The Last Goodbye

Following the stunned silence, Dumbledore quickly took control of the situation, bustling the teachers off to the staff common room and sending the students back to their dorms with the Prefects.

“How could this happen?” Mrs McGonagal demanded, her question aimed at the Headmaster as he entered the room and quietly shut the door. “How can anyone send a curse through a howler and so easily? What’s happened to the defenses?”

“More to the point, who would do such a thing?” added Professor Flitwick. “Only a master of the Dark Arts could even attempt to cast a curse by remote.”

“It was definitely someone highly skilled in all manner of magic, not just curses,” Madam Sprout agreed.

Mika just listened to them, looking from one to the other as they spoke. Then her eyes fell on Remus. His face was ashen, paler than she’d ever seen it and when their eyes met, she could see tears welling.

“Well, I still don’t think it could have come from outside the castle grounds, do you?” Minerva said, still looking at Albus.

“You mean it came from someone inside?” Flitwick’s eyes instinctively gravitated to the corner where Snape was standing, staring into the fire. The others’ followed.

The ensuing silence weighed down on Snape, causing him to realise they were all staring at him. “I knew it would come to this!” he snarled, whirling around to face them, his face red with the heat and anger. “How dare you, any of you, even think I had anything to do with this? I would never hurt… anyone,” he changed his words quickly, for he was about to say ‘Mika’. There were some in the room who knew better.

“Please, everyone, blaming Severus won’t solve anything,” Mika silenced them as they started to get into a shouting match. “I’m sorry, but I don’t understand. Just what has happened here? Remus, please, what does it all mean?” she turned to him and reached out to take his hands, but he backed away, the look in his eyes one of pain and terror.

“I’m afraid, Mika, that it means Remus’ werewolf form has been commanded, with the use of a very powerful, ancient curse, to seek out and kill one specific person, you, until one of you is dead,” Dumbledore explained gravely.

“It means that when the moon is full, I shall kill you. It means there is no way we can marry now.” Remus tried to sound strong, but there was a telltale tremor in his voice.

“No, no! Surely we can work something out?” Mika began to panic as she realised the significance of what had happened. “I can stay in the TARDIS during the full moon, I can…”

Remus interrupted her. “No, Mika. I can’t take that chance. I cannot control what I do in that form, and there is no way to stop either me changing, or the curse. It just isn’t meant to be.” He sighed, resigned to his fate. “I knew something like this would happen. My whole life has been nothing but one big curse.”

“Nonsense, Remus,” Minerva interjected. “That’s defeatism.”

“That’s just the truth,” he countered. He finally took Mika’s hands and pulled her closer, looking down into her tear filled eyes. “Aside from these last few months with you, nothing good has ever happened to me. And I doubt it ever will again.”

“No, you’re wrong,” Mika insisted, her voice cracking with emotion. “You will be happy one day. I promise you that. I… I have seen it.”

Remus looked at her questioningly. “Only it’s not with me.” Mika let out a long, heavy sigh. “I fear it’s not you that is never meant to be happy… that’s my lot in life. I should have known better.” With this Mika could not hold her tears back any longer and she buried her face in Lupin’s chest.

Dumbledore, silent during this whole time, nodded towards the others that they should leave Mika and Lupin to say their goodbyes for the moon would be full in a few days and he would need to get as far away as possible to avoid harming the time lord.

When they were alone, Remus pulled Mika’s face up to his and kissed her gently. He was devastated that so much happiness could be gone so quickly. Not gone… stolen. Deep down inside, though, it did not surprise him in the least. But he had to be strong, for Mika’s sake.

“I guess this is goodbye then, is it?” Mika whispered through her tears.

Lupin sighed and nodded, unable to say anything for a moment.

“Are you sure we can’t do something…” Mika began to plead once more, but Lupin stayed her with a gentle finger to her lips.

“No. There is nothing we can do. I don’t think even your time lords could work their magic on this one. We have to accept our fate this time, Mika. I’ll go tonight and make sure I’m safely locked up somewhere when the moon is full.”

A mental image of her beloved Remus chained up in a dark room somewhere pushed her emotions over the edge. “It’s all because of me,” she sobbed. “I should never have come here.”

“Oh, Mika, don’t!” he took her in his arms and tried to comfort her. He was having trouble holding back his own tears. “It’s not your fault I became a werewolf. And it’s not your fault the curse was cast. And Mika,” he buried his face in her soft hair, breathing in her delicate floral scent one last time, “I wouldn’t trade these last few months with you for anything. You have brought me the only happiness I have ever known and for that I am eternally grateful. They may keep us apart, but they can never take away the memories or the love I have for you. Remember that, and weep not for me.”

