Just Like Old Times

"God, I'm so sorry, Jen," Illyana spoke softly and looked deeply in Jen's eyes. The two women finally made it too their temporary home. Illyana insisted on taking the Muggle route because Jen was so magically and physically depleted.

And Jen was too tired to argue. Jen's recovery had taken a lot out of her usually strong spirit and seeing Lucius standing with Kenton, and then Kenton's verbal attack on her had sapped the rest of her spirit away. It was everything she could do just to keep from collapsing on the sidewalk and cry out in despair. Now, as Jen was on the threshold looking into hell (Well, if not hell than at least its waiting room), hysterical whimpers escaped her tight throat.

It was a small two bedroom flat that was sparsely furnished. A tattered old couch that had been abandoned was under the large window in the main room, and a small table with six rickety wicker chairs that looked as though they'd splinter the first time someone sat on them graced the cramped eating area, just beyond the living room. The kitchen was separated to the left of the main room only by a counter. The two bedrooms were at the far end of the flat and neither room had a door. The saving grace of the flat was its hardwood floors, which needed polishing. All color seemed muted and dry. There were no drapes over the two large windows, one above the sofa, the other shedding light onto the 'dining' table. Both of which made the dank flat seem brighter than it actually was.

"None of us saw that coming," Illyana said as the two stepped into the flat. "If any of us had known Kenton or Lucius were going to be there we would never have let that happen. None of us had any idea they were going to be there."

Jen crossed the room and leaned on the arm of the couch and hugged her arms tightly about herself, slowly rocking.

"Would it be safe to assume you had no idea?"

Jen slowly nodded in response, but didn't lift her eyes.

Illyana leaned on the couch next to her. "I guess you could say that's my fault. I asked Sirius to hold off telling you. Although I didn't think he'd wait this long," she sighed. "I thought he'd tell you before we left Hogwarts."

Jen looked over at her with tears brimming her eyes and held a hand out, asking for an explanation.

Illyana sniffed. "Alastor Moody told us that The Ministry pardoned Lucius Malfoy and Charles Mendes, although Mendez is actually working for them as part of his deal. They said they had no real case against Malfoy, so they set him loose." She looked at Jen, who had dropped her head and was staring at her feet. "That's basically the long and the short of it. There's a lot of other details I'm sure Sirius will be wanting to discuss with you." She put an arm around Jen's shoulders and sighed. "Have you any idea how much that man loves you?" Jen looked up and met her eyes. "More than once Dumbledore had to force Sirius to out of Hogwarts to go to work. He didn't want to leave you even for that! And the twins weren't any easier!" Illyana was hoping that knowing how much everyone cared for her would lift her spirit a bit. "It took Sirius, Remus, Dumbledore, and McGonagall to force them back to school!"

Jens eyes began to glisten further. And she pinched her lips together, fighting to gain her control back.

"Hey, this isn't a bad thing! They just love you so much they didn't want to leave you! Even Harry was hard pressed to get back to his studies, you've a great many people who care about your well-being."

A small sob escaped Jen and she brought her hands to her face before the tears finally began to fall.

"Oh, Jenny." Illyana wrapped both arms securely around her, and pulled her into a warm embrace as Jen lost all composure and broke into a great weeping fit. "I'm so sorry. I wish I could take away what those bastards did to you." She pulled her dear friend close, as she tried to balance them on the arm of the sofa and allowed Jen to sob onto her shoulder. She was glad she could be here for her long time friend. A selfish part of her was almost grateful, because Illyana had missed their closeness.

How long Jen cried Illyana didn't know. It wasn't until she looked up and saw Sirius and Remus standing warily before her she realized the sun was setting. She gestured Sirius forward, and carefully maneuvered Jen from her shoulder to his.

In one fluid motion, Sirius scooped his love up and then sat on the couch cradling her across his lap, in his arms. When Jen pushed an arm up behind his back, gripping his shoulder and her other hand found its way to his neck, pulling him closer to her as she continued to cry, he breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn't, as he and Illyana had assumed, afraid of him. She wasn't afraid of him touching her, holding her, at least. She pressed her body to him, sobbing. He momentarily tightened his embrace, though not to tightly, and murmured affectionate, compassionate words in her ear. He shifted her into a more prone position on the couch after pulling out his wand, summoning one of the tattered quilts he knew was in one of the bedrooms. He carefully wrapped it around her, and levered himself more comfortably on the couch. He knew Jen was most likely to cry herself into exhaustion, and once sleep found her he wasn't going to move her, so he wanted to make himself as comfortable as possible.

When Illyana stood, Remus handed her the forgotten carpetbag. "I think you dropped this." He tried to smile through the suffocating atmosphere of Jen's pain.

Taking the bag she smiled. "Thank-you." Then crossed to the small kitchen, and began hunting through it.

Remus joined her and leaned casually on the counter. "I never got the opportunity to properly thank you for helping me after the full moon. I know you had many other things focusing your attention." He looked decisively at Jen and Sirius. "I hope I wasn't to much trouble."

"Not at all." She waved a dismissive hand at him as she pulled a small leather case from her bag. She opened the case and revealed several vials containing various herbs and roots. "Would you mind at all to bring me a mug?"

He nodded and turned to the near barren cupboards. Ron and Hermione had not done as effective a job as he had hoped when he enlisted them to furnish and stock the temporary home of his friends. Remus made a mental note to tell Ron that the only reason this could be called 'Hell's Waiting Room' was for lack of his ability to furnish it. He was actually a bit angry with the lad. Ron and Hermione had assured him all would be in place before they actually moved in.

Now he glanced at his best friend cradling his broken fiancé on the abandoned couch, and then to Jen's best friend giving her own time and life to help. Remus scrutinized Illyana, looking for another sign. Something, anything to tell him he hadn't imagined the scent that came from her at Hogwarts. "Now, exactly how long have you known Jenny?" he asked and set the mug on the countertop, still searching her movements as well as her expressions.

"Ages, it seems." She measured several herbs into the earthenware mug. "Well, she trained with me in Brazil and the two of us ended up interning together. We just sort of connected." She turned on the tap in order to fill the kettle with rusty water. She briefly scowled at the pot then tapped the top of it with her wand, hopefully clarifying the water. "But shouldn't you already know that? Surely she must have mentioned something of me while she was training before-" she cut herself off and turned to the stove, pulling a large pot from one of the gas burners, and cleared her throat.

"Before we all betrayed Sirius," Remus finished.

Illyana stopped, carefully not slamming the pot onto the counter and looked at Remus straight in the eye. "Although I wasn't there, from what I understand the only one doing any betraying was that idiot rat Peter."

"He was the only one that was blatant about it." Remus shook his head and looked away from her, towards the sofa and his two hurting friends. "He sold the Potter's to Voldemort. The rest of the world, especially me, just assumed Sirius was the only one that could have."

After several long moments of uncomfortable silence, Remus finally managed to look back to Illyana and saw her deep dark eyes shining with compassion, and a little pain. "What is it?"

She slowly shook her head, not breaking eye contact. "There is so much pain in you."

Remus, in turn, cleared his throat. "We were talking about Jenny." And looked away.

"Right." Illyana sighed and began hunting through her bag again. "After Sirius was accused and locked away Jen decided to move to Brazil, so she obviously stayed with my family," Illyana said, focusing on the potion she was preparing in the pot for Jen; A special draught to help strengthen her vocal cords to regain her voice. It was a unique blend she and Severus had spent several hours concocting together. She knew Remus was trying to be stealthy in getting information from her, but she saw this tactic clearly. She wondered if he actually knew what her heritage was, or if he only suspected.

