Lockwood Part 4

Darren had been gliding around the pitch, James Potter winking at him and both chasers waving to the crowd and taking in the roar of their fans. The game had been a draw, it was a tough match and Darren felt the aches and pains flaring in his body. He shook hands with James and they both flew down towards the changing rooms.

‘Good game, mate.’ James clapped him on the shoulder. ‘You training for the next World Cup already?’

‘Never too soon to prepare, I reckon.’

Both men laughed and got changed, heading out to greet the fans waiting outside the grounds. Darren was always happy to sign for his fans and even joked around with a few of them, he was a fantastic personality for the public eye.

‘Twenty-five years of age and all you can do is be the best,’ James laughed behind him. ‘I have to say, I am in admiration Darren Lockwood. We’ll get the Cup next time. Any time you want to train, let me know and I’ll be there in a heartbeat.’ James winked and wandered off away from where Darren was still signing.

James Potter had always been a hero of his, Darren heard about what he had done during the war, he heard about the struggles he faced and of course, he knew about the record James had set during his years at Hogwarts, having broken it. The idea of training with him, one on one was a dream come true, he couldn’t wait to train the next day with a new spring in his step.

Darren quickly finished with the remaining crowd and turned to spot Clara smiling at him. He wasn’t quite sure what had come over him, Darren strode up to her, sliding his fingers through her silky, black hair and placed an intense kiss to her perfectly red lips.

‘Today has been a good day.’ He whispered against her. Clara smiled, laughing a little at him. He took her hand and waved to anyone still there, before disapparating home.

The dinner table was quiet, Anna had invited Remus over for Sunday lunch and everyone was on edge. Nothing had happened as of yet, Darren was being kept occupied by Clara and George was keeping his watchful eye on his son, but the one thing that had yet to be mentioned was Angelina. Remus had a good feeling that as soon as someone even referenced her it would be a tipping point for Darren and he may well have another episode.

‘So, how is Harry doing at school? Is he adjusting?’ Anna asked, she sat just next to Remus with George at the head of the table and Darren and Clara opposite Remus.

‘Much the same as his father,’ Remus admitted with a small smile, the full moon was in a few days and he was feeling a little worn down. ‘So, I am both in a state of nostalgia and exhaustion.’ Anna laughed politely. ‘He’s adjusting very well, though getting in trouble more than I think we would like.’

‘And what about this new teacher? Quirrell?’

Remus shifted uncomfortably. ‘He’s… an interesting man, clearly someone who has not led the easiest life I feel.’ Anna could see straight through his polite comments, he wasn’t exactly sure about Quirrell, neither was Snape and every teacher was hyper aware of that fact. ‘I heard there has been some progress made in the Aurors department? Something about a way of helping those that have experienced trauma?’

‘Yes, actually, St Mungo’s has co-ordinated to send some form of therapist to work with some of us who have trouble getting back to our day-to-day lives.’ Anna smiled and placed her hand, delicately over George’s, who was still keeping an eye on everyone. ‘It’s just someone to talk to, you know, help us deal with things.’

Remus nodded and sipped his butterbeer slowly. There was a tense moment of silence coating the table. ‘I saw your picture in the sports section of the Daily Prophet yesterday.’ He smiled at Clara whose cheeks turned a little pink.

Everyone was watching as Darren slid his arm around the back of her chair and watched Remus like a hawk. Clara seemed not to notice anything.

‘Yes, well, I didn’t want to interrupt the fans’ time with him.’ She smiled and there was something a bit different about it, like it was a new smile reserved only for Darren. Remus felt his brows knit together for a fraction of a second, but he smiled all the same.

Much to everyone’s surprise, Ruben came flying into the kitchen, dropping a small stack of mail next to George, who slipped on his glasses to read who it was from.

George cleared his throat and gave a quick smile to the table, before standing up and taking the letters over to the kitchen counter to read. There was a silent agreement amongst everyone else that the letter was from Angelina. No one spoke a word until George sat down.

‘She’s safe.’ He said and quickly tried to change the subject. ‘I hear from Lily that James has offered to train with you when he gets a chance, Darren?’

Everyone’s attention turned to Darren who seemed to have grown slightly tense for a moment. ‘Yes… mentioned it just after the game on Friday.’ Remus knew that the rest of the table might have missed it, but he distinctly heard a small growl sitting underneath Darren’s usual tone of voice. He couldn’t take any of what Darren might have been thinking, his mood just wasn’t tolerant enough to accept it in silence.

