Explanations to Misconceptions

Early July, 1994

It was mid afternoon after the full moon, and Remus was taking it easy since he was still hurting a bit. He could hear Siri enter from the kitchen and walk across the lounge past him. He heard him stop, then it was quiet for a few moments.

"I saw you."

Remus lifted his head from where he was laying stretched out on the couch of the little cottage he owned in Northern Scotland. "Saw me?"

"I followed you from the last Order meeting before James and Lily went into hiding," Sirius spoke from where he was standing near the fireplace.

Remus closed his eyes for a moment before reopening them. "You saw me with... Lucius."

"Yes." The ragged looking man took a sip of his whiskey. "I thought you were the traitor, but then that night, it turned out to be Peter. Then the Headmaster told me that one of the spies happened to be Malfoy."

"Lucius has been spying alongside Severus since the beginning, when their father's forced them to take the Mark."

"But you kept this all a secret from us?"

"We didn't trust anyone. We couldn't afford to. Too many secrets to be discovered. Precious ones to be protected."

Sirius turned and looked at his friend, studying his face, looking for meaning. "Remus. We were like family. All of us. The Marauders. What could be so secret that you couldn't tell us? Tell me... Remi?

Staring at Remus, pointedly, the hurt evident in his own eyes, he waited for his friend's response. Remus sat up, turning to lean his elbows on his knees, as he rubbed his hands over the two days of stubble on his face. He finally looked up, focusing his gaze on the blue eyes watching him.

"You remember how things were then. I'm a Were, and Luc was a suspected Death Eater-and married to Narcissa. There was no possible way we could let anyone know. Especially the Ministry. What did you expect?"

"Did Dumbledore know?"

"Eventually, when it couldn't be avoided..."

Remus looked away. He rose to his feet and began to pace the room, clearly agitated and conflicted, indecision evident on his face. Sirius sat on the arm of the couch, realizing silence at this moment would be best as he watched his friend pace like a trapped animal. He began to wonder if he'd ever truly known Remus.

"It didn't happen until I saw Lucius the summer after we left Hogwarts. It was actually the week of his birthday in July. I had gone to France. Remember? To see my Grandfather one last time. I had been walking the beach when I saw him. He was beautiful standing there in the early morning light as the sun was rising. He looked like a creature that walked out of the sea calling the wayward travelers to their doom."

"He has creature blood then? I thought they were Purebloods!"

"Yes. Veela... and I am his mate... and he is the mate of my Wolf."

"What? Wait! What about Cissa? He's married to her!"

"His father forced the marriage on him that summer. The bastard held a wand to my heart. He had no choice. And his father didn't know we'd been mated."

"Malfoy's father was found dead that same summer."

"Lucius gains his Veela blood from the Malfoy's. Every other generation, the bloodline and magic come together and the Veela feels the calling of their mate. Lucius' father didn't want another union like that of his own parents. 'Always happy', he kept ranting and raving. Lucius would marry who he told him to, for purity of the bloodline!"

"Who killed him?"

"Why do you think someone killed him?"

"He was found with his neck broken, stripped nude, the Malfoy signet ring gone, and his body dumped on the steps of the Manor. My Mother said that it was dreadful way for a Pureblood to die. No Honor in the death, she kept saying."

"When did you speak to your mother?"

"It was when I was summoned to my Grandfather's side, right before he died. He wanted to speak to me one more time. She was there too. I had to listen to her ravings, especially when she realized Grandfather wouldn't disown me. I was a Black and our choices make us who we are. She tried, but couldn't in the end. I am the heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Black. She couldn't take that away from me, even before she died. Just another reason for her to hate me."

"Anyway. Lucius' Grandmother ordered her son's death, per Veela law. He had interfered with a Veela mating and had put Lucius' life at risk. But we convinced her to let the marriage stand. Cissa had another year at Hogwarts to finish and it protected her from being forced to marry into a less than savory family, like the Lestrange's, as Bella had been."

"She agreed to this?"

