The atmosphere in the room changed subtly once Remus signed the document. Nelthorpe beamed his satisfaction. Cleave's posture relaxed. Dix smiled slightly—until his wife entered the study. Dressed in a floral pink dressing gown and high-heeled slippers, Brenda held a tray in her hands. "Business over? Fabby. Let's have tea!"

The solicitor peered at the food with interest. "Do I see tarts?"

"They're tart-shaped biscuits with cherry jam in the centre. Try one!"

"Mister Nelthorpe was just leaving," said Dix.

Cleave stood. "I'll escort you to the cab, sir."

"Here," said Brenda, plunking the tray down on the desk. "Take a few with you." She picked up a serviette. "You have to try a ginger biscuit too, and one of my lemon melts dipped in white chocolate."

Nelthorpe clutched his case in one hand and the linen bundle in the other. "You're too kind, madam."

"Much too kind," Dix said once the solicitor was out of earshot. "That man needed more sweets like your shoes need more feathers."

Brenda laughed as she poured cups of tea. "You can never have too much marabou." She winked at Remus. "I think I'll leave a boa in the wardrobe when we leave—a little housewarmin' gift for the next tenants." She picked up a creamer shaped like a brown and white cow.

"I take my tea plain," said Remus, reading her look.

"I'll do the same," said Dix. He glanced toward the door. "Two sugars as usual, Cleave?"

"Not tonight," said the muscular bodyguard. "I'll have my sugar in biscuits."

Brenda set the creamer down with a thud. Cream dribbled from the "cow's" mouth. "You three are takin' all the fun out of my tea party."

"I could send Cleave and Lupin home," said Dix.

"You wouldn't dare!" Brenda served the men tea before passing round the heaping plate of biscuits. "Sit, Mr. Lupin, and tell me—was Sirius Black really Stubby Boardman?"

Remus took the chair Dix indicated. "Please, call me Remus...and no, he wasn't."

Dix set his teacup and untouched biscuits on the table beside the sofa. He smirked at his wife. "Does that mean you no longer want the Hobgoblins Greatest Hits orb for Christmas?"

She slapped his arm playfully. "Oh, you, 'course I want it. They were my favourite band for ages." Brenda smiled brightly. "What sort of music do you fancy, Remus?"

"Jazz."

"Really? I told Tommy I figured you for the classical type."

Tommy?

Dix said, "My given name is Edmund Thomas Dix." He added wryly, "Please, call me Dix."

"I could tell you my first name," said Cleave, "but then I'd have to use a Memory Charm on you."

"Are you skilled at Memory Charms?" The question was casual, but inwardly Remus wondered if that could be the reason former pack members "disappeared." They had their memory wiped and were sent elsewhere.

Cleave's smile was a flash of white. "There's one way for you to find out."

Remus sipped his tea. "No thank you. I prefer memorable experiences to forgettable ones."

"Me too!" said Brenda. "That's why I never wear boring shoes."

Nymphadora would like her, Remus thought. He said, "Brenda, I'm embarrassed that I don't remember you from school. Were you less—outgoing—then?"

"You mean did I always trowel on makeup and have hair the colour of a baby chick?" Brenda's laugh was hearty. "No, I was the quiet type until Tommy caught my eye. I was determined he would notice me." She fluffed her hair with fingers that glittered with diamonds. "And he did!"

"Such cunning," Dix murmured. "You could have been Slytherin."

"Women of all houses use any means to achieve their ends when it comes to love," said Brenda. She turned to Remus. "Don't you agree?"

He thought of Nymphadora's use of Blood magic. "Yes."

"I've heard you have a partner, Lupin," said Dix. "Why haven't we seen her?"

"The pack hasn't granted permission for her to visit."

"Bring her to the next meeting," said Cleave. "They'll vote her in. The pack needs more females."

They thought she was a werewolf? Why? Remus said, "Nym's on assignment for the next month."

