Just Like Old Times

The front door to the small dank flat swung open and Remus and Tonks stumbled with Harry, Lily and Jimmy into the dinghy front room. They had spent far to long at the Weasley's Christmas bash and were all a bit tipsy. It was Remus that finally insisted they leave. When he realized his words were slurring together, he figured the others had to be in much worse shape. When he invited Tonks to join them for Christmas morning, he knew he'd had too much too drink. He'd never been so bold with her. After Illyana left, without even saying good-bye to him, he was angry with the witch. He'd thought the two of them had grown close and for her to just leave, well, he couldn't help but feel hurt. And Tonks was here, Tonks was interested and Tonks had never walked out on him.

The twins and Harry had fallen onto the couch, as Lily slid a package under the couch. They then turned into a comical clutch as they laughed uproariously at themselves and joked about the party.

"Alright, you kids," Remus said, trying to sound firm, but failed through his own good humor. "You should be getting ready for bed. Father Christmas doesn't visit while the little ones are still awake!"

"Little ones!" Jimmy stood, and swayed a bit stepping around his own feet. "Who you calling little?"

From behind Remus, Tonks giggled then put a hand on his shoulder. "The one who stumbles about like a toddler!" She pointed her other hand at Jimmy, her arm flopping across Remus's other shoulder while she laughed at Jimmy's expression of outrage, holding Remus' back tighter to her so she didn't stumble as the young man she jeered at did.

"S'not my fault!" Jimmy tried standing straight to his full 6'2'', doing his utmost to look dignified. "Those Weasley boys were trying to poison us!"

Leaning close to Remus's ear, Tonks whispered, "And here I thought it was the Weasley girl."

"Stop," Remus muttered at her, grinning, then put his attention back to the youngsters. "Now unless you want Sirius and Jen going completely ballistic, I suggest you all find your way to your beds!" He knew he was failing at be authorative, but as the only one who was not seeing double, he thought he should try, for surely Jen's keen ears would hear her children's arrival.

Jimmy grunted and started for the designated 'boys' room. Lily untangled herself from Harry, taking a bit longer than necessary, and started for the 'girls'. Briefly Remus raised a brow at Lily's overly affectionate hands on Harry, and Harry showing no resistance, but then smiled at the backs of the twins as they disappeared into their rooms. He then looked at Harry.

"Give me a minute," Harry said closing his eyes. "Please. This room shouldn't be spinning so."

Remus smiled, empathizing with that tone of voice and look on poor Harry's face. Was it the liquor or Lily that forced to remain on the couch?

Lily made her way to their room-much more gracefully than Jimmy- and carefully pushed the blanket they'd been using as a door to the side, stepped into the room and found herself in the middle of a personal nightmare.

She could see in the dim candlelight, her father was lying on his back, one knee upraised with the back of his arm across his eyes. His other hand was on her mother's back; who was curled in an odd position resting her head halfway down his torso. She had one arm wrapped around his waist, with the other tossed limply behind her. Their legs were twined together- though Lily couldn't figure how at that angle. They both glistened; and were gloriously, spectacularly naked. Lily's mind was screaming to move, but her body was unresponsive. She stood in the doorway, gaping at her parents. Her mind raced with how many things were wrong with this vision. Fundamentally she knew they had to have had sex, else she and Jimmy would not be. But just that once! A long time ago! Quickly and without passion or imagination!

Oh my God!

Her mind reeled. They did it! They did it here! She was trying to get her body to move, but it was still frozen. Until her father smoothed his hand up her mother's back and twined it in her hair, eliciting a soft groan from her mother. They weren't asleep! That gave her body the strength to move. She slowly backed out of the room trying, praying, not to be heard.

** ***

With Tonks still leaning on his shoulder, Remus looked at her. "How are you feeling?"

"I know when to stop." She looked back. "I can't believe you let them drink! Sirius and Jen are going to maim you!"

Remus chuckled. "Not after I remind them what they were like at seventeen." He looked down his shoulder at her, and somehow felt guilty.

"Hey," Harry said from the couch. "Look!" He pointed at the ceiling. Remus looked and saw he was standing beneath the mistletoe with Tonks. When he looked at Tonks he saw a very deep shade of red appearing in her cheeks. It's tradition; he rationalized, and leaned down to kiss-for the first time-Tonks.

