A Season of Change

Chapter 9

It was, Remus thought as he absently picked up crumbs with his middle finger, an interesting meeting to say the least. The absence of fireworks has been somewhat surprising as was the perfectly cordial manner in which Percy and Charlie treated each other. He could hear the low rumble of voices from the foyer as Charlie, Percy, and Cecilia bid Sirius farewell, and he paused in the act of stacking china cups to stare reflectively out the window. There really wasn´t anything to see from his vantage point--the inky darkness completely swallowed the trees which in turn stretched far enough up into the sky to block out the stars. But he knew the stars were there with as much certainty as he was aware of the pounding of his own heart. He didn´t need a scientific explanation to explain that the stars existed regardless of the change in atmosphere, and likewise he knew it wasn´t necessary to place a hand over his chest to garner proof that his heart was beating.

There was a story his mother had told him in a time so long ago he had almost forgotten. A child´s tale, one that was whispered through soft lips as equally smooth hands folded the blankets a quarter turn, exactly the way he liked it. Elizabeth was one of the race of Joseph, a mother who never needed to be told what her child wanted, but knew instinctively through touches, looks, and certain twinkles of the eye. And yet, she knew how not to mollycoddle, for although she was a woman, she understood the importance a small boy placed on being a man. Over the years this tale became a ritual on Saturday nights, and he could remember how she would count down the days on his small pink fingers, bending one forward each night--six, five, four, three, two, one, today...

"And so, my little bear," she began in the way all magical stories must, "Once upon a time there was a magical kingdom high in those puffy clouds right outside your window--do you remember its name?"

"Lauriel, Mama," said the sweet little voice, eyes dancing with eager impatience.

"Yes. Quite right. Look hard. See that bright pink one? Can you see the little ripples in the clouds? Those are the people´s footprints." The child´s eyes widened as indeed he could see how the clouds shifted, overlapping as the wind blew, and his small mind wondered for a moment if that was foot peeking past the wisps. Those looked like toes... "In this kingdom everyone had soft furry tails like bunnies and big golden eyes with springs built into their feet. Every girl was named after a flower and all the boys had names that began with the letter R."

"Like Remus and Robert and Rafael..." he piped up, his own hand worming beneath the blankets to see if perhaps he had grown a tail after all. Ah... not yet... but, he remembered, there was still his wish on the evening star...

"Why, little bear, you could tell Mama the story! Try--go ahead..." And so Remus began to spin the tale of a world he dreamed of nightly--a world where fantastical creatures and boys could romp in the fields and no one was ever hunted or hurt... for Remus hated blood and pain. In Lauriel, acorns concealed a chocolate surprise and mothers never yelled when children ran home covered in brown stains, for in this kingdom, chocolate was a food group just like potatoes. And if a boy were to ask his mother for permission to stay out all night and sleep on the roof, she would pack him a thermos of cocoa and hand him his sleeping bag, no questions asked.

Elizabeth ended the ritual by planting kisses all over his chubby pink cheeks and declaring that yes indeed, he might be served chocolate gravy over his meatloaf if he closed his eyes like a good boy. With his well-loved brown bear cuddled against his cheek, Remus would wait until the door closed to make his wish.

The last wish he made was for springs to grow on his feet.

But that had been before... Things were different this night. His mother picked up his pale, blue-veined hand, touching the thin fingers one by one. She hesitated slightly, almost afraid of what she would see in her son´s eyes were she to move his fingers. "Shall I, Remus, my little bear?"

The boy turned his face away, his cheek pressed against the pillow. His hand lay limp in her palm, the fingers tense. "No, Mama. I don´t want to hear that story." She tried again, her own eyes dry as she awkwardly smoothed down the curled corner of the bandage. She had never before felt ill at ease around her son, and yet tonight... tonight he was a foreign child... not wholly her own... and her heart screamed at the unfairness of it all. "Tell me, Mama, about the story of the wolves."

"My little bear, I know no stories about wolves." Her voice was filled with sorrow. "But I can tell you the old story--even though it´s not Saturday. That doesn´t matter anymore." Her son turned his face until it stared directly at her own, their noses almost touching.

"No. It doesn´t matter anymore. I´m tired, Mama. May I sleep?"

And so Elizabeth folded his blanket a quarter turn and blew out the candle, for her son had never feared the dark. She looked back hesitantly, fully prepared to light the candle should he make the request, but he simply lay quietly, his eyes closed, his pinched face turned away from the window... from the stars and the clouds and the magical kingdom of Lauriel. Just as she moved to pull the door shut, she took a final peek, and her heart constricted. The child of her womb held within his tight embrace his stuffed bear, one tiny hand stroking the soft ears over and over. The door closed soundlessly, and Elizabeth´s knees gave way as she slowly sank to the floor to finally cry.

The sharp sound of china hitting china startled him. "Oh, hold it there..." Remus quickly righted the teetering cups. He smiled faintly as he remembered his first meeting with the girl with the snapping eyes. Lily. It had been the first time he had ever met someone with the name of a flower, and for a brief moment a memory of Lauriel flickered across his mind before vanishing as the raucous cries of his mates urged him from the train.

He wondered if making a wish on just any star would count.

