The Forgotten Song

"My father will absolutely sack Dumbledore for this," Malfoy complained loudly as they waited for the Knight Bus. "He'll bloody make sure that the man is never employed again."

"I hate to say it, Malfoy, but your father is a known Death Eater and is currently residing in the five-star treatment of Hotel Azkaban," Ron snapped. "His influence is really going down."

Harry rolled his eyes and turned to Lupin. "Won't they ever shut up?" he asked him.

Lupin only laughed and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "I can think of some friendships that began even louder than this one."

"Friendship?" Harry scoffed. "Between them? Ron and Malfoy? No way."

"Hey, it could happen." Lupin shrugged. "You should have heard me and Sirius in the first year we knew each other. Never stopped bickering."

"Sure."

"It's true. I couldn't stand the guy. But we had both become friends with James on the train to Hogwarts, and neither of us were about to leave."

Harry frowned. "So what changed?"

"He saved my life." Lupin shrugged. "James' parents - your grandparents - had invited us all home for the Christmas holidays, so we all went. Sirius, Peter and I. There was a lake near their home, and being winter, it was covered with ice. We were all out skating on it when Peter fell over and hurt his arm. James had taken him inside to get it looked at, so Sirius and I were left, and as young boys often do, we started trying to outdo each other with tricks. Sirius had just jumped over a branch that had landed on the ice, and I wasn't about to let him outdo me, so I did the same thing, just over a higher section of it." He sighed. "The ice must have been weakened from Sirius' jump, or maybe I just landed on thin ice. I'm not sure exactly how it happened, but I went through, and it was the absolute coldest I've ever been. I felt my body immediately cramping up and my mind wasn't working properly, so I didn't think to swim up to the hole. All of a sudden, I felt this hand pulling me up and out of the hole, dragging me along the ice until we were on solid ground. I opened my eyes and saw that it was Sirius, and he pulled his jacket off to cover me. We've been friends ever since." His eyes had a far off look in them.

Harry looked at Lupin closely, then. He saw the greying curls of his hair, the tired yellow eyes and the intelligently handsome profile of his face, and realised in that moment that Lupin was now all he had left in the world, and that perhaps the same was true for Lupin. He had lost all of his best friends, either to death or to madness, and was now left with a sixteen year old boy and a Vampire that, Harry supposed, he seldom saw.

Blinking to repel the tears from his eyes, Harry tentatively reached out his left hand to take Lupins. Lupins eyes were startled as he felt the hand seeking his, but held it warmly, giving Harry a small smile. With a slight sense of satisfaction, Harry felt that at last they understood each other.

"I hate to break up the love fest," Malfoy said dryly. "But that hideous purple thing that some people like to call a bus is here."

Harry glared at him and let go of Lupin's hand, walking past the blonde git and onto the bus.

"And what exactly would you call it, if not a bus?" he heard Anna ask.

"A hideous purple thing. Duh."

***

"So where to first?" Anna asked, leaning towards Lupin.

"The Order," he replied. "I can set up a meeting with Bryan by Owl, then we can Floo our way there. After that, we'll look for this God place."

"Sounds good to me," she smiled.

"We can't go to the Order!" Ron burst out. "Malfoy'll run and squeal everything to his daddy's friends!"

Lupin raised his eyebrows and looked at Malfoy. "I hadn't thought of that."

Malfoy raised his unblinking eyes to Lupins and stared back coolly. "What are you going to do, Wolf? Tie me up? Gag me for the rest of my life? Seems you cant take me to this Goddess without me seeing your little Order thing."

"I'm all for the tying idea," Harry offered.

"Trust you to be into bondage, Potter," he sneered.

"That's me," Harry said dryly, rolling his eyes. "Kinkiness is my forte."

"It might be a bit drastic," Lupin grinned. "I have a better idea." His golden eyes came to rest upon Anna.

"What?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. After a moment or two, she caught on. "What?! Why me?"

"It's that moment of dawning comprehension I live for," Ron remarked to Harry, who grinned.

"Because," Lupin said in a conciliatory tone. "If we have your teeth, we don't need to tie him up."

"What?" Malfoy asked, his eyes widening. "You're going to put a Vampire to stand guard over me?"

"Looks like it," Harry said happily. "And if you so much as move, she'll bite you."

***

Twelve Grimmauld Place was silent as Lupin, Harry and Ron entered later that day.

"Hello?" Ron called out. "Anybody home?"

