Chapter One: Deal

The Marauders can't help celebrating along with the rest of their year group as they sat for the last of their NEWTS, and will then be free from classes and exams until they receive their results, and subsequently, their diplomas at the graduation ceremony at the end of the school year.

The seventh year Gryffindor boys' dorm is loud and cheery; and having learned their lesson from fourth year when a furious Lily Evans, being followed by her dorm mates and best friends, Marlene Mckinnon and Alice Prewett, have barged into their room and hexed them all silly for disrupting their sleep. Apparently, their little 'party' in the dorms was so loud that it even reached the Gryffindor girls' side of the Tower.

Thus, Remus Lupin was sensible enough to cast silencing spells around their room the moment that Sirius and James have returned from their trip to the kitchens where the Hogwarts' house elves have quite happily supplied the boys with food for their little 'party'.

And as there are still bottles of Butterbeer that they have from the last Hogsmeade weekend, it looks as if they're going to have a grand celebration tonight.

"Not going to celebrate with Lily tonight, Prongs?" Sirius Black asked his best friend with a grin, poking at the said boy with his toe.

The whole of Gryffindor House had likely thrown a party, with Sirius supplying the fireworks from Zonko's when James Potter had asked Lily Evans to marry him right after their last paper earlier that morning at the edges of the Black Lake, and the girl, whilst blushing bright enough to match the colour of her hair, had said yes.

Hogwarts had stood witness to James Potter's incredibly amusing attempts to try and fail wooing Lily Evans for the first few years of their schooling, with the redhead not very impressed with James' pranking ways. Thankfully, the Potter Heir had deflated his large head after his fifth year after a talk with his father, and soon took on more Heir duties, returning to Hogwarts as a mature young man.

Lily Evans had obviously noticed the changes, and liked it, since she finally gave James Potter a chance when she had agreed when the latter had asked her out on a date for their first Hogsmeade weekend. The two started dating not long after that, and there likely isn't a couple more in love than them.

"Not tonight. She said that she wants to celebrate with Marlene and Alice." James informed his best friend with a grin. A frown appeared on his face not long after as he recalled a conversation that his now fiancée had with him, "…And she said she wants to try speaking to Sni…Snape one last time."

The atmosphere in the dorm room changed completely as his friends all exchanged looks. Sirius for one had a scowl on his face. The Black had never forgotten and forgiven the other boy for trying to get him expelled and Remus killed over the werewolf incident two years prior.

Unlike how the Potions prodigy had tried to spin it with the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress, the truth is that Sirius had never said a thing about the Whomping Willow and Remus to the boy, knowing better than anyone else the danger that Remus would be in—and despite everything, Sirius would never risk Remus' life. Most likely, the Slytherin had been eavesdropping on their group, and had likely overheard Sirius speaking with Marlene about the Whomping Willow—with the Black having a crush on the beautiful girl.

The fact that Severus Snape was found with a bottle of aconite and a pair of silver daggers on him is all that could be said. The whole incident between him and Lily Evans happened not long after that.

"Not a good idea, Prongs." Sirius warned James. "We heard the rumours. This 'Dark Lord' had been wooing quite a number of the pureblood heirs in Slytherin." Unseen by all his friends, Peter Pettigrew flinched from his corner. "And I know for a fact that Snape had been on his list for quite a few years now. I won't be surprised if he's even part of that group by now."

"I didn't agree either. But Lily agreed to meet Snape in a public place, and with Marlene and Alice with her." James agreed reluctantly. "I offered to accompany her instead. But Lily said that Snape would not want to speak with her if I am around. And I might not like him, but he and Lily were once friends. Lily wants to repair that friendship."

"She's better off without him." Sirius grumbled, and his friends smiled. "So, we're leaving Hogwarts soon." He tried to change the subject. "What are we all going to do?" He looked around at all the faces.

"I know that Sirius and I are going for Auror training." James spoke, and Sirius nodded with a grin—it had been all that they spoke of since fifth year when they had that career talk with McGonagall. "It's going to be tough, but with the war, they will need every Auror they can get. Though I do still need to undergo training with my dad on how to handle the Potter estate and finances." He frowned, worried about his father's rapidly declining health. It isn't looking good, and Charlus Potter might not have long left. "Sirius, you too, right?"

