think Felisha knows what she’s doing.� There was a bite of impatience to Tonks’ tone. “And it would look suspicious if she tried to sneak out any sooner.� She squeezed him arm. “She’ll be fine, Remus. I’m sure of it. And while she’s still inside, maybe she’ll find the answer to the other great mystery of how the hell we got caught.�

Remus looked at her sideways. “Rebekah walked in on us, Tonks. That’s how we got caught.�

“I know that.� Tonks thumped him lightly with her clipboard. “But how did she know we were there? Dolph said Croll was coming but not Rebekah. Censermealia didn’t make it to the alarm. So why did Rebekah Goldstein in all her sneering glory suddenly appear at the door?�

Remus went cold. “Someone told her.�

Tonks nodded. “I see three choices. When I hit the wand sealed door, it set off some kind of alarm that she came to investigate and overheard the racket of Thor through the open door. Possible, but then why risk bringing Aylward and Croll along for the ride? Or she might have come down to search for Cymone’s rats – but surely rat hunting is rather beneath her and the Head of Security. And so we face choice number three. Either someone saw us coming up here and told her or someone in that room did.�

“How?� Remus considered it a fair enough question. “No one could have left that room without setting off an alarm apart from Dolph. And he was with us the whole time.�

Tonks shook her head. “I don’t know. Maybe we got seen on our way after all. Maybe Croll came sooner than Dolph thought and went back to get her. Maybe Cymone was more suspicious of our scrabbling than she let Felisha know. But I think we may also have to face the possibility that our Death Eater has an accomplice.� She smiled ruefully. “You know what they say – you spending ages looking for one Death Eater and then two come along at once…�

Remus smiled wanly. “I think you may be over reacting. We were trespassing, Tonks, and anyone who saw us would almost certainly feel obliged to report it or check with Rebekah whether we were supposed to be there. Our Death Eater, whoever they may be, most likely had nothing to do with it. Besides, whether we’re facing one Death Eater, or two, or a hundred, I think one thing is pretty obvious. I’m not likely to go back to the Feral Institute except as a resident. And that means they have free reign to do as they please.�

Tonks’ grip tightened once more. “Which means if I have any say about it, you’re never going back at all. But we’ll find a way, Remus. We’ll find a way to stop them.�

Remus gazed blankly out across the empty moor and gave a deep sigh.

“I only hope you’re right,� he said softly. “For all our sakes.�

* * *

Dumbledore took the news of their expulsion from the Institute stoically. Kingsley Shacklebolt did not.

“Now what are we supposed to do?� The tall black Auror proclaimed as he leaned wearily against the fireplace in Dumbledore’s office; Remus watched silently from his armchair nearby, Tonks resting against the wall a few yards away, her features now restored to the familiar heart-shaped face and vivid pink hair. “That place and any information about it is kept tightly restricted. The Institute is Dolores Umbridge’s darling – one of her first acts when she became Senior Undersecretary was to have its funding boosted and its powers increased. And anyone caught poking around too deeply into their activities is likely to find themselves on a short, sharp trip to the Centaur Liaison Office. Without Remus and Tonks to investigate on the inside, You-Know-Who can do whatever he pleases there.�

Dumbledore steepled his fingers gently in front of his crooked nose as he leaned forwards. “At least they are safe,� he responded quietly. Kingsley glanced up at the statement, his expression flickering with a hint of guilt. “And thanks to their diligent investigations, we do at least have two prime suspects in Rebekah Goldstein and Arcadius Croll, not to mention a potential informant on the inside.�

Remus sat forwards at once. “I don’t want to involve Felisha any more than can he helped,� he interjected, his voice quiet but firm. “She’s already risked her job and possibly her life to help us. She’s already trapped in a bad situation and the last thing I wish to do is endanger her further.�

Dumbledore nodded gently. “Of course not. It was good of her to help you and we should not take advantage of that. But at the same time, Remus – she is now our only connection to the inside of a situation with the potential to strength Lord Voldemort alarmingly.�

“And a tentative connection at that,� Tonks said softly. “Whose movements and correspondence will probably be watched from now on. But at least she has proved herself resourceful enough to cope.�

The rats conversation flashed through Remus’ mind. He smiled.

Kingsley shook his head wearily. “I’m doing my best to dig up any information I can on both the staff and the residents at the Institute,� he said with a sigh. “But I’m having to work quietly and my department is already pushed to the limits. But I don’t know what else is left for us to do.�

“I shall speak to Professor Snape about his acquaintance with Croll,� Dumbledore said abruptly. “If he is known in Death Eater circles, Severus will probably know of it. And Nymphadora, any assistance you can offer to Kingsley would be appreciated.�

Tonks bowed her head. “Of course.�

Remus almost didn’t like to ask. “And me?�

Dumbledore’s blue eyes were sympathetic. “Teach your classes, Remus and try to avoid going out alone. If your suspicions are correct, you may still be in danger.�

Remus battled a swell of intense frustration. “Why am I always the one who gets removed from the case for my own safety?�

Dumbledore smiled gently. “You have, in part at least, just answered your own question. I’m afraid, Remus, that this is the disadvantage of having people who care about you.�

Tonks smiled too, though wanly. Kingsley gave a soft chuckle.

The Headmaster adjusted his glasses with one long finger. “You will, provided it is safe for your both to do so, remain Felisha Hathaway’s principle contact. Though I would appreciate it if Nymphadora could join you at any meetings.�
Remus hardened his jaw in an effort to conceal his annoyance. “I can look after myself.�

There was a distinct tightness to the smile Tonks flashed at him. “Don’t fancy a chaperone, Remus?�

Remus settled back into his chair with a sigh, fighting the ridiculous urge to flush. “You know that’s not the point,� he replied with a sigh. “It’s just…�

But his words fell away, cut off by a loud tapping against the window. Tonks, who was closest, hurriedly drew her wand and, stumbling only slightly, hurried over to the dark glass. After a brief fumble with the latch, she yanked it open.

A flustered looking barn owl dropped down onto the windowsill out of the cool night air. It extended its leg. Fumbling a little, Tonks took the letter, dropped a few Knuts into the owl’s pouch and then closed the window as it launched back into the night. For a moment, she hesitated, examining the seal on the back of the envelope and Remus saw her shoulders give an ominous clench. She turned to face three pairs of curious eyes.

“It’s for Remus,� she said, her voice uncertain. “From the Institute.�

Remus came to his feet at once, accepting the letter from her outstretched hand as he dropped back into his chair and stared at the familiar wolf-print seal of the Feral Institute. He flipped it quickly to the front.

The words Professor Lupin, Hogwarts School, had been written neatly across front. And Remus knew the handwriting.

“It’s from Felisha!� he exclaimed, losing no time in ripping the envelope open. The note inside was short and he rapidly devoured its contents.

To Professor Remus Lupin,

I was deeply offended by your use of our friendship to trick me into risking my job by taking you into an area of the Institute that you had been forbidden to enter. Though I have managed to retain my position, no thanks to you, the situation here has been made far more difficult by your interference – we are now forbidden to enter the Residents Level unless accompanied by Professor Goldstein herself, which of course severely hampers our research. If I ever have the misfortune to run into you again, I look forward to seeing the expression on your face as you deliver a full and unrestrained apology for your behaviour, preferably in public. And do not even think about attempting to return to the Institute – you will certainly be arrested if you do. You are extremely fortunate not to have been arrested already – Dr Croll raged for over an hour about your unexpected release. To conclude, I thought you were my friend, Remus. But now I’m not even sure I want to see you alone.

Felisha Hathaway.

Remus let out the breath he had not even realised he had been holding. He felt himself smile. Well done, Felisha.

Both Tonks and Kingsley were hovering anxiously at his shoulder.

“What does she say?� Tonks asked at once.

Remus leaned back against the back of his chair, feeling his heart lighten with every breath. “I’ll read it out,� he told them and did so.

By the time he drew the letter to a close, Tonks was smiling broadly and Kingsley looked impressed.

“Clever girl,� he said with a grin. “In one letter she’s told us without telling us that she hasn’t lost her job, that Rebekah’s up to something on the Residents Level, Croll’s annoyed you got away and that she still wants to meet you, as long as Tonks goes too. And anyone else who reads it will probably just think she’s ranting at you.�
Remus felt oddly proud of her. “She was in Ravenclaw,� he told Kingsley. “Always good with words.�

“Indeed she was,� Dumbledore was also smiling. “I remember Felisha Hathaway well. She is an intelligent woman and quick to grasp things.�

Biting back a grin, Tonks glanced at Remus with a raised eyebrow. This time there was no stopping the flush.

Tonks laughed out loud and punched his shoulder heartily. “Well, mate,� she said with a wicked smile. “By the looks of your face, I’d better play chaperone on Saturday after all. Otherwise, goodness knows what mischief you’ll get up to.�

15: At The Three Broomsticks

It proved to be a very long week.

It wouldn’t have been so bad had he had the pleasure of his classes to distract him. But the Easter holidays were upon Hogwarts and suddenly there was a distinct dearth of ways in which to occupy himself. So Remus marked until there was no more marking. Remus read until he was sick of the sight of the words. Remus ate enough meals to send Madam Pomfrey and Molly Weasley into raptures of joy.

But most of all, Remus worried.

He had received no further word from Felisha but that did not surprise him. To judge by the manner of her last missive, communications in and out of the Institute were likely being monitored, which meant that attempting to contact her in any way would probably condemn her. Her silence suggested that she had more sense than to incriminate herself. And although Remus had racked his brain to find a discreet but rapid means by which they could remain in touch, he had thus far failed to find any inspiration. There was little choice but to wait until Saturday.

He could only hope that she would arrive safe and well to meet him. He could only pray that she would stay unharmed.

For if he proved responsible for any ill that might befall her, he knew he could never forgive himself.

Remus was not without correspondents however. Tonks kept in regular touch, although her messages were mostly various forms of frustrated ranting in regards to the difficulty of squeezing out any kind of information about the staff and residents of the Feral Institute. Dumbledore had summoned Remus to his office on Monday to inform him that although Severus Snape had indeed admitted that the Crolls were old friends of his mother’s family, he was not personally aware of any Death Eater connection. He had however, said he would look into it.

The quiet few days that followed gave Remus ample time to order his thoughts in regards to the staff of the Institute. He still could not bring himself to form a definite suspicion in regards to the identity of the Institute’s concealed Death Eater between the two prime suspects – although Rebekah’s behaviour was indeed suspicious, it was possible to frame much of it behind scientific curiosity and a healthy dislike of the werewolf who had endangered her son. Croll would have been tentatively at the top of his personal list, but for the fact that Snape had denied any knowledge of an overt Death Eater connection. As far as Remus was aware, the only other member of staff with high enough clearance to access Kane unaccompanied was Aylward, but the man was inscrutable as a brick. There would be no clues forthcoming on that front.

Friday had brought a surprise – a firecall from Reynard to inform him that a letter had arrived from Rolphe Lupin, offering his profound apologies that the dinner on Sunday would have to be postponed by a week to the Sunday following. Apparently his eldest son had been called away on an urgent business trip to Europe, whilst one of his daughters had declared that her work would make it very difficult to get away. But both had apparently promised to keep the following weekend free and so the dinner had been pushed back by a week instead. He hoped that this was not an inconvenience.

Reynard had been unable to conceal his disappointment. But Remus had successfully covered up his relief. At least that gave him one less imminent thing to worry about.

Saturday dawned and Remus had still not formulated a potential solution to the communications blackout with Felisha. But a glimpse of a balaclava-ed Marietta Edgecombe trudging wearily out of the Great Hall after breakfast brought to mind a conversation he had shared with Harry over the previous summer about his work with the DA and the means by which they had kept in touch. So as soon as breakfast was out of the way, Remus scanned the Gryffindor table and, failing to find the face he was searching for, headed instead in the direction of the library.

And as he had hoped, he found Hermione Granger at a table near the window, bent over several large and tightly written books as she scribbled cramped notes onto a scroll of parchment.

“Hello Hermione.�

He felt rather guilty at the manner in which she jumped, blotting ink onto her parchment as her head flew up and wide eyes fixed upon him in surprise.

“Professor Lupin!� she exclaimed, her nose wrinkling as she grabbed her wand and muttered an incantation to erase the mess she had made. “You startled me!�

Remus smiled gently as he settled himself down on the chair opposite, peering at her over the mountain of books in which she had been engrossed. “Sorry about that,� he apologised sincerely. “And I’m sorry to interrupt your studies, but there’s something I need to ask you about. A spell you did for the DA?�

She blinked, looking surprised at the prospect that a teacher might chose to come to her for academic information but there was a definite hint of pride behind her eyes as well. For a moment, Remus could have sworn that she sat up slightly straighter in her seat.

“Of course, Professor,� she said smartly. “What do you need to know?�

Remus leaned forwards, carefully lowering his voice. “Harry mentioned a while ago that you devised a secret means by which the DA could communicate. I was hoping you could tell me about it.�

If there was one thing Hermione was profoundly not, it was stupid. “Does this have something to do with the Institute?� she inquired with equal softness.

Remus pulled himself round the table slightly, leaning over one of the books as though he was examining her work. “Yes,� he replied, his eyes not leaving the page as he traced one finger carefully along one page. He only hoped that no one was close enough to spot it was a Potions text. “I have an…ally amongst the staff there. We need a way to stay in touch that can’t be monitored by any unfriendly elements. Her post is being watched and meeting regularly is too suspicious.�

Hermione’s brow wrinkled as she too pretended to be engrossed in the book before them. “We didn’t send messages,� she admitted, flipping a page absently. “I cast a Protean charm on some fake Galleons that enchanted them to show the time of our next meeting. They grew hot when a date appeared. But we all knew the place and what it meant so there was no need for any more.�

Remus tapped a finger thoughtfully against his lip. Though the idea was simple, it had possibilities. “But it would work for a short message if the charm was right,� he mused out loud. “It wouldn’t need much. A time and place for a meeting or one word warnings would probably do. Could you show me the spell you used?�

Hermione smiled. “Of course I can Professor. But it might not be a good idea to do it in the middle of the library…�

“Of course not.� Abruptly, Remus came to his feet. “I hope that helps, Hermione,� he said more audibly. “If you need anything else, I’ll be in my office for the next couple of hours. Do drop by if you have any questions.�

Hermione’s smile told him that she had got the message. “Thank you Professor Lupin, she replied cheerfully. “I’ll bear that in mind.�

An hour later, Remus was the proud owner of three silver Sickles that would grow hot when enchanted with the time and place of a meeting. Hermione Granger really was an exceptionally clever young lady.

Evening rolled around at long, long last. Remus set out briskly across the Hogwarts grounds, waving as cheerfully as he could manage at Hagrid as he strode towards the gates. However, a surprise awaited him beneath the right hand pillar.

“Wotcher Remus.�

Spiky pink hair punctured the quiet, fading light. A cheeky grin beamed from a heart-shaped face.

Remus placed his hands on his hips with a sigh, fighting a surge of downright irritation. He’d already said… “I thought we were meeting at the Three Broomsticks.�

Tonks pushed herself upright and wandered over to his side, her grin still broad but distinctly pointed. “I’m sure you did. However if you think back, I’m sure you’ll also remember that Dumbledore said you weren’t to go wandering off alone. And since I don’t intend to have you vanish between here and Hogsmeade, I came to keep you company.�

Remus raised an eyebrow with a deliberate frown. “Actually, vanishing between here and Hogsmeade was exactly what I was intending to do. I’m not always too tired to apparate, you know. And I do not need an escort.�

Tonks’ grin faded into a more genuine smile. “Will a concerned friend do instead?�

Remus felt his annoyance fade. After all, she was only trying to help.

He smiled. “She’ll do fine. Ready to apparate?�

Tonks cocked her head. “Out front of the pub?�

Remus nodded. “One, two…�

On three, twin cracks echoed into the draw of evening. A moment later, the bright lights outside the front of the Three Broomsticks almost dazzled him.

A hand caught his elbow – Tonks appeared abruptly at his side. “See, you do need an escort,� she informed him brightly. “You were a whole three foot off target.�

“Thanks.�

“Don’t mention it. Are you coming?�

They moved quickly inside. As one might expect on a Saturday night, the Three Broomsticks was heaving with people, old and young – a quick glance and several ducked heads were enough to tell Remus that several of the younger faces felt that they perhaps weren’t supposed to be here. If it hadn’t been the Easter Holidays, he would have been obliged to issue detentions. But as it was, he simply smiled slightly and followed Tonks over towards Madam Rosmerta at the bar.

“Felisha said she was going to try and book a room for the night,� Tonks’ voice was a hushed whisper against his ear. “Because she’s live-in staff, she likes to spend a night away from the Institute sometimes but she doesn’t always get permission for it. If we ask Rosmerta, she’ll be able to tell us if she’s booked in or not.�

Rosmerta was quick to discreetly inform them that Felisha Hathaway was indeed booked in to Room 3 near the top of the stairs. “She arrived about an hour ago,� the barmaid informed them in a hushed voice as she noisily passes them a pair of clinking butterbeers. “She’s been waiting for you.� Abruptly, her voice swelled in volume. “Certainly, professor. Here you go.� Pointedly, she reached out and dropped a heavy key into his palm. “You and your lady friend can use Room 4. Enjoy.�

Remus could sense the burn of young, curious student eyes and fought manfully not to blush. At his side, a surprisingly flushed Tonks was battling with laughter at the sight of the look on his face.

“Rosmerta!� he hissed under his breath. “What are you…?�

The barmaid gave a deliberate smile. “I’m covering for you,� she replied too sweetly, her tone discreetly hushed but her eyes darting playfully between the two of them. “After all, Hogwarts is hardly the place for a young couple such as yourselves to... ahem…meet. And half the village already knows that’s why we have so many visits from Professor…�

“Rosmerta.� Remus, tone was polite but firm as he forestalled any surprising revelations about his colleagues. He could almost sense the strain of student ears, the feel of curious stares but he deliberately forced himself to smile. Embarrassing as it was, it was better than fielding gossip about why he was really there. “Thank you,� he said more audibly.

Rosmerta’s smile was outright cheeky. “Enjoy!� she said loudly.

Remus was on the verge of blessing her with his politest look of death when he felt a slender hand curl around his arm. Her eyes filled with purest wickedness, Tonks smiled at him with mock seductiveness.

“Come on darling,� she drawled with a pout. “I don’t want to waste a minute with you.�

By the time they reached the stairs, Remus had formulated one hundred and seventy-six different ways in which to kill her.

As they moved around the curl of the steps, out of the curious gazes of the bar patrons, Tonks took the opportunity to dissolve into helpless laughter.

“Your face!� she exclaimed, clinging to his arm as though it was the only thing able to keep her upright in her hysteria. “Oh, if I’d had a camera, I swear…�

Remus was somewhat less than amused. “Bloody Rosmerta,� he muttered irritably. “Why did she have to do that? She must have known there were students in that room.�

Tonks smirked. “Well, it was funny. You went the most amazing shade of pink.�

Remus sighed deeply. “But she didn’t have to…� He huffed in annoyance. “Why are women so impossible to understand?� he declared abruptly.

Tonks gave him a long, slow look. “Thanks,� she drawled dryly.

Remus waved a distracted hand. “You don’t count. I don’t think of you as a woman.�

The narrowing menace of Tonks’ eyes told him fluently that this had not been the right thing to say. “You’re not helping your case, Lupin,� she told him darkly. “I’d offer a hand to dig that hole but you seem to be managing quite well by yourself.�

Remus struggled valiantly to recover. “I mean you’re my friend, Tonks. You don’t confuse me in the same way.�

Tonks snorted. “I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.�

Remus seized this lifeline. “Oh, it’s good, believe me. You say what you mean. Why can’t the rest of your gender do the same?�

Tonks’ grin was slow and wicked – one hand reached out and playfully ruffled his hair.

“Because we wouldn’t get to see the adorable looks of confusion on your little faces!� she exclaimed. “And that’s just the best part of all.�

Remus regarded her. “I take it back. You are a woman.�

Tonks beamed. “Most of the time, anyway. Except when duty compels me to take my drag act on the road.�

“In rainbow striped socks.�

“Excuse me, you would have been locked up if not for me and my socks.�

“I was locked up anyway.�

“Only overnight.�

They reached the top of the stairs. Remus reached up and with his free hand, absently returned his hair to some kind of order. “You can see my point though,� he said almost plaintively. “When word gets around the common rooms that I was seen going upstairs at the Three Broomsticks with a woman with pink hair, wearing a Weird Sisters t-shirt…�

A distinct lowering of the temperature stayed his tongue. Tonks was regarding him with sudden, frosty irritation. A hand thumped painfully hard against his shoulder. “And just what is wrong with being seen going upstairs with a woman with pink hair in a Weird Sisters t-shirt?�

Uh-oh.

Now there was a dangerous question, the kind of question that every man knew it was impossible to answer correctly, especially in the company of a woman who was staring at him with eyes filled with outright threat. Nonetheless, Remus foolishly braved the quagmire.

“Well, nothing,� he managed boldly. “But I don’t like the thought of people making assumptions…�

Danger signals were flashing violently in Tonks’ eyes. “And you think people would be more inclined to make assumptions about a woman with pink hair wearing a Weird Sisters t-shirt?�

Remus could not have dug himself more deeply if he’d had an army of enchanted shovels. “No,� he said as carefully and diplomatically as he could manage.

“Then why are you embarrassed to be seen going upstairs with me?�

“I’m not.�

“Yes, you are.�

How in Merlin’s name did I get into this? “All right, I am.� It was a reaction wrought with peril but Remus braved it all the same. “But only because you’re my friend. And I’d have thought a pretty young woman like you would be more embarrassed to be seen with an old werewolf like me.�

“Well, if you think that then you’re a dafter prat than I took you for.�

“Tonks…�

She fixed him with an inscrutable look. “I’m sorry, Remus. I just don’t like the thought that my closest friend is embarrassed to be seen with me.�

“I’m not. It’s just…�

What it was just, Remus had little to no idea. But he was saved the trouble of wading deeply when the door to Room three burst open to reveal a pale and anxious Felisha.

“Remus!� she exclaimed. “It’s about time!�

The argument with Tonks was forgotten instantly. Stepping out of her grasp, Remus hurriedly instantly to his old schoolmate’s side.

“Felisha!� he exclaimed. “What’s wrong?�

Felisha was instantly shaking her head. “Not out here,� she said immediately. “Remus, I found something out today, something that scares the hell out of me. But I’m not going to discuss it in a corridor.�

Remus felt a chill run down his spine. Now what?

“Then I guess we’d better go inside,� he said.

16: Naked

The room was small and cosy, the wooden panelled walls and highly polished four-poster bed gleaming by the light of the flickering fire. Long green curtains concealed the night sky beyond the window and the embroidered quilt was looked soft and cheerful in contrast to the two small, plain grey bags dumped at its foot and the expression on the face of its occupant.

Felisha was shaken. That much was immediately obvious to Remus as he stepped inside the chamber and watched her pale face flickering by the firelight as she twisted her hands and paced almost unconsciously across the floorboards. He glanced back at Tonks as she pulled the door closed behind them to find that her expression was grim- she too was well aware that there was something seriously wrong here. Just what had occurred at the Institute that had put Felisha into such a state?

But even as Remus half-stepped forward to offer what comfort he could, the researcher span abruptly on her heel and turned to face them. “Remus, you won’t believe…� But her voice trailed off instantly, her eyes focussing sharply on the pink-haired form of Tonks beside the door. Her expression froze.

“Who are you?� she exclaimed with undisguised alarm. Her eyes flicked to Remus. “Who is she?� she repeated sharply. “Where’s Undine?�

It was so easy to forget that not everyone was aware of Tonks and her thousand faces. But how on earth to explain?

Luckily, Tonks saved him the trouble. “Wotcher Felisha,� she greeted with a wry smile. “I guess I should have brought the clipboard and the glasses. But at least I don’t look like such a bubble-brain.�

Felisha’s eyes widened. “Undine?�

The Auror visibly winced as she stepped forward to stand beside Remus. “Actually, the name’s Tonks,� she introduced herself with a shrug. “And this is the real me – well, mostly.� She touched a finger to her bubble-gum hair with a smile. A moment later, the smile had turned wicked. “Just think of me as Remus’ bodyguard.�

Remus graced her with a long, hard stare. “How many times, I don’t…�

“…need protecting,� Tonks finished with a distinct smirk. “Of course you don’t, you big, strong incarnation of testosterone, you. I’m just here because I can’t resist your manly wiles.�

Anxious as she was, even Felisha smiled at that. “Well, it was quite some disguise,� she offered sincerely. “I’d never have guessed.�

“Disguise is my speciality,� Tonks replied without a trace of modesty. “Just don’t ask me to sneak up on anyone.�

Pleasant as it was to see Felisha looking less like death warmed up, Remus forced himself to focus back on business. Moving forward gently, he took a soft hold on Felisha’s arm and guided her to the foot of the four poster bed, dropping down to sit beside her. Hooking her foot around a nearby stool, Tonks also took a seat beside the fire.

“Leish,� he said softly, wrapping his hands around hers – her eyes met his at the use of the old nickname he had heard Lily and her other friends call her whilst at school. “Tell me what’s wrong.�

She took a deep breath. “Remus,� she said, her voice a tremble. “There’s a Dementor in the Institute.�

Everything went cold. Faces flashed before his eyes; Dolph, Censermealia, Daniel, even Thor Wilding and the Pack, all there, all trapped, all far too convenient. How many of them had already lost their souls? How many were already in the thrall of the minions of Voldemort?

“How long?� Tonks’ voice cut sharply into his horrified introspection, her tone implying that her thoughts reflected his. “How long has it been there?�

Felisha’s hands flexed within Remus’ comforting grasp. “A couple of hours at the most. I don’t think I was supposed to know about it but my friend in security told me that he had to perform a high alert escort duty this evening and it just so happened that they were bringing it inside as I went downstairs to come here…� She trailed off, breathing deeply. “I thought it would just be another feral,� she admitted in a hushed tone. “A part of me even wondered if it might be you, Remus. But it wasn’t. It definitely wasn’t.� She shook her head slowly. “I’ve encountered a Dementor before. But it was nothing like this. Oh yes, I felt cold, I found myself remembered my father’s death and Lily’s funeral and every bad thing in my world… But there was more too. There was something violent, something potent about this Dementor. There were more than just bad memories here – every brutality, every fight, every nasty death I have seen in my work with werewolves came to the forefront of my mind. It was as though it was calling on those memories specifically. And when it had passed, I had never felt so sick, so naked, so violated in all my life.� Her eyes drilled into his. “Remus, I have never known anything so evil as that thing I saw today. And it’s in the Institute.�

Fighting down the raging ice that was running the length of his spine, Remus gently wrapped his arms around her shaking back as the dark, curly head of his old school mate accepted the comfort of his embrace and dropped against his shoulder. The warmth of her skin against his robe and the tickle of her hair against his neck provided a bastion against the chills. Her soft sigh implied that she was feeling much the same.

He was uncertain of quite how long they sat together before the voice of Tonks, sharpened by an unexpected edge, intruded upon them.

“Did anyone offer any kind of explanation?� The Auror asked abruptly. “Did you ask why they were bringing a Dementor into a Feral Institute?�

Felisha’s head lifted – with a slight, unspoken reluctance, she pulled out of Remus’ arms and sat up straight once more.

“I managed a quick word with Avin – my friend in security,� she replied, her cheeks still slightly flushed. “He told me that he had heard Alexander Aylward talking with the man at the Ministry when they went to collect it, saying that under the circumstances it would be better off with us.� She frowned. “From what he heard, he thinks it might be the Dementor that Kissed Abraham Kane.�

Remus’ head snapped up instantly. “What?�

Both Tonks and Felisha stared at him. “The Dementor that Kissed Kane,� Felisha repeated slowly. “Why, does that matter?�

“It might.� Remus’ mind was racing towards an alarming possibility. “Felisha, has Rebekah ever told you her theory about the werewolf soul?�

The researcher was regarding him uncertainly. “A little,� she answered cautiously. “But Rebekah’s become very precious about her research lately. Why?�

Remus ignored the question. “How much do you know about Dementors?�

Felisha blinked. “Pretty much what was covered in NEWT Defence,� she admitted. “I specialised in werewolves quite early on in my magi-zoology apprenticeship and so I never really got much further with anything else.�

Remus sighed. “Have you ever heard of Mortimer Caldwell?�

“Are you going to answer any questions or just keep asking them?� The slightly frustrated intervention came from Tonks. After a quick glance in her direction however, Felisha did reply.

“He researched Dementors, which isn’t a job I’d volunteer for. But I’ve never read his theories.�

Sighing once more, Remus leaned back against the twisted support of the four-poster and gazed up into the canopy. “Caldwell hypothesised and later proved why it is that Dementors prefer human souls and emotions to that of any other prey,� he said, his voice quiet and weary. “The reason they have no interest in animals is because an animal’s emotion range and soul is less rich and diverse than that of a human, hence they do not make very good meals. A human feels greater happiness and suffers stronger woes, more complicated emotions and a deeper soul – it is like comparing a full five-course banquet with living off stale bread or gruel. A Dementor with nothing else to feed upon but animals would eventually weaken, sicken and possibly even die.�

Tonks was frowning. “That’s interesting enough, Professor. But I’m not sure I see the relevance here.�

Remus smiled at her, a gesture she returned. “I’m getting to that. You see, Caldwell also theorised, although was unable to prove, that it could also work another way. Because there might also be a good reason that Dementors don’t usually consume the souls of magical or dark creatures.� His smile spread as he watched the young Auror. “What would happen if you ate the entire contents of Honeydukes in one sitting?� he asked suddenly.

“I’d be the size of an elephant with spots like dinner plates,� Tonks replied promptly. Felisha smiled too as Remus chuckled.

“Apart from that,� he said.

Tonks pondered for a moment. “I’d probably be sick,� she said frankly. “Not to mention I’d be bouncing off the walls from the…oh.� Her eyes lit up with realisation. “That’s it, isn’t it? That’s what’s happened to the Dementor that drank Kane! It’s got a sugar rush.�

“Exactly.� Remus was really rather proud of his analogy. “The souls of magical creatures are far, far potent than those of an ordinary human. Caldwell believed that consuming a magical soul would intoxicate a Dementor, damage it permanently, drive it wild. Consuming more than one would probably poison it fatally.�

Tonks nodded. “Just like an overdose of sugar or salt.�

“And that Dementor consumed a feral werewolf,� Felisha injected suddenly. “Which would explain why my thoughts seemed to focus so much on brutality and violence as it passed me. Those are the thoughts that would most dominate a feral mind.� She took a deep breath. “That’s why it’s been transferred to the Institute. We have a feral Dementor on our hands.�

There was a long moment of silence. It was not a pretty prospect.

Remus eventually broke it. “The question is – what do we do about it?�

Tonks frowned once more. “What can we do? We’re banned from the Institute. Reb… Whoever’s playing games in there can do as they chose.�

“I may have a way for you to get in.� Two heads swung instantly in Felisha’s direction. She shrugged slightly. “In an emergency at least. But you may have to bear with me. It’ll take a little time to arrange.�

“Anything you can do…�

“As soon as you could would be…� Tonks and Remus spoke almost simultaneously, breaking off to glance at each other. Felisha smiled.

“I’m working on it,� she reassured them. “Whenever I get the chance. The only problem would be letting you know when I’ve done it. Oh!� She slapped one hand against her knee. “That reminds me, did you get my letter all right?�

Remus smiled genuinely. “The letter was excellent. I was very glad to learn you weren’t fired.�

Felisha returned the smile. “I’m not sure I was. But Rebekah surprised me. She didn’t blame me in the slightest but found it very easy to think the worst of you. She did warn me to be less trusting of werewolves in the future, though.�

“Charming,� Tonks drawled. “But like Remus said, the letter was great. You disguised your purpose well for any unwelcome eyes.�

Felisha beamed. “Good, I was worried about sending it. I can’t prove anything, but I think someone has been reading my post. Certainly the letter I got from my mother last week had been opened and re-sealed.� She pulled a face. “But therein lies the problem. I don’t think us continuing to write is going to be possible without severe suspicion. But I don’t see how else we can co-ordinate anything or even arrange to meet…�

“I’ve already thought of that.� Remus dug into the pocket of his robe and pulled out the three silver sickles he had obtained from Hermione earlier. “We’ll use these.�

Tonks’ cheeks creased. “Scotland to Yorkshire is a bit far to chuck a coin at someone, Remus.�

Remus gave her a long, deliberate look. “They’re Protean charmed,� he stated slowly as she grinned at him cheekily. “If we need to meet, we simply charm a time and date to meet here into our own coin and the other two will grow hot and show the same. If one of us can’t make it, we send an X followed by an alternative. We can even send short messages. What do you think?�

“I like it,� Felisha took her coin at once. “However did you think of it?�

Remus smiled ruefully. “I didn’t. It was a… project by one of my pupils. A very clever young lady.�

Tonks flipped her coin into the air before snatching it and pocketing it. “This positively reeks of Hermione Granger,� she said with a grin.

Remus grinned too. “Who else?�

“It’s a relief to know we can stay in touch,� Felisha slipped the coin into her robes. “It’s so isolated in the Institute these days. If something does happen, it’s nice to know I’ve a secure link to the outside.�

Remus looked over at her in concern. “Are things that bad?�

Felisha sighed deeply as she absently brushed her long dark curls out of her face. “Apart from that Dementor, things are no worse than they’ve been for the last few months,� she admitted wearily. “I told you most of what you needed to know at the Institute and in the letter. It’s hard to explain.� She sighed again. “It’s Rebekah mostly. I mean, she’s never been the most sociable woman in the world, but when I started at the Institute, she was at least approachable. But recently, she’s been like ice. She was always reasonably… not sympathetic, but responsible about her charges too but now – it’s like she’s just stopped caring. And it all started when Kane arrived.� She met his eyes once more. “She hates him, Remus,� she said softly. “Even more than she hates you. And that hate has filled her completely.�

Remus felt an uncomfortable prickle at this news. “What about the others?�

Felisha snorted. “Croll is Croll. And Aylward is Aylward. They never change. Neither does Zelia, really – she just drifts through life on the crest of her own private wave of positive energy. Dolph’s been more cheerful lately, mostly because he’s allowed out of the Resident’s Level now and away from the others. And Cymone – well, she moans more than she used to but that could just be because her boss has turned so foul tempered. She’s been left to do almost all the paperwork alone.�

“That’d annoy me too,� Tonks wrinkled her nose. “Felisha, who has access to Kane?�

Felisha raised an eyebrow. “Alone? Only Rebekah, Aylward and Croll have Alpha Clearance. I have Beta Clearance, which means I can go to Level Six unaccompanied but I can’t get into Kane’s observation chamber. That’s Alpha only.� She shrugged slightly. “But those three can take anyone they want in with them. I used to be able to go to the Resident’s Level alone too but after the incident with you, Rebekah’s boosted that to Alpha Clearance too. Specifically, her Alpha Clearance. No one but her goes in alone.�

“What about the Dementor?� Remus leaned forward, resting his palms against his thighs. “Do you know where it was taken?�

“Level Six,� Felisha replied promptly. “I asked Avin. I wanted to know where to avoid.� She shuddered.

Level Six… That’s good. Certainly the further away from the non-feral Residents the Dementor was the better. And if the Death Eater tried to feed it a feral – well… They’d probably have a dead Dementor on their hands. Rather grimly, Remus almost found himself hoping that they’d try it.

They talked for a few minutes more, discussing the staff and residents of the Institute and its operations before lapsing finally into a slow and awkward silence. From below, the raucous laughter of drinkers at Rosmerta’s bar drifted up through the floorboards.

