All righty, this one is most certainly longer-eleven pages, granted that includes the short Dictator breaks but if you don't include those it's still longer I think and a great deal happens. Hope you enjoy.
Remus saw the sincerity and yes, the love in Sirius's shimmering eyes-he nodded. He led Sirius to a quiet alley where they could be in private "All right, Sirius I'm willing to hear your side of things."
"Remus, I was going to tell you what happened, I just wanted to wash it off before you jumped to the conclusion that you did."
"What?" Remus wasn't quite sure that statement made sense.
"She raped me, Remus. Nora McKenzie raped me." There was complete honesty and pleading in Sirius's eyes but still Remus was a tad confused. He knew it was possible for females to sexually assault males but Sirius was stronger than little Nora McKenzie.
"She raped you? How, Sirius? She's four foot eleven and weighs something like ninety-eight pounds. You're bigger and stronger than she is. I mean I've heard some wild ones but…"
"Remus, I know I'm stronger but I'm telling the truth." There was a great deal of desperateness in his voice "She cornered me and she magicked me to a chair-I was trapped, Remus. I didn't want it to happen, I tried to fight it, really I did but she knew where to touch and she undid my trousers and got on me. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry…" Tears leaked from Sirius eyes and Remus knew he was telling the truth-Sirius rarely cried.
Remus pulled Sirius into a hug "You've nothing to be sorry about, darling. I'm the one who's sorry for not letting you explain earlier. I love you; I should have let you explain."
Sirius sniffed "S'all right, I understand; I probably would have flipped too." Sirius pushed away just enough to look in Remus's eyes "Now, there's absolutely nothing going on between you and Snivellus, right?"
Remus sighed "No, there's absolutely nothing going on between me and Severus. I hope your brother can sweep him off his feet."
"Huh? I didn't tell Regulus to use a broom; I think that would only make Snape angry, Remus."
Remus smiled and patted Sirius's head in his 'you-silly-pure-blood' way "Never mind, darling, it's just a figure of speech. As for you, are you going to kiss me or are you just going to stand there?"
Sirius grinned "Thought you'd never ask" and he closed the distance between them. It was wonderful, after a week of being Remus deprived it was one of their better kisses. Remus tasted like honey and chocolate-what was the name of that muggle candy he liked? Something Swiss-oh, well not really important right now.
Remus clung to Sirius tightly; he just couldn't believe he hadn't given Sirius a chance to explain sooner-he had missed him so much. Oh, the kiss tasted wonderful, Sirius clearly hadn't eaten since he brushed his teeth and his toothpaste of choice-cinnamon.
"It's about bloody time, you two got back together…"
Sirius and Remus pulled apart to find James and Peter grinning at them "Oh, look Moony" Sirius said lightly "it's our two favourite voyeurs."
"Yes" James said dryly "we just love watching you two suck each other's faces off" but then he said more seriously "it's a hell of a lot better than you two not talking."
Hitler and Caesar stare at Stalin with raised eyebrows.
Napoleon jumps on poker table.
Napoleon: All I am saying is that I am more famous than any of you. I need no last name like you. (Laughs crazily).
Hitler: Can we kill him?
Stalin: What for? He's already dead.
Caesar: Oh, shut up you puny Corsican.
Napoleon stops laughing.
Napoleon: What did you call me?
Caesar: Puny Corsican. Would you rather I put it in tinier words so you can reach them?
Napoleon: I am French.
Caesar: Not by blood you're not. You are Corsican, you are Italian.
Napoleon: And if you insult my height one more time Gaius, I will hurt you like a bug.
A bit later, up in the dormitory Remus had told his friends about his anonymous note to Orion and how he had somehow figured out Remus had sent it. By the way, Remus and Sirius had agreed not to argue about which father was right. Sirius had also admitted that he had sent a note to Julius and that he had signed his initials.
"Well, Sirius" said Remus whose hand had barely left Sirius's since they made up "if my dad was drunk when he received your note and he probably was, he likely won't figure out it was from you. He probably thinks that someone's calling him a son of a bitch."
James looked concerned "Is your dad drunk a lot, Remus?"
Remus tensed slightly "He does have a drinking problem, yes, but it's not like it's going to kill him unless it has silver in it."
