Plans, Potions and Perils, Oh My!
Severus was the first to wander into the kitchens early Friday morning. He couldn't lie in bed a moment longer after spending a nearly sleepless night staring through the canopy at the ceiling. His head was too full of "what ifs" and "should haves". He slipped into his usual seat and mumbled good morning as Jemma handed him a steaming mug of coffee.
"Is Master Severus wanting his breakfast now, sir?" She curtsied respectfully, her apron crinkling around her feet.
"Just some toast, please, Jemma." He barely smiled. "I'm not really all that hungry this morning."
Sonya woke slowly and stretched in the bed, only to roll over and see that Remus wasn't there. In fact, his pillow hadn't been slept on. She had tried to stay awake, waiting for him to return the night before, but her ordeal and the pain reliever Severus had given her, worked against her and she had fallen asleep. She slipped from the bed and shrugged into her dressing gown and slippers and made her way to the living room of her apartment. Remus wasn't there either and she went in search of her wayward love.
She stopped short in the doorway to the main sitting room of Snape Manor and a soft smile graced her face. Remus lay slumped over his maps and parchments, a quill still grasped loosely in his slack fingers. His cheek was pressed to his left forearm and he was sound asleep. She tiptoed over to him and kissed his head. When he didn't move, she began to place little kitten kisses all over his head before traveling down the side of his face.
"Wake up, sleepy head." She murmured when he began to stir. "I can't believe you slept like this all night."
Remus sat up and stretched languidly, a chorus of popping sounds echoed in the quiet room as his spine realigned itself. He smiled at her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close.
"I'm sorry, love." He apologized softly. "You know how I get. What time is it?" He asked as he reached for her wrist to inspect her watch.
"High time for all good wolfies to be up and at 'em." She grinned and captured his sleep-warmed lips in a gentle caress.
Mmm…" He murmured happily and pulled her into his lap. "What are your plans for today, Miss Troyen?"
"I'm actually going to work today, Mr. Lupin." She replied, grinning happily and brushing the hair from his eyes. "I want to touch base, at least, and see if I can't bring in a few of my clients and see how things are going with them."
"Are you making a full day of it?" He asked.
"I might. I'm sure there's quite a bit I need to catch up with." She answered. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, you know those charms placed on Sev you were telling me about?" He began and continued when Sonya nodded. "He's going to go to Hogwarts to see Poppy and the Headmaster and I'm thinking I'd like to go with him."
"Does he think it's serious?" She chewed her lip worriedly.
"He's a little bit concerned." Remus admitted. "He's doing things with his magic he was never able to before and he's worried something might be wrong with his magical harness. He doesn't want to suddenly lose control, so he's going to have Poppy check him out. Then he wants to run the idea of these charms past Albus and see what he might know as well."
"I think that's a very good idea." Sonya nodded and got to her feet. "How about some breakfast?"
"Breakfast sounds good." Remus agreed, straightening his parchments and cleaning his quill.
Severus had just taken the first bite of his toast when Remus and Sonya entered the kitchen and sat next to him. "You look as bad as I feel, Rem." He smiled over his toast at his groggy-looking friend.
"He slept at the table in the sitting room." Sonya said dryly. "I searched him out when I woke up about an hour ago and he wasn't in bed."
"Ouch." Severus winced and Remus groaned as Sonya's fingers kneaded the tense muscles in the back of his neck and across his shoulders.
"Coffee." He croaked as Jemma appeared at his elbow. "Please."
"Is Master Remus alright, sir?" The little elf placed her hand on his arm. Even the elves at Snape Manor had grown to love Remus and worried about his welfare as much as the members of the family.
"Don't worry, Jemma." He reassured her with a smile.. "I fell asleep in my chair last night and I'm a little stiff and sore, but I'll be fine once I've had my coffee."
"Yes, sir." She smiled, gave her little bob and scurried off to retrieve coffee for the new arrivals.
"How are you this morning, Sonya?" Severus asked as he caught sight of her mark when her sleeve slid up her arm.
"I'm fine, Sev. Thank you for everything." Sonya smiled and pulled her sleeve down self-consciously. "Are you alright?"
"I had a rather sleepless night and I was too stubborn to get out of bed and do anything about it." Severus admitted sincerely. "But I'm alright."
"Are you still planning on going to Hogwarts this morning Sev?" Remus asked curiously.
"Yes, I'm leaving shortly." Severus nodded before draining his cup and holding it out for Jemma to refill.
"Would you like some company?" Remus offered.
Severus knew it was just a way for Remus to say that he'd like to go too. He hardly needed company for a short floo to the school. He smiled broadly at Sonya and winked.
"I'd love some company, Rem."
"Give me time to shower and change?" Remus queried.
"Sure. Take your time." Severus shrugged. "I have some things I need to take care of in the lab. I'll get that sorted while you get ready."
With that, he rose and headed down the stairs, coffee cup in hand. What he was actually doing, was making sure that Remus' last treatments were properly sealed and waiting. Tonight would be the first dose of the last round before Remus was free of his curse forever.
Severus couldn't help the mix of emotions that flooded him as he thought of what all of this would mean. First and foremost, he had saved the life of his friend. Remus' body would have eventually deteriorated to a point from which from which transformation damage could not be healed. As it was, they were only just able to bring him back, his tissues had not yet scarred beyond repair. Secondly, he realized that he had created something that would save the lives of many, many people who suffered the same curse. It filled him with an unfamiliar warmth and feeling of accomplishment. There was also the fact that he was, quite possibly, going to be recognized for the work he did. That made him feel as if he had finally erased some of the blot his spying had unavoidably put on his life.
Lastly, there was his Lady. His Juno. She had been there through all of it and it broke his heart to know that she was going to miss this last step to a cure. The two of them, together, had saved Remus' life and he had so hoped she would be home to share the end of the ordeal with them.
He shook himself out of his musing as he felt a depressive mood begin to descend upon him. He warded the lab behind him and made his way to the study to wait for Remus.
The two of them floo-ed into the Headmaster's office and looked around. Albus wasn't there, but they assumed he was still in the Great Hall as the breakfast hour was nearly over.
Fawkes trilled a greeting and spread his wings wide. He flew over and landed on Severus' shoulder and surprised both men. The bird had never approached Severus before. Neither had he ever studied Severus so intently before. He pulled strands of Severus' hair through his beak and nibbled on his collar, plucking and pulling at it with avid interest.
"What is he doing?" Remus asked with a curious and guarded look on his face.
"I have no idea." Severus replied quietly. "He's never paid any attention to me before."
As the beautiful bird continued it's investigation, the two men sat in comfortable chairs to wait for the Headmaster. Fawkes crawled all over Severus as he sat there, silently wondering what the Hell was going on with the magnificent bird. He pulled at his robes, nibbled on his hands, ears and even his nose, but Severus waved him away from his face. The bird was making him uneasy. Several times Fawkes returned to Severus' hair and combed strands from all around his head through his strong beak. After several long moments of investigation, Fawkes began to trill softly in Severus' ear.
"He almost sounds as if he's speaking to you!" Remus marveled. "That is so odd!"
When Fawkes began to softly rub his head against Severus' cheek, the tense wizard had reached his limits.
"Fawkes, please go to your perch." He requested. "You're upsetting me because I do not understand you." The bird immediately returned to his perch, but his intense gaze never shifted from Severus' face.
They were joined by the Headmaster several moments later and as soon as he entered the room, the bird trilled loudly and flew over to Severus' shoulder once again. He excitedly pulled on Severus' hair and trilled in short animated bursts.
"Yes, yes, Fawkes, dear boy. I see." Albus smiled over his glasses and the phoenix returned to his perch.
"Good morning, gentlemen." Albus greeted his two former students. "I do hope you've already had breakfast? You just missed it here, I'm afraid."
"Good morning, Albus." Severus sat up straighter in his chair. 'What was it about being on this side of that desk?' He mused silently. "We had breakfast before we left the manor this morning." Remus nodded his agreement as he, too, sat a little straighter in his chair.
"Sir, I was wondering if you had a free moment?" Severus asked. "There is something I need to discuss with you."
"Is it urgent, child?" Albus asked, the twinkle in his eyes dimming just a bit.
"Er…well, not really, or at least I don't think so." Severus wasn't quite sure how he should answer the question. For all he knew, it might just be caused by stress. Albus sat back in his chair and looked at Remus.
"Sir…Albus…we have been noticing some odd…er, rather…unusual… abilities from Sev lately and we were wondering if you might have an idea as to its cause." Remus interjected on Severus' behalf and Albus' gaze returned to the dark-haired man.
"What manner of abilities, Severus?" Albus leaned forward with interest.
"Free-spelling for one." Severus replied.
"You've been powerful enough to use wandless magic for years, Severus." Albus replied, mildly dismissing the issue.
"Not without saying anything!" Severus growled. Albus looked surprised to hear that.
"Albus, late last night, Severus summoned a map from the wall in the sitting room to my lap in the study and all he did was tilt his head and raise an eyebrow!" Remus exclaimed. "That is what we mean by unusual abilities!"
"That is a lot of power young man." Albus nodded thoughtfully and stroked his beard. "However, you are under a lot of strain at the moment considering the situation you're in. Perhaps your control is slipping just a bit?"
"That is one thing we considered." Severus replied quietly. "There is something else. I recently was having trouble sleeping….er…before Juno was…" He shifted uncomfortably as he stumbled over talking about Juno and coughed before continuing. "Anyway…I consulted Sonya about it and she suggested that I should have a medical scan to be sure there wasn't a reason for it other than stress and worry. Juno decided to do a full diagnostic medical scan on me to be sure there wasn't anything wrong with me. She discovered that I have charms on me that could possibly have been placed there when I was born. She never had the chance to research them at all and I'm concerned that this might be something dangerous. I wanted to come to you. You're the most knowledgeable wizard I've ever known and I ask for your input with this. I don't want to hurt anyone, sir."
"I'm sure there is no reason to worry, Severus." Albus dismissed his worry.
"How can you be so sure?" Severus asked incredulously.
"Fawkes would have told me, my boy!" Albus smiled and handed a raisin to the scarlet bird who grabbed the treat happily and trilled.
"That reminds me, Albus." Remus leaned forward, his attention and thoughts focused on Fawkes. "He behaved rather strangely when we arrived…"
"Yes." Albus cut him off, the twinkle in his eyes brightening considerably. "He was quite pleased to see Severus. It seems our dear Fawkes has missed you, Professor Snape."
"It surprises me to hear that, sir." Severus said quietly, studying the bird more closely. "He never seemed to notice me at all before."
"He was protecting you, child." Albus said softly. "Your reputation and your station. He was very careful to remain aloof, but Fawkes has always given you his loyalty, as he has anyone else who has shown loyalty to me."
Severus stood slowly and approached the bird, who eyed him curiously. He held out a hand to Albus and the Headmaster handed him a few raisins. Severus offered one to Fawkes, who slowly accepted the treat. When he had finished and was looking at Severus again, he spoke. "Thank you for protecting me Fawkes. I'm sorry I never understood before." The bird trilled loudly and rubbed his head on Severus' hand before climbing his arm and lavishing the attention on his hair once more. Severus returned to his seat and fed the treats to the bird one at a time and let him pick and pluck all over his person. When the treats were gone and Severus had been thoroughly inspected, Fawkes surprised everyone when he flew to Remus instead. The magnificent bird had always avoided Remus due to sensing the wolf within, judging Remus to be a predator. After his thorough exam, Fawkes trilled loudly and flew back to his perch.
"I do believe he has declared you both to be suitably healthy. Perhaps he senses the change in you Remus?" Albus chuckled. "Which brings to mind…tonight you begin your final treatments. How are you feeling, young man? Are the two of you ready?"
"I feel ready, sir." Remus smiled. "Severus has everything set up. We're thinking this last set won't be all that bad. I'm looking forward to my freedom from this curse."
"Severus?" Albus turned to him. "Are you ready for all of this?"
"Yes, sir." Severus nodded shortly, not wanting to reveal anything of a personal nature at the moment. He was anxious to find out what was going on with his magic. "Sir…if we could, I'd like to have Poppy do a thorough medical scan and hear what you have to say about this. Could we?"
"I agree." Albus got to his feet. "Shall we visit with Madame Pomfrey now?" He held out his hand and ushered the two young men before him. They made idle chit-chat about the boys, the missions they had been on and the general status of the battle surrounding them. Albus assured them that the school had remained completely free from attack and they all breathed a sigh of relief. None of their Death Eater contacts had heard of any plans to attack the school as well and they hoped it was a good sign. They carefully steered clear of any talk concerning Juno's rescue. They couldn't chance there not being an unfriendly ear hidden anywhere in the shadows that would thwart those plans.
A short time later found Severus, flat on his back on an exam table in a private room, just off the main infirmary, anxiously waiting for Poppy to begin her scan. She had brought three different wands with her, which surprised everyone in the room. She explained that each served a special purpose; one to detect general health problems, such as stress and illness; one to detect magical influences, such as charms and hexes; and one to detect psychological influences, such as dementia.
Severus tensed when she mentioned the psychological aspect and she placed a gentle hand on his arm.
"Don't worry Severus, it's just a precaution." She soothed. He nodded edgily, but his fists remained clenched and white knuckled.
Albus and Remus stood nearby, calm, quiet expressions on their faces while she worked. Occasionally, Severus' eyes would dart to Remus and he would simply nod or give him a reassuring smile.
When she finished her general health exam, she waved her wand over Severus' head and cast a charm to reveal her findings.
"Other than a slight rise in his blood pressure due to the stress of the moment, Severus is in excellent health." She announced. "It's nothing to do with your health, then, Severus. Let's do the psychological test next." She picked up another wand, this one long and slender with a flexible tip.
Remus stepped closer to the table and placed his hand over Sev's clenched fist. Severus grabbed his hand and squeezed. The only sign he gave that he was worried, was that, and a hard swallow.
"Remus, you can't touch him." Poppy reminded gently and he pulled his hand from the taller man's grip. He moved closer to Sev's head and stood there quietly, eyes locked on his friend and holding his gaze steadily while the medi-witch performed her scan.
