The tension was thick in the hospital wing late in the afternoon preceding the full moon. The sky outside of the large windows was dark, the early sunset of winter made it feel much later than it was. There was no snow on the grounds yet, but there was a definite bite in the air that made Remus feel like it wouldn't be far away. The gas lamps hanging from the ceiling were all lit, trying to cast a warm glow, but the dark glass seemed to to suck it away, creating an ominous feeling over the already tense environment.

Frank and Sirius were both present, Sirius was even dressed in full uniform for once in his life. This, more than anything else, made Remus nervous. The idea that Sirius thought he needed to look official and therefore intimidating, was generally concerning, let alone when it was in order to discourage the still unknown saboteur stalking Remus.

Remus was sitting on a bed in the deepest corner of the wing, furthest from all doors and windows. Frank had decided that he needed as much protection as possible. This meant no line of sight from any of the windows or the main doors. Greta sat in the other corner, opposite Remus. To everyone's surprise, Archibald Reeves had decided to oversee the dispensation of his daughter's final dose of the potion.

Sirius had told Remus about how guard Archie seemed quite dismissive of his daughter's condition. With everything Greta had told him, Remus was hopeful that perhaps Archie was finally coming out of his grief, and showing an interest in his daughter's life was a very promising sign.

Lily entered the hospital wing with Tonks, carrying the small cauldron with the potion inside, as she had the last few evenings. The only thing that was different this evening was Tonks, who held Remus's eye for a lot longer than usual, a pleased smile stretching her lips when he didn't look away. How had he managed to fall for her so completely in just a few weeks? Maybe Sirius was right, maybe some things really were meant to be.

Whatever it was, he had to find something else to focus on right then. His wholesome thoughts of destiny and romantic futures were suddenly commandeered by flashbacks to their very enjoyable evening on the sofa, (and the morning in his bed) this did not seem appropriate in his current situation. Definitely not , he cringed internally as Snape swept in, like the personification of a cold shower. He looked to be in a particularly foul mood. But he performed his tests, attending to Greta first this evening, before crossing the ward to do the same to Remus.

"Thank you, Severus," Remus said, as the Potions Master lifted his wand after the final test, trying to convey that whatever their history, he was grateful for the continued reliable brewing of the potion. Snape met his eyes briefly, the usual disdain dropping just for a second.

"Just doing my job, Lupin," he murmured icily.

Then he was gone, in that same dramatic swirl of robes he did so well. Remus wondered if he actually practised it. It was probably the flighty nerves in his belly making him think ridiculous things, but he suddenly had an image of Snape in front of a full length mirror in the dungeon, twirling to and fro, to get the swing of his robes just right. He grinned at the silly thought, and caught Tonks's eye across the room again, she was watching him grinning to himself with fond, barely concealed amusement on her face.

The mood shifted back to sombre as Lily and Madam Pomfrey dispensed the two doses of potions and delivered them. Lily brought Remus his, and gave him a quick squeeze on the shoulder.

"It's going to be fine, Rem," she said quietly. He understood that she was just as worried as he was. Then she left him to go back and stand with Tonks near the door. Sirius and Frank were both in the centre of the room, and Sirius was looking uncharacteristically serious as he observed the proceedings, he did have an ironic little eyebrow lift for Remus when he looked his way, however.

Remus met Greta's worried gaze across the hospital wing as they swallowed their potion. She was definitely struggling to keep it down, her hand pressed firmly against her lips in what was a familiar gesture to him now. Her father stood ridgid at her side, and as Remus looked at him, he realised that Archie was giving him something of a cold stare. This was the first time he'd had proper contact with Greta's father, other than the meeting on Greta's eleventh birthday when Remus had gone out to their house to explain the precautions for Greta's attendance at Hogwarts.

Remus didn't think of himself as a vain man, or self important, but it did occur to him as he met Archie Reeves's hostile stare, that it was a rare thing for someone to look at him like that. He was the hero of the wizarding world, shouldn't a man like Archie be grateful ? Or at least impassive? Archie had dedicated his life to keeping dark wizards safely locked up. If anyone should be on Remus's team, it should be the Azkaban guards.

