Book II: Age of the Pheonix
Chapter VI: Eve of the Moon
Music Theme: Rocketman - Elton John
- No Flashback for this Chapter -
January 2, 1980...
The winds against the house were so loud the next morning that Tabitha was startled awake. She lifted her head from Remus' chest and looked up at him, hoping to find him asleep. "Bad dream again?" He whispered to her with a smile.
"Just the wind. Did it wake you too?"
"I told you I don't get much sleep on weeks like this. I don't mind though, now that I've got someone keeping me company."
She just smirked at him and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "I'll go get some tea started."
"No," he said and grabbed her hand as she climbed out of bed, "It's cold out there."
"Don't be such a baby."
"Can I have breakfast in bed?" He said and she just laughed.
"I'm not your mummy, Rem."
"Thanks Godric for that!" He said playfully.
"You're in rare form today sir." Remus fell back down on the bed and watched her with a smile as she slipped on her slippers. When she noticed she said, "What?"
"I wish I didn't have to go tonight. It's going to be an intense moon. I can feel it." He glanced back at her to catch her rubbing her arm. "Does it... bother you? Your arm?"
"It's nothing."
"Let me see it." He sat up.
"Scars always itch, Remus. It's nothing."
"Tabs."
She sighed and walked over to him, rolling up the sleeve of her pajama shirt and revealing the scarred initial 'F' where Greyback had left it. Remus rest his hand over it gently.
"And you're sure he didn't use his nails to do this?"
"I told you he didn't. It's just the cold air making it act up, I swear." She moved her hand to his chin and lifted his head to face her. "I'm fine. I promise. And tonight, you will be too. The potion is going to work. Ok?" She grabbed the covers and started to tuck him back in. "I've got to go change."
"Yes ma'am," he said as he laid back down and watched her leave.
Kip was already up, as usual, donning his blue jacket and scrambling to make some breakfast.
"Master Kip," Tabitha said as she entered the farmhouse kitchen.
"Misses Tabitha's," He whispered.
"Why are we whispering?" The house elf nodded to the table where Sirius was resting his head, snoring away.
"Masters Sirius had a bit too much to drink last night. Has a bits of a hangs overs this mornings."
"Does he?" Tabitha asked coolly and a smile curled onto her lip. She grabbed the tea tray and walked over to the table where she smacked the teaset down beside Sirius' head.
"Merlin's balls!" He groaned as he sat straight up holding his head. "What the hell is wrong with you, you Irish bug!?"
"Oops, was that too loud? Sorry."
Kip walked over and handed Sirius his normal cup of coffee before going back to breakfast. Tabitha went to help him and Sirius sipped a bit of his coffee before looking up at her.
"Oi, Delaney. Be a good lass and turn our coffee to rum won't you?"
"Why do you assume I know how to do that? Because I'm Irish?"
"Of course."
"That is so like you to bloody stereotype people. Does your need for liquor this early have anything to do with seeing Marlene at last night's meeting?"
"On the contrary. I only drink when I have nothing to be nervous about."
"So you and Marlene are just friends?"
"Sure."
"Well, I'll believe that when I see it."
"Come now. I can be friends with a girl. Like you and Remus. And we see how that turned out for you."
Tabitha whirled around to faced him. "Who told you?"
"Everyone has known about your feelings for each other for some time, but I'm the only one who knows he's.. gone where no man has been before."
"How about I turn your coffee into bog water?"
"Probably would still taste better than that hangover juice you made for me last time."
She took a breath, still uneasy at the realization that Sirius was privy to her personal life, and changed the subject, "You did sound pretty loud last night."
"How much did you hear?"
"Not much. I knew the minute we caught Peter asleep on the couch that he'd lied about his whereabouts." Sirius just grunted and rubbed his head. "But surely, there had to be a reason he lied."
"That's what James, says."
"And does James have a track record of being right on these things?"
"Usually."
"So there then. Don't give up on Wormtail yet.," she grinned.
"Hmm. You know, Delaney. You're not half bad. I get why Remus tolerates you."
