Once Upon A Moon

          Chapter 9

          Remus went to Lika’s class tower so they could leave together and see how
her first day had gone but found she wasn’t in there. Disappointed he turned to
leave when her satchel caught his attention. He glanced around the tower again to
make sure he hadn’t missed her but didn’t see her. He walked over to the
abandoned bag and felt his stomach knot. Something didn’t feel right and before
he had even finished thinking it he saw her wand laying next to the bag. Something
is definitely not right. Why would she leave her wand here, he thought.

          He sank to his knees and began searching the floor for clues. He didn’t see
anything out of the ordinary and had given up. He reached for the door knob and
felt a rip through his body. Oh Merlin. A Portkey, he thought as he dropped to
the ground.

          Jumping up quickly he tore his wand from his robes, pointing it at the ready
in case he was attacked. His eyes raked the room in a hurry but found no one. He
took in his surroundings and noticed they looked vaguely familiar, as if he’d been
there before. He was trying to place where he knew it from when it hit him.
Malfoy.

          Remus’ exceptional hearing listened hard for the sound of voices but found
that he heard none. Carefully he opened the door and walked quietly into the
hallway. He inhaled deeply trying to catch a whiff of Lika. He knew she was here,
he could feel it. Cloaked in the darkness he walked further into the hall and
smelled her subtle floral scent. He paused outside the door and listened intently.
Hearing nothing he cracked the door open and saw Lika in a cell type room.

          She was either sleeping or unconscious. He charged forward to the bars
holding her captive and said her name but she didn’t move. With a muttered spell
the bars blew apart while Lika continued to lie there. He gathered her in his arms
and tried to Apparate but found he couldn’t. Damn Malfoy.

          He was going to have sneak out of the house carrying Lika and Apparate
outside. Remus considered his options and with a sudden thought placed Lika back
down again. He pointed his wand at the window and concentrated hard on the glass
disappearing. A moment later the window was clear and he picked Lika back up and
jumped , Apparating before he touched the ground.

          When he arrived at his house he placed her gently on the sofa and felt an
eery sense of de ja’ vu as he thought back to the day the Dementors had attacked
her. He pointed his wand at her and said the reviving spell. He clutched her hand
as her eyes popped open in terror until they focused on him.

          Lika pulled him to her for a hug and clutched desperately to him as she
sobbed into his neck. Remus had not been expecting this at all and held her
gingerly for a moment before stroking her hair.

“Remus. You found me. Thank God. Every time. I’m so damn tired of this shit. So
tired.” She said through her tears.

“Yes. I went to your tower to find you and saw your bag and wand on the floor. I
knew at once something was wrong. I found the Portkey by accident. Are you
alright? What happened? What did he do to you? What does he want with you?”
He fired at her in rapid succession.

          Lika stared at him but knew she at least owed him an explanation after
everything he’d done for her.