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Chapter 11: A Disappointing Discovery

Remus took the parchment and looked over it before his face broke into a large grin. "Congratulations."

"I was convinced I'd failed." Mione took the parchment back and looked over it again. "I can't believe it."

"You beat my scores and I came top of my year," Remus revealed, wanting her to understand how well she had done. "Your potions score is exceptional. You now hold the highest ever recorded score at Hogwarts."

Mione winced. "Then Snape is going to like me even less than he already does when he finds out."

"You might not need to worry about that." Remus sat down on the bed beside Mione. "I know you expected to become my full-time teaching assistant but I'd actually like to offer it to Harry."

Mione felt massively disappointed. "My Harry?"

"Well, I didn't mean Harry Potter." Remus knew that James' son would never be up to the kind of standard Harry Sebastian appeared to be, Hermione Granger having revealed he was helping her and doing so successfully. "Yes, your Harry. Do you think he'll be interested?"

"Definitely but what about his current position?" Mione wondered if Remus was going to say she would be doing that in Harry's place.

"Minerva wants him to cover until the end of year to give her enough time to find a replacement. As good as he is at it, we both agree that the librarian's position isn't really right for Harry, so if things work out with him, Minerva's going to offer him my position full-time when I leave at the end of my contract." Remus could see that Mione was trying hard to be happy about Harry. "This brings me to you."

Mione smiled brightly, trying to hide the tears that were threatening. "I understand why you've picked Harry."

"I don't think you do." Remus put her out of her misery. "I actually need a full-time assistant at the Council. Matthew is leaving in a few weeks' time. I'd therefore like to offer you the job."

Mione's mouth fell open. "Why offer it to me though? What about Louisa?" Mione had already decided she wanted the job but she didn't want to step on anyone's toes.

"You've already been doing some of the work and you've coped very well. Louisa is a great secretary but she hasn't got the same natural instinct you have when it comes to research." Remus grinned. "And I don't think we'd be compatible sharing an office."

Mione ginned back. Even though she'd only visited the Watchers' Council's London offices twice, she was more than aware that Louisa was quite taken with her boss. "What you're trying to tell me is that you don't want someone fawning all over you, isn't?"

"You've got it in one."

Mione was now glad she had apologized about the comment Remus had overheard. "And I'm quite safe as I'm dating Harry."

"Who isn't going to complain if you work long hours because he'll be at Hogwarts," Remus pointed out.

Mione felt a pang of regret as she realized that she would be leaving Hogwarts and its secure environs. "It's a good thing H.J. bought a house, as it means that I've got somewhere to live."

"You won't be living there. You'll be living with me in..."

"I beg your pardon," Mione interrupted Remus. "I'm going to be living where?"

"In the house that Rupert and I share." Remus realized he had gotten ahead of himself. "I work very late hours and so will you. H.J.'s house isn't going to be practical. I know you can apparate back and forth but I prefer to have you and whatever you're working on at hand. It's one of the reasons things didn't work out so well with Matthew. He wasn't always available when I needed him."

"But won't Rupert be upset about that?" Mione asked worriedly. She had only met Rupert Giles once, and he seemed like quite a reserved and private person.

"He's already agreed to it." Remus had discussed it with Rupert first. "Xander is moving out in a few weeks' time when the residential apartments at the Academy are finally finished, so his room will be free then. It also means I don't have to keep ferrying him back and forth from Hogwarts when he needs to come home."

Mione thought about it for a moment. "It does make sense but you'll have to deduct a fair rent from my wage, otherwise I'm going to stay in H.J.'s house."

"You'll be paid in Muggle money," Remus reminded her, after he told her what her wage would be. "So let's call your rent one hundred pounds a month."

"That's awfully cheap, isn't it?" Mione was not exactly au fait with Muggle money but even she knew that one hundred pounds was not exactly a great deal.

"We don't have a mortgage, and I feel bad taking that from you." Remus knew that Mione would have stayed in H.J.'s house as she had threatened if he hadn't charged her something.

"Don't feel bad as you really should be charging more." Mione was well aware that she'd be a fool to turn down the offer. She decided that while they were on the subject she would find out about Rupert and Remus' relationship, as she wondered whether they were a couple. "So why do you and Rupert live together?"

"Because the house belongs to both of us." Remus gave her an amused smile, as he suspected he knew why Mione was asking. "When Dad died, he left it to us in equal shares."

