Thicker Than Water

By Ammie Hawk

Disclaimer: Not mine…

AN: Okay, so this chapter is kinda filler, kinda not, but I felt it should be in there, and as the author that is my prerogative. Anyway, enjoy.

Chapter 9: A Safe Place to Hide

In a small town in northern Scotland, a lone figure made his way down a deserted lane. His stride was casual, but he obviously had a predetermined destination in mind, if the multiple grocery bags in his hands were any indication. The few people he had passed on his way out of the village had given him strange looks as they knew that nothing lay on that side of town besides open country with treacherous moors.

Once he was beyond the point any of the 'sane' townsfolk would venture, another figure emerged from a small grove of trees. He came to a stop before the newcomer, who was covered in a long, hooded, traveling cloak and was leaning heavily on a large branch that had been converted into some form of walking staff.

"I was starting to wonder if you were actually going to make it," the hooded figure shook his head.

"I am here precisely on time," a brow rose incredulously. "A time, I might add, that you set."

"And each and every time we meet, I half expect you to be here waiting for me. I mean, I am the wounded one here after all," he gestured with his staff for emphasis.

"I still feel you should come back to the village with me," the first shook his head. "The villagers will not question it. They haven't bothered me since I arrived, except for the odd look every now and then."

"I can't risk it," he shook his head again, managing to dislodge the hood, revealing shoulder length black hair. "I was hiding in the colonies for a reason. Besides, this property is protected very well. No one can get in without permission. And trust me, I would know if it had failed. So, for now, I have a safe place to hide and recuperate. And thanks to my brother-in-law, a well supplied potions store. So, as long as you keep bringing me supplies every other week, I'll be back to my old self in no time, and then I can begin to get back what I lost."

"If you're sure?"

"I am, Zechs," a small smile flitted across his features. "So, thank you, for everything."

"Very well, Riju," Zechs sighed, and handed over the bags. "I will take your word for it. Just let me know if and when you need anything."

"I will, old friend," Riju nodded before turning and limping away toward the moors.

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As soon as Duo hung up the phone, he moved back to where the others were, all of them still standing or sitting pretty much where he'd left them. Amethyst orbs traveled over the assembled group, wondering what was going to happen next.

"Well," Sirius broke the tense silence that had fallen, "we were in the middle of a very important discussion before we were so rudely interrupted. However, as much as it pains me to say it, we should wait for Moony and Tuney to get here with Troy before we continue. So, in the mean time, how about we have some lunch?"

"I suppose I could scrounge up something," his husband gave a put upon sigh. "Though, I will admit I do not have much in the way of stores, as I did just return home last night and have not had the opportunity to restock."

"We can worry about that later," the Animagus waved him off. "Let's just eat what we have. Then we need to figure out where in the name of Merlin's saggy left ball sack we're going to be staying, because if you hadn't noticed, Spinners End is not equipped to hold a dozen people."

"As crass as you are, you have a point," Severus rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly. "Fine. You will help me with lunch and we'll see what options we have. Children," he turned his head to the teens, "find some way to entertain yourselves. And Potter, do not destroy my house."

"Harry's not going to destroy the house," blue eyes rolled in mild exasperation. "He might be in a mood, but he's not being destructive."

"He destroyed Dumbledore's office after that debacle at the Ministry," the Potions Master countered. "So forgive me for not being inclined to dismiss his moods."

"You might have a point," Sirius shook his head. "Anyway, let's just go make lunch. All of you, don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"There's nothing you wouldn't do," Severus frowned at his husband.

"Exactly," the former convict grinned.

Dark eyes rolled in fond annoyance as they made their way into the kitchen. Their banter continued as they began preparations for whatever they were making for lunch. The seven teens still in the living room stood rather awkwardly, all of their attention glued on the goings on in the other room. Finally, the lone female decided to break the tension.

"So, Harry," she said, drawing all attention to her, "what has gotten you into such a mood anyway?"

"Everything," he answered, making his way over to the couch where she was currently sitting. "First, I find out that my aunt knows more about all this than I've ever been told. Then that Sirius, my godfather, a man I've looked up to for the past two years, is married to Snape, the one person at Hogwarts who hates my guts, and that they have kids together."

"Yeah, that was kinda weird to find out," the witch scrunched her nose in agreement.

"Then, my aunt tells me that she was together with Professor Lupin, and he's Quatre's dad," he continued. "And if that wasn't enough, my godmother, get this, is Narcissa Malfoy. And apparently, my mum was Malfoy's godmother. My life is officially over."

"Okay, your life isn't over," she soothed. "It's just much more complicated now. But this actually could be a good thing. I mean, think about it, you just found out about the prophecy at the end of the year, and now, you have two new allies within You-Know-Who's ranks. This could be the way to bring him down. And besides, our new combined families already have experience fighting a war. This isn't all bad."