"It's alright, Severus." She said softly a few moments later, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I only find a high level of anxiety, which is in keeping with your situation as well. Perhaps you should have a few visits with Sonya or possibly even an outside therapist, to work some of this out? You leave it to go too long, love, and it will start to create problems for you."
Severus drew a deep cleansing breath and nodded. "I'll talk to Sonya first." He answered quietly. "She may not be able to help me professionally due to this being just as personal for her as it is for me. Juno is her best friend."
"She'll help you, Sev." Remus reassured him and placed his hand on his shoulder. "She would welcome the chance to work some of this out herself. The two of you would be able to help each other."
"Let's see what these charms are that Juno discovered and we'll get to work on what to do about them." Poppy interjected, twiddling the last wand in her hand.
"Severus said that Juno told him that these charms have quite possibly been on him since birth." Albus supplied informatively as Poppy scanned over her 'patient' from tip to toe. "They are supposedly for protection and concealment."
Poppy frowned and started again. "Since birth?" She murmured. Severus nodded, a guarded look on his face. His fists were clenched again. "Relax Severus, you're interfering with the scan when you tense up."
Severus took another deep breath and willed himself to relax. Poppy began again and shook her head. "This isn't working." She said shortly. "I'll return in a moment." She left the three men looking around at each other, apprehension written all over their faces. Severus was rigid with fear for the members of the family, afraid he might have a serious problem with his magic, afraid he might lose his control and hurt someone.
Poppy returned and set right to work.
"Alright, here we go then." She smiled and moved to the head of the bed. As she murmured an incantation, a soft glow lit the tip of the wand and Severus' eyes crossed as he focused on the light.
"That's right, Severus." Poppy said encouragingly. "Focus on the light, my boy." She leaned forward and peered into Severus' dark eyes and hummed. Severus blinked as his eyes began to water.
"Keep looking Severus. Try not to blink." Poppy ordered as she continued to look into his eyes. Suddenly, the light snapped off and Severus blinked rapidly several times and rubbed his eyes. "Don't rub too hard, your eyes are a bit sensitive at the moment, Severus." She warned.
He sat up and crossed his legs on the bed, looking remarkably like Siri in the youthful position. "Well?" He asked, strain evident in his gravelly baritone.
"Juno was right." Poppy replied. "There are protective and concealing charms on you. They have been placed there for a very long time, quite possibly since birth, but that's not all."
"What?" Severus asked, alarm colouring his voice as his mind jumped to all manner of conclusions.
"They are weakening." She replied carefully. "My guess is that they were set to reveal what they were concealing and protecting at a certain time in your life. Perhaps at a specific point in your emotional development, a certain age…any number of things could trigger it. It would simply be at the time the person who cast the spell set it to break."
"You have a birthday coming up, I believe, don't you Severus?" Albus asked curiously.
"Yes, sir." Severus nodded. "I will be forty on the twenty-first." All were silent for several moments.
"Should I do a Remus and isolate myself until we find out what I'm up against?" Severus asked quietly.
"No, no, Severus." Poppy reassured him. "These sorts of charms were placed on infants all the time. I would say this was put on you by your mother and she was simply protecting her child."
"I can understand a protection charm, but why a concealment charm? Conceal what? Am I deformed under here?" He waved a hand over his face. "I am who I am and I'll deal with anything that happens, but I am concerned for everyone else."
"Severus, we don't care what you look like!" Remus laughed. "Honestly man! If we did, do you think we'd have hung around all during your 'greasy git' stage?" Severus grinned for the first time in days.
"I did give it my all, didn't I?" He laughed at last and his three companions joined in the tension-relieving moment.
"Severus, I'll go right away and start researching concealment and protection charms that were in use when you were born and see if we can't come up with something to explain this sudden display of raw power. Perhaps there is something we need to look for in your family history…" He trailed off as he began to stroke his beard and wander away.
"Yes, sir." Severus murmured as he buttoned his shirt.
"Remus?" Poppy called. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine, Poppy." He smiled. "I'm starting the last round tonight and I'm looking forward to it."
"Are you feeling any effects from the approaching moon?" She asked as she surreptitiously began a medical scan over him.
"No, which is really an odd feeling. It's been a part of my life for so long, it's…I kind of miss it." Remus marveled as he patiently allowed the medi-witch her moment of fussing. "But I'm not going to miss the painful transformations or the horrifying bloodlust. I owe everything to Severus…and Juno." He finished quietly as Poppy lowered her wand and smiled sadly.
"She'll be home soon." Severus said softly and Remus merely nodded. He knew how much he missed Juno and he couldn't imagine how he would feel if he were in Severus' shoes. He doubted he would be holding it together as well as he was.
"Thank you Poppy." Severus surprised the medi-witch when he wrapped her in a warm and grateful hug. "I appreciate everything you did for me, not just today, but…everything."
"I would do anything for you, Severus, you know that." She smiled and patted his back.
"Any of you." She added as she hugged Remus in turn.
"You boys be careful, now. You hear me?" She ordered, sniffing softly and stepping away.
"Yes, ma'am." They answered in turn and silently made their way out of the infirmary, leaving a very worried medi-witch behind.
After accepting an invitation from Albus to join them in the Great Hall for lunch, the two men made their way back to Snape Manor. They were immediately pounced upon by curious and anxious members of the family.
"Well?" Sirius blurted first off.
"Are you alright?" Siri jumped up from the sofa and rushed over to his father. "What's going on? Did you learn anything?"
"Calm down, everyone." Severus said calmly and they all returned to their seats. Remus sat between Sonya and Draco on one sofa and Severus sat on the arm of Siri's chair.
"You're not seriously ill or…anything…are you?" Ron asked nervously. Severus put his hand on Siri's shoulder to calm him when he saw his son startle at Ron's guarded question.
"I am not ill." Severus reassured them. "Madam Pomfrey confirmed Juno's findings. There are charms placed on me and they have quite possibly been there since I was born. It isn't uncommon for mothers to do this to a newborn child, especially one who was born early, as I was."
"I never knew you were premature." Remus frowned.
"Not that early." Severus shrugged dismissively. "Barely a month or so."
"That does make a lot of sense, then." Sonya mused softly. "You were the baby and you were early. I could see where your mother may have been a bit more concerned for your safety and survival. She must have been quite protective over you as a child, I would imagine." She added quietly.
"She was. Sal was always so jealous of that." Severus said quietly, looking up at his brother's portrait, which immediately sneered down upon them. "Anyway, Poppy says that the charms are weakening and Albus speculates that it may have to do with my approaching birthday. He's going to look into things and let me know if he learns anything further."
"I, myself, am curious as to what your mother would feel she had to conceal." Remus admitted. "I mean…what could there possibly be?"
"I recently did a bit of reading, but everything I found didn't appear to apply to Severus. He isn't illegitimate and he didn't come from an abusive family either." Sonya supplied willingly. "Those were the only protective and concealing charms I found. I wasn't able to make any headway when I looked into it."
"I don't know." Severus said in a slightly bewildered tone. "I suppose we'll know before too long."
"Dad…" Siri sat forward suddenly. "Around Christmastime, I came in here and grandfather and grandmother were having some sort of argument. Neither of them would admit it was anything more than normal bickering, but you…er…your portrait, said he knew one thing about the argument."
"What's that, son?" Severus asked, a curious tilt to his head.
"You…he…said it was about him." Siri nodded at the portrait. They all turned their eyes to the portraits and the teens all watched openly. Artemis and Agnieska shifted nervously and avoided eye contact completely. Severus approached them quietly.
"Do either of you have something you wish to say to me?" He asked, tension in his voice.
"No, love." Agnieska smiled. "What would we have to say?" Severus turned his attention to his father. He in turn stared down his nose at his son and held his gaze steadily.
"I suppose you have nothing to say to me either?" Severus said in a clipped tone.
"I have nothing to reveal." Artemis answered cryptically and Severus was instantly angered.
"What's going on here?" He growled. "Now I know you're keeping secrets! Tell me!"
"Severus, baby, we have nothing to tell you. Don't be angry. There's nothing, really." His mother soothed.
"Yeah, baby, there's nothing to tell!" Salazar sneered at Severus before turning his glare on his parents.
Severus watched them suspiciously for several long minutes before returning to sit by his son. It was obvious that the portraits felt no inclination to reveal any of their secrets and being magical items, they could not be forced to do so either.
"There's something odd going on." Siri murmured lowly. "Can you feel it?"
"Yes." Severus said guardedly. "And I intend to learn what that something is."
After several moments of silence in which only the crackling of the fire could be heard, Severus turned to Siri and said, "Speaking of intending to find things out. The other night I got the distinct impression that you left something out of what you saw when you linked with Voldemort. I let it drop because I knew it was late and you were exhausted, but I'd like to hear the rest of it now."
Siri shifted in agitation. "Um…you're not going to like it…" He swallowed hard, afraid of what his father was going to do as soon as he heard the rest of the story.
"Oi Siri!" Ron called over from the chair he and Hermione were sharing. "Relax, mate. I don't think he can react much worse than we've already seen." Hermione gasped at the insensitive remark and elbowed him hard in the ribs. He scowled at her, rubbing his side in confusion.
"Nice one Ron." Draco said angrily. "Let's just throw it in Uncle Sev's face, shall we?"
"I'm sorry, sir." Ron apologized, falling back into a respectful manner. "I didn't mean anything by it, honest."
Severus, feeling guilty, gestured for Siri to tell him. "Just tell me, son. It's fine." He urged quietly.
Siri drew a deep breath and gave him a look that said, 'Wanna bet?' and revealed the rest of what he saw.
"First of all, they were all in this big room." He began slowly. "As I said, Lucius Malfoy was there as well as Crabbe and Goyle, along with fifty or so other Death Eaters." He paused and his eyes darted to his father's face. He shifted nervously when he saw a muscle bunch in Severus' jaw, knowing he was irritating him further by stalling.
"Get to it, Siri!" Severus snapped. "How bad can it be?"
"Um…" Siri jumped and Severus laid a hand on his shoulder to calm him.
"Just tell me, Siri." He said softly.
"Mum…was there." Siri swallowed convulsively. "She was sitting in this big chair on this platform next to…to…him, and she was angry. Peter stood next to her and he looked worried. Voldemort was in a celebratory mood. He welcomed Malfoy and the others back and announced another reason for their celebration. He snapped his fingers and tables full of food and drinks appeared. He made his big announcement and turned and took Mum by the arm and made her walk with him. She said something, but I couldn't hear her, and he said something back. I couldn't hear him either…but he…" Siri swallowed again and looked helplessly over to Sirius and Remus. They slid closer to the edge of their seats.
"He…" Siri's face crumpled and Draco jumped to his feet. Moving next to him, he put a hand on his shoulder. Hermione wrapped an arm around Ron's shoulder and chewed her lip. "Dad, he announced her as his future bride!" The distraught young man cried.
Severus was on his feet and heading for the door as soon as the words left Siri's mouth. Sirius and Remus caught him by the arms and stopped him.
"Whoa up there, stud." Sirius drawled in a fair impression of a southern American drawl.
"Yeah, mate." Remus added urgently in his ear. "Let's not cock this up now."
Severus struggled against their firm grip and growled fiercely. "Let me go!" He pushed his chest into their shoulders. "I said…Let. Me. Go."
"No way, Sev." Sirius whispered in his ear. "Come on, man. Think! What's best for Juno, mate?"
"Come on Sev." Remus added softly. "You go rushing in there like this and you could get both of yourselves killed. Hang on, Shadow. It's only a week. We have time."
Severus, knowing and feeling he could beat his two best friends with a mere shove, dropped his arms in defeat instead and stood away from them. Sonya was by his side as soon as his arms dropped.
"Severus." She pulled on his arm to turn him to face her. "Don't think about it. It's not real. Juno belongs to you, heart and soul. You know that!"
He threw his head back and drew a deep breath to get his emotions under control. He refused to shed any more tears. He was pissed off and frustrated by the feeling of helplessness washing over him, but he knew they all were right. He closed his eyes and hung his head for a moment before nodding and returning to sit in the chair Siri had vacated.
Siri kneeled beside him and wrapped his arms around his father's shoulders. "I'm sorry Da." He choked back a sob. "I didn't want to tell you. I was hoping you wouldn't notice I was leaving something out. I didn't want you to know."
"You were going to carry this alone?" Severus hugged Siri in return. "That's not right. That's not your responsibility, Siri. Don't ever keep anything from me. Are you alright?" Severus inspected him carefully, brushing the hair from his eyes and searching for signs of his condition in Siri's deep green eyes.
"I want Mum to come home." He murmured in Sev's ear, hugging his father tightly. "I won't be alright until she's here where she belongs."
Severus nodded and looked up at their family's anxious faces as he released his hold on Siri. "Moony? Paddy? Thank you for making me see reason. You were right. We can't blow this now. Getting her home alive is all that matters. We'll deal with…other issues…when she is here where she belongs." The others simply nodded.
"Shall we see to tea before we settle into tonight's business?" Remus asked in a falsely cheerful tone after a few moments of tense silence.
Amid murmurings of acquiescence, the group made their way to the dining room for their evening meal. Conversation was light and sporadic, as the majority of the family was lost in thought. Siri's revelations had upset them all a great deal and they awkwardly stumbled through, not quite sure what to say as Severus hadn't spoken a word since they left the sitting room.
He excused himself before the others were finished with dessert and made his way to the lab to retrieve Remus' potion. He went directly to the sitting room to try and lose himself in the evening paper. The reports on the war effort were depressing at best and not helping his restlessness at all. He threw the paper aside in disgust as the rest of the family meandered in and made themselves comfortable.
Severus drew a deep breath. "How are you feeling Remus? Are you ready for tonight?"
"Mmhmm." Remus nodded, stroking Sonya's back comfortingly. "You know…it's odd…I can tell that the full moon is approaching…but…it's not the same as it used to feel. Er…not as…compelling, I guess." He mused curiously.