"Did we ever discover why you and I don't like each other, actually?" She asked as she brought her plate of breakfast to the table, sitting across from him.
"Don't think so. I just can't bloody stand you. And you disliked me first. Don't deny it," he said lifting his cup as Kip levitated the pot of coffee to him for a refill.
"Aye. It's true. I was jealous you rejected your family legacy and made your own choices. I wished I could have been that kind of person. Even at that age."
"Ahhh so you were jelous of me? You finally admit it?"
"Don't flatter yourself. I just, wanted to make my family proud. Make my brother proud."
"Hmm."
"What?"
"That's just the first time you've brought him up. We didn't want to mention it to you, but Lily told us about it once. Didn't bring it up again."
"He died a year before I went to Hogwarts. He'd be about Regulus' age now if he was still alive. Maybe that's why I didn't like you. Once I saw you pushing Regulus away I-" She froze when she saw him stiffen. "Look, it's not my place to judge you-"
"Since when?" He laughed.
"Black. Seriously. Can we start over? For Remus sake at least?"
He smirked, "Well... when you bring Moony into it..."
"What about me?" Remus asked as he entered.
She sighed in disappointment. "You're supposed to be sleeping in."
"Breakfast smelled too good," Remus said as he accepted the cup of coffee from Kip. He walked up to Tabitha and rest his hand on her shoulder. "Thanks for trying though."
"Can you two not touch in my presence please?" Sirius groaned.
"You deserve a bit of discomfort this morning after last night, mate." Remus said sternly then sat beside Tabitha. "Hows the headache?"
"How bad was I last night."
"It doesn't matter mate."
"It does matter." Sirius didn't feel comfortable with Tabitha present but he did feel the need to say, "I hope I didn't do anything to upset you mate."
"You were drunk, Padfoot. We don't hold it against you. You just... had a lot that needed to be let out. You just didn't need to take it out on Wormtail."
"I know. And how is our little liar this morning."
"Padfoot," Remus grumbled.
"Sorry. It's the headache talking."
"He isn't awake yet."
"Then I better go make ammends with James and get ready for Peter's rude awakening. Moony?"
"I'll be up when I finish my coffee."
Sirius stood and looked between the two.
"Go on then," Remus shooed him away and Sirius just smirked as he left the room.
"So," she said. "He seems rather humbled this morning."
"James probably got through to him last night. What did he say to you?"
"Just that he and I are going to try to be friends."
"Blimey. Miracles do happen," he laughed as his breakfast plate levitated towards him and he grabbed the toast from it.
"Seriously, Rem. I know what he means to you, so I want to be on good terms with him."
"He does mean a lot to me, Tabitha. So do you."
He watched her carefully as she refilled her cup then finally said, "So is that a new sweater?"
"New to me," She replied as she kept her focus on the coffee. "Lil's let me borrow it."
"It's nice. Looks nice and warm."
"A bit too warm. Got me a bit hot."
"Got me a bit hot too."
Tabitha turned to face him and he instantly avoided eye contact. "Are you... flirting with me, Remus?"
"What? No. I..."
"No don't stop," she said waiving him on. "Go on."
"You um," He rubbed his neck and turned bright red. "You know what that sweater is made of?"
"Tell me," she said with a chuckle.
"No I'm done," he said and shook his head, standing up and clearing his plate.
"Oh, Rem, come on." She stood and grabbed the plate from him to set it back down. "What's my sweater made of?"
"Gfrur mutter..." he mumbled towards the floor.
"What Was that?"
He sighed and looked at her, "Girlfriend material."
Tabitha wrinkled her nose to hold in the smile then they both burst out laughing.
"I warned you it was stupid. I just don't know how this works though, ok? I've never had a girlfriend before."
"What about Mary?"
"Mary and I just went to a few parties together and I only took as a friend. It was Sirius who flirted with her. Only he got her with his flirting and my flirting makes my girlfriend's face look like that." He pointed to her wrinkled cheeks as she held in the laugh.
"You know," she said calming down, "You've said it twice now."
"Said what?"
"Girlfriend..."
