Author's Note

Please forgive any spelling and/or grammar errors. I hope you enjoy it, please let me know what you think!

PS I'm not J. K. Rowling, so I don't own anything :(

Chapter 9: Surprise

Roxy, Dom, Rose and Lily were at the Three Broomsticks. Dom and Roxy had taken the afternoon off, and Lily wasn't set to head to work for another hour. Thankfully. Rose had come home for her mum's birthday, and had gotten to stay and work at the Ministry for an extra two weeks as a liaison, more like secretarial assistant, since the Ambassador was in town too.

Mostly, however, it was simply a convenient excuse to get some wedding planning done. Which is what they'd spent most of the day doing. Or at least trying to.

Rose couldn't make up her mind about anything. Not her dress. Not the bridesmaid dresses. Not the colors. Not even where she wanted to have the wedding. Roxy was so fed up with the lack of progress, that she had dragged all the girls out for a drink and begun grilling Rosie on what she did know for sure about twenty minutes earlier.

So far, they'd not made much progress.

"I think we've finally decided on August. Or maybe next September," Rose sighed. The disappointment she was steadily trying to hide could be seen a mile away. She'd never been known for having much of a poker face.

"That's insane," Lily blurted, the words slipping out unbidden, though she didn't regret them. Someone needed to say it.

"Yes, I know it might be tight -"

"No, I meant, you want a spring wedding. Not fall. I remember you always saying you wanted to someday get married in the spring when everything is coming to life all around you - symbolism, or something like that," Lily said pointedly, giving Rose an expectant look that demanded she explain herself.

"New beginnings," Roxy supplied, having heard it enough times herself. And yes, now that she'd said it, Lily realized that was the phrase Rose had so often used.

"You remember that?" Rose gasped, clearly startled, though Lily didn't know why. They weren't like her dad. Unlike Uncle Ron, they listened when people talked to them.

Plus, they'd always been rather close given their parents' lasting friendship. It was why no one had been surprised Rose asked Lily to be her Maid of Honor - despite the rather obvious conflict of interest.

"'Course I do," Lily said dryly.

"So do I," Dom inserted loudly, backing Lily up even if she didn't know quite where Lily was headed with her protests.

"Well, there certainly isn't time to plan it, and I don't really care for the idea of waiting more than a year," Rose said briskly, pressing her lips into a thin line to stem the sadness and regret threatening to overshadow her face and reveal her true feelings on the subject.

Lily could guess that she was just thrilled to be marrying the man of her dreams. So much so, the rest didn't matter. They were just details, and she could bring herself to sacrifice them if it meant getting to be with Scor forever.

"What do you mean there's not time?" Roxy demanded, tossing her slinky-like dark curls over her shoulder. If ever there was a Weasley determined to prove anyone that dared suggest something was impossible wrong, it was Roxy. She had her father's spirit and her mum's ferocity.

"March is only six months away!" Rose said, huffing and rolling her eyes in exasperation before busying herself by taking a drink of her gillywater.

"You have a giant family, Rosie. Use us," Lily recommended, reaching for her cousin's hand. Squeezing it as a demonstration of her sincerity.

"Yeah, we could each take a couple tasks. We'd have it sorted in no time," Dom agreed, shrugging nonchalantly.

"You'd do that for me?" Rose asked, completely overwhelmed by their generosity and willingness to make her dreams come true.

"In a heartbeat," Lily vowed, grinning at her cousin. It was hard to believe she'd ever not been completely thrilled for her cousin. Amazing how new love could alter a perspective so thoroughly.

"Oh, Lily!" Rose exclaimed, throwing herself on Lily and embracing her in a smothering hug.

"We're family. That's the sort of thing you do for family," Lily gasped, struggling to breathe through the mass of bushy orange-red hair covering her mouth.

"Oi! It was my suggestion," Dom huffed, put out with Lily getting all the credit.

"Yes, yes, I know. You've no idea what a relief it is to know you're all on board with this," Rose said, looking around at each of the three girls in turn.

