Disclaimer: The fine tapestry of plot and characters belongs to J.K. Rowling. I am merely pulling threads at will and weaving my own design in counterpoint to hers.
Chapter 66
Sortie
Despite Neville’s recent empowerment, Harry was still concerned that his normal reticence might reassert itself at any moment. He particularly dreaded it might occur in the middle of their upcoming field trip to Godric’s Hollow.
Seeking Lupin’s input, he posed, “I know Neville’s mentioned in the prophecy, but I’m terrified he might just freeze when he’s put on the spot.”
“I sympathize with your concerns,” Lupin noted. “But Neville’s our key into the Potter estate. Without him, we would just be wandering around Godric’s Hollow without a purpose.”
Too bad using the Felix Felicis potion was not an option, Harry thought to himself. He remembered only too well the upbraiding Lupin had given him when it was discovered that the students who had fought beside the Order members last spring had consumed miniscule portions of the lucky formula. Although Lupin had taken into account Harry’s good intentions, he made a point of detailing the possible hazards to avoid any future mistakes. Warriors should rely upon their training, he had said, not a false bravado that might lead them to over-estimate their abilities. In battle, recklessness was the surest way to an early grave; even liquid luck could not ultimately turn death away. Lupin’s words had been a grim reminder of just how much Harry had taken for granted on that fateful night.
Spontaneously, he remembered how he had solved Ron’s case of nerves before the first Quidditch match the previous year. He had not given Ron any false sense of security, just made him believe in the abilities he possessed all along. Could a similar subterfuge work in Neville’s case?
With mounting excitement, Harry summarized the events for Lupin’s benefit. To his astonishment, Lupin declared that it was an inspired bit of leadership.
“It certainly can’t hurt to try a similar ruse with Neville,” Lupin acquiesced. “We will need to advise everyone else ahead of time so they don’t end up with a case of over-confidence, though. A realistic assessment of one’s abilities is essential to surviving a direct attack.”
“Then it’s an ideal solution,” Harry exclaimed. “Neville’s shyness often eclipses his true measure.”
“If you’ll outline the plan for the other students, I’ll inform the established Order members. I’ll also make sure we have vials of placebo Felix to go around… You’re certain you never acquainted Neville with the reasons to avoid Felix in battle situations?”
“Absolutely,” Harry assured him. He remembered being so ashamed that his best plans had so thoroughly unraveled in the face of harsh reality that he had not shared Lupin’s admonishments with anyone.
Saturday dawned bright and clear, with just a hint of feathery clouds on the horizon. The gentle breeze carried the heady scent of flowering shrubs, a constant reminder that the start of summer was just around the corner. It was the sort of day that practically demanded they remove their shoes and socks and go running through the early morning dew on the sloping lawn. Before long, the lakeside would be swarming with tentative waders, even though the water was still freezing cold.
The butterflies fluttering inside Harry’s stomach convinced him that breakfast was not an option for him. Instead, he downed most of the pitcher of cider from Ron’s cold cabinet. Meticulously, he went though his mental checklist. Standard school uniform minus school robes and jumpers bearing any Hogwarts insignia “ he made sure he reattached the tiny lion pin as a tie tack so the sconce would still recognize him. Extra wand. Invisibility Cloak. At the last minute, he pocketed the rough sketch of the floor plan.
He didn’t think he was forgetting anything, but it was still a bittersweet moment as he considered how uncertain the future might be. Even though an encounter with Wormtail and Bellatrix was not comparable to facing Voldemort directly, it was still a serious undertaking for a seventeen-year-old wizard and he was not above feeling a bit of healthy apprehension. With a heartfelt sigh, he quickly surveyed the rooms that had served as his home for the past nine months before darting out the stone sconce.
Harry watched the first gentle rays of the sun caressing the lake as they assembled in the Transfiguration classroom. As Tonks set off a wave of yawning around the room, Harry reminded himself that most students were still lounging in their beds this early on a Saturday morning. Despite the temptation to watch the stars rise above the lake with Ginny, he was glad he had opted instead for an early bedtime the previous night. After consuming the sumptuous lakeside picnic Hermione and Luna had arranged for them, his eyes had already begun to feel heavy.
