Full time employment, the nemesis of fan-fic writers with too many hobbies but at least it pays for my wi-fi

Their trip aboard the Campania had been worse than he had anticipated. Sitting now in the dining room of the rescue ship Ciel contemplated his latest assignment. It had taken three days for them to access the Aurora Society, the organisation filled with wealthy elites trying to cheat death and almost immediately things had begun to go wrong. That stupid pose must have been an omen. On the upside Ciel had noticed considerable warming of the frosty silence between his two companions as the fight against the zombies progressed. After arrival of Knox and Grell it had been a relatively ordinary bloodbath as the zombies bit everyone in range. The zombies in turn were torn apart by Ciel's group and the two reapers. Until the ship started to sink and Undertaker decided to fight them directly. Due to his younger years Ciel was far more vulnerable to a hit from a death scythe than Sebastian who threw himself in front of his master to prevent him from being severely injured. A small, paranoid part of Ciel's brain wondered if Sebastian had planned such injurious heroics from the start since it had precipitated such a change in Luka's demeanour. Seeing Sebastian in such a state she had shunted quite a large amount of her magic into their pactio and even when they were safely ensconced in the lifeboat she continued trying to heal him. Due to her concentration the look of smug satisfaction had escaped her but it had not escaped Ciel. Now glancing to his side he could see that the demon was curled up just a little bit closer to the sleeping nephilim than was appropriate. Those two were nothing but trouble…

As their rescue vessel entered port Luka checked her phone. She'd been without signal for days and now the danger was over she was back to her feud with Sebastian.

'You have 53 new messages'

Crap. Messages from Sirius; Remus had locked himself in his flat and wasn't coming out. Remus said it would be best for everyone if they no longer had contact. Harry's worried. Dumbledore doesn't seem to care he just stares off into space when Remus' name is mentioned. And then there was a tonne from Michael and Jim. Remus had tried to eat Polly's foster children. Luka reread the last one. Fortunately it had only happened a couple of days ago, things were, hopefully, salvageable. Looking behind her she could see Sebastian and Ciel talking in a corner. Moving into the shadows Luka snuck away through a gate hoping the demons would make up an excuse on her behalf.

Exiting the gate she almost walked straight into Sirius.

"Well this is a coninci-," Luka tried to begin cheerily.

"Where the hell have you been? I've been trying to call you for days and I've been waiting outside Remus' apartment for two. What did you and that demon of yours do to him?" exploded Sirius.

Startled by the outburst Luka paused for a moment. It was clear from his appearance that Sirius had been there for days, his clothes were all crumpled, hair unkempt and the shadows had returned under his eyes. Deciding there was no way to put what she had to say nicely Luka went straight to the point.

"When I popped out for food Sebastian turned Remus into a demon,"

"What?"

"On the eve of our honeymoon,"

Pulling a hand over his face, "Please, tell me you are joking,"

"No, I wish I were but no. He's a demon. That's why he tried to keep you away-,"

"He's Remus! He's not dangerous!"

"He is. He tried to eat Polly's kids," replied Luka sadly.

"It'll destroy him. He hated being a werewolf…"

"Do you want to stay whilst I go into his flat?"

"Of course!" Sirius paused before saying tiredly, "Besides, you won't get in. I've tried every method I know,"

"He might be tapping into demonic magic without realising it,"

Walking around Sirius Luka continued to Remus' door. She could feel him inside and yes that was demonic energy mixed in with the normal barriers. Unfortunately for Remus Luka had a good deal of experience with demonic magic and her power still dwarfed his. Cancelling the barriers with the usual counter charm and dispelling Remus' demonic energy by shear force Luka opened the door. Making sure to keep Sirius behind her she moved into the room. It was a pit. Stacked pizza boxes gave a scent of cheesy decay, a couple of glasses were lying smashed by the wall as if thrown in a fit of rage and in the middle of it all was Remus. The demon fledgling was sitting curled up on the settee. Luka's inhaled sharply as she noted the blood stains around his wrists and neck. A bloodied knife lay on the floor as well as his wand. Evidently when the curses failed he'd resorted to Muggle means.

