Author's Note: Sorry it's taken a bit to update – I didn't have internet service at home the past week. So…here is the end of the year. It's a little long but…hope you enjoy!!

Chapter 16 A Year in the Life – Part 4

"Happy Birthday!" Remus pounced on his mate.

"Mmph." Cassius burrowed his head into the pillow.

"Come on, I have your present waiting for you."

"What time is it?" Cassius' voice was muffled.

"It's 6."

"In the morning."

"Yes."

"Since when are you a morning person?"

"Since today – I was able to get you a big gift because of the money I've earned at my job and I want you to open it."

"Now?"

"Come on, you love opening presents."

"When I've had at least 8 hours of sleep."

"Well…I can't help it that you wanted to have sex until the early hours." Remus kissed Cassius' ear. "Come on, please?"

"All right, all right." Cassius rolled over and stumbled to the doorway. "It better be good."

"It is!" Remus hopped up and down with excitement. He prided himself on buying Cassius' presents with his own money which normally meant they weren't all that big, especially since their anniversary, Cassius' birthday and Christmas all fell within a week of each other. But this time…this time, Remus had been able to get Cassius something he'd been wanting for a while. And Cassius would never guess.

"Merlin – "Cassius yawned. "That's a huge box."

"Start opening it!" Remus pulled Cassius over to it. He puttered around the kitchen fixing them both some toast and tea while Cassius opened the present. He sat down just in time for Cassius to open the box. Cassius' jaw dropped open and he stared wide eyed into the box.

"A…a Nimbus 2000!" Cassius murmured with awe. "You got me a Nimbus 2000." He reached into the box and pulled the broom out. "You are the best best best wife ever!" He set the broom down and scooped Remus up into his arms.

"So you forgive me for waking you up?" Remus said between kisses.

"It's brilliant. I love you."

"Happy 29th Birthday, Cass." Remus hugged his mate tightly.

Christmas was a low key affair. Moody went to visit his niece, Stevens was in Europe for a special Quidditch tour and Tabby had gone to Hogwarts to help her sister tend to the mandrakes.

"I love Christmas." Cassius said from where he was laying spread-eagled on the floor amongst the opened presents.

"You just love mistletoe." Remus answered, brushing his fingers across his bruised lips.

"I love presents as well."

"Uh huh."

"And eggnog."

"Uh huh." Remus pulled on the new sweater Cassius had bought him and slipped his feet into his new slippers from Tabby.

"And…mistletoe." Cassius grinned.

"All right – which is it 'A Christmas Carol,' 'It's a Wonderful Life' or 'White Christmas'?"" Remus asked, it was tradition to end the evening watching a movie in front of the fire.

"Umm…'Wonderful Life.' And we don't have to hear Tabby sniffle through the whole thing." Cassius said with a smile, crawling towards Remus on the couch.

Cassius stood in the bathroom, about to brush his teeth. He looked at his hands in the mirror. He could look up, look at his face, it was possible. Remus was always trying to get him to do so.

"Is the rest of you that pale too, Cousin?" Regulus' taunting voice rang in his ears.

He took a deep breath and raised his eyes. He could see the Lupin ring shining on his chest, he looked a little higher and could see the tattoo that Remus loved to trace over.

Suddenly he heard his father's voice, almost as clearly as if he were standing next to him. "Well, at least you look like a Malfoy, even if you don't act like one."

Cassius shook his head, closed his eyes and brushed his teeth quickly. Remus entered the bathroom, walking up behind Cassius, he twined one arm around Cassius' waist. The other hand crept up, feeling Cassius' face.

"The Department Holiday Party is today." Cassius said, moving his head so he could kiss Remus' fingers.

"I know. I think you'll be fine without a shave, unless you really want one."

"No, it's fine, I'm running late anyway." Cassius turned around. "I'll be home by midnight."

"I'll be here." Remus said. "Have fun. I'm looking forward to hearing all about it from Aspasia. You know…if you talk to her, it would make her year."