Mione's face was a picture. "Rupert's your brother?"

"Half-brother," Remus informed her. "Mum's first husband died when Rupert was three."

"That's why he's got a different last name, isn't it?" Mione deduced.

"Yes. He did take Dad's name but didn't want anyone to accuse him of favoritism when he started at the council as a junior watcher. He wanted to make it on his own so he used the name Giles. Now it's all he ever uses." Remus didn't mind as he and Rupert both preferred to keep quiet the fact that they were related.

"So your dad was magical?" Mione asked, trying to get a handle on the relationships.

"Yes, and so is Mum but Rupert's father was a Muggle." Remus never usually told people but he trusted Mione to be discreet. "Rupert's actually a squib."

"I bet it was hard for him with you being magical." Mione knew she would have hated it.

"Not until I went to Hogwarts. It was only then that we had the typical sibling fall-out." Remus smiled. "But Rupert's managed pretty well anyway."

"So is your mother still alive?" Mione was aware that Remus' father had been killed the explosion caused by the First.

"Yes, and on to her third husband." Remus grimaced. "You've probably heard of her, Rachel Dompierre-St-Martin."

Mione's mouth fell again open in surprise. "Your mother is married to the ministre de la Défense?"

"Only you would use the correct title." Working so closely with her over the last few months, Remus had gotten used to Mione's idiosyncrasies. "Yes, Mum's married to the head of the French Auror Division. It's actually rumored he'll be the next French Minister for Magic."

Mione was curious as Remus had never mentioned his mother before that day. "Do you get along well with her?"

"Not really. She couldn't cope with my transformations. It was Dad who was always there for me. Rupert refused to go with her to France when she left so Dad brought him up as well. To be honest, I think Mum was happy about that."

Mione tried to recall what she had read about Rachel. "She's got a daughter, hasn't she?"

Remus saw little of his half-sister. "Yes, Nicole is eighteen and has just finished Beauxbatons."

"Do you get along with her?" Mione was enjoying finding out about Remus' family.

"I barely know her," Remus admitted. "And I've only seen Mum three or four times in the last ten years."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Mione decided a subject change was in order, and she got back on to the subject that had brought Remus up to her room. "Do you think I'll have any major difficulties with Louisa?" Mione could tell that the girl was not exactly keen on her.

"Not if she wants to keep her job, you won't." Wanting Hermione as an assistant, Remus was not going to stand for Louisa's antics as he had done in the past.

Mione was still worried as there had been some tension between her and Louisa, as the girl viewed Mione as a usurper, even though at the time, Mione had only been acting as Remus' stand-in assistant. "I don't want to rock the boat."

"You won't be," Remus assured her. "I need to get together with you to discuss everything in more detail. Would you be free to go to dinner while you're staying here?"

Mione thought for a moment. "I had planned to be here until New Year's Day but I think I'll have to go home earlier now."

"Cassie will be upset if you do." Remus knew that his goddaughter was quite taken with Mione. "I believe she's planning something special for New Year's Eve for you girls."

Mione knew then that she wouldn't be leaving early. "In that case any night except for tomorrow or New Year's Eve."

Remus began to run through his schedule in his mind. "I need to be at the Academy on the 28th to sign off on the residential section. Would you like to come with me and look around?"

Not having seen inside the building, Mione nodded. "I'd love to."

"Pack an overnight bag then," Remus warned. "I've got meetings on the 29th with some of the Watchers who are also visiting the site, and I'd like for you to sit in on them so that you can get a feel for what you've got in store for you. Matthew will be there, so he can start to run over some of the procedures we use."

"That would be great." Mione was excited and couldn't wait to tell Cassandra and Katherine. "I'd better let you get back to breakfast then."

"Aren't you coming down?" Remus stood up.

"I'll be down shortly." Mione waited for Remus to leave, and then she erected a privacy bubble before screaming her delight out loud. After taking a deep breath, she dropped the spell and headed out of her bedroom.

Downstairs Cassandra and Katherine were both anxiously waiting for Mione as she walked back into the breakfast room. Everyone else had finished breakfast and left. Cassandra looked anxiously at her friend. "Well?"

"I passed everything." Mione was almost knocked over by her screaming friends. "Calm down."

"Do you think you'll still be allowed to share our suite?" Cassandra didn't want Mione to move out. "Or will you get your own rooms?"

