A/N - Shorter chapter that is mostly diolouge again, sorry. This is even more filler than the last one. More A/N at the bottom.
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Chapter 9:
Lupin Cottage, November 20 1983 Early-Afternoon, DD
It was the day of the full moon and Remus Lupin could barely stand on his feet as he pushed himself from one piece of furniture to the other trying his best to keep his footing well enough to stay on his feet. He pushed himself from the edge of his coffee table, that admittedly had seen a lot better days and reached for the one splurge of comfort he allowed himself a large brown reclining chair. His job as a tutor kept him well looked after but he never was able to move much from the old furniture he had during the war. It worked, he did not have to worry much about it during full moons, and he was still under the impression that sooner or later he would lose the job he now had.
His hand blindly grasped for the chair and missed sending himself against the tile floor with a huff. Oh how he hated moon days. He heard a knock on the door and huffed in annoyance as said door was pushed open and boots made a clomping sound as they approached his side. Pushing himself back to his feet he grabbed for the chair again this time feeling a hand grasp his and lead him to sit down. Momentarily he wondered who it was then he smelled the vanilla and herbal smell of Lily and the more musky scent of his herbivore pack mate. The smells reminded him of the cub his pack had lost. The cub he had smelt last night. Shaking his head of those thoughts he allowed James, who was at the moment holding him up to help him into his chair.
"Prongs," He grimaced as greeting.
"Hey Moony, bad moon day," James asked with a smile.
"You don't know the half of it." He gave back dryly making his old friend laugh at him. "Mrs. Prongs," Remus said acknowledging Lily's presence in the room.
"Hello Remus, do you want me to start you some tea?" She asked.
"Sounds amazing, thank you." He said hoping his face morphed into a smile, though he doubted it did. Soon after he heard James shift beside him. Then the smell of wounded cub pressed against his nose once again. However now it was masked by many others which made Remus question his old friend. He would be unable to wash the smell away or mask it from Remus so why try? Unless it was to mask the smell from James which made no sense considering James was Harry's father. Remus groaned not wanting to think so much anymore.
"'mus is yous be feelin' better 'on, Mama say so?" (Remus, will you be feeling better soon, Mama said so?) The sixteen month old asked as she leaned her little hands against his legs. He reached out to lift her up onto his lap. Pack was thought to possibly have a positive effect on Werewolves the day of the full moon. The presence of pack thought to soothe the wolf and make the transformation better.
There had never been a study,done on a large enough scale, to prove any correlation between pack and comfort statistically. Not that there ever would be, Wizards would never take the time needed or speak to the amount of werewolfs necessary to conduct such a study. If one were to ask for Remus's opinion he would agree wholeheartedly that the presence of pack before full moons made the transformation easier. He was more grateful for his friends acceptance of the wolf than either would ever know. It was their acceptance in second year and the nickname of Moony that saved him from a less than honorable path. It was there transformation in fifth year that gave him a true pack, even if the rat hid amongst his pack for a short while. Moony, Padfoot, and Prongs, the original pack.
Then Padfoot and Prongs found their mates who soon joined them on full moons after both women completed their own transformations. The pack of three became five, Moony, Padfoot, Reyna, Prongs, Freya. Reyna being Marlene who turned into a golden fox and Freya, Lily who was a small red coated cat with green eyes. Both women stopped running with their husbands after their children were born however. Lily said it was because it no longer felt right but Remus knew differently. As Freya the need to have her baby boy beside her was greater. Marlene however was still a bit jumpy after the end of the war and wanted Astraea close more often than not. Leaving her over night was not yet an option for the still young mother.
Pack was important to all werewolves, that is why most lived in Greyback's pack in the first place the availability of pack it provided them with. Most were approached to join him after their first transformation which was always the worst of all, then Greyback would offer comfort as only he knew and they would flock to him. Their 'father' a word that still sat weird in his stomach four years after his stint in the Werewolf pack during the war. He shivered at the memory and Astraea attempted to climb into his lap. Though he couldn't see either of the girls parent's in his pain induced clouded vision he knew both probably stiffened as she did. Just as James and Lily did when Harry used to act similarly on full moons. Harry, Remus thought closing his eyes against the pounding of Moony's voice that seemed to echo though out his skull.
'Cub hurt, Cub hurt!'
