Claire was awake, but didn't want to admit it. They day before had been uniquely busy and yet completely joyous occasion, but this morning she was feeling the effects of the alcohol, dancing and food. She attempted to open her eyes and locate the sound of rustling at the edge of the room. With a groan, she forced herself to sit upright and blink away the haze. "Remus?" She called, rubbing the thick sleep from her eyes. She found him buttoning up the top buttons of his shirt, the look on his face worried her.

"Your father-" He started, tucking the shirt into place. "He knows I stayed the night in here." Claire sank back into the pillow and for a moment hid her face. She threw her arms to the side in exasperation.

"How do you..." She stammered.

"He slid a note under your door." He held up a hand to silence the interruption he saw coming. "Yes, the room was silenced. He just... knew." He shrugged. Claire swallowed, confused and nauseated from her hangover. Remus however, looked exceptionally grim. "He ask me to have breakfast with him. To leave you asleep."

"Remus, you're acting as if someone has died!" She said, knowing it was a bit over dramatic. Remus sighed and moved over to the side of the bed where she lay, and he kissed her temple.

"I love you, Claire Potter." He said quietly. "I have to go. Sleep more, you'll feel better." Claire nodded and fell back onto her pillows and turned away from the light pouring in her large window. He stopped on his way out and looked at where she was curled up and he smiled sadly. "Je serai de retour avant que vous savez." He called back to her ans he left the room.


Remus splashed water in his face and brushed his hair back before descending the long staircase. Charlus was waiting at the garden table, which was set as if he were hosting the Royal Family for breakfast. He smiled in a friendly sort of way, gesturing for the young man to have a seat across from him. "Good morning, Remus. I, ah, trust you slept well?" The young werewolf's face turned deep red, and the older wizard chuckled. "Now now, my boy. Have a seat. I was nineteen once too, you know."

"Thank you, sir." Remus said, his eyes low, not sure what was about to happen. Charlus, who seemed to be in a pleasant enough mood, though very proper. It wasn't the same demeanor Remus knew the man for, from the many, many other meals he'd shared in the Potter home.

"Please, eat. I had the chocolate crepes made just for you." He handed a loaded plate to the young man, and then he too picked up a plate of food, and began to eat. The two made small talk, starting with Remus asking Charlus how retirement was suiting him. It was no secret how much the law firm had meant to him, though never as much as his children. Charlus watched carefully, waiting for Remus to finish his meal. When Remus laid his fork to the side, Charlus cleared his throat.

"Remus- I know you're wondering why I ask you down here. But then you're probably wondering how, in all the ciaos of yesterday's ceremony I knew you were here?" Remus nodded shyly, and Charlus waited.

"Yes, sir." He said with a quiet sputter.

"Do you love my daughter, Remus?" Charlus ask, cutting to the point.

"Very much, sir." Remus said firmly.

"Then you must agree that her safety is the most important thing, correct?" Charlus rose, and because his host had, Remus followed. The older wizard lead them out onto the front porch of the large estate, to where the grand entrance was located.

"Of course, Mr. Potter." Remus said as he followed. Charlus stopped and Remus moved around him to see what Charlus was looking at. There, on the front step, was a stag's head, freshly dismembered. There was a rag covering the animal's eyes which had written in the very blood of the stag 'BLOOD TRAITORS'. Remus covered his mouth and took a step back, but Charlus appeared to be calm. He turned to look at Remus, who'd backed against the wall, obviously upset.

"Remus, do you understand what is happening, with my family? In this war?" He walked over and laid a hand on Remus' shoulder. "I like you, Remus. And you will always be welcome in my house, but I have to do for my daughter what I canto protect her, and my son." He pointed to the stag head. "I know you recognize the stag head from James' animagus. But it is, of course, the creature upon our family crest. this stag, poor beast, is just one of many threats I've received." He sighed, guiding Remus back to the garden. Remus remained quiet, and Charlus continued to speak.

"It has been called to my attention, by others of our- shall we say cast? That if I married my daughter off for posterity, to a good name, it would back the others off." At this, Remus snapped out of his daze, rage replacing it.

"You cannot be serious!" He shouted, anger blinding him to who he was yelling at. Charlus smiled sadly.

"I am afraid I am. Which is why I must ask you to listen to me." He said. "I have a young man already, I've spoken with him. He'd do just about anything for this family." Remus felt the weight of the world on his chest. He knew exactly who Charlus had in mind. But he couldn't believe the reality he was facing. Claire was more than he ever thought he could have with someone, being the monster he was. But Claire, and the entire Potter family never batted an eye to it. The always had love for him.

"Sirius?" Remus whispered, looking at the older man. Charlus nodded.

"I woke him when one of the elves found this, it was around four this morning. We talked for a long, long time. He- was possibly less enthused about this than you, and I cannot imagine the wrath of Claire when we tell her. We have to make it look real, so they'll have to be seen out together, announcements will be made, and in maybe... Six months time, giving her a while after graduation, the wedding. Its tough, I know. But, I can spare her the pain of seeing how it has hurt you. If you go now." Remus stood for a long, long moment, then finally, he looked up. Tears rolled off his face and down his cheeks. He nodded and held a hand out, and Charlus took it to shake, and held on for a moment.

"Remus, if you need anything-" Remus nodded and pulled away, not looking back as he walked for the gates of the estate. Just outside the wards, he disapperated to his own humble flat, and fell to the floor sobbing. He felt as though his heart had been pulled from his ribs and handed to him. He beat his fists on the floor, and screamed out his pain. But then, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Moony?" Sirius said quietly, sitting down on the floor next to his friend. "Mate, you have to breath. You know you can't lose control." Sirius tried rubbing soothing circles on his friend's back. Remus was never one to lose control, but it was known to happen with extreme emotional turmoil for werewolves to change without the moon. "Come on mate, breath." He sat with Remus and tried to provide idle comfort.

"You'll- You'll be good to her, won't you?" Remus ask, after what seemed like hours.

"What kind of question is that, Remus?" Sirius said, slight offense not hidden well in his voice. Remus looked up at him, his eyes a terrifying mix of bloodshot red and lycan amber.

"Name one woman you haven't left in tears, Sirius." Remus growled. "If she's to be-" Remus stopped, bile raising to the back of his throat at the thought of his Claire being Sirius' wife. Claire hadn't wanted to get married young, just due to the pressure of war, and Remus understood. But he'd always thought that someday he would be able to marry her. "If this has to happen, you have to do it right." He finished. Sirius blinked back, his fear catching Remus' nose.

"Remus, I'll do what has to be done. I know the situation is fucked, mate. I do. I promise you, though, I solemnly swear it, mate. I'll do right by her. And you. And Prongs and Lily." Sirius chuckled in a humorless sort of way. "I can't believe this is all riding on me." Remus looked at his friend, completely broken.

"I can't either, mate." Remus said, shaking his head, "I can't either."


So, bit of a shorter chapter here, but it is getting the plot moving. I hope everyone is enjoying the story, and feels enough love to write a nice review? It would be amazing to find a nice even 20 reviews after work tomorrow! :) Anyway, much love to ALL my readers, followers and favoriters. Thanks for reading my story!