Felisha glanced over her shoulder, taking in the clock on the bedside table. “You’d probably better be going soon,� she remarked uncertainly. “But before you do – Remus, could I have a word with you?� She shot an uncomfortable look at Tonks. “A private word?�

Remus couldn’t help but notice that Tonks looked a little put out – but to her credit, she rose immediately to her feet, glancing at Remus with a wan and oddly subdued smile. “I’ll…umm… be downstairs then,� she said, jerking her thumb in the direction of the door. “When you want me.�

Remus smiled at her. “I’ll be along soon. But you don’t have to wait if you don’t want to.�

Inexplicably, Tonks almost seemed to wince. “No, no,� she said with almost deliberate casualness. “Bodyguard, remember? I have to see you safely back to Hogwarts or I’m not doing my job.�

Remus gave her a mock scowl at the mention of protection. “If you must, then. But I can look after myself.�

Tonks chuckled slightly. “Yeah, yeah, you’re a big boy and all that. But I’m still going to walk you home. That’s what friends do, isn’t it?�

And then, with a flash of a half-hearted smile, she stepped outside and was gone.

Felisha was gazing at the closed door with an oddly thoughtful expression. “Is she all right?�

Remus followed her stare. “I think she’s a bit annoyed with me. I rather put my foot in it just before we arrived.� He shook himself. “But anyway – what did you want to talk to me about?�

Felisha sighed, gazing down at the quilt as though it was the most fascinating thing in the world. “The Prefect’s Bathroom,� she said softly.

Remus could feel the heat rising to his cheeks. “Oh.�

Felisha smiled wanly. “I really hoped if we shook hands and started over that it wouldn’t matter anymore. But I keep finding myself wanting to explain to you that I wasn’t avoiding you because of that… what I saw… well, I mean I was but…� She raised her hands to her flustered face. “Oh dear. I am making a mess of this. This is why I didn’t want to talk about it.�

Remus gently shook his head. “It’s all right. I guessed that you guessed and it wasn’t unexpected. I know you’re a good person, Leish, and that’s why you avoided me by acting embarrassed instead of disgusted but…�

“It wasn’t an act!� Felisha flushed violently. “And that wasn’t why…I mean…� Furiously, she crumpled her robes between her hands. “You know what? I’m just going to start at the beginning. I knew you were a werewolf, Remus, long before it ever made the papers. I’ve known since school. Since that night when I saw…�

“My scar.� Remus closed his eyes. “My bite.� He’d known, deep down, that she’d seen, that she’d understood, that she’d put the scars and his absences together in her head – she was too much a Ravenclaw not to. That they had been teenagers – shy teenagers who had very much liked one another – had made it easier to pretend it was all about something physical but he’d known and she’d known and neither had wanted to face the other knowing. And so they’d blushed and run away until it became a habit that neither could break…

“I knew you’d seen it,� he said softly. “I saw the look on your face when you saw me. You were embarrassed because I was…� He flushed slightly. “But there was more there too. For days, I was terrified that you were going to say something.�

Felisha’s head shot up indignantly. “I’d never have said anything!� she exclaimed hotly. “What do you think I am? I liked you Remus, I still like you, a lot, and I’d never have done something like that.� She sighed deeply. “It was just…�

Remus nodded quietly. “I understand.�

“I’m not sure you do.� Gently, Felisha reached forwards and took his hand in hers. “I did a lot of research in those few weeks, found out a lot of things about what it was to be a werewolf – in fact it was that investigation that got me interested in researching werewolves for a living. But knowing so much about how awful it was – I didn’t know what to say to you, Remus. I knew you were a good person – I certainly wasn’t going to let some foolish illness change my opinion on that – but I knew you were proud too. You wouldn’t want my sympathy and I just couldn’t find a way to broach the subject that didn’t sound like I pitied you somehow. And so it just seemed easier to…� She blushed prettily once more, “…to focus more thoughts on the other aspect of what I’d seen and that way I’d just keep being embarrassed and not offend you at all. If you see what I mean.�

The warmth of Remus’ returning blush was filled with understanding. “I do. Unfortunately.�

Felisha chuckled more easily as the rosy hue of her cheeks faded down. “Good. I’m glad that’s finally said. After all, it isn’t as though I have any reason to feel awkward anymore.� She beamed as she rose to her feet, her hand still gripping his. “So you needn’t worry,� she declared heartily. “I’m determined to get over it. From now on, I certainly won’t look at you and picture you naked.�

And then Felisha froze. Following her gaze, Remus stared in horror.

There was a deathly silence.

For the door to Felisha’s room was now open. And standing framed within the corridor beyond stood Nymphadora Tonks, Madam Rosmerta and a young couple that Remus recognised as two of his seventh year Ravenclaws.

And in that instant, he knew with a sinking heart that every single one of them had heard Felisha’s last sentence.

The students were staring at their teacher with a kind of stunned glee. Rosmerta was smirking. Tonks blinked for a moment, but on catching sight of the look of horror that Remus was very certain was splashed across his face, he saw her chin start to tremble with desperately suppressed laughter.

Oh Dear Gods. I’m definitely going to get a reputation out of this. And that’s the last thing I need…

Rosmerta recovered most quickly and blessedly decided to show a little tact. “This way, dears,� she said firmly to the two open mouthed eighteen year olds. “Your room’s a little further down.�

Reluctantly, the couple allowed themselves to be ushered away. Tonks, however, leaned casually against the doorframe and met the stare of her red-faced friend with a carefully raised eyebrow.

“Naked?� she queried with frank wickedness.

Remus fixed her with the steeliest glare he could muster. “Did you want something?� he retorted irritably. “Or did you just come up here for the pleasure of humiliating me?�

Tonks waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, the humiliation was just a bonus.� Her expression dropped abruptly into one that was rather more serious. “But mate, we really need to go.�

Something was wrong – that much Remus could instantly tell. Setting his shoulders, he turned to the red-faced Felisha and managed a wan smile.

“Well – good luck,� he said bracingly.

“You too,� she returned in a high-pitched voice with an awkward little nod.
Remus sighed. Just when they’d sorted things out…

But Tonks was tapping her foot in an anxious manner. With a final, slightly rueful smile, Remus turned and left Felisha alone in her room.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Tonks took a firm grasp on the sleeve of Remus’ robe and turned him hurriedly away down the passageway.

“Why did you burst in like that?� Remus tried his very best to keep the irritation out of his voice. A moment later, he glanced around and realised he was being ushered towards the back end of the inn. “And why are we going in the opposite direction to the stairs?�

“Because we can’t go back through the bar.� Tapping her wand against a wooden panel, Tonks revealed a narrow, winding staircase that dropped away towards the Three Broomsticks yard. “Age before beauty,� she gestured towards the hidden stairs. “Or at least, if you go first, I get a soft landing when the inevitable trip-up happens.�

Embarrassed, confused and annoyed, Remus folded his arms and turned on the Auror instead. “And why are we sneaking out the back?� he asked with a calm of which he was quite proud.

Tonks regarded him slowly. “Because Falconer, that security guard we met on our first visit to the Institute, is sitting at the counter downstairs,� she told him levelly. “And my suspicious mind refuses to accept that is a coincidence. So come on.�

Remus obeyed. He was suddenly too tired to argue that even security guards were allowed out to have a drink.

“So.� There was a strange note to Tonks’ light-hearted tone. “Tell me all about being naked in front of Felisha Hathaway. Would this be the infamous bathroom incident?�

Remus sniffed carefully. “None of your business,� he replied stiffly.

“No,� Tonks’ voice was oddly quiet as she stumbled slightly on the step behind him, one small hand pressing suddenly against his back. “I don’t suppose it is.�

The Monday after his meeting with Felisha at the Three Broomsticks, Remus Lupin went home. He felt he’d earned it.

Sunday had not been the easiest day of his life. A long, involved meeting in Dumbledore’s office with Tonks, Kingsley, Mad-Eye Moody and the ever-charming Severus Snape had yielded little in the way of a definite plan of action regarding the news that a Dementor was already installed within the Institute. Kingsley’s queries at the Ministry had revealed that sending the Dementor to the Institute had been a Ministry decision rather than a request from any Institute member but that did not alter the chill suspicion in Remus’ heart that it was playing right into the hands of their hidden Death Eater. He knew that Felisha would alert them as soon as she could if the situation in her place of work suffered any profound change but the question was would that already be too late?

But they could do nothing more. Kingsley’s diffident suggestion to his superiors that a search of the Institute might be wise had been shot down in flames – no one wanted to interfere with Dolores Umbridge’s favourite project. Access to the Institute was severely restricted, even for a luminary such as Dumbledore and its security was unsurpassed; without inside help – namely Felisha’s as yet unrevealed emergency plan – they were simply unable to act. It was frustrating and worrying to be so helpless in the face of such a threat but it was also unavoidable.

And Snape’s investigations had also yielded nothing. To his palpable annoyance, whatever plans were afoot within the Institute were clearly highly confidential knowledge – none of his Death Eater contacts had heard a thing. This was, he had concluded with a sneer, probably a one or two man project and the one or two involved were either not present or not talking. He did mention however, that it had been some while since he had encountered Bellatrix Lestrange.

And that, unfortunately, had been that. Dumbledore had drunk in the faces of his fellow Order members and quietly suggested to them all that the best they could do for now was to go about their business and wait. They had all reacted in their own ways – Severus had curled his lip, Mad-Eye had growled, Kingsley had frowned, Tonks had huffed and Remus had sighed – but none had argued and the meeting had rather sullenly broken up.

Remus had intended to remain at Hogwarts for the remaining week of the Easter holidays, to insure he was on hand should something untoward occur, but as he made his way back down to his office, he had encounter three Ravenclaws from his NEWT level class gossiping together in the corridor. And when they had registered his approach, as one, they turned and smirked at him.

Remus had sighed. Substantially.

Bloody Rosmerta. And bloody open doors…

He had hoped to have a quiet word with the two Ravenclaws from the Three Broomsticks before word got around, hoping beyond hope that they might not have returned to the school yet from their own interlude in Hogsmeade. But apparently he was far too late. The grapevine was already spreading.

By the afternoon, the looks were becoming more commonplace. And by that evening’s dinner, it seemed almost as though the smirks of the entire student body were upon him. At that point, Remus had abandoned his earlier plans, hurried up to the Owlery and plaintively contacted his father to request sanctuary.

Reynard had, with only a few minor jokes of his own, welcomed him with open arms.

The remote student-and-Institute-less quiet of Winter Hollow proved to be exactly what Remus needed. He had relaxed gently back into life at home, helping in the garden and feeding the menagerie, reading books and writing papers, walking the woods and mountains and talking and laughing with his father. But as the week passed and Remus unwound, he could not help but notice that Reynard’s level of tension was rising almost in proportion. And there was no need to ask why.

For the postponed family dinner was looming that Sunday. And every day was one day closer.

And so it was that by the time Remus and Reynard shook off their apparition on Sunday morning to stare over at the grey stone walls of the Lupin family home, the elder Lupin was wound up tighter than a bowstring.

Remus blinked in the bright sunlight of the spring day as he glanced up and down the narrow, flowery lane on which they had materialised before shifting his gaze to the ornately curved iron gates that lay before them, marking the boundary of the anti-apparition wards around the grounds. Beyond, a gravelled drive dropped away, flanked by well-maintained lawns and neatly trimmed meadow before rising once more to a blocky but charming house of thick grey stone with broad windows that gazed out in all directions across the curl of hills that surrounded its snug resting place. A sigh, carved neatly out of slate and set into the gatepost announced its name as Greystones.

Reynard was also staring at the house. His hands closed around his stick almost reflexively.

Glancing at his father’s white pallor, Remus placed a gentle hand against his distinctly taut shoulder and squeezed softly.

“Dad, relax,� he said kindly. “It’ll be fine. At least you’ve met most of them before. If I’m not nervous, why should you be?�

Reynard’s eyes flicked towards his son. “I don’t know how you can be so calm,� he replied with a wan smile. “Are you sure your mother didn’t slip you some kind of sedative when you were a baby?�

Remus smiled in return. “I’m afraid I couldn’t tell you that.� His smile wavered slightly. “I’ve had quite enough to be nervous about lately,� he added quietly. “And besides, I tend to go into most social gatherings these days expecting to be disliked. That way if I’m not, it’s a pleasant surprise.�

Reynard’s smile turned somewhat sad. “You shouldn’t have to.�

Remus shrugged. “I know. But that’s just the way of the world.�

“Uncle Rey!�

The heartily hail made both Lupin men jump. Turning sharply, Remus’ gaze fixed upon the smiling young man who was strolling down the lane towards them. He was slightly shorter than Remus, his face broad, freckled and friendly, his skin well tanned and his lanky Lupin frame filled out by honed muscle. His brown hair, ruffled jovially by the breeze, carried hints of red as it glinted in the sun.

His quick stride brought him to their side in moments. “Glad you made it!� he exclaimed cheerfully, catching Reynard’s hand and giving it a firm shake – Reynard’s nervous smile melted beneath the assault of overwhelming good nature. “I was worried after Ben went and chucked us all in it last weekend that you wouldn’t make it and it would hardly have been much of a dinner without the guests of honour!�

Reynard laughed. “Nice to see you too, Rufus.�

The young man – Rufus - released his hand with a grin and turned his hazel eyes abruptly onto Remus.

“And this must be cousin Remus!� he exclaimed, thrusting out his hand once more – unable to keep himself from smiling, Remus accepted it. “I’m Rufus Lupin, youngest son, black sheep and general source of familial amusement and despair. Amongst the charges you are likely to hear levelled in my direction today are that I am not yet married, I live in a flat in London in spite of offers to remain at home and I that abandoned a promising career in magi-zoology to train as an exterminator. And of course, the great unforgiven – I was the only member of my family not sorted into Ravenclaw.�

Slightly bemused, Remus glanced at his father whose shoulder were now shaking not with tension but suppressed amusement – it was clear that he had received a similar assault of information on his first encounter with Rufus.

“Nice to meet you,� he replied. “I am indeed Remus.�

Rufus must have spotted his expression. “Don’t worry,� he said with a grin. “I just like to get all that stuff out of the way. It saves time and explanations later. And I don’t expect you to reciprocate.�

Remus echoed his smile. “Well in that case I won’t bother to tell you that I am also single, I vary between living at home with my father and at Hogwarts, where I am a professor and that I am also one of the great unforgiven who were not in Ravenclaw.�

Rufus laughed out loud. “Don’t tell me. Another of Minerva’s minions?�

A picture of the expression on Minerva McGonagall’s face at hearing her house so described almost cracked Remus’ aura of calm. Stifling laughter, he grinned.

“I was a prefect,� he pointed out with mock offence. “Hardly a minion.�

“Sell-out.� Rufus’ eyes were twinkling. “But never mind. If you’re nice to me, I might let you join me in that special corner of disappointment that dad reserves for any Lupin sorted into Gryffindor.�

Remus started to smile but then a glimpse of his father’s face forced his good humour into abrupt retreat. He remembered, with a start, that Rolphe Lupin would have good reason for worrying about a Gryffindor son considering that the last member of his family to reach that house, his and Reynard’s sister Rhea, had come to an unfortunate end to say the least.

Definitely time to change the subject.

“Perhaps we’d better head inside?� he deflected diplomatically, gesturing towards the gates. “I wouldn’t want to cement that disappointment further by being late.�

“No need to fret on that score.� Rufus waved a dismissive hand, but he did move in the direction of the driveway. Exchanging a glance that told Remus eloquently that his father had understood and appreciated his deflection, his fellow Lupins followed. Rufus was smiling once more as he pushed open the gate and ushered his two relatives inside – it appeared to be his default state of being. “Trust me, we won’t be the last,� he continued at once. “Ruth and Edmund and their little hoard live with mum and dad so she’s always about and I think Ro and her brood have been staying over Easter. But Ben and Beks are always busy-busy with this, that or the other so whatever time I saunter in, they always show up later. So I reckon we’re safe for now.�

The walk down the long drive was necessarily slow due to Reynard’s incapacity but Rufus used the opportunity to fill the air with friendly chatter about soon to be encountered relatives – the likely distraction of his sister Rowanne due to the necessity of watching over a four month old son and two year old daughter, the probability of boredom in any conversation with his brother Ben due to his tendency to talk about little but twig capacity and streamline finish in his work as a designer of broomsticks, the futility of trying to discuss work with his sister Beks who always avoided the subject in company and that his mother Thalia could and would gush for hours on any subject if you were foolish enough to be cornered by her. By the time they reached the front steps of the house, Remus had begun to feel as though he had known these people all his life.

It was an odd sensation. He wasn’t used to having cousins that didn’t want him dead.

“So in conclusion,� Rufus declared expansively as they paused outside the wooden front door of Greystones house. “If you want a dull conversation, talk to Ben. If you want no conversation, talk to Beks. If you want a distracted conversation, talk to Ro. If you want polite conversation, talk to my dad. If you want a conversation where you don’t need to speak at all, talk to my mother. If you want a strange conversation, take your pick from the kids. But if you want a sane conversation, you’ll have to come to Ruth or me. And that’s all you need to know.�

Remus couldn’t help himself. “No other tips? Only that was hardly much to go on.�
Rufus blinked for a moment, before bursting into sudden laughter. “You’ll pass,� he said, still chuckling. “Considering you’re a werewolf, I was half-expecting you to be a bit of a misery. It’s nice to be wrong.�

The sudden, offhand mention of his condition caught Remus rather off-guard. Reynard’s head also snapped up but Rufus, glancing between them, did nothing more than shrug.

“You weren’t expecting me to mention that, were you?� he remarked, his voice slightly more serious than Remus had come to expect. “But don’t worry yourself about it. I can’t speak for the others, but I can tell you it doesn’t bother me.� He grinned slightly. “As long as you don’t start vying for my black sheep position anyway. I like being the odd one out. It means I can do as I please and no one acts horrified or surprised.�

Remus couldn’t help but smile. “You sound like an old friend of mine. He used to say something very similar.�

Rufus smiled more gently in return. “Then I’m even more sure than you and I are going to get along.� He glanced around, his eyes flicking up towards the brilliant blue sky, over the colourful mass of flowers swaying gently in the meadow breeze, towards a lark ascending as it trilled out its glorious song.

“Take a deep breath,� he said with a roll of his eyes. “And drink in this lovely peace and quiet. Because once I open that door, it’s easy to forget it exists. Brace yourselves.�

And then, fumbling with his key, he opened the door.

And then there was noise.

A small battalion of children hurtled through the neatly panelled hallway that opened out before them, screaming and laughing as they ran from one doorway into another as they pursued a wildly barking dog that almost ploughed down a distracted looking little house elf that was hurrying into a nearby room with a tray of drinks, hitching up its neat little tea towel as it scurried out of the path of danger. From somewhere above, the long plaintive wail of a baby echoed through the house, a counterpoint to the hiss and steam of cauldrons on a fire that drifted from the open doorway at the hallway’s head, accompanied by the strains of a woman’s voice chattering in constant commentary to whatever it was she was doing. In the distance, something tumbled with a crash – a man’s voice raised itself in remonstration at this unseen mishap and suddenly the cries of a second child had joined the first; clearly, being told off was reason enough to add to the din. Plaintive and drowned out, somewhere, peaceful music was playing.

Remus stared. Rufus laughed. Reynard grinned.

“You know, I didn’t think it could get much louder than last time,� the elder Lupin remarked almost cheerfully. “I’m impressed.�

Rufus shrugged easily. “Trust me, for a full family gathering, this is a quiet day. Come on, let’s brave the wilds and see who we can find. And don’t worry if you trip over Ruffles – the dog,� he added at Remus’ slight expression of bemusement. “You aren’t a true blooded member of the Lupin family until you’ve had at least one Ruffles related injury.�

As he pulled the door closed behind them and followed Rufus and his father into the corridor, Remus had to admit that the chaos before him was not precisely what he had been expecting. Everything he had ever heard about his father’s brother Rolphe had implied he was a fairly staid and serious man and on coming to his home, Remus had to admit he had rather anticipated a staid and serious gathering. Faced as he was with rushing children, barking dogs and an overwhelming cacophony of family that was almost Weasley-ish in nature, he found himself to be pleasantly taken aback and ever so slightly daunted.

Ahead, Rufus had cupped his hands over his mouth with a wink.

“Halloooo!� he cried. “Can anybody hear me out there?�

A head popped out of the nearest doorway on the right. It belonged to a vividly redheaded woman perhaps a couple of years Remus’ senior who smiled broadly at the sight of Rufus and hurried at once to his side.

“Rufus!� she exclaimed, catching him in a brief but sincere embrace. “You didn’t bring Sally?�

Rufus shrugged slightly. “We broke up.�

The woman’s face fell into weary resignation. “Again? Honestly, if you and she stay together for more than a month at a time, I shall have to call the Prophet. And – oh!� Her gaze caught on Reynard as her face broke into a brilliant smile. “Hello Reynard.�

“Ruth.� Smiling too, Reynard offered his hand but Ruth batted it aside almost fondly as she stepped forward and also engulfed him in a hug. To judge by the expression on his father’s face, Reynard had been caught, though not unpleasantly, by surprise.

“We’ve met more than once and we’re family,� Ruth informed him with mock sternness as she withdrew, smiling. “I’m afraid that puts you on my hugging rota.�

Rufus smirked. “My condolences.�

Ruth smacked him playfully on the arm. “Watch it, little brother. I still know how to make you suffer.� Her eyes switched to Remus and she smiled again. “And you must be Remus. A pleasure to meet you. I’m Ruth Wychwood, Rolphe’s eldest daughter.� She offered her hand. “I’ll let you off the hug because we’ve never met before and I tend to avoid hugging strangers. But next time, there shall be no escape.�

“Run while you can,� Rufus offered in a stage whisper as Remus took her hand and shook it with a smile. Ruth shot her younger brother another mock glare.

“One more like that and I’ll tell Rowanne you offered to watch the baby,� she informed him. “I know how much you love changing nappies and wiping up vomit.�

Rufus raised his hands in mock surrender. “All right, spare me. I’d better go and register my presence with the parents. May I leave our guests in your capable hands?�

“You may. Now run along.� Rufus obeyed with a playful wave as Ruth turned to Reynard and Remus. “And if you two would care to follow me?�

They did, moving into the room from which Ruth had emerged. It was fairly substantial in size, also panelled in wood, with a large ornate fireplace and a variety of chairs, rugs and tables scattered around the hardwood floor. A piano, covered in family photos, stood in one corner, quietly playing Satie’s Gymnopedies unaided by human hand and several portraits and pictures were scattered around the walls. Several of the occupants regarded the new arrivals carefully.

“Reynard Lupin, back again!� One, an old man in a curly wig and black frock coat proclaimed expansively. “Welcome, my boy! No word for years and then two visits in one month! So good to see you!�

Reynard smiled. “Hello, Roderick,� he greeted cheerfully, as he settled himself into a green armchair by the fire, just beneath the portrait that had spoken. “How’s my favourite Great-Great Grandfather?�

Remus half-made to join him but Ruth caught his arm and guided him quietly to one side. “Let them talk,� she said softly. “Roderick has been asking after Reynard for as long as I can remember – well before I even knew who he was. I think he was a bit of a favourite. Besides…� They came to a standstill beside the gently self-playing piano, “I was hoping for a quiet word with you.�

“With me?� Remus made absolutely certain that no hint of the flash of coldness that ran the length of his spine appeared on his face at these words. “Certainly. What about?�

Ruth said nothing for a moment. Her eyes drifted to the piano top. Remus followed her gaze.

It was a photograph, black and white, of five smiling people on the lawn in front of Greystones, two parents and three children, one boy and two girls. It looked somewhat over thirty years old. The eldest girl was unmistakably Ruth.

The chill deepened. “Ah.�

Ruth nodded quietly. “You know about what happened to my brother Randolph and my mother then?�

Remus returned the nod. “I know they were murdered by the same werewolf that bit me.�

His cousin sighed deeply. “It means very little to Reuben, Rowanne and Rufus. Not to say they are insensitive to it, but she was not their mother and they were born years after Randolph died. They know they existed but they do not mourn them the way we who knew them do.� She stared at the picture again for a moment. “I do not blame you in any way,� she continued softly. “Why should I? You were a victim of Kane yourself after all. But my father does and always has felt their loss more keenly than even my sister and I. It took a great deal for him to ask you here today – if my nephew hadn’t given you such a stunningly positive endorsement, I doubt he would have agreed at all. But he will be awkward with you – not out of blame, not particularly even out of prejudice, but because you are a living, breathing reminder of what happened to two people he loved dearly. And that you lived and they did not still hurts him.� She met his eyes almost pleadingly. “Please bear that in mind.�

Remus bowed his head. “Of course. I understand completely.� He swallowed hard before adding, “Kane killed my mother too. Nearly five years ago.�

Ruth’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know that.�

Remus sighed deeply. “Not many people do. I only learned myself a few months ago.�

Ruth released a long, slow breath as her gaze became a scrutiny. “Were you angry?� she asked softly.

Remus’ mind flashed back to the Howling, to the raging fury that had kindled in his chest as Kane taunted him about killing Diana Lupin, to the surge of gold he now knew had touched his eyes.

“Furious,� he replied.

His cousin regarded him uncertainly. “Then perhaps you can understand that my sister…�

“What do you mean they’re already here? Honestly, Rufus Lupin, why didn’t you say that first?� The echoing cry bounced the length and breadth of the house, cutting though even the distant, chaotic sounds of many children at play. “Rolphe! Reuben! Rowanne! They’re here already, get yourselves downstairs!�

Looking rather frazzled, Rufus stumbled abruptly through the doorway. “Duck and cover,� he warned breathlessly. “Mum knows you’ve arrived and you’re about to be inundated. Believe it or not, even Ben got here before me. We’re only waiting for Beks.�

Ruth’s head snapped up. “Rufus, don’t call her that. You know she hates it and one of these days she’ll snap and have your head on a spike before you can say acromantula.�

Rufus opened his mouth, presumably in some cheeky retort, but the words were stayed as he was bustled unceremoniously out of the way by a hoard of galloping children and a very lively Scottie dog who flung themselves bright eyed into the room to get a look at the new arrivals. A moment later they were followed by a thin woman of perhaps nearing sixty, wrapped in long green, flapping robes and with her greying brown hair tied back into a slightly fraying bun. Her eyes fixed on Reynard and she smiled.

“Reynard, dear, how lovely to see you again,� she declared expansively, widening her arms as she swept down upon him – Reynard barely managed to pull himself to his feet before he was engulfed in another embrace. “You’ve been well I hope? Good, good!� Reynard opened his mouth, presumably in an effort to greet her but the woman had already wheeled and swept in the direction of his son.

“And this must be Remus!� she exclaimed. This time, Remus was not spared the perils of hugging as bony arms engulfed him too. “I’m Thalia Lupin, dear, Rolphe’s wife,� she declared as she released him and stepped back. “And goodness, don’t you look like your father! There’s no mistaking your lineage, dear, that’s for sure! And you work at Hogwarts? That must be ever so rewarding, teaching all those children, though I know there was that nasty incident at Christmas, but probably best not to discuss that in front of the little ones, wouldn’t you say?�

Remus half managed to attempt a response, but the tide of conversation flowing from Thalia’s lips had already swept on past. He had to marvel at the accuracy of Rufus’ earlier description – his mother could indeed conduct an entire conversation by herself. “I was worried your duties at Hogwarts might keep you away but of course we’re in the Easter holidays, so we are blessed with your company after all! I’ve done beef, dear, I hope you like it, Reynard said you wouldn’t mind but I do like to be sure. Oh and don’t mind Ruffles, dear, he’s harmless, wouldn’t hurt a fly, would you boy?�
For indeed, the family dog was tugging playfully at the hem of his robes, with an expression of mindless glee, his tail wagging like a twig in a hurricane. His little eyes gleamed brightly with the effort. Rather tentatively, Remus attempted to push him away. He had no real objections to dogs, but years of poverty had taught him not to risk a good pair of robes to canine teeth.

Ruth rolled her eyes slightly. “Oh that won’t do. Don’t be gentle with him, he isn’t with us.�

“Oh no, he’s a right little scamp is our Ruffles!� Thalia beamed as Ruth, aided by a little girl of perhaps nine or ten that Remus guessed belonged to her, reached down and prized Ruffles away from the hem of the visitor’s clothing. A glance in the direction of the door told Remus that the room was filling up with unfamiliar faces but he barely had time to take them in before he was distracted by the double assault of Thalia’s conversation and Ruffles renewed persistence in his game of tug-the-robe and was dragged back under by the inexorable Lupin tide.

To Remus, family and home had always been a quiet place, a refuge, filled with love and jokes and laughter, but they had been only three, now reduced to two, not enough to fill even such a small cottage as Winter Hollow. Before the Weasleys, he had never really known how chaotic and boisterous a large family could be and he had watched their antics from the sidelines with quiet amusement, never dreaming for a moment that he would find himself at the centre of such a scene of madness with relatives of his own. It was a shock, exhilarating, terrifying. It was amazing.

“Mum, mum!� Remus registered Ruth’s voice, realising as she spoke that Thalia had clearly been a part of the family long enough to gain the honorific title of mother from Rolphe’s older daughters. “You haven’t let the poor man say a word! And besides…� Her voice dropped to a more serious tone. “I think dad has something to say.�

The silence fell instantly, startlingly so after the racket of moments before. Even the piano fell still.

Remus looked up.

Standing in the centre of the room, Rolphe Lupin had just released his brother’s hand. That they were brothers was again unmistakable – although Rolphe was the shorter, his face broader, his belly larger, the resemblance was plain to see. His hair was best described as white streaked with brown more than brown streaked with white and his hazel eyes were deep and fixed intensely on Remus. At his side, Reynard was watching his brother with a mixture of uncertainty and nervousness.

“You’re Remus.� The words, when they came, were low and soft.

Remus nodded gently. “I am.�

Rolphe flashed a brief, wan smile. “Of course you are,� he muttered almost to himself. “You’re the spitting image of Rey at that age, who else would you be?� He shook himself slightly. “You’re not quite what I expected,� he admitted almost uncertainly. “But in a good way. So.� He took a deep breath. “I wish also to take this chance to thank you for what you have done for this family.� The words came with difficulty, but Remus could tell it was not resentment but deep emotion that weighed his uncle’s tongue. “You brought the man who killed my wife and son to face justice and in doing so you also probably saved my grandson’s life. And so, whatever I may think of…� he hesitated and drew in another gulp of air, “...your kind, you will always be welcomed here. Welcome to Greystones and into my home. I hope you will come to consider it a home of yours as well.�

And then, his jaw fixed and shoulders strained, Rolphe Lupin stepped forward and offered his hand.

Remus accepted it.

Mindful of what a momentous step this must be for a man who had loathed werewolves almost all of his life, Remus almost felt as though there should have been a round of applause or a crack of thunder. But the room and the world stayed respectfully silent.

But Reynard was smiling. That Remus could see clearly.

“So,� Rolphe’s shoulders relaxed a little as he released his hand and stepped back. “While my lovely wife and our house elf finish preparing our dinner, why don’t I introduce you to everyone?�

And he did. In a positive torrent of names and faces, Remus was presented to Ruth’s husband Edmund and their three children, Reuben Lupin the broomstick designer and his wife and sons, and the pale and rather frazzled looking Rowanne who gripped a lively toddler by one hand and held a young and once more squalling baby in the other. Her husband, she informed them with a certain frustration, worked in the Department of Magical Games and Sports and was currently at a Quidditch conference in Germany. Rufus insisted on being introduced again, to his father’s fond irritation, before depositing himself in the midst of a mass of children and dog to join in whatever strange game they were playing.

“My other daughter sent a message to say she’d been delayed at work,� Rolphe informed him apologetically when the meet and greet was done. “But she and her family should be here soon… in fact, here they are now!�

And indeed, Ruffles had leapt to his feet with a mad bark as the sound of the front door opening and voices in the hall drifted through. A young girl of perhaps ten or eleven flung herself through the doorway and leapt onto Rolphe with a cry of “Granddad!� and a moment later, she was followed by…

For Remus, everything stopped.

And then, his stomach plunged.

Oh no. Oh no, no, no, it can’t be…

“Professor Lupin!�

Anthony Goldstein hurried over to where his teacher was standing, stock-still and stunned in the centre of the room.

“Can you believe it?� he exclaimed cheerfully. “I mean, I knew when you first came to Hogwarts that mum’s maiden name was Lupin but since no one ever mentioned you, I’d always assumed it was a coincidence until granddad told me you were his brother’s son! And mum knew as well! I can’t believe she never said anything even after I told her you were my favourite teacher.� He paused, squinting suddenly at his professor’s pale face. “Professor Lupin, are you all right?�

Swallowing hard, Remus found his voice. “Your…mother?� he managed hoarsely.

“Yes Professor,� a voice drawled from the hallway. “His mother. Your cousin.�

Remus looked up. But he already knew what he would find.

For standing cross-armed in the doorway and wearing her profoundest look of disdain, was none other than Rebekah Goldstein.

A/N: Please don’t hit me. ;)

In my original ideas for this story, which came upon me whilst writing the last ten chapters or so of Oblivious, it was not my intention to saddle poor Remus with yet another surprise cousin. But I had for a while been searching for a way to work Reynard into the story somehow, even if it was just a kind of cameo, because I had grown so fond of him in the writing of Oblivious, I wanted to give him something to do in Imperius too. And as I thought about it, I came up with the idea of reconciling him with his estranged brother and his family, which of course would bring Remus along for the ride. And thus, I wrote the seed for this idea into the concluding chapters of Oblivious and its epilogue.

The trouble was, it had absolutely nothing to do with my major plot at all. And I didn’t like the idea of a subplot of absolutely no relevance that was inserted just to satisfy a personal whim. I’m strange like that… ;)

That was when it occurred to me that Rebekah Goldstein, Rolphe Lupin’s second daughter, might serve rather well in the role of the Head of the Institute, one that I had yet to really flesh out beyond a few plot points and deeds. Relevance! Oh how I cheered! ;) It did occur to me that my readers might groan rather and pelt me with rotten fruit for inflicting poor Remus with another hostile relative but I considered it a price worth paying. Besides, I made the rest of his newfound family nice to make up for it! So please don’t hurt me too much…;)

Oh, and for those of you (including my poor beta) who were about confused by the masses of Lupins above, here is a potted summary of Rolphe’s family. :)

Rolphe Lupin’s Descendants

Rolphe Lupin
Born 1929
Married 1952 Megara Carrington b.1925 died 1962 (killed by Kane)
Married 1965 Thalia Treville b.1939

Randolph Lupin b.1953 d.1962 (killed by Kane)

Ruth Lupin b.1955 m.1985 Edmund Wychwood
Children
– Elinor b.1988
– Tobias b.1990
– Marion b.1992

Rebekah Lupin b.1957 m.1978 Felix Goldstein
Children
- Anthony b.1980
- Julia b.1987

Reuben Lupin b.1966 m.1985 Ariadne Russett
Children
- Simeon b.1987
- Benjamin b. 1989

Rowanne Lupin b.1970 m.1993 Perseus Hazell
Children
- Zara b.1994
- Rowan b.1996

Rufus Lupin b 1973

18: Cousins

Beks. Rebekah.

Oh Merlin…

Remus couldn’t help but feel that his pleasure in having cousins that didn’t want him dead had been sadly premature.

Rebekah’s eyes were twin blocks of ice as she gazed at the sight of a man she hated standing in the midst of her family home but she said nothing more, merely taking her moment to glower before turning to her father with a thin lipped smile.

“Hello daddy,� she greeted with a warmth that was, for Remus, utterly unfamiliar from her. “How’s your back?�

“Much better,� Rolphe replied as he and his daughter shared a brief embrace. A slight hint of reproach glimmered in his eyes. “Although if you’d been to see me since Christmas, you’d know that.�

Rebekah sighed. “Daddy, you know that I’m busy at work – I wouldn’t even have left today if it hadn’t been so important to you. I’m sorry but it just can’t be helped. And I’m here now.�

Rolphe made a noncommittal noise. “I suppose. But I do miss you, dear. Where’s Felix?�

“Putting our broomsticks away.� Rebekah straightened her pale blue robes – it took Remus a moment to adjust to the sight of her out of her Institute work clothes. “He’ll be here shortly.�

Rolphe smiled more convincingly. “Then I have enough time to introduce you.� Taking Rebekah by the arm, he led her away to where Reynard was watching with a slightly awkward expression. A moment later, Rolphe was ushering them to shake hands. Rebekah, Remus noted, was distinctly reluctant as a stilted conversation ensued.

Ah. So it’s not just me then. And this isn’t just about your son after all.

A gentle tap on his shoulder startled him from his reverie. He turned to find Ruth gazing at him with knitted brows.

