Book II: Age of the Pheonix

Chapter VIII: Bad Moon Rising

Music Theme: Space Oddity - David Bowie

(even though the name of the chapter is a 60's song)

Forbidden Forrest - Spring 1976...

Remus Lupin and Sirius Black were cuddled up on the hillside under on of the trees marking the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Sirius reclined against the tree, levitating a book in midair and using his wand to flip each page as he read. Remus, arms crossed, leaned back into Sirius' chest, his head on his friend's shoulder. Sirius used one hand to hold his wand and another to gently stroke Remus' head. The spring air blew and Remus stirred as some leaves flew into his face. "Morning," he grumbled.

"You mean evening?" Sirius said, allowing his book to flop to the ground.

"Do I?" Remus groaned and rubbed his eyes. "Do I?!" He said urgently now and sat upright.

"Easy!" Sirius rest his hand on Remus' shoulder to steady him. "Sun has only just started to go down. Prongs and Wormtail should be here soon. I wanted to let you sleep as much as you could."

"Thanks," Remus said gazing up at the sky but leaning back onto his friend's shoulder again. "Insomnia has been a bitch these last moons."

"I know, mate. Want me to keep reading to you? I think you fell asleep around page 11."

"Well it's a bloody textbook. Not the most thrilling," Remus said with a yawn.

"You're the one who insisted on studying as late as we could. I said we should have brought a horror book. Or one of those young adult novels."

"Smut isn't exactly what I want to read about, Padfoot."

"Oh no?" Sirius said wrapping an arm around him and whispering in his ear. "You'd rather not read it? Rather try it in real life eh?"

"Padfooooot..." Remus warned but gave a bashful smile as he always did when his friend got this way. "Don't even think about it."

"Oh come on, Moony. Don't you want me?" He teased.

"Get off!" Remus laughed.

"Not until you kiss me."

"Pads!" Remus blasted and tried to push his friend off.

"Oh come on. One big, sloppy, smutty, snog right on the lips." Sirius puckered up and leaned down. As Remus fought him off they wrestled in the grass. "Oh, Master Lupin! You've used your Werewolfy hypnosis powers to seduce me."

"Shush! Someone will hear!" Remus said, but knew nobody would be out this close to their final exams. Most students were in common rooms studying.

"Let them hear!" Sirius said as he kept Remus in a bearhug and rolled around in the grass with him. "Let all the Highlands hear and know our love!" He continued to be overly dramatic as he teased his friend who finally got the upper hand and pinned him to the grass. "Why Mr. Lupin. You're trying to seduce me!"

"Don't flatter yourself," Remus huffed out of breath. "I could never be with a man who plucks his eyebrows like a girl."

"Oi! That's a secret!" Sirius and Remus laughed together and Remus stood up, extending his hand to let up Sirius.

"Should we leave you two alone?" James Potter asked from where he and Peter had seen them on the hillside.

"What? Just two best friends having a laugh," Remus said then jumped up and got Sirius in a headlock and mussed his hair.

"Not the hair!" Sirius shouted.

"Ok Ok you two, come on. Sun's going down," James said and waived them on. Peter followed behind making kissy faces and sounds at Sirius and Remus.

Sirius was fixing his hair when Remus pat him on the shoulder. "Thanks for making me forget, mate."

Sirius just nodded to say 'you're welcome'. Every month he stayed close to Remus, looking for a sign of sadness as the moon approached and pulling his best mate out of his anxiety until the last second when the moon appeared. "Come on then. It's almost time." He and Remus walked side by side behind James and Peter when Sirius snapped his fingers. "Shit, your book."

"You better get it." Remus asked. "The morning dew will ruin it. I mean, I may also eat it but at least it has a 50/50 chance of surviving the night with me."

"Well, if it wasn't your book I would just leave it, but I don't want my Moony getting bad test scores this month." He nodded towards James and Peter, "You all go on to the shack. I'll be there before the Moon is up."

"Oh yea," Remus said in a dull voice, "Hate for you to miss all the fun."

"Well if you won't give me a kiss maybe good old Fluffy will."

"Don't name the bloody Wolf, Pads." But Sirius was already running back up the hill.

