Chapter 10:
The Unexpected Task

The Pain subsiding, but still shaking, Angel woke to find himself lying on a rug in front of a roaring fire. He was covered in a patchwork quilt, Liam kneeling beside him, applying a cloth to his forehead. Phhhew! The cloth stunk, but felt soothing.

Turning his head slightly, Angel saw Lupin lying fast asleep on the rug. He was also covered in a quilt and had a cloth on his forehead. Liam had taken good care of them both.

Overcome with emotion at seeing Angel awake, Liam sat down and pulled Angel towards him into a firm hug. Without thinking, Angel lifted his arms and embraced Liam, but only for a few moments. Taking in a gasp of breath, Angel quickly pushed away, his eyes wide with shock and surprise.

Angel was surrounded by the pungent odor, but it was no longer offensive. He was engulfed in what he soon realized was Liam, he breathed deeply, trying to imprint the smell in his memory. There was a hint of another essence , slowly becoming stronger. His skin began tingling, the sensation radiating through him, traveling to every nerve. He looked up at Liam, through his, Angels, curtains of dark hair, his eyes clearly showing intent.

Liam, taken aback, allowed Angel to take charge. Angel pulled Liam into a firm, almost painful embrace. Then, beginning at the outside of Liam's left eye, Angel open mouthed, began tasting Liam, allowing his tongue and teeth to run along Liam's skin.

"Angel!"

Disoriented, Angel felt something pulling him away from Liam. "Angel! Come on…… Liam, back away."

It was Lupin! What was going on? Lupin persisted and soon Angel and Liam were separated and sitting on the floor. Anger building inside, Angel couldn't believe Lupin's nerve. What business was this of his?

"I'm sorry Angel, Liam. First, you should not be exerting yourself so soon after your transformation. You need time to heal." Although every muscle in his body was sore and his head ached, Angel thought there was plenty of time to heal later. He was pissed. Lupin continued, "And secondly, I am not telling you what or what not to do, but you may want to postpone until a later time," then looking sternly at Angel, Lupin said firmly, "when the wolf is not so strongly remembered. You WILL postpone." He sighed and shook his head slightly. "Liam, Angel needs care and sleep today. He should not be expending too much energy right now. Time…. Just of bit of healing time…." Then with a slight smile, "Tomorrow should be time enough…….Noon tomorrow and not before."

Warmth

AAAAhhh!….. Angel gasped as Lupin massaged oil into his shoulders and neck. The steam from the bath water filled the small room and Angel breathed it deeply. Lupin dipped his hands into the bowl of oil on the marble surround and continued the massage. On either side of the oil were two other bowls. One bowl was empty. Earlier it contained the salts that had been added to the bath water. The second bowl held a lotion to be used after the bath.
"I want you to take a salt bath for the next two mornings, "Lupin instructed.

Lupin spent the rest of the day with his godson, allowing Angel to talk about anything and everything, only giving his insight when asked for or when it was needed.

That night, when Angel finally drifted off to sleep, Lupin slowly walked to his own room and made his way to the bed. Weak, aching and exhausted, he fell onto the mattress. Even after the company of his godson, Lupin felt cold and alone. He had spent the entire day caring for Angel, not giving a thought to his own need for recovery.

Yes, Lupin was taking good care of Angel. But who was taking care of Lupin?

Next Morning

Angel awoke just before sunrise. He looked at the bedside table, seeing the picture of Snape along with the cold tea left in the cup from last night. In just under two hours he would be meeting with Professor Snape, who was formulating the potion for his upcoming transformations. The potion for his first transformation would no longer be sufficient.

Angel knew he should go to the bathroom and soak in the salts, his muscles still ached. But he no longer had a headache and his burning from the inside was gone; replaced with sort of an itch, but not exactly. He hadn't felt this good in a month.

He decided to tell Lupin that he was going to leave the house today to travel to muggel London. He had a few shops he wanted to visit there and thought he would also pick up some licorice for Lupin. He just had to be back in time for the Order meeting tonight.

He dressed in blue jeans and black tee and layed his black boots and black leather jacket on the bed. Combing his hair with his fingers, he ran off to get some tea.

The house felt empty, everyone was asleep, but Angel liked it like this. Passing Liam's room, Angel saw light flickering from under the door. Liam was going to meet with Snape and then visit Francesca this morning. Her mother was not doing well. But it was early and Liam should still be asleep. Angel knocked and opened the door. Liam was sitting propped on pillows reading. He was dressed in a white cotton shirt tucked into a pair of black jeans. Looking both ways down the hallway to make sure no one else was around, Angel stepped into the bedroom.

"Morning Angel. Couldn't sleep. Thought I'd catch up on potions."

Angel smiled and sat in the center of the bed, legs crossed. Leaning forward and allowing his hair to fall across his face, he looked at Liam, eyes full of mischief. Wide eyed, Liam sat up a bit straighter and backed against the headboard in an attempt to move away. "Angel, Professor Lupin said noon."

