Disclaimer: Still not mine, just own the plot.

Review Responses:

tamara72 – thanks for the review, another update is here!

so hum shivo hum – I'm glad you enjoyed WYLB and this one so far. I too hate seeing Ron and Neville reduced to sidekicks they're two of my favourite characters as is Luna who's back again briefly here. I didn't quite leave it a year this time at least! Thanks for reviewing!

Aries Zodiac – I'm still writing just a little slowly! Remus and Dru are so much fun to write and they're featured quite heavily in the next few chapters. Harry's head is well and truly up his a*** sometimes yes but I think you'll end up feeling pretty sorry for him by the time I'm done with him. Lol. Thank you for the review!

danicadoodles – I don't think even I've read Wedding Bells a thousand times over and I'm a compulsive rereader of my own work before I'm happy to post it. I'm extremely flattered! Thanks for reviewing!

Fosse9 – Thanks for the review, glad you're enjoying it!

A/N: Thanks SO much to anyone sticking with me on this, I know I'm a terrible updater but I promise I'm not abandoning this or that Shades of Grey sequel I promised you all.

Chapter 17

Stood outside in the quiet graveyard, Percy wasn't certain why he had gone to the funeral of Angelina Johnson. He was sure his brothers would have been fine without him, but he couldn't help but feel he should be there. If nothing else his mother seemed to take some comfort from his going to keep an eye on them, and perhaps more especially on Harry.

The service had been short and pleasingly cheerful. Angelina's family had been hell-bent on celebrating her short life rather than showcasing their own grief. Percy much preferred things this way; as far as he was concerned grief was something best kept private. During the service he observed his brothers and Harry carefully but afterwards he slipped away to give them time to speak to the other familiar faces that had been present.

Ron had looked shocked, beyond any kind of emotional reaction, still young enough to not only feel immortal himself but also to be shocked by the mortality of those he knew. Fred and George didn't stray from each other's sides the whole way through, clearly drawing strength from each other. Ginny had opted not to go and Percy felt Ron was really only there to support Harry; neither of the two youngest Weasleys had known Angelina very well.

Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet had been crying quietly on each other's shoulders for most of the afternoon, arms around each others waists, brought closer than they'd ever been while flying together by their shared grief. Oliver Wood was stood alone to one side, his usual energy drained and looking far too serious without his ready smile. Lee Jordan was another familiar face, sticking close to the twins, his usual cheerful smile nowhere to be seen.

It was Harry who had been the surprise, standing calmly to one side as though he really was unaffected by it all. Percy found that impossible to believe.

Stood alone in the graveyard, Percy rubbed his hand over his eyes. He had never really taken the trouble to know Angelina but the very fact that he had spent so many years in school with her made the death hit close.

"Percy," Oliver Wood's soft Scottish brogue, far quieter than usual, broke him suddenly from his reverie. Percy opened his eyes to see his former dorm mate standing before him.

"Hello, Oliver," a smile, in spite of the situation, came to his lips. "How are you doing?"

"Present tragedy aside, not too badly, all things considered." Oliver smiled sombrely in return, "I didn't expect to see you here today."

Of course he hadn't, Percy Weasley hadn't even gone to his own father's bedside when he'd been grievously injured so why would he attend the funeral of a girl he'd barely known and hadn't spoken to in over two years? He wondered briefly if Oliver had heard of his abandonment of his father and hoped fiercely that he hadn't. "I'm here to make sure the twins go straight home afterwards and to reassure mum that everyone's ok."

Oliver's smile widened, "So your mother's still a fusspot?"

Percy managed a small laugh, finding Oliver's humour as infectious as ever, "Oh very definitely!"

Oliver laughed with him momentarily before frowning and clenching his hands, "I felt so helpless when I heard about this! I wish I could do something to stop these people!"

Percy frowned thoughtfully, "Do you mean that? And before you snap, what I mean is, if there was something you could do, would you do it knowing that you'd be far safer if you just walked away?"

Part of Percy, the part that was haunted by Angelina's body in the open casket, really hoped that Oliver would choose to walk away. However the rest of him spied an interesting opportunity.

"Yes," Oliver responded, "It feels like there's nothing I can do but sit back and watch people die. At least working for the ministry you're doing something useful and don't feed me that crap about people needing a distraction right now and quidditch being good for morale! I can tell myself that and I still feel that if all I can do is play quidditch then all those people at school who never saw anything about me beyond the broomstick were right."