"Conditioning, mate." Severus smiled softly. "Your body isn't responding as it used to, but your mind is conditioned to know that the full moon is approaching. Quite a bit like a woman when she…"
"Oh thanks Sev!" Remus yelped, cutting him off. "Compare me to a woman and her…" He gestured in agitation and nervously eyed the teens who had quit talking to stare openly at the adult conversation going on around them.
"He has a point, Remus." Sirius spoke up. "When I was in…prison…you know, I couldn't see the moon, but I knew when it was full. I could feel it. I'd transform into Padfoot and howl for old time's sake." He admitted sadly and Severus placed a hand on his arm. Sirius brightened suddenly and continued. "Anyway, Moony…what's wrong with women? They're…well…they have…you know…and…" He tried to explain, suddenly realizing they had a younger audience and his words faltered away to a few unfortunate hand gestures. The teens all burst out laughing and Sonya twisted in Remus' lap to look him in the eye.
"Yeah…Remus…what is wrong with being a woman?" She asked, arching her eyebrow, daring him to find fault with a female.
"Nothing!" He held up his hands in defense. "Women are great! I have nothing against them and all. I just don't want to be one…or…compared to…er…I'm going to go and take a bath before I take that potion." He made to stand and Sonya let him up and followed quickly after.
"I'll come with you." She said eagerly as she followed him out.
"Is it just me or do they seem a lot closer these days?" Siri commented, looking around at the group.
"They're sweet." Hermione smiled and kissed Ron's cheek.
"They're in love." Severus smiled sadly. "And they both need each other."
"Come on Wolfie, time to get out…the water's getting cold." Sonya ordered, giving him a kiss before she climbed out of the bath.
"You don't want to take a chill now or you'll never warm up before tonight." She added, wrapping herself in a warm fluffy towel. "Come on…It's heated…" She said, suggestively waggling her eyebrows.
Remus snuggled further into the cooling bath water. "It's warm here." He pouted. "I don't wanna go out there where I have to take that potion and be sick all night." He whined pathetically and then lost the whole effect when he snorted and laughed.
He climbed from the tub and stepped into Sonya's arms and she wrapped the towel around them both. He kissed her softly as he wrapped her in his arms and walked backwards into the bedroom.
He fell back on the bed, Sonya stretched out along his length, still tightly bound together by the warm fluffy towel. He caressed her face and she looked lovingly into his eyes. Their lips met in a gentle caress and Sonya brushed his hair out of his eyes.
"Are you ready for this?" Sonya asked quietly, her fingers tracing his eyebrows, nose and the line of his beard. He reached up and grabbed her fingers, kissing each tip.
"I'm ready." He nodded. "Not really looking forward to being ill, but I suppose it's to be expected to a certain extent." Her fingers went back to tracing his nose and she rubbed over the slight kink curiously.
"How did you break your nose?" She asked as she kissed said body part.
"Which time?" Remus laughed. "Do you want the stories of my Hell-raising days as a Marauder, or perhaps the ones where I was chased by bigger boys and I was a target because I was smaller than everyone else? Or…maybe you'd like to hear about the time Siri bopped me on the beak with a block? And don't even get me started about Sirius!"
"All of that, eh?" Sonya laughed softly.
"Mm." Remus nodded. "The poor thing has been a target for years. It's a wonder I even have anything left there that resembles a nose."
"Tell me about Siri and the block." Sonya ordered and she rolled off to snuggle up beside him. He wrapped his arms around her and settled comfortably.
"It was a typical situation. A babysitter was needed. Sirius volunteered…me." Remus chuckled. "We all enjoyed spending as much time as we could with the little guy. He was so cute, always had a smile on his face, so I really didn't mind being pulled in for babysitter duty at all."
"This particular day, however, I was reminded of just how much Siri is Severus' son." Remus laughed again. "Unbeknownst to me, Sev had just spent two days with his little man and Sirius, learning of this fact, quickly passed childcare services over to me. We had all learned very fast that Siri did not like it at all when his Da would leave him behind!"
Remus grew a little quiet and Sonya stroked his cheek, knowing he was remembering their perilous past.
"Siri was…let's see….ten months old then and had just managed to gain a little manual dexterity in that he could pick up the blocks and turn them in his hands and toss them a bit. However, his magical dexterity was quite a different story!" Remus revealed. "Severus, as you know, loves a challenge and that is what he saw in his developing child. He spent every moment he could with Siri, working on perfecting the magic. The games he played with that boy!" Remus shook his head, marveling on the lessons he learned from watching his friend love and nurture his child.
Shaking himself back to the present, he continued his story. "Anyway…Severus had just spent two days in constant contact with Siri and the whelp didn't handle it well at all when his Da went away. We never told Sev. To this day, he has no idea what that baby went through, and the rest of us as well. I digress." He redirected himself with a wave of his hand and shake of his head.
"Lily needed to do some marketing, but Siri, being fussy, wasn't exactly someone you wanted to take along for such a chore. James was working and Paddy had offered to escort Lily. So that left me at home with Siri…at naptime." Remus chuckled again.
"First there was lunch to feed to him, which he insisted upon doing for himself, thanks to Sev's encouragement. He ended up wearing more of it than he ate and so did I. I decided I would be brilliant and bathe him. Have you any idea at all how slippery wet babies are?" He asked incredulously. "Siri was having a ball sliding around in the water and I figured there was no harm in it and let him play to his heart's content. I warmed the water at least twice and it was getting later in the afternoon and closer to nap time. That's when the trouble started."
By now, Sonya was chuckling as she visualized the scene, first of Remus covered in mashed peas or strained carrots. Then covered in bubbles and soaking wet from splashing hands and kicking feet.
"When Siri realized that he was going to have to quit the bath and put a nappy back on, I had my hands full." Remus paused. "Oh, I forgot to say that he was able to crawl away quite rapidly. He was heading for the stairs and I was hot on his heels. Just as he tumbled over the steps, he floated right up into the air and landed on the hearth rug in front of his blocks. I was amazed. I stood there, dumbfounded, for several moments before I recovered enough to go and pick him up. When I headed back up the stairs to put him in a sleeper and rock him to sleep, he made the connection…literally….he bopped me right on the nose, full swing with a wooden block. It stung badly enough I had tears in my eyes, but I continued on to his nursery."
"I dressed him for bed, tried to comb his hair and all the while he was having a major tantrum." Remus shook his head. "He was so angry! Such a temper! He wanted no part of taking his nap."
"I laid him in his crib and covered him up after giving up on rocking him to sleep. He was having none of it." Remus explained. "I crossed the room and as I turned around to wish him sweet dreams, the block he had carried upstairs came hurtling through the air and hit me right in the nose."
"He threw it across the room?" Sonya asked, amazed.
"Magically." Remus explained. "His magic was so powerful…even then." Remus grew quiet. Sonya traced over his nose and he quickly kissed her finger. "I spent the next hour trying to spell the blood stains out of the carpet, all the while Siri threw a full blown fit standing in his crib and shaking the rails."
"Did you get him to sleep?" Sonya asked, smiling delightedly.
"Yes." Remus smirked. "It was the first time I bribed him with chocolate."
Sonya was about to comment to that when there was a knock on the door which had them both scrambling to cover up in dressing gowns. Severus poked his head around to look into the room a brief moment later.
"Are you coming downstairs for this or staying up here?" He asked curiously.
"We'll come down." Remus said, tying a loose knot in his deep red robe. He had received it as a gift from Sev and Juno for Christmas and he loved its warmth, even if it did add to the image of being 'ill and rather frail'. He took Sonya's hand and the three of them returned to the sitting room for the first dose of the last round of treatments.
Remus looked around the room and noticed that everyone was there, offering smiles and support. He took a seat in his favorite chair and took a deep breath. He wasn't sure if it was nerves or if he was still feeling some effects from the full moon, but he felt shaky, slightly strange and wobbly. He wrapped an arm over his middle and tried to calm his nerves. His mind wandered over thoughts of Moony and he consoled himself with reassurances that he could still be Moony as an animagus and never suffer from the Lycanthropy curse again.
Sonya sat on the arm of his chair and softly stroked his hair, which he had opted to leave loose for the evening. He broke out of his musings and blinked up at her. She smiled softly, tucking his hair behind his ear.
"Are you alright, Wolfie?" She asked, stroking his cheek.
"Yes…I'm fine…just thinking a bit." He reassured her.
"Are you sure?" She asked, a small frown of concern on her face.
He nodded and closed his eyes briefly. He opened them again and looked around to Sirius and Severus. Sirius was still where he had been when he and Sonya had left earlier and Severus had just left his chair to cross to Remus with the vial of his potion held between finger and thumb, shaking it gently.
"Shadow, Padfoot…when this is over…and, maybe when the war is over, will we…are we still going to run on the full moon? You know, how we used to?" Remus asked hesitantly.
Sirius was on his feet immediately and crossing to kneel at Remus' feet. He took Remus' hands and looked up at him sincerely.
"The next full moon, we'll transform and we're hitting the woods, mate. I promise! I've been waiting for this since August!" He grinned. "We're not going to stop being the Marauders just because you aren't cursed anymore."
Severus sat on the other arm of the chair.
"Not a chance Moony…we are the Marauders and we always will be. I look forward to running with you both again. I have missed it so much."
Remus nodded. "I was just checking…'cause, well…I liked being Moony, except for the pain and all, but, I…I've missed him." He said very softly, his voice breaking near the end. He covered it with a smile and a wink at Sirius, whose eyes were bright with unshed tears. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Severus' hand reach up to his face and then wipe down the leg of his jeans and knew he too was flooded with emotion. The three of them were silent for several long moments, quietly exchanging glances between them and battling to get themselves under control.
To the side, Sonya watched them quietly, thinking to herself that this was just what Remus needed. She had been worried about how he'd deal with losing something that had been such a big part of him and the majority of his life so far. It was good for him to know he hadn't lost anything, it had merely changed a bit and for the better.
The silence was broken by Severus clearing his throat. "Right Remus. Last but two, then." He smiled, handing the vial to him.
"Bottoms up, mate!" Sirius grinned and returned to the sofa.
Remus winked and tipped the contents of the vial into his mouth in one go. Chocolaty goodness bathed his tongue and began to work inside him.
Severus smacked Sirius' feet with a rolled up newspaper to get him to move so he could sit to wait with relative comfort and Siri scooted over to sit near his father's feet. Draco moved over to sit beside Remus' chair and Remus squeezed his shoulder. Sonya took Remus' hand and squeezed gently and he brought hers to his lips and kissed it gently, hugging it to his chest.
"You alright Uncle Remus?" Ron asked as Hermione settled onto his knee. She gasped and smacked his arm as Remus nodded affirmatively.
"You can't talk to Professor Lupin like that!" She exclaimed.
"Ow! 'Mione!" Ron whined. "Draco and Siri started ages ago and I stuck with 'Professor' or 'sir' until they made me loosen up and join the family. Besides…don't you find it a little odd to refer to a man in a dressing gown as sir or professor?" He asked her, poking her in the side. Remus laughed out loud when he heard it.
"Well…" Hermione began.
"I don't call you Miss Granger any longer, Hermione, and Professor makes me feel old." Remus admitted, still chuckling. "Besides…Ron has a point. I have lived in pajamas for nearly three months…that's not exactly a figure you respect."
"Oh no sir! Remus…Professor…I would always respect you…no matter what ha…" Hermione stammered, flustered suddenly with the realization that she had nearly said something embarrassing to her former teacher.
"That's not what he meant, 'Mione." Ron chuckled.
"Yeah, Hermione…come on…feel the love." Siri commented from his sprawl in front of his father's feet. "Me and Dray have never had big, loving families. The more the merrier, so they say and you're a part of us now." He added and Draco nodded fervently, crawling on his hands and knees over to Ron's chair.
"I'm sorry." He said, taking Hermione's hand. "I've never apologized for the terrible things I said and did to you and I just want you to know that…I'm changed and…I'm a very different person. I'm very, very sorry for the way I treated you. I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me for being a spoiled rotten brat."
Hermione looked at him carefully and nodded. "I know. The minute I saw you run to help Siri, I knew you were different. You had changed for the better. Thank you." She smiled and leaned forward, kissing his cheek. Draco colored and sputtered for a moment as the rest of the room laughed.
"Oi…Lupin! Stay away from my woman!" Rom growled and set the room off again.
"Welcome to the family, Hermione…officially." Severus said and smiled at her. "Now that you have embarrassed one of us, you're definitely in and like Siri said, the more the merrier." More than anything, that made Hermione feel at ease. She had been welcomed in by the 'boss', the symbolic head of this eclectic family, Severus Snape.
A short time later, the comfortable silence of the sitting room was interrupted by the chimes for the floo sounding throughout the manor. Severus made his way the study and admitted Peter Pettigrew.
"Ah, Peter, good evening." Severus bowed. "Come in…we're in the sitting room. Remus has taken his first dose and we're keeping him company."
"Hello Sev…er…Severus…sorry…um." Peter stammered.
"What can we do for you, Peter?" Severus asked as they walked into the sitting room.
"Oh…er…Lady Juno has asked me to deliver this to you." Peter thrust a note into Severus' hands. "And she asked me to deliver a message directly." He added.
"Yes?" Severus asked expectantly.
"She told me to say, and make sure you believe, that she is fine. She is having a relatively good day and expects tomorrow will be fine as well." Peter looked around nervously and flinched from Sirius' glare.
"Thank you, Peter." Remus said quietly and hugged Sonya close to his side.
Severus glanced around before surreptitiously bringing the parchment to his nose and inhaling Juno's scent. He closed his eyes and swallowed before opening the note. He read the first line very carefully…
'Hello, love,
I know it's you Sev, but this one is for everyone, so please read it aloud. Firstly, tell Peter to stop calling me Lady Juno. It makes me feel old!
Secondly, tell everyone to stop worrying and not to be upset. I'm fine. Old Moldy Face has left me alone. I want you to cheer up. This is Remus' night.
Thirdly, Remus, I'm so, so, sorry that I can't be there to share this with you (unfortunate circumstances detain me). This being said, I expect the rest of you to pick up the slack and make sure to do all of the fussing and coddling I should be there doing! Doctor's orders!
