Where Angels Fear to Tread…

Part Three- It's Cold outside

Harry snuggled in his bed. All off a sudden a bouncy, flamboyant pair of parrots knocked on the window. They had smoky black faces and green wings.

"Dear Harry, Everything's fine. These two are Mik and Keef. My lovebirds had babies. I'm getting sisters next time. They have a place to sleep. Give 'em a bit of choco before you send them out. I'll keep in touch. Sirius Black"

Harry read it again. If the lovebirds could roost and had grown adult children that means he had been in a safe place for at least... How old were these Lovebirds? Sirius was saying less and less these days. That must mean he's close. Also, if he'd expect his birds back on the night, he couldn't be more than a day away. Mik and Keef were hopping about, taking a breather. Crookshanks slept. He was surprised that the birds hadn't woken up everyone. Feeding chocolate to parrots, honestly. What was Sirius thinking? Hedwig looked scornfully upon the tiny rowdy parrots, partly because they were ridiculous and partly because they looked like a good dinner for the owls. Harry leaned under his bed for the great store of useful things. His emergency sweater, his emergency knapsack, 10 chocolate bars, two granola bars, needle and thread poked in it. It was a very secret place. Even Ron didn't know about it, or wouldn't talk about it.

He grabbed an apple. He'd snuck one in. He shouldn't have been so worried about eating. It was just a comfort, like nothing could go wrong. In case something went bad. He never could steal anything too big. He wasn't good at it. He could barely manage the simple slight of hand everyone else could do.

He grabbed his pocketknife Sirius had given to him. He had found some place to sharpen it. "No joy riding. Or I'll get Hedwig to straighten you out. Back to Sirius. He can't have you getting caught."

Hedwig snorted.

"Back to Sirius," Harry whispered to them.

He threw them out the window gently.

****

That night at dinner, at the Grieves house, the Diggorys and the Davies were all waiting for dinner to start. The Grieves were some of the most gracious hosts. Amos and his wife were still about. Remus Lupin had appeared on the right hand of Fen Grieves. It was odd schmoozing for werewolves. The cocktails were marvelous. The conversation was sparkling and witty. First about Remus's book on "Eastern Shapeshifters." Amos had a special interest and invited Remus to join a panel next summer, to revise the M.O.M Creature Classification system. They were finally going to try to acclimate the Gelatinous cube. They had never actually had a dark creature on the board before. They talked about Fen's success with the Minority Party Election. Soon it deteriorated into discussion about muggle rock music, the Beatles and Quidditch. Remus and Lukas hadn't entered the room. Even Fen wouldn't enter. They stood hovering. Lukas nudged Remus.

"Where is..."

"Come on in Mr. Lupin, why aren't you..."

"One moment."

"I just-"

Lupe shook her head. "Will someone go in?"

The Davies whispered to each other.

"They have to wait until the Alpha male enters the room," Diggory said.

"Fen, are you alright?" Davies called out.

The four werewolves began chattering. "After you...."

Alejandro approached, came into the room. He stepped into the dining room. "Senor Grieves, Polly wanted to say goodnight."

Fen entered the room brusquely, followed immediately by the hungry polite werewolves.

Fen Grieves held Polly in his arms. "I could eat her up into little hunks, my pretty Polly-gull. Don't worry Diggory, it's just a figure of speech. I don't like the taste of little wolfy gulls." The father growled demonstratively. Polly gurgled and growled back at him.

"Her Lycanthropy has been progressing nominally. There haven't been any problems." Mr. Diggory ruffled the top of her head.

"Isn't that something? You have no idea what he is talking about, do we Gull? Isn't he a silly?" Polly smiled.

"Senor Grieves." The nanny shook his head, trying to hurry him up.

"Mommy," Polly whispered to Alejandro.

"Oh, you go with Alejandro, up to bed. I'll tuck you in, in a few minutes." Lupe stood up.

"Of course. You get to bed Polly," Mr. Diggory said. "Like your Daddy and Mum say."

"Oh." The Party Leader shook his head towards Alejandro, "Si si. Esta good... Bueno. You can... Yo puedo up the ..." Alejandro nodded at his employer, try so hard not to roll his eyes carrying the girl up the stairs. The nanny shook his head as he was carrying her off.

"That man is your nanny?" Mrs. Davies asked

"Alejandro is my cousin-in-law," Fen said. "Well Lupe's. We're getting him a green card."

Mr. Davies said, "I just find it weird that you'd get a bloke as your Nanny. I thought Lupe was so keen on taking care of her."

Lupe leaned in. "With all this business about Crouch and Sirius Black about, I have a bad feeling. I want my daughter to be protected on our moon."

Mrs. Diggory lowered her head.

"You must forgive me." Lupe touched her hand.

"It's not your fault." Mrs. Diggory lowered her head.

Amos shook his head. "See, Fen, this is what I mean. We've got to out these people out of the Black Arts Party before it's too late."

"I'd vote for White Arts Party if they got rid of Fudge. But it won't happen," Remus said. "My vote will go to the Goblins' Get all your Gold and Run Party before I reelect that moron Fudge. To insist that the Quidditch Finals was a random act of terror... And the lack of reaction to the Triwizard Tournament."

"Look, I'm not asking for your vote, Remus. But our party is still small. And it's name is rather unattractive. Werewolf Political Action Committee, Lollipop. But the Black Arts Party will win the next election if we don't move quickly," Fen said. "We must garner support to the minority parties. The White Arts Party can't win their next election." Fen picked up his glass. "I can raise 200 grand shuckls American, that's about 100 thousand galleons, tomorrow if I have your support. English money is so confusing."

"I can't believe the Black Arts Party will win." Mr. Davies shook his head.

"Lucius Malfoy will see to that. I can't stand him."

"I'm not afraid of Lucius Malfoy. If he so much as sniffs at you wrong send him my way. No one will hold it against a werewolf to smack that smug grin to the back of his head," Fen said.

"Oh, you are horrid," Mrs. Davies laughed.

"I'd give 200 thousand galleons to see you smack Lucius Malfoy," Remus grinned. The response got a chuckle out of the entire table.

"Give me five minutes alone with him," Fen smirked and smiled broadly.

Davies laughed. "He might sic his boyfriends, Crabby and Gargoyle on you."

"No trust me. I've run into them. They're too smelly to be werewolves."

"I heard they were on the outs anyway," Remus chuckled. From the kitchen, Lupe smiled at Fen. He could certainly charm them. He was a little irresistible in his way. He was a perfect PAC leader. He'd have them tame by the end of evening. He gave Alejandro a bite off his plate as he passed and whispered in his ear, something she could guess was less than casual. Mrs. Diggory coughed.

