Charmed Curses

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Sorry this took so long, my password got changed and I couldn't login.

Words are unable to express my joy.

Thank you all so much for your support of my writing. You're all great! And thank you so much for the (As I consider it.) helpful criticism. I don't take it badly, and I welcome it as long as it's constructive. It helps a LOT! -^__^- Though I can't help it with certain errors... It is my own fault, and I'm sorry. But I try HARD! Don't worry!

READ and REVEIW, as always. ^__~

Thank you.

Geuna~

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Charmed Curses

By Lady Geuna

Rated: This chapter will be rated PG

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"..." speech

'....' thoughts

/.../ with italics means a flashback or part of a flashback. Longer memories will have no italics.

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Reunions: The Road To Truly Awakening (Part 1 of 3)

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"All those rumors of strange animals roaming the Forbidden Forest, the school grounds... I should've seen."

Severus Snape ~ Fanfiction "Charmed Curses", To Trust Thy Allies...

"Everyone has their doubts... We would not be human if we didn't have them, nor would we be alive. That way we know our own limitations...... .... But we can all make mistakes... We all have, and we will again..."

Albus Dumbledore ~ Fanfiction "Charmed Curses", To Trust Thy Allies...

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The events that took place at Hogwarts during the lunching hour in the Great Hall were still baffling for most. Many wondered why the old Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Remus J. Lupin, had mysteriously reappeared in a very battered state, asking for a word with the Headmaster. Others are still ever curious as to what the commotion was out in the hallway.... the screaming, the flashes of light, the sound struggling....

The doors, however, were quickly sealed before any of the students could see anything of importance. Professor Lupin was quickly taken away to the infirmary once all students were seated again. No one knows what's become of him since then...

Word had it that Professor Lupin had been sent by the Headmaster to assist with the Blast-Ended Skrewts in the dungeons, nothing more. But why send for someone form the outside when another teacher could assist? Well, Professor Lupin has experience with such creatures, of course!

The "quake", as it was now called amongst the students, was said to be one last effort from the Blast-Ended Skrewts down in the dungeons to escape. After that there were no more explosions, and it was announced that Professor Severus Snape, Professor Rubeus Hagrid and Professor Lupin had finally subdued and removed the creatures. It was told that Professor Lupin had been caught in the final blast, thus causing the injuries he had when he staggered into the Great Hall (How he got there so quickly, well... he did have magic on his side, didn't he?). Professor Lupin had come to inform the Headmaster that the Skrewts had been taken care of. Supposedly they would be released, like most creature found in Hogwarts, into the Forbidden Forest. In truth, Hagrid had been forced to return the Skrewts to their natural size (How he did so is a mystery to everyone besides Hagrid himself.). And the Skrewts couldn't be released into the forbidden forest (Like Fluffy the Hell Hound, Aragog, and many others before them.) because they were more likely to cause a forest fire than anything else. Their fate was entirely in Professor Hagrid's hands.

With the commotion in the hallway over with and the Skrewts gone, all Prefects were told to take their fellow housemates to their Common Rooms and to stay there until further notice. Classes would be canceled for the day, to everyone's delight. The next day would be a weekend, and some worried that they would still have to stay indoors.

The Slytherins were then allowed to return to their now... somewhat "battered" dungeons. Luckily, their dormitories and Common Room were left unscathed. But the same couldn't be said for the rest of the dungeons.... Some of the hallways had collapsed and many suits of armor and painting destroyed. Other than that, there wasn't much damage to areas that were most often used by both students and the Slytherin Headmaster. But one way or the other, the Slytherins were very displeased that their territory had been defiled, and demanded that it be cleaned up and repaired as soon as possible.

Professor Hagrid, having gained only a few injuries such as minor burn and scratches, was allowed to escape Madame Pomfrey's clutches and return to his hut. Professor Snape, on the other hand, had gain some more serious injuries that would require him to stay overnight, and possibly for the next few day (Or so they said.). Professor Lupin would also be detained, though the extent of his injures were uncertain. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore made the infirmary restricted to all visitors, including students, professors, and those who might want to check up on either Professor Snape of Professor Lupin.

Professor Robbie Dorrey, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, had formally declared that he would no longer be teaching at Hogwarts. His heart couldn't take the excitement, and his nerves wouldn't take one more emergency. He claimed that working at Hogwarts causes constant panic attacks (Especially when he had to teach the Slytherins.) and just wasn't cut out for the job.

He definitely wasn't a Gryffindor in his time...

These events all happened about an hour ago, and the rain stopped falling shortly after the students returned to their Common Rooms.

Harry Potter, however, had not returned. Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Neville Longbottom (Harry's fellow fifth year dorm mates.) and many other Gryffindors were curious as to where he was. He, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger had also missed Transfiguration that day without reporting in, and hadn't returned to the Gryffindor Common Room with everyone else. Hermione and Ron did return, however, some time later, but without Harry. They had been asked to assist with Professor Lupin, as they knew him very well. Harry stayed behind since he offered his assistance to Madame Pomfrey for the time being.

