Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

A Curious Nature	By : CondemnedForLife Category: Harry Potter Crossovers > Slash - Male/Male Views: 28002 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter world or its characters, or the Twilight world and its characters, and I make absolutely no profit from writing this story.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Summary: For the Black-Lupin family, Forks is a second chance at life and at love for a group of war-damaged teenagers and their parents. Post-War. Harry/Jacob

Pairings: Jacob/Harry, Remus/Sirius, Seth/Draco, Embry/Theo, Hermione/Blaise, Ron/Neville.

Category: Harry Potter/Twilight

Genre: Romance/Family

Rating: M/NC-17

Warnings: Mature themes, slash, gay (male/male) relationships, some angst, drama, gay sex, crossover, canon for books one to four and AU after that.

-------------------------------------------

Remus frowned. The newspaper that had been in his hands only a second ago was now half way across the kitchen table. Instead he had a squirming Sirius in his lap. Nothing to complain abut really.

"Hi," the animagus chirped happily, wrapping his arms around his mate's neck and bestowing an eager kiss on him.

The werewolf looked dazed when his mate finally pulled back and blinked rapidly, his eyes narrowing. "Alright, what do you want?"

Sirius looked offended. "Can't I kiss my husband 'hello' in the morning?" Without waiting for an answer he continued on. "Besides I just came to ask for the keys of the car."

"Why?" Remus remained suspicious.

The black-haired man sniffed. "Your lack of confidence in me is appalling," he replied tartly. "Some of the kids want to get out of the house and I want to take the car we rented back to the dealership. Get something more permanent as well."

This was actually a good idea. They needed a car if they wanted to fit in with the muggles in La Push.

"The kids will need someway of getting around too," Sirius said.

That was a rather startlingly thought. "Only Harry, Hermione and Draco can drive, Sirius," the werewolf reminded his mate. "And I don't trust Ron anywhere near a car."

"The others can learn," Sirius replied dismissively. "I'll probably take them shopping as well and I think Ron is planning on taking Neville somewhere when we get to Seattle."

Both men grinned at the thought of shy Neville being dragged around a muggle city of Ron.

"Anything you want from Seattle?" Sirius asked, sliding off his lover's lap.

Remus furrowed his brow thoughtfully. "See if you can find any books on the Quileute's. I think it best that we know everything we can about their culture if we're going to be living here."

"I have to go into a bookstore?" Sirius whined, then brightened. "Oh, maybe they'll have that Darren Shan book I'm looking for."

The werewolf suppressed a roll of the eyes, but only barely. It was a close call. "You do that," he responded dryly. "Who are you taking with you?"

"Harry, Draco, Neville and Ron." Sirius had summoned his leather jacket from upstairs and was pulling it on. "Blaise and Hermione wanted to spend some time together, I told them to keep it PG-rated though." Remus snorted.

Sirius paused before going onto the kitchen door. "Keep on eye on Theo," he told Remus, his face concerned, "He had a bad night last night. Nightmares again."

"I will," the werewolf promised.

With a beaming grin and a bounce in his step, the animagus took off out the archway into the living room, calling that he was going to Seattle now for anyone who wanted to come.

Remus reached into his pocket and pulled out the keys of the car, holding them up with one hand while he began to peruse his newspaper again. A second later Sirius ran into the room and grabbed the keys with a kiss and a husky," Bye."

"Sirius, do try not to go overboard?" Remus called after him. He received a bark of laughter in return.

With a shake of the head and a smile on his lips, the sandy-haired man continued to read about the latest breaking news in the muggle world.

---------------------------

When Sirius pulled into the car dealership almost an hour later, everybody quickly scrambled out. It was safe to say that the animagus wasn't the most. . . careful of drivers.

"I think I'm going to be sick," Ron moaned, leaning against the side of the car.

Draco chuckled humourlessly. "I can't feel my legs. Where did he learn to drive like that?"

"Lily," Sirius replied cheerfully as he climbed out of the car. "Harry's mum taught me to drive. Mainly because James was too afraid to get into the car with her. Don't know why." He shrugged and the rest of them grinned at each other.

"Sirius," Ron called. " Neville and I don't care what kind of car you buy. Harry and I just insist its not a Ford Anglia," both boys blushed at the roars of laughter this got, "so can Neville and I go?"

Sirius frowned, then slowly nodded. "Alright, but-"

"Make sure your wand is on you at all times. Have your emergency portkey within close reach. Keep an eye out for anything suspicious. CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" They all recited the mantra that had been drummed into them and Sirius chuckled, shaking his head.

"Off you go then." He shooed the two boys who clasped hands tightly and made their way down the street together, keeping a close eye on them until they were out of sight.

"Alright my boys," Sirius exclaimed loudly, throwing an arm over each boys' shoulder. "Lets go find some cars."

They handed the keys pack to an employee and informed him that they were now looking to buy a car and possibly more than one.

Draco tugged an amused, but compliant Harry along behind him while he looked for the 'perfect' car. He had certainly not lost his Malfoy sense of vanity when it came to purchasing things and he would settle for nothing but the best. The former saviour of the world had been surprised when Draco had taken naturally to driving a car, unlike the other two Slytherins who had happily admitted defeat at the end of their first driving lesson.

"It's the best thing muggles have created," Draco told him once, before adding, "after television. Its like the non-magic form of flying."

Harry glanced up at Draco's gasp and turned in the direction the blond was looking. He definitely had taste. Expensive taste as well. Following his brother over, Harry admired the beautiful car. It was a silver Porsche with a soft leather interior. The Gryffindor snorted. Trust Draco to pick out a silver car.

"Hello, my darling," Draco cooed at the Porsche. "Your coming home with me. Oh yes, you are."

"Can I help you, gentleman?"

