I promise I'm trying to update as quickly as I can. Ideally I try to update every week but it doesn't always work out that way. But don't just leave a review when I take too long to update, leave one anyway…..

Chapter 21- Secret Keepers

"So Lucius, I understand congratulations are in order. You're now a father."

She wasn't the sort for small talk normally, but her Master had been pleased by the birth of Malfoy's child. It was a boy, and though Malfoy gave little away, he was pleased.

"Thank you. We're calling him Draco."

Draco Malfoy. An appropriate name, it sounded like someone born into Lord Voldemort's service, which the child clearly was.

"And Narcissa is well?"

"Oh, yes fine." He waved a hand, it was an afterthought.

It seemed as though babies were everywhere. Lucius and Narcissa, and she had come specifically to tell her Master that both Alice Longbottom and Lily Potter were expecting. The news was not particularly disturbing, what could small babies really do? But she thought he might as well get rid of the whole troublesome lot of them right now before they started multiplying.

******

Remus came into his apartment to find Morgan asleep on his couch, surrounded by various books on the Dark Arts and how to fight them. He had not seen as much of her since the holidays, because she was nearly through her Auror training and her tests, pushed back while she had been ill, were coming up quickly at the end of January. She didn't show much stress, but he knew this was something she really wanted, and he didn't mind losing her to textbooks and study groups for a few weeks. He knelt down in front of the couch, looking at her, as she mumbled something unintelligible. She talked in her sleep, always in Gaelic, it was one of a million little things he found out in the past two months, easily the best two months of his life. She kept her toenails painted bright red. She pulled at her earrings when she was concentrating.

He leaned and kissed her forehead, and she woke up.

"Hm? Oh hi. Where have you been?"

"I had dinner with Peter." He moved her feet and sat down.

"Oh." She promptly lost interest, she'd never liked him and never bothered to hide it. "What has your little rat friend been up to? I barely saw him over the holidays. Not that I'm complaining."

"He's got a girl. I gather she's pretty high maintenance."

A flicker of interest. "Are you serious? Who?"

"I've never met her. Her name is Abrielle Buchanan."

She smirked. "That explains a great deal. Abby Buchanan is a whore."

He looked pained. "Morgan, please."

"Sorry. But really, she was a year behind me at Hogwart's. And she was the kind of girl who was proud to have that sort of reputation. Trash."

"Well, seems to be working out for Peter. Her Dad's got him a new job and everything."

A small line of worry appeared between her eyebrows. "Not Conall Buchanan?"

"I think so. Why? As I understand it the guy manufactures make-up. Hardly dangerous."

"That's a cover. He's done pretty well in the cosmetic business, but Buchanan's real money comes from trade in illegal poisons."

"How do you know that?"

"Have you forgotten who my father was?" She frowned. "I know Peter is your friend, but don't get mixed up with that family. And if you care about him, tell him to get out while he can."

******

Alice's birthday was January 16, and though she wasn't really feeling up to celebrating, they did have a small dinner party. She had told Lily about their children being due at roughly the same time, which had prompted much delighted shrieking and enough discussion of showers and baby clothes to drive James and Frank to another room to drink beer and talk quidditch. And now, as they were sitting around the table in the Longbottom's dining room, it struck Lily how grown up they suddenly were. It had happened without anyone noticing.

"How've you been feeling Lily?" Asked Juliet. Alice had invited her along with Sirius, since everyone pretty much knew about their relationship, despite their being fairly discreet.

"Still awful." She made a face.

"Did the healer say how long that would last?"

"Oh, she's a wealth of wisdom on that subject. Told me she lived in the loo for the entire nine months."

Both Lily and Alice grimaced at this prospect. Molly Weasley gave them both encouraging smiles. "It's not always that bad. I've never been sick past the first few months."

"When are you due?"

"Another month and a half. Another boy, I think."

"How can you tell?"

She shrugged. "I'm just guessing."

Sirius seemed to think this line of conversation was getting either a little boring or into territory he'd prefer to avoid, so he turned to Remus.

"Where the hell have you been lately anyway? I sent you two owls last week trying to get hold of you. What have you been doing?"

He didn't immediately answer, at least not before Juliet muttered something under her breath. Lily didn't catch what it was, and it didn't seem anyone else did, except Morgan. At least, her head snapped up to look at Juliet, and the look that passed between them made Lily shiver. It was one of pure violence and hatred. For a moment she truly thought they might fight and she wondered idly who would win. There was a ringing silence around the table. Finally, Remus answered the question casually.

"Not all of us were stupid enough to get suspended for brawling at Ministry events mate. Some of us still have work."

"Hey, that was Prongs, not me. He started it."

