Okay, so I know I said by the end of the week, but I couldn't wait to share this with you guys and hopefully it means you'll get another chapter from me before Monday morning.

So, let me know what you think. As always, I love to hear your feedback and thanks to everyone who has reviewed, favourited and followed this story since I posted it yesterday.

Peace out,

Kiad

xxx

In the Light of The Dark

How to Raise Wolves

Chapter Two - Of Queens, Bishops and Pawns

"You want to do what?" Frank stormed, flying up from his seat and backing away from the two men. "You have gone mad! You will get the lot of us killed with this!"

"Frank sit down and shut up!" Augusta shouted, shocking her son into silence. "If Remus thinks that this is the best course of action then the least you can do hear him out." It wasn't going well Sirius conceded with a sigh. The idea of handing not just Harry but Neville over to the head of the Black family was scaring him almost as much as it was Frank. He knew that when it came to it, Augusta would have the most influence on the direction they were to take, however he honestly couldn't say that this was it.

"I wish I could tell you that this is what is going to save our children." He almost whispered against the silence that had started to permeate the room. "I wish I could tell you that this is what we want. I wish I could tell you that this is exactly the opposite of what we want. But at the moment we have no idea what we want other than protecting the boys, and this is the best we've got. My grandfather has always been a rational man, and considering his age, I would most likely be head of house before the boys start school. We estimate that no matter what the dark lord might have in place to keep him alive, it is unlikely that he will make an appearance before then."

"So, you are going off of your own guess work." Frank snarled, having re-taken his seat after much glaring from Augusta. It had been three days since the funeral of Lily and James and Sirius, attempting to keep face; had kicked up a fuss with Dumbledore over Harry's placement. The headmaster had refused to budge on his decision however, claiming that Harry was completely safe, living with his aunt. If nothing else, it had served as confirmation that he didn't know that Harry was not at Privet Drive and the last step in their plan before moving the Dursleys was to convince the Longbottoms to join them on their move back into the Black family.

"It's more than just guesswork." Remus supplied. "You forget that I went to the cottage not even a week ago. I know what I saw, and I know what my spells picked up. Voldemort is out of action for at least a decade. No witch or wizard could come through that big of a magical backlash and survive without injury."

"Do you think that I would even be considering this if we had another choice?" Sirius growled; his famous temper starting to surface. "I didn't run away for nothing Frank, I wanted out. It just so happens that seeing as I am still the heir, I will one day have a duty to take up the house, whether I want to or not. I don't want to have to do that in five, six, seven years' time with the little knowledge I have right now. I also don't want to have to learn everything about the house and be having to teach Harry at the same time. I know that this is the last thing you want to do, believe me I know, but I can't see a better way to keep us safe. The Black name will give me the leverage I need to go after Dumbledore, but if I am going to do it, I can't do it alone."

"Raising the boys together makes sense." Remus said, taking over from his mate as they continued their double-teaming against the male Longbottom. "The two children of the prophecy could become a powerful weapon for either side of the war. We want to see that threat eliminated. Harry and Neville are not weapons, they are children and the future we are looking at providing for them, give them the best chance to be just that; children. Who do you think Dumbledore will look to once we take Harry out of the equation? Whose door do you think he will knock on next when the child he had earmarked to take down the dark lord is killed in a muggle house fire?"

"We will not force you to do this Frank. We just want what is best for our children."

"Personally, I think the idea is quite ingenious." Augusta said matter-of-factly; causing her son to look at her in shock. "Oh, don't give me that look you stupid boy, their plan is the surest way of protecting the children whilst sticking one to the old coot up in the castle. Sirius is right, Albus thinks of the followers of the light as pawns in his great game against Voldemort. What he fails to comprehend are that people are people, not playthings to do with as he wishes. If their suspicions are correct and that the prophecy is false, that Dumbledore had something to do with it being leaked and that he knew about Pettigrew from the start, then where better for us to go than the dark? He will not allow us to stay neutral, you know that, and if we stay with the light, he will get us killed one way or another."

"So, you agree that this is what is best for the boys?" Alice asked her mother-in-law.

"I do. This is the only way to give them protection before they start school, and if Sirius is correct in the assumption that he will be running the house by then, it might just give us the chance to protect them in school."

"I still don't like it." Frank said with a scowl.

