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Chapter 5

The Potters and the Longbottoms had been talking when finally James noticed his missing friends.

"Where'd Sirius and Remus go?" The others looked around but didn't see them then Lily's face took on a look of understanding.

"Sirius probably went after Runa and Remus went with him, if I'm to guess."

"Your guess would be correct," Runa said as she entered the room, Remus and Sirius following soon after, both men looked a little peeved. "Okay I have a quick question for you Lily."

"Okay?"

"What's their damage?" Runa gestured toward the two men, one of whom was glaring daggers at her, which she ignored.

"Excuse me?" James questioned right back, ready to go on the defense for his friends, but Lily just put her hand on his arm to calm him, she knew Runa better and she wasn't saying it as an insult but as a true question.

"What do you mean by 'damage'?" Lily asked

"Why is that two friends, close friends from what I remember from the wedding and your stories, seem to be unable to trust each other?" At this point she turned from Lily and was staring at the two men in question. "Why is it that you're suspicious of each other? Why is that you two seem to be playing into the hands of the enemy by driving a wedge between two strong parts?" She had started walking towards them as she drew closer both men could see the fierceness in her gaze that almost made it glow. "Who put that wedge there, and don't say each other. Think about it, really think about it and your answers might come to you."

When her strong gaze finally released them they were a little breathless but Remus' mind was already going a million miles a minute. When had he started mistrusting Sirius? Was it back in 5th year with the whole Snape issue? But I got over that, especially after what happened to him that summer, at least by what James told me. He kept thinking as he did his realization became clearer and clearer. Peter, Peter mentioned Sirius' family, about how he was pulling away from the Order but that's not possible, it's just not. He's…Peter. He shook the thought from his mind and turned his glare on her. The woman just shook her head, shrugging her shoulders she turned back toward Lily.

"I honestly couldn't tell you," Lily answered her question, shaking her head. "What I can tell you is they're both being complete wankers." Both men looked to her with insulted faces, their looks causing James to snort just before he let out a full-on laugh, Frank and Alice were trying their hardest not to laugh. They didn't know what was going on but even they had noticed the fissures between the men growing, perhaps as an outsider Runa saw it easier than they did and had no problem questioning it.

"You don't know anything," Sirius said anger tinging his voice.

"About you?" Runa raised her brow. "That, Black, is where you are wrong." Sirius' temper finally let loose. He stalked right up to her and got in her face but she didn't back down, she met him head on. For Sirius it finally registered how tall the woman was, he was the tallest of the Marauders at 6'2", but she was only a handful of inches shorter and while her height was impressive it was the fire in her eyes that made him stop.

"What do you think you know about me?" he challenged her, she just smirked at him.

"You grew up in a toxic home, with a mother and father who did their best to break you, to bend you to their will but the more they tried the more you rebelled. You took the blame for anything and everything no matter if you did it or not, especially if your little brother did it because you didn't want their anger turned on him. Did anyone, besides your family, question why you were in Gryffindor?" Sirius opened his mouth to answer but no sound came out.

"I'll tell you why you're a Gryffindor, where the brave of heart dwell. You stood in front of your brother knowing what was going to happen but didn't budge. You knew what was coming, feared it even, but you did it anyways. People believe that those that are brave have no fear, but they're wrong. Bravery is not the absence of fear but the judgement that something else is more important than fear." Everyone was speechless but Runa wasn't done.

"You are loyal to those who have earned it. You turned your back on your blood but you are not a blood-traitor. You are Harry's Godfather and bond brother to James. You love Lily like a sister. You're scared that you can't protect what's important to you, that you'll lose someone else. How am I doing so far?" Sirius had taken a couple of steps back during her tirade. How does she know any of this, he thought with just the tiniest bit of fear. He looked toward Lily, who judging by her shocked look, hadn't told Runa any of that.

"How do you know all of this?" James rasped out, he was one of the few who knew about Sirius' childhood.

"Information is power," was her only answer. "You married my sister. She told me about how close you all were and to be honest I'm not the most trusting person. So I looked into the people that would be a constant in her life."

"You had no rig-" Remus started to say but was silenced with a cutting glare.

