Chapter Nine: Home Is Where The Heart Is.
Heya everyone! I hope you all had a good new year etc. My life is pretty busy and pretty crap at the moment so if the chapter is shit or whatever then please forgive me, I'm trying.
This chapter is a break from the main sorry to look at some background stuff through Remus and Sirius' eyes. It's in three parts, first a visit from Andromeda, secondly Silas' two month check-up and thirdly a nice family day out.
Check out the poll on my profile if you want your say in what type of career Harry might start looking at.
Disclaimer: I do not own and shall not make any money writing this.
Warnings: AU, Slash, Threesome, OCs, Minor Character death, occasional strong language, this is going to be quite political and looks at the rise of the Far Right in the UK and in Europe.
Hope you enjoy and maybeee reviewwww ;)
Part One: Blood is Thicker than Water.
A London September wasn't warm and it wasn't cold. It was that in between that had you racing for a jumper one second and racing to take it off ten minutes later. Autumn was fast approaching and the bright sun and warm air of summer would soon fade into dreams and the cold dark clouds of winter would take over.
Sirius didn't really like summer. It was too hot, the muggles were too loud and there was fewer reasons to snuggle but on the other hand summer meant days at the beach, cool drinks on hot nights and Remus in shorts.
Sirius liked seeing his werewolf in shorts; he had just the right legs for them what with his werewolf side giving him the lean muscles to fill them out and naturally having just the right amount of body hair that he looked masculine but not so much that Sirius could mistake it for the Full Moon.
Another reason to like summer was quite a new one and it was having his Godson home but Harry had returned to Hogwarts the week before and that day it left Sirius alone with Silas as Remus was out searching for jobs that Sirius had tried to convince him he didn't need but as always Remus had a lot of pride and living off the generosity of others wasn't something he could happily do.
Being a werewolf did limit the options open to Remus in the Wizarding world and Sirius wouldn't allow his boyfriend to do any of the low paid, hard labour or boring jobs that some employers were willing to hire werewolves for so after a few rather big arguments and failed interviews both Sirius and Remus settled on Remus finding a small, part-time job in the muggle world and so far he had been surprisingly successful, having been invited to two interviews in the last two weeks alone. One for the job as an assistant in a small rare books shop and the other as a receptionist/cashier in a small costume store that both sold and made the clothing.
The interview for the receptionist job was where Remus happened to be when the door-bell rang at 10.45 am on the Wednesday after Harry had left for Hogwarts and Sirius, knowing Remus wouldn't have finished yet and not expecting visitors, was confused.
He had been in the middle of settling Silas down for a nap when the 'ding, dong' of the doorbell rang through the house and surprised at the sound he left the fussing baby in his day cot and rushed to the door.
Upon opening it Sirius found his jaw dropping in shock. On the other side of the door was the person he had least expected to see: Andromeda Tonks, dressed in a fine gold fur coat, face slightly distasteful.
"Cousin Sirius, What a… pleasure to see you." She nodded as she brushed passed his shocked form to hang her coat on the wooden stand and walked towards the open living room door.
"Err, you too I guess Cousin Andy." Sirius said into thin air as she was already gone. He shut the door quickly and followed her.
He walked slowly into the living room and stared at her back, feeling both confused and wary at her being there. She was standing over Silas' day cot as he in turn blinked slowly up at the face of his grandmother.
Sirius bit his lip; he didn't have a fucking clue why she might be there but he knew deep down that it couldn't be anything good.
Andromeda sat, regally, on the chair next to the baby's day bed. "Still calling me Andy are you? I grew out of that in my teens but enough, that's not what I'm here for."
Sirius sat slowly on to the closest seat and stared for a moment before he said, "Well err what are you here for then?" he mumbled as she gently picked the tired baby up.
She didn't look up as she spoke. "I'm here to make sure my Grandson is being cared for in a fitting manner, I wouldn't want him to grow up to be an unsatisfactory child or a shame on the name Tonks."
Sirius gulped; this wasn't going to go well at all. "You know his last name isn't Tonks Andromeda, he's a Black; by blood and by name." It was time that the Black family got a better reputation for itself and young blood was almost certainly what was needed to gain that.
Andromeda paused her gentle strokes of Silas' puzzled face to glace up at Sirius. "And I believe that was a stupid choice to make. The Black family name isn't clean, hasn't been for years, and the child will face negativity because of that. It would have been better if the child had been kept the Tonks he was born." A hint of bitterness flicked across her face and Sirius filed that away to think on later.
But for now Sirius found himself getting a wee bit angry. "That child has a name Andromeda, he is Silas Black and that's what he's going to stay."
She laughed lightly in return but the bitterness still hadn't faded. "Silas Black… How pureblood of you. Very regal, very… ancient; Perhaps my daughter would have liked a more modern name do you think? Or perhaps she would have liked to name the child after her father. I think he'd rather suit Edward. Little Ed or Teddy is quite adorable. "
Sirius couldn't quite believe what she was saying straight to his face; he had expected similar thoughts and feelings but certainly hadn't anticipated for her to say them aloud when he was around!
Stiffening his building fury, he stated calmly and clearly as he could, "Well nothing can be done now and I think he likes his name. It doesn't matter if he's a Black, by the time he is old enough the family name should have a better reputation. I mean Harry Potter is my godson so hopefully it will get us some good press and when Silas is a bit older I'm going to try do some good with the family fortune; maybe build that muggleborn introduction school me, James and Moony thought up back in our last year of Hogwarts."
She snorted, quite lady-like but it was a snort all the same and Sirius had a hard time controlling his glare. He'd always had a temper and his time locked away hadn't helped a single bit, more that it had caused it to build up and there it lay, waiting to explode.
"So you want to put the Black family name in better repute but you seem to be quite happy to rip what is left of it to pieces by being seen, in a romantic sense, with a werewolf." By now Andromeda had made herself comfortable, she was sat back of the plush red chair, her ankles neatly crossed, babe in arms. Silas didn't look to sure, his arms wouldn't stop moving and his little mouth was blowing continues bubbles; both were things that Sirius had learn were signs of confusion and unhappiness.
Silas wasn't the only one unhappy; Sirius could feel the tower of anger beginning to topple.
"Never had you down as anti-werewolf Andromeda, in fact I distinctly remember coming to you Christmas of my second year, confused and worried because I thought one of my best friends might be a werewolf and I didn't know how to handle it. Remember what you said? You said that friendship was far more important that silly politics. Gone back on those words now have you?"
She sighed. "Sirius, Cousin, I have nothing against werewolves, I never have and never plan too but the rest of the Wizarding World has another view and you 'shacking up', as the muggles put it, is not going to do your big pan to restore the Black family any favours is it? What muggle would want to send their young children to a school run partly by what they know of as a terrifying beast? And where are you going to get teachers who will be happy to work with a werewolf despite their prejudices? It doesn't seem that this is a plan you have thought through very well Sirius."
Sirius had had enough. "Well fuck the Wizarding World; if people can't get off their high horses then you can't blame me."
Unperturbed she simple raised a neat brow and shrugged her thin shoulders. "As you like."
