Another chapter! I hope you won't hate me for this. The end of love and friendship is nigh.
What will happen? Will everything turn out okay? I sure hope so!

There were a few seconds of groundbreaking silence in which Remus' mind made the most absurd and ridiculous escapes he could possibly think of.

He could pretend not to know James. That he was just someone who happened to look exactly like the duke. That was insane.
He could shout out Sirius had kidnapped him. But that wouldn't explain his clothes.
Besides, he would betray the only Black that actually seemed to have a good heart.
And there was no doubt that action could turn him into his parents. Horrible.

He could, of course, demand James to go see the duke, for he needed him. And then grab him by the arm and leave the room.
He'd find an excuse for Sirius later. But before he could act any of this out, warm hand took his arm and a voice spoke.
A voice that he loved, but would know cause the earth to fall down upon everything he wished for.

'You know Neil, right?' He could hear Sirius trying to keep his calm, but he was clearly nervous.
'Oh I know him.' There was a fury in the hazel eyes Remus had never seen before.
There was no way he could save it all. Something had to break. Of only he could-

'Look, I know it's wrong-' Sirius started, but James interrupted him. 'This is wrong. This is very wrong. How could you!'
It was unclear whether the angry remark was towards Sirius or Remus.
'Well I'm sorry. I had no idea you'd take it so bad.' Sirius frowned. 'I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to him.'

James made an aggressive gesture towards the young duke, who felt ashamed and angry at the same time.
'What are you thinking. This is insane!' Now it was sure he couldn't fix things. He was nailed to the ground by the shouting voice of his servant.
Any word he'd speak to defend himself would be in a duke-ish matter. And then everything he lied for was lost.
But again, it was Sirius who interfered and tried to save the duke's skin.

'James, calm down!' But James pulled his arm loose from Sirius' grip and pointed a finger to him. 'You stay out of t his. This is none of your business!'
Sirius was clearly taken aback by the hostile way his friend addressed him.
'What is your problem? You are not his father!' Sirius tried to restrain James once more but the latter pushed him back. 'Take your hands of me!'
'He can make his own decisions!'
'Well clearly he can't!' James shouted, more furious than Remus had ever seen him. He was breathing heavily and there was a fire in his eyes.
'You have no idea what you are messing with.' And he grabbed Remus by his arm and pulled him out of the room, leaving Sirius behind,
who was just to angry and surprised to figure out what he should do.

Back in his own room, far from Sirius', hell broke loose. James was shouting in a matter Remus wasn't familiar with.
But instead of regretting what he had done, it only made him angrier.

'He is a Black, for God's sake!' James exclaimed. Remus' eyes shot wide open in angry surprise. 'You are one to speak!
Weren't you the one completely astonished by the fact he was so unlike his family?'
'But I haven't had his thing up my..-' James realised that even his status in this household did not allow him to shout completely inappropriate
comments like this and shut his mouth, looking angrily at Remus who, in his turn, stared back just as angry.
'What I do with him is none of your business. I know it is not what should be. But I think I've suffered enough so far and I'm entitled a little bit of love!'
'No you are not!' James shouted. Before Remus realised what he was doing, he punched James in the face.
'Ouch!' He grabbed his cheek. 'What on earth is wrong with you! First you hire a Black, then you fall in love with him?
Do you have any idea what you put us through? This is ridiculous! You are insane!' 'SHUT UP!'
Remus lost all his self control and screamed on the top of his lungs. 'Shut the fuck up! Sirius was right. I can make my own decisions and
I'm sick of you trying to make them for me!'
He was clenching his fists. 'I want love. I need love. Sirius is a good man. Yes, he is a Black. But you've seen him yourself. And I love him.
I don't care if that is wrong. For years I've done everything everyone has EVER told me. Was that never good enough to deserve a little bit of life? I AM HUMAN!'
James was clearly fighting to keep him mouth shut.

'Besides,' Remus continued, 'I think it is ridiculous they still have to be frowned upon after all these years.
Those crimes were committed centuries ago and still they have to pay the consequences. First thing tomorrow I'm restoring the honour of the house
of Black and return to the part of my estate that once was Slytherin ground.'
His fists were clenched to his side and he rose his head in a matter of pride and power. ' And there is noway you are going to stop me.'

'Sir don't-' James started.
'Please.' Remus' voice was cold as stone. 'I never wish to see you again. You are fired.'

And he walked out. Back on his way to Sirius with more truth than he ever wished to tell. He didn't even notice the small, mousy servant who
hastily jumped aside before the duke could bump into him.
About plans that had never worked out as planned. About his lies and betrayal, his fear and his love.
Not knowing, that this was just the beginning.