A Season of Change

Chapter 4

Saturday morning broke free in a burst of dusty rose and soft orange clouds as the sun moved higher in the horizon. The trees surrounding the cottage shivered slightly in the crisp air. The multi-colored leaves began a joyful dance, feeding off the energy radiating from the occupants of the little home. The soft green grass curled and waved around the sandstone walkway, welcoming the little feet that would soon arrive. Even the very house had a wide awake expression on its exterior--the two dormer windows sparking in the early sunlight, the curtains pulled back in anticipation of the new day.

Inside the little house, the two men began their daily routine with only a few noticeable alterations. The tea kettle shrieked merrily for a longer period of time, the tea-maker occupied with folding the tiny little garments with meticulous care. The other gentleman paused in the act of preparing the omelet to thumb the pages of 1001 Dishes to Please Your Baby, oblivious to the splattering pan.

The little room to the right at the top of the stairs stood ready for its new occupant. The four walls were painted a soft pale yellow and little cutouts from the Quidditch wallpaper formed a jaunty border. The Chuddley Cannon mobile hung from the sloping eaves, and little shelves proudly bore the Weasley children´s toys. One of the two rocking chairs stood in the corner, the receiving blanket Molly had knit for Ginny laid carefully across the back. From the wardrobe to the full-sized crib, and the changing station to the little Hungarian Horntail sleeping on the windowsill, the room was in perfect form, not an item out of place. Propped in the far corner next to the window seat stood Harry´s gift of a miniature Firebolt. There were no obvious clues as to whether a small Elizabeth or a little Maximillian would be sleeping in the room, for the wardrobe contained sundresses and bonnets as well as little sailor outfits and miniature cricket jerseys.

Sirius paused in the act of folding yet another maroon jumper to transfigure the "R" into a little deer mouse. Hidden amongst the pile were several outfits sporting little fire-breathing dragons, flying snitches, and even a few with large black dogs that barked whenever it sensed a need for a new nappy. Remus had balked at the idea of animated objects on the front of the clothes.

"What if we are in a Muggle part of London and someone sees this?" he had worried. Sirius truly understood Remus´ concerns but didn´t see how it would matter that much, as they hardly ever interacted with attentive Muggles.

Still, to appease his mate, Sirius transformed half of the letters into harmless inanimate objects. Moony had a soft spot for baby animals, primarily due to the fact that they had not yet learned to fear the wolf in him. As such, there were several jumpers graced with little lambs, foals, and baby calves. "Ah..." he held up a little one-piece item, the knees and seat patched several times. Raising his wand, an image of a little gray wolf howling at the crescent moon appeared on the front.

Remus turned slightly at the sound. "Did you hear something, Padfoot?"

Sirius quickly silenced the miniature wolf and innocently resumed folding.

Frowning, Remus picked up the spatula and tried to pry the omelet from the pan. He noticed the oil spots on the book and wiped his hand across the page, smearing the mess even further. "Sirius," he called in exasperation, "aren´t you going to do something about the tea?" When the eggs refused to budge, Remus heaved a sigh and picked up his wand. He hated using magic when cooking, finding the Muggle way to be infinitely more satisfying. Until now, that is, he thought wryly. "Sirius, the tea!" He dumped the charred eggs into the waste bin.

Sirius silenced the kettle over his shoulder. He picked up the piles of clothes and moved to go upstairs. Remus caught him suddenly by the forearm and pressed his lips against his lover´s in a spontaneous gesture fueled by his anticipation. Sirius sighed with surprise into the slightly parted mouth and began to savor the feeling of those soft lips pressed warmly up to his. Moony can really kiss, he thought through his haze. The clothes forgotten, Remus began to slowly work his cool hands up under Sirius´s shirt. He tugged it out from beneath the waistband, and his hands began their assault on his smooth chest. His lips moved to nip at the sensitive spot just below the ear.

A shiver ran up and down Sirius´ spine. He grasped Moony´s jumper in his strong grip and pulled the smaller man away from the table. The clothes littered the ground and were quickly crushed by the trampling feet. After several long minutes, Remus pulled away shakily and stared into the passion fueled eyes of his lover.

