Fire and Water

Chapter Forty five



Two weeks later, Krystal tapped her foot nervously on the kitchen floor of Shell Cottage, Bill and Fleur Weasley‘s home. She stood up, walking over to the window to look outside, exactly as she had done just a minute before.

“Will you please sit down? I told you she said she would come.” Bill Weasley said, as he looked up from his newspaper, his expression changing from frustration to sympathy when she sat down.

“Krys, I know how you are feel….” Krystal shook her head.

“Fleur is safe at home with you, Bill. Please don’t tell me you know how I feel,’ she snapped, resuming the tapping of her foot.



Bill resumed reading his papers until he saw a hand creep across the page he was reading, blocking his view. He looked up to see Krystal’s contrite face.

“I’m sorry,’ she said in a helpless voice. “I just….”

She broke off, her voice failing her, as a sob threatened to escape. Bill moved around the table and sat on the chair next to her. She looked at him, seeing his understanding face.



“This is my fault. If I had never agreed to come back, Remus would have been at home safe…”

Bill took her hands in his, saying firmly, “This is not your fault. Remus is a member of the Order as well as someone who is close to Harry. He was always going to be a target, he knew that. If the Death Eaters were determined to get at him, they would have done it, no matter where he was.”

A tear ran down Krystal’s face as she listened to Bill. She knew what he was saying made sense, but he didn’t know about Severus and his role in Remus’ kidnapping.



Bill frowned: it was obvious she wasn’t taking in what he was saying. He and Fleur were concerned about Krystal’s state of mind. She was moody, easily falling into despair or anger - chopping and changing quickly between the two extremes. As she was staying with them, he knew she wasn’t sleeping more than a broken few hours each night. She tried not to wake them as she roamed the house, but he was a light sleeper, and often made his way down to the living room to hold her as she cried, or listen as she ranted, frustrated at how long it was taking to pull their plan together.



The stress was making her physically ill as well; she only ate a little, more often than not running to the bathroom soon afterwards. When Fleur tried to press her to eat more, she shook her off.

‘I’d only throw it up,’ she’d said shakily. ‘I just can’t stomach anything right now.’

Her weight was dropping alarmingly; Bill was disturbed to see how thin her arms were, and how gaunt her face had become.



He reached out now and wiped her tear away with his thumb. She looked at him, her sad eyes pulling at his heart, and Bill could once again see the fragility that Remus had once described to him, making him want to shield her, protect her; but he could also see the strength there - ready to surface when she needed it. He reached out and put an arm around her, pulling her towards him.

‘We’ll get him out. Just hang in there,’ he said soothingly.



“Sorry, the door was open. Should I come back?”

Bill and Krystal moved apart and Krystal saw a young woman with pink hair standing in the doorway. Tonks’ eyes widened when she saw Krystal properly.

She glanced over at Bill. “What’s going on?’ she asked, a little accusingly. “Where’s Fleur?”

Bill and Krystal stood up, glancing quickly at each other.

Bill walked forward. “Hi Tonks,’ he said. “It’s alright, Fleurs’ upstairs.”



He looked back at Krystal, who stepped up beside him. All the vulnerability he’d seen in her face earlier had gone, replaced by determination.

“Hello, Tonks, I’m Krystal O‘Connor.” Tonks went pale as she faced the woman for whom Remus had broken their engagement.

She turned back to Bill. “What the hell is going on?”

Bill said, “Come and sit down.” Tonks shook her head.

“No. I don’t need this,” she said, spinning around and walking towards the door, forcing a cry of panic from Krystal’s mouth.

“Tonks, please! Remus is gone!”



Tonks froze. A few seconds passed before she turned back to look at Krystal.

“What do you mean? Where’s he gone?”

Krystal looked at Bill for help: she couldn’t say the words.

Her friend obliged, saying, “He’s being held at Malfoy Manor. The Death Eaters are torturing him, hoping that he’ll tell them where Harry is.”



Tonks looked disbelievingly at Bill then turned to Krystal, as if for confirmation. Krystal looked stricken but nodded and said, “We need your help. My information is that the protection on the property is such that it is impossible to get in unless you have a Dark Mark. So, we need to get them to move Remus, to take him somewhere else. That‘s where you come in.”



Tonks was still staring at Krystal. “Your information? How exactly did you come by your information?”

Krystal’s jaw tightened. “I can’t tell you that. It’s not important anyway.”

Tonks stepped forward, “Of course it’s important. What if you are being misled? What if he’s….,’ Tonks stopped and closed her eyes. “What if he’s already dead, and whoever is giving you this information is trying to set a trap for us?”

