The Way Back to Daylight

Author's Notes: Massive thanks to cursedinsanity, whose beta (as always) rocked!

Night and day lie open the gates of death's dark kingdom:
But to retrace your steps, to find the way back to daylight-
That is the task, the hard thing.

- Virgil, Aeneid, VI. 128-130 (Oxford World Classics Ed.)

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Chapter Eleven

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"But this isn't Pluto's palace," said Remus, staring at the building in front of him.

Instead of the shimmering gold he remembered, there were brown bricks and glass windows, and an ivy creeper growing up one side. The roof was tiled and ordinary, with chimneys rather than turrets; really, it was more of a mansion than a palace. Everything gave the impression of a pleasant English spring day: the sky was mild and cloudless, and the vast garden consisted of lawns, white-gravel walkways, box hedges and roses. Remus thought it was all quite disappointing, and he could tell Sirius felt the same.

"I assure you, this is the palace," Dumbledore replied, with a twinkle in his eye. "You saw it from outside Elysium, where it was shaped by your own mind. From inside Elysium, the palace is shaped by the desires of its inhabitants. This is where Pluto and Proserpine choose to live; at least, for the moment."

"Honestly, how do you know these things?" Sirius asked, as the three of them approached the mansion's entrance, shoes crunching on the gravel path. "Come on, Professor, you can tell us. After all, I'm dead, and Remus is a vault for secrets."

Dumbledore just smiled and pressed the doorbell.

"All the modern conveniences," Remus muttered, astonished. "When Sybill told me they'd gone vegetarian, I suppose I only half-believed her."

The door was opened by a butler, who was the epitome of every butler Remus had ever seen in Western Muggle culture: black suit with coat-tails, white shirt, bow-tie, neat brown hair, and a long middle-aged face with a stiff upper-lip.

"Are you Pluto?" Sirius blurted, surprised. Remus realised he'd probably never seen a butler before.

"I am the butler, sir," said the butler, with a completely neutral expression. "I serve my master and mistress by managing their household."

"Don't they have any house-elves?" Sirius whispered to Remus, who would have elbowed him or stepped on his foot, if they'd been able to touch. He had to settle for a sharp look.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "With the greatest respect," he said, "we wish to meet with the supreme lord of this domain, King Pluto."

"Very well, sir. Shall I take your coat?"

"That's all right, we don't have any coats," said Sirius, bemused.

They followed the butler to the sitting room, where Remus and Sirius perched uncomfortably on a velvet chaise-longe, while Dumbledore sank into an armchair and put his feet on an ottoman. The room was done up in royal blue, with Victorian-era wallpaper of silver leaves entwined with faded roses.

"Please help yourselves to sherry, brandy, tea and coffee," said the butler, before giving a brief bow and walking out.

Sirius frowned. "Well, that was odd."

"The butler must be some kind of automaton," Remus mused. "Surely there are no real servants in Elysium?"

"It is impossible to tell," said Dumbledore, peering at them over his glasses. "Perhaps there was a man who, all his life, longed to spend eternity as a butler."

Remus was about to say more, when he heard heavy footsteps approaching the door.

"Pluto," he whispered, and the three men got to their feet.

Remus tried not to gawp as Pluto strode into the room. He was blonde, chiselled and built like a bear, with the physique of a classical marble statue. In a warrior's armour he would have been as formidable as Achilles or Hercules, but he wasn't dressed as a warrior: he was wearing tennis whites and trainers, and holding a racquet instead of a spear.

"My apologies for keeping you waiting, Mr. Black, Mr. Lupin and Mr. Dumbledore," he boomed, as he reached out his massive right hand to shake each of theirs. "I enjoy a spot of tennis on occasion - highly invigorating. My wife prefers yoga, but I've always found it rather silly. Lots of nonsense about energy flow. Women, eh?" He roared with laughter. "Come, sit down, and I'll call our maid to fetch whatever you desire."

"All that we desire is an audience with you, your majesty," said Dumbledore, quite unruffled. "We have business of a most urgent and serious nature to discuss."

"Very well," said Pluto, rubbing his hands together enthusiastically as he sat on an armchair. "I assume this has something to do with your prophecy, Mr. Lupin. Minos told me you'd be dropping by for a chat. Take a seat, and let's hear it."

"I assume you are aware of Mr. Black's situation?" Dumbledore asked, when they were all settled.

"Of course! I heard about it from Minos, the poor chap," said Pluto, giving Sirius a patronising grin and a shake of his head. Sirius bristled. "Oh, come now, don't take offence. You put on quite a show, and your ingenuity was astounding. For a moment I was tempted to intervene, but rules are rules, eh? Can't let someone out without every man and his dog having a go - no pun intended, of course." Again, he gave a loud, hearty laugh, but then his face fell. "Our security measures have to be especially rigid, you see, due to the troubles we've had."

