"The Marauders' Map," Harry said, nodding. "Somebody knows how to make sure they don't show up on it. We thought you might know how to manage a trick like that?"
Remus furrowed his brow, the expression looking very odd on Lucius' features. "We experimented with a few spells and charms, but we couldn't get any of them to work properly. Some of them caused an awful skin rash, actually."
"Madame Pomfrey would have the records?"
"No, we treated ourselves," Remus admitted, a small smile curling his lips at what was obviously a fond memory. "We gave up all attempt to fool the map after a while. It got old breaking out in pustules."
Harry couldn't help but make a face at the sound of that.
"Oh, a quick charm would do away with them, for the most part," Remus assured him. "In the end we concluded that the map could not be fooled. We never even came close."
"So, will you be leaving the country after all, Severus?" Albus challenged with a bit of a haughty look. "As Remus has been unable to help you?"
"The salient point was your unwillingness to help us," Snape retorted. "Lupin. I'd like you to write down everything you can remember about the magic that went into making the map work in the first place. Everything. Conversation is well and good but I'd like a written record, and I'd like you to sign it."
Harry wondered if his father was set on having one for legal reasons. What if Remus were to get killed during his mission in France? To help Draco, they might need to be able to prove things about the map...
Remus nodded, then immediately went on, "Though I must tell you from the outset that the true credit must go to James and Sirius. It only stands to reason. They had such talent with magic that they taught themselves to become Animagi."
"As did Pettigrew," Snape spat. "How much would he know about the creation of the map?"
Remus thought that over carefully before he answered. "Oh, very little, I should imagine. He was always hanging about, but he hardly participated at all in the casting of the magic. It would be like learning to brew from books, without any practical experience, Severus. Besides, James and Sirius were very synergistic in their approach to magic. I would get lost watching them at times and I was paying closer attention than Peter."
"But you will write out what you know?" Snape rapped out, so insistent on it that Harry was suddenly sure of one thing: his father was aware that Remus' assignment was highly dangerous.
"Yes, of course," Remus said, staring at each wizard in turn. "So what's all this about?"
"Ah, I'm afraid that information is on a need-to-know basis, my boy," Albus soothed, standing up and walking to the Floo, where he beckoned to Remus to join him. "And you most definitely do not need to know. I need you back in France continuing your work, which is dangerous, little though Severus seems to realise as much. You mustn't fret about the goings on at Hogwarts; we have them well in hand."
"Harry's not in any trouble, though?"
"Harry's not the one we're concerned about, not this time. Now, you just go back and gather your things and move on to the next safe house set up for you. You know the one I mean? Good. And write your recollections of the map straight away; you know how to get them to me, that's my boy--"
"Why do I have the feeling I'm being shooed away? I could stay here to write--"
"Oh, no, no, certainly not," Albus insisted. "We have several other things to do in connection with solving the issue that brought you here. And time is of the essence. So, if you could simply say your good-byes to Harry and be off?"
Remus held out his arms and smiled.
Harry couldn't move into them, though, he just couldn't. "I... Sorry," he said, shaking his head. "I know who you are, but looking the way you do just now... no. I hope I see you again, Remus. If my last memory of you is wearing his body... ugh."
"I understand, Harry," Remus softly answered. "Severus, take good care of him."
Snape lifted his chin. "I do, Lupin."
"Yes, I can see that you do." Sighing, Remus stepped into the Floo and took a pinch of powder. "Good-bye, then."
And then he was shouting out his address in NÓmes, shouting it in French.
Harry turned to his father. "But... the dream... if Remus knows French why wouldn't he be speaking it as he goes about his assignment?"
"He doesn't know enough French to pull that off," Snape scorned. "Certainly not the old French Malfoy loves to show off. Lupin wouldn't seem fluent, which would put a quick end to any impersonation. It seems his acting training didn't include a proper course of languages!"
"Actually," Dumbledore put in, "it did. But there are times when he wants to make it appear as though Lucius is attempting to cover his tracks."
"Misdirection," Harry breathed.
Snape shot him a glare. "From a Gryffindor? Please."
"Such venom," Albus commented, his own tone mild. "I'd think you'd be delighted to know that contrary to your every complaint over the past... oh, I've lost count of the years, now isn't that a testament to how old I'm getting... at any rate, I'd think you'd be quite pleased to realise that Remus Lupin is not only pulling his weight, as you have so often demanded, but has been so doing for a long, long time?"
Stomping over to the Floo to stare down at the shorter headmaster, Snape rasped, "Perhaps in the confusion of Harry thinking Lucius Malfoy had come to gouge out his eyes once more, you missed our discussion of the seer dream, you doddering old fool? Harry came to me with foreknowledge of the Owlery, and we concluded his dream had no prophetic nuance! And why, I ask you? Because you failed to mention to me that Remus Lupin was going about France masquerading as a Death Eater, perhaps?"
"I hardly thought you needed to know a detail like that."
"Oh yes, your need-to-know justification!" Snape shouted. "I thought, as a highly valued --so you say-- senior member of the Order I would be kept apprised of important developments!"
"Ha." Harry knew it wasn't funny, not really, but he couldn't help but laugh a bit. "Now you know how I feel."
"In retrospect I see that it would have done you good to know, Severus," Dumbledore admitted. "However, before you grow too enraged, consider the fact that you never told me about this seer dream. Had you, I would have realised at once that it was indeed accurate and told you so."
"But you still wouldn't have told me about Lupin!"
"No, likely not."
Snape gnashed his teeth.
"You lied to Remus Lupin just now about the reason for Harry's black eye," the headmaster pointed out. "What was that but misdirection?"
"I hardly needed him furious with Draco," Snape retorted.
By then, Harry had heard enough. He knew from long experience that there was no winning this argument, but it was good that Snape had an inkling how he felt. Actually, though, Snape had indicated his empathy on the issue a long time ago. You do better with more information rather than less... a notion the headmaster is beginning to appreciate, as well...
Well, Harry wasn't sure at all that Dumbledore was beginning to appreciate that. What he was sure of was that his brother was waiting for them. "Draco," Harry urged. "Can't we go now, to Devon? He must be in an awful state, wondering what the Aurors have been told, wondering what's going to happen to him."
"Yes, to Devon," Snape agreed, nodding, opening up his arms in invitation, offering to absorb for Harry the worst of the awful impact of Apparation.
Harry went into them without a word, but just before they Apparated away, it occurred to him to ask, "Do you think when I see the real Lucius Malfoy again someday, I'm... uh, I'm going to freeze up like that?"