The Devil May Care

The Devil May Care

By Dimgwrthien

Sirius had no clue what was going on with Remus and Harry. All he knew was that he was having enough problems.

“Hullo,” he grumbled to Dumbledore after having been shot out of the fireplace. He tried to wipe the ash from his clothes but they remained. It had been too long since he traveled that way. Since the last incident, Remus did not find Floo Powder a good way of traveling anymore.

Dumbledore gave him a curious look for a moment, then asked, “Where’s Remus today?”

Sirius threw a glare at him and hoisted the thick folder up in his arms. “He’s ill,” he answered dryly.

Nodding, the headmaster said, “I guessed so. I told him not to come today and it amazes me you managed to keep him down -”

“I can’t believe you expected him to be able to come today?” Sirius stormed, still breaking down hard on Dumbledore.

“I did not -” Dumbledore tried to say but Sirius was still raising his voice.

“It’s bad enough having to go through it anyway and forcing him to -”

“Sirius,” Dumbledore said firmly, voice only raised slightly. Sirius fell silent, even if more a moment. “I did not ask him to come today. I cancelled the tutoring for today telling the students that he was busy.”

“There’s no point to making it up,” Sirius snapped bitterly. “They already know he’s a werewolf, don’t they?”

“Most of them do, indeed,” Dumbledore agreed.

Sirius carried on the conversation grudgingly and said that, if needed, he would still take on the tutoring. However, Dumbledore said that there was no point and that the students may enjoy a day off.

He turned back to the fireplace and was tempted to give Dumbledore a distasteful look, but he reminded himself of Remus and Harry and kept quiet.

Meanwhile, Remus was staring at Harry. The boy had frozen as Remus was walking towards the kitchen and his eyes were wide.

“What is it?” he asked, peering around at the window. His mouth fell open though he kept perfectly silent.

A large group of people, at least five of them, stood near the front lawn. They were looking around curiously, though Remus could not see their eyes. The faces were covered with white masks. Dark robes fluttered around their ankles and twisted in the wind.

Remus’ hands reached out for Harry at once. He clamped it around the thin shoulder and squeezed it, trying to comfort Harry as much as himself.

“Harry, go to the fireplace,” Remus hissed. “Go to Hogwarts. Tell Dumbledore and Sirius what’s happening.”

“What about you?” Harry asked, voice higher than usual.

“I’ll keep them here,” he answered.

“They can’t see us, though, can they?” Harry asked, still not breaking eye contact.

“I don’ know,” Remus answered. Harry still remained frozen under his grip. “Go!” he hissed again, giving Harry a gentle shove by the shoulder. Harry moved to the fireplace, gripping a fistful of Floo Powder and glancing back at Remus as though asking again. Remus nodded to the fire again and Harry pulled out his wand, making another fire and disappearing through it.

Glancing back to the window once he was sure Harry was gone, Remus chanced moving closer. It was better to risk his life and see if they could see him than having to wait until someone was there to check.

Close to the window with his wand out and low so that they could not see it, Remus waited with bated breath. None of the Death Eaters seemed to notice him. He would have knocked the window to check, but he was not up to risking it.

No matter how long they looked around, their eyes never met Remus’. He was waiting for a sign that Harry had managed to tell Dumbledore, but he did not need to wait long -

A flash of red fire burned bright in the snowy air outside near the Death Eaters before fading into the shape of three people. Dumbledore was standing before Sirius and Harry, wand already raised before the Death Eaters noticed him.

The nearest one turned quickly, aiming his own wand at Dumbledore. However, the older man was too quick. A flash of blue light flew through the air and the Death Eater was frozen. Several began running, but Remus saw that the broadest of them was advancing on Dumbledore with an almost dog-like walk.

Dumbledore could not see that the man was going for him. Sirius and Harry both had their own wands out, Sirius aiming spells at the Death Eaters with a fierce passion. Harry tried to hide but managed several weak spells, looking to frightened to do much.