"Nope," another voice called back. "Just us, Kreacher and the dust bunnies."

"Vile half-breeds, come again to torment me and befoul the house of my kin..."

"Oh, and her as well," the voice supplied cheerfully as Lupin sighed and ran off to quiet Mrs Black.

Ron and Harry entered the Lounge room to find Sirius lounging on the grass in the portrait. James lay off a little way away, with Lily's head resting on his chest. Kera and Lupin were underneath the tree, playing a game of some sort. It involved a lot of gold and red sparks.

"How's school going?" Sirius asked.

"Harry's got himself a girlfriend," Ron grinned.

"She's not my girlfriend," Harry said quickly. "She's just..."

"Very put out that she couldn't come with you," Ron supplied. "Livid, even. Didn't give a rats about me, her best friend, just poor old Harrykins."

"She was not," Harry said, blushing a little.

"Oh, Harry!" Ron gasped in a surprisingly good imitation of Hermione. "Oh, it's just so unfair! Why can't I go with you? I can't bear the thought of you getting hurt! What will you do without me there?" He resumed his normal voice. "What am I, chopped liver?"

"No," Harry said heatedly. "You're a midget molesterer."

"A what?"

"Ask your brothers."

Sirius laughed. "Sounds great." He looked over his shoulder at Lupin and Kera. "How's she?" he asked, a little wistfully.

"The object of every guys affection," Ron laughed. "Just like Anna."

"Not surprising," Sirius grinned wolfishly. "It's weird how looks run in the family. You should see their mother. Talk about beauty. I swear, Vampires just get better as they get older!"

Harry laughed, surprised to find that the portrait didn't bother him as much anymore. After all, the Sirius in this was just a memory. A different person, even. He couldn't be blamed for things he had never done.

"So what are you here for?" he asked, stretching in the sun.

"We're setting up a meeting with the leader of the Irish Wolves," Lupin said, causing both boys to jump. Lupin smiled wryly. "Bryan Major."

"Bryan Major?" Sirius sat bolt upright. "As in..."

"As in Majo, yes," Lupin laughed, and Sirius joined in.

"Oh, that's rich!" Sirius hooted.

"What, why?" Harry asked.

"Bryan's Auntie is the biggest loudmouthed Werewolf hater in the history of the world. Ugly, too."

"Dolores Umbridge," Lupin smiled slightly. "She has no idea that her favourite nephew was bitten while camping in the valleys. Owns a nice little pub just outside of Dublin, which is where we'll be going as soon as we get a reply."

"What's this meeting for?" Sirius asked curiously. "You trying to con the Wolves into joining you?" He grinned when Lupin nodded. "Well then, you'll have no problem. These two are the perfect study buddies," he said to Harry and Ron. "Every lunchtime, in the library, Gryffindor prefect and Ravenclaw prefect. And he's dating a Slytherin. How's that for house unification?"

Lupin rolled his eyes and put his hands on Ron and Harry's shoulders. "How about you two go and make us some lunch? I have to write to Bryan, so we could be waiting a while."

***

"Hi," Anna said pleasantly to the Muggle woman behind the counter. They were in the lobby of a very nice looking hotel - all polished wood and rich red carpets. Draco grudgingly noticed that, for a Muggle hotel, it was really very classy.

"Hello," said the woman, raising her eyebrows at Anna's black singlet top and studded leather belt. "Can I help you?"

"Yeah. My cousin and I are staying with our Grandfather for a few days, and he's been held up in a meeting. He told us to go on ahead and check into the hotel. I think he said he had a reservation. I was wondering if we could go on up to the room."

Draco raised his eyebrows. She wasn't a bad liar, he gave her that. Fleetingly, he considered making a run for it, then discarded the idea. He knew enough about Vampires to know that she could catch him in a second, even if he was a good runner.

"I'm afraid we're not allowed to let guests into the hotels without checking in," the woman said. "Unless we knew who your Grandfather was, and perhaps contact him..."

"Oh, sorry, I probably should have mentioned it before," Anna said smoothly. "His name is A.D. Ruse."

"Ruse?" the woman raised her eyebrows again at Anna, then looked at Draco. "Well, why didn't you say so? I don't think we have a booking, but... well, I assume that you'll be in his usual room?" Anna nodded. "Alright... room seven-thirteen. I hope you'll enjoy your stay."

Anna smiled as the woman handed her the key, and she and Draco headed for the elevator.