Draco jumped up from his bent position over the car and looked guiltily at the salesman, who looked like he was trying hard to keep a straight face and not burst out laughing.

Quickly gaining composure, Draco's stoic face slipped on and he gestured towards his chosen car. "What can you tell me about her?"

"A Porsche Carrera GT, designed in Germany. She has V1O engine and-"

Harry quietly wandered away from the salesman and his brother, happy to simply admire the other cars. He glimpsed Sirius nearby, standing beside a huge, black jeep and shaking hands with another salesman. He eyed the jeep. It was a gorgeous machine. Big, black and intimidating. Just like Padfoot.

When Hermione had taught him to drive at the end of their sixth year at Hogwarts, it had just been another part of his training to defeat Voldemort. After all, the Death Eaters weren't going to expect to find Harry Potter driving around in a car. It had been a efficient method of transportation during the war. Low-key and easy.

After some time, however, it began to become a release of sorts. The feeling of freedom you get when you press down on the clutch and you can feel all that power underneath you, rearing to go. It was exhilarating and Harry grinned in remembrance of the car races he and Draco used to have on the rare days they had to themselves during the war.

Dodging a couple who were talking about the merits of a seven-seater while their two children ran around the cars shrieking in delight, Harry stopped suddenly when he caught sight of something and his mouth dropped open. It was a motorbike. A silver and black one and it was beautiful. A hand reached out and stroked the seat in awe. He had never driven a motorbike, but he could only imagine that it must be even better than driving a car.

"Do you want it?" Harry startled and turned to see Sirius standing right behind him. He was clearly letting down his defences now that the war was over if someone could sneak up on him that easily. It was clear though that Sirius, despite the huge grin on his face, was deadly serious about the offer.

Harry shook his head. "Its ok." He could never understand how eager Sirius and Remus were to buy him things. The Dursleys had been the opposite. He didn't deserve this. . .

"The first time I saw a motorbike," Sirius began, his eyes faraway, "I knew that I had to have one. I would do anything for one. And when my uncle left me an inheritance when he died, it was the first thing I bought. After a flat," he added dryly. "My parents had already kicked me out by then."

A hand grabbed Harry's shoulder. "My motorbike was always meant to be yours, but since it was destroyed during the war. . ." Sirius shrugged. "This is the least I can do."

Harry began to protest once again, despite the longing he felt for the bike but his godfather had already called over a salesman and was making the purchase. He couldn't deny the excitement or happiness he felt at the idea of being able to drive one of those. The salesman informed Sirius, with Harry eavesdropping from a distance, that the motorbike, the Honda EVO6, was a brand new edition and had only just become available to buy. They had only the one on display currently in the shop but would order Harry's without delay.

"Come on." Sirius waved him over, Draco standing beside him. "Draco wants to drive his car home and the motorbike you've chosen is the only one they have available at the moment so they're going to deliver it when it arrives."

Harry nodded and smiled at the blond who was practically vibrating with excitement. Or at least as much as Draco would ever let himself show excitement anyway.

"For the moment though, how about we get something to eat and give Ron and Neville a ring on one of those cell-thingies. Shopping can wait until later."

---------------------------------------

Theo sighed throwing down the book titled 'Healing: Useful Spells and Charms'. He couldn't seem to concentrate on anything today. He regretted now that he hadn't gone to Seattle with Sirius and his brothers. Only the reminder of all those crowds had stopped him from going.

His home had always been so crowded when. . . No! He wasn't going to remember this again. This was his home now. Nott Manor had never been his home. It had been his cage, his pain, his screams, but never his home. The nightmares last night had shaken him up though and he felt frustrated with how agitated and nervous he was today.

Covering his head to muffle his groan, Theo fought to clear his head and think reasonably happy thoughts. He thought it had worked for a few minutes and he was even beginning to feel pleasantly sleepy when a looming face, with stringy silver hair and sharp, yellow teeth appeared in his mind. He shot up from the bed with a cry and buried his head in his knees with his hands clutching tightly to his curly hair.

Was he ever going to be rid of the thoughts of him and his father? Would they plague him until the day he died? Stripping away any chance of happiness in life that he might have until he died lonely and unloved. Tears trickled down his cheeks and his shoulders shook with the force of his angry sobs, furious that they could still control his life with one dead and the other in prison.

He had come off the Dreamless Sleep potion just before they had left England. The potion could become very addictive if you stayed on it too long and Theo had hoped that enough time had passed for the pain to be duller, the memories not as fresh. This was clearly not the case.

Standing from the bed in the room he shared with Blaise, Theo made up his mind. Remus and Sirius were always encouraging him to talk about his nightmares and his emotions. It was easier to say than do though and the brunet, despite how much he loved the older man, still found it difficult to talk about the werewolves with a werewolf.

With Sirius, Neville and Harry gone to Seattle, Theo decided to talk to his oldest friend. The one who had soothed him during his nightmares for years and had rescued him from the manor just before he had mated him for life. Blaise had always been there for him.

Glancing down the hall, Theo saw that Hermione's door was closed and he could hear laughter coming from there. Though he was reluctant to interrupt the couple, he knew that if he didn't talk to someone about his worries that he would just get more anxious as the day progressed.

Biting his lip nervously, Theo knocked on the door and heard giggling and cursing from inside. A tousled Blaise opened the door and the brunet had to fight not to flinch at the sight of his bare chest by reminding himself that it was Blaise.

The dark-skinned boy looked at him and narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?" While the tone wasn't harsh, the words were and Theo winced slightly.

"Um, I was wondering if we could," he glanced at Blaise's impatient expression and finished in a whisper, "talk."

"Look Theo, I'm kind of busy right now. Find someone else to talk to or I'll talk to you later okay?" Without waiting for an answer he closed the door in his brother's face.