Dumb struck he stared back at her unflinching gaze; until Silas let out a whimper and Sirius was soon in front of them, reaching for the discontented infant.
Sirius didn't see the spiteful look Andromeda shot at his back and it took a moment after Sirius had retaken his seat, this time Silas in his arms, before Andromeda found her voice.
"I could have quite easily calmed him Cousin; there was no need to rip him out of my arms like an uncivilised thug. After all I did raise a beautiful daughter from birth and she turned out to be perfect." Pride and sadness shined through her calm mask.
Sirius nodded slowly. "Of course you could have but I just like to know myself that he's alright and of course Tonks were perfect, and she's missed every day. It's a shame Silas will never meet his mother but you can't say that he won't thrive and be happy living here as a member of the Black family. He'll even have an older brother figure in Harry."
She hummed as she glanced round the room. This living room have been one of the first rooms to have been given a make-over. Gone were the broken pieces of wood and peeling wallpaper, replaced but rich red and cream painted walls and brand new sofas and chairs. Andromeda didn't seem to be too impressed by the decoration and she soon returned her unwavering gaze to Sirius and Silas.
"Why are you here after all this time Andy? I said after Silas' birth that you would be welcome to come and see him anytime wanted. I said you could look after for a few days even, once he got settled but you never came; well apart from when you came to tell when and where Tonks was going to be buried." Sirius couldn't stop the words and once he started speaking he couldn't stop.
Andromeda's gaze snapped from it had been resting on Silas' now sleeping face to Sirius', angry was undoubtedly the reason her Black eyes seemed to be glowing with an internal fire.
"I hope Cousin that you remember that I have just lost my daughter; I have had to bury my only child, I've had to watch her coffin by lowered into the cold earth forever. I've been rather busy; both sorting my daughter's affairs and grieving so perhaps you should have thought that I haven't had the time to 'visit'." Andromeda said fiercely, her body remaining stiff as her words whipped across the space between.
Sirius didn't mean to flinch but it couldn't be helped as her words bit deep. "Perhaps I could have put it another way," Sirius said as gently as he could, "But I really thought you would want to spend some time bonding with your Grandson, I know you lost Tonks but part of her is still here, in Silas and it would be better for him to grow up with you around so you can tell him all the stories of Tonks that I missed by being locked up. Silas may have to grow up without a mother but he isn't going to grow up without love like we did." And it was true; Sirius' childhood had been typical of the Black family, lonely, dark, with little love and lots of expectations. "Surely you have time to pop round once in a while?"
Andromeda bit her inner cheek and her fingers started to drum lightly on her knee. "I don't think I can Sirius, more is happening in my life now than you know."
Frustrated at her lack of real answers Sirius couldn't help but pled with her. "Andy, Cousin, you know that if things are that bad I'd help in any way I can, you only have to ask."
She seemed to take a deep breath before letting it out as a sigh. "My husband is dying Sirius; I have to admit that now. Cancer of the lungs the muggle doctors said. There's nothing that can be done now, he is far too gone."
Sirius sat back in shock, this he had not been expecting; he hadn't known Ted very well, Andromeda having married while he had been still at school but what of him he had known made him think highly of the man and to think of him dying was a loss that Sirius knew might break his cousin.
Sirius stood and pulled Andromeda into his arms and he wrapped them round her ever thin shoulders; she broke and once the tears started they didn't stop. Her long fingers gripped the back of Sirius' shirt as she gently sobbed into his chest.
"Oh Andy why didn't you ask for help?" he sighed, she'd always been the stubborn one but to suffer in silence like this made no sense. "I could have helped. Have you sought the advice of a Healer, they might be able to help where a muggle doctor might not." He held onto her upper arms as she pulled back to wipe her tear stained face with a handkerchief.
Andromeda gently pushed Sirius back and retook her seat by a now sleeping Silas. Sirius soon too found himself back in his own seat and he found himself wishing Remus were there; he'd know how to deal with things like this.
Crying people just weren't his thing unless they could be cheered up with a cheeky joke or a light-hearted prank.
But real sorrow like this couldn't be fixed with a laugh; it couldn't really be fixed at all.
Andromeda composed herself slowly. Sirius could understand why she couldn't just let go. Their childhoods hadn't been ones to allow weakness and according to their parents showing emotion that wasn't pride or distaste for others was indeed a weakness. Sirius could remember Andromeda quite well from when they were children; their parents had been close, even for their relation, and of course their shared ideals. Andromeda may have rebelled and married 'below herself', as his mother had quite politely (for her anyway) put it, but as a child she had done almost everything she had been told. She had gone to her tutor classes, had read the right books and had showed the perfect skills a pureblood lady should. Sirius on the other hand had done whatever he could not to do what his parents wanted. He didn't listen to the tutors, he certainly hadn't read the dark arts books his mother had tried so hard to make him read and when it came to having the skills of a pureblood lord, well from the amount of time his dear mother had spent screaming his failures at him he guessed that he never got them.
Andromeda had met Ted Tonks and had changed. She suddenly didn't care what her parents thought of her and she certainly didn't care who her mother had wanted her to marry. After the last day of her last year Andromeda had come home, picked up all of the belongings she could carry and she ran away and married Ted. Her mother had been more than a little bit angry and her father had refused to allow her name to be spoken in his hearing range. His mother had been gleeful, the wicked bitch she had been, she laughed at the fact that the perfect pureblood princess had done the ultimate taboo and had sullied her blood, body and music with Mudblood.
Sirius was suddenly bought back to the present by his cousin talking. "The first thing I did was contact a Healer I had heard had worked on a few cases of muggleborn children was had gotten their Hogwarts letter while suffering from cancer. Turns out that its very rare for a grown adult witch or wizard to get cancer, once their magic is developed is stops the cells mutating into cancer. In the few cases Healer Nixly said she had seen in adults they were all muggleborn and it was caused partly by outside forces. For Ted it turns out that the 'harmless' muggle cigarettes Ted loves to smoke aren't as harmless as he wanted me to believe and now he's paying a heavy price." It was no surprise that she sounded bitter and hurt, to know that her husband had basically slowly killed himself with every puff of that deadly smoke must be heart breaking… and so soon after losing her daughter it was a blow.
Sirius' gut twisted in sympathy, she didn't deserve to lose everything like this. "Ahh Andy I don't know what to say. Sorry doesn't seem enough but I can't think of anything else to say…"
A sigh left Andromeda's dry lips. "Believe me Cousin, I know. I don't even know what to think let alone say to my husband. I have no one to turn to and Ted… Ted seems to have given up; he just doesn't care anymore without Nymphadora. Dora was his everything and now she isn't here anymore." She gently wiped a few more tears off of her pale cheek.
Sirius cleared his throat before saying softly. "Know that the door is always open to you Andy and I am always open to talk to if you need to. If you just want to see Silas than just ask, want a shoulder to cry on, just ask and if you ever feel too lonely or just need a break, well your old room is still free. Might need a good dust and a new bed but apart from that know you always have a place here. Tonks your name may be now but a Black by blood you shall always be."