"Sirius," he called as picked up the tray, "Can you move Elizabeth up to bed? I´ll just finish in the kitchen."

With a yawn, Sirius entered the room and began to bank the fire. "I´m glad Cecilia has decided to stay on. I was worried for a moment. It´s probably a good thing Charlie and Percy were here. I doubt anything I said would have mattered."

Remus´ mind was busy thinking of feet with springs. "Cecilia will cooperate because she has a kind heart," he said softly. "And I was proud of you for apologizing--it´s not an easy thing to do."

Sirius poked the logs viciously. A spark jumped from the pile of ash and slowly blinked out its last bit of life on the stone hearth. "Moony," he said almost as an afterthought, "You think Cecilia will be okay? With Margaret and all. If I had only known what she dealt with..."

Remus said only, "Sirius, don´t dwell."

"Yeah, yeah... I know, this is your department, Moony, you´re the expert," he grumbled. He turned his head and watched with guarded eyes as Remus made his way out of the room, his shoulders slumped forward despite his bravado earlier this evening. His palms tingled as they were wont to do whenever Remus was in pain--physically or emotionally. This was the strongest most tangible connection he could possibly have with another human, and yet... despite their unique bond, Remus could still find ways to close off the connection. Sirius closed his hand tightly.

It truly wasn´t concern for Cecilia´s cooperation that ate away at his mind. Percy´s comments regarding werewolf executions had frightened him terribly. His eyes returned to the fire and he shuddered in physical pain at the thought that man could so easily burn another human alive. The crackling of skin, the putrid smell of charred flesh, the agonizing screams. He knew the Ministry had resorted to other means of execution, but the vision of Remus´ head on the block like a common beast was equally horrifying.

Unable to bear his own horrendous visions any longer and wishing desperately to touch Remus, Sirius hurried into the kitchen and grabbed the other man around the waist in a fierce embrace. Remus gasped in surprise and dropped a plate with a crash.

"Sirius?" he breathed, his chest crushed beneath the amazingly strong grip of his lover.

Sirius burrowed his nose in the fine strands of hair falling against Remus´ cheekbones and inhaled the scent he prized above all others. A hint of musk coupled with the faintest trace of pine soap and a splash of masculinity completely original to Remus. He wriggled his nose slightly in the feathery softness, and Remus let out a small laugh at the tickling sensation.

Remus bowed his head slightly and stared at the long fingers linked together against his chest. He traced the ridges of Sirius´ knuckles and pressed his head back against the other man´s warm neck. Closing his eyes he reveled in the heat radiating from the tall form supporting his weight. If he allowed his mind full release from the conflict of emotions churning inside, he felt as if he could achieve weightlessness--so firmly did Sirius hold him.

Sirius´ words came in soft caresses against Remus´ ear. "Thank you," he whispered.

Remus kept his eyes closed as the heady feeling of floating over took him. His very feet seemed to linger inches above the floor. Like flying... Like the time Sirius took me for a midnight ride above the grounds on his confiscated boom... A slow smile graced his slightly pink lips.

The all-consuming embrace continued for long minutes as neither man moved. Finally Remus allowed himself to float back down. He shuffled around in Sirius´ arms and smiled shyly. "What are you thankful for?" he asked, a rosy blush staining the faint hollows on his cheeks.

For one of the rare moments in his life, Sirius wasn´t quite sure what to say.

"You know what I was thinking, hmm?" Remus placed a cool hand on Sirius´ forehead and threaded his slim fingers through the fallen locks. "I was just reliving the sensation of that very first ride you took me on. D´ya remember, Siri? It was just after Easter holiday third year and McGonagall had confiscated your broom after she caught you launching of the roof." He wondered if Sirius, whose mind acted like a sieve on occasion, would even remember. "I hated flying lessons, and you threatened to announce to the whole Slytherin table what a fine--er--backside I had if I didn´t meet you at the North Tower that evening." He laughed as he stretched on his toes to kiss the tip of Sirius´ nose. "So I came because at the time the idea of feeding Snape and Malfoy more ammunition was a bit off-setting."

"I wouldn´t have said anything."

"Yeah, I know. James would have killed you first," Remus grinned lopsidedly.

"No--I mean, I wouldn´t have said anything... because it was just a bet."

"A--bet?"

"A bet to see--to see if you would fly with me," Sirius explained cautiously.

Remus looked at Sirius in confusion. "Why were you guys betting on me? Why did you care whether I got on a broom or not?" His mind knew there was far more to his explanation. "We never cared that Peter didn´t fly."

"You refused to get on a broom, Moony," Sirius said mildly, his mind occupied with thoughts of how young and vulnerable Remus looked suddenly. "We always thought you were too damn serious--Peter, James and me... so we made a bet to see who could get you off the ground first." Sirius cringed slightly at the wounded look settling in Remus´ eyes.

"So..." Remus said in a small voice, "there wasn´t anything special about our ride? It was just me all these years projecting something that wasn´t there to begin with?" He couldn´t quite conceal his hurt disappointment. In fact, he suddenly felt incredibly foolish for pocketing that one memory in his heart like a precious jewel.

