(A/N: Once more, BYOT warning, but this time for the happy as well as the sad.)

Chapters 14 and 15: The End of the End

Sirius forced himself not to flinch, to look directly at the red-haired woman reaching for his forehead.

Is this going to hurt? Will I know it's happening? And what happens to me after it's over?

Part of him wanted to run away, fight against it, anything but just standing here, but he'd volunteered and taken his chance, and this was how it had fallen out.

He couldn't watch the hand any more, it was too close to him, he'd go cross-eyed if he did, and he didn't want to die cross-eyed...

"Wait!"

Oh, come on. Sirius did not groan, but it was close. Reggie, you little snot, what do you want? Can't you just let me get it over with?

"What is it?" asked Maura.

"I need to talk to him," said Regulus. Sirius turned to look at his brother. His friends had parted down the middle like the Red Sea, allowing him a clear view. Regulus' face was twisted with an emotion Sirius couldn't readily identify. Whatever it was, Regulus obviously wasn't used to feeling it, and it was making him highly uncomfortable. "Can I? May I?"

Margaret stepped back. "Privately?" she asked.

"Please." Regulus came forward, seemingly unaware of everyone else's eyes on him, his gaze fixed on Sirius. He stopped a few feet away, and a Privacy Spell appeared around them.

"This had better be damn good," warned Sirius.

"I just had to tell you something. Before... you know."

"Yeah, I know. Get on with it."

Regulus had a fold of his robes in a death grip. "Why did you have to be so good?" he burst out.

"Excuse me?"

"Why did you have to be so good at everything? I mean, you're good-looking, you're smart, you play jokes that make everyone laugh, you have friends, you have a girlfriend, you play Quidditch, you're going to be an Auror..."

Sirius could suddenly identify the emotion on Regulus' face.

It was envy.

He envies me? He's the perfect pureblood son, the darling of the family, and he envies me?

"I've always wanted to be like you." Regulus stopped. "No, that isn't right. I've always wanted to be better than you. At something. Anything. Just once. To see what it feels like. But you've always been the best at everything you tried. Everything came easily to you. It never seemed to bother you that Mother didn't like you, or Father. You did what you wanted. I needed their approval. I could never fight against them like you did."

"You never tried."

"I did!" Regulus was pacing around the inside of the Privacy Spell now, Sirius matching his movements, so that the two of them always stayed at opposite ends of the circle. They looked like two animals stalking each other, Sirius thought. "I did try. But I never managed it. I always lost my confidence when Mother would give me that look, or Father would start going on about my duty to the house and the line, since you turned out the way you did." Regulus looked up from the floor and met Sirius' eyes. "I never thought you turned out so bad."

"All right, who are you and what have you done with my brother?"

"Shut up!"

"There, that sounds more like you."

"You don't understand..."

"No, I don't. Thank you for telling me this, it's a great ego booster, but is there something else involved here, or can we get to the main event of the evening? I'd rather not wait any longer than I have to."

"That's the point – that's what I wanted to talk to you about – what you're doing." Regulus gulped. "Are you really going to die? Just stand there and let her kill you?"

The same question I've been asking myself ever since I saw that string. "It has to happen. Someone has to go for Evanie to be able to come back."

"But why you?"

"I pulled the long string."

"I know that! I mean, why did you speak up? Why not just keep your mouth shut?"

"I wasn't about to let James have all the fun."

"You think this is fun?"

What the hell. No one else can hear this. "You want the truth? No. I don't think this is fun. I am scared out of my pants right now, and the only thing keeping me from running away as fast as I possibly can..." Sirius trailed off.

"What?"

"Well, I guess there's more than one thing," said Sirius slowly, thinking it over. "In fact, I guess there's a lot of things. Seeing Peter's face when he realized Evanie was dead. I felt like I would have done anything to make that look in his eyes go away. And now I've got that chance. I don't want to blow it."

"What else?" Regulus looked fascinated.

Morbid little SOB, aren't you? "There's just plain old stubbornness for another. I said I'd do it, and I'll do it. And then there's how I'd look if I tried to back out now. I think once Lily volunteered, it was kind of inevitable that we all would – James wouldn't want her to do it, I wouldn't want James to, Letha wouldn't want me to, and so on – but once I said I'd do it, I was committed. It's not like this is something I can just ask somebody else to do."

"Why not?"

Sirius frowned. Doesn't he understand anything? Damn it, I don't think I can explain this... "Reggie, are you trying to make this harder for me?"

"No!"

"Then can we just let it go, say goodbye, and get done here? Thank you for the compliments, I'll treasure them forever." Sirius knew he sounded sarcastic, and he didn't care. "Do me a favor – tell Mother I finally did something to make her happy. It's what she's been telling me to do for years. Drop dead."

"You don't understand!" exploded Regulus again.

"Then why don't you quit farting around and try to explain?"

"Fine! I want to do it for you!"

Sirius had his mouth open to retort, and left it that way for a few seconds. He wants to what?

"You want to what?"

"Don't you see? This is my big chance." Regulus' eyes looked oddly desperate, Sirius thought, like a man holding onto a rope over a cliff...