Harry's house mates found this very odd, but Ron and Hermione insisted that they shouldn't dwell on the subject, and both admitted to the fact that they had purposefully skipped their classes that day. Many were very disbelieving about this (Hermione!? Skipping class!??), but Hermione insisted that she wanted to try skipping at least once, for she would never, ever do so again.

Ron and Hermione were the only ones who knew where Harry really was... The only ones who really knew what was going one...

Now the school simply waited for nightfall while busying themselves with homework or Wizard games.

It had been a very, very odd day, even for those at Hogwarts...

~~~~~~~~~~~

It hurt.... So he was still alive, then...?

"It is time to wake, Lupin..."

Where was Harry...? Lupin saw him a moment ago... with Ron and Hermione. He was shoving his way through the crowds of students a moment ago... In the Great Hall... This wasn't the Great Hall, so where...?

"Lupin, wake-up..."

Pause.

Lupin wasn't sure how to wake... Who was that... Sleep.... Yes, that would be nice...

A sigh. The rustling of cloth. "Enervate!"

Lupin's body jumped a little, his eyes snapping open. Though he'd wished only to sleep a moment ago, he most certainly didn't now. The first thing Lupin realized was that he was in a bed in a very bright room. The light made his eyes hurt, forcing him to squint(He suppressed the urge to growl at this face.). He was unable to clearly see the face of the man who had spoken, who had said the incantation, but he did make out a pair of crystal blue eyes peering through half moon spectacles. "Albus...?"

Albus Dumbledore smiled down at him, his face lighting up. "Yes it's me, my boy. My, I haven't seen you since... the I'm glade you've made it back safely... More or less..." There was humor in his voice. Did that mean that all was well, then?

Lupin smiled a little, dimly aware of a pain in his ankle. He didn't say anything though it was throbbing terribly... But... Yes, it had been shot with some kind of hex... The Underground. The pain brought back those memories.

Everything was coming back to him, and his heart began pounding as a new doubt and overwhelming panic blossomed in his mind. "Oh no.... How long have I... Where are they?" He would've spoken louder, but his mouth felt dry and throat sore. Was he sick? "How are they, Albus? James, Sirius, Severus? Where?"

At the mention of Lupin's worry for Snape (Of all people!), Dumbledore's eyes light up proudly and he nodded as if he were confirming something to himself. "I see a common goal has brought you all to some sort of understanding..."

"Hardly, Albus," came an annoyed, cold voice from somewhere nearby. "I did it against my own better judgement.... and will. Had it been any other time..." He trailed off, grumbling something.

"I see Severus is just fine," Lupin mumbled, attempting to sit up. He had to see Sirius and James, he had to make sure they were fine after what happened... But his body felt like a lead weight, and in the end Dumbledore had to assist him into a sitting position. Lupin was becoming more and more aware of a slight chill he felt, causing him to shiver. "I feel ill," he groaned, feeling almost nauseous as he spoke.

"What!?" This was Madam Pomfrey, he could tell. There was a soft "thump" sound and a curse (Snape.) coming from somewhere to his left. "My goodness, you all couldn't stay out of trouble, could you!?" Her voice was trembling and she sounded almost irritable.

"What do you expect," came a snide remark (Snape, again.), then a grunt of annoyance/frustration. "Stop your pestering you bloody women-ARGH!!"

"If you would hold still, Professor Snape!"

"If you touch me one more time, Pomfrey..."

Lupin found it difficult to make out his surroundings. His illness (Probably due to running around in the rain and cold for so long.)was causing him sight trouble as well as pain. It felt like the flu. Luckily though, the room slowly came into focus and the nausea subsided a bit. "Is James okay," Lupin asked sleepily, looking around in a daze. Unfortunately he didn't see James or Sirius anywhere. He was between two white curtains that blocked his view of everything to either side. He could see the outlines of beds through the curtains, though he also noted the outline of a standing figure on the left side. There he thought he heard Snape and Pomfrey. She and Snape seemed to be struggling... This was all confusing... Had the Portkey worked after all? "How long have I been here...?" 'Where is everyone else...?'

"Not long," Dumbledore said quietly, patting him on the shoulder. "We rushed you up here as quickly as we could before any of the children saw our young fugitive..." A small chuckle.

"Wait... Where is Sirius!?" Sirius was still in human form the last time Lupin saw him. "Did anyone see him!? The Portkey did bring hi-"

"He's fine!" Pomfrey suddenly appeared, opening the curtain to Lupin's left with a flourish motion. Lupin could see Snape laying on the bed wearing a green two piece pajama suit. Lupin realized that he himself was also wearing such garments in red.

Though unlike Lupin, Snape's shirt was unbuttons, showing where Pomfrey was trying to heal his chest wound. Severus was deadly pale and scowling at Pomfrey, looking as though he were ready to just jump up and leave. Though he was in no condition to do either. Whatever had fit him on the shoulder in the passage either left no visible signs or was now healed. The wound in his chest had appeared to stop bleeding, but Snape had already lost too much blood, making him look tired and ghostly. The wound itself and the skin around it was a angry red/purple. It looked far too deep to fix with a common healing spells Pomfrey was used to casting (These are usually used for shallow wounds and scraps, not flesh that's been gouged with an antler...). A bottle of purple wound-clean potion sat on a table next to Snape. This is was probably caused Snape to cry out before, that stuff usually does sting terribly...