Sirius suppressed the urge to kick himself. He hastened to explain before he injured Remus further. "No--no, Moony," he stressed urgently. "Flying is an incredibly mind-blowing experience, and I wanted you to experience the sensation of weightlessness--of feeling as if all your troubles could be left on the ground as you kicked off. I wanted you to feel emotionally free for a change. That´s all--it wasn´t really a real bet--not like the others. James and Peter weren´t really going to try anyway." A slightly aggrieved look appeared on his face. "They didn´t did they?"

Remus shook his head, his worry dissipating quickly at the boyish look of worried uncertainty on Sirius´ face. He wanted to laugh in relief at how easily Sirius hastened to explain away any past transgressions.

Sirius´ laugh rumbled deep within his chest. "That´s good to hear. It was, after all," he lowered his lips suggestively and brushed them swiftly against Remus´ warm slightly open mouth, "supposed to be my wonderful ploy to get you to notice me." His breath tickled Remus´ lips. Remus reached up with his hands and gently cupped the sides of his lover´s face.

A faintly amused smile lingered on Remus´ lips. "Well, it worked. And I have loosened up haven´t I?"

"Marginally," Sirius said with a wry grin before he once again seized hold of the slightly moist lips beckoning him forward. Tongues tangled wetly as heated passion seized hold of the men. Sirius´ kiss was delightfully hard and hot Remus reflected hazily, as hard and hot as the rest of his exquisite body. His hands refused to release their hold on Sirius´ face, and he thought briefly of throwing him backwards on the kitchen table before deciding wisely that their bed would be infinitely more satisfying.

After several long minutes, Remus lowered his hands hesitantly and placed them on the wide expanse of Sirius´ chest. "Padfoot, can I tell you something?" he panted slightly as he tried to slow the pounding of his heart.

Sirius heart constricted at the unabashed adoration he saw in Remus´ eyes. He was amazed at how he reacted to Remus´ every touch. Not wanting to release the blissful surrender he was so close to achieving, he bowed his dark head and began to kiss a path down Remus´ slender neck, lingering over the pulse beating frantically at the base of his throat.

"I loved flying with you."

Startled, Sirius stared at his partner in astonishment. "But you never went again, Remus."

"In my mind I have--I just went, actually."

"But then why did you refuse me all those times I asked you?" he asked in slightly hurt tones not sure if he really wanted to know the answer.

Remus pressed his ear momentarily against Sirius´ chest. The rhythm soothed his ruffled spirits. "My stomach couldn´t handle the kick-off or the landing," he quipped. Altering his tone at the dark look Sirius gave him, he continued quietly, "To escape from my burdens in such a fashion would have been detrimental to me. It´s like the man who cannot stop drinking. I would have used it as an escape mechanism instead of living in reality."

"But if it offers you release," Sirius tried to argue.

Remus shook his head firmly. "No. It doesn´t. Not really. I´d rather experience the temporary sensation of emotional freedom in your arms where I can float just as easily--and not loose total control."

Remembering Remus´ earlier question, Sirius spoke the words hidden in his heart since the start of the conversation. "You asked me, Moony, what I was thankful for." He closed his eyes for a second as he tried to make sense of his jumbled thoughts. Verbal coherency wasn´t one of his strong suits. "I´m thankful that I am here with you--thankful that I finally have a chance to truly help my partner--my best friend--my soul mate. I guess I´m mostly thankful for the simple fact that for once in your life you don´t have to stand alone as a man stranded on an island amidst a raging unforgiving sea."

Remus´ smooth brow furrowed slightly at the self-reprehension in the other man´s voice.

"Whatever bloody Lancaster and Macnair have concocted I can promise you Moony that they´ll have to kill me before they succeed," Sirius growled. His mood changed quickly from passion-driven lust to impotent rage.

"Shush... don´t talk like that, Sirius." His hands trembled from their post on Sirius chest as he tried to pat him consolingly. "We´ll get through this."

"Don´t try to be noble and tell me you aren´t frightened, Remus. I won´t believe you this time."

"Fine, then don´t," Remus sighed impatiently.

Sirius dropped his arms and took a step back. An angry glint formed in his eyes. "Tell me you´re scared," he persisted.

Remus turned away and proceeded to pick up the pieces of the shattered china. How did we start arguing?

"Answer me, Remus," he demanded.

"What do you want me to say?"

"I want you to stop being so damn brave and tell me you´re as scared shitless as I am! Yell at me about the injustice of the situation--tell me you´re glad I am here for you--or not--anything, Remus except hiding behind your damn wall!" Sirius shouted in frustration, a bit surprised at his own outburst but too upset to stop himself. All thoughts of breathing were forgotten as he leaned heavily against the table, his legs splayed.

"How is that going to help anything?"

Remus´ weary calmness infuriated Sirius. Sirius who just wanted to storm into the Ministry building and pound Macnair so hard into the ground... already his fists were balled in anticipation. Forget magic, he thought.

"You said you didn´t fly with me because you can´t avoid your problems that way. Tell me now that you aren´t doing that. Tell me you didn´t just say that you imagined being weightless."

Remus was silent, his shoulders held stiffly.

"The executions then. Tell me Percy´s stories didn´t sicken the hell out of you." Sirius ground his jaw in anger, heedless of the insensitivity of his words as he worked to get a rise out of Remus.

