Chapter 5
is it complicated ... when someone wants you so much they kidnap you and your friends? (yeah, it's complicated)
Chapter 5
Previously on is it complicated ... when someone wants you so much they kidnap you and your friends? (yeah, it's complicated):
“Oh, now Mippy understands. Good Mistress Elena, good witch, good soul. Mippy misses her.” Mippy sighed heavily.
“So do I, Mip, so do I.” Mippy handed the cup back and Rodolphus took a sip, humming. “And I have another task for you. You’re aware of the new house elf Walburga gave me?” Mippy nodded, curious. “Well, he’s been heavily abused and it’s yet to be determined whether he was being ordered to hurt Sirius or not or if he enjoying doing it, so for the time being, I’d like you to take him in and teach him the ropes after I bond him to the Lestrange family. Walburga most likely thought I wouldn’t—which means her claws she had in him will be gone.” Rodolphus explained.
Mippy scowled. “No good elf hurting Master Pads! No good elf will find Mippy’s hands if no good elf dares to hurt Master Pads again. Don’t worry, Master Rody, Mippy is on the case!” She popped away, Rodolphus laughing fondly.
“On the case?” Sirius asked, curious. Rodolphus looked to him to see his eyes soft. He could feel his cheeks heating up and cleared his throat, looking at the door, shrugging his shoulders.
“Don’t ask me, I have no idea where she got it from. Just that—” He’s interrupted when the door slammed open and James lurched into the room, grabbing an unsuspecting Sirius, who yelped, clutching onto his mug of half full butterbeer.
“Sorry bout this, Lestrange, I’ve got to kidnap my dear Siri for a while! See you at dinner, my dear!” James cooed, pushing him out of the door and reaching for the handle, pulling it shut with a mocking wave. He couldn’t hear their muttered exchange, but definitely heard James’s whining as he dragged Sirius away.
Rodolphus sighed, his head dropping back onto the sofa, just as the door opened once more and someone stepped inside. The sofa dipped as the person sat next to him.
“That bad?” His brother asked.
Rodolphus glanced at him. “You have no idea. Let me tell you what happened.”
He sat up, erected a silencing ward around the room and then spilled everything to his brother.
He never could keep secrets when it came to his little brother—never had. And right now, he needed it.
For he was in a crisis.
It had been three days since the trio of the marauders (though now the trio were firmly dubbed the marauders and not three quarters of it as the last was officially gone and dead to them, thrown out onto his ass, not that he knew it due to his betrayal of their leader) and things were going as well as they could’ve with the trio not being allowed to go anywhere and such.
James and Sirius were bored out of their minds, though it helped that they were able to play Quidditch on the warded Quidditch pitch as it helped elevate their boredom somewhat. Remus on the other hand was having a blast sitting and reading in the library; he’d found several tomes that’d interested him.
The only thing that put the two on edge (Remus and James) was that the two they were supposed to be ‘bonding’ with and had taken an interest in them when they had been ‘kidnapped’ had not said a word to them other than short words during breakfast, lunch and dinner. Not knowing when they were going to be cornered was making them feel a little paranoid.
Sirius on the other hand, had not had much contact with Rodolphus as he was busy with his house elves and making sure that Kreacher was firmly on the Lestrange side and wouldn’t go running back to Walburga. He’d informed him briefly, more clipped, as he’d headed to work that it was proving more difficult as Kreacher was quite brainwashed, and it would take more time than he’d originally thought. So no Rodolphus for Sirius he’d assumed.
One the fourth day, Remus was the first to wake up, slipping from the bed and untangling himself from the two clingy males. James and Sirius rolled and then stuck together, Remus muffling his snickers as he crept towards the bathroom, hearing James grumble before sighing in contentment. He showered and brushed his teeth, walking towards the wardrobe, pulling it open carefully and walking inside, shutting it behind him.
Frowning at the options in front of him, he chose a sandy coloured knitted jumper with some soft jeans, drying himself with a charm, tugging the clothes on. He didn’t fully dry his hair, leaving it still wet but not dripping. After that, he crept out of the room and grabbed the book and parchment with his notes that was on the desk, grabbing another book he’d left on the bookshelf in their room, finding the title on the spine interesting but having not started it, stacking them atop each other in his arms. Then he left, shutting the door softly behind him.
Remus sent a nod towards the guards. Luckily, they hadn’t had a repeat of the first full day—that being no books had been chucked, just a shoe that the guard had ducked. Seemed he was getting better reflexes.
