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"Stubborn lioness. So what are you going to ask for when you win?" |
"Do you know what this book is?" |
"No, you've always been rather mysterious about this book." |
"I know you've noticed that this book has grown over the years." |
"Yes, but what is it?" |
"It's a book that neither one of ever needed to read, nor would it ever be completed for either one of us." |
"Why would we never need to read it?" |
"Because we lived it. It's a book about our love, about finding ourselves and each other." |
"It can never be completed because we still live. You never had any intention of winning that bet, did you?" |
"I wasn't willing to pass up the opportunity to live another lifetime with you." |
Draco grinned at her. Just like his witch. If she was going to lose, it would be deliberately and on her terms. He took her hands in his and brought them to his lips, moved by what she was saying she wanted from him. "I will find you. I will always find you. In every incarnation, in every time, I will find you and I will love you in them all." |
The climbed the stairs together and retired to the room that they had shared for over a hundred years. After changing into their nightclothes, they laid down facing one another with their hands clasping and noses almost touching. |
"I love you, my lioness." |
"I love you too, my dragon." |
At close to midnight, a soft exhalation left Hermione, her hands going soft and slack in his grip. Draco breath exhaled one last time, his last breath mingling with hers. A younger version of Draco and Hermione stood looking over the still bodies of themselves. |
He held his hand out to her, saying, "It was one hell of a ride." |
She took his hand in hers. "That it was. I wonder what the next one will bring us." |
They walked off together towards the white light, hand in hand, to cross beyond the Veil. |
Scorpius stood with Minerva looking at the still bodies of their parents. Scorpius had gone up to check on them when they hadn’t come down to breakfast. When he found them, he called Minerva to come over. "They look like they’ve just fallen asleep. I keep expecting them to wake up and yell at us for being in their room," he said, his voice choked with emotion. |
Minerva nodded, tears streaking down her face. "At least they went together. I dreaded what would happen if one went before the other." |
"I never got to tell them they were going to be great-great grandparents," Scorpius said. |
"Leo and Persephone finally got pregnant?" |
"Due in June. They don’t know the gender yet." |
September 1st |
"Have you seen a toad?" Astor looked up from his book to find a girl with long, brown, curly hair standing in front of him. His light gray eyes met the most amazing pair of chocolate brown eyes he had ever seen. He felt a tug in his chest, looking at her, and rubbed his hand over his heart unconsciously. |
"No. Is it yours?" he answered. |
He caught her rubbing the place above her heart as well. "No, a boy named Neville. It’s his toad. I’m Lilliane, but everyone calls me Lily," she stuck out her hand sideways for a Muggle handshake. Muggle-born then. |
He took her hand in his, "Astor Malfoy," he said before bringing her hand up to his lips. She giggled as he released her hand. "Would you like some help looking for this escaped toad?" |
Remus was hunting. Disguised in a damn muggle bar of all places. His sandy brown was hair gone, and was exchanged for slicked back black tresses. He had added 40lbs to his usually gaunt frame. His scars, evidence of his condition were hidden as well. He had worn dark blue jeans and a white button down, with black loafers that completed the simple look. Only the small manic gleam in is golden eyes gave any hint that something was amiss. |
He had waited for this moment for well over a decade. The need to bring hell down upon the ones responsible for the death of one of his best friends, and his wife was strong in his soul. Remus was always sure they had it wrong at first. The Sirius that he had known and at one time thought he had been in love with would not do such a despicable thing as betray the Potters... could he? And at the end of his year teaching DADA, he knew the truth. Now traitor was about to be brought to justice. The wolf in Remus was screaming for the other man’s blood. He had destroyed his pack, and for that there was no forgiveness. The law be damned! The wizard in Remus knew that with an alive Pettigrew, some of the terrible events of the past could begin to heal. He would have some of his family back. His pack. Sirius and Harry. |
Harry. Remus knew the look of an abused child. He had traveled extensively in his never ending search for employment. He has seen the horrors that humanity can bestow upon each other. However, those were not the first times he had been exposed to child abuse personally. The first time had been in fourth year... with Sirius. |
