Disclaimer: I do not have rights to Harry Potter or Bon Jovi

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Chapter 37: Midnight in Chelsea

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

A light spring rain fell on the small gathering at Hogsmead cemetery as they slowly made their way out of the gate and back into the small town or up the hill toward Hogwarts.

Sirius stepped back from the slow moving line with Elizabeth wrapped warmly in his arms as he turned and looked back up the hill towards Hermione. She stood, the wind stirring her robes as she said her goodbyes to Draco, head down turned as she looked at the freshly turned ground at her feet.

Harry, still bandaged and healing, limped past with Ginny, and Sirius sent his Godson a sympathetic smile. Returning a shaky one, Harry nodded he was okay before letting Ginny lead him through the small gate at the edge of the cemetery.

Sighing Sirius returned his stormy gaze to Hermione as he shifted Elizabeth into a more comfortable position in his arms. It had been a couple of days since they had returned to Hogwarts and the funeral for the young Malfoy heir was a small event. Some fellow Slytherins had attended to pay their respects, along with a handful of wizards Draco and Harry were in training with.

Sirius glanced back up at the castle. Two people had not joined the funeral this afternoon, as Tonks refused to leave Remus' side as the werewolf recovered. He had yet to regain consciousness, but Sirius noted the improvements daily.

Feeling Hermione step up beside him Sirius looked down at his wife, her curls that escaped her long plait floating in the wind around her face.

"Okay?" he asked quietly

Hermione shook her head, "No." she said before offering Sirius a small smile, "But I will be."

Sirius smiled back and sent a final look back to where Draco lay, a yellow rose now lay atop his headstone.

"Are you ready?" he asked, bringing his gaze back to his wife.

Hermione nodded and hooked her arm through his as they began walking slowly back up to the castle.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Sirius sat quietly next to Remus' bed as he watched his friend breathe quietly. He'd sent a reluctant Tonks off to sleep a while before and now found himself deep in thought.

Sirius and James exchanged a concerned look as Remus quietly made his way into the Great Hall for dinner. Their friend had a slight limp and a deep scratch on his face as he slipped in next to Peter opposite the pair.

"Hello Remus." James greeted the small third year, frown lines on his brow

"James," Remus returned, not meeting the other boys eyes

"Where've you been?" Sirius asked, "and what happened to you?"

Remus blushed slightly, "I had to go home to visit an Aunt."

Sirius and James exchanged another glance, not believing Remus' story one bit.

"You don't have to lie to us Remus," James said quietly, "We're your friends."

Remus' amber eyes shot up in anger, shocking the two in front of him, "What makes you think I'm lying?" he asked, before standing up and walking back out of the room.

Sirius watched as their friend exited before turning back to James and Peter.

"Every month he has an excuse for disappearing." James said gruffly, not at all happy with his small friend, "He's like a woman, every month he's cranky or sad, or just plain moody."

Beside the boys, Lily Evans chocked on her roast beef at the overheard remark.

"Alright Evans?" James asked, eyebrow raised.

Lily glared, nodding and reaching for her water before Potter got it into his head to rescue her.

Turning back to Sirius, James opened his mouth to continue but paused when he saw Sirius' expression. His friend looked like he'd just worked out something life changing. The messy haired boy prayed he too hadn't fallen for Lily.

"Sirius?

James glanced at Peter who shrugged.

"James," Sirius breathed, "You're a genius."

"I am?" James asked shocked, before grinning cockily, "Of course I am." He paused, thinking, then frowning, "Why am I a genius?"

"Come on," Sirius instructed, standing.

James and Peter followed suit and trailed after Sirius as he led the way out of the Great Hall.


"Where are we going?" Peter asked

"To the library." Sirius answered

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"I KNEW it!" Sirius exclaimed as he found what he was looking for in a heavy black book with yellowed pages.

James and Peter glanced at the page. It was filled with writing save for an image moving at the top corner. The two boys watched in fascination as an ordinary man turned into a wolf.

"You still seriously don't think…" James started.

Sirius ignored his friend, "It all makes sense, the monthly disappearing act, the scars, the new scratches." Sirius, bright eyed with discovery stood and started pacing. "And his eyes, have you seen his eyes?"

James and Peter exchanged a look, they'd never really paid close attention to Remus' eyes.

"They're amber." Sirius explained, "How many people do you know with amber eyes?"

"How many people do you know with grey eyes?" James countered

Sirius ignored his question, "We have to talk to Remus, there has to be something we can do to help him."

He could tell James was coming around but Peter still looked apprehensive.

"Peter - -"

"Sirius Black!"

Sirius winced as Madame Pince rounded on him.

"This is a library, keep your voice down or leave."

Sirius turned to James and Peter who were holding in their laughter. "Come on, let's go"

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"Why are you doing this?" Remus asked, cornered in the dorm by his three friends.

"To help you." Sirius explained, "you don't have to lie to us anymore Remus."

