WOW so what a year it's been guys. I must apologise profusely for allowing all of my fics to stagnate like I have. Unfortunately due to work commitments I am about to disappear yet again but hopefully if I come across Wi-Fi I'll be able to post. I have been playing around with this fic for ages and have finally decided not just to re-write it but to create a series.

For those of you who follow the original, I will post what I have but will not continue writing for it. When I reach the same point with this series as I have with the original I'll delete it and just carry on with these fics. This is the first chapter of the new 'books' and I have the second chapter almost ready to go for posting hopefully at the end of the week. after that i'm afraid I'll be flying by the seat of my pants. The plot hasn't changed much, i'm just gonna be adding in loads of new info so that the story flows better.

Whew! that was a long AN. So all that's left is for me to wish you guys a Happy New Year and I hope you enjoy this new chapter!

In the Light of The Dark

How to Raise Wolves

Chapter One - The Cost of War

The dark-haired man felt his heart hammering in his chest as he approached what was left of the cottage. The cottage in which he had spent numerous happy days, filled with laughter and love and friends. He didn't want to believe it. He couldn't. A vicious curse slipped past his lips as he strode up the garden path. It was too quiet inside. Murderous thoughts were starting to stir by the time he was in touching distance of the door. He was going to squeeze the life out of that traitorous rat who had dared call himself their friend. Right after he had throttled Dumbledore. He gave the door a shove and dropped to his knees as brown lifeless eyes gazed back at him. James.

"Prongs?" He whispered, nudging his friend's shoulder, hoping beyond hope that it was anything but what it looked like. He cast a finite achieving the same results (which were none). His best friend was dead. A choked breath stuttered out of him and he brushed his hand over his friend's face, closing his eyes. He glanced at the stairs and squared his shoulders, knowing that he had to check. Even if it was a small chance, he had to check.

He took the stairs two at a time, a hasty Lumos lighting his path, and pushed open the door to the nursery. As he had expected, Lily was in the same state as her husband, appearing as though she had thrown herself in front of Harry's cot. He repeated the process he had done with James, casting a finite before moving to close her eyes. He took a breath, steeling himself for the next one. For Harry. He peered into the cot brushed his hand over Harry's forehead, frowning at the oozing cut before piecing together what his eyes were telling him. The dead don't bleed. Harry was alive. The air rushed out of him and he felt his knees fail, landing him beside the cot; his eyes drinking in the sight of little Harry's chest moving up and down between the bars. Shaking himself to his senses, he stood up and reached out to squeeze Harry's shoulder, soon locking on to the pair of bright green eyes, his ministrations had rewarded him.

"Hey there Prongslet." He whispered, his voice instantly soothing away the frown that had appeared on the baby's forehead. "I'm going to grab your bag and then you're coming with me for a while okay?" He knew that the one year old was unlikely to understand him but, holding a one-sided conversation with Harry was drawing his mind away from the horrors that the rest of the cottage had subjected him to. He picked up Harry's nappy bag from the corner of the room, brushing off as much debris and dust as he could, before filling it with spare clothes from the drawers and as many nappies as he could find in the room. A trio of stuffed animals entered the bag (thank merlin for lily's expanding charms, he thought), followed by Harry's favourite blanket (the red one James had bought that had been embroidered with golden snitches), and he quickly ran downstairs and raided the cupboard for milk formula and a couple of bottles.

By the time he had made it back to the nursery Harry had started to get fussy and was stood up in his cot, reaching his hand out to Lily and open and closing his fist. Sirius quickly slung the bag onto his shoulder and picked Harry up, wrapping him in his bedding to protect him from the chill that had started to permeate the air. He held his precious cargo close to his shoulder as he made his way back through the cottage and out of the door. He had almost reached his motorbike when a shout from across the square alerted him to the fact that he was now not alone.

"Sirius, I 'spected I'd find yeh here." Hagrid said as soon as he'd reached him. The half giant was dabbing his eyes with a large orange handkerchief and had his pink umbrella held tightly in his hand.