"Dammit James! I’m telling you something is not right! We come back from break and he is limping, and damn near cries when we pat him on the back!" Remus yelled |
"I don’t see any limp Remus. What are you on about? I mean I saw him wince on the train when you clapped him on the back and asked about his holiday. But maybe he was just sore from playing quidditch or something." James offered. |
"No I’m telling you he’s hiding something. You see the clothes he’s wearing. That isn’t Sirius!" Remus shook his head as his shaggy hair whipped side to side. He was not ready for them to know about his furry problem yet. He could smell distress, sorrow and pain. Even when someone was trying to disguise it. "Look. Pete got detention with McGonagall...again. I swear! How do you get detention the first night back...never mind. Look let’s just ask him before Pete gets back. You know how he is with the important stuff." Remus decided with a roll of his eye. |
Remus had called out a hey as Sirius made his way into the room and was grabbing what he needed to take a shower. Remus threw down the magazine he was fake reading, and walked over to his friend. |
"Sirius look at me. What happened to you? You have been jumpy, and quiet and...good Merlin what are you wearing? You look like a nun with all those long sleeves on in the dorms. The rest of your non school wardrobe is insanely dull. Coming from me that is saying something. You’ve changed Padfoot. What the bloody hell is going on?" Remus asked as he saw James walk next to him. |
"It’s nothing alright just...a game got out of hand." Sirius resumed his walk to the shower. He didn’t get very far. |
"You are one of my best friends. Please. If something is wrong, then please tell us. We won’t judge you. Maybe we can help." James said quietly. |
Sirius sighed. "Look it’s no big deal OK. My parents...they just...they get mad sometimes. I’m not the greatest son and..." He trailed off. |
"Sirius. Do they...beat you? Remus asked cautiously. |
Sirius nodded sadly. "Sometimes Remmy. But I can handle it. My father is "Just trying to make a man out of me even more since I became a Gryffindor’. Don’t bother with a Professor. They won’t believe me. I’ve tried. My father already sends them a letter regularly about how I love to test quidditch tricks on holiday. What Orion Black says is law I’m afraid." Sirius hung his head slightly and went to walk away. |
"Well Siri. I could use my cloak to nick some pain potions from old Sluggy. We’ll get you right as rain!" James exclaimed. |
"And I’m a dab hand at healing spells if I do say so myself. One crack about me being a swot, and I will turn your eyebrows green you git." Remus winked at him as he began to heal the extensive injuries. Sirius knew Remus and James were trying to save him as much dignity as they could. He didn’t want their pity. He thanked whatever deity there was that he had managed to land the best friends on earth. |
~End flashback~ |
Even now the mere thought of Harry sets the wolf on edge. Children are protected in a healthy pack. The concept of abuse on a child was foreign. On the occasion that it did happen, the abuser was dealt with swiftly...and painfully brutal. Nasty business that was. |
He was quietly sipping a beer and watching his prey discreetly. Peter had not changed one bit, the fat, cowardly bastard. He was currently attempting, and failing miserably to chat up a pretty young woman. He was never any good at chatting up the ladies. |
Remus finished his beer, threw some muggle money on the table, and headed for the door, as he watched Peter settle his tab and head for the loo. He stood outside pretending to smoke a cigarette. He hated these fucking things. They smelled and tasted awful. He watched as Peter walked out and made his way through the crowd. Remus had no problem keeping an eye on the idiot as he put out his cigarette. Werewolf senses tend to be amazing that way. Consequently Remus could follow him with ease. Peter turned down an alley way and that was all the opening Remus needed. "Hello old friend?" Remus spat as he snatched Peter by the throat and pushed him against a wall. |
Peter drew his wand but was far slower than the disarming and binding spell Remus sent at him. Remus stood over Pettigrew and dropped the glamours. Peter’s eyes went comically wide. Remus grabbed onto Peter and quickly portkeyed out of the alley and to a cottage in the north that he had been using as a base of operations, with Peter in tow. |
