ehmaz (ehmaz) wrote in lupin_snape, @ 2008-08-04 01:47:00 |
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Entry tags: | fic: r, prompt: fantasy fest 08 |
Fantasy Fest: Long Fic Prompt #31
Title: The Child Relic, 3&4 of 7
Author: ehmaz
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters
Prompt: 31 -- NoMagicAU, epic type adventure with sword fighting and ancient enemies fighting the stereotypical battle of good vs evil
Notes: Thanks boogabooga and goldenpaw for whipping these out (oh la la), and thanks especially for your help with the end of chapter 3, ouch XD
Chapter 1 & 2
Chapter 3: Castle Hogwarts
Neither the man meeting him, nor the location of the meeting, were anything like Remus expected. Under the baleful light of the full moon, Remus stood anxiously in the ramshackle hovel that Snape had set up as their rendezvous point. The wood trying to hold holding the small structure together was graying with age and years of water damage, and Remus thought if he tried hard enough he could hear the termites feasting on the few good spots that remained.
The moon had always been ominous to Remus, something that both instilled fear and awe. As a child, Remus had liked to pretend he was a wolf, and on the nights that the moon was clear he would run around howling with his mates. James had been the first one to give him the nickname “Moony,” though Sirius had been the one to use it constantly, even to this day. Again tonight the moon held both fear and awe for Remus, and he nearly yelped when the door creaked open to admit a shadowy figure.
At first glance, the infamous Severus Snape was hardly intimidating. He was shorter than Remus and looked very slight in build, fragile even. Dusty boots pointed out from plain black trousers -- with a similarly unremarkable cloak hiding everything else. Snape's oily black hair was the longest Remus had ever seen on a man, reaching down to the middle of the thin back, and he had one of the largest noses Remus had ever seen to boot.
Everything considered, Remus rather thought the mercenary looked like a big bat. Remus quirked one eyebrow as Snape clicked the door closed. Snape spun around and fixed Remus with such an intense stare that Remus audibly gasped -- quickly followed by a rush of heat to his cheeks. The man's eyes were pure black! Remus had never seen such eyes before, and he felt like an insect under that stare. No, Snape was not like a big bat; he was like a giant raven, or a bird of prey. Remus swallowed thickly and tried to stammer out some kind of greeting, but was met only with a mocking sneer.
"This is who they sent? Lovely," Snape said quietly, his voice deep but gravely, like a rusty gate hinge just waiting to give you tetanus. Snape pushed past Remus and glanced out the single window before pulling off his cloak and draping it over the window to obscure the view inside. He was wearing a gray, long-sleeved shirt of slightly better make than the rest of his clothes, but it was strangely tight across Snape's thin chest.
Remus couldn't stop staring. The man wasn't as thin as Remus had first thought. Thanks to the close-fitting shirt, Remus could tell the shorter man was wrapped in a set of wiry muscles that suddenly had Remus' mouth dry and, once again, struggling to form coherent words. When Remus realized that Snape was eying his own frame with the same scrutiny, Remus felt the heat return to his face. Thank the Heavens it was dark enough the mercenary wouldn't notice!
"You have me at a disadvantage," Snape finally said. "You know who I am, but I haven't even your name."
"Oh, uh, right... uhm... Remus. Remus Lupin." He offered a vague smile and his hand.
Snape furrowed his brows at the offered hand and frowned before looking up again. "Right. Let's get to business. Tell me what you know of the sixth Horcrux."
Remus awkwardly let his hand fall and rubbed his sweaty palms against his patched coat. He hadn't expected the man to be so blunt and was caught off guard. "Oh, uhm, well we know Riddle is looking for it."
"Bloody hell," Snape hissed, looking Remus over like he was something that had just crawled out of a chamber pot. "What are you? Five?"
How could he be so stupid? Of course Riddle was looking for it! That was the whole reason they were here. Remus inwardly cursed himself, trying not to be surprised by Snape's coarse language. As followers of the Light, it was rare that anyone in Grimmauld Manor ever used swear words. Well, except for Mad-Eye, but he was a special case.
"Right. Sorry," Remus mumbled, trying to pry his eyes away from the other man's; it was decidedly difficult. "Well, we think it's most likely one of Lady Ravenclaw's heirlooms, but we don't know which one, nor where it's housed. All of her valuables are scattered throughout various manors in Hogsmeade Province."