"My eyes," Lily's strained, painful voice ceased his lips just before they made contact. "Oh my god! My eyes!" They all turned to see Lily step to the table and drop onto a chair. She let her head fall into her hands as she propped her elbows on the table.

Harry jumped from the couch and was at Lily's side before Remus could flinch. Not a good sign, Remus thought. Sirius and James kids involved. He closed his eyes to the thought of a world gone mad.

"What," Harry started, and then realized how quickly he'd moved. He glowered at Remus-who was shaking his head at him-, and then shook his own head. "Are you okay?" He turned his attention to Lily, deciding to ignore Remus for now.

Lily shook her head and then dropped it onto the table with an echoing thud. "It's Mom. And Dad." She shook her head back and forth against the table. "Oh my god. I never thought."

After a moment Harry smiled, then chuckled. "Walked in on them, did you?"

Remus and Tonks walked over to them. Tonks leaned her arm on the table and said, "You didn't just walk in on them having- er - Relations, did you?"

"Not exactly," Lily said at the table. "I thought they were asleep. They were all tangled up and- oh, naked." she stopped and lifted her head, only to drop it on the table with a thump. "Parent's aren't supposed to do things like that."

"Feel lucky." Harry smoothed his hand up and down her back. "At least you didn't catch their 'live' show."

Lily lifted her head. "You mean, you..."

Harry nodded. "During your harvest break." His smile broadened with the less searing memory and shook his head. "I had no idea people could bend that way."

"Therapy," Lily pleaded to Remus. "Find me therapy!"

Remus shook his head. "I'm sorry, luv, I can't." He turned his eyes to the table grinning, thinking of how often he had interrupted Sirius and Jen at Hogwarts. "I've fallen victim to the sight of their flesh myself."

"Have you really?" Harry smiled. "When?"

"Well, it has been a while." Remus returned Harry's smile, sitting across from the youngsters. "Towards the end of our seventh year at Hogwarts, You didn't enter room, or a bathroom, or a closet, or anywhere that had the remotest chance of being empty without knocking or shouting out first." He chuckled at the memories. "For a time, they even had your parents outdone." Remus cocked an eyebrow at Harry.

"James and Lily?" Tonks sounded appalled. "But they had a reputation for being, I don't know," she shook her head trying to find the words. "Chaste."

Remus laughed heartily out loud. "Discreet would be a better suited word. They at least had the sense of mind to lock the door. Or cast a spell to prevent any interruptions." He looked back to Harry, whose face had gone seven shades of red. "Harry, you didn't really think they waited until-" he stopped suddenly, realizing he was probably destroying all kinds of illusions Harry had about his parents. "Oh, I'm sorry, Harry. I wasn't thinking."

"No, it's okay." He smiled, his green eyes growing brighter. "I just never really thought about my parents like that. They've always just been some ethereal presence without any real form or personality." He looked at the table, hand still stroking Lily's back, and smiled wider. "It's nice to hear that they were actually human."

"They were," Remus confirmed.

"So, did you ever catch my parents?" Harry looked at Remus through the corner of his eye.

Remus nodded. "Once or twice. Sirius and Jen were by far more reckless." Bemused, he grinned at the top of Lily's head as she moaned and rocked her head back and forth. "James and Sirius had an ongoing bet to see which of them could find the most unusual place to," Lily groaned again. "You know."

"Who won?" Tonks nudged him with her elbow.

"If you think about it," He said, looking at Tonks, then Harry. "They both did. Although, I think Filches office during lunch was the most bold."

"You're kidding!" Tonks demanded a bit to loudly.

"Shss!" Remus nodded towards the room Jen and Sirius were occupying. "No, I'm not! But then James wouldn't give Sirius credit for it, because Jen stormed out when she realized why they were there." Remus sniggered at a memory only he at the table knew. "Jen actually tried to break off with Sirius after that. But apparently she and Lily," he stopped and looked at Harry. "Had a discussion and managed to turn the tables on the boys who placed bets on their virtue." Remus' smile grew so wide it looked as though his face would split. "Those two girls came back at James and Sirius so strongly the both of them were almost subdued after we left Hogwarts."

