Chapter 4
Everyone turned to
look at him.
“You can’t be
serious!” Snape spat out.
Remus didn’t
answer him, but he continued talking.
“I never thought it
was true,” he said softly. “I heard the rumours of course. Every werewolf in
the world has.”
Snape looked at
him angrily. “For Merlin’s sake Lupin! Spit it out!”
“I never thought
it could be possible.”
“What could be
possible?” Arthur asked politely.
“A werewolf with
control.”
Silence.
“A werewolf- the
only werewolf to ever gain complete and utter control over the wolf. A boy who
used no magic, only herbs, chanting, meditating. A boy who had to give up
everything he had to get control.”
“It costs money to
gain control? So that’s why your robes are in such bad condition!”
Lupin ignored
Snape.
“It cost him his
friends and the woman he loved. They felt betrayed when he left. They say he
has great power. He is stronger, faster and his senses are more tuned in than
normal werewolves.”
Snape snorted. “
He was ignored.
“Do you know his name?” Dumbledore asked.
“I’ve told you all
I know.”
Dumbledore nodded.
The boy was looking at Lupin through his unfocused eyes. He obviously detected
a werewolf but didn’t move.
“All that remains
is what to do with him. I doubt he is dangerous. We need to find someone who
could find these things out.”
“What about the
Watchers’ Council?” Minerva McGonagall suggested.
“Minerva, you know
as well as I do that the Council will not aid us with the fight against
Voldemort. They aren’t very fond of us at the moment and I do not particularly
trust them.”
They all thought
for a minute. “What about Rupert Giles?” Arthur asked.
“We all know that
he hates the Council. He has sufficient resources available and he is nearly a
legend; the best watcher with the longest living slayer.”
Dumbledore beamed.
“I think that that is an excellent idea. Sirius should go to visit him
immediately, if he doesn’t mind, of course.”
Sirius smiled.
“I’ve been meaning
to visit old Rupert anyway.”
“Do you think that
you could leave out the werewolf part? He might be discouraged Tell him to come
alone, the slayer is not necessary.”
Sirius nodded and
threw a handful of dust in the fire.
“The Hellmouth.”
He disappeared
quickly.
Dumbledore looked
to Arthur. “You should go home and rest, Arthur. Bring Ginny along sometime in the
next day or two.” Arthur nodded and left to travel to the Burrow.
******
Molly brought
Arthur a tray of food as soon as he got home. Bill, Charlie Fred, George and
Percy, had stayed at home this year to help Ginny when Ron, Harry and Hermione
had gone back to school. Fred and George had graduated the year before and
spent their time inventing new things for their new joke shop “Weasleys Wizard
Wheezes”
The five boys
crowded around their father and Ginny was watching him closely. Molly hugged him
tightly. She pulled back.
“We heard that you
found the place.”
Arthur gave a
heavy sigh. He walked over to Ginny and hugged her tightly.
“I saw the place
where they kept you, Gin. I saw all the cells. I can’t believe they locked my
baby girl in there.”
He hugged her
tightly and she hugged him weakly back.
Percy looked at
him. “They say that you found something down there. Where were the Death
Eaters?”
“The Death Eaters
were gone. And it wasn’t something. It was someone.”
Ginny looked up quickly. “You found a body?”
she whispered
He shook his head.
“He was alive. Insane and almost dead but he was alive.”
He looked at
Ginny. “Dumbledore wants you to see him sometime next week. But only if you
want to and you think you can.”
Molly interrupted him. “Arthur, I don’t think its
wise-”
“Dumbledore thinks
she can do it.”
“I just don’t
think-”
Ginny stopped her.
“I can do it Mom.”
“Ginny. I don’t
want you to get hurt.”
“Look at me mom. I
am hurt! I may be the only person in the world left that understands what this
guy has been through. Somebody gave their life so that I could live and I want
to help people. I don’t want to waste my life.”
She put her hands
on her hips and stared at her mother angrily. A hint of the old Ginny peeked
through and Molly relented.