"Were you born in Brazil?"

"No." She shook her head, and then tapped the pot with her wand. Watching the several ingredients start to slowly blend together. "Costa Rica, My parents relocated about twenty years ago. They made a healthier profit in Brazil than Costa Rica." She specifically did not say what they made a healthier profit doing, knowing Remus was a conservative man. She then waited a moment and the kettle began to whine. She turned and lifted the kettle and filled the cup with hot water mixing the various herbs for the soothing tea. "Then the rest of my family all just sort of migrated south, eventually."

Remus returned to leaning on the counter. "Lots of wildlife down there."

Illyana stopped and looked him square. "Yes. Just as there is lots of wildlife here."

A crease appeared between Remus's brows. "I think we need to talk."

"I agree, but not here." She took the cup from the counter. "This potion needs time to brew." She nodded at the pot that seem to be stirring itself and then started back towards Jen.

Remus watched her cross the flat and set the mug on the coffee table, then leaned closer to Sirius and quietly instructed him to force Jen to drink the tea, then explained a potion was brewing for Jen's voice and she'd be back shortly to make sure it was properly prepared. She finally stood and looked at Remus, giving him a slight jerk of her head.

He nodded and followed her to the front door.

Once outside the flat, Illyana swung her cloak over her shoulders and started down the steps, with Remus close behind.

It wasn't until they were out on the practically abandoned street and had fallen into step beside each other Remus really started to take close notice of her. She was smaller than he initially thought. Illyana barely reached his shoulder and although she was still a strong woman she felt so tiny. Almost like a little girl. He shuddered to himself. She was not a little girl. He remembered how she'd completely taken control when Jen had her seizure; the way she took authority of Harry and the twins. The way she literally stepped over Pomfrey and handled, handled! Sirius. Definitely more woman than he'd ever known.

She walked easily beside him looking at the pavement before each step. "So, who shall we analyze first, Mr. Lupin, you or me?"

"Straight to the point, eh?" he said looking sideways at her and saw her eyes remained trained in front of her.

Illyana grinned a little and lifted her head slightly, though did not look at him. "That's usually the best way to go." Then took a breath around her grin. "I've been paying attention to you and I know you have to have questions for me that have been festering."

"Well," Remus started, puzzling how best to say what he was thinking, without sounding accusatory. "I was going to ask you how old you were when you were bit. But then I realized something."

Illyana continued to smile, not looking at him. "Should I ask what you realized? Or shall we save the dance?"

"I'm not sure," he replied honestly.

Illyana continued to smile and nodded her head. "Alright then, by all means, let us dance. I'll lead." She boldly pulled an arm from her cloak and tucked it around Remus's elbow. "You're wondering how I could be a werewolf, and yet still have been able to be at Hogwarts the night you and Jen were brought from Malfoy Manor. Considering your were deep in your wolf while I was mending Jen's body."

Remus looked down at her, amazed at her perceptiveness. "Yes, something like that."

"I'm not a werewolf," she said simply and finally looked to Remus's eyes, conveying she only spoke the truth and hoped his canine sense would catch it. Illyana smiled as he shook his head in puzzlement, he's fighting his nature, she thought, as Jen said he always would. "My Father is a werewolf. Bitten when her was fourteen. My Mother is a Lycanthrope, as were both her parents."

"A...Huh?"

"Lycanthrope," Illyana said and pulled him to continue to walk.

"Lycanthropes as a race are mythical." Remus stopped again and stared at her, forcing her to look at him.

"Yes," Illyana nodded laughing with delight at his surprised expression. "As are werewolves, vampires, wizards, and dragons. Just because you don't see them everyday doesn't mean they aren't there. You've been sheltered, Remus. You have been fighting who you are for so long you never stopped to think you shouldn't be fighting at all. Lycanthropes by definition are creatures that can shift into another form. As the both of us can. The difference between a werewolf and a lycanthrope, is Lycanthropes choose when they transform." She forced a grin away from her face as she watched his jaw drop. "We, Lycanthropes I mean, are still pulled by the moon but have a bit more control. Werewolves, have no control over the moon."

"Like an Animagus," Remus tried to reason.

"No, that's a spell," Illyana responded and tilted her head. "Me and my brothers and sisters don't elect to transform into a wolf, and although we have a great deal more control than an actual werewolf, we need to transform at least once a month to keep the more primal side of our bloodline at bay. An Animagus can decide one day to never transform again without risk."

Remus shook his head. Was it denial of what she was saying, or was he on the receiving end of some convoluted joke? "Wait." He backed away from her, attempting to get his bearings. "If you're parents are..."

"Wolves?" Illyana supplied with a smile.

"Werewolves can't breed, it's against the law!"

"Who do you think you are, Mr. Lupin? Some Grande important dignitary?" Illyana held fast to her impatience at this intelligent man's obvious ignorance. "You are just another ordinary wizard! Or maybe you're confused as to where my family is. British laws don't hold true the world over. In some places it's not illegal to love and have a family. My parents are certainly proof of that."

Complete mystification shrouded Remus Lupin. Not only the fact that this woman was a product of wolf breeding, but also that it was not illegal where she came from. Not to mention she hadn't fallen victim to the full moon. His head was spinning. "I'm sorry. Please. Can we backtrack a bit? This isn't making any sense to me!"

"No. I guess it wouldn't." Illyana turned and sat on the curb of the sidewalk, stretching her legs out in front of her. "I suppose I've been spoiled." She waited for Remus to sit beside her. When she felt him sit down and look to her, she continued, "My father's family..." she paused trying to think how to say this. "My father's family is all Muggles and when the werewolf bit him they had no idea what was happening. They didn't know what to do." She paused and took a deep breath. She wasn't sure what she was trying to tell Remus, but for some unknown reason felt compelled to tell him the story of her Mum and Pop. (Although she knew she could never tell it as well as either of her parents.) "After the first few moons they realized they were not equipped to deal with him. So instead of trying to find help..."

"They left him," Remus completed. His family had not abandoned him, but had certainly taken a different attitude towards him. He could very much identify with Illyana's Father. "How did he meet your mother?"

Illyana looked contented for a moment. As though she knew all was right in the world and nothing would ever do harm again. Remus envied that expression. He'd never known anything to make him feel contented, or even safe. Except perhaps the Marauders. He suddenly felt that loss a bit more strongly.

"It was during a full moon," Illyana started, and then looked at Remus, her eyes still shining with contentment. "He was lost and alone. The moon had taken him, as the moon does for those that don't know how to maintain their senses. He was so weak and confused when Momma found him. She really rescued him before that pack of wolves found him and tore him apart."

"How did she find him?" Remus asked, genuinely curious. "What pack of wolves?"

"His fear." Illyana said looking over the street as though she were reliving the memory herself. "It's the strongest scented emotion. He was terrified." She toyed with the hem of her cloak. "My uncles were the pack of wolves. They wanted to kill him when they found him with her, because they hadn't mated yet, he was still a threat. Not to mention he evidently had no recollection that he was human."

"You make it sound as though when the moon takes over, werewolves are still aware they are human."

"What makes you think they don't?" Illyana looked at Remus with disbelief.

Remus leaned forward and looked hard at the woman. "Because unless I have wolfsbane, I don't."

"Only because that's the only way you've been taught to handle it, there are other solutions," she replied. Then as a secondary thought, "And you're afraid of it."

"And your not?"

"No, I'm not." Illyana turned sideways and tucked one leg beneath her and looked more directly at Remus. "I never have been. I have fourteen brothers and sisters and all of us are Lycanthropes to one degree or another. Hector and Chile are the only two that were born actual werewolves. The rest of us choose when we will or will not transform. Although we all usually do during the full moon so we can run in a pack. Before we managed to get a decent potion for Dad and the boys it really made it easier for them if they had a pack to run with."

