Disclaimer: Oh drat! We've run out of disclaimers, I knew this would happen. Hold on a sec, J.K. Rowling is English and therefore, smarter than us and has access to universal healthcare? Umm…we don't own it and pay no attention to the werewolves lurking in the hallway.

Warning: Sexual situations.

Chapter 29: In the Swing of Things

Remus Lupin, accomplished wizard, duelist and scholar, was currently surrounded. Not that this was necessarily a bad thing, it was just very odd. Remus wasn't used to being the center of attention; he had always managed to blend into the background. Even in the classroom, he simply morphed into the structure of the class, acting the part of Professor R.J. Lupin. And here he was fielding a seemingly endless stream of questions from a pack of twelve teenage werewolves that were staring at him with eyes filled with wonder.

He took a deep breath before continuing, "Yes, I am fairly sure that Hogwarts does not employ a Chilean Batman."

A young boy with reddish brown hair, hazel eyes, and round wire rimmed glasses glared at him, waving a magazine about madly. "But Mysterious Mysteries says…"

"Oh shut up about Mysterious Mysteries, Uther.", the boy's twin sister snapped, rolling her eyes.

"Make me, Viviane. Just because you would rather dress in black and read poetry, doesn't mean the rest of can't have scientific pursuits.", he shot back before pushing her. She retaliated by placing him in a headlock.

Remus cleared his throat causing the two to break apart. "Now children…"

James interrupted, snapping at the thirteen year olds. "Uther, Viviane, behave yourselves." He then smiled at the visiting werewolf. "Some of us have very important questions for the good Professor.", the seventeen year old stated quite solemnly, using his hands to motion to the girls flanking him. "So are there tons of cute girls in England?", he asked with a wink, earning him several smacks from Maddy and Laura .

Remus chuckled at the scene before him. "I'm not sure I'm well suited to answer your question, the most beautiful woman I have ever encountered is from America. What do you mean by girls?"

James stuck his tongue out at Laura. "Human Wizarding girls of course, I mean werewolf girls are few and far between." He then kissed Laura's hand. "Rare and precious gems that they are." Laura blushed and ducked her head, rewarding James with a giggle.

Before Remus could answer, Abby called him into the kitchen. The children let out various pleas for him to stay. He smiled and raised his hands. "It seems as if Abby needs me, I will return." Rising up, he walked swiftly to the kitchen.

Abby chuckled as he unceremoniously plopped into a chair. "Thank you.", he whispered and set his head down on the table.

She bustled around the kitchen. "Well, don't worry too much. In fact you should be quite proud, I believe you have set a record by staying an entire half-hour. Most adults can't stand to be around the assembled swarm for longer than ten.", she said with a bright smile.

Remus glanced up at the werewolf matron. "I will try to take comfort in that. Are they always like that?"

Abby let out a hearty laugh. "No, they are occasionally worse. But as I said don't worry yourself, you are just popular." Remus gave her a puzzled look. "Well, the boys adore you because of the hunt the other night. Not to mention you are from the mysterious English Isles and you are mated to one of their favorite pack leaders."

Remus perked up at Abby's allusion to Kate. "Speaking of Kate, do you know where she's at?"

The witch snorted. "John is probably trying to talk her out of working at the club." Remus frowned in response. "It's not like that. He just thinks she can do a lot better than tending bar. The last thing he wants to see is her settling for less than her potential."

"The last thing who wants to see?", John asked as he stumbled into the kitchen.

"I don't know, why don't you tell me?", Abby replied coyly, earning a playful growl from her mate.

John wrapped her in a hug and kissed the top of her head. "Well, I talked her down to working part-time at the club and doing healing work on the side. In turn, she talked me out of turning Lockhart into a newt. And we both came up with a solution to handle Clayton."

Remus cleared his throat as John was distracted with whispering into Abby's neck. The older wolf snapped back to attention. "Sorry about that, she's in the last bedroom down the hall."

Remus nodded. "Thank you, John, Abby."

Once Remus was out of his line of vision, John let out a bark of laughter. "Don't mention it, my boy."

Abby playfully swatted his arm. "What was that all about?"

John feigned innocence. "I have no idea what you are talking about, Abigail.", he said gleefully and kissed his wife on the lips, before heading into the living room to request a favor.

