Chapter 5
* One Year and Five Months Later, About Three Months Before Regulus’ 18th Birthday*
Remus downed the pint of beer before sliding his glass back towards the bartender.
“Another,”He said.
“You sure,”The bartender asked, “You’ve had quite a lot, mate?”
“Another,”Remus demanded.
The bartender just sighed and poured him another pint.
He had spent the last year and a half searching for Cassie, which was more than her family had.
He had nothing to show for it, and had gotten nowhere close to finding her.
Her room had shown no sign of struggle, and no one at the estate had seen anything.
He’d posted a reward for anyone who found her, but had heard nothing.
If someone had taken her, they weren’t looking for money for her release.
He had sent people to look for her, but no girl had been found matching her description.
He just wanted to know that she was safe, and happy wherever she was.
If her family had given up on her, maybe he should too.
Remus let his head fall against the bar, tapping his fingers mindlessly.
Two men had walked in and made their way over to the bar.
“You won that from pirates? Best be careful mate, it’s probably stolen goods.”
“That’s why I plan on pawning the ring, see how much I can get for the ruby.”
“The engraving is going to decrease its value, nobody wants an L on their ring unless it's their name.”
Remus shoots up, narrowly missing slamming his knees into the bar while getting up.
“The ring,”He says, staring at the men, “Let me see it.”
The man looks him up and down, and snorts.
“Nice try, you’re not going to steal from me.”
Remus digs out a pouch of money and throws it towards him.
“I’ll give you more once I see the ring,”Remus said.
The man grabs the pouch and pulls a chain out from around his neck, the ruby ring hanging from it.
Remus grabs it, finding the engraved L inside.
“Where did you get this,”Remus asked.
The man grips the ring back, pulling away from where Remus had pulled him forward by the chain.
“I won it in a game of cards over in Hogsmeade.”
“From who,”Remus demanded.
The man looks down at the bag of coins, and looks back at Remus.
“Maybe, for a fair price, I would-”
“The ring is an heirloom of the Lupin family, who would have you hanged if they learned it was in your possession,”Remus said, “Of course, my word will protect you from such a fate, seeing as it is my ring. Lord Remus Lupin, at your service.”
The man gulps, stuttering out an apology.
“Who gave it to you,”Remus asked again.
“You know Potter, the infamous pirate captain of The Fat Lady? It was his brother but I didn’t get his name, just called himself Padfoot.”
“And did he say where he got the ring,”Remus asked.
“No, I swear.”
“Any other information you have as to how to find him would be greatly appreciated,”Remus said.
“I don’t know, they get around a lot. I just know that his brother turned up outta nowhere like a year ago. Just suddenly appeared as the Captain’s right hand.”
“Do you know anyone that’s part of his crew that might give me more information,”Remus asked.
“His crew is extremely loyal, but apparently one of his former crew members works at The Leaky Cauldron in Schlange. Names Peter Pettigrew and no one knows why he’s not on Potter’s crew anymore.”
“Thank you,”Remus said, paying for his pints and turning to leave the bar, “Oh, mind giving me my ring back.”
Remus stood outside of The Leaky Cauldron looking at the Black estate that stood at the top of the hill overlooking the town.
A man emerged from the bar, and Remus stepped forward.
“Are you Peter Pettigrew,”Remus asked.
“Yeah, why, who’s asking,”The short, round man asked.
“I hear you used to work for Captain Potter,”Remus said, “I’m looking-”
“Let me stop you right there, mate,”Peter said, “I haven’t worked for Potter in years so whatever business you have with him it doesn’t involve me. I’ve had a long night and just want to get home.”
Remus pulled out a bag of coins.
“Please,”Remus said, “I think he has someone, or at least knows where someone is, who I care about deeply?”
Peter looked between Remus and the bag, and then held his hand out.
“Potter doesn’t take people hostage,”Peter said, “Never did, only ever takes people prisoner who are a threat to others.”
“She isn’t a threat,”Remus said, “But she disappeared and apparently the Captain’s brother had her ring.”
“Brother, nah mate, he’s never had a brother,”Peter said.
“He calls himself Padfoot, apparently he didn’t show up until recently,”Remus said, “He couldn’t have had this ring if he didn’t know something.”
“There was the fella that came into the pub when James was there over a year ago,”Peter said, “I know he was saying he wanted to join Potter’s crew, and he was offering him money.”
“Do you know when, when exactly,”Remus asked.
“I don’t know, October maybe? Not last year, year before last,”Peter said, “Pretty sure he was offering Potter info on the Blacks too, come to think of it?”
October would have been a month before Cassie’s birthday, a month before her disappearance.
“I need to find him,”Remus said, “Where can I find them?”
“Mate, they go all over the place,”Peter said, “Constantly on the move, it’s why I left. Couldn’t take all the traveling and hopping around.”
“Do they come here regularly,”Remus asked, “To see you.”
“Used to come the first Thursday of every month, but that stopped a while ago,”Peter said, “Guess they finally messed with Blacks and aren’t looking to get caught. I’d say your best bet is trying around the other port towns. I know James always liked gambling in Hogsmeade.”
“Thank you, you’ve been very helpful,”Remus said.
“Be careful mate, Potter’s one of the best,”Peter said, “There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do to protect his crew.”
That might be true, but he hadn’t met Remus when fighting for the only person he’d ever loved.