"Remus we were-," started Sirius as he burst from behind Luka only for her to scruff him.

"Stay back!" shouted Remus as scuttled along the sofa even going as far as to pull up his knees to his chest to keep the distance between himself and the human.

"Remus," repeated Sirius softly. With pitying eyes he surveyed his friend. Remus' face was pale and haggard as if after a full moon, his stubble was long from neglect and his once blue eyes were even redder than the puffed lids. What sickened his heart most were the signs of attempted suicide, surely things hadn't come to that?

"Remus we were worried, everyone is. Harry's been thinking of you constantly," said the animagus trying to edge closer despite the nephilim's iron hold.

Rather than rallied by his friend's assurance Remus looked even more pained.

"I'm sorry Sirius, tell Harry I'm alright and thinking of him too," said he trying to smile.

"Don't apologise Remus," said Luka trying to keep the feelings of guilt under control. If only she had never loved him Remus would never have been transformed into what he was now.

"You're not alright Moony and I'm not leaving here until you are," replied Sirius making another start forwards.

"Stay back! I can't control myself," sobbed Remus as his eyes blazed brighter.

"Take this. Please," said Luka as she pulled a bag of New Moon Drop from her pocket. With a click the kettle was switched on and boiling, steaming water flowing in a trail across the room to a cup likewise summoned. Telekinesis was a wonderful thing. The cup of ethereal food hovering before him Remus looked at his friend with tear filled eyes. There was no going back, he was a monster. Perhaps if Sirius saw what he now subsisted off he would understand and leave for his own protection. Snatching the cup from the air he downed the contents in one gulp, the void within him was filled… for now.

Seeing Remus' eyes return to normal Luka released Sirius. The Animagus rushed to his friend's side to embrace him in a bear hug before pulling back to remonstrate with him on his poor hygiene. Surely he knew by now the hobo look wasn't a good one? Luka looked on with a slight smile. It was good Remus had such a good friend, now they weren't on the best footing he would need Sirius more than ever. Should she leave now? She could always pop back with more tea. But that supply would only last so long… it was just a matter of time before Remus would have to hunt again.

"Luka?"

The nephilim broke out of her reverie at her husband's voice.

"Sirius was just wondering what we do now. You have more experience with demons and their habits,"

Luka sighed.

"As long as you are fed you should be safe around others as long as you keep your guard. On the subject of food I have some more New Moon Drop but not much. Whether it's now or later we'll need to think of how you'll hunt for food,"

"You can't be serious? Remus can't kill people," ejected Sirius.

"I already have," whispered the demon.

"What?"

"You can't understand. The hunger, it's gnawing and no matter how much you eat it never goes away," Remus gestured to the pizza boxes, "it gets into your bones making them ache. All I could think of was filling the gaping hole inside me. I tried to ignore it but it won. I tried to kill the children but luckily I was stopped. The next man I met was not so fortunate,"

Sirius followed Remus' gaze to the floor as they sat side by side on the settee in momentary silence.

"Then Dumbledore found me,"

"Dumbledore? But he never mentioned it, are you sure it was him? Perhaps starvation made you hallucinate," said Sirius frantically trying not to see why the professor had seemed so dismissive with regards to his friend over the last few days.

"He found me next to the body… he said it was a pity, that he'd had such hopes for my work with the werewolves," replied Remus quietly but not without a hint of bitterness.

"He wasn't worried about you?" asked Sirius.

"No. Just his war efforts," ground out Remus as the lights flickered. Sirius looked up alarmed.

"Accidental magic is to be expected for a while. Your power is now far greater than it was as a wizard," explained Luka.

Remus let out a bitter laugh, "You see, this and the hunger is why you must stay away. Tell Harry I'm safe, maybe I'll pop round now and again,"

"If you think I'll leave you alone in this state you can't think much of me. Now let's get you cleaned up, I can't really concentrate when you're stinking up the room," smiled Sirius as he shoved Remus towards the bathroom.

