(11) The Bird & The Bee

Remus stretched out his full length before snuggling closer into his Patriot's arms. Unable to eat or even speak, the pair had reclined onto Orion's King-sized bed, waiting for Sirius to return. Remus whimpered softly. Already, memories of where he had just been were beginning to fade. He was no longer quite sure exactly where the Stag was living any more. He hated this but he forced the Alpha dominance of Moony aside, knowing it was for the best.

Remus lay his head down against Orion's bare chest. His eyes started wandering over the smooth skin of the Patriot, marred only by ink. This was the first time he saw the tattoos up close & he began reading them to himself. On one arm was the Brotherhood tattoo: MWPP. They all had that. Remus wondered why America had MWPP on him, but no A. Perhaps he should mention adding an A to it but again, the feeling that 'America' was already in the Marauders mark nagged the back of his mind. He whined, pushing that ridiculous thought aside once more. His tongue rasped against the center of Orion's breastbone, between his pecks. He felt Orion sigh in his sleep.

"Moonlove, allez dormir (Moonlove, go to sleep)," Orion murmured, giving the werewolf's side a slight cuff.

Remus raised his head. There was only one Marauder who ever teased him with that term. Just one & he was not America. At that moment, his eyes landed on a numerical tattoo over Orion's right shoulder. Above a row of numbers was 'Azn'. Remus stared at it. Azn was short for Azkaban. He had never noticed that mark before.

Everything suddenly fell into place. Orion had been in Azkaban. No wonder he looked like hell that first day he had come into their lives. That first day. Of course. So that's why he had known what Remus was. Orion had betrayed himself tonight by using that nickname. Still lying in his Patri—in the arms of the Prisoner Of Azkaban, Remus gazed down at him, thinking hard. He knew Orion's age. He knew Sirius's age. He began doing the math. The year he came up with made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. It was impossible, but as Sherlock said, whatever remains no matter how improbable must be the truth.

He suddenly thought of 'Wormtail's Moon', the full moon on which Peter had been murdered. That Padfoot he had been with. Orion? He had to be Orion. That's why Sirius was in the hospital wing all that time; why James insisted Sirius had never left. Remus drew in a shuddering breath. That Padfoot who had been with him, this man America, was just before he had knowingly first seen Orion. Was that why he didn't transform back? Had he been wearing prison robes? Why?

Orion sighed & looked up, meeting a golden glare. His heart stopped. The way Remus was looking at him, sizing him up. It was meticulous. Calculating. He hated to think it but the glowing glare was pure evil. He felt his heart start to race suddenly & for the first time in his life, he feared Moony. Remus raised one brow, glaring down in a vicious yellow. Orion lay perfectly still, considering his options. If he switched to America, he would be an easy target. Bird's necks were easily broken. One bite. He was done for. If he switched to his old Padfoot he had a better chance but would blow his cover & that was assuming he could even do Padfoot anymore. He had forgotten what being a Grim felt like, it had been so long. Orion concentrated on his heartbeat, trying to calm down. Above all else, wolves fed on fear.

Orion sighed again. "Moony, tu me suivre (Moony, you're keeping me up)."

Remus flicked his brow again. "Suis-je (Am I)?"

Orion half-raised his hand to pet the werewolf, thought better of it & ended up scratching his own head. "Quel est le problème (What's wrong)?"

"J'ai tellement de questions en ce moment (I have so many questions right now)," Remus said softly. "J'ai besoin de réponses (I need answers)."

"Comme quoi (Like what)?"

Remus slid one hand up Orion's chest & towards his right shoulder. With one long slender finger, he traced the mark of the prison. "Je suppose que je dois attendre l'an 1994 pour demander (I suppose I have to wait until the year 1994 to ask)." The pair stared each other down. "Ai-je raison (Am I right)?"

Orion felt his stomach lurch. Calm down Moony. Just calm down. "Il serait mieux de cett façon. Je vous remercie (It would be better that way. Thank you)."

