Well my gentle readers…it's another chappie...WOOHOO!!
Now I have gotten a few comments over an issue in the past few chapters that I quickly want to address…while this is not an M rated story, it does take place in the late seventies/early eighties with a group of eighteen year olds…so sex would have been a part of their lives…however, I am not writing porn, I am writing a story and while their will be bits of PG13+ or so moments, I promise I will not let that be the focus, just an occasional element. I hope these will appease both the 'what's with all the smut?' and the 'where the hell are the lemons?' groups…I truly respect all of you opinions and input…this story would be complete crap with out you.
This story is dedicated to you…
Oh yeah…and if you haven't figured out that I am not JKR…give it up, sell your stuff, and move to a lovely restful Psycho ward…don't worry…I will be in the room next to you…grin
Dumbledore had just sat down in the usual comfy chair behind his desk when he heard the expected polite knock at his door. He schooled his features into a suitably calm expression and spoke…
"Come in."
His expression warmed at the sight of the most extraordinary group of students he had ever had the pleasure to encounter entering his office en-mass. Without saying a word, he gestured for them to make themselves comfortable in the large group of squishy armchairs that suddenly appeared across from him on the other side of his desk. He regarded them all with undisguised fascination as he observed the dramatic changes that had taken place in their personalities and in the dynamics of this particular group of students since the beginning of this, their 7th year at Hogwarts.
Sirius, with a calculated lack of grace, flopped down into the nearest armchair and motioned for Niobe to join him. Before she was even able to set herself on the arm of his chair, Sirius had pulled her off-balance and on top him as he began to nibble on her ear. Niobe gave him a shove and managed to make herself look as dignified as possible while still sitting on Sirius's lap…all the while maintaining a grin at Sirius's antics, causing Dumbledore to chuckle a bit to himself.
Mina rolled her eyes at her brother and proceeded to settle down in a chair next to Remus. Remus gave her a nervous smile, which she returned warmly. Dumbledore could practically see their bond glowing between them, it was so strong. But that would mean…oh…oh my…Dumbledore quickly covered up a blush that would have most assuredly embarrassed not only him, but also Remus and Mina. Well, it is to be expected, he thought. The differences between the courting rituals of his day and of today's youth were quite numerous and he could not begin to understand all of them. Since they were, in the eyes of the Wizarding world, all but married, he really had no right to comment. He did think that he should mention to them that it would be proper to get a license and make it legal and official in the eyes of the Ministry, but he would save that lecture for another day.
Peter had sat down in a chair on one side of James and was finishing up a story of his latest escapades at avoiding the Slytherins while James laughed uproariously and was patting him on the back. Lily had settled herself in on the other side of James and was talking a mile a minute to Severus. Severus was sitting stiffly on the edge of what should have been a comfy chair, as if he expected to be asked to leave the room at any moment. He was listening intently to what Lily was saying with a rather dazed expression on his face; again, as if he could not believe he was sitting there and talking with his childhood friend…and in the same room with all the rest of the other notorious Marauders no less.
Dumbledore let out a small, polite cough to get their attention and soon all eyes were on him. He folded his hands and placed them on the desk "I assume you all know why I asked you here at this particular time?" he said to them all.
Mina gave a quick glance to Remus and then looked back at Dumbledore and spoke "You said you wanted to assess Remus's magic level to see if it has matured in accordance with his new memories." Then Mina gave him a puzzled look "But I still don't understand while you asked for all the rest of us to be here as well" she said, with a gesture to the others in the room.
"That has quite a simple explanation, my dear. I felt that the group of you, with all your unique talents, would be able to assist me in discovering how much Remus's magic has changed since the onset of these memories." Dumbledore turned to Remus "Unless, of course, you would prefer to do this in private. I do understand that it is very personal…"
"No sir, that's alright" Remus said, interruption him "I would like them all to stay." Remus gave a rueful grin "I have learned it is better than to try and keep these kind of secrets from all my friends" he said. Severus gave a small start at the thought of being included with the other Marauders as one of Remus's 'friends'
"Excellent!" Dumbledore said, clapping his hands "Then I see no reason why we should not push on ahead. Remus, I would like you to stand up in front of my desk where I can see you clearly. I am going to have you perform a few basic spells so I can establish a baseline magic level from which I can start to measure your current levels."