Snape, who was still glaring at Pomfrey, finally noticed that Lupin was watching him. He suddenly forced his breath to come out evenly and Snape turned his head away, though Lupin could tell that the man was still scowling, his face turning a little red with embarrassment. "I am fine," Snape said viciously through clinched teeth, "no thanks to this women..."

Madam Pomfrey looked absolutely furious, wheeling around to scold the perturbed Potion Professor. "I would expect a Hogwarts professor to be more cooperative! You're acting like a stubborn little child!"

Snape head snapped up toward Pomfrey, his eyes shooting flaming daggers. "I most certainly am not behaving like a child--"

"I can't deal with these two, Albus," she hissed, cutting Snape off and turning toward Dumbledore with a desperate look in her eyes.

Dumbledore shook his head tiredly. "Pomfrey..."

But Pomfrey continued with her rant, adding wild hand and arm gestures to her words. "They are ever so frustrating! Neither will listen to me and they must be treated!! And that stupid dog--!"

'Dog!?'

There was the sound of growling to Lupin's right. Lupin grinned, knowing exactly who it must be. "Sirius?"

Silence... Then quiet, "woof".

Lupin sighed in relief, and all of a sudden his pains didn't seem all that bad (That's what a peace of mind will do for you.). "Are you alright, Sirius?"

Pomfrey's face went crimson, her eyes narrowing into tiny slits at she glared at the dog through the curtain. "He can't tell you now, can he," she said crossly. "None of you are acting your age!" An equally cross snarl came from the other side of the curtain.

Dumbledore frowned and said to Lupin, "Madame Pomfrey is upset that Sirius won't change so she can check him. He wishes to remain a dog for the time being." He stepped away from Lupin's bedside and toward the still trembling Pomfrey. The woman looked like she wanted to scream bloody murder. "Pomfrey, you must calm down--"

"How can I be calm? I have a dead man and a criminal a-and..." She trailed off uncertainly, looking distraught. "I... I am sorry, Professor..."

"James Potter is very much alive," Dumbledore corrected her, "as you can see, and Sirius Black is an innocent man. I am sorry I had to throw this burden upon you, my dear."

This didn't help to calm Madam Pomfrey's nerves and she began pacing, playing with her fingers. "I cannot keep them here, Professor," she said firmly. "I-I can't lock the infirmary off from the students. There are too many falling ill this year, and they will need to be treated..."

"Well can work that out in due time--"

"Please," Lupin said suddenly with a note of urgency, "I need to see James." Why hadn't they told him anything yet? What something wrong? How hard can it be just to tell him!? Waiting was becoming a slow torture. "Why haven't you--"

"He is here," Dumbledore interrupted gently. "He is just in the next bed." He gestured to Lupin's right, where he had heard Sirius. The curtain was still closed.

That wasn't good enough. "I need to see," he said, his eyes glued to the curtain, wanting desperately to know what was on the other side. The anticipation was killing him, and the fact that Dumbledore and Pomfrey didn't pull the curtain open was making him even more worried. Lupin was ready to say something when his vision began to dance again, and he felt a cool hand touch his forehead. It was Pomfrey.

Pomfrey frowned. "Hmmm... a fever... A cold, I'll bet. Damn this bloody weather..." She checked his pulse and felt his forehead one more time before looking into his eyes closely. "Do you feel very ill, sir?"

Lupin let out a grunt of protest, trying to push the woman away. "I don't--"

"Are you feeling very ill," she repeated stubbornly.

"YES!" 'What does it look like!?' Lupin could see why Snape had been so annoyed. "But I don't--"

"Fine! Than it's nothing that a Pepperup potion cannot fix!" Hardly a moment went by before Pomfrey suddenly disappeared and returned again with a potion bottle. It was practically empty, however, and she looked highly displeased as she swished the content of the bottle around experimentally. "This is hardly enough for a mouthful, but it's all I have for right now. Professor Snape will need to brew some more for me..."

Snape snorted. "You just see if I bother..."

Pomfrey ignored him, thrusting the bottle at Lupin's mouth. "Take the rest of it, Professor Lupin. It might help at little at least. Open up."

Lupin had taken Pepperup potion before when he got sick his third and sixth year at Hogwarts. Of course it worked instantly, but he found it very unsettling. After drinking it a tingly, fierily feeling would sweep through his body, right up to his fingertips, chasing away the sickness and chill. And the smoke coming from his ears had been very distracting.

Lupin didn't even have a chance to prepare himself before the bottle was put up to his lips and the liquid was pored down his throat. He coughed, gagging as he tried not to choke. As always, a fierily, tingly feeling filled him, but this time it seemed a little... duller than before. The chill was gone and his throat felt soothed, but his body still ached, and there was now only faint nausea. And, thankfully, smoke wasn't coming out his ears.

Pomfrey seemed to notice that and "tisk, tisked". "I thought so. You're not smoking out the ears. You'll need more of this once I get some...."

"Maybe you should look for some now," Dumbledore suggested, hinting toward the fact that he wanted Pomfrey to leave for a while, shooting her a knowing look. "If you would."

Lupin nodded, looking toward Pomfrey as well, looking very pleading. "I do still feel a bit ill..."

Pomfrey took the hint, nodding quickly and placing the empty Pepperup potion bottom on a table that stood between Lupin and James' beds. "Of course, Professors." Then to Snape she asked, "Have you made any recently?"

