author's notes: I don't own JK Rowlings work, blah blah, you know it all. yay new chappie! so as I promised, Wings is explained in this chapter and lots else. so read and enjoy, and please click the little button that says "submit review" at the bottom! i think this chappie is a bit longer but I'm not sure. I am REALLY trying to elongate the chapters and add more dialogue so you don't have to sit throught a lot of boring paragraphs without people talking!!! anyway, the plot really starts to develop in this chapter, and is continued more than ever in the third chapter!! which i plan to have up very very soon! yay! and no, morough, wings does not mean mccartney (although it is a nice allusion, isn't it?!). (inside joke kinda, read my bio!)

Chapter Two: The Box and Tonks

Harry had been more than a little annoyed with Lupin's answer. He was so sure he'd get an answer, but he had been disappointed. He hoped that Lupin would tell Harry that he fancied his secretary, who'd had a crush on Lupin for quite some time now. If that was the case, the story would have a happy ending. But Remus had as good as avoided the question, which made Harry wonder if Remus distrusted him.

Harry didn't know the box existed. Remus, Sirius, James, and Lily had all decided that it would be dangerous for Harry, almost like the Mirror of Erised. It would become a sort of addiction for Harry. Or, there was the possibility that he would doubt the device and distrust Lupin. Harry might think he was being teased, but he could really never see or talk to his parents and godfather.

The box was a device that the Marauders had come up with after Hogwarts, excluding Peter, of course, and adding Lily. She became an unregistered animagus as an eagle under the faux-name Wings.When they were in the first Order and realized how many deaths there would be, they decided to create a device that would enable then to talk to the dead. But people reluctant. Justifiably, they said it just didn't seem right– to disturb their "slumber."

James, Remus, Sirius, and Lily didn't agree. They knew the dead had important secrets and stories to tell. Since they knew that they themselves may soon be dead, they created the device just for themselves. And they made sure to carry the silver box with them everywhere, at all times.

It was all Lupin could do to keep quiet about it. He so dearly wanted to discuss his chats with Harry.

One Sunday, Remus and Harry were enjoying a nice breeze when Nymphadora Tonks dropped in. She apologize profusely for disturbing their day, but they assured her that it was no trouble at all.

"We were just going to have some tarts ourselves, but now we can share," said Lupin enthusiastically. Harry rolled his eyes. Tonks was obliged to join them for tea and apple tarts (A/N: doesn't that sound yummy?!), and they shared some friendly talk and laughter, Remus participating heartily. Harry could see it in his face the whole time: He's hiding something, Harry thought. Just then, Tonks turned to him.

"And now for why I came to bother you on a Sunday. Harry..." Harry sighed inwardly. He hoped this would not be a Molly Weasley-ish talk. He didn't want a touchy-feely woman prying into his life right now.

"Oliver Wood is having... problems with the team he's on now," she said. Tonks worked in the department of wizard sports at the ministry. She knew all about all the stars. "He got himself into a spot of trouble at the last celebration party, and he doesn't think he can make it for much longer. So he's resigning."

"Oliver Wood?"

"Yes. He already knows who he wants to take his place."

"Who?"

"He's kept it very quiet. Not many people know. But it will be out soon enough."

"But isn't it the team manager's job to appoint new team members?"

"Not in this case. He told them he wanted to do them a favour, and he know just who would be up to the standards of being on the team."

"But... Not many people can be as good as him."

"Yes, there are a few. He's chosen wisely." She stood up, smiling at him, and then said, "Remus? May I talk to you?"

"Of course," answered Remus. The two went inside, leaving Harry alone on his hammock. Inside, Tonks turned to Remus.

"So... tell me. Are you still in contact with James and Sirius?"

"Yes, I talked to him last night." Tonks was one of the few people who could be trusted enough to know about the silver boxes.

"What about James? What happens when you talk to them? What do they say?"

"They all want to talk to Harry. Desperately," he added for effect.

