Chapter 7- Old Friends, New Confrontations

"Considering it was the first time I had spoken to them in a year I think it went rather well," John said casually.



Anaka and John were sitting in the quarters he had been given upon his arrival. They had met up at dinner and then went with Harry, Ron, and Hermione to the library to finish homework. Anaka had finished the homework quickly and left with John so they could talk privately. Thinking about it now made Anaka feel guilty. She should have stayed and helped the others finish especially Neville, who they had met in the library. He was having trouble with the Herbology essay. She remembered the looks they had given her when she and John had left so quickly. Confused yet understanding. It was just because I have to talk to John, she thought stubbornly. However, Anaka could not forget that since her discovery of her deteriorating friendships she had been quite uncomfortable around the others.

"If getting into a fight with your father means everything went well," Anaka added. John gave her a tired look.

"If only you had been there. You would have kept me from saying such stupid things."

"Well, did they at least say they would write to you with an answer?" Anaka asked.

"They already wrote me," he replied, "I received a letter this afternoon from mom. She said they sent out letters to all the other Zekan families so we should expect them in about a week. As for my parents, they will be here tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Anaka asked in surprise, "They're coming so soon?"

"They don't waste time my parents," John said with a smirk, "anyway I think its perfect. Tomorrow there will not be any classes and everyone will be at Hogsmeade. There won't be anyone around to notice them arrive."

"So I guess I'm not going to Hogsmeade tomorrow?" Anaka asked with a half smile. John shrugged.

"I'd understand if you wanted to go. My parents could be a handful."

Anaka laughed.

"I wouldn't leave you to deal with them alone," she replied walking over to him and sitting on his lap. John smiled at her and in that moment Anaka remembered all the reasons why she loved him.

"That's why I love you Lupin, loyal to the last," he said quietly. He stroked her cheek gently. Anaka leaned down and kissed him.

"I should go," she giggled when they drew apart.

"Must you?" John groaned.

"As much as I'd love to stay it wouldn't be worth it. My father would kill you."

"He'd never know," John said with twinkling eyes.

"Don't you know my father yet?" Anaka laughed, "He has spies everywhere."

She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and then stood to leave.

"Goodnight Muffin Man," she called playfully before shutting the door behind her.

John sighed and touched the cheek she had kissed.

"One of these days…" he murmured wistfully.

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It was bright and early when everyone prepared to leave for Hogsmeade. Anaka watched with mixed feelings. Part of her wanted to join the carefree excitement but the other was glad she was staying behind. Though many of the students were happy about the coming trip, others seemed uneasy. Anaka knew they were nervous or worried that they might be attacked like last year. Dumbledore must really trust the professor's he's sending as escorts, she thought. Most of the staff was going including Professor McGonagoll. The only ones staying behind seemed to be Dumbledore, Snape, Hagrid and Gangly, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Unlike the usual tradition, it seemed like the new professor was quite normal but looks can be deceiving.

"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Hermione asked as they left the Gryffindor common room.

"Nah, I should be with John when his parents get here," Anaka replied.

"What a great girlfriend," Hermione said with a smile. Anaka nodded and smiled back.

Once everyone was gone, Anaka and John walked to the front of Hogwarts. They were only left waiting a few minutes. Soon they could see a carriage approaching.

"When your parents tell you when they'll be here they stick to it," Anaka said, checking the time.

"That's them," John sighed.

They stood together in front of the main entrance until the carriage stopped in front of them. The door opened and out jumped a middle aged women carrying a cage.

"Johnny!!" Alania Miffugan cried seeing her son. They hugged briefly and then parted.

"Oh Ana!" Alania cried turning to the young girl, "You've grown so much! Oh, come here! You are practically family!"

Anaka smiled uneasily as the older women hugged her tightly.

"It's good to see you again Mrs. Miffugan," she replied. When they were done greeting each other, John stared at the cage his mother carried.

"Mom," he said slowly, "why is dad in that cage?" Anaka looked at the bird in surprise, remembering suddenly that his parents were also Animagus. Inside the cage was a falcon that did not look happy. It shrieked and ruffled its feathers loudly.

"Richard Miffugan you stop that," his wife scolded while shaking the cage roughly. Anaka gasped at the violent act.

"Why is he in a cage?" she asked. John continued to stare at the cage. His face grew paler by the minute.