Enough with the death analogies already.

"One way or another, this is my last chance to be better than you at something."

That's true... if I'm not around, he can't very well be better than me... people do tend to lionize the dead. Not that I don't deserve it. Sirius preened a little, mentally.

"I thought I was going to die tonight already." Regulus looked at the Privacy Spell, in the direction where Sirius knew his friends were waiting. "When the Dark Lord saw in my mind what I did. I thought he was going to kill me. And I begged. I went down on my knees and begged him to let me live. I was disgusting, I was pitiful – and it wouldn't even have gotten me anything if your friends hadn't been what they are..."

That's right, James said he found Reggie in with Remus and Danger – if they'd been real werewolves, they would have ripped him apart...

"I watched them. When Malfoy was going to do Cruciatus on them. They fought over who was going to take it – they wanted to take it. I guess so the other one didn't have to. I don't understand that. I'd do anything to keep from getting hit with the Cruciatus."

You've never loved anyone, though, have you?

"And now you. You volunteered for this, all of you – you fought over this too – you all drew lots like you were just seeing who got the Quaffle first in Quidditch – and you didn't even flinch when it turned out to be you. You said goodbye to everyone like you'd see them all tomorrow. And you stood there and watched it coming." Regulus laughed a little, weakly. "You're even better than me at dying. But I guess that's why you're a Gryffindor. Courage and all that."

"Yeah, I guess."

Grey eyes met grey. "Why can you do that? Where do you get it from?"

"The courage?"

Regulus nodded.

"Don't know. Some of it, I've always had. Some of it, I think I got when I made friends with James and Remus and Peter. But a lot of it I came by when I fell in love with Aletha. Being in love makes you braver than anything, and the world's biggest coward, all at the same time. I'd do anything to keep her from getting hurt."

"So you're going to die?" sneered Regulus with a flash of his old self. "As if that won't hurt her?"

"We all took our chance, Reggie. She knows that as well as I do."

"But–" Regulus looked all around their little enclosure once, then brought his eyes back to Sirius. "You don't have to. Let me do it instead."

That's what I thought he said – but he can't mean it...

"You've got all of them – you've got her – and they don't want you to die. I don't have anyone. Except Mother, and she can..." His suggestion was colorful and probably anatomically impossible.

"I've been telling her that for years," said Sirius, his mouth working in automatic witty comment mode while his mind was otherwise occupied.

He's actually willing to do this for me? No way. This can't be real. Can't be happening.

But that's what I thought about this whole me dying business, and I haven't woken up yet...

"It's my big chance," said Regulus again. "My chance to do something you've never done. To do something everyone will think is really great, without everyone comparing me to you. I know they do, even when they say they don't. It's really hard not to compare us. And I come off worst every way." He tried a smile, which almost made it to his eyes before vanishing. "I used to say I'd die for a chance to look better than you. I guess I meant it."

Everything Sirius hadn't dared to feel was starting to come back. All his love for Aletha and his friendship for James and Remus and Peter and the other girls, how much he'd wanted to be an Auror and make his world safer, his and Aletha's dreams of the future –

We wanted to make a home together. We wanted children, lots of them. We were going to have extras so Remus and Danger could borrow a few, and James and Lily were going to have extra for Peter and Evanie.

"Do you really mean this?"

"Swear on my magic." Reggie drew an X on his chest. "Cross my heart and..." He smiled, this time a real one. "And hope to die."

Sirius burst out laughing, and almost couldn't stop. It took all the self-control he'd learned over the years, including the parcel he'd acquired this winter when everyone was ignoring him, to bring himself back to something like normality.

"I guess you're not so bad after all, Reg," he said with the first real affection he'd felt for his brother in...

Too long. Much too long.

Regulus smiled again, bashfully. "You wouldn't believe how much I've wanted to hear you say that."

"C'mere." Sirius gave his brother a huge bear hug, messing his hair up. "I'll tell the world about this. And all my kids, too. Same deal James made with me – first kid I have, named after you. First boy," he corrected himself. "Don't think a girl would thank me for Regula."

"A boy won't thank you for Regulus, either," said Reggie dryly, hugging him back. "Believe me, I know. Make it a middle name if you have to."

"It's a deal." Sirius let Regulus go. "So how do we get out of this thing?"

The Privacy Spell was abruptly gone. Sirius opened his mouth to explain what had happened, but Maura cut him off. "Is it decided?"

They know? I thought that was supposed to be private! That's not fair!

"It was private from those from whom it needed to be private," said Brenna quietly. "Very little is hidden from us."

"It is decided, is it not?" asked Sophia.

"Yes." Regulus was standing between Sirius and the women, facing them. "It's decided."

Sirius didn't dare look at his friends yet, he knew he'd go to them if he did, and this was Reggie's moment. He deserved all the support Sirius could give him.

Margaret came forward again and stood in front of Regulus. "Well done," she said with a smile of approval, and reached out quickly to touch him gently in the middle of the forehead.

Regulus collapsed. Sirius caught him and lowered him to the ground, holding his brother in his arms and looking down at him. He wasn't gone yet – there was still life in his eyes –

"It didn't hurt," Reggie whispered.

