The Love Of A Wizard

CHAPTER 20
Sad Goodbyes

As the weeks went on, the ‘war games’ continued. Different players came to join in on the fun. After many afternoons and nights of playing war, the wizards began to really catch on. Especially when they realized “Accio Knife” worked really well. So far, wizards were beating muggles 5-3.
Claudia spoke to Emma and her mother on the phone almost daily. Claudia felt terrible abandoning her daughter, but knew it was for the best. If these wizards who practice the dark arts are as bad as everyone says, she didn’t want her daughter anywhere near here. Her mother was understanding and all together happy with the arrangement.
Severus came as often as he could for dinner and quality time with Claudia. She also noticed Severus and Nick spending time together as well. Nick seemed to understand Severus’s quiet nature and they would sit by the fire and sip drinks while Claudia was doing things around the house. Claudia couldn’t imagine a better way to spend her time, with the exception that Emma wasn’t there to enjoy the company and constant pampering from her uncles.
The gang took turns keeping track of Hernandez and his crew. They were told by Dumbledore that any attempts on Fudge’s life were not to happen anytime soon. So all they could do was bug his vehicles with GPS tracking and follow his every move. They were tipped off about a shipment of missing explosives and detonators that were enroute to one dodgy character, The Green Buddha. Green Buddha was the leader of a very unfavorable underground network of people who were famous for arms deals. Green Buddha, like Antonio, had a soft spot for pyrotechnics. He was large, 300 lbs large and looked every bit like his namesake. They had worked with him before and always counted on information he was privy to. Someone in the London area was preparing to blow something to the heavens.
“Will they be able to blow up the Ministry of Magic?” Claudia asked Dumbledore.
“I assume, if the Death Eaters are aiding them in their efforts, they will be able to accomplish anything.” Dumbledore said sadly.
“Are you sure this Fudge is the target?” Nick asked. Dumbledore sat quietly for a moment and tugged on his long beard.
“I suppose, these days anything is possible. I have toyed with the idea that my information is incorrect and it is the muggle Prime Minister they wish to eliminate. However, I can find no substance to any such claims.”

A bit later in the week, Claudia and friends were training outside when they saw Dumbledore standing on the porch. They waved and he waved back. Funny, Claudia thought. He is supposed to be at school. They went to meet him and Claudia knew at once that she had never seen this look in Dumbledore’s eyes before. He was angry. He was putting up a great show trying to cover it, but she knew an angry person when she saw one.
“My dear Ms. Moore, would it be possible to intrude on you? I have found myself running from the law and unemployed. All in one day!” He tried his hand at a joke but they understood the severity of the situation.
“Sacked?” Claudia questioned.
“Sacked.” Dumbledore nodded
“Sacked?” Zulu and Chester said together. Dumbledore nodded once more.
“Hey man, does that mean you’re looking for a job? Cause we could use one more you know!” Rod joked. Claudia ushered them inside and was faced with the dilemma of where to put him. Everyone was already doubled up in every room and on the couch. Dumbledore seemed to understand her position.
“I have the uncanny ability to be most unobtrusive. This should be just fine.” He pointed to the linen closet.
“Um Dumbledore…” He opened the door and flicked his wand. Claudia looked over his shoulder and saw her once messy linen closet now turned into a small bedchamber. “Well, I guess that solves that problem.” Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled and he looked down at Claudia.
“Thank you Ms. Moore. I appreciate your hospitality once again.”
“Dumbledore, if they sacked you, who’s the new Headmaster?” Claudia asked. Dumbledore beckoned her into his new room and conjured a chair for her to sit in. He conjured himself one and sat down.
“It seems Hogwarts is now under Dolores Umbridge’s control. Which means it is under the ministry’s control as well.” He said as he conjured tea.
“Umbridge…yes I remember Severus mentioning her to me. No one seems very fond of her.” Dumbledore eyed her over his cup of tea.
“Ms. Moore-” Claudia cut him off.
“Please, call me Claudia why don’t you?” Dumbledore laughed and she noticed his mood seemed to be lifting.
“I am an old man and I hold dear simple things like manners and etiquette. Indulge an old man?” Claudia rolled her eyes. Never had she been able to think of Dumbledore as old really. She smiled and nodded. “Now, I have a question for you.” Uh oh, Claudia thought. Here it comes at last. “I have been watching you and Severus for some time now. Is it safe to assume you and he are…an item?” Claudia blushed and immediately chastised herself for it. She couldn’t meet his eyes, so she nodded to her shoes.
“We are. However, we decided to keep it quiet. You know, with everything going on.” She said quietly.
“True, it does complicate matters. But, I think that there is always room for love and you can never go wrong with it. For I have often thought that when one is lost, only the ones that love us can help us find our way again.” He sipped his tea and Claudia watched hers. For some reason, she didn’t like the way this conversation went.