"What is it?"

"Nothing," all the while, trying to ignore the fact that two men were making goo goo eyes at each other.

Mr. Davies tried to shift the subject again, "So you think the new Chudley Cannons' keeper will pull through this time do you, Diggory? Let me tell you, I like the Warwick Warriors myself for the Pennant."

Alejandro left the room and wandered into the kitchen.

"Nice, Lupe."

"Nice job, Alejandro. I've never met anyone who could fake bad Spanish better."

"Gracias, Lupe. I am most glad that I didn't have to stay. Magical politics are very boring. Maybe Remie likes it, but..." His short ratty hair didn't give him the appearance of tidiness but it did make him the picture of Guadalupe, Grieves' older Argentinian cousin. Fen was brilliant; his Spanish was flawless, but it was reduced to a long series of shouts. In fact, some of his enemies had been trying to say he used illegal immigrant labour. It would be funny if they knew.

"Stay away from Remus. I think Mrs. Diggory was shocked to find you two playing footsie under the table."

"Oh I can't help it. It happens when we are in the same room."

"He's been drinking a little. That can't help... Take it easy on him. Remus is a giant hormone with eyelashes in May. Those Spring Heats are the worst. That is why Polly was born in Winter."

"Dinner can't be much longer, can it?" Alejandro frowned.

****

At Hogwarts, in the Gryffindor common room Neville studied for his Transfiguration test. The facts poured out of his head. He hated his memory. It was like emptying a bucket with a spoon. Neville rolled out the palmed quill and caught it between his fingers. Maybe he should go to sleep. He'd been at it for 2 hours.

"Where'd you pick that up?"

The woman stared at him. Two of them. Neville, for some reason wasn't surprised. It was as if they knew him. The short had soft red hair floating over her eyes. The tall black haired woman looked down on him.

"Do it again," the black haired woman said.

Neville did it again.

"Is that a Longbottom? Neville. How are you?" The tall woman kneeled and smiled at him.

Neville didn't have time to answer before the red head glomped her arms around him.

"Oi. It is, Polaris. Come har witcha face, boy! My little Neville. You're so big laddie."

Polaris stood him up. The red head punched him in the shoulder. "The last time I saw you were knee high to nothing, crawling about like a little ladybird."

Neville coughed at her strength.

"Hello Miss Black. And you must be Miss McGonagall. I saw you get off the train. That is your name, isn't it?"

"Come on kid, give us a look." The red head smiled and pinched his cheeks, "What a face! Aren't you sooooooo cute? Me lil' sweetheart."

"Vesta, let him go," Polaris said. The red head let him down, "Where did you learn that, kid?"

"I don't know. My Daddy... I saw it somewhere," Neville shrugged.

"Dad. Pheh. He says," Vesta shook his head, "That was Double D flip draw. You can't confuse me. She twirled that thing like a gunslinger. Gary Cooper er Clint Eastwood er something."

"Yeah?"

The strange women nodded.

"Let me show you something."

Polaris flipped out her pen. Neville stared. He did it better.

"The Double D flip draw. That was her draw, it was slick as an oiled penny," Vesta nodded. "I could never imagine how she did it. Getting her fingers like that." Polaris tried again. "Alternating. When she dueled her spells had so much balance."

"She was slow on the draw but if she got the first hit, it was over. You'd be eating grass."

Neville looked at the woman.

"Polaris, show him your scar."

"Fine." Polaris pulled down her boot "This one here..." she pointed at the scar, "was your mum. Lash curse. I told her to try a cutting curse... We were so stupid back then." Polaris showed him her elbow. "She blasted me against a wall with a, like a repulsor beam thing she picked up. It took three people to peel me down."

"There we are. She flipped me with a tornado spell. I almost fell down a well," Vesta said showing off her knee with a large pack of skin with was discolored.

"Man, there was a dueler, it was Denise Dikeapolis," Polaris said.

"It doesn't matter if she was slow on the draw. The draw is the thing. I bashed her up. Why."

Vesta didn't even pull out her wand. It popped up into her hand. He didn't even see it.

"She who draws first, wins," Vesta said.

Polaris laughed, "But with a counter spell that's two moves in one. You could never throw one faster than me, Vesta."

Her wand rolled down her arm, into her fist. Polaris pointed it the long ways.

"How did you do that?" Neville looked

"Sleight of hand. And I always cross my fingers." Vesta threw it in her sleeve. "Polaris has been trying to copy Denise's draw. She usually just puts it in her fist."

"Oh yeah and Flitwick. Great dueler. I've never seen a man triple the strength on a counter-curse. I wouldn't face him twenty years ago."

"I still say you can't countercurse." Polaris shook her head.

"And ya draw like fat baby girl, Pub," she turned her back on her friend.

At this the two women drew on each other, of course they didn't point their wands.

The two woman laughed, circling each whispering practice spells.

"So you two knew my mum? I never met her friends. They said she was an Auror."

"We would have died for her. If that is what it took. We loved her," Polaris said.

"Should we show him the tattoo?" Vesta pounded Polaris in the arm.

"I can't show him that part of my body," Polaris blushed.

"You got the discount, special Sorority girls discount. Above the knees and under the waist. You were boiled."

"At least my tattoo didn't hurt. You were crying like a fat baby girl." Polaris smirked

"Well it's complimentary." Vesta showed off the back of her hand. She rolled off the black glove.

She had a white stylized figure on the back of her hand. Right above the wrist, like an ivory charm.

"It's mummy's dove." Neville smiled. "She has it on her hand."

"It's an angel, dear."

"For an angel," Polaris rested her head on top of Vesta's.

"You had to know her. If you knew that, you knew her really. You know where she got her tattoo. And you knew her at Hogwarts."

"Hmm, that's right," Polaris smiled. "She was a real angel, your mum. They don't make them like that."

"Built like Stonehenge. Who was it that said that?"

Polaris shook her head.

"That was James Potter."

Neville covered his mouth, "Harry's Dad said that... he was famous."

"He wasn't famous till after. He was a nice guy. Needed to give us break. He had a crush so bad on your Mum. He said that Denise's name was Denis. So that he could go out with the Longbottoms. Then one day Denis showed up the Yule Banquet. Oh Lily was mad. But he'd never hurt Lily."

Neville laughed at the thought of James Potter being so dorky.

"Look, when he laughs it up he looks like her. Just like Denise."

"Oh my god. She spread on that nose," Polaris continued. "Doesn't look a thing like Frank."

"No, he's her son. But look at those big puppy dog eyes. There could be a Longbottom behind them." Vesta pinched his cheek again. "You're lucky. Frank was too good looking."