"I'm happy for you both," Lily said, adding, "the whole family is."

"Then it's decided. You'll marry this coming March," Roxy announced, lifting her glass in a toast.

"I can't wait to tell Scor. He's been saying -"

"Lily!" Teddy exclaimed, hauling her clear off her stool as he appeared suddenly behind her, having pushed his way through the nearby patrons to reach her.

Lily blinked, her jaw falling open as she was smothered for the second time in as many minutes. Solid arms wrapped around her, holding her in a steel embrace that was familiar and welcome, no matter that she'd not expected to see him at all today. Not with him finishing the latest edition of the Quibbler.

His embrace tightened, threatening to cut off her air supply, but he didn't release her. Was he trembling? And why was he out of breath?

Startled by his unprecedented appearance and reaction, Lily wonderingly gasped, "Teddy, what are you doing here? What in Merlin's name is going on?"

She frowned as he came into view. His hair was a dull, ash brown and his eyes were the exact shade of glacial blue that Lily had seen in old photos of Remus Lupin. The biggest surprise, however, was his chin. It was far narrower than she'd ever seen before. It reminded her of someone, but she couldn't quite put her finger on - oh.

He had the same chin as both Draco and Scor. It must have been inherited from his Black relatives. Lily had never known that he morphed it to be more square and strong.

Ordinarily, he left most of his features as is, having no need or desire to change them. Why would he? He was gorgeous as is.

The fact that he suddenly looked completely ordinary, for the first time that she could remember, scared her. Something must have happened. Something awful. But what could be worse than his Gran and fiancee dying? Because those events hadn't zapped him of his abilities before, and he had no reason to try and blend in, so she knew this wasn't deliberate. Particularly after his reaction upon seeing her here.

"'Scuse us," he muttered, ignoring the shocked looks they were receiving from her cousins as he dragged her some distance away to where there were fewer people and it was quieter. Lily went willingly, worried about what had clearly upset her boyfriend.

"Teddy, what is it? Talk to me, please. You're freaking me out here," Lily said, needing answers.

"I've been searching everywhere for you. I was so scared, you've no idea how much. Your flat, mine, our house, Grimmauld Place. I even tried -"

"Goodness, what's so urgent?" she cut in, alarmed by the lengths he'd gone to to find her.

"I thought I'd be too late - again," he said, voice breaking on the last word. Demons shone from his eyes, their razor talons swiping out to snag her and drag her down to hell. "All afternoon I've feared the worst."

"Too late for what?" she breathed, afraid to hear the answer. "What did you think was wrong?"

His only response was to kiss her, pulling her tight against his chest. Lily felt like he was pulling her inside himself, trying to burrow her in to keep safe. When he finally broke the kiss, they were both gasping. She glanced over her shoulder, and was relieved to not be able to spot her cousins from where they were. The last thing they needed was word getting round before they could break the news the next night.

"Has anything out of the ordinary happened today?" he demanded, running his hands over her arms as though still verifying she was really there.

"You mean aside from this?" Lily asked slowly, feeling her brow furrow as she studied him. A feverish gleam seemed to be lighting his eyes, a manic glint that had her pressing a palm reassuringly to his face.

"Yes," he said quickly, but leaned into her touch.

"Then, no," she said, waiting for him to explain what this was all about.

"This arrived for me today," he rasped, pulling a letter from an inside pocket of his robes and handing it over.

It took her reading through it three times before the words fully sunk in. He'd received a death threat, and she was the target. A threat from the same man that had repeatedly ruined his life, taking nearly every person he cared about away from him.

Lily's heart went out to him for the sheer terror he must be experiencing at that moment. She was actually a bit shocked he was even functioning and semi coherent after reading what the note said.

It was easier to focus on him than it was to process how she was feeling. She'd been threatened at least a dozen times over the years, more, because of who her father was. But none had ever gotten close enough to try and do her any real harm. Lily knew it would be different with Greyback.

These weren't just empty words to scare them. Greyback had already proven that he meant it when he made threats. Victorie and Mrs. Tonks could attest to it.