Mione's face fell a little as she realized how much she would miss her friends. "I'm not coming back with you to Hogwarts."

Cassandra's happy smiled vanished. "Why ever not?"

"Remus has asked me to be his assistant at the Council." Mione was nearly knocked over again as both girls became excited once more.

Katherine shook her head. "You're so lucky."

"I know. I couldn't wait to tell you two." Mione grinned. "I'm sure Luna will be a bit more sedate about the news. Have you heard if she's coming tomorrow?"

"Not yet but I'm sure she'll let us know." Cassandra took Mione's arm. "So when do you start?"

"Actually I'm going away for a night on the 28th with Remus and his current assistant, Matthew, to discuss things, so as yet I don't know." Mione felt her other arm being grabbed by Katherine as she was led towards the family room.

"You will be here for New Year, won't you?" Cassandra asked anxiously.

"As Harry's returning to Hogwarts then, I don't really have any real reason to return to the house." Mione would miss the house that H.J. had bought even though she had only been there for a short time.

"I'm sorry you won't see much of Harry but I'm glad you're going to be here." Cassandra pushed open the doors to the family room and looked up. "Can you see what I see?"

Mione looked up. "As long as Granger's not here, I can deal with it."

Cassandra and Katherine each kissed Mione's cheek. "Merry Christmas." The three girls then went to join the others in opening presents.

Katherine could feel her pulse racing as she got ready for the Boxing Day party. Mione turned to her friend. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Katherine belied her denial by dropping the hairbrush with which she was trying to brush her hair.

Mione picked it up and deftly began to help Katherine get her hair piled up on her head. "Are you going to tell me what's wrong?"

Katherine knew that Mione would find out shortly. "I'm nervous."

Mione turned her friend around to face her. "About what?"

Katherine blushed. "Everyone finding out who my date is."

"And?" Mione asked, even though she thought she already knew.

Katherine went even redder. "It's Orion."

Mione's suspicions were confirmed. "You two got together at the night of the Yule Ball, didn't you?"

Katherine slipped on her dark crimson robes as she spoke. "Yes."

Mione couldn't help but be a little excited for her friend. "I want details."

Katherine stopped what she was doing. "We were talking about Cassandra's crush on H.J., and I mentioned to Orion about his own on Luna."

Mione gave Katherine a little nudge as she stopped. "Go on."

"He admitted that he hadn't thought about Luna all evening." Katherine could feel her stomach fluttering as she remembered what had happened next. "Then he leaned over and kissed me and told me how much he had enjoyed spending the evening with me. We met up in the conservatory yesterday morning and he asked me to go with him tonight."

Mione hugged Katherine. "I'm so pleased for you both."

"I wouldn't get too excited, this is only our first real date." Katherine was terrified of it going wrong. "Do you think he'll like my dress?"

"I think he'll love it." Mione thought that the deep crimson color set off the red of Katherine's hair. "You look stunning."

Katherine felt relieved and pleased at Mione's comments. "You look really pretty too."

"But I'm not in your league." Mione believed she herself looked nice that evening but unlike Katherine, she wasn't absolutely dazzling. Mione had no idea that the outfit she was wearing made her look beautiful in an understated, elegant way.

"I just need to put in my earrings and I'm ready." Katherine then tried to do just that, only to fumble it.

Mione took the earrings from her. "Let me."

Once the earrings were in, the two girls made their way out of the room and were about to go to Cassandra's room when Luna came flying up the corridor. "I missed you."

Mione and Katherine hugged Luna in turn. Mione thought the blonde looked pretty in the ice-blue robes she was wearing. "You look really sweet in those robes. So who's escorting you tonight?"

"Uncle Grim." Luna had left him the minute though she had arrived. "Mummy didn't want to come."

Katherine was unsurprised. Luna's mother rarely attended any functions. "I'm glad you're obviously feeling better."

"I am." Luna stopped outside of Cassandra's room and knocked, before putting her head around the door. "Are you ready?"

Cassandra's face lit up at the sight of Luna. "Luna, I was worried you weren't coming."

"I love your dad's parties as much as I hate the Ministry functions." Luna kissed Cassandra on the cheek. "So are you coming downstairs?"

"I just need to put on some perfume and I'm done." Cassandra had decided to wear red as well that evening, but her robes were much brighter than Katherine's and clung to her figure. Cassandra turned and ran a critical eye over Mione's robes. "Those robes definitely suit you." Mione had brought robes of her own to wear but Cassandra had insisted on Mione wearing the clingy black robes that she had only worn once and hated on herself but she had just known that it would suit Mione's figure.