"Well I was never one of those people and I know you can do much more than just play quidditch." Percy smiled conspiratorially, "I think you should head back to Hogwarts with Ron, Harry and Katie, make sure they get back safely. While you're there it might be polite to say hello to Professor Dumbledore. Tell him what you told me, I'm sure he could find a way to make you feel better about the situation."

Oliver gave Percy an evaluating look, "What's up your sleeve, Weasley?" His use of Percy's surname was oddly intimate, an old school habit reminding the two of them of the bond seven years sharing a dormitory could form.

Percy shrugged, "Nothing whatsoever, just a thought I had. Anyway, I should get home with the twins. Hopefully I'll see you around soon."

"I have a feeling that, as you've said that, you probably will but I must say I'm confused as to why," Oliver responded. "But I certainly would be pleased to see you again, however cryptically you behave."

Percy shrugged apologetically, "Goodbye, Oliver."

"Bye, Perce," Oliver walked over to Ron and Harry, and Percy heard him say, "Hey guys, I'm going to head back to Hogwarts with you and Katie, just to make sure you're alright. I know McGonagall's going with you as well but I'd like to see the school again right now."

Percy smiled to himself and strode over to Fred and George.

ooooooo

Frost on the early morning grass and the sudden abrupt change from the frozen near-dead world outside to the comparatively tropical splendour of the Hogwarts greenhouses were two of the things Neville loved about winters in Scotland.

On the morning of Angelina's funeral the boy made his way slowly across the sparkling grass and into the personal sanctuary that was Greenhouse 7 where he was usually undisturbed by anyone except occasionally Professor Sprout.

The argument he had had with Harry had raised a turbulent maelstrom of feelings inside him as he struggled to cope with the ever darkening world around them. His plants however could always offer solace, and as he relaxed in the humid hothouse he felt a surge of gratitude towards Professor Snape whose request that the more able of the NEWT Herbology students be involved in cultivating some rare and exotic plants for his own private potions work had allowed Neville some interesting new challenges. The plants were beyond what would normally be covered on the NEWT syllabus due to their rarity and the difficulties of caring for them and the opportunity to work with them was a very welcome and fascinating distraction from current events.

"Good morning," he murmured softly, checking the soil around some seedlings, "And how are we all today? You need a bit more water don't you, and I think it's time to try a larger measure of plant food."

Neville pottered around the greenhouse for a good hour, talking to his plants and smiling at the memory of being caught doing that by Luna Lovegood. At least she was one person who would never judge anyone for their odd behaviour. She was too odd herself, though it was the kind of odd you couldn't help but like. It was an oddness that seemed to spring from a childhood of lonely grieving, being raised by a father who had retreated from the world that had taken his wife from him. It gave her an odd vulnerability that inspired a strong feeling of protection within Neville.

"What are you thinking about?" A soft, dreamy voice surprised Neville into almost dropping the plant pot he was carrying. He blushed as the girl he had just been thinking about ambled into view from behind a large Venomous Tentacular, batting one of its tendrils away from her shoulder.

"Oh…n…nothing!" he stammered.

Luna smiled, "Are you alright Neville, you seem uncomfortable?"

"I'm fine," he insisted. "What brings you out here, Luna?"

"I was looking for you," she said simply.

Neville felt his face grow warm, "Oh?"

"I heard you arguing with Harry the other day."

"Oh." He hoped she wasn't just here to get the latest gossip on the boy who lived; it was so unlike her.

"I thought you were very brave."

Neville was somewhat taken aback by her comment, "Why?"

She smiled sadly, "To see something better than revenge, to not wish your pain onto other people. That's quite brave I think. It hurts less if you can blame someone but it's better to let it hurt."

Neville shrugged and an awkward silence fell between them.

"So," Neville searched for something to say and found himself remembering the Gryffindor/Slytherin quidditch match, "Are you and Ron going out?"

She laughed a little, "No, he likes Hermione Granger, but that's ok, he still let me kiss him."

Neville blushed once more at the girl's bluntness.

"I never expected anything from him," she continued, twirling a stray piece of hair around her finger, "But sometimes in life, you just have to take what you want, not worry endlessly about whether or not you're supposed to have it." She rested her hand gently on his arm, "You have to assert yourself, Neville."

The ethereal looking girl gave him a sweet smile and walked away without another word, leaving him trying to catch his breath. Assert yourself, easy for her to say.

ooooooo

Life at Grimmauld Place was certainly much quieter whilst the twins were absent but, despite the funeral going on, the Order's business continued as usual. Remus had descended to breakfast to find Severus Snape sipping a solitary cup of aromatic black coffee. Upon inquiry Remus learned that an early morning message had brought him to the house to collect some papers from Kingsley Shacklebolt.