Then a loud and urgent knock on the double doors to the corridor interrupted the silence.

"Uncle Padfoot! Mum!"

"Dad!"

The voices were quite panicked and easily recognisable as Harry and Neville's.

"What on earth?" said Lily, who was closest to the doors and looked over at Frank and Sirius. "How do they know I'm here?" she asked quietly.

"Let us in! He's in there, Pettigrew! He's in there with you."

"Pettigrew?" Sirius, Lily and Remus all repeated in shocked unison.

Harry knew the bare bones of Peter's story, the boy who was once their friend who turned traitor. Remus was certain however that Harry only thought of him as another old locked up Death Eater. Only Remus, Sirius and Lily knew how much worse the story could have been.

Frank opened the door with Tonks covering the boys with her wand as they burst in. Remus supposed the Aurors were on guard against everyone, even teenagers. Harry was clutching an old tattered, and yet, very familiar piece of parchment. Ron and Neville followed, they both had their wands out too.

How on earth had Harry gotten his hands on that map? Remus thought Flich would have destroyed it years ago.

"You have to believe us, Dad!" Neville said, urgently. "He's right there on Harry's map!"

Neville was pointing to a spot on the map, but Harry and Ron were both looking in the direction of little Greta Reeves.

"What map is this?" Frank queried, coming closer.

"The twins took it from Filch," Neville said, "but, we nicked it off them." He grimaced up at his father in apology for the theft, suggesting vaguely, "it's an heirloom?"

Sirius and Tonks both still had their wands at the ready, and Remus couldn't help noticing that Lily did too. Remus's own wand sat next to him on the bed and he snatched it up quickly. He might not know how Peter had gotten here, but if the map said he was, it must be true. He, Sirius, and Lily all knew that Peter could hide very efficiently.

Sirius was following Harry's eye-line to Greta and her father, his wand locked on Archie as he seemed to come to a conclusion. Lily had come forward to look at the map, her own eyes wide as she recognised the map for what it was.

It was Greta's terrified expression however that made Remus act. He was on his feet and crossing the room even before Sirius reached her. He didn't know what was going on yet, but he definitely knew that this little girl had nothing to do with it. As he reached her, his mind was whirring at top speed.

Was this how he'd been poisoned? Was it his old friend? How long had Peter been out of Azkaban? How did Peter even know about the effects of sugar on the potion? And more importantly, why would Peter want to hurt Remus in the first place?

"Get away from my daughter, Lupin." a sinister voice warned, Archie Reeves had taken a threatening step forward, his own wand out, pointing directly at Remus's chest. Suddenly cold dread swept through Remus, there was nothing but pure hatred in Guard Archie's eyes as he moved closer.

"Dad?" Greta's voice was as frightened as her face. "Professor Lupin, won't hurt me." This seemed to get through to him, he dropped his wand a fraction, but the loathing in his face didn't change.

"I've had it!" Archie exploded. "This whole place! Pandering to every little ridiculous problem, you don't see the real danger!" Then he zipped up his bulky jacket, scowling at the room as he crossed towards the doors to leave.

"Terribly sorry, Mr Reeves," Frank said slowly, deceptively calm, barring his way. "But you'll have to remain." He glanced back at the map, and then frowned in confusion.

Sirius, it appeared had had enough.

" Accio Peter Pettigrew ,'' he said angrily. Flicking his wand in Archie's direction and to everyone's astonishment, a skinny grey rat came soaring out of one of the many pockets on Archie's coat.

Remus was less than astonished to be honest, horrified, perhaps. Why would Peter be here? Did Archie know that Peter had been in his pocket? Surely he must have. Peter couldn't have been acting alone, Azkaban had anti-animagus charms on it these days. Yet another idea of Hermione's.

"Could you please explain why a convicted criminal with two years left on his sentence is outside the Azkaban fortress, and in your pocket?" Sirius said furiously, holding the rat by its long bald tail. It twisted and turned in the air, squeaking madly. Harry, Ron and Neville were all watching with wide confused eyes from behind Lily and Tonks.

"Nope," said Archie bluntly, "never seen that rat before."