"Oh dear Frank," Polaris smiled.

"Hot Frank," Vesta sighed.

"Pureblood, couldn't taste so good," they both sang that oldie on the Wireless.

"I remember Denise when she was nothing but Double D. Man I hated her breasts. The woman was fine lady, but that rack gave me nightmares."

"Denise Dikeapolis, yeah that was her maiden name," Neville said. He wanted to listen to them forever. He'd never imagine something like this. Two strange ladies who could tell him his dreams... "That's Mum."

"More than that, Laddie. She could stop traffic. Beautiful woman, your mum was," Vesta said.

They talked so fast, but he understood. He watched them laugh.

"I remember the Dragon Moon Ball 1975, in February?" Polaris patted her on the back.

"Oh yeah." Vesta laughed into her hand.

"Those two could bust a stone groove," Polaris said. "I don't think anyone at Hogwarts had seen that kind of dancing, ever."

"Yeah, I can't tell you," Vesta laughed. "I never have so much fun. Shame about Lucius Malfoy. Ruining my whole night. Who thought he was such a crazy diva."

"Yes we were there. There was this lovely slow song. Something all lounge. Soft. Flying. Girls and boys beginning to cuddle."

Polaris led Neville around. She smiled. She put his arm on her waist. Neville stood about two heads shorter than the woman. She sighed.

"Don't put you're face there in my bosom." She pushed his head down from her bosom. "My God, you are Frank's son."

Neville and Polaris began dancing.

Polaris smiled. "You are a good dancer, for a Pureblood."

"Then all of a sudden, Frank shows up on the outskirts of the crowd. Some of his old mates, you know, just left their girls standing there. It was like the world had stopped when Frank came in the room," Vesta nodded.

"This mop haired god, with these thick sideburns, and a glistening golden tan, burst into the room. Oh my god. All the little guys were tugging around. Every girl was staring or sighing or just acting stupid. Frank goes up and talks to the band."

"Without one warning the bass player started that tune. That famous muggle tune?"

Polaris shoved Vesta. "I can't believe you would forget it. It started really quiet. Just a soft cheer then a loud whoop."

"And into the center of the dance floor leading our pal Denise..."

"Well you can tell by the way I use my walk that I'm a woman's man no time to talk."

"Like a sweaty, sexy English John Travolta."

"Oh it wasn't like anything you'll ever see. Soon the seas just parted. I mean every Halfblood, Muggle-Born, anybody who'd seen a movie in three years began pulling their dates onto the floor. Polaris, who didn't even bring a date, just stole Patrick Parkenson."

"I was going to bring him back," Polaris said. "Who would want to keep a Slytherin anyway?"

"I think it was um... Stephen Pembroke who grabbed me. Oh my word, Severus Snape thought that he was going to scalp me for some weird muggle tribal chant. He was so gallant for a Slytherin, trying to pull me back. He had kittens." Vesta was practically rolling with laughter "He just had kittens. Sev Darling is positively sweet. 'Vesta did they hurt you?' 'What are they doing to you?''"

"Severus, you don't mean Professor Snape?"

"Well, he was my escort," Vesta said.

"He was your pet project, Vesta. It's a good thing you never were serious about that scum," Polaris continued. "Now, I'm telling the story, Pub. Sweetie-Darling dances as well as I scry. With infrequency and great error. He was my mask for a bit hiding me from Lucius Malfoy."

"Do we have to talk about that old greaseball, Snape?" Polaris grimaced.

"You thought he was soooooooo adorable when you met him. Like a little kitten. You wanted one for your very own."

The idea of Professor Snape dancing at a ball and having an escort and being at a party, gave Neville Longbottom pause. This lady was nuts. Anyone who'd willingly spend time with him had to be.

They smiled. "Everyone was there."

"And then all of them asked the same question..."

"You do disco?"

"Soon the whole floor was filled."

"What were we supposed to say?"

"James Potter just about exploded, he goes, 'Where does a disk go?'"

"Oh it was marvelous, the teachers were flabbergasted. You could see this tiny ring of pureblood students outside the dance floor. Then the ring started to melt." Vesta smiled after that. "Everyone was on the dance floor. All the Purebloods and half bloods and muggle borns singing. We were all just people having fun for once. Together. Together." Vesta finally frowned.

Polaris crossed her arms, "I can't describe it."

"You just had to be there," Vesta shrugged.

They finally noticed Neville sitting there, smiling, beginning to rest his head on his hands, like he was listening in a class. "You're a good little chap," Vesta winked at him. "Sitting there, listening two old bitties talk."

"It's wonderful." Neville rested his head on his arms.

The women smiled. Where had they seen that? Denise, besides being the loveliest creatures on the planet, could almost vanish. Just sit there, sucking in the secrets. She was quiet. That added to her appeal. That's what she was known for. She could sneak in anywhere. Stealthy as a cat, quiet as an owl's wing.

But her face so different. She was always smirking. Those secretive blue eyes, watching. She was as inscrutable as an angel. But her mouth. His mouth.

Polaris recognized his eyes. Once, when she heard over the wireless Frank was down, her face went down. She opened her mouth. That was Neville's soft face. Denise at her worst. Denise looking into fear itself.

Polaris couldn't imagine what it was like for Neville. Losing both but not losing them. To those half lives. Frank tearing his hair out in some padded room. And Denise. She wouldn't pretend to. Vesta was schmoozing to him. He bristled. He wasn't going to like them like that.

Oh Neville, if only you could have known her. This woman who was a sister to us. This woman we loved. You never even met her once. She loved me so much she came back to talk to me. Why couldn't you two be together?

They talked with Neville. About old missions, trying to resurrect something of his memories. But nothing came out. He was almost three when it happened. The memory charms had been much too strong. His mind was a hazy mist. He couldn't remember anything.

Maybe they were trying to talk to Denise. Vesta kept asking him if he could remember this or that. This picnic, that day, that party, the park where she bought him an ice-cream cone. His first words and he kept shaking his head. It had become unbearable for Vesta in a way. She hadn't even gone once to the hospital. Vesta had been in the thick of it. She busted down the final ring. She had brought Crouch in. She was there to discover them, tied in the basement dungeon of Lestranges manor. She had untied them. Freed them but they were too gone. Vesta was ripped apart by the discovery. After the debriefing at the hospital, she went on a two day bender with Polaris to pick up the pieces. Polaris Black couldn't even find her for the first day.