He searched under the tree where he and Remus had been resting. Carefully he combed the grass with his hands. "Where the bloody hell..." He muttered. The book had vanished. He took out his wand and said, "Accio Defense Against the Dark Arts Textbook." But it didn't emerge.

"Looking for this?" Snape's voice said. Sirius whirled around and faced him with a scowl. Snape just tossed the book in front of Sirius on the ground.

"That's it?" Sirius asked confused. "You came out here, found my book and toss it back to me? You're bloody awful at, 'Finders Keepers'," Sirius said but Snape just curled his lips into a grin.

"You seem in a hurry. It's almost curfew. Shouldn't you and Remus be inside?"

"Remus?"

"I saw you out here with him. Heard you two reading."

"How long have you been out here, Snivillus?" Sirius asked anxiously.

"Long enough. I like to find quiet places to study where I'm not seen or bothered by you lot. But I can see you. I can see everything. You see, I pay attention to things, Black. I always have. And now, you lot are going to leave me alone for good."

"Well," Sirius said puffing out his chest. "I'd love to chit chat more but I think-" He stopped when he looked down to pick up the book to see it had fallen open to page 394, the chapter on Werewolves. Sirius remained calm and casually picked up the book. "But I think I'll be going."

"Yes, run off to your master and his goons."

"James, isn't my master. Nobody is."

"Oh please," Snape huffed. "Blacks prey for someone to follow like little soldiers. Why else is your brother always following around Avery and I?"

"Probably because compared to you two, he looks half decent to the girls."

"You think you're so smug. You think I don't notice Potter flirting with my friend? Well I'm not allowing your little cult to get under her skin."

"He doesn't give a shit about Evans," Sirius sighed, "Go away, Snape. Or would you rather spend the night in the Womping Willow, because I could arrange that?"

"Your pranks don't phase me anymore," Snape stepped towards him and stood nose to nose with Sirius.

"Don't be so sure. I may have one or two up my sleeve."

"I don't think so. We're getting older and your pranks stay juvenile. You're becoming a laugh in school. Even Regulus is going to surpass you in maturity."

"Carefull, Snape," Sirius said coolly. "Or you'll fall into something that is a bit more dangerous than a silly prank."

"From Sirius Black? Doubtful."

Sirius reluctantly turned and marched down the hill, his blood boiling at the thought of letting Snape have the last word. He was halfway to the snack when he heard a twig snap behind him and he paused. He knew Snape was following. He could still smell the horn of bicorn powder on him from Potions class. Sirius had the shack in his sights. He saw the sun setting. Perhaps a little peek at a monster would shut Snape up. If he timed it right, he could see the monster being held at bay by James and realize just how strong they were. He had to time it perfectly though, to ensure Remus wasn't mid-change when Snape saw, thus exposing his secret.

Sirius smirked and continued walking down the hill. "Careful what you ask for, you little prick," Sirius mumbled to himself and the two moved towards the Shrieking shack as the moon began to appear.

Forbidden Forrest - January 3, 1980...

Sirius searched the better half of the morning for his friend after sending Peter back to the Safe House. He'd bundled up and entered the Forbidden Forest, his wand illuminating his path as he searched, yet there was no sign of Remus. He reached the path that lead out of the forest and into Hogsmede and stood there, sniffing the air before changing to Padfoot and sniffing the ground. He let out a low growl when he sensed someone nearby and ducked into the shadows as footsteps approached. Carefully, he waited until the steps got closer. When he felt the trespasser was nearly upon him, he lunged forward from the bushes and tackled them to the ground only for a familiar shriek to let out.

"Black?!" Tabitha said as the dog sat on her chest growling. "Get the fuck off me."

Sirius changed back to himself but kept her pinned down, "What are you doing here?"

"You have the worst dog breath, you know that?"

"Answer me," he said mildly panicked, "Is it James?"

"James is fine. Lily and Peter are still with him. Now get off."

"Then why are you here?" He asked, still refusing to let her up.

"Once again catching you sneaking around the woods as a dog. Thought I would relive old times." He didn't look amused, "I'm looking for Remus, same as you, you idiot. Now climb off before I knee you in then groin."

Finally he obliged and stood, allowing Tabitha to brush the dirt and snow form her clothes. "You should have stayed at the Safe House."

"Not Likely. If he's out here, I want to find him."

"No offense, Delaney. But you're the last person he will want to see after what he did last night. Go home," He turned to leave but stopped as she called after him.