Peter also looked concerned "Your dad doesn't hit you when he's like that, does he?"
Remus sighed heavily; he figured he ought to be honest with his friends "Not since he nearly killed me when I was twelve. Werewolves can kill other werewolves you see, no matter what form they're in. Since then he only drinks heavily when he's alone. But look, that's not the problem here."
Sirius squeezed Remus's hand comfortingly "Remus is right, besides we can't do anything about Mr. Lupin's bad habits from here. Are you going to write back to my father, luv?"
"I was getting to that; I already have-right after I got the letter yesterday. I imagine I'll get a response sometime soon."
"What did you tell him?" Sirius asked.
Remus reached into his nightstand drawer (they were sitting on his bed) and pulled out a piece of parchment "Here, I have a copy" at the odd looks from the other three he said "I make copies of all my correspondences, doesn't everybody?"
Sirius kissed Remus's cheek "Yes, luv, if you're a secretary. Anyway, so what'd you say?"
Remus read his letter aloud:
Dear Mr. Black,
I think I'll start right at the beginning. Ever since that day at the train station Sirius and I have been awfully curious about whatever if anything was between you and my father. A few days after the start of term I signed out a book from the library, it was The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire: The Wizards' Perspective. I found it odd that only Lupins had signed it out and my father was the last one before me to do so. In this book I found a note that he had written "to whoever reads this book next". The note said that you had broken his heart and he quoted "When We Two Parted" by Lord Byron (a muggle poet) to sum up his feelings. He also said that if the person reading the note's curiosity was peaked that there was a journal hidden in the library. Well, Sirius and I found the journal and believe me when I tell you that I rather wish I hadn't read my father's first entry. However, we only read three entries before the journal showed us two events. The first was when you made a geas to my father that you would runaway together after graduation and you would be happy. The next event was when you told my father that you couldn't be together. I think I was the only one who saw the look in your eyes that said that you didn't really want to say what you were saying. I figured that someone in your family found out and they threatened my father's life or something if you didn't do what they said. I also saw the look of regret in your eyes that day at the train station. I'd like to believe I'm right.
Sincerely,
Remus J. Lupin
Sirius leaned on Remus's shoulder "Thank-you for not telling him which side I was on."
Earlier that day…
Orion had picked up Remus's letter from his post office box in Diagon Alley. He read it in a muggle pub that he knew no one of any importance would see him in. So, that's it he thought I thought so. He felt oddly relieved that someone knew and more importantly had guessed correctly the reason he had left Julius. He now had someone he could talk to, though he wondered why Remus hadn't mentioned Sirius's reaction to what they saw. He also wondered why Julius had charmed the journal to do that in the first place. Oh well, time for wondering later. He wrote back to Remus.
That evening…
Julius was home from work, he was sober and before he reached for his whiskey he remembered that note he had received almost two weeks before. He found it and studied it carefully. I'm on your side-S.O.B. it said.
"On my side for what?" he mumbled to himself "and who is S.O.B?" he realised now that they were initials not short hand for "son of a bitch." The writing was vaguely familiar; it was similar to Orion's but different in a more rebellious sort of way.
Julius began pacing "S.O.B., S.O.B, who are you and why are you on my side?" then it clicked, he snapped his fingers "Sirius Orion Black! Of course…no, why would he be on my side?" After about a minute of more pacing "Oh…" he rubbed his temples "Remus probably found that note because he probably checked out that book. Why didn't I realise? Lupins always get that book in the sixth year. Damn and then they found the journal and Sirius is on my side. Of course he is- Remus says he hates his family. It's the only option, the only thing that makes sense. I'd better be right."
The evening post brought two letters to the group of Marauders-one for Remus and one for Sirius. Remus's letter was from Orion and Sirius's was (surprising everyone) from Julius. The Marauder's forego supper and went back to the dormitory-they would sneak food from the kitchens later-because by now all four of them were involved with this intriguing story. Remus read Orion's letter first:
Dear Remus,
I thought that's what you were talking about and I am relieved that you know-though I wonder what Sirius's reaction to the whole thing was? It wouldn't surprise me if he chose your father's side of things. You guessed absolutely correctly-my father discovered my tastes. He threatened at first to disown me if I didn't marry Walburga, I told him "Go ahead, I don't care" but then he said "If you do not marry her and keep the wealth in the family then I will personally kill your lover, what's his name? Oh yes, Julius Lupin." I believed him, how could I not? Sirius could tell you that his grandfather does not know how to bluff, if someone does not agree to his terms he does what he threatens and he would do it at a time the victim could not be saved. So, you see, I had no choice. Your father's life was more important to me than my happiness. I loved him then and I love him still, you can understand that can't you? But he hates me, I know it. The reason I acted the way I did towards your father at the station was this: I have to act hateful to him when I see him, I have to bad mouth Lupins in public because if anyone had any idea that I still loved him then his life would be in grave danger.