"This is all your fault," snarled Sirius as soon as Remus had shut the door.

"Oh really? I'd never thought of that," countered Luka.

"Tonks was right! You are a monster and now you've dragged Remus down with you. I should talked him out of it,"

Luka fell silent for a moment, "It's not as if I ever wanted this to happen. Sebastian went behind my back,"

"But it's a cushy arrangement right? Now you don't have to watch Remus age and die. Now he'll be yours forever,"

"No he won't. I doubt he'll ever come to terms with what has been done to him," said Luka softly.

The pair fell into an uneasy, resentful silence until Remus shuffled out shaven and washed. Now it was time to discuss the future…

Outside the window someone was watching. Sebastian's red eyes glowed with contentment. Luka had been attracted to Lupin in part due to his ability to keep in the Light. They had both been through bitter experiences and when she had dove straight into the Darkness he had kept going on the better, but harder, path. Like a moth to a lightbulb the nephilim had fluttered closer to his guileless kindness. What would happen next? Would they still try to deceive themselves and attempt to have a normal life or would the love between them wither and die? It would be interesting either way.

XXX

Harry lay beneath the sitting room window sill in Privet Drive. The weekend had once again rolled around and he was obliged to while away the hours with his last remaining blood relatives. As the news got to the bit about the waterskiing budgie he released a sigh of relief. So far Voldemort had to make a mark upon the Muggle world but the suspense was unbearable in its own way. How long would he bide his time and how strong would he finally be when he revealed himself? At least during the week Harry could occupy himself with the Order of the Phoenix. Although, if truth be told he and his friends were still being kept at arm's length by the adults. Sirius has continually reassured him that if he could have his way it would be duelling practice as often as wanted it and being able to sit in on the adult meetings but Dumbledore was having none of it. On the upside Grimauld Place was looking better than ever and since it was a magical residence they were evading the hosepipe ban to help with rejuvenating the garden. Instead of nettles, thistle and a run-down shed there was a now a herb garden, small vegetable patch and neat little flower beds attended to by Kreacher. The house elf had been sorely put out by having to share his cooking duties with Mrs Weasley but had been appeased by being given the garden to look after. Shifting in the soil Harry contemplated his new home. The summer had gotten off to a rocky start and he had hoped that Remus getting married would have brightened things up but the opposite had happened. When he had finally returned he had been more reserved than ever, as if a full moon was always due. He'd tried to say it was nothing, just a magical version of the summer cold that he didn't want to pass on to anyone but Harry wasn't convinced. There seemed to a bit of fear in his eyes whenever he got close to anyone and he'd been scratching at his shoulder blades a lot. It was better now though, Remus had even hugged him before he'd came to Dursleys. A loud bang ripped Harry from his reverie. Was that car backfiring or someone Disapparating? Both were unlikely as each other. Everyone in Privet Drive had the newest cars on finance to keep up with each other and if any wizard was coming they'd have been standing next to him. Deciding that running over things constantly in one spot was doing him no good Harry got up. Tonight was a nice night for a walk.

Crossing Magnolia Crescent Harry headed to the old playground. He remembered the swings from what seemed like a lifetime ago, when they were as close as he could get to flying. Luckily one had survived the vandalism of Dudley and his gang. Kicking at the dirt Harry felt the familiar irritation of enforced inaction. He wanted to be out there! Training with his friends, being of use to the Order but no, he was stuck here on the last rusty swing. Then to top things off his cousin rounded the corner with his friends. Big D as he was now called was the main bullying thug in the Privet Drive area. His pre-existing tendency for violence had now been exacerbated by training in the 'noble sport' of pugilism and Uncle Vernon swelled with pride when he told anyone that would listen that Dudley was now Junior Heavyweight Interschool Boxing Champion of the Southeast. Harry watched as Dudley detached himself from his faithful pilotfish. Secretly Harry had been hoping for a confrontation with his cousin. Now the table were tuned and it was he who had all the power, he could finally have some fun at Dudley's expense. With his cousin wending his way towards him his hope was renewed. Oh, just for a little escape. Something, anything to take his thoughts off the waiting, the monotony and the nightmares.

