Author: Linda Lupos.
Rating: tricky. Being Dutch, I'm not familiar with the American rating system. I'd say PG-13, like the rest of my ficts, but there is some bad language and possibly some disturbing images that could get the rating up… Let's say it's PG-13 for now.
Disclaimers: JK Rowling's, once again. Everything you recognise from the books is hers, the rest is mine (unless I state otherwise).
Pairings: not as far as I know.
Spoilers: all five books, especially the fifth one!
Author's note: and she's back! The fourth instalment already. I just can't leave that werewolf alone, it seems! Well, it's not that you mind anyway…
Seeing as this is the fourth story in what has become a series about Remus Lupin (and, from the third one, about Sirius Black as well), I highly recommend that you read the first three. There will be recurring characters, in-jokes and references to the other stories which you simply won't get if you haven't read them! Not to worry though: I've been told the ficts were rather good. You might even enjoy yourself!
On a less sarcastic note: I said above that I couldn't really decide on the rating, because of the bad language and the disturbing images that are going to be in this fict. With 'bad language' I mean everything from 'bloody hell' to the F-word, and mostly out of Sirius' mouth. Mind, I will of course censor it (him?) from time to time, but things are getting grittier and darker, and that includes the language. Sirius won't be a cheery chap, and his way of speaking will reflect that. My apologies if you're offended. It wasn't my intention, I was merely trying to keep somebody in character…
As for 'disturbing images', I do not mean sex scenes in any way, but rather people getting hurt and dying in the most horrible way. Harry has only heard or read about the murders, but the members of the Order of the Phoenix will be direct witnesses – and that includes Remus. Once again; I won't go into gruesome detail, but it will be there. Not for shock-value or to upset or offend people, but because I want to keep my stories realistic. If that means adding a few gallons of blood, so be it…
Second to last thing: I trust that you are all aware that last June, Warner Brothers released something they called the 'Prisoner of Azkaban'-movie. I won't go into a detailed description of my sentiments towards said movie; let's just say that I found it rather disappointing. I bet you will be pleased to hear that it has not changed my way of seeing the characters, so rest assured; Sirius is still taller than Snape and he does not have any tattoos, nor does Remus have a moustache. However, there were some things I liked, so I hope you'll forgive me if I suddenly mention that the werewolf has hands instead of paws. I might even write the walking stick in! (Although I didn't like it in the movie, I thought the idea rather interesting, and it goes brilliantly with my story that Remus was bitten in his leg!) Lastly: I expect you all to start groaning when you read this, but the two-week posting is back too. And no, I'm not going to change that! I like the two-week deadline, I've got used to it. And, amazing though it may sound, my life does not revolve around writing fanficts. I also have a study to attend to, and last year I sometimes even missed a deadline because of essays I had to finish or tests I needed to learn for. I can't post chapters that are long enough once a week, I simply don't have the time! Complain all you like, I won't change my mind.
Now. After possibly the longest introduction I've written so far, it is time. Ladies and the occasional gentleman, I proudly present my newest fict!

Wolf's Fight.
The sequel to 'Wanderings of the Wolf'.

July 1995.
"You and Tonks are related?"
"Oh, yeah, her mother Andromeda was my favourite cousin."

Derbyshire, England.
Early rays of the sun shone on lush green hills. It had rained that night, and morning-mist still hung in the valleys but disappeared as soon as the first sunlight hit it. Birds sung their song, ready for a new summer day, and squirrels ran from tree to tree to collect nuts.
Everything was quiet around the small cottage. It was the embodiment of peace and solitude: the flowers in the garden were opening their buds to the sunlight, ivy vines grew against the wall. A few raindrops dripped from the handle of the well in the garden into the bucket under it, which was filled with crystal-clear water. Water also dripped from the shining wet tiles on the roof. Has somebody walked past on this early hour, he would've thought that the occupants of the house were still asleep.
Then again, somebody walking past would only be able to see in the living room, and not in the kitchen.
"Padfoot, go get the mail."
"Woof," was Sirius' answer. He was sitting at the kitchen table, and he made no effort to get up or answer to Remus' request whatsoever. Remus, busying himself with breakfast, rolled his eyes.
"And what's that in English?" he wanted to know.
"Go get it yourself," Sirius said, spreading a tick layer of butter on his toast. "Or ask Monster to do it. Really Moony, the way you ask it – you make it sound as if I'm some kind of dog."
"Ha, ha," replied Remus sarcastically. He took out his wand and flicked it. "Accio mail!"
There was a flutter from the hallway and a soft thudding against the kitchen door. Then the door swung open and a newspaper and two letters zoomed into the kitchen and onto the table.
"See, this is why I need a wand," said Sirius. He took one of the letters. "Oh look, the Daily Dumbledore."
"This afternoon, Padfoot," Remus shushed. "What does he write?"