"Not nearly close enough. It will be difficult, but if you follow my instructions carefully, it can be done." Snape seemed almost as if he were talking to himself, one finger tracing his lips thoughtfully as he finished speaking. The words didn't make much sense to Remus in any case.
Remus couldn't comprehend how such thin, pale lips could be so mesmerizing. He realized Snape was speaking again. "...this parchment, it will explain the steganography. I want you, and only you, to accept the faux receipts and keep this decoder with you. I expect you to keep it with you at all times. If it falls into the wrong hands..." Snape trailed off, holding out a paper that Remus only now realized had been held out for some time now.
He quickly grabbed the page and smiled weakly. "Sorry? Receipts?"
Snape covered his eyes with one hand and took a deep breath. "I will be sending you receipts for various services. They will be fake, of course. Hidden in code within the receipts will be information vital to your organization's success in this endeavor. The paper I've just handed you is the key to decoding the messages. Is that clear enough, or shall I use smaller words?"
Remus chewed his lower lip as he listened and nodded after Snape finished. He couldn't blame the mercenary for being impatient. Usually, Remus was the level-headed one, the clear thinker, the organizer. For some reason, being in Snape's presence reduced him to a first year sword trainee's idiotic expressions and brainlessness. "Yeah, okay, sounds good."
The black-haired man eyed him critically for a brief moment before swirling his cloak off the window and slipping silently into the night, suddenly gone before Remus could even tuck the decoder parchment into his coat pocket.
~
Dumbledore had assured Severus that his contact was of the highest calibre. After meeting the man, though, Severus had his doubts about ever setting foot on this path. True, the bloke had a fine arse and sweet little red lips that begged to be parted by various parts of Severus' anatomy, but he was obviously a halfwit. Severus wondered if the man could even wield a sword properly. The scars across the sandy-haired contact's face could either support or refute Severus' assumption of his battle-hardiness.
Nevertheless, Severus had dutifully been sending his encoded messages to Grimmauld Manor the past two weeks. And now, tonight, the attack on Castle Hogwarts was to take place.
The finest of Riddle's Knights of Walpurgis were even now getting into position around the castle proper, and in the forbidding forest surrounding it. Usually, once Severus gave information to Riddle, he would let the man design his own plans and wash his hands clean of the outcome. This time, however, Severus had convinced Riddle that he could be of immense help in planning the attack. As soon as he talked Riddle into a particular strategy, Severus would encode the information into a receipt for scarves, socks, or some other nonsense and direct it to Lupin. Being as Severus had never heard back from either Lupin or Dumbledore regarding his missives, he could only assume that they were being put to good use. Severus had given explicit instructions on how the Order swordsmen were to counteract each of Riddle’s battle plans. If the Order could follow his directions to the letter, the battle would be over before it began. Severus had high hopes for ending the night peacefully at home with one of his books, but relying on others often sent his plans off-course. If that happened, the night could end someplace entirely different.
A sudden sharp whistle echoed across the courtyard. It was beginning.
Severus jogged across the empty rampart, towards the main gates. Castle Hogwarts was a formidable building, perched on the edge of a cliff with many towers spiraling up to the heavens. It was not, however, a castle built with heavy defense in mind. There was no moat, no great wall or outer gates. It was an institute of learning to which followers of the Light would make spiritual sojourns, and scholars would trek for its famous library. Merchants and artisans filled its walls, and students of the Light littered its halls. While the castle had a small contingent of guards, it would have been no match for the Knights.
Severus grinned grimly as he watched the courtyard below, where merchants were slowly positioning their carts in strategic places. Little did the Knights know that most of the castle's denizens had been safely moved to the village down the road, and that those visible were really highly trained swordsmen of the Order. Deep within Hogwarts lay the Ravenclaw Diadem, an ancient heirloom that had centuries ago been made into one of the dark relics. The Order had decided not to simply remove the Horcrux, as Severus had suggested, but instead had chosen this as an opportunity to openly defy and battle Riddle. Severus thought it was a worthless idea, but someone within the Order named Black had insisted upon it. Severus' research had shown that Black was the owner of Grimmauld Manor, the Order's house of operations, so Severus decided the man must have some clout. Too bad he was an obvious dunderhead.