"What troubles are those?" Remus asked.

"Well ..." Pluto cleared his throat. For a moment his jovial façade dropped away, revealing the defensiveness and sorrow beneath. "Let's not speak of troubles!" he declared, recovering. "Why not fill these halls with wine, women and song?"

"We've come to make a deal with you, your majesty," said Sirius, in a firm, commanding tone. "We've no time for wine, women or song."

Remus smiled to himself, and hid it with a cough. This was the Sirius he'd come for: the Sirius who would stand up to the gods themselves, when he thought they were being unreasonable.

Pluto was clearly taken aback, and his smile turned calculating. "So, you haven't come to make a request. You've come to bargain. Well, in that case -"

He broke off when a woman stumbled into the room. Barefoot and bedraggled, with mussed blonde hair and smudged mascara, she was dressed in an evening gown that had slipped off one shoulder. Remus and Sirius gaped at her, while Dumbledore averted his eyes with gentlemanly haste.

"Daaarhling," she slurred, draping herself onto one of Pluto's broad shoulders. "I am bored, bored, boooooored to death. Shall we play a game of whist?"

"Perhaps later, darling," Pluto growled, trying to extract himself. "As you can see, I have guests."

"Oh, hellooo," said Proserpine, trying to straighten herself. "I'm afraid you've caught me at an innopper ... inopp ... inconvenient time. I was wandering in my garden - wanting for company and anything better to do, you see - and I'm afraid I had a tad too much to drink."

"Indeed," said Dumbledore, his eyes still averted. "Your highness, we would not be offended in the slightest if you chose to take your leave, in order to have a tall glass of water and a lie down."

"That sounds splendid, really," Proserpine sighed. "Cheers." She curtsied and then swayed out of the room, giggling when she almost tripped in the doorway.

"She is ... oh, it is impossible to make her happy," said Pluto, putting his face in his hands. "I transform our palace and appearances into shape after shape, but I must face the truth - nothing here satisfies her. We've lived in every kind of magnificent dwelling, played every game and feasted on every cuisine, but to no avail. I thought the simple life of the English countryside might suit her, but she's only happy when she returns to the world of daylight, for six months of every year, to vacation with her mother." He rubbed his eyes and groaned. "Oh, but it's just one of the many troubles. Nothing is right. Everything has been thrown off balance. If anyone found out, you see, that -"

"That what?" Sirius asked. "That Cerberus is gone?"

"Precisely," Pluto muttered; then, straightening and staring at Sirius, "Precisely. How did you know about Cerberus?"

"We know where Cerberus is, but we can't tell you anything further until we've discussed our proposal," said Remus, carefully. "It concerns the prophecy you mentioned earlier. Did Minos tell you the details?"

"Yes, of course, the prophecy," said Pluto, flustered. "Two valued brothers have been lost; one roams the darkest region under daylight, while the other dwells in sunless lands. Only the wolf desires to follow the path of ancient heroes into darkness. He must seek the wizard who surpassed all others but could not fulfil his greatest wish. Together, they can petition the King to restore order." He paused for a moment, then added, "Ah, I see. The wizard is Mr. Dumbledore, and the two valued brothers are Mr. Black and Cerberus. But the darkest region under daylight?"

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "I am afraid, your majesty, that we cannot tell you where Cerberus is until -"

"It doesn't matter whether you tell me or not," Pluto cut in, agitated. Abruptly, he got to his feet and walked over to a side table, where he poured a glass of sherry and downed it in one gulp. "I can't access Cerberus, wherever he is. I used to be able to make trips into the world of daylight. In fact, that's how I met my wife - but those days are long over. We gods and goddesses must stick to our own realms, because our relationships are too fraught with chaos. So, say whatever you like about Cerberus."

"But Proserpine can access the daylight world," said Remus. "As can Minos and his brothers, I'm sure."

"Look," said Sirius. "We won't tell you where Cerberus is until you hear us out."

"I already know what you want me to do. But do you honestly think it's right? To grant a man life, though it's been rightfully taken?"

"I don't know about 'rightfully'," Sirius muttered.

"You have done it before," said Dumbledore, reasonably. "And in this case, I assume you have much more at stake. I am not aware of the particulars, however. When Cerberus came into my possession, I was under the impression he had been missing for some time, and you had found a replacement."

Pluto shook his head, taking the entire bottle of sherry with him as he came to sit back down. "Cerberus can't be replaced," he said. "He's as much a part of the Underworld as Elysium itself. He frightens the living from attempting entry, but that isn't his main role. Cerberus prevents the shades from making their way back to daylight, where they would inhabit whatever was left of their carcasses and rise from the earth."