"Really?" Harry had taken his hand from Lily's back and was leaning on his elbows closer to Remus. "What did they do?"

"This is a conversation I so don't want to be having." Lily mumbled from the table. "I'm going to be institutionalized until I'm an ancient old witch."

"It's really a good thing." Tonks placed a hand on Lily's arm. "I mean after all that happened, before, the simple fact that she is with him in a fashion to throw you into therapy is a good thing." Lily stared at Tonks, with question. "Didn't Illyana say it would be difficult for anyone to get close to her, you know, to touch her?" She tilted up one side of her mouth. "The fact that your Dad was able to touch her, not to mention every thing else," Tonks stopped, waving her hand vaguely instead of continuing. "The fact that you found them like that, it's really a very good thing."

With another thump, Lily's head was back on the table. "How am I going to be able to look at them?"

"You'll get over it," Remus said. "In fact, I dare say you'll probably get used to it."

Jimmy suddenly reappeared. He'd managed to get his shirt off and his shoes. He stood next to the table for a few moments, looking a bit confused, then turned and flew into the bathroom. A moment later, the terrible sounds of a young man who'd had too much to drink echoed from the washroom.

"Ooh." Harry's face screwed up. "He really had a bit too much, didn't he?"

Tonks snickered. "What with Fred and George refilling his mug every chance they got, and Ginny chasing him about all night, is it really a surprise?"

"What's going on?" Sirius appeared from the room, wearing only an old set of sweatpants, raking his hands through his hair trying to smooth it out. Jen, in her own set of sweat clothes was close behind him, tying her hair into a braid.

Lily jerked her head up, looked at her parents, blushed furiously and dropped it with a whack back onto the table.

Harry tried to look innocent. "Nothing, we were just talking."

When Harry's 'just' came out a bit more like 'jusshht', Jen stepped closer and lifted Harry's chin with her fingers, eyeing him as only a mother can. "Have you been drinking?" Although her voice was rough and low, the accusation was quite clear.

Sirius looked towards the bathroom when a loud gagging noise came from it. He nodded his head, and looked at Jen. "Excessively, from the sounds of it." Then turned on Remus, disbelief coloring his face.

"Uh- uhn." Remus shook his head. "There is no way either of you are going to be angry. That is unless you want me to tell them what you were really like when you were their age."

"Blackmail?" Sirius said.

"Only when necessary." Remus smiled. "Besides it was a splendid party. You can't really expect them not to want to join in."

"That's a lame excuse, Remus," Jen growled, sounding distinctly angrier than Sirius. She then turned to the kitchen and began preparing a potion. "Hung-over children on Christmas morning," she was muttering to herself. "Of all the irresponsible, idiotic, stupid," she continued mumbling to herself, emphasizing her continued anger with the slam of a pot lid or the banging of utensils.

Sirius sat at the table next to Lily, smiling at Jen's back. "Did you just get in?"

Lily groaned; Remus, Tonks and Harry exchanged amused expressions. "No, we've been here a while." Tonks grinned at Sirius.

He looked at them inquisitively, suspiciously. "What is it?"

"You should really learn to charm the door." Remus smirked.

For a moment he looked at Remus confused, then looked at Harry who had a bright pink tinge on his cheeks, then at Lily's shaking head. "I'm sorry." Sirius's mouth spread into a toothy grin and he looked at Harry. "I didn't see you this time."

"Oh, not me." He flicked his eyes at Lily, whose head was still on the table and was groaning.

"She's been begging us to find her a therapist," Tonks explained.

"I don't know what you're all so concerned about." Jen set a mug in front of Harry, then another next to Lily. "It's not likely she'll remember tomorrow."

"It is tomorrow, Jen." Remus was still smiling. "And you shouldn't be talking."

She turned to go aid Jimmy, but Sirius stood and stopped her. "No, let me." He took the final mug from her and kissed her forehead. "I'm sure his mother is not who he wants to see right now." Then went into the little restroom.

Jen dropped into Sirius's chair and glared at Remus. "Did you forget the part about watching over them?"

"No," Remus countered. "I said I'd make sure they got home safe."

"This is good." Harry was looking into his mug. "What is it?"

"Just drink it," Jen instructed. "It'll make you feel better. You too, Lily."