They stood together in that room for what seemed like an eternity, wishing that it was. But eventually, the time came when they had to part… for good.

“I shall always love you, Remus. I shall carry you with me in my hearts until the end of time itself. Remember that,” she whispered finally as she forced herself to let go of him. “Shall I ever see you again?”

Remus took a deep breath and shoved his hands in his pockets to keep himself from reaching for her again. “I will do what I can for the Order, so perhaps we will run into each other from time to time.” Their words began to sound like two casual acquaintances chatting about the weather, but it was only because both were trying to be strong for the other.

“Well, then, I guess… I guess this is goodbye,” Mika said finally, steeling herself for that final release.

“Yes. I guess I’d better get going.”

“Take care of yourself, promise?”

“And you.”

Mika gave him one last look then turned and headed for the door, willing herself not to look back.

“I love you, Mika, and I always will,” he whispered to himself. If she heard it she did not give any indication, but opened the door and quietly slipped through.

For a long time Remus Lupin stared at the closed door, the only sound in the room the fire crackling softly in the grate. Then, finally letting himself feel the full brunt of his emotions, he collapsed into a nearby chair and, burying his head in his hands, wept the most painful tears he’d ever known.

Unwelcome Message

The great hall was buzzing with excitement as students and teachers alike were glad for the end of another challenging year at Hogwarts. Added to this was the presence of a few visitors and the anticipation of tomorrow’s wedding between the two most popular ‘teachers’ in the school: Remus Lupin and Mika the time traveller. The aforementioned entered quietly from the back, along with the time lord Runcible, so as to avoid too many delays in the serving of the banquet.

Once everyone had had their fill of a very resplendent feast, Professor Dumbledore rose and addressed a quickly quietening crowd.

“Just a few end of year announcements to make before you all set off to enjoy yet another glorious summer holiday devoid of homework and exams…” he began. The students all cheered at the thought of no schoolwork for the next two months.

The Headmaster held up his hands to hush the room once more. “This year’s winner of the House Cup, is… Gryffindor!”

A huge cheer went up from the Gryffindor tables, accompanied by a cacophony of moans and ‘not again!’s from the other houses. It took Dumbledore quite some time to calm them down again and finish the rest of his announcements. He began to end the evening with a toast to Mika and Remus for their upcoming wedding when a large, unknown screech owl came crashing through a window and swooping into the great hall, dropping an envelope onto his hands. The bird then left the same way, crashing through another window as if oblivious of the glass.

“That wasn’t Errol was it?” Dumbledore quipped as Ron blushed and tried to hide.

“Probably a note of well wishing from someone who couldn’t make it,” Harry whispered his friends as they watched the proceedings from the Cup Champion Gryffindor tables.

But Hermione suddenly had a feeling of dread. Something just did not seem right. Mika seemed to share her feeling as the time lady suddenly rose and reached for the envelope. But she did not make it in time, partly because Remus tried to pull her back and partly because Dumbledore had already opened it.

As soon as the wizard broke the seal, the envelope came to life and opened up, unfolding into an impossibly large and frightening shape. Gasps and screams could be heard amongst those who recognised the green pulsating Dark Mark that appeared and floated over to where Mika and Lupin were seated.

“What is that thing?” Harry whispered, now sharing the same feeling of dread.

“It’s the Dark Mark of the Death Eaters,” Hermione hissed. “It can’t be anything good.”

“But how did it manage to get past Hogwart’s defenses?” Ginny wondered.

Hermione watched intently, her heart pounding. “Good question.”

The luminescent green, grinning skull, a snake wriggling from its mouth, hung over Mika and Lupin like a cloud of acrid smoke. Dumbledore was about to issue orders when it began to speak. A hush fell over the room. The voice was loud and deep; rough and gravelly. It was more of a growl than a proper voice, but the ancient words were very clear.

Werwulf pay yer master heed

And carry out this morbid deed

With deadly fang and claw extended

Curs’ed be the one intended

For when the lunar light is pure

Safe ye shall be never more

And ne’er can ye rest yer head

‘Til one or t’other of ye’s dead.

Then the apparition laughed a deep, low evil laugh and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. The room fell silent, even Dumbledore was speechless.

“What does it mean?” Mika finally broke the silence. Frightened murmurs and soft, fearful weeping soon followed from the far corners of the room.

“It means, I am cursed to seek you out and kill you, until one of us is dead,” said Lupin, his voice weak and hollow.