A few more tears escaped at his words and she smiled. A light and sad smile but a smile all the same.
"Thank you Cousin Sirius, knowing I have a home here means more to me than I thought it ever would. Our childhood may not have been ideal or very happy but I think you are right when you say that it is about time we started to put the pride back into the Black family name. Time to drag it out from the dark it has fallen into and out into the light." Andromeda said strongly and Sirius was glad that she could see things from his side.
Just as he was about to speak again she waved her hand and started talking again, her voice stronger, tears forgotten and Pureblood genes showing clearly once more.
"Well as glad as I am to hear that, that wasn't why I came here today. So as you know all Aurors must make a will with Gringotts when they start their training then update it at least once a year. I was talking to the lawyers, I couldn't do it any earlier than I have, and they informed me that the will hadn't been updated yet this year and didn't include Silas. Dora's money, the pay-out from the Ministry and everything else has come to me but I don't need it. I was planning to put all of the money in a trust for her child, Silas. I know you don't need the money but nor do I and it would be better if my daughter's money went to her child, my grandson, perhaps he could use it to go traveling after Hogwarts. But according to the British Ministry I need your permission to set up such a trust account, at least if I want it is his name. I doubt you have a problem with that but I need that in writing."
"Of course you can Andy, I'll write you up a permission letter right now, I'll just grab a quill and parchment or maybe Harry's left some of his muggle pens and paper about. Want a cup of tea while I'm up?"
She tilted her head. "Yes thank you that would be lovely. I would prefer Assam but I'd be happy with plain black."
Sirius snorted. "Don't worry, we have plenty of Assam, Remus loves it and I've grown to like it. Harry likes Darjeeling, don't understand why cause I can't stand the taste myself. Sugar?"
She smiled, more relaxed, if still deeply sad. "One please."
Sirius nodded slowly and went to write the letter and make the tea.
When Sirius returned with a blue china cup of Assam and a black mug of strong black coffee in hands and letter to Gringotts underarm Andromeda had picked a yawning Silas out of his day cot and was cradling him in her arms, cooing at his annoyed expression.
Sirius gently placed the tea cup and the letter next to her, which she thanked him for, before he sat down himself.
"Let me know if the letter's no good, been meaning to pop to Gringotts so I can always let them know in person."
"Thank you Cousin, with Ted being so unwell there just isn't the need for the money. Once Ted has passed I'll most likely sell the house we live in now and move into a smaller house, perhaps closer to here. It's going to be hard living without him with Dora gone. Silas is all I really have left." She didn't sound so bitter but the sadness was still lurking deep and would do of sometime. Andromeda picked up her tea with the hand not cradling Silas and took a sip before nodding in approval to Sirius. The movement made Silas cry out, he didn't like being moved once he got comfortable.
"So the Healer is sure then, there is nothing that can be done?"
"Absolutely nothing; magic can't help and nor can muggle doctors. Healer Nixly said just to make him comfortable and make sure he enjoys his last few months"
Sirius' heart clenched for his Cousin, she didn't deserve this and he now understood why she hadn't been round to see Silas; everything was far too painfully right not and would stay so for a long time yet.
"Is that how long the Healer says he has then? A couple of months?" It wasn't long at all and would mean the loss of her daughter and husband in less than a year and more than that in a couple of months' time it would be Yule and it would be simply cruel for Andromeda to lose Ted when everyone would be celebrating.
Andromeda once again nodded. "Mmmhm, Healer Nixly said from two to six months but that could change for the better or for the worse depending on his health in other ways, the flu would kill him he's so weak right now."
"Healer Nixly? I've heard of her before I'm sure of it." Sirius said after a moment of silence. "Yeah, doesn't she know one of the lawyers we both go to?"
Andromeda smiled slightly. "Yes, before her marriage she was Georgiana Copperfield, younger sister to Beatrice Copperfield the Copperfield of Copperfield, Cane and Campani and she is also the best friend of the wife of Matthias Campani, Donnatella. Matthias is my lawyer and I believe Alexander Cane is yours?" Silas had stop being so annoyed by now and had started playing gently with his grandmother's long hair.
"He is, we went over the summer to sort our wills, you know, add Harry and Silas to them. Plus it will be easier having all the paperwork done in one building; the Black family are well known to lose important documents!" Sirius chuckled, remembering when his aunt, Andromeda's mother had wanted to create her own family tree, like the one in the formal parlour but she somehow mislaid the Black family volume seven, 1345 to 1457. His mother had never forgiven Andromeda's mother for that.
"They are lovely people too. Matthias wife, Donnatella has been a real support to me. They lost their young daughter in a muggle fire five years ago and Healer Nixly's son isn't very well but they have no idea why." She paused to remove Silas' hand from her long hair, playing was fine but he had started pulling. "Poor Georgiana, she was terribly worried about sending him to Hogwarts but he wanted to go and she just couldn't say no."
While Sirius was glad his cousin had the support she no doubt needed, he didn't like how close she was to their lawyers, who had at first suggested when he had signed the formal adoption papers that perhaps in would be better for the baby if he were to be raised by his grandmother and no to mention the rumours of a link between Matthias Campani and the Circle of Imperium.
But Sirius smiled anyway. "I'm pleased you have people to talk to Andy, I know losing Tonks has hit you hard and knowing Ted's health is deteriorating can't make things any better. I'm sure with their support things will go as well as they can but don't forget that you are always welcome here. I was thinking of removing the old family tree but I think I'll just update and restore it back to how it should be, making sure you and Tonks have pride of place, where you should be."
He was surprised to see tears glitter in her eyes at his words, perhaps being a member of the Black family meant more to her than he had ever thought.
"Thank you Sirius, I know you never felt the need to please your parents but it broke my heart to turn back on them as I did. I will never regret doing so but nor will I ever forget the look of despair on my mother's face when I returned, married to a muggleborn." The wound was an old one, buried under far fresher ones but still as painful as in had been years ago.
She drank the last of her tea before she put the empty cup back on the table. She then gave the snoozing baby a light hug and a kiss before she placed him gently down so he could sleep peacefully.
She stood and so did Sirius. "Thank you Cousin, for your support, your words and of course this letter. I'll have Campani give Cane a copy of any paperwork and I'll try make my visits more often." She smiled and they headed to the door.
"We can come to you if you want; I mean I'm sure Ted would like to see him. Let us know when's a good day when Ted isn't feeling too bad and I'll pop over. I'm looking after Silas till he is older and then I'll think of going back to work so I'm almost always free."
She smiled gratefully. "That would be lovely. Now I better go I have a meeting with Donnatella and Georgiana in 30 minutes, Donnatella has an idea she wants to discuss with me." She patted him on the shoulder and gave him a rather motherly kiss on the cheek.
Sirius was momentarily confused. "I thought you said Healer Nixly was helping you with Ted, so what idea could Mrs Campani have?"
She looked surprised for a moment. "She and her husband are helping me with another matter but I'll be late as I don't hurry. Thank you for the tea, you partner has good tastes. I'll floo or owl you when I shall be round next or when would be a good time for you to bring Silas to see Ted." With her parting words, Andromeda turned and walked out of the open door. Bit dramatic, worried Sirius.