Sirius' nickname, the Daily Dumbledore, wasn't far off. Dumbledore had made a habit of sending them letters daily, with reports and updates on Voldemort and the Order of the Phoenix. Judging by the general tone of those letters, they were copied and send to every member of the Order, almost like a newspaper. Hence Sirius naming it the Daily Dumbledore. However, the Headmaster always added a personal note or message to the letters, and after a while those messages had become pretty much the only thing they were really interested in.
Sirius quickly scanned the letter. "Nothing of real importance, I think. Harry has arrived safely at Privet Drive. Arabella's keeping an eye on him. The Order is now in full operation, to put it that way; everybody who was once in it, is back, and there're even several new members. Furthermore…" Sirius paraphrased the letter, "Voldemort is making plans – for world domination probably, but it doesn't say that – but our spies are onto it, blabla. 'PS: Sirius, I've arranged for you to meet Ollivander this afternoon, for a wand. Three o'clock, Charing Cross Road, the bookstore next to the Leaky Cauldron. He will meet you there. It's not safe for you to go into Diagon Alley so he has agreed to take several wands with him and meet you in the Muggle world instead."
"Well, that's good news," said Remus.
"Yeah. After this afternoon, I'll be able to get a drink without getting up from my chair."
"Besides that, obviously. But three o'clock – we're meeting Kingsley at four. If you don't take too long picking a wand, we'd be able to do it."
"'kay."
"But then we'd better get going soon, it's a long way to London."
"Not the way we're going." Sirius winked, his face already shining with glee. Remus groaned.
"I'd been trying to repress that."
"Now Moony, there's nothing wrong with Buckbeak. Really." And Sirius pulled his friend out of the kitchen, only stopping in the hall to pick up their coats, and out of the door.

"He doesn't seem too eager to fly," Remus commented, more nervous than he wanted to admit.
"Nonsense, he's fine." Sirius was readjusting the blanket-turned-makeshift-saddle on Buckbeak's back and made sure that the rope around the animal's neck was secure. "You're just thinking that because you're nervous to fly, and you want to take me out of this."
Sirius knows me too well, Remus thought. He took out his wand. "Let's at least put a Concealment charm on him."
"But we already got a Disillusionment charm on him," Sirius said.
"Really?" Remus squinted his eyes. "I can't see it."
"Of course you can't, you're not a Muggle, the charm doesn't work on wizards."
"Then how am I supposed to know whether it works or not?"
"Walk up to a random Muggle and ask whether they can see the big half-bird-half-horse behind you?" Sirius jokingly suggested. "Of course, they'd think you're completely off your rocker, but at least then you know the charm works…"
Remus rolled his eyes. "'I´ll just perform it again." He tapped the Hippogriff with his wand. The animal seemed to blur for a moment, as if it was underwater and the water had been touched. The effect lasted for only a second or so, then everything was normal again.
"Great," said Sirius. "Let's go. Need a hand to get on Buckbeak?"
"Euh, no, I think I'll manage."
Sirius shrugged and climbed effortlessly onto the Hippogriff. Practice had taught him what the easiest way to sit was, and he now rode Buckbeak almost as comfortably as if he was sitting on a chair.
Remus wasn't so lucky. First of all there was the fact that he didn't really like Hippogriffs. Then there was the fact that Hippogriffs didn't really like him either. Buckbeak had learned by now that Remus wasn't as dangerous as he smelled, but that didn't keep him from nervously tossing his head and scraping his talons over the ground. And Remus didn't really like flying either. It was alright when it was on a broomstick – they usually didn't go that fast, and since he was the one flying it he could decide how fast and high he was flying – or how slow and low. It was a different matter with Hippogriffs – or with motorbikes with insane teenage Siriusses on them. Actually, anything with Sirius on it and the ability to fly made Remus nervous.
"You coming?" Sirius asked. He was patting Buckbeak's neck to try and make him less nervous.
"Yes, I am." Remus came to stand next to Buckbeak's flank. He'd never really realised how high a horse was. "How exactly do I get on this?"
Buckbeak glared.
"Uh, on this – this fine animal," Remus corrected himself.
"Easy," said Sirius. "Take my hand." Remus did so, and his friend pulled him on the Hippogriff's back. After a bit of fumbling around, trying what the best way to sit was and nearly falling off, Remus sat relatively comfortable. As comfortable as it gets on a Hippogriff that doesn't seem to be able to stand still anyway.
Ready?" Sirius asked. Remus didn't answer, but clamped his arms around his friend.
"If I fall off and die, you get all my stuff," he said earnestly.
"Thanks. I'll take that as a 'yes, I'm ready'," said Sirius. "And I think you'd be safer if I could at least, you know, breathe a little. Please."
"Oh. Sorry." Remus released his grip a little.
"Excellent. There we go." Sirius nudged Buckbeak with his knees. Remus already squeezed his eyes shut, but the Hippogriff merely trotted leisurely towards the road.
"What's he doing?" Remus asked.
"Walking towards the runway," Sirius explained. "Or do you want to take off vertically?"
