-104-
There is now a flame dancing in Remus's chamber's fireplace while we are discussing what I've planned. "Vanishing Cabinet?" Remus repeat baffled what I just told him as he hands me a cup of tea before getting his own cup. I nod and take it while sitting in one of his armchairs:"Uh-huh. I remember vaguely how Draco revealed to Dumbledore how he managed to smuggle Death Eaters into the castle the night what happened the Astronomy Tower.". He says nothing and pours himself some hot water, so I continue to tell how one of the cabinets is in the Common Requirement Room - also called as the Room of Hidden Things, which is a storage room with a vast amount of miscellaneous items that had been stored there over the years. I've visited there maybe once or twice during the time I've been in here whenever I've needed to look for a new desk or a chair for my class.
After the Death Eaters invaded Hogwarts thru the cabinet, and are now able to walk in and out of the castle however they pleases, they pretty much forgot it and left it there unused. "...and its 'sister' is in Borgin and Burkes shop." I end my speech with proud grin on my face. Borgin and Burkes, a dark magic antique shop in Knockturn Alley - which leads into Diagon Alley. It would be perfect way to get out of the castle without anyone's notice! But... Remus lets out a long exhale as he lets his weight down onto the armchair opposite of me:"How do you think the owners of the shop would think if we'd be the ones walk thru that into their shop?". He then takes a small sip of the tea, waiting for me to continue. Lowering my gaze down defeated:"I..- I'm not sure. Haven't figure that out yet.". I take a sip of the warm beverage as well while we both try to figure out how'd we deal with the owners once we would step into the shop.
While sipping the tea and being deep in our own thoughts, I won't notice how the night robe on me slides a bit off the shoulder, revealing part of the skin. Remus notices this and something caught his eye:"Where did you get that bruise?". My head turns to him, looking confused:"Hm?". "Bruise. On your shoulder." he points it. It takes me a moment to understand what he's talking about, but then it hit me. He means the one Severus left on me back when we..- My whole face turns red, but try my best act normal:"O-oh..! M-must've came back when Neville and I were at the Ministry.". Quickly, I pull the robe back on and wrap it tighter around me. Bad moment have a nightshirt with loose neckline.
To distract him of thinking any deeper how I got the mark, I ask:"How have you been?". Both of his eyebrows raise, little bit taken aback by the sudden question. But he knows my question is regarding his wellbeing of being away from his family. I just know it kills him not be able to be with them. Specially when Christmas is only a week away. Wish there was something I could do. Clearing my throat a bit before speaking with soft tone:"I mean, if you need someone to talk to... I'm here.". A small smile raises up on his lips and he lets out a weak chuckle:"I know.". He then leans more on the chair and sighs deep:"Got any plans on Christmas?". That makes me let out a laugh since we both know there is nothing we can do:"Sit here with you, I guess.". We then share this gentle smile which tries to give both of us hope that everything will be alright. In the end.
The next day, after the classes were over, Remus and I managed to sneak into the Room of Hidden Things without anyone's notice. Maybe the best way to describe this whole place is a very neatly organized mess. There are piles on piles of all kinds of furnitures here and there. Anything you can think of, really. Chairs, sofas and books, towering over each other. Tables and desks full of different kinds of lamps and other decorations just laying around. All kinds of mirrors and picture frames leaning against the walls that are not covered with other things. Anyone could get easily lost in here. Corner of my eye, I notice there are some brooms in here, leaning against one of the piles that is so high it almost touches the ceiling which is quite high. I could give one of those to Harry. After all, I do own him a broom... "So, where do we find this famous Vanishing Cabinet in middle of all of this... Junk?" Remus keeps looking around as we walk. I sigh deep, also looking around us:"Good question.". I'm not even sure what it looks alike.
After twenty minutes of searching, we come across this big, grey cabinet with only three walls, that has some minimalistic, metal decorations on it. "I think this is it." I tell Remus while keeping my eyes on the tall furniture. "Yes. Looks about right." he agrees. It somehow gives me the chills that this was the passenger way Draco let Death Eaters in that night... "How does it work then? Do-do we just step in and it'll teleport us to the shop?" I ask. I've read about these cabinets, as they were used in First Wizarding War quite a lot, but never got any actual experience with them. "Only if both of them works." he reply as he comes to stand beside me while having a hand in his pocket. "And if they don't?" I ask. "You're stuck in a limbo." he answer. Oh, crap.
