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Author: EvieMarie Story: Nothing Fails Rating: Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: WIP Reviews: 6 Words: 15,502
Disclaimer: All characters and etc. belong to J.K. Rowling. Nothing Fails Living Statues "Caradoc Dearborn, vanished six months after this, never found his body." -- Alastor Moody "Lundy. I have a proposal to make." Tom Lundy felt fear stab his heart as he watched red eyes flare up from the darkness. Lord Voldemort. Flight of Death. French root in meaning. 'Vol' can also mean thief. "Y-yes? And what might that be?" A lipless smile curled in the candlelit room. "Are you frightened?" Fear. An emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger. Usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight. "No," Tom murmured. A bead of sweat slipped down his neck. "There's no need to lie to me, Lundy, for I know... I always know." There was a pause. "You said there was a proposition?" The cat pupils dilated. "It requires the utmost trust, Lundy. I demand unwavering loyalty. You have the knowledge I am seeking." Trust. To have confidence or faith in. To allow without fear. "Knowledge... is one of my stronger suits," Tom said, smiling slightly. *** Harry trod quietly along the hallway of Grimmauld Place, a tea-tray magically drifting in front of him. Tonks, who had recently returned alive and well with Bill, had sent him upstairs to deliver the tea and sandwiches to Lupin. The old professor had been in bed all evening; it was nearly the full moon. "Professor?" called Harry softly, as he reached Lupin's door. There was a soft murmur in reply, which Harry took as an invitation to come in. "Tonks has sent tea, she thought you'd appreciate it," said Harry, pushing the door open. Lupin was, to put it frankly, a fright. His hair was tousled and seemed more grey than usual . His eyes were sunken and seemed overlarge against his gaunt cheeks. He was propped up against a heap of pillows, and from where Harry stood, he looked very weak and tired. "Er - where do you want this?" Harry asked, gesturing toward the steaming cup of tea. "You can bring it here. Despite my appearance ," croaked Lupin, "I do believe I'm strong enough to hold a tea cup." Harry smiled, though part of him doubted Lupin's claim. "Will you - er, I mean, you don't look well at all," said Harry, watching the man sip the scalding liquid. "It's a blue moon this time, Harry. It seems to make me very ill, very quickly..." Harry nodded, wanting to say something useful, but his tongue didn't seem to be working properly. He half wanted to leave, let Lupin rest, but something kept him glued to his chair. He felt he was waiting for something. There was a long pause. Finally, Lupin sighed softly and asked, "Any news with the Dursleys?" "Nope... Dumbledore doesn't think they're dead though. Maybe they just left the country in hopes of never having to deal with me again," Harry added, smiling slightly. Lupin smiled back, but it was forced. There was another pause, before Lupin said quietly, "Your aunt is nothing like your mother was, you know." "I know." Lupin continued. "I really don't understand how the two could ever have been related... Lily rarely said a harsh thing toward your aunt, though. She was always very kind to her." "Aunt Petunia would deny that tooth and nail," Harry added, shaking his head. "I hardly see them as sisters... and to think I'm related to filth like the Dursleys ... they're not family though. Not in the slightest." But even as Harry said this aloud, he remembered what Dumbledore had said - as long as he could call Privet Drive home he would be protected there. Lupin smiled. "The Weasleys seem to fill that void..." Harry grinned back, his face warming slightly. "They do." Lupin sat up a little more, a sparkle in his eyes. "I hear Ginny Weasley plays a mean game of chess." Harry's eyes widened. "How'd you know about that?" "She came to visit yesterday. Says she beat you seven times, " Lupin chuckled. Harry felt a smile creep onto his face too; it was good to see the professor laugh. "She didn't tell you I beat her a few times?" "Oh, you mean the two games where you switched the pieces when you thought she wasn't looking..." "Shut up." The two laughed, falling into companionable silence. "Do you want more tea?" asked Harry. "No thank you. Tonks has been filling me up on it ever since she returned and I'm getting quite tired of having to use the toilet every ten minutes." Harry laughed. "No worse than Madame Pomfrey, I suppose. At least you're allowed visitors." "She was at Hogwarts in my day... I remember when your dad fell off his broom in fifth year and twisted his ankle. Madame Pomfrey kept him in the infirmary for a week and only allowed Sirius to visit for five minutes." At the mention of Sirius, Harry stiffened slightly, but Lupin continued to speak as if nothing happened. "Sirius eventually got annoyed one night and borrowed James' invisibility cloak. They went sneaking around the school, and not even I'm sure of what went on. But at breakfast the next morning Snape's hair was pink." Lupin pushed the tea-tray away as Harry laughed. There was a knock at the door. "Come in," both Lupin and Harry called. It was Hermione. She looked strained and her voice was tight. "Harry, I've asked the Order to lock Kreacher