"Pretty smooth," he conceded. "But A. Ruse? How cliché can you get?"

"Hey, it worked, didn't it?" she grinned impishly. "My dear friend Mr Ruse is very fond of this hotel."

"You mean he's real?"

"Of course he's real. Well, it isn't his real name, but..."

"So who is it?" he asked. "Anybody I know?"

"I'm not at liberty to say," she said aloofly. "You're still the bad guy, remember?"

"Ah yes," he nodded. "Me bad, you good. I get it."

They fell silent as the doors whooshed open to reveal a wooden panelled corridor. It opened out to reveal balconies around the edge of the walls, with a wide space in the middle. With a cute little laugh, Anna ran over to the edge of the balcony and gazed down. They were on the highest level, and could see all the other floors. Draco glided up beside her and glanced down. The tall fountain in the very center of the room looked cool, and the spray almost reached the height of the first balcony.

"Nice, huh?" she asked him, and he nodded once in reply. "Come on, grumpy. Let's find our room." She grasped his hand and led him away. He considered pulling his hand away from hers, but deemed that it was too much effort. Besides, she was probably a lot stronger than she looked.

The room, once they found it, was absolutely gorgeous. A king sized bed with a royal blue cover, dark wooden furniture, silver rimmed mirrors and bouquets of blue and white flowers in crystal vases.

"This Ruse guy must be pretty damn rich," Draco said, impressed. "With style."

Anna cocked her head. "I didn't take you as the kind of guy to appreciate pretty flowers and furniture."

"It's called culture, my dear," he said in a pompous voice and set about exploring their apartment. To call it a room would have been ludicrous... there was a kitchen, a sitting room, a bedroom, bathroom, huge balcony with a Jacuzzi, and, to Draco's surprise, a music room. "Hey," he called out to Anna. "This place has a piano!"

"Whoop-de-doo," she called back, wandering through the apartment to find him. "I can't play the fucking thing."

"You might not be able to," he said, settling himself on the seat, his hands poised over the keys. "But I can."

"Alright then," she said, flopping into a blue cushiony chair. "Impress me."

And impress her he did. Draco began to play, but without a set piece of music in mind. He simply put his fingers on the keys, closed his eyes, and began. The music was in a minor key, and the notes drifted softly through the room. He played on for what seemed like forever, and when he stopped, he was surprised to see red stains on Anna's cheeks.

"Where'd you learn to play like that?" she asked, sniffing a bit.

"My mother wanted me to learn," he shrugged and looked at her closely. "Are you alright?"

"It was just nice is all," she smiled sheepishly and wiped at her face, but the stains remained.

"Why do you cry blood?" he asked curiously. "You did it the other night when you ran out the Great Hall, as well."

"Vampire thing, I guess," she shrugged, getting up to go to the bathroom. Her voice echoed through the apartment. "I've got no idea why."

"How can you not know?" he called out.

"Well, why do humans cry water?" he voice drifted to him.

"I don't bloody know," he stood and followed her voice through to the enormous bathroom. She was washing her face with water, and at last the stains were gone. He leaned on the bench from behind her, looking at their reflection. "How come I can see you?"

"Because my Grand-daddy was a human," she shrugged, looking at him in the mirror. "I'm not a full Vampire. I guess I get the best of both worlds." She frowned and studied him. "Why don't you like Vampires?"

"What is this, twenty questions?" he asked with a faint grin.

"Hey, you started it," she laughed, turning around and folding her arms. She was still trapped by Draco's arms, resting on the bench either side of her. "I just wanted to know."

"Why?"

"Because I think it's stupid to hate what you are."

He frowned, taking his arms of the bench and leaning back a bit. "What makes you think I'm a Vampire?"

"Because you are," she shrugged. "I can't explain it. I just know. Just like you knew what Kera was when you saw her. Like how you probably knew that there was something about Remus when he first came here, but you couldn't put your finger on it. He's the one that told Dumbledore about you, you know." She cocked her head. "You're not a full one. Not even half. Not even a quarter, but it is there - just a bit. I knew it the second you walked into Fred and George's shop."

Draco stared at her, his grey eyes troubled.

She frowned. "Didn't you know that?"

He shook his head. "Nah, just always thought that I was clever. With the whole guessing thing. I could tell that that... God guy wasn't normal."

"Yeah, he had this weird black glowy thing around him," she nodded. "I was surprised that nobody else could see it, but..."

