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Old Friend	By : Prosperosdaughter Category: HP Canon Characters paired with Original Characters > Slash - Male/Male Views: 3803 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: JK Rowling and her associates own Harry Potter. I make no money from my stories.

Chapter List
- 17
- 18
- 19
Wandsong and Idris Lydiard and his Pack are all mine.

Warning: M/M. Don't like, please don't read.

Chapter 18: Of Family and Bonds
As soon as Idris and Lupin walked into the tent, Angharad had no doubts about Lupin's loyalty and bestowed a welcoming smile and embrace on him.
"Well met, Remus Lupin. It is good to see thee once more."
"You look wonderful!" said Lupin to Angharad, who did indeed look blooming with good health. "You're well?"
Lupin's smile broadened for her too even as she beamed and indicated for him to sit and Summoned a copper kettle and a tea caddy. As she began to bustle over Alphard's small stove, he too stepped forward and shook Lupin's hand.
"Remus," Alphard said, his eyes searching Lupin's. This time, they were clear and lucid. But this time, Alphard also noticed, they were – embarrassed – yes, that was what he saw. "How is my great-niece?"
"I … that is, we …" Lupin seemed taken aback by the question. Alphard frowned. "Alphard, I'm no longer with Dora. I'm sorry."
"But you were only married in July," protested Alphard, then he stopped. He remembered how Lupin had seemed when he had seen him after Dumbledore's funeral. He quickly looked at Angharad and Idris and then back to Lupin. "Let's talk later. Just you and me."
Lupin nodded then turned to Idris, his face open, waiting to be questioned.
"First things first, Remus Lupin," said Idris, stifling his unease about a werewolf leaving his mate. "What happened to Dumbledore? You told Alf your mate had killed him. Is that true?"
Lupin swallowed audibly, clearly unnerved that they had plunged headlong into the heart of the matter.
"Yes, Idris, it's true but you must listen – please." Lupin held his hands out as Idris swore an imprecation. "What I am telling you now I didn't know when I spoke to Alphard. Albus kept it from me and swore Severus to secrecy. It's a convoluted story and I'll tell you it all but I must ask for your solemn promise not to divulge it. Just you three – I beg you! More lives than you know depend on it."
Idris looked at Lupin's earnest face and saw no deception, smelt no duplicity. Angharad heard the urgency with which he spoke and set a mug of tea next to him with a small smile. They gave him their vows, and Lupin began his tale, a tale that began with a cursed hand, and a geas upon his mate to help a friend and mentor to a death without torture, and then to be trusted by the Darkest wizard of all time, and to leave his loved one to fulfil that geas.
Idris listened carefully to every word, understanding then the things which had seemed so enigmatic before: he and Alphard had seen the fatal curse with their own eyes, and now Idris understood how Dumbledore had intended the reign of terror of the Death Stick to die with him when he planned his death at the wand of Severus Snape.
Dumbledore had left a testament – Idris was sure now it would exonerate Snape of cold-blooded murder. But was he still on the side of the Light?
"Does your mate still give you information?" asked Idris, when Lupin had finished his tale.
"Yes, although now he's the Headmaster at the school, he doesn't see the other Death Eaters regularly, but what information he can get, I pass on to what's left of the Order."
"We've heard from the running wolves that giants have come from the continent – ready to do Riddle's bidding. Is it true, Remus Lupin?"
"Yes, it's true. You-Know-Who sent his followers to recruit them, just as the Dementors and every evil thing are now his to command."
Idris's eyes narrowed. "Why do you call him that? You didn't call him that before. You called him -"
"DON'T!" yelped Lupin, jumping to his feet. "You mustn't say his name! The Ministry have put a Taboo Curse on it. It will break your protective enchantments and call the Death Eaters here!"
The three stared at Lupin in horror.
"A Taboo Curse?" gasped Alphard, the only one of the three to truly understand the Dark power behind such a curse. "Riddle has such complete control of the Ministry?"
Lupin sat again and nodded.
