Elemental Alchemy

Chapter Eight

12:30 am - Hogwarts Grounds

It took a few moments for Lupin to regain full use of his reborn human legs, especially after standing for nearly two hours on what would have been the balls of his human feet. Lupin's legs were obviously wobbly and unsteady. Robert felt a great wash of sympathy for this man. Obviously, the transformation was painful, and it drained him utterly and completely. Thankfully, Robert thought, Lupin had his wolfsbane potion to, apparently, ease the suffering and soften the transformation each month.

"Wolfsbane," Robert muttered.

"What?" Lupin asked. "What about the wolfsbane?" Lupin began searching the room. As his legs were still not fully cooperating, Lupin's gait was now stiff and ungainly, not unlike that of an aged man.

"How do you get it - I mean the wolfsbane -- each month? Is it something you make yourself?"

Lupin shook his head. "No, Severus Snape - he's the potions master - he makes it for me. I've never had the ability with brewing potions that he does, and it is admirable. Wolfsbane potion is very complicated and rather messy to brew. In fact, when I taught here, years ago, Severus brewed it for me by the cauldronful, which was not an easy task. That wolfsbane too, the stuff in the cylinder there...it was especially potent, it seems."

Lupin sighed. "As much as we despise each other, I owe Severus so much, and I do not deserve any of it. In fact, I was on my way to Severus' dungeon to get my second dose for this evening -- I need two throughout the night -- when I was apparently ambushed."

"Strange, we all thought you had been killed - that you were the Gryffindor referred to in the poem. Your cloak and case and scarf - they were all bloodstained, and there was a pool of blood on the floor."

Lupin turned and showed Robert the inside of his arm. "I imagine whoever did this took the blood from there." Lupin pointed to an angry-looking gash in the crook of his left elbow. "As I was not free to roam tonight - and consequently to get in any scrapes or fights -- I can think of no other way that I would have obtained this sort of injury. Furthermore, this cut looks almost surgical, intentional."

Lupin turned his back to Robert and crouched down in the spot where he had been chained. He rose up again, his bones and muscles still audibly creaking and cracking. Robert cringed slightly at the sound. Lupin turned around again, and Robert could see that he was cradling what was left of his clothing - torn to shreds, apparently, in the transformation process.

Lupin sorted through the clothes. They were all damaged beyond use, and likely, beyond repair. Finally, Lupin held up a long, tattered cloak. Although the cloak had a large rend running lengthwise at the side seam, it was still functional enough for Lupin to wear. Again, with groaning bones and muscles, Lupin eased himself into the cloak, and fastened it, top, middle and bottom. "Better than a dusty old curtain." He smiled weakly.

Robert was at a loss for words. "I'm sorry, Remus."

"Don't think on it, Robert. None of this tonight was your fault." Remus smiled. "I was absent at dinner and did not hear your introduction. Am I to understand that you are filling my old position?"

Robert rolled his eyes slightly. "What position is that?"

"Four years ago, I taught Defense Against the..."

"Dark Arts?" Robert sighed. "If I had a nickel for each time I heard that tonight...but, no. I'm not a wizard - I'm a Muggle -- as you can probably tell. If I was a wizard, I assume I could have just abracadabra-ed or blasted my way out of here and away from you."

"Abracadabra..." Remus mused. "Be careful with that word, Robert. The true pronunciation of that particular spell is "Avada Kedavra."

Robert shook his head. "So?"

"Avada Kedavra is the intonation for the curse that kills. It is an unforgivable curse. Anyone who uses it and is caught faces a life sentence in Azkaban, the wizarding prison. And that, Robert, is a most horrible place." Remus stared, and then blinked. "I take it you met Harry Potter?"

"Yes, I met him on the train here, but why?"

"And since you know James Potter is dead, you also know that Voldemort killed him, and his wife," Remus' voice hitched slightly. "Lily Evans-Potter?"

"Yes." Robert feared where this was going.

"They, James and Lily, my friends, were killed with that very curse. I also believe that is the curse that took" Remus' voice hitched again, "Sirius Black's life -- but I did not completely see it happen. More importantly, that was also the very curse that backfired - from Harry Potter and left Voldemort powerless."