"Oh... damn, Tabs. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed. I guess if you want to still think about it, I understand if you do, given... my circumstances."
"Remus?" He braced himself for the rejection and hoped she would be swft with it, but she just smiled and said, "Your sweater is made of boyfriend material."
A smile crept on the corner of his mouth and he looked at her, "That's what Sirius says too..."
"Wow." She said bluntly. "Not a visual I needed."
"No!" He pulled her into a hug. "No. I mean... he thinks I should give this a chance. Give us a chance."
"Good. I'll admit, I'm a bit scared. Not of you. Never of you. I'm just afraid of letting anyone in these days."
"That makes two of us. But I'm willing to try. It's better to get what you want with the risk of loosing it than fear never having it at all. Mrs. Potter taught me that."
Tabitha grinned up at him and they embraced. He caught a whiff of her perfume and a possessive feeling came over him all of a sudden as they embraced. He wanted her badly, but not in the affectionate way he wanted her the other night. This was different. Her sweet scent drifted up to his nose and he had a strange possessive feeling. He became aware of every inch of exposed skin - her neck, her fingers, her cheeks. He felt as if he wanted to devour her.
Remus pulled back suddenly and stepped away from her.
"Remus?"
"Sorry, Tabs. I..."
"It's the moon isn't it? You're getting anxious."
"Yes... Yes that's all it is."
"Well sit down and I'll get you some water."
"No. No I need to get out of here. I mean. I need to go talk to James. You finish your coffee." He hurried to the door and muttered, "Sorry," Before rushing out.
Fenrir Greyback inhaled the air as he awoke, smelling a woman's sweet perfume in his mind as he did. He groaned as his dream drifted away and the dark, winter morning became reality. He slumped out of bed and stretched, then heard scuffling in the other room.
"Morning sunshine!" He called as he wandered from Max's guest room to the middle of the kitchen. The Death Eater had turned the flat upside down searching every drawer for his journal. "What the bloody hell? Are you on that shit the American hippies are taking?"
"It's gone."
"What?"
"My journal. It's gone. All our notes. All Dennis' research on the blood traitors. It's missing."
"Have you tried, 'accio'?"
"Did you wake up just to piss me off? Of course I did you daft, worthless, son of a-" He stopped as he was harshly grabbed by Greyback who let out a low growl.
"Do not insult me on a morning of a moon, Maxy, or they will be the last words you utter."
Max just scowled at him, "It's got your notes in there too. About the Wolf's 20th year."
"What?" Greyback shook him a bit then shoved him away. "Why the hell would you put that in writing? Have you any idea, the lengths I've gone through to keep that under wraps?"
"Now get a grip. It still may be in here somewhere," Max said frantically.
"If it hasn't come to you by magic and you haven't stumbled upon it after ripping the flat apart then it's gone."
"It can't be gone, I haven't taken it from the flat."
Greyback began to strut about the room, sniffing the air. He approached the window over the sink and inhaled deeply. He ran his finger along the windowsill then licked it, "Someone was in here. Can't tell who. I'm not as fimilar with this scent. But I recognize it from the ministry. It's one of Dumbledore's brats."
"Well if you don't recognize it then it wasn't your mutt and that's good."
"That's good?" He growled. "That's good?! He turns 20 in just two months, Maxy. If he finds out what I've been hiding then it's over!"
"It's not like he can do anything to stop it."
"Don't be so sure." He grumbled. "Your little club of incest punks keeps underestimating the women in that group. Potter's bitch has healing magic I've never seen from a mud blood. I don't have to tell you about the McKinnons. And then there's Delaney."
"Don't bring up that little slut," He grumbled. "I'm still sour you let her escape."
"If she finds out what Remus is in for then she could get in the way. Love is such a poison, Max. It makes people do the craziest things. Things we never thought possible."
"Never took you for an old romantic."
"No, just a realist. But if Remus really loves the girl then he won't want her in harms way," he laughed at the thought, "And if tonight's moon goes as it should in this season of his wolf, then we will let the beast do our work for us."
James was standing shirtless in the small bathroom, shaving, and caught Sirius in the mirror as he passed in the hall. "Hey."
