Sorry for the delay - I was under the impression family crises were over, but apparently I was wrong. Chapter 17 is in the works (I need something to keep my sanity at the moment, and this is it). I hope you enjoy this chapter.

A huge thank you to everyone who reviewed and added me to their favourites/alerts. Another big thank you to Dances With Vampires for continuing to beta for me.:)

Please review after you have read, it really means the world to me to hear feedback. Thank you.

Chapter 16: Bonding Tensions

"So you don't remember raiding an IRA safe house?" Lloyd asked.

"No. Why on earth would I be part of a raid? I don't have any specific training-"

"You were part of the investigation team. Do you honestly remember nothing?"

"Look at me - I was shot. Do you think I would lie about not remembering that? Is there a file, or a report, or something that explains what happened?" Janice asked, getting increasingly stressed.

"I'll see if I can get a copy of one to you tomorrow," Lloyd promised.

"Lloyd, I've had memory blanks because of extreme situations - this isn't one of them. There are no flashes, no sounds, no images; it's like I've woken up in the future and had no dreams. This feels so wrong. . .I can't explain it, even the pain doesn't feel right."

"Jan, you are so pumped up on painkillers right now, nothing is going to feel right. You need rest. I'll be back in the morning with any files I can find. Try and get some sleep."

-.-.-

It was sheer chaos that night at St. Mungo's as the rescuers apparated in, some alone, some helping those with crippling injuries. Almost everyone had suffered scratches of varying severity, including Jonathan whose back had been torn open by claws.

Arnica struggled against the healers and her father, refusing to let go as they attempted to take her away from Eliza. In the end, Lucius was forced to charm her into a sleep. While Arnica's injuries were only superficial, Eliza was barely recognisable. There was scarcely a part of her that wasn't bitten, scratched, or bruised.

"Mr. Malfoy, you'll need to wait outside," one of the healers said, as others descended upon Eliza.

"She saved my daughter," Lucius protested.

"We will do everything we can for her, but please, we need you to wait outside."

The Minister of Magic was waiting in the hall. "I've sent word to Hogwarts, Draco is on his way. Arnica-?"

"She's not bitten," Lucius said shakily, collapsing into the nearest chair.

"Thank Merlin. What about the woman?"

Lucius tried to steady his breath as the adrenaline died down. "She's in bad shape. I don't know if they will be able to save her. If she hadn't been there. . .Arnica. . ." His voice faltered as he imagined those injuries on his daughter.

The Minister pulled out a bottle of firewhiskey and handed it to Lucius, who took several gulps, welcoming the burning sensation as it travelled down his throat.

"Were any bitten?" He needed to think about something else.

"Three."

"I'll see to it that their families are compensated," Lucius said, still staring at the door.

A healer came out. "It's not certain she will survive the night. Of the list of missing witches we received, the closest match is to Eliza Raveien. However, the Muggle fixtures are missing; if they planned to turn her, they would have been forced to remove them."

"How certain are you?" Cornelius asked.

"Height, hair colour, eye colour, and what scars we could make out through the injuries. I would recommend contacting her family as soon as possible."

"Thank you. I'll see to it," Cornelius assured, waiting for her to leave.

"Dumbledore is going to demand an investigation."

"Let him," Lucius replied. "As I told you before, there's nothing to be found."

-.-.-

Draco found even Severus's long strides to be too slow. He was forced to keep pace only because he didn't know where he was going. He had no idea if they had understated his sister's condition, and he wouldn't be convinced until he had seen her for himself. Today had been sheer torture; despite knowing that it was a setup, the list of things which could have gone wrong was endless. Under normal circumstances, he would have enjoyed the attention, but the sun set and there was still no word on her safety.

She slept peacefully, despite the mild scratches and scrapes that covered any visible skin. The healers must have cleaned her up. His father had brought in her old security blanket, which they had managed to convince her to surrender a week before Eliza's arrival.

Lucius looked exhausted as he entered the room.

Draco brought a chair over so he could sit by her, and gently took her small hand in his. "What happened to Eliza? Is she okay?"

Lucius shook his head. "She sapped herself completely. . ."

-.-.-

Later that evening, Maddie left the Great Hall after eating her fill, and took a seat outside the castle's main doors and looked at the sky. She couldn't remember ever seeing so many stars back home. It was so peaceful.

