The Chain

Chronicle III

Damn Your Love, Damn Your Lies

Oh, how he hated going to 12 Grimmauld Place.

The building, despite being well maintained by a grump of a house elf, reeked of smoke and hypocrisy. The floorboards creaked with screams, and the walls, although most colored neutral, felt as though they had been painted by blood. Now all of these facts are hyperbole, but it’s important to recognize the murder that characterized the house in which the planning portion of the Dark Army was conducted.

The house was dim, and sagged with its history. Not only did the house feel infested by dark Wizards, but also by pests. Remus couldn’t ignore the cockroaches that scattered up the walls, and the spiders that resided in the corners of each room. But as he walked the halls, he reeled in on the observation that the house was littered with rodents too. He had on multiple occasions seen mice and rats scamper by, and was now faced with the question, were any of those rats counterfeit?

He stepped through the dreary building, he felt like a demon in a church, so out of place his feet burned. He found himself always looking through the halls as he walked, perhaps when other people saw him walking by, they assumed him crazy. But when walking aside Bellatrix Lestrange he definitely seemed to be screwed on a little tighter. Now, Remus could easily claim that his peering into rooms, and listening to creaky floorboards were in fact a part of his routine job. However, his motives could also lay somewhere around the line of ambiguity. Because, and despite the bustling flow of darkly dressed wizards, barcades of desks, and locked doors filled with whispers, the accented railings, and scuff marks on door frames hinted that this building was once a home. Maybe not a home of love, but a home nonetheless. In fact it was probably one of the most important homes Remus had the displeasure of hearing about in his youth.

Remus wasn’t sure if it was an acceptable thing to do, but occasionally, he would look at places and wonder if Sirius had suffered there. Was he berated in the hall? Shouted at in the dining room across the dinner table? Ultimately, Remus felt guilty. How he was the one to return to the house Sirius had to painfully escape. How he consensually worked in the same rooms Sirius was held captive.

The house, during the ramp up of the war and after Walpurga Black’s children had moved out, became a capital of sorts. Catering toward major planning, and full of all of the most important dark wizards. Not only was it Remus’ “home base” for his undercover work, it was also the Headquarters of Crus. Sometimes he would see the man, disguised of course, sketching away and the two would exchange eye contact, never actually speaking a word to one another.

As Remus walked the halls the first person to pay his attendance any attention was a mister Antonin Dolohov. The man was, truth be told, attractive. Yet the sheer amount of hatred in his eyes that caused his eyebrows to concave was apparent. “Good morning, John.” The man huffed, stopping in the narrow hallway.

Remus, after the quick shock of hearing his former name, recognized he was being talked to. The name was in fact a part of his disguise. All members of Tres Pavus went by a first name that wasn’t their own but familiar enough they would respond to it, and their last name was whatever their code name was. Meaning Remus was John Coda. And John Coda had to keep up appearance, and polite conversation.

Remus would be lying if he said that he and Antonin weren’t friendly. “Good morning,” Remus returned, the Death Eater smiled.

“You didn’t come to the Malfoy’s Party last night.” Antonin said with a slight inclination in his voice that could hint at amiability.

Remus briefly looked at the wall, then fixed his eyes back on the man in front of him, “No, I had some errands to run and then decided to head home before it was late,” he said. Lying really did come easy for him.

Antonin looked around, a sign that the conversation was soon to end. “Well that’s too bad. Are you heading to Travers’ meeting?”

“Yes.” Remus answered swiftly. The two men walked together speaking in basic conversation, down the hall to the dining room. A large table had been placed in the middle of the room. Army members were filed in throughout the seats of the table. The table had spots for 9. In most cases the meetings were led by either Lucius or Travers, two prominent death eaters. Never had any of their meetings been led by Voldemort himself, but occasionally he would stop by, say something cryptic and dreary that was meant to be motivating, and walk away.

Remus sat down, at a spot on the side. He hated to admit that he almost felt more comfortable here than at the Order Meeting.

Upon taking his seat, he began assessing the room. Figuring out who was there, and how many had yet to come. Fridrick Crus was the first person he observed, they nodded at each other when their eyes met. To describe how Crus looked was emphasizing a lie, but the man was tall, he was balding and clean shaven, and his face was long to a point where Remus could tell it was artificial.

