Riddles of the Blood Moon

by Vanessa Renadi

The Order of the Phoenix must protect the Prophecy and stem the flow of the Dark Lord's growing army. Tonks is tasked with spying on Britain's most influential coven of vampires. Meanwhile, an Unspeakable joins their ranks, a familiar face that has caught the eye of the Order's resident Animagus. RemusXTonks, SiriusXOC

4. Uncle Sirius

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Riddles of the Blood Moon

By Vanessa Renadi

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Chapter Four: Uncle Sirius

Diana found herself eying her appearance in the mirror with a tad more scrutiny. She was deliberating between light pink and red lipstick when Ravenmoon poked his head into bathroom.

"You don't need to put in so much effort," said the dire wolf, "The mutt already fancies you."

"Don't be silly," she replied in Lunaltongue, knowing precisely who Ravenmoon had come to refer to as 'the mutt.'"I just don't seek a point not looking my best for dinner, a dinner in which nearly all the members of the Order will be present."

Ravenmoon sniffed skeptically. "Just give the mutt a hint of interest and he'll fall to your feet like a lovesick puppy."

Diana threw a hand towel at him. "Ugh! You are worse than a dormitory full of teenage witches!"

Ravenmoon emitted several barks of laughter and retreated from the bathroom as Diana continued to get ready.

She felt guilty for how she had walked out on Sirius, but she couldn't deny that it was, in fact, none of his business. What did a small tiff between a fourteen-year-old girl and a teacher matter now? There was far more pressing issues to contend with. But…while she'd never admit it aloud, it was endearing to see Sirius react so protectively. After years of Remus's brand of protectiveness, which involved a level of distance that bordered on abandonment, Diana was taken aback that a man would be that invested over a small juncture in her school days.

She quickly placed both lipsticks back into her make-up bag, mentally scolding herself. There was no point. Sirius cared because she was his best mate's baby sister, the only mate who wasn't dead or a traitor. To him, she was a child that needed protection. Hell, once upon a time, she used to call her Uncle Sirius.

And yet…Ravenmoon's words still rang in her head. Dire wolves were natural empaths. Did she dare to hope that her loyal companion was right? Was there a way to test the theory?

Realizing that her outfit and make-up were as good as they were going to get, she headed for No. 12 Grimmauld Place. Diana made it a habit of stopping by Headquarters for dinner as often as she could. The dilapidated manor was substantially more cheerful with the Weasley family in the house. There was no point spending the evenings alone in her cottage when she could be with her brother and friends stuffing her face with a banquet courtesy of Mrs. Weasley. And tonight, just like every other night, Diana had to mock-fight the kind-hearted, but bossy matriarch for access to the kitchen until she finally provided Diana enough space to prepare a dessert.

The Unspeakable was brushing the glaze on her lemon poppyseed cake when Sirius came in.

"I'd cast a Warming Charm on that food if I were you," Sirius warned. "I think dinner might be slightly delayed."

"Why? Molly just went through to tell the kids to wash up."

"Yeah, but then she found another one of Fred and George's Extendable Ears and is now reading them the riot-act."

"Oh…" said Diana in understanding. "Can't blame the little munchkins, can you? We torture them by bringing them to Headquarters, yet they can't know a thing."

"Can't say that I can," said Sirius. He came closer and leaned over. "Another cake?"

"Yep, another Hope Lupin special," she said. She set down her glazing brush and admired her handiwork. "Not as good as my mum's, but it'll do."

"They are as good. I should know; I've tasted both."

"Of course you have. You always gave my mum a laugh. Tea with Sirius Black was never dull."

Sirius smiled, pleased that her memory of him had not been completely blighted.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Fire away." Internally, Diana braced herself. So far this evening Sirius had not badgered her about her past with Snape since his initial interrogation, but was unsure how long he could be trusted to leave the matter alone.

"How much do you remember of me?" he asked. "Apart from your adorable escape from my clutches in Diagon Alley."