"Well he didn't want to come dear so I had to force him. He got so mad he transformed and would have flown away if I hadn't knocked him out," Alania replied.

"Knocked him out?" John said breathlessly. Alania gave him an apologetic look.

"It must have been a lonely trip then coming here," Anaka said quickly changing the subject, "with only an angry falcon for company."

Alania turned to her with a bright smile.

"Actually," she started slowly, "we met someone along the way who was also on his way to Hogwarts. So we decided to travel together since he seemed to be by himself."

"Who was it?" John asked.

"Why me of course," a cheery voice spoke from the carriage.

"Dad!" Anaka cried as her father exited the carriage.

"It's good to see you too," he laughed.

"But why have you come?" Anaka asked after hugging her father.

"I wanted to see you," he answered, "and I'm sure Dumbledore wouldn't mind the help of another wizard."

After a few more minutes of talking the group separated, John escorting his parents to their apartment and Anaka escorting her father to his. There was a strange silence between father and daughter as they walked down the hallways. Finally Remus spoke.

"Have you seen Sirius around lately?" he asked quietly.

"Sirius?" Anaka asked, giving her father a confused look.

"Yes, I received a letter from him this morning. To tell you the truth I was going to wait a few days before coming here but he made it sound as if he needed to talk to me urgently."

"Well if he's here he hasn't talked to me or Harry," she replied. Remus nodded and soon they stopped in front of a familiar door.

"Same place as last time," Remus stated with a smile. Anaka handed him a key and he unlocked the door. Waiting inside was a large black dog. He barked happily as they entered. Remus turned to his daughter.

"I'll catch up with you later," he said kissing her on the forehead, "I think Sirius and I need to talk privately." Anaka nodded and quickly left the room.

"So," Remus sighed putting down his bags, "what was so urgent that you needed to speak to me right away?"

Remus waited patiently as Sirius transformed. When he was done Sirius looked at his friend grimly, preparing himself for what was to come.

"Why don't you have a seat?" he asked. Remus frowned and sat next to his friend on the couch. Sirius took a deep breath and then started to speak.

"Before I tell you this I want you to know I wouldn't be telling you unless I was sure I was right," he paused, "it's about Leslie. We were at the Ministry of Magic and…well…I over heard her talking to the American Ambassador…they were planning to steal documents from the Ministry. She's spying on us Remus. That's why she came back to England, on business."

Remus stared at his friend. After a few minutes, he blinked, trying to register what Sirius had just said. Leslie was working against them? How could that be? He shook his head.

"You heard wrong," Remus stuttered, "Leslie came back because of the job…and…" His voice trailed off. Leslie was one of the reasons why he had come to Hogwarts. He had thought she had come back because of him too.

"I'm sorry," Sirius said softly. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Sirius and Remus exchanged a quick glance and then Remus was heading towards the door, leaving Sirius transforming behind him.

Remus opened the door and let out a small cry as a figure tackled him. It did not take long for him to overpower the figure. Over the sound of Sirius barking was someone's familiar giggle.

"Remus Lupin we have to stop meeting like this," the voice laughed. Remus blushed when he realized the figure under him was Leslie. Her long hair covered her face and Remus smiled as he gently brushed it away. She seemed to be blushing as much as him.

"This scene seems familiar," he said quietly.

"Yeah," she answered. Leslie quickly took his face in her hands and kissed him. Remus stiffened but then closed his eyes and felt as if his worries were melting away. Only when there was a loud bark and fierce growl did the couple separate. Remus quickly helped Leslie stand and they looked at each other's blushing faces.

"Are you ok?" Remus asked, smiling brightly. Leslie smiled weakly in return.

"I've had one heck of a week," she replied. Remembering Sirius, Remus quickly closed the door.

"Why it's Super dog," Leslie cried as a dog suddenly appeared growling beside her. Leslie watched Sirius change to an unhappy human form.

"Well wasn't that sweet," he sneered.

"What's wrong with you?" Leslie growled. Remus stayed silently by the door. Leslie gave him a questioning look.

"What's going on?" she asked slowly.

"What? Did my being here ruin your plan of getting to Remus?" Sirius spat.



"What?" Leslie cried.