With his cousin gone Sirius headed back to Silas and sat where Andromeda had been sitting moments before. Silas was still sleeping but Sirius found himself picking up the snoring infant anyway. He needed the comfort, he need to know that Silas was still there.
He didn't like the sound of what Andromeda was saying. She and her friends were up to something… But what? Sirius sighed and soon both were asleep.
Part Two: Break a Little More.
Why on earth did Sirius have to get sick today? Thought Remus as he walked through the doors to St Mungo's paediatrics ward with Silas in his arms; it was time for Silas' two month check-up and this was the big one. His appointment was for 11.30 am and Remus was worried.
This was when they would find out if Silas carried any werewolf blood or if indeed he had any magic at all. From what Andromeda had said at his birth, Silas could have any number of blood fathers including werewolf, wizard or even muggle.
Both Remus and Sirius had a good idea which one of those was Silas' blood-father but they hoped dearly that they were wrong. Perhaps it had simply been a coincidence that Silas had spiked a fever on both nights of the full moon and that the next day he drank almost twice as much milk as normal.
Well today would be the day they fine out for sure and Sirius had to damn well come down with the flu didn't he? It wasn't bad but there was no way they wanted to risk the possibly very ill children in the paediatric ward so Sirius had been left at home and it was Remus alone who had to brave the stares, glares and not so quiet whispers.
The waiting room was busy and Remus had to wait a few moments to book in at reception. Only once he and Silas were booked in did Remus look around for a place to sit but there were very few empty seats but as luck would have it Remus found a seat near the front, away from the children's play area but close to reception.
Laying Silas in his lap so he was sitting up, his back resting on Remus' belly and Remus' hands holding him securely so he wouldn't fall. Silas himself was awake and very curious about his surroundings; there was so much noise and so many other children, who were laughing, crying or asleep.
One boy, about four years old, had caught Silas' attention; the boy was sitting around from them and he was making cat meows as he played with a cat teddy. Silas seemed amazing by the sound and Remus found himself smiling as the infant in his lap scrunched his tiny nose up as the little boy he had been watching made a particularly loud yowl.
But at that same moment the man who the little boy was with, most likely the boy's father by the age and look of him, saw that Silas and Remus were watching the boy play. The man recognised Remus and he glared before he swapped seats with the boy so he was out of sight of the watching 'evil' werewolf.
Remus sighed; he had known that something like this was likely to happen. People just didn't like werewolves and seeing a werewolf round children, even if they had a good reason, wasn't going to make them happy, if fact it would put them on the defensive very quickly.
It made Remus feel bitter, before he had been ousted as a werewolf none of this had happened and now there would be a very real chance that the small infant in his arms, his son in all but blood, could face the same life he himself did now; a life where he would be feared and hated for something that he didn't have any control over. It wouldn't matter if Silas developed into a full werewolf or not, the mere fact a parent of his was indeed a werewolf and he therefore would himself be a carrier of werewolf blood would mean that many people would treat him like filth.
Lost in thought Remus almost didn't notice the woman sit down beside him; in fact he wouldn't have noticed if they baby in her arms wasn't screaming so loud that the dead might wake.
The woman, whose skin was almost as dark as her black hair, was quite young as well as very pretty. The baby in her arms, a little girl from the pink clothes and blanket, was flushed bright red even through her dark skin. The sweaty skin and the loud but gruff cries were clearly indicators of a fever.
The woman, while very pretty, looked knackered and Remus guessed that she had been up all night with the crying baby. She slumped into her chair before turning to him.
"I'm so sorry she's being so noisy, the fever means she can't sleep and when she can't sleep she gets grumpy and when she gets grumpy she likes to make sure we know all about it." She gently wiped the sweat off of her daughters face with a tissue. "I can't believe how busy it is in here."
Remus partly couldn't believe she was talking to him; didn't she know who and therefore what he was? His face, along with Sirius', had been in the paper quite a few times over the last two months so it wasn't often that people didn't know at the very least that he was a werewolf on sight.
"No worries," he chuckled, hoping she either did know and didn't care or would be gone before she found out. "This little monster has a good set of lungs on him and knows how to use them too. You can't help it when they get sick but she does look poorly indeed." The baby's cries had faded slightly at her mother's touch.
The mother looked even more worried for a moment. "She does, doesn't she?" She sighed. "I've tried everything there is to try and bring the fever down but nothings working. It isn't super high and there isn't anything else wrong with her; she's still feeding and I've changed enough nappies to know there's nothing wrong there but it has been over 48 hours now and I can't leave it any longer, no matter what the Healer I flooed said." She rubbed her own eyes, which had sleepless bags under them.
Remus nodded, he could see why she might be worrying. "Poor wee thing, she looks almost as tried as you! I know how you feel, Silas here wouldn't eat a few weeks ago and my partner wouldn't leave his side when he spiked a slight fever."
The woman smiled; glad that someone else understood why she was worried. "I was about to ask you about the little man in your lap, he doesn't seem too worried even with my monsters crying. Is he yours, it's just I can't see you in his features at all!" whereas the little girl in her arms was a spitting image of her mother, dark eyes, creamy coco skin and tightly curled hair.
Remus ran his hand over Silas' bright red peach frizz hair and over his paling skin. He had been born with a more olive tone but had become paler and paler after his first month till his skin now looked almost like milk.
Remus smiled because he was glad to see no judgement in her eyes. "Mine but not by blood. My partner adopted him after Silas' mother and my partner's cousin passed away but he doesn't really look like her either…" and that only left the blood father for Silas to look like.
Remus could see that she was about to ask about the blood father when she was called up to reception. Remus could tell the moment she was told who and what he was. Her body stiffened and she glanced his way before quickly looking back at the witch behind the desk.
Remus couldn't help the gutted feeling he felt; he had hoped that this wouldn't happen. She had been so nice and it was pleasant to talk to someone while waiting but now he watched as she slowly made her way back to the seats but this time she sat on a seat by the play area which was the other side of the room to where he was sat. She didn't look at him at all and Remus felt bitter; what did she think he was going to do? Bite her or the baby? It wouldn't do anything even if he was the type to do so! Or maybe she just didn't want to look like a bad mother by sitting next to a werewolf with her sick infant in her arms.
Remus didn't have time to feel too bitter for long as a Healer came out of the ward and stopped by reception and after a moment Silas' full name was called out.
Remus stood carefully before pulling Silas to his shoulder and grabbing his bag from where he had dropped it to the floor.
When they were only a few steps away the Healer turned and frowned and then turned back to the witch behind the desk where they shared some heated words. Remus didn't catch all of the words but did hear 'werewolf', 'not' and the Healer ask 'Isn't there anyone else' to which the witch started shaking her head.
The Healer turned back to facing Remus just as he got to the desk. The Healer's name tag read 'Third Class Healer Mason'; he was an old looking man who was perhaps in his seventies with a shock of white hair and watery blue eyes.