"Yes. His control is total. We're trying to resist however we can, but it's difficult. Since Albus died … well, there is no-one You-Know-Who fears any longer. The Minister for Magic is under the Imperius. There are pockets of resistance and we're trying to co-ordinate as best we can but our numbers are few and we have very few allies in the Ministry itself. The corruption runs deeper than we ever could have imagined." Lupin sighed heavily and ran his hands through his hair. "You may have heard of the Muggle-born Registration Commission." Lupin looked at each of them as the three nodded. Botolph had been bringing Alphard The Daily Prophet from the inn, but Alphard had soon realised that the Ministry controlled the newspaper too.
"Since we're not going to be able to get at You-Know-Who himself, we've agreed our priority is to try to save as many Muggle-borns as we can. These hearings are actually trials at which their wands are confiscated and they are set to Azkaban for stealing magic."
"No-one can steal magic!" growled Idris, outraged.
"Quite so. But it's their twisted way of enforcing their rules on blood purity. And of course you'll have seen how they've legislated against us …"
"Aye. We've seen that first hand. And Greyback's savaging on behalf of his master."
"The Turnings?" asked Lupin, eyebrows raised.
"Aye, we've a family here. He Turned them all – mother, father and child."
"I heard about them. The Ford family? They've made their way here? Well, that's good, isn't it?"
"The wife's fitting in well – helps Angharad with the provisions. The child's withdrawn and scared and the father … hates us all. Makes it obvious he hates being here. It's not good for morale."
"Perhaps, I can try talking to him," suggested Lupin. "It's not like he could make a living in the wizarding world – not as if any of us can – not now."
Idris agreed. Perhaps this werewolf, so like a wizard in his ways, would be able to help Ford to see that there was no return road to humanity. Lycanthropy was his lot in life now. His only choice now was what type of werewolf he wanted to be.
AB~IL~AB~IL~AB~IL~AB~IL
The four talked for hours, Idris and Alphard asking questions about the wizarding world and Lupin doing his best to answer them as completely as he could. There was no doubt in Idris's mind that the wizarding world had fallen to Riddle completely and all Idris's precautions and fears had been well-founded.
Then Alphard asked to be left with Lupin for a while, and Idris and Angharad took their leave.
Alphard couldn't help but notice how nervous Lupin seemed as he waited for Alphard to speak to him. Alphard decided it was for him to break the ice.
"When I last saw you, Remus, I didn't think you were well. I detected that perhaps you had been using some Potions. Was it related to your relationship break-up?"
Lupin exhaled as if steeling himself for the revelations to come.
"It's difficult for me to tell you this – Dora is your family, after all – but yes – there were Potions," Lupin started, and then hesitated. "But I didn't take them of my own accord."
Alphard's eyebrows shot up. Dora drugged Lupin? He could see Lupin's cheeks beginning to flush with embarrassment.
"What Potion?" he asked.
"Amortentia."
Alphard couldn't hide his shock. His great-niece was young and beautiful – why had she considered she needed Amortentia?
"I don't understand …" he stammered.
"Neither did I – for a long time," said Lupin. "It began when Albus asked Dora to help us through the full moon when Severus and I needed to be apart."
"I remember," said Alphard, thinking back to the terrible tale they had heard back in January.
"I didn't want to take a second mate, but I saw no way around it to keep Severus safe. I thought – I was wrong – but I thought Dora understood that. I thought she had just developed a crush – or maybe had fallen for me because she hadn't got over David. Did you know about David?"
"Andy mentioned him. He was a werewolf, yes?"
"Yes. He was the same age as Dora – they met through Gringotts. We met them when I worked for Gringotts at its full moon retreat."
"Dora was David's Claimed mate?"
"Yes." Lupin's expression became wistful in remembrance. "I'd Claimed Severus then as well. We all met at the full moon, human and werewolf couples. They were happy days. Then You-Know-Who came back and Severus returned to spying for Albus. Albus Obliviated those who knew about our mating, including Dora and David, to preserve his cover. David joined the Order of the Phoenix and came with me to visit the Packs. He died fighting with the Exmoor Pack against vampires. Then … then Albus asked Dora to step in at the full moon."
