A/N: Let's just say that going away for the weekend was more work than I imagined! But I'm back in action now. Hopefully, this week will be conducive to writing – as of now, it looks like it will be. I'll say to definitely look for an update before Christmas!

potterlegacyfan: Harry won't be diving into anyone's memories for awhile. I think that's chapter 20-something. But don't worry, there's good stuff in between!

School-of-Rock101: I'm going with what's in the books, so Harry won't meet them in this story.

Patsfan1254: Scrimgeour is head of the Aurors. I actually thought that Ted Tonks was a Muggle at first, too, but then I read somewhere that he was Muggle-born. I checked it out, and he's Muggle-born, not a Muggle. Either way, Andromeda's family wasn't having it!

JP LE 4E: I had to make Kingsley a gossipmonger! We don't know anything about him except that he's nice to Harry, so he's my new favorite character to play with. I hope you like the way I write him!

I don't own Harry Potter.

Traces of the Past

Sirius made his way slowly to the attic to feed Buckbeak. He intended to take as long as possible with the chore, knowing that only hours of solitude awaited him. Remus was away for the weekend again, leaving Sirius alone.

He was becoming used to it, really. The minutes that became hours that became days with no one to talk to were becoming as normal to him as eating rats for dinner had been only a short time ago. That wasn't to say that he enjoyed all the time spent alone – only that he accepted it as an unalterable fact of his life.

After spending as much time with Buckbeak as he could, he made his way back downstairs. He wandered into the library, thinking of reading a book.

"Hi, Sirius."

He jumped a mile at the sound of her voice. "Liv!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

She gave him a teasing smile. "Well, that's a nice greeting, after I came all the way from France to see you."

He felt a slow, silly grin spreading across his face. "Sorry."

He crossed the room, pulling her into an embrace. He lowered his lips to hers, taking his time in exploring her mouth. She responded instantly, reaching up to thread her fingers through his hair as she kissed him back.

"How was that?" he asked when they finally broke apart.

"Much better," she murmured. She kissed him again. "I'm here to see you."

"I didn't know you were coming."

"I didn't know I was, either, until I left," she said. "I was scheduled to work today, but one of the other Aurors asked me to switch with him. He needs next Saturday off for something. I remembered that you and Remus had said that he would be away this weekend, so I thought it would be the perfect chance to come and see you."

"I'm so glad you came," Sirius replied. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you, too," she said, kissing him again.

He pulled her even closer, kissing her as though he'd never have another chance. "Do you mind if we wait until later to talk?" he asked.

"I was hoping you'd suggest that."

Much later, Sirius and Olivia stood in the kitchen together, making dinner. They chatted aimlessly about the small events of their days, avoiding the larger topics of the war, the Order, Remus's missions, and anything that brought darkness to their lives. Their time together was so short and precious; neither could bear to taint it with such sorrowful discussions.

"Oh, I had a rather interesting conversation with Tonks the other day," Sirius said as they finished their main course.

"Oh?" Olivia asked.

Sirius grinned. "I finally got her to admit that she has a crush on Remus."

Olivia rolled her eyes as she stood to get their desserts. "I've said it before, but now I know we're back in fourth year."

"Stop it," Sirius grinned. "I'm not joking! She actually told me that she has feelings for him."

Olivia's eyes widened. "And what did you say?"

"I told her that I had guessed as much. And I promised not to tell Remus."

Olivia nodded. "And?"

"And she asked me to tell her about Remus."

"Did you?" she asked, her eyes widening even more.

"No," Sirius replied. "I told her that he's had a rough time of it. She wasn't really content with that – she asked me about Laura."

"Dana's Laura or Remus's Laura?"

"Remus's."

"Oh, Sirius. What did you tell her?"

"Just that she made him happy. I told her that she has to talk to Remus if she wants the full story. But I also told her that he's very private about that part of his life."

Olivia released the breath she had been holding. "That's the perfect thing to say." She sighed. "Sirius, I'm going to be honest. I think that Tonks is a great girl, and I think she'd be really good for Remus. Honestly, I do. I'm just not sure that Remus is going to go for her. I'm afraid that he'll be too caught up in living the past to accept her love."

