(53) Marauders Hogsmeade

The next time Harry saw Draco, the blond boy stared at him a moment, then turned & ran away. Hermione was confused at the antics but Harry inwardly smiled. It looked like Draco had learned his lesson. He had managed some control over Draco at last. Maybe being the Alpha had something to do with it, but Harry felt satisfied he wouldn't see any more rude badges. He also didn't want another showdown with Draco. He was not Orion!

The next Hogsmeade weekend had come up & the only way Hermione managed to get Harry out was by hiding him under the cloak. Harry was tired of the new-found interest in his father's story, compounded by comments on why he had forced himself into the tournament. Harry really wanted to kill something. Where's Voldemort when he needed him? Or a white ferret perhaps?

Draco Malfoy came around the corner, caught sight of Hermione & quickly glanced around. He hurriedly shoved passed her, just barely missing Harry by an inch or so & scurried away.

"There is something weird about Malfoy," Hermione mused, opening the door to The Three Broomsticks.

They sat down by a table with Harry still hiding. Hermione was about to complain to him again when someone called out to her. "Hermione, there you are." Remus came to her table, grabbed a chair & set it down with the back facing the table. He sat on it, folding his arms over the top of the chair. "Where are the boys?" He asked, sniffing slightly. "I know Harry's been nearby."

"I'm right here Moony," Harry muttered.

Remus's eyes went from green to gold in a blink. "Where? Come on Harry."

"Mmm bite me."

Remus glared. "I would if I could see you. You under Jim's cloak?"

"Duh."

"Harry, there's something I want to tell you," Remus scratched his chin with his left hand, more precisely, the left ring finger. "I don't feel like chatting to empty space for important news."

"I'm not coming out," Harry grumbled. "I hope Dad didn't see Rita's article."

"Ohh is that it?" Remus stopped fake-scratching & lowered his hand as his green eyes reappeared. Hermione's eyes followed his hand. "Yeah we saw it. Don't worry, we know Rita. Or of her anyway. Though Sirius did sleep with her back in—"

"Oh my God, I don't care!" Harry cut in. Hermione choked on her butterbeer.

With one brow raised, Remus looked at a spot just left of Harry. "You know how Sirius was back in the day. I'm honestly surprised he was never put in Azkaban for some of the crap he did involv—"

"Remus if you finish that sentence, I'm going to bloody murder you."

"Oh come on Harry!" Remus laughed. "You'll get into it sooner or later. You have Black blood. All Blacks are horny."

"I think I'd rather be Asexual."

"Ron's brother, Charlie, is Asexual," Hermione put in.

Remus disagreed. "But a Black being Ace is simply impossible."

"No it isn't," Harry sassed back. He asked almost irritably, "What's the news?"

"Oh honestly Harry," Hermione sighed exasperatedly. "It's quite obvious what the news is." She pointed at Remus's left hand. Remus held it up to her as she went on. "That is one pretty ring!"

There was a moment of silence. "Lovely ring." Harry droned.

Remus scowled. "Well thanks Harry. Real nice."

"Sorry," Harry muttered. "But didn't you two already marry when you were teenagers? I don't understand the big deal."

Remus huffed. "I'm glad he's under that cloak or I'd eat him & not in a pleasant way...for him anyway." Hermione was stuck between laughing & glaring. "A wolf simply mates & that's it," Remus began. "But Sirius wants a more official marriage. He's dropped the name Black & as of noon today, he is now a Lupin."

"I see," was all Harry said.

"That is wonderful news," Hermione put in, kicking at Harry & sort of getting his leg.

"Thanks," Remus simpered a little. "SOME people," He went on, turning his nose up a little. "Actually deem it an honor to adopt their mate's name." He got up & leaned over Harry. Like a great grumpy stallion, he blew out air partly over Harry's head & it caused a ripple in the space where Harry sat.

"You know Moony," Harry said. "You make a pretty pathetic werewolf. A real one would growl ferrrrrrrrrrrrrociously." Harry rolled the R. "You don't scare me one bit."

"I should," Remus grumbled, slightly curling his lip. "You make a pretty pathetic Alpha."

If only Remus had known what Harry had recently done to Draco to subdue him, then perhaps he'd have kept silent on the subject. Frustrated, Harry whipped his cloak off at last. "Want to bet? Let's take it outside. Just you, me & a chocolate bar & I'll show you a new & improved way of eating chocolate bars. It starts with you bending over!"