Alphard nodded. Lupin sighed.
"I never fully Claimed her. Just the bite to take us through the full moon." Lupin looked up through his hair and Alphard could tell this admission shamed him: the admission of his animalistic nature. Alphard nodded to encourage him to carry on – after all, he saw no shame in being the Claimed mate of a werewolf – it was the happiest he'd ever been. "But she kept saying she wanted it to be more. I didn't feel the same. We owe Dora such a debt for keeping us safe. We knew that she and David had mistakenly believed that I was mated to Sirius. We never corrected them. In all honesty, we never thought it was a problem. It only became apparent that it was a problem after Albus died …"
Lupin exhaled again and screwed his eyes shut.
"I told you that Severus left because Albus demanded it of him but I wasn't told. It was during this time that Dora tried to Obliviate my mating to Sirius."
Alphard groaned. He had known when he had seen Lupin after the funeral that there had been a poorly worked memory charm – but by his own great-niece! It was too shocking.
"Of course, I'd never been mated to Sirius. I didn't realise it at the time but it led to even more confusion in me. I remembered Severus but my memories were now ragged and incomplete and I became more agitated with passing time and by the time Severus killed Albus, I believed that he had betrayed me … betrayed the Order … murdered Albus. The night Albus died, Dora declared her love for me in front of everyone! I didn't know what to do, I was so distressed and angry. I was so alone. It was that night that Dora gave me Amortentia the first time."
Alphard inhaled sharply and ran his hand over his face. Lupin grasped his upper arm where Alphard knew the Bonding Circlet lay embedded in Lupin's skin.
"The Bonding Circlet flamed and stopped me … well, prevented the Amortentia having its full effect." Lupin smiled weakly at Alphard at the euphemism and Alphard understood that it had prevented them having sex.
"This Bond allows the taking of a wife. I understood this, even in my drugged state, and it was then that I proposed marriage to Dora. You saw us after – what I was like. Well, we went through with the wedding. The wedding night was the second time that Dora gave me Amortentia."
At this point, Lupin's voice seemed to give way and he stood, composing himself. Alphard apologised quickly and hurriedly set out two glasses and opened a bottle of Firewhisky.
Lupin nursed his glass, seemingly deep in thought. He coughed and then continued, clearly upset to impart his further revelations.
"The marriage was consummated," he said quietly, "and Dora used a conception spell to counter my contraceptive spell -"
"Dora's pregnant?" gasped Alphard, blood draining from his face as he understood immediately that such a pregnancy could only doom both mother and child.
"Yes," whispered Lupin. "Dora didn't know the consequences of a werewolf and human pregnancy." Lupin breathed deeply then looked Alphard straight in the eye. "When I realised Dora was pregnant, I left her. I'm not proud of it, Alphard, but I was so angry and so frightened of what could happen to that child – I couldn't cope and I ran away. Eventually, I found my way to Severus, and found out the truth of what happened with Albus. It was from Severus that I found out about the danger to Dora and the baby. But he saved them, Alphard. We reconciled and he saved them."
At this, Lupin's voice choked once more and he stopped talking.
Alphard himself was beyond shocked. It was so much to take in. How could his great-niece have behaved in such a way – just like the stories his mother used to tell of the Black ancestors, plotting their way into marriages and heirs? And how could Snape have saved them?
"How is that possible?" Alphard croaked.
When Lupin replied, his face seemed to drain and he looked so sorrowful that Alphard knew there was even greater heartache that he did not understand yet.
"A Potion. Severus developed a Potion from an arcane magic book. When we used the refuge in Romania, a young couple – he a werewolf, she a witch – wanted a child. It was Dora who told them that Severus was an advanced Apothecary. This couple had an ancient book of arcane magic, including Electio Potions, to choose the characteristics of a child – elect that the child be like the mother, not the werewolf father. Severus perfected it. He gave it to Dora to make the child safe."
