A/N: This chapter owes it's inspiration to the Deathly Hallows. I know I said I wasn't altering anything in the story, and rest assured all major plot lines are still unchanged, but this is really just filler and probably would have happened anyway, though at a different time. If you haven't read book seven yet, it doesn't actually give anything anyway, and the event in question occurs in chapter one, but I thought I'd put in a warning just in case.

There aren't any other foreseeable Deathly Hallows adjustments, though I think the people who killed characters I liked may meet rather messy ends in the final battle…

One final notice – I'm in the process of editing Fire Burns, sorting out any inconsistencies etc. If anyone noticed any blatant mistakes or something, can you let me know? I think I've got most of them, but you never know.

Now, enjoy!

x – X – x

Chapter 52 – Thanks for the memories

"So, how long have you guys been…?" The smaller boy's voice trails off, dark brown eyes flickering nervously between them, ice pack held firmly in place on his left arm.

"Couple of months," shrugs the blond boy, cool brown eyes showing no emotion. Regulus nods and looks at her next, a kind of desperation his in expression, like if only he can keep talking, keep things normal, he can pretend his world hadn't just veered drastically off course. She considers his question, frowning a little because she's genuinely not quite sure.

"Since January or thereabouts," she says at last, smiling with a vaguely apologetic air. "It's a bit of a blur."

Regulus nods again, swallowing hard. "Does it stop-?"

"Hurting? After a bit, yeah," she assures, reaching for his arm and pulling the ice off it. "Let me see."

Regulus lets her examine his arm, trying not to look at the black tattoo that's emblazoned across it, but when she trails a finger across it, he suddenly pulls away, clutching at his stomach.

"I think I'm going to-"

The blond boy pulls a face as their younger companion makes a dash for the bathroom.

"Bit of a lightweight, isn't he?" he remarks, as the sound of retching reaches their ears. His expression is hard to make out in the dying flames of the fire, but the tone of his voice betrays his amusement. The common room's empty apart from them – everyone else went to bed hours ago, but they stayed awake to wait for the newest recruit's return.

"Give him a break - you didn't take it all that well if I remember correctly," she says calmly, giving him a slightly reproving look. "Right little wimp, weren't you?"

"I was not," he scowls, and she grins.

"Yeah you were. Robert Avery, smart aleck pureblood snob reduced to swooning by a bit of pain." She smiles slyly, meeting his gaze in the dim glow of the fire. "Remember what you said when I found you? 'You're not what I expected'?"

"Well you weren't," says Robert, shrugging carelessly. "How was I to know the quiet little muggleborn was a vicious miscreant? Talk about misleading first impressions." He sighs, giving her a rueful smile. "Quite the angelic demon, aren't you?"

She smiles, hearing the door of the boy's bathroom open again. "Quite."

Regulus rejoins them, black hair only serving to highlight the paleness of his face.

"All right?" she asks, watching him grip the back of the nearest chair and gaze fixedly into the fire.

"Fine."

"Really?" It's Robert who asks this time, and she smiles faintly, because at least he's cutting the kid some slack now.

Regulus frowns a little, tilting his head to one side, though his gaze doesn't leave the fire.

"No, not really. Don't feel sick anymore, though." He looks at them, attempting a grin, though his heart doesn't really seem to be in it. "Still, no doubt Mother and Father will be pleased."

She exchanges a look with Robert, suppressing a grin. Ever since Malfoy mentioned Regulus Black was going to join, they've been arguing over his motive. Robert had bet her a galleon that Black was joining for the sake of the Cause, whereas she'd been adamant it was purely out of duty to his family's name.

"Bet they'll be over the moon," Robert murmurs, a glimmer of sour amusement in his eyes because he knows she's not going to let him forget he lost the bet and is determined to try and bring her good mood down. "Don't reckon your parents were too thrilled, though, Kat."

She matches the sardonic gleam in his eyes and smiles with a deceptive sweetness that she knows he'll be able to see through. "Oh I don't know. Depends which set you're referring to."