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Paige rolled over and stared at the wall for a moment before speaking again. "I really hope John can do something for him."

Sirius set the book down and turned around. "Clayton has a good number of people watching over him, he'll be fine."

Paige sighed and nodded. "I know, but I still worry.", she said as she stretched. "I've got an errand to run. Do you want to come with me?"

Sirius nodded and followed her to the dining room, where she stopped in front of the fireplace. "Do you trust me?"

Sirius gave her a nervous smile and nodded.

She straightened up. "Good! Come with me, please."

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Kate was sitting cross-legged on the bed, quietly mediating when Remus burst into the room. She cautiously opened her eyes to find Remus looking at her wildly. "What did I do now?", she gently asked.

"Why does John want to turn Lockhart into a newt?", he demanded.

She let out sigh. "I don't know. He's probably hoping the three percent humidity will finish him off in a couple of hours."

"Kate", Remus growled.

"Lockhart saw the report that was filed when the police came to the apartment the other night. He issued the compliant that lost me my job and offered to retract it if I…"

Remus cut her off before she could finish. "I am going to kill that bastard! How dare he treat you like that!", he growled and moved towards the doorway.

Kate jumped up from the bed and wrapped him in a hug. Kissing him soundly before he could get out the door, she took his hands and moved them down her body. "Yours.", she whispered, breaking the kiss for moment. "Only yours."

"Mine", he growled and captured her lips in a possessive kiss. Breaking the kiss, he gave her a gentle smile. "Yours", he whispered, moving her hand over his heart. "I just love you so much, I don't want to see you hurt. He shouldn't have…"

She placed her fingertip on his lips to quiet him. "I love you, too. And I will not loose you to Azkaban or worse because someone simply couldn't keep his head out of his ass. I don't know what I'll do when…" It was Remus's turn to quiet her with a kiss.

They both were lost in the moment, when they heard the door slam and lock. Kate looked over at the door. "Oh drat!"

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The smoke cleared away and Sirius looked around. The room was spacious with white cloths over the hulking furniture. Dust covered everything only showing a few footprints that led to a door.

He gazed around for a moment before looking to Paige for guidance.

She shrugged and gestured to their surroundings. "Welcome to Montgomery Manor."

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Laura, Viviane and Maddy stalked their quarry down the hall, looking quite comical trailing the young professor. They stood quietly in the shadows listening to the pair, Laura made gagging noises when the name Lockhart was mentioned. The trio crept towards the door when the room fell silent. They giggled as they saw Remus kiss Kate. Maddy gave a wicked grin and winked at the other girls before slamming the door shut. The trinity of trouble makers cackled as they set the wards on the door and merrily skipped down the hall to tell John about their job well done.

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Sirius gazed intently at the porcelain figure he'd found. It was chipped and the paint had all but flaked off, but it was still beautiful. The graceful arch of its hands reaching skyward reminded him of a bird taking flight. He turned at the sound of the door opening and nodded as Paige entered the room.

She grinned and walked over to him. "Having fun?"

Sirius looked back at the figurine and did a double-take, the girl was now curtseying. "What? How did it do that? Is this enchanted?", he asked the smirking woman in front of him. She laughed and responded, "This was the home of a prominent Pure-blood family, everything is enchanted."

He reddened slightly. "Right. So what's the rest of the house look like?"

Paige shook her head in amusement. "Come on, I'll give you the tour."

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Remus looked up at the door from the bed. Kate was running her hands across the door frame; her frustration had caused her eyes to sparkle and her cheeks to flush. She looks absolutely ravishing, he thought.

"Stupid door.", Kate growled before throwing herself on the bed.

He cast her a roguish smile and gave a deep chuckle. "Whatever is the matter, dearest?"

Kate sighed. "We're trapped in her."

Remus made a noncommittal grunt and moved to start kissing her neck. "So what's wrong with being in here with me for a few hours? I can think of lots of things to keep us busy."

"Remus, we can't. We need to get out of here and we can't get out of here unless John or Abby deactivate the wards or we…Nevermind.", she said quickly, blushing crimson.

"Or what, dearest?", he asked in a husky voice, running his hands over her body.