Once inside the cottage, Remus stunned Peter again for good measure and a chuckle. Then he used a spell to turn Peter into his animagus form. He then bound the little beast in that form and placed him in a magically bound cage so that he could not escape. He then put the cage in his bedroom and locked and warded the doors and windows with some of the strongest wards that he knew. Once that was done, he promptly went to the cupboard he kept the liquor in and grabbed a bottle of rum. He never did quite get the excitement around fire whiskey. It tasted like shit to him, but to each his own he supposed. Remus skipped the glass and drank straight from the bottle. He went into the small sitting room and took out a wizarding picture of his old friends. A smiling Lily holding Harry. James, Sirius, and Remus standing around her laughing. He had always wondered why Peter had turned down an invitation to dinner that night. It was the first time they all had the same time to get together. Now he knew the truth about their so called best friend. |
It still shamed Remus that he thought that Sirius was guilty. He should have known. They were best friends! He was never that close with Peter. Sure he loved Peter like a brother but he was always closest to Sirius. They had even been lovers when they were younger. They ended it mutually when they realized they would only be the best of friends, and more importantly family. Remus didn’t regret the few times he shared a bed with Sirius, but truth be told he and Sirius were only meant to be friends and Moony agreed completely. He looked at the pictures of his old friends again. He would make things right; or at least try to help to make things right. He owed it to his friends, and to Harry. |
Dumbledore had convinced him all those years ago that it was best for Remus to remain in the shadows. That Harry was happy and safe where he was. But no longer could Remus turn a blind eye to the truth, by blindly following Dumbledore. Sirius would not last much longer. His spirit was so broken, having to stay in a house he hates so much. He offered to bring him here, but Dumbledore said it was for the best. |
Dumbledore. He could not help this gnawing feeling in his gut that Dumbledore was not always right. He felt the man had no evil intentions, but things just were not as simple as "The Greater good’. But that is a problem for another day. For now he had the rat, and his last remaining best friend would get the help that he needed. |
Sirius put up a good façade, but the wolf could tell that the years locked away like an animal, the escape and subsequent life on the run was taking a toll on the once stoic, boisterous, and slightly arrogant man his friend had once been. His protective if not slight possessiveness of Harry had always been there. Even when Harry was a baby. James used to joke that Sirius was a little crazy when it came to protecting Harry. His friend was still wracked with guilt about his actions that night. He had handed Harry over to Hagrid to go and chase the rat bastard and more than likely kill him, Remus thought truthfully. He had been careless and it had cost him his freedom and had cost Harry the chance at a happy home. |
Remus had his suspicions about Harry’s home life. Harry was timid at times and lashed out at other times. He wore glamours when he thought no one was watching. What was he hiding? His wolf tended to be restless when he was near Harry. The wolf knew something was wrong with his cub. He had this constant need to protect more than normal. The human that was Remus believed what he was told by the headmaster. Harry was safe, loved as well, but the man and beast could not reconcile what they were both seeing. Harry was entirely too small to have come from a tall father and a taller than average mother. It could be a latent trait as Albus had suggested, but at the Welcoming feast in Harrys third year Remus had watched him. Harry had barely ate from his plate before he looked almost ill. It made no sense. The truth was staring him in the face, but to be honest he knew no one would believe him. He was a werewolf after all, and if he made a complaint he would be lucky to leave the Ministry alive. Not to mention Harry being targeted on multiple fronts to make his life an even worse hell. |
And then the farce that was the tournament that the cub had to participate in. He could’ve died! He nearly did, but the spirits of Cedric and his parents gave him the diversion that was needed to get away. Harry was emotionaly crushed. His spirit was so broken that it made Sirius and Remus’ heart break into a million pieces. Sirius needed to get Harry. Needed to breathe in his scent, and let him know that Padfoot was there for him. |
Tomorrow he was going to contact Amelia Bones under the guise of asking her opinion of what she felt that the Auror department needed in terms of new recruits. What the DMLE thought were valuable skills to have fresh out of Hogwarts. It was only a half truth. He did want her input for a new textbook that he was writing for DADA in the future. Remus would rather teach, but being a werewolf made steady employment difficult in the wizarding world. Remus took another swallow of the amber liquid and headed to bed. He would need all of his strength for the task ahead. |
