After supper while David and Remus were chatting in David's sitting room there was a knock on the door and Albus came in. "I have good news," he told them beaming. "Sirius's trial has been scheduled for the last week of September. Since he has escaped from both Azkaban and Hogwarts they are keeping him at the Ministry in the meantime."
"I'm glad he's not returning to Azkaban," said David.
"That's assuming he isn't found guilty," said Remus worriedly.
"Nah, Crimson has promised that if Sirius is sent to Azkaban he will personally break him out. And I am under no illusions that he will be able to do it," David assured him.
Albus perked up at the mention of Crimson. He had been wondering how he had become involved and was particularly keen to set up a meeting with the young zia. There was a prophesy involving the destruction of Voldemort which had appeared to be concluded by the death of Harry Potter. When Albus had realised that Crimson's birth date also fit the prophesy he had allowed himself to hope that it had referred to Crimson instead and Voldemort's destruction was still possible. "I am curious as to how Lord Crimson was persuaded to involve himself," he commented mildly. "As I understand he was only sworn in a few weeks ago, and given his age I do not see how he could know Sirius."
"Well about that, I suppose I should explain," said David. "I know the Crimson Lord very well and I wanted Sirius to get a trial. Crimson seemed the most likely person to have enough influence to get him one."
"How do you know Lord Crimson?" asked Albus.
"I have been living at Lions' Den for the last few months. I would prefer you didn't spread it around that I know him though. I don't want people using me to get his favour or anything."
"I can understand the sentiment," said Albus, "but it is very important that I speak with him." David shook his head so Albus pressed on with his reasons. "During his first rise Voldemort assassinated many zias, including several members of the Crimson House, and most of the remaining zias renounced citizenship and fled the country. The Crimson Lord is in danger which will only increase when Voldemort returns. Lord Hapstaff has over a century of experience and many family members to call on to keep himself protected but the Crimson House numbers at the most two. Lord Crimson is only seventeen and cannot have the knowledge he needs to survive. I am part of an organisation which exists to combat Voldemort. We can offer him support and protection. I would like to offer him a transfer to Hogwarts for his final year of schooling."
"Roger went to great lengths to keep his son's identity from you in almost direct defiance of his father. I know you were a close friend of Roger's father but Roger's son would not consent to being your student."
"It would be best for those of us who oppose Voldemort to work together, by dividing us he gains the advantage," said Remus diplomatically.
"That is true," said David thoughtfully. "But there are some things that are difficult to forgive."
"I would like to know which of my actions caused this attitude," said Albus, but it was a command not a request.
David found himself sinking into his memories with a huge urge to discuss them. The secrecy vow prevented him communicating what happened so all that came out were a few grunts as he realised what was going on and combated the spell. "That was underhanded and uncalled for," he ground out through gritted teeth. "Haven't you put me through enough torture without forcing me to remember it vividly on a whim? Do not bring this topic up again. Goodnight! I am sure you can see yourselves out."
David rose and walked unsteadily out of the room without looking at his companions. He managed to make it to his own bed before he collapsed transformed into his animagus form and curled up in a ball, shaking as he tried to deal with the memories evoked by the conversation. Eventually he fell asleep.
The next few days David ignored the other teachers as much as he could. He still duelled with Remus but did not respond to his efforts at conversation. Albus had instructed Remus to try to find out what he could about David, and in an effort to keep his worry over Sirius at bay Remus had concentrated on his task. He was not please with the last method Albus had employed to get information from David and hoped that he could prevent a repeat of it. David was uncooperative and Remus realised he would have to work hard to win his trust.
David eventually started to talk again, but only about things related to Hogwarts. He refused to discuss his past or relationship with the Crimson House. Remus had managed to break the ice by confiding his fears about Sirius. While not elaborating on why the house was helping the man, David assured him that the Crimson Lord would not allow Sirius to be executed or sent back to Azkaban. He explained that as a member of the Crimson Fellowship Sirius wore a pendant which could not be removed against his will and which would alert other members of the house if he was in danger.
Over the time they spent working together Remus managed to re-establish his friendship with David, although he was very much aware that his feelings towards the man were no longer in any way platonic or paternal. If the attraction was mutual David never gave any indication of it. Two weeks before term began David was summoned to Minerva's office.
"David I have a couple of things to discuss with you about the code of conduct we have for our professors," began Minerva. "Firstly you are expected to wear robes while on duty." David frowned and appeared about to protest. "I haven't said anything about your attire before because classes have not been in session," she continued, "but I have begun to wonder whether you even own any robes."
"I only have one set and they are far too formal," admitted David. "I suppose this means I will have to get some. What's the second thing?"
"It would not be appropriate for the students to call you David, you need a surname."
"I really don't think that's necessary. We all call Firenze simply Firenze and Hagrid is always Hagrid not Rubeus. Surely I can be simply David?"
Minerva frowned but conceded that he had a point and was slightly happier when she heard him asking Remus over lunch to help him get some suitable robes. Remus knew much better than David how to look presentable if this summer was anything to judge by, particularly now that he had the money to dress well having inherited a lot from Potter.
The next day Remus and David were duelling in the grounds near the lake David wearing the new duelling robes he had purchased. In the middle of their exchange of spells David suddenly stood still and allowed Remus's spells to hit him.
"Sorry Remus, something's come up. I'm needed in Majorca," explained David after Remus revived him. Remus was busy comprehending the fact that David had lost deliberately, when he realised David was still speaking. "…handle the Death Eaters but I need help making sure the muggles are kept out of it. Will you come with me?"
"What now? To Majorca?"
"Yes, please, there's no time to waste."
"Alright."
