Labyrinth of Illusion

"Ah, Remus," Dumbledore stood up from behind his desk as the slight young man entered his office. "How are things with Hermione and Ron?"

Remus stepped cautiously into the Headmaster's office. He always moved slowly, almost reverently into the room. Even as an adult, he was still in awe of Albus Dumbledore.

"They will be fine. Roughed up badly, but they will recover. Madame Pomfrey wishes to keep them for a few days... Is that why you called for me?"

"That, and I need to ask you something." Dumbledore gestured to the chair in front of his desk. "Have a seat."

Remus slipped into the chair, looking around the room. Fawkes was quiet, staring directly at him. He was always a bit uncomfortable around the legendary bird. Fawkes didn't care for werewolves. "What is it, Professor?"

"I've spoken with Hagrid over the incident the other day." Dumbledore sat back down, folding his hands on his desk. "He was rather concerned about Sakura."

"To be honest sir, Hagrid isn't the most unbiased person when it comes to Sakura. He hasn't been fond of her since our fifth year."

Dumbledore nodded. "If I remember correctly, that situation wasn't much different from this one. Sakura had slaughtered almost a dozen chickens."

Remus shook his head. "Sakura can't be held accountable for what happened. That was Yasha. There is a difference between them." Remus blinked. "You're wondering if it's a good idea having Sakura guard Harry."

"After what has occurred, the thought crossed my mind." Dumbledore sighed deeply, rubbing the bridge of his long nose. "Sakura is a very sweet woman, and very good at her job. But Yasha's influence could be dangerous."

"No," Remus' voice was uncharacteristically rough. "Yasha is mischievous, but never malicious. Besides that, Sakura has control over the Kitsune. The binding spells her parents cast on her is still in place. As well as the numerous binding spells you yourself cast on her once you discovered her condition. Sakura's mind is the dominant one. How can you turn against her when she just saved the lives of two students?"

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Remus, you're very defensive. I hope you're not letting--"

"That was a long time ago." Remus interrupted. "And not the point. If I believed Sakura was a danger, I would say so." Remus put a hand to his chest. "And I told you when I suggested her for the positionÉ Yasha's will is controlled by the one who possesses her ball. She is bound to the guardian."

Dumbledore nodded. "I would like you to have a word with Sakura. I'm sure she's rather upset over the events of the past few days."

Remus nodded. "Of course, Sir."

**

Gwendolyn jumped as the hand slammed down on her desk. Trying not to tremble, she raised her head. She looked up at Sirius. His light blue eyes were burning with rage. His hand was shaking, tightening into a fist.

"Well, long time, no see, Black," Gwendolyn leaned back, putting her feet up on her desk. She flashed him a cocky grin. "Miss me?"

"What are you doing to Harry?" Sirius demanded. He grabbed Gwendolyn by the front of her robes, dragging her to her feet.

She gasped and sputtered, her toes skimming the floor. She struggled, but nothing would release Sirius' iron grip. Her face began to turn white. "Oxy-- gen... P-- P-- Please."

Sirius let go of Gwendolyn's robes, letting her hit the ground with a dull thud. "Talk. *now*. Or I get mean."

"I haven't," Gwendolyn rasped, "I haven't done anything to Harry. All I've done is tell him what you, Remus and Albus wouldn't."

He hauled Gwendolyn to her feet by her hair. "I have *never* kept anything from Harry."

Gwendolyn cried out as Sirius tugged her hand. "But you haven't gone out of your way to tell him about his father."

Sirius' lip curled in a snarl. "*You* didn't know his father. You knew the boy who became his father. If I remember correctly, you hated James throughout school. Then you threw him away entirely to be with Snape. Have you told Harry any of that?"

"I love Severus, Black," Gwendolyn hissed, "But I guess that's a concept you don't understand."

Sirius let out a dog-like growl, eyes narrowing. "I know a lot about love."

"No, you know about sex," Gwendolyn replied, "You know about seducing young Gryffindors and knocking up gypsy whores."

Sirius slammed Gwendolyn against the blackboard. His eyes burned with rage. He bared his teeth. "If you *dare* say a word against her again.... I swear, Gwendolyn Maclay-- I'll kill you."