Snape exhaled loudly, closing his eyes even as he spoke, "My classroom, in my desk, the lower left-hand drawer. There should be three bottles there, labeled. Do NOT touch anything else, if you please..."

"Won't the drawer be locked--?"

"You are a grown Witch, Pomfrey, you will find a way to open it, I'm sure."

Pomfrey gave the man a soar look before turning to Dumbledore. "I don't see how I can go down there," she whispered (Though both Snape and Lupin could still hear her.). "It's mess down there, and what if the classroom is blocked, or caved in, or--"

"I'm sure you will be fine," Dumbledore said firmly, interrupting her. He eyed Snape, whose eyes had narrowed dangerously, his face turning pink. "Please move along."

She nodded and walked off, straight out the door and disappeared from view. Snape starred after her, his eyes wide, his face growing even redder. "My dungeons, what's happened!? What was she blabbering about!?"

"She is rather difficult, isn't she," Dumbledore said pleasantly, acting as though he hadn't heard Snape. "The best at what she does, she is indeed." Before Lupin had to ask again, he grabbed hold of the curtain separating him from James and pulled it aside.

James sat in the bed about six feet away, reclined by pillows and wearing the same pajamas as Lupin. His round glasses sat perched on his nose looking as good as new. His wounds had been healed, but his skin was still very pale, as well as his eyes still had dark circles around them. James seemed to be asleep, his chest slowly rising and falling... Sirius (still a dog) sat cuddled up at James' feet. He looked up when the curtain was moved aside, his eyes meeting Lupin's. Sirius looked quiet the guard dog; sitting, poised at the end of James' bed, ready to bite or attack if anyone chose to put his "master's" life in danger..

Lupin smiled reassuringly, his heart warming. "You're going to be a stubborn old fool, aren't you," he asked Sirius jokingly. "You're not going to leave him, eh?"

Sirius let out a loud grunt, turning his head away sharply. Lupin laughed a little, but heart felt so heavy... No, he wouldn't let that get to him.

"I figured as much! You should let Pomfrey check you. You were injured, I do recall."

Reluctantly, after a moments hesitation, Sirius stood on all fours and jumped off the bed, careful as to not step on James. In an instant a human Sirius Black stood before then, looking very disheveled. "I would rather not deal with her right now."

"James doesn't need any protecting as long as he's here," Lupin said. "He's safe..."

"I can't just stand here and do nothing," Sirius said defensively, gesturing toward James. "Look at him! He's been through hell, and the least I can do if give him some security."

"If you do feel up to it," Dumbledore offered, "I suggest you talk to Harry. I've James would be much more thankful if you did that."

Sirius' eyes widened. "He knows!?"

"You told him," Lupin gasped, looking at Dumbledore as if he had done some unthinkable and cruel. "When did he find out!?"

"I had to tell him... I told him everything earlier this morning. And the boy has been waiting very impatiently outside," he pointed toward the infirmary door, "for quite some time now..."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry had been waiting in front of the infirmary for some time now. He had been held back earlier, but he waited, and now his patience was running thin. Harry was more than ready to blow the door down, but had Hermione advised strongly against it.

By now Harry had convinced Ron and Hermione to go back to the Gryffindor Common Room while he stayed and waited, telling them to make up some sort of excuse to explain his absence. School was now totally canceled, as Dumbledore announced earlier, and it had been also announced that the Blast-Ended Skrewts had been taken care of(Hagrid probably got ride of them as soon as Snape returned.).

Now he had to wait, seated against the wall next to the infirmary door, until someone came out with some news... anything so he could...

He sighed, bringing his knees to his chin tightly. Harry's anxiety was making him almost queasy. When Madame Pomfrey had walked out a moment ago he thought she would tell him something, but she said that she had to get something from the dungeons, and Harry still had to wait...

"This isn't fair," he mumbled, sighing deeply. "Not fair at all..."

Then the infirmary door opened...

Harry immediately sprang to his feet just as a tall, dark haired man darted through the opening, then the door closed again. Harry was shocked at who it was. "Sirius," Harry whispered in a hoarse whispered, so startled he backed up a few steps. "What are you--I mean is he here!? Is he okay!? Can I see him!?"

"Harry--"

"Is Lupin all right....!? Oh Merlin, what happened to you...!?" Sirius looked like he'd been in a fist fight, black and blue bruises peeking out over the collar of his shirt.

"I'm fine, Harry. Remus and...." He stopped, his brows furrowing a bit. "James are going to be just fine, I promise... He's just sleeping right now..."

"H-He is here!?" This was a confirmation. His father, his father was is that room! "He's really here... I need to see him..." Harry tried to step around Sirius, to reach the room, but the taller man blocked him. "I need to see him, Sirius, please!"

Sirius shook his head sadly, unwilling to move. "Harry," he put a hand on Harry's shoulder, sighing, "We need to talk..."

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Who was it who sent me that owl," Snape asked Dumbledore, "telling me of the Portkey?"

"Mr. Arthur Weasley," Dumbledore replied. "He was good enough to give his assistance."

"I would like to thank him," Lupin said quietly, now watching James sleep next to him. "We owe him so much..."

"Indeed..."

"......."

"You have no need to fear for James."

Lupin looked up, confused. "What?"

Dumbledore walked over to James' bedside, looking over the man carefully. "I feel... something odd from him. But I don't know what it is, yet..." He saw the odd look Lupin was giving him and he smiled back, winking a little. "All because I'm an old man doesn't mean I can't sense things."