"They're dead." Sirius struggled out, a feeling of hollowness starting to well up inside his stomach. "I'm taking Harry to mine and Remus's place."

"Ah." Hagrid got out. "Thought that mighta' been the case, but he has an Aunt you see an' Dumbledore insisted." Sirius felt anger was over him and he cut the half giant off.

"Dumbledore can take a walk, he's my godson and he's coming with me." The half giant looked as though he was going to concede before he straightened himself out and drew himself up to his full height (an impressive 9ft).

"Now look Black I don't want to turn this inta an argument however Dumbledore insisted and Harry needs ta'be checked by Poppy." Hagrid placed a hand on his shoulder and Sirius felt something wash over him. He nodded absently and handed Harry over, placing a light sleeping charm on him, with a muttered 'I suppose you are right'. Hagrid nodded and took the child, who looked simply tiny in his arms and Sirius found himself offering the half giant his motorbike. Ten minutes after Hagrid had left Sirius was cursing up a storm, livid and more than a little hysterical. He growled and apparated to the one place where he knew he could get help.

O_o_O_o_O

Remus Lupin was a strong man. A survivor. He had survived the bite that had infected him with lycanthropy, he had survived seven years at Hogwarts and so far, he had survived the wizarding war against Voldemort. Yes, Remus Lupin was a strong man however, when Sirius showed up on their doorstep, covered in dust and debris; Harry's nappy bag on his shoulder and a look of complete devastation on his high-born features, Remus Lupin felt his body go weak. He slumped against the wall in their hallway and his legs gave out from under him, only for Sirius to catch his fall, steadying him as he tried to hold back the wolf that had reared up under his skin.

"Moony." Sirius said softly; lowering them to the floor gently and gripping his pack-mate's shoulder. He called Moony again when he received no answer and amber eyes flicked to his, narrowing as the wolf attempted to assess whether he was a threat. "Moony you have to focus. Harry is alive and is heading for Hogwarts and Dumbledore as we speak." The amber dimmed momentarily as Remus registered his friend's words.

"Harry's alive?" He asked, his eyes holding so much hope that Sirius felt his gut churn.

"Yes, but we need to fetch him from Dumbledore. I was going to bring him here but Hagrid…" Sirius trailed off and Remus, now somewhat in control over Moony prompted him to continue. "I need a drink." Remus nodded, and he pushed himself up from where he'd still been slumped against the wall. The pair made their way into the living room of their apartment and Remus poured two large tumblers of Firewhiskey, bringing them and the bottle over to the table.

"I suppose it's too much to hope… James?" He whispered the question, sitting down at the side of Sirius, who shook his head, determined to keep it together. "Lily?" Another shake of the head and the werewolf felt a mixture of guilt, anger and grief churn in his gut.

"They tried to save him. It looked like Lily literally threw herself in front of him."

"But cub is alive?" Remus asked, sniffing the air. "I can smell him." Sirius sighed and bent forward, covering his face with his hands and breathing deeply.

"Merlin Remus this is my fault. If they hadn't been so determined to change secret keeper. If I hadn't insisted that the… Rat was a less likely target." The weight of the situation seemed to crash down on the pair of them; what they had lost and who had been responsible. Peter had sold them out to Voldemort. Peter was the rat in the order. Peter betrayed them. James and Lily were dead. A shudder passed through Sirius and Remus could tell that he was supressing tears. He wrapped an arm around his friend and pulled him close, Sirius's arms automatically threading around his waist.

"We need to keep it together Pads." He whispered, even then his heart aching at the thought of having to be strong. "We need to get Harry before Dumbledore hides him away somewhere we can't follow."

"Hagrid said something about Petunia."

"Merlin Sirius, we have to go now." Remus growled, passing Sirius one of the drinks, knocking back his own in one and noting Sirius do the same. He practically dragged his friend to the cupboard in the hall and threw on a leather jacket.

They made their way to the steps of their apartment and Remus apparated them straight to Privet Drive, disillusioning them both and pulling them into the shadows, as he caught a familiar scent. He erected a privacy ward around the two of them and explained to Sirius the reality of the relationship between Lily and her sister. "She can't be trusted Pads." He growled. "She hates anything to do with magic. Harry cannot and will not be raised here."

