Disclaimer: Not mine.

His Calling

Chapter 45

A Table for Four

Lucy tugged at her skirt feeling odd and out of place as they approached the Three Broomsticks. "I should have worn the blue dress."

"Stop that, you look fine," Remus grinned.

"It's too short. She'll think I'm cheap."

"It's not like she has never seen you before."

"Yeah, but that was when she liked me, and she thought I was cheap then. Now she's going to come out and say it."

Remus swallowed hard as he reached out for the door handle, only just thinking at that moment that he might have made a mistake. "Lucy, if you would rather not do this I'll understand."

"Then you shouldn't have gotten them a table by the window."

Remus turned back and looked around the edge of the door, seeing Rhea and John already seated, Rhea looking right at him through the window. Trying to muster a smile, he yanked the door open and stood aside as Lucy walked in ahead of him. Taking up her arm, he led her to the table, pulled out her seat, and waited until she was situated before sitting next to her, putting John opposite him and Rhea to his right.

"So," Rhea leaned back, "I take it this is not solely for my birthday."

"Happy Birthday," Lucy said, forcing a smile.

"Thank you," Rhea answered with a short clipped voice.

"Good evening, Mr. Dawlish."

"Lucy." He nodded at her but kept his eyes on Remus. "I must say this is a surprise."

Rosmerta slid a platter of starters onto the table, placed a small plate in front of each of them, then levitated four wine glasses and a full bottle to them.

"We don't drink," Rhea said tersely, lifting an eyebrow at Remus.

"You may before the afters," Rosmerta smirked. "Now enjoy. Dinner will be out in a bit."

"Do you drink, Lucy?" Rhea adjusted the napkin on her lap, keeping her eyes down and her jaw clenched.

"Just when I'm planning on taking on the whole Quidditch team."

John sprayed a mouthful of water on the table and Remus started to laugh as Rhea snapped her head up to meet Lucy's eyes.

"I thought we could just get it out in the open," Lucy said coldly. "That's where this is going, isn't it? You're going to accuse me of being a flirt, because you would never say the word slut out loud. Then you'll say I'm not good enough for your son, questioning my loyalty, and then the piece-de-resistance…that I turned him in to the Ministry. So let's just skip the pleasantries and get to the end. It's faster that way and I want to enjoy my meal. I don't get out all that often, regardless of what you think. That and the Quidditch team don't feed me."

"Son, I don't think this is such a good idea," John said, with a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"I thought it would work better here." Remus looked from Rhea to Lucy and back to John. "Mum won't hex her and Lucy won't yell…much."

"Might work." John reached for the bottle as both women glared at him. "Come on, Remus, you and I need to sit up at the bar for a while."

"Oh, no you don't," Rhea grabbed the bottle from him and slammed it back on the table. "And you young man, you know I don't approve of …of her being here."

"Mum," he started, felt Lucy's hand on his and saw the small shake of her head. "I don't need your approval. This is about Lucy and me. Last summer you two got along fine, so I know it's not her but something has crawled up your…"

"Remus," Lucy hissed.

"Something has changed and you are wrong. Now you either get over it or…" he stopped talking looking back at Lucy, "I plan on seeing her with or without your approval."

"I told him we just wouldn't tell you," Lucy admitted. "He…he wouldn't hear of it."

"John, you talk to him, he won't listen to me."

"Lucy, do you know what Rhea is worried about?"

"My family? That Remus could rip my throat out? That he-who-must-not-be-named may come after us? That I am a squib?" she asked angrily. "I can't change any of those things. Do you think I don't worry about the same things?"

"Obviously not," Rhea spat. "You don't know how hard it has been to get him this far."

"Mum, I am right here."

"No, no I don't," Lucy spat back, completely ignoring Remus who tugged on her sleeve. "Do you have any idea that we are of age and don't need your permission to see each other? Do you know how awful it is to live up at that place and know that my uncle is against everything I am? To know that if he did know about, Remus he would do more than just turn him in? Do you know that I used to look forward to my summers just so I could spend time at your place? Now you hate me and I don't even know why! What have I done to you? Do you think I will contaminate him or something? That if he touches me he will roll over and run to Vole…him?"