‘I think I should be getting back to the castle.’ Remus said, quietly. He made a move to stand up, grabbing his jacket from the back of the chair.

‘Remus, please,’ Anna stood with him. ‘There’s no need.’

‘Anna, I think we can all see where this is heading and in my current state I can’t see it ending well.’ Remus was never cruel to Anna, he considered her to be family and a good woman, well worth his time, but this was a subject he was finding it hard to budge on.

‘He’s right, he should leave.’ Darren suddenly said, Remus could see his eyes struggling to maintain their blue and Remus couldn’t help but feel for Darren. ‘I’m sorry, but he needs to leave… I can’t… I can’t do this again.’ Darren’s eyes began filling with tears and that seemed to be the deciding factor.

Remus put his jacket on and picked up his cloak, George stood and saw him to the door while Anna and Clara tried their best to comfort Darren.

‘Remus, I am sorry.’ George said as they made their way outside. George quickly picked up his long grey coat and wrapped it around his shoulders. ‘Darren is…’ The greying Healer sighed heavily. ‘I can’t make an excuse for him, I’m just sorry.’

‘I know, I don’t expect you to.’ Remus nodded and adjusted his cloak so that it curled tighter around his tired body.

‘I would like to give you something though,’ George quickly looked back into the house, no one was watching him. ‘I can’t keep this here anymore, it’s too dangerous, I think it would be better in yours and Dumbledore’s care.’ He pulled out a small white orb, no bigger than a marble and handed it carefully to Remus. ‘That is the Lockwood’s Prophecy, I have no idea what it contains, but it is no longer safe in my care. Lockwoods have kept that safe for centuries, until a time when the truth can be known. What’s happening to Darren is not something… this didn’t happen to me and all I can think about is how I have failed as a father and as a husband...’ Remus could see that the Healer was at breaking point. ‘Please, take care of my daughter, Remus. You have always been a good man, all I ask is that you be a better husband than I have been.’ George glanced quickly to his family inside.

Remus stared down at the strange object in his hand, he could hear a faint whispering coming from it, whatever was inside, it was very powerful. This was Angelina’s future and a part of him feared it. ‘I will do my best.’ Remus said, unable to think of anything else appropriate to say.

‘I hope it’s enough for all our sake.’ George turned back to head inside, leaving Remus standing in the snow alone.

He had no idea of what to do with the orb, he kept his hand curled around it and walked as swiftly as he could towards the Headmaster’s office. He had seen Quirrell shuffling down a corridor and for a moment he considered following him, but more important matters needed to be dealt with.

‘Sherbet Lemon.’ Remus panted and the gargoyle outside the Headmasters office began to turn. Remus jumped onto the stairs as the statue turned all the way up to the very top. He knocked on the door and suddenly realised he was sweating heavily.

‘Enter.’ The headmaster called. Remus stepped in and Dumbledore was pacing. ‘Remus, what can I help you with this evening?’

Remus held his shaking hand out and showed Dumbledore the white orb. The headmaster strode over to Remus and eyed the orb curiously, being careful not to touch it.

‘Albus, I need to keep this safe until Angelina returns from Tibet.’ Remus panted. ‘Please help me.’

Dumbledore eyed him for a moment. ‘Do you know what you hold in your hand Remus?’

‘The Lockwood’s Prophecy,’ Remus nodded, the whispers slowly beginning to fade and grow quiet. ‘George gave it to me to look after, he no longer believes it is safe in his care, I promised I would look after it for him.’

Dumbledore nodded. ‘It will be safe at Hogwarts.’ He said and curled his fingers towards one of the sealed compartments close to his pensieve, a small drawer pulled itself out. ‘You must give a password in order to open it again. I suggest you use something that only yourself and Miss Lockwood would know.’ Without another word, Dumbledore left his own office and Remus entirely alone.

Remus bent down and placed the orb into the drawer that slowly began shutting. He quickly racked his brain for something that he and Angelina would both know. For the longest time he couldn’t think of anything, before a brainwave hit him. ‘Reykjavik.’ He said and watched as a small magical barrier formed outside of the drawer. It was safe.

Remus made his way back down to his office and sighed into his chair, he quickly looked at his parchment where another letter from Angelina sat waiting for him.