Regulus frowns a little, not following their conservation. "Katherine?"

Now it's her turn to frown. That's not Regulus' voice.

"Katherine? Oi, wake up sleepy head."

Wake up? But she's already awake. Or maybe she dozed off in the common room – it is rather late after all. She blinks, rubbing her eyes as the room starts to blur at the edges-

"Kit, it's for you."

Katherine stared uncomprehendingly into dark green eyes for a second, then her mind readjusted itself. She wasn't at Hogwarts, she was in London, at home, and, from the dull ache in her back, had probably spent the night on the sofa.

She suppressed a sigh, pushing away the feeling of disappointment that threatened to fill her. She missed Hogwarts, missed Regulus – proof, if she'd needed any, that first impression were indeed deceiving. Who could have guessed that that scared fourteen year old boy would one day break through Lord Voldemort's enchantments and steal one of his most prized possessions?

Still, no use dwelling on the past – she and Robert had finished what he could not, and Potter would doubtless do the rest. He'd certainly lived up to his reputation thus far-

She suddenly realised that Ophelia's amused look was rapidly changing to worry, so she sat up, taking the white envelope from her hand and smiling apologetically.

"Sorry," she mumbled, running a hand through messy hair. "Not quite awake, yet. What am I doing on the sofa?"

"Don't know – we came home at about four this morning. I suppose you couldn't find the bed." Ophelia grinned, the expression making her look positively impish. "Remember much?"

Katherine thought about it, the memories coming back with some difficulty. Yesterday had been Valentine's Day and Nicola had come round, and then…

"There was alcohol."

"There was indeed," smiled Ophelia, with a mildly mournful expression, and Katherine remembered her resolution to stick to soft drinks all night. "Still, being sober has its advantages. Don't know where Nicola disappeared to."

"She'll be all right," said Katherine, smiling, a wicked glint in her eye. "She has a habit of leaving a string of broken hearts behind her."

"Never found anyone worth sticking around for?" asked Ophelia, sitting herself down in an armchair and grinning too. Katherine shrugged, slitting open the envelope and pulling out the card.

"Don't think she ever stuck around long enough to find out." She chuckled as she flipped the card open and scanned the contents.

"What is it?" asked Ophelia curiously.

"Late Valentine," said Katherine happily, tossing it over to her.

"'Dear R, as if I could.'" she read, then looked up at Katherine, utterly bewildered. "As he could what? Love you?"

Katherine laughed at that, shaking her head and reclining on the sofa once more. "No, nothing like that." She grinned as Ophelia eyed the card dubiously before setting it down on the table. "I sent him forget-me-nots," added Katherine, by way of explanation, gazing at the ceiling, an amused smile still playing round her lips.

"Who?"

"Alastor."

Ophelia frowned, dark eyes searching Katherine's face. "Who's Alastor?"

"Hmm? Oh, he doesn't really use that name, does he? What's his nickname? Oh yes, Mad Eye. Mad Eye Moody."

There was a long pause, then Ophelia said slowly:

"You sent Mad Eye Moody flowers?"

"Well I don't think he's got any love interests," said Katherine, keeping her voice deliberately casual. "I thought he might be feeling a little left out."

"So you sent him flowers?" Ophelia's voice heightened in incredulity. Katherine raised her head, looking serenely at the younger woman.

"What's wrong with that?"

"Aside from the fact that he's an Auror? The Auror in charge of the search for you, no less."

Katherine waved a hand carelessly. "Alastor's all right."

Ophelia stared at her, clearly thinking she'd finally lost what few marbles she had left, but Katherine only smiled, shutting her eyes once more. She heard Ophelia sigh and get up, and a minute later there was the sound of water being poured into the kettle.

"Speaking of Aurors," called Ophelia's voice from the kitchen. "I saw Mary in Diagon Alley this morning-"

Katherine opened her eyes, glancing at the clock on the wall; it was two in the afternoon. That might explain the brightness of the sunlight streaming in through the windows – she'd put it down to the after effects of excessive alcohol consumption.

