Don't own, don't profit: don't sue.

A Herm-Harry story kind of. It was supposed to be. It grew into something on its own. It's now more of a pack story...

...

...

A lot of people knew a lot of nothing about Werewolves.

Remus ruminated on this fact as he pulled his hood down and fought against the wind in muggle London.

He well knew that even his friends were suspicious of him. That was why they'd not invited him over in the last few months. That was why his invitation to meet up was denied the last few times. That was why all his letters had been responded to with the minimum of politeness.

Remus Lupin was a werewolf. And it was this that made him somehow less trustworthy. And yet he alone knew that he was most trustworthy—now at his majority his wolf and he were bonding more and more, able to create their own pack rather than feel tense as a young loner.

Lone wolves were unnatural—so they howled and acted out and were terrified and terrifying.

Sad fact was that, now that he could claim his friends as pack and protect them better, he couldn't. They hadn't seen him since his 21st birthday.

He growled and his gold eyes flashed, he ducked further into his scarf and dodged a puddle.

As much as that betrayal hurt him—he would bide his time and wait like the good dog he was. He coughed to recover from the bitter thought.

…

And he never recovered. His friends were gone, Sirius was the true traitor, and he had no clue where the little cub had ended up.

Without any recourse he made his way through the muggle world, picking up odd jobs and eking out a living as the bitterness grew in him. Without a pack, and without anything to tie him down, Remus was aloof and resentful.

Dodging his way through traffic around Trafalgar square—avoiding the public transport system for the better, he'd learned that lesson—he abruptly stopped with no consideration for the other pedestrians around him.

Sniffing discreetly his eyes narrowed, the wolf in him pacing.

No.

Yes.

Couldn't be.

Spinning in place he darted gold eyes about, searching. There. The scent was discreet, but it was pup. Almost pup.

Confused and wary, Remus Lupin wove through the foot traffic. Following the scent of the Potter cub he would have claimed as pack if he knew where he was. This scent was just like it, but slightly off. He followed it with suspicion and hope.

And he still wasn't prepared.

His eyes widened and his breath caught in his throat.

Pup's mate.

The little girl had impossibly huge and long hair; magic seemed to live in it. His lips quirked and he took a few steps closer, hiding his attention in the press of the lunchtime crowd. Remus smiled as the little girl played with the small umbrella in her grasp, otherwise very still.

Then she looked up, and somehow her eyes found him.

His lungs hurt—the wolf howled and growled.

Human eyes wouldn't see it, but his did. He saw the bruising under carefully applied makeup, smelt the pain under the masking chemicals of muggle cosmetics.

Her eyes were amber just like the gemstones, a bewitching color that seemed to glow. Her magic. And she did smell like pup, but she smelled like rain and earth too while pup smelled like lightning and sky. Complement.

A woman turned from the newsstand and grabbed pup's mate by the shoulder, turning her to start walking.

Pup's mate dropped her eyes quickly and stumbled with the woman's quick pace.

Remus scowled and hid in the crowd, following.

They ended up in an old and rich part of town.

His scowl kept on deepening. This family was well off—two very nice cars, landscaped yard, old heirloom furniture visible through the windows. Old money evident in the house and the clothing they wore. They were certainly well off enough to treat their daughter better.

Pup's mate quietly walked out of the house, sitting on the steps with a book. She opened it dutifully, but Remus could see she wasn't reading. No, she was turning the pages and her magic was skimming the inked words.

A little impressed he rocked back on his heels.

Amber eyes found his again.

Remus blinked.

The child dimpled in a brief smile before ducking her head. The lady of the house came out, huffing at her daughter.

"Hermione," she snapped.

The little amber-eyed girl that smelled like pup looked up. "Mother?"

"Get inside."

Hermione hesitated but then quickly complied when the woman glowered.

Remus' eyes went cold, staring right at the woman who added fear to the little mate's scent. The woman must have felt his gaze, for she looked over her shoulder before closing the door. Her eyes narrowed upon spotting him, obviously taking in his worn clothes and unkempt appearance. He hadn't shaved that morning.

She sneered before closing the door firmly and Remus heard the lock slide home.

No matter. He was a wolf, and he was magic.

…

Not even two full weeks of watching and he already hated the elder Grangers. He'd heard every neighbor on the block praise the young couple for their hard work—how they'd opened their own practice and accomplished so much for their age.

But he saw Pup's mate.

And she had new bruises. Often. One day she even walked with a limp, a hesitation as she discreetly tried to press against her hip and settle on the porch to read.

Apparently it was a common habit for her—she didn't like being in the house.

Remus Lupin could easily guess at the reason for that. Every time one of her parents came out to retrieve her they were angry, barely keeping up their polite façade in his werewolf senses.