Running outside with the other three, Remus aimed a spell at the Death Eater that came near Dumbledore. It hit his back and he was forced to turn as he fell forward.

Remus felt a spell hit his own chest and fell forward onto his knees before realizing that a spell did not hit him. Rather, a person did.

As the other three fought off the remaining Death Eaters, Dumbledore managing to easily keep them close, Remus felt a hand grab him by the throat and force his head up.

A face he had never seen before came into view. It looked familiar however, with the grey hair and yellow eyes. Pointed teeth shown between the red lips and his gaze was almost hungry on Remus.

“I haven’t seen you in the long time,” he told Remus, voice hoarse sounding and bark-like. He dragged him to the side of the battle and gave him a mocking imitation of a smile. “I had the pleasure of meeting you… how long ago? Twenty-three years, if memory serves me right.”

Remus froze. Twenty-three years? Once he knew the date, it all fell into place.

He had never been exposed to many other werewolves as there were only a few around. However, this one had ever mark of a natural werewolf: yellow gaze, the sharpened teeth and nails, the grey skin….

Trying to fight from the strong grip, Remus only managed to fail. It was amazing the other man - werewolf - could hold him so still. Remus was still feeling faint from the night before.

“I’m not letting you go now that I’ve found you,” the werewolf growled and Remus could only watch the battle helplessly.

Harry managed to not be hit by any spells at all. Remus could count ten Death Eaters, all of whom were aiming for Harry, but Dumbledore and Sirius managed to keep them at bay. Harry looked scared, eyes wide and mouth open as he tried to figure out where to aim.

“Harry, get in!” Dumbledore called over the sounds of the spells being fired. Harry glanced around for a moment before shutting his eyes and opening them again. Remus could see him disappear into where he knew the house was at a run.

Sirius and Dumbledore managed to round up the Death Eaters easily. Sirius glanced at where Remus was, eyes widening, then glanced at Dumbledore. He ran to Remus, wand pointed out at the werewolf holding Remus, slowing his walk.

“Let him go,” Sirius growled, eyes narrowing.

The werewolf let out a rasping laugh. “Let go of prey? Why would I do that?”

Sirius flicked his wand as though motioning for the werewolf to move. He only laughed again.

“If you’re not going to move -” Sirius threatened, but he was interrupted with a snort from the large werewolf.

“You’re going to hit it, are you?” he asked, motioning to Remus, who was positioned in front of him.

Remus’ eyes widened as he saw where the werewolf was going. “Sirius - please do it - for Harry,” he pleaded.

Sirius glanced at Remus to where the house was invisible to most eyes. His grey eyes were wandering between the two for a moment.

“If you don’t let him go they’ll go,” Sirius threatened, motioning vaguely to the other Death Eaters.

“Do what you want to them,” the werewolf responded. “He’s not going with you.”

Sirius, for a moment, looked lost. An uncertain look filled his eyes, but he merely paused and made his next move so rapidly that Remus almost missed it.

He transformed into the large, black dog and jumped at the werewolf’s throat. It may have been out of sheer fright at the sudden situation that Remus was let go and dropped against the ground. Sirius was snarling and tearing at the werewolf, causing deep marks to be torn through the toughened skin.

The werewolf was fighting back, however. He was tearing at Sirius like a dog, snarling just as loudly. Remus tried to get Sirius from the fight, but found that the other werewolf only managed to tear his arm. He withdrew, bleeding freely, just as he saw the end of Dumbledore’s battle.

The old man fell against the ground, gripping his arm as though in pain. The other Death Eater rushed to his partners and got them off of the ground, Apparating instantly.

Remus called out for Dumbledore, rushing over to him. He had fallen, arm looking bloodied.

“I - I -” Dumbledore managed, throat sounding incredibly dry.

Grabbing him by the shoulders and risking a glance at the other fight going on, Remus said, “I’ll get you inside - Fidelius Charm on it -”

Dumbledore nodded and Remus told him the address in the hurried whisper. Their blood was falling, mixed together on the ground as they went.

