Author's Note: This chapter and the rest of the story overlap with the beginning chapters of Old and New Relations. You don't need to have read those chapters for these to make sense, but it might help. This chapter intertwines with events in OANR Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 5. (Also, I revamped those chapters a bit so if you haven't read them in the last week, you could take a look!) Review responses at the end!

Chapter 40 Secret Revealed

Remus contacted Dumbledore – it was time to introduce Cassius to Sirius, as his husband. Dumbledore would tell the rest of the occupants of Grimmauld Place that Cassius was a member of the Order, which he was, and then they would all get to meet him over dinner. Afterwards, he would tell Sirius that Cassius was his mate, then he would tell everyone else.

"Good morning." Remus walked over to where Cassius was sitting at Moody's kitchen table.

"What are you here?" Cassius looked up at him with confusion.

"I told Moody yesterday I was coming over. Didn't he tell you?"

Cassius rubbed his forehead. "I don't know."

"What are you doing tomorrow for dinner?" Remus sat down and pulled the chair closer to Cassius.

"I don't know, probably eating here. Why?"

"I thought you could come over and have dinner at Grimmauld Place." Remus reached for Cassius's hand. "I want you and Sirius to meet." Cassius jerked but his hand remained in Remus's tight grasp.

"No."

"I don't want to hide it anymore."

"I don't trust him."

"I do. It's irrational of you not to trust him."

"He's given me enough reasons." Cassius's other hand flexed and he was silent for a moment. "No."

"He's innocent. He's my best friend." Remus felt himself get pulled onto Cassius's lap. "I love you." Cassius kissed his neck, sliding his hands up. "Please?"

"I don't want to go there again. It's a horrible place, Remus."

"I know, I've been living there most of the past month." Remus grimaced. "Molly has been working really hard to clean it up, so have the kids." Remus kissed him again "I want him to know who I chose as my mate."

"Remus."

"Cassius, please come to dinner, just meet him. You don't have to be there when I tell him."

"All right." His answer was muffled by Remus' skin.

"And afterwards, we'll go home. To our bed." Remus rocked his hips. He could hear a thumping sound coming closer but he couldn't bring himself to care as Cassius licked at his neck and pulled his hips closer.

"I'd really like to be able to eat this morning." Moody's growl reached Remus's ear a moment later.

"Oh." Remus flushed. "Moody. Sorry." He extricated himself from Cassius's embrace with some difficulty.

Cassius went to Moody's after work. Together, they were going over to Grimmauld Place. Moody would introduce him to all the occupants of Grimmauld Place and then they would have dinner. Cassius didn't want to go there, he had felt an overwhelming sense of dread when he had stepped in the house to change the wards. He knew it was because of what had happened after the prank on Regulus, he told himself not to be silly, nothing could happen to him now. His Father was long dead, and he himself was a powerful wizard, Sirius couldn't hurt him. And he'd promised Remus he'd go.

The plan was that he and Sirius would meet over dinner, Dumbledore had already told them that Cassius was a member of the Order, then once Cassius was gone, Remus would tell Sirius that he and Cassius were mated. To say it didn't go as planned was an understatement.

Sirius eavesdropped on a conversation between Cassius and the portrait of his aunt, Sirius's mother. Aunt Black's portrait was very subtle and manipulative just like the real thing. It was as if she knew her son would listen. She made sure to mention that Cassius's husband had been living at the house and to remind him that Sirius could try to seduce Remus at any time. Cassius held on to his temper by a thread, feeling his distrust of Sirius boiling to the surface. He knew that Sirius would be able to figure out that Remus was his husband.

Sirius didn't take the news about Cassius and Remus at all well. He seemed particularly affronted by the fact that Remus's mate was his cousin and a Malfoy. Cassius clamped down hard on his emotions, unwilling to show any weakness in front of his cousin. The only bright spot of the evening so far was that Cassius met Harry Potter, his cousin, the only relative of his mother's he had ever met. And, happily, Harry hadn't seemed to hate him on sight.

Finally, the dinner was over. The food had tasted like sawdust. Molly Weasley had seated him next to Remus which was torture. Cassius hadn't been able to look at Remus the whole meal. He knew if he did, he would throw Remus down across the table and have his way with him, audience be damned. He just needed to wait until after dinner, then Remus would come home with him. Sirius got up from the table once he was done eating and walked out of the room quickly.

"I'll be right back." Remus said softly into Cassius' ear and hurried after Sirius.

"I can't believe you mated with him!" Sirius whirled on Remus the minute they were in the upstairs sitting room.

"He's a good man."

"He's a Malfoy." Sirius spit out the word.

"I know that…he's still a good man in spite of his family background. Rather like you." Remus said calmly.