"Wow," he whispered shakily. "I don´t know where that came from."

Sirius bowed his head in search of another passionate kiss. "Remy," he whispered against the smooth, swollen lips. "I love it when you get possessive... I love you so much."

Remus tugged gently at Sirius´ bottom lip. "You´re my pack mate, Paddy. Our lives are forever entwined... you better not forget that, ever." Sirius shook is head back and forth, his forehead pressing against his mates.

"Never," he breathed, rubbing his noses affectionately with Remus.

Remus stared transfixed at this awesome man standing before him--this man who pledged his eternal love and commitment, who took a gamble on loving someone with such a checkered past. His heart pounded in his chest, a typical occurrence as of late, he thought dryly. Sirius asked for nothing in return save love and friendship, two things that Remus had been willing to offer unconditionally since their first meeting. When boyhood love blossomed into romantic love, Remus decided from that moment on he would be willing to do anything for his lover. Even after the travesty of the events surrounding Halloween 1981, Remus still clung to the belief that the memory of the one great love of his life would be able to sustain him throughout the unending parade of empty years awaiting him. And when Padfoot returned... oh the joy, the absolute ecstasy was unbelievable.

Remus gazed deeply at the face that rested on his own, the blue eyes closed. He sorrowfully remembered the anguish in Sirius´ eyes when all the preliminaries were over and he was afraid to cross the threshold into the little cottage. The emaciated shell of a man leaned heavily against the railing, exhausted to the point where he felt unable to support his own weight. A black fringe of matted oily hair covered bleak eyes that remained fixed on the cracks in the floorboards. Remus stood apart from his friend, his partner, and pushed his hands awkwardly into his pockets, unsure as to how to approach. Should I embrace him? He desperately wanted to fold the petrified man in a tight hug, but the desperate emotional barrier surrounding Sirius held him off. Remus' mouth felt like sand dust, and he swallowed uncomfortably as his eyes hungrily traced Sirius' every feature. No words crept from either man's lips as they remained rooted to the ground. After a moment that seemed to stretch far too long for comfort, Remus stepped forward and took Padfoot´s two hands, raised them palm-side up, and traced his lifeline with a slender finger. "This is your lifeline," he whispered shakily. "And here is where my heart intersects with yours... You see, Paddy, even if you were to try and cut me out of your life you would still have the physical reminder of me implanted on your very flesh, your very soul." He took his own palm and raised it towards the other man. Wrapping Sirius´ finger in his own cool hand, he used it to trace his own lifeline. "And here I am... and this is where you are bound with me." Sirius´ tears coursed down his cheeks, his shoulders shuddering with repressed sobs. Remus pressed their hands together and an instantaneous current flowed through the two men, the energy between them surging to new levels. "If you ever worry about whether or not I have forgiven you, just reach for my hand and feel my heart´s life blood flow through your lifeline."

Smiling, Remus reached for Sirius´ hands and pressed them to his own. The other man trembled slightly and opened his eyes.

"Our love is extraordinary, Sirius." Remus' words rained comfortingly on to Sirius' scarred soul.

"Always, Moony, always..." he managed to croak.

**********

"Oh, my god, Sirius!" Remus ran frantically up the stairs in pursuit of his cloak. "It´s five minutes to three! Where did you put the decree? Is your hair combed?"

Sirius rounded the corner, emerging from the baby´s room.

"What are you doing in there, Padfoot? We have to go."

"I was just making sure everything is in order. I wanted to put a warming spell in the room as there will probably be a chill in the air when we return."

"Good, good," Remus said distractedly, fumbling with his shoestrings. He rushed into their bedroom and grabbed his cloak from the other rocking chair. Turning, he appraised his mate with a critical eye. "All right then, you have then decree--what did you say you were doing?"

Sirius raised an eyebrow archly at the flustered man. "It seems our roles have reversed temporarily, Moony my dear. I have the decree, my hair is combed, and I was putting a warming spell in the room. You can close your mouth now. I´m not completely inept, you know." Remus shut his mouth with a snap, unaware that he had been gaping.

