Part 68

Blaise Zabini sat in silence and looked out at the grounds outside of his window. Like he had done many times before. This time however things were different. As the moon shone down on him, it would be full in a couple of days, he felt more alone than he ever had before. Parkel and the other house elves were in the room keeping him company, but he still felt all alone. It had not been his idea to come here. He had not planned on it but when Remus had that breakdown… when he had woken up screaming Jemima had told Blaise to go… just for a bit. However Blaise had been too afraid to return. He had not known where to go until he had seen his two rings and had fled back to Zabini manor. When he had walked through the empty mansion he had realized that it had not changed much, barely at all. It had after all never truly been a home. He would just spend time in his room until his mother felt she had a need for him. Then he would go back there again and stay out of sight and out of mind. He could not remember ever playing out in the big entrance hall with its slippery floors, like other kids surely would have. He couldn't remember doing anything other children did when growing up. Then again most other children did not live with a mother who constantly married and murdered various partners. Blaise sighed again.

"Young Master, are you feeling well?" Parkel asked.

"Yes Parkel", Blaise replied.

"It is not goods to lies Young Master", Yrsel whispered.

"If you say so."

"Young Masters wants some chocolaties?" Puppu asked.

"Or milky?" Pippi asked. Blaise turned to the four of them and smiled softly.

"I'm fine", he told them. "Really."

"Young Master looks sad", Yrsel whispered.

"Yrsel, Young Master just lost one of his wolfies", Pippi whispered.

"Not just a wolf Pippi", Blaise said. "I lost my dad."

"And this times Young Master feels it", Puppu asked and Blaise nodded. "We's sorry."

"I know Puppu… thank you."

"Why is Young Master here and not with his other father?" Parkel asked.

"My pack leader told me to leave", Blaise whispered. The memory of Jemima growling "leave" so fiercely played in his mind and Blaise shuddered. He'd taken some floo-powder and had hight-tailed it to Zabini-Manor. He understood that Jemima blamed him, he blamed himself. He'd told Remus and Dorian to protect Harry with everything they got and they had… and Dorian had died. Blaise should have been there too, to help. He could have pretended to be just another member of their pack and could have turned into a wolf and helped Dorian protect Harry. Maybe if he did Dorian would still have been alive. Two werewolves against one witch… that would have worked. Harry would have been saved, Dorian would have been alive and Voldemort would still have been just a little creep trying to get his powers back… not a full-fledge Dark Lord… in the flesh. Blaise squeezed his eyes shut tightly and gripped the Walkman tightly. He put the headphones on and started the songs he had been given by Richard, husband number 5. The song that he had been playing over and over rang through his ears again. It had been a weird coincidence that the first song Blaise ever heard Dorian sing, and the werewolf's favourite, had been Richard's favourite as well.

"Like a bridge over troubled water", echoed through his ears as Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel sang their hearts out at a live performance. Blaise had sat by Richard's side at the piano when he played and sang it and had watched Dorian belt it from the back of a horse during a performance last summer when Remus and Blaise had been watching. Blaise squeezed his eyes tightly shut as the tears started to fall. He tried to fight the sobs, but it did not work for long. Soon the sobs fought their ways out of his mouth and chest. His sobs were so forceful it hurt, he had found that he did not only sob for Dorian though. For the first time in his life did he actually feel something when a loss hit him and he found that he also grieved the father he had never known, Aron and Richard. Four fathers where he could only remember three of them… and only two of them recently. His mother had stolen those treasured memories from him and now that he had gotten them back… they hurt so much. He felt tiny, rough hands rub his arm softly. He put one of his hands on top of them, knowing it was Parkel. Parkel turned to the others and gave Yrsel a look. Yrsel nodded and with a small pop she disappeared.

Harry had spent the afternoon and evening with his parents and Sirius. The grownups asked him questions about the last week and Harry finally fully let go. He cried, screamed and ranted about how unfair this whole ordeal was. He had never asked to join the tournament and he was still forced to compete. Because of that Dorian, an innocent man and a muggle, had died. To protect Harry he had died. He had promised to look after Harry and by doing so he had died. He had left them… and he had left Remus and Blaise. Harry talked about how it was unfair to both of them and how it was all his fault. When he said that Lily intervened.