"Miss Raveien." Maddie started at the discovery of Professor Snape standing behind her. "The headmaster needs to see you," he said simply, walking away.

She jogged slightly to catch up. Was she in trouble for something? Had Troy somehow convinced him to change her back to Gryffindor?

Professor Snape said nothing as he led her to Dumbledore's office.

The door opened, and she saw Troy and Dumbledore deep in conversation. The Minister of Magic was there, hat in his hands, as was Sirius in dog form - lying by Troy's feet, though clearly listening very carefully to every word.

"Miss Raveien, come in," Dumbledore said, but it wasn't the warm tone she remembered from their first meeting. "Please sit."

"I'll leave this in your care," the Minister said stiffly. "I will be waiting at St. Mungo's."

Maddie watched him pass her by without so much as a glance, confused. "What's going on?" she finally asked uncomfortably, looking at the grave look in everyone's faces.

"You no doubt heard about Mr. Malfoy's sister being abducted by werewolves?" Maddie nodded, and Dumbledore continued. "In the process of rescuing her, they found someone else. She's been identified as your sister." It took several moments for what he was saying to sink in. "It appears. . .as though she has been in their custody for quite some time."

"I don't understand," Maddie said cautiously, not entirely certain she wanted to.

"She's been badly injured. They don't know if she will survive," Troy said thickly, working hard to keep a brave face.

Maddie opened and closed her mouth a few times. "What. . .what do you mean they don't think she'll live?" she asked, hoping this was some kind of sick joke. "I mean, you can just make her live, with magic." She looked desperately from one face to another.

"Magic can only do so much at this point," Severus interjected. "You need to start preparing yourself that it may well not be enough to save her."

"No! I refuse to believe there isn't a potion, or a spell, or something that can stop her from dying!"

"Madeline, we are doing all we can," Dumbledore said, forcefully enough to make her pull back from becoming hysterical. "Professor Snape will administer one of his personal brews, made from Fawkes's tears." He gestured to the rather spectacular bird, his face somewhat warmer than it had been. "It might work, it might not. But right now, the best thing you can do for your sister is to remain calm."

Maddie nodded that she understood, but was unable to stop a tear from sliding down her cheek.

"If you want to see her, you need to be prepared for the fact that she is not how you remember her."

"Is she one of them?" she asked weakly. She'd heard snippets of werewolf conversation all day, but had no idea how much of it was true or not.

"No, none of the bites were received post-lunar; she is still completely human," Dumbledore assured her. "But as I said, she is in poor condition."

"How bad is it?"

"It's bad," Severus replied almost sympathetically, having checked on her when he took Draco to see Arnica. "If this were up to me, I wouldn't allow you to see her."

"However," Dumbledore added to Maddie, "it is your choice."

-.-.-

Once at St. Mungo's, Severus asked that they wait outside Eliza's room while he administered potion. "I think it would be best if Troy went in first without you," he said, after returning several minutes later.

The room was thick with a musky and slightly nauseating smell. He could see a figure lying naked on the bed with a small modesty cloth covering her hips. When he approached and saw her clearly, his stomach turned. Severus was ready with a bucket.

Only slightly purple tinges betrayed where bruises had been, and her internal organs were visible under the cloudy covering of translucent skin. What little figure she had had was gone; muscle and fatty tissue were barely existent, her face too tight and gaunt. Her lips and cheeks were colourless. Her hair was lifeless and thin, as though most of it had been lost. Small silver beads hovered in clusters a few inches above her heart and lungs, mimicking their movement, while a charm kept a perpetual steam around her.

"How. . .?" Words failed him. He prayed they were wrong, that she was someone else.

"Our bodies aren't designed to handle the amount of magic we use; for those who manage casting a spell without a wand, they are forced to pay the toll. When she created and maintained such a complex piece of magic without a wand core to regulate it, she unwittingly forced her body to be devoured to feed and maintain the spell and keep the werewolf from reaching them. That is why it is vital that you learn to control your magic and use a wand. Admittedly this is an extreme case, but still what happens," Severus explained. "At least, that's the basics. This isn't the appropriate setting for a detailed lesson."

"Is she… is she in pain?"

"She can't feel anything at the moment," Severus answered, still keeping a respectful distance from the bed.

"Can't she have a blanket or something?"

