Raylynx's POV
At dinner the next day, our conversation turned to our first memories of magic.
"Mine was to roll back up a ball of wool that had spilled out of my grandmother's knitting basket," Remus recalled. "She was knitting besides my crib."
"That's oddly adorable," I said, strangely touched by the simple story. I remembered that Remus had held his grandmother's hand when she passed away.
"Mine was to break the glass off a clock," Sirius said, abruptly breaking the warm and fuzzy mood. When we stared at him, he said, "They thought I was precocious because I could tell time faster than most children. But I got sick of my relatives sticking clocks in my face."
"My magic didn't manifest for a very long time," I remembered. "I think the first sign of my magic was when I made it snow in the car. We were waiting for my parents to come out of the gas station, and it was so hot in the car. Then, these little snowflakes started falling from the roof of the car…"
"I'm not sure what mine was," Harry admitted.
I grinned and suggested, "Maybe it had to do with the sweater your Aunt Petunia tried to force over your head? You shrank it, remember? After a while, she couldn't fit it over your head anymore, and she had to leave you be."
"Oh yeah," Harry said. "Wait, how'd you know about that?" His head swiveled as he turned to look at me.
"Er, I might have… I might have been giving you a hand through the window," I admitted.
"Really?" Harry said, stunned. "Even then?"
I smiled fondly at him. "Of course. I had to save you from it. It was a truly horrible piece of clothing - a brown thing with orange bobbles."
"But then, what about the other times?" Harry asked. "Like that time I tried to jump behind the garbage cans when Dudley's crew was chasing me, and I ended up on the roof."
"Oh, no, that was all you," I said. "I didn't know about that one."
"Your cousin bullied you at school?" Sirius picked up, frowning.
"Dudley? Yeah," Harry replied. "But then Hagrid gave him a pig's tail."
"Did he now?" Sirius' face relaxed into a grin.
"Yeah, except I don't think Hagrid's actually allowed to use magic anymore," Harry said thoughtfully. Then, he realized that he'd just told us all, and blanched.
"Don't worry," I reassured him. "We're not going to tell anyone."
"You're really just like your dad. He was terrible at keeping secrets too," Sirius remarked. "Whenever McGonagall used to suspect we were behind something, she'd drag us into our office and question us, and James would say, 'I didn't do whatever it was,' and then proceed to describe the whole thing in great detail in his denial. 'I didn't spike the Slytherins' morning drinks with exactly 10 drops of Voice-Modulating Potion at 7 o'clock this morning, Professor. I was in bed! Really. Ask Sirius. Or Remus. Or Peter!'"
"Yes, that used to drive me mad. And after all of that explanation, he'd say so earnestly, 'And that's why we didn't do it.'" Remus recalled. "I even remember that James once told McGonagall, 'We didn't do it! Ask any of the boys -oh, except Remus. He asked not to be asked.' I was in a week's worth of detention after that. Apparently, a defense of willful blindness doesn't cut it for a prefect."
"We used to try to think of ways to keep James locked up in our dormitory right after a prank, or we'd volunteer ourselves to speak with McGonagall," Remus chuckled. "Ironically, the chances of getting caught were much lower if we just turned ourselves in than if we had Prongs genuinely trying to show that it wasn't us."
"It was, of course," I teased. "It was always you."
"What kind of pranks did you pull?" Harry asked, interested.
"Oh, please don't go putting ideas into his head," I begged Remus and Sirius.
But it was too late. With eyes alight, Sirius told Harry, "Here's a simple one. We caught some newts in the Forbidden Forest after a rainy day and slipped them all into the Slytherin boys' dormitories."
"What was great about that one was that Slughorn had to go in there to sort it all out and I'm sure he saw a lot of things he didn't want to know about his students," Sirius said. Besides him, Remus slowly shook his head, but there was a smile playing at his lips anyways.
"Poor Slughorn," Remus said unconvincingly. "We had Potions that morning and he seemed a bit traumatized, didn't he? He couldn't seem to look Severus in the face."
"Probably because ol' Sluggy saw that Snape didn't have enough to fill his boxers-"
Harry choked on his pumpkin juice.
"You're going to make Harry sick," I chided. "And don't forget that I still have to go to Hogwarts and deal with Snape face-to-face. I don't want to hear anything that makes me think about his... boxers the next time I have to be in the same room as him."
"Well, the next time he throws an insult at you, you'll know what to reply with," Remus said mildly.
"Oh yes, because that's definitely something I'd want to mention in front of Dumbledore and McGonagall," I said sarcastically.
"Oh, that reminds of something," Harry remarked suddenly.
I prayed that whatever Harry was about to say, it would not be about the supposed meagerness of Severus' size.
Thankfully, Harry said instead, "There was that time at the zoo. It was Dudley's birthday, and the Dursleys had to take me along to the zoo. While I was there, I set the boa constrictor loose."
Remus' eyebrows lifted. "How did you manage to do that?"
"I don't know," Harry replied, a rueful expression crossing his face. "The glass just vanished."
Sirius looked impressed. "And here I thought I was chaotic for breaking the glass off of a clock face. I think you've got me beat by a mile, Harry," Sirius said, reaching over to mess up Harry's hair.
"Uncle Vernon was furious," Harry told us. "He kept me in my cupboard for a week for that…"
"But actually, my first memory of magic wasn't magic that I did," Harry confessed, oblivious to the dark expressions on all three of our faces as he mentioned casually that he'd been locked in a cupboard for a week. "It's not even a spell. But when I was younger, I had this dream… I got in trouble for telling Uncle Vernon about it. In the dream, I was on a flying motorcycle."
My eyes flashed to Sirius. His jaw dropped open and his fork slipped from his fingers.
"Yeah, I know, it's pretty silly," Harry said quickly. "It's not really magic or anything. It was probably just something I dreamed about after seeing some motorcycle advert or something…"
Remus smiled. "I think you have a better memory that you give yourself credit for," he said affectionately.
After dinner, Harry and I were sitting on the floor in front of the couch, with Remus and Sirius sitting on the couch behind us. We were playing the "Gobstones finals". It was a very intense match, filled with Sirius' unnecessary commentating, borderline taunting when it came to me. He kept calling me "the dictator."
