Harry and Ginny's news made the front pages of the Daily Prophet the next day, along with a sizeable number of the inside pages. The other major story was the transfer of the veteran Quidditch keeper Oliver Wood from Puddlemere United to the all-star Bulgarian team Veliko Tarnovo, and that took up most of the back pages. Apparently there was little else of import happening, as these two stories occupied the headlines for most of the week.

Remus set about finding a job. Calvin made some inquiries at his pub, and Remus quickly found a temporary job as a builder. Most of the others working on the site were immigrants from Lithuania, and so Remus did not have to worry about his lack of knowledge of Muggle popular culture. He worked out with Tonks how much to pay in rent, and pledged to find something better soon.

He received a short, but polite, note from Harry, thanking him for his good wishes, and saying that he was glad to hear that Remus had moved back in with Tonks. Remus did not remember putting it quite like that. Hermione replied with a slightly longer missive, saying that she was delighted to hear from him, and proposing to meet for lunch on the Saturday. Remus had replied, saying that he was free, and that Tonks would like to come along as well. Hermione quickly sent a note saying that that was even better. All in all, Remus was feeling quite content with his life for once. The only problem was the mystery of the werewolf murder.

On the Thursday of that week, Cal's friend Bobby came round for dinner. From what Remus could gather, it seemed that this was quite a common occurence. The conversation managed to avoid anything wizarding, but Remus was quite puzzled as to how Tonks managed it on a regular basis. After the meal had ended and Cal and Bobby had headed off to the Green Dragon, Remus confessed to Tonks that he now understood her quip about Bobby being "smooth".

When Saturday rolled by, Remus was quite looking forward to meeting up with Hermione. They had arranged to have lunch in a small Muggle Chinese restaurant near Kentish Town Road. Apparently, it was close to Hermione's flat, and to Tonks' Quidditch practice field.

Hermione was already there when they arrived, and she leapt up and gave them both a hug. "It's so great to see you both! You know, Prof- Remus, I never believed you would actually come. I nearly had a heart attack when I got your owl." She grinned as she said it, and ushered them both to the table.

"How are you, Tonks? It's been a while." She paused, and cleared her throat nervously. "Are you still living with Cal?"

Tonks nodded. "Yes."

Remus said, "And how are you Hermione? Had a good week?"

Hermione shrugged and rolled her eyes. "As well as can be expected when you're looking at pointless charms."

Remus laughed halfheartedly. "That's a rather poor pun."

After a brief pause, Hermione said, "I've eaten here a few times and it's pretty good. The char-siu pork is excellent. And the spare ribs are amazing."

Off-handedly, Tonks said, "Cal made char-siu pork the other day, do you remember, Remus?"

"You mean that glazed pork thing we had on Tuesday? That was superb." He looked at Hermione. "Her cousin is the most amazing cook."

To his surprise, Hermione flushed slightly. "So I've heard." She looked down at the menu. "How about we each order a starter and then share some main courses?"

Remus and Tonks assented, and they rapidly chose accordingly. After they had placed the order, and the waiter had moved away, Hermione rested her chin on her hand. "So, Remus, what have you been doing with yourself the last few years?"

Tonks smiled at her and copied her gesture. "Yes, Remus, what have you been doing?"

Remus bit his lip and raised his hands in a gesture of defeat. "This ..."

Before he could finish, the two women chimed in, "... and that."

"It's the truth! Let's see. I spent a bit of time travelling around the UK. I did a bit of work as a Muggle fisherman, up in Ullapool in Scotland. Muggles are pretty brave, you know, going out seas with huge waves, without even a Bubble-Head Charm. After that, I went to Spain and did a spot of work with a potions master there, helping him to collect ingredients and the like, but then he had an accident and was killed in an explosion."

Hermione interrupted him. "You worked with Sancho Gutierrez Mendez? I've read about him. He was supposed to be able to brew the Omniscius Potion."

"Yes, that was him. He was a real gentleman. He couldn't brew Wolfsbane, though. He was allergic to aconite. Do you keep up with Potions, Hermione? I didn't realise he was so well-known."

She shook her head, regretfully. "Not really. Keeping up-to-date with Charms is difficult enough. I try to read a little bit now and then, but nothing more than that."

Remus said sincerely, "That's a shame."

To his regret, the two women would not let him off that easily. Tonks said, "So what ese were you up to, mystery man?"

"Oh, right. Well, after Sancho died, I came back to the UK, and applied to teach at Hogwarts again. Minerva was quite keen, but it wouldn't fly with the governors' board. So then I worked in a Muggle school." That was a particularly unpleasant memory. "I was forced to leave that job after a year and a month."

Hermione reached over and patted his arm. "I read about that, Remus. I was ever so worried about you."

"Thanks." He looked down at his plate, and was saved as the starters arrived. Once they had been served, he continued, "After that, I stayed around in London for a while, and then moved out to Cornwall, and that's where I've been since then. Working on this and that."