"-and she said one of them got married yesterday."

Katherine peered over the top of the sofa, a bemused expression on her face. "Well that's nice, isn't it?" Something about the younger woman's voice wasn't quite right – like there was something odd about the news. Ophelia glanced around, eyebrows raised slightly.

"To a werewolf."

"What?" Katherine sat up properly this time, looking slightly alarmed.

"I know," said Ophelia, taking a couple of mugs out of the cupboard. "Complete spur of the moment thing, apparently. Weird, isn't it?" She looked back at Katherine, her grin freezing at the sight of the empty room. "Kat?"

x – X – x

Tonks almost dropped the box of papers she was carrying at the abrupt appearance of the wanted criminal in the corridor of Auror HQ.

"Wha-?" she began, but Katherine wasn't in the mood for questions.

"I want a word with you."

"Now?"

"No time like the present." Tonks thought about arguing, but Katherine grabbed her arm and pulled her into the nearest office, taking the decision firmly out of her hands. "You married Remus."

"You heard," murmured Tonks, setting the box down on a table and looking up at Katherine.

"Oh yeah," agreed Katherine, a slightly manic gleam in her eyes. "Everyone's heard, Tonks."

"And you've got a problem with it?" challenged Tonks, lifting her head a little higher and meeting her gaze.

"Me? 'Course not – you love him, he loves you, you make a lovely couple, no, I haven't got a problem with you getting married as such, but this is Remus Lupin we're dealing with here. He doesn't do spur of the moment things like that."

"What's your point?"

"My point? Only that he's probably sitting at home right now regretting doing something so rash," said Katherine, and there was a slight weariness to her voice now. "Go home, Tonks. Before he runs."

"He wouldn't leav-"

"He would." The conviction in her voice was only strengthened by the serious look in her blue eyes. "Trust me, I know Remus. He'll convince himself he's made a mistake – oh not you, just tying you down, he loves you." She smiled, and there was something like sympathy or understanding in her eyes. "He really does. Never seen him so smitten."

Tonks paused, considering Katherine for a long moment, but there was nothing in her expression that caused her to suppose she was up to anything. Eventually she swallowed and asked:

"Smitten?"

"Completely."

"But I can't leave work-"

"I'll distract them," said Katherine calmly.

"But you'll get caught," said Tonks seriously. "I can't-"

But Katherine was already holding up a hand to stem any excuses. "I went to school with the Marauders – hell, I was engaged to one; I think I picked up a thing or two about making a rapid exit from crime scenes."

"This isn't Hogwarts," pointed out Tonks, but Katherine only grinned.

"You ever tried escaping McGonagall? I'd take the entire Auror department over her." She smiled ruefully and pushed herself away from the door she'd been leaning against. She reached for the handle, then paused, looking back. "Oh, and I almost forgot - congratulations."

She treated Tonks to a brilliant smile before ducking out of the room and heading in the direction of the center of Auror operations. Tonks stood alone in room for a few seconds, then, as yells started up and the sound of running feet reached her ears, she pulled out her wand and Disapparated.

x – X – x

Remus slid a glass across the table, not bothering to look up.

"I was wondering when you were going to show your face."

"Still here, then?" Katherine picked up the glass, sniffing the golden liquid within cautiously.

"Yes," said Remus, and she heard the irritation in his voice but chose to ignore it.

"Good. Congratulations, Rem. You're officially normal."

Remus looked up at her this time, scowling. "You told Tonks I'd run away."

Katherine considered him, glass halfway to her lips. "So you didn't have your bag half packed when she came home?"

"No."

"But you were regretting it." She frowned, tapping one finger distractedly on the side of her glass. "You still are." The frown deepened and she put the glass back on the table, sighing softly. "I take it back – you're not normal."

"'Course I'm not – I'm a werewolf-"

"And she doesn't care. Honestly, Rem, I thought you'd have been happy about that."

