Author's Notes:

Hi everyone! SURPRISE! Surprise chapter! I just couldn't wait to write this one (honestly, it kind of wrote itself). I hope you enjoy it!

I also want to take a moment to remind everyone that this is an Alternate Universe story. This means that while some of the information, facts, plots, and events in my story will closely resemble those from the books, but not everything will. I understand that's not everyone's cup of tea so if you decide to continue reading, thank you!

Also, I've had a few people recently who have been upset or confused as to why Sirius was not immediately given a trial upon his arrest. I want to take a moment to remind everyone that this was a pivotal plot point in POA through OOTP and is CANNON. While my story is AU, some cannon will remain. This was one of those instances.

Midnitewanderer: Thanks for pointing that out! I went back and fixed it. I'm not sure how I forgot that! Dumb me. I"m glad you like how I decided to write Tonks! I was worried I wouldn't do her character enough justice. As for Hermione...You'll maybe see ;). Bediz: I'm sorry you feel that way. I will, however, remind you that this is an AU story and that I have taken liberty of the fact that Harry as a character in the cannon story is, frankly, completely unobservant. We don't know for sure if there is a potion that counteracts Veritaserum or if BCJ would have had time to ingest it in GOF. Also, Sirius not receiving a trial was the big plot point in POA which is a plot point I decided to keep. Barring this, I hope you choose to continue to read Ignoring Destiny!

Bankerrtx01: Me too! It'll be a while though since they're still so young :(. But I did include some Hinny stuff this chapter! Geekymom: Thank you!

Guest: I'm assuming all three of those comments are yours! I know that the trial isn't really up to the standards of true litigation. I did that intentionally mostly because I don't know how the British prosecutorial system works enough to give it more breath. But also for some brevety for the readers who aren't as well versed in the legal system as you and I are. But I also felt like Scrimgeour was letting the trial go to the dogs (or kangaroos in your opinion! Which, I'm so stealing "Kangaroo Court" from you. Love it!) as a "comeuppance" to Fudge for denying full release (aka granting Habeas). Thanks for the hint for the bar! I'm sure I'll see more of them during my prep course (I've argued against a few at DA offices!). And I just can't get over your comment about Clydesdale. I almost had coffee come out my nose. You're the kind of people I need in my life. Thank you for reading!

Please enjoy this chapter, all! Stay safe and remember, WASH YOUR FUCKING HANDS!

Chapter Eighteen: It was Bound to Happen

As the weeks went by Harry was growing more accustomed to his life at Potter Manor with the Marauders. Harry was enjoying life playing with toys and flying his broom. James would often let one or more of his friends come over to play with him but he especially liked when Ron and Ginny would visit or when he visited them. He always had a grand time running around with them and pulling pranks or swimming in the pond or just relaxing in the grass.

Harry had become increasingly close with Ginny as the days rolled into summer. Harry seemed to trust her more than any of his other friends and Ginny always seemed to know just how to calm Harry down when he needed it. He was also able to see through what Fred and George called, "her little princess act." Mrs. Weasley had some odd belief that girls just couldn't cause the sort of mischief that boys could nor could girls play as dirty as the boys. Ginny often enjoyed pulling the princess act after she had completed some prank and, often, she would be absconded by Mrs. Weasley. But only until her father heard about the prank. Once Mr. Weasley was informed, he always seemed to know immediately who was behind the event in question. Sometimes he would let Mrs. Weasley know, if the prank was severe enough, sometimes he simply let it go and chalked it up to kids being kids.

Harry had been both upset and pleased to hear that Ginny had been disciplined for her role in the spider prank. Mr. Weasley had taken away her dessert privileges for three days. Ginny had simply managed to con her brother, Charlie, into sharing his with her when their parents weren't looking. Somehow, she had managed to get both of her oldest brother's wrapped around her finger.

This wasn't to say that Ginny was a mischievous or misbehaving child, because she generally wasn't. In fact, Harry found Ginny to be one of the most thoughtful, kind, and empathetic people he had ever met. But he also understood that she was wicked smart and, often but not always, the mastermind behind some of Fred and George's more notable pranks. Harry, even in his child mind, often compared Ginny to the fire that so much resembled her hair. She was warm, inviting, and safe, but she was also fast, cunning, and a little, well, fiery.