"Vousêtes les bienvenus (You're welcome)," Remus lay his head down onto Orion's chest again & allowed himself to be petted. After another shaky breath he added, "Padfoot." Orion's hand faltered on the werewolf's hair. That confirmed everything in the Moon Dog's mind. Impossible as it was, he had two Padfoots in his pack (one of them a criminal?) & there was no way around it.

Remus soon fell sound asleep, his loud snore vibrating through Orion's chest. Orion however, lay wide awake. Remus had figured it out but again, didn't have all the facts. "S'il vous plaît, ne me détestez pas cette fois-ci (Please, don't hate me this time around)," Orion whispered softly into the Moon Dog's hair. The day his life was ruined was fast approaching. Orion feared that day simply for the bad memories it was bringing up. He had hoped memories of Azkaban would have faded by now but he remembered as if it was yesterday. Orion wondered what would happen to him after this Halloween was passed. Would he cease to exist? Would he continue to live his double life? Remus had figured out he was an ex-con. Would the werewolf end up sending him right back to his familiar cell? "Cher Merlin, ne le laissezpas me haïssent ce moment (Dear Merlin, don't let him hate me this time)." Orion looked towards the door of the bedroom as he heard a motorbike rumble into the garage & then the main door close.

Sirius soon entered the bedroom, casting his Star Cloak aside. He caught his old self's eye. "It's done."

Orion nodded, then lifted a hand & pointed at Remus sleeping on his chest. "He knows." The two stared at each other.

Sirius finally asked. "How much?"

"Enough," Orion said. "I'm you. I'm from Azkaban. He's going to wait for 1994 to ask us anything though."

Sirius sat on the bed & glared at the window. Dawn was just starting to appear. "Good. We won't have to tell James then."

"How's he doing?"

Sirius huffed, folding his arms. "He's planning something. I don't like it. I really don't."

But for the ominous snoring, the trio remained silent in the fading dark. A pink light was starting to glow outside the window. The sparkling shimmer of the Star Cloak was starting to fade for the approaching day. Orion finally said. "Now we wait."

Sirius nodded in agreement. "Now we wait." He lay down beside the pair & did his best to block out the werewolf's snores. Cross-rolling his eyes, Sirius pulled out his wand. "Silencio!" That shut the lunar monstrosity up like nothing else. "Still we wonder why he isn't married off yet. Gees!" He added furiously. Both trying hard not to laugh, the Sirius pair finally settled down for a long needed rest.

For the next week, James & Lily suffered a separation from the rest of their pack that was nearly unbearable. Only the younger Sirius was able to visit but he had gone off into hiding himself, waiting for orders. After that dreadful talk with Dumbledore a week ago, James had pulled Sirius & Orion aside. They studied the Fidelus Charm for a day. James eventually came up with a way to make a Linking Spell as well, by using Occlumency spells. Now, the Fidelus Charm they would use had an added bonus. It linked the Secret Keeper to the one who asked for the shield, in this case James. Either of them simply had to open the link to contact each other. Sirius left his bike with Orion & Remus & disappeared. James himself would open the link when he was ready.

Ready for what, Sirius did not know but greatly feared. Merlin, how he wished Halloween was over with already.

The day before Halloween, James opened a small box & lifted out a vial. He had moved Liquid Luck from the safe box to his own home before going under the shield. Now, he handed the second vial to Lily. "It's time."

With trembling hands, Lily took it. "But how? We're under the shield."

"We can go any where we want," said James. "It's safer not to. I mean, that's the whole point. But we just need to get the final Hallow. We'll go to the edge of our cover. I'll be Prongs. We apparate directly to Hogwarts & go after Dumbledore." James shifted then & there. He slowly nodded his head, being careful not to hit the walls with his spread out horns.

Lily let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Now that the moment had come, she wondered ... can she go through with this? Was there another way? She put a hand on the curly chest of the Stag. "Oh Prongs! I can't wait for November first." The Stag whistled softly under breath. Lily downed the drink. After a moment, she said cheerily, "We'll leave in a couple hours." Confused, the Stag's brow formed a point between his eyes. "It'll all work out. Right now, I'm going to bake a lemon cream cake. Yeah, that's what I'll do. Oh can you get me a bag of Licorice Cockroaches?"