"Neither do we." Remus responded. "But if you have a better idea that ensures the boys get on the train to Hogwarts at eleven, unharmed and with iron-clad protection then please feel free to share it with us. If the situation changes then so will our plans; but right now, our focus should be on protecting ourselves, Harry and Neville."

"They killed people Remus. How can we expect to raise children in an environment like that? It isn't just the murders, we've all heard the stories of what they do to women and small girls. How will we be able to protect them from that?"

"By surrounding ourselves with bishops Frank. Harry and Neville will be raised by us not Deatheaters. We will teach them all we can about both sides of the war then let them make their own minds up. If they turn out darker than expected, then so be it. I'd rather Harry be dark that dead. Say that Harry is our Queen, Neville is our King and any one of us is their bishop. Dumbledore is the opposing king and easily checkmated if we plan our moves correctly. Unlike chess though, Harry and Neville are going to have not just one Bishop on their side, but a whole host of Rooks and Knights to go along with it. Our biggest threats are Dumbledore's pawns, consisting of the rest of the Order, a good portion of which is made up of Weasleys."

"I still don't like it." Frank spat, and the debate continued.

O_o_O_o_O

Over five hundred miles away from the debates happening in Oxford, Minerva was fighting her own internal battle. She was finding it increasingly difficult to function around Dumbledore as though nothing had changed, and she was ashamed to admit that the single malt she saved for emergencies had taken a bit of a hit in the two weeks since Halloween. She had discreetly checked up on the Dursley's and found Remus's deductions to be factually correct, no wards had been placed around the muggle house and they seemed blissfully unaware of the death of Petunia's sister.

She almost envied them. The deaths of the Potters had hit her hard, and with that one thought, she hated Dumbledore more than ever. Because she had information that Sirius and Remus didn't. She knew a terrible truth that was going to devastate them. She only hoped that between them her and Augusta could prevent them from committing a murder.

She picked up the half empty bottle from her bookcase and considered it for a moment, before launching it into the fire with a growl worthy of her ancestors. As she shielded the subsequent explosion she knew what she had to do. First thing in the morning she was taking a trip to Oxford.

O_o_O_o_O

The conversation (argument) had been continuing around her for more than two hours now. Apart from asking a clarifying question or two she'd remained mostly within her thoughts as her husband became more and more irate. She wondered what Lily and James would make of all of this. Of their plan to turn to the other side. What if they would have agreed? What if Sirius's suspicions were correct in the fact that they'd all been manipulated by Dumbledore? She'd already made her mind up on what she wanted to do next. Whatever the two men sat in front of her had cooked up would be guaranteed to be their best chance of survival. Remus was a master of strategy; always being able to look three moves ahead and Sirius had a cunning streak worthy of any Slytherin.

In truth; she was exhausted. She wished she could close her eyes and pretend that none of this had happened. That Lily and James were alive, that they weren't now trying to figure out how to survive themselves, and that she was back at the manor; sat in her own chair and chatting to her best friend about how their boys were growing up so quickly. She also knew that Lily and James had a secret. Something that only she and four others now knew. She would keep her promise, and Lily's secret, hoping that it would be enough to see another child survive the next decade.

"You should go to bed." She jerked awake at Remus's voice and his soft grip on her forearm, which she now realised was preventing Neville from sliding from her grip. She shifted her son further onto her lap, glad that he hadn't woken with her and nodded tiredly.

"If it's any help I think you're doing the right thing." She said groggily, standing up and glancing at her husband before settling her gaze onto Sirius. "Whatever you decide to do, I'll follow you both one hundred percent. I trust you both to keep us safe. You haven't failed us so far and I know you never will." With one last glance at Frank she retired to their temporary bedroom, placing Neville in his cot and changing before climbing into bed. She knew that her husband would not be won over so easily. She also knew that he would be won over eventually. She just hoped that they would all be safe until he came to the realisation that this was the best thing they could do to protect themselves.

O_o_O_o_O

The silence that had been left by Alice's departure was suffocating. Remus knew that if they didn't manage to convince Frank then their plans would fall apart. Sirius wouldn't want to do this on his own, and Remus couldn't blame him. Sirius had left his home and family for several reasons and going back to them was anathema to Sirius's spirit. The last couple of weeks had been nothing short of horrendous, and it didn't seem as though thing were going to become much better. They couldn't ignore what the dark sect was, or what it had done, but at the same time, staying with the light was going to get the lot of them killed.