Theo gazed confused and hurt at the closed door. An ache in his chest made itself known and tears began to pool in his eyes. Rubbing his hands on his arms, he stumbled back down to his room, the pain of rejection fresh in his mind. Blaise had never before refused to talk to him. The older boy had always gone out of his way to make time for Theo. The brunet took a gasping sob at the annoyance he had seen on Blaise's face. That was all he was. A burden. His father's words flashed through his mind, 'About time you became useful for something.' His body shook in anguish and he dropped to the ground to pick up his shoes.

Struggling to see through his tears, Theo laced up his shoes and pulled on a coat, then walked slowly out of his room and down the stairs.

Remus glanced up from his newspaper when he heard a noise at the kitchen entrance and jumped up immediately at the sight of one of his cubs. Theo looked. . . brittle. His face was pale and tear-streaked. He carried himself carefully and slowly as though he was going to break at any moment. It had been a long time since the werewolf had seem him in this condition and it shocked him.

"Theo," he cried, walking towards him quickly, "What's wrong?"

The boy merely shook his head, more tears spilling down his cheeks "I-I just wanted t-to ask you if I c-could go for a walk," he stammered, staring at the ground and avoiding eye contact.

"Has something happened?" Remus persisted, knowing that something had to have a happened for Theo to be this upset.

Another shake of the head. "I just r-really need some fresh air."

A moment of silence where the werewolf stared in concern at his cub and Theo swayed in place, waiting patiently for his answer.

"Of course," Remus replied eventually, worry for his adopted son shining in his eyes. "Just. . . be careful ok?"

With a jerk of the head that was probably supposed to be a nod, Theo shakily made his way towards the kitchen archway. He paused when Remus called after him.

"I just want you to know that I'm here. . . if you need to talk." The werewolf's expression was solemn but sincere and Theo could see how concerned he was making him.

Without thinking, acting on impulse, the brunet practically flew across the room and threw himself into Remus's open arms, the man's sharp instincts causing him to react in time. Burying himself into comfort and warmth offered, Theo let out sobs that he had been trying to hold back, letting the tears run down his face.

Stroking the curly, brown hair, Remus made soft, nonsensical noises trying to sooth his hurting cub in anyway he could. After a few minutes the soft sobs faded into gently whimpers although Theo's shoulders continued to shake. He cuddled further into the embrace, remembering vaguely when his mother once used to hold him like this. . .

Remus continued to making soothing noises, refraining from sniffing along his child neck to ensure he was unharmed. He doubted the traumatised boy would appreciate it.

"Hey," he whispered, lifting the delicate chin and feeling a stab of pain at the pure anguish he saw in those shimmering eyes. "You going to tell me what has you so upset?"

Shivering slightly, Theo shook his head and tucked it back under the man's chin, happy to stay there. "Its stupid," he mumbled.

"Theo," Remus let his voice hold a slight reprimanding, though still gentle tone, "Nothing that has you this upset can be stupid."

The boy simply shook his head again and Remus reluctantly admitted that he wasn't going to get anything out of him. Theo could be fiercely stubborn when he wanted to be and even more stubborn when he didn't realise it.

Another few minutes passed before Theo let out a deep sigh and pulled back slowly from his father's embrace. Remus wiped the lingering tear tracks off his cheeks and smoothed back a stray dark curl. "Still want to go for that walk?" He kept his voice gentle and quiet.

A shy nod answered his question and after a kiss to the werewolf's cheek, Theo stood up. "I need to be alone for a little while," he whispered hoarsely.

His still gaunt face and shakiness concerned Remus though and he was wary about letting him go anywhere alone but his suggestion of asking Blaise or Hermione to go with him was vehemently shot down. He saw the brown-haired boy to the front door and, after reminding him to keep his wand and emergency portkey safe, he waved him off until he was out of sight of the house.

Frowning, Remus turned back into the house with a determined look in his face. He had some questions he wanted answering and he wasn't going anywhere until he had them. Nobody hurt one of his cubs and got away with it.

--------------------------------------

Sullenly, Theo kicked at a stone on the road in front of him, watching as it skipped over the pavement and stopped with a splash in a big puddle. Drowning. . . That was a good description for how he felt right now. He was suffocating under the weight of his emotions. Fear, anger, pain, rejection. . . they all welled up inside him until the turmoil he felt caused his heart and head to ache.

When does it have to be so hard? He despaired at the thought and shook his head. He'd always hated self-pity, he wasn't about to going wallowing in it. If he could just forget, life would be so much better without those memories. Perfect even. Harry's voice floated into his head, reciting words the boy said often, 'Perfection is way over-rated.'

A gust of wind blew through the trees on either side of the road he was walking on, rustling his hair. Theo turned his face up to it, smiling when the wind tousled his brown locks. He'd always adored the wind. How it was free to go wherever it wanted. Nothing held it back. Nothing controlled it.

His thoughts flittered to Blaise and he closed his eyes against the pain he felt at the thought of the other boy. Never once had he felt unwanted in Blaise's presence. But his rejection, his dismissal today had stung bitterly and Theo angrily wiped away the new tears gathering in his eyes. For the first time in a long, long time and the first time ever with his real family, he had felt like a burden.

The trees surrounding him began to thin gradually as he made his way down the road, closer to First beach, the beach he and his siblings had visited once before. Never having been a fan of the sun, Theo admired the image the beach and the turbulent sea made when he stepped onto the sand. The cliffs and the forest loomed over the beach on either side but rather making him feel closed in, Theo felt protected. Safe.

A quick glance around showed him that while there was a few people roaming around at the far end of the beach from where he was, they were a good distance off and remained only a distant threat as long as they remained where they were. With a faint smile, Theo removed his shoes, then his socks and tucked them into his trainers. Placing them on the sand he walked slowly down to the water where the swash brushed gently against the shore.

