A Sirius Change

Chapter 11 - Necessary Evils

Cordelia stood in front of her dressing room, trying to decide whether she'd need the camel coloured wool trousers or if the black ones would be enough. She was resisting packing for this trip because she didn't want to go. At least Sirius was coming too, she thought for the thousandth time. Since the headlines and the interviews and the acknowledgement that there were such things as wereleopards and that they were relatively well organized, The Rex of the Pard had been pushing quite forcefully to have a conference between the Indian Wizarding and Muggle governments in order to get their territory defined and the pipeline project relocated.

They had finally been able to arrange a week for negotiations. Sirius was there to ensure that the IFW's interests were not violated. Cordelia was going as a liaison between the IFW and the Muggle government. The Rex would be there, as well as a representative of the Indian Prime Minister, and the Minister of Wizardry. The firm in charge of the pipeline construction as well as the multi-national corporation that would be purchasing most of the pipeline's contents would also have representatives, in addition to environmental groups concerned with preserving the integrity of the flora and fauna on the pipeline's route.

Cordelia wasn't positive that she was up to this. It wasn't that she hadn't done this sort of thing before, she had. But she was still drained and edgy about her situation and she wasn't entirely comfortable about having infected the man at the farm, even if he was intending to kill her. He hadn't gone through an initial change yet. She had left instructions to keep her informed of his change. She knew it would not be anything like her own, with no one to help him accept what he was now. Most of the time, this train of thought got her angry. While she felt awful about infecting the man, he had been intent on doing her harm. She had to keep repeating to herself, it was self-defence, it was self-defence.

In an attempt not to think about it, she filled her weekend with family activities. She played in the park with Charlie and Ian, and then she and Sirius had taken the kids out to dinner. They spent an evening at her mum's watching old Muggle movies and eating popcorn. She hadn't let herself be idle, because idleness brought back unproductive thoughts and guilt. Cordelia shook off the thoughts and went back to pondering what to pack.

Sirius came into their bedroom. "Black or beige," she asked, holding the trousers up for his inspection.

"Both. I can charm the suitcases to shrink, so bulk's not an issue. Don't forget shoes. Fifteen pair ought to do you?" he teased, as he chose his own clothes for the trip.

"Very funny, you know I can't get by without at least twenty pair." She draped the trousers over her arm and plucked co-ordinating jackets and blouses from the wardrobe and piled them on the bed. At least he was useful when it came to packing, she thought.

"You don't seem ready for this," Sirius stated, with concern etched on his face, as he wrestled to get his own suitcase extricated from beneath the bed.

Cordelia sighed. "No, I'm not, if you want to know the truth. I'm not ready at all. I know vaguely what to expect, but I'm not sure I can depend on my reactions. I don't trust myself yet."

"You haven't changed that much, Cord. It's just your body that changes. Your personality hasn't changed?"

"But it has. I get angrier more easily. I clawed you up, and I infected that man. I am absolutely horrified sometimes at what I feel the need to do."

"Don't you think those things were just reactions to the stress? I think you'll be fine."

Cordelia shook her head. "I don't know if it's that or if it's something that changed me intrinsically. I've asked Peter, but he didn't seem to think I should be more aggressive after I was infected. He'd never heard of that happening before."

"That's good, isn't it?" Sirius looked hopeful, while counting out socks.

"Yes, but whether it is or is not intrinsic, I'm still worried that these aggressive impulses are going to screw up the negotiations we're headed into tomorrow. What if I get impulsive and damage the process, or what if I lose it and can't work through the inevitable rough spots? I've always been able to maintain some sort of semblance of cool during negotiations, but right now, I'm just not so sure of myself." Cordelia sat down heavily on the bed.

"I'll be there, remember. If you start to boil over, I'll call a break and you can excuse yourself. Don't worry about it. I have confidence in you. If I didn't you wouldn't be participating."

This made Cordelia look up. "You'd ask me not to come if you thought I wasn't up to it?"

"Of course. But I still have confidence in you, even after the mess you made of my back," he winced and stretched his arms around, as if to relieve a tightening across his back and shoulders.

"Does it still hurt?"

"Just a little, the scars tend to tighten up, if the skin gets dry."

"I could massage it with some of that great almond scented oil you got a few months ago," Cordelia suggested with a smile.

Sirius raised his eyebrows and smiled. "Sounds lovely, get your bag packed and I'll put on the candle to heat it up. But really, I think you'll be fine. This is your specialty. You've never had trouble maintaining a professional attitude, even when I was losing it at various times over the years. You're the best, Cord. Really." He caught her hand and pulled her towards him. He brushed the hair back from her face. "Really, you'll be fine."

Cordelia smiled. "Let me get the packing done, so we can get to the massage."

Later, when the packing was done, Cordelia knelt over Sirius and spread the oil onto his back. She was very glad the scars wouldn't last. She had no objection to scars in general. Usually they went with a story and added depth and character to a person's body, but these scars reminded Cordelia of the thing that she had become. As she moved her hands over his back, she thought again how beautiful his body was; the sculpture of his muscles and glow of his skin in the candlelight, with the oil giving off a lovely sheen as well as an inviting scent, that made her want to consume him. But with that wonderful feeling of possessiveness that she had when she looked at his body this way, there came that dreadful sickening feeling in her stomach that she was now capable of creating the mess of scars that she was trying to obliterate. With that dread, the leopard awoke and stretched inside her. One moment she would look at his back as a work of art, when she could see beyond the scars, but in a flash she could see the scars as openings to his vulnerability, and the leopard liked that.

She took a shaky breath and continued to rub the oil into the skin. She was scared.

***********

Draco had spent the last two weeks severing all the contacts he had made in the last year and cultivating his old cronies. He'd spent hours drinking with Slytherins and denying his interest in working for anyone but his own self-interest. He admitted to working for Sirius, but denied it had done anyone but himself any good. He bragged that he was able to find out all sorts of information on new trade agreements and had made several important contacts which he knew the Slytherins would be interested in. Fortunately Sirius had provided some of this information, some of it false, some true, but nothing that would jeopardise any ongoing projects. Draco had even contacted a Malfoy cousin and explained that he'd been delusional to have helped Potter, and he concocted a story that he was just too lazy to be involved in evil plots anymore and getting out of the Circle was all about not wanting to work anymore.

He'd finally been able to obtain some information about the witch named Lexus. It hadn't taken too much to arrange a coincidence and get himself invited to a party at her flat. Looking at her flat, it was obvious she was earning more than what she could make as a Circe photographer. Ginny was generous with her employees, but she wasn't stupid. The flat was in the trendiest section of Wizarding London, it was larger than his - but then again, a lot of places were - and the furnishings and artwork were a quality he hadn't seen since living at Malfoy Manor. He didn't think she was from old money, as he'd never heard of her before.

The loft was dark and crowded. There were various cauldrons brewing all manner of illegal potions in the kitchen and over the fireplace. Draco detected at least one love potion and he thought he caught a whiff of Polyjuice as well. He knew there were at least a couple of cauldrons simply full of grain alcohol. Draco had been to plenty of these parties before. They usually got started late and went on until the very early morning. Draco hoped he wouldn't have to stay all night. He'd come with some Slytherin acquaintances, but they had disappeared within the first few minutes. One had gone off with a rather homely, but nicely built witch, the other with a very handsome wizard.

After an hour of chat and drinks, and numerous innuendo filled offers, a diminutive blonde approached him. She was attractive in the small, cute way. She looked a bit like the drawings of fairies, only without the wings. She was dressed in violet robes, cut short in the front and long in the back that revealed her shapely legs. She did have nice legs, he thought, distracted for just a moment.

"Hi, I'm Lexus. You have got to be a Malfoy." She offered her hand to him. He wasn't sure whether she wanted him to shake it or kiss it.

He politely shook her hand. "Yes, I am, although some have accused me of not living up to the name lately."

"Oh! You must be Draco then. I've heard about you. Your cousin was filling me in on you. I told him to invite you and I'm so glad you could come."

"Thank you for your hospitality. I'm just trying to mend some bridges and reacquaint myself with some former associates, most of whom I see here. I've heard from some of them that you're interested in art."

"I'm a photographer."

"Yes, I've seen some of your work in Circe. I was impressed. You have a good eye."

"Thank you. My interest extends quite a bit beyond photography for that rather mundane publication, though."

"What are your other interests?" Draco asked cautiously.

"Let's just say I have an eye for sculpture and contemporary Muggle works. Oh, and handsome wizards as well," she said as she sidled closer to him. "Would you care to join me on the terrace? It's getting so crowded in here."

Draco nodded and followed her down the corridor. He passed two couples engaged in rather intimate activity for a hallway, but he looked straight ahead, trying not to wonder if he knew the people so engaged. The end of the corridor opened up onto a wide terrace. There were five other people outside. Lexus spoke quietly to each of them and they left quickly.

They leaned on the railing of the wall that ran along the edge of the terrace. The flat afforded a great view of London, and he swore he could see the Circe building and Ginny's loft from here. If he counted the windows he could probably see if her light was on. Draco's attention was dragged away from Ginny by Lexus mentioning various galleries and asking him his opinions on art shows from the past few years. Thus began a long, complicated, and innuendo laced conversation that Draco would be hard pressed to remember all of. He'd grown up on this type of conversation and knew it could be used to lull the victim into unwittingly revealing information they would never have given up if asked directly. He also knew the more intimate you could get with a mark, the more information they would let slip, particularly if they were as young and full of themselves as he suspected Lexus was. As the conversation wore on, Draco led Lexus into a discussion of art theft without even giving her the impression that she was admitting to activities she shouldn't be able to describe.

He then led her into art procurement and the habit of buying art on contract. She talked about the research it took to find a piece of artwork and convince the owner to sell. He then let her steer the conversation to more personal topics, as she moved closer and spoke more softly.

He moved back a bit and wound the conversation back to the artwork. "So what do you do if the owner refuses to sell?"

"I have some associates that are very convincing. Most people have a price." She was running one hand up his arm.

This was exceedingly uncomfortable for Draco. He wasn't used to leading someone on, then turning them down. Yet, he could tell that he just didn't want to sleep with her. He hoped it could be avoided, but he also knew it was a good method of gaining trust. He moved away a step, but turned to face her so the motion wouldn't be as obvious. "Do the owners always agree?"

