Harry Potter and the Siren's Song

***

Christmas at Hogwarts was fast approaching, but Harry found himself unable to enjoy the pre-holiday merriment that was gripping the castle. Fred and George had insisted on decorating the tree in Gryffindor Tower themselves, with Angelina's very reluctant approval, and the Gryffindors found themselves face to face with a gaudy red and gold tree two weeks before Christmas, festooned with moving ornaments into which the twins appeared to have banished some rather unfortunate fairies, twinkling garlands that changed colours every hour, and candles that attempted to sing (rather unsuccessfully) a myriad of carols. Their finishing touch was a huge red and gold star that blew Ever-lasting bubbles all around the Common Room, and sang shrilly every fifteen minutes to announce the newest countdown to the holidays. No one particularly enjoyed their decorations, but as the twins seemed quite proud of their efforts, the House appeared to have reached a silent agreement not to comment on their garish new interior decorating.

Harry had not spoken to either Professor Velange or Sirius since the night of their confrontation. During Current Events class, he stared straight ahead, refusing to so much as glance in his teacher's direction. For her part, Velange treated him with her usual warm courtesy, but no one could help but notice how she took great pains not to call on him in class.

Snape, however, seemed as determined to punish Harry for his outburst against Velange as she was to ignore it. Always quick to belittle Harry's work in class, and ask demanding questions regarding their coursework that Harry had no prayer of knowing, Snape had reached a new level in belligerence. When the class was assigned the especially difficult task of brewing a batch of Skele-grow, Snape partnered him with Neville. Despite Harry's best efforts, the potion exploded no less than twice during the course of the lesson, which resulted in them both being sent to see Madam Pomfrey; Neville sporting an especially long nose, and extra teeth, while Harry had somehow managed to develop three thumbs on his right hand. Madam Pomfrey also seemed somewhat distant with him, although Harry suspected that may have been due to his snapping at her when she mentioned Velange's name.

Harry still hadn't quite come to terms with his feelings towards Hermione for her actions in hiding the truth about his godmother. Their usual easy friendship had slipped into a never-ending cycle of stilted conversation and resentful looks, and Ron appeared to be straining to control himself from chastising them both. Harry even found himself pulling back from Ginny, who at first did her best to get him to talk about what was going on, and finally ended up yelling at him one afternoon when they were shopping together in Hogsmeade when he had refused point-blank to meet Ron and Hermione at the Three Broomsticks.

"Harry, you and Hermione have apologized to each other - if you can't make up and act like adults then I don't think you're old enough to be with me!" And with a decided motion, she had turned and stalked away, as Harry stood frozen, gaping in shock after her.

So with two weeks to go until Christmas, Harry found himself slowly walking in the direction of Hogsmeade, not exactly sure why he was even going. He had some holiday shopping left to finish as he had yet to buy either Ginny or Sirius a present, but at this rate they probably wouldn't open it anyway. It was a rather lonely feeling as he walked, listening to Lavender and Parvati's giggles behind him.

He dragged behind as the rest of his classmates made their way towards the Three Broomsticks, not really wanting to see Hermione and Ron there. He wandered up and down the street, hoping against hope to see anyplace he had yet to shop as he still had no idea what to get for his last two presents. It was something of a surprise then when he found himself standing outside the door of the Hog's Head. After a long moment, he pulled the door open and headed inside.

Lauren was up on the stage singing, and as Harry's eyes grew accustomed to the gloom he caught sight of Bill Weasley sitting at the bar and watching her. Harry was somewhat taken aback by the look on Bill's face. There was more then just casual interest there. In fact, Bill's expression reminded him uncomfortably of the one he had seen flicker across Sirius's face when he had spoken about Velange - longing, passion - and not a small hint of frustration.

"Bill," Harry said, as he slipped into the seat next to him.

Bill nodded, not taking his eyes off the woman on stage. Harry couldn't blame him really; tonight with her fire-red hair twisted up into a messy knot at the back of her head, and a rust colored robe that appeared to be (barely) held together by some rather erratic stitches on the shoulders and waist, Lauren reminded Harry of one of the more popular Muggle singers that Dudley had been drooling over all summer. "Disgraceful, the way she rolls out of bed and then goes about her business," he recalled Aunt Petunia saying, her mouth pursed into a particularly tight frown.

