A/N: This chapter is various thoughts from characters, mostly parents' decisions on whether or not to send Draco, Rial, Blaise and Pansy to Hogwarts for their 6th year. Question: would you mind seeing mpreg (non-graphic) in this? Review and let me know!

Chapter 25- Decisions

Remus Lupin stood on the second-floor balcony attached to the main bedroom suite in Malfoy Manor. He gazed out over the gardens which were beginning to become a riot of summer colour. Draco and Rial would be leaving Hogwarts with their friends tomorrow and the parents had a difficult choice to make. He rested his forearms on the marble railing, frowning. He didn't know what he would do if he were in Sirius or Lucius' positions. He had never had a family of his own, so his thoughts should have been trouble-free.

That was not the case, however. Remus was humourously inclined to blame Lucius on it, but the pureblood was merely the instigator. The truth was Remus cared deeply about young Draco, as if the teen were his own. He'd met him over the winter holidays and had been surprised by the young man's witty intelligence and character. He had long forgiven Draco for the various comments and slights in his 3rd year and had told him as much when Draco tried to apologise. He had been initially surprised at how easily Draco accepted his relationship with Lucius, but after he thought about it he realised it made perfect sense. Draco was only going to be inclined to be annoyed with him if he ever caused emotional or physical distress to his father.

Not that Remus would ever want to do so. He was being spoiled beyond comprehension and whenever he protested it Lucius would simply smile and say that he was giving Remus, 'what he'd deserved all along'. Thus, an entire wardrobe, various elegant dinners and nights in different exotic locations had almost become his norm. Lucius never pushed Remus into doing anything that made him uncomfortable and the change in sleeping quarters had only occurred after Sirius had been tortured in the Department of Mysteries.

Remembering the end result of that night could still make Remus shiver. He had never seen anyone as young as Rial cast the Killing Curse and he hoped he never would again. The expression on James' face when he'd correctly cast the spell was one that would remain in Remus' memory until the end of his days. He didn't find his lack of sadness or compassion for his dead friend surprising. The mischievous boy that had played pranks with Sirius and run under a full moon with him had died long before.

Surprisingly, his pity now was directed to Zachary Potter. The Boy-Who-Lived was a total coward, sheltered by his controlling father and adoring mother until he was incapable of making a single decision on his own. Now his father was dead and his mother was a single Lady and currently dating Regulus Black according to the Prophet. He was left with the guidance of a severely misguided (if not manipulative) Headmaster who was far too old to be making these kinds of decisions. On top of that he would be 17 this summer and instated as Lord Potter over the holidays.

Remus started slightly in surprise as a pair of warm arms encircled his waist from behind. When he felt Lucius' head resting on top of his he resisted a grumble. Little actions like this were Lucius' normal way of gloating that he was the taller of the pair. Even though it was a fairly common occurrence by now, it still bugged him that he was a full 5 inches shorter than the pureblood Lord. Lucius didn't say anything at first, so Remus ignored him, figuratively of course.

After a long couple of minutes Lucius sighed and muttered quietly, "Sometimes I hate making decisions. This is one of those times."

Remus traced Lucius' pale fingers and the elegant signet ring before he replied, "Decisions about Draco's education, I'm guessing?"

"Mostly," Lucius agreed. "Regarding the war, also. I don't want Draco to be forced into serving the Dark Lord. I don't want him near that hypocrite half-blood in the first place."

"That would affect your status as well," Remus realised. "If you went to Albus he'd force you into assisting him, so your only true option would be to revert to a grey standard."

"Exactly so," Lucius agreed. "It may work well for the Zabini family, but mine unfortunately has been in the Dark for a very long time. The neutral position would be a difficult one to maintain. Unless, of course, Sirius Black decides to make a move on this third side his son mentioned last fall."

"Either way," Remus said softly, spinning in Lucius' arms to face the blonde, "my choice is made. I owled Albus my resignation from the Order of the Phoenix this morning."

He felt Lucius' kiss his temple softly and murmur, "Unfortunately Severus can't do the same. His position is precarious at best right now. I worry about him, Remus. He's like my brother in all but blood and I can't help but feel that he's going to get hurt somehow."

Remus leaned into his embrace and listened to the steady heartbeat beneath his firm chest. "Let's Floo over to Black Manor. I have a feeling Sirius has been having the same debate as you. Perhaps we can think of the best solution together."