"Lucius and Narcissa got on surprisingly well and became fond of each other. And, there was also the issue of your uncle. He was considering an offer from the Dark Lord."

Sirius hissed through his teeth. Cissa was his favorite cousin, next to Andromeda. Delicate and beautiful, she wouldn't have survived the wedding night with the Dark Bastard, let alone a long lengthy marriage.

Sirius narrowed his eyes. "Then how-? And-Draco? Sleeping with Cissa would have killed him."

Remus looked at his longtime friend straight in the eye. "Did you ever see Cissa pregnant?"

"What? She was away in France quite a bit during that time."

"I am aware of that. Did you ever see Narcissa actually pregnant?"

Sirius' eyes widened. "No! But that would mean... Draco..." Sirius' hands started waving around. "Lucius carried Draco?"

"Yes."

He tried to picture Lucius pregnant, and shuddered, deciding it was best not to.

"Does Draco know?"

"Of course he knows."

"The Dark Lord doesn't know, does he?"

"No, not yet at least. Not ever, if I can prevent it. Cissa is going to leave the country soon, and stay with her lover until this mess with the Dark Lord is over. If I had it my way, Draco would go as well. But, he's being stubborn. He's brassed off right now, because I've been out of the country so much, doing work for Dumbledore. And he was even more peeved when I spent time with Harry."

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Sirius asked. "Who is her lover? Or do I not want to know?"

"Gawain Weasley." Remus grinned at Sirius' shocked expression.

"Gawain escaped, badly injured. He made his way to Canada and is an Auror there now. And before you ask, yes, Molly knows. And so does Dumbledore. He arranged to get Gawain out of Britain."

Sirius was quiet for a moment, then his eyes widened again. "Buggerin' Hell! My Cousin is in LOVEwith a Weasley?"

"Yes! Sirius Orion Black! I fell in LOVE with a Weasley! I hope my father is rolling in his grave!"

"Père!"

Remus stood up and caught the running blur that was his son. "Draco," he whispered into the silky blond hair. "I've missed you."

"Is this Potter's Godfather?" Draco whispered.

As father and son turned, Sirius studied the boy, glancing from son to father, comparing. If you looked hard enough, you could see Remus in the child. The hair had a slight golden hue to it, there was the faintest bit of blue in the grey eyes, and he had Remus' smile.

"Yes, He is also your cousin, twice removed, and one of my oldest and closest friends. Let me introduce you. Sirius Orion Black, my son, Draco Alexander Orion Esme' Malfoy-Lupin."

"Orion?"

"Yes. You, Cissa, and Severus, are his Godparents."

Sirius was choked up. Here was his friend he'd thought traitor, and Remus had gifted him the honor of being his son's Godfather. Blinking furiously, he tried to forestall the tears that were threatening. He felt Cissa wind her arms through his waist, and press a soft kiss on his cheek. Draco wandered off to the kitchen in search of a snack from Remus' house elf.

"I've missed you, Siri. How have you been?"

He wrapped an arm around Cissa, and looked straight into Remus' golden eyes. as he spoke. "I feel like such an idiot. I should have trusted you."

"How could we? We had a traitor in our midst. I should have noticed it, myself. The Wolf can sense the Dark Mark, but now that I know, I realize things. Peter was always distant, I had Lucius' scent on me, or Severus was in the room... So I just brushed it off."

"Misconceptions on both of our parts. Dumbledore played many games with our lives then and now, my old friend. He knew who the traitor was, since he cast the spell to bind the Secret Keeper."

Remus turned his head towards his old friend. "Albus knew? He's known all this time that Peter was the Secret Keeper? And that he could go before the Wizengamot and declare you innocent...?" he trails off as he realizes, "He wants control of Harry. Why?"

"The Dark Lord spoke of a Prophecy." Lucius glided into the room, immaculate as always. His expression neutral and cool, until he stopped and sat next to Remus. Then his face lit up the room. "Hello, Luv. I see our son has already greeted you."

