Sirius awoke in the morning to the gentle caress of Ariadne's fingers against his chest as she pressed herself closer to him and kissed his shoulder. Her hair smelled of orange blossom and her skin was like velvet against his. He wrapped his arms around her and pushed a kiss into her hair.

'Good morning, handsome. How are you feeling?'

'Oh, I'll live,' he said. 'My jaw is a bit stiff, but I suppose that's to be expected when someone tries to take your face off. My back aches like hell where it hit that bookcase though.'

'It wasn't that bad.'

'Excuse me? Were you on the receiving end of it?'

'Urgh, I know,' she sighed, the warmth of her exhaled breath against his skin sent arrows of exquisite need deep through his abdomen. 'We were making such progress, I just don't understand why he did that. I'll say sorry for him because I know he never will. But you have to admit that you did provoke him, Sirius.'

He pushed her away and sat up, glaring down at her. 'And just what the hell is that supposed to mean?'

'It means that you were trying to irritate him, saying things that you knew would get a reaction. You know how volatile he is.'

'What he said about James was unforgivable, Ariadne! Cruel. Vindictive. Just like the bastard that he is. Am I supposed to just ignore it?'

'I know he was wrong, but I thought you would rise above it. You lost your temper and hexed him first.'

'With a kids' jinx! Not a Dark curse that could have taken his bloody head off! For God's sake, Ari, he could have killed me! What if that curse had hit my chest? My neck? He deserved everything he got. I won't stand by and listen to him insulting Harry, insulting James - '

'Alright, alright, Sirius…I'm sorry,' she said with tired patience. 'I'm just trying to offer an explanation, that's all. Look, please try and see it from my point of view. I have you and my brother back after so much time spent alone, but you're pulling so hard in opposite directions that I'm afraid I could end up losing you both again.'

Sirius got out of bed and started to pace, ending up at the window overlooking the lake that was shimmering like molten gold in the early morning sun.

'I know I shouldn't have risen to it,' he admitted with another sigh. 'I'm just so damned sick of him. He makes Harry's life a misery, he treats you like dirt, he tried to get me arrested and given to the damned Dementors...the man is the biggest arsehole I've ever met. I'm sorry, Ari.'

'What would you tell Harry to do?'

'What?'

'If Harry had a problem with someone in school, someone who was his closest friend's brother or sister, what would you tell him to do?'

He shrugged. 'I'd probably suggest that he hexed the git.'

Ariadne sat up, pulling the sheet with her and tucking it under her arms. 'Alright,' she sighed patiently, 'what would James advise him to do?'

He shifted uncomfortably, switching his weight from one foot to the other, staring down at the floor. He didn't need to reply for her to know that she had made her point, but she still wanted to hear him admitting it.

'Sirius?'

'To make an effort for his friend's sake,' he murmured.

'Sorry? I didn't catch that.'

'Bugger off, Ariadne.'

She laughed. 'I know it's hard, Sirius. But you are Harry's guardian now. You're going to have to learn to think a little bit more before allowing anger to cloud your judgments. You have to learn to control that temper.'

'I don't have a temper. I just don't suffer fools gladly.'

'Hey, now - '

'Oh, why the hell didn't I stay as a bloody dog?' He slumped down onto the bed beside her and gazed up at the ceiling. 'Things were so much simpler when I was a dog.'

Ariadne sidled over to him and wrapped her arm around his waist. 'But then I wouldn't be able to do this.' She kissed his cheek. 'Or this.' She pressed another kiss to his forehead. 'And especially not this.' She cupped his face in her hands and gently teased her lips over his until he could no longer stand the longing for her deep in his soul and pulled her above him, crushing her against him, kissing her with an intense and desperate need.

'I love you,' Sirius murmured against her lips. 'I'm sorry…about earlier. 'You're right…I do need to make more of an effort, for Harry's sake…and for yours. It's just been so long since I've allowed myself to feel anything, I guess every emotion is a little magnified. I'm just so terrified of losing what we have now…' He paused, searching for the right words. 'Well…I've never had a...a family before. You and Harry are all that matters and... what's the matter?'

She was smiling broadly at him, reaching her delicate fingers up to caress his face. 'Nothing. Except I love you so much.'