"Err, no, thanks."
"Thought as much. Now," he continued in a much less serious tone, "Padfoot and Buckbeak Airways welcome you on this flight to London. Before we take off, some safety instructions –"
"Merlin, safety instructions," Remus muttered desperately, shutting his eyes again, holding on to Sirius as if for dear life. "Padfoot, I don't think I can do this."
"Please keep your hands and feet on board," Sirius continued cheerfully, "and try and sit as still as possible. Do not upset your pilot or the vessel, since that tends to end in a dive, a looping, or both. Sorry Moony."
Buckbeak stepped onto the road.
"In the unlikely event of an emergency, scream. Real loud. It probably won't do any real good, but it might give you some mental comfort. We're afraid we don't have any oxygen masks or life-jackets on board, but that saves me time to explain how they work. We also can't offer you any snacks or drinks, nor any magazines. For God's sake, please don't try to squeeze your pilot to death, Moony – "
Remus released his grip, which he had tightened again, a little.
"And don't pull out any hairs of feathers from the vessel either. Yes, that's you Buckbeak. Doing so might result in a death-drop or a revenge attack when you least expect it."
"Can we go now?" Remus asked. He'd never have guessed he'd ask it.
"I thought you'd never ask!" Sirius said. "No seatbelts, no smoking, here we go. Enjoy your flight. Don't scream in my ear, please." He poked Buckbeak's flanks again. "Lift off."
Buckbeak reacted at once. He jumped forward – Remus nearly fell off – and started to run at a break-neck pace. Sirius had squinted his eyes to tiny slits against the wind, his hair waving behind him. Remus was holding on tight to him, his eyes shut tightly.
"C'mon, Buckbeak, go," Sirius muttered. The Hippogriff spread his wings. He seemed to do a jump in the air – or maybe it only seemed so because the road went uphill – Remus felt his stomach sink – and they were off.
This is, Remus thought, probably one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever done. Buckbeak hadn't quite reached enough height to glide, and he was beating his wings to go higher, making the humans on his back go up and down. It was even stranger for Remus, who still had his eyes closed and who could only hear the rush of the wind around them and feel the feathers on Buckbeak's wings hit his legs.
After a minute or so, the wing-beating stopped, and Sirius poked him with his elbow.
"Open your eyes, Moony," he said. Remus did so – and his eyes widened with what he saw.
England was spread out beneath him; summer-green patches with grass, yellow patches with corn. Groups of dark-green trees seemed sprinkled over the country by a giant hand. Ponds and lakes gleamed in the sunlight, and clouds made large patches of shadow on the land. It was like hanging above a giant model, and he had the odd feeling that he only had to stretch out his hand to touch it, to pick up a tiny house.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Sirius asked.
"This is totally different than your motorbike," Remus said. He couldn't keep his eyes off the ground.
"Of course it is," said Sirius. "It doesn't go half as fast as my motorbike."
"Good thing too," Remus muttered. "That thing scared the hell out of me."
It took them slightly over an hour before they reached the suburbs of London. Buckbeak descended a bit, and Remus took a good hold of Sirius again. They flew over Wembley Stadion, and Remus could already see the light of the sun being reflected off the Thames. They followed the railroad tracks ("look, it's Kings Cross from above!"), towards the West End of London, where Charing Cross Road was.
"Where d'you want to land?" Sirius asked.
"Somewhere where there's not a lot of people around," Remus replied, scanning the city under him for such a spot. "You sure they won't see us?"
"As long as we're on Buckbeak, we should be protected by that Disillusionment charm."
"Maybe there," Remus pointed to a group of trees. Sirius looked.
"Moony," he said, "that's Leicester Square. Landing there on a Hippogriff is too weird, even for London. But we can land over there." Before Remus had time to see where Sirius was pointing, Sirius had nudged Buckbeak with his knees, and the animal flew down.
Buckbeak wasn't the most graceful flyer around, and his descent was more falling down and barely keeping from crashing. Remus had the feeling that his body had arrived on the ground before his stomach had.
Sirius helped him off the Hippogriff. "I'll change into Padfoot, then," he said, and immediately did so.
"Right, I'll take care of Buckbeak then…" said Remus, still feeling slightly sick. The huge black dog barked, which Remus took as an agreement.
The feeling of sitting in a rollercoaster left after a few minutes. Remus took the rope around Buckbeak's neck, then headed for Charing Cross Road, Padfoot in tow.
It was obvious that this was the theatre district of London. Even though it was barely afternoon, the streets were filled with people. It was perfect weather, and Remus had to be careful not to make anybody run into Buckbeak. There were tourists with travel guides, Londoners trying to make their way through the mass to the Underground, and above their heads, on the walls of the theatres, were posters for the plays and musicals that were being performed. Souvenir shops had racks of postcards standing on the street, shops advertised their wares, cars, taxis and busses were trying to make their way through the traffic, and in the midst of it all were a man with greying hair, a big black dog and a sort-of-invisible Hippogriff, trying to make sense of the city around them.