Mione ran a hand down the front of the robes. "Thanks. We'd better go down. Katherine's date is probably waiting for her."

Katherine turned on Mione and squealed, "Mione!"

Mione just grinned. "She's going to find out in a minute anyway."

Cassandra gave a squeal of her own. "You've got a date?"

"Orion asked me to go with him." Katherine looked nervously at Luna, who merely smiled happily at her friend.

"I thought you'd got a proper date for a minute."

Cassandra sounded dejected, and Katherine realized what she thought. "I do have a proper date."

Cassandra crossed her fingers. "You mean that you and Orion are really dating?"

"Yes." Katherine suddenly found herself wrapped up in an overexcited Cassandra as she confirmed the question.

"That's wonderful." Cassandra had hoped that her brother would forget about chasing Luna. However she hadn't expected Katherine to be the girl who would change his mind.

Katherine looked expectantly at Luna. "You don't mind, do you?"

Luna shook her head. "I've never liked Orion like that. I'm glad he's found someone he really likes."

Relieved that she hadn't upset Luna, Katherine opened the door. "Shall we go downstairs?"

Cassandra took Katherine's hand and began to practically drag her down the stairs. Luna and Mione followed behind not bothering to hide their smirks at Cassandra's enthusiasm.

As Mione reached the bottom of the stairs, her face lit up. "Harry, you're here already."

Harry walked over and kissed Mione lightly on the lips. "I am." He then turned to the other girls. "Good evening."

"Hi, Harry," the three girls chorused before Cassandra glanced over his shoulder. "Is H.J. here?"

"He's around somewhere." Harry had been surprised when Xander, who had been invited by Sirius, had asked H.J. to accompany him.

Mione was even more surprised that H.J. would leave Cammie. "Where's Camille?"

"With a babysitter." Harry watched Mione tense up but he didn't know why and continued speaking. "Cammie was upset she couldn't come but H.J. has promised her a day at the zoo to make up for it."

Katherine, who despite Lily's objections, had grown quite close to Cammie, was pleased to hear that her cousin hadn't been neglected. "I'm sure she'll enjoy that."

"Good evening, Mr. Sebastian." Orion addressed Harry first as he came up behind the group. "Mione, Cass, Luna." He then held out a hand to Katherine. "Hello."

Katherine noticed that Orion barely even gave Luna more than a cursory glance. "Hello."

Harry suddenly realized what was going on, and after greeting Orion, he turned to the three girls. "Shall we go find H.J.?"

Katherine was grateful to Harry as she took Orion's hand. "They know."

Orion groaned lightly. "I expect Cass went nuts, didn't she?"

"Just a little," Katherine admitted. "Do you want to get something to drink?"

Orion nodded as he led Katherine through the crowd before suddenly coming to a complete halt. "Are you as nervous as I am?"

At Orion's confession, Katherine felt all her tension drain away. "I was but I feel better now."

Orion smiled. "So do I. Come on."

Having gotten the most awkward part out of the way, the couple headed for where drinks had been set out on a table and several bartenders stood ready to provide anything that was not already set out. Orion picked up a glass of champagne and passed it to Katherine. "I can't have any, but you might as well have one glass."

"Thanks." Katherine winked at Orion who grinned back at her.

Orion grabbed a glass of juice, before bravely slipping his arm around Katherine's waist and heading towards the conservatory. A voice stopped them in their tracks. "And where do you think you two are going?"

Katherine swung round, a smile on her face. "Dad, I didn't see you when we came in."

Orion, who had immediately dropped his arm from around Katherine's waist, also turned around. "Uncle James."

James kissed Katherine and smiled at Orion. "Are you two here together?"

Katherine got no chance to answer as Orion took her hand and addressed James. "Yes, Sir. I asked Katherine if she'd accompany me."

James' grin grew even wider. "Well, don't let me stop you."

As Orion led Katherine away, she groaned. "You do realize he's probably already arranging the marriage right now?"

Orion felt alarmed. "Do you really think so?"

Katherine laughed. "No, silly. But I wouldn't put it past him and Uncle Sirius."

Orion knew she was right. "Let's go sit down over the other side of the conservatory. Hopefully we won't be disturbed."

