Somewhere, But How?
Chapter 5
Velorian quickly decided that the North Sea was fucking cold.
All the talk they'd had that evening had settled into them port-keying in, and port-keying out, with Tara eliminating any traces of their passage. They'd also had to contact America again to fetch a few items, but once that had been done, it was mostly just nap until four in the morning, and then portkey into the water forty feet off the island. Tara was wearing a dry-suit with built in charms to keep her warm, and Velorian was the nutcase with a wetsuit and no additional charms. He was rather glad they were wearing what they were when they both appeared about five feet above the water, and dropped in with a rather loud splash. This rather obviously caught the attention of the Dementors. Velorian and Tara swallowed two very recent developments their friends had made: Oxygen pills to allow someone to remain underwater for an hour or more, and then they both dived.
Velorian glared up at the small ripples spreading from beneath the Dementors feet as they walked out to where Tara and him had landed, and sternly determined that Dementors should not be allowed to walk on water. He took only a few minutes to think that, though, and he quickly set to swimming towards the land, intent on getting out of the sub-zero water as quickly as he could. Knowing that he'd have to get back in it later didn't make him much happier, but at least he'd have fur then. Tara had sunk a weight, and was holding onto it, sketching runes above her head to eliminate any trace bits of magic in the area. She could have charms because she was in her 'null-magic' zone. He had to tough it out. His muscles cramped, and he stopped thinking, intent on getting to shore.
Velorian was grateful when he opened his eyes beneath the facemask and saw that he was nearing land. He fingered his heavy collar, and changed, grateful that the weight kept him below the surface as he approached. He couldn't find any ripples above his head, and he was soon scrambling up the bank, shivering. It was unfortunate Great Danes didn't have more fur.
Velorian didn't look back, and he quickly found a convenient puddle of mud, which he made a point of rolling in as much as he could. The white on his coat was rather noticeable, and avoiding Dementors was useless if you didn't avoid the few Aurors.
The bars on the grates at the outer edge of the prison were indeed wide enough for him to crawl through, and soon he was padding quickly along the halls, slinking through the shadows whenever a Dementor passed and pushing the disdainful laughter on the edges of his consciousness out with the intent on his goal. He knew what memory was his worst, thank you very much, and he was not going through that again.
Surprisingly enough, it was fairly easy to catch Sirius' scent on the air, and also, there were very few Dementors inside the prison right then. Velorian assumed they were all out wondering what was happening on the water, and he refused to think of what it would be like getting back out. He was here now, and he was going to find Sirius Black and drag him out by his hocks if he had to.
Velorian passed a cell and quickly turned back, rearing up to look through the small barred window in the door. Inside, there was a thin, dark haired man who still retained some look of decency. Velorian sniffed once more; James had taken one of Sirius' old shirts and given it to Remus for the morning, and there had still been the smell of Sirius on it. Velorian didn't want to think about how dirty it must have been, but he could recognize Sirius' scent now, and this was apparently him. Velorian dropped to all fours, and paused, listening for anyone to be nearby, and checking for the cold feeling of Dementors. He couldn't feel any, and he carefully eyed the lock on Sirius' door.
Howard had said most of the locks were simple bolts, but some of the more high security locks were padlocked in place. Velorian had brought his lock-picks, but he didn't want to change back inside the prison if he could help it. Sirius, however, was a high security prisoner with a fancy looking padlock on his bolt. He eyed it a moment more, and then changed back.
Once he'd changed back, Velorian heard the laughter in his head rise a moment. He almost panicked, as voices echoed faintly in the back of his head, but it got no worse. He subsided after a moment, realizing that it was just the reaction being enhanced by his change back to human. He pulled the lock-picks out of a small compartment in the weighted collar, and held his breath (although that had no ill effect, as the pill was still working) as he worked the padlock open. He slid the bolt back quickly, and stepped into the cell, coming eye to eye with Sirius Black.
Oddly enough, this wasn't as impressive as he expected. Sirius was hollow-eyed and slightly dazed, but he sobered rapidly as Velorian watched. Velorian quirked an eyebrow into an arch and smirked as Sirius visibly worked out that this was apparently real. Velorian didn't wait too long, and he quickly stepped up to face him.
"This is real. Moony told me to fetch you for a big laugh. If you want more proof, there's a note in my collar. If you're willing to leave with me, you need to just turn into Padfoot. We have little time."
Velorian watched as Sirius changed from looking suspicious, to looking surprised. He quietly held out his hand, and Velorian quickly fetched the note from his collar, checking repeatedly for the sound of footfalls, or the increasing presence of a Dementor. Sirius took only one look over the short note, before handing it back to Velorian and changing into Padfoot. Velorian smiled, and tucked the note away, joining him in canine form shortly. Velorian ignored Sirius' look of doggy disdain at the mud, and took one step towards the door before calling himself three kinds of idiot and changing back. He opened another compartment of his collar and indicated that Sirius should change back as well. He didn't let him speak, but instead whispered quietly in his ear.