She opened her eyes and glared at Krystal. “It wouldn’t be the first time you’ve made a bad decision that got people hurt,’ she said, a malicious tone in her voice.



‘Tonks!‘ Bill said sharply, but Krystal interrupted him.

“No, Bill, it‘s ok,’ said Krystal, her face now bone white. She placed her hand on his arm. “Can you leave us alone for a while?”

Bill turned to look at Krystal, frowning. “Are you sure?’ he whispered, his voice barely audible. Krystal smiled grimly.

“I’m a big girl. And there’s nothing Tonks can say or do that I haven‘t earned,’ she replied softly.

Bill nodded and walked past Tonks out of the room. As he brushed past the pink haired woman, he put a comforting hand on her shoulder briefly.



The two women stared at each other for a moment before Krystal sat down at the table, indicating the other chair. Tonks moved forward and sat opposite the brunette.

“Go ahead and get it off your chest if you want,’ said Krystal. “But there’s nothing you can say to me that I haven’t said to myself, and I know I’ll deserve every bit of it. But if you can get it out of your system now, it means we can get back to helping Remus sooner.”



Tonks just stared at Krystal for a moment, then said, “You trust your source?”

Krystal nodded. “I do.”

Tonks stood and walked over to the window, looking out just as Krystal had done earlier.

‘You know he’s alive? You are sure he’s alive?’ she said, urgently.

Krystal stood as well. “I’m sure,’ she confirmed firmly.

Tonks leant her forehead against the window for a moment, before she said, “How do we get the Death Eaters to bring him out into the open? They aren’t just going to move him for our convenience.”

Krystal moved around the table to stand behind her. “That’s where we need you,’ she said.

Tonks turned. “Alright, I’m listening.” She stood leaning against the counter, her arms crossed across her chest. Krystal began outlining her plan.



“If the Auror’s office were to receive information that there were reasons to investigate Lucius Malfoy, to search his property; that might be enough to get them to move him somewhere safer, out of the way.”

Tonks frowned. “Or they might just kill him.”

Krystal shook her head. “No. They won’t kill him, because if they suggest it, he is going to give them information they want. He’s going to lead them to someone that they will want badly enough to trade him for.”

Tonks’ lip curled. “Remus would never give up Harry…..”

Again, Krystal shook her head. “Remus won’t be giving them Harry,’ she said firmly. ‘He’ll be giving them me.’



Tonks frowned again. She swallowed hard and spoke.

“Remus would never give up someone he…someone he loved.” It was obviously difficult for Tonks to say.

“Remus won’t know he’s given me up,‘ Krystal said firmly. “There is someone who will ensure that one way or another, that information gets to You Know Who. Hopefully, it will be enough for them to keep Remus alive to trade him for me.’

Tonks looked at the older woman curiously. “What do you mean, ‘one way or another?’ she asked. Krystal looked away.



“My friend is taking great personal risks to help me. Our plan could cost him his life; it has to be set up properly or….” Krystal broke off, her distress obvious.

Tonks narrowed her eyes, wondering who the source was that Krystal seemed to care so much about.

“What makes you think that they’ll want you?“ she asked.

Krystal smiled grimly. “Are you kidding? I’m the one that got away,’ she said, her voice low. “I tricked them and killed two of their own. They’re going to be real interested in seeing me again.”



Krystal‘s eyes glinted silver and Tonks could see the darkness in her stir. “And you‘ll do that? Trade yourself for Remus if we can‘t get him out? You know what they‘ll do to you?”

Krystal looked at Tonks. “I will do anything for him,’ she said simply.



Tonks’ face tightened and she walked back to the table and sat. She twisted her fingers and spoke softly. “I hated you for a long time. I couldn’t understand how he could forgive you for what you did, let alone try and make a life with you.”

She looked up. “You really do love him, don’t you?”

Krystal nodded. “I never stopped,’ she replied.



There was a soft knock on the door. Bill put his head around the frame.

“How are we going?’ he said, a little nervously.

Krystal waited impatiently for Tonks to decide. They needed Tonks’ help to make this work. They couldn’t do it without her.

Tonks nodded at Krystal. “It might work. I’ll talk to Kingsley and try and get the raid set up: Malfoy has a lot of friends at the Ministry. We’ll have to make certain the information received is too good to ignore. I’ll let you know when it’s done. You’ll have to make sure your informant can drop the lead about you at a moment‘s notice, just in case. There are spies everywhere in the Ministry. Remus could be moved or killed before we have a chance to set up an ambush.”



