A Season of Change

A/N: Perhaps it´s just me, but if I knew an author had several completed chapters all set for uploading--and he/she chose to hold back--I´d be livid!! So... as not to turn into my own worst nightmare, I shall continue to post a few more chapters tonight... at least up to the point where things really start to bubble and boil. Please review--I´d love to know what everyone thinks! Get ready for a long, lovely, anxiety filled ride...

Chapter 6

An indignant wail pierced the silence. The room was still cloaked in darkness and the remaining embers in the fireplace blinked weakly. Outside, the star speckled indigo sky enveloped the little cottage, broken up only by a wispy spiral of smoke curling its way out of the chimney on the north side of the house. The older occupants of the house slept on, buried deep under warm covers. Their hands were clasped tightly, their long legs wrapped around each other in a firm embrace.

The wailing continued with each proceeding cry, stronger and more forceful than the last. Startled, Sirius sat up. He felt incredibly disoriented and struggled to figure out where that god-awful sound was coming from. Remus continued to lie on his stomach, his head swallowed by his enormous pillow. Groggily, Sirius reached for his wand. "Lumos," he whispered. In the glow of the faint yellow light, he glanced quickly around the room, his eyes finally falling on the cradle.

"Gods," he croaked, throwing the blankets aside. Shivering, he stumbled across the room, fumbling for his dressing gown. He rushed to the cradle and quickly picked up his sobbing daughter. "Shush, shh..." he patted her on the back and rocked her gently in his arms. "'S all right, sweetheart, Daddy´s here." He ran his hands up her back and frowned at how cold she seemed. She continued to cry great gulping sobs, her little eyes screwed shut. Making his way back across the room, he grabbed his wand and cast a quick warming spell in the room. With another swish, three logs flew into the fireplace and began crackling madly.

Sirius reached for her little blanket and bundled her quickly. Elizabeth´s sobs quieted slightly as she buried her face in his warm chest.

Remus sat up tiredly. "I´ll just go get her bottle then." Frowning, he squinted at the clock on the mantle. "Half past three?" he groaned. He pulled on his dressing gown and made his way down the hall. "Ow! Bloody wall..."

Sirius chucked and jiggled Elizabeth. "Daddy Remus isn´t too happy, sweetheart. You´ll learn that he´s a cranky fellow when he´s tired." She continued to whimper. "I think it´s going to be a long night," he yawned, sitting in the rocker and wrapping the lap blanket securely around them.

Remus struggled back up the stairs and into the bedroom. Sirius looked up at him and grinned. "Don´t even think about going back to sleep, Moony," he said taking the bottle from his outstretched hand. Yawning his complaints, Remus sat on the floor and propped his back against the bed, jumping when Sirius snaked out a foot and kicked him.

**********

In the soft luminescent light from the autumn sunset, Harry apparated onto the front steps of the little cottage. He knocked quickly, his stomach fluttering in eager anticipation. Stepping back, he smiled broadly as his godfather yanked open the door. The warm smell of freshly baked gingerbread tantalized his senses. His nose wrinkled in appreciation.

"Harry, you rascal! Come in," Sirius cried in delight at the welcome sight. He propelled Harry into the front hall and quickly shut the door. "Brr... it´s getting a bit nippy out there, eh?"

Unwinding his red and gold scarf, Harry quickly hung up his robes and nodded in agreement. "Hermione swears this is the coldest September we´ve had in over one hundred and twelve years--pulled it out of some almanac of sorts." Smiling, his bright green eyes looked past the tall man in front of him and scanned what he could see of the front room. "Where´s Elizabeth?"

"I´ve worn out my novelty, eh?"

Harry punched him playfully on the shoulder as his godfather started a quick scuffle in the front hall. He opened his mouth to quip about older wizards becoming slow in their old age when his eyes fell upon a little baby sitting calmly in Remus´ arms. Heart pounding, he stood awkwardly, his palms beginning to sweat. He couldn´t believe how small she was--and her eyes are purple? He thought in amazement. Suddenly at a loss for words he simply stared.