The hands busy forming small piles of china fragments stilled. Remus felt his face drain. His right index finger caught the edge of a shard and began to bleed. Bright crimson shone brilliantly against blue white flesh.

He slowly turned to face the furious man leaning against the kitchen table, his hands clenched tightly in readiness for a physical fight that would never happen. Remus´ face was almost translucent in the dim light of the room. His eyes burned as heat lashed out at the other man. The wolf inside him howled long measured cries of distressed fury, for the wolf could cry when the man could not. Approaching Sirius with deliberate steps, he paused as their escalated breathing mingled in the thick silence of the room.

"As a man I breathe. As a wolf I breathe the same air. But as both man and wolf I am undeserving of such privileges. I ask you this, Sirius, in which category should I be judged? If I allow my fears to manifest and consume me how can I separate the man from the beast? In my lupine state I live in constant dread and anxiety. I choose not to spend my days as a man in the same state." With these final words he strode quickly out of the kitchen.

**********

Remus kicked a pile of leaves covering the stone path leading to the country road. Bright glistening stars twinkled in the velvet night sky, and the waning moon sparkled in its cold brilliancy. The cool autumn air stirred slightly and caressed his hair like a rain shower of kisses. Raising high his own shining orbs, he sought out Canis Major. Somehow over the years he had trained his mind into feeling comforted by the constant Dog Star--a peaceful reminder that despite all of life´s turmoil there still existed certain universal truths.

Shivering slightly he crossed the garden to the low picket fence surrounding the grounds. Pressing up against the worn white boards, he placed his hands a top of the sharp points and shuffled his feet in the dewy grass.

His mind raced tonight with a million discomforting thoughts. He had fled the stifling confines of the house loaded with penetrating stares and quick barbs in search of a moment of silence, but in the vast openness of the outdoors he failed to find escape. His jumbled emotions simply followed him wherever he went.

Executions. That single word wielded so much power.

As a scholar and as a self-preserving individual, Remus was privy to the knowledge of werewolf executions throughout history. In the past he had chosen not to dwell on these acts of cruelty, but in the current situation he couldn´t escape the reality of the horrible tales. Pin-prick shivers tickled his spine and the flesh of his arms broke into a million tiny goose bumps.

It wasn´t just the Bristol werewolf.

Remus was pragmatic. He understood first hand the intolerance the Wizarding community had towards werewolves. He never deceived himself into believing a normal life was possible--a character trait that particularly infuriated Sirius. It was not as if he lived morosely and without hope, he just maintained the belief that there were certain individuals who would accept him as a man and others who would forever view him as a beast.

For centuries werewolves have been under the receiving end of the ax or in the center of an inferno.

The brightness of the night sky suddenly infuriated Remus. He felt as if the very stars and moon were mocking him. As if they understand that I´ll never reach their state of purity. Clenching his fists around the posts he was consumed with the overwhelming desire to raise his head and howl at the sky. He hated Lauriel.

Sirius´ words drummed through his mind. Lowering his weary head to his chest, he squeezed his eyes shut as memories crashed forward.

"You know why we can´t make you Harry´s official guardian, don´t you, Remus? You have to believe me that it has absolutely nothing to do with my feelings towards you." James´ voice pleaded.

Remus sat silently on the ottoman at James´ feet, his eyes tracing patterns on the dark carpet.

Sirius strode down the stairs in the shadows, his hand balanced lightly on the railing. He stilled at James´ words. Lily and James had asked him earlier to be Harry´s godfather, a role he was honored to posses. And now Remus is upset...

James ran his fingers agitatedly though his hair. A muscle clenched spasmodically in his strong jaw. He watched Remus with a guarded expression. "The Ministry has rules..." he tried again, his words sounding weak to his own ears. "The Department prohibits the assigning of guardianship to--to people they consider to not be fully human. You know if it were up to Lily and me--"

Remus raised pain-shadowed eyes to James´ face slowly. "I would rather you not go into all the details, James," he said in his quiet way. "And don´t think that I am offended."

James blinked in hurt confusion. "But Moony. Don´t you want to be one of Harry´s guardians?"

"I would do anything for your son, James, but I don´t need the Ministry to lesson my value as a human being." Remus paused, considering. "I would never do anything to jeopardize the safety of your family--you are all I have left now--you and Peter and--and Sirius."

"But the Ministry--"

Remus shrugged lightly. "James, if I can´t be Harry´s godfather on paper I´ll have to content myself with having the role in my heart."

James could count the number of times he had cried in his life on one hand. Gazing at the brave man seated before him he felt prickles of tears tease at his lids. In a fluid motion, he pulled Remus to his feet and embraced him tightly. "I love you, Moony," he said gruffly, somewhat startled at the sentimental expression.

Sirius entered the room with a lazy smile on his handsome face. "I believe, Prongs, that you´ve just overstepped the boundaries of our friendship." He slapped the other black-haired man on the back for show.

James released Remus with a grin and searched the over-bright eyes for a second. He saw registered in the other man´s face happiness, admiration, and something akin to acceptance. Calling out loudly, he exclaimed joyously, "Lily! Let´s celebrate! Remus and Sirius have agreed to be Harry´s proper role models!" A groan echoed from the kitchen.