"Pretty big crowd today," Bill said as he looked around the pub. "Surprised not to see more of your classmates here."

"Yeah well, Madam Rosemerta's offering free gift wrap at the Three Broomsticks," Harry shrugged. "I think your girlfriend's costing her some serious Galleons."

"She's not my girlfriend," Bill said brusquely. Harry's doubt must have been all too clearly written on his face as Bill rolled his eyes and continued. "Women are complicated, Harry - and no doubt about it, Lauren Velange is all woman."

"If you say so," Harry looked up as Rene set a pint of butterbeer before him.

"Mr. Potter," Rene said in his low gravely voice. "Glad to see you here this afternoon. Yer just in time t' hear the circus of pain."

"Circus of pain?" Harry asked as he picked up the mug of steaming beer.

"It's the holidays, Rene. She's just singing what people want to hear," Bill said defensively.

Rene grunted. "Sure they do - if they're lookin' to drown in their sorrows as well as their spirits." He moved on down the bar, and Harry shot Bill a quizzical look.

"Let's just say she's not exactly singing about sunshine and bunnies up there," Bill said with an amused look.

As if on cue, the next song started and Harry felt a shiver of longing pass through him that was as powerful as punch to his gut.

Childhood living is easy to do

The things that you wanted I bought them for you

Graceless lady you know who I am

You know I can't let you slide through my hands

Wild horses couldn't drag me away

Wild, wild horses couldn't drag me away

I watched you suffer a dull aching pain

Now you've decided to show me the same

No sweeping exit or offstage lines

Could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind

Wild horses couldn't drag me away

Wild, wild horses couldn't drag me away

I know I've dreamed you a sin and a lie

I have my freedom but I don't have much time

Faith has been broken tears must be cried

Let's do some living after we die

Wild horses couldn't drag me away

Wild, wild horses we'll ride them some day

Wild horses couldn't drag me away

Wild, wild horses we'll ride them some day

Lauren's eyes seemed to rest on Bill as she sang the last phrase. Harry thought he saw Bill wince before he finished his drink in a single swallow. "Be seeing you." Before Harry could protest, Bill was already on his feet, pulling his cloak tightly about him. "Take care of him, Rene," was the last thing Harry heard before Bill hurried from the restaurant.

Harry shook his head as he pulled a long drink of butterbeer. His own romance was complicated enough; he didn't want to think about anyone else's at the moment.

A flash of red at his side made him pause, and turn. Lauren's green eyes looked uncharacteristically sober. "Bill left," Harry said flatly as he returned to his drink.

"I saw." She held up a hand and Rene slid a glass of some sort of dark liquid in her direction. "Not why I came over."

"Yeah, well, I don't really feel like talking - least of all to you." Harry shot back at her. She was my Mum's friend too - and she left me, just like her sister did. And yet something Velange had said niggled at his mind:

"I lost everything dear to me in a matter of hours: your mother, James, Sirius, Lauren - all of it." What had she meant by that? Had Lauren been hurt somehow?

Quit thinking about her! Harry thought angrily to himself. He set down his drink a bit harder then he intended, and splashed some of the foamy liquid out onto Rene's shining bar.

He could feel Lauren's eyes on him, and yet she placidly took a sip of her drink. For a long moment, neither spoke. When she broke the silence, it made him start.

"Damned pity that - I had so looked forward to an evening of dealing with a stubborn, know-it-all teenaged boy." Her tone was light enough, but it made Harry flush all the same.

"You think you know me? You don't know anything about me! You had your chance, just like your sister did, and you ignored it! Forgive me for treating you the same way." Harry picked up his glass and started to storm off to another corner of the pub, but Lauren placed a hand on his arm, her grip like a vise. "What the - what do you think you're doing?" Harry hissed at her.

"Shut up and listen to me for a second." Her eyes flashed, and for a moment Harry felt a shiver of fear run up his spine.

"I don't have to listen to a damned word you have to say," Harry retorted, shaking off her hand.

"Fine." She had the gall to look amused. "Close yourself off to the truth. Be ignorant and go on hating someone for being caught up in a situation that was out of their control. But that's not the attitude I would expect from the boy who defeated Voldemort - nor would I expect it from any son of James and Lily Potter."