Remus, don't worry if you feel a bit worse this time around, particularly tonight. It is quite possible that this final stage, ridding you of those last cells, will be harder on your body than before. Let Sonya cuddle and fuss over you. And for pity's sake! Don't insist that you're fine and try to go outside tomorrow like I know you will because, "It's such a beautiful day!" No, love, it is not a beautiful day…it is cold and miserable and the rain doesn't make for a cheap shower. Stay inside, warm and dry, daft man! Everyone knows the rules and escape is impossible…so behave yourself!
Sev, enjoy yourself tonight. Laugh and have fun with your friends and family. Siri, make sure to annoy Uncle Remy as much as you can while he can't chase you. Draco, you too.
Sirius? Make sure that crafty cat and your lupine friend take care of themselves.
Sonya? Make sure none of them kill each other and give them extra hugs and kisses just for me…okay?
I love you all and I'll see you soon.
Love,
Juno'
By the time Severus finished reading the letter, everyone in the room was chuckling softly and smiling as they thought about Juno and the things she wrote. Severus had tears running down his face, with a rich, full belly laugh, as he gasped out, "That's my girl. Way to go love."
Suddenly everything changed as Severus' laughter broke into gut-wrenching sobs. Everyone in the room was on their feet and rushing to him as he fell to his knees, clutching the letter to his chest. Remus dropped to his knees before him and Sonya stood behind Remus. Draco and Siri took up post to either side of Severus and Sirius knelt behind him and placed his hands on his back, rubbing comfort into the anguished man's tense muscles. Ron and Hermione hovered nearby. Peter cautiously stepped forward and placed his hand on Severus' shoulder.
"She's alright, Sev." He said soothingly. "Honestly, she is fine. She wants to come home, she misses all of you terribly, you most of all, but, she's holding it together very well. I talk to her all of the time. She's a very strong lady, Severus, very strong." He squeezed the trembling man's shoulder comfortingly.
Severus nodded miserably, sobbing brokenly and rocking himself. He missed Juno so much, but knowing she was alright enough, made him feel a little less afraid. He knew she was strong and would come through this ordeal fairly unscathed, but even if she were having the time of her life, he knew he'd miss her to the point of being emotionally crippled by it.
He fell forward, his nose nearly touching the floor before Remus grabbed him by the arms and held him up. "Sev…we're going to get her back. You just have to hold on until then." He coaxed.
Siri reached out and touched Severus' arm, unsure of what to do for his stricken father. He always hated to see him brought down by his grief. He looked to Remus for guidance and Remus smiled sympathetically back at him before turning his attention back to his friend.
"I happen to know that Juno wouldn't appreciate all of her hard work going by the wayside, so let's keep the nose from smashing against the floor, shall we? Now look at me, Sev…look at me…there you go." Remus touched Severus' chin to get him to meet his eyes. "We. Are. Going. To. Get. Her. Back. Got that? Words getting in there?" He asked, smiling gently as he pushed Severus' hair out of his face and rapped his knuckles against his skull. Severus gave him a sad, watery smile in return and took Remus' hands.
"Thanks Moony." He said with a hitch in his voice as he drew in a wobbly breath. He put a hand over Peter's on his shoulder. "Thanks, Pete…Sirius... everyone…" He added, looking around at all of the worried frowns. His focus shifted and his gaze intensified as it occurred to him that Remus felt cold.
"Remus, your hands are like ice!" He said, taking the other man's hands again. "Are you cold?"
"There's our Sev." Remus grinned and shook his head.
Severus reached up and felt his face. "You're frozen…come on, into bed with you." Severus ordered.
Remus groaned and rolled his eyes, but went willingly as Sonya gently pushed him in the direction of his room. He wasn't about to object. He knew he was shivering and that the bed would be so warm…so who was he not to obey the orders of those who only wanted what was best for him?
"I'll make sure he does as he's told, Sev." Sonya assured him as they reached the staircase. "Go and say goodbye to Peter." Severus nodded.
"I'll come along in a few minutes, Remus. Go warm yourself." Severus squeezed the other man's arm as he was led away, teeth chattering wickedly.
Severus returned to the sitting room where Peter was chatting amicably with the teens under the watchful, narrowed eyes of Sirius. He said his goodbyes, further explaining that he wanted to get back or else the Lady Juno might begin to fret that something had happened, leaving Severus to ponder the night's events.
Upstairs, Sonya was busily settling Remus into his bed, piling warm blankets on him and tucking him in snuggly.
"You're enjoying yourself aren't you?" Remus chuckled, teeth still chattering.
"Of course I am, Mr. Lupin." She replied happily as she plopped beside him and propped up on an elbow to watch him. "I love taking care of you. Don't you know that?"
She combed her fingers through his hair and he shivered, whether from being frozen or from her touch, he wasn't sure, but he knew he loved having her beside him through this ordeal.
"I'm glad I have you here with me, Sonya." He said solemnly, extricating a hand and taking hers to his chest. "I hope you know just how much this, and you, mean to me."
"I have a very good idea, Wolfie." She smiled and leaned in for a tender kiss. "I love you, Remus." She added in a whisper.
"I love you, Sonya." He said, kissing her a little more deeply. They broke apart when there was a knock on the door. Remus pushed himself up in the bed and Sonya moved to sit at his feet.
Severus poked his head around the door and smiled. "Oh good. I hoped I wasn't interrupting anything." His eyes twinkled mischievously and Remus snorted and beckoned him in.
"How are you doing, mate?" Severus asked as he sat next to Sonya.
"Cold mainly." Remus replied with a shrug. "Not too much else to report at the moment."
"I expect it to go to the other extreme at some point during the night, but it'll all go down in the book. Are you all set?" He asked more of Sonya.
"Actually, I do need to get a few things, just in case." She leaned over and kissed Remus on the head and left the two of them alone to gather what she felt she needed for the night ahead. Remus watched her leave, love shining in his eyes and Severus smiled.
"You really like her, don't you?" Severus asked leadingly, his sharp eyes pinned on Remus' face.
"No, Sev. I really love her, mate." Remus replied quietly. "I think I know exactly what Juno means to you now. I understand it better than I ever did before."
Severus smiled sadly. "You two fit together…you seem right. It's been good for both of you. It's the same for Juno and I. I know it sounds cliché and almost flippant, but we are truly two halves of the same whole and I am so lost right now, Rem."
"I know you are, Sev. We all know how hard this is on you. You've been alone for far too long and we are all so happy to know you have Juno." Remus placed his hand on Severus' knee. "She'll be home before you know it and the two of you can get on with your lives. And that's how I feel about Sonya. It's like I'm the luckiest man in the world. First I meet this woman who has no problem with my Lycanthropy, which is something I never thought would happen. Now you've cured me and she is still here and gone through it all willingly with me. I can't describe how it makes me feel. There are no words, you know?" He closed his eyes and leaned back into his pillows.
"I know, Rem. Believe me, I know." Severus replied and looked down at his hands.
"We'll get her back." Remus murmured softly.
"I know, but it doesn't stop me missing her." Severus said hoarsely
"Me either, but knowing it's not permanent…" Remus gestured helplessly.
"That's not the hardest part…it's the waiting…and don't you dare apologize for anything! It's not your fault." Severus rushed to cut off the apology before it could form on Remus' lips. "The hardest part is that no matter how hard I wish…she still isn't here. I wish and I wish and I wish…but she never appears. She's never there beside me when I open my eyes. She's never where she belongs."
"So much better if it hadn't happened, eh?" Remus said quietly, still feeling somehow at fault for the wait.
Severus nodded and ran his fingers through his hair. "It's everything about her though…like that letter…it was so…so…her. My little spitfire. That's what I miss the most and all the little things she does. For instance, she never kisses my lips in the morning until she's kissed my left eye. I don't know why…it's just something she does, I guess. Things like the wry comments, the way she fusses over everyone and takes care of us, how she does everything, puts her heart into it all. The way she smells, the way she smiles, her laugh, her aura…everything."
"Do you wanna know why she kisses your left eye first?" Remus asked, grinning cheekily.
"Yes, why?" Severus asked, a curious tilt to his head and his eyebrow arched elegantly the way it does when he is interested in something.
"That eye twitches when you're asleep." Remus laughed.
Severus burst out laughing and shook his head. "It does? Really?" He asked.
Remus nodded in amusement and rubbed his hands together briskly.
"I like that…that's good." Severus sighed. "Are you still cold?" He asked when Remus shivered.
"Mmm. I can't seem to warm up." Remus admitted tucking his feet up to warm them under his legs.
"Try this." Severus placed his hand on the blanket that was tugged securely around Remus and a rush of warmth flooded the fibres.
"Wow! What was that?" Remus said in awe, snuggling down into the newly charmed blanket.
"Er…a heating charm, just…well…" Severus stammered, brought up short by the amount of power he was using without even thinking about it.
"Sev style?" Remus suggested lightly in an effort to reassure the other man that it was alright.
Severus shook his head and chuckled warmly. "Oh Remus, what would we do without you?"
"Most likely go completely nutters. You're all daft. I swear I'm the only normal one." Remus sniffed and looked down his nose dramatically
"By what definition of normal are you going?" Severus' eyebrow reached for the ceiling in amusement.
"Stop picking on me…I'm sick." Remus sniffed pointedly.
"You're not sick…you're…well, you're definitely fine if you'll say you're sick. Juno was right. You are daft, man." Severus teased.
"Are you two at it again?" Sonya said as she entered the room, rolling her eyes.
"He's picking on me." Remus pouted.
"He's being nutty." Severus defended.
"Oh, well, that's alright then." Sonya said with a wink. "Remus, stop your whining."
"Hey! I should be getting the sympathy here!" He yelped indignantly.
"Oh, so now that you're not so sick anymore, you decide to admit it?" Sonya laughed.
"He's always been like that. He's not normal, I swear." Severus laughed and stood up. "I'll hand him over to you. I'm sure the others will wander in and out of here before the night's up. I'll check back later, before I call it a night."
"Okay, thanks Sev." Remus said, indicating the blanket.
Severus waved a hand as he left, leaving Remus in the capable hands of his girlfriend. She settled into the chair by the bed after Remus assured her that he was comfortable enough with the charmed blanket and he thought he might actually be thawing out. She read to him for a while before Draco wandered in to see how he was doing. While Remus visited with his son, she took the opportunity to seek out Severus and make sure he was alright after all of the events of the evening.
Hermione hovered in the doorway, a bundle wrapped in a towel in her hands. Remus and Draco looked up and Remus waved her inside.
"Professor…er…Remus, I thought you might find this comforting and wondered if you might like to use it?" She said hesitantly, holding out the bundle to him.
"What is it?" He asked taking it from her and feeling the warmth immediately seep into his chilled fingers.
"It's a hot water bottle and I thought it might chase away the chills a bit." She smiled shyly.
"How very thoughtful, Hermione." Remus exclaimed, tucking it beneath his neck and trying to settle on it comfortably. "This will help a great deal. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome, sir." Her smiled broadened before she grimaced in annoyance with herself. "Sorry…Remus. I'm never going to get used to calling you by your first name."
"Sure you will." Draco smiled at her as he reached over and helped his father to sit up a bit and he adjusted the bottle so that it supported his neck as well as spread across the breadth of his shoulders. Remus lay back again and shivered as the warmth traveled the length of his spine and eased the ache in his neck and shoulders. "We all have fallen into first name status around here and you will too. You just need to get involved a bit more. We even call Sev, Uncle Sev on occasion…if you can imagine that!" He laughed softly.
"I must admit, I'll have a hard time with that one too." She laughed quietly.
"It's true." Remus opened one eye and squinted up at her. "You're a part of this family young lady and I expect you to get used to calling us all by our first names…at least."
"I'll try my best, Remus. I promise." She smiled and gathered enough nerve to kiss his forehead. "Goodnight. Feel better. Goodnight Draco." She turned to leave and he leapt to his feet.
"Wait! I'll go with you." He called and she halted near the door.
"Goodnight, Dad." He took Remus' hand and felt his forehead. "Is there anything I can get you before I leave?"
"No, son. I'm comfortable now and Sonya will be back soon." Remus squeezed his hand.
"Alright. Goodnight then." Draco squeezed back. "I'll see you in the morning."
"'Night." Remus said quietly, closing his eyes and settling comfortably into the hot water bottle.
Soon the household settled down for the night and peace and quiet reigned upon Snape Manor. The moonlight was dazzling and lit up Remus' room brightly. His chills had indeed swung in the opposite direction and he was suffering a raging fever. Sonya bathed him in cool cloths and fed him chips of ice to cool him down until the chills overtook him again. Then she would reheat the hot water bottle and apply it where it was needed the most, around Remus' feet, under his neck or even once or twice, he had curled around it, clutching it to his stomach. He rested as best he could, but he was so nauseous, he couldn't fall into a peaceful sleep. As the night dragged on, they fell into a simple pattern of cool cloths, warmed blankets and hot water bottles. In between that, time was fairly comfortable for Remus and they both rested as best they could.
Close to morning, Remus suddenly threw the blankets off and jumped to his feet, startling Sonya out of a light doze. He raced to the loo with her close on his heels. He hit his knees before the bowl just as the first wave of vomit hit. Sonya pulled his hair back and placed a cool hand on his sweaty brow. He leaned into the touch, clutching the bowl with both hands.
He was gasping for air by the time he had emptied his stomach and he sat on the floor, trying to catch his breath. He moaned softly as the dry heaves tried to bring up what wasn't there and Sonya pulled him into her arms. She murmured comforts in his ear as she rocked him, stroking his hair and holding him close.
She released him when he moved to get shakily to his feet. She wrapped her arm around his waist and he leaned heavily on her shoulder as she helped him wash his face and rinse his mouth before guiding him back to bed. She gave him a sip of cool water and bathed his face with the cool cloth once more. He closed his eyes as she covered him with the warm blankets and he snuggled beneath them with a sigh. She stretched out beside him and stroked his hair, humming softly in his ear, lulling him back to sleep. He soon relaxed into deep slumber with a soft sigh and a small smile on his face. She crawled beneath the blankets and grabbed his hand as she settled beside him to get some much needed deep sleep, confident that the 'crisis' was over. The first dose had passed without any major problems. The next night, the full moon, was quite possibly going to be a completely different matter.
