Warning: This story will be slash. Remus/Sirius. I will not even pretend to try and act as though I know how the feudal system worked in its entirety. So please bear with me and if any of you see any mistakes, I would very much appreciate it if you would let me know. Tah!-v
Summary: Sir Knight Sirius Black of England is looking for a squire. He finds what he is looking for in one Remus Lupin. There are a few problems. First Remus is French, he hates Sirius, and Black is not the only one with his eye on Lupin. AU with slight OOC
Chapter 1"My Lord Dumbledore, I have heard rumors that a group of French prisoners have been brought in by Sir Knight Malfoy." Dumbledore nodded in confirmation, inviting the kneeled knight before him to continue. "I humbly ask that I be allowed to look for a squire among those captured."
"Are you sure you are not too young to take on such a responsibility as another life?" The Lord asked, though not condescendingly.
The fifteen-year-old visibly flinched at his Lord's words but his voice was steady and not lashing. "Have I not served you, my Lord, faithfully and loyally in many tasks and struggles, stronger and fiercer than any of you other knights of equal age? Besides, it will merely be a Frenchman. How difficult do you think it is going to be to train one of them?"
Dumbledore regarded this young, but determined boy before him. True this boy had learned what he needed to know very quickly and had sworn to lay down his life for that of his Lord at the very young age of thirteen then gone to battle the next day. "Very well. You may go," the boy's smile could not evade the Lord's eyes, "But make sure you bring home a worthy squire. Do not treat him disrespectfully. Find an equal. One who can be everything you need, Sir Knight Black."
Sirius stood, not even bothering to keep his grin of delight out of sight. "A great thanks, my Lord Dumbledore." He bowed, then left.
Sirius mounted his readied horse and set out for the Town Square of Hogsmeade, where the prisoners would be either claimed by high-ranking lords or auctioned off as slaves to work in the fields. He had even heard of some bought just so the buyer could torture them before killing them. Any and all living knights would be brought to the King or nearest Lord to be sold back to France. Wars were never pretty, but could make rich men richer.
He arrived just as the first few prisoners were placed before a gathered crowd. None of them drew his interest. Either too old, too weak, or female. The same for the second group that came up. Finally in the third selection he saw a boy only seven or eight. His hair was a rather dark brown that spun gold when the sun lit it up. His eyes almost appeared gelded, but it was the power that burned behind them that enchanted Sirius.
The slave seller grabbed the boy's hand and pulled him forward. "And how much for this lad? 15 knuts? Do I hear 15-"
"He is not yours to sell." Sirius had dismounted and stood proudly by his horse.
The master looked a bit sheepish but kept going in stride. "Very well, Sir Knight Black. Come and collect him."
Sirius strode forward. The platform was low enough he just grabbed the boy's arm and lifted him to the ground before walking away, dragging the boy behind him. He lifted him onto the great black Clydesdale's back, then got on behind the boy and rode off to Hogwarts Castle.
"Who are you?" The boy asked in an accusatory tone.
Remembering Dumbledore's words Sirius kept himself from saying a biting response. "I am Sir Sirius Black, Griffin Knight of my Lord Dumbledore's Hogwarts Castle. Who are you?"
The boy strained to look back at Sirius and glare at him. "I am Remus Lupin. Shorter title, but equal in importance." Sirius scoffed but said nothing. He was very pleased with his choice, this was going to be fun.
"Whoa! Easy Regulus!" Something startled the horse and it tried to turn and run, but Sirius held him in place. He pulled his sword out of its sheath. "Who dares to trespass on the lands of my Lord?"
"Calm yourself, and your horse, Black. I am here upon our Lord Dumbledore's order." A figure slunk out of the Fordden Forest and glided closer to them. The person appeared to be of equivalent age to Sirius, and looked as though he could have been Sirius' cousin.
"Ah, Alchemist Snape. How goes it in the Forest?" Sirius spoke casually, but kept sword out.
"I see no need to answer to you, but I would like it be reported to our Lord that all is calm and undisturbed in the Forest." Snape showed no visible liking of Sirius or his companion and his tone was a forced humility. There was only so much he was willing to do to avoid the knight's blade.
Sirius smirked. "I feel no obligation, but I will report if such opportunity presents itself." He sheathed his sword and gave a slight nod to Snape. "Good day Alchemist Snape. I hope fortune smiles to you, then kicks you down and castrates you. Let's go Regulus." He snapped the horse's reigns and the trotted away to Hogwarts Castle, looming evilly in front of the bright sky.
"Why did you name your horse Regulus? It seems like a weird name for horse." Remus sounded genuinely interested, so Sirius answered him.
"I gave this horse my older brother's name in his memory."
Remus felt a pang of regret for saying the name was weird. "How did he die?"
Sirius was thanking God his voice was steady. "He died a knight's death. Fighting the enemy to the death. He did not die in vain, we defeated the French and he was brought back a hero."
"I hope he was well honored." Remus spoke so softly Sirius had to stain to hear him.
"Why would you say that?"
Remus responded with wisdom far beyond his years. "A death is a death no matter what the side."
Sirius could not make his mind operate until he arrived to Hogwarts Castle. The gates opened and the two passed under the emblem of the castle, a shield bearing a Griffin, a Badger, a Harpie, and a Basilisk, topped by a winged boar.
Sirius bent forward and whispered into Remus' ear, making him shiver. "Watch yourself. Keep by my side and if anyone asks, you are a Griffin and under the protection of Sir Knight Black."
A/N: I would like to give a big thanks to xSimplyxMagicalx for a) being the first person to read this story, b) reviewing, and c) letting me know I misspelled Regulus being the absolute idiot I am. Thank You So Much! -v