An Experiment Gone Wrong

"This is where the famous boy king Edward the Fifth age 12, and his brother Prince Richard Duke of York, age 9 were supposedly incarcerated. It is not known whether the Regent, Richard Duke of Gloucester had them imprisoned here in the Bloody Tower for their own safety, or to execute their murders, however the latter is the most common theory. The two young boys were never seen again..."

"Let's ditch this group Sev, it's no fun when you can't really stop to chat to the residents without the muggles getting suspicious again," Remus whispered to Severus longingly.

"In 1647 workmen repairing a stairwell found a trunk with the skeletons of two young boys underneath a staircase in the White Tower. It's believed that they were the bones of the two princes. On further examination as of recently on the remains, it was decreed the two boys had been suffocated. Who is to blame however still remains a mystery. Now if you will follow me we will head out to that stairwell where you can see the area in which the chest was found..."

As the Yeoman guard tour guide and the group left, no one realized that two of the group stayed behind hiding in a small nook. "Well that's much better don't you think?" Remus said happily.

Severus nodded. "I could never stomach muggle tours. They ramble on about the most mundane things. You just would have to have picked the longest tour I think in all London wouldn't you," he said slightly scowling.

Remus sighed. "I know, but the residents here are much more exciting then the place itself after all. Those muggles just don't know what they're missing out on. I didn't think there was so much though here, I thought it was just..well...you know...a tower. How was I supposed to know it had all these places to go?"

"Well I suppose it's not your fault, I should have said no from the start but you were so adamant on this tour," Severus said absentmindedly."Oh for Merlin's sake, now what? What do you two want?" he scowled, seeing something behind Remus.

Two young boys were staring at the two men, surprise on their faces. "Thou...canst seest us?" one of them asked.

Remus turned and looked at the boys, and realized who Severus was talking to. "Of course we can, why shouldn't we?" he said now with a smile

The older boy shrugged. "Nae a one dare stop to speak upon us. Ye be the first since...our deaths."

"You must be those two the tour guide spoke of eh?" Remus said thoughtfully. "It's alright though, we won't bother you. We just got bored with the tour is all so we left them. You mean no one talks to you...ever?" he said surprised.

"Nae," the younger boy said shaking his head.

Remus felt sorry for these two boys, it must be very hard not to have anyone to talk to in such a tormented place as the Tower Of London. "Was it really like the tour person said how you died?"

"Remus honestly, does it matter how they died? We can't do anything about it now can we," Severus said sullenly. It was one thing to talk to the adult ghosts they had so far seen, but the children bothered him, any child's death actually bothered him more then he would ever care to admit.

"A man corded us sir. Six months we did cryst here hidden in a wall. Then one day a man came and took us to a room. He warned us nae to cryst out, but we were afeared. He had a rope, and next we knowst we wast here in the corridor. But I did seest us on the floor too, and the man takest us away. But yet nae away for we were still here. So I knewst then we surely had died," the older boy, King Edward said.

Remus make a tsking sound and shook his head. "Rather bad way to die I admit. Though I think the Countess of Salisbury has got to be the worst of the lot far as how she died."

The two boys nodded gravely, a sad look on their faces. "Thy woman ye speak of nae like us much. She doest nae have patience she speaks for us," the younger boy, Prince Richard said with a sigh.

"So you have no one at all to even play with then, how awful. Oh Sev, can't we take them with us back to Hogwarts? At least they could have someone to talk to there..." Remus said to Severus.

"Absolutely not Remus. Can you just imagine what Albus would say?" Severus said in a huff.

Remus chuckled. "Actually I think he wouldn't mind. I mean they are only children Sev, look at them their adorable, and positively lonely. Queen Anne was nice when we spoke to her, and so was Jane Grey, but honestly...the rest of them are quite boring. Sir Walter is just plain mean and those Salt Tower spirits oi! And you see the Countess doesn't even want them here...so who's going to know they left?"

"I"m sure someone would. Those muggle tourists would, you know they're always looking for a new thing to hunt down and pick apart. It would irk the muggles to no end if they thought two well known spirits disappeared all of a sudden. It's better that they stay here ins..." Severus started but the look on Remus's face was enough to stop him mid-sentence.