"But that's ingenious!" cried Alphard. "These arcane Potions – I thought they were the stuff of legend! And in any event, I thought they would take months to brew!"
Lupin said nothing, but looked away, clearly distressed.
"Yes. Months," Lupin affirmed quietly. "We were very lucky that Severus had a store."
Alphard wanted to ask more about the Potion, but the pain evident in Lupin's eyes told him to hold his tongue. He changed the subject.
"Does Dora know about Severus now?"
Lupin nodded. "Yes. And Andromeda and Ted too. Severus and I told them together, under the Fidelius."
"Was that necessary?" asked Alphard, ever more startled by the unfolding story.
"Necessary to protect Severus's cover, yes," sighed Lupin. "Even if they weren't angry enough with me to jeopardise him, if they were caught by Death Eaters, they might be tortured … it was the only way to protect him."
"I can't believe it," said Alphard. "I can't believe that Dora would stoop to those measures. I mean – I know how Blacks can use Dark Magic – of course, I do! But this -"
"It makes no difference!" barked Idris, standing at the entrance, glaring at Lupin. He had heard the admission of Lupin of leaving his wife. As far as he was concerned, Pack werewolves didn't leave their mates! Never left their children! "Take a mate – the mate is yours for life! That woman is yer mate as much as Seth Moore is. A werewolf does not leave his children!"
Lupin flinched as if struck and then stormed past Idris from the tent. Angharad went to follow him, but Idris grabbed her wrist.
"No. Leave him. Let him think on it," Idris snarled.
"I don't think we should," said Alphard. It was obvious to Alphard that Idris's words had stung Lupin, that calm façade seemed so near to cracking.
"Aren't we partly to blame? Dumbledore came to us for advice, remember? Taking a second mate was never Remus's wish."
"Doesn't matter. She's his now. For life. He has to do what's right!"
Yet, even as he spoke, Idris couldn't help but wonder. This was Remus Lupin who had taught them all the Patronus Charm but who was also the werewolf who had abandoned his cub. Idris did not know what to think about that.
But he did know that the Ministry was now in the grip of his torturer, Tom Riddle. Dementors and Snatchers roamed the countryside. Werewolves like Greyback savaged and infected children and their parents with impunity.
All Remus Lupin asked of him was to help Muggle-borns to safety – Muggle-borns as his own mother had been.
How could he refuse?
He could not.
"Get him back," he said finally and Alphard left the tent to find Lupin.
Alphard wasn't a werewolf; he couldn't follow a scent unless he changed his form. He spent a while looking for Lupin around the encampment and found him eventually at the perimeter of the wards.
"Remus!" Alphard walked swiftly over to Lupin. "Don't leave."
Lupin looked at Alphard, his distress momentarily visible but then his expression became closed once more.
"I shan't," he said softly. "I know what Idris thinks of me. I'm not even sure I don't agree with him! But we need his help – the help of the Pack. I hope he'll listen to me even if he thinks so little of me."
They began to walk back to the tent together.
"I don't think he thinks so little of you, Remus. I think it shows he has a great deal of respect for you. But this is something he doesn't quite understand. The Pack does things differently. Their loyalties are like iron."
"It's not something I understand," said Lupin. "I've struggled with everything that's happened. I'm still struggling to understand what to do for the best. Even with the curse -"
They re-entered the tent, where Angharad and Idris were seated at the table. Alphard and Lupin joined them.
"The curse?" asked Angharad, picking up on what she had heard.
"Is this the Lydiard curse?" asked Alphard. "Andy told me of it. I don't believe it though."
"Andromeda brought the portrait of her parents – your brother and his wife – to our meeting. They told us the tale and recited the curse itself."
Alphard was about scoff but Idris spoke first.
"Tell me," he breathed, his eyes wide. Lupin held Idris's gaze.
"They told a tale that your father broke into Grimmauld Place when Alphard and his sister were at Hogwarts. It was Easter. He bound Pollux Black and cursed him to his heart."
"I don't -" Alphard tried to interject, but Idris silenced him.
"D'ye remember the curse?" Idris breathed, a cold hand of fear clasping his heart.