Watching the scene with a great deal of amusement, Sirius gently prodded the younger wizard forward. "She doesn´t bite, you know. She only has three teeth and a bunch of drooling gums." Harry smiled blankly at him. "Ah, c´mon. Elizabeth Lupin-Black, please make the acquaintance of the closest relation to the gaping carp, Harry James Potter. He´s--" Sirius paused, glancing at Harry. "He´s your older brother," he finished, the little Sirius in his head pirouetting across the floor.

Harry´s eyes widened. Feeling as if he was regaining a semblance of normalcy, he reached out hesitantly with his index finger. Elizabeth immediately grabbed the offering and pulled it into her mouth. "Oh..." he cried as her soft tongue licked his nail. "Elizabeth, you don´t even want to know where that´s been."

Remus observed Harry´s behavior and was startled to remember that this was most likely the first time Harry had ever been with a baby. Smiling kindly, he inclined his head and said encouragingly, "You are a natural with her, Harry. Would you care to hold her?"

Sirius picked up Harry´s heavy arms and stretched them out full length. Harry held her clumsily out from his chest and she squirmed impatiently. Remus gently pushed her closer, and Harry´s breath caught in his throat as she reached up and stroked his cheek. Swallowing nervously, he glanced up at Remus to make sure he was doing this correctly. Encouraged by Remus´ nod, he shifted her slightly, nestling her little bottom on his forearm and supporting her back with his other hand. Laughing delightedly, he rubbed noses with her. "Do I--what do I say to her?" he asked after a moment. Sweet Merlin, he laughed to himself, Heaven help me if I have to do this on my own!

"Whatever comes in your mind, although Remus does suggest we keep the Quidditch talk to a minimum." Remus rolled his eyes and gestured for them to follow him into the front room.

"Tea?" he called over his shoulder. "You´re in luck, Harry. I had the urge to bake today."

Sirius and Harry followed, Elizabeth pulling on Harry´s wire glasses. He tried to pry her fingers away but realized just how strong her grip was. Appraising her admiringly, he whispered so that only Sirius could hear, "You have a promising grip--just right to hold a quaffle." Sirius roared with laughter.

Entering the front room, Harry noticed that all of Remus´ books were on shelves or in the window seat. He had grown accustomed to seeing precariously stacked piles on every available inch of floor space. A soft multi-colored rug graced the hardwood floor, and a little pink checkered blanket lay in its center. The fire poker and wood basket floated a few inches off the floor much to Harry´s amusement. Staring at the edge of the coffee table, he ran a hand inquiringly around its blurry corners. Instead of the usual hard edges, a soft feathery texture met his touch.

"So this is the result of wizard child proofing your house?" He laughed again at the sight of the floating objects.

Sirius chuckled. "It´s only the beginning, my dear boy. Remus consulted several wizard parenting guides on practical application and followed the methods corresponding to her exact age--to the day, mind you. He wouldn´t even consider the fact that she seems a bit advanced for her age--but once a book expert, always a book expert." Nudging Harry, he winked. "Better warn Hermione--or better yet, warn Ron. After all, he´s going to be the one who has to deal with these crazy neurotic tendencies."

"I heard that, Padfoot!" Remus´ voice came faintly from the kitchen.

Sirius shrugged. With an innocent expression of his face, Harry said calmly, "Well, it´s too bad for Elizabeth that Remus has such sensitive ears. How´s she ever going to sneak out for a bit of fun?" Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he continued in the same tone, "Perhaps I should lend her my invisibility cloak."

Frowning, Sirius bopped Harry on the head with his wand. "There´ll be none of that. I don´t want her to fall prey to a younger version of me, for god´s sake." He shuddered at the mental image of his daughter falling in the clutches of an incorrigible rascal like himself. "Besides," he added, "if she´s going to pull any Marauder pranks, I fully expect to be present."

"Here," Sirius took Elizabeth from Harry´s arms and placed her on the blanket. "She likes it down here." Elizabeth quickly scrambled out of his hold and immediately rolled to her stomach. "She can´t crawl yet, but she can scoot really fast on her stomach."