"I don't know if we can do this." Frank whispered; finally breaking the silence. "I know that Alice seems all for it, but in the long run I don't know how far we can go with this scheme. If you go back to your family, we'll end up consorting with the likes of the Malfoys Sirius. Narcissa is your closest cousin and has a young boy. I can't see Arcturus turning down the opportunity for the three of them being raised together."

"We know." Remus replied; when it became clear that Sirius wasn't going to answer. "Despite your allegations, we have thought all aspects of this scheme through and we still think that it's the best thing for all of us. We've all heard the stories of what the Deatheaters do. We know all the gory details and yet we are willing to give this our best shot. Reluctantly I'll admit, but we are willing. If all goes relatively well then, we can be merely unmarked supporters, helping in the field of politics rather than actually participating in raids. You move the Longbottom seat well into the grey sect, with the pillars of Black and Potter holding down either side. The Blacks have always skirted on the edge of Dark/Grey and likewise the Potters were always Light/Grey. It has only been in the last century or so that things have started to change because of the war. When the boys come of age we will have easily enough seats between our three houses to carve out our own agenda within the Wizengamot. We just have to get our boys there first."

"And you are positive that this is the safest way possible?" Frank asked.

"Yes." Sirius's reply was direct, strong and filled with determination. His expression was about as honest as Augusta had ever seen it, the Black her keeping himself closed off and cold most of the time. Here however, was a young man who believed in his plan so strongly that he was willing to open himself up to such scrutiny from her son. Augusta was close to losing it with Frank herself. She understood his reluctance, but she had made sure that he wasn't blind to the headmaster's dealings and had filled him in with a lot of information she had gleaned from Minerva, once the transfiguration mistress had renewed her mindscape. Her son was now treating these two men how she expected to have to treat Dumbledore, and she couldn't help but feel pity for the pair who had lost everything on Halloween. It could have easily been Frank and Alice who had been at the end of Voldemort's wand, and she would have been left to raise her grandson alone. Instead these two men had not only rescued them from Deatheaters but from Dumbledore as well; and were now giving them a chance to raise their boys together in a safe environment.

"I don't much care for what the dark does." She said, her lips thinning, and her eyes darting to her son. "But, I agree with Remus that this is the safest way to raise our children and give them a platform through the Wizengamot when they come of age. As you know, only my son may speak for house Longbottom, but I personally pledge not just my allegiance, but my support to both of you in your endeavours. I would be honoured to stand with you in this matter."

"Mother I must protest!"

"Hush Frank mother is speaking." She bit back, cutting her son off with a glare. "I will follow whatever path the pair of you take to protect both my family and the two boys, and I will place myself within your command. Whatever you ask of me, I will do my best to achieve."

"Your pledge is gratefully acknowledged Augusta." Sirius answered. "But I must stress that it is unnecessary. I do not wish for power, just safety."

"Then you have much learning to do young Black. For your family craves power above all else; and uses it to their advantage. I have watched and respected Arcturus for many years, and despite the circles much of your family move in, he has always remained steadfast in the belief that it is family before everything else. Toujours Purafter all means; always pure. Not in the pureblood dogma sense, but in that the family must remain pure, always putting itself before any outside influence to remain true to itself and its beliefs."

"Then I graciously accept your allegiance and request that you assist me with learning everything about my house my parents omitted from my teachings."

"Your parents did you and your brother a great disservice if you know so little as to be having to ask for my help, nevertheless I will gladly give it to assist you in furthering your goals."

"I really think we should talk about this first." Frank sputtered out, unable to contain himself for much longer.

"We have." Augusta replied. "And Sirius has just received my answer. Now I will retire for an early night. We have much work to do in the morning."

"We also are growing weary Frank." Remus said, his eyes starting to turn amber, as his exhaustion brought forward his wolf. "So if you have nothing constructive to add to the conversation then I suggest tending to Alice and going to bed. James and Lily's deaths have hit all of us hard, we shouldn't be arguing like this. We need to stick together, for the boys if nothing else. Go to Alice and Neville Frank. We can continue this in the morning." Frank looked as though he was desperate to argue but a stern glare from Augusta had him issuing his goodnights and trudging to their room despondently.

"Thank you." Sirius said, relief washing over him as he nodded to Augusta. "I'm not sure how much more of this I could take tonight."

