Chapter 15: Rich Werewolves
Lily looked to the side of her bed, suddenly, because of a blinding light appearing out of no where. A stag Patronus whispered to Lily, in James Sirius' voice, "Lily, come on its Saturday. We have to see Uncle Hagrid. It's tradition. He'll be expecting us." Lily was tired from her first week at Hogwarts, but she never could say no to an adventure with her eldest brother. It was something that got her in far more trouble than anything else in her life, but it always seemed worth it at the time. When Lily reached the bottom of the stairs from the girls dormitories, her eldest brother threw his arm over her shoulder, with his other hand he began ruffling her hair up as they walked towards the portrait hole. Lily pushed his hand away, but James Sirius insisted, "You're a Potter Lily. You can't wear your hair perfectly like that. Alb and I have meticulously forged a legacy for you to uphold."
"Yeah, I noticed that. I went to whisper in Franks ear if I could borrow a quill. Before I even asked, Professor Zabini was watching me, and was all, 'Don't even think about talking in my class, Miss Potter.' I just needed a quill man. I had to copy notes down late at night."
"Yeah, I'll take full credit for that one. There have been, let's just say, a few near misses in that particular class."
"You don't say. Hey what's that piece of paper you've got there? Are you taking home work with you to Uncle Hagrid's?"
"It's Saturday, Lily. Don't be silly. This is for Alb and my bingo game. It's a hoot. We both write out Hagrid's, 'go to expressions' in boxes, and whoever gets the right ones first, wins. We do work in bribery and corruption though, and trick him into saying a few of them to get ahead. Actually, while Alb isn't here, I need you to coerce some answers, because he'll be all focused on you and settling in." James said with a glint in his eye.
"What's in it for me? How about you lend me the cloak for the night." Lily suggested matching the glint in her brothers eye.
"Done. Of course, I would've lent it to you anyway. Can't have a Potter at school without breaking a few rules can we? Anyway, all you need to do is point at the picture of Dad and Buckbeak on his wall and ask what the creature is. That is bound to get an, 'Is'n he beautiful,' out of him." The picture of James Sirius started to fade from Lunas mind and Luna started picturing Hagrid with his token grin, and rocking his hips forward, saying, 'Is'n he beautiful.' Out of no where, Lunas vision changed to a giant Basilisks tail moving in front of her and woke with a start, just as she had tried to stab it with the sword of Gryffindor. Luna awoke with a fright, but it quickly turned to laughter, as she thought about if Hagrid had opened the Chamber of secrets, and him saying, 'Isn' he beautiful,' about the monster. It was Saturday morning and Luna had made it through her first full week of class with little event. The Marauders tactfully kept their distance, and the Slytherin blokes fell over her trying to get some attention. Luna, however, noticed that certain Slytherins pulled back from her after the letter was delivered to her in the Hospital wing. Luna assumed this was the group that really were in the inner circle and knew Voldemorts reaction to his 'daughter.' Malfoy and Avery watched carefully from a distance what Luna was doing. The letter had been exactly what Luna had expected. Basically, a death threat and warnings to try and scare her, hand written from Voldemort himself. It did frighten her, but it also made her laugh that Voldemort hadn't denied that she could have been his illegitimate daughter. Luna had possibly fooled Voldemort himself into believing she was his daughter. Not that it made any difference to him, he was going to try to kill her regardless. Even if she did have 'The blessed mouth of a snake," according to Voldemort's letter. Luna was surprised that he'd stressed the lack of need for an heir because only he was powerful enough to live forever. He had emphasised he was living forever. It just screamed Horcruxes. Yet no-one even knew what they were because the books were banned, therefore people could never have come to that conclusion of his immortality themselves.
A visit to Hagrid's hut was exactly what she needed on a Saturday morning, to get her mind off things. In fact, death threats from the darkest wizard of all time weren't exactly making her have a sound mind. She never really appreciated what her parents and friends had sacrificed for hers and her generations freedoms. It was like she was expected to run a marathon having never gone for a run before in her life. She had to admit now, she had been spoilt, leaving her ill-equiped for the task ahead. Luna desperately needed to numb the feeling of dread, so she reached for the left over Fire whiskey from last weekends party and downed it in one go.