Harry sat on the floor next to her and started building a structure out of soft blocks decorated with stars and constellations. "Hermione?" he asked in amusement. When he didn´t receive a reply, he glanced over to find Sirius sitting quietly in that horrific armchair, a smile permanently fixed upon his handsome features. He noticed that his godfather had faint circles under his eyes and a fine layer of stubble on his face. Soft lashes began to blink heavily as the minutes passed. "That chair is pretty terrible," Harry called out in a loud voice. "Why don´t you at least transform the flowers into some type of pattern?"

Blinking, Sirius looked down. "I guess I haven´t really even noticed. Moony has a lot of affection for this piece--it was his mum´s favorite."

Pushing Elizabeth back to the center of the blanket, Harry wrapped his arms around his legs and rested his chin on his knees. He wondered if Mrs. Lupin sat in that very chair and watched her little son play. He shivered at the thought of Elizabeth at five wandering into the forest and becoming prey to a werewolf. Not Remus, he amended quickly, just a hypothetical werewolf. But Mrs. Lupin must have never thought that something so horrific would have ever happened to her child. He suddenly realized that, for having Sirius and Remus as the closest thing to parents, he knew very little about their childhoods and the parents that raised them. A family tree missing half its leaves....

I´m twenty-four years old, he thought in astonishment. My parents were never this old. The sudden realization of knowing he was older than his parents unsettled him greatly. In his mind, James and Lily were his parents, and by virtue of the title, were older than him. Shuddering, he felt the cold clammy hands of the past filter through his veins, the far-reaching tentacles of ice snatching his breath.

"Don´t, Harry." Remus´ voice floated down from a distance that seemed so far away and slightly surreal, admonishing in its tone but very kind nevertheless. Setting down the tea service, he scooted Elizabeth back onto the blanket. "I know what you are doing and it won´t help to rehash all the `what-ifs´. They´ll just drive you crazy. I know," he finished quietly.

Harry picked at a snag in his jumper. He frowned at Remus´ well-intended words; feeling prickles of anger bubble up inside and thaw his frozen veins.

Sirius head swiveled back and forth between his lover and his godson and silently moved to accept the tea Remus offered. Golden streams of liquid were poured into a third cup.

Remus settled himself on the couch and sipped his tea with a false air of calmness. He could sense the underlying urgency in Harry and was determined to keep him from wallowing in unpleasant memories--even at the risk of drawing anger to himself.

"Oh, yeah?" Harry said bitterly. Ignoring the tea Remus held out, he drew his knees tighter to his chest. "My parents didn´t even live to be my age. Didja know that? James wasn´t even as old as me... ever..." In his petulant state, everything in the little house reminded him of something his parents never had, and he was greatly annoyed. The framed pictures gracing the walls taken of his father with his best mates sparked rancor in his soul. He wanted to hit something--hit something hard. Sound reasoning and judgment were discarded as evil little Harry cackled from his shoulder, cracking his whip as he brought forth each unpleasant memory. Selfish little brat, you´re not really part of this family. Don´t fall prey to these temporary illusions of grandeur. They have her now...

The stricken look on Sirius´ face drew Harry up with a start. Gods, he swallowed. What the hell! Am I a child or a man? He couldn´t recall the last time he had allowed himself to wallow in the murky depths of self-pity.

"I--I´m so sorry, Sirius--" he stammered, discomfited at his lack of tact. His cheeks flamed as Sirius and Remus exchanged glances.

Raising a hand, Sirius simply sipped his tea. Feeling incredibly immature, Harry began to grow squirm with embarrassment. Wondering if his godfather was ever going to speak, he cracked his knuckles anxiously, distractedly noticing the fine white scars covering his hands from various Quidditch accidents.

Sirius finally spoke in a quiet voice filled with sadness. "It´s fine, Harry. And you´re right. James didn´t see the age of twenty-four. But he was the happiest bloke I have ever known, and I am certain that he wouldn´t want you to be unhappy--he´d hate to know that your life has been filled with such pain."

"I didn´t mean to sound like such an ungrateful child," Harry mumbled. "It´s just... seeing you with Elizabeth and all made me remember that my parents probably sat just like this, watching me roll around on the floor..."

"And eat your feet?" Remus asked lightly, arching an eyebrow.

Harry quirked his lip. Looking up at the faces of the men he had grown to love and respect, he squirmed uncomfortably at the knowledge that he had dredged up the very memories Remus had cautioned against. Sighing, he picked up his cup and took a sip. At least Jasmine tea is normal.