"It does make it easier," Remus concurred before he realized what he'd said. "I mean I've heard-"

"Don't worry," Illyana smiled and patted his knee, to ease the panic on his face. She knew very few people understood of his friends illegally becoming Animagi to help him during their school days. "I know there were a few unregistered Animaguses at Hogwarts the same time you were there."

Remus raised an eyebrow.

Illyana nodded and slightly shrugged a shoulder. "Jen let it slip when she tried to run with us."

Baffled, Remus dropped his jaw. "Jen's an Animagus?"

"Well, no. Not really." She shifted again and crossed her legs in front of her. "It was better than a decade ago. She was so wiped out after the few times she ran with us she left it behind. The spell just took too much out of her. So she gave it up."

"What animal is she?" Remus' curiosity got the better of him.

"Was she," Illyana corrected. "She won't even attempt it anymore." She looked at Remus and could see his interest about Jen's counter creature on his face. Momentarily, she debated if she should tell him or not. After all it was Jen's story to tell. But seeing the look on Remus' face, she couldn't help herself. "When Jen first decided to attempt the spell she figured she'd be some kind of a wildcat. As you know, you're only able to transfigure into the animal most closely related to who you are, and well, she was something of a hellcat."

Remus nodded with a grin. "Yes, she was. She had to be, spending all that time with Sirius."

"Well, yes," Illyana continued. "When she finally mastered the spell," Illia couldn't help but chuckle. "A scathing, ferocious Mongoose came tearing through our crops, chasing away anything that resembled a snake," she finished with a giggle.

"A mongoose?" Remus said with disbelief. "I can see a wildcat, but aren't mongooses basically dreadfully aggressive ferrets?"

"That's like saying a tiger is just an aggressive tabby cat." The witch smiled at Remus. "Jen did insist from time to time that if she'd attempted the spell before she went to Hogwarts, she would've been a cat. But apparently the...snakes she met at your old school made her a tad more angry and a lot more aggressive."

"Wait," Remus eyed Illia. "Mongooses hunt serpents, that makes sense." He nodded, thinking that although Jen arrived at Hogwarts with no assumptions about the Slytherins, within six months, she hated them all. Even more profoundly so, than James or Sirius hated that house.

"Yes," Illyana said, pulling him from his reminiscing. "Well, she only ran with us a few times. The following day she would be weak and thrown off balance. She had two small children to care for, and when she realized she really couldn't care for them after a night of running with us, she stopped."

"I wish it were that simple for me." Remus shook his head and looked at the empty street.

"Why do you say things like that?" Illyana implored, concerned and a touch angry. "You're part wolf, Remus. It's who you are. You can't run from it no matter how much you'd like too." She lifted her hand to his chin and turned his head to face her. "You can't change it."

Remus took her wrist in his hand and pulled it from his face. "Don't you ever wish you could just leave it all behind and have a decent life?"

"No, because I have a decent life." She twisted her hand around and folded it around his. "And I would never want to change who I Am." She tilted her head sympathetically. "But then, no one ever told me I should. No one ever called me a dark beast, and told me I was a danger. I was never locked out of a school or a job because of other people's prejudices. The thought never once occurred to me that I was..." she paused shaking her head, obviously trying to find the right words. "Evil. No one ever told me that." She calmed a bit through a few breaths and looked softly at her companion. "I had the good fortune to be born into a compassionate family in a tolerant country. I've been very fortunate. You have not."

"What about the danger to other's? What if you bite someone?" Remus was looking pleadingly into her eyes. "How can you so easily dismiss the chance of hurting, or more importantly, Killing someone when the Moon takes over?"

"What if the sun goes nova? What if a meteor falls from the sky onto my cottage?" she tried to grin a little but found that impossible to the desperate look on the man's face. Instead, she took the path she knew he always would. Logic. And hope. "You do what you can with what you've been given. You take whatever precautions are possible, and have a little confidence in yourself and the fates."

"You're oversimplifying," Remus said flatly.

"No," Illyana said to the denial-ridden werewolf. Then reached up and turned his face to look at her. "You're overcomplicating."

**** ***

The following two weeks dragged slowly by for Sirius, Remus, Illyana and Jen. Even though the four enjoyed each other's company, the confined space made it difficult to maintain a respectable mind-set. With only two separate rooms, and no doors, there just wasn't anywhere to go for privacy save the lavatory. It was Remus who decided to hang old Weasley hand-me-down quilts from the doorways of each room to offer at least an illusion of privacy. They all hated the fact that all of their magic was restricted, while holing up in the flat.

Illia and Sirius were allowed almost complete freedom, as long as their leaving and approaching the little flat was properly guarded. And they had taken advantage of it. Illyana had taken several daylong trips to her village, and would often disappear to retrieve or purchase items for Jen. Sirius tried to stay at Jen's side, but found during her recovery there was little he could do except simply be there. Theoretically he knew, in time Jen would become more open, but for now, He was frustrated at how little Physical contact they had. Not that he expected her to leap into his bed (As she had often and enthusiastically before), he felt himself miles away from her when she stood a mere meter in front of him. He tried to relieve some of him frustration with business. He took his leave to The Ministry, still hoping to convince someone to take action, knowing the more time that passed, the less likely the chances.

Although Remus and Jen were not prisoners, they were restricted to the flat unless accompanied. The initial thought, By Alastor Moody, was to not allow either of them from the flat until they had a better grasp of what the Lennox family was planning. But Sirius and Illyana abstinently refused such a restriction.

Sirius, because he knew what it felt like to be confined while other's were working and fighting, and Illyana because she knew imprisonment would not aid in Jen's recovery, but in fact compound it. Not to mention she could relate to Remus and no wolf should ever be confined. Even if the wolf was borderline suicidal; thinking he would kill his best friends son. A fact Sirius accidentally let slip.

Of the two, Jen, for obvious reasons was much more compliant to the situation. She seemed resigned to allowing the others to take care of her. Occasionally she and Illyana would manage to talk Moody into allowing her to go with Illyana to her village. Jen knew Sirius recognized the false submission she used. He'd experienced it on more than one occasion with her. She was only biding her time, until she had enough strength to fight back. She hated being coddled, but knew how dangerous the Lennox clan could be. They weren't out to recapture her and Remus, but to kill them. Their escape, more appropriately rescue, from the heart of Malfoy Manor made Etienne look foolish and incompetent. He was no longer looking for pets, or to chastise his daughter for her belligerence. Etienne Lennox wanted them both dead.

Remus was dreadful to be around. He was continually trying to reason his way out of the flat. Saying things to the effect of; "I could really be of more use at the Ministry", or "Surely My testimony needs to be reviewed." or, "Once the full moon rises you'll have to set me loose, why not do it now, so I can find a suitable location where no one will find me?" Unfortunately, Remus didn't realize most of his arguments only served to tighten his security. Although not by the few remaining members of the Order, but by his friends. Sirius and Jen knew the only reason Remus wanted to be set loose was because the vision of killing Jimmy was scorched onto Remus' mind. He hadn't been privy to the vision, but he'd heard enough from Sirius to know soon, he would attack and kill Jimmy Black. And Remus wanted to be as far away from them as possible to prevent the vision becoming foresight.

But Sirius was not about to let his friend out alone because of a vision that could very possibly have only been an echo of his mother's hatred. He'd spoken with Moody and Illyana and the three had decided there was no real way to define what had happened when they tried to banish the portrait. Moody insisted it couldn't have been Sirius's mother, not only was the hag dead, but the portrait was actively taunting those trying to pull the Blacks from their hypnosis; whatever remnants of her were focused on those fighting to get Sirius, Lily and Jimmy to come back to their realm.