Remus spent the majority of the day in bed, despite protesting 'on doctor's orders', but insisted on going over the plans for the set up with the teens before he would allow them to go on their mission. The three young men gathered around Remus' feet and listened attentively to his instructions once more.
"Remember…all of you…you have to take the potion Severus gives you one hour before you start to drink." Remus cautioned. "Don't worry about how much you drink, the potion will prevent you from absorbing any of the alcohol and becoming inebriated. Alright?"
"Yes, sir." Ron acknowledged out of habit and looked sheepishly at everyone when Siri snorted humorously. Draco grinned broadly and clapped Ron on the shoulder.
"What are you supposed to do and say when you see Grigori and his friend settle in?" Remus asked sharply, bringing them back into focus.
"We're supposed to act as if we're drunk and talk really loud and boastfully." Ron piped up.
"Yes…and?" Remus prompted.
"Make sure we're clear about the raid taking place on the twenty-fifth of February." Draco spoke quietly.
"And we're supposed to make sure to say that it is Dad's plan to rescue Mum and announce how many troops are converging." Siri added with a scowl. "I don't like that idea, Uncle Rem. Why should we give them an open like that? If they know how many of us there are going to be, then they can just make sure to outnumber us." Remus grew thoughtful for a few moments.
"You have a point there, Siri." Remus stroked his beard, his mind rapidly switching gears as he quickly amended his plans. "Don't reveal exactly how many troops. Try to make it appear as if only we six are doing this. Can you do that?"
"Sure we can." Draco grinned. "We aren't Marauder cubs for nothing!"
"That's right." Remus placed a hand on his son's shoulder and grinned. "I know you men are capable of fulfilling this mission successfully, but as sons, I urge you to be very careful. Don't engage in any altercations. If it gets to be too dangerous, apparate out immediately. Am I understood? No heroes today. We need you to help with the actual rescue." The three young men nodded, silently contemplating their mission.
Severus entered the room at that point and the three young men moved off the bed to give access to the man lying there.
"How are you feeling Rem?" Severus asked curiously.
"Much better now that I've gotten some decent sleep." He smiled.
"Any more chills or fever?" Severus added.
"Not a bit." Remus smiled happily. "I actually feel pretty good."
"I'm glad to hear it." The other man smiled and turned his attention to the three young men. "Are you ready to do this? Have all of your last minute orders?"
"We're ready." Siri nodded confidently. "I may go nuts waiting, but I'm ready." He added with a grin.
"Ron, Draco? How about you?" Severus asked looking to the other young men. "Do you feel ready?"
"Yes, Uncle Sev." They answered in unison and Remus beamed at them.
"I want you to be careful." Severus cautioned. "No heroes. Understood?" He shook his finger warningly at them and mildly glared at his hot-headed son.
"Da-ad!" Siri rolled his eyes. "We've already had this lecture from Uncle Remus!"
"Nevertheless." Severus growled. "It bears repeating. We don't want this going afoul now. You smell trouble…get out." The three men nodded, looking gravely around at each other. "Now. That being said, I want to add that I am proud of all of you. You have shown an astounding level of courage and demonstrated a clear talent for teamwork. I am confident that I can count on you to complete this mission successfully. Good luck and…thank you." He swallowed over the sudden catch in his voice. "Come and see me in about an hour and I'll have your potions ready for you and you can get this plan in action."
"Dad?" Siri called softly as Severus turned to leave.
"Yes?" He turned back curiously.
"We're going to do this right." He reassured him. "We're going to do our part to get Mum back to you…to us." Severus nodded and left the room, heading down to his sanctuary, his beloved lab.
"Do you suppose he's alright?" Ron asked no one in particular.
"He'll be fine, guys." Remus reassured them. "He's focused now that there is a clear cut plan set in motion. You'll see. Don't worry."
"And now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I do believe I am ready to get out of this bed and do something with my day." Remus said as he flung the blankets back and swung his legs over the side of the bed.
The time came for the young men to embark upon their mission. They took their potions under the watchful eyes of Severus and listened quietly as Remus drilled them one more time before they left. Sirius assured them that he would be close by. He would follow along later, just as a back up in case things went awry and the teens found themselves in a hassle. When the older wizards were sure they were ready, they sent them off with a wish for luck and one last worried plea for them to be careful.
The three of them apparated into the alley that ran alongside the Hanged Man Pub in Little Hangleton.
"Here we are, The Hanged Man. Are you ready for this, guys?" Siri asked quietly as they took in their surroundings.
"The Hanged Man?" Draco raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a right welcoming little hovel, doesn't it?"
"Come on, Dray!" Siri hissed. "Let's try to make this fun. Get in character for Merlin's sake!"
Draco rolled his eyes and pasted a wickedly amused look on his face, looking every bit the young adventurous man he was, eager for a night on the town.
Taking deep breaths, they pushed the door open and entered the dark and gloomy atmosphere of the pub. It was already filling up with the Saturday night crowd and they hardly earned a passing glance from the patrons inside. Music blasted from a jukebox in the corner and a frazzled barmaid approached them as soon as they had seated themselves in a corner with empty tables to either side.
"What can I get you gentlemen?" She asked, smiling appreciatively at the three handsome men seated before her.
"What suits your fancy, Dray my man?" Ron asked, slapping the blond on the back good-naturedly.
"Gin and tonic? White wine spritzer? Something delicate for your fine self?" Siri jibed from his other side.
Draco rolled his eyes sardonically and said a bit loudly and in a voice very little like his own cultured tone, "Give us a pint and keep 'em coming!" Siri was impressed and grinned wolfishly as he nodded his agreement
Several moments later, three frosty, foam-topped mugs were plonked on the table before them, sloshing their contents over the sides of the glasses.
"First round has to be paid up front, from there on you can run a tab." The barmaid explained.
"I got this one." Ron piped up and reached in a pocket to pay the tab. The barmaid's eyes widened as she took in the wad of cash.
"Anything I can get for you gents, just give us a shout." She smiled broadly in anticipation of a hefty tip later in the evening.
Siri smiled up at her, noting her name tag and took a huge swallow from his glass. "That's brilliant, Sharon. Just keep 'em coming for now, right, love?" He winked and she blushed with pleasure from the attention.
As she walked away, Draco hissed in his ear, "What are you doing?"
"I'm making a good show of being a young man Hell bent on getting my arse smashingly drunk." Siri replied, taking another huge gulp from the frosty mug. "I suggest you get into it and play along or people are going to start to stare."
"Yeah, loosen up, Dray!" Ron whispered. "We have to make this look good!"
Draco straightened in his seat, drew a deep breath and eyed his glass fiercely. "Alright, into it I go." He picked up the mug and downed its contents in one go before slamming the glass on the table before him. "Ah!" He said with a satisfied sigh, wiping his mouth on his sleeve. "That tasted like more!"
Ron and Siri sat there gob-smacked for a split second before Ron burst out, "Whoa! Blondie can drink!"
"Alright, lads, let's go 'round again! Drink up you two!" Draco ordered as he waved his hand and the table was graced with three more frosty mugs.
As Ron and Siri eyed their own foaming pints, two larger men walked briskly into the pub and moved to a seat at the empty table beyond. One, a tall, broad man with dark hair, graying at the temples, Grigori Rozputka. He was followed by a slightly smaller man, with finer features and white-blond hair, carrying a smart stick topped with a silver serpent's head, Lucius Malfoy. He eyed their surroundings with disdain, his gaze narrowing as he set sight on Draco and his two companions. He hesitated for the briefest of moments at their table and the three young men tensed perceptively, but studiously ignored him. He sneered in disgust and continued on his way, taking a seat across from his companion, keeping the three young men in plain sight.
Grigori flicked up a silencing charm and suppressed a grin as Lucius surreptitiously removed it, obviously wanting to hear everything being said at the neighbouring table.
"Lucius, my friend. Congratulations on your successful escape. It is truly an honour to have you back among us." The dark-haired man remarked with a voice like silk. "What can I get for you?"
"Thank you Grigori." Lucius replied arrogantly. "Thanks to my planning and initiative, it was quite successful. No one has managed to escape the fortress before."
"But for Sirius Black, Lucius." Grigori reminded him quietly as he raised a hand to get the barmaid's attention..
"As I said, no one." Lucius said snidely. "I believe I will have a scotch…neat." At the other table, Siri tensed in anger as he overheard the remark. Draco reached out and quietly laid a hand on his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze and Siri relaxed immediately.
"A White Russian and a scotch, neat." Grigori ordered when the barmaid stepped over and turned his attention back to Lucius.
"Back to your roots, Grigori?" He smiled in amusement as the drinks were set before them a few moments later.
"Warms the blood." Grigori replied, taking a long pull from his glass. "Well, down to business then." He said, setting the half-empty glass before him. Lucius sipped tentatively from his glass and found his drink acceptable.
"I'm sure our Lord has spoken to you about…" He began, but was cut off by a large belch from the other table.
"Excellent, mate!" Siri cried, slapping Ron on the back. "Let me try!" He took a huge gulp from his glass and gave his best efforts and Ron giggled. Draco laughed loudly and nearly over-balanced his chair. He would have hit the floor if Siri hadn't have caught one of his pin-wheeling arms and brought him back with a bump.
"Watch it there, Dray, old man. No injuries this close to our mission." Ron said loudly and Siri grinned at him madly.
"Yeah, Dray, we need every one of us if this is going to be successful!" Siri added dramatically and Draco grinned as he observed Lucius' attention become riveted on their conversation.
"So…down to business boys." Siri leaned forward conspiratorially, but speaking loudly despite the appearance of wanting secrecy. "How are we getting in next week?"
"Getting in?" Ron said, crossing his eyes and shaking his head to add to the allusion that he was out of control.
"To Riddle Manor, you idiot!" Draco hissed. "Memory like a fish, you have! Remember? Tuesday? The Twenty-fifth? We're making a break on the back entrance? Gonna get Siri's Mum outta there?"
"I thought Sev was going to do that?" Ron said loudly in mock alarm. "You said Sev was doing it!"
"He is, you dolt!" Siri hissed. "Shhh!!! You guys are talking too loud. Someone's gonna overhear you!"
"Yeah, Ron…Shhh!" Draco made to swat the redhead's shoulder and missed, then looked at his hand in confusion when he didn't make contact. He shrugged and took another drink from his mug, draining it in one gulp.
"Bar man! Er…maid!" He slurred, hiccupped and giggled. "Drinks tar bender! Another sound…round!"
"Good idea!" Siri slapped the table as he eyed his empty glass. "Sharon…bring us another round, love!" He called to the amused barmaid. She loved it when the patrons got funnier the more they drank. It was much more desirable than breaking up fights.
"Now…to recap…that's Tuesday?" Ron asked as he wrapped his hands around his full glass. "And we're storming the back entrance to the Manor, right?"
Before he managed to wash any of it down, the door of the bar swung open with a blast of icy cold air and banged closed as Lucius rushed from the bar, leaving Grigori very much alone at his table and smirking with delight.
Draco's eyes swung to the door and he raised an amused eyebrow. He calmly crossed his legs and straightened up in his chair, all inebriation wiped from his demeanor. He carefully placed his mug on the table and smiled at his companions in triumph. "Gentlemen, I do believe our work here, is done."
Grigori stood and threw a handful of money on the table and raised a one-fingered salute to the teens as he made his way out of the bar. The three young men continued on for another three-quarters of an hour before making their way back into the alley and heading home. None of them had paid any attention to the scraggly-looking old man with gnarled hands and bent spine who had shuffled in and took a seat beside them at the other empty table.
As his piercingly deep blue eyes watched the three young men leave the bar, Sirius Black leaned forward with a relieved sigh and finished his pint before returning home himself, proud of the three young men he had nurtured and trained. In the time they had sat there after Lucius had fled the pub, not one of them had said another word about their mission. They talked quietly, laughed a little too loudly and enjoyed being the young men that they were. They shared a few more drinks, the last of which they raised in silent salute to their success, before heading home full of relief that the mission was over.
The three young men apparated into view just outside the gates of Snape Manor and leaned heavily against the stones. They waited patiently while they were scanned by the wards and talked quietly of their mission.
"I, for one, am so glad that's over!" Siri said with a relieved chuckle.
"I know what you mean!" Ron agreed readily.
"Dray? You okay?" Siri turned his attention to the blond, a frown of concern on his face. Draco had been rather quiet for the last hour or so and Siri had his suspicions as to the reason behind it.
"Yeah, I'm alright." Draco admitted quietly. "I was just a little on edge, you know, when my… when Lucius walked in, is all. I wasn't sure what he might do or say and I'm a little off-kilter about it."
"If you're sure." Siri said hesitantly, not sure if his friend needed to talk or not. He stood off the wall and entered the grounds of the manor, his two friends following close by.
Just before the gates closed behind them, sealing them in, they heard a faint pop of apparition and were startled when an old man appeared before them. He looked around in confusion, mumbling to himself and the three teens were immediately on guard.
"Siri?" Ron whispered. "How did he get in here?"
"I don't know!" Siri whispered urgently in return. "The wards should have thrown him at least 100 yards."
"Wouldn't that mean the wards recognized him then?" Draco asked as they cautiously made their way across the gardens and on to the front entrance of the manor.
"Yes, but I've never seen him before in my life!" Siri growled anxiously.
"He looks a might confused, wouldn't you say?" Ron asked as he eyed the old man curiously.
"Hey, guys…that's the old man that was in the pub!" Draco said excitedly. "He followed us here!"
"We apparated, Dray!" Siri admonished. "He couldn't have followed us unless he knew where we were going!"
"Oh yeah." Draco said, absently observing the old man as he shuffled along behind them, seemingly oblivious to their presence.
They entered the manor and shut the door, deciding to search out Severus or Remus in order to alert them to the stranger out in the yard, when the door suddenly opened and the old man walked in, looking for all the world as if he belonged there.
"Excuse me!" Siri announced loudly, startling the old man from his mumbling. "May I help you with something? Are you lost?" Draco and Ron moved closer, ready to assist if anything should happen.