"Looks like the dictator will go for the third marble. Oh, and she misses. Pity, pity. That has to hurt the empire, which is running low on resources, with only three marbles left. But secretly, who's complaining? Although we know that the dictator suffers from an unfortunate heritage of demanding self-imposed world leaders, one can't help but pray for her complete demise on the field."
"Sirius, will you shut up!" I said, throwing up my hands.
"Not much longer, the kid's going to beat you," Sirius replied, smirking.
Harry rubbed his hands together and then bent down. He made an excellent shot, knocking my last marble out of the circle. It spit liquid into my face. I tried to duck it, but I failed miserably.
"And the dictatorship falls, led by an excellently strategized coup by little Prongs," Sirius commentated, clapping.
I fell over onto the ground, worn-out. "I think I know how you felt when your chess players were shouting at you, Remus," I said wearily.
Remus chuckled. "Padfoot, you can be relentless."
Sirius let out a breath. "I'm exhausted. I did more talking in the last fifteen minutes than in all my time in Azkaban."
"I think even Uncle Vernon would be impressed, and he's got the lungs of a walrus - at least when he's yelling," Harry said, looking over at his godfather as he recalled the sight of Uncle Vernon bellowing at him. Harry used to wonder how Uncle Vernon could shout so long without drawing breath, particularly when it seemed like he was wheezing at any other occasion.
"What d'you think of me popping in to say hi to your Aunt and Uncle, Harry?" Sirius asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"No," Harry said immediately. "I don't want you to risk being caught for something like that."
"I'm glad Harry has some sense," Remus said approvingly.
"Well, I can't stay in this house forever," Sirius replied. "I didn't escape Azkaban just to be locked up somewhere else."
"Padfoot, it's dangerous," Remus said quickly. "Didn't you hear what Raylynx said today? The Ministry's still using all their forces to look for you."
Sirius snorted. "A waste of resources, when they've got the Malfoys right under their noses."
"Do you think Peter's told them about my Padfoot form yet?" Sirius asked thoughtfully.
"Yes," I responded, thinking of Sehtzer's letter. I sat up and said, "I agree with Harry and Remus that you need to stay inside. But I have been trying to think of ways to hide you, Sirius."
"For one, I could Dissulurate you, but I'd need forewarning and the magic wears off with time or if you engage or magic or even with rain…" I said thoughtfully. "We need something stronger for you. Just in case something happens and we're not around."
I suggested, "I have been thinking of trying to catch a demiguise. They're said to be found in the Far East. It might take a while, but it could be worth it. Remus could stay here and-"
"No," Remus said, cutting me off. "You promised you wouldn't go after creatures without me."
"But-"
"Remus is right. You're terrible with creatures," Sirius said.
I frowned. "How would you know? Remus has seen me struggle with a grindylow, whereas you-"
"I saw you. I saw you struggle with a hinkypunk," Sirius replied quietly.
I paused. "You saw me?"
"You walked right by me. I followed you…"
I remembered that night, walking through the Forbidden Forest and making a long detour to see if Sirius would approach me in my human form. He hadn't, and I'd been so disappointed. I'd even heard him breathing on the other side of the ivy wall on my way back… Now I understood why. He'd raced ahead of me so I wouldn't see him. That's why I heard him panting.
"You nearly followed that hinkypunk right into the marshes," Sirius said, lifting an eyebrow at me. "So demiguises are out of the question."
"It was part of the trap," I said defensively, "to lure the hinkypunk into the box."
"That strategy won't work on a demiguise," Remus told me. "Demiguises have precognitive sight. The only way to catch them is to do something completely unpredictable."
Remus paused and asked me curiously, "How do you know about demiguises, anyways? We don't study them at Hogwarts."
"The Demiguise's ability to make itself invisible is used to symbolize the number zero in the Runic alphabet," I explained.
"Sorry, what's a demiguise?" Harry interjected.
"It's a creature that can turn itself invisible. It looks something like a Muggle sloth, but much more agile and with silver hair. Their pelts can be woven into Invisibility Cloaks," Remus explained. "With their invisibility and precognitive skills, they're nearly impossible to catch. I'm sure you can imagine why."
"Oh, but then there's no need to go after a demiguise," Harry said. "Sirius, you can just take my Invisibility Cloak. You can carry it around with you and use it to go outside."
Sirius shook his head. "Thanks, Harry, but that Cloak belongs to you. I can't take it."
"You're not taking anything - I'm offering it to you."
"No," Sirius said resolutely. "That Cloak is meant to keep you safe. Your father left you that Cloak to protect you. You keep it, and you use it for your own protection."
"But I want you to be free," Harry said miserably. "After all, it's my fault that Pettigrew escaped and that you're stuck like this."
"No, don't say that," I chided immediately. "Don't even think that."
"Raylynx is right," Remus said, supporting me. "Harry, you did the right thing. And most importantly, you saved Sirius from a terrible fate."
Harry didn't reply. He just kept looking at Sirius. "I wish you were free," he said quietly.
"Don't you worry about me," Sirius assured Harry. "You just look after yourself, Harry. From what you've told me about the past two years, that's quite the task in itself."
"And no one's life is as precious as yours," Sirius said, and his tone left no room for argument. "All of us sitting in this room would gladly give our lives to protect you, Harry."
Harry's eyes became misty, but he finally nodded, accepting Sirius' words.
I hesitated, not wanting to turn the conversation down a dark road, but ever since Sehtzer's letter and my run-in with Lucius Malfoy, I had been seriously thinking about going after Peter, and it seemed wrong not to at least bring up the idea.
"I have been thinking…" I said softly, "about going after Peter myself. It would be the quickest way to-"
"No," Sirius growled, sitting up so quickly that Remus, who was sitting next to him, started.
"No?" I said, a bit feebly. I wanted Sirius to at least consider the idea of me going after Peter. But his instantaneous reaction threw me off. I'd expected a strong reaction, but not this strong.
"No," Sirius repeated sharply. Leaning forward, he reached down and grabbed my chin and made me look at him. "You stay with me, you understand?" His eyes were fierce, and I knew he would not compromise on this – at least, not now.
"Okay," I breathed out softly, trying to calm him. "All right, Sirius."
He sighed and with his brow still furrowed, he let me go and settled back in the chair.