James happily watched the couple walk away before making his way over to where Sirius was talking to Remus and someone he had never met before. "Sirius, Remus." James shook hands with them.

Sirius made the introductions. "Thomas, this is James Potter, Deputy Head of Hogwarts. James, this is Thomas Seville. He's one of the investors in the Watchers' Academy."

James shook hand with Thomas. "Remus has mentioned your name a few times."

"And vice versa," Thomas informed him. "It's nice to finally put a face to the name."

The four men then chatted about the Academy for a while until Remus spotted Cassandra and Mione heading their way and waved them over. "Thomas, this is Sirius' daughter, Cassandra, and my new assistant, Mione Dominic."

Both girls shook hands with Thomas and Mione smiled politely at the man. "I'm pleased to meet you."

"I understand that Remus has stolen you from Hogwarts." Thomas had been filled in on Mione's achievements by Remus. "Congratulations on your exam results. I hear that they were quite exceptional."

"I wouldn't go that far." Mione blushed as she answered. "To be honest, the only thing I'm really good at is potions."

Cassandra knew that Mione was being modest. "Don't believe her. Now that Mione's leaving, I might actually have a chance of regaining my position as top of the year." She blushed as hard as Mione had as she realized it sounded as if she was boasting. "Sorry, that didn't quite come out as I meant it."

Sirius put his arm around his daughter. "We know what you meant."

The two girls stood and chatted with the group for a while, until Thomas turned his attention to Mione again. "You'll have to tell me what you think about the new Watchers' Council building and the Academy. Remus has said that you'll be accompanying him up there later this week."

"Oh, have you seen it?" Mione was interested to know what he thought.

Remus filled her in. "Thomas is one of the main investors."

Mione felt her heart begin to race as she realized exactly who Thomas had to be, and she forced herself to smile. "I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"There's no reason why you should have," Thomas said, brushing Mione's apology aside. "I've got an idea. Why don't the two of you join me as my guests for dinner on the 28th?"

Before Mione could decline, Remus responded for the both of them. "We'd love to. I was planning to talk to Mione about the job that night but I'm sure we can defer it to the following night if Mione doesn't mind staying a little longer."

Mione numbly shook her head. "Of course not. If you'll all excuse me, I think I've neglected my date for long enough."

Cassandra hurriedly made her own excuses and followed Mione over to where Harry and Luna were dancing. "Come with us, right now."

Harry led Luna off the dance floor. "What's wrong?"

"Let's go out into the conservatory." Cassandra didn't want to discuss what they had just found out where anyone could overhear.

Once they reached a quiet spot, Cassandra erected a privacy bubble. "We've just been introduced to Thomas Seville. I didn't realize it was him until Remus mentioned he was one of the main investors."

Harry turned back to look into the room. "I can't see him."

Cassandra told Harry where to direct his vision. "Take a look over at where Uncle Remus is standing, on the right-hand side of the room."

Harry stiffened. "How did he get an invitation?"

"He's probably come with Remus, or Dad already knows him." Cassandra was worried at the connotations of the latter half of her statement.

"Let's hope it's the first option." Harry didn't want Cassandra to feel the same kind of disappointment he had over his version of Sirius.

Mione slipped her hand into Harry's. "I've got to have dinner with him."

Harry could feel Mione shaking and he pulled his hand free to put his arm around her shoulders instead. "Why?"

"He's invited me and Remus." Mione could barely get her words out for shaking. "I can't sit down to dinner with Voldemort. He's a killer, Harry, and I don't think I can do it."

Cassandra glanced over at the group again before looking away. "If you hadn't told me who he was, I'd never have guessed. He certainly doesn't look like a killer."

Luna gave her friend a smile. "And what is a killer supposed to look like?"

Cassandra shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, all dark and menacing. He looks so normal." Cassandra then went a little red. "And I've got to be honest and admit he's also seriously attractive and very charming."

Harry was about to ask more about the dinner when he suddenly spotted someone else he knew, and he turned to Mione. "Will you be okay if I just go and speak to that girl over there?"

Mione hid her dismay. "Go ahead."

The group of girls watched as Harry walked over to an attractive Asian girl.

Cassandra had no idea who she was or why Harry would want to speak to her and said as much. "Who is that, and do you think she's got something to do with what's going on?"

H.J.'s voice interrupted the group. "Her name is Aditi Nessa."

