Revert To Type

Disclaimer: I own little to nothing of what it is named/referred to and am making even less from it.

Chapter 20.

The intense silence into which that statement slipped lasted for almost a minute. Remus could hardly believe what he'd heard and perhaps what he found harder to digest was that this was being presented as not only Arthur's view but that of the wider group of people around them. They expected Severus and him to be applying to the various Ministry bodies and to stand in front of a panel asking to be given sole responsibility for this child. He supposed it had always been a possibility, an option that had always existed in his subconscious but that he had refused to acknowledge on any higher level, even now there was a part of him that was shouting it down as preposterous. And it really was – the idea that any group of Ministry officials, or even a grouping made up of members of the general magical populace, would award such a controversial guardianship to such a controversial couple. But, and there was always a but…

"I know that it might seem slightly… strange, a long shot maybe… but…" It was the other man's turn to catch his eye, the intensity in his gaze plain to see. "But you're the best man for the job – the best men for the job. The world's just been turned upside down and ripped apart for this little girl, yet she's managed to form an attachment to the two of you – she trusts you and it seems to have been clear to see that you cared for her as deeply as any parents. Surely that should count for something. Having the odds stacked against you is something you're both familiar with, for all the wrong reasons, if there are right ones, but why should you let that stop you now - when there's so much at stake?" And with that Remus' mind was made up. In fact he could barely believe that it had ever not been. Whichever way you looked at it, whether it was because they owed it to Minerva, or even to Albus, or whether it was because they owed it to themselves he could hardly believe he had thought they could ever do anything else.

-

His revelation must have been plain to see on his face as Arthur broke in to a smile and placed the tome he had previously laid on the floor, on the table.

"That's why I brought this - I thought it might be of some help." He said pushing towards the Werewolf. Remus caught the title in the flickering candlelight, the worn golden lettering barely visible anymore. Laws and Decrees – the statute for children. "We've had need to reference it ourselves once or twice; what between overly enthusiastic pre-school magic and the mayhem Fred and George usually create. And well, like I said – I, we, will do anything we can to help you." It was only a few minutes later when Severus returned and the Potion Master seemed more than a little surprised to see their uninvited guest was still there.

"Tea?" Remus offered as he closed the door behind him and received a nod in return as he sat himself down. "Arthur was kind enough to bring this around." He continued, gesturing to the book and handing over a mug. He watched as the other man took in the title and as he looked up glancing from one face to another. He didn't however say anything. "He's offered to help us with our application to the Ministry."

"Application for what exactly?" Came the drawled reply.

"For the Guardianship of Anna of course." Remus replied saddened that Severus was still being so obtuse. The Slytherin chuckled hollowly at this.

"If Merlin himself offered to aid us Moony, I still expect that there would be a greater chance of me being appointed Head of Gryffindor."

"And here I thought that the children exaggerated when they described you as a pessimistic grumpy old bastard." Arthur said jovially as he refilled the teapot. Remus choked on his tea as he tried desperately not to laugh at the rate at which Severus turned to glare at the other man. But the red head's tone became far darker and more serious when he continued. "Think about this – how would you feel if Anna was placed in the care of an old fashioned couple who tried to raise her to stay at home and have children? Or a family where success was absolutely everything and she was beaten every time she didn't get the best grades, or heaven forbid she was placed under the care of someone who was capable of doing things to her that no man, never mind no parent ought to!? How would you feel if she was tortured and abused because you were too scared to stand up to the ridiculous prejudice that would be peddled by the incompetent bureaucrats? How would you feel knowing that you hadn't done everything you could to ensure that it hadn't happened? I wish I could have faith that she could never be placed in that kind of situation but we both know how competent the Ministry have shown themselves in the past – why should they be any more reliable in this field?" The vehemence in his voice and the conviction in his eyes struck Remus just as he knew it would strike Severus. He sat forward in his seat and leaned towards his partner.

"We've spent the last Merlin knows how long fighting against the odds Severus, can't we put up one last offensive – show them that they can't make us back down that easily? Surely Minerva deserves that much from us? Surely Anna does?" Remus found he was holding his breath as he watched Severus as he leaned down and picked up the mug he'd put down only a few moments previously.

"I suppose it would do no great harm if we were to consider…" He stopped talking when Remus all but jumped into his lap. "Just don't blame me when it all goes belly up!" He added shaking his head slightly. The werewolf planted a kiss on the other man's cheek before backing up and reigning himself back in, offering an apologetic smile to Arthur.

-

Later that day Remus started into their task with the passion of the possessed. He studied the process of allocating guardianship as it was recounted in the hefty book that Arthur had left him with, trying to understand the complexities of a system that it seemed clear was rarely used. He compiled a list of people he though might be willing to act as referee for one or both of them, and even began drafting his own personal statement. Severus, though he refrained from taking an active part in Remus' own frenzied activity, was supportive enough, and for the first time in almost a week he moved about what were rapidly becoming 'their' quarters, without slamming doors and growling at anyone or anything that got in his way. He couldn't fathom why but Remus had a feeling that more good was going to come out of this than he could have possibly imagined.

-

His spirits were dampened somewhat the following morning though, when a Ministry owl swooped into the great hall at breakfast, baring a small neatly wrapped package. He suspected what it was going to contain before he opened it. Severus, sitting to his left leaned in and untied the string holding it shut with a gentle tug, revealing an all too familiar set of black cord dungarees a red polo-neck and the shoes. Lifting them up, he noted that they had been laundered, but he was surprised at how insulting he found it that they'd even returned her underwear. For a moment he became bogged down in thoughts of what they would have her wearing now, clinical pictures of the small child dressed in a hospital gown clutching Lamblet in one hand, until he was hit by the realisation that they hadn't even let her have that comfort. He couldn't get his head around why they felt the need to exert such strict rules when they were clearly doing nothing but harm to the child. He was however glad that the package had arrived after Albus had left the table. It seemed to have become habit for the Headmaster to arrive, eat and leave, in as short a time as he could, just as with everything else, he had withdrawn as far away from those surrounding him and into his own shell. It was strange to see him continue on with everything yet knowing that a part of him had withered and died that Thursday.

-

Albus was completing all of his duties, but yet there was so little 'life' in him and watching him hurt Remus in a way he couldn't articulate. He wasn't moping, he didn't wander around looking morbid, and yet it was plain to see that he missed Minerva more than he could bare. There was an emptiness about him that Remus suspected might never be filled again in this lifetime. He reached for Severus hand under the table, and interlaced his fingers with the other man's and squeezed gently. The thought of loosing everything he had gained with the Slytherin was more than he could bare to think about on top of everything else. Not for the first time he wished that someone had had the forethought to take a picture of the child. He knew that Poppy had taken some for the DOMA, but the Ministry Officials had confiscated the only copies she had kept, along with Minerva's medical records.

"We should go -" Severus said quietly, drawing him out of his revere. "You need to take your first dose."

"Yeah. Sure." He agreed picking up the messy parcel and stood his conviction about what he was doing now backed up by an almost morbid desperation, a hope that the knowledge that Anna was safe and well in the care of those he knew, would help Albus, if only a little.

A/N: This is a chapter I've struggled with for a while. Partly because I've been insanely busy and partly… well it's just one of those things. In any case it's done and I'm quite willing to admit it's not the best yet but never mind.

Your opinions are always welcome so drop me a note …

xLx