"You shut up about my parents!" Harry snapped, not thinking about how his voice would carry. Several heads turned to look. Harry was livid to see that Lauren didn't even have the grace to look abashed.

"You wanted the truth, Harry Potter - so why don't you put aside that anger for ten minutes and listen to it?" Lauren's smile never wavered. "I need to tell you about three very valuable lessons. Give me ten minutes with no interruptions - when I'm done you can ask me anything you want to know. When you're done, you can tell me where I can go and how I can get there. But you need to hear the truth before you heap any more guilt on my sister's head." She stood there, waiting, a pleasant expression on her face. They could have been discussing the weather, for all the concern she showed.

Harry considered. Ten minutes, and then she would answer any question he wanted to know? Incredibly tempting, especially as he knew she wouldn't want to hold anything back in her efforts to win him over into forgiving her sister. And there were so many things he wanted to know...

He jerked his head in acquiescence.

"Excellent," she smiled more broadly. "Let me tell the lads to go on without me for a bit." She stepped away and had a brief low conversation with one of her guitarists before she returned. "Lead the way," she said simply.

Harry glanced about the pub and shook his head. "Not in here," he said. He had a feeling he might really lose his temper before this was all said and done and he didn't particularly feel like having an audience to this.

"Fine by me," Lauren glanced up at the stage, and Harry had to strain to hear her hum the word "Accio!" A few seconds later, her cloak came flying in their direction. Lauren deftly caught it, and pulled it around her shoulders. "Outside," she said, even as she headed for the door. Harry had little choice but to follow.

***

The weak winter sun provided little warmth as he followed Lauren's figure over to some tables that were haphazardly arranged on what was obviously used as some sort of deck in good weather. She sat down at a table, and pulled her cloak more tightly around her. "How I ever thought weather like this was normal is beyond me," she said casually, her teeth chattering. Then she looked up at Harry from beneath her hood. "This may take a while, so you might want to sit down."

"I'll stand," Harry said flatly.

"Suit yourself," she said. Then she gave a hollow-sounding laugh. "No more dodging this."

"What?" Harry asked, wondering what she was talking about.

"This," she waved a hand around them. "The Talk. I've been dreading it for years, and trying to figure what on earth I could possibly tell you that would make it easier for you to understand. Then I realized nothing about this, or you, would be easy - and I deserved nothing less."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Did you and your sister memorize this speech? Get a new writer. I'm not buying the whole remorse act. You promised me answers - I think I deserve to hear them."

"Of course you do." Harry heard her voice break - the first time he had see her express any real emotion. "I guess it's easiest to explain if I start with my sister's death."

"Your sister?" Harry asked, confused.

"Not Lena - our other sister, Lisette. You see, Lena and I weren't originally twins - we were triplets. Our youngest sister, Lisette, died just after our sixth birthday. And shortly after that was when our names became tainted."

Harry's confusion must have been all too obvious on his face. Lauren gave an apologetic smile. "See, I've already messed this up. I should start with the fact that our father was, well, not exactly a supporter of all things light and fluffy."

"My father Edmund and his family were fervent supporters of the dark wizard Grindelwald. After Grindelwald's fall, my father felt certain that his new role in the battle against the Light was to father a child who would grow up to help the next generation. His family hoped to one day fulfill what their forefathers had begun - the gradual overtaking of the wizard world, and the eventual conquering of Muggle societies." At this, the singer rolled her eyes. "Arrogant bastards."

Harry was intrigued but didn't let his interest show. Lauren continued, "My mother was the youngest child from a very poor family, so she viewed my father as nothing less then a savior. He helped to support her parents, and my uncle." Lauren's face darkened. "My mother never realized that he had sought her ought exclusively for her family tree. When the medi-wizards announced that my mother was having triplets, the entire Velange clan cheered." Her mouth twisted in a bitter smile. "Three children, cursed as we were - how could we help but join Grindelwald's successor?"

She looked at Harry then, her voice bitter. "My mother's family, Harry, had certain, erm, ties to creatures better left alone." She raised a brow at him, obviously not wanting to state what she felt must be obvious by now.

The problem was, Harry was completely bewildered. "Come again?" he asked, feeling as if he risked life and limb with that very question.