"Hopefully you'll not have to suffer much more full stop." The woman replied. "If I don't talk him around, Alice will. Have faith young Black, I predict we will all be safe by this time next week. Get some rest, we have much to do tomorrow and many plans to make within the coming weeks." Both men nodded their thanks and goodnights to the elder matriarch as she left to prepare for bed before turning their attentions to each other and to Harry. Within half an hour their flat was silent and, curled together on a magically enlarged sofa the two men's dreams were, for the first time in weeks; peaceful.

O_o_O_o_O

The morning dawned bright but cold over Oxford and a low mist hung in the air, rising from the Thames and clinging to the buildings. It was on mornings like this; when the world was silent that he was able to sort out his thoughts, away from the confines of the flat. He hadn't known whether to strangle or hug Sirius when the old dog had handed him a university ID, acquired no doubt, with the use of confundus charms but, he'd certainly intended to make full use of the thing. In truth, in the four years that they had been there, he'd visited the colleges only a handful of times; the war and the order having taken over everything and the chance to fully explore the wonderful city that they had begun to call home had yet to rear it's head. Sure, they'd enjoyed the night life, much to his chagrin and Sirius's delight, but he'd yet to find a favourite quiet drinking hole, coffee stop or even restaurant. Folly bridge however, had quickly become his favourite quiet place.

Just a 15-minute walk from the Doghouse; he'd started to frequent the spot every time he needed to escape the flat, just to sit and think. Sitting on the bridge with a quick notice-me-not and a couple of repelling charms, he'd come to fully appreciate the view down the river and at this time of day, before the larger boats had started to come and go, and the only traffic was an odd car or rower it was perfect.

"I thought I'd find you out here." He smiled softly as Sirius climbed onto the bridge to join him.

"I needed air and time to think." A comfortable silence fell over them and Remus felt himself leaning into his mate's side, Sirius's arm wrapping around his waist as he did so. Their relationship (if that is what you could yet call it), had become the centre point of most of his musings, as of late. Neither one of them had wanted to raise the subject before James and Lily had gone into hiding; the threat of the war was just too big of an obstacle, now though? Now he didn't know how or even when to approach Sirius with the topic.

"We need to talk." Sirius said softly, much to his surprise. It appeared as though he'd failed to comprehend how much his mate would be thinking in the same direction as he had.

"I think I like you." He blurted out, stupidly. He kicked himself for the clumsy approach and could have hit Sirius when the man started to chuckle at the side of him.

"Well I should hope so too Moony my old bean. Look you've gone all pink." Remus rubbed his cheeks as if to rub away the flush that had risen to the surface, only causing Sirius to chuckle even harder. He growled and only half-playfully punched the man's arm. Sirius out-right laughed at that and he felt indignation turn to annoyance at the fact the man seemed incapable of having a serious conversation; pun intended or not. Luckily for both of them the man's laughter started to abate, and he once again wrapped his arm around Remus, pulling him back into his side. "I love you too, you crazy werewolf." He said softly. "But I wasn't talking about that."

"Oh." His disappointment was almost palpable, and he knew that Sirius had seen it, the moment he pulled back to look at him. Well here goes nothing. "It's just that we're going to have to have the conversation about us before you meet with your grandfather." He rushed out. "It's one thing you going back to your family, but bringing a werewolf with you? You're going to need a damn good explanation for that one."

"Moony, when I said I love you…" He felt his heart lurch and immediately knew he had to back track fast before any further damage was wrought.

"Why what did you think I meant?" He asked; ignoring the small voice in the back of his head telling him that denial wasn't going to get him anywhere. At Sirius's blank look he continued to play off the whole thing. 'Style it out you idiot' the voice muttered. "I meant that we're going to need to look into my position before you talk to him. I mean," His confidence faltered, "if you think I should come with you."

"Of course you're coming with me." Sirius said with a frown. "Why wouldn't you? You're my best friend." 'Ouch'.

"Until not long ago that position was held by James." He hadn't meant to say that, and he definitely hadn't intended it to sound bitter or biting in the least. At Sirius's strange look he decided to shrug the whole thing off. "Forget it Padfoot. It doesn't matter." 'Nice going' he silenced the voice, pushing the thought into the back of his head and went back to stare out across the river. The atmosphere had grown tense and the content that had arrived with Sirius had been replaced by a hollow feeling in his chest. "So, what did you want to talk about?" He asked, inconspicuously sliding away from the man's side to put some space between them. Luckily, Sirius seemed deep in thought and hadn't noticed his attempt at distance so the only thing he had to worry about was what was going to come out of the man's mouth next.