Sirius grumbled something beneath his breath, and nodded.

Despite his mother striking him off the Black tapestry when he had run away, the Black family is still headed by Sirius' grandfather, Arcturus Black, who had stayed strictly neutral in the war so far, despite nearly half the family apparently taking up with this new Dark Lord. And despite his mother's shrieks and demands, Lord Arcturus Black had refused to strike Sirius off as Heir.

"I'm not even sure what I can do." Remus sighed, looking really upset, "what with my whole furry problem. Who would want to hire me or even take me on as an apprentice?"

"Someone with brains." James said firmly.

"Someone who could see past the wolf." Sirius said at the same time as James.

Remus laughed, appreciating his best friends trying to cheer him up and turned towards Peter who had been very quiet all this while. "What of you, Pete? What are you going to do?" He asked, concerned for their quietest member. Peter is never the most academically inclined, and not that magically gifted either. If Remus is honest with himself, he doesn't know what Peter wants to do with himself either.

"H-Huh?" Peter jumped with a start, surprised at being addressed, "U-Uh…" He stammered, looking rather nervous. "I might go home for a bit. My mother is unwell again." He had a weak smile on his face; Remus however frowned, able to smell the lie in those words.

"Oh. I hope she's feeling better." James said sympathetically.

He had never really gotten over his mother passing away less than a year ago from a sudden bout of illness. Then again, his parents were well beyond the normal wizarding age when they had him, and his father is getting on in years now. Charlus Potter was resigned to the fact that he likely would never see his first grandchild being born, but is still stubbornly clinging onto his life.

The Potter Lord had been preparing lots of presents and letters for his future grandchild, James knew, just so that the child would know their grandfather and their family history; with their account manager at Gringotts having stern instructions from Charlus to give it out to the future Potter Heir on their birthday each year until they turn of age.

In fact, during one of their last conversations when James had admitted to planning to propose to Lily, Charlus had given him some good advice. And even added something along the lines of 'if you had a son, I would like it if you name him Hadrian—after your uncle who never had the chance to start a family.'

"O-Oh, she would be." Peter smiled nervously.

"So graduation, huh?" Sirius changed the subject expertly, seeing how nervous Peter is, "it still doesn't seem real, does it?"

James chuckled. "Yeah. Time flies, huh?" he murmured. "Let's make a promise." He said suddenly, and his friends turned their attention towards him, "a promise that no matter what, we will stay as friends always."

…It's a promise…

XXXXXX

Remus John Lupin sat in the Moon Dew's bar, having his third drink of the night, and not for the first time, he wondered just when everything had gone wrong.

When he and his friends have graduated, they have made so many plans.

James and Lily were getting married, with Lily wanting to run an apothecary. And considering that Remus is able to easily match her Potions' score in school, the redhead had approached Remus to help her, though it had taken some arguments on her part before Remus had agreed. James and Sirius were undergoing Auror training under Mad-Eye Moody of all people—the best Auror in the entire department, and whom Charlus Potter had trained personally during his Auror days. Moody still had tremendous respect for the man who had trained him, and was especially harsh on his mentor's kid, much to James' displeasure. No one really knew what Peter wanted to do for a career, but he seemed happy enough to be his mother's full time caretaker.

James and Lily's wedding was beautiful, and Remus had loved almost every moment of it. Almost, because Lily's sister and her whale of a husband had almost completely ruined the wedding by insulting almost every single guest present, and had almost driven Lily to tears. Lily's very furious parents have dragged off Petunia and Vernon before returning and apologising frantically. James was furious as well, with Petunia for upsetting Lily on their special day, but was more concerned with making sure that Lily smiled than getting revenge—a big change from the mischievous boy whom Remus had shared a dorm with for seven years.

Their Hogwarts professors were all invited, as is most of their schoolmates. And while James was apprehensive, he had agreed when Lily wanted to invite Snape, though the man had never turned up. Sirius was grinning like a loon when the bonder had bonded James and Lily, and had asked for the rings; with the man almost forgetting that he had the rings on a cushion that he had in his hands.