"'mus O'tay?" (Remus okay?) The small girl asked as he hands mushed his cheeks together. He nodded relishing in the small comforts as he felt her hands fall from his cheeks and pull him into a hug.
"Remus looks rougher than usual."
"Yeah,"
"What time does the moon rise today?" Remus could hear the whispered conversation, and or attempt at conversation, between James and Sirius. The latter of which was answering in only one word sentences as the fear the older man felt assaulted Remus's nose almost as much as Harry's masked scent.
"That will be later than last month."
"Yeah," Sirius echoed. James annoyance was growing at his old friend. Remus could tell from where he sat across the room from them.
"James, can I get a hand." Lily called from the kitchen.
"Sure Lil," James called back.
"Look Padfoot, whatever is bothering you, you can tell me alright. I won't shut down or anything..." James said as he patted his friends shoulder.
"I wish I could tell you Prongs, but you would do so much more than shut down." Sirius whispered mostly to himself. Remus heard the words clearly and made note to comment on them later as he was now busy attempting to untangle himself from the sixteen month old who wished to play peek-a-boo with his jacket.
As the full moon grew closer Marlene, Lily, and Astraea left the cottage leaving James and Sirius to assist Remus. First the two carried him down the stairwell leading to the basement 'cage' then James locked the door as Sirius helped Remus shed the majority of his clothing to insure it did not rip. James would help after locking the door. The the two would transform and await Moony's appearance.
Usually the three would play fight for most of the night before taking a kip. Tonight however, the wolf was beyond peeved and took every swipe at Padfoot possible. Padfoot seemed to accept the attacks though as if he expected them. Prongs spent most of the night trying to separate the two to no avail. The moon almost set when Padfoot seemed to lose his footing and Moony slammed into him full speed. Prongs jumped to pin the wolf back but he did not move fast enough as Padfoot was already whimpering in pain as blood slowly fell from his scratched back and awkwardly held front paw. Prongs was at a loss as he pinned the wolf to the wall and hoped the moon would set soon. As the moon set the wolf transformed into a halfway sleep Remus who was murmuring nonsense about protecting pack. Helping the man to lay down James moved to get a better look at Sirius's injuries. They were nothing all too bad but he would need a professional healer, probably Mungo's to make sure there would be no lasting damage. He would be out of work for at least a week. Moving upstairs he floo called Regulus to get some muscle to help him move his two friends from the basement upstairs without the use of magic.
As Regulus stepped though the floo he expected anger at the fact Sirius had gotten injured. He remembered how only years ago every little scratch was testament to the danger Remus posed. He believed he would have to defend his werewolf friend to the youngest Black brother. He did not expect the forlorn yet acceptance that read across the younger mans face. After the man helped move Remus to his bed and Sirius toward the floo.
"I am going to take him over to St. Mungo's if you could tell Marley about the accident. She probably is already awake." The younger man said as he stepped though the floo. James watched slightly bewildered before he did as the younger man asked.
St Mungos, Late - Morning November 21 1983, DD
"Merlin," Marlene said with a low whistling tone. "You are such a selfless idiot Sirius Black." She huffed as she took his hand in her own kissing the back softly. Lily, thankfully, agreed to watch Astraea for a few hours to give Marlene some time to go over to St. Mungo's. The night before last Sirius explained that the wolf would be less than happy with him. He explained that he smelled like cub and Remus more than likely already picked that up. It was only a matter of time before he attacked believing Sirius to be keeping the cub away from the pack. Sirius knew that not attending the moon would only worry James though so he went anyways.
Ergo, selfless idiot.
"Hey Mar,"
"Fool, you old fool," Marlene said tears pooling in her eyes.
"Sorry Marley," He whispered his voice gruff from not being used.
"No you're not. I know you're not. You will do it again next month showing how not sorry you are." She whispered her hands fluttering around his own.
"Marley," He whispered in protest.
"Don't, please just don't Sirius, we both know you aren't sorry so please don't pretend like you are." She said.
"I..." He blanched.
"I know," She said with a teary nod. He beckoned for her to climb into the bed next to him and she did just that. The two lay in relative silence until Marlene sighed and turned to face her husband.
"Mary said that Harry was quite upset to hear you got hurt. Well upset for Harry that is," Marlene said with a smile not really having another topic at the moment.
"He is a good kid," Sirius nodded his face tense from something other than physical pain.
"He likes you," Marlene added with a smile.