"Swallow this pill. It'll keep you alive under the water, supplying oxygen so you don't have to go up for air. It'll last for about an hour. You can test it by holding your breath before we get out there. And I'd advise against you changing back until we've taken the port-key, even if I change back or not, alright?"
Sirius eyed the pill suspiciously, but downed it with a muttered curse when he noted a chill spread further across his limbs. They both changed quickly, and Sirius followed Velorian out of the cell. Velorian nosed the door shut, and dragged the bolt across, shoving the padlock into a corner before pressing as close to the walls as he dared to slink past the roaming Dementor. Velorian was calling himself three more kinds of idiot in four languages as they worked their way outside. The Dementors had apparently decided whoever it was, was dead now between the cold and the time spent underwater, and they were now repopulating the main prison, especially those halls of the maximum security. Velorian and Sirius ducked and dodged their way outside, and they plunged quickly into the spray, the dirt washing quickly off Velorian's coat. However, problem number one was that Sirius couldn't dive. Velorian's heavy collar dragged him down, but Sirius could only barely dive, and only for short periods before he bobbed back up. Velorian swam out until he could stand under the water without bobbing back up as a human, and changed, reaching out for Sirius to swim down to him. He did so, and Velorian worked to keep them both under until he could reach Tara.
Tara was still sitting on the bottom of the seabed, deep beneath the shadows on the surface, and she waved as she saw them approaching. Velorian was aching with cold, and he had felt Sirius change from shivering to stillness, and he quickly gestured for her to give them the port-key. She dragged them over to the area she'd spelled and pressed the length of rope into Velorian's hands. Sirius bit down on it, and she activated it with a drawn rune.
Velorian had never liked port-key travel more than at that moment, and the change from freezing November in the North Sea to a warm sitting room with a roaring fire was more than welcome. He was surprised to find himself wishing he could just sit in a roaring blaze for the next few hours. Sirius shook himself off and lost his balance before he changed back to human form, and that was all Velorian got to see before two women were suddenly on either side of him, casting warming charms that made his blood burn pleasantly, and stripping him out of the soaked wetsuit. He couldn't seem to remember why he'd worn that instead of the dry-suit at the moment, but he was mostly just surprised to not hear ice cracking as it came off. He didn't mind the infringement on his modesty either, so long as he ended up warm. The only thing he made a point of doing before giving himself over to the two ladies helping him warm up was to point a finger at Howard and give him one line of speech.
"I'm never doing any more fuckin' crazy-ass stunts like this for you again!"
OOOOO
James and Lily woke up the next morning feeling very rested. When the got downstairs to the dining hall with Rhiannon and Harry in their arms, they found only a few people there that they recognized. At the far side of the hall, Lyall and Louise were in a deep discussion, Louise's twins out of sight. Halfway down the table, the teenaged girl from last night was seated with a steaming cup of dark liquid in her hands, and looking very tired. Closest to them, Remus sat at the table looking very confused and flushed. James and Lily sat down next to him, Lily placing a comforting hand on his shoulder while suppressing her urge to grin. James hid his own smile by engaging Harry in peek-a-boo.
"Hey, Remus, how was last night?"
Remus lifted his head, still with a frozen look of shock on her face. "I don't think I've ever met a woman so … forward before in my life. She …" Remus' blush deepened. "She was very … sweet. I must say she's a very nice woman, and … very nice looking as well."
James couldn't suppress a chuckle, and Lily was smiling indulgently at Remus. Remus ignored it, in favour of glancing up at Lyall, slightly dazedly. Seeming to sense his attention, Lyall turned around and smiled brightly at him, before excusing herself from Louise and coming over. Louise trailed after her, her face worried and expectant. Lyall sat next to Remus and grabbed his hand immediately as Louise sat next to James to also engage the tired Harry in a game as well.
"Hello Lily, Remus really has a lot of good to say about his friends. I must say I'm quite surprised he's never had a lady-love before; He's quite the cat's meow." Lyall was bubbling over with happiness, and her face was glowing with a smile. Remus reddened once more, and Lily laughed.
"He's always been shy about himself, and nervous of his curse. I suppose you got him to open up to you?" Lily responded.
Lyall snorted. "I got him to do more than that! He's very talented."
"Lyall!" Remus shot, indignant. His face was as red as a tomato.
Lily and Lyall snorted, and Lily raised her hand to scold. "Yes, Lyall. A lady never kisses and tells?"
Lyall gave her doe-eyes. "Even if we passed kissing? I so want to brag though!"
Remus placed his head on the table as Lily and Lyall dissolved into giggles.
"James! Save me from your wife and the wiles of women!" Remus begged. James looked over at him innocently.
"Really? I thought it was best to just let them have their way. Then things a far more pleasant; happy women, happy beds."
The giggling increased.
"But they're all saying they want to brag, and last night-" Remus cut himself off. James paled.
"On second thought – Lily, if you want to discuss that, you go find somewhere else. If you talk bed manners, you don't do it around me. I like that to remain private, or at least I like to think that you don't discuss it." James scolded, his voice lacking any heat. Lily and Lyall were gasping for air now, and Louise pouted slightly.
