CB: Right, I updated as quickly as I could, so I hope you all appreciate the chapter. (Thank you all so very, very much for reviewing!)


'My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late!

Prodigious birth of love it is to me, that I must love a loathed enemy.' Romeo and Juliet

"Are you…sure?" The rat faced man wheezed as he hurried up the spiral staircase after his companion. "What if you…misread the…signs?" He clutched his side and paused on a small landing, panting heavily. "Can we please stop for a moment?"

Sirius paused and turned to shoot the man an affectionate grin. "You need to keep fit, my repulsive friend, then you wouldn't have a problem keeping up."

"Repulsive?" The man panted, managing to sound offended in between gasps for air. "That's…not a nice thing…to say!"

Sirius grinned again, shrugging. "When have I ever pretended to be nice, Peter my lad? Nice is something that doesn't come into my vocabulary."

"I know." Peter muttered as he once more began hurrying after his friend – trying to compete with the other's long strides. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were related to Snape in some way. Stupid greasy bat that he is." He clutched his side, wincing as the muscles there began to cramp from exertion. "And now, on top of everything, I have a stitch. Thank you, Sirius, I'm so glad you dragged me out of bed this early just so I could enjoy a nice long climb to the top of a deserted tower in your inconsiderate and often psychotic company."

"You're welcome," Came the cheerful reply, as Sirius at last threw open the door that led out onto the platform at the top of the stone tower.

The sun was just beginning to paint the treetops and lawn red as it emerged in a sultry orange ball from behind the horizon. It caught the dew on the grass, reflecting it back in a blazing crimson inferno that looked strangely like blood. The light struck the eyes hard, burning them until a person – if they were not prepared for it – was dazzled to the point of blindness.

Peter blinked, trying to dispel the many coloured lights now flashing in front of his eyes, as Sirius drew in a deep breath, exhaling happily at the fresh, crisp, clean scent of the clear morning air. "This, Pete, is why I would never live in any other country in the world." He said happily, his breath misting in front of his face in little clouds of steam. "You can never beat this."

"You've got that bloody right." Peter shivered miserably and huddled into the slight warmth of his thin coat. "Nowhere else in the world is as freezing first thing in the morning; you can't beat that."

Sirius laughed and leant against the parapet, tossing his hair back so it caught the blood red light, staining the black a strange crimson as well. "You really should try to look on the more positive side of things, Peter."


"What's there to be positive about?" His friend grumbled. "Snape just moved up the ranks, I'm still no nearer to cracking that blasted system the Ministry is using in owls, you've made no progress with that werewolf…"

"What?" Sirius started, his expression changing swiftly from open, to guarded and wary, "Remus?"

"Mm," Peter nodded and leant back against the wall, still panting for air. "Rumour has it that things aren't going too well. In fact, a little bird told me, that you hadn't made any progress at all."

"Ahh, by 'little bird' I presume we mean Bella." Sirius' mouth twisted in a sardonic smile. "Sounds exactly like something she'd try to spread." He laughed at Peter's worried expression, "It was her, wasn't it? Admit it! She's been running up and down the castle badmouthing me!" For some reason – one that was unknown to Peter – he actually sounded pleased about this.

"Well…"

Sirius sighed and shook his head, his face set in an expression of exaggerated woe. "Ah! These family members! We, the most noble and ancient house of Black, are a conniving, backstabbing lot, are we not?" Not waiting for Peter to reply, he continued, "When we're not spreading lies and rumours about one another, we're planning how to steal the fame and fortune of a hapless relative. It's a good job I'm never getting married, Peter, no woman would put up with my family for more than a week before she ran home screaming."

"Well, your parents –" Peter began, then stopped hurriedly when he realised he'd accidentally strayed onto what could only have been called a 'sore spot'. Before Sirius could either work himself up into a fit of temper, or down into the depths of misery, another voice broke the sudden, cold silence.

"Well, what have we here? The rodent and the cur; my, what a lovely pair you make."

"Lucius," Sirius nodded, acknowledging the newcomer's presence, though not his welcome. "What brings you out this early?"