Lily raised her head and obediently took the cup in her hands and began to drink it. "I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't think Jimmy would get sick."

Jen grunted. "Well, Remus is partially right." She looked over at him. "I guess when I was younger I'd find myself in a similar state from time to time." Remus nodded, and Jen looked back at Lily. "Consider this your one 'get out of jail free' card. I won't tolerate this again."

Nodding, Lily continued to sip her potion.

Jen watched her daughter drink for a few moments, with her mouth very slowly turning up. When Lily looked back at her, Jen smiled quite broadly. "Sweetie, I'm sorry if we surprised you."

Again, Lily's cheeks flushed furiously. But instead of dropping her head, it was only her eyelids. "Mom." She shook her head, and squinted her eyes close tighter. "Don't, please. It's bad enough-"

"Okay." Jen touched her arm to stop her. "It's done. Let us never mention it again."

A few moments later, Sirius emerged from the bathroom with a very weak looking Jimmy. He directed Jimmy into the chair at the head of the table, then swung his leg over the back of Jen's chair and slid down, pulling her up onto his lap.

Jen eyed Jimmy darkly.

"I'm in trouble, huh?" Jimmy tried to hide behind his mug.

"Not this time." Jen shook her head, and then smiled crookedly. "I think you've suffered enough."

"Well, its Christmas morning," Sirius said, wrapping his arms around Jens waist, resting his head on her shoulder. "Shall we open our gifts, or should we give you lot some recovery time?"

"Recovery time," Jen answered, before anyone else could. "But just a bit. I think Jimmy could probably use a shower." She looked at her son who nodded. "And the rest of you should probably wash up and change into something more comfortable."

"But not to long!" Sirius ordered. "Jen and I will get something like a breakfast going while you all get put back together."

Once everyone was moving about the small flat trying to either sober up or wake up, Jen pulled Sirius to a side. And kissed him deeply, wrapping her arms tightly around him, pulling him against her with all her strength. He returned her embrace and matched her kiss.

"Merlin, woman." He smiled at her when they broke apart. "What was that for?"

"For nothing," she whispered and embraced him, brushing her lips across his neck, feeling the razors of his whiskers tickle her lips. "For everything." She held him a few moments longer, then stepped back, hands still on his shoulders. "I love you."

Sirius cleared his throat and shook his head. "Breakfast," he said firmly. "You keep that up and I'll toss you over my shoulder and have you back in that room! Then how will we ever get breakfast?"

*** ****

The small living room was littered with gift-wrap, ribbons, tinsel, people and presents. Sirius sat on the floor in front of the couch where Jen was curled. Remus sat on the other end of the couch with Tonks between him and Jen, the Twins and Harry were merrily moving from one spot to another showing off their new clothing, toys, and study materials. (Although the study items seemed to already be collecting dust.)

Jen smiled thinking how wonderful this felt. The joy of the day was palpable, even through the youngster's slightly foggy heads. It was time Jen decided, and stood and disappeared into her room. A few moments later she returned with two large white boxes with big red bows. As she took her seat behind Sirius, he looked over his shoulder.

"What's this?" he asked.

Jen looked at the tag on the first box, pushed it to a side, and handed Sirius the second box. "It's for you."

Suspiciously, he took the box and shook it slightly. "It's heavy, its large and it doesn't sound to be breakable." He raised an eyebrow at Jen's impish grin. "What are you up too?" Then pulled the ribbons and bow off the box, and flipped the top off. Slowly, he unfolded the red and black tissue and gasped. He stared into the box, confounded.

"What is it?" Lily squealed, dying to see what it was.

"It's my jacket," Sirius said quietly, pulling a large black leather jacket with too many zippers from the box. He shook it out to show "Padfoot" embroidered in silver letters across it's back.

Remus slid off the couch onto the floor beside Sirius, eyes just as wide. "By Merlin's ghost." He looked at Jen. "How did you ever find this?"

Jen shrugged a shoulder. "I didn't really." Then tossed the other box to Harry, who deftly caught it.

Dropping the jacket, Sirius turned to Jen and pulled her off the couch and into his arms where he hugged her so tightly tears began to form in her eyes. He kissed her neck softly. "I-" he tried to find the right words.