"Don't you recognize me, son?" The old man rasped in a voice that crackled from disuse. "I live here!"
The three of them stood looking in confusion at the old man when Remus descended the stairs and burst right out laughing.
"What's the matter, boys? Don't you recognize our guest?" He asked, a mischievous twinkle lighting the golden flecks in his eyes. He walked over and threw his arm around the old man. "Welcome home! Come in by the fire."
The three teens followed behind looking decidedly confused. When they came around and seated themselves comfortably, instead of seeing an old man in ragged clothes, they were graced with the image of Sirius Black in ragged clothes. He and Remus were laughing in delight at the stunned looks on their faces.
"That was you!" Siri yelped. "All the time? You were sitting right there?" He stood with his mouth hanging open. They'd been Maraudered.
"Aye, Pup." Sirius laughed, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. "I wasn't about to let my three favorite young men take on this mission without some sort of back up! By the way, you were absolutely brilliant!"
"Thank you, sir." Ron said immediately. "Er…Sirius." He amended quickly.
"You men have really impressed me this afternoon." Sirius praised them. "I was quite proud of all of you. You did your job faultlessly. I must admit that I got a bit tense when Grigori brought Lucius as his 'friend', but I think that actually worked to our advantage. That Grigori, he's a crafty bugger. Reminds me of Sev."
"I was ready to panic when he paused at the table." Draco admitted quietly. "I didn't know what would happen."
"Are you alright, son?" Remus placed a hand on the young man's shoulder. "Did he say or do anything?" Remus asked anxiously, looking around to Siri and Ron.
"No." Draco said and the other two shook their heads, attesting the same.
"I see you're back." Severus said as he came through the door, Remus' potion in hand. "Were you successful? Any problems?"
"They were brilliant!" Sirius spoke up first. "Executed their mission flawlessly, despite an upsetting wrinkle none of us anticipated."
"And that would be?" Severus' eyebrow shot up in curiosity and his head tilted to the side.
"Grigori's 'little friend' was Lucius Malfoy." Remus said shortly, mild anger tingeing his voice. "Made things a bit tense for them, but they handled it just fine." He added, slapping Draco on the shoulder and softly rubbing in small, comforting circles as well.
"Are you alright, Draco?" Severus frowned.
"I'm alright, Uncle Sev." Draco smiled. "Mostly, I'm glad it's over."
"I agree!" Sirius grinned and flopped out on the sofa.
"Do you mind getting those rags off my Corinthian leather sofa, you mutt!" Severus growled and slapped at Sirius' leg.
"Right, sorry mate!" Sirius jumped to his feet. "I'm off to shower and change. Don't start without me!"
"Why don't all of you go ahead and do the same and then come on back and sit with us?" Severus invited.
"Uncle Rem?" Siri called. "You don't mind us all being here?"
"I don't mind at all." Remus smiled happily. "I'd love the company, actually. It's such a long wait."
"Where're Hermione and Sonya?" Ron asked suddenly.
"In the kitchen seeing to some food and drinks in case you're hungry." Severus replied.
"Ron's always hungry!" Siri laughed as the three of them followed after Sirius.
"How about you, Moony? Alright?" Sev asked as he sat on the corner of the sofa.
"I'm a bit nervous, with the full moon and all." Remus admitted. "I….it's really funny, Sev…I don't feel anything! I'm so used to feeling it, the pull. Moony's there, but he's…you know." He gestured helplessly.
"This is good, Remus." Severus crouched before his friend. "I know for the majority of your life, this has ruled over you. You are finally going to be free to live your life as you see fit and not be governed by a horrible curse." He placed a hand on Remus' clenched fist. "Think of all you are gaining, Remus! Think of the life and the family you can have now with Sonya! And you can still be Moony….you'll always be Moony to us. But never again with the bloodlust and the anger and the horror of being a werewolf! Never again Remus!"
Remus leaned forward and threw his arms around Severus. "Thank you so much for giving me this chance!"
"I told you, Remus, I would do anything for you. You're my brother!" Severus hugged his friend tightly.
"Moony's dying, Sev." Remus whispered hoarsely, tears choking his voice. "I can feel him weakening. I think tonight will be it."
"Are you sure?" Severus asked in awe as he leaned back and looked Remus in the eye. He studied his face and felt his forehead. Remus was slightly feverish, but nothing else was evidently wrong with him. "How do you feel? Anything at all like you are trying to transform?"
"No. It's too early anyway." Remus replied. "I feel a little sick, but that's nerves I think." Severus nodded and returned to his seat.
"Remember that last full moon?" Remus said softly. "You know…before it all began? Before it all fell apart?"
"Yeah, yeah, I do." Severus smiled softly. "We really had a good run that night, didn't we?"
"We did." Remus laughed. "I'll never forget the look on that farmer's face when he saw a panther in his chicken coop!"
"Yeah, well, it was nothing compared to the look on mine when he pulled out that shotgun!" Severus chuckled.
"I really thought you were going to change back." Remus smiled. "Can you imagine what he would have looked like seeing that?"
"And good ole Paddy, always count on him in a pinch. Chased that whole pen full of biddies right into his ugly mug and he couldn't get a clear shot off!" The two of them laughed happily.
"What're we laughing at?" Sirius asked as he and the teens wandered in followed by Sonya and Hermione.
"We were just reliving some old times." Severus answered, still chuckling.
"The chicken coop incident." Remus explained further.
Sirius laughed. "We had a good run that night, lads."
"What happened?" Draco asked curiously, a broad grin on his face as he was caught up in the merriment of the older men.
"Full moon run through a farmer's chicken coop." Remus supplied.
"Poor old man nearly had a stroke when he saw Shadow, here, chasing his chickens!" Sirius laughed.
"I nearly had the stroke when he pulled a gun and took aim!" Severus yelped.
"But it was Paddy to the rescue, as usual." Sirius smugly nodded his head. "Chased up a whole flock of those plump cluckers right in his ugly ole mug and he couldn't see through the feathers flying!" The teens and the ladies laughed with delight.
When the laughter had died down, Siri leaned forward earnestly, hungry for more stories of his father's young life. "Tell us more stories! I want to hear all about them. What other adventures did you go on?"
"Yeah! We want to hear all about it!" Ron piped up. "Don't we?" He added, looking around at the others in the captivated room. They were all nodding in agreement and the wait for the full moon was filled with stories of the past.
"Well…for Sirius, fleas were always a problem." Remus smirked. "We'd go on a run under the hot summer moon and it never failed, he'd come home with a healthy itch going."
"I hated when that happened." Sirius growled. "Damned flea shampoo stunk high heaven and made my hair all frizzy!"
Severus just laughed and shook his head along with the rest. "Remember the time I came down with Distemper and Madame Pomfrey couldn't figure that one out?"
"Merlin, yes!" Remus laughed. "That was so funny. 'Course it didn't help when you flat out lied to her when she asked if you had mastered animagus transformations."
"I did not lie!" Severus argued. "I bent the truth to my purpose!" That brought a roar from the room as well.
"Might have helped her to cure you sooner if you had just admitted it to her." Remus added matter-of-factly.
Severus sobered a bit. "No, it has served me well over the years to remain unregistered." He brightened a bit and laughed again. "Remember the night we all got so plastered, that Remus had to carry us all back to school?"
"Oh yes!" Remus laughed. "I don't quite think I've forgiven you for doing that to me! Always leaving me to be the one to pick your arses up off the floor and drag you home, simply because I can hold my liquor better."
"Tell us about that one." Siri grinned and leaned forward on his knees, totally engrossed in the stories from the past.
"Well, we were down in Hogsmeade…you know, at the Three Broomsticks." Remus began.
"Hogsmeade weekend." Sirius added. "That was the same night you got in the fight, if I recall Rem."
"Don't remind me!" Remus grimaced, crossing his legs at the remembered event.
"Oh ho! What's this?" Draco chortled.
"Remus had his eye on a pretty young witch in the bar, not realizing that she was already taken." Severus supplied. "Her fiancée didn't appreciate his interest and called him on it."
"Remus had had just enough to drink that he decided he knew better and ended up brawling with the bloke." Sirius supplied.
"Yeah and I paid the ultimate price." Remus concluded dryly amid another roar of laughter.
"Yeah, but what about having to haul these guys home?" Siri reminded them curiously.
"Oh yeah, that." Remus chuckled. "Well, after my unfortunate incident, we decided the best cure for it was to drink the pain away and we proceeded to get smashingly plastered."
"Yes, and by the time Rosmerta's father was closing the pub, we were not fit to find our own faces, let alone the path back to the school." Severus laughed.
"I managed to sneak everyone, including Severus, into our dorm's common room, only to find Lils standing there, hands on her hips and fit to be tied." Remus laughed.
"I remember! Lils told us about this the next afternoon. He came in, dumped us at her feet, swayed back and eyed her up and down, snorted and held up his fingers with a little gap between thumb and forefinger and in a highly intelligent manner, says, 'We got a bittle lit drunk!" Severus snickered wickedly. "I wish I could have seen it."
"But…wait a minute…to be fair to Lils, we had a right laugh that night. That is until she turned on me. After getting the rest settled it was my turn and she put me to bed as well!" He laughed again. "Watched me undress and everything, but she really was a lovely person; full of fun as well."
Remus turned to Sirius. "There is, however, one rather interesting story that we never got to hear the whole of. What exactly happened in Divination that time? All I can recall is you dragging Peter into the dorm by his ear and leaving him in a crumpled heap on the floor at the foot of my bed, giggling like an idiot." Remus raised a curious eyebrow and all eyes turned to Sirius expectantly.
"Oh yes! I remember." Sirius chuckled warmly. That was the day after the full moon, wasn't it…you weren't with us, were you? No…because you were in bed, that's right." Remus nodded and Sirius continued. "Well, only Lils and I were in Divination. James found it so funny that Professor Trelawny kicked him out of the first class. I, of course, took it completely seriously and learned a great deal." He deadpanned.
"Oh you did not!" Severus barked out a laugh. "I never even attempted such a foolish notion, but you, Padfoot, as I recall, never even bothered to show up for the first class or you and James both would have been out on your arses!" Everyone was laughing by then, as Sirius grinned wickedly at them.
"How many classes did you manage to show up for that my lovely girlfriend had to keep you under control?" Severus raised an eyebrow and paused for a long moment.
Sirius blinked innocently and said, "I have no idea what you're talking about. I was a model student." Severus' eyebrow shot even higher and Remus snorted in denial to the claim.
"A-a-a-anyway, as I was saying, one of the lessons I did go to…Lils and I were sitting at our usual table and there was no sign of Peter. We were getting a little bit concerned…well, Lils was. I was mostly insisting that as a Marauder, he'd be fine. Every Marauder was well capable of taking care of himself. So, we were there, Lils concerned and trying to get me to go look for him, me trying to assure her he was fine, when Pete falls into the room through the trapdoor."
"He was absolutely gone! Stoned out of his mind." Sirius laughed delightedly, rocking himself forward, hugging his stomach. "Professor Trelawny flutters in, bangles jingling as they do, being her usual misty self…crystal balls…unveiling…all that rubbish. Pete's watching in absolute fascination…totally enthralled…mouth hanging open…everything." He burst out laughing again and had to pause for breath. "Oh…oh…he…he…ah" He gasped "… so he's looking into his crystal ball, I can't see a thing but a white ball…and he's there singing…'Look at all the pretty chickens…ooo…chickie, chickie…' and swaying about all over the place. Lils and I are trying to keep him upright and prevent Trelawny from noticing…but lo and behold she drifts over and she's nodding along with him and the two of them are carrying on and examining the ball." Sirius chuckled and put on a high-pitched, misty voice, perfectly imitating the professor. 'Yes, yes, Mr. Pettigrew…and what is significant about these chickens?' and for the rest of the lesson, they're having this deadly serious conversation about these chickens and the clairvoyant meaning to them!" Sirius held his stomach, laughing his head off. Severus chuckled, tears in his eyes and Remus was shaking as he tried to stop himself from snorting out loud. The teens were laying about on the floor, sincerely wishing their Divination lessons had been as much fun.
"It all turned rather nasty when Pete started thinking that the professor was a giant bug and began to scream and swat at her madly with a giant flyswatter!' Sirius continued. "We dragged him out of there as fast as we could and got him to the dorm before a real teacher spotted us. It was the funniest Divination lesson I've ever had." Sirius flopped backwards on the sofa, panting as he finished, chucking randomly.
Remus recovered himself enough to add, "I remember you bringing him back. They dropped him at my feet, sat down and tried to calm themselves, but every time they looked at each other or Pete, they burst out laughing. When Lily could finally speak, she asked me to take care of him and stuffed a pillow in her mouth!" He laughed again. "He wasn't a problem until he started thinking the room was melting and had himself terrified. In the end, I knocked him out and crawled back into bed." Remus explained, chuckling and wiping tears from his face. "What else?" He asked, looking to his two friends.
"What about James?" Siri asked, still grinning broadly. "Tell us one about James."
"Ah…James." Severus leaned his head back, thinking for a moment.
"Prongs' prong?" Sirius suggested. "Tell that one, Sev."
"Oh Merlin yes!" Severus laughed. "I swore we were never going to hear the end of it!"
"We didn't until the bloody thing grew back!" Remus chortled. "He was proud of that rack."
"What happened?" Hermione asked, completely caught up in the memories being shared.
"Typical of our nocturnal meanderings, we were out and up to no good." Severus began. "Running, rolling, chasing each other about like we so often did…"
"Not paying a moment's notice to where we were going and the dangerous surroundings." Remus added wryly.
"Yes…" Severus continued. "We ended up taking the path to the Whomping Willow, totally engrossed in our horseplay and not looking to remain clear of it's branches. We found ourselves being knocked about and James, thinking he was going to be the one to tame the tree, went at it, antlers flashing in the moonlight, when all of a sudden…Snap…there went a prong."
"A nice one too." Sirius added for emphasis. "Bloody great thing stuck out on his head. He had a magnificent rack, Prongs did. A right proud-looking stag, he was, massive and muscular…beautiful." His voice trailed away and everyone grew quiet.
