Remus Kicks Butt: The Background Story

Red headed Goddess



Ellie frowned and combed her hair. The mirror looked back at her, showing her exhausted face and thin figure. Before she had submitted to the gods, she had been vibrant and beautiful. She was a shell of the woman she was before. Her dark hair was limp and lifeless and her eyes were always tired. How Remus could put up with her was anyone's guess.

Her frown grew bigger. Remus. He was the best and worse thing that could happen to her. There was nothing she wanted more than to stay with him, he was very nice when he was not chewing off his own leg in wolf form or drugged out of his brain. He cared for her, but she had the feeling it was not passionate enough for their relationship to work. Remus would never admit that they were making a mistake staying together, oh no, not him. Ellie would have to tell him one day, but in the mean time, she would enjoy his company.

She knew the ending for Remus. It was like having someone tell you the twist in a story.

It had happened several nights before when Ellie was wondering where her relationship with Remus would go. Why not ask the gods themselves? So, getting out of their bed, she went to her bookcase and found a book on calling upon the gods. It only required a drop of her blood and some common ingredients any witch or wizard kept in their house at all times.

They wanted her to work for them. It was an interesting idea, having immortality and power. Of course, she accepted, who would not? Ellie did not realise that she would have to kill people, or get fancy coffee at that. Remus was going to die at her hand. It was so strange, straight out of a bad movie. He had no idea how big a part he would play.

'Ellie, are you ready?'

Remus stood in the doorway wearing new clothes that she had bought him. He had had no formal wear whatsoever, so she splurged and bought him some dress robes. It emphasised his slightly-muscular-yet-not-unpleasantly-so frame well, she thought.

'Yes, coming.' Ellie picked up her bag and smiled at him. 'Where are we going?'

'We are going to Severus' party. I have no idea why he invited me. We had an agreement to put our past behind us and not mention Death Eaters again.'

'How can you put that "behind you" if you still haven't caught You-Know-Who's lover?' She asked, her eyes sharp.

'It was just a rumour, Ellie. No one seriously believed it.'

'I did. You did. Severus did.'

'For the total of a week. Why wouldn't we have heard about it before?' He talked as he walked, leading her towards the living room with the Floo connection.

'Maybe he really loved her, Remus. Maybe he wanted her to be a secret.'

'He couldn't love! He was heartless and cruel!'

'Just because things appear so on the outside doesn't mean they are on the inside.'

He sighed and looked at her, his head hanging low. 'Can we please just get to the party?'

'Fine.' He thought he had won, but as she was stepping into the fireplace, she turned and said, 'I still think you're wrong.'


Severus sipped his brandy, swirling it in his cup. His father was dead, perfect occasion to celebrate and show of his enormous wealth that was now in his power. No more scrounging for his former friends with a dirty werewolf. No more teaching snot-nosed children about subtle potions. He could almost melt into a puddle of pleasure at that thought. No more nosy Headmasters trying to interfere with his life.

His eyes caught on a thick-bellied woman hanging off the arm of McNair. Severus had not seen her before and he would have known if he had. As he drew nearer, he could almost feel the power from her. It was making him sweat. How could such a fat cow have such an effect on him? He was better than her, well; at least he thought so. He could not make an accurate assumption until he actually met her.

'Ah, Snape. A pleasure to meet you.'

He met her eyes for a brief moment before lowering it to her belly. Pregnant, of course! 'I'm afraid no one has enlightened me as to your name.'

'Alexia. Alexia Pettigrew.' Her voice was cool and formal.

'McNair, what are you doing with a Gryffindor?' Snape asked jovially, glad to be talking to someone other than Alexia. She was somewhat creepy.

'Just finding out that some Gryffindors are very useful. Alexia, may I tell him?' McNair bent his head down so that she could whisper in his ear. 'Ah. Oh well.'

'"Ah, oh well" what?'

'It's nothing you need to be concerned about. Look, a pair of werewolves have just arrived. Go be a good host, Snape. Greet them will you?'

Snape scowled at him. This was his house and his party. He could do whatever he damn well pleased and if that involved ignoring his guests, so be it. As it was, however, Remus and Ellie found their own way over, Remus having seen Alexia and wondering what on earth she was going at Snape's party.

'Alexia?' He asked incredulously.

'Remus?' Suddenly before their very eyes, Alexia was shy and timid, not able to raise her eyes from Remus' collar.

He hugged her. 'I'm sorry I haven't been in touch. It's been ages.' He grinned as he patted her stomach. 'You'd be nearing the birth date soon, wouldn't you?'

'Next week in fact. It's all I have left of...Peter.'

He took her pause as one to hold the overwhelming grief she felt for her dear departed husband. In reality, it was from letting the name "Voldemort" slipping from her tongue. Remus nodded, his eyes full of compassion. 'Oh, before I let myself get carried away with the old times, Ellie this is Alexia. Alexia this is Ellie. Ellie is my date and Alexia is a friend from school.'

Ellie shook her hand and tried to keep her face impassive. It did not help that she got a sense of evil when she had made contact with her, as well as some sadness and longing. Without looking like she was trying to get out of the handshake too fast, she casually slipped her hand into the pocket after.

'I'm glad you are all getting along so nicely.' Snape said icily and went to refill his brandy.