And so they continued along this impatient, immobile vein. Four magical people being restricted to a small prison. They were surely on the path to driving one another mad, until Bill Weasley arrived one day with an invitation.

The eldest Weasley flooed in late on Tuesday during their third week in Hells lobby. Jen was sitting on the sofa, absently turning the pages of a book of which she hadn't even bothered to read the title. Illyana was in the kitchen cleaning dishes that weren't dirty, just trying to pass some time by aggressively scrubbing the coffee stains that she knew would not come clean; Sirius and Remus were valiantly trying to play a game of wizards chess at the table, though neither of their minds were on the task at hand; even the pieces looked bored and distracted.

Bill shuddered because the room and all of its occupants felt dull and grim.

Jen was the first one to note his arrival. She only looked up at him, smiling weakly before she went back to her book.

"Oh, this is bad," Bill said, taking stock of the room. "You people look as though you've all been kissed by a Dementor."

"Well, at least that would be something interesting," Remus said flatly as he moved a knight, looking at the visitor.

"By Merlin, I hate it when Moody is right," Bill mumbled and slumped down onto the couch next to Jen. "It really makes working with him so much more difficult. Especially since I don't even work for the Ministry!" He kicked his feet onto the table in front on the couch and dropped his head against the back of the sofa. He tilted his head sideways to look at Jen. "Is it like this everyday? Wiling away the hours, communing with the flowers," his voice was a singsong he knew Jen would recognize. "If I only had a brain..."

"You wouldn't possibly dare to be teasing us." Jen sat a little straighter on the sofa, glaring at Bill. "Would you?"

"Sirius was confined to Grimmauld for almost a year," Bill responded. "And as angry and confused as he was, he knew-"

"I knew what?" Sirius snapped, standing from his game of chess. "That the fight I should have been fighting was being fought by others?"

"No," Bill replied, still sitting on the couch, not wanting to aggravate the man further. "You knew it would be a danger for you to be seen, not only to yourself, but to others." Fighting the urge to stand, Bill leaned back further against the sofa. "My family is hosting a Christmas party." Still not moving, he looked to each member of the flat. "We would all love for you to be there."

Remus turned in his chair to look at Bill. "Are Jen and I going to be paroled? Or have you managed to explain to the Lennox family not to seek us out?"

"Temporary parole." Bill smiled. "My mother managed to badger Moody senseless until he agreed to allow you all to join us. You'll be using a Portkey Moody himself will set up, and he's trying to convince my father to disillusion our house. They're setting up temporary protections and wards over our property so you all should be safe." He then smiled directly at Remus. "Moody almost wanted to have you absorb a location talisman. He's convinced you're going to try to flee!"

"Smart man," Jen said softly. "Chances are we both will."

"No you won't." Illyana came to sit beside her friend. "You'd miss me too much."

"Well, The party is on Christmas eve," Bill explained. "We'll have the Portkey and all the arrangements set up before then. And oh, Jennifer," He stood and looked at her. "My mother wanted me to make sure you brought Jimmy and Lily." Then turned to Sirius. "I'd like to ask you to invite Harry, but I'm sure Ron and Hermione have already taken care of that."

***** ****

Jen hugged Illyana tighter than necessary. "Do you really have to go?" Jen whispered into her friends' ear.

Illyana took Jen's shoulders in her hands, and pushed her back too look her straight. "Yes. You know I have too." The two stood near the fireplace in the small flats living area. Harry, the twins, Sirius and Remus were getting ready to go to the Christmas party at the Burrow. It had been all they'd talked about for several days. "My family would be furious if I was absent from this day. And I'll be back in about a week to check on you."

"You should stay," Jen said softly, glancing momentarily over Illyana's shoulder at Remus, who was standing between Harry and Jimmy, demonstrating how to properly tie a Windsor knot for the fifth time. Both boys had learned a basic slipknot at school, but neither could ever get the Windsor right. "I'm not the only one who needs you."

Illyana turned to look behind her where Jen had glanced knowingly at Remus and shook her head. "No, you're wrong." She carefully watched Remus patiently pull the knot from his tie, hold his hand up and very slowly begin to retie it. She saw a man so few took the time to really recognize and shook her head. Over the last few weeks she had come to know the man fairly well, but she could always sense he felt guilty whenever the two of them came remotely close to being intimate. He would pull back abruptly and mutter something unintellible except the name Tonks. Illyana learned that Remus and this 'Tonks' had been dancing around each other for several months and were quite close to stepping onto the next level. She turned back to Jen. "No. There is someone else in his eye."

"For how long must you eye someone?" Jen replied. "Those two have been in each others sights for a long time. If Tonks were someone he really wanted wouldn't he have..." Jen let the obvious thought hang in the air.

"Jen don't," Illyana cut her off. "I don't need to be on the metamorphmagus' bad side. She's stronger than any of you think. She'd have to be." She looked again at Remus. "Waiting so long." For a moment her eyes became distant, then snapped back. "Werewolves don't compromise. It's all or none. That's why he's kept her waiting. He needed to know."

Jen looked at Remus, then back to Illyana. "Does he?" Jen raised an eyebrow, "Know?"

Illyana shook her head. "No. He doesn't"

"So you're just going to leave? Without a fight?"

"I won't cloud his judgment." She'd been staring at Remus, but pulled her attention back to Jen. "This is something he needs to decide for himself. I won't let the fact that we share the same transfigurations each month sway his heart. He's known Tonks for sometime, and if he wants to be with her, he should be."

"And if he wants to be with you?"

She shrugged a shoulder. "I'll be back. I'm not leaving forever. At any rate, he doesn't fully accept himself. If he can't accept himself how can he accept me?" Illyana smiled at Remus's back. "He's so...conservative. Can you imagine trying to introduce him to my family?"

Jen couldn't help but giggle. "His head would explode inside of five minutes."

"Exactly. If he can't trust who he is, how can he trust his emotions? How can he know if he's even attracted to me?" She slightly shook her head with submission. "Let alone love?"

Jen looked at Remus, studying him before making her answer. "Even if he doesn't realize it yet, he feels it. I see it."

"Stop." Illyana raised a hand to cease her friends' words then smiled, exposing her compassion to her dearest friend and decided to change the subject. "I think you should reconsider and go to this party. The merriment would do you some good."

Jen shook her head and looked at the floor. "There's going to be way too many people there. I don't think I'm ready to deal with all that commotion." Then raised her head and looked into Illyana's eyes. "However, I'll go if you go."

Illyana shook her head and stepped into the hearth.

"Your not going to even say good-bye to him?" Jen stepped up holding the urn of floo powder.

Taking a handful of floo dust, she shook her head again. "I'd never be able too. You will for me, won't you?"

Jen nodded and quickly kissed both Illyana's cheeks then stepped back before the green flames whisked her friend away.

When the roar of the fireplace died down, Jen felt Remus at her shoulder.

"Was that Illia?" Remus demanded.

Jen smiled inwardly. There were only a handful of people who felt familiar enough with Illyana to use her pet name, and Jen was thrilled that Remus felt comfortable enough to use it. "Yes." She turned to see Remus looking wounded. "Her family insists they spend Christmas day together."

"She didn't say good-bye," he said staring disbelieving into the hearth.

"She didn't want to make a fuss." Jen turned him away and pushed him back towards Jimmy and Harry, who had both given their ties to Sirius who was tying them around his neck. Briefly, Remus looked absolutely heart- broken, but when he saw Sirius tying the tie he snapped back.

