Disclaimer: Don't sue, I'm borrowing. Besides, Cara's mine so I can sue YOU! Ha!

Thanks to:

Idril tinuviel: Ahh yes the Remus/mate thing. As I discussed with a previous reviewer Remus did and always will love Sirius, and doesn't feel right replacing his rightful place. Some people just can't bring themselves to love again after a loved one paces and what's the old saying? It takes double the time you were together to get over someone. Sirius has only been dead three years.

Vasquez1987: In this fic Harry does indeed wear glasses, I'm sorry that's my fault I just never mention them. I like to think of Harry as this dignified British gentleman lol. And I'm not sure if I want to be thankful you point out the mistakes or scream because I keep making them.

Starr Light1: Thank you and believe me, while I'm pissed at Percy so will everyone else be lol.

Bggrsghtghtrjh: Thank you and here you are.

Sykostalker27: Tell me about it, I heard it and went CARA! Yes I'm afraid the press were going to find out sooner or later but that's why we send rampaging Harry after them. Hmm the Howler idea seems plausible lol. Professor Mirna is loosely based on my art lecturer. May I say he is brilliant if a little...open...about his daily life. We're always winding each other up, me usually asking if he's found a boyfriend yet (He's straight). And maybe one day I'll draw one of the article pics and put it in me profile...if I find out how! As for the pink hair, I do, in fact, look like Tonks.

Rilie DeAnnPotter5569: I suppose if I asked all you reviewers to sum up my story a great deal of are going to say 'cute' which I have no problem with lol. And I know, Isn't Cara sweet? I don't think I'm going to be able to give him up when I finish this fic (While a way yet don't worry!). How do you guys fancy to me writing sequels or spin offs from this?

Katfays: Please, feel free to perform any forms of torture on Percy!

Kitty254781: Well aren't you sweet and I'm glad you like it.

Serpent of light: Well I try. I'm glad I could bring a smile to your face, for me there's no better feeling then knowing I made someone happy for a while.

Just another useless human: Then go eat my dear lol! And I don't care if you only came in because of the name, you paid a visit and that's enough for me. And tell me about it, Athena is one amazing goddess (Wisdom, courage, protection etc).

ManIAC jAcKaL: Oh I love cookies! Yay for me. Thank you, the theme I was going for is both beautiful and magickal.

Thanks to Chrissi once again for being my beta!

By the way, if you have it, play the Buffy Musical CD I suggest playing track 22 "Sacrifice" as you read this first bit...It really sets the mood lol.

~*~

Chapter 20 – Pack members

Cara shook his head in amused disbelief as he read the latest article. Apparently he and Harry were now planning to elope to California where homosexual marriage is acceptable and were doing it to defy the disapproving Ministry.

Harry came through the dorm door shuffling through letters; Cara's tucked under his arm, and chewing on the last bit of a bagel.

"Where are we this week?" He asked as he swallowed the last bit.

"United States, California." The blonde said as he folded up the newspaper and put it on the bedside cabinet.

"What happened to Tokyo?"

"Obviously we grew bored." They both smiled at one another as Harry walked over to place a morning kiss on his lover's lips.

Harry handed the werewolf his post then continued to riffle through his own. Cara placed his own down beside him, as he looked at the animagi a little nervously.

"Harry?" he said quietly as his boyfriend looked up, "Do you think...maybe this Full Moon we should keep...keep Remus company?"

Looking at his lover thoughtfully the darker male cocked his head as he gave a small smile.

"I've no problem with that but what made you decide that?"

The young werewolf sighed a little as he tapped the space next to him on the bed as an invitation. The animagi placed his post on the cabinet and sat down next to Cara.

"Well, I'm not sure if Remus told you...did you know Sirius was Remus's mate?"

Harry's eyebrows shot up and his jaw dropped comically.

"Oh my god, how long were they together?" He asked quickly.

"I'm not sure but I have a feeling it was while they were still in Hogwarts."

The raven-haired teen placed a hand to his forehead in shock but grinned widely.

"Oh I can't believe it, they never told me. I would reme...Oh my god, oh Remus I'm so sorry." He whispered suddenly as he realised something...Remus was a werewolf without his mate; he'd been mourning not his friend but his lover for the past three years. Cara nodded, as he knew Harry had caught on.

"Harry, when a werewolf's mate is parted from them they can't move on. Nothing bad happens like immediate death or illness but where most people can eventually heal and move on we can't. We will mourn and pine for our mates until the day we too die."

The wolf animagi had a hand covering his mouth as he studied Cara closely. He then lowered it before reaching over to brush it through the blonde and gold hair, the werewolf closing his eyes blissfully as the fingers warmed him.

"Cara..."

Blinking his eyes open the young werewolf felt as his eyes moistened slightly. He cleared his throat as he continued.