Lupin nodded. "Severus and I – we believe it's real."
"Go on!" Idris chided impatiently. "Tell me the curse."
"'I curse you, Pollux Black and bring down on you this Reckoning!

'May the Darkness in your soul eat your Black black heart.

'May your line be blighted, each and every one.

'May all that you fear for them be their true reward.

'Let them betray the pure-blood you hold so dear by the choices which they make.

'Let the moon control them as it now controls my son, by curse or in madness.

'Make them lunatics, blood traitors and shape-shifters all!

'May they tear open your daughter's Black black heart,

'As mine has been torn from me!

'May this curse never be laid to rest,

'Until my son is restored to me!'"
Lupin finished and the air in the tent seemed unnaturally still and turgid. Idris stared at him, the words of the curse swirling around in his mind. Such a Dark and terrible curse. Idris sat, and stared at the floor, turning over the words again and again. His father – who had always preached against Dark Magic – loathed those families steeped in it, like the Blacks – had cursed a whole lineage. Idris could barely credit it. Even as he ran his hands over his face, Alphard covered his own.
"I don't believe it," Alphard stammered. "I won't believe it."
"Severus believes there is Dark power in the metre of it," said Lupin haltingly. "It would explain so much … I was hoping we could break it – release the Blacks from the curse. Release Dora from it. We hoped that - perhaps - you would help us.
"Will you help us, Idris?" Lupin asked.
Idris was silent and still for a long time, watching Alphard, still holding his head in his hands in misery. He stood and slowly walked to the tent opening, holding the flap open as he tried to collect his thoughts. Finally, he spoke.
"No. No, I will not help."
He strode away.
AB~IL~AB~IL~AB~IL~AB~IL
It seemed liked an age before Alphard could break his paralysis of shock at hearing the curse he had doubted existed. Then he realised how heart breaking it must have been for Idris to hear.
"I'll go after him," he said, as he squeezed Angharad's hand and dashed out after Idris.
Angharad wanted to go too, but she realised that this was as personal to those two men as it could be. She sat instead and stroked her pregnant belly absent-mindedly. Lupin watched her anxiously.
"I'm sorry to bring this to your door," he said eventually. Angharad smiled a rather embarrassed smile, realising she had been so worried for Idris, she hadn't been paying attention to her guest.
"The damage families can do can last for generations," she said, patting his hand again. "I'm not a qualified witch. I never had proper schooling, but I understand what Dark Magic can do and how it can stain the generations."
"I don't want my mistakes to hurt my son. I never wanted to hurt Dora," Lupin sighed. "I want to help her. Don't you see? What she did for us? If it hadn't been for Dora, neither Severus nor I would have survived the full moons. She kept us safe. We owe her. I want to help her."
"Does Seth?"
Lupin fell silent.
"He's finding it difficult. The child, you see." Lupin's voice tailed off and he looked away.
Angharad thought she understood and cupped his hand. The last time she had seen them together, she knew they were as in love as any couple she had ever seen – she suspected that Snape had agreed to the ritual, even though he was a wizard.
"Did Seth agree to bear your child? You can tell me, Remus Lupin."
Lupin nodded and Angharad could see his grief, no matter how well he tried to hide it.
"It was our dream – when all this was over." Lupin said sadly. "Now? I don't know if he will now. She's ruined everything."
"Even though he knows what she did to you?"
"If she hadn't got pregnant, perhaps it would be different. But she has my child. He should have been ours. And I can't help thinking about that child – my son – brought up by a woman I don't love."
Lupin stood and paced, his hands making and unmaking fists and Angharad suspected Lupin was unburdening himself of heartache he hadn't previously voiced at all.
"That child is mine, Angharad! My son! And I want him. I think about him all the time. It keeps me awake at night, but when Severus finds me awake – how can I tell him I'm thinking of my son? How do I see my son grow and not see the woman who took him from us! But if I see Dora, I could lose Severus. I don't know how to manage it and keep the man I love." Lupin sat again and looked at Angharad, his expression beseeching. "I love Severus more than life itself – but the child pulls me. I need my son too." He paused as if struggling with himself. "And I don't know what to do," he admitted.