"Yeah, I saw it," he said simply.

They stared at each other, neither really knowing what to say next.

"So, um... let's get out of the bathroom, hey?" Anna suggested.

Draco smiled and nodded. "Yeah. 'Cos I never wanna be near a big bath with a little Vampire, do I?"

"I'm not going to touch the sub-text of that comment with a ten foot pole," she laughed.

"A ten foot..."

"Stop right there!" she laughed.

***

"You fucking bastard!"

Anna's angry voice greeted Harry's ears as he, Lupin and Ron entered the apartment. Not taking time to take in the extravagant surrounding, Harry dashed through the rooms to the source of the angry cries.

"Anna!" he called as he burst into the bedroom, already reaching for his wand.

He was met with an odd sight. Malfoy and Anna, laying on a bed with a deck of cards between them, a stack of galleons and knuts beside them and five cards fanned out before them. Anna stared blankly up at him. "What?"

"You..." he frowned. "Are you okay?"

"No," she glared at Malfoy. "This handsome bastard has beaten my full house."

"Hey, is it my fault that flushes are worth more?" Malfoy grinned at her. "Pay up, sweetheart."

With a sigh, Anna threw one of her galleons at his head.

"Hey," he complained. "That hurt."

"Get over it, Malfoy," Harry said flatly. "Nobody wants you here, so stop bloody whining."

"Ouch," Anna raised her eyebrows. "That was a bit harsh."

Harry, however, saw the almost friendly expression on Malfoy's face disappearing behind a cold stare. The stormy warmth in his eyes had disappeared behind a shutter, resuming their usual iceberg grey. "Fuck you, Potter," he said coolly. "The only reason I haven't killed you yet is because this little Vampire might interrupt."

"You kill me?" Harry scoffed. "I'm not seeing how you can succeed where Voldemort hasn't."

"The Dark Lord has his shortfalls," Malfoy said cryptically. "And you can't be on guard twenty-four hours a day."

"Watch me."

"Hey, fellas," Anna interrupted, and they both looked at her.

"What?" they said in unison, the same look of dull anger on each of their faces.

"Shut the fuck up."

***

I can handle this, Remus chanted inwardly to himself. I can handle three teenage boys - all of whom are having homicidal urges - and a Vampire. No sweat.

"Shut up, Ron," Anna snapped. "Give it a rest."

Yeah, I'm doing fine, he reassured himself as Ron swore under his breath and glared at Draco.

"Don't look at what you can't afford, Weasel."

Nothing to it, really.

Ron growled and launched himself at Draco, knocking the chair he was sitting in backwards as they began to wrestle with each other, exchanging swearwords and blows. Harry started chanting Ron's name as Anna rolled her aqua eyes.

Oh hell. Where's Sirius when you need him?

"Alright," Remus raised his voice. "Cut it."

He sighed as the two boys ignored him, and took two long strides and put one hand on the back of each boys shirt, easily pulling them apart and holding them at arms length. Draco glared at Ron, who was still scrabbling to attack him.

"You," Remus said to Draco, motioning to the music room with his head. "There. And Harry. And you," he looked at Ron. "Bedroom with Anna. Separate and go, and if any of you make a sound, I'll... I'll... well, you'll find out if you do it." He released the boys. "Go."

"Yes Lupin," Harry mumbled, as he and Draco made their way to the music room, standing a metre apart and with their hands in their pockets. Ron made to grab Anna's hand, but she simply stared coolly at him and walked past him, muttering under her breath about the total incompetence and overall irritation of humans.

***

"What's your problem?" Ron asked Anna as he sat himself on the huge bed.

"What's my problem?" she asked, folding her arms. "My problem is that you won't leave Draco alone."

"What do you care?" Ron asked, annoyed. "He's a stupid blonde prat who'll go the same way as his father."

"No, Ron," she disagreed. "He'll only go the way of his father if you let him. And that's exactly what you're doing. If anything, you could at least bloody ignore him, instead of being such a frigging wanker all the time."

"Decided you're in love with him now, huh?" Ron sneered. "Harry's gone and got himself Hermione, so you're throwing yourself at Malfoy instead?"

"Haven't you been listening to me?" she demanded, her aqua eyes flashing a dangerous, darker shade. "I want to help him! Koranu said that he has to listen to the prophecy, and if we're all in it, then he must have to work with us. Didn't that ever occur to you?"