For the first time in his life Harry was excited for his upcoming birthday. His dad had told him he was allowed to invite all of the Weasleys, Hermione, Neville, and Tonks! He had carefully helped Remus write the invitations for all of the children and their families and sent them out by both owl and muggle post. So far he had received RSVP's from the Weasleys and Neville. Remus had told him that was because the muggle postman was a lot slower than the owl post. But because Hermione and her mom were muggles, Harry understood the need to mail their post in the muggle fashion.

In his childhood innocence, Harry had also asked whether he should invite his cousin, Dudley, to his party. Not wanting to leave anyone he knew out, he told James that he would invite him and be nice because he didn't want Dudley to feel bad for not getting an invitation. James had carefully explained to him that he shouldn't feel like he had to invite anyone that he didn't want and if he really didn't want to invite Dudley, Dudley would never know Harry even had a party to know that he missed it. knowing this, Harry had still decided to send an invitation over. It was returned unopened. James simply told Harry that Dudley had already had another party to go to that day but that he was sending along a gift in his absence.

After their last date, Remus had been avoiding spending time alone with Jean. While they had regular playdates with the kids and often called each other on the phone, he had avoided agreeing to or keeping a second date with her. His fears of how a muggle would handle a werewolf were constantly at the forefront of his mind anytime he considered taking her out.

James and Sirius had tried to discuss this issue with Remus on multiple occasions but it always ended the same way. Remus would make some excuse to have to leave the room and they could never finish it. James and Sirius had always known Remus was a bit odd when it came to dating, and they understood given his condition, but Remus had, in the past, normally been ok with dating a man or a woman. Remus had simply never let a relationship get serious enough for him to have to have an honest commitment to someone. At least, no one they had known of that is.

~ID~

James looked up from his desk when he heard tapping on the window next to him. He had been in the middle of reading over some expense reports from the brewery he had established in Sussex and was startled to hear an owl this late in the day. He had grown so used to only receiving mail in the morning due to his busy schedule with Portree.

He stretched his long legs and bent back over the top of his chair, cracking his back in all the right places.

"Oh yeah," he hissed as his back cracked.

After sitting back properly, he got up and opened the window to allow the large tawny owl into the room. It hopped gratefully off the sill and onto his desk where it dropped a thick envelope onto his desk.

"Thanks," He said to the owl, "You can rest in the owlery if you want. There's food and water up there."

The owl hooted at him before flying off to who knows where. James simply shrugged and picked up the letter. Excitement filled him when he saw the acid green ink on the front. He quickly tore the letter open and wondered why it took Dumbledore so long to write back to him. As he wondered this, he began to read.

James,

I am writing to you in response to your last letter. I'm sorry for such a delay, I've been extremely busy here at Hogwarts with the year having just ended. The board of governors, the Wizengamot, and myself have been tirelessly working to add some new classes to our class listings. Which, brings me to your letter.

You had written to me about Remus Lupin and his potentially teaching here as a professor. I have owled Mr. Lupin myself regarding this issue but, to my knowledge, all of my letters have been left unopened. With a few new classes being added to our curriculum, such as Introduction to Healing and Advanced Rune Interpretation: An Intro to Curse Breaking, I am in need of some new professors. Specifically, a Defense Against the Dark Arts and Ancient Runes Professors. I believe that Mr. Lupin would best qualify for our Ancient Runes position as I have already had inquiry into the DADA position by a number of candidates.

I understand his concerns regarding his ailment. That would not be a problem here as we do still have his room available for use as well as a potion master willing to brew the wolfsbane potion as necessary for him. He would be no potential danger towards the students or staff of Hogwarts. My determination regarding postings is whether the candidate has the necessary credentials and temperament to be a professor here at Hogwarts.

Please have him contact me regarding the Ancient Runes position if he is so inclined to interview for the post. I have no doubts that he will exceed my expectations with his qualifications.

If you would still like to discuss Harry and his future, please come to my office at Hogwarts on 17th July

Yours Truly,

Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore

James looked up from the letter and quickly made his way downstairs. On his way he passed by Harry who was coming up the stairs.

"Dad! I've been looking for you. Someone couldn't use the floo!"

"They what?"

"They couldn't use the floo! The paper says they couldn't floo!" Harry said excitedly as he held up the paper.

James took the paper from Harry and said, "Thanks Harry. Where are you off to?"

