Dear Giselle,

I've only just been able to contact you and I want to say belated congratulations on Lyra's birth! The picture you sent was simply adorable and I cannot wait to meet her (hopefully in the near future!)
The newest and youngest Weasley has arrived, say hello to Ronald Bilius Weasley! We've attached a picture to the letter. He was born on the 1st of March and has the Weasley flaming red hair already but fingers crossed that I haven't given birth to another Fabian or Gideon since Fred and George are enough!
Speaking of Fred and George, they've been asking for you a lot recently and all they want to play is hide and seek, any idea what that's about?

Missing you dearly and we're hoping that you stay safe,

Molly, Arthur and the (6!) boys

Giselle smiled at the letter and the small picture of the newest Weasley child who had grown quickly throughout the past year. The longer she stared at young Ron and his waving brothers, the more she thought of her cousin and her sons. Having a son is something Giselle had thought of over the past months but she knew that with the current situations, Sirius would be hesitant to agree.

Everything had been so tense lately and everyone was unnerved. The Potters and Blacks had agreed to change their secret-keepers because the easy scare from Bartemius had put Giselle and Lily on edge. Giselle couldn't sleep knowing that her brother found her so easily and the layers of their protection were weak in her eyes. Of course, it was so obvious that the best friends were each other's secret-keeper and it would be so simple to break the wall down. They had to change and change they did.

Peter was very keen to take on the responsibility. Nobody would suspect him as he was quiet and hard to crack, they know that was sure. Having one solid man in charge of two families was a risk but they took the chance while it stood because they knew the Death Eaters would be spending too much time tracking down another secret-keeper – it was simple yet very effective. Giselle faltered at the plan as she wanted Remus to be their secret-keeper but having many against one, her view was out of the window.

"Lyra is washed and is fast asleep," Sirius announced as he entered their kitchen, his clothes slightly damp from the water fight minutes ago. Giselle shook herself out of her daze, smiled and rubbed her eyes before tidying her letter and picture away.

"Good," She yawned and Sirius joined her at the table. Giselle wrinkled her nose slightly and grabbed his hand, pulling him closer.

"Yes?" He asked and Giselle wavered.

"What would you say to us trying for another baby?" Giselle asked and Sirius' features winced. He cupped Giselle face and bit his own lip.

"I don't know, Giselle," He sighed.

"But you would love a son and Lyra would adore a baby brother. Just think about it, you could teach him all you know about causing mischief-,"

Sirius snorted and eyed her suspiciously, "That's the first time I have heard you encouraging my maraudering ways in a long time."

"-and I can teach him how to play Quidditch?" She added and Sirius laughed.

"Ouch, there goes my ego." Giselle rolled her eyes and ran her fingers through his hair, her nails lightly massaging his scalp. He closed his eyes and released a big breath.

"I don't want you to go through all of the pain again, 'Elle," He opened his eyes and frowned, "It's not worth it."

"It will be," She leant her forehead against his and bit her lip in thought, "I promise."

Sirius stared into her eyes for a long time and she could see his judgement whirring behind them. He frowned and closed the gap with his lips on her as he pecked her with passion.

"Are you sure?" He whispered and Giselle nodded. She wrapped her hands around his neck and brought him closer.

"Absolutely." She kissed him and took his breath away as her hands caressed the delicate skin below his shirt collar. Sirius laughed and stroked his hands up and down her sides.

"I didn't realise that our baby-making plan started right now," He joked and Giselle laughed, getting up out of her seat and climbing into his lap.

"No but I reckon we can practise?" She murmured and Sirius arched an eyebrow, his grey eyes a shade darker than before from desire.

"We've had so much practice, I think we're Grade-O experts by now," He growled and Giselle blushed lightly, pressing her face into the crook of his neck.

"Blimey, I've known you ten years and yet you still make me blush, Mr Black," She said and Sirius grinned from ear to ear.

"Why Mrs Black, I look forward to the blush-filled, baby-making years that are yet to arrive," He breathed but their kisses were cut off by the curt rapping at the front door. Giselle climbed off of Sirius as he told her to stay put. Grabbing his wand, Sirius opened the front door and carefully welcomed Remus into the house.

"Evening Remus," Giselle said as she sent him a warm smile whilst filling up the kettle but Remus looked anything but warm. His face was pale and skeletal, the scars more prudent than ever and his green eyes were dim and dark.

"Moony, what's wrong?" Sirius asked carefully and Remus struggled to get his words out. He cleared his throat and collapsed into the nearest chair.

"It's Marlene… She's, er, she's dead."

Giselle felt the kettle slip from her fingers and cause a loud clatter in the basin. She gripped the sides of the sink and steadied herself before she looked at the two men.

"No, she can't be…" Sirius whispered with his eyes wide and frightful. Remus rubbed his eyes and nodded. He looked older than ever sat in the kitchen chair, huddled over his own spidery hands. The wolf within him was showing and Giselle knew how dangerous things could get.

"How?" She asked, quieter than the wind and Remus swallowed all of his anger, his eyes weak and fluttering.

"She was attacked at her home, her Fidelius Charm failed and… There were bodies, lots of bodies," He croaked, looking up at the pair and Giselle covered her mouth, hoping not to bawl loudly in case Lyra woke up.

"I can't believe-,"

"Who was her secret-keeper?" Sirius asked calmly but Giselle spotted his white knuckles clenched around his wand. She stroked his hands, hoping to calm him down.

