A/N – Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine but, rather, J.K. Rowling's. I have taken her ideas, given them my own characters, and moulded them to my own thoughts, but they are – as ever – hers.

"Remind me why," a very tired and very grouchy Remus Lupin asked the tall, handsome black-haired boy sitting beside him, "I'm getting up early. And while you're at it, remind me why I decided to spend two weeks with you. And then, Padfoot, remind me why I agreed even after I found out it would be with your mum and your brother. And remind me why in the name of Merlin did I have to get up so early."

With a tired smile, the young man known as Padfoot to his dear friend replied, "Because you love me. And because you're kind and selfless enough to save me from two weeks with Regulus and my mum. And because Prongs and Wormtail are both on vacation with their parents and there's no full moon anytime soon."

"And because you're a damn good flatterer when you want to be Padfoot."

"Moony!" Padfoot gasped in astonishment. "You swore! I'm, I'm appalled! Oh," he faked a sob and brushed away an invisible tear, "he's growing up." Suddenly he sobered and said, "I wonder who it is. That mum's going around with, I mean. She said it was a divorced Italian pureblood last night when we left, but she also said that he had two kids at Hogwarts. We don't know any Italian witches at Hogwarts. Who do you think it is?"

Remus looked at his friend and asked, "Where on earth did that come from? I have no idea Padfoot. Just wait, they should be here soon. And remind me why we had to rent a villa?"

Shrugging, the black-haired boy let his elegant black hair fall into his face. His head snapped up and he and Remus both paid rapt attention as the heard a strong, angry voice they both knew, but neither of them could place. "I don't care anymore! You go have your affair with some other married woman, I – don't – care! I'd rather be with Mum anyway!"

They heard a deep, extremely masculine voice say softly, coldly, "You and your friend stay out of our way, is that understood? Go do your own thing, but if I have to see any more of you than I absolutely must, you will suffer the consequences. Is that understood?"

The sharp, cool voice cut in quickly, "Yes, sir. You and Vega have fun."

As a girl walked in both of the two boys cursed themselves for not having recognized her voice and they knew it was because of the anger that so rarely laced it. Standing up, the handsome black-haired boy said with a slow smile, "Well, well, well. Celaeno Venatici. What a surprise."

A slender girl with wide chocolate eyes and a long brown braid looked at them as she said coldly, "Black, Lupin. What a pleasure."

The fair girl with a kind, round face and ocean-blue eyes that followed Celaeno Venatici nodded, "Hello. So we're stuck with you two then? Figures, that we have a week to do whatever we want and it's with you. Cela, where's Vega?"

As the girl, eyes locked on the two boys before her, opened her mouth a third girl ran in. Her skin was slightly darker than the white fair of Cela's, as was her hair, but her eyes were an elegant violet as she asked innocently, being three years their junior, "Mira Celaeno! Are you coming with me and Dad, and the Blacks? Or are you and Alice staying here?"

Gently smiling, Cela shook her head, "So, Procyon Venatici sends an innocent child to make amends for his wrongs. So like him. No, Vega Merope, Dad asked me to stay here. You go, and enjoy yourself."

Cocking her head sideways, Vega Merope asked softly, "Is he still mad at you for being a Gryffindor? That's okay. We all know that if you'd had a choice, you'd have at least gone for Ravenclaw. Even though it's not quite as good as Slytherin, but still. Better than Gryffindor. It's not your fault the hat made a mistake."

As both boys rounded on the young girl, Mira Celaeno's elegantly smooth face tightened and she said stiffly, "That's enough Vega. Go, have fun. It'll be a wonderful two weeks for you."

The young girl turned and bounced out with a smile and Mira Celaeno fell onto the couch, holding up her hand and stopping the comments of both boys instantly, "I don't need to hear it. From you, Remus Lupin and your prefect badge, or you, Sirius Black and your 'I'm better than everyone else because I'm handsome' attitude. You're not the only one with split interests Black, so get over yourself. Come on Alice, let's go outside."