Part of Lily hated the werewolf for his cockiness. Playing with his supper. That's what this was. This twisted game of cat-and-mouse. He was completely warped. Maybe this would finally draw him out and they could arrest him. Put him behind bars where he belonged. Hopefully.

The idea almost made her long for the Dementors to still be guarding Azkaban. Greyback deserved to spend the rest of his life at their mercy. Too bad Minister Shaklebolt had done away with them, believing they could no longer be trusted. Though, perhaps that was for the best. The creatures were right foul beasts.

"Well that's certainly cheeky of him - fashioning himself a fairy tale villain," Lily said blandly, passing the letter back to Teddy.

"You're awfully calm about all this," Teddy said gruffly, likely worried she'd disregard the severity as Victorie had. But Lily was not her cousin, and Harry had instilled a healthy dose of fear in her over the years.

"Better than panicking. Easier to stay rational and make smarter choices," she explained. He nodded, closing his eyes and cupping her cheeks, clearly terrified of losing her as he bent to rest his forehead against hers. "Have you told Dad yet?"

He was edgy and tense as he forced out a strangled reply, "No. I didn't actually think of doing that. Not even when I stopped by Grimmauld Place. All I knew was that I had to find you. I was terrified I'd be too late. That he'd already have attacked you. That I'd -"

Definitely only semi coherent. If she'd been in his place, she'd likely be just as much of a mess.

"I'm right here. He hasn't touched me. He probably just wanted to make you squirm for a bit, like last time," Lily said gently, reminding him how Greyback had sent a note that time too, then waited a few weeks to strike.

"Lily," he moaned, squeezing his eyes shut tightly, sick at the idea of this being drawn out like that. Living under a cloud of fear had a devastating and deteriorating effect on people. Neither of them particularly wished to experience it.

Lily thought about the situation for a solid minute, assessing every possibility before she spoke again.

"My shift is about to start. Do you want me to call off, and we can go tell Dad now?" she offered, knowing the razor thin edge he must be walking.

He seemed to relax substantially. Teddy studied her, knowing how much she'd hate calling off, but grateful to know she was taking this seriously. Harry had the experience and training to deal with this sort of situation. He'd be able to help and put the proper precautions in place.

"Do you mind?" he checked, not wanting to force her into a decision she'd resent him for later, but wanting her as safe as possible.

"Let's go," she breathed, taking his hand to head outside.

It was after six, and without the war, people only worked normal hours at the Ministry, so they headed straight to Grimmauld Place using Side-Along Apparation. Lily was still adjusting to feeling her insides expand when she noticed Teddy's frown. The house was dark and locked up tight. They let themselves in, but the place was clearly empty for the evening.

"Did they say anything to you about going out tonight?" Lily asked, knowing Teddy had seen them earlier in the week. "Or did you talk to them when you tried the house earlier?"

"Shite. They were still at work when I came by, and it completely slipped my mind with everything else that happened. They're at the Holyhead Quidditch match tonight," he growled, dismayed and annoyed. "I was barely thinking when I searched the place earlier."

"Oh," Lily said, wondering if they should try there or send an owl. It seemed a waste to sit around waiting -

Teddy surprised her by stating, "St. Mungo's is full of people. Security guards too. You'll probably be safer there than waiting here with just me for protection. Go on. We can tell him at dinner tomorrow when we tell him about us."

"Are you sure?" Lily ventured, having been thinking practically the same thing, but not wanting to stress him out unnecessarily by suggesting it.

"You're still working a double, right?"

"Yes," she answered, promising, "I'll come straight here after my shift ends, and not leave during by breaks. But what about you?"

"He's not after me. Apparently, he just wants to see me suffering," Teddy grumbled angrily.

"Teddy," Lily said sadly, going up on her toes to kiss him. It was sweet and soft. A press of love and support and understanding.

"Mind if I accompany you to work?" he asked sheepishly, half smiling as he recognized his own paranoia in that moment.

"Not at all," she replied truthfully. Better to be safe than sorry.