"I'd been trying to think of all the possible people you could have mated…I never would have thought you would have mated with my cousin!"

"You make it sound like I chose him to get back at you."

"Didn't you?"

"Don't be ridiculous! I love him!"

"Fine."

"Sirius." Remus didn't know what he was going to say and before he'd figured it out, he heard another voice.

"Sirius?" Harry was in the doorway.

"What?"

"I…I thought we were going to play exploding snap." Harry looked at Sirius and then over at Remus. "I didn't mean to interrupt."

"It's fine, Harry." Sirius said, "Remus and I are done."

Remus looked at Sirius for a long moment and then left the room. He couldn't change who he was mated to, and he didn't want to, and if Sirius couldn't deal with the truth then…Remus sighed…he hoped Sirius would come around.

Remus walked back down to the kitchen. Only Moody and Cassius were still sitting there.

"He mad?" Cassius asked as he sensed his mate enter the room.

"Yes…because it's you." Remus answered truthfully, walking over to stand next to Cassius. Cassius couldn't speak. Remus's scent filled his head. "Ready to go home?" Remus said softly.

Cassius felt his insides start to melt. "Yes." Cassius' voice was husky with desire.

"I'll just floo home then." Moody said, standing up. "See you tomorrow, Cassie."

A short time later, Cassius and Remus were home, in their bed. Remus threaded his hand through Cassius' silky hair and kissed him.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For not losing your temper. I know it was a difficult evening."

"It was fine." Cassius replied coolly.

"No, it wasn't. Your aunt was horrible – ruining my wonderful plan by talking about your husband - Sirius guessed right away. And he behaved like a git, the whole night was…well, I had hoped it would go smoother."

"It was bad, wasn't it." A smile flitted around the corner of Cassius' mouth. Remus was glad to see it.

Remus laughed. "Yes, but now everything is out in the open. And that's good."

"Is it?"

"Of course it is, darling husband of mine. I want everyone to know that we're mated." Cassius started to speak.

"Don't panic…I didn't mean everyone, just our friends."

"And now they know."

"Yes."

"They know you're mine."

"That they do." Remus smiled as Cassius rolled on top of him, moving between his legs.

"I love you." Cassius whispered into Remus' neck.

"Make love with me." Remus murmured, stroking Cassius, coaxing arousal from his mate's body. The joining was slow and gentle.

"Malfoy." Sirius's cold voice echoed in the stairwell a few days later.

"Cousin." Cassius responded politely. He'd stopped by to see Remus to ask him something. The Weasleys, Hermione and Harry were all gone for the afternoon.

"I can't believe Remus chose you."

"Mm…must be hard to realize Remus acquired taste after you were locked up." Cassius drawled as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck start to stand on end. He'd been in the stairwell with Regulus when the prank had happened.

"You bastard." Sirius growled, shaking his black hair out of his stormy gray eyes.

"No, I'm not, actually." Cassius arched an eyebrow, "If you'd really like to challenge me to a duel…say the word…any word…"

"Cassius!" Remus leaned over the railing one floor above where Sirius and Cassius were standing.

"Guess your wife won't let you duel with me. Too bad." Sirius sneered.

The next moment he was holding his bloody, broken nose and crying.

"What are you grinning at, Malfoy?

"Oh, " Cassius shook his head, clearing the image of a beaten Sirius from his mind, "Nothing." He shoved past Sirius and walked up the stairs.

Cassius tried not to panic as the other Order members filed into the kitchen at Grimmauld Place a couple weeks later. Dumbledore had insisted they needed to know that Cassius was a member of the Order and that he and Remus were mated. He didn't know why he had agreed. Yes, he did know, because Remus had wanted it. After almost ten years, Remus was tired of having their relationship be so secretive. He saw Tessen enter the kitchen and scan the room. Tessen immediately walked over to him.

"You're a member?"

"Obviously. As are you."

"Kingsley recruited me. Hill and Bartleby are members too, but they're both on assignments, couldn't be here."

"It true that they're dating?" Cassius asked.

"No. It's true Bartleby would like to date Hill but Hill's still trying to deny the whole gay thing." Tessen made a face. "He just needs to get over it. So…your boyfriend in the Order too?" He gazed around, obviously trying to figure out who Cassius's boyfriend might be. Cassius was cheered suddenly by the thought that he'd get to see Tessen's reaction. He knew Tessen would be impressed by the fact he'd kept his relationship secret for so long, Slytherins appreciated secrecy. Before Cassius could answer, Dumbledore started the meeting.

There was a long boring part as various people gave updates on their activities. Tessen and Cassius glanced at each other, Tessen rolled his eyes. It was very like the boring weekly update meetings they had in the Auror HQ, including Kingsley and his presentation which always managed to include graphs. Cassius had never quite figured out how that could happen. After the updates were done, Dumbledore stood.