Lauren rolled her eyes again. "Isn't it obvious? You've heard us."

Harry's confusion must have showed in his face. Lauren sighed and held out a hand. Then she opened her mouth and began to sing.

"Dan y dwr, tawelwch sydd.

Dan y dwr, galwaf i.

Nid yw'r swn gyda fi.

Dan y dwr, tawelwch am byth.

Dan y dwr, galwaf i.

Nid yw'r swn ddim fwy gyda fi."

Harry recognized no words, but found himself not caring. Her voice seemed to reach in behind his mind and drag him to her side, but for once he did not fight. He would have done anything, anything, so long as she never stopped singing. He reached her side and felt a hand softly brush the hair back from his face. A voice inside his head was softly whispering, "Forgive me, forgive me."

And Harry whispered back "Yes,".

It was over as quickly as it had begun. Harry blinked and found himself clutching at Lauren's hand. Her wide green eyes were closed, and he thought he saw a tear track its way down her cheek. When she opened them to look back at him, the terrible knowledge of what she was became suddenly all too obvious, like a wave rushing into the shore. He dropped his hand and backed away, feeling slightly sickened.

"Siren," he spat. "I knew it! I knew there was something going on that night at Seges!"

"You're wrong," Lauren said quietly. "I would never -"

"You just did!" Harry shot back.

"Well, yes - to show you what I could have been doing all along." Lauren raised a brow. "Don't you think I would have done something by now, if all I was after was to control you?"

Harry couldn't think of an answer to that. Lauren continued. "I won't lie to you, Harry. At your Seges party, I wanted everyone to relax and have a good time. There was so much strain written on everyone's faces - it reminded me of how my class looked during Voldemort's first reign. I merely suggested that everyone relax and let go." She smiled slightly at the memory. "Although, I had no idea that Thomas Jordan's son would be so open to the idea...he must inherit that from his mother-"

"So you're both sirens," Harry said from between clenched teeth. "So what has that got to do with anything?"

"Everything," Lauren replied, looking faintly surprised that she had to explain further. "Our father's most fervent wish came true with our birth - and triplets! The significance of the number 'three' is surely something you've covered in at least one of your classes. The strongest magical number there is - the triangle, the trinity, the triumvirate. No side stronger than the others, and without all three parts the structure cannot survive. Imagine the power that three sirens could give to Grindelwald's successor..." Her voice trailed off, and Harry found himself picturing what she was describing. Three beautiful women, with the power to sway minds - no Imperius would have been stronger, no Cruciatus more convincing. He felt goose bumps prickle his flesh, and knew they were not simply from the cold.

"My father's friends immediately closed ranks around our family. My mother was never strong-willed, and their talk of power and prestige turned her head. Her daughters would usher in the new Lord of the Dark, and be his most powerful and trusted weapons against the Light. We would be persons revered." Lauren looked away, and Harry thought she looked as though she might be ill. "I only know this because of what my uncle told me."

"Your uncle, the Death-Eater?" Harry snorted. "Right trustworthy source of information, no doubt."

"My uncle made a choice, a very horrible choice." Lauren's hands played nervously with the chains around her neck. "He had his reasons-"

"What possible reasons does anyone have for following Voldemort?" Harry snapped. "Your uncle was a murderer! Your parents were necromancers! The only reason I can think of for my mother choosing your sister to be my godmother is that she was obviously under the influence of siren song!" He stood up, the same furious anger that had bubbled up inside him in Velange's office roaring within his veins. "I'm off! I've had enough!" He turned to go. But he froze when he heard her next words.

"I could make you stay, Harry. You and I both know I could." He spun around to face her, hand reaching unconsciously for his wand. "But I prefer to simply remind you of your promise - eight more minutes, and then I will answer any questions you choose."

Harry forced his hand to return to his side. Yes, he had his wand, but then, she had her own powers, and in truth, this was not a duel he really wanted to fight...not when the answers he was searching for were so close at hand.

"Now, where was I? Oh yes, my sister's death and my parents downfall. Such a lovely tale, really." Lauren's laugh was brittle. "My parents' activities with the Dark supporters could hardly go unnoticed. The morning of our 6^th birthday, Lisette accompanied my mother into Knockturn Alley. Aurors swarmed the street without warning on a Ministry raid. In the scuffle, my sister vanished. Her body was found a week later, outside a cave in Dover."