"I miss him." Remus said softly into the stillness of the room and everyone nodded in agreement or sympathy, depending on their age and association.
Severus cleared his throat and stood. "It's time, Remus." He said quietly, nodding toward the tall windows, indicating the full moon beginning it's ascent.
"I didn't even feel it." Remus said in awe and every face in the room turned to him with an expression of hope bathing it.
"Here you go Rem." Severus smiled, handing the vial of potion to him, placing a hand on his shoulder as he swallowed it down and settled back in his chair. Sonya moved over and sat in his lap, stroking his hair as he closed his eyes and prepared to wait.
After the relatively uneventful night before, Remus was planning on looking forward to the same and settled Sonya comfortably on his lap and smiled around at his family. He figured nothing would really happen beyond feeling tired, cold and perhaps a bit nauseous again, so he chose to be surrounded by them and the comfort their presence afforded him.
The teens were lined up on the sofa, Ron facing off against Severus in a game of wizard's chess, which Hermione and Draco were following along with and facing off against the winners. Siri was reading a book he had borrowed from Remus on ancient healing techniques and Sirius, although an excellent chess player, hadn't the patience to play the game and settled for sharpening knives and daggers for everyone.
Sonya remained cuddled in Remus' lap until she felt him fidget a bit. "Want me to shift off, love?" She murmured in his ear.
"No, I'm just getting a bit more comfortable." Remus kissed her cheek. "I'm actually kind of tense, I should be feeling the moon rise by now and I…I'm not." He added quietly, his thoughts falling to Moony. He realized with a clench of his heart, that Moony was gone. If he wasn't feeling the wolf inside, then, in fact, he had died. Remus felt the loss keenly with the realization that if he couldn't manage the animagus transformation, that he would no longer have any part of Moony in his life again.
He had been thrilled to see that Moony would be the form he took if he could master transforming, but had never considered before the thought that he might not manage it at all. He was happy to learn that he had retained his strength and stamina as well as the sense of hearing and smell.
He had been too sick to think on it before, when he had first started taking the treatments. He hadn't spared a thought to Moony and the fact that he was dying, until he felt him writhe and burn away inside him. Then it had hit him hard…Moony was dying and he couldn't help but feel sad. After all the pain, fear and rejection, in spite of it even, Moony was always there, in the back of his mind, a part of him, something familiar, constant.
As he sat there, eyes closed, in the large comfortable chair, he concentrated on the happy adventures he'd had as Moony. The good times he'd shared with his good friends. He left out the thoughts of the painful transformations, the ripping and tearing of muscles and ligaments, the breaking and twisting of his bones.
The longer he thought over the lonely transformations he had undergone since the age of seven, an odd feeling came over him and he felt a tingling in his fingers that slowly traveled over his entire body. Then he was dizzy for a moment and with a pop…he realized he was sitting in the chair with a large silver tail curled around him.
Sonya flew out of the chair and landed on the floor with a shriek and scrabbled away from him. Every eye in the room turned to him and suddenly pops were sounding all over the room. Sirius was the first to react and transformed into Padfoot in an instant with Shadow a flash of black just seconds afterward. Hermione had raced to grab Sonya and the two of them were in the corner and hiding behind the bar. The three remaining teens, terrorized at the sight of the wolf, jumped up and were scrambling over the back of the sofa in a flurry of arms and legs that instantly popped into paws and claws and fur-covered bodies as the three felines toppled over the back of the sofa, hissing and spitting in terror. They had managed their first transformation in their panic!
Remus sat quietly watching the comedy before him, as his friends and family popped into their animagus forms. If he had been human, he would have raised an eyebrow, as it was, he cocked his head to the side in interest.
As the animagi settled down a bit and turned curious feline eyes on Remus, now Moony and then on each other, Siri caught sight of a white tiger and Draco a black panther, uncomfortably close and they backed away from each other hissing quietly. The large lion sat with his tail twitching in agitation.
Moony drew back warily as everyone eyed him suspiciously, but for an amused Padfoot. If dogs could laugh then Padfoot most assuredly was, rolled onto his back, paws in the air, snorting and barking in doggy hilarity. Moony looked briefly put out and slighted, so he flexed his claws at the group of cats, one looking greatly amused and he enjoyed a wolfish grin as the three younger felines withdrew from his claws.
With a snorting sigh, the huge silver wolf moved to the floor, causing the younger felines to back away warily. He flopped onto his side and rolled over, submissively, which slightly irritated the alpha wolf, but he pawed the air playfully. Padfoot barked happily, scrabbling to his feet and pouncing on him, joined moments later by the large black panther. They rolled and tumbled around the floor like the dogs and cat they were, leaving Siri, Draco and Ron looking on in bewilderment and Sonya and Hermione relaxing, coming out from behind the bar as they realized it was safe. It was Moony, sure enough, but not the werewolf.
Padfoot transformed first and flopped back onto the sofa, laughing with delight. "Nice one Remus!" Shadow followed, chuckling warmly and he instructed the teens to do the same in amusement.
Moony had shut his eyes and Remus appeared with a pop a moment later. He took one look at the sheepish looks on the teens' faces and fell back on the sofa beside Sirius, holding his ribs.
"God…your faces!" He snorted with laughter sending Sirius into a renewed fit of uproarious laughter.
"You did that on purpose!" Siri accused, his eyes narrowed suspiciously, having been the first of the teens to transform back.
Remus could barely answer for laughing and tears streamed down his cheeks. "I…snort…didn't. I swear!…but God…your faces!" He raised a clawed hand and Sirius jumped back and hissed pathetically at it, mocking the teens mercilessly. This, of course, sent the canines into renewed peals of laughter and Shadow joined in, rolling about on the sofa, tears streaming down his face as well.
"Oh God, not him too!" Draco exclaimed loudly. "Look at you…you're grown men."
Sirius looked up, composing himself long enough to gasp, "Told you Moony wasn't innocent. All a façade, that good, noble front he has." and he fell back to laughing. Beside him, Remus, doubled over and holding his sides as if in pain, choked out…"I'm gonna wet myself!"
This sent Sirius and Severus off in another roar of laughter and Sirius strained to say, "I think I already have, mate." He left the room walking oddly and bent over, still chuckling as he made his way down the hall.
Remus and Severus hauled each other up to the sofa after they had rolled to the floor with hilarity. They were slowly regaining control, but if they dared to look at each other or one of the teens, they began to laugh in earnest again. Remus gained enough control to apologize. "Sorry everyone. Wasn't deliberate. Honest it wasn't."
Severus regained his control and a sense of dignity and turned to the teens. "Well done guys! Apart from giving me…and him…the best laugh we've had in ages, you've transformed. How did it feel?" He asked eagerly.
"Not sure…wasn't really thinking about it when it happened." Ron said. He transformed again, flicked his tail a few times and roared, before transforming back. "That felt pretty good once you realize your body's different." He grinned and popped back and forth a few times, pacing in circles and flexing his claws for effect.
Draco and Siri, taking a page from Ron's book, transformed too and stretched a bit to test the new bodies. Siri popped back and said, "This is great! I like it…it's fun, trying out a different body, I mean." He became a panther again, padded over to his father and nuzzled his hand. Severus petted him a few times and smiled as the long black tail curled around his leg.
Draco tested his speed a few times and declared, "You know…it gets easier after the first few times. I know I can do it if need be." He added, throwing a look in his father's direction before transforming back.
Remus, by this time, had collected himself enough so that he only had an occasional chuckle. He sat up and admired the lion, tiger and panther. "You guys look good." He said amiably, but pulled back, affronted, when the tiger bared his teeth at him. Siri hissed and Ron growled low in his throat.. Remus held his hands up in defense and said, "I swear. It wasn't deliberate…it's just, well, I was thinking about Moony and then the Change and it just …happened…you know." He explained. With a final giggle, he stood and tried to transform. If a wolf can, he looked up happily, chased his tail for a moment before walking over to Sonya and nuzzling her hand. She kneeled down and buried her face in the fur of his neck, whispering, "You look beautiful, Wolfie."
He popped back and pulled Sonya close to his side, grinning happily. "I did it!" He exclaimed. "That was…that was the least painful being Moony has ever been."
Severus stepped over and hugged on Remus and slapped his back in congratulations. Sonya stepped back and let them have their moment.
"Hey Siri…you have more than one form. Have you tried them yet?" Remus asked.
"No…wait…" He said as he scowled in concentration. A moment later, a black stag stood proudly in his place.
"Brilliant, son. That is excellent." Severus exclaimed, reaching out to stroke his neck and reached up to feel his antlers, pressing a finger to the tip of one.
"I wish James could have seen." Remus said quietly as he approached from the other side.
"Me too, Moony." Severus said quietly. "But…Sirius can. He should be here to see this." He strode over to the doorway and bellowed loudly, "Paddy!"
Padfoot barreled around the corner a minute later, popping back into Sirius as he vaulted over the back of a chair and landed with a plop.
"What?" He demanded as he straightened his hair.
"Look." With a gesture to Siri, Severus brought his attention to the stag.
"You're gorgeous, pup." He choked out. "Just as massive as Prongs was, only he wasn't black. Have you tried the phoenix yet?" He asked curiously.
Siri transformed back. "Let me try." This time, nothing happened. He opened his eyes and looked to his dad for an answer.
"I don't know, son. It'll come though, give it time. Might be because it's a magical creature." He offered as the best explanation he could come up with. "Keep practicing at it. You'll work it out."
"Yeah, remember it took us the best part of three years." Sirius added. "Maybe we should have tried it that way…put ourselves in front of wolfie-boy, here." He pulled Remus closer and wrapped an arm around him.
Remus wrapped his arms around his two best friends and said, "Did I ever thank you guys enough for that? And this cure…I owe you a lot."
"Shut up Moony. No thanks needed. I just wish…" Sirius broke off.
"That James was still with us." Remus finished and Severus nodded solemnly. They stepped together and created a three-way hug, their heads bowed so close together they were resting against each other.
Ron tapped his mates on the shoulder and jerked his head toward the door. Sonya and Hermione nodded and followed the three of them out, leaving the three Marauders with some time alone.
Meanwhile, in Riddle Manor, Lucius Malfoy paced back and forth in the gaudy throne room, with its crumbling columns and threadbare tapestries. He had been waiting an interminable amount of time to share his news with his Lord, but knew he would be received when Voldemort was damned good and ready to see him.
Lord Voldemort swept into the room, his eyes flashing in anger. "What is it that was so important, it required you to disturb my evening being spent in the company of a lovely young woman?" He snapped.
"I apologize, my Lord." Lucius kneeled before his master, hoping to avoid any punishments when he revealed his latest news. "It has recently come to my attention, a matter of great urgency, to which I am sure you will appreciate my not waiting to inform you." He bent and kissed the hems of the man's robes and waited to be granted permission to speak further.
"What is it you have to report to me, Lucius?" Voldemort said, anger still quietly simmering in his voice. "It had better be good, or you will feel my wrath. My future bride does not care to idle away the evening while I listen to your prattle."
"Of course, my Lord." Lucius nodded. "This afternoon, I accompanied Grigori to the pub in town for a celebratory drink and to discuss recent events. He wished to bring me up to speed on what we have been accomplishing in my absence,"
"Yes, yes…get on with it!" Voldemort snapped. "You are trying my patience!"
"While we were there, we were privy to a conversation between the Snape brat and his two friends. They were seated nearby and clearly drunk and speaking loudly, boasting really and…" Lucius was trying to say it all quickly.
"Lucius!" Voldemort roared. "Tell me and get out!"
"Severus is planning on raiding the manor on the twenty-fifth, my Lord." Lucius said hastily, fearing retribution for his dallying. "He appears to be planning on sneaking in with just his rabble of misfits. His friends, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, his son and his two friends, as well, the Weasley brat and my unfortunate offspring." He spat venomously. "They plan to steal the fair young doctor away from you, my Lord. I knew you would want to be informed immediately. Lucius bowed so low, his breath disturbed the dust on the floor and he struggled not to sneeze.
Voldemort ignored him and paced back and forth along the raised platform at the head of the room. He stroked his beard and scowled, his eyes narrowed in concentration and contemplation as to what he would do with this interesting bit of information.
"I really must thank you Lucius." Voldemort smiled evilly. "Your haste in informing me of this recent turn of events has given me the chance to rid myself of Severus and this menace he has produced to destroy me. I do believe you shall be rewarded for that. When the time comes, I will allow you the honour of destroying Severus, as well as your wayward son. I will dispose of his brat myself."
"I am honoured to serve you, my Lord." Lucius bowed lowly and once again kissed the filthy hems.
"Now…I must return to my charming and delightful fiancée, but tomorrow I want to call the Inner Circle together and we will plan for Severus and his band of merry men!"
"As you wish, my Lord." Lucius rose to leave, bowing before his master once again. "Enjoy your pleasant evening, my Lord." He stood with his head bowed until he heard the door to the private chambers off to the side of the room click softly closed and he slipped away with a huge sigh of relief at having escaped any form of punishment at all.
He never noticed the scruffy-looking rat, shivering in the darkened corner of the room as it disappeared through a crack in the wall. Peter Pettigrew rushed to his small hovel and greeted Grigori Rozputka.
"It's been set in motion!" He squeaked and swallowed hard. "I hope we're ready for this."
"We are ready Peter, my friend." Grigori smiled slyly. "We must tell Severus, but first we need a good night's sleep. I will meet you here in the morning." With that, he nodded and apparated away with a pop. Peter poured himself a drink, but as he raised the glass to his lips, he stared into the amber liquid and grimaced.
"This has been my downfall." He growled angrily, dashing the glass against the hearthstones. "No more. I owe it to Severus and this cause to keep my wits about me and to use my head. I vowed to make up for my mistakes and I am going to stick to that vow."
That night, before Peter laid in his old, worn out bed with fresh linens and a crackling fire in the grate, he went through his little cottage and destroyed every bottle of liquor he could find. He scrubbed his tiny kitchen until it sparkled and he spelled his clothes and dishes clean. The little home was hardly recognizable when he finished and he settled happily into his bed, sleeping more peacefully than he had in years.