"That's cheating!" he shouted at Sirius who had just handed Jimmy his perfectly tied tie.

Quickly, Jimmy tugged the tie into place around his neck, not bothering to tuck it around his collar. "You're not getting this off me."

Remus shook his head, eyeing him darkly, then snatched Harry's tie from Sirius. "You're tying your own."

Harry opened his mouth to protest, thinking something like 'that's not fair', but then realizing who he'd be making the 'fair' comment to, changed his mind, snapped the tie around his neck, and glared at Jimmy-who grinned and popped his eyebrows- and he tried, again, to make a decent knot.

"So how's this?" Lily stepped from the 'girls room' and twirled quickly before looking at her father. "Is this too much?"

Sirius stared at his daughter.

Lily was wearing a beautiful green tea-length dress, one that Thomas had delivered earlier in the week, which rode slightly off her shoulders and hugged her body exactly where a father did not appreciate. Her hair was bound into a loose twist with several wisps decorating her beautifully made up face.

"That's by far too much!" Sirius scowled, thinking a potato sack would be a better dress.

"You look lovely." Jen smiled and stepped past Sirius to her daughter. "But this is a party at the Burrow, you may have overdone it a step. The Weasley's have a habit of getting a bit rambunctious. Especially George and Fred."

"And they have taken a shine to you, Lily," Harry said with a smile, as he fumbled his fingers through his tie.

"With the way those boys behave," Jen absently tucked a lock of Lily's hair behind her ear. "I'm afraid you might just ruin my dress."

"Your dress?" Sirius looked at Jen.

"My dress." She smiled at him. "You never thought it too much when I wore it." She gently nudged him. "Then again, maybe you did. I mean you tried so hard to get it off me quickly enough at the Yule ball!"

***** ***

After clearing and washing the last of the dishes from the small meal he shared with Jen, Sirius made a pot of tea-using the recipe Illyana had left for him; the one that would help relax them both. He then joined her on the couch with the tea tray. "Here," he said, as he poured a cup for her. "This should relax us both."

She carefully took the cup, holding it with both hands to hide the slight tremble of excited tension. This was the first time during her recovery that Jen had been left alone with her fiancé. She sipped the tea and tried to cover her anxiety. "You should have gone," Jen said quietly. "I know you'll be missed."

Sirius shook his head and poured his own cup. "I'd rather be with you." Then leaned back on the sofa and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Anyway, I still can't get used to the thousands of people that seem to buzz around the Weasley's." this was a half-truth. Although it was overwhelming to be enveloped in the bustle, he rather enjoyed the constant and varied stimulus.

They sat quietly together, enjoying each other's presence. Jen found herself nestling further and further into Sirius arms. She so wanted to be feeling much more than his arms around her. He wanted it too, she knew it. But he was holding back. She assumed Sirius had spent a good deal of time with Illyana, and she had a very good idea what Illyana must have told him. The same things she would have told any other man whose wife, or loved one, had fallen victim to what Jen had experienced. And she was furious with Illia for it. She figured Sirius would be cautious with her after the attacks, but then to add on Illia's warnings, she knew Sirius would be afraid he'd scare Jen if he were too aggressive.

Decisively, she put her cup on the tray then turned on the sofa so she was facing Sirius. She leaned down, snaked an arm around his back and rested her head just above his chest, so her breath could be fully felt on his throat. "I'm glad you stayed," she breathed. "I don't know when we'll have a chance to be alone again." She shifted her body closer to him, inviting him.

He tensed, and leaned forward, putting his cup on the tray. "Jenny," he said cautiously leaning back on the couch. "I don't want too-" he felt her press against him in an obvious fashion. "I mean I do want to, but is it too soon after-"

"Sshh." Jen leaned up and put her finger to his lips. "'There always has been an us'," she quoted his own words and pressed her lips against his, "'there will always be an us'," she pressed in deeper.

"Wait," Sirius said weakly around her lips. The hurt look on her face demanded an explanation. "I don't want you to do anything your not ready for." He tried to separate their bodies. Jen hesitated only a moment.

She looked at him with such pain he was lost. "Go on, Tell me," she demanded.

"Tell you what?"

She pulled back from him and sat straight, staring directly into his eyes. "That you don't want me any more," she bluntly said, over a trembling lip. From the moment she woke in Hogwarts and saw Sirius beside her, she feared he would no longer look at her with the same emotion. That he would not want her to marry him if he knew what they'd done to her. "If you're going to say it, best to say it now." Her eyes were welling with tears. "I know all the Psycho-babble you've been hearing from Illyana, I've given the same speeches." Her face lowered so he couldn't see her pain. "I don't need to be treated like spun glass, and I don't want you to be afraid of me. I want you to tell me the truth. If I am someone you no longer want, tell me now." She looked back up at him, tears brimming her eyes. "Don't draw it out."

"Jenny." Sirius gathered her up into his arms, holding her tightly. He pulled her head close beside his and whispered into her ear, "Of course I want you. I love you. We're going to be married, remember?" Pressing his body close to hers he continued, "I'll never stop. I don't want you too be afraid of me, I don't want to do anything-"

"You love me, still?" she interrupted with her lips on his cheeks. "Even after all-" It had felt like hope against hope. The relief that flooded her was bound tightly behind everything she knew so that what she felt escaped in a torrent.

Sirius suddenly shifted her to lie across his lap and took her mouth madly into his, kissing her, feeling her. He needed her to feel how much he still loved her. His hand twisted into her hair as he felt her arms encircle his neck, responding to his kiss.

He lifted his head and looked at her. "I love you," he said with conviction. "Don't ever," his eyes grew stern. "Ever, doubt that." He leaned in and kissed her again.

They held each other on the sofa, eagerly kissing each other. After some time, Jen felt Sirius twine his arm beneath her legs and pull her closer to his chest, lifting her. "Promise me," he said over her lips. "You won't let me hurt you."

Pulling him closer, feeling his breath, his body, she sighed. "When have you ever?"

Sirius walked them through the makeshift door to the closest room, and with a knee on the bed, slowly lowered her onto the mattress. For a moment he thought of Illyana's comment, that Jen didn't need to be reminded of the attack, she needed to be reminded of him. Of Sirius. Of how love could be. Sirius decided at that moment, Jen would never forget how it felt to be loved by him.

As he lightly kissed her lips, she untucked his shirt from his trousers and started unfastening the buttons. Slowly, affectionately he also removed her clothing, kissing her all the while. He explored every part of her body, kissing and caressing all the areas he knew she enjoyed. When he'd come to a scar he'd slowly take his time tracing it with his fingers and mouth, letting Jen know every part of her was still beautiful.

She tried to respond, trying to kiss, and caress and move to other areas, but Sirius wouldn't have it. This night was for Jen. He remembered. He felt it. He hadn't been...violated. No, tonight was hers.

He moved slowly down her body, softly gliding his hands over her skin to be followed by his lips. First her neck, then her shoulder, over her collar and then first to one breast, then the other, softly touching each and every inch of her flesh. He smiled when her heard her low moans, noises she insisted she didn't make, then continued down to her stomach.

She arched up into him when his tongue traced her hipbone, one of her sweet spots, and he smiled again. She was rather enjoying this; there was no apprehension in her at all.

When he reached her center she fell open to him, breathless, giving herself over to him completely. Here, Sirius took his time, lavishly stroking and caressing her. When he hit just that right spot, her back arched up and she cried his name. His desire for her besieged him, he needed to feel her, Now.

He moved back up on her and took her mouth deeply, tasting every part of it as he positioned himself between her legs. Slowly, he thought, fighting the urge to thrust recklessly in. Before pushing in he looked down at her, and saw her looking back up at him with undisguised desire.