Bill and Krystal nodded, and Tonks stood, moving to the door. “I’ll get started. I’ll be in contact with you, Bill.”

He nodded, saying “Thank you, Tonks.”

She smiled a tight smile at him, then glanced back at Krystal.

“Remus came to talk to me at the Ministry before Christmas,’ Tonks said, turning around to face her with a resigned look in her eyes. “I guess I should congratulate you - on your engagement. I….. I hope you are both very happy.”

Tonks opened her mouth as if she had more to say, then closed it, turned and left the house.



Bill looked at Krystal, who had sat back down. Remus had gone to see Tonks - to tell her he was planning on marrying Krystal. Her eyes teared up again.

“Did he propose?’ he asked. ‘He told me he was going to, but I wasn’t sure if he’d gotten the chance.”

Krystal smiled faintly, remembering Remus’ proposal. “Yes he did.”

Bill smiled. “And you said….?”

Krystal looked up at Bill, incredulously. “I said yes, of course.”



*****



The cellar door of Malfoy Manor creaked as it slowly opened. Remus looked up from the floor, where he lay; shattered from weeks of relentless abuse. His thin body shook as he attempted to rise. His body may be broken, but his pride would not let him show a beaten soul.



Severus stood in the doorway, watching Remus as he slowly rose to his feet, swaying as he faced his latest foe. He could not help but feel admiration for the werewolf who had endured the worst that the Death Eaters could bring upon him; yet still, he stood tall. Severus almost felt regret for the pain he was about to cause Lupin; the man was braver than he ever gave him credit for.



Lupin stared Snape straight in the eye as he approached him.

“What’s it to be today, Severus?” he asked, his voice cracking as the words tore at his dry throat. Starvation had been one of the techniques employed in the attempt to force Remus to give out Harry’s location.

“Cruciatis? Sectumsempra? Or something new? I am getting bored with the same old thing over and over again.” Severus felt the corner of his mouth twitch. Lupin’s spirit was still strong, despite everything. Good. He would need all the strength he could muster to get himself out of this.



“I thought we might start with the Cruciatis curse today.” Severus raised his wand, pointing at Lupin’s chest.

“You disappoint me, Severus,’ replied Remus, shaking his head slowly. “Not very original.”

Snape raised his eyebrow. “Perhaps not, but quite effective nevertheless.”



A streak of red light flew from the end of his wand, hitting the other man directly, sending him flying backwards to hit the wall. He let out a strangled scream as his body twisted and turned in agony. Severus held the curse as he kicked the door shut behind him. When he was sure the others above them had heard enough, he raised his wand.



Remus lay face down, panting. He felt Snape approach him and as he bent next to him, he turned his head.

“You’re getting out - tonight if all goes to plan,’ the dark haired man whispered.

“What? How?” questioned Remus, not wanting to believe Snape; to get his hopes up. “You don’t need to know the details, but there is something you must do to help yourself. I may have to Imperiorise you: and I need your promise. Do not fight this, no matter what I make you do or say.”

Remus shook his head, gasping “What are you going to do?”

Snape became frustrated. “There are many people putting themselves in danger to rescue you, including Krystal and myself. I must have your word - do not fight the curse.”



Still breathing hard, Remus looked up at his childhood enemy. “You’re asking me to trust you?” he said.

“You don’t really have much choice, do you?” Snape retorted, his voice betraying his impatience.

He stood, looking down at the man on the ground. “Do I have your word?”



Remus pushed himself up onto his knees, then, leaning against the wall, he struggled to his feet. “You have my word. I will let you take over my mind. I will not fight the curse.’ Severus nodded. “Good.” He aimed another curse at Lupin, sending him back to the floor, groaning in pain.

After a few moments, he raised his wand again, spun on his heel to leave the room.



‘Severus,’ he called weakly. Snape turned to look at the man on the floor.

‘Tell her to stay away. Don’t let her risk…’ His voice broke, and Severus realised just how much Lupin loved her.

He felt a jolt of envy that the werewolf and Krystal had the very thing he wanted so badly, but could never have.

‘Surely you must know by now that no one tells her what to do, Lupin,’ he replied softly. ‘But I will try.’



Krystal was waiting for him at his Spinner’s End home, pacing nervously when he walked through the living room door. She stopped when she saw him and quickly moved to his side.

“How is he? Is he…” she asked, her eyes desperate for news. It had now been over a month since Remus was taken, and Severus saw Krystal was showing signs of the strain. Severus grabbed her shoulders, shaken by the wild look on her face.