"I believe that Mr Black was supposed to have been brought here by his adopted father, a Mr Sirius Black?" The Healer took a long look at Remus from foot to head before sneering lightly.
This type of attitude was something Remus had gotten used to over the last two years but never had he expected it so obviously from someone like a Healer.
Remus slowly looked straight into the Healers eyes. "Sirius is my partner and yes it was the plan for him to bring Silas in but because Sirius has the flu we didn't think it would be best for him to be around sick children." Remus was very aware that they were most likely being watch by witches and wizards seated in the waiting room; he could feel their eyes burning into his back and so seems could Silas as the little boy let out a stressed cry and Remus in return hugged him tighter.
The Healer didn't look impressed at all. "Well wasn't there anyone else who could have brought him in, a grandparent perhaps? Anyone might have been better." The witch behind the desk was listening closely and Remus knew that many waiting also heard the Healers words and Remus just wanted the floor to swallow him whole.
Remus shook his head slowly with his eyes now staring into the back of Silas' little head and his cheeks blushed pink with embarrassment. "Unfortunately Silas' grandmother is busy caring for his rather ill grandfather. I was the only one not ill who was also free today."
The Healer didn't look pleased. "Well I'll be back in a moment so if you'd be willing to take a seat for a minute someone will be out shortly." With those sharp words the old Healer turned back through the green ward doors and Remus was left standing by reception, feeling like a fool.
It was fine of Healer Mason to say take a seat but when Remus turned back to the waiting room all of the seats had been taken as the ward got busier and busier as midday past. The only place for him to wait was a standing space by reception or a small clear space in a far corner, which was where Remus found himself walking towards with what felt like everyone watching.
The minute Healer Mason has said would take for someone to come for them turned to twenty before someone approached him.
It was a woman in her mid-forties with dark mahogany hair and black eyes wearing Healer green robes. Her name tag was different from Mason's black one; hers was golden, which indicated she was head of a department in the hospital, and it had the crossed wand and syringe symbol which told Remus that she had studied both magical and muggle medicine. Her tag read Healer Nixly, the woman Sirius had told him was helping his cousin Andromeda with her husband.
She stood tall before him. "I'm afraid Mr Lupin that Healer Mason is refusing to do the infant's check-up with you in the room and as he is the only Healer free you have three choices; firstly and the one I suggest, you find someone else to go in with him. Secondly he goes in alone, which I don't recommend or thirdly you rebook the check up for a later date, either with a different Healer or have another person bring the child in. The child after you has taken your appointment slot so you may have theirs and therefore you have ten minutes or so to do as you need." She was matter of fact with her words and Remus couldn't bring himself to dislike her. Healer Mason on the other hand…
He sighed as he felt Silas wiggle; the baby had been far away from home for far too long and was starting to get very unhappy. "I'll see if I can find someone to go in with him but I can't see myself finding anyone in ten minutes who would want to bother helping me." The words were bitter on his tongue.
The Healer looked pleased with his answer. "I had hoped you might say that and I've found someone who would be willing to take the check-up with Silas if you are willing to let her."
Remus found himself confused at her words; someone here was willing to help? He knew it wouldn't be the young mother he had talk to earlier nor anyone else in the waiting room so who could it be? "Who have you found that would be willing to help, Healer Nixly?"
She tilted her head as if she were assessing him. "Mrs Malfoy is here for a charity meeting that ended a few minutes ago. She heard Healer Mason and offered to go in with the infant and it is even better as it turns out that she is even a relation of the child's."
Remus never thought he would be happy to near the name Malfoy in his whole life but now he was. After what happened with Harry in Diagon Alley Sirius had been wondering if it might be worth getting in contact with his other cousin and instead she had made the contact. It was a relief to know Silas could have his check up and still be in safe hands. "That would be perfect Healer Nixly, thank you for your help. Mrs Malfoy is my partner's cousin so I'm sure its fine if she takes him."
"No need to thank me Mr Lupin, I'm happy to help where I'm needed. Mrs Malfoy is talking to another head of department right now but I shall inform her of your answer and send her out as soon as she is free. Have a good day Mr Lupin, young Silas." With that and a nod she moved on.
Silas was even more unhappy by now. He had turned his small head as much as he could and was making impatient little huffs and cries. Remus tried to soothe him but it wouldn't work and Remus just hoped it wouldn't take long.
It wasn't long before Narcissa Malfoy walked out of the reception doors and as soon as she saw him she started walking his way. She wasn't wearing a robe today but a muggle style trouser suit that was a pale lavender colour with a deep purple shirt and a lovely amber bead necklace that Remus knew she had been given as a teen from photos Sirius had shown him. Her pale blonde hair was in lose curls around her face and she had a bright but sad smile on her face.
She didn't hold her hand out to shake but instead gave Silas a light kiss on the forehead before doing the same to Remus' cheek.
"I'm sorry to hear that Healer Mason is being so inconsiderate Mr Lupin, I'll be having words with the Head of Infect Checks and Statistics when I see him next; this is a hospital and there is no room for private opinions. Werewolf or not you should have the right to be treated with dignity." Sirius' cousin was a woman used to getting her way and Remus was pretty sure that when she said she'd be having words then she would indeed make sure they were heard.
Remus awkwardly returned the cheek kiss as she turned her head for it. "Thank you for agreeing to go in with Silas Mrs Malfoy, he is getting rather worked up and I don't think it would be fair to make him hang round much longer." Silas was drooling all over his papa's neck and his tiny eyes were red from his unhappy tears.
Mrs Malfoy looked at Silas concerned. "He isn't looking well the poor child; I'll make sure the Healer takes as little time as possible with him and please, call me Narcissa Mr Lupin. You are after all my cousin's husband in all but name." Remus was surprised she thought so as it was well known that while werewolves could legally marry, it was very hard for them to get a Ministry Blessing so most didn't bother.
Remus smiled again, this one bit more personal. "In that case I'd be pleased if you were to call me Remus, being called Lupin makes me think of my time as a professor at Hogwarts!" Her eyes twinkled and Remus knew that look; it had been the same one his mother had when she was either planning something or when a plan had come together just how she had wanted it to.
"Yes," She smirked, "My son spent his whole summer between his third and fourth year complaining about you and not the fact you are a werewolf but that Mr Potter had a friend of his family as a professor but that just happens to be the year of his best scores in DADA so far at Hogwarts…"
Remus winced inwardly as he remembered the whining voice of the Malfoy heir and didn't envy having to listen to that for a whole summer. "Thank you Mrs, I mean, Narcissa, but there isn't a lot to compare my teaching skills too! Your son is a smart boy but just very…" He struggled for the right word to use without offending the boys own mother.
Again with the smirking. "Brattish you mean?" she sniffed lightly, "My son may have the pureblood attitude and arrogance but he has yet to learn the finer points of pureblood manners and dignity."
Before Remus could reply Silas' name was once again being called out across the room and after gently passing the whimpering baby as well as the appointment paperwork across to Narcissa, Remus watched the blonde witch walk across the waiting room and through the wards doors.