She raked her fingers down his back slowly, stopping to grip his waist. "Sirius," she barely whispered. "Please."

Leaning in to kiss her again, he started to ease his way into her. Her arms came up around his back, pulling him closer onto her, and one leg wrapped his waist with the other around his leg. Once fully inside her he stopped, taking a moment to relish their joining. Her head dropped back and his dropped onto her shoulder. Gripping the sheets in his hand, he felt her tighten all around him, pulling herself as closely to his body as possible. Her face pressed so tightly against his neck, Sirius briefly wondered if she could breath. He tried to lean up from her, but she held his securely. "Jenny?" he softly breathed into her ear. "Are you okay?"

"Stay," she murmured onto his neck. "Just stay like this." He felt her hands kneed into his back as she softly kissed and nipped his neck. "I want to feel this way forever."

Smiling, Sirius kissed her shoulder then lightly bit it. "Forever is a very long time to expect a man to keep this up." He snickered slightly, "Pardon the pun." Then lifted his head to look into her eyes. He saw his desire, and the humor reflected back. "However, anytime at all that you have a yearning to feel this way," he slightly rolled his hips and kissed her. "Just let me know." Another kiss with more movement in his hips. "I'll be more than happy to do whatever I can."

***** **

The four; Remus, Harry and the twins Portkeyed into the garden, outside the Burrow. And were instantly enveloped by the joyous sounds lively party in full swing. There was music coming from the other side of the house and the gentle thrum of several conversations happening at the same time. Dusk had settled over the private property and seemed to bring a certain comfort to the many people milling in and around the house.

As the quartet was beginning to walk to the house, a hefty gust of wind blew Lily's shawl off her shoulders and towards the garage. She quickly turned to retrieve it, but each time she almost had it, the filmy cloth would skitter further away. When it disappeared behind the garage, Lily sighed. As she rounded the corner she saw a house elf timidly holding her scarf out to her.

"Phinn?" Lily looked at the elf. "What are you doing here?"

"Please, Mistress," he began with all the apology he could muster. "Forgive Phinn for magicking your pretty scarf, but the Master insists I deliver this to you." His small shaking hand held out a Green envelope.

Lily looked at it skeptically, then directly into Phinn's eyes. "I don't want it," she said as her mind raced back over the conversations she'd overheard between Illyana and Sirius (Thanks to the Weasley twins extendable ears), and was disgusted with herself that she'd been so attracted to a man who did nothing while all those horrible things happened to her mother. She hadn't told Jimmy, because her brother would completely loose control. But she did write Draco one final note expressively requesting he and his evil brood of serpents stay away from her and her family, and that she would be fitted for ice-blades to skate in hell before she'd agree to see him again.

However, Draco was not so easily dismissed. He'd owled her almost everyday, sent packages, flowers, and any number of magical items to charm a man into a lady's heart.

Lily adamantly sent them all back. She was very thankful she had not told anyone that even after Sirius forbid her to see Draco, she had still managed to slip away and see the Slytherin the night before they tried to banish her grandmother from the portrait. The night before her family's world flew apart.

"Phinn, listen to me very closely." She knelt down in front of him and took his thin elf shoulders in her hands. "I want you t go back to Draco and tell him never in a million years will I agree to have anything to do with him again. Do you understand me?"

The house elf looked at her with almost a smirk, then responded, "Yes, Mistress."

Something in the way he said it sent chills throughout Lily's body. She looked at him closely then realized House elves will only call the family he is bound to Master or Mistress. Lily did know she and Draco shared some lineage, between her father's house of Black and his cousin Narcissa who married into the house of Malfoy, but it was so thin between the two it was hardly worth mentioning, and an elf certainly wouldn't remark upon it! Briefly she wondered if she logicked this more to reassure herself, or if she actually believed it. "Why do you call me Mistress, Phinn?"

Phinn smiled and laid the shawl and envelope at Lily's feet. Then looked up at her with something close to conspiracy.

"That day, at Diagon Alley," Lily was growing suspicious. "That wasn't an accident, was it? You tripped me on purpose! You wanted Draco and me to meet, didn't you? Did Draco know? Did he? Why Phinn?" Her mind reeled thinking it was all a set up, and knowing what she'd learned of the Malfoy family not at all unlikely, but why? "Were you told to make sure Draco and I met?"

The house elf snapped his fingers and vanished in a wisp of smoke.

"Lily!" two male voices shouted out of sync from opposite ends of the garage. Then each rounding a different turn, the two young men descended on the young witch.

"It's about time!" Fred said, rushing towards her skidding across the snow, bending to grab her shawl.

"No, I've got it!" she cried, and abruptly retrieved her shawl, carefully tucking the note within the folds of the material, hoping he didn't notice it. She hadn't wanted to keep the letter, but having someone else see it, or worse ask her about it was unthinkable.

"I'm glad you made it!" George added sliding to place in front of her taking her arm, pulling her back around the garage to join the others, then stopped and looked at her. "Wow," he said weakly. "You look great." Sweeping his eyes from her head to her feet and back.

"I never thought I'd see such elegance here," Fred agreed. "You almost look as though you don't want to have any fun tonight."

"If the only way for Lily to have fun with you two," Remus said in a firm voice, though his smirk betrayed his tone, looking between the Weasley twins. "Is to wear flame retardant clothing, I must protest to you spending time with her!" He tried to look reprimanding, but the smiles on the twins faces, not to mention Lily's, broke his resolve to appear parental. He smiled broadly and shook his head. "Just be good. Sirius would kill me, then brutalize the both of you if she is even so much as scratched!"

"Harry, dear!" Molly Weasley's voice pulled everyone's attention from Lily and the twins. "I'm so happy you made it!" she bounded down the stairs and pulled Harry into a motherly embrace then released him and looked at Remus. "Are Sirius and Jennifer following you?"

"Not tonight," Remus said. "Jen is still..." he tried to find an appropriate word that wouldn't betray Jen's condition. "Recovering."

Molly nodded her head in understanding, and then turned to Harry. "And how have you been doing young man? One would think you could find a moment or two to spare to owl a nervous old woman and let her know you're still alive! Between you and Ron and your lack of communication I may go mad!"

"I'm well." He smiled as Molly escorted the new arrivals into the house. "And I apologize. Things have been quite busy with my training and everything else." He said the last as vaguely as possible, knowing there were several sets of ears close by that knew nothing of the Lennox and the Malfoy families uprising.

Once inside the house, they were all smothered by the voices, lights and smells.

Harry was guided with Jimmy, immediately upon entering, by Ron and his sister Ginny, handing each of them a stein full of something Jimmy couldn't place the taste of, although he suspected his mother would not be happy to learn he was drinking it. Then Harry and the two youngest Weasley's took to Introducing Jimmy to almost every person in the house; Kingsley Shacklebolt, Luna Lovegood, Fleur Delacour (Jimmy almost dropped his mug when the girl smiled at him.) Neville Longbottem, another set of twins called Padma and Parvati Patil, Oliver Wood, Penelope Clearwater, and so many others, Jimmy stopped bothering to try and remember any of the names.

Remus walked with Molly into the kitchen and accepted a glass of cognac turning when he heard Tonks, Bill and Charlie Weasley having a muffled conversation in the corner of the kitchen. The Werewolf knew them all well enough to assume they had to be discussing Order business. He quietly approached them, lightly touching Tonks elbow as he discreetly made his way into the conversation. The Metamorphmagus looked at him and smiled so brightly he felt a bit of his anger at being rejected by Illyana slip.

