DISCLAIMER; HP belongs to JKR. The story line and all new characters, new character development, new developments are my intellectual property

A/N Betrayals and Draco's disclosures

Azkaban.

The three wizards were huddled against each other. The cold was biting through their bones. Rodolphus was no longer saying anything, "Rabastan, are you still here?" Sirius teeth couldn't stop shattering; he was so very cold.

"I am but not for long, let's try to see where we are at."

"Are you crazy? They have Dementors all over the place; I'd rather die of cold than to face them."

Hypothermia was overcoming them quickly; neither one of them would last long.

A small light was coming in; he was warm, under mountains of blankets. Ah, heaven, he had died, and he was warm. "Black, wake up, we need to be ready in less than ten minutes, wake up."

The Traitor

Breakfast at the Burrow.

"Molly, I have great news, I invested a little in a new fund circulating at the Ministry. Wait before you get mad because it paid great. We now have 500 *Galleons on top of the bonus. Not only can we buy Charlie new robes for his first year at Hogwarts, but I was thinking of this weekend; Molly, let's go by Hogwarts. We can take Bill out and all go shopping for new robes. He has grown a lot and could be better dressed. Afterwards, we could maybe go to the pub for lunch and let the kids get a book or a toy."

Molly was excited and as he expected, came and gave him a big kiss. He'd waited till morning, he knew Molly. She would be over the excitement by the time he came home, and by then, all her questions forgotten. He didn't want to lie more than he already had. If he had told her last night her questions would have been exhausting.

Besides he was already reaping benefits from the 'Bonus.' He had invested most of it on a recommended fund by a young Wizard at the investment department of Malfoy's firm, and he was guaranteed a 30% return as with most of their investments. Of course they used magic, mostly divination, but this was benefit of being a Wizard. He had now enough money for the boys' tuition, and with the monthly fixed consulting pay from Malfoy, he would have over two thousand galleons if not more by the year's end.

He was glad to finally be able to provide for his children, and to make his Molly happy, he smiled, kissed her and left.

Where Molly's disloyalty is revealed.

Molly smiled until the second he left the house. Straight away, she sat down, quickly wrote a scroll, and she sent the owl as she had been asked to do. She got the children up, dressed the two younger ones, while Charlie and Percy took care of the twins. Breakfast was ready and at the table.

Then she fixed lunch, "Charlie, I need to go and run an errand, you are a big boy. Please keep everyone busy for the next two hours. If you have any problems, please Owl Evelyn. She will come right away. Keep a close eye on the twins; Percy is a good boy and Ron will behave, just keep out some fruit, and biscuits for him; and I am taking Ginny with me."

Charlie nodded his head agreeing, yet his gut noticed something off with his mom. His mother was still talking, Pay attention, he urged himself

"Charlie pay attention, this is important. If your father comes or Floo's, please tell him that I forgot Ginny's healer's appointment. Get Percy to help you with the twins and you two can share eight Knuts and four Sickles when I am back."

She had just finished getting herself and the almost three-year old toddler, when the owl arrived back. He asked her to come as she had anticipated and sent her a quill. She said goodbye and stood up by the Floo. She looked around carefully, they were all busy eating, so instead of throwing Floo powder, she stepped in the fireplace, held on to the quill, and in a few seconds, she was at the doors of Hogwarts.

She was wrong, Charlie looked back and saw her holding a quill, she must be meeting someone, he thought.

Albus was waiting for her, and a little later after she Side-along with him, she stood inside of Albus Dumbledore's office.

The informant

"Hi dear, thanks for letting me know. The news is indeed troublesome. Are you sure? Tell me, why did you bring the baby?" Albus asked, his voice tinged with distrust.

Ginny was asleep, and Molly was surprised at the question since she never left Ginny behind.

"Will be all right to talk around her?" Since she had not answered, he asked once again.