Along in the room was Barty Crouch Jr. Recently, he had become more and more disheveled. Remus decided that this was likely due to the loss of Evan Rosier, his best friend since 1st year at Hogwarts.

At the head of the table was Travers, beside him, Lucius. Next to Remus sat Rodolphus Lestrange, Bellatrix’s husband, a quiet man, but a terrifying one. Unlike Rodolphus and sitting near Crus was Corban Yaxley, a man who would never close his mouth, and occasionally made short meetings last an eternity with his questions.

Despite the missing 9th member, Mulciber, the meeting started up, “We will now begin this meeting,” boomed Travers. The table immediately quieted. “We have 2 upcoming events we will need to be prepared for. Me, Lord Voldemort, and Mulciber plan on an execution this afternoon. It has become our recent goal to execute as many order members as we can.”

“And the boy?” Corban asked.

Travers stared at him, “our plans for him are meant to remain locked, although we are getting close.” Travers cleared his throat, “our second upcoming event is also an execution, this one we are less prepared for and are needing your help.”

Although Travers and Lucius always kept the names out of the preparation, Remus could tell who they were talking about, for event number 2, they are planning the execution of the Prewett brothers.

Remus continued to sit in on the meeting, although the humming in his ears occasionally sounded louder than Travers’ voice.

He tried his best to stay focused, but knew that it’s not in this meeting room that he would find the answer he is looking for.

What he really wanted was the conversation to turn back to event 1, so he could ask what exactly are the details for the specific operation. But as Travers droned on, that seemed more and more a fantasy.

It wasn't until the meeting began to wrap up that Remus decided to ask his question. He really didn’t know he was going to say it until he was saying it. “When are you planning the attack today?”

Travers looked at him, but after the wave of questions from Corban this question seemed far less than peculiar, “Yes, Mr. Coda, we expect to strike at about 2.”

Remus nodded, satisfied that he actually found helpful information in this bleak meeting. A few minutes later the attendants of the meeting began to file out.

As Remus attempted to escape the room, he was called back by Travers. “Mr. Coda, could we speak with you?”

Reluctantly, Remus took a step back, and turned toward the leaders.

Travers grinned at him, it made Remus uneasy, “after some discussion, and the recent loss of Evan Rosier, we find it necessary to find a replacement that will assist in the more gruesome aspects of our goals. We are thinking that you would be a good fit, for your extreme dedication.”

Remus nodded. Ultimately a promotion with more intel could be a good thing, however, Remus wasn’t really sure he would be sticking around long enough to reap those benefits. Nonetheless he agreed to the offer, in the hope that maybe if necessary this would allow him to ask quick questions.

After that conversation Remus wasted no time wandering the halls, which was technically a part of his job but he was already behind schedule, and needed to tidy up his house before Marlene came by at 11.

Upon arriving at his home at about 10:30, and being reminded his living room was in complete shambles. Remus was able to formulate a well thought out plan for the day while cleaning up the mess, and hiding the evidence.

He ended up stacking up all the papers and notes on a shelf in his closet. A clumsy hiding place, but the one he chose. He also doubted that Marlene would make a beeline through his home and head straight to searching through closed doors, so he believed this to be a good spot.

As the clock drew in on the 11 hand, Remus found himself sitting on the couch. He was not lounging, he was sitting rather unnaturally. He hadn’t quite done the classic ‘sit and chill’ in the past two years, and wasn’t exactly sure how to make it comfortable anymore.

Perhaps the old Remus, circa 1978 Remus, would’ve snatched a book and curled up on the couch reading that. But currently, 1983 Remus hadn’t snatched up a book since far before the fall out of Halloween.

He did think about it though. Walking to the bedroom, running his fingers along the spines until he decided which one to grab. He never did though, Marlene’s echoed knocks beat him to it. Quickly, Remus arose from the couch to walk to the door.

As Remus opened it, Marlene’s genuine smile filled him with a warm feeling he hadn’t realized he’d been longing for. He might’ve wrapped her in a hug, but didn’t want to make her flinch. “Good morning!” He greeted with a grin, gesturing for her to come inside.

Marlene smiled politely back, and stepped inside. Her eyes wandered the house, as if gently investigating, searching for clues.

