Hi there!

The next chapter is up. I have been thinking about ending this story where it began (with Sirius' escape) and continuing in another story, where I plan to have more comedy as well as the angst. I anticipateonly a few more chapters for BTE, just to let you know.

BTW: Kali is nineteen at this point in the story. Legal, according to wizard law, for 2 years now.

Hope you like it. See ya!

Disclaimer: You've read it so many times, you know it by heart.

Chapter 16: A Late Night Meeting

Remus walked towards the Three Broomsticks, clutching a bit of parchment in his left hand. It had been nearly a month since Sirius' attempt to break into Gryffindor Tower and the guilt he felt over keeping Sirius' secret had kept him away from Kali. He'd managed to avoid her by making excuses whenever she contacted to him but he found she was determined. The note she sent him that morning proved it.

Remus,

Meet me at the Three Broomsticks tonight at nine. Don't think about making another excuse, or I'll have to go and fetch you myself (think of the rumours it would start!)

Don't be late,

K.

He'd been tempted to stay at the castle but knew she was capable of following through with her threat and she had a point about the rumours it would start if Kali walked into Hogwarts looking for him. As he approached the pub, he secretly hoped the patrons that had been driven away by the Dementors had not returned.

He walked into the pub and felt the immediate warmth of the large fire roaring at the opposite end. He pulled off the hood of his cloak and scanned the room, looking for Kali. The pub was scattered with patrons, including a table of Aurors deep in conversation, sipping various steaming beverages. He spotted her sitting at a table by the frost – covered windows and, stuffing the note in his cloak pocket, felt each pair of Aurors' eyes follow him as he walked over and sat down.

"So it takes a thinly – veiled threat for you to see me, does it?" Kali asked in a playful tone as he removed his cloak.

"Thinly – veiled?" he repeated, matching her playful tone. "I was very busy," he continued more seriously. He was determined not to admit he'd been avoiding her. It would only lead her to questions he couldn't answer.

"Teaching a bunch of privileged brats," she suggested a little bitterly. Her years at Beauxbatons had obviously soured her.

"It's not like that at Hogwarts," he explained earnestly, "it's a place for anyone who wants to learn."

"Lucius' son is one of your students, is he not?"

He couldn't believe she would bring Malfoy's name up so casually.

"Yes."

"Well, then," she replied, "you've proved my point."

Before he could respond, Madame Rosemerta approached their table, tray in hand. She greeted him jovially, a marked difference in her mood from his last visit, when he found the pub almost empty and the proprietress complaining of Dementors scaring her customers away.

"I wouldn't expect to see you here at this late hour, professor," she commented.

Remus knew there was a 'with the likes of her' in there somewhere from the pointed glance she gave Kali. Evidently, Kali noticed it, too.

"He just couldn't stay away," she said flirtatiously, cupping her hands over his on the table.

Remus felt embarrassment creeping up on him and was sure his face reddened as Madame Rosemerta gave him a look women give foolish men. He tried to pull his hands free but being a clever witch, Kali had cast a sticking charm on them.

"I'll have a warm butterbeer, thanks," he said hastily, before she had a chance to ask. He was hoping to get the proprietress away from them quickly. Madame Rosemerta nodded acknowledgement, her judgmental eyes lingering on the table, then whisked away, the sound of her clicking heels as she retreated deafening.

"That wasn't funny," he scolded as he pulled his hands out from under hers, the sticking charm lifted.

She chuckled and smiled deviously. Remus found it maddening.

"You know, you really are – "

" – his daughter," she finished. Her smile vanished as she uttered the words and Remus noticed she looked weary. Despite her polished appearance, it was obvious she'd been having as much trouble sleeping as he'd had.

"I was going to say 'a pain in the arse'," he said, softening, though, in truth, the thought had crossed his mind.

She smiled briefly at his candid words. "That's what Celestia used to call me," she said, "but it sounds so much better in Spanish."

It was his turn to smile.

Madame Rosemerta returned with his butterbeer, placing it gingerly before him and eyeing Kali with disdain. "Would you like another, miss?" she asked coolly.

"No, thanks," she answered curtly, eyes fixed on Remus.

He noticed the proprietress roll her eyes, obviously misunderstanding the look between them and heard her mutter, "really" as she walked away towards the table of aurors, who were greeted with enthusiasm. All hope of salvaging his reputation abandoned, Remus turned his attention to Kali once more. There was a look of sadness in her eyes that, once he saw it, caused a sudden jolt inside that shocked him.

At that moment she looked away, casting a quick glance towards the table of aurors, then looking down into her empty pint of butterbeer.

"I'm going to London for a few days."

"Why?" he asked, concerned, as he tried to shake off the overwhelming feeling.

"I just need to get out of here," she said, playing with the mug.

"It must be difficult," he said, trying to show her a little understanding. At times, he wished he could leave as well.

She looked up at him. "Not any more difficult than it is for you," she replied weakly.

You have no idea.

"Well, I have lessons and students to distract me."

"And I have a store room."

Remus didn't know how to respond. He'd always felt a little regretful for convincing her to take the job at the apothecary. Mrs. Hurlbutt, the owner, fearing Kali's presence would hurt her business, had banished her to the back room to handle inventory from the day she started and he knew she loathed it.