"I had every right, Mr. Lupin and do you want to know what I found?"

"Not really," Remus said, a little afraid she would reveal his secret to the Longbottoms. Almost as if she knew what he was afraid of she just rolled her eyes.

"Whatever, oh and Black," he was still looking at her as if she had grown another head. "I know something about you that even you don't know."

"And what is that?" he asked cautiously, half wanting to know and half not.

"You were never disowned." Silence met her statement before madness ensued. Everyone started talking at once, questions were being yelled out and for six adults they could certainly make a racket.

"You're wrong, you have to be wrong," Sirius kept saying as he shook his head back and forth. "My mother-"

"Is not the Matriarch or head of the family. No that honor," her tone was dripping with sarcasm, "goes to your grandfather, Arcturus Black."

"Oh right, my grandfather was your father's Godfather wasn't he?" Runa just raised her brow at his tone in reference towards her father. "Considering how I feel about my family why should I listen or trust you?"

"If you trusted me after this meeting I would think less of you." Sirius, who had just opened his mouth to speak, shut it with an audible click. "As for listening, well you'll have to be the one to make that decision."

"First tell me how you know that?" Sirius asked.

"Uncle Arc told my father and I. He was in a right snit when he found out Walburga had thrown you out-"

"I left," Sirius corrected.

"Semantics, either way Walburga burned you from the tapestry, without his permission by the way, and was already telling everyone that your brother Regulus was now Heir Apparent for the House of Black, again without consulting him. Uncle Arc being who he is never validated her claim but he also never contradicted it so people just went along with what she was saying. Either way he never would have agreed for you to leave the Black Family."

"I left of my own accord, I disavowed my family, I-" She just raised her brow at him, causing him to curse as he roughly ran his hand through his hair. "Arugh, that old codger. Why?"

"Pride, I presume," she supplied, "but most likely… you're extremely powerful, both in mind and magic, if you were no longer part of the Black line then it would have been a great loss on their part."

"Am I supposed to take that as a complement?" he asked snidely

"Take it as you wish. Now where were we before all this drama?" It took a second for everyone to reorient themselves then Lily recalled Runa's anger filled expression just moments before.

"Why were you so angry?" Lily and the others watched as that same anger slowly leeched back into her eyes.

"That," she said with venom. "Before I tell you what I found out why don't you tell me what you know?" The two couples looked to each other then they turned to Lily who just nodded her head. Lily quickly explained the Potter's meeting with Dumbledore with Alice filling pieces from their own meeting, by the end of their explanation Runa expression was one of ice.

"That's it?" she asked, "That's all the information he gave you? All the options?" Both Lily and Alice nodded, the men having decided to be in the background. Lily was searching Runa's face as silence stretched on. It was the almost unnoticeable twitch that broke her cold façade releasing a torrent of hot anger.

"Why that no good samskipti fífl!" Runa yelled as she lurched to her feet and started pacing. The others in the room decided to stay seated as she started speaking in a tongue that none of them could follow.

"What is she saying?" Sirius asked as he leaned in over the couch.

"I have no idea, I only got the first thing but a lot of it is Norse but she's throwing in some Latin, Ancient Greek, and I think some Gaelic." The group watched in trepidation as some things started to shake.

"Ru?" Lily's voice stilled the quick movements before Runa finally took a deep breath.

"Sorry."

"What was that all about? Why did you call Dumbledore a meddling fool?"

"He only told you what that no-nose idiot knows! How are you supposed to do in your fight against him if you only have as much information as him? You need- no- you deserve more information, especially because he has that information. He heard the bloody thing."

"He said it was for our protection, and our son's. If we knew and He-Who-, Riddle got ahold of one us Dumbledore feared that he would find out the whole thing." Runa just looked at Lily with a deadpan expression, that said 'seriously'. Then suddenly Lily just smacked her forehead.

"I keep forgetting the protections," Lily said.

"What protections?" James asked looking between the two.

"Uncle Connell put protective charms on me before I went to Hogwarts and renewed them every year. When I was old enough he taught me so that I could cast them myself. Essentially they protect the mind and body. It's like a personal Fidelius with no Secret Keeper, but I was never really good at it."