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Since Dumbledore was staying at the house, many people seemed to drop in more than usual. One evening in particular, Claudia found that she had a full house. Not only did she have herself and muggle friends, but also Dumbledore, Mad-Eye Moody (whom she had come to adore) Kingsley, Remus and Tonks at her table. Her table that had to be magically enlarged to accommodate the horde of people.
It was during dessert that all of a sudden a white blur flew into the room and circled Dumbledore’s head and then disappeared into nothing. Dumbledore sprung to life and began barking orders.
“Make your way immediately to the Ministry. Harry and a few of his fellow classmates are headed that way. Please make haste.” Claudia felt a sickening feeling in he stomach. Mad-Eye stopped and asked Dumbledore a question.
“Where will you be?”
“I, need to go to Grimmauld Place.” Claudia thought she couldn’t breath. Why Grimmauld Place? Was Sirius in trouble?
“What can we do?” She asked. Dumbledore didn’t look at her as he headed out the door, but spoke over his shoulder.
“Nothing. I will send word when I can.” And he was gone.

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They waited for hours. Claudia fell asleep on the couch and the others waited all over the house. Frustrated because they couldn’t help and a feeling of helplessness was heavy around them. Night turned to early morning when the front door opened.
It was Remus, looking worse than Claudia cold have ever imagined. He looked tired, no…sad.
“Oh God Remus! What happened?” Everyone rushed to meet him in the doorway and Claudia saw his eyes were red and raw. He just stood there and they watched as silent tears fell from his eyes. Claudia’s eyes began to water just at the sight of it. The guys, backed away and stood allowing Claudia to take Remus over to the couch.
“Remus what is it” She felt her heart beating madly in her chest. “Where is everyone?” Remus’s voice came out hoarse and low.
“Shackelbot is alright. Mad-Eye was injured, but he’ll be ok. Tonks…” here he took a deep breathe. “she was injured and taken to St. Mungo’s.” More tears slipped down his cheeks. A feeling of pity washed over Claudia as she realized the reason for his sadness. Her voice was soft and consoling as she spoke.
“Remus, you should be there with her. She loves you so…” She brushed aside hair from his face and saw his eyes close. He shook his head.
“I know. I do too. But Claudia…” His voice broke again and his head was in his hands. Claudia felt the very room start to spin. She didn’t dare ask what she felt she must.
“Remus, where is Sirius?” But she knew the answer as sure as he was sitting there gasping for breath himself. He lifted his eyes to meet hers and she saw pain beyond mentioning reflected there. She shook her head and he reached out to hold her.
“He’s gone Claudia.” They cried freely together for what seemed an eternity. Claudia felt in a rage as she asked him what happened.
“He was fighting and…Bellatrix Lestrange was there…she and he fought and he was just too cocky! Finally it caught up with him. His recklessness, his arrogance, has finally killed him.” He was as angry as Claudia felt. Angry at the world and helpless in what to do about it.
From across the room, the guys slowly made their way toward the pair on the couch. They too knew what it felt like to lose a partner and brother. Zulu placed his hand on Remus’s shoulder and Remus attempted a smile. Claudia was the first to speak.
“Go to Tonks Remus. Be with her right now.” He nodded and wiped his face on his sleeve. He was gone out the door without a word. Claudia sat back and allowed the tears to come anew. The last time she spoke to Sirius was in anger. She actually hit him for telling her he loved her. What kind of a person was she?
Later that night, Claudia received a message from Severus. Could he come and see her? She crumpled the letter in her hand and closed her eyes. No. She thought. Not tonight. Tonight I can’t be with him.

Miles away, Severus sat watching his amulet flash from blue to red.