The Love Of A Wizard

CHAPTER 44
Orders

The next few days were utter chaos. The muggles traveled back and forth between their hotel and Grimmauld place for updates. Molly hadn’t left her son’s side since she left everyone at the Burrow. Arthur went to work, and then to the hospital to relieve Molly for a few hours. Ron, it seemed, had sustained an unknown injury during a battle with something called Inferi. But the updates the gang received daily were never good. More of the same. He was weak and unconscious and was unable to move.
Claudia caught glimpses of Harry and Hermione over the next few days. They looked worse than Claudia feared. Hermione was perpetually crying and Harry looked murderous. Claudia sent a letter to Severus, telling him what had happened and asking if there was anything to be done. She wasn’t sure it was a good idea, but her and Nick discussed the fact that Severus knew way more than anyone else about dark magic, so there was a chance. In the end, Zulu helped them decide by saying that there was no one more powerful, in his opinion, than Severus. That settled it, so they sent the letter.
It so happened on the fifth day after Ron’s injuries that Tonks and Remus came to the hotel to speak to Claudia and her friends. Neither one looked very good, in her opinion. Tonks and Remus came into Claudia’s room and shook hands and hugged their muggle friends.
“Claudia, I came because, for once, we have good news.’ Claudia was so excited she ushered everyone to sit and brought drinks.
“Last night, a new healer worked on Ron, and it seems he is doing better. Weirdly enough, the healer came in the middle of the night, when Molly had gone home to change clothes. We all inquired who it was but they are so busy over there that no one could tell us. Anyway, he’s awake and can move around. But…he’s still not all there. If you know what I mean.” Remus said.
“No. I don’t know what you mean. What happened?” She asked.
“You mean he got brain damage or somthin’?” Bones asked.
“It is possible. But we are leaning more towards shock. He is responsive to pain and to his mother. But other than that…” Remus shook his head.
“Claudia, have you heard from Harry?” Tonks asked. Claudia shook her head. “I didn’t think so. He has been running around with his friends. Saying something about getting a cup. I wonder what it means?” She said to herself. Claudia shrugged.
“Maybe…they are now going to find the Holy Grail.” Antonio joked. The muggles present laughed. The wizards looked confused.
“Nothing. Don’t ask.” Claudia said.
“Claudia…something else.” Remus began. “Tonks said she told you about Wormtail coming to see me?” Claudia nodded, suddenly very nervous. She wasn’t the only one either. “He said something to me before…I didn’t realize what he meant at the time. But now…” He looked at her and Claudia smiled at him. She remembered the first time she saw his handsome face walking up her long driveway. So long ago…
“What?” Claudia asked. She already knew what he might ask, and she prepared herself for it.
“He said Fenrir Grayback was dead. And that a muggle killed him.” Silence. Claudia didn’t really know how to respond except by laughing. Everyone of the muggles began to laugh and the two wizards sat and exchanged looks. It was Zulu who found his voice first.
“Remus, I am the one who killed the big bad wolf. He lost his head!” Even more laughter from the muggles. Remus sat stunned and Tonks began to smile.
“But how?” Remus asked. The laughter faded away. Everyone turned to Claudia who was wiping her eyes on a napkin.
“Oh Remus. We all have our secrets. Just be happy he’s gone. No more big bad wolf.” Everyone laughed, even the two wizards. Claudia noticed that Remus’s smile was the biggest she had ever seen. It had never occurred to her that the murder of another werewolf would make him so happy.
“Well…we came to share the news with you. We hope Ron can leave the hospital in a few weeks. I’ll let you know.” He said and the two wizards waved goodbye and left. Claudia looked down at her amulet . It was flashing red.

