It's been a long time coming. for that, my apologies. Just done a heap of French. I still have a bloody long textiles essay, but hey, we need some HP. I will probably have to start this then save it, as time rather short -oops, 20 past 10. n/m... lol. ok let's get right into it. I said I wanted Hortense to play a large part, so here we go:

Oh, btw, I also remembered that though my last update was devoted to HpDeVoTeE, I forgot to tell Brenna8, thanks for unhelpful review, after which you have been nicknamed Fudge by my mates for calling me 'm'dear'. Also thanks to the 2nd Earl of Brunswick: I love you, and I love your name!

A few people commented that I don't put disclaimers on my chapters -basically, I forget but I don't think anyone would be fooled that I was JK Rowling, and also I wrote a disclaimer in the summary.

Enjoy. xxxx

LAST LINE OF PART 8

(ok I admit I can't remember, but it was something like:) Harry was ushered up the stairs.
PART 9 OF 'FLYING THE NEST'

Harry rested his big toe, on his right foot, on the step below him, because he couldn't remember which one creaked. He tested his gently. It made a low purr and he took his toe off it and stepped down two at once. Two more steps would take him to the arch at the bottom; the kitchen doorway, which was open. It was quarter to five in the morning, just after dawn. Harry was wearing the invisibility cloak, his boxers, dressing gown, and was regretting not putting any socks on. He had worn the cloak because he didn't want to risk Mrs Black's portrait waking up and noticing him. At least, that is what Harry was telling himself. He was really snooping.

He was snooping on Lupin and Hortense. You see, Harry was seventeen. And seventeen-year-old boys who can't get to sleep may do two things: have a wank, or go downstairs to see what was happening with the subjects of his subconscious that had woken him up. Not literally, but Harry had gone to sleep wondering why Hortense had offered to stay in the kitchen with Lupin and witness his transformation, then he had slept fitfully before jolting upright in bed, and, avoiding the gaze of the creepy wardrobe, had shrugged on the dressing gown and cloak on gone off to spy on them.

Harry stood in the arched doorway. He had walked into a conversation.

"...feel so confused. I am 27, Remus, I'm too young for this kind of responsibility. Of course I had met Draco before, that's what the Malfoy/ Lestrange family is all about, putting up a united front. But I never thought I would see him again at all, after I left. But with Narcissa dead, Lucius in Azkaban, the rest of that stupid lot completely over to the dark side, or else dead or as good as dead rotting in a cell, I think I am... the only one left." Hortense sighed. She was standing in front of a shirtless Remus Lupin, cleaning a large, deep scratch on his back. Lupin was facing away from Harry, bracing his arms on the edge of the sink, his head bowed a little over the bowl.

"Draco must realise the stress you are under," murmured Lupin. He sounded weary, spent.

"Does he Hell. I don't think he even likes me. I'm just there. I can't explain it, it's like some of the time he seems desperate for someone to turn to. Remus...I just don't know if I can be that person." She dabbed a cloth into a bottle of light green potion. "Other times, like when Harry's there, or when...the girls...were there, he's just an amazing kid to hang out with. He's mature, kind of, laid back. But I dunno, it makes me feel bad 'cause it's all an act. If he would just tell me what kind of relationship we should be pursuing... I don't know what to do." She crossed the bandages over. Lupin turned to face Harry. Behind him, the other side of the worktop, was a large window with no view but a hedge. Harry could see their reflections in the glass. He could see Hortense's expression even though she had her back to him. She seemed on the verge of tears, valiantly holding them in tightly. She pinned the bandages securely and moved to another cut.

"Hortense..." Lupin groaned and wriggled under the cloth covered in potion. Hortense looked up. "is this really necessary? I'll just get Molly to patch me up when she wakes up."

"You'll get infected. Is it always...like this now? I thought the wolfsbane- "

"I wouldn't have bitten you," said Lupin urgently. Hortense smiled and shook her silvery-blonde hair further over her face. He shrugged. "Always. Nowadays... ever since Sirius... It's the only bit I can't control."

"It must hurt a lot when you come back."

"There are worse things."

Hortense looked up sharply. Harry decided perhaps there was more to that remark than... he realised he had inadvertently stumbled into a very private moment, and should go back to bed. Lupin reached out and traced Hortense's bottom lip with the index and middle fingers of his right hand. Hortense put the cloth on the worktop.

Harry turned to get out of there.

And nearly crashed straight into Malfoy. Who was not wearing his invisibility cloak, and was stepping over the creaky stair. Harry pressed himself against the wall to avoid collision. Malfoy had stopped dead, each foot on a different stair. He stared at the couple in the kitchen, and felt mad with envy.

Harry glanced back into the room. Hortense and Lupin were standing much closer to each other.

"I never stopped loving you."

Harry blinked. Hortense blushed. Lupin smiled the most wonderful smile any of them had seen in a long time. "I still love you, 'tense," he brought his head down.

Harry gaped. Malfoy uttered a quiet gasp, which went unnoticed. It was highly surreal, watching your half-naked ex-professor snogging a shockingly beautiful girl in the kitchen of his dead best friend, while she ran her hands over his back, and his arms circled her waist. It was a truly happy moment. Which was quickly spoilt.

"Get the FUCK away from her!! You animal, you worthless animal!" Malfoy had rushed past Harry too fast for him to prevent it. Hortense and Lupin had sprung apart. Hortense looked angry, Lupin slightly humiliated.

"Get a grip on yourself, you silly little boy!" said Hortense. She was luminescent with fury.

"That man, that THING, is a werewolf!" hollered Malfoy. It was a wonder he didn't wake the house. "How can you trust him, how can you LOVE HIM!? He will hurt you! he's just a beast, an animal! Abnormal!"

Lupin sat down at the table.

"Shut up! Shut UP! Why are you always trying to control me? We don't even know each other Draco! Remus is never going to hurt me!"

"Then what is THAT on your FACE?!"

There was a pause. Malfoy was breathing heavily. Hortense and Lupin were staring at each other with expressions of shock. In heated argument, Hortense's hair had been pushed off her face. To reveal a scratch. A long scratch. A thin scratch. not very deep, but red and in enough contrast to the rest of her pallor, that it marred Hortense's complexion.

"Remus I... Remus it's nothing."

"Oh my God."

"Remus..."

"I did that to you. My God..." Lupin cradled his forehead in his hand.

Hortense rounded on Draco. "Why are you interfering?"

"Don't you see, he's dangerous! He could kill you!"

"Why the Bloody Hell would you care?" Hortense was livid.

"Because you're the ONLY ONE left!!!"
END OF PART 9. IT'S SHORT BUT IT'S IMPORTANT. NIGHT NIGHT LOVE SKINNYRITA XXXXXXXXXXXX

ps please RnR! helpful flames accepted -non flamers welcomed with beaming smile :-D