The Marked

Author Note: Argh, sorry, but things may be coming slow now. It's not writer's block or anything, but I screwed up something in my right hand yesterday while helping my brother and his family move. It wouldn't be a problem since I'm a lefty but it's right in my thumb area so I can't type well for a long period of time. Sorry! Also, in the chapter we split from total Seamus POV, and drift into some of Lupin's since, ya know, Seamus's in kinda out of it.

***

Come here
Pretty please
Can you tell me where I am
You, won't you say something
I need to get my bearings
I'm lost
And the shadows keep on changing
-Haunted Poe

Seamus no longer had a headache. He now had a full out tornado whirling around in his brain. Thankfully, he couldn't seem to stay awake for more than five minutes at a go. Lupin had told him upon one of his brief bouts with wakefulness that no students were allowed to visit him for fear of spreading the Curse.

Christmas had come and gone, and now the break was almost over. Dean and the other Gryffindor fifth years sent him owls constantly, but it was all he could do to read them. He hoped they weren't upset by his lack of response. His stack of presents remained untouched as he hadn't been capable of mustering up the strength to sit up. As the days went on, he began to feel more and more like an overflowing barrel, but still he had no energy to do anything. Finally, he decided to ask Lupin about it.

"Well, no one knows exactly what's going on inside you right now. According to the little research on your condition, your soul is being turned into a usable form of energy. Many experts believe that after awhile, it works not only on the person's soul, but also on their body. My guess is that energy is building up inside you, and sapping out your body's energy. You see, the energy being reaped by the Curse is only usable to you as commanded magical energy. It gives you incredible strength with your magic, but leaves your body in an ever increasing weakened state."

"But, theoretically, shouldn't I be able to harness the energy any way I want?"

Lupin gave him look over before answering. "Theoretically, yes. But you would have to be a terrifically strong wizard to be able to do that. That's how many say Delving survived longer than anyone else."

Seamus had begun feeling droopy again by that point. His speech began to be littered with pauses and yawns. "Delving must...must've been one...of those pure-blooded...maniacs...huh?"

"Actually, he was half-blooded. That one of the reason's he was so famous. He worked in an age where pure-bloods were dominant in the field..." Lupin couldn't to speak on the topic for some time until he realized Seamus had fallen back to sleep.

***

Remus Lupin sighed as he watched Seamus in his sleep. There was so much he wanted to ask the boy , but Dumbledore had warned him against it. For one, he wanted to ask about his sighting of Scabbers, Peter's old guise. If Wormtail were actually in the castle, trouble had to be brewing.

A soft whining at his feet shook the teacher from his thoughts. He looked down to see a large black dog sprawled by his chair. Funny, he hadn't even heard Sirius come in.

"Hey Padfoot." The dog hopped to its feet and gave a little bark. In reply Remus started scratching the dog behind its ear, laughing lightly when the dog's back leg began thumping against the floor. When he finished the black canine gave him a look that all but said, "I hate it when you do that."

"Alright, alright. What do you want? Keep in mind I'm not going and swiping any more food from the kitchens. The house-elves must think I'm complete pig!"

"Ah but you're not! You're a wolf! There's a difference." Sirius had changed back into normal form. It was safe, as they were hidden from public view by the tall curtains surrounding the bed. "And thank you for making me feel like a common cocker spaniel by the way!"

"Hey!" Remus threw his hands up in self-defense. "At least I didn't roll you over and scratch your belly!"

"No, James always liked to do that."

Remus snickered and mimicked their old friend. "'Who's a good doggy? Sirius is! Yes he is! Yes he is!'"

"Shut up! It wasn't funny then, it isn't funny now."

"Testy, testy. What did you want?" Settling down, Remus looked over Seamus, glad his outburst hadn't disturbed him.

"I don't know. I'm so upset now I've forgotten completely."

"Sirius! I'm sorry, alright?"

"That's better." The other man was quiet for a several moments, merely watching his old friend. "You're fond of him aren't you?" he finally asked.