"Ah." Lucius Malfoy smiled; his expression one of self satisfied smugness. "A little bird told me that I might find you here."

"Bellatrix," Sirius rolled his eyes in disgust and turned away, looking out over the castle grounds instead. "I swear to god, that woman never keeps her mouth shut."

"That's as maybe, but she was very helpful in finding you." Lucius stepped closer, leaning on the parapet beside the irritated deatheater – Peter all but forgotten as he turned his full attention on Sirius. "I wanted to talk to you about your conduct, Black, It's not acceptable."

"Ohhh, my conduct's not acceptable? That's today's little issue is it?" Sirius' voice was dripping with disdain. "Well, that does make a change. The other day it was Snape telling me it was my appearance, the day before that it was Lestrange telling me that my voice was too loud…"

"Spare me your life's story." Lucius raised one gloved hand, delicately cutting off the flow of angry words before they could proceed any further. "I simply ask that you…behave in a slightly more acceptable manner."

Sirius' ground his teeth together, fighting to keep a tight rein on his temper as his previous good mood began to evaporate rapidly. "Tell me, Lucius, what makes you think there is even the slightest thing wrong with my conduct? I get the job done, whether my methods are traditional or not, which is more than what half the apes in this god forsaken ruin can claim! So what if I'm a little unconventional?"

"A little?" Lucius was beginning to lose his temper, and it was showing. "My dear friend, associating with Muggles, wearing muggle clothing…" he gave a small, yet sardonic smile, "…ah…consorting with werewolves, even that idiot Goyle doesn't go that far!"

"That," Sirius snapped, all good humour completely gone, "Is my job. It is what our lord requires of me, and god as my witness, if you don't ease up about the fact that I have to use untraditional methods, you and the rest of your posse, can go jump in the moat!"

"My dear boy…"

"I am not your 'dear boy', nor am I your 'dear friend', in fact, I'm not even a true acquaintance, so just leave me alone Malfoy." Sirius spun around and grabbed the door handle of the door that led back down the tower steps, nearly knocking Peter over as he did. Flinging the door open, he had taken only a few steps, when Malfoy's voice carried across the open space.


"You are without a doubt, the worst deatheater I've ever heard of." He said softly, his voice ringing with contempt, spite and a slight hint of…was that jealousy?

This, however, did not seem to have the desired effect on Sirius, who turned on the spot, the heels of his boots making a soft grinding noise against the gritty stone of the floor. His face, was suddenly calm, almost eerily so, and his eyes shone with something that bordered on mockery. "Ahh," he said, equally as softly, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he raised his chin to look down his nose at Malfoy, stalking so close to the blond deatheater, that the older man had to back up a few steps. "But you have heard of me."

And not waiting for a reply, he walked quickly of down the spiral staircase, his boots making a hollow thumping noise against the old stone.

********

Wake up; we're going to have company soon.

The inner voice of the wolf prompted Remus to open his eyes and roll onto his back. Wincing slightly as the sun struck his eyes, he sat up, raking his hands through his tangled hair. How do you know? He asked absently, swinging his feet over the edge of the bed and padding to the wardrobe.

I can sense Him, and he's upset about something.

Who are we talking about here? Remus hauled the heavy mahogany doors open, and began sorting through the rack of robes, looking for one that would fit him.

Him; the nice one that helps us, the wolf's voice sounded almost reproving, if that were possible.

"He doesn't help us." Remus commented out loud pulling the shirt he had worn to bed off over his head and tossing it in a crumpled heap on the floor.

"Who doesn't?"

The new voice startled Remus so much, that he jumped and spun around so fast he hit his knee on the wardrobe door. "Ouch!"

Sirius had the grace to look apologetic and sheepish as he rushed across the room and caught Remus's arm. "Sorry, I thought you knew I was here." He said, trying to help the other man hobble across the room to a chair. "Otherwise I would have given you more of a warning." He blinked as Remus shrugged his hand off, and then made a mental note to keep trying to help. "Do you want me to get your robe?" He indicated the robe that was now in a crumpled heap next to the shirt, having been discarded in favour of the more urgent need to sit down.