Standing and turning so that all the two boys could see were her full curves and slender neck, Mira Celaeno walked out of the room. The sweet, adorable girl stood staring at them, and her voice was low, "You wonder why Lily's never liked your group? Potter's a pain in the ass because he's a pureblood from an unbiased and strictly Gryffindor, Ravenclaw family. Black, you're a pain in the ass because you're a pureblood that's kind and gracious enough to step off of your Slytherin pedestal to be a Gryffindor. Lupin, you're too caught in being their friends and having fun with your badge whenever it suits you to look at how incredibly immature the whole lot of you are. I came here instead of going to France with Lily because I knew that Cela would go insane if she had to spend two weeks alone with her father. Procyon Venatici is the most abominable man I know, and Vega Merope is falling right into his trap. And if we have to spend these two weeks with you two, here's one piece of advice that might save your life. Grow up, just a little. And don't turn your condescending and reproachful words onto Mira Celaeno; she scorns herself enough."

Without another word, she too turned and left. Remus turned to Sirius and asked, his voice aching in resignation, "Remind me why we came here again."

At this Sirius could not help but smile, and he said with a wicked grin, "To bag two of the best girls in Hogwarts. And to tell Prongs that we're good with Evans' best friends while he still can't go within twenty metres of her."

Rolling his eyes, Remus said without a trace of compassion, "I think Quirke had a point there Padfoot. Grow up."

Transforming into Padfoot, the large shaggy dog grinned at Remus as the two walked out after the girls. They found them on a patio, Alice Quirke sitting with her legs stretched out before her as Celaeno Venatici lay on her back on the wood, staring up at the stars. With a soft bark of an idea, the large dog went over and licked the hand of the fair and elegant girl. Sighing, her voice was the soft lyrical tones that the boys were accustomed to, "I don't even need to think on that one. You're named after the dog star, Sirius Black, and you're one to become an unregistered animagus. That one's too easy. Besides, you think I didn't figure out where 'Padfoot' and 'Moony' came from? Did you become an animagus because of Lupin and full moons? That's why you, Potter, and Peter are always tired when Lupin gets back."

Without so much as a playful bark, Sirius Black returned to his breathtaking form and stared at her, "Was it really that easy?"

Stretching, the girl beside them said easily, "For a girl who spends her spare time watching and analysing, of course. For the rest of us who have lives, let's just say I wouldn't even have noticed that you got tired regularly if it weren't for Mira Celaeno."

Sitting down on the chair beside Alice, Remus asked, "I'd wondered for the longest time, is that how Lily found out?"

"No," the girl replied, still staring straight upwards, "she found out on her own, during third year when we studied werewolves, and that was when Alice found out too. I found out first year, when I realized you leave every full moon."

"I always knew your obsession with Astronomy wasn't healthy," Sirius muttered. "Only you could realize that without even having to think about it."

Sitting up and looking at them at last, she shrugged. Her thick braid was messy and her eyes were dark. "It's perfectly normal when you're raised with it. Now tell me, Sirius Black, why on earth you didn't go with James Potter instead of coming here? Alice said that he went to Ireland for a week and a half."

"I told you!" Remus exclaimed, and Alice Quirke gave a quick, sarcastic laugh as she eyed Sirius curiously.

"Too much trouble. Trying to explain it to my mum, and then making the Potter's have to take an extra burden. Not worth it," Sirius said with a shrug.

Mira Celaeno looked at him approvingly and said, "I knew you weren't a complete idiot. You know we're going to have to go out with our parents at least once or twice, and they're going to make us pretend they're married."

"Dammit," Sirius groaned, "I can't make a move on my sister. I'll be stuck with Quirke, and Merlin knows I've heard enough about her from Davey Gudgeon."

For the first time in much too long, they heard Celaeno Venatici laugh. Her laugh was light, childish, but when free and open it had a sort of newly unrestrained sensuality that had Remus Lupin looking at the girl in a new light, a light he thought he had forgotten. "Oh, don't remind her of that mistake. Besides, it was over a year ago."

Alice stood and threw her hair back and walked off, her robes flitting around her feet as she sauntered off. With her best friend gone, Cela stood up as well. She was still laughing, and her laugh had filled out, becoming purely provocative. The wind blew gently, pulling her robes against her so that the lines of her figure stood out starkly beneath a creamy neck and elegant shoulders. Bending down, she brushed Sirius' hair from his face and said, "Don't let Alice catch you watching her. There's a man out there who would have your head for it."