Remus felt a splinter of wood pierce his palm.

This all happened about ten years ago, and since then no werewolf has been legally sanctioned to have parenting rights--until you, Remus.

Sirius´ expression at Hermione´s words had frightened him at the time. Now he wondered dully why special permissions had been granted. Surely offering reparations to Sirius couldn´t have been the only reason. If that were the case--if he was still not to be considered a man--then by all practical means he would never be considered Elizabeth´s true father. I´m a byproduct of an apology to Sirius, he thought bitterly.

Hermione has found inconsistencies in the ledger and there is reason to believe that lycanthropy might be transferred from parent to child...

Only person to have guardianship of a ward since the Bristol werewolf...

Executed him after destroying his credibility...

Percy wants to track down the Bristol werewolf´s child...He´s at Hogwarts...

"No one even refers to him by name. He´s just the `Bristol werewolf´," Remus whispered furiously, feeling deep-seeded compassion for the ill-fated man. "He´s been objectified to the point of non-existence."

A long mournful howl sounded from deep within the grove of trees behind the cottage. Remus turned at the sound, unafraid, and gazed upon his home. He could sense the ordinary wolf and knew that it in turn could smell him. A soft yellow glow spilled from the front windows onto the floorboards of the porch. The upstairs windows were dark, the curtains drawn for the night. A figure paced back and forth in front of the light, and he wondered what Sirius was thinking.

He shivered again. He felt so empty... so emotionally drained and exhausted. Is life going to always consist of these uphill battles? Passing a hand over his eyes, he leaned back against the fence despairingly. So much of his life was spent resisting the urge to dwell in self-pity. He smiled wryly. Life´s just one big pep talk, isn´t it, Remus?

The front door opened and warm light poured out into the darkness. Sirius stood in the doorway, his face hidden in shadows.

"Moony?" he called tentatively.

"I´ll be there in a minute," Remus answered quietly.

After a brief pause, Sirius closed the door, and Remus was once again a solitary figure in the expansiveness of the night.

**********

Charlie walked briskly down the main road leading into the village of Hogsmead. Howard had agreed to meet him at The Three Broomsticks and as usual, Charlie was running behind schedule. He trotted the last few meters and pulled open the heavy door with ease. Stepping back, he smiled in apology as three teen-aged witches tumbled forward. They took in his appearance appreciatively, giggled madly, and rushed off down the lane. One of the witches sporting red and gold Gryffindor colors blushed as he caught her glancing backwards.

Chuckling, Charlie walked into the pub and looked around for Howard. His partner waved from the end of the bar, and Charlie weaved his way through the Hogwarts´ crush.

"´Lo, Whitney," he said in greeting. Plunking himself on a tall barstool, he smiled cheekily at Madame Rosmerta who leaned over the bar engrossed in an animated debate with two wizened wizards. "Big pint of mulled mead, gorgeous."

Madam Rosmerta threw a cockroach cluster over her shoulder at his bright hair, and her brilliant red mouth laughed in amusement as it bounced off the middle of his forehead and into Howard´s shot glass of Ogden´s Firewiskey.

Charlie raised an eyebrow in question. "All right there, Whitney?"

The striking blonde man stared in dismay at his ruined drink.

"Another firewhiskey for my partner over here, Madame Rosmerta," Charlie called loudly. "Please."

Two drinks barreled their way down the smooth waxed surface of the bar. Charlie expertly caught the handle of his pint and raised it directly to his lips. Over the edge of his mug he watched as Howard smoothly knocked back the burning liquid with clear expertise.

"Not too bad, mate," Charlie said in admiration. Howard shrugged in his matter-of-fact manner.

"So, Weasley, what did you want to meet about? I thought we had the weekend off." He frowned. "Augustine doesn´t want us to report back early does he, because--"

"Nah, nothing like that. Augustine told me that the Welsh Green hatching went well."

Howard rolled his glass between his palms. "Yeah, she hatched all right. Augustine took her right away--oh, and he said to tell you that we´re going to try to locate the mother´s herd."

Charlie nodded in approval. "Good. That´s ruddy good news."

Silence fell as Charlie took another long drink.

"Weasley..." Howard drawled in impatient tones.

Turning towards his partner, Charlie noted immediately that Howard´s stubble was gone as were the shadows under his eyes. His impeccably groomed body was dressed muggle-style, and he was back to being his typical arrogant self. Charlie groaned inwardly.

"Look Whitney, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Oh, yeah?" Howard reached into the inside pocket of his dark brown leather jacket and pulled out a pack of Kents. Tilting his head slightly, he lit the end of his fag with the tip of his wand. "Incendio." Inhaling deeply, he pushed the pack towards Charlie.

Charlie shook his head. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed two witches staring at them--or rather, he amended, they are ogling Whitney. One of the girls rose and sauntered around the table to stand next to Howard´s stool.

Howard turned slightly as her citrus fragrance floated under his nostrils. His eyes widened appreciatively as he took in her flowing blonde hair and wide cornflower blue eyes. His eyes lingered on her voluptuous chest for a moment. He smiled rakishly at the young witch and leaned back against the bar, propping his elbows on the edge.

