Darkened Light

Chapter Three

Concerning Wizards

"STUPEFY!"

There was a shriek and a flash of red, and then the dust dissolved, revealing a rather comical scene in front of Harry. A short, tiny, balding man with pure white hair and kind hazel eyes, sat near the now destroyed window, the floor scattered with glass. He wore violet robes with bright yellow dancing stars on them. His hair was singed at the side where the spell that Mundungus had thrown at him passed by. Mundungus sat on the bed his hands shaking with fury as he and knocked over a tiny broomstick and top hat that Harry assumed belonged to the small stranger and rubbed his temples.

"Dedalus I'm going to KILL YOU!"

Harry grinned and looked at the man that he now recognized. "You're Dedalus Diggle! I met you in Diagon Alley!"

Dedalus grinned broadly. "He remembers me! Look at that Mundungus, the lad remembers me. Such an honour to meet you again, Mr. Potter," he said, giving Harry a low bow.

"Tell me why you're here or I won't restrict myself to strangling you. How many times have I told you not to come in through the windows? Stupid Hufflepuffs, don't even know how to enter a house properly..." Mundungus ranted on. Harry stifled a laugh as he looked at the two older men. Dedalus looked rather oblivious to the insults being launched his way, while Mundungus' ears were turning an odd shade of red.

"Well, I was just flying home from the Ministry, as I decided it'd be nice to have a relaxing fly. The weather picked up, and I decided to stop here. I hope you don't mind me staying the night?" Dedalus said, winking at Harry as Mundungus looked a less bit angry.

"Do tell me why you can't Apparate, Dedalus," Mundungus said, a smirk curling at his lips.

"Errr... well..." Then Dedalus muttered something that Harry couldn't have understood if his life depended on it.

"Speak up!" Mundungus insisted, his smirk was now full fledged.

Dedalus sighed. "The Ministry took my Apparation license for two weeks," he mumbled.

Mundungus roared with laughter. Harry was confused and looked from the tiny little wizard to Fletcher who was doubled over and clutching his sides.

"Again?!" Mundungus croaked in between laughs. Dedalus picked up his broom and dusted it off, which on the handle said Mini Me 2000 in gold, grumbling under his breath.

Mundungus finally stopped laughing and after wiping the tears from his eyes, he spoke again. "So, what happened this time, Dedalus?"

"Erm, excuse me, but could someone explain to me why this is so funny?" Harry asked.

Dedalus looked relieved.

"I will Harry, just as soon as I hear this," Mundungus said.

Dedalus sighed. "I splinched myself in the middle of a Muggle street when I really meant to go to Hogsmeade," he said, rubbing his chin. "I really have no idea how it happened though..." Mundungus began to laugh again, but stopped after Dedalus whacked him with his broom on the knees. Harry then began to laugh as well.

"All right, I'll explain Harry. You see, ever since Dedalus and I graduated from Hogwarts, Dedalus was always horrible at Apparating. I think he must've bribed the Ministry to ever give him his license," Mundungus said with a chuckle. "I knew Dedalus since he was a friend of Bella's. We became chess partners. Anyways, I don't think a year went by when he didn't get his license revoked at least three times. Always different reasons - I remember once he Apparated himself onto a Muggle woman's head!" he exclaimed with another bout of laughter. Harry snorted as well, while Dedalus looked very indignant.

"It wasn't my fault that the lady was at the wrong place at the wrong time..." he muttered. Mundungus shook his head. "Dedalus, you were twenty miles away from your destination! I'm surprised the Ministry hasn't taken away your license permanently."

Mundungus surveyed the mess, taking his wand and casting a few repairment charms. The room was as good as new- you'd never guess that the tiny wizard had crashed through the window minutes before.

Dedalus looked around slowly. An uneasy silence fell upon the room. Harry stared at Dedalus. Dedalus stared at Mundungus. Mundungus stared at the door.

"So, up for a game of chess? I still need to beat you, and I've been doing some practicing," Dedalus stated brightly, breaking the tension.

Mundungus grinned maliciously. "You're on Diggle," he said with pride. "Five galleons says I beat you," he sneered, going out into the hallway.