Withholding a shriek at the freezing temperature of the water, the slender boy slowly walked through it, watching mesmerised as the wave broke when it touched his feet. The constant, almost rhythmic motion had him closing his eyes and relaxing. The fear and anger in his heart dulling slightly.

A yell and a shout of laughter from above him had his eyes flashing open quickly and his hand reaching into his pocket for his wand. He reprimanded himself for daring to relax in a virtually, unknown area and scanned the beach for the source of laughter before he remembered it had come from over his head.

About fifty feet above him, standing on one of the towering cliffs, were a group of kids from La Push. Though they were far away, he could see that they were pushing and shoving each other towards the edge of the cliff and though frightened at first, it because obvious to him after a minute that they were playing around and meant no harm. His fingers, which were tightened around his wand, loosened and retreated from his pocket.

Curious now, he watched as the first boy made a run for the edge of the cliff, whooping as he did so and crashing into the sea with a loud splash. Staring at the water, Theo breathed a sigh of relief when the boy's head emerged in the sea and he began to swim back towards the beach. Another boy was already jumping and shouting just as enthusiastically as the first had.

Up on the cliff, Embry shuddered at the pleasant shiver that went down his spine.

"Not scared, are you Em?" Jake taunted, rubbing his hands together while he waited for Paul to swim far enough away from the bottom so that he could jump.

Embry rolled his shoulders and scoffed. "Of you? Please."

"I dunno Em," Jared grinned. "Pretty sure I saw you shaking there a minute ago."

Embry glared at him. "It was nothing," he defended. "I just got this weird. . . feeling was all."

Feeling it again, he turned his nose in the direction the wind was blowing, towards the beach. Despite the fact that his senses weren't as good in his human form as they were in his wolf one, they were still better than an average human being. Blinking at the beach, his eyes widened and his jaw dropped.

"What the hell is wrong with you now?" Leah asked, bumping into him and staring out at the beach and spotted the slender figure on the beach. "Who is that?"

Embry smiled and breathed deeply the scent in the air. "Its Theo."

"Theo?" His words had caught the pack's, who had yet to jump off the cliff, attention and they clambered over to see Embry's imprint with him, while Sam stood behind them shaking his head in bemusement.

"Is Harry with him?" Jake elbowed Jared out of his way and glanced up and down the length of the beach, growling when he noted the absence of his imprint.

"How do I look?" Embry asked anxiously, rubbing his hands over his short hair.

"Same as usual," Leah replied, smirking, "like an idiot."

Uncaring that it was childish, he stuck his tongue at her and with a grin took a flying leap off the cliff and into churning water below, his heart beating rapidly at the thought of seeing his imprint for the first time since he had imprinted. Of finally meeting him properly.

On the beach, Theo had kept a wary eye on the boys climbing out of the water. One he recognised as the boy who had been so kind to Draco when he had been hurt on the beach and that made him relax slightly, but the other two were unfamiliar and therefore to be watched carefully.

Cliff-diving, while it looked exhilarating, also looked terrifying and Theo didn't know how the La Push boys clambered out of the water looking so happy after hitting the freezing water so hard. He wondered whether the boy, the one who had looked at him so. . . intently that day in La Push, was up there as well.

A flush of pleasure and happiness ran through him at the thought and he quickly shook it off. He didn't even know this boy. But you'd like to. . . The words lingered in his mind and as much as he wished to deny it, he couldn't. He did want to know the boy better. Sure, he had only seen him for a moment that day, but never before had he felt such a rush of emotion at just seeing someone.

"Excuse me. . ."

Theo yelped and fell back in the sand, glancing up while his hand quickly wrapped around the wand in his coat pocket. Fear raced through him when he saw the towering form standing over him, the bulging muscles defining that person as male.

Grateful that he had fallen onto the sand and not into the water, Theo began to edge backwards. His eyes widened when a hand reached down to help him up.

"Are you alright?" The concern in the voice had the brunet glancing up again and he gasped in recognition when he saw the face of the person.

Embry felt guilty when he saw the scared eyes staring up at him. He hadn't meant to frighten his imprint, he'd only wanted to introduce himself. His outstretched hand was ignored however and he blinked at the murmured, "Its you."

"Um. . . do you know me?" Wondering if they had had another meeting since the day he had imprinted, and he had forgotten about it.

The blush that graced those pale cheeks enchanted him and the boy shook his head slowly. "No," Theo whispered, slowly sitting up but still ignoring the offered hand, "but I remember you from that day I saw you in La Push. Outside the store."

Embry felt that he was unreasonably happy that this boy, Theo, had remembered him from such a fleeting glance. Had he made an impression? He hoped so.

"Let me help you up," he offered, taking a step close, only to be shocked when the boy skittered away like a frightened animal, eyeing him fearfully.

"Alright," Embry replied slowly. "I'm going to sit down. Is that ok?"

Theo eyed him warily for a moment, then nodded his head slowly. He pulled his legs close to his body when the dark-skinned boy lowered himself to the ground, keeping a firm grip on his wand despite the fact that he felt he would not need it.

"I'm Embry Call." A beautiful smile was sent in his direction and had his heart stuttering in his chest. No hand was offered in greeting, as the shape shifter had quickly figured out that his imprint was rather averse to touch.

"Embry," Theo murmured softly. "Its beautiful." He let a small smile grace his features at the darkening of those russet cheeks. "I'm Theo. Theo Black-Lupin"

"Very pretty," Embry complimented, glad to know for certain his imprints name.

"Thank you." The smile that accompanied those words had Embry's fingers twitch, wanting to touch that fair skin so badly. God, he was never going to tease his packmates about their reaction to their mates again. This feeling of need, of belonging, was completely overwhelming.

"You and you're friends are quite talented in jumping off those cliffs," Theo blurted out, them mentally slapped himself. Embry was going to think he was such a fool. . .