Harry was moving away from the window and towards the door when Remus saw him. He looked pale and frightened.

“Keep watching for when Sirius is done!” Remus told him, summoning a bandage and trying to clean the deep wound on Dumbledore’s arm.

“What happened?” Harry asked, breaking his eye contact with Sirius and the other werewolf for a only a moment.

“There were too many of them,” Remus answered. “Professor! Can you hear me?” He started worrying once Dumbledore’s eyes fell closed and he stopped moving. It was not enough blood to kill him surely, but Remus was unsure of any sorts of spells that hit him during the fight.

Dumbledore’s head nodded slightly though he did not speak. Remus nodded as though in agreement and secured the wrapping around his arm.

“Can you stand?” he asked next. Dumbledore grabbed his shoulder and Remus hoisted him up, glancing back at Harry. The younger boy’s head turned to glance at him.

“It’s over! I think he’s hurt -” He made to the door but Remus threw out an arm and stopped him.

“Stay here with Dumbledore,” he commanded, heading for the door. “I can handle this.”

Harry’s mouth opened to argue but Remus yelled, “Stay here! I don’t want you outside!”

“You can’t stop me from saving Sirius!” Harry yelled back when Remus’ hand was on the door handle.

Remus did not even bother explaining anything to Harry. Millions of reasons why he could not go were in his head.

“Stay, Harry!” he growled more fiercely than he wanted to. Harry remained motionless as Remus bolted out the door.

Sirius was on the ground, the other werewolf over him, mouth wide open as though going to bite him.

Taking out his wand again, Remus aimed a spell at the werewolf, who toppled off of Sirius. Sirius managed to claw him way into a sitting position and forced himself up. Remus could see the bloodied wounds around his torso as Sirius fought his way to Remus.

The werewolf looked furious. He bared his teeth at Remus, who remained steady, this wand out.

“Touch him and you’re going to die,” Remus told him calmly enough, anger vibrating on his words.

Amazingly, the werewolf did not move. He remained there, unmoving, fixing a yellow gaze on the two.

“You couldn’t kill me,” he said slowly.

Remus’ grip on the wand doubled. “Yes, I could.”

The werewolf gave another rasping laugh. “You could never kill a person. You’re weak. You couldn’t even come with your own kind!”

Eyes falling closed for a moment, Remus answered, “I could easily kill you if you lay another hand on him.”

Smiling again, the werewolf lunged for Sirius.

Remus was ready. A jet of red light hit the werewolf in the chest and he moved back and threw Sirius out of the way. The unconscious form of the werewolf landed on Remus’ chest and he felt the air pushed out of his lungs.

“Remus!” Sirius yelled, falling down to push the still form off of his friend. “Here -” He reached out a hand and dragged Remus to his feet. Remus was coughing as he stood, blood dribbling from his mouth.

“He has to weigh at least twenty stone,” Remus said, smiling slightly as he wiped his mouth off. Sirius grabbed his shoulder and the two could walk inside again, leaning on each other for support.

“What happened?” Sirius asked once they were inside. Harry was bending over Dumbledore, looking worried.

“I think he’s fine,” Harry told them. “He said he’s just a bit tired and he should go back to Hogwarts to see Madam Pomfrey.”

“I think it would be a good idea for you to come, too,” Dumbledore said, voice still oddly husky and hoarse. “Poppy can fix everything again.”

Sirius tightened his grip on Remus and nodded. “Alright.”

Harry led the way to Hogwarts through the Floo Powder, Dumbledore following quickly after. Sirius glanced at Remus and leaned him into the fireplace, letting him go, then leaving last.

Dumbledore and Harry were already headed for Hogwarts once Remus felt Sirius land next to him. They followed quickly, seeing the stark white walls that marked the Hospital Wing.

“Headmaster!” was the first thing they head from the matron. She immediately hovered over all of them, giving them potions and checking any wounds. Harry refused to be checked up on, explaining that he was fine, then stood in the corner, looking worried.