Angharad felt her skin prickle as she saw the emotions war in Lupin. The parental instinct was strong in werewolves but so was their loyalty to their mates – both instincts derived from their lupine nature and enhanced by the Dark Magic of the curse. She could feel the conflict in the werewolf before her and knew it would be tearing him apart.
"You need to speak to Seth about how you feel. Whatever you do, you must do together," she said.
"I'm afraid – I'm so afraid of losing him again. If I tell Severus I want that child … that child who is part Dora … I don't know that he will forgive me."
AB~IL~AB~IL~AB~IL~AB~IL
Idris didn't often take himself away from the Pack. He was their Alpha – he had no private business.
But this – this curse of his father's – was a powerful vendetta curse. Even as he stood at the Chair of Idris himself, he felt his own heart course with the strength of the curse. It was real – he could feel the power of his sire run through it. Had it been his father's last great act of sorcery to damn the Blacks to be their own worst fears? Had a great man like Vereticus Lydiard been so torn apart by his son's Turning that his last true act was one of Dark Magic?
Idris would not have thought it. When his father had run him off the farm, Idris had only seen the hatred in his father's eyes. Idris had become a monster – a monster his father could not see past to the son who had once been his whole life. Hearing the words of the curse had made Idris realise his father had been torn apart by regret and vengeance.
His father had never got over his loss. He had spent himself magically to curse those who had cursed his son. The enormity of it hurt Idris's heart. His father had wanted him back – even in death, he wanted his son back. His farm had just been in the valley below – perhaps he could have given his father some peace – and found peace of his own from the nightmare of being driven out by his father that had haunted him these many, many years.
But Idris's heart heaved for another reason too and he felt fear seize his heart.
Perhaps, the curse was working through Alphard too.
Perhaps, Alphard didn't truly love him.
If he helped to lift the curse of his father – dear Merlin! – could he bear to see the dawning horror in Alphard's eyes when he looked on Idris without love in his heart and saw the heavily scarred beast he truly was?
A chill passed over Idris as he imagined the face he loved – the face he had dreamt of for years - looking on his with disgust – twisting with revulsion the way his father's had twisted. He didn't think he could bear to see that look on a face he loved ever again.
He wouldn't help them.
He couldn't help them.
He looked out over the panorama of mountains, purple with heather and grey with rocks and scree, the mountain air searing his nostrils, carrying the scent of the sheep and goats grazing and the wild ponies lower down.
There was a loud crack of Apparition. Idris didn't need to turn; he smelt Alphard immediately and yet he couldn't turn to face him. His heart was too full.
Alphard's hand clasped Idris's shoulder as he stood close behind him.
"My love," whispered Alphard, his lips pressed against Idris's ear. "I'm so sorry."
Idris turned, catching Alphard's hand in his own.
"Why are you sorry? You've done nothing."
"I'm sorry for everything my family has done to you and to your father. It must have been so terrible to hear that -"
"Dear Alf," said Idris, holding Alphard's face tenderly. "Terrible for you too. Knowing what befalls your kin because of what my da did."
Alphard shook his head sadly.
"Your dad was mad with grief, Idris. I saw him, remember? My family brought it on you both. Now, perhaps, we can bring this evil to an end – finish this vendetta so the young people can be free of it?" He reached out his own hands to comfort Idris, but Idris pulled away.
"Don't you know what it means, Alf? What it means for us?" He could see from Alphard's confusion that he did not. Idris forced himself to say it. "That you love me because my da cursed your family."
"What? No! You can't believe that."
"You heard what Remus Lupin said about your great niece, your nephew – all your family – all caught by my da's curse." Idris sat on the large stone. "I don't think I can bear it, Alf." Idris stared off into the distance, his throat obstructed with misery.
Alphard sat next to Idris and watched his faraway expression for a while. He didn't believe that for one minute but he could see Idris believed it and feared it.