"True...." Lupin tried to ignore his own doubts, but they kept voicing themselves over and over in his head. "I want to help him, but I don't know how... He's seems very ill in the mind..."

"He's catatonic," Snape said simply. "It is obvious to me. The way he kept raving like that, I think he's lost his mind."

"We don't know that!"

"That Cruciatus Curse can drive men mad, you know that--"

"I am a werewolf," Lupin roared, "I could feel it! I could smell it! Something that other humans can't! Don't tell me what you think, Severus, because I know! James is not insane!"

It took Lupin a moment to realize exactly what he'd screamed, his face heating as he felt both Dumbledore and Snape starring at him in shock.

"I... I'm sorry..."

"You can sense something," Dumbledore said thoughtfully, seemingly unaffected by Lupin's outburst (While Snape was still starring it him.). "Can you explain?"

Lupin gulped, looking for the right words. "There is something there, and it's NOT James... That wasn't him... in the passage..."

"Do you think you can tell me what happened," Dumbledore asked questioningly. "What did he do that was so terrible?"

Lupin looked over to Snape quickly, who turned away. "You may tell him if you wish," Snape said indifferently. "You don't need my permission..."

He didn't like the fact that he would have to tell Dumbledore everything, but it was for the best... And Dumbledore seem quiet ready to listen as he took a seat in a chair next to Lupin bed.

"All right..." Lupin closed his eyes for a moment, his mind replaying the events in the passage. "We were nearing the Portkey, and suddenly we were attacked... During this we tried to wake James, but he wouldn't no matter what we tried. At first I thought he might be in some sort of enchanted sleep, but then...."

///*Flashback*

James was awake, only Lupin could see it....

"Incendio!" This was Sirius. There was a quiet "BOOM" from the end of the passage, the sound of distant screaming. "Ha! Got them," Sirius yelled, grinning sadistically. "Bastards..." The curses kept flying, but there weren't as many this time.

Lupin was the only one who could see the cold, dead look in James' eyes....

"Stop celebrating, you fool," Snape snarled, "we're outnumbered!"

Lupin saw no recognition in the man's eyes...

"I am not giving up, "Sirius shot back. "I'll die first!"

Lupin was the one who could hear James say the words that seemed to make time stop for that one moment...

"You'll pay," he whispered. "You'll all finally pay..."

This wasn't James...

"PADFOOT!! J-James!!"

"What!? What's happened!?"

For a moment everything seemed to pause. The fight halted, nobody breathed, it grew colder and a nearly tangible tremor passed through the air.

And the world began to tremble...

Lupin hardly realized that James now stood in the middle of the passage, his wand raised ('When did he move!?'). Both groups had ceased their attacks, trying to understand what was going on. The trembling grew louder, and louder, and more powerful. It was everywhere....

Now Lupin, Sirius and Snape all watched James.... He was doing something... Was he causing this?

"Wha--...?

Suddenly the ground rocked, literally. Sirius and Snape cried out and fell to the ground, their balance thrown off while James stood his ground with ease. Chunks of stone, dust and dirt showered from the ceiling, causing the passage to look even darker, making it even harder to see. The noise almost deafening and it would only increased in volume. The only other sound was.... screaming... From their attackers...

They were still a good distance away, but Lupin could see it...

The passage collapsed... right on top of them.... Crushing them...

But there was still screaming...

And James watched, a satisfied grin crossing his lips.

He watched with dead eyes...

Eyes that were strangely focused, though he wasn't wearing his glasses...

"Oh... Merlin...."

This isn't James.... It was NOT!

"What's happening," Sirius demanded, covering his head as more dirt and stone fall from above. "What!?"

"It's James!" 'He's trying to kill those people, he's trying to crush them!' "James, stop!"

Still the passage quaked. Lupin could tell that the walls were very close to collapse. And... The ceiling was about to collapse over James' head. James wasn't even paying attention.

Lupin struggled to his feet (Ignoring the pain in his ankle.), staggering over to his friend. Even as he grabbed onto the man for support James didn't move nor acknowledge his presence. Feeling that James wouldn't listen to him even if he tried, Lupin grabbed the man around the shoulders and shoved as hard as he could.

The ceiling collapsed.

And Lupin himself wasn't totally clear of the falling rock.

Pain flashed through his arms and cloth tore. His ankle hurt worse than even and...

"What are you doing!?"

'James...?'

They had landed on the ground, and James shoved Lupin roughly away, cursing. "How dare you! Get away! You can't stop me!!"

And the passage was still quaking, it was still falling apart.

"James, stop! Stop!!" But James wouldn't stop. The rage still burned in his eyes, the passage continued to crumble. Lupin desperately tried grabbing for the man, but James stumbled away, getting out of his reach.

But Sirius was there in a second and grabbed James from behind. "Stupefy him, Moony! Do it now!!"

Lupin did so. "Stupefy!"

But James still moved, still screamed, and the chaos continued.

Snape made his way over to them, though he was barely holding himself up anymore. He could die in his state, but he kept fighting. Snape tried to Stupefy James as well, but again it didn't work.

"Why isn't it working!?"

"I don't know, he won't stop!"

Snape began coughing, gasping for breath. The air was too thick with dust and dirt, there wasn't enough air. Soon Snape was coughing violently, nearly falling over.

