Chapter 37

17 Dec 1993

James was having a problem. James shouldn't have been having a problem. He was starting to find his feet again, classes were going well, Christmas break was coming, and he was going home, perhaps permanently.

They were planning to go home for Christmas. That plan involved taking Black with them. The problem was that Black did not want to go with them. He wanted to stay to keep searching for Pettigrew.

"Well, you can't stay in the school alone. Katie is planning to go home too from what she was saying to Sarah in class the other day. If we aren't here, you will have to go home with her."

"[I am not leaving yet. I know he is here, I just need a bit more time. We are getting close I know it.]" Black replied.

Remus sat at his desk looking over the map. He'd already tried to convince Black. Once that failed, he passed it over to James. They were huddled in his office after the end of classes for the day. James didn't have any homework and dinner wasn't for a bit yet.

"You can't seriously plan to go home with Katie. She isn't going to bring you back you know. Students can't have dogs at Hogwarts."

"[I'll run away and go back to hiding in the woods. Please, just until the end of the school year.]" Black argued. "[Besides, I might be able to convince her to bring me back.]"

"As a dog? Really?" James asked incredulously.

"[I am irresistible. All I need is to make some puppy dog eyes and I'll have them eating out of my hands.]" Black said, doing his best to prove his point.

"Dad, back me up here. Leaving him behind, much less with Katie is a really, really, really bad idea. Like an Agent Orange bad idea."

"Worse, but it might not be entirely your choice," Remus said pointing to a moving dot on the map. James looked over and saw Katie Bell's name moving down the hallway. "What if she is coming to pick up Princess for the holidays?."

"Can we say he ran away and transfigure him into something portable, like a doll for Morgan?" James said.

"[Like hell you will!]"

"I don't know what he just said, but you do know she checks on him fairly often right?" Remus said.

"Really?"

"Yes, so unless Princess is onboard, I don't think we can get him to come with us."

There was a knock at the door. Black barked happily and gave a doggy smirk to James and Remus. James sighed and opened the door.

"Come in," James said.

"Oh, hey James. I didn't expect to see you here. I was just coming to check on Princess and see when I should pick him up to take him home tomorrow, Professor Lupin." Katie said, stepping into the office. Black rushed over and laid his head against her leg. Katie to give him scratches behind the ear.

Remus glanced at James. James threw his hands up in defeat behind Katie, all the while glaring at Black.

"Since we're leaving in the morning right after the carriages, it would be best to pick him up before breakfast. Are you sure your parents will let you bring him home though?" Remus asked.

Black stopped wagging his tail, whined, and pushing himself harder against Katie's hand. Katie stopped scratching, crouched down and switched to patting Sirius with both hands. Despite himself, James couldn't help by admit Black had his friendly doggie act down pat.

"They're actually looking forward to meeting him. Dad said he can't wait to have a dog again. He hasn't had one since he was a kid," Katie said. She was focused on Black and didn't see James dragging his hand down his face. Remus for his part was glaring at Black. The two Lupins look at each other and held a quick silent conversation.

When Katie finally looked up from Black a few seconds later Remus spoke. "That's good I guess. At least the stray is going to a home that wants it. Are you going to get him neutered?"

Black whimpered and Katie covered his ears. "Sometime over the break. Mom said that was not negotiable." She whispered.

James fought to keep down a chuckle as he saw Blacks horrified reaction. The hands did nothing to stop him from hearing her.

"Probably for the best," Remus said, with a sage nod. "I guess I will see you tomorrow morning to pick him up."

"Great. Do you mind if I take him for a walk before dinner?" Katie asked, standing up.

"Just be sure to have him back a bit before dinner so the elves can feed him too," Remus said.

Katie smiled, took the leash and collar from the hook near the door, installed just for such purpose, slipped them onto Black, and led him away. "Let's go, Princess. The snow finally stopped and I bet you would like some time out of this stuffy castle." She said as she led him away.

James and Remus watched her go. Once she disappeared James turned to Remus. "What are the odds he will want to come with us by morning?" James asked.

Remus thought it over for a second. "Slim. Even with the threat of castration hanging over him, he won't admit he is wrong. What's more, I really don't think he will give up his hunt for Peter."

They parted ways. Remus to help Veronica and Morgan pack, James to hang out with his friends until dinner.

After dinner, James and Hestia left the Great Hall together. There was no study session that evening. Any homework wasn't due until after the break, so they took a slow walk through the castle to the room they had their first secret meeting.

The room hadn't changed. Once they were inside, they sealed the door and Hestia cast a number of anti-eavesdropping charms. That done, she settled in her seat.

"It's Christmas and phase one is almost accomplished." She said, leaning across the armrest with her eyes closed. "It feels good to be on top for once."

James chuckled grimly. "All it took was a bit of lying, a bit of sweet talking, and a bit of fighting."

"Wasn't it fun? You sure seemed to enjoy the carrot at least," Hestia said, giving James a sultry smile.

James blushed. "True, for the most part. It may have all been an act, but you were a very convincing actress." James said, leaning closer to her. "So you've succeeded in becoming the leader of your year in Slytherin. What next?"