"Morning..."
James grabbed the towel and wiped his face then turned to face Sirius. "Your head must feel like a bludger hit it this morning."
"James. I'm so-"
"I know."
"You're right. I did act like him."
"You're not your father, mate."
"I could have killed Pete last night if you weren't there. Hell I could have killed you if your nosey wife didn't butt in."
He heard someone clear their throat. Both boys saw Lily standing in the doorway of her room and staring out at both of them.
"Damn. We need to put a bell on you."
Lily walked up to Sirius and extended a tiny flask to him. "Here."
"This better be whiskey."
"No. It's something for your hangover." She passed it to him. "So I didn't want to bother asking last night but what happened with Peter?"
"James sent him to bed before I tore his head off. He's still asleep."
"Well, go easy on him. This hasn't been an easy season for him."
"Ha," Sirius chuckled. "And it's been a fairy walk for the rest of us?"
"Sirius. Do you know anything about Peter's past?"
"What are his favorite bands? What classes did he excel in?"
"Well... He never told us."
"See? You don't know him as an individual. He's getting lost in the mix. Be patient with him. Otherwise you'll lose him." She gave James a morning kiss and rubbed his cheek. "Missed a spot shaving."
"You like a little scruff," he smirked.
"This house is turning into the bloody love boat," Sirius groaned.
"Would you mind sending up Moony? I'd like all four of us to talk to Pete together."
"Of course. Go easy on him."
"I will. For your sake.'
The McKinnons had welcomed their brother home with a warm reception that night which went well into the hours of the morning. Marlene could not sleep she was so happy to have another brother home, and yet she thought through everything that had parted them. So many secrets. How had she not known he was friends with Narcissa in school and that fighting against her would be so hard for him. Where was her brother Atticus Og? Now she just took in the crisp morning air on the broken front steps of her ancestral castle and watched the sun rise.
"Good lord, wee one," The voice of Marvin McKinnon came as he stepped outside. "You'll catch your death out here."
"Coffee's on the table. Tea kettle is in the fire," She replied as he sat beside her.
"Well well. Look who has become so domestic. Whatever happened to Auror Marlene?"
"I'm afraid that dream died with Dad."
"He'd still be proud of you. Hearing all you've done with the Order. And all you told me last night about these new Druid powers? Do you think I can manage any of that?"
"Don't you think you'd know by now?" She chuckled.
"Well I never actually tried it," he smirked. "Besides, Andromeda asked I keep spells to a minimum around her daughter. That girl sucks up spells like a sponge and the minute she gets her hands on someone's wand, she'd start slashing it about."
"Sounds like a handful."
"Nothin I wasn't used to with you for a little sister." He gave her a nudge. "Still. It was nice being Uncle Marvin to the little one. Made me think, maybe, one day I'll be a good father." He looked to his sister. "And what about you? You've barely told me what you've been up to. I noticed you and Black could be in the same room last night and not rip his head off."
She chuckled, "Sirius and I are complicated. We're friends though."
"What happened between you two?"
"I'm not really sure anymore. He won't tell me. It has something to do with Angus I think."
"Angus? And Black?" Marvin thought to himself then muttered, "No... not his type."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"See this is the shit that bugs me. What's with all the secrets?"
"Mar. Knowing things can be a burden at times. Be blessed in not knowing it all." He put an arm around her to keep her warm as she finished her coffee.
Just overhead, Angus watched with a warmed heart at the visual of his siblings reunited. He pulled the curtain shut on the window, drew his wand and used it to close the bedroom door. Angus aimed at his desk and muttered, "revelio", and a brown leather journal appeared. He flipped open to a certain page and began to skim it.
Just then the door flew open and Gideon Prewitt stepped in. "Ang? Breakfast is-" He paused as he caught Angus slamming the journal shut and holding it behind him. "Is.. Is that Max Forrestor's journal?"
"Gid, let me explain."
"You gave Dumbledore a fake?"
"Not a fake! Just a copy. I just wanted a few pages to be removed but I could rip them out or he would notice."