"Hey Big D," Harry called as he set off in pursuit.

Dudley looked around and merely grunted in response.

"How long have you been 'Big D' then?" mocked Harry before beginning to bait his cousin with his mother's pet names.

Dudley was silent throughout Harry's taunts. The act of holding back from hitting him seemed to take all his energy. Merlin it felt good to be in control of a situation for once thought Harry. He knew that Dudley feared him. Growing a tail and a giant tongue had thoroughly instilled a fear of wizards in general. Changing colour Dudley turned on his heel and marched down an alley heading for home but Harry was undeterred. Their argument continued as Dudley tried to convince the pair of them that Harry wasn't so big even now and if he did ever uncover the nerve required to attack him with his wand he would be expelled from that freak school forever. And then Dudley just had to go and push him over the edge.

"Don't kill Cedric! Don't kill Cedric! Who's Cedric- your boyfriend?"

Harry's blood ran cold. His nightmares had persisted since the third task but he'd never thought he'd started talking in his sleep. The wand in his hand was pointed at Dudley's throat before he had thought about it. As the urge to curse Dudley into oblivion bubbled through him the balmy summer air turned cold. The Dementors had arrived.

Three patroni later and Harry was sitting back in Privet Drive. His shock over Mrs Figg being a Squib and Mundungus tailing him had been replaced by the dread of being expelled and his wand destroyed. Then there was the letter revoking his immediate expulsion but instituting a hearing and not to mention the mysterious Howler that had knocked Aunt Petunia into submission. Now he reread the letter from Sirius. His godfather sounded furious about the Dementors and Dumbledore be damned he was bringing Harry home tonight.

XXX

Grimmauld Place was in an uproar. Sirius had nearly hexed Mundungus on the spot when the thief reported that Harry had been attacked on his 'watch'. A message to Dumbledore had been dispatched immediately and Harry's immediate expulsion had been avoided.

"Sirius, Harry will be safest within the blood wards-,"

"Will he Dumbledore? He was supposed to be safe under the watch of the Order and yet he gets attacked by Dementors," shouted Sirius through the fireplace as Dumbledore's ever impassive face stared back through the floo.

"As long as Harry refrains from doing any more magic the Ministry will have no grounds to prosecute him," the headmaster said sagely.

"The Ministry have been waiting for weeks to punish him for speaking out about what happened at Hogwarts, now they have the chance to slander him before he's proven right. I don't care what you say Dumbledore, I'm going to protect my godson just as James and Lily would have wanted," and with that the animagus was out the door.

XXX

Harry paced his room. Hedwig was out hunting do he didn't even have her for company. His trunk had been quickly packed in a haphazard fashion and he eagerly awaited his godfather's arrival. Luckily he didn't have to wait long. He could hear a hammering at the front door and Uncle Vernon's roar of indignation. There was a quick drumming on the stairs as two sets of footfalls travelled up the stairs in quick succession.

"Harry!" Sirius burst into his room before pulling Harry into a hug and quite disconcertingly into an injury pat down, "Are you alright? What am I saying? You wouldn't feel alright. Well don't worry you're not staying here, we're going home right now. Kreacher,"

The wizened house elf Apparated in with a crack and Uncle Vernon's irate jabbering at Sirius' back came to a sudden halt. Which was probably a good thing since calling attention to himself would have probably resulted in the reception of a salvo of Kreacher's worst insults. The elf might have become more civil but years of hateful training were well engrained and he'd never heard anything good about the Dursleys.