"Why so defensive, Black?" She laughed. "Do you think your bitch does you the same favour? That for the past fourteen years she hasn't been denouncing your name and praying to God you never knock on her door again?"

"Go to Hell!"

"I was already there!" She snapped back, pushing Sirius hard, knocking him away. Sirius hit the desk, knocking his head. He howled in pain.

"I'll warn you once, Sirius-- Don't get in my way."

"What? Will little Wrong Way hurt me bad? Put me in my place?" He sneered.

Gwendolyn's eyes flashed. "Don't need to. Harry won't appreciate someone breaking up his family."

"I never liked you," Sirius murmured, rising to his feet, "You've always been an undersized bitch. Its no wonder Snape liked you some much. Now even he can't stand you." He wrapped his claw-like fingers around Gwendolyn's neck. "If you go near Harry.... I'll tear your throat out."

**

Sakura sat on the floor in her quarters, eyes closed. She took deep, even breaths, letting them out slowly. Not even twitching, she murmured, "Are you going to come in, Remus?"

He stepped into the room. "How did you know?"

She turned to him, giving him a gentle smile. "Sixth sense. I always know where you are."

"You know, you're missing the Halloween feast." He knelt on the ground.

Sakura shrugged. "I'm sure Dumbledore can protect the students better than me."

Remus took Sakura's hand. "I wanted to talk to you about what happened."

Sakura laughed, tugging her hand away. "Dumbledore sent you. A dark creature to dark creature talk?"

"I came," Remus murmured, "Because I know you better than anyone else."

She shook her head. "There's nothing to talk about, Remus. I almost got Ron and Hermione killed."

"If it wasn't for you they would be dead."

She bowed her head.

"No," Remus cupped her chin, lifting her head gently to meet his eyes. "Look at me. This isn't about that beast. You *know* that's not your fault. This is about..." Remus nodded. "This is about her, isn't it?"

"I can feel her-- Yasha," she whispered, "You remember, right? She's not like the wolf, Remus. She's... not an animal. She's sentient spirit. I hear her in my head... She won't leave me alone. I fight with her. I left Britain to find her nature and...." She choked back a tear. "I found it."

Remus took in a trembling breath. "What is it?"

"Death. Destruction. She can feel Voldemort's power rising and she revels in it." She shut her eyes tightly. "If-- If the day comes when we face Voldemort, I don't know if you can trust me."

Remus nodded slowly. "I know how you feel. Honestly, I do. I feel the wolf's bloodlust. It frightens me. When I'm alone at night, I wonder if I can combat him." He held Sakura's hand tightly. "I have to believe I'm stronger than the wolf. Just as you have to believe you're stronger than the Kitsune. You can defeat Yasha."

She gave him a weak smile. "How come you always know what to say?"

He smiled back, "It's a gift."

**

Professor Binns' ghostly hand thumbed the page on his musty textbook. The students in front of him were beginning to nod off. Of course, he didn't notice that. Professor Binns was completely oblivious to how boring his classes were.

"In 1944, the wizard Griendelwald began a slaughter throughout Europe. The wizard Griendelwald was a member of the Kalderash Romany clan, adding to the tensions between our wizarding culture and the Romany clans that had migrated from Eastern Europe. However, Griendelwald had betrayed his people and murdered much of his clan. Albus Dumbledore joined the resistance against Griendelwald, succeeding in defeating him in 1945--"

Harry's head drooped onto the desk. Lethargy was setting in. He looked to his side. Two chairs were empty; where Ron and Hermione should be sitting.

Hermione would have liked this class. She was the only one who ever got anything out of History of Magic class.

No! He wouldn't think of that! Dammit! Those two were doing nothing for him! They were just... Just...

They were making him hurt inside. Harry knew he recognized the feeling. But he couldn't name it. It was like the word has just dropped out of his head.

He was so tired.... It was hard to get to sleep at night. Before, when he would try to go to sleep, Ron would talk to him; about Quidditch, their latest test, how infuriating Hermione was. The dorm was quiet now, with only Neville, Dean and Seamus there.

Once Harry did fall to sleep, Voldemort plagued his dreams-- Voldemort, Wormtail and that strange woman.