Brenda said, "Nym sounds like a supermodel name. Is she a model? That would be funny—think of the depilatory spells she'd have to use near the full moon!" Abruptly, she frowned. "But werewolves get lines on their face from the change. Does she cover them like I do, with spells and makeup?"

"She's an enquiry agent," said Remus, "not a model...or a werewolf."

Remus saw the look Dix and Cleave exchanged and wondered if he'd made a mistake being honest. Brenda said, "Not were? But—"

"Brenda," said Dix. "It's late. Why don't you go on up to bed? I'll see our guests to the door."

She stood. "You'll do the clearin' up? It's depressin' to be faced with a sink full of dirty crockery in the mornings. Makes me add vodka to my orange juice."

Dix rose. He kissed her cheek. "Yes, love."

"All right, then, I'm off. Goodnight, Cleave. Goodnight, Remus."

"Goodnight Brenda," said Remus. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"It was my pleasure," she said. "And please, take some biscuits home to Will. Lads his age are always hungry."

"Yes, they are. Thank you." Remus remained seated when Brenda left the room. To stand would be a tacit admission that he felt the impulse to run. When the silence became drawn out, he fought the urge to speak. That, too, would be seen as weakness, or guilt. He calmly looked from one man to the other.

Dix smiled slightly. "I want to show you something, Lupin." He made to leave the room.

Cleave jerked his head at Remus. "After you."

The big man followed him closely. Had the bodyguard cast an Anti-Disapparation Jinx that he feared Remus would flee once they were out of the house?

Dix led them to the windowless structure Muggles would have used to store their automobiles. He released the ward on the door and stood back.

Remus entered.

The building was an enormous safe room.

An enchanted torch cast shadows upon the brick walls and cement floor. Overhead, a skylight offered a view of tree branch and a handful of stars. In one corner, food and water dishes waited to be filled. In the centre of the room, ceiling cables held a faceless dummy in protective gear suspended upright.

"Brenda and I tear that thing up every full moon," Dix said conversationally. "Gnaw our way through the pads; rip the head clean off some nights." He walked over to give the arm a tap. "Bit of harmless fun, channelling aggression." The dummy spun in a slow circle. "That would change if a human was locked in this room." He glanced at Cleave. "Can you imagine what we'd do?"

"Tooth and claw, blood and bone," said Cleave, in his deep, rumbling voice.

Remus tensed.

"Ominous turn of phrase, isn't it?" Dix said lightly. "Do you remember your Herbology, Lupin?"

"Somewhat."

"Blood and bone is a component of high nutrient fertiliser." Dix grabbed the dummy by the throat. "Your girlfriend's walking around, not making flowers grow, so either Delia Bowen lied about her kid hearing you two in the safe room, or you're lying to me about your girl not being a werewolf. Which is it?"

"Neither."

"Are you worried about mating season? Afraid another male will challenge you for her?" Cleave prowled forward. "Someone younger, bigger, stronger?"

"No." Remus kept his tone level, even as his eyes flickered around the room. What exactly went on here?

"Oh for Merlin's sake!" Across the room, Brenda broke a Disillusionment Charm. She stomped her foot. "Stop making him think we're the wrong kind of animals!"

Dix said icily, "I told you to go to bed."

"As though I could sleep, knowing what you planned to get up to!"

A muscle twitched in Dix's jaw. "No one lies to me and gets away with it. I need the truth."

"And how is threatening his mate going to help? Why not try asking?" Brenda faced Remus. "Was Lillie mistaken? Did your girlfriend enter the room after sunrise?"

"No. Nym spent the night."

Brenda asked uncertainly, "How could she do that if she's not a werewolf?"

Remus gazed at each person in turn. "Will my answer leave this room?"

Cleave and Brenda looked to Dix. If he was aware of their questioning stares, he didn't show it, yet he clearly answered for all of them. "No."

There was no way to gloss over the truth. "She used Blood magic."