"That's not fair! I can't join the discussion yet; I haven't been with Sirius properly yet, and I won't be until he's feeling better."
This brought Lily, James and Remus to halt and look at her. Lily found her voice first.
"Sirius is out? Oh, Merlin, is he alright? How did it go? Is everything okay; when can we go see him?" Lily begged.
"He's in the Hodges' care wing at present, along with Velorian." The strange voice brought them all spinning to look at the teenager, who had come closer without them knowing. "They both got very cold while we were out there, and they're fighting to keep them from slipping into hypothermia or anything. They're both a bit under the weather now, and they've both been having nightmares." She scowled. "Go figure. Sirius begs for you two to forgive him, and Velorian has his own demons. You should be able to visit them sometime today, but I might advise Lily and James to wait. He'll need time to adjust to having his friends back from the dead, although I somehow think he'll forgive the weak explanation for pure joy."
James and Remus sank back, relieved, and Louise looked like a mouse trapped in a corner by a ravening cat. Lyall made a point of comforting Remus, and Lily herself sighed in relief. She looked up at the girl's –Tara's- face, and smiled.
"Thank you so very much. Is Velorian doing alright, or was he just cold?"
Tara summoned a chair over, and smiled lightly. "He doesn't react well to Dementors. I don't know why, but he doesn't and he doesn't talk about it. I suppose it's bad memories. He was also very cold, yes. The North Sea is freezing this time of year; I was cold in a dry suit with warming charms. He, idiot that he was, could have no charms, and he only wore a full-body wetsuit for there and back again. A Great Dane does not have as warm a coat as it could have had."
Lily nodded agreement. "We're very grateful for his actions, though. We thank you both, and you as you're here. Sirius was –is- a very close friend to us; James considers him a brother."
Tara smiled weakly. "Yes, that's what Howard said made him trust your assessment. He wants to give Sirius some veritaserum to get a full account of his side of the story, just to be sure. For a man so outside of the law, he likes knowing that the people he works with follow it to a near T, unless he asks them to step outside it."
James sighed, and grasped Lily's hand tightly. He placed his head on the table and began to shake lightly. Lily held him close and Tara smiled lightly at her before she carried her cup off to go stand in front of the fire.
House elves brought a breakfast for those there, and they each mulled over their own thoughts for some time. The hour was nearing ten o'clock when a tall, dark haired man stepped into the room and glanced around it at those within.
"I was asked to look up a Potter couple, and one Lupin, Kent, Catar, and Wolfgang?" Each of those present looked up at him and he eyed them oddly before continuing. "Lupin, Kent, Catar and Wolfgang, it's been determined you can each go into the care wing. Amos will take you there. I have a message for the Potters from Howard, to deliver to them alone."
Tara nearly threw her cup to the table as she hurried out the door to meet up with Amos, and Remus stood nearly as quickly as she did. In contrast, Louise nearly fell and Lyall had to almost carry her to the door. They left and the stranger walked over to James and Lily. His steps were extraordinarily balanced, and his whole demeanour was slightly … off to James' eye. It seemed almost false. He sat down across from them and gave them a hesitant smile.
"Hello, I'd assume you're Lily and James Potter? Would you like the house elves to take your children to the group nursery? We have a few children there ourselves; we kind of call them strays as Howard just ends up with them every once in a while, and I think your kids might like playing with them once they all are awake. The house elves are most careful, and there is a human woman who helps around there all the time. If you ever want to hold your child you just need to call a house elf and ask for them back. You seem a little stressed out, so it might be best for them, and for you. If there is a problem, you will be fetched, I promise."
Lily nodded mildly, and the stranger snapped his finger, summoning two elves that immediately took Rhiannon and Harry with utmost care as they popped away. The stranger gave them another smile and bowed from his chair.
"It's very good to meet you two; your skills are quite renowned. It was a sad loss to hear you died, and it's most delightful to see you in the flesh once more. I am Nicholas Moon, and I serve Howard in whatever professional function he has need of me. Right now, I'm apparently serving as a messenger, which is kind of odd. He felt you would like to see your friend once he was feeling better, but he's a little off at the moment. It seemed wise to tell Black what had happened first, and address his concerns then before he brought you two in, in the flesh. You may go whenever he asks for you, or at the latest, tomorrow. Considering the experience he just went through, and the nightmares he's had, we felt it best to allow him the chance to make the choice himself. Does that sound agreeable to you?" James and Lily both nodded. "Good. Your friends are going to see him now, and any of them can tell him the story if he asks for it, which I believe he will. This house is practically infested with house elves, so you can call for one at any time and they'd be happy even if you just wanted to call them and send them away over and over and over again. I once got very drunk and did something very similar; I actually had about a dozen of them just doing various dances for me. The next day they asked if I'd ever ask them to do that again, as they'd had great fun, and a lot of their friends had been quite jealous." Nicholas suddenly flushed slightly and turned away with a faint blush in his cheeks. "Anyways, for another topic rather than what I get up to when drunk. Howard also wanted me to assure you that he did in fact believe that you were who you said you are. Velorian is an excellent potions student so his identity potion is one that Howard himself trusts. However, I was wondering if you'd be willing to accept any other tests Howard had in mind to help prove your identities." Nicholas watched them carefully, with a strangely focused gaze, and James turned to Lily, watching her carefully. When she nodded, James smiled.