"What?" Sirius said leaning forward in his seat. "I've never heard of anything like that." Sirius looked accusingly at Runa but also with disbelief.

"Trade secret, I'm afraid." She replied irritating Sirius to no end.

"Why does Lily get to know then?" he retorted back. The woman just smiled and turned away ignoring his question once again grating on his nerves. He opened his mouth but was cut off.

"Lily do you want me to cast it?" Runa inquired.

"If you wouldn't mind." Runa just nodded taking out her wand, now that they were in the light Sirius got a good look at her wand. Now, he wasn't a wand maker but even he could tell that hers was special. It was a beautiful white golden color but Sirius could see the runes etched within the wood but he couldn't make any of them out which frustrated him to no end. He had excelled in Ancient Runes at Hogwarts and his upbringing with the House of Black had added to his knowledge, one of the few things he had enjoyed in that damn house.

Runa mumbled a few words no one could make out then everyone started glowing, even Remus which was surprising since werewolves were known for being magic resistant. Sirius felt a calming feeling surround him before he felt it start to seep into his mind. He tried to fight it off but couldn't then as suddenly as it had started it was finished. When the feeling finally receded Sirius' face turned angry, before anyone could stop him he stormed over to Runa, grabbing her arm roughly and towed her out of the room, slamming the door in his wake.

Everyone left in the room just looked at the still vibrating door then back to each other. Their thoughts all the same, what was that about?

Runa was looking at Sirius' furious face with annoyance. She knew he could tell what the spell had done, being raised a Black, but he was being far too dramatic about what she had done. Finally tired of being dragged around she yanked her arm free of his grasp, stopping in the hall crossing her arms and raising her brow at him throwing him a silent demand to explain himself.

"What the bloody hell do you think you were doing?" Sirius half yelled.

"Casting a spell," she said slowly as if you had gone daft, maybe he had but he didn't he care he wanted answers.

"That spell whatever it was invaded my mind-"

"To protect it, Black. So stop getting your knickers in a twist." At her words Sirius just narrowed his eyes at her thus starting another stare off. Unbeknownst to the two combatants they had an audience.

Lily had cracked open the door and was looking out at the pair. Alice was right next to her with the men making a totem pole above them.

"Who do you think is going to win?" Alice whispered.

"Sirius." "Runa." James and Lily said at the same time causing them to look at each other in a way that solidified a silent bet. James would lose that bet.

Runa kept staring back at Sirius with one brow raised in challenge and it was getting difficult for Sirius to maintain his anger and annoyance. Finally he turned away with an aggravated sound, Lily looked up at James in triumph.

Sirius was annoyed with himself, because he let her unique eyes unnerve him. He took a deep breath before he turned back to her. She had a bemused look on her face igniting his temper once again inciting another battle of wills.

Runa's expression never wavered, the prefect representation of her upbringing as a pureblood heiress, but her expression was never cold. If her expression had been cold and unfeeling like his mother's had been Sirius knew he would have been able keep up his anger up but she just had a slight smile that graced her lips while her eyes in their depths were laughing. The silent laugh made his lips twitch, wanting to pull into a smile which in turn made him press his lips together even tighter. He would not lose this one. No he refused to, but patience was not one of his virtues, while Runa seemed to have it in spades.

"Okay that's enough," Lily said clapping her hands to break the two apart. "Sirius while yes the magic itself invades it only does so to protect the mind. The magic didn't feel dark did it?"

"No," Sirius answered with a disgruntled face.

"Good. Now Runa since we have the protections can you tell us what you know?"

Runa nodded and as they resettled down in the sitting room she told them everything she knew. They discussed what the implications of what the prophecy might mean.

"The first two and last lines are pretty straightforward and that goes along with what Dumbledore said, but the rest I don't know." James commented.

"Marked as his equal…" Remus murmured.

"'Neither can live while the other survives'." Lily and Alice both looked over at their sons, who were once again playing with Fen, with concern. Then the rest looked to the two toddlers who were completely oblivious to the worry that was crushing the adults in their lives.