"I'll watch my words from now on." Robert sighed. "It's hard to be proper when things are so new - and so strange." In his tussle with the werewolf, Robert had completely forgotten his awkward, fish-out-of-water feelings. Now, they rushed back at him with gale force. Robert was again, put in his place.

"Understandable." Remus said with finality. "Now, let's get ourselves out of here and..."

"Remus, I should tell you. The poem - the clue - it said that Voldemort was coming - soon -- and that he going to bring something called dementors. I don't know about you, but from what I hear about them I don't think I have any way to defend myself against them."

Remus, surprisingly, showed no sign of shock or surprise whatsoever. In fact, Robert saw a tiny glimmer of excitement behind Remus' eyes, as if he was steeling himself for a great challenge. Admirable resolve, this man has!

"Stick close to me," Remus said. "I can drive them off. I also taught Harry Potter how to use the Patronus charm - that's what does it - gets rid of dementors. Also, from what I understand," Remus seemed to swell with a small amount of pride. "Harry has, in turn taught some of the other students - Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom, to name a few - how to use the charm with great success. Not to worry, Robert, we will be well defended."

Robert smiled. "You have a plan, Remus?"

"I'm not quite sure I do, but it is the best we have, isn't it?"

Robert chewed his bottom lip. "Remus, what do you teach now? Why are you at Hogwarts?"

"I have no teaching position at the moment. I was summoned here tonight. And when Hogwarts summons, one answers."

"Who summoned you?"

"Professor Dumbledore, on behalf of the interim Dark Arts teacher, Paolo Zabini."

"That's funny." Robert gave a slight chuckle.

"What is?" Remus cocked his head slightly. Robert shuddered inwardly as he heard Remus' neck bones crack with the sudden movement.

"Paolo -- he's an old friend of mine. He was one of my students at Harvard. I never knew until now that he was a wizard, of course. He's the one who, as you say, summoned me to Hogwarts, too. When he called, he told me he was inviting me up to his house in Hogsmeade for some rest. When I got here it turns out that I was thrust in the middle of this mystery."

Remus scowled. "Paolo told me that he needed my help in setting up a curriculum."

Both innocent enough, right? Strange though, that Paolo was the thread that now connected these two men, brought them both to Hogwarts, and directly into the line of danger. Robert could not banish the thought that it was Paolo who brought him to the Shrieking Shack and directly into the lair of the werewolf. But it was impossible. Paolo would never...he'd never purposefully put Robert in harm's way. Robert shook his head.

Having wasted too much time already, Remus fished in the cloak pocket and produced a wand. He aimed it squarely at the doorknob and said, "Alohamora." The knob jiggled and the door opened with a loud creak.

"Well," said Robert. "If I knew it was that easy..." He smiled.

"Robert," Remus breathed, "you may have to help me down the stairs. I am still very weak."

"No problem, Remus. Just lean on me."

Robert stood to Remus' right, and draped Remus' arms over his own shoulders. He then shifted his own weight, acting as an extra set of legs, or a set of crutches for Remus to support himself. "This should do it." Although Remus was heavy on Robert's shoulders, he resolved not to complain or to struggle. If there was anything Remus needed right now it was strength - both physically and emotionally -- and Robert, despite his own gnawing fear, was willing to give it up in spades.

Robert helped Remus down the stairs and out through the rear door of the shack. They stood in the middle of a quaint village, facing what appeared to be a main street, lined with now-closed shops, town buildings, homes, and restaurants. The only lights came from two pubs. One of them, Robert could see, was called the "Three Broomsticks."

"Where do we go, Remus?" Robert asked.

Remus took his weight off Robert's shoulder, and turned towards Hogwarts. Robert followed Remus' gaze. Every single window in the school was lit up. There was an intense glow coming from the Great Hall. Remus, his hand shading his eyes, was apparently searching the skies.

"What are you looking for?"

"Dementors, Robert. They fly - hover overhead searching for their prey." Remus lowered his hand. "I don't see any. If Voldemort was coming, as you say that poem said, and was bringing dementors, there would be an entire flock of them poring down on Hogwarts. Seeing none is very encouraging."

"So, Remus, what now?"

"We go back to Hogwarts."

With that, one of the Thestral coaches approached. Robert gawked. "Are they always this responsive?"

