Author's Notes: Wow! FOUR reviews in one afternoon! (Dancing around happily!) So…I said I'd update and I don't lie! Thanks to rogue641, AffectedMangoO, Mon2 and elkebaby, (and my cable modem that allows me to be online all the time!) here's the next chapter!

Chapter 25 – The Big Three-Oh!

The birthday party was very fun. Remus liked Clara immediately as did Cassius. She was cute, short and slightly plump with shoulder length red hair and glasses. She laughed easily. Remus could tell Stevens was smitten. He had even told her his first name.

"Aloysius! Can you believe it?" Clara said, causing Cassius to laugh while Stevens blushed.

"Shut it, Cassie. It's not as bad as Aurelius." Stevens glared across the table at his friend. Cassius's brows knit together questioningly. Stevens's glare softened and he glanced quickly at Remus with an expression Remus couldn't read.

"Well, I think it's dead sexy." Clara batted her blue eyes at Stevens who looked at her and smiled.

"She is the one." Cassius exclaimed with a grin. "If she thinks your name is sexy, don't let her go, she's one in a million. Isn't she, Remus?" Cassius's hand reached out for Remus's, twining their fingers together.

"Definitely – I think it might be more like one in a trillion." Remus laughed as he leaned back and laid his right arm over the back of Cassius's chair. Clara giggled and kissed Stevens on the cheek.

"Cassius - " Clara turned to him.

"Call him Cassie, we all do – well…except for Remus." Stevens interrupted.

"Should I ask what Remus calls him?" Clara smiled at Remus.

"He calls me Lord and Master. Ouch!" Cassius rubbed his side where Remus pinched him.

"I see you around the Ministry and I read about you all the time in the Prophet but you never smile. You should, it's really a lovely smile." Clara leaned forward earnestly.

"Oh…I…" Cassius started to blush, Remus rubbed his back affectionately. Fudge often used Cassius as a poster boy for the auror department, because of his good looks as well as his ability as an auror. Cassius hated it. Remus privately had a scrapbook of all the articles. Cassius was the best auror currently working in the department and Remus was immensely proud of him.

"If he smiled he'd have everyone chasing after him." Stevens was glad to have the teasing aimed at his good looking best friend. "Just like a Veela."

"All those stories about Malfoys being Veelas are totally unproven." Cassius bristled.

"I seem to recall you saying otherwise when we were at school." Stevens arched his eyebrow at Cassius.

"I never said I was a Veela!" Cassius glared at Stevens who didn't bat an eye. Remus admired Stevens' courage, Cassius' glare was very intimidating. Stevens made a gesture with his hands that was the equivalent of 'is that all you've got?'

"Well, you certainly look like one, with the pale hair and pretty face and OW!!" Stevens grimaced in pain. "You kicked me! You're losing your touch, old man. You used to be able to jinx me without your wand. Must be turning 30."

"You're older than me!" Cassius answered scornfully. "And I'm not pretty."

"Yes, you are, Malfoy!" Stevens stuck out his tongue. Cassius hated being called by his last name as Stevens well knew.

"Boys – if you're going to duel, take it outside." Moody said gruffly. "Last time you jinxed Bette by accident." Cassius and Stevens immediately Apparated out of the room.

"Is it me or have they regressed to being teenagers?" Clara asked Remus, looking a tad bewildered.

"They always do this when they're together." Remus smiled warmly at Clara. "You get used to it."

"I had no idea you and Cassius were together. When you worked at the Ministry, everyone thought you were single. Hell, some people thought you were straight, obviously they didn't remember you from school," Clara laughed as Remus blushed. "You really know how to keep a secret." Clara fiddled with her spoon then looked up at Remus. "I swear I will never tell anyone. I told Stevens I wouldn't but I wanted to say it to you as well."

"Thank you." Remus was touched by the emotion in Clara's eyes.

"You've been together 8 years as of yesterday? Stevens told me."

"Yes, well, we dated for two years before we mated…I mean…you know about me being a werewolf, don't you?" Remus suddenly felt awkward and nervous.

"Oh, yes. Stevens told me. He's very protective of you, you know. He adores Cassie and anyone who Cassie loves, well, I think if I had had a problem with you, I would have been shown the door. But I don't think it matters at all… in fact, I've decided you and I are going to be great friends." Clara smiled. "That way, when they're together, you and I can still have an intelligent conversation."

"I'd like that." Remus smiled back.

"So, happy anniversary." Clara pulled out a small package from her robe pocket. She tapped it with her wand and it returned to its full size. "I thought you should have an anniversary present. It's for both of you, but mostly you, because you're my friend." Her eyes twinkled.

"Thanks." Remus opened the present, it was a new book of sheet music for the piano. "Wow! Beethoven's piano symphonies. Thanks!"

"I just can't believe you've kept your marriage secret all this time."

"Yes…well, we don't socialize really, just with Stevens and Moody so that makes it easy."

