Whither Thou Goest

12- The Map

REMUS'S POV

He had done it again. Sirius broke into the castle, into Gryffindor Tower, with a knife.

"Are you sure you don't know anything?" Dumbledore pressed. 

Remus shook his head. "For the last time, Professor, I don't. Why would you think so?"

He already knew the answer- he just wanted to hear the words aloud.

"My boy, you and Mr. Black were really close. Who else to ask but you?" The old man's blue eyes twinkled.

I'm not your boy, Remus thought bitterly. He turned atound so that he wouldn't see the tears. "He is nothing to me anymore," he spat. "Nothing."

"Well then," Dumbledore said cheerily. "You may go."

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As he prepared to go to bed, two things were on his mind: Harry and his Patronus and the Marauder's Map, which he was resting on his desk.

How had he gotten it?

Surely not the Dursleys.

"This is brilliant," Anna slurred, putting down her mug, which had a strange looking liquid inside. "You made this in school?"

He nodded. "Yeah. We all helped."

Anna's face darkened. She studied the map closely. 

"Looking for anyone?"

Her head snapped up. "Huh? Oh, no. Just, um, looking. Yeah, that's all."

He frowned. "You're a terrible liar."

Anna cursed under her breath and joined him in bed. She smelled oddly like alcohol. "If you must know, I was looking for Sirius."

The room seemed to grow colder.

"Yeah, well," Remus began, "They'll catch him one day."

The witch burrowed under the covers and snuggled closer to him. "I'm tired," she moaned. 

"Then sleep," Remus said off-handedly, taking off his watch.

"You're distracting me," Anna said loopily.

He looked at her sharply. "Are you alright?"

She nodded. "I need a distraction," she smiled.

He sputtered. "Anna, no."

She smiled again, looking deranged. "My head hurts. Can you turn off the music?"

With that, she dropped to sleep on his chest.

He shook his head amusedly and pushed her off gently and curled up and dreamed of the day he met her. He didn't think that anyone were as close with anyone as they two were with each other. 

He dreamed of the Christmas Ball, a blaze of glory and joy. He dreamed of Lily's vibrant red hair shining in the light, as James spun her around. Snape, scowling in the shadows. Peter, as enthusiastic as nornal. And of James's teasing smile, telling him and Sirius to kiss.  Of how Anna, in a sapphire blue gown, jumped up and down with glee, and how Regulus, as aristocratic as ever, telling her to calm down, yet a gleeful smile snuck across his lips.

Of how the stars shown that night, waltz music playing, and laughter. It had been the best night of his life.

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The next few months passed in a blaze. Classes, sleep, talking with Anna, lessons with Harry, studying, teaching, exams.

So it came to the end of the year.

"'M sleepy," Anna yawned. She knew from the incident two months ago to stop drinking. Remus whole-heartedly agreed.

"I solemnly swear I'm up to no good," he chanted absentmindedly, reaching for the worn map. 

And he froze.

No fucking way.

But there they were: Ron Weasley and Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew in one huddle.

Harry Potter and Hermione Granger.

And one Regulus Black.

And just like that, the pieces came clicking together: the blown-up street, the finger, the rat, Peter's sudden long sleeves-wearing phase, Harry's aversion to him...

It all made sense.

Anna appeared behind him, looking at his pale face.

"What's wrong?" 

She looked down at the map.

And bolted out the door.

He cursed and followed after her.

Both forgot about the steaming goblet, the lunar calendar on the wall, and the Map.

A decade long mystery had surfaced. It was time for revenge.