"Right, well," Remus said lightly, "we should clean up."
I realize that Harry was staring at me and Sirius, his eyes darting back and forth between us. I quickly ducked my head and started to collect the marbles to put back in the pouch.
After a moment, Sirius left the living room, heading to his own room. When he closed the door behind him, I sighed softly. I felt guilty for setting him off like that, but it was an option in my mind, and if it was the only way to free Sirius and protect Harry, I had to keep considering it. I knew that Sirius also recognized this, and that was why it made him so upset to think about it.
Sirius' POV
I stared up at the ceiling, trying to control my temper. I knew I shouldn't get angry at Raylynx. I hadn't even meant to, really. I realized that she meant the best, as she always did, and that going after Peter was the logical thing to do if I ever wanted to be free. But I couldn't stand the thought of her going after Peter only to get hurt for my sake. If something ever happened to her because she was trying to set me free, I couldn't live with myself.
I closed my eyes and crossing my arms across my chest as I always did in Azkaban, I tried to calm myself down. It worked, as I found myself dreaming that I was standing in the brightness of the sun on a sidewalk in Raylynx's neighborhood. I knew that she and Remus and Harry were inside the house. I smiled and started to walk up the front porch when a movement just beyond my shoulder caught my eye.
I turned around to see a single rat crossing the sidewalk. I plunged my hand inside my robes, but then, the single rat became two, then three, until there was a stream of rats crisscrossing the sidewalk. They were pouring out from the gutters, the hydrants, the sprinklers, and fences…
I stared in horror as the street began to flood with them and the mass of writhing rats rose and came towards me. I tried to back away, but the rats were scurrying frantically to get to me, baring their teeth and blinking their bright red eyes madly at me… One rat jumped out from the mass and squealing, scratched wildly at me. I cried out and raised my arms above my head.
My eyes flashed open. I had literally thrown my arms above my head and they obscured my vision now. I slowly lowered them and pushed myself up on the floor. I gripped my head in my hands. Pull it together, Sirius. Everyone's safe. You're out of Azkaban. You're not in that hell anymore.
I made myself get off of the ground. I picked up my wand and pointed it at the empty glass beside the yet-unused bed. "Aguamenti," I murmured. But the glass remained empty. I sighed and stowing my wand away in my pocket, I picked up the glass and headed to the kitchen to fill it up.
Raylynx and Harry were both in the kitchen already, sitting at the table. Harry had his Charms homework laid out in front of him, and they were deep in discussion. I nodded at them, encouraging them to ignore me as I slipped by them to fill my glass.
Raylynx was saying to him, "Think beyond useful, Harry. Magic is supposed to be creative and fun. Charms is about exploring that as much as it's about being functional."
Harry was struggling to understand her. "Like – Like illusions?" he asked. As I filled my glass and put the water container back, I realized that Harry had, in many ways, quite a straightforward and practical personality. I closed the refrigerator and turned around, standing just a little way behind them.
"No, I mean like simple stuff," Raylynx replied. She lifted her wand and then tapped the table. The table, including Harry's homework, instantly froze over. Then, snow appeared on top of the ice. Raylynx twirled her wand in the air, and the softest and cutest snow puppies and stags and wolves burst out of the snow, yapping and ready to play. Harry's mouth fell open. So did mine.
Raylynx explained, "This is what Flitwick's getting at with the essence of animation. It takes shape and form, but that's not enough. There has to be movement." The little puppy yelped, as if to agree with her.
"So, you see?" Raylynx said, smiling a little at the snow puppy. "Charms like Accio and Mobiliarus build on the theory that animation exists beyond, or perhaps within, shape – and that is what we channel through magic." Raylynx waved her wand again and it all disappeared at once, leaving the table and Harry's homework and textbook, still completely intact.
I hesitated, and then quietly pulling out my own wand, I lifted it and whispered, "Glacius." The water in my glass froze, and then the glass shattered in my hand. Both Harry's and Raylynx's heads whipped around.
"Sorry," I muttered. "Evanesco." The glass and water on the floor disappeared.
"What were you trying to do?" Raylynx asked me curiously.
I shrugged, embarrassed to admit my inability to produce Charms magic. "Just wanted a little snow puppy of my own."
"Here." Raylynx lifted her wand. A tiny snow puppy burst out of the end and leapt forward through the air and bounded up my arm and onto my shoulder. It gave me a little puppy kiss – a cool lick on my cheek – before dissolving into a small wet spot on my shirt. Then, the damp spot faded away entirely, too.
I stared at my shoulder, marveling at how effortlessly Raylynx pulled off such Charms. I remembered that she had always been talented at such magic. Back when she and I both lived with James, we'd had a snowball fight with Remus and Peter. She'd managed to craft a snow dragon that came after Remus and me. It had initially shocked us out of our senses. And I recalled how I used to think that kind of magic was insignificant – and how wrong I was. Sure, it might not be as powerful or as structured as Dark Magic or Defense Against the Dark Arts, but such playful Charms work held the brightness of life within it, something that I was sorely missing.
Raylynx hesitated, seeing the doubt take shape in my eyes. She got up out of her seat and, with concern written all over her lovely face, she reached up and gently turned my face so that I would look at her. Her eyes searched mine.
"Are you all right?" she asked me quietly.
"I'm fine," I murmured.
"I can make more snow puppies if you want," she offered, trying to get me to smile. "They can chase after you day and night so that you'll never have a moment's rest."
It worked. The corner of my mouth pulled up in a resigned smile, breaking through my sober expression.
Without consciously intending to, Raylynx smiled a little too, mirroring my mood and expression. I started to reach for her, to draw her closer to me, but Harry unintentionally shifted a bit uncomfortably behind us. Suddenly realizing that Harry was watching us with a somewhat puzzled look on his face, we quickly broke away from each other. Raylynx stepped away and I fetched myself another glass of water. I put one down on the table for Harry, too, before leaving the kitchen to go check up on Buckbeak.
Remus' POV
I sighed in relief as I left Flourish and Blotts. The old manager had recognized my name on the application and called me over to offer me my old position as a book "mover" (to basically bring in the boxes and stack them and shelve the books in order) as long as we reinstated the prior condition that I only work at night, when there would be no one else around.