The war against the Dark Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters took a big turn for the worse the moment that Remus had graduated, with all his dorm mates, and even Lily, as well as Frank Longbottom and his new wife, Alice Prewett, being asked to join.

The one bright spot in their lives had been the birth of James and Lily's child.

Little Hadrian Potter is so tiny and delicate and Remus was almost afraid to hold him when Lily had finally left the hospital with the baby. And while it is definitely still too early to tell, Remus is almost certain that little Hadrian or Harry as his parents affectionately call him, is an omega.

Secondary genders might not have such an importance in the muggle world now, but in the magical world, it is different—as magic dictates a lot of what they do. And while there are the occasional betas as department heads in the Ministry, the vast majority of them are alphas. And unlike in the muggle world where there are still some that sees omegas as nothing more than sex toys—with even male omegas being able to get pregnant, in the magical world, omegas are cherished and treasured. And it is considered a blessing for one to find their mate.

The only person more excited than James and Lily at Hadrian's birth is likely Sirius who had been over so often at James and Lily's cottage that he had practically lived there. Lily however is very thankful for Sirius' presence, especially throughout her pregnancy, as he seemed to know just what to do to make Lily feel better, especially when her morning sickness was particularly bad. Remus recalled that Sirius had practically raised Regulus, as most pureblood families normally left the raising of the children to their house elves. But the Black family house elf assigned to Sirius' parents isn't exactly sane and not what would be appropriate for raising children.

Remus was also present when Sirius had become Hadrian's magically bonded godfather; hence, he knew more than anyone that there is no way for Sirius to betray Lily and James' location to Voldemort on that dreadful Halloween Night which also ultimately resulted in Lily and James' deaths and even Voldemort's death.

But he is a known werewolf, especially at the height of the war when he was part of Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix, and no one in the Ministry would listen to Remus when he had insisted that Sirius is not the Potters' betrayer. And now with the war over, it is like nothing had even changed at all, even though they were all fighting to make the world a better and safer place for their children.

And as for little Hadrian, Remus has completely no idea where he even is. All that Dumbledore would say is that the baby is safe. And not for the first time, Remus has to resist the urge to strangle the old man with that beard of his.

He had once idolised the headmaster of Hogwarts. But as an adult, Remus start to realise that there are lots of questionable things that Dumbledore had done and is still doing, and the whole situation with Hadrian is one of them.

Hence why Remus is currently sitting in the Moon Dew's bar and tavern in Grim Avenue, trying to drown himself in drinks.

While Diagon Alley is more commonly known to the folks of Wizarding Britain, with Knockturn Alley a close second—the truth is that there are more places than those two for shopping districts in Wizarding Britain. Remus was amazed and awed when he found out about it from a few contacts that he had made during the war, and realised that with as large a population that Wizarding Britain once had long ago, it doesn't make sense for them to just have Diagon and Knockturn.

Grim Avenue isn't exactly a secret; but it isn't exactly advertised either. As most of the shops in this place were run by the 'creatures', also known as the Downworlders. Much of their clientele were catered mostly to Downworlders and even to the bounty hunters and mercenaries, but occasionally, there is the occasional wizard and witch who shops here, as the products on sale in the shops here are actually of higher quality and more decently priced than those of Diagon.

Ever since learning about Grim Avenue from two bounty hunters whom Remus had met at the height of the war, he had frequented the bar here—as it is one of the few places he could drink in peace without overhearing some whispers about 'that's a werewolf', or be barred from service because he's a werewolf—which sadly, happened a little too often.

Remus looked up as a bottle was placed on his table, and saw that it's the owner of Moon's Dew. Jonas is very unmistakably a vampire; and while vampires and werewolves are believed to be mortal enemies, the truth isn't quite that simple.

"Last one for you tonight, Remus." Jonas said sternly. "Even for a werewolf, Fire Breath is toxic if you drink too much of it."

Remus nodded blearily, as he poured himself another cup of Fire Breath.

Things for him after the war isn't any better, and he could barely find work anywhere. Jonas is kind enough to hire him on as a part time book-keeper—though Remus isn't fooled; he knew that Jonas didn't really need to do that. As a vampire, he requires little sleep and could easily do the books by himself, but had taken the chance to offer Remus a job, and he is thankful.

