Chapter 1- Life and Lycans
Albus Dumbledore's feet planted themselves firmly on the pavement. He looked up through his square glasses at the old record shop; maybe if it was open he would have taken a gander. But the focus of his attention was the wizarding pub hidden in plain sight. He could smell the smoke admitting from the closed door, he could hear the voices of the locals and travellers from inside the bar. He was just about to open the door when it opened and two men struggled out.
"I don't like trouble in 'ere" roared a balding, round bellied man "ya bared, so don't even think bout come n' back coz I'll hex ya" the landlord took the wizard by the back of his robes and threw him roughly onto the cobbled street. He then turned round and saw Albus "I'm sorry you had to see that Albus" he rubbed the back of his neck "she's not going to be happy to see you" he trotted back inside just as another roar rose up.
Albus checked his watch it was nearly eleven o'clock on a Saturday night therefore there would be many drunken people.
"OI!" shouted Tom as they entered the pub "what's going on here?"
Albus surveyed the scene. There were two men standing in the middle of the bar, wands held in clenched fist. Both men were red faced therefore each must have consumed far too much mead. But standing between them was a young lady of twenty three. Athena Grey hand both arms raised her wand in her own hand "I said that's enough!" she shouted "sit down and shut up or I swear I'll hex you until your ears fall off"
"Take it outside boys" said Tom crossing his arms "or I will"
Both men swapped looks and realised that both Athena and Tom were speaking the truth. They decided to back down. Albus hung back as Tom approached Athena who had turned back to the bar. He patted her shoulder in a fatherly way and whispered something in her ear. She nodded her head and said something in reply. Tom looked back at Albus and shrugged before walking round to stand behind the counter.
Athena took a tray of drinks off the bar and served a nearby table. She didn't acknowledge Albus. So he decided to take a seat and wait.
Tom rang the bell for last orders and before long the bar began to empty. Albus sat in the same chair still watching some customers go up to bed. While others waved a goodbye to Tom, before pulling on a muggle coat and heading out into the night.
Athena was wiping down the tables collecting bottles, she went to the bar and Tom pointed at Albus, she sighed and approached the table.
"Can I you get you anything?" she asked shoving her hands in her black apron. Albus regarded her like he did they day she returned to teach at Hogwarts. She certainly had matured, even though she looked thinner in the face, she wore a simple pair of black trousers, her classic tatty muggle converse. Her blonde curly hair was tied back and he saw that she was wearing a pair of small dragon tooth earrings.
"Company" said Albus gesturing to the empty chair.
Athena sat reluctantly and folded her arms
There was silence for a moment, then they both tried to speak "you seemed busy-" began Albus "What do-" began Athena
Albus smiled, and gestured for her to continue.
"I wasn't that busy" she shrugged "we've been worse, I just ignored you. I smelt you coming"
"Smelt?" his blue eyes dazzled in the candle light "your tapping into your werewolf powers?"
Athena nodded "I've had to live with been a werewolf for almost eight years now" she looked distant "so I unlike some" she scowled "have accepted what I am, and are using my gifts to benefit me"
"I see" replied Albus
Athena looked up, there was something different about her eyes, and he could see a deep sadness within.
"What do you want Albus?" asked Athena unfolding her arms
"I take it you have seen the past few weeks headlines" he asked
Athena nodded "is it true about Cedric Diggory?" she asked sadly. Albus nodded gravely. Athena put a hand to her mouth "I didn't want to believe it. I thought it might be another made up article of Rita Skeeter's"
"I'm afraid not" said Albus looking at the table "Mr Diggory was unfortunately killed nine weeks ago today. He and Harry were transported to a graveyard in Little Hangleton, where Peter Pettigrew helped Voldemort return to his body" he looked at Athena who didn't look surprised "you're not shocked?"