Sirius' anger rose as he watched the two boys play. He turned away no longer able to watch the innocent scene. He looked around at the faces in the room, both sets of parents had the same look, one of great concern and intense fear for their child, Remus' was pretty much the same as theirs but it was Runa's that he had a hard time deciphering.

Her face was a mask much like it had been when they had faced off but he had grown up around that and he'd already faced her, so he knew to look at her eyes. He'd seen anger in her eyes but that wasn't what was there now, no her eyes said she was plotting, strategizing trying to find a way around the prophecy, then he remembered her words.

"Landvik."

"Hm?"

"You said you knew how to negate prophecies, right?"

"Yes," she answered slowly.

"How?" All the others had turned back and were now looking at Runa, who sighed before starting to explain.

"There are two ways, one of which we can't rely on."

"Why?" James asked.

"Because that one is that there is another prophecy that is said later that negates the one said previously."

"We can't rely on that," Frank agreed.

"The other however is probably the reason that most prophecies don't get fulfilled."

"Which is?" Remus prompted.

"That someone not involved in the prophecy interferes." Everyone waited for more but Runa just kept looking at them.

"That's it?" Sirius said incredulously.

"Mm-hm. It's simple but that also just depends on the prophecy itself. With this one the only ones mentioned are the parents, child, and dark lord, so anyone else can derail the prophecy. Which this one is utterly ridiculous! Which Dark Lord? Are they alive yet or is it the present one? 'Thrice defied'? How did they defy him? There are other ways to defy someone that isn't an all-out fight. There are no specifics!"

Everybody was looking at the fuming woman who was on a rant but again they had to concede that she had a point. The prophecy was too general but because Riddle believes it was about him, it is turning into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Finally Sirius decided to put an end to her rant.

"Okay so we have a way to try and stop the prophecy," he cut her off, "now we just need a way to protect you lot while we do."

"My suggestion is that you leave Britain," Runa imputed.

"That's what I was thinking," agreed Lily.

"Why do they need to leave?" Remus asked. "Dumbledore's options seem like they are sufficient." Runa looked him as if he had gone barmy.

"A Fidelius has some major drawbacks and loopholes that could quickly lead to their deaths and the others are just pure rubbish. The old manor homes have better protections." The fire in Runa's eyes was searing but it helped to make her point. The others just nodded, not really wanting to be on the receiving end of that hot anger.

"Then why not stay in the old manor homes?" Alice asked.

"While yes the manors have more powerful protections than what Dumbledore suggested you use, your enemies still have a general idea of where these places are which still makes you sitting ducks or prisoners in your own homes." The others nodded having to agree with what she was saying.

"Besides if you aren't here that just adds more protections."

"How so?" James inquired.

"They will have to expend manpower to try and find you, also if you aren't in Britain then they have to be spread thin. While the magical world is kind of small the world is still a large place especially if you factor in that Lily grew up in the Muggle world and they have absolutely no understanding of Muggles."

"So what are your suggestions?" Frank asked.

"I'd say separate and go to different places."

"What?" Lily asked a little shocked.

"I don't mean the families separate but that the Longbottoms go one place, the Potters another."

"Why?" Sirius asked. "Wouldn't having them in the same place be better?" Runa just shook her head.

"That just makes them a bigger target and if the Death Monkeys figure out where they are that's a lot of people who have to move fast. If it's just the small families then they should be able to move faster." The others had to concede that she had a point.

"Where should we go?" Alice quietly asked.

"I have connections around the globe that would be more than willing to help protect you and your family," Runa said soothingly. "The Potters don't have a choice they're going to Helligdom."

"Huh? Where the hell is that?" James asked completely confused while Lily looked as if she was trying to suppress a smile.

"Helligdom av ånder, Sanctuary of the Spirits, is another name for the Landvik lands. The amount of wards and protections that surround our lands is almost to an extreme extent-" Lily snorted which earned her a glare. "Okay maybe beyond extreme but we've yet to have anyone come into our lands that mean harm to those inside its boundaries and it's been around for more than a thousand years."

Everyone was dually impressed, but you could see the worry in the Longbottom's faces, that they wouldn't be able to find those kind of protections.