So, all I have left are the memories. But tell me please, how is your father doing? He's not overly drinking is he? I thought I smelled fire whiskey on his breath that day, even Blacks don't drink that early. I know he has a drinking problem; he took all sorts of alcohol from his parents' supply and sunk it to school before he came of age. Don't tell him I told you that, please. If you and Sirius read more of the journal (if you haven't all ready) I will tell you that all my entries are safe to read, I lack the writing skill of your father but about half of his you may want to avoid. It all depends on the colour of the ink-Ravenclaw blue is safe to read but black, a very bold black you will want to skip over if you don't want any more images burned into your skull; your father was quite the randy devil, not that you wanted to know that.
I quite imagine you're sharing this letter with Sirius so-Sirius, I completely understand if you side with Julius, just don't let it ruin your relationship. Learn from my mistakes-both of you.
Orion
Remus cleared his throat but the only thing he could say was "Well, at least he told us which entries to avoid. I appreciate that."
"Sirius" Peter said gently "what do you have to say?"
Sirius was silent for a moment going over everything his father had written-it certainly sounded heartfelt but…he still wasn't quite sure except for one thing "Well, he's right about Grandfather Arcturus, man can't bluff to save his life. Let's see what Mr. Lupin has to say shall we?" Sirius read it:
Sirius,
I hope I am correct in assuming that it was you who sent me that note and not someone named Stanley Oberon Beauregard. I also hope I am correct in assuming that you know about what was between me and your father. If not then I have charmed this letter so that you will not remember reading it. That said I will continue. I imagine you and Remus found that journal because only the two of you or me and Orion could have found it. I hope you and Remus didn't get very far before the Vision of the Past charm took effect because there are quite a few parts neither of you should read for two reasons; One, you should not know about your fathers' sex lives and two, you are both still virgins, yes? You had better be.
Now, as to why you are on my side. I thank you, Remus did tell me that you hated your family; I guess you are the one good seed in a packet of bad ones. So, I suppose I now approve your relationship with my son, don't mess it up or you can say good-bye to your good looks. I may be a fairly decent poker player, Sirius but I am not bluffing just now.
As for Remus's reaction to the journal, it would not surprise me-the hopeless romantic that he is-if he sided with your father dreaming up something bizarre like Orion was only leaving me to save my life or something. He'll probably also want to get Orion and me talking, don't let him, don't you dare. However, if your view points do differ than please do not let it tear you apart, never let him go unless you do something to hurt him in which case I will kill you before you have a chance to beg for forgiveness.
Julius Lupin
Sirius clung to Remus as if afraid the letter would attack him "Remus, do you think he's telling the truth?"
Remus nodded "He wouldn't lie about something like that. Don't you worry though, no matter what stupid thing you do I would never let him hurt you- I'd take care of it myself."
James chuckled slightly "From what I've heard it sounds like you two were born to the wrong fathers."
Two pillows were thrown at his head. "No, really" he said as he threw the pillows to the floor "Orion sounds more timid and understnading like Remus, no offence of course and Julius sounds more aggresive and stubborn like Sirius."
"However," said Peter "the previous week's events seem to prove the opposite-Remus was the stubborn one."
"Yeah, Pete, but what I'm saying is that it's mostly the other was around."
The canines ignored those odd observations.
Remus looked over his father's letter carefully "I think, Sirius that he still loves your dad."
"How? He didn't mention it."
"I know but he didn't say that he hated your dad either. My dad is a very complicated person, you understand."
"Remus" said Peter suddenly "aren't you offended that he called you a hopeless romantic?"
Remus sighed "No, because he's absolutely correct, he even guessed my now proven theory. I think we need to devise a plan to get them together."