She probably came into the office drunk. Just floated in, she was so tired. Moody had let her have it. Moody ripped into her. Verbally lashing her. But Polaris was almost ashamed for her, coming on duty still smelling like that. Maybe she needed it. She was good at reflection. For something this bad she needed some help.

She remembered when Vesta jockeyed for position of Godmother. She'd beat out Polaris in every turn. Except of course responsibility, tact, maturity. She loved being Godmother. It must have been that damn biological clock people talk about. Vesta wasn't exactly maternal. It had been a muggle christening and she'd found a perfect muggle christening outfit. As she put it, pink dress. She was probably the most successful Godmother ever. Or at least the happiest. Vesta was not made to hold a baby for more than three minutes. That's what the real mothers are for. He fit with Denise, and even better with Frank. Frank would never put him down. He was always in Frank's arms pulling at his face. He was going to trim it before Neville got strong enough to pull it out. Denise told him to keep it or she would go marry a Russian Communist Death Eater with a goatee. Men should have facial hair. So he spent the first three years of Neville's life with a loose upper lip.

The 80's came and they had planned so much. A baby makes you think further than two years. Frank was up for promotions in the department. Denise was going to be an officer in the Aurors. One day Moody would retire, and Frank had more in his character than to stay an Auror all his life there.

It was funny. They would have been talking to Party Leader and Chief Longbottom in seven years. They were sure of that. Vesta and her would die an Auror. Her smooth handling of the convictions of 7 Death Eaters, lead her up to the top of the ziggurat.

They had made plans. For the Amazon, for Greece, for Rome. To take their boy everywhere in the world. It couldn't be cheap. Neville never got all the love that they were willing to give him. He didn't even get all of the money they would have given him. Electra Longbottom was a proud woman, and didn't take to kindly to charity or waste. She scrimped by, saving and hoarding her money very carefully. All of the subtle donations to her vault by Aurors and family friends at Gringotts were given to other charities. Even Muggle ones. The hidden truth about Hufflepuff is that they were very very cheap and proud of it. They never took anything for themselves. They never accepted any help if at all possible. Gryffindor's might be reckless but Hufflepuff were always self-sacrificing.

Your son's in Gryffindor, you two. He must have gotten something from you two. He must live with your inner strength. He might not appear much, but he knows what you did. He'll be a great man. Polaris sat with Neville most of that night.

***

Remus Lupin piled the last things into his bag.

"Let me fetch your slippers," Alejandro grinned.

"I don't have slippers. Where are my socks?"

"I don't know after dinner last night...." His voice trailed off.

"Are you hiding my shoes?"

Alejandro looked sheepishly.

"Alejandro, stop acting like a spoiled puppy. The train leaves at 8:30. It will take all three hours to get to the Hogwarts Portkey."

"Remus, there is another train later."

"I-" Alejandro frowned, trying to whimper as if his world was coming to an end. It wouldn't work. "Down, boy."

Alejandro watched and rolled on his stomach.

Remus opened the door.

Alejandro sprung up, "Look at that. Rainy, awful, miserable. How can you make it?"

"It's not so bad," Remus said. "Only a little rain."

Lightning crashed. "Now you really have to stay. Just awful weather. Cats and Frogs. They say,"Alejandro touched his hand. "Cats and Dogs," Remus said

"I really can't stay -"

Alejandro brushed his face. "Moony, it's cold outside"

"I've got to go away." Remus tried to shift the bag on his shoulder.

"Remie, it's cold out there."

I really can't stay - Moony, it's cold outside
I've got to go away - Remie, it's cold out there
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice

Alejandro placed his roughed hands over Remus's, tempting Remus to lose his resolve and kiss him goodbye again. Alejandro looked over at the sherry bottle.

My colleagues will start to worry- Beautiful, what's your hurry?
And what about Dumbledore?- Listen to that Fireplace roar
So really I better scurry- Beautiful please don't hurry

Alejandro offered a small libation, to warm him up before leaving. Remus looked, perhaps it would be nice to have a small drink before going out into the frigid rain.

Well, maybe just a little drink more-Why don't you take those long robes off on while I pour?

Remus found himself sitting again on the bed, letting Alejandro touch him as he readied the drinks. Alejandro smiled, kissed the rim of the offered glass, Remus took much too large of a sip. A few more moments and he'd be lying on that bed. He stood up.

And the students might think-Mooney it's bad out there

Remus looked at Alejandro, up and down his body, licking the wine on his lips. Alejandro's eyes were glittering and irresistible. He was so dark and beautiful. Remus hungered for his mouth.

Say, what's in this drink? - No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight now
To break the hex - I know some words that rhyme with hex.

The second his lips were on his neck Remus realized he was sitting again. He'd have to find out how he did it. Every time Remus tried to leave he ended up in Alejandro's embrace in a heated kiss.

I ought to say no, no, no sir - Mind if I move in closer?
At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense of hurtin' my pride?
I really can't stay - Baby, don't hold out
Ah but it's cold outside

They kissed again. Remus wasn't even brought into the world until he looked at his watch. Only 40 minutes to walk down to the station

I simply must go - Mooney it's cold outside
The answer is no - I say, it's cold out there
The welcome has been - How lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm - Look out that window at that storm

Alejandro shook his head and grabbed the back of Remus's robe. Remus tried to pull away. Alejandro soon coaxed him away from the window.

McGonagall will be suspicious- Gosh your lips taste delicious
And Hagrid will be at the door- Like waves on a tropical shore
Professor Snape's tongue is vicious- Gosh your skin looks delicious
Well maybe just a chocolate frog more- Oh never been such a downpour

Alejandro pretended with all his might to regard the imaginary thunderstorm and he stepped on Remus's long robe. Remus tried to pull away, much too gently. He really had to hurry now, and having Alejandro attempting to pull off his robe was much too tempting.

I've got to go home-Mooney, you'll drown out there

Alejandro clutched the hem of his robe in an over dramatic gesture. Remus looked out the window.

Say lend me your cloak-No road to walk down out there.

Alejandro gave his a thick wool jacket that was much too large for Remus. The hood flopped over his face. Remus petted his lover and kissed him disproportionately to thank him, clawing his hands through his hair once again trying to reach for the doorknob.

You've really been grand- I thrill when you touch my hair

Alejandro purred contentedly, almost dazed by the gesture. Remus gently nudged him onto the bed.

But don't you see- How can you do this thing to me?

Alejandro shook his head and clutched his heart. Remus frowned and finally touched the door opening it.

Your offer is so inviting- What if you were struck by lightning?
But I've heard all your lines before- I love you more and more.
Oh Baby, what's the use in fighting- But I can't help fighting.
Well maybe just one little kiss more- You could always catch the 10:04

Remus's mind whirred. He looked straight up at Alejandro. He knew there was a reason why he liked him, Brains and beauty. He could always just take the later train. Would the world end? Remus gave up. He wrapped his arms around Alejandro, and dug in.