"Of course we would. He's been so kind to us; I don't see any harm in it. Although I do not wish to be harmed in any of this, and I'd also like him to document anything he's done." Nicholas raised his eyebrow at him, and James elaborated. "So then when we do desire to prove ourselves as alive, we have some documentation to give them as well, for reference."
"That's very smart of you. Out of curiosity, and this is more for myself actually, what do you think of the Hodges? I know they're somewhat peculiar, and you kind of ended up here a little oddly, but …" Nicholas shrugged and James smiled, sharing it with Lily.
"I like them." Lily answered. "They're very helpful, and friendly, and I just can't see any reason to even distrust their motives. We were strangers, and they jumped to help us with something most people would consider both ridiculous and impossible. And our story … how we're alive again … even I feel it's ridiculous coming out of my own mouth, and it's a story of what happened to me. I can't believe they accept it."
James nodded. "It's very kind of them to allow us to stay here when we don't even know them. I was surprised they were so willing to come over on the little information I did have of them." James blushed. "I honestly had no idea of what I was getting into when I asked for their help. I just had this vague idea that Howard wouldn't care about how far fetched the idea was, so long as it was a challenge, and so long as I had some credibility to me. I'd think he'd want more surety than that, but I can't help but be grateful for him trusting us."
Nicholas chuckled lightly. "I like your answers. What you didn't notice, which most Hogwarts students wouldn't, as they don't teach detection methods here until auror level and only few of those learn it well and unwanded, is that I placed a truth-based rune field around you. All the words you say and said are pure and honest truth; you realize that? Of course, I can lie like a rug because I set it, but you can only answer with the truth. Had you said anything about not wanting to be tested, or whatever, well …" Nicholas suddenly had a long, thin and wickedly sharp knife in his hand, and his wand in the other, the tip glowing a brilliant green. The weapon disappeared in the next moment, and his wand darkened to ordinary wood once more. "My most common profession for Howard is slightly out of the law … I'm an assassin, a paid killer, or less politely a 'kept' killer. Had you not checked out, you'd be taking a one-way portkey into the same place in the North Sea your friend Sirius skipped out at with weights tied to your ankles, and he'd probably be joining you very soon if he can't spin a better tale than you. Of course, if you guys check out, he probably will too, but Howard doesn't allow just anyone into his home, and he allows none to leave if they don't check out as being honest."
James stared at the very sophisticated looking man in front of him, someone who couldn't be much older than he was himself, and he blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of what he'd just heard. An assassin? Howard had an assassin in his house? And he looked so … so polite. Lily placed her hand on his shoulder then and gave him a small smile.
"So, you're working with Howard to keep anyone suspect who comes into your acquaintance in line, I suppose then?"
Nicholas grinned. "Of course; it's the only responsible thing to do."
Lily raised her eyebrows. "And what if you're the person who gets out of line."
Nicholas smirked grimly then. "Howard doesn't let someone else do all the dirty work; he can kill me as easily as I could kill you. I'm just someone who can handle being under suspicion better than he, and who's not in the public eye. He has a reputation to uphold. He has a number of checks placed on my behaviour though, so you need not worry about my personal opinions interfering in his business. As you are 'his business' my opinion doesn't matter, although I will mention that you do have my good opinion. Now then, back to the more normal 'messenger boy' behaviour. Do you have any other questions about Sirius' condition?"
OOOOO
"… Mild pneumonia, chronic nightmares, undernourished, magically drained, and his physical condition has deteriorated from lack of exercise. He had a mild case of hypothermia as well, but I got that out of the way first off. It shouldn't take long to get him back to health, but it will be a short while. Do you have any other questions?"
Louise shook her head absently, and everyone else was doing so as well. Tara was bouncing in place, trying to look past the healer to the two curtained off beds where Velorian and Sirius were lying. The healer sighed and addressed Tara.
"Velorian has had chronic nightmares, pneumonia, and hypothermia as well. The hypothermia has been treated, but pneumonia is a delicate illness for even magic to treat. His nightmares are his own, but hopefully they will abate soon. You can go see your friends, now, both of you." She continued talking to their rapidly moving backs. "If any of you wake them up I will hang you from the roof by your toenails. Neither of them is allowed to leave their bed, either."
Louise listened quite closely, but she was still heading straight for the bed, trailing after Lupin, who had run to the bed about as quickly as Tara had gone to Velorian's. Louise paused, and then changed her direction to follow Tara for the moment. After all, Sirius would want to see his friend first, and she needed to thank Velorian. She didn't need to try talking to the man quite yet.
Louise approached quietly, and when she slipped past the curtain she found herself smiling as she saw Tara holding Velorian close while nearly strangling him as she chewed him out.