I stopped by the Apothecary and spent the feeble money I'd saved up from not paying rent at Raylynx's on ingredients for Polyjuice Potion. I was a wreck at Potions, and I knew it, but I figured I owed Sirius my best attempt. Sirius hid his frustration at having to hide away in the house quite well, but I could read it in the increasing tension in his shoulders and eyes.
I Apparated to the end of the street of Raylynx's home, only to realize that I had forgotten to buy extra vials. I figured Raylynx would not be too happy if she found me putting leeches and boomslang skin in her cups, so with a tired sigh, I turned around and went to the Muggle market.
My pockets were filled with magical ingredients, so I quickly grabbed the cheapest stack of red cups and made my way to the cashier.
"Oh, throwing a party?"
I looked up to see that young woman – the manager. What was her name? My eyes fell onto her nametag. Margaret. No – Maggie, she prefers Maggie, I remembered.
"Hello, Maggie," I said.
She smiled. "Hi, Remus." She put the cups in a bag.
"So, you didn't answer my question. Party?"
I looked at her, confused. "Why would you think that?"
"Because… red cups," she explained. She frowned and said, "Oh God, have I got it wrong again? But I'm sure it's red cups. Yeah, my friend Danny said it's red cups for college parties."
"Oh, I never went to college," I said, meaning to end the conversation. I took the bag from her and nodded at her.
"Oh, neither did I," she replied.
"Well, I got the marks for it," she said hastily. "It's just that I couldn't afford it. My parents tried and all, but it would have been too much in loans. They said they'd promote me here, and I agreed. They did promote me, but that was six years ago…" She laughed lightly, but I could sense the deep sadness in her voice.
"I still try to learn things, though!" she said brightly. "I read a lot and I'm trying to get a job at the local newspaper and magazines. Only I usually get rejected in about ten seconds when they see that I haven't graduated from college…" Her voice lapsed away.
I suddenly felt for this girl. I sympathized with the difficulty of getting a job because of the lack of status, even when that lack of status didn't really have anything to do with the actual qualifications required for the job.
"I'm sorry," I told truthfully. "It can be hard. But there's really nothing to do but keep trying."
She blinked, surprised by how my response suggested that I, too, had been in her position. She smiled at me, grateful that I wasn't pitying her, the way others did.
"Good luck," I told her, as I left.
When I came back, I quickly put all of the ingredients and cups away in my bedroom. I was washing my hands in the bathroom, when I heard a knock on my door.
"Remus, is that you?"
I wiped my hands on the towel and after pushing the bags of ingredients and cups under my bed, I opened the door. It was Raylynx.
"Good news," I told her. "I got that job at Flourish and Blotts."
She smiled, though her smile was tinted with melancholy. "Congratulations, Remus," she said warmly. "They're lucky to have you."
"I'll begin my shift next week, since the full moon's at the end of this week," I told her.
She nodded.
"On that note, I have a few more vials of the Wolfsbane Potion," I said. "But I was wondering if you thought it'd be all right for me to transform in the bunker. It might save this guest bedroom from some unnecessary aggression."
"Sure, that should work," Raylynx agreed. "We can put some pillows and blankets down there, too, so you can be more comfortable."
"And what did you come to see me for?" I asked her. "You have a question on your mind. I can tell."
"It's about Sirius…" Raylynx hesitated. Then, she asked, cautiously, "Is Sirius struggling with his magic?"
I weighed my words carefully as I responded. As I had wanted to protect Raylynx's pride when I spoke about her with Sirius, so I wanted to protect Sirius' pride as I spoke to Raylynx.
"Well, dementors tend to suck the magic out of someone," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "Over time, the depression and fog they cast over you, combined with their robbing you of your happy memories, causes you to lose touch with your magic."
"Sirius was in Azkaban for twelve years," Raylynx murmured.
"Yes. It's amazing that he's retained his magic at all, frankly."
"I see." She sighed, and then she said, "Thanks for talking about this with me, Remus. I know it might put you in an uncomfortable position. It's just that it might be hurtful if I were to ask him directly."
"I know," I replied.
She smiled at me. "Thanks," she said again, and left my room.
Raylynx's POV
Two days later, Sola dropped by unexpectedly. She looked flustered. She was holding Emily in her arms, but Emily was struggling against her, wanting to be let go of. She was five years old, and big enough to put up a valiant fight against her mother.
"Emily, please," Sola said, sighing.
Then, Sola turned to me, and speaking in a low, hushed voice, she said, "Chris was called on a mission all of a sudden." Her husband, Chris, was a high-ranking Hit Wizard at the Ministry. Stepping close to me, Sola whispered, "They found flowers at the Potters' grave. They're trying to trace the magic. They took a flower to Ollivander's to have him trace which wand it came from. He said it wasn't his make and that it was Norwegian. The Ministry thinks it's Sirius and that he stole a wand in Norway before making his way over here."
A feeling of gratitude overwhelmed me as I realized that Ollivander was trying to protect me.
"I thought I needed to warn you to be on your guard," she whispered.
I nodded. "Thank you, Sola."
Just then, Emily, who had been squirming in Sola's arms this entire time, broke free. Before either of us could grab her, she dashed into the house.
"Emily!" Sola called.
"Goodness, she's quick," I remarked, admiring the little girl's speed and strength.
"She's been a proper menace the past few weeks," Sola said tautly. "I couldn't leave her at home without Chris."
Sola and I hurried after Emily, closing the front door behind us.
To Emily's surprise, she had run straight into Sirius in the hallway, who had been returning to his room with a glass of water. Sirius paused, and looked down at her, confused. She stared up at him with wide eyes.
"Who're you?" she asked him.
"Who're you?" Sirius said back.
I groaned internally. It wouldn't be safe for Emily to know that Sirius was here. It wasn't safe for Emily, and it certainly wasn't safe for Sirius.
At that moment, Sola and I came racing up to them.
Sirius looked up at us and seeing Sola, he instantly realized who this was.
"I'm Remus," Sirius said quickly. "Remus Lupin."
"I'm Emily," Emily said, and promptly held out her hand, the way Chris had taught her. "How d'you do?"
Sirius knelt down and took her hand. Peering into her inquisitive, bright face, he said, "So, you're the other broccoli-eater, I see."