"Hello," he said with a devil-may-care look in his blue eyes.

The young witch, who can´t be more than seventeen, Charlie thought wryly, spread her over-glossy lips into a wide smile.

"You´re Howard Whitney, right? The Dragon Keeper?"

"Right on--and you are?"

"Claudia."

Charlie coughed loudly as he suppressed a grin. "Charlie," he interjected loudly. "Whitney´s personal assistant." Howard threw him a slightly disgruntled look.

Claudia glanced over at the red-haired man and ran her eyes up and down his muscular form. She smiled sympathetically before turning her attention to Howard. She touched his arm lightly with a perfectly manicured nail.

"Would you and your assistant fancy joining us for a drink? That´s Helen over there," Claudia waved at her friend, a brunette version of herself. Howard lifted his hand in greeting as Charlie nodded his head over his mug. He recognized the blue and bronze of her scarf as being Ravenclaw colors.

Howard ran a large hand over his perfectly smooth hair and opened his mouth to accept just as Charlie shook his head.

"Sorry, Claudia, but Whitney and I have to talk. Give us a minute, will you?" he added as she glared at him.

Claudia scowled at the audacity certain assistants seemed to possess before caressing Howard´s arm one last time. She walked unhurriedly back to her friend.

"Oi! Whitney!"

Howard turned reluctantly back to Charlie and frowned slightly.

"If you´re done undressing her with your eyes would you mind listening to me?" he asked in an irritated voice.

"Sorry. What´s that, Weasley?"

Charlie rolled his eyes inwardly as Howard snuck another quick look at the girls. Sweet Merlin, he groaned in exasperation. "Whitney, I want to know if you remember hearing anything about the Bristol Werewolf case during university."

"The Bristol Werewolf case?" he repeated, his eyes narrowing.

"Yeah--it went to trial about ten years ago."

Howard lit up another fag and was silent for a long moment. "The Ministry kept the Bristol Werewolf case pretty hushed up. No one outside of the Department was really aware of it--you know, people heard rumors and all..." he took a long drag and slowly blew geometric shapes towards the ceiling. "Dietmar Huber. Yeah... that was his name. He came to Bristol from Germany after the birth of his sister´s baby." He looked sharply at Charlie´s fascinated stare and said suspiciously, "What do you want with this anyway?"

Realizing he knew very little about his partner, Charlie feigned innocence and replied carelessly, "Nothing, mate. I just heard rumors about werewolf executions and wondered if they were true."

Howard tapped his ashes onto the floor before taking another long, smooth drag. Charlie grimaced slightly as the air around his head became blue with smoke. "I don´t know how many werewolves are executed these days--I think the Committee keeps a pretty tight reign on that sort of thing here. I hear executions are still pretty regular on the Continent though."

"What about Robert Culpepper? You know of him?" Charlie pressed.

Howard stood abruptly. "Did you ask me here just to talk about werewolves, Weasley? Cause if you did I have other things I´d rather do on my off-time." He nodded pointedly towards Claudia and Helen.

"Look, Howard," Charlie leaned in urgently, forgetting about his earlier concerns. Howard blinked at Charlie´s use of his first name. "I need your knowledge as a barrister. Augustine told me you had training before joining the league."

Sitting back down, Howard nodded as he motioned for two shots of firewhiskey. Slamming back his share, he drew a hand across his mouth and waited for Charlie to continue.

"A close friend of the family is a werewolf," he finally said. He watched Howard´s reaction closely. Howard stared at him nonplussed. "Look, he just gained permission from the Infant Wizard Protection Agency to adopt a baby, but something´s going on between Walden Macnair and Margaret Lancaster--something similar to the Bristol case, and we can´t make any bloody sense out of the legal documentation."

"Macnair and Lancaster?" Howard screwed up his face in disgust. "Crikey, how in bloody hell did he convince those nutcases to give him a baby?"

"Listen, mate, I don´t want to talk about this here." Charlie´s eyes darted around the room.

Howard sighed deeply and moved to shake out another fag. Charlie clamped his hand down over the pack.

"I can´t stand the bloody smoke, Whitney."

Claudia and Helen chose that moment to come up to the boys. "We´re leaving," Claudia pouted. "Fancy walking us down the lane a bit?" she asked invitingly while batting her long gold tinted lashes. Howard smiled rakishly. Standing, he shoved his Kents back into his pocket and brushed a miniscule trace of ash from his jeans. Helen poked Claudia as she unabashedly took in his perfectly formed rear outlined by the tight material.

"Hey, can you help me or not?" Charlie asked in angry frustration as Howard moved towards the exit.

"Yeah, sure Weasley," he called over his shoulder. Pausing, he bent down and whispered something in Claudia´s ear. She giggled and pulled Helen outside.

Howard strode back to the bar. "Here," he said tossing a gold embossed business card on the table. "I´m staying at my grandfather´s." He turned and exited the pub quickly.

Charlie watched through the window panes as Howard caught the two pretty girls around their waists and swung them about in the cool autumn air. He glanced down at the expensive card with its shimmering script.

Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures

Robert Culpepper, Department Head

"Well, I´ll be bloody damned," Charlie breathed loudly.

