After walking around for an hour, thinking over what Dumbledore had told her and wondering how Harry was getting along.They were in the middle of a war, and she got the feeling that Harry had only just realised that they were. What a bloodbath it was going to be. Lana found herself wandering back towards the Leaky Cauldron. And back to Lupin. What she wouldnt give for a vodka. As she looked up at the sky, she found herself staring at the moon. The hot day had given way to a cool, crisp, clear night and Lana was glad it wasnt a full moon. She needed Lupin. Now more than ever.

Pushing the door open, she felt a blast of warm heat on her face. She stepped inside and was glad to see that it was just as crowded at night as it had been in the day. The smell of smoke, wood, sweat and Butterbeer filled her nostrils as she walked further into the Leaky Cauldron, pushing past the crowds of noise people, looking for Lupin.

As usual, Lupin was sat in the corner of the room, in a booth on his own. Whether this was intentional or not, Lana didnt know. But being in the corner was. Most people knew that he was a werewolf, and most of those people didnt know him. He scared them, but nothing could be further from the truth once you know him. After their conversation earlier, Lana decided to take a walk. Clear her head. Mostly of thoughts that she shouldnt be having. Here she was, trying to get her soul mate back, and all she could think about was the itch that she couldnt scratch. Bad person. Bad, evil person.

She walked over to him, waving to Bill Weasley who was busy chatting up a young witch. Lana slid into the booth and sat down next to Lupin.

"Hey." she said quietly, taking his Butterbeer and taking a long swallow.

"Help yourself." he replied, smiling slightly.

Swallowing and setting the Butterbeer back down in front of Lupin, she said "Thanks."

"You ready to go now?" Lupin asked, shifting closer and lowering his voice.

"Almost. You know where my mother lived? In Hogsmeade, near to the Muggles." she stopped trying to explain because Lupin was smirking and she realised that he knew because he had been there many a time. First to stay there one Christmas with everyone, then later on, in not-so-pleasent times. When it was the HQ for the Order. "But you already know that."

Lupin nodded.

"Im going to go and get changed. Get a few things." Lana said, standing up.

"Lana." he said, grabbing her hand as she stood up. "We need to be careful."

"Carefuls for wimps." (Let go of me, she thought.) Her heart was hammering.

"I mean it. If we get caught - " he stopped, looking around.

"Theyll what? Send us to Azkaban? Besides..Techincally...Were not doing anything wrong. It is my property." Lana slid her hand out of his grasp, and turning, walked off.

He watched her make her way through the crowds and through the door. He sighed and put his hands in his sandy blonde hair. He swore the only reason Lana took the double-agent role was because it was a thrill. Could get caught. Would most certainly die a painful and gruesome death. Enough to put anyone off. Not Lana. Trick was convincing her not to do it.

"Quite something isnt she?" Bill said, sitting opposite Lupin.

"What?" he asked, snapping out of his thoughts.

"I just cant figure her out, you know? One minute I think Ive got it, the next she shows a whole different side to her."

"Again, what?" Lupin asked, wondering that Bill was getting at.

Bill fiddled with his fang earring. "Well, I know more or less everything that there is to know about her. But what I dont know is why she fell into this coma, or whatever it was. Shes kind of - well, if I was a few years younger." he said with a grin. "But saying that, shes actually 36...Boggles the mind."

Lupin looked at Bill. "What ARE you talking about?"

"When Fred and George told me about her, when she was at the Burrow for a few days, I didnt believe a word they were saying. That she seemed sweet enough, kind of tired, hot - "

But Lupin had stood up. "I dont think I want to hear this."

"Got a bit of a soft spot for her have we?" Bill asked cockily.

"Acutally, I have a big soft spot for her. I dont want to hear your - " he stopped, looking over at Lana.

"What shes been through cant be as bad as Harry, yet she attacks Snape, which, hey, not complaining about, but - "

"It can be worse than what Harrys been through. And it was. He should think himself lucky that he cant remember that happened that night. Some of us can." Lupin said, lowering his voice and pointing to Lana.

Lana had gotten changed into a pair of low, hip-hugging, slightly flared black leather trousers. Her black v-neck jumper had a white collar with white cuffs, like she had a white shirt on underneath. Black boots that brought her up to about eye-level with Lupin. Half of her was tied up, the bottom half down. Some of it framing her face, some of it hanging loose down her back. Lanas dark brown eyes had that same hollowed, haunted look that Sirius' had had. Flecked with pain and loss. Lupin sometimes hated looking at her, because she reminded him of Sirius too much. Then he hated himself for that. Lana smiled and waved at someone, but her eyes stayed the same. Hollowed. This was the first time hed ever seen Lanas eyes give her away. In the First War, shed had to learn from Moody how to control her emotions when around the Death Eaters.

