McKay (scribbulus_ink) wrote in time_of_storms, @ 2006-08-01 00:00:00 |
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Entry tags: | chronological, lupin |
October 6, 1997
Original poster: werwolfoflondon
Note: Due to RL and fandom busy-ness for both of us, we're changing the posting schedule. For the time being, we'll be posting once per week on Tuesdays. If our schedules lighten up, we'll consider going back to our twice/week schedule, but right now, this is best for our respective stress levels.
Music: Dead Man's Party, by Oingo Boingo
It was with great reluctance that Remus had left Severus not an hour before. Part of him was tempted to stay hidden away with Severus and not poke his nose out until the end of the war, but that was neither practical nor wise. He was needed, and ironically, the success of his mission made him even more indispensable since Henri and Nikolai would look to him as a liaison between them and the Order.
If he survived whatever punishment Voldemort doled out for failing to recruit any werewolves for him.
He had held Severus and kissed him deeply, lingering so he could carry the taste and scent of Severus with him for as long as possible, but as ten o'clock - the time Draco was meant to return - drew near, he knew he couldn't tarry longer. He couldn't be there when Draco arrived, and he needed to speak with the Order before he sent his report to Greyback, thus he had forced himself to depart.
The only problem was, he wasn't certain where he ought to - or could - go. He didn't want to return to camp until he was ready to send his report, which left either Grimmauld Place or the Burrow if he wanted a secure meeting place. Grimmauld Place seemed like the better choice, and when he arrived and found the house empty, he felt he had made the right decision; he didn't want to answer questions until everyone was gathered, and if he'd gone to the Burrow, Molly probably wouldn't have been able to keep from interrogating him, if not about his mission, then about his break-up with Tonks.
Although the lights flared to life as he made his way along the corridors to the dining room where they usually held their meetings, he felt the emptiness of the house keenly. His footsteps echoed, and there was a dank, muffled stillness in the air that spoke of silent days and abandoned rooms gathering dust. Harry had gone off with Ron and Hermione, following his own pursuits, although Remus didn't know what they were.
That information was apparently shared on a "need to know" basis, and Remus thought it was safer all around if he didn't know, especially given he hadn't asked Severus for an Occlumency lesson in weeks. He had been practicing emptying his mind as Severus had bidden him, but he didn't know if he would be any better now than he had been during their disastrous first lesson, when Severus had refused to go on after only one try. Remus wanted to pick up where they had left off, however; now more than ever, being able to shield his mind was a vital advantage.
Once he reached the dining room, he drew his wand and summoned his Patronus, not at all surprised to see that its new snake form was stronger and more solid and detailed than before. He sent it off with a message to the members of the Order, and then he tucked his wand away again and sat down at his usual place at the table to wait.
It was only a matter of minutes before people began to arrive. Kingsley and Tonks were the first, arriving within two or three minutes of each other. Arthur and Molly came after, much to Remus' relief since having other people in the room meant Molly couldn't grill him on personal matters. Others, including Minerva, came along over the next twenty minutes or so, and after half an hour had passed since he'd sent the message, Remus decided everyone who could get away to attend the meeting had done so.
Rising to his feet, he smiled politely at the small assemblage, aware of the scrutiny and raised eyebrows his appearance was eliciting and ignoring it. He hoped no one asked where he'd got the clothes; if his old clothes hadn't deteriorated to the point of being fit for the rubbish bin, he wouldn't have accepted the gift. He might be poor, but he had his pride, and he didn't want charity; he certainly didn't want anyone to assume that because he accepted someone's old clothes once, he was willing to do it again.
"Thank you all for coming," he said, sweeping his gaze around the table.
Most of those looking back at him appeared curious, but he saw worry in some eyes and wariness in others, as if the sight of his serpent Patronus had reminded them of their suspicions regarding his loyalty.
"I have returned from Bulgaria with good news for us and bad news for Voldemort," he said without preamble. Fishing a small packet out of his pocket, he tossed it on the table in front of Minerva, who had fallen into the role of the head of the Order by default after Dumbledore's death. "In there, you'll find contact information for two of the four pack alphas I spoke to. They have agreed to recruit volunteers to assist us. Of the other packs, two promised neutrality, aiding neither side, and one refused to speak with me. I've enclosed the correspondence I received plus a written report of my meeting with the alphas."