Lupin and Shacklebolt swiftly distributed the small vials of golden “Felix Felicis” to everyone present. Lupin toasted the Order as they downed the contents that supposedly guaranteed each of them twenty-four hours of luck.
“Please be aware that there are many among the Order who are fundamentally adverse to using Felix Felicis before a campaign,” Shacklebolt warned as he looked at everyone in turn. “Unless you feel an overwhelming need to endure a thirty to forty minute lecture about the error of your ways, your faulty mental processes, and your deplorable fashion sense, I suggest you keep this to yourselves.”
Their attention was diverted by Professor McGonagall emerging from the door leading to the aerie. Other than Harry, all the other students were suitably surprised by her exit from what they had always assumed was a storage closet.
“Aberforth has arrived in time for the launch,” she whispered to Lupin. “Is everyone ready?”
“I believe so, Minerva,” Lupin assured her as she went around collecting the empty vials.
Before Harry placed his into her upturned palm, he noted that the glass bottom had been painted gold on the outside so the contents would reflect a more intense hue. Very clever, he thought.
“All right, crew,” Shacklebolt intoned, “to avoid anyone seeing us leaving through the school gates, we will be launching from the aerie this morning. It’s an awesome sight; but if you have a problem with heights, I recommend you keep your eyes on the horizon at all times.”
“You can also stick with me,” Tonks added in a reassuring tone. “I’m not part cat like Minerva here.”
Single file, they trooped up the stairs to the trap door that opened on the ancient battlements. The wind was much sharper with a hint of coldness at that height, but the view was absolutely spectacular in Harry’s estimation. He gave in to an uncontrollable impulse to catch Ginny’s hand briefly and glace meaningfully into her eyes. It was an ideal spot for a long and lingering embrace.
“Yes, yes, we all recognize that this is a romantic spot,” the Headmistress reminded them briskly. “But this is not a romantic moment.”
Glancing at the flushed faces around him, Lupin sighed in resignation. “Individual petitions will be entertained at a later date, but only from those present,” he amended. “I may regret saying that; but since the aerie is under my control, I suppose I reserve the right to be inconvenienced. Because of the potential danger, however, a teacher must be present with you at all times and only daytime visits are allowed.” Lupin looked apologetically at Shacklebolt as he finished.
Shacklebolt nodded with an amused smile and added, “Thanks for the motivational speech, Remus; always good to have something to look forward to. In case you haven’t been previously acquainted, this is Aberforth Dumbledore.” He motioned towards the roughly dressed man who was leaning patiently against the stone crenellations along the tower’s edge. With his white beard and sparkling blue eyes, the resemblance to their former Headmaster was unmistakable. “You may recognize him as the proprietor of the Hog’s Head Tavern nearby. We’ll save the rest of the introductions until later.”
“Since not everyone is familiar with the destination, we’ll be using Side-Along Apparition to get to the staging point in Godric’s Hollow,” Lupin explained. “Harry, would you please accompany Tonks since I know you have no scrap of fear when it comes to heights. Everyone else, just pick an adult partner and we’ll be off.”
Aberforth took the lead with Ron in tow as they Disapparated two-by-two from the majestic aerie. Lupin arrived last with Hermione and immediately thanked the Headmistress for her assistance. McGonagall wished everyone luck as she hastily returned to Hogwarts to close the temporary bubble that had allowed them to Disapparate in the first place.
Harry smiled to himself as he overheard Hermione muttering to Ron, “Hogwarts: A History didn’t say anything about this possibility.”
“Welcome to my family home.” Aberforth smiled heartily at everyone. “Albus and I grew up here in Godric’s Hollow, not too far from the Potters. As you can see, Albus was a few years older than me. He got the brains in the family, but I got the looks.”
Everyone chuckled as they each shook Aberforth’s hand in turn and introduced themselves. Taking a moment to look around, Harry noted they were standing in the center of a large living room with a number of squashy sofas that all looked pleasantly broken in by their owners. An open doorway led towards what he assumed was the kitchen due to the mouth-watering smell of sizzling sausages issuing forth.
Hagrid’s familiar bulk leaned through the doorway and announced, “Breakfasts is ready for anyone tha’ was too nervous ta eat before, or is in need of a refill.” He looked pointedly at Ron. “Hope yehs like yer eggs scrambled.”