There was another sharp whistle, and Severus hunkered down in his hiding place above the gates overlooking the courtyard. It was dusk, but a large flag with the silver and green Riddle emblem was visible as a contingent of Knights marched towards Hogwarts. The snake emblazoned on the flag seemed to twist and move as if by magic as the cloth whipped in the breeze. Severus looked quickly towards the rampart on the other side of the courtyard and cursed. The Order swordsmen were not in place! Black eyes scanned the courtyard; everything seemed to be in order there. What was going on? Severus stood and ran quickly down the stone walkway, his soft-soled boots silent as he made his way inside the entryway of the castle. Right inside the entry doors was a black-haired man in the most ridiculous gold and red metal armor Severus had ever seen. He had a goatee and a ridiculously oversized longsword that looked much too heavy to be wielded in battle. Who was this buffoon, and why wasn't he in position?
Severus practically flew down the wide staircase to the entry hall. "What are you doing? You are supposed to be in the Great Hall for ambush, not out here like a fine welcome wagon!"
The man in the brilliantly colored armor turned and looked the mercenary over with disgust evident in his brown eyes. "Stay out of this, Snape. I don't trust your secret messages, so I've made some alterations to the plans, changes that neither you nor your Master Riddle would have expected."
"You fool!" Severus hissed loudly, his voice echoing in the hall. The other Order members looked nervously between their leader and the man clad entirely in midnight-black leather armor. "Remember this moment when you are helping prepare their bodies for burial!" Severus pointed at the foot soldiers. "Just who the bloody fuck are you, anyway, besides an idiot?"
"Sirius Black," he sneered. "And don't worry, the only bodies dragged out of this castle tonight will be the Knights... and possibly yours, though we should leave you to the carrion birds."
All the warriors in the entry hall turned as a loud banging reverberated through the castle walls. Riddle had begun battling down the main gates then. Severus gave Black one last withering glare before turning and running back up the stairs, his cloak billowing behind him. In that moment, Severus knew the Horcrux would be going to Riddle Manor tonight, not Grimmauld.
In a matter of minutes, the Knights of Walpurgis had breached the front gates and were pouring into the courtyard. The tops of long ladders could be seen as they were pressed to the wall opposite Severus, where Black's men were supposed to be waiting. The plan was for those swordsmen to topple the ladders and fight that contingent of Knights so that they would never make it to the courtyard to help the main regiment. Now that plan was lost... or maybe not.
Severus ran with all his might towards the main gate, leaping over its expanse and onto the opposing rampart just as Riddle's snake-headed battering ram ripped the doors apart, shaking the walls of the castle.
Severus nearly lost his footing but caught it just in time to round the corner and send the first ladder sailing sideways with a mighty heave. Like dominoes, the ladder took out the one next to it and the one after that. The Knights below who had begun climbing screamed as they were plunged off the ladders, and Severus flashed a wicked grin before running farther down the walkway to topple more ladders. He wouldn't be able to keep up with them, but it was something at least.
Twenty minutes later, Severus gave up and finally spared a glance to the courtyard. The Order members below were outnumbered four-to-one, but somehow they were holding their own. Severus could see a few that were gravely injured, though, and the Knights were beginning to use the impressive ram on the inner doors, the ones behind which Black the Buffoon and his men were stationed. Severus growled and began running towards the stairs to the courtyard. Halfway down, he spotted a sandy-haired swordsmen fending off three attackers, much more heavily armored than himself. Lupin's eyes met his own, and Severus cursed himself for an even bigger fool than Black as he exhaustedly pushed his way through the fighting men towards his contact. Severus pulled out twin daggers, edged with a poison he had applied himself, and set to work on the nearest Knight. One clean stab under the swordsman's armpit, one of the largest vulnerabilities of metal armor, saw the man felled. Lupin spared Severus a grateful look before the two ducked and wove their way around the other two assailants.
What Lupin lacked in finesse, he made up for in power and determination. He lunged and growled, clawed and kicked, sliced and shoved like a wild animal. Severus' own style was the complete opposite; he was a whirlwind of black cloth and glinting daggers, spinning and feigning, ducking, weaving and only stabbing when he saw a vital flaw in his opponent's defense. His strikes were almost always fatal, whereas Lupin wore his enemy down with brute force. Together, they were terrifying and very efficient.