He laid his head on his book. He need to sleep... He needed to rest... To escape...

**

Long, sharp claws gleamed in the dim light. She was pacing, muttering to herself in an unknown language. Her eyes glowed menacingly. "I'm *bored*."

Voldemort turned his head up from the parchment he was poring over. Nagini was draped over his shoulders like a scarf. Wormtail cowered at his side. Voldemort flicked his tongue out, the fork apparent. "Can't you find something to occupy yourself?"

"Vol-de-mort!" She whined, stamping her foot. "I want to kill something."

Wormtail let out a high-pitched squeal, trying to hide behind his painfully thin master. Voldemort pushed the servant away, hissing softly. "Go into the Labyrinth. I'm sure there's something you haven't slaughtered."

The bizarre woman let out a growl, brandishing her claws. She leapt forward, cleaving Voldemort's parchment in half. Her claws bit deeply into the stone tablet it rested on. "I've checked a hundred times! The ones left aren't worth killing. They're living corpses. Driven mad. What fun is that? Tell me whom to kill! Someone healthy, vital." She licked her lips, glancing at Wormtail. "Willing to scream."

Wormtail let out another whine, hiding his head. He was trembling. Voldemort gave him a hard slap across the face.

"Why don't you kill yourself? That might be good for a laugh," Voldemort hissed. "Leave me be!"

"There must be something you need done!" The woman whined, wrapping her arms around Voldemort. "Maybe you need your power raised. Come, my Lord-- It's been a while..."

"Get off me, you insufferable cow," Voldemort snarled, pushing the woman away. "When I need your talents, I will command you to perform. If you must do something, go steal another dragon for me."

"A dragon? Are you *mad*, my Lord?" The woman's voice had become quite shrill, her eyes wide with panic. "The *one* thing I ask you never to make me do! Do you want me dead?"

"Right now, very much so." Voldemort replied coldly. He grabbed Wormtail by the collar, tossing him to his companion's feet. "There. Maim Wormtail for a while. Just. Leave. Me. Be."

Wormtail shrieked as the woman smiled, showing off her fangs. She brought her claws up. "It is not much.... But it will keep me busy."

**

"Harry?" Neville Longbottom shook Harry awake.

Jerking up, Harry knocked his textbook off the table. His eyes were wide. He had felt the cold claws slid down Wormtail's face... Cutting through his flesh...

"Are you all right?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine. Just... Just tired."

"You've been worried about Hermione and Ron, haven't you?" Neville commented. "I hear they're doing okay. Ron's already out. I don't know why he's not in class, butÉ It's not because he's hurt."

Numbly, Harry nodded again. "Yeah... They'll be fine."

"Come on, Harry," Neville said. "We've got Defense Against the Dark Arts. We're going to be late."

He would get to see Gwendolyn! Harry felt relieved. He always felt better when he was able to see Gwendolyn. She had this calming effect over him.

He followed behind Neville. When they got into the class, they found Miss Tsukino standing at the front of the class.

"What--" Harry went to his seat. Where was Gwendolyn?

**

Sticking her tongue between her teeth, Hermione carefully drew her Arthimancy chart. She was dreadfully behind on her homework. For several days, Madame Pomfrey had insisted she not strain herself. Hermione had been bored silly, just sitting around in the Hospital Wing. Finally, she was able to start catching up.

Smiling to herself as she finished up the chart, Hermione leaned back. That was looking quite good.

"Miss Granger." The voice from the doorway was cold. It belonged to the last person Hermione thought would visit her.

She looked up at her visitor. "Professor Snape? What are you doing here?"

"I hear from Professor Dumbledore you are able to do homework now. I assume you are able to handle it?"

"What is it?" Hermione asked, sitting up. She winced slightly as pain shot through her gut. "I can't do much potions in bed."

"It's extra credit," Snape snapped. He threw a book onto Hermione's lap. "If you don't want to do it, I can find someone else."

She looked down at the gold writing on the black cover. "Department of Mysteries: The Labyrinth of Illusion... Professor, this is a book from the Ministry of Magic! An unmentionable!"