"Right, then." An awkward silence fell. "Right, then," Remus repeated. Smiling at the absurdity of the situation, he chuckled and began his ascent to the main floor. Sirius followed closely, his hand trembling as he patted his robes to make sure the parchment didn´t fall out.

Standing before the fireplace, Sirius reached for the little ceramic jar of floo powder. Tossing a handful in, they watched as the flames went from red and orange to a cool bluish green. Catching Sirius´ eyes briefly, Remus stepped forward, and with a cry, "Infant Wizard Protection Agency" he disappeared. Sirius followed and the little house stood empty.

**********

The white halls of the Infant Wizard Protection Agency were glaringly institutional. The main fireplace connected to the Floo Network was in itself a rather drab piece of architecture--a simple marble hearth, slightly chipped and faded, surrounded by whitewashed stone trim. Nothing adorned the mantle, and the room was empty aside from a green steel desk with a matching metal chair, two wooden chairs facing the desk, and an old oak cloak rack in the corner. There were no pictures on the walls, just a wizard clock with sections that read "Wake Up", "Breakfast", "Studies", "Dinner", "Naptime", "Studies", "Tea", "Physical Fitness", "Supper", and "Bedtime". The wooden shutters had been opened slightly, allowing for a glimpse outdoors to the moors. The air was stagnant and stale.

Remus and Sirius frowned at their surroundings. The only way to get to the IWPA was through the Floo Network and even then one had to have a recognized appointment. Remus crossed to the window and peered out. "We must be somewhere in Yorkshire," he determined. If he craned his neck, he could see parts of the façade of the building and recognized the Georgian architecture with its pillars and broad triangular pediment at the front of the building. It appeared as if the Ministry had taken over an old manor home, and he wondered vaguely how they managed to convince the Muggles of its disappearance.

"Indeed, we are located just outside of the village of Yorkshire Wolds. Extreme caution has been undertaken to ensure the safety of the children, and we prize our isolation above all things else," came a cold voice from the doorway.

Remus turned around and started. Sirius gave the woman one cursory glance before determining her to be "a typical warden of sorts."

Stepping, forward, Remus extended his hand. "Remus Lupin, ma´am," he said politely. The older witch took his hand and gave it a quick shake, her bespectacled eyes appraising him closely. Remus shifted uncomfortably, not feeling at all relaxed with this type of scrutiny.

Sirius noticed the way the woman´s eyes lingered on Remus and moved abruptly to begin his introduction. "Sirius Black," he said with a smooth smile. "It´s a pleasure."

"Margaret Lancaster, Deputy Caseworker, IWPA," she replied, her eyes lingering for a last moment on Remus before turning to the tall man to her right. She shook the proffered hand rigidly and then moved to the desk, waving the two men to the empty seats. Settling down in her chair, she took out her wand and muttered a few choice words. Immediately a thick file folder appeared on the desktop along with several manuals, a pile of forms, and what appeared to be an index of sorts.

"Now then," she continued after Remus and Sirius settled gingerly into the hard chairs. Her right hand held a quill and her left hand thumbed through a pile of forms at an eye-blurring pace. Sirius felt himself grow slightly dizzy. "Do you have the Ministry decree?" she asked without looking up.

Sirius laid the parchment on her desk.

Quickly she unrolled it, glanced briefly at the signature line, and tapped it with her wand. It disappeared with a pop.

As Remus watched the woman´s actions, a new type of anxiety escalated inside. She appeared to be the same age as Albus Dumbledore with white hair pulled into a severe bun. Her cold gray humorless eyes flashed angrily behind the wire spectacles propped up on a Grecian nose. Her tall thick body was shroud in dark gray robes, and her tapered fingers possessed eerily long, pointed nails. In fact, he thought miserably, her nose is the only aesthetically pleasing part about her--and why does she stare at me like that?

"You do understand that the Ministry went to great lengths in order to convince the IWPA of your parental fitness levels. Let it be understood, Mr. Lupin, that we do not condone the adoption of our children by creatures such as yourself. Werewolves lack the human understanding and nurturing ability to be proper parents. Your principles were destroyed when your blood was tainted. It is with extreme reservation that I allow this to happen at all."

Remus blanched.