"The beads that are currently keeping her heart and lungs working won't control as effectively, and at the moment she needs assistance more than modesty."

Troy nodded mutely. "So… um, what is… what is she on? I mean… what's been done?" he asked.

"Her bones have been repaired, and the potion I gave her had phoenix tears which have acted quickly and have already healed most of her cosmetic injuries. It's a good sign, but it will likely take hours before we know if it has succeeded in repairing anything else. She's also been given a number of other potions designed to give her body a fighting chance. All anyone can do now is wait and hope we got to her in time."

Troy kept looking at his sister's face, trying to see something familiar in it. "I don't want Maddie seeing her like this." He wasn't certain he would be able to live with this image, let alone how Maddie would cope.

Severus nodded in agreement. "I'll give you some time alone."

-.-.-

Maddie was still seated with Sirius. She looked up expectantly at Severus when he came out. "Can I see her?" she asked apprehensively.

"Your brother will be out to talk to you about that in a moment," he said.

"I'm not weak."

"No one is accusing you of weakness. But there are some things in life that no person should ever have to see. Whilst the headmaster may think he is doing you a favour by giving you the choice, it doesn't mean that this is the right one." He walked off down the hall to the healers' station to discuss matters quietly with them, leaving Maddie alone with Sirius.

She glanced to where Severus was, making sure he was busy as she got to her feet and crept to the door. Sirius bit the back of her shoe, tugging her back to the chair.

"Stop it!" she hissed quietly. "Dumbledore said it was my choice!"

Sirius let go, and started howling and yelping.

"Stop it! Shh! I mean it, stop that right now!"

The door opened, and Troy came out, carefully blocking the view into the room. "What is going on?" he demanded.

"Doogie doesn't want me to see her." She glared scathingly at Sirius.

"Maddie, I know that you think-"

"I'm not a child. If Eliza can stare at dead people all day, I can handle seeing her unwell." She looked at Troy pleadingly.

"Maddie," Troy said, stepping out into the corridor and closing the door quietly, "you wouldn't recognise her. I barely recognise her. I know you love her, and I know you want to see her," he consoled, leading her back to a chair. "She probably isn't going to survive this; I don't see how she can. You don't want to remember her like this if she doesn't."

Maddie burst into tears, and Troy wrapped his arms around her.

A man was leaving the room next to Eliza's, and Maddie let go, alerting Troy to his presence. He recognised him instantly.

"Mr. Malfoy?" Troy asked, getting the man's attention. As Lucius faced him, Troy struck him in the face with all the force he could muster, catching him completely off-guard.

Maddie screamed for him to stop, grabbing his arm as he attacked again. Sirius bit Troy's leg in a vain attempt to drag him away.

Healers heard the commotion and came running, trying to pull Troy off him.

"You stay the hell away from my family!" Troy raged, still trying to get at him despite the strong arms holding him back.

"Troy, stop it!" Maddie pleaded as tears streamed down her cheeks, forcing herself between them. "Please, stop it!"

Lucius successfully stumbled away, still in shock at the brazen attack, and drew out his wand.

Severus pushed Maddie aside and put himself between the two, one hand gripping Troy and stopping him from lunging forward, the other holding his wand to Lucius. "Walk away, Lucius," Severus ordered, half-dragging Troy.

"Educate that whelp, or I will do it for you!" Lucius snapped venomously as he lowered his wand but made no motion to move.

"Walk away!"

He found an empty room and threw Troy in none too gently. "This is a place of healing, not a brawling pit where you can fight like a dog!"

"He terrorised-"

"There is far more going on here than you are aware of," Severus hissed bitterly. "Your sister's life can go either way at this point, and like it or not, if she lives she owes him a life debt."

"She owes him nothing."

"Unfortunately for you, she does. It's a binding magical bond, and there is no way around it. The last thing she needs is to be contending with the pair of you at each other's throats; pull a stunt like that again, and you won't see her until her funeral, or until she is discharged. Am I clear?"

Troy looked furious. "I don't want him anywhere near her!"

"Be a man, and put what you want aside for the sake of your sisters. Things are only going to become more difficult. The sooner you start accepting that you have no control, the easier your life will be. We don't know the full story yet, and won't unless Eliza comes out of this. Lucius maintains that he took her home that night, and unlike some, he most definitely does not affiliate with werewolves; unless your sister says otherwise, that is what you and everyone else are forced to accept."