As Sirius was trying to thank Jen, Harry opened the other box to reveal an identical jacket with the word 'Prongs' etched across its back. He looked from the jacket to Sirius and felt something give in his chest. He knew they had been best friends, but he'd never witnessed it. This was the first tangible relic of his father and godfathers friendship. That moment he felt closer to Sirius than he ever had before. They neither of them had a real family growing up, but Harry still had Ron. Just holding the jacket he could feel how close they had been, and looking at Sirius hold Jen he realized how much Sirius must miss his friend. "Did my father have a motorbike as well?"

"Ooh!" Lily gasped hopefully.

"In a way." Sirius shook his head against Jen and slowly pulled back. "We'd finished mine and were just starting on his." Then pushed Jen back on the couch and stood to try his old jacket on. He shrugged it into place and flipped the collar up, then down. "Well?" He looked at Jen, with a glint in his eye.

She snickered and shook her head.

"The plan was to get all four of us on those motor beasts with matching jackets," Remus recalled out loud. "Not that I ever had any intention of mounting one of those things."

"Where did you find it?" Sirius asked, pulling her up.

"I didn't," Jen explained. "I just never lost them. In fact I'd forgotten all about them until Remus mentioned them over Thanksgiving." When she saw Sirius's raised brows she continued, "It was supposed to be a joke. Lily was not at all happy that you were putting a bike together for James."

Sirius nodded. "I remember."

"Well, to teach you boys a lesson, we waited until you two got good and drunk." She looked at Harry and Jimmy, "Much like you two." Then back to Sirius. "Then we appropriated them. You two had been so tossed you thought you'd lost them. Lily and I opened a joint vault at Gringotts because we knew if you two ever caught wind of the game you'd tear both our homes apart looking for them."

"I can't believe you!" Sirius snatched her up into his arms, mocking anger. "You knew how much we loved these!"

"The bikes were going to be next." She giggled.

"No!" Sirius put her down and sounded appalled.

"The idea was to let you two suffer, then give them back to you a Christmas, but well." She stopped smiling and looked away.

"Christmas never came that year," Tonks finished quietly.

For several minutes the room fell silent, mourning those lost. But Harry was not going to let the joy of this day be lost to the memory of his parents.

"But it did this year." He stood and threw his fathers jacket over his shoulders, sliding it into place. The jacket was a mite too big for him, and was totally unsuited to Harry's quite disposition. But he smiled, adjusting the jacket more comfortably. Then looked at Sirius. "And there's still two more gifts to be given."

"Harry!" Jimmy stood and grabbed his elbow, warning in his voice "We were going to wait until tonight."

Lily also stood. "Mrs. Weasley did give me the book tonight, er, last night." She stopped, looked at Jimmy then to Harry. "So there's really no reason to wait."

"Well," Remus stood and held a hand to help Tonks up. "You have to now. There's no way they're going to rest until they see it."

"The Weasley's are going to be quite angry you didn't wait for them," Tonks added. "After all their help, you promised they would be here."

Sirius and Jen stood in the center of the room listening to the disjointed conversation, looking quizzically at each of them in turn. "What are you all on about?" Sirius finally asked.

The other's exchanged a few looks, and then they all seemed to fall into agreement.

"Alright then." Remus took charge. "Jimmy, why don't you lead the way."

Lily squealed with delight and grabbed the package from under the sofa.

Jimmy smiled and started for the front door, Harry took Jen's arm, and Lily took Sirius's, Remus and Tonks followed behind.

"Harry." Jen pulled her elbow from him, and adjusted to hook her arm through his as they walked out of the flat. "Where is it, exactly, you're taking us with no shoes and hardly any clothing?"

"Don't worry." He smiled. "You're going to love this."

They all walked Sirius and Jen, with barely contained mirth, to the foyer of the rundown building; Lily covered Sirius's eyes with her hands.

"Do you promise not to say anything, or should we cover your eyes as well?" Harry asked Jen.

She shook her head and opened her mouth to respond, then realized she didn't really even understand the question. "If I knew-"

"Yes or no," Harry said firmly. When Jen nodded her head, he and Jimmy disappeared behind a door.

"Hurry up, now," Remus called after them.