The two women did not press him any further, but Hermione waggled her eyebrows at Tonks. "And you, Miss Nymphadora? When was the last time I saw you? About three years ago, wasn't it? At that dinner party you had with some of the old Order members?" Her voice trailed off uncertainly.

"Yes," said Tonks coolly. "Well, since then I've been doing the same old. Working as an Auror. Haven't been promoted though." She sighed. "I don't think I will now."

"Oh." Hermione seemed surprised. "It sucks, doesn't it, getting older?"

Tonks laughed. "Sure does. And you, Hermione? Remus told me that you're working on a Point Me charm."

"Yep. Doing a bit of adaptation. It isn't going to revolutionize the world, but it might be helpful."

"And, er, in the personal department? Seeing anyone at the moment?"

Hermione shook her head. "No."

There was a brief lull in the conversation as they finished their starters. Remus then said, "Great news about Harry, isn't it?"

Hermione said, "Yes. Although, I was a bit disappointed that he didn't tell me before the announcement. I mean, I don't speak to him all that often, 'cos he didn't want to be disloyal to Ron, but even so."

Tonks said, "Do you ever see Ginny these days? I haven't seen her in a long while."

Hermione shook her head. "No. I think she spends most of her time with Harry. She was working as an Unspeakable when I last spoke to her, but I don't know if she's given that up or not because of the pregnancy. She'll be so happy though. She always wanted to have a million kids."

They all three shared a smile at the thought of their absent comrades.

The main course arrived, and Hermione said, "Did it work out, Remus, you search in the library? Did you find your Muggle? Was everyone on that list of yours okay?" The questions were hammered out like bullets.

Remus smiled wryly; still as impatient to learn as ever. "None of the people indicated by the spell had never heard of a Tom Stannard. I don't know why, but there it is. And no, not everyone was okay. At least three of the people on that list are dead, effectively lynched to death. One of them was Tom Stannard; I didn't quite tell you the truth, I'm afraid, Hermione."

She had gone pale. "Dead? Oh dear. I'm so sorry, Remus. Were they close friends of yours?"

Remus had the grace to blush. "No, not really."

"Is there going to be an investigation? There should be!"

"I don't know. I spoke to the relatives of another victim, Dorothy Dantan, and they were interested in trying to press charges of some sort, but I haven't heard anything back from them yet."

Hermione said, "You should speak to a friend of mine, Cato Scrimgeour. He's a lawyer who would be very interested in a case like this."

Tonks said, "Cato Scrimgeour? Isn't he the son of Rufus Scrimgeour, and the brother of Cicero?"

"Yes, that sounds about right. He doesn't get on too well with his brother though, from what I've heard."

"How on earth do you know him?"

"He's very interested in house elf rights, and we collaborated on a project a few years ago. Unfortunately, it didn't come to anything, but we keep in touch. If you like, I'll discuss it with him."

Remus said, "I'd wait a while, and see what the Dantans do. Mr. Dantan used to be on the Wizengamot, so he'll know who he wants as a lawyer. But thanks for the offer."

"Let me know. If there's anything I can do to help, I'd be happy to."

Tonks laughed and winked at Remus. "Actually, we were wondering if we could ask your opinion on something." She then proceeded to outline the information that she and Reums had gathered on the werewolf attack on Ilkley Moor, presenting the observations without supposition. Remus was impressed; she did so very concisely and accurately.

Hermione listened carefully, and at the end said, "That's certainly a lot to think about. I'd say that I'd have to agree about there being an inside element."

Tonks said, "I've been meaning to get together some files on the people who work at Sorrel's, but I've been too busy on the case I've been assigned to. I'm fairly sure we've uncovered traces of a huge dragon egg smuggling ring. I'll try and do that next week."

"That's a good idea. I think you're right, though, about the Wolfsbane. There's something fishy there. Do you think we can find out who's making it, or the recipe? Then we could compare with the published version."

Remus spoke up. "I might be able to smuggle some out if I'm careful, next full moon."

"Let's hope we've solved the case by then," said Tonks. "But, if we haven't, that's definitely a good idea."

By this point, they had finished dinner. Tonks glanced up at the clock on the wall, and jumped. "Look at the time; I'm going to be late for practice." She stood up precipitously. "Hermione, it was lovely to see you. You must come round for dinner one day. Remus, can you pay for me, and I'll pay you back later." With a jaunty wave, she rushed out of the door.

Hermione smiled. "I'd forgotten how full of energy Tonks is. Do you want a coffee?"

Remus nodded, and they both ordered a small espresso. Hermione took a sip, and then said in a playful tone, "So what's it like, living with Tonks after all this time?"

Remus flushed and said, lamely, "Fine."

Hermione laughed, with a full-throated, full tone. "I'm sorry, Remus. I couldn't resist." Before she could say any more, a loud siren wailed.