As Remus stood up, a voice spoke suddenly from the other side of the room "Don't you even think about starting without me Headmaster. That is my son you be talking about!"
All heads turned to see Cara Lupin emerging from what must have been a washroom on the other side of Dumbledore's office. She regarded their shocked expressions with an amused grin "Really kids, I had you pegged for smarter than this. You didn't think I would let anything as important as this go by with out wanting to be here, now did you?"
"Mum!" Remus shouted with relief and ran to her for the hug he knew was waiting for him. Cara held her son tightly for a moment, and then pulled back to look into his eyes. She could see the worry in them and she gave him a slightly exasperated smile "Don't you worry my boy. This isn't a pass or fail exam you are dealing with. We all just want to know where you are at magic wise before you try and do anything fancy to impress your teachers. Remember, trying to blow up the school was my job" she said with a grin as Remus blushed. She heard a couple of 'hmphs' from behind her and she laughed when she saw Sirius and James pouting at her words. "Don't worry boys. I won't steal your thunder while we are all here at Hogwarts."
For some unknown reason she tipped a wink at Dumbledore at this comment. Strangely enough, Dumbledore winked back, then he turned back to Remus and said "Now, to get back to where we were…Remus, I have some simple items on the desk I would like you to transfigure for me"
While Dumbledore took Remus through a wide range of basic spell work, Cara sat down next to Mina, who looked distinctly uncomfortable and would not look at Cara in the eyes. Cara, who felt she knew what was bothering Mina, was not about to let her get away with trying to ignore her. She leaned over and whispered to Mina "Now, do I have something caught in my teeth that is keeping you from looking at me…or is just that you can't bring yourself to tear your eyes away from my son, hmmmm?" she said with a smirk
Mina jumped "No! I mean…no, there is nothing in your teeth…I just…" Mina let her voice trail off, still not looking at Cara
"Well then, out with it girl…what has you so flustered that you can't be looking into my eyes?" Cara said, forcing the issue
Mina looked up at the only woman she felt really understood her, and with tears forming in her eyes she said "I am sooo sorry…I never meant to hurt him…everyone was so worried about what my happen to me, no one thought about…it's my entire fault that this happened to your son…"
Cara raised her eyebrows "What? That he is happier than I have ever seen him? That he finally knows what it is to be loved by someone like I loved his father? That someone would risk their very life to be with him? Is that what you are apologizing for?"
Mina's jaw dropped and Cara chuckled a bit at her expression before getting serious again "Mina, I know my son and it would have killed him to lose you. I have no anger or regrets towards you because of all this. You are the greatest thing to ever happen to him…besides me, of course"
Mina let out a small smile at that comment and Cara smiled back "Now that's more like it. No more wet nellies from us." Cara gave her a quick hug and said "I hope you don't mind, but your Uncle here filled me in on a few of the missing details in your story." Cara's gaze became a bit sad "We are so alike my dear, you and I…and in many ways that I wish we weren't, but know that from the moment Remus first introduced us, I saw you as a daughter. All of this happening just makes the ties stronger, you understand?" she said with a kind smile
"Oh thank Cara" Mina said and gave her a fierce hug. Mina laughed when then pulled apart and they both had to wipe their eyes "I guess one more 'wet Nellie' moment won't kill us" Mina said with a grin
"You do bring them out in me my dear" she said grinning back. "Now, as soon as this is all over, I want us to have a little chat about a proper wedding for the two of you. I do not want Remus to miss out of the expensive 'sorry we can't make it' apology gifts from the rest of my 'darling family' in Boston." They both giggled at the prospect. They then turned back and focused on Remus, who had been going through a whole series of exercises with Dumbledore, ranging from 1rst year through 7th year spell work.
"Well done my boy! Well done indeed…" Dumbledore said, rubbing his hands together. "Now comes the slightly more difficult part. I am afraid I have to ask you a question or two first…are there any spells that you now remember from your 'other self' that you have no memory of ever being able to perform in this time?"