"He was terrorising her for weeks - Tonks said so!"

"And he hasn't denied it. When the Minister spoke to him, he admitted what he did to scare her. He also claims he had no idea who she really was. He did what he thought would protect our kind, and as long as there is no one to say otherwise, he cannot be touched."

"You know that's bullshit! You know that he's a Death Feeder or whatever, he wasn't doing this for any other reason than he was ordered to!" Troy snapped.

"I am going to make this as monosyllabic as possible. She – is – not – out – of – danger. And you are making it worse behaving like a perpetually petulant child!" Severus snapped back at him. "Whether you are right or wrong is irrelevant. Whether or not Lucius is a Death Eater is irrelevant. What is relevant is your sister, and if you care about her, you need to calm down and forget about Lucius for the time being," Severus ordered, watching him carefully. "Madeline needs you not to be arrested on assault charges."

-.-.-

It was almost midnight when Maddie returned to Hogwarts, still not having seen Eliza. She couldn't hold the emotion back any longer, dissolving into tears as soon as she entered the empty common room. There had been no change when she left, no sudden improvement. She didn't want to go up to her dormitory and try to sleep, how could anyone expect her to sleep? She wanted to be with her friends in Gryffindor, friends she knew she could trust.

"Maddie?"

She quickly wiped away the tears, but despite her best efforts failed to stop herself crying. "What are you still doing up?" she asked Draco defensively.

"Waiting for you. I heard Snape talking to my father about your sister. Is she doing any better?"

It was too much. She shook her head as another wave of fear hit her full force. She didn't care who he was, didn't care what his motives really were. She ran to him and hugged him, crying into his shoulder. She didn't care who it was right now, so long as she had someone to hold onto.

Draco was not entirely certain how to react. He awkwardly patted her back. "Hey, I'm sure she'll be fine," he said. "St. Mungo's healers are among the best, and Snape knows his potions. . .she'll be okay."

"They wouldn't even let me see her," Maddie sobbed.

"It's okay. . .," he reassured her. "My father will make sure she gets the best treatment possible. She saved Arnica's life-"

Maddie wailed again. "Troy punched him," she cried.

"He did what?" Draco said, unsure he had heard correctly. "Did you say 'punched'?" He could imagine a lot when it came to his father - shady deals, duels, even murder. But taking part in Muggle brutality was something he just couldn't picture. Eliza slapping him, yes, he could definitely picture that. He was certain she had done that at least once, but also knew what that aggression had cost her.

"Yes," Maddie sniffled.

"What did my father do to him?" He paused, still trying to comprehend what she was telling him, still not completely believing anyone would have the audacity to do that to his father of all people. Witches and wizards feared and respected him, knew that a happy Malfoy was a safe Malfoy. People knew how easy it was for him to make their lives a living hell, with a combination of deep pockets and friends in all the right places.

Maddie wiped her tears away. "He didn't do anything - it happened so fast. The next thing I know, Professor Snape is dragging Troy off him, and. . .and it was horrible." Maddie sniffled.

Draco wasn't sure what surprised him more - that his father got punched, that there were witnesses to talk about it, or that he did nothing to his attacker. All the same, he was certain Troy would suffer for it later. "Then it's lucky Troy isn't the one in need of assistance. . .," he said awkwardly. He took a deep breath, leading Maddie to a seat on the couch. "Look, you're not likely to get any sleep tonight. . .did you want me to stay up and wait with you?" he offered, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

Maddie nodded silently and leaned against him.

Draco gave a small smile and put an arm around her shoulders. "I'm sure everything will be okay," he repeated gently, rubbing her arm. He silently wished he had a camera on hand; this would make such a perfect Welcome Back to School card for Weasley.

-.-.-

Troy sat in Eliza's room, waiting for what seemed an eternity. Sirius was curled up in another chair, sleeping, when the healers weren't looking. The view out of the window was an illusion, one that could be changed with a series of controls around the sill, and currently displaying a clear moonlit beach.

He occasionally heard some scuffling outside, followed by an order for a reporter to leave. The healers had suggested that he leave and get some sleep; they would contract him as soon as there was anything to report. But he insisted on staying. He drifted off into a brief and uneasy sleep from time to time, but there was nothing restful about the images he saw.