Breaking the heavy silence, Sirius turned to Harry and asked lightly, "Where is the gorgeous red-head that always seems to hang on your arm?"

"She´s grading examinations that her ten-year olds wrote last Friday," he said with a smile in his voice.

"Ah... grading examinations. I truly miss those days," Remus reminisced fondly. Sirius laughed at Moony´s woebegone expression.

"I´ll give you something to grade, Professor Lupin," he teased.

Exchanging amused glances, Remus and Sirius sipped their tea innocently under their godson´s penetrating stare. Harry flushed slightly. He had grown accustomed to his godfathers´ sexual banter, but he still couldn´t control his face. This must be how Ginny feels when she blushes, he thought wryly.

Feeling more like a human and less of a devil child, Harry smiled and tickled his little sister again. Elizabeth squealed in pleasure as he swung her up in the air. A string of drool dripped onto his glasses. "Argh!" he cried out in mock disgust. "Taking lessons from Padfoot, huh, Lizzie?"

"Lizzie?" Remus smiled. He tucked his long legs underneath him and leaned back on the couch, propping his head on his hand. He drew in a deep contented breath. His ever observant eyes took in the little idyllic scene playing out before him, and he thought of birthdays and Christmases. Family is such an interesting concept, he thought bemusedly. Prior to Elizabeth, Sirius was his entire life--the one individual that depended on his strength and wisdom, his carefully constructed advice and his gentle smiles that greeted the other man in the morning. And now it dawned on him that he was once again Professor Lupin to this little impressionable girl. Her entire wellbeing depended upon Sirius and him... but it is more than that, he thought in amazement. We are responsible for cultivating her mind and developing both her intellect and sense of right and wrong. The magnitude of the responsibilities lying before him shook his confidence slightly.

Harry turned and grinned. "I think Elizabeth is too long of a name for such a little witch. Lizzie suits her. Lizzie the little witch." He chucked her under the chin before placing her back on the blanket. Rubbing his glasses on his shirt, he put out a foot to keep her from rolling off the blanket. "Where did Sirius go?"

"He just ran upstairs for a moment." At Harry´s worried expression, Remus hurried to soothe him. "Did he show you the nursery? You should have seen how impressed he was when he managed to get the Quidditch players to stick on the wall," Remus said proudly.

With a fond glance, Harry watched the little girl prop herself up with her arms and fall down, giggle, then repeat the process. Elizabeth certainly is determined, he thought in amazement. Unable to resist the urge, he scooped her up again and twirled her about the room. She threw her head back and screamed in pleasure. An equally thrilling sensation of protectiveness developed within his heart as the brotherly bonds of affection weaved their gossamer thin threads around the siblings.

"Harry! What are you doing?"

Harry twirled Elizabeth around once more before lowering her to his shoulder. Ginny stood in the doorway next to Sirius, her eyes filled with amusement. "Oh, may I hold her, Remus?"

"Certainly, Ginny. It´s a pleasure to see you. Just put this towel on your shoulder." He tossed a worn piece of cloth into her surprised hands. "You´ll see," he said with a twinkle lighting his golden eyes.

Ginny´s delicate hands reached out for Elizabeth, her heart thumping loudly within her chest. Harry was watching her with the strangest expression in his eyes--a combination of happiness shadowed with something she couldn´t define... and perhaps didn´t want to. He walked slowly to the woman standing in front of him, her soft red hair falling in waves around her ivory cashmere jumper. He took in her warm brown eyes framed by long lashes, the sprinkling of freckles that decorated her perfect nose, and the way she stood with her shoulders back, her posture proud. Swallowing hard, he slowly extended his arms and handed Elizabeth to her.

"Hello," he whispered, kissing her lips softly. "This is a pleasant surprise."

She watched him wonderingly before taking the little girl and pulling her close. Remus observed the moment between Harry and Ginny silently. He watched as Harry´s jaw clenched and wondered what was passing though the younger man´s mind. Staring at Ginny, he suddenly realized how closely she resembled Lily holding Harry when he was an infant. Stunned, he caught Harry´s green eyes. Harry nodded quickly, letting his second godfather know that he, too, understood the poignancy of the moment.