"Severus, what's wrong with you!?"

"I... can't breath..."

"James, stop it, PLEASE!!"

"Get rid of his wand! Take it away!"

"I have, it didn't help!"

"Stupefy!"

"JAMES!"

"Stupefy! STUPEFY!!"

"I'll kill them," James shrieked, struggling. "Let me go!! I'll kill you for what you've done!! I'LL KILL YOU...!!"

*End flashback///

".... And he keep screaming like that.... over and over...."

Lupin stopped, unable to continue as his throat tightened. He looked away, pressing his lips tightly together as he shook his head. "I'm sorry Albus... it was just a horrible thing to watch..."

"I understand," Dumbledore said quietly. "To see a friend like that must have been quite unsettling..."

"It was..." 'Especially when that friend is supposed to be dead...'

"Is there anything else you need to tell me, Lupin?"

Lupin sighed, taking a deep breath. "There isn't much else, just.... Sirius dragged James along the rest of the way. Everything was still collapsing down on us, but we couldn't get it to stop, no matter what we tried. I'm not sure how we did it, but we reached the Portkey..." He shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "I was afraid it would get crushed before we got to it... but it was still in tact." He chuckled. "An old Muggle sink, I believe..."

Dumbledore nodded. "I removed it from the hallway before anyone could touch it again. It will be disenchanted as soon as possible."

"I think some of the people we were fighting, the ones from the passage... Some of them had gotten out somehow and came after us. I took over with James, and Sirius held them off..." He glanced over at Snape.

Snape was looking at him intently, his eyes flashing with... something... Lupin knew why though, so he wouldn't tell Dumbledore about what Snape did.... If Snape wanted anyone to know, than Lupin would leave it up to him...

"We had some difficulties," Lupin continued. "But we all made it were. We appeared outside the Great Hall, and somehow whatever James was doing to the passage happened here as well." He grimaced. "I would hate to think of what could've happened to the school if it weren't for Sirius and Severus..."

"I see," Dumbledore mussed. "And the other noises you heard, the yelling...?"

"Sirius and Severus. They tried to Stupefy James one more time, and together they managed it..."

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"....."

"Albus...?"

"Yes?"

"Is... Has James lost his mind...?"

"No, I think he is just very confused. Pomfrey gave him a mind clearing potion, in hopes that it might help. But give him time." Dumbledore stood from his chair, turning to leave. "I have some things I must take care of. You should rest until tomorrow, but if you wish to talk I will leave my gargoyle will remain open for you. If you wish to sleep elsewhere, Professor Dorrey has resigned and his room is open for your use. And I shall find somewhere to stash Sirius... Though he might prefer the Shrieking Shack, if I know him well enough..."

Lupin smiled. "Yes, be probably will..."

Dumbledore looked toward Snape as well. "Thank you, Severus..." These was something in his voice, Lupin didn't know what exactly, but it surprised him.

Snape said nothing, but nodded.

The Dumbledore was gone...

Snape said nothing to him, but gave him one last glance before turning away. Lupin looked over to where James lay fast asleep.

Dumbledore's words echoes in his mind.

'No, I think he is just very confused. Give him time.'

"I hope you're right, Albus..."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Snape had listened to the whole retelling. He was somewhat surprised when Lupin chose to... exempt certain parts....

Though, he really didn't understand what made him do it in the first place...

Black was a step behind them as they knelt around the Portkey. Everything was ready to collapse at any moment, but still, Black chose to hold off their attackers. Snape felt somewhat inadequate that he couldn't help as well, but he was no longer in the condition to be throwing curses about..

"Sirius!" Lupin was calling to his friend even as he struggled with Potter, who was still putting up a fight.

"Move, Black," Snape screamed, "we going now with or without you!"

Black complied then, turning and stepping toward them as they all had a hand ready.

A falling chunk of ceiling then fell, hitting Black on the head, hard. The man staggered, falling forward, just out of reach of the Portkey. He wasn't unconscious, but he was obviously stunned. He wasn't going to make it. Everything was about to come down on them.

Lupin screamed, "No! Sirius!"

But someone had darted out, reaching out for the falling man....

Snape had moved from the Portkey and grabbed Black by the front of his cloak. With a sharp yank he had dragged Black forward to where he could reach the Portkey.

"Now!!"

Snape and Lupin touched the Portkey at the same time. While Lupin was still struggling with Potter, Snape had made sure to kept a firm hold on Black....

He's saved Black....

They appeared outside the Great Hall. Black had collected himself, and he and Snape both subdued Potter after much effort. The quaking had followed them there, but it stopped as soon as Potter was unconscious. Lupin staggered away through the entrance of the Great Hall in search of Dumbledore.

Snape didn't care anymore, he was weak and had lost too much blood. Slowly falling unconscious, he slumped to the floor where Potter already lay, feeling at least a little happy that he could finally breath again...

'How could I have done something so stupid,' he scowled himself. 'How? If the Dark Lord found out...'

No, the Dark Lord wouldn't find out... he couldn't...

Madame Pomfrey soon returned with a Pepperup Potion for Lupin(Lupin turned it down, insisting that he could handle himself.), and she was quick to offer a Sleeping Draught to Snape. Snape didn't argue this time, allowing the potion to send him into sleep. But his troubled thoughts followed him even there...

