The Protectors

Chapter 8

Analise willed her stomach to unclench as she sat analyzing the situation. She
knew that this man was not Remus. His gray eyes had transformed into a pair of
cruel blue ones. The only explanation is Polyjuice. This man disguised himself as
Remus. Now the question is why? What does he want with me, she questioned. He
doesn’t know that I know. That could work to my advantage and I could escape,
she thought as a plan came to her.

She shifted her seat closer to the imposter Remus and purred low in her throat as
she stroked a hand teasingly up his arm. Merlin why is there no one else in this
damn café. I haven’t seen the house-elf since our food was brought out. Oh this is
gross. Don’t shudder in repulsion, she coached herself.

“Remus.” She cooed huskily in his ear.

“What?” He said looking a little nervous.

Good, she thought. “I’m sorry I was acting strangely earlier. I guess I was just so
excited about our date I just....wasn’t myself.” She said as she looked him in the
eye.

“Ok...” He said looking taken aback at her abrupt bout-face.

Or it could have been my choice of words, Analise thought.

She took a deep breath to steel herself against what she was about to do. Analise
leaned forward and nipped at his ear. She heard him groan low in his throat and
hope flared in her. This is going to work! I’m going to escape.

‘You know that kiss from earlier took me a little by surprise. Why don’t we try
that again.” She murmured in his ear.

He grabbed her and pulled her to him gruffly as his lips sought hers. Analise tried
not to notice how repulsive the kiss was as she slipped her wand from her pocket.
She tried to keep her mind on happy things like puppies and snow and quidditch as
his lips wandered over her skin. She tipped her head back and whispered “Remus?”

She waited until his passion filled gaze was looking her in the eyes before she
pointed her wand at him and cried “Boundorius!” Analise watched as ropes shot out
the end of her wand and bound him the chair.

His shocked gaze gave her a smug satisfaction as she continued to point her wand
at him.

“Analise. What are you doing?” Remus asked tensely.

“Obviously, you didn’t realize I’m no one to be trifled with either.” She shot back
his previous words. “I’m much brighter than you’ve apparently given me credit for.
Good thing for me though, isn’t it. I know you’re not Remus Lupin. So my question
is who are you?”

“I’m Severus Snape.” The man answered quickly.

Analise smiled enigmatically as she pressed her wand a little more forcefully into
his chest until she heard his sharp intake of breath.

“Wrong answer. You’re not Snape either. Did I not just tell you not to
underestimate me?” She said angrily. “Don’t make me hurt you. You sir, have blue
eyes. Snape has brown. So I ask you again, who are you?”

“Like I’d tell you.” He said, finally dropping his act.

“I guess you don’t have to tell me. We’ve been here what, about 50 minutes then?
We’ll just wait for the Polyjuice potion you took to wear off.” She said and
watched his eyebrows shoot up in alarm. “Yes, I know you used Polyjuice potion. I
could taste the potion on you. You’re a lousy kisser by the way, you might want to
work on that.”

“You’re a bitch.” He said as his face burned red.

“You know what, coming from you, that doesn’t mean much.” She retorted as she
sat down in the chair opposite him and stared him down.

She couldn’t say how long they stayed that way before the door of the café burst
open. She jumped to her feet and pointed her wand at the two new intruders.

Remus breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Analise standing there unharmed.
But his peace was only fleeting as he watched her wand trained on him and Snape.
His gaze came to rest on the man at the table. It was an eery feeling indeed
seeing himself sitting at the table tied to a chair yet knowing it wasn’t him. Then it
hit him, the man was tied to a chair. Remarkable, he thought. She trapped Lucius
Malfoy. She’s an excellent thinker. Though he did feel oddly disappointed that he
hadn’t got to save her.

“Analise? It’s ok. It’s me.” Remus said soothingly as he trailed a tapered finger
tenderly down her cheek.

He watched her eyes search his before she shivered slightly and lower her wand as
she sank into a chair.

Snape was loosening Malfoy’s ropes, preparing him to be taken to Dumbledore but
Malfoy saw his chance when his arm slipped free. He quickly dove for his wand and
pointed it at Snape as he yelled “Crucio!” He watched as the man crumpled to his
at his feet before he jumped up and pointed his wand at Remus and Analise before
he Disapparated in a cloud of smoke and a crack which knocked Remus off his feet.

Remus rushed over to Analise as she sat in shock. “Are you alright?” He asked as
he stroked her back.

“Yes. Yes. I’m fine. What about Snape?” She asked.

“What? Oh yeah.” He said stupidly. “Ennervate.”

Snape stirred and Remus held out his had to pull him off the floor.

“You ok Severus?” He asked.

“Fine. Is the Glimmer still glimmering.” He asked groggily, still feeling the effects
from the spell.

“Still glimmering.” Remus said with a smile.

Analise listened to them and realized that they were talking about her. Glimmer
still glimmering? That’s what they said last night when I caught them spying on me.
Glimmer, Shimmer. Duh. I’m Glimmer. Why are they speaking in codes, she
thought.

“I think you guys owe me an explanation.” She said as she leaned back in her chair
and crossed her arms.

“After that display, I’d say she’s trustworthy. Wouldn’t you, Snape?” Remus said.

“Yes.” Snape agreed begrudgingly.

“Well get comfortable and prepare for a shock sweetheart.” Remus said as he sat
down opposite her and motioned for Snape to sit as well. He watched her gaze
steel slightly and posture tense before speaking again.

“You’re being targeted for murder.” He said as gently as he could. He watched
panic replace the sparkle in her blue eyes and reached to cover her ice cold hand
with his in what he hoped was a calming gesture.