"I think we need a change of tack with Frank." 'Whew awkward moment over' He crushed the voice once again and hitched on an interested expression.

"How do you propose we proceed?" He asked. He was trying to sound interested but all he could think about was going back to bed. The cold that had been refreshing and calm now seemed biting and he could feel it seeping into his bones. He turned and hopped off the bridge, thanking his lucky stars that Sirius followed suit, and he started to lead them back to the flat, all whilst concentrating on keeping his expression neutral as the man started hashing out a plan to deal with their Longbottom problems.

O_o_O_o_O

"You're quiet." Alice said, bouncing Neville on her lap. "I'd have thought the walk this morning would have done you good." It had turned out that she'd been up almost as long as he had and had watched over both boys when Sirius had disappeared out to find him. The Black heir, Frank and Augusta were currently situated in the kitchen, Sirius trying out the plan he'd talked himself into on their way back to the flat, and he and Alice had been left to look over the boys whilst negotiations were taking place.

"I'm an idiot." He mumbled, brushing his hand over a sleeping Harry's head.

"Am I to take it you tried and failed to talk about your feelings with the idiot in there?" She said with a snort nodding towards the kitchen. He nodded his head despondently and a smirk appeared on her pretty features. "Let me guess, you bottled it." He nodded again and felt anger bloom in his stomach at her huff of laughter. He felt heat rising in his throat and before he knew it, he had started to wipe his eyes as his frustration leaked out of them in fat, salty tears. It had been the one thing he hadn't done yet. Not even at the funeral had he shed tears, and now here he was like an idiot crying over the stupid, immature bastard that was Sirius Black.

Alice felt guilt and pity worm their way into her stomach and placed Neville on the floor to have a crawl, plucking Harry out of the man's arms and laying him in his cot. She sat down at the side of him and pulled him into a hug, rubbing his shoulder as she felt his heart break; all over her jumper. "You're both idiots." She muttered as he snaked his arms around her. "He's definitely the bigger idiot but you've both got enough stupidity to go around."

"I love him." He choked out, the voice in his head laughing at him for his weakness.

"I know you do love." Alice replied. "But he's not ready to hear that just yet. Especially with everything else going off. Soon that will change but at this moment, it's just not meant to be." She didn't understand. Nobody could understand he thought bitterly. He didn't just love Sirius; his wolf saw them as mates. Not pack mates or friends but life-mates and the subsequent heartbreak that the morning's events had wrought was dangerous for a werewolf. "Come on." Alice said softly, rubbing his arm. "Let's get the boys wrapped up and go out for a coffee."

He nodded and she scooped up Neville from where he was playing with a stuffed wolf toy by Harry's cot. Harry was now wide awake and was watching the other boy with large green eyes. Remus hitched on a smile and lifted the boy into his arms, passing him the stuffed black dog from the new toy basket by the settee. Alice had taken a trip to the shops within the first week of being in the flat and had bought a selection of toys for the two little ones. The basket contained bricks, plenty of squeaky toys which Remus had later informed her were meant for dogs (much hilarity ensuing) and the three stuffed animals Sirius had rescued from the Hollow.

He went through the motions of pulling on his coat, and scarf, wrapping Harry up in his outerwear and practically ignored Alice when she poked her head into the kitchen, to inform the rest of the house where they were off to. They strapped both boys into their pushchairs and she ushered him out of the house and into the sunshine. It was still cold, but the mist had lifted and the frost had all but disappeared and the sun, although weak was pleasant as they walked into town; keeping an eye on the boys as they pushed them along. Luckily, Neville and Harry seemed more interested in each other than anything else and were gurgling away, having their own little conversation in the way only children could.

"He'd be very lucky to have you." Alice said softly, when it became clear that Remus was near enough a basket case. "Him and Harry both." Not finding it in himself to answer they lapsed into silence as he led Alice further into the city centre. "I found a great coffee place here when I came to get the shopping for the kids."

"Which one?"

"Something about a Queen?" She replied, furrowing her brow. "It was on a corner."

"Queen's Lane." He said nodding and steering her in the right direction. "They do a nice slice of cake."

"You are very comfortable in this world." She said quietly, taking care not to be overheard. "I feel uncomfortable, like they are going to notice something odd about me."