"Someone …someone turned him in. Someone that…"

"Rhea," John said sternly. "Lucy, I'm sorry, but we know that it was someone from around here. The message came through the Ministry's floo network…we could tell the distance and it matches your uncle's farm. The only other floo with the same measurement is our own."

"He didn't know, I tell you there was no way he could have found out. If he had known, he never would have had you help repair the roof and given you that feed and you know it as well as I do. I'm not saying he wouldn't do it, because he would…but he didn't because he doesn't know."

"We think he has been using you too …Lucy, I'm sorry."

"No, he wouldn't do that. I know he is…" she choked, and lowered her head, "this was a bad idea. It doesn't matter what I say."

"Lucy, you said yourself your mum has been going to the meetings with him," Remus said softly.

"We are back to this," she sighed throwing her napkin on the table. "For that to be true it would mean he turned on his own mother, his own sister. I agree with you that he is going over to …that bastard's side…but to think he would turn in his own family…I can't believe it."

"Lucy," John said, taking her hand in his and looking up at Remus, "is it possible that your mother is doing more than just attending meetings? After all, she was left with nothing when your father died. Perhaps she is …"

"It wouldn't be the first time a widow went after her brother-in-law," Rhea joined in. "I know how hard it can be with no income and no idea where to turn. She has a daughter that she needs to hide. It would be a short reach to think she would be better off with a new husband, one that could keep her secret."

"Mother!" Remus hissed.

"I meant nothing by it, Remus, I really didn't. Even if it is not Lucy, it is someone close to her…someone that she talks with. Maybe without even realizing it she is putting you at risk."

"Have you ever thought it is I that puts her at risk?" Remus leaned his arms on the table and studied his mother's face. "Mum, it doesn't matter."

"Yes it does! John, please talk sense into them!"

"Fine," John turned to Lucy and smiled, then reached in his pocket and handed her his handkerchief. "Never fall in love with anyone that is, or has, a werewolf in the family. Above all, remember, whom you associate with in this world will determine your future. Did I miss anything, Rhea? Oh, I forgot to mention, I was passed over for that supervision position again."

"Oh, John, how can they…" she paused and looked at Lucy, then back to John, "because of me?"

"Here you go," Rosmerta chirped. "Your son here put in the order last week. I hope…Rhea? Are you okay?"

"Yes," Rhea dabbed her eyes with the napkin. "I guess my son has a…girlfriend I have to get to know better."

"It's about time," Rosmerta sighed, winking at Lucy. "You don't want these two sneaking around, you better learn quickly."

"Good Merlin," Rhea muttered, as Rosmerta walked away. "John, I'm sorry. I know how you wanted that slot. Maybe next time?"

"No, I think it was for the good. Things are changing at the Ministry. People are … let's talk about this later," he smiled thinly and poured four glasses of the wine. "Rosmerta is right. We could all do with a glass of this."

"It's okay, Mum," Remus said. "I don't think it is you this time."

"Remus?" Lucy tugged his sleeve and turned her head to the side, waiting until he lowered his ear before whispering. "My mum knows that we are having dinner. Maybe… what your mum said…do you think?"

"Shhh, we are fine." Turning back to the table, he picked up his fork and nodded to his mother. "It's getting cold. Rosmerta made a pudding for dessert."

"Remus!" Lucy hissed again, waiting for him to lean back down to her ear. "Then it's Greyback."

"Fine, fine," John grinned. "Unless you two want to keep going at each other, then Remus and I will have a takeaway and you two can…"

"Knock it off," Rhea said, giving him her best shut up look. "Pudding is fine."

"So, Happy Birthday, Mum," Remus grinned and draped his arm around Lucy's shoulder, ignoring the comment about the werewolf, not seeing John's pained expression.