Remus thought about it for a moment "Well…I have never been able to produce a complete Patronus, especially not one that could send a message. I have managed the basics, but I have never been able to make one take a corporal form" he said hesitantly
"That sounds ideal my boy…and not too dangerous" Dumbledore said with a nod in Cara's direction before turning back to Remus.
Mina looked at Cara, who whispered back to her "I threatened to transfigure all of his woolen socks into fish if he put Remus into any real serious danger" she said with a smirk. Mina smirked back.
Remus stood at the center of the room concentrating on a happy memory. His mind drifted back to that party after the talent show. He had finally had Mina back in his arms and was surrounded by his friends celebrating all of their triumphs. He smile grew as he stood up confidently as he waved his wand "Expecto Patronum!"
A bright silvery light flew out of the end of his wand. No one was surprised to see it take the form of a large wolf, but they were surprised to see it immediately kneel before Remus. Remus's grin became mischievous as he leaned down and whispered into its ear. The large silver wolf took off like a shot right through the door and out the room. Remus turned and grinned at them all.
"That was amazing Moony!" said James, the whole room nodding along with him
"Yes indeed my boy. I think it is safe to assume that your magic has matured greatly with the added memories" Dumbledore said with confidence "Now with your permission, I would like to see your dueling work to see if your instincts match as well. Niobe, Peter…if you could please face Remus…simple disarmament should suffice. Ready…begin!"
Niobe and Peter were no match for Remus, and though Peter did manage to doge Remus's attempts for a few moments, they were both quickly disarmed. Lily and James were up next. They worked well together as a team and were significantly faster, but in the end it only took Remus about three minutes to disarm them both. Sirius was up next…
"Ready to get your ass fed to you old man?" said Sirius with an evil grin
Remus just grinned back "Not that hungry Pads, but I am more that willing to teach you a lesson or two little boy" and they began. The two were well matched physically and the duel went on a bit longer than the others, but in the end, even Sirius had to admit defeat.
"Magnificent job, the both of you" said a beaming Dumbledore "Severus, if you would be so kind?"
"After fighting three duels you want him to duel me?" Severus shook his head "It would not be a fair fight sir…I would not risk the repercussions of injuring him."
"Not quite up to it Sev?" said Sirius with a smirk. Severus glared at him and then turned to Remus with a question in his eyes. Remus grinned and nodded. They both bowed formally and the duel began.
It was clear to anyone with eyes that Severus Snape was a formidable dueler. He was lighting fast and he had no desire to play it safe. The battle raged for over eight minutes when suddenly, after one of his signature moves, Severus found himself on the floor. Remus held a hand out to help him up. Once Severus got his bearings he looked at Remus with a strange expression of frustration and respect.
Remus gave him a small grin "I remembered you using that move from before so I knew which way you were going to turn. It was the only way I could have beaten you. I have no doubt that in a year or two you will be able to put me down in a minute or less."
Snape raised his eyebrow and the side of his mouth twitched ever so slightly "I suggest a rematch in a year's time."
"I look forward to it" said Remus and Snape sat down
"You got some nice moves there Snape…I'm glad you never took up Quidditch" James said while Lily beamed
Snape rolled his eyes at James's obvious gesture to impress Lily and said nothing
Dumbledore smile proudly at the boy in front of him "Now last but not least, I think it would be best to match you up with someone who knows your magic best and take away some of your advantage. Mina? If you would be so…"
"One moment there Headmaster…" Cara said, interrupting him "I think out of anyone here I know Remus's magic best. And I don't think it would be wise to have these two dueling quite yet. We don't know exactly how the bond will react. Let them get a bit more used to it before we pit them against each other"
Dumbledore simply nodded "As you wish…Remus, do you agree?"
"Come on boyo…you think you can take me down after all these years?" Cara said with a grin. "Tickle rules apply of course"
Remus groaned. Sirius spoke up at this point "What do you mean by tickle rules?"
