Marauders - Always - Part One

Questioning Remus

The Ministry was bustling and busy and big and Remus felt small as he followed after James, who was trying desperately to act normal and upbeat. Outside, he was greeting his coworkers with nods and smiles, but inside his tension was so tight he thought he might just crack his teeth with how tightly he was grinding them together.

"Did you see the score for that match last night? London Layabouts they ought to call'em!" He jested one bloke as he and Remus passed by, "Utterly pathetic!"

"How's your wife, Potter?"

"Very good, thanks for asking, Jordy."

"Good morning James... and -- Oh, hello Remus. How are you?" Annalee McKinnon's heels clicked in the corridor as she slipped out of Sean Buckner's office, hugging her copies to her chest.

"Morning!" James replied, grinning. Remus waved, too nervous to speak. "How are you - and Sean?" He winked.

"Good," she replied in a professional tone. She looked Remus over. "You look ill. Are you feeling well?"

Remus nodded, "I'm alright," he answered.

Annalee didn't press. "Well, I must be off - LOADS to do today in the Minister's office. There are some important new laws we're looking into, and he has a big speech tomorrow to deliver. Did you hear we've just approved a wizarding telly channel?"

"Wizard telly!" James scoffed, "What are they ever going to play on that?"

"They're trying to sign Mr. Scamander to do an educational program, and there's a news program from the Daily Prophet preparing for filming," Annalee said.

"Tell them they ought to do a spin on the Muppets!" James suggested.

Annalee stared at him with a raised brow. "Sure, I'll.. mention it." She waved, "Bye boys," and turned on her heel, headed off down the hall to the quick passage that Minchum had installed to give her quick access from the Minister's office to Sean's copyroom.

Remus said, "Well, Annalee is still Annalee in some respects."

"Yeah," James agreed, chuckling. He turned to his office door, looked at Remus, and asked, "Ready?"

Remus shrugged, "I won't become anymore ready so I suppose so."

James pushed the door opened and they stepped inside.

Underhill looked up from the file he had open on his desk ask James and Remus entered, James holding the door open for his friend as Remus leaned on his cane, wincing at a sharp pain that shot up his shin as he put weight on the right side. Underhill had a pair of reading glasses on his nose, which he took off and cast to the desktop, rising and extending a hand to Remus in greeting. "Good morning, Mr. Lupin."
His eyes flitted to Remus's cane and limp and he flicked his wand to appear a soft chair and waved a palm for Remus to have a seat. "I appreciate you coming down to see me, sir. How are you feeling?"

Remus dropped into the chair. "I am well. Been better, but well, nonetheless... Bit nervous about this unexpected summoning to the Ministry..."

"I do apologize," Underhill said as James set his things down on his desk. Underhill waved his wand and the door sealed and with another flick he had sound proofed the office completely. "I didn't want to put any telling details in the owl incase of interception. You understand? That was part of why I requested through my assistant, rather than a direct summons. This visit and anything said here is completely off the record, Mr. Lupin."

"I... appreciate that," Remus said.

Underhill sat and took a deep breath. "Has Mr. Potter shared any details with you about the case we have been working on investigating in Blackburn?"