Embry smiled softly when he saw the pale hand's beginning to wring in Theo's lap. It was obvious that he was making Theo nervous.

"We tend to be kind of reckless," the shape shifter laughed, glancing over in time to see Jake leap off the cliff in a perfect dive.

Theo watched him hit the water in awe. "It looks amazing." His voice was wistful.

Embry glanced at him and shyly said, "I could take you sometime"

Theo shot him a nervous look and he amended quickly," Only if you wanted to."

"Maybe from lower down," he murmured and Embry laughed.

"Maybe from lower down," he agreed, a smile spread across his face. The shape shifter realised with a jolt that he had never felt this happy in his entire life, and the idea astonished him.

Theo's hands had started to twist anxiously in his lap again, this time hard enough for the fingers to break. Embry frowned. There was more to Theo's behaviour than met the eye. He wasn't just nervous because of the Native American's presence. Embry hadn't done anything to cause him such stress so that meant that he was upset about something else.

Brown eyes narrowed on the careful way Theo held himself, the way his eyes darted around him ever so often always coming back to rest on Embry. When he had approached his imprint at first, he had surprised him but not enough to cause the fear or panic he had seen in his eyes.

Theo had been wary of Embry, of his height, of what the other boy could possibly to do him. He had flinched when a hand had been offered to help him up. Fury radiated through the shapeshifer. Someone had hurt his imprint. His imprint was afraid, not of him, but that someone would hurt him again.

Anger and pain fought for dominance inside of Embry as his wolf struggled to be free. It wanted to exact vengeance on the person who had harmed his beautiful mate, who had caused him to be so fearful. They needed to be punished and it was his duty to protect his mate.

A soft, scared voice had him snap out of his thoughts rapidly and he saw Theo's concerned and scared eyes running over his face. A choked off sob escaped him at the thought that his imprint had been hurt. And there was nothing he could do about it because it had already happened.

"Embry," Theo called to him again. The other boy had started shaking about a minute ago and, though frightened, the young wizard could see that the boy who had been friendly to him was upset.

How he longed to reach out and touch that russet skin, to comfort him? Fear and worry fought until he heard that soft sob and without thinking he reached out to take one of Embry's hands between his own. The effect was instantaneous.

The shaking ceased abruptly and pain-filled brown eyes blinked at his bright blue ones. Theo gasped at the emotions in those eyes, at the sudden knowledge that it was for him that Embry cried.

"Somebody hurt you," the shape shifter whispered, clasping the small, paler hands between his dark ones.

Rather than feeling frightened that he was now unable to escape, Theo relaxed on his knees between Embry's legs.

He gave a small, shaky nod, seeing no point in denying the truth. "Yes."

"Badly."

A soft whimper. "Yes."

"They can't hurt you anymore," Embry half-asked, half-stated.

Another shake of the head. "N-no."

"Good."

They stayed like that for several minutes. Embry sitting in the damp sand and clasping a kneeling Theo's hands within his. For more words were needed and Embry didn't need the details. His imprint would tell him when he wanted to, if he ever wanted to.

"Will you go out with me?" Embry winced at the words he blurted out and felt Theo's hands tremble within his.

"W-what?"

"I want to take you out." Might as well take the plunge. "Take you to a movie, or to dinner."

"Why?" Theo whispered. At the shape shifter's puzzled look he elaborated. "Why do you want to take me out?"

Embry grinned at him and reached removed one of his hands to smooth a finger over. "Because you're beautiful," he replied simply. "Because you seem smart and because of this." He stroked his finger over Theo's cheekbone and chuckled when the wizard frowned, his blue eyes bemused.

"Huh?"

"Because you let me touch you."

Theo's eyes widened at his words. He was letting someone, a man he had just met, touch him and he didn't feel an ounce of fear. Not even now that it had been pointed out to him.

"Because I can only guess how often you let anyone outside your family come anywhere close to you."

The wizard lowered his eyes in shame. It was true. He had longed since closed off against anyone other than his family. Not wanting to be hurt or betrayed again. He had reasoned within himself that if he never let anyone close, he would never get hurt.

In a choked voice he explained this to Embry who nodded in understanding. "But if you never let anyone in, imagine all those people your letting go? Your letting whoever hurt you control your life even after they're gone and I bet its exactly what they wanted."

Shuddering to try to hold back tears, Theo shook his head. Not denying Embry's words, but simply too shocked by how right he was to respond. His father and Grey-he would be delighted to know that they had had such a lasting effect on him. That their abuse would having isolating himself and destroying any chance he had at living.

Well, that wasn't going to happen. The wizard attempted to stop his tears, blinking when a large hand came up to wipe them away for him. He leaned into the hand, marvelling out the warmth of it despite the fact that Embry had been swimming in below freezing waters less than a half an hour ago.

"Thank you," Theo murmured simply. He then did something that shocked both of them and placed a chaste kiss on Embry's hand.

Blushing, he returned his gaze to the sand and desperately hoped that it would swallow him up, not seeing Embry's dazed and happy eyes.

"So what do you say to that date?"

"Date?" Theo's eyes widened and he blushed brighter. "Um-alright."

"Great!" Embry exclaimed happily. "How about tomorrow night? I'll pick you up outside your house."

Still shocked, Theo nodded. "That should be fine." He hesitated. "I'll have to ask my dads first though, but it should be ok."

Choking back a gulp at the reminder that his imprint had not one, but two fathers was enough to send most men running. Embry wasn't going anywhere though and he never would be. He'd put up with walking over hot coals if it meant he could see Theo.

"Would you like to meet some of my friends?" Embry asked. He could see that Theo was getting cold on the ground. After all he had no super nova body temperature to keep his warm.