Oh, and accidently grabbing Sirius’s hair and yanking on it as though he wanted to throw Sirius himself since his fingers had been entangled in the Black Heir’s strands and his mind had taken that to be something physical to throw. Suffice to say, Sirius had not been happy and hadn’t spoken to him for the long, long time (in Sirius’s world) of half-an-hour before coming whining back to him just after the thirty minute mark.
“Back to the library?” The guard scheduled to him whispered. Remus had found out he was a Flint, one of the younger ones, just out of Hogwarts, though Remus had never seen him before.
“Yep,” Remus said, hefting the books up to show as evidence before lowering them back to his arms, “got more things planned to read.”
“Not going to breakfast?” Flint asked as they walked further away from the room and down the corridor, his volume rising slightly to a normal one. Remus gnawed on his lip as he thought on it, warring on a decision. Then he sighed. James would mother him like no one’s business—and he had the patented ‘I’m totally disappointed to you but I’m trying not to show it’ face almost identical to Euphemia Potter—whilst Sirius would smirk and pat him on the back in mock sympathy once James left to get some food to sneak to him in the library.
“Yes, breakfast. Curse the most important meal of the day.” Remus grumbled, Flint snickering behind him as they changed directions, heading to the dining room. Remus entered it, grumbling as he walked over to his dubbed seat, glancing up. He was surprised to see someone awake, casting a hasty tempus, narrowing his eyes slightly at it.
“Wondering why I’m awake, cub?” Fenrir drawled.
“Perhaps.” Remus responded curtly.
Fenrir hummed shortly. “I do love your fire, cub. Very well, I’ll tell you,” he ignored the look Remus sent him, a ‘I didn’t fucking ask, you idiot’ look, “I normally get up early to help with the pack. Though right now my second is in charge as I decided to take a more permanent residence here since my little spitfire’s staying here.” He sent a smirk to Remus, who scoffed as he grabbed some toast, lathering it with butter.
“I could’ve inferred that, alpha.” Remus said sarcastically. Fenrir straightened, his back snapping upwards.
“I wouldn’t say that, little spitfire, cause that word, that title coming from your lips may bring a situation you’re not ready for.” Fenrir’s lip pulled back in a smirk, showing a row of perfect white teeth. Something curls in his stomach at the sight, making him swallow, Fenrir’s eyes roving slowly down his face and onto his throat. “Though I’d promise to make it good for you, little wolf. I’d make it so good—”
“Fuck off.” Remus snarled, shifting uncomfortably. He snatched a piece of toast up, stood and exited the room, hearing Fenrir’s rough chuckles bouncing off the walls. Someone entered just as he was leaving, but Remus paid no mind to it, brushing past them and towards the library. Flint pushed himself off that wall, looking surprised, hurrying to catch up to him.
They said nothing as they walked, Remus entering the library, seething. He paused, staring down at his hands—his empty hands. He collapsed onto the sofa, doubling over, pressing his head into his arms and groaning, loud and deep. He’d forgetting his fucking books and notes in the bloody dining room.
What a fucking mess.
It was when twenty minutes had passed since he arrived in the library, that he braved to go back to the dining room to get his books and notes, though he didn’t want to but the book from the shelf was calling for him. Plus, Fenrir must have left, right? He couldn’t have stayed twenty minutes to eat—what, some bloody breakfast? Though with how much muscle the werewolf had on, he probably ate a lot.
Stupid muscular, hot bastard, Remus grumbled as he stood, exiting the library.
Flint fell into step next to them and they walked towards the dining room, Flint clapping him on the shoulder as if he’d worked out why Remus had left so quickly in the first place and was encouraging him to get over himself to get his stuff. Remus shot him a look that had one side of Flint’s lips quirking up as he joined the other two guards leaning against the wall.
So James and Sirius were in there then and eating.
Remus took a deep breath, shouldered his back and then entered with his chin in the air like he’d seen Sirius do sometimes. He walked over to his seat and gathered up his books and papers, not looking up even though he could sense Fenrir was staring at him in amusement. Bastard, Remus growled.
“Little spitfires come back.” Fenrir hummed. “You think about my offer, little spitfire?”
“Go fuck yourself.” Remus responded dryly. Someone started choking an he glanced up, seeing more people in the dining room than he’d thought there were. There were some more Slytherin’s sitting on seats, from Hogwarts sixth and seventh years—Snape was there, eyes narrowed in thought as they glanced between Fenrir and Remus—as well as what seemed to be some of Fenrir’s packmates.
“Got ya pegged, Fen.” The male by Fenrir’s side barked a laugh. Sirius snickered into his orange juice, choking a little. James tutted and grabbed a napkin, patting Sirius on the mouth, cleaning his face. Then James turned to Remus, arching an eyebrow.
“Moony, my dear, did you go straight to the library?” James asks.