“You two know each other,� she stated without preamble. “And you don’t get on. I saw that look you exchanged if no one else did. And I know my sister.�

Remus gave a long sigh. “Yes, we’ve met,� he admitted wearily. “I… assisted her with some research recently. And to say we did not get on is rather an understatement.�

Ruth slowly closed her eyes. “Damn,� she muttered, soft but heartfelt. “I tried to warn you earlier but I had no idea the damage had been done. Remus, when my mother and brother died, I was just old enough to remember and to understand, that what happened was nobody’s fault but Kane’s. But Rebekah was only five years old and all her views on that dreadful time have come from what my father told her. And as you must know from their long estrangement, my father blamed yours for what happened for many years. He blamed him from provoking Kane’s anger against his family by killing his mate. He blamed you for living when Randolph died. And those views became my sister’s too. And although over time, dad came to terms with what happened and let his bitterness go, Rebekah had never known anything else but what she had been told as a child.�

The picture of Rebekah Goldstein and her motives in Remus’ mind was becoming a great deal clearer. Her instant hatred of him, her resentment and the reasons behind it were now so obvious. He had lived when her brother had died. He was the son of the man her father had blamed for her mother’s death. And then to cap it all, her son came close to suffering her mother and brother’s fate at the teeth of a werewolf bitten by the very creature who had robbed away half of her family. Of course she would hate him.

It was an irrational hate, true enough, unjustified in part. But when had hatred ever been rational?

He sighed again, deeply. “It was rather hate at first sight. I believed until now it was because she blamed me for endangering her son.�

“Oh she does,� Ruth pulled a face. “She ranted like a champion about it all through Christmas. But I take it she never mentioned you were her cousin?�

“No.�

“Well, she definitely knew. We both knew. We knew that your father had helped kill Kane’s mate after their murderous rampage. And we knew that Kane was the son of the werewolf that killed dad’s sister. But that still doesn’t mean that I think you should be…�

“Wait.� Something Ruth had said registered sharply in Remus’ brain. “What was that?�

Ruth frowned and then suddenly her eyes widened. “You did know, didn’t you?� she breathed in sudden alarm. “You did know that Kane’s father abducted and killed our fathers’ sister after she tried to help him?�

Uh-oh. So that’s all they’ve been told? But was that all Rebekah knew? Not for the first time that day, a cold chill was settling down Remus’ spine. Until now, it had not crossed his mind. But of course, if Rebekah was his cousin, she was also Kane’s as well.

And he had killed her mother and brother. The fact clunked into place. She knew that. She had custody and complete control of her family’s murderer.

She hates him, Remus. Felisha’s words. Even more than she hates you. And that hate has filled her completely.

No wonder Kane’s cell was so squalid. No wonder she had no concerns about sedating him and using the Imperius curse. And no wonder she stared at him with such hatred and fear in her eyes.

But did she know about their shared blood? Did she know that Abraham Kane was Abel Isaacs, Rhea Lupin’s son?

His mind flashed back a few weeks in time, to the day he and Rebekah had first entered Kane’s cell. He had used the name Abel. And Kane, seeing Reynard’s face, had called him uncle.

How much effort would it have taken for the Head of the Feral Institute to delve that bit deeper? A quick word to Dolores Umbridge and he was sure that she would have had Adam Isaacs’ Registry File and Abel Isaacs’ adoption record on her desk. And either or both would certainly have stated the belief that Rhea Lupin had been the mother of the boy-who-would-become-Kane.

And what would she think to find not one but two despised werewolves in the family, werewolves that knew of their bonds by blood as well as bite? And what would she do if she knew? Who would she tell?

“Remus?� He realised abruptly that Ruth was staring at him with concern. “I’m sorry, was that a shock?�

Remus hurriedly waved a hand. “No, it’s all right, I did know that. I just wasn’t aware that you did.�

Ruth smiled wanly. “Unfortunately so. Dad doesn’t believe in secrets.�

Remus prudently kept his mouth firmly shut. He liked this family, his family. The last thing he wanted was to start an argument amongst them.

“Hey Beks!� Rufus’ cheerful voice cut through the uncomfortable silence that followed. “Long time no see!�

Rebekah’s eyes fixed dagger-like upon her brother. “Don’t call me Beks,� she snapped acidly. “My name is Rebekah. It is not hard to say, none of our names are hard to say, so why must you use these ridiculous abbreviations? Or perhaps, Rufus, you’d prefer it if I just called you Ru? Or Fussy?�

Rufus winced slightly at the later but kept smiling. “I’ve missed you too, sister dear,� he stated simply and returned to his game with the children.

Rolphe rolled his eyes. “Now, now, you two,� he said with a placatory gesture. “That’s enough. Rebekah, why don’t you come and meet our other guest?�

Remus felt his stomach drop like a stone. Oh no…

Rolphe and Rebekah came to a halt in front of him. Rebekah’s smile was pointed and sharply frosty. As Remus mustered a wan smile in return, he could feel the gentle, restraining touch of Ruth’s fingertips against his back.

“Remus, this is my second daughter Rebekah Goldstein,� Rolphe informed him, apparently oblivious to the glacial atmosphere that shivered between his nephew and child. “Her son Anthony I think you know already.� He gestured to where Anthony had engaged Reynard in spirited conversation. “He’s quite a fan of yours. And her Julia will be joining you next September.�

Rebekah’s smile sharpened like a knife against a whetstone. Remus forced himself not to react. Don’t make a scene. This is for dad.

“And Rebekah, this is…�

“Remus Lupin.� Rebekah’s voice interrupted, soft but edged with blades. “We’ve already met, haven’t we Professor?�

Remus was taken rather aback, although not as greatly as Rolphe. Given Rufus’ statement that Rebekah did not talk about her work, he had not expected her to mention their previous acquaintance. But – he fought to stay calm – if she was willing to mention it, what would she say? Would she try and poison his new found family against him in order to rid him from her home?

“You’ve met?� Rolphe’s surprise intervened. “Why you never said! Either of you!�
Remus forced a smile. “I was unaware that Rebekah and I were related when we met.� His jaw hardened. “She did not choose to tell me.�

Rebekah’s stare darkened as her father’s eyes switched reproachfully in her direction once more. “It did not seem relevant,� she replied, clearly barely restraining herself from making it a retort. “The Professor was assisting me with some research at work. Mentions of a family connection would have interfered.�

Rolphe’s eyes were more knowing that Remus had expected. He exchanged a glance with Ruth. “Ah,� he stated simply. “Well, never mind. Consider this a whole new chance to get to know each other.�

There was something unnerving in Rebekah’s smile. “Indeed. And to that end – Professor, will you walk with me? The meadows outside are quite charming at this time of year.�

If there was one thing that Remus was quite certain of it was that he did not want to be alone with Rebekah Goldstein at the moment. He smiled politely. “I was hoping to circulate a little more,� he said in a level tone. “And dinner will be ready soon…�

“Oh, I’m sure we’ve got time.� Rebekah’s eyes glistened maliciously. “I was hoping we might discuss your conversation with Daniel Arden. Unless of course, you’d rather talk about it here?�

Daniel. Gods.

Remus almost started as a torrent of chilly fear swamped his body from crown to sole. He fought to maintain his composure.

She heard. She actually heard. Oh bloody, bloody hell…

And discuss it here – he knew a threat when he heard one. He could just imagine the look on Tonks’ face if he told her that he had gone walking alone with Rebekah Goldstein, but what other choice did he have? And surely she wouldn’t do anything with her family so close at hand…

“Well,� he said with an uncomfortable smile. “When you put it like that…�
Rebekah’s eyes gleamed in triumph. “In that case, shall we…�

Three staccato claps interrupted her words. Thalia Lupin was standing in the doorway, flushed but cheerful. “Everyone!� she exclaimed. “Come and sit up for dinner!�
Rebekah’s expression dropped instantly. “Thalia, the Professor and I were about to take a walk…�

Thalia gave her a look of impatient sternness. “Oh dear, don’t be silly, you can walk after dinner. We can’t let the food get cold.�

Rebekah’s jaw tightened but she did not argue further. “Very well,� she said softly. “I suppose it can wait. After dinner then, Professor.�

And with that, she turned and swept away.

The meal was delicious. It was also the longest of Remus’ life.

Sat between his father and Ruth, he smiled and chatted with various relatives, complimented the food and ate heartily, but always within, a cold corner shivered beneath the bayful, knowing glare of Rebekah Goldstein’s eyes and the overhanging threat of their after dinner talk. What would she say? Had his earlier release been just a stay of execution, a silver bullet deflected but not dodged? Would she expose him as having turned feral in front of her – of their – entire family?

Except for Kane. Obviously. But that he knew he must not mention.

And then, finally, eternally, after delicious soup, a tasty roast and gorgeous chocolate fudge cake, Thalia clapped her hands once more and chivvied her groaning, full stomached family back into the living room.

But Remus did not make it that far. In the corridor, Rebekah caught his arm and gestured to the door.

“Time for our walk, Professor,� she said quietly. “And a little discussion about you and The Howling.�

Remus cast a brief, almost plaintive glance into the living room where his father was settling down into a chair beside Roderick’s portrait once more. But then, he forced himself to turn and follow Rebekah outside.

It was still a beautiful day. The meadows danced with colourful flowers, the birds flitted overheard and the breeze whispered. And Remus did not notice a whit of it.

He felt vaguely sick. The scar along his side seemed to itch and burn all at once and the world around him seemed a step away, distant, detached, confused. He felt almost…empty.

And then, all at once, it was gone. The breeze touched his skin, a gentle stroke. And in spite of the danger of his situation, he could not shake an odd sense of peace.

“You know I wouldn’t have come here today if it hadn’t meant so much to daddy,� Rebekah’s voice, when it came, was surprisingly soft. “I love my father, Professor, and it would have broken his heart not to have us all here for his big reconciliation with his brother and nephew. Whether or not we agreed with it.� She regarded him coldly, an odd frost under a beautiful afternoon sun. “I knew you were my cousin when I invited you to the Institute. As much as anything, I was curious.�

“Not curious enough to give me a chance,� Remus picked absently at the head of a waving wildflower. “I’m not Kane, Rebekah, and I didn’t kill your family. I didn’t harm your son.�

“But you could have done,� Rebekah’s words were a sudden hiss. “You could have done because you’ve turned feral before, haven’t you? Golden eyes, Daniel Arden said. And whilst that boy may have addled his brains in that ridiculous club, he’s got good eyes.�

Eyes. Daniel’s eyes.

The realisation attacked with a rush. Of course! He’d been so busy fretting about how close he had come to turning, it hadn’t even occurred to him that Daniel might have been mistaken. But how could he have clearly seen if he was…

“Good eyes covered by yellow contact lenses.� Remus straightened himself suddenly. Probably he would never know the truth, whether he had come so close that the flash had been there in his eyes or whether it had all been a mistake, that Daniel had not seen what he believed. But at least now he had hope…�How could he have seen anything clearly in a world tinted with gold?�

Rebekah arched an eyebrow. “Do you think that matters?� she stated with a cruel smile. “He says he saw your eyes were gold. Under the Umbridge legislation, that’s enough to have you locked away for the rest of your days. And even without that, Daniel’s testimony would still place you in The Howling and in the company of Abraham Kane to boot. Added to a charge of trespass – possibly to eliminate a witness to your crime – and we have far more than even I would need to lock you away.� She halted abruptly, swinging round to face him. “You’re a werewolf, Professor,� she whispered softly. “Who needs proof?�

Remus felt his heart drop like a stone. That, at least, was alarmingly true.

“Then why didn’t you?� The question escaped almost accidentally. “Why didn’t you lock me up and throw away the key?�

Rebekah hardened her chin as her brow creased and her eyes glared. “Because it would have broken my father’s heart. He was looking forward to this dinner so much. How could he have faced it if his daughter had locked away his brother’s only son?� She frowned grimly. “But he’s had his reunion. And you’ve had your probation. The gloves are off, Professor. You can walk free for now. But if you put one sliver of a toenail out of line, I will have you locked up on Level Six before you can even find a moment to blink.�

It was a foolish impulse. But Remus did not like being threatened.

“Lock up both your cousins?� he retorted. “If this is how you treat them, you shouldn’t be allowed to have any.�

The flash in Rebekah’s eyes told him all he needed to know about her awareness of Kane’s parentage. Her smile was more like a grimace.

“I really don’t think that’s going to be a problem much longer,� she replied.

Remus stared at her. But before he could say a word, something grey and feathery plunged across his vision and dropped a sealed letter into Rebekah’s already outstretched hand. Her eyes darted briefly after the owl before flashing to the letter.

Remus followed her gaze. It bore the seal of the Institute. The word URGENT was printed in bold red letters across it.

Rebekah did not say a word. She looked at the letter. She looked at Remus.

And just for an instant, something indefinable flashed across her eyes.

And then without a word, she turned away, swivelling on her heel in a swish of robes to stalk back towards the house, breaking the seal of the letter as she did so. A moment later, her pace had doubled.

Now what?

After a moment’s hesitation, Remus moved hurriedly in pursuit.

As he stepped back into the house, a flurry of protests greeted his ears, the insistence of Ruth that something could surely wait, the sadness of Rolphe and Rebekah’s voice declaring over and over that she had to go, she had to go. As Remus stepped into the living room, a flare of green from the fireplace told him that Rebekah had already had her way.

Reynard was on his feet, one hand on his brother’s shoulder as Rolphe stared with weary resignation into the fading fire. Rufus was rolling his eyes. Anthony looked bewildered. Ruth looked downright annoyed.

She had made such a fuss just moments before about not upsetting her family. So what was so urgent that it made her break that pledge?

Remus didn’t know. But he didn’t like it. As soon as the dinner was over, he intended to get in touch with Tonks.

Rufus was clambering to his feet. “That passing blur you saw?� he said to Remus with a shrug. “That was Rebekah leaving. She’s flooed home so she can portkey into work.�

Remus sighed. “She’s gone then?�

Ruth’s eyes darted towards him at once. “I don’t suppose she told you what that was all about?� she queried irritably. “All she told us was that there was an emergency at work and she had to leave at once.�

Remus moved over to her side, stepping round the cluster of now slightly subdued children scattered across the floor. “She got an owl while we were talking,� he said, maintaining an air of curious disinterest in spite of his concern. “It was from her work place and had URGENT printed on it. Beyond that I know as much as you.�

Ruth gazed in frustration down at the rug by her feet. “I don’t know what’s the matter with her lately,� she proclaimed suddenly. “She used to write to me and dad every week, visit at least once a fortnight, work be damned – her family was more important. But ever since Christmas, she’s been obsessed. We’ve hardly seen her or heard from her – dad would never say so, but it’s breaking his heart.� She gestured to where Rolphe was smiling wanly as his wife and brother attempted to engage him in distracting conversation. “I had to be big sister after mum died but Rebekah’s always been the daddy’s girl. She loves her husband, she loves her kids but she’s even stopped writing to Anthony at school. She used to go home every evening to their house in Scarborough – now Felix and Julia are lucky if she spends one night a week with them. And she’s so secretive. She was always discreet, her work demanded it, but secretive, never. Something’s changed with her and I just don’t like it.�

Christmas. There was one event that Remus could quite precisely pin upon that time.
“Do you know what Rebekah does for a living?� she asked softly.

Ruth’s eyes lifted. “I know she works in the Feral Institute,� she stated, her voice carefully lowered as she nudged Remus away from the others, a little closer to the fire. “After mum and Randolph died, werewolves became her obsession. Even as a child, she was determined to make sure it never happened to another family again.� She shrugged slightly. “Other than that, it sounds like you know more than I do.�

Remus took a deep breath. He was probably breaking a good dozen Ministry rules with what he was about to reveal, but oddly enough, he didn’t much care. Besides, for reasons he could barely explain, he was certain that Ruth could be trusted.

An odd heat was pulsing against his thigh – perhaps being so close to the fire was not very wise but it least it meant they were out of earshot of the others. What he was about to say was probably best not offered for general Lupin consumption.

He met his cousin’s curious stare. “She has Kane in her custody there,� she said simply. “He’s been there since Christmas. That was the research I helped her with.�

Ruth’s eyes went saucer-round. “Oh my god,� she breathed softly. “No wonder she’s…� Her hand shot out and grasped his wrist. “Don’t tell my dad,� she whispered sharply. “He’d have seizures.�

Remus shook his head. “Don’t worry. I haven’t even told mine.�

“Good.� Ruth was bobbing her head anxiously. Her eyes flicked up to meet his. “Thank you for telling me, Remus,� she said, her voice quiet but sincere. “At least it helps me understand a little better. We were starting to think that something was seriously wrong.�

Remus lowered his eyes. Now was probably not the time to mention to Ruth that her sister was fairly high on an Auror’s list of suspected Death Eaters.

Heat pulsed against his thigh once more; glancing down, Remus wondered for a moment if an ember had leapt from the fireplace and settled on his robes, but no burn or flicker of fire was visible, just a steady pulse of warmth that emanated from…

His waist pouch. The pouch where he kept…

The coin!

His eyes darted up. Ruth was leaning against the mantle, staring absently into the flames, his presence apparently forgotten. Quietly, he stepped aside and moved away, hurrying over to the deserted corner where the lonely piano still played on, this time the enthusiastic strains of Grieg’s Piano Concerto. Leaning carefully against the lid, he nonchalantly began to examine the family photos scattered across it, mock stretching slightly as he reached casually into his belt pouch and pulled the warm Sickle into his hand.

One glance at the lettering around its edge was enough.

TB ASAP.

Remus dropped the Sickle back into his pouch, his mind racing. The Three Broomsticks then – that was obvious. And ASAP was as vivid as the bright red URGENT on Rebekah Goldstein’s letter. Something significant had happened.

So Felisha requests an immediate meeting just as Rebekah is called urgently away to the Institute? If that’s a coincidence, I’m a Crumple Horned Snorkack.

He had to go. But how could he? How could he just walk out in the middle of a reunion just as Rebekah had done without breaking his father’s heart as well?

He glanced at Reynard and knew the answer. He couldn’t. He just couldn’t.

Tonks would go at once – today was her day off. And if it was desperately, desperately urgent, she’d tell him so.

He could only hope that it was not.

* * *

At 6pm, on the dot, Remus Lupin apparated to the back door of the Three Broomsticks inn.

A quick trip to the toilet had been enough for Remus to muster a quick by-coin conversation with Tonks. He had transmitted his reply to the summons – TB 6PM-RL – and received an almost instant reply – FINE BDOORTB- NTFH – which told him firstly that Tonks was already on the scene and secondly, that he was to meet them at the back door when he came. That Tonks was not hurrying him desperately along was encouraging at least, and so he had returned to the Lupins, mingled, laughed, and done his very best not to fret. His father was offered, and accepted, an invitation to stay, but when that invitation was extended to Remus, he had declined politely, stating his need to get back to Hogwarts for the new term. And then, with sincere promises to come by again soon, Remus had said his farewells to his family and left.

His family. It still took some getting used to.

But now was not the time to think of that. It was back to the grim reality of the Order and his mission.

He spotted Tonks immediately, resting side by side on the Three Broomsticks back step. Even in the fading light, Remus could see that Tonks was very pale and her expression could be best be described as strained. When her eyes fixed upon him, her features shifted to downright nervousness.

Remus was at her side in a moment. “What’s happened?� he exclaimed at once. “Where’s Felisha?�

“Back at the Institute.� Tonks twisted her lip as she gazed up at him. “She couldn’t risk blowing her cover by staying for more than a couple of minutes. But she told me what was going on and so I waited for you.� She pulled a face. “Remus, I don’t know how you’re going to take this. I’m not sure whether it’s good or bad myself.�

Remus stared at her. “Tonks, if it was urgent, you could have called me here sooner…�

Tonks raised her hands to forestall him, reaching out for his arm in support, she let him pull her to her feet. “It’s not really urgent,� she said quietly, wearily and with a deep sigh. “At least, it’s nothing we can do anything about. It’s just…an unexpected development.�

Remus frowned, his mind racing anxiously across the possibilities. “Tonks, you’re making me nervous. What did Felisha say?�

Tonks swallowed hard. “I’m not sure how to tell you this so I’m just going to come out and say it.� Her eyes met his, dark and deep, as her pale, slender hand wrapped around his. “Remus,� she breathed softly. “Abraham Kane is dead.�

19: The Final Weakness

“He’s dying, Aylward. Call Professor Goldstein back to the Institute immediately.�

“Yes, Doctor Croll.�

Voices. The voices that came to him within that cell that had become his everything, that gave him liquids of cool calmness and sometimes one would send his mind to gentle, obedient bliss with a whispered Imperio, Imperio... Two of the voices were back again. The third would not be far.

He felt…weak.

Weak, weak, weak, so weak…Not weak, can’t be weak, must not be weak…but yet…

Weak. So weak.

His stomach churned. The world, what he could see of it, the world, all the world, with its four walls and bed and blankets – it swirled, it span, it revolved, fading in and out of view as darkness touched its edges and gobbled it away. Faces danced in and out of his world, voices curled and whispered, the woman with her odd, odd gaze, the dark man and his liquids, shining, shining in glassy bright bottles and the tall one who stood and stared alone. They came and they went, staring, muttering, watching, the dark man with lip half curled and then again the woman, whose eyes burned at him like fire in acid, always, always staring.

It made no sense. Nothing made sense anymore.

He was aware, vaguely, that once things had made sense, that once he had been strong and weak was wrong, wrong, wrong but he remembered nothing of it but that distracted feel of something lost, dragged away to never be returned. There had been another and he had known, always known how to be strong.

But now there was only him. Alone and weak.

And fading.

Chaos. Nothing made sense, he could not think alone but no one would think for him and although he waited and waited for that lost voice to come and make him strong again, it never did. Flashes of things before the voice were all he had, an unshaven man with eyes that flashed gold as he soaked himself in drink and then dangled from a rope, faces in robes who smiled but shrank in fear behind their eyes and him, his uncle, who left him with the ones that feared, left him for the voice to come but now the voice was gone and he was weak, weak, weak, weak, weak…

Where was the ball? The ball made sense, back and forth, back and forth, no thinking, no weakness, no need for a voice, just back and forth and back and forth, quiet mind, so quiet. But now all in his world lurched back and forth and shadows rose and somehow they seemed to whisper – here is the quiet. Here is the rest. You do not need the voice with us.

But I should not be weak. The shadows are weak, the shadows are weak…

The shadows are quiet.

I want the quiet.

Was being weak so bad? For what had he ever got from being strong except a sense of loss?

The dark man was watching again. The stare hurt him.

But not like the woman’s did. He feared the woman’s eyes.

He wanted to be alone. He wanted the shadow.

He wanted to be weak. For in weakness, there was peace.

His stomach burned. His heart pounded.

And then stopped.

The shadows surged. They swallowed him whole.

And Abel Isaacs let them.

* * *

“What?�

He’d known. Not consciously, not openly, but the ache of his scar, the sickness, the strange absence, the odd sense of peace – some part of him had known that what remained of his cousin, of the werewolf that had plagued his life, had fallen to his final weakness. On some level, he had known that Kane was dead.

Intellectually however, it came as a bit of a shock.

He was not upset, precisely. Nor was he glad. He was simply…

Numb. He was numb. And he had absolutely no idea what he was supposed to feel.

He became aware of Tonks’ fingers, her gentle touch against his wrist.

“Kane is dead,� she repeated softly in answer to his accidental question. “He died earlier this afternoon – and don’t worry, I’ve already told the Order. Officially, it was some kind of stomach infection that finished him off. Unofficially...� She pulled a face. “Let’s just say that Felisha doesn’t find it very likely that he could have caught such an infection in a sterile environment like Level Six. She doesn’t know what really happened, but she doesn’t believe for a minute that he died of natural causes.�

Remus struggled to focus. “That doesn’t make sense,� he said softly. “Why would they kill their only test subject?�

Tonks’ grip tightened. “Maybe he knew something. Or maybe he was no more use to them. They have a Dementor, Remus. They can make all the test subjects they want.�

“But what would be the point?� Remus was already shaking his head. “Even if he did know something, his testimony is – would have been – useless. He was insane. If it wasn’t natural, there’s just no point to it. Unless…�

His voice trailed off. Rebekah Goldstein’s face danced before his eyes.

I really don’t think that’s going to be a problem much longer…

And more than ever before, Remus knew she had a motive.

She knew. She knew before the letter came…

He wheeled on Tonks. “When did all this happen? When did Kane fall ill?�

Tonks blinked but answered promptly. “Felisha said that to judge by the chaos and fuss, he fell ill sometime early this morning. She said Rebekah even delayed going to some family party because of it but when he seemed to be on the mend, she left. But once she’d gone, he got considerably worse and died not long after. Only Croll and Aylward were there.�

Remus almost laughed out loud. “And so I become her alibi,� he said softly. “He dies and she’s miles away, chatting in a meadow with me.�

A line creased across Tonks’ forehead. “Remus, what are you talking about?�

His eyes flashed up. “Rebekah Goldstein. My cousin Rebekah. Kane’s cousin Rebekah.�

“Your what?� Tonks’ green spiked head thrust into his field of view. “Remus, have you been drinking or something? Because the pretty pink hippogriffs are not your friend.�

Remus’ eyes burrowed into hers, grasping against the strength of her presence to force the numbness away. This was serious. He needed to concentrate. He could work out what he was supposed to be feeling later.

“I mean it,� he said softly, though his words rang like steel. “Rebekah’s family party was my family party. She is my father’s brother’s daughter. My cousin. And Kane’s cousin too.�

Tonks’ dark eyes widened with shock. “Bloody hell,� she said with feeling. “Bloody, bloody, bloody hell. Oh Remus. And I thought my relatives were bad.�

Remus gave a twisted smile. “There’s something we have in common. We both have family who’d gladly dance on our graves.�

“The Malfoys are too dignified to dance. They’d probably kind of strut instead. But Bellatrix would probably tango.� Tonks flashed a grin for an instant then abruptly became serious. “I think it’s pretty clear that you had no idea about Rebekah. But was it as much of a shock to her?�

“No.� Remus pulled a face. “She’s known all along. That’s why she never even gave me a chance. Kane killed her mother and brother and she can’t quite forgive me for living when they did not.�

Tonks stared. “Wait, wait, back up. Kane killed her mother?� At Remus’ nod, her eyes darkened. “And now, suddenly, Kane dies in her care under mysterious circumstances.�

“I think she knew.� Whether she was a Death Eater or not, of this fact Remus was almost certain. “I think she knew he was going to die before the letter came. She all but told me so.�

“That doesn’t surprise me.� Tonks frowned deeply. “There are ways enough to kill at a distance, especially with an apparent stomach infection. A slow acting poison would probably do it – and she’d have known that she’d be miles away from the blame when it happened because she would be at dinner with you. But Kane, as a former feral, would have a strong constitution. Say she dosed him in the morning but found he was starting to shake it off by early afternoon. So she dosed him again, more powerfully and left him to die in her absence.�

It made an alarming amount of sense. Shaking his head slowly, Remus sighed. “But why now?� he asked softly, almost to himself. “If she wanted him dead, why didn’t she do it the moment he entered her custody?�

Tonks regarded him with narrow eyes. “She needed him for her experiments. The Imperius curse and all that.�

“And she doesn’t need him now?� Remus gazed into the darkening sky. “Which can only mean…�

“She’s finished.� Tonks completed the sentence, her heart-shaped features suddenly pale. “She didn’t need him anymore. She’d found what she was looking for. And she’s ready to start…� Her fingers tightened sharply around Remus’ wrist. “We’re getting you back to Hogwarts. Now.�

Remus winced as her fingernails dug against his skin. “Tonks…�

“No arguments, Remus.� Tonks’ eyes were fierce. “We know for a fact that you’re well up on Rebekah’s hit-list and if she’s ready to start Kissing and cursing her residents, she may well decide it’s time to invite you to a different kind of party. And I’d rather you were somewhere more secure than here if she does.�

“I can look after myself.� Remus was painfully aware of just how much he was repeating himself on that score – did he really look so vulnerable and helpless to those around him?

Tonks’ eyes raked pointedly across the fading scar tissue that poked just above the collar of his robes. “Of course you can,� she said with a slightly ironic nod. “I’d just rather you didn’t have to prove it. Besides, Dumbledore’s called an Order meeting about this for later tonight and we probably shouldn’t be late. Now come on. Apparate to the gates on the count of three…�

Dutifully, Remus joined her count. “One, two, three…�

The world squeezed, contracted and then abruptly the glow of Hogsmeade was gone, replaced by dark and towering trees and a long stretch of empty road. To his left the twin pillars and iron gate that marked the boundary of Hogwarts School reared above them, the sparkling lights of the castle gleaming against the fading twilight. In the distance, small figures darted through the air over a floodlit Quidditch pitch. A lantern burned brightly in Hagrid’s hut, silhouetting a large figure within.

Tonks shook out her robes just in front of him and glanced up, her features etched in the glow of the waxing moon above.

“I hope you’ve got a key,� she said with a slight smile, gesturing to the gate’s heavy padlock. “Because I…�

“Avada Kedavra!�

There was no time to think. There was barely time to act. A glimpse of a wand, a white mask washed in moonlight and emerald - Remus slammed himself hard into Tonks, hurling them both down onto the road with a crunch as a whine of green light skimmed through the night and split the air where the Auror had stood a mere half second before. Even as he gasped for breath, staring into Tonks’ shocked eyes, the darkness around them seemed to boil and come alive, the gaps between the trees abruptly awash with unnatural white faces and flying dark robes, everywhere, all around, more, far more than the mere two they faced. Remus snatched his wand from his belt as he dragged himself to his feet; he heard Tonks mutter a heartfelt “Shit! � before she too bolted upright, and, almost as one, they span on the spot to apparate.

Nothing happened.

Anti-apparition wards. They must have activated them after we appeared. Damn!

Remus shot a glance at Tonks. Her eyes were wide and horrified as she too reached the same conclusion. But there was no choice left. Brandishing her wand, she swung with him to face their attackers.

“Reducto!�

The instant’s hesitation was enough. A second spell hurtled into the ground between them, gouging a crater out of the skin of the road in an explosion of hard shrapnel. Remus dived to the side, protecting himself from the hail of stones and earth with a hurriedly thought Protego – he saw a wand glint against the moonlight and twisted sharply aside, barely in time, as a beam of red light narrowly skimmed past his ear, screeching as it tore the air to shreds in ominous passing. Wheeling, heart racing and pounding against his chest, he turned on the first white mask he saw and barked out “Iacto!� barely pausing to watch as the Death Eater was lifted from his feet and flung dramatically back into the forest with shatter of twigs and leaves and a roar of anger. A screech of “Stupefy!� sounded behind him but another swift Protego negated it – Protego, protego, must keep up protego – casting blind he flung a swift “Supino!� over his shoulder, heard the grunt as his spell struck home and hurled his attacker prostrate onto his back and then he was rushing past the supine figure for better cover, stamping with a crack against his victim’s outstretched wand before he dived behind a tree, narrowly escaping a cutting spell that slashed against the bark with a flurry of sawdust mere inches from his head. A quick reassuring glance told him that Tonks was more than holding her own – two Death Eaters lay stupefied by the road side, another battled against vicious ropes and as he watched, a fourth was hurled backwards, lifted from his feet by her powerful cry of “Sterno Aquila!� left to struggle, moments later, pinned and spread eagled against the trunk of a nearby tree.

But there was no more time to hesitate. Green light sliced sickening past his shoulder from a new direction; darting to one side with a snap of twigs, he heard a voice bellowing “No, you fool! We need the werewolf alive!� and then three more masked faces were surging from the darkness towards him, wands waving and there was no more time to listen either.

The lead figure was already stretching out his wand. “Expell…�

Long spells. No time for long spells. Why were all the best- known combat spells so long?

“Roto!�

The Death Eater gasped and then yelped as his black robes whipped around him, dragging him into a spin as he revolved madly on the spot like a top, faster, faster, faster, dust flying as his feet dug circles in the grass. His two companions paused in shock.

It was a mistake.

“Apis! Hebeo!�

His nearest assailment screeched in horror and abruptly fled as a swarm of bees engulfed him like a wave, vicious and determined to pepper every inch of skin with their stings. His companion did not move – instead, his jaw drooped as he hunched, heavy, dull and vacant eyed on the spot, not even flinching as his whirling companion’s wand was ripped away by centrifugal force to twang against his nose. Each nostril sprouted a daisy.

Remus almost grinned. When would the rest of the world learn that if you knew effective enough short spells, you didn’t need to wrap your tongue around Expelliarmus or Impedimenta. Roto was a personal favourite.

“Remus!�

The whine of a passing spell narrowly missed him as he flung himself to one side – he caught a glimpse of Tonks’ furious face and then a scratched and twig-covered Death Eater tumbled backwards, head over heel before slamming face first into the nearby pillar. He did not move again.

Remus slapped himself mentally. Combat situation, Lupin. No time for self-congratulation!

An enormous brute of a figure was charging towards him with a roar, waving his unusually long wand like a cudgel. His thick lips, jutting from beneath his mask, were already moving.

“Petrif…�

Oh, for goodness sake…

“Volito!�

The man’s eyes glazed behind his mask and then suddenly he was racing, rushing past in a helter-skelter, out of control double speed that carried him face first into the nearby brick wall. Hands waving uncontrollably, legs still pumping, he continued to head-butt the solid brick as though to ram it from his path.

Remus wheeled, his breath a rasp, his blood racing just in time to see three more Death Eaters rush from the trees. They turned sharply towards him.

Dear Gods! How many are there?

“Caligo!�

A dark mist swirled from his wand, wrapping itself around the trio of assailants and engulfing them in heavy cloud. Guided by their shouts of fury, he fired off “Stupefy!� once, twice, three times. Three thuds told him he had struck his targets.

All around him, spells peppered the air. Although they had taken down a good dozen Death Eaters between them, he and Tonks were still outnumbered three to one.

And he was tiring. Fast.

Take the werewolf alive. All this for me? How badly must they want me?

And then he heard a sound that made his heart stop.

“Sectumsempra!�

And Tonks screamed.

He half-turned. And that was all he had time for.

“Expelliarmus!�

A green haired figure slammed into his side, hurling him back against one of the pillars with a sickening thud. Tonks’ dark eyes flashed into his.

And then her eyelids flickered and she slumped into his arms.

It was then that Remus realised that her robes – and now his – were stained with blood.

Too much blood.

“Drop the girl, werewolf.�

The voice was low, rough and cold, the same voice that had ordered him taken alive. He looked up.

Six dark robed Death Eaters stood in an untidy semi-circle, wands extended towards him. He was trapped.

In the centre, icy eyes glittered behind the mask of a tall figure. A smirk touched the edge of his lips.

“Drop the girl,� he repeated coolly. “There’s no way out. You’re coming with us, Professor Lupin.�

Remus drew himself up, his arms tightening around Tonks’ limp form instinctively.

“And her?� he asked softly. “What are you going to do with my friend if I let her go?�

The smirk curled. “Why, I would have thought that was obvious. And I thought you were supposed to be an intelligent… man.� The Death Eater sneered over the word, his eyes burned with malice. “Because you see, when we leave here, Professor, there’ll be one less Auror in the world.�

A/N: I felt a bit bad about giving a character of Kane’s significance an off-screen death so I wrote the first paragraph to give him a better send-off. I felt he’d earned it.

I also apologise for the likely utter inaccuracy of the above Latin – I simply typed some words that I thought might produce the spell results I want into an online Latin dictionary and picked the words that were short and sounded good. ;)

20: Onto Something

“No.�

Remus’ arms tightened, grasping her limp form in a firm embrace in an almost instinctive urge to protect as he swung her sideways to shield her body with his own. He could feel the slick, warm wetness of her blood soaking his hands, a stark contrast to the rampaging chill of cold that was running through his bones. Her green hair brushed softly against his chin.

Not Tonks. You can’t have Tonks.

He had to do something. He had to think of something. His grip tightened further, pressing his fingers into the folds of Tonks’ robes as something hard and wooden indented against his palm…

His wand. He still had his wand.

In the shock of Tonks’ fall, he had barely noticed that he had not actually been disarmed. And his captors, it seemed, had not noticed at all.