"But Remus," Sirius shank back slightly at the odd gleam in Remus's eyes "your dad said not to."
Remus smiled "That's exactly why we're going to do it or are you afraid?"
At the insinuation Sirius puffed out his chest "Me? Nonsense, Sirius Black fears nothing. What's your idea?"
Napoleon: And if you insult my height one more time Gaius, I will hurt you like a bug.
Caesar while laughing: You think you can reach?
Napoleon: I am not that short you stupid… you're the Italian!
Caesar: I am Roman.
Napoleon: Rome is in Italy!
Caesar: Italy's in Rome and there was no Italy as you call it when I was alive.
Enter Mussolini with popcorn
Mussolini: Good evening, my friends. Have I missed anything? He sits down.
Napoleon rounds on Mussolini.
Napoleon: You're the Italian.
Mussolini: Tell me something I don't know. Why are you standing on the table?
Caesar: It makes him look taller.
Napoleon: That's it. He jumps on Caesar.
Mussolini: Ah, just in time for the show.
Stalin: I hope you brought enough popcorn this time, Benito.
Mussolini: Of course, Joseph. Vlad is bringing the drinks.
Enter Vlad the Impaler with Bloody Marys
The plan was set for the start of winter holiday after any students who were going home did. All the Marauders were staying for the two weeks and they were the only Gryffindors who would be. This was the plan: both Sirius and Remus would keep up communication Julius and Orion respectively and eventually ask to talk face to face. They would meet on opposite sides of Hogsmeade as to not arouse suspicions in the adults. Remus would meet Orion or more to the point "accidentally bump into him and then go into a tirade about Sirius" in the Three Broomsticks and then Remus would casually lead him to just behind the Shrieking Shack where they would be secluded. Sirius on the other hand would meet Julius on the other end of the village near a place called Magic Gifts for Every Occasion (or something like that anyway and then he would lead Julius to the same place complaining that the Shack wasn't good enough for Remus. By the way it was requested that James and Peter stay out of the way, of course no one said that they couldn't at least watch to see what went down.
Here's what happened…
Orion entered the Three Broomsticks as any Black would-as if he owned the place-but his heart was beating rapidly. You see unbeknownst to Remus Orion had his suspicions as to why he had asked him here. Thankfully, Julius was no where to be seen. Suddenly, Remus bumped into him
"Oh, Mr. Black I'm sorry, I didn't see you. I guess I've been a little preoccupied lately."
Orion took his cue "Watch where you're going Lupin" his voice probably didn't sound as nasty as he had intended.
"Certainly, sir" Remus said jovially "hey, do you have a minute? I'd like to talk to you about your insufferable idiotic philandering son."
Of course Orion knew that last description wasn't true but Remus had told him that insufferable certainly was but Orion said anyway "And what has he done to again disgrace the noble and most ancient house of Black?" All right, that might have been overdoing it just a bit.
"Well" Remus leaned in closer and whispered "I'll tell you but not here, this is where his spies hang out." Remus headed out the door and Orion with his best death glare followed though he was now very confused.
Once they were outside Orion said "All right, Remus you may stop the act and tell me what you're up to?"
Remus looked at him with a look of innocence that was almost exactly like Julius's "What makes you think I'm up to something?"
"If you're anything like your father…"
"Mr. Black, I'm not like my father very much at all, in fact I think I'm more like you."
Before Orion could react to this statement in any way, he coughed once and then entered into a heaving coughing fit. When he had stopped coughing, he found that Remus had pulled him over to a bench and set him down.
"Are you okay, Mr. Black?" Remus asked clearly full of concern as he scooped up some clean snow and held it out to him "here, you should eat some of this."
Orion waved off the snow and produced a flask from one of his pockets "Yes, yes, I'm fine, it's nothing" he took a sip of the hot liquid and relaxed as it soothed his throat. He put the flask away "Really, I'm all right, don't look at me like that, you look like your father that way." He stood up "Now, what did you want to talk about?"
Remus blinked "Right, I know a place that's more private, just this way." The enthusiasm that was in Remus's voice only minutes ago had left but Orion paid it no mind.
They got to the Shrieking Shack a few minutes later.
"Remus, is there a reason why you've taken me to a house that needs tearing down?"