"There are a couple of places like Helligdom that I have connections to that the Longbottom's could receive sanctuary." The Longbottoms looked at her sharply, surprised, it was like she had read their minds. "No I did not read your minds, I read your expressions. I wouldn't have suggested you all to split up if I didn't have something with equal protections in mind."

"Thank you," Alice said in a wobbly voice.

"I suggest Paititi in South America or Zerzura in the Sahara. Both are a lot alike in their protections and they are pretty secretive."

"I've heard of Zerzura, but even for us it is thought of as a lost city," Remus commented.

"Not really, they just got fed up with the persecutions of the time so they put protections in place that makes it almost impossible to find."

"And Paititi, never heard of it." Sirius said.

"It's in the Andes mountain range in Peru. It's one of the newer 'lost cities' but their protections are just as impenetrable."

"Can you tell us a little about them?" Alice asked, curious about these places.

"Paititi like I said is in the Andes but it's situated in between two mountains. It's mostly rainforest with a large village but it is also on a large lake. It's quiet beautiful."

"As for Zerzura it's an oasis in the Sahara. It's the largest desert oasis in the magical world several hundred people live around it. It's old, one of the oldest 'lost cities' but the people are very welcoming, at least they were to my father and me. Actually the people in both places are very kind."

Frank and Alice's heads were together, whispering to each other, most likely weighing the pros and cons of either place.

"How do you know about these places?" Remus asked curious.

"My father is the one who made the connections initially. We had mostly just stayed within Northern Europe but my father felt it was important to spread our connections. His reason behind it was mostly because of what happened with Grindelwald. There was too much discord between the different magical governments. They moved too slow which in turn made it possible for Grindelwald to gain so much power. We were lucky the tales of our family kept him away."

"That's impressive." James said, and he was truly impressed. He hadn't known about the Landvik's but he was quickly figuring out that this family could possibly turn the tide of a war one way or another. That's probably why they don't get involved, he thought. They know the power and sway they hold within our world. He was pulled out of his head when Frank cleared his throat regaining everyone's attention.

"I think we'd like Paititi."

"Can I ask why?" Runa questioned.

"Mostly because it's not in the desert also because we have an ocean and half a continent between us and this war."

"Makes sense. I can contact their chieftain right now and you can leave tomorrow if you'd like."

"It can be done that fast?" Alice asked. "International travel usually takes a great deal more work."

"If you go through official channels, sure, but with Paititi or Zerzura involved it's not going to be official. They're 'lost cities' for a reason. And the way I see it, this means that snake-face's minions are not able to track you either." The others just nodded their heads. They knew that Voldemort had people in all levels of their government which made their faces turn sour.

"Do you want me to contact him now or do you want to sleep on this?"

Frank and Alice shared a look, holding an entire conversation with their eyes. Finally Frank turned back to Runa.

"If we could sleep on this we would appreciate it."

"No problem, but I would decide soon so we have a large head start. I'd also keep this quiet from Dumbledore." The two nodded before they gathered their son, who protested being taken from his playmates, gave their goodbyes and left in a whoosh of fire.

Silence reigned once again as the adults minds were mired in the revelations they'd just been given. The men's minds were in complete overdrive sorting through everything that they had just been told, while the women faces were ones of concentration.

"Uh-oh, I know those looks," Sirius said pointing to Lily and Runa. "Those be plotting looks, and that doesn't bode well for us."

"Oh stuff it Black, we're not plotting against you… yet," Runa snapped.

"Yet?" Sirius had been half joking when he had pointed out their expressions, mostly he had been trying to lighten the mood just a little, but now he was offended. Who was this woman who thought that she could plot against him?

"Those are fighting words my dear and I highly doubt you can back them up."

Runa slowly turned toward him with a look on her face that made him freeze. When she stood she sashayed her way over to him in a way that made him feel like prey before a starved wolf. When she stopped in front of him she reached up slowly with her hand wrapping it almost lovingly before she yanked his head to where she could whisper in his ear.

"You don't stand a chance." Her tone was one of warning but also one of challenge, and oh it had been a long time since Sirius had risen to a challenge like this. So long in fact that he couldn't resist to taunt her back.