There still weren't any free seats that Remus could see so he stayed where he was and where Narcissa could find him when the appointment was over; which would be in about thirty minutes or so. While this was the big check-up where they would find out if Silas was a werewolf carrier the Healer would still need to do the usual weigh, measure and record plus a magic levels check and a reactions test.
Expecting them to be about half an hour caused Remus to be very surprised when Narcissa came marching out of the ward doors only five minutes later with a furious look spread across her beautiful face.
Following closely behind her was Healer Mason who gestured for Remus to come to them.
He wasn't even half way across the room when he could hear Silas' tearful cries and Remus hurried even more. When he was standing front of them Narcissa passed Silas over to him quickly before turning to face Healer Mason.
She took a deep breath before she spoke in a voice so tight with anger Remus thought she might slap him, damning pureblood manners and customs.
"I have never met a more despicable man in all my life and trust me when I say that I have met quite few nasty pieces of work in my life! You are a judgemental and arrogant fool who should in no way have a job with people let alone children!" Her pale blue eyes were burning hot and her wand was being lightly held in her left hand, a warning to anyone will thoughts to interrupt.
The Healer looked like he couldn't quite believe who was speaking to him in such a manner, in fact he looked like a fat fish out of water, gasping to be back where it would be comfortable. "Pardon me Mrs Malfoy but the thing is a werewolf! I will not have one in my treatment room, why who knows how it might affect the children I see later in the day. No, no, no! I will not have it near me." Remus winced at his raised voice, knowing that the waiting room was still full of people who must be more than happy to listen and report everything they hear.
Mrs Malfoy looked ready to spill blood. "You don't even know if he's a carrier of werewolf blood! And so what if he is? It isn't going to do anything to any children you treat today because anyone with at least a spec of intelligence would know that apart from their change upon the full moon a werewolf cannot hurt anyone any more than any other witch or wizard could! Mark my words Mason; I'll be having words with your Head of Department and perhaps a few words to the charity whether or not we should pull our funding for your research. We wouldn't want to be seen assisting an incompetent Healer would we now?" Remus admired her control during her speech and wasn't shocked at all to hear her words become smug towards the end as the Healer's face became redder and redder.
Face crimson and nostrils flared, Healer Mason looked ready to pop. "Fine Mrs Malfoy, have it your way but I will not see that thing, today or any other day!" With those as his parting words the grumpy old wizard turned and fled through the green doors.
Narcissa took a deep and calming breath before turning back to Remus, face solemn and sad. "I apologise Remus. What a hateful man! Pah, I thought my husband is a bigot but he is nothing next to that beast. How that man came to become a Healer is a question I will be asking."
Remus on the other hand couldn't gather enough effort to be really upset, he just wanted to get home and ask Sirius to look up private Healers. "It's okay Narcissa, I'm used to it and I have a horrible feeling this will be something Silas will have to get used to anyway. I take it that when Healer Mason saw that Silas needed a werewolf carrier test that he refused to continue with the appointment?" The grown werewolf looked down to the baby werewolf who had cried himself to near sleep and sighed deeply.
The blonde witch nodded, harsh movements from a normally very elegant and gentle woman. "He saw the need for the test and ushered me out of the room and he disappeared into an office before returning telling me that the appointment had been cancelled." She reached over and wiped the tear stains from Silas' tired face. "He's had enough; I think it would be best if you head home for the day."
But before they could Remus heard his name being called from reception and so he made his way to the waiting witch who handed him an appointment card before he could even speak.
"Mr Lupin, Due to unforeseen circumstances I was told to book you a new appointment with a different Healer. This is your new appointment card, booked in for eight day at the later time of 14.45 with Assistant Healer Muldrow, and Mr Lupin I believe eight day should be enough time for you to arrange for someone else to bring the child in… We wouldn't want another incident now would we Mr Lupin?" Remus took the slip of paper and walked away without saying a word, even when the desk witch huffed about how rude he was.
He tucked the slip of paper away and after making sure Silas was safe in his arms he made his way out of the hospital with a silent Malfoy following him.
Once out she placed a hand on his arm to stop him simply walking off. "I am so sorry that I couldn't help anymore Remus, I will make sure that this doesn't happen next time."
He, mindful of Silas, shrugged his shoulders. "Thank you Narcissa but there is no need to worry yourself, next time Sirius will bring him alone and there shouldn't be any other 'incident'." He rubbed his eyes tiredly, he just wanted to go home, get Silas fed and put to bed and then a nice long cuddle with Sirius.
She nodded slowly, knowing that it wasn't time to argue the injustices of the world. "Of course Remus," her face had fallen into a mask. "I'll contact you and Cousin Sirius sometime soon; I've been meaning to talk to you." She kissed Silas' puffy face and patted Remus' free shoulder. "Farewell Cousins." With that as her last words to walked away.
It didn't take long for Remus to get them back on the bus, it was past the midday rush and no one wanted to ask a man carrying a crying baby if he was willing to give up his seat so he didn't move till it was his stop. It was then a five minute walk to Grimmauld Place.
Opening the front door caused Remus to sigh out in relief, it was over with; he now just had to explain to his partner what had happened and hope that he did go flying off the roof…
But Sirius was nowhere to be found, only a short note found in the kitchen told Remus that he had popped to the muggle corner shop to pick up some milk, bread and most likely a bar or two of chocolate. And they said Remus had the sweet tooth!
Sorting Silas was easy. He took his milk quickly, burped fast and was asleep even before Remus placed him in his cot.
Remus stood looking into the cot for a moment; he felt so guilty. If only he hadn't been a werewolf then none of that horrid day would have happened.
Silas twitched in his sleep and the older werewolf heaved a heavy sigh, nothing could change so why bother thinking about it? He brushed the soft downy red hair from Silas' face; it was getting quite long, like Sirius had wanted.
Giving up on thinking he took his shoes and jacket off before crawling into the middle of their new super king size bed. One he was in place he grabbed a pillow to hug and he then stared hard at Silas' soundless cot.
It wasn't long before the tears started or long before they turned to almost silent sobs. It just wasn't fair and Remus knew that that wouldn't change anything but it didn't mean that he couldn't get upset over it.
His whole life had been about hiding his secret and when the world found out everything started crashing down.
His favourite second hand bookshop wouldn't let him in anymore and the café he used to get a free hot chocolate with his slice of cake now charged him twice as much for both.
People went into shops they had no reason to when they saw him coming, simply because they didn't want to pass him. He had had enough of the glares and whispers and damn it the rumours were sickening. If he had to hear that he had raped Tonks to get her pregnant and then killed her after she had given birth one more think Remus thought he might go mad…
Sirius knew some of it of course but Remus was good at hiding the worse of it and he was glad he did, he wouldn't be able to live if Sirius found himself locked up again.
With those last thoughts Remus drifted into a restless sleep and it wasn't long after that that Sirius opened the front door.
"Remus, you hope yet? Oh yeah the baby bags here…Remus?" The stairs cricked. "Remus are you asleep?" and then bedroom door opening.