“Uh … no? I came here first?” It sounded more like a question but really what was he supposed to say when James was staring at him with the patented Effie look? It was fucking terrifying to be on the receiving end to it. Remus could already see Sirius wince and then his cheeks go a little red and his lips white as he held in laughter. His shoulders shook with the force of it.
“Oh really?” James hummed, narrowing his eyes. “And how much did you eat?”
“Um … toast?”
James clicked his tongue. “Two?”
“No—just … just one?”
“Sit down right now, Remus John Lupin.” Remus’s back straightened and he collapsed into his chair, staring at the table. “You’re already too thin and you spend so much bloody time in the library—doing what I have no clue—but you need sustenance to fuel your brain and water, lots and lots of water—”
“Who are you? Molly bloody Weasley?” Remus grumbled, watching James spoon some scrambled eggs on his plate and some bacon. Though the hands paused as James absorbed what he’d said.
“Excuse me?” James inquired dangerously. “Did you say something?”
“No.” Remus immediately denied. “Thank you for this, Prongs, is what I was going to say.” Sirius coughed to hide his laugh, making James turn to him, frowning, pressing the back of his hand to his forehead.
“Here, drink some more orange juice, Pads.” James refilled his cup, chancing a glance in Remus’s direction. “I don’t see you eating Rem.” Remus dropped his books onto his lap and shuffled his chair forward, sighing as he grabbed a fork, starting to eat. He was a bit hungry, that he couldn’t deny—he didn’t exactly eat much before Fenrir had pissed him off. “Better? It’s a full moon soon which means you’re more hungry and more grumpy. And pissed off.”
Remus said nothing; if he did it’d be admitting James was right. And his head was already big enough in Remus’s opinion.
“That means you’re right, Jamsie.” Sirius said smugly, sipping at his orange juice and reaching for another crossiant, chancing a glance at where Rodolphus usually sat and pouting when he doesn’t see him. He was used to at least saying goodbye to the male and it was strange not to see him even though it was only for a couple of minutes at the start of the day.
“No, it doesn’t.” Remus refuted.
“Does too.”
“Does not.”
“Does too.”
“Does not.” Remus’s eyes glowed bright gold, lip curling.
“Does too.” Sirius sang. Remus gums start to feel itchy.
James slammed his hands down on the table, glaring at them. “Enough. Stop fucking arguing. Moony, eat your food. Sirius, stop goading him and drink your orange juice.” He sighed softly. “Fucking children.”
“You’re one to talk.” Remus muttered.
“What was that?” James snapped.
“Nothing.”
James narrowed his eyes. “I thought so.” Remus averted his eyes guiltily before they shot to Fenrir who was chuckling, the others by his side more sympathetic to his slight as they toned down their amusement, giving him pitying looks, each having a friend that acted the way James was. And Merlin be damned if you got on their bad side. Their ears would be ringing for days and shame in their belly like they were small children having done something bad and their parents had caught them.
“So, Jamie, what’re we doing today?”
“Gouging Remus on chocolate.” James answered as he sat back to eat his own breakfast. Remus started choking.
“W-What? Why?” Remus demanded, trading a perplexed, incredulous with Sirius that James doesn’t notice, too busy cutting up a hash brown.
“Well, you’ve been on edge for the last two days, hon, and I do not want what happened on that full moon to happen once again. So you will eat some chocolate and relax before it’s your time of the month. Am I clear?” James asked, looking up, hazel eyes dark. Just daring him to retort or argue. Remus swallows, looking down at his plate, running his fingers down the particular knee that had got James so worked up.
It’d been a bad month. Pomphrey had personally told him that when he’d woken up. That he’d tore tendons in his leg, that would hurt for several months if not over a year. Magic couldn’t fix everything. Though she’d narrowed it down to his stressing and agitation, alongst with the pent up anger and general rage his wolf had been feeling, the frustration as though Moony had been seeking something and hadn’t found it.
There’d been a lot of blood that night, Remus would come to find out.
“Yes.” Remus murmured.
James relaxed. “Wonderful. Now eat and drink some tea. That always helps.” James said, preparing it and then sliding the mug over to him, settling back and beginning to eat once more. Remus looked to Sirius for helped, who gave him a pointed look, causing Remus to huff, obeying James.
Merlin help him it was like having a second mother.
It’s silent as everyone eats, though the recent arrivals trade looks between them, confusion in their eyes. It’s clear they’re wondering why the trio of Gryffindors are there, all of them not high enough to have gotten the information on their ‘kidnapping’ and Sirius’s subsequent engagement. Neither was Rodolphus there to explain it to them and Rabastan would never betray his brothers personal information—added to the fact that Rabastan was ignoring the Slytherin’s looking to him in askance, smirk on his face.
