The Talisman of Monguk

Chapter 16: The Gathering Storm

Several days later, the Order of the Phoenix assembled at Grimmauld Place. The meeting had not yet started. Lupin, Kingsley, Angela, Moody, and several others were still upstairs in the drawing room, conversing. The main topic of conversation was a mass breakout from Azkaban that had occurred the day before. The incident made the front page of the Daily Prophet and featured pictures of all the escaped prisoners.

"I can't believe it," Moody growled. "What the devil has Fudge been doing? Didn't he take precautions to prevent this?"

"Of course, we took precautions," protested Kingsley, rounding on him. "The Department of Magical Law Enforcement has its reputation at stake. But this is You-Know-Who we're up against. He seems to find a way around every barrier that we put up."

"Yeah," added Tonks. "This was the third attempt, you know. We managed to prevent the first two."

"And Malfoy has been hanging around the Ministry a lot lately," said Arthur. "I've seen him several times in the company of the Minister."

"No doubt peddling his influence to try and get his comrades off," scowled Moody.

"He's succeeded too," added Angela with an exasperated sigh. "Both Crabbe and Macnair won pardons. I saw the paperwork on Ms. Penn's desk. Rumor has it that a plea bargain was reached. Dumbledore was powerless to prevent it."

"It doesn't really matter how they got off," Lupin rejoined with a frown. "They're all free now and back in Voldemort's service."

Snape strolled passed the door to the drawing room. He stopped, listening. Overhearing their conversation, he entered the room and joined in.

"Why does this news surprise any of you?" he remarked with a scornful glare. "I've been telling you for months that this would happen."

Looking annoyed, Kingsley changed the subject. "So, Angela, Tonks tells me that you pulled a few karate moves on your mission last weekend. Care to show us?" he asked with a smirk.

"It was just a lucky break," she insisted. "As I've said before, karate is really not very useful against wands."

"Aw, come on!" Kingsley persisted.

Several others enthusiastically joined in the urging. At their insistence, she relented.

"Oh, all right," she said. "Here's one that I've found useful. It's not really intended for use against wands, but it did work surprisingly well. Kingsley, would you care to help me?"

"I'm not going to end up on the floor this time, am I?" he asked, grinning.

"No, you'll remain on your feet for this one," she replied. "I promise."

"All right," he answered gamely.

"I'll need you to stand at arms length from me with your wand drawn and pointed at me," Angela instructed. "I will face you unarmed. I'll have to ask the rest of you to stand back and give us room."

Kingsley pulled out his wand and faced Angela. The rest of the spectators formed a circle around them. Snape watched with particular interest.

"Are you ready, Kingsley?" Angela asked. "Now, I'm going to attempt to take your wand from you."

Kingsley burst out laughing, lowered his wand, and doubled over with mirth.

"So, you don't think that I can?" she remarked.

"No," he replied, wiping a tear from his eye.

"We'll see," she replied with a twinkle in her own. "Now, hold out your wand. I'll begin on the count of three. One...Two...Three."

Nimbly, Angela grabbed his wand hand and forced the wand tip away from her body. Then she maneuvered in close and feigned several blows to his torso. In the next instant, she turned, grabbed the wand with her other hand, and knocked his wrist away forcefully. With a triumphant smile, she backed away with Kingsley's wand in her own hand, pointed back at him.

Kingsley just whistled and scratched his head. Snape watched with an incredulous sneer. The others observing the demonstration broke into wild applause and laughter.

"Wait a minute," protested Kingsley. "How did you do that? Let me see that again!"

Angela repeated the demonstration, this time in slow motion. Then she let Kingsley try it on her, guiding him through the moves step by step.

"That's a pretty neat trick," he commented after his attempt.

Snape strode to a nearby chair and sat down lazily, looking bored. "But I sincerely doubt that would ever work in a real duel," he drawled.

"Oh really?" Angela turned on him. "For your information, Severus, I did use it in real life and it worked."

Snape raised his eyebrows. "On whom?"

"Well, have you seen Nebulus Boggs?" Angela boasted.

A look of derision crossed Snape's face. "Boggs is an incompetent dueler," he sneered.

"Oh?" Angela rejoined, looking a bit crestfallen.

Lupin frowned and approached Angela. "This is how you disarmed Boggs at the cathedral?"

"Yes," she replied, the last of her pride ebbing away under his disapproving stare.

"Do you mean to tell me that Boggs had you cornered and without your wand in that entryway?" he asked, frowning at her.

Angela didn't answer, but nodded sheepishly.

"Do you realize that he could have killed you?" he admonished.

"Look, I know," she exclaimed. "Believe me. I didn't go looking for this. It just happened by accident. I got locked out of the cathedral and that Lestrange woman snuck up behind me. She disarmed me before I even knew she was there."

"Bellatrix Lestrange?" Lupin remarked, now truly alarmed.

Moody, who could see where this discussion was going, herded the others out of the room. "There's nothing more to see here. Down to the kitchens. Move along," he prodded.