"I know," Sirius sighed. "I was a little concerned about that myself. It's like he's afraid to see what's right in front of him."

"He doesn't want to be disloyal to Laura's memory," Olivia said quietly.

"Why can't he see that he didn't die with her?"

She bit her lip for a moment. "Because," she said slowly, "in some ways, I think he did. Laura's death shattered him, Sirius. You know that. You were there. He managed to put himself back together, but I think that there've been a few pieces missing ever since then. She's been missing."

"I think that Tonks can fill that void. She can make him whole again."

Olivia nodded. "If he's willing to let her."

"I think that he will be – someday."

"Is she going to wait for him to be ready?"

Sirius looked a bit worried. "I hope so."

"So do I."

Suddenly, Sirius didn't want to talk about Remus anymore. He didn't want to think about the fact that his friend was throwing away his chance at happiness. He looked down at the chocolate mousse in front of him.

"I think this is missing something."

"What?"

"You."

"What are you talking about?

He looked into her eyes with a grin, and slowly reached down to trail his finger through the mousse. Then, just as slowly, he ran his mousse-covered finger over her lips.

"What are you –"

But her question was silenced as he leaned across the table to kiss her, affectively removing all traces of the mousse from her lips. She caught her breath when the kiss was over.

"I can think of a few other uses for that," she whispered.

"Well, let's give them a try."

Olivia awoke at dawn the next morning. She rolled over in bed to look at Sirius, who was sleeping next to her sprawled out on his back. She smiled, thinking that some things never changed. She remembered the many mornings they had woken up just like this in the past.

She awoke him the way she always had, as though they were still twenty years old and looking forward to spending the rest of their lives together: she leaned over to kiss him. And just as he always had, he smiled against her lips, then wrapped his arms around her, kissing her more thoroughly.

"Why are you waking me up before noon?" he asked as they pulled apart.

"I have to go," she whispered, her voice full of regret.

"So soon?" Sirius asked in disappointment, running his hands over her back. "I'm sure I could convince you to stay."

Feeling completely torn, Olivia rolled away from him and looked at the clock. "Sirius, I have to be at work in two hours."

"I think I can handle those restrictions," he replied mischievously.

Unable to resist him, she lowered her body back onto his. "Oh, why not?"

"God, I love you," Sirius groaned just before kissing her again.

By the time they had managed to get out of bed, Olivia was seriously concerned that she would be late for work. She raced around the house, showering, dressing, eating breakfast . . .

"If I'm late, it's your fault!" she exclaimed as she gulped down a cup of coffee.

Sirius laughed. "Yes, that's it. Tell the Auror department that you're late for work because you spent the night with Sirius Black. That should go over well."

"Don't make me hate you."

"As if you could."

"Indeed," she sighed. She crossed to hug him. "I'll miss you so much."

"When will I see you again?" Sirius asked, folding her into his arms.

"As soon as I can get away," she promised.

"Don't wait for Remus to be gone," Sirius said. "Just come over anytime."

"I will." She looked thoughtful. "How about Christmas?"

"What about it?"

"Well . . . I usually get some time off for the holidays. Should I come then?"

"Yes!" Sirius exclaimed. "That would be the best Christmas present you could give me!"

She laughed. "Excellent. I'll see you then – if not sooner."

"It had better be sooner."

She laughed again, and kissed him. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

I can't believe I'm here again.

Completely concealed under Moody's invisibility cloak, Remus moved silently through the werewolf colony. He was grateful that it was such a large colony for the simple reason that it made it easier to stay invisible. He knew that even cloaks such as Moody's weren't foolproof, but the werewolves never noticed him amid all the general commotion of the village. Remus was making more of an effort to listen in on their conversations this time around, trying to glean more information about the society they had created for themselves.

He began to hear repeated references to "the leader." He frowned slightly. He had not yet learned who led the colony, or how he or she had gained the power. This information would be vital to Dumbledore and the Order. If they hoped to have any influence over the colony, they first had to convince the leader of the authenticity of their cause. Knowing that he would eventually become a spy within this group, Remus was certain that he would have to deal with the leader very closely in the future. Any information he could have about this person would be instrumental to his work. He closed in on the group of werewolves that had been talking about the leader, hoping to hear a name mentioned.