A familiar sound above their heads caught their instant attention, and they watched Sirius's bike land. Remus (or Moony, for Sirius wasn't quite sure who was in control); growled as they observed the conversation between Dumbledore, McGonagall and Hagrid. They both caught Dumbledore's not-so-subtle wandwork as he cast compulsions upon their favourite professor and the half giant and Sirius knew instantly how he'd ended up handing Harry over to the gamekeeper.

Ten minutes later and the street was once again silent and empty. Sirius felt fury in his stomach and he rounded on his pack-mate.

"That's it?" He hissed. "A notice-me-not, a sleeping charm and a blanket?" He'll freeze to death!" Remus, for once found himself in charge and grabbed hold of Sirius's shoulder, growling out a 'focus Pads', before steering them both towards number four. Sirius scooped up his godson and within minutes they were back home and tucking Harry into a transfigured cot in the sitting room.

O_o_O_o_O

Sirius was pacing. Like properly pacing. He knew that the Black male only did that when he was having thoughts he didn't like. He suspected he knew what his mate was thinking, and those suspicions were proven correct when a hissed-out string of expletives left Sirius's mouth, punctuated with 'sneaking rat', 'interfering old coot' and 'sherry sodden fraud'.

"You can't go after Peter." Remus stated, causing Sirius to momentarily pause his pacing to glare at him. He was soon back wearing a hole in the carpet and Remus sighed. "You definitely can't go after Dumbledore, and Trelawney has been spewing out bogus prophecies for at least four decades."

"Thank you for your astute observations Remus." Sirius snapped. "As if I didn't know that already." Moony growled at the challenge in Padfoot's voice before Remus thoroughly quashed his wolf.

"So, what can you do?" He asked, knowing Sirius had got the hint when a wince passed over his features.

"I can't go back there." He snarled out, turning to face the window so that he could hide his expression.

"I'm not talking about them." Remus stressed. "I'm talking about him."

"We'd be handing Harry over to the Dark Lord." Sirius hissed, finally facing his mate, his features full of fury.

"Perhaps, perhaps not." Remus pointed out. "He made you heir for a reason."

"Stop talking in riddles." Sirius growled.

"Arcturus Black knew which path you were taking Sirius." Remus stressed. "He knew you weren't going to follow the family, yet he made you heir after you left your parents anyway. He could have disowned you there and then, but he didn't."

"That old snake has a reason for everything he does." Sirius growled. "I trust him about as much as I trust Dumbledore."

"Your grandfather didn't interview a sherry sodden seer with questionable abilities. Your grandfather isn't playing some huge game that we have yet to even begin unravelling. Your grandfather didn't get James and Lily killed last night." Remus said, knowing that he was getting through to his mate. They'd managed to steal about two hours sleep since they'd rescued Harry, curled up together in bed, their limbs entangled, and their dreams filled with death. They knew the conversation of their developing relationship would come sooner rather than later but they didn't want to think about it right now.

"What about Frank and Alice?" Sirius asked, desperately attempting to find a way out of the situation Remus was suggesting.

"They are in as much danger now as James and Lily were. More if any of the death eaters find out that Harry defeated Voldemort."

"You are certain that's what happened?"

"As certain as I can be." Remus said with a shrug. "By your description of the cottage, Harry's cut registering the darkest magic I've ever seen and the wording of the prophecy, I am certain he's at least currently out of action for a while. Re-joining your family would be the smart thing to do Pads. It will give you the political leverage to go after both Pettigrew and Dumbledore, and if the dark lord does return just maybe it will provide Harry with a modicum of protection. Think about it, the baby that is destined to defeat you, does so, then when you finally get back on your feet, you find out that the child is now in your reach, in your possession, on your side of the war. You are now potentially in a position, stronger than the one you would have been in before your defeat. The child can now stand with you rather than against, or at least, an understanding can be made to not take up arms against each other."

"I don't like it." Sirius grumbled.