"Yes." Remus snapped, rubbing his knee and glaring at the other man.

"Shame," Sirius drawled as he sauntered across the room to retrieve the garment, his casual mask of teasing friendliness firmly in place once more. "You look extremely good like that." He shot Remus what could only have been described as a suggestive look from under his lowered lashes.

The werewolf, who had instantly resolved never, ever to be without at least three layers of clothing whenever Sirius was in the vicinity, crossed his arms and scowled. "Just pass me the robe, Black."

"Oh, I don't know," Sirius took a step backwards, still holding the robe; "Maybe I'll just keep it for a while…let you suffer."

"Give. Me. That. Robe."

Another step backwards.

"No, actually, I think I will keep it, unless you ask nicely." Grey eyes sparkled with mischief as Sirius tilted his head to one side, studying Remus. "You seem to be a little upset; is something wrong?"

Breathe…just breathe…he only wants a reaction, Remus told himself, struggling to keep both his composure and temper. So don't give him one. Sit here, and he'll get bored.

I'm not so sure, the wolf interjected apologetically, I think he would keep it, just to spite us.

"Nothing's wrong, I'd just really like my robe, please." Remus even managed to sound polite, he was quite proud of that.

"Well I'd just really like to hold onto it for the moment." A third step back, Sirius was clearly taunting him now, and worse yet, he was nearly at the door. "Besides, like I said, you look good like that." His eyes dragged over Remus' form as he started to take the fourth and final step that would bring him out of the room.

Before he could complete the movement, however, Remus was off the bed so quickly that Sirius almost missed him moving at all. However, he had enough warning to dart backwards and out into the corridor, so that the werewolf missed him by a couple of centimetres.

"Damn it Black, you're really trying my patience." The sentence was almost a growl, and Sirius, who was hastily stepping back to avoid another lunge, smirked as heard the frustration in the honeyed voice.

"I know; how does it feel to actually be getting annoyed for once, my ice prince?" He danced backwards again as Remus glared at him, one hand reaching out to swipe at the robe. "Is it making your blood boil? Is it making your teeth grind together and your hands itch to hit me?" He laughed and stepped sideways in the nick of time, to avoid a frantic grab, and then realised he was backed completely up against the opposite wall.

Remus saw this, and seized the opportunity. Diving forwards, he pinned Sirius to the wall, one arm on either side of the other man's head. "Now…give me the robe."

Sirius smiled, and turned his head, studying the skin on the inside of Remus's elbow. "Oh dear…you've been in a fight," he said, studying the long red scratches that still ran down the pale skin. "How did that happen?"

Remus swallowed, momentarily distracted from his quest for the robe. "I…it was nothing, really." He said, his voice more shaky than he had intended. "An accident, some brambles that I lost a fight to." The wolf suddenly gave him a mental jab, and he narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Not that you'd know anything about it, of course?" It was a question, but one that was hidden behind almost casual conversation.

"Of course." Sirius repeated, grey eyes showing nothing, his face a picture of innocence. "But they look rather painful. I'll have a go at healing them later." He smiled, and offered Remus one end of the robe, as though it was a peace pact. "Sorry."

"That's…" Remus began, automatically accepting the apology as he reached out to take the proffered clothing. Before he could finish his sentence though, Sirius had tugged hard on the other end of the cloth, making him stumble forwards. He overbalanced and toppled hard into the deatheater, uttering an undignified squeak as he did so.

Sirius tilted his head to one side, smiling in what could only be described as satisfaction. "Whoops, sorry," he murmured, not looking at all repentant. "Here," He added hastily when Remus began to pull away, "let me apologise properly." Placing one hand behind Remus's head, he pulled him closer until all the shocked werewolf could see was twin pools of silver. "I'm very, very sorry," Sirius murmured contritely, his lips brushing softly against Remus'. "Please forgive me?"

"I…" Remus gasped, his eyes flitting wildly as he tried to find a dignified way out of the situation, "…uh…no."