"Oh I know all about you working as a spy for the American Ministry. Did they tell you to steal a bunch of stuff from the Ministry and get information on all the professor's here too? What do they want to know about Remus? Something so personal they told you to get real close to him and…"

"Stop it!" Remus interrupted fiercely. Leslie had gone pale and was glaring at Sirius. She clenched her fists tightly.

"You…you eavesdropped on me at the Ministry," she whispered in a dangerous voice, "and you…you've been telling people your lies?"

"Lies? It's the truth!" Sirius snapped.

"Is it Leslie?" Remus asked quietly.



"No!" Leslie cried, "I mean, not entirely…I mean the A.M.M…and…everything going on…." She glared at Sirius.

"Who have you been telling these lies too?"

"We're the only ones who know besides Severus and Dumbledore."

"They think I've betrayed them too?" Leslie mumbled her eyes wide.

"Betrayed? Yes that's the word I've been looking for," Sirius said evilly.

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Leslie was surprised by Sirius's straightforwardness. She had expected a private confrontation with him, nothing like this. She never thought he would go ahead and tell everyone, especially Remus. How could he know for sure that he was right? Does he hate me that much? Leslie thought in despair. There was a brief silence which Leslie took advantage of. She took a few deep breaths and composed herself. Then she faced Sirius.

"You want to know what my mission from the A.M.M. was? It was to find out what the Ministry of Magic here has been hiding. You'd be surprised what Fudge knows," she said dryly, "for the past year I've been tracking wizards that have been smuggling magical weapons to muggles. When we asked the E.M.M about it they said they didn't know anything and cut off some of our European sources. The documents I took from the Ministry prove they know what's going on. They've been memory wiping muggles by the thousands around the world because something big is happening. Muggles are getting their hands on things they shouldn't even know about. The fact that Voldemort is preparing for an all out assault on the Ministry isn't helping. You should see the number of agents Fudge is losing. A lot of good people are dying," she paused, "The American Ambassador and I wrote a proposition to the A.M.M stating we think they need to make an alliance with the E.M.M, a real alliance. Where we share information and can help each other when needed. That's what's been happening Sirius Black, you stuck up ignoramus. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go."

Remus watched as Leslie stormed past him and out the door. He cringed as the door closed with a bang. Sirius cleared his throat and collapsed on the sofa, not wanting to seem stunned by Leslie's small speech.

"At least now we know what's going on," he grumbled. Remus shook his head and sat next to his friend.

"Sirius you never learn," he scolded, "I have nerve enough to throw you out for what just happened. That was the most senseless fight I'd ever seen. It's not our business what Leslie does. Why should you care?"

"Not our business? Did you hear her just now? I was right Remus! She did steal from the Ministry! She admitted it!"

"She was following orders," Remus replied coldly.

"Exactly. It is obvious Leslie did not like the order or agree with it but she still followed it. What if they ordered her to do something else? Something worse? She may not like it but she would do it wouldn't she? Leslie is a nice little spy like that. Tell her what to do and she does it like a mindless drone!" Sirius snapped.

Remus glared at Sirius. As much as he hated Sirius's remarks, he couldn't help but see some truth in them. Leslie had followed the order even though she didn't like it. It was an uneasy thought.

"Come on, we don't want to keep the others waiting for lunch," he mumbled. Sirius nodded and followed his friend out the door.

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When everyone arrived at lunch except Leslie Severus knew something had happened. He could tell by the looks on Sirius' and Remus' faces. What did they do now? Severus thought as they started to eat.

"Did you see the papers this morning?" Gangly piped in, "Strange how easily someone was able to break into the Ministry."

"Yes," Dumbledore replied slowly, "strange indeed. And the culprit only stole one document from Fudge's personal things."

"But two others were taken from the Foreign Affairs section. I wonder what the theif will do with the information?" Gangly added. The three others at the table kept silent. The words stung Remus. It made Leslie sound like an agent of Voldemort.

"Horrible business," Hagrid muttered, "think they'll catch 'em?"

"Hopefully they will," Sirius grumbled. Severus glared at him. It was a shame that all the professors at Hogwarts kept Sirius's location a secret. It surprised him seeing how everyone believed he was innocent.

"Maybe," Dumbledore started, "but that doesn't concern us."

