Last Time:
The Pack continued to watch the Papers every morning, but no news of Lucius Malfoy appeared, much to their discomfort and concern. A small obituary for Narcissa had appeared the day after they returned, and later the same day Andromeda Tonks sent Aletha a letter, along with Narcissa's ring for Draco.
Over the period of a week, the new cubs had begun to get used to the Pack, and the Pack to them. It was now time for the training to begin.
Chapter EightRemus and Sirius herded the cubs into the backyard, and split them into two groups. The two had previously decided that having a friend coach them would help the two newest cubs learn the basics of self-defence.
Remus called Neenie and Dove to work with him, and Sirius led Draco and Harry to the opposite side of the yard. Remus led the girls in a slow warm-up, stretching all their major muscle groups. Hermione was used to this, and managed to help Dove stretch a little. Poor Dove, though… she wasn't used to this, so she was likely to be a little sore the next day!
Finally, their muscles were warmed up, and Remus had them run a lap around the backyard, to get their heart rate up. When they got back – Hermione had slowed her pace to keep Dove company – Remus began to show Dove simple punches and blocks. She picked them up very quickly, probably because Neenie was at her side every moment, encouraging her and demonstrating proper technique.
"No! You don't bend your wrist, you keep it straight, and remember to twist it all the way as you punch!" Neenie demonstrated again, and continued to correct her Pack-sister.
"You've almost got it! Just remember to keep your feet a little further apart. It's for good balance!"
(Scene Break)
Later that same day, Danger sat in the bathroom she and her mate shared. She unbraided her hair and started to brush it out. She heard a quiet intake of breath, and saw a tiny shape creep into the small room out of the corner of her eye. She patted the rim of the bathtub next to her in a gesture of welcome, and slowly Dove moved to sit down.
Danger waited in silence. She was able to finish brushing her long brunette 'mop' and begin braiding it again before Dove quietly asked, "Will you do that to my hair?"
As Danger continued to braid her hair, she scrutinized the child, and mentally berated herself for not noticing earlier. Dove's pale blonde hair was long, hanging almost all the way down her back when loose, but it was bound up clumsily in a ponytail/braid combination that looked as if the girl had done it herself.
Well, of course she did. Who would have helped her, before us?
As dark blue eyes glanced into hers before returning their focus to the floor, Danger realized the child was waiting for an answer, and was terrified it would come in a violent form. "Of course, little Dove. Kneel on the floor in front of me, facing the mirror."
As Dove complied, Danger asked her, "Do you want one long braid down your back, or two pigtails?" Seeing the girl's confusion, she explained. "Pigtails are two braids, starting up here," she touched the top of the girl's head, "and taking in all the hair on the side of your head." She ran her hands down to the girl's neck, to her hairline, and then to her sides as she began to tickle Dove. "Even all the way down here!"
She smiled as Dove's beautiful, musical laughter rang out. They hadn't managed to break all the bad habits that Lucius had instilled in his children, but at least they were mostly used to affectionate touch now. They even seemed to crave it, after being so deprived for most of their lives.
Once they both calmed, Danger continued. "It's a style called French braiding. Do you want me to try that with your hair? If you don't like it, we can always undo it and try something simpler."
Dove nodded shyly. "I'd like that, Miss Danger. Those ponytails sound nice…" She trailed off, looking down at the floor, not sure what else to say.
Danger understood. "That's what we'll do then. But I need you to tilt your head back a little, so I can reach the top. It may pull a little, especially if you have a tender head."
Dove nodded, smiling, and turned away as Danger began to braid.
(Scene Break)
Letha led Dove into the music room and sat her down on the piano bench. "Close your eyes, little Dove. I have a gift for you." Dove obeyed eagerly. Aletha reached under a beanbag on the floor, kept there for the Pack's comfort on music nights, and pulled out a small black case. She walked over to the child and placed it in her small lap.
Dove opened her eyes and looked to 'Mama Letha' for permission. "Open it!" the woman encouraged, and Dove quickly unsnapped the lid and gasped. Nestled on navy blue fabric was a flute!
Dove looked at Letha for an explanation. "You're ready for lessons, cub. Remus and I will continue giving you voice lessons with the rest of your packmates, but you learn quickly… and we wouldn't want you getting bored, now, would we?" She spoke with a light mischievous grin on her face, telling the cub that she had noticed the girl looking ahead in the music books the five cubs had been given.
Tentative, sweet notes came drifting out of the music room into the kitchen, where Remus and Danger smiled at each other before returning to their lesson…
(Scene Break)
Every morning, Remus and Sirius continued to give the cubs self-defense lessons. They tried to switch students occasionally, just so the cubs didn't become too used to a single style. Still, Sirius was usually paired with Harry and Draco, while Remus claimed the girls. Sirius was relieved. He didn't know how to relate to girls of any age (he jokingly referred to Meghan as his 'learner') and did much better teaching the boys.
Sirius grinned as Harry and Draco came out to meet him on 'their side' of the yard. "Today we're going to try something a little different, you two. You're both advanced enough to try a short choreographed spar. I'll assign one of you offensive moves, and I'll give the other the proper defensive moves. Then we'll switch off, and use different moves."
Both boys were willing, but each showed it in a different way. Harry was excited, nearly jumping, while Draco was calmer, almost nervous. Sirius knew that this was something Draco needed – he knew in his head that nobody in the Pack would purposely hurt him, but his heart was behind on the news, and at his young age, his heart controlled his body.
He gave the boys their moves, and told them to take their starting positions. "Ready?"
They nodded.
"3… 2… 1… Fight!"
(Scene Break)
Remus looked down at the child nestled into his side. Although all the cubs- besides Meghan, of course-were far past the age of depending on the Pack-parents for stories, Harry and Neenie especially enjoyed being read to. Remus had spent some much needed time with his Kitten tonight, and both of them had enjoyed it. Hermione had enjoyed it so much that she had actually fallen asleep somewhere near the midpoint of the story.
It was one of her favorites – a tale of heroes and princesses, of dragons and damsels in distress. Sirius had outlined it, hoping to one day flesh it out and perhaps get it published, under a pseudonym, of course.
Remus sighed. He wished that they didn't have to hide, and teach the cubs to hide, too. He wished that a day would come when they would be able to face the world with pride, and say "This is who we are!" without fear. But they wouldn't be able to do that without Sirius' freedom, and for that they were short one traitor…
Remus swiftly pulled his thoughts away from that topic, before Hermione felt him tense and woke up. He carefully extracted himself from his Kitten's grip, and gently picked her up to carry her to bed. The whole Pack was no longer denning every night, but the cubs continued to share a room. Dove and Draco now slept with the other cubs easily, with no fear. They all huddled together, heads on stomachs, arms draped across torsos, no distinction made between male and female.
We'll have to fix that someday, Remus mused. But not now. In the future, yes… but right now, this is what they need.
End ChapterTo Everyone Out There:
This is the first Beta'd chapter, so if you would please give a round of applause to whydoyouneedtoknow for her excellent work!
I've got an idea of how I'm actually going to work this story out… the plot, I mean… Thank you for the ideas/opinions you submitted… and if you think these chapters are mostly fluff… well, there's a reason for that. (Insert Evil Laugh) There won't be a whole lot of happiness in store for the Pack- or the Pride- for quite a while… Once I reach the turning point, that is… And it probably won't be for another few chapters… Lucky you! God Bless
RiverSong DreamShadow