"Oh that is low Harold!" Remus glared, mouth ajar. Hermione was doing her best to not burst out laughing.

Harry poked Remus on the chest, then the throat. He began rapidly poking him at any spot he could reach. "Bite me. Come on. Silly wolf."

"Harry," Hermione hissed under breath. "Don't tease the werew—"

"ARGH!" Harry suddenly shouted aloud.

"Did he bite you?" Hermione gasped.

"No!" Harry wiped his face. "He just went & bloody slobberkissed all over my face! Damn you're fast!"

"All us wolves are," Remus said.

Harry glared at him as best possible since he no longer had glasses. "Remus, what if someone saw that?"

"Well first of all, you're at a table in the corner with a partial dividing wall," Remus began. "Secondly, it's rather dim here. Thirdly, my back is the only thing anyone can see & lastly, eh what's a little risk?"

"Give my glasses back," Harry snapped. "I haven't got another pair right now."

"Make me," Remus smiled. Harry swung his foot hard. Remus doubled up with a grunt of pain.

Harry leaned over & picked his glasses off the floor. He put them back on. "Who's your Alpha?"

"I hate you."

"Good."

Hermione buried her face in one hand. Remus sat back into his backwards chair & crossed his arms over top again, keeping his ringed finger in plain sight. "Anyway, I was sent here to find you, Harry."

Harry laughed at him. "Remind me to tell any of my future children to not get a werewolf for a pet."

Remus growled a bit. "I'm not a pet!"

"That isn't what Dad says."

"I don't care what Jim says," complained Remus as Hermione hid her face behind a menu, laughing.

"Yet you came sniffing me out like a good little doggy."

Burn! Hermione choked from laughing too hard. Remus growled again. Do not eat Harry Potter. Do not eat Harry Potter. "Whatever."

Harry patted Remus on the head. "Good boy."

Remus shook him off. "Your Dad is in Dufftown & wants to see you." Do not eat Harry Potter!

"He is?" Harry got up. "Why didn't he come here with you?"

"For the same reason it was hard to get you out from under that cloak," Remus said. "Dufftown is more muggle than magic so there are less people who know about him there."

"Where's Sirius?"

"With Jim."

"How can I get there though?" Harry suddenly stopped moving. "I don't have permission."

"Oh it's fine if a guardian is involved," Remus said. "Both Sirius & Jim qualify for that. Just be back by evening before Hogsmeade closes." He handed over a piece of paper with an address to where Sirius & James were.

"Brilliant," Harry headed for the door. "See you later, Hermione."

Harry ducked under the cloak again & ran along the high road to the end farthest from the drive turning into Hogwarts' grounds. He was soon in the muggle world & hurried along. Dufftown was only a twenty minute walk but at Harry's pace, he cut the time in half.

Sirius opened the door of the room they were at in the muggle hotel. "Harry, come in! I knew Remus could sniff you out quickly."

Harry could only smile for a moment. "By the way, I heard. How does it feel to be the next Mr. Lupin?"

"Much better," Sirius laughed.

James got up from the couch. "Harry, how are you?"

"Fine I guess," Harry glanced at Sirius. "Remus told me you guys saw Rita's article."

James glanced at the floor, shaking his head. "That despicable woman! How could she even think you put your name in the Goblet?"

"Everyone's thinking that," Harry complained. "Even Ron!"

"Ron?" James stared at Harry for a moment. "Blimey & I thought he was alright."

"I don't understand him at all anymore," said Harry.

"Well sooner or later, the truth will come out," James said.

"We've been trying to find some way of releasing you from the binds of the tournament," Sirius put in. "But so far nothing. It looks like you'll have to go through at least the First Task."

"I was told a bit about how the Tasks can go," said Harry. "Any idea exactly what it is?"

"No," Sirius said. "Only those running the show know. It's supposed to be a surprise."

"We will come over to watch it if we can't do anything else," said James. "In the meantime—I can't believe I'm saying this but—stick to Mad Eye. He'll see you through."

"Humpf!" Sirius grunted, pulling on his fur-lined jacket.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked.

"Well now that you're here," Sirius explained. "I'm meeting up with Remus in Hogsmeade. Give you two some time."

"Second honeymoon for those two," James remarked to Harry. Both turned away rolling their eyes.