"And only you would be stupid enough to go into the North Sea in only a wetsuit! What type of idiot are you? I'm surprised your eyeballs didn't freeze out of your head! You worried me all night long, you jackass, and I can't believe you would be that stupid. Did you learn nothing at all in your years of life? This is probably as stupid as you getting yourself seduced by that lady! You're still chasing her around aren't you and-"
Louise cleared her throat, and Tara cut herself off with a snap of her jaw, blinking blearily at her.
"Why hello Louise. I'd have expected you to be hovering over Sirius, not coming over here. Is there anything you need us to do?" Tara's tone had changed into being very polite, a sharp contrast to her earlier drawn out lecturing tone. Velorian was still silent; although it was probably due to the stranglehold Tara had him in more than any matter of his choice.
Louise smiled weakly. "I just felt I should thank Velorian for how kind and brave he was to go save Sirius for us. It was at great personal risk, and I'm very glad that he was willing to do so."
Tara blinked, and Velorian swiftly shrugged out of her grip, sitting up in his bed, and glancing over to the side, blushing. "It was nothing, Ms. Catar. I was just enjoying a challenge for my skills, but I'm grateful I was able to help. I appreciate your thanks."
Louise nodded, and shifted in place. Well, her thanks were now given, and there was no need to hang around here. Tara eyed her oddly, as she paused and worried her lip slightly, and then Velorian grinned.
"He's not that scary, Ms. Catar. I'm sure he'd be very interested to meet you, actually. He needs something to distract him, and you'd probably be wonderful for that."
Louise flushed, and Tara yelped, before she dissolved into weak snickers. Louise glared over at Velorian, but she could find no justification for her indignation. Finally she huffed, stuck her nose in the air and stepped back into space between the beds, not letting her feet stop until she passed the curtain around Sirius bed. Once she was in there, though, she had to rapidly swallow, and catch her balance as she came to a very abrupt stop.
Sirius was nothing like she'd really expected. She either expected to pictures to be completely right, or completely wrong. Instead, she was looking at a much cleaned up version of all the pictures Azkaban had given out. He looked his age, only months older than James and Remus, but his face was very thin. He had his black hair cropped short, and he'd been shaven since he'd come in. His bright grey eyes caught hers however, and she swallowed hard. She was pleasantly surprised to find a very strong attraction to him, even without really meeting him. His eyes were bright, and intelligent, and there were fewer shadows than she'd expected of someone coming out of Azkaban. The thought that he might have spent years there had no intervention come brought a painful chill to her spine, and she struggled with the sudden silence until she said the only thing that came to her mind.
"You … your son looks much like you, you know. I'd hoped he would."
Sirius blinked. "I have a son? When did this happen?"
Remus sighed, and Louise blushed. "Sorry, Louise. We hadn't quite explained all of this … mess to him yet."
"You should have." Louise barked. "You know how close J- they were to him, and they'll want to be seeing him soon. And you should have known I'd have a few problems with this; you didn't suddenly get two kids sprung on you with no warnings. No, you get to go through the normal process of getting a girlfriend, and coming to like her and marry her; while I get stuck with twins whose father I don't even know. No, no mess at all. Your friends are probably having an even worse time, coming back to life with an extra child nearly the same age as the other, and then having to break the one still here out from living with his horrible relatives, as well as breaking -. No, no problems at all."
Remus sighed, and rubbed his forehead as Lyall giggled beside him. Sirius looked utterly gob-smacked, and he was staring at her. Finally he shook his head almost as a dog would, and opened his mouth. He opened and closed it a few times before he looked at Remus.
"You've got a girlfriend? Is that her, beside you?"
Lyall fell into full-blown laughter, as Remus looked at her with a faint, warm smile on his rapidly reddening face as he nodded. Sirius sat back with a satisfied smile that quickly became a smirk.
"Thank goodness! I thought you'd never lose your virginity."
Remus flushed bright red, and Lyall laughed even harder. Louise even began to snicker from her place at the end of the bed, as she watched Remus' plight as he tried to find something to respond with. Finally he sighed, and changed the topic.
"Well, Louise gave a form of condensed story to you about how all this ended up happening. Would you like to hear the rest of it now?"
Sirius nodded, but he turned to Louise and spoke. "But I'd like to hear her tell it. She seems capable of making it quick and compact."
Remus blinked and nodded, pulling up a chair at the edge of the bed beside Lyall. Louise gulped and swallowed hard. "I think you'd rather have Remus tell it; he was there for more of it than I was, honestly."
Sirius looked her over once more, and shook his head. "You seem more direct. Besides, I want to … get to know you better, I suppose. You look somehow familiar, but I can't place any memories of when I met you. Kieran and Cassiopeia, right?" Sirius blinked after he spoke, and then he stared at her with even more intensity. "A boy and a girl, born in your home on October fifth, 1979 at seven in the evening, one right after the other. How the hell do I know that?"
"The same way the rest of us do, you nitwit." Louise snapped. She strode up on his right side, and sat down, opposite Remus. "Lily and James woke up in Godric's Hollow in their home two days ago at seven in the evening. They found a girl upstairs, a child who looked a lot like James –"
"Rhiannon …" Sirius whispered quietly.