Sirius winked and kissed her hand, saying softly, "Alice can't not be watched. Cute, sweet, warm, and sociable. You, on the other hand, are so eternally different. Fair, elegant, and sensual; every romantic man's dream. Too bad I'm no romantic."

"I see where you get your reputation Sirius Black. But you aren't quite as big a man of the world as they make you out to be. I like that."

"You know what Mira Celaeno?" Sirius said with a gentle smile, "I don't think I'll mind calling you sister. Or that I'll mind these two weeks."

Turning to Remus, she bent and kissed him gently on the cheek, the scent of purely feminine oil burning on her skin. "I don't think I'll mind these two weeks at all."

As she walked away her curves seemed to move with the wind, and neither young man denied her elegance. Turning to Sirius, Remus managed huskily, "Remind me why we're not running after those two. And remind me why you aren't throwing yourself at Mira Celaeno. And while you're at it, remind me why I was complaining about being here."

Not realizing how like his friend he sounded, Sirius remarked with a grin, "Remind me why I haven't used them against Prongsie. And remind me why we ever hated those two."

The two looked at each other and laughed, realizing that they would be doing a lot of reminding in the next two weeks.

– 01 –

James Potter threw himself onto the bed with a laugh, tearing open the letter from his best friend and reading it with a whole-hearted vigour. Sirius' quick scribble and Remus' tidy scrawl covered the parchment with words that made James laugh, but he quickly sobered.

Prongsie-boy,

We got here three days ago, and it hasn't been terrible. Mum's "friend" has two kids, daughters, both at Hogwarts. The younger one is one of Regulus' house mates, go figure, but the other is, guess who. You'll never believe it. Celaeno Venatici. Yep, Moony and I'll be spending the next two weeks with Mira Celaeno, one of Lily's best friends. And guess who she brought with her? No, not Lily. Apparently Lily's in France. She brought the sweet and cute Alice Quirke. I'm in heaven. Two gorgeous girls staying in the same house as me for two weeks. Mira's dad is royal bastard if there ever was one. Her little sister, Vega, isn't that bad. But she is a Slytherin. I don't know Prongs. I have a feeling something bad's going to happen. I have a feeling something really bad is going to happen. And I think I just might kill someone if Mira Celaeno is involved. I've been playing the role of her brother for two days, and I already feel like an older brother. I don't know. She told me to grow up the first night we were here, and I think that did it. I think after all the lectures and yells, I might finally be growing up Prongsie. And I'm scared shitless about it. You're dad's in the Ministry, let me know if anything comes up. If it does, I'm grabbing Mira and Alice and getting the hell out of here. But, have fun in Ireland. My guess is you just got there around the time you get this. Have fun. And make the most of those Irish girls; they're redheads too.

I'll be coming by at the end of vacation, so I'll see you soon enough.

Buh-bye Jamie-poo,

Padfoot


Prongs,

Hey. Having fun in Ireland? I'm guessing that Padfoot told you about Cela and Alice being here. It was a slap in the face, but it's becoming pretty interesting now. Padfoot's been talking with Alice, and she's been having fun with letting him fall into the sand every time. And I've been getting death glares from Alice and Padfoot every time I walk off with Mira Celaeno. If there's anyone who's distant and mysterious, it's Celaeno Venatici. But she's just as gorgeous as ever. And I'm relieved as anything that Padfoot decided to go big-brother on her instead of trying to seduce her. He's too busy trying to look charming for her best friend. And he's trying to figure out if anything's going on. He's found a spell to pack bags and made me practice it in case we have to leave at a moments notice. Remind me why we put up with him. But he's growing up, surprising, I know, but he's pulling it off. I think it's Mira Celaeno's influence. And he's rubbing off on me. He says that if anything happens, he's leaving. If anything happens, we're getting the hell over to your house. I'm not leaving Cela anywhere else. Still, it's been fun. How's Ireland? I went there with mum a few years back for a couple of weeks. It was great. Hope you're having fun. See you soon Prongs.

Moony

Propping himself up on his elbows, James frowned and muttered, "Dammit Sirius. What have you and Moony got yourselves in? I could have told you not to mess with Venatici. Why do you think I always –? I've seen what she goes through, and you're going to get a serious shock when he lets go. Bring her to me if anything happens Padfoot. Don't take her anywhere else. Nowhere else will let a Venatici in if they know. Merlin, how did you two get yourselves into this mess? Remind me why I shouldn't go and drag you both here right now."

