Standard Disclaimer Applies. Werewolves of London rights belong to Duran Duran.

Evolving Padfoot: Werewolves of London

I saw a werewolf drinking a Pina Colada at Trader Vic's and his hair was perfect.

Sirius was going to have to kill Remus when they met next. Because, really, all the excuses he gave about his mother being ill were just ridiculous. Sick every month, indeed. Helena Lupin was in fine spirits on this August afternoon if Sirius did say so. And he did. When his mother had plopped him down upon one of the benches lining the Alley, Sirius had had no idea that the sweet lady feeding him snickerdoodles was Remus's mother.

She had come and sat next to him not five minutes into his "punishment" wanting to know where his parents were. Because, she had said, no child should be left on a bench to squander away such a perfect afternoon, even if they were nearly thirteen. She had then proceeded to stuff him with the homemade biscuits she had in her large handbag. They were almost sinfully good and had Sirius been slightly suicidal he would have asked for the recipe.

Mrs. Lupin had mentioned casually that she had a son about his age and wondered if they had met at school. Of course, Sirius had no idea that she would have said Remus's name, although, now that he thought about it, they did look similar. It was the eyes and high cheekbones that gave them away.

Yes, Mrs. Lupin seemed in good spirits as she ragged on her husband, John, and bragged on her son. Remus was going to be dealt with swiftly and effectively for lying.

"So, I know why I was put here, but why aren't you with Remus?" Sirius asked, stuffing another biscuit into his mouth,

"Oh, well, Remus is at his aunt's actually. My ridiculous husband put me on this bench. Not to say I can blame him, really. The last time I was in London I nearly caused some sort of riot. A statute of secrecy or some sort of rubbish."

Sirius looked at the woman next to him in confusion as she carried on, "How was I supposed to know that mobbles knew nothing about wizards?"

"Mobbles, ma'am?"

"Yes, dear, mobbles. Or was it maggles? Miggles?"

"Muggles?"

"That's the one, dear! Goodness, I've not been much into the wizarding side of things, so it's no wonder I'm not getting things right. Muggles, honestly, what a mind-boggling word. Another biscuit, dear?"

Sirius took another, trying to bury the horror that was building inside of his stomach. How Remus always seemed to be perpetually worried around him, never truly spoke about his family, and, in the interest of keeping his things private, had a muggle lock on his trunk. Helena Lupin was a muggle. She was an honest to goodness muggle and Sirius was sitting right next to her! He hadn't shriveled up or burnt into a crisp yet, like his mother had said though, maybe he was jumping to conclusions? Yes, that was it!

"Mrs. Lupin? Are you…that is are you…um?"

"Muggle? Yes, I am. Poor Remus seems so ashamed of it. He didn't use to be, but apparently some of his little friends are in the high society around here and he seems to think that they might not like him as much if they found out about my non-magical self. Poor thing, I was so happy that he had made friends that I didn't have the heart to tell him off. You won't tell any of his friends, will you, dear? I should hate to be the cause of my baby's unhappiness."

Sirius shook his head numbly, wondering if he should tell the woman who he was exactly. He decided not to, but wondered why his body wasn't turning into a gelatos mass at Mrs. Lupin's muggle touch.

Then Sirius had an epiphany. Maybe his mother was wrong. Maybe muggles weren't all bad. Didn't some of the brightest students in Gryffindor come from muggle homes? Sirius grinned happily and picked yet another biscuit from the bag and listened happily as Mrs. Lupin prattled on about something called Monty Python, whatever the hell that was.

/page break/

"You did WHAT?!"

"I sat next to a muggle and didn't die. I thought you said I would." Sirius watched with growing satisfaction as Walburga puffed up like a toad in anger. While his mother being angry was not a reason to celebrate, the fact that he had proved her wrong was. Walburga Black prided herself on knowing anything worth knowing.

"You little brat! How dare you disobey me? I'm just thankful that your brother isn't as foolish as you!" And with that she cuffed Sirius around the head and marched out of the parlor.

Sirius sighed and rubbed his ear, it wasn't as if he were trying to disobey her, it just happened. He wondered what color his mother would turn if he were deliberately bad. Sirius felt a wicked smirk come across his face as he glanced at his mother's retreating form through narrowed eyes.

"That's suicidal, Russi."

"Uncle Alphard!" Sirius launched himself at his uncle. Alphard grinned and swung him up into the air, or he tried to at least.