"Surely the Aurors didn't-" Harry started. Lauren waved her hand impatiently, effectively cutting him off.

"Of course not. My father was sure it was other wizards, jealous of his rising status within the Dark sect, who had murdered his daughter. He renounced his former association, and went to Dumbledore to offer his assistance in the fight he knew was to come. He had heard of a new Dark Lord rising, and wished to make his new loyalties known immediately."

"My mother, however, was more focused on discovering the identity of her daughter's killers than she was with reconciling to Dumbledore and his supporters. She became obsessed with the idea of communicating with Lisette; she could both bring the killers to justice and have a chance to say goodbye to her child. My father agreed. They sought out Ephialtes, a dark wizard whom my mother had been introduced to via a member of my father's former associates. They spent a year attempting to contact my sister, and well - you know the rest." Lauren looked at the ground. "The entire wizard world thought they were practicing the darkest magicks of our kind, attempting to raise God only knows what. In fact, they were simply two heartbroken parents trying to communicate with their murdered daughter." She raised her head to look at the darkening sky, and this time Harry was sure she was crying. "So endeth lesson number one: Never judge a book solely on the words of its critics."

Harry had sat again as she had told her story. He couldn't have left now if she had banished him. "What's lesson number two?"

Lauren continued to study the sky. When she spoke, her voice was so soft he had to strain to hear the words. "Lesson number two, Harry, is to treasure family above all else."

"Our family had been no closer than most, and less than others. However, my sisters and I had always been inseparable. I think anytime you spent the first nine months of your life with someone, it creates a very special bond - look at the Weasley twins, the Patils-"

"But Padma and Parvati are in different houses," Harry said with a frown. "They're nowhere near as close as Fred and George are."

"You're too familiar with them both to see it. But take a step back and watch them. I have. They're in here most weekends, and even if they're not together, they're still keeping an eye out for one another, talking to one another with their faces and gestures." Harry must have looked doubtful, because Lauren added, "Don't believe me, eh? Watch them sometime in the Great Hall - you'll see what I mean." She seemed to lose herself in a memory, because it was a moment before she continued. "Lena and I now had only each other. Our aunt and uncle took us in right away, of course, but when you're six years old, nothing really replaces the memory of parents and sister-"

Lauren froze then and gasped, "Oh, Harry - I am so sorry. I shouldn't have to explain this to you, of all people."

"Actually, you do," Harry said in a low voice. "I don't remember them. I don't know what my life was like before Voldemort killed them." He swallowed. "But you do."

"Yes." Lauren whispered. "I do. And I promise to tell you what you want to know, but Harry, I have to finish this." Her voice shook slightly, and he could tell that she was trembling. But whether it was from the cold or nerves was unclear.

He waited. A few more minutes, then he could find out everything.

"At any rate," Lauren continued, "Lena and I always felt that something was missing. It wasn't until we got to Hogwarts that we felt we'd found it." Her smile was brilliant in growing darkness. "Your mother."

"We met Lily on the train. She looked so lost and confused. We knew right away she had to be Muggle-born - her clothes were far too fashionable to be wizard-disguise. Our uncle didn't like Muggles, so Lily was the first one we'd really ever spoken to. We talked practically non-stop the entire train ride. In fact, we were only interrupted once - by your father, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black." At this memory, Lauren's smile became a full-fledged grin. "Even then, those three were causing havoc and mayhem."

"By the time the train pulled into Hogsmeade, we'd already decided we all wanted to be in the same House. Sirius was practically hopping up and down in his insistence that it be Gryffindor. James was all for Ravenclaw. We knew our father had been in Slytherin, and Lena hesitantly mentioned that as tricky as the boys seemed to be, perhaps that would be an option."

Her smile faded a bit. "Sirius, of course, demanded to know what we knew of Slytherin House. Lena was honest, and said only that our father had been in it. And then he asked what our name was..." Lauren blanched. "We'd yet to tell anyone on the train. We'd been shunned so much in our village school for being who we were that we learned early on not to volunteer our last names. Lena said 'Lauren and Lena Velange', and it was as if she'd dared him to flinch first."