The rest of the members filed out of the room, leaving Angela and Lupin alone. Snape was the last to go, lingering at the doorway. He listened with a look of smug satisfaction on his face.

"Bellatrix Lestrange is extremely dangerous," Lupin continued, his voice rising. "She's not someone to trifle with."

"I wasn't," Angela insisted. "Besides, I used the technique on Boggs. I was desperate. It was the only thing that I could think of to try. And thankfully, it worked."

"Look, these missions are just too dangerous for you," Lupin rejoined, furrowing his brow. "I think that you should just stick to patrols."

"And they're not dangerous for you?" Angela shot him an incredulous look. "I die with worry every time that you go out there, but I wouldn't dream of asking you to stop."

"It's different for me," he replied with a shrug.

"So you're saying that I can't handle it? That I'm not good enough?" Angela replied, the color rising in her cheeks.

"No, it's not that," he rejoined. He put his hands up in front of him, attempting to pacify her. "It's just that I have...more experience."

"Well, if I want to volunteer, that's my business," she rejoined. "I know the risks." Angela stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at him.

Lupin faced her with his arms crossed, returning her defiant stare. "No, I forbid you to do this. It's too risky!"

"Well, you're not the boss of me!" she shouted, her green eyes flashing back at him. "You can't tell me what to do! You're not even my husband!"

"Maybe we could change that!" he blurted out.

Before either could utter another word, their argument was interrupted by the arrival of Albus Dumbledore. They followed him down to the kitchen, still angry with each other. They chose seats on opposite sides of the table and plopped down with arms crossed, glaring at each other from across the room. The meeting was called to order.

Albus Dumbledore took a seat at the head of the table. He rested his elbows on the table, his fingertips together. Then he studied each face with his piercing blue eyes over his half-moon spectacles. Angela avoided his stare when he looked at her, not wishing him to see her angry. His expression was very grave.

"Greetings," he began, but his tone was solemn. "I do not come this evening with good news. Our enemy is prepared to attack. As you've heard, all of Voldemort's Death Eaters are now free and have rejoined him. The giants are also on the move and are traveling here. In short, Voldemort is mobilizing his forces for battle."

The members of the Order looked back at Dumbledore with stunned expressions. The room was deathly quiet. Every eye was fixed on him.

Dumbledore continued, "As the situation now stands, Voldemort has alliances with the dementors and the giants. His Death Eaters are recruiting soldiers from among the wizards, hags, banshees, and any others who can be persuaded to fight, willingly or not.

"As for our side, Minister Fudge is attempting to recruit soldiers for the Resistance from the wizard community. We have a few giants that Hagrid has persuaded to join us. We have all of you." He scanned the faces in the room. Then he turned to Lupin. "Remus, how stand the werewolves?"

"Sir, they will fight with us. Reluctantly, perhaps, but they will fight," Lupin answered soberly.

"Good, that is at least some consolation. But even with their help, our side is outnumbered three to one. Voldemort has superiority in both strength and numbers. Our time is running short. Therefore, I need all of you to recruit any and every able-bodied witch, wizard, or creature that you can persuade to join the Resistance."

Several members exchanged glances. Kingsley scratched his head. The members whispered amongst themselves, suggesting others that they might recruit to join. Their murmurings ceased, as Dumbledore addressed them again.

"We also know that Voldemort is seeking the Talisman of Monguk," said Dumbledore. "If he acquires it, he will enslave the goblins and force them to fight on his side. If he succeeds, then we cannot prevail against him. We must ensure that he does not get it. We know that he is delaying the battle until the talisman is found, but he is impatient. I do not know how much longer he will be willing to wait."

"Why don't we just go and get that talisman now?" Moody interjected. "Before You-Know-Who has readied his armies."

"That is precisely what he expects us to do," Dumbledore replied. "Voldemort knows that we have the map and suspects that we know how to use it. His followers are waiting for us. They're guarding the entrances to St. Meliflua's Cathedral in anticipation."

"Is there any other way into the catacombs?" Lupin asked.

"No," replied Dumbledore. "The only known entrance is through the cathedral."

"Why can't we just Apparate into the catacombs?" Tonks inquired.

"The cathedral and its catacombs are protected," answered Lupin. "You can't Apparate in or out of either one."

"Do we know which entrances to the cathedral are being watched?" Arthur asked.

"We know that the main entrance from the Underground is being guarded, as is the secondary entrance through the Queen's Chapel," replied Dumbledore. "We also know that Voldemort is monitoring the Floo Network to the rectory. But old structures like St. Meliflua's always have other more secret entrances. It is up to us to find them." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "I will need your help for this, Miss Tonks, since you have a gift for disguise. The Death Eaters will be looking for us, but you should have no trouble getting past them. I suggest a visit during weekly services."

Tonks nodded.

Dumbledore then addressed a seedy-looking wizard with shifty eyes who smelled strongly of drink. "Mundungus, your connections and gift for stealth may perhaps prove useful here as well. See what you can find out."

