Remus awoke the next morning with a groan. His chest hurt and his head was throbbing. Being exposed to the weather for so long the day before had taken its toll, and he had a cold to pay for it. A deep bronchial cough kept him busy for a few minutes, then Remus lay and took in the small room. The bed was covered by a patchwork quilt that was obviously handmade on it. There was a small vase of flowers on the windowsill and a small set of drawers across from the bed. A small lounge chair sat in the corner of the room. Nothing was new, but it all seemed to portray a feeling of care and peacefulness. The calming surroundings acted as a soothing draught to Remus’s mind which was still fighting to understand the events he of the day before.
A knock sounded on his door. “Remus dear, I heard you coughing and I’ve brewed up a nice soothing potion to help you. May I come in?”
Remus recognized Tilly’s kind voice and sat up in the bed. “Come on in. I would gladly take something that would loosen my chest and help me feel better. I’m afraid I feel a little feverish also.”
The door opened and Tilly bustled into the room with a tray that had much more then the promised potion on it. Porridge, ham, and orange juice sat next to the steaming mug that Tilly place onto a table she seemed to have pulled from nowhere.
“Here, have a drink of this. It should help the fever and the cough. You might want to stay out of the draft in the pub for today, just to be on the safe side.” Tilly winked as she added, “Tomorrow is soon enough for you to get a feel for how things work around here. Your leg will thank you for the rest also, I’m sure.”
Remus took the steaming mug and breathed in the aroma. It smelled like honey and mint. Just inhaling in the steam seemed to ease his breathing. A few sips had him feeling much more at ease and ready for the breakfast that came with the tea.
Tilly watched him eat for a few moments. “I’ll be back in a little while to check up on you. You will probably be tired again after eating.” Tilly then walked out of the room.
Remus ate everything that was on the tray, and then realized that Tilly was correct. His eyelids were ready to fall closed again, as he pushed the table up against the wall. Curling back up beneath the quilt, he wondered about this strange pub that had taken him in. Sleep over took him again, and dreams of friends and family occupied his mind once again.
Fever washed over him as he slept, and he could not tell reality from dream. He seemed to remember Blenkin and Tilly talking over him, as someone held another steamy mug to his lips. This potion didn’t taste near as nice, but he swallowed anyway. Something told him it would help. Sleep took him quicker this time and his dreams turned nightmarish.
Sirius stood in front of him with blood on his hands. “You trusted me, you fool! I was a follower of Voldemort for a few years. The Ancient House of Black raised me! How could I be anything except a dark wizard? Lily was a dirty Mudblood and James should have been ashamed to marry a girl like her. All I needed was everyone else out of the way so I could turn James, Lily and Harry over to Voldemort…” Laughter followed as Sirius faded away.
Baby Harry lay alone in a destroyed house. Rubble fell all around him, and finally swallowed him.
Peter stared in horror as Sirius stood across from him. The rat faced man groveled in front of Sirius, and begged for his life. Remus watched and was unable to do anything to help. Sirius raised his wand and everything exploded…
Remus sat bolt upright in bed. His heart was racing and felt as if it were going to pound right through his ribs.
Blenkin rushed into the room and saw the terror on Remus’s face, but there was nothing in the room to warrant it. He also seemed to realize that Remus was fully conscious and finally aware of what was around him.
“Are you ok? You’ve been in a fever most of the day, but it seems to have finally broken.” Blenkin looked Remus in the eye, concern written across his face. “You seem to have gone through a lot in the past few days. Need to talk about it?”
Remus’s heart calmed down as he fluffed his pillow and leaned back against it. “I will be ok. I just need some time to wrap my mind around losing my closest and dearest friends. I should let my friend Albus know where I am. He’ll be worried about me.”
“Albus Dumbledore? He already knows you are here. A barn owl swung by a few hours ago with a message for you.” Blenkin pulled a letter from his pocket and handed it to Remus. “Albus is also an old friend of mine. I have no idea how he knew you were with me, but he tends to know things before others. I’ll let you read your letter and fix you some dinner.”
Remus watched as Blenkin left the room. Blenkin was correct in his observation. Albus always seemed to know things that others didn’t, even when they were things that were supposed to be a secret. There were many times the Marauders were surprised by Dumbledore showing up and giving them a small piece of advice about a prank or comment on something they did when they thought no one else was around.
He opened the letter and read.
Remus,
I hope that this letter finds you well. You took off when we were talking, and I was hoping you would end up with friends instead of somewhere undesirable. I was pleased when I realized Blenkinsop and Tilly Waterbut had found you. I’m sure you have already realized that they are more then they seem, and they can offer you advice and insight that no one else would be able to give you. The Green Dragon is a very special pub, and has helped many people when they were lost. There was even a time I found myself in need of their services. I hope you are able to find what you need and return soon. I have a few jobs for you when you feel able to return to the Order. Take your time and learn what you need to while you are there.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Remus read the letter a few times. He had no idea what Dumbledore meant when he referred to the Green Dragon as a special pub, but he had realized Tilly and Blenkin were more then they seemed. A sense of calm was the most striking thing he had recognized in his surroundings. There weren’t many pubs that would have allowed him to sleep so soundly, without any noise coming through the walls. It could have been from a silencing charm, but something told Remus it was always so peaceful here. He would have to go out to the main room in the morning to check things out. Albus seemed to think there was a reason for him being there, and Albus was very rarely wrong.
Tilly brought in a new tray that evening. Beef stew and warm crusty bread sat next to the steaming mug of tea and cool pitcher of water. Remus ate the delicious meal and settled down early. He wanted his strength back the next day, at least enough to go out into the common room for while.
Sleep that night was calm and full of happy dreams. Remus had a soft smile on his face, as good times with his friends and family floated through his mind.