“I have come up with a plan,” Remus said, trying to draw her eyes back on him. “I mean it is flexible, if you… don’t like it.”

She forced her smile larger, Remus could tell, “let me hear it.”

“So, I was thinking we could go out for, uh, lunch.” Remus found his thoughts to not be in organized folders in the front of his mind, but lost in a maze, blocked by different images in his head. His mind kept flashing to the pictures he’d seen of Marlene’s lifeless body. Her entire life was now laying upon his shoulders. His voice was shaky, his sentences sounded like a ruse. “And then maybe, we could, go to, uh, if you want, head over to the store, and buy a birthday gift— for Sirius. And then we should go to a Café, so uh, how does that sound?”

Marlene continued with her politely forced smirk and nodded. “When was the last time you hung out with someone?”

“Oh Marlene,” Remus looked to the floor. It was obvious. He needed to bury his fears. Suck up his discomfort. Release the pressure he had come aware of. He looked up, did his best attempt at a confident grin, “far too long.”

Her smirk for a bittersweet moment became a genuine grin, she even laughed quietly. “Where are we going for lunch?”

11:19(am)

The two ended up sitting across from each other in a small elegant restaurant off the corner of Sussex and Northboone. The two’s conversation was lacking. Lacking, as in, non-existent, as the two had not spoken more than 8 words since arrival.

Remus could not bring himself to look at her for long periods of time. Her body would slowly contort into the gray corpse he’d been trying to forget. It wasn’t until after the appetizer that an effort was made.

Marlene dramatically knocked on the table next to Remus’ plate, “Hello?” she sang. “Anybody there?”

Remus looked up, and smiled politely. “What?”

“What’s going on with you?”

Remus turned his eyes back down to his plate, and didn’t respond.

“Like that! You aren’t looking at me… which is weird.” Remus flashed his eyes upwards, and was surprised to find that despite the accusatory tone Marlene was smiling. Not something artificial, but genuine. “Really weird, actually.”

Remus rolled his eyes playfully, grinning back at her, matching her energy, “there’s just a lot going on.”

“Mhm, I’m sure, like what?” Her teeth were pearly white, and she licked her lips quickly.

“Everything.”

“That’s not an answer, Remus.”

“It’s true.”

“I don’t not believe you. But that’s not an answer.”

“This. this, whole,—fucking— war.” His voice got a little loud at the end, and he wondered if he had just confused a greater majority of the muggles in his proximity.

“Okay, now we are getting somewhere. Elaborate.”

Remus shrugged for the moment, but swayed slightly to indicate he was thinking, “do you ever feel like everything has been put into your hands, and one wrong move and it’ll all fall out?”

“Sure, that’s what this whole war is.”

“Except your hands are blistered, burned, and slippery. So you try to hold your grip tighter but you're squeezing everything inside, possibly breaking it, but at least you're still holding on.”

Marlene grinned the widest she had all day. It was probably the happiest smile Remus had seen in four years. “See this is what I was asking for.”

Remus realized then, that once he began his hypothetical his eye contact with Marlene hadn’t hindered. He took a sip of his drink, grinning wide.

The two discussed music until their entrées came out. The conversation took a lot of thought for Remus. He felt almost lucky that he hadn’t really read into or listened to music after Halloween, but he still felt he needed to pick his words carefully.

The first of many difficult conversations came right as they were finishing up their main dishes. It was then that Marlene dropped the question Remus could tell she’d been eagerly waiting to ask.

She cleared her throat and stared at him dead on, “what happened to you and Sirius.”

Remus sighed, “I thought you already knew.”

“I know what Lily told me, which came from James, which came from Peter, which came from Sirius. Which are all biased opinions.”

He didn’t answer right away, but eventually spit out, “we got in an argument.”

“About?”

“Trust.”

Marlene leaned back and nodded. “That’s all you’ll give me, huh?”

Remus smirked, “you already know.”

Marlene grinned and slightly shook her head, “were you in the wrong?”

Remus gave the question some thought, “No,” he finally managed, “But neither was he.”

“You can easily fight and both be right, as much as you can fight and both be wrong. I’m glad you can admit that.” Marlene looked at Remus softly. She then added, “let’s ask for the check.”