After the three Knights were disposed of, Lupin and Severus hacked their way forward towards the ram. More Knights poured into the courtyard from the battered front gates and over the rampart Severus had abandoned. Before either man was able to make much headway into the fray, the entry hall doors too were splintered and broken. The battering ram took out two of Black's men with its final shove through the doors, and Black himself yelled like an idiot, giant sword held high, as he was slammed in the head with one of the Knight's shields. He was knocked out cold.
Severus had no time to spare any berating thoughts for the fool before he started yelling for the Order to retreat. It was a lost cause once the castle itself was breached. The Order was supposed to have stopped the Knights in the courtyard. Lupin helped his comrades battle through their escape plan. Severus took one look at the mess around him and started for the stairs up to the rampart walkway where he could make good his own escape, when he heard Lupin's voice. "Snape! Snape, help me!"
He turned to see Lupin trying to drag two wounded Order members through a side door into the base of one of the castle towers. With a self-chastising groan, Severus jogged over and roughly grabbed one of the unconscious swordsmen. He gave Lupin a glare and tugged the body towards the door as the sounds of Knights scouring the heart of the castle echoed down the stairs.
Chapter 4: Grimmauld Manor
Angry voices echoed down the dingy, claustrophobic hallway that served as the main thoroughfare of Grimmauld Manor. The front door was placed invitingly at one end; the exits to the kitchen and dining room were on one side, while the doors to the library and smoking room lay opposite. Also crammed into the hallway was a set of stairs disappearing upwards into blackness.
"...can't believe you'd let him into my house..."
"...be reasonable, please..."
"...it's his fault..."
Severus stood completely still just inside the front door, listening to the argument coming from the open door of the dining room. The actual conversation was happening in the kitchen, but while the kitchen door had been closed against eavesdropping, the attached dining room provided ample opportunity.
The mercenary couldn't help sneering in the darkness at Black's outraged whining. The dolt obviously was trying to lay the blame solely on Severus' shoulders, when at least ninety percent of it lay on Black. The other Order members didn’t seem to acknowledge that Black was at blame, but were rather trying to calm the man down. What a bunch of idiots, Severus thought to himself, used to being the outsider in any given situation. He wondered for the one-hundredth time why he was forcing himself to endure this. Severus hadn't wanted to come back here, but he was now wanted by Riddle's men, and there really wasn't anywhere safer at the moment.
"Are you Mister Snape?"
With a startle, Severus turned to see a large pair of green eyes. The young man in question was huddled against the library doorframe, regarding the older man with open curiosity and perhaps a little fear.
"I heard about your daggers and your poisons! I heard you killed twenty Knights! By yourself!"
Severus chuckled lightly and crossed his arms. Not fear then... awe. The mercenary inclined his head. "I seriously doubt it was that many," he said in a low voice as the boy scuttled from the door and fully into the hallway, his face briefly illuminated in the wall sconce light. The boy had an oddly shaped scar on his forehead, though his face was otherwise unmarred. Severus narrowed his eyes, trying to get a better look. The boy smiled up at him disarmingly, and the lightning-bolt shape became clear. Severus quickly schooled his features against a sudden flash of panic in his chest. He immediately calmed himself and offered the boy a small smile that came out as more of a grimace.
"Neither is taking a life as glorious as you make it sound, boy."
Soft little lips formed a pout, and the young man shook his head. "I'm not a boy. I'm nearly thirteen!"
He couldn't help it. He chuckled. "What is your name then, my young man?" Severus wondered if he had been so annoying at thirteen.
"Harry. Harry Potter," the boy said, extending his hand, his pout disappearing.
Severus clasped the offered hand firmly and gave it a sound shake. "And what--" he began to say before being interrupted.
"Get your hand off my godson, Snape!"
Ah. Severus was, unfortunately, getting to where he could recognize Black's voice immediately. With a quirk of one fine eyebrow, he slowly turned from Potter and regarded Black. Only when he could see a vein thumping in the taller man's forehead did Severus release the boy's hand.
"Black. Finally done venting your guilty spleen all over the Order? I suppose it's about time you tend to those bodies we recovered from the entry hall. I did warn you, I be--"
"You bastard!" Black screamed, taking a step closer and drawing his longsword. Potter gasped and took a step backwards. Only then did Snape notice that Black had not entered the hallway alone but was trailed by what Snape assumed were other leaders of the Order of the Phoenix. One man with a disturbingly scarred eye drew his sword as well. Dumbledore merely folded his hands in front of him and eyed Snape with bright blue eyes. Lupin was there too, and he seemed embarrassed by the entire situation. It was he that spoke first.