A glint in his eye, Angel slowly moved toward Liam on hands and knees, finally leaning forward, opening his mouth and teasing him with four quick 'kisses', sucking Liam's bottom lip each time. He moved away very slightly, winked, looked into Liams eyes, and moved his the tip of his tongue slowly along his own lips and upper teeth. Slowly untucking Liams' shirt, his hands reached Liam's belt buckle….

A while later, Angel and Liam lay beside each other on the bed. Liam outlining the scars on Angel's back with his finger. He moved closer. Starting at Angel's neck and moving slowly downward, Liam followed the scar, kissing it as he went. Angel turned around and embrased him.

Suddenly, there was a sharp knock and the door swung open. A moment later someone walked in. It was Snape! His face showing no surprise, he glared at them.

"Mr. Gwydion, Mr. Greyson, I am waiting. But as you are otherwise occupied…….. you must think that I have nothing better to do but wait for your teenage hormones to be satisfied. If you are quite done, would you get downstairs!" And he left slamming the door behind him.

Liam startled, sat up and started to dress, worried, not wanting to make Snape any more upset. But from behind him, he heard Angel laughing, and the laugh was infectious. Soon both were laughing until their eyes were filled with tears. Angel slapped Liam on the back and got up off the bed. "We really need to dress and get downstairs. I get first dibs on the shower," and he ran into the bathroom.

Silently, they walked downstairs and entered the kitchen. Snape,Lupin, Ginny and the twins were seated at the table; everyone eating breakfast except Snape, who seemed preoccupied. Conversation ceased when they entered the room and it felt to Angel and Liam that everyone was staring at them, as if everyone knew and had been discussing them. Ginny stood, looked at Angel, tears in her eyes and ran from the room. Fred and George glared.

The silence was broken by Angel's stomach growling. Lupin shook his head slightly and smiled, "Good morning. I have saved breakfast for you." Angel tried to discern Lupin's mood. He didn't seem upset at all. But why? Angel had gone directly against Lupin's instructions.

" If you are quite ready…." Snape began.

"Severus, let them eat. "

"Lupin, I am in a Hurry," snarled Snape. "I do not intend to waste my time waiting on those who do not have the decency to be punctual." He looked up and glared at the two.

"We don't feel like eating anything, but thanks Professor Lupin, " Angel said quickly. He didn't feel much like sitting at this table. "Liam, let's go…….that is if you're ready Professor Snape."

That Evening

"Bonehead!" Liam punched Angel in the shoulder and moved quickly away.

"Arse," laughed Angel and he pushed Liam hard, almost knocking him down.

"Look who's talking!" Liam punched Angel hard and took off running down the hall, Angel right behind him.

They were on their way to the meeting of the Order. Angel was excited. He hadn't been to one in a month. They had just rounded the corner when they stopped dead in their tracks, suddenly getting very quiet. Ginny and Lupin were standing at the entrance to the meeting room, in conversation.

"I'm fine, Professor Lupin," Ginny said, sobbing. "I always knew there was little chance, but……." Her voice trailed away.

"It would have been better if Angel told you himself, but with the current environment…. We don't have the luxury of waiting for Angel to come to terms with the situation enough to tell you. We can have no secrets between you. And time is short."

Lupin had taken it upon himself to be intercessor between Angel and Ginny. The morning after the full moon, the day he had spent taking care of Angel, Lupin had found the time to talk with Ginny. He had somehow known Angel's mind even before Angel did.

Lupin turned, and seeing them standing there smiled, "Good evening Angel, Liam. Shall we go in?" Ginny hurried into the room.

Angel and Liam took their places at the table, Ginny sitting just to Angel's left, across from Lupin. Her eyes were red and puffy. She was determinedly looking face forward, directly at Lupin.

Lupin began, "I was expecting a meeting of the entire Order tonight, but plans have been changed. Instead, the meeting will be between the four of us, discussing a mission that we will be involved in."

He leaned forward, looking seriously into the surprised faces of the trio.

"We have lost so many order members and other great wizards at the hand of Voldemort and his DEs. So many lives have been lost. Liam, I believe your aunt Kate and uncle Angus? And we know the sorrow that your family has suffered, Ginny. All have been touched in some way.

It is rare that we have the chance to recover someone that most would think dead. But I believe that opportunity has come. Up to this point, all attempts to return this person have been fruitless, but I am hopeful that we now have the magic to do so.

Everyone in this room will play a vital role."

He paused, looked between them and took a deep breath. When he began again, his voice shook slightly as if he were trying to suppress the emotion in what he was about to say. Yet, even though he wouldn't allow his voice to convey it, his eyes grew damp and excitement shone through.

"You may be wondering what this mission is. What the ministry would have us do?" Again he paused.

"We are going to retrieve……..

……Sirius Black."