"Remus stop.", she ordered pushing up from the bed. "It's a mating chamber. We would have to have sex to get out of the room. The room is set with a tracking spell, so if the door is warded with a mated pair in it…", she broke off, looking intently at her shoes.

Remus leapt off the bed and removed his jacket, tie and vest. "Is it hot in here?", he asked, casting longing looks at his mate.

"Remus, the room amplifies desire. John built it, so he and Abby could have alone time after their third child was born nearly twenty years ago.", she stammered moving against the door.

"So the emotion already needs to be there?", he whispered in her ear before attacking her neck with kisses and nips "I actually don't think the room is doing too much because I've wanted you since last night."

Kate swooned a little at his words and kisses. "This really isn't proper, what if someone walks in. I mean it's the middle of the day and it's not our home..."

"My goodness, are you getting shy on me Katie? You know, I find quite charming when you still managed to be a lovely lady even when being ravished." She blushed again and he ran his hands over her breasts. "You are so sweet, I could just eat you up." He sucked on her nipple through her blouse and bra for emphasis.

Kate gasped and tried to push him back a bit. "Remus, we really shouldn't …" He ignored her and began removing her clothes. "Please…we really need to…oh Gods that feels divine….", she pleaded.

Remus scooped her up and placed her on the bed. "Whatever you desire, my Kate", he sighed before divesting her of the rest of her clothes. He stood above her admiring her for a moment. "You have no idea what you do to me, do you?", he asked lovingly, trailing his fingers over her body. With a stiff wave of his wand, he removed his clothing and crawled over her.

Kate reached up and pulled him down on her, devouring his lips with her kisses.

He gently dropped his hand between them and moved it to her lower lips. He pulled away for a moment. "Do you want to just…", he broke off, his confidence waning. She kissed him again and centered his erection with her hand. That was all the permission he needed and swiftly thrust into her warmth. Their coupling was slow and gentle, Remus still wary about hurting her. He didn't fully let his guard down until she exploded around him, whispering her unending love and devotion for him in soft gasps.

She placed soft kisses along his neck and shoulder as he recovered on top of her. "Thank you, it was wonderful.", she whispered.

Remus chuckled and began kissing her again. "What makes you think I'm done with you, my Kate?", he growled working his way down.

She whimpered in response to his teasing kisses and rolled him on his back, straddling him just above his groin. "What makes you think that I wouldn't rather go for a ride?", she purred, causing him to moan. Kate sat up straight, her breasts swayed gently as she rolled her hips so her curls brushed against the head of his penis. He let out a soft whimper and she cast him a wide eyed and innocent look.

"Kate", he growled, reaching for her hips..

She deftly caught his hands and held them against the mattress. She then batted her eyes at him, while her hips undulated over his sex just out of reach of his thrusts. "Yes, beloved? Tell me what you want. ", she asked coyly.

"You are a horrendous tease, you know that?", he hissed and she circled her hips so her lower lips just skimmed the top of his penis.

"Please, dearest.", he whimpered. She gave him a shy smile and slowly lowered herself on him.

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A little over a hour after having the girls lock Kate and Remus in the back bedroom, John walked down the hall and deactivated the wards on the door. Cautiously he pushed open the door to discover, the pair naked as jaybirds and curled in each other's arms.

Remus looked up at the older werewolf. "She's still asleep.", he whispered.

John nodded and crossed to the closet and pulled out a dress for Kate and a suit for Remus. "Change into these and tell Kate to meet us at the club.", he softly stated and turned to leave. He stopped and looked at Remus. "And I expect you to take that suit with you when you go home.", he gently ordered and left the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

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Remus frowned at the mirror as he took in his reflection. He looked good, hell he hadn't looked this good in years. The Muggle suit from the 1930's with a long jacket and vest. It was a soft black suit with a red pinstripe, the shirt was a silvery gray color and felt like suede, and the silk tie matched the red pinstripe in the suit. The shoes were black dragon hide and the Wizarding watch, chain, and fob were solid gold. "This is all too much.", he groaned and ran his fingers through his hair, thinking of the expense of it all.

Kate placed her arms around his waist and hugged him from behind. "You look quite dashing.", she complimented, kissing his cheek.

"Thank you.", he said unsure of himself. "It's too much, though. I can't possibly borrow this."

