Sad But True

Chapter Five

Remus detested violence. The things he had done as a werewolf, those times he had slipped up and let the full moon catch him unprotected, had haunted his dreams for years, but when the violent thoughts crept into his waking mind, he knew he could no longer remain among those he loved. It was the sight of blood dripping from Molly Weasley's hand that drove him to a decision.

The sight of blood nauseated him, and when Molly cut her hand making something in the kitchen at Number Twelve Grimmaud Place, nauseate him it did, at first. But after a moment he was certain he could smell it, and began to taste it in the very air around them. Being nauseated by that would not have bothered Remus. It was the fact that he was enjoying the smell of it, and had a slight urge to taste the blood on Molly's hand that caused him to panic. He left the next day, after a sleepless night. It broke his heart to leave all his friends and the people he loved, but he could no longer assume he was "safe" outside the full moon.

And lusting for blood while not in the form of a werewolf was something that terrified him, but even worse was there was something erotic about it too. It was wrong of him. He was sick and immoral. How could he ever face dear little Molly Weasley again? And Arthur? And where would it end? One day licking spilt blood, the next, tearing out someone's throat? But he had found that no matter where he went, he could not run from himself and his immoral thoughts.

He wished he were dead, but such would not be the case this time. He already knew how it would play out. He would change with the moon. The idiots would rush in, shooting to no avail. Remus would kill them all, and continue until dawn. Perhaps, if he were lucky, they would lock the doors behind them, thus locking Remus in until morning, reducing the number of killings, and then he would recover his amulet and his wand.

Tears streamed down Ginny's cheeks as she listened to the thoughts of the unconcious man lying on the floor. Sybil knelt beside his ghostly form, white-knuckled and trembling.

Remus's eyes opened just as Ginny spoke.

"Sybil, the moon will rise soon. We must go now."

"Yes, Sybil," Remus agreed in a barely audible voice. "You ladies must go now."

"But Remus," Sybil choked the words out. "Your amulet! You don't have it." Tears spilled from her eyes, and she removed her glasses, and wiped her tears with the hem of her sleeve.

"Go," he insisted. And in a softer voice he asked her, "Please come back tomorrow?"

"Yes," she promised.

"Now go!"

Sybil took Ginny's outstretched hand and they left, and headed to Dumbledore's office, where the others waited to implement Severus's plan to find Remus.

Ginny knew Professor Snape's plan would not work, not because of any flaw in the plan, but because she could see that it wouldn't, but they were going to try it anyway. Hermione and Snape had pinpointed Remus's location to within a reasonable area, based on his answers to certain questions conceived when Hermione's logic was paired with Snape's craftiness. Most of the members of the Order of the Phoenix would be be riding the skies tonight, looking for Remus or any trace of him.

Fortunately for Remus, and unknown others, the idiot thugs did lock the door. Those not killed inside with him fled, thinking that he would get out. Fortunately again, Remus was beyond being capable of simple reasoning, so he remained locked up all night with the key, his amulet, his wand, and several dead men with guns.

The next morning Sybil could hardly sit still during breakfast. They had all agreed that they would give Remus a few hours to recuperate, and get away from the scene of the crime.

Severus sulked all morning. His plan would have worked. He knew it. Evelyn was talking to Hermione and Sybil, and not noticing him. When Albus came in, she looked up, and then glanced over at Sev. He gave her his most hurt and soulful look, and then half turned away.

Minerva walked into Evelyn's apartment, and began whispering urgently to Albus. Evelyn took that opportunity to go to Severus and lavish her love and attention on him, if only for a few moments.

She was interrupted in the midst of her sweetness by Minerva's sudden question. "Where is Miss Weasley?"