All of the pack had jumped from the cliff by now and were gathered at one end of the beach, talking and laughing. Theo warily eyed their large forms before squaring his shoulders. He wasn't going to let his past get in the way of his future and the boys he had met on the beach a few days before had seemed very friendly.

His nod of agreement was met with a bright smile and Embry stood quickly, noticing the flinch Theo gave when he did and how fast he straightened up from his kneeling position on the sand. After dusting the sand of his jeans, the wizard went to stand by Embry, who held out a hand. Hesitating for just a moment, the brunet slipped his hand into the much larger one and relaxed at the warmth.

The pack stood up when they approached them and Theo moved closer to Embry, seeking safety in his bulk. He missed the adoring glance the shape shifter sent him when he did so.

Sam was at the head of the pack, looking far more serious than the jostling boys behind him. He gave Theo a quick one over and seeing his nervous expression, sent him a reassuring smile.

"Hey everyone, this is Theo," Embry introduced, and Theo blushed at the waves and grins he received but smiled and waved back.

"Theo this is-"

"He already knows me," Seth shouted, bounding up beside Sam and ignoring the annoyed look his alpha sent him.

Theo smiled softly at the happy boy who still seemed to retain a childlike quality despite his height of 6"2. "Seth, you helped Draco when he was hurt," Theo replied. "Thank you again."

"No problem." Seth waved his thanks away.

"Do you remember me?" Theo glanced up at the tall boy and couldn't hold back a shiver of fear. It had Embry holding him closer to his side.

All the same he nodded again. "Jacob," he recalled. "Harry calls you Jake though." He grinned slyly as he said this and Jake beamed.

"Harry? Has he said anything about me?" The boy asked eagerly and Embry shoved him back, worried that he was getting too close, but Theo was simply amused.

"He might have." His replied was cryptic and served to both annoy and delight Jake, who boomed out a laugh.

He was introduced to the rest of Embry's friends one by one. Sam, who appeared to be the group's leader, was serious and stern but seemed kind. Quil, who Embry told him was one of his best friends as well as Jake, seemed loud and boisterous but his jokes had Theo and the rest of them in stitches. Jared was apparently a gambler as well as being unlucky. Not such a good combination and the wizard told him as much.

"Take his advice Jared and give it up," Paul smirked at him. "But wait until next week. I want my money after my team win that baseball game this weekend."

Paul frightened Theo and he was honest enough that he could admit that. Though the boy seemed good-hearted and was nothing but friendly to him, Theo could see a glint in his eye that spoke of underlying anger that could burst forth at any minute. He was polite to Embry's friend but kept his distance.

The last person Theo was introduced to was Leah, the only girl in the group. The russet-skinned boy whose arm was wrapped around the wizard seemed reluctant to even call her over so Sam did it instead.

"Leah, this is Theo," Embry forced out between gritted teeth. Theo blinked at the tension he could feel between the two. Actually there seemed to be tension between Leah and all of the group.

"Hi," Theo said, determined to be friendly. Besides Leah, although being strongly built, was not a man and could never instil the kind of fear in the brunet that men did.

Leah eyed him warily before grinning, something that the others appeared shocked to see. "Hey," she greeted him warmly. "You know Embry's been talking about you for days."

"Leah," Embry hissed furiously, blushing at the ribald laughter from his friends.

"Well, Seth and Jake can't talk," Leah informed Theo in a faux whisper. "They haven't shut up about up about your brothers either and as I live with Seth its not been easy to refrain from murdering him." Her tone was deadly serious, but she winked at him.

Theo laughed, finding the girl's sarcasm and humour amusing. Much like Draco's actually.

"Oi!" Seth and Jake exclaimed indignantly.

"What?" Leah snorted derisively. "You think it was enjoyable listening to you? Don't answer that."

"Theo!"

Said boy turned in surprise and blinked when he saw Neville running towards him. The plant-lover let out a sigh of relief when he saw his AWOL brother and ran to hug him, dragging him away from Embry's arms. The loss of warmth made him shiver.

"Mate, you can't go wondering off like that." His tone was scolding.

Theo blinked in confusion and saw the amused looks the pack shot him over Neville's shoulder. He patted his brother on the back. "I told Remus I was going for a walk," he pointed out.

Neville pulled back to glare at him. "Yeah, over three hours ago."

The curly-haired boy blinked, then frowned. "What? But I-" A glance at his watched showed the he had left the house over three hours ago.

"Oh no," Theo moaned. "Is Remus worried?"

Neville gave him exasperated look. "Well, yeah but I'd be more worried about Sirius if I was you. We got back from Seattle only to find you gone. Sirius is frantic."

The whole family knew that Sirius had a deep seated fear about losing the people he loved and they all did everything they could to elevate that fear. Coming home to find one of his children missing would not have been taken well.

"We better get back," Theo said, hesitating and glancing back at Embry.

The shape shifter smiled at him and nodded. "I'll pick you up at seven tomorrow ok?"

The wizard blushed and nodded, ignoring the curious look from his sibling and the mischievous looks from Embry's friends.

"Before you go," Quil spoke, glancing curiously at Neville, "Which one are you? There's so many in your family."

"I'm Neville." The brunet grinned at them and waved.

Jake and Seth opened their mouths simultaneously and Theo cut them off, "I'll tell Harry and Draco you said hi."

The pack laughed at the darkening of the boys cheeks. With one last smile for Embry, Theo set off with Neville, listening to his brother happily talk about his date with Ron and the huge greenhouses he had taken him too. He tried to focus and respond but his thoughts were back on the beach with a certain boy.

On the beach, Sam patted Embry, who was looking after his imprint longingly, on the back.

"He seems great," Sam smiled. "I'm happy for you."

A chorus of 'Me too's' echoed from the rest of the pack who hugged him or punched him in congratulations.. He accepted them with a smile and a nod, his thoughts faraway.