Then without warning the rat gave a violent twist, and grew, faster than Remus's eyes could follow, until his old friend stood before them. The boy that had, in another life, destroyed everything. The one who had saved his own skin instead of standing up for Lily and James like they always had for him. The boy who was now a short scrawny man, his Azkaban robes frayed and dirty, his watery eyes darting anxiously between Sirius and Remus.

Sirius had his wand pointing directly between Peter's eyes. But his own eyes were still focused on Archie. "What about this man? You must recognise him, he's been in your prison for the last twelve years."

"They all look the same to me." Archie grunted.

"That's not t-true!" Peter said, and hearing his voice after so long sent a frisson of painful nostalgia through Remus. "You threatened me," he pointed at Archie, "he said he would hurt my m-mum, she's not well, you know, doesn't cope on her own."

"Shut up!" Sirius barked at Peter, who cowered at the sound.

Peter shook his head urgently, obviously frightened of Sirius, he always had been a bit. His eyes flicked to Remus, whose disgust and horror wouldn't let him look away. How could Peter do this to him?

"I t-tried to make sure you'd be s-safe," he stuttered, distraught, "I sent you that note Sirius, I got you to come here so R-Remus wouldn't be alone. Just like the old days! I didn't want to put the s-sugar in."

"What note?" Sirius growled viciously. Remus fancied he was moments away from turning into Padfoot and tearing Peter in half. Then there was a scuffle from where Frank and Archie stood, as Frank diligently restrained the Azkaban warden.

"The note from James about spending your birthday h-here," Peter wheedled, "I sent him one too, when the inspector came to the Ministry on his way to Hogwarts last month."

"The inspector?" Frank asked, putting the final touches on Archie's bonds, holding his hands behind his back. "Fawley was in on this too?"

"N-No, he had no idea! I was in his bag, it's him ," Peter said, pointing at Archie. "He hates werewolves because one killed his wife. He doesn't think wolfsbane is safe, he forced me!" He looked back at Remus, watery eyes pleading, pitiful, "I'm s-sorry Remus."

"Why are you here tonight?" Sirius spat, his words clipped. Remus could hear the rage he was barely containing threatening to break through and he wondered for a split second if Peter would get out of here alive.

"I was supposed to put more s-sugar in Remus's cup," Peter admitted, not meeting anyone's eyes now. "But I didn't . L-Lily was guarding it." Then the pleading was back, it turned Remus's stomach, "Please, believe m-me, when it didn't work he burnt Mum's house down. She has n-nothing now."

"He's babbling!" Archie burst out, struggling against his bonds. "I wouldn't risk my little girl's life!"

Greta had tears rolling down her cheeks, "Yes he would," she murmured, and Remus put his arm around her shoulders as she began to cry in earnest. "He doesn't speak to me, or even look me in the eye anymore. He hates wolves. He can't even see that I'm still here."

"Greta," Archie said, he'd stopped fighting, he looked troubled. "It's not that, you just look so much like your mother, it is very hard for me."

"You said, after Professor Lupin left, you said if it wasn't for him, Mum never would have died," she was glaring at him, her cheeks wet. "You said it's his fault people aren't scared of wolves anymore." Greta's voice might have been quiet, but the anger she felt was very clear.

Everyone in the room was staring at Archie now, but it was Peter who broke the silence.

"That's exactly what he said to m-me. H-he said if everyone could see that the great t-tame werewolf could go w-wild again then people would know not to trust them. I'm s-sorry Remus."

Remus couldn't deal with Peter and his ridiculous self-serving logic right then. He turned away from him, towards Archie, fury on so many levels was pounding through him. His neglect for his daughter, his shortsightedness, the risk he'd put all of Hogwarts under. All of these things took precedence over the one thing he should really be angry about: Archie had tried to get him killed.

"You wanted to prove a point?" Remus growled at Archie, his voice rumbling deep in his chest, "You risked the lives of hundreds of children to prove a point?! Of course we're dangerous! Do you think for one minute that any werewolf alive wants to hurt people? We were all just humans once, none of us chose this!"

"All right, Moony," Sirius said, stepping between Archie and Remus. "Leave him to Frank and me." Sirius could clearly sense that Remus was not okay. "Look after Greta, would you?"