She stepped closer, pressed herself against him, and whispered in his ear, "We always get the work we've been commissioned for."

Draco stepped back again. "I'm just recovering from Greenswamp Pox. You might not want to get too close."

She promptly stepped back three steps and cleared her throat. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." She thought for a few moments. "I'd really like to see you again. Do you think it will be cleared up by next weekend?"

Draco knew he couldn't drag the disease out for very long. Everyone knew that once the sores had disappeared, you were usually better within a few days. Since he had no sores, he couldn't use that excuse for next weekend.

"Will you be better by then?" she repeated.

"I should be. Why?"

"Don't tell me you've already got a date." She suddenly looked very disappointed.

"To what?"

"Your mother's annual charity auction, of course. You must be planning to go. But then, come to think of it, I haven't seen you in the last few years that I've gone."

"I used to go, I haven't gone in years. I quite forgot that it was coming up. I haven't been all that close with my mother lately."

"Well, here's your opportunity. Come with me. If you're really interested in dealing art or contracting a piece, I can introduce you to the right people. Then maybe afterward we can finish what we started here," she said with a dangerous purr in her voice.

Draco considered her for a few moments. "I suppose it wouldn't kill me to go."

"Not an overly enthusiastic response, but the right one," Lexus commented with a smile. "Pick me up at seven."

"All right. But right now I must go. The pox makes you a bit tired. You understand."

Lexus sighed, "I suppose." She turned and led him back through the flat. She ran her hand up his arm and gave him a sultry look. "See you on Saturday."

Draco tried not to cringe back, "Right."

As he walked away he felt unsettled. Lying never used to bother him, and having women come on to him was usually a guarantee of sex for the night. Never in his life had he lied about his health in order to avoid sex. It just seemed unnatural somehow. Greenswamp Pox, indeed.

Draco checked his watch and saw it was nearly 3 am. There were a few more streets before he could reach a safe Apparition Alley. He heard footsteps behind him and felt the hair on the back of his neck rise. He was being followed. The proper thing to do would be to Apparate home, but he wasn't sure he wanted to take whomever it was right back to his place. He began to turn corners at random and cut across streets erratically. After a few streets he recognized an Apparition Alley and stepped in. These alleys were stationed around Muggle London to provide a surreptitious place for wizards to get around. He intended to Apparate to a neutral location, but since he'd done it so quickly he was Apparated to the location that his subconscious mind had been considering rather than the location his conscious mind was shooting for. It was lucky he didn't get splinched, he thought later.

Unexpectedly he found himself in front of Ginny's building. He realized his mistake immediately and ducked inside the lobby before he could be detected. There were security wards around Ginny's loft so no one unauthorized could enter, but since he cast most of the wards, he could easily pass through them. So while this was not the place he intended to go to avoid being followed, it did have some advantages, provided he wasn't seen entering the building. There were other advantages as well. As long as he was here and couldn't leave any time soon, he may as well see Ginny. He needed to sleep, and knew her bed was comfortable.

He entered the flat and all was dark and quiet. He felt instantly more settled and comfortable. The lying he'd done that evening and the previous two weeks came back to him and he was distinctly uncomfortable with it. He used to be so good at it. He used to thrive on the challenge of maintaining the falsehood, and relish the adrenaline it took to stay ahead of the lie. Now it was leaving him feeling anxious and uneasy. Instead of making him feel powerful, it left him feeling vulnerable. He knew too well, now, what could happen if lies came back on you.

He thought for the hundredth time how much he hated this assignment. But here in Ginny's loft, he could relax and just be. He didn't need to maintain any lies here and he was distinctly grateful for it. He sat in the living room for a while, readjusting himself to being himself, rather than the old Draco he was pretending to be. Once he felt he was back inside his own skin, he climbed the steps. He could be very quiet when he wanted, and he knew his way around the loft without a light. The moon was shining in the windows which were open and letting a breeze in to rustle the shades.

She was sound asleep, sprawled across the bed. The moonlight highlighted her pale skin and accentuated the shadows of her curves. Her long legs had kicked the covers to one side, and her arms seemed to be reaching out above her head. Her hair was tangled about her shoulders, and her pyjamas were rucked about, showing some of her more interesting components. He undressed and stood at the foot of the bed, just watching her sleep for a long moment, before climbing in. She shifted and turned over groggily in her sleep, seeming to know to make room for him. He gathered her up and she instinctively snuggled into his shoulder, as they both drifted off to sleep.

********

A few hours later, he awoke to her stroking his back. He slid her pyjamas off her and proceeded to make love to her as slowly and as carefully as possible. He didn't know when the next time he'd get the chance to see her, and he wanted to make it last. Her small kisses and the gliding softness of her touch were so much more arousing than the innuendoes and sultry looks Lexus had engaged in. Draco dearly hoped he would not have to sleep with Lexus to get this project completed. Then it hit him. He just plain did not want to make love to anyone else. This was a revelation. He had decided before that he was in love with Ginny, and he had felt that he didn't really want anyone else, but when confronted with the opportunity to have sex with a willing volunteer and realising that he didn't want to, it was different.

After a mutually satisfying climax, they turned and slept again, without talking, for a few more hours. Finally, as the sun was beaming into the flat and morning could not be avoided, Draco felt a tongue being drawn up his neck, then a whisper, "Thanks for coming over. I was dreaming about you."

"I'm glad I did." He kissed her then propped a pillow behind his head.

She rolled over and propped her head on her elbow. "It's not fun being alone so much."

"I'm sorry."

"Will this assignment last much longer?"

"Probably a few more weeks. I finally met that photographer of yours last night. She's going to introduce me around next weekend at Narcissa's auction."

Ginny looked disappointed. "I thought you weren't going to that."

"I hadn't planned on it, but it sounds like the chance I need to get this project moving."

Ginny rolled over on her back and looked up at the ceiling. "I was hoping this assignment might be over by then."

"Why? Did you want to go to the auction?"

"No." She looked at him with a bit of exasperation. "It's the Circe annual party. I take it you forgot."

"Shit. That's right. It's at the Golden Unicorn as well, isn't it?" Draco asked.

Ginny nodded.

"I remember now. The last time I was at the manor, Mother was all in an uproar about that. She tried to get you evicted. Did I tell you that?"

"No, you didn't. That ...interfering...."

"Yes, that's Mother for you. A right old bitch most of the time. Sorry Gin, I forgot about the Circe party. You wanted me to go to that, didn't you?"

Ginny sighed. "We had talked about it. But why break my record now. I have never once gone to an anniversary party with a man I was sleeping with at the time."

"More secret lovers besides me?" he asked in a teasing voice.

Ginny scoffed, "Hardly. More lovers who couldn't make room for me in their schedules."

"Not bitter, are you?"

She gave him a genuine smile after that, and added sarcastically, "No, not at all. Even when I was seeing Grant, we never seemed to go to these things together. He always managed to be somewhere else in the world."

"Accident or on purpose? You did control his schedule after all," Draco prodded.

"We did talk about it, and he said it made him uncomfortable to be seen as my date. He thought it would undermine his authority somehow."

"Well being seen as the boss's stud does tend to give others the impression he isn't qualified in his own right. I can see his reluctance."

Ginny sighed. "I suppose, but that left me without a date, which is getting old. People will start to wonder about me."

"Do you go alone?"

"No. Usually I'm able to talk one of my brothers into escorting me."

"You need to be careful of those incest rumours," Draco said as he wagged a finger at her.

That earned him a whap in the face with a pillow.

He gathered her up in his arms after that. "I'm sorry; I really need to go to the auction."

Ginny snuggled deeper into his arms and sighed. "I guess I'm not really ready to introduce you to the public yet anyway. I've got my reputation to consider, after all," she added mockingly.

"Yes, you don't want to be seen fraternising with a known Slytherin."

Ginny laughed. "No, definitely no fraternising with that scum. Speaking of fraternising with scum, you aren't going to sleep with her, are you? That's assuming you haven't yet," Ginny asked cautiously.

"I just met her last night! While I appreciate your confidence in my virility, I am trying hard not to be like that, in case you haven't noticed. I am avoiding it. I told her I had Greenswamp Pox last night."

Ginny laughed, "Really?"

"Yes, and I know lots of other mystic diseases, so we're covered for a bit."

"Do you think you might have to," Ginny asked hesitantly.

"If I do I won't enjoy it," Draco joked.

"You know that doesn't make me feel any better?" Ginny laughed, a bit nervously.

Draco shrugged. "I'm not planning on it, but it can be a useful tool, trust me on that. I've used it with a lot of success."

Ginny sat up and looked at him. "That was before though."

"Yes, that was before."

"How would this be different than what you did to Hermione. You described that as one of your worst deeds."

"It is different. I knew them. This Lexus woman is just a means to Peregrine. My job is to stop him."

"So you wouldn't feel bad using her like that and then coming back to me," Ginny probed.

"Now you're worried about her?" Draco asked incredulously.

"No, I'm not worried about her. I'm worried about us. I'm having trouble with your ability to separate yourself like that. If you can fake it with her and make her feel like she isn't being used, how do I know you won't do that with me?"

"Because we agreed to honesty," Draco stated flatly.

"And I'm just to take your word for it. Don't you think this Lexus chick will assume the same?"

"No, I really don't. Ginny, you don't understand that world. If you choose to associate with criminals and those who are devoted to dark magic, you don't trust anyone but yourself. You don't expect people to be honest with you. Nothing and no one is what they seem. Everyone is using everyone else and you form alliances to further your agenda whether it be money, power, or whatever it is that turns you on. Sex is nothing in that world, Ginny. It's a means to an end. I'm being compelled to play that game again, and I hate it. But, if it's a means to get Peregrine put away and to put a stop to the attacks on Sirius and his family, I will do it."

"The ends justify the means," Ginny said a bit irritated.

"Yes, exactly."

Draco could feel Ginny pull back, and not just physically. She pulled her robe on and got out of bed, mumbling something about a shower. He felt the tension level rise in the room. He hated this assignment even more, but realized he couldn't do a damn thing about it. Rather than subject himself to more of the same, he pulled his clothes on and left. He knew the discussion wasn't resolved, but then there was no resolution.