"Harry", she said firmly as she hugged her son close, letting him cry into her shoulder. "This is not your fault. You didn't put your name in the goblet, you didn't turn the cup into a portkey and you never asked for Dorian to sacrifice himself to keep you alive. Dorian is… was a very good man. He knew that either only you made it out of there or you both died. He decided to make sure you lived. He decided to give you a chance. You are just a child and Dorian… Dorian was a man. He had lived a full life… and a happy life I believe. I am sure there were tragedies in his life as well, but he never let that stop him. Everything in life happens for a reason. I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them and we help them in return." She sighed. "Dorian gave us two of the greatest gifts ever…"

"He gave Moony back to us", James added and rubbed Harry's hair gently. "And later he made sure you made it home. About what your mother said… about people coming into our lives for a reason? Well, I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know you are here today because we knew Dorian. If we had never met him…" James sighed. "Moony would still be absent in our lives, Blaise would not be a werewolf but trapped in the torturous existence his mother put him in, you… you would be dead and the rest of us would be out there murdering every person we thought was responsible. Losing Dorian has been… is difficult and hard and it hurts."

"Will it always hurt like this?" Harry sniffled. "Losing someone you care about?"

"The pain will get easier to bear", Sirius said and reached over and placed a hand on Harry's knee. "And when you have friends and family around you… it helps."

"Blaise and Moony won't let me…"

"What do you mean?"

"Blaise stopped replying to my letters. Moony as well."

The grownups looked at each other and Lily was about to reply when their fireplace burst into life and Peter Pettigrew tumbled out onto the floor.

"Pete!" James and Sirius exclaimed.

"Is he here!?" Peter squeaked. "Is he safe!"

"Who?" Lily asked as Peter was helped to his feet by James and Sirius.

"The boy", Peter squeaked and looked around. "I was sure he'd be here!"

"Harry's here", Sirius soothed. "He's safe."

"No, not Harry! I… I mean it's good that Harry is safe but I was talking about Blaise!" Harry sat up straight.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Blaise left the circus and now we can't find him!" Peter squeaked. "Moony… Moony was very upset and Jemima entered the tent and… and… Blaise tried to help and… and Jemima shouted at him… because… because it was dangerous and Blaise ran off. I fell off his shoulder when he ran and hit my head on a rock and passed out. When I woke up the whole camp was in disarray because no one could find him! We've been looking for him for days but we can't find him! We've checked with all his friends… not that they know it and even Hogwarts, but no one there has seen him and none of our friends and contacts have seen him either! We even contacted Boris and Krum but they had not seen him and then it hit me! Blaise must have come here! To Harry!"

"He's not here Pete", Sirius said softly. "You mean to say that… that the kid is out there?" he pointed at the window. "All alone?"

"Yes! Please! Please Padfoot, we must find him! Please help me find him! Moony's been going crazy! He doesn't sleep, he doesn't eat or drink! He's going crazy looking for him!"

"Not to sound rude but can't they… sniff him out?" James asked. "I mean Sirius used that trick when playing hide and seek with Harry when he was little."

"Blaise used the floo…" Peter whispered. "He snuck into one of the tents and used the floo. We tracked him to Diagon Alley… then he used another floo but so many wizards uses that one so we can't figure out where he went! He's just… he's just gone!"

Harry looked up as his father got up.

"Sirius", he said firmly. "We are going to the Ministry."

"What?" Lily asked. "Why?!"

"All young wizards have that trace to make sure they don't use magic outside of school", James replied. "We will find Blaise's and find his location."

"James we're not allowed to do that", Sirius said soothingly. "Only Fudge is."

"Well screw that! The man owes us and he better cough it up now!" James grabbed his wand. "Come along Pad-"

He got no further before the fireplace roared into life again and Jay stepped out. His eyes were stormy, his hair standing on end and his clothes were dirty. He had obviously not changed them for days.

"J-Jay?" Peter squeaked.

"Some blasted house-elf just kidnapped Remy", Jay growled.

"WHAT!?" everyone shouted.

"She appeared out of nowhere!" Jay shouted and the room seemed to darken and he himself seemed to grow. "She grabbed Remus by the arm and they vanished! Someone is sending their elves out to kidnap members of the pack! You!" He turned to James. "You work for the Ministry right?"

"We're Aurors", James said, feeling a bit scared actually. The man's eyes were hard and filled with anger.

"Can you find out who owns that fecking elf!?"

"If we get a name we can go to the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures", Sirius soothed and then nearly squeaked when Jay turned his burning gaze on him and growled. "I know you don't like it but… but they can help. Besides… Amos Diggory owes you. His son is alive today because of Dorian. If he won't listen to us… we'll find someone who does."

"Fine", Jay spat and grabbed Sirius by the arm. "But I'm coming with you." With that Sirius, James and Jay disappeared. Peter sank down in a chair and Lily hugged Harry close.

"Will Blaise be okay mum?" Harry whispered.

"Yes", Lily said with conviction. "He has your father, godfather, the pack and Remus looking for him and I do believe I know what elf took him."

"You do?" Harry asked and Lily nodded and got up. She walked over to the fireplace.