The two were walking down a shopping street. Turning their heads looking for a shop that would suit what they are looking for. Perhaps, an antique shop? Maybe a record store? Remus really felt underprepared.

Marlene looked at Remus, she was wearing sunglasses that made her look like a rockstar in the foggy, cloudy, London weather. “So, if you won’t tell me about what’s going on in your present, let's talk about the past, as I doubt you can talk about the future.”

Remus cringed at the irony of her unsuspecting joke. “Sure, what do you wish to know?”

“So tell me, in your own dramatic retelling how you and Sirius got together.” Marlene said her classic sassy mixed with kind tone.

Remus was then faced with memories that he’d spent the past two years coughing down. “Don’t you, uh, already know that story?”

“Bits and pieces. But you two acted like it was a sacred event when it first happened. So tell me it all in extreme detail.”

“Okay…”

“And I mean extreme.”

Remus couldn’t shake the feeling that this whole request was a ploy or tactic of some sort. Nonetheless, Remus decided not to refuse her, and decided to think back. “Well it was the end of 5th year. And we were on the train.” Remus was flipping through his thoughts, trying to gather all important information for this retelling. “Oh, uhm, James and Peter weren’t there, they had left Hogwarts a day early to attend this Quidditch convention, so they weren’t on the train.”

Marlene quietly interrupted the story to point out the Record Shop across the street. Remus nodded in response and the two directed their walking to the shop.

“And he was bored and it was a long ride, I mean back then he was always bored. I don’t know where you guys were but me and him were in a booth all alone. I remember this specifically because it kind of changed the air in the room, but I was reading uhm—… what was I reading… oh, The Scarlet Letter, and he asked me to read a little bit of it so I agreed. And there was this quote…”

The two walked into the building, Marlene greeted the kind cashier. Marlene pulled Remus to look at the sales and deals rack.

“…uhm, god, there was this quote…it went like… I don’t remember what it was…” Remus paused, stopped scanning the rack even. Immediate guilt rushed through him. “I can’t remember. Wow. Uh… wow…anyways… uh, It led to us talking more deeply. And then y’know it just sorta happened.”

Marlene rolled her eyes, “details, Remus.”

“Well, I dunno, I think eventually we started arguing. And one of us made a move in the heat of the moment, and nobody turned back. So by the end of the train ride, we both had confessed and by the beginning of the next term we were ‘official.’ Although I think we owned each other's hearts years before any moves had been made.”

“And who made the move, Remus. I know you remember everything.”

“Sirius. It was always going to be Sirius.” Remus laughed, “I could never make a decision like that.”

“And you guys stuck together, right?”

“Oh yes, we did.” He began to force his focus further on the records in front of him. “But y’know, as the war ramped up it made it so that we were background characters in each other’s daily routines. Fucked us up, I think.”

“Do you regret that?”

Remus snorted, as he pawed through a pile of 75% Led Zeppelin records, the outside packaging had been dented on each one. “Do I regret that? Yeah, I think I’ve made a lot of mistakes in this war. But part of me believes that my biggest one is closing myself off so far. Slamming the door so loud, y’know?”

“I thought you made ‘no decisions in this war that you aren’t proud of.’” Marlene quoted with a grin.

“No. That was true. I think that there were other ways I could have gotten to where I am, but I can’t sit here and criticize past decisions just because I know more now than I did then.”

Marlene looked down at the records, “now there’s a little bit of wisdom in this bleak overarching war. Glad to hear you’ve still got that head of yours.”

“Do you think the actual record is damaged?” Remus wondered, holding the square up to Marlene.

“Can’t be sure, nonetheless 75% is a hell of a deal.”

Remus shrugged, “True, but nobody wants to pay for a record that doesn’t work.”

“Yeah but the packaging of the record is like half the fun of it, so the record itself doesn’t have to be damaged to make it cheap.” Marlene snickered.

Remus squinted, he used this time to finally assess the building upon which their feet laid. Remus was slightly surprised to find that they were the only customers in the shop.

This also appeared to be the moment that Marlene realized this too. She quickly picked up one of the dented records and waved it to get the attention of the shop-keep. “Is the record damaged?” She asked once she caught his attention.