As Runa pulled away with a satisfied smirk, she was not prepared to be jerked toward him, almost flush with his body as he gave as good as he got.

"Challenge accepted," he whispered in her ear, he was almost tempted to nip it but restrained himself especially when he heard the low menacing growl that came from the gigantic wolf.

As Sirius pulled back, Runa was a little shocked, no one had ever risen to her thrown gauntlets. They usually backed off either too afraid of her family name or Fen or maybe even her. She was not used to this and did not like the fluttery feeling it gave her. She did not like it one bit.

Lily, James and Remus had watched the entire exchange with interest. For James and Remus they were of one mind, he's back. They hadn't seen Sirius act like himself in months and to them it was nice to see some of the light back in his eyes. However for Lily, she was trying her hardest to not clap, or giggle, or laugh. She had always thought the two would match well but then Sirius had gotten with Marlene and they were so happy together that the thought hadn't reenter her mind, until now. It's maybe a little too soon but now they've met, it's a start. Oh, they'll make the most beautiful babies.

Almost as if Runa could read Lily's mind she whirled on her and gave her a narrow eyed stare, which Lily returned with an innocent look. On a sigh Runa sat back down, pointedly not looking at Sirius who was smirking. The tension in the room had changed which made James more comfortable asking his question.

"Why don't we have a choice of where we go?"

"While I trust the people of Zerzura and Paititi that doesn't mean I'm going to let them watch out for Lily, besides the only people who know about our connection are the Longbottoms and you lot and I know none of you are working with that maniac."

"How do you know that?" Sirius jumped in, both women looked at him then pointed to the wolf who was still watching Sirius cautiously.

"Fen would have gone after you if any of you bore his mark, apparently there's a distinct scent that mark gives off, or even Snake-face's scent. And the person he has spying on the Order would most definitely have the scent of that monster on them. You really think that bastard would trust any of his minions with someone that important, to him at least?"

The others had to admit she had a point which was the reason finding the spy had been so difficult. Dumbledore apparently had a spy within Voldemort's inner circle but even his spy didn't know who the Order's traitor was.

"So let me be clear if I wasn't before, do not and I mean do not mention me to anyone outside this room other than the Longbottoms unless I've cleared them. Do you understand?" Runa was looking at the three men, knowing that she didn't have to worry about Lily, she had never even mentioned her existence to her husband for Merlin's sake.

"We solemnly swear." Runa gave the men a strange look at what was apparently an inside joke but she could see the seriousness in their eyes, so accepted their words.

"Well now that some of the seriousness is out of the way," Lily said as she stood. "How about something to eat?"

"Sounds great."

"I'm starving."

"Thanks for the offer."

"Runa, you're staying right?" Lily questioned when Runa didn't comment. Sirius gave her an expectant look, while the other two just looked at her quizzically, half wanting to try and decipher the secrets this woman had.

"Sure. Let me just check in with Rhys and Asta then I'll join you."

"You know I haven't met Rhys yet and considering that he's Asta's husband, I'm actually kinda surprised. They just had a baby right?"

"Their romance was very much a whirlwind, he courted her for a very short amount of time before they were married and Asta became pregnant."

"They named you Godmother right?"

"Mm-hm, I was actually pretty surprised. Her name is Lyra, she was born on June 21st. She's the most adorable thing."

"Well I can't wait to meet them."

"Is there a private room I can use to contact them?"

"You can use the Floo in the library."

"Thanks."

Runa left, most likely making her way towards the library, Sirius had half expected the wolf to follow her but he didn't make to leave other than lifting his head to look in her direction, that's when he noticed that Harry had fallen asleep cuddled into the beast's side. That's why he didn't move, Sirius thought. Then another thought came to his mind, so when Lily went to pick up Harry he stopped her.

"Why don't you leave him there for now? He seems comfortable and we don't need to wake him up until dinner anyway." Lily was a little suspicious of his innocent look but looked back a Harry who seemed so content that she didn't have the heart to move him.