"We are in a bloody war, Angus. Now isn't the time to be keeping secrets. Hand it over."
"I can't." he shook his head and stepped back. "It's clear that Max and Greyback have been pooling their information. There is something in there about my Dad that I don't want Marlene to know."
"I thought you said Greyback already blabbed about your Dad's attack on the Werewolf camp."
"Aye he did. She heard that."
"Then what else is there?" When Angus didn't answer Gideon turned and shut the door behind him. "Don't make me remind you that you owe me, Angus. You were going to tell Marlene last night about us and didn't."
"Well... Marvin came home and everything got so chaotic-"
"Ang."
Angus sighed and passed the book over to Gideon who flipped open to the page Angus had been reading. "This is about the McKinnon Castle fire. We all know about that though."
"Keep reading..."
As he did his face faded to shock.
"I'm just lucky Marlene and Fabian didn't get to that page before I did. Because now you know. What happened to Dad... It's all my fault." Angus cleared his throat to try and disguise his voice breaking.
Gideon just dropped the journal on the floor and swiftly moved towards Angus, wrapping him in an embrace. "Then it's my fault too. I pushed you. I told you to tell your Dad about us. I should have made you stay with me that night."
"It's not your fault. But now you know why I can't let my family read that. I want them to think it was an accident. I want them to believe our father died without pain. And I guess I want to forget I was even here that night."
Peter stirred in his sleep a bit as the sun hit his face, then let out a large yawn as he sat up. The yawn quickly turned into a squeal as he realized he wasn't alone. James, Remus and Sirius were sitting in the room, waiting for him to awaken. "H-have you lot been watching me sleep?"
"You said you'd give us answers first thing this morning," Remus said.
"Where were you last night, Wormtail?" James asked. "No lies."
"Can I not even have a bit of breakfast first."
"Damn it, Peter," James sighed. "Where were you?"
"I... I went to visit my step-father's executor. I needed some help. He's the only person who knew my step-father that well and I thought... I thought he could give me advice since Dad is gone."
"What ever happened to asking us for advice?" Sirius asked. "And why would that be a secret?"
"Sirius." James stopped him as he considered Lily's words. "Wormtail. What happened to your parents. I know your step-dad died. But you never talk about your mum much, either."
"They... they were hit by a car when we were walking home from one of father's social engagements. It was a drunk driver. It paralyzed mum and killed dad on the spot."
"And... you watched it happen?" Remus asked and Peter nodded.
"That's why you could see the thestrals," James sighed. "Blimey, Pete. Why wouldn't you tell us that?"
"You never asked. My father's executor helped me have what I needed to get through school. But I needed... more help."
"Pete, you know if you're short on cash you can ask us for help," James said. "But what does this have to do with Alice?"
"It doesn't," he lied. Peter just wanted his visit with Crabbe and the truth of the Prophecy seperated from one another as much as possible. "That day at the Ministry. I found something."
"What?"
"A Prophecy. It called to me. I pulled it from the shelf and could hear it. Alice knows about it but gave me a day to find it's meaning so I could explain everything to Dumbledore myself with clarity."
"Well your day is up," Sirius said sourly. "She already told him, no doubt."
"Watch your tone, Padfoot." Remus warned. "You're getting irritable."
"Damn straight, I am! He could have told us this but he lied to us!"
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! I was... I was scared." He looked directly at Remus. "I didn't understand what the prophecy was saying and I was worried about hurting people I care about. You understand that don't you?"
"You know I do," Remus replied.
"Don't play off Moony's emotions, Wormtail," Sirius warned. "Just be honest with us. What did the Prophecy say?"
"Um..."
"Tell us Peter."
"I don't remember all of it... I dropped it. It broke."
"Well try to give us the cliff notes version," James said impatiently.
"It talked about..." His brain raced as he thought of a barely true version of the prophecy that would line up with whatever Alice had already shared, yet hide enough details until he could fully understand the bits that concerned him. "It talked about a traitor."
"A traitor. Like a warning?"
"Yes!" He exclaimed as the idea came to him, "It was a warning! That has to be it. It was a warning that there's a traitor. I guess... it's my job to find them."