"Oh, oh!" Ginny squealed. She frowned at the white mess covering the towel. "You were correct as usual, Remus," she said ruefully, wiping Elizabeth´s mouth carefully. "Come here, you beautiful thing you. Let´s get you cleaned up before your brother Harry does anything else to upset your little tummy."

Laughing delightedly, Harry and Sirius followed her up the stairs.

Remus added a few logs to the fire and lit the candles on the mantle. Twilight passed slowly over the little cottage, casting long shadows in the room. He walked softly to the window seat and absently righted a wobbly 1^st edition of Hogwarts, a History. He was just pulling the gold cords to draw the heavy cranberry drapes closed, when the front doorbell rang. Puzzled, he crossed the house and opened the door.

"Cecilia!"

Cecilia spun around, rubbing her arms briskly over her thin brown wool robes. Smiling brightly, she cried, "Surprise!" The fall wind kicked up a little hurricane of dry leaves on the walkway. Stamping her feet slightly, she shivered, her eyes beginning to cloud with apprehension. Perhaps this wasn´t such a good idea to come unannounced, she worried. Glancing past the open door, she began haltingly, "Perhaps this isn´t an ideal time for a visit, Mr. Lupin..."

Shaking his head, Remus gripped her hand and pulled her into the house. Smiling kindly, he held out his hand for her robe. "No, pardon me for being so rude, Cecilia. You took me by surprise, that´s all."

Cecilia followed him into the front room, her eyes hungrily taking in the cozy furnishings and all the pictures waving happily from the walls. Everything in the little house speaks of love and family, she surmised wistfully.

"Would you care to join me in a cup of tea, Cecilia?"

Smiling, she accepted his offer and moved to the fire to warm her cold hands.

Remus handed her a cup in a fine china pattern. Thanking him, she raised the steaming liquid to her lips. He took as seat on the couch and waited for her to begin.

"How is Elizabeth?"

"She is doing well," he began cautiously, wondering if this was to be one of the unannounced visits Margaret had warned about.

Cecilia noticed his guarded expression and crossed the room to sit next to him. "Mr. Lupin, I am not here on IWPA business. I--I just wanted to see how she is doing. She´s the first one to be adopted in a very long time..." she finished lamely by means of explanation.

Remus visibly relaxed. "Cecilia, please call me Remus." He patted her gently on the knee. "How have you been? Are you well?" he asked after a moment. He scanned her face carefully. Her bright blue eyes were clouded and the pallor in her cheeks was a sharp contrast to their rosyness the other day. "Cecilia, does Margaret know you´re here?"

She twisted a lock of curly brown hair between her fingers. Reaching back, she nervously unfastened her hairclip, a riot of curls tumbling around her shoulders. "It´s a bit windy out there, isn´t it?" Smiling nervously, she pulled her hair back and refastened the clasp. Shifting, she twisted her hands in her lap. Remus caught her cup and saucer before they took a tumble. "Oh, sorry," she faltered.

"Cecilia, I won´t tell anyone you are here. Will that help?"

"Yes... and yes, Miss Lancaster doesn´t know I´m here," she whispered softly.

"Why are you really here?" he asked in guarded tones.

She shook her head. "Well I... you see there´s something... you know," she laughed nervously, "I just missed her, that´s all."

Remus felt the strange urge to shake some coherency into her. "Cecilia, I don´t understand... Is Elizabeth in danger?" His heart began to pound as his gaze automatically spun to the staircase.

Before she could answer, Sirius, Harry, and Ginny paraded noisily down the stairs, Elizabeth cradled lovingly in Ginny´s arms. Cecilia´s eyes lit up as she saw the little mahogany haired girl.

"Elizabeth!" she cried, moving from the couch and rushing to Ginny´s side. Ginny´s eyes met Remus´. His lips formed a smile that quite didn´t reach his eyes.

"Cecilia," Sirius called from the doorway. "What a pleasure! What brings you by today?" Harry and Ginny stood next to him, observing the stranger curiously. She was a pretty witch who appeared to be only few years older than them. She didn´t look familiar though, and neither could remember ever seeing her at Hogwarts.