"What should I say?" Cassius smiled.

"Umm….ask her about Sam, her son, he was in your year at Hogwarts, you must have known him…He was in Hufflepuff. He's a healer now, he was my healer when I was in hospital."

"Just ask how he's doing?"

"Yes. And I put our present for Moody in your coat pocket."

"What'd we get him?"

"You'll just have to find out." Remus grinned as he walked down the stairs.

"Remus, Valentine's Day is next week." Cassius said casually as he walked into the kitchen where Remus was cooking dinner. Tabby was off visiting a friend.

"I know." Remus replied, equally casually. They had never celebrated Valentine's Day, mostly because Cassius either forgot or was away. Remus had never made a big deal of it because he figured every day was rather like Valentine's Day.

"I overheard Tessen telling Bartleby about all the things he's planning for his wife. Dinner, flowers, a night in a hotel away from their kids. He's getting her a new ring."

"That's nice of him." Remus said, checking the oven to see how his shepherd's pie was doing.

"Would you…um…I mean…we could do something for it, if you wanted."

Remus turned around, looking at Cassius who was tracing a pattern on the kitchen table, not looking at him. "We could. What were you thinking?"

"Moody has a cabin on Skye…he stays there when he visits his niece, he said we could use it for the night."

"That'd be nice, I've never been there."

"I've never given you anything for Valentine's Day. I've never even remembered it." Cassius scowled at the table. "I'm a horrible husband."

"You're not. You give me something every day." Remus said, crossing to the table.

"And what's that?" Cassius muttered.

"Your love." Remus kissed the top of Cassius' head as Cassius made a scoffing noise. "And I could have reminded you about Valentine's Day if I'd really wanted to celebrate it. Skye sounds wonderful. And I'd love a new watch and the new edition of Magical Home Remedies, it was just published last week."

There was a long pause. "Would you write me a note so I'd remember to get them?" Cassius tilted his head to look up at Remus solemnly.

"Of course." Remus kissed him quickly. "What do you want for Valentine's Day?"

"I get a present too?" Cassius said, green eyes starting to sparkle. Remus nodded, smiling. "Oh! I…I need a new foe glass and…a new quill for work."

"What happened to the quill you got for Christmas?" Remus asked with surprise.

"I lost it." Cassius shrugged.

"I put a spell on it so it wouldn't get lost."

"Well…I don't know. I still lost it." Cassius' hand flexed.

"All right, I'll get you a new one and I'll research a different spell." Remus kissed Cassius quickly.

Remus checked his bag again. He'd never gone overnight anywhere since he and Cassius had been mated. He wondered if he over packed – after all they were just going to be gone one night. Tabby had packed them a picnic basket, which was sitting on the table, but he hadn't seen Tabby all day. She'd gotten flustered when he had told her their plans for the holiday and had changed the subject anytime he'd brought it up after that.

He slung his bag over his shoulder and picked up the basket. A moment later he was stepping into Moody's cabin on Skye. He looked through the window and could see they were very close to the coast. He explored the small cabin, careful not to touch anything until Cassius got there. With Moody, you never knew if there would be any dark wizard traps. He sat gingerly on a chair, figuring that would have to be safe, and waited for Cassius. A moment later, Cassius walked through the door of the cabin.

"Come for a walk - it's just about sunset." Cassius said from the doorway.

Remus walked quickly over to join him. "Are you sure…"

"It's protected, no one will see us." Cassius answered, taking Remus' hand in his.

"Oh." They walked silently towards the beach. Cassius conjured up a blanket, sat down and pulled Remus into his lap.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Remus." Cassius kissed him until they were both breathless.

"If…if no one can see us…"

"Mmm?" Cassius nuzzled Remus' neck.

"Could we…"

"Could we what?"

"Kiss on the beach? Like in that muggle movie?" Remus asked.