"No, it didn't. And do you know why, mate? It's because he's an evil little shit!" Ron was standing now, towering over her, but Anna stood her ground.

"You don't even know him, Ron! It's just like with everything else - you label things and you assume. Well guess what? You're acting like a complete dickhead! Draco's father is in jail, and he's cut off from his family and those other people he's hanging out. This might just be the one chance we have to break through to him!"

"Well, they always said that dark creatures side together," Ron said with cruel glint in his eye.

Anna curled her lip slightly in anger, revealing her now elongated fangs. She let out a soft growl. "Fuck you, Weasley." She turned and took two quick steps to the open window and jumped out of it, levitating upwards.

***

"Fuck you, Weasley!"

"What did you say to her while we were gone?" Harry wondered out loud. The music room was right next to the bedroom, and Ron and Anna's argument carried through the walls.

Draco sat at the piano, not playing, but just looking at the keys. He shrugged slightly.

"It's gone quiet," Harry said again, more to himself than to Draco.

"Maybe she ate him," Draco suggested, not turning around.

Harry sighed. "Remind me again why I'm stuck in a room with you?"

"Because Weasley's a dickhead and putting him in a room with me wouldn't have served too well in breaking up the fight."

"Shut up."

"Fuck you," he said, though without his usual bite. There was something about the piano that always calmed him down. He brought his fingers to the keys and began to play: a haunting melody that simply sprung from the depths of his being.

"Wow," Harry said, listening. "He wears hair gel and he plays like a girl. My gay-dar is beeping like crazy."

"The fact that you have a 'gay-dar,' let alone said the word is questionable, Potty," Draco said mildly, his eyes closed.

"You said it too, Malfoy," Harry pointed out, an annoyed tone in his voice.

"Shut up for once, would you?"

"No. It's your fault I'm in here, you know."

"No," Draco stopped playing and turned around, facing the one boy who had single handedly destroyed his life. "It's your stupid friend's fault. Because he is a dickhead, and I am not. And in case you were wondering, the Vampire is just outside."

"The door?" Harry frowned.

"The window."

Harry turned around and jumped. Anna was floating outside the window, her arms folded and her eyes stormy. Harry rushed to the window and opened it.

"Are you alright?" he asked, worried. "I mean..." he faltered, looking down. The street looked rather far below... "Like, you won't fall?"

"Your friend," she began, ignoring him and sounding remarkably like Molly Weasley. "Is an idiot. Your friend is letting pride cloud his already scattered mind, and your friend," she continued, emphasising the 'your.' "Is a WANKER!" she sent the last word towards the wall.

"And you're a downright bitch!" a muffled voice yelled back.

"AND YOU'RE ALL ANNOYING THE HELL OUT OF ME!" Lupin's voice thundered. The door opened and he stood in the doorway, his golden eyes irritated. "I've just received an Owl from Bryan, and I've temporarily joined this fireplace to the Floo network. Harry, you and Ron are coming with me, seeing as how you'll all kill each other if I leave you here." His eyes flicked to Anna. "Annie, come in from there. It's broad daylight, and Muggles aren't completely stupid." She sighed and did what he said, floating inside and bringing herself to a seated position about a metre above Harry's head, and while the view up her skirt was interesting - and her red love heart underwear quite cute - it was still rather disturbing.

"We'll collect you and Draco when we're finished with Bryan," Lupin looked pointedly at Draco and Harry. "And when we're all back together, if there's any more fighting, I'll take Koranu up on his death offer."

***

"Remus!" An attractive man with sandy blonde hair engulfed Lupin in a bear hug as soon as they were clear of the fireplace. "How are you doing? You look terrible! Holy Christ, I haven't seen you in two years!"

Lupin laughed, patting his friend on the back. "Majo, you haven't changed a bit."

Ron and Harry watched the pair, smiling. It was nice to know that Lupin still had a few friends left.

"Who are these two?" Bryan shifted his gaze to the boys. His eyes were a soft, honey gold. "Wait, don't tell me. The one with glasses is James' lad. Looks too much like him to be anybody else. And the redhead... aw, man, I've forgotten their names. Old family, all freckley..."

"Hey," Ron protested.

"No, they weren't the Hayes," Bryan scratched his chin. "They moved to America after they found out that their kid was a Squib... Thomas, I think his name was. Hmm... oh, who were they? Damn name's escaped my mind."