"It is fine, besides she is under a children's charm. It is sanctioned and only lasts as long as their morning nap. We have around 20 more minutes. Yes, I am sure. Rita Skeeter is a reporter for the prophet. "

"The reporter? You shouldn't be talking to her. "

'"It couldn't be helped, Monday morning she came to see me right after Arthur left. She had been at Malfoy Manor taking photos. Someone had called her with a tip about the Malfoys. Imagine, she saw Remus Lupin there, walking with Malfoy. She assures me they were quite friendly. And she also said that Remus was a handsome wizard, dressed in very nice robes." At that, she smirked at him.

"What was Remus doing with Malfoy, is she sure of that? Well dressed, Remus with Malfoy?"

"She doesn't know Remus, but she described him, and his name was Remus, and Severus Snape was there as well."

"Severus with Remus, it must not be the same Remus; it has to be a coincidence," but even Dumbledore was not very convinced of the possibility that it wasn't Remus.

The door opened, Dumbledore had forgotten to lock, and he never did during school hours. Who should it be but Minerva, Snape, and Bill Weasley. The almost 14 year old boy looked upset? He had a big shiner on his left eye."

''Mother, who called you? How did you get here? I am okay, and there was not need for you to come." His mother was acting strange, he wondered.

"Mrs. Weasley what a surprise," Minerva said sounding pleased."It is wonderful to have you over."

"She is here upon my request. I needed some assistance with some changes in a meeting she is organizing for me." Albus said while looking conspiratorial, it was for Severus and Minerva's benefit, to alert them that Molly was helping organize a meeting for the Phoenix Order. He figured out it would be a plausible excuse.

Snape sent a quick feeler into Molly's brain while Minerva said something, ah ha, Molly was lying. She was telling him about Arthur at Lucius'. She had also told about Remus and the money, fuck.

Molly had felt a pinch in her brain, a headache? No wonder, Arthur was going to hear about this, her head fell gummy, weird, and she knew that the headache would be bad.

"So what happened to Mr. Weasley and how can I help you?" The Head master asked."A lemon tart Mr. Weasley?" But Bill shook his head.

"He was attacked by three Slytherin boys at the library, he claimed they cornered him and called him a Blood traitor. Nobody saw the fight; Mr. Weasley said they started to beat him up," Minerva said.

"Albeit the boys aren't bad students, they can behave bad; however, they swear they were not the ones." Snape had argued, "Unless Mr. Weasley can produce at least one witness, we have the word of four other boys. Ah, a Ravenclaw boy said that Mr. Weasley was insulted first, but he couldn't tell who started the fight. I will have to take 10 points from his house and assign him detention. Of course, 5 points from Sytherin as Minerva suggested. I know the unfairness, but rules are rules." Molly rolled her eyes; she didn't believe him for a minute.

"Minerva, Albus, I need to go back, who knows what the dunderheads will do. You can bring Mr. Weasley back." He left in a big rush.

Molly was unusually quiet, hoping that her silence would help her keep a low profile. She had to bite her tongue when the Death Eater spoke. She knew that he wouldn't be fair to a blood traitor's son. After the professors and Bill had gone back to class, she started talking.

"Albus, in less than one week, Arthur has come home with over 1,000 galleons, he had to be there with Remus," she did not tell him the true figure because she didn't want to have to give it all back.

"Yesterday, I went to bring him lunch, and asked one of Arthur's friends. I was right, there had been no bonuses. Last Sunday, he disappeared for the entire day; supposedly to meet with a new Auror who is a wiz with investments; hoping to invest the bonus he was getting on Monday. This morning he had another 300 galleons, a lucky fast return. He is doing something for Malfoy."

She listened to Albus. Later at home, she was wondering what to tell Arthur and decided to repeat what Albus had recommended.

Molly was rather ambitious, and Dumbledore had everyone spying on everyone else. Some with compulsions, some others using their insecurities. It might be wrong, but he wasn't going to have everything fall apart. His mission was too important, and he was the only one who understood that.