She only started stumbling on the last part of the track to Hagrid's, where the alcohol really started to take its effect.
Everything seemed to be going wrong in Lunas mind this morning, and she was in emotional toil. She took one look at Hagrid and began to cry. Her interfering with the timeline may have taken away his opportunity to have his daughter, Montesa. Another life she may have removed from existence because of her ambition in time travelling. Luna felt like she deserved Slytherin now. It was her ambition that lead her to travel in time. She could sprout lies like they were coming back into fashion. It was seamless and everyone believed her so freely. Why did people believe her? Were they thick? Or was she clever? Too clever for her own good. Sometimes she wished people could read through her. Her Mum and Dad would have known she was lying. They knew all her nervous ticks, loss of eye contact, and stumbling over word choice. But nobody here knew her, so they couldn't tell. She wished somebody loved her and knew her well enough to know she were lying. Then she would have a companion in this lonely journey. She was responsible for so many lives being saved, and yet she had decided to go and get pissed this morning. Someone worthier definitely deserved to be in her place. Heck, her Dad could have done with meeting his own Father. Why did she have to be the one travelling through time? She was sick of being here, with people who should all be dead. She hated the fact she was their only hope. So she needed to escape her feelings of dread and pressure and have some alcohol. It seemed to numb her, and the truth didn't seem like such an evil thing to talk about.
Luna stumbled into Hagrid's hut and said sadly to her 'Uncle,' "I'm so sorry Hagrid. You deserve so much, and everything has been unfairly taken from you. You should travel to France and meet this beautiful half giant called Olympe. She's taller than you, and she's beautiful. I know she's a half giant, but you can't judge her for that, she is wonderful. And matches you for size. You should have a holiday over to Beauxbatens, maybe take some of your tamed Thestrals as a gift. She would love that. She's the Defence against the Dark Arts teacher, but I reckon she's a shoe in for the headmistress spot soon." Luna kept rambling on to Hagrid through her tears, unaware of his surprised expression.
"Wow Luna, have ye taken some kind o' funny potion. Are ye alright? Ere sit down. Let me get ye some water. Yer not bein yer self. Are ye getting me back for setting ye up with Sirius?" Hagrid asked with a chuckle as if her and Sirius were a happening thing now.
"I know, I'm not being myself. I drank what I shouldn't have, but I've been so sad, I needed to escape. Escape this awful fate I've only myself to blame for."
"Hey, its ok, ye don need to be sad. Ye don ave an awful fate. Ye've got a lot goin for ye. Yer a beauty and them boys don take their eyes off of yeh, and yer funny an good company. Ye take time to come visit old Hagrid, yer kind. Ye know a lot about animals, Ye've got nothin to be sad about, chin up."
"I do love animals." Luna said wiping her eyes and trying to grasp at something positive, but followed up with, "You know, I was meant to go on a OE with my friends, and do the NEWT's year of fantastic beasts. We were going to travel the world and see the most amazing creatures, But I can't now, Voldemort will kill me as soon as I leave these grounds." Luna said, downcast, fiddling with her fingers to distract herself from looking directly at Hagrid.
"Newts year o' fantastic beasts. I didn't know that was a thing, would've done it me self o'course if I knew about it."
She realised too late it probably wasn't a thing yet, but was too numb to care at the moment. "I know his Grand daughter personally, so that's how I have the inside scoop." She said as a feeble excuse, which Hagrid seemed to believe regardless.
Just as Luna took a swig of water, a loud knock came on the hut, to which Hagrid promptly opened. Luna could hear Hagrid easily even though he tried to quieten his voice. Subtlety had never been his strength.
"Ah boys, it's good to see yeh all, come in, come in. I've just got Luna here, who's a bit down to be honest with ye, perhaps, yer could cheer her up a bit ye know, give her a laugh." Hagrid asked hopefully to the three boys.
"Of course Hagrid." The boys all said enthusiastically.