"Let's go for some coffee," Remus suggested to the dog. It nodded, and the three of them set of to a place where they could escape from the mass.
Remus bought coffee at a shop called "Burger King," at Leicester Square, and a bottle of water for Padfoot, while the animal and the Animagus waited outside, then they went to sit in the park. Buckbeak searched for insects in the grass, still undetected by Muggles, while Padfoot sat at Remus' feet and Remus was battling with the plastic lid on his coffee cup. He finally managed to tear it off, poured sugar in it, took a sip, sighed, and sat back.
"It's not that bad here," he told Padfoot. The dog sort of snorted. "I do hope that everything with Mr Ollivander will go a bit smoothly. We do need to be in time for Kingsley." Padfoot made a sort of "hmm" sound.
Silence.
Remus sighed. "It's horrible to have a conversation with you when you're like this," he said. "Let's be off, okay?"
The dog nodded. Remus quickly finished his coffee and they got to their feet (and paws). Remus was unsure how to get Buckbeak's attention – he could hardly call "oi, Buckbeak!" to what seemed to be thin air – but fortunately, Buckbeak had seen them get up, and he trotted towards them to see what was going on. Remus took the rope again and headed in the direction of Charing Cross Road, to the bookshop next to the Leaky Cauldron.

Mr Ollivander was already waiting for them. He was standing in front of the bookshop, looking through the window at the displayed books. He was dressed as a Muggle and holding an inconspicuous leather briefcase in his hand, but somehow he seemed to have something that made the people around him step away from him. Despite it being busy, Ollivander appeared to stand in his own private bubble.
Remus walked up to him. "Mr Ollivander?"
Those eyes, he thought, as Ollivander turned to him. His huge, pale eyes rested on him for a moment, and he smiled a rather mysterious, small smile. He glanced at Padfoot before saying: "So. Ready?" And without further ado, he turned on his heels and pushed the door of the bookshop open. Remus and Padfoot followed suit, leaving Buckbeak tied to a streetlamp outside. Ollivander determinedly made his way through the bookshop, not even looking over his shoulder to see if they were following. They went through a door with peeling paint (Remus looked at the man behind the counter, but he didn't seem to notice) and up a narrow and steep staircase. Ollivander opened another door and walked into the room as if he owns it. His two visitors (it certainly felt that way to Remus) walked in, and he carefully locked the door before turning to Padfoot.
"Now, if you'd please…" He gestured 'up'. Padfoot got the message, and quickly changed into Sirius. He carefully scooted away from the window.
"Where are we?" he asked.
"On the edge of Diagon Alley," Ollivander said. He clicked the briefcase open. "Look out of the window."
Remus stepped towards the window and looked out of it. It was a somewhat bizarre experience – seeing the cluttered wizard street, filled with robed people, while knowing that there was a Muggle bookshop right under his feet.
"Surreal," he said. Sirius came to stand next to window, and he peeked outside as well.
"Can't Muggles see this?" he wanted to know.
"No, it's been charmed," Ollivander said, taking what seemed to be a roll of purple velvet out of his briefcase. "Much like your Hippogriff."
"And the man behind the counter, downstairs?" Remus asked.
"Pretty much the same," was the answer. "Nobody will know that we have been here, nobody will find out that Sirius Black has been so close to Diagon Alley, and certainly nobody will find out – " Ollivander unrolled the velvet, revealing about a hundred wands " – about this."
The roll of velvet turned out to be a cleverly made bag for wands. The velvet had been folded double and stitched at regular intervals, creating 'pockets' in which Ollivander kept his wands. He now took one out and handed it to Sirius.
"I have selected wands that I think may suit you," he said solemnly. "Based on your former wand – some with dragon heartstring, others made of ash but with a different core. I hope yours is among them. Well, you know the procedure."
Sirius' face shone with delight when he took the wand. "I really missed this," he said, before giving the wand a rough flick. It made a whooshing sound but didn't react otherwise.
"No," muttered Ollivander. "I hadn't expected that one. This one perhaps." He took another wand and handed it to Sirius, carefully storing the first wand away in the velvet sack.
It took Sirius half an hour to find the right wand. By the end of it, Remus was sitting on a chair, resting his head on his hand, staring blankly out of the window. Sirius' waving had become a sort of half-hearted twirling. Ollivander didn't seem bored at all. He kept handing Sirius wands, patiently going through the supply he had. Nevertheless, it startled all three of them when the wand Sirius waved suddenly began blowing a thin line of smoke.
"Ah, finally," Sirius said. He painted figures in the air with the smoke. "This one seems about right." He waved the wand again and the smoke disappeared.
"Yes, indeed." If Ollivander was happy or even relieved, he didn't show it – he still looked creepy. "Dragon heartstring, twelve inches, made of oak. Almost the same, but not quite… not quite." He seemed lost in thoughts for a moment, then shook himself awake again. "Now, basic wand maintenance – do we need to go over it again?"