Seeing Severus linger at Grimmauld place was a rare occurrence which meant that there was little contact between the two men outside of Order meetings. Remus couldn't help feeling a certain connection to the man due to their shared teenage years, even if they had been on opposite sides of a deep divide. Severus had missed the previous evening's Order meeting and Remus couldn't help but be concerned, "So, how did it go last night?"

Severus scowled, "How did what go last night?"

Remus looked confused, "Weren't you with Voldemort?"

"No, were you?" Severus asked innocently.

"No I was…Well of course I wasn't! What on earth would I have been doing with Voldemort?" Remus responded in frustration.

"Getting yourself tortured and killed, though I always hoped I'd be present for that little show." Severus' smile seemed more poisonous than usual.

Remus sighed, same old Severus, "Well this descended from civilised quicker than I thought it would."

"You were involved," Snape pointed out calmly, "Hence it was never civilised."

"Where were you last night?" Remus insisted, curiosity piqued.

"Why on earth is that your business?" Severus sounded unusually snappy even for him.

"Well you missed an Order meeting and we all assumed that as you weren't to be found you must have been summoned to the Dark Lord, as you say you weren't I'm understandably curious as to where you were?"

"I was somewhere you didn't look, obviously," the Potions Master evaded the question.

"Severus, people get understandably edgy when they can't find you on the grounds that you might have been caught and killed!"

"Don't call me Severus, it implies a level of intimacy, and for that matter of simple tolerance, which we most certainly and thankfully do not share."

Remus growled in frustration, "Fine, Snape! I just wondered why you were off gallivanting around while the rest of us were working!"

Severus finally seemed roused to anger, "I was not gallivanting around and I did not know there was an Order meeting that evening as I had gone out before it was called!"

"Gone out where, Dumbledore couldn't find you anywhere?" Remus persisted, suspicious of the man's disinclination to answer him.

"I was at Malfoy manor," Snape stated simply.

Remus' eyebrows shot up in horror, "Why? Is Lucius out of Azkaban?"

"No! It was Narcissa I was there to see." Severus found himself oddly annoyed at the fact that the elegant woman was always overlooked in favour of her husband and wasn't sure that the fact she didn't mind made it any better. "Now is your insufferable nosiness satisfied?"

"No. What were you going to see her for?" Remus asked bluntly.

He had gone to see her to assuage the guilt he felt at his forced invasion of her already troubled mind by offering her a chance to talk about her son and forget her troubles for a while over a drink, but Severus wasn't going to admit that to anyone. He gripped his wand tightly, "I suggest you cease talking before I ensure that you cease breathing. I have a life outside this Order. I do not simply spend my days spying, counter spying, brewing potion after potion for those who get literally snappy at certain times of the month, and teaching ungrateful students!"

"I just wondered why you would want to spend any more time with the Death Eaters and their associates than you have to?" Remus said injecting his words with a genuine note that was truly felt, he did not enjoy seeing Severus forced to deal with the other Death Eaters.

"I need to ensure they trust me, avoiding them is a fairly foolish thing to do on that basis," Severus snapped.

"I'm sorry, I just don't like to see you sticking your neck out when you don't absolutely have to."

"I can assure you I was in no danger, sorry to disappoint." The Potions Master smiled sarcastically.

"I was genuinely concerned! If you were just having a nice social evening in with Narcissa Malfoy then you're right, what business is it of mine?" Remus said hotly.

"None whatsoever," Snape replied calmly, "Could you pass this parchment onto Thornfield for me?"

Remus reached to take it without thinking before saying sharply, "How do you know I'm going to see her?"

Severus snorted in disgust, thrust the parchment into his hands and swept away in a swirl of black robes.

ooooooo

Severus had of course been entirely right as to Lupin's plans for the day, he was indeed headed over to the ministry that afternoon to see Druscilla. How Snape had known that though was beyond Lupin. Lucky guess, probably, he thought.

Snape however, and the conversation they had had that morning, were so much on Remus' mind that it was the first topic he raised with Druscilla when he arrived in her office. He explained the situation to her as she listened intently, frowning at some points and rolling her eyes at Remus' inability to understand the parting request and look from Severus.

Seeing the woman look sceptical Remus finished with, "Surely you can see why I'd find it all a bit strange and be worried by it?"