'Snape, I heard you were a Death Eater once.'

He turned and nearly swore. It was Alexia and she was alone now. Remus was talking with Ellie in a corner, shooting glances around him every now and then and McNair had found Lucius. 'I was, Ms Pettigrew.'

'And where do you loyalties lie, Mr Snape?'

Snape raised an eyebrow. 'They lie in the highest bidder as always.'

'I thought so.' She mused and then took his hand so that it rested on her belly. 'Feel that, Snape?'

'Woman! What are you doing?' He tried to get her to let go of his hand, but she held on fast.

'That, Snape, is the heir to Voldemort.'

He recoiled, managing to get his hand back in the process. 'Are you telling me that you are the Dark Lord's mistress?'

'Lady. I was his Lady.'

'Dear Gods.'

'If you are still loyal to him then you will be loyal to me and this child.'

'Yes.' He breathed. He did not know how much was true and how much he was telling her so she did not decapitate him where he stood. She was truly frightening.

'Very good. I must leave now. The babe is resting in an awkward position. I would like it if you came and visited me in my Manor one day this week. We need to make arrangements.'

'Arrangements?' Snape repeated.

'Yes. We need to be able to make this child look like Peter Pettigrew. I have been told there are potions that can change the appearance of children before they are born. Almost like a Polyjuice Potion, only permanent.'

'There are...but they are harsh and can kill the child.'

'I am willing to risk it. If it looked like Voldemort then the child is doomed as well.'

'You need items from the person...'

'I know. I will be able to supply you with all you need. I just need you to do it for me. The fumes...they aren't safe for pregnant women.' He nodded, wondering what he was getting himself into. 'Oh, and if you want to keep your loyalties hidden, there will be no guards that day. No one will know you have helped me, except the right people.'

With that she found McNair and demanded that he take her home that minute. Remus left Ellie near the fireplace, deciding that it was a good hour to be heading home as well, and reached Snape. 'What was that all about? Why is she with McNair?'

'You know that mysterious Mistress we were looking for?'

Remus made an impatient gesture with his hand. 'Of course I do.'

'I think I found her. And,' he paused, taking in the smell of fresh brandy, 'she will be unprotected when I come to pay a house call. I think we have hit the big time, Lupin.'

'This is great and all, but what about putting all that behind us?' He scratched his nose, thinking.

'Some things are worth breaking vows and promises over. This is one of them. Now,' Snape snarled, returning to the smarmy git he always was, 'go back to your bitch and go home. You are making this house filthy just being here.'

'You know, you just made a joke there, Snape.' Remus said with a grin. 'Ellie is a bitch. She's a werewolf after all.'

'My life is ruined. I've made a joke.' He rolled his eyes and ignored any attempts Remus made at saying goodbye to him after that point.


Alexia pulled out her photo album, brushing dust away from the folders. It was a shame that she let it get to this state, but there was no use for it. There just was not enough hours in the day to keep her treasured photos clean and tidy.

This photo album was devoted entirely to her beloved. There were pictures of them together, grinning widely and laughing. They had been great times, and she had had wonderful friends, but somehow they never lasted. And when she found out what was wrong with her, it had scared her so much that she had retreated into herself. Only when Peter asked her to see some of his friends had she felt better.

She did not have the problem any more. Why had she married Peter and fallen pregnant if she did? No, she was over it. It was only a small thing, something that could be easily forgotten. Hell, she had almost forgotten. No, that was a lie. She would never forget, but she could hide it so deep that no one would ever be the wiser.

Her eyes stung with tears as she saw Lily and herself standing with James and Peter. James, the reason for Lily's death. If Lily had just felt the same way Alexia had, then everyone would be happy. There would never have been a need to kill James, or at least have Alexia a part of the murder. It would have hurt Lily, no denying that, but she would have seen that he was so wrong for her. It was supposed to be Alexia and Lily.

She brushed the wetness from her cheeks. There was no use crying. It was wrong to feel like that, her mother had always said. When her aunt shocked the whole family in telling them how she felt for her "very good friend, Fiona", Alexia's mother had used it as an excuse to drill in her mind what a young girl should be like. Formal, polite, never outspoken. A young girl should find a nice man, preferably a little older with a good, stable job to keep them afloat, and settle down and have a family. Why had it all gone so wrong for her? Why had she fallen in love with a red headed goddess?

The final picture was one where Lily was hugging her. Alexia slammed the book shut and slid it under her bed again for another day.



Author's Note: If you want to be exceptionally mean to me, send all flames to Pidgie's Sappy Special. Thank you. Oh, and on the whole alternate universe James thing, I'm going to start at the end of Lily's first year, make it a slash and have Ginny hook up with James in the end. Gotta love Slash. Oh, and big thumbs up to Natalie! Go Natalie!

Darth Flirt: I really got to eating buttons thing off a series of books called the "Farseer Trilogy". Bloody fantastic, and it reminds me a helluva lot like Remus and Sirius, even if there is no slash involved. Good guess though, lol. Thank you for using old english! Gotta love th'old English.

Iselin: I'll send you the pretty bad start I have of the good Alexia story if you wish, just be warned, it's pretty lame. Thank you, once again! This one was pretty bad, I think, and I had it almost as soon as I wrote the other chapter.