Diana laughed in relief. "A bit. I remember how you would sometimes show up on our doorstep in the summers because your mother had thrown you out for whatever transgression. Then you came around a lot when Mum got sick and Remus was tending to her. I remember you came over for Remus's birthday and I rode on your back as you pretended to be Flopsy, the rainbow unicorn."

Sirius laughed uncontrollably. "I'd forgotten that one!"

Diana stifled a giggle. "Yes, with you as my trusty steed, we ventured forth into enchanted forest and saved the magic toadstool from Bellatrix, the evil enchantress of the wood, played brilliantly my black plush wolf, Mr. Fluffykins."

Sirius smirked. "I named the villain, did I?"

"Indeed." She sighed. "That was a good birthday, one of the few times during the war that Remus was the most happy. We should have a similar birthday tea for him next year."

"I'm all for that. Though, as much as I would enjoy reprising my role as Flopsy the unicorn, I don't think my poor knees could handled being ridden again."

"Quite. Though unicorns aside…" Taking the cake, she leaned in to whisper in Sirius's ear. "I wouldn't object to riding Uncle Sirius again."

And she walked away. Sirius, finally realizing that his mouth was gaping open, snapped his jaw shut. He turned to see Diana bent over the table as she placed her cake neatly in the middle of the feast, giving him a generous view of her bottom. Before he could say or do anything, an army of Weasleys came tumbling into the kitchen, along with Hermoine, Remus, Tonks, Kinglsey, and Hestia.

"I call dibs on Diana's cake!" Fred cried.

Diana slapped the twin's hand away. "Not before you eat your vegetables, young man!"

They gathered around the table. Sirius sat wordlessly by Remus, while Diana chatted animatedly with Tonks. Her eyes flitted occasionally to him and he could detect the tiniest blush grace her cheeks. A predatory grin crept onto his lips.

"You all right, Sirius?"

Sirius glanced at Remus.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"You were looking like a cat that's caught a particularly fat canary," said Remus. "Not plotting anything with the twins, are you?"

"Heaven forbid," said Sirius.

"I hope so, because Molly swore she would mount your head with the other house-elves if she caught you corrupting her boys again."

"Pfft…as if they need any more corruption from me."

"Well, I imagine she's counting any misdeeds committed here as repeat offenses, since you've already corrupted them in spirit through the Maurauder's Map."

Remus tucked back into his steak, and Sirius's eyes once again fell on Diana. How was he going to catch her alone after dinner, away from the kids and, more importantly, away from Remus?

He didn't get the chance to properly conceive a plan, because all of the sudden the kitchen fire burst with emerald flames. Bill and Arthur rose up, knocking their chairs back to make room for Albus Dumbledore, who was dragging a haggard-looking wizard by the scruff of his robes.

"Mundungus Fletcher!" Dumledore roared that sent the room into silence. "What, pray tell, was so unequivocally important that you saw fit to abandon your post?!"

Mundungus sputtered in fear and confusion. "I didn't…that is is to say, I…"

"Quiet, you fool!" He released his grip, and Mungdungus fell unceremoniously to the ground, coughing violently. Dumbledore faced them all, his expression grave.

"Harry and his cousin have been attacked by Dementors."

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It was a whirlwind of activity. At once Sirius wanted to go to Harry, but as usual he was banished to the sidelines, watching Remus go to monitor Harry to ensure that he did not leave his aunt and uncle's house again. Dumbledore was able to secure to a formal hearing for Harry, but that wouldn't take place for another week. Ultimately, it was decided that Harry would be brought to Headquarters. Sirius wanted to join the Advance Guard to collect him, but found himself again cast aside while others arranged for the safety and well-being of his godson.

Then, at long last, Harry arrived to Grimmauld Place, which brightened Sirius's mood, but only so much. Harry's first night has been soured by the heated argument between himself and Molly Weasley. No matter where he turned, Sirius found himself hitting wall after wall. It was already bad enough that he was confined to this house, but even his speech was being censored by those who deemed him too unbalanced to know what was best for Harry.

"You know she does it because she cares so much," said Remus, who found Sirius in his room with a bottle of firewhiskey in hand. It was past midnight and the kids had all retreated to bed.