One shot. If he was lucky. But one shot might be enough…

He straightened his back and turned his head.

“No,� he repeated, one word wrought from purest steel, his eyes stony as he stared over his shoulder and fixed his gaze upon the smirking form of the lead Death Eater. “If you want to kill her, you’ll have to kill me too. And you’ve already made it pretty clear that I’m needed alive.�

The Death Eater’s lips quirked with palpable annoyance.

“You Order types,� he sneered coldly. “Always have to play the hero, don’t you? Face the truth, Professor – the girl is as good as dead. Put her down and she’ll have a quick death at my hand. Or, of course, you could just continue to be awkward and let her bleed to death slowly here on the road. Either is fine by me.�

Remus forced himself to breath slowly, to stay in control. He could feel Tonks’ heartbeat – or was it his own? – vibrating across his ribcage. Their pulses mingled.

Holding his steady gaze was one of the hardest things he had ever done. “You can have me,� he whispered softly. “Just let her go.�

The Death Eater chuckled, cold and mirthless as he swept one hand in a loose semi-circle. “Look around, Professor. I have you anyway.�

“I’ll come quietly.� He meant it. If his own freedom was the price he had to pay for Tonks’ safety, so be it. “No struggles, no fuss. Just let her live.�

The shake of the Death Eater’s head was a slow death knell. “She knows too much.�

The cold surged. Blood dripped and puddled on the floor, soaking his boots, much, too much. There wasn’t much time.

She saved me once when I was bleeding to death. I have to save her too.

I don’t know what I’ll do if I don’t.

Lowering his head as though in sorrow, he buried his face into her hair and shifted his grip, pressing his wand unseen against her sliced ribcage. Focussing all his energy, he concentrated his mind on a non-verbal healing spell. He felt a flood of warmth as the spell released – he knew that under such circumstances any fix he made would not be clean or professional but if he could just stop the bleeding, if he could just give her more time…

The flood of blood against his fingers slowed abruptly to a trickle. He felt her eyelids flutter slightly against his cheek.

Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes…

“What are you doing?� The Death Eater’s voice cut harshly into his single-minded focus. As Remus glanced up, he saw the cold eyes widen with realisation behind their mask.

“Drop your wand,� he ordered sharply. “Now.�

Remus hardened his jaw as a sudden wash of furious belligerence swamped him. “Drop the girl, drop your wand. Do make your mind up.�

The Death Eater’s wand trembled angrily. “You’re on dangerous ground, Lupin.�

Remus smiled grimly. “Then why don’t you kill me?�

His adversary’s eyes narrowed. “So smug, so superior,� he drawled, his voice grating like ice over stone. “You think yourself so high and mighty. And yet you can’t even call yourself human.�

Remus felt his fingers clench with fury – desperately, he fought it down. Half conscious, Tonks jerked against his suddenly intensified grip.

He raised his head, his eyes bright and defiant. “I’m more a human than your precious master is. Or will ever be.�

He saw the Death Eater’s teeth grit and clench. “Drop your wand and drop the girl,� he repeated, his voice shaking with a suppressed fury of his own. “Or face the consequences.�

Remus straightened, adjusting his grip on his wand as he did so. One shot. One shot to save Tonks. One shot to save yourself... The Hogwarts gates were just a few yards away – if he could create some kind of diversion, just enough time to haul himself and Tonks inside and close the heavily warded gate behind them…

He saw Tonks’ dark eyes flicker towards him. She was not well. But she was awake.

He braced himself. “We’ve already established that you can’t kill me.�

The Death Eater’s smile was alarmingly malicious. “They want you alive, werewolf,� he drawled softly. “But they didn’t say undamaged.�

His eyes flashed cruelly as Remus realised, a mere moment before, what he intended to do. And he knew at once that this would be his only chance.

And then it came.

“Crucio!�

Pain, bright and excruciating, raced down his limbs, burning, screaming through his body with a triumphant roar as agony ran rampant. The Death Eater’s eyes gleamed with sick joy as he watched his spell struck home.

But then his triumph faltered.

For Remus did not scream. Remus did not drop. Remus did not even let go of his Auror companion.

For Remus Lupin was a werewolf. And although the pain was terrible, although his body trembled and shook with the force of its intensity, although his blood boiled and his skin burned, it was nothing worse than the pain he had grown accustomed to enduring twice a night, once monthly for almost all his life.

And yes, it hurt like bloody hell. But Remus had never let pain stop him before.

Even ten or twenty seconds under the most agonising spell in the wizarding world.

His eyes met the Death Eater’s. And shakily, he smiled.

“Wrong spell,� he rasped. “Roto!�

With a gasp of horror, the lead Death Eater staggered as his body began to spin, heels digging desperate troughs in the gravel as he fought to expel a counter curse to cease his sudden spiral. The other Death Eaters started forward but Remus was already moving with a shout of “Caligo!�; dark mist blossomed from his wand once more, engulfing him and sweeping him from their view. He felt Tonks brace against his arms, felt her stagger to her feet along side him as they both ducked instinctively from the spells shattering against the wall where they had just been stood. The mist swirled, blinding him as strongly as his enemies, but to follow the wall was all he needed, a few yards, a quick turn of a key…

He heard a coherent roar of fury – the lead Death Eater, it seemed, had mastered his counter curse. Remus redoubled his pace; Tonks grasped his arm with a gasp of pain as she stumbled suddenly but Remus’ hands were already around her waist, hauling her upright again. The mist was already dispersing but the gate, the gate, where was the gate…

There was the gate! Fumbling in his blood damp robes, he felt the press of metal – grasping the key, he thrust it forcefully into the lock and turned.

Yes! We’re through! We’re…

And then, to his utter shock, he heard the whoosh of broomsticks overhead and a set of alarmingly familiar voices as they bellowed out into the night.

“Stupefy!�

“Impedimenta!�

“Stupefy!�

Harry? Ron? Ginny?

Broomsticks swooping over a distant Quidditch pitch, a team, the Gryffindor team at practice. They must have seen the glow from the fight…

Oh no, oh no, no, no…

The mist had all but gone now and Remus could see the spells that illuminated the night as they burst from the wands of the six scarlet blurs that circled and rushed overhead, Harry, Ron and Ginny fiercely in the vanguard with Demelza Robins, Katie Bell and Jimmy Peakes just behind, all armed, all attacking, all to save him. Two Death Eaters were already down, clearly caught by surprise, but those still standing were holding their own against this aerial onslaught – even as Remus watched, the lead Death Eater slammed Peakes’ broomstick with a well aimed Incendio that sent the third year spiralling and smoking back over the school wall and down with a thud onto the lawn.

He grasped his wand. Adrenalin pounded through his body like a tempest.

Oh dear Merlin, they’ll be killed…

But Tonks… The spell he had cast to cauterise her wound was rudimentary at best - she needed immediate medical attention. But how could he abandon his students to the tender mercies of a hoard of Death Eaters?

Help me! Somebody please, come and help…

And then, miraculously, his silent prayer was answered.

With a creak and crash of iron, the gates of Hogwarts were wrenched open wider as an enormous, bearded figure stumbled, gasping and wheezing and almost knocked him flat. A cudgel was gripped in one vast palm as irate eyes reached out in search of a target.

This was not a chance than Remus could afford to waste. “Hagrid!�

The gamekeeper’s beetle black gaze turned on him at once as a beefy hand stilled his stagger from the impact. “Remus!� he exclaimed, starting forwards at once. “I’m sorry! I came runnin’ as soon as I saw there were trouble but…�

“No time!� Unceremoniously, Remus thrust the still weak Tonks into the half-giant’s arms. “Get her to Madam Pomfrey! Now!�

“No!� Deathly pale, half awake, Tonks nevertheless launched a futile attempt to bat away Hagrid’s meaty hands. “No, Remus, I have to stay with you, I can help…�

Oh for goodness sake… Remus did not even dignify such foolishness with a reply. “Go!� he roared at Hagrid and with a nod, the gamekeeper obeyed his command, sweeping the protesting Auror into his arms and vanishing through the gate with her without another word. Across the grounds, on the steps of Hogwarts, Remus could see more figures streaming out of the castle towards the lumbering Hagrid and his burden. The lights in the infirmary flickered on.

She’s safe. Now save the children.

But a moment later, even that became unnecessary. For the night burst into flames in a flash of firey orange that glowed like the purest furnace.

And Dumbledore appeared. His blue eyes surged with waves of compressed fury.

The lead Death Eater’s eyes widened as he flung a desperate “crucio!� but the spell rebounded from Dumbledore’s shield charm like a swatted mosquito. Grimly, the Headmaster raised his wand to retort.

He did not get the chance.

A flare of light signalled the dropping of the anti-apparition wards. And then, with a pair of echoing cracks, the lead Death Eater and one of his companions were gone.

For a moment, the very night seemed to freeze. And then, abruptly, surprisingly, the Death Eaters they had left behind staggered and then dropped unceremoniously to the ground.

For a moment, Remus could only blink at the vaguely unreal scene before him. The tall, imposing figure of Albus Dumbledore stood silent and thoughtful in the midst of a ring of unconscious, black robed bodies; his blue eyed gaze shifted from the limp figure still pinned against a nearby tree, to the unconscious, battered one slumped face first against the wall, to the dull-eyed, drooling one, his saliva still drip dripping in a slow and steady stream onto the grass as he stared mindlessly at his still frantically twirling companion, now dug a good foot into the earth and wailing helplessly. Overhead, five figures dressed in scarlet circled on broomstick back and surveyed the scene above.

And then a thump shattered the silence and broke the spell as Kingsley Shacklebolt and Alastor Moody stepped out of night as one, each grasping a portion of what Remus recognised as one of the silver instruments from Dumbledore’s desk. An instant later, they were gaping.

“Hell’s teeth!� Moody’s frustrated proclamation burst across the night like a blazing comet. “We missed the fight!�

“I’m afraid so.� Dumbledore’s long fingers flexed. “I apologise. I should have made the portkey more instant.� With a nod at the two Aurors, he lifted his head. “Harry, if you would be so good as to take your team back to the castle. I suspect you will find Professor McGonagall crossing the grounds.�

“But…� Harry’s windswept protest took in both his Headmaster and Remus with its green-eyed intensity but Dumbledore’s twinkling blue was more than its match.
“Professor Lupin and I will speak with you soon, Harry. Now please, the castle?�

James’ son exchanged a brief, slightly irritable glance with Ron and Ginny. But then, with a weary nod, he and his fellow Gryffindors turned their brooms and vanished over the wall.

The cold of the night washed abruptly across Remus’ skin as the sweat that soaked his brow cooled against the air. Weariness washed through his bones, heavy, oppressive – with a deep sigh, he allowed himself to slump back against the wall, acknowledging Dumbledore’s gaze with a barely perceptible nod. The Headmaster smiled at him softly.

“Remus,� he greeted gently. “Are you all right?�

It was only then that Remus remembered that his robes were still soaked with blood.
“Fine.� Gritting his teeth slightly, Remus pushed himself away from the wall and made his way slowly and steadily over to where his fellow Order members had gathered. “It’s Tonks’ blood, not mine.�

“Tonks?� Kingsley’s head shot up like a whip-crack. “What happened to Tonks?�

His head was spinning, the world was dancing, but Remus forced himself to concentrate. “She was hit by a cutting spell,� he replied, biting his lip as he struggled not to slur his words. “I did a rudimentary fix and Hagrid’s taken her to Madam Pomfrey. I’m certain she’s okay.�

Kingsley did not look desperately reassured. “Remus, what happened here?�

A dull, insistent ache began to creak across Remus’ body, tightening muscles, stabbing at joints. He shook his head to clear it. “We were ambushed,� he stated wearily. “Tonks and I apparated here from the Three Broomsticks and found them waiting for us.� He pulled a face. “They wanted me alive.�

Kingsley frowned grimly. “The Institute. After Kane’s death, this can’t be a coincidence.�

“I’ll say,� Mad-Eye Moody muttered with a scowl as he gestured around at their fallen foes. “Given these numbers, I’d say it was bloody important to them too.� Wooden leg stumping against the gravel, the retired Auror ran his electric blue eye over the scene, his grizzled face frowning. “Good haul though,� he remarked thoughtfully, kicking a supine body casually with his clawed foot as he leaned over to examine the white mask that concealed the face. “Almost too good in fact. You-Know-Who must be getting damned careless to waste this many followers so close to you, Albus.�

“I quite agree.� Treading carefully around an outstretched limb, Dumbledore moved to his old friend’s side. “In fact, from what Severus has told me of Voldemort’s recent recruitment tactics, I believe if we examine these opponents carefully, I think we will find that some of their number were not true Death Eaters at all. Observe.�

Leaning forward gently, Dumbledore’s long fingers curled around the white mask and lifted it away. Kingsley’s gasp was audible.

“That’s Minty Gabbidon! He works in the Hogsmeade Post Office!�

“Indeed.� Dumbledore’s expression was grim. “In fact, I suspect we will find that most of these Death Eaters come from the village of Hogsmeade. And not willingly.�

The pain was creeping through his veins now, spreading and surging as the adrenalin of battle faded. Twenty seconds under the Cruciatus curse was no laughing matter, even for a werewolf; that Remus could take the pain at the time was not the point. He could handle it much as he could handle the agony of a transformation but that didn’t mean that, just like at full moon, he wouldn’t feel the aftermath.

“The Imperius curse,� he offered, fighting to hide the tremble in his tone. Stay on your feet, stay on your feet, don’t be ridiculous… “Four or five true Death Eaters and an army of obedient victims.�

“Exactly.� Dumbledore straightened, his eyes sweeping the scenes. “And given that only two of your attackers made good their escape, I believe that means we will find two or three Death Eaters amongst the fallen.� He fingered his wand between his thumb and forefinger. “Alastor, if you will assist me in incapacitating these people until we can establish the guilty from the innocent?� Moody nodded grimly. “And Kingsley, if you would escort Remus to the Hospital Wing? I believe he requires Madam Pomfrey’s attention rather more than he wishes us to know.�

Remus raised a hand in dismissal. “I’m fi…�

Luckily Kingsley’s reflexes were good enough to catch hold of his elbow before he fell. As it was, the backwards stagger was rather undignified.

Kingsley raised a pointed eyebrow. “Of course you are, Remus,� he remarked dryly. “But if it’s all the same to you, let’s do as Dumbledore says, shall we? Besides, I need to contact the Ministry and the Hospital Wing’s on my way.�

Remus pulled a face, trying to ignore the pounding protests of his body. “It’s nothing, really.�

“You’re clammy, unsteady on your feet and you’re white as a sheet.� With a nod in Dumbledore and Moody’s direction, Kingsley placed a supporting hand against Remus’ back and guided him slowly but firmly in the direction of the Hogwarts grounds. “That’s a significant nothing. What did you get hit with?�

Remus blinked, desperately struggling to clear his head. Every step was a heavy, painful weight and the bright lights of the castle and the blurry outline of approaching figures suddenly seemed an alarmingly long way away. “They wanted to kill Tonks and I wouldn’t let them,� he replied absently. “It was just a Crucio.�

Kingsley’s eyes bulged. “Just a Crucio? Bloody hell Remus! In all my life as an Auror, I have never heard anyone shrug off the Cruciatus curse as just a Crucio.� His pace quickened distinctly. “Did you even try and get out of the way?�

Remus glared slightly. “They were going to kill her,� he repeated pointedly. “And it’s no worse than I’m used to on a full moon.�

“Forgive me if I’m not so blasé.� Kingsley was shaking his head. “They went to a lot of trouble to capture you and get rid of Tonks. And if this doesn’t have something to do with what’s been going on at the Feral Institute, I’m Cornelius Fudge.� He smiled dryly, but the set of his jaw was grim. “You know, Remus, there’s an old saying in Auror circles, a saying I think is pretty relevant here. You know you’re onto something when someone tries to kill you. And if that’s the case, you and Tonks are really onto something right now.�

21: Word of Mouth

Remus couldn’t help but feel that he really had spent far too much of his life in the Hogwarts Hospital Wing.

It had been only under sufferance that he had allowed himself to be escorted to a bed upon his arrival in the too familiar ward and only then after a firm and indisputable proclamation from Poppy Pomfrey that both Tonks and Jimmy Peakes were perfectly fine and resting comfortably. He had taken his Wolfsbane obediently – that was not a mistake he ever wished to make again - but the matron’s insistence that he lie down and get some rest himself was immediately protested. He had to help, he informed her, he had to talk with Dumbledore and Kingsley and decide what they were going to do now that the Institute’s Death Eater had rolled their dice and crossed the Rubicon. All he needed was something to calm his shakes and still his tremors and he would be on his way.

Poppy had pursed her lips together tightly and eyed him from beneath narrowed brows. And then she had handed him a purple potion and told him it would do as he asked.

Remus drank it.

His eyelids grew instantly heavy, his mind filled with sleepy fog. He had only a moment to wryly acknowledge the deceptive cunning of experienced school matrons in the face of a stubborn but trusting patient before he dropped inevitably into a deep and peaceful slumber.

And when he awoke, a slow reluctant blink back into consciousness, he found himself tucked into bed in a Hospital wing flooded with mid-morning light as a gentle finger stroked the length of his cheek in a soft and soothing fashion.

For a moment, Remus allowed himself to simply drift into wakefulness. His head was distinctly fuzzy but that was mostly to be expected after the battle of the night before. But at least the ache and tremble in his body was mercifully gone; in that respect, Poppy had at least been telling the truth about her potion. But still…

“Bloody Poppy,� he muttered half-heartedly.

The stroke against his cheek ceased instantly. A heart-shaped face, pale and rather sleepy-eyed darted abruptly into his line of sight.

“She got you too then.� Tonks’ voice was wry and slightly rueful as she smiled down at her still dozy companion. “Ruddy purple potion. I’m never trusting that woman again.�

Remus smiled in spite of himself. As coherence returned, he glanced towards her, drinking in her features, washed in the sunlight that streamed through the windows. Although still not back to her usual shade of skin, the deathly whiteness of the battle was blessedly gone, although the limp brown locks she wore in lieu of her normal, more vibrant hairstyles did subdue her face rather more than Remus had come to expect. She was wrapped in a pale pink dressing gown that he suspected had been lent to her by Poppy to replace her bloodstained robes, leaning back with a vaguely weary air in the chair propped by his bedside. She looked well enough, if not entirely herself.

Grimacing, Remus forced himself up onto his elbows. “Are you all right?� he asked at once, his eyes scanning over her once more almost to reassure himself that she really was there, beside him, awake and whole. “I was so worried…�

The smile on Tonks’ face lit the room like a sunbeam. “I’m fine,� she replied with a slight wave of one hand. “The cut wasn’t as deep as it could have been. Madam Pomfrey healed me up in a flash and dosed me with Blood Replenishing potion as soon as Hagrid brought me inside. And then…� She pulled a face. “When I told her I wanted to go outside and help you again, she told me I just had to drink some of this purple potion she offered me first…� She snorted with wry fondness. “Ruddy woman. You’d think we were still students.�

Remus chuckled as he pulled himself into a sit and leaned back against the headboard. “Everyone under the age of about forty is still a student to Poppy Pomfrey and always will be. And she always gets her way in the end. I’ve learned that the hard way more times than I’d care to count.� Absently, he brushed his hair out of his face. “How long have you been sitting there? Shouldn’t you be in bed as well?�

Tonks stifled a yawn. “I’m fine now,� she insisted with a shrug. “All better. I woke up a couple of hours ago. I was out cold all night - this stuff takes a while to properly wear off - but I’ve been sat here maybe half an hour waiting for you to come round.�

“A couple of hours?� Remus glanced again at the streaming light, frowning slightly at the nagging sense that there was something he ought to be doing, somewhere else he ought to be. “What time is it?�

Tonks shrugged slightly. “Getting on for eleven am, I’d guess. We’ll know when the next bell goes…�

Bell. Monday. It was eleven in the morning on Monday.

“My classes!� Remus grasped the bed-sheets, intending to fling them aside but Tonks’ hand descended upon his with an audible smack and stayed the motion instantly.

“Are covered,� the Auror informed him sternly. “Teachers who are assaulted in front of the school gates by a horde of Death Eaters and Imperiused Hogsmeaders are allowed a day off to recover, you know. Even Aurors are.� She leaned back in her chair with a rueful frown. “Kingsley’s written me off duty until Thursday morning. Partly it’s so I can recover, but it also might be handy for me to be unarguably available if this reconnaissance mission to the Institute goes ahead. They’ll need someone who knows the layout after all…�

“Wait. What?� Remus was instantly bolt upright. “What reconnaissance mission?�

For an instant, Remus could have sworn that Tonks was smirking. “Oops,� she said blithely with an unmistakable wink. “I conveniently forgot you were asleep when Kingsley dropped by.� She gazed at the ceiling with insincerely innocent eyes. “ I wasn’t supposed to mention that to you yet in your weak and fragile state. Silly, silly me…�

Remus folded his arms sternly but the corner of his lip was twitching with suppressed amusement. “Oh?�

“Mmmm.� Tonks shrugged with faux casualness and a barely concealed grin. “You see, I’m not supposed to tell you that Kingsley, Moody and Dumbledore have decided that we need to get inside the Institute again. They reckon we need to have a proper poke around in forbidden drawers and closed off levels and the like to see what rottenness old Denmark can show up. After all, attempting to kidnap you would imply something is in motion.� She tickled his knuckles absently with her fingertips. “I’ve already contacted Felisha by coin and she’ll meet us whenever we can arrange, hopefully with her secret way in all prepped and ready to go. Since I know the territory and the background of the case, I’ve been chosen to take part. And for some reason, Kingsley seemed to think that, as the only person apart from me who knows more about the layout and the staff in the Institute, you might want to come with me. But of course given how keen they seem to be to get you back into the Institute, he’s afraid that sending you along might be playing into their hands.� She shrugged. “Since he didn’t want to upset you by excluding you, he suggested you be kept in the dark.� Her smile was rueful but abruptly genuine. “However I reckon that decision should be yours not his. And since you saved my life last night, I happen to think you really can look after yourself.�

Remus could not hold back the smile. “That’s rather a change of heart from my determined bodyguard.�

A brief hint of a flush touched Tonks’ features. “No bodyguard,� she said softly. “Just a friend who’ll watch your back if you watch hers.�

Her dark eyes met his. She smiled. He smiled.

All at once, Remus was very aware of the soft, feather light touch of her fingers against the back of his hand. Her face seemed strangely close…

And then with startling ring, the school bell echoed down the length of the Hospital wing from the open door beyond. Remus’ startled jump was almost as emphatic as Tonks’; abruptly, her hand snatched itself away as her eyes snapped to the floor and stayed there. For his part, Remus found his gaze was glued to the bed-sheets as his hands grasped the white material almost compulsively.

Sweet Merlin. That’s quite enough of that! She’s your friend, Lupin, not to mention far too young to ever…

“Eleven,� Tonks’ voice, almost forcefully bright, cut across his brief moment of alarmed musing and jerked him abruptly back down to earth.

“Pardon?� he managed.

“It’s eleven.� Tonks glanced over at him, smiling, and suddenly his world swung back into a stable orbit and everything was as he knew it once more. “I said we’d know when the bell goes…�

“You were right.� Relaxing himself almost forcefully, Remus lifted his gaze and returned the smile. “I was due to teach the fifth year Slytherins now and their stock of snide werewolf jibes is getting a little repetitive. Perhaps being in the Hospital Wing isn’t so bad after all.�

Tonks laughed out loud. “I was just thinking that I was suppose to be on patrol with Dawlish’s team today. So I’m definitely happier here.�

“You’d rather be in hospital recovering from a Death Eater attack than on patrol with my good friend Mr Dawlish?� Remus arched an eyebrow. “That doesn’t say much for his people skills.�

Tonks snorted with mirth, her eyes twinkling wickedly. “And what about you, professor? Slandering your beloved students for expressing themselves?�

Remus shrugged easily, fighting not to laugh. “It’s not the expression of their opinion that bothers me, it’s the lack of imagination. Jokes about body hair and raw meat, whispered asides about moon cycles – it’s so unsubtle. I’m thinking of teaching them a few new insults, just to vary the palate. It would make the lessons so much more interesting.�

A snorted laugh from the doorway of the Hospital wing caught them both by surprise. “I don’t think you need to worry about that anymore.� A familiar young voice drifted in, the green eyes of its owner filled with barely suppressed humour. “You’ve given us all much more interesting things to discuss than your condition.�

Remus folded his arms as he eyed Harry’s smirk warily. Behind him, Ron and Hermione were wearing almost identical expressions of humour.

Oh fantastic…

Harry cocked an eyebrow as he and his two closest friends stepped into the room, pulling the door closed as he followed them in wandering over to Remus’ bedside. “Tonks. Professor,� he said with a grin. “Is there something you’d like to tell us?�

Remus shot Tonks a glare. “This is your fault. You and Rosmerta, pretending we were a couple. I told you there were students in that room.�

For her part, Tonks was battling laughter. “Oh darling,� she exclaimed melodramatically. “How could I have possibly hidden what I feel for you? It was beyond all restraint!�

Remus ignored the uncomfortably prickle that ran along his spine at her words as the three Gryffindors laughed. Instead, he frowned at his students.

“Shouldn’t you three be in class?� he queried wearily.

“Free period,� Ron said shortly as he flopped down on the adjacent bed, Hermione and Harry at his side. “Thought we’d come and check on you two instead of faffing about in the library.�

Inevitably, Hermione’s eyes went stony at this cavalier dismissal of schoolwork. “Studying is not faff,� she retorted sharply. She pointedly ignored the roll of Ron’s eyes. “It just so happens that this is more important.�

“Thank you, Hermione,� Remus’ gracious acknowledgement luckily halted potential hostilities. “I appreciate that.�

“And I’d appreciate some gossip,� Tonks leaned forward across the bed towards the three teenagers. “Come on, spill the beans. What are they saying about good old Professor Lupin out there?�

Remus closed his eyes. “Tonks…�

Harry was chuckling. “It varies.�

“Tell me the variations.�

Remus sighed. “Must you?�

Tonks’ expression was all innocence. “Now, professor. Surely you need to be prepared. Lesser men than you have been strangled by the grapevine, you know.�

Harry intervened over Remus’ low groan. “Well, the general consensus is that you were definitely seen going upstairs in the Three Broomsticks with a younger woman,� he admitted. “And that you’d booked a room. But as soon as someone mentioned pink hair, we knew it had to be Tonks. And since you just said you were pretending, I’ll guess you were there on business.�

Remus nodded emphatically before Tonks could muddy the waters further. “Yes, we were.�

Harry smiled. “Thought so. So I guess those rumours coming out of Ravenclaw that you were caught upstairs later with a different woman talking about getting…� he cleared his throat, “…well, naked, were just stories then like the rest of it?�

Remus wished with all his heart that he could have suppressed that blush. Tonks burst out laughing.

Harry, Ron and Hermione’s eyes widened incredulously as one.

“It’s true?� Hermione gasped, after taking a moment out to slap Ron’s shoulder in order to disperse the look of misty-eyed respect on his face. “Professor…�

“It’s not… I mean…� Remus was aware that his face was already tomato red and the pealing hysteria of Tonks’ laughter was not helping to calm his fluster. “Will you shut up?� he snapped irritably as his companion slumped forward over her knees, still helplessly giggling. “This is your fault. And it’s fairly serious that my secret meeting with Felisha is now all over the school.�

Tonks’ jaw snapped shut as she sobered instantly. “Sod it,� she said with feeling. “I didn’t think of that.�

A light glowed on in Hermione’s eyes. “Oh!� she exclaimed. “That’s it, isn’t it? Those coins I helped you with – you said they were for a contact of yours in the Institute staff. That’s who you were meeting, isn’t it? That’s who Felisha is!�

Hermione Granger really was a very smart young woman. “Yes, it was,� Remus admitted wearily. “And it was supposed to be top secret. Felisha could be in a lot of trouble if word she’s met me in private leaks out.�

But Harry was already shaking his head. “I wouldn’t worry, professor. There are so many mad rumours flying around, no one’s going to know one truth from another. And there isn’t any kind of description of this other woman – just of Tonks.� He grinned. “I guess pink hair is more memorable.�

“See, I am useful,� Tonks nudged Remus as her expression grew wicked once more. “I make a good distraction. And Harry, did I hear you say that mad rumours abound? Please, tell me more.�

Harry chuckled again. “When I say mad, I mean mad.�

“The madder the better. Talk.�

Harry and Ron exchanged a long look as the red-haired Weasley took up the tale from his bespectacled friend. “Well,� he began uncertainly. “There’s the second woman one we mentioned – which is kind of true. But some people are also saying that the first woman – Tonks, I guess – caught Professor Lupin with the second woman and dragged him off, screaming at him. And then people started saying there had been a fight between the women and then there were three women, or four and then it started that there hadn’t been a fight at all and that you’d just been in the room with a half dozen or so perfectly happy women.� He shrugged apologetically, although his mouth was curling distinctly. “Well, by the end of the week, most people reckoned you’d gone off for the rest of the Easter holidays with a harem of buxom veelas and the reason you’re in the Hospital wing today is because you’re outright knackered.�

Yet again, Tonks exploded with laughter. In spite of himself, even Remus cracked a smile.

“I think I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that veelas aren’t my type,� he remarked dryly. “I prefer my women rather more thoughtful and definitely more human than that.� At his side, Tonks’ laughter was drying away as he continued. “Besides, I’m not sure my father would appreciate being morphed into a bevy of buxom veelas by the imaginations of a castle full of adolescents.�

“Now there’s a disturbing mental image,� Tonks added as she leaned forwards. “But I’m kind of curious. I’d have thought word about the attack would have spread around the school like wildfire. Are you saying people don’t know?�

“They know.� Harry shrugged slightly. “But there’s always a few, you know?�

“Which reminds me,� Remus turned his gaze onto his three students. “Why on earth did you and the rest of your team come hurtling into the fray like that? You could have been killed, Harry, all of you. Jimmy Peakes was lucky he wasn’t.�

“Jimmy’s fine,� Harry protested. “Madam Pomfrey let him out first thing this morning. He’s a Beater, he has worse bruises than those from our last match…�

“That’s not the point. Why didn’t you just go for help?�

“Ritchie Coote went for help,� Ron was the one to protest. “So did Hermione.�

Remus raised an eyebrow. “Hermione?�

Hermione pulled a face. “I was recording their practice moves with Omnioculars as a favour for Harry. But then Ginny spotted Hagrid running across the grounds and I saw the flashes of the fight and focussed in.� Her nose wrinkled. “I saw Tonks get hit. And although the wall was in the way, I was pretty sure you were ringed in. So Coote went for McGonagall and I went for Dumbledore while the others grabbed their wands and flew to help. That Kingsley and Mad-Eye were in his office too was just lucky.�

Tonks twisted her lip. “Actually, they were waiting for us to report in.�

Harry’s eyes narrowed curiously. “Report in on what?�

But any answer was forestalled by the creak of an opening door and the gentle voice of Albus Dumbledore.

“That, Harry,� he said softly, “is what Professor Lupin, Miss Tonks and I need to discuss. So I’m afraid I must ask you to leave.�

22: A Simple Plan

It was only with a great deal of reluctance that Harry, Ron and Hermione were chivvied out of the Hospital Wing. They went slowly, with many backward glances and significant looks and when Ron, his eyes slightly shifty, began to root around in the pockets of his robe, Remus made a mental note to keep his eyes open for any signs of extendable ears. Honestly. Though their interest and desire to help was admirable, didn’t they have enough to do with their NEWTS work?

Dumbledore was apparently thinking along much the same lines. With a knowing smile in Remus’ direction, he cast an impermeable charm in the direction of the door.

Tonks laughed softly. “Suspicious of your students, Headmaster?�

Dumbledore smiled in return as he lowered himself easily into the chair on Remus’ far side. “Always, Miss Tonks and rightly so. I know Harry. He has a talent for acquiring information he should not strictly speaking be privy to.�

“There’s an understatement.� With a clunk of his wooden leg, Moody deposited himself beside Kingsley on the recently vacated bed next door. “Barty Crouch Junior may have been crazy as a loon but he was damned right when he said that lad would make a first class Auror. He’s got the nose for it.�

“Let’s hope he keeps hold of it,� Kingsley grinned as he cast a sideways glance at his companion’s battered face. “He’ll be doing better than you if he does.�

Moody sniffed loudly and rather appallingly. “War wounds,� he declared loftily. “Each one a source of pride. And the mark of one less lunatic on the streets.�

“And speaking of which,� Dumbledore interjected smoothly, “There is the matter of Abraham Kane’s unexpected demise.� He glanced across the bed, meeting Tonks’ innocent expression with a knowing twinkle. “Can I take it, Miss Tonks, that you have already informed Remus of the plans we have set in motion?�

Tonks flushed slightly as she felt the weight of Kingsley’s sudden glare. “Ummm…yeah,� she admitted reluctantly. “Am I that predictable?�

Dumbledore laughed. “I would never dream of trying to predict you. But on this matter at least, I do not object. It saves us time.� He turned to Remus. “You know of our intention to infiltrate the Institute?�

Remus nodded firmly. “I do. But if we are going to do this, it will have to be before Thursday night. Given the urgency of the attempt to kidnap me, I suspect after the full moon will be too late.� He smiled grimly. “And of course, Thursday itself would be rather inconvenient for me unless you happen to need a scent hound.�

Kingsley leapt upon his words almost before his sentence was completed. “Remus, I don’t think you going is a good idea. Aside from being hit by that Crucio…�

“Which is no worse than I am used to on a monthly basis.�

“…and your duties here at the school…�

“Which would not be affected by an evening mission.�

“…there is the indisputable point that you inside the Institute is exactly what the Death Eaters appear to want.�

“We don’t know that they would have taken me to the Institute.�

Kingsley frowned pointedly. “Remus, don’t be stubborn. You know as well as I do where you would have ended up. There’s no way you can convince me that Kane’s death and your near-abduction on the same night is coincidental.�

“And if you could convince him,� Moody intervened with a growl. “I’d slap him with my wooden leg for being so damned foolish.�

“They’re right, Remus,� Tonks injected casually. “We all know it wasn’t a coincidence. But that doesn’t change the fact that you’ll be coming with me.�

Kingsley and Moody’s expressions darkened as one. “Tonks…� Kingsley declared, his voice ripe with a note of warning but the younger Auror had already raised one hand to forestall his protests. “He knows the territory,� she said, ticking off on her fingers matter-of-factly. “He knows the staff. He knows werewolves. He knows Rebekah Goldstein. And the fact that he saved my life has proved pretty categorically that he can take care of himself and even me if necessary. Even if the kids hadn’t shown up, we were through that gate and away. He can cope. I’ll be there to watch his back and be glad to know he’s watching mine.� Her voice took on a vaguely combative note. “I won’t go with anyone else.�

Surprised as he was by this morning’s emphatic turnaround, Remus couldn’t help but smile with gratitude at the young Auror as she glared challengingly across the bed at the three older men, her pale skin and dull hair almost seeming to glow with hidden inner colour. Catching his smile from the corner of her eye, he saw her lips quirk in reply.

But then Moody straightened, his mad eye whirling, his expression annoyed. “Well, then, lass. It seems we’ll need a whole new team to…�

“Alastor.� Dumbledore’s soft word nonetheless stilled Moody’s torrent of rebuttal instantly. “She’s right.�

Kingsley was shaking his head. “If anything goes wrong, we’ll be playing right into their hands…�

“I know.� Dumbledore sighed, gazing down at his long fingered hands for a moment almost absently. “But little as I like it, Remus is the best choice for the task.�

Remus quirked an eyebrow. “I feel I should thank you all for such a ringing endorsement of confidence in my abilities,� he remarked dryly. “I feel positively Godlike.�

Dumbledore’s smile was almost weary. “It is not your abilities that we doubt, Remus,� he replied gently. “We are simply concerned for your well-being.�

“So am I,� Remus admitted frankly with a slight shrug. “But if I let that stop me, I’d never get anything worthwhile done. And as I’ve told Tonks repeatedly over the last few months, I really don’t need to be protected.�

Dumbledore’s smile broadened. “It appears to have sunk in.�

The glance that Tonks directed at Remus was rueful. “Eventually.�

Remus smiled at her again. Tonks smiled back.