'Don't change the subject,' he murmured coyly. 'What's so funny?'

'Nothing! Really. The change in you is a beautiful thing to see, that's all. I think I'm going to like this new 'responsible' you. And the idea of family is just...after so long being alone...it's just wonderful.'

Sirius put his arms around her and hugged her. He could feel a deep warmth spreading outwards from his chest that reached right the way down to his toes. A sense of belonging, of being wanted, needed and loved, but something even deeper than that. A feeling that for the first time in his life, he had finally found where he was meant to be.

He was...happy. Despite everything, despite the situation they were in, for the first time in nearly thirteen years, he was actually happy. He had almost given up hope of ever feeling that way again.

'I wish we could stay like this forever, Sirius,' she whispered, her breath warm and maddeningly arousing as it teased across his chest, accentuating the exquisite pain by brushing his fingers over his stomach, 'but I suppose we'd better get ready for breakfast.'

'Mmm...what's the time?'

'Just gone seven.'

'Good,' he said, kissing her forehead before slipping out of bed. 'I have a little time yet. I need a run and some fresh air. I'll see you at the Great Hall, about eight?'

'Alright. I wanted to take a shower anyway. I'll see you later.'

Sirius nodded, shed his robes and transformed into his animagus form; a huge, almost wolf-like black dog. He padded over to Ariadne and nuzzled into her hand before turning and bounding out of the door, barking happily as he chased a screeching Peeves along the entire length of the corridor and down towards the stairs.

Ariadne wasn't expecting to see Sirius again until breakfast, but she was pleasantly surprised to find him dressed and waiting for her as she left her room an hour or so later.

'Hi you,' she smiled, pulling her long hair out from the crocheted shawl she had just thrown around her shoulders. 'You couldn't have been long, what happened?'

'Nothing,' he said, bending to kiss her cheek and slip his arm around her waist. 'I went down to the lake for a while, annoyed the Whomping Willow into a very invigorating game of swot-the-dog, then felt guilty for leaving you to go down to breakfast on your own. I wasn't sure if you'd feel ready to face the prat again without backup just yet, so - '

'So you thought you'd escort me,' she finished for him. 'That was sweet, thank you. Though my brother is not a prat.'

He shrugged.

'Still, I'm glad you're here. Just promise me one thing - no matter what he says to try to get a rise from you, you won't bite.'

He blew out a long, slow breath. 'Alright, I promise. No matter how sorely I may be tempted.'

She frowned at him, but didn't press the issue anymore as they walked downstairs.

Instead of the four long tables that usually lined the Great Hall during term times, a large circular table had been positioned in the centre of the room. The places had been set and Dumbledore and Snape were already seated.

'Good morning!' Sirius said brightly as he and Ariadne took their seats, too.

'Good morning, Sirius. Ariadne,' smiled Dumbledore. 'I trust you slept well?'

'Yes, thank you, sir,' Ariadne replied. 'It was wonderful to spend a night in the castle again. It brought back some wonderful memories.'

'Best night's sleep I've had in years,' Sirius agreed with a sly, half-glance at Ariadne. 'You have no idea how much a soft bed, warm sheets and a roof over your head is appreciated after spending so long sleeping rough.'

'Ah, I'm pleased to hear that,' Dumbledore beamed with that same twinkle he'd had in his eyes the night before. 'Then we're all ready to enjoy this wonderful breakfast.'

He waved his hand and suddenly the table was filled with plates of bacon, eggs, sausages, toast and a host of delicious smelling pastries and croissants. They all filled their plates and began to eat, mostly making polite small talk about the terrible summer weather and the quality of the cuisine until Snape decided to break the gentle calm.

'I sent an owl to Mother and Father yesterday following our conversation,' he said as he picked disinterestedly at his bacon.

Ariadne reached for a glass of orange juice as she looked up at him. It was no wonder he was so thin and pale if he usually ate as little as he was doing this morning.

'Oh?' She tried to sound as though the idea of contact with her parents again was a matter of very little import to her, but she could hear the tremor in her own voice, even with that single utterance.

Beside her, Sirius was asking Dumbledore how Remus had been over the past few weeks since his forced resignation, but she could sense his harried glances at her as he became acutely aware of her heightened tension.

