Heading the School

Chapter Twenty-One

"So you think that it wasn't a Death Eater?" Frank asked. He, James, Lily, and Sirius were sitting outside of the Auror classroom, discussing in quiet voices the happenings of the weekend before. Dumbledore had been more than slightly interested in what had happened and had told them to alert the rest of the trainees immediately to be on their guard.

Sirius shook his head. "I mean, what kind of a chicken-ass Death Eater hides in the bushes to kill someone?"

"They hide behind masks," Frank pointed out.

"Yeah, but..." he trailed off. "They would rather taunt you and then kill you, give you just enough information to know who's going to be killing you before they do it." Frank, James, and Lily stared at him, silent.

"In any case," Lily finally said, tearing her eyes away from Sirius. "It breaks the pattern set before, so therefore, we should watch out for it."

"Right, I'll be sure to alert the headquarters," Frank nodded, standing up. "And be sure to tell the rest of the trainees. You'd best hurry up, class is about to start."

After he Disapparated, neither of the remaining three moved.

"I don't like this, Padfoot," James shook his head. "It doesn't feel right."

"I know it doesn't," Sirius nodded. "Which is why it scares me."

"Hey, Gloom and Doom, hurry up before we miss class," Remus said, walking by. James gave him a small grin and continued on with Lily, but Sirius stayed where he was, watching Remus shrewdly.

After practicing dueling for the past four months, and with the recent events of James' out in the middle of no where, the teacher decided to begin the unit on spells to mend cuts and burns, heal bone breaks until they could get to a licensed healer, and they also were going to learn certain spells to reverse spell damage.

James and Sirius, normally good at anything they tried once, found themselves hopelessly unskilled for the art of healing. The Prewett twins were skilled at healing each other, but not that good at healing anyone else. Remus, Kingsley, and Sturgis were moderate, and Em was at least able to mend the skin, but Dorcas was nearly as bad as James and Sirius.

Lily and Alice were the only ones to fully grasp the concept of healing in one lesson. The professor explained that other than licensed healers, the best at healing other people were mothers or very caring women, which left Lily with a slight smile, and Alice with a pale panic.

After the lesson, Alice disappeared immediately. James and Sirius, miffed that they couldn't handle this elementary concept, grumbled and groaned. Which left Lily to walk with Remus, a pleasant experience, and something that she hadn't done in a long time.

"I think they need to grow up," Lily said. "So they can't heal, big deal."

"It is to them-OW!" He stumbled forwards, grabbing his shoulder. He turned around and saw the silver end of Lucius Malfoy's cane sticking towards him. James and Sirius, hearing Remus' cry, came back to see what was going on.

"What's the matter Lupin?" he said, smoothly. "It's just silver."

Remus stared at him, determined not to say anything, but his pallor gave away his feelings. Lucius gave him a small nod and bumped into his other shoulder. He paused for a minute, giving Remus a meaningful look and then continued on his way.

"What was that all about?" Sirius asked Remus.

He turned to them, eyes wide, and a bit pale and shook his head. "I don't...I don't know..."

"Of course, I-OW! Lily!- I don't know what he's talking about!" Remus was laying stomach- down on his bed, shirtless, while Lily was attempting to salve the burn on his back through one of the spells in their Auror trainee book.

"Sorry Remus," Lily winced, flipping through the chapter on burns. "They don't have a spell specifically for silver burns-"

"They wouldn't, now would they?" Remus snapped. In response, she tried the same spell again and he apologized for being brash.

"Obviously Voldemort knows, or now he does," James said, sitting on his own bed and thinking. "I think we should keep Remus inside next week."

"Inside where?" Lily asked.

"Hogwarts," Sirius prompted, from behind his half-drawn bedcurtains. He'd come in after them, and immediately went to hide in his bed, barely speaking, but obviously listening.

Lily bit her lip. "Isn't that a bit... dangerous?"

Remus gave her a small smile. "Yes, but as long as I stay up in a secluded room, I won't be any danger to anyone-OW!" He yelped when she tried another spell.

"Sorry," she patted him on the shoulder. A snort and the sound of the bed moving came from the inside of Sirius' bed.

"Sirius, are you all right?" Lily asked.

"Fine," he snapped, hidden behind his bed curtains.

James looked at Lily and then went over to Sirius' bed, opening up the curtains slightly. "‘S a matter, mate?"

"Nothing," Sirius replied. He was laying on his back, staring up at the top of his bed thoughtfully.

"Is this about-"

"If you want to talk to me, shut the bed curtains."