"You owe me, Black."

"I'd love to know how you reached that delusion."

"In these very woods our fourth year, I caught you practicing your transfiguration into Padfoot. I didn't tell a soul. I could have but I didn't and you owe me for that."

"Are you sure about that?" He turned to face her and she looked confused. "Didn't go tattle to head boy?"

"To Angus? No..."

"Strange. Because somehow he found out."

"Well not from me." He just stared and she added. "You don't believe me, do you?"

"I don't trust you. Simple as that. You vanish from our lives for a year only to reappear now and act like nothing happened. Why?"

"Are you going to play The Hardy Boy's now? Which shall I be, Nancy Drew?" He didn't answer and she just stepped closer. "What happened in Dumbledore's office, Sirius? What did Peter say about the Prophecy. You've been on edge since you found out about it."

"He said we have a traitor in our midst," He said cooly.

"Ah," she nodded. "So that's it. You think because Angus McKinnon found our your secret, one that I only knew aside from the boys, that means I'm untrustworthy? Or is it because I came back and told Remus how I felt that you think I'm trying to steal him away?"

"You were in Malfoy Manor a long time. Maybe they struck some fear into you. I wouldn't blame you, Delaney. You just can't blame me for playing it safe."

"All I've done since returning is be honest about everything. Can you say the same?" She walked past him and started down the path.

"Wait... you're not saying that you find me untrustworthy?"

"I'm saying your motives tend to be self-serving. But at least this morning we can agree on one selfless act which is to find Remus. Now I'm not leaving and you're not going to stand here all day like a dolt, so like it or not we are in the together. Ok?"

"Fine," he huffed and followed her down the path, "Still can't-"

"I know! You can't bloody stand me. I'm not particularly fond of you either at the moment. Now shut your trap and come on."

Later that Morning - Isle of Skye Safe House...

Lily had fallen asleep holding James, her hand resting on his chest so she could still make sure he was breathing through the rest of the night. She woke when someone stroked her cheek. Looking down, she saw James' eyes open and gazing at her. "Hey," she took his hand from her cheek and held it tightly. "You're awake!"

"Morning, Mrs. Potter."

"You idiot. Where do you come off scaring a person half to death like that?"

"Sorry, but I solemnly swore to stay up to no good."

"Oh, my darling moron." She kissed his head.

"Moony?"

"We can't find him. Sirius and Tabitha are searching for him now. James, what happened?"

"The potion didn't even make a dent. He was as strong as ever. Sirius had to slice his hand open to get his attention with the smell of blood."

"You changed back to yourself too soon. You could be part werewolf and we won't know for a month."

"Wouldn't be so bad," He smirked. "Kinda sexy. Already a beast in bed, aren't I."

"Sure," she chuckled sympathetically. "Sure you are." She felt his head and the fever had stared coming back, so she grabbed the potion near her and he carefully took a few sips. They then rested there, James still laying in her lap. "Who's Henry?"

"Hmm?

"Henry. You asked Sirius where Henry was last night."

"Oh... I said that out loud?" He looked away embarrassed. "Henry was my grandfather. I never got to know him, but Dad was so bloody proud of him. He advocated for Muggle born rights and was fired from the Ministry as a result. Dad always looked up to him for that. Even though I didn't know him, I always respcted and loved him from Dad's stories. Our child won't know my father, but he was a grandfather to be proud of."

"Yes, he was."

"So I thought, maybe we'd name the kid Henry or Henrietta?"

"Not Fleamont?"

"I think Dad's ghost would come from the grave and beat the shit out of me if I passed that name on," He laughed but the pain in his chest spasmed and the laugh turned to a groan. "Henry was one of the first Potters to publically stand for what was right, despite what it would cost him. He passed that bravery to Dad and Dad passed it to me. I want out child to have it."

"A bit formal of a name though, don't you think?"

"If you don't like it, Lils, then we don't have to-"

"No," she whispered. "I love it. It was the thought of that name that kept you strong last night and brought you back to me. Naming him or her after your grandfather is a fine idea."

"You brought me back to you." He closed his eyes and rested as she clasps his hand and hummed to him.

"Where's Pete?" James whispered as he tried to stay awake.

"In the kitchen with Kip. They're getting the blood off everything."