'I informed them that you were returned from the cottage. I didn't want to say anything more in a letter in case it was intercepted, but they replied almost straight away. It seems they are anxious for you to visit. They wish to talk to you.'

'Oh,' she said again, more flatly. Her throat seemed to be closing up, making swallowing the juice virtually impossible. She lowered the tumbler back to the table.

'What am I to tell them?' Snape pressed her.

'Nothing…not yet. We have to deal with the Death Eaters first. Don't you think we should be discussing that?'

Snape's expressionless face became a sneer as he raised an eyebrow and returned to picking at the bacon.

'I suppose I considered that it might be preferable for you to meet them again before you are forced to do so at my funeral.'

'For God's sake, Severus,' Ariadne hissed. She had been on the verge of saying much more, but for everyone's sake, she bit her tongue. Chancing a glance at Sirius, she was relieved to see that he and Dumbledore were still involved in reminiscing about James and Remus to really notice what Snape had just said.

'They are prepared to talk to you, Ariadne. We never know how many tomorrows there will be and I think that you at least owe them the courtesy of one visit.'

'Severus, we have less than a week to present your dead body to Malfoy and I really don't want to argue with you about this now. I will speak to them, but not now. The Death Eaters don't allow much time to - '

'Don't presume to lecture me about such things. You seem to forget that I spent six years as a Death Eater myself. No-one, not even him,' he nodded towards Sirius with disgust, 'could possibly understand the allure of the dark as I do. No-one knows the horrific consequences of involvement with them better than I do.' He paused, reached for a glass of water and sipped slowly from it. It was a while before he continued. 'I was a fool. Angry with everyone and everything. Wanting to strike out at those who had...hurt me. The Dark Lord offered power. Strength. The chance to be better than I was. I sought to fill the void within me and for a while, it worked. But it was false. Everything...' He drank more water, but appeared to be having difficulty swallowing it. 'I crawled to Dumbledore on my hands and knees and begged him to forgive me. In the end, it was all I could do.'

'Severus, I - '

'We all make mistakes, Ari. I know the immense pain that I caused with mine and I have spent the rest of my life regretting my decisions. I do not wish that for you. The Dark Lord marked you, Black, Lupin, the Potters and a host of others for death all those years ago. It is only because he chose the Potters first that you still live. Do you think that kind of knowledge is easy for me or Mother and Father to live with? And then you turn your back on them for the sake of a psychopath who they believed was also in the Dark Lord's service...that is why they refused to speak to you, Ari. They could not bear to lose you twice.'

The knowledge came like the crushing weight of a tidal wave breaking over her. That she, Sirius and Remus had been marked for death too had never even occurred to her before. An ice-cold chill ran the length of her spine and the memory of the fear she had felt as she had sat in that chair and had the Dark Mark burned into her arm coursed through her veins like the most potent of poisons. She gulped down some juice to try to move the lump that had sprung up in her throat, but it only exacerbated the heaviness in the pit of her stomach.

'I'm so sorry, Severus. I never knew.'

He raised an eyebrow, but didn't look at her.

'I...I was marked, too? But...but why?'

'Because you have specialist botanical and potions knowledge that would be of benefit to the Order. Black was targeted not only because the Dark Lord discovered his duplicity within the Circle, but also because of his formidable power and considerable skill with combative jinxes and hexes. Potter, because of his vast knowledge of Defence Against the Dark Arts and because the Dark Lord feared the prophecy made concerning Harry; Lupin because it was feared that he could rally the Dark-creatures against the Dark Lord and, like James, was highly skilled in Defence Against the Dark Arts…you and Lily were also seen as part of the support network that held the others together and that if you were removed, the others would be rendered hopeless...unable to fight.'

'I…I never thought that...that we were that important…'

'I wish I had known what the Dark Lord was planning in time to have been able to stop it. As much as I hated Potter and the rest of his little cronies, I would never have wished...for what happened. There is so much in my past that you don't know or understand, but no matter what you choose to believe about me, I do know how you must feel.'

Ariadne had lost what little was left of her appetite. She pushed her plate away and folded her arms on the tabletop.

'Ah, I see we've all finished,' said Dumbledore. 'Good. Then perhaps then we should move to the reason we are all here. Would anyone like some more tea first?'