He signaled her to bring it to him, and so Remus and Marlene both trekked to the counter. She handed the man the record. The salesman handled the record with the same precision that a historian handles an ancient compass. He mumbled to himself secret hypotheses for the fate of the record.

“I don’t know, my manager put these out. Whoever loaded them into the truck must not have realized they were squished up against some sort of a bump in the wall, and that did some damage over their journey.” He continued to evaluate the plastic wrapped square, “I give it fifty-fifty.”

Marlene smiled at the man, “do you think you, uhm, could test it for us. And if it works I’ll buy it.”

Remus snorted. He knew exactly the stunt Marlene was trying to pull. In 6th or 7th year, Marlene and Mary tried to see who could make 30 pounds go the farthest. This allowed both girls to acquire many skills in… social bargaining..

“We have strict rules about no opening product without special manager or owner permission. But if you don’t want to take a risk I’ll help you pick something else out. What do you like?”

“Oh uh, we like ABBA, Fleetwood Mac, Frank Sinatra, uh, Bowie, Queen. But 75% is an amazing discount if the record works.” Marlene licked her lips and leaned over the table a little bit.

“You seem nice. You both seem nice,” he stared at Marlene, “boyfriend, girlfriend?”

“Oh no,” Remus laughed. The man nodded and continued to watch Marlene, who was grinning patiently.

Remus could see the gears shifting in the salesman's eyes, “well, if I’m going to be breaking the rules for you, I think I have something that may be more enticing.”

Marlene frantically gasped, and playfully slapped Remus on the arm while her eyes remained on the salesman, “oh! Do tell!”

The man threw his elbows on the table and leaned over, he squinted at Marlene and Remus. “Do you know what single was released 3 days ago in America?”

“No clue.” Marlene answered immediately, smiling wide. Remus was equally confused.

The man grinned, “We got the shipment this morning. Although the UK release date isn’t until the second, I’d be willing to sell it to you guys now for… a little bit extra.”

“Won’t you get in trouble?” Marlene asked, feigning extreme concern.

The man chuckled somberly, “anything for my two new favorite customers.” He spun around and walked to the back of the store. After a few seconds he returned, “you guys said you liked Queen and Bowie, right?”

“Holy shit.” Remus’ voice quivered slightly. Marlene smiled at him.

The two were now on their way to a small café, slightly west from the record store. Remus was concerned that they were moving too fast, it now was only about 1:45, and Remus worried he would not be able to keep her distracted until the “safe” time he decided was 2:20. Nonetheless, the minute the worker held out the record, Remus knew it would be best to not overstay their welcome.

“You have to give that to Sirius before his birthday. Because by then it will already be out, He needs to know that you broke down walls to get it.”

Remus grinned, “technically, you broke down walls to get it.”

“Sure, but he doesn’t need to know that.”

It was silent for a moment, Remus sighed. “I can’t believe I didn’t know this existed.”

“Eh, none of us did.” Marlene shrugged as the two turned a corner, the cafe now in sight.

Marlene was right. But for Remus it went deeper. 2 years of this song out in the world, probably hitting records, written by his two favorite artists, and he had no idea. The truth is, Remus knew he would not have enjoyed the song even if he’d known of its existence in the two years. Remus was entirely unable to love his life when he was without all the people that love him. Remus was aloof, but he was in no way a solitary species. Wolves belong in packs after all.

Remus and Marlene allowed the silence to settle for a few moments. The two entered Tricheurmus, and ordered their drinks. It wasn’t until Marlene was given her mug of tea, Remus his cappuccino and the two were seated that the quiet bubbled over.

“So why did you call me?” Marlene asked, quietly and sternly. This broke the concentration Remus had been placing on the Kit-Cat Klock in the corner of the restaurant. 1:55:32, 1:55:33…

“Uh, what?” Remus looked over to her, he smiled awkwardly.

Marlene leaned over her elbows and in the softest manner possible, she rolled her eyes. “This sudden ‘Hangout’, what was the reason?”

Remus tried to laugh but Marlene’s face held stern. “Friendship.” He attempted to shrug off, Marlene wasn’t having it.

“I have been expecting you to plug your case for why you aren't the spy,” she said quickly, she eyed him up and down. “You haven't done that”

Remus finally decided to straighten up, and accept that they were in fact going to have a serious conversation now. “You told me not to.”