Sirius smiled down at him, not bothering to stop his tears from coming. "So. How's it feel to be better than me at something?"

"Feels... pretty good..." Regulus' eyes closed, and he took one last shallow breath, then let it out, and didn't breathe in again.

Everything seemed a little dimmer, a little quieter, than it should have been, as if they were inside a Privacy Spell, though Sirius knew they weren't.

Things like this ought to take a little longer.

So much haste seemed almost indecent. Regulus had been alive only a few seconds before – arguing with him only seconds before that –

And I spent so many years thinking of him as my spoiled-brat little brother, not worth a brass Galleon. I even wished this would happen – "I hope he joins the Death Eaters and gets killed, the little sod." His insides twisted in guilt. Now, suddenly, I wish I'd done more for him. Could I have helped him? Maybe he never would have gone bad if I'd been there for him.

They say you never know what you've got until it's gone...

He slid one arm under Reggie's knees and the other under his back, and picked his brother's body up. The face so like his own was relaxed and peaceful, in a way Regulus had never been in life.

Rest in peace, you little brat. Thanks for everything.

He laid Regulus on the empty bed Peter had occupied earlier and picked up the discarded sheet that had covered Evanie, draping it gently over the still form.

You really weren't so bad after all.

"Padfoot?"

Sirius wiped his eyes and turned around. "We're back on, Prongs," he said, letting another of his tumultuous emotions come to the surface.

Joy.

I'm going to live. I'm going to live, and go on living –

And there's no more Voldemort. No more Death Eaters. The war's over.

"He took your place," said Lily in a hushed tone, looking from Sirius to the body on the bed. "Didn't he?"

"Yeah." Sirius grinned. "You'll have to put up with me for a while longer."

Oh, no, we won't. Danger stalked forward. Not after I kill you for scaring us all like that. She leaped on him.

"Help!" Sirius squirmed but couldn't get out from under the merciless wolf. "No, no, please not that – argh!" He began to laugh uncontrollably as Danger ferociously licked the most ticklish spot on his neck. "Stop it!" He finally got enough control and breath to push her off his chest. "How'd you know about that?"

Letha told me. Danger looked extremely smug.

And you'd better go catch her before she falls over, added Remus.

Aletha did indeed look a little wobbly on her feet. Sirius got up quickly and crossed to her, taking her in his arms. "Hey," he said tenderly, looking into her eyes. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere now."

She leaned against him and shut her eyes. "Don't ever do that to me again," she whispered, her arms sliding around him. "I don't know what I would have done without you."

"You're strong. You would have made it. I know you. But now you don't have to."

"I know. And I just have one question for you."

"Yeah?"

She looked up at him with her old mischievous spirit in her eyes. "Are you still going to marry me?"

Sirius kissed her on the cheek. "As soon as you finish school."

"We'll wait for you," said James, grinning at him. "Double wedding, next summer."

"And then we'll have one with Remus and Danger, when she and I get out of school," said another voice.

"Hey, Selene!" Sirius released Aletha to pick Evanie up and spin her around once or twice. "Good to see you back."

When he put her down, Evanie retained her hold on the front of his robes, pulled his face down to hers, and kissed him on the lips. "That's for what you wanted to do for me," she said. "I don't deserve friends like you."

"Nobody does." Peter was beaming – you might actually be able to read by that smile in a dark room, Sirius thought. "And now Voldemort's gone. The war's over."

Hey, that's true, said Danger. So this has been a pretty good night all around. She yawned. And I am going to be exhausted as soon as I get off this adrenalin high.

I think we all are, said Remus. We should probably get out of here at some point...

"Excuse me," said a man's voice. The wizard in yellow robes, brown-haired and sturdy, was standing where the four women had been a few moments before. "Maura and the girls had to go, but they asked me to finalize something for you. You two, Lupin, Granger, come here a second, please?"

What now?

"Just a formality." He touched each of their heads in turn. "There. You'll be able to talk in your thoughts like you do now to anyone in your line of sight, or anyone you know is there if they're out of sight, in the next room, say. If you have to be stuck as animals, the least we can do is let you communicate."

Thank you, said Remus gratefully. I'd been wondering how long this was going to last.

"But you can also talk to each other without anyone else hearing you. And that's not line-of-sight restricted. You'll have to experiment, but you might even be able to talk over long distances."

Cool. Thanks.

"You're welcome." The man looked up as a woman also dressed in yellow joined them. "Hi, Mum. I'm just finishing."

"So I see." The woman, with brown hair going silver, smiled at everyone. "I do so love a happy ending," she said. "And I have some advice for you." She knelt down beside Danger and scratched behind her ears. "You would be amazed what can be shared these days." She stroked Remus' head. "And things often look very different in the light of the sun." She stood up. "Excuse us, please, we need to talk to Frank before we have to go."

Remus cocked his head to one side, watching the two yellow robes recede across the room. What was that about?

Who knows. Danger yawned again. Anyone else for getting back to Hogwarts ASAP? I need a good night's sleep before I figure out how to break it to my parents that their daughter's now a wolf.