All Alphard knew was that he had loved Idris so completely since they were young and they had made a magical commitment to each other. How did he remind Idris of that?
Then he lay flat on his back and placed his hands behind his head. When they were young, they would often lie this way in the forest to try to see the night sky through the canopy of the forest, lying exactly this way. He watched the drifting clouds and waited until he saw Idris looking at him.
"We gave each other our pledge," Alphard said quietly. Then his own grey eyes found the dark troubled eyes of Idris. "I loved you that day and my feelings have never changed. Never! No curse guides my heart to love you, Idris. I have loved you all of my life."
Idris sat forward so that he leant over Alphard, searching his face. Alphard stretched out his hands and stroked them across Idris's face, stroking the scars gently.
"All my life I missed you, Alf. It ate at my heart. And now you're here. If'n we lift the curse … if …" Idris found he couldn't speak. The thought that Alphard's love for him could evaporate with the lifting of the curse filled him with cold dread. He pressed Alphard's palm to his lips and kissed it in place of the words of fear he couldn't express.
Alphard spread his hands so they held Idris's face and brought him in to kiss him, slowly and tenderly. Idris pressed one large hand to Alphard's chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath it as they kissed.
Alphard broke the kiss. When he spoke, his voice was rough with emotion.
"There's no 'if', Idris. I know my heart. I've known it since we were young together. I know I've never been so happy as I am now – here with you."
Idris wanted to believe with all his soul that Alphard was right. He had no doubt that Alphard believed what he said – Alphard's scent alone told him Alphard believed it was the truth but still he was afraid – the curse was a terrible thing, cast by a powerful dying wizard. But this man – this wizard who lay beneath him – was his lover, that man who could make his body sing in tune with his soul – like the most perfect Wandsong.
The perfect Wandsong …
The analogy struck at Idris's innate understanding of magic. For every time he had made love to Alphard, there had been no dissonance in their magic. Such a Dark vengeance curse would have tainted their song, Idris knew.
He kissed Alphard again, deeply and possessively, the hand on Alphard's chest moving to undo the buttons on his robe and to feel the skin beneath it prickle to his touch.
Here on this mountain, the place of his birth, the place where he had chosen to die but instead had been accepted into a new family; this place of ancient magic that spoke to him and gave him the gift of hearing the amazing resonances of magic – here was the place to possess once more the man he loved, and trust that their Pledge on their magic all those years ago protected them still.
AB~IL~AB~IL~AB~IL~AB~IL
It was two hours later when Idris and Alphard had returned to the tent. Lupin and Angharad had talked during their absence and Angharad felt she understood the tragedy of Lupin's situation, caught between the one he loved and the one who carried a much-wanted child. She hoped they would be able to help him. There was no point railing against the woman – but she appreciated Lupin's desire to help her so she wouldn't pine for him. But Angharad also understood the bond between a mother and her child, and the father of that child. That was no Dark Magic – and she didn't know how Lupin would deal with that.
Lupin seemed a little uncomfortable as he clearly smelt Idris and Alphard's passion on each other, but Angharad pressed a gentle hand to his.
"We are three," she said softly, so only Lupin could hear. "You'll find no jealousy in me, Remus Lupin."
Lupin smiled weakly.
"I'm sorry," he replied. "It's just … you three are so happy together. There is no three of us … And I can't make Dora understand." Lupin stopped talking as he realised Idris and Alphard were no longer talking, but listening to them. Lupin studied his fingers and then spoke.
"I know you think I am a poor husband - a poor werewolf who would leave his mate – but please – this isn't about me. It's about so much more than me. Even if you don't wish to help with curse, I beg you to help us give refuge to those who've been cast out of the wizarding world."
"There's no need to beg, Remus Lupin," said Idris. "We will do what we can. I'll want to see Seth though – and judge for myself." Lupin nodded and Idris could smell Lupin's relief. Idris continued, "We can certainly take some people in until we can get them passage across the Irish Sea."
"Do you have contacts in Ireland?" asked Lupin.