"First, it was given to you. Second, it is not too much because you are worth it and it is a hand-me down anyway. No one has fit into that suit in over three years; it was just wasted hanging in the closet. And finally, when you no longer want it you will past it down to someone else, who needs it.", she said quite practically.

Remus shrugged. "I guess. Let me get a good look at you."

Kate stepped around her mate, showing off her crimson dress that matched his tie. It was a sweetheart dress with a full skirt that ended just below her knees, showing off her black stockings and shoes. "You don't think it's too short do you?", she asked self-consciously.

"You look lovely.", he reassured her and pulled her to his side in front of the mirror. "We make quite the handsome couple."

She laughed and gave him a slight playful shove. "Yes, but the question is a couple of what?", she called out as she raced down the hall to the fireplace.

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A few hours had passed and Sirius had looked into every room, explored every closet and rummaged through the large pantry in kitchen. He was currently eating some Twinkies, he had found behind several large containers.

Paige walked in and blanched. "You're actually eating something that you found in here? Do you know how old that thing is?"

Sirius paused. "No.", he replied and went back to eating.

Paige grimaced and said, "Neither do I. The last time I brought junk food in her I was, like, eleven or twelve. No one else would have." Sirius shrugged and licked some cream off his hand.

Paige made a face. "Well, better you than me. What do you want to do now?"

Sirius stretched. "How about dinner? I haven't eaten hardly anything today."

Paige grinned. "So, only twice what a normal man eats, then? Well, you should be hungry!", Sirius rolled his eyes. "Ok, so let's eat at the Peppermill, while we wait for Remus and Kate."

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The Wolf and Fox was one of the more popular Wizarding establishments in Las Vegas despite being owned by an aging werewolf and eccentric red head. And when Remus and Kate entered through the front door, quite a few heads turned to watch their stroll to the bar.

Kate leaned over the bar. "Fox, I need to talk to you about a job."

A balding wizard with red hair stood up from behind the bar and looked her over. "So, John wasn't just too far into his cups when he talked to me this afternoon?", the man asked in an English accent that had been diluted through years of living in America.

"Yes, so what do you say?", she asked cheerfully.

"Well, I'm not one to turn down good labor.", he said with a wink, before adjusting his horn rimmed glasses. "Not to mention, you are a lot easier on the customers' eyes than I am." He turned and eyed Remus. "But, you aren't working tonight so enjoy yourself, John's reserved tables seven and six."

Kate nodded. "Thanks, Edgar.", she said softly and led Remus towards the tables filled a handful of adult pack members.

Oak stood up and looked Remus over. "So you are the werewolf that stole our Kate-der? You have my condolences.", he said with a smile.

"I wouldn't be talking if I were you.", Kate growled at the very large werewolf.

"It's because I'm a witch isn't it?", he sniffed.

"No, it's because you are a werewolf.", she whispered conspiratorially.

"Well, that's good. I was worried it was because I was married to a woman, who is a quarter giant and that wouldn't do at all.", he said before pulling a chair out for Kate.

"A quarter-giant?", Remus asked, glancing at Oak's wife, Raven, who couldn't be more than five feet tall.

"By marriage, I didn't know of course. I mean really how would I know that my wife would be married to me, a man named Oak with a mother, who was half-giantess, and a father, who was a werewolf.", he said gently. "But I won't hold it against her.", he finished nobly, causing the entire table to break out into gales of laughter.

Raven pushed her mate playfully. "Behave.", she growled.

"See that, just look at the violence inherit in the system. The little ankle biter is trying to repress me.", he teased.

"Oh, I love this song.", Kate stated a little too brightly and stood up. She led Remus to the dance floor. "Sorry, I don't want to hear them play fight for the next hour."

Remus spun Kate around the dance floor. "So he's a quarter-giant and a werewolf, how?"

Kate chuckled. "His mother was the product of a pairing between a giant and a wizard. And she fell in love with a werewolf, who lived near her in the wilds of New Mexico. They got married and had Oak."

"But werewolves and humans can't…", Remus started to say but thought better of it. "Let me guess, it was because his mother wasn't fully human."

"Correct.", she replied and spun away from him.

"Is he?", he asked as he caught her as she spun back to his arms.