A Familiar Face

It was Friday, the day before the wedding was scheduled to be held, and also the last day of the term at Hogwarts. All the classes were through, all the papers marked, and all the exams either passed or failed. All that was left was the big end of year banquet that night. The following day, all the students not attending the wedding would be heading home, and those that were would follow after.

It was late afternoon, nearly time for the banquet, and Mika was feeling more than a little nervous, but she wasn’t’ sure why. She had tried on the dress, partly to make sure it fit properly, and partly to try and improve her mood, shaking that feeling of foreboding that she had had ever since the vision she’d had in the shop. It seemed to do the trick. She was actually feeling excited and cheerful again when there was a knock at her door.

“Just a minute!” she cried out, rushing around to take the dress off, quickly but carefully for she did not want to ruin Dawdley and Piddley’s excellent work. “It’s bad luck to see the dress before the wedding.”

“Only for the groom,” came a familiar voice through the slowly opening door. The voice was soon followed by an ancient, wrinkled grin.

“Runcible!” Mika exclaimed, throwing herself into her old mentor’s arms.

“How wonderful you could make it! But how did you…” she began to ask.

The old time lord grinned from ear to ear like a little boy who had managed to sneak out of the house without his parents knowing. “I have my ways,” he said cryptically. “Anyway, how could I miss it? I can’t give you away long distance, you know.”

“Yes, well, you know the sort of luck I usually have,” she sighed. “I suppose you heard about the vision I had too?”

“Well, yes, then you were always somewhat gifted in that area. But I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. You looked lovely by the way. What a beautiful dress.” He was trying to take her mind off her worries, and she knew it.

Shaking her head, Mika gave him another quick hug then rushed behind the screen to finish changing out of the dress. She emerged a minute later still looking lovely in simple black dress and elegant heels. She tugged on her lavender teaching robes just as the door received another knock.

“Now what?” she murmured as she answered it.

“Is this a private party or can anyone come?” said another familiar voice.

In spite of her fears, Mika could not help but smile as she let Remus Lupin into her room. He gave her a quick kiss and then Mika introduced him to her guest.

“Runcie, I’d like you to meet my fiancé, Remus Lupin. Remus, this is Cardinal Runcible of the Supreme Council of Timelords on Gallifrey.”

The two men greeted each other, Runcible examining her intended closely. “I must say,” the old time lord said finally, “Mika’s always had the best taste in fellas.”

Lupin blushed as he offered Mika his arm. “Well, I don’t know about that. Anyway, I’ve come to escort you to dinner.”

Mika grinned and took his arm; Runcible came up and took her other one. She gave them both a kiss on the cheek and let them escort her to the great hall.

Words Unspoken

The rest of the week flowed uneventfully; well, as uneventfully as any end of school year exam week with a big wedding at the end of it could. As much as Mika enjoyed being in the school and around the children, she was very glad that her time at being Lupin’s teaching proxy was at an end. Having informal discussions about her own life was one thing; teaching a structured class on a strange subject was another, no matter how well she had been prepared for the lessons. She felt more like one of the students herself!

And even with all this going on to distract her, Mika could not shake the feeling of impending doom that her vision had given her. For hours she stood in front of her full length mirror, hoping to catch another glimpse of what she had seen in the dress shop. She thought perhaps that it would give her a better idea of what exactly she had seen. But nothing happened.

On Thursday, the dress was delivered by one of the Hogwarts house elves. With all that was on her mind, Mika had nearly forgotten about it. She opened the parcel and hung the dress on a corner of the mirror, contemplating on trying it on again when there was a soft knock at the door. Expecting probably Hermione or Ginny, she was surprised to see that it was Severus standing darkly in her doorway.

“Yes?” she said coolly.

“May I come in?” he answered. Reluctantly she stepped aside and let him enter, closing the door quietly behind him.

“Come to try and talk me out of it?” the time lord quipped.

Snape’s response was a look of mixed puzzlement and pain. “What? Why should I want to do that?” he retorted, but before the words were completely out of his mouth, he looked away, his face turning red as Mika’s gaze met his and pierced right through his façade. She knew as well as everyone else did that he did not approve of the idea of her marrying anyone, but particularly Remus Lupin. He had made it very clear that he thought she was making a mistake. Of course he told this to Dumbledore in complete confidence, but Peeves the Poltergeist made sure that everyone in the school knew all about it.

The two of them stood there in silence for some moments, Snape trying to dredge up the courage to say what he really wanted to, and Mika trying to figure out exactly what he wanted. She folded her arms and waited for him to break the silence first.