"Furthermore, ex-convicts are hardly suitable candidates either. It matters not," she waved away Sirius´ protestation, "if you were indeed guilty of the crime. The fact remains that you were exposed to Dementors for a good portion of your life and have been thusly affected. Let me see..." she flipped through a stack of papers in the file folder. "Nightmares, weakened physical condition, heart palpitations, lack of appetite, aggressive behavior, et cetera et cetera; do I make myself clear, Mr. Black?"

Sirius glared at the woman fixing her with a hard look. His blood boiled inside at the appalling way she dared to treat Moony. Nodding curtly, he kept his mouth shut with great effort upon feeling Remus´ trembling fingers squeeze his arm tensely.

Margaret watched the two men shrewdly. "Continuing on, it is, however, the expressed desire of the Minister of Magic that the IWPA allow you to raise a child. I do not have it within my power to deny the decree however strongly I may be opposed to the idea. And let it also be understood that the caseworkers assigned to your evaluation are of the same mindset. If we feel that you are in anyway jeopardizing the safety and well-being of the child, we will issue a prompt removal of said child and you will never be allowed another chance. Is this understood, gentlemen?"

Remus and Sirius nodded mutely.

Sirius began to mutter unholy words under his breath, but a pained look from Remus quickly stopped his tirade.

Remus sat there in humiliated shock, rooted to the seat of his chair. He had not felt this dehumanized since his experiences with Severus Snape, and even then, he conceded bitterly, it was only through the ministrations of Dumbledore that Snape was even willing to remain in the same castle as him. He bit the inside of his cheek in frustration.

Margaret proceeded to pass out the IWPA manuals. "These manuals clearly state the expectations of the IWPA, the rules and regulations that must be obeyed precisely as indicated, and the ramifications that will follow the mistreatment of an IWPA child. If," she paused, sucking in her breath sharply, "if after the three month trial period you are both deemed fit, the child will be signed over into your sole custody and you will no longer be held accountable to the IWPA."

Sirius couldn´t believe how despicable this woman was. He fanned the manual in an outward sign of defiance. Remus, however, bowed his head and opened the book to its table of contents. Drawing in a sharp breath, he dumbfoundedly wondered how on earth they were ever to make it past the three month mark. Biweekly visits, he groaned internally.

"Have you determined the sex of the child?"

Pardon? Both men glanced at each other in confusion.

"Have you decided whether you are interested in a wizard or a witch?" She repeated her words very slowly as if speaking to a bunch of imbeciles.

"Yes, we understood your question. However," Remus said quietly, "we wanted to look at the children to see if any of them connects with our aura. If," he hastened to add, "that is permissible by you."

Margaret lifted the heavy index and dropped it none too gently before the men. "Contained inside," she said coldly, "are the names of over 150 wizards and over 200 witches. Surely you do not expect me to hand-feed you children all afternoon."

Remus fingered the index. "Perhaps if we told you that we were interested in an infant you might be willing to grant our request? I feel that this will aid in the success of the adoption if the child we select has a karmic bond with us. I am certain your caseworkers will have an easier time evaluating us if this obstacle is out of the way."

The Deputy Caseworker walked over to the fireplace and called out, "Nurse Bracey, I want a word."

A head emerged in the flames, a rosy face surrounded by a light blue and white wimple similar to ones Sirius had seen nuns wear. "Yes, Ma´am?"

"Nurse Bracey, I remember issuing strict orders that all wizards between three and five years of age were not to be excused from physical fitness. What is this I hear from the groundskeeper of several children sitting out for extended periods of time?"

The rosy cheek nurse paled slightly before answering in a firm tone, "Ma´am, we were engaged in a game based on rotations. Certain children are instructed to sit on the sidelines as the proceeding group marches. I feel that that this instills in them a vested sense of discipline and fair play."

Margaret glared at the younger woman. "We´ll discuss this later, Nurse Bracey. However, these two gentlemen have received permission from the Minister of Magic, and reluctantly from the IWPA, to take into custody one of our wards."

Nurse Bracey frowned slightly at Margaret´s emphasis on the word "reluctantly." Why would the IWPA be reluctant to send one of the wards to a Wizarding family? She wondered in astonishment. There was hardly any interest in these children as it was. She smiled at the two men.