"There are quite a few issues that need to be addressed," one woman said.

Remus raised his eyebrows, feeling a jolt of excitement. If there was dissention among the group, that would make it easier for him to talk them out of their support of Voldemort.

"Have you considered speaking to him about your thoughts?" a second woman asked.

"Of course," the first woman replied. She looked like she was about to continue, but was cut off by a man.

"Are you sure that's wise?" he asked.

"Yes," she hissed, clearly frustrated with his attitude. "There are things that need to be changed, and only he can make that happen. I tried to speak with him last week, but I couldn't find him."

"What day?" the second woman asked.

"Tuesday."

Remus winced. Tuesday had been the day before the full moon.

The man who had spoken before shook his head. "No, you know you can't ever find him that close to the full moon. He is always out searching for prey by then."

"That's true," the first woman said thoughtfully. "Greyback does like to position himself early, doesn't he?"

Remus felt his knees go weak. He forced himself to concentrate, to remain standing. Was it possible? Was the leader of this colony truly Fenrir Greyback, the same werewolf he had to thank for his own condition? He swallowed hard.

"Oh, look, you're in luck," a second man said. "Here he comes now!"

They all turned to greet their approaching leader. Remus wanted to do anything but look, but couldn't stop himself from turning his head like the others.

The sight that met his eyes horrified him. He had never really seen Greyback, had never really wanted to see him. He had seen photographs, terrifying snapshots of the man who had tried to destroy Remus's father through him. But now that he was actually seeing him in person, now that he was within feet of the man who had done this to him, who had made him what he was, who had shattered his life before it had really had a chance to begin . . .

Remus felt the bile rising in his throat and retched. He was grateful that the others were making such a commotion over their leader's arrival; their noise covered the gagging sounds ripping from his throat as he dry heaved.

Suddenly, the mission didn't matter. The Order didn't matter. He had to get out.

Even looking back years later, Remus was never sure how he made it to headquarters. He was never sure how he found his way into the library. He never knew how long he sat in silence, trying to process the information that he didn't want to recall. The only thing he knew for sure was that Sirius walked into the room, checking at the door in surprise as he saw his friend sitting on the leather sofa.

"Remus!" he exclaimed, thrilled that his friend was back, that he would have someone to share the news of his weekend with. "I didn't expect to see you until tomorrow! How did the mission go?"

Remus couldn't form the words to respond. He did the only thing he could do, something he hadn't done in years. He burst into tears.

Sirius froze. Clearly, this wasn't the time to tell Remus about Olivia's visit.

Sobs shook Remus's frame as he buried his face in his hands. Sirius stared at him in shock for a moment, then crossed the room to sit down next to him. He put his arm around Remus's shoulders; Remus shifted to lean against his friend, unable to refuse the physical and emotional support he offered.

When Remus was finally able to stop crying and move away from Sirius, Sirius looked at him critically.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Remus shook his head.

Sirius nodded in understanding. Remus had always been very private; he knew better than to push him to share what was going through his head. "All right, then."

Several minutes passed in silence. Remus seemed to have drifted into the world of his thoughts, and Sirius knew better than to try to draw him out before he was ready. Finally, after nearly fifteen minutes, Remus broke the silence that had fallen.

"No, wait. I do want to talk," he said in a raspy voice.

Sirius nodded again, waiting for him to continue.

"I saw him."

"Who?"

"Greyback."

Sirius frowned. "I still don't understand. Who is Greyback?"

"He is one of the most vicious werewolves alive," Remus said bitterly. "His goal in life is to create more werewolves. He positions himself near humans right before the full moon in the hopes of biting them while he's transformed. He – he bites children as often as he can."

"Children?" Sirius whispered in horror. "Intentionally?"

"Yes. He wants to take them away from their parents, to raise them away from normal people. He wants to take all werewolves away from society, to turn as many as he can into what all the prejudices say we are. It's far easier to raise a child within a lifestyle than to convert an adult to it." He paused, swallowing hard. When he continued, his voice shook slightly. "He's the one who bit me. He's the one who made me what I am. He's the one who destroyed any hope I might have had for a normal life."