"Moony's never going to forgive himself for this. He might even think I'm dead."

"They'll find him, James. They'll find him and bring him home and we will make sure he knows you're ok. He's had bad moons before-"

"No," James opened his eyes and gazed at her. "Not like this. Whatever monster that was we faced last night... it wasn't anything close to what we had seen. Remus was gone. It was just a wolf."

The Ministry of Magic...

Mary MacDonald set a tea tray on her desk and began pouring herself a cup as she heard the door to her office open, "Morning, Sir. You're here early." But the voice that replied wasn't Bartemous Crouch's.

"I wanted to get here before my cousin did."

"Alice?" Mary looked up at her friend confused. "It's barely 6AM."

"One of the downsides of being Pregnant. You don't get much sleep."

"What's wrong?" Mary asked, instantly recognizing her friends tone.

"We tell each other everything, right?"

"Of course. Since first year at Hogwarts."

"Everything. Even the hard bits?"

"Yes. You of everyone should know that."

"You told me about what happened with Mulciber in school. I know that was hard for you after what he did-"

"It was." She cut her off firmly.

"But you told me anyway because we are friends."

"Alice, just spit it out. Say what you're here for," Mary said impatiently.

"Why does Arthur Weasley have you on a list of people suspected as being Ministry traitors?" She waived the paper in the air that Arthur had given her.

"He doesn't think I'm a traitor," she sighed and went back to her tea, "And he told you not to overthink it."

"How would you know that?" Alice looked confused.

"I know things," she shrugged calmly.

"He thinks the imperious curse has been used on you."

"And if it had, an Auror like yourself would be able to tell, especially with how close we are."

"What happened to your arm?" She nodded to the bruise on her friends right forearm.

"Nothing you need to worry about."

"Why were you late to the meeting yesterday?"

"Have you ever known me to be on time?"

"Do you have the file about The Guardian?"

"... No. But I know who has it."

"And you didn't find that important to share last night?"

"I did share it. With Dumbledore. Barty has it."

Alice sighed in defeat, "Which means Death Eaters have it."

"Alice. Please. Now isn't the time or place-"

"Mary. Arthur asked me to look into files of people on this list and see if any information has been tampered with. I was shocked to find that yours has been. Your special skills credentials are missing. You have clearances to departments that even Madeye doesn't have and you're just an assistant. Barty clearly has made a path for you in this Ministry-"

"Just because I'm building trust with Barty doesn't make me a traitor. If anything, it benefits the Order. I told Dumbledore Barty's got the file. Would a traitor do that?"

"I clever one would."

Mary just shook her head, "A statement like that would offend anyone else, but I know you don't think me a traitor, Alice."

"How can you know?"

"Because you're my friend," she smiled. "Tell Arthur he has nothing to worry about. At least, from me." The clock chimed and Mary glanced up at it. "Your cousins will be in to work soon. You better go." Alice, still uncertain, turned to leave but Mary stopped her. "Do you know why they only suspended Frank? It's because this old ruin of a Ministry is still so old fashioned that they think women aren't capable of anything on their own. They think as long as Frank sits in time-out that you can't do anything. Women have an opportunity in this war to be the silent army that changes everything. Let's not weaken that by being pitted against each other."

"You're right," Alice nodded. "I trust you, Mary."

"I know you do." She smiled and allowed her friend to leave. Once she was alone, the clock finished chiming and Mary took a seat at her desk. The door to the office opened behind her and out stepped Barty Crouch Jr. "How much did you hear?" She called behind her calmly.

"What, do you think I'd already fallen asleep?" Barty said as he emerged.

"Well I know a lazy ass like you doesn't care for early starts to the day like this," she spun in her swivel chair and looked at him. "So? Think she bought it?"

"Of course she did. My cousin is a daft bimbo who trusts far too easily."

"I had to tell Dumbledore you had the file. He'd be too suspicious if I worked this close with you and turned up with nothing."

"I'll forgive it," he grumbled, "But if they know I'm a member of Voldemort's ranks that could pose an issue. I can't have father finding out."

"Well you heard Weasley's theory. The imperious curse," she said coolly, "Leave Weasley to me. If it comes to it, I can convince him you're under the curse. In the meantime I'll try to steer him away from other members of the cause."