James shrugged at the other two in the room and sat down on his bed, drawing his curtains. The silencing charm around them kept their conversation private. "So whats-"

"I don't know about Remus anymore."

James blinked. "What do you mean?"

"It's a bit dodgy that just after you were hurt...never mind," Sirius shook his head. "You're too good-natured to understand it."

"Understand what?" James asked. "And what about when I was hurt-"

"I'll...tell you later," Sirius gave him a half-smile. "I'm not even sure if I'm right."

"All right..." James trailed off, getting off the bed. "If you need to talk-"

"I know where you live, Prongs," Sirius smiled, but James could see it was a concerned and worried smile.

"He broke up with you?!" Lily exclaimed, causing Madame Pince to look over and glare in their direction.

Emmeline nodded and put the napkin to her nose daintily. She didn't look too terribly upset, but Lily was concerned all the same. "Why?"

"I don't know. He just wrote an owl to me last night to tell me that he didn't want to date me anymore, but he still wished to have an amicable relationship."

Lily snorted. "That sounds like him. And nothing changed at all? You didn't say anything or do anything?"

"No, nothing," Emmeline shrugged. "I've never had any indication that he was unhappy."

"Boys are difficult to figure out," Lily said, thinking of James. "He might not have wanted to tell you that he was unhappy."

"Perhaps," Emmeline said. "I mean, it's not as if I expected it to go on forever, but I thought I would be expecting it."

"It might have gotten...boring for him, not saying you are of course," Lily said, wondering if one day, she'd be hearing the same thing from someone else about James.

"I know, sometimes these things can go stale, but I don't think, I mean," she lowered her voice, "It wasn't stale to me."

"And he gave no excuse?"

She shook her head. "And he wouldn't talk to me when I approached him the other day. He just said that it was time for us to go our separate ways."

"Another girl?" Lily asked.

"No, I don't think so," Emmeline shook her head. "But you never know."

"It's the oddest thing-"

Lily stopped when she noticed Sirius eavesdropping in the corner, and he had a frown on his face.

"Prongs, can I talk to you?" Sirius asked one quiet evening when it was just the two of them in the dorm. Remus hadn't been around lately, opting to take long walks by himself around the lake until after dark.

"It's about time," James snorted. "You've been bloody going about this for a week."

"I'm...I'm concerned about Remus," Sirius said, slowly.

"Why?"

"Ever since...ever since Malfoy burned him with the silver...I've had a feeling in the back of my mind. And even when you were...."

"What are you talking about?" James asked.

"I think that Voldemort is trying to get Remus on his side," Sirius blurted out. "And I think he already has."

James stared at him. "I-What? Why?!"

"I don't think Remus is going to, but...he's a werewolf."

"What does that have to do with anything?" James replied, hotly. How dare Sirius insinuate such a thing?!

"Everything," Sirius shook his head. "I mean, not that Remus is a bad person, but werewolves really aren't the best people in the world by society's standards. He might be enticing him with offers of freedoms that Remus wouldn't get normally. And...oh I don't know, I'm not a dark creature-"

"Neither is Moony," James shook his head. "I don't believe you would even think about your best friend like that! What am I? A Death Eater too?"

"Prongs, please, listen to me!" Sirius said. "Yesterday, I saw Remus going up to the Owlry to send a message."

"So?"

"Prongs, Remus uses a barn owl, normally. He was using an eagle owl."

"So?"

"Only my family uses eagle owls," Sirius said, looking as if he was desperately trying to get James to understand.

"I don't think that...that's just crazy. I mean he's...that's not...it's crazy, is what it is!"

"Think about it. The only people that knew what we were up to, really knew, were you, me, Pete, and Remus."

"So?"

"So, the person who tried to kill you didn't outright do it. So maybe he was afraid to-"

"That's dumb, Sirius," James said, shaking his head. "I won't believe that he'd do that."

"I think we should tell Dumbledore," Sirius said. "Just in case."

"I think that you're completely paranoid," James sputtered.

"Why don't you ask him," Sirius said. "Why don't you ask him what's been up with him lately? Why don't you ask him why he's been moody lately, and has barely said a word to anyone? Why don't you ask him why he broke up with Em? From what she says, it was completely unexpected."

"But...it's Moony, Padfoot," James said. "Moony wouldn't...I mean, Pete's more likely to be a Death Eater than...it's crazy..."

"Ask him, Prongs, ask him and see what he says," Sirius said. "If you're so convinced, ask him."

"I will," James nodded. " I will ask him. And you'll see, you're crazy."

"I hope so, Prongs, I seriously hope so."

"Heya Moony," James grinned, conjuring up a chair for him to sit next to Remus in the common room, as all of the other ones were occupied.