"Let's make it three Galleons, eh? I'm a bit short on the money," Dedalus said as he followed a chuckling Mundungus, a curious Harry following.

****

"Check."

Harry held his chin in his hand, gazing lazily at the two men playing the longest round of Wizard's Chess he'd ever seen, even after Ron played against Terry Boot. It was now ten in the evening. Dedalus' forehead was creased with intense concentration as Mundungus shot another 'Check' at him. Mundungus looked as cool as could be, sitting back into his chair, a light smirk playing at his lip as he watched his opponent's move. Harry cringed slightly, despite his sleepiness. Dedalus had fallen right into Mundungus' trap.

Mundungus slowly smiled like a cat who had caught a rat. "Queen to D-10."

"Checkmate," he declared as his piece moved to the position, his smile full fledged. "You officially owe me three Galleons, Diggle."

Dedalus gaped at the chessboard. "What?! How?"

"Well it's quite simple Dedalus, you stink at Wizard's Chess."

Harry laughed and stood up, stretching. "Well, I'm going to bed. Good night Mundungus, Dedalus," he announced.

" 'Night Harry," Dedalus mumbled, scanning the chess board intensely.

"Sleep well Harry," Mundungus said, slapping his back. Harry grinned and went up the stairs.

The storm outside raged on as Harry slid into the blankets of the stiff bed. Just as he began to ease into sleep, a raindrop fell onto his forehead. Great, he thought. A leak. He sighed loudly and rolled over, wondering if he'd get any sleep that night.

****

"You rotten, filthy tomato!" a voice growled in the kitchen.

Harry had just gotten out of the shower as he walked into the kitchen. It was five in the afternoon, a day after he was taken from the Dursleys.

"C'mere you bastard!"

Harry peaked in. "Dedalus? I hope your not talking to Mundungus..." he said worriedly.

Dedalus shook his head, waving a large knife. "The little thing ran away, scared, I think. I've got a pretty big knife here," he told Harry.

"That doesn't exactly explain what you´re doing," Mundungus said from behind. Harry turned around and let the older man pass.

"I'm making dinner," Dedalus said stubbornly.

"You're actually doing it the Muggle way?" Mundungus asked, his nose wrinkling.

"Well, I was thinking," the tiny man replied, "you know, that it would be nice."

"We're going to the Three Broomsticks anyway."

"What? You mean I've been dealing with the tomato from Hell for nothing?" Dedalus squeaked incredulously. He picked up the tomato. "This damn thing has been giving me trouble all afternoon," he gave it a threatening look. "If you don't behave I'll make catsup out of you!"

Harry's laugh escaped. Mundungus rolled his eyes. "Your ability to insult a vegetable is the stupidest thing I have ever witnessed Dedalus."

"It's not even a vegetable! It's false advertising, the tomato is clearly trying to be something it's not!"

"Perhaps you are taking this a bit too personally?" Mundungus asked as he grabbed a celery stick from the unfinished salad on the counter.

"This tomato hates me, and I hate it. I will never cease until evilry of this tomato has been wiped out."

"You're definitely taking this too personally." Harry said in between laughs.

Dedalus gave the tomato a spiteful look as Mundungus slipped something into his hand. If Harry had blinked he wouldn't even had noticed. Dedalus looked at Mundungus and gave him the tomato.

"Watch that one, it might escape again," Dedalus said as he started walking out of the room. "Just have to find my shoes..."

Mundungus tossed the tomato into the garbage, chuckling. "He's definitely a nut case."

Harry grinned, but still wondered what he had given to Dedalus. But before he could ponder that anymore, the short man came back in, giving Mundungus a look that Harry couldn't read.

"Come on, we'll have to Floo, obviously," Mundungus said, smirking at Dedalus. Dedalus, on the other hand, just stuck his tongue out at the taller wizard, causing Harry to laugh again.

"You two are unbelievable," he said.

Mundungus walked over to the mantle piece and grabbed the flowerpot that was on it.

"All right Harry, you can go first," he said politely, tossing some Floo Powder into the fire.

Harry bit his lip and walked hesitantly towards the green flames.