"Yes, in fact, they are. Climb in. It's the fastest way back."

Remus and Robert sat in silence in the Thestral coach, broken only occasionally by Remus' groans of pain when the coach hit a rock or a bump. By the time they arrived back at Hogwarts, Robert was almost feeling achy and sore himself in sympathy.

Robert helped Remus out of the carriage, and nearly carried him up the front steps to the entrance hall. Robert grasped the large knocker and rapped the door urgently. Hearing no response, Robert shouted through the crack between the doors.

"Paolo! Paolo are you there? It's me, Robert, and I have Remus Lupin! I found him! He's okay! Paolo!"

There was no answer. Robert knocked again.

"Paolo! Come on, man, open up! Please!" Robert turned to Lupin. "Can you do something, that aloha thing?"

"Alohamora? No, I can't," said Lupin. "Not on this door. Hogwarts is very well protected. You can't open the doors using any magic. You can't use magic to travel inside, either. It is even, theoretically, impossible for Voldemort to get inside!"

Robert raised a hand to knock again, and the door swung open. Robert found himself dragged inside by the collar by a large, muscular hand. The man's other arm wrapped easily around Remus' waist and carried him inside.

"Professor Lupin! I thought you was dead, I did! Oh, oh, it's so good to see you alive!" He gave Lupin a squeeze, and set him down gently. "Yer shouldn'a been wanderin' outside tonight, Professors, s'pecially you, Professor Lupin! I had orders not ta' let anyone in or out, but Professor Zabini said you was all okay to let in so I did and here ye are."

"Thanks, Hagrid," said Remus, who had collapsed in a heap on the floor. "Hagrid, this is Robert Langdon. Robert, Rubeus Hagrid."

Robert couldn't speak. "Uh, uh....hello." The man standing before him was - for lack of a better word - a giant. At least seven and a half feet tall and as wide as a Mack Truck - the man had a mass tangle of black hair and beard that utterly overwhelmed his entire face.

"No time fer introductions now, Professor Lupin," Hagrid barked. "You and Robert here, you'd best be getting' upstairs to Professor Dumbledore's office." Hagrid lifted Remus up gently, and shooed the two of them up the staircase.

"Mr. Hagrid," Robert said. "Where is Paolo Zabini?"

Hagrid wheeled around. "Well, he's right...." He was dumbstruck. "Well, he'as right there just a minnit ago, wasn't he? Well, innit that somethin'? He musta gone upstairs to tell Professor Dumbledore that you was okay, Professor Lupin!"

"Thanks, Mr. Hagrid," Robert said. He scooped under Lupin's right arm again, and ushered him up the staircase, down the hall, and to the entrance to Dumbledore's office. Lupin gave the password, and the statue spun to life.

Dumbledore was waiting for them at the oak doors. He ran - no - he sprinted, down the short hallway and caught Lupin in a fatherly embrace. "Remus, my boy." He held Remus out at arms length. "I am so relieved. So, incredibly relieved that you are well."

"Yes, Professor," Lupin sighed. "So am I. But Robert here was almost not as lucky. If it wasn't for our quick thinking, even with mine as muddled as it was, he would be the one who was dead, and not me."

"What do you mean?" Dumbledore ushered Robert and Remus into his office.

As Robert entered the office, he saw Paolo. Paolo was sitting in a window seat, eyeing the sky outside. Probably looking for dementors, too.

Remus continued, slumping into an overlarge armchair. "My wolfsbane. I was on my way to see Severus about tonight's second dose. That's when I was ambushed. When I awoke, there was wolfsbane for me, but it was diluted. Didn't work properly. It had some strange side effects, too..."

Paolo turned, in a panic. "Remus! Where were you when this happened? Where did you change?"

"Whoever knocked me out took me to the Shrieking Shack..."

"Dio mio!" Paolo exclaimed. "Robert! I had no idea! I thought it would be safe there! I knew Lupin used the shack each month while he was here, but I never...I never even knew he was here until we found..." Paolo crossed the room in three strides and threw his arms around Robert. "Delfino, Delfino! If I knew, I never would have brought you there! Grazie Dio you are alright! You could have been killed and it would have been all my fault!"