"My room. Uncle Moony says I needs a nap. But I'm not sleepy!"

"Well, I agree with Uncle Remus. It's passed noon and definitely nap time. After you wake up we can go for a broom ride, ok?"

Harry's eyes widened and a huge smile spread across his face, "Yeah! I'll go sleep fast so I can wake up and fly! ZOOM!"

As Harry said zoom he ran in place for a moment before taking off up the stairs at a run.

"No running in the house!" James called before mumbling, "Why do I even bother?"

Shaking his head, James looked down at the piece of paper in his hand. He didn't recognize he neat handwriting but he did recognize the signature at the end, Narcissa Malfoy. Curious, he quickly read the note.

Lord Potter,

I humbly request permission to utilize your floo network so we may have a brief conversation regarding your son, Harry. No, my husband will not be in attendance. Please Floo us at your earliest convenience or send your house elf with a return note scheduling a good time. Thank you.

Lady Narcissa Malfoy

James continued walking as he reread the letter, unsure of what to make of it. As he walked and read, he nearly ran over Remus.

"Prongs, watch where you're going. Everything ok?" Remus asked as he caught sight of James' face.

"Yeah," he replied slowly, his eyes lingering on the note, "I was just coming to find you. I heard from Dumbledore. You'll want to read his letter."

Remus, confused, shifted the book he was carrying to his other hand and took the letter from James and read it while James waited. Remus looked up once he'd finished.

"Why would you mail Dumbledore about a job for me without telling me?"

"It was just something I mentioned in a letter to him about Harry. Besides, you would never ask him about positions. Minerva told me that she had mentioned to you that positions were going to open up but you never did anything about it. What gives?"

"I would be a danger to those children," Remus said roughly, "You know that, James. How could I risk their lives just so I could have a job? That's irresponsible!"

"Remus you're being ridiculous! Dumbledore specifically stated that you would be no danger to anyone! He has the shrieking shack still and someone to brew you the potion. I can't do that here. I'm good at potions but I was never anywhere near the level Lily was; I can't brew the wolfsbane. Talk to Dumbledore."

"That's not the point, James. Why would you go behind my back and apply me for a position that you don't even know I want!"

"Of course you want this job! You love runes and you know everything there is to know about them. You've always wanted to teach and now you have the opportunity. Dumbledore would hire you in a heartbeat and you know it. What's really up your ass? Huh?"

Remus, red in the face, replied, "What makes you think something, besides you taking to Dumbledore behind my back, is up my ass!"

"The fact that you haven't gone back out with Jean and refuse to talk about her or your date. Plus the fact that you get that face anytime it's mentioned!"

"What face?" Remus said, frowning, his eyes sad and his brow furrowed, "I don't get a face."

James rolled his eyes, exacerbated, "The face you're literally making right now. Come on, Moony, we both know you want this job more than anything and you aren't actually this upset I talked to Dumbledore. You're upset about something to do with Jean and I'm betting it has to do with your furry problem, doesn't it? You stopped seeing her 2 days before the full moon!"

"Of course I stopped seeing her so close to the full moon! As if I need the constant reminder of the Lunar cycle to the fact that I'm a monster that no muggle or person should ever have to coexist with. It's bad enough that I live here with Harry in the house. What if I bit him, too?!"

"Oh so it's because she's a muggle, too? I never would have pegged you for dumping someone for such stupid reasons, Remus. Or maybe I have since you broke up with McKinnon for the same reason! And Prewitt! And—"

"Stuff it! I don't need a blow by blow of my failed relationships, James," Remus interrupted, his eyes shining darkly.

James' eyes flashed, "Well maybe your relationships wouldn't fail if you didn't force them to! You mope around because you can't, or more realistically won't, have Jean or Mary or Fabian or anyone but it's because you won't let yourself! Jean is a wonderful person and you two get along extremely well, Remus!"

"You know nothing about this!" Remus yelled as he crumpled Dumbledore's letter in his hands, vibrating with rage, "You know nothing about being a werewolf mister James fucking perfect Potter."

"No, I don't know what it's like to be a werewolf. But I do know that it's not something that should stop you from having a relationship! The right person—"

"There is no right person!" Remus roared as he threw the book he had been clutching in his hands towards James.

