Daytana

A/N: No specific warnings for this chapter. Enjoy! Thank you to ChaosLady for pointing out my mistakes.

Furhter A/N: I would like to thank my friend Paul for his help with the pub scene and the horrible metric system.

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Chapter 3: Determination

Remus hurried upstairs, showered and changed and grabbing an apple from the pantry headed out to the attack site. Several minutes later he reached the outskirts of the site. He stopped and surveyed the area. Torn leaves, blood droplets and bits of fabric littered the ground. A small log lay turned over near the edge of the clearing and a handful of scuff marks led towards it and beyond, further into the woods. He took a deep breath and let his nose filter the scents. He smelled himself, Laura, Jonas, blood, turned earth and over it all, terror. He was surprised to smell the terror, it had been four days and it shouldn’t have been there still. He was careful not to move any closer, he sensed the wards set by Jonas, the boy may be a know-it-all, but at least he was thorough.

Walking the perimeter, he reached the edge where the scuff marks passed the log and entered the woods. He crouched and examined the area more closely. The scuff marks appeared to stop about two yards from him, just passed the tree line. It looked like whomever had made them had stopped dragging their feet and entered into a full out run.

The fact he could smell himself bothered him immensely. His tree was several dozen yards from this spot, he could see it from here easily, but he had no memory of coming here. No memory of the four days at all. Had he hurt her? Was Laura’s disappearance his fault? Had he killed her? Was it her blood on him this morning?

These questions swirled in his mind as he rose and began walking to his tree. Reaching it, he searched for his clothes. They were no where to be found, yet no wards were cast here and there were no marks on the ground to indicate someone else had been here. He only smelled himself here, so where had they gone? He didn’t remember them laying, even shredded near where he woke up, or on the path back to town.

Knowing an “Accio” wouldn’t work, he sighed and began making his way back to town. He decided to take a swing by The Silver Swan to have a drink and catch up on the gossip. He felt horrible about Laura, but short of poking his nose directly into the investigation, he couldn’t help her. That was an option, he just needed a little more information first. Jonas was aware of his status, all the Aurors were, but Remus didn’t think he’d be too well received if he just showed up and offered to help.

Reaching the pub, he paused, he had smelled himself again. There was more blood this time, more pain, more terror and a male scent he couldn’t identify. Following the scents he rounded the building and came to an abrupt halt. Wards ringed the area, they quadroned off a seven meter radius, from the wall of the pub, across the alley, to the baker next door. Before him lay large patches of dried blood, ripped clothing and what he assumed was hair. It was so covered in dried blood though he couldn’t be sure.

What had he been doing here? Who was this male scent he couldn’t identify? What by Merlin‘s name was going on?. Deciding he needed answers he retraced his steps and entered the pub. He took a seat at the bar. Carla, the barkeep smiled at him and set his usual butterbeer down before he even asked. He smiled his thanks and took a sip. Letting his senses expand, he eavesdropped on the patrons conversations.

“….. was just horrible. Poor Sheela. What will she do without him? He was drunk, but at least he provided for her and the babe.”

A voice rose above the others. “Here’s to Danny me boy, may he be half an hour in heaven, before the devil even knows he's dead. Slainte ”

“Aye, indeed. Slainte.” Chorused the group clustered around the speaker.

All around the pub glasses raised and men drank. “Slainte” echoed off the walls as two dozen voices repeated it

Remus rose and headed towards the group.

“Excuse me lads, might I join you?” he asked.

The entire table looked up at Remus‘ question, “Professor?” one of the men said.

Remus nodded, he had had all of these boys, men now, in his class at one point or another. “Yes, Patrick.” Remus replied.

A chair was grabbed from a nearby table and Patrick indicated Remus could sit. Remus sat and addressed the table as a whole. “Its very good to see you boys again, I just wish it was under better circumstances..”

They all nodded and drank some more. Talk went on, Remus learned about Danny and his family, what he’d been doing lately and why they were all in town. Sean mentioned that Danny’s Da would be there later in the day to gather him. And that they’d all be leaving for the mass and wake tomorrow. He said the Father had offered to have the mass and wake here, but Danny’s Da had refused saying he wanted to take his boy home.

“Is it a family affair, or would I be able to pay my respects?” Remus inquired.

“Oh, Professor, please come, I‘m sure Danny‘s Mum and Da would be glad to see you there. You were Danny’s favorite professor. He always said, if construction hadn’t called to him, he would have become an Auror. He loved the defense lessons you taught.” Sean replied.

“Thank you, I will then. Well, I should be ff, thank you boys for letting me join in.”

A chorus of “your welcome” and “of course Professor” followed him as he rose from the table and headed out the door.

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A figure in black detached itself from the shadowed corner it had been sitting in and swiftly left the pub. Crossing the threshold, the figure apporated. With a “CRACK”.

Appearing in the dusty room he shared with his brothers, he immediately went to the desk and began to cast. His spell was one of his Mistress‘s design. He’d learned it very quickly, Dark Arts was one of his specialties and he particularly liked this spell. The blacker his soul was, the more he could command the spells creation to do. At the moment, he only needed a message delivered though so the energy expendature was minimal.

“Expecto maleficus creatura” he commanded. Born of hatred and loathing, the black mist swirled and coalesced into a fanged skull with glowing violet eyes. This was his servant, his to command..

“Dark One, the first subject leaves for Dublin for his victims funeral tomorrow, what do I do? ” The black mist waited as he spoke and then vanished through the wall. .

A moment later, a “CRACK” was heard from the vicinity of the beds.

He dropped to one knee, “Dark One, thank you for coming. I am honored by your presence.”

“You will go to Dublin and follow the primary subject. Your brothers will remain here and watch subject two..” Commanded The Dark One. Without another word, The Dart One disappeared with another “CRACK.”

The man gathered a small satchel and hurriedly left the room. Disillusioning himself, he quickly made his way to the front yard of Remus’ house. He stood just beyond the wards and once he’d determined the winds direction, moved to stand upwind. He waited for only a few moments before his target came into view.