"No, not really," Sirius smiled. "I think I know the drill." He routinely slipped the wand in his pocket as if it belonged there. "What do I owe you?"
"Nothing." Ollivander stopped rolling the velvet sack to a bundle. "Consider it just a favour among friends."
"Oh… ok…"
Ollivander packed the wands into the briefcase again and clicked it shut. He picked it up and then turned to the two friends. "I think we'd better go now," he said. "Before the Disillusionment charm wears off."
"Good idea," Remus said. He got to his feet. "Padfoot?"
Sirius gave a small sigh – he'd rather have stayed a bit longer to try out his new wand – but obediently changed into the big black dog. Ollivander unlocked the door and gestured for them to go first. They walked down the stairs, and before they knew it there were back in what seemed to be a whole other universe but what actually was just Charing Cross Road.
Remus turned around to thank Mr Ollivander again, but before he could open his mouth the man shook his head, said "no thanks, please, no thanks." And without another word he disappeared in the crowd.
"Well, that was slightly weird," commented Remus. Padfoot nodded. "Shall we try and find Kingsley in this beehive they call London?" Padfoot nodded again, and they set of.
Buckbeak was still where they'd left him, although he now looked decidedly grumpier. He didn't seem to like London on a summer day.
Remus carefully untied him, all too aware of the sharp beak near his hands. When he had untied the rope, he turned to Padfoot. "Let's go."
And so they did.

It was exactly four o'clock when they arrived in the park where they were supposed to meet Kingsley Shacklebolt. Compared to Charing Cross Road, Victoria Embankment Gardens were delightfully quiet. A few people were enjoying the sunshine on the grass, and a man with an ice-cream van was doing an good business. On the other side of the street that was running alongside the Gardens, the Thames glittered in the sunlight. Excursion boats with tourists occasionally sailed by, and it generally just seemed a whole other world compared with the West End.
Remus let Buckbeak loose on the grass and sat down on a bench under a tree. Padfoot laid down at his feet like the docile dog he was supposed to be.
"D'you want an ice-cream?" Remus asked, looking at the man behind the van handing one to a woman with curly brown hair. Padfoot looked oddly at him. "No, I suppose not…" He sighed. "I wish Kingsley was here already."
The woman who'd just bought the ice-cream walked passed them. She smiled at Remus, but her smile faded when she saw Padfoot. She gave him a strange, inquiring look, and when she walked on, she looked back over her shoulder.
Padfoot looked at Remus, frowning.
"Yeah, I know," Remus said. "Maybe she's never seen a dog that big…" Judging from Padfoot's look, neither of them really believed it.
It was to both's relief that Kingsley showed up a few minutes later. He wasn't alone, however; walking by his side was a young woman with violently green hair. She said something to Kingsley and then pointed to Remus and Padfoot.
The man and the Animagus got to their feet in a much more shocked way than they'd intended. Is it so easy to see that we're waiting for them? Remus thought. His feeling of unease wasn't exactly helped by the fact that Padfoot was trying to hide behind his legs (a failed attempt, of course).
Kingsley was smiling when he reached them, which reassured Remus that they weren't going to get caught today. The Auror extended a hand, which Remus shook, and Kingsley even petted Padfoot (which the Animagus grudgingly allowed).
"I see you managed to make it," Kingsley said. "Let me introduce you: Tonks, this is Remus Lupin. Remus, meet Nymphadora Tonks." Padfoot suddenly looked very interested.
Tonks flinched. "Just Tonks, please."
Remus grinned. "What's wrong with Nymphadora?"
"What's not?" she shuddered.
"I think Tonks would like to be introduced to your dog too," Kingsley prompted.
"Oh…" Remus said. "Eh, of course. Uhm, Tonks, this is Padfoot."
Both Padfoot and Tonks reacted rather strangely. Instead of acting like a dog, Padfoot just stared at Tonks, looking slightly stunned but happy at the same time. And instead of petting Padfoot, Tonks stared back, eventually raising her hand and saying "hi."
"This is so weird," she said.
"What?" Remus said. "It's just a dog," he lied.
"She knows, Remus," Kingsley said, before Remus was about to say anything else.
"She knows?" Remus said, then, hissing – "what, did you tell all your colleagues? Is this the new form of Auror's secrecy or something?!"
"Calm down – " Kingsley tried to shush, but Tonks interrupted him.
"Well, you're not so secretive yourself, talking about meeting Kingsley in the middle of a park," she said cheerfully.
Remus stared.
"What? But… we only just met… huh?"
Behind his knees, Padfoot suddenly made an "ooh, of course!" gesture, which nobody saw.
Kingsley rolled his eyes. "Yes, if you want to put it bluntly. She was the woman who walked past you." When he saw Remus' stare, he added: "she's a Metamorphmagus, Remus."
"Like this," Tonks said. She shut her eyes tightly, and her hair changed from short and green to brown and curly before Remus' eyes. "See?"