"Weasley," Lupin supplied a grin on his face. "He's the youngest son."

"Weasley!" Bryan snapped his fingers with a wide grin. "Well, I nearly had it."

Harry chuckled and noticed Ron smiling in spite of himself. It was impossible to dislike the man, with his cheer and thick Irish accent. He reminded Harry a little of Seamus when he was in a good mood.

"So what brings you here, my old friend?" Bryan asked Lupin.

Lupin cast an eye at the boys. "I'd rather we spoke of it in private, to tell you the truth," he said. "I get the feeling that you're going to yell at me, and I'd rather not be berated in front of people."

"Well, if it's about what I think it is, then I doubt I'll be doing much in the way of yelling," Bryan shrugged. "I'm not completely cut off here, you know. But we can go up to my study, if you like. The boys can look around. My son should be lurking about somewhere."

"How is he?" Lupin asked with a laugh.

"Making me wish that Louise had considered adoption when he was born," Bryan said with a wry grin. "Probably much the same as any man living with a sixteen year old boy."

"I couldn't agree more," Lupin laughed. "I've got three of them, plus Kera's sister on my hands."

"I pity you," Bryan said sympathetically as the two left the room. "How is Kera, anyway..."

Ron and Harry looked at each other.

"Think we can get close enough to eavesdrop?" Ron asked.

"Lupin's smart enough to cast a Imperturbable Charm on the door," Harry sighed and looked around. They were in a neat lounge room. The chairs were blue and cushiony. A television sat in the corner of the room, and a photo of a family sat on the mantelpiece. Harry moved closer to the photograph, picking it up. It was a normal shot; taken by a Muggle camera, and the family was frozen inside an instant. Harry instantly recognised Bryan. He was laughing, with his arm around a beautiful blonde girl with sparkling blue eyes. A boy sat atop Bryan's broad shoulders. He was about seven years old, and looked like a younger version of Bryan.

"Feel like exploring, then?" Ron suggested. "I mean, we're in Ireland. We can do the tourist thing."

Harry looked at him and put down the photo. "Okay," he agreed. "But just remember that you're in Muggle Ireland. No magic."

"Yeah yeah, no magic," Ron agreed, smiling broadly. "Let's go already!"

"Hey, Dad!" a voice with a heavy Irish accent called out. "Is somebody here?"

Ron and Harry looked at each other as they heard somebody come thumping down the stairs. Harry immediately recognised him as the boy from the photo, albeit older. He was clad only in a pair of Jack Daniels boxer shorts, and his longish sandy hair stuck out every which way. He stopped suddenly in the doorway, looking at the boys warily. His amber eyes were clouded, as if he'd just woken up. "Who are you?" he asked.

"Um, I'm Harry," Harry said. "This is my best friend, Ron Weasley."

"Hi," Ron waved.

The boy looked at them both. "Okay... stupid question..." he scratched at his chin with his thumb. "'Cos neither of those names mean jack shit to me. What are you doing in me house?"

"I, um... I don't know if we can tell you," Ron stalled.

"Course you can tell me," the boy said, more alert now. He crossed his arms, which Harry noticed were covered in thick blonde down. "It's me bloody house, isn't it?"

"We're here with Remus Lupin," Harry supplied. "He's upstairs with Bryan."

"Remus?" the boy asked, a sudden smile alighting his face. "Uncle Remus? Why didn' ya bloody say so? Come to think of it I can smell the old Wolf around here... coming from the fireplace, mainly."

"Are you a... a Wolf as well?" Ron asked tentatively.

"S'right," the boy nodded. "Cairo Major, at ya' service. Any mate of Uncle Remus is a best mate of mine."

"Harry!" Lupins voice called down the stairs. They heard footsteps, then his head snaked around the door. "Use the fireplace to call up Anna and Draco... we'll be needing them here." As Harry nodded, Lupin seemed to notice that they had gained an extra body. "Cai!" he grinned, stepping fully into the room to shake the boys hand. "Haven't seen you in ages."

"Two years, mate," Cairo corrected him. "Y'know, a Godfather should really try and hang out with his Godkid more often."

"Yeah," Lupin ruffled Cairo's hair. "I know. I'll take you out hunting one night. We'll bring us back a deer or something." He looked back at Harry. "Cai will help you tell Anna where to come." He smiled at him. "Bryan and I'll be a little longer."