"Neither do I. Not fully at least. But it's the best I've got and if you have anything else, now would be the time."

"We run to Australia and don't come back?" Sirius said hopefully.

"Not a chance." The werewolf snorted.

"Fine then." The Black dropped down onto the settee with a huge sigh. "But as soon as Harry is awake, I'm going to get the Longbottoms. We're not doing this alone and Frank has Black blood."

"Augusta is going to be thrilled." Remus said with a wolfish grin, his eyes flashing amber and Sirius couldn't help but huff out a laugh.

O_o_O_o_O

"Alice, take Neville upstairs and run!" Frank shouted, unknowingly echoing James Potter's words, the night previous. "The wards are coming down, I'll hold them off for as long as I can!" There was a crack as two figures appeared at either side of the Longbottom Lord and if he hadn't had the full confidence in the wards only letting friends through, he would have cursed them into oblivion. The man was the picture of fury with a wand and the pair of marauders each received a sharp stinging hex for scaring two decades off his life.

"Merlin's balls Frank." Sirius muttered, rubbing his shoulder where Frank's hex had hit. "Was there any need?" Sirius held his hands up and grinned at Frank's answering growl before another shudder in the wards brought them back to reality. "How many?" He asked, switching into Auror mode.

"Four; two at the front two at the back, no anti transport wards yet, obviously," He growled shooting them another glare. "but it won't be long before they realise that we are awake." Alice had slowly made her way down to where the trio stood; baby Neville in her arms.

"Where is your mother?" Remus asked, his eyes already amber and his wolf stirring for a fight.

"She had business with Minerva this morning…" Before Frank could finish a wolf was bursting out of Remus's wand. He instructed the Patronus to send a message to Augusta before taking Alice by the arm and apparating her and Neville out of the manor, returning a moment later to Sirius's side.

"Do you want to fight them or are we keeping this to a rescue?" Remus asked impatiently. Frank shot a look at the window where his wards were starting to glow under the heavy spell fire before seemingly making his mind up.

"The house is not worth any of us getting hurt, let's get out of here." Sirius grabbed his arm and soon the three of them appeared in the sitting room of the Doghouse, facing a white-faced Alice who was sitting on the settee staring at Harry's cot.

"Why do you have Harry?" She whispered, fearing that she already knew the answer. Sirius walked over to the cot and lifted his godson into his arms as Remus sighed and took a seat next to her.

"You aren't going to like this." The werewolf replied softly, and Frank blanched as he began to understand why the two marauders had turned up in their Yorkshire manor.

O_o_O_o_O

Augusta lifted her teacup and took another sip as she attempted to analyse her friend's words. Something didn't add up she decided. Why; if Sirius and Alice had been named godparents had Dumbledore insisted that Harry went to his Aunt's? Underneath her calm exterior she was fuming. With a child as powerful as Harry; Occlumency would have to be taught well before the age of eleven. His core was still growing and would potentially be damaged because of accidental magic. Not to mention that he was heir to the Potter house, if not the Black house as well. To have denied the child his heritage was a crime all to itself.

"You say that you watched them?" She asked, her lips thinned as she tried to get to the bottom of why her friend had gone through with the crazy old man's scheme.

"Yes, the worst sort of muggles!" Minerva answered her Scottish brogue full of righteous anger. "I saw their child kick his mother all the way up their drive because they didn't let him have sweets!"

"Then what makes you think that Harry Potter will be best placed in their care?"

"Dumbledore said…"

"I don't give a damn about Dumbledore Minerva!" Augusta growled, her nostrils flaring in a rare show of temper. "Why do you think that he's safe there?" The transfiguration professor narrowed her eyes, first at the Longbottom matriarch's tone then further when she tried to work out why she had agreed with Dumbledore.

"I don't know." She said, puzzled.