~~~~~~~~~~~

The Ministry had long since ridded themselves of Dementors. Thirteen were spotted, ironically (The number thirteen is legendary to for being a bad omen.), but all fought off. Sadly to say, there had been numerous casualties for both the Ministry and civilians. Some Dementors had entered homes, eager to sate their hunger and claiming the lives of those who tried to hide. Some Ministry members had been too weak to fight the creatures, and their lives were soon claimed as well, thought not all to the Dementors Kiss. One man died of fright. Another witch died as her heart stopped, unable to handle to pressure put upon her. A few nearly driven into insanity. No one had been skilled enough with the Patronus Charm...

Arthur Weasley had just returned with a group of five, which had originally been a group of eight.

Few found reason to celebrate this "victory", if you could even call it that. Mr. Weasley had expected something like this. Everyone refused to believe that the Dark Lord had anything to do with the massacre, but Mr. Weasley knew... Just as Harry had told him. If Voldemort were to gain control of all the Dementors, than it would be hell of earth for everyone. No one would be safe...

Mr. Weasley headed for a checkup now. He was ordered to when he got back, and now he and many other gathered outside the infirmary, waiting for their turn as those majorly injured where treated inside. The Dementors hadn't been easy on them...

"Dad? DAD!!"

Mr. Weasley got ripped away from his thoughts as a pair of arms wrapped around his arms and chest and a heavy weight thrown against him. At first he stumbled but quickly regained his balance. He was a familiar head of red hair, cut in a clean, neat style. "Percy? Oh Merlin, are you hurt?"

"Me!?" Percy pulled away, looking into his father's face, astonished. "What about you!? I thought you'd... I didn't know if you would make it--there were so many dying and... Oh, you look terrible, Dad. Y-You're so pale and..." His voice trailed off uncertainly and he put his palm to his forehead while backing away. "I never thought any of this could ever happen," he whispered uncertainly. "But it is..."

'Charlie...' "Percy, has Charlie's team come back yet? Have you heard anything from them?"

Percy froze, his eyes widening. "You don't know...?"

It felt like his blood had turned to ice and he became very light headed. "What...? The Dementors--"

"No, it wasn't a Dementor," Percy said quickly, as if that would calm him (It didn't help much.). "Charlie's team... was attacked. By people, we don't know who. Charlie and the others were checking out the lower passages because they saw something..."

"What happened? What happened, Percy!?" 'Let Charlie be alright, let Charlie be alright...'

"A-A fight broke out, and the passages collapsed, Dad... They collapsed..."

'No, it can't be...' "Where's Charlie, Percy?" Percy didn't respond his eyes cast to his feet. A number of heads turned their way as he grabbed his son's shoulders and shook him. "Where is he!? What happened!?"

"Dad, stop it!!" Percy shoved himself away from his father roughly, adjusting his glasses as they slipped a little. And there was no way he could had the hints of fear from his expression. "Please... I don't know if Charlie's--I don't know! Some were dug out and--the infirmary...." He let out a choked sob, bringing a hand to his face. "I don't know. I was too afraid to check, Dad, I was too scared..."

Mr. Weasley didn't waste anytime before he spun around and rushed toward the in infirmary. The door stood wide open, and though a number of people yelled at him or tried to hold him back he kept going. But in the end they let him go and soon he was there amidst lines of beds and floating stretchers, all of them occupied. The air smelled sterile and the room bright. He began searching frantically, but found that Charlie was in none of the beds(This gave him some hope.). Next he look over the numerous stretchers (All floating at about knee height.) which dotted the floor.

And it was on one of these that he saw a familiar head of flame red hair...

"Charlie!!" He rushed over to the stretcher, falling to his knees beside it, the stretcher floating at Mr. Weasley's waist level. "Charlie...? Charlie..."

A blanket covered his son up to the waist. From there... it was a mess. Charlie's left robe sleeve had been ripped away revealing angry red burns, scratches, and dark bruises that reached up to his neck and continued even to his chest (His shirt and robes had been cut open to reveal such...). Charlie smelt of burnt hair, and Mr. Weasley saw that his red locks were slightly singed and blacken at the edges, as were his robes...