It was truly a great breakfast: the warm date bread and scones had been baked by Aberforth himself “ Harry double-checked before taking a bite “ the eggs and sausages cooked by Hagrid. Harry concluded that as long as Hagrid limited himself to the stove top, he really wasn’t a half-bad cook.
He leaned back from the table to signal his satisfaction and caught Lupin motioning him towards the other room. The animated chatter and metallic clicking of silverware continued in the background as they were soon joined by Neville.
“Let’s do a spot of reconnaissance from the upstairs window,” Lupin whispered as he led them up the carpeted stairs.
There were dormer windows at both ends of a hallway running the breath of the house; Lupin directed them to the window facing south. Kneeling on the bench, he pulled out the Omnioculars and pointed towards a large green field in the distance. Handing them to Neville, Lupin asked him to describe the scene.
As Neville took his time, Harry pressed his face to one of the windows surrounding the bench. They must be on top of the knoll on which the village rested, but he could not see the church spire in order to orient himself. Past the tree line, he saw rolling hills in a patchwork of varying shades of green. Some appeared to have been cultivated, others were untended meadows undoubtedly dotted with summer wildflowers which could only been seen with magnification.
Much to his consternation, Neville was describing a large estate with tree-lined paths, walled patios and two separate wings that joined a middle section with a more severely pitched roof. It was his description of the walled garden in the back, complete with a square fish pond, that brought Harry up short. It had to be the same house he had seen in Lupin’s memory. And Neville had definitely said it had two wings!
“Can I take a look?” Harry asked excitedly.
Neville passed the Omnioculars with a happy smile. Harry quickly scanned the area, then switched magnification. He located many lanes bordered by stone, brick, and even split rail fences, but no houses.
“You won’t see it, Harry,” Lupin reminded him softly. “It’s hidden by the Charm. Even the lanes will be altered when you look at them.”
“So Neville’s seeing my parents’ house for sure?” Harry asked as a strange feeling of unreality came over him.
“There can be no doubt. Aberforth remembers watching the last of the green flashes from this very window. By his account of that fateful night, it was all over before he had a chance to react.” Lupin’s words gave Harry the most unsettling feeling. Suddenly faced with the actual setting, the events of sixteen years ago were taking on a stark reality.
“Neville, does the house you see show any signs of damage?” Harry urged as he relinquished the Omnioculars.
Neville studied the site carefully before observing, “It’s difficult to say, Harry; everything seems so overgrown and abandoned. There are some darker areas in the roof near the middle of the house, but that could just be discoloration. There are no gaping holes, not that I can see at this distance, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Thanks, Neville,” Harry replied courteously. “Did you say there were two wings, though?”
“Yes, I can see a section of the walled garden at the end of the one facing us. I guess that would be on the north side. Can only see the bare contours of the other one, but there’s a large tree that sticks out beyond the roofline of the south wing.”
That would be the arbored patio Lupin had mentioned. Neville’s description allowed Harry to orient himself perfectly.
“Remus, we didn’t visit the north wing earlier,” Harry commented casually. “I assume we wouldn’t have been able to reach, but what was located there?”
For a moment, Lupin looked as if he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, but then he smiled slightly and answered, “That was the wing James’ parents used when they were alive. I’ve never been inside it.”
“My grandparents lived in that wing?” Harry repeated unnecessarily in his excitement.
“Harry, do you really want to go into this right now?” Lupin asked wearily. “It’s all such ancient history.”
“Not to me!” Harry cried. “I’ve never known hardly anything about my family.”
“Professor Lupin,” Neville began with utmost politeness, “why does everything have to be such a secret? Neither Harry nor I are made of such delicate porcelain that we’ll crack at the slightest provocation.”
Thank you, Felix Felicis, Harry thought to himself as he watched Lupin’s wall begin to crumble.
“All right.” Lupin sighed. “I will tell you what little I know of the matter, but only with the understanding that any follow-up questions will have to wait. We don’t have unlimited time.”
Both Harry and Neville nodded eagerly. “I don’t mind if Neville listens in, if that makes any difference to you,” Harry urged.