"I know that, you silly girl." Snape moved closer, his lip curling. "I don't like you. You know that. You don't like me. I know that. However, we have a common enemy. You believe Gwendolyn Maclay has sinister motives, as do I. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I believe this," Snape tapped the cover of the book, "May contain the secret to Gwendolyn's treachery. As loathed as I am to admit it, you're quite good at unraveling mysteries. I think you would fair better with this than I would. Now find me something useful."

**

Gwendolyn blinked, putting her hands in her lap. She tightened them into fists, trying to keep control. "You-- You want me to leave?"

Professor Dumbledore shut his eyes tightly, nodding. "I'm afraid.... There is no other opinion, Gwendolyn. You are a very talented witch. But you're not trusted."

She leapt up, gasping for breath. Tears stung her eyes. "Severus-- He-- He has it in for me, Professor...."

Dumbledore raised a hand, placing it on her shoulder. "It is not just Severus, Gwendolyn. Several of the students have expressed concern over your appointment, as well as other staff members. They believe you may have sinister motives."

"I would never---" Gwendolyn slid back down into her seat. "Professor Dumbledore-- Albus-- I would never do anything to hurt Hogwarts.... I was born here. My-- My mum was a professor before she died... This has always been where I belonged."

Sadly, Dumbledore nodded. "I know, Gwendolyn. I truly believe you love this school. But the fact of the matter is you've been gone for sixteen years. The difference in your power is frightening to some. Give it time. Readjust to our world."

Gwendolyn wiped tears off her reddening cheeks. "Do you believe I am doing something to Harry too?"

Dumbledore hesitated. "I-- I do not know what I believe. I just know that Harry has been markedly different since your arrival."

"It's testosterone," Gwendolyn snarled, "It turns teenaged boys into prats."

"I cannot take chances where Harry is involved, Gwendolyn. You must understand that. He is too important." Dumbledore lowered her head. "Because of this, I believe it best if you do not have any contact with him."

"He'll be angry," Gwendolyn said softly, "He loves me. I'm family."

"I know." Dumbledore nodded. "I have wracked my brain.... Trying to come up with a solution. I believe you need to be removed from this situation, if only temporarily."

Gwendolyn nodded, rising. "I will collect my things. I'll be gone by tonight."

"Where will you go?" Dumbledore asked, "I do not want you to get lost again."

"Not far. Don't worry. I have Westie. She's able to get me around." Gwendolyn paused. "I'm going to say goodbye to the boy. I won't just abandon him. That's the last thing he needs."

**

Harry walked down the hall slowly, heading towards the Gryffindor Common Room. Miss Tsukino was decent as a Defense Against the Dark Arts substitute. However, he felt the absence of Gwendolyn in his heart. It felt wrong not having her teach.

"Harry? Harry! Wait!" Gwendolyn was calling to him. "I need to speak with you."

Harry's heart jumped. Gwendolyn! He turned quickly, running to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist. "Where were you?" He demanded, hugging her tightly. "I was worried!"

He eyed the trunk beside her. "What-- What's going on?"

"I have to go," Gwendolyn murmured, smoothing down Harry's mussed hair. "I've been let go."

"Let go? Let *go*? What do you mean?" Harry's voice began louder and angry.

"I mean I'll no longer be teaching at Hogwarts." Gwendolyn said softly. "I'm... I'm not supposed to see you any more, Harry. It's thought-- It's thought-- by some- that I might have dark intentions. That I might be in league with You-Know-Who."

"Who?" Harry growled.

"It's better if I don't name names," Gwendolyn replied.

"WHO IS IT?" Harry asked more fiercely.

"Severus... Sirius... Remus... Hermione... Ron..." Gwendolyn lowered her head. "They do not trust me. Dumbledore has chosen to believe them."

"I won't! You're not-- You would never hurt me! You would never work for Voldemort!" He hugged her tightly. "You can't leave! I *need* you! They can't make me stop seeing you!"

Gwendolyn kissed Harry on the forehead tenderly. She leaned in to his ear. "Go to the Three Broomsticks during your next Hogsmeade visit."

"I always--" Harry started. Gwendolyn pulled away, wiping away a tear. "Gwendolyn?"

She nodded, smiling through tears. "Don't worry Harry. I'll see you soon."