"So Remus transforms every month alone. The thing is our wolf forms do not know of our mate's disappearance and so we call for them, all night. A person will remember their hunt for their missing love when they transform back and...I hear it's very emotionally painful...I, I just..."

"I want to be there for him too." Harry whispered. Cara leant over and embraced his lover tightly.

"I think we may be able to inform his wolf side about Sirius as well...so then when we're not there he won't be looking for him."

The taller teen nodded his agreement, pulling the blonde closer still. Cara pulled back enough to kiss Harry emotionally.

"Promise me you won't leave me. I don't know what the future is going to bring but humour me, please." He whispered as he rested his forehead against the animagi's.

"I can only promise you forever." Came the heartfelt reply.

~*~

After a written excuse from the Principal Harry had hired a little Corsa car to drive down to the Cotswolds where he knew Remus was currently living. He smiled happily as he saw Cara gazing out of the window wistfully at the scenery.

"When we're all grown up can we live down here so I can spend my retirement gardening?" The blonde said happily and Harry removed one hand from the wheel to clasp his lovers.

"Of course." He said as he brought the hand to his lips for a gentle kiss.

They drove for another half an hour before a small discrete cottage came into view. The modest little building had a beautiful flowering garden with a small herbal patch separated into five sections like a pentacle. A pebbled path weaved its way to green door with a brass knocker and handle. The walls of the building were a shade of white dirty from the grit the wind had blown on it. The roof was thatched with lightwood and the little windows went into the house a little.

"It's so cosy." The young werewolf said as he stepped out of the car.

"Dumbledore paid for it, much to the discomfort to Remus. We all convinced him to live in it though and I think he is thankful, just a little embarrassed." The darker man said as he locked the car door then took the blonde's hand in his as they walked up to the door.

He tapped on the door lightly as Cara observed the bush of lavender nearby, grinning as little bees came to rub themselves over it.

"Hold on, I'll be right there." Came a polite voice from the other side of the door until it finally opened to a rather shocked Remus Lupin.

"Harry, Cara...Oh hello, what are you doing here?" He said pleasantly surprised as he hugged both men in turn, "Come in, come in."

"Well I had permission to leave the premises for my transformation tomorrow night and Harry was allowed to come with me...We wanted to keep you company at the same time." The blonde said as the darker male nodded beside him. Remus looked touched.

"You didn't have to do that for me." He said as he smiled, a million emotions running through him at once.

"We wanted to." The animagi said as he placed a caring hand on the older man's shoulder.

Speechless, Remus looked between the two teens before pulling them both into a tight hug, all dignity thrown aside.

~*~

"I saw the article in the Daily Prophet." The older werewolf said as he poured a cup of tea for his guests.

Harry groaned from his chair as Cara laughed from his place on the floor. Remus chuckled lightly as the young animagi pretended to flop in his chair in annoyance.

"I didn't believe a word of them Harry, relax." The aged man said as he settled back into his favourite chair.

"Harry frightened a few people into fixing it." Cara said cheerfully as he placed a small cookie in his mouth.

Remus laughed which even made the animagi chuckle.

"I can imagine."

"Hmm it's getting dark, I'm just going to grab our bags from the car. Back in a mo."

Pushing himself up Harry walked over to the door and stepped outside, pulling his shirt tighter round him as he stepped into the chill of the evening air.

"How are you two doing?" The older man asked as the younger blonde moved to nick his boyfriend's seat.

"It's wonderful, I fall more and more in love with him everyday...it's kind of scary but in a really good way." Cara admitted. Remus nodded vaguely in agreement.

"I remember when I first started falling for Sirius...I was petrified." The two smiled at one another before he continued.

"James, Harry's father, and Sirius were close, like brothers. I was a best friend to James but with Sirius...we had this CONNECTION that, that...urgh I can't even describe it."

"I think I understand." The young werewolf said as he briefly looked out the window to see Harry popping open the boot of the car. When he looked back at Remus he found the other man smiling kindly at him.

"I know...Thank you for being here, both of you."

"Remus?... Do you need my...my wolf side to speak to Moony?" Cara said as he watched a sad look flicker over the worn face.

"I can't take changing back knowing what Moony did all night..." Remus said as his voice hitched a little, causing the blonde to stand up and move to the man to hug him.

"I just don't want to hurt anymore." The man said shakily as Cara made soothing sounds.

"You don't have to; whenever you feel alone just call me and Harry up. I know you can't heal from this but we'll try our best."

Harry finished putting the bags in the spare room and came out to find Remus fighting back tears as Cara hugged him. He felt his heart ache for his guardian and so silently he walked over to hug his mourning friend.

"It's ok, we're here Remus...you have a pack, you're not alone anymore." He whispered as the older man gave a watery smile.

"Two wonderful pups." He said as he breathed out a laugh. Cara and Harry smiled at him before hugging him again.

~*~

AN little sad that one and I fear the other may be too but don't worry, it's just so we can help Remy!