"Hm?" Remus broke his concentration and turned once more to Sirius. "Who?"

"Him," he gestured to Seamus's sleeping form. "Who else?"

"Oh," Remus shrugged, reddening slightly in the face. "Not anymore than the other students."

"Oh, so you'd sit here all day if this were Lucius Malfoy's son?"

"Yes," his gaze turned into a glare. "Now what did you want?"

Sirius sighed before standing. "Nothing. Just, you know, don't work yourself ill over this. Go to your quarters and rest. Eat something. You look terrible."

Lupin tried to shrug the comment off, but after having seen himself in the mirror that morning, he knew it was true. "I'm fine."

"What ever you say, Moony. I guess I'll be going now." Sirius headed for the door. "Oh, by the way, you change moods faster than pregnant woman."

***

He was awake, but only just barely. It was late in the night, he could tell because even with his eyes closed he knew no one else was in the room. And the only time he was alone was at night. It was just as well, Seamus had been having strange dreams. Or maybe they were visions, he couldn't tell. They were strange, whichever they were. And always the same thing, over and over.

A red room. It was dank, like a dungeon, but small. Very small. A single, naked light bulb swung overhead. It was almost to the end of its lifecycle. The light it put forth was a dull, sickly yellow. The shadows in the corners were like the ends of the Earth, dark and endlessly deep.

A figure stood to one side, leaning against the wall nonchalantly, hood drawn over its head. Before it was a stout man kneeled on the floor in front of him, facing out to room. Thinning blonde hair marked his head, and watery blue eyes glanced nervously about. A silver hand rested on the floor.

On the other wall was a sight that always shocked Seamus, no matter how much he reminded himself to expect it. Himself. Legs sprawled in front of him, he sat on the floor, his back supported by the wall. He seemed to be in pain and was taking in breath in large gulps as though he were drinking the air from the room.

Two other figures crowded the room. His teacher, Professor Lupin kneeled beside his dream-self, his eyes narrowed at the shadowed figure on the other wall. Sirius Black stood protectively in front of them, arms crossed. He was glaring as well, at the silver-armed man kneeling in front of him.

"What have you done to him?" Lupin's voice was angrier than he'd ever heard.

"A mere trifle of an extraction. More to follow, of course," the voice, like silk against bare skin, came from the hooded figure.

"You...I can't believe this! Do you really think you can pull this off? He'll find you sooner or later. And then where will you be?"

"In a seat of power high enough to crush him without even trying hard. You know, if you start being nice now I may make your death quick and relatively painless."

"I some how doubt that."

Everything stopped there. There was never anymore. Except the sudden cries of pain from someone in the red room.

***

You're really fond of him aren't you?

His earlier conversation with Sirius, who now lay dozing in dog form in front of the fireplace, was really starting to irk Remus. Sure, he was fond of Seamus; he was fond of most of his students. Especially those in Harry's year. And House. The Gryffindor fifth-years were just all so enthusiastic and cheerful. And not sickeningly cheerful like the Hufflepuffs who, though they meant well, came off as rather annoying. And the Ravenclaws were all a bit stand-offish and overeager to show off the vast knowledge. And the Slytherins, well, they were Slytherins. But all in all, he enjoyed the majority of his pupils.

Oh, so you'd sit there all day if this were Lucius Malfoy's son?

It was a ridiculous question! Of course he would sit there with Draco Malfoy. Although, he wouldn't need to because Severus Snape was very protective of the boy. Probably because he knew first hand what sort of scum he had for a father.

Remus sighed and ran a weary hand through his wet hair. Fresh from a shower, he wanted nothing more than to crawl into his warm bed and sleep. But Sirius's words kept playing over in his mind.

...don't work yourself ill over this.