"Oh I think we've lost count of how many honeymoons we've had by now," Sirius snickered as he ducked out the door.

"Good point," James muttered.

Through the window, Harry saw Sirius hurry down the street. He turned back to his father & suddenly realised this was the first time he was alone with him. He had no idea what to say. He watched as James stood by the small table, pouring out tea. He noticed that James was up on tip toe & wondered if Prongs was snuffling about. What was it like having a Spirit inside you? Harry slowly came over as James picked up two cups & turned to him, holding one out. Harry took it, still wondering what to say or do.

Fortunately, James rescued him. "I bet school is driving you bonkers right now," he started. They both had a sip of tea, then James went on. "Harry, it will pass."

"They don't like the idea of me being another champion," Harry said. "Everyone thinks I put my name in but I didn't."

"You may find you're better at it than you think," said James. "You have champion blood in you. Your Great Grandfather was in the last tournament a few centuries ago. He won."

"He did?" Harry exclaimed. "Wait, that's just what I need. Don't tell anyone at school about that."

"I heard about other students picking on you for becoming a champion," said James. "I'm not surprised Malfoy made those badges. Lucy was just as bad when we went to school."

"You were in school with Lucius Malfoy?" Harry asked, surprised.

"Only for three years," James shrugged. "He's older than I am. But he was a Prefect in my First Year. Made our lives a living hell. Our First Year wasn't so bad since his wife...or rather at the time, fiancée, was with him as a distraction. But Narcissa's a year older than Lucy & once she left...well, I think the most detentions any of us got was during our Third Year at Hogwarts."

"Bet you were glad to be rid of him then."

James laughed. "There will always be someone to annoy you. Some people more than others."

"I doubt anyone can annoy me as much as Malfoy," Harry said. "Draco I mean. Unless maybe Snape. He's a horrid teacher."

James sighed & put his cup on the table. "Sorry about that. It's my fault."

"How so?"

"You're my son," James said simply. "Snape & I hated each other since we first met on the train. Some people you just can't get along with. It happens."

"Dad," Harry also put his cup aside. "What was that about? On the stairs a few weeks ago when you grabbed me."

"Snape once told me back in school that I would never amount to anything," James said. "But I proved him wrong. I became one of the best Aurors of our day at the same time as having a family. Not many Aurors settle down in times of war."

Harry knew he wasn't exactly being lied to, but something was off. "You said 'Look at his eyes.' What did that mean?"

James stared at him, thinking hard. "You're mother is impure. Snape once called her a mudblood."

"HE WHAT?" Harry was livid.

"Don't worry," James raised a hand to silence Harry. "I made him pay quite dearly for that."

"He cal—how—I can't bel—" Harry spluttered.

James smiled softly. "Yet something like her rose in ranks by marrying into a powerful family like ours & you have her eyes. I was just proving him wrong. Again." It was partly true, though there was still something left out. But Harry didn't catch on. Yet.

"Draco Malfoy called me a mudblood for the first time the other day."

"Really? What did you do?"

"Kicked him between the legs."

James nearly died from laughing. "You've got the Black temper just like the rest of us."

"It isn't even true," Harry muttered, picking up his tea again. "I'm a half blood."

"It doesn't always matter," James shrugged.

"He's usually picking on Hermione about that," Harry went on.

"I'm not surprised, coming from Lucy's kid," James shrugged. They quickly finished their tea in silence. James put his cup on the table. "So, how are you weathering the newspapers?"

"What do you mean?" Harry asked. James merely looked at him. Harry looked at the floor. "About you? I...well, nearly everyone is talking about it."

"I know."

"It wasn't too bad at first," Harry went on. "I guess it was a bit shocking to all but...Rita's article really blew everything out of proportion."

"Rita is always like that," said James. "Most people get over her articles very quickly. There are people who believe her though, but most don't."

"I hope she gets fired."

"No, her stories sell,' James said. "That won't happen."

"She shouldn't have written about you!"

"Probably true," James said. "But she did."

"How are you handling it then?" Harry asked.

"Just get through it one day at a time," James answered. "By late spring or so, they'll have something worth talking about."

"What's that?"

"Orion."

"They're waiting for spring to send him to the Dementors?"

"No, that'll be at the start of summer."

"SUMMER?!" Harry shrieked. "But why? Why not now?"