For several minutes, Sirius stood dumbly in the foyer with his eyes being masked. Then her heard Jen take a sharp deep breathe, "Oh my god!" she almost shouted. "How did you ever?"

"You promised!" Harry shouted back and Sirius could almost hear Jen's mouth snap shut. He also heard Jimmy grunt, and Remus say, "Here, let me help." Followed by Lily crying, "Don't drop it!" And "It's heavier than it looks!" Jimmy snapping back.

"Enough!" Sirius shouted, no longer having any patience. "I'm not going to stand here looking foolish any longer!"

"Okay, okay." Lily giggled, then pulled her hands away from his eyes.

Sirius opened his eyes to see a beautifully black, fully restored 1974 Harley Davidson Night Train, standing shining in the dingy lobby.

He stood slack jawed, staring at the motorcycle.

Harry smiled at his godfather's gaping face. "It took us some time, but I think we got everything almost exactly like your old one, except this one is a different year."

Sirius looked at Harry, his eyes shining with unshed tears, and slightly shook his head. "I can't believe you did this for me."

"Well, I had help." He nodded at the twins. "And Bill and Charlie Weasley were the ones to finally figure out the flying charm. I mean, Mr. Weasley had the flying car, but that was so long ago-" He was stopped by Sirius pulling him into a tight embrace.

When he felt he'd hugged Harry thoroughly enough he turned and grabbed up both Jimmy and Lily into one great hug. Then released them and looked at Remus. "How long have you known about this?" He rubbed his thumb along his eye, catching an escaping tear.

"September." Remus smiled.

Sirius turned and carefully examined the motorcycle from front to back, top to bottom.

"And this is for you." Lily held the package out for Jen.

Jen cocked an eyebrow as she accepted the package and opened it to reveal A Photo album with the words, "Family is defined not by blood, but love." She opened the book and saw the first Photo to be of Sirius, Remus, Harry, Lily and Jimmy and herself all sitting on or around a sofa at Grimmauld place. They were all smiling and laughing; it was obviously taken during Thanksgiving. Jen flipped to the second page and on one side was Harry and Jimmy presenting Sirius' New motorcycle, with Sirius and James on the other page presenting his old one. Although she already new how much the boys resembled their father's, seeing them compared so closely she was a little stunned. It was almost as if the same picture had been taken. She turned to the second page and saw herself, Lily Potter and Remus sitting on the front porch of the Potters cottage in Godric's Hollow on one side, With Lily Black, Remus, and Ginny sitting on the back stoop at The Burrow. She continued to flip through the book Page by page and saw each page was similarly constructed. With one side a variation of The Family some twenty years ago, and the opposing page a same variation with present day Family.

"How did you do this?" Jen looked at her daughter. "I mean where could you have found some of these old pictures?"

"Remus had a lot of the old pictures," Lily explained. "And Mrs. Weasley helped us out by taking a lot of the newer ones to match the old ones. We couldn't find enough of the older pictures to finish the whole book, but Mrs. Weasley said there would be plenty of time to fill the rest of it with new memories."

Feeling her heart swelling she looked at each person in the foyer, who were all smiling warmly at her except Sirius, who was leaning over the seat of his new flying motorcycle, with a curious expression.

"You have to look at this," Jen said resolutely.

Sirius stood and swung one leg over his Cycle, and took the book from Jen and seated himself as though he'd been sitting on the motorcycle his entire life. He looked at each page with the same wonder Jen had. "This is bloody amazing. How long have you been working on this?"

"Ever since Harry suggested it," Jimmy said, feeling very contented seeing the fascinated looks on his parents faces.

"It's been difficult to keep it from you." Tonks sniggered.

"And even more difficult to get the twins away from you," Remus added.

"Thanks, the whole lot of you." Sirius looked around the room.

"It was actually quite fun," Harry replied. "Sneaking about trying not to get caught. And anyway, you're worth it." Then laid an affectionate hand on his godfather's shoulder. "But instead of gushing over us, shouldn't you be asking your girlfriend for a ride?"

Sirius looked at Jen. "Hey baby," he said with his best rebel face. "Want to go for a ride?"