Cara kept grinning "It's a game me and Remus played when he was a youngster. The only spell we are allowed to use was the tickling hex and who ever breaks first, wins."
"Mum…I love you dearly…but you are toast!" Remus said with a grin and the game began. The others were amazed to see the two Lupins laughing as they dodged hex after hex. A few of the hexes reached their intended targets but the both of them fought it off until finally Remus broke down in hysterics and rolled on the floor with laughter.
Cara raised her wand in triumph "18 years and I am still champion" she crowed as the rest of the room applauded.
Suddenly the door to Dumbledore's office flew open and a furious Minerva McGonagall stormed in "ALBUS!! What were you thinking sending a full grown wolf Patronus into the Great Hall during lunch?! I just managed to get everyone calmed down…" McGonagall stopped dead at the sight of Cara Lupin brandishing her wand "You…" she sputtered "You did that?!" she said, her voice getting dangerously high pitched
"Actually, I think that was my son" Cara said with a smirk and lowering her wand
Sirius and James stared at Remus who had managed to pull himself together and was sitting back down next to them. "Nice one Moony!" they both said in unison and Cara laughed again.
McGonagall turned her fiery gaze to Dumbledore "What is SHE doing here might I ask?"
Dumbledore managed to look only slightly sheepish "Well…she quite reasonably asked to be here when we tested her sons magic…and being that she is a member of the Order now…"
"She WHAT!?" McGonagall sputtered "Albus, you can't be serious…"
"Oh, calm down Professor…" said Cara smiling evilly "Seeing as we are soon to be colleagues, it was best you started getting used to having me around."
The entire room went dead silent at that piece of news. Remus looked at his mum in shock "Whaa…"
"Oh, I guess I forgot to tell you…" Cara said sweetly "The Headmaster here offered me the position of Muggle Studies for next year. So you see Professor, I have every right to be here." Cara finished with a smirk she knew would get McGonagall's goat.
McGonagall was white with shock. Then, slowly, she composed herself. She looked back at Cara with a gaze of steal "Well Mrs. Lupin, do you think you are up to the tasks? After all, being a homemaker and an ex-trouble maker does not necessarily prepare one for the tasks ahead of you…hmmm?"
Cara's smile became rather feral "Is that a direct challenge…Professor?" she said, absently twirling her wand and looking straight at McGonagall
McGonagall stared back with an equally feral grin "As Deputy Headmistress I feel it is my duty to make sure all future professors are…competent" she said pulling out her wand as well
Dumbledore, for one in his life, looked nervous at the scene playing out before him "Now ladies…I do not think it is wise with the children around…"
"Quiet Albus!" said Minerva, shocking Dumbledore and the others "You started all of this. And since you felt it was quite alright to hire a teacher with out my knowledge, I feel it is my right to test her competence in any way I see fit" she snapped, causing Dumbledore to back down immediately. She then turned back to a grinning Cara "Are you quite ready my dear?"
"Of course! I have been waiting years for this moment" Cara said…and the battle was on.
And a battle it was. The air was full of rainbow colored flashes of light as hex after hex was thrown between the wands of the two formidable witches. Most of the Marauders had taken cover behind their seats and were silently cheering on the battle. Dumbledore, in legitimate fear for some of the more rare items in his collection, was standing boldly in front of his glass cabinets maintaining a shield charm to keep them from being destroyed by a stray hex.
The two warring witches were oblivious to the actions of the others in the room…they only had eyes for their opponent as the magic continued to flash between them. Just when it looked as if Cara was gaining the upper hand, McGonagall let out a string of non-verbal spells that sent Cara into the wall and on to the floor. In a flash, McGonagall was standing directly above Cara with her wand at her throat "Do you yield?" McGonagall asked formally, with just a touch of smugness.
Cara just smiled back, and without a word, transfigured the cloth she had managed to grab in to a large bunch of lily' of the valley before shoving them into McGonagall's face.
McGonagall's eyes widened…then she started to sneeze…and sneeze and sneeze. McGonagall was sneezing so hard that she ended up falling into a nearby chair while Cara stood up and brushed herself off.