Emily giggled and shook her head. "That sounds like a bad word!" she said.
Sirius blinked, astonished. "What? No, it's not," he said, flustered.
At that moment, Remus came out of his room to see what all the fuss was about. Harry, too, poked his head out of his room.
Sola caught Harry looking out of her old room. Her brow furrowed, as she wondered what the hell I was doing with a kid in my house.
Meanwhile, Emily raced over to Remus. "And who're you?" she asked hesitatingly.
"Remus Lupin," he replied, staring down at her.
Sola visibly groaned.
Emily's nose wrinkled. "Too?" she asked.
"What's that?" Remus said. He looked up at me, nonplussed.
"You're Remus Lupin too? Or two? Like Thing One and Thing Two."
"Er…" Remus said. "You may be ahead of me there, little one."
"Dr. Seuss!" Emily offered loudly, by way of explanation.
"Emily," Sola snapped. She knelt down and picked her daughter back up. "That's enough."
"You've got quite the energetic kid," Remus said, watching Emily struggle to look over her mother's shoulder at Sirius again.
"Trust me, I know," Sola replied. She shook her head and hoisting Emily higher up her shoulder, she said to me, "Anyways, I should head back home. I just stopped by to warn you."
"Wait, Sola," I said. I beckoned to Harry. "There's someone I want you to meet."
Sola watched with wary eyes as Harry came out. I put my hands on his shoulders and guided him to stand in front of me.
"This is Harry Potter."
Sola raised an eyebrow.
"My godson."
Sola's eyes widened in disbelief.
I took a soft breath before reaching out to Sirius. While keeping on hand on Harry's shoulder, with the other, I grasped Sirius' arm and gently pulled him towards me. Then, I said, "And Sirius is his godfather."
Sola's mouth fell open.
Nodding towards Remus, I added, "And Remus is honorary uncle."
Emily took this opportunity to grab a fistful of Sola's hair and tug gently at it.
"Well, aren't you going to say hello to your god-nephew?" I asked nervously.
Sola slowly got her bearings together. She looked down at Harry, who was staring up at her with nervous eyes, he offered her a small smile. Sola breathed out and despite herself, she softened.
"Welcome to the family, Harry," she said. "You're always welcome to come to me if you need anything."
"Thank you," Harry said quietly.
"Well, Raylynx, if you would be so kind as to see me out," Sola said, and when she looked up at me, her anger came flaring back.
I stepped around Harry. Sola reached out and grasped my arm tightly. As she marched me down the hallway, she hissed, "What is going on? What about Jasper?"
"I'm not with him anymore," I confessed. "I ended things with him months ago."
Sola closed her eyes. She put her hand up to her temples and breathed out slowly.
"So… So, your family is… a felon, the boy who lived, and a werewolf? Raylynx, come to your senses!" she berated me.
"Wait a minute. How did you know Remus is a werewolf?" I said, taken aback.
"His name is on the list at the Ministry," Sola told me.
"What?" I hissed, furious.
"Don't be dumb," Sola said curtly. "All werewolves are. Be thankful they're not tracked."
"That's not right, Sola," I retorted.
"I know it's not right," she replied harshly. "I'm dedicating my whole life to proving just how wrong it is."
At this, I fell silent.
Finally, in a small voice, I said, "Sola, I know it's not your idea of a stable life, but this is the life that came to me, and miraculously, it's the life I want."
"Can you understand that?" I asked, and my voice trembled slightly.
Sola sighed. Emily struggled in her arms, turning. Sola let her turn, holding her with both arms so she wouldn't fall.
Emily looked up at me. "Thing One and Thing Two?" she asked me, a little breathless from all the maneuvering she was doing in her mother's arms.
"Yes, I know what you mean," I said. "Dr. Seuss."
She beamed when I understood her. I couldn't help but smile.
"She looks so like dad," I murmured, reaching out to touch her face.
Sola just watched me. Finally, she said, "If this is what you want…"
My eyes flickered up to hers.
She shook her head. "Mum and Dad would have been…"
I laughed weakly. "Yeah, I think Mum would have had a heart attack. But you know, Mum was more attuned to magic than even we knew… I think she would have come around. And Dad… I think he would have loved all of it, to be honest, especially Sirius."
"Well, that's probably true," Sola conceded. "How is Sirius? He looks better than when I saw him last time."
"Must be all the broccoli you force-fed him," I remarked. She grimaced, and I laughed.
"Actually, Sola," I said, "I meant to ask you. After Mum and Dad… Well, how did you get your magic back? I mean, when did you feel comfortable using it again? After everything you went through…"
Sola pondered her answer as Emily nestled her head against Sola's neck and started to close her eyes. "I suppose I became brave enough to use my magic again when I realized it had never left me. And all the things I thought I'd lost… They'd never left me either. I thought that you and Jamie would be ashamed of me. I thought Chris would never want to be with me. I thought I'd never feel Mum and Dad's love and presence again, but I was wrong. You and Jamie were still my family. Chris still wanted to be with me. And I see Mum and Dad everywhere – especially in Emily."
We both looked at the little girl in her arms. Only, she was growing so quickly.
"She's getting so big," I murmured.
"Yes, I think in just a little while, I won't be able to carry her around like this anymore," Sola said, and pressed her lips against Emily's forehead.
"I should get home," Sola said quietly. "I don't want Chris to come home to an empty house."
I nodded. "Take care. Stay safe."
"That's my line for you," Sola replied, as she turned away. As I watched her leave the house, I heard her murmur sweetly to Emily, "Are you sleepy? I bet you are, with all that running around you just did. Let's get you home and in bed, and then Daddy will come and give you a kiss…"
Smiling to myself, I closed the door.
The next morning, I received an owl from Dumbledore, asking me to come and see him the next day. He told me to expect to go on a short trip – two days and a night. I wondered what this was about. Thinking to myself, I folded the letter back up.
"Wasn't that a Hogwarts owl?" Harry asked me curiously as he poured himself pumpkin juice.
I nodded. "Yes. It was a letter from Hogwarts."
"What for?" Remus asked.
I shrugged. "I don't know. Dumbledore never tells me anything properly."
Harry gave me an all-too-knowing, sympathetic expression. I smiled at him, thinking of what a headache it must have been for him to figure out what Dumbledore intended with the Time-Turner last year.