"See?" Bill said. "Mystique. You know, Im surpised someone hasnt called the Ministry about her. From what I know, being all mystery-like isnt good. Not now that everybody knows Voldemorts back."

"Oh shut up Bill." Lupin said as Lana reached them.

Putting on her false smile, she looked at Bill. "Hi." she said, dropping the smile but keeping her voice almost cheery. "How are you?"

"Im fine," Bill said, staring at Lana.

After a few moments later, Lana wondered why Bill was staring at her. "Have I got something on my face?" she asked, frowning.

"No...What did you give to Harry earlier?" he asked, looking up at Lana.

Her brow furrowed. "How do you know I gave him something?"

Bill was shocked that shed admitted it. "I saw you slip something in his pocket. To be honest, I didnt think youd admit that youd given him something."

"Why would I lie to you? I dont love you." Lana said simply.

"How do you figure that one? I thought people didnt lie to people that they love."

"I lie to the people that I love to protect them. I care nothing for your feelings, so I wont lie to you."

More than a little taken aback, Bill stood up. "Thats...Ill think on that."

"Well, Id love to stay and chat - But we have to go." Lupin said, standing up and putting his hand on Lanas back.

"Yeah. Bye." Lana said.

"Order business?" Bill asked.

"No. Personal." Lana winked at Bill, knowing shed given him the wrong impression which was exactly what she wanted.

"Wait a minute," Bill said. "Snape wanted me to tell you something. Well, he didnt, but, you should know anyway."

Lana stopped and turned back to Bill. "Whatever that - "

"Snape said it would be - " and he mimicked Snape very well "Prudent to remind you that Aurors no longer have the special privelages that they had during the Last War."

"YOU were an Auror?" one of the twins said, appearing behind Bill."

Lana was pissed off that Snape had dared say that to her, but it was true. She didnt have the same privelages as last time. Not that shed ever used an Unforgiveable Curse except when it came down to her or them.

Lupin jumped at the sound of Freds voice. "Er, yes, yes Lana was an Auror."

"Bloody hell!! Thats young! You must be really smart!" Fred exclaimed.

"Something like that." Lana said sheepishly. Shed gotten into being an Auror after the first time theyd escaped Voldemort. Purely on her having...Other talents.

"Too smart for her own good." Lupin said, giving Lana a little shove.

"HOW immature!" she said, slapping his arm.

George had appeared next to Fred. "WOW! Nice leather trousers! What would you do if they ripped and fell down?" he asked, grinning.

"Probably cry." Lana said. "Im sorry, we really have to go." she said, feeling Lupin squeeze her arm.

Lupin almost dragged Lana from the Leaky Cauldron.

"Ow." Lana said, wincing. "Hurt much?" she said.

"What are you playing at?" he asked accusingly.

"What?! I dont get what you mean. I was just talking."

"FLIRTING." Lupin said.

Lana found it hard not to burst out laughing. "Youre accusing ME of flirting? Sirius is GONE. Okay, hes GONE. And - " she stopped, regaining her composure and doing what Moody had taught her. "If Ive got an itch I cant scratch, well...And I didnt see you exactly complaining with that kiss the other day."

Lupin found himself looking at the ground, wishing hed never ssaid anything. And that arrogant little smirk she had on her face...Damn Moody for teaching her things like that. "Im sorry." he said quietly.

"Doesnt matter." Lana said, feeling awkward. She looked at Lupin. "Wanna just forget it?" she asked.

Lupin looked up. And smiled.

Lana walked over and hugged him tight. A little taken aback, but used to Lana doing this now, she said something about letting all the people she loves know about it before something happens to her or them. Lupin hugged her back, breathing in the perfume that she always smelt of. Something from the Muggle world..Gucci or something.

"Er, Lana..How are we getting to Hogsmeade?"

"Well I would say Apparating, but...Not so good with that. And flying...I dont have a Firebolt yet. The Knight Bus? Psh. Id rather spend a year in Azkaban than sit in that death trap."

Lupin stepped away and looked at Lana. She knew he was still feeling a little off, because of the Full Moon. He was a great guy. She couldnt understand why nobody wanted him. Hell, if she didnt love Sirius shed marry Lupin!

She had a mischeivous grin on her face. In an innocent tone, she started speaking. "Well, you know Sirius' flying motorbike?"

"Yeah, but nobody knows where it is."

Lana was shaking her head at Lupin. "Moony Moony! You really think I could spend 4, 5 years with the Mauraders without picking up a few..Tricks?" she said, pulling a key out of her pocket.

Lupin laughed, "Youve got to be kidding me? Youve got Padfoots motor somewhere?"

"Yerp. Mint condition. Well, it should be. Shall we walk?" she said, turning to her right and walking into the Muggle World.