"Ohhh," said Brenda. "Are you bound to her—like a love slave?" Her gaze slid sideways.

Dix lifted an eyebrow. "Don't get any ideas."

"Only my wolf is bound," said Remus. "Not my free will."

Brenda smiled. "It's like that Muggle story," she said. "Only better."

Cleave snorted. "Does Nym have a red riding hood?"

"Or a little red cap made of velvet," said Brenda, "If she's going Grimm instead of Perrault. I know, because I did a report on the two versions for Muggle Studies."

Dix shot the two a silencing look. "How did she bind you?" he asked Remus sharply.

"I don't remember. I was a werewolf at the time."

"I'll ask her myself. Bring Nym to the October meeting."

"It's a Halloween party," said Brenda. "Costumes are optional. Some pack members find them Muggle-ish, but I think they're fun."

Cleave said, "We've never had a Little Red Riding Hood before."

Remus was well aware he was being goaded. The knowledge didn't stop him from replying, "I'll come as a woodcutter."

A gleam appeared in the large man's eyes. "Better bring a sharp axe."

"Unless you're going Grimm," said Brenda. "Because then you'll have to dress as a huntsman, and bring a rifle." She saw her husband's stony face and laughed. "I'm joking. Of course there's no Muggle weaponry allowed. Everyone knows that."

Dix's countenance softened. "Return to the house," he said. "I'll be there shortly."

"Okay, Tommy." Brenda smiled at Remus. "I'll send an owl with the biscuits. Have Will drink them with milk. He's got growing bones." She waggled her fingertips. "Night, boys."

Remus added his goodnight to the others.

Dix stared after his wife. "With Greyback ordering no breeding until after the Dark Lord is in power, Brenda mothers the pack."

"I appreciate her kindness," said Remus.

"Don't expect it from me. I deal fairly by those who deal fairly with me, but those who don't—" He glanced at Cleave, who bared his teeth in a predatory smile.

A frisson of unease crawled its way down Remus' spine. A man—or a wolf—could be held suspended as easily as a dummy. He kept his eyes off the floor, and any possible bloodstains. "Tooth and claw, blood and bone?"

"I told you he was smart," Dix said to Cleave. "Escort him home. The cab should be waiting." He held out a hand. "I think it will be a pleasure doing business with you, John Wolfe."

"Thank you." Remus shook Dix's hand before following Cleave down the bricked path to the circular drive.

The return to Salford was made in silence. The driver had tried to start a conversation, but his attempt was half-hearted, and quickly abandoned.

When the cab pulled over to the side of the road to let Remus out, Cleave said through the open door, "Tell the pup you were on pack business. Nothing else."

"Not even that Brenda will send biscuits?"

Cleave huffed amusedly. "You can tell him that, and I'll tell you this. I'm looking forward to meeting your woman. I like a nice bit of crumpet, and Nym sounds tasty."

Remus turned on his heel. His patience with Cleave's wolf on the prowl routine was wearing thin. Likely, that was the man's intent, to see if he would keep his cool or betray an area of vulnerability. Since he refused to make Nymphadora a target, Remus kept walking.

He deliberately knocked twice and waited a minute before opening the front door. From the look of things, he had interrupted a heated round of Tonsil Quidditch. The boy had blood-red lipstick on his teeth.

"Wait! You're not going upstairs—you have to tell us what happened!" Will ran his tongue over his front teeth, grimaced, and scrubbed them with his fingers.

"It was pack business, but I can tell you Mrs. Dix is sending a tin of biscuits."

Lillie finished tugging her shirt hem down past her abdomen. "Brenda is ace at baking!"

"I don't give a damn about biscuits," said Will. "I want to know what happened. C'mon," he said to Remus. "I'm pack too. I won't tell."

"Me either," said Lillie.

Remus looked steadily at the girl. "Not even your mother?"