"Not really," she responded. "That is I can't understand why you should find it strange, I can however see why you might express concern."

"What, you think it's perfectly natural he'd want to socialise with Death Eaters when he won't even socialise with the Order or his colleagues at Hogwarts?" Remus looked so bewildered Druscilla couldn't hide a smile.

"Actually, yes, and you should perhaps bear in mind that Narcissa Malfoy is not a Death Eater and has in fact never taken any known action at Voldemort's request or shown any inclination for supporting him aside from who her husband is."

"She attacked Ginny Weasley, nearly killed her in fact!"

"That was part of her own agenda, nothing to do with the Dark Lord. Angry mothers are dangerous creatures when they feel their children are threatened. I don't think Snape enjoys seeing the young mister Malfoy hurt either, though I certainly would not suggest he'd sympathise with her methods he does seem somewhat attached to the boy. His connection with that family seems far harder to dissolve than some of us might like it to be."

"I still don't see how he can find her desirable company."

Druscilla sighed, "She is part of a world where, I would imagine, Snape was first accepted in life. From what I know of him, his home life was hard, his school life a lesson in suffering outside of his own house and even Slytherin, from what I remember, did not bother to defend him. To the Death Eaters he would really have been worth something. His abilities in potions and the dark arts and his general level of power and skill would have brought him respect of a kind previously very likely unknown to him. In short, Narcissa, or at least her husband, was likely once his friend. No matter what our friends do you of all people should know that, though we may wish to tear them to shreds, we almost always maintain an interest in and concern for them. We never really stop caring where once we've begun."

Remus was stunned into silence for a moment, "I suppose I didn't think of it like that."

"Of course you didn't, you're a Gryffindor, house allegiances, (and mind-sets), apply," she said simply. "I'm a Slytherin, I know how members of that house can be treated and how hard it can be to bring yourself to disown those you knew, particularly if you cared for them."

Druscilla was quiet for a moment but Remus sensed she had more to say and waited while she gathered her thoughts and continued in a small, sad voice. "I once had to arrest a Death Eater who I had sat beside throughout my NEWT level Defence Against the Dark Arts classes. The two of us had laughed, squabbled, flirted and I've never hated my job more than at the moment I knew I had to condemn him. However," she smiled nostalgically with just a hint of bitterness, "Just to prevent any further house stereotyping I'll take the opportunity to point out that the boy was a Ravenclaw. Don't worry about Severus, I think he likely knows what he's doing."

"But if he says something suspicious…!"

"His very absence from those he's supposed to be aligned with will be taken as suspicious!" Druscilla interrupted, "Stop worrying about him, he can look after himself, he's a very capable person."

Remus looked difficult, "I wasn't worrying, why would I be worrying?"

"You care about him," she stated flatly.

Remus frowned, "Why would I do that?"

She smiled again, "Because you're a caring, compassionate individual and he's one of your oldest acquaintances and sparing partners." She didn't think she'd get away with the word friend though she couldn't help but think it, after all friendship was about much more than cosy chats.

"Well, maybe," Remus acquiesced grumpily.

"Anyway," Druscilla stood up, "We have a job to do, I've had enough for one day with Meadows back at work and avoiding me like the plague even though I apologised. The only reason Fudge isn't trying to fire me is because he didn't suspect that damned Andrews woman either. You're here because you're supposed to be helping me look for a potential location for the Dark Lord's hideout; you are not supposed to be using me as a free counselling service!"

Remus snorted, "I pity the person who mistakes you for a counsellor!"

She grinned, "Oh, I don't know, the men who end up on my couch invariably walk away with a smile on their face." She winked provocatively.

Remus tried not to blush, "You know Ron Weasley thinks you're a man-eater? He was advising me to be careful around you."

She raised an amused eyebrow, "You're taking romantic advice from a teenage boy?"

"He's a smart kid! Not that I'm taking romantic advice from him!" Remus quickly amended his statement.

Druscilla rolled her eyes, "Of course not. Now, unless you were after a session on my couch, shall we get to work?"

ooooooo

From the time of Angelina's death to the beginning of the Christmas holidays Hogwarts seemed much quieter than usual, the Gryffindor common room especially so. Few people were staying over Christmas, everyone wanted to go and be with their families. Hermione was headed home to her parents and Harry was to join the Weasleys for their family Christmas celebrations. Ron had a feeling though that Harry was going to be the last person to do any celebrating if his recent demeanour was anything to go by. He had been moody and reclusive, unwilling to enter much into conversation or jokes and driving Ron to distraction in his search for something that might bring Harry out of himself once more.