in the attic. They agreed. I mean - well, I don't like it much... but at least he's safe up there, right?" The whole atmosphere in the room instantly changed. The friendly talk and smiles were gone, only to be replaced by something harsh, something foul . Harry felt an odd pressure in his chest. "I don't want him safe, Hermione." He stood. "I should be going, Professor. Goodbye." He strode swiftly out of the room, ignoring Hermione's slightly annoyed expression and Lupin's tired one. When he reached his bedroom, however, it was only to find Ron lounging on his bed, eating Chocolate Frogs. "Hey mate - Hermione was looking - " "I know. Where is everyone?" "Well, Ginny's in her room, I think. Most of the Order is scattered through out the house. They've been coming and going all day... hey, you all right, Harry?" Harry sank onto his own bed, feeling suddenly very childish for storming out on Professor Lupin like that. And Hermione... well, she was only trying to help. "Yeah... yeah, I'm fine," he said, glancing at the pile of Chocolate Frogs. "Think I could have one of those?" "Sure." Harry sat for a minute, chewing the milk chocolate. Things had been so different lately. Ever since Sirius died, Harry thought, and his stomach clenched painfully. He almost felt guilty - there had been many moments in the past week where Harry had gone completely without thinking of Sirius. Why did it have to be that way? Why was it that thinking of Sirius was just as painful as not thinking of him? Was it always going to be like this? Was he going to live the rest of his life in constant misery, his mind always dwelling on the dead? The rest of his life.Harry swallowed his chocolate, thinking. With the recent knowledge of what the prophecy contained, there would be no 'rest of his life' . Glancing down at the Chocolate Frog card in his hand, Harry struggled hard not to choke on the remaining chocolate. "Ron!" "What?" Ron's eyes were closed at he was sprawled on his bed. "Have you seen this?" demanded Harry, raising the card in front of Ron's face. "What are you on about?" Ron opened his eyes, and then drew in a sharp breath. "It's you!" Harry rolled his eyes. "Thanks, Ron. I wasn't sure if it was me on this card or my evil twin." "Give it here!" Ron looked amused, and snatched the card from Harry's hand. "Harry Potter is one of the most - " Ron laughed, reading from the back of the card. "Ron, don't," Harry said, making a grab for it. "Just a minute! Harry Potter is one of the most well known wizards of our time, and is particularly famous for his defeat of the Dark Lord when he was only a small child. Now, at age sixteen, Harry Potter has much more going for him - not to mention his fetching good looks ?" Ron snorted, "I dunno Harry. Whoever wrote this was way off - maybe you should ask for a reprint." "Shut up, Ron!" Harry said, half laughing, as he lunged for the card in Ron's hand. The two wrestled for a fair few minutes, until they heard a giggle at the door. "Not interrupting anything, am I?" Ginny asked, her arms folded. She leaned against the door frame. "No!" Harry shouted, at the exact same time Ron shouted, "Come see, Gin!" "Ron - come on, do you have any idea how embarrassing that thing is?" Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Oh yeah. That's why I'm showing Ginny." "What is it?" asked Ginny. "A Chocolate Frog card of Harry, written by one of his fan girls," Ron laughed, tossing the card to Ginny. "I don't have fan girls!" said Harry crossly. "Sure you do Harry, just look at Gin here," said Ron, slinging an arm around his sister. Ginny glared at him. "I'm not a fan girl. You know perfectly well I discontinued the club - it was becoming too much to handle." It took Harry a moment to realize she was joking. "You shouldn't say stuff like that, Ginny! I though you were serious - " But the conversation suddenly broke off as several voices rose from downstairs. "Do you have any idea how foolish it was to bring him here, Albus?" They heard Moody bark. "He could be one of them - " "Alastor, I would appreciate - " "Does Remus know yet?" "How can he - he's upstairs - " "He's not trustworthy, I'm telling you - " There was a pause. Harry looked around at Ginny and Ron, then muttered, "Come on." They crept down the stairs, until they came to the kitchen door. "I will never understand why," they heard Snape's silken voice say, "you lot cannot trust a man's word, especially when it comes from a skilled Legilimens such as myself! The man tells no lies, and nor do I." "Well forgive me if it's a little hard to believe the word of a former Death Eater, Snape," Moody's voice shot out. "Gentlemen, please! We do not have time for such trivialities." There was a pause. "Harry, please come in." Harry jumped, as did Ron and Ginny. Somewhat sheepishly, Harry pushed the kitchen door open. It seemed most of the Order were packed into the room; there were many people Harry didn't recognize. One woman near to him nodded, while others merely gave appraising or searching glances. "Headmaster, I hardly think that underage students - " started Snape, but Dumbledore held up a hand and Snape fell silent. "Harry, I must ask you, have you had any dreams lately? Any visions?" The man's blue gaze sank deep into Harry's. "Well, er - " Harry knew he shouldn't lie, Dumbledore would be able to tell