"Why you?"
"Because... because I'm the most trusted. At least that's what it said."
"Did the prophecy say anything that would help us describe this traitor?"
"N-no. Not that I remember."
"Well, damn, Wormtail," Sirius huffed. "Why would you hide this from us instead of warn us."
"Because I was worried that maybe... it was talking one of us."
The mood in the room shifted and everyone avoided looking at one another but all their thoughts were the same. One of them? It couldn't be.
"But then when I listened to it again, I realized it was the opposite. I was the one destined to find this traitor and snuff them out of our ranks. Maybe to prove myself."
"You've got nothing to prove," Sirius stood and walked over to his friend. "I'm sorry, I doubted you."
"And I'm sorry I lied. It's just that... well you and James just went through loss and then Lily being pregnant. So much was going on and I just feel into the weeds a bit."
"Yes. You did. And that's my fault," James said. "It won't happen again."
"We better tell Dumbledore about this," Remus said. "We need to warn him about the traitor. At least we know it isn't one of us... right?"
"Of course it's not," James said quickly. "Come one. These winter days don't last long, so there isn't much time to spare. Wormtail, get yourself some breakfast then we will be on our way." James couldn't help but notice the mood hanging over the room. "The four of us stick together, mates. There are no traitors in here. As long as we stay honest with each other, that won't change."
"Right... the four of us," Peter said with a nod, "always."
"Why are you asking me about this, Narcissa?" Snape grunted as he wandered about his house, locking all windows and drawing the curtains. "I'm hardly the most trusted person in Voldemort's ranks."
"That's not true," she said as she following him around his home. "I see the way he speaks to you. He had great admiration for you. He confides in you."
"Voldemort and I have similar backgrounds which bonds us, but he understands the importance of keeping the trusted close and the untrusted closer. Don't mistake his infatuation with me for trust."
"What reason have you given him for doubting your loyalties though?"
"None. I just won't let him into my mind. I prefer my privacy and that's a threat to him, so he keeps me close."
"Well that's it then. Teach Regulus to block Voldemort from his mind."
"Do you really think that is a simple task? Besides, if we were caught then we both would be pegged as traitors. I'm sorry, but little Reggie may just have to stay at Daddy's house for the time-being."
"And then what? When he returns, Voldemort will no doubt wonder why and we better have a damn good excuse."
"He's in mourning for his mother. That's reason enough."
"Didn't seem to affect you all that much when your mother snuffed it," she quipped under his breath and Snape froze, turning to face her.
"Get. Out."
"Severus, I'm sorry," she sighed.
"I don't care. Get out," He stormed past her and ripped the door open, waiting for her to leave but she stood still.
"Was she sick a long time? Your mum?"
Snape just sighed and said, "Did you miss the part where I said I prefer my privacy, Narcissa?"
"I know she hadn't been living here a while. That's why you came home."
"No," Snape said and slammed the door when he realized that Narcissa wasn't giving up easily. "She had a habit of wondering off. When her husband-"
"Your father?"
"When her husband died, she said she was free. So she left the house to me and stayed gone a long while. I found out she was ill when I got the letter from Saint Mungos. Apparently she'd been taking a potion for her depression that was addictive. She had too much and it wore down her heart."
"I'm sorry. Did you get to say goodbye?"
"Why bother? She didn't seem fit to say it, so why should I?"
"Well, unlike us, Regulus had a mother who cared for him. She had her own way of showing it, but he's still conflicted and grieving. I just want to help him. You don't owe me much Snape. If anything, you've done enough to help Regulus, but he looks up to you. There must be some way we can keep him safe and get him back on the right path."
"Well how did you do it?" Snape asked as he continued around the house, checking all windows. "You got into the Dark Lord's good graces."
"Yes, he entrusted us with that diary. Perhaps if we gave it to Regulus?"
"No. If he doesn't trust Regulus fully then he won't do it. He has to feel that someone is absolutely in his service. Like a-"
"Like a house elf," She thought. "Kreecher!"