“I don’t know the complete story, by any means,” Lupin began. “Suffice it to say that I visited James’ house on numerous occasions during my years at Hogwarts. Just as you have often been a guest at the Burrow, Harry, and of course I met your grandparents. Something…unforeseen…unexpected…happened to them the summer before our final year of school. James would never talk about it. Sirius might have known, as he was practically living full-time with the Potters by then. Sometimes he would go off to visit his favorite uncle, though, and I think it occurred while he was away. All Sirius ever told me was, ‘Leave it alone, Remus.’
“James and Sirius were both of age by then and no one questioned them living in the house during school holidays. Dumbledore would keep an eye on them to make sure they didn’t get too wild in the way those two could do without my sobering influence. My own parents were both declining so rapidly during my final year that I spent every holiday, and even a few extra weekends, at home.”
“But you lived in the same house with them after graduation…” Harry prodded.
“Yes, but the north wing was boarded up. As far as I was able to determine from Lily, James closed those rooms off that very summer, the summer before our seventh year. I remember clearly when Lily wanted to spruce up the flower gardens and James expressly forbade her from entering the north walled garden. Since it faces the village, its door is solid wood to provide for a bit more privacy. She had to make do with planting flowers outside the walls only.”
Harry started to frame another question, but Lupin’s firm hand on his shoulder stayed him. “That’s really all I know. Perhaps Aberforth or the Potter’s old house-elf would know, although she’s surely past the age of reckoning now. I’m sorry, Harry.”
“Thanks, Remus,” Harry replied gratefully. “You’re the only one who I can always depend upon.”
Clearly embarrassed, Lupin still managed to reply evenly, “It’s time we all started depending upon one another. Let’s rejoin the others before they send out a rescue party.”
As Harry led the way down the stairs, he couldn’t avoid overhearing the conversation between Neville and Lupin at his back.
“Now that you’re a member of the Order as well, Neville,” Lupin offered amicably, “you’re going to have to get used to calling me by my first name. Just think of all the extra syllables you’ll be saving in case of an emergency… In keeping with our cover story of being on a school field trip, I won’t insist upon it today.”
“You mean like Harry and the rest do?” Neville observed, the hint of a smile apparent in his tone.
“Yes, well, Ginny and Ron have always been hopeless reprobates,” Lupin acknowledged. “And as for Harry--”
“Harry even dares to call Snape by his first name,” Neville ventured in awe.
“Yes, I’ve heard him do that also,” Lupin commented. “Harry likes to take liberties. As for Hermione, she and I have had occasion to work together in the field “ although it was not on Order business.”
As soon as he was able, Harry whispered to Ginny, “You were right! Two wings!” He promised to fill her in on the rest of the scant details later.
“I take it you were able to locate the house from the south window, Neville,” Aberforth intoned. “The rest of us have been taking the time to go over some of the protocols we will be using today and, generally, getting to know each other better.”
“Ginny provided us wit’ the most astonishin’ display of her Apparition skills,” Hagrid announced with a broad smile.
Shacklebolt added, “I don’t think we should be overly concerned that she doesn’t officially have her license; after all, our little sorties don’t always follow the letter of the law.”
“Who’s not following the letter of the law?” Lupin returned with a twinkle. “As far as I can tell, Harry’s the rightful owner of the Potter estate. He has a perfect right to investigate a report of trespassers on his land.”
“Trespassers who become invisible once they trespass onto invisible land,” Aberforth clarified. “You see the inherent difficulties.”
“Excuse me, but isn’t the Order concerned about the issue of underaged magic anymore?” Harry asked incredulously.
“They sure were at Christmas time!” Ron added in support. “Practically wanted to tie us to the fence posts at the Burrow.”
“Isn’t much of an issue once a Fidelius Charm has been set.” Aberforth chuckled. “The Ministry can’t very well locate an infraction when they can’t even find the house.”
“Makes all of their fancy sensors go a bit haywire,” Shacklebolt added with authority. “Not that they’d want that information out among the general populace, though.”
“So how were we able to Apparate here in the presence of the Charm?” Hermione countered.
“I believe Aberforth waited until we had all arrived safely, isn’t that so?” Lupin smiled. “Although, I must admit I’m pleased that so many contradictions were thrown up in our path “ demonstrates everyone’s on their toes.”
“Since I designated myself as the Secret-Keeper, I can allow each of you to find your way back.” Aberforth grinned at the expectant faces. “Just remember that the headquarters for today’s campaign is located at 1711 Hollyhock Lane.”