He wasn't exactly working himself into sickness. Merely slight exhaustion. Perhaps moderate. But the thought of a fifteen year old boy bedridden in the Hospital Wing with a curse that by all reports should not exist any longer bewildered and sickened him. His parents hadn't been informed yet. They wouldn't be able to visit him. Only Dumbledore and he were allowed in to see the boy. Sirius just sneaked in on his own accord.

So now, when he wasn't checking over Seamus, he was researching the Curse from every angle possible. It hadn't struck as odd at all when he found most of the books pertaining to rare and dangerous curses were checked out to Harry and his two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

Before the Christmas vacation had begun, he'd practically had to beat the Gryffindor fifth-years off with a stick! Everyday they waited outside the Hospital Wing or attacked him after class for updates. Dean Thomas fruitlessly demanded to be able to see him. It was simply out of the question. He felt bad letting Sirius in as it was.

A soft knock on his chamber door drew Remus from his thoughts. Padfoot perked up from the hearth. The animagus nervously got to all four feet and padded over to the door by Remus's side. Slowly, Remus unlocked the door and pulled it open. The grave face of Albus Dumbledore stood on the other side.

"Ah, Remus, Sirius, good evening to you both. Might I come in for a moment?"

***

The Hospital Wing seemed to capture light better than a mirror. Even though all windows were blocked from Seamus's view by the tall curtains surrounding his bed, everything was lit brilliantly in the pale moonlight spilling into the room. Not so much as to read by, but definitely enough to a small rat scurrying about the floor near your bed.

It seemed Scabbers had popped in for a midnight visit.

***

"We can't do that!"

"I'm afraid there is no other choice."

"No other choice? There's always another choice!"

"Remus, this is beyond our abilities. I've put it off as long as possible. The only place for Mr. Finnigan is St. Mungos."

Dumbledore face was unreadable as he spoke. He'd been expecting Professor Lupin to react this way.

"But...that's like sending him to his death. Are you giving up on him?" Remus had sunk down into an armchair by the fireplace. Sirius, in human form now, sat across from him in another, giving his friend a concerned look.

"If I were giving up on him, I would let him stay here. This is for the best, Remus." The Headmaster had not moved from just in front of the door, and now turned to let himself out. "I shall be telling the boy first thing in the morning. I think it would be best if you were to come as well. His parents will have to finally be informed as well."

"Yes, of course..." The professor sounded as though he were miles away.

"Good night to the two of you then," The older man gave them a nod of his head before closing the door behind him.

"Remus..." Sirius sat, uncomfortable in his chair. His friend looked defeated. "I know you think it's a mistake, but if Dumbledore feels it's the best thing to do, it must be. He always knows what to do."

"Yeah. Whatever you say Sirius. I'm going to go to bed. I'll see you in the morning." Without word more, Remus stood and hurried to his bedroom, quietly latching the door behind him.

***

"Scabbers...Ron thought you were dead. What are you doing in here?" Seamus's eyes were only half open and talking hurt dreadfully, but he really had nothing better to do given his position. Suddenly, there was no rat in sight, instead there was a very recognizable man in its place.

"Good evening Mr. Finnigan. I trust you are more than a bit conf-"

"Hey I know you!" Seamus cut the blonde man off, seemingly not one bit surprised at his sudden transformation. "You're in my dream."

"Dream?" The man's face screwed up before he shook it off. "Never mind. I'm not here for small talk." He pulled an oddly silver hand through his hair.

"Then what are you here for?"

"Well if you would give me a chance to speak I would tell you!"

"Wait a minute, since when are you human? I thought you were Ron's pet rat."

"That was merely a disguise. And a rather clever one." The man cleared his throat. "Now then, I am here to take you away."

"Away where?"

"Just...away!"

"Oh."

"Would you just be quiet and let me talk?"

***

Sirius was worried. He hadn't seen Remus this upset since before James and Lily had died. Back then the werewolf had been prone to random outbursts so uncharacteristic of him, James had joked about sending him to anger-management classes.