He heard how the two adults treated her, what Hermione learned from her parents in their tones and words. Once he'd even heard the beating, his wolf perking and yowling at the noises: ready to invade and rescue and teach a lesson.

He'd barely stilled the urge, instead asking around discreetly and using some magic.

He'd get cub's mate safe.

….

The police and social workers calmly walked out of the house, the two Granger's angrily being escorted to the patrol car. Amidst the shocked gazes of their neighbors they kept up their angry stoicism.

But Remus had heard their earlier shouts and arguments. Their justification: as parents it was their right to raise their child as they wished, and didn't the officers know how much trouble a child was in their busy lives? They hadn't mentioned anything about magic, but Remus had heard them once scolding Hermione for some magical outburst.

Hermione watched all the adults leave, sitting on the porch again. The social worker grabbed her hand and pulled her up, hardly paying attention to the wary child.

Remus scowled.

Moony growled.

Soon. He'd rescue pup's mate and keep her safe.

No adult would ever ignore her or abuse her again.

…

All his planning and preparation hadn't prepared him for the reality of a skittish little girl who's magic was too strong to be believed. It told her things.

"Is this my room?" she asked softly.

It wasn't much, but he could smell the joy that rose up from her. It confused him—his home was nothing to boast about. Compared to her previous lodgings she should feel sad and angry. With the upheaval of her life she should be sullen and withdrawn.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"You're welcome."

"Mum says to always use my manners," she offered as if that could explain away the confusion she saw on his face. She was too sharp for such a young child.

"It's not much," he responded, trained to be ashamed.

She smiled, her amber eyes sparkling. "I like it."

"I'm glad."

"Will he get his own room too?"

"What?"

"Your pup. He doesn't like his cupboard."

…

Remus swallowed, watching Hermione kick her feet as she read a book. She was so tiny. Her hair seemed to be larger than her.

He was hesitant and stiff around her, having never really had the opportunity around children—what with his curse. His wolf wanted to cuddle her up.

It was a strange urge.

She looked up at him and blinked. She didn't speak much, had been as stiff and polite as a mini adult all through their exchanges. It made the wolf angry—that stiffness and politeness had been beaten into her. He wanted to see her playful and loud and energetic.

He wanted her to be a pup.

Sometimes he wondered if she actually liked reading, or went to it as her only recourse when her parents had forbidden everything else in their stressful lives.

"Mr. Remus?"

"Let's go out to the park."

…

Remus mopped his hand down his face as he stared at the bill, doing some quick calculations in his head. He would have to approach the goblins. The Beings held nothing against him, and appreciated his talents.

He would find some odd jobs.

But he would have to go to the wizarding world—where everyone he didn't trust could see him. Might follow him. Maybe find pup's mate.

He growled.

Because of his nature he had to learn all about dark creatures—they were most often his companions. He was very good with curses and dark magic and defense. The Goblins could surely use a man with his skills and senses. And he was sure he could protect pup's mate.

He nodded, making his decision and putting down the papers flat on the table.

"Mister?"

"Mimi," Remus responded with the ridiculous name the wolf insisted on.

Hermione hadn't objected yet.

Her eyes darted to the papers, Remus felt her magic swell and then collapse back into her. "I'm sorry."

"And why are you apologizing?"

"You could've let me stay at the orphanage."

Remus' heart clenched and the wolf snarled. She was pack. But he didn't know how to explain that to her just yet. "I couldn't have."

She just blinked at him.

…

Remus had encouraged her to go play in the park.

He regretted that.

She came back with her chin high and a scrape on her cheek. The smell of her blood and barely suppressed tears made the wolf howl.

The man made a considering noise.

Mimi clutched to him with a small squeak when he swung her up to carry her to the bathroom. There he settled her on the counter and tended her wound.

When he was done he swung her down and smoothed back her hair, checking her for other injuries.

All he got was her forthright amber stare—her magic glowing in her eyes.

"Biscuits?" he asked.

She took his hand quietly.

…

He jolted out of bed and raced to her room, hearing her scream soften into small hiccups and muffled sobs.

Wolf steps—lunging ground eating strides—took him right to her bed where her teary face peeked from above a pillow she was pressing over her mouth to muffle the noise of her distress.

Murmuring soothingly he settled on the edge of her bed, reaching to push her hair away from sticking to her tears. She still sobbed gently, her large wet eyes on him.

He stared at her.

Then she started bawling in earnest, discarding the pillow to crawl to him and curl up in his lap. This close he could discern her words as she started to whisper between her gasps and sobs.

"I'll be good!" she promised. "Don't leave me too!" she pleaded. "I didn't mean to!" she apologized.

He soothed her, the wolf growled to soothe her too.

