Well, first, an apology to all the people who've been waiting impatiently for an update here. My only excuse is that company, holidays, and sickness really cut into my writing time. Second, a big thank you to all my lovely readers! And another thank you to the people who are just discovering my stories! Bwahah.

Remus and Sirius were at it again. Conspiring cheerfully in the room at the end of the hall. They were up to something, but Harry couldn't for the life of him figure out what it was. Every day for the past week they'd locked themselves in that room—sometimes dragging Tonks along, but usually just the two of them. Fred and George's extendible ears hadn't been able to get through whatever wards were on the door, and everyone who knew what was going on had been sworn to silence.

It was driving Harry insane. At least today there wasn't the tantalizing banging and scraping of furniture being moved. They'd spent two days painting, or so he assumed from the smell. Then the sounds of furniture moving started. Now, five days later, there was no telling what they were doing.

The clock struck two, making Harry jump. Stealthily rising to his feet, he fled down the hall, and was just casually turning the corner when his godfathers left the mystery-room. Another part of their new routine was leaving the house precisely at two.

Today was no exception, and Harry watched them go with a rising sense of frustration. What could they be up to?

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Ianthe was waiting at the door for Lupin and his big black dog. In her hand she held a sheaf of papers, and her expression was somewhere between worried and triumphant. "The release papers are all filled out except for signatures… and there's a slight problem with that."

"A… problem?" Lupin drooped visibly with disappointment, wrenching Ianthe's heart. She put on her most reassuring smile.

"It's only that, well… She has to sign the papers herself. Since all of her relatives are deceased, we can only legally release her under her own name. Absurd, I know, but…" Ianthe spread her hands helplessly. She was reassured, however, by the smile on Lupin's face, and the slightly wagging tail of the dog—who always seemed to pick up on his owner's moods. Really one of the cleverest dogs she'd ever seen.

"So I need to explain to her what the paper is, and get her to sign it?" Really the man was quite handsome when he smiled. In a tired, careworn sort of way. Ianthe nodded, and led him down the hall to Maude's room.

To Ianthe's surprise and Lupin's delight, Maude seemed to be waiting for them. She launched herself from the chair where she'd been sitting, and wrapped her arms around the tawny-haired man's neck, resting against him with a smile. Ianthe turned away, deciding to let them have privacy. They'd earned it.

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Padfoot flopped onto the cool, sterile-scented floor of Maddy's room, and watched his friends talking. He hoped the pixie-like beauty was coherent enough today to understand what Moony was trying to tell her. Her alertness boded well, although she hadn't spoken yet.

"Maddy? I was wondering… would you like… I mean…" Padfoot wagged his tail and barked a canine laugh. It was truly amusing to see Remus fumbling for words. It was also amusing to see him turn and glare at the dog for laughing. The werewolf's sour look slowly gave way to a wry smile as he saw the humor of the situation, and he turned back to Maddy. "Would you like to leave this place?"

Shaking hair out of her face, Maddy leaned closer, alight with curiosity. Her lips parted slightly, but she didn't speak, so Remus went on. "You see, I'm staying with Padfoot. His house is big, and you could stay there. We spoke with Healer Thalassos, and she thought it was an excellent idea if you were interested?"

Remus was cut off as Maddy hugged him tightly, nodding enthusiastically that she was indeed interested. It was several moments before they released each other so that she could sign the papers. Healer Thalassos would have been amazed at how easily it went after all her worrying. Ella the mediwitch dropped by to check on them, and happily carried the papers off to be checked over and filed so Maddy would be clear to leave.

Alone in the room, Padfoot made a quick check to make sure there was no one coming then resumed human form and wrapped his arms around them both with a manic grin. "I love it when a plan comes together!"

Well… it's a bit short. And more than a bit late. But YAAAY! It's a post! And Maddy's leaving the loony bin! … And for some reason Sirius is quoting Hannibal Smith from the A-Team.