Remus stood and made the introductions. "Cecilia Bracey, Harry Potter," Cecilia blinked once. "And this is his girlfriend, Ginny Weasley. They are Cecilia´s godparents. Harry, Ginny, this is Elizabeth´s nurse from the IWPA."

They all smiled and exchanged pleasantries. Sirius caught Remus´ eye and inclined his head slightly. Remus mouthed, "Later," and blew him a kiss. Sirius laughed and caught it between his lips. Harry poked Ginny in the ribs, amused as he watched this exchange.

Cecilia rubbed Elizabeth´s cheeks between the pads of her fingers. "Hello, darling," she crooned. "What a cute little wolf you have on your tummy!"

Wolf? Remus peered over at his daughter. Sure enough, a miniature version of himself slumbered on his daughter´s chest. The wolf´s ribcage moved slowly as it breathed. "Padfoot!" he cried in mock distress.

Sirius howled with delight. "I didn´t even see Harry select that one. Good choice." He winked devilishly. Shaking his head, Remus moved to take his daughter. Cradling her in his arms, he sat her in his lap, his worried expression focused on Cecilia.

**********

The candelabra cast a brilliant ivory light over the occupants of the small dining room. Remus had pulled out his mother´s wedding china for the special occasion, and in the spirit of the festivities, had actually resorted to using magic in preparing the food after hungry moans and threats of eating Elizabeth came from the other room.

Remus leaned over in his chair and tugged Sirius close. "There is something a bit off with Cecilia, don´t you think?" he asked sharply. The piercing keen expression Sirius easily recognized swirled in his golden orbs, the obsidian black of his pupils widening.

Sirius followed the direction of Remus´ pointed look. Cecilia was busy spoon feeding Elizabeth a jar of pureed carrots. Shaking his head slightly, he wondered what was bothering Remus. His lover sat stiffly in his chair, his plate of food untouched.

"Remus," he asked, his voice laced with concern. "What did Cecilia want when she arrived? Does this have anything to do with--with Margaret´s clause in the contract?"

"I haven´t a clue. I couldn´t get to her to make any sense. But her eyes, Paddy, she has that scared look I´m used to seeing in people´s eyes when they have just discovered what I am." Sirius reached under the table and closed his hand gently over Remus´. The soothing contact between them helped to alleviate some of anxiety churning through Remus. He deliberately shifted his hand so that their lifelines pressed together.

Sirius winked at him. His warm understanding smile brought a flush to Remus´ cheeks.

"Remus, Sirius?" Ginny´s voice called over to them. They both jerked upright, and Sirius reached hastily for a roll and bit instead into a wadded napkin.

Clearing his throat, he gingerly removed the inedible item and smoothed out its creases. "It´s a new trick," he said by means of explanation. "I remember reading somewhere that wetting a wrinkled item will help to smooth it out."

Ginny blinked. What is going on? She wondered. Remus is just sitting there not talking and Sirius has taken to practicing new housecleaning spells? Deciding not to press the issue, she simply waited for Sirius to finish.

"Uh, Sirius?"Harry interjected. "If my memory serves me correctly, the wetting technique is usually done before ironing--and then with a spray bottle of sorts."

"Ah, yes," Sirius smiled apologetically, leaving the napkin alone. "It´s no wonder all the napkins were in such a state! I do apologize."

Ginny, Harry, and Cecilia all looked at their napkins knowing full well that Sirius wasn´t--well, serious. But at the same time... One by one, they all placed the offending item on their plates and pointedly ignored the humored looks Sirius threw them.

"Was there something you wanted, Ginny?" Remus questioned, pinching Sirius´ leg in an effort to stop the teasing.

Cecilia broke the silence when it became obvious that Ginny was at a loss for words. "Mr. Lupin, Mr. Black? I just want to thank you so much for allowing me to visit Elizabeth--even though I know I pretty much invited myself over," she said with a little laugh. A bit of the old "Nurse Bracey" sparkle had returned to her wide blue eyes, and she no longer possessed the haunted look Remus had first observed. Looking around the little dining room, she felt a great sense of relief swim over her. Odd, she though, for I hardly know these men and I don´t know their friends at all. Knowing of Harry Potter and knowing Harry Potter were two decidedly different things. The young man sitting across from her laughing with amusement at a jest his girlfriend made was not the same man glorified in the Daily Prophet. He seemed decidedly relaxed, comfortable even, and the wild frenzied look in his eyes that the photographers always managed to catch was gone.