****************

The conference table was nearly twenty feet long. Sirius sat at the head, with the other parties to these negotiations strategically positioned so as not to offend any of them. Cordelia was almost getting used to watching Sirius work. It always turned her on when he got authoritative, but most of the time he sat back and let the others take the lead. Cordelia got involved when she saw that one party was not understanding another. There were times when the Muggles would begin to get offended at a position that the Wizards were taking, until the position was explained in Muggle terms. This alleviated much of the tension and helped nudge the tortuous negotiations along.

There were still disagreements, and for three days they remained in the conference room for all but the briefest of breaks. They had hit that wall at which each party had given what they were authorised to give and a resolution was still a few major details away. This particular day they had been cooped up for nearly fourteen hours. They had taken breakfast, lunch and dinner in the conference room and had nearly resolved the issues involving the Wizards, the Pard, and the Muggles. The remaining issue was the route for the pipeline.

"We simply cannot move the route for the pipeline further north," stated the primary representative for the trade consortium. His name was Hans Muelenberg, and he made all Cordelia's internal jerk sensors explode. He was very good-looking and dressed exquisitely. His coal black hair was slicked back, which emphasized his blue eyes. His hands were perfectly manicured and Cordelia knew the custom tailored suits he wore must have cost at least ₤ 3,000 a piece. His tie was never out of place and was always a perfect match to the handkerchief in his breast pocket. But his manner was condescending towards all but the Indian Prime Minister. He was particularly dismissive of Sirius, Cordelia, and Mr. Kumar. He gave off such slimy vibes, Cordelia caught herself wanting to wipe her hand on her trousers after shaking hands with the man. Not only was his demeanour less than conducive to equitable negotiation, Cordelia suspected that he wasn't the person that made the decisions for the consortium. The consortium was a large group of companies, but they had been instructed to send someone who could negotiate and make decisions at this conference. Cordelia suspected that this gentleman, if he could be called that, was someone who could stonewall, but not someone who was trusted to make decisions.

The consortium's structure was always a bit murky. In the past, different entities were used to sign each agreement, with contracts processed as auxiliary agreements that would transfer authority back to the main corporate entity, but the name of the main entity was not on any of the primary contracts. Cordelia didn't like this arrangement, but as long as the Indian Government was comfortable with it, she knew she didn't have grounds to interfere.

However, this led her to be suspicious of Mr. Muelenberg. Whenever negotiation got down to the point, Mr. Muelenberg would excuse himself, leave the room and come back with a decision. When questioned, he would never admit to having to ask permission from another entity, but it was obvious from the start that that was what he was doing. Sirius had become quite angry with him on the third day of talks and strongly suggested that a speaker phone be provided so that the decision maker could be involved in the discussions. Mr. Muelenberg adamantly denied this request and continued to insist that he had the authority to make the necessary decisions.

"We have committed too much money and research into the route that was approved by the Indian government to change the route at this time. We've done geotechnical studies, environmental studies; we've even mapped the mating grounds for the red-tufted Macaque, for God's sake. We cannot go back and start again."

"If you run this pipeline through our hunting grounds, we cannot be responsible for the condition of the pipeline or the safety of your workers," Mr. Kumar repeated for at least the fifth time that day.

Mr. Muelenberg's voice was increasing in volume, "Why on earth can you NOT control your leopards? They should be caged if you don't have adequate control over them."

"They are not wild animals, Mr. Muelenberg. They are humans with free will. Would you submit to being caged?"

"I'm suggesting you control them, just fence them in."

"We have occupied the land that you want for more than 3000 years and you want me to fence it now for your convenience?" Mr. Kumar sounded appalled.

Mr. Muelenberg took a deep breath.

Cordelia was trying to sit still through all of this. Muelenberg's comments were offensive and she was surprised that the Rex wasn't getting angrier than he was. It was her job to facilitate these discussions, but she was afraid that if she spoke up at this point she would be accused of favouring the Pard because of her status. She felt compromised and this was what she had feared from the start of the meeting. If she spoke up, she'd be accused of partiality, but if she didn't, the meeting was heading for an impasse.

She looked at Sirius. He met her eyes and she could tell he understood. They'd talked enough about this at night for it to be obvious. While she appreciated the fact that he could take over at this point, she hated that he had to.

"Mr. Muelenberg," Sirius said calmly, "You need to understand that we appreciate the money you've put forth to date on researching this location, but you also need to realise that this project is not going to go forward with that route. Do you really want to cancel this project or do you want to write off the money, do another set of studies and take that loss against the profits you will make once the pipeline is constructed?"

"This is highly unusual. We were granted a permit to begin construction on this pipeline by your government, Mr. Prime Minister, why won't you honour it?"

The Indian Prime Minister rolled his eyes. "Yes, but you know things have changed and so does your board of directors. I talked with them personally when all this business was developing. They knew we would have to revoke the permit."

"They acknowledged that you advised them that that was a possibility..."

"It is not a possibility, it is guaranteed."

"If you revoke the permit you will hear from our attorneys. I thought you were a man of your word."

The Indian Prime Minister threw up his hands and left the room; this was not the first time that he had been insulted by Muelenberg.

The Chairman of the Wizarding counsel of India sat forward and began in a calm voice, "Mr. Muelenberg. I know you have some ties with the magical community. I'm sure the witches and wizards involved understand the risk they would be subjecting their personnel to if you continued to insist on this route. Being attacked by a wereleopard is not something to be taken lightly, our own Mrs. Black can attest to that."

Cordelia did not like to be placed in this position. At that moment she felt she was being used as a scare device. This did not help her mood.

"You would be opening yourself to an enormous liability if any of your workers became infected," the chairman continued.

"Workers are expendable," Muelenberg said with a stone cold face.

The Chairman shook his head and sat back in his chair. Cordelia was frustrated that even that tactic was ineffective.

She finally let it out, "So you're indifferent to the Pard, indifferent to the position you are putting the Indian Government in, you don't care about your workers, and not even corporate liability will override your greed?"

"Mrs. Black, I am just not in the position to authorise a change in the route to this pipeline."

This confirmed all of Cordelia's suspicions about this man. He had been lying to them and really was the puppet of whoever really did have the power to make decisions on this project.

This time it was Sirius' voice that was raised. "You aren't authorised? You bastard. How many times did I ask you if you had the authority to make decisions in this negotiation?"

"I do have the authority to make certain decisions. We were not informed that the pipeline route would be discussed."

Cordelia looked at him in awe, "Why do you think you are here? Of course the pipeline route was to be discussed."

"I need to make a phone call, would you excuse me."

"No!" Cordelia slammed her hand down on the table. "You will make that phone call here. Perhaps you'd like to put the call on a speaker phone so we could talk to the person who can make these decisions directly."

"I'm afraid that is not possible, Mrs. Black."

"Why not?"

"The final decisions are made by a committee of the primaries of the consortium's corporations."

Sirius was leaning on the table towards the man, "Yes, but someone must be the lead for these decisions."

"Um, yes, he is rather new to the project however. He bought the majority share of the stock in the consortium two months ago."

"Is that who you are calling? Does he have the trust of the rest of the consortium?"

"Not particularly. I am calling that gentleman, but I am also confirming his decisions with some of the other board members."

Cordelia was fuming. She exchanged glances with Sirius. He suspected as well, she could tell by the little vein that throbbed in his forehead.

Sirius took a deep breath, "Can you tell us who the gentleman is who bought you all out?"

"No. I was expressly forbidden to tell you or Ms. Black his name."

Cordelia smiled a harsh smile. "Don't tell me, let me guess. Avian Peregrine?"

Muelenberg went from arrogant to flustered. "I cannot confirm or deny the investor's identity. May I place my call now?"

Sirius nodded and sat back, stroking his chin. Cordelia could tell he was trying to calm down and make sense of it. That's what she should be doing, she thought to herself, but the minute Muelenberg said hello, Cordelia lunged for him, snatched the cell phone from his grasp and took over the conversation.

Later, when she was lying on the bed in her hotel room she wondered what had come over her. But at the time yelling, "You bloody cowardly bastard" into the ear of whomever it was on the other end of the line seemed like such a good idea. What made it worse was that the person on the other end just laughed. She could tell it was a masculine laugh, but they never found out if it was Peregrine.

Cordelia had gone on to blast the callee with some profound expletives and managed to get through at least half of the accusations that she had a right to tally against Peregrine before the phone was pulled from her hand by Sirius and she was physically handed over to Colin who took her out of the room, handed her over to one of her security witches and forcibly walked into the ladies room, kicking and screaming.

*******

Cordelia lay flat on her back on the second bed in their hotel room. She kept replaying the scene in her head. She tried to remember the moment she began to feel it, then she had to acknowledge that it had been with her since she left London. Each morning when she woke up she had felt the leopard stretch and shake itself, ready for the hunt of the day. It was distracting, but up until today it had not affected her judgment.

She heard the door open and then close.

"Good job in there, Cord," Sirius commented.

He didn't sound angry. He didn't even sound sarcastic.

Cordelia opened her eyes for the first time since she had been dumped in her room. "Yes, right. I have never been so unprofessional in my life. But so help me I wanted to reach through that phone and strangle that Peregrine creature."

Sirius laughed, "If we could do that, I'd have beaten you to it."

"Did you find out who I blessed out?"

"No, they hung up before we could make that determination and Muelenberg isn't saying. He said he's afraid of what the people he represents would do to him."

"Poor man. He really has no business being here."

"No, he doesn't and he is having someone sent to take his place. He promised me that it would be someone with authority and not Peregrine."

Cordelia sat up. "Oh God, I have a headache."

"I can imagine."

"Can I make a formal apology tomorrow? I'll remove myself from the negotiations after that."

"Why? I would have done the same thing. In fact I was about to do the same thing, but you beat me to it, and you were doing such a good job of it, too."

Cordelia fell backward again and hid her face in her hands. "NO! That is not the way to carry on successful negotiations. I screwed up and I can't be trusted to continue. I am recusing myself for the rest of the time."

"Get over yourself, Cord. You didn't harm anything. I want you there tomorrow."

"But I felt it, Sirius. I felt like I could have sprung claws just before I grabbed the phone."

"I see." Sirius had sat down on the other bed, facing Cordelia. He was quiet for a long time. "But you didn't. You didn't even break a nail."