When she'd become more restful in his embrace he looked up—and he found the reason for her distress. Her whole room was destroyed; her magic had fought while she was in her night terrors.

The wolf and the man held her closer.

…

Hermione was much clingier after that barrier broke down—Remus thought she was afraid he really would leave her now that he saw how her magic raged so much.

He wouldn't. He knew why.

She was pup's mate—and she and her magic were connected to her other half. It would be hard to control that when they were so far apart—when pup wasn't in the best circumstances.

From what he'd pieced together pup was being abused, on top of Hermione's own abuse and their bond that meant Mimi's magic wouldn't settle until Harry was by her side.

Remus froze; the wolf started a low satisfied growl that rose in volume. Remus smirked.

…

Hermione clung to his hand as they walked up the street. She wasn't letting her exhaustion show though he could smell the beginnings of it.

They'd spent the last week wandering around suburbs, exploring.

Using the bond the pup's shared to try and find Harry.

Remus admired the little mate's strength even as he rumbled in displeasure. She wouldn't admit to being tired—somehow she knew they were seeking out pup.

He swung her up into his arms.

Mimi sighed and rested her head against him trustfully, her thick head of hair soft against his neck. Remus swallowed and turned his eyes forward.

…

Remus stopped as pup's mate did. She stared at the unremarkable looking house—unremarkable save for the perfect roses. Hermione stared at that rose bush with a disproportionate interest.

The wolf started to growl and pace.

Remus cleared his throat and gently squeezed her hand.

She blinked her amber eyes and looked up at him dolefully, not moving from where her feet were planted.

He nodded his head.

The duo quietly strolled up the walk, and Remus pressed the bell.

Then they waited.

The wolf strained, ears perked, listening to the sounds of the house deciding who would answer the door.

Remus' breath left him when a young boy opened the door and he stared into familiar green eyes.

Pup.

A screech drew his attention to a slender woman—her eyes near popping out of her horse like face as she pointed a shaky finger at him.

Ah, Petunia. Their one and only meeting had not gone well. He grinned predatorily.

The woman's babbling drew her husband and son to the door, but in the nosy neighborhood they could only invite the two strangers in or risk rumors.

And the wolf and the man laid down some ground rules and got their way.

…

Remus growled pleasantly as he watched Pup zoom about the house. Though Harry had been in just as appalling circumstances as the little mate he'd seemed to recover easily.

Acted like any pup safe in the den—playful and energetic and loud.

The wolf loved it.

Wolf gold eyes turned to Pup's mate, his heart hurting to see her watching Pup with an affection he was sure was in his eyes.

Indulgence.

Why should another pup have such emotion?

He tugged up his trousers and crouched at her side, taking a brief glance over her book and the way her magic was slipping away from the pages. Her fingers trembled where they held the spine.

"Mimi," he murmured softly.

She swallowed and blinked.

They stared at each other for a moment. Remus unsure about the emotion in her eyes and the child silent as was her way. Sometimes he thought he saw words pressing against her, her magic swelling in excitement, but she always reined herself in.

While he had somehow managed to cure her fear of being physically hit he hadn't been able to get her to open up.

"Am I to leave?" she inquired on a wobbly whisper though he could see how she tried to be brave.

"Why would you need to leave?"

Her face started to crumple. "You have your pup now."

Remus blinked and drew back, staring horrified down at pup's mate.

Amber eyes cut down to stare at her book, running her fingers over the printed words.

"Mimi. No."

She hiccupped and her eyes turned back up to him. She bit her bottom lip hard when it quivered.

Remus drew her into his arms, shushing her when she fought slightly and whimpered. He closed his eyes against the burn in them and took a deep breath. Wolf growled and paced.

Far too sharp a child—far too ready to be discarded.

"I did not rescue you so I could find pup."

She choked on a sob and then whined.

Wolf howled and growled menacingly. Remus cleared his throat to make more human noises when his wolf was pressing to declare war and hunt down her parents. "You are just as much my pup as Harry is."

Hermione sniffled and scrubbed her nose on his shoulder.

"I am glad you helped me find pup, and we will all live together."

"That sounds nice," she sobbed into his shoulder before really breaking down—clutching on to him and babbling out apologies for being a bother.

Wolf soothingly growled to her, and Remus let the rumble build in his chest.

…

Remus paused, setting down the last dish to watch Harry approach Hermione. The two pups had kind of just existed around each other. He wanted to see what cub had planned.

Harry grinned and pulled his arm from behind his back.

Hermione flinched.

But Harry offered her the flower without seeming to notice. Wolf growled but settled quickly. Pup was handling it.

Mimi blushed and accepted the flower cautiously.

Harry, if that was possible, beamed brighter and sat right beside her. And the pup started to babble, random things.