Privately, he suspects that Jonas might be doing this for Sirius' sake as well. The dog animagus is likely the only one amongst their friends who even knew about Grim Avenue. Remus shouldn't be surprised that Lord Arcturus Black had taken Sirius here when he was very young as part of his Heir training. And after their graduation, Sirius had frequented Moon's Dew every now and then, and had strike up a friendship with the vampire owner slash barkeeper.

It is a Wednesday evening, and thus, Remus isn't surprised that there aren't many people here tonight at Moon's Dew. The usual group of goblins are of course present, having their usual after work drink. There are also a group of vampires in a corner drinking something that smells suspiciously like blood. And if Remus' nose isn't wrong, he could swear that the one in the shadowed corner might just be a fey.

A bell tinkled somewhere in the bar as the doors opened, and Remus' sharp ears picked up the sounds of two pairs of light footsteps.

The sharp scent of sandalwood. And a lighter scent of freesia.

Alpha and omega, Remus' mind whispered to him. And they smelt like bonded mates. And even of vampires.

"Jonas, we would like a room for a night." A cheerful voice called out to the bartender.

"Sure thing! It's been awhile since I've seen you both back in Britain. Take a seat while I whip up some food for the both of you. Your usual seafood paella, Crow? And a fish burger for Rean?"

Remus gave a start when someone dropped into the chair opposite him at his table, and he looked up, having to blink several times before he recognised the smiling face across him. A pair of bright lilac eyes being framed by purplish-black hair. With an off-white coat hanging onto a petite frame.

"…Rean."

The bounty hunter nodded to Remus.

Remus had met this particular bounty hunter and his alpha mate during the height of the war when he was scouting for intelligence on the Death Eaters. Remus is no stranger to hating the fact that he is a werewolf, so he honestly has no idea how the Downworld works, and even how powerful their intelligence network is.

Rean and Crow have helped him out of a particularly tight spot, and both have stayed in contact with Remus even after that. A lot of the information that Remus had brought to the Order came from the pair; though most of the time, he either has to pay for it in items that they wanted, or information that they needed. Occasionally, that payment is in money; but the pair is well aware that Remus isn't that well off, so often asked for items and information instead.

"Been awhile, Remus." Rean smiled, even as his alpha mate took the seat next to his, dropping a kiss against his hair. "You look awful." Rean looked sympathetic.

"We heard what happened last Hallows' Eve." Crow said, his red eyes studying Remus carefully. "That's why we came back to Britain. We wanted to know more about what happened to the Dark Lord, and how he was defeated. And considering the name of your best friends came up a lot with his defeat when we were last in Bulgaria, we figured you might know something."

Remus chuckled. "Ever the bounty hunters, huh, the both of you?" he murmured.

"A trade-off for this information." Crow said professionally, making his mate grin. "We'll pay for a week's stay for you at Moon's Dew, with food covered, if you tell us what we want to know."

"I'm not a charity case—"

"It's not." Rean said patiently, knowing how proud the werewolf could be. "Tell us the information we want, and this is our payment to you. Fair?"

Remus wanted to argue, but knew that a week's worth of stay at Moon's Dew with food provided would be a boon to him as he figures out his next step. He might just take up a job in the muggle world at this rate, with how difficult it is for him to find and keep one in the magical world. He can take his muggle degree at the same time as well.

"…Fine."

"Excellent." Rean smiled before he waved his hand, setting up a privacy and silencing spell non-verbally.

Remus' eyes followed Rean's hand movement. While this isn't the first time that he'd seen the pair before him cast spells non-verbally, he can't help but be impressed every time. The education in Hogwarts, from what he knew from Rean and Crow, and even some of the foreign Downworlders he'd met over the years, is very lacking. Rean and Crow have their education in Bulgaria, at Drumstrang, he knew. And while the first two years, they were taught to cast spells with a wand, they snap it during third year and learned how to cast it non-verbally.

It is also a surprise to Remus to learn that Drumstrang takes in all manner of students—not just humans. Vampires, veela, fey, werewolves, and all, are accepted as students, though certain provisions have to be made for some of them, especially for werewolves, on the full moon.