“Mika,” Snape began, still unsure of his words, “I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I do not wish you ill.” His features softened as he turned and looked into her deep violet eyes sparkling angrily in the flickering candlelight. “You know me better than that, I would hope.”

Slowly her hard gaze softened and she drew a deep breath and relaxed a little. She had been prepared for a fight, and was relieved that Snape was being reasonable. But knowing him and the mood she was in, a row was still not out of the question. She motioned for him to take a seat as she perched up on the arm of a chair near the fire.

Snape shook his head, refusing to sit down. Obviously he was either too nervous to sit down and have a quiet conversation, or wanted to be ready for a quick getaway. Mika figured it was probably a bit of both.

“Of course I want you to be happy. I… I would like to think that we’re friends and that’s what friends do, right? They stand by each other in good times and bad.”

“Even when one thinks the other is making a mistake, yes,” she agreed curtly.

“Yes, well, I’m sorry about that. But that’s not why I’m here.”

She cast him a questioning look.

“I, I just wanted to thank you for all your help… with the headaches and all. You know, the shielding from your ship thing…” he wasn’t sure if he was making any sense.

“Oh, yes, well, you’re welcome, of course,” she said, a little off guard.

“I mean, once you’re married,” it seemed as if the words were hurting him to speak them, “you won’t be living here any more, will you? I won’t have access to the forcefield any more, but that’s okay. I am grateful for the respite. The rest has made it easier for me to concentrate and keep my thoughts hidden from… well, you know from who.”

“Whom,” she corrected automatically. Then Mika sighed and looked long and silently at Snape who stood fidgeting nervously with the sleeve of his robes. It seemed to the time lady that there were a lot of unmentionable things floating around them, but neither of them would dare to bring them to roost.

“I shall see what I can do about a portable shielding,” Mika said at last, desperate to break the awkward silence.

“Um, that is very kind of you, thank you.” It was strange to hear Snape being so polite and nice. Mika decided she did not like it. It just wasn’t him. “I guess I’d best be going then. Sorry to disturb you.”

He turned to go. Mika followed him to the door. Snape opened it and stepped through, then paused, his back still to Mika. “I wish you both all the best,” he forced himself to say. Mika remained silent, but waiting, sensing that there was something more. But Snape merely looked down at the ground then, after curt ‘good night’, sped off down the corridor, disappearing into the darkness.

Mika watched him go from her doorway. The silence became deafening. She could hear the blood rushing past her ears and her hearts fell as suddenly she realised that she wasn’t so sure of what she wanted to do anymore. Her eyes fell on the dress by the mirror. Suddenly Mika wasn’t sure of anything.

Rising Doubts

All the way back to Hogwarts, Mika remained silent. She and Minerva had left the shop of Dawdley and Piddley, the dress promising to be delivered by the end of the week.

“Mika,” Minerva tried to reason with her old friend. “I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation. Perhaps your vision is wrong? Or it wasn’t Lupin at the bottom of the tower at all. Maybe it was a vision of things to come years from now, not this week?”

The timelord had to agree that perhaps her friend was right. But this did not make her feel any better. “I’ve had these sort of visions before, Min, and I’ve gotten pretty good at interpreting them. I know what I saw and it wasn’t good. I’m frightened.” She fell silent as they sat in the professor’s office, idly stirring a cup of tea. “And I’m beginning to have doubts,” she finally muttered.

In fact, she had begun to have doubts about agreeing to marry Lupin almost at the very beginning. Of course she loved him, and knew he loved her. But something just did not feel right. Perhaps she was misinterpreting her own feelings. She’d done such things before. She tried to be brave and strong for him, but living with a werewolf that she could not defend herself against scared and worried her. Perhaps she was not right for him after all.

She told all this to Hermione later that evening, as she explained about the dress and the vision.

“I’m sure it’s just pre-wedding jitters,” Hermione tried to reassure her alien friend. “Everyone gets them.”

“Yes, but not everyone sees visions of skulls and betrayal and people dying horribly as they try on their dress,” she retorted.

“You know what I think? I think you should be saying all this to Professor Lupin. He has a right to know how you feel.”

Mika looked almost as horrified as she had when she saw the vision. “Oh no, I couldn’t possibly do that! It would kill him to think I was afraid of him. No, out of the question. I’d rather be ripped apart than see his face if I said such a thing…”

“Well, the wedding’s not for a few days yet. Just put aside your fears and see how things unfold. You can’t know everything that’s going to happen all the time.”

“Wise words from such a small girl,” Mika smiled softly and gave her friend a hug. “You’re probably right. It’s probably nothing.”

***