Louise nodded, her face firm. "Yes, and after they'd found her, they apparated to your apartment and spent the night there. They woke up shortly before ministry personnel came to investigate the place, and James fetched a box of your personal stuff, something I know nothing about the contents of. Anyways, after he got that they apparated to Remus' house and startled him as he was putting himself back together after the full moon. James convinced Moony of who he was, and they sat down to talk out all the issues they'd had, and then Lily scryed for Harry's location. They found him being kept very unkindly in a cupboard and decided to apparate to fetch him back for themselves. While they were gone, Remus went down to the village nearest his home with Rhiannon, and we ran across each other. I'd woken up that morning to find the room off of mine activated and containing two cradles with children in them, twins – a boy and a girl, and I seemed to know all about them in a manner I'd never experienced before. Anyways, I called my friend Lyall and dragged her with me to go down to the village because I'd never had a child in my home before either, and so I needed to buy supplies. Magic can't supply everything, and I needed to get outside anyways. I ran into Remus while there and I was rather … adamant that I go back to his house with him, as there was an aura around the girl he was holding that was very similar to that of my own children. We returned to his home to await the return of his friends, and the children played on the floor as though they knew each other, and Rhiannon had no fear of me either, although she was cautious around Lyall. Anyways, when the Potters returned we had short introductions, and James proved the have a very strange set of memories, obviously derived from whatever had caused this shift in reality and he decided to divulge my history in a manner I usually use myself when I first meet a person. He mentioned that I had contacts that might be of use to them in freeing you, and I contacted the Hodges. Howard was most interested, so he and his wife came over with their daughter, supposing to have a long conversation. Instead, Lily suggested we move somewhere more comfortable, so we went over to their mansion after James made the gist of his request. Howard was absolutely fascinated, so once we were here he got the basics down in writing, Lyall dragged Remus off for a 'private conversation', and then he pulled in Velorian, the boy who fetched you out of Azkaban, and Tara, the girl who port keyed you back here. And now, you've slept through the night, and we're here talking to you while the Potters await you asking to see them. We felt you should get the explanation first, and then see the walking dead. Although they're very much alive, physically. Nothing without a soul can enter the Hodges mansion, and he's got warning bells for vampires and werewolves. He knows when they're in his home, for sure."
Sirius let out a sharp breath of air, and stared down at his knees thoughtfully for a time. Louise thought to herself that he really reminded her of Velorian. Bouncy, playful and open, he nevertheless was very solemn when the situation called for it, and this certainly did. Finally, he shrugged and grinned up at her, his expression now playful. 'Make that, he has the exact same personality as Velorian.'
"Well, I was right." Louise eyed him with trepidation as he spoke, mirroring Remus' expression. Lyall wore a look of unholy amusement. "You're friendlier when you're explaining something. You're really good at it, do you do it often?"
Louise felt her eye start twitching. "I happen to be a seer. You may have heard of me; I'm Louise Catar."
Sirius blinked, and pursed his lips. "Oh, wow. You mean I got to lay someone famous?"
The next instant, he was nursing a sore jaw, and Lyall was laughing once more. Louise was growling.
"Say that again; I dare you."
"I think I'll choose the better part of valour, and shut up. I don't want to know what you'll aim for next." Sirius quipped. His smile was gone from his lips, but his eyes shone. Louise fought down another smile. "So, you're certain Kieran and Cassiopeia are ours?"
Louise sighed. This was certainly better territory. "I performed at least four scries, and two parental tests and spells each on the two of them. They're both brother and sister, they have the same birth date, the one you mentioned earlier in fact, and all the parental tests came back to you as the father and me as the mother."
Sirius' mouth quirked. "You mean you've had men and women perform the opposite duties before?"
"Men have certainly been mothers before, and women couples have had one be a father, but I've yet to see a male-female couple with the roles reversed, though a few have indeed tried." Louise replied straight-faced. Remus looked slightly ill, and Sirius twitched.
"Okay, forget I asked. Now, I can't remember a thing other than the kids, so I suppose I should do this properly then. Louise, when the finally let me out of this ward would you like to effect as much of a date as an escaped criminal can manage?"
Louise twitched, and her lips parted as she stared at Sirius in surprise. She didn't attempt a single response, until after Lyall had fallen to a fit of snickers, and leaned conspiratorially over to the other men.
"That sort of response from her is rare. Last time I saw this was when she was doing the paternity tests. You've got her shocked beyond all reason. She's rarely ever this surprised. Sirius will certainly be good for her if he can catch her like this often."
Lyall ducked under the brilliant blue light Louise shot at her, but Louise then relaxed after a moment and sighed. "Fine, Sirius. Wait, no." She heaved a sigh, and then gave him a small smile. "Thank you and I accept. I wasn't expecting you to be so polite, and I'm very grateful for it. I certainly am not raising these children alone, so … thank you."
Sirius looked pleasantly surprised, and he grinned. "Well then. I'm glad that's arranged. Is there any chance I could see the kids? And … well …" Sirius' face fell. "I think … could I just see the –my kids."