"Aye. Conall in Donegal might take them in. Riddle has no followers in Ireland – not yet anyway."
"We'll need somewhere for them to stay," interjected Angharad. "They can't stay in the roundhouse."
"No. No, they can't. Nor can they stay in the encampment at the full moon."
"Unless there's somewhere that can be warded against us, and against the Death Eaters," rejoined Angharad.
"There are the ruined barns by the farmhouse," ventured Lupin. Then Lupin turned to Idris. "I know it used to be your home. Albus told me," he said gently. "He also told me he tried to give it back to you."
"I didn't want it."
"He gave it to me – to me and Severus. And the land and outbuildings. Let us use the land with your help. What do you think?"
Idris hadn't wanted his father's house, he couldn't deny it. Yet, there was something very right about this werewolf and his wizard mate having the house. It felt as if it was still in the family, even remotely.
"We could have them rebuilt and ward them for the full moon," said Alphard and before Idris could object, he continued. "It would give the men work to do. There's no issue with the cost." This last statement was emphatic and Idris realised that, on this, Alphard would brook no dissent – this was for the protection of those running from Riddle and his Death Eaters – it wasn't the business of the Pack. It was early morning now and Idris was tired – as tired as the others, by the look of them. Finally, Idris nodded his agreement.
"Very well," said Idris. "We'll start planning it tomorrow. How long will ye stay, Remus Lupin?"
"A week, if I may. Help with set-up and planning. I'll take my watch at night, of course."
Idris nodded and held out his hands for Alphard and Angharad to follow him.
"Ye'll want to call Seth now then?" he asked.
"Yes, thank you. Thank you, Idris," said Lupin, his hand touching his robe pocket.
"Sleep here tonight," offered Alphard. "There'll be much to do tomorrow."
With that, the three of them left Lupin alone and made their way to the roundhouse for what little was left of the night.
AB~IL~AB~IL~AB~IL~AB~IL
The next morning, Idris called together his sons and his Betas and they began to plan the work required to the derelict outbuildings. It would be a refuge for the Muggle-borns, those who could not or would not leave the country via the routes the Order of the Phoenix had set up. Years of labouring on the local farms meant they had the requisite Muggle skills to rebuild the outbuildings.
Within a couple of days, the plans were formulated and Alphard sent Conway and the Whitby Werewolves to the inn to send the order for building supplies by owl. It was useful to have the farmhouse address for supplies to be sent to. Lupin had told him it was a Muggle-registered property: all the better to hide their tracks from the Ministry and the Death Eaters.
By evening, Botolph returned with news: escapees from the Ministry's Muggle-born trials had made their way to the mountains! Lupin told them a group had escaped from the Ministry a couple of days before – perhaps these were those Muggle-borns. Idris sent Botolph back to bring them to the Pack.
Within the hour, Conway, Jethro and the rest of the Whitby Werewolves returned – with a rag-tag band of people following after. From the roundhouse, Idris couldn't help but smile at how the rock band had become proper werewolves after all. He watched as Alphard moved forward, the 'acceptable' wizarding face of the Snowdon Pack. It didn't upset Idris – these people were transitory only – why upset them more than they already had been by his startling, aggressive appearance.
"Come. Rest here the night. Tomorrow, we'll see you as far as the port for Ireland," said Alphard, his hand extended in greeting to the first family. The man looked shocked beyond words, his eyes flickering to all who gathered to welcome them as if his world had been broken irretrievably. It was his wife who spoke.
"Thank you. Oh thank you," gasped the first woman, her weary eyes sparkling with tears.
Angharad smiled as she introduced herself.
"My manners," said the woman, tearily. "Forgive me. We've … I just can't believe …"
She composed herself and wiped stray tears from her cheeks and stood straighter, her hands proprietorially on her two smallest children's shoulders. "These are our children, Maisie, Ellie and Alfred. My name is Mary, and this is my husband, Reg – Reg Cattermole."
But Alphard had stopped listening as his breath caught. He was looking at the young woman in Auror robes, shepherding the others along – a young witch with bright pink hair.
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