James quickly ducked out of the way of the flying book and stared at Remus, his eyes hard and cold. Remus' face was twisted into a snarl, his teeth bared and his eyes angry as he looked back at James.

"You need to calm the fuck down," James said as calmly as he could muster.

"No, I really don't. I'll be back later," Remus replied as he grabbed his coat and walked out of the house.

James stared at the place where Remus had been standing just moments previously before turning at the sound on the stairs. He looked at Sirius as he stepped around the corner.

"What was all the yelling for?" Sirius asked, his eyes searching the room.

"Remus and his furry problem," James snapped, "Dumbledore is willing to hire him for a position at Hogwarts and Remus went off the wall because I had owled Dumbledore about it a few weeks ago. What he's really upset about is his being a werewolf. Now he's left and I don't know where he went nor do I really care right now."

"Why did you owl Dumbledore about a posting for Remus?" Sirius asked.

"Would Remus have done it?"

"No, but that doesn't explain why you did."

"Well, I was owling him anyway about Harry and the prophecy. I thought of it while writing because Remus had mentioned the research he was doing and that he hadn't been able to find a job lately. I thought I was helping."

"Well, I'm sure you thought you were helping but did it ever occur to you that Remus would want to get a job on his own and by his merits, not yours?" Sirius asked and then frowned, "Fuck. When did I become the reasonable thinking one? Clearly I need to get out more."

"You feeling ok, Padfoot? That did not sound like you at all. But, maybe you're right. When he gets back I'll apologize to him I suppose."

"You'd better because I refuse to live in a house where I'm not the biggest drama queen!" Sirius said as he raised his face towards the ceiling and closed his eyes dramatically.

James rolled his eyes, "I don't think I can keep living with you if you're going to be that dramatic."

"Hey, I had to hold in my dramatics for three years, Prongs! Three! I deserve some dramaticism. And chocolate."

"You can't eat chocolate. You're a dog, remember? Also, it was more like two years, but whatever."

Sirius pouted, "You mean if I eat chocolate in my human form I'll die?!"

"Dunno. Sounds logical to me."

Sirius fell to his knees and held up his arms, "Nooo! The horror! The horror!"

"Oh my god just go eat chocolate! I need to floo your cousin."

"Andie? Why?"

"No, the other one. Narcissa."

"What the hell does she want?"

"I don't know. She sent a note via floo asking me to floo back. I didn't even know people not on my approved list could do that. I'll have to talk to Gus and Cirri about strengthening our limitations with floo."

"I wonder what Cissy wants. Nothing good, I'm sure, considering her pompous dirtbag of a husband."

"Maybe she wants to make amends?"

"Or get with another pureblood who's now technically on the market, more likely. I bet old Lucius is a cod in bed."

James frowned and paled, "I really didn't need that image, thanks. And in any case, I'm not 'on the market'. You know Lily was my one and only."

Sirius shrugged, "Yeah, I know. But she also wouldn't have wanted you to be alone forever, either. Lily-love would have wanted the best for you and Harry and nothing else."

"Yeah, I know. I'm just…I'm not ready. I'm going to go floo Narcissa."

"Cool. I'm going to find some chocolate. Maybe a beer. Or a chocolate beer. Yum!"

James watched as Sirius walked off with a bounce in his step at the prospect of potentially finding a chocolate beer somewhere in the fridge. He smiled and shook his head, there definitely wasn't any chocolate beer left because Remus probably polished off the last bottle.

As he made his way to the library James contemplated what in the world Narcissa Malfoy could want from him. He highly doubted it had anything to do with him being a bachelor. Even the thought of himself being a bachelor made him cringe. He glanced down at the wedding band he still wore, the shine of the gold still prominent even after the last few years. He rubbed his thumb along the band as he walked into the library and over to the fireplace. He quickly grabbed a pinch of green powder and threw it onto the logs before saying his destination. Then he popped his head into the fire and watched the world spin.

~ID~

Remus shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked down the lane and away from Potter Manor. He was fuming; he was so angry he was surprised that there wasn't any actual steam coming from his ears. Where was James coming from thinking it was appropriate for him to send a letter to Dumbledore about employment for himself? Surely James didn't think he was that incompetent, did he?