Lucius had steered clear of him after their earlier exchange, but he knew him to be watching over his daughter in the next room.

He wasn't sure how long he had slept when Sirius nudged him awake, just in time for him to see the last of the beads leave Eliza's body and float back into their box. He panicked, racing out of the room. "Help! Someone, please!" he shouted down the hall, and healers came running.

He barely had a chance to say anything as they bundled him and Sirius up, practically throwing them out of the room. He couldn't stay still, and no movement seemed to be enough as he anxiously shook, waiting, preparing himself for the moment that door would open and they would tell him they couldn't save her.

Sirius whimpered, nudging him gently in an attempt to give comfort and reassurance.

The door opened, and time seemed to slow almost to a halt. "Mr. Raveien, your sister is going to be okay."

He wasn't completely certain he had heard correctly until he saw the smile on the healer's face. "She's breathing on her own, and her heartbeat is steady. She's starting to wake, but she needs to have some more rest. I'll give you a few minutes with her before I give her a sleeping drought."

It felt as though a pillow had been lifted off his face, and he could breathe again. "Oh my God, thank you." He hugged the woman, and quickly went into the room.

She was dressed in a patient's gown, which would have fit a standard adult but looked exceeding large on her. She only managed to keep her eyes open for a few brief seconds at a time.

"Eliza?" he asked gently.

She smiled weakly, turning her head to him. "Troy?" Her voice was ragged, the act of speaking apparently enough to leave her breathless. "So - o heav-y. . .," she whispered as she tried to reach out to him, her arm shaking from the effort of lifting it barely an inch.

"Just relax, you're safe," he said, taking her hand in his.

"M-ma-addie?" she asked, trying to keep her eyes open.

"She's okay. She'll be here later," he promised.

Something agitated her, and her breaths became more rapid. "Where's. . .where's Ah-Arnica? I need - I need to-"

"She's okay, she's sleeping. She didn't get hurt," he said, trying to get her to relax. "You need to rest," he insisted as the healer returned.

"She's. . .so scared," she panted, her lucidity slipping into a memory. "Have to keep her. . .have to keep her safe. . ."

"Drink this, dear, you'll feel better for it," the healer said, gently supporting her neck as she held the cup to her lips. After a few sips, Eliza began to drift off. The healer turned to Troy. "She'll be sleeping a few hours with this. Hippocrates Smethwyck, our healer-in-charge, would like to discuss your sister's care once she has been discharged. Have you had anything to eat?"

"Not since yesterday," Troy admitted. He hadn't really felt hungry until she mentioned it.

"He will meet you on the fifth floor. She's quite safe," the healer assured as Troy glanced at Eliza, now sleeping peacefully.

Troy gave in, allowing himself to be escorted to the cafeteria, Sirius trotting behind like an obedient pet.

-.-.-

Eliza could hear Arnica screaming ahead. She had to get to her, had to save her. The forest was so dark and thick. Fog obscured her vision as wooden hand reached out, clawing at her, trying to stop her passing. There were howls all around, but she kept running. She saw a flash of golden curls in the distance, before it vanished into darkness.

A steep slope of dirt blocked her path; no matter how far she ran, there was no end to it. Arnica called out her name again, followed by an ear-piercing scream. Eliza dug her fingers into the soft dirt, climbing as best she could. It was slow dirt, the soil slipping from beneath her, threatening to send her back down.

The trees were gone, replaced with dark clouds as she climbed the mountain. The sound of thunder shook the earth, and lightning struck all around her. Arnica's screams continued to fill the air. Looking down, all she saw was a dark abyss that seemed to go on forever.

It felt like a lifetime before she finally reached the top: a plateau where the dark figure of Voldemort waited with his snake, Arnica trapped and struggling between its slowly squeezing coils.

"Let her go. Please, I'll do anything, let her go," Eliza said.

"I know you will. . ." He pulled back his cloak, revealing Maddie, bound and gagged by twisted roots.

-.-.-

Voldemort stood over Eliza, his wand pointing perfectly straight, the tip touching the centre of her forehead. Her eyes were closed, completely focused on the illusion he was planting in her mind.

The healer had returned, standing by the door watching, and keeping a look out to make sure that no one came and disturbed them. Troy would be kept busy long enough with Smethwyck.