“He’s fine. He’s weak, he’s injured, but his spirit is strong.”

She let out a breath, her face relaxing a little. “And he’ll do it? He’ll let you put the curse on him?” Severus led her to the couch and gently pushed her into the seat.

“He gave me his word,’ he replied, sitting next to her and looking at her carefully.



His concern for her had grown over the past few weeks: she had lost weight, the dark circles around her eyes told him she was not sleeping and her behaviour was becoming more erratic; similar to that during her darkest periods. He agreed with Lupin: Krystal should not attend the raid tonight. If something were to go wrong, he didn’t think her mind could stand it.



‘He doesn’t want you there tonight, Krystal,’ he said, with little hope she would listen to him. ‘He asked me to tell you to stay away.’

She stared at him for a moment, then stood.

“Tonks and Kingsley have set up a fake raid,’ she said, ignoring his words. “I spoke to her and they are going to ‘accidentally’ let Yaxley know about the raid at 6.00pm tonight, telling him that they’ll be at Malfoy’s at 6.30pm. You’ll have to get Remus out, and we have to ambush them before they think the Auror’s will arrive.”



Severus stood and began to pace as she had done earlier. “I’m hoping they will take Lupin to the safe house, but he has proven himself reluctant to give out information, despite our best efforts.” Krystal felt a shiver of pride in her fiancé before Severus continued.

“They may just decide to get rid of him. If they do plan to kill Lupin, I will Imperiorise him and plant the information about your fake death. Then I will convince them to take him with us; that the Dark Lord will want to hear the information himself; that you will certainly be willing to swap yourself for Lupin.”

He looked at her exhausted face, lines of worry etched across it. “There isn‘t much you can‘t get a woman in love to do,’ he said softly.



Severus looked pale. This plan was very risky for both of them. There were too many chances for his role in the war to be revealed; he wasn’t ready for that yet.

“We can’t disapparated from inside the Manor; we have to be outside the grounds to leave for the safe house,’ he ran through the plan again, hoping it sounded less dangerous this time. “You have only one chance to snatch Lupin, and that is as we are leaving Malfoy Manor. If I don’t have to reveal myself, I won’t, but if you are waiting at the safe house for us, they will know they have a traitor.”



Krystal stood, looking at him through narrowed eyes.

“And if we fail? Will you ensure that Remus is let go in exchange for me? They could just kill him once they have me.”

Severus looked at her, his eyes blazing as his control over his emotions finally snapped. “You are asking me to risk my life for a man who sat by as his friends made my life a living hell! You ask too much, Krystal!”

He turned and strode across the room to stare into the fireplace, his chest heaving as he tried to control his anger and his fear.



Krystal approached him slowly. She reached out and touched him on the back. When he didn’t respond, she moved close to him, leaning against his back, her head resting against his shoulder blade as her arms snaked around him to lay on his chest.

“You are one of the bravest, most honourable men I know. Any debt you owed me was paid a long time ago, yet you still help me.”

She took a deep shuddering breath, feeling it echoed in his chest. “I know what I’m asking, Sev. I know what you’re risking. But I need you. I can’t do this without you.”



They stayed like that as time passed, drawing strength from each other. Finally, Severus turned and looked down at Krystal, who dropped her arms to look into his black eyes.

“You saved my life. You stood between me and my father and fought for me when I couldn‘t fight for myself, despite the fact that he was bigger and stronger than you. He would’ve killed the both of us if the Muggle police hadn’t arrived. You didn’t tell anyone about that day. You didn’t tell anyone how I felt about Lily. You stood up against your friends; against Lupin, to support me and you kept my secrets.”



He took her face in his hands and stared into her blue eyes, now shimmering with tears. “For you, Krystal, I will do this. But, please, I’m concerned for you. Reconsider attending the ambush tonight.’



She pulled away from him. ‘He told me when I came back, that he was going to fight for me,’ she said, a tear falling from her eye. ‘What kind of person would I be if I didn’t do the same for him? I won’t run and hide, Severus.’



After a few moments, Krystal moved away. “Where will you go? If you are exposed?”

Severus’ jaw clenched. “I have prepared for this contingency. I have somewhere to wait until Potter is ready. Then I have to go to him and give him the final information. The only way he can defeat the Dark Lord.”

He glanced at her. “He will not believe me; I‘ll need your help. So don‘t get yourself killed tonight.”

Krystal nodded. “Then we’re ready to do this?” He looked back at her, his face reflecting her determination.

“We’re ready.”