"No you won't forgive me?" Sirius was still so incredibly close, and Remus' panic was rising rapidly. "Oh, but I apologised nicely." He smiled, lips again brushing the shocked werewolf's mouth. "Please forgive me," he murmured softly, his lips just hovering on the verge of pressing forward, turning simple contact into a real kiss; teasing, taunting, just out of reach.

Kiss him, the wolf suggested; hunger tinting its voice.

What? No! Remus blinked, surprised at the wolf's reaction, He's just being silly, it's another game to him, and I'm not going to stoop to kissing him to get away!

Who said anything about getting away? The wolf sounded almost insufferably smug. I'm not limited by your stupid human inhibitions…

Don't you dare!

…And it's full moon this evening, so I could have almost complete control of you if I wanted…

NO!

Sirius blinked as Remus drew back slightly, shaking his head as though ridding himself of some stray thought or feeling. The deatheater's eyes widened slightly, as the pose of the man in front of him changed in a split second, making the whole and entirely new situation seem slightly surreal. The slender shoulders, which until now had been drooping slightly under the pressure of the moment, drew back; Remus's head came up and tilted slightly to one side, almost as though in mimicry of Sirius's earlier gestures. The gold eyes, that had been studying the floor, flew up to meet startled silver, flashing molten with a sudden, intense emotion. A sense of wrongness flooded over Sirius that, oddly enough, reassured him at the same time, as though this was only another part of the intriguing man.

"S…rus?" The voice was low, eager; a growl that's edges were slightly smoothed with honey.

Sirius licked his lips. This was a new, strange and entirely uncontrollable side to Remus Lupin that he hadn't seen before. 'Interesting,' he thought, raising one eyebrow, 'it's almost like an alter ego.' He blinked as Remus continued to stare at him, unnerving him slightly, though he would never admit it. "You want the robe back then?" He offered the material again, and was surprised to find it pushed away.

"No."

"Ooookay then." Sirius exhaled, causing several black strands to dance around his face as they were caught in the sudden breeze. "Just don't feel horribly embarrassed when people point at you and make impolite comments…" He blinked. Remus wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention to him; instead, he appeared to be eyeing something on the front of Sirius's robe. "What're you looking at?" He was definitely feeling unnerved now, and this only made him more irritable. Being unnerved was not something that Sirius Black was used to.

Remus glanced up at him from under lowered lashes, his expression strangely feral as his eyes smouldered gold fire. "You." Again, the barest hint of a growl in his voice.

Despite himself, Sirius preened slightly. ""Oh, well, that's perfectly all right; we all look oc…" His words were cut off abruptly as he found himself being slammed backwards into the wall, deceptively slender hands holding him in place as Remus gazed up at his shocked expression for a long moment.

"Sirius." He breathed, fingers clenching convulsively, buried in the thick material covering the deatheater's shoulders.

Before Sirius could reply, he felt the hands moving, one being placed on either side of his head and pulling him down into a bruising kiss.

It wasn't delicate, or sweet, it was hard, brutal and oh god he wanted more. It was the kind of kiss that involves strangely gentle nips, tangling tongues, friction bruised lips, quiet whimpers; it promised so much more than just simple kissing. It was mind-melting, toe curling; bliss and agony rolled into one. Remus' hands were entrapping his jaw now, holding it open as he sucked his tongue deep into his mouth. Sirius felt his brain melting with the sheer, carnal pleasure of it. Someone was whimpering, he couldn't tell if it was he or the golden-eyed fey creature who'd somehow ensnared him in this hot, perfect, eternal moment.

The hands were no longer holding his jaw, the slender fingers were woven tightly into his hair, gripping, pulling him harder into the kiss, ivory against obsidian darkness, contrast; perfect corruption. Sirius's last coherent thought before he gave up completely was that somehow he had lost control of the situation and for some reason he didn't want to gain it back.

They parted, panting, lips swollen and slick as their foreheads rested together, almost looking cross eyed to see one another. Sirius still reeling from the sheer hedonistic pleasure that that one kiss had caused, Remus looking strangely satisfied with himself, but at the same time, still burning with that strange, indefinable wrongness.