Remus stepped back, feeling wild and out of control; he had to suck his breath in through his teeth, they were clenched so tight, he couldn't focus.

All of this, for one man's grudge? It was too much.

Then there was a hand on his arm and he jumped, nervy and twitchy with the effort of keeping his anger locked down. "Remus, come and sit with Greta," it was Tonks, calm and firm, helping him make the right decision. "Let the Aurors deal with them."

And so he did. He let her tow him back to Greta and Madam Pomfrey, let her push him into the chair, and let her hold his hand tight as he tried to calm down.

"Archibald Reeves," Sirius began, his voice formal. "You are under arrest," he flicked his wand and the black binding that Frank had done was transfigured into heavy metal handcuffs, the chain cinching in to pull Archie's wrists tight together. "You will come with me now to give your statement, you are not required to speak until you have sought legal counsel, anything you do say will be taken down in writing and given in evidence."

Archie scowled but didn't speak as Sirius marched him from the room. Greta was crying while Madam Pomfrey hugged her and Remus was holding on to Tonks's hand like it was the only thing real in the world.

Frank had put handcuffs on Peter too and had given him the same speech. Peter was silent, until he passed Lily and the boys at the door.

"I'm s-sorry," he said to her, "I'm s-sorry for all of it."

She looked like he'd slapped her, she stepped back from him without speaking, protecting the three boys, her wand held directly at his chest.

"Take him away, Frank," she said eventually, turning away and meeting Remus's eyes across the room.

Lily slipped her arm around Harry's shoulders, the boy nearly as tall as her now, and as if to show that even these brazen thirteen year olds knew how serious the situation was, he just leaned against her, in full view of every one. Normally he would have ducked away, embarrassed by such a show of parental affection. Neville and Ron were both standing close together, they had the map now, and were obviously following the arrested men's path down through the castle.

Remus's hand was still tight in Tonks's, how this tiny touch could ground him so thoroughly, he didn't quite understand.

To his left, Madam Pomfrey was still holding Greta, murmuring little words of comfort to her as she sobbed. Remus knew he'd have to do something for the girl, her mother dead, her father arrested, he'd have to find a way to help her through. But, with the newfound optimism that Tonks seemed to provide, he was sure he'd manage it somehow.

The moon that night was not a peaceful one for Remus, even with the potion working properly he'd spent the night pacing instead of sleeping. He did however make it through the night, as did Greta. She was doted on by Madam Pomfrey, and seemed to be handling the revelation of her father's betrayal very well. She was quiet and drawn into herself, but perked up a bit when Flora and Beth turned up to take her back to Gryffindor tower.

Sirius arrived at lunch time, with a pink haired Tonks in tow. Sirius was a bit grim-faced, and Remus worried for a moment that something else was wrong, but it had simply been a long night for him too. Processing a local hero for attempted murder involved a lot of paper work apparently.

"A bloody thirty page document!" Sirius complained dramatically. As though this was too high a price to pay for his friend's liberation from fear of assassination. "Haven't even started Pettigrew's. But he'll just go back to Azkaban I expect. Another ten years probably. I can't believe he was involved in this, after everything." The betrayal in his voice was something that Remus understood very well. Peter, little Peter , had done this to him.

Tonks on the other hand looked rather too cheerful, and it distracted Remus quite successfully from dark thoughts of betrayal and broken friendships.

She kissed Remus on arrival, full on the lips. Sirius didn't even bat an eye, too disgruntled with paperwork to notice that Remus wasn't paying him any attention any more.

"I'm not on duty," she said to Remus, her arms still around his neck, the smile on her face bright and confident. How had he got so lucky? "So I just wanted to ask, if you'd like to go out some time?"

Sirius was looking marginally more animated by this point, no doubt drawing pleasure from the way Tonks managed to make Remus feel like he was an awkward teenager all over again.

"Yes," he said, "I thought that was kind of clear?" He glanced significantly in the direction of the sofa, and Tonks laughed.

"Just wanted to make sure," she smiled up at him, "you know, officially."