**** ***

Draco Malfoy sighed resignedly as he hung another set of dress robes in his wardrobe. Each year his mother insisted on giving him a new set of robes for Christmas. This year she opted for a royal blue set that she said would bring out his eyes. My eyes are silver, mother. Not blue. He shook his head and slowly clicked the wardrobe shut. For a lingering moment he looked at his reflection in the mirror mounted on the wardrobe door and smirked. Lack of imagination from his mother aside, this Christmas was turning out to be a rather successful one. Normally after Christmas dinner his father would disappear to one of his 'meetings' in the library, while his mother would drink herself stupid. This year however, after his mother dismissed herself, Lucius invited his son to join him for a brandy. Draco thought he knew his father didn't ask him to the study for family bonding. Smoothing his hair over his head, to ensure not so much as a single strand was out of place; Draco smiled at himself one final time and turned to join his father.

After seeing his mother's reaction in Diagon Alley when they met Lily's mother, he surmised his father had history with Jennifer Lennox. A Malfoy loosing a woman to Sirius Black was unthinkable. And Draco, being Draco had to know exactly what that relationship was. So he had keenly mentioned Lily Black several times over the last few weeks, trying to notice some kind of reaction from his father. He felt that now he would finally get a real answer.

Upon entering the study Draco was slightly surprised to find his Father was not alone. Sitting in one of the armchairs across the room was a man Draco recognized from a month prior. The man was about the same age as Lucius, though he was as dissimilar from his father in every physical way as anything Draco had ever seen. The man was much broader in girth as well as shoulder span, and he sported very dark, very short hair. The man appeared to intimidate through size and speech, where his father intimidated through pride and poise.

Correctly assumed, this was definitely not a father-son bonding time.

"Father," Draco stated confidently as he strode into the room, nodding slightly at Lucius. "I trust I haven't kept you waiting?"

Lucius rose from his chair next to Kenton Lennox, and if the man was able to give a heartfelt smile, he did at that moment. "Not late at all my son. You're right on time." He then turned to his companion. "Draco, I'm sure you remember Kenton Lennox?" he asked gesturing his son forward.

Stepping up to the man, Draco took the offered hand of Kenton and shook it firmly. "Of course I do, Father." Although it was Etienne Lennox that had Taken time to Help Draco get his father pardoned, He had met Kenton in passing several times. Especially while they held Jennifer in their dungeons and Kenton let him watch.

"I've been hearing good things about you, young Mr. Malfoy." Kenton said, as he appraised Draco. "You're father was just telling me you're quite gifted."

"I'm sure it is merely my Fathers bias for his family." Draco shook his head and the compliment away.

"Certainly, Draco." Lucius rested a hand on his son's shoulder and gestured them all to sit. "It is a Father's pride." Then clapped his hands together twice, summoning his house elf.

As they all settled in the armchairs around the fire, Phinn appeared and offered Draco a snifter of brandy. Draco's vague idea of why his father invited him to join the library meeting was shifting. To test his new theory, he decided it best to broach the subject first. He took a slow breath of the vintage brandy, sipping of the liquor carefully before he looked directly at Kenton. "Your niece is lovely."

"Yes, she is," Kenton agreed smiling at the boy's obvious perception. "And I understand she feels similarly to you."

"She is fighting it," Draco explained. "After her mother's...ordeal," he cocked his head to punctuate the point. "She is a bit less trusting. She believes I actually may have helped with her mother's treatment. However," he quickly added as he saw both of the older men's brow's raise. "She can't be sure."

"And why can't she be sure?" Lucius asked.

"Well think of it, Father," Draco said in all earnestness. "Consider Lily's own father had been accused for decades of being in league with the Dark Lord when he wasn't, how could she honestly make that kind of a judgment? Especially so shortly after you had been pardoned?"

"And her mother?" Kenton asked, leaning slightly forward.

"It is not her mother I wish to seduce," Draco responded. Then paused and took another sip. He looked thoughtfully into the crystal glass. "Jennifer Lennox will never trust anyone with the name Malfoy. I believe her past experiences forbid her from it." He looked squarely at his father. "Though, Lily is seventeen and doesn't much care what her mother thinks. She's much more inclined to listen to a young man bearing gifts, that will neither judge nor command her."

"Have you bedded her yet?" Kenton asked plainly.

Draco raised his head and eyed Kenton because of the mere brashness of the question. "No. I haven't." then looked to his father who had the same intrigue on his face. "I believe she's still a virgin, and wants the first time she feels the touch to be something...romantic."