Snape and Ariadne were both subdued and could manage little more than a vague shake of their heads.

'No, thank you, sir,' said Sirius, 'I doubt whether I'll be able to eat or drink anything for the rest of the day,' he added, patting his stomach, leaning back comfortably in his chair and reaching across beneath the table to rest his hand on Ariadne's knee, giving it a squeeze.

'Alright then. Well, the Elixir is a complicated potion to make. It is likely to take a few days, is it not?'

'Yes it is, sir,' Ariadne replied before Snape had even taken a breath. 'Two. Severus and I can start work on it straight away.'

'Excellent,' said Dumbledore. 'Which means that it will be ready before the deadline Malfoy has given. Following the settlement of the matter, it will become necessary for you, Severus, to go into hiding for a certain amount of time until Sirius and Ariadne manage to accumulate sufficient evidence to put Malfoy into Azkaban. Have you somewhere to go that would be suitable?'

'I admit I had not considered that yet, Headmaster. You know that disappearing would be...difficult for me. With...my classes.'

Dumbledore's eyes seemed to shine with an inner glow when he smiled. 'I understand your concerns. But the Dark Lord is already taking action, so he must be nearing his return. We need to stop him now, before he reaches full strength. If Sirius and Ariadne can locate him, or provide sufficient evidence to the Ministry against Lucius, then we can deal a grievous blow to Voldemort's plans and you need to hide for only as long as it takes Sirius and Ariadne to return safely.'

'And what if things go wrong, Professor?' asked Ariadne, voicing the question that none of them wanted to face. 'What are we to do?'

Dumbledore sighed, taking off his half-moon glasses to polish them before carefully replacing them on the edge of his nose.

'I cannot predict what may happen, but should things not go to plan, then I do not want just the three of you to duel with Merlin knows how many Dark wizards. None of us here are under any illusions that what we are about to embark upon is anything other than an extremely dangerous course of action, but it is one that we must pursue both for Severus' sake and for our own. Malfoy cannot be allowed to ease Voldemort's passage back into this world. Removal of his followers will make it extremely difficult for him and will significantly delay his comeback, if not prevent it completely. It is a risk we must take, but you will not be expected to take it alone. I have already spoken to the Ministry's Auror department and they will be providing covert back-up whilst you attend the meeting. I understand it is to take place at Voldemort's new headquarters?'

'It is, sir,' answered Sirius. 'At least what we have been led to believe is their new HQ.'

'You know the address?' asked Snape.

'It's in Muggington,' replied Ariadne.

'Yes. An old manor house we occasionally used for meetings. One of many such places. Malfoy would know that I am aware of it.'

'I highly doubted that Malfoy would have told us the truth before we had proved ourselves,' said Sirius, irked by the knowledge, even though it was expected.

'You could provide us with a map of the area, Severus? The layout of the building?' asked Dumbledore.

Snape inclined his head in a slow nod.

'Then mounting a defence should be easy to organise. I will provide the information to the Aurors.'

'But how are we supposed to be getting Severus to come with us anyway?' asked Ariadne.

'I've already thought about that,' Sirius said, turning to Snape. 'If you thought Ariadne's life was threatened, no matter what you felt about me, you would come with me if I told you I could help her, wouldn't you?'

'I would,' Snape admitted, glancing over at his sister.

'Then this is exactly what I will tell Malfoy…. you didn't trust me, certainly not enough to come with me anywhere of your own volition. In order to lure you back to a place you already know is a Death Eater haunt, I told you that Ariadne had been captured and was to be questioned and killed by the Death Eaters. On the way, your doubts about me become overwhelming and you made an attempt to disarm me and I was forced to use an Unforgivable to defend myself. Does all that sound reasonable?'

Snape sighed, considering. Eventually, he raised his eyes from the table to Dumbledore.

'Headmaster, I trust in your judgement. Do you believe that we are doing the right thing? Do you believe this will work?'

Dumbledore smiled sadly. 'There are no certainties in this life, Severus. We have all been placed in a difficult position, but we do have an opportunity to put things right that we would not otherwise have had. I believe that we have little choice as Malfoy will certainly not back down now. I have nothing but the utmost faith in Ariadne and yourself to prepare the potion and with the information Sirius plans to use, I believe that this plan will work. You have the backup of the Ministry aurors if things should become…awkward. But I do think that it is advantageous for us not to allow that to happen because there is much we can learn from the Death Eaters concerning Voldemort's plans before any arrests are actually made. Ultimately though, Severus, it remains your decision. No-one can, or should, force you.'