"Who is she to decide what's best for Harry?" Sirius demanded. "If Harry never encountered Voldemort before, I would understand, but he's already faced him three times! We're not helping him by leaving him in the dark."

"She is the closest thing to a mother Harry has had," said Remus calmly. "She can't help but want to shield him from the horrors of the past and now present. And it probably doesn't help that Molly is a little jealous of you."

"Jealous of me? What on earth for?"

"Before you, Harry had no one but the Weasleys. It was easy to take on that parental role with no one to challenge or dispute it, but now Harry's got a badass godfather who is far more appealing to a boy of fifteen than a coddling mother."

Sirius rolled his eyes, taking another swing of firewhiksey.

"I wanted to take him, you know. Would have, too, had Hagrid not insisted. I would sit in Azbakan dreaming about how I would raise Harry. I would never bring him to this house of despair. I'd find a nice flat in London. Teach him how to ride a broomstick and a motorcycle. I would fantasize about taking him to Diagon Alley for the very first time., seeing the wonder fill his eyes. I would think about how I'd meet him at the Three Broomsticks during his first Hogsmeade visit…"

"Harry still needs you, Sirius," said Remus quietly.

"What for? I'm useless to him now, useless to everyone, matter of fact."

"Please don't say that," Remus implored. "He needs you now more than ever. He'll soon feel the full ramifications of how the Ministry has portrayed him. He'll be a social pariah. He'll need the reassurance that you're here rooting for him."

The next few days Sirius was so consumed with Harry that he thought very little of Diana, their small flirtation seeming to have existed only in a dream. Diana had not even made an appearance at Grimmauld Place since Harry's arrival, instead stalking the Ministry at Dumbledore's request to hear even the faintest whispers of Harry's imminent trial.

"The atmosphere is divided," said Remus, reading a scroll of parchment with Diana's writing on it. "Some, namely those close to Fudge, are eager to exploit the situation, whereas other members of the Wizengamont are confused why a simple case of underage magic is causing such a hullabaloo."

"You don't think they'd actually expel him, do you?" Despite the dread that had crept into Sirius's voice, the werewolf could also hear the tiniest tremor of hope. Remus looked at his old friend pointedly.

"I don't think they are in a position to deny the presence of the dementors, not with Mrs. Fig to collaborate the story," he said, pocketing Diana's report.

It was selfish, Sirius knew, to wish for Harry's expulsion, but Harry was his anchor that kept his sane. Without Harry, what was he? Trying to find some time alone, Sirius climbed up the stairs to the library, but found it unusually occupied by the only Weasley daughter.

"Oh, hey, Sirius," said Ginny. She was sprawled on the floor, flipping through the pages of an Elegant Enchantress fashion magazine.

"Hey," he said. Thinking it would be too obvious to simply retreat, Sirius sauntered over to the shelves, pretending to look for a book.

"So…what's your game plan?" asked Ginny.

"My plan?"

"For Diana," said Ginny as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"I haven't the foggiest idea what you're talking about," said Sirius.

"Denial isn't very attractive on you." Ginny then smirked. "'I wouldn't object to riding Uncle Sirius again'?"

Sirius gawked at her. "How did you…?"

"Fred and George aren't the only ones with Extendable Ears."

Sirius made a mental note to keep the kitchen door bewitched at all times, whether an Order meeting was in session or not. Evidently, nothing was sacred with the Weasley children around.

"Personally, I think you should start with the classic candlelit dinner," said Ginny. "Diana likes to cook, so maybe you could cook something together. And I distinctly remember seeing several bottles of phoenix champagne down in the cellar…"

"I am perfectly capable of romancing a woman without input from you, Ginerva," said Sirius scathingly. He could not believe he was having this conversation with a 14-year-old, much less the sister of his godson's best friend. "Not that I have anyone to romance, mind you."

"Of course you can," said Ginny, waving her hand dismissively. "The real snag isn't the method, it's the timing. It doesn't help that Professor Lupin lives here, but you're in an advantageous position since our resident werewolf is a bit distracted right now, thanks to a certain pink-haired Auror."