"Hermione, I love you," he gave her a longsuffering look, "but can I just digest all of this and wallow for a bit."

"Fine," she chuckled, patting his hand comfortingly. "If that's what you want to do."

"Great," he leaned back and closed his eyes.

Before anyone could say anything else, the pair in the other room called them all into the temporarily magically expanded kitchen to eat. They were halfway through the meal when the other three Apparated in. They joined the others at the table and the meal was finished in relative peace.

"So," Sirius said, once all the plates were empty and cleaning themselves in the sink, "Sev and I were talking, and we can't stay here. Spinners End is just too small for a dozen people. And we can't go to Grimmauld Place, there are too many people in and out of there, and I don't trust half of them as far as I can throw them. So, I was wondering if you had any ideas, Remus."

"I know you asked Remus," the small blond spoke up, "but we could use one of the Winner estates, there are several uninhabited ones throughout Europe."

"Yeah," Duo piped up. "We could stay at one of Kitty-Quat's places. They're plenty big enough."

"As nice as the offer is," Severus shook his head, "I'm going to have to say no. I'm sure the Winner estates are extensive, but that fact alone makes them well known as well. To ensure our continued safety, many wards and charms would have to be used, and people would get suspicious if one suddenly disappeared off the map."

"You have a point," the werewolf sighed heavily. "And unfortunately, I don't have any thoughts, the cottage I own is smaller than Spinners End."

"Honestly, Sirius," Petunia huffed, "didn't you and James plan for this eventuality?"

"What are you talking about, Tuney?" the Animagus frowned.

"Didn't you and James build a house out in Scotland, shortly after these three were born," she indicated the three Potters, "so all of you could hide in safety?"

"Wait, what?" he shook his head.

"Trust me, you did," she scoffed slightly. "James said he pulled out all the stops in protecting it. He even did a fiddling charm or something to make it so no one could get in without permission."

"The Fidelius Charm?" Remus' eyes widened slightly as they shifted from the woman he loved to his best friend. "Please tell me you didn't use Peter in this case too?"

"I don't remember," Sirius ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

"How could you not remember that you built a safe house with James Potter?" a dark brow rose incredulously on his husband's face.

"Well, excuse me!" the dog Animagus snapped irritably. "I spent twelve years in Azkaban and then the past two on the run. So, forgive me for not remembering some harebrained scheme Prongs and I came up with a lifetime ago."

"Calm down, Sirius," Snape placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "I was just asking. There are ways to retrieve the information if it comes to that. But if Pettigrew is the Secret Keeper the idea of using it as a refuge is out of the question, but if it was someone else it could be the solution we're looking for."

"Okay," the werewolf sighed. "How do we find out who the Secret Keeper is?"

"I could perform Legilimancy on him and try to get the information that way," the Potions Master rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"No!" Harry protested, well remembering the disastrous Occlumancy lessons he had with the man the previous year.

"There's no need for all that," Petunia waved her hand dismissively. "James chose the least likely person anyone would suspect with the location. In his words, what wizard in their right mind would suspect a Muggle to be used for something so important?"

"Wait," amber eyes turned incredulously to her, "are you saying that you're the Secret Keeper?"

"That's brilliant!" Hermione interjected. "No one would ever look among the Muggles. Wizards always underestimate those they consider beneath them. Just like house elves."

"Please, not Spew," Harry groaned quietly.

"What's Spew?" Duo voiced what everyone else was thinking.

"Don't ask," the raven shook his head. "She won't shut up for weeks."

"Enough," Remus raised his hand, a slight growl in his voice. "While it may seem brilliant, it's exceedingly dangerous. A Muggle does not have the capabilities to defend against the attacks our enemies are capable of. That's the whole point of the current conflict. James should have never risked your safety like that. He should have come to me and discussed it as soon as he had the idea."

"Remus," Petunia tried her best not to smile at the man's protective nature, "it doesn't matter now. It is done. I know the location of this house and it is a safe place for all of us to go. So, shut up, and let's go."

"I always loved how you could put him in his place, Tuney," Sirius chuckled.

"Shut up, Sirius," the pair said in unison.

"Moving on," Severus leveled the other three adults with a glare. "Petunia, you need to tell us where this place is and I will create a portkey to take us there."

She nodded, and, at Snape's insistence, wrote down the address and passed it around the table. Once they had all read it, the Potions Master burned the paper and sent the three children who had stayed the night to gather their belongings while he set about making a portkey.

Within the hour, they were all gathered in the living room. Snape held out a length of rope and instructed everyone to grab hold, as well as make sure they had a firm grip on their luggage. A few moments later, there was the familiar hooking sensation behind the naval and they disappeared.

Ammie: So there it is, my muses came and played nice. Hopefully they will continue to do so, especially since I know what I want to happen in the next chapter. And hopefully after that one, my information dumps will be over and we can move the timeline along... but we'll see. Anyway, please let me know what you think.