Cassandra realized that she had let the privacy bubble fail. "How do you know her?"

"She's part of the Watchers' Council. I met her when I was out with Faith one night."

Having been around Buffy for so long, Xander knew something was going on with the group that he knew nothing about. However, he also knew that it was probably none of his business so he simply smiled at Luna and Cassandra instead and jovially said, "So is someone going to make the introductions?"

Mione had forgotten that Xander hadn't met the girls formally, even though he had seen them around school. Cassandra saved her from having to answer. "I'm Cassandra Black and this is Luna Lovegood. I believe you must be Xander Harris."

"I am." Xander shook hands with both girls. "I can now stop worshiping you both from a distance and actually speak to you."

Luna laughed before looking thoughtfully at Xander. "Would you like to dance with me?"

"If it requires a lot of holding, and not moving much, then yes I would." Xander took Luna's hand anyway and let her lead him off into the other room.

H.J. turned to the two girls. "So will someone tell me what's going on?"

While H.J. and Xander had been making their way over to the girls, Harry was making his way through the crowd until he reached his target. "Aditi, I didn't expect to see you here."

Aditi smiled. "My father was invited by Lord Black, as was I."

"Are you here alone?" Harry kept his tone casual as he asked.

"No, Thomas accompanied me." Aditi nodded towards the group where Thomas was standing. "You met him when I first showed you around."

"I remember." Harry politely held out his arm. "Can I escort you back to him?"

"Thank you." Aditi took the proffered arm and let Harry lead her back to Thomas.

Remus smiled as he saw Harry approaching with Aditi. "Evening, Harry. I don't believe you've actually met our host, have you? Harry, this is Sirius Black."

Sirius held out his hand. "Please call me Sirius, Harry. You're H.J.'s brother, aren't you?"

"I am." Harry nodded politely at James and then turned and shook hands with Thomas. "It's nice to meet you again, Mr. Seville."

"First names please," Thomas informed him. "I see you found my lovely companion."

"I did," Harry responded. "Aditi's the one who took pity on me the first time I viewed the Academy and she showed me around. They're making good time with it, aren't they?"

"Yes." Thomas had been to see the building the day before. "Speaking of the Academy, I hear that you won't be staying with the Council for much longer."

Harry was stunned. "I…"

Remus interrupted. "Sorry, Thomas, I should've mentioned that I haven't actually spoken to Harry yet but I may as well do so now."

Harry waited for Remus to fill him in. "I'm all ears."

"Mione got her exam results back yesterday, and as you probably know, she's passed with flying colors." Remus presumed that Mione had told Harry. "Her work for me has been more than exemplary, and I've offered her the position as my assistant at the Council."

Harry was confused. "But I thought you wanted her to be your assistant for Defense."

Remus frowned. "Hasn't she told you?"

"I haven't really had a chance to talk to her properly so far tonight."

Remus therefore filled Harry in on what he had already told Mione. "My assistant handed in his notice a few weeks ago, and I needed someone who was free to start almost immediately." Remus gave a slightly lopsided grin. "Matthew said I was a slave driver and he couldn't cope with the hours."

Harry was aware that the others were paying rapt attention to the conversation but he still couldn't help but protest, "But Mione has so little experience."

"She's been more than capable of dealing with what I've given her so far." Remus had a feeling that Mione would be far more competent than Matthew had been once she had gotten used to the work.

"So who will cover your classes when you can't?" Harry asked.

"I was going to ask if you'd consider it." Remus felt a little embarrassed asking Harry in front of an audience. "I've already spoken to both Minerva and James, and they've both agreed that if you're willing, you can step in. It's going to be more hands on though than the stuff Mione was helping me with."

"How do you know I'll be any good at it?"

Remus turned to Sirius. "Do you think I could borrow your study?"

"Go ahead." Sirius knew he should've offered straight away but he had been interested in what Remus and Harry had to say.

Harry took his leave of everyone before following Remus into a very familiar study. "What about my position as librarian?"

"Sit down," Remus invited. "Minerva would like you to stay in it until the end of the year."

"And after that?" Harry was now worried that he wouldn't have a job at the end of the year.

"I'm only going to be covering the sixth and seventh years next year. I'd therefore like you to take the first to fifth years on a full-time basis," Remus explained.

"What about Lily Snape?" Harry didn't want to upset her.