"And I should probably get some rest before I have to tell Mum about this," said Sirius, looking back at Regulus' body. "She's going to hit the ceiling..."

"Everything will be dealt with," said Professor Dumbledore, appearing beside them.

How does he do that?

"Your brother's body will be returned to your parents in the morning, after they have been notified, Sirius. You do not need to be the one to break the news."

"I know, sir. But I want to. I think I owe it to him."

"If you wish." Dumbledore bent down and picked up a large chunk of plaster. "Portus," he said, tapping it with his wand and placing it on the floor. Everyone gathered around it, the humans kneeling to touch it with their hands, the wolves putting paws on it.

"I shall send you to one of the guest suites, so that you wake no one. The house-elves will bring your personal items around, and I will visit you in the morning to work out arrangements for everything." Dumbledore raised his wand. "One... two... three..."

The Portkey activated. Sirius closed his eyes, feeling Aletha on one side of him, James on the other, and the blissful feeling of rushing towards the one place he'd always thought of as home.

The suite was capacious, with three bedrooms, a large living room, and a balcony looking out over the grounds and the Forest. Their trunks arrived a few moments after they did, and that left them with only the decision of who should sleep where.

Aletha took a good look at Peter and Evanie and ordered them both to bed, shooing them into one of the bedrooms, telling them not to bother about getting undressed. They lay down on top of the covers of the double bed, Evanie's head resting against Peter's shoulder, and were asleep before Aletha shut the door.

"And now you," she said, turning to Sirius. "Come, doggy. Come."

Sirius transformed into Padfoot and followed her into another bedroom, letting his tongue hang out just a trifle more than was really necessary, and kicked the door shut with his back paw.

I suppose she wants to make sure he's real, said Danger. Nothing wrong with that.

"His mother really is going to have a fit," said James. "She's Muggleborn, half-American, and black. And he's the only heir now... why d'you suppose Regulus did that?"

Remus shrugged. Whyever he did, I'm very glad of it. I'd miss that ugly old Grim if he died.

"As would we all," said Lily. "So, where are we going to sleep?"

The wolves looked at each other. If you can spot us a blanket to lie on, we'll go out on the balcony, said Remus. It's a warm night, and we have fur. Besides, animals belong outdoors.

"Don't start on that," said Lily firmly. "You're as human as you ever were. Only people who don't know you won't be able to see that."

But that's going to be the problem, isn't it? Danger asked Remus privately. People who don't know us.

Yes – let's talk about this when we're alone, all right?

Fine.

James came back out of the bedroom, carrying an armload of blankets. "I'll sleep on the couch in here," he said. "Here's yours, Moony." He dropped one large fluffy blanket to the floor.

"What's this about a couch, James Potter? Isn't there a perfectly good bed in there?"

"Well, yeah, but that's for you."

"It's a double, Potter. There's room for both of us."

Remus sniffed. Is James blushing? he asked Danger privately.

I think he is. Danger wolf-grinned at the look on James' face. Yes, he's blushing.

"Evans, I'll really be all right on the couch. You don't want to sleep with – er, next to – me. I kick."

Lily lifted an eyebrow. "Well, I have to get used to it sometime, don't I?"

The embarrassment smell coming off James redoubled.

"But I won't make you if you don't want to," Lily relented, laughing gently. "I love you. Sleep well." She kissed his cheek and went into the bedroom.

James stared after her for a moment, then looked down at the wolves. "What do I do now?"

Oh, no, said Remus. You're not dragging us into this. Deal with it yourself. He took the blanket in his teeth and headed for the door onto the balcony. Shut the door, please?

"Sure." James made sure Danger's tail was safely through before he closed the door securely.

Excellent, said Danger, examining the door more closely. Handle, not knob. We'll be able to get back in. As long as it's not locked. She twiddled it with a paw. Nope, it's open.

Give me a hand with this? Figuratively speaking, of course? Remus was trying to lay the blanket flat, but it was hard with only one angle to pull from at a time. With Danger's teeth and paws added to his own, it was much easier. He walked onto it, turned around three times, and lay down. Funny how I always used to take little things for granted... like hands, and beds, and being human at all...

Danger lay down next to him, in a pose Remus thought must make them look like a large furry yin-yang. What's on your so-called mind?

Life. The universe. Everything.

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Remus chuckled. That too. But mostly, us.

That's a nice word. Us. I like there being an us.

I like it too. But I would rather it had happened before this. Remus lifted his head to look at Danger. I'm going to miss kissing you.

I know. I'll miss it too. But we can still be affectionate. Danger pulled herself around the curve of his back until her head was alongside his. Like so. She started to lick around one of his ears.

Remus made a little moaning noise. Cut that out.

Why? Don't you like it?

Yes. Too much. Please – before I do something I'll regret...

If you say so. Danger's tone was brisk, not teasing, and she uncoiled from around him and curled up a short distance away without being asked. You are very much the gentleman, as always.

Thank you.

I'm seventeen in December, you know. We could get married then.

What about Peter and Evanie?

They have to wait until Evanie finishes school. But I don't think we do. It's unlikely I'll be going back. Danger regarded her paws. Hard to use a wand with these.