Ginny looked at
her father. “When can I go?”
“Let’s leave it a
few days. The man looked pretty bad.”
He thought for a
moment. “Why don’t you come when Rupert Giles comes?”
She nodded.
Molly perked up.
“Rupert is coming?”
“The Council won’t
help. Rupert might help us find his family.”
“Is he definitely
coming?”
“Sirius is gone to
ask him right now.”
“He’ll have to stay
with us. I’ll write him an owl. We’ll need to set up a bed somewhere but I’m
sure that we’ll squeeze it somewhere. Maybe Ron’s room… And I’ll have to buy
some things for a special dinner. It’s not every day your old friends come
back, no matter what the circumstances…” she was off in her own little world by
now, talking to herself, running around making plans.
Ginny smiled. I’m
going to help someone. She thought the name ‘Rupert Giles’ was familiar but she couldn’t place it. She shrugged it
off with the explanation that he must be one of her mother’s old friends who
she had never shut up about when they were younger.
Contented, Ginny
curled back down on the couch and fell asleep pretty quickly.
*****
Rupert Giles and
his charges were all gathered in the Magic Shop. After a hard days’ work, they
were all relaxing.
Buffy was training in her training room; Dawn
was looking with distaste at a selection of skulls on a shelf; Xander was
building was building a portable stake holder for Buffy; Anya was counting her
money over at the till; Willow and Tara were at either sides of the shop, not
talking or looking at each other; Spike was sitting on the steps, sharpening a
stake and Giles was doing some recreational research.
A ‘pop’ brought them all to attention. They
turned to look at the fireplace-where the sound had come from and all gasped in
unison. Buffy rushed out of the back room and stopped in her tracks when she
saw what seemed to be a person crawling out of the fire.
“Sirius!” Giles exclaimed.
He and the man hugged briefly.
“How’s freedom
treating you, Sirius?”
“Alright. How are
you?”
“I’m bloody
fantastic. With Voldemort dead, who wouldn’t be?! What brings you to this neck
of the woods anyway?”
“I’m here with a
message for Dumbledore. We need your help Rupert. I don’t mean to be rude but
you don’t have a cup of tea do you? It’s been a rough travel.”
“Of course, of
course. Dawn, would you make up a pot of tea?”
Dawn didn’t move.
Xander raised his
hand. “Everyone did see him come out of the fire, right. Yes? Good! Just
checking.”
“Oh, how silly of
me. Sirius, this is Dawn, Xander, Anya, Spike,
They all smiled at
him except for
Buffy was the one
who finally asked the question that was on everybody’s lips. “Giles, this guy
wouldn’t happen to be an old friend of yours like Ethan Rayne, would he? And
did you just say ‘bloody’?!”
Giles sighed.
“Sirius is nothing like Rayne, Buffy. For one thing he was framed for killing
those people. It was all a set-up. Alright?”
Buffy nodded.
“Actually, no. Can I just say one thing? Huh?”
“Take a seat. All
of you. Yes, that includes you too Sirius.”
He explained all
about the Wizarding world, Voldemort and his downfall. Sirius told them of
Ginny Weasleys capture and about Harry Potter, his godson. When he finished
there were 6 mouths hanging open.
“There’s a
wizarding world?”
She looked over at
Giles looked at
Black. “I guess it’s time for you to explain to me why you’re here.”
“Well you see,
after Voldemort’s downfall, Arthur Weasley and most of the Ministry of Magic
started to search for Voldemort’s hideout. It took them until a few hours ago
to find it. Inside, the Death Eaters had deserted it, along with any prisoners
they had except for one. Its terrible Rupes, he’s been tortured and been
exposed to the Dementors for probably weeks on end. We think he’s insane.”
Giles’ eyes
widened. Black continued.
“Lupin has
discovered that he is some kind of demon but we believe him harmless. Hell,
he’s nearly dead. We were wondering if you could help us find his family or at
least anything about him.”
Giles nodded. “Of
course. I’d be glad to help.”