Sirius paused, knowing that this was not the time to tell Remus what a good person he was. "He lives in the colony Dumbledore's had you watching?"

Remus gave a hollow, mirthless laugh. "He runs it."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that he is, quite literally, the leader of the pack." He paused, looking off into space as he continued. "They all refer to him as 'the leader.' He's the one who is in charge. He makes all the decisions for the colony." He laughed mirthlessly again. "He brings in the new members – well, most of them, I'm sure."

Sirius shook his head. "You found all this out from observing the colony?"

"I found out that he controls it through my observations."

"But the other?"

Remus sighed and ran his hands over his face. "Two years after you were sent to Azkaban, I discovered that Greyback was the one who had bitten me. I found out quite accidentally – there was a piece in the Daily Prophet about him because he had attacked some Ministry official's daughter. I remember sitting in my parents' kitchen, telling them that I felt sorry for the girl – she was only twelve – and that maybe I would try to see her, to talk to her about her options and trying to control her transformations." He paused, tears slowly filling his eyes. "I remember my father saying that Greyback was a demon. That he had to be stopped. The anger in his eyes, the horror, the raw emotion . . . I'll never forget it." He paused again, swallowing hard. "I asked my father if he knew the girl or her family. He said no, but that he knew Greyback."

"How did he know him?" Sirius frowned.

"Greyback had long-since distanced himself from normal society. He's been with his colony since he was bitten as a teenager. But he still has connections to our culture, to our people."

"To your father?" Sirius asked gently.

Remus nodded. "Yes. To my father."

Sirius hesitated, unsure of how to proceed in the conversation. Remus stared off into space for a moment, then looked at Sirius again.

"He and my father went to Hogwarts together until he was bitten and had to leave school. They had a relationship similar to yours with Snape. Well, perhaps more intense. They despised one another. When Greyback was bitten, my father – my father said that it served him right. That he deserved what he got."

"Did he really believe that?"

"I don't think so. I think that he just truly hated him to the point where he would do anything to offend him – just has Greyback would do anything to offend my father."

Sirius nodded.

"As Greyback grew older and recognized the full impact of the laws and restrictions against werewolves, he began his own colony. He was vengeful from the first – he would position himself near the loved ones of those he felt had wronged him. He chose as his victims those who would bring grief to the people he thought of as enemies."

"So he intentionally attacked you?"

Tears gathered in Remus's eyes. "Yes," he whispered. "He attacked me to hurt my father. He wanted revenge for my father's remarks when they were children."

"I never knew," Sirius said quietly.

Remus shook his head, trying to swallow his tears. "I didn't, either, until that day. My father told me the whole story for the first time. I've never seen him like that. He actually cried when he told me. At the end, he begged me to forgive him – said that everything that happened to me was his fault."

Sirius sucked in his breath. "Does he really believe that?"

Remus nodded. "I told him that I don't blame him, but I don't think it made a difference. He blames himself for what happened, and I think that, no matter what I say, he always will."

"But he never said anything about it to you before?"

"No. He and my mother had always let me believe that I had been the victim of a tragic accident. I could never think of attacking another person – I've always gone out of my way to make sure that doesn't happen. It never occurred to me that others might have different ideas of how the events of the night of the full moon should unfold."

Sirius shook his head. "This is unreal. I always thought that the stories people told about werewolves were just the product of fear and over-active imaginations. I'm like you – I never thought that anyone would actually want to bite people."

Remus was silent for a moment, then began speaking softly. "For years, I've worked to control myself during transformations. I've struggled to focus my energy so that I can retain control of my thoughts and impulses. I think that Greyback has been doing the same thing, just with a different outcome. I've tried to control myself to save those around me; he tries to keep control of his mind and actions so that he can hurt others."

"Isn't there a way to stop him?" Sirius asked.

Remus shrugged. "Do you really think anyone's going to get close enough to find out? He's beyond dangerous, Sirius. I wouldn't even want to cross him on a night that isn't a full moon."

Concern flickered in Sirius's eyes. "You won't have to, will you? Cross him, I mean."