Charlie's eyes were closed and he wasn't moving...

"Charlie.... oh no...."

His son was.... dead...

Mr. Weasley's worst fear had come true, and... "Oh... my son... no.... no...." He fell forward next to the motionless body, resisting the urge to disturb to his son by moving it. He instead, after a moment, he sat up and rested his head on Charlie's chest.

"Charlie...."

'Dead....'

He'd never felt so hollow and empty... Never...

He should've let Charlie go... Mr. Weasley knew that something terrible would happen, and now his son was gone...

But Mr. Weasley didn't notice that Charlie's chest was rising and falling ever so slightly...

"Dad....?"

Mr. Weasley felt a hand touch his head, and he slowly looked up into his son's eyes... They were open and sparkling with mirth. Mr. Weasley suddenly felt like fainting...

"Hey Dad," Charlie said sleepily, "I was having a lovely dream, and here you go and wake me up. That's terribly rude, don't you think?" He laughed a little at the shocked(?)expression on his father's face. Charlie's laugher soon faded, however, his pale face donning a very surprised look as he looked at Mr. Weasley a little longer. "Dad.... you're crying..."

He was, and Mr. Weasley only now noticed that tears were welding up in his eyes. But he didn't care. Why would he care? His son was alive!

The empty feeling had disappeared completely and was soon replaced with a surge of joy. "I thought you were..." He wanted to hug Charlie, but that didn't seem like a good idea considering his condition. "Are you okay?--No, you don't look okay--how much does it hurt?--Why aren't you in a bed like everyone else?--Bloody doctors--Can I get you anything?--" He continued babbling like this until Charlie waved him off.

"I'm a bit rough around the edges, but I'm find... Oh, don't give me that look, you're behaving like Mother..."

"Charlie?"

Both Mr. Weasley and Charlie looked up. Charlie smiled. "Hey, Perc."

Percy must have followed his father, and now he stood wide eyed at his older brother. Starring at the injuring and his torn robes in some state of horror. "Are you... You look... You look terrible... Are you going to be okay!? Why haven't they treated you!?" His voice was trembling, his throat sounded tight and raw.

"Your brother's fine, Percy," Mr. Weasley breathed, smiling widely. "He's just...," he grimaced, his hand hovering over Charlie's burnt arm, "... a bit banged up.." He looked around, seeing that all the doctors were busy with other people, swarming about the bed and various stretchers. So many had been injured... "Do you want me to try and treat this? The other doctors won't be getting to you for a while..."

Charlie glanced down at his own arm as well, wincing at the sight. "That did smart, I'll admit... But it's no problem. They gave me something for it and I'll be cleaned up in no time. Don't fuss, Dad." He pouted a little. "But I was sort of hoping for another "battle scar" or something, like after a dragon roughs you up a bit."

Mr. Weasley blinked. "What...?"

Percy gawked at him. "How can you say something like that!? Mother would kill you if she heard you say something as inane as that in front of her! How can you be thinking of something like that when you nearly died!" Mr. Weasley couldn't help but look up at Percy in shock. It wasn't often that Percy yelled like that... A doctor cast Percy a warning look, however, and that's all it took to make him stop. He then stood there, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Charlie laughed at Percy's reaction, looking thoroughly amused. "Come on, Percy, what's wrong?"

Percy gave him a mean, stern look, forgetting the doctors warning glance already if but for a moment. "I'm worried about you, idiot! What do you think!?" He crossed his arms tightly over his chest, his face pinking a bit while he shifted from one foot to the other nervously. "I thought I should come in and... Ohaaargh, Charlie! Never do that again you bloody fool!"

"You don't have to be the bloody most superior one all the time, Percy," Charlie said quietly, his face suddenly loosing all it's humor. "Just let off it for once, okay? Just relax."

Percy looked... Baffled, startled, shocked, something, but Mr. Weasley didn't know for certain. He just stood there, his mouth hanging slightly open as he watched his older brother. Then finally he dropped to his knees at Charlie's side, opposite Mr. Weasley, placing a hand on his brother's good shoulder. "You're an insufferable.... stupid...."

Charlie smiled, reaching out and messing up his little brother's hair playfully. "I love you too, Percy, old boy. I'm fine, I swear... Just a little tired is all..." A yawned sleepily, his eyes drooping. "I'm just going to go back to sleep, okay Dad...?"

Mr. Weasley nodded, smiling warming and kissed Charlie quickly on the forehead. "You just sleep, Charlie... I'll tell your mother you're okay..."

"Good idea..."

"And you," he looked over to Percy. "Don't you go telling your mother about this just yet."

Percy nodded silently.

Mr. Weasley looked down at Charlie again. "I'll see if I can make you more comfortable... I'm very proud of you, son."

Charlie grinned. "I know. Thanks Dad....."

He was asleep.

"I'm proud of you..." Mr. Weasley looked up to Percy, who was watching him. A small smile was tugging at the edges of his lips, but he was still trying to look serious. "I'm proud of all of you..."

When Mr. Weasley finally felt to find something to treat Charlie with, Percy didn't leave his brothers side.

For once, he ignored his work for something he found more important...

~~~~~~~~~~~

To be continued...

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