"Sirius, really," James said. "The Ministry really screwed him over & they're scared of doing something like that ever again. Did you know Sirius never even got a trial back then?"

"Yeah."

"With Orion," James went on. "He is going to go through a series of mini trials. Right now, Sirius is charging him with all the abuse he went through when he was growing up. Orion used to punish his boys with Crucio."

"I know."

"I think Remus has something to put on him to," James added. "Anyway, that will be happening in the next few weeks. Then it's Christmas & New Years. Then in mid-February, it'll be my turn since I have the most charges against him, so it will take a while. That story above all others will make headlines again so be prepared."

"I can't wait for the summer headline," Harry said.

James smiled. "Neither can I." He moved to the couch & sat down. After a slight hesitation, Harry joined him.

James was soon telling Harry all about being a Marauder. How they had figured Remus out. What it was like growing up & raising him. They eventually moved to family issues & Harry learned more about his Grandparents than he ever thought possible. James seemed to know exactly what Harry had been wanting to ask for years. The subject soon turned to Lily (though James left out any association with Snape) & how James had tried to befriend her since day one.

About two hours later, the door opened, letting in the Wolfstar team. They stopped & stared in bemusement as both James & Harry suddenly broke off laughing at something from the interruption.

"So how many times did you two have sex today?" James got straight (or ...not so straight) to the point.

Remus clicked at him. "Not yet."

"Oh let's see," Sirius began. "Shut up! That grates my nerves." He jabbed Remus in the ribs (Remus now clicked at him as Harry & James tried to keep from laughing.) before answering, "We re-christened the Three Broomsticks. REMUS I'LL KILL YOU!" Remus finally stopped, while the other two continued laughing. Sirius ignored them as he finished. "Honeydukes ...twice. Dervish & Bangs. Then we moved to Hogwarts & started with the Viaduct."

"We did nothing of the sort," Remus scoffed, aghast. "Why am I married to you anyway?"

"You love me."

"Oh right," Remus shook his head. "We did talk about doing such things though."

"With you, there isn't much talk going on," Sirius teased with a wink. Remus flushed in the face a little.

Harry smacked James on the arm. "Dad, why did you ask them?"

"What? It's the only thing they know."

"Is not!" Sirius & Remus defended.

"Remus knows about Dark Arts," Harry pointed out.

Remus smiled seductively. "Oh I can teach you a thing or two about Da—"

"SOOOOO uh," James cut him off as Harry glared in horror. "It's getting dark." He shoved Harry a little. "I TOLD you it's all they know." Harry rolled his eyes.

Still snickering, Sirius nodded at Harry. "It's getting late. I'll take you back."

Harry pouted a bit but they were right. He got up & grabbed the cloak while Sirius held the door open. As they were leaving, Remus purred out, "But do hurry back ...Mr. Lupin."

Harry gagged as Sirius winked at Remus. "I like the sound of that."

"Harry, don't leave me alone with them," James begged.

"Uh uh!" Harry shook his head. "I'm not staying here. Sorry." James glared indignantly as Sirius shut the door on him & led Harry back to Hogsmeade.

Remus laughed softly, then turned to James. "So," he came to the couch & sat down. "How did that go?"

"I never thought I'd get to be with Harry like that," James said.

"You'll be having a lot more time like that," said Remus. He slowly reached out & took James's hands into his own. "It's safe now." James looked away, "Prongs, what's wrong?"

"Is it really safe now?"

"Orion's in Azkaban," Remus tried, slightly confused.

James finally looked up at him. "So? Who cares? Doesn't mean a thing does it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well Remus," James began. "Azkaban is not the almighty impenetrable fortress we were led to believe, now is it?" Remus remained silent, studying James as he went on. "Just 'cause someone's in there doesn't mean they'll stay there."

"You resent Sirius for proving the world wrong by breaking out, don't you?"

"I," James gasped. It sounded awful the way Remus had put it. "Ray, I'm glad he's out of there."

"I know," Remus pulled up their hands to his chest. "Believe me, I know! But it's understandable how something like that can break one's trust. Azkaban is a mighty fortress. Orion is under top security."

"So was Sirius."

"But you know how Sirius did it," Remus went on. "You're one of the few that do. Did you ever see—oh!" Remus released James's hands & stood up, looking away.

"See what?" James asked. It was clear that Remus was flustered & embarrassed at something.