Little mate started to listen, started to respond, and then she started to babble back.

Remus Lupin was a man of few words—constantly having to filter his wolfish reactions and thoughts meant that he often didn't get to voice them in time. And as he leaned against the doorjamb and watched the two pups warm up to each other and talk he thought it was a shame he didn't babble as easily as they did.

If only so they could be so at ease around him too.

…

"Mr. Remus?"

"Mr. Moony?"

"Yes?"

"Can we go to the park?"

"…yes."

Harry beamed and grabbed his hand, heading for the door. Mimi wasn't as energetic, but happily took his other hand too.

"What are you two doing?"

Mimi immediately pulled her hand away. Pup just looked up at him—"We're going to the park."

Remus quietly put his shoes on as well. And while they were walking he deliberately picked up Hermione's hand in his large one.

She walked closer to his leg.

…

Remus and Moony slowly learned how to interact with the pups, and the pups slowly started to act more and more like pups—as if they had needed his permission to do so in the first place, as if they took theirs cues from him.

Half the time he forgot they came from abusive homes—then with his wolf hearing he caught their heart breaking adult-like conversations. They were frank with each other, and it both hurt and prided him that they noticed how different he was.

Hurt because they had never known an adult they could trust before. Pride because they knew he was an adult they could finally trust.

He swallowed hard and Wolf growled.

They were hearing those whispers now.

"Do you think he would?"

"Maybe. He gets angry a lot."

Remus froze.

"But he's not angry at us."

"I guess. But you know that doesn't mean anything."

The pups were silent for a second, then Hermione's meek voice sounded. "I…I like him."

"Me too."

"Let's show him."

Remus set down his newspaper; the wolf in him perked its ears and sat at attention. Sure enough the pups rounded the corner, stopping abruptly when they saw him waiting.

Hermione swallowed and shrank down a bit.

Harry stalked forward with false confidence, his shoulders back but his eyes flicking everywhere.

Remus stared at them when they stopped in front of him.

"We're sorry!" Hermione immediately caved and squeaked out, starting to hyperventilate.

Harry grabbed his little mate and pulled her to his side. "We didn't mean to, it was an accident," he spoke forcefully, eyes daring him to punish them.

"Before I respond, what exactly are we on about?"

Mimi bit her lip and tucked her chin down; Harry scowled. But both pups held out their left hands.

Remus' breath caught, and if a wolf could physically laugh he was sure that's what Moony was doing right now. "And how did you get these?"

"Harry gave me a flower," Mimi squeaked out.

"And I told her I'd never leave her," Harry said forcefully, almost glaring at Remus as he pulled little mate closer.

"And I told him the same!" Hermione said earnestly, turning into pup's side.

"And," Harry swallowed and blushed, "she kissed my cheek."

Remus' eyes started to sparkle.

"Then our arms tingled, and we got these," a blushing Hermione added as she ducked her eyes away and curled right into Harry.

Wolf howled.

Remus felt a smile twitch on his lips, then his breath started to shake—the laughter broke out and grew loud.

"Sir?" Harry asked tentatively, hugging Hermione to him.

Remus, managing to control his mirth down to chuckles, moved from his chair to kneel in front of the pups. "You two…" he chuckled, he couldn't continue. Wolf was barking and howling happily, running in tight little circles. Remus was grinning unrepentantly.

He reached out to pull them into a hug—both flinched. Remus' expression sobered but he continued pulling both little pups into his arms. He should do it more often; get them used to it.

Never would he hurt them.

They were his pups, his pack.

"Congratulations," he whispered over their heads, nuzzling them. Wolf's growl rumbled in his chest, and Hermione squeaked before hesitantly pressing her ear against his heart. "You two are the most adorable pups a wolf could have."

Harry grinned up at him, all teeth and big green eyes.

…

The magic bond the pups had accidentally sealed gave them a few surprises—Remus and wolf watched with good humor as the pups slowly realized that their bond meant they would never feel alone again.

When Hermione had a nightmare Harry somehow apparated right into her bed.

When Harry sprained his ankle playing in the yard Hermione started crying and grabbed her own ankle—she was in the study and had no clue what had happened.

Many other such incidences occurred—but no longer did their magic burst from them and wreak havoc. Which meant the pups no longer cowered when they had accidental magic incidences—because they just didn't happen as often or as powerfully.

Wolf and man hated when they cowered from him.

And now that the pups no longer feared their magic he slowly started to explain it to them. They stopped thinking they were in trouble every time he brought it up.

And Hermione, with her whispering magic and scary brilliance, made his heart stop. "So our magic bonded us? Like your wolf claimed us?"

Remus sat down heavily—good thing the chair wasn't pushed back too far. Wolf yelped in his own surprise, extending his snout forward to scent the pup. His pup. His pups.