Lucius smiled at that. He knew of all things his son had inherited was his ability to manipulate a woman into believing almost anything.

Kenton took pause. "And you believe you can make her believe this?"

"I'll be owling her tonight, with an invitation." Draco smirked, thinking how Lily would react upon receiving the message. He could see her face flushed with the increase in her heart rate. She would probably think she was angry for a while but her curiosity would justify the accepting and reading of the letter whether or not she stayed distrustful of him on the surface, he knew he had her spellbound deeply. "I understand that, her parents will be sending her back to the States in the next forty-eight hours to put their children under the protection of the wards around the American school. And as you know, no young woman wants to be under the protection of house arrest."

"And this will get her into your bed, how?" Kenton prodded.

"The note will say something to effect of wanting to spend the New Year with the woman that has captured my soul. And of course that although their school can protect her body, Who but I can protect her heart?" When Kenton's face did not relax, Draco continued, "I assure you Mr. Lennox, your niece will be deflowered and mine before the New Year rings through."

"We will need the sheets," A fourth voice spoke. A deep and strong, commanding voice. Draco turned to see the owner of the voice. He was sitting behind the desk, clearly observing the entire scene. He was older. Not as old as Dumbledore, but certainly older than most of the death eaters. His head was near bald, a few scant traces of gray lighting his head like a crown and he had deep green eyes. Draco smiled inwardly and inclined his head to the man out of respect.

"So it's her blood you want from me, Mr. Lennox," Draco surmised. Then shook his head slightly. "I don't have to bed her for that."

"No, but blood freely given is a powerful instrument," the man agreed rising and crossing the room. "And virginal blood is the strongest magic." Standing in the middle of the men, Etienne looked directly in Draco's silver eyes pulling any attention from Kenton or Lucius. "Are you confident this will happen? Are you certain she will have you?"

"Yes. She is yearning for attention she will never get from her father. Sirius is so wrapped up in caring for his wife-"

"They are not married," Lucius said sharply.

Draco eyed his father, annoyed and slightly embarrassed by his out burst. "His mate then," he corrected. "That he hasn't been spending nearly enough time with either of his new-found children. Lily's feeling neglected right now. She's ripe for the taking." Draco held a hand out as though it were the most obvious conclusion. He sipped the sharp brandy contentedly as the logic of youth caught up forgotten experience. This was turning out to be much better that bonding time.

Etienne smiled briefly at Draco then turning to Lucius he asked, "And your mirrors are still functional?"

"Every one of them."

"Good, good." Etienne smiled at Draco. " You will make sure your New Year will be spent here?"

Not wanting his exploits to be viewed by any other than himself, Draco hesitated. "I've never been a fan of voyeurism, especially when it is I that people are watching. I'm sure you will give me a good reason for this," Draco demanded. "For surely you do not expect me to put on a show for you."

"Not for us, young Malfoy." Etienne smiled broadly. "But for James."

"Excuse me," Draco held a hand up needing to repeat what he'd just heard to make sure he didn't misunderstand. "You want Jimmy to watch me fuck his sister, is that what I'm hearing?"

"The boy is much more loyal to his parents than the girl," Etienne explained. "Once he sees she's already joined us it will be short work to have him join us as well."

Draco looked and saw the hope in the elder men's faces. "Without Lily, you can't get Jimmy," he stated.

"Oh, we can get him, " Kenton said from the fireplace. "He's already all but got. This way we can all have a bit of fun."

"But only his sister can convince him." The Lennox patriarch leaned a bit more forward.

He's bluffing me. Draco smiled a very self-righteous smile; he had the only thing these three wizards wanted. He was reveling in the fact that this man paid so much attention to him and so little to these older, more accomplished wizards. He wanted to flaunt his power for a moment, but decided against it. "I'll do whatever I can to help." He sipped the last of his brandy, the disappointing taste concealed by his self-pride. Then stood and straightened his robes. "If you all will excuse me, I have a love letter to compose." Seeing approval on all three men's faces, Draco left the study.

As soon as the door latched behind him he smiled broadly and shook his head. Stupid old men, always underestimating the young. He thought as he started up the stairs for his rooms.