Ron was personally greatly relieved that Remus had said he would talk to Harry over the holidays as he couldn't help but feel that some adult intervention was necessary. Harry was more distant from his best friend than he had ever been during the times they'd fought. Harry seemed to have an almost genuine indifference to the people around him, something Ron was unable to be anything but hurt and concerned by.

All in all, the Christmas holidays were welcomed by everyone at Hogwarts and the closer the Hogwarts Express got to London the livelier and more raucous it became.

ooooooo

Platform nine and three quarters was crowded with anxiously waiting parents. Amongst them Arthur and Molly Weasley stood silently together with Remus Lupin.

Mrs Weasley glanced around her, looking at the other parents. Few were speaking, few indeed were having anything to do with each other. The troubles of their world were pulling people apart in suspicion, no one wanted to talk with anyone they didn't know well. Molly's eyes finally alighted on a woman stood alone but showing no trace of fear, only anticipation as she awaited the train, looking eagerly out for the Express in clear delight at the thought of seeing her child again.

"She's here!" Molly exclaimed, "I can't believe she'd dare show her face!"

Before Arthur could hold her back, his wife was storming across the platform to face the petite, coldly beautiful figure stood awaiting her son's departure from the train, which was now in view and fast approaching the station. "How could you? I know you did it!"

Narcissa Malfoy smiled condescendingly, "That was the idea, you were supposed to know. It's not much of a deterrent to make you steer clear of my family if you don't know who attacked you and why, is it now?"

"She's a little girl!" Molly gasped at the woman's clear lack of concern, "You're twisted in insanity just like your sister!"

Narcissa simply shook her head, "Molly, I did warn you, dear. There is nothing as important in this world as my son, and I won't allow any threat to him to continue unabated. Perhaps my actions were a little harsh but I will sleep easier knowing that my son is not under threat from you and yours. Family is everything to me."

"Sirius was your family." Remus said coldly, coming across with Arthur to stand beside Molly.

Narcissa's eyes darkened with pain and she seemed to momentarily lose her composure. "Sirius was an accident," she said quietly, "He wasn't supposed to be there."

"It never occurred to you that he might not like the idea of you killing his Godson? A child the same age as your own!" Molly snapped.

Narcissa's expression hardened, "I didn't harm anyone and I'd guarantee that I've caused less pain over the years than some people you consider so very laudable!"

Molly snorted in clear disbelief. "Really! How much pain do you think you caused by hurting my child?"

"And how much pain do you think it has caused me to see your children attack mine without excuse or regret and, even worse, seeing you decide that because of myself and Lucius our son was unworthy of being treated in a humane manner?" Narcissa asked emotionally. "Look to your own behaviour before you criticise mine."

Remus was shocked by the emotion he had seen revealed in Narcissa's frosty grey eyes and the deeply held sorrow and even guilt that had seemed to be revealed. However in another moment he would be reeling with shock from an entirely different source.

ooooooo

Arthur and Remus had abandoned their wait for the train as it pulled into the platform and followed Molly as she hurried to accost Narcissa Malfoy and so they missed Ron's descent from the train with his two best friends.

Ron was trying to aid Hermione in getting her large bag off the train, and swearing he would never understand why girls required so much stuff for just a couple of weeks. After a quick hug Hermione dashed away to embrace her nervous looking parents, tears just visible in her mother's eyes as she clutched her daughter tightly to her. Harry glanced swiftly around for the Weasleys. Before he could spot them however something unbelievable caught his eye.

Sirius was stood by the barrier to the muggle station.

Harry rubbed his eyes and shook his head but he was still there, grinning at his astonished Godson. He beckoned Harry across before placing a finger on his lips to indicate not to say anything and disappearing through the barrier. Clearly Sirius wanted to surprise the others. Without thinking, Harry ran through the barrier after his godfather.

"Sirius!" he exclaimed as he reached the other side, throwing his arms round the man, tears falling from his eyes.

Strong arms encircled him and suddenly he felt a tugging sensation behind his navel.

A portkey? Where was Sirius taking him? He didn't care, he had his Godfather back, things could only get better.

Meanwhile on platform nine and three quarters Remus Lupin was staring in shock at where a figure had been stood on the near side of the barrier. Stirred into life by Harry's sudden movements and the fleeting glimpse he'd caught of his dead friend, he rushed through to the muggle station only to head into pandemonium.

A/N: I'll update again soon, in the meantime drop me a review if you're still with me.