**********

Elizabeth sat propped up against the yellow wall next to her changing station. She batted her small hands anxiously at the white linen cap Sirius tried to place on her head. This parenting thing was a completely new and somewhat trying experience for a man who prided himself in being able to conquer anything with ease. He grimaced at the thought of his former housemates laughing hysterically at the sight of Sirius Black being knocked down a notch or two by a mere infant. Quaffles, bludgers, dungbombs, melting cauldrons, Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy bound lock-legged together--these were mere child´s play when compared to tackling this one-stone bundle of energy.

"Lizzie, c´mon. Please cooperate," he pleaded. He made another attempt to catch his daughter´s head and missed again.

The stubborn little girl grabbed her right foot and tugged impatiently. "Da da!" she cried as she proudly held out her little red patent leather shoe. The shoe Sirius had spent a good twenty minutes trying to affix to her foot. He sighed exasperatedly then grinned at his small daughter as he removed his wand.

"Impedimenta," he whispered, tapping her lightly on the forehead. His eyes darted towards the door apprehensively as if he expected Remus to apparate from Hogwarts. Immediately Elizabeth stilled, her violet eyes blinking in confusion.

Nodding contentedly, Sirius placed her shoe back on her foot, snapped the buckle, and proceeded to tie the white ribbons of her cap under her chin. He fastened her miniature red wool cloak with black cording around her little shoulders and marveled at her glowing beauty. And I wanted a son... He raised his wand to remove the spell but after a second glace, decided to take full advantage of her stillness. He swung his black wool robes around his shoulders and wrapped a red scarf around his neck.

"Who´s my pretty little pumpkin pasty?" he cooed as he swung her rigidly in the air. "Oops!" he cried and quickly removed the spell. Elizabeth immediately resumed her soft squirming state and touched her head in dismay. "Shall we be off then, Lizzie? Daddy´s waiting for us at Hogwarts."

Balancing her on his hip, he swung her baby bag decorated jauntily with little animals over his shoulder and strode down the stairs into the front room. He threw a pinch of floo powder into the high flames and waited patiently for the signal. Elizabeth grabbed the collar of his cloak and proceeded to gum it enthusiastically. Sirius reached experimentally into her mouth and felt the beginnings of two new top teeth. He smiled with proud pleasure at how quickly she was growing. Elizabeth quickly relinquished her hold on his cloak and began to suck eagerly on his finger. Smiling, Sirius stepped into the flames and shouted, "Honeydukes," before they disappeared in a flash of light.

**********

Honeyduke´s vibrant multi-colored lights caused Sirius to blink furiously as he stepped gingerly out of the fireplace. He nodded his head in greeting at the proprietor of the famous sweets shop who was quite accustomed to witches and wizards popping into his establishment via means other than the front door. Walking briskly down the aisle, he paused momentarily next to a display of particularly impressive sugar quills, his mouth watering slightly.

"Just received `em today. You´re lucky it´s not the weekend. Those crazy kids from Hogwarts would´ve cleared ´em out otherwise." A wizened little wizard by the name of Frewin stepped forward sporting a gap-toothed grin. "How do you do, my little peppermint toad?" he asked in a gravelly voice as he chucked Elizabeth under the chin.

Elizabeth stared at him, unafraid. Sirius glanced down at his daughter and thought with amusement that she did indeed look a bit like a peppermint sweet. He gobbled her little rosy cheek playfully. "Mmm... yummy, Lizzie." Elizabeth giggled.

His eyes caught sight of a very fine quill with a sharp chocolate tip. Frewin nodded his head sagaciously. "Ah, clever choice. This fine model sports a refillable liquid chocolate center. We sell replacement cartridges of course."

Sirius switched Elizabeth to his other hip and picked up the quill, turning it over in his hand. Remus had been testy all week since Charlie and Percy´s visit. Ah, chocolate... the cure-all to Remus´ bad moods. Smiling, he looked down at the little wizard. "I´ll take this one, please--oh, and could you toss in a couple extra cartridges?" I´ll definitely need them.

He walked up and down the aisles, his Marauder instincts thinking of all the fun he could have with the exploding bon-bons and canary creams. The last prank he could recall pulling was the accidental explosion of the dungbombs at the baby shower. And Sirius didn´t even want to take credit for that--it certainly wasn´t up to his usual standards. Afterwards, Remus had mercilessly teased him about losing his touch. Not as if Moony was pulling any pranks lately... Sirius wondered briefly how Fred and George we doing.

"Sir?" Sirius turned to accept the brown paper parcel from the wizard. He handed him two galleons.

"Thank you," he said with a last lingering look at the fudge flies before striding outdoors.

A gentle breeze ruffled his hair and shook the bright red and gold leaves into merry dance overhead. Elizabeth clapped in delight as a bright orange leaf fell onto Sirius´ arm. She picked it up with her plump little fingers and immediately put it in her mouth.

"No, no--icky, Lizzie," Sirius chided. He tried unsuccessfully to pull the leaf from her grip. Fumbling, he reached inside his cloak for her Never-Ending Juice Binkie. "Here, suck this why don´t you?"