"Yeah, but just because I didn't this time, doesn't mean I can be trusted not to again."

"Cordelia, that's exactly what it means. You controlled it."

"No, you and Colin controlled me. I completely lost it, remember?"

"Not your temper. That you lost with spectacular results, I might add. No, you controlled the leopard. You didn't sprout claws, you didn't infect Muelenberg, you didn't even growl," Sirius added with a playful nudge.

"God, I wanted to." Cordelia rolled over onto her side to look at Sirius.

"But. You. Didn't."

"I don't know. Did anyone else weigh in?"

"Yes, in fact they did. Everyone was sick of Muelenberg's games. Everyone else at that table had the authority to negotiate in good faith. That clown was sent for strategic purposes and because Peregrine is a ... what did you call him again?"

"Ummm, bloody cowardly bastard, and a few other choice flavours."

"Yes, that was it. I particularly liked your allusion to his sexual capacity, although fucking impotent eunuch is pretty much an oxymoron."

"Was it Peregrine?"

"We don't know and we won't know."

"Damn, I want him hurt. Dead would be too good for him. What the hell has he got against me or you?"

"I killed his brother."

"No, you didn't, the idiot killed himself."

"But in Peregrine's mind, it was me."

"I know. When will he stop?"

"When we get enough on him to put him away for a very long time."

Cordelia looked at him for a long moment, "Or until one or both of us is dead."

"Well, that would probably stop him too, but I prefer the other way." Sirius paused, then continued. "Colin has it under control. Don't lose sleep over Peregrine. I want you there. The rest of the people want you there. Let's get some sleep. Do you want me to massage your neck?"

Cordelia groaned and rolled to her stomach, "I would love that. I don't feel much like sex tonight, though, so don't get any ideas."

"Who, me? Ideas? I have no ideas. That's why I married you."

"I thought it was for the sex."

"No, it was for your eyes." Sirius smiled and kissed her on the back of the neck, helped her off with her shirt and began to work the knots out of her neck, shoulders and back.

The massage helped enormously. She could feel herself relax and let the troubling events of the day fade away. She could even feel the leopard stop pacing inside her and settle down. But it was still there. It was still there.

*********

Draco looked in the mirror, adjusting his most formal dress robes and combing his hair for the last time. He had to pick up Lexus in less than an hour. Thinking about Lexus made him think about Ginny, and that made him grimace. They hadn't talked since the morning he left. Draco shook off the vision of Ginny and gathered his stuff to go. Narcissa had insisted they be there by 7 pm. She wasn't that powerful a witch, but she was still his mother, he conceded. With one last glimpse, he exited his flat and Disapparated.

Lexus was stunning in a low cut sleeveless halter type robe made of a magical shimmering fabric in a brilliant turquoise. The robes were cut down to her navel with a lacing up the back. They had a long skirt that was slit up the side to her hip. She wore four inch high spiked heels in the same colour turquoise and her hair had been curled with bits of turquoise glitter, causing it to shimmer. Draco had to admit she was attractive, but he thought the colour coordination in the hair was a bit much. She had requested that he wear a turquoise satin shirt under his black velvet robes. Draco had not obliged her. He chose white instead. The robes had a high collar, but he left the throat open to show the top of the shirt.

They arrived at the Golden Unicorn by magic carriage. The entrance was everything, according to Lexus. The Golden Unicorn Plaza was a large wizarding complex hidden in the heart of Kew Gardens. It consisted of four large ballroom facilities, fifteen restaurants, a set of very upscale exclusive shops, as well as over a thousand luxuriously appointed guestrooms. It was a world renowned hotel and conference facility, and the place for wizarding dignitaries and celebrities to stay when in London.

Draco took Lexus' hand and led her through the crowd that had gathered. There were photographers all along the entranceway to the plaza as carriages continued to roll in. At the door, they were asked for their invitation and told to go to the right.

******

Ginny had been at the Unicorn since midday. She'd reserved a suite for herself and her senior editors, including Grant and Fiona. Her mother had been with her, and her brothers were there too. They'd all gone down half an hour ago. Since she was the woman in charge of Circe, her assistants had insisted on having her make a special entrance and a speech. She hated speeches, but had become used to them as a part of selling her magazine to as many investors as would listen.

She'd chosen a very medieval looking set of robes, done in a green satin that looked like the reflection of the green mountains in a pool with the sky intruding. It was green, but with hints of blue when the light struck it a bit differently. They were form fitting to her hips where a circlet of silver rested with an emerald set on a small pendant suspended from the belt.

The belled sleeves were long, and hung nearly to the ground. The neckline was simple, but plunged to mid sternum. Molly had wanted to pin it up, but Ginny insisted on letting it be. She used a few sticking charms to keep everything in place. Her hair was unbound and shiny and on her head she wore another small circlet of the same hammered silver as her belt with another emerald that rested on her forehead. She loved the way the robes swished about her arms and legs and the whole ensemble made her feel beautiful. She hoped that at some point Draco would be able to get a glimpse of her, although a part of her was still confused about their last conversation. She'd never been this dressed up for him. She blushed at the thought that most of the time she was just plain naked with him.

She adjusted the neckline for the last time and went to find Bill. He was going to escort her into the hall and keep her company on the dais during the meal.

When she caught up with him in the common area to the left of the ballroom he was pacing and fuming. "Hi," she said quietly.

Bill stopped and stared. "Wow, you look great."

"Thanks. I kind of went overboard on the jewellery. Are the emeralds too much?"

"No, not at all. They are just perfect."

"So what's wrong?"

Bill studied his shoes for a moment. "Um, well ... it's just that ..."

"Spit it out, Bill. What went wrong? Have the Death Eaters shown up and torched the guests? Did the caterer forget the food? Are the guests being poisoned? What?"

"I saw Malfoy with some blonde headed into the auction."

"Oh. Is that all?" Ginny waved her hand, but turned the other way, so Bill couldn't see her eyes.

"Is that all? You're okay with that?" Bill asked, his voice conveying the amazement at her lack of a reaction.

"Not really, but it isn't as bad as it looks." Ginny stopped there. She didn't know how much Bill knew about Draco's work for Sirius. She knew Sirius had asked Bill to do some work on the same project, but didn't know if they shared information. "He told me about it, and it's business, not pleasure."

A look of realisation dawned on Bill's face. "Is it work for Sirius?"

"How much do you know about that?"

"Enough."

Ginny eyed him again, and bit her lip. "Yes, it is."

"Do you trust him?" Bill asked.

"I suppose. I'm not sure I understand him, but ... well. He will look very interested in this woman tonight, but he promised me he would try not to sleep with her."

Bill smiled. "So you don't want me to go defend your honour and beat the crap out of him?"

"No."

"Not even a little jinx?"

"No."

"I know some really good curses that cause impotence, Argaiv, I think is the best one," he said with a flourish.

Ginny laughed. "Don't tempt me, but really, I don't think it will be necessary. I'll get back to you if it is."

"Okay. It's almost time for you to go in."

"Are they going to announce me or something?"

"Of course. They have a speech extolling your virtues all prepared. I helped them with it. They have to make the appropriate fuss."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Yes, I suppose they do." She took a deep breath and got herself ready to smile and be on. There was a knot of anxiety in her stomach, though. She didn't want to go in on the arm of her brother this year. She hadn't remembered it bothering her this much in previous years. What good was having someone special in your life when you couldn't share special occasions? She conceded that there was more to a serious relationship than dressing up and being seen. But there was more to a relationship than meeting at home and having sex. Was Draco special to her? Was he worth the trouble of not really understanding what he was capable of? Did she really understand the implications of being seen with him? Would that give her investors less confidence in her? How important was it for her to be able to share her lover with her family and/or the public? She answered that in one. Very important to be able to share him with her family, not so much about the public, although if it affected business ... well that was a bridge she'd cross when she got to it.

She knew they had to be discreet, no ... secretive at the moment. But she also realised that their two families would never really blend, and they didn't have to, but she realised in order to appease their families some amount of discretion would always be necessary. Would that discretion strangle the life out of the relationship? Passion thrived on secrecy and it added danger and excitement, and Ginny began to wonder if exposure would strengthen her relationship or expose the absurdity of their pairing to the glare of external inspection and condemnation. This line of thought was making Ginny sick to her stomach and for the moment she was glad Draco was not escorting her tonight.

She gripped Bill's hand tighter as she heard her name being announced to a round of cheers. She took a deep breath and stepped out onto the dais.

***********

Draco let out a huge sigh of relief. Could this night get any worse, he thought to himself. He had finally managed to get away from Lexus and her mates. At first he felt very comfortable with her and her friends. He fell back into his old mindset so quickly and so comfortably it felt like coming home. He had a few drinks and for the first time in a long time he didn't have to think before he spoke. He knew whatever he said, it wouldn't be condemned, unless it was an actual compassionate comment. Then he knew it would be laughed at. These people were just like the people who had worked for his father. They were just like his friends at Hogwarts, sycophants to the last of them; yes witch and wizard toadies. They would lick your boots if it would get them to the front of the line in terms of wealth or power. Very few of them were actually magically gifted or powerful. They derived their position from those they clung to. They were comfortable at first. They all knew him and his family. They all wanted his attention and swallowed whole his lie about being fired and finding his way back to the right side of the fence. Self-interest was the name of the game here, and condemnation was the currency that was used to climb the ladder of self-importance.

The first part of the evening had not been completely worthless, however. He'd entered the ballroom with Lexus on his arm and was promptly enveloped by Narcissa. She pressed cups of punch into their hands and looked like she'd had a few already.

"Darling, there you are! Oh, and isn't she lovely. Do be a dear and introduce me to this wonderful young woman," Narcissa cooed.

"Good evening, mother. This is Lexus Hawthorne. She is the daughter of Malachite Hawthorne. You remember him, don't you?"

"Oh dear yes, what a tragedy. Lucius donated a load of money to honour your father after it happened, didn't he? I didn't realise he had such a lovely young daughter," Narcissa exclaimed, smiling at Draco.

"Yes, I believe we did get a stipend from your organisation, Mrs. Malfoy, and my family is forever in your debt," Lexus said with a brilliant smile.

"Yes, that is the general idea, isn't it?" Narcissa added quietly with an equally brilliant smile. "How did you ever manage to get my son to drop that dreary Weasley girl and take up with you? I was ever so pleased to hear it."