"I worry about you up here with that old coot. I wouldn't put it past him to have a loose wand around you. Some of the decisions the people have been making under his leadership are at best questionable and at worst criminal." She held up her hand to stall Minerva's oncoming denial and started to give her friend some examples. "If I didn't trust Remus Lupin to be discreet, the choice to spy on the werewolf packs in mainland Europe could have been an international and political nightmare. I also don't understand why Sirius would just give up his godson to Hagrid. He's heir to an ancient and noble house, he knows his rights as a godfather. Then there is your decision to leave a powerful, magical child with muggles, without question and at a danger to said child. Minerva something is going on that I don't like, and I will get to the bottom of it." The Scot sat back with a sigh of defeat and rubbed at her temples, accepting another cup of tea, which Augusta pushed into her hands.

"I want to deny it Augusta." She said quietly, ignoring the woman's inelegant snort. "But leaving Harry with muggles doesn't sound like something I could agree to, whether Albus insisted or not. The Sirius Black situation also appears to be unusual, but I don't understand how this could possibly point to what you are suggesting."

"Admit it Minerva." Augusta almost snapped, getting up from her chair to stalk in front of the fire. "You are suspicious." Whatever answer Minerva was going to give was cut off by a Patronus. The wolf took form upon the large rug and stared at Augusta before Remus's voice floated out.

"Deatheaters attacked the Arboretum. Everyone safe at the Doghouse. Bring Minerva." It faded away and Augusta succeeded in pulling herself together sharply in the face of the news of an attack on the Longbottom estate.

"You heard it Minnie." She breezed, already beginning to pull on her outerwear. "Get your cloak, we're taking a trip to Oxford."

O_o_O_o_O

The Doghouse; as it was so quaintly named by one Lily Potter, was found on St. Thomas Street in the heart of the historic city of Oxford. Remus had salivated at the thought of living so close to the college and Sirius had been insistent that they didn't skimp on the price when looking for a place between them. A spacious two bed apartment with a decent size kitchen/diner and a cosy sitting room had become the perfect bachelor pad for the two canines of the marauders. The night life wasn't awful, much to Sirius's delight (and Remus's chagrin), and the delightfully muggle backdrop ensured that they were well hidden from the eyes of the wizarding world. They had made their home here quite comfortably, and if one of the bedrooms was rarely used well… who was to know?

Augusta landed them very neatly on the door step, having side-along apparated Minerva as soon as they had cleared the castle wards. Not even bothering to knock on the door, the Longbottom matriarch led her friend into the apartment and greeted her family, checking over the three of them for signs of injury. Alice promptly handed Neville over to his grandmother and wrapped her arms around her husband, drawing comfort from him. Remus and Sirius soon appeared from the kitchen carrying a tea tray and six cups and Minerva rounded on them, nostrils flaring as her temper worked its way to the surface.

"I assume you have answers Black, and I assume you are going to be forthcoming, otherwise you may return me to Hogwarts without delay." Minerva growled, and even Augusta winced at her sharp, unforgiving tone. Here were two men who had lost everything but each other the night before, and their respected friend looked as though she was going to chew them out for breaking curfew.

"Professor…" Remus started, placing the tea tray on the table and hovering in front of Harry's cot, protectively. "Please sit down, we have information for you, and answers. We'll let Sirius make some tea and we'll discuss this calmly." Minerva nodded stiffly as she took a seat in one of the armchairs, glaring at Sirius as he started to pour the tea. The Longbottoms retook their own seats; Neville being handed back to his mother and Remus maintained his position in front of Harry. Minerva found herself glancing at the cot behind Remus and the werewolf shifted nervously before gathering himself and drawing back his shoulders. Gone was the mild-mannered, gentle man and in his place was someone who looked as though they were about to enter battle with a deadly foe. "You might not like what we have to say, but I please ask that you wait and hear everything before chewing us out." He said; lifting Harry out of the cot and handing him to their old head of house. As she drank in the sight of the baby, Remus sat down at the side of her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "I need to check your mindscape Minnie." He said gently.

"Why?" She snapped and glared at Augusta when she snorted rather inelegantly from the other side of the room.

"I'd have thought that was obvious." Her friend drawled, taking a sip of her tea with an appreciative nod to Sirius. "They think Dumbledore has been at your memories."