"I can ill afford to take the time to escort them to the infant ward. They are determined to meet the children before making their decision. Tell Matthews that you are suspended from afternoon duties and escort these two to Ward 1."

Nurse Bracey nodded in immediate agreement. "Certainly, Ma´am." With a "pop" her head disappeared from the flames and within seconds she apparated into the room.

Margaret nodded coldly at her before turning to Remus and Sirius. "This is Nurse Bracey. She will escort you to Ward 1 where wizards and witches under the age of one are housed. The only thing I request at this moment is that you return by six this evening to sign the papers. I do not have all day to spend catering your foolish whims." And with that, she swept out the door, leaving the three of them standing at a stock still.

Nurse Bracey slowly gathered her wits about her and sighed. "If you gentlemen would be so kind as to follow me--"

Remus moved forward and stepped in front of the door. Let´s try this again, he thought tiredly. "Let me introduce myself. I am Remus Lupin." He extended his hand with just the faintest degree of hesitation.

She stared at him for a brief moment before a beautiful smile wreathed her face. "It´s a pleasure. Please call me Cecilia." Remus breathed an audible sigh of relief.

It was Sirius´ turn to introduce himself, and feeling benevolent towards this woman who was kind to his Moony, he turned on the full "Black Charm." Reaching out, he clasped her hands between his own warm ones. "And I am Sirius Black, Cecilia. Thank you for gracing us with your presence."

Cecilia appeared slightly startled but made a quick recovery. Such kind men, she thought with surprise, I do wonder at Miss Lancaster´s attitude.

"Shall we be off, gentlemen?" Remus and Sirius smiled for the first time that afternoon and followed her anxiously down the corridor.

*********

Margaret strode into her office and sat down at her desk, her hands trembling slightly. Swiftly she took out a piece of parchment and a quill and scribbled the words, "It is done. They have one." She attached the sealed missive to her owl and sent it out to the moors.

**********

The group walked quickly down the white halls and through a maze of staircases. Remus took in the empty walls and wondered why the IWPA was so void of light and cheerfulness. All of the doors were made of solid metal and painted a light blue. He briefly allowed his hand to touch one of the knobs and yelped in surprise at the shock that ran up his arm.

Cecilia turned around. "You can´t touch the doors. Margaret insists on locking charms every time we enter and exit a room. It´s an IWPA policy."

Sirius frowned. He felt twinges of empathy from his experiences in Azkaban. "Where are all the children?"

"They have a regimented schedule in an attempt to keep order. The older ones are partaking in their physical fitness at the moment and are in the gymnasium. The younger ones are sequestered in their rooms either resting or engaging in an early tea."

Sirius hated the sound of that. "Are these the children from the war?"

Cecilia nodded.

"Not all of them, but the majority lost at least one parent in the war. Some of the children are also abandoned Muggle born and are collected by the Ministry in the monthly sweep. This is undoubtedly the largest number of children we have ever had though. We normally don´t have more than twenty children in our care." Cecilia´s eyes grew dark. "We actually have very few Wizarding families who are interested in adopting our wards."

Remus walked the way in silence, his mind reeling. He remembered a conversation late one evening, just after his first full moon. His mum and dad were arguing violently about the change in their son. "We can send him away, Elizabeth! We don´t have to keep him! The Ministry has places for children whose parents can´t take care of them." His mum screamed back, "He is my child! My only baby. I´ll never send him away. You can leave this house if you can´t love him, William." He recalled his dad sobbing in pain, begging his mum for forgiveness. "You don´t need to ask me for forgiveness, William, you need to ask it of your son." That evening Remus laid in his bed, shivering from fever and the tears trickling down his cheeks landing in cold pools on his pillow. His dad entered his room silently, and the little boy squeezed his eyes shut, willing the older man to leave. Instead, his dad knelt next to him and gathered him tightly in his arms, his own tears wetting the soft golden curls on his arm. "I love you, Remus, and I promise to never leave you. Please, please forgive me for everything... for not protecting you... for wishing--" Remus raised his head and blinked glowing golden eyes at the man who was the epitome of strength to the little boy. "Dad," he whispered, "I love you."