"He did say I might be gone for a day or two," I informed them.
I didn't notice the sly look that Sirius gave Remus as I drank my water.
Sirius' POV
As soon as Raylynx left the next day, I began to lay on the old charm with Remus.
"Moony, come on. How long has it been since you've been on a date?"
He, of course, saw this coming from miles away. He had been prepared for this ever since Raylynx said that she might be gone for a day or two.
"You know, Padfoot, if we ever find a psychic, we can ask her what I did in my last lifetime," Remus said dryly. "And in this lifetime – my job is to keep you inside the house."
"Come on," I said, sidling up to him on the couch. I slid my arm casually around his shoulders. "I'll be in my Padfoot form, and no one will know."
Remus, who was reading a book, slammed it shut on my chest, pushing the air out of me, as he said, "That you'll be in your dog form is a given, not the solution."
He got up off of the couch. "And who's going to look after Harry?" he pressed.
"He can come with us."
"Are you mad? He'd be a dead giveaway."
"No, he won't," I replied. "And speaking of Harry, you realize that he hasn't been outside either? It's not healthy for him to be cooped up like this."
"Raylynx said she'd take him to Diagon Alley and play Quidditch with him," Remus said uncertainly. "He won't be cooped up."
"But Harry's refused because he feels guilty leaving me behind. I've tried to talk him out of it, but he won't listen," I said knowingly.
Remus muttered to himself, "Yes, he can be remarkably stubborn when he wants to be."
"Come on," I coaxed. "Let's all go out together."
Remus sighed and paced the floor, pushing his hair out of his face anxiously.
"I'll be on my best behavior," I promised. I held my breath. He was going to tip over to my side. I knew it. In three, two, one –
"You better be," Remus said, lifting his finger threateningly at me.
I grinned. "Deal. I'll go tell Harry."
Raylynx's POV
I was standing in Dumbledore's office. Snape and McGonagall were also there.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice, and during your summer break," Dumbledore said. "The first piece of news I wish to share is that we have succeeded in procuring a new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor – Alastor Moody."
Snape's face turned sour as he realized that Dumbledore had, once again, ignored his wishes to become the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Serves him right, I thought savagely, after what he did to Remus.
But then it hit me what Dumbledore had said – or more accurately, who Dumbledore had said. "Alastor… Moody? Mad-Eye?" I repeated. "He's going to be a teacher?"
"Yes," Dumbledore replied.
"The first-years will be scared out of their wits," I said, amazed. "No, strike that – the seventh-years will be scared out of their wits." I frankly could not imagine a more stark contrast between kind, gentle Remus and battle-hardened, blunt, unforgiving Moody.
"I am sure they will be well-rewarded for their bravery in receiving Professor Moody's considerable knowledge in Defense Against the Dark Arts," Dumbledore replied diplomatically.
"And now," he continued, "I am pleased to announce that Hogwarts has been selected once again to compete in the legendary TriWizard Tournament."
My mouth fell open. The TriWizard Tournament? After what happened last time?
Dumbledore pretended not to notice as he continued, "I have asked you both to come here, Severus and Raylynx, to present the respective Heads of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons with their invitations to come to Hogwarts and compete with our students."
Severus nodded curtly.
But I said in disbelief, "Headmaster, are you out of your mind?"
"Raylynx," McGonagall reprimanded me sharply.
"Must I remind you of what happened at the last TriWizard Tournament?" I said angrily. "You would have us willingly open our school to strangers, to a possibility of infiltration, when you know full well that Peter Pettigrew's escape could lead to the rise of the Dark Lord once again!"
Snape looked at me scornfully, thinking me stupid for believing Sirius' story that Peter was the true traitor.
"It is a chance we must take," Dumbledore said quietly. He had already anticipated and thought through my fears. He was thinking beyond that – to the inevitable war beyond. "As I'm sure you remember, Raylynx, we would not have survived long without our allies in the last war. The Sorentis family stemmed the flow of Dark allies from the South, and the Kaiuses' tracking of Karkaroff was instrumental to foiling a number of large-scale attacks on Muggle villages."
Drawing out two scrolls from his desk, Dumbledore said, "I hope to carry on that valuable line of sight and allyship."
I was altogether unwilling to step forward. Snape let out a soft noise of derision at my stubbornness. He stepped past me to take the scrolls for himself. However, when he saw the name on one of the scrolls, his sallow face became even more pale. "Karkaroff?" he read out, in surprised distaste.
"Yes. I believe he has been instated as the Headmaster of Durmstrang," Dumbledore said calmly.
"Karkaroff is the Headmaster of Durmstrang?" I said, stunned. "And you're inviting him here – where Harry will be?" I could not believe Dumbledore. It was as though he was purposefully testing my limits.
"It is better to keep one's enemies close, Professor Kingsley," Dumbledore said serenely. "Unless, of course, your enemy is very small – like a weevil or a Pygmy Puff. In that case, distance is essential to a victory-"
"Dumbledore!" I snapped. "You cannot mean to follow through with this!"
"I must implore you to see reason, Professor Kingsley," Dumbledore said, and his face become more solemn. He looked down his long nose at me. "It is not merely I who requires allies. Harry, too, will need them when the time comes."
McGonagall, seeing how distraught I was, tried to placate me by saying, "Potter won't compete, Raylynx. We're reinforcing the age limit this time as well, and Potter is underage."
"Yes," Snape said thinly. "Potter stands no risk of being chosen. The boy has no wits about him. If it weren't for his friends, Weasley and Granger, I doubt he'd-"
"You just figure out how you're going to convince your old Death Eater friend to join-" I began.
"I shall go," McGonagall said firmly, shutting me up. "I shall go to Durmstrang."
"Very well. Thank you, Professor McGonagall," Dumbledore said. He turned to Snape and me and said, "That settles it. Then, Severus and Raylynx shall go to Beauxbatons together."
Snape and I both started.
Dumbledore smiled and said, "I've already prepared the Portkeys. Thank you for your help, Professors. I will expect good news shortly."
Snape and I left Dumbledore's office, as McGonagall stayed behind to discuss other matters with Dumbledore.