What the hell? The Stag did the best facepalm he could, standing on three other hooves. Felix's way was never clear. James reappeared & called over their house elf, a male named Ondar. He sent him away to grab a bag of the candies. As there was nothing else he could do but wait for Lily & Ondar, he went upstairs to check on his son. Harry was just waking up & as soon as he saw his father, he glanced around. "Sharp?"

James laughed. "Is that the Moon Dog's new nickname?" He picked the baby up & began swaying back & forth. It had been just over a week by now. The separation was finally starting to sink in on Harry Potter who was used to seeing any & all pack members at least every other day. Now it had just been his parents with him. No Grim dog. No Eagle. No sharp teeth. "In a couple days," James said softly. He wondered if he would be standing here, holding his little son like this in a couple days. He was the only wild card in this entire plan of his own making, oddly enough. Liquid Luck. It hasn't failed him yet.

The scent of the baking cake filled the whole house. Lily suddenly summoned him. "Prongs, we should go now."

James came down the stairs, Harry in one arm. He put the baby in the living room playpen. "Your mother's making me hungry." He flicked the baby's nose. Then he turned to Lily as she entered the living room, cake on a platter in her hands. (It was all James could do to not lick the thing. It looked divine!) "I have something for you," he draped his Cloak over her shoulders so that only her head & her hands held up in front of her was seen. He tied the clasp at her throat. "It's yours now. It will keep you warm & safe."

Lily looked back over each shoulder. She couldn't see them. She was now the Commander of two Hallows. "What about Harry?" Lily suddenly asked. "We can't leave him for long."

"Apparition takes mere seconds," James said. "We're coming right back. Besides, Ondar is back. He can handle the baby."

Ondar handed over a large bag of candies. "Master. Mistress! You should not go out. It's too dangerous!"

James patted the elf's head. "Don't worry. We're going straight to Dumbledore. It's only for a short time. Keep an eye on Harry."

"Yes Master," Ondar bowed, more to hide the worry on his face then anything else. He had been with the Potters for a long time. They were a good family. Knowing someone was out to kill every last Potter on the planet was a hard thing to bare. "Be careful, Master. Mistress. Harry needs you."

"We'll be right back," James handed over one cockroach to appease the worried elf. "Don't worry. I'm a Marauder after all. I'll survive."

"Yes Master," Ondar took the candy. He then sat in front of Harry's pen & after eating the candy, he pulled both his ears down, fretting.

"Alright, let's get this over with." Lily headed for the door, a great Stag following closely on her heels. She headed for the edge of the shield & looked around before stepping over. Prongs was by her side in a moment. She put a free hand on his back & with a loud crack they beamed away.

The pair ended up directly in front of the gates of Hogwarts. They could see clusters of students on the grounds, some idling by the lake. Others walking down to Hagrid's Hut. Covering herself completely with the Invisibility Cloak, Lily pulled the bag of candies from the Stag's mouth & balanced her cake in her other hand. She walked ahead to the doors & entered, leaving the Stag by the lake.

Lily wanted to take the cake directly to Dumbledore, but instead wound her way down into the kitchens. She laid the Cloak aside & handed the cake over to one of the Hogwart's House elves, a female named Gabrisi. "It's for Dumbledore," Lily said. "I'm Lily Evans-Potter."

"Ooh we all know who you are," Gabrisi said. "We've heard many things about your family. Your husband & his three friends came down here often when they went to school." Gabrisi suddenly looked cross. "Mostly to steal food."

"Well, consider this a return payment," Lily rolled her eyes. She handed over the bag. "That's for Fawkes. I know he loves pecking for bugs."

"Thank you, Lady Potter," Gabrisi took the bag with the cake & set both aside. She then glared into Lily's green eyes, down into her very soul. After a long moment, Gabrisi turned back to the cake & bag.

"Is something wrong?" Lily asked.

"No, everything is quite alright," Gabrisi said. "I was merely making sure you were who you say you are." She picked up the cake & disappeared.