"Is it time for my cake?" Cassius asked Tabby ingenuously as he walked back into the room followed by Stevens. Remus looked over and saw that Cassius had blue spiky hair and his ears were large and pointy like a house elf's. He somehow managed to still look handsome. Stevens' skin had green polka dots all over and seemed to be very itchy judging by the way Stevens was scratching at it. Moody waved his wand and Stevens' skin cleared up.

"Hmm…I can't see why you don't socialize more, he's so well behaved." Clara grinned at Remus.

"Isn't he, though. And he's very rich." Remus stage-whispered conspiratorially. "Makes it easier to put up with behavior like this, I can tell you."

"Ah, the secret of a successful marriage." Clara nodded wisely. Remus suddenly felt he had met a kindred spirit and he was warmed by the thought. The cake appeared on the table in front of Cassius with 30 candles burning brightly.

"I have to blow out all 30?" Cassius whined pathetically.

"I told you. Tabby, he's old now, you have to coddle him." Stevens stuck his tongue out at Cassius. Cassius stuck his tongue out and flicked it in a way that made Remus' mouth suddenly go dry as his body remembered what that move felt like. Stevens made an answering gesture that made Remus blush, he glanced over at Clara and saw pink spreading over her cheeks as well.

Tabby ran her hand affectionately through Cassius' blue hair. It was a lovely sapphire color. "You should have made his hair match his eyes."

"Like I was trying to make it flattering! I didn't know he could still look handsome with blue hair or I wouldn't have done it!" Stevens huffed indignantly.

"Don't make me give you tentacles!" Cassius snapped. Stevens started to reach for his wand but stopped when he noticed Moody reaching for his.

"He started it!" Stevens pointed at Cassius sounding like a schoolboy caught in a prank.

"And I'm ending it." Moody growled. "I'd like some cake before I get too old."

After eating the cake, Cassius opened his presents. Moody gave him a new edition of a well-respected book on magical plants. Stevens and Clara gave him three hard to get magical plants. Cassius was thrilled, his garden was charmed so it was protected against the winter weather so he told them he would plant them the next day. Tabby gave him new gloves and a scarf because Cassius had lost his somewhere. They were charmed to stay with his coat when removed. Draco's present was a beautiful painting of the sea shore. He was quite a talented artist although Cassius was the only one in the family who knew that. Lucius and Narcissa gave Cassius an invisibility cloak and a new wizard chess set. Cassius' set had been given to him by Lucius when he went to Hogwarts at 11 and was very battered. But he had never gotten a new one, even though Stevens was always commenting that he had the money for it.

Remus was in the kitchen brewing another pot of tea when Stevens came in.

"Remus…"

"Yes?"

"How's Hogwarts been?" Stevens asked casually.

"Wonderful – except for the fact we're surrounded by Dementors and on high alert because of Sirius."

"You're coping ok with the separation?"

"Yes, ok." Remus was wondering where the conversation was going. Stevens rarely talked to him alone. He remembered being interrogated by Stevens when he had been dating Cassius about seven months. It had been the equivalent of meeting the parents.

"I…" Stevens looked out the window. "Tabby said you just found out about Cassie's memory problem?"

"Yes. Last week. Lucius wrote me and Dumbledore explained it further."

"Good." Stevens said briskly. "So you know he needs you." Stevens' waved his hand in Remus' direction.

"I have a potion from Madam Pomfrey that will help with the separation illness."

"It's not only the separation illness…it's you. He…he needs another person with him, to…ground him. It started with Owen…he didn't need a sleeping potion unless Owen was gone…" Stevens trailed off. Remus wondered if that meant Cassius and Owen Jones had been involved. Stevens shook his head as if to clear it. "You help him to sleep, even before you mated. Tabby said she stopped giving him sleeping potions when you'd been dating about eight months, after you started sleeping over regularly, in his bed."

"I didn't know that." Remus flushed as he remembered the first night he'd slept with Cassius.

"Well…I think we've been around a Malfoy too long." Stevens smiled ruefully. "Secrets and all."

"Tabby told me why you didn't tell me. I understand." Remus paused. "Stevens…do…do you know what really happened?"

"Yes, Dumbledore told Owen and me when we became his protectors. It was important that we know the truth so if he came in contact with something that could remind him of it – like Sirius Black, or a boggart, or some trance in Divination, then we could help him."

"But Dumbledore said he doesn't remember what happened."

"He doesn't. Not on a conscious level. But he feels dread and anxiety whenever he sees or hears or talks about Black, because he knows, somehow, that something very bad happened to him because of his cousin."

"Oh." Remus suddenly thought of the strain put on his mate, searching for Sirius, especially with Remus away.

"The past couple weeks, he's been having nightmares about being in the basement with his father. Wakes up in pain." Stevens said. "Thinking about Black every day, his mind is starting to turn in on itself, trying to remember why he hates and fears his cousin."

"He's told you about the nightmares?" Remus asked, surprised.

"I've been sleeping over the past couple months, so he's told me when I've woken him up from them. I'm looking for a new place to live."

"Oh?"