Snape's jaw tightened. 'It is clear what would happen should I refuse. The choice is made,' said Snape, reaching for his teacup and drinking from it quickly, as though to remove a nasty taste from his mouth.

'Good,' Dumbledore smiled. 'With that out of the way, Ariadne and yourself can begin work on the potion. Sirius, you will be staying in the castle whilst they are working?'

'Actually, sir,' he said, trying to avoid Ariadne's eyes, 'as there isn't really a great deal for me to do whilst the potion is being prepared, I thought that I might use the opportunity to spend some time with Remus. I haven't had the chance to speak to him properly since my escape.'

Dumbledore nodded. 'Of course. As long as you would be back as soon as the potion is ready.'

'Sirius?' Ariadne's polite smile seemed strained. 'I thought you'd be staying here? You never mentioned that you wanted to see Remus.'

He took her hand. 'No, I know. But I can't do much else here, and I'd like to see him. It's an opportunity for you to spend some time with your brother without me being in the way.'

'You're not in the way, Sirius.'

'That is a matter of opinion,' muttered Snape.

Dumbledore turned his gaze on him until Snape looked away.

'Remus went home after he resigned, didn't he?'

'I believe so,' Dumbledore nodded. 'The poor man was not in the best of spirits when he left. It was a terrible shame. I refused to accept his resignation. I told him we would work around his affliction as we had done before, but he was most insistent that I had done enough for him already. I don't feel as though I had even come close. Remus felt a great deal of guilt and shame about what happened and nothing I could say would convince him otherwise. You know Remus, Sirius…he always did take far too much onto his shoulders.'

Snape shifted in his chair and pushed his almost untouched breakfast a little further away from him.

Sirius was shaking his head. 'I do. Poor Remus. He must feel so alone. That settles it, then. I'm still not too good with Apparation, so I'll take Beaky. The exercise will do him good.'

'Hagrid's been taking good care of him, so he should be well fed for the journey. When are you planning on leaving?' asked Dumbledore.

'Well, I suppose as soon as I've finished breakfast.'

'Of course. I'm sure Remus would appreciate your company.' Dumbledore waved his arm over the table to clear it. 'Well then, I have some important letters to write this morning and I need to speak to the Ministry regarding the arrangements for the meeting. I will pop down later today to see how the potion is progressing, Severus.'

Snape nodded.

'And please give Remus my very best when you see him, Sirius. The job is still open for him should he change his mind.'

'I will tell him that, sir. Thank you.'

With that Dumbledore rose from the wooden chair, wished them good morning again, and headed back to his office.

'I shall see you later, Ariadne,' Snape said with not so much as a glance in Sirius' direction as he gathered his cloak around him and glided back towards the dungeons.

'All right, Sirius,' Ariadne said brackishly when they were finally alone. 'What was all that about?'

'All what?'

'You might have mentioned it to me if you were planning on visiting Remus. You told me you'd stay here with me.'

'I wasn't planning it. I just felt as though I'd like to spend some time with Remus while you were making things up with your brother. It's better than me just sitting around waiting. I'm here for you, Ari, as always, but I'm not sitting in a small Potions classroom with that arsehole for hours on end. I'm sorry, but that would just be too much.'

All her protests and arguments died silently on her lips as she looked away from him. 'No...I suppose I can understand that. Perhaps this is for the best.'

He reached for her hand. 'You are safe here, Ari. I would never leave you alone here otherwise.'

'No,' she smiled at him, 'I know. I'll miss you.'

'You too.' He leaned across to lay a soft kiss on her lips before pulling her into an embrace. 'You'll be all right. You know where I am if you need me.'

Moments passed as they held each other, both reluctant to let the other go.

'You want me to walk down to the dungeons with you?' he asked.

'No, I'll be okay. You go and have a good time. Tell Remus that I...well... Just tell him I hope he's okay.'

'I will. And I hope things work out with Severus.'

The sincerity with which he uttered those words meant a great deal to her. She had never loved him more than she did then.