"I am, but I can't ask her to throw her life away for-"

"Love? Why not? There are worse things to throw your life away for."

"You never wanted Sirius to do it," shot back Remus, and his expression dark. Katherine's eyes narrowed and Remus smiled sourly. "Hit a nerve?"

"I didn't love Sirius like you love Tonks," said Katherine quietly, not quite meeting his gaze.

"No, you love Snape. Always have done, always will and yet you stayed with Sirius all that time-"

"This isn't about me and Sirius, Remus."

"Isn't it? Or do you just not want it to be?" Katherine sighed, running a hand through her hair and looking down at him with a slightly pained expression on her face.

"You're drunk, Remus."

"No, I'm angry," snapped Remus, glaring at her. "You're supposed to be my friend and-"

"Sirius would be doing exactly the same," cut in Katherine, resting her hands on the table and meeting his gaze with fierce blue eyes.

"You're not Sirius," snarled Remus, rising from his seat and glowering at her. There was a pause while their gazes locked, faces only inches apart, and then Katherine said very quietly: "Oh."

She ran a hand over her face and moved back, leaning against the kitchen counter. "This isn't about Tonks, is it? This is about Bella. I let her go and you're mad-"

"She killed Sirius."

"Yes, she did. Finished him off, at least. I think he was probably dead long before she killed him," she replied, sighing deeply. "Dumbledore should have known better than to keep him cooped up in that house-" She broke off, shaking her head. "But this isn't about Dumbledore – you want to know why I let her go?"

"Helped her escape, Katherine. You could have just let the Aurors take her-"

"No, I couldn't," interrupted Katherine, closing her eyes. "She used the sign – I had to help. Duty bound, Remus. You know about duty, don't you? Very Gryffindor concept, that."

"And you're a Slytherin. Ever heard of treachery?" She opened her eyes again, meeting his accusing glare.

"Of course I have, but the sign was designed by Slytherins, Remus. We don't tend to rely on purity of character – there's a curse attached. Fail to help when asked and something very nasty happens to you."

"What?" asked Remus, curious despite his anger.

"Don't know – it's different for different people. Plays on your worst fears, see? My idea, that." She smiled sourly and met Remus' gaze once more. "So you'll forgive me if I wanted you and Faye in tact. Or maybe you won't, but I won't apologise."

Remus studied her for a moment, face still hard. "Why did you make a pact with Bellatrix Lestrange?"

"Desperate times call for desperate measures," shrugged Katherine, a sour expression on her face. "It's not much fun being hunted by Aurors, you know. Makes you feel better if someone's got your back. No one else was going to look out for us, so we decided to look out for ourselves. Take care of your own and all that."

"But Bellatrix Lestrange?" persisted Remus, sinking back down into his chair. "Why her, Kat?"

"Not just her," said Katherine, shaking her head. "There's a few of us." A small, bitter, smile tugged at her lips. "The old crowd. Me, Lucius, Bella, Rabastan, Leon-"

"Wilkes?"

"Yes."

"Didn't you kill him?" frowned Remus, brown eyes suspicious.

"The protection only works against outsiders," said Katherine, the smile turning a little savage. "You can't use it to stop another member hurting you, or to ask for help against said member. 'Course, other members can help so long as you don't ask them, but like I said, Slytherins don't tend to do that."

"So you could have killed Bella after you rescued her?" asked Remus, raising an eyebrow.

"If I had a death wish," said Katherine, an edge to her voice. "I can't kill her with Tom watching me all the time. If I start acting up he's going to realise something's up. I seriously think it's only because of Severus that I'm still around."

"What?" This time Remus' voice was free of anger, the question generated purely from shock. Katherine pulled a face, as though she'd said more than intended to.