"Filius is retiring, so she's going to be taking over the Charms position. Her daughter, Felicia, will be old enough to attend Hogwarts next year, and Lily will have more free time. Charms are actually her forte rather than Defense." Remus didn't know that Harry had already suspected that that might be the case.

Harry returned to his previous query. "So getting back to my earlier question about how you know I'll be suitable..."

"Your qualifications from Barstow were excellent, and I know from Miss Granger what you've been doing for her." Remus had been astonished at Hermione's improved work, and when he had assigned a detention to her, she had explained when he had pushed her.

Harry defended himself. "Someone needed to help her."

"Harry, I'm glad that you did," Remus reassured Harry. "I don't have as much time as I'd like to help out."

Harry relaxed. "She's come so far in the space of two months."

"I know." Remus had seen her marks for all of her classes. "Which is how I know you'll be a good teacher if you want the position. I could take my time and interview with Minerva but I believe this arrangement will benefit both of us. You'll get some obviously needed stimulation, and I'll save myself a lot of time I really don't have."

Harry knew that he would enjoy Defense a lot more than he did working in the library. "If Mione agrees to take the position working for you, then you've got yourself a Defense assistant."

Remus once again pre-empted Mione in telling Harry. "She's already accepted."

Harry hid his disappointment that Mione had not been the one to tell him but held out his hand to Remus. "Well, it looks as if I'm accepting then. So tell me a little bit about what I'll need to get up to speed on."

Thirty minutes later, Remus walked over to where James was standing in the doorway to the conservatory. "Where's Sirius?"

"Showing Thomas and Aditi around the wine cellar." James rolled his eyes. "I think it's Sirius' favorite part of the house."

Remus glanced out over the conservatory. "So what's so interesting out here?"

James grinned. "Orion and Katherine are making Sirius and I very happy parents."

"Orion's on a date with Katherine?" Remus was surprised. He knew how taken Orion had been with Luna.

"Yep." James knew it was a little early to get so excited but it was something he and Sirius had hoped would happen. "So tell me, did Harry accept?"

It was Remus' turn to grin. "He did."

As Remus was filling James in, Thomas was taking his leave of Sirius. "I'm sorry to leave so early but I'm afraid I have another engagement this evening."

"It was nice to meet you." Sirius shook hands with Thomas before brushing a light kiss over Aditi's knuckles. "Aditi, thanks for coming."

"I enjoyed it, Sirius." Aditi had met Sirius at the Ministry but this had been the first time she had seen his home. "And thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us."

The two of them then left, and Sirius returned to his guests.

Curled up on H.J.'s sofa, Hermione yawned as she changed the channel ready to watch the documentary she wanted to see. Just as it was beginning, a crack sounded in the hallway and H.J. walked in. "Hi, did it all go well with Cammie?"

"We had a really nice time." Hermione had had fun with the young girl. "She went to sleep about an hour ago."

"What are you watching?" H.J. asked as he sat down.

"A documentary on a philanthropist who's been doing some projects in Europe." Hermione looked up worriedly at H.J. "Unless you want to watch something else."

H.J. just smiled. "Watch your program, Hermione. Do you want a cup of tea?"

Hermione smiled gratefully at H.J. and settled back down. "Please."

H.J. headed into the kitchen to make the tea. He had just walked back into the room and glanced at the screen as he did so. "It's him."

Hermione got up and took her cup off H.J., who was staring transfixed at the screen. "Sorry?"

"Thomas Seville." H.J. remembered then who he was talking to, and that Hermione had no idea of his interest in the man.

"He's the person the documentary's about, well, at least it's about the Foundation he heads." Hermione thought H.J. looked a little stunned. "Are you all right?"

"Yes." H.J. forced himself to concentrate on Hermione. "Do you know anything about him?"

"Yes, which is why I wanted to watch the program." Hermione, however, couldn't shake the feeling that H.J. had received a shock.

H.J. picked up a tape. "Do you mind if we tape this and I talk to you about him instead?"

Hermione shook her head. "Feel free."

H.J. put the tape into the machine, switched it on and turned off the TV. "What do you know about him?"

Hermione chatted happily about something she was quite knowledgeable. "Well, he's absolutely loaded. His father is from Australia and they made their money mining opals and other minerals. The family has now got businesses all over the globe. I'm a little surprised you haven't heard of the Seville family before. Then again, as he's a Muggle, I suppose I shouldn't be."