"Just lucky, I guess. I didn't know until last week that he even knew her, but when I found out ... well, quite a few of us were disgusted by his preference for her. Did you consider that maybe she had been enthralling him? Did you have him checked for that?" Lexus asked Narcissa directly.

"No, the boy would not let me, although I suggested it on more than one occasion," Narcissa sniffed.

"That's enough, Mother. Lexus, shall we find our seats and get some food before all the crab puffs are gone?" Draco firmly grasped Lexus' elbow and steered her away from his mother. They did not need to be together as he could see they thought along the same lines. Still further reason to get this assignment over, before Lexus and Narcissa could make wedding plans.

Lexus had introduced him around, although he really needed no introduction. They had all heard about the work he had done for the Circle. More than a few of them wanted to know how they could become a part of that organization, as they all saw it as the right career choice. He could not believe the naiveté of this group, but then he had been that naïve when he was their age as well.

About an hour into the hors d'oeuvres he was introduced to Peregrine. All the wizards and witches in Lexus' group treated Peregrine like a sovereign. They fell over themselves to get him food and drink. They offered to bring him a chair and hold his glass. Draco was amazed at this subservience, but then, class and hierarchy was what this was all about, wasn't it. Draco didn't bother to bow or scrape. He was a few inches taller than Peregrine and a world more experienced at looking down his nose at someone. They discussed the weather politely for a few minutes, proceeded to disagree totally on politics, then reconciled with agreement on what constituted a masterpiece and lamented the quantity of artistic garbage out there these days.

"So what do you think of Edward Thomas' work?" Draco asked, directing the conversation towards the piece that Draco wanted Peregrine to go after.

Peregrine looked bored. "His landscapes are lacking, but they were done when he was young, so I suppose we can forgive him that."

Draco nodded his head. "What about the painting he called Triwizard Tournament?"

"Now that one was interesting. Have you heard the theory that it's a portrait of Slytherin, Grindelwald, and Voldemort?"

"Yes, I'd heard that, and there is a lot of symbolic evidence to support it, although the physical likenesses aren't convincing ..."

"But the physical is not the point of that painting, is it?" Peregrine interrupted.

"No, it's not, which is what makes it intriguing. People say it's cursed, you know."

"There are hundreds of curses wizards can put on paintings. Most of them are easy enough to overcome."

"And some are not, but with the right wizard, or witch," he nodded to Lexus, "most curses can be broken. I have always had a love for that piece."

"I have as well. It's such a shame for a piece that intriguing to be holed up in a vault of a dusty old school."

"It's at a school now?"

"Yes, Durmstrang got it after Thomas got so much flack when it was hung in the British Magical Museum."

Draco laughed. "That's right; people were claiming the figures would haunt their children for weeks after they'd visited the museum."

"Yes, it caused a large dip in funding, until they gave it to Durmstrang."

Draco sighed. "I would give almost anything to be able to have that in the Malfoy collection."

"You would be interested in that work?"

"Absolutely. Do you think it will ever be sold?"

"I don't know. Everything has a price. What's yours, Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco gave him a cool, level look. "It depends."

"I've heard you work for Sirius Black at the IFW. Is that true?"

"It used to be. I was fired. Seems I wasn't good enough for them, and actually they were fools, the lot of them."

"So you're embracing your heritage once again?"

"You might say that. I'm not interested in playing the hero anymore. It's much too difficult and the pay is abysmal."

"I'd heard you'd been cut off from your family's ... lifestyle, shall we say."

"Yes, I was. I am in the process of renegotiating that status with my mother at the moment, although I did manage to put some funds away when I was making a decent living."

"Do you have the funds to support your art habit, Mr. Malfoy?"

"I have a few DeJami sculptures and an original Eichenberger I managed to purchase recently."

Peregrine raised his eyebrows. "Really? So you would be interested in the Thomas if it ever came up for sale?"

"Absolutely. Do you hear about private sales? I didn't know your organisations took care of those services as well."

Peregrine stiffened. "What do you know of my organisations?"

"Just that they are a great and welcome source of funding for so many good causes in the magical community. How could I be Narcissa's son and not have heard of you and your charitable organisations?"

Peregrine relaxed, "Of course. Your mother does such wonderful work for so many different causes."

At that point Lexus began tugging at Draco's elbow.

"I'd like to dance at some point, Draco."

Peregrine put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, my dear. I never meant to monopolize so much of your date's time. We'll talk again, Mr. Malfoy," he said as he crossed the room and greeted another former Death Eater with a vigorous handshake.

Lexus led Draco out to the dance floor and into a waltz.

"Interesting man," Draco commented as he moved Lexus' hand back up to his waist.

"He's a bore," Lexus commented, letting her hand wander a bit lower than his waistband again.

"But he's a wealthy, powerful, and influential bore."

"That's why I work for him."

"You work for him?"

"Of course, we all do."

Draco did not pursue it, lest Lexus realise her mistake. She seemed comfortable enough with him to assume he was one of them again. Draco sighed, it was that easy, wasn't it.

Draco spent another half an hour dancing with Lexus, and trying to avoid her roaming hands. He managed to break away with the excuse that he needed to spend a bit of time with his mother. Draco had, in fact, wandered across to the other large ballroom. The speeches at the Circe birthday party were just getting started.

***********

She had just finished her speech. Flash bulbs were exploding in her face, but as she made her way to her seat, she saw him standing casually in the doorway at the very back of the room. Her heart leapt into her throat as she saw him smile at her. Then he was gone.

************

He stayed back a bit, mostly hidden by the door. She really was a great speaker. She was honest about the state of the magazine. She admitted its failures with humour and praised those who had helped the company with various successes. She had a great sense of timing and wit and was positive without the clichéd cheering that was the norm. She finished by thanking her anonymous donor. That made him smile. He was about to leave as the photographers cleared and allowed her to take her seat. His heart leapt though when she spotted him and smiled a brilliant smile, just for him.

**************

The noise and the people and the crowd were starting to get to her. It was a lot of fun at first and she had danced with all her favourite people, or almost all of her favourite people. Grant had taken her out for a few spins. She had danced with all her brothers. She had even persuaded her father to jitterbug with her for two songs. But after three hours of keeping that smile on her face, meeting and greeting, and speeches, she just needed a few minutes alone without shoes. She slipped out of the ballroom and headed down the steps to the garden paths. It was spring night, not warm, but with a hint of the warmth that summer occasionally brought. It wasn't raining, which was a fair miracle. Once she reached the bottom of the stairs she removed her shoes. She thought for a minute about the dirt that she was liable to get on the hem of her robes, but then she remembered she had the money to pay that wonderful witch who knew every cleaning charm in the book, and some not in the books. She was expensive, but whatever stains there were she'd be able to get them out. So Ginny let her robe trail along the ground, a bit like a wedding dress, which she was sure she'd never see, so she revelled in the feel of its weight even while enjoying its sparkle.

She wandered down towards the central part of the garden. There were roses to either side and up ahead to the left was a maze. To the right was an arbour with climbing roses in a multitude of colours hung over a series of trellises that provided a small secluded area. She eyed that area in the hope that there was a comfortable bench inside. That way she could hide from those wandering by who might feel the need to strike up a conversation. The arbour seemed to promise a place where she could sit and enjoy the night and the flowers and maybe even puzzle about Draco a bit. She hadn't seen him since that night last weekend, and she was tired of the cloak and dagger stuff they had had to play. She missed him particularly this night, even though she was still a bit irritated at him.

There it was, a small wrought iron bench with a high back and curved arms. She relaxed onto the bench, put down her shoes and leaned her head back against the cushion she'd conjured. She spent a few long moments just breathing in the floral scents, but after a bit her eyes fluttered closed and she drifted off.

The world slowly intruded again in the form of a soft, but deep voice whispering something about a faerie princess. She was reluctant to open her eyes, until her brain connected the voice to its owner and her eyes flew wide open. She smiled at the tall form standing in the arbour. He was dressed in black velvet dress robes, but he'd unfastened them. Beneath the robes he was wearing a plain white dress shirt and black wool trousers. The shirt was unbuttoned to mid-chest and his hands were in his trouser pockets.

"I said, you look like a faerie princess without the wings."

"I'm hiding my wings so you won't recognize my secret identity," she joked. While she was happy to see him, she was still tense about his assignment and not at all reconciled to the fact that he had to date another woman.

"Ahh, and what would that identity be, Ms. Weasley? Are you a secret butterfly Animagus?"

"No, just a witch with a secret lover."

"Anyone I know?" he asked with a smile, sitting down beside her.

"Perhaps. But he's a cad. He claimed he had to do some secret detective work tonight and had to escort a certain photographer to the art auction. Where is that photographer, by the way?"

Draco shrugged. "When I told her I needed some air, she asked what was wrong with the air near her. I said it wasn't fresh enough, and she scoffed at that and said fresh air would take her away from the brew. I swear she's a potionaholic, and I've come to wonder if my mother wasn't one as well, the way she's downing firewhisky sour sparkles."

Ginny smiled. "It would explain a lot about your mum, now wouldn't it."

"Yes, I suppose. Do we have to talk about her?"

"No, we could talk about my family instead."

"Yes, I've seen Percy skulking about. He saw me with Lexus as well, so expect some grief from that quarter."

Ginny lifted her head. "Thanks for the warning. Aren't you worried about being found with me?"

"No, I saw Peregrine and the rest of the group still huddled around a particular sculpture, probably plotting their next assault on Sirius. I made sure I wasn't followed and we are relatively secluded here." He reached one arm tentatively around her shoulders. When she didn't pull away, he pulled her into a kiss and ran his other hand across her shoulder and down the neckline of her gown.

Ginny pulled back and extricated his hand. "That just makes it worse, you know."

Draco sighed and sat back. "Yes, I know. I just couldn't seem to help myself. I really am sorry about not being there with you tonight."

Ginny waved him off, "Don't worry about it. I'm used to going to these things unescorted. Just once, though, I'd like to have a handsome man with me. Of course you wouldn't count for that, though," she found herself teasing before she could sound disturbed. He started to protest, but she cut him off. "I think my staff has begun to feel sorry for me. They see you occasionally, like they saw Harry occasionally and, well, they saw Grant a lot but they were never sure whether we were off or on. In fact, I'm not sure we knew most of the time whether we were off or on. Regardless, it would be nice to have a date once in a while."