"Just say 'The Three Broomsticks,' " Dedalus said reassuringly. Harry nodded.

"The Three Broomsticks!"

Harry coughed, shutting his eyes tightly as the whirlwind began. He was happy he hadn't eaten anything since lunchtime. Before he knew it, he was sprawled on the wooden floor of the Three Broomsticks. It was quite crowded, lively and full of laughter and conversation. He got up shakily, dusting off his clothes and wiping his glasses.

"Harry!"

Just as Harry heard Dedalus crash onto the floor behind him, he spotted a tall man with golden brown hair and amber eyes. A man he hadn't seen in a very long time.

"Professor Lupin!" Harry exclaimed, running towards the werewolf. He looked better than before- happier, in a sense. His robes looked new, and his skin wasn't as sallow and pale as it used to be.

Lupin embraced Harry warmly, smiling ear to ear, his eyes bright with what Harry thought were tears. "Harry, you look more like your father everyday," he said, surveying the young wizard.

Mundungus appeared then with Dedalus, both greeting the ex-professor.

"Pleased to see you so well, Remus," Dedalus squeaked. Mundungus gave Lupin a bear hug, whispering something into his ear. The man nodded in response.

"Come on, I'll take you to our table," Lupin said, wrapping his arm around Harry's thin shoulders. A few people had already spotted the Boy Who Lived, but only a couple of them actually pointed or stared. Harry had an odd feeling about this. Had Mundungus planned for them to meet Professor Lupin? If so, why didn't he just tell Harry? It wasn't like he didn't know who Lupin was.

"So, how has your summer been so far? Not too bad, I hope?" Lupin asked as he steered Harry to a corner of the pub, Mundungus and Dedalus at their heels.

"The usual, Professor Lupin. Just a bunch of torment from the Dursleys," he replied grimly.

"Please Harry, call me Remus. I'm no longer your professor," he said nonchalantly.

They finally reached their table. Harry gasped when he saw the man that was sitting in one of the chairs.

He looked exactly like Remus. His twin brother, Harry guessed. Why hadn't Remus told him before that he had a brother, Harry wondered. The man grinned widely, jumping up.

"Harry!" he shouted, wrapping Harry into a very tight embrace. Harry's eyes widened to the size of Dedalus' evil tomato. What in the world...?

"Can't...breathe," Harry wheezed. Remus' twin immediately let him go, gazing at him with a worried smile.

"I'd like to introduce you to my twin brother Romulus, Harry," Remus said, giving Romulus a stern look.

"Erm, right, sorry, I get a bit over enthusiastic when I meet new people," he said, shrugging. The resemblance between the two was incredible. Yes, they were twins, but still, it was a bit creepy. Harry glanced at the strange man who was staring right back at him with that grin on his face. Harry smiled feebly.

"Well, are we going to sit down, or shall we dance?" Mundungus said with a chuckle as he took his seat. Madam Rosmerta quickly came up to their table with another woman behind her.

"Good evening boys, this is my sister, Madam Sally, she'll be serving you tonight," Madam Rosmerta said rapidly without giving them a second glance, pacing towards the next table.

"So, what would you like to drink?" she asked them with a warm smile. Her eyes fell upon Remus and Romulus.

"Excuse me, but are one of you Remus Lupin?"

Remus looked up from his menu. "That would be me," he said, flashing her a smile.

"Remus Lupin, I haven't seen you since my second year! Remember me, Sally Gallywood?"

Remus' forehead crinkled as he looked like he was trying to remember that name. His eyes suddenly lit up. "Yes, I remember you, you were a first year Gryffindor when I was in my fifth year!" he said.

Madam Sally looked at Romulus, her eyebrows narrowing. "Strange, I don't remember you having a twin..."

"Ohhh... erm, this is my brother Romulus... he's a Squib, you see," Remus said, lowering his voice.

Romulus' mouth dropped incredulously, but he quickly returned to his cheery self, still staring at Remus with a mean glare.

"Oh, I'm sorry dear. Always happens to the best of us," she said, and returned to taking their orders.

"So, did you read the Daily Prophet?" Dedalus asked. "I was astonished that Fudge disagreed to helping the Germans!"