"Couldn't Charon refuse to row them across the river?" Remus asked.

Pluto took a swig from the sherry bottle. "Charon can be summoned by the living, the dead or the immortal ... by anyone, in other words. He's a ferryman, not a guardian. I can't rely on him to stand in the way of a revolt; actually, there's no other creature I can entrust with the task. Only Cerberus can draw the shades back into my kingdom. He's not just a three-headed dog: he's gateway, as well as a guardian."

"You speak of him with affection in your voice," Dumbledore observed.

Pluto nodded, taking another swig. "He's a beloved pet. He's especially dear to my wife, who dotes on him and spends hours playing games with him. Ever since he disappeared, she's been hounding me to find him. She doesn't understand why I can't snap my fingers and make him appear. You can't imagine how much strife that dog's cost me."

"So you'll make the trade, then?" Sirius pressed, leaning forward. "Me for Cerberus?"

"I suppose it's only fair," said Pluto, with a shrug. "A dog for a dog. The truth is, I know you're good men. You wouldn't really risk the destruction of the daylight world. Even if I refused to help you, you'd probably end up giving me Cerberus."

Reluctantly, they all nodded.

"Think of this as a thank you, then, for saving me from a sticky situation. Of course, there's one condition. I won't risk sending one of my men on a fool's errand. Mr. Lupin must fetch Cerberus for me, and deliver him to the Underworld's entrance in England. I'm certain he's perfectly capable. Aren't you, old chap?"

Remus glanced at Dumbledore, who nodded and gave him a reassuring smile.

"All right," said Remus.

Sirius was shaking his head, alarmed. "Moony -"

"It's all right, Padfoot. I'll charm Cerberus with music."

"You can't play anything, and you can't carry a tune!"

"I'll find someone who can play music, then."

"Who?"

Remus thought about it, going through everyone he knew. Not Minerva, though he imagined her playing the bagpipes. Not Harry, Ron, Hermione or Ginny. Tonks had a lovely singing voice, but she was still in Romania. None of the other Weasleys played any instruments, did they? What about Harry's other friends from school? Dean, Seamus, the Patil twins, Luna Lovegood ... then, finally, Remus hit on it.

"Parvati Patil plays the violin," he said.

"Who?"

"Oh, she was one of my students at Hogwarts. She ended up fighting under my command during the war."

Sirius's eyes brightened. "You commanded people during the war? That's brilliant, Moony. Were you very strict? Did you have to yell at people a lot?"

"Pardon me, gentlemen," Pluto cut in, "but would you mind hurrying things along? I can wait here for an eternity, but I'd rather not."

"I quite agree," said Dumbledore. "I have some urgent business to attend to with a cup of tea and a pair of socks."

"All right," said Sirius, but he didn't stop staring at Remus.

Remus tried to memorise Sirius in a way he'd never been able to do, all of the other times they'd lost each other. Sirius's hair, that still looked silky despite its split ends and ragged cut, and Sirius's grey eyes with crow's feet at each corner, and Sirius's mouth that was still full and pink when it wasn't tightened with anger or sadness.

"Don't wade into the Lethe," Remus said, finally. "Whatever happens, wait for me."

"I promise."

"If it comes to it, I'll wade in with you."

Sirius looked like he wanted to say more, but Pluto rubbed his hands together and stood up. "Right then, Mr. Lupin. I'll send you back to England. Any destination in mind?"

"Diagon Alley," Remus replied, getting to his feet. "But what about the Gates of Horn and Ivory? Don't I need to exit through there?"

"Not if you've got me to help you," said Pluto, reaching out to clasp Remus by the shoulders. "I can banish the living from my kingdom. Just close your eyes."

"Wait a moment," said Remus, turning to look at Dumbledore. "I need to thank -"

"There is no need for that," said Dumbledore, smiling. "I only hope that you and Sirius drop in for afternoon tea every now and again, when you finally join me here."

"That goes without saying," said Remus. Then he turned to Sirius.

Neither of them said what they wanted to say, not in front of Dumbledore and Pluto, but Remus heard it anyway. He hoped Sirius did, too.

---

It was raining in Diagon Alley, and the air smelled of rotting autumn leaves and roast pumpkin. Remus took deep breaths, sending puffs of steam into the night air as he revelled in the vitality of the living world. The streetlights were on, but that was all. The sky was black with clouds and hazy with the reflection of London's electricity.

A glance at the clock-tower above Madame Malkin's told Remus it was 'quarter past the witching hour', or fifteen minutes past midnight. It suddenly struck him how foolish he'd been: what if he'd been sent back on a full moon night? He shook his head at himself as he hurried down the street, huddling in his robes and realising he'd forgotten to bring his backpack.