Harry blinked and pushed his glasses up his nose, walking up to them and taking Mimi's hand.

He cleared his throat, "It's a little different." His voice still sounded strangled.

Hermione ducked in closer to Harry, and the pup extended his arm around her.

Closing his eyes Remus took a deep breath. He opened them to stare right at his pups—they didn't look too comfortable, but they hadn't taken the chance to sneak away either. That was good.

"My wolf…has taken you as pups. Your magic…you two are soul mates. Friends or more—your magic decided you are perfect for each other."

"I have to be perfect?" Hermione whispered in a sullen voice.

Harry turned and pulled her right into him, his little arms strongly wrapped around her. "You are perfect."

Hermione sniffled, "But mum said that I—"

The wolf's snarl escaped before Remus could control it.

Both pups gasped and turned to him, jumping slightly.

He cleared his throat. "Your mum lied to you—a lot. I don't want you to listen to anything she said."

"And my papa too?" Hermione whispered questioningly.

"Yes."

Harry chirped in, "My relatives lied a lot! But I knew they were wrong!"

Remus smiled as Mimi turned to Pup and they started to comfort each other in their babbling way—holding hands, hugging and using children's words to have adult conversations.

Man and Wolf could see how powerful the children were—but Harry knew because his magic was all instincts, Hermione struggled because her magic was all thoughts. This was why Harry had recovered so well from his abusive home—he'd never believed. But Hermione had—because her parents had used words against her.

Wolf huffed and sat, tilting his head as he examined the children.

Remus agreed—they were recovering nicely.

…

"Mr. Remus?"

"Yes," Remus lowered his book and looked into inquisitive amber eyes.

Harry's green eyes popped up on the other side of the recliner.

"Why do you know so much about magic?"

He put the book away. "There's a school for magic—you'll get invitation letters when you turn eleven."

"Did my parents go there?"

"Yes."

"Did you know them?"

"Yes." Remus swallowed.

"You were friends," Mimi said softly.

Remus closed his eyes, struggling between bitter feelings of betrayal and nostalgia. "Yes."

"I'm sorry," Pup said, patting his arm.

Remus laughed—a small bitter laugh. "Thank you."

…

Remus sipped his coffee and finished his report for the Goblins, shuffling through the parchment absently. He was more focused on the pups' conversation.

"Mr. Remus doesn't lie."

"But everyone else does."

"Not you."

Pup laughed, "Or you."

There was a pause in their conversation.

"So should we just ask then?" Mimi's voice trembled.

Remus heard them shuffling, probably hugging. Then Harry's voice whispered, "We should ask."

Remus put the papers down and waited for the pups, Wolf straining forward and perking his ears to hear every part of their approach.

The pups came in cautiously, holding hands and peeking up at him through their messy hair.

…

Remus stood straight as he encountered the Weasley family. He gave them a cordial nod, but tried to hasten on his way.

It was not to be so.

Molly Weasley was still as boisterous and smothering as she'd ever been. The wolf hated it. He didn't trust her. She didn't trust them—they could smell it.

They had heard it.

"It's been simply ages since I've seen you around, what have you been up to?"

"Up to? I've been working."

Her brown eyes regarded him thoroughly. "I haven't heard anything around Diagon."

Remus merely inclined his head.

She scowled. "Well you obviously need a different job—you're all skin and bones. Come to lunch on Sunday."

"I won't be able to make it," Remus murmured.

…

What was Dumbledore up to?

It wasn't until Molly's forceful and unnecessary (and rejected) invite that the old Headmaster had sent him a letter. As neither had contacted him in the last eight years it was a suspicious circumstance.

The wolf growled and paced.

Dumbledore wasn't any sort of Alpha, and the wolf hated how he manipulated and kept information to himself. It was bad strategy for a pack.

Had he perhaps used Molly to try to get in contact with Remus first? Remus, though part of the original Order, had been on the fringes: under suspicion even by his friends.

He did not attend all meetings. He did not have contact with all the members.

They had communicated with him mostly by owl.

Pressing his tongue into his slightly elongated canine Remus pondered.

He might have to go sleuth.

…

Remus came back furious.

Pup's magic felt it. Mimi's magic heard it.

He struggled to rein in his growls and magic, not willing to scare the pups. He'd fix this—this wrong. And he would not make them fear him.

But they didn't.

Harry took his hand and pressed his nose and forehead into Remus' arm. The wolf choked. That was the way of pups—how they comforted their alpha. It was enough to get Wolf and Man more aware of their surroundings, grounding them.

And then Mimi went and hugged his waist, nuzzling into his stomach.