"I've been reading the papers Albus" she smiled a little "I usually believe anything that the Prophet slates or tells are lies...but I didn't want to believe about Cedric he was one of my most promising students...final year this year as well..." her eyes were watery but she didn't shed a tear "what about Harry?" she suddenly leaned forward "I've been keeping in contact with..." she lowered her voice and looked round, the bar only had one customer who was snoring at a table and Tom who was cleaning glasses "Sirius" she said "he's been telling me things about Harry, bad things?" she bit her lip
"All true" said Dumbledore sadly "though Sirius shouldn't have told you" he rose an eyebrow
"Maybe he needed to trust someone" she folded her arms again "you know I wouldn't have told anyone, and you also know what we've been through together. I'm his friend"
"He has other friends"
"Like who?"
"Remus Lupin" she flinched when he said the name, and that's when he saw the deep brokenness inside her break to the surface
"He's a liar, and a coward" she muttered glaring at the floor, obviously hiding her tears "anyway" she shrugged "he doesn't know where he is, I've asked him"
"He's already spoken to Remus" said Albus "at his home"
Athena looked round and he saw her lips twist "he lied..." she whispered
"I'm sure he had his reasons" said Albus kindly patting her hand "but now down to business"
Athena leant back in her chair and fiddled with her bracelets
"Now that Voldemort has returned" he noticed she didn't flinch, unlike others "I want you to come and be part of an organisation-"
"Come on Curly" said Tom loudly across the bar shaking the grey curly haired man who had been asleep "go home to ya' wife"
Curly got to his feet and put on a large muggle fleece, he muttered "that's why I'm 'ere... bloody Mrs" as he went out the door
Albus chuckled, and turned back to Athena.
Tom bolted the door and looked at Athena also "I'll give you two some privacy" he said and headed through the bar and went into the kitchen.
"Carry on" said Athena
"An organisation" smiled Albus "The Order of the Phoenix"
Athena had heard the name before; Tonks had gone about it a lot.
"Why?" she asked cocking a blonde eyebrow "I'm not the most skilled witch...I don't have ministry connections"
"You have other connections" he said, that's when the mood changed "I need you to get in touch with your sister"
She didn't speak
"I've sent Hagrid to the Giants in Russia, we're watching what Voldemort is doing, he will approach the giants" he said determination in his voice "and you know he will approach your father again"
Athena rubbed her forehead "ok" she said "I can contact her, we have secret ways of doing so" she sighed "I can relay you the messages in letters-"
"No" he said a slight sharp tone to his voice "that is another reason why I'm here" he twiddled with his wand "I want to put you under protection"
"Protection?" she Athena shocked "I'm not going to see her face to face; I won't go to the Valley"
He sighed this time "your father-"
"Greyback" she corrected
"Greyback, sorry" he said "will send out werewolves to other countries, your sister will tell you that, he will gather them, that's what I already know, from last time"
"Ok, ok...get to the point" she was frustrated with the talk of her father
"Anyone of them can come through this bar"
"I'd smell them coming, I could hide"
"But you cannot hide your own scent...it will only take one werewolf who knows it, too recognise it and tell your farther"
Athena was silent "so what sort of protection, polyjuice potion, a wizard who sits behind the bar, give up my job? Which I won't be happy with"
Albus gave her sympathy look "I'd like you to give up working here-" he put up a hand before she could protest "- I'd like you to move into headquarters where you cannot be found by your farther. Because if you are found by your farther or even a death eater, especially a death eater who can tell Voldemort, who can then have you captured and used to secure your father's support"
He's got it all worked out, thought Athena, he's right.
"Your right" she sighed "so where's headquarters?"
He smiled "I cannot tell you yet" he tapped his crooked nose "but I already have the young lady your renting a flat with working for me. So I would like you to inform her of your actions, she already knew I was coming tonight" he carried on "then she will give you the slip of paper I have already given her, and then you can travel to headquarters tomorrow"
"Tomorrow?" she said "that's too short notice"
"Tom and Pier will understand" he assured her "and I need you as soon as possible"
Athena frowned "fine, fine, fine" she stood "I'll tell them tonight, and speak to Tonks in the morning" she took out her wand and waved them at the locks on the doors "until then I'm tired and I'd like to get to bed before one am"
"As you wish" Albus took the hint stood, he kissed her forehead and went out into the night.