Remus shrugged. "I have to do what Dumbledore tells me to do."

"No, Remus, don't even think it," Sirius said quickly. "Dumbledore would never ask that of you. He'd never tell you to try to take Greyback on by yourself."

Remus shrugged again. "I'm the logical choice for a mission like that."

"You're not going in there alone," Sirius said forcefully.

Remus smiled sadly. "Someone has to try to get through to them, Sirius. And let's be honest: better me that anyone else."

"Thank you, Severus, for your report," Dumbledore said. "That was most enlightening."

Sirius looked at Remus with raised eyebrows. "'Most enlightening?'" he repeated in a whisper. "Did we just listen to the same report as Dumbledore did?"

Remus grinned, but put a finger to his lips to silence Sirius. Snape's reports from within Voldemort's inner circle remained hopelessly vague. Remus was sure that the only reason that Snape had not been called out by an Order member was that the Death Eaters had remained quiet. So far, it seemed the Order had not missed anything.

"Mundungus has informed me that he has some information to share," Dumbledore continued, nodding to the man in the corner.

"I just thought you all might like to know that the kids are planning some defense club," he said. "I overheard them talking about it in the Hog's Head last weekend."

"The kids are planning a what?" Tonks asked, certain she must have misheard.

"A defense club," Mundungus repeated with a grin. "From what I can tell, they don't think they're learning anything in defense – sorry, Professor," he added quickly, glancing at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore smiled. "While I am with you, I have no affiliation to Hogwarts. Please, continue without fear that I will punish the students."

"Right," Mundungus agreed. "Anyway, the kids don't like this theoretical approach to the class that Tonks told us about before. They say they need to practice doing the spells. So, they're planning to get together to work on them."

"Sounds like a study group," Molly frowned. "Why should this be news?"

"Well, they're a bit more covert about it than a study group," Mundungus said slowly. "Like I said, they met in the Hog's Head – so they chose a place where they didn't expect to meet up with any of their teachers or other classmates. Then, too, they were pretty shifty about the way they were talking. They said they didn't want anyone outside the group that was there to hear about it – and they were very clear that it wasn't to get back to Umbridge what they were doing."

"Umbridge doesn't allow study groups?" Molly asked, her eyes swinging to Dumbledore.

The headmaster smiled slightly. "Not like this one."

"What does that mean?" Emmeline asked.

"It means that they're planning on doing exactly what Fudge was afraid of – they're planning to learn defensive spells and how to do them," Tonks said with a grin. "They're not just defying Umbridge, they're defying the Ministry."

"Do they realize what they're doing?" Molly asked.

"They seem to," Mundungus replied. "Why else would they be so secretive?"

"How many students are involved?" Kingsley asked.

"I'd say about twenty, give or take," Mundungus replied.

"And who is heading this effort?" Remus asked, thinking that he already knew the answer.

"Harry, Ron and Hermione," Mundungus replied.

"Ron?" Molly exclaimed. "What does he think he's doing? What do any of them think they're doing? They're going to get themselves expelled!"

"They won't be expelled, Molly," Dumbledore replied. "Not while I am headmaster."

"Umbridge will find a way to do it if she wants it to happen," Remus said darkly. "That woman is pure evil."

"I don't want Ron involved in this," Molly said, her face flushing with anger at the thought of her son doing something so foolish. She looked at Sirius. "You've talked to them via Floo before, right?"

"I have," Sirius replied, wondering where this was going.

"Well, I want you to do it again," Molly said, her words tumbling out quickly. "Tell Ron that under no circumstances is he to participate in an illegal defense club. And tell Harry and Hermione that I don't think they should either – not that I have any real say, since I'm not their mother."

"Noted," Sirius replied. He looked at Remus, and knew they were both thinking the same thing.

Way to go, kids!

The meeting drew to a close shortly after Mundungus's interesting report. Tonks slipped out as soon as Dumbledore declared the meeting adjourned; she needed to get to work. Remus was surprised at how much he missed the opportunity to chat with her. He had not been able to speak with her before the meeting, either; she had arrived just in time to slide into her chair before Dumbledore began speaking.