"Good girl," he smirked. "Mulciber's a lucky bloke."

McKinnon Castle...

"Are you done reading yet?" Angus groaned as he paced on the Irish moores. Gideon held up a finger as he read through Max Forrestor's journal.

"So... a Wolf's 20th year is the point of no return?"

"Yes, according to those notes, the longest a real wolf in nature can live is only 20 years, if they are lucky. That's why a 20-year-old werewolf is so dangerous. Because then there is no longer a separation from man or beast. The wolf becomes dependent on the soul to survive each month. They become uncontrollable. That must be Dad went vigilante on Greyback's colony. I found selvaged some papers from Dad's desk after the fire. His research said that Greyback was breeding young werewolves and keeping them prisoner until they turned 20. He was making an army."

"Why not just change an adult though? Why does it have to be someone who turns 20 as a werewolf."

"I don't know. The rest of Dad's papers were burned."

"Remus turns 20 in just two months."

"Which means he only has one moon left where he will still be able to somewhat control the beast. After that, his soul will start to be affected."

"Angus we have to share this. For all we know, he may already start feeling the symptoms. There could still be time to save him."

"I agree, but there has to be a way to share this with Dumbledore without revealing how I came to discover this."

"Angus, how long are you going to insist on controlling the narrative?"

"Dad massacred those people, Gid." Angus hissed. "The deeper I dove into his research, pining for some semblance of justification, it just got worse. His name is already smeared enough at the Ministry for what he did. If it weren't for Fleamont Potter convincing him to step down and retire quietly, he could have been thrown in jail. I can't solidify his legacy as... as a killer of innocents. That's not the father I knew."

"Ang, You told me what you did to Sirius and Marlene and you said you always wondered if it was the right choice."

"Oh great," he grumbled, "So now the things I told you during our drunk nights together are being used against me?"

"You waited too long to tell your family about us and now we are living a lie. Now your actions are affecting the bloody War and the future of a friend, someone who was Prefect under you at Hogwarts. You can't keep trying to control things to avoid the hard bits. We have to take this to Dumbledore." Angus looked away and watched the sunrise on the moores. Gideon whispered, "I know you're scared, Ang. The truth is it's own point of no return. But we can't go through life avoiding it. Sometimes you have to do what's scary and trust that everything will turn out ok."

"Are we still talking about the journal?" Angus asked and turned around.

"I love you, Angus," Gideon sighed. "I know that revealing our relationship could alter it forever if our families don't accept us. But I have to have faith that we are stronger than that. You'll have to have faith that your family is stronger than the secrets you've been keeping." Gideon looked at the castle in the distance and said, "I'll show you what I mean." He stood and passed the journal back to Angus then ventured up the path towards the house.

"Gid? Surely you're not-"

"Point-of-no-return!," he called. He picked up the pace as he approached the courtyard which was nothing but overgrown rubble now.

Marvin and Marlene were there, practicing their duels. Marvin levitated water from the rain and sent it towards her sister who defected it.

"Use your bloody mind, not your wand, Mar. I want to see your new tricks."

"I don't see how this helps," she said. "Death Eaters aren't going to throw water balloons at us."

"Has anyone seen Fabian?" Gideon asked when he reached them, Angus running after him after concealing the journal with the Ivanseco charm.

"Well good morning to you too," Marvin said. "Didn't think anyone was up before Marley and I. Maybe Fabian's still asleep. Why?"

"I've got to tell him something. Angus and I both have to tell him something." He looked back to Angus and added, "Unless you'd like to go first."

Angus considered the words of the Prewitt boy who always spoke with wisdom. He felt calm and confident in his presence and the sight of him standing beside his family felt so right and secure. Still, he couldn't ignore the 'what ifs' in his mind.

"What is it, Ang?" Marlene asked.

Would revealing this secret ripple into more. He thought through the possible reactions

Is this why I couldn't be with Sirius?! Because you wanted his cousin for yourself?

I'm just glad Dad isn't here to see what his son has become.

Dad murdered innocents and you didn't think to tell me? You were here that night and didn't save him? And now you ruin his memory!

Get the fuck out, Angus. You act like you protect this family when all you've done is tear it apart!

"Angus?"

Angus snapped out of his thoughts and looked around. Marlene and Marvin stared in confusion and Gideon in desperation.