"Bit possessive though aren't you Em?" Quil teased him and the others chuckled.

"Yeah." Jared nodded. "You barely let go of him the whole time, or even let us near him. I know he's your imprint dude, but we're not going to hurt him. He's pack now."

There was another rumble of agreement and Embry looked apologetic. "I know you won't. I trust him with you, just as much as I do with me but-"

Leah stared at him intently. "But?"

"He's been hurt by someone," Embry whispered, but with their acute hearing they all caught it.

"What?" They stared at him. "What makes you think that?"

Growling and clenching his fists, the shape shifter whirled around and snarled at them. "Use you heads," he shouted and they flinched back at the unbridled fury in his voice. "They're all adopted. The only reason they would be is if their parents were dead or their guardians were unfit to take care of them."

Eyes wide, the pack glanced at each other as the truth of what Embry said sunk in. The boy blinked furiously. "Besides, he told me himself. The fear in his eyes, the pain. . ." he trailed off, shaking his head.

With one last snarl he made a run for the woods, transforming as soon as he was hidden by the thick foliage. He began to run hoping to burn the fury he felt away before he did something reckless or hurt one of his pack. He could hear some of the others following him but he paid them no heed, ignoring their words in his head. His thoughts centred around one person alone.

Back on the beach, Jake and Seth stood staring and growling in the direction they knew the Old Willow was, wondering if their imprints had been hurt like Theo was. With one last glance, they turned and bounded into the trees, galloping behind the rest of their packmates.

-----------------------------------

"-what if he's badly hurt? Or what if he ran away? I should be out looking for him!"

"Sirius, please-"

"Please what? Wait here while one of my kids could be injured and alone out there?"

"No, but-"

Remus' attempts to console a near hysterical Sirius were interrupted when the front door opened and everyone's head turned towards the living room doorway. Seconds later Neville and Theo walked through with the latter firmly clasped against Sirius' chest in a flash. The shaking animagus pressed a kiss against the silky, brown hair.

"Don't you ever run off like that again," Sirius whispered into his hair.

Theo didn't protest the choking embrace, merely snuggled into it. "I just went for a walk." His reply was muffled against Sirius' shoulder. "I didn't mean for anyone to worry."

"We did, Theo," Remus said softly and Theo glanced at him, stricken by the concern he saw there and on his sibling's faces. He purposely avoided looking in Blaise's direction. "I didn't realise you'd be gone for so long. We were frightened and you forgot to bring your phone."

A cell phone was something Remus had insisted upon when they decided to move to a mainly muggle inhabited area. Without being able to contact each other using magical methods, a cell phone was efficient and small. The only problem the kids and Sirius had was remembering to bring it everywhere with them.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled.

"Its alright," Sirius reassured him. "Listen, why don't you go with Harry and Draco. They'll show you the cars we bought today. The ones I spent far too much money."

They all chuckled and after calling out after them that dinner would be ready in a half an hour, all the siblings took off to the garage to exclaim over the shiny jeep and Draco's 'baby'.

Sirius took a shuddering breath and buried into Remus' arms once he was sure they were safely out of sight. "Merlin," he choked out. "I haven't been so frightened in a long time."

"I know."

Pulling back from the embrace, the animagus shook his head and frowned. "Its not good enough. After what you told me Blaise said. . . We're supposed to be a family."

"Don't worry," Remus growled, his eyes flashing. "I plan to deal with that after dinner tonight."

Sirius sighed. "That reminds me. I have something to tell you."

Golden eyes stared at him warily. "I'm not going to like this, am I?"

"Nope."

"Thought not."

----------------------------------------

Dinner at the Black-Lupin house that night was less lively than usual. Ron and Neville told an interested Hermione about their date and the smaller boy excitedly informed them about the rose bushes Ron had bought him. Harry and Draco also regaled them with news about Seattle but there was an underlying tension at the table that was going unacknowledged.

Blaise was unusually quiet, throwing sad, apologetic looks across the table at Theo who was studiously ignoring him. The curly-haired brunet accepted his family's fussing over him with minimal protest, knowing that by this time tomorrow things would be getting back to normal.

Most of his siblings were delighted to hear about his meeting up with Embry and their date for the next night with Draco agreeing to help him decide what to wear. Harry reacted to Jake's greeting with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes and though Draco looked uninterested, they could all see that he was pleased that Seth had remembered and thought to ask after him.

Remus and Sirius too were delighted to here that he had made friends with some of the locals. They were wary when they told him about the date planned for the next night, but seeing the hope in his eyes and knowing how rare it was for him to socialise with someone outside of their family, they agreed. They were rewarded with a bright smile which made it worth it. Almost.

When dinner was over, the young wizards were rather surprised to see Remus stand up and bid them sit back down again. Confused, they obliged while casting curious looks at both their guardians' faces.

"I know we usually go into the living room and spend sometime together after dinner," Remus told them. "But tonight Sirius and I have to talk to you about some rather pressing issues."

The werewolf turned to Blaise. "I'm glad you told me of your own free will what happened today," he said, and the siblings who were unaware of what had happened exchanged puzzled glances, "but that does not excuse your actions." His voice was stern.

"We're a family and we're supposed to be there to help and comfort each other. Nothing comes above that." Blaise nodded miserably, looking forlorn.

"I know how much you love Hermione," Remus said, more gently. "But in no way does that mean turning your brother away when he needed to talk because you wanted to spend more time with her."

Looks of comprehension began to dawn on some of their faces when Blaise and Hermione looked down ashamed and Theo wrung his hands in his lap.

"Do you have anything to say, Blaise?" Remus prompted the boy.

Blaise got up from his chair and went around the table, where he knelt before Theo and grabbed the smaller boy in a hug. "I'm so sorry Theo," he whispered. "I wasn't thinking when I said that today. I want you to always come to me when you have a problem, alright?"