"He's not a Muggle, Hermione." H.J. watched shock flit across Hermione's face. "He was at Sirius' party this evening, that's why I was surprised to see him on the TV."

Hermione was agog. "You've met him?"

"No, but Harry has." H.J. put down his cup of tea. "So why are you so interested in him?" H.J. was unable to resist teasing Hermione. "Is it the fact that he's good looking and rich?"

Hermione surprised him when for once she didn't blush and instead shook her head.

"Not at all. I've always admired him. I did a school project on him when I was at junior school and I was hooked. I've tried to keep up with everything he's done since. Back then though, I didn't know he was a wizard." Hermione shook her head once more, but this time in amazement. "I still can't believe that. His family is extremely well-known in the Muggle world."

Thanks to Hermione's statement, H.J. suddenly began to think that it was likely that Thomas Seville was not Voldemort after all. "So if everyone thinks he's a Muggle, why do you think he's investing so much money in the Academy?"

"Thomas Seville heads up the Caritus Foundation, which his family established years ago. That's what the program I wanted to watch was about." Hermione stopped to take a breath. "They actually give away millions every year to good causes. Up until now I believed they were all Muggle causes but they apparently must give to wizarding good causes as well. Obviously the Foundation must've thought the Academy fell into that category."

H.J. had never seen Hermione so animated before. "Do you know much about him personally?"

Hermione shook her head yet again. "Not really, as Thomas Seville's notoriously closemouthed about his private life, which is what's so interesting about him. He quite often appears in Muggle tabloids with rumors about who's he dating but I've read nothing about him in the Prophet and other wizarding publications. I shouldn't be surprised if he features more heavily in Australian wizarding newspapers than here as that's where he's from."

"So he's Australian." H.J. felt a little disappointed at what Hermione had told him.

"Actually his mother is English." Hermione recalled the pictures she had seen of Rebecca Seville. "If she's a witch, it certainly explains why she still looks so good for her age. Most of the Muggle newspapers think that she's had major plastic surgery."

H.J. knew he was going to end up watching the program when it had finished taping. "What about Seville's father?"

"He looks good for his age as well," Hermione informed H.J. "I guess Thomas Seville must be a pure-blood."

HJ was now almost positive that in spite of Harry's reaction to him, Thomas Seville couldn't be Voldemort, especially as he had a family who were so well-known in the Muggle world. H.J. decided to sit up and wait for Harry to get home. "I'm going to wait for Harry to get back so I can switch off the tape if you want to go to bed."

Hermione was tired, so she wished H.J. a goodnight and left.

Harry apparated home about an hour later, a yawning Xander in tow. "I thought Luna was never going to let Xander leave."

H.J. grinned at Xander. "Got an admirer, have we?"

Xander smirked. "You know what a lady magnet I am." Xander's face suddenly fell. "She's not a demon, is she?"

Harry and H.J. had both heard about Xander's fatal attraction to women of a demonic nature. Harry laughed. "Definitely not."

Xander yawned. "Good. Well, I'm off to bed. Night."

"Night." H.J. turned to Harry once Xander had left. "I think we've been wasting our time pursuing Thomas Seville."

Harry disagreed. "It hurt like hell again when I shook his hand today."

H.J. filled Harry in on what Hermione had told him. "I've got a feeling your reaction might be something like when I swore an oath. It didn't hurt at home but it hurts like a bitch here."

Harry mulled over what H.J. had said. "I'd still like to check more into him in the Muggle world before we can definitely rule him out." Harry scowled. "But I suppose I should've known it was too much of a coincidence with him having a name like Thomas Seville."

H.J. looked ruefully at Harry. "You just thought the same as I did, that he'd used his and Seville's first names."

Harry got up. "At least Mione will be glad to know that she needn't worry too much about meeting with him and Remus for dinner."

"Dinner?" H.J. had missed that part of the conversation when he had been at the party.

Harry explained about that and his new position. "I'll drop by and tell Mione tomorrow when I go out and hunt down some Australian newspapers." Harry yawned. "Why the hell couldn't Lachesis have given us some sort of clue? We've wasted months thinking it's him."

"At least we know now that we're probably on the wrong track," H.J. switched off the lights. "I think it's time for bed."

As Harry and H.J. headed for bed, Thomas Seville was standing at the head of a table where numerous wizards and witches were seated. Most of them were wondering who the gold-masked man who had invited them was.

"Ladies and gentleman, thank you for coming…"