Remus let out what might be considered a laugh as the wolf completely settled down, making the growl that alphas used to soothe pups. In appreciation for their affection he stooped down and lifted both pups up to him, nuzzling into their hair as he used his wolf strength to hug them.

Mimi sighed against his shoulder where she rested her head, and Harry blinked his stunning eyes and grinned.

Both hadn't flinched.

He sat in the chesterfield with both pups, simply cuddling in a wolf pile.

He'd missed this.

Wolf growled in agreement.

…

Not too satisfied with the Order and its members, Remus used what he'd found sleuthing to perform some subterfuge. It was easy—because he knew that rat better than anyone else.

It was a good thing he hadn't accepted the invitation to lunch—because then Wormtail would have skittered away.

Now the rat was being hunted, and the traitor didn't even know it.

Wolf growled happily over the hunt, a menacing sound. Remus echoed it willingly.

Sneaking in and out of the Burrow, replacing Wormtail with a rat carefully magiced to appear exactly the same as his old friend, was ridiculously easy.

Dumbledore obviously had no concerns about security, if his favorite light family was so unprotected.

Wolf and Man struggled together—both knowing there was a plan, a good plan, to follow. But the betrayer was in their hands. It would be so easy…everyone already thought he was dead.

He huffed and pulled his hood down further, slinking through the shadows and crowds of Diagon to the pillars of the Goblin bank. The guards' black eyes followed him, met his own feral gaze easily.

Goblin grins matched the werewolf's pointy smile.

…

He risked picking up the edition of the Prophet the next day. Sure enough, there was a big production over how the Ministry had responded to rumors of Peter Pettigrew being spotted alive—even squinting his eyes and reading it three times Remus could barely find mention of the Goblin involvement.

All for the better: thanks to their prejudice no one would ever investigate and discover the actions of one werewolf.

Mimi's small hand carefully pulled on his arm, adjusting his angle on the newspaper so she could read it with her magic.

Remus' moustache twitched when the hairs on his arm and neck stood up. He was still getting used to that feeling.

"So you're safe?"

He choked and then chuckled, pulling Mimi into his side to hug her and kiss the crown of her hair. "You are such a smart pup—yes I'm safe."

Harry came charging around the corner, a towel tied around his neck like a cape. He struck a heroic pose—"I have a mission!"

Mimi laughed and snuggled into Remus.

The man and the wolf smiled and wondered how they would ever hide anything from these two—their very magic made them hyper inquisitive and aware. It would be best he was always honest with them—so they never doubted him and worked around him.

"What mission is this?" he questioned.

"I," Harry said seriously, "have to make Mimi laugh."

Mimi squealed and jumped, ready to run away.

But Remus thought this was a splendid mission, and held her to his side so Harry could pounce and start a tickle fight.

There was a lot of laughter.

…

Remus sucked in a sharp breath when he opened the door.

Old wounds, festering for years, ached when he looked on the familiar face.

Familiar but so different; Sirius Orion Black was a damaged man.

"Moony," Sirius rasped out.

"How did you find me?"

Sirius blinked and swallowed—an obviously painful swallow as the wolf watched it travel down his throat. "It's been a long time—but Padfoot still recognizes the alpha."

Remus rocked back on his heels, still holding the door half closed.

Laughter rang out behind him.

Sirius blinked and made to peer around the wolf.

They growled at him.

Their old friend snapped to attention, focusing on Remus. Sirius sighed, "I would like to talk about this over tea. If you would."

Remus narrowed his feral eyes. "Don't talk about anything you see here with anyone. Understand."

Sirius nodded his head, looking tired and bedraggled.

Remus turned and walked into the townhouse. "They didn't give you potions?"

Sirius closed the door behind him—Remus heard the locks turn and nodded his head. Good. The old dog was still concerned with security.

"I did get some potions, along with recompense for the years in that hell house."

"You didn't take them."

"They'll knock me out—nowhere safe to do that."

Remus swallowed and the wolf stopped growling. Padfoot had come to them to watch over him. The dog honestly still felt the pack bond.

But the house was quiet—too quiet. The pups felt the newcomer, were uncertain.

"We have a few more additions to the pack."

Sirius grinned lopsidedly, still looking exhausted and pitiful. "You old dog; where's the missus?"

Remus glowered. "There is no missus. You know no witch would touch a wolf."

Sirius flicked his eyes away and swallowed again.

Remus sighed. He knew Sirius was trying to get back to their old camaraderie, joking around; but Remus still had bitter wounds. But as alpha, he had to take care of his pack. And Sirius had been the closest part of his pack so long ago—he'd been Beta.

But the pups took priority.

"Somehow Harry ended up with Lily's sister and her family."

Sirius choked and then growled. And Remus and Wolf smiled. Despite being weak and beaten, Sirius' growl was all danger. Good.