"Right…" he said. "Well, anyway, not to be rude or anything, but…" To Kingsley: "why did you bring her?"
"Because she's an Auror and because she's related to Sirius Black," Kingsley explained calmly. "And I thought she might come in useful."
"Aha..." Remus said. Related? So I'm talking with a relative of Sirius now? Weird.
"Let's go somewhere more private," Kingsley suggested, although it sounded more like an order with his voice.
"Right," Remus said. "Where, exactly?"
Kingsley gestured for them to follow. They crossed the Gardens and walked through several streets until Kingsley stopped at a wooden door.
"In here, please."
Remus tied Buckbeak, who had leisurely trotted after them, to a streetlamp again, and followed the other three up a staircase. Kingsley unlocked a door.
"Now," he said before letting them in. "Don't make a mess, please."
"Wow, Kingsley, this is your house?" Tonks said. "I didn't even know you had one. I just assumed you lived at the Ministry." She winked. "Being the devoted Auror you are."
Kingsley pulled a face at her. "Very funny."
Kingsley's house was sort of how Remus had expected it – and somehow it wasn't. It was odd to see that this man had a private life, like Tonks said. The apartment was clean and tidy, and actually really nothing special. Two sofas and a coffee-table, a few plants in pots, a bookcase, a few paintings on the wall (Kingsley appeared to have a taste for abstract art in bright colours, a bit like African art). Kingsley had an open kitchen, where he was now making coffee. Glass doors led to a small balcony with plants on it.
"Nobody will know we're here, right?" Remus asked, as he came to stand next to Kingsley.
"Not a soul," the Auror promised. "I've put up some protection charms – I don't like my own colleagues looking over my shoulder when I'm at home."
Remus smiled. "I can imagine."
Kingsley looked at Remus. "If that was an un-asked question: yes, Sirius can change back."
Remus turned around to his friend. Padfoot had laid down on the wooden floor, his eyes still on Tonks. She was looking at one of the objects Kingsley had exposed in his bookcase (strangely enough, Kingsley used his bookcase to store not just books – something Remus would never be able to do, because he'd clutter the case with books immediately). Tonks kept glancing at Padfoot, although she pretended not to.
"Padfoot," Remus called. The dog looked up. "Be Sirius."
"You know you can turn that into a pun?" Kingsley inquired.
"Yes, a horrible pun, actually," Remus muttered.
Sirius lost no time now he'd got permission. He enthusiastically got to his feet and changed back into his more usual form. "Finally," was the first thing he said.
Tonks now didn't even pretend to be interested in anything else anymore. She stared at Sirius. "It is you..." she finally said.
"Heu, yeah... guess so," Sirius said in a sheepish attempt at humour. "Looks like it."
"You never told me you were an Animagus," Tonks said accusingly. It was the first thing that came up in her head.
"Well you never told me... told me..."Sirius tried to argue, then he realised there was nothing to argue about. "No, I didn't." Sirius looked somewhat ashamed. "You see, I never got registrered, and your mother wouldn't think it a good example."
"And you cared about that... when?" Tonks asked, trying to repress a smile. Seeing her smile, Sirius couldn't help himself anymore either. One of the most radiant smiles Remus had ever seen appeared on his friend's face. "Am I forgiven?" Sirius asked.
"Hmm..." Tonks pretended to doubt. "Well... ok. You are." She giggled, giddy with happiness. Sirius didn't seem much better either.
"Is it really true you actually broke out of Azkaban?" Tonks asked eagerly.
"Yep. Using my illegal Animagus-skills. Again something your mother wouldn't approve of," Sirius grinned.
"Cool," Tonks said. "And you didn't kill the Potters?"
Sirius' grin faded. "I'd never have killed them. And I didn't betray them either."
Remus saw that this conversation was rapidly going into the wrong direction. He grabbed two mugs of coffee.
"We got coffee," he said, walking into the living room. Sirius seemed to wake up abruptly from a reverie. He took the mug with a small smile. "Thanks, Moony."
Remus handed the other mug to Tonks. "You stil haven't told me how you two are related," he said, purposefully steering the conversation away from the Potters.
"Sirius is my mother's cousin," Tonks told him. "My mum married a muggle-born, so the rest of her family said she was a blood-traitor and all that, but Sirius didn't. He used to come over quite a lot, to my joy and sometimes to my mother's dismay." She turned to Sirius. "She never told you, but she sometimes thought you could have a bad influence on me – seventeen is not an age to build cushion-fortresses." Sirius burst into laughing.
"Not that we cared," he said.
"No, but that's besides the point," Tonks grinned.
"Ah, of course not." Sirius' eyes shone with joy and something remarkably like pride while he looked at Tonks. "Tell me, can you still 'make faces'?"
"You mean like this?" Tonks shut her eyes again as if she was concentrating on something. Her brown hair turned sleek and black, and it grew until her midrif. Her facial features changed too – slightly more handsome, with high cheekbones. When she opened her eyes again, they were grey. She looked like a female Sirius.