"So, we can talk without anyone overhearing. Come on, right this way, behind here."
On the other side of the village, around the time Orion had arrived at the Three Broomsticks…
Julius found Sirius pacing in front of the gift shop-he didn't seem to see him so Julius leaned against a lamp post and said "I thought Blacks found pacing undignified."
Sirius stopped pacing and grinned "Yes, well, I'm a rebellious child."
"No really?" Julius said with mock surprise "I never would have guessed."
"Besides, I think I caught the habit from Remus."
Julius smiled a trifle "It happens, your father caught it from me though I doubt he would admit it."
"Knowing him, probably not- You know, Remus thinks that he might still love you too."
"Remus is a hopeless romantic as I have told you several times before" Julius had several letters ago admitted that he still harboured feelings for Orion but had stated that there was no point in it. "Anyway, I thought you wanted my help in finding the right present for Remus because you and I quote 'have absolutely no taste and am completely oblivious to clues'".
Sirius nodded "Yes, but first have you ever seen the Shrieking Shack?"
"No actually why?" Julius was getting just a tad suspicious but he certainly didn't smell Orion anywhere.
"Well, it's horrible, I hate it and I think that Remus deserves much better. You should see it, the place looks like a muggle dog pound."
Julius raised an eyebrow "Have you ever seen a muggle dog pound?"
"Yes" Sirius took his hand "now, let me show. I'm positive that once you see it you'll complain to Dumbledore immediately." He started pulling Julius down the street "we have to hurry before we run into Remus."
Julius jerked easily out of Sirius's grip "I don't need you to hold my hand, Sirius- Do that again and I'll break your wrist."
Sirius looked horrified probably thinking of all the things he wouldn't be able to do with a broken wrist "Noted and understood."
Finally the arrived at the Shrieking Shack-it did not look like a muggle dog pound.
"Sirius, I think the dilapidated appearance is simply part of the disguise…"
"You should see the inside," Sirius's eyes were wild and Julius was suddenly very afraid. It wasn't his birthday, so it couldn't be a surprise party, could it? Julius hated surprises "come on, to the back there's an opening." Sirius ran towards the back of the house and Julius, curiosity winning, followed thinking that inbred insanity was cause for Sirius's behaviour.
Julius reached the back of the house to find more than just Sirius standing there, Remus was also there was he had his hands on his hips looking at Sirius in a scolding manner and yes, Orion was there too but in Julius's exhausted state his expression was unreadable.
Orion had been getting very impatient with Remus-they had been standing behind the house for a few minutes and Remus had said nothing more than "Just a moment". Orion was also getting cold and was about to leave when he heard running footsteps crunching in the snow. Seconds later Sirius appeared grinning like mad and breathing only slightly heavily.
"Hi, Remus! Hi, Dad!"
Orion barely had time to think 'Since when does he call me Dad?' when someone else came running around the corner and much more out of breath than Sirius-it was Julius. Orion's suspicions were confirmed and yes, he definitely still loved him though he highly doubted Julius felt the same.
"Hello, Julius" Orion said as gently as he could.
Julius regained his breath, put some clean snow in his mouth and swallowed "What, no 'Lupins are weak cowardly pathetic' or whatever the hell it was that you said?" He turned to Sirius "I thought I told you not to do this."
"Actually," Remus spoke up "you told him not to let me do this, he tried and failed."
"I knew you were up to something" Orion said to both boys because he knew from the beginning Sirius was in on this as well.
Sirius shrugged at the adults apologetically "What can I say? I'm whipped, I admit it."
I said there might be a confrontation, I didn't say how long it would be. Don't worry, there's more to come.
Sorry, if I missed any typos, I tried to get them all.
Oh, in case you were wondering, Remus did finally tell his friends that he could transform at will and while waiting for Christmas break they went on quite a few nightly raids-I mean adventures- and not just during the full moon of course.
I'll try to have more story and less dead dictators in chapter 10. Although, tell me please what you think of my little dictators club. Oddly, enough, i was inspired to write it last year while playing computer mahjongg. Weird, huh?
By the way, any suggestions as to how long this story should be? I don't really want to cover everything, but if I do go further into the future I can tell you one thing at least: SIRIUS WILL NOT DIE IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM.
TTFN, Lady A