"It's the same world Alice." Remus ground out, gearing up for the same rant he had given Sirius. "We just have abilities that others don't, like some are exceptionally good artists or can remember strings of numbers off the top of their head. We just have to be careful to hide our abilities out here. Limiting ourselves to Diagon, Hogsmeade and the ministry is madness. There is so much more out there to see." Alice smiled and he shot her a glare, knowing exactly what she had done, he received a smirk for his efforts, and he blew out a sigh. "I'm tired Alice." He said softly once his annoyance had passed.

"I know. But think of the chewing out you'll be able to give the idiot when the subject gets raised in front of Arcturus." He quirked an eyebrow at her and she flashed him another smirk. "My dear Remus, anyone with half a brain can see how you two feel about each other. Someone as sharp as Arcturus Black isn't going to miss it."

"It will be fun to see what kind of a face he pulls when I blurt out in front of his grandfather that we are life-mates." That stopped Alice in her tracks, and she whirled around to face him in shock. He shrugged in confusion and she practically dragged him into the café; situating him at a table with a shush and plonking Harry into his arms before hurrying off to order drinks. It wasn't until she was sat back down with their order and privacy spells had been put up wandlessly and wordlessly that she pressed the issue.

"When exactly were you going to tell me that you were a wolf?" She demanded and he looked at her in surprise. "Don't you think that is something we might have wanted to know before embarking on this crazy plan of yours?" He felt his heart sink and readied himself for her forthcoming departure.

"I thought Lily had told you." He whispered, despondently, asking himself how this day could get much worse. "Or Augusta."

"Augusta knows?" Alice growled in indignation. "You told her before me?"

"I'll understand if you want to take Neville and run. I'll be disappointed but I'll understand. But Alice, apart from one night a month where I lock myself away to transform, my lycanthropy doesn't affect me all that much day to day." Okay so that was a lie, but he knew that losing her as friend would be the straw that broke the camel's back, or in this case the wolf's back.

"Oh Remus." She whispered, taking hold of his hands and squeezing them. "I'm not going anywhere. It was just a bit of a shock that's all. I take it James, Sirius and the other one knew?"

"I thought everyone did." He replied softly. "You say that you're uncomfortable on this side of the divide, think how I feel on ours. I walk around feeling like I have werewolf tattooed on my forehead."

"I take it that Moony is more than a nickname correct?" She said sadly; now beginning to comprehend how much this morning's events must have affected the mild-mannered man in front of her. He nodded, not lifting his eyes from Harry's dark hair. "And I take it Moony has already found his partner?" He nodded again.

"The wolf recognises Sirius as my life-mate, my ideal match."

"Just so you know." She said sternly, forcing him to look at her. "This changes nothing between us. I still love you to bits, and I still think you're an idiot. Only now I'm beginning to question who is the bigger one between you and Sirius."

"Definitely Sirius." He replied, relief blossoming in his stomach, along with just a smidgen of hope. "Are you sure that you don't mind? It's just that people don't usually become friends with things like me."

"First of all," The tiny female growled, building herself into a rant. "you are not a thing Remus. Second of all we're already friends so I know exactly who you are. Thirdly, if you ever question my judgment in friends again, I'll hex you so badly you won't be able to have fun with Sirius for a week." He winced at the implied threat towards his jewels and nodded his acceptance.

"I just thought you might view me differently if you knew, and I honest thought you did know."

"I won't lie to you sweetheart; I will view you differently." Alice said softly, but with the slightest hint of a playful smile. "Now I know the reason behind your obsession, I'll make sure you are fully stocked with chocolate around the full moon instead of teasing you for it. I'll make sure that you are allowed to sleep in however long you need when you are going through your time of the month, and I'll never let anyone else judge you for who you are without giving them an earful first. Not only that, I will here and now swear my allegiance and support to you. Not to the Blacks, not to Sirius; but to you. I love you sweetheart, and a little thing like this will never change that. We both lost an amazing friend in Lily; now let's you and I stick together and honour her in the only way we know how."

"Sticking it to the wizards." He said with a grin; fondly recalling the redhead's famous rants over discrimination towards anything not pureblood, male.

"Sticking it to the wizards." Alice repeated with a firm nod.

O_o_O_o_O

He knew something had happened between them that morning, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. But he couldn't dwell over the rather odd conversation he and his pack-mate had shared in the early mist. There was work to do. He had chosen to change tack with Frank and instead of barraging him with information he sat both the wizard and his mother down at the kitchen table, with a fresh pot of tea and instead asked Frank to voice his main concerns with their plan. This meant that the man in front of him was going to have to keep coming up with valid arguments for Sirius to derail, rather than just disagreeing with everything they had said.