Draco laughed. "I saw your welcoming speech. You really are a rather good public speaker. You looked comfortable with it."

"I don't mind when it's a friendly audience. I also had Bill there on the dais with me. He's always been supportive."

"What happened to Emma?"

"She couldn't come tonight. Prior engagement."

"Ah, seems that happens to a lot of people."

"I suppose, but that doesn't make me feel any less alone," Ginny realized she was getting pouty, but couldn't seem to help herself.

"I promise when this is over, I will escort you to any and every ball that comes 'round, my faerie princess." He pulled her closer for another kiss. This time Ginny relaxed into it and let it carry her away. She allowed her hands to seek out the warmth of his chest as his found their way inside her bodice and stroked and caressed. There was a rustle nearby, and they broke away. Draco stood and peered out of the arbour.

"I don't see anyone, but that doesn't mean anything. I guess I'd better get back." Draco pulled Ginny up from the bench. He hugged her to him tightly and kissed her one more time. He finished the kiss with a pinch to her bottom. Ginny let out a little squeal, but Draco clamped his hand over her mouth while laughing. "Shhhhh ... we're trying to be discreet."

Ginny gave him a mock glare, "I'm not the one pinching arses here. If you wanted quiet, you'd have settled for a stroke instead of a pinch."

He laughed again. "You've got me. I was just so tempted by your nice rump, and the lovely robes."

"It is lovely, isn't it?" She twirled around once, and smiled.

He smiled back and said, "Promise you'll wear it for me next time?"

"If there is a next time," she said an unintended edge to her voice.

He ignored it and joked, "I know just how I'd take it off, too," as he ran his hand lightly down her arm.

"Go! You need to get back. Floo me later if you can." She gestured in a shooing motion.

He leaned close and whispered, "I will. I miss you."

She kissed him quickly, and he was gone. She hadn't intended to kiss him tonight, but she couldn't seem to help herself. She was still very confused by him, perhaps even more so after this encounter.

Ginny stared down the path for a long time after Draco had gone. She had just turned to go when she heard a cough right next to her. She jumped, but relaxed when she turned and saw the friendly face of her father standing right next to her.

"Oh! You scared me!"

"I'm sorry, darling. I didn't mean to. You seemed a bit ... distracted."

"I guess I was. But I'm not now."

"Ginny, darling, may I have a word with you before we go back?"

"Certainly, Daddy. What can I do for you? Have you been having fun tonight?"

"Marvellous. It's fantastic to see you doing so well. I never imagined how successful you could be. You know we all held our breath when you quit Witches World all those years ago, but you were so persistent."

"And lucky."

"Yes, and very lucky, although you put the work in, and managed superbly. I hope you know how proud your mother and I are of you and this magazine you created."

"I know, and thank you. It means a lot to hear you say that, although I've known it for a while."

"Predictable, am I?"

Ginny smiled and nodded.

"Then maybe you can predict what I'm going to bring up next."

"Well, I'd bet it has something to do with my marital state. It usually does."

Arthur smiled. "Yes, I suppose it does. We only want the best for you."

"I know, but I've already warned you and Mum that marriage in the conventional sense was probably out for me because of the contractual obligations and the fact that I'm not willing to share control of Circe."

"Yes, yes, we know that. Your mother is sorely disappointed. She's been planning your wedding since you were born. After six boys, you can appreciate why visions of lace, toile, and flowers danced in her head when you were a child."

"I know. I never said we couldn't have a fancy dress up party once I find someone I want to spend my life with. Maybe we could do a pagan rite of binding without the Ministry getting their nose in it." Ginny paused and realised she was speaking to the Minister of Magic, and blushed. "Errr....I mean. Well, you know..."

Arthur put an arm around his daughter, "Yes, I know. Honestly, I'm not all that concerned about that at the moment." Ginny raised her eyebrows as he continued, "What I am concerned about is the part about finding someone you want to spend your life with. You know your mother and I had such high hopes for you and Grant. He is a marvellous lad. But I suppose that's for naught, with his engagement to Fiona."

"Yes, Daddy, we did try. We tried a lot. But it just wasn't quite right."

"I know, but a father has hopes for the type of man that gets involved with his daughter, you know. He hopes that they are kind, trustworthy, and that they love his daughter and would never hurt her."

Ginny looked at him.

"I may as well come right out and say it. I heard you and Draco Malfoy talking, and well... it was obvious you two were rather well acquainted with one another. I truly didn't mean to intrude, but I was simply strolling the gardens and heard you. I recognised your voice right off, so I stopped to determine who you were talking to. If it had been one of the boys I'd have stepped in. Once I realised it was Mr. Malfoy, I couldn't move on as you'd see me pass, and I couldn't go back, as there was an even more personal conversation going on behind me between a blonde girl and that bloke Peregrine from the charity auction."

Ginny considered for a long moment, but reckoned this was as good a time as any to break it to her father. She was hoping to have Draco by her side when she told her mum and dad, but that wasn't possible tonight. "That's okay, Dad. I've been meaning to have this conversation with you for a while now. I am seeing Draco Malfoy, romantically. We've been together off and on since Christmas. We tried to be just friends, but we are very attracted to each other."

"I gathered that from the conversation I overheard," Arthur said calmly. "But do you trust him?"

"Yes I do. I think. At least I did. I take it you don't."

Arthur shook his head. "I really don't know anything about the boy, since his resurrection and apparent abandonment of the Circle. I'm afraid for you."

"You don't need to be," but her reassurances sounded hollow even to her own ears.

"I am. However, I must admit, the things I heard him saying to you, and the tone that he said it, gives me reason to hope that he might live up to deserving you."

Ginny smiled. "He does say some very nice things, and we hadn't seen each other in more than a week."

"Ahhh, new love, is it then?"

"I don't know. Sometimes I think it might be, but other times I'm not sure," Ginny said softly. "He does treat me wonderfully and I do really enjoy his company and he's very honest with me. He'll go to the galleries with me and be as opinionated about the art as I am. He doesn't mind keeping himself busy if I have a compulsion to sketch some Sunday afternoon. He doesn't get impatient with me. He listens and he talks."

"He sounds like he's doing all the right things, but Ginny, darling ... how do you know he's not just acting? Playing along and indulging you?"

"He's really got nothing to gain by doing that, Daddy."

"He could want something financially, or maybe just wants to get closer to the people you know. You know an awfully large number of people in positions of power."

"He could, I know, but he's not after money. You aren't aware of this, in fact I wasn't aware of it until a month ago, but Draco was the one who provided the money that first year to get Circe off the ground. If he needed money he could have taken it any time. There were plenty of times, including once this spring, that I owed his account more than controlling interest in the magazine. He didn't take advantage of the situation then. He could have. I was over a barrel. But he didn't. In fact he insisted I use the money and signed an agreement not to claim it until it was reimbursed."

Arthur raised his eyebrows. "All right then. We'll not judge the boy ..."

"The man..."Ginny corrected.

Arthur smiled, "Of, of course, the man ... we shall not judge the man too harshly at the moment. You do know however that you have five men who love you and have known you longer than Mr. Malfoy. I'm sure they would gladly be willing to correct him if he hurts you, right?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, Percy has already taken issue over my relationship with him."

"Well, don't forget about us if you need us. So, Percy is aware of your, ummm ... relationship?"

"Yes, and Bill. George knows, but we've never talked directly to him about it. I don't think Fred has any idea ..."

"If George knows then so does Fred. You know them. It's nearly a telepathic bond between them. I've found no magical evidence of it, but they just know."

"If that's true how come he hasn't battered Draco yet?"

"Maybe George told him that you were happy? Has George seen you together?"

"Maybe once or twice at Bailicroft."

"George is rather perceptive. He's a bit quieter than Fred, but he watches and he knows people."

"Yes, that's true. I never saw him like that, but come to think of it, he does always seem to have a bit more understanding than Fred. So that leaves Charlie, and Mum."

Arthur took a deep breath. "Let me handle your mum. It's better if she heard it from me before she sees either one of you. I'll ease her into an understanding of Draco first then gradually suggest the idea, let her explode a few times, then try again. Once I've cleared the way, we'll invite you to dinner. She can cook for him and all will be well."

"Thanks, Daddy. I was wondering what the best way to handle her was. You make it sound so easy."

"I've had many years to figure it out."

"I appreciate any help you can give us. I do need to warn you though that for the next few weeks we won't be able to be seen together. He's doing some covert work for Sirius and he has to escort another woman to a few functions. He's at the Auction with her tonight."

"I see. Are you sure it's Sirius who commissioned this subterfuge and it's not just a made up story so Draco can run around on you?"

"You heard him in the arbour. He has told me everything, and I really do need to believe him," she hoped she sounded convincing.

"Have you asked Sirius about it?"

"Of course. Trust, but verify."

"All right. How did I raise such a smart girl."

"Woman, Daddy, I'm long past being a girl."

"You'll always be a girl to me, darling. Even when you're eighty-five and I'm 124."

Ginny smiled and kissed her father's cheek. "Thank you, Daddy. I love you."

"I love you too, darling," Arthur said as he escorted her back inside the ballroom of the Circe party.

*************

She had danced a bit more, but spent most of her time circulating with people. She talked to loyal advertisers, and suppliers. She met some new reporters, and chatted with her key editors. She noticed all the happy couples and tried not to let it bother her. She was trying not to be paranoid, but after seeing Percy, she noticed others who had given her looks of pity. There were a few people who had seen her with Draco at Circe and she supposed that it was these people that had seen him with Lexus that were looking at her askance. One fairly snooty fashion designer even had the nerve to approach her and let her know that she'd done the right thing by dumping the Malfoy boy. That family was nothing but trouble, she had whispered.

Once all the festivities were over she went back up to her suite. The rest of her family was using her sitting room to relax and unwind before turning in.

Bill and Percy were leaning on the fireplace when she walked in. They immediately ceased their conversation, and she could suspect what it was about. She glanced around the room. Her father was there, as well as Fred, and Grant and Fiona.

"Where's everyone else?" she asked, making her way to the icebox in the corner.

