Erlking

*A/N Just because Lisa so very kindly reviewed me within minutes of my posting this, I've typed up another chapter for you,hehe. God, this is like Heroin, isn't it?*

Later, Hermione headed for the library with her stolen files in a bag on her back. She settled herself at a desk in front of a window to study them.
A couple of hours later ,thoroughly confused, she closed the file with an exasperated snap, then started as she saw Lupin leaning against one of the stacks, smiling at her in his quiet way.
"Ever to see you with your head buried in some obscure text, Hermione." He said softly, and she smiled back at him, rubbing her tired eyes and waving her hand for him to sit.
He settled himself into a comfortable chair facing her.
"So, what keeps you indoors on such a fine day?" He inquired "Harry,Ron and the twins are playing quiddich in the garden."
"Just a bit of research" She replied, hedging carefully. Then she had an idea
"Professor Lupin-" She started
"How many times must I ask you to call me Remus?" He asked, smiling at her indulgently
"Sorry-Remus" she said, the word tripping over her tongue unfamiliarly.
"Have you ever heard of a Wizard called Sandeman?" She asked, and a broad smile broke over his face.
"Indeed I have, but he is not a wizard, Hermione" he chuckled at her frown.
"He's a muggle?" she asked, perplexed
"No, heavens, no." He smiled "Actually, nobody knows what he is,exactly, The people of the Middle East called him a D jinn, the Norse called him the Erlking-"
"Erlking?" Hermione asked
"Yes, the Elf-King. He is mentioned in a hundred odd books-most of them muggle fiction. I believe he even appears in Shakespeare, once or twice- first as the fairy Robin Goodfellow-Puck." He explained, at Hermione's uncomprehending frown. "Then again as Ariel in the tempest."
"He's a fairy?" Hermione flicked through the notes on her desk, taking a writing pad and her quill and making a note of the references Lupin had mentioned. "That would explain his remarkable longevity..." she muttered, almost to herself. Lupin laughed.
"Indeed, but it is not the only theory. He appears in many guises- as Valmont in Les Liasons Dangereuse, as the vampire Lestat, he was even photographed with Oscar Wilde,and it is said Dorian Grey was based on him- always he is capricious, mercurial-not deliberately malicious,but certainly lacking in-shall we say- moral fibre?" He grinned at her, and there was something wolfish in it, something very different to his usual genteel manner. Hermione shivered. Lupin's eyes narrowed at her reaction, and Hermione suddenly couldn't meet his eyes. She looked down at her notes.
"Moral fibre is one way to put it. He's been accused of dozens of crimes- the list is as long as my arm- some pretty strange stuff, too." She rambled, confused at her bizarre reaction.
"Fornication, abduction,sodomy,meddling-since when is meddling a crime?" she muttered "Altering history, murder, inciting rebellion,civil disobedience- apparently, they tried to decapitate him during the French Revolution,baby making- wait-baby making?" She looked up at Lupin,forgetting her awkwardness in her bafflement. He shrugged at her with a wry grin.
"He's certainly done a lot of that. He is reputed to have a fondness for young virgins." His eyes twinkled wickedly at Hermione and she blushed, ducking her head.
He straightened up and walked away from her, returning a few moments later with a large old leather bound portfolio.
"Here you go." he said, flicking through the portfolio, he pulled out a sheet and laid it in front of Hermione- it was an ink sketch, Victorian from the look of it, of a man's face in profile.
He had strong, high cheekbones and long pale hair,tied at the nape of his neck with what looked like lace-it matched his elaborate cravat. As Hermione studied it he turned and grinned at her rakishly, winking with what she supposed must be a dashing air. Then something occurred to her.
"He looks like-" she started
"-A Malfoy." Lupin finished . Hermione looked up at him, astonished. He grinned and moved to stand behind her,studying the picture over her shoulder. "Yes. Sirius told me once Black family legend speaks of a charming young rake who eloped with a Black virgin heiress,then deserted her when she fell pregnant with his child. That was in the Regency period, I think. He went by the name of Malfoy then, now he goes by the name Julian Sandeman" He frowned, then peered more closely at her notes. "Hermione, where did you get these?" He demanded, picking up the sheaf of files she'd been studying. Hermione's heart sank. Each bore the words "Dept. Of Mysteries." embossed in gold on the cover. Ah, bugger.
"Well, well" Lupin said and she was surprised to hear a note of dry amusement in his voice. She swiveled to look at him, and he was flicking through the pages, a broad smile on his face.
"Tut tut, Hermione, stealing from the ministry. Whatever next?" He tossed the files on her desk and chuckled. Hermione's cheeks burned. He winked at her.
"Never fear. Your secret is safe with me. I won't tell a soul, I promise" He put his hand over his heart and made a solemn face, and for the first time Hermione understood why he'd been part of the Marauders- his rebellious streak was buried deep, but it was certainly there. He backed away from her.
"I'll leave you to your studies," He said at the doorway. "Be careful Robin Goodfellow doesn't steal you away tonight..."
He winked again and left. Hermione let out a gust of relief and tidied the files away,composing a brief note to her mother, asking her to send her Laptop, post haste. She would need to do some digging on this Sandeman, she thought, and what better source than the Internet?
She only hoped it didn't scare the Weasleys too badly.