Remus,

I need your help. The guide said that the journey to enlightenment is only for those who are worthy of the secrets within, he talked about being free of conflict, doubt and fear. Something is telling me to climb the mountain, what if I did it and I found something, a door or a secret passageway. You said that it takes more than just what is inside my head, my heart is telling me to climb the mountain and face whatever is up there. Am I being stupid here?

I spoke to Darren, I’m sorry about what he said to you, but whatever is going on with him is making the brother inside me nervous and making my need to find answers stronger. I’m at a loss, there’s nothing more I can read about, I have no idea what to do.

I miss you.

Yours

Angelina

Remus sighed and picked up his quill. What was he supposed to say?

Angelina,

I told you before, I can’t tell you what to do, you must follow what you heart tells you. Trust yourself to make the right decision. I only ever ask that you stay safe and you come home to me when you are done.

If your path leads you up the mountain, then that is where it leads, but please understand that I need you back in one piece, I cannot let anything bad happen to you, I need you. I will always need you.

When you get home, we will talk, I’m sure we will have plenty to say to each other. If you climb the mountain, please make sure you write any chance you get and let me know you are safe.

I love you.

Yours always

Remus

I wasn’t sure what else to do, I read through Remus’s letter three or four times and finally settled it in my head. I was climbing the mountain, I wasn’t wasting anymore time, I grabbed my bag and my broom, slinging both over my shoulder and pulled my wand out. The mountain looked especially intimidating in the early morning light, but that wasn’t going to stop me.

I reached the base of the mountain and saw a path that led upwards, it seemed like the place to start. I felt the hairs on my neck stand up, someone was watching me. It was the red that caught my attention, the red cloak of the monk standing almost at the exact spot where the path started. I carefully walked up to him.

‘You must be sure.’ He said, his voice was old, tired, but something wise underneath it. ‘Otherwise you will die.’

‘I’m ready, I trust myself to do this.’ I said, determined that nothing would stand in my way.

‘Then your training begins now,’ the monk nodded. ‘When you reach our sacred place, ask for Tenzin, he will be your teacher.’ It was as if the monk was suddenly made of sand, he faded away with the wind.

Tenzin. I held the name in my head as I started up the steep path. I was barely walking for an hour before I was exhausted, I stopped for a few minutes to get my breath back before continuing, I had to find Dǎkāi xīnlíng.

‘It’s a shame that she has to stay,’ Lily said, handing over the potatoes to Remus, he had gone over for Christmas dinner to find that Harry had opted to stay at Hogwarts with Ron, Remus wasn’t exactly shocked. ‘Especially over Christmas day, I was going to suggest you invite her over for dinner.’

‘Mmm.’ Remus hummed in agreement, he wasn’t exactly listening. He was thinking on the strange orb in Dumbledore’s office, the one that presumably would tell Angelina how to get rid of the brothers once and for all.

‘Remus are you okay?’ Lily got his attention. He quickly looked up at James and Lily who were both very concerned for their friend.

‘Yes, fine.’ He feigned laughter. ‘Just tired, that’s all, it’s been a long few months.’

‘You sure?’ James sipped his wine and eyed his friend. Remus nodded and continued eating, he could sense James and Lily having a silent conversation. ‘So, where is Angelina? You said something about scaling the side of a mountain?’

‘She’s currently climbing Manaslu, she’s looking for a village there.’ Remus was happy to be talking about Angelina as it released some tension in his mind, but he was wary of where the conversation was going.

‘What village?’

Remus sighed. ‘It’s called “Dǎkāi xīnlíng”, it doesn’t appear on any maps, but Angelina is sure she can find it.’

‘Manaslu?’ Lily suddenly stopped eating. ‘Remus, does she know that there a new pack of yetis that have moved close to that mountain?’

Remus took a breath. ‘She wouldn’t go up the mountain if she believed herself to be in any real danger.’

‘Have you asked her? How can you be sure?’

‘Because she promised me she would stay safe!’ Remus snapped, he took a moment to relax the second the outburst was over. He rested his mouth against his hands for a moment. ‘I asked her before she left if she had thoroughly researched anything that could go wrong, I believe she did to the best of her ability, I asked her to stay safe and not to take any unnecessary risks, she promised me she wouldn’t, and I believe her. She wouldn’t climb a mountain alone knowing full well a pack of yetis was waiting for her.’ Remus took another breath, he could feel the tension in the air and immediately wanted to take everything back. ‘I’m sorry, I’m just… very stressed.’ It wasn’t a lie.