Athena waved her wand again and the bolts secured themselves. She muttered an intruder charm and put her wand away. She looked towards the kitchen the light was on. Better tell them, she thought.
Athena stacked the last two chairs onto the table then pulled up the hatch on the bar and went into the kitchen.
There were two entrances to the kitchen the main one that led to the bar; the staff used this to serve customers. Then there was the back entrance that led into an Alley that adjoined on to Diagon itself.
Athena entered the large stone tiled floor, peeling paint work room. A large wizard in a chef's hat and apron stood at the far end of the kitchen singing along to the wireless. The song it's now or never, was playing in Italian and Pier- the cook- was singing in perfect opera tune with it.
"I thought you'd have gone home by now" said Athena she sat down at the wooden table that was covered in flower
Pier turned round his small black moustache was curled at the end and his cheeks were rosy red "I'z am making thez bread for the toast for breakfast" his accent was French, but had been watered down a lot which showed he'd been in England for some time "Tiz you'd who should be in bed" he nodded at her tired appearance
"I will but I need to talk to you and Tom first" she said drawing a smiley face in the flower
"About what?" grunted Tom he was levitating a crate of beer through the back door, while carrying another crate on his shoulder
"Put that down before you hurt yourself" scolded Athena taking the crate off him and placing it on the floor by the door that led back to the bar "sit down" she sat herself
Pier didn't sit he kept pounding his doe. That was Pier a multitasking extraordinaire.
"Is this 'bout Albus?" asked Tom sitting down gingerly
"Told you, you'd hurt yourself" said Athena "but yes this is about him" she ran her hand through her hair and pulled out her hair bobble.
"Spill the beans" said Tom
Athena started telling them the conversation- not all of it leaving out Sirius and Harry's visions- but then she reached the part about the prophet
"Bloody Rita Skeeter" Tom banged his hand on the table "well I believe him..." he looked to Pier
Pier shrugged "I'z have hurd all good things about thiz Dumbledore" he said putting his bread in the oven "he also allied with the French in the first war, so France- or Pier- will ally with him"
Athena smiled "But that's not all" she said sadly "Albus believes that my farther maybe cautious, he won't commit to joining with Voldemort-" Pier flinched, Tom frowned "-sorry- you-know-who unless he has enough proof"
"That seems smart" agreed Tom
"This means that if I'm allowed to remain in the public eye. One I may meet a werewolf who will know me or two a death eater could be sent to find me so that you-know-who can use me to secure his support"
Pier and Tom were quiet for a while, they looked deep in thought.
"Right then" said Tom suddenly "we'll double security, we'll get extra hands in- it'll be costly- you move back into your room- or one of us can take you home every night-"
"No" said Athena this was going to hurt him
Tom was half way stood up when he stopped "no?" he asked puzzled
"Albus wants me to join an organisation" said Athena, she saw Pier's eyebrows knit together "that way I can be hidden at headquarters and then I can be safe"
Tom stood straight eventually and folded his arms "I'm not happy about this" he said "I said I'd always look after you...your mother would kill me..."
"She's already dead Tom" said Athena annoyed. When she was three years old her mother had come and stayed here with her and her brothers. Tom was her mothers, cousins, son, or something like that. Either way Tom was part family, and had sworn to Emily-Athena's mother- that no matter what happened he would always be there to care for her children. That was one of the reasons Athena had come here, it was one of the other places she called home apart from Hogwarts.
"I know you've got a grudge" said Tom dismissing her tone "but she was always gud to me"
Athena sighed "I know you promised her Tom" she explained "but Albus also knows what's best for me and I trust him. I also didn't get the option of saying no"
Pier said something in French, which Athena and Tom frowned at "sorry" he pardoned "I said she'z is right. Tom we'z has to trust her"
Tom grumbled for the next ten minutes. Athena felt like they were going in circles until finally Tom caved.
Athena stood on the backdoor step cloak hood up "I'll write to you both" she said hugging Pier and kissing his cheek "and I'll try to visit" she opened her arms to Tom who stepped into them and kissed her forehead.