When Remus finished, he pushed the plate back and then stood. Sirius glanced up before lurching upwards after him. James was a bit slower, waving them away when they both look towards him. In his fussing, he hadn’t started eating until a little later, so he was still halfway through his meal.
Sirius grabbed onto Remus’s arms as they made their way towards the door, only to hear a screeching of a chair before a smooth chuckle. Right in Remus’s ear. Sirius took a step back in surprise when Remus abruptly spun, eyes narrowed when his gaze met Fenrir’s.
“So, little spitfire, mind if I join you?”
“No.” Remus immediately said. Sirius’s eyebrows rise as Fenrir actually pouts.
“Oh, come on, little one, I’d make our time pleasarable.”
“Fuck off.” Remus gritted.
Fenrir barked a laugh. “Now, little spitfire, not the right sentence to be using fuck in. How bout I show you—”
“Fuck you.” Remus hissed, smirk rising on his face when Fenrir faltered. “That better?”
“Close, little one, but I’d rather be fucking you—” Fenrir’s cut off when Remus’s palm connects with his face with a rather loud smack, gasps going through the room. Sirius inhaled sharply. Another screeching of a chair was heard as James stood, worry and concern on his face as he watched Remus’s chest rise and fall quickly.
“You do not talk to me like that—say things like that to me.” Remus hissed, eyes roaring with flames, going bright golden like molten fire. Fenrir’s electric blue eyes connect with his, a low smirk on his face. Remus snarled, hand rearing forward again, only to be caught by a bigger one around the wrist, causing more gasps to go around the room. “I fucking hate you—let go of me!” Remus shouted, shoving Fenrir back.
The alpha obliged, letting go, eyes half-lidded as they watched Remus seethe silently, only to be grabbed by Sirius and James, being lead from the room as the duo whispered things to him. Remus’s jaw was gritted, muscles ticking in his cheek as he disappeared around the corner, the footsteps of the guards following after them.
“Well, fuck me, Lupin’s got a backbone. Who’d thought?” Avery commented, causing laughter to go up through the new arrivals, only to stop completely when Fenrir reared again, snarling at them.
“Keep his name out ya mouth, kid. Or I’ll claw it off.” Fenrir threatened. Avery swallowed.
“It was just a joke.” He muttered. Fenrir glowered at him, making him nod quickly. “Alright! Alright!” Fenrir’s glower faded as he glanced at his second in command, walking over to him. He collapsed by the males side. His second, Luke, gave him a sympathetic look, clapping a hand to his shoulder.
“It’ll be alright, he’ll come around. Until then, maybe you should pack some more clothes. You’ll be staying at Slytherin Manor a lot longer than you thought.” There’s a smirk on his face. Fenrir grumbled.
“Stubborn spitfire.”
“A fiesty, stubborn spitfire. That’s how ya like ‘em.” Luke grinned.
Fenrir had to concede to that. Lupa’s, the mates of an alpha running a pack, and the second leader, would have to be strong and stubborn, could be able to hold their own. Smart too, strategic, organised. And Remus Lupin was all those things. It didn’t help that he was beautiful—the scars just added to it. In fact, it made him more gorgeous, raised Fenrir’s view of him.
Remus was a perfect lupa for his pack—for the Blue Moon pack.
He just had to catch him first.
And Fenrir always caught his prey eventually.
After all, the chase—the chase was the best part.
“Fuck, did I really just slap Fenrir Greyback in the face?” Remus whispered as they head towards the kitchens. One of the guards started choking and another gasp. The last just snickered, he thinks that was Flint, his own guard, knowing of Remus’s temper. It doesn’t make him feel any better. “And I didn’t fucking die?”
“He has a soft spot for you.” James soothed. “You won’t die.”
“We won’t let him kill you.” Sirius pronounced, patting him on the back. They enter through the doors of the kitchen, the duo greeting the house elves. The guards come inside after James waves them inside. Remus collapsed onto the floor when the others sat, burying his face in his hands, seeing James place his books and notes onto the space next to him. His shoulders relax a little.
At least he didn’t have a reason to go back into that fucking dining room once more.
As the others talked around him, Remus eventually coming out of his haze of dread and unconcealing his face, he grabbed a fork and started slowly eating the big slice of chocolate cake James slid over to him. The others were chatting softly but there was one thought on Remus’s mind that refused to leave.
I just slapped Fenrir Greyback (was it worth it? Probably. Was it a good idea? Not at all. Did it feel fucking good to do? Hell yes. Was he going to die? Most likely).
I’m fucking screwed.
Inside, Moony growled in agreement.