Sirius was the first to come in and threw his arm around Luna and rubbed her back asking if she was Ok, and telling her to "take deep breaths," because she was still obviously crying.
"Why are you being so nice to me? I don't deserve this. I deserve Azkaban." Luna drunkenly said as she looked at Sirius through sad eyes.
"No, you don't," Sirius said in a soft voice trying to reassure Luna. "You deserve a medal. Think of all the lives you saved getting rid of that Basilisk." Sirius continued to pull Luna into a side hug and she rested her head on his chest.
"Eh, I don't thinks. Think he was a contingency plan," Luna drunkenly replied.
"Did you find out about Grey Lady?" Luna slurred.
"No, we were wondering if you might be able to tell us any more details. She's very shy."
Luna suddenly remembered she was meant to be avoiding the boys. "Hang on, I'm not meant to be seen with you. Did you make sure no-one followed you?"
"Yes, its just us. You don't need to worry, No one will see us here with you. I doubt any Slytherins will stumble their way past Hagrid's hut." Sirius reassured Luna rubbing her arm.
"This is true," Luna replied and relaxed her shoulders again.
"Well, I'm an expert in tragic stories," Luna laughed humourlessly. "Let me tell you the tragic tail of how the Bloody Barron loved The Grey Lady, yet he killed her. He actually killed her, can you believe that? It was an accident. I can understand accidents though. Heck, I know ALL about that," Luna drawled.
"What do you mean by that Luna? What else can you tell us? Your message just said to look into The Grey Lady." Sirius asked slowly, so Luna didn't misunderstand in her inebriated state.
" Oh, I can tell you more. That is one thing I can do. The Grey Lady is Rowena Ravenclaws daughter, and a thief. She was a naughty girl. She didn't deserve to die though. No wonder people are scared of the Bloody Baron, he got angry and killed the person he loved." Luna looking absently into space said to herself, but still out loud, unaware everyone was listening, "poor Montesa. She was so fun, she had a French accent that she used to ridicule me with. I would just laugh and laugh with her, she was so funny. I miss her. I miss a lot of things," Luna said as she drank more of her water.
"Was she a friend of yours Luna?" Sirius asked gently.
Luna didn't reply to this and just nodded and dropped her head to her chest and sulked. Sirius continued to rub her back reassuringly, whispering, "it's ok. We're here. Why don't we talk about something more cheerful now?"
Everyone in the room could tell Luna was too far gone at this point and needed directed in the right way so she didn't cry. "Why don't you tell us about your dreams? What you will do once Voldemort is gone?" Sirius said in his best faux cheerful voice. It was clearly effecting him more than he was trying to let on seeing Luna so upset.
"You know, I think even I can get a job, being Voldemorts daughter and all. I met this person once who made me believe I could do anything." Luna said through hooded eyes. This was the truth.
"Ok, tell me about this person then." Sirius said as if he were talking to a child.
"He had the worst hand anybody could be dealt in life. He was a Werewolf. I know, I met a real life Werewolf, crazy, right?" Luna laughed, full well knowing Remus was in the room seeming uncomfortable, but didn't look at him.
"Ok, why did he inspire you?" Sirius asked in a more guarded voice this time, not like where the conversation might be going.
"Oh don't talk to me like that. I like Werewolves. This guy was it. I'm telling you. Richest wizard I ever met. He lived away from other magical people. In New Zealand of all places, can you believe that?" Luna asked as she laughed to herself.
"He used his being a Werewolf to make money. He would explore Milford Sound while he was transformed so he could find the best places to visit. There were no humans while he transformed in this unreached area so it was completely safe. Then, when he was human again, he made tour guides into the unreached places that held the most beauty. He had such a knack for finding the good spots that he literally made millions. Self employed, so didn't work on the full moon. He was an inspiration. Dealt the worst hand possible, yet made the best for himself. I only hope I can be like that man." Luna said dreamily in her drunken voice and raised her water as if making a toast to him. Luna then continued to ramble filling the silence. "But that's far too much of me talking, what about you Mr Black? No wait. Let me guess. An Auror for all three of you? Fighting Dark Lords and capturing Death Eaters. Actually speaking of Death Eaters, Sirius I need to talk to you about your brother. Would you mind giving us some space, Hagrid, Remus, James? Maybe if you go feed the Thestrals and come back in a bit? This is sensitive information."