– 01 –

Lily clutched the letter to her and threw herself onto the bed, crying out, "The owl's gone now Tuney! You can come back in!"

Her sister came in with a huff and left only moments later and Lily opened the letter and read the letter she could have sworn was from Cela and Alice.

Evans,

It's James. Yes, I know. Just listen. I know you're probably expecting a letter from Celaeno Venatici and Alice Quirke from their villa with Venatici's dad. I just got a letter from Sirius and Remus, who are with them. Apparently Procyon Venatici and Mrs. Black have something going on. But that's not the point. Sirius and Remus both mentioned that they have a feeling something bad's going to happen. I know we've all been jerks to all three of you, but please listen. Remus said that Sirius has gone big-brother on Venatici and is hanging around Alice tons. He won't let anything happen to them if he can help it. But still. Keep as close a watch on them as you can, will you? My dad works at the Ministry, and I can keep a close watch on how things are going. But Sirius knows how things work, and he'll be trying to tell me as little as possible about anything to keep me out of it. I don't want to be kept out of it. Anything involving Venatici involves me, whether we like it or not. Watch her, and Alice, and I'll keep you, Sirius, and Remus up to date about what's going on at the Ministry. We'll need to work together to keep us all alive through this. Have fun in France.

James Potter

Lily blanched as she stared at the paper. Alice and Cela were in trouble? Something was going to happen to them? Setting her teeth, she pulled out a quill and parchment and began to write furiously. Nothing was going to happen to her friends while she was there. Not if she could help it. Even if it meant that she had to cooperate with James Potter to pull it off. Her friends were at stake here, and that meant anything was possible. Her voice was a gritted murmur, "Alice, Cela, I'll kill you both if anything happens to you. You have no idea how much this is hurting my morals. I have to work with Potter, for God's sake. Remind me why I shouldn't just drag you both here right now."

– 01 –

Mira Celaeno looked at Alice and said, "Don't your parents have a little place next to the old train station?" As Alice nodded the girl's dark eyes glittered and she said, "Let's go there. The four of us, for a night or two. Our parents won't care Sirius, you know that. It'll be fun! The station's tons of fun."

Alice smiled devilishly and she looked at Sirius. Looking back at her levelly, blue eyes caught on blue, Sirius spoke to Celaeno Venatici without ever looking at her, "Alright. Let's do it. No parents. Wonderful."

Standing up and turning to her best friend, Alice said quickly, her voice relaxed and playful, "I'll go pack some stuff for us both Cela. And I'll tell your dad we're going. Be back in a few minutes."

Following her action, Sirius nodded, "Me too Moony mate. Be back, well, later."

Alice had already started on her way and Sirius turned, watching her hips as he called out to her. Remus and Mira Celaeno exchanged glances and the girl sighed. "They're going to be the death of me. Remind me why I thought of this."

Smiling as he watched her fingers curl into the sand, he brushed a flyaway strand of hair from her face, "As long as you remind me why I put up with them to begin with."

Her laugh was soft and innocent, and in its innocence was provocative in a strictly primal way. Without thinking about what it was that he was doing, Remus leaned forward and kissed her, running a hand over the smooth curve of her neck and shoulder. He felt a bolt run through him as her soft hand came and rested on his bare chest. She pulled away, looking at him with smoky eyes. It was in that moment that Remus stopped to realize that all either of them were wearing was their bathing suits, and that said very little.

He opened his mouth to apologize, taking her glossy eyes as a sign of being upset. However, he realized that his hand still rested on the back of her neck and he froze for a millisecond. In that moment she moved forward and kissed him. Without thinking, he tightened his grip on her and drew her closer, moaning as she pressed herself against him. As far as kisses went, it was nothing overly heated or passionate, especially for a first kiss. Still, both of them forgot the little factor that they were on the beach, on a towel, and in their bathing suits. They jerked away violently as they heard the sharp, horrified cry, "Mira Celaeno Venatici! Remus John Lupin! What are you doing?"

They saw the horrified, but slightly amused face of Alice next to the appalled and enraged face of Sirius. Scrambling to her feet, Cela looked at them both evenly, unmoved by their shock. Sirius' eyes were not looking at her, even as she stepped towards them, but on Remus - as though the young man had just raped the girl rather than kissed her. "You," he began, eyes hard.