There's bound to be talk tomorrow- Think of my lifelong sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied- If you caught pneumonia and died.
I really can't stay- Get over that old lie.
Oh but it's cold outside

"You two stop it. You're going to be late, Remus."

Remus was buried deep in the bow of Alejandro's throat.

"Remus," Alejandro yelped. "Stop it. There is a lady present."

"Well, she can leave if she wants."

"I saw you from the window.

"You almost made it, old chap," Lupe said. "I knew I would have to hose you two off. Come on, Remus. I'll give you a ride down to the station."

"Oh come now. Have you ever been in love like this?" Alejandro said, clasping Remus's hand to his heart.

"Sure, seven times, one night. Remus has work tomorrow," Lupe smiled. "Now get in the car."

Remus waved. "Goodbye. I promise I'll be back soon."

"Oh goodbye, Remus."

Remus grinned, wafting into the seat of the car. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye." Lupe gritted her teeth. She shut the window. Lupe smirked as they drove out of sight. "You know, this makes all the subterfuge worth it. Everything is worth this."

"I don't know why you are doing this for us."

"I am a very bored rich woman."

Lupe smiled. "She, who happens to think you two are the most darling creatures. I might be an Alpha female someday, all this meddling will be good practice. I want to take care of my friends."

"I just hope you know what this means. It could-"

"I know it's quite a scandal."

Remus shook his head. "It's just that... Sirius and I-"

Lupe stopped the car short. Remus jerked ahead.

"REMUS," Lupe glared at him.

Remus gasped, "I'm sorry."

"Please don't say his name..."

"I'm sorry." Remus looked down.

"We have to be careful." Lupe began to calm down.

"Remus, I told you not to ever use the name Sirius. I told you not to do..."

"I just forgot for a second. I just..."

"Look, if you practice it. Just don't think about it."

"It just slipped, oh gods. What if we weren't alone? I could have."

"Yes. But we are fine now, we're in the car. Alone but... be careful. Don't ruin it by giving it too much forethought. They might catch on if... well."

"Sirius is not here. Sirius Black is not in my back greenhouse. Sirius Black is not working for Fen Grieves. He has a different name, a different history, a different body, different eyes and hair. He is Alejandro Cerveza."

"Not in all respects," Remus said.

"Yes, not in all respects," Lupe said. "Otherwise this would be easy. He would be a different person and we would have nothing to worry about."

"But tell yourself he is not Sirius Black," Lupe said.

"He is Alejandro," Remus said. "All you have to do is continue to call him that. Just that. I will handle everything else."

"Yes."

"Now Remus. Your Omega mamacita wants you to have a lovely trip back to Hogwarts. With no more thoughts about this. Okay, Remus?" She scruffed his hair. "Tell Alejandro I'll miss him."

Remus smiled. "Okay, Remus, but I think he know. Madre dios. You two are making me jealous. I remember when I was with Fen he used to go so crazy in my heats. You two enjoy yourself."

Remus got on the train and Lupe watched until the train, feeling nothing but empty and shallow satisfaction.

***

Bambi McGonagall walked by Dumbledore's office. She could see the long dark shadow of Snape. They were engaged in heated conversation. This late at night she knew it must be secret. It was after midnight. She caught Snape finishing his argument.

"I wish you could have given me more of an opportunity to hire a substitute. Some of the teachers are intimidated by your-" Bambi paused. She always did arrive right on time for everything.

"Well hmm... There is Miss McGonagall," Dumbledore said looking straight at her.

"Did you say my name?" Bambi poked her head in the door.

Snape jumped back in surprise.

"Ah yes, Bambi. You are one of Malastacea's head potionsmasters. You invented that new powder," Dumbledore said.

"Well Transvolitionals and Glamours are my specialty. Will alteration," Bambi said.

"Love potions and the like," Dumbledore nodded.

Snape crossed his arms. Bambi McGonagall was a bit of a hotshot in the potions world. She was very reckless at times, but that bravery displayed a brilliance. The woman had no fear, trying every kind of transvolitional she could invent. Severus knew that his own obsession with poison was a bit odd, but he would never willingly attempt all of the potions he had thought up in his pointed head. You couldn't try everything. Some potions should never be brewed in the first place. She had published quite a few interesting Scholastic articles, but he doubted that she wrote them. They lacked her turn of phrase and all the "I"s weren't dotted with little hearts.

Dumbledore said, "I don't regularly pick up the Alchemists Journal. I know you are on the board of Editors. Probably one of the youngest in the whole association."

"Honorary indeed," Snape clucked tongue, "I'm sure the Board of the Alchemist Association is simply dying to get the name Bambi McGonagall in their letter head," Snape said. He couldn't see Bambi getting along very well among the old dons and potions masters of The BAA. Even a man like Snape found them uptight. The idea that they would accept a woman into their little club was even more unthinkable than their letting Snape, the alledged criminal Death Eater, in.

"That's only an honorary position, as of yet," Bambi said.

"You always have been too charming for your own good my dear," Dumbledore said. "Severus must go out of town for business. But he insists there be some kind of substitute to help the students on their consciousness altering potions."

"I don't want anyone trying to do anything but sleeping potions."

"Sleeping Potions. Yes, I have a grounding in the basics, of course I did some internships for St. Mungos and the like. I don't have much experience in the way of teaching."

Dumbledore's face cracked into a wide smile, "Well splendid..."

"Well now wait a minute, Master Dumbledore." Snape said.

"I don't know," Bambi scratched her head. "I am in a bit of a crunch. After all, while I am here for Black's investigation I can't work in my own lab. If I would teach the Potions class, could it be possible to lets say allow me to... what's it... continue my experiments."

"Well naturally. It would be good for the students to see a professional Potionsmaster at work. Give them some practical experience." Dumbledore patted her on the back.

"But," Snape stared at her, "it is my lab."

"Miss Bambi is doing us a favor." Dumbledore said.

"Well I'd be willing to help you, Master Dumbledore," Bambi smiled at him. "I think this is a very satisfactory arrangement,"

Dumbledore regarded both people in his office. And thus the old man's mind was made up. He was always so damn trusting. Snape tried to think of something to say that wouldn't sound unreasonable, arbitrary. They were his dungeons. He wanted no blasted woman snooping about filching his notes, reordering his poisons and toxins, using his ingredients up. But she was the only person who could handle the job. If he gave the task to Professor Sprout-Mossberry, (God rest her soul) he would come back to thirty or forty comatose students. Consciousness alteration was a very complicated and exact art. The Seventh Years would be making a Draught of the Sleeping Death. One wrong move and you would have Cup full of Blinding Smoking Caustic Base.