From what Jonas had told Remus, it seems like it's only Hogwarts that have such restrictions and low standards of their education.

"I don't know a lot." Remus begun, and Crow and Rean nodded.

And then, he told the pair before him everything that he knew about that Halloween Night, or Hallows Eve as they call it. How James and Lily have gone under the Fidelius Charm less than a year ago with baby Hadrian under Dumbledore's instructions. Same as Frank and Alice with baby Neville. And how they were betrayed not even a year later. But unlike everyone, Remus refused to believe that Sirius had betrayed them, as he would have died if he had done so, considering he was Hadrian's magically sworn godfather—having been sworn in using the Old Ways, and he would have died if he truly did betray them.

And from what Remus could find out, Sirius apparently was just chucked into Azkaban without a trial. And Remus had been trying for nearly a year to get in to see Sirius or even get him a trial, but was refuted every single time. He wasn't even able to get past the front desk of the Ministry, considering that he is a werewolf. And he didn't dare to push any further, or he would likely be having a cell next to Sirius, if not killed outright. As such are the views of Wizarding Britain when it comes to non or sub humans.

Remus might not believe that Sirius had betrayed James who is like a brother to him. But if somehow, Peter is their named Secret Keeper, then Remus can believe that Sirius did kill him as was reported. But twelve Muggles who were caught up in the impending explosion in between a battle between the two?

Sirius Black, who was seen as an outcast in his own family but his grandfather for liking Muggles and having muggle stuff all over his bedroom? Sirius Black who had a motorcycle that he'd bought from the Muggle world with Lily's help, and took a license to be able to ride it, and even charmed that damned thing to fly? Sirius Black, known Muggle supporter—killing twelve Muggles?

Remus would never believe it of his best friend.

"I see." Crow murmured, exchanging looks with his mate. "And the Boy Who Lived? Do you know where he is now?"

"No. Dumbledore wouldn't tell me." Remus frowned when he remembered that conversation that is the beginning of the start when Remus started to distrust the man he had owed an education to. "All that he would tell me is that he's safe."

Rean and Crow exchanged looks again. "What of the Potter will?" Rean asked instead, and Remus blinked. "The Potters are part of the Sacred 28 in Britain, aren't they? I'm sure that Lord and Lady Potter would have at least made a will, considering the times that we've lived in barely a year ago. Was it ever read?"

"You know… I don't think I ever got a summons for a will reading." Remus blinked. "I don't believe that their will is ever read."

Crow and Rean exchanged looks once more. "You thinking what I'm thinking, babe?" Crow murmured.

"Yeah. It's entirely within his means." Rean murmured, brows crinkling. "Dumbledore's Chief Warlock, isn't he? He could easily seal the Potters' will in the Wizengamot. Knowing Lord and Lady Potter, no doubt that the identity of their real Secret Keeper would be in the will too."

"B-But what would Dumbledore get out of sealing James and Lily's will?" Remus wanted to know, feeling his heart sinking. Seeing the looks the pair before him gave him, he blanched. "Oh no… Hadrian?"

"No one knows where the baby is, as you said." Crow said solemnly. "Not even you, as their sole remaining best friend, and if Lord and Lady Potter are really the people you said they are, they would have named you as one of the chosen guardians for their child. And the sworn godfather is in Azkaban without a trial. Awfully convenient, don't you think? And I don't believe in coincidences. And to top it off, the sworn godmother is now a permanent resident in Saint Mungo's. Tell me, Remus. Are these all really coincidences? Besides, who leaked the news that you're a werewolf? You've been one for most of your life. Even went to school with no one but just your best friends knowing. Even the Order that you've been in didn't know of this fact. Who else knew that you're a werewolf?"

"Only Dumbledore—" Remus' eyes widened. "N-No… He wouldn't do this to me…" Remus said weakly.

"Wouldn't he?" Rean said sympathetically. "Remus, Crow and myself grew up overseas. Crow might be a pureblood vampire, whilst I was only turned by him when we became mates. But we both lived for a long time. And even we heard about Dumbledore overseas, especially after the entire Grindelwald mess. He had a different reputation overseas. In Romania and certain places of Bulgaria, it is well known to watch your wallet, belongings and even check on your first born child if Dumbledore is anywhere around. Grindelwald's past history as a teenager is well known—especially in the country where he's from."