She also knew she had made Mr. Lupin uncomfortable earlier and wondered worriedly how she was going to rectify the situation. The poor man hasn´t eaten a bite, she noticed. He´s simply watching me with a very guarded expression. As if on cue, Remus caught her eye and she blushed, looking down quickly.

Harry leaned over the table and cleared his throat to get Cecilia´s attention. "Did you attend Hogwarts?" he asked politely.

"No," she stammered, still unsettled by Remus´ gaze. "I--I have been employed at the IWPA for the past ten years."

Harry frowned slightly. "But you must have received training outside of the country, then. You can´t be much older than we are and surely the IWPA doesn´t hire nurses without formal MediWizard training."

"Harry," Ginny chided softly as the older witch flushed.

Sirius watched with a raised eyebrow as Cecilia twirled her hair with one finger and flipped her fork over and back with the other hand.

Harry sighed. Perhaps he had been a bit forward. He opened his mouth to apologize for the second time that evening when Cecilia blurted out, "I waited for my letter to attend Hogwarts but it never came."

There, she thought in relief. That should shut them up for now. Let them think that Hogwarts just didn´t extend the invitation. Anything is better than them knowing the truth.

An uncomfortable silence ensued. Remus reached up and pushed his hair behind his ears. His highly sensitized senses knew that she wasn´t being candid with them. Frowning slightly, his golden eyes took on a pensive look. A tiny wrinkle formed in his forehead as he rested his chin lightly on a propped up arm. He watched carefully as Cecilia sat rigidly in her chair, her posture belying her unease.

Both Harry and Ginny were nonplussed. This was not the answer they expected. Certainly all known wizards and witches in the United Kingdom were extended a Hogwarts invitation on their eleventh birthday. They had never before heard of someone being overlooked before. Harry´s green eyes registered their confusion behind his spectacles, and he held Ginny´s gaze for a long moment before breaking away and glancing back at Cecilia.

"Ten years?" Harry prodded. "You´ve been a nurse that long? Why you hardly look a day over twenty-five."

"Harry!" Ginny hissed, embarrassed by his lack of tact. Even Remus and Sirius looked surprised at this next line of questioning.

"I´m twenty-eight," she answered quietly. "I began work officially when I turned eighteen. Unofficially, I started when I was eleven."

Pushing back his chair abruptly, Sirius walked around the table to Elizabeth´s highchair. The happy baby was oblivious to the heavy atmosphere threatening to swallow the occupants of the room. She gleefully banged her spoon on her tray and babbled to herself. Seeing Sirius approach, she immediately raised her arms to be picked up.

"Hello sweetheart," he smiled. His curly black locks still untainted by gray fell haphazardly around his face. Casting a quick cleaning spell on the carrot dressed baby, he reached down and picked her up. He tickled her gently on her tummy and she let out a peal of laughter.

Turning to Remus, Ginny asked quietly, "When do you and Sirius have to report back to work?"

Remus watched his mate tickle their daughter and the seriousness of the moment faded away temporarily. Sirius often reminded him of a rather large child himself, and his interactions with Elizabeth were priceless. Smiling, he knew deep down that despite all of his mischievous ways, Sirius was inherently responsible. It was the fact that he often overlooked this trait that put Sirius into hot water so many times. Remus shook his head as he thought of all the times in the past--pre-Azkaban--when he had to apparate to the constable´s and bail him out. Hand in hand would be the woebegone, sad puppy-eyed expression Padfoot would throw at him in an effort to alleviate some of Remus´ anger--and, he thought dryly, it inevitably worked. He simply lacked the ability to stay angry at his lover over trivial matters.

"Oh, I´m sorry, Ginny," he said belatedly, realizing she was staring at him as he went through one of his many mental tangents. "Pardon?"

"I was just wondering when you and Sirius have to report back to work," she said laughing.