Remus approached the DMLE offices with the rat secured in his pocket. It was time for justice to be served. And if he were honest with himself, he was far too close to killing his old friend in cold blood than he cared to admit. He was shown to Bones’ office by her assistant who had informed him that they were waiting for him. After a few knocks, he opened the door to see Moody conversing with Madame Bones as they awaited his arrival. |
"Mr Lupin. A pleasure to meet you. Thank you for an interest in this department." Madame Bones shook his hand and smiled warmly, as she gestured for him to follow her. She was an attractive witch with slightly greying red hair pulled into a neat bun. He followed her into what he guessed was her office. "And I do believe that you know Alastor? " she gestured to Moody and the two men shook hands. Alastor’s magical eye focusing on Remus’ pocket. |
"I am glad to see you have recovered from your ordeal?" At Moody’s odd look, well odd for a man with a magical rolling eye, Remus smiled "Harry told me." |
Allastor’s gnarled hand squeezed Remus’. "If I ever bloody volunteer to teach, someone stun me and check me for Polyjuice! Me a Hogwarts teacher? Insanity I tell you!" Mad-Eye pounded his fist on the desk. |
Amelia shook her head at her former colleague. She turned back to Remus. "I must say that it is a pleasure to have this meeting with you." She sighed heavily. "For too long this department has suffered with sub standard recruits. A comprehensive outline of what is expected is what is needed. I am afraid however, that in recent years, a Hogwarts education is not what it should be when it comes to certain subjects. Although Alastor is somewhat...fanatical, he was an excellent Auror and a trainer of Aurors. When he get’s the all clear to be a consultant in the department again, he will be an asset. I hope you don’t mind if he stays." |
"I told you I’m fine mother. Few more days and I’ll be right as rain. Why you and that so called Mediwitch insist on treating me like an invalid, is beyond me." Moody growled. |
Remus couldn’t help it and he chuckled. "Madame Bones." |
"Please call me Amelia" |
"Then by all means my lady, please call me Remus. I have absolutely no problem if Alastor stays. In fact, it may truly be an asset. The reason for this meeting is a partial deception I’m afraid." Remus noticed that Moody took up a defensive position near the door. |
She did not make it to this position by being unprepared. Her wand was at the ready before he even finished his sentence. "Is that so?" she drawled |
"Forgive me milady, but this is a matter of utmost importance. I do however still want your input on the textbook that I am writing. The experience of someone who has been on the front lines would be most helpful." Amelia relaxed some of her tension, but neither her nor Moody dropped their wands. |
"I am going to reach into my pocket. The pocket I am sure Alastor has already surmised the contents of. Remus dropped his hand slowly into the right inner pocket of his robes and pulled out, what appeared to Amelia, as a dead rat. |
"Madame Bones this here is Peter Pettigrew." |
Amelia blanched "Pettigrew is dead. Black killed him!" |
"No milady, he did not. Peter is an animagus as were two others in the Marauders. That was the name of our little group of friends in school. Sirius, James, Peter and myself. They became animagi to...keep me company at certain times of the month. James was a stag, Sirius was a dog, Peter was a rat." Remus said a little cautiously. |
"Remus, I am aware of your condition. I do not hold the same opinion of werewolves that the rest of the ministry does. In fact my niece believed that you were the best DADA teacher she has had since she became a student at Hogwarts." Amelia was telling the truth. She believed that excluding wizards from their society was a detriment, and frankly could cause more problems in the long run. She cleared her throat. "Now back to Pettigrew, and why I should believe that he is alive?" She said impatiently. |
"Yes of course." Remus released a breath he did not know that he was holding. "Last year Pettigrew confessed to Harry and myself that he betrayed James and Lily. He was made secret keeper and not Sirius." Remus left out that Sirius was there as well. No sense in getting into more trouble than he was probably already in. |
"Are you telling me. That Peter Pettigrew is here in my office...as a stunned rat?" Amelia looked more than a little disturbed. She then snapped into Auror mode. The rat was removed from the cage and placed on the ground. A spell was cast on him to return the animagus to his human state. Then after he had transformed, another spell cast on him to keep him human, he was restrained with magic suppression cuffs and chains. A message was sent to the minister of magic for an emergency meeting. Amelia also sent for two more Aurors. She then sent word to Lady Longbottom, who she knew was in the building, as well as Lord Greengrass. One was a neutral family, the other was a well known light family. She wanted a strong presence in case this went wrong. |