"I see we have little choice. Very well. I can share my toys. Providing she does not utterly deplete my stores."

***

Remus Lupin arrived at his quarters. As the Dark Arts Professor he had his own private exit, a prize commodity in teachers' quarters. The ability to come in very late without running into any students apparently was appealing. He hadn't realized why until he had started his trips to Whereship. He was sure that all of the Residence towers and the Dungeons where the Slytherins lived had smaller emergency exits, but not their own locked door. He'd have been willing to switch quarters with anyone who really wanted their private door (except maybe Snape's in the dungeons) but everyone apparently would rather resent him then have the nice room. So he might as well make the best of his own door. He pulled out the key and opened the door. The key stuck noticeably. "Oh fu..." He kicked the door. The Key didn't seem to work. It was hard enough slogging through the muddy, eroded Hogwarts Courtyard, but now he had to walk across the courtyard to the front gate. "What's..." Remus sludged to the front door. He lifted up his rain drenched arm pounded on it. He was surprised the echo didn't alert the school.

Argus Filch answered the door. He rubbed his eyes with a stupid sleepy look on his face. Remus began to furrow his lips and brow.

"You're wet," Filch said.

"Yes. It is raining," Remus over-articulated.

"What are you doing here? At this time of night?" Argus acted

"My train was late. I'm sorry to be such an inconvenience, but I really just want to go in."

"Don't bother. I was up already. Mrs. Norris and I were making the rounds."

"Oh right," Remus nodded.

They stood silently. Remus realized Argus Filch was not the brightest man but he didn't think that he would have to explain this lovely situation to him.

"Can you let me in, Mr. Filch?" Remus said.

Argus Filch said, "No. Hagrid is the Keeper of Keys. I'll find him."

"Don't you have one bloody key to the front door?"

"Don't be so grumpy," Argus Filch said. "Here, I can't open the whole castle door just for you. It'll take a moment."

Argus Filch began whistling. If he didn't know any better, he'd think Argus Filch had remembered the incident with the Slytherin girl's underwear, nailed onto the faculty dining table. Or the frog situation. Or the time when he locked himself in the closet for real. Sirius's pranks usually resulted in physical and psychological damage. Remus was an expert at collateral damage. He once levitated all the benches in the Gryffindor locker room three feet off the ground. He was also the reason that the girls changed bathrooms with the boys in 1979. Ah Myrtle had a crush on him for a time. Would do whatever he said. If Sirius had found out half the things he had tried to the Slytherin Girls bathroom, Sirius wouldn't have thought him such a goody goody. But it had been worth it for the look on the McGonagall's face. Take that Slyther-slut. He was actually proud of his solo prank accomplishments. Though most of them were concentrated on the Slytherin girls who hated him so much and called him queer, gaylord, freak and monster. He wasn't a very mature student. But that was an oxymoron. Rich dumb bimbos were the best stooges by far.

Why did he think about pranks? He remembered the day they nailed Bambi Slytherslut's panties to the faculty lounge table. Or when they turned Severus Snape's hair pink. Or they burned his clothes and he was stuck running around Hogwarts in Professor McGonagall's purple feathered night robe. He could remember so many things about his friend. So many detentions, so many punishments. He wondered if Sirius would ever return. It could never be the same. No matter what Lupe could do to help. The risk outweighed anything worth it. And yet for even one day with Alejandro it was worth it. He wished that he had fallen for a Ravenclaw pureblood in the most boring factory in all England. Damn his Gryffindor heart. If only the person he loved wasn't so much like himself.

Sirius's cloak was wet from the knees down. The impermeable spell only worked over the head. But the rest of the cloak was wet. It had sucked up into the wool.

Hagrid woke up.

"Here you are, Lupin!" Hagrid said, staring at him.

"He looks even wetter than before," Argus Filch split his face with a grin.

"Come right in." Hagrid opened the door.

Remus entered the small front door, sighed. "That rain is horrendous."

"Coming down in buckets." Hagrid took a look down at the wet Lupin. "Why don't you go to the kitchens get some tea? And a cheese sandwich and some chocolate biscuits and..."

"No thank you. I just want to sleep," Lupin yawned.

"Oh well then. Welcome back, Lupin. See you at breakfast."

"Oh mind you, Professor, the stairs ... moved about. Keep an eye out."

Lupin did not turn around to get a reconfirmation of his words.

He trudged up the right stairway towards his quarters. He began walking. That was odd, there were less stairs then he remembered. He sighed, turned left, and continued down the hall, not thinking.

He reached the last bit of stairs when he came face first into a brick wall. Remus bashed his nose and stubbed his left toe. "OOOOOOooooh," Remus moaned, turning into a yelp.

"What are the stairs up to now?" Remus rubbed his nose. "Moving around while no one is looking."

The stairs sat in stony silence as he glared down at them. Now he'd never find his room. "You know it's not funny. I've had a long long day," Remus grumbled.

He began tracking his steps back to go down another hall.

In the third corridor he came across he ran across the shadows of two people. The three little first years looked up at him, silently. "What is that?" They stared. "It's a ghost!" The first years huddled together, jabbering like monkeys. "No," Remus said.

"Which one are you, the Grey Lady?"

Remus put his hands on his hips. "The GREY LADY?"

"He's a chap."

"I can't tell under that hood."

"Don't talk to him, he looks cranky."

"We shouldn't talk to strange ghosts." Remus became frustrated. He didn't have time to bother with this nonsense. He held up his arms menacingly.

"Oooooooooh, I'm a ghooost. Go back to bed or I'll eeeeaat you."

"AAAAAAaaaah." They ran off towards Hufflepuff.

Well, he had a lot of work cut out this year. He'd have a lesson about ghosts and ghouls immediately. Those foolish children thought ghouls could eat you. They were incorporeal. Couldn't they even tell the difference between a werewolf and a ghost?

He turned around and thought he recognized his door. At last sleep. Then he saw a flash of red down the hall.

Remus froze. His own comfort was quickly forgotten as his territorial instinct to protect his school prickled. He should investigate it. He pulled down his hood to get a better view and drew his wand. Who could have snuck in? What could they want?

Behind a corner. He could smell it... Something strange and sickening like... He jumped drawing wand.

And found a very surprised woman with her wand brushing his nose.

"I wasn't doing anything!" she shouted. "You what are you doing?" Remus said, refusing to put down his own wand.