"Amazing, eh, Moony?" Sirius said conversationally. "Can you do him too?"
"What? Do who too?" Remus asked, still amazed. He'd never seen a Metamorphmagus before.
"Do you, he means," Tonks said. She shut her eyes again. Her hair shortened until it was just past her shoulders, then the colour lightened until it was lightbrown. Her nose elongated slightly and her complexion paled somewhat. But it didn't stop there – crowsfeet appeared next to her tightly shut eyes and grey hairs appeared near her temples and through her hair. She appeared to age twenty years in just ten seconds. And when she opened her eyes again, they were yellow. Remus stared at his female self.
"Brilliantly done," Sirius complimented. "You forgot the little scar on the bridge of his nose though. Here." He pointed it out on Remus' face.
"Blah, details," Tonks waved it away.
"Showing off again?" Kingsley interrupted calmly.
"I'm sorry, Big Boss," Tonks said mock-reverently. "What important matters would you like to discuss?"
"Sirius Black. And stop looking like that, I know he's standing right here," he added, annoyed. "Sirius, I've told the Ministry that you've been spotted in Thailand. I've managed to fake some testimonies – "
"You faked them!" Tonks said, astounded. Kingsley ignored her.
" – and I've even contacted the Ministry there to keep an eye out for you, although they'll of course never find you. It should work out for the time being, at least if you're not running around London with a Hippogriff..."
"We needed that to get here," Sirius said calmly.
"Anyway," Kingsley continued, "I've got everything under control, unless something really weird turns up."
"Ah, good," was Sirius' comment. "Was that everything?"
"Sirius..." Remus said reprimanding. Stop sounding so careless. It's your life after all.
"No, really, Moony, couldn't he have just send a letter?" Sirius protested.
"Fair point," Kingsley said before Remus could answer. "There is something else. About that 'something weird'..."
"Yes?"
"Is it true that You-Know-Who's back?" the Auror asked, coming straight to the point.
"Yes," said Sirius, just as matter-of-factly. The news wasn't taken so calmly, though.
The only sign of Kingsley's shock was a sharp intake of breath. Tonks, on the other hand, was so taken by surprise that she nearly lost her balance.
"Seriously?" she said, a note of panic in her voice.
"Yes, it's true," Remus said.
"But how..?" she asked.
Sirius explained it all, unconsciously making a big point of the fact that Peter had helped Voldemort come back and that it was Harry who'd seen it all.
"But are you sure?" Kingsley asked, urgently. Sirius looked annoyed.
"Harry's my Godson, he told me this only an hour after he'd witnessed all this, and he told me this in the presence of Dumbledore," he said. "I have no reason not to believe him."
Had Kingsley had any hair on his head, he would've run his fingers through it in consternation, Remus thought.
"But..." Kingsley said. "I... back?"
Sirius shrugged. "Can't make anything else of it."
"Sirius, don't be such a bully," Remus interrupted. "At least tell them about the Order before they are completely sure Voldemort's going to murder them in their beds." He had just had a bright moment: both Kingsley and Tonsk were Aurors, and Aurors made up a large part of the Order of the Phoenix. They would be great helps, not in the least because Tonks was a metamorphmagus and could go everywhere without being noticed, and Kingsley was helping Sirius anyway.
"What Order?" Kingsley wanted to know. Like a true Auror, he didn't like not knowing stuff.
And so Sirius explained. How Dumbledore had founded the Order to fight Voldemort, how the two of them, the Potters. Peter and Moody (whom Kingsley appeared to regard as a hero) had been a part of it, and how Dumbledore had called the Order back together again now Voldemort was back.
"And you want us in it, right?" Tonks asked cleverly of Remus.
"Well, yes," he admitted. "You're both Aurors, like quite a few members of the old Order, and, well... you're not overly fond of Voldemort, I think – " Apart from the name, he thought. We need to teach them to stop flinching when we say it.
"That's an understatement," Sirius muttered.
" – and I think we could really use your help."
"Any risks involved?" Kingsley inquired.
"Torture, death, losing friends or relatives," Sirius said, forcing his tone to stay light. "But we've got dental insurance and maybe free t-shirts too."
"That's always a good thing," Kingsley said, smiling.
"Well, are you in or are you out?" Sirius asked, never the patient one.
"I'm in," Tonks said. "It seems cool." Catching Remus' glance, she added hastily: "and necessary, of course. Oh no, that cool came out totally wrong...."
"We got the main message," Sirius smiled. "Kingsley?"
The tall Auror thought about it for a few moments, then said in his calm, low voice: "I'm in."

"Shouldn't we feel proud now?" Remus asked, handing Sirius the chips he had bought. Sirius was standing hidden in a shadowy corner. They'd left Kingsley's house only fifteen minutes before and they were actually supposed to go home. But Sirius had announced that he was hungry, so Remus had suggested buying some chips.