"Ugh, you're too big for this anymore."

Sirius laughed and wrapped his arms around his favorite family member. It was nice to see him again. Sirius supposed mother had finally un-banned Alphard after four years. But his uncle had been stupid enough to "embarrass" the family quite publicly. Because kissing another man in the middle of the ministry was quite foolhardy, not to mention gross. It was all okay though, Sirius thought, if Alphard wanted to do weird things like kiss boys, shave all his hair off, and eat Blood Pops for breakfast. Alphard Black was still Sirius's hero.

/page break/

Sirius glared at the floor sullenly as Narcissa chattered on. Why was he letting her braid his hair, he didn't know, but it certainly didn't make her any quieter. She really needed to have her friends over. He was trying to get his astronomy homework done. Although the moon charts seemed a little familiar, but Sirius couldn't see why. Moon phases were typical second year material; maybe Andromeda had mentioned it in passing or something.

"Russ, guess what came?"

Sirius looked up as Regulus came sliding in the room, three Hogwarts letters clutched in his tiny fists.

"I got my letter! I got it!" Regulus bounced up and down waving the parchment around in the air. Sirius and Narcissa's eyes met followed by instantaneous giggling. Regulus had to be the most excited child to ever get his letter. He had even known it was coming, but he still managed to act silly.

"Can I have my letter before you tear it apart, please?" asked Narcissa, holding her hand out for the yellow envelope. She had to duck as Regulus threw it at her before plopping down in Sirius's lap.

Sirius winced as his not so little brother bounced up and down on a very sensitive part of his anatomy. The paper cuts from flying pieces of parchment was not too pleasant either. He placed his hands on his brother's slim waist and tried to keep him from moving.

"Can I open it?"

"Well, duh. How else will you find out what's in there? Honestly, you're such an idiot."

Sirius glared at Narcissa as Regulus's eyes filled with tears at their cousins harsh words. Nobody talked to his baby brother like that except for him!

"Go ahead Reggie, open it," He urged his brother, who still looked upset. Trembling fingers edged the envelope open and the familiar writing of Sirius's head of house came into sight.

Sirius smiled as Regulus's excitement slowly came back to him. He wondered if Regulus would be a Gryffindor like him; that would be real nice. That way Sirius could still protect him, because Regulus was still a baby, even if he was eleven.

/page break/

"Your friend is a werewolf." Sirius sighed and turned to look at Regulus.

"I know that."

"What do you think you're doing then? Why are you hanging out with him? Is he blackmailing you or something? I'll tell mother and she'll fix that monster real quick."

"Don't you dare call Remus that! And don't you dare tell mother!" Sirius roared, seizing Regulus by his Slytherin tie.

"But, Sirius…he'll eat you…"

"Remus would never do such a thing. You don't even know him. How could you even make such an accusation like that? He's my friend, don't you dare do anything to hurt him, you hear me?"

"Yes…"

"Good." Sirius dropped his brother and stalked down the hall. He didn't see Regulus's crushed expression, his slow tears, or hear the whispered phrase "He may be your friend, but I'm your brother."

Sirius was so intent on getting away from Regulus that he almost didn't move in time when a red and black shape came hurtling out of the darkness.

"Whoa, Evans, where's the fire?"

"Haha, Black, very witty. Tell your creepy friend Potter to stay away from me!"

Sirius watched as Lily Evans disappeared around the corner. He was very confused. What could James possibly want from a mudblood nerd like her?

/page break/

Sirius smiled and wrapped an arm around his delicate friend. For a minute there he had thought that Remus was going to have a nervous breakdown on him! He hadn't known that Remus would freak out about someone knowing he was a werewolf! It wasn't as if he were dangerous! But when everything had been straightened out Remus had calmed down enough to relax into the friendly arm that Sirius had slung around him. It was nice to take care of someone more fragile than him, thought Sirius, even if it wasn't Reggie.

It was true. He did miss his brother, but knew that things would be a little different from now on. Because as everyone knew Slytherins and Gryffindors did not mix; and they never would if peer pressure had anything to say about it. Sirius was just pleased that someone needed him; at least in a protective sort of way. Remus had no brothers or sisters to take care of him after the full moons.

"Don't worry, Remmie. I'll take care of you." Sirius whispered to his dozing friend. Remus mumbled something about salt-water taffy and pink elephants while digging himself deeper into Sirius's side.