Both Remus and Hermione turned to look out of the window. A policeman jumped out of his panda car, carrying a megaphone. "This is an emergency. Please evacuate your houses and move away from this area. We have an emergency situation. Please evacuate." Several other cars were also arriving.

Remus and Hermione walked out with the restaurant staff and moved away from the street. Remus asked if anyone knew what the problem was, but no one had any answers. After several minutes, Remus and Hermione settled their bill and strolled off. As Hermione said, the Muggle world had its own problems as well.

Remus returned to Mulligan Street, and sat down to read the newspaper. Cal came in a bit later. Remus told him about the evacuation, and Cal said, "I heard about that on the radio at work. Apparently there was a bomb alert, and the police exploded an unidentified package." Remus just shook his head at the constant surprises known as Muggles.

Tonks returned home, and after showering, had a quick discussion with Cal in the kitchen. Remus did not catch any of it, as it seemed to be conducted in furious whispers. He started to doze off, and was woken by a knocking on the front door. Bobby walked in, and strolled into the living room. "What's for dinner then?"

Cal shook his head in mock dismay. "Salad. These two already ate quite a lot, apparently."

"Salad! Do I look like a rabbit?"

"Hey! It's my special endive salad. Don't knock it."

"Hmmm. Do you need a hand? I could try to find some ham or something." Without waiting for a reply, Bobby went into the kitchen, where he, Tonks and Cal started to discuss something in quiet tones again. Remus was starting to feel a little paranoid, but decided not to interrupt.

The three came back into the living room, bearing a salad bowl and a plate with some ham on. They all sat down, and after a few moments of inconsequential chatter about the weather and the Green Dragon, Bobby said to Remus, "Mr. Lupin, are you planning to stay here long?"

Remus looked at him in confusion. "Where?"

"Here, with Tonks and Cal."

Remus sat up straight. "I don't know. That depends on whether or not they want me around."

Tonks glanced over at Cal and said, "As long as you keep on paying rent, buster."

"If Tonks doesn't mind, then I don't mind," said Cal, soberly.

Remus knew that he should have said that he would leave as soon as he could afford a place of his own, but he did not. Instead, he said, "Looks like I'll be staying a little while longer then." He fought to stop from smiling too broadly, and looked at his feet.

"Well then," said Bobby, "I'm going to have to tell you something." He paused, and Remus started to feel apprehensive. "If you ever do anything to Tonks, or to Cal, I will hunt you down and take you out." He snarled, and then spoiled the rather menacing effect by laughing. "You look terrified, Mr. Lupin."

Remus was somewhat taken aback.

"That wasn't what I meant to say. What I meant to say was that, if you're going to be sticking around, then I can't pretend to be a Muggle any more."

"You're not a Muggle?"

"Nope." Bobby grinned rather sadistically. "In fact, you used to teach me, Professor."

"I did?" He looked accusingly at Cal. "Why did you say Bobby was a Muggle?"

Cal tried to look blameless. "I never did. You assumed."

"I never taught a Bobby."

"No, but then again, my name's not really Bobby." The blond-haired boy grinned even wider. "I'm Draco Malfoy."

Remus would have fallen off his chair if it had not been an armchair. He settled for leaning backwards, and stared at 'Draco Malfoy'. The boy had blond hair, that was true, but it was short and spiky, and dyed red at the tips. And he had a broken nose, which obscured his features. Remus squinted, and tried to look past the nose, and then saw that it was indeed a Malfoy, but a Malfoy totally out of context, in Muggle clothing. "But you're dressed like a Muggle."

Draco shrugged, "When in Rome, be a Roman candle."

"But everyone called you Bobby?"

"Yeah, it's some weird nickname. Because of the wizard law, I have to go by my real name, so Cal shortens it to Drake, to avoid attracting too much attention. Apparently there's some Muggle cartoon character called Bobby Drake. Hence, Bobby."

"I can't believe it." Remus was totally flabbergasted. "You live in a Muggle flat?"

Draco shrugged and his face hardened for a second. "I don't really have a choice, Mr. Lupin. I like to eat, and, like you, I can't really get a job in the wizarding world. Nobody will hire a Malfoy. So I've become more Muggle than the Muggles." He smiled, baring his teeth. "It's a lot better than I thought it would be. Muggles have so many ways to have fun. They aren't as stupid as I used to think. Still, that wasn't so difficult."

Remus turned to Tonks, trying to ask her silently what on earth Draco Malfoy was doing here. She stared at him intensely for a moment, and then said, "Come here boys."

They both dashed over to the sides of her chair. She wrapped her arms around their necks and pulled them into a rough hug. Her face slowly morphed into one that showed the aristocratic Black mark. Remus took in the triptych; three faces, all with the same cheekbones. Together like this, Draco's family resemblance could not be denied. Two framed by black hair, one by blond spikes. Tonks said slowly, "Voila, Remus. The proud and successful remnants of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black."