He gave her 30 galleons for her report, and told her the tuition for Bill was again free for the rest of the year, never mind that there was only one more month left on the school year. And next year, Charlie would only pay half year.

Molly like that she could pocket the rest. Besides that, Albus had promised her that when the Potter boy came to school, he would make sure Ginny would be the next Lady Potter. Their union was as good as done.

Molly didn't believe in Arthur, and she thought he was weak. She didn't have time or the wish to work. She had imagined Arthur as one of the heads at the Ministry and no longer believed it. He was more interested playing with the Muggle toys, and Quidditch with the Aurors and the boys. She no longer respected him for his lack of 'ambition' at the Ministry.

She was blind to the fact that he was stopped every step of the way for his support to Dumbledore's cause. She was saving and would entertain the heads of the Ministry, in order to make a name for Arthur. That would be her job.

Dumbledore was the Master Puppeteer, not for money or honors, but for power. His original intentions have been good, but he had gotten lost along the way. Besides, keeping Gellert Grindelwald in prison for so many years had done something to Albus. He had been a good Wizard, one who had not been able to escape the allure of absolute power.

Severus didn't like what Molly was doing. Albus had lost in Snape's eyes with all they had found out this week. Now Severus was wondering if all his trust had been misplaced. One thing was important; know who your enemies are. By the way, Arthur needed to be informed before he went home this afternoon. Damn, he hated to be the bearer of bad news. Bill Weasley, thanks for providing me with an alibi, Snape thought as he wrote the urgent owl to the Ministry which he hoped that Arthur would understand. He also needed to write to Lucius, and maybe stop later by Malfoy Manor.

Remus's Blues

Tomorrow night would be a full moon, and Remus was progressively upset. With the Grangers here it would be difficult to make an excuse. His dark depressive feelings were overwhelming, and he was feeling unloved and unappreciated.

He was dressed and was readying to leave the room when he heard a soft tap at the door and two little giggles. He smelled the pups and smiled, "Little scalawags," he said to himself.

Moony adored the pups, and he longed for some of his own. Remus worried, maybe one day they would be under an attack, and if it was a full moon… and if someone touched the pups. It would be a tragedy. He was very attached to the little witch and was afraid to overreact.

He opened the door, and nobody was out there. He could smell them, "I wonder who came around, maybe I imagined it. Too bad, had it been either Draco or Mimi, I would have liked to give them a piggy ride, oh well, I am going to breakfast." He sighed very loud.

From inside an alcove two doors dow the children came running. "Silly, we were hiding to trick you." Mimi was screaming, and Draco was laughing and saying more or less the same. If anyone was still sleeping, they were now awake.

"Remy, I tolds Traco that I didn't want to trick you, please take me piggy back." Mimi twisted her lips avoiding eye contact.

"Mimi, no, you said lets hide. I tolds you that Mother tells me not to hide. You said, yes, let's so Remy has to find us and tickle us. Hmm, and I said Mimi yes, let's trick him, and you said, no, I do—."

"No, no, no, you said you know good places—"

"Stop it the two of you. Right there," Remus sounded stern, louder, and a little rough, so that the two tattle-tellers reacted the same, both had the same expression, quivering lips, a frown, and tears about to start pouring down. Remus rolled his eyes. He had noticed his short temper, yes too close to full moon, tomorrow night.

"No crying, I was going to tell you all, that you both can piggy back at the same time. We just make you two a little lighter."

He pulled out his wand to cast a levitation spell, put a mild sticking charm on their hands and legs, and let them both hold on to his neck. He anchored one foot of each in his trouser's belt, and he held one leg of each. He had just realized something else, the Malfoy family was allowing him, a werewolf, around their heir. His heart beat loudly with joy. Maybe there was hope; and maybe Lucius was just a person after all.

And down he went, up the long hallway, galloping with them, laughing and carefree.