“So.� The Headmaster straightened in his chair as he drew attention back to business. “We have established our team. What we now need to know is how and when.�

Tonks leaned forwards over Remus’ bed. “I had as good a chat as I could manage with Felisha by coin.� She smiled wryly. “It can be a bit limited when you can only have 30 characters per sentence but we got our messages across. She says she’ll meet us when we need her behind the Three Broomsticks with her way inside; today, tomorrow or Wednesday is fine as long as it’s at night. She reckons she can get us a portkey…�

“Wait,� Kingsley raised a forestalling hand. “That wouldn’t work. I’ve studied as much as I can about the Institute’s defences and it doesn’t just have anti-apparition wards – it’s warded against portkeys and floo connections too. The whole design is intended to insure that nobody enters or leaves except through the front door. A portkey would be useless.�

Tonks shook her head. “Felisha was pretty emphatic. I think she might have found a way around that.�

Moody’s grizzled features contorted into suspicion. “Are you sure this Felisha can be trusted?� he growled. “It’d be a fine lookout for you two to escape a Death Eater ambush but then portkey yourselves into a cell in the Institute through a lack of vigilance.�

Remus and Tonks exchanged a long glance. “I trust her,� Remus said softly.

Tonks nodded her agreement. “So do I.�

Moody’s expression eloquently proclaimed that he was unconvinced. “What about these coins?� he continued insistently. “Pretty haphazard communication if you ask me. How do you know Felisha isn’t lying dead somewhere and that you’re conversing with a Death Eater?�

Remus sighed. “Alastor, I understand your concern but I did think of that. When Hermione and I created the coins, we charmed them so that only the first three people to touch them could use them; those three people were Tonks, Felisha and me. You can try one if you like but it won’t do a thing for you.�

Moody’s wild blue eye rolled but he did not accept the challenge. “I’m not convinced,� he repeated grimly instead. “This is a big risk. And Lupin, I still say you’d do better to stay behind.�

Dumbledore mercifully intervened. “We have been over that, Alastor. And unless she has changed greatly since her school days, I do not believe Felisha Hathaway is likely to have become a Death Eater.�

Moody glared blackly. “Nobody thought Pettigrew was either. Look how that turned out. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in twenty years of constant vigilance, it’s that Death Eaters can be almost anyone.�

Remus felt his fists clench at the mention of Peter… of Wormtail’s name. Don’t think about him, this is not the time. You’ve more important things to do than dwell…

And then he felt soft and gentle fingers close soothingly around his fist. Tonks smiled at him wanly, her small hand saying louder than any words that she understood his thoughts.

She really was a wonderful friend…

“All right, fine.� Moody’s harsh exclamation snapped Remus’ attention back to the conversation. “We trust the girl and her portkey. I just hope we don’t live to regret it.�

Kingsley’s expression of mild scepticism implied he was on Moody’s side. But instead of taking up the argument, he simply shrugged. “I suppose that just leaves us to establish when you go. Tonight or tomorrow would seem logical – it leaves less time to be found out and it’s further away from the full moon for Remus…�

But Tonks was shaking her head once more. “Wednesday.�

Remus has been inclined to agree with Kingsley – he didn’t fancy a tiring excursion on the night before his change. “I understand not going tonight,� he remarked, ruefully picking at his bedclothes as he glanced pointedly out across the Hospital Wing. “But why not Tuesday?�

Tonks smiled slightly. “Because Felisha told me that Rebekah will be out of the Institute on Wednesday. It’s her daughter’s birthday and she heard her tell Croll that she’s going home for the night to the party.�

Moody’s eye spiralled irritably. “More hearsay?�

Tonks glared. “I am an Auror too, Mad-Eye!� she retorted abruptly. “I don’t just take hearsay as fact. I checked the school’s record of next years enrolments and it is the birthday of one Julia Goldstein on Wednesday.�

“And I think Rebekah would go.� Remus’ quiet statement cut across Moody’s half started protest. “Whatever else she may be, she cares deeply about her family.�

Tonks’ snort was incredulous. “Most of them,� she added pointedly.

Remus twisted his lip but said nothing. There really wasn’t much he could add to dispute that.

“So that’s it then.� Kingsley leaned forward with a sigh. “That’s our plan. We rely upon a woman we aren’t sure we can trust to provide a portkey that might not work so that two Order members who have barely recovered from an ambush can transport themselves into the midst of a place we know contains Death Eaters who want them either dead or in custody to search for evidence that may not even be there. Does that sound about right?�

Tonks smiled dryly. “Yep. Good summary.�

Moody gave a crooked frown. “You’re taking my invisibility cloak. No arguments.�

Remus raised his hands. “No protests. Thank you Alastor.�

Tonks was rooting in her robes, now purged of blood and draped across the neighbouring bed. “I’ll let Felisha know. We’ll meet her on Wednesday at midnight.�

“Then it seems we are done.� In one smooth motion that belied his vast age, Dumbledore rose from his chair. “I would be lying if I claimed that I am fully comfortable with this plan. But the need for action in this case is clear. Thank you all for your help.� He smiled slightly. “Now if you would excuse me, I shall go and persuade Harry and his friends to cease their futile attempts to listen at the door.�

“And I’d better get back to the Ministry,� Kingsley also rose fluidly. “Tonks, I’ve booked you into a room at the Three Broomsticks. I don’t expect to see you at work before Thursday afternoon. Understood?�

With a flourish of her hand, Tonks gave a mock salute. Smiling in spite of himself, Kingsley followed Dumbledore towards the door.

With a creak of his wooden leg, Moody was the last to rise. “I expect you two to take care,� he barked gruffly. “Especially you, Lupin. I don’t want to be the one explaining to Rey that I let his only son walk into a trap.�

Remus nodded with a small smile. “Then I’ll make sure you don’t have to.�

Moody pulled a face at what he clearly viewed as blatant over optimism. But then, with a brusque nod, he too took his leave.

As the Hospital Wing door closed behind the grizzled old Auror, Tonks turned to Remus, twirled her silver sickle between her fingers and grinned.

“Well mate,� she said cheerfully. “It looks like we’re in for an interesting week.�

* * *

Monday passed in quiet contemplation in the Hospital Wing. Tuesday and Wednesday passed in a flurry of students and classes.

It was strange how quickly three days could vanish into memory with something to dread at the end of them.

It was not that Remus was nervous, precisely. After all he had volunteered for this mission, practically insisted on his inclusion in fact. But Moody and Kingsley’s warnings had fallen on stubborn ears, not deaf ones – and although Remus was still quite certain that he was the best person for this mission, that did not alter his suspicions that he was walking, dressed in lambs wool, into the heart of the lion’s den. He would be much happier when all this was over.

His lessons passed in a blur. Harry’s assertions about the rumours had proved unfortunately correct – Remus had endured his fair share of jokes, giggles and expressions of amusement mingled with respect and disgust tinged mockery in the corridors and classrooms of the school. He had fronted it out the only way he knew how; with a smile, joining in the joking, shrugging off the sneers, making it nothing but laughter, pretending not to care. After all, showing embarrassment in front of Harry and his friends was one thing; but blushing in front of the rest of the student body was quite another. It was tantamount to a confession.

The only exceptions to this new, rumour-fuelled attitude towards him were Harry, Ron and Hermione. They smiled at him in corridors and acted normally in classes but the looks in their eyes rang with unspoken curiosity and silent questions that Remus could almost read. Why was he ambushed? What had he been intending to report? What had been said in his Hospital Wing meeting with his fellow Order members? Just what was going on?

But Remus ignored the questions, dodged their attempts to catch him alone and did his best to act as though nothing at all was afoot. Filling his three students in on the Imperius plot had been one thing. Worrying them yet again about his safety for no good reason was quite another.

And so the sun set, darkness fell and Wednesday evening rolled into his life with quite unseemly haste.

Gritting his teeth against the lingering taste of Wolfsbane in his mouth, Remus checked his watch again as he hurried the final few yards out of the alley behind Dervish and Banges and away from the now concealed entrance to the secret passage he had followed from a suit of armour near the Hogwarts kitchens. Moody’s invisibility cloak whispered and swirled at his every motion – Remus was taking no chances on fresh rumours about his midnight visits to the ladies of Hogsmeade, especially given that Tonks was currently ensconced there – as the tightly controlled ball of flame in his right palm lit his way unseen to outside eyes. It was five minutes to midnight.

Hogsmeade was oddly disconcerting by night, sparking vague and uncomfortable memories of wolfish roaming with his friends. Unnaturally silent, it lurked in the night, the black silhouettes of eaves and shop signs lit only by flashes of the heavily bloated moon between slivers of roaming cloud. The normally glowing lights of the Three Broomsticks were extinguished and invisible – only a hint of lantern light behind an upstairs window implied any sign of life. The yard behind was a wash of shadows, the well a dull black outline, a lone bush swaying gently in a pulsing midnight breeze. In the distance, an owl hooted, its call echoing across the night with unexpected clarity.

And there was no one there.

Frowning, Remus checked his watch once more. Three minutes to midnight. He could have sworn Tonks said…

“Ow!�

The cry was muffled but the dull thump of something soft hitting hard wood gave it emphasis. The knob of the Three Broomsticks small back door rattled sharply.

Smiling slightly to himself, Remus hurried over and pulled the door open. Much as expected, he found a dishevelled and irritable looking Tonks slumped in a heap at the foot of the narrow stairs, rubbing her elbow and swearing under her breath. Her eyes darted up sharply.

“What the…� she started.

The cloak. “It’s me,� Remus murmured softly in immediate reassurance. “Are you all right?�

Tonks’ expression flashed with relief as her smile grew wry. “I hate those stairs,� she muttered in response. “They’re a bloody health hazard. Rosmerta should…�

But her sentence dropped sharply away at the sound of a creaking door and the voice of the landlady herself.

“I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about, Mrs Cornworthy. Probably just the wind…�

“Sod it!� Scrambling on her hands and knees, Tonks was moving instantly. Groping into the emptiness, her hand caught upon the edge of the cloak – before Remus had even realised what was happening, she had ducked underneath and joined him in concealment, her small body pressing against his as she shoved him quickly backwards and out of the doorway, clinging to his arm for balance. Remus caught her waist as she stumbled, fighting a fresh surge of bewildering discomfort at her closeness as they both froze, breath held and still.

Rosmerta’s hair-rollered head peered thoughtfully out of the darkness of the entrance. Her eyes fell upon the door, flapping gently in the breeze; catching it in one hand, she shrugged.

“Just a loose door, Mrs Cornworthy!� she called back up the stairs, stepping backwards as she pulled it closed. “Nothing to worry about…�

The door clicked shut. Silence fell once more.

Remus felt Tonks release her breath with a windy sigh. She chuckled softly.

“Bit close,� she remarked wryly. “Definitely too close in fact.�

Remus withdrew his hands instantly and stepped away, although within the limits confines of the cloak, distance was difficult to achieve. “I’m sorry, I thought you might fall…�

The look that flashed across Tonks’ face by the light of his flickering flame was one of downright frustration. “I meant Rosmerta,� she stressed irritably. “Honestly Remus, when are you going to realise…�

But Remus never learned what Tonks expected him to realise. For in that instant, as the distant cloak of the Owl Post office chimed midnight, Felisha Hathaway staggered out of the empty night, shaking her head and grasping something white and glassy securely between her fingers. She caught the edge of the well for balance and breathed deeply.

“I hate portkeys,� they heard her mutter.

Exchanging a glance with Tonks, Remus extinguished his flame and stepped out from beneath the cloak into the silver moonlight. A moment later, Tonks appeared beside him, Moody’s cloak wrapped over one arm. She followed him quickly to Felisha’s side.

“Okay?� At his gentle query, Felisha glanced up and smiled. Pulling herself upright, she nodded.

“Fine,� she murmured quietly. “Just a bit shaken. Fiddling with the charms on this thing hasn’t made for the smoothest ride.�

Tonks was examining the opaque, glassy sphere gripped within Felisha’s hands. It was reminiscent of the globe lights they had last seen in the Institute.

“How did you get that to work?� she inquired curiously. “A friend of mine had it on good authority that portkeying in or out of the Institute wasn’t possible.�

“It isn’t, by ordinary portkey.� Passing the sphere to Remus, Felisha took a moment to straighten her robes. “That’s an emergency portkey. We have one hidden as a light on each level; the idea is that if the residents ever rebel, a member of staff can take a portkey and instantly alert the Ministry and the Werewolf Capture Unit in person. They have a special element within them that allows them to pass through the wards. They take you directly to the Fountain of the Magical Brethren.�

Remus frowned as he rubbed his fingers across the smooth surface. “That seems a little dangerous. What if a resident got hold of it?�

Felisha shrugged slightly. “Only Alpha and Beta clearance staff know where the portkeys are - Aylward changes the locations monthly – and they can only be activated by a wand so the residents would have to get hold of one to use it. And besides…� Even by moonlight, Remus could see the hints of her blush. “They are charmed so that only full humans can use them. That was why it took me a little while to prepare it. I had to alter the charm so that you could use it too without rendering it useless and that took me quite a while.�

Remus winced slightly at being described as not fully human but he knew that Felisha had not intended a slight. “That must have been quite an effort. Thank you.�

She smiled in return, warm, sincere. “Don’t mention it.�

Tonks’ voice cut into the pleasantries with a hint of impatience. “Hasn’t anyone missed it?�

Felisha shook her head. “I told maintenance that I’d broken a globe in my room and asked for a replacement. Then I swapped the ordinary globe with the portkey on Level One. Aylward won’t be changing the locations for another week yet. No one will miss it before then.�

“What about the destination?� Remus knew that Tonks was not looking for flaws in the plan – she was an Auror doing her job – but he couldn’t help but wish that she could ask her questions in a slightly less interrogatory manner. “I’m not sure Remus appearing in the middle of the WCU would be a good idea.�

Felisha smiled slightly. “I thought the same. That’s the other thing that took a while. I’ve changed the base destination to my office and then charmed it to bring me here. If you use it again from elsewhere, it will take you to my office and return you to wherever you came from.� She grinned. “It’s a good thing my dad worked in the Portkey Regulation office for so many years. He used to bring his work home with him.�

“Impressive work.� To Remus’ relief, Tonks smiled again, although the expression looked wan in the pale light. “Well then.� She hefted the cloak. “I guess we’d best get on with this.�

Felisha’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Is that an invisibility cloak?�

Tonks nodded. “I borrowed it from a colleague. Remus and I didn’t think being seen would be a bright idea. Speaking of which, we’d better get under.�

With a nod, Remus ducked his head as he joined Tonks beneath the swath of cloth. Only one hand each remained visible and, to judge by the expression on Felisha’s face, they made rather an odd sight.

“Hands on then,� she said quietly. “To activate the portkey, you tap it three times with your wand. Okay?�

Tonks murmured an affirmative as her hand joined Felisha’s and Remus’ against the round orb. For a moment, Remus stared at Felisha’s face, her curls washed in silver, her eyes dark beneath her brows and remembered Moody’s words in the Hospital Wing.

Are you sure this Felisha can be trusted? It’d be a fine lookout for you two to escape a Death Eater ambush but then portkey yourselves into a cell in the Institute through a lack of vigilance.

No. He trusted her. Everything would be fine.

Felisha’s wand tapped.

One. Two. Three.

And then, with a yank at the navel, Remus hurled into the unknown.

23: Under Cover

It was dark.

For an instant, Remus almost panicked. He felt himself stumble on something soft, felt Tonks’ small hand grip his robes for support as they staggered out of portkey-yanked nowhere into an unknown darkness, his eyes raking in search of something, anything to confirm that this was no trap, no cell. He heard Tonks tumbling, felt her fingers grasp again but miss as her lips expelled half-breathed curse and he snatched for her with one hand, grasping his wand more firmly with the other.

What is going on here?

“Lumos!�

And then there was light. The colourful decorations of Felisha’s office flooded across his vision as the globe spheres spaced around the wall glowed into life. Felisha herself gave an apologetic smile as she slipped her wand back into the sleeve of her robe; placing the portkey globe safely onto the table, she dropped her eyes to where the presumably only half visible Tonks lay tangled between cloak and rug at the foot of her desk. She looked rather disgruntled.

“Bloody hell!� she swore quietly. “Stupid place to put a rug!�

Felisha grimaced slightly. “I am sorry. And I’m sorry it was dark when we arrived. I extinguished the lights before I left in case any of my colleagues happened to see the glow and knock on the door to see why I was up so late. I should have warned you.�

Certain now that they were alone and safe, Remus swept the cloak off. “That’s okay,� he said, carefully keeping his voice low all the same. “It was a reasonable precaution and no real harm was done.

Tonks gave him a long look of irritation. “Speak for yourself, Lupin. The bruises I can live with but the damage to my dignity is a little more terminal.�

“That damage was done long ago.� Smiling innocently, Remus leaned down and offered his hand to the Auror. For an instant, her eyebrow rose dangerously; but then, with a quirk of her lips, she accepted his offer and allowed herself to be hauled upright, dusting off her crumpled robes on reaching vertical.

“I hope you don’t think I’m going to let you get away with that,� she remarked casually as she palmed her wand. “Now is not the time, Remus, but I have a good memory. I will get you back.�

“I look forward to it.� Remus extended the cloak towards her with a flourish. “But for now, we have a job to do.�

Felisha had been watching them both with a distinct edge of amusement. “Glad you remembered,� she remarked with a smile. “Now, I’m going to go to my room now – if you need me desperately, follow this corridor to the blue door at the end marked Staff Quarters. My chambers are the second on the left. I’ll leave the door unlocked just in case.� Accepting their acknowledging nods, she then lifted the portkey-globe and deposited it carefully into her desk drawer. “When you’re done, the portkey is in the top left drawer of my desk. Tap it three times with your wand and it’ll take you back to the Three Broomsticks. Be careful. Don’t get caught.�

“Wouldn’t dream of it.� Tonks flashed a grin as she shook out the now rather crumpled invisibility cloak and draped it around her head like a wimple. Remus found himself staring at the rather bizarre sight of Tonks’ hairless, bodiless face grinning wickedly at him from mid-air.

He folded his arms and raised a pointed eyebrow. “I don’t suppose your father hails from Cheshire, does he?�

The Cheshire Tonks chuckled. “Kent actually. Now come on Alice. Down the rabbit hole with you.�

Rolling his eyes as he smiled, Remus stepped forward and slipped under the cloak to join the Auror. The world without turned silvery beyond the shroud of translucent material as the full length Tonks appeared once more beside him, the warmth of her body pressing against his hip as they shuffled together beneath their limited concealment. Her conservatively dark and ruffled hair brushed against his cheek and nose, providing a sweet and inviting odour of fruity shampoo…

Stop that, Lupin. Right now. Friend, friend, friend, friend…

He clenched his jaw. “Tight quarters,� he offered with as much casualness as he could muster.

He felt rather than saw her shrug of response. “I was just thinking it was surprisingly roomy.�

“Are you ready?� Remus started slightly at the sound of Felisha’s voice; against his side, he felt Tonks do the same. The researcher was standing by the door now, her hand wrapped bracingly around the knob. She gave a wan smile, in the direction of the wall.

“Remus?� she queried.

Remus started to nod before remembering that of course, such a gesture was useless.
“We’re ready,� he replied instead. “I hope you won’t take it amiss if I say I hope we don’t see you again tonight.�

Following his voice, Felisha smiled in a more accurate direction. “As long as you don’t mind me saying the same. Good luck to you both.�

And then, with a deep intake of breath, Felisha pulled open the door.

Remus and Tonks were moving instantly, his arm wrapped around her waist in support as they hurried forward in tight proximity through the doorway and into the dimly lit corridor beyond. At the swish of the cloak against her hand, Felisha followed but she did not acknowledge their presence in any way, simply extinguishing the lights with a clipped “Nox!� and pulling the door closed behind her. Without a backward glance, she turned and strode away.

Tonks looked at Remus. Remus looked at Tonks.

The levity and awkwardness of a moment before was banished in an instant, as the full weight of their situation dawned. Here he was, standing beneath an invisibility cloak in a shadowed corridor inside the Feral Institute, about to break into his cousin the Institute leader’s office in search of evidence of suspected Death Eater activity, while knowing full well that if he was captured, he would probably never see outside of these grim walls again. At his side, Tonks’ expression had also melted into serious professionalism – grasping her wand firmly, she mouthed two words.

Rebekah’s office.

Remus nodded. Slowly, quietly, they began to make their way towards reception.

If the Institute was grim by day, it was downright sinister by night. The globe lights had been dimmed to a mere glimmer, a flicker of light all but engulfed by drifting shadows and the lurking dark. The silence was deep and lingering, threatening to swallow whole even the barely heard shuffle of their footsteps. Remus was an old hand at sneaking around beneath such a cloak by night – many of his Hogwarts nights had passed beneath a silvery sheen with one or other of his fellow Marauders, seeking out secrets and managing mischief. But Hogwarts by night, even in darkness, with the brush of passing ghosts and the ever glowing eyes of Argus Filch’s cat had never seemed as dark and threatening as here.

Terrible things were afoot within these walls. Remus was certain of it.

And they had to find out what. Before it was too late.

He could hear the expulsions of his breath staining the dimness beyond and the sound of his heartbeat pounding. It was too quiet…

Careful, Remus. Such are the thoughts that trouble is made of. Better watch…

SLAM!

Bugger.

Grabbing Tonks unceremoniously around the waist, Remus thrust his back against the wall as the echo of the slamming door and a flash of blue light reverberated past them to the accompaniment of a too familiar mutter. He was only just in time.

“Have it done before tomorrow… knows I’ve got better things to do…�

Cymone Wrigley shuffled around the corner from the dim reception chamber beyond, her round face twisted with disgruntlement as she plodded with a certain lack of grace down the corridor towards them. Her wand was thrust loosely and crookedly into the sash at her waist.

“Don’t know why I bother… no appreciation for me… never get a word of thanks…�

Remus felt rather than saw Tonks stiffen against him. The cloak shifted as one hand took a grasp of silvery cloth and began to extend, fingers tensed, out in front of them.

Into Cymone’s path.

It was Remus’ turn to tense.

What is she doing? If she feels us here, if she hears us…

He could make no verbal warning, no sudden move that might be heard. Cymone was just too close…

And then she passed, her trajectory so near that the cloak whispered with the shifted air of her motion. Tonks’ hand snatched down sharply and then retracted with equal speed, the folds of material closing around her fist as she sucked it back against her body, her eyes following Cymone’s retreat down the dim corridor with unmistakable uncertainty. But the assistant did not turn and a moment later, she rounded a corner and was lost from view. Her mutterings faded to silence in her wake.

There was a substantial pause.

Carefully, quietly, his voice no more than a whisper of breath, Remus lowered his lips to Tonks’ ear.

“What did you just do?� he queried, his voice admirably calm.

A flicker of a smile crossed Tonks’ features. Without replying, she bent carefully and, after a quick check of the corridor, she extended her free hand outside of the cloak and pulled something inside. A moment later, she flourished it in front of his nose with a distinctly smug smile.

It was Cymone’s wand.

“Wand-sealed drawer in Rebekah’s office, remember?� Tonks’ voice was just as soft but infinitely more excited. “Home of the mystery diary? I saw Cymone use her wand to open it that day which means we can now open it too. What can I say? I couldn’t resist when I saw it just stuck in her belt.�

“What if she’d felt you take it?�

“She didn’t.�

“What if she’d seen it hanging in mid air when you’d taken it?�

“But she didn’t.�

“No, she didn’t.� Remus gave a sudden smile. “So nicely done. Even if you did all but give me a heart attack.�

Tonks’ returning smile was broad. “You’ll get over it. But we’d better get going. I don’t think we want to be here if she misses it and comes back looking.�

“Agreed.�

It was a few moments’ careful walking to move into the dimly lit reception area and a few steps more to reach Rebekah’s door. Somehow, it seemed quite formidably sturdy.

It took Remus’ only an instant’s examination to assess the situation. “That’s new. It’s been wand sealed.�

“Are you sure?�

“Positive.� Remus ran his eyes thoughtfully across the closed door. “There’s always a distinctive taste to the air around a wand sealed object. It’s hard to detect unless you’re looking for it but I’d know it anywhere.� He smiled slightly. “Not to mention the blue flash was a bit of a giveaway.�

“So she’s got something to hide. It’s a good thing I borrowed this then,� Tonks shook Cymone’s appropriated wand with a flash of a grin. “Ready?�

At Remus’ nod, Tonks extended the wand. “Liber Emitto!� she whispered.

Blue light flared and then faded. The door clicked.

“Let’s go.� Tonks’ hand closed quickly around the doorknob. With Remus at her side, they hurried into Rebekah’s office.

“Don’t close the door.� Remus forestalled his partner as she reached back to close them inside. “That’ll reactivate the wand seal and Liber Emitto doesn’t always work from both sides.�

“Then you’d better keep watch.� With a quick glance back, Tonks abruptly ducked out from beneath the cloak as she moved hurriedly round the edge of Rebekah’s desk, stumbling slightly as she shifted to avoid knocking the pictures that rested on its corner. With a nod, Remus obeyed, shifting his shoulders beneath the concealment of the cloak as he lingered in the doorway, gazing out into the dim undulations of shadow and flicker for any sign of movement. A fresh mutter of “Liber Emitto!� and a new flash of blue told him that Tonks had successfully unsealed the drawer – with a quick glance back, he saw her place Cymone’s wand on the desk top as she pulled the drawer open, using her own wand to light her vision. A moment later, he heard a curse.

“Tonks?�

His partner swore again. “The diary isn’t here – she must have moved it. It’s just that black ebony box.�

“What’s inside?�

“I’m just looking.� Remus heard the creak of hinges. And then…

“Oh bloody hell.�

That did not sound good. “Tonks?�

A dark head appeared over the rim of the desk. “Remus, I think you’d better come and look at this.�

Remus was at her side in an instant, ducking out from beneath the invisibility cloak as he crouched at her side. The light from Tonks’ wand tip was pale, casting her features into sharp relief, but there was no missing the shock and concern within her eyes. In one hand, she held a flask. In the other, there was a small, drawstring purse.

“There are papers in there,� Tonks nodded her head in the direction of the now opened ebony box – following her gaze, Remus indeed spotted a neatly written sheath of documents and a small pile of scrolls heaped within its dark confines “And I think that handwriting is the same as the writing I saw in that diary. But that isn’t what worries me. Smell this.�

Accepting the open flask from her outstretched hand, Remus took a sniff. The foul stench seared his nostrils almost made him retch – he recoiled instantly with a gasp, risking a brief glance inside and catching a quick glimpse of a gloopy, mud like substance through the rim of the container before prudence forced him to replace the top or risk losing a substantial number of his nose hairs. Eyes watering, he stared at Tonks.

“What is that?� he asked with a shake of his head. “It’s revolting!�

“I can’t be sure until we’ve got it back to Snape for testing.� Tonks sighed deeply. “It’s been a long time since NEWT potions and I wouldn’t like to be wrong. But after seeing what’s in here…� She hefted the drawstring pouch. “I think I can make a fair guess.�

Gently, she extended her palm and upended the pouch above it. And Remus stared.

Oh no. Not again.

For lying there, glinting brown but with just a hint of redness, was a ribbon tied curl of hair.

Remus closed his eyes. “Polyjuice.�

Tonks nodded. “That’s what I reckon. And does this hair remind you of anyone?�

A wave of disbelief was rampaging through Remus’ psyche. It can’t be her. It just can’t be. Everything she’s done, her every response to me makes sense – why would it make sense if she was not who she claimed to be?

But yet, the colour was right. And it was her office…

“Rebekah,� he whispered softly.

He saw Tonks sigh wearily as she decanted a sample of the potion into a glass vial she had transfigured from some blank notepaper. “Looks like I was right and wrong about the good Professor,� she said, dropping the hair back into the purse and she replaced it beside the flask in the ebony box. “She is our Death Eater. She’s just not Rebekah Goldstein.�

Remus breathed deeply. “But I don’t understand. She knew so much about me. And her family…� He broke off, eyes suddenly wide. “She’s been avoiding her family. Ruth told me so. And she told me that she hadn’t been herself lately…�

“And her sister would know best.� Tonks’ expression was weary. “Barty Crouch Junior convinced everyone that he was Mad-Eye for a year. He even fooled Dumbledore. With enough research and regular doses of Polyjuice, a good enough actor can be anyone.�

Remus shook his head once more, trying to shake away the cold as his preconceptions and assumptions about the situation in the Institute came crashing down around him. “How long, do you think? As long as we’ve know her? Or is it more recent than that?�

Tonks met his eyes with a frown, her face pale by the dull light. “Hard to say. But we need to make sure first.� She quirked an eyebrow. “For all we know for sure, this could be a patented beauty cream.�

“Somehow, I doubt it.� Remus ran his eyes over the ebony box, its secrets curled within its blackened grasp. “Let’s take a look at these documents and then get out of here. We may be able to find out…�

But Remus’ voice trailed away, his sentence unfinished. His eyes lifted to the door.

Footsteps. Coming their way.

“…Can’t believe I left it here! I just want to go to sleep…�

“Sod it!� Pushing the ebony box abruptly closed, Tonks shoved the drawer back into place and sharply extinguished her wand. At her side, Remus scrambled with the invisibility cloak, dragging it quickly over both of them as they dropped to the floor and froze.

They were only just in time.

The footsteps halted at the door. There was a pause.

“I could have sworn I closed this.� Cymone’s voice sounded slightly confused as her footsteps moved slowly into the office – Remus tried to peer round and catch a glimpse of her, but a combination of the desk and Tonks prevented a decent view. But she was approaching the desk…

Cymone’s wand. It was on the desk.

Oh sweet Merlin.

But it was too late. Cymone had already seen it.

“There you are!� Remus caught a glimpse of a podgy hand – he heard Tonks’ sharp but soft intake of breath as she too realised what was about to happen. But there was nothing they could do.

Nothing but lie still and listen as Cymone stepped out of the room and pulled the door closed. Blue light flared.

And there was silence.

Tonks stared at Remus. Remus stared back.

They did not need words. They both knew the seriousness of their situation.

The door had been closed. The wand seal had resumed. And the only wand they had to open it had gone with its owner.

They were trapped.

24: Epiphany

“It’s no use!�

With a huff of frustration, Nymphadora Tonks released the handle of desk drawer and rose furiously to her feet, thumping her small fist against the solid wood of the desktop in emphasis of her mood. Quills shuddered at the impact and pictures rattled against the glass in their frames, causing their Lupin and Goldstein occupants to frown and shake their fists. The Auror however, paid them no heed.

“I should never have shut the bloody thing.� With a weary sigh, Tonks raked her fingers through her dishevelled dark hair and folded back into Rebekah’s chair, her eyes riddled with grim defeat. “It’s bad enough being trapped in here but now we can’t even read the evidence we came to find!� In a tone more rich in hope than expectation, she added, “Have you had any luck?�

“None.� Adding a sigh of his own, Remus turned away from the solid and firmly sealed door at which he had been prodding and deposited himself against the corner of the desk with shoulders slumped and eyes downcast. “It’s a standard wand seal. Alohamora bounces off it, as does every other spell I’ve tried. The wire I transfigured to try and pick the lock melted as soon as it made contact. Short of blasting a hole in the wall with a few Reductor curses, we aren’t going anywhere.�

“And if we tried blasting the walls, security would be on us before we could blink.� Tonks twirled her wand absently between her fingers. “Not to mention the shrapnel. I don’t suppose you thought to bring your coin?� Remus solemnly shook his head and she sighed deeply. “No, me neither. Right pair of bright sparks we are.� Her dark eyes lifted and found her companion’s solemn gaze. “Well, that’s it then. We’ve got no choice. We sit here until morning and pray that we can find a way to sneak out under the cloak without getting caught when Cymone or Rebekah next opens the door.�

Remus smiled wanly. “That’s about the size of it.�

“Hoo-bloody-rah.� The Auror rolled her eyes. “Because I just love waiting. Ask Kingsley. I’m the nightmare companion on a stakeout.�

Remus’ smile was more genuine. “I can imagine.�

Tonks’ eyebrow rose archly. “And what is that supposed to mean?�

“You said you were a nightmare, not me.� Stifling a yawn, Remus pulled himself upright once more. “I was just agreeing with you.�

“Smug git.� In spite of the insult, Tonks was smiling. “Well then, Remus. Unless you have a chessboard or a pack of cards hidden in your robes, I guess we’ll have to find some way to pass the next seven or eight hours of shared confinement. So…� Her smile broadened into a grin. “I spy with my little eye…�

“…Something beginning with no.� Remus folded his arms sternly. “James and Sirius used to drive me mad with that game in classes that bored them. It never occurred to them that not everyone in the world was a genius and some of us actually needed to listen to the teacher in order to pass their exams. I still believe that something beginning with G was the reason Peter failed History of Magic.�

“Ghost.� Tonks grinned again. “Okay fine, no I Spy. Noughts and Crosses?�

Remus narrowed his eyes in mock sternness. “It is intellectually impossible for two intelligent people to play Noughts and Crosses without it ending in a draw. It took me a week and several hundred games to prove that one to Sirius in fourth year – we ended up playing on a nine by nine grid and it still came out all square. I have no desire to turn my brain to mush in pursuit of impossible victory, thank you very much.�

“Misery.� The grin was spreading. “All right then, Mr Intellectual. What do you suggest we play?�

Remus shrugged slightly. “How about a few hours sleep?�

Tonks chuckled. “Never heard of it.�

“Then let me enlighten you.� Lifting the invisibility cloak from its resting place draped over a cloak hook by the door, Remus rolled the thin material into a bundle and held it up with a dry smile. “This is called a pillow. We place it on the floor thus.� Bending down carefully, Remus rested the bundle alongside Rebekah’s desk and plumped it deliberately. “And then, one of us places our head against the pillow and gets approximately three hours of much needed sleep whilst the other stays awake and listens for Institute activity. And then when the three hours are up, we swap. Simple.�

“Boring.� Tonks shrugged slightly. “But alas, it’s the best plan we’ve got. But if I may make an amendment?�

“By all means.�

“How about the person who stays awake searches the rest of the office?� Tonks swept an encompassing hand around the small room. “I doubt we’ll find anything important out in the open but it’s worth a shot.�

“Good amendment.� Fighting a second yawn, Remus gestured to the makeshift bed. “Do you want to go first?�

Tonks shook her head. “You take it. I was able to get some sleep this afternoon in preparation for an all nighter. But I know you had classes. You must be knackered, Remus.�

Privately, Remus had to admit she was right. He had managed a few catnaps throughout the day and a solid hour or two in the evening, but tiredness, fuelled by the impending moon, had been dragging at him for a while now. A little sleep would be a welcome relief.

He nodded his concession. “If you’re sure…�

“I’m sure. Sleep.� Tonks pointed sternly to the floor. “And in the mean time,� her eyes gazed around the document and book crammed room, “I guess I’ll get started.�

* * *

Considering that they were trapped in the very heart of a hostile institution, the next few hours passed with surprisingly little incident. The sleep that Remus managed was more than welcome, though he was a little annoyed to find, on being woken by Tonks, that she had allowed him to doze not for three hours as agreed but for five. But the Auror brushed off his scolding – he needed it more than she did, she insisted – before settling down for a few quick hours of her own. And then, picking up where she told him she’d left off, Remus took over the search of the office.

As expected, he found nothing incriminating. Most of the books were simply academic and medical tomes on lycanthropy, the notebooks, scrolls and documents plain and un-sinister research notes on the Institute’s work. Remus was interested to observe that the handwriting in many of the notebooks, purportedly Rebekah’s, was markedly different to the handwriting he had observed on the documents in the ebony box, perhaps another indication of her possible replacement. But other than that insubstantial evidence, there was no Death Eater plot to be found.

And so, the night passed. And the clock on the shelf struck seven.

Remus was not certain at what time of day the staff of the Institute would rise and begin their work. But he was sure it could not be long now.

He should wake Tonks. They needed to be ready to move.

But she looked so peaceful.