Passing witches and wizards out for a stroll in the warm autumn afternoon smiled benevolently at the picturesque image of the tall handsome wizard with the outlandish baby bag trying desperately to fish pieces of leaf from his daughter´s mouth. The little girl let out an indignant wail as the man´s finger prodded none too gently.

Ten minutes later and finally satisfied, Sirius popped the binkieinto her mouth and continued down the tree-lined lane leading up to the castle. Glancing down at Elizabeth who stared at her surroundings with wide eyes, he began to recite a nursery rhyme his mum had sung when he was very small:

"One, two, three, four, five -
Once I caught a fish alive.
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten -
Then I let it go again.
Why did I let it go?
Because it bit my finger so.
Which finger did it bite?
The little finger on the right."

Growling, he quickly caught Elizabeth´s little finger and pulled it into his mouth. She giggled in delight, and Sirius laughed as well, his face alight with joy. He continued down the lane and appreciatively took in the gorgeous rugged Scottish scenery. The red- brown mountains in the background spanned the horizon, and he watched as three owls glided smoothly overhead. As they neared the tall towers of the castle he could see off in the distance fast swishes of color streak across the blue sky. Ah... Quidditch practice. His palms itched to ride a broom again, and he considered briefly taking Remus for another ride. His trusty model was in one of the closets... perhaps he could sweeten Remus with some chocolate and the promise of a very gentle take-off.

The great black ivy-covered gate opened as easily as it had back in his school-days. He strode briskly around the lake to the large oak front doors. Raising the heavy iron knocker, he released it with a bang. He glanced about the front-grounds curiously and smiled knowingly as two flashes of silver and green ducked behind the shrubbery.

Slowly the massive front doors opened to reveal a very grim Professor McGonagall. Sirius grinned and extended his hand in greeting.

"My dear Professor McGonagall!" he said with flourish.

Minerva´s eyes crinkled at the edges as her normally stern look faded somewhat into a welcoming smile. Her once black hair was now completely silver, and her world-weary face seemed to posses even deeper lines.

"Mr. Black," she shook his hand firmly before dropping all pretenses and tapping him quickly on the shoulder with her wand. "Need I remind you of your manners, my dear boy?"

Sirius laughed. Bantering with Minerva McGonagall was one of his favorite past times--and had been since he was a student. He smiled to think of how James and Remus had despaired over his lack of respect for the Head of their house.

"Minerva, it´s a pleasure to see you. It´s always comforting to see you haven´t changed a bit."

She eyed him sternly. "I trust you haven´t named this poor child Eustace?"

Sirius turned Elizabeth in his arms and smiled proudly as he made the introductions. "Elizabeth Lupin-Black, please meet Minerva McGonagall. She will, of course, be Professor McGonagall to you when you finally learn to speak."

All traces of sternness faded from her be-spectacled grey eyes. She pocketed her wand and lifted a delicately veined hand. "Oh, Sirius," she said kindly as she gently touched Elizabeth´s rosy cheek, "she´s precious."

Straightening, she resumed her formal stance and said in a no-nonsense tone, "I despair thinking of Elizabeth at eleven with you and Mr. Lupin as parents. Don´t give me that look, Mr. Black," she said austerely when he raised his eyes innocently. "I know quite well all the shenanigans you and your housemates managed to pull during your years here--and I don´t believe for one moment that age has cured you--either of you--of your flair for mischief."

Sirius laughed appreciatively and followed Minerva through the doors into the entrance hall.

"Albus and Remus are waiting for you in the tower. The password is dungbomb."

Sirius raised his eyebrows at Dumbledore´s sense of humor.

Minerva smiled wryly. "Yes, well, I do expect he changed the password knowing you would find the humor in it." She waved farewell and began her descent to the dungeon.

Sirius and Elizabeth had just begun the climb to the Headmaster´s tower when Minerva called from below.

"A moment, Sirius, if I may." Minerva walked forward holding in her hands a beautiful gray striped tabby kitten. The little animal blinked its small green eyes.

"Tell Remus I transfigured this little creature from a piece of granite so he needn´t worry himself about handling a full-grown cat. This little kitten will remain a baby forever." She handed the mewling little bundle of fur to Elizabeth who pulled it closely to her chest.

Sirius was speechless at Minerva´s thoughtfulness. She had remembered Remus´ dislike of grown animals--or rather, grown animals dislike of Remus. He nodded slowly and said somberly, "Thank you, Minerva. I am certain Remus will wish to thank you personally."

Minerva nodded briskly and patted Elizabeth on the head. "She´s beautiful, Sirius. Please have the courtesy to not turn her into a miniature Marauder."

Smiling, Sirius resumed his long climb to the tower. He passed walls of familiar portraits waving merrily at him, noticed with glee that the statue the Marauders had crashed into one fateful night was still missing the tip of its nose, and smiled nostalgically at the staircase leading to Gryffindor Tower. The closer he was to the Headmaster´s tower, the quicker his humor faded as he wondered what news Dumbledore had for them.

Stopping next to the statue of the gargoyle, he spoke the password, "Dungbomb." The secret door swung open and he walked inside, stepping quickly onto the spiral staircase that moved slowly up towards Dumbledore´s chambers.