Remus noticed that the scar across his face was fading. Harry was marked in so many ways, all involving Voldemort already at such a young age. He had his infamous scar which covered part of his forehead, a bright red color against his face. The second scar from Snape did not detract the good-looking features he got from his father, but seemed to make him all the more brave and stubborn looking.

Dumbledore left several minutes in, explaining that he would go back and make sure no Death Eaters could get in. Remus nodded and Madam Pomfrey let him go.

“You all seem to be getting into more trouble than needed,” she scolded them. “Make sure that you can all keep safe for at least two weeks from now on!”

Remus smiled weakly then glanced at Harry. “It’s all right,” he told the boy. “No one’s going to operate on you, if you don’t want it.”

Harry moved forwards and stood next to Sirius, who was sitting on one of the chairs across from Remus.

No one spoke as Madam Pomfrey continued her rant on how unsafe they were acting. Harry whispered something to Sirius, who nodded, and the young boy left the room.

“Going home with Dumbledore,” Sirius whispered quietly enough for Madam Pomfrey not to hear.

Remus nodded and made to stand. Madam Pomfrey pushed him back down in his chair, so Sirius left instead, mouthing his excuse to Remus.

The halls seemed strangely empty, Sirius noticed. He figured the students would be leaving around then to go home for the holidays, but it was still eerie that no sound met his ears but his own thoughts and footsteps.

He reached the Headmaster’s Office and kicked one of the gargoyles until it yelled at him. He explained why he was there and it grudgingly let him in after threatening to blow him up.

“Sour, sour,” the gargoyle said after Sirius in a snide whisper. Sirius ignored him and made his way up the staircase, entering the office. No one was in there. He went to the fireplace and Flooed out into the house.

“Harry?” he called out once he saw nothing. There was the sound of footsteps and a dull thumping, but nothing else in answer. Sirius followed the sound of the footsteps until he was met with a grim sight.

Severus Snape was standing near the front door, Harry bound and gagged next to him, a body on the floor.

Sirius let off a stream of curses at Snape, grabbing his wand immediately. Snape turned towards him, eyes widening, then throwing a spell at Sirius.

He managed to dodge the curse and they fought, hexing each other. Snape never spoke, only using nonverbal spells, acting as calm as possible. Sirius would let off muttered phrases whenever he could, cursing loudly as the spells almost hit him.

“Harry?” he yelled at the boy, aiming a Stunning Spell at Snape and dodging another. “Can you move?”

Harry shook his head, struggling against the ropes.

“Who is that?” Sirius asked next, aiming another spell at Snape, who deflected it.

The body on the floor had not yet moved, and Sirius was afraid that if he chose to look, Snape would have the perfect chance to curse him. Harry, however, was unable to answer.

“Avada Kedavra!” came the spell from Snape. Sirius’ eyes widened as he threw himself onto the floor, barely missing the curse.

“Shit!” Sirius yelled, aiming a spell at Snape’s leg. Snape, unable to bend fast enough, immediately Disapparated from the house, filling the air with a loud cracking sound, then letting the air fall silent.

“How did he get in here?” Sirius asked, untying Harry from the ropes and waiting impatiently for an answer as Harry rubbed his wrists and ankles.

“I don’t know!” Harry answered, panic in his voice. “I was here with Professor Dumbledore and suddenly he was gone and Snape was here instead.”

He rested his head on Sirius’ shoulder and Sirius started rubbing his shoulder, trying to comfort him. Finally, he had to chance to look at the body -

There was a shock of very light brown hair, and the back of the woman was robed in green. Sirius stared at the body, eyes wide.

“Is she dead?” he asked Harry.

Harry merely sniffed into Sirius’ chest and turned away from the body. “I have no clue!”

Sirius let go of Harry, who fell back, not daring to look, and then turned Danielle’s body over.

“Why was she here?”

“I think she was coming to check on us,” Harry answered, voice muffled into his jumper. “She walked in and asked what was going on and then Snape got her.”

“What spell?” Sirius asked urgently.