Sirius looked into Remus' blushed and tears stained face before sighing. "Oh Remy baby, I'm guessing things didn't go to plan?" Forgetting the bread and milk Sirius stripped and got into bed behind his lover, wrapping his arms around him and Remus finally relaxed. There they both slept their troubles away.
Part Three: A Road Less Travelled.
The red phone box on a country road just outside of Lavant, West Sussex didn't work. The residents of the small town had been on at the council to get it fixed, after all they paid their taxes, but every time the workmen were booked and the plans ready to go ahead they'd disappear and whoever was in charge of going it fixed would suddenly forget and move onto over things. The residents just bemoaned the 'bloody council and the witches and wizards who used it as a safe apparation point were left alone.
It was mostly used by potion ingredients collectors so they could safely travel to the nearby nature reserve, Kingley Vale, where a whole host of flora and fauna with great magical uses lived, ready to be harvested.
And on odd occasions it was used by witches and wizards who simply want a day out in the beautiful South Downs and this was one such day.
Remus and then Sirius, with Silas in his arms, apparated in the small red box; the phone box was spelled to record who apparates in and out how long they're there for in the hopes of preventing over harvesting in the reserve and that was why it was the only place for miles where a witch or wizard could get in unless they lived in the area or used the limited muggle transport.
Remus, who had gone first, checked outside the phone box for watching muggles before opening the rusted door completely. The road was clear and the air surprisingly mild for being so much closer to the cost then they had been in London.
Remus was soon followed by Sirius and a disgruntled Silas. "You two alright?" He asked his partner, they hadn't apparated with Silas a lot but that didn't mean they didn't know how much he hated it. He would cry and be grumpy for ages after so they tried to avoid using it where they could but this was a time where they couldn't or else in would have been a floo trip to Chichester and then a muggle bus journey for half an hour or so and then another twenty minute walk along a road with no public path.
It was around ten in the morning and they were in the outskirts of Lavant in the hopes of spending a lovely September day in the last of the year's true sun while taking in the beautiful reserve around them.
Remus had come here as a boy to visit an aunt on his mother's side who lived in Stoughton, which was the other side of the reserve. He had loved it, the yews and the ancient earthworks had kept him fascinated fir hours and he had driven his mother mad with his frequent disappearing acts.
After he had been bit there had been no more trips to see Auntie Vera and Remus had long promised to take Sirius and now Silas also to the place of so many of his happy children memories. With the stress of Andromeda's visit and the incident at the hospital they had just wanted to get out of the house for a bit and away for the wizarding world so re-enacting his beloved children dreams seemed to be just the thing, apart from the visit to Auntie Vera, who had died of a stroke years ago.
"I'm fine but this isn't as pretty as you said it was Remus, I mean there is this ugly muggle road in the middle of it. Kinda ruins it for me…" Sirius said as he too walked out of the red phone box. Silas had calmed pretty quickly for him and was now watching the world around him as only a baby could.
Remus glared at the smirking man. "You know we aren't there yet so why make stupid comments? Oh I know, to wind me up!" he huffed but Sirius just smirked even more and slipped his cold hand into Remus' warm one to hold.
"I know, I'm kidding." He kissed Remus lightly and Remus rolled his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips, before gently tugging the other forward with him and then they began to walk silently till they came to a public right of way footpath.
It was map time because although Remus had spent a lot of time rambling across the vale it had not only been from the other way but also it had been a damned long time ago, 30 years or so.
"I think this is the right path?" Remus said pointing to a green line of his muggle ordnance survey map. "This green line leads along the ridge and up to the top. This route passes the Ancient Yew forest so we can spend some time there, take some photos and be at the Devil's Humps in time for lunch." He said as he traced his route and therefore the green diamond line with his finger.
Sirius laughed and said, "Devil's Humps? Who names something Devil's Humps?" he snorted and rubbed Silas' back, who gurgled, whether in return to the back rub or to Sirius' noises it wasn't know.
Remus rolled his eyes and smiled, "Should have guessed you would have pointed out the name. It's quite common to find ancient earthworks named after the Devil, I'm not sure why but look here," He pointed at a line of circles, "These are the Devil's Jumps and these." He said as he pointed at two sets of lines, "Are call the Devil's Ditch. Why the Devil would have a ditch is anyone guess but you can see my point."
Sirius nodded slowly before grabbing Remus' hand again. "I see that muggles are weirder than even I first thought. I mean don't they hate this Devil bloke and now they're saying everything in their landscape belongs to him? Ridiculous I say."
Remus shook his head and decided to forget he'd said anything. "Sure Sirius whatever you say but let's get moving shall we? We won't get to the top in time for lunch if we don't hurry a little bit." And with that they started up the ascending footpath, hand in hand.
Kingley Vale was a beautiful place; full of plants and wildlife it was hard to believe that they were actually pretty close to urban built up muggle areas. It just felt as if there were nothing for miles.
They had been lucky enough to see a herd of deer grazing in a meadow and Remus had snapped as many photos as he could. They'd also gone in to explore the Yew forest and had found themselves amazed by the ancient trees. Being beings of magic they had felt the subtle power the Yews radiated from their twisted bodies and thin branches. A few more photos and they were on the move again after Remus took Silas, placing his little head on his shoulder, from Sirius to give him a break.
The climb along the edge of the ridge was pretty tough and Sirius soon found himself out of breath, his time in Azkaban hadn't done his fitness level any good, what with crap food, crap and polluted air damaging his lungs and of course the inactivity had made him weak. He was getting better but it was going to be a slow process.
Silas had fallen asleep in Remus' arms a little while back and the older werewolf sighed at the gentle baby snores that fluttered across the back of his neck. He made note to bring Silas back when he was old enough to enjoy it more.
They had passed quite a few muggles, many of them walking dogs. Everyone had been really polite, even when they had seen Sirius and Remus holding hands; one lady, her two sons and their two dogs had been having a break and sharing out water when the group of wizards turned the corner. The dogs went straight to Remus, sniffing and grumbling a greeting to their fellow canine.
The woman of course couldn't stop apologise for her dogs actions but they just laughed and waved her words away, there was no need for them. They stood talking for a good five minutes before both groups moved on. Once out of the muggles hearing Sirius, jokingly asked Remus if they could get a dog and what was his answer? A slap across the back of his head.
The Devil's Humps were amazing in their own way; they were two large mounds of earth, once grand burial barrows of the Neolithic and Bronze Age Britons but now grass covered bumps, whoever buried inside long forgotten along with their beliefs.
People had been walking the ridge in Kingley Vale for years and the barrows had slowly started to eroded and Sirius and Remus soon found a comfortable spot on the on to the barrow to the east.
A lunch of sandwiches was quickly demolished and more water was passed between them. They spent a few moments taking in the amazing view across the valleys, hills, fields and they could even see as far as Butser hill to the east and Chichester harbour and the English Channel to the south.
It was pretty damn peaceful.
"I can see now why you loved it so much as a child." Sirius said, breaking the silence. "It is beautiful up here, so open… so free." His eyes clouded with bitter sadness. "I'm even glad you dragged me up that damn hill!"