"I wish he didn't," Sirius said softly.
"Why?"
"He may remember,"
"Sirius," Marlene questioned as she moved back from him leaning up on her arm.
"It would make leaving easier for him if he didn't remember any of it."
"I don't think you are only talking about Harry." Marlene said with a huff as she moved to stand. She knew what he would say. She always did.
"Getting to know him will make it easier when he stays." She said as she stopped in the doorway.
"Marley," He groaned.
"I am not giving up on a race I have yet to run Sirius."
Remus Lupin entered the hospital room not to long after Sirius Black said goodbye to his wife seeing as he would not be released till late- afternoon that day. He looked rough but unlike before the full moon he was now able to stand on his two feet with out toppling over.
"You look rough," The man offered.
"Yeah, kept a wolf from his cub, made him quite mad you see." Sirius shrugged.
"Stupid thing to do." Remus agreed before he sat down on the hospital chair next to Sirius's bed. "How long as he been here," Remus asked, the he did not need to be explained.
"Halloween," Sirius said before turning to the wolf. "Poetic right, Does Moony really consider him Cub?"
"Of course he does Sirius, why wouldn't he?" Remus asked.
"Because he is, well, he is not our Harry." Sirius said with a tone that was beginning to waver, as if he no longer believed his own motto about the kid anymore.
"What is that supposed to mean?" The other man asked.
"He dimension traveled Remmy." Sirius said simply.
"That is impossible,"
"It really isn't, and it is the truth so, there you go." He said as he sat up a bit higher.
"I don't believe you." Remus said.
"Never said you had to. Not like it will make a difference anyways. " Sirius said with a shrug as he sung his legs to sit in a more natural position.
"You haven't told James," Remus said the statement, though accusatory, was said in such a tone as one would ask what time it was.
"You are right, because that would only result in more pain for the Potter's."
"He is their son."
"No, our Harry was their son, this Harry is another Lily and James' son."
"That doesn't make a difference," Remus said as he moved to jump out of his seat. The lethargic muscles he had after the full moon made the move pretty pitiful looking.
"The fact he is going to be sent home before the new year does. Telling James would only hurt him." Sirius said as he stood as well.
"Who?" The wolf growled.
"Remus," Sirius said reaching for his wand. He had known the man in front of him since childhood. He knew well how carefully one had to tread when the wolf was so close to the surface.
"Who Padfoot?"
"The ever powerful and manipulative politician."
"Dumbledore,"
"But who else Remmy, but who else." Sirius said before turning and sitting down again.
"You aren't fighting against him."
"Why, its a pointless battle Moon, he will win every time."
"It's more hopeful than the war against Voldemort. We fought against him and won."
"At what price Moony. We won at the price of Harry. A price much to steep." Sirius said his eyes boring into the white sheets of the bed.
"Now we have a chance to fix that." Remus said his voice soft and slightly pleading.
"NO WE DON'T!" Sirius yelled turning on him.
"Sirius,"
"THAT IS NOT MY GODSON REMUS, THAT TERRIFIED BOY IS NOT THE LITTLE GREEN EYED THING I HELD WHEN HE WAS ONLY MINUTES OLD. THAT BOY WHO CALLS HIM SELF FREAK IS NOT...He is not nor will he ever be our Harry." Sirius said.
"He may not be our Harry, but he still is a child who needs our help."
"I already failed twice Moons. I don't have any help to give." He said as the conversation fell to a close. Neither man noted the teary eyes of two practically identical men, if one ignored the almost 20 year age difference, who reacted to the news more similar than anyone would think. Both silent as they moved form there ease dropping spots neither catching sight of the other. The young one, only of age three, back to his own hospital room and the elder one back home, both to mull over what they just heard.
Neither cried though, they were to numb to allow the tears to fall.
A/N - I couldn't make James meet Harry yet, sorry don't shoot. The original lay out for this story had James and Lily meeting Harry end of chapter ten though beginning of eleven and I couldn't make my self deviate from it. SORRY. Next chapter though, I promise. Not going to say how deep I go into that meeting but there will defiantly be a meeting. Oh and in case anyone question Regulus's calmness while dealing with his brother a part of the story that was not written, because to me these characters exist outside the words I write was Sirius explaining how angry the wolf would most likely be at him and the fact he was probably going to be attacked. So it was expected, kind of. Hope that clears up any confusion.
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