"T-That can't be…! He gave me a place at Hogwarts—"

"He legally can't stop you from attending." Jonas interrupted, having approached their table to deliver Rean and Crow's orders. Three pairs of eyes turned towards the bartender. "Hogwarts is a private institution. It has been around even before there is a Council of Magic and Ministry of Magic subsequently. The school is open to all who has magic. Even Downworlders. It's in Hogwarts' charter. He cannot bar you from attending. Most Downworlders today just don't attend because of the discrimination. Most of them took their education privately or even enrol in Drumstrang instead. Though the werewolves were home-schooled by their pack members."

"He probably made you feel like you owe him because he wants something out of you." Rean said sympathetically at the man whose world they are turning upside down today. "Like a spy for instance." Remus' eyes were wide. "Tell me something, Remus. Why did you never approach your sire? Fenrir Greyback, isn't it? The werewolf that turned you as a child? By Downworlder law, he's legally obligated to assist you until you're able enough to fend on your own."

Remus' hackles almost raised at the mere mention of the monster who had turned him and destroyed his life. "Why would I approach that monster who had destroyed my life—"

"Your father destroyed his." Crow interrupted calmly, a knowing look in his eyes.

"What?"

"You obviously have been in the magical world for too long. You don't know anything about Downworlder law and our ways at all." Crow murmured, exchanging looks with Rean. "It's a good thing you ran into us early in the war, or you would have been torn apart. Your father is Lyall Lupin, isn't he?" Remus nodded mutely. "He's a well-known werewolf hunter in Britain. Had been taught his trade by his father who had taught by his father and so on. If you hadn't been a werewolf yourself, you would likely be trained as a hunter too. There isn't a single person in the Downworld who doesn't know who Lyall Lupin is. Werewolves aren't his only target. Anyone that has less than pure human blood is bound to be targeted by him. Rean and myself were on his target list a long time ago when he is a new hunter. I taught him differently when he thought it a good idea to try to target my mate." Crow's smile is predatory. "Grim Avenue is protected by mercenaries and bounty hunters, and off limits for hunters. Only the most insane would come here for their target—not when it is protected by the Downworld Council."

"The Greybacks were a pureblood family. Not part of the Sacred 28, but they're still an old and noble family. When Fenrir Greyback was turned as a child by a rogue werewolf, the werewolf in question offered to make amends as is Downworld law. The family agreed to the reparations, and fully intend to send their heir overseas with the werewolf who is taking responsibility to teach Fenrir how to control his change and the new instincts he got as a werewolf. Your father destroyed everything by announcing to the world at large that the Greyback heir is a werewolf. In those days, being a werewolf is akin to a death sentence, as at that time, there are literally no laws governing the hunters back then. The Greyback family home was set ablaze by hunters. Fenrir's sire died trying to save him and his family. But in the end, he is the only survivor, and could only watch as hunters killed his entire family and his sire, and he could do nothing. Fenrir bit you, yes. He did it for revenge, as Lyall Lupin was the head hunter that launched the attack on his home. When his own son became a werewolf, Lyall Lupin retired from the hunter business, and in doing so, Fenrir saved dozens if not hundreds of lives. Your father was the one to spread the news about Fenrir being a bloodthirsty monster who turned children. But tell me, Remus. Have you even seen him do it? Have you met any of his so-called victims? Those are just propaganda—designed to make Fenrir seem more like a monster. His current pack are werewolves that he rescued from hunters over the years. They are fiercely loyal to him, and wouldn't stand to hear Fenrir insulted. Today, Fenrir Greyback is one of the most influential and powerful werewolves in the world, and for good reason. And tell me honestly, Remus. If you had been Fenrir Greyback, can you even blame him for what he did?"

Remus was speechless after listening to Crow.

As he listened to the pureblood vampire disparage his father's name, he wanted to lash out and shout at him, but something in him made him hold his tongue. From the way Rean is nodding next to his mate, it is apparent that this likely is something that everyone in the Downworld knows.