"Mum is changing and George went home. Anyone else you need to know about?" Percy responded. There was no mistaking his tone. She could tell he dearly wanted to gloat. Ginny noticed the glare Bill gave him, and the sulky expression Percy gave Bill.

"No, that just about covers everyone. Did we all have a good time?" Ginny asked trying to keep up a cheerful front.

This time Bill piped up, "Yes, it was lovely Ginny. I think everyone had a delightful time."

"We did. The music was a lot of fun this year," Fiona added.

"Can I get anyone anything?" Ginny asked.

A mumbling of 'no-thank-yous' rumbled through the room.

Percy shot a glance at Bill, but spoke anyway. "It looks like the auction was a success."

Ginny looked him straight in the eye, challenging him to go further, "Yes, I think it was, from what I saw."

"Did you see Malfoy tonight?" Percy added boldly, as Bill stomped on his foot.

Just then Molly came bustling into the room, "Yes, I saw Narcissa. She had the nerve to drag this barely dressed and extremely young witch over to me and make a big fuss that the trollop was dating her son. I didn't quite understand just what she was on about. What difference would it make to me who her ratty little son dated? He's never been worth much in my book, and the fact that he was dating her just confirmed his lack of taste, and obvious disregard for women in general."

"Now Molly," Arthur said in a calming voice. "You do realize Draco works for Sirius now. You remember what he did last year, don't you?"

"Yes, I remember. I don't trust sudden conversions though and while he might be willing to work for the team, it doesn't mean he has the moral fibre to do what's right. In fact it concerns me that people trust him at all."

Ginny had backed up into the corner trying to make herself very small. She saw that Bill was glancing in her direction, but she studied the drink she had in her hand very closely.

"Besides, whether he's trustworthy doesn't mean he'd be a suitable date for anyone but a young girl like that who probably doesn't know any better. But I shouldn't be going on about them, it's Ginny's night. You looked beautiful out there darling." Molly was most of the way to her by now and Ginny felt a bit cornered.

"Thanks, Mum. I think I'm going to go get out of this dress and get some sleep. I'm exhausted.

She managed to dodge her mum and as she crossed the room her dad took her hand and gave it a squeeze. She looked at him and his eyes told her to trust him. She looked back for a moment, leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Good night dad."

She closed the dividing door while everyone was still calling out. She removed her lovely dress and hung it reverently in the wardrobe, then slipped on some jeans and a jumper. She felt confined here and out of place. She gathered a few personal things and Apparated. She wanted to be in her own home tonight, where she couldn't be smothered under the weight of her families opinions.

**********

Later that night there was a soft knocking on her door. She was still up. She hadn't been able to get to sleep, so she started in on the work she'd brought home for the weekend. She wrapped the robe tightly around her and checked her wand. It indicated a friend was outside her door, and she knew it would be Draco. She opened the door very slightly.

"Can I come in?" he asked softly.

"Just for a moment," Ginny said as she stepped aside and opened the door.

He came in and gave her a kiss. While she accepted it, she tried not to let herself get carried away by it. Listening to her mum and Percy had confused her and made her realize the enormity of the task ahead of her in convincing them of Draco's worth. Add to that she was having doubts about that worth and she was befuddled.

"What's wrong?" he asked right away.

"I don't think you should stay the night, Draco. It's too dangerous. If someone finds you here, your secret spy stuff would be ruined," she said with a flat voice.

"It's not that, is it?"

Ginny looked at him. "Of course it is. At least a little," she conceded. "I had a bit of a discussion with my family. My dad overheard us in the arbour."

"Don't tell me, let me guess. He was shocked and disappointed, and he never wants you to see me again and you're going to be the dutiful daughter and obey him," Draco said disdainfully.

"No! No, that wasn't what he said. Do you really think I can't decide for myself on this?" her anger was starting to surface. She had stuffed it down most of the evening, but it was late and she was too tired to be reasonable.

"Yes, at least until right now, I thought you could."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know? What's this all about? What did your dad say?"

She ran her hands through her hair, as she moved to the couch and slumped down onto it. "Dad was actually rather supportive and willing to give you a chance."

"I always liked your father, no matter what Lucius said about him and those monkeys. What's the problem?"

Ginny shot him a glance that she hoped conveyed her irritation, though it was a struggle not to laugh at the crack about the monkeys. "It's mum and Percy and Narcissa and the snotty woman who assured me I did the right thing by dumping you and the general stir it will cause if you and I are ever seen in public, particularly after tonight. Is it worth it? Is all the conflict that you and I will cause worth the pleasure of this relationship?" She tried to keep the sarcastic tone out of her voice.

"You say that like you haven't had any pleasure in this relationship. I don't think that's the case." Ginny stared across at him, but didn't answer. He continued, but there was hesitancy in his voice. "So you want to give up? Just like that? Because your dad approves of me?"

"No, in fact that makes it harder. Now instead of being afraid I'd alienate the whole family, I've now created the potential for dividing the family. Dad and Bill are supportive. Mum and Percy are not, to say the least. At least Narcissa is wholly against us and we don't need to worry about your dad."

Draco took a deep breath, "Well, not unless he gets out. Then he'll want to kill you, but don't let that bother you. You know I don't give a shit what my mum thinks, or who she thinks I should be with."

"Yes, I know. It's my family I more worried about. I do love them and I do care about what they have to say, and I care that I'm not the cause of some tremendous divide within between them."

"You can't worry about that, Ginny."

"How can I not worry about it," Ginny asked desperately.

"I don't know. My family doesn't work like that. I'm not used to feeling responsible for so many people, but you can't let them make your decisions for you. It's your life and no one can live it but you."

"But families have been torn apart over so much less. I don't want to be in one of those families where one sibling doesn't speak to another for years. I like being close to them all." She was trying not to cry at this point. So often her anger got all mixed up with tears and she hated it. It made her look weak, and she didn't even know why she was so angry. It was so irrational.

Draco smiled, "Most of the time we didn't speak to one another even when we weren't angry at each other."

Ginny glared at him. He held up his hands in deference, "What are you scared of?"

"I'm afraid I'm going ruin the relationships I've built in order to be with you, particularly after tonight. It just doesn't make me feel very romantic."

"You know you can trust me," Draco said softly.

Ginny stared at him, but didn't say anything.

"So it's just tonight that you don't want me around?" he asked. He was taking a neutral tone, so she couldn't tell if he was hurt or not. That bugged her, too. She wanted to know.

"Yeah. I think that's what I'm saying. I just don't feel comfortable with you tonight."

"You were earlier."

"That was then. I've noticed a lot more since then."

"Are you considering calling it off? I thought we tried that." Draco's face was blank. She wanted to see some twinge of emotion, but she knew she wouldn't.

"No, we tried to just be friends and that didn't work."

"So you're thinking of not friends, and not lovers, and not wanting to continue this relationship because of what other people might think?" His voice seemed to betray a little anger at this comment.

"Not just other people. Your family. My family. The people who really count."

"Your dad proved that the people who really count trust you to take care of yourself."

"They might, but I don't. They aren't seduced by you whenever you're around. I very rarely think clearly with you here. I figured that out tonight."

"I've been trying to tell you I don't want to seduce anyone but you, but you seem to be glossing over that." Draco looked away and stood up. "Look, I'm not trying to enthral you. I never got the feeling that our sessions together were anything but voluntary and quite often they were initiated by you."

"I never pretended to make sense," she said, hoping to convey a finality to the conversation and a futility of being with her just now.

Draco paced back and forth. It looked to Ginny like he was getting the message. "Okay. Well, let me know when you have it sorted out." Draco went to the door, but he paused and returned to the couch. He braced himself with his arms on either side of her. He kissed her, long, hard, deep, and with as much force as he could. Then he left.

She sat there for a long time. Her lips tingled from the kiss. She climbed the stairs, looked in the mirror and cursed herself for not feeling more ambivalent. His kiss had set off the usual rush of arousal and desire. There were still marks in her palms where she had dug her fingernails in to keep herself from pulling him down and fucking him right there on the couch. She had wanted that more than anything. Her body was still aching from it.

He wants you. Isn't that obvious, said one voice in her brain.

But it's complicated and besides you can't trust him, said the other voice.

What's there not to trust? He's told you everything, stated the first voice.

Mum doesn't trust him, insisted the second.

The first voice laughed. But she doesn't know him!

The other voice blew that off. It's complicated. You don't understand.

Of course I understand. You want to please your mum, you always did. Plus you hate that he was with that Lexus creature, and everyone saw it. He came to see you so you needed to punish him somehow?

No! I just didn't want to sleep with him tonight.

Then how come your nipples are all tight and you're all aroused?

"Go away," she said out loud to her reflection and went to take a cold shower.

********

He leaned against the wall outside the door to Ginny's loft. He felt alone and frustrated, and confused and frustrated, and just plain old sad. He didn't understand why she was hesitating, and he didn't understand why she had sent him away tonight. He had thought she would have been ecstatic to see him. He had been ecstatic that he hadn't had to sleep with Lexus. He had expected to have to beat Lexus away with a stick or at least make up some horribly implausible excuse not to spend the night, but when they arrived at her flat, she apologized, said she had to leave on business first thing in the morning, kissed him chastely and closed the door in his face. He would have been offended, if he hadn't been so relieved.

He did wonder briefly where she was going all of a sudden, since he didn't think Ginny had decided to send her anywhere. But then he reminded himself that Ginny wasn't Lexus' boss and maybe it was an editor that was sending her somewhere. Then again, maybe it was Peregrine. No, he had been with Lexus every time she talked to Peregrine. If he was sending her somewhere, Draco would have overheard the instructions. This trip could have been set up ahead of time, but the entire evening Lexus had hinted at what she had wanted to do after the auction. No, the business trip seemed last minute, sudden, and genuine. Why else would she not want to sleep with him?

Which left him here. Ginny didn't want to sleep with him either. What was with women tonight? he wondered. He took in a deep breath and left the building.

