Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
Serena POV – January 21.
"Wow, this office looks brand new." I hummed as I entered the principal's office.
"And I hope it stays that way," Dumbledore said dryly. I laughed.
"As I said, I don't control what Bella can or can't do," I said playfully. Dumbledore just sighed.
"What brings you here, Miss Snape?" Dumbledore asked simply. "From what I understand, your exams were exceptional. You should be packing along with Miss Black." Dumbledore hummed.
"I didn't bring much. I knew I'd only be here for two weeks, and everything important is already packed," I said, shrugging. And just as he'd said, we'd both finished the professors' exams, which had already been sent to the Ministry. In a few days, we'd have the dates for our NEWT exams, which I didn't really care about that much either, but luckily I'd only have to go to the Ministry for a day or two instead of spending time at Hogwarts.
"I suppose that's all there is to it, isn't it? I really can't help that it's partly my fault." Dumbledore said with a sigh as he took off his glasses.
"Yes, it is," I said simply. Dumbledore looked at me with a tired expression. I smiled at him before shrugging. "There's no reason to lie to us, Dumbledore. I did it to get away from you," I said playfully. Dumbledore just sighed.
"So, your visit?" Dumbledore asked again.
"We still have things to work out," I said simply, and I pointed to Dumbledore's arm. "Your curse," I said simply. Dumbledore stopped before sighing and rolling up his sleeve.
"Truly, the curse is so well contained that I sometimes forget about it." Dumbledore sighed, and I nodded.
"That was the idea," I told Dumbledore. I walked around the desk and sat on top of the desk, not caring if I knocked or crushed the papers beneath me. I grabbed Dumbledore's arm and pulled out Cia in her wand form, a form I had asked her to keep for this meeting.
I could feel her purring in my hand. Then I moved her swiftly with precise movements, beginning to weave magic over the curse before grasping it and slowly pulling it from Dumbledore's arm. I could hear several grunts of pain from Dumbledore, but I only gripped his arm tighter to keep it in place.
After a few moments, I finally ripped the curse completely out. The dark magic was hanging from my wand like a small tumor that twitched and tried to break free. I just moved my wand, and the curse began to slowly dissipate before disappearing completely.
Finally, I looked at Dumbledore, who was pale and slightly sweaty. His arm was trembling slightly, but he just let out a sigh of relief as he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes almost peacefully.
"Although I appreciate your help in removing the curse, your treatment of patients, especially the elderly, leaves much to be desired." Dumbledore said, opening one eye and looking at me. I could see a glint in his eye. I snorted.
"My treatment of patients is spectacular, it's just that you don't receive it." I said dryly, and Dumbledore just laughed before sighing once more.
"I feel... much lighter. You really are extraordinary with a wand, Miss Snape, especially with curses," said Dumbledore with ease.
"Does that mean something?" I asked, squinting in his direction. Dumbledore shook his head.
"Not really, it's just that you're truly extraordinary. You can do so much good with a gift like that," Dumbledore said, raising his hand slightly. "Once again, thank you for saving this old man, who possibly didn't deserve to be saved by your hands," Dumbledore said. I snorted.
"We never get what we deserve." I said dryly as I left his desk. Dumbledore laughed.
"Yes... I suppose that's true." Dumbledore sighed before shaking his head. "You've already fulfilled two of the three things you promised. Do you have a plan for the third?" Dumbledore asked curiously. "Although you have... improved remarkably since the last time I saw you use a wand, I must admit I'm worried that you might recklessly confront Voldemort."
"Tom... is not someone to be taken lightly." Dumbledore sighed worriedly, and I wrinkled my nose.
"I do have some plans, yes," I said vaguely. "For starters, I know where he is. After all, his Horcruxes weren't just connected to each other, they were connected to him as well." I said honestly, and Dumbledore nodded.
"I expected as much," said Dumbledore easily.
"And he definitely must already know about his trinkets. Unlike the Diadem and the Ring, the other three weren't really hidden like those two. He kept them close by, but not on his person, and Voldemort is terribly paranoid, so he must be constantly checking them."
"At this moment, he must be furious, let's say, enraged, with the disappearance of his trinkets; he's going to be totally alert and very, very paranoid, and it will definitely be impossible to sneak up on him."