"Is it that bad?" he asked, curious.

"Ass – numbingly dull."

He chuckled and muttered a "sorry" as he took a sip of his warm beverage.

"Do you need anything in London?" she asked, changing the subject abruptly.

He considered for a moment. "Not that I can think of," he replied, then asked, "when are you leaving?"

"Tonight."

"How?" He knew for a fact the last train had left the station half and hour earlier.

"You ask too many questions," she said bluntly.

This was a classic Black move, pulling someone closer then suddenly pushing them away. He felt the sudden urge to burst out in laughter at the realization but restrained himself.

"So this is why you asked me to meet you?" he asked, frustrated, "to tell me you're leaving town for a few days but not tell me why or how?"

"Correct," she replied, matter – of – fact.

The wolf inside, having been loose only a week prior, was wound up with anger. "Well, then," he said, reaching into his trouser pocket and dumping a handful of sickles onto the table, "job well done. I'm off."

He stood up abruptly, a part of him ready to strangle the tiny girl in front of him. Instead, he threw on his cloak and stalked out of the pub, vaguely aware of the aurors' eyes on him as she called out after him.

As he stepped out into the dark, cold night, he felt a hand on his arm.

"What?" he snapped, rounding on her.

She gave him a deadly look, unfettered by fear. "You want me to be honest with you," she said, obviously fighting back her own emotions, "but you can't be bothered to be honest with me."

He glared at her, confused.

She can't know, can she?

He needed a moment to reign in the wolf. "What do you want to know?" he asked coldly after a long silence.

She sighed audibly, made and noise of frustration and threw up her hands. He continued to stare at her, aching to know what she wanted to say but obviously felt she couldn't.

"I fucking hate you sometimes, you know that?" she blurted, sounding resigned.

He was taken aback but quickly recovered. "Same here," he replied.

Remus saw hurt flicker in her steely eyes and felt guilty once again. "I'm sorry," he whispered, "I'm just…" He couldn't find the words.

"I know," she interrupted, "me, too." She sighed again and rubbed the bridge of her nose in an eerily familiar way.

He moved closer and clasped her shoulders in his hands. "Be safe in London," he said, trying to ignore the familial gesture.

"I will."

Kali hugged him, burying her face in his chest. Surprised, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders in a lame attempt to reciprocate.

She pulled away from him and smiled weakly. "You should go," she said, "they might need you back at the castle."

Remus nodded, said goodbye and Disapparated, the image of Kali feigning a smile the last thing he saw as he left.

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Sirius watched from between the shops as Kali and Remus stood outside the Three Broomsticks. It looked like they were arguing, but afraid to get too close (lest his old mate recognize his scent), he was unable hear what was being said. He sat in the shadows wondering how long Remus had known her when they suddenly embraced. He felt a pang of some unfamiliar emotion at the sight but it lessened when he realized how uncomfortable his old mate looked. The fleeting thought that perhaps he didn't want to know her entered his mind. He really couldn't blame Moony. She was the daughter of the man he thought had betrayed and killed all his mates, after all. Well, all his mates but one.

Anger bubbled up inside him as he watched Remus disapparate. It was the only feeling he was conscious of and it was directed at Peter.

Dirty, sniveling bastard.

He hated feeling powerless. It was maddening and he had to stop it. He'd tried to take matters on hand on Halloween but had failed miserably, showing his frustration on the Fat Lady instead of on the filthy rat he had been looking for. He'd even managed to frighten Harry when he snuck to the pitch to watch him play for the Gryffindor team. Watching in horror as he hurdled to the ground at the sight of Dementors had taken a toll on his nerves. He knew it was his fault, was sure the Dementors had sensed him somehow and he felt terrible about it.

He began to pace in the alley, feeling the sudden urge to run. It always happened when he was distressed and in canine form. His ability to leap and bound as a dog was exhilarating and always made him feel better but he knew it would take more than a frolic in the woods to rid himself of what he was feeling. The answer to his problems was still the same.

Peter.

Fortunately for Sirius, he'd found an unlikely ally in the form of a ginger – haired cat. It belonged to Harry's lovely mate, a petite girl with bushy brown hair. He'd seen her carrying the cat in Diagon Alley and had spotted the cat roaming the grounds a few times since. The cat didn't seem to mind he was a dog and they made friends quickly, chasing birds through the forest in the night and walking in the moonlight, foraging for any morsel. It was as if the cat could sense that Padfoot wasn't really a dog at all but a man -- and Sirius liked to think -- an innocent man. He finally communicated with his feline friend as Sirius one night and told him about Peter. Since then, the cat had been trying to capture Wormtail for him but without much success.

As he watched Kali pace back and forth across the street, he came to the conclusion that if he wanted to get to Peter and keep Harry safe, he would just have to try harder.

This ends kind of abruptly, I know. It isn't anything like the preview but it took on a life of its own as I wrote it.

Not meant as a filler, but it's all in the interpretation. Let me know what you think.

Coming Soon: Chapter 17: where we skip ahead past the holidays and well into the new year, and find things about to come to a head...sorry, I know it's vague...