David tentatively put his arm around Remus's shoulders, hesitating a few inches above him before gripping them and apparating them both away from Hogwarts. They materialized in a hallway.
"I expect the muggles will be in the dinning room," said David. "Try to keep them calm and away from the windows. I'll be back once I've taken care of the Death Eaters." Before Remus could answer David had disapparated. Deciding it was best to follow instructions since he did not have a clue what was going on Remus followed the hallway to find the muggles.
"You!" shouted the woman seated at the table as he came into view.
A large beefy man turned to see the cause of her exclamation. He took in Remus's attire and started to go purple. "I thought we had a deal," he said angrily. "You weren't supposed…"
"He's not one of them," hissed the woman. "He was one of her friends."
"They promised us we would have nothing more to do with any freaks. So you, get out of my house!" he responded.
Remus was standing in the doorway in shocked silence. The memory of a funeral he had attended years earlier with Lily Evans came to mind. The vague familiarity of the woman's face coupled with her comment had given him the worrisome impression that she was Petunia Evans, who was supposed to be dead.
"Petunia?" he asked tentatively.
"Not any more," snarled the woman. "Had to change my name because of that wretched boy. You heard my husband, get out of our house!"
Remus conquered his surprise and realised he needed to take charge of the situation before the large purple man tried to bodily remove him. "No. I'm here because there are Death Eaters outside. I've been asked to keep you safe while they are dealt with." He gestured towards the French windows at the end of the room through which David could be seen battling against three masked wizards who were trying to get past him and into the room.
When David entered the room some quarter of an hour later he found Remus sitting at the table calmly drinking a cup of tea while three purple faced muggles sat stiffly in their chairs looking in horror at the burnt mess where their French windows had been.
"Ah my dear St Johns," said David standing in front of said windows, "I have just repelled, on your behalf three Death Eaters. Your would-be-killers are no longer a threat, but I expect more will come. Perhaps in the future you will heed my advice and change your password a bit more often? I checked and it has been three months since you did so. I believe I warned you that it could be broken in between two and three weeks. Heed that warning in future and you shouldn't see any of us. I assure you I have better things to do with my time than come hundreds of miles to sort out your problems. Remus if you've finished your tea shall we be on our way?"
"I'll just release them and then we can go," said Remus waving his wand at the muggles. David walked up to him and once again put his arm around Remus's shoulders. The apparated away to shouts of "freak."
They appeared again in David's sitting room. He let go of Remus and gestured to a chair before sinking in one himself. "I imagine you want to know what that was all about?" he asked tiredly.
"I would," replied Remus dryly. "Particularly how you were able to apparate within Hogwarts."
"Well I did tell you Lady Hogwarts likes me. She allows me through her wards; I believe she lets Albus apparate too."
"So why were the Death Eaters after those muggles?"
"It's Albus's fault," said David. "He involved the St Johns in the war against their wishes; they can't stand anything magical. He later offered them a way out and helped them 'disappear' but it would seem the Death Eaters have some grudge against them. I'm not really sure why; it's not like they can have any further part to play in the war."
"Why would Albus involve them in our war? How could they help?"
"You'd have to ask Albus why he did it. It makes no sense to me. Thanks for your help anyway; that was the first attack. Since I discovered they were alive and put in security measures, hopefully in future they will follow the instructions and further attacks will be repelled without my involvement."
"What did you do with the attackers?"
"I sent them anonymously to the Ministry. I believe they are all on the wanted list so there was no need to reveal what I caught them doing."
There was a knock at the door. "Come in," said David as he and Remus stood up to greet whoever it was. Albus and Minerva entered. They all sat down.
"I would like to know," began Albus addressing David, "what you have done to enable you to apparate within Hogwarts."
"I haven't 'done' anything. Lady Hogwarts is fond of me and has allowed me the convenience of apparating within her domain."
"That is a privilege of the headmaster," said Minerva bristling. "Are you trying to claim to be headmaster?"
"No not at all," David assured her horrified. "It's simply a matter of convenience. All the Hogwarts founders were able to do it; I am descended from Godric Gryffindor so I can too."
"I would prefer you didn't use this ability in front of witnesses. People are less likely to try to attempt something if they think it is impossible and that protects Hogwarts," said Albus.
"I wasn't planning to," David assured him. "Today was an emergency. I brought us back here rather than in the open, though I had thought nobody had seen us." He caught sight of Minerva's slightly pink face, "Oh I see, no 'body' but perhaps a cat out for a stroll?" he suggested grinning.
"I trust the emergency was resolved satisfactorily?" said Albus.
"It's fine now. These things come up every so…"
"Albus, did you know that Petunia Evans or whatever her married name was and her family are still alive?" asked Remus cutting David off.
"No," said Albus, "I think you need to explain what happened."
"David said he was needed in Majorca because some muggles were being attacked by Death Eaters and he asked me to help him," said Remus as David stared blankly into space. "He asked me to keep the muggles in the house while he sorted out the attackers. I was very surprised to recognise one of the muggles as Lily's sister Petunia. When we got back David told me he had sent the Death Eaters to the Ministry and that the muggles were the St John family, though I think he knew who they really were."
"David would you tell us what is going on?" commanded Albus.
"Albus you don't fool me, you knew perfectly well that that family are alive although I would have hoped you would have protected them better," said David coldly.
"I assure you I did not know that they were still alive. Their being so raises some worrying questions," said Albus making sure he was in eye contact with David.
David brushed the surface of Albus's thoughts and found no deceit. "Explanations would probably be best coming from the Dursleys," said David grudgingly. "I'm sure they will be delighted to see you. You'll need me to set up the portkey. When do you want to see them?"