"So, Lucy," Rhea said taking a sip of her wine, "did our Remus tell you about what the Ministry did to him?"

"Not now," Remus hissed.

"No, I think she needs to know exactly what she is in for."

"Listen, I wanted to do this for Remus, but you aren't going to let up are you?" Lucy said, putting her napkin on the table as she pushed back her chair, only stopped when Remus put his hand over hers.

"I said…not…now," Remus hissed, slow and deliberately.

"They branded him. Like an animal. A brand to identify his body, if he is ever found dead and cannot transform back. Did you know that dear?"

"Remus?" Lucy choked, turning to study his face.

"It doesn't matter, not really," he said to her, searching her face. "Let it go."

"Rhea, that's enough," John said tersely.

"I asked you, did you know that." Rhea kept pushing.

"No," Lucy said, not taking her eyes off Remus. "Is it true?"

"Yes, but …you know the laws, you said you'd read them."

"I …yes, I guess…I …I should leave."

"No, Lucy, don't do this," Remus pleaded, looking to John for help when he saw her tears start.

"Does it bother you to know he has been branded?" John asked.

"No, but he…he didn't tell me…he…" she turned to Remus, "you didn't tell me."

"I'm sorry, Lucy," he said looking at John, not knowing what the problem was.

"If he had told you? What then?" Rhea asked, looking between the two.

"I don't give a crap about that, but he…"she turned to Remus, "you thought it would make a difference? Remus, how could you?"

"Mum, that's enough." Remus clenched his jaw and stood up, pulling out Lucy's chair as she stood. "I wanted this to go better. I guess I was the fool."

"Remus, sit down and, Rhea, shut your mouth. I want to enjoy my dinner and I am sure Lucy wants to crawl into a hole right about now. So, unless you want me to send you a howler I suggest you sit."

Remus couldn't help but grin, remembering the howler he had sent.

"I should be going, Mr. Dawlish, this isn't going to solve anything. I thought she would see that I … I need to go." She yanked her arm away from Remus and hurried outside, running to the apparation point.

"Thanks," Remus said sarcastically, throwing down his napkin. "This doesn't change anything, Mum, nothing."

He ran after her, catching her just as she reached the corner, and pulling her into his side, took her in a side-a-long apparation to the ridge at the beginning of her uncle's property.

"That went well," she said thinly, stepping away from him.

"At least we know it's not you," he tried to joke. "She doesn't trust your family but she…"

"You're right, she wouldn't like any girl you took up with. How stupid of me to take her seriously."

"Dad will talk to her. He has a way of calming her down."

"I thought he would be the biggest problem. You know, him being an Auror and all."

"No, it's Mum. Come over here," he said leading her to a level patch of ground then taking off his outer robes for her to sit on.

He flopped down on the ground, pulled her down next to him, and told her the story of Marcus and his father and explained how Rosmerta figured into everything. It was the first time he could talk about his family and his history and felt a sense of relief and in being able to do so. Lucy sat quietly, letting him wander in his story, not interrupting although questions raced through her mind. When Remus finally finished she leaned into him for a kiss, and felt his hands on her shoulders, pushing her to the ground.

"We shouldn't…not here."

"Where?" he asked in a husky whisper, leaning down and capturing her mouth again.

"I have a doctor's appointment next week. The clinic in Manchester. We need to wait."

"I'll take you."

"You don't have to," she looked up and smirked at him.

"Good," he sighed a breath of relief. "I mean…I will if you want me to. But I would feel like a bloody idiot sitting in a room full of woman all there to get on the pill."

"There is a coffee shop not far. Would you wait there? They said it only takes a few minutes. No, on second thought I'll go alone."

"I said…"

She put her hand over his mouth and studied his face. "I know you did, but you don't have to. It is easy in the Muggle world, a lot easier than here and if you are being monitored you don't need to be running off to a Muggle area."

"You're sure? I'll do it if you want."

"I love you Remus Lupin," she laughed.

"You did well tonight, standing up to her I mean."