"I managed to find him last year."

The growl choked off. Sirius' grey eyes looked at him soberly—both thankful and yet horrified. "How bad was it?"

Remus turned away and finished walking to the kitchen. There he set the kettle to boil and got out the tea.

"Bad enough," he finally managed.

Sirius had been the only Marauder to wait while Remus reined in the wolf. Remus was reminded now of how close they were, and thankful that Sirius had remembered.

Wolf and Man were too angry to manage anything else, and it had taken that pause for Remus to manage human words.

Sirius still waited.

"Pup's recovering well—only has some tells now."

"Good." Sirius swallowed again. "Good," he said more softly.

Remus sat with the tea, grabbing some biscuits for a plate.

Then the two old friends regarded each other soberly.

"Where have you been?" Sirius inquired carefully.

Remus scowled. "Working odd jobs—muggle and Goblin. Had no one since that night."

Sirius cut his eyes away, understanding that Remus had no one before that night as well.

Remus wouldn't agitate old wounds. "How long have you been out?"

"A week—had some fancy hearing at the Ministry as soon as they pulled me out. Real piece of politics it was—and Dumbledore showed up." Sirius' eyes turned hard, and he looked at Remus carefully. "He asked me about Pup."

Now that explained some things. "He tried to contact me a while back—a few months after I got Pup."

Sirius scowled. "Fixed Location Monitoring Charms? That's excessive for a child not his own."

Remus rolled his shoulders to release some tension—"That would make sense. If Harry wasn't at the place under the monitoring charm after a designated length of time he'd be alerted. You were the godfather, but in prison. He couldn't contact you without tarnishing his name. And he didn't contact me before."

"He wanted to use you to track down Pup."

The wolf bared his teeth, and Remus' smile was all wolf. "He got the Weasley's involved in trying to earn my loyalty. But I still smell her disgust."

Sirius tossed his head, "They never did get it."

Remus growled. "Sometimes you didn't either."

Sirius cut his eyes away. "I'm sorry," he said quietly.

Remus swallowed, Wolf extended his snout towards their pack mate.

The two men stared at each other over the table.

Then Pup walked into the room cautiously, eyeing the stranger and standing by Remus' chair.

Remus pushed his chair out and turned to Pup. "Did you need something?" he asked softly, his alpha growl under the words.

Pup turned his green eyes to him. "Can we have some snacks?"

"Certainly." Remus stood and went to the cupboards, starting the kettle again. He quickly made a platter of biscuits and cut apples, and set the tea to steep. Then he turned and leaned against the counter to watch.

Mimi was hidden in the shadows of the door, her eyes taking in the whole room. He felt her magic brush against everyone carefully.

Harry blinked and tilted his head. "I know you."

Sirius swallowed. "Hello Pup."

Harry narrowed his eyes. "I do know you."

A tremulous smile warped over Padfoot's face—a broken dingy thing compared to what it used to be. But hopeful. "I was a friend of your father's. A friend of Remus here."

"My magic misses you." Harry said simply.

…

Remus huffed and sighed as he left Sirius on the couch—carefully picking up all the potion bottles the man had emptied. There were still many left. Now that the drama of their reunion was ebbing Remus felt pity and anger well in his soul—pity for his pack mate and anger for everyone else.

Sirius was just as poorly used as Remus had been.

There was no mistaking the purpose of some of these potions—and Remus was thankful the one that softened memories had not been used. Padfoot was stronger than that.

The old dog would be out of it for a while, if the concentration of the sleeping potion was any indication.

A loud rumbling noise filled the room.

Remus paused, Wolf blinking and tilting his head. Then the man chuckled.

They had forgotten how bad Sirius' snoring was.

Harry and Mimi quietly came down the stairs, their empty plate and cups in hand. Both of them blinked astonished at the racket the stranger was making, but dutifully put their dishes in the sink before coming to investigate.

Harry walked right up to the couch, even risking poking Sirius in the nose. Remus snickered from where he watched. The pup was obviously fascinated—Remus and Moony wondered if maybe there was more to this instinctual memory of Padfoot.

Hermione was much more cautious, staying well out of reach in the off chance their houseguest would awake.

Remus sighed and watched his family adjust to this new dynamic.

…

Remus was tidying up his parchments to owl them to Gringott's when he heard the rest of the pack in the drawing room. Furrowing his brow he abandoned his task and walked to the door.

Harry was shuffling, tugging at his sleeve cuffs.

Sirius had simply asked if it was too hot for such long shirts. Remus hadn't noticed that both children were wearing clothes that covered up their marks.

"If Harry wants to wear long sleeves that's what he'll do," Hermione said stiffly. "You can't tell him to do anything else, he's his own person. So leave him alone."