"I believe we're all exhausted and at our wits' end. Why don't we retire for a drink, hm?" He shuffled in front of Black, gave some kind of expression Severus couldn't see, and moved past Severus to the smoking room. Severus nodded at Potter before following the only other semi-friendly face in the place.
~
Remus was surprised when Snape followed him so readily. He was even more surprised when the black-haired man sat right next to him on the long settee and seemed to relax into the soft cushions. As the room filled up, Minerva was the last to enter and took the seat next to Snape which had remained conspicuously vacant.
"Now then," said Albus once everyone had their drink of choice, "We shan't rehash what happened today. The important fact is that Riddle now has the sixth Horcrux. Severus, you said Riddle undoubtedly has the others already?"
"Correct. He now has six of the seven dark relics," Snape answered quietly. Remus noticed the mercenary had declined any offer of drink.
"Wait a minute here. I think we need some questions answered before we go any further," Sirius said, standing from his corner seat. He looked only slightly less angry than he had been in the hallway. Remus inwardly sighed.
"What kind of questions?" asked Minerva, sipping her creamy Hot Toddy.
"Why Snape is even doing this, for one. He's been eating out of Riddle's pockets for ages!"
After the murmurs of agreement quieted, Albus stroked his white beard and shrugged. "Does it matter, Sirius, his reasons? He is here of his own choice, and that's what matters to me."
"I'd like to hear his excuses too," Mad-Eye spoke up, looking grim.
"I suppose. If you wouldn't mind telling us?" Albus asked Snape softly. It was clear he was doing so only to pacify the angry men.
Snape straightened his sleeves and sent a lazy glance around the room. The seconds ticked by until he finally spoke calmly. "It's rather simple, really -- not that it's any of your business. A powerful man that rules his lands with an iron fist is one thing, but a madman that rules everything without any agenda but power is quite another. I may not be the epitome of Light that Black here is," Snape continued, managing only the barest of sarcastic lilts, "However, that does not mean that I want chaos to reign."
"I'm surprised you believe in the prophecy, Mister Snape," said Minerva matter-of-factly. While most of the Order didn't believe that anyone could actually become a sorcerer, neither did they believe that the dark relics were benign objects that should be ignored. All followers of the Light, by the nature of their belief in the good, had some belief in the old prophecies and stories.
"I don't," said Snape with a scowl. "But the fact remains that a lot of people do. It is also true that Riddle is more powerful already than many give him credit for. His land-holdings are increasing constantly, as is his wealth and influence. Once word spreads that he has all seven of the dark relics, the prophecy will be spoken about in every home. They will finally start to see how vast Voldemort Province has become, and they will flock to his side. People are sheep, and they are drawn to power. The more people that fall under his rule, the more truth the prophecy will seem to have. It could turn into an unstoppable cycle -- one which I don't care to see come to pass. Is that reason enough?" Snape asked Sirius pointedly.
Remus was relieved to see Sirius looking slightly mollified as more murmurs of agreement rose throughout the room, this time in support of what Snape had said. Remus himself had watched Snape's profile during the entire speech, impressed not only with what the intelligent man had to say, but the eloquence with which he said it. He found his eyes wandering across the angles of Snape's face, watching the thin lips forming their words, and the little twitch of nostrils once the mercenary was done. For some reason Remus found himself smiling. This was a face, he suddenly realized, that he was quite fond of. He suddenly realized the object of his musings had turned to look at him. A little smile graced Remus' lips, and he looked over Severus' face from the front view. The man had a little scar in his chin Remus had never noticed before, but being so close, he could see it now. Severus' lips also looked softer and a little fuller this close as they formed some words. His eyes were so black, so very black... Remus was transfixed. He wanted something... he wanted to... he leaned a little closer... "Moony!" Sirius yelled right next to him.
"Moony!" Sirius yelled right next to him.
Remus yelped and flattened himself against the back of the settee, wide eyes fixed on Sirius. "Huh? Wha?"
"You okay? Snape said you had some ideas about the last coded missive he sent," his old friend explained.