"Next it getting the other houses to listen to me. Hufflepuff is already a kind of, and Ravenclaw shouldn't be too hard. The real struggle was always going to be Gryffindor." Hestia said, her eyes going unfocused as she started to think about her grand master plan. James thought it was sorta cute.

Hestia shook her thoughts away and straightened up in her seat. "But this isn't why you wanted to meet is it?" She said.

"Yeah," James said, drawing out the word.

"So what did you want to talk about? It wasn't just wanting to get me alone to have your wild way with me, was it? A chance to weasel out a last gift before Christmas perhaps?" Hestia leaned close, teasing James.

"Tempting though that sounds, and I think it should be added to the agenda for tonight, I wanted to give you a heads up that I might not be coming back after Christmas," James said. Hestia went from flirty and happy to serious in a second.

"What? Why not? Where will you go instead?"

"I might not return. None of us. The reason being the slight little altercation that left two werewolves dead and three injured. Some more than others. As for where instead, don't tell me you forgot I was an American, with a home, school, and friends back there." James said.

Hestia frowned. "I guess I had. I suppose I understand why you might not return. This isn't your home and staying here puts you at risk. You're worried about the full moon in January, right? That is when you might have to fight Greyback again. You don't think you could win."

"Not at all. Maybe if I had more time to get ready, if I was older, or if Greyback was weaker. In truth, we came here to learn something. We did. While we might not have gotten all we wanted, we have enough to call it mission accomplished."

"What were you trying to learn?" Hestia asked.

James just shook his head. "Won't tell you. Can't tell you." Hestia pouted, but it would take more than some watery eyes and trembling lip to get James to talk. Hestia realized this quickly and moved on.

"You said might not come back. That means you might return after Christmas. When will you know?"

"After we get home. That's why I am telling you now in case I don't return."

Hestia was silent, gnawing at her thumbnail as she considered what it would mean if they didn't come back. "So we'd lose a defense professor before the end of the year, I'd lose your support, and the study sessions would fall apart."

"Well, two of the three. The study sessions don't have to die without me, it will just take others choosing to continue them." James said.

Hestia said and glanced at James. "You aren't stupid. You have to know you're the one holding those together. By virtue of being in so many different years at the same time you are the common bond all those students have." James narrowed his eyebrows skeptically. "Don't give me that look. It's true."

"Maybe it is. It doesn't have to be. You could keep them alive. That would let you keep doing what you have been trying." James said.

Hestia stood up and started pacing. After a few laps, she threw up her hands. "You are really frustrating you know that. You keep getting into trouble, getting hurt, and still pull off everything I could have hoped. Knocking Malfoy down while obviously hurt was galleons in the bank. It has knocked his standing down so far even a few first years have made jokes about him."

"Now you say you are going to disappear right when things are starting to work. I get why. Gods and Magic do I get why, but that doesn't make it better." Hestia said. Then she stopped and turned towards him.

"Could I tempt you? Give you a taste of what might await you if you return?" Hestia said, moving towards him with a sway to her hips before backing up. James stared at her hungrily before trying to shake his head clear. "But I don't want to be that kind of girl. A kiss is innocent enough, but something more? You're strong James. Magically, Physically, and... Can Intelligence by strong? Whatever you get the point. You aren't handsome, but what good is a pretty face without any substance? Professor Lockhart second year already showed me how worthless that is.

James took a moment to compose himself. "I know this isn't what you wanted to hear. I'm sorry if this leaves you in a bad place, but I do think what you are doing is a good thing. You might have blackmailed me at first, but you didn't expose my secret. You didn't go running for the hills. I'm telling you in good faith so you know and can prepare."

James smiled. "You're freaking brilliant. You figured out something no one else has without seeing me change." James said, taking a moment to push magic through his left hand until it changed. A second later he released the magic and the hand changed back as he continued talking. "You are in a better place than you were. Seize the momentum and keep it going."

Hestia stared at his hand for a second. She smiled and climbed into James lap, careful to keep from pressing against his ribs. "You do the impossible and tell me I'm brilliant." She said, taking his hand in hers. "You're right of course. I can figure out a way to achieve my school domination plans now that things are in motion. It just would have been nice to be able to push for total domination of Magical Britain by the end of Fourth Year. Now it will have to wait until after my NEWTS."

James and Hestia both broke out in laughter. When they stopped their heads were right next to each other. "Can I get a carrot to say goodbye? Who knows? We might be back and I'll have to repay it with interest. Take down the entire Seventh Year student population perhaps."

Hestia snorted and leaned away. She laid a hand gently on his chest. "That might be a bit much." She extracted herself from his lap and started to the door. "I think we should call it a night here. Thanks for letting me know. If you don't come back, take care, James."

Hestia ducked out before James could get out of his chair. He felt he should follow after her but stayed in the chair alone for a moment longer. When he finally left, she was nowhere to be seen. James walked back to his room alone.

XxX

18 Dec 1997

James was ready to go home. Remus had gripped his shoulder and they were about to go when Remus asked if he wanted to sign the forms to activate the Memorial Fund.

"What?" James asked confused about what Remus was saying.