"We have some new members. Everyone in this room is trusted completely by me, I ask that you extend that trust to each other. Auror Liam Tessen is a new recruit, Kingsley brought him into our fold." Liam nodded calmly as everyone turned to look at him. "And next to him is Auror Cassius Malfoy. He has been a member for some months. He was recruited by Remus Lupin, his mate." Tessen's head turned so fast to look at Cassius that Cassius could hear the vertebrae pop. There was a heavy silence as everyone looked at Cassius and then over at Remus who was blushing furiously.

"How?" As everyone looked over at him, Snape clapped his hand over his mouth, looking shocked that he'd actually spoken out loud.

"Well, it involved nakedness, like all sex…Oh, Snape, I forgot. You see, what happened was he put-"

"Cass!" Remus hissed as Snape's face went red. Sirius started to laugh, a rusty bark of a laugh.

"Perhaps anyone who wants to know the exact details could ask Cassie after the meeting." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"If you ask nicely, Snape, we'll give you a demonstration." Cassius said coolly as Remus hid his face in his hands. Sirius crossed his arms over his stomach and doubled over, howling with laughter.

"That's the meeting. We will meet back here next Wednesday at 5. Be careful." Dumbledore excused the group.

"Your boyfriend! Your mate!" Tessen gasped. "Holy fuck! You! I can't believe you kept this secret!! And I saw you together at the World Cup! And you lied!" Tessen's eyes were shining with admiration.

"Of course I lied," Cassius grinned, glad Tessen was impressed, "It was a secret until Dumbledore insisted everyone know. It's still secret outside of the Order."

"Let me tell Katrina, please?" Tessen pleaded. "She keeps wanting to set you up with her cousin, she'll stop pestering me if she knows you're not available."

"All right, but no one else." Cassius glared at Tessen who nodded.

"Swear. So…how long?"

"Ah…" Cassius tried to count but gave up, "I don't know."

"You must be really romantic at anniversaries. 'Here's your gift, honey, but I can't remember how long we've been together.'" Tessen elbowed Cassius, laughing.

"Almost ten years." Remus walked over, his cheeks still slightly pink, picking up on the last comment of Tessen's.

"No shit!" Tessen smiled at Remus. "He's a lucky bastard."

"I know." Remus smiled back

"That was hilarious, Cousin." Sirius was still laughing as he walked over. He and Cassius had bonded a little over their shared scorn of Snape. Cassius gave him a smile.

"Did you have to say that to Snape? I felt like everyone started to picture us having sex." Remus glared at Cassius.

"I think everyone did. It was hot." Kingsley grinned at Remus.

"Stop flirting with him." Cassius growled, pulling Remus closer to him.

"I'd stay and chat but I have to tell Katrina. Good one, Cassie. See you later." Tessen thumped Cassius on the shoulder and nodded at Remus, Sirius and Kingsley.

Author's Notes: Several people wrote that it's very sad Sirius doesn't own anything not even his house. I always thought it was odd that he was disinherited and removed from the family tree but he still got the house? And the Ministry didn't try to confiscate it? Or something? So I had it become Cassius's house…

Also, I have an idea for a little romance for Sirius…should I include in this story or make a spin off? It would only be a few chapters. Vote in your next review!

Drastic Diner: Thanks for the review! I agree that Sirius not knowing who Remus's mate was did make it less real, but now he does now.

Elkebaby: Yes, we are close to the end. I have 6 more chapters although…two of those chapters might go into a spin-off depending on how people vote about the Sirius story.

Padfoot: The fight, such as it was, was for you. :-) And I think you were reading my mind about Sirius finding a little happiness of his own with a character created by me because I do have that planned – have for about a week because apparently I can't have people be unhappy in my fiction universe. It's a scary thing how in-sych we are. :-)

MoonyPadfootJr: I'm glad you like my story so much!

Mon2: Umm…Sirius didn't notice Remus and Cassius having sex because…in my universe animagi don't have heightened senses in their human form…yeah, that's it. And I don't know that Sirius is really giving up but he can't really fight the power of the werewolf bond (cue dramatic music!) so he just says he is? Like when you have an ex who broke up with you and they've started to date someone else so you just brood about it and not really say anything to them about how you really feel? I've done that…that's what I imagine Sirius is doing.

Kungzoune: I think I was misspelling your name on other responses, sorry! I'm glad you read this story too! :-)

AffectedMangoO: I don't have another Cassius/Remus story planned but I might do some little scenes unless a plot bunny hops my way. And Sirius will get something soon! :-)

Maurynna78: Here's the update! :-)