With last minute hugs from Hagrid, they Apparated to a small clump of woods near the western border of the estate. Looking around, though, Harry could not determine why they had chosen this spot to regroup. The only advantage he could see was that it sat on a small rise with a pleasant little brook running through it. All around them were nondescript rolling fields. He was about to voice his doubts when Lupin pointed wordlessly in the direction of Godric’s Hollow. There, rising above the verdant tree line, was the white steeple of the church.
“You mean the estate is directly in front of us?” Harry asked with disbelief.
Lupin nodded with a broad smile and indicated where Neville was engrossed in the image through the Omnioculars.
“It’s close enough to be seen clearly with the naked eye -- or so Neville assures me,” Lupin explained. “One last thing before we begin the actual incursion onto the property: should anything occur to separate us, I want you to take over. You’re to be the official second-in-command today. Is that clear?” Lupin looked at Harry steadily.
“What about Kingsley?” Harry replied doubtfully.
“He agrees with my assessment. It has to be you, Harry. You’re the only one other than myself who has any idea of the lay of the land. You have my full confidence.”
“I’ll give it my best, Remus,” Harry agreed solemnly, despite feeling a bit overwhelmed.
“You remember the procedure to call for reinforcements?” Lupin prodded.
“Yes, we are to send a spray of sparks from our wands directly upward. It doesn’t matter if we are inside a building or within a shield “ that particular spell will pass through without any difficulty. Patronus messages are delayed by having to work their way ingeniously through the Fidelius Charm, so they are only to be used when a detailed message is absolutely necessary.”
Harry’s recitation elicited a satisfactory nod from Lupin.
“How will reinforcements get past the Charm’s invisible shield, Remus?” The impediment became apparent to Harry for the first time.
“Neville will have to drag them through one by one like he’s going to do with us, unless something changes in the status of the Charm. Filius has a number of theories as to what might happen in the event of Wormtail’s untimely demise. That’s one of the reasons Aberforth and Hagrid are keeping a constant vigil on the site “ in case there are any irregularities. Hagrid is likely to be able to see things that may not be visible to the rest of us.”
“Neville reports he’s located the shed you described, Remus,” Ginny reported as she joined them. “Apparently it was hiding behind some overgrown shrubs. The nearby gates seem to be padlocked, though.”
“Not to worry,” Lupin assured them as they walked over to join Neville. “I trust you remembered your Invisibility Cloak, Harry?”
From the deepest shadows, Harry watched the hard-packed road for any signs of Neville’s approach to the hidden estate. Ginny clasped his shoulder apprehensively and he allowed his arm to snake around her waist in reassurance. An occasional scuffle in the loose gravel was the only indication of Neville’s footsteps from under the Invisibility Cloak. Even then, the disturbances could have been caused by small gusts of wind. Harry held his breath as he waited for any telltale swaying of the long grasses at road’s edge, but apparently Neville had not deviated from the compacted lane.
Lupin shook his head as he lowered the Omnioculars slightly to indicate he wasn’t able to see anything either.
“Blimey!” Ron issued in an awed whisper at his shoulder. “It’s as if he’s disappeared off the face of the planet!”
Harry was beginning to see why his parents had wanted to go to all the trouble of casting a Fidelius Charm. As long as everything went according to plan, it managed to hide their home exceptionally well. The problems arose when the inhabitants inevitably sought to interact with the outside world.
“Nothing to see, folks!”
Harry jumped involuntarily as the silence was broken by a soft chuckle from Neville. He had Apparanted soundlessly to Lupin’s left and was busily refolding the Invisibility Cloak.
“Everything is exactly as you described it, Professor. I mean, Remus,” Neville reported. “We’ll have to rearrange the tools inside the shed to allow for a bit more room, though.”
“I’ll help you get started then.” Lupin jumped at the chance as he passed the Omnioculars over to Tonks. Placing his hands confidently on Neville’s shoulders, they Disapparated together.
Within a minute, Neville returned to take Harry past the invisible barrier. “I’m beginning to understand how an owl feels,” Neville noted as he handily deposited Harry right beside Lupin and immediately Disapparated to retrieve the next passenger.