Yes. Remus closed his eyes and allowed himself a moment of regret for everything they'd never do. He'd never play his violin for her, or take her out flying. He'd never hear her sunny laugh or see what she looked like when she cried. He'd never kiss her and run his hands through her hair and feel the smooth skin of her face next to his.

But he said none of this. We're going to have to think about what to do with our lives, he said instead. We can't live off our parents forever.

True. But that brings up another question. Our parents.

Yes. Remus sighed. You mentioned breaking the news to yours. How do you think they'll react?

I'm not sure. Danger shifted her weight to her side, flopping over loosely with her legs dangling below her. They were always a little hesitant about sending me to witch school. I have a feeling my mum is going to say "I told you so" a lot. But I can tell you one thing they'll be delighted about.

What?

You.

Me? The bloke who got you into this?

Excuse me? I got myself into this, thank you very much. Danger glared at him. And that's not how I'm planning on introducing you to them. You and they share a number of interests, I'll have you know.

Oh, really? What?

Three in particular. Literature, music, and me.

Well, I wouldn't call you an interest.

I'm sorry? Her tone could have etched metal.

Not for me, anyway. You're more of an obsession.

Oh, you. Danger chuckled. That's as bad as what I used to pull when I was little. I was a picky eater, and my mum would make me new dishes to try. So I would have a bite and make a face. "I don't like it." Then I would let her get all worked up about how I hadn't tried enough of it, I just needed to keep going, and I'd break into a big smile and say, "I don't like it, I love it!"

Remus laughed. That is terrible.

So don't worry about my parents. They'll adore you, for your own sake and for mine. They've been worried for years that I would end up an old maid – they never said so in so many words, but you know how they get.

Yes. I do. Remus thought of his father's calm questions about Danger, and had to admit that the old man had seen something Remus hadn't seen himself. He knew, and I'm sure Mum knew, and it seems like the girls knew, and the other boys have been acting like they knew... I think everybody knew about this but me...

They'll be over the moon that I've finally found someone. Even if we do both have fur and four legs now. They'll find some way to let us come and visit them, and your parents – how are they going to take this?

Hmm. Remus thought about that. I think they'll be happy and sad both. Happy, of course, because of us, and because I'm no longer a werewolf – I look like one, but I won't go mad on full moons.

Hey, that's right! That's wonderful!

And sad because I'm going to be like this my whole life. Remus looked down at himself. I know it could be a lot worse. But tell the truth, Danger. Couldn't it be a lot better too?

Of course it could. We got, if you'll pardon the term, royally screwed over by "Lord" Voldemort. Danger's sneer quotes were vicious. Maybe we'll make the history books as the last people to have their lives ruined by him... but I shouldn't say ruined. Her tone became more reasonable. This isn't ruined. We're alive, sane, healthy – you're healthier than ever before – and we have each other. I think this is a clear-cut case of "count your blessings".

True enough. Remus got up and walked over to her, lying down again against her back. Especially that last one.

Yes. Danger squirmed slightly, snuggling up to him. I do fit here surprisingly well.

Why surprisingly? Remus yawned. It's obvious we were made for each other.

Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting to hear you say things like that?

Probably about as long as I have...

The moon shone on the two wolves, asleep together on the balcony.

"Danger."

"Hmm?"

"Danger, wake up."

Wake up?

Oh yeah, stretch, yawn, open the eyes, and all that good stuff.

She stretched her arms above her head, curling her fingers into fists, and it wasn't until she got to the yawn part that she realized something.

Arms? Fingers?

Her eyes shot open of their own accord.

Remus – the human Remus – was sitting beside her on the blanket, which was damp with dew. He was still wearing his robes from the feast the night before, but his face was filled with a joyous light.

Danger looked incredulously down at herself. Arms, hands, fingers and fingernails – her face round and smooth as she ran her hand across it – and colors, she'd never realized how much she liked seeing colors –

"What happened?" she whispered.

Remus shook his head. "I don't know. But I like it. And I think we should take advantage of it while it lasts..."

She was in his arms before he was done speaking.

"I love you," he murmured in her ear, stroking her hair and her face, holding her close with his other arm. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," she whispered, caressing his back with her hands, wonderful hands, but not as wonderful as his, which were now places she wasn't quite sure they should be, but didn't really care...

A discreet hoot made them both look up. An owl sat on the railing, holding a note in its beak.

"Who're you after, then?" asked Remus, taking the note. He read the superscription. "It's for us, it seems," he said to Danger as the owl flapped off. "Shall I open it?"

"Please." Danger sat with her knees drawn up, enjoying the pose as she'd never thought she would. Her human self suddenly seemed so much more versatile than it had.

Remus slit the parchment open. "'Dear Mr. Lupin and Miss Granger,'" he read. "'I hope this letter finds you well, and rejoicing in the possessing of your human bodies once more. I must caution you that this transformation is not permanent...'"

Danger sighed. "Knew it was too good to last."

"No, wait, there's more. 'Nor is your lupine shape your permanent one.'"

"Then what is?" asked Danger in confusion.