"If there are two things I have learned in my life it is this…one, if you can not beat someone in a fair fight, don't fight fair" Cara said with a grin "And two, never forget someone's weakness because you never know when it may come in handy." With this said, Cara vanished the flowers and with a smile on her face, she preformed a quick air cleaning charm around the room.
With the scent of the flowers gone, McGonagall quickly recovered and stood up to face Cara. The whole room waited with bated breath to see what might happen next. To everyone's shock and surprise, Minerva McGonagall burst out laughing. She laughed so hard she was in tears "My dear Mrs. Lupin, the Death Eaters won't know what hit them…let alone the students"
"I think I know a thing or two about handling trouble makers…and please, call me Cara. We are colleagues now after all" Cara said with a wide smile
"And I insist you call me Minerva. That duel was the most fun I have had in years!" Minerva said smiling just as widely
"I believe this calls for a celebration. I am sure the Headmaster here would not mind parting with a bottle of his single malt for a toast or two" Cara said with a wicked grin
Minerva turned her gaze slowly to Dumbledore, who was still standing in front of his glass cabinets "Albus, you haven't been holding out on me have you?" she said with a sweet tone that made Dumbledore cringe.
"Of course not Minerva…I was just waiting for the proper occasion…you see…" he said nervously
Minerva' smile grew "I definitely think this could be considered a special occasion don't you think? Two old nemeses making peace…if you please Albus?"
With a resigned expression, Dumbledore went over to a small wooden cabinet and pulled out a dusty bottle filled with a brown liquid and handed it to McGonagall.
"Ogden's…aged fifty years…you have been holding out on me Albus" McGonagall said, looking at the bottle "Well, my dear Cara, I think we should take this down to my office and celebrate our new partnership"
"Make mine a double!" Sirius said jumping up to follow them. They both turned and stared at him. "What? Don't we get to celebrate too?" Sirius said
McGonagall smirked at him "I think not young man…after all, you all have exams to take tomorrow and it would be better for you to take this time to study"
"Of course Professor" said Niobe, as she pulled a thoroughly pouting Sirius back to her
"Of course" McGonagall said with a smile "Now Cara, we shall retire to my study. I am sure we have lots of stories to tell each others"
"Of that I have no doubt…see you tomorrow my boy" Cara said with a wave to her son and proceeded out the door with Minerva
Dumbledore slumped in his chair with a mix of relief and fear "Merlin help us with those two…"
"Sir, why didn't you stop them? I mean…they practically wrecked your office and took your whiskey!" Sirius said, slightly outraged. Remus was just standing there shaking his head and laughing
Dumbledore gave Sirius a tired smile "No matter how powerful I may seem, I would never be as foolish as to get between those two witches in a fight…nor would I dream of getting between Professor McGonagall and a good glass of scotch."
They all laughed and Dumbledore joined them "Now my dears, I believe that your Professor was right in stating you all had exams to study for…"
"Yes Sir" most of them said and headed out the door, Sirius loudly complaining along the way that the teachers had all the fun. Dumbledore let out a small chuckle. He then noticed that both Remus and Mina had stayed behind "Yes my dears?" he said politely
"Sir…thank you…thank you for everything you have done for us" Remus said simply, with Mina at his side holding his hand and smiling
"My dear boy, nothing could make me happier. You are both extraordinary people and it is my privilege to assist you in anyway I can" he said with a gentle smile
Mina gave him a fierce hug "Thank you Uncle Al"
"My pleasure" he said "Now off with you…I expect to see your names on the top of the NEWT results."
They grinned at him and left his office. Dumbledore slowly looked around his now silent office…at the comfy chairs still scattered around the floor…at the end table that had been overturned…at the papers that had been scattered all over…and finally at the open door to the liquor closet. Then, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore started to laugh…he laughed until the tears were streaming down his face and he had to sit down at his favorite chair "Oh, what a year it has been…"
It has been one hell of a year or so…sooooooo, what do you think? What would you like to see happen? What has been your favorite moment in the story so far? Do you think the Red Sox have a prayer this year?
Peace love and light…
Dye