"Nngh…" Sirius managed, before he scowled and cleared his throat. "Lupin, what the hell was that about?" He gave a sudden wicked grin and pushed Remus back a couple of steps, moving away from the wall. "Not that I blame you, of course." He shot the werewolf a charming smile and ran a hand through his hair, pulling loose strands back from his face. "After all…hey…are you ok?"

Remus had turned away from him, his shoulders slightly hunched and his arms wrapped around himself, as though he was in pain. From what Sirius could see of his face, it was turning red with…was that embarrassment? The sable haired wizard shrugged and took a step closer to the werewolf, his movement graceful with what could only be described as seduction. "Hey, why the blush?" Sirius reached out on hand to lightly touch Remus's shoulder, but found the other man flinching away from the movement, as though he was about to be hit.

"Don't touch me." The words lashed through the air like the crack of a whip, and Sirius' eyes narrowed slightly, first with astonishment, then with anger.

"Why? Suddenly scared of me, Lupin?" His voice held a sneering note that could have rivalled Snape's on a bad day. "That was a quick change of mind, wasn't it?"

Remus didn't even move. "Just leave me alone, Black."

Enraged, Sirius gripped his shoulders, ignoring the flinch, and spun him around. "What the hell has just happened?" He said, feeling, once again, as though he was no longer in control of the situation. "One minute you're ravaging my mouth as though you only have minutes to live, and the next you're terrified of me. Damnit Lupin, I don't like being toyed with." They were practically nose-to-nose, Sirius all but snarling and Remus perfectly still, his face now drained completely white – a mask of composure.

"Let go of me."

Frustrated, Sirius did as he was told, and stepped back, his expression set in a grim mask. "Don't cross me, Remus, because you won't like me when I'm angry." His eyes were like two shards of grey stone as he studied the werewolf with almost deliberate cruelty. "You seem to forget that you are my prisoner and sometimes…" He sneered, leaning dangerously close again, "…I'm not all peaches and cream." All hint of the playful man of the past few days had vanished, and in Remus's shell-shocked mind, he could suddenly see quite, quite clearly why Sirius Black made such a good deatheater.    

Sirius, clearly having given up trying to get him to speak, gripped his shoulders and drove him back through the bedroom door, pausing long enough in the doorway to shoot Remus one, final, warning glare. "Stay here." He said abruptly, "Peter will be along later to escort you to where we've got a safe compound set up for you." Not waiting for reply, he turned on his heel and walked out, shutting the door with a loud thump, muttering a locking charm as he did so.

What went wrong? The wolf wondered silently in the depths of the confused man's head.

You! You went wrong! If you'd just kept your God-be-damned ideas to yourself we wouldn't be in this mess! Now he thinks I have some sort of mental problem! And on top of that, I have to deal with the issues you have raised by kissing him!

It was a good kiss though, the wolf replied smugly, as usual not at all repentant, he liked it too.

How do you know that? Remus raged silently within the depths of his mind, Did he tell you? I don't think so!

He didn't need too.

Remus groaned and buried his face in his hands. You're playing with fire here, and I'm the one that'll end up burnt. He's a deatheater! You saw how quickly he changed from nice to nasty! He could kill us both without batting an eyelid and no matter how much he plays the 'nice guy' it's true. He's dangerous, and I can't get that through to you! Stop trying to seduce him!

Why? The wolf sounded genuinely curious, He wants us – I know he does! Why not take advantage of that?

Because seduction is a dangerous thing. We may start off trying to get under his skin, but in the end, he will turn that to his advantage.

Perhaps… The wolf trailed off, its presence fading to the back of Remus's mind until there was only the faintest hint that it was there at all.