Anya raised her
hand. Giles blinked at her politeness.
“Who’s Lupin?”
Giles winced. Dammit.
“He’s an old friend.”
He sighed. “I guess there’s no point in lying to you… Remus Lupin is a
werewolf.”
Everyone was
silent and as one they turned to look at
“Don’t worry
The others turned
to him.
“You never told us you knew another werewolf.”
“Does Oz know?”
“What the hell
were you thinking of saying it in front of
Giles sighed.
“Relax. Anyway,
He turned to
Sirius. “Just let me get my stuff. I’ll meet you tomorrow.”
Sirius nodded.
“I’ll see you then. Meet me at the Burrow.”
He threw the
sparkling dust in the fire and disappeared.
***
Giles left the
next afternoon, after assuring Buffy that she wouldn’t be needed. Molly Weasley’s
letter was delivered just before he left. The ‘Scooby Gang’ were more that
freaked out by the fact that an owl had delivered the message. The owl was
small and more than a little psycho. He had hooted repeatedly and buried itself
in Dawn’s hair. Dawn, thinking it was a bat, had run around screaming like a
madwoman.
The letter read:
The
Burrow,
Rupert, 12
September.
I hope this letter reaches
you. That owl will be the death of me. It’s Ron’s and it
drives him just as mad. Ginny affectionately named it Pigwidgeon and Ron
decided to shorten it to Pig.
As Sirius has probably told
you, our little Ginny was captured by Voldemort (see that! I didn’t call him
You-Know-Who. Harry must be rubbing off on me.) We have heard that you will be
possibly visiting
Your old friend,
Molly Weasley.
*******
Giles stepped into the fire and shouted “The Burrow!”
He reappeared minutes later in the fireplace of a homely looking house.
“Rupert!”
A plump, middle
aged woman with flaming red hair jumped off the seat and grabbed him in a hug
that would rival the slayer’s.
“Molly, my dear.
How are you? And you Arthur.”
“I’m good Rupert. Although
I am a bit stressed out”
“You look it too.
How long have you been that bald?!”
Giles pointed out
to him.
Fred, George,
Percy, Bill and Charlie came in to the room. Ginny dragged after them. She
settled in to the fire after briefly looking at Giles.
Fred looked at
them. “What happened? We heard a scream.”
“Boys, this is
Rupert Giles. He’s an old friend of ours. Rupert, this is Bill, Charlie, Fred
and George or George and Fred- I’m not exactly sure, and Ginny. Ginny sweetie,
this is Mr.-”
“Oh for God’s
sake, Arthur. She can call me Rupert.”
“Right, Ginny,
this is Rupert. He’ll be going to see the man we found yesterday with you.”
Giles crossed over
to her and lifted up her chin slightly. “Hello Ginny. How are you coping my
dear?”
Ginny looked at
him. He was definitely old-not Dumbledore old or anything but at least over 45,
which to a fifteen year old is classified as ancient. Dumbledore was nearly
fossilised to the students.
Rupert wore thick
glasses and his hair was receding. He had blue eyes. His eyes looked right at
her. It was like he understood. She had an idea that he would be a good father.
She forced a smile. He smiled back.
“Don’t force
yourself my dear. A smile will come naturally,” he told her softly.
She nodded.
Her mother beamed.
“I hope you don’t
mind sleeping in Ron’s room, Rupert.”
“Why would I
mind?”
She beamed wider.
Then she snapped back. “You must be exhausted. I’ll get you some tea. Do you want
something to eat? Oh, how silly of me- of course you do…” She walked into the
kitchen, babbling to herself.
Giles shook his
head in amazement. “Some things never change.”
Fred and George
approached him. “Good evening.” They said in posh voices.
“How wonderful to
meet you.”
Giles laughed.
“Don’t mind mum.”
“She’s just a bit
cracked in the head, but when you get used to it… ”
“FRED WEASLEY! I
HEARD THAT”
“SORRY MUM! Oh, by
the way, we own a joke shop and are currently researching and inventing new
items. Bangs and explosions will be pretty commonplace.”