“So what's the point?”

“I told you. I just wanted to hang out.”

“But you only want to hang out now that your ass is on the line.” Marlene said sharply. Remus shook his head immediately.

“I want to hang out now that I realize how many of my bridges are burning.” Remus answered with the same tone. Marlene didn’t respond. “I am not trying to wrap you up in my trial. This is not some sort of plan.”

“Oh but it is Remus.” She took a long sip of her tea, and stared Remus straight on. “I know you well enough to understand a large portion of how you think. You play your life like a game of chess. There is no randomness in what you do, especially not in this war. You have calculated every move you make and that is why we don’t see you.” she paused, “we aren’t a part of your strategy.”

Remus was momentarily speechless. He didn’t know how to respond to such a deep analysis.

Marlene continued “I have missed you since we joined the Order and you ran away. I spend a lot of my time thinking about you, about what you're doing. I think about who you have always been, and it is for that reason that I know you aren’t the spy. But what I don’t understand is why you are here with me. It doesn’t surprise me that you aren’t out there campaigning your innocence, clearly, with your lame attendance the Order is no priority or yours. But if you're really trying to fix relationships like you claim you are, why is it me that you chose first. Why not your dear James, who is currently out there thinking you pose a threat to his family. Why not Peter who is dead set on the fact that you are the threat. And most importantly why not Sirius, your hurt dog, who is too scared to return home?”

Remus finally decided to stick his foot into the conversation, “well, maybe it is because of those reasons that I chose you.”

“Maybe. But why were you delirious and drunk when you called me last night?”

“Hard fight.” Remus answered.

Marlene sighed, “It wouldn’t have been such a hard fight if both parties weren’t both correct in what they were arguing. If Sirius hadn’t been right when he claimed that you were hiding something.” Marlene took another sip of her tea for dramatic effect, and stared down at the table. “I would say that the question more plainly is what.”

“What what?” Remus wondered quietly.

“What are you hiding?” Marlene looked up at him.

“Nothing really.” Remus said sternly.

“Fine.” Marlene shrugged, “I would say that that is what I care more about, but actually what I’m more interested in is why you have your eyes glued to the clock like a moth to a house light. So if you’d like to explain, why’s that?”

Remus didn’t say anything. 2:06. It was quiet, Marlene took a few more sips of her drink, entirely finishing it off now.

Marlene smiled bitterly. “It’s okay, Remus.”

Remus nodded and he felt a pain in his chest, “Marlene, I will tell you the same promise I tell everyone. I will eventually explain this all.”

“When?” she sighed, already disappointed in the answer she would probably bet he will never give.

“The 31st. But I need to stay in the Order.”

Marlene shook her head, “I don’t have the words they’ll want to hear. I don’t think I’d be able to help you.”

Remus nodded and sighed. “What’s Mary been thinking? Is she voting in my favor?”

“She’s yet to decide.”

Remus smiled, “Maybe just see if you can sway her.”

Marlene thought about this and eventually nodded.

“I’ll try, soldier.” Marlene grinned softly back, and did a slight salute. Remus’ heart dropped as he saw her reach for her purse. 2:12.

“What are you doing?” He asked quickly, nerves seeping into his tone.

Marlene stood up, “I think I should be heading home.”

The eyes of the Klock dug into Remus. He stood up as well, “I think you should stay a bit longer.”

“Oh but Remus, I think all we can do is recycle old conversation.” Marlene sighed. “I really just want to go home.”

Remus looked once again at the clock, “please.”

“Remus, I promise we can hang out again.”

He panicked. It wasn’t safe yet. He knew it wasn’t safe yet. Marlene was stubborn though, Remus knew there was no stopping her. Maybe, holding on to all hope he had, the Death Eaters had already left. He had to take the gamble

He bit his lip, before almost shouting, “I will go with you.”

“Okay.” Marlene exhaled, defeated. She held out her hand. 2:14.

Remus took it with his right, the record in his left. Suddenly, the walls around them began to contort.

“The house appears to be entirely empty, my Lord.”

Feat struck him deep in his chest, he hadn’t yet made it but he could hear the trouble unfolding on the other end.