straight away. "I... there was one dream - I couldn't get it to stay in the Dream Arrest. I don't think it had anything to do with Voldemort though." Most of the people in the room flinched at the mention of the Dark Lord's name, but Dumbledore continued. "If you would, Harry, describe the dream? It is of the utmost importance." "I - " A hot flush made it's way across his cheeks as he felt every eye in the room watching him. It had been a very personal dream... "I was in - in the Department of Mysteries again," he struggled to keep his voice level. "In the room... with the veil. I was just, er, standing there in front of it, listening - I could hear something. Whispers, I think. And I wanted to hear them better. So I - I stepped through the veil." Everyone in the room stared at him, some with there mouths slightly open. Harry felt stupid. "Uh, that's where it ended," he finished lamely, not feeling the need to describe to the room just how frightening the dream had been. "I see, and it wouldn't stay in the Dream Arrest?" Dumbledore asked. "No, sir." "I see," Dumbledore said again, sighing. Harry watched him and for the second time that week, noticed how old the professor looked. "Professor, what is this all about?" Harry asked. Dumbledore did not answer him, nor meet his eyes. "We will send group to investigate Mr. Lundy's claims," he said finally. There were many different reactions to this statement. Moody started arguing again, Tonks looked apprehensive. Snape looked smug. Most of the group, however, appeared determined. "Who will we send?" Mr. Weasley asked. "Not Bill or Tonks again, " Ginny interjected, her eyes flashing. Dumbledore selected a few of the Aurors in the room , and, much to Ginny's relief, they didn't include Tonks. As the group were leaving, Harry noticed a man stand up with them, and make his way to the door. Moody glared heavily at him and walked out the kitchen. The man was peaky in appearance, with tweed robes and mussed dark brown hair. He looked very familiar... "Ginny, Harry, Ron - you all should be in bed. I want you upstairs now, no arguing," Molly said, brushing past them to straighten the chairs. "But mum, we want to know - " Ron said, but Tonks cut him off. "It's really nothing. That man, Lundy, says he was approached by the Death Eaters and was asked to meet them somewhere. He's on our side. The Order's going to go check out the place." Mrs. Weasley looked furiously at Tonks for a moment, and then flicked her wand angrily at a pile of dirty dishes. "But why did that man look so familiar? Lundy?" asked Harry. "He was at St. Mungo's the same time I was, Harry," Mr. Weasley said, wiping his glasses. "He was the man who was bitten by a werewolf. He was also supposed to meet Lupin the other night." Before Harry had a chance to ask how they really knew he hadn't been the see the Death Eaters, Mrs. Weasley shooed them all upstairs. "Where's Hermione?" Ron asked. "Still with Lupin, I suppose," answered Harry. He rubbed his scar absentmindedly; he thought he'd just felt it twinge... "I'm going to go talk to her. You coming, Harry?" asked Ron. "Er - no. I'm tired, should get some sleep," Harry muttered, but the truth was he suddenly didn't feel like being around Ron and Hermione. "All right." Ron sent him one last worried glance before striding up a further flight of steps to Lupin's room. "Do you think Lundy's a Death Eater?" Harry turned. He'd forgotten Ginny was behind them. "Maybe... But Snape's really good at Legilimancy, he'd be able to tell." Ginny grimaced. "Snape's such a git." "Yeah, no kidding." There was a somewhat awkward silence. "Well, er, I should go to bed... long day, and all," said Harry. "Yeah, me too," Ginny nodded. There was another pause. "'Night then," Harry said, feeling stupid. "Yeah, goodnight, Harry." Ginny paused, looking like she wanted to say something more, but then suddenly turned and bounded up the stairs. Well... that was different. Harry thought, sinking into his bed at long last. The minute he closed his eyes, the dream started. It was dark; Harry could barely see two feet in front of him. There was an odd stench in the sir, something Harry couldn't quite place. Like decay and stale water... There were voices around him, low mutters and then suddenly the room was glaringly bright. A dozen wand tips had gone aglow, casting long shadows on what Harry now realized wasn't a room, but a cave. But the oddest things of all were the statues . There were women with stationary skirts and frozen faces; children, forever petrified in playing games of hopscotch or jacks. Men lined the walls, undaunted and stiff. All of them frozen, all of them dead. Then one lone, terror-stricken voice called out to the others. "I don't believe it - would you look at that! I recognize these people, I know every one of these people!" There were cries of recognition all around the room, cries of horror, and cries of astonishment. "Is this where they wanted to meet you, Lundy? I don't understand - is this some kind of joke?" an Auror called out. "Quite a sick joke, if you ask me," Moody replied. He was standing in front of the frozen form of a very tall man, with shaggy dark hair. "This here is Caradoc Dearborn. Vanished six months after the Order was formed, remember?" Then Harry woke up.
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