Her smile returned as she said, "Your mother, bless her, said 'Oh, how pretty - you must be French.' Then she looked at Sirius and asked 'Isn't that a pretty name?' It was as if she knew. I've never forgotten that. I knew right then and there that we'd found our missing link."

Harry, who had been picturing the scene in his mind, found himself smiling as well. "What did Sirius say to that?"

Her smile remained. "He stared at your mother, said something like 'Barking mad, the lot of you,' and left the car, James and Remus right behind him."

"I explained everything as quickly as we could to your mother. Lena just sat there, looking miserable. When I finished, Lena asked if she still wanted to be in our House. And do you know what she said?" Harry shook his head, feeling as though she wasn't paying attention anyway, as she continued without looking at him. "She said 'What? Give up my shot at joining you two in your evil plot to take over the world? You can't be serious!'" Lauren's eyes danced. "And that pretty much sealed it. She went before we did in the Sorting, of course, and after she was placed in Gryffindor we both kept praying we'd go there as well."

"What did the Sorting Hat say to you?" Harry asked, wondering if like him, it had thought about placing the Velanges in Slytherin.

Lauren frowned, but not as if she were annoyed - as if she was trying very hard to remember. "You know," she said slowly, "I don't think anyone has ever asked me that. I know Lena and I never talked about it, and your mother was far too focused on the fact we all actually got into the same House to bring it up." She shrugged. "It made some noise about putting me into Hufflepuff, if you can believe it."

"Hufflepuff!" Harry repeated, louder than he'd intended.

She raised a brown at him. "Yes, Hufflepuff. And no, it never even mentioned the 'S' word, in case you were wondering."

Harry was stunned. Lauren continued. "So there we were, in Gryffindor. And for the first time since we'd lost our sister, we felt like we had our family back. Well, ok, not perfectly at first, as we really rather hated the boys. In fact, we didn't get along with them for the longest time - the number of times we wound up in detention!" She laughed. "The Prank Wars went on for three years, and I think even Dumbledore was at his wit's end with us."

"What did you do?" Harry asked with a grin.

"What didn't we do, more like it. Your mother was brilliant in Charms, I was second in the class in Potions, and Lena - well, Lena excelled in nicking whatever we needed. Pit this against your father and Sirius, who were tied for first in the class in Transfiguration, and poor Remus, who would have been first in everything if his friends hadn't distracted him so much, and well - that's why it was called a War." A far-off look in her eyes, Lauren stood and paced around on the deck, counting on her fingers. "Let's see. Your mother charmed their beds so that they walked out of the tower, and the boys kept waking up on the front lawn. James retaliated by transfiguring her cauldron into a grindylow just before final exams second year, so that poor Lily had to actually learn to swim in order to recover it. Lena and I covered a section of their brooms with Swelling Solution so that a rather, erm, sensitive section of their anatomy blew up like a balloon, just before the Slytherin match our third year." She turned to shoot Harry a mischievous grin, and he found himself blushing for his father's sake. "Remus retaliated by switching out our hairbrushes for ones he'd invented, so that we showed up in the Great Hall the next morning with florescent green hair. The only rule was that you couldn't retaliate for yourself, and that you couldn't do the same trick twice. McGonagall was on the verge of a mental meltdown when something unexpected happened."

"What?" Harry asked.

"Sirius discovered girls." Lauren rolled her eyes at the memory. "There was a very pretty Chaser on the Slytherin team, Narcissa Cantor, who was a year ahead of us. He followed around after her like a lovesick puppy for about six months, much to our amusement, and Remus and James' disgust. Around Halloween during our fourth year, Lena decided she couldn't take it anymore, and started sending him secret admirer notes."

"Why did she do that?" Harry inquired, puzzled as to why anyone would think that was a good idea.

"To make him wonder, to distract him from Narcissa and generally spare the House a lot of embarrassment. He had never really had a shot with her, you see - she was seeing someone who'd already left school - Lucius Malfoy."

"Narcissa - wait, Sirius Black was pining after Draco's mum?" Harry asked, feeling slightly sick. He caught himself before he said "Wait 'till I get a hold of him." No one was supposed to know that Sirius was not only alive and well, but within easy access.