"Her sister, I think. Her body was found at Marlene's house too-,"

"There's got to be a rat on the inside, somebody we haven't seen," Sirius interrupted as he slammed his wand down on top of the table. Remus nodded and sighed, adjusting the ties of his cloak.

"I spoke to Dumbledore and he told me that nobody is to leave their homes. James is struggling to stay sane inside his house-,"

"Then why aren't you at home?" Sirius asked, his brows etched deep and Remus blinked.

"I've come here to warn you both, to see if you're safe."

"We're fine and thank you for the warning. Go home," Sirius curtly replied and Giselle frowned at his tone.

"Sirius," She warned him and Remus looked up from his hand in disbelief.

"Mate, I've just risked my life getting here."

"And we're thankful now go Remus, please." Giselle stared at Sirius and frowned, running her hands up and down his back.

"What's wrong?" She whispered into his ear and Sirius moved slightly, tilting his mouth to her ear.

"Elle, there's someone on the inside and I don't think Remus is-,"

"No, it's not Remus," She said instantly. Her eyes widened as she looked at Remus who was sat at the table, staring directly at them. Giselle knew for a fact that it wasn't Remus… It couldn't be.

"Do you know who it is?" Remus asked suddenly and Sirius narrowed his dark eyes.

"I have an idea of who it could be," He spat and Remus got to his feet, staring incredulously at his best friend.

"Merlin, you think that I'm the one who's been… that I'm the double agent… Sirius you've known me for ten years – I would never-,"

"I'm honestly having doubts about everything right now, Moony. Please, just go. I don't want to hear anything else."

Remus blinked and shook his head.

"I can't believe it; I would never betray my friends. You can trust me-,"

"I don't know whether I can anymore. This is getting out of hand and I need to look after Giselle and Lyra-,"

"I would never put any of you in danger! For crying out loud, I'm Lyra's godfather!"

"If you don't want to put any of us in danger then just piss off!" Sirius shouted and Giselle's mouth dropped open and she grabbed his hand.

"Sirius!" She whispered but he ignored her as Remus glared at him, his hands itching to hit something.

"After all we've been though, after ten fucking years of solid trust, you think I'm the spy?" He shook his head and tightened his cloak, "You're the one I should be careful of since you're James and Lily's secret-keeper, you're the one who could ruin it all in a split second."

He doesn't know. Giselle stared at Sirius, her thoughts pleading for him to tell Remus of the change in the plan but after all of these years, Sirius and Giselle still never saw eye to eye.

"Don't you fucking accuse me of anything, Remus, I swear… Get out of my house," He growled and Remus sighed. He had given up. He turned around and headed towards the front door but Giselle ran forward and grabbed his arm, making the man freeze in his steps.

"Sirius," She spoke aloud, "Sirius, we need to tell him.

"No," He said as if the mere suggestion was stupid.

"Please, he needs to know because it's not him," She turned around at stared her husband in the eye.

"We can't," He murmured and Giselle felt Remus' arm slip from beneath her fingers.

"Thanks for trying, Giselle. Besides, this could be the last time you see me since I've been sent to spy among the werewolves again and this time, who knows what could happen."

Giselle pressed her lips together tightly as they brushed Remus' cheeks, tears glistening in her eyes. She was desperate to tell him about the new secret-keeper but she couldn't, she mustn't.

"Goodbye," Remus said softly before shutting the front door behind him. All they saw was a flutter of his emerald cloak and he was gone. Giselle stared at the spot where he disappeared, her eyes wide and full of hot tears. Her bottom lip trembled as she turned around and she fell into Sirius' arms.

"We should have told him," She whispered, her tears falling down Sirius' shirt but all he could do was stare at the front door, his grey eyes brighter than before.

"We should have told him," He croaked and kissed the top of Giselle's head.


Dear Elle and Padfoot,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for Harry's birthday present! You cannot believe the excitement on his chubby face when he saw the broom and not to mention the pride on James' when Harry rode it for the first time. He's a natural, just like his father and godmother. Despite the fact he's already broken the horrid vase from Petunia (I'm not complaining) and nearly killed the cat, he's excellent on it, I'm enclosing a picture so you can see for yourself.

We had a quiet birthday tea, us three and old Bathilda Bagshot from up the road who is very fond of Harry (such a charmer, James claims he got it from him). We're incredibly sorry that you couldn't visit but Dumbledore's orders were final and Harry isn't old enough to realise what day it was anyway so don't you dare blame yourselves. James is growing a tad ratty being locked up here; especially since Dumbledore has borrowed his Invisibility Cloak but I guess it's for the best. I heard about Remus too, and I feel awful. We should have told him about the change in the plans.

I know it's stupid for me to ask but I was wondering whether Giselle could persuade Dumbledore to let you three come round? I know he's rather fond of you so it may work. I hope you are all very well, Harry has been whining about not seeing you all, especially his favourite 'Lyra' who he seems to be missing. I hate to say it but I think James is right; they're going to be joined at the hip when they grow up. Wormy visited last weekend, gosh, he's been terribly upset since Marlene died. I reckon you were right, Elle, they must have been dating or something.

Bathilda drops in most days with fascinating stories about Dumbledore. I'm not sure whether he would be pleased to hear them himself but what he doesn't know won't hurt him, but I don't know what to believe because it's incredible to think that Dumbledore could have been friends with Gellert Grindelwald considering their history. Personally, I think she's going batty; she's been reading too many children's stories too – she's claimed to have found the original copy of Beedle the Bard that holds all these unknown 'secrets'! But who knows, right?

Lots of love,

Lily.