Sonya eyed the cupboard as it shook at her menacingly. 'Boggart.' She thought and summoned a rather amusing vision of Voldemort in knickers with little duckies swimming on them as she opened the door.
The cabinet had been quivering for several days, but as it as in her wing of the manor, only she and Remus were aware it was there.
The boggart rushed at her, robes flowing menacingly.
"Riddikulus!" She cried.
The creature crumpled to the floor and became Juno, lying there, ripped to shreds and bleeding. Blood bubbled from her lips as she tried to speak, but couldn't, as she was choking on her own blood.
"Ri…riddikulus." Sonya shouted a bit more hesitantly as she shut her eyes and tried to think of something funny. All she could see was her best friend drowning in her own blood and the creature morphed again. This time into Remus
He collapsed on the floor and lay still as death, no movement, no sound, nothing. She could hear gurgling and crawled toward him as he gagged on the fluid filling his lungs
"Remus…" She whispered. "Juno…" Remus breathed his last and went still.
"It's…a boggart." She mumbled to herself and dispelled it again, trying desperately to laugh it into destruction.
Draco…curled into a ball, hair and Auror robes soaked in blood.
"Rid…riddikulus…" She stammered and it dissolved again.
Severus…staring lifelessly at the ceiling, wand still clutched in his stiff, cold fingers…dead.
Siri…shot down by a green curse still shimmering around him.
Ron and Hermione, still clinging to each other, even in death.
Back again to Juno…then to Remus once more.
She gave in to her sobbing, broken beyond rational thought, as she stared at her blood-soaked clothes and hands.
Remus paused outside the door as he heard the sobs within. He opened the door quietly and had to grab the doorframe to hold himself upright. There was Juno, lying in a pool of her own blood and choking on the viscous liquid as it filled her lungs. It oozed from gashes and stab wounds all over her body. She was torn, shredded, ripped apart and she was dead. Sonya knelt in the blood, it covered her clothes and her hands and face as she sobbed brokenly over her dead friend.
Remus fell to his own knees and cried out, but suddenly the corpse of Juno morphed into…himself.
He watched as he fell to the floor, gasping for breath as Sonya called his name in anguish.
'Boggart' finally registered and he grabbed Sonya and hauled her from the room, slamming the door in her face as she crumpled in the corridor. He faced the boggart alone.
It became a deep, dark grave. First Sonya lay there, then Severus, Sirius, Juno…Draco. Remus struggled to focus, gasping for breath, as he aimed his wand shakily at the image of his son, lying in the grave.
"Riddikulus!" He cried and it melted away into the floor.
He forced himself to laugh, a harsh, bitter, sound and the boggart cracked and died. He lie there, panting, waiting to catch his breath and then dragged himself to his feet. He entered the hall and Sonya was lying on the floor, still overcome by the ordeal and he scooped her into his arms and sat on the floor with her in his lap.
He held her tightly and rocked her gently, murmuring in her ear to calm her. "It's alright, Sonya. That wasn't real, baby. Just a nasty mature boggart. I took care of him. He was a tough one, but he's gone now, love." Remus stroked her hair and rubbed her back until her sobs quieted.
"Oh Remus!" She flung herself against his chest and hugged him tightly to her. "That was horrible! I thought it was Juno! I thought he had found out what you were planning and that he killed her to pay Severus back."
"I know, I know, I know…shh, now." He soothed. "It's all over. It's alright. We know he knows, we planned it that way. Trust us. We'll get her home safely where she belongs." He pushed her up and the two of them got to their feet. He walked her down to her rooms and made her some tea and settled her under a warm throw before the fire.
"I need to go and see Severus. Are you going to be alright here alone? If not, I can call Draco or Hermione, perhaps to come sit with you?" He said quietly. "I won't be gone long, but I don't want to leave you alone if you are too upset."
"I'm fine, love. Really I am." She smiled and caressed his face. "Are you alright? Why do you need to see Severus?"
"I'm a little unsettled, but I'll be fine. As far as Severus, he needs a few blood samples from me. He wants to do some testing and see if there have been any changes in my genetic make up since I've taken this cure." He smiled, kissing her fingers. "If you're sure then?" She nodded. "Alright. I'll be back soon." He replied and kissed her lightly before making his way straight to Severus' lab.
"How long will it be before you know anything?" Remus asked, rolling his sleeve back down and buttoning it at the wrist.
"It'll take a little while, Remus. It's a slow process." Severus smiled at his anxious friend. "Give me a few days and I'll have something for you."
Remus nodded and grinned a bit sheepishly. "It's just I'm anxious now, to get on with things, you know." He admitted a little shyly.
"Get on with things?" Severus tilted his head curiously.
"Yes, advance things with Sonya, start a family, maybe…" Remus admitted quietly.
"Start a family?" Severus exclaimed mildly, stepping around the worktable. "Remus, let's not jump the gun here! We don't know what all this is doing to your genetic make up. It's still too risky to be thinking about having children!"
"How long do I have to wait?" Remus asked tensely. "I have a chance at something I never thought I'd have! Sev…all my life I've known I can't have kids…not legal…not possible…not probable. Now I can…I want it all, now that it all seems possible! A few months ago, my prospects as I knew them were a few short years left…" He cried.
"I know, Moony." Severus said gently, squeezing the thin man's shoulder. "Just whoa up a bit and let's be sure it's safe. That's all I want. We're messing with DNA, here. You want to be sure everything in your genetic make up is restored to the way it was meant to be. We don't want to bring any possible side effects onto an unborn child, Moony. Give me time to be sure. That's all I ask." Severus urged quietly.
"Alright, Shadow." Remus agreed, sounding a bit sad. "How long? Weeks, months?" He swallowed hard. "Years?"
"I can't answer that question yet, Remus." Severus shook his head. "I'll let you know as soon as I can. It doesn't mean you can't plan for a future with Sonya. Make your plans! You do have a future now, thanks to this cure, we just don't know when you can bring a child into it."
"Thanks, Severus." Remus smiled. "I think I will take your suggestion to heart and go find my fair lady and make a few of those plans while I wait for this evening to arrive."
"You're off to spend the day alone together, I take it." Severus smiled.
"I do believe that sounds like an excellent plan." Remus grinned.
"I do believe you're right." Severus grinned and laughed softly. "I shall see you this evening then."
Severus spent the rest of the morning in his lab and then surfaced in time for a rowdy lunch with the remaining group of 'Snape' family members. The teens were in rare good spirits, still high from their successes of late. They had spent their time working on transforming and deciding on names for their altered forms.
"We have someone to introduce you to." Siri said, when all had pushed their plates away, completely satisfied from their meal. He gestured to Ron, who immediately transformed into the magnificent lion. "I'd like you to meet Rogue." Siri smiled and commentated. Stepping aside, he nodded to Draco who took on his white tiger form and roared, waving a paw playfully. "Meet Tiegra." The huge tiger dropped to the floor and circled Siri before popping back into human form as Siri transformed into the black panther.
"Here, we have Loki." Draco gestured to Siri and grinned as Siri swished his tail and sent Dobby scurrying backwards in alarm. Siri switched straight to his stag form and didn't even go to human form first. "And Volant." Ron took up the introductions as Siri transformed for the last time.
A glorious black phoenix with gold wing tips, entranced the men. From behind them, Draco introduced the splendid bird, "And last, but not least, I present Aegle, with an 'e'."
"Whoo hoo! Way to go Siri!" Sirius cheered, clapping happily as Siri popped back.
"Thanks." Siri grinned sheepishly and looked down.
"That's absolutely brilliant, Siri." Severus said proudly. "You'll have to be sure and show Remus later."
"I will." Siri nodded and returned to his seat.
Light-hearted chatter continued for a while longer, more stories of escapades from the past were shared until Sirius suddenly slapped the table and announced, "I feel a trip into London is called for. Who would like to accompany me? Siri? Ron? Anyone?" He grinned around the table at the teens and winked at Severus.
"Why don't all of you go?" Severus suggested. "It's been ages since you just went and enjoyed yourselves."
"Are you sure, Dad?" Siri asked with a frown. "Sure you don't need us here for tonight and Uncle Rem's last treatment?"
"I think it might be best if it's just he, Sonya and I tonight, guys." Severus said quietly. "This is it and it's going to be very emotional. Draco, if you wish to stay, I'm sure that will be fine." He added, not wanting to make the young man feel slighted in any way.
"No, Uncle Sev." Draco smiled. "Dad and I talked earlier and he asked if he could just have a quiet time of it tonight." Sirius nodded and smiled.
"I'm not surprised." Severus agreed. "Tonight is going to be much more emotional for Remus. It might be best to give him some space."
"Alright." Siri nodded. "We'll go with Sirius. I can shop for your birthday present."
"I don't need presents, Siri." Severus said quietly. "All I need is your mother home and my family gathered around me."
"You'll have that too, Sev." Remus said as he and Sonya entered the room. They settled next to each other and Remus pulled Sonya up close to his side. "What have we missed?"
The next several moments were spent introducing Remus and Sonya to the various animagus forms and their chosen names. They agreed that the names were well-chosen ones and looked forward to hearing the reasons for them when the evening's business had passed. Sirius and the teens left the other three on their own and made for London to spend the afternoon and a good part of the evening in Diagon Alley and most likely The Leaky Cauldron as well.
When evening fell, Severus, Remus and Sonya settled comfortably in the sitting room once more before the crackling fire. Remus downed his potion and snuggled Sonya close to his side. He stroked her hair as she stared into the fire and listened to the two men's deep, soothing voices swirl about her ears and let them lull her into a light doze.
She could hear the murmured voice of her love rumble beneath her ear as he told Severus of their experience with the boggart that day. She silently acknowledged the concern she could hear in Severus' voice as he asked if the two of them were alright, but she couldn't open her eyes and respond for the world. She grew more and more sleepy as Remus' rhythmic strokes on her head, pulled her into a deep sleep.
The waning moon rose steadily in the sky and Severus watched as the patch of illumination from the windows slowly crossed the floor. As it approached the spot where Remus was sitting and his foot was bathed in pale moonlight, he called softly to his friend.
"Remus! Look!" He pointed to the floor and Remus looked down. He watched in amazement as the moonlight slid up his leg, then traveled up his torso until he was completely flooded by the pale light.
"Severus!" He said, excitedly. "I'm covered in moonlight! It's all over me and nothing is happening! Nothing!" Remus choked back a sob and Sonya shifted restlessly beside him. "I want to go out into the garden." He announced.
"What? Now? Remus it's freezing out there!" Severus argued. "I'm not sure it's such a good idea, mate."
"Come on, Sev." Remus pleaded. "Just for a moment. I want to go out there and stand under that fat luminous globe and not feel a thing."
"Alright, Moony." Severus folded. "Let's go look at the moon and how it doesn't affect you." He smiled.
Pausing only long enough to slip into boots and cloaks, the two men stepped through the conservatory doors and into the back garden. Remus stepped out into the moonlight, hesitantly and a bit fearful that it might have all been folly.
He stopped at the light's edge, where the veranda met the sky's light and turned to grace Severus with a smile. He slowly stepped into the moonlight, his shadow cast on the ground beneath him. He raised his face to the sky and imagined he could feel it's cool touch on his skin. He slowly turned, arms outstretched and an excited laugh echoed over the grounds, "Ha!" It exploded from his chest, followed by a loud burst of joyful laughter as he spun 'round faster and faster until he fell to the ground, gasping for air and dizzy with excitement.
Severus rushed to his side, laughing joyfully with him as he helped him to his feet.
Remus threw his arms around his friend and shouted, "I'm free! Severus! I'm free!" He was still laughing almost maniacally. "You can't hurt me anymore!" He shouted at the moon. "Look at me!" He held out his hands and studied them and then held them up to Severus to see...nothing...perfectly unblemished skin. Severus nodded, grinning like a fool as Remus spun again.
"You can't hurt me! I can stand right here all night and you can't ever touch me again!" He shouted. "You have no power over me anymore...you are merely a fat swollen light in the sky and that is all!" He collapsed on the ground, panting and laughing and spread out flat on his back in the crisp snow.
"Look, Shadow! I can lay right here and it can't do a thing about it!" He cried.
"Yes, Moony, I see that." Severus smiled indulgently. "However, if you don't get your arse off the ground, you're going to still be stuck in that bed because you're going to catch pneumonia."
"Aww, come on Shadow!" Remus patted the ground beside himself. "Come and look at it with me for a few moments, then we'll go inside."
Severus eyed him critically for a few seconds, as if deciding whether Remus had gone 'round the twist, but he lowered himself beside his friend in the snow and they just looked at the sky.
"Look at all the stars, Sev." Remus said quietly, in awe of the vision above him. "Aren't they wonderful?"
"They are, Rem, and you can look at them any time you want without worry now." Severus said softly, smiling as he enjoyed Remus' pleasure.
"And the sky isn't really black, is it Sev?" He asked. "It's the deepest of blues. I like that. I always saw it as black and ominous, it filled me with foreboding. Now it is a pretty and rich blue, like velvet." He sighed contentedly.
"It is that, Rem, it is that." Severus sighed as well, despite the fact that he was freezing to death.
"I suppose we should go inside." Remus spoke almost sadly.
"It isn't getting any warmer, mate." Severus replied sardonically. "I do believe I can no longer feel my arse."
Remus laughed delightedly and got to his feet, offering Severus a hand. Throwing their arms around each other they made their way back into the manor.
They settled on the sofa closest to the fire and warmed their hands.
"Severus." Remus said softly. "I have no words to thank you for what you've done for me. Nothing has been written to describe this feeling I have. We have a long history together and I value your friendship. It means so much to me. I just want to say that...I owe you everything and I want you to know that I love you like a brother. I really do feel that close to you, to all of you. You are my family now and I am so happy that I have a future with Sonya, with everyone, that I can look forward to lasting a very long time, simply because of all you've done for me. Thank you so much." He had tears streaming down his face by the time he had finished speaking and he threw his arms around Severus. They hugged each other for several long moments. With a slap on their backs, they settled back against the cushy comfort of the sofa and just enjoyed the fire in silence, each lost to his own thoughts.
Remus' new life had begun.