**************

It was another warm day as Cordelia slumped back in her seat at the restaurant. The conference was finally over. They'd finally reached an agreement between all the interested parties that everyone could live with, and she hadn't even lost her temper again. Not everyone liked all the provisions of the agreement. The Muggle government did not like giving up sovereignty over the territory claimed by the Pard. The Pard didn't like having to pay taxes to both the Muggle government and the Indian Magical [MH1] Council. Other officials in the Pard didn't like that it was only the Rex's name on the deed that assigned the land to them, however that was preferable to having to incorporate the Pard and detail its myriad of services provided and budgetary detail. The Indian Magical Council didn't like that it didn't have jurisdiction over the Muggle wereleopards, and it didn't like the provision that when there was a conflict between wizarding law and Muggle law, Muggle law would prevail. However, since the Muggle government was not secretive, it prevailed on that point.

The business consortiums did not like the fact that the government wouldn't invoke eminent domain and condemn the land it wanted for the pipeline, and it didn't like the fact that the Pard would not grant it right-of-way easement through its property. They did, however, finally see the benefits of a new route and acquiesced.

Everyone got something. Both the Wizarding and Muggle Governments got new revenues from the Pard. The consortium got a pipeline route that didn't endanger their wereleopards or the pipeline workers. The Pard promised to provide security for the pipeline within its territories. The Pard got recognition and preservation of its headquarters, and Sirius and Cordelia got credit for pulling all of this off. Cordelia felt relieved. She might have even been able to sleep for the first time tonight if they weren't leaving immediately for London after all the documents were officially signed. Meanwhile they had to wait. With several hours to kill, Cordelia took up Mr. Kumar's suggestion that they have lunch at his favourite establishment.

The place in question turned out to be a private club restricted to wereleopards in the centre of New Delhi. Sirius had been invited, but he had accepted an invitation to dine with the Indian Supreme Counsellor. They had other IFW issues that needed to be discussed, so they went their separate ways, and Cordelia found herself in a luxurious dining room, open to the afternoon breezes, with ceiling fans and shady foliage abundantly clustered so that no one sat in the direct sunlight. The tables were low with thickly cushioned rattan chairs you could curl up in.

Mr. Kumar ordered for her, and after the ice tea was served, he folded his hands and looked directly at Cordelia. "I really must thank you for all of this."

"The negotiations? That's my job. No need to thank me."

"No. Actually all the publicity you have brought to the Pard."

Cordelia was startled. "I was wondering when you would get around to that subject. You're not angry with me?"

"I was furious at first. I couldn't believe you would be so careless. I wanted to drag you back here and lock you away for a long time."

"What stopped you?"

"I didn't think that action would be looked on favourably by either your husband or your husband's security force."

"No, Colin already had my head about wandering off; he'd be very upset if I were kidnapped again."

"Again? My dear, you came the first time of your own free will. We did not kidnap you."

"Well, not exactly free will, but I will concede that you didn't kidnap me. You did detain me, however."

"For your own benefit," the Rex clarified.

Cordelia shifted uncomfortably in her chair and changed the subject. "So why are you thanking me?"

"The publicity your scandal created made it possible for these governments to take us seriously. Once your husband confirmed your condition, the Indian Magical Council contacted me with apologies of not having responded to our requests for meetings in the past. The Indian Prime Minister then contacted me and asked if we really did exist, I assured him we did, and asked to meet on the pipeline issue. Seems they were being pressured by the business consortium to get on with the project and were not too happy at the problems being encountered. If the governments could fix those problems and they had credible evidence of our legitimacy, they acquiesced readily."

"But why did you agree to remove the veil of secrecy you had maintained for so long?"

"Between your appearance, your publicity, and the pipeline issues, the veil was torn and we decided that secrecy was no longer the best course of action. I would prefer that we not mount a worldwide advertising campaign, but the fact that we now exist to a few key people can probably help us in the long run."

They were quiet for a bit while the waiter served the salad.

Mr. Kumar broke the silence. "I ask again, how are you since leaving us? It has been one and a half moon cycles. I don't imagine your change went smoothly, from what I have been led to believe in Circe."

"You read Circe? Then you have the correct information."

"Correct, yes. However, it is not in sufficient detail to tell me your emotional state. Have you become angry yet?"

"Yes," she said softly. "I've been angry, sad, hopeless, desperate, depressed, and been in every other emotional state one can be in. The easiest time is when I'm at work. Then I'm focused on a task beyond the confines of my own brain. The worst is when I'm very tired and just want to be held. I have a very real fear of changing during sex. I hurt Sirius this past month. What if I do that again?"

"You must continue with Peter. He will help you to gain the confidence in your control."

"I also infected someone." Her voice was flat, she was trying to convey it without the judgment that was screaming in her brain that this was a horrible thing to have done.

"I had not heard that."

"It's not common knowledge. The man was trying to kill me, so he's in Azkaban."

The Rex looked alarmed. "Has he been through his first change?"

"I don't think so. I injured him during the full moon last month."

"I will send an envoy. You said Azkaban. So this is a wizard you infected?"

"Yes. He was lucky Sirius didn't kill him."

"Your husband would not succumb to that temptation, would he? After all he has been through? Would he really risk a return to Azkaban?"

"I hope not. ... No, he wouldn't. He always condemned the wizarding vigilantes that would use the Unforgivables just because they could justify their righteous position." Cordelia spoke with authority, but was nervous about this issue. She'd seen the look that could come over Sirius' face when he was angry about his family being hurt. It wasn't pleasant.

"So, my dear, you have been through a complete cycle on your own then and you have shared our blessings with someone else. Do not be alarmed or sad. It was not entirely your fault. If you had gone out hunting people to infect, that would be a different issue. The gentleman took a great risk attacking a werewolf and wereleopard. He got close to you in order to do you harm. He had to know the risk. He had to know infection was a possibility, did he not?

Cordelia took a deep breath. "I suppose you're right. I hadn't looked at it that way."

"The criminal trespassed on the property of a known wereleopard, during a full moon, intent on killing her. Who is the transgressed party here? Fortunately you did what you needed to do to retain your life. Surely no one faults you for that."

"No one but myself," Cordelia said, mostly to herself.

"If you had gone onto this gentleman's property and aggressively infected him you would have been killed according to our laws. But you did not. The infection was incidental to your defence. Do not even give it a second thought. He will suffer the consequences, but he may just discover an advantage to being leopard. Have you?"

Cordelia looked up at him suddenly. "Discovered advantages?"

The Rex smiled at her, "Surely not everything you have experienced since you came to us has been bad. Have you had any enjoyable experiences as a leopard?"

Cordelia was silent for a long time. She chewed on her lip considering the question as the Rex sipped his tea, looking completely unperturbed.

"Yes, I suppose I do need to admit that I have had some thrills while running, or during the chase. There have been some interesting intimate moments with Sirius as well."

"I can imagine with you both taking animal forms, albeit of different types and methods, the calling could be, errr ... interesting."

Cordelia raised her eyebrows, "The Calling? Peter never told me about this, what are you talking about?"

"Have you felt the leopard within you stretch and move about between changes?"

"Well, yes. Isn't that what we need to control so we don't change?"

"Yes, to a certain extent. And it takes a great deal of talent to balance the calling with an actual change. In a calling, the leopard is allowed to prowl and have a certain amount of control over your , umm ... desires, shall we say. Not enough control to allow a change, but not so locked away that we can't enjoy the feeling of our more primitive side expressing itself."

Cordelia cleared her throat, "I'll ask Peter to explain and demonstrate. I must admit I do feel less than comfortable discussing this with you."

"I fully understand. I would not presume to intrude, but it could be an interesting experience for you. There are leopards who can share a calling, but given the rarity of an Animagus, I was curious to determine if a leopard can share that with an Animagus. Please let me know if this is able to happen for you. I'm sure you would consider this an advantage if you get the rare pleasure of experiencing it."

"I tend to think that even if I do experience it, it falls within the realm of 'none of your business'. I mean, if we were to ever have a falling out with you or the rest of the Pard that would be a piece of information I would not want shared with The Quibbler."

"Of course. Forgive me. But I am curious about your adjustment. You are a unique case and I want us to do everything we can to help you through this period of getting used to your new boundaries, so to speak."

Cordelia nodded in acknowledgement as Sirius and Colin and the remainder of the IFW contingent approached the table.

Cordelia looked up at them and pushed her half-finished tea cup towards the centre of the table. "Is it time to go?"

"Sorry to break up the tea party," Sirius nodded. "It's nice to work with you again, Mr. Kumar. Feel free to stop by my office next time you're in London."

"I will, Mr. Black. Mrs. Black, it has been a pleasure." The Rex bowed his head as Cordelia rose from her seat and pushed in her chair. As they left the restaurant, Sirius briefed her on the security plan for their departure. They had had a number of threats on his life and her life, so security was particularly complex.

Half an hour later Cordelia was in the courtyard of the IFW Embassy in New Delhi, waiting for the signal that all was secure in London at the destination. The other party had gone ahead as Sirius had received the most detailed threats. It was imperative they get him out of India as soon as possible. She got the cue, felt the familiar rush and pulling sensation and tumbled into the chaos that was travelling by Portkey. She came to a staggering halt in the courtyard of the Indian Embassy of the IFW in Bombay. She knew it from a few trips she'd made here before becoming leopard. She was confused and looked immediately for the security people that typically shadowed her. She saw none of them. Instead she saw a crater with the crumpled heap of a dark haired, bearded wizard in the centre. She tried to quell the screaming in her head, the shrieks of 'Sirius' that reverberated much too loudly in her ears. She went to take steps to get to his side, for surely she saw Sirius lying ten yards ahead. If she could get to him, he'd be okay. He'd sit up and tell her not to be silly.

She took one step and fell forward, striking her head with a dull thud as blackness closed in on her.

End Of Chapter

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Author's Note 3: Special waves to those who reviewed chapter 10 on schnoogle. I messed up again didn't I. I do pretty well responding to comments on the PoU list and I always intend to respond to posts over there, but never seem to get to it. Bad Author (I'd iron my fingers, but that would delay the next chapter.) Anyway there were a lot of new names who reviewed chapter 10 over there so thanks go to: IsabelA113 (the first schnoogle review award goes to you), katgrl5043 (haven't missed one yet - am very impressed), WarriorDrgnMage, jords (hope your mom is doing better), D2Diamond, RachelL, BrokenAngel, Sydney Lynn (waves madly), QueenMatrix2003 (very cool name), Slytherin Green, and my most recent reviewer (posted reviews for Ch.1 and 2 today) misha. Thanks to all of you. I do appreciate your feedback and hope you don't feel abandoned over there.