Remus chucked, he had warned his lover that it wouldn't be easy going but if anyone in the world could be called stubborn it would be that man.
"It wasn't too bad Sirius, plus we took the easy way up here. You don't want to even think about trying the middle route…Pass me the chocolate biscuits would you?" Soon he was munching away on some chocolate digestives, he favourite after custard creams.
Sirius snorted at him. "I can't believe you can eat them after that sandwich… I'm stuffed, but not in the way I want." He winked as Remus choked and started spluttering. "So prudish Remus, what happened to that great dirty mind of yours from Hogwarts?"
The werewolf glared at his still smirking lover. "I still have it and still use it; just in private, not in public or where little ears could hear." He said, nodding pointedly down at the snoozing baby resting his head on Remus' shoulder.
Sirius laughed. "Remus, he isn't even three months old so I doubt he's going to remember me talking about how I'd quite like your dick buried in my arse right now." He laughed louder the deeper Remus' blush got.
In return he reached over and pushed Sirius with his free hand; after placing the biscuits in a safe place of course! "Werewolf carriers have been shown to have better early memory abilities then not werewolf blood carriers. He might start remembering from about two months and the memories could be quite strong."
Sirius became serious very quickly. "Remus we don't yet know he is a werewolf carrier, we'll find out tomorrow but until then we have to at least try and stay positive about everything. It's hard but we gotta try." He moved over and wrapped his arm over the werewolf's, carefully laying his hand on Silas' back and Remus soon curled into him.
Trying to hind his tears Remus said, "I hope to any god that would listen that he doesn't come back as a werewolf carrier, I'd love him for it but I just can't stand to think of what his life would be like. I only got into Hogwarts as a favour for my father from Dumbledore; Silas isn't going to have that and if that damned Circle get their fucking wish then the whole werewolf community is going to suffer greatly. I mean who do they think they are with that 'Care and Control' act?! Next they'll want us to apologise for the evil deeds of werewolves like Greyback but they still won't believe a word we say, no matter what we do…I'm afraid of what this could lead to." The tears had turned angry. It just wasn't fair, thought Remus as he stared across the endless fields, Voldemort is gone for good, and I have Sirius and Silas and Harry. Things should be happy and instead I'm worrying that there might be another war and a war I wouldn't be sure which side I'd want to be on…
Silas had sensed his papa's distress and why becoming wiggly. "Shhh, I know love, believe me I know but there's nothing we can do now but hope it doesn't go that far." Sirius patted Silas' back as he kissed his werewolf's cheek. "Things have got to look up soon."
Remus' wiped his eyes and ran his free hand through his already ruffled fair. "I hope you are right I really do but things just aren't looking that way. I mean with the shit the paper is printing and from what we got from Harry in his letter it has already started to get worse."
Remus frowned as he remembered the last letter from their shared godson. "I can't believe how Hermione is acting, she never showed anti-werewolf feeling when I was teaching at Hogwarts and I always thought that she would be too smart for such nonsense but from Harry's last letter it sounds like she's swallowed the Circle of Imperium's crap hook, line and sinker."
Sirius hummed in reply. "On the other hand I can't say I'm surprised about Ginny. She was always going to be spoilt, what with being the only girl and all. Plus Mrs Weasley has got something in mind that I'm not sure I want to really know about."
Time was getting on a bit and if they wanted to be back at the red phone box for no later than four then they needed to get a move on. There was still a fair way for them to go according to the map. They needed to follow the ridge for a few miles before reaching another earthwork titled Goose Hill Camp before turning right on to another country lane where there should be a bus back to Lavant and therefore the red phone box.
They dusted themselves and off they went hand in hand.
The Autumn sun was warm on their backs as they strolled down the tree lined path chatting. They saw rabbits as well as a whole menagerie of birds, butterflies and other things. Silas had fallen asleep but quickly woke when they were startled by the rough barks of an early rising fox somewhere in the woods. The baby didn't seem too worried, only curious about the strange noises.
Apart from the Devil's Humps there were also other points of historical and archaeological interest along Bow Hill, the name of the Kingley Vale ridge. A fair few 'tumuli, what is recorded on the map as a long barrow and on the descending eastern edge of the ridge was an earthwork called Goose Hill Camp; what is was wasn't mentioned on the map so Remus was intrigued. As a boy he had never gotten that far, the peak of Bow Hill being the as far as his mother let him go so he partly wanted to go just to have a look and partly because that looked to be the best place to get out on the road near where the muggle bus that would take them back to Lavant would stop.
After almost getting lost a few times Remus and Sirius finally made it to the earthwork; it was quite big, bigger than it had seemed on the map and although it was covered in grass, bushes and a couple of trees you could still clearly see where the bank and ditch had been dug into the hard earth.
They wondered over it, chatting randomly until Sirius paused and frowned. He looked up at the sky, over into the trees and then at the ground beneath his feet before laughing. Catching the confused look Remus sent him Sirius explained.
"It's a Celtic summoning circle! I can feel the power; it feels raw and earthy so probably a nature based sprit or even an attempted to summon the great earth goddess herself. What did you say this place was again?"
"Goose Hill Camp." Remus said slowly.
"Ha! What a weird name for a summoning circle, don't these muggles know anything." And an eye roll from his werewolf partner they were off.
The climb now after Goose Hill was pretty steep and they, after checking for muggles, cast a shield around Silas just in case Remus just happened to drop him or fall over himself.
Once at the base it was a quick cross field check before they reached the road where the bus would stop. Silas has once again fallen asleep and the adult wizards weren't feeling much better; Sirius was complaining his feet ached and Remus couldn't stop yawning.
The bus didn't take long and the driver, while surprised to be picking people up this far out was still friendly and told them that of course he'd let them know went it was their stop.
It wouldn't be a long journey so they took any old seat but found they were unlucky as they had taken the free seats in front of an oldish man with a harsh face and greying brown hair. The man didn't stop muttering quite nasty comments about the fact they were obviously a couple from the way they held hands. Now normally Sirius would make a joke out of it, give the old a show by kissing Remus and being what Remus had explained muggles thought of as the typical gay man but this time he didn't feel like it. The day and worries had drained him so he just sat tight and said nothing.
They were off the bus within twenty minutes, thank Merlin, and they soon spotted the red phone box, both thankful that they would be home soon.
Remus went in first with Silas in arms; it wasn't late, only just gone 4pm but they were both knackered. It was time for home and tea and cuddles in front of the fire. Before he closed the phone box door Remus kissed Sirius and whispered, "I'll be in the kitchen when you get home, just go and get changed and I'll have a cup of tea ready for us both."
Sirius smiled and said, "Alright love, I'll hold you to that." The door closed and Sirius heard the crack of apparation as Remus headed home.
Taking a moment to breath, Sirius looked up to the blackening skies. The weather had turned and the rain was coming fast; a great day, ending in darkness.
Sirius took it as an omen of things to come.
So what did you all think? I quite liked writing this and it was nice to write a happyish SiriusxRemus scene.
I'm planning the next chapter already, look out for in at the end of the month
Thanks for reading and I hope you like enough to review!
Love, Conquered-King!