As he walked he occasionally kicked at stones that lay in his path. He listened to each of them clatter away from him as he went wherever his feet took him. As the sun began setting, everything around him was bathed in a soft golden hue. Remus couldn't help but to admire the colors around him while he walked. The golden tone bounced off of the trees around him as he watched it peek in and out of the gaps between the leaves. Sometimes he wished he were more artistically inclined like Sirius because then maybe he could have drawn or painted the beautiful scene and colors. He quickly shook his head at this thought, the most he could draw were some really crude stick figures. You'd be lucky if you could figure out they were stick figures, anyway.

Suddenly, Remus became very aware that he recognized the road he was on. He looked around quickly, glancing at the fronts of houses in the quite suburban neighborhood before he found the one he recognized. He never realized that he was walking this direction. Having only been there once, Remus didn't realize that he even remembered the way there.

He watched as the door to the house opened and Jean stepped out with a watering can, a white and yellow sunhat sat on top of her head, complimenting the dark browns and reds that made up the coloring of her lightly curled hair. She bent over her rose bushes and watered them as she smelled a few of the blossoms there. They were bright orange; Remus couldn't remember ever seeing an orange rose let alone one that beautiful.

He watched as she closed her eyes, taking in the scent, before she turned to the other bush and watered that one, too. He was so engrossed in watching her, that he didn't notice himself walking toward her house and up the paved driveway. He was about six feet away when she spoke.

"Good evening, Remus."

Remus blushed and ran his fingers through his hair, "Hello, Jean. Lovely evening, eh?"

She turned and smiled at him, he couldn't help but notice that she had such a beautiful smile, "I thought so. My roses here needed a little love. They're not enjoying the summer heat."

Remus reached behind Jean and carefully pulled a rose off the bush. Unbeknown to Jean, Remus did use a severing charm to remove the flower.

He carefully put the flower in her hair so it sat behind her ear, "Well, I think they're beautiful. I've never seen orange roses."

"They're my favorite," Jean said, smiling, "They're a special species. You can buy all sorts of colored roses but the orange ones are the best."

"I'm sorry I've been distant these last few weeks."

"I was wondering how long it would take you to come apologize to me. What's been going on?"

"It's just…something I had to figure out on my own. I'm not really the relationship type, Jean. I'm—broken."

"That makes two of us," Jean said quietly as she looked down at Remus' hand. It had, without his intentions, clasped Jeans' hand. She carefully rubbed her thumb along the side of his hand as she looked up into his eyes.

As he looked into her dark brown eyes, Remus leaned down and kissed her. She tasted like cooked marshmallow and chocolate. Remus couldn't help but to lick her lips, savoring the delicious combination of flavors. Jean moaned and parted her lips for him, pushing herself closer to him and placing a hand on his chest. He held her waist tightly, his strong arm locking her into place as he feasted on her delicious mouth.

"Jean! Who's this wanker?!"

Remus and Jean broke apart suddenly and looked around for the person yelling at them. Remus caught sight of an average sized man with salt and pepper hair wearing jeans and a T-shirt that had something to do with a thing called Doctor Who, whatever that was. Jean immediately began blushing and untangled herself from Remus.

"Rick. What are you doing here?"

"Never mind that, who's this wanker and why is he all over you? Should I phone the police?"

Jean frowned, "No. This is Remus. I've told you about him."

Rick stiffened and looked Remus up and down before continuing slowly, "Yes. The gentleman who's been ignoring you."

"He hasn't been ignoring me, Rick. And he came to apologize to me. I think he did so quite well if you ask me."

"Jean, are you serious? He's been jerking you around for weeks. What do you see in him?"

"Come off it, you have no say in who I do and don't date."

"Of course I do! I'm your best friend."

"Right. That doesn't necessarily give you a say in whom I date!" Jean said sharply, "We've discussed this."

This caused Rick to go red in the face, "Jean, really—"

"Enough," Jean snapped as she turned back to Remus, "I'll phone you later, ok? Let me deal with Rick."

"Sure," Remus said quietly as he assessed the situation carefully. Remus gave Jean a quick peck on the lips before turning on his heel and walking away. As he turned, he caught a glimpse of Ricks face. Written all over him was clearly hurt and longing. As he made his way home Remus thought over the entire encounter and came to a conclusion. One thing was clear to him, Rick absolutely did have feelings for Jean. So, what did this mean for Remus?

Author's Notes:

Thank you for reading Ignoring Destiny! Please like, follow, and review!