"Tis nae a thing to worry on sir. We hast been here this long, we willst stay," Richard said sadly.

Severus looked from the very forlorn Remus to the two young boys and sighed. "Oh very well. I doubt you will give me a peaceful nights rest if I were to refuse. But just these two Remus, none of the others understood?"

Remus eyes lit up with happiness. "Oh thank you Severus! No no, of course not the others, as if I would want them at Hogwarts. But...how are we going to get them back? We still have to leave here and had plans for dinner and all..."

Severus gazed up into the air. "Honestly Remus you don't think ahead do you," he said exasperated. "They're ghosts Remus, they can do whatever it is ghosts do, become invisible or whatever until we go back to the school. They'll just have to follow us around for the rest of the day that's all."

"Hmm...that could work. Will that be a problem for you two?" Remus asked the boys

The two boys shook their heads. "Nae sir. We canst do that. But...canst I ask how ye can speak unto us like this? Is thy place we are to go nice?" Edward said, typical of a 9 year old child.

Remus grinned and nodded. "Very nice. It's a school actually for wizards and witches. That's why we can see and talk to you and the muggles couldn't. Muggles, that's people who can't do magic that is, only see what they want to see mainly, but to us ghosts are an everyday thing. There's lots and lots of ghosts at the school and I'm sure most of them you'll get on with perfectly. You'll like Sir Nicolas I think, he probably will be in charge of you to get you comfortable when we get there."

"Sir Nicolas? Whost he be?" Richard asked.

"Sir Nicolas De Mimsy-Porpington. He died just after the time you two did I believe," Remus said.

A light of realization came into the cold dead eyes of the young King of England. "Oh that Sir Nicolas! We knowst him! We didst see him die out on Tower Green did nae we Richard," he said turning slightly to his brother who nodded. "Though..was nae a very good job I didst think. 45 times they didst strike him before he didst die," the young boy said sadly.

"Ah, then you three should get along admirably. Though I know you're not wizards, a ghost is a ghost, and you deserve to be at least err..happy in your ah..deaths," Remus said with a smile.

"Remus we can do the reunions later, right now I hear footsteps of the human kind. Someone's coming so let's do depart from here shall we?" Severus said hurriedly. "You two disappear or whatever it is you do, and let's get out of here," he said.

The two boys nodded and did disappear, and Remus and Severus quickly headed back down the staircase away from the footsteps. Luckily the tour group was just at the door they had snuck out of, and didn't even notice they had been missing.

"And that concludes the tour of the famous Tower of London. If you have any questions you may speak with any of the Yeoman guards at the doors. Otherwise I hope you have enjoyed your tour of one of England's most haunted buildings. Please do visit us again!"

"Let's go," Severus whispered and maneuvered Remus to the gate to leave the tower.

Remus looked down at the muggle watch he had brought with him and checked the time. "It's 6 o'clock. Did you want to go to Buckingham Palace or just go to dinner now luv?" he asked.

"No. More. Sightseeing. Merlin forbid we encounter any other poor ghosts in the palace and we'll have a bloody entourage to take back with us. No, dinner and then we'll go back to the castle and drop these two off and go to St. Mungo's," Severus said firmly.

Remus sighed in defeat. "Oh all right spoilsport. I can't help it though, you know that Sev. I just can't bear to see young ghosts so obviously alone and bored."

"You are still too much of a Gryffindor Remus, that's the problem," Severus said as they headed towards a muggle bus stop to head towards Kensington. "Do we really have to take these awful muggle contraptions? I never did trust these things," he said scowling, and stopped at the bus stop that would head them off to Paddington Station area and Kensington.

Remus chuckled. "Honestly they aren't that bad Severus. And really unless you want to take a cab, which I highly don't recommend, then you'll just have to be happy with the bus. Are you boys alright?" he asked into the thin air.

"Don't answer that," he said to no one in particular, getting stares from some people at the bus stop. Pulling Remus over to the side he whispered, "You can't be talking to them in public Remus. For all the time you spent in the muggle world don't you know people will think you've gone nutters if you talk to thin air?"

"Oh, right, sorry bout that. I'm just worried for them that's all Sev. I don't want it to spoil our dinner though...." he said then something struck him. "Oh Severus! I have the perfect idea! Come on!" he said spying a bus just pulling up and pulled Severus onto it.