"Be careful" he said pushing her out into the alley
Athena walked to the end and the turned back and waved.
She was nervous walking back through Diagon Alley, she kept looking over her shoulder, encase someone was lurking in the shadows. Athena turned onto the Muggle Street and turned quickly on the spot just to get away from her fears.
She arrived right outside a bright purple door that had a list of names taped to the side. She took a pair of keys out of her pocket and turned the top lock followed by the bottom. She then headed past door number one and went up two flights of stairs to door five.
This door was pink and had a bright yellow five painted on it. No one in the flat cared because each door was a different colour because only wizards lived in this building.
Athena ran her wand down the door and heard the lock click on the other side, she said the password in whispers to the door and it swung open.
The light was on in the living room which was odd. Tonks never left the light on there was no need when Athena had good eyesight in the dark.
Athena automatically sniffed the air, it smelt unused "Tonks?" she called out hanging up her cloak and dumping her keys in the bowl next to the letter stationary which was situated on a table near the door.
No reply came except from the little barn owl that was perched on a small log on the windowsill "Hi Barney" said Athena she changed his water and fed him "No Tonks and no letters...great" she went to the cooling cupboard and pored herself a glass of milk before heading into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth before bed.
Athena woke again about two-ish she hadn't been asleep along. She heard the distinct sound of the front door chain falling free followed by two sets of footsteps. One set were small and heavy, Tonks in her Doc Martins, the other pair were larger maybe a size ten. They were definitely male because they were heavier.
"I'll get you some blankets" she heard Tonks whisper "set yourself down here...don't make too much noise my flat mate will hear you" she spoke too soon. Athena heard the distinct bang as Tonks fell over the corner of the arm chair-again
"Mother Fu-" she cut herself off angrily pulled herself up and headed into her bedroom- the door always squeaked- and must have gathered some blankets because she re-entered the living room "get some sleep" she said to the guy- Athena hoped he wasn't a drunk she'd picked up again- "we'll talk more in the morning-" she walked to her room and if Athena hadn't been a werewolf she would have heard it "if you can remember anything" great he was a drunk.
By the time Athena actually got up in the morning, she had forgotten all about the guy on the sofa. She however was annoyed at over sleeping and then remembered that, one she didn't set her alarm clock and two she no longer had to go into work. She knew it was a Sunday therefore Tonks would also be lying in, because she had the weekend off.
Athena went out into the lounge and through the small archway into the kitchen, that's when she froze. Her nose twitched as she rocked back on her heels to look into the sitting room. Her eyes fell on the figure on the sofa. The man had his feet hanging over the end, his face towards the fire. The green blanket was pulled right up to his ear. But that didn't hide the smell. She knew the smell all too well.
Athena made her next movements as quiet and quick as possible. She reached round her bedroom door to grab her wand off her draws, then across the small hallway to Tonks's bedroom door. She pushed it open hoping it wouldn't squeak if she moved the door slowly. The hinge groaned, Athena froze the man of the sofa didn't hear. Athena quickly shut the door and ran to Tonks's bed.
"Tonks!" she hissed
"Hmmm" mumbled Tonks face still pressed into her pillow
"Nymphadora!" she hissed
"What!" snapped Tonks sitting up her hair bright orange with anger
Athena looked at her best friend seriously "get your wand" she said
Tonks gave her a puzzled look, but her training for her job made her grab her wand anyway.
Athena peeked round the bedroom door as Tonks came up behind her wobbling on the stable floorboards "what is it?" she whispered
Athena craned her neck round the doorframe and nodded at the sofa, she hurried forward Tonks following less cautious.
Athena approached the sofa, and then turned back round it was empty and she'd just heard the toilet sit flick up.
"Athena tell me what's got you on red alert" said Tonks leaning against the back of the sofa
"Whoever stayed here last night is no friend" said Athena sniffing the sofa, defiantly an enemy "do you know what you brought in?"