Sirius raised an eyebrow, grudgingly impressed that Ginny had been so perceptive. Sirius could detect the subtle flirtations between Remus and Tonks, but he had known Remus for years, knew exactly how his friend reacted when a witch tickled his fancy. What is so obvious to the others as well?

"I'll give you credit for spotting Remus and Tonks," he said. "But you're woefully misguided when it comes to Diana and me. She's…"

"Like family?" Ginny finished mockingly. "Come on, Sirius! If you keep this up, then I may just change my mind about telling you what Diana said to Hermione and me about you."

Sirius glowered at the youngest Weasley, trying to ascertain from her expression if she was bluffing or not.

"What did she say?" he asked, trying to make his tone as blase as possible.

"That she couldn't believe someone could be even more handsome after Azkaban. And that your bad boy persona is now completely solidified."

The forgotten feeling of masculine pride suddenly swelled into his chest.

"Do you think Professor Lupin would loose his pixies if he knew?" asked Ginny.

"I…I don't know…" said Sirius quietly.

"Fortunately, big brothers don't like to picture their little sisters as fanciable," said Ginny knowingly. "Until it's shoved directly under their nose, they usually don't pick up on these kind of things. I highly doubt Ron even knows whom I'm dating, unless Hermione has spelled it out for him. You're going to have to woo her while Lupin's away, then you can break the news to him gently."

Sirius sniffed at her naive confidence. "It doesn't matter, it's not going to happen. I'm too…"

"Girls love older men," said Ginny, cutting him off. "I imagine that's partly why Tonks has gone for Lupin. Not that she's unique. Loads of girls had crushes on him when he taught at Hogwarts."

"Did they?"

"Oh, yes. Professor Lupin had admirers from all four Houses, more than Gilderoy Lockhart, I daresay. Probably because Lupin had the actual brains behind the looks. And it didn't hurt that he has all those scars that leave much to the imagination."

"Who fancied him?" said Sirius, eager for ammunition to tease his best mate, and happy that the conversation was veering away from dangerous territory about him and Diana.

"I know Hannah Abbott was quite taken with him, and Pansy Parkinson, too, though she would rather drink the Draft of Living Death than admit it. Then there was the Patil twins, Lavender Brown, Asteria Greengrass, oh, and my friend, Luna Lovegood."

"Did you fancy him?" asked Sirius slyly.

"Why not?" said Ginny unblushingly. "Believe me, when you're trapped in a castle with idiot teenage boys day in and day out, it's hard not to idealize Lupin's gentle maturity."

She rolled her magazine in her hand and stood up.

"Well, whatever you do with Diana, don't plan for anything next Wednesday! She and Tonks are taking Hermione and me for a Girls-Day-Out. You can have her all to yourself once we're back at school."

"Girls-Day-Out?" he repeated.

"Yep. We finally got Mum to agree since we'd be in the presence of two Order Members."

"And what will you do on this 'Girls-Day-Out, might I ask?"

"Loads of stuff. Shopping, mainly…and there were a few sites that Hermione wanted to see. Then we'll have a sleepover at Tonk's."

"Knowing Diana, do you really expect me to believe that you'll all be good girls and Apparate back before dark?"

"Well…" said Ginny. "Hermoine's not in on it yet, but I knicked some Aging potion from Fred and George, back when they were trying to enter into the Triwizard Tournament. I was planning on using it to age Hermoine and me up a little so we can go clubbing."

"Clever and fiendish," said Sirius, his respect for Ginny slowly becoming less grudging.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure that Diana isn't seduced by some strapping young man," said Ginny. "And I'll be sure to sing all your virtues to see if she spills anything more juicy."

"Don't you have anything better to do?" Sirius tried to sound scolding, but he was fighting a grin.

Ginny shrugged. "When you lot won't let us in on the Order meetings…not really."

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Author's Notes: Ginny is such an awesome character. My sense from the books was that she was far closer to Fred and George than she was to Ron, despite him being closer to her in age, and thus was deeply influenced by their mischievous ways. Please review and let me know what you think!