"Oh--I´ve worked out a leave program with the Ministry so that I can stay at home with Elizabeth. Translating international documents pertaining to the espionage surrounding the dark arts can be easily done at home, you know," Remus said with a slightly mocking tone evident as he described his job responsibilities. "Sirius, on the other hand, has to report back to the Ministry in two weeks"

Perplexed, Ginny glanced over at Sirius, who was in a close discussion with Cecilia and Harry. "But, Remus, isn´t Sirius´ new job going to take him away for long periods of time? At least that´s what Percy alluded to."

Remus nodded resignedly. "That´s the downfall--he´s now assigned to work with Harry and the rest of the Aurors in an effort to clean up the remainder of Voldermort´s cells. I believe the next assignment is in Venezuela."

Ginny sighed and leaned back in her chair. "I hate that he´s gone so much, Remus. Sometimes months will pass and I won´t have seen him once." She watched as the man she had been in love with for the past twelve years covered his eyes in a game of peek-a-boo. "I used to think that when school and the war were over we would be able to lead a normal life--one where waking up next to each other would be the norm... not the exception," she whispered morosely.

"Harry loves you Ginny. I am sure I needn´t reassure you of that point, and I know he would love nothing more than to wake up with you in his arms every morning. However, like his father--like Sirius sometimes--he has a rather strong streak of altruistic tendencies hindered by an often misplaced sense of independence. They all tend to put others before themselves. James altered his course slightly when he fell in love with Lily, but even then, he would have stopped at nothing should harm come her way." Remus´ warm expression comforted her slightly. "Harry is the same way. He places such an importance in righting the scale between right and wrong that I think this sometimes clouds his personal relationships. But, Ginny, his countenance brightens in the same fashion James´ did whenever Lily entered the room. Things will work out between the two of you." He smiled reassuringly at her. "Marauders´ pledge," he added solemnly holding up two fingers.

Cecilia watched as Remus and Ginny conversed quietly. She felt a sharp pang of envy take hold. Feeling wretchedly out of place, she pushed back her chair to take her leave. Smiling apologetically, she moved towards the door.

"I really must be returning to the institution. Miss Lancaster will wonder where I am."

Remus came to his feet smoothly. "Cecilia, please, you are welcome to our home anytime." He desperately wished she didn´t have to leave as his earlier worry came back in full force. "I don´t want you to get into trouble, but whenever you wish, please come visit. Elizabeth, Sirius and I will always be here."

Cecilia smiled at his kind words. As she pulled on her robes, she mentally chided herself for being such a coward. Swallowing hard, she closed her fastener and turned to say goodbye. She shook hands all around and leaned forward to plant a soft kiss on Elizabeth´s cheek.

"Thank you again," she said. Turning, she opened the front door and closed it behind her quickly.

Harry handed Ginny her robes and began to put his on own. Tying his scarf around his neck, he blew a raspberry at Elizabeth. "We have to go, too. Ginny´s got to teach in the morning, and I am to report to a contingency of Aurors meeting in Croatia at o-five hundred," he said with a laugh.

Remus and Sirius hugged Harry and Ginny goodbye. Sirius picked up Elizabeth´s little hand and showed her how to wave. Giggling, Ginny wriggled noses with her, and Harry tousled her hair gently.

"There--now we look like brother and sister," he joked. Stepping outdoors, they quickly disapparated.

In the quiet of the house, Remus leaned up to kiss Sirius´ soft lips gently. "I´m glad you don´t have to go anywhere tonight, Padfoot."

Sirius chuckled. "Shall we just put her to sleep?"

Tugging on the front of Sirius´ jumper, Remus whispered softly into his lover´s warm mouth. `I´d rather you put me to sleep..."

Elizabeth squirmed impatiently. "Da da!" she protested in righteous indignation.

Still kissing, the two men froze and stared at each other. Da da?

Elizabeth´s little violet eyes frowned up at the two men. She pushed with her little fists against the solid wall of chest on either side of her. "Da da." She said pointedly.

Yelling in delight, the two men crushed her to their chests, simple and pure love overwhelming them. Showering her with kisses, they forgot all other pleasantries in the heady, wonderful moment of being called Daddy by their daughter. At that moment, life could never be sweeter, for Moony and Padfoot had finally found their family.