As he retreated up the stairs, Harry began to feel deep stabs of jealousy. So Lupin was Cairo's Godfather. Again, here was another family, another group of friends that Harry had never known about. He'd always thought that Lupin, at least, out of all people, knew what he was going through. He was alone too, after all, wasn't he? No, apparently not.

"Harry?" Ron asked. "You okay?"

But was he, Harry? Was he alone? Well he had Ron and Anna, Hermione, his Quidditch team, Dumbledore, the Weasley family, Lupin and Kera... he wasn't alone. Not exactly. But in the way it mattered...

Well, he had Hermione now. And when they finally made it back to Hogwarts, she would make his loneliness go away. At least for a little while. If only Sirius hadn't...

"Yeah," he nodded to Ron. "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's make this call, huh?"

***

Draco lay on the bed, the hotel room service menu in front of him, and his chin cupped in one hand. His gaze, however, was not on the menu, but on Anna, and his mood was pensive. She sat at a little round table, her head in both hands, elbows on the table. Her already short skirt had ridden up ever so slightly, and her legs were crossed at the ankles. Her long brown hair fell in loose waves to her back.

"You have nice legs," Draco observed, his eyes still studying her.

"Thank you," she said in a muffled voice without looking up.

"It wasn't a compliment," he told her. "It was an observation."

"I figured," she said dryly, looking up at him. Her eyes were bloodshot.

"Just telling the truth," he said, somewhat defensively.

"Well you're drop-dead fuck-me gorgeous," she said, somehow managing to make it sound insulting. "But that's just a fact, not an opinion."

"Yeah?" he sat up, irritated. "Well you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

"Well yay for me!" she snapped. They glared at each other for a few moments, until Anna cracked a bit of a smile. They both lost it after that, descending into hopeless giggles.

"So what's with the eyes?" Draco asked. "They're looking kinda sore."

"I haven't eaten today is all," she shrugged with a sigh. "And I forgot to bring any lollipops."

"You okay?"

"Yeah. I won't really feel it for..." she looked up at one of the clocks. "Oh, another half hour at least," she grinned.

"Why don't you just go down and bag the secretary?" Draco asked.

"Nah, Dumbledore gets annoyed if we drink people on his turf."

Draco perked up. "So Ruse is Dumbledore?"

She stared at him. "Oh shit. Um... just make like you don't know."

"Know what?"

"That's better," she grinned.

The two of them fell silent for a few minutes. Not an uncomfortable silence. A nice one. It was a rare thing for Draco. He felt as if he was sitting with an old friend, which made absolutely zero sense. He'd been locked in a room with her for one day, and before that day, he'd barely spoken to her.

"Anna?"

"Yeah?"

"Why are we being so..." He searched for the word. "Why are we... um..."

"Yes...?" she prompted.

"Comfortable," he said decisively. She raised her eyebrows at him, and he decided that he should probably slot the word into a sentence. "Why are we being so comfortable with each other?"

She gave a little shrug. "I don't know. We just... are. Hell, looking at us, anyone would think that we were friends."

"God forbid," he smiled. When she smiled back at him, he found himself standing and walking to her.

"What are you doing?" she asked, amusement playing in her eyes. Draco didn't say anything. He just knelt and pulled the legs of the chair so that she was facing him.

"Going into Vampire worship, Malfoy?" she asked.

"Something like that," he shrugged. She raised one hand and began to twirl a lock of her hair, but Draco caught it and gently pulled it away, his fingers interlocking with hers. Suddenly she was leaning forward and he was up on his knees, and his free hand was cupping her chin. He looked at her for a long moment, wondering what exactly he was doing. Betraying his family, his House. But then, what did they care about him, anyway? And he was only about to kiss her... it wasn't as if he was joining her side. Her lips were close now. Only moments away... he could feel brushing his own, but he didn't go for it yet. He drew in a deep breath and banished all thoughts of his family and his friends from his mind and, just as his lips met hers...

"Hello? Aaaanybody home? Anna? Fag boy? Hellooo?"

Anna and Draco sprung apart and looked around. "Harry?" Anna called, surprised. "What the fuck are... um... where are you?"

"Check the fireplace," Draco suggested. He'd sat himself in her seat when she'd jumped up. He looked exactly like he'd always done. Cool, calm, collected, gorgeous. Anna looked at him, her face just as impassive as his, and nodded.

Draco stared after her as she left the room, one hand tracing over his lips. Then, with a sigh, he hung his head.