Harry surveyed the dim contents of a gardening shed that had clearly been untouched for years. Cobwebs festooned the large rusted implements leaning haphazardly along the walls and dust hung suspended in the very air. Despite its packed floor, weeds and grasses had been doing their best to reassert their dominance wherever they gained a foothold.
“Come help me move this old wheelbarrow,” Lupin urged. “The wheels seem to be glued with rust.”
By the time Harry had grabbed hold of the other side of it in preparation, Hermione arrived to lend a hand. Carefully, they hoisted it onto its side against a portion of the wall where some small tools hung from a peg board. Hermione rubbed the sticky bits of cobwebs with disgust on an old aluminum watering can that alone seemed to have resisted the urge to tarnish.
Harry fell to his knees beside Lupin as Ron leaned over their shoulders. “Could you use a light from my wand, Remus?” he whispered helpfully.
“Not right now, thanks,” Lupin replied. “Don’t want to alert anyone of our presence.” He nodded towards a small window that was so crusted with grime as to provide only a small wash of light. The tiny glow of a wand tip would probably be just enough to lend a suspicious golden shade to the mud.
With a muffled cry of triumph, Lupin lifted up an old iron ring attached to a wooden trap door. Steps could be seen disappearing into total blackness below. Lupin looked up at the apprehensive faces around him that now included Ginny as well.
“It’s not any different than the passages you’re all familiar with at Hogwarts,” Lupin chided them playfully. “As a matter of fact, this one was created by the combined efforts of Sirius and James who felt the Marauders should have a way to roam the estate in their Animagus forms. Who’s brave enough to go in the lead? Harry? Ron?”
Reluctantly, Ron started down the steps after he being assured by Lupin that he could light his wand as soon as he was out of sight. Harry followed next, then Hermione who couldn’t help asking Lupin in passing how animals were expected to clasp a ring in their paws, or mouths, or whatever. Lupin laughed softly and whispered that they simply had left the trap door folded back on its hinges.
“Let me know when you’ve reached the larger area of the root cellar,” Lupin instructed Hermione. “I won’t send anyone else down behind you until one of you reports back. The tunnel was always a bit narrow for James’ taste, but not even Ron is as tall as a full grown stag.”
Harry felt Hermione’s familiar presence behind him as she added the light of her wand to the soft glow around them. It was surprisingly cool beneath the packed earth, the damp smell of the soil reminiscent of Hogwarts’ tunnels just as Lupin had observed.
“Did Remus indicate whether it’s a straight shot or whether there’s a bend in the tunnel?” Harry relayed to Hermione. “Ron wanted to know.”
“I’ll go check if--” she started to reply.
“Never mind,” Ron’s voice echoed back. “Let Remus know there’s been a cave-in.”
Hermione hurried out of sight and returned with Lupin.
“We’ll just Apparate past it, guys,” Lupin replied, totally unperturbed. “Since I’m familiar with the surroundings, I’ll go as far as the root cellar proper and then cycle back. Give me just a few minutes.” With a reassuring smile, he Disapparated on the spot.
Hermione had a hushed conversation with Ginny who had wandered down to get an update on behalf of the others. Ginny reported that Neville had successfully ferried everyone across the great expanse of nothingness and they were huddled rather closely in the shed.
After what seemed like hours, Lupin suddenly appeared next to them, brushing dirt from his hair and trousers.
“At least you had the foresight to wear a brown suit,” Hermione observed wryly.
“Coincidence, more like,” Lupin remarked. “At least it’s one of my older, shabbier ones.”
“How bad is the cave-in?” Ron asked nervously.
“It’s hard to judge distances, but the roof is pretty solid as you approach the cellar proper. We’ll just Apparate directly there to be on the safe side. This will be much faster than the other crossing as each of us will be able to return to retrieve another once we know our destination.”
Hermione boldly volunteered to go first, then she and Lupin promptly returned to retrieve Ron and Harry. To avoid collisions within the cramped confines of the tunnel, Lupin suggested that Hermione and Ron retrieve the next two members of their party while he and Harry temporarily stayed behind. Harry only caught a fleeting glimpse of weathered planks holding up roughly hewn walls before he was engulfed in a welcoming hug from Ginny who had just arrived with Ron. Hermione returned with Shacklebolt who promptly declined Lupin’s joking offer of a corresponding hug.