Remus pulled his mate close and kissed him. His hands threaded through long silky tresses. Lucius smelled so good to him right now... but he was still so tired. His kisses were like drugs to him. Feeding his lonely soul for the time they were apart.

Draco came bounding into the room, a handful of biscuits in one hand and a glass of pumpkin juice in the other. "Father!"

Remus glared at his son, before smiling. "Draco, I don't see either of you enough. And the Wolf is still close right now."

"You look tired. Did Uncle Severus leave you any Potions?"

"I am fine. Just achy."

"Lucius."

"Lord Black."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Lord Malfoy. The Prophecy?"

"I don't know the contents. Severus heard part of the Prophecy the month before James and Lily went into hiding."

"He told the Dark Lord?" Sirius snarled.

Lucius eyed his cousin-by-marriage, with an irritated glare. "NO! Severus was tortured for it! Literally ripped from his mind! Don't you remember that week he spent in the infirmary under Poppy's care?"

"Too many lies. Albus said he was attacked in the forest while gathering ingredients for his potions."

"Now we know Albus can't be trusted. We must watch over our own. Severus is trying with Harry, but Albus has forbidden anyone to tell him anymore than Albus feels he needs to know."

"He's restricting our access to Harry?"

Sirius looked down, "Dumbledore said that it wasn't wise for Harry to form an attachment to me, when he can't really be with me-because I am a wanted man."

Narcissa made a disgusted sound. "Nonsense! The poor child has no other true family! Besides you, Remi, of course." Remus smiled and nodded in understanding.

"Control the weapon and control the outcome." Lucius removed his elegant cloak and set it aside.

"What do you mean?"

"Harry Potter defeated the Dark Lord once. And we all know that he's out there waiting for another chance. Albus is determined to hone the boy into a weapon perfect for the Dark Lord's destruction. No matter what the price."

"Remus?"

"Yes..."

"Has Dumbledore offered to train Harry? In any shape or form?"

Remus and Lucius looked at each other. "No, he hasn't. And if anyone suggests it, he tells them that Harry needs time to be a normal boy."

"I agree he needs time to do things boys his age do, and spend time with his friends, but, he also needs to be trained. He has to be ready, or he won't get to have a truly normal future."

The conversation stopped when the floo activated and out stepped Severus Snape. "Gentlemen, Narcissca," he greeted. "Lupin, I have brewed a modified pain potion for you to try. Please make note of any side effects or differences in effectiveness from the one you have been using."

Remus rolled his eyes and smiled. "As always, Severus."

Severus turned toward Narcissa and Sirius. Sirius nodded. "Snape."

"Black." Severus pulled a second pouch from his robes. "I have put together a series of potions to help with your health. According to Poppy, you are still underweight and deficient in your diet."

"And you don't want to go against Poppy's wishes, do you Sirius?" Remus was grinning.

"Oh bloody hell, no! Poppy is scary." Taking the pouch, "Snape?"

"Yes, Black?"

"Thank you for doing what you can for Harry."

"The Weasley's have done their part as well. The Headmaster is the one who leads Potter on a merry chase around the castle in his little games."

"Games?" Looking at the faces around him. "Or do I wanna know?"

"The next time we are able to bring Harry here for a visit, sit down and ask him about the sorts of things he and his friends have been doing since they started First Year." Severus had a look of irony on his face. "Even your Marauders never got up to that kind of 'mischief.'" He turned to leave. Just as he tossed the Floo powder and right before he stepped into the green flames. "I will see you at the next Order meeting." Then he was gone.

"I'm not going to like what I hear am I?"

"Nope," Draco piped in. No one had noticed him reenter the room as his Godfather left. "Not at all!"

"Oh, boy."

~Finis... but is it ever... never..

A/N:: Since docs wouldn't let me type something at the top... I've had this done for awhile.. I'm trying to get my muse to speak to me.. and get my head on straight. Mom's health is always my priority before writing.. but it was and is my getaway from real life..

Calanor