"Ah, certainly." Louise answered. She glanced around a moment, before snapping her fingers. A house elf immediately popped into place, and bowed.
"Missy Catar called?"
"Yes, I would like to see my children, please. Their … father would like to see them."
"Yes, Missy Catar." The house elf popped out of sight, and then within a few minutes two house elves came into the ward with the children in a wagon behind them. They were both screaming happily, and the house elves immediately came up to Louise and bowed.
"The young Master and Mistress, Missy Catar. Shall we wait here?" The one in front spoke.
Louise stepped up and plucked Kieran from his feet, swinging him onto the bed with Sirius as she responded. "I'll call you when we need you. C'mere Cassi, come join your brother up here. Your father's here." At those words both children began to squirm like mad to make their way up to Sirius, who was watching them with surprise. Cassi tried to walk, fell and then crawled up to grab Sirius' hair, and both children were babbling.
"Paddad, Dad!"
Sirius looked between the two of them, flabbergasted, and then just swept them both into his arms, with tears on his face.
"Oh, Merlin! I can't believe this. I go from Hell on earth, to being surrounded by angels. You're both so beautiful, my children."
Remus was silent as they spoke, merely quietly watching his best friend cry into the shoulders of the two children, his children. Gentle warmth enveloped his arm, and Remus glanced over to find Lyall wrapping her hand around it, before she pulled him into a hug. Remus gave a small smile, and leaned back.
"They are beautiful, Remus. You're friend will certainly be good for Louise." Remus chuckled softly, and Lyall pulled him closer. "Do you want to be with me, though?"
Remus stiffened, and glanced at her in surprise, Sirius forgotten. "What?"
Lyall wore a wry smirk. "Do you want to be my boyfriend, and possibly more? I don't think I have to mention where I stand here. I'd have expected Sirius to be thick on this part, not you, but you can't have everything. You've gotta be flawed somewhere I suppose." Remus blinked hard, and opened and closed his mouth a few times. Lyall just watched, until finally she heaved a sigh and pushed him back around to face Sirius. "Fine then. Think on it. I'll be waiting. Here he is Sirius, sorry, we missed the question."
Louise held back a snicker at the rather shocked expression Remus wore. She wiped at her eyes again, and smiled shyly at Sirius before she rolled her eyes at him. Sirius laughed softly.
"It's alright, Remus. I suppose a beautiful woman can distract you. I was just … wondering who to ask to have James and Lily brought up here … and my godson. And his sister. I – I'd like to hear this … story, tale, whatever it is from them as well. And where's the kid who saved me? I haven't thanked him yet. Not properly. I was … a little off at the time."
"Off? Is that what they call it when a Dementor nearly sucks out your brains? Off?" Lyall drawled.
"That's what I like to call it, certainly." Sirius answered dryly.
"Enough of that." Louise scolded. "Lyall, can you go find the orderly? She'll know whom to contact. And as for Velorian, he's not supposed to get out of bed, but if he's anything like I expect him to be, that won't keep him there. I'll ask if he'll come over. I don't want you out of that bed. I'll stick you to it if I have to."
Lyall slipped out of the curtains, and Louise followed in short order, walking across the ward to the curtains surrounding Velorian. She softly cleared her throat to no effect, so she quickly poked her head in the curtains before she pulled back very quickly, blushing. It appeared Velorian was certainly feeling better, and that him risking his life for someone else disposed Tara very kindly towards him. It also appeared there were silencing charms on the curtains for obvious reasons. A few seconds after Tara poked her head out and glared at Louise.
"What the hell were you doing, hm? I was talking privately with Velorian, thank you."
"Sirius wanted to thank the boy who saved him, and since the silencing charms prevented me from getting your attention in a more polite manner, or knowing that you two were … occupied, I have to resort to less polite methods."
"Oh." Tara flushed. "I'll go ask Velorian about that. You're keeping Sirius stuck to his bed no matter what, hm?"
"That and I know Velorian won't be staying in that bad any longer than he has to. And if he's feeling well enough to get half out of it to … well, I think he won't be too objectional to being thanked, albeit less enthusiastically than you might."
Tara's head disappeared and a minute or so later, her head reappeared checking for the hospital officials before she helped Velorian out. Louise helped support him on the other side, and though he flushed with embarrassment, he let them help him across the hall to Sirius' bed. Louise pulled the curtain open, finding Remus and Sirius engaged in conversation. When they came in, though, Remus broke off and smiled, as Sirius looked over in surprise. They watched each other a moment, and finally Velorian leaned onto Tara and waved one hand weakly, smirking.
"Yo. You're looking better, certainly. Clean hair helps."
Sirius cleared his throat and glanced away, before he snuck a look back at the smirking teenager. "Well, having my sanity back helps, too. I just wanted to say thank you for getting me out of Azkaban. That had to be difficult, and … it just means a lot to me. You don't even know me, you don't know for sure that you did the right thing, you can't …"
Velorian waved his objections off. "The Potters checked out as being who they were, Howard trusts them, and if you aren't all telling the truth, you'll be back in the North sea, cold dead and likely never to be found, or if you are it will be attributed that you escaped but drowned in the attempt. Nothing special, nor remarkable, and likely no one will be alive to miss you."