"No, he's not an alpha. He can't have children and even if he could, Raven was bitten after puberty.", she replied sadly. Remus just nodded and they stopped to applaud the band before beginning the next dance.

Remus looked up to see Oak on one side of them and John on the other. The thought, get her behind you, suddenly came into his mind. Without giving it a second thought, he pushed Kate behind himself so she was surrounded by the three male werewolves. He spun around as he heard a cold voice come from Oak's side.

"Oh come now, gentlemen. I'm not foolish enough to try to take an already mated werebitch.", a male voice drawled. "I just wished to extend my congratulations and my hope that one day their offspring will help reshape our world." The platinum blonde male stepped forward and extended his hand to Remus. "Gaius Wald, and you are Professor Remus Lupin, correct?"

Remus gave the man a wary smile. "Yes, that is correct."

Gaius flashed a feral smile. "Wonderful. You should know that the horrors wizards have placed on our kind for centuries. It is my goal to stop this horrific system once and for all. While elevating our kind to their proper status."

Remus turned to see John escorting Kate back to the table and Oak balling his fists. "How do you plan to do that Mr. Wald?"

"By putting all of the human wizards, of course. I mean we are the superior species after all.", he said with a hollow laugh, treating the situation as if he were ridding his curtains of doxies.

"Well, if you will excuse me Mr. Wald, I think I need to see to my mate.", Remus said as politely as he could manage and returned to his table.

Oak followed close behind him. "Arrogant prick, someone needs to pound him into a wall a few times."

Remus just shrugged. "Not all werewolves are nice you know, most are right bastards actually.", he said taking, a sip of water.

John nodded. "Hence, why we have our little family to keep the bastards out." He shot a meaningful look at Remus. "And keep the good ones in."

Oak smiled in approval. "I almost forgot, can I see your tokens?" Kate pulled out her token and handed it to the craftsman. "If my work was half of this, I would be rolling in it.", he said admiring the piece before attaching a white gold chain to it. "Remus, can I see yours?", he asked and took the charm the English werewolf offered him. Oak studied the piece and laughed. "Hmm… I wonder what this symbolizes?", he said with a knowing smile before attaching it to a chain. He muttered a few protection and privacy charms on the pieces, and handed them back to their owners.

"Thanks, Oak.", Kate whispered kissing his cheek as he lifted the necklace over her head.

"No problem, I'm glad I could help. Now get out on that dance floor so I can snap some pictures of the two of you for the scrapbook.", he ordered.

Remus led Kate to the dance floor and the pair danced until well after midnight.

A/N: So, we are getting closer to the end of the story just a few more chapters to go. And no Remus won't be hurting Lockhart anytime…soon, hehehe. Just FYI, Gaius is the name of the Roman Emperor Caligula. Wald means world and is in homage to the family name of the werewolves in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. They are the Uberwalds of course and you can find them in the 5th Elephant. (Because Prof. Pendragon is an ubergeek).

A pretty laid back chapter for the most part, but stay tuned for next week's exciting installment Drunken Randy Englishmen featuring alcohol, edible lotion, and little red riding hood.

As always, we would like to thank you for reading this far and send out a special thank you to our reviewers….Here is the part where I answer the reviews isn't it. Drat, I'm tired and I never know what to say.

Miss Moony: Thank you for the lovely review. Yes, please have fun torturing Lockhart and just remember we will in the future as well.

Katarina: Thank you for your lovely review (and long as well…hehehe). Remus won't get a crack at Lockhart but he will get his comeuppance. Sirius is quite the funny fellow and is very sweet. The tape manifested weeks and weeks ago, and just found its way into the story, sort of like the next chapter that was written all the way back in October. Thank you for offering your beta services we will be taking you up on it, and you should be getting an email shortly outlining everything. It shouldn't take more than a half-hour a week.

Jen: By the Gods, woman. You are actually quite good with grammar! You're hired. We will be sending you an email as well. (Does a happy dance) Woohoo! We've got two betas. Anyway, we promise to stop harassing you with canons (cannons). And Hornhead did a very fab job with the Clay-Paige storyline didn't she. She is very awesome.

And that is all, as the handrails raise up please check for any personal belongs and please exit to the right of the theatre. As you exit to the right of the theatre, please leave a review in the comment receptacle provided.

Watch out for the first step,

Prof. Pendragon