Sirius tried to nod so Luna couldn't see his response, but she was all too aware of the movement, as the group agreed to give the two some space. After everyone left, Sirius pulled back from Luna so she could look at him in the eye. He had beautiful dark brown eyes, full of concern. He cared so much and it made Luna weak at the knees.
"I have my suspicions about your brother, but that's not why I got everyone to leave. Luna leaned closer to Sirius and whispered, "I just wanted to be with you, you know. The problem is, I'm a really, really good liar. I can make anyone believe me," Luna said, laughing to herself in a slightly manic way. Sirius started to open his mouth to reply, but was silenced by Luna moving slowly closer to Sirius and looking down at his lips. She only allowed a moment of pause before she started to kiss him passionately. Sirius sighed in content at the action and leant into the kiss. When he caught control of himself and what he was doing, he pulled back to look Luna in the eyes, gripping both shoulders because Luna was trying to lean back in again, and said, "Luna, stop. As much as I want this, I want this when you're sober." Sirius said earnestly.
"Oh, so noble of you. The noble house of Black after all, right?" Luna asked mockingly and leaned into to continue the kiss, but Sirius pulled back again.
"You know, Sirius Black, Your'e not the trigger happy person I thought you were. Like I was lead to believe. He would be right into this and be taking advantage of me," Luna said moving her hands under his shirt to try and touch his skin. Sirius reached to hold her hand still, "Oh I'm trigger happy alright, but you underestimate how much I care about you. I'm here to play the long game. I don't want the cheap version of you in Hagrid's hut of all places." Sirius confessed looking intently at Luna, who couldn't keep eye contact.
"You're dreaming, right? We don't stand a chance against Voldemort. You might as well enjoy the moment and forget about me." Luna replied in a huff.
"Not going to happen, sorry. He won't be around forever, I know it." Sirius said with conviction.
Luna laughed dryly and said to Sirius honestly, "I don't believe you. You are trigger-happy by the way. You're so trigger-happy, you will probably end up in Azkaban for 12 years." Luna said without thinking.
Sirius looked at Luna with concern. "OK, how much did you have to drink? 12 years is weirdly specific and not even a regular sentence length, nor will it ever be. You're a bit far gone."
"Far gone? Me? No, but you're Sirius Black, you'll escape Azkaban, don't worry."
Sirius laughed at this, and looked at Luna and said, "Ok, I really need you to sober up now, drink some more of this water. You think I could break out of Azkaban. What else do you think I could do," Sirius asked in a husky voice, his control starting to waver.
"If you were smart, Sirius Black, you could grasp what is right in front of you, and kiss me, and enjoy it. 12 years is a long time to be in Azkaban after all. Might as well enjoy the time now, right?" Luna said in a low voice and leaned in to kiss Sirius again. Sirius control did waver this time and he kissed her back, forgetting about the state she was in. It wasn't until her hands moved back to his skin that he was knocked back into his sense and pulled back from the kiss.
"Come find me, when you haven't had a drink, and we can do this. I dare you. I don't care about Voldemort coming after me. That's just you, worrying unnecessarily. Send me a time and place on the Galleon you gave me. Find me in an empty class. Where the Slytherins won't find us, if you have to," Sirius whispered quickly, as Lunas eyes began to droop shut. Sirius took this cue to pick Luna up and lie her down on Hagrid's bed with a bucket strategically place next to her. Sirius sniggered at the Flute lying next to the bed and threatened to play a lullaby if she didn't start sleeping it off. Luna was thankful they had stopped kissing because as Sirius sat back down, the boys came back into the hut. The smell of the Thestrals food was an attack on Luna's senses and she vomited up a large amount of alcohol in the bucket. Hagrid took one look at Luna and said, "better out than in." Luna laughed at this and shouted, "Bingo," and continued to laugh shaking her head. The boys all looked confused, but put it down to the alcohol making Luna a little weird and didn't comment.