He'd visited Luna once before, when lending her a book about Australian bunyips, and he searched his memory for her address as he reached the rickety block of flats between the junk shop and second-hand bookshop. While he climbed the stairs, which stank of boiled rhubarb and mouldy potions, he remembered that her door was down the end of a corridor on the fourth floor, and the number had been nailed upside-down.

It didn't take long for him to find it: the silver '42' was the right way up, but backwards, and there was a pink note pinned above. It read, in curly green script, Do Not Disturb Unless Life or Death Situation (or you're looking for a job at The Quibbler, in which case leave your Floo address and the mandatory jar of peanut butter).

Luna answered the door in a red silk camisole and cowboy boots. Her necklace of butter-beer corks was tangled in her hair, but she seemed perfectly composed.

Remus just stared for a moment, flustered.

"Good morning, Professor Lupin. It's good to see you. Harry told us you'd done a very silly thing and might never return."

"I ... er ... this is probably a bad time, but ..."

He heard Parvati's voice calling, "It's not another applicant, is it? Tell them to sod off, Loony. There's a time and a place."

"Actually, it's Professor Lupin," Luna called back. "I think he's here because of a life or death situation."

"Oh, well, that's different then," said Parvati, as she walked up to stand beside Luna. She was much more soberly dressed, in a large blue dressing-gown and fluffy Niffler-slippers.

"Come in and have a cup of raspberry tea," said Luna, gesturing him inside. "We don't mind. Do we, Parvati?"

"I suppose not," Parvati grumbled, rubbing her eyes. "But you've got to promise you're not going to tell anyone about - well, about this. My parents don't know, you see ... I told Padma, and she didn't think very much of it, so -"

"It's all right, Parvati," said Luna, as Remus sat at their crooked kitchen table. One of its legs was propped up by what looked like a half-melted ceramic garden gnome.

"Yes, really, I won't tell anyone," said Remus, trying to smile reassuringly as he glanced around, alarmed by the state of the flat. It was even worse than the place he'd shared with Sirius after they'd graduated: the sink was over-flowing, the carpet was nearly hidden by stained newspapers, and there were books stacked to the ceiling, held up with spells. A huge brown dog was asleep on the sofa, snoring and pawing at the air, beside a stack of empty peanut butter jars.

Luna handed him a cup of steaming pink liquid, and he took a sip, trying not to grimace at the cloying sweetness.

"He's in love with Sirius Black," said Luna. "Aren't you, Professor?"

Remus choked on the tea, coughing until Parvati thumped him on the back.

"Really?" she asked, grinning. "Are you?"

Remus nodded, setting the tea down and hoping he'd drunk enough to be polite.

"How'd you know that, Loony?" Parvati asked. "And why didn't you ever tell me?"

"Oh, I didn't think it was important," said Luna. "And I only know because Harry told me. He took me on a trip to the London zoo last year, do you remember? I'd always wanted to see the penguins." She smiled, dreamily. "Anyway, Harry didn't seem to be enjoying himself, so I asked him what was wrong. After he told me, I said it all sounded quite sad, and I asked him whether Sirius had been loved by anyone else. Then Harry was thoughtful and quiet for the rest of the day, and bought me a helium balloon."

"That was thoughtful of you, Luna," said Remus. "Thank you."

"Well, that's different, then," said Parvati. "We're all in the same boat. So where have you been?"

"I went to visit Sirius, actually."

Remus told them the story, beginning with the prophecy at Sybill's shop and ending with his meeting with Pluto.

"I'm glad we ran into each other at Flourish & Blotts," said Luna. "Otherwise I never would have told you to go to Cardigan Alley."

"Why did you tell me that?" Remus asked. "After all, you couldn't have known what would happen ... could you?

"Sometimes I just know things," said Luna, slowly twisting her necklace out of her tangled hair.

"I can vouch for that," said Parvati, leaning over to help pull the necklace free. "So you need my help, Remus?"

"I'd like your help, but I can find someone else who plays an instrument, if need be."

"I'd be happy to help," said Parvati, smiling. "It's been too long since I had an adventure, and I never really got the chance to explore the Forbidden Forest. Would you like to come too, Loony?"

"Not really," she replied. "I don't mind the forest, but I'm afraid of the giant spiders."

Parvati scoffed. "Spiders? What spiders? Come on, it'll be exciting! Where's your adventurous spirit?"

"I was in Ravenclaw, actually," said Luna, with a frown. "And there really are giant spiders, you know."

"There are," Remus confirmed. "I've met them."

"Oh ... well," said Parvati, blanching but trying to hide it with a courageous grin. "I don't mind. Bring on the spiders! I'll just go fetch my violin."

---

Note: Kudos to anyone who can spot my geeky X-files homage. Also, keep in mind that I'm using massive amounts of creative license with the mythology, and some of the things I say about Cerberus are my own invention.