His eyes fell upon the form of the sleeping Auror. She lay on her side, hands curled beneath the makeshift pillow, legs bent, hair wild, her deep and even breathing marked by the gentle rise and fall of her chest beneath her robes. Her face was relaxed, serene even, as she expelled each soft breath in a rhythmic breeze, her dark and lively eyes hidden beneath a closed expanse of eyelid. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly.

Remus felt himself smile. It was strange; she had worked her way into his life so gradually, with a subtlety both unexpected and impressive for someone who, by her own admission, was about as clumsy as they came. Their friendship had grown gently, almost surprisingly, evolved from casual Order acquaintance, to comrades, to friends, to good friends, to best friends in a way that Remus would never have expected. Had anyone thought to tell him, on that summer evening so long ago, that the cheerful violet haired young Auror that Kingsley had brought along to her first Order meeting would come to mean so much to him, he would never have been able to believe them.

And it was all the stranger because, to the outside eye, they made such an unlikely pair of friends. Remus Lupin, the infamous werewolf professor, prematurely aged by his condition, sneaking up with ever distressing speed upon his fortieth birthday, known for his quiet restraint, his air of calm and control; Nymphadora Tonks, Auror, metamorphmagus, vibrant and colourful, still young, so young and bright, clumsy but professional, warm and witty, ever changing without but always Tonks, just Tonks within. A wonderful, amazing young woman whose determination to befriend him still bemused him utterly.

He breathed in quietly. He had never been able to understand just why it was she took so much apparent pleasure from his company. How had he been so fortunate as to win her friendship, a friendship that meant so much to him he could not imagine life without it?

Even though he’d almost had to.

A chill touched his heart as he remembered her pale face, her limp body, the warm flow of her life’s blood draining through his fingers as he clung to her possessively, protectively, amidst a circle of Death Eaters. Trapped in that terrible moment, he had barely been able to find time to consider what might have happened had she not survived the ordeal, but the aftermath had been a different story; his mind and emotions had shuddered against the edges of the hollow void that had plunged within him at mere prospect of her death on the long walk back to the school. The relief he had felt as they talked in the Hospital Wing the next morning had been all but overwhelming…

Relief. That’s all that feeling had been. Relief.

She was his friend.

His fingers tightened almost instinctively around the arms of the chair. In any case, it was irrelevant. She would never even consider thinking of him in such a way.

Except that she did. She does. You saw the look in her eyes that morning. And you know what she was trying to tell you earlier tonight…

No.

Stop.

This was absurd. Even if, by some miracle of truly appalling judgement, she was to declare… those kind of feelings for him, he could never allow it. It wouldn’t be fair on her, inflicting himself upon a life barely started, thrusting into her vibrant world the misfortune of a man worn older than his years by circumstances and the bitter losses of a life too full of pain. What right did he have to drag her down with him? What right did he have to taint her future with the scars of his past?

There’s nothing I could do about it. I couldn’t. I don’t have the right.

She deserves so much better than me.

Even if I…

Remus froze. His eyes locked upon the Auror’s sleeping face.

No. Oh no. Don’t think that. Don’t think it.

Friend. She’s your friend. Nothing more. And that’s all she’ll ever be.

That’s all you can let her be.

Don’t think. Don’t think. Don’t think that you might...

Her eyes, dark and depthless, so full of joy, of light, of her. Her voice, laughing, joking, having fun as a simple conversation between them seemed to take off, to fly, all unbidden and of its own accord into soaring realms beyond their expectations. The pain he had felt when he thought she might be lost forever….

I love her.

Oh Merlin. I thought it.

Remus closed his eyes. He was such a fool.

It had been there, for so long. And so long he had hidden from it, fled from it, even unconsciously fought against it, anything to keep him from acknowledging to himself what his subconscious had known all along. The word friend had been a barricade and he had settled behind it, for he knew that the moment he looked past it, he would be all undone.

But he had looked past. And now he knew. Staring down at her peaceful face, the dreaded words stained the silence of his mind and entrenched themselves utterly. And he could not fight it anymore.

Denial had been better. There was friendship in denial, friendship that dulled the sting of pain. But now even that friendship would be tainted because he knew too well that such feelings could never be allowed to air.

She deserved better. She needed better. Yes, he loved her. And that was why he knew that he could never, ever be so selfish as to wreak her life by acting on those feelings.

Friendship had been enough until now. It would have to stay enough. And could never tell her. He could never let her realise that he…

“Do I have something on my face?�

Remus started violently as he found himself staring suddenly into the Auror’s dark and very much open eyes. The corners of lips curled lazily upwards.

Flustered, he fought to regain his composure as he hurriedly quelled the intimate, emotional thoughts in which he had foolishly indulged. “Pardon?� he managed to gasp.

“My face?� Brushing her dishevelled hair out of her eyes, Tonks stretched slightly as she pulled herself up to sitting. “You’ve been staring at me for more than five minutes. I could feel it.�

“I…� Remus prayed heartily in order to subdue his rising blush. “Sorry, Tonks. I was just considering whether to wake you and I guess my mind must have…wandered.� He took a deep breath. “I didn’t mean to stare.�

Tonks giggled disconcertingly. “Curses,� she said cheerfully. “And there, I thought you were entranced by my overwhelming beauty.�

Oh Gods. This time the blush was unstoppable; Remus could feel it swelling like a wave across the sand. Desperate to hide, he rocketed almost frantically out of the chair, sweeping around the far side of the desk as he clenched his fists and fought frantically to keep a measure of calm within his voice.

“The staff will be up soon,� he said, his words tumbling one over the other in a desperate rush to be expelled. “We’d better start getting ready to…�

“Remus?�

It was her tone that made him turn. For her tone told him that hadn’t fooled her in the slightest.

She knows me too well. I shouldn’t have let her…

“What was that face?� she asked softly. She was on her feet now, standing next to the desk, her robes crumpled, her expression a mixture of confusion and seriousness. Her eyes burrowed into his with an intensity that frightened him, searching, pleading.

No. I can’t. Please, I can’t.

Denial had served him well enough in the past – it was time to fall back upon it.

“What face?� He smiled wanly. “It’s the same face I’ve always had.�

“I’m serious.� The smile fled. “It is the same face you’ve always had, Remus. And that’s why I know it well enough to tell when something’s wrong.�

He shook his head. “It’s nothing.�

“That’s not true.� She was walking towards him now, one slow step after another, shrinking the space between them with every soft footfall. “I made a joke, just like I always make jokes. And you went strange on me. Why?�

“You surprised me when you woke. That’s all.�

“No, it isn’t.� His back was against the door now and just inches away, she halted, her face tilted slightly as she continued her intensive probing of his eyes. Her lips tightened. “Remus, what’s wrong?�

“I…�

“Why were you staring at me?�

“Tonks…�

“Why did you blush?�

“It was nothing.�

She was shaking her head now. “You never react that way to me, Remus, never. You only blush like that around Felish…�

Her voice trailed away, the sentence unfinished and lost on the tides of silence. Within her eyed, something sparked.

Hope. Hope sparked. Hope and…

Don’t feel it. Don’t hope, please don’t hope. You can do better. You should do better…

“Remus?� she whispered softly.

He tried to shake his head. “Tonks…�

She was close now, so close. Three inches, two, then a mere inch apart, her body pressing against his, her hands upon his chest, her face so near he could feel the gentle brush of her breath against his cheeks, his lips. He felt his face begin to tilt, sensed hers move in response and for a moment, her eyes seemed to fill his world. And then they fluttered closed.

Oh sweet Merlin. She does…

Their breath mingled. He felt her lips brush his, so warm, so soft…

No!

Panic told hold, intense, startling and for instant, it consumed him utterly. And in that instant, Remus broke their lip contact and sharply turned his head.

He heard her gasp, soft, intense, felt her fingers contract around his robes. And then, there was distance as suddenly the warmth of her touch was gone, usurped by empty coldness. He risked a glance and found her face, her expression rich with disbelief and pain over sharply rigid shoulders; sudden waves of shock and hurt hurtled out from her to crash down upon him like violent seas striking a rocky shore. Her eyes burned him like acid.

“Remus?� she whispered again, but this time her voice seemed to break and falter.

In that moment, all he could think of, all he could feel was finding some way to drain the terrible hurt from her eyes. He seized upon the first excuse he found.

“This… Tonks, this isn’t the time,� he managed shakily, peeling himself off the door as he forced himself to stand upright. “We’re trapped in the middle of the Feral Institute; someone could come at any minute…�

“That’s just an excuse and you know it.� The lash of her voice slapped away his hesitant words. “What is this, Remus?� Her jaw was trembling, though whether it was powered by rage or sadness, Remus could not begin to guess. “You know how I feel about you,� she told him, her voice dropping to barely a murmur as it shivered beneath the weight of her emotions. “I couldn’t have made it plainer if I’d grabbed you by the front of your robes and shaken some sense into you! And if just now told me anything, it’s that you feel the same way. So why the hell did you pull away from me?�

“I shouldn’t have… It was a foolish…�

“Stop it.� She snapped across his stumbling sentence. “Remus Lupin, if you even dare to deny it…�

Remus hardened his jaw. “This is ridiculous…�

“Isn’t it just? So perhaps you should stop being so stupid about this! Why did you pull away from me?�

“It’s not the time…�

“Why did you pull away?�

“I shouldn’t have…�

“Why did you pull away?�

“It wasn’t appropriate…�

“Tell me the truth!�

“I can’t!�

The echoes of those final words were consumed by sudden silence. Chest heaving, Remus stared down at the tousled, furious woman staring up at him and felt suddenly older and tireder that he had ever done before.

“I can’t,� he repeated softly, a hint of a plea creeping into his voice. “And this isn’t the time.�

Her voice was shaking now. “It works for me.�

He shook his head. “Tonks…�

She shivered as her eyes drilled into his. “I love you, Remus,� she said simply. “Do you love me?�

He stared at her. She stared at him.

The silence stretched eternally.

I can’t say it. How can I say it? How can I do that to her?

How can I be so selfish?

I can’t.

Can I?

His lips parted. But what words they were to speak were a mystery even to him..

And he was never to know. For then, he heard it.

Whistling. Someone was whistling.

Someone outside the door.

The silence shattered. The moment vanished.

Tonks was moving instantly, grabbing the bundle of cloak from the floor as she whipped it up and over both their heads – Remus flattened himself beside her against the wall, his wand grasped firmly as blue light flared across the doorframe.

And then the door opened. And in bustled Cymone.

There was no hesitation. Moving as quickly and quietly as they could manage, Tonks and Remus slipped side by side out of the door and fled into reception.

They did not speak a word as they rushed down the corridor, did not speak or talk or even look at each other as they hurried into Felisha’s office, scrambled in her desk drawer and grabbed the globe portkey together. Tonks wand tapped three times.

One. Two. Three.

And then, they were back in the yard of the Three Broomsticks, dawn light staining the pale sky that lurked along the mountain ridges. In the distance, there were voices.

“Here.�

Something cold and hard pressed into Remus’ palm. He looked down.

It was the vial of suspected Polyjuice.

He looked at Tonks. But she did not meet his eyes again.

“You’d better take it to Snape,� she said softly. “I’ll head back to Grimmauld Place to brief Kingsley and Moody.� Her eyes flickered briefly, brushing his face before lowering again. She did not smile.

“See you soon,� she said.

And then, still grasping the portkey, she ducked out from beneath the cloak, turned on the spot and was gone.

For a moment, Remus could only stare at the empty air that had a second before contained the woman he now knew he loved. And he sighed.

Because he knew, he knew too well, that nothing between them would ever be the same again.

A/N: I say this to all R/T shippers, all anti-R/T shippers and all gen lovers - for this can apply to you all….

*runs for cover*

Please don’t hit me!!!!!! ;)

I must admit – this chapter did not turn out entirely how I had intended. My original intention was a quiet and slightly tragic contemplation with a perhaps weary conversation – but instead Remus and Tonks, as is typical of the gits when I write them together, completely took over and decided they were going to have a fight. So I apologise for the angst but don’t blame me for it – they did it all by themselves! ;)

25: The Die is Cast

“Well of course it’s Polyjuice Potion, Lupin!� With a disdainful sneer, Severus Snape deposited the vial of foul liquid on the desk in front of him, his dark eyes flicking across the fellow professor who stood in front of him with undisguised irritation. “I would have thought even someone of your renowned incompetence with potions would have been able to tell that!� He shook his head with a flurry of greasy hair. “For this you keep me from breakfast!�

Remus successfully resisted the urge to roll his eyes but it was a close run thing. He had arrived back at Hogwarts not long before, forcing his mind to concentrate on business, business, business and with that firmly and forcefully in the forefront of his mind, he had made his way down into the castle’s depths to the dungeon office of the Potions Master. To say that Snape was not pleased to see him was to suggest that it might perhaps be unlikely to expect a Dementor to wander up to a Patronus and give it a warm embrace; the Head of Slytherin had regarded his request for a second opinion with sneering annoyance and, after snapping about the inconsiderateness of interrupting a man on his way to eat, had ushered Remus inside with a sweep of his robes and all but snatched up the vial for inspection.

And now the inspection was complete and the worst confirmed.

However foul temperedly.

“Tonks was fairly certain,� Remus’ reply was level, as he determinedly ignored the twinge that the thought of his… whatever she was now induced. “But considering the implications, we felt it important to be sure.�

“Ah yes. Miss Tonks.� There was a cruel twist to Snape’s slight smile. “Considering the number of spilled ingredients and sliced fingers she achieved in my classes, it’s a miracle that she survived NEWT potions let alone passed it. I can see why her word would not be sufficient proof.�

Remus battled a flare of indignation. He was tired, confused and worried and the last thing he needed at the moment was a sniping session with Severus Snape. “I don’t know,� he replied coolly. “Given your legendary tolerance of clumsiness, I would have said it was a credit to her that she passed NEWT potions in spite of having you for a teacher.�

Snape’s eyes narrowed coldly. “Feisty this morning, aren’t we Lupin?� he retorted with a drawl. “Is moonrise coming early perhaps?�

Remus cocked an eyebrow. “At least I have an excuse.�

The corners of Snape’s mouth curled minutely. “Indeed. Your great excuse,� he drawled dryly. “The excuse that you wield like a club to gain sympathy and understanding from the gullible and to loftily disdain those who’d dislike you perfectly well even without it. Hide behind your lycanthropy if you want to, Lupin. It saves you the trouble of being a man.�

Given the argument he had been forced to use to deflect Tonks less than an hour before, Remus was definitely not in the mood for this. “Just as you lash out from behind your Dark Mark?� he retorted archly, abandoning any last pretence at politeness as the tumult of emotions still tumbling within him sought out this newfound vent. “At least I didn’t choose my curse.�

Any hint of pleasure on Snape’s face was instantly washed away. His dark eyes flared. “That isn’t what I’ve heard,� he lashed back.

Of for the love of… “What are you talking about?� Remus’ reply was a mixture of irritation and weariness. “Severus, I’m not in the mood…�

“The Howling.� Those two brusque words scattered the remains of the dismissive sentence into dust. “You chose your curse then – or so I’m told.�

Silence, deep and echoing, settled across the stony dungeon. Remus stared at Snape as the Potion Master’s smirk slowly but steadily spread once more as the upper hand returned to his control.

“Nothing to say, Lupin?� he drawled quietly. “Oh dear, oh dear.�

Steeling himself, Remus shook away the shock and forced himself to speak.

“How do you know about that?� he whispered sharply. “Who told you?�

Snape chuckled, a cold and humourless sound as he abruptly turned and swept past Remus in the direction of the door. “I have my sources. Lupin the feral. I was intrigued.�

Remus turned sharply on his heel to face Snape’s retreating back. “I wasn’t feral.�

“So you say.� Snape’s long pale fingers curled around the doorknob. “Others think differently.�

“What others?�

Snape glanced back over his shoulder with a distinct sneer. “Others whose opinions matter rather more than yours. Honestly, Lupin. You really should take more care with your secrets. You can be terribly indiscreet.�

Remus took a deep breath as he forced some measure of calm into his voice. “Severus,� he said softly. “What do you know?�

A slight smile. “Enough. Now if you’ll excuse me…�

Fingers turned the doorknob. Remus half started forward, determined to get some measure of truth out of Snape about the source of his information, but before he had taken two steps, the door Severus was holding vibrated sharply with the powerful percussion of a double knock. Both men started slightly; but after a moment’s pause, Snape’s customary frown slipped back into position as he sharply yanked the door open.

Minerva McGonagall stepped abruptly through the doorway onto the stone step. Her hat was slightly askew and she looked a little out of breath.

“Ah, Severus!� she exclaimed at once. “Albus needs you to…� Her voice trailed off as her eyes fixed upon the form of Remus frozen in surprise a few yards away. “Remus!� she exclaimed in surprise. “Why, I didn’t know you were back! How did it go?�

Remus fought not to wince. “Not as well as it could have done,� he admitted ruefully. “But we did find…�

“You came here to see me, Minerva?� Snape’s interruption was impatient as he swept back down the stairs. “Is there something I can do for you?� He shot a disdainful glance in Remus’ direction. “After all, I was hoping to reach the breakfast table before I died of old age.�

“I’m afraid breakfast will have to wait.� Minerva stepped forward brusquely. “Albus has gone to the Ministry of Magic and he needs you to join him immediately. There is to be an emergency session of the Wizengamot and he needs your advice before it convenes.�

“Emergency session?� It was Remus who injected his query first. “Why? What for?�

Minerva glanced from face to face, a hint of a satisfied smile touching the edges of her features. “Because we’ve finally had some good news, gentlemen. Bellatrix Lestrange has been arrested.�

* * *

The Great Hall was alive with chatter. It seemed that word of Bellatrix’s arrest had already got around.

Harry Potter looked grimly pleased. Draco Malfoy looked sour faced and infuriated.

Neville Longbottom however, was not present at all.

As they entered the Great Hall side by side, Minerva caught Remus’ lingering gaze in the direction on the Gryffindor table and gave a profound sigh.

“I’ve asked Professor Sprout to keep Longbottom busy in the greenhouses,� she said softly, her voice barely audible above the clamour of students below. “I thought it best that he have something else to occupy his mind until we have more definite word of what’s afoot.�

“Good idea,� Remus nodded quietly. “Do you think Severus has arrived yet?�

Minerva glanced a clock ensconced on a nearby wall. “Probably. But don’t worry, Remus. He’ll deliver your message to Albus.�

Remus pursed his lips. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Snape precisely; but he knew that in such matters, the Potions Master was notorious for using his own –ahem- judgement on the passing of important information. He sighed. “I just wish I could have told the Headmaster about our findings myself.�

Minerva’s glance was stern. “Albus was very definite, Remus. You are not to leave the grounds of Hogwarts for any reason without his expressed permission.� At his weary expression, she smiled slightly. “It’s for the best, Remus. And besides, all available Aurors have been called in for duty; if Albus needs a first hand account, I’m certain he’ll simply find Miss Tonks.�

Remus pictured the look on Tonks’ face on receiving that summons to duty after a night on Order business – he could just imagine the weary sigh, the flash of indignation behind her eyes, the irritable flickers of her expression…

Business, Lupin. You made your decision and she deserves to know where things stand. Don’t do her the discourtesy of not sticking to it.

“Remus? Did you hear what I just said?�

He cursed himself as Minerva’s quiet query exposed the fact that he had drifted off. Focus…

“Sorry Minerva.� He made himself smile. “I was just thinking about something. What were you saying?�

Minerva’s eyebrow lifted sternly against the echoing tap of her heels against the stone floor. “I said, what was going on between you and Snape just before I arrived? You could have cut the air in that room with a knife, Remus.�

Remus immediately shook his head. “It was nothing. It doesn’t matter. Severus was just being Severus.�

The staff table loomed in front of them, half full with colleagues – Remus started towards his usual chair but Minerva’s fingers closed around his arm and forestalled him.

“That was more than your usual banter,� the Head of Gryffindor muttered softly. “Tell me the truth, Remus.�

Remus sighed deeply as he glanced around to ensure that no one was lurking within earshot. “He surprised me,� he admitted, his voice a mere whisper of breath. “He knew something that I didn’t expect him to know – something that isn’t really known outside of the Feral Institute. And since we have a Polyjuice impostor there, finding out who told him might be… significant.�

Minerva rolled her eyes. “But being Severus, he wouldn’t tell you?�

Remus nodded curtly. “Exactly.�

The Deputy Headmistress sighed. “I’ll speak to Albus when he returns,� she said, her expression pointed. “If anyone can persuade Severus to talk…�

“Snape won’t appreciate it.�

“I don’t much care.� Minerva’s features locked sternly. “His role is to provide information and I intend to see to it that he…�

But her sentence was not destined for completion.

“Professor McGonagall! Professor Lupin!�

It was as though silence had exploded through the Great Hall, vivid and abrupt, stilling chatter in a sharp edged wave of soundlessness as a mass of heads turned to stare up at the doorway all as one. But Hagrid seemed oblivious to the weight of eyes as his vast form lumbered down the stairs and onto the floor of the hall with speed surprising for his bulk, his bearded face red and puffing with exertion, his stare filled with outright alarm. His beetle black eyes fixed at once upon the two professors whose names he had just proclaimed as he made an instant beeline for them.

Remus was already moving, Minerva a mere step behind – out of the corner of his eye, Remus caught a glimpse of Harry rocketing to his feet as well but had no time to turn with a reprimand. “Hagrid?� he exclaimed instead. “What’s wrong?�

“Remus!� The half-giant expelled his name between gasping breaths as he staggered to a halt in front of them, bending near double as he waved one desperate hand across the air. “Remus, yeh’ve gotta get out’o’ere!�

What? “Hagrid, what are you…�

“No time!� The gamekeeper snapped the rest of his words away as he gestured emphatically towards the door. “They’re comin’! I tried to stop ‘em, tried to slow ‘em down but they wouldn’t ‘ave it! I told ‘em their charges were a load o’dung but they wouldn’t listen! That bloody Umbridge has sighed their warrant an’ they wants yer! They can take yer! Yeh’ve gotta go, Remus! Now!�

Warrant? Oh no, oh no, no, no…

Darting forward, Remus grasped one of Hagrid’s beefy arms, his eyes wide, his heart racing. Don’t be, please don’t be…

“Hagrid,� he gasped hurriedly. “Do you mean the Feral Inst…�

“Remus John Lupin.�

Too slow. Too late.

Remus slowly closed his eyes. He did not need to look to know the voice that echoed the length of the Great Hall, intoning his full name with a mixture of smugness and disdain. “Oh no,� he whispered in soft, weary despair.

Croll. Arcadius bloody Croll.

This was not going to be pretty.

Sickness welled in the depths of his stomach. If this was what he suspected it was, if this was a legal warrant…

This is it. I can fight off an ambush. But fighting off the law? A werewolf defying the Ministry in front of a thousand witnesses?

I’ll be lucky if I only get life in Azkaban.

He had to hand it to Rebekah – or whoever had become Rebekah. They had played their final hand to perfection.

The staccato tap of Minerva’s heels roused him from his distraction as his former Head of House brushed past his shoulder, her Scottish brogue ringing out across the hall with clipped and merciless indignation.

“And who exactly are you?� The Deputy Headmistress’ voice was set at the precise intonation and pitch that had left generations of young wizards quaking like jelly in her wake. “And what gives you the right to stroll uninvited into this school?�

Slowly, reluctantly, Remus turned. There was Croll, tall and straight, poised on the highest step of the descent into the Great Hall as he gazed down with a combination of superior disdain and smirking triumph at the rows of shocked student faces and the furious expression of Minerva McGonagall as she covered the length of the floor in dangerous, deliberate strides. One hand brandished a scroll like a weapon; the other toyed with his wand with almost mocking casualness. Flanking him on either side, blank faced, burly and brutal, six men bearing the insignia of the Werewolf Capture Unit glared down, their fingers stroking armaments.

Remus resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

Give Croll his due. He doesn’t do things by halves.

It was not until Minerva had reached the foot of the steps, languishing all but in the shadow of Croll’s expansive nose, that the researcher deigned to reply.

“I am Arcadius Croll.� Straightening his shoulders with a slick smile, Croll’s voice flowed smoothly across the suddenly silent Great Hall. “Chief Medical Officer of the Feral Institute of Great Britain. And this…� he flourished his scroll, “gives me the right to be wherever he is.� One bony finger directed itself to where Remus stood, picking him out as though to pin him like a butterfly to card. His oily smile spread. “And on the authority of the Ministry of Magic, I must inform you that I have permission for the use of full magical force against the good Professor or any who interfere in the lawful completion of my duties.� The smile oozed into a fresh smirk as his eyebrows stretched upwards. “So may I suggest that you moderate your tone? I would certainly regret it if any…unfortunate accidents were to occur.�

Minerva’s jaw stiffened. “Are you threatening me, Mr Croll? You have the gall to walk in here and…� Her shoulders locked. “I remember you now. You were in Slytherin, I recall, about thirty years ago. Very punctual with your homework but with a habit of returning it for re-marking if you considered your teacher’s comments to be inadequate to your opus.� An eyebrow quirked. “However, your wand work was downright sloppy. And your animal transfiguration left a lot to be desired…�

Croll’s expression darkened nastily. “I am no longer a student to be criticised, Professor! I am an important member of a significant research facility!�

It was Minerva’s turn to smile. “You keep on telling yourself that, Mr Croll. You might feel better about your limp-wristed spell-casting.�

Remus couldn’t help but smile. Merlin bless Minerva…

“How dare…� Croll began a spluttering protest but Minerva’s whiplash of a voice had already picked out a new target.

“Wembley Strout.� One of the Werewolf Capture Unit’s finest, a tall blond beefy man with muscles that strained his uniform, jumped violently and quailed like a scolded schoolboy beneath his former professor’s steel-eyed gaze. “How many times did I have to tell you not to hold your wand that way? And as for you, Diarmuid McGuire, you should be ashamed of yourself!� A surly looking man with roughly cut dark hair and a scar across one eye socket winced slightly as his fingers played uncertainly with the set of shackles draped across one arm. “I thought you had more respect for the school than this! You had such promise when we made you a prefect and…�

“Is this necessary?� Croll’s impatient voice snapped abruptly across the Head of Gryffindor’s tirade against her ex-students; behind him, his sturdy operatives had wilted in shame in the face of their former professor’s wrath.

“Of course it isn’t.� Minerva slowly raised an eyebrow as she met the researcher’s glare unflinchingly. “I’ll be happy to desist the moment you gentlemen leave.�

Croll retorted, but Remus was no longer listening as the argument wound on, two voices rising in a swelling crescendo of disagreement. Minerva’s defence was gratifying, no doubt, but ultimately, what had it changed? Croll was still standing in the Great Hall’s entrance, the warrant for his arrest gripped within his palm. There had been so much pleasure in his voice as he had spoken of his duty, so much sick satisfaction – to bring Remus down, to fell the mighty werewolf Professor who dared to consider himself the equal of ordinary men, such was the stuff that Croll’s dreams seemed to be made off. He would milk every last drop of Remus’ dignity before he was done. He didn’t just intend an arrest – he intended a humiliation.

If Albus had been here, things might have been different. Even Croll would not have spoken so to Dumbledore.

But he wasn’t here. He was at the Ministry with Snape…

What do you know?

Enough…

He knew. Snape. He had known about the warrant.

The look on his face that morning, the smugness, the satisfaction. And he was a friend of Croll’s…

Snape knew this was coming. He didn’t say a word. That bastard…

But there was no time for such thoughts now. He had bigger things to worry about than Snape’s petty vendetta.

Student eyes, all around him, staring at Croll, at Minerva, at him, shocked and confused, their incredulity rushing across him like a surge of living breeze. What has he done, he could sense them thinking. Has he betrayed our trust after all?

Which was exactly what Croll wanted. He wanted every student in that room to think him guilty.

And if he fought, if he shouted, if he ran, he would play straight into the researcher’s hands.

He couldn’t let Croll have this all his way. He couldn’t let them think of him like this. If he was to go – he was going on his own terms.

He did not know what fate awaited him. But he had no choice now but to find out.

Bureaucracy succeeds where violence fails. It would be laudable if it weren’t so bitterly ironic…

Slowly, carefully, he reached down into his belt and closed his fingers around his wand. He hesitated for a moment, running one finger down the smooth familiar wood that had served him so well and then, as subtly as he was able, he drew it up into the concealment of his sleeve. His eyes flicked to Croll and his entourage but all were firmly preoccupied with the remonstrations of Minerva McGonagall - this was the only chance he was likely to get. He glanced around, considering the possibilities – the Trio sat nearby at the adjacent Gryffindor table, watching with a mixture of confusion, anger and indignation but the towering form of Hagrid was closer and more concealing than his students. And so, with a swift and stealthy backhand, he deposited his wand firmly into Hagrid’s nearby palm.

The gamekeeper’s bewildered eyes fixed upon him. Remus returned his gaze with weary determination.

“Look after this,� he murmured softly, grimly, resignation heavy within his words. “I don’t want it snapped.�

“Remus…� Hagrid spoke his name in a low whisper of disbelief, but Remus made no answer, instead fixing his eyes upon the rod-straight form of Croll and his impending fate. A low gasp to his left told him that Hermione Granger, seated just two yards away at the Gryffindor table, had seen what he had done, heard what he had said and the looks of furious disbelief on the faces of the now upright Harry, Ron and Ginny were enough to show they too had played witness. But this was not the time.

“Professor, no…� Hermione’s words were a whisper. But Remus only shook his head.

“I have no choice,� he whispered back.

And then, he began to walk.

It was slow, at first, a soft motion, step by step towards his doom, back straight, head held high beneath the burn of gazing eyes, of slow mutters that arose like drifting winds stirred by his passage, growing, building, swelling as he walked. Could he have fought? Of course he could have. He could have littered the Great Hall with spells and watched as innocent pupils tumbled beneath the crossfire of clumsy retaliation from the likes of Strout and McGuire. Perhaps some would have defended him? But Croll’s words to Minerva had been no bluff - it was a legal warrant, of that Remus had no doubt for a forgery would be pointless, dangerous, when Umbridge would certainly have no qualms about adding her signature in truth.

And to defy a legal Ministry warrant was to condemn his defenders along with himself and that was not the fate his wished for his colleagues or his students. Croll had made it clear already – he would not tolerate anyone who stood in his way. Minerva, Harry, Hagrid, his students – they would be punished. If things got out of hand, they could even be arrested or killed. And that he could never allow.

Could he have fled? Not easily. Could he have hidden? Not fast enough. Could he have done anything other than what he was doing?

Not in good conscience.

Step after step. Eyes watching. Croll waiting.

After so many trials, so many narrow escapes, the Institute was going to have him. And the Death Eaters were too.

And his last words to Nymphadora Tonks had been a refusal of her love.

I wish hadn’t argued. I wish I had kissed her last night.

I wish I could have said goodbye. To her and to Dad both.

But it was too late now.

I’m sorry Tonks. I’m sorry Dad. But how can I do anything else?

He could only pray for a miracle. He could only pray that it would not be as bad as he feared.

But he knew, just knew, that it would be.

He could hear Minerva’s voice still lashing furiously out at the invaders but a wave of his hand in passing stilled her protests. He ascended the steps, one, two, three and more staring up at Croll’s suddenly gleeful smirk, at the blank, scarred faces of the WCU operatives, at the grim and sturdy shackles in their hands and fought down a wave of sickness. It was his worst nightmare since childhood. And it was coming true.

It wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair. And for it to happen here, in front of everyone…

Last step. There was Croll, smug eyes glinting with glorious triumph, scroll twitching between his fingers as a mark of the anticipation spreading across his face. He slowly smiled.

“Hello Professor,� he drawled nastily. “I knew that I’d be seeing you again.�

Remus’ expression did not waver. His eyes were made of steel.

“If we’re going to do this, Croll,� he stated softly in return. “Then we’re taking it outside.�

He started to turn, started to brush past the researcher in the direction of the doorway but the emphatic appearance of the burly Strout in his path forestalled his attempt at a dignified exit. He heard Croll chuckle unpleasantly.

“Now, Professor,� he declared smugly. “I think that’s my decision.�

A wave of fury tumbled through Remus – with fierce eyes and narrowed brows, he turned again to Croll.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?� he stated, unable to hide the anger from his voice.

Croll’s smile spread, if possible, even further. His lips curled towards disconcertingly towards his ears.

“Absolutely,� he fervently replied.

And then, with an emphatic flourish, Arcadius Croll unrolled his scroll and turned to face the assembled masses.

“Remus John Lupin,� he proclaimed. “By the Authority of the Ministry of Magic, I hereby take you into the custody of the Feral Institute for severe breaches of the Werewolf Code of Conduct. The charges are as follows; that, on several occasions during the course of the autumn of last year, you were seen to be present in the subversive werewolf club known as The Howling, that you did willingly consort with the known criminal and feral werewolf Abraham Kane and that on one such occasion, you did, in the presence of witnesses, submit to your baser instincts and allow yourself to experience what is known as a feral incident. Given the severity of these charges, you are commanded forthwith to surrender your wand for destruction and submit yourself for containment within the Institute for the rest of your natural life. Have you anything to say?�

Utter silence reigned. A thousand faces gaped. Shock rolled through the air like an unseen ocean.

Slowly, grimly, Remus turned to face Croll’s unpleasant grin.

“I did not consort with Kane,� he said coldly, his words echoing profoundly through the silence. “And I wasn’t feral.�

Croll’s chuckle was becoming infuriating. “You know what, Professor?� he replied. “I have a warrant against you whatever. Therefore I don’t much care.� He extended his hand. “Your wand?�

Remus spread his arms. “I don’t have it on me.�

For the first time, Croll’s smug expression wavered. Eyes narrowed, he shot a glance at one of his companions. “Is that true?�

The dark haired operative Minerva had called McGuire was already moving his wand, his lips mouthing a diagnostic spell.

“It’s true,� he stated gruffly. “No wand.�

Croll’s expression remained probing. “No matter, I suppose,� he drawled at length. “It’s not as though you’ll be at liberty to retrieve it. Shackle him.�

And thus began the uproar.

It was as though those words had proved a catalyst, as though the sudden clunk of shackles as McGuire stepped forward with chains grasped in his hands was enough to make it potent, make it real for those below. Students shot to their feet across the length of the Great Hall, shouting indignantly, protesting furiously, or, in the case of Draco Malfoy and his group of Slytherins, cheering heartily in support of his removal. Only the quick reactions of Minerva McGonagall and Hagrid forestalled Harry’s furious charge down the length of the hall, wand held high; as the shackles closed around his wrists, Remus heard his voice echoing out of the mass of sound – “we’ll get you out, Professor Lupin, we’ll get you out!� – saw him struggling in Hagrid’s arms and then he saw Croll smile, saw the operatives each take a grasp upon his chains as the researcher tapped his wand, one, two, three…

And then the Hall was gone, the faces vanished, silence ripped from raging sound as a yank against his navel told him fluently that his shackles were doubling as an Institute portkey. A moment later, he stumbled back into the world.

And stared. Stared at grey, barren, windowless walls, at a sturdy metallic door leading into a blank corridor lined with many more of the same. He knew this place.

It was an Institute cell.

A cell on Level Six.

Arcadius Croll’s oily smile filled his vision.

“Well Professor Lupin,� he drawled. “Welcome home.�

26: Isolation

Silence.

Stillness.

Four unchanging walls.

How much time had passed since Croll, with a smirk that curled all the way to his earlobes, had slammed closed the heavy door and departed, chuckling, to leave nothing but unending silence in his wake? ? How long had he sat, staring blankly at grey walls, with no window to mark the passage of the sun, biting his lip pensively against the chafe of the shackle that had been snapped around his wrist before Croll left? How long had it taken for those words engraved upon it - Resident 142: High Risk - to imbed themselves within his mind?

Remus didn’t know.

All he knew for sure was that hours must have passed for the pull of impending moonrise against his blood was strengthening with every passing moment. And he had not yet had his final dose of Wolfsbane.

I’m in the Feral Institute at the mercy of a Death Eater with the full moon on the rise. And they wanted me here. They’ve wanted me here all along. And I still don’t know why.

I just wish they’d get on with it. Waiting is worse.