"But... waiting means allowing him to create more Horcruxes." I said easily. Dumbledore sighed and nodded.
"At the risk of sounding tiresome by repeating myself, I expected as much," said Dumbledore with a sigh. "As scheming and calculating as Tom can be, he is predictable on certain occasions. This is one of them. Wherever he is, he must keep the Repository close to him; it's the second thing he would never give up."
"And he's definitely going to increase his efforts to get what he wants from you, even more so now," said Dumbledore. I nodded with a hum.
"I know. And since I refuse to let anyone interrupt my wedding day, I'll have to deal with him before then." I said coldly. Dumbledore looked at me before sighing and nodding.
"I will not stop you, Miss Snape, we both know I have no right to do so, I only beg you to be careful," pleaded Dumbledore, and I snorted.
"You're right, it's too late for you to start worrying about me," I said coldly. Dumbledore grimaced. "But... I will. I'm not foolish enough to underestimate Voldemort. I won't waste my life, not when it's about to begin with Bella," I said with a small smile. Dumbledore looked at me before smiling gently.
"I'm glad you think so, Miss Snape." Dumbledore sighed more calmly, then took his wand and placed it on his desk facing me. "It's yours, as part of the deal." Dumbledore said easily, and my eyes widened.
"Oh... I really didn't expect you to give it to me," I said honestly. "Or at least, not before Voldemort was dead." I added. Dumbledore sighed as he looked at the wand, then looked at me.
"As I said, I really can't stop you, and I doubt you'll let me accompany you either, will you? " Dumbledore asked gently. I raised an eyebrow in his direction.
"And trust you with my back? No thanks." I said curtly. "I have some friends. I'm sure the spies who told you about Enid also told you they saw me with other people in the alley. They're bounty hunters. We became friends by chance. They'll be more than capable of watching my back and helping me out." I said simply.
And it was a lie; I really didn't want Dumbledore to come, so I wouldn't have to hold back. Voldemort, no matter how many tricks he has up his sleeve, shouldn't cause any problems if I used my full power, something I couldn't do if Dumbledore were with me.
"That's what I thought," Dumbledore sighed, almost regretfully. " So... believe it or not, I want you to be safe, and any advantage you can gain over him will be for the best." Dumbledore said, looking at the wand. "You can do whatever you want with it afterward. If you want to give it to your... little fairy, just do it." Dumbledore sighed wearily. I looked at the wand.
"Well... that's quite a surprise," I said, slightly impressed. "Not only are you relinquishing the wand of your own accord, but you're giving it to me," I said dryly. Dumbledore chuckled softly.
"I like to exceed people's expectations," Dumbledore said with a gleam in his eyes. I snorted.
"Or are you simply mad, giving the Elder Wand to an 18-year-old student to fight a dark wizard head-on? It almost seems as if you want Voldemort to get the wand." I said dryly. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
"If you were like any other student, we wouldn't be having this conversation," Dumbledore said, shrugging. I snorted.
"You know, I had planned to keep this a secret, and I really hate that you're right, but—and I can't believe I'm saying this—I think I have a way to cure Lupin's lycanthropy." I said dryly. Dumbledore stopped stiffly and stared at me, his eyes wide.
"I... excuse me, what?" Dumbledore asked, and I snorted.
"Curing a werewolf's lycanthropy isn't something that can be easily replicated, and in fact, I think only I could do it, and maybe you, so it's not something I can commercialize, not immediately. But do it for one person? I could do it... even now." I said dryly. Dumbledore continued to stare at me as if he didn't understand.
"You... can, and more importantly, DO YOU WANT to cure Remus Lupin? " Dumbledore asked in surprise. I snorted.
" Yes, yes, yes, I know, it's surprising. Serena can't do anything nice for Potter's merry band, and believe me, normally I wouldn't, but let's say... someone asked me to, or rather, to think about it, so that and for the wand, let's say... a thank you." I said dryly. "And then, I'll never see them again in my life," I added dryly. Dumbledore gave me a hard look before bursting into laughter.
"You are truly full of surprise, Miss Snape," said Dumbledore cheerfully. I growled loudly.