Remus paled, and Sirius' eye twitched a moment. Tara cuffed Velorian up the side of his head, and scowled. "That was discrete, Velorian."
"If they're going to die, it won't matter; if they live they need to know how closely Howard guards his secrets. If they have nothing to hide they needn't worry."
"And yet everyone will worry that the small sins of their life will be frowned upon." Louise drawled. "You could have had more tact."
Velorian merely shrugged, and Sirius laughed weakly. Finally, Velorian looked back over at him with a small smile. "You're welcome, though. It was fun, doing the impossible. And I really think that bed is sounding like a good idea, so I'll just have Tara hustle me back over there before the orderlies tear a strip off my hide for being foolhardy."
Sirius, and his friends gave them short goodbyes, and Louise helped him get back into bed before she left with a few suggestions for their silencing charms. She was crossing the ward once more, when the door opened, revealing James and Lily with Rhiannon and Harry clutched warmly in their hands, Nicholas following them with a shoe box in hand. Louise smiled.
"Hello, James, Lily. Sirius is just over here, and he wants to see all of you. Come, in here." Louise parted the curtains to allow James and Lily to duck in, gently laying Rhiannon and Harry on Sirius' bed before they stepped back cautiously. There was an awkward moment of silence before James broke it.
"Hey Padfoot. You're looking well."
Sirius smiled weakly, before he shook his head and looked down at his blankets. "I'm sorry, I just …"
"Go ahead and ask, Sirius." Lily comforted. "You can ask all the questions you feel the need to verify any questions you have. We'll answer anything, yes James?"
"Of course. You can ask anything Sirius."
Sirius sighed, and raked his hands through his hair. He gave Nicholas a cautious glance, and Nicholas took the hint quickly and slipped out of the curtains, audibly striding across the hall. Finally Sirius took a few more moment to worry, before he asked his first question.
"What condition was I in when I showed up at your house after running away, James?"
James frowned. "You looked like Hell. Those were my first words to you at least. Broken leg, dislocated shoulder. Your dad had beaten you for being mouthy; I remember it well. My mom was worried as hell, she was certain someone had used the Cruciatus on you, and she was right. It wasn't pleasant, but it certainly secured your welcome in our home."
Sirius nodded weakly, pale and looking desperate. Louise was surprised, and a little impressed that he was checking who they were. Remus was watching cautiously as well, and he was listening very carefully to their responses.
Sirius glanced over at Louise, and then down at the bed before he glanced at her, James and then settled on Lily.
"What was your response to learning about James' twelve point secret?"
Louise felt her eyebrows rise, and Lily smiled back at him. "I believe I raked all of you through the coals for being so foolhardy. I think some of my more precise words were 'I did not think I was marrying into such a stubborn bunch of criminals, and if you don't give me a damn good reason, you will be dragged into the ministry by your ears!' Remus wasn't too happy with that, certainly."
Sirius smiled. "He wasn't, but he was the one to break first after he saw that we were keeping our mouths shut. Sorry if I mentioned it and Louise and Lyall hadn't already known, but since they seem pretty included already …" He shrugged, and James laughed lightly.
"Padfoot, she greeted me with that accusation. She greeted Remus with his secret too. I'm surprised she didn't do that whole dissertation of your life to you too."
Sirius glanced over at her curiously, but she wasn't looking at him right then. He raised his eyebrow and kept looking, saying nothing. They maintained the determined stance amid their friends' wicked smiles for a good minute before Louise broke, turning and glaring back.
"I didn't feel I should be prying into the life of my future husband, alright? I think it would be best for us to get to know each other in a more general manner. And don't read too far into that, Black." Louise blushed as she accidentally called him her 'future husband' but she stood by her words, even as her face flushed scarlet. Sirius' answering flush was both nerve-wracking and comforting – he'd noticed, but it made him as awkward as it made her. James' stifled snickers were not something she liked; his yelp when she stepped on his foot was, though.
"Alright, fine. Next question." Sirius hurriedly moved on. "What the Hell happened, James?"
"Well, that's the part we don't know. We just happen to have a weird set of half-present memories about Rhiannon, and I remember Kieran and Cassi, and even Louise in a similar half-there manner, but other than that …" James shrugged. "We're as lost as you are. Why is apparently not something readily available."
Sirius remained silent for a long time afterwards, staring down at the blankets over his lap. Lily and James shifted uncomfortably, before he looked up once more, a smile crossing his face.
"I guess if even you don't know, it's all true, then. I was usually the one to come up with the ridiculous explanations, so I suppose that's everything of it, yeah?"
"Yeah, that's everything Padfoot."
Sirius reached up to clasp James' hand and gave him a bright smile. "Now just think what sort of expression Snivellus would wear if he knew the Marauders were back once more."
James burst out in roaring laughter, and Lily began to scold Sirius. Louise watched the exchange with a small smile, ignoring the flickering images layered onto reality to enjoy the moment as it was. Sirius really didn't seem so bad after all.