Remus shuddered at how he might have grown up in this place if it had not been for the strength and bravery of his mother and the resolve of his father. Sirius noticed the slight change in his lover´s demeanor and gripped his hand tightly, forcing their bond to glow warmly.

"We're here." Cecilia stopped in front of a door with a plaque that read Ward 1.

Remus and Sirius watched as she whispered a brief incantation. The door swung open on its own accord. Following her into the room, they first noticed that the walls were painted a light blue to match the wimples the nurses wore. Cribs lined the walls and rocking chairs were scattered about the floor. A soft beige carpet covered the floors and the white curtains danced in the breeze. The soft smell of talc and milk permeated the air, and the two men breathed in deeply. The room was the model of simplicity, and yet there was a distinct warmness that was void elsewhere in the institution.

Cecilia sensed their puzzlement and smiled, her rosy cheeks bright in anticipation. "We can sense when Margaret is present. She rarely travels to the Wards and in her absence the nurses modify the rooms slightly. Shall we?" She led the men over to a small plump nurse feeding a tiny child. She rocked the infant gently, crooning to it in soft tones. "Ward 1 is different from the others," she warned. "As the children get older discipline plays a stronger role in their upbringing. The nurses assigned to the `under one year olds´ try to instill affection and kindness before it is too late. We can´t be held responsible for what happens after they leave, however."

She pulled the blanket back from the child. Bright brown eyes blinked up at the disturbance, but the tiny rosebud mouth continued to suck eagerly. The soft head was covered in the smallest amount of peach fuzz and the tiny little cheeks were faintly pink. Remus felt his heart tug as a tiny hand pushed its way out of the blanket and held his finger in a surprisingly strong grip. Sirius watched the scene with a lump in his throat. He coughed to clear his throat, and Remus looked up in surprise.

"Do you want to try?"

Sirius moved hesitantly towards the infant. The nurse took away the bottle and held the baby up to Cecilia. Cecilia instructed Sirius to hold out his arms as she laid the infant in his grasp. "Watch his head now," she said softly, tucking the blanket around the squirming baby.

"Hey! Why is it crying?" The infant puckered up and began to wail.

"Oh, oh," cooed Cecilia. "There, there dear. Try rocking him gently."

Sirius tried to move his arms in a swaying motion. Remus watched in concern. He didn´t want his Padfoot to become discouraged. The infant´s wails escalated.

"What´s wrong?" he cried in dismay. His arms were moving on autopilot but nothing seemed to soothe the baby.

The smaller nurse took the baby back in her arms. "He´s just a mite unsure about his surroundings. He´s always been a bit fussy."

Sirius was as white as a sheet.

The wailing baby calmed down instantly. Cecilia clucked under her tongue. "No matter," she reassured them brightly. "There is a particular child for everyone. Little Hugh clearly wasn´t the one." She moved to the first crib by the window. A baby slightly bigger than Hugh lay on the pink sheets, her fists batting at the tiny kittens leaping overhead. The mobile swung lazily in the breeze.

Remus leaned over the crib and smiled at the beautiful little girl. He reached back for Sirius´ hand. "Look, Siri," he murmured. Doesn´t she have beautiful eyes?"

Sirius peered down. The bright aquamarine eyes framed by long golden lashes were focused on the kittens. He reached down tentatively with his finger and felt the soft golden curls framing her angelic face. "She looks like an angel."

Cecilia gazed at the infant. "Yes," she began haltingly. "She is the prettiest baby in Ward 1... and very well behaved. However, she was under the Cruciatus Curse when her parents were killed last year and due to the extent of her trauma has yet to show any signs of emotional development. She never cries, she never smiles, and she´s never giggles. It´s almost as if her heart is vacant. The MediWizards can only explain that much to us--physically she is perfect. I´m afraid that even if you wanted to adopt her I would strongly advise against it."

Remus squeezed Sirius´s waist in sorrow. Sirius stroked her forehead once more before lifting his hand and running it through his hair.

"All these children," he sighed.