Well, bugger. Evidently the conversation had continued without him while he'd been... what? What was he doing? He hadn't a clue. "Oh, right. The prophecy. Sev... Snape mentioned, er... it." Remus could feel his cheeks flush and he inwardly cursed himself. What was he? Sixteen again? He didn't dare turn to see Sever... Snape's expression.
Snape’s voice, however, sounded amused. "Indeed. Some time ago whilst I was at Riddle Manor I managed to make a copy of a document he had been working on, which sheds some light into the Horcrux hunt. The book he was using referenced an older copy of the prophecy, one long since lost, one which is supposedly the original. Unfortunately, I did not get a copy of the prophecy in Riddle's book, but I did get his notes." Snape slowly stood and took two steps to Albus' chair, where he slid a folded piece of green paper from a hidden pocket and offered it to the old man.
"Excellent, my dear boy, excellent. Let's have a look." Albus took the page and nudged his half-moon spectacles onto his nose in order to view the stolen notes. While he read, several people refreshed their drinks, and Remus found himself biting his lip as Severus settled in next to him once again.
Their thighs were touching. That really was distracting. Remus bravely stole a glance to his side. Severus was staring right at him. Remus quickly looked away and fumbled with his empty glass.
"Scotch, was it?" Severus whispered silkily. Remus swallowed thickly and forced a nervous smile past his chewed lips.
"Uh, yeah."
"Allow me." Severus stood gracefully a second time and seemingly glided to the sideboard where he plucked up the old bottle of scotch. He returned, tipped the liquid into Remus' glass, and returned the bottle to the sideboard before returning to his seat. Remus could swear the man was sitting even closer this time.
"Thanks," he mumbled before sipping the scotch.
"Yes," came Albus' clear voice. "I see what you mean, Severus. What do you make of this note: 'The last relic lives, but the question is where?'"
Glad that he had finally caught up with the conversation, Remus spoke quickly before Severus could. "In his last message, Snape said it may be a person."
Severus nodded and folded his arms over his chest. "Yes, from what I recall of the prophecy, I believe the final Horcrux may be a man." He paused and looked around the room. "A child, to be precise."
"Yes, I rather think so too. I have thought so for some time, I must admit. I remember a very old version of the prophecy whose wording is as Riddle describes it in these notes." Albus held up the paper he was still holding for emphasis.
"A child?" Arthur asked in a pained tone. "How is that possible?"
"It's really pointless to conjecture at this point. I suggest our next move should be to try and find the original version of the prophecy, or as close to it as we can get," Albus said reasonably. He stood slowly and walked to the blazing hearth, folding his hands loosely behind his back. "Remus, you have been keeping record of what libraries Riddle has control of, have you not?"
"Yes, Albus. The last large library that remains neutral is that of the Malfoys’, though there are rumors that he is sympathetic to Lord Riddle." Remus took another sip of his scotch.
"What makes you think it'll be there?" asked Minerva.
"Simply that the Malfoys, as I'm sure you all know, have a thousand year history of being collectors of culture," Remus explained, finally feeling more at ease. "More than that, they are collectors of myth, legend and prophecy. They have historically been allied with whoever was in power; they usually do not openly condone the dark, nor shun the Light. Theirs is also one of the oldest libraries in existence."
"So it's decided," said Sirius excitedly, looking at Remus. "We go ask that git Lucius Malfoy for access to his library."
"That's decidedly unwise," said Severus slowly, as if speaking to a dimwitted, frothing hound. Before Sirius could respond, Severus continued, "Not only do I know that Malfoy has been helping fund the Knights of Walpurgis, but if we ask for access to his library, Lucius is bound to figure out that we are on the trail of the final Horcrux and alert Riddle. We don't want to tip our hand to Riddle before we have to. It could put the child relic in even more danger."
Several Order members nodded their agreement, amongst them Albus. "Yes, I quite agree. Very well, Severus, do you think you could infiltrate Malfoy Manor--"
"No! I won't trust this mercenary to handle possibly our only lead--" Sirius began his rant before Remus stood and interrupted him imploringly.
"Sirius, you're right, this is our only lead. We need Severus for this. We need to know about the last Horcrux before Riddle does."
"That settles things, then," said Albus, sounding alarmingly cheerful. "Remus and Severus will leave tomorrow morning for Malfoy Manor. Who's for another Hot Toddy, hmm?"
Remus blanched and slowly turned to look down at Severus who was looking at him with amusement. Remus was sure that that didn't bode well.