"Why don't you want to see your old friend Karkaroff?" I asked Snape, taking out my frustrations on him. "Are you ashamed to see him as Headmaster, when you're a Professor?"
Snape didn't reply.
"A mere Potions Professor, at that," I continued. "I see Dumbledore refused your request to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts again, Snape. What, did you think that forcing Remus out of his position would give you a miracle?"
"At least I tell others the truth and not lies," Snape hissed at me. "The fact that Lupin is a werewolf is something the students should know. But this story, this fairytale, that you believe about Black is pathetic. And I thought you could sink no lower."
"You turned into a Death Eater for a bit of glory, Severus, so shut your mouth," I snapped. "You've no right to call me pathetic in any sense of the word."
Snape, deciding he had had enough of me, turned away. My fingers itched around my wand, but seeing as we had to carry out yet another mission together, I resisted the impulse.
As Snape walked away, his mind was filled with anger, and yet he couldn't help but wonder: How did Raylynx Kingsley, of all people, know that it had been glory that he had sought in joining the Death Eaters all those years ago – and not that he actually believed in all of the talk of pureblood hierarchy? Kingsley was as dull as a doorknob, of that Severus was sure, and yet, every once in a blue moon, she said something that was so accurate it unnerved him, and she seemed not to have the slightest clue that she wasn't supposed to know.
It reminded him of that day way back when they had been assigned as partners in Potions class. She'd said to him, out of nowhere: "Lily told me that you're amazing at Potions and that you taught her everything she knows."
"Evans said that?"
"Yes. And you're allowed to call her Lily, you know."
Remus' POV
Padfoot was ecstatic, and I had sorely underestimated how hard it was to control a large, powerful dog. Even though he promised to be on his "best behavior," Padfoot couldn't help but be overly excited by all of the different scents, movements and sounds coming from the many people moving around us and the multitude of objects glimmering in the windows.
Harry was grinning as he saw Padfoot leap into the air to look into a store window. We tried to go in, but the store owner, who had seen Padfoot, shook his head at us. "Can't come in here with the dog unless you got a leash on him."
I sighed. "C'mon," I said to Harry and Padfoot. "We're going to have buy you a leash, Padfoot."
Padfoot barked, highly offended.
"Well, can you blame him?" I retorted. "You jumped a good four feet in the air right in front of his eyes."
So, we made our way down to the Magical Menagerie.
"To think that this is where we met Professor Kingsley," Harry said, looking up at all of the cats dozing here and there, or leaping lithely from pillar to pillar. "She was a really convincing cat."
I chuckled. "I bet she was."
Harry paused and then said, "Does Professor Kingsley actually have a pet?"
"She's got an owl," I answered, as I picked out a leash. "An owl named Artemis. But the owl is highly independent, and rarely stays around. And it's a breed that likes to find it's own kind, so I suspect it has joined a parliament."
"Parliament?"
"That's what a brood of owls is called."
"D'you think we should get Professor Kingsley a pet?" Harry asked me, wandering over to a different section of the store. "I want to thank her for – you know, taking care of me all the time."
Harry thought out loud, murmuring, "She's already got an owl. She's already got a cat- well, sort-of. A toad?"
I joined him, looking up at the glass cages filled with amphibians and reptiles. Padfoot followed us and sat next to Harry.
"No, Raylynx doesn't suit me as toad person," I remarked thoughtfully.
"Oh, right. You're good with creatures, Professor – the best," Harry said, looking up at me. "Can you pick one for me? Something you think suits her, that she'd really like…"
Padfoot barked.
"He's not talking about you," I said dismissively to Padfoot as I stared up at the animals.
Then, a small fire salamander snoozing away on its little branch of magical fire caught my eye. I stepped closer and looked at it. I recognized it as a fire dwelling salamander – a lizard that was born from and fed on flames. They could only last six hours outside of fire. Hence, salamanders were used in the runic alphabet to represent the number six (just as the Demiguise's ability to turn invisible represented the number zero).
"Oh, I know what that is," Harry spoke up. "That's a fire salamander, isn't it? Hagrid taught us about them last year. We spent the whole day collecting dry leaves and woods to keep a bonfire going for them."
The salamander, sensing our faces looming ever closer to him, opened his eyes. He started and slid down his branch rather clumsily before staring back up at us curiously. He seemed a little dazed.
"Oh, that there salamander's a sleepy one," the witch at the front desk, called to us. "If you're looking for an entertaining pet, that's not the one. But if you want something calm, low-maintenance – that's the one."
I looked down at Harry, who nodded. Padfoot gave an ambiguous snort, but his ears twitched in a mildly displeased manner.
"Perfect," I said. "We'll take him. Oh, and the leash."
Padfoot growled softly, feeling he had gotten the short end of both ends of the stick. I ignored him pawing at my leg. Harry knelt down and scratched Padfoot behind his ears to calm him down.
Raylynx's POV
A magnificent castle lay nestled in the impressive terrain of the Pyrenees, which was a mountain range between France and Spain, extending all the way from the Cantabrian Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea.
Snape and I walked up to the castle gates, which bore an elegant signpost that said: Beauxbatons. Underneath the script, the academy's coat of arms, which consisted of two golden wands crossed over one another, each shooting three stars, was etched into the gate in gold and silver. Snape held up a metal charm which bore the same insignia. The gates open, and we passed through.
As Snape and I approached the castle doors, we looked upon its beautiful gardens and fountains in awe. Flutterby bushes swayed enchantingly, even though the air was devoid of any wind. A stunning display of roses glistened in the sunlight, as the morning dew gracing its delicate petals had yet to evaporate. Marble sculptures dotted every lane of flowers, tastefully contrasting the natural beauty of plants with the formal aesthetic of human art. And in the middle of these sprawling gardens, there was a truly breath-taking fountain. Water splashed vibrantly down its beautiful carved stone, in a manner so bright it seemed that physics could not explain the elasticity of the water. The fountain itself was carved from grey rock that seemed to have gold flecks embedded in it, and the shape of the fountain outlined two lovers joining hands. Together, they carried a bright red stone – the Philosopher's Stone.
Staring at the fountain, I wondered, "Did Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel attend Beauxbatons?" I slowly reached out, and feeling like a mischievous, ill-behaved child, I gently touched the tip of my finger to the beautiful, sparkling water in the lowermost fountain bowl.