Minerva opened the packet and skimmed over the first few pages, and then she peered at Remus over the top of her spectacles. "This is good news indeed," she said. She regarded him silently for a moment longer, and then her mouth tightened, and her face grew pinched, as if she found her next words difficult. "I apologize for suspecting you the last time we convened," she continued. "You have given us allies at great risk to yourself. This was a dangerous, foolhardy thing to do, and so many things could have gone wrong for you along the way. I am glad they did not," she added quietly, "and not merely because the Order has benefitted."
"Thank you," he said, offering a small but genuine smile. It was a relief that Minerva, whom he had always respected a great deal, was convinced of his loyalty. That would change if she knew of his relationship with Severus, but as far as he was concerned, no one needed to know about that. It might be a moot point anyway, he thought with a trace of despondency. He didn't want to die, but he doubted the punishment for failing a mission was a slap on the wrist and a warning not to do it again. He would try to make it appear as if he had done his best to convince the alphas to join Voldemort, but still, he didn't hold out much hope that Voldemort would be understanding and forgiving, no matter how plausible his explanations might be.
"If any of you have questions, I'll be happy to answer them," he said, glancing around at the rest of the table. "But the letters and my report contain all the pertinent information, and I'm sure Minerva will provide copies." He looked to Minerva for confirmation, and she nodded tersely. "The two alphas who agreed to assist us are Henri and Nikolai. I should mention that Henri is a priest - Father Henri Manette. He is also a wizard, schooled at Beauxbatons."
"A priest, a wizard and a werewolf?" Kingsley raised his eyebrows at that. "There's an interesting mix."
"Indeed it is." Remus smiled, thinking about Henri and missing him a little. They had much in common, and Remus felt for the first time in a long time that he had found someone with whom he could share a close, uncomplicated friendship.
"Is this Nikolai fellow a holy man too?" Kingsley asked, and Remus shook his head, chuckling at the mere thought.
"No, he's very secular," Remus said. "They both understand the risk of Voldemort expanding his reach if he succeeds in taking over here, and I believe they are sympathetic to our cause. Henri in particular is willing to take a stand against what he sees to be an evil influence. As for Nikolai, Henri says he's an idealist. I didn't see enough of him to know whether that's true, but no matter what the reason, he is willing to assist us too."
"What about the other two alphas?" Tonks asked. "Why won't they help?"
Remus back in his chair, considering how to answer the question in a way that wouldn't reflect badly on Yuri and Magda. " They put the best interests of our kind first, while Henri and Nikolai looked at the bigger picture. Yuri and Magda had concerns - legitimate ones, in my opinion - about the Ministry and how werewolves are currently treated in our society," he said at last. "I'm not sure they believe the Ministry is that much better a choice for werewolves than Voldemort, and while I wish they weren't approaching the matter from such a narrow view, I can certainly understand it."
"Well, two are better than none," Arthur said cheerfully. "It's more than we had, and if the other two are willing to remain neutral, that's a set-back for You Know Who."
"But what about you, Remus?" Tonks gazed down the length of the table at him, her eyes filled with apprehension. "Must you report back? Can't you - I don't know - go into hiding or run off to Barbados or something?"
"I don't think tropical flowered shirts would be very flattering on me," he replied lightly. "Besides, if I'm here, Henri and Nikolai will want to work with me. They know me and trust me, and I'm one of them. The rest of you are strangers and human to boot. They have no reason to believe you're any better than the Ministry."
There was visible surprise and a bit of bristling from some people at that remark, and Remus felt no small amount satisfaction, petty as he knew it was; for once, they would be the distrusted outsiders and would get a taste of what it was like for his kind.
From there the discussion turned to questions about the specifics of the agreement Remus had made with the alphas, for which Remus was grateful. It was enough that he felt the sword hanging over his head without being reminded of it. When the meeting was over, however, a somber mood fell over the room, and he knew the rest of them were wondering if they were about to lose yet another member of the Order.
"You could run, you know," Molly said, reaching out to clasp his hands tightly as she bade him good-bye.
"No, not this time," he said. There was a chance he might not be executed, after all, and he was needed here. Severus needed him, and for that reason alone, he had to take the chance.
"Then be careful and be safe if you can," she said with the kind of protective ferocity she usually reserved for her children and Harry.
"I will." He smiled and squeezed her hands before releasing them - and then he suddenly found himself with his arms full of Tonks, who hugged him tightly enough to steal the breath from his lungs.