Paolo buried his face in Robert's robes. Robert heard the sounds of stifled sobs. He grasped Paolo's shoulders with a modicum of strength and pushed him gently away.

"Paolo, it's not your fault," Robert straightened Paolo's robes. "It is interesting, though. Whoever set up this little 'treasure hunt' somehow knew that I would end up face to face with Remus, here."

"Why do you say that?" Dumbledore asked, as he settled into his desk chair.

"Because, that second cryptex - Remus and I solved it just in time."

"What was inside?" Dumbledore leaned forward, his elbows on the desk.

Robert glanced at Remus, who was now struggling to stay awake. "Wolfsbane. A small, glass vial full of wolfsbane. If I hadn't opened the cryptex and found the wolfsbane, Remus here would have likely eaten me like so much chicken."

Remus gave an indignant snort, coughed, and removed yet another piece of glass from the inside of his cheek.

"Sorry." Robert said, shrugging.

"Was there anything else in the Cryptex?" Dumbledore stood and began pacing.

"You know, I didn't even look. I have it here, though." Robert took the cryptex out of his pocket, and opened it. Another piece of parchment fell out onto the floor and rolled under Dumbledore's desk. Robert bent to fetch it.

"Albus," said Remus, sleepily. "Have there been any signs of Voldemort coming? Any dementors?"

"None whatsoever, Remus," said Dumbledore, "and it is now nearly an hour past the allotted time. Paolo has been watching for quite some time now."

"So, Harry Potter - he's safe?"

"Yes, Remus, Harry is perfectly safe. He is probably up in Gryffindor Tower pacing the common room floor, itching to come down here and help, and trying to figure out some clever and crafty way to do so."

"Like father, like son." Remus yawned.

Robert retrieved the parchment and stood up. He unrolled it and read it aloud. It was another horribly-rhymed and mis-metered poem.

A monkshood brew is tried and true

For taming a werewolf's ire

So if you live to read this clue

You well- reasoned my earth, air, and fire.

One death per house, now nearly Mickey Mouse

I have taken as some payment due

The full vision Trelawney thus did espouse

I shall no longer need to pursue.

My old servant awaits, and his patience abates

As his own house is now left to chance

So, if now by three, word does not come to me

A Slytherin shall with death dance.

Remus scowled. "Mickey Mouse?"

"I think that referred to me. My watch. It has Mickey Mouse on it." Robert leaned over and showed Remus his timepiece. "Clever of him, eh?" Inwardly, Robert wondered with worry as to how You-Know-Who/Lord Voldemort would know about such a small detail as his Mickey Mouse watch, especially if this was supposedly written long before Robert arrived at Hogwarts - long before anyone knew that Robert would even be coming!

"So," said Robert, continuing. "At last we know what he's really after." Robert glanced sideways at Dumbledore, who nodded his head. "The prophecy. He wants to hear the rest of the prophecy." Robert rolled the parchment and slipped it into the pocket of his robes.

"The prophecy?" Remus asked. "You mean that prophecy Voldemort heard of before he attacked Harry? There's more to it than that?" Dumbledore nodded. Remus frowned. "I take it you're not going to tell us what it is."

Robert, whose gaze had accidentally fallen on Paolo, first noticed that Paolo did not react to the name, "Voldemort." Then, even more curious, he saw his old friend's muscles tighten ever so slightly in anticipation of Dumbledore's answer to Remus' question.

"I am sorry, Remus, but I cannot." Dumbledore smiled, and looked at both Remus and Paolo. "You know I trust you both implicitly. Especially now, I simply cannot chance divulging this secret to anyone else."

"Who else knows?" asked Remus.

"Other than myself?" Robert silently prayed that Dumbledore would not say his name, or those of Hermione and Ron. "Harry Potter and one other, who shall remain unnamed," Dumbledore lied.

"So, then," Paolo crossed in front of the desk and leaned the upper part of his leg on the corner. "Who is the old servant - obviously, from the poem, he is in Slytherin House."

Remus looked horrified. "There's only one person I can think of at Hogwarts who fits that description."

Dumbledore looked equally as horrified, and his features became steely with a mixture of resolve and incredible disappointment - almost to the point of betrayal. "Paolo. Please go and fetch Severus Snape. Please tell him to come to my office immediately."