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A few hours later, after dinner and drinks, the muggles were returning to the hotel. Claudia decided to turn in early, as did the rest of the group. Which meant, the boys would be partying in their rooms, instead of partying at the local bars.
Claudia walked into her room and was surprised, not for the first time, by Severus pacing the floor.
“I have been waiting for you.” He said. Claudia saw his face and realized something was terribly wrong.
“Apparently. What’s wrong?” She asked as she reached out for him. He pulled her close and kissed her. The kiss was passionate. So passionate in fact, it set off alarms in her head. She pulled away and stared at his face. Her eyes were questioning and his were empty.
“Severus?” She asked in a whisper.
“I think, you should collect your friends. We need to talk. And quickly.” He said as he sat at the table. Claudia reached for the phone and dialed Nick’s room number. He didn’t answer. Of course…they were partying in someone’s room.
“I’ll be back!” She called over her shoulder and she caught a moments glimpse of Severus as she walked out. He was sitting with his head in his hands and paler than she had ever seen him. This really wasn’t good.
She pounded on Rod’s door. For she knew they were in there. The music filled the hallway from inside. Antonio opened the door and smiled.
“Moore. Come to join us?” He asked with his wine in one hand and a cigarette in another.
“No. Turn it off.” She pointed to the music. He placed his cigarette in his mouth and shrugged. He walked over to the stereo and turned it off. A chorus of protests came from everyone. Claudia also saw that they had three girls in their room. Local girls no doubt. All of them dressed in dresses much too little for them and they were glaring at Claudia.
“You.” She pointed to the girls. “Out.” She said. The girls began to whine and look to their dates. Bones, Rod and Antonio immediately grabbed the girls’ purses and ushered them out the door. Claudia heard them cussing them all the way down the hallway.
“Moore…why did we just send away the only action we have had in weeks?” Antonio asked.
“Severus is in my room. He’s asking for you to come. I think it would be a good idea to grab your gear, as quickly as you can, and come over. It doesn’t look good.” She said. A mad dash for suitcases and weapons. Glasses flew onto the table and rapid speech in Russian. Claudia allowed herself a moment to reflect on the situation. These men, they were her entire world. She calls and they run. Her eyes welled up with tears of gratitude. She left the room to get her own gear together and return to Severus. Her heart beating madly the entire time she wondered what could be so wrong that Severus had come asking for them and looking as if his entire world was falling apart. She took a deep breath and entered her room.
“Are they coming?” He asked looking up at her as she entered. She nodded yes and went to the closet to pull her suitcase from the shelf. Inside were her black clothes and gear. As she dressed. She was aware of Severus watching her. But it wasn’t the usual lusting stare she got from him when she undressed. This was sad and longing, as if he felt like he couldn’t go to her.
She dressed and went over to him. She placed a kiss on his cheek and he gripped her hand with such force and kissed it. Everything about his actions were urgent.
“How long?” He asked. Just as he did, the door swung open and the guys filed in.
“Sorry…couldn’t find my shoes.” Chester said. They met Severus’s eyes and waited. Claudia turned with her friends and stood together with them. All eyes were on Severus as he spoke.
“The Dark Lord requests your presence tonight. He is aware of Potter’s…current quest and he has set a trap for him. The horcruxes are destroyed, all except two. It is my hope that Wormtail comes through and that leaves only one left. Dumbledore was so sure of there being seven…but now…I am not so sure. I think…”
“You gonna tell us what the hell those…horcruxes are?” Rod asked. Severus took a deep breath and spoke to them.
“It doesn’t mater what they are exactly. Only that Dumbledore and Potter had been searching for them in order to destroy them. By destroying them, we will be able to defeat the Dark Lord.” He said quietly.
“So…let go destroy us some…Horocruxys then!” Bones said as he cocked his gun. Laughter and Severus put his hand up for silence.
“You’re job, will be for the Dark Lord tonight. You are to wait outside of the Ministry of Magic and your orders are to eliminate anyone leaving the building. Only those loyal to the Dark Lord are free to leave. Those are your orders.” Silence.
“Wait a minute man! I’m not killing no one that’s in the Order. You’ve about lost your mind man. Crazy freakin’ wizards. We don’t kill our friends man!” Bones was in a fit. Severus looked at him as if he were bored. Claudia stepped back and faced Severus.
“Sorry Severus. We will not be killing any Order members. I don’t care what your Dark Lord orders.” She said defiantly.
“I thought you grasped the concept my love. However, I see you haven’t. Your orders are to eliminate anyone not loyal to the Dark Lord leaving the Ministry. What you choose to do with those orders is upon your own head. However,” He handed Nick a piece of paper with writing on it. “I have here, detailed instructions on how to enter the Ministry of Magic. Once inside, you are free to fight for whom ever you wish.” Claudia nodded and realized that this was it. This was going to be the last fight of good versus evil in the wizarding world, and they had front row tickets.
“What will you be doing?” She asked him in hushed tones. Severus’s eyes flickered strangely for a moment and then he spoke as he headed for the door.
“I have my own orders.” He turned when he got to the door. “Good luck.” Claudia rushed to him and threw her arms around him. He stood tense for a moment and then melted into her embrace. She was so frightened at the thought of him leaving this night, she couldn’t catch her breath.
“I love you.” She whispered. He kissed her softly and patted his chest where the amulet lay under his robes.
“I know.” He said, and he left.

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A/N: Thanks for the reviews all! We are getting there..promise! Please review!