The minute Remus had his groundings, he threw his hand over Marlene’s mouth and ducked him and her down behind the kitchen counter. Marlene made a quiet, terrified whimper from behind Remus’ hand and immediately stared him down. Remus watched intensely as her wand rolled across the kitchen floor. Remus kept his hand pressed against her mouth, his back pressed hard against the cabinet behind them.

“Have you checked everywhere?”

“From every kitchen cabinet, to underneath every bed, My Lord. She must have known we were coming.”

Remus recognized one voice to be Mulciber, the other must’ve been Travers, and the third was obvious. He looked around, his view only allowed him to see at the farthest, the inside of Marlene’s dining room. The living room, where the Death Eaters stood, Remus had no ability to see. But as Remus squinted his eyes, he happened to see a jug of orange sitting underneath the dining room table, and if he looked even closer he might have been able to claim there was a bit of hair underneath the table as well.

Remus had to resist a gasp. He deeply wondered what Marlene was thinking. Her eyes now squeezed shut.

“Perhaps we should try coming back another day, My Lord.”

Remus could feel Marlene breathing next to him. He could even feel the quick dot of moisture that fell down from her eye

“Perhaps. As for now, we should leave before anyone sees that we were here.”

“Yes, my lord.”

With that the room went silent. Remus waited, and waited, and waited. He wasn’t sure how long would be adequate but eventually, he took his hand off Marlene's mouth, and rose up to look over the kitchen counter.

“They’re gone.” He said, still quietly as though he was still too scared to make them aware of his presence.

Marlene stood up slowly, and Remus turned around to see Mary climbing out from under the table, a grocery bag and orange juice jug in hand.

Everyone was still for a few moments. Maybe even a minute. Remus could feel Marlene’s glances cutting into him. Marlene looked at Remus dead on, she furrowed her eyebrows and quickly switched her gaze to Mary. “You were supposed to be with Peter this afternoon!” She cried, tears now quickly running down her cheeks.

Mary looked at Marlene with red eyes, “I know,” her voice broke, “but we needed groceries! So I went to the store! And when I came back the Death Eaters were here so I hid!” She swallowed harshly, and began attempting to compose herself. “I’ll alert the ministry.”

Mary walked to the refrigerator and grabbed her wand which had rested on the top of it. Remus cursed at himself internally, why didn’t he think of Mary. Of course Mary had never shown up in the original timeline, but now his negligence had almost led to her demise.

He was still. Guilt and fury bubbled in his stomach. How could he have been so stupid. Alternative endings played through his mind, all due his oversight. He was so god forsaken thankful that ultimately Mary did survive, but what if she hadn’t?! Every mistake Remus made from here on out would be entirely his fault. He needed to keep it together.

Marlene now turned back to Remus, she frowned, but pulled him into a tight hug, entirely clinging on to him. Remus hugged back.

Marlene whispered, “you should’ve just told me.”

Remus sat at the end of Marlene and Mary’s dining room table. The homeowners sat side by side on one side, across from them was Dumbledore.

Dumbledore asked both Mary and Marlene to share their stories. The entire time, Dumbledore continued to make suspecting glances at Remus. As Marlene described Remus’ sudden want to hang out, and his eagerness to continue their hang out, Dumbledore’s expressions continued to deepen.

Dumbledore then made a speech, talked some ominous crap about how the Ministry would go to all lengths to keep the two of them protected and how not to tell anybody, even close friends, about this brush with death.

Remus stood up, waved at Marlene and Mary who by now had straightened up a lot and seemed perfectly capable of being left alone. He reached for his wand in a stressful rush, in hopes he could leave the house before Dumbledore could corner him with his questions.

Unfortunately, just as Remus began to mutter his spell, Dumbledore’s voice boomed, “Mr. Lupin, I haven’t gotten my chance to speak with you,” the professor turned to look at Marlene, “is it okay if I speak to him in a different room, Ms. Mckinnon?”

Marlene nodded, “Yes, there is a study, uh right down the hall, second door to the left.”

Remus sighed, but followed behind the old wizard as he marched to the confidential space.

The minute the door was closed behind him, Dumbledore looked at Remus. His face crinkled like old paper. That’s all he really was anyways, far too fragile to actually offer anything to the war, but important and official enough that he was the symbol necessary to fight. He sighed, “What were you thinking?”