Five children later, he and Remus were beginning to feel nervous. Neither had felt a strong connection with any of the babies. "Do you think we are doing something wrong, Moony?" Sirius whispered.

Remus shook his head. "The connections in our hands are never wrong. Our child simply isn´t here yet." He consulted the clock on the wall. Tea time had passed and he knew the hour was growing short.

Cecilia spun around as the locking charm was de-activated. With a quick flick of her wand, the room transformed back into the stark bleakness like the rest of the institution. She breathed a sigh of relief when a nurse with long black hair flowing from beneath her wimple rolled a cart into the room.

"Genevieve," she smiled, transforming the room back to its original state.

The black-haired nurse glanced at the visitors in surprise. She continued, however, to push the cart and stopped in front of the only empty crib on the right side of the room. She reached down gently and picked up a tiny bundled swathed in a soft yellow blanket. Cecilia approached her and the two nurses began to converse in low tones. Remus and Sirius watched this exchange quietly.

Suddenly, Remus gasped. "Did you feel that, Siri?" he hissed. Sirius nodded quickly. "It´s my hand. It´s burning." Quickly they dropped hands, but the throbbing persisted.

Cecilia cast a fleeting look over her shoulder. Her heart began to pound. She observed Genevieve change the baby´s nappy. A little girl, she noted. I wonder. They never indicated a preference...

Genevieve pulled the white gown back down and picked up the little girl, pressing her against her shoulder. The tiny eyes were closed in sleep and the little mouth made the most adorable suckling sounds. Hair the color of dark polished mahogany crowned the perfectly round head. Her cheeks were plump and rosy, and her tiny dimpled hands were tucked sweetly under her chin. She released a little hiccup.

Cecilia tenderly took the sleeping infant from the other nurse and walked over to the nervous looking men. Solemnly, she held out the baby. "Mr. Lupin, Mr. Black, may I introduce you to Elizabeth."

Remus´ breath caught in his throat. "Elizabeth?" he choked.

She nodded. "She just arrived this afternoon. Her parents were Muggles and left her on the steps of St. Paul´s Cathedral. The Ministry´s IWPA division picked her up this morning. We have determined her to be nearly six months old."

"Why Elizabeth?" he asked shakily, his palms sweating profusely.

She touched the downy cheek kindly. "Her mum left a note asking the Church to look after her Elizabeth and cleanse the child of her sins. These types of notes are very typical."

"May I hold her?" She placed little Elizabeth in Remus´ trembling arms.

"Siri, look... just look at how perfect she is. Oh, look at this tiny little body," he laughed through his tears, energy coursing through his body. A single tear splashed on her forehead and startled her into opening her eyes.

"Oh my god, Remus, she has violet eyes."

The beautiful round eyes blinked once, twice, and took in her surroundings. The brilliant sparkle in her purplish blue eyes took their breath away. She studied the man holding her for a long moment, her little gaze linking with the golden eyes. Her gaze shifted to the dark-haired man peering down at her, a look of total love on his face. His bright blue eyes threatened to spill over. Sirius could feel the tingle in his own hands as he reached out and cupped her little face.

"This is our child. Do you feel it?" Remus grasped Elizabeth and Sirius´ hands firmly. Cecilia and Genevieve watched as the three hands literally began to glow. They smiled at each other, satisfied.

Elizabeth made a small smacking sound, drawing their attention back to their daughter. Slowly the corners of her mouth moved, and a slow blossoming smile brightened her face. Remus traced her smile with his finger and raised golden eyes to his mate´s. Sirius opened his arms and eagerly enveloped his daughter in a loving embrace. He swallowed hard against the sob that persisted in forming in his throat. The baby settled into the crook of his arm and closed her eyes, a whispered sigh of contentment floating from her lips.

Cecilia moved forward to take her from Sirius. He protested slightly, loathed to release his daughter. "You two need to sign the authorization forms. Margaret will be awaiting you in her office. I´ll bring Elizabeth to you in a moment." She smiled benevolently at the emotional men. "Genevieve?" she prodded the other nurse.

Remus and Sirius followed Genevieve out to the hall, grabbing fleeting glances at their daughter. Suddenly not even Margaret could dampen their spirits.