Lucius nodded and said, "Your idea is sound, Remi. Let's go."

Remus let go of the warm balcony railing and stared into the peaceful summer gardens. Tilting his head slightly he murmured, "If only life could be as peaceful as your gardens, Luc. We'd all be better off for it."

"The gardens, and their peace, will be waiting for us, Remi. They always are."

-D-N-S-D-

At the moment that Lucius joined Remus on their balcony, Severus was watching Sirius, who was sound asleep on a soft chaise lounge chair in the Manor's sun room. Black Manor boasted one of the most beautiful sunrooms in the pureblood families. It was half the size of a ballroom and sectioned into two different areas. Both had the same structure, a ceiling and three walls made entirely of clear crystals faceted like diamonds on the outside. When light hit them the right way it shattered colours of every shade and hue imaginable through the room.

The half where Sirius was sleeping had a gorgeous hardwood floor of ash. His chaise chair was made of mahogany with pale pastel green cotton cushions. Through the beautiful lattice door opposite Severus was a small private dining area with a black carpet and white table and chairs with cream covers and a black and white runner. It was a small, rectangular table meant for two and the only lighting aside from natural sunlight or moonlight was white taper candles in delicate, elegant sconces on the walls.

Sirius was wearing comfortable black slacks and loose cotton button-down with ¾ sleeves. He was relaxed in sleep and currently the light was gentle on the harsh gashes on his face and neck. Severus was sitting toward the back of the room with a book open in his lap, though at the moment the book was closed and he was watching Sirius with a gentle smile on his lips. Sirius was prone to nodding off right now; it helped that the pain potions Severus gave him were laced with a mild Sleeping Draught.

Kreacher appeared with a soft 'pop' and said to him, "Lucius Malfoy and Remus Lupin have just Flooed in, Master Severus."

Severus resisted flushing slightly at the title and nodded curtly. "Show them to here and retrieve a tray with some snacks and tea, Kreacher."

Kreacher bowed and disappeared. Momentarily he scowled at the sleeping Auror and thought, Damn you, Sirius Orion Black. When he'd moved into Black Manor Sirius had made it perfectly clear to the house elves that he was to be treated with the same deference as Sirius and Rial. The house elves were delighted to do so and would occasionally pop in when Sirius was sleeping with small decisions they needed guidance on. As a result, he was becoming a rather permanent fixture here at the Manor.

He looked up again when he heard footsteps and gave a small smile and nod of greeting to the pair. Placing a bookmark in the reasonably-sized tome he set it on the small side table and poured three cups of tea. Remus looked over and saw Sirius sleeping. "We aren't waking him, are we?" he said softly.

Lucius tilted his head to see Sirius as Severus replied curtly, "No. He should be waking momentarily. I lace his weaker pain potion with a mild Sleeping draught. He doesn't rest as much as he should in any case, so the sleeping draught repairs some of the lack."

From the small smile on Lucius' lips his curt tone was ruined by the obvious concern in his words. Severus didn't care. He hadn't for a while now, he felt able to relax and show his emotions a bit more when he was here.

There was a soft cough and Sirius croaked weakly, "I should have guessed you put something in that. Hello Remus, Lucius."

Another chair appeared as Sirius gingerly swung his legs off the chaise and stood. His face was still paler than they liked to see and the limp in his left leg was heavily pronounced. Sirius eased himself into the chair and smiled tiredly at Remus. "I'm not going to break if you give me a hug, Moony."

The werewolf did so, squeezing gently but firmly. Severus poured Sirius a cup of tea and a glass of the clear, fresh water from a pitcher that had just appeared. Sirius dropped his customary two cubes of sugar in the tea and stirred gingerly with his still-stiff right wrist. He lifted the cup to his lips and sipped the hot tea with a sigh of pleasure.

"So what's the occasion today?" he said brightly.

Lucius chuckled and said, "Remus suggested we come over here to speak with you. He said you were probably going through the same debate that I am right now."

Sirius' steel-coloured eyes darkened slightly and he said, "Whether or not to pull my son from Hogwarts? That has been the primary topic between naps. That and what to do about the situation with the Dark Lord and the Order of the Phoenix."