When it was Harry’s turn to retrieve the next person, he found Neville waiting for him in the tunnel hanging back nervously from the sight of the cave-in.
“I don’t want to appear like a sissy, Harry, but I’ve never been one for tunnels and secret passages like the rest of you,” he admitted with a sheepish grin.
“Nothing to it, old pal,” Harry assured him brightly. “I’ll deposit you right in the cellar proper; you won’t have to navigate the other side of the tunnel at all.”
Lupin reappeared just beyond them, closer to the tunnel opening where Tonks was anxiously sitting on the stairs.
“Give me a moment to make sure the trap door is closed,” Lupin suggested. “You and Neville can go on ahead if you like.”
Harry turned to go, but was caught by the awed expression that had come over Neville’s face as he gazed towards the stairs. He turned around just in time to catch Tonks breaking away from what had evidently been a rather spontaneous embrace. Harry’s smile broadened as he saw Lupin catch her up easily and swing her off the stairs and into the tunnel proper.
As Lupin turned to dash up the stairs, the smile inexplicably slid off his face. By the dark elongated shadow suddenly visible on the floor, Harry guessed there was another, unexpected presence in the tunnel entrance. A darting glance at Tonks’ startled expression revealed that she could see the intruder, also, even though the slight curve of the tunnel prevented Harry from doing so.
“Remus, my old friend,” drawled a voice from Harry’s nightmares. Without warning, the feeling of helplessness he’d felt in the graveyard where Voldemort had been resurrected tried to latch its bony hands around his heart. With a force he didn’t know he possessed, Harry willfully shoved the fear into the darkest pit of his stomach where it would take hours to work its way back.
“Is that--” Neville breathed into Harry’s ear as they clung unconsciously to one another.
“Wormtail,” Harry breathed back, his words sounding like a spectral wind in his ears.
“”forgive my not giving you a proper welcome,” Wormtail simpered as he slowly worked his way down the stairs and into Harry’s line of sight. “Once we saw Dumbledore’s house fade from view right before our eyes, we knew you wouldn’t be far behind… It’s such a pleasant stroll up the main driveway -- the trees form a complete canopy now….Then I remembered how my animal pals liked to roam at night...”
His tone had gradually grown more and more hostile, his voice acting as a tangible wedge that forced Lupin slowly back until he was standing flush with Tonks, her rucksack hanging limp and forgotten in his hand.
“I didn’t think you’d be so happy to see us after all this time,” Lupin rejoined weakly. “It’s not as if you ever write or anything--” Lupin’s vain attempt at cajoling died in his throat as menace sprang into Pettigrew’s eyes.
“You didn’t think I knew about this little tunnel, did you?” Pettigrew sneered, his pinched face making him look more rodent-like than ever. “Just because I only came for brief visits didn’t mean I hadn’t had time to poke my little rat paws into everything.” Looking directly at Tonks for the first time, Pettigrew fairly leered, his demeanor changing so abruptly it was practically psychotic. “What have we here?” He smiled crookedly with yellowed teeth. “By the way he handles you so easily, you must be Mrs. Lupin. Bella told me Remus had married into her family. Let me be the first to offer you my congratulations on your union.”
Pettigrew opened his arms even wider as if he were rushing to catch Tonks in an impetuous embrace, but he didn’t get that far. As Tonks shrank further back into the wall, Lupin threw himself bodily before Pettigrew’s advances. With a grimace, he grabbed Pettigrew’s meaty wrist with an iron grip.
“Keep your ruddy paws off my wife!” Lupin snarled with malevolence. “Come to spread the plague have you?”
For a moment, Pettigrew’s eyes looked up into Lupin’s fiery ones with pain and apprehension. Harry knew that if Lupin waited for the next heartbeat, the fear would turn into loathing and Pettigrew would likely revert to his rat form to escape as he’d done before. But Lupin never gave him the chance; with a mighty crack, he Disapparated with Wormtail being dragged behind.
“GET OUT OF HERE NOW! TAKE TONKS AND PROCEED TO PLAN B! --TRAP DOOR!”
The words Lupin had thrown over his shoulder echoed briefly in the corridor before anyone could come to terms with what had just taken place.
Harry Potter and the Hero's Lament by L A Moody
Chapter Notes: Neville’s unique skills facilitate their clandestine approach.