Grabbing his hand, the girl forced Sirius to meet her eyes, "Sirius Black, look at me. Don't you start on him. There were two people involved, not one. Don't start on him as if I had no part in it when we all know I did."

Alice looked at her and said softly, "That was your first kiss Cela."

Now the eyes of both boys snapped to the girl. It was beyond them how a woman of Mira Celaeno's beauty and elegance had escaped being kissed for nearly seventeen years. Was every male at Hogwarts blind? She merely smiled and said, "Remus, remind me why I put up with them. Come on, I'll show you the way."

She held a hand out to him, one that he took for a moment before letting it go to walk in step beside her. They walked off talking, leaving a smiling Alice and an enraged Sirius. Jaw tightening, Sirius said darkly, "He touched her. I'll kill him."

As he stepped forward, Alice reached out and grabbed his arm, her eyes flashing, "Wait a second Sirius Black. You have no right to go in there and treat her as though she's a child. She can kiss whoever she wants, as can Remus. I trust him more than I trust you as far as matters of relationships. She's seventeen years old Sirius, and she's my best friend. You didn't even know her well until less than a week ago. I will not let you get violent on either of them."

Dark blue eyes glowing with violence, Sirius growled, "You want violent?"

He grabbed her, kissing her hard, savagely. His fingers dug into her possessively and he deepened the kiss violently. Releasing her quickly, his breath hard, he managed softly, "When I make a relationship, I intend to keep it. And I hate the people I make them with for that. That's not safe. I'll hurt you. I already did."

Eyes watering, Alice shook her head even though she didn't dare to touch him. She could see the internal torture he was going through at that moment, and she still hadn't moved when he straightened and looked at her. He reached out and grasped her arm lightly, and he flinched when she started. "I won't touch you again," he said softly, "not ever again. I won't do this to you again. I know about you and Frank. I swear it. You have to believe me on this one."

Falling in step beside the tall and handsome Sirius Black, the kind-faced Alice Quirke said just as softly, "I believe you Sirius. I always have."

Fingers tightening on her arm momentarily, Sirius fell silent. She had hurt him, Alice realized, he blamed himself for hurting her when it had been she who had hurt him. Her heart went out to him and her chest tightened. More than anything she longed to apologize to him, but she couldn't seem to make the words come out.

They reached her parents' little house, one that she knew well, and she smiled. Sirius stopped and said hesitantly, "Alice?"

She nodded and followed him inside. They saw Mira Celaeno sitting there, and she looked at them both for what seemed like an eternity to them both. Then she spoke, her voice gentle as she raised a single eyebrow at their transparent interchange, "You yelled at Sirius. And you kissed Alice. Sirius, you think you hurt her. And Alice, you feel bad because you know you hurt him. It's all rather obvious, and silly. Sirius, you deserved to be hurt for that one. Should Remus and I hate you for having kissed Alice? No. Nor should you be upset because he kissed me. I'm going to enjoy what time there is here for me, and I advise you both do the same."

Sirius felt numbed by how accurately she had seen through him, and by the resignation on Alice's face he knew that Cela's words about Alice had been true as well.

Shrugging as the two opened their mouths to retort, Mira Celaeno turned and walked off, calling softly, "Remus, they're here."

Remus came out as Alice said softly, "Remind me why I let her walk off like that."

Sirius looked at her and muttered grimly, "Remind me why I shouldn't drag her back in here and make her explain herself."

Throwing his hands in the air, Remus turned around and walked off, "I give up! You're both hopeless! Remind me why on earth I put up with you!"

Before he got out the door all three dissolved into a hearty bout of laughter and then Mira Celaeno rejoined them, smiling. Good, she thought, they need to smile some. Sirius and Remus guessed right, something bad's going to happen. And I think I know what it is. But it's all good for now. Let them smile, let them laugh, they'll need every bit of it for later. Remind me why... But she never got any farther than that. While the other three had the fullness to remind themselves why later, she had the funny feeling that there would be no need to use Remus' common phrase. She would have to come up with her own, one that she could complete. Not the incomplete request that echoed around the room despite its laughter. Remind me why...