Remus sat for a moment in silence, quietly staring at the locked and closed door, deliberately not thinking of anything in particular. However, it wasn't long before the insistent thought that had been nagging his dreamy state of mind pushed its way to the forefront, and he scowled as his contemplation turned once more towards Sirius. The deatheater was an utter puzzle, his moods ranging from amiable to furious in the blink of an eye; Sirius struck him as the type of person who felt everything instantly and deeply. But was it an act? A small part of his mind nagged. Was it really that Sirius was presenting this intriguing façade to lure him into doing whatever it was that his master wanted?

Well, Remus thought with a flash of irritation, he wouldn't. There was nothing on earth, he vowed silently, that Sirius Black could ever do that would make him join forces with someone as evil as Voldemort.

Heat, meshing, tongues twisting; that uniquely spicy flavour that tasted partly like cinnamon and entirely like Sirius. Eyes that reflected heartfelt emotions, two shining pools of liquid silver that tugged at the heartstrings. Expert hands, gripping his arms, urging him closer, begging for more, pleading moans, soft whimpers…a face that was lost in the vague ecstasy of pleasure…

"Stop it!" Remus shouted, burying his face in his hands as he tried to block the sudden rush of mental images from his mind, "He's nothing! Nothing! He's evil and twisted…just like the rest of them! I hate him, he's always laughing at me…laughing at us. Taunting, teasing, he never stops; I don't know why you're so interested in him! It was just a stupid kiss! Why do you keep bringing it up?"

Because it is linked to that 'dream' we had.

"What on earth are you on about?"

The dream. It was real – we both know it, but you deny it. Why not ask him about it? Why not question his motives? At the same time we can ask him why we only saw him once at the large building.

"What, Hogwarts?"

Yes. So get close to him, keep questioning him – he is interesting. There was a flicker of some unidentifiable emotion from the wolf, but it was gone before Remus could question it.

"WHY are you so interested in him? Surely you just want to rip his throat out!"

Silently, at the back of his mind, the wolf laughed.

********

"Cheer up ducky," Cilia commented as she continued to knead the pale dough. "Life can't be that bad."

The kitchen was bustling with activity as several people rushed to and fro along the steaming aisles that separated the workbenches that had been installed in the back of the bakery. It was noisy and hot, but the atmosphere was one of cheerful yet concentrated busyness. Cilia, the head baker, ruled over this small domain with a large, ruddy fist of iron and an apron that could easily have been used to provide sails for a ship. Her cheerful, yet strict nature endeared her to most people, and Sirius, who often frequented the small village just outside the castle, had been taken under her wing from the moment he had turned up in the bakery to buy several loaves.

The sullen deatheater was perched on a stool in the furthermost reaches of the kitchen, well out of harm's way. His expression was moody as he watched Cilia sling the dough into a bread pan and push the entire thing into the stone oven that resided at one end of the long room. "It's worse." He said, his voice taking on a sulky tone that even he thought sounded childish.

Cilia raised an eyebrow as she grabbed another bag of flour and poured a generous heap into the mixing bowl. "Well, what on earth's the matter then?" She demanded, her Scottish burr ringing around the kitchen as she scowled at him. "Something's put you in a right foul mood unless I'm very much mistaken, and unless you care to tell me about it, there's nought I can do."

Sirius opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by a loud shriek from the other end of the kitchen and a large puff of flour that rose into the air, only to settle again on everything within the vicinity.

"For the love of God, Ella!" Cilia roared down the room, "Be careful! If that stuff gets in with the flapjacks, they're going to be ruined!" She bore down on the hapless Ella, her ruddy face contorted with irritation as she hurriedly swept the flour off the work surfaces before it could do any further damage.

Sirius sneezed as a cloud of white powder drifted past, some of it settling on his head, making him age somewhat and develop grey streaks in his otherwise stark black hair. "Oy," He complained, plucking at a strand and studying it disdainfully, "How am I meant to get this out if you please? When you mix flour with water it goes sticky!" He wrinkled his nose and shot Ella an irritated look, making her blush with embarrassment and hurriedly turn to pull a tray of scones out of the oven.

"Hush, you," Cilia scolded, striding back down the room, picking up a rolling pin as she did so, "You know the risks of sitting in here – so on your head be it." She thumped the unlucky piece of wood down on the countertop and grabbed a bag of sugar. "Now," She said, as though their previous conversation had not been interrupted, "What exactly is the problem then?"