"Yes," Snape nodded. "Give the elf to him and say it was Regulus idea that he have a proxy to serve Voldemort while he tends to his father's grief. Entrusting one's elf to another master will show not only maturity but loyalty."
"Of course. And what about Max Forrestor? He'll likely get in the way."
"Leave him to me. I'll find something to distract him with. You better get going though. Have Regulus stay put with his father as long as he can."
"Thank you, Severus." She started to leave but stopped and looked around the flat. "Do you always seal the windows like this?"
"Let's just say I'm not a fan of moonlight."
The boys bundled up after lunch so they'd have plenty of time to meet with Dumbledore before the sun set. Sirius was fixing himself in the hallway mirror and James was wrapping a scarf around Peter like a father when Remus walked up behind him.
"Think it's going to be beastly cold tonight" Sirius asked. "James, maybe you should brush my fur before we go so that it's nice and fluffed to keep me warm."
"Prongs?" Remus said softly when he walked up.
"Uh oh," Sirius said over his shoulder, "Somber Moony voice."
"After the first time you and Lily... you know... did you find yourself thinking of her differently?"
"Of course. I'd see her naked," He smirked.
"I don't mean that. I mean Did you.. crave her?" He grimmaced at his choice of words.
"Oh... Well. I guess after our first time, I couldn't focus on much. I stayed up at night thinking of her. I lost that Quidditch match our final year against Slytherin because of her,"
"Something Regulus refused to let us forget," Sirius grunted.
"And yea, when she sat across from me at Breakfast and I could smell her perfume, there were days I wanted to leap across it and snog her in the middle of the room."
"Oh... so, It's normal to feel that way after sex?"
"Sure. Once you've experienced intimate love, it's hard to shake."
Remus exhaled in relief. "Ok. But... you never thought of her... flesh?"
"Her. What?"
"Like did her flesh become really noticeable to you?"
"Um... no."
"Moony," Sirius raised his eyebrows concerned. "Have you been craving flesh..."
"Well. This morning I just became hyper aware of-" he shook his head. "No. No. I just was craving sex, that's all."
"Right," James looked uncertain but pat Peter on the shoulder. "All bundled up mate? You and Sirius start the bike. I'll tell Lily we are leaving."
James went up the hall and Peter tottered off, but Remus grabbed Sirius' arm as he passed. "Sirius. You'll remember your promise tonight?"
"Moony. I'm not going to have to kill the wolf. You'll be fine."
"But you promised. Just in case."
Sirius ripped his arm away and hissed, "I remember, ok?"
He heard Tabitha running down the steps and hurried outside to avoid her.
"Remus!" She waived the bottle in her hand. "Don't forget this. Take it right before the sun sets. It should help you stay in control."
"Thanks," he smiled and took it from her. "Tabs, if this doesn't work-"
"It's going to work."
"If this doesn't work," he said sincerely, "Promise me one thing."
"Of course."
"Promise me that you won't blame Sirius."
"Sirius? What's he got to do with this?"
"Moony? Let's get a move-on," James called as he emerged from the back room and moved to the door. "We still have to stop at Dumbledore's office."
Remus looked back once James had passed and smiled at Tabitha. "For what it's worth, this has been the happiest week of my life."
"Mine too," she grinned.
"I didn't think I could feel this way, Tabs, or be allowed to feel this way for that matter."
"Likewise. But stop talking in such finality. It's just the moon and the potion is going to work, ok?"
"Ok." He stroked her cheek and leaned down to kiss her goodbye but was stopped when Sirius hollered for him again outside. "I'm coming!" He barked back then took a breath to compose himself. "See you on the other side of the moon, Delaney."
She smiled and gave him a tight hug, but the scent of her hair sent a shiver down his back as dark impulses filled his mind and he pulled away quickly. He stepped back from her ashamed and hurried out of the room.
Lily came from the kitchen and wrapped an arm around her friend as they watched them leave. "You ok?"
"Something doesn't feel right," she whispered to her friend.
"Please don't tell me that," Lily sighed. "Is that just your anxiety... or your divination?"
"I don't know. I just... seeing the four them together. It just feels like only three of them are going come back."
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