Everyone laughed, more from relief than anything, now that the moment had passed. But Lily couldn't help but wonder what Juliet had said.

******

Morgan glanced around the bedroom, and saw the book Alice had sent her up for on the dresser. Another book of baby related spells. Lily and Alice were constantly swapping such books. Morgan flipped through it, vaguely curious. She knew she was nowhere near ready to have kids, but when she was…well, it seemed like a pretty intimidating process.

The sound of footsteps made her turn. Juliet stepped into the room, and closed the door behind her with a soft click.

"What?" Morgan was well aware she sounded rude. She didn't care.

"I wanted to speak to you."

"I don't think we have anything to speak about." She made to brush past, but Juliet blocked her neatly.

"You're just angry because you're not the most important woman in his life anymore, hm?"

"Don't flatter yourself. You think you're that important to him? Honey, I couldn't even tell you how many women there have been in his life. I lost count a long time ago."

"You're one to talk."

"Let me make something very clear. My personal life is none of your business, and you can keep your speculations and comments to yourself."

"While we're clarifying McCarrick, let me remind you that I know what you say to him about me. Stay out of it, you have no idea what you are dealing with little girl."

"Oh no? I think I've got a pretty good idea just what you are."

She pushed past then, acutely aware that she was bluffing. She had no idea what Juliet was up to, but there was something not right about the situation, and Morgan didn't like or trust her.

******

"Oh, I'm exhausted."

Lily smiled sympathetically as Morgan collapsed into a chair in their kitchen. There was no question in her mind that Morgan would pass her Auror tests with flying colors, but she and James were nevertheless trying to help her out by putting her through her paces as it approached.

"Do you want to stay here tonight?"

"No, you've got enough to think about without putting me up. I'll go home, it's not far."

"I'll drop you off." Remus said quickly.

Lily expected Morgan to decline, normally she'd say she was quite all right getting home on her own. But in a totally out-of-character reaction, she gave him a dazzling smile. "Thanks."

Lily was thoughtful as they left, chatting cheerfully about the various uses and tricks of conjuring a proper patronus. As soon as she and James were alone, she remarked "Well, that was interesting."

"Interesting? What was? The Patronus charm?" James asked blankly.

"Do you think there's something going on between them? Well, obviously there is, but I wonder how serious it is."

"Who?"

"Try to follow along James. Morgan and Remus."

He stared. "Something going on between them? You mean, like…?"

"Well, I doubt Remus would let it go that far if he wasn't serious about it. And I doubt Morgan could keep a secret if she wasn't serious. They obviously don't want anyone to know, probably because Sirius would take it badly. Hm, I never would have expected it, but now that I think about it, it kind of works…."

******

"My father's having a party on Sunday night. You just have to come, there will be all sorts of important people there."

Peter frowned. He didn't really like the Buchanan's "friends". Yes, many of them were important. And yes, many of them were rich. But they all seemed a little…sinister. Abby pouted a little at his expression.

"You have to come, there are people Daddy wants you to meet."

"Like who?"

"Oh, business associates. He thinks you have a lot of potential you know."

Peter wasn't sure how exactly he had so much potential, since he wasn't really doing anything…but, the Buchanans were rich. They could give him everything he'd ever wanted. When he looked at what he'd gained in the past few months- a beautiful girl, money, respect- what did he care if they seemed a little dodgy? After all, Conall was a legitimate businessman.

"Peter." Abby draped her arms around his neck, purring in his ear. "You don't talk about all your friends lately. What are they up to?"

"I thought you didn't like them anyway."

"I never said that. I was just wondering…"

******

Snape strode through the hallways at the Ministry, his manner and posture discouraging anyone from speaking to him. He hated coming here, but there were some potions ingredients that could only be obtained through official channels. If you wanted to obtain them legally, that was, and Snape preferred not to get ingredients for students from his other sources.

He saw Lucius Malfoy only about twenty paces away down a hallway, talking to an attractive dark haired woman. He hoped Lucius would not see him since he really didn't feel like making nice, but of course moments later he heard "Oh Severus?" And he sighed. No way around it.

Lucius bid the woman good bye and strode in his usual commanding manner to where Snape had paused.

"I understand congratulations are in order Lucius."

"Ah well." He crossed his arms in a self-satisfied manner. "No doubt in eleven years you will see him sorted into Slytherin."

The mind boggles. But Snape merely said "It will be a welcome change from the little twits I am teaching now."

Lucius made a sort of absent sound, but he was staring after the dark haired woman.

"She looks familiar, who is she?"

"She shouldn't look too familiar, she's firmly in Dumbledore's camp. Or so he thinks." Lucius smirked. "She's got Sirius Black wrapped around her little finger, and he's right next to Dumbledore. Clever girl."