Giles nodded. “I
know someone who would love your shop.”
Molly came back in
with a tray laden with food and tea.
“Why thank you,
Molly.”
“It’s no problem.”
He ate quickly and
excused himself to go to bed. Bill and Charlie told him about their work in
Percy had regarded
Giles with the utmost respect, scowling when Fred had called him “Rupie”. He
puffed out his chest and said pompously “Mr. Giles, you’ll have to tell me all
about your experiences on the Hellmouth. Many of those problems should have
been sorted by the American Ministry and perhaps you should meet with the
Minister. I can get you a meeting you know-I’m very well-connected in the
Ministry.”
At this point he
was interrupted by George ‘choking’ on an Every-Flavour bean. Though, his
coughs did suspiciously sound like “Weatherby!”
Giles fought to
contain a smile- Percy reminded him greatly of Wesley
“Maybe tomorrow,
Percy. I am quite tired now.”
“Would you like to
go to bed now?”
“Why yes, Arthur.
I am quite tired and jet lagged.”
Before he left, he
turned to Ginny. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Ginny. Get a good night’s
sleep.”
Ginny smiled a
small smile and Giles chuckled.
*****
Ginny didn’t
emerge out of her room until about five o clock. She had stayed awake worrying
about the day ahead, even though Giles had told her to get some sleep. She had
spent the day trying to prepare herself. She knew that she would have to face a
lot of things today and especially about Oz.
She was terrified.
She had gotten up
when she had heard her mother call for Rupert and after she pulled on her robes
she went downstairs to the kitchen. Everyone was eating supper and she grabbed
a glass of water and drained it. She looked at them all and nodded.
She was distant
from her family and she knew that it would never be the same. Her parents and
brothers were nothing but supportive but, and she felt guilty for thinking it,
sometimes she resented them. They didn’t understand her. Not like Oz had, and,
she had the feeling that she had understood Oz pretty well as well. Her family
hadn’t had to go through the pain and suffering and they were on different
worlds now.
She looked at
Giles and he smiled at her. “Are you ready to go?” he asked kindly.
She swallowed and
nodded.
“Well then. No
point in waiting around. Let’s go!”
He clapped his
hands together and smiled at her. He handed her a handful of Floo powder and she
threw it in the fire. “Hogwarts.”
She disappeared in
a haze of green, Giles following after her.
******
She reappeared in
Dumbledore’s office. After a few seconds, Giles appeared behind her. She sat
down, slightly dizzy. Dumbledore smiled warmly at her and then looked at Giles.
“Rupert, how are
you?”
“Quite well Albus.
And you?
“Absolutely
spiffing. Thank you for asking. Here, I’ll escort you down to the boy’s
chamber.”
Giles looked to
Ginny. “Ginny, you mustn’t be alarmed by the man’s appearance. He has been
through a lot.”
He conveniently
forgot to mention the fact that whoever this man was, he was a demon.
Ginny nodded. She
looked very pale and he knew that she was extremely nervous. Dumbledore led
them down the steps to the room.
They opened the
door slowly. They both took a step into the room and adjusted their eyes to the
dark light. Giles let out a gasp and Ginny took a step back, her eyes widening
and he face paling.
Giles swore. “Oh
Good Lord!”
Ginny found her feet.
She let out a squeal and burst into tears. She ran towards the man on the bed,
who was staring straight ahead. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged
him tightly.
“Oh Oz! I though
you were dead. I was so scared and alone and there was no-one there and…” She
trailed off and looked at him properly.
She touched his
face. He didn’t respond. She turned to look at Giles who promptly rushed
forward.
“Oz? Is that you?
Oh dear Lord. Oz, it’s me, Giles. Oz, look at me!”
They both turned
to Dumbledore. Giles looked faint and Ginny had tears streaming down her
cheeks.
“What’s wrong with
him?” they whispered in unison, eyes wide.