"Maybe it says." Remus continued reading. "'Miss Granger was kind enough to return the gift of her human shape unused. It could therefore be split into two parts and used for both of you. You are both, as of this writing, physically half human and half wolf. Your human shape will be dominant during the day, and your wolf shape during the night. At no time will you lose your human minds, though these may be more affected by wolf instinct than they had previously been.'"

Danger inhaled sharply. "Day and night – that woman, the one who wore yellow – telling us how things look different in the light of the sun – she was trying to tell us about this!"

Remus looked back at the letter excitedly. "'Your thought-speech powers between yourselves remain in force, though only in wolf shape will you be able to speak to others in this way. I would advise you to remain acquainted with Severus Snape, since potions might be available, or discoverable, to allow you to retain one form or another beyond the usual time limit."

"In case we wanted to stay human past sunset for something like a banquet or a party." Danger nodded.

"'I hope this fulfills Miss Granger's stipulation that the magic be used in a good cause...'" Remus snickered. "Does it?"

"Stop being stupid and just finish it." Danger smacked him with the back of her hand.

"'... since she did not specify whose good should come from it. With best wishes for your continued health and happiness, GG.'"

"GG?"

"That's how it's signed. Whose initials could those be?"

Danger laughed. "Mine, but I didn't write this."

"Yours?"

"Gertrude Granger."

"Oh. That's right." Remus smiled. "I always forget 'Danger' isn't your real name."

"I'd almost rather it was. I hate Gertrude."

"How do you feel about Granger?"

"Why?"

"Just wondering how you'd feel about changing it to something a little shorter and more elegant."

"Something like Lupin, you mean?"

"Yes, something along those lines."

"Would you hate me if I wanted to hyphenate it?"

"Granger-Lupin?"

"Yes."

Remus considered. "I wouldn't hate you," he said. "I like it. Gertrude Granger-Lupin."

"Fourth of December," said Danger as the first rays of the sun broke over the trees of the Forest. "That's my birthday."

Remus nodded. "We can get married on the fifth, then," he said.

Danger laughed. "We'll have to check on the policies for married students at Hogwarts," she said. "My education's back on." She made a face. "I still have to take N.E.W.T.s, yuck."

"They're not so bad," said Remus.

"This from the school brainiac. And what about the Department of Mysteries?"

"What about them?"

"Did you ever hear back from them?"

"No, I never did. They were probably just hoping I'd go away if I didn't hear anything."

"Or maybe they were trying to decide about it," countered Danger. "And now you can reapply, since you're not a werewolf any more."

Remus blinked and looked back down at the letter. His finger traced along two or three lines until he found the passage he wanted. "'At no time will you lose your human minds,'" he read slowly. "At no time."

"Not even on the full moon." Danger grinned. "Although we might spend some time with Selene, for old times' sake. She's got Peter, so she'll be fine – I'd bet anything he'll make time to come back here for full moons..." She stopped talking and looked at Remus, who didn't appear to have heard a thing she'd said. "Hello, anyone home?" She waved her hand in front of his eyes. "Earth to Remus, come in, Remus."

"Sorry," said Remus, jerking back to life and shaking his head. "Just – give me a minute." He stared down at his hands. "I've been a werewolf all my life that I can remember. I thought I always would be. For it just to be gone, just like that – it's going to take me some time to get used to. It's amazing, it's one of the best things that's ever happened to me, but I think I'm still in shock."

"One of the best things?"

"Of course." He looked up and smiled at her. "You're the best."

"Now how am I supposed to resist you when you say things like that to me?" complained Danger.

Just before she pounced on him again.

Now, we have to figure out how to tell everyone else, she said a few minutes later mentally, her mouth being otherwise occupied at the moment.

Why? All we have to do is walk in there and they'll know.

Good point. But I meant the whole day-night bit.

That doesn't seem so hard. "We're going to have the shapes of humans during the day and wolves at night. We won't hurt anyone or destroy anything. We remain ourselves throughout. And we're going to get married in December."

Aww. Can't we wait for Wormtail and Selene?

Well, if you insist. Remus sighed exaggeratedly. What am I supposed to do for the next two years?

You mean if the Department of Mysteries turns you down?

Yes.

I'm sure Dumbledore would let you hang around here for a while. Poke around in the library, do some research.

On what?

Anything you like. Or you could get a Muggle job – day shift doesn't require getting up before sunrise or staying out until after sunset.

True. And I won't lose any time off them, since I won't have hard transformation nights any more... Remus smiled dreamily. I think I like this.

I think I like it too. Danger rested her head on his chest.

Aletha opened the door to the balcony. "Breakfast is here," she began, then caught sight of them and stared.

Remus sat up, spilling Danger off him. "Boo," he said, grinning at her.

Aletha's scream of delight brought everyone else running, and the various exclamations, explanations, and celebrations took nearly half an hour, by which time breakfast was cold, but no one cared.

Sirius took Regulus' body home later that morning and told his parents the news, couching it in terms that made it seem as if Regulus had died in battle, taking a curse meant for Sirius. His father looked deeply disappointed, and his mother began to scream abuse at him.