"He got a lot of sway with Tom and he's been protecting me. Think Tom's probably worked out he likes me, but-" She shrugged, bright eyes unusually dull. "Well, he doesn't know the feeling's mutual. So you see, as long as he stays thinking that, Severus has a chance. If we ever got together Tom would kill us both – I'm already a loose cannon, and if he thought Severus could be persuaded to cross him, he wouldn't risk keeping him close. He'd think it a shame, but he can find other followers. Tom doesn't leave things to chance – he went after Potter when he was a baby. If you nip things in the bud, there's no danger of them coming back to bite you." She appeared to consider this for a second, then shrugged and amended: "Most of the time."

Remus was quiet for a little while, then said softly: "You remember when you first came back? You said you'd worked out why he found you."

Hard blue eyes considered him for a moment, then Katherine gave a half hearted shrug. "He thought I'd kill him."

"What?"

"It's what he did – his father abandoned him, so he went after him. Guess he thought Dumbledore might turn me against him, so he decided to get in there first. Kind of worked, I suppose. Liked our dear headmaster less than I liked him, at least."

"But how did he know it was you? I mean, you look like your mum, but that doesn't mean he was the father." Remus stopped, taking in the curious expression on his friend's face.

"Exactly what are you insinuating about my mother, Remus?" asked Katherine, arching an eyebrow and doing her best to bite down the grin that was tugging at her lips.

"Nothing," said Remus quickly, blush creeping over her cheeks. Katherine laughed, waving a hand to show she wasn't angry.

"The age was about right and besides, I had this." She held up her right hand and Remus saw the sapphire studded ring on her finger. "He gave it to her, so he must have recognised it."

"And you worked all this out in Azkaban?"

"I had a lot of time to think," said Katherine calmly, though something about the way she said it made Remus think there was something she wasn't saying there. He sighed, running a hand through his hair and catching sight of the gold ring now on his own left hand.

"Is there any point staying mad at you?" he asked, gazing at the wedding band with a slight frown.

"Maybe. Real question: is there any point making up? I'm only going to do something else to make you mad at me in the future. Just depends which takes the most effort."

"Staying mad, definitely."

"Then call a truce? I won't ask about Tonks and you don't ask about Severus," suggested Katherine, taking the seat opposite him once more and smiling wryly.

"No," said Remus carefully, glancing up at her. "That won't work. How about I won't ask about Severus and you…oh, I don't know, kill Umbridge or something."

"Umbridge?" Katherine frowned a little, trying to remember where she'd heard that name before. "Who's she?"

"The devil's advocate," muttered Remus sourly, leaning back in his chair.

"No, that's my job, Rem," contradicted Katherine, smirking. "Nic mentioned her ages ago, something about- about you. Said she was giving you problems or something."

"I was joking, Kat. Don't kill her," said Remus, shaking his head. "It'll only make things worse."

"Can I hex her?" Remus stifled a laugh. "What?' asked Katherine, looking puzzled.

"Nothing, you just sounded a bit like Sirius, that's all." Katherine grinned, a trace of melancholy in her eyes and Remus smiled. "I know – how's this? I won't mention Severus and you don't mention Dumbledore. Deal?"

Katherine was quiet for a few seconds, considering him. "You want me to ask about Tonks?"

"What?"

"You said it wouldn't work – me not asking about her, and since I'm perfectly capable of ignoring her existence, I'm forced to suppose that the person it wouldn't work for is you."

"Yeah, well," Remus shrugged, eyes fixed on the glass of whiskey in front of him, looking a little sheepish. "I may have bent the truth a little."

"Oh yeah?"

"Like maybe I'd actually finished packing when she came round," he admitted, sighing heavily and glancing up at her. She smiled ruefully and reached for her own glass.

"I guess it's a deal, then."

"With no curse attached?" asked Remus lightly, earning himself an unimpressed glare.

"No curse attached. I think after forty odd years I might be able to trust you." She grinned and raised the whiskey in a toast. "To…not giving up. On anything. Or anyone."

"To not giving up," echoed Remus, gripping his own glass in his hand and grinning back at her. "And to old friends - the best kind there is."

x – X – x

Reviews make me happy. :)