"Well, we've always been allies with France," Mundungus remarked.

Harry zoned out at that point of the conversation. He wasn't very interested in the politics of the Wizarding World. A few minutes later their dinners arrived, as Remus and Mundungus were in a full fledged debate on flying carpets. If a Muggle had joined the conversation at that moment, he would've thought they were all nutters.

Harry watched as Remus tapped his watch at Romulus so discretely that Harry almost didn't see it. Romulus took out a small flask from his pocket and downed the contents, making up an excuse about drinking water after drinking beer, which caused the table to laugh. Harry's eyebrows narrowed. Something wasn't right here.

As the night went on, it was clear that Romulus was, well, completely drunk. He'd only had one beer, yet he was acting like he'd consumed twenty.

"So, I tells the lad 'go buy your own shoes!' " Romulus roared with laughter at his not-so-funny joke. The rest of the table looked like they were trying to decipher the punch line.

"Well, anyways, I went down to London-"

"I have a lovely bunch of coconuts, deedly dee dee!" Romulus sang loudly, interrupting Remus.

"Romulus...?" Dedalus waved his hand in front of the golden haired man.

"I wants to dance. Do YOU wanna dance?" Romulus asked Remus, his eyes off focus.

"Umm, no thank you Romulus," he replied, giving his twin a confused glance.

"Party pooper," Romulus spat, knocking over Dedalus' tequila.

"Hey!" Dedalus protested, frowning at his lost drink.

"One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, FLOOR!" Romulus exclaimed in a fit of giggles.

"I don't think that beer mixed well with the potion..." Mundungus pointed out. "We better get him out of here, take him to my place. You three take him to the fireplace, I'll take care of the bill," he said, gesturing to Harry, Remus, and Dedalus.

What potion? Harry thought as he got up.

Harry and Remus quickly led a tripping and stumbling Romulus towards the entrance of the Three Broomsticks where the fireplace was, Dedalus jogging behind them.

"Goodbye darling! I'll never forget ya'!" Romulus yelled to Madam Sally, who blushed and giggled as she served drinks to a table of old witches.

"How exactly are we going to Floo him like this?" Harry asked, eyeing Romulus who was now winking and blowing kisses at the table of flustered elderly witches.

Mundungus, who had made his way toward them after paying the bill gave a simple reply.

"It can be easily done. Dedalus, you'll Floo with him since you're the smallest."

"Oh right, it's always the tiny one who has to do the dirty work," he grumbled as he heaved a stunned Romulus into the green flames with him. "The Garlyus!"

Remus went next, Harry launching himself into the network after him. When he crashed into the living room floor of Mundungus' home, Remus, Dedalus, and a sober Romulus were sitting on the putrid green couch.

"I put a Sobering Charm on him," Remus explained as Mundungus gracefully landed into the living room from the fireplace.

"I think I'm going to be sick," Romulus groaned, running to the bathroom. Remus sighed and jogged after him.

"Unfortunately, he'll have a bad hangover," Dedalus said.

"We should have remembered the number one rule when taking the Polyjuice Potion," Mundungus said as he lit up a fag. "Never mix it with alcohol."

"Polyjuice Potion? What?!" Harry asked, his face contouring into full fledged suspicion. "Who is Romulus, exactly? It's obvious he's not Remus' twin."

Mundungus sat on the sofa, taking a long drag of his cigarette and closing his eyes at the bliss. "You'll see when the potion wears off Harry. I'm sure you'll be happy when you see who it is."

Dedalus hopped off the couch and toddled to the kitchen. "I'll make some tea."

Harry sighed heavily in frustration as Remus and Romulus- or whoever the man was- came back from the bathroom.

"Harry, I guess I should tell you-"

"It's all right Remus, I already told him that Romulus isn't Romulus." Mundungus interrupted as Dedalus came in with a tray of tea floating behind him. Romulus leaned on the wall, his skin a bit pale.

"I'm going to have a migraine all night," he said, rubbing his temples.

Harry observed as the man's hair color started changing, the length as well. His body began contouring, his skin darkening.

When the transformation was complete, Harry gasped.

"Sirius!"