Fred and George had pulled Lily half-way up the stairs and began telling her of all the new products they were going to be marketing after Christmas Holidays, insisting she take several samples back to school with her. Lily giggled at their attention and informed them she spent the better half of the last month in detention thanks to the products they'd insisted she take back to school after Thanksgiving! During her Thanksgiving break she'd spent a good deal of time with the Weasley twins, learning a great many practical jokes and some very interesting spells to deter any unwanted suitors and punish any female competitors. Lily had developed a deep affection for the boys thinking their only flaw was that there were two of them, and how could she possibly choose between them? At least until she met Draco Malfoy. Then the question seemed moot. Quickly, Lily pushed that thought aside and focused back on the two charming boys. After some time of listening to them, giggling at their clever jokes and preening under their attentions Lily asked to be excused to the little girls room, finding she couldn't get the green envelope tucked in her shawl out of her head.

Once away from the thrum of the party, Lily extruded the green envelope from the folds of her shawl. She looked at the green paper curiously, then turned back to the door and made sure it was securely locked. As much as she hated to admit it, she longed to hear from the man. Even though he was possibly responsible for her mothers' pain, Lily desired to have that man in her life. And she was mortally confused with herself for feeling that way. Each letter and package that arrived at her dorm with Draco's exquisite signature left her short of breath. She wanted so much to open the letters and parcels but resolutely sent them back unopened, knowing if she opened even one of them she would be captured in his spell. Draco was the most charming man she'd ever met and she often spent late nights dreaming of how she longed too be with him. She dreamt he wasn't a Malfoy and she wasn't Sirius's daughter. How much easier it all would've been if they didn't have their surnames. Why, oh why, does life have to be so complicated? She thought. Why couldn't there be a way for her to be with him without hurting her family? Why was she so drawn to a man whose family was so wicked? Leaning against the door, she held the envelope in her hands. Should she open it, or just toss it away? It was very possible there was a portkey on the insides of the letter that would whisk her away.

Knowing the envelope itself couldn't have been a portkey, or it would have whisked her away when she first received it from Phinn. She took a deep breath and opened the envelope. If it were, Draco ran the risk of someone else at the party touching the envelope and from what she learned of the Malfoy's over the last few weeks that was a risk they would not take. Carefully she turned the envelope upside down and sat on the edge of the bathtub, shaking the contents out onto the floor.

Most of her apprehension disappeared when she saw a single folded paper fall onto the tiles of the floor. It's just a note, she thought, chastising herself for being so overly suspicious then shook her head. Of course. Draco wouldn't do anything stupid; I'm at the Weasley's! If I were to disappear, the first place they'd look for me was where they took mom and Remus! She bent down and picked up the parchment and slowly unfolded it. Did she really want to read it? Yes, she really did. Is this how mom felt about dad in the beginning? When she thought Dad was so careless and thoughtless? She blinked her eyes against her own stupidity and started to read.

*** *****

Jimmy stood by the decorated tree in the living room, searching for an escape. After the initial bombardment of introductions, Parvati and Padma Patil had cornered him and were babbling on and on at him about how wonderful his family were. The jist of their flattery was that if it weren't for Sirius and Harry the wizarding world would be enslaved to a horrible creature. He tried to look interested and charming but the more the two girls blathered, the shorter his temper became. Did the girls not realize through their overly gratifying comments, they were insulting him? Obviously not, he sighed in resignation. They were too involved in their own selves to see how uncomfortable he was. Of course his continuing to be polite wasn't helping at all.

"If the Minister of Magic had known Sirius Black had children he would surely have sought you out!" the first cooed emphatically.

"Yes, Yes!" the other added, while pawing Jimmy's arm. "A wizard as powerful as Sirius Black would surely have been able to help to defeat You-Know-Who!"

"And being his only son," the first crooned. "You surely have inherited many of his abilities!"

"You'd have certainly been head-boy at Hogwarts! You must be head-boy at your own school!"

As the two continued gushing, he looked about the room for rescue. Remus was standing with several of the Weasley's and a few others looking as though they were discussing anything but Christmas. No help there. He turned and saw Ron Weasley leaning against a wall with His girlfriend; Jimmy could never get her name right. Hemiown, hermnyny, god, why couldn't the English name their girls Jane? The Weasley twins were sitting on the stairs obviously planning something that Lily would enthusiastically bring back to school. Jimmy was still fence line as to the Weasley twins. They were both good men with a streak of chaos. Something perfect for Lily, but he hadn't thought she'd meet anyone to really take interest in until after they'd graduated. Fred and George were a surprise to him and he hadn't yet decided if he was in favor of her getting involved with one of them or not. No matter. He'd kill either or both if they hurt her. He continued his survey for rescue from the two girls prattling on and on. Harry was standing with the pretty blonde; Luna was her name Jimmy thought. He continued to pretend to hear the girls in front of him when he realized there would be no rescue for him. He was utterly and securely trapped. He sighed and forced another smile

"No!" One of the girls took his reaction as defeat. "Sirius Black was a very powerful wizard who was the closest friend to James Potter, not to mention godfather to James' son who became of one the most powerful wizards of all time!"

"Oh, yes," the other concurred. "James Potter was the most respectable wizard and even before we knew who Harry would be, they were all very important!"

Jimmy could easily sense the two girls were just simply preening under his attention-or lack thereof- and paid very little thought to anything they were saying only hoping to capture Jimmy in their Web. Unfortunately neither of them knew he'd been caught in too many webs and spells before them and their antics seemed pedestrian to him.

"After the Potter's where killed it would have done so much for the wizarding world's moral to know Sirius Black had a son!"

"Really?" Jimmy grunted. "You'd have been happy to know Voldemort's greatest supporter had children?" He suddenly let his temper slip slightly. "In The States anyone even remotely connected to Sirius Black was executed on site. No trial, no questions." He glared at first one girl then the other.

"Padma," A feminine voice interrupted. "Parvati." Jimmy looked over the twin's heads to see Ginny Weasley take each of their arms in her hands. "The Creevey's are upstairs tearing apart Fred and George's old room looking for odd...knick knack's. Would you mind too terribly much to chase them back downstairs? They really won't listen to me or any of my family, and well, you two are so sweet I think they'd do just about anything you'd ask."

Reluctantly, the two girls looked at Jimmy then back to Ginny. "Very well," Padma said.

"But I'm not letting you go this easily!" Parvati said to Jimmy, pressing her hands against his chest in a most inviting manor. "Promise me a dance later?"

Jimmy nodded and waved after the two girls skipped up the stairs. He turned to Ginny. "I've never been a religious type, but Holy Mother of God, you are my heroine!" He took both her hands in his own and kissed the back of both of them. "I was beginning to think I'd be trapped here forever!"

"You may well have been." Ginny smiled. "The Patils are very persistent. They never give up."

"Well, thank-you." He smiled again, squeezing her hands tightly before releasing them. "I do believe you've saved my life!"

"Well, not your life." Ginny smiled, feeling warm from the blush growing under his gaze. "But maybe your sanity."

"Oh!" Jimmy scoffed at Ginny. "You believe a girl can take my sanity!" then landed his hands on his hips and tried to look imposing. "You should read more often, beautiful young woman," he said each word with charm. Retaking her hands into his, bringing them close to his face, though not kissing them. "It has always been the downfall of men to owe a debt to a beautiful woman with a heart of grace, a smile of wonder, and a soul pure as yours to drive the greatest of men mad." He smiled into Ginny's soft brown eyes and softly kissed her hand again. "Though I owe you a debt surely, I am most fortunate." He kissed her other hand. "To still have control of my senses."