"She is worried about you. I think it's about you, not me. She wouldn't trust any girl you liked."

"Liked?" He grinned and pulled her into his arms. "I think I more than like you."

"I got a potion and put it back in the nightstand," she whispered.

"Where from?" He sat up and ran his hand through his hair. "Lucy, you have to be …"

"I know, I was careful. I got it from Knockturn, there is a little…"

"Merlin," he sighed and grabbed her shoulders. "Don't ever go there. Do you hear me? I told you I would take care of it. At least give me credit for…"

"I was careful. No one saw me. I wore a cloak and kept my hood up."

"Promise me. Promise me you will never go there again."

"I'll go where I want. I am not sitting around and let them ruin my life. That bloody monster is not going to dictate to me."

"Vole…he-who-must-not-be-named is getting stronger. Lucy, you have to be careful."

"Remus?" she said, nodding toward the road and the rumble of an engine.

"It's Sirius." He stood up and reached his hand down to pull her up, then tucked her hair behind her ear. "You are beautiful."

"Not now," she said reddening, pulling him toward the path.

"Moony…sorry about coming here but I need to talk."

"Sure. Lucy, do you want me to see you to the door?"

"Bloody hell, that's all I need, my Mum seeing you, I've been through enough tonight," Lucy said, before running off to her uncle's house. "Remus? Tomorrow?"

"Yeah, see you then," he said watching her go before turning back to Sirius. "So what's up?"

"I came by to talk but your mum said you were taking Lucy home so I thought I'd find you up here."

"You couldn't wait? Where are the guys?"

"Prongs is in Diagon with his folks picking up supplies, and Peter's sulking. Want to have some fun?"

"Sulking about what?" Remus chuckled, pulling off his dress robes and tucking them in the saddlebags.

"Some Muggle chick gave him the shove off speech."

"Third one this summer," Remus frowned. "He really needs to slow down. I think he scares 'em off."

"He'd scare me off and I know him," Sirius snorted.

"I should hope so, I thought you liked the chicks," Remus laughed. "You need to stop taking him to those places. He tries too hard to act like a Muggle and comes off looking like a fool."

"I seem to remember a fool that liked cherries." Sirius slapped him on the back as he walked around the bike. "Have you had any lately?"

"Shut up," Remus muttered.

"Too bad, she is about the hottest thing around here."

"I'm warning you."

"So if you aren't getting anyplace with her maybe I should give her a go. You know, turn on the old Black charm. Get her heels up in the air."

Remus turned from the saddlebags and levelled him with the look, then rolled his eyes when Sirius put his head back and began laughing.

"I knew it!" Sirius laughed, swinging his leg over and getting ready to start the bike. "So, your mum is okay with her now? If not I will be glad to take her off your hands, or rather take your hands off of her."

"Padfoot, you don't quit, do you?" Remus laughed. "Okay, so spit. What are you up here for?"

"The Potters are going to a safe house. They got a threat." Sirius said evenly, all laughter gone from his voice.

Remus stopped and waited until Sirius put down the kickstand and turned back to face him. "What kind of threat."

"I can't tell you about it. All I can say is that they …we…won't be at Godrick's and you should stay away from there. Dorea died today. She was all there was between the Black and the Potter name, with her gone …who knows."

"How's his dad taking the news? Wasn't she like his …cousin…or…second cousin?"

"It gets a little murky, but yeah…third but seven times removed."

"So what do you want to do?"

"Let's find Peter and get him a girl."

"I don't think we have enough money," Remus laughed, earning a guffaw from Sirius.

"It's not money we need. We need a bird that just wants to fuck." Sirius turned back to the front and paused before kicking up the stand. "Moony, about Lucy, are you sure?"

"Yeah, yeah I am," Remus said softly. "Padfoot? What happened?"

"My brother. He says he is going to join up."

"He's too young. It'll be over before he's of age."

"Yeah, that's what I think." Sirius slammed up the stand with his foot and kicked the bike into gear as he yelled over his shoulder, "Let's find a place and get drunk.