Sirius wrinkled his nose as he idly picked at a frayed edge on the cuff of his t-shirt. He couldn't confide the entire story to Cilia because – despite providing food for the castle – she knew very little about what went on there, and nothing about the wizarding world in general. "Well, it's sort of…complicated," He began, almost reluctantly. "You see, there's this…person that I've been asked to, um, look after…" He trailed off, trying to think of a tactful way to say 'and seduce', but couldn't. "Anyway, this person's very smart and intelligent and they don't really want to be looked after, particularly not by me, because they hate me." He gave a weak smile as Cilia raised an eyebrow, but made no comment, instead choosing to add butter to the mixture forming in her bowl. He took a deep breath and continued. "Well, the thing is, this person's been playing on my mind a lot recently, but I can't really talk to them, because, like I said, they hate me."

Cilia paused in her furious mixing for a moment to stare at him. "Am I hearing you right, ducky? You are suffering a confidence crisis? You who just waltzed in here one day and perched on that there stool, comfy as you please? You who half the village knows already?" She gave a low whistle and slopped a few spices into the bowl for good measure. "This person must be pretty interesting to have thrown you off balance." She smiled affectionately at Sirius's indignant glare and patted him on the shoulder with one large, floured hand. "Don't worry about it ducky, just be your usual, charming self and you'll be fine."

"Yeah," Sirius echoed, perking up slightly, a small smile gracing his lips. "Maybe I should just be my charming self." His grin could have been called infectious, if it wasn't for a certain amount of wickedness in it.

********

"So let me get this straight," James asked, for what felt like the hundredth time, "You were asleep in your bedroom, whose window overlooks that small copse of trees over there, when you were woken by a loud commotion…correct?"

The tiny, wizened witch nodded.

"…Following this loud noise, you jumped out of bed and peered out of the said window in time to see a motorcycle speeding off at a great speed down the country lane."

"It had two men on it," The witch supplied helpfully, "The only thing I could make out though, was that one was wearing a green robe, and the other had long hair." She smiled and offered the irritated auror the same tray of biscuits that she'd offered three times previously. "Biscuit?"

"No!" James leapt to his feet in frustration, scowling down at her shocked expression. "I don't have time for biscuits, and if you offer them to me once more, I'm going to have you held in custody for hindering a public investigation!" He took a deep breath, struggling to regain some control, regretting the words as soon as they were out of his mouth, but feeling slightly better for venting some frustration. "Excuse me." He muttered, turning and storming out of the small cottage, taking care to slam the door behind him.

Once outside, he leant against the whitewashed wall and stared up at the sky, letting the wind shift his unruly hair and soothe his frazzled nerves somewhat. 'I haven't found him,' he thought miserably, 'I've been working every hour of the day and I'm no closer to finding Remus than I am to inventing a broomstick that can fly to Pluto. Where has he gone? It's like he's simply vanished, and that blasted stranger with him!' He exhaled sharply and straightened his robes. 'I know I'm not meant to jump to conclusions, but I bet this mystery man was a deatheater – curse him! Why did they have to pick on Remus? WHY does Voldemort want him so much?' He scowled and kicked a stray pebble, scuffing it along the path as he moved away from the cottage. 'It must be something to do with his…second nature – but what? Dumbledore won't say anything, and whenever I ask McGonagall, she goes all tight-lipped and refuses to answer!'

James grimaced as he entered the Three Broomsticks and, ignoring Rosmerta's weak smile, ascended the stairs to his room.

Throwing himself down on the bed, he thought longingly of Lily, far off in Godric's Hollow, before his mind turned once again to the miserable task at hand. Staring up at the ceiling, he felt his hands clench into fists.

'I will find you, Remus…I will.'

To Be Continued…

CB: Many thanks to all who reviewed – sadly I really don't gave time to say thank you to each everyone one of you, because I'm in a tearing hurry. I will next chapter!