It certainly explains a lot of things—like how his parents have met. Hope Lupin had told him the story since he was a little boy. That she had met Lyall Lupin in the forest. Remus had never thought to ask his parents just why they're in the forest to begin with. And he definitely remembers his father being away a lot when he is a small child. He only started being home a lot more after he was bitten. And after he became a werewolf, Lyall became almost cold to him, and not the loving father he had once been.

The logical and rational part of Remus too had to admit that Fenrir is a victim of circumstances. He probably had it worse than he did, as he is all alone—with no friends and family. By turning Remus into a werewolf, he is effectively stopping more victims.

"Besides, you should thank Fenrir." Rean's soft voice broke Remus out of his thoughts. "It's because of him that you're even still alive. During the war, you tried approaching werewolf packs to ally with the Order, didn't you?" Remus nodded. "No one ever told you, least of all, Dumbledore. But the Downworlders hated Dumbledore. None of us would ever ally with him. When you approached them on his behalf, trying to parlay for him, you would have been torn apart if not for Fenrir. Dumbledore knows this. He knows there's a good chance you would have died had you gone there, using his name. Fenrir knew it as well. That's why he ordered the werewolf packs to leave you alone. Everyone in the Downworld knows about it."

"That can't be…" Remus shook his head in denial.

Fenrir Greyback protecting him whereas Albus Dumbledore is setting him up to die? Did Remus just wake up in an alternate dimension?

A horrible realisation sunk into him then.

Then James and Lily and even Hadrian…

He knew that there is some kind of prophecy concerning Voldemort. That is why his best friends went into hiding under the Fidelius. Dumbledore too seems strangely obsessive over that prophecy. If like his best friends, he too is just a pawn on Dumbledore's chess board, then Hadrian is in danger from Dumbledore!

"Then my cub…" Remus almost whimpered. "Hadrian… I've already lost James and Lily and even Sirius. I can't lose my cub too!"

Rean and Crow exchanged looks.

"…Want to hire our services?" Crow asked at last, and Remus looked at them hopefully. The vampire couple before him are some of the best bounty hunters, from what he knew. They don't just hunt down bounties, but took on requests from time to time. And from what Remus knew from his contacts, the couple have never failed a job in the last few centuries since they were alive. "I actually met Sirius Black before when he is still a lad. I liked that kid. Having him rot in Azkaban as an innocent man doesn't sit right with me. That, and I'm sure Rean would kill me if we just left him there." His mate gave him a mock glare.

Remus nodded slowly. He knew that the two in front of him are some of the best in the business. They even operate in the muggle world, from what he knew.

"I…don't have any money, though." Remus said despondently, feeling his hope sink again when he realises that what he wanted to ask them to do would likely cost him more than he could afford. With their prices, only some of the wealthier purebloods could afford them.

"…Our payment this time won't be money." Rean's soft voice broke Remus out of his thoughts, and he looked up. "We ask for a certain book that we've been looking for that had been out of print for years, and which I know you have a copy. As well as keeping in touch with us—clearly, you need some educating in Downworld ways, or you'll be in a load of trouble. Fenrir won't always be there to save you."

Remus blinked. "That's it?" he asked, incredulous, and Rean and Crow nodded. "What book do you want?" He asked, running his mind over the various books he had, and wondering which book that Rean wanted. Out of the two, Rean is the reader, not Crow, so no doubt that it's for him.

"A Werewolf Tale." Rean smiled at the look on Remus' face. "A book that you wrote and published, but was recalled after the end of the war. I know you have a copy still in your vault, don't you? I want a signed copy of that. And of course, with you agreeable to learn our ways. In return, we'll gather the evidence for you to secure Sirius Black's release, and also track down Hadrian Potter. Deal?"

Not for the first time, Remus thanked Merlin, Morgana and Hecate for causing him to cross the paths of the two most famous vampires in the land. Even Judas isn't as famous as them, and he is the first vampire!

Remus nodded, feeling hope blossom in his chest once more.

Padfoot, I'll get you out of there. And I'll find Hadrian too. We'll be a family, just like how Lily and James would have wanted us to be.

"Deal."