"Forget it," Remus smiled too quickly. "I nearly asked a very stupid ques—just forget it."

James passed a hand through his hair. "You were going to ask if I ever saw a Spirit tattoo on Orion's body?"

"Oh Jim!" Remus grumbled. "I said forget it!" He went to the table & put both hands on the edge, then crouched down. "Oh Merlin, help," He muttered to himself under breath.

"Moony," James called to him. "Moony, it was a legitimate question. But no, I never saw one."

Remus stayed by the table but looked up at James. "Please kill me. You're a Black after all. It's in your nature."

James smiled softly for a moment. "I'll think about it."

Remus slowly made his way over & sat down again, yet he somehow managed to appear as if he was sitting on a different couch as he kept his distance from James. "I am so sorry. Aww man do I feel stupid right now."

"Would you relax?" James ordered with a short laugh. Remus couldn't look at James, so he cast his gaze to the ceiling. James watched him for a moment before asking, "Ray, where's Paris?"

"Where she usually is," Remus shrugged. "In the barns at Hogwarts. She was happy to see me when I suddenly returned after years away to take over the Dark Arts class."

"I thought you were going to race her?"

"Who helped me train her?" Remus suddenly looked pointedly at James. "Who did I think got you killed? Too many memories involved with that, a lot of them I thought were bad at the time."

"You never went to Azkaban to see him?"

"I tried once, but never made it up the stairs," Remus answered. "How I hated him! But right now, I've been going to Azkaban at least once a week."

"What? Why?"

"For the exact same reason that Sirius escaped," Remus said. "Sirius got out because of illegal Animagic. So I'm watching for that trick again. I check up on Orion."

"Remus!"

"I didn't want to tell you," Remus pressed on. "But since you're worrying about it," he finally managed to look at James. "I have you covered."

A long awkward moment passed between them. James finally broke the silence. "How ...how is it?"

"I've been told the Dementors are sticking to him even more closely than what they did to Sirius," Remus said. "On top of it, Orion is also chained to his cell. He can only move from one wall to another but he can't come forward to the bars. Most prisoners are free to move about in their cells & even within floors at certain times of the day. Sirius could. But not Orion. He's quite a mess. Every time I see him, he just lies on the floor muttering."

"Do you know what he says?"

"Sometimes stuff about Regulus," Remus said. "Voldemort once. You know, odds & ends like that. He'll have to be revived a bit for his trials starting in a few days."

James was silent a moment before asking. "Does he ...say my name?" Remus took his time, but finally nodded slowly. "I can't wait for summer, Moony."

"It'll come soon enough," Remus noticed that James was close to tears & decided to ease out of the topic. "I went to Sirius's cell last week."

"You did?"

"First & probably only time," Remus shrugged. "It's one floor above Orion's & off to the far right. It's amazing we have him back with his mind intact. It's a unique cell now. Standing empty."

"How is that unique?"

"Sirius used sharp chunks of damaged bits of the fortress that are lying around everywhere & scratched into the walls," Remus said. "There are stick figures of stags & dogs. One wall is unfortunately dedicated to dead rats but it can't be helped."

"I wish I knew how Peter was doing," said James.

"He's in America with his tribe," said Remus. James stared at him. "Sirius is letting me talk to him now."

"Do you think he'd talk to me?"

"Maybe someday," said Remus. "But not yet. We know why, but what you did was terrible. He needs time to recover."

"If only I had known back then what I knew now," James said. "Everything would have been so different."

"Better late than never, right?" Remus finally moved in a little & took hold of James's hands again. "We're almost at the end. Then perhaps, we can all live properly again."

"Perhaps," James said, looking down at their hands. Would anything ever be proper with him again? "Ray," he went on softly. "can I go with you next time?"

Remus stared at him, aghast at the question. The last thing he wanted was to have James anywhere near Orion, even if it was Azkaban & he knew Sirius would fill his quota of murders in a hurry if that happened. Fortunately, Remus was spared any sort of answer by Sirius returning at that moment.

Sirius flipped himself over the couch & landed between them. "So, how are my two favorite guys in the whole wide universe?"

Remus & James stared at him. James scoffed. "Yeah right."

Sirius pouted. "Ok how're my least favorites then? Happy?"

Remus stood up. "I think I'll clear up the table."

"I think I'll help you," James stood up as well.

Sirius was left alone on the couch. "Was it something I said?"