"Hello, James," Remus said, curtly. "Something you needed?"

"Just to talk with my mate, that's all," James reached over and punched Remus in the shoulder lightly.

"I'm studying," Remus said quietly.

"Look, is there something you wanna talk to me about?" James asked, seriously. "Sirius and I...well, we're worried about you."

"I'm fine," Remus said, not looking at him. "Just a bit worried with NEWTs and all."

"Moony," James said. "That's not it. There's something else-"

"There's nothing else!" Remus snapped, causing a few people to look over. "Now will you leave me alone?"

"No, I will not," James said, determined for Sirius not to be correct. "Because I'm your friend, right?"

"Of course you are," Remus said, a little too convincingly. "My best friends..."

"There, now, tell your best friend what it is that's bugging you?"

"There's...nothing," Remus shakes his head. "Nothing at all."

"If you're sure..." James' brows furrowed.

Remus waited for a while and then nodded.

"See, what did I tell you?" Sirius said, shaking his head.

"That doesn't mean anything. He really could just be upset about his NEWTs," James said, shaking his head. "Padfoot, this is...it's Moony. He wouldn't be a dark wizard, would he?"

"I don't think they're after him to hex anyone," Sirius shook his head. "But they might want him to get information about Dumbledore, or us, or the Aurors...I just....I think we should tell Dumbledore-"

"No." James said, firmly.

"James, if there's nothing to worry about, there will be no harm done, and if there is, we'll put a stop to it early."

"I don't want...I don't want him to think that we're abandoning him," James sighed. "He's put his trust in us and I don't want to shatter it."

"We're not, we're trying to protect him. I don't think he's evil, Prongs, I think he might be tempted though, so I want to make sure we don't lose him."

"If you say so..."

"I do."

"Let's go see him now," Sirius said, pulling James to his feet.

"Now?" James asked, running his hand through his hair.

"Yes, now, while Dumbledore is still around, you know that he flits about all the time," Sirius opened the door to allow James to walk through. Though still unconvinced, James followed Sirius quietly. He supposed that because Sirius was brought up in a Dark Wizard house that he could spot Dark tendencies better than James could, but he still couldn't believe that Remus was even thinking about joining up with Voldemort. Wasn't his father muggle-born?

Yes, but look at how his father treats him, a nasty little voice in the back of his head said. It might have skewed his view of muggle-borns.

But Lily's muggle-born, and he treats her fine, came James' own voice.

The two voices stopped arguing when they reached the office of Professor Dumbledore. James, being Head Boy, knew the password and ascended the steps. He knocked on the door and Dumbledore allowed him inside.

"Remus?" Sirius said, surprised. Remus was sitting in the middle of Dumbledore's office, head in hands. He looked up, pale, and asked them, "Did you find out?"

"Find out what?" James asked, coming into the room.

"My dad's been..." he shook his head.

"Mr. Lupin was attacked this morning," Dumbledore supplied. James looked horrified, but Sirius's face turned stony.

"Is he-?" James asked.

"No, he's in stable condition, but he's going to be at St. Mungo's for quite some time," Dumbledore nodded. "Was there something that you wanted to ask me, James?"

"No-"

"Yes," Sirius interrupted.

"Sirius, don't-" James turned.

"I wanted to ask you something, but I suppose Remus should be here too," he pressed on.

"It's not the right time-"

Dumbledore silenced James with a wave of his hand and looked at Sirius intently. Sirius took a deep breath and turned away from Remus.

"I think that Remus has been in contact with Voldemort."

His words echoed in the room. Dumbledore stared at him, no hint of any expression on his face. James was slowly turning a deep shade of angry red and rose to his feet.

"Sirius, his father's just been-"

"James," Dumbledore said, quietly. "Sirius, why-"

"In the first place, the whole attempted murder bit. Then, the incident with Lucius and the silver-tipped cane," Sirius said, a bit breathless. "And then, I saw him sending a letter via eagle owl, and he's been moody and anti- social and..."

"And you have nothing else-" James spat. "You have nothing bloody else to base your unfounded-"

"It's true," Remus said quietly. Sirius and James stopped talking and Dumbledore's eyes came to rest on him.

"Remus?" James said, horrified. "You tried to..?"

Remus shook his head. "No, I have no idea who did that."

"But Voldemort has been in contact with you?" Dumbledore asked

"It's true that Lucius gave me a letter asking me to join Voldemort's service," Remus said. "He promised me that I would be treated as an equal in his ranks, and that I would be allowed every freedom that I am denied as I am now."

"And you replied?" Dumbledore asked.

