Lupin did not know how he had made it out of the Three Broomsticks.
In truth, he had never imagined that, when facing a twelve-year-old wizard, he would think he had the situation under control, only to find that the boy had merely been willing to chat with him a little longer and had simply ignored his threats.
Before this, he had never seen anyone use the Banishing Charm like that.
And there was that immense magical power, no less than that of an adult wizard!
In a daze, he found the Shrieking Shack and splashed his face with snowmelt before barely managing to clear his head. Working with James Brown, the two wizard werewolves took the two Muggle werewolves and Apparated in relay several times before finally returning to London.
By the time they arrived, it was already noon. Fires had been lit in the camp, and dozens of women were crouched by the park lake, washing clothes.
They did not dare stray too far, lest they leave the range of the protective wards and Muggle-Repelling Charms.
When the four figures appeared at the edge of the woods, a woman was already shouting, "Barnard and William are back! They're back!"
Very soon, more than a dozen gaunt but exceptionally tall werewolves emerged from the largest tent at the center of the camp.
Barnard beamed and raised the money pouch Vaughn had given him. "We met the gentleman. He gave us tens of thousands of pounds more..."
Everyone who heard it erupted into cheers.
The werewolves who had come out to greet them immediately began asking, "Does Mr. Weasley have any other instructions?"
"When do we begin?"
"Don't rush, everyone. Let's go back inside and talk!"
The crowd then surrounded Barnard, William, and James and headed back into the tent.