"I cannot torture innocents just because of their blood, nor can I stand by whilst someone else does."

"Most of the Deatheaters are in Azkaban." Sirius said. "My crazy cousin, that's Bella not Cissy, was arrested alongside Barty Crouch Jr and the LeStrange brothers, after the large concentration of spell fire at the Arboretum registered at the ministry." This was news to both Longbottoms at the table and he filled them in with the trial and the fifteen-year sentence both had received for attacking a Pureblood manor. He then had Frank list down as many Deatheaters as he could name and Sirius went ahead and crossed out the names that had come from hearsay, just because they allied themselves with the dark.

"The Greengrass family were always neutral until two decades ago and even now it is a known fact that they have a daughter, with another child on the way. Hadrian has never been seen outside of the ministry walls and there more evidence to say that he is a devoted family man than there is to say he's an 'eater. The Gamps are both in their 150s and their family has always leaned towards the dark due to their affinity for sympathetic and empathetic abilities, not to mention the fact that Ulick was the one to establish the DMLE when he was minister."

"The first minister actually." Augusta chipped in, earning her a glare from her son.

"You also have on this list the Zabini woman, which is would be quite a remarkable feat if she can fit 'eater activity between all of those marriages."

"They call her the Black widow." Frank sputtered out with indignation.

"A muggle term coined for women whose husbands seem to mysteriously die not long after marriage. And the name of a muggle comic character who is an absolute badass. But, never mind that, none of the deaths of her husbands were ever treated as suspicious and no charges have ever been brought against her. So, now that your list comprises of people we know are Deatheaters, we can start crossing out the names of those in Azkaban." Sirius once again picked up the quill and by the time he had finished only a handful of names were left; including the Malfoys, who were admittedly their biggest threat, Snape, Nott Senior, Crabbe, Goyle, Karkaroff, Mucliber, Pettigrew, his parents and his brother.

"Not a particularly large list is it?" Augusta asked, raising an eyebrow at her son. "Neither are any of these names belonging to anyone particularly dangerous. The Blacks will be kept in line when Sirius becomes head of house, Crabbe, Goyle and Mucliber are mere thugs, Lucius and Nott are politicians, Karkaroff and Pettigrew are cowards and Snape is a turncoat. I must say that the situation is not as dire as it seems. If the likes of Rookwood, Dolohov and the LeStranges were still at large I'd be worried. As it is, our biggest threats are the Malfoys, and seeing as the Blacks hold primary over Narcissa's marriage; Lucius will be brought to heel before long.

"So, what is your next concern?" Sirius asked, pushing the list to one side and focusing once more on the man in front of him. 'Like chess' He thought. 'Lead him to a checkmate'.

O_o_O_o_O

"How did your meeting go with Frank?" Remus asked as they prepared for bed. He and Alice had stayed in the café for most of the afternoon and as such, he'd missed out on what had happened between Sirius and the other two Longbottoms.

"Good." The Black replied. "I think I managed to get through to him. How was your lunch?" Remus smiled before remembering that Alice was planning on telling Frank about the fact that he was a werewolf in the morning. None of them were going to want to miss that particular discussion.

"Alice knows about my furry-little-problem." Remus said quietly.

"I know. Lily would have told her." Sirius replied with a shrug, unconcerned.

"No. I mean I told her. Today. She didn't know."

"That means…" Sirius blanched as he understood what Remus was trying to tell him.

"She took it really well. She was very understanding. In fact, I now have both her personal allegiance and support, like you have Augusta's." Sirius winced. That would go down well with Frank.

"She is going to tell him in the morning. I figured we all are going to need to be here for this one." Remus left it at that and spread himself out on the second sofa in the room, covering himself over with a muttered 'goodnight.' Sirius was now certain that whatever had happened between them this morning had been a thing but, was honestly too shocked over the newest development to dwell on it. Merlin tomorrow was going to be a corker.

O_o_O_o_O

She was regretting getting rid of her single malt. She needed a stiff drink after the day she'd had. Minerva McGonagall was past angry and heading straight into Scottish rage mode. Albus had kept her busy all day and as such; she'd had no time to visit Oxford to pass on her information. As she prepared herself for bed, she promised herself that she would call first thing in the morning. She was glad it was a weekend.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. And no, Sirius won't stay oblivious forever lol.