"I am pretty sure… it was one of the elves from Zabini Manor." She picked up some floo-powder.

"You're going there mum?" Harry asked and hurried over. She stepped into the fireplace.

"Zabini Manor!" she called and threw the powder down. Nothing happened. Harry and Peter blinked. "It is as I suspected…"

"What?" Harry and Peter asked.

"I am pretty sure the elves there want to protect Blaise. They made the manor un-plottable."

"But… doesn't that mean we can't find it?" Harry whispered fearfully and Lily nodded. "But… but you think that elf took Moony there?" his mother nodded again. "So… that might be good?"

"Yes", she said and sat down next to him with a sigh again. "I think all we can do now is wait." Harry sighed. He hated waiting… period.

"Oh pup", Remus said as he sat down next to Blaise and hugged the now sleeping boy close to him. He caressed his arm softly and pressed him tightly to his chest.

"Young Master is very sad", Parkel said and Remus nodded at the oldest elf.

"He lost his father just as he finally found him", he replied.

"The Master has been dead a long time…"

"Wrong choice of words on my part I'm afraid. He lost his dad."

"Yes… the wolf." Parkel looked at Remus. "But you are still here right?"

"Of course. When I found out that my pup had left the circus I felt a surge of panic. I've only known Blaise for little over a year… nearly two, but still." He looked at the boy. "This is my pup. I believe he misunderstood what our pack-leader meant when they shouted for Blaise to leave. He didn't want Blaise to see us fight…"

"You fought your alpha?"

"Not physically… I was… upset and lost in grief. I was… lost in a snow landscape and I had completely lost my way. I ignored everything around me. Including my pup… and my other charges. Jemima found me. I could feel someone staring at me and lifted my head and saw a white wolf in the snow. It looked at me… urged me, howled in greeting, but… I turned away. I did not feel as if I had a place amongst the wolves anymore. I just wanted it all to end… it all seemed hopeless. That's when I heard Jemima's voice in my head… mixed… mixed with Dorian's… They… it… they… they said: 'Let me tell you something Remus, a dog cannot make this journey alone. But maybe, a wolf can.' That's when I remembered… I was not some whimpering little dog. I was a wolf. A wolf with a pack that needed me, a family that was depending on me… and a husband who will always be with me." He looked at his wedding ring. "I'm a wolf, a friend, a brother, a husband… but above all else… I'm an uncle and a dad. I have two young men who needs me, I cannot turn away now." He looked at Blaise and smiled. He took off his cloak and wrapped it around Blaise.

"D-dad?" the young man whispered as he stirred.

"Hey pup", Remus soothed. Blaise rubbed his eyes and looked around.

"H-how did you find me?" he asked.

"I didn't. I tried to… I looked, and looked, and looked, and looked, but I couldn't find you… not without help." He turned his head to look at the elves. The little house elves all, except Parkel, blushed. Blaise looked at them as well.

"Young Master hurts", Yrsel whispered. "We not likes it."

"No." "Nu uh." "Nope." The other replied. Blaise smiled softly at them.

"Thank you", he whispered. Parkel bowed and ushered the other elves out, leaving the two wolves to talk. Blaise leaned into his dad's embrace and sniffled. Remus squeezed him tightly to him.

"I'm sorry dad", Blaise whispered.

"I'm sorry too pup."

"Do… dad died because of me."

"No, no, no", Remus said and placed his hands on Blaise's cheeks, making him look at him. "Dorian died because he was a Slytherdor at heart."

"A what?" Blaise asked.

"Your dad was both a Slytherin and a Gryffindor. Come to think of it… he was most likely a 'Puff." Blaise sniffled and nodded. "My point is… that he was a very brave and kind man. He wanted to make sure Harry survived because he knows that so many people love Harry… and his son does so especially." Blaise blushed. "I'm sorry Dorian is gone Blaise… and I'm sorry my actions made you run away."

"I… I heard what you said to the elves", Blaise whispered. "I remember the snowstorm… I saw it. Our whole tent was filled with snow. Then… then Jemima told me to get out… Jemima blamed me."

"No, no, no", Remus soothed. "Jemima wanted to make sure you were safe. My magic was being beyond chaotic and… you were in danger. Jemima panicked and shouted at you to make you go outside."

"The pack will hate me for running away."

"They will be happy to see you. Everyone has been looking. Jem might give both of us a round with her broom though. Yrsel did not give me much warning or notice before popping in shouting: 'Yrsel must takes you to Master!' and then we were here."

"S-she didn't tell the others where you were going?"

"No. She only cared about getting me to you as soon as she could."

"Those house elves… they really care for me."

"They do… so much that they made this manor… un-plottable to keep you safe."