"Albus would never…"

"For merlin's sake Minerva we had this conversation not half an hour ago!" The other witch exclaimed exasperatedly. "You were about to admit to me that your actions have been somewhat questionable as of these last 48 hours. Let Remus look at your mindscape. If he's wrong, then I give you personal permission to chew all of us out. If we're right, then you can sit here and listen to what these two have to say for themselves and we can work together going forwards." Minerva seemed to war with herself before giving Remus a sharp nod. The werewolf blew out a sigh of relief and lifted Harry out of her arms, passing him to Sirius.

"I'll be as gentle as I can however, if there is anything wrong in there I'm going to need to try and fix it."

"There will be headache relievers waiting for both of you afterwards." Sirius supplied with a smile and a nod to their professor. She took a deep breath and indicated that she was ready, and Remus easily and gently slipped into her mind.

O_o_O_o_O

"I want answers Black and I want them now." Minerva growled as she paced in front of the large windows in the living room. Remus's ministrations had taken longer than they had expected and as soon as he'd withdrawn from her mind she had dashed to the bathroom to relieve herself of her lunch. A stomach settler, a headache potion and two cups of strong tea later and she realised that she may need something a little stronger. Her mind was going a mile a minute and there were a lot of memories that needed sorting through. In short; she wanted to wring the scrawny neck of one Albus Dumbledore.

"Last night, as you know;" Sirius started, playing mother and pouring more tea as he spoke; Harry having been placed back into his cot, amid the drama. "I went to see Peter. I'd had a feeling in my stomach all day and felt the need to check on both him and the cottage." He sat back heavily in his chair, crossing his legs and sipping his tea, his face a mask of carefully constructed arrogance. Augusta could see however, the pain, guilt and anger in his face and she was certain that her friend hadn't missed it either. "When he wasn't where he was supposed to be, I went straight to the cottage. I was too late." And there was the underlying pain she thought as a look swept over his face. "I retrieved Harry, shocked beyond measure but eternally grateful to find him alive and was going to bring him here."

"Hagrid stopped you." Minerva stated, rather than asked.

"He told me that Dumbledore insisted that Harry was to go with him. I of course refused as I am his godfather and Harry belongs with me. I was then informed that Dumbledore planned for him to go to his aunt's and I again refused. I don't know what happened exactly, but I know the feel of a compulsion and by the time I'd shaken it off, Hagrid was well away with Harry and my motorbike."

"Hagrid can't cast compulsions." Minerva said with a frown.

"No, he can't." Remus agreed. "However, compulsions can be woven into any object that the caster desires and can be of any nature. They can also be tied to a word or a trigger and can also be timed."

"That is very advanced magic Mr Lupin."

"Exactly." Sirius answered for his pack-mate. "By the time I got back here Dumbledore must have already been on the move with Harry, as we got to Privet Drive just in time to watch your exchange and Dumbledore casting something on both yourself and Hagrid a compulsion or an obliviate I couldn't tell. As soon as the street was empty we collected Harry and brought him here, where he's done nothing but sleep and eat for the last few hours. As soon as he had been fed this morning we went to collect Frank and Alice, knowing that they were in the same position as Lily and James, due to the prophecy."

"They got us out just before the wards fell." Frank said with a nod. "Scared years off me by apparating straight into the house though. I thought one of the 'eaters had gotten through."

"We apologised," Sirius said with a whine. "and there was still no need to hex us."

"So what happens now?" Augusta asked. "Are we to hide here?"

"For now." Remus replied with a nod. "At least until things have died down somewhat. At most it will be a couple of weeks."

"I hope you understand the gravity of the situation you have both landed yourselves in by taking Harry." Minerva said dangerously. "Dumbledore would have erected at least some wards around Privet Drive and he will know that Harry is no longer there."

"I can promise you that there are no wards around Petunia's." Remus replied. "I would have felt them as soon as we entered the boundary."

"Are you quite sure?" Augusta was frowning, this situation was becoming increasingly dire. Her anger at the Hogwarts headmaster was growing with every new piece of information and she knew that Sirius and Remus would not have missed the fact that the Potter heir had been left on a muggle doorstep with no protection from the larger wizarding world.