For a moment, I stare at the cabinet before us. I want to believe Draco did good job of mending the cabinet and the connection between them. "Then... I should try it out." I tell him with determinant tone while reaching hands to the little handles to open the cabinet. Just when Remus is about to stop me so we can think about this again, I turn the handles and crack the double doors open, when all of sudden - a little bird flies out of there, making both of us flinch out of surprise. "WAH-!!" I do a little hunch down motion, and Remus follows. The little bird flies to rest on one of the chairs that is on four meters high pile of other furnitures, chirping like it's proud it got us off guard like that. Heart pounding fast while watching the tiny thing hand over my chest:"Merlin's sake..! That scared the living hell out of me.". Then, Remus and I look at each other. Both thinking the same thing; it still works. So, I step in and turn to him:"Wish me luck.". Remus gives me a nod just before helping me to close the cabinet:"Good luck.".
After the double doors got closed, a very quiet, soft whooshing sound can be heard and just like that, I have appeared into the Borgin and Burkes. For a moment I stay very quiet inside the dark cabinet, trying to hear if there's anyone there. Can't hear anything. Very carefully, I crack the door open and peek in to see. Luckily, no one's in here, so I dare to step out, quietly closing it behind. The shop is quite large, dusty and dimly lit with a large stone fireplace in one corner. Huh... Now I know where Malfoy's Manor got their home decor. As I'm looking around, I notice the snow outside, how it's slowly coming down. Filling the alleyways all around. It somehow reminded me how I haven't got any gifts for everyone that I care about. And how could I have? Things has been so hectic and there hasn't been a change to..- "Oh! Good evening, Miss." a stooping man with smoothed greasy hair suddenly walks in from the backroom behind the counter which makes me flinch a bit, but I try my best act as normal as possible. This must be one of the owners!
Can't lie, his smile gives me the smallest creeps. "My apologies, I didn't hear the bell when you walked in. Have you waited here for long?" he ask. Slight panic hits and I just bubble out:"No, no, no! I just..- Just walked in. Heh.". Way to go, (Y/N)... The man walks away from the counter to approach me:"How can I help you, Miss..?". "(Y/N)..-" I began to answer, immediately regretting for opening my big mouth. The thought this shopkeeper might have heard my name before by the Death Eaters - talk about because of Harold. I need to come up a fake last name. THINK! "Prince. (Y/N) Prince." I ended up smiling nervously. The owner's face won't change, which lets me know my answer didn't raise any suspicions:"Lovely. Well, (Y/N) Prince, did you happen to have something particular in mind?". Phew!
For next three minutes, I pretend to be looking for some Christmas presents with him. To be honest, I'm not listening even the half what the owner is telling me. I'm not even carrying any money with me!!! Trying so hard to figure out what to do here while I can feel how there are some sweat pearls streaming down the temple out of nervousness. What do I do?! As he's showing me some random necklaces, one thing finally caught his eye: my clothing. I'm not wearing any winter clothes even it's freezing out there. Just when the owner is about to say something, we both hear a smooth, quiet whooshing sound near us. "Huh?" our heads snaps right towards the sound. It came from the cabinet. My heart drops. It must be Remus! Confused by this, the owner puts down the necklace he was just showing me and began to approach the Vanishing Cabinet. Shit, shit, shit, shit!!
Just when the owner gets in touch with the cabinet, familiar man swings it open from the inside at the same time. The owner gets baffled:"What the..-?!", "Stupefy!" quickly I cast the spell, soon followed by a 'thudump -!' - sound when the oily man immediately drops to the wooden floors unconscious. Oh, dear. "(Y/N), what did you do that for?" Remus asks stunned as he steps out of the cabinet. "Wh-what you mean?! I panicked!! You were not supposed to come here!" I whisper hiss. "You were taking so long - I got worried!" he hisses back annoyed. Both of us keep bickering, whisper hissing to each other for a moment while the owner of the shop keeps laying on the floor. "Just..-! Help me out, okay? Lets bring him to the backroom and figure out what to do next, before some customers sees this." I hunch down to grab the man by the ankles. Remus sighs deep while rolling his eyes and hunches down to help, grabbing the man under the arms.
When all of sudden, we hear another voice coming from the backroom. "Borgin? What was that awful thud?! Don't tell me you dropped the..-" older man walks in and immediately froze when he sees us. Remus and I stare at the other owner with awkward look on our faces while carrying the oily man in our arms. FUCK..! Before the older man could let out a yell, Remus quickly releases his grip of the unconscious and draw his wand:"Stupefy!". The old man gets stunned as well, and as the spell hits him, his back hits the shelf behind and he falls to the floor. "Remus!!" I gasp when noticing the shelf is about to come down as well. "Bugger..!!" quickly, Remus rushes up to the shelf and managed to stop it from falling in time. Luckily, only couple things fell down from the shelf - and not the whole damn furniture! Phew!! "Why did you do that for?!" I exclaim all baffled while still holding Borgin by the ankles, even rest of his body is already fallen down to the floor. "Your way of thinking is contagious, I'm afraid." he mutters under his breath while leaning against the shelf.