"WHAT!?" Blaise asked. "But… but… that means…"

"No one can find us… unless you want them to."

Blaise looked out at the grounds. Of course he wanted everyone to find him! But… having a place no one could find could be very practical now that Voldemort as back. They could be safe here… a safe house.

"I want them to find me", he whispered. "But not the manor. This will be the pack's… and our family's safe house." Remus smiled and kissed the top of his head. "Dad… can you promise… can you promise not to leave me behind again?"

"I will do you one better", Remus said and got up, pulling Blaise with him. "I saw the sun begin to dim and felt that winter wind blow cold." He made sure to tie the cloak string around Blaise so that the cloak would not fall off. "A man learns who is there for him when the glitter fades and the walls won't hold. 'Cause from then, rubble what remains can only be what's true.

If all was lost there's more I gained… 'Cause it led me back to you. From now on these eyes will not be blinded by the lights. From now on what's waited 'til tomorrow starts tonight.

Let this promise in me start like an anthem in my heart. From now on… From now on… For years and years I chased their cheers. The crazy speed of always needing more, but when I stop and see you here… I remember who all this was for." He gestured for the window and the world outside. It was all for his pups. All of them. "And from now on, these eyes will not be blinded by the lights. From now on what's waited 'til tomorrow starts tonight. It starts tonight! And let this promise in me start like an anthem in my heart! From now on… From now on…"

"And we will come back home?" Blaise asked.

"And we will come back home", Remus replied. "Home, again!"

"From now on these eyes will not be blinded by the lights!" Blaise agreed and hugged his dad. "From now on! What's waited 'til tomorrow starts tonight! It starts tonight! Let this promise in me start! Like an anthem in my heart! From now on… From now on... we will come back home."

Remus smiled and the two of them left the room and headed for the nearest fireplace. They had to go home.

"What happened!?" Harry asked in shock as his father and godfather arrived home, without Jay.

"Um… Jay got held back", Sirius said. "He um… overturned Amos' desk and called him out on his bullshit."

"Amos did not appreciate it", James added. "He put silver shackles on Jay and led him off to Azkaban to face trial tomorrow." He sighed. "Damn…" He sat down.

"Did you figure out what elf it was?" Peter asked. James nodded and Sirius ran a hand through his hair.

"The elf belongs to Blaise Zabini", he replied.

"So… Blaise sent her?" Harry asked.

"Yes…"

"Then why did Jay lose his cool?"

"Because Amos refused to tell us where Zabini manor is."

"Because he probably couldn't?" Lily asked.

"He said the location does not exist", Sirius replied. "The place is un-plottable. When we asked for him to call the elf in for questioning he refused. He said…"

"Losing two werewolves to a place no one can find and enter is perfect", James grumbled. "Saves him the time it takes for throwing them both behind bars to keep the world safe. 'Keep those beasts locked up in a cage of their own choosing if they won't respect ours.'"

"Amos said that!?" Lily exclaimed. "Has he no shame!?"

"Clearly no-wah!" Sirius jumped away from the fireplace when green flames came at him. He brushed his robes off and then noticed the two people who'd stepped through the flames.

"BLAISE!" Harry screamed happily and jumped over the coffee-table to wrap his arms firmly around his boyfriend. Hugging him tightly to him. Blaise blushed a little and hugged him back. Remus took a step back and smiled softly. Peter ran over to him and hugged him and Remus hugged him back, chuckling softly. Peter moved back, blushing and then Lily took his place and hugged Remus. Sirius and James grinned and joined the hug.

"I missed you", Harry whispered to Blaise.

"I missed you too… sorry I stopped replying to your letters", Blaise replied. "I was…"

"I understand. But you're here now and that's all that matter."

"Yes… but we need to go back to the pack."

"Oh right the pack!" Sirius said. "Uh Moony."

"What?" Remus asked.

"We have a slight… uh… tiny… um… problem."

"What?" Remus asked again.

"Weeeeeell when you got taken Jay stormed over here to look for you."

"Uh huh."

"Then we went to um Amos Diggory to try and find you."

"Yes, go on."

"Jay kind of lost his temper."

"Continue", Remus said, but his eyebrows had climbed up so hight the disappeared underneath his fringe. Blaise also looked at Sirius with big eyes and his mouth hanging open.

"So you see… uh… he kind of… um… James?"

"What he tries to say Moony is that", James began. "Well… um… well you see…"

"Jay got arrested and was sent to Azkaban to await his trial in the morning", Lily cut in when it became clear to her that her husband would never spit it out. Remus and Blaise stared at each other; Blaise who was still hugging Harry turned to his dad.

"Well… shite", he said.

"My point exactly", Remus said. "Shit."

TBC