"What are you doing here? If you make one move I'll scream bloody murder!" Bambi McGonagall stood up.

"I'm not putting mine down either then. What are you doing in this castle?"

Lee Jordan and Fred were hanging behind the wall. George caught up. They shushed the other twin and pulled him to their hiding place. But the second they heard Lupin's cry, then a woman's cry, they ran towards the source of the noise.

Lupin was having a standoff with Bambi McGonagall the Queen of Tarts, wand to wand.

"All right! This is cool."

It was rather like the Light saber duel in that "Stars War" or "Star Wars" video Lee Jordan had crammed into the magic lantern and hexed (Who knew magic lanterns accepted beta max tapes?) His sharp gold eyes met her evil green ones.

"You."

"You."

Their gaze tightened.

They toned in sync "I remember you."

"Remus Lupin, the Hogwarts werewolf."

"Bambi the Slyther-slut McGonagall. Well, I should recognize you, skulking around corridors."

The Weasley twins, who had been keeping a tail on Bambi since she left her room, waited quietly. Lee Jordan smirked, "They know each other?"

"A woman like Bambi knows a lot of men," George said.

Bambi brushed herself off. "What is somebody like you doing here? Why would they let a dark creature into Hogwarts?"

Lee, Fred and George winced. That was low.

"Why are you here? There isn't anyone for you to sleep with. Except maybe Hagrid or Snape and they have taste."

"Reaow," Lee said.

Fred burst out laughing, "Oh my God, that's perfect."

"Yeah." Lee highfived him.

"Quiet you guys, we'll miss all the fireworks," George shushed him.

Bambi crossed her arms "Ooooh. You're people are good at that. Witty Repartee, Oscar Wilde, Noel Coward, Truman Capote."

"I hope you're implying that Oscar Wilde was a werewolf. Because even you aren't so gauche as to use my personal life as some sort of insult."

"Closet case," Bambi stuck out her tongue.

"The question is still unanswered. What are you doing here?"

Bambi articulated slowly, "I am being held here to help an investigation, against my will, mind you."

"Oh I don't believe this," Remus said. "You can't be staying here at Hogwarts. Dumbledore- "

"Yes all my sisters and I are at Hogwarts."

"Well then, when are you leaving?" Remus asked, trying to loom but only looking her in the eye. Remus was only just 5' 10' shorter than most super models.

"I don't know. But I'm planning for a long stay. While I'm here, I'm taking the position of Adjunct Potions mistress, as Snape has been called away to Ministry HQ."

"Oh so there is a position you haven't tried?"

The twins bit their fingers to keep silent.

"You are not one to talk about anyone, Remus Lupin. I know everything about you." Her verdant eyes cut towards him, as angry as her sharp voice.

"You have no right to judge me," Remus clenched his jaw, "I know all your secrets too. Half of the British Isles knows what you are. Probably from experience." His voice strained to be cold and professional, trying to

"I might not be the nicest girl, but I've never tried to kill an harmless Slytherin boy," she hissed in his face. "I don't think it's any of your business. I don't need the Hogwarts tilt-a-whirl throwing that in my face. Leave it to one of the more worthless forms of Slytherin to use such a tragedy as a joke. I take my crime seriously."

Fred, George and Lee shook their heads, in shock. Remus had tried to kill a Slytherin? When how, who? They looked closer. This conversation was getting great. "I might be an attempted murderer, but no one ever accused you of being an attempted slut," Remus said.

Fred and George shook their heads, laughing. "I have to write that down."

"They need normal decent wizards teaching here. They don't need anymore Dark Creatures, in places they can do more harm. Infecting their minds with rubbish and-"

"Miss McGonagall." Remus's voice took a sharp and dangerous quality. Not anything like his normal tone. It wasn't very loud. It had gotten soft and rumbling, just like an animal's growl. She gasped.

Remus shook his head trying to control himself, "Go to whomever's bed you crawled out of and make as little noise as possible."

"This isn't over." Bambi left with subtle violins and a sting of trumpets. As if it were only the beginning of some action thriller.

Remus snarled at the air.

"Ooooooh." He let out a wail. "Damn that woman."

He clutched his forehead. "I can't believe I said that. I've got to call my officer. Making me growl like I'm some stupid punk. I hate her."

"Man. Go teach!"

"You hear that? Lupin killed a Slytherin," Fred grabbed Lee.

"Oh come on. He said attempted murder," George said.

"Yeah, dimbulb." Lee punched him in the shoulder.

"Yeah but Lupin wouldn't try to kill a student."

"No course not. I bet you it was a Death Eater. Lupin tried to kill a Death Eater."

"But she said a Slytherin. She was a Slytherin, she'd know."

"I always thought he was a bit of a ponce. I guess that's why they'd hire him to teach us about the dark arts."

"Well yeah. If he'd be willing to kill his own students for being Death Eaters..."

"I guess. Man I wouldn't want to be on his bad side, like your brother."

"Hmmm. Ron always did make him cry."

"Well we can't let him find out we know."

"Or what?" a clear feminine voice sounded over their shoulders.

The Weasley Twins should have realized they could never say anything important without being over heard. Just their luck.

Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape loomed over their shoulders.

"I hope you are not eavesdropping."

"Yes. There is no need to spread unfounded gossip."

"Oh but it's alright to hide the fact you have a murderer on your staff. Fine we won't say a word." Fred shook his head.

"What he means is what's this about attempted murder? We'd like to know," George asked.

"Yeah." Lee piped in softly. He was not as dumb as Fred, or as solicitous as George.

"What?"

"Oh you two. Ask Harry. My word. If I tell you, it will be around the school tomorrow," McGonagall said irate.

"Yeah Miss McGonagall, your sister, she said he tried to kill a Slytherin. Which one was it?"

Snape shifted his weight onto one leg. He loomed down on them. Minerva took one step back and shook her head before Snape bellowed and sent them to detention for life. She grabbed his shoulder, "Severus... They didn't mean it."

Snape counted to ten.

"Mr. Weasley, it would be very healthy for you to keep your mouth shut and return to your tower." George fell over in fear. Lee shivered at his icy stare.

"Remus Lupin's attempted murder, as she put it, was a fraud. Why don't you ask young Mr. Potter what he thinks of your saying about his friend?"

The second the students were off, Minerva put her hands to her hips.

"I can't believe it. She'd say that to him." Minerva shook her head, "Doesn't she have any manners? Upbringing, dignity? To use your misfortune like that."

"Much like in real life, Bambi goes below the belt," Snape said.

"And Remus goes for the throat," Minerva said.