Lily sighed & put on the Cloak, completely covered again. She headed upstairs & into the Grand Hall. The students were in the middle of supper. Orange & black streamers drifted across the ceiling while bats fluttered to & fro. Halloween was barely a day away. Lily saw Dumbledore stand up as Gabrisi laid the cake in front of him. He smiled at her & said something, probably thanking her for the cake & she disappeared again.

Lily was so close to him now. She could feel his gaze in her direction. She kept a firm grip on her wand. Dumbledore sat down again & began chatting with Professors on either side of him. Lily leaned up against the wall behind the Teacher's Tables & waited. Dumbledore had half the cake & shared a few pieces with the others.

Lily waited, letting it take affect. The supper was nearly over & hall soon became empty. Dumbledore stood up. Lily snapped to attention. "Well, goodnight everyone. I think it's time I tucked Fawkes in & went to bed myself." He strode through the side door as the other Professors bid goodnight when he passed. Lily followed. Finally, she was alone with him.

Lily stayed under the Cloak as they headed to the spiralling staircase. Dumbledore took his time. In fact, he seemed to slow down as he went, looking rather sleepy. He had better feel full & sleepy. After all, that cake was packed full of a Sleeping Draught. Several of the Professors would sleep well tonight for sure. Lily rolled her eyes. She didn't mean to take the lot of them out. Oh well. Dumbledore yawned widely. He muttered the password & stepped on. Lily waited for the last possible moment then slipped onto the spiralling staircase as well.

They entered the office. Fawkes whirled around, his talons skittering on the desk. "Fawkes! No!" Dumbledore glared. Too late. Licorice cockroaches spilled over & began hopping & crawling around on the floor. Fawkes alternated between pecking some up & glancing at Dumbledore coming after him. Dumbledore pulled out his wand.

There was the trick. No need for an open duel. Perfect! "Accio Fawkes!" Dumbledore began but hardly had he finished when a spell hit him from the side.

"Expelliramus!" Lily held her hand outside the cloak. Dumbledore's wand flew out of his hand, arced across the room & landed in hers. She retracted her hand inside the cloak just as Dumbledore whirled around. Unfortunately, he moved too fast & being unusually very tired, he stumbled over the chair but managed to stay on his feet. Then horror of horrors, Dumbledore looked straight at her. He must have known she was there. He must have seen her. Did the Cloak slip?

Fawkes crashed into his back & flapped wildly, casting fiery feathers every which way. He squawked in a panic while getting his bearings. The Phoenix soon figured out that Dumbledore was in fact NOT his roost & that the perch was actually in the opposite direction. Still casting off sparks, he flapped wildly to it & landed. He looked up at Dumbledore & somehow managed the most 'I'm so innocent' nervous grin. Dumbledore glared at him & then looked back at the door that was just closing.

Lily was gone.

With his wand.

It was a rare moment, but Dumbledore was thoroughly confused. There were always threats of spies on both sides. Light sorcerers going Dark & vice versa. Dumbledore himself had his own spy, none other than Severus Snape, who would sometimes see a supposed Auror working for Voldemort. But in all the Allies turned Traitors, the name James Potter never showed up. Anyone knew that Snape would jump at the first chance to destroy James Potter. Something didn't make sense.

Dumbledore crossed his arms, thinking. "Not a Marauder! Please, Merlin have mercy! If one of them goes Dark, heaven help us all." He sighed. He had bigger problems to handle. He was extremely tired & wandless. He looked at Fawkes who had finally recovered. "We'll discuss your behaviour later. Right now, I need my wand. Please retrieve it." Fawkes glared indignantly at him. "Oh don't give me a ruddy owl's look you pyrotechnic! Get my wand back, you can consider yourself redeemed." Dumbledore stepped forward.

Crunch!

Dumbledore glanced down. The Licorice Cockroaches were still hopping about. He glared at Fawkes again & shook his head. Fawkes took that as cue to burst into flame. "Now really, Fawkes," Dumbledore shoved the ashes away. "There's no need for that. Fetch that wand!" The chick chirped & came out of the ashes. Shaking them off, he quickly developed into a young Phoenix, about half the size he usually was. He spread his new young wings & took flight.