come up before the Wizengamot, and I must be in attendance.'
'What about Harry? He's been staying with Severus, taking care of him.'
'I'm afraid Harry must accompany me.'
Lupin frowned. 'To the Ministry? Do you think that's wise, Albus?'
'Wise or not, it is what must be done. His testimony is required in a matter involving Lucius Malfoy.'
Frown deepening, Lupin said, 'Does this have anything to do with what happened when he was kidnapped?'
'Not directly, no.' He folded his hands around his cup of tea and stared Lupin down. 'How much do you know about what happened in Diagon Alley ten days ago?'
'Not much. Severus asked if he could use my hair to Polyjuice as me, so no one would know he was with Harry. I know they ran into some trouble, but neither has told me how much.'
'They ran into Lucius Malfoy,' Albus told him. 'And Harry attempted to cast the Killing Curse.'
'No!'
'Yes. It was rather shocking to the witnesses of the attack, to be sure.' Albus smiled ruefully. 'Just as well the spell was not completed. Severus – in your body – Apparated them away.'
Lupin looked a little sick. Albus could understand his sentiment; he had been quite sure the boy didn't have it in him to kill anyone. In fact, he was counting on it. But now . . . now he'd just have to make sure Potter didn't have a chance like that again.
'I . . . I can't believe it.'
Almost sneering – though he caught himself in time – Albus said, 'I'm sure it's quite a shock. I don't think anyone realized the depths to which Harry is willing to sink for the cause.'
'He's been through so much,' Lupin whispered, hands covering his face.
'Yes, of course,' Albus murmured. 'Thus, I need you to keep an eye on Severus while I take Harry to the Ministry. I'm sure they'll try all sorts of things against him, so it's best if I am there to protect him.'
Lupin looked up at last, his eyes haunted. 'But, the moon—'
'Will be full tomorrow, yes. But we should have returned well before nightfall. Besides, like I said, Madam Pomfrey will be back tomorrow, and she can care for Severus then.' And if, for some reason, a werewolf was stuck in Snape's rooms with no means of egress, that was another problem dealt with.
'I . . . all right.' The werewolf sounded defeated. 'When will you leave?'
'Immediately. I asked Harry to stop by here at three. Perhaps you can Floo to Severus' quarters and send him up?'
Lupin dragged himself to his feet, obviously still reeling from the news Albus had given him about his Golden Boy. 'Yes, of course,' he murmured, and went to the Floo. Albus gave him the password and he left. Less than ten minutes later, Harry arrived, falling out of the Floo like an ungainly colt, all knees and elbows.
Taking another sip of his tea, Albus averted his gaze as Harry climbed to his feet. There was no knowing how good the boy was at Legilimency, or if he even had the skill at all, thus the measure was precautionary, as it would not do for Potter to realize he wasn't dealing with a fully cognizant Headmaster.
That would not do at all.
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