Paying their fare Severus led Remus to the first story of the bus where there were less people. Sitting down he leaned over and whispered, "Alright, so what's this perfect idea of yours?"

Remus grinned and whispered back, "Simple. We're going to the Leaky Cauldron."

Severus looked at Remus puzzled. "And that's your brilliant plan is it? And what do you plan on doing at the Leaky Cauldron?"

"You'll see when we get there," Remus said secretively, a slight grin on his face.

Severus leaned back in exasperation. "I don't know how many times I'm going to say this in the future, but you are an impossible man Remus."

"I know, and I still love knowing that you love me anyway." He grinned and gazed out over the Thames. "You know...as many times as I passed this way while living in the muggle world, I never fail to enjoy it. The setting sun is quite beautiful...don't you think?" he said leaning his head against Severus shoulder and sighing in contentment.

Severus gazed out at the setting sun and actually agreed with his lifemate. "Not as much as you are Remus...but yes it is quite spectacular," he said softly and wrapped his arms round Remus despite getting a few looks from the few people on the upper deck. However a glare from him sent them to look elsewhere, and he was content having his Remus in his arms, the orangy sun dancing on Remus's hair turning it a reddish brown. *If only we could just be like this forever Remus...if only the rest of the world would just let us be....* his mind thought wistfully.

A little while later they arrived at the Leaky Cauldron and the cool darkness inside the place was almost an anticlimax to the afternoon. A reminder that they were not muggles that could live in happiness, but wizards fighting a war, wizards on a mission as well.

"Oi fancy seeing you here! Care for your usual Remus? Anything for you as well Professor Snape?" Tom the barkeep said jovially.

Remus shook his head. "Another time perhaps Tom. Right now can I get some calling powder and use the back fireplace? We have to get in touch with someone at the school," he asked with a smile.

"Of course Remus, of course! Here you go, and use the one at the far right. The one on the left is sooted up again. Networks been heavy lately with the Potters son being born. I'm sure you've already seen the little tyke haven't you Remus since you're so close to the Potters. I hearing he's the spitting image of James. Such a lucky kid to be born to such fine upstanding people like James and Lily Potter!" Tom said showing off a broken toothed grin and handed him a jar with the powder.

"Er...yes um..he is Tom. We'll be quick bout flooing up who we need, thanks. Shall we Severus?" Remus said fidgeting, anxious to get away from Tom and quickly.

Severus didn't say anything but nodded, pulling Remus towards the back of the pub where they could talk undisturbed. "That man talks too much if you ask me." He said with a scowl and sat down at one of the benches.

"It's not his fault, he's right. I should have been there when Harry was born if things had been different," he said quietly.

Severus looked at him for a moment sharply. "It wasn't your fault Remus. It was a full moon, even Potter wouldn't have expected more from you for that. Now do what you came to do and let's get back to our evening," he said.

Remus nodded and took a pinch of calling powder and threw it into the fireplace. "Albus Dumbledore!" he called out, and moment's later the head of Albus was in the fireplace.

"Ah Remus, Severus. I thought you both were staying in London till later this evening?" Albus said.

"We are...well planned on it that is but...we sort have err...ran into a little issue we need your help on Albus," Remus said nervously. Now that he was actually talking to Albus he wasn't really sure what he would think of the situation after all.

"Oh for Merlin's sake Remus," Severus said in exasperation. "What it is Albus is that we were at the Tower of London just a bit ago, and Remus decided to play godfather for two of the locals."

Albus raised an eyebrow in question. "Locals? I'm not sure I understand what you mean."

"What Severus means is...oh...that is...I just didn't have the heart to leave them there Albus. I would have but...they looked so sad and I thought..." Remus said extremely nervous now.

"To leave whom where Remus?" Albus said a twinkle in his eyes now.

"Boys, you may as well show yourselves now so Albus can see you," Severus said, and seconds later the two golden haired nightshirt clad young boys were standing holding hands near the fireplace. "Now can you understand Albus?"

"Ah, I see," Albus said looking through the fire at the boys.

"I know they're muggles Albus but honestly, the Tower was no place for them. No one ever even speaks to them, not even the other ghosts. They're bored and so lonely. Can't you do something for them? They already know Sir Nicolas they said, I didn't know he was executed at the Tower of London, why didn't he ever say that?" Remus asked.