Lucius nodded. "To summarise it, yes. It is rather headache-inducing whenever I try to think about it for too long."

Remus sighed and said quietly, "Albus will most likely rant when he receives my owl. I have turned in my resignation to the Order."

Sirius and Severus both looked at him in surprise. "He won't be pleased at all," Severus said in a smug tone. "Not after what I last heard from him. He's looking for tutors for Zachary, to teach the boy more about Defense. I wouldn't be looking forward to the task; most tutors will be hard-pressed to put up with his arrogant incompetence. Unfortunately," Severus scowled, "I have already been persuaded into the task."

"In other words," Sirius looked extremely annoyed, "Dumbledore chose to conveniently remind you that he's the only one that knows you were a spy during the last War."

Severus nodded curtly at his lover's astute observation. Remus frowned and said, "That's quite manipulative of him. You should be able to make your own choices without a threat of Azkaban prison hanging over your head."

"Why do you think I've been so bitter since the last war?" Severus demanded. The tone wasn't directed at Remus, but the situation in general. "It's why I've stayed at Hogwarts when I hate teaching students of that age. It's underpaid and the stress levels are probably thrice what I would be putting up with had I been able to take the position at Riley's!"

"Riley's Institute of Magic wanted to hire you?" Lucius breathed in surprise. It was one of the major magical universities available, catering only to those students with true talent in their chosen major. It was where Severus had attained his Mastery, under the tutelage of the man who wanted him as a replacement."

"Yes," Severus replied bitterly. "Master D'iornio said I was the only one whom he wanted to replace him but Albus dropped his comment about the first war and I was forced to reply in the negative. I've recently had correspondence from him; he's prolonged his retirement until I'm able to take the position."

"They really want you to teach there," Sirius murmured, a slight frown on his face. "Isn't Riley's Institute in Italy?"

"Somewhere on the south Italian coast," Severus replied.

Sirius looked thoughtful, but he didn't elaborate. Instead he looked at Lucius and said, "I am withholding Rial from Hogwarts this next year. "I know you have contacts amongst the tutors and know which ones would be best for their subjects."

"Their?" Remus interrupted.

Sirius continued as if Remus hadn't spoken. "If you would extend an invitation to the Parkinson and Zabini patriarchs as well as young Torian's grandfather I would be appreciative. Draco would be welcome as well, of course."

"What are you talking about?" Remus asked, exasperated.

"I'm going to lock Black Manor under Fidelius and tutor Rial and any of his young friends here at Black Manor. They will be protected from the Dark Lord and Albus. Not to mention the fact that I think it's time to activate Rial's third side."

"Who would be Secret-Keeper?" Severus asked. "It would have to be someone we all trust."

"What about Regulus?" Lucius suggested. "He's an Unspeakable and still in the Order of the Phoenix, which means he could keep some of the fire off of Severus. That is assuming that you intend to leave the Order of the Phoenix as well, Sirius."

Sirius smiled thinly. "Already done. I sent the owl yesterday evening. We will have to ask him but I doubt Regulus would mind. I think I'm going to kick them out of Grimmauld, however. I intend to remodel that place and give it to Regulus as a gift for his next birthday."

After that Lucius sent an owl off to Parkinson and Zabini and the pair left, bidding Severus and Sirius a good evening. Severus had known Lucius for a long time; he could see the relief in the man's eyes now that he knew how to protect his son from Voldemort.

Severus tilted Sirius' head up to look into his eyes and pressed a kiss to the firm lips. "You are beginning to scare me, Sirius Black."

"How so?" Sirius murmured a bit coyly, laughter in his eyes.

"You are acting and thinking like a Slytherin. It makes me wonder what might have happened had you joined Lucius and I there all those years ago."

"We may never know. What I do know is that I intend to scare the hell out of Albus and Voldemort. After all, what's scarier, a Slytherin or a Gryffindor that can plan like a Slytherin?"

"The former," Severus deadpanned with a slight curl of his lips.

"Of course you would say that, since that's what you are! However," Sirius whispered with a nasty grin, "I think I can be scarier than you, in my own way."

Severus shuddered. Looking into the maniacal grin and remembering how many times he'd seen that expression on Sirius' face he murmured, "I don't doubt it."

If Sirius had it his way, the Dark Lord and Albus would never know what hit them.