"I told him no," Remus said. "I said that no matter how bad it got, that what he stood for was wrong."

"And what happened after that?" Dumbledore asked. James and Sirius were watching him as if they'd never seen him before.

"He told me that he would persuade me in any means possible," Remus looked down to his folded hands. "And this is, I suppose, what he meant."

"So he went after your father to try to convince you?" Dumbledore asked.

"He probably either thought it would scare me into doing it or tempt me," Remus gave a wry smile.

"Why would it tempt you, Remus?" Dumbledore asked.

"Because his father's a bloody arse-"

"Sirius," Dumbledore quieted him. "I know about your father, having to deal with him several times before, but I was wondering why it would make any difference to you whether he treated you well or badly."

"It doesn't," Remus shook his head. "I didn't want him to be brought into this at all, or anyone else. But I...I don't think he wants to see me, either."

"No, I'm afraid he expressed a wish that you not visit him," Dumbledore said, sadly. Remus nodded and stood up.

"I promise, I'm not...I'm not working for him," he said. "But, if it's all right, can I go back to my dorm?"

Dumbledore nodded and Remus left his office. James turned to Sirius and punched him in the shoulder.

"Great timing, Padfoot."

"Your concerns were well-founded, Sirius," Dumbledore said. "I have been having questionable thoughts about him for some time now. I had no concerns that he would have any intention of turning against us, but I feared that he might be swayed by the promise of complete freedom, something I'm afraid that Lord Voldemort would promise, but would never follow through on."

James sighed. "Well, I suppose we should go make sure Remus doesn't hate us."

"He'll understand," Sirius said, as he waved to Dumbledore and left his office.

"Moony?" James asked, opening the door to the dorm.

"Be careful, I might try to kill you," Remus replied, bitterly.

"Moony, come off it," Sirius said, folding his arms across his chest. "We're worried about you."

"Right, worried," Remus' eyes narrowed.

"And why the hell were you keeping this from us?" Sirius asked.

"Because I knew you'd react this way if you found out!" Remus said, standing up. "I knew that you'd think that I was going to tell him ‘Yes, I'll join you ranks immediately!' and go off and be a little Death Eater!"

"I'm so thrilled to see that you have so little faith in us," Sirius retorted.

"Right back at you," Remus sneered.

"Will you two quit it!" James spoke up, for the first time. "You're acting exactly the way he wants you to act!"

This shut them up.

"Do you think he was just after getting Remus to join up?" James asked. "It would be a perk, yes, but I'll bet my broomstick that his real goal was to try to force a wedge between us. Do you want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that it worked? Or do you want to be the better friend and realize that we aren't going to betray each other?"

The two boys looked ashamed of themselves.

"This is not how we need to be acting right now. Moony," he turned to his friend. "Sirius and I...we were concerned. We wanted to make sure that you weren't being forced inot it. We didn't want to lose you."

"You weren't going to, I thought you-"

"How were we to know that!" Sirius exclaimed. "How were we to know that you weren't just biding your time until the right moment came and you would just kill us all!"

"Because we're friends," Remus sighed. "Do you think that after all the time that you've helped me that I would just stab you in the back? I don't know about you, but I would rather die than betray the trust that you've given me."

"Same goes for us, Moony," James said quietly. "Same goes for us."

"So why did you go to Dumbledore, why didn't you come to me first?"

"We tried," James said. "You were pushing us away."

Remus looked down at his hands. "Look, I'm...sorry. I was just...I knew how strong I felt our friendship was, but...I'm a werewolf and-"

"If it makes you feel any better," Sirius spoke up. "Prongs never stopped believing in you."

"So why didn't you?" Remus shot at him.

"I come from a Dark Wizard family, Remus," Sirius glared at him. "It's not in my nature to trust."

"Look, guys, stop fighting please," James asked, rubbing the back of his head. He still had a bruise there and it was pounding with the rest of his headache. "Moony's sorry that he pushed us away, and Padfoot's sorry that he jumped to conclusions. Aren't you, Padfoot?"

"Yeah...I guess..."

"And from this day forward, no more secrets, all right?"

None of them spoke.

"Right?"

"Depends. What if we have a surprise birthday present for you. Do we have to tell you then?" Sirius asked, a small smile coming to his face.

James reached over to his bed and threw his pillow at Sirius. "You know what I mean."

"Wait James!" Sirius sat up. "You're acting like Voldemort wants us to act!"

"Hardy har har," James glared at him. Remus was still quiet, so James threw another pillow at him. "Come on, Moony, buck up."

He gave them a weak smile, but said nothing more.