"Oh, you're good." Ginny smiled and squeezed Jimmy's hands. "Too give me such credit." Ginny pushed down the urge to lean up and kiss him, thinking she wanted Jimmy to remember her. Instead she looked towards the stairs and said, "You know those two will be back down in a few moments."

Jimmy sighed. "I don't suppose you'd know an escape route and hiding place they'd never find me, would you?"

"Of course I do." Almost wickedly, Ginny grinned and took Jimmy's hand pulling him through the house and out the kitchen door. Neither of them noticed the stunned expression on Harry's face as they blew past him and Luna.

Quietly, Luna stood for a moment, looking at Harry's pained expression. Realizing she no longer held his attention, she spoke absently, "It is normal for brothers to be rivals."

Harry looked back at Luna with his brow furrowed deeply. "I beg you pardon?"

"Brothers," Luna explained. "Are often rivals with each other. You shouldn't feel saddened because you and Jimmy have become rivals."

"Luna," Harry said complacently. "Jimmy and I are neither brothers nor rivals."

Luna heaved a deep breath and almost glared at Harry. "You see things only as you wish too." Then turned and walked away from him.

Briefly, Harry watched her retreating body wondering what he'd done to upset her. Girls! He thought angrily, what makes their minds work? Then turned back to the kitchen door and sidled his way to it, trying not to seem conspicuous. When he arrived there he peered out the door just as a sprig of mistletoe whooshed by his ear and out the door across the yard and into Jimmy's waiting hand.

Ginny was standing in front of Jimmy with her back to the house, obscuring Harry's view of Jimmy's face, although he could see the glint in Jimmy's eyes as he held the Mistletoe above their heads.

Harry's mouth fell open as he saw Ginny wrapped a hand around the back of Jimmy's neck and standing on her tiptoes pull him down into a kiss.

"Holy grail," Ron's voice said from beside him. "Am I really looking at Jimmy kissing my sister?"

"No," Harry hissed. "You're looking at your sister kissing Jimmy."

"Ah, so he's caught in her trap and not the other way 'round, eh?" Ron turned his head to look at his best friend. He saw that anger, that rare anger Harry occasionally let surface on his friends face. "You're a little ticked off about this, aren't you?"

Harry only took a few breaths.

"Harry," Ron threw an arm over his shoulders. "You can't have expected her to wait for you forever, now could you?"

"I never asked her to wait," Harry said in a low voice.

"C'mon, mate." He tightened his arm over Harry's shoulder and steered him away from the door. "I know Fred and George have a hidden bottle of Firewhiskey just waiting to be opened."

*** ****

11:58. Lily looked at her watch as she made her way around the garage. He said midnight. What am I doing here? She lowered her head in shame and thought of running back into the house. It had been four hours since she encountered Phinn and knew Draco would arrive here, where she met Phinn earlier. Why was it so important for her to see Draco? Surely he had several other women to woo, why waste his time on Lily?

11:59. He wasn't going to show. He was just teasing her. Lily leaned against the garage as she felt her head slightly spinning. It was probably a bad idea to have drunk so much before seeing Draco. Lily heaved a sigh of relief, thinking if he wasn't already here he wasn't going to show. But then why had he gone to such lengths to arrange this meeting? Suddenly realizing he would more that likely show, and the amount of Butterbeer and Firewhiskey she'd already consumed would most assuredly cloud her judgment, she quickly turned to race back into the house.

And spun so quickly, in her inebriated state lost her balance.

12:00. "Whoa," Draco said as he Apparated beside Lily just in time to catch her before she fell flat. "Take it easy."

"I'm okay," Lily said stiffly as she regained her balance and tried to pull away from Draco, ignoring the fluttering in her stomach as his hands held her body. "I just came out here to tell you to stop owling me and..." She noticed he was still holding her arms, and looked up into his face. He wasn't quite smiling but she could see he was at least partially happy she'd come to see him. Again, ignoring the fluttering that was joined by her heart pounding against her chest she pulled completely away from him and tried to clear her head. "Just leave me alone."

"You don't really want me too, do you?" he asked with a slight twinkle in his eyes.

"I...of course..." Lily stammered thinking how absolutely beautiful he looked in those exquisite robes with his light hair dusted with the lightly falling snow. "Yes, I do!" she forced herself to say before she looked away, hoping he hadn't noticed the blush on her cheeks.

Draco gently took her chin in his hand and forced her to look back at him. "Lily, There is something between us that I know you feel, as strongly as I do. I'm not going to let you dismiss it just because you don't like my father."

"Don't like your father?" Lily almost shouted, and slapped his hand from her face. "I hate your father! And you as well! Mom and Remus said you were there! You stood by and did nothing! Do you have any idea how crippled my mother is now because of what they did to her? She couldn't even find the strength to come to this party because she's still so frightened! And you!" she shoved her hands against Draco's chest. "You stood right there watching!"

"No, Lily, I didn't." Draco lowered his head in what looked shame. "I wanted to stop them, I really did. But If I had made any move they would've killed me. It's not easy for me, not being able to act when I want too. Professor Snape has worked long and hard with me to make sure I don't act out so I won't give myself away." He looked back at Lily and tilted his head. "I knew she was your mother, and I knew there was nothing I could do without getting myself and Professor Snape killed. I knew there had to be some kind of a rescue plan being formed so I waited. I know I should've done something, but they already suspect Professor Snape and we can't risk them suspecting me as well. Although," he stepped slightly closer and touched Lily's cheek. "If they hadn't rescued your mom and Professor Lupin before the Full moon I would have done something. My father may be a bit wicked, but your grandfather is downright evil. He wanted Professor Lupin to tear your mom apart then live with the knowledge that he'd killed her."

"And so you stood silently by," Lily responded trying to keep her emotions out of her voice. She didn't want him to know she was actually considering what he said to be truth. Not without proof.

"What would you have had me done?" Draco's steel gray eyes pierced her with the question. "Show Etienne Lennox that I'm actually working against him and have him kill me, then Professor Snape because they all know how closely I've been working with him. Then kill your mother and Professor Lupin? You weren't here when You-know-who was in power; you don't know what the Death Eaters are capable of! I had to stay silent! I know it sounds callous, but I have to say it." Draco took her arms into his hands pulling her full attention. "If I had done anything I'd be dead. Your mother will recover. She will live. And in times like these, isn't best to survive?"

Without trying to pull away from Draco, Lily lifted her chin. "Your father is a Death Eater."

"And Sirius Black was You-know-who's second," Draco countered, lifting his chin stubbornly. "How long did it take for Sirius to be cleared of any involvement with the dark? Ten Years? Twenty?"

"That's not fair, Draco. He never supported Voldemort."

"And yet the world believed he did." Draco loosened his grip on Lily's arms, but didn't release her. "My father has been accused as well but you're not willing to give me a chance to prove otherwise. I know my father isn't perfect and can be something of a bigot, but before you condemn us both won't you give me a bit of time to prove we have nothing to do with the Death Eaters? Or at least our only involvement is for the sake of the good?"

"I..." Lily looked closely at Draco, and wanted nothing more than to believe his every word. But something in the back of her mind was screaming NO! "I don't know Draco."

"Okay." Draco pulled Lily a bit closer. "I can understand this is a lot to take in all at once but will you do me one favor?" He pulled her close, wasping his lips against hers. "Before you judge me on my father's action's, you will look at your own Father's actions when they all believed he supported You-know who?"

Feeling Draco's warmth, Lily fell into his embrace. "That's fair." Then brushed her cheek against his. "Though if you mean to hurt us, you have to know I'd kill you on site."

"If I wanted to hurt you, would I not have done so before now?"