**********

Margaret Lancaster sat in the same position across from Remus and Sirius, her gaze as cold and penetrating as before. She noted sourly that the two men before her had altered noticeably. There was a definite charged energy surrounding them. All in good time, she reflected.

"Cecilia and Genevieve have informed me of your decision to adopt Ward #1521, Elizabeth, no surname listed. I have completed the preliminary paperwork authorizing you to remove her from the premise. If you would both read through these forms and sign at the X." She pushed two copies of the IWPA Authorization Forms across the desk.

Remus picked up his copy and began to read in detail the terms and conditions. It appeared to lay out the basic items contained within the IWPA manual. Suddenly a section of very fine print caught his eye. Raising the form closer to his eyes, he squinted to make out the details.

"The IWPA decrees that at any time an IWPA authorized caseworker may make unannounced visits to monitor the behaviors and habits of said parents. Due to the nature of the circumstances surrounding Mr. Remus J. Lupin´s condition, it is imperative that he be monitored around the clock. By signing this contract he agrees to wear an IWPA designed tracking device that will monitor his heart rate and other vital signs so that officials will be properly notified in the event of an emergency."

Remus hissed. He had never been this furious before in his entire life.

"I am not an animal, Miss Lancaster," he said in a deadly quiet voice.

Sirius looked up in shock and quickly flipped through the form until he reached the section Remus had been reading. With a roar, he rose to his feet and leaned over the woman who had the sense to cower slightly.

"I beg to differ," she said haughtily.

Sirius´ hands trembled with anger. Bending closer to the despicable woman, he stopped just before he reached her head. "Understand this, Miss Lancaster. You will remove that clause from the contract immediately. If you choose not to heed my instructions I can promise you that I have no reservations whatsoever in hexing you." His voice rumbled low in his throat, each word accentuated with loathing.

Remus stood there, his eyes dark and his fists clenched at his side. "I will repeat. I am not an animal. Under any other circumstances I would restrain Mr. Black from threatening you, but I can promise nothing of the sort. Your safety rests in your own hands."

Margaret seethed with impotent hatred. Mr. Lupin was indeed an animal! Her mind raced frantically, desperately seeking out a solution. Her hand trembling with anger, she did a quick banishing charm on both forms. God, how I hate giving in, her mind shrieked. These foolish men have no idea of the magnitude of my power. They shall soon see...

"The tracking device clause has been removed," she said in a voice that sent chills down their spines. "However, the biweekly visits will still be upheld. Do not grow complacent on me and think that you can use you power to bully me, Mr. Black. I shall be watching you very closely."

Remus and Sirius signed the forms quickly. Remus rubbed his forehead tiredly. I just want to get home with Elizabeth...

As if she could hear his thoughts, the door opened and Cecilia entered the room holding a small basket. Remus and Sirius threw down their quills and rushed to her side, oblivious to Margaret´s penetrating glare.

"She´s so perfect," Sirius breathed. Remus nodded.

"Can we take her home now?" he asked Cecilia. She glanced over at the furious woman sitting ramrod behind the desk. The older woman´s head jerked quickly.

Remus breathed a sigh of relief. He grasped Cecilia´s hand gently. "I´ll never be able to thank you enough for the gift you have helped us acquire. I am forever in your debt." Cecilia nodded, her eyes misting as the gentle, kind hearted man moved to take the basket from Sirius.

Sirius turned to Cecilia and smiled. She realized at that moment just how beautiful the two men were together. "Thank you, Cecilia. Your kindness has been wonderful. If you ever need anything, please let us know."

Turning back to Remus, the three of them made their way to the fire place. Cecilia threw in the floo powder and the brilliancy of the flames cooled at once to their enchanted state. "The Lupin-Black House," Sirius and Remus cried together. In a flash the three of them disappeared.

**********

Remus picked the sleeping baby up from the basket. Sirius smiled at the picture the two of them made, the soft glow from the orange flames brightening their expressions. How his heart swelled with love. He placed one hand on top of Remus´ tawny hair and the other on the rich mahogany of his daughter´s.

"Welcome home Elizabeth Lupin-Black," he whispered. "Welcome home."