"No! I never told her a thing except—oh shite, she told them Nym was here on the full moon?" Splotches of red appeared on Lillie's cheeks. "I told her not to tell anyone." Lillie jumped to her feet and stormed out of the flat, Will hard on her heels, telling her to calm down.

Remus walked upstairs, wondering how long the quiet would last.

-

Tonks covered her face, trying to block the sunlight. There were no drapes on the windows in the east-facing hospital wing. All patients were expected to rise early. Muttering about sadistic witches who murdered sleep, she sat up and punched the pillow.

"Is you wanting breakfast?"

Tonks lowered the pillow. Kreacher stood beside her bed, wearing his usual, dingy attire. She said, "Is I going to be poisoned?"

"No." A gleam of something flickered in watery eyes. "I has no poison."

Her mouth fell open. "Did you just make a joke?" She looked up at the ceiling. "Why isn't the sky falling?" Kreacher appeared puzzled. She said, "You don't have to serve me. I can go down to—why are you shaking your head?"

"The other elves is not wanting you in their kitchen." Kreacher's lips curved up. "You is banned."

"Banned?"

"Forbidden. Barred. Prohibited."

Tonks glared. "I know what it means. I just don't understand how they can do that! All I did was stop them from taking your tea towel."

Kreacher's lip curled. "House-elves here is self-governing."

She laughed in disbelief. "A kitchen republic by the elves, for the elves? Ha!" Tonks hopped off the bed. "Fascist state is more like it, stomping on the rights of the individual." She stabbed her finger at Kreacher. "If you want to wear a tatty, disgusting rag, you should have the freedom to do it!"

Madam Pomfrey bustled into the ward. "Auror Tonks!" she said sternly, "Mind your tone. I could hear you all the way down the corridor."

Tonks grabbed her denims off the chair and yanked them on, fastening her robes while stamping her feet into her boots. "You won't have to worry about that any more. I'm discharging myself."

The mediwitch held up her wand. "I should cast a diagnostic."

"I haven't eaten and I'm hacked off. I probably have low blood sugar and elevated blood pressure, but I'm fine." Tonks smiled thinly. "Thank you for all your care."

She strode out of the ward, thinking if Pomfrey followed, the witch was getting jinxed.

While a few overeager students were up and heading to breakfast, most were still in their dormitories. Tonks peeked into the Great Hall, even though she didn't really expect to see Ginny Weasley. Dawn was breaking across the magical ceiling. She stood and watched for several minutes.

Stomach rumbling, Tonks left the castle to return to the village. She knew Rosmerta wouldn't be up at such an early hour, so she headed to the Hog's Head. Dawlish had made arrangements for one of the village women to deliver breakfast every morning. Most days, Tonks preferred sleep to food, but today she was starving, and in dire need of caffeine. She entered the pub, intending to let nothing come between her and a mug of coffee.

Halfway to the bar, the sound of a familiar voice calling her name stopped Tonks dead in her tracks. She turned to see her Auror partner grinning like an overgrown wizard scout. Launching herself across the room, she hugged him, crying, "Merlin, Jerry. What took you so long?"

-

A/N: Readers were probably echoing Tonks. :D Is it really chapter 12? Looks like my 20 chapter intentions will go to paving a certain road, heh. (cue AC/DC song) The readers who were angels to not only read, but review the last chapter were...40/16, adrienne06052, alix33, bookworm1102, Calenmarwen, ElspethBates, FNP, Freja Lercke-Falkenborg, GreyEyeGlaringAtShonda, giftedfred, ishandtwofourths, Kates Master, Ladyofthebookworms, ladyofthelight101, MollyCoddles, Moontime, Mrs.Hermione Jane Weasley, obliviate36, Operamuse, potteronpotluvhim, rowanHOODofTheROWANwood, Siriusblack18, siriuslycoco, sunny9847, tambrathegreat, Too.Nice.1108, twouble, UnderworldBabe, your nightmare, and Ziroana.