"Kreacher, take Harry's trunk and Hedwig's cage,"

The housel elf croaked in assent and disappeared with a click of his bony fingers. Without bothering to say goodbye to Vernon Sirius strengthened his hold on Harry and Disapparated.

Swaying slightly as he fought off the side effects of side-along appararition Harry steadied himself with a hand on the kitchen table. Thankfully there was only Remus waiting for them.

"I thought it would be best if everyone retired so you wouldn't have to face a barrage of questions," smiled the demon.

"Thanks, I don't think I could take a million questions right now. I just feel… tired, "replied Harry, now that the immediate shock and anger at the evening was fading he was starting to feel a little deflated.

"Off to bed then, Ron should know better than to start an interrogation but I can't say how long Hemrione and the twins will hold off for. Better get some sleep when you can," said Sirius as he gently moved Harry towards the stairs.

From the room she was sharing with Remus Luka heard Harry's return to his room. Sirius and Remus would probably talk for a little more before Remus came to bed. Since breaking into his flat she had stayed with him. Not as a wife but a safeguard. Only she could stay so close without arousing suspicion, it wasn't as if Sebastian or Ciel could bunk here. The distance between them was made worse by the act they had to put up in front of everyone else. At least Remus no longer stiffened up when they touched. Although that was partially out of necessity. Whilst Luka's wings had bolted fully formed when her collar had been removed Remus' had grown naturally. He was currently at the fluffy chick stage with a few proper quills poking through. To keep the itching at bay Sebastian had given Remus a lotion but he could reach all the necessary spots. Mulling over her melancholy thoughts Luka couldn't help but conclude Remus would have been better off with that blasted Tonks. At least he wouldn't be making sneak attacks on various prisons trying to keep clear of the reapers.

XXX

The next few days were passed in uneasily. Since the house was now being tended to correctly by Kreacher the children spent the day in the drawing room pouring over their homework. Naturally Hermione was already finished and she was now forcibly bringing her best friends up to speed. Ginny worked beside them at the behest of her mother. Fred and George on the other hand disdained such academic drudgery and having found an ally in Sirius spent their time experimenting in the cellar. On the upside, to help keep an eye on the Muggle world Sirius had installed television in the drawing room with Freeview. Whilst it was meant for everyone it usually ended up under the control of Arthur Weasley who couldn't seem to keep it on one channel for more than five minutes before getting anxious to see what was on the others.

Finally the morning of the hearing came and Harry trotted down to the kitchen in the t-shirt and jeans that Mrs Weasley had so meticulously ironed. Mr and Mrs Weasley along with Sirius, Remus and Tonks were waiting in the kitchen for him. Harry would be going to the Ministry on Sirius' motorbike along with Mr Weasley. As he climbed into the sidecar Harry was sure he saw Mr Weasley suppress his excitement before snapping his goggles on. Thanks to the early start they managed to miss the congestion that blighted London and Sirius easily found a space in the dingy office district that housed the Ministry entrance to hide his ride.

After extricating themselves out of the phone box and being submitted to a wand check the trio headed to Arthur's office passing Shacklebolt in the Auror department as they went. However before they even had time to be seated in the tiny, two desk Misuse of Muggle Artefacts 'department' a timid old wizard informed of the change in venue and time of Harry's hearing. Dragged along into a jog by a cursing Sirius Harry arrived at the hearing panting and somewhat more sweaty than he would have liked. Standing alone before the Wizengamot in the cavernous Courtroom Ten he felt his hope melt away. This was what happens to those who oppose the Ministry. Dumbledore had been expelled from the Wizengamot and now he was about to be stitched up like a kipper just for defending himself. Fortunately, just after he was bidden to sit the former Chief Warlock swept in and it was over. Mrs Figg's testimony was all that was needed, the disciplinary hearing came to an anticlimactic croak of an ending and without a single glance in Harry's direction Dumbledore left. Leaving the courtroom in a daze to tell his godfather and Mr Weasley the good news Harry couldn't help but wonder what he'd done to become such a persona non grata in the eyes of the headmaster.