"If you want to." Cassius laid back, bringing Remus with him. Remus shivered as the wind blew gently over them. He pulled Remus into a searing kiss. Remus fumbled with Cassius' sweater and shirt to get to his skin. "Oh! Merlin! Your hands are freezing!"

"Sorry."

"I guess I need to warm you up."

"Yes, you do." Remus smiled down at his mate. In a swift move, Cassius rolled them over so he was on top, his long jacket covering Remus, blocking out the wind. "Please." Remus arched up, seeking more contact. "I love you."

"Sex on the beach – that's very Valentine's Day, isn't it?"

"Very – it's very romantic." Remus said.

"Good – I just wanted to make sure." Cassius shifted and unzipped Remus' pants.

Remus was double checking to make sure everything was packed for his trip to France. Aspasia was sending him to meet with their department of Ludicrous Patents.

"You will be careful, won't you?" Cassius said from his seat on the bed where he'd been watching Remus pack.

"Yes." Remus said with an exasperated sigh. It was the fifth time Cassius had asked him that. "I will not Apparate unless I know I am going to a safe location. I will always have my wand on my person. I will not talk to strangers or take any candy they may offer to me."

"There's no need to get snarky." Cassius growled.

"How old am I?" Remus looked over at his mate.

"You're…thirty?" Remus shook his head. Cassius sometimes forgot how old Remus was, of course, he often forgot how old he was, Remus didn't suppose it mattered much.

"I'm 32. 32 and…" Remus quickly counted in his head. "seven months."

"I knew that." Cassius grumbled.

"And so I'm old enough to take care of myself. It's only a two day business trip." Remus walked over and threaded his hands through Cassius' hair. "So you don't need to worry. Honestly, it's not like any dark wizard is going to be threatening me, it's Ludicrous Patents business."

"But you've never been away before." Cassius said plaintively.

"Well, there's a first time for everything." Remus said lightly. "Don't worry." Remus kissed Cassius briefly. "I have to get going or I'll be late." Cassius' fingers tightened their hold on Remus' robe. He could feel the tension in Cassius' body. "Now you know how I feel when you have those dangerous assignments."

"You get this worried about me?" Cassius tilted his head as he looked up at Remus.

"Of course I do, I love you, and I have actual reasons to worry when you go on assignment."

"Oh…it must be awful for you." Cassius said earnestly.

"It is." Remus nodded. "But you always tell me that you'll be all right and that makes me feel better."

"So tell me you'll be all right."

"I'll be all right."

"There's been another attack at Hogwarts." Tabby looked up from the scroll she'd just received from her sister.

"What happened?" Cassius asked. Or at least, Remus thought that was what he said through the mouthful of potatoes and eggs.

"A 2nd year Gryffindor and a 5th year Ravenclaw…a prefect." Tabby looked back down at the scroll. "Both petrified." She gasped. "And Hagrid has been sent to Azkaban!"

"What?" Remus gasped. "They can't think Hagrid was responsible."

"Well …when the Chamber was opened 50 years ago, Hagrid was pointed to as the culprit…they must think…it's impossible of course. Ah…according to my sister, Fudge signed the order."

"Figures." Cassius said scornfully.

"And…" Tabby's eyes widened. "Dumbledore's been removed!"

"What?" Remus and Cassius yelled together.

"Ach! My ears!" Tabby murmured. "Hold on, hold on – let me read. She says that the Board of Governors voted to remove Dumbledore from his position. Apparently, Lucius led the vote."

"Lucius?" Cassius looked shocked. "But…why would he want Dumbledore removed?"

"Thinks he's not doing his job." Tabby shrugged. "Well, now, you two, it's almost time for you to leave for work – eat up."

"But…Dumbledore's brilliant at his job – everyone knows that." Cassius said. "He knows everything."

"He kept the school open through these attacks, perhaps Lucius felt it was too unsafe for the children." Tabby said calmly, looking at Remus pointedly.