"Well, that's what I told him." Stevens smiled slightly. "He sleeps better when I'm with him, not much, but…"

"I'm home for five more nights." Remus said quickly. "And I'm coming home for the Easter holiday as well."

"Good." Stevens sounded approving. He'd been more serious in the past five minutes than Remus had ever seen him. "I was worried about this happening when Cassie told me you were taking the job at Hogwarts. Tabby and I thought we could do damage control but…with you gone and the separation illness and Black on the loose… It's like he's regressed to how he was third year. It's been bad, Remus." Stevens sighed and ran a hand through his blond hair. "He needs you, he's not as strong as you think." Remus nodded, feeling more guilty than ever about his being away. Stevens turned and looked at him and Remus was startled by the intensity in his brown eyes. "Are you still in love with Sirius Black?"

For a moment, Remus was too startled to reply. "No…I'm not. Not after what Sirius did. I love Cassius." Remus said firmly.

"Cassie thinks Sirius is coming for you, that you want to be reunited with him."

"That's not true. I'd never do that, I'd never leave Cass."

"You need to convince him of that." Stevens ordered, then paused, "Maybe you think it isn't my business…but…I never resigned my position as Cassie's protector. I promised Dumbledore I would look after him. I knew at 14 that was a big promise I was making, and I've kept it for more than half my life. I consider Cassie my responsibility. After Owen died…I'm the only protector."

Remus swallowed the lump in his throat. "I understand. You're his best friend, I'm glad he has you." Stevens nodded. "I'm sorry about Owen."

"He was great, you would have liked him." Stevens smiled a sad smile. "He died when Death Eaters attacked in Hogsmeade one day."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't know. Cass has never mentioned Owen."

"It's hard for him. He adored Owen. They were best friends for twelve years, lovers for over a year of that time – until Owen died…you know Cassie," Stevens shrugged, he was used to fighting Cassius' silence on emotionally painful topics. "He doesn't want to talk about things that hurt. You have to pry it out of him. You can't let him be silent, Remus." Remus nodded. "It's painful for me too, to talk about Owen, he was my best friend too. So I can never push Cassie all that far. You could, Remus, if you wanted." Stevens took a deep breath. "I always thought Owen had a hand in you two getting together…you met on the first anniversary of his death." They were silent for a moment and then Cassius walked into the kitchen.

"Hey, kiddo, I was just saying good night to Remus. Clara and I must be off."

"You're not staying over?" Cassius asked with dismay.

"I didn't think you'd mind. You've been trying to avoid me for days." Stevens crossed his arms, looking hurt.

"Well…that's just because you were annoying." Cassius' cheeks flushed.

"Huh. I'm staying with Clara, now that Remus is home. I'll come by for Christmas, at tea time." Stevens walked over to Cassius.

"All right." Cassius nodded. Stevens was standing a foot away from Cassius now. Remus had never noticed that they were the exact same height and build. Stevens was a powerful wizard, but he had preferred to be a Quidditch player rather than an auror - Moody and Tabby often bemoaned his career choice. Remus wondered now if he had done that so he could protect Cassius better. Remus wondered if Owen had been their height as well – maybe they had looked like triplets, all tall and blond.

"I'll see you then." Stevens drew Cassius in for a rough hug, thumping him on the back. Cassius hugged Stevens back. Remus had often seen them hug one another but for the first time he realized the full strength of the bond between the two men. Cassius seemed so strong to Remus, he sometimes forgot that Cassius' silent demeanor hid an insecure, emotionally fragile soul. Stevens never forgot it, and Remus vowed that he wouldn't either from now on.

"Clara!" Stevens called. Clara appeared in the kitchen a moment later followed by Tabby and Moody. "We're off. Thanks for a lovely meal, Tabby. Mad-eye, lovely to see you, as always."

"Likewise, Aloysius." Moody growled.

"Goodbye everyone. I had a lovely evening." Clara smiled.

"You're welcome any time, Clara, with or without Stevens." Tabby said with a smile.

"Absolutely." Remus agreed.

"Thank you for coming home for my birthday." Cassius pulled Remus close and kissing him once their guests had left. "But you haven't given me my present yet."

"It's upstairs in my trunk." Remus said smiling. He was reminded of Dumbledore's memory – presents signified love to Cassius, that was why he was always so excited about getting them.

"Well, come on!" Cassius ran up the stairs, pulling Remus after him.

Ok, it's not a "Mary-Sue" (that's when the author puts herself into the story, right?) but Clara's physical description is a description of me – but that's where the similarity ends (No, I'm not dating a hunky blond Quidditch player, I wish!).

And sex will be in the next chapter, the full moon in the chapter after that. There will be some big Remus/Cassius conversations in the next few chapters but the major angst about Sirius is yet to come. (Oh, and Boxing Day is the day after Christmas, it's a big holiday in England (from what I hear), but not the US.)

Hmmm...should I do another challenge? Five reviews and I'll update! (rubbing hands together gleefully - visions of reviews dancing in my head)