"My aren't you a bossy little know it all?" Sirius teased.

Remus closed his eyes as Hermione stiffened and stuck her chin up. Harry glowered and moved to Mimi's side.

Sirius didn't understand.

Hermione swallowed and swiftly turned, darting up the stairs to her room where she slammed the door.

Pup stood there uncertain, but then he clenched his hand over his chest and followed Mimi.

Sirius blinked and turned to Remus.

The wolf growled and the man sighed. Gesturing to the chairs the two elders sat.

"Mimi comes from a bad home too."

Sirius swallowed, but still didn't get it. Padfoot waited.

"Her parents…had very stressful lives. And they took it out on her. She wasn't allowed to talk back, or do anything without their permission. And then her magic developed and it is made of thoughts and words. So understand that what you say is very important to Hermione."

Padfoot sat back heavily in his chair with a great sigh, mopping one hand down his face. "I'll wait a bit then go talk with her then. But why were they so defensive?" Sirius swallowed hard—"There aren't…marks are there?"

Remus snorted, choking back a laugh because with Sirius' own family background that was a sobering question. It was just ironic. "No, thankfully they are not marked by their home lives. In fact I think their magic is responsible for that too. But they are marked."

Sirius glowered at him.

Remus leaned forward, his elbows on his knees and his hands flat on the coffee table. "The reason I found Mimi, Sirius, is because she smells like Pup. You haven't been Padfoot here yet, but you'll smell it too."

"What?"

"I was walking in London, and I thought it was Pup at first. I thought I'd finally found him. But then I actually saw her. She's Pup's mate."

"Remus," Sirius managed, but he looked lost.

A good alpha explains. Remus nodded with the wolfish thought. "So I followed Mimi home with her mum. And I watched for a few weeks. It was a stifling hard environment for Mimi, so I got social services involved, except they weren't treating her very well either. So I pulled a few strings and adopted her."

"She helped me find Harry because she is connected to him, and somehow they sealed their bond. They both have mating marks on their wrists. I'm not sure why they're hiding them from you, but given how adults have treated them before it might take a while for them to warm up to you."

Sirius swallowed. Then he barked out a laugh. "Potter men—they always find their soul mates early."

Remus allowed a slow grin to form on his own face.

…

Sirius did talk to Hermione later. Mimi didn't quite warm up to Sirius, but she didn't take offense every time he joked around now. It was a start. Remus well remembered how long it took her to trust him—and now that she didn't need someone to save her from night terrors or the children at the park Sirius didn't have an easy in.

Wolf was glad for that—it meant Sirius'd treasure it all the more when Mimi finally accepted him. Remus agreed.

Harry forgave easily—but that was because his magic was all instincts and emotions. Words weren't too important to him; he joked around easily with Sirius.

But both pups still wore long sleeved shirts.

…

Sirius received an owl during breakfast. The two pups stared fascinated at the intelligent ball of feathers—Moony growled playfully at it but Remus didn't voice the sound.

Padfoot finished the letter and folded it back up, setting it aside carefully. His sober grey eyes than raised to his. "It's from the Weasley matriarch."

Remus' hands clenched on the arms of his chair.

"Who is she?" Mimi asked softly, carefully looking at Sirius from under her lashes and bangs.

Sirius tried a small smile for her, but it was obviously stained. Remus watched both the children brace themselves for a lie. "She's an old friend—been a few years since we were in contact."

Harry scowled.

Wolf huffed out a displeased breath and lay down, turning his head away from Sirius to watch the pups.

Mimi nibbled on her lower lip and ducked her head slightly, still eyeing Sirius with her amber gaze. Harry was still scowling, but he shuffled so his chair slid a bit closer to Mimi and he could take her hand.

"What does she want," Remus finally asked tiredly.

Sirius flicked his eyes to the pups before responding, "She invited me over for dinner."

"You know he'll be behind the scenes, that family is deep in his schemes."

Sirius started to get a mad glint in his eye—his Black heritage giving him the genetics for recklessness and a slight mania showing clearly. "Well, maybe we should turn the tables on them? Let's see what they're up to." With a flourish he set to responding to the letter, attaching it to the owl with a manic grin.

As the strange owl flew away Remus considered wards—they had a year left until Hogwarts, and it looked like things were stirring up. "Don't mention a thing about the pups." He stood and left the room.

Sirius sputtered behind him, pushing his chair back and rushing to follow.

"What is that supposed to mean?! I know that the pups need to be hidden!"

Remus sent cold eyes over his shoulder as he made his way into the den, noticing the two pups holding each other and peering out from the kitchen with worried expressions. Sirius needed to calm down.

Remus sat down in his chair, flexing his fingers and waiting for Sirius to settle.