With that statement the line of conversation changed. Gangly went on to speak about the other headlines and Severus couldn't help but wish someone would shut him up. Once the middle aged professor started on a subject he went on for ages. Severus found himself hoping something would be wrong with this Defense Against the Dark Arts professor so they could get rid of him. When they were finished and were getting up to leave Dumbledore spoke.

"I'd like to speak with Sirius, Remus, and Severus if you don't have anywhere important to go," he said quietly. Hagrid and Gangly exchanged a look and quickly left the room. The other three stayed where they were.

"I think you know what this is about," Dumbledore stated. Severus took advantage of the pause and glared at Sirius.

"You told him didn't you," he growled, pointing at Remus. Remus kept his face expressionless.

"He has a right to know," Sirius snapped. Then he turned to Dumbledore.

"I'm sorry Dumbledore but I had to tell him."

The Headmaster looked at them with a face as expressionless as Remus's. Remus couldn't help but feel as if they were students sent to the Headmaster for pulling some prank. It was a familiar feeling.

"Let's find Professor Brand and talk to her about it," Dumbledore replied. The three professors followed him out the door.

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Leslie was lying on her couch when they knocked on her door. She continued to stare at the ceiling. She didn't want to talk to anyone, she just wanted to think. Her stomach growled hungrily but she ignored it. Again someone knocked, louder this time. Leslie turned a sour gaze on the door.

"Go away before I decide to turn you into a ferret," she yelled. There was a brief silence and then a voice called through the door.

"I don't think that's the right way to greet your employer."

Leslie almost fell off the couch when she recognized the voice. Blushing she quickly ran to the door and opened it. Outside she found Dumbledore, Severus, Remus, and Sirius. Dumbledore smiled at her.

"I hope we're not intruding. Can we come in?" he asked.

"Of course," Leslie stammered.

"Can I get you anything?" she asked when they were all inside.

"No thank you, we just ate," Dumbledore replied, "You weren't there so we were just wondering if you are all right. Have you eaten anything?"

"I'm not hungry," Leslie answered firmly, "What's this really about?"

"It's about you being a traitor," Sirius spat.

"Shut up Black before I make you," Severus snarled.

"I just wanted you to know that I will have to go to the Ministry with what I know," Dumbledore said softly. Leslie paled slightly and the room hushed.

"Go to the Ministry?" she whispered in disbelief. The triumphant smile that spread on Sirius's face only made her disbelief turn to anger.

"You can't do that," Remus said sternly. Dumbledore cocked an eyebrow as he turned to face him.

"Why not?" he asked.

"She was only following orders," Remus replied.

"It's not her fault," Severus added. Then Remus told Dumbledore everything Leslie had told them before. She listened to them silently. When Remus finished Dumbledore smiled.

"Well now that you've cleared everything up Remus I see that you were right," he turned to Leslie with twinkling eyes and she smiled weakly back at him. He never meant to turn me in, she mused, so why the meeting?

"But you could get in trouble for not handing her in Dumbledore!" Sirius cried.

"Would it be worse than if they knew I was keeping your location secret?" Dumbledore replied. Sirius blinked in surprise and stayed silent.

"I'm sorry we wasted your time," Dumbledore said with a nod of farewell to Leslie. The others watched him go.

"But she should be in jail!" Sirius cried, finding his voice.

"So should you," Severus snapped.

"I think you should all go," said Leslie, "I've had enough excitement for one day."

Sirius quickly stormed out of the room leaving Remus and Severus in the room. Leslie grinned at them.

"I promise I'll talk to you later," she said, "thanks for believing I'm not a traitor." They nodded and started to leave. When Severus exited the room and realized Remus had stayed behind he wasn't happy. However he wasn't about to cause more trouble for Leslie tonight, so he left. Remus paused next to Leslie and their eyes met.

"I owe you an apology," Remus said softly. Leslie gave him a surprised look.

"Why?" she asked.

"I should have stood up for you before, in front of Sirius. I never should have let him go on like that, saying you betrayed us and all. I'm sorry."

Leslie felt as if she wanted to cry and yet she also felt extremely happy. Remus was like no one she had ever met before.

"I think I know how you can make it up to me," Leslie said slyly, "Since I missed lunch, take me out to dinner. You'll be paying of course." Remus laughed.

"Why not?" he replied, "I'll see you at six." Leslie watched him go in disbelief. Who would have thought such a bad week could have ended so well?