"The truth is," he started and took a breath.

"Angus," Marvin whispered. "Go on. It's ok. You can tell us."

"Gideon and I," he reached for Gideon's hand and had almost clasped it when Fabian came running out of the castle in his pajamas.

Everyone turned to face the redhead who was panting and holding a letter in the air. Angus pulled his hand away and sighed in relief.

"It's Remus!" Fabian shouted. "I just got an owl from Pettigrew. Remus is missing."

Hogsmede...

Tabitha and Sirius had combed through Hogsmede with no luck. Shop owners were starting to gather and soon patrons would be entering the streets. The pair was too exposed the later the morning got and they knew it. Tabitha sat on a snow mound beside the Hogshead and gazed up at Hogwarts on the hill. She heard the bell of the pub ring as Sirius exited the back door, two mugs of coffee in his hands.

"Aberforth says he hasn't seen him, but will notify us if he sees anything He also said no shady characters have been spotted, so it doesn't look like Moony was snatched. His wand and clothes weren't in the shack, so wherever he is, he went of his own free will." Tabitha didn't answer and Sirius extended one of the coffees to her.

"What's this? A peace offering? Or do you want me to turn it to rum?"

"It's fucking coffee," he snapped. "Why does everything with you have to have bloody attitude."

"Pot calling the kettle black," she sighed and he plopped beside her in the snow.

"Well it is in the name," he slurped the coffee and stared at the snow flakes collecting on the rim of the mug then muttered, "I shouldn't have called you a slut."

"Is this an attempt at an apology?"

"Would you even bother accepting it if it was?"

Tabitha remained silent then muttered, "You're not a jackass."

"Yes I am," he chuckled.

"Yes you are... but I shouldn't have said it. Not the way I did. Blimey if we can't get along for Remus' sake then how can we ever expect to be decent godparents?"

"We will be. We showed up for Moony tonight. We will show up for the kid too."

She finally looked at him. "Think we will ever be friends?"

"Nah. I can't bloody stand you," he slurped his coffee then added, "But if the moon couldn't keep us from helping Remus, then it will take some pretty intense circumstances to keep us away from the Potter kid."

She nodded and clinked her mug to his, "That's a start I guess." They sat in the silent snow and sipped the coffee before Sirius heard Tabitha sniffle. He refused to look at her as he knew she was trying not to cry. Finally she said, "He doesn't want to be found, does he?"

"No he doesn't. But we won't stop looking."

The Lupin Home...

Hope Lupin was having breakfast and watching her stories on the telly when a pounding on the door caused her to jump and send her toast flying onto the floor. She jumped from her seat as her husband rush in from the kitchen, cup of tea still in hand. "Lyall..."

"Stay here," he insisted.

"No," She stepped forward. "It's wizards who are at war. If it's someone unfriendly, I don't want them knowing you're here."

"Hope-"

"Do as I say," she insisted but her husband just set down his tea and drew his wand from his pocket.

Mrs. Lupin wrapped her bathrobe around her to cover her nightgown best she could and walked confidently to the door, her husband waiting and listening on the other side of the wall. She took a deep breath and held her head high as she jerked the door open.

"Remus!"

The lanky 19-year-old was leaning against the door frame, holding his ribs, his bare chest covered in blood and his torn coat hanging over his shoulders. His slacks looked as if they'd been used for a chew toy. He looked up to his mother and when he saw her face, his exhausted voice cracked, "Mum..." right before he collapsed forward.

Hope caught her son but his weight forced her to lower him to the floor. "Lyall!" She called for her husband who already was running around the corner, kneeling beside them both.

Remus looked up at his parents as he rested his head in his mothers lap. "It's no use. I'm going to kill them... I'm going to kill all of them." His voice broke as his mother wrapped him in her arms.

"It's going to be ok, Cricket." She whispered and rocked him but gave her husband a look as if to ask if that would really be true.

"Don't worry, son." Lyall said reaching over and stroking his son's head. Although their boy had grown into a young man, at this moment he looked just as he did that night fifteen years ago, when they were too late to save him from this fate. Lyall Lupin only hoped now that they weren't too late.

Now go listen to "Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival because we hate ending things on a sad Remus note.

Not getting any reviews so wondering if anyone is still reading haha. Hope you are.