Tonks's big brown eyes widened with horror maybe "Athena..." she began, but just then the toilet flushed "No-"
But Athena was already drawing her wand "Stop it-" Tonks pulled her by her pyjamas so that the wall hid them "Athena I know what he is"
Athena froze that's not what she expected Tonks to say "Wh-what?" she spluttered
"I know he's a werewolf" said Tonks carefully saying each word
"Then why on earth would you bring him here?" Athena pushed away Tonks and held her wand firm "he could be a spy!" she stepped back, almost like she was trying to walk away from everything
"He's not a spy!" said Tonks angrily
"Can you be sure of that?" said Athena her temper rising, if she was Tonks her hair would be turning bright red "he could have pretended to be your friend, he could be here to get me!" she was shaking with fury
"I am certainly not here to get you" said a gruff voice. A voice that sent a chill right down Athena's spine as she turned to face a man, a man she had not seen in two and a half years "It's good to see you Athena" said Remus
Remus heard the commotion while he was in the bathroom, he couldn't hear what they were shouting about at first. But as he opened the door he saw the flash of unmistakable blonde curly hair. He was quiet then as he walked down the hall. Athena was stepping backwards as she shouted how he was an imposter.
"I am certainly not here to get you" said Remus he was offended at the thought of hurting her "it's good to see you Athena" and it was. It was like a breath of air after been under water. He looked her over, she'd grown to her full height now, and she'd lost weight round her face which made her look older. Her hair was longer just past her shoulders, he liked it that length. The front of her hair was different, she'd cut in a fringe and had shorter curls at the front.
The pyjamas weren't very flattering, the oversized t-shirt and baggy long pyjama bottoms. But she was still perfect to him; she still made his heart leap with joy.
Athena stared at him like she couldn't quite believe he was here, she would have reached out at touched him but she couldn't bring herself to do it, because a new emotion flared. Athena turned to Tonks "get him out" she said through her teeth
Tonks looked wearily between them "why?" she asked confused
Athena just stared at her trying to plead with her mind, she'd told Tonks the story she just never said his name "Tonks please..." she begged
Tonks furrowed her eyebrows
"I'll get my stuff" said Remus taking a step round her
"Stay where you are" said Tonks forcefully "Athena?" she was demanding an answer
"Tonks" she felt the lump in her throat, it was swelling to stop her breathing
Remus watched carefully, Athena wasn't even acknowledging him. Then realisation crossed Tonks's face and she sucked in a sharp breath "Remus you need to leave" she began to grab his stuff over the sofa and piling it into his arms
Remus accepted everything and then turned to leave. Athena still stood hands frozen at her sides "Athena" he said, she didn't move a muscle "I'm sorry" that provoked her, she turned her face to him and it was burning with hate. Athena grabbed something off the shelf on the wall a dragon claw and threw it fast across the room. Remus ducked and went quickly out the door as she went for a dragon tooth.
"Athena stop it!" Tonks shouted taking the tooth off her "Charlie won't be impressed if you break it"
Athena let her take the tooth she then steadied her anger, but could feel the misery crawling up her chest "Ho-how- he-you-ah-" she couldn't speak
"If I'd known it was him, I wouldn't have asked him to stay the night" explained Tonks "he'd been drinking and I didn't think it would be safe to travel home in that state"
Athena didn't care she just wanted to go away, somewhere she could be alone "I have to start packing" she mumbled
"Pack?" Tonks jumped the gun "why? I won't bring him back I swear-"
"No Tonks" said Athena "I took Albus up on his offer, I'm joining the order, but I have to live at headquarters"
Tonks looked sympathetic "do you want any breakfast?" she asked going past Athena into the kitchen
"No I'm not hungry" said Athena as Tonks put the kettle on the stove
"Ok" mumbled Tonks as Athena went into her bedroom and shut her door.
She sat facing the window staring out into the sky, while the tears fell. She didn't want to cry, she really didn't but he'd taken her by surprise turning up here, she'd hoped that she'd never have to see him again. Oh who was she kidding, part of her had hoped that he'd return to her but under different circumstances. The pain, sorrow and depression that had gripped since his departure was festering again, but there was a new emotion as the tears stopped one that felt strong, made her feel better. Anger.