"Yeah, probably," Sirius said. He stuffed some chips in his mouth. "Dumbledore will probably want to hug us."
"Eugh, I hope not," Remus said, taking some chips too. "No offence to Dumbledore, but I do not want to be hugged by him."
Sirius laughed softly. "No, me neither."
They finished the chips in silence. It was only when Remus had thrown the bag away and Sirius was whiping his greasy fingers on his pants, ignoring Remus' looks, that Sirius said: "and now what?"
"Home?" Remus suggested.
"I'm having a stupid idea," Sirius announced. "And keep your sarcastic comments to yourself."
"I wasn't going to say anything," Remus lied. "What was your idea?"
"Want to see where I was born?"
"You mean that's somewhere overhere?"
"Yeah, sort of. Not too far away anyway."
"Well, sure."
"Okay. Follow me then." Sirius changed back into Padfoot. Remus beckoned for Buckbeak to follow them, and they set off, through deserted and dark streets. They'd been walking for at least fifteen minutes when they reached a small square. It was dilapidated, and garbage was rotting away. The houses around the square didn't look looked-after either, and Remus frowned at Padfoot – are you sure it's overhere? But Padfoot walked determinedly to one of the houses. It was just as shabby as the houses next to it, but it somehow seemed as if it had had more style than the other houses ever had. Although the door was scratched, it appeared to be decorated with carvings, and the serpent-shaped knocker seemed to be made of silver.
Remus looked at the narrow house, from the stone steps leading to the front to the roof, which he could just make out in the twilight. From what he could see, the house had at least four floors, if not more. The windows were boarded, and it didn't seem anybody lived in it anymore.
"Nice thing, eh?" Sirius said, scaring the living daylights out of Remus.
"Sure this is a good idea?" he hissed. "What if anybody sees you?"
"They won't," Sirius shrugged. "And they won't recognise me anyway, not when it's this dark. Anyway, what do you say, does it look like a nice little home?"
Remus looked at the house again. "Frankly... no."
"You got good taste," Sirius said. "It looks even worse from the inside, trust me."
"Then why did you drag me here in the first place?" Remus wanted to know.
"Remember the stupid idea I had?" Sirius asked in return.
"Yes."
"Remember Dumbledore writing a couple of days ago that he would like a new Head Quarters for the Order in London?"
"Again, yes."
"And remember me telling you that this house is now mine?"
"Sirius, you seem to have gotten under the impression that there's something wrong with my memory. There's not, trust me."
"Remus," Sirius said patiently, "you're smart. Most of the time anyway. Put it together. The Order wants a Head Quarters... I've got an empty house... in London... Hm?"
"You want to suggest using your house as the new Head Quarters?" Remus asked, slightly taken aback.
"Yes, exactly."
Remus thought about this for a moment. And the more he thought about this, the better the idea seemed. "You know," he said, "it's actually a rather good idea."
"Of course it is, it's one of my ideas."
"And I'm simply ignoring that statement."
"Don't you always, Moony."

That little bit at the end in which authors babble endlessly about their own stories.

Yay, I'm back, with a new fict! And, as you may have noticed, a new title! "Order of the Wolf" wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms, and I didn't really like it either, so I decided to change it. I came up with this one in England, the middle of the night, much to my friend Anne's chagrin, because I was so extatic about my new title that I woke her up, because of a title for a fict she didn't even read anyway...

Sometimes I'm evil.
This chapter is suffering first-chapter-disease, btw. It doesn't really seem to go anywhere, and it's too long (about 11 pages). It's all just setting the story up... And because OotP is so long, I have to chuck a lot in my chapters just to get somewhere. I've got the first few chapters planned already, and by the looks of it, Harry isn't going to appear until the third chapter or so. And I think this fict is going to have as many chapters as Wanderings - 22 - which means: long chapters.
Readers cheer

Now let's hope "real life" doesn't interfere too often...

Oh, another thing this chapter suffers from is the fact that I seem to have lost feel for the characters a bit. One of my proofreaders noted that Remus seemed less intelligent than he usually is, and that Sirius seemed in control. Reading back, I do have to agree with that: Remus did seem rather dim in some scenes... Well, let's just say that spending time with Yippee-I'm-relatively-free-so-let's-be silly-and-annoy-my-best-friend!Sirius has affected his mental capacities...
I had great fun with my map of London while writing this chapter, by the way. It turned out that Charing Cross Road is actually really near to my favourite part of London: Leicester Square. And yes, there ís a Burger King at Leicester Square, which does sell coffee, and hot chocolate, and where Anne and I spend a delightful hour playing "who is Alan Rickman?" ("it's that guy with that weird beard! He's practicing for his new role!") in our very first summer in England. In fact, when we saw a picture of Sean Biggerstaff at the CoS premiere, we cheered. Not because it was Sean Biggerstaff, but because it was "our" Burger King in the background!
Yes, we are that pathetic...
Anyway... REVIEW!!