‘Okay,’ James calmed the air a little. ‘That’s fine, we all get stressed from time to time, best not bottle it up though. Just remember you can talk to us about anything.’

‘Unfortunately not.’ Remus sighed. ‘This is something that I cannot talk about until Angelina gets back, it wouldn’t be right.’

‘Remus,’ Lily leaned over and placed her hand on his arm. ‘She loves you, you know that don’t you? She isn’t going to leave you for someone else.’

‘It’s not that kind of topic.’ Remus half smiled. ‘I’m sorry I raised my voice, it’ll be fine, as soon as she’s back, I will be fine.’

For a few minutes, Remus really did believe that, but soon the burden of the prophecy began weighing him down again.

The mountain had so many twists and turns to it, the air was colder the higher up I went and it was getting to be more of an effort with each step. I remembered the tips Aleksander had given me when climbing through Pirin National Park, look for the easy routes, don’t climb over harsh rocks if there’s a clearer path, it might take longer, but it’s safer. Only travel during the day time and keep yourself safe during the night, find a nearby cave if you can.

The winter months were the worst for the daylight hours and I found myself settling in for the night sooner than I had wanted to. I hadn’t eaten anything since I left the pub that morning and I only had a couple of bars of chocolate left in my bag, I was an idiot for being so rash. The cave I was in faced the direction of the sunrise, I would leave at first light and continue the trek up the mountain, but the night would be far from silent, I could hear the brother shouting at me and sending flashes of pain through my body whenever I felt myself dosing off.

I pulled out my book and wrote to Remus, letting him know I was safe and sound and I was well on my way to finding the village. The truth was I had no idea of where I was going, but something was telling me this was right.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up again, there was a faint growling coming from just above me, I put my wand out and as silently as I could muster, stepped as far back into the cave as I could. The growling got momentarily louder, before silence fell. I didn’t dare move, not until I was sure it no longer had an interest anything hiding in the cave.

‘Angie, is that a yeti?’ Did the brother seriously expect me to answer that? If I made any noise at all, I would definitely be found. ‘Angie, if that is a yeti, we need to run… Angie, we can’t stay here, we’re in danger… we can’t die, Angie, we have to go home…ANGIE!’ I could barely hear the yeti wandering away over the brother’s outcries, but luckily it did and I was again alone. I really hoped I didn’t snore.

I see a monk, standing alone in the desert storm, he walks up to me, his gaze never wavers, his speed is constant, his purpose unmoving. He offers me his hand, but when I reach up to take it, I see that my own hand has been cut off. Somehow he helps me up as if what should be at the end of my arm is there. How? The monk doesn’t say anything, but I see in his eyes, he is communicating something to me. He raises his right hand, reaching up towards the burning sun, I feel my own non-existent hand being burnt, there is no pain, just a burning sensation that courses through my veins, I feel strong.

I am thrust into a type of dance, though it is combative in nature, it feels more like some sort of ritual, our movements are aggressive, I feel the power of the sun and it makes me feel strong.

My eyes snapped open, it was just beginning to get light outside, I could see the sun starting to peek over the distant hills and I sat up feeling the aches of a harsh night. It was such a strange dream, it felt so real, the monk was standing right in front of me, only it wasn’t the same monk from before, this one was different. Was it Tenzin? Was he communicating to me through my dreams? Pushing me forward? Surely not, it can’t have been possible… could it?

The mountain was as harsh against my body as I imagined it would be. The brother made every joint ache with every step I took. It was killing me to climb, but I needed to keep moving. I came across several footprints that definitely belonged to yetis, some fresher than others and decided to get away from there as quickly as I could.

Each day I spent there, drained me of energy, motivation and more importantly, food. I only had half a bar left and it wasn’t enough to get me all the way to the top. Why did I do this? Why was I so stupid, of course I couldn’t make it, I let the brother get to me, I let my ego get to me and now I was going to die on the side of a mountain because I was too stubborn to admit when it was too much.

I lay my head down to sleep every night and every time I closed my eyes I saw the monk, he taught me new ways to move, to fight and to control myself. Together we used the power of the sun, wind, earth, lightning, the last being the easiest for me to learn somehow. But was this even real? Or was it all in my head?