"Don't push it, Dumbledore. I need to find someone to help me. You find Lupin and his gang; I don't think they'll want to leave him alone. I'll see you in the medical ward. It'll be the best place for the treatment." I growled sharply. Dumbledore nodded firmly before standing almost immediately. He glanced at the Elder Wand and took hold of it before looking at me as if he'd been waiting. I blinked before gently moving my wand and disarming Dumbledore.
To my surprise, Dumbledore didn't even flinch when the disarming charm snatched his wand away and flew towards me.
I felt an immediate connection with the Elder Wand. In contrast, Dumbledore flinched at losing the connection. To my surprise, he just smiled placidly before opening his drawer and taking out another wand. Dumbledore looked at it wistfully as he gently held it between his fingers, sighed one last time before tucking it back into his sleeve, then nodded in my direction and started to leave his office.
I sighed wearily as I looked at the Elder Wand in my hand. I could sense Cia's desire to use it, but it wasn't the time. I gently comforted Cia as I put the Elder Wand back in my inventory.
Finally, I opened a portal and sent a mental message; I hadn't even finished when Enid came out of the portal with a shriek.
"Can we explore?" Enid squealed excitedly and immediately began looking around, completely fascinated. Her gaze fell on Fawkes. Enid practically squealed and approached him and began to gently stroke him. The phoenix began to sing happily, and I smiled gently.
"We'll see," I said playfully. "First, we have to cure Lupin." I grunted playfully, and Enid laughed slightly before hugging me tightly.
"Thank you for doing that," Enid said softly. I sighed before offering my arm.
"Let's just... go." I said to Enid. She nodded as she waved to the phoenix and then wrapped her arm around mine. We both started down the principal's stairs. We were... quite far from the infirmary, so we both had to walk a lot, and I'd slowed down so Enid could look around.
After almost twenty minutes of walking, we finally arrived at the infirmary. I could see Dumbledore along with McGonagall, Madam Pomfrey, the Marauders, and once again, Lily. I barely reacted as I looked at them, especially when they all turned to look at me. Enid squealed.
"It's Dumbledore!" Enid squealed excitedly as she began to shake me from side to side, loud enough for everyone to hear her. I snorted with a grimace.
"He's not that important." I grumbled reluctantly; Enid's excitement didn't lessen.
"I know you don't like him, but he's still Albus Dumbledore!" Enid insisted with a bright smile. I could hear Dumbledore's smile as his eyes sparkled with amusement. I grunted in annoyance and let Enid drag me along. "Howdy! I'm Enid Sinclair!" Enid greeted, bouncing with excitement and extending her hand.
"Albus Dumbledore, it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Sinclair," replied Dumbledore amiably as he took Enid's hand, which she shook vigorously. Enid laughed happily before returning to my side.
"So everything is ready?" Dumbledore asked in our direction.
"We can start anytime," I said easily.
"Albus, could you explain why we're here with Miss Snape?" McGonagall asked tensely, looking at me almost suspiciously. I rolled my eyes. Dumbledore chuckled softly.
"We are about to witness something momentous, Minerva," said Dumbledore, his eyes gleaming. "Miss Snape has found a cure for lycanthropy," he announced with a smile. That completely froze everyone.
"W-what?" Lupin asked awkwardly as he began to tremble and looked at me with huge, glassy eyes.
"Possible cure." I corrected Dumbledore and glared at him; Dumbledore laughed amusedly.
"You've never been modest, Miss Snape. We wouldn't be here if you weren't absolutely certain it would work." Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. I clicked my tongue; it really annoyed me when he was right.
"I don't believe it." Black interrupted, and I rolled my eyes. "Even if Sni -Snape had a cure, Remus would be the last person she'd give it to." Black snarled, glaring at me.
"She practically blackmailed us for the Wolfsbane; it's impossible that she'd agree to cure Remus for free." Potter agreed.
"Dumbledore already paid me for this," I said easily before giving the pair a bored look. "And what you think, it doesn't really matter. I'm here to cure Lupin, nothing more and nothing less," I said curtly.
"I-like-" Lupin tried to stammer awkwardly as he looked at me, almost hopefully.
"Perhaps it would be better if you explained what the cure would be like?" said Dumbledore gently as he intervened; I snorted.
"As she already introduced herself, this is Enid Sinclair," I said, pointing to Enid. She raised her hand happily. "She's part of a Native American tribe called the Quileute. I came across them while researching werewolves and contacted her several months ago."