His mind, unable to distract itself due to a lack of outside stimuli, ran rampant with the possibilities. Was he to be Kissed, to become part of a faceless legion of obedient feral slaves? Was he to be unleashed, uncontrolled by Wolfsbane, upon an unsuspecting victim? He knew certainly that he was a prize – a Hogwarts teacher, Dumbledore’s ally, the defiant werewolf – was he perhaps to be made an example of? It was a public display of the might of Lord Voldemort in that even this loyal senior member of the Order of the Phoenix could apparently be bent against his will.

Or was this new Death Eater’s purpose the same as Kane’s had been – to turn him feral, a willing ally of chaos who would spill out the secrets of the Order and slaughter his friends in a heartbeat? Certainly the Death Eater would know that any valuable information he might possess would be lost if his human soul was Kissed away. But if, somehow, his wolf were taken, he would vulnerable to the Imperius curse. Was that the plan? To return him to the Order to act as spy and saboteur? And who would suspect him, the werewolf who everyone knew could not be cursed in such a way?

He would betray his friends, his family. Who would fall and suffer under such a curse? Harry? Dumbledore? His students? His father?

Tonks?

Breathing deeply, Remus forced himself to still his raging, tumbling thoughts. Dwelling on his fate would do him no good in the long run – he needed to calm himself, to focus. There was no point in driving himself to distraction over something he could not change – the simple fact was that until Rebekah - or whoever was pretending to be Rebekah – appeared to lead him to his predestined fate, there was absolutely nothing he could do.

Perhaps I shouldn’t have come quietly. I thought I was saving lives, but what if I’m simply condemning my friends instead?

Remus shook his head. No. Someone would have been hurt and in the end, he would still have been brought here. The moment a warrant was signed, it was all but inescapable. Tonks had been right – at any other time, there would have been a fuss, unwelcome publicity. But with Bellatrix Lestrange under arrest, who would give a fig about a werewolf professor? And with the full moon that night, whatever they had planned for him would probably be implemented before even the smallest outcry could be raised.

He stared once more at the metal shackle. High Risk, it said. But why High Risk? He was not an outright feral – at the most he was no different to the Residents on Level Two. But yet here he was, in a top security isolation cell, listed as major threat. Why? Why keep him separate from the other Residents? Why…

Need Lupin before first test but keep out of lower levels.

Remus closed his eyes. Oh Merlin.

Now it all made sense. The first test had been that moment with Kane, Rebekah’s Imperius curse – she had needed him, just as they had suspected, to prove all trace of the wolf was gone before risking an otherwise dangerous spell that could have killed the caster. But keep out of lower levels – he had assumed there was some great secret there, some mystery they didn’t want him to see. But had it meant something different? Had it meant simply that when the day came to incarcerate him, he was to be kept on Level Six instead of lower down?

And he had blundered onto Level Two, assuming an important discovery awaited and had succeeded only in giving his enemies all the ammunition they needed to lock him up for good.

Fantastic. Bloody fantastic.

What a gloriously stinking mess this was.

Handing his wand to Hagrid had seemed prudent at the time – after all, it could not have been sneaked past Croll and his men and would have undoubtedly been snapped on the spot – but Remus felt strangely naked without it, oddly helpless. Not that it would have done him much good, he was sure – the security charms on this door were bound to be superior to any simple locking spell and he would have been just as trapped as he had been in Rebekah’s office…

Don’t think about what happened in Rebekah’s office. It doesn’t matter now.

After all, you’ll probably never see her again.

Faces, a gallery of faces danced before his eyes. He could see his father, all alone, his mother dead and facing his only son being…whatever-ed, gone to join those already lost forever; his mother, James, Lily, Sirius, old friends, Order members, so many, too many lives already snuffed out by this war. He saw the faces of his students – he had loved his job so, loved to teach, taken such pleasure from the dawning light of knowledge on young faces and of course, there was Harry, with Ron and Hermione too, so determined, so brave, so impulsive. Minerva, Albus, Alastor, Kingsley – they would do what they could for him, of course, but he was already certain that any help would come too late.

And then there was Nymphadora Tonks, a gallery of faces within herself. Not even a day had passed since he realised the depth of her place in his heart, but he would never be able to tell her, truly tell her, just what she meant to him. That chance had come and gone.

At least one good thing might come of this. If I die, she’ll be better off without me.

But the thought tasted sour, bitter. And very, very wrong.

And then, there was Felisha. A friendship revived under difficult circumstances, strengthened by adversity. What had become of her? Had she already fallen victim to whatever plans were afoot somewhere below him? Or had she…

“Remus?�

For an instant, Remus was convinced that the anxious, familiar voice that whispered his name through the bulk of the door had certainly stepped out of his probably now fevered imagination. He blinked.

Good grief. I’ve only been here a few hours and I’m already hearing voices…

“Remus? Remus, can you hear me? Remus, if you’re listening, please answer! Remus!�

Remus blinked again. Now that had seemed rather less imaginary…

“Felisha?� he ventured tentatively.

“Oh, thank goodness!� Felisha’s familiar voice echoed hollowly against the high vent that pierced the thick door; as Remus came slowly and incredulously to his feet, he could see the barest glimpse of her dark hair on its far side. “I was so worried they might have drugged you, or killed you, or done something terrible! I know Croll’s just dying to start running tests…�

The isolation that had sent his brain rambling was fading first – moving hurriedly forward, Remus leaned against the heavy door, straining to see through the vent.

“Felisha, what are you doing here?� he interrupted anxiously. “Do you have any idea what could happen if someone catches you?�

“That’s what I said.� The somewhat less familiar male voice that responded sardonically froze Remus on the spot. “But Leish said this was the only chance we’d have to get you out…� There was a grunt and a muttering of spells. “Even if being fired will probably be the least of our worries if we get caught…�

Felisha’s reply sounded contrite. “I am sorry I dragged you into this, Avin. But I don’t have the clearance to open these doors or remove the security bracelet or…�

“Yeah, I know. And I volunteered for this, you didn’t bend my arm.� The man called Avin gave a long, slightly ironic sigh. “You know you’re just bloody lucky I love you so much, woman, or I’d be safely down the pub by now. Ah!� The door gave a percussive jerk. “That’s got it. Stand back from the door, Professor.�

Bewildered but obedient, Remus stepped away just in time to avoid the sudden, violent shudder that shook the length of the door. And then, with an emphatic clang, the door burst open wide and slammed against wall within with an echoing slap.

Framed in the doorway stood two figures. The first, so familiar, was the curly haired outline of Felisha Hathaway, smiling in at him with a mixture of anxiety and relief. And the second…

Remus’ memory kicked in sharply. “You’re Falconer!� he exclaimed abruptly. “You signed me in the first time I came here! I taught your brother Mallory.�

The young man, his brown hair ruffled and his robes slightly askew, grinned. “I thought you had a bad memory,� he remarked with a twitch of his lips as he stepped across the threshold and into the austere interior of the cell. “Sorry about the abrupt entrance.� He grinned slightly. “ I’m not strictly speaking supposed to open the door that way, but it’s quicker than going through all the bloody security checks. You know how it is.� He shrugged. “Well, never mind. Come on, Professor Lupin, let’s get that bracelet off you so that you can get out of here.�

Obediently, Remus offered his wrist to the security guard as Felisha rushed over to join them, her face pale and her brow knitted.

“I’m sorry it took us so long to get here,� the researcher still sounded vaguely breathless. “I didn’t even know they were planning to arrest you until they’d done it! I’d have come sooner, but it’s been frantic here this morning.� She shook her head. “You won’t believe what’s happened!�

Remus knew there was very little left he would have trouble believing about the Institute, especially on the night of the full moon. “Try me,� he responded dryly, wincing slightly as Falconer twisted at the shackle. “Problems?�

Falconer grimaced. “This security spell’s tougher than the ones they use downstairs. Give me a minute. There may be a way round it like there was with the door.�

Remus smiled wryly. “Since I suspect I’ll set off every security measure and alarm in the building if I step over that threshold without it removed, I think I can spare the time. Now Leish…�

“Why is it frantic, right?� Felisha nodded with a roll of her eyes. “Well, Remus, I have no idea if this is good or bad, but it’s what’s happened and we’re stuck with it.� She took a deep breath. “Rebekah’s disappeared.�

Mentally, Remus wearily rescinded his lack of surprise. “Disappeared? What do you mean?�

Felisha gave a bemused shrug. “She’s just gone. She signed out last night to go to her daughter’s birthday party but she never made it there. Her broom’s still in the foyer downstairs even though she said she’d be flying. There’s been no word, to us or to her family – she hasn’t been seen since. No one knows where she is.�

A nasty suspicion was forming in the back of Remus’ mind but now was not the time to air it. “Has anyone done anything?�

Felisha sighed. “Her husband’s called the Aurors but everyone’s so busy with that Death Eater they caught last night I doubt anyone will have time to even read the report.� Her expression twisted. “And of course Croll lost no time in declaring himself Acting Head of the Institute. He called everyone to a meeting in the Level Five boardroom – that’s what Avin and I used as our cover to slip away. We signed ourselves in and then slipped out while everyone was settling. Everyone was so busy trying to find a seat and keep away from Croll…�

“It was too good a chance to waste. Ah ha!� With a sharp squeeze and a shiver, the shackle abruptly released, clattering to the ground with a profound thud as Falconer grinned broadly. “Got the bugger!�

“Nicely done.� Remus managed not to wince as he rubbed his fingers across the tender and red raw skin left in the chaffing shackle’s wake. “Now what do we do?�

Falconer rubbed one hand through his already messy hair as he glanced at Felisha. “Game of draughts?�

“Prat.� Felisha slapped his shoulder although her eyes were telling a very different story to her violence. “What do I see in you?�

Falconer gave her a similarly lingering look in reply. “Want a reminder?�

Fighting slight embarrassment, Remus cleared his throat. Both Felisha and Falconer flushed slightly.

Falconer squared his shoulders, suddenly all business. “I’ll sneak back down to the meeting and hope no one noticed I was gone.� A smile flicked. “You two can slip out the back.�

Remus narrowed his eyes. “The back?�

Felisha was smiling fondly at Falconer. “He means we can use an emergency portkey. From all we’ve heard, the Ministry’s in uproar right now so hopefully we’ll be able to sneak out to the entrance without anyone paying us much heed.�

Falconer’s eyes fixed upon Felisha. “You know where this level’s is?� he asked seriously.

Felisha nodded softly. “I know. Take care, Avin.�

He smiled in return, although the expression was wan and uncertain. “You too, Leish. See you soon.�

“Fingers crossed.�

For a brief, eternal instant, the guard and the researcher gazed wordlessly at one another. And then, with a sigh, Avin Falconer turned and vanished into the corridor. A moment later, they heard the clunk of the descending lift.

Felisha stared absently into the space where he had stood for a moment. Then she shook herself.

“Come on, Remus,� she said with forced briskness. “Let’s get you out of here.�

In spite of the seriousness of their situation, Remus couldn’t help but smile as he fell in at his old friend’s side and moved with her into the corridor.

“He’s rather more than your friend in security, isn’t he?� he remarked shrewdly.

Felisha’s cheeks reddened. “Somewhat more, yes.�

The pang was distinct but brief and quickly soothed, an old pain dulled by the passage of twenty years and more nostalgic than genuine. “He seems to love you very much.�

Felisha sighed deeply. “And I love him.� She smiled slightly. “You know, you’re the first person to know. Rebekah discourages fraternisation amongst the staff so we’ve had to keep it secret – sneaking around, grabbing stolen moments; he even came to join me at the Three Broomsticks after my meeting with you.�

Falconer from the Institute, sitting in the bar… Remus nodded with a wry smile. “I know. Tonks saw him at the counter. She made us sneak out the back because she thought he was there to spy.�

“Oops.� Felisha chuckled slightly. “Sorry about that.� She sighed yet again. “He’s younger than me, you know,� she remarked softly. “Only twenty-eight. He’s young, he’s bright, he’s good-looking – he could have any woman he wants but for some reason, I was the lucky one. I just don’t know what he sees in me.� Her eyes narrowed shrewdly. “But I think you know what that’s like.�

Remus fought to restrain the flush that stained his cheeks. He failed.

Felisha smiled once more. “I knew it. Did you think no one else had noticed? You must think we’re all blind. Or stupid. And there really is no way to answer that without offending me.�

If there was one thing that Remus was certain of, it was that he was not going to be drawn into this discussion right now. “Is this portkey much further?�

Felisha’s smirk was telling but thankfully she did not push the issue. “It’s just around the corner. The next alcove on the…�

Her voice trailed away. Instead came a gasp.

Remus followed her gaze sharply and felt his stomach sink like a stone.

The fake globe-portkey was gone. In its place lay nothing but broken shards.

Felisha moved forward hurriedly, examining the broken pieces with outright disbelief. “Who could have done this?� she exclaimed in horror. “Aylward is so careful with them, he would have noticed if one were broken…�

Remus joined her, his eyes running over the shattered remains with heavy resignation. “Someone who wanted to make sure that no one left this building tonight,� he replied, his voice grim and tired. “And that no word reached the outside world until it was too late.�

The blood ran from Felisha’s face in a flood. “Tonight? They’re doing what they’re doing tonight? On a full moon?�

Remus hardened his jaw. “Well, it makes sense. All the Residents will be locked in their cages for the night – they’ll be helpless and chained when they change back in the morning, weak and tired and in no position to put up a fight. And now the staff have been assembled together as well…�

Felisha’s jaw dropped. “Avin! He’s walked right back there…�

Only Remus’ hurried grab forestalled the researcher’s mad rush back along the corridor. “We’ll be no use if we rush straight in!� he exclaimed as she wheeled on him angrily. “We have to take care, Leish.�

“Then what can we do?� Felisha’s voice was filled with pain – remembering his own agony when Tonks had been injured in the ambush, Remus bit his lip.

“We still don't know anything for sure,� he admitted wearily. “But if I am right about this, I don’t think there’s much the two of us can do alone, especially since it isn’t long until the moon will put me out of action. But if this broken portkey is more than an accident, we have to get out of here and raise the alarm as soon as we can. And that means going down.�

Felisha was already shaking her head. “Do you really think we’ll be able to find another intact portkey?�

“We can try.� Remus smiled wanly. “And if we don’t, we’ll just have to leave out the front door.�

Felisha snorted. “Because that won’t be guarded.�

Remus met her eyes with frankness. “Do you have a better idea?�

She returned his gaze despondently. “Nope.� Slowly, absently, she twirled her wand between her fingers. “So the suicide plan it is.�

27: Deserted

Damn, it’s cold.

The air felt like ice and the silence that shrouded it was deep, chilled and disconcerting. Remus could not explain, even to himself, why this hush that had penetrated the Institute was so very different to the quietness of the night before, but somehow it tasted stranger, colder, more threatening than the simple quietude of emptiness. It felt wrong.

We have to get out of here. Quickly.

The squeak of hinges as Felisha slowly eased back the silver grill of the Level Six lift pierced the silence with a stab for instant but then was swallowed whole. No sound here would live for long.

“Come on.� The researcher’s voice was a hushed whisper. “The portkey for this level is near the boardroom. We can kill two birds with one stone.�

“I’d have preferred a less violent analogy.� Remus wasn’t sure he’d ever felt less like making humour, but the oppressive chilly silence was weighing upon him, his heart pounding ridiculously in his chest as though to speed his pace along as he started hurriedly into the corridor, one foot after the other echoing briefly, faint and soft against the floor. “And you do realise that if I’ve just gloriously overreacted to a broken portkey, we’re about to walk right in on the very people we should be avoiding.�

Felisha fixed him with a pointed gaze. “Somehow, I was imagining that you might wait outside. Though for the look on Croll’s face, it might almost be worth it.�

Remus smiled slightly, a forced and awkward gesture. “Thank you but I can do without that pleasure.�

The corridor extended before them, empty, heavy, filled with cold; Remus fought not to shudder. I don’t want to be here, dear Gods, please get me out! He had never been even remotely claustrophobic but the weight of the pending moon and the shivers that laced his blood seemed to fray his nerves to breaking point. He longed to run, to sprint, to hurl himself through the corridors until he was out, blessedly free of this strange place with its strange air and unseen sense of menace but he couldn’t, he dare not. Time was of the essence, yes, but so was stealth. It was not good running hard and fast into the arms of danger.

We have to take care. Calm down, Remus. You’ve got time yet.

Ahead, the Level Five reception chamber opened out before them, its bright cushions and Moroccan rug all but overwhelmed by the suffocating silence around them. Cymone’s desk was its usual dishevelled mess, Rebekah’s office door was firmly closed and the silver grills that gave access to the lift and to the emergency stairs were…

Remus froze. His eyes fixed upon the entrance to the stairwell.

That’s not right…

“Felisha,� he said softly. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but shouldn’t the grill to the stairwell be sealed?�

“Yes, of course it…� Felisha’s sentence tailed away as her eyes followed Remus’ to encounter the very same sight. “It’s open,� she breathed in shock. “Why in Merlin’s name has it been left open? No one on the staff would ever be so…�

“Unless they were running for their lives,� Remus’ soft interruption drew Felisha’s instant stare. “And didn’t have time to close it.�

He felt Felisha’s free hand curl around his wrist. “I really don’t like this, Remus.�

“I know.� Remus was quite proud that he managed to sieve all of the anxiety from his voice as he spoke. Don’t dive down the stairs, don’t dive down the bloody stairs! Lupin, get a hold of yourself! “But we have stay calm and alert. It may be our only way out of this.�

Though the words were as much for himself as for her, he felt her fingers tightened. “I wish I knew where Avin was.�

“I wish we did too. But there’s nothing we can do about that now.� Remus hoped his words did not sound harsh – that was not even remotely his intent – but in his strangely heightened sense of anxiety, he found it difficult to tell. “But the best thing we can do is get out of here and bring back reinforcements as soon as we can. Now, which way is that portkey?�

Wordlessly, Felisha led the way across the deserted reception, past the gaping open maw of the dark stairwell and into the corridor beyond. They passed the entrance to her office still without speaking before turning right down a fresh branch of passageway and into a part of the Institute that Remus had not yet seen.

And he didn’t particularly want to see it either.

He couldn’t recall ever feeling quite like this before a change. The closest he could think of was that awful night when Kane had broken into Hogwarts and Remus had barely been able to control the rising anger of his wolf, almost freed for the first time in years. But this was something new entirely – he felt as though certain parts of himself were being tweaked, picked at and he found himself battling with a mixture of irrational irritation and cold fear all bound up in an overwhelming instinct to bolt away before it consumed him entirely. Breathing deeply, Remus struggled to bring himself back into some kind of order.

Calm. Rational. Control. Calm. Rational. Control. Calm…

The chill was deeper here. It seared against his bones.

What the hell is the matter with me?

“There’s another lift that goes down to Level Four just ahead on the right.� Felisha’s voice, when it came, almost caused Remus to jump as it flowed into the silence tensely, riddled with an edge of forced calm and suppressed fear that seemed alarmingly familiar. “It leads to Zelia’s Potion labs and the rooms where some of us do research. The portkey is the lamp three alcoves beyond it. The boardroom is just around the corner of the corridor opposite.�

Remus nodded softly in response, forcing himself to chant his mental mantra once again as he struggled to maintain his air of composure. “I’ll check the portkey. You go and see if there’s anyone in the boardroom.�

With a brisk nod, Felisha took a firmer grasp on her wand and moved quickly ahead. A few steps later, she turned left down another corridor and vanished from view.
Remus took a deep breath. Odd shivers and sense of growing detachment was creeping across his body with alarming determination. Whatever else was wrong, there was no stopping the approach of the inevitable.

Only a few more hours to the moon. We have to hurry…

Moving rapidly, Remus passed the silver grill of the small lift and counted his way quickly along light globes beyond it, one, two…

Damn. Damn!

Even with the implications of the first portkey, of the Institute’s eerie silence, a part of Remus Lupin had still hoped he might be wrong, that the Institute staff would still be in their meeting, that his suspicions about a Death Eater takeover were nothing more than paranoia.

But two smashed portkeys was a different matter.

Reaching out, Remus scooped the shattered shards of the Level five portkey into his palm. He fought down the urge to grind the remains into powder with his fist.

So much for the easy way…

“Remus?�

A raise of his head found Felisha, appearing out the corridor she had vanished down with washed out features and uncertain eyes.

“The portkey?� she asked without much expectation.

“Somehow, I’m sensing a theme.� Remus raised a sardonic eyebrow as he lifted up the broken pieces, rotating them with one finger in the palm of his hand as he gazed down at the wreckage of another hope. “I don’t think we’re going to have much luck with these. The boardroom?�

“Deserted.� Felisha’s face had grown, if possible, even paler in the last few minutes. “But not in the way I expected. Come and see for yourself.�

Depositing the shards back into their holder with a flick of his hand, Remus turned and followed the researcher back along the passageway to a large set of double doors that had been flung broadly and dramatically apart. And beyond, lay the boardroom.

It was large and predictably grey, with a long wooden table set with severe looking chairs running nearly its length. The walls too were lined with seats all except for one corner into which was indented a small door that Remus assumed to be some manner of broom cupboard or storeroom. A large depiction of the Institute’s symbol emblazoned the wall to the left.

As Felisha had said, it was empty. But it did not look as though it should be.

In sconces around the wall, unexpectedly bright candles had been placed between each of the light globes, their wicks still glowing as a drift of smoke implied that they had been only recently snuffed out. Each chair was tidily, almost precisely tucked into its given place at the table, and beside each of these places sat a pile of paper, some neat, some skewed more scruffily, a quill and ink point and glasses of water, variously filled. Several half empty plates contained crumbly looking biscuits. The air hung heavy and stank of a powerful, saturating scent, musky and spiced. For an instant, Remus’ vulnerably weary eyelids were forced to battle with the urge to close.

“Croll is a creature of habit.� Felisha’s voice echoed gently against the empty walls, jerking Remus back to attention. “Even for an emergency meeting he would have insisted the formalities be observed. Notes and quills for everyone at the table. Refreshments available for all. I can just see him fiddling about with water spells while everyone else sat around chaffing at him to get to the point.� Her brown eyes raked over the immaculate grey but profoundly empty boardroom. “This is just how it always is for our meetings. Except that there’s nobody here.� Frustration keened in her voice. “You’d think if they had fled, there would be more of a mess. And surely if someone had taken them all, there’d at least be some sign of a fight. I know Avin and his colleagues wouldn’t go quietly.�

The wrongness seemed amplified here, such an ordinary room left barren, empty, stripped of life by an unknown hand. The chill had lessened a little against the heat of the remains of the candles, but somehow the residual stink from the drifting tendrils of smoke was worse.

“This is strange.� The odour in the air was whispering at his nostrils – his treacherous eyelids flickered once more and irritably he fought them open. Bloody scent, what in Merlin’s name… “Leish, what’s that smell?�

Felisha rolled her eyes. “Oh, that. It’s Zelia’s Harmony Candles. They’ve got some kind of calming potion infused into the wick. She always lights them before every meeting to insure a harmonious and peaceable exchange of views.� She sniffed slightly and wrinkled her nose. “They aren’t usually this strong though. She must have over-egged this batch.�

To say they did not smell especially harmonious to Remus was an understatement. “Do they work?�

“Not really.� Felisha smiled wanly. “ Mostly they just put you to sleep. Which in these meetings is often a blessed relief to tell the truth.�

Diplomacy could go hang. “Well, they’re vile. And they’re making me dozy.�

Felisha wrinkled her nose but her lips were curling. “A man of taste.� The brief levity faded as her eyes raked over the room once more. “Remus, I don’t like this at all. There’s something creepy about seeing this room so empty. I think I just want to get out of here.�

“Agreed.� Remus sighed deeply, battling the slow rise of panic once more. “I doubt we’ll find a portkey intact in this entire building. I think all we can do is head for the front door and hope we get lucky.�

“I don’t think we need luck.� Felisha’s grasp on her wand, their only weapon, tightened noticeably. “I think we’ll need a bloody miracle. Someone wouldn’t go to the trouble of smashing all those portkeys and then leave the front door wide open.�

Her words almost precisely echoed the thoughts that were running through Remus’ mind. “I know. But we have to…�

But the sentence was never completed. For in that instant came a sound.

It was a small thing, just a clatter, the smallest of percussions, but in the overwhelming silence left on Level Five, it echoed like a scream. Remus froze instantly – at his side, he saw Felisha wheel, her wand extended towards the corner of the room from which the sound had come.

Towards the cupboard door.

What the hell was that?

Remus looked at Felisha. Felisha looked at Remus.

On stealthy, silent feet Remus began to cross the room, Felisha just a step behind. With the tip of her wand, the researcher gestured him towards the door handle – for an instant, Remus considered offering to take the wand instead but now did not seem the time for disagreements and anyway – for him to lash out at present really did not seem a good idea. Instead he simply nodded, wrapping his palm slowly and precisely around the knob as Felisha braced herself, wand raised, a few feet away.

Remus braced.

Felisha nodded.

And with a single twist, Remus yanked open the door.

“Impedi…�

“Don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me, oh please, please don’t hurt me!�

Felisha’s spell froze on her lips. “Cymone?�

Remus was next to her instantly, his eyes confirming a moment later what Felisha’s lips had proclaimed. It was indeed Cymone Wrigley who lay curled up and quaking amongst dustpans, blank paper and empty boxes, her podgy hands clutching at her brown-rooted dyed red hair in tight fists as she winced away from an imaginary blow. For a moment, she continued to rock and shiver as though injured, sobbing out her desperate pleas for mercy – but then, the slow realisation of her current intactness seemed to dawn upon her and one round eyes behind crooked glances peaked out from behind one palm.

Oh great. Well, isn’t that all we need?

“Felisha!� she gasped in astonishment. “I thought you’d vanished with the others. And…� Her voice trailed away as plump cheeks quivered and her eyes fixed upon Remus. Her jaw dropped.

And then she screamed.

“Mad feral! Mad feral! He’s got out, he’s got out!� Boxes went flying, dustpans clattered, plates smashed as the substantial bulk of Cymone hurtled backwards as far as was possible within the limited confines of her cupboard, screeching at the top of her lungs as her silver daubed fingernails clawed at the wall. “Help! Help! Hel...�

For an instant, it was all Remus could do to prevent himself from leaping forward and slapping the ridiculous little woman into silence. Fortunately, Felisha was quicker.

“Silencio!�

Cymone’s hysteria cut off instantly – the assistant’s eyes widened as she clawed at her throat, but no sound emerged. Felisha’s expression was grimly resigned as she lowered her wand.

“Cymone, shush!� she ordered in a hiss. “Do you want someone to hear us?�

He could barely breathe. He struggled to speak. What was that, why did I think that? What’s the matter with me? What…?

Feral.

Am I going feral? Am I…?

“Remus?� Felisha’s frantic voice cut into his frantic musings. “I think I can hear something.�

Remus looked at her sharply. “I don’t hear anything.�

But a moment later, that was a lie.

Rattling breaths, echoing in the corridor. Coldness, chilled like ice, driven before the broken silence. And then….

Silver moonlight gleamed like a knife-blade. Claws sank into his back as golden eyes flashed viciously…

Pain, such pain as teeth sank into his side…

Remus staggered. Cold, no inner chill but a wash of icy wind brushed across his skin, arctic, biting, blowing in a tide of sudden horror. He felt Felisha gasp and stumble, saw Cymone’s lips part in a soundless cry of horror as the cold touch stroked them too…

Abraham Kane’s lupine eyes flashing with triumph as he darted towards the vulnerable students… the rise of his own desire to turn to bite, to kill…

The glowing candlewicks dimmed and flickered. The room was swamped by shadows as the cold deepened, lengthened, seeping into his soul as it leeched away any sense of the warm or the bright…

There was no mistaking that feeling. There was no mistaking what he’d been feeling all along.

In the last hint of the light, he met Felisha’s horrified eyes. Cymone’s scream had been loud enough to wake the dead. But it had woken worse.

It had woken a Dementor.

28: Found and Lost

The Ministry of Magic was in uproar.

Nymphadora Tonks winced at the blast of sound that struck her forcefully as she stepped out of the restricted floo connection into the familiar cubicles of the Auror division of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Everywhere, her colleagues and friends were in frantic motion, snatching at papers, grabbing their wands and racing here and there in a distinctly headless-chickenish manner. Contradictory orders were hurled back and forth, bellows of possible leads, the grabbing up of interview transcripts, the rustling of files. She caught a glimpse of Robards hurling files over his shoulder, of Dawlish shouting commands at anyone who moved nearby, of Savage and Proudfoot grabbing their wands as they raced passed her and dived out of the door. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes. She loved the Auror department, even at its worst, but after so many previous years of false leads and lunatics in white face paint with pet boa constrictors, her workmates did have a tendency towards the excitable where genuine cases of dark magic was concerned.

And Bellatrix Lestrange was as dark as they came.

Her thoughts lingered for a moment upon her Death Eater aunt. That she was a nutter of the highest order was indisputable, that she was evil and delusional was unquestioned by anyone. But she was also vindictive and vicious and dangerous with it; that she had been captured at all was quite a coup.

And it was a relief, a personal relief, for Tonks. Her parents had been living in fear of Bellatrix ever since her escape the year before. Now perhaps, her family could get back to normal.

Whatever normal was.

A yawn assaulted her. Tonks stretched her jaw with a shake of her head, trying to fight of the fuzzy headed tiredness that was strangling her brain, a lethargic dopeyness that a night of barely a few hours sleep on a hard floor had hardly succeeded in denting. Mind you, if Remus hadn’t insisted on her getting even that small amount of rest, Merlin knew what kind of state she would be in…

Pain, sharp and bitter pierced the fog of her mind. She clamped down on it viciously.
Don’t think about Remus! You’ve got work to do, Tonks, and he’s a distraction. Sort yourself out!

Determinedly, she hardened her jaw, forcing herself to ignore the gaping black hole of wounded pain that swirled around her heart. There was no point in thinking about it, no point in dwelling on it. He had turned away from her kiss, refused to return her feelings and as far as she was concerned, that was the end of the matter. She was a professional – she was not going to allow some stupid rejection to interfere with either her job or her work with the Order. It was his bloody problem, not hers, and she wasn’t going to get herself all worked up just because he was a repressed, frigid…

“Tonks?�

The hand on her shoulder startled her violently – her head whipped to find the sympathetic eyes of Kingsley Shacklebolt staring down at her. He smiled slightly.

“It is you,� he said, a hint of surprise evident in his eyes. “I almost didn’t recognise you.�

Tonks fixed him with a long, slow glare. “Kingsley, how long have we worked together?�

Kingsley’s smile widened. “Too long. And in all that time, I’ve seen you walk in every morning with some new shade or shape of outstandingly gaudy hair. I hardly recognised you with something so subdued.�

Subdued? All right, perhaps black wasn’t exactly her usual shade of pink or green or orange, but it was hardly subdued – rather bewildered, Tonks reached up and plucked a nearby hair from her spikes for brief examination.

She stopped dead.

It was brown.

Mousy brown. Wispy brown. Her father’s brown. Her natural brown.

The brown she had hated and hidden for as long as she had been able to.

So what the bloody hell was it doing on her head now?

It had happened before, once or twice, an unplanned appearance by her natural hair. She remembered that she had been unable to change it for a week after Grandpa Tonks had died. When her kitten had escaped at the age of eight, she had been brown all day until Dad had found him and brought him back. And then again, when Callum McAllister had dumped her in sixth year for someone who was always tall and blonde…

Dumped.

Oh no…

Kingsley’s smile had faded at the look on her face. “Tonks? Is everything all right?�

A part of her longed to scream no but there was no way on Merlin’s misty earth that she was going to stand there and admit that she was hurting like hell over Remus Lupin turning her down when there was important work to be done. Furiously, she forced herself to smile.

“I’m fine, Kingsley,� she said, her voice dropping to a low murmur. “I’m just knackered. Up all night, remember?�

“Ah.� Kingsley glanced around furtively, his own voice barely a whisper. “Yes. Sorry I missed the briefing with Moody, by the way, but they’d already called me in by then. How much sleep have you actually had?�

“A couple of hours earlier and then about forty minutes between me getting back to my room in Hogsmeade from Grimmauld Place and being woken by the emergency owl from the office. But after Moody told me about Bellatrix, I was kind of expecting it.�

Kingsley sighed. “I’m really sorry. I put off sending for you for as long as I could get away with.� Abruptly his volume swelled. “It’s unfortunate we had to call you in off sick leave, Tonks, but it’s all hands to the pumps today. Don’t worry, I won’t be sending you out chasing Death Eaters down alleys though. I’ve put some files in your cubicle. You can work on those for me.�

“Paperwork?� Tonks opened her mouth with the intention of informing her friend exactly what that prospect did for her but before she could launch herself into a sentence, the iron-haired Dawlish strode over with a stern expression on his face.

“Yes, Tonks, paperwork,� he cut in sharply, slicing the wind out of his younger colleagues sails quite effectively. “Officially, you’re still on sick leave and I’m not having anyone out in the field who isn’t at the top of their game. If you go out and make a mess of a mission, Scrimgeour would have my guts for garters and that would make me annoyed. So stop moaning, get to your cubicle and get on with it.� Without even a pause, the older Auror turned sharply on his heel and strode away, muttering to himself about the weak constitutions of the young and how if he’d had his guts sliced open, he’d have been back on the job the next day and been happy about it. Tonks and Kingsley watched him go.

“He’s in good humour,� Tonks remarked at length.

“Must be the excitement.� Kingsley shrugged easily. “He’s right though, you’re on paperwork whether you like it or not.� He lowered his voice slightly. “I haven’t given you anything of earth-shattering importance to do. So if nothing else, you can always grab some sleep at your desk.�

Tonks flashed a wan smile. “Nice to know my skills are in such high demand. Come on mate. Lead me to my bed of files.�

Her cubicle was much as she had left it the week before, apart from the waist high stack of files and scrolls that had been placed on the already rather disorganised surface of her desk. Wearily, Tonks dropped into her chair, snatching a convenient chocolate biscuit from the box to one side and munching on it therapeutically. Kingsley grinned but waited politely until she was done. Chocolate was not something to be interrupted.

Finally, Tonks swallowed and span to face her friend. “So, what I am doing with this wonderful pile of hearth fodder then?�

Kingsley leaned down over her desk and flourished a scrappy piece of parchment with blackened edges and a scorched surface. “This is the reason we have Bellatrix Lestrange in custody,� he stated frankly. “Yesterday evening, this note was thrown out of the public floo downstairs, wrapped around a stone. When the watchwizard who took it in the head regained consciousness, he brought it straight up to us. Here, take a look.� Carefully, he handed the blackened scrap to Tonks. “It’s a tip off,� he explained as Tonks ran her eyes over the dusty writing, barely legible beneath its film of soot. “It told us that Bellatrix Lestrange was planning an attack on a Muggleborn member of the Wizengamot last night in York. Dawlish was convinced it was a hoax or a trap but Scrimgeour was adamant it should be followed up and so he sent me and Dawlish out with a team to keep watch at the location. And lo and behold, Bellatrix showed up right on schedule. Dawlish was so shocked he almost forgot to arrest her.�

Tonks smiled slightly as Kingsley grinned. “And so you brought her in?�

“After a hell of a fight, yes.� Kingsley’s grin faded as he settled himself on the only part of her desk not strewn with papers, mugs and random half-forgotten snacks. “But we were lucky and we had the element of surprise. There were no fatalities, although Williamson and Sparrow will be in St Mungos for a while. Proudfoot, however, excelled herself. She pulled off one heck of a well-timed expelliarmus and gave me the chance to hit Lestrange with a stunner. Dawlish has put her up for a commendation.�

“And not you?�

Kingsley chuckled. “He doesn’t fancy me. Thank Merlin.�

Tonks snorted. “I don’t think Esther Proudfoot does either. Williamson saw her with John Savage at the Leaky Cauldron a few weeks ago, firmly lip-locked.�

“This is not the time for office gossip.� Kingsley’s tone was sardonically prim. “You’ve got work to do.�

Tonks flourished the blackened letter. “Which is…?�

“Thrilling and exciting.� Kingsley pushed himself upright. “The charms division have been over that letter inch by inch but getting scorched in the floo has effectively wiped off any traces of magic we could have used to track down the author. Thanks to Eric’s unconsciousness, the floo connection was cut off before it could be traced back and we haven’t found a known match on the handwriting. But Dawlish is convinced it had to be another Death Eater who turned her in and he wants to know who. So he asked me to ask you to go through these files and pick out some likely candidates – Death Eaters who might have a grudge against Bellatrix or a protective streak regarding her intended victim, that sort of thing. You know the drill.�

“Yeah, I know the drill.� Tonks pulled a face. “This is drudge work, Kingsley. It’s not even likely to be any use.� Her voice took on a vaguely plaintive note. “I could have been in bed.�

Kingsley sighed deeply. “I am sorry. But if it’s any consolation, I do have something that might spark your interest a little more.� Reaching into his robes, he drew out a small scroll daubed with red ink, a document easily recognisable within the division as a Missing Persons Report. “This came in a few hours ago. No one paid it much notice with all the Lestrange work going on, but I knew you’d want to see it. A Mr Felix Goldstein of Castle Road, Scarborough reported his wife Rebekah missing as of last night. Somewhere between leaving the Feral Institute and their family home, she seems to have gone astray. No one’s seen her in hours.�

“What?� Tonks snatched the scroll sharply from his outstretched hand, her sluggish mind sharply electrified. “But that can’t be right!�

Kingsley raised an eyebrow. “Any particular reason why not?�

Tonks breathed deeply, hauling in her raging thoughts. “Because she’s a polyjuiced Death Eater,� she stated with soft discretion. “Or at least we’re pretty sure she is. Remus…� Business... “...and I found Polyjuice potion and a lock of her hair in the drawer of her desk.�

Kingsley’s eyes widened. “Are you sure it was Polyjuice?�

Tonks shrugged slightly. “As sure as I could be. Remus has taken it to Snape for checking.�

“Snape?� Kingsley frowned. “Snape’s downstairs with Dumbledore. He arrived maybe half an hour ago to advise about Bellatrix…�

Bellatrix.