Albus chuckled. "He doesn't like to mention it considering what happened. Poor man. I do think however he would appreciate the company of the two boys, perhaps they will take his mind off things."

"But Albus, isn't it a problem if two muggle ghosts were to suddenly become residents of Hogwarts? It is a magic school not a muggle one," Severus said.

"Any and all ghosts are welcomed at Hogwarts Severus, however under the circumstances, it will not be a problem for these two. They are not muggles, just muggle-borns," Albus said a twinkle in his eyes.

Remus and Severus stared at Albus in surprise."Not muggles? What do you mean Albus?" Remus asked.

"Exactly what I said Remus. Little was known to this but their mother, Lady Elizabeth Grey was a witch. She gave up practising however when she married their father, and the poor children were killed before they could be told the truth. Therefore I see no reason why they shouldn't be allowed to come to Hogwarts and take up residency," Albus said with a smile.

"Doest that mean sir we canst go with thee to this place?" the young Edward said hopeful.

Albus nodded at the young boy. "Of course child. Now if you will give me a moment, I will send Sir Nicolas through the fire to collect the children. I will be back shortly," he said and his head disappeared from the fire turning it back to it's natural reddish orange.

"Well, that was easier than I thought it would be," Remus said relieved. Turning to the children he said. "I know you'll like it at Hogwarts. It will be a little different at first, but it's friendly. Just listen to whatever Sir Nicolas tells you and you won't need to be afraid any more," he said with a smile.

"Our many thanks to ye sir. We knowest we shall enjoy this place. But what didst this man mean by our mother being a witch? Are there such things in the world?" Richard said awed.

Remus nodded. "Oh yes, of course there is! Well...in the wizarding world anyway. Don't worry, Sir Nicolas will explain it all to you I'm sure. Ah, here's Albus again now..." Remus said noticing the fire turn green again.

"Now boys, I want you to come over here by the fire for a moment please. There there, no need to be frightened, this won't take long...hopefully," Albus said with a smile. "Sir Nicolas are you ready then?"

Seconds later a soft whooshing sound came from the fireplace and Sir Nicolas was floating there before everyone. "Well goodness me, I never thought I'd see the both of you again!" he said with a genuinely happy smile.

"Tis good to see ye again as well Sir Nicolas. We hoped ye wouldst have stayed at the tower after thy death, but ye did nae," Richard said.

"No no, I couldn't bear the thought of having to spend my death with that twit Sir Walter. Trust your uncle not even to get my death right though! Oh no, everyone else got a sharp axe for their heads, but Richard just had to do things his way. He always did though, no offense lads, but you're uncle I tell you...was a nasty git from the word go...quite mad really I think..."

"Sir Nicolas, if you wouldn't mind..." Albus said with a cough. Once you got Nick talking like this it was virtually impossible to get him to stop. "Could you just bring the boys back please. Now that is," he said firmly.

"Forgive me, of course. Well boys, I dare say you will enjoy it where we're going. Though it appears I will have to update you on the latest way of speaking. Just won't do to be speaking like you did when you died now, not at Hogwarts. Very updated you know we are, even indoor plumbing now for the living, can you imagine that!"

"Anytime you're ready Sir Nicolas..." Remus said now giving him a verbal nudge.

"Oh yes of course, pardon me. Come boys, now take my hands, yes that's it, one on each side. We'll just go right here into the fireplace," he said floating himself along with the two boys into the fireplace finally. "Headmaster whenever you're ready? Goodbye gentlemen, see you back at the school," he said.

"Goodbye Sir Nicolas, boys. See you later!" Remus said with a wave, and seconds later the 3 ghosts were gone. "It was alright wasn't it Albus? They'll be alright?"

Albus smiled and nodded at Remus. "Yes Remus, it's alright I suppose I never really gave them much thought as it were or I probably would have done something about that sooner. Ah well, better late than never as the muggles say. Now you two go on, enjoy the rest of the evening."

"We're going straight to St. Mungo's from London Albus, so don't bother to wait up," Severus said wryly.