"Ouais, ils l'ont fait."
I started and quickly drew my hand back.
Snape and I turned to see a very tall, large-statured, and graceful woman striding towards us. She carried herself with great poise, which made her physique stand out all the more.
"Bonne après-midi," she greeted us. "Bienvenue dans notre château."
Snape and I both stood awkwardly before her. Something about her made me want to bow, but then, it felt ridiculous to do so.
"Sorry, madame," I said finally, "neither of us are versed in French."
The lady nodded and, in perfectly fluent English, remarked, "You are from Hogwarts, I presume."
"Yes. I'm Professor Kingsley and this is Professor Snape," I said. "The Headmaster has sent us to speak with Madame Maxime."
"You are speaking with her," she said a little wryly.
"Oh," I said, embarrassed, "I apologize. I'm afraid I didn't..."
She laughed, waving away my apology. "It was a little joke, no?"
"So," she said, "I trust this is about the Tournament."
"Yes," Snape replied, stepping forward. He handed her the invitation and said, "The Headmaster would be honored if you would agree for Beauxbatons to join in the TriWizard Tournament this year."
Madame Maxime unfurled the scroll and read it. "A great honor," she acknowledged. Then, she paused, and said, "But I must admit, my mind has not been made up on this matter."
"What?" Snape said, in disbelief.
Madame Maxime frowned at him. "This would not be our first tournament, Professor Snape. Beauxbatons participated in 1792. One of the tasks involved catching a cockatrice. However, the beast went on a rampage and injured three of the judges. One of the injured was the head of Beauxbatons."
She sighed as she continued, "It is not my own danger that I worry for. Rather, the fact is that if the three judges had not been in proximity, it is difficult to say how many students would have been injured. Must we expose ourselves to such risk for a chance at just a little more glory?"
"A chance at just a little more glory…" I repeated.
Inadvertently, I looked over at Snape. His eyes hardened and he looked determinedly away from me.
"Our school's history speaks for itself. The TriWizard Tournament, while important, would do little to boost our already prestigious name," Madame Maxime spoke frankly. "And I repeat, my top concern is the safety of my students."
As she spoke, my own thoughts strayed to Harry. "Madame Maxime," I said calmly, "I understand your worries. But the British Ministry of Magic and Dumbledore are putting in their best efforts to make sure the Tournament is safe."
"Of course, they will put in their best efforts," she said dismissively. "But can you assure me that their actions will guarantee my students' safety?"
"No, I could never promise you a guarantee in good faith," I replied honestly. "But in the world of possibilities, wouldn't you say your highest chances of success are with Dumbledore?"
"I suppose that is true," she relented. She stared at me curiously for a moment. "Forgive me if I am mistaken. But you are the Champion from the last Tournament, are you not?"
I paused, suddenly feeling embarrassed. The technical answer was "yes," but considering everything that had happened during the Third Task, it seemed morally incorrect to claim any such credit, even if just by technicality.
"Yes, she is," Snape answered for me.
Madame Maxime continued to study me closely. Then, she said, "I will contact Dumbledore directly. As of now, please do not consider us as committed."
Snape frowned, displeased. But we could both see that there was no changing her mind.
"If you exit the grounds, you will be able to Apparate," Madame Maxime said graciously. "Although, you are of course welcome to stay and enjoy the grounds. Our academy is well-known for its beauty."
She bowed her head to us before leaving, heading back to the castle.
Dumbledore's POV
I sat in my office, waiting for Madame Maxime's head to appear in my fireplace - by Floo Powder, of course.
Minerva had already sent her stallion Patronus to confirm Karkaroff's acceptance. I knew that Karkaroff would accept. His pride made my offer to participate in the Tournament an offer he couldn't refuse.
Madame Maxime, I knew, would be much more careful. She was a woman of great intelligence and strength and elegance. And her half-giant bloodline would make her a much-needed ally when the war against Voldemort in earnest.
My plan had been to send Raylynx Kingsley to her because I knew that Madame Maxime, who had been thinking about and researching the TriWizard Tournament for months in trying to make a decision for her school, would recognize Raylynx.
It was a bit of a gamble in that I knew Raylynx would be staunchly opposed to my decision to host the Tournament again. As she asked me furiously if I was out of my mind, I saw the image of Julian Sorentis' dead body rise beyond her eyes. If Raylynx revealed her emotions and her honest intentions, as she often did, before Madame Maxime, Madam Maxime would be more hesitant to join the competition. However, whatever Raylynx Kingsley said, I was prepared to change Madam Maxime's mind. I could not lose the opportunity to earn her allyship. Should the giants side with Lord Voldemort, it would spell disaster for the Muggle communities that lived near the mountains.
Fawkes cawed softly. I turned to see green flames spitting in my fireplace. The next moment, Madame Maxime's head appeared, hovering above the logs.
"Professor Dumbledore," Madame Maxime said, and she gracefully inclined her head despite her lack of neck.
"Two Professors from your school have kindly relayed your invitation to me," she informed me.
"Thank you for receiving them," I said, standing before the fireplace and gazing down at Madame Maxine.
"The young lady… Professor Kingsley," Madame Maxine said.
"Yes?"
"She was the TriWizard Champion some years ago, was she not?"
"Yes," I said quietly.
"In that Tournament, a boy died," she said knowingly. "And you know, Professor Dumbledore, that your Ministry still has not offered a satisfactory explanation as to how he died."
"I am aware," I said somberly, bowing my head.
"And yet you ask me to join your Tournament?"
"I do."
She paused, and then she said, "Despite the fact that she was one of the individuals that was most at risk during the Tournament, Professor Kingsley seems to have great faith in you, Professor Dumbledore."
"Does she?" I said, surprised.
"Though she promised me no guarantee for my students' safety, she made clear that she believed that if anyone could keep them safe, it would be you, Professor Dumbledore."
Behind me, Fawkes let out a low cry.
"After much thought, I have made up my mind," Madame Maxime said. "We will come to Hogwarts. Beauxbatons will join the TriWizard Tournament."
"Thank you, Madame Maxime," I said softly. "We will prepare assiduously to receive you and your students."
She nodded, and then her head disappeared in a thin plume of green flame.