"Draco's there, so Lucius does have a vested interest in the safety of the school." Remus said, feeling anger inside at Lucius removing Dumbledore, he knew it was because Lucius was evil – he hated everything Dumbledore stood for – but Cassius didn't want to believe Lucius was a dark wizard. Remus had learned to not rock the boat when it came to Lucius.

"You think so?" Cassius turned troubled eyes towards Remus.

"It makes sense." Remus said – it did, if Remus believed Lucius capable of caring about his son.

"And I'm sure once the Chamber is shut, Dumbledore will be restored." Tabby said. "Finish your breakfast, Cassie."

"Remus – do you see the article on the second page?"

"Which one?" Remus asked, turning his paper to the second page. He and Tabby each got a copy of the Daily Prophet delivered. Cassius never read the Daily Prophet, calling it rubbish. Remus used the money in his own vault for the subscription so that Cassius couldn't cancel it. It had become his and Tabby's morning routine once Cassius had left for work for them to sit in the kitchen and read the paper together, discussing an article occasionally. Remus had missed reading the paper with Tabby once he had gotten his job. He was home sick today because the full moon was that evening. "Oh! The one about Lucius being resigning from the Board of Governors!"

"My sister says he didn't resign. He was kicked off! He probably paid the reporter to say he resigned."

"He's probably upset about that." Remus said, trying to suppress a grin. When The Marauders had been in the Order before Voldemort's defeat, they'd had run ins with Lucius. He was an icy, condescending, conniving wizard. And Remus didn't think he'd been under Imperious like he had said once Voldemort was defeated.

"We'll have to ask Cassie, he's having lunch with Lucius today."

"Is he? Oh, you're right, it is the 2nd Tuesday of the month."

Suddenly, Moody flooed into the kitchen.

"Moody! How are you?" Remus asked as Moody clunked over to the kitchen table.

"Remus, Bette." Moody nodded.

"Alastor." Tabby said, not looking up from her newspaper.

"Came to tell you the news from Hogwarts."

"We just read it – Lucius isn't on the Board anymore."

"That's just the tip of it." Moody settled down at the table. "It appears Lucius was involved in opening the Chamber."

"What?" Tabby set down her newspaper and stared at Moody. Remus stared as well.

"Now…Cassie will say Voldemort has a spell on Lucius again…so be prepared." Moody paused and Tabby and Remus nodded. "It seems he had Voldemort's school diary…Voldemort was the one who opened the Chamber fifty years ago, when he was at Hogwarts. He's Slytherin's heir." Moody gave a dry hacking cough. Tabby flew up and got him a cup and quickly poured him some tea. He took a sip. "Voldemort used one of Arthur Weasley's children to open the Chamber – the diary had a spell on it, somehow preserved the memory of himself."

"And…how was he defeated?" Tabby asked.

"Harry Potter. Seems to be the only wizard capable of defeating Voldemort, in any incarnation. He and his friend Ron Weasley went to find the Chamber. Potter was able to enter it – he's a parselmouth. And he confronted Voldemort's fifteen year old self and defeated him. Cool head, that Potter. Amazing he's not even thirteen."

"Amazing." Remus said, filled with pride that James and Lily's son was so powerful at such a young age.

"Although – James and Lily were certainly no slouches." Moody said gruffly.

"No, they weren't." Remus said stoutly. The three were silent for a moment.

"Oh and…Dumbledore is restored to Headmaster. I think that's all the news." Moody said, reaching for a croissant from the platter on the table.

"Thanks for coming to tell us." Remus said.

"Well – it's not all going to be in the Prophet, and I thought you'd want to know."

"Thank you, Alastor." Tabby said. Remus watched in surprise as a flush crept over Moody's scarred cheeks.

"Not at all." Moody stood. "Best be off."

Author's Notes: Yes, it's a bit of a sudden ending, but…I'm done! (Clapping hands excitedly!) The next chapter will be up in a week! Oh – I have some lovely little bits coming up. I hope you enjoy. :-)