"I don't appreciate werewolf humor." Snape said, "It certainly doesn't appreciate you, Minerva."

"It was hard enough getting used to having a werewolf as a teacher. He almost killed you. He was sick. To think what it did to you."

"I've come to realize Remus had no hand in it. You don't convict a knife for stabbing a little old lady."

"I can't believe that you'd put up with it. I truly respect your discretion around Professor Lupin."

"..."

"But you've done nothing. Spilled no secrets to the students. You've even become his friend..." Snape's mouth curled up.

"In a very very loose sense of the word, which does not involve any kind of contact." Snape nodded.

"But he did name you the Godfather of his Imaginary baby, when he was pregnant last semester."

"I couldn't have accepted. I couldn't ever have anything but pity for the imaginary love child of Sirius Black. Could always adopt her."

The pair began to laugh at the mention of Lillith Lupin Black again. That had been an interesting semester to say the least.

Minerva began to relax her stiff back, lean against the stair.

"It never made sense to me why you hated him until the secret came out," Minerva said. "Dark Creatures attacks are no laughing matter. How cruel of her, saying that to Remus."

"Yes, honesty in the face of tacit conspiracy is always so troublesome," Snape said.

"A Slytherin prizes the truth above all other virtues, that's why he uses it so infrequently." Minerva smiled.

"Ouch. Slytherin's Code 13. You know it better than I do," Snape smirked.

"It's number 11." McGonagall sat down on the stairwell. "Remus Lupin is my friend and ex-student. But I don't think, I would have tolerated it like you have. I would quit I think. If Trelawney was replaced by a vampire. I'd be gone in three days. No more marks are going on my neck."

"You had such a beautiful neck though." Snape said, "You never explained why-"

"My beautiful neck was almost the main course for Coach Conahy, right up by my collarbone. One of the most successful vampires in North Scotland."

"You were attacked by a dark creature."

"Fer Chrissakes, Severus. He was pretending to be a Quidditch personal trainer. I stopped him. That's one of the first times I used my cat form."

"Escaping a vampire?" Severus asked.

"Polaris and Vesta helped. It was their first case, together kind of. How they met Denise. I have problems with vampires. If I saw one... And I have thimble full of holy water and a stone cross if one tries to touch me."

"You did. I was there. I saw that sword fighting and couldn't sleep. 'Interview with a Vampire', my Granny Griselda's underwear. They don't talk much and look like crocodiles."

She could always surprise him with something. Just when he thought she had told him everything.

"Well I showed him. He can't suck the blood of animagus without her say."

"There are rumours that animagus cannot be effected by by vampire venom," Snape said speculatively.

"The truth about a vampire bite is that it has none of the venom yet. Even if he had, I can slough off most of the nastier Dark Creatures. If Vesta or Diane had been bit, they couldn't have helped but becoming chyldes."

"So you lead that vampire to his death? How exactly do you do that?"

"You stake him out."

"Oh Heavens no. My Mum was a daughter of a Slayer, grand daughter of a Slayer. I think three of my uncles finished him off. Dark creatures should know better than to mess with MacCleary women."

"Everyone knows better."

"How did you convince a vampire to expose himself?"

"This neck, green eyes and lots of boyfriends. A vampire is just a man after all."

"I could have. I'm not 18, anymore."

"You still can. Trust me, as a man, not as a Vampire."

"I told him I wanted to stay beautiful and young forever."

"You are a sneaky one. Why didn't you make it in Slytherin, Minerva?"

"It had to do with my wand. It was long it was complicated."

"I think you're much too self righteous. And my wand was too fancy."

"You're the only one who didn't make it in to Slytherin."

"The twins got Hufflepuff. Diane and Artemisia."

"Of course. Why am I not surprised... How many women are in your family, in the MacClearys?"

"My Fathers blood is Talesin. McGonagalls."

"Yes but Thea MacCleary had 7 sisters. And before her she was supposed to have 6..."

Minerva stopped, she pulled herself up."Well Severus. I'm going to bed."

"You really aren't that tired? Are you?" Severus asked,"It'l be good for you to stay up."

"I won't be here for breakfast. I wanted to get in a good conversation."

"I'm sorry. It's just been a long day. This investigation..." Minerva rubbed her forehead.

"I just wanted to..."

"What?" Minerva looked at him.

"Oh well then." Snape shrugged.

"Don't you ever sleep, Severus?"

"When I chose to, there are lots of ways, potions and techniques." Severus said. Minerva got a chill down her back at his voice.

"Come on let's get to our rooms." Minerva said.

"Alright. Alright woman," Snape said. "Don't fuss me. I'll get off to bed."

Vesta appeared in the hall ahead of them."Sev Darling. Where are you going? I haven't talked to you since... this afternoon." She grabbed onto his shirt. She draped her hand on his neck.

"Vesta." Snape wasn't used to this.

Vesta hugged him. She felt a little warm in the face.

"Well, you were looking for someone to sit up with...." Minerva smiled.

"No just..." Severus began.

"Come on Sev Darling. Let's go on." Vesta put an arm on his back.

Minerva looked at them enlarging one nostril, somehow. Her eyebrows were quite sharp.

"Minnie come on with us. We'll go separate clouds with our minds and get blasted. My treat. I'll bring the Stoli and the Beefeaters."

"Alcohol doesn't help me sleep." Severus shook his head, "I was getting tired. She was talking me into going to bed," Severus said.

"I guess the sex life of the average Hogwarts professor is a lot more interesting than I thought," Vesta laughed. Her face was scarlet and blushing.

"Vesta. Not together." Minerva snorted at her tiny sister. Minerva was a tall elegant woman, and her sister was nearly a foot shorter than Severus.

"Oh look at Severus. I'm making him blush."

"You missed the row in the hall," Severus said.

"I did no such thing. Attempted slut...Remus is a canny little boy. Doorknob though." Vesta lit a cigarette.

"And you Vesta. How goes it?" Minerva asked.

"Night cap, chance encounter on the way to the dungeon. I'm just wandering..."Vesta grabbed his hand. "Let me join you then." She was such a tactile woman, always glomping onto him like treacle.

"No, we couldn't do that." Severus shook his head.

"I'm rather tired. If you two Slytherins want to catch up on old times. It's up to you. I need my eight hours."

Minerva smiled bowed her head, "Good night you two. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"I guess we can't go wandering together." Vesta let out a sigh and straightened her hair.

"Why not?" Severus said.

"When two people wander together, well then that means they must be going somewhere." Vesta smiled at him.

Minerva's shadow disappeared in the hall. She wasn't coming back. He looked down at Vesta's glove.

"Let's go wander," Severus said.