"Madame Bones. You should also know that Sirius never received a trial. |
"WHAT!!!" Amelia jumped out of her chair and stared down at a still sitting Remus. Remus looked at Amelia with wide eyes. The werewolf could admit in that moment that he was a little bit afraid of the normally composed woman. She took several breaths to calm herself. "What do you mean Mr. Lupin that a son of an Ancient and Noble house never received a trial? There is some question regarding his mother disowning him, but his service to the Ministry alone should have guaranteed a full trial. |
Remus sat up straighter in his chair. "He was pronounced guilty at the scene, and placed in Azkaban. There was no trial for him. He was left to rot there without any hope he would see the light of freedom." |
Amelia could feel the pain coming off of Lupin in deep waves, but she had a job to do. She began to snap out orders to her assistant who she had called into the room, to get her everything she could on the details concerning Black’s incarceration. |
As she did so, Lord Greengrass and Lady Longbottom entered the room. Lord Greengrass was a tall man in his mid forties and had a commanding presence. But the one who could make the room freeze on contact was Lady Longbottom. It was well known that you did not cross the formidable woman. |
Amelia gave a short bow to her contemporaries."I apologize for the sudden request for a meeting, but this involves an issue of the Ancient houses. We are now waiting for the minister." As she finished the sentence, in walked Cornelius Fudge. Amelia always wondered how someone so...rotund, could look so smug in the process. He was wearing that god awful brown bowler hat. Along with matching brown robes. |
"Amelia what is the meaning of this summoning? With everything going on at Hogwarts, there are too many fires to put out at the moment." He didn’t bother to spare a glance at Moody or Lupin. Nor did he notice the other two members of the Wizengamot seated in the corner. |
"Minister. You are here to witness the possible correction of a miscarriage of justice." Amelia instructed the aurors to move the accused forward. |
"And who is this?" Fudge said with all of the arrogance of a politician. |
"It may very well be Peter Pettigrew." Amelia stated with conviction. "Were you aware minister, that Black was never given a trial by the previous administration?" |
Fudge looked like he had swallowed a live goldfish. This could not be happening! His mind screamed at him in full blown panic mode. A member of one of the ancient houses, had been imprisoned for over 12 years! And no trial at that! Add to that all of these wild claims of Voldemorts return and the ministry will be destroyed. |
The boy. The Potter boy had tried to tell him. He thought that the boy was confunded. But...what if the child had been telling the truth? Dear gods! They were not ready for this! Fudge being the consummate politician attempted to save face. |
"I assume you have questioned him Madame Bones?" Fudge said in a matter of fact tone. He could fix this he was sure. |
Madame Bones raised an elegant brow and stated "No minister. I wanted this done in your presence. Oh and as you have yet to acknowledge Lord Greengrass and Lady Longbottom..." Amelia gestured in their direction. |
Minister Fudge turned around sharply and bowed his head. |
"My mistake Lady Longbottom, Lord Greengrass. I was not aware of your presence. |
"Obviously." The formidable woman nodded to him. She cast a glance at Amelia. "Lady Bones, if we could begin?" she asked politely. |
"Of course Madame Longbottom. Auror Jones, please revive the detainee and administer the serum." Amelia said. The Auror who looked to be in his twenties with close cropped brown hair did as instructed. |
Amelia began with the questioning "For the record please state your name. |
"Peter Jordan Pettigrew" |
"What House were you sorted into in first year?" |
"Gryffindor" Pettigrew stated with glossy eyes. Auror Jones nodded to his boss. |
"Where you ever a Death Eater?" |
"Did you become one of your own free will? If so why did you?" |
"Yes. The Dark Lord promised me power. And recognition. Something I did not have." Remus shot to his feet and made a move for Peter. Alastor grabbed Remus and slammed him into his seat. He then trained his wand on him. |
"I know they were your friends, but don’t make me hurt you lad." Remus stared at Alastor, then nodded. Alastor took a few steps back, but remained at the ready. |
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