"Are you okay with that Fen?" Lily asked, the beast cut its eye to Sirius looking at him with suspicion and curled his lips at him unnerving Sirius a little bit, it was as if the beast knew exactly what he planned, before the wolf laid his head down closing his eyes, almost in resignation.

"Thank you Fen." Lily just rubbed the wolf's massive head and Sirius saw the wolf's tail thump on the floor. Lily, and the men made their way out of the sitting room toward the kitchen. Majority of the time Lily would let the house elves deal with dinner but when she was anxious and needed something to do she would cook or bake something. As they walked Sirius slowed down letting his friends get ahead of him before he veered into one of the halls and quickly changed into Padfoot, starting to make his way towards the library.

When he reached the library doors they were closed so he quickly turned back, opened the door, and returned to being Padfoot. Part of his hope was if she heard the nails clicking on the floor she would think it was her wolf. He as silently as possible made his way toward where the Floo was but also stayed hidden. He didn't like secrets, in that respect Remus had been right, but another part was that he enjoyed finding out what those secrets were before anyone else.

"Asta said that Lady Potter called for you?" Sirius stopped when he heard the male voice, it sounded familiar but he couldn't place it.

"You are correct." Her tone was extremely irritated.

"Ooh, what happened? I know that tone, that doesn't bode well for somebody. Whose head is going to roll?"

"What makes you so sure that I'm angry with someone?"

"Milady, I may not have known you as long as Asta or Lady Potter but I learn pretty quick." Sirius heard Runa sigh and he could picture her shaking her head at the flames.

"Riddle."

"Oh," immediately the lightness that had been in the man's voice disappeared. "What's he done now?"

"I'll tell you all in more detail later but short version, the Potters are going to be receiving sanctuary in Helligdom."

"What's going on?" The concern in the voice had risen. "You've tried to get Lady Potter to come stay in Helligdom ever since… well for as long as I've really known you. What's changed?"

"Like I said I'll tell you all about that when I return. However could you alert the others let them know what's going to be happening."

"Sure- Asta, Lyra?"

"I just put her down," Sirius heard a soft lyrical voice speak. "Why don't you start letting the others know."

There was a break where there was nothing to be heard other than the crackling of the floo fire.

"Runa," Sirius could hear the concern in the woman's voice. "Is he coming too?"

Sirius' interest was caught so he strained his ears to hear more.

"I don't know, but most likely."

"Do you think he's ready?"

"It's been almost two years…"

"He hadn't talked with him much before that, you know why."

Runa just sighed. Sirius decided to take a chance and peeked around the furniture that hid him. He saw her silhouette brushed with the flickering flames, but he could see the concern that etched her face.

"Yes, I know but this situation… it's concerning." Sirius furrowed him muzzle, this situation was far more than concerning.

"If you're saying that it's concerning it must be dire indeed."

"I'll explain more once I return."

"You're not coming back?"

"Not yet, Lily has asked me to stay for dinner."

"And you actually agreed?" The shock that colored the other woman's tone was evident.

"Ha ha, I do know how to socialize, you know."

"No you don't." The mirth that was in her tone was unmistakable. "You know how to make men bow at your feet, or make women hate you for Odin knows what reasons. You know how to charm your enemies so well that they don't see the trap before it's too late. And before you say anything socializing with us and the rest of the villagers does not count. You grew up around us. The only person you've gotten close to besides us or Lily is Rhys and that was only because you felt sorry for him."

"I resent that," Runa interrupted. "I may have felt sorry for him in the beginning but he's become a true friend."

"That's only because you knocked some sense into him and he feels indebted to you." Sirius wished he could have laughed at her disgruntled face. So she does a flaw, he thought.

"Either way I won't be home 'til late."

"Okay, I'll go help Rhys."

"Are they still giving him a hard time?"

"They're over-protective, what do you think?" Runa just laughed at the obvious annoyance in the other woman's voice.

"Please don't poison their food again, it just creates more work."

"I'll try."

"That's all I ask."

The light from the floo went out with a whoosh but before Sirius could start making his way back his paws refused to move. In a panic Sirius looked down and noticed that he paws were being held in place by shadows.

"Eavesdropping is not becoming behavior."

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