Jeanie and Grant saw him coming into the breakfast room, and Jeanie could not get over how much younger Remus had changed from almost two weeks ago. He looked like a young man again, even if his eyes were still troubled, what a joy. Grant thought the same and hoped one of his sisters would like the nice young wizard. Less for him to worry about, he smiled at the thought.

At the door was also Mr. Jones, "Lord Granger, good morning to you and to everyone."

They all greeted him and Hermione was squirming to get down her high chair with Draco following suit.

"Sir, may I have a quick word? " Grant stood up and said, "Certainly," leaving with him. Jeanie had to stop an eager young lady from her attempts to jump out her high chair, "Mimi, stay, they will be back in one minute."

"Remy, have you seen Hera?" Hermione asked.

"I am sure she is at the Owlery with the other owls and her sister. "

"No, she isn't; besides, the girls don't live with the other birds. They are princesses; daddy says they are part fey. They are allowed to live in the big cage and can fly out." Draco said as a matter of fact.

"So, they must be at the kitchen, filling their fat little tummies," Remus said with a grimace. "Fat birds," he mumbled again.

Moony had already mentioned that the two birds were very fat and probably tasty. Remus had disagreed; owls probably were nasty and tough, but just in case he had forbidden Moony of ever hunting them. Moony didn't answer, as all canines he thought that a good bird was a dead bird inside your belly. Thus Remus wanted the birds to be put on diet for more reasons than one; namely Moony's wishes for a tasty roasted owl.

Little Ears Repeat all They Hear

"Dr. Grant, your sister, Dr. Elly called this morning. She said it was urgent. She was wondering if somebody could come with her to do with the 'visit' you had requested be done. She sounded upset. Apparently, she talked to neighbors who had some disturbing information, and she said the man was lying. Moreover, he appeared afraid of what might be found." Jones mien was dark, child abuse angered him.

"If I may suggest sir, I would like to come along, I was also in the group you served, and I will be less obvious." Jones sounded concerned and it was rare for him. Grant hoped that it was not to late for an intervention.

"Your Lordship also called you; he found the old plans to modify the roofs of all the Granger properties. He advised that you come with your new associates and take a look. Your Ladyship wishes to meet them all. I had the liberty to informed her how many were 'all'. I was bold and included Lord Malfoy's elders, and Mr. Lupin. I advised her to maybe have additional sittings reserved. If nothing else, everyone is expected this Saturday at 15:00 sharp."

Grant grinned, "Mr. Jones, you really need to breathe once in a while. You are most efficient," he chuckled.

"I cannot call from here so I will call my father later. I would strongly recommend Remus because I don't think Lucius should go. You should drive Elly. Let me ask Remus and consult with Lucius."

Grant went back and quickly updated everyone in cryptic words since the children were there. Cissy and Jeanie were listening, and both peeked at the children. They were not deceived, this was clear to the mothers. Both were intensely trying to listen and decipher the adult clues.

"May we come to get the boy? He is at those people houses. May I come with Remy and tante Elly?" Mimi asked casually, although, she looked ready to pounce.

"No, young lady, you may not. And who knows? You all might have some company later today." Lucius smiled mysteriously, and the two young ones came running towards him. They sat on his lap, and bombarded him with questions.

Mimi and Draco decided to finger comb Lucius, and twirling his hair between her little fingers, Mimi gave him a kiss on his cheek. "You are very pretty Mr. Lushus." Lucius smiled, his little daughter (both Cissy and Lucius already called her their daughter) smelled so nice.

"You should not kiss my daddy, you are a witch. Mommy is mad if witches come and kiss him my daddy, she says too many witches are too somefing9. And he is not pretty, he is a wizard." Draco looked at her with knitted eyebrows.

All the adults were smiling, Cissy was red, and Lucius was making an effort not to laugh.

"I kiss my daddy and mommy doesn't get mad." Hermione asserted a little miffed.