"It turns out she and her tribe aren't werewolves, they're shapeshifters." I said easily and looked at Enid. Enid smiled before leaping up and transforming into a huge wolf in a split second. I could see McGonagall draw her wand almost immediately as the others squealed in surprise.
Enid only straightened up to her full height before she began to circle me almost lazily while rubbing her head against my body. I gently ran my hands through her fur.
"As you can see, Enid can transform into a wolf completely and naturally. It's something the Quileute tribe members are capable of; there's a whole tradition and many stories about it, but essentially, they live in harmony with their wolves and can transform at will." I said gently as I continued to pet Enid. "What I have planned isn't so much a cure."
"However, thanks to Enid, Remus's curse should be changed to more closely resemble Enid's, so he should be able to transform at will, and his wolf wouldn't be able to control him." I explained easily. And with a tap on Enid, she nodded and quickly reverted to her human form. Luckily, her clothes were enchanted to stay with her even if she transformed.
"Fascinating, is it a different curse than that of werewolves?" asked Dumbledore, his eyes shining with curiosity.
"It's not a curse, it's a blessing. We are descendants of spirit warriors," Enid said quickly, frowning. I could see McGonagall and most of the Marauders looking at her strangely. I almost wanted to snort; that was the normal expression when a wizard or witch encountered a native group, like shamans or the like. Dumbledore just nodded.
"My apologies, I didn't mean to offend you," said Dumbledore regretfully. Enid simply nodded and raised her hand as her claws grew longer and moved them slightly before retracting them. Dumbledore stared at her, fascinated.
"And Sera says they're similar?" Enid said, tilting her head and looking at me.
"Their origins are different, but there are many similarities, as well as a great many differences. Enid's magic is almost symbiotic and natural, while Lupin's is more... parasitic, more aggressive and insidious. The idea is to manipulate it enough to change it into something much more similar to Enid's magic," I said easily. "So, what do you think?" I asked Lupin directly.
"Oh, please, as if I believed that, she's just an Animagus." Black grunted incredulously. I rolled my eyes once again. I really had been doing that a lot lately, but I suppose it was to be expected if I was constantly talking to Dumbledore and the Marauders.
"Think what you want, Black." I said dryly.
"What would the treatment consist of?" Madam Pomfrey asked cautiously, but also curiously.
"He has to take a potion, something more potent with Wolfbane, enough to weaken the curse so that it doesn't react in any way while being manipulated, enough to leave him inert for several hours," I said honestly.
"Wait, wouldn't that be a solution? I mean, he'd have to take it on the full moon, but would it prevent him from transforming? " McGonagall asked, frowning. I hummed softly.
"Actually, yes, it would work," I said honestly. "But Lupin would die within hours," I said, shrugging. I could hear several gasps. "Wolfbane is already a controlled poison, which, while designed to attack the wolf, also weakens Lupin. Giving him something stronger and more concentrated would practically be a deadly poison."
"If someone doesn't constantly monitor it and expel the potion before it's too late, there will come a point where the poison also attacks their body and kills them," I said easily.
"And you want Remus to drink something like that?!" Potter asked incredulously before growling protectively.
"I know you're not very bright, Potter, but I'm not stupid enough to kill someone I dislike in front of Dumbledore. That's actually Black's job," I said dryly. Potter and Black grunted.
"I will." Remus interrupted immediately, his eyes shining.
"Remus, no-"
"Perfect." I interrupted Black with a wide smile and pulled a potion from my pocket. "You just have to drink this." I shook the potion lightly.
Was all this necessary? Not really. Enid could cure him almost instantly by pretending the curse never existed in the first place. I could come up with more than a dozen excuses to keep it just the two of us while we healed Lupin and then continue on our way.
But the real reason is that I may have hated Lupin and his group, but I would never pass up the opportunity to experiment with magic. Having an individual as willing as Lupin was rare, and I would take advantage of it.
After all, it wasn't every day I had the chance to manipulate a curse like a werewolf's; it should be interesting what I could learn about manipulating the curse, and I couldn't wait to do so.
I smiled broadly at the anticipation. I really wasn't that far from GLaDOS at this point, and I couldn't care less.