"So, how about those kids?" Sirius asked.

Remus grinned. "Good for them. I'm glad someone is trying to do something about Umbridge. And I'm glad they're taking charge of their education. If the Ministry won't let them learn, they're still going to find a way to do it. Fudge should have seen that coming."

Sirius grinned. "He's lucky he can see his desk from his chair."

"I suppose that's about true," Remus laughed.

Sirius grinned again. "James would be proud of Harry, don't you think? This is something we would have done – breaking a few rules in the pursuit of a higher cause."

Remus laughed. "That sounds exactly like something James would say."

"It does, doesn't it?" Sirius laughed. "Seriously, though – I'm really excited that they're defying Umbridge to do what they want."

Remus was about to reply when he felt a light touch on his shoulder. For a moment, he thought it might be Tonks. He remembered as he turned that she had already left the meeting; he found himself staring up into Dumbledore's blue eyes.

"Hello, Professor," he said.

"Remus, may I speak with you for a moment?"

"Of course," Remus said, stepping away from Sirius to follow Dumbledore.

"How are you?" Dumbledore asked conversationally as they made their way to a secluded corner of the room.

"Fine," Remus said, feeling a bit mystified, even though he was fairly certain he knew what Dumbledore wanted to ask him.

"Excellent," Dumbledore replied as they stopped together. He looked deeply into Remus's eyes. "Remus, I have not yet received your report from your weekend in the colony. Did you send it?"

"No, sir," Remus said, forcing himself to meet Dumbledore's eyes. The one thing he hated most was disappointing people, and he feared seeing disappointment reflected in the eyes of the man he had more respect for than any other.

"May I ask why?" Dumbledore asked softly. To Remus's great relief, only curiosity and a bit of confusion showed in the headmaster's face.

Encouraged by the lack of accusations or disappointment, Remus drew a deep breath. He knew that this was the moment for confession.

"Remus?" Dumbledore prompted.

"Sir, I uncovered some information that I found to be very disturbing," Remus said slowly. "I have been trying to come to grips with it myself. At this point, writing it down would make it too real," he finished in a whisper.

"And may I ask the nature of this information?"

Again, Remus paused to take a deep breath. "I have discovered that the colony's leader is Fenrir Greyback."

Dumbledore's eyes widened ever so slightly. "Greyback?"

"You know of him?"

"Of course," Dumbledore said, his eyes taking on a faraway look. "Naturally, I have heard the stories about him, read the facts about his lifestyle . . . But, I also remember him as a student in my Transfiguration class many years ago. He and your father . . ." Dumbledore trailed off, his eyes coming to rest fully on Remus again. "It was Greyback who bit you, wasn't it?"

"How did you know?" Remus asked in surprise.

"You mentioned being very upset to learn that he is the leader of the colony, and I remember the animosity between him and your father when they were children." Dumbledore looked at him with concern. "He attacked you when you were a child to hurt your father, didn't he?"

"Yes," Remus whispered.

Dumbledore reached out to grip his shoulder. "Well, then, Remus, you should be proud."

"Proud?" Remus repeated with a frown.

"Yes," Dumbledore replied. "You should be exceedingly proud of yourself. Time and again, you have proven yourself to be an exceptional person, regardless of your condition. But when one considers that Greyback's goal in passing this affliction to you was to hurt your father by making you someone less than the man you are – well, it is easy to see that you thwarted his plan. You have become a man who has made his father proud over and over – exactly the opposite of what Greyback intended for you."

A smile slowly spread across Remus's face as he considered the headmaster's words. "You're right," he said at last.

Dumbledore nodded and smiled. "I'm glad you're able to see it in that perspective." He paused, looking deeply into Remus's eyes again. "Would you be willing to continue working within the colony?"

Remus sighed. "What choice do I have? Who else is there to send?"

"Arrangements can be made, Remus, if it's too difficult for you to be so close to Greyback."

He shook his head. "No. I can't ask someone else to go into that situation. I'll continue, sir. I'll do whatever you ask of me."

Dumbledore nodded. "Thank you, Remus. Once again, you have shown yourself to be a truly remarkable person."

Remus smiled, completely at a loss for words.