The animagi sighed. Thinking about those times always made his heart ache. Not a day went by that he didn't kick himself for evening considering the notion that Remus could be a traitor. The truth had been right in front of his face the entire time. Peter had never been around back then, always busy with his "job." And none of them had questioned it because it had been Peter and Peter was the quiet, shy one who never lied.

Sirius often wondered what it had been that had made Peter go to the dark side. He'd never been overly mean. In fact, he'd always been frightfully eager to please. He'd hated the fact that he struggled in practically every class, but graciously accepted his friends help.

It's always the quiet ones.

Thinking about Peter wasn't going to help the current situation, however. Remus was beside himself with worry for the boy in Hospital Wing. He understood his friend's want to help the boy, it was only natural. But the degree to which Remus was worrying frightened Sirius. He wondered that Remus didn't see something of himself in his student. Remus had always felt as though his affliction was a curse forced upon him.

Anymore, Sirius just didn't know what was happening. All he knew was he needed to keep a close eye on Remus.

***

Remus hadn't been in his bedroom more than five minutes before he left it again. Thankfully, Sirius had already retreated to the guest quarters across the sitting area from his. He was dressed in flannel pants and a matching button of the front shirt at least one size to large and wore no slippers or socks over his feet but seemed not to care as he exited his private chambers and entered the main part of the castle.

He didn't even notice the large black dog slip out the door behind him and follow him his entire trek.

***

"I shall be taking you to your new home now. There is someone waiting there that is very excited to be meeting you." A wicked grin spread across the former pet rat's face.

"You-Know-Who?"

"Perhaps, perhaps not. You'll have to wait and see. I dare say-" the opening of the main Hospital Wing door halted his speech and with a small pop he was once more a small rat scurrying across the floor.

Seamus was fighting off sleep again, desperately trying to keep his eyes open. He still had no idea who the man was, but he couldn't be up to any good. Especially if he threw around the idea of He-Who-Must-Not Be-Named so easily.

Just as his eyes dropped down, the curtain surrounding him ripped open. Without even be able to see, he knew it was Professor Lupin. His DADA professor had a very recognizable air about him. Seamus struggled to open his eyes once more.

"Mr. Finnigan? Seamus? Are you awake?" Indeed, it was Professor Lupin's voice that greeted him. He tried to answer, but couldn't get his mouth to work. He heard only barely a faint popping noise before falling back to the depths that rose up around his mind.

***

Remus frowned down at the closed-eyed form of his student. He didn't think the boy was asleep. But he also didn't think he was exactly awake.

"Mr. Finnigan? Seamus? Are you awake?" The boy made a faint noise in his throat, but no words escaped his mouth.

Suddenly, there was the smallest of noise behind him. A pop. It was an incredibly quiet sound, but Remus would recognize it anywhere.

"Sirius, I thought you were-" he froze mid-sentence. It wasn't Sirius's familiar face that met him. It was Peter's. A smirk that seemed out of place on his once close friend's face was the last thing he saw before a sharp pain fell against his right temple and crumbled to the floor.

***

The Hospital Wing was devoid of noise when Sirius, in his dog form, entered it. Too quiet. In an instant he transformed back to his natural state and rushed over to the curtained corner of the room, only to stumble back in shock.

Seamus's bed was empty, and on the floor lie a bleeding Remus Lupin. The animagi immediately bent down next to his friend, relieved to find him breathing with no difficulty.

"Remus," he shook the unconscious man lightly. "REMUS! Wake up, come on." Lupin groaned and he reached his hand up to his bleeding head.

"Sirius?" Remus's eyes fluttered open. He seemed confused for a brief moment before sitting up. "Where is he?!"

"Who? Seamus?" Sirius shook his head. "I don't know where he is!"

"No! Wormtail!" Remus's eyes widened. "What do you mean you don't know where Seamus is?"

"What do you mean Wormtail?!" Sirius looked furious at the mention of the traitor's name.

"He was here, he...attacked me. Oh my god, he must have taken Seamus."

Neither one of them seemed to be able to say anything else as they let the realization sink in.