Lily hated working the night shifts. They were almost always slow and quiet. She was a Healer because she enjoyed the chaos. Ordinarily, she was asleep at night, and without the regular stimulation to occupy her mind that came with the day shift, she was exhausted by the time her first shift ended.

That night's shift had been even more brutal than any other she could recall. Without patients to focus on, all she could do was worry about Greyback. Fear and doubt and paranoia played on a constant loop. Every noise had her jumping out of her skin, and twice she'd shrieked when a shadow flickered. It was almost as though she actually expected him, known fugitive that he was, to stroll into the very public hospital just to kill her.

She was being ridiculous, but she couldn't help herself. Part of her insisted he would. That doing so had been his plan all along - insane as it sounded.

It was to the point that her boss told her to just go home after her morning rounds were finished, and that she'd get someone else to cover her for the day.

Her dad was already at work by then, so she'd just owled Teddy to have him meet her at the Ministry when he finished mailing out the October edition of the Quibbler, and she'd head straight there. No point risking going home for the day where there was potentially a trap waiting for her as there had been for Victorie. Plus, that way they could tell Harry each piece of news together. They'd probably both feel better once they had.

Scuttling feet sounded behind Lily, and she spun, her wand out and pointing before she'd taken a second to think it over. The witch she aimed at gasped, frightened.

Lily felt her tense jaw relax, her spell dying on her lips as she took in the witch not much older than herself. She was still clad in her pajamas and holding an umbrella aloft while performing some sort of tap dance on the floor in her house slippers.

"What happened?" Lily asked, studying her for clues. Was it a cursed umbrella, or something else? Sometimes new cases were difficult to judge by appearances alone.

"It's raining outside - if you didn't know. I went out to fetch the morning post, and my daughter did her first magic. We watched the Muggle show Singing in the Rain yesterday, and I can't make it stop," the witch wailed, sounding completely exhausted as her feet shuffled about, performing a complex move that had the witch panting rapidly.

"Have you already been checked in?"

"Every time I try to approach the Welcome Witch, I end up going down a different hallway in the opposite direction," she gasped, wilting despite her prancing toes.

Lily tried not to laugh, it really wasn't funny, but it was a welcome relief after the long, tense night she'd had. This was exactly why she enjoyed this type of work.

"Why don't you step in here, and I'll try to get you sorted," Lily suggested, gesturing towards one of her last three stops that morning before she was done.

The room was already occupied, but she doubted the old woman would mind a bit of company. Mrs. Cooper had been paging Lily on and off all night just to have someone to talk to since she wasn't sleeping well. Lily suspected the older woman was lonely. No family had come to see her in the week she'd been a resident of St. Mungo's.

"Thank you. Could you find my daughter as well? We got separated in the reception area," the woman said worriedly. "I know she's here, I just can't track her down on my own right yet, and her father had already left for work when this all happened."

"How considerate you've turned out to be, Little Red. I could do with dessert once I'm finished with you," a male voice said casually from her left, almost amused. "Seeing as I've already had an appetizer - grisly and stringy as it was."

Lily froze just inside the room, turning to stare at the horror spread out before her. Blood pooled on the floor beneath Mrs. Cooper's bed, a dark, spreading puddle like spilled scarlet ink. Spray splattered the walls and ceiling as well, ruby red drops rained down from above, and Mrs. Cooper's arm looked as though someone had been gnawing on it. Pink muscle, coated in red, glistened from the fresh wounds, as well as hints of yellow tissue and white bone peeking out from the depths.

Of course he was there. Greyback. Hadn't she subconsciously known all night that he'd come for her as soon as he possibly could - regardless of where she was? The timing of events was simply too perfect for this not to have all been planned out in advance.

He was ready to play. Eleven years was a long time to wait.

With horror, Lily saw his bloodied claws lash out at her.

I don't normally beg for reviews, but I stayed up most of last night to finish this, and the next chapter in each of my other fics since today is my birthday (my present to anyone reading). If you feel up to taking a moment to let me know what you think, I'd consider it the greatest birthday present ever! Thanks :)