"Aren't you ever going to tell Harry about these things? If you want too long, he's going to think you've been secretive or disloyal."

"I know. But it would be painful for him... Imagine never hearing a father's voice... amazing. Well, he's heard it, just not enough." Lupin was lost in thought. He wanted to be a father so badly. He had never had a father, because he banished Lupin after the bite, saying it was a disgrace to have a werewolf in the family. Amazingly, at that time, Sirius had run away from his house, so they rented an apartment together. The story seemed a bit like a fairy tale every time it was told, and indeed those years were the happiest of his life. He never, ever had missed his father after he left home. But he felt like he had to repay society for never loving his father. He wanted to have a child who would always love him. He wanted to always love a child.

When Harry got inside, Tonks had left, and he set to milling around in his head the possibilities for Seeker on Wood's former team. He would be jealous of whoever it was, he was sure.

Lupin was making dinner when Harry got inside. They took turns cooking and tonight was spaghetti with hamburger. It smelled so good!

"Hello, Harry!" Remus said cheerfully. Oh no, thought Harry, he's in one of those enthused moods. Groan.

"Hi. Dinner smells good," said Harry as he walked to the refrigerator. Just then, the phone rang. Most wizards who lived in London lived in a Muggle fashion, because occasionally there would be house searches, and they didn't want to be identified as people who were out of the ordinary. Harry went to get the phone.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Potter?"

"Yes, this is Harry." He didn't like being called "Potter." Names can be fickle friends.

"This is Oliver. Wood," he added. Harry's breath caught in his chest.

"Mr. Wood?" I'm such a hypocrite, thought Harry. Lupin looked up from his pan of burger to look over at Harry. He had heard the last name.

"Yes, Harry, how are you?"

"Just great, Oliver."

"I wanted to talk with you about something... a bit... personal."

"Of course. I'd be more than willing to listen." He shot an apologetic look at Lupin, because he knew dinner would be ready soon.

"Are you sure you have the time?"

"Definitely."

"OK, where to begin," he laughed. "I just... I recognize that you have come a long way in Quidditch. You are very good."

"Thanks, Oliver."

"I wanted to give you a chance to shine. I want you to play in my place for the next year."

"But aren't you a Keeper?"

"No. I changed to Seeker because I became better at that as time went on."

"So you want me to play on your team in your place, for a whole year?!"

"Yes. Will you?"

"Can I talk it over with you a bit more, later?"

"I'd love to do that."

"Erm... Tuesday?" He looked at Remus, who nodded vigorously. Harry's brow furrowed, but he returned to his conversation with Wood. "Is Tuesday OK?"

"Great. Six at Jennie's?" Jennie's was the most popular wizarding pub in London.

"Sounds great. See you then." They said good-bye and Harry walked over to the table, where Remus had already set up dinner. Remus looked up from where he was sitting patiently and smiled. Harry smiled back.

"Chance of a lifetime, Harry. Will you take the offer?"

"How'd you know?"

"Tonks knew. She told me, but she knew Wood would call you and tell you about it himself, so she left you guessing."

"Well, I think I'll take it anyway. Blasted Tonks," he said, but smiled.

A/N: if you have any questions about the story i'd be happy to answer them :-) because i know how frustrating it is when the author assumes you know something you don't and stuff like that, or if the story's just plain confusing. so please ask questions! tell me i'm horrible! whatever! just review please and i will LOVE you!!! Reviews from last time i mostly answered in this chapter, but I'll acknowledge them anyway:

HoshiHikari: yes, wormtail is excluded, the brat. my view of the whole "marauders" thing is that remus, sirius, and james never really liked wormtail, and he just tagged along with them and waskind of a quiet little jerk in the corner.and he turned out to be on the "bad" side anyway! so i really hate wormtail, and that's why he was excluded.

morough: patience is a virtue, oh dear one...

angryattheworld: glad you liked it! i'm writing as fast as i possibly can... :-)