The brunet frowned. "I shouldn't be bothering you with my problems."

Blaise shook his head. "Its not bothering me Theo. Its me helping you. Like I'm supposed to. Like I should have done today. Please forgive me?"

Theo merely nodded his head and returned the hug his brother gave him, happy to know that Blaise hadn't truly meant to reject him. Hermione too sent him apologetic looks, but he had never been angry at her anyway.

Remus cleared his throat and Blaise resumed his seat, fidgeting nervously under the glares from Ron, Harry and Draco. Hurting Theo the way he had was not going to be forgiven as easily by the rest of them.

"Thank you Blaise," Remus smiled at the still upset boy, who returned it weakly. "You're still going to be punished though so you're grounded for a week."

Blaise accepted his punishment with a nod, feeling that he deserved much more.

Sirius stood up and with a dramatic flare of his hands that had everybody rolling his eyes, he beckoned Remus to sit back down. "Alright, I have some news as well."

Everyone turned their attention to him.

"Some possibly problematic information has come to light that may affect our stay here," he informed them the kids who frowned.

"What kind of information?" Hermione inquired.

"I managed to slip into a magical alleyway in Seattle for a few moment today to buy some potion ingredients for Theo and Draco to make the Wolfsbane and the apothecary owner told me that there is a coven of vampires living in Forks."

"Vampires?" Draco and Ron blurted out simultaneously, then exchanged disgruntled looks.

"What the hell are vampires doing living among humans?" Harry demanded furiously.

Sirius smiled wryly. "Apparently the coven, known as the Cullens lives as a family and drinks only off of animals. They call themselves 'vegetarians'."

Snickers went around the table before Draco asked, "How will we know if they really don't drink human blood?"

It was Hermione, not Sirius who answered. "Vampires who drink animal blood have golden/topaz eyes rather than magenta like the human-drinking kind do."

The animagus nodded. "What she said."

"Can they be trusted not to attack the humans?"

Both Sirius and Remus frowned. "We believe so," Sirius said finally. "I contacted the head of the coven today. Carlisle Cullen. He works as a doctor in Forks General so I assume he has reasonable control. I don't know about the rest of them though."

Silence resumed for several minutes before Ron, ever the tactician, asked what everyone else was thinking. "What are we going to do?"

"We're going to have a meeting with them," Sirius answered. His mate frowned, clearly having heard this plan before and not agreeing with it. "We have to. We need to know that we're going to be safe here and they needed to know the same. Maybe some kind of treaty can be agreed upon."

"What about-?" Harry glanced at his sandy-haired guardian. Werewolves and vampires were after all, natural enemies.

"That's another thing we're going to have to work on." The head of the Black house sighed. "We need to get them to agree not to attack Remus, if by some chance he happens to escape during the full moon. Unlikely, I know, but still."

"The plan?" Theo inquired. The rest of them leaned forward.

Sirius rubbed his hands together and gave them a manic grin. "We go into the coven's nest itself and scope out the place."

Silence. Then "What?" from all directions.

"You want to go towards the possibly homicidal bloodsuckers?" Harry asked his godfather incredulously.

When Sirius continued to grin insanely, Remus rolled his eyes and stood up. "No," he sighed. "Carlisle Cullen had invited some of us to come meet his 'family' so that we can work something out."

"That's so much better," Draco replied dryly. "At least we're going in voluntarily instead. Not so much homicide as manslaughter then."

Blaise and Ron snorted and the rest chuckled. "Its dangerous I know, but everyone who's going will have wands and you can just apparate back here if anything goes wrong," Remus assured them.

"So who's going?" Hermione wondered.

"Well, I am," Sirius grinned, "Remus can't go because it's the full moon in a week and he'll be even more angsty than usual around vampires. And everyone really." He dodged the hand directed at his head.

"I'll go," Ron volunteered.

"Then I'm going too," Neville said firmly. When Ron looked like he was going to protest, Neville shoved a piece of pie in his mouth. "If you think you're going into a house full of vampires without me, think again."

The red head beamed through his mouthful and replied with a muffled, "You're so sexy when you're bossy."

Neville blushed, looking pleased and accepted the kiss his boyfriend bestowed on him after he has swallowed the pastry. Their parents and siblings looked away when it began to get more passionate.

"Anyone else?" Sirius asked loudly, pulling two flushed boys apart.

Draco sighed. "I'll go," the blond said. "I don't have anything else to do."

"But we were going to start on that boxset of House M.D. that Sirius bought us this week," Harry teased. "If you go you might miss some." He laughed and dodged the stinging spell shot at him.

The blond growled. "You better not watch any of that without me."

"When are we invited?" Neville wanted to know.

"Tomorrow night."

"Tomorrow night?" Draco shrieked, jumping up from his chair. "Are you crazy? I have to pick out something to wear, and fix my clothes and-"

"I'm pretty sure you have over twenty four hours to do that," Ron pointed out. He recoiled at the glare the Slytherin sent him and put up his hands in a peace offering.

Snarling, the blond stalked out of the room and they could hear him pounding up the stairs.

Blaise whistled. "I sure hope Seth is able to handle all that."

"I'm sure Draco will be in very good hands," Theo quipped, eliciting gales of laughter.

They paused at the muttered swears and muffled thumps they heard coming from upstairs.

"Neville, I wouldn't go up to your room for awhile," Harry observed, grinning as he leant back on his chair, hovering on two legs and put his hands behind his head.

"Noted."

-------------------------------------------

Hi everybody!! Well, I could a bit distracted by the several boxsets of series I received for Christams this year, so I'm apologising profusely for the late update! Thanks so much to everyone who is reading and reviewing, all your reviews just give me more inspiration for this story!

Happy New Year one and all, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! :D
- 7
- 8
- 9
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

A Curious Nature