"I'm positive. I wouldn't be wrong about something like this. There was no protection around that house. Dumbledore will never know that we took Harry."

"What are you planning?" Frank asked.

"We plan to move the Dursleys to safety as soon as possible." Sirius answered. "We can convince them that the war is starting to spill over into their world and once they are set up with a new life, out from under Dumbledore's nose we will burn Privet drive to the ground and leave evidence that they; including Harry were still in the house. A blood adoption of Harry will soon have Hogwarts records wiped clean of a Potter and we will 'adopt' a child into the Black family, naming him after our best friend's son."

"You're faking his death?" Minerva asked, her face ashen and her eyes wide.

"It's that or leave the country." Sirius snapped. He stood up and started to pace in front of Harry's cot, his face filled with anger. "What else can we do Minerva? We knew that Dumbledore was behind the change of secret keeper, hell we even suspect that he was behind the information being leaked to Voldemort. I can't even believe that Lily and James were fighting for the right reasons anymore, all because that manipulative bastard has had his wand in too many people's memories and actions." Remus was up from his seat as soon as he sensed his mate cracking and the young Black wasted no time in wrapping his arms around the werewolf and letting his anger and grief out onto his shoulder.

"There is obviously information that we have that you do not." Remus said quietly, rubbing his hand up and down his mate's back and addressing the whole room. "I propose that we leave a little time for tempers to cool before revisiting this subject. Harry and Neville are safe, unless anyone in this room plans on changing that fact, and we have the bare bones of a plan in place. Staying in England is not just our preferred option, at the minute it's our only one. Running away will solve none of our problems and could potentially create a whole lot of new ones. Let's give it a couple of days to think on our next moves before taking any action. Does that sound agreeable?" He extracted nods from the three Longbottoms and Minerva before pulling back from Sirius and asking the same of him. The subsequent relief was palpable at the young man's nod and discussions turned to the immediate future.

"I will have to return to Hogwarts before I am missed." Minerva said pursing her lips at the thought of having to deal with the headmaster. "Albus will hear nothing of any of this from me, and I will be by tomorrow to check on Harry."

"You are always welcome Minerva." Remus said gently, he and Sirius returning to their previous seats. "Our door is always open, and you have our gratitude for your part to keep us safe." Minerva nodded and stood up to leave, summoning her cloak. "You may want to spend an hour or two sorting through your memories this evening, but if there is anything you need from us, we doubt we will find much sleep tonight, so please feel free to drop in. At any time." The Hogwarts mistress nodded her thanks and disapparated from the flat with a small pop.

"We want you to stay here." Sirius stated turning to Frank and Alice. "The Arboretum is not safe for you and we have a spare room. Augusta can use ours for now and we'll take the settees in here."

"We will be kicking no one out of their rooms." Alice said quietly. "Frank and I can sleep in here."

"Nonsense." Remus responded, shaking his head. "You won't be kicking either of us out of anywhere, and we want to be here to watch over Harry." The last part was whispered, absentmindedly, and with a wistful gaze towards Harry's cot, where the child was sleeping peacefully, blissfully unaware of the muted chaos and grief surrounding him.

"We should all be together after what has happened." Sirius added quietly. "I don't think either of us could imagine what it would do to us if anything came of you."

"Then it's settled." Augusta said with a definitive nod, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "We will gratefully accept your offer of hospitality until we have a complete plan of what comes next." Remus and Sirius blew out two identical sighs of relief and the Firewhiskey soon made an appearance, with toasts made to Lily and James who had been claimed by the war at far to young an age, like so many others.

Please let me know what you think of the new chapter in the comments section! I know many of you enjoyed the original fic so I'm interested to see what you think!

P.S. Yes Minnie will be involved from the start with this fic. I wanted to explore her friendship with Augusta and was playing around with a one-shot that ended up in this chapter instead.

Happy New Year once again everyone and Best Wishes to all!

Lots of love, Kiad