"Come now, Harry - he was a teenaged boy, and Narcissa was hardly a troll," Lauren said with an amused expression. "You look as thrilled about it as your father was. He said Sirius had lost the remaining bits of his mind."

"So what happened with the secret admirer notes?"

Lauren grinned. "Sirius was the first man Lena and I ever, er, tested our 'skills' out on."

"You tricked him!" Harry sputtered.

"Not exactly. Lena just arranged for him to meet her in the Astronomy Tower, and she was humming when he arrived. I was hiding behind a desk, and was there as back-up in case anything went wrong." Lauren suddenly looked uncomfortable. "It worked like, well, a charm. He was hooked. Lena was ecstatic - the ultimate prank - causing her sworn nemesis to fall for her!" She smiled a bit. "We should have known that beneath all that bickering and tension lay something else."

"Sounds like Hermione and Ron," Harry said before he could stop himself.

"I suspect the situations were very similar. Lena lorded it over Sirius for a few weeks, and he was too besotted to protest. Not even James and Remus could convince him it was anything other then true love."

Harry felt a surge of anger for his godfather. "She used him," he spat.

"At first, yes. Lily and I couldn't help but wonder when she would get tired of the game. But then, I saw them together at a Quidditch match. Slytherin versus Hufflepuff, to be precise. It was freezing, and he had her practically smothered in his cloak while he was standing about like a great gentlemanly idiot, freezing his bum off. She reached up and kissed his cheek, and I've never forgotten the look on her face. This was no joke anymore. My sister had the ultimate prank played back on her - she fell for him."

Harry was still angry for his godfather's sake. "Did she release him?"

"From what, the spell?" Lauren laughed. "Oh Harry, Lena and are I aren't full-blooded Sirens - anything we do tends to dissolve very quickly. Why do you think our father wanted triplets? Only with the three of us could we have amassed anything like the power of a true Siren."

"But I've seen you - you can both do wandless magic-" Harry started, but Lauren quickly cut him off.

"Simple spells and charms. Nothing advanced. I assure you, we're really quite powerless. Sirius was in full use of his emotions within a day or two - but by then, things between them had already started to change." He saw an odd look cross Lauren's face. "She told him, of course. He said he didn't care how it had started. So, the two of them paired off. Your mother and father went on their first date together not long after. Which left myself and Remus..." At this, she looked pensive.

"What about Peter?" Harry asked suddenly. "Where did he fit in all of this?"

"Peter Pettigrew?" Lauren's expression grew cold. "He was simply livid that things had come to such a state - yelled at Sirius that he couldn't believe he was letting some watery-tart interfere with their friendship." She snorted. "I never liked him, and the feeling was completely mutual. The boys always defended him, though - said he was their mate and we'd never understand."

"So, that's how it was - all through the rest of school. Your mother and father went on to be Head Boy and Girl - lucky thing too. I think they kept Lena and Sirius from being expelled when they were caught swimming naked in the hot springs beneath the school. And Remus and I, we turned to one another for affection." Her voice caught on Lupin's name and Harry wondered what that was all about.

"As insulated as Hogwarts was, we couldn't be completely isolated from the chaos that was going on in our world. God knows Dumbledore and the staff did their best to make sure we students had as normal a time during our years here as they could. But every day, owls would swoop in bearing bad news of family members being killed or worse by Voldemort and his followers. In the spring of our sixth year, James' parents were murdered. Shortly afterwards, Remus' vanished without a trace. Peter's father had died early on in our second year, fortunately by natural causes. Only Sirius' family survived without a blemish, although in retrospect that in itself should have tipped us off." Her voice grew bitter, and Harry had to fight to keep himself from shouting in protest that Sirius was innocent. "After James' loss, he and Lily decided they would marry right after they left school - they didn't want to risk losing any time they might have together. They were working for Dumbledore, naturally, and James' connections at the Ministry were highly useful."

"What did my father do for the Ministry?" Harry asked eagerly. At last, at long last, some useful information about the parents he had never really known. "Was he an Auror?" Somehow, Harry had always suspected that he had been.

Lauren looked taken aback. "No one's ever told you?" she asked slowly. Harry shook his head. "He was an Unspeakable, Harry." She swallowed and then said "He worked for my uncle, in the Department of Mysteries."