Harry shook his head. “I have no clue. I think it was either blue or green.”

Sirius’ throat tightened. “You’re not sure which?” Harry shook his head. Sirius grabbed at her wrist, trying to find a pulse.

There was none.

Sirius did not say anything to Harry, but remained silent, giving him a long look. Harry seemed to understand.

No words were there to say. Sirius never liked Danielle and Harry did. No words could settle that matter. Sirius, however, disliked death more than Danielle and found himself in shock. Harry was in tears, keeping quiet as they dripped down his face.

Remus appeared a moment later, walking out of the fireplace and glancing around to find them. He walked into the room and Sirius refused to meet his eyes. However, the stopping of footsteps gave him a clue as to what Remus was doing.

“Danielle?” he asked quietly, dropping onto the floor behind Sirius. “Sirius, what happened?”

Harry started gasping as his tears increased, falling against Remus.

“What happened?” Remus asked numbly, and Sirius finally met his eyes.

“I think Snape was under Polyjuice as Dumbledore.” He rubbed his arms, trying to think straight. Everything was crashing down around him and it was all so confusing. “I wouldn’t be surprised if someone tried to visit him in Azkaban and gave it to him then.”

“Who could have replaced them?” Remus asked. “The dementors would have to notice someone leaving.

“I don’t know,” Sirius answered.

“She’s dead,” Remus whispered, still staring at Danielle. “Severus killed her?”

Sirius nodded and Remus fell completely silent. Harry was still crying into Remus’ chest and Sirius wrapped an arm around Remus, who was looking incredibly pale.

“It’s alright, Harry,” Sirius soothed. “We’re fine. I promise nothing else is going to happen -”

“You all promised!” Harry said thickly, finally raising his bloodshot eyes to them. “You all promised that you would always be here! You lied!”

“We could never promise that,” Remus said quietly, voice sounding broken and defeated. “There’s no such thing as forever. Someday we’re all going to leave and you’ll leave others, too -”

“That’s not helping,” Sirius hissed.

Remus gave him a calm look and Sirius could see that he was actually scared. He was shaking slightly and his eyes were still wide in his pale face. “It’s only the truth. Some of us have to learn that early in life.”

Sirius remained silent. It was true, he knew, but a bit too morbid for him to want to agree. Harry was still against Remus, his crying starting to stop, but he seemed panicky.

“What should we do with her?” Harry asked.

“There’s one thing more important right now,” Sirius said. “What happened to Dumbledore?”

Remus had his head in his hands and was shaking. “When did the Polyjuiced Dumbledore come in?”

“I’m supposing the one at Hogwarts had been real. Now, the one at the battle -”

“He fought like Dumbledore,” Remus added in. “Same spells Dumbledore usually uses. Same speed. Even Snape could never imitate that.”

Harry furrowed his brow. “Could he be invisible?”

Sirius sighed. “Anything could have happened. He could be invisible, he could be safe at Hogwarts, he could be hidden, he could be dead -”

“Don’t say that,” Harry snapped. Sirius followed his gaze to Remus, whose head was covered by his folded legs and arms. He was still shaking slightly.

“Remus?” Sirius asked, touching his shoulder lightly. Remus did not respond. “Remus, he can’t be dead. We would know. Besides, they wouldn’t be able to make the potion, then. They would need something off of him.”

“They only needed the potion to last that long,” Remus answered, still not moving his head. His voice was hoarse. “He could be.”

“He’s not,” Sirius said sternly.

Remus finally lifted his head, his eyes just as bloodshot as Harry’s. “It’s possible, Sirius. You know it. And a dead Dumbledore is no good for us.” He took in a shaking breath. “He did so much for me and now -”

Sirius’ grip on Remus doubled again to the point and breaking the shoulder. “He did something for everyone. But right now we have Snape to worry about.”

Eyes still somewhat unfocused, Remus murmured, “He let me into Hogwarts, let me take Harry, everything. If he’s dead -” He paused and gulped. “If he’s dead, I’m killing Snape personally.”