The old wizard grunted his assent.

Dumbledore continued, "For the time being, the map is safely hidden at Hogwarts. We have taken precautions to keep it secure. I am still concerned that Voldemort might force or trick someone into retrieving it for him. I am particularly concerned that he might try to use Harry Potter for this." Dumbledore looked directly at Snape. "Therefore, Severus, I would like you to resume Occlumency lessons with Harry. It is imperative that he learn to close his mind to Voldemort's suggestions."

Snape frowned with displeasure at the idea. "But, Headmaster, the boy is difficult," he protested. "Our lessons last year did not go well. Perhaps you could find someone else for this job. May I suggest Professor Hawkins?"

"I have no doubt about Professor Hawkins' ability to do this job," Dumbledore replied. "She is a fine professor. However, you may have noticed that I have not invited her to join the Order. Her mother is far more dangerous than even Professor Hawkins realizes. It would be fairly easy for her to extract secrets from her daughter that could be of use to our enemies. Professor Hawkins' family loyalty blinds her to the possibility."

Dumbledore cast a meaningful glance at Angela. She blanched and opened her mouth to defend her aunt. But her mouth snapped shut again, as she recalled Bellatrix Lestrange's warning. She realized that she also had been blinded by her devotion.

"But your point is well taken, Severus," Dumbledore continued. "Perhaps I will teach the lad myself."

"Thank you, sir," Snape rejoined with obvious relief.

"I must impress upon you all the seriousness of our current situation," Dumbledore concluded with a grave look. "If we fail at even one of these points, the consequences for the Resistance will be dire. We must succeed or perish in the attempt. The alternative is too terrible to contemplate. That is all."

As Dumbledore spoke, Angela felt her anger toward Lupin melt away. The possibility that the Dark Lord might actually succeed was a sobering thought. Although Lupin's life was difficult now, she knew it would be much worse in an England ruled by the Death Eaters. She imagined a world in which werewolves were rounded up and hunted down. And this was not just idle speculation. She'd had enough exposure to people like Dolores Umbridge and Nebulus Boggs to know what was possible. Bella's suggestion that her aunt would harm her family haunted her too. All these thoughts weighed heavily upon her, as she sat in the meeting.

At the close of the meeting, the members got up and slowly dispersed. The mood was subdued. After the others had left, Lupin returned to the kitchen. Angela remained in her chair with her head bowed and stared into her lap. Lupin sat down next to her and dropped his head into his hands.

"I'm sorry, Remus," she said, not looking up.

"I'm sorry, too," he replied.

"I'd rather go on missions with you," Angela said, speaking softly and glancing over at him. "But I'll stick to patrols, if that's what you want."

"No, you joined the Order to fight and that's what you should do," he replied, staring into her eyes. "It's just...when I think of what Bella or even Boggs might have done--" He broke off and looked away, unable to continue.

She put her hand on his shoulder and whispered, "But they didn't. I got away. I'm fine." Then she smiled reassuringly and added, "Not too long ago, you were telling me the very same thing. Remember?"

He glanced over at her and took her hand in his.

"Did you mean that part about making me your wife?" Angela ventured.

"Well...I," he stammered.

"Because if you did, then my answer is yes."

He looked at her with astonishment and disbelief. "But...I'm a werewolf."

"You're a man who happens to have been bitten by a werewolf," she corrected. Both her hands reached for his. She gazed adoringly into his eyes. "Remus, I've never felt about anyone the way that I feel about you. Considering what Dumbledore said tonight, I fear that we have very little time left. One or both of us could be killed in this war."

A look of apprehension flashed across her face. The expression on Lupin's face mirrored her own.

"I don't want to waste another day, waiting for a better time that may never come," she pleaded. "I would rather have the memory of one day with you than a lifetime of living without you. I love you."

Lupin swallowed hard. His words seemed to stick in his throat. "I never dared to dream that you would consent to marry me," he whispered.

He turned away, rose to his feet, and walked to the fireplace. His eyes stared into the fire. She could not see his face. His hand swiped across his cheek. Lupin continued staring into the fire as he spoke.

"Have you ever witnessed a werewolf transformation?" he asked softly.

"No," she answered.

"Then you must come with me at the end of this month," he said. "I lock myself in a room upstairs to transform. You can watch safely from the other side of the door through the keyhole. Then you will see the beast that I become." His voice was full of self-loathing. Lupin turned towards her. He looked at her longingly. "Then if you no longer wish to marry me, I will release you from your pledge."

She was filled with compassion for him. She yearned to throw herself in his arms and insist that nothing could compel her to change her mind. But, in her heart, she knew that he was right and that knowledge held her back.

Angela nodded and responded quietly, "I will do whatever you ask."

Then she went to him and gently put her arms around him to comfort him. He enveloped her in his embrace and held her close. Her head rested upon his shoulder. She lingered in the warmth of his arms, trying to suppress the growing feelings of apprehension that threatened to overwhelm her.