"If you need to kiss someone, you should kiss me. That is what Daddy tells her when she kisses Uncle Sevrus." He nodded his head and showed her his cheek, "Here is a start, love."

It was Lucius turn to blush, it was true, his Veela didn't tolerate for Cissy to kiss any other male, even Severus. It was too funny and everyone laughed.

Remus'd slipped out the room with Jones, and he could hear the adults laughing. The pups were being pups. They loved their wolf, he wasn't alone, he had two pups. He had their love.

Dobby and Lucius shows some of his faults.

It wasn't long before an owl dropped a message. Dobby brought it in. He wore a cleaner smock, which did not go unnoticed by Lucius who had always detested Dobby. The elf was unnatural. He did not respect the order of things. Lucius had been known to throw a shoe at him, or near enough to get him. The teality was that Lucius only liked Mipsy and Axel, his childhood caretakers.

Even since Lucius was a child, Dobby had challenged his orders as often as possible. To his shame, Lucius had been physical with him more than once. He was his nemesis in elf form. No lost love, the feeling was mutual. The house-elf loved to remind anyone, who would listen, all about Lucius' abuse and shortcomings.

"Master, Dobby don't be normals. My cousin drops him on the head when he was a wee-one…oh, yes, one too many times."

Likely excuse thought Lucius; he was born to very old elven parents. Over 300 years old, and they forgot to teach him servitude, loyalty and obedience. And, now, the children dotted on the ugly, smelly, bugged-eye miscreant. That was Lucius' personal observation and it made him a little distressed.

"Dobby, are you courting or what?" Lucius asked in a malicious voice; right away each of his relatives rolled their eyes. Here we go again, was their expression.

"No, Masters Lucius, we has guests, and they says, 'thanks yous Dobby,' and 'you so nice Dobby'. They treats me nice, and Miss Mimi, she be very nice, she tolds me I am pretty." Dobby turned purple, his ears flapped and he looked at his large feet. Mimi ran and hugged him, and Dobby beamed. He looked at Lucius defiantly and the adults laughed. "Yes, Dobby is pretty, and today he tolds Mr. Lu"

Lucius threw a child's fit for the first time in front of the Grants, stomped his foot, threw a plate aiming to Dobby's head, and then quickly excused himself. Dobby was his Achilles' tendon, one of them, and smart enough to irritate him every time.

"Sirs, yous owl," Dobby said handing it to Lucius, who was exiting the room in a huff and a puff.

Cissy, Thallia and Jeanie looked at each other in complicity; Cissy said, "Wizards," and Jeanie answered," Yes, men."

At this, the three adult women dissolved in giggles. Everyone was stressed to the max, and the laughter was welcome.

Draco and Mimi looked at each other puzzled; Dobby came and told them, "Grown-ups." And they broke out in peals of laughter, they all were some sort of agreement.

It wasn't but a few seconds before Lucius came back, and whispered something in Serpens' ear, "I am sorry, I must be excused, Grant could you accompany me to the Floo?"

Unsettled

Jeanie felt a wave of darkness come over the house. Something was out of order. Good and bad things were upon them. Dark forces had weaved another tendril of darkness around them. She shivered. It was as if they had stirred a hornet's nest, and it was still unsettled. The meeting of the two children had started something in motion, a wheel that could not be stopped.

Hermione stood up and hugged Draco. She looked very upset. Her face had changed, and her demeanor was somber.

"Traco, arry is almost drowned, he is like smashed, like the fishes," and she started to cry. Jeanie stood up and picked up her baby. Draco joined the tears feeling the misery in his little mate. And he ran to Mémère, who hugged him.

Xox

Next Time. Things are bound to get worse before they get better or maybe not.

Harry's rescuers next time.

Note: In 1984, 500 galleons would had been around $16,000 (39,000 in today's money). Based on Rawlings saying a Galleon was worth and taking into account the price of gold, which varies from day to day.