"I didn't have to come here," said Sirius loudly, cutting her off. "I only came because he asked me to. Because he wanted me to tell you what he'd done. Now. I'm going to become an Auror, and next summer I'm going to marry my girlfriend. And then I'm going to have children, as many as I can manage, and not for the sake of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, either." He threw as much scorn into the words as he could. "I'm going to have children because I like children. They'll be your grandchildren, if you ever deign to come and see them. You'll be perfectly welcome, as long as you leave your prejudices at home. If that's possible."

He turned and walked out.

I tried, little brother, he thought in the hall, running his finger along a section of the paneling. I did my best. And even if she blasts you off the tapestry for this, I hope it was worth it for you.

It was a busy summer all around.

Peter began his job at the bookstore, with Evanie working there as well, as she did most summers. The customers thought it was sweet the way they flirted as they passed in the aisles.

James and Sirius entered the Auror apprentice program, and were busy just about every day, taking classes, doing tests, and going out to field calls with their mentors, Frank (James) and Alice (Sirius) Longbottom. Lily apprenticed to a licensed midwife, and spent mornings at St. Mungo's on the Maternity Ward and afternoons making house calls. Aletha also volunteered at St. Mungo's, in between early studying for N.E.W.T.s.

"You're crazy," said Sirius, calling at her house one day to find her elbow-deep in books. "They're not for a whole year!"

"The earlier you prepare, the better," said Aletha absently. "Hand me that Charms text, would you?"

Remus met Danger's parents, who told him to call them David and Rose, or Dad and Mum, whichever he preferred. As she had predicted, they were quite happy to meet him, for his own sake as well as because he was their daughter's fiancé. He had many long conversations with David about 16th century dramatists and captivated Rose's heart by knowing Pachelbel's Canon, one of her favorite pieces ever. Danger, of course, was already a favorite with both his parents, who weren't surprised by the engagement one bit.

Both sets of parents were remarkably tolerant of their children's transformations. Remus' parents were, as he had thought they would be, ecstatic that his painful and dangerous transformations would never happen again. His mother admitted to him one night that she thought he made quite a handsome wolf.

Danger's father replaced all the doorknobs in their house with handles, which Danger could turn with a paw, and her mother started putting things in the refrigerator and pantry in containers which were the right size for a dainty wolf to pick up with her teeth, and which were sturdy enough to handle such treatment. The wolves were housetrained, of course, to the point of using the toilet like everyone else, although Danger did have one incident with her tail which she didn't find funny but everyone else thought was hilarious.

And one day about two weeks into vacation, Remus woke up to find an owl waiting for him, and the letterhead on the parchment made his heart beat a little faster.

Department of Mysteries

Dear Mr. Lupin:

Due to a mix-up in the filing system, your application as an apprentice to this department was unfortunately lost until quite recently. It has been found and reviewed, and your qualifications are impressive. We would appreciate if you would arrange for an interview with one of our Department personnel at your earliest convenience.

Thank you,

Mr. E. E. Nigma, Department Head

What's making you so happy? asked Danger groggily in his head.

Remus stared at the precious parchment, breathing shallowly through his mouth, which was stretched so wide in a smile he was surprised any air could get in at all. I'm going to be an Unspeakable.

You already are unspeakable. Unspeakably annoying when you're so effing cheerful at this hour of the morning. But I'm happy for you. She sent an image of a sleepy smile. Go write an answer.

Remus got out of bed to find parchment and quill, unable to stop smiling.

At this point, I don't think my life can get any better.

But I'm always open to suggestions.

The Death Eaters who had been captured at the Great Battle (as everyone was now calling it) were tried and sentenced over the course of the summer. Several were Ministry employees, to everyone's shock. One was the son of Bartemius Crouch, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, who had been a popular candidate for the next Minister of Magic whenever Millicent Bagnold retired.

Crouch was ruthless, asking for the highest possible sentence on his son, life in Azkaban. Perhaps he was hoping to prove he had never had sympathies towards Voldemort, but it backfired on him. The outrage was tangible – who wanted a Minister of Magic who would send his own son to the dementors?

The eventual pick for Minister was Cornelius Fudge, a more or less capable career bureaucrat, though it was an open secret in the wizarding world that he owled Albus Dumbledore every morning for advice on his most difficult problems. One day late in October, Fudge found himself obliged to come to Hogwarts to ask Dumbledore's opinion of something in person.

It was a visit he would never forget.

"I'm afraid I didn't want to put this in a letter," said Fudge, brushing soot off his clothes. "Terribly sorry to disturb you at so late an hour, but I was busy all day, and the session on this is tomorrow, and I'm not at all sure what I should be doing with it..."

"Perhaps it would help if you told me what the topic is," suggested Dumbledore politely.

Fudge looked at him oddly, but there was no sign of laughter in his face, unless one counted the sparkle in his eyes – but that's always there. "Oh, didn't I? Awfully sorry – werewolf rights."

"Werewolf rights?"

"Yes, we're under pressure again. Some group calling itself Magic for Humans – they're pushing for mandatory registration, open records, a law requiring werewolves to come to a central facility to transform – perhaps some kind of badge for them to wear, identifying them..."