Rebekah.

Oh no. Surely not…

Tonks’ eyes fixed upon the report in front of her. Rebekah Goldstein had last been seen at twenty-five past seven.

“Kingsley.� Though her voice was soft, its tone caught her colleague’s instant attention. “What time was it when you arrested Bellatrix?�

Her fellow Auror frowned in mild confusion but he did answer the question. “Just gone eight o’clock last night. Why…� His voice trailed away. “Uh, oh,� he breathed. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?�

“Assuming that you’re thinking that Bellatrix may have been our fake Rebekah.� Tonks closed her eyes as she allowed her mind to skate across her various memories of Rebekah, searching for some small hint, some word or gesture that might bring to mind her Death Eater aunt. Apart from a general air of nastiness, nothing specific sprang to mind. “It’d make her a better actress than I’d give her credit for but we can’t rule the possibility out.� She allowed herself a brief smile. “If it is her, though, that tip off may have just solved our problems at the Feral Institute.�

Kingsley chuckled slightly. “It’d be nice, wouldn’t it? What do you reckon? Shall we nip downstairs and tell Dumbledore about our theory so that he can ask the charming Mrs Lestrange about it in person?�

“You go.� Carefully, Tonks placed the Missing Persons report onto the top of her only mildly dishevelled in-tray. “I’ll stay and get on with this.� At Kingsley’s quizzical look, she grinned. “Well, I don’t know about you, but if our theory is correct, I’m a bit more interested in who sent us that tip-off than I was a few minutes ago.�

“Good thought.� Kingsley nodded briskly as he made towards the corridor once more. “You should contact Remus too. Let him know what we’ve found.�

Her heart contracted painfully once more at the mention of his name but she carefully insured that no hint of her distress touched her face.

“I’ll do that,� she stated blandly. “See you in a bit, Kingsley.�

“See you in a bit, Tonks.�
As Kingsley departed, Tonks fought back the urge to slump face first into her paperwork. She’d been doing so well…

“Don’t dwell,� she told herself sternly. “You’re a professional. Do your job.�

Sending Remus a message at the moment did not seem wise, however. It would be hard to resist the urge to scribble intense personal questions regarding his behaviour the night before in the margins…

Later. I’ll write to him later. When I’m not so tired. When I’ve had a chance to think. After all, there’s hardly any rush.

It’s not as though he’s going anywhere…

29: What Lies Beneath

“Cymone! Cymone, get up!�

The shrill note of terror in Felisha’s voice seemed to vibrate against the icy chill that had race through Remus’ nerves as the shivers of coldness from the Dementor’s presence flowed towards them. It had been their only chance – a good patronus, a rapid exit and a desperate dash for relative safety beyond – but Cymone’s utter refusal to uncurl her cowering body from around a nest of cleaning materials in the corner of her hideaway had thwarted that scheme before it had even been tried.

And now it was too late. There was nowhere to run.

It was in the corridor outside. Aside from running directly through it, the only route of escape they had was now blocked.

Oh Merlin. Now what?

Remus fought to suppress waves of cold, blind panic and despairing hopelessness – he struggled against the surge of negativity but found the memories he summoned in his mind’s defence bleached of colour, of warmth, of happiness, tainted by sourness and shadows of his past. He saw James and Lily’s Potter’s laughing faces contorting into death masks, Sirius’ smirk fading into a shocked expression as he vanished through the veil, his mother pale and lifeless, his father old and broken, Tonks bloodied and limp…

Stop it!

He longed for his wand: at least then he could have mustered some semblance of a defence. But there was nothing he could do, nothing, no way out, no protection, no escape…

He felt hands grasp his shoulders, startling him violently. An instant before he instinctively lashed out, he realised that it was Felisha. The researcher appeared abruptly at his side, her face ashen, the fingers that gripped her wand shaking almost uncontrollably. Her eyes were almost wild.

“We have to hide!� she exclaimed frantically. “Remus, we have to hide!�

Hiding was pointless in the face of a blind creature than sniffed out prey by their emotions – of that Remus was certain. But what else was there to do? It would be at least reassuring to have some kind of barrier between the Dementor and themselves, some manner of physical protection…

“It’s all right!� It was a blatant lie – Remus was feeling about as far from all right as was possible – but Felisha’s expression implied that she was teetering close to the edge of hysteria. “I’ve faced them before! If we get out of its reach, we’ll be fine!�

Felisha did not need to be told twice. After a last horrified glance at her companion, she hurled themselves into the cramped cupboard beside the silently screeching Cymone. A moment later, Remus had joined her as he firmly yanked the door shut behind them.

But solid wood could not deflect the chill.

Severus Snape’s terrified teenage eyes as they stared into the Shrieking Shack and the burn of deadly instinct, of the scent of blood, blood, fresh blood, human flesh to sink between his teeth… Alastor Moody’s shocked expression as grief and rage and alcohol overrode his senses…Rage boiling inside his mind as he stared into Abraham Kane’s mocking eyes, listened to his malicious boasts of taking Diana Lupin’s life – he longed to tear, to bite, to kill…

Stop it!

Furiously, Remus clamped his teeth down against his lower lip, ignoring the coppery taste of blood that flowed into his mouth as he fought to control the flood of violent memories that surged across his mind, the sick feeling in his stomach and the horrifying desire to turn and rage and mangle. Felisha’s single glance, illuminated in the thin light that arched through the crack in the hinge, was enough to tell him of what he already suspected – this was no ordinary Dementor of misery and strife.

This was the Dementor that had consumed the feral soul of Abraham Kane.

This was the feral Dementor from Level Six.

But how in Merlin’s name had it got out?

Felisha’s shaking hand pressed against his. He could feel the smooth wood of her wand against his fingers.

Yes. Yes!

Struggling desperately against the tide of violent thoughts, Remus dredged his desperate mind in search of a happy memory, of something, anything that might launch a Patronus in their defence. He thought of Harry, his face triumphant, snatching the Golden Snitch out of the air as his Prongs-Patronus rode out for the very first time to smite Draco Malfoy and his friends… But then suddenly he was looking at an older Harry, his green eyes wide with despair and horror as he fought against his former teacher’s grasp, yearning towards a fluttering veil and a Godfather lost forever and Tonks was there too, lying slumped and broken where she fell, her face covered in blood, so much blood…

Dammit!

Rattling breaths, closer, closer. The Dementor was in the boardroom…

Furiously, he searched again and this time he alighted on Tonks laughing face in the bar of the Three Broomsticks, her eyes flashing wickedly as they battled away in a gloriously juvenile thumb war… But then she was battling Death Eaters and tumbling head over heels to slump into his arms, her eyes shocked, her robes soaked in blood, so much blood…

Oh for Merlin’s sake…

Happy memory, Remus! Happy memory, happy memory, happy memory…

But nothing would come. The moon was too close and violence too strongly on his mind.

Cold washed through his body. Closer, it was coming closer…

I have to think of something good. I have to think of something good…

Blood. Blood was good. To bite, to tear, to kill, to scatter limbs and taste the tang of bitter heat as blood washed down his tongue, flesh between teeth, skin ripping as claws slashed down…

No!

This isn’t going to work. I can’t do this. It’s too much, too close…

He glanced almost desperately at his companions. Felisha’s pale face told him that she was having little more luck. And Cymone’s quaking form would be no use at all.

And they’re easy prey. Trapped. So easy to kill them both, to bite, to taste…

“What the bloody hell is that doing in here? The boss said it was to be taken downstairs to join the others!�

The sudden voice startled Remus profoundly and Felisha’s jump against his shoulder told him that she had been equally started. Her brown eyes met his, caught in the sliver of light, and told him more eloquently than words that this voice was no one she knew.

There was a stranger in the Institute.

“Look Gibbon, have you ever tried to control one of these bloody things? We were trying to take it downstairs but the cursed creature doesn’t want to go.�

Make that two strangers. And the mutterings of assent added more.

But one was not so strange to Remus. He knew the name Gibbon too well from Alastor Moody’s briefings.

There were Death Eaters in the Institute. Death Eaters and Dementors.

For Remus had no doubt who Gibbon’s others were.

It seemed tonight was the night for all of his worst fears regarding the Institute to come true. Voldemort had clearly decided that the time had come for his Imperiused werewolf army to begin its hunt. And he was trapped here with them.

And if he got caught, he would be one of them.

Outside the door, a debate was raging.

“Do you want to do this?� The second voice was declaring hotly, although the shake that underlay his tone implied that he was having as much difficulty dealing with the Dementor’s presence as the hidden three behind the door. “It just wandered off down here instead of taking the stairs. We tried to herd it back but…�

“I don’t want to here your excuses.� Gibbon, it seemed, was not a man of patience. “Take it and get down to Level One before the boss comes up to find out what the delay is.� He chuckled hollowly. “You know as well as I do that you wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.�

There were a few half-hearted snorts of assent. The second Death Eater huffed impatiently. “Just because he has a schedule…� he muttered irritably. “What about the sport he promised us? When do the games start?�

Gibbon laughed coarsely. “As soon as this thing gets downstairs. That’s when we can fetch Lupin and wait for the fun to begin. I just can’t wait to see that self-righteous werewolf bastard’s face in the morning.�

There was a quick burst of laughter. But it was hurriedly swallowed by the cold.

The silence heaved.

“Tighten those restraints.� Gibbon’s voice was also rife with a strained edge now. “And get that thing were it should be.�

“Come on, Dementor.� There was a slightly mordant note to the second man’s voice. “This way for your dinner.�

Footsteps departed into the corridor once more. Slowly, agonisingly, the cold ebbed away.

And then all was silence once more.

They waited for almost a minute. But there were no footsteps. There was no sound.

And the cold was gone.

Remus felt better than he had done since leaving his cell. It must have been lurking around for a while. No wonder I felt so strange.

“Has it gone?� Felisha’s voice was a mere whisper.

Remus nodded gently. “I think so. But there’s only one way to make sure.�

And so he opened the door.

The boardroom looked unchanged from moments earlier. Ironically, Remus wished he could say the same about their situation.

Felisha appeared abruptly at his side. “I don’t know who they were,� she exclaimed slightly breathlessly. “But they aren’t from the Institute and they definitely shouldn’t…�

“They’re Death Eaters.� Remus’ quiet sentence cut off the rest of her words. “I’ve come across Gibbon before. Death Eaters are controlling the Institute.�

Felisha’s face paled, if possible, even further. “We have to get out of here.�

“I think we knew that already.�

“But now it’s a little more certain and a lot more urgent.� Felisha grimaced. “I don’t like the sound of sport.�

“That makes two of us.�

“And if they’re going to come and get you soon…�

“…Then they’ll realise I’m gone.� Remus finished the sentence with a grim frown. “And all Hell will break loose.�

Felisha sighed deeply. “Still the front door?�

Remus met her gaze with weary resignation. “Unless you’ve come up with a better idea.�

Felisha’s eyes flicked towards Cymone. The assistant was still quivering in a heap in the cupboard, lower lip vibrating like a flag in a hurricane. She looked barely able to stand, let alone make a stealthy flight for her life. “What about Cymone? Do we take her with us?�

Remus sighed deeply. He had nothing against Cymone whatsoever but right at this moment, when stealth and discretion was required in spades, he could not see her being anything but a burden.

“Well, we can hardly leave her for the Dementors and the Death Eaters, can we?� he said with profound weariness. “We’ll have to bring her along.�

Felisha was eyeing Cymone with a similar expression. “I agree. But leave her to me. Two more words from you and we’d probably end up having to drag her as a quivering wreck. You’re the mad feral, remember?�

Remus was only too happy to comply. “She’s all yours.�

With a subtle eye-roll, Felisha turned and stepped over to where her colleague remained cowering in the cupboard.

“Cymone?� she ventured softly with a smile. “Cymone, come on now, we have to go.�

Cymone didn’t budge. Her head shook vigorously, her eyes darting from Remus, to the door and then back into the safety of her hideaway.

So much for softly softly.

Felisha’s lips tightened, her shoulders abruptly firmed. Remus knew her Prefect look when he saw it. “Cymone,� she said more insistently. “Cymone, come on we really don’t have time for this. We have to get out of here before somebody else comes.�

But Cymone just scooted a few more inches back, wrapping her arms around her knees as she shuddered.

So much for tact.

Felisha’s jaw hardened, her eyes suddenly sharp. “Cymone.� This tone was one of outright command. “Get up.�

But the command was ignored but for Cymone’s silent lip quivering beneath Felisha’s glare.

Patience was thinning. And it was becoming obviously that little but blunt bullying was going to do the job.

And so Felisha bullied.

“Cymone, so help me, if you don’t get up, I will tie you up and float you down the stairs upside down until I can find a laundry chute to stuff you down. Up! Now!�

Bullying it seemed, was the key. With a startled shudder, Cymone staggered to her feet and stepped out of the cupboard, her eyes wide and terrified, her legs vibrating like shaken jelly. She was white as a sheet. A moment later, her fragile legs folded as she slumped back to the floor.

Remus sighed. Felisha joined him.

In the face of Cymone’s imminent crumbling, Felisha opted for a slight moderation of tone.

“Look,� the researcher ordered sternly. “We have to go and you’re coming with us one way or another.� At Cymone’s silent gasp, she sighed. “I’ll lift the silencing spell in a moment. But you have to promise me – absolutely promise – that you won’t shout again. Remus isn’t dangerous and all we want is to get out of here. Don‘t do that again and we’ll take you with us. But,� she flourished her wand with menace. “Kick up another fuss and so help me, I’ll stun you and leave you here for whatever may come. Understand?�

Remus regarded the researcher with a certain admiration. “Nice threat.�

Felisha flashed a smile. “Thanks. Now, you…� She turned on Cymone. “Do I have your word?�

Cymone’s expression continued to quiver. But then, slowly and reluctantly, she nodded her head.

“Good. Sonorus.� Cymone gasped loudly and started to open her mouth, but a glare from Felisha quickly closed it again. Awkwardly, Rebekah’s assistant clambered to her feet and reeled over to join them.

“Good. Now let’s go.�

With an uncomfortable glance back at Remus, Felisha pushed Cymone gently towards the door, propelling the podgy assistant with as much force as she dared. Moving quickly, Remus followed them as they headed into the silent corridor, listening for sounds of company, but for now at least, they seemed to be alone.

But for how much longer? And just what had happened to the rest of the Institute staff?

Just what did she know? He glanced at Cymone’s pale features, her shuffling gate, the uncertain nervous jerking of her fingers and her nose. For an instant, he fought back a wave of oddness as he stared at her twitchy movements. There was something so very familiar, so very prey-like about her…

No. Stop that. It’s just your imagination…

Focus. This was no time to be indulging fears.

“Cymone,� he said, in as soft and un-threatening manner as he could muster. The assistant jumped profoundly at the sound of her name but she did glance backwards without dissolving into hysterics for a second time.

“Y...yes?� she stammered awkwardly.

Well at least she hasn’t collapsed yet. Remus decided to start gently. “Why were you in that cupboard?�

Cymone trembled. “I heard…s...s…something. I was scared and I h…h…hid. I thought you might be…�

“Thought we might be what?� Remus and Felisha spoke almost as one.

Cymone gulped. “W…whatever took the others,� she managed shakily. “D…Dr Croll sent me to his o…office to get some notes and when I came back…� She swallowed again, harder. “W…when I came back, everyone was just gone. A…and then I h…heard someone coming and I hid.�

“Us?� Felisha asked, her voice now milder once more.

“N…n…not you. I saw a black cloak. And t…they weren’t voices I knew. S…so I stayed in the cupboard. After all, with P…Professor Goldstein just v…vanishing… I…I thought…�

Remus and Felisha exchanged a long, worried glance that clearly spoke of Death Eaters.

“You did the right thing,� Felisha reassured her moderately. “We won’t hurt you, Cymone. But the voices you heard, the men in black cloaks? They would.�

Cymone swallowed hard. “I…I’m sorry I got s…so upset. B…but it’s all so h…horrible.�

Felisha breathed out, hard. “You can say that again. And that’s why we need to get out of here.�

Reception, when they reached it, was thankfully deserted. The grills that lead to the stairwell and the lift, the former open and the latter sealed, glinted in the pale light.

Felisha’s eyes flicked from one silver grill to the other. “Lift or stairs?�

“Lift.� Cymone piped up before Remus had the chance to speak. “It’s quicker. Much quicker.�

“And more confined.� Cymone ducked her head as Remus intervened. “And easier to be trapped in. At least on the stairs you can run.�

Felisha nodded. “I agree. We take the stairs.�

Cymone was staring into the dark and unlit shadows of the stairwell with distinct unease. “C…couldn’t I take the l…lift and you take the s…stairs?�

At Felisha’s long, slow look, she groaned slightly. “Stairs,� she repeated wearily.

“Come on. I’ll take the lead.� Remus moved forwards before Felisha could protest, placing one foot gingerly onto the top step and glancing back. Reluctantly, Cymone moved forwards to follow him. A moment later, Felisha took the rear.

Darkness surged around then. The silence deafened.

It was not the most pleasant of journeys. The only source of light to guide their steps came through the grills that punctuated every level, a pale sickly illumination that did not so much light their ways as dull the shadows. And each grill was a new delay for each had to be checked for guards or Death Eaters or Dementors before passing by and risking the grimness of discovery.

But each level was deserted.

“Where are they?� Felisha’s whisper drifted softly from above and behind as they made their cautious way past the grill on Level Three and started down the next dark stairs. “Where is everyone?�

“I’m not complaining.� Remus’ voice was a hush of breath. “As long as they aren’t all waiting at the bottom.�

“I wish I knew that Avin was safe.�

There was a tremulous note to Felisha’s tone. Remus sighed softly as he quietly stepped onto the next half-landing and turned the corner down the last set of steps to Level Two. “I wish we did too,� he replied gently. “But we’re doing the right thing. We’re no use to him here. We need to bring…�

His voice tailed away. He stopped dead.

And grasped the banister sharply as first Cymone and then Felisha piled into the back of him. His toes teetered for an instant on the edge but thankfully he did not fall. A moment later, Felisha’s fingers dragged him back to safety as her curly head appeared at his side.

“Remus, what…?� she started but the rise of Remus’ pointing finger negated the question.

“See for yourself,� he replied.

Felisha followed his gaze. And gasped.

For at the foot of the steps lay the wand-sealed hatch that had so nearly proved their downfall weeks before.

And it was open.

“That can’t be good.� Felisha’s lips spoke the words that were passing through Remus’ mind. “That just…can’t be good.�

A quick survey with both magic and eyes established that yet again, the corridor beyond the grill was empty. Certain now that it was safe to proceed, Felisha and Remus abandoned the bemused Cymone at the top of the flight of stairs and moved quickly down to investigate.

The initial survey established little more than they had already observed.

“The hatch has been opened,� Remus stated rather redundantly as he examined the flimsy locking mechanism that the released wand seal had exposed. “And…� At his gesture, Felisha stepped back slightly, her wand raised in a protective manner as Remus carefully braced his hands against the edge of the hole and slowly eased his head inside. “It looks like an ordinary enough laundry chute,� he reported, his voice echoing hollowly against the metal plates that lined the drop, falling away into darkness beneath him. “I can’t see anything out of…�

“Lupin?�

Remus froze. Had he just heard…?

“Lupin!� Dear Gods, he had just heard. “Lupin, is that you? Lupin, get us out of here! Lupin!�

The voice came from far below, vibrating in a tinny manner against the walls of the chute that surrounded him, twisting, tumbling upwards to touch distorted against his ears. But Remus recognised it instantly and Felisha’s gasp at his side told him that she had recognised it too.

Oh Great Merlin, what on earth is going on?

He opened his mouth to reply. “Rebek…�

“Incarcerous!�

He felt his arms slam to his sides, the course burn of thick rope as it whipped across his skin, binding his arms against his torso and smacking his ankles together. He tried to cry out but the rope had already slapped across his lips, silencing him instantly. He heard a brief, female squeal, felt the slump of a weight across his back as the first voice screamed “Accio wand!� and then a hand shoved against his back and pushed inevitably forwards.

Headfirst, Remus Lupin plunged down the laundry chute.

Pain, sharp and rapid assailed him bruisingly as he bounced against the hard-edged walls, tumbling, careening, head over heel and then suddenly there was space, there was air and he was hurtling frantically downwards until the solid floor stilled him with a bone-crunching impact. Even as he gasped, groaning against his bindings, another heavy weight smacked into his stomach, driving the wind from his lungs.

He opened his eyes and stared up into the terrified, bewildered and equally bound up face of Felisha Hathaway.

And then came hands. Small and gentle, they eased the two bruised tumblers apart, teasing the ropes from their faces and mouths as they eased them slowly upright.

Remus looked around him. It wasn’t an especially large room, grey walled and windowless just as the rest of the Institute was. But its most outstanding feature was its notable lack of a door.

Apart, of course, from the bodies.

They lay all around him, slumped in varying postures, eyes closed, their breathing shallow. A quick glance was enough to spy Zelia Phelan slumped in a corner, Unwin Dempster face down a few yards to her left, Alexander Aylward lying on his side against the wall and in the middle of the floor, Avin Falconer and Arcadius Croll lay motionless side by side. There were others there, faces Remus had seen but never spoken too, all dressed in the various coloured robes of the different departments of the Institute, all unconscious, all still. And in the far corner, curled whimpering and alone was…

Remus stared. Stared in horror. Stared in terrible realisation.

Cymone Wrigley lay curled in a ball, her plump features wasted by apparent long-term neglect, her glasses gone, her hair no longer dyed bright red but her natural reddish-brown, cut and hacked in hagged clumps, leaving only the occasional stray curl.

Stray curls just like the one in Polyjuice drawer.

It wasn’t Rebekah. It wasn’t Rebekah they replaced….

Oh no. Oh no, no, no…

Hands loosened his ropes once more. And this time, a face came to join them.

Rebekah Goldstein smiled at him wanly. Her face was pale. Her eyes were haunted.

“Well, Professor Lupin,� she said, her voice uncharacteristically soft. “I think this is one family reunion we could have both stood to miss.�

30: The Rogue’s Gallery

It really was a truly epic pile of work.

Tonks took a deep breath as she faced down the mountainous heap of scrolls and parchment laid out upon her desk, praying quietly that somehow it would shrink, or reduce itself until she didn’t have to face the prospect of wading through it sheet by sheet. For an instant, she wished for a baby dragon; Hagrid and Charlie Weasley had both mentioned that they made excellent flamethrowers. Or perhaps a couple of generous Ashwinders could set fire to her desk – and maybe ignite Dawlish while they were at it. Hell, she’d even take flobberworms if they could be persuaded to chew paper instead of lettuce…

Oh well. No point in wishing for what I can’t have…

Unwelcome thoughts crowded in once more. She forced them away.

No. I’m not going to think about him. I have work to do.

No Remus. No Remus. No Remus.

Work.

Brusquely, determinedly, she reached for the topmost file, where a photograph of a lumpy-looking little man leered at her.

Amycus Grint. Born 13th September 1947 in Dorchester, Dorset. Slytherin House, Hogwarts. Known associate of Lucius Malfoy, brother to Alecto. Specialises in…

She just didn’t understand the stupid git. He loved her. She knew he loved her. Bloody hell, even he knew he loved her, if he could only wake up and stop hiding behind whatever damned excuse first sprang to mind. Why couldn’t he have just accepted it? Why did he push her away?

…rarely known to perform solo missions, Grint has previously worked under the command of other Death Eaters such as…

Tonks tossed the file aside. Amycus Grint was a lackey, a sycophant. He wouldn’t have had the guts to turn in someone like Bellatrix, even anonymously. She reached for the next one, a stocky little woman whose photograph giggled inanely.

Alecto Grint. Born 27th February 1950 in Dorchester, Dorset. Slytherin House, Hogwarts. Sister to Amycus, one time housekeeper to Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. Claimed use of the Imperius curse to escape imprisonment at the end of the last war. Specialisms include…

It wasn’t as though she didn’t know what she was getting herself into. She had known he was a werewolf from the day she had first crossed his path at Grimmauld Place – as an Auror, she always read the papers, whether she believed what was in them or not, and his name had featured quite prominently the year before. And with the exception of his father and Albus Dumbledore, she was pretty bloody certain that she knew him better than anyone alive. But somehow, this time, just what it was that he was afraid of continued to elude her.

…vindictive streak but is known to act in partnership with her brother…

Tonks discarded Alecto’s file with a flick of her wrist. It seemed that to rule out one sibling was to rule out the other. From the next picture, a hard-faced man glared out at her.

Valerian Gibbon. Born in Lincoln, 2nd April 1956. Slytherin House, Hogwarts. A known associate of the Lestrange family, Gibbon is believed to have hidden in Europe until recently, possibly in the company of Mingan-Moritz. A former human guard of Azkaban, Gibbon is known to have a stronger than average resistance to the effects of Dementors. Specialist curses include…

It was sheer stubbornness on his part. It was ridiculous. If he had just admitted it, let himself believe… Or if he had at least given her some kind of excuse she could work with. Oh, he’d said it wasn’t the right time, but that was just plain dodging; she needed a proper reason for his rejection of her love, something she could get her teeth into, something she could fight, discard and argue away until he had nowhere left to hide from her. Something she could use to make him see how stupid this was.

…former school-friend of Rodolphus Lestrange and Best Man at his wedding to Bellatrix Black…

Unless something drastic had happened, it didn’t seem especially likely that Rodolphus’ Best Man would have turned his wife over to the Aurors. Gibbon’s file joined the Grints with a skid.

A prim young man with slicked back brown hair and a haughty expression over clean-shaven cheeks gazed up at her from the next file with a sardonic tilt of one eyebrow.

Adolphus Mingan-Moritz, Count of Liebrucker. Born in Vienna, Austria, 14th October 1961. Student at Durmst…

The prim man smiled at her slickly, his eyes cold. And Tonks hesitated. There was something awfully familiar about that smile…

Leaning forward for a better look, she deposited her elbow on the abandoned pile of files to her left.

It was a shame that the files were not entirely on her desk.

Down plunged the files and Tonks’ elbow, which inconveniently and most inconsiderately decided to take the rest of Tonks with it. And as her free hand grabbed out instinctively for purchase, it landed upon the remainder of the parchment pile.

The avalanche that followed was deeply impressive.

For a few moments, all Tonks could do was crouch, hands protectively poised over her head as wave after wave of paperwork cascaded down upon her. A particularly tinny jolt told her that her beloved box of biscuits had joined the party, breaking open to scatter distressing quantities of chocolate fragments and crumbs across the already significant mess. A moment later, finally, the document waterfall dried away to nothing, leaving only the quiet and familiar patter of the impressed applause of her fellow Aurors at the show.

Slowly, wearily, Tonks opened her eyes.

“Bugger,� she said.

Resting against the edge of her nose, the blackened tip-off note rocked gently back and forth in the swell of her breathing. Shouldering lingering files away from her body, Tonks extended one arm and lifted it away.

Why did she have to be so bloody clumsy? This was why she hated paperwork; it always made such a bloody mess when the inevitable finally happened. Even that time on the train with Remus, coming back from the Institute when she dropped her papers all over the floor…

Her eyes focussed on the tip off note, still gripped between two fingers just above her nose. And she froze.

The handwriting. She knew this handwriting.

She had seen it scrawled in a red diary in Rebekah Goldstein’s office.

The Death Eater who had betrayed Bellatrix Lestrange was working in the Feral Institute.

Shaking away crumbs and loose fragments of paper, Tonks pushed herself to sitting. No. She had to be mistaken, it couldn’t be. If Bellatrix was Rebekah, what purpose would it serve to turn herself in to the authorities? Which could only mean one of two things – another conspirator in the Institute had written the diary and set up Bellatrix or Bellatrix Lestrange had not been Rebekah after all.

Tonks felt a cold chill settle in her stomach. Why was it that every time they seemed to find a piece of this puzzle, they ended up losing three more?

Brushing chocolate from her mousy hair, Tonks reached out for the nearest file. It was Adolphus again, smudged with chocolate and crumbs – Merlin, Dawlish was going to kill her if he saw this mess! – his face filled with rage as he stared indignantly at a smear of chocolate slapped across his chin…

Like a beard.

Like a goatee.

And that smile had been so familiar.

The cold chill turned to solid ice. Oh good God…

The face, framed by slick brown hair, was younger, the beard missing until filled in by chocolate, but there was no mistaking him now.

Dolph Greymoor.

Adolphus Mingan-Moritz, the Austrian Death Eater, was Dolph bloody Greymoor.

Oh. Crap.

Her eyes burrowed into the file.

Adolphus Mingan-Moritz, Count of Liebrucker. Born in Vienna, Austria, 14th October 1960. Student at Durmstrang, House unknown. A school-friend of Antonin Dolohov, Mingan-Moritz is known to be an expert in the casting of the Imperius curse, especially on multiple subjects simultaneously. He is also a well-informed scholar of Dark Creatures, particularly working with Dementors and werewolves. After the fall of You-Know-Who, he fled to Europe in the company of Gibbon and disappeared. Rumours that he was working in the vicinity of the Black Forest have abounded in the 1990s but his exact location remains unconfirmed at present. Sources have also indicated some manner of personal dispute with Bellatrix Lestrange, but the details remain unknown.

Further details of his activities during the First War and suspected victims continued below but Tonks did not read on. She had already seen enough.

Remus had been right. She had been so focussed on proving Rebekah to the danger that she had given barely a thought to Dolph. But it fitted so neatly – research with werewolves in the Black Forest could have easily lead to an accidental bite. And then, as he returned to his newly risen Master in England, he had fallen foul of the feral laws somehow and been locked away…

Had it been deliberate, the bite, the capture, a way to get inside? No, Tonks couldn’t see Dolph – Adolphus – as the kind who would have willing submitted himself to that kind of indignity. His incarceration then, was most likely an accident. But then how he managed to write notes to be found in Rebekah’s office? He must have gained a wand back in order to have such freedom, but from where?

From an ally. From someone who came into the Institute to help him.

From another Death Eater.

But who?

There was still the Polyjuice, still the theory of Bellatrix-as-Rebekah. But it no longer seemed to fit. Tonks could not see her aunt as an adjunct to anyone, let alone someone that sources had implied she disliked and feuded with. It did, however, make rather more sense of Bellatrix’s capture. Had Dolph turned her in as some kind of revenge?

Or as some kind of distraction?

Tonks felt the blood run from her cheeks. Tonight was the full moon. And there had been an attempt to take Remus only a few days before…

What if Dolph needed a free rein, something to take the eyes of the Order away from the Feral Institute? And what if he had turned in Bellatrix to cover for himself?

You-Know-Who would probably kill him. Unless he had already succeeded in producing a valuable werewolf army in her place and providing him with the Order’s tame werewolf as a prize…

And Remus was at Hogwarts. Dumbledore wasn’t.

She needed to get to Remus. And Dumbledore. Now.

“Can’t I leave you alone for a minute?�

Her head snapped up at the deep, familiar tone. Kingsley was staring down at her dishevelled form with a grin on his face.

“Honestly,� he chuckled. “You have got to be the most accident prone…�

“Remus is in danger!� In a flurry of paper and crumbs, Tonks rocketed to her feet, her momentum causing Kingsley to take a startled step backwards. “Kingsley, you have to go get Dumbledore and I’ve got to go, I’ve got to go to Hogwarts and warn him…�

She started forwards but her treacherous feet tangled in the mess and sent her hurtling over – only Kingsley’s quick reflexes saved her from another fall. His big hands clamped around her shoulders, the big man hauled her back to her feet, all trace of laughter wiped from his face in an instant.

“Tonks, what have you found?� he said intensely.

“This.� Tonks shoved Adolphus’ file into his hands. Kingsley took it and flicked it open, his brow creasing in confusion.

“What am I looking at?� he queried urgently.

Tonks met his eyes. “Dolph Greymoor.�

It took a moment, but then memories of briefings on the Institute returned and Kingsley’s eyes widened in horror. “The werewolf from the Institute? He’s…� His eyes snapped back to the file. “Oh bloody hell,� he breathed softly. “Mingan-Moritz has been off the radar so long, I never even thought to look at his file. But it fits. He’s blind-sided us with his condition. Damn!� With a slap, he slammed the file shut. “But I don’t see how this affects Remus…�

The urge to shove Kingsley aside and belt as fast as she could for the floo was surging rapidly through Tonks’ veins but she forced herself to resist it. “It’s his handwriting!� She flourished the tip-off note, still gripped between her fingers. “It’s the same as the handwriting in the diary in the Institute. And it says he has a grudge against her – it had to be him!�

Kingsley was shaking his head. “They’re on the same side. Why would he…�

“As a distraction!� Why couldn’t he see? “He knew we’d be so busy with her, we’d forget the Institute for this one night, the full moon night. And he knew that Dumbledore would leave Hogwarts. I’m sure the Headmaster is the only reason they’ve never tried to use a legal warrant to get Remus before and with him out of the way…� She grabbed the sleeve of Kingsley’s robe. “We need Dumbledore.�

Kingsley’s expression was agonised. “But we can’t get him!� At Tonks’ shocked look, he elaborated. “When I spoke to him, he was just going in to a closed session of the Wizengamot. You know the law, Tonks, they can’t be disturbed during that. And it could be hours yet…�

“We have to do something.� Tonks’ heart was pounding twenty to the dozen. “We have to do something now.�

He’ll be fine. He has to be fine. I’ll get to Hogwarts and he’ll be standing there with a bemused look on his face and I’ll tell him what a prat he is and he’ll see sense and…

“I agree.� Kingsley’s jaw locked as his two words cut away her scrambled thoughts. “I’ll scramble Moody and some of the Order just in case we need a rescue organised. You head up to Hogwarts and warn Remus. Maybe it won’t be too late.�

“Already going.� With an undignified stumble, Tonks pushed her way past her friend and with a single nod, hurled herself towards the fireplace and its floo connection.

He’ll be there. He’ll be fine. He’ll be there. He’ll be fine.

Don’t let our last words have been an argument.

Don’t let me lose him now.

Robards was standing near the hearth – he caught her as she stumbled, giving her a confused look as she snapped out thanks and grabbed a handful of green powder from the shelf. With a swipe of her hand, she hurled it into the flames.

“The Three Broomsticks!�

Green flames flared. A moment later, Tonks had thrown herself into their grasp.

He’ll be fine. Please. He’ll be fine.

I don’t know what I’ll do if he’s not.

And then the flames consumed her and thrust her on her way.