Remus sighed and sat down on the window seat and glanced up at his three friends.

"Have you told anyone?"

Sirius looked confused, "Why would we do that?"

"Because I'm a Monster."

James shook his head, "You're anything but a Monster, Remus."

"You have no idea, you haven't seen me under a full moon." Remus caught the excited look in Sirius' eyes, "NO! Don't you dare even think about it."

"Where do you go Remus?" Sirius asked

"I'm not telling you."

"Come on, pleeease."

"If I tell you you'll come up with someway to see me."

None of his friends said anything.

"You can't guys," he said softly. "You can't help me."

"Sure we can Moony," Sirius stated, ignoring Remus' horrified expression at his newly appointed nickname. "We're the Marauders, we can do anything."


o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"Sirius?"

Sirius was drawn from his memory by Remus' soft voice.

"Remus!" Sirius said, standing and leaning over the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Are we dead?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because we're Marauders, we can do anything."

Remus sent Sirius a sad look that made his small grin falter, "I've lost my leg, haven't I?"

Sirius sighed and nodded. "I'm sorry Moony; there was nothing else we could do, nothing else I could do."

Remus closed his eyes with a small smile on his lips, "You saved me."

"Again," Sirius pointed out cheekily, "Don't you forget that."

"Are we keeping count?" Remus asked, cracking open one amber eye.

Sirius rolled his eyes, "Only since school."

Remus smiled and closed his eyes again, "Did everyone----?"

Sirius shook his head before answering, "Everyone but Draco."

Remus sighed, "How's Hermione and Harry doing?"

"Okay, they're getting over the shock, but they'll be fine." Sirius paused before smiling, "Draco gave his house and half his fortune to Elizabeth."

Remus chuckled, "No surprises there."

"The rest went to family, he gave some to Hermione and I, Harry and Ginny and you and Tonks."

Remus' eyes flew open in shock. "What?"

"She is his cousin Remus, and it isn't charity," he said gruffly pointing at his friend, "So you have to accept it."

Remus closed his eyes and ignored Sirius, "Where is Tonks?"

"I sent her to get some sleep. Would you like me to get her?"

Remus nodded and Sirius squeezed his hand before leaving, "I'll be right back."

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Later, Sirius quietly re-entered his and Hermione's quarters. Hermione was on the couch reading as Elizabeth stood at her feet, holding on to her mother's leg, babbling nonsensically up at the witch. Turning to the sound at the door Elizabeth's face lit up as she saw Sirius enter.

Sirius sent Hermione a smile as she stood and crouched when Elizabeth made her way towards him on unsteady feet.

"Aren't you cleaver?" he asked as she neared. Giggling she reached him and he lifted her into her arms as he stood. Walking over to Hermione, Sirius placed a hand on her waist and lent in for a soft kiss.

"Daddy kiss?" Elizabeth asked, to which Sirius was only too happy to comply. Someone had been teaching his baby girl new words.

"How's Remus doing?" Hermione asked as she pulled back

Sirius grinned, "He woke up. Tonks fawning over him as we speak."

Hermione smiled back, "Good. I'll go and see him later."

Sitting back down Hermione marked her page and sat back into the couch. "Dumbledore came by this afternoon."

Sirius' interest perked. The aging headmaster had gone to the ministry earlier on in the day to discuss the week's events.

"And?" Sirius asked as he sat beside her with Elizabeth.

Hermione smiled, "Tompkinson has been forced to stand down. They're having elections for a new minster next month."

"And in the mean time?" Sirius asked.

"A selection of the Wizengamot, will make any decisions in the coming month. They've already announced they plan to look at the development of werewolf rights that Tompkinson started."

Sirius' grin grew, "At least he did one good thing." Looking at his daughter, who was trying to dance on his lap as he held her up. Sirius brought her close and placed another small kiss on her head.

"You're getting big Munchkin," He glanced at Hermione before leaning in closer to Elizabeth, "Your mummy's going to get big soon too."

"Hey!" Hermione swatted Sirius as he laughed

"You're gorgeous pregnant, Love." Sirius said with a charming grin.

"You just say that to make me feel better."

Sirius stood and placed Elizabeth on the floor, happy to play with her toys, before he rejoined Hermione on the couch.

"You don't realise it do you?" Sirius asked as he sat and leaned in close, placing a hand on her waist as the other played with her curls.

"Realise what?" Hermione asked quietly

"You're the most beautiful woman in the world," Sirius complimented, placing a soft kiss on her neck. "When you're with Elizabeth," he continued, moving up to her jaw line, "When you're laughing," Hermione smiled as he placed a kiss on her nose. "And most of all," he pulled back and met her chocolate eyes, "you're absolutely gorgeous when you're pregnant with our children." He grinned and claimed her lips in a passionate kiss as Hermione wound her arms around his neck, toying with the ends of his hair.

Neither noticed the door opening.

"Oi!" they heard Harry exclaim, "There's children in the room!"