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"So, you're getting closer?" Blake said as they sat down at the Log, as Greengrass liked to call it.
"Yes," Greengrass responded. "The Elixir of Life and the Basilisk venom were crucial additions - before that, it was a temporary symptom alleviator at best. Right now, if Astoria took it, it wouldn't work, but she'd be fine for a longer time."
"But the Elixir of Life wouldn't cure it, right? So it's just a failsafe?"
"Exactly," Greengrass confirmed. "It would just ensure Astoria doesn't die, but it doesn't help the symptoms. Astoria would live, but…"
"It wouldn't be a life worth living," Blake finished. "I get it. So, there's more ingredients you need?"
"Just one more," Greengrass said, eyes shining with excitement. Blake managed to stop himself from blushing. "After that, there'll definitely be a lot of time needed for trial and error in dosage, and potentially other side ingredients, but my parents can definitely help with that. Mother's a Potions Master, and Father's can supply the ingredients, and both of them have extensive magical knowledge. It'll be some years, but hopefully…"
"And you're hoping the iterations before the final thing will prolong her life too, right?"
"Exactly," she nodded. "We have some remedies that have been passed down in the family - most of them are painkillers and fight symptoms, but not the curse itself. One, however, fights the disease. The only issue is that with every use, it becomes less and less effective," she said quietly, averting her eyes. Damn. She's really different when it comes to talking about this topic, isn't she?
"How often does she take it?"
"Every time she goes into a 'state' - that's what my ancestors called what happened to her today. It's like a coma - a horrid, painful coma. The last person that had the curse said that the only pain they knew that was worse than it was the Cruciatus Curse."
Blake cast his mind back to first year, when Quirrell had used the most savage of the Unforgivables on him. He still remembered the pain like it was yesterday, and had nightmares about it to this day.
"How many has she had?"
"This is her 15th so far."
"And how many…"
"The average number of states before death has been recorded as 22," Greengrass said, her voice barely a whisper. "But the highest is 25. They get more and more frequent with age too."
Blake was silent for a long time before responding.
"That's great then!" he said, grinning as he stood. Greengrass looked up at him, utterly shocked. "That means you've got at least 10 more times, right? We've got plenty of time!"
The girl didn't stop staring at him.
"That… that logic makes no-"
"I don't care."
"But-"
"I didn't ask."
Greengrass continued to stare at him, before turning away abruptly. Blake grinned.
"You're smiling."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are!"
"Shut up, Renshaw!"
/
"Professor Snape knows your secret, Professor," Blake said in a matter of fact tone. Lupin sighed. So he knows?
"And he thinks you're helping Sirius Black too," Greengrass added.
"Probably because you were best friends back in the day, right?" Blake finished.
Lupin laughed shallowly.
"You two certainly are thorough, aren't you?" he said. "But, despite your concern, I've got that all under control. I doubt the Headmaster would let Severus do anything drastic."
"I see," Greengrass said lightly. "In that case, do you have any ideas of where Black's hiding? Out of everyone alive right now, you probably know him best, don't you?"
That comment seemed to have not landed well with Lupin.
"Unfortunately not, Ms Greengrass," he said coldly. "I thought I knew him well, but I was clearly mistaken."
Awkward.
"I meant no disrespect, Professor. He's probably not in Hogsmeade, given the massive Dementor presence. There's no chance he's in the castle either - it's either the Forest, or the Shrieking Shack."
Lupin considered that information for a moment.
"If he's in the Forest, he'll be immensely hard to find. I doubt he's in the Shrieking Shack either - it's too close to the Whomping Willow."
"I agree," Greengrass nodded.
"Wait, Professor," Blake interjected. "Is there anything we need to know about Sirius Black at all?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I know James Potter had that invisibility cloak-"
"-What?" Lupin looked outraged. "How do you know about that?"
"Harry's got it," Blake replied simply. "Anyway, did Black have anything like that? Any way to sneak around?"
Lupin looked hesitant for a moment.
"Professor, just to remind you, your vow said that you would help us as much as you could. If there's something you know…" Greengrass said.
Lupin looked up, his voice strained.
"Siri- Black is an Animagus."
"What?" It was Blake's turn to be outraged. "And that's not public knowledge? He could be sneaking around here right now!"
"Dumbledore's aware," Lupin said, as if that made it alright, although he sounded unconvinced himself.
"So what?" Blake almost snapped. Instead, he took in a deep breath and calmed himself down.
"What form does he take?"
"A large, black dog," Lupin said.
"He's not on the Ministry records, I take it," Blake said. "And I'm guessing you know about it because of your friendship?"
Lupin bowed his head guiltily.
"It's because of me that they became Animagi in the first place."
Blake and Greengrass looked confused for a moment, before understanding what he meant.
"I see - to keep up with when you transform, right? Wait - so James Potter and Peter Pettigrew were too?"
Lupin nodded.
"What forms did they take?" Blake asked curiously. Lupin shot a barely restrained glare at him. "I fail to see how that's important, Mr Renshaw."
Is that too personal?
"You're right, Professor, my bad," Blake said with a bashful grin, trying to go on damage control. "I was just curious."
Lupin's glare softened, and he sighed loudly, making the boy feel guilty all over again.
"James was a stag. And Peter was a rat."
"That's pretty cool," Blake said, now not knowing what else to say.
"So, we're searching the Forest then?" Greengrass prompted.
"Our best shots during the day," Blake said with a nod. "Black probably makes his moves during the night, and there's no point wasting our time on him then. Professor, if we get caught, the story should be that me and Greengrass were sneaking out, and you followed us to try and bring us back. Is that alright with you?"
"You're prepared to get into quite serious trouble for this?" Lupin asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Sirius Black is trying to kill my friend and bring back Lord Voldemort, who will undoubtedly try to kill and probably torture me and my little brother. A detention would be nothing," Blake responded.
"And you, Ms Greengrass?"
"There's something I want that Sirius Black probably has," she responded simply.
"I see," Lupin smiled sadly. "A cure for your sister, then?"
Greengrass's face tightened sharply, and Lupin shook his head.
"You two truly are as Slytherin as they come, aren't you? But I'm glad that you aren't…"
"Completely selfish and evil?" Blake grinned.
"Something like that," Lupin half smiled back.
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