"Well, if you two are just going to stand there and look at each other like that ," Sirius huffed, backing away from them, his face scrunched up like he was disappointed that Remus would rather kiss his girl than listen to bitching about paperwork. "I'm going to go."

Remus had never been more pleased to see the back of him.

Christmas Eve 1997

"I'm going to bed," Tonks announced, stifling a wide yawn. It wasn't that late, but as she got up from the table where she'd been sitting talking with Hermione and Lily, Sirius had to smile. Her pregnant belly made her even more unstable than usual, and it took her a moment to get her balance as she manoeuvred around the table.

Remus, who'd been in the kitchen with Sirius and James, immediately started towards her. They had been washing their way through all the dishes in the house, in preparation for Christmas dinner tomorrow. It was a big job, even with magical assistance. Moony was always so concerned, Sirius thought, as he watched him take a few steps away from the sink, his hands still bubbly, to go to her aid; happy, but concerned.

Tonks however, shot her husband a look that clearly said, Bugger off, I can still walk, you worry wart. But she still waddled up and kissed him on the cheek anyway.

"Don't let those boys lead Greta astray," she said, with a glance out the window to the little party going on.

"I'm not worried about the boys ," Remus shook his head. "Flora's the ring leader." Greta had been Remus's ward during the holidays since her father was arrested four years ago. It seemed to suit them fine, and having Tonks as her main female role model had done wonders for her confidence.

"I really wish you wouldn't blame my daughter for everything." Sirius said, but he wasn't really bothered. Remus was right. Flora was the ringleader. None of the boys stood a chance against her any more.

"I suppose I should go and make sure we've got enough beds for that lot," Lily said, as she stood too, draining her wine glass and looking past the men out into the snowy yard where the group of teenagers sat around a brazier, laughing and teasing each other.

Harry, Neville, Ron and Draco were all out there, as well as the inseparable Flora, Beth and Greta. Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood were new additions to their little group. Ginny was sitting on Harry's lap, and Sirius idly wondered if he should be taking all the girls back to their place tonight. Separate sleeping quarters was probably the responsible thing to do… but the kids had been planning their little party for weeks.

He also wondered how Ron and Ginny had convinced their parents to let them stay here on Christmas Eve. Maybe Arthur and Molly were enjoying a quiet night. Sirius grinned as the fire suddenly turned purple and sparkly, roaring much higher than before, and the girls cheered as Draco gave a silly little bow. He was so happy his daughter had great friends, just like he did.

Hermione came to join him, watching the teenagers out the window, laughing and joking while passing around what Sirius was sure was a bottle of Ogden's. The boys were all seventeen now, Flora would be sixteen this summer. She probably shouldn't be drinking, but he wasn't going to stop them, not on Christmas Eve on James's back lawn. If they wanted to have a hangover on Christmas morning, that was their own decision to regret later. and if Sirius helped with breakfast and happened to crash a few pots together, that would be their problem too.

"They think they are so sly," Remus gave a little chuckle from where he stood next to Sirius, a stack of side plates for tomorrow in his hands. Sirius looked at him, and James did too.

"So did we," James said. "Remember the shit we got up to at their age?" Then he shuddered, "best not."

"What you got up to?" Hermione put in, she'd been watching the scene with a tremulous smile of happiness etched on her face, so satisfied that these kids were having such a brilliant normal life. "Didn't you lot just run around the forest?" She smirked. "Pretty tame, I blew up a house in Riddle's face this Christmas Eve. That was an adventure."

James and Remus both laughed, and Sirius pulled her close, still so glad to have her here, for all that she'd done for them. Sirius looked back through the window, and his eyes narrowed. His daughter was sitting awfully close to Neville. She was a shameless flirt, even at fifteen.

He had no idea what he'd done to deserve this suffering as a father.

Hermione just said it was karma.

o0o

A/N: Well, there we are. I did not think I was going to need nearly a decade to write this "mini" sequel. But as 169 turns ten in October this year, I'm reminded of how much time has passed, and how much I have changed. The only thing that hasn't changed is how much I love to write.

I hope you enjoyed this story.

Leave me some love, I'm working on a new Hermione/Sirius story and need the motivation.

Mrs J xx