Dumbledore nodded. "I see. Do you have a few minutes, Cornelius, or must you hurry away?"

"Oh, no, I'm free as long as you need me."

"Excellent. Will you have a seat, then? I would like you to meet two of my students, and a recent graduate, who have, shall we say, a unique perspective on this issue."

"By all means." Fudge sat down in one of the chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk.

"Would you all please pass the word," said Dumbledore to the portraits. "I would like Remus Lupin, Gertrude Granger, and Evanie Mead to come to my office as soon as possible."

A chorus of "Yes" and "Right away" answered him, and most of the portraits moved out of their frames.

"Tea, Cornelius?" asked Dumbledore.

"Yes, thank you – and perhaps, if you have them, those exquisite chocolate things I had the last time I was here..."

He was on his third chocolate cookie when the door creaked. "Here we are, Headmaster," said a girl's voice.

Fudge turned to look and spewed chocolate crumbs across the room. The girl was being paced by two enormous beasts – monsters –

Good evening, Minister.

It was a young man's voice, not high-pitched exactly but not deep, and very polite, but he was almost certain he hadn't heard it with his ears. And the closer of the two wolves was looking at him, with very intelligent-looking blue eyes –

Wolves don't have blue eyes.

Minister Fudge, Professor, good evening, said another voice, this one a young woman's. The second wolf turned brown eyes on him and nodded once, before looking at Dumbledore.

"May I introduce, Cornelius, Miss Evanie Mead, a sixth year student here at Hogwarts."

Fudge got up to shake hands with the girl, who he mentally classified as a bit dowdy and not too bright.

"Miss Gertrude Granger, also a sixth year."

The brown-eyed wolf lifted a paw with grave solemnity, and Fudge swallowed his thoughts that this might be some kind of joke and took it in his hand to shake it. "Pleased to meet you," he said, knowing he sounded inane, but unable to think of anything else to say.

"And Mr. Remus Lupin, an apprentice in the Department of Mysteries, currently assigned to basic research in the Hogwarts library."

Good heavens, I've heard that name before – Nigma mentioned him the other day, as the brightest of the new blood, along with that boy with a genius for Potions, but his name I can't think of, and it doesn't matter anyway – but I suppose this isn't a joke after all...

He shook hands, or paws, with the blue-eyed wolf.

"Would you tell these young people what you have told me, Cornelius?"

Fudge repeated his story. When he had finished, the girl looked wide-eyed and horrified, the wolves, as far as he could tell, considering.

"Thoughts?" asked Dumbledore.

"Some of it's not a bad idea," the human girl spoke first. "Like having a safe place for werewolves to transform. But if you have one big one, somebody who hates werewolves could try to kill them all on a full moon night, while they were all there. Maybe there could be four or five smaller ones, in different parts of the country, where werewolves could go. Or maybe there could be people at the Ministry who help werewolves make a safe place in their own homes, so they don't have to leave."

Brighter than she looks, that one.

On that same note, I would definitely advise against open records, said Granger. That's like an invitation to bigots – here they are, come kill them. Or don't hire them. Or don't rent to them. Why should something that they can't help, which only happens one night of the month, dictate how they live the rest of the time?

Mandatory registration wouldn't be so bad, said Lupin. Most werewolves register anyway, or their families do it for them, to get what help there is – though there isn't much.

"You speak from experience, Mr. Lupin?" asked Fudge warily.

It's a long story, but yes. But there was something else on that agenda – a badge, or card, or some other method of identifying werewolves...

"Yes, that was one of the last things they itemized. It seems quite logical to me..."

Yes, and it seemed logical to someone else, too, said Granger. Label them so you know who they are at all times. The undesirables, those we don't want around. Do you know who labeled their undesirables with badges on their clothing, Minister?

"No, I'm afraid I don't..."

Have you ever heard of the Nazis? asked Lupin.

"Yes, of course – a sect in Muggle Germany, about the time Grindelwald was in power."

Do you know what they eventually did to their undesirables?

"No. What?"

They killed them. Six million of them. And it all started small – label them. Then restrict where they can live and what they can do. Then relocate them and make them work for the good of the country. And finally, kill them. Lupin's voice was matter-of-fact, not accusing in the least. I'm not saying you or this group have any plans of that sort. But truly horrible things can start very small.

Fudge shuddered. "I understand," he said, putting his hat on. "Thank you, very much, all three of you, I'll keep this under consideration, and thank you, Dumbledore, for your time, I really must go, preparation for tomorrow..."

He continued babbling until he was actually in the Floo, and even a little then, and it was only when he stumbled out onto his own hearthstone that he regained the power of conscious thought.

Six million dead?

And it all began with labeling them...

He made his way into the library. He was going to do some studying on Muggle history.

(A/N: See, even Fudgie gets a little smarter in this universe...

There, I told you it would be a happy ending! Is this satisfactory for everyone? Huh, huh, huh?

One more chapter (FanFiction-wise – two in terms of content and length, like this one), and then the story's over... maybe... :cackles evilly: There's still time before HBP, after all, and I have a warren full of plot bunnies here... this could almost be its own universe, and I thought it was just going to be a fluffball. Ain't life funny.)