Albus chuckled. "Dear me Severus, I haven't done that since my own children were young, long ago now. I have every faith that the two of you are more than capable of getting back to the castle on your own. If you did need me for anything else however, you know where to find me."

"I assure you that we won't be. I forbid Remus to pick up anymore strays...at least for today," Severus said with a light chuckle.

Remus grinned sheepishly. "Alright alright, I get the point. Thank you again Albus, we'll see you later," he said. Albus nodded to him and with a slight pop was gone from the fireplace.

"Well then, now that that is settled, I believe you were speaking of a place in Kensington earlier?" Severus said nonchalantly.

Remus looked at him and nodded, a slight grin on his face. "I do believe I did Professor Snape. However, since we are here at Diagon Alley now...I also know of a quaint little spot just over by Gringotts if you would prefer wizarding cuisine rather than muggle?"

Severus thought this over for about 5 whole seconds. "Oh no Mr. Lupin, I don't think so. You promised me a cozy little Italian restaurant, and that's what I expect at this point. Not to mention that wizards for the life of us, just cannot make a decent lasagna, and personally I do love a good lasagna," he said with a teasing smirk.

"Well then my dear man, since you're the one that's been to Italy, you can tell me what you think of this place. As I've said since I"ve never been to Italy myself, I can't say for sure, but I'm quite partial to what they serve. And one thing I can say is...they do happen to make an excellent lasagna..." Remus said with a grin.

"Well then shall we? I"m getting quite tired of being in dark places with little atmosphere today," he said gazing round at the dark austerness of the Leaky Cauldron.

Skillfully avoiding Tom the barkeeper this time, Severus led Remus out to the London side of the Leaky Cauldron. The sun had been down bout half an hour now, and muggle London was showing just how amazing it could be in the darkening twilight. For a moment Severus just stopped and remembered the last time he'd been out at this time of night in the muggle world.

It had been not in Paris actually, but Egypt. Last Yule he had spent the first week of Yule with Stephan rather than the second week, and that second week he had instead gone to Egypt. The only reason for the change was the person he needed to see about a certain plant was only going to be there for a few days at the end of Yule, and he needed that particular plant for the Wolfsbane Potion.

Though London couldn't compare to the wondrous view off the aging pyramids at Giza plateau, he had to admit that for some reason right now the first fingers of twilight were the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. And he knew it was because of the man beside him, who was gazing serenely into the sky.

Severus walked behind Remus and put his arms round him, intertwining his fingers with Remus's. He still couldn't believe this man was his and his alone, that someone actually wanted him as he was, not for the pretending side of him. Remus loved him as Severus Snape, not as "Alan Brandon" as he pretended to be in Paris. The fact that Remus was a Gryffindor, and he a Slytherin no longer mattered, all that he cared bout was that Remus had chosen him to lifebond with, and no other.

His outpouring of love and affection was so strong towards Remus, that it didn't take long for those same feelings to be returned. Sighing contentedly he held Remus a little longer, not even caring that they were being slightly stared at by passerby's. It was only a few moments that they had been out there like that together, but to Severus it could have been a lifetime, and he wholeheartedly wished it wouldn't have to end.

"I do too love, but we should get to dinner....we still have to go to hospital later remember..." Remus said softly, voicing what Severus was feeling.

"Reading my mind again my love?" Severus said softly into Remus's ear causing Remus to shiver a little.

"Mmm...no...just reading your emotions love...and don't do that...gods Sev...if you do that we're never going to get to dinner..." he said breathlessly.

"Oh really....and...that would...a bad thing..?" Severus said kissing Remus's ear gently.

A soft groan escaped Remus's lips before he could even respond. "Severus...stop...we're...gods...in the middle...of muggle...London...Sev..." Remus breathed hoarsely.

"Hmm...yes...I did notice that...but...we're also still standing...outside the Leaky Cauldron...in case you forgot..." Severus said kissing Remus's neck this time.

Remus closed his eyes and tried to keep his mind focused on dinner, however that was suddenly not becoming an option. "Im-implying...what...Severus..?"

Placing one last kiss on Remus's neck, thrilled at the slight groan he heard coming from him, he whispered into his ear, "I think...we'll eat in Diagon Alley..after all...tonight..." he said and turning Remus round he took his hand and led him back into the Leaky Cauldron, without a single protest from his lifemate.

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