"Do you want to go to Gringotts before we leave and sign those forms in case we don't come back?"

'Oh, the Lily Potter Memorial Fund.' James thought. 'It should be out there for people to use. The money does no good just piling up, but I was planning to do that this summer when we left for good. If we do it now, what happens if we come back?'

"James," Remus said shaking him a little when he didn't respond. "Do you want to?"

"Do we have enough time to make our flight?" James asked.

"If we are quick about it. In, signed, and out. I imagine the goblins will want this done quickly too."

"It would mean signing as…" James trailed off, not willing to say the name.

"Yes, there is a risk, but it is your choice. Unfortunately, you need to decide now." Remus said.

James frowned. "I wish one of us had remembered this sooner."

Remus looked away a bit sheepishly. "I didn't mean to spring it on you, but I didn't want to bring it up in the castle either. It is one thing to talk about our curse. Quite another to talk about our other secret, but I didn't forget. I just didn't know how to bring it up before now."

James sighed. 'I guess that makes sense. Fuck it. Let's do it.'

"Let's make it quick," James said. Remus smiled a bit, gripped him and took him to the closest apparition point near Gringotts. They hurried up the steps and through the crowds busy depositing, withdrawing, and changing money for the holiday season.

Five minutes later they were in Garshanks office. The form was on his desk in front of James and a blood quill was in his hands.

"Be careful when you start writing. The quill takes your own blood and I don't need the document messed up because you botched your signature. Now sign here, here, and here." Garshank said. His crooked fingers trailed along with the page pointing out where James was to sign.

James took a deep breath and set the quill to parchment. Slowly, with great care, James wrote Harry Potter in each place Garshank pointed out. With the last one done, he laid down the quill and pushed it towards the goblin.

"We done?" James asked, eager to be on the way home. Garshank took the sheet and looked it over quickly.

"All done. It has been a pleasure Potter." He said, rolling the form up and sealing it with an official Gringotts seal. "Good day."

"Good day and goodbye," James said. He left the room and joined Remus who'd stood watch outside, just in case. Remus passed him a pair of black gloves.

"Here. Those will cover any marks left by the blood quill."

"Thanks," James said sliding on the gloves. Let's go home."

They caught up to Veronica and Morgan at the airport ten minutes later.

"What took you so long? You were right behind us." Veronica asked as they got in the line for security. She was getting a few odd looks from passersby. Her bandages were gone, but the damage remained. She had enough hair to hide her ruined ear, but the angry red and pink lines running down the side of her face and neck drew more than a few eyes.

"Just a little detour to Gringotts to take care of something," Remus said.

"That explains why you asked me to take all the luggage. What did you need to take care of?" She asked.

"It was just something I needed to sign, Mom. Let's get home before we talk about it." James said. Veronica cocked her head to the side.

"Are you sure? What did you need to sign? You have to be careful with… bankers." She said, her eyes zoning in on the way one of his gloves was darkening and her nose picking up hints of blood.

"Mom, trust me. I will tell you about it later, I just don't feel comfortable talking about in public." James said as they shuffled forward a few steps.

"If you say so, James." Veronica looked like she wanted to press, but she let it drop for now. The conversation died until they were through security. When it restarted, it was all about plans once they got home. Who they planned to see, what they planned to do, and how good it would be to sleep in their own bed.

A little over an hour later, their plane took off. Ten hours, and many time zones, later they were touching done in Chicago. They got through no-maj customs quickly enough, but then it was time for magical customs.

As they passed through the gate for magical customs, a tall bald white man with a greying mustache pushed himself off the wall and walked up to them.

"Lupins, welcome back. How was jolly old England." James looked at the man confused until Remus stepped forward and shook his hand.

"Tyler," Remus said as he took the hand. "I wasn't expecting to see you here. What's going on?"

Tyler chuckled as the rest of the family formed up around him. "Aye, I expect not. The good news is that the project is still progressing well without you. The bad news for you is that the reports from the ambassador have raised some eyebrows so the friendly folks at the bureau want to debrief sooner rather than later."

Remus sighed and started looking distinctly uncomfortable under Veronica's gaze. James was just confused. "Dad, what is going on?"

"You know the work I have been doing before we went to Hogwarts. Well, it wasn't exactly a no strings attached leave of absence and I had to share a lot of my history when we first moved here." Remus explained to James, then addressed Tyler. "Does it have to be right now? Can I at least drop my stuff off at home?"

Tyler thought it over for a second. "I figured as much. Just drop by the Minnie office later today. You remember where it is right?" After Remus assured Tyler he remembered, Tyler passed him a portkey. "Here. That should save you guys a bit of time."

"Thanks," Remus said. James grabbed on and Morgan did likewise. Veronica gave Tyler the stink eye but took it too.

Tyler started waving goodbye. "Cowabunga Lupins." The portkey activated at his words and James felt the hook in his navel as they transited hundreds of miles in the blink of an eye. The ride was rough, but once it finally stopped they were standing in their own front lawn. The snow was close to a foot deep, the temperature below freezing, and none of them were dressed properly, but the same thought went through all their minds.

'Home at last.'

XxX