Eliza's body was restless, her eyes darting underneath her lids. She was weak, and helpless to resist his invasion of her mind in her crippled state - she didn't even try, allowing herself to be pulled into the twisted dream. He gave her small victories, small senses of accomplishment to drive her on, pulling her deeper.

"Is Smethwyck going to be a problem?" he asked as he withdrew from Eliza's mind, satisfied.

"It took some. . .persuasion." The healer smiled. "There'll be no disagreement from him."

"Very good," Voldemort said, glancing at Eliza, whose form had returned to the dreamless sleep the potion provided. "Keep me informed of her progress."

The healer bowed as he vanished.

-.-.-

"I don't get it. . .how is running in circles a sport? You either run when you're being chased by something, or when you're late; why run for the sake of running? I mean. . .that's just tiring," Draco muttered.

"Well, it's to challenge you, push you to your limits and see who can run faster," Maddie explained. "It's a contest."

"But what's your motivation? You get from point A to B, and it's over. Where's the excitement? I can almost understand this football thing - there's a score with that - but I still don't understand why you can't use your hands, it would be much easier. And again, it's got the running. What is it with Muggles and running? I thought they had those automatic carriages that go faster than running-"

"Cars."

"-and those two-wheeled things that really shouldn't be upright-"

"Bikes."

"Why not play football using those instead?"

"Well. . .uh. . .I don't. . .don't think it's really possible. I mean, it would defeat the purpose of the game. . .no. . .no, it wouldn't work. . ." Maddie was interrupted by the common room door opening. Both of them looked up as Severus entered. Maddie held her breath, desperately praying it wasn't bad news.

"Your sister has woken up. She will recover."

Maddie let out a huge sigh of relief. "When can I see her?"

"Tomorrow before breakfast. Draco, your father has requested that you be there before Arnica wakes up, he's hoping your presence might settle her a bit." Severus glanced at the time. "I suggest the two of you get a few hours' sleep while you still can. Be ready at my office at seven o'clock," he said as he left.

Maddie felt as though the couch would swallow her up, she was so relieved. "Thank you for staying up and distracting me." She smiled at Draco, sleep starting to hit her now.

"It's fine, I know what it's like to wait. Come on, you look like you're not even going to make it to the dorm."

Maddie yawned. "Probably not. . .," she chuckled, her body protesting as she forced herself to her feet and went down the stairs that led to the girls' dormitories. "Goodnight. . .well. . .morning," she amended, looking at the clock.

The moment Maddie's head hit the pillow, she was far away in a wonderful dream, not a care in the world.

-.-.-

"Mr. Raveien, as much as I would love to release your sister into your care when the time comes, the other healers won't agree. Normally there wouldn't be any question about it, but you lack even a basic magical understanding," Mr. Smethwyck tried to explain as the female healer returned, hovering behind him and waiting for an opportunity to interrupt.

"Mr. Smethwyck, I'm sorry, but Miss Hester in room twenty-three is having issues with the potion we administered. I can take it from here," she offered.

"Ah, damn. . .Thank you, Mrs. Rowle, I'll see her right away. Excuse me, Mr. Raveien. . ."

Mrs. Rowle took his seat. "I'm sorry about that, but - as he was saying - your sister will need special long-term care which, from everything you've described previously to us, you can't offer her. If you were living with someone magically trained, there wouldn't be a question there either, but unless your dog knows how to brew a potion. . .it's not possible."

Troy rubbed his forehead, trying to relieve the frustration he was feeling. "The professors from Hogwarts will be coming around on a daily basis to teach me. I've taken care of her before, after the car accident; her muscles had emaciated then, too. I know what to do to help her."

"With all due respect, you know the Muggle thing to do, which will bring her more harm than good. This isn't a matter of rebuilding muscle, she was bitten by a werewolf. She won't turn, but there are other aspects of lycanthropy that she will inherit as a result of these attacks; we don't know at this point how many, or the long-term effects. We have several volunteers lined up who are more than qualified and can ensure she receives the best possible care until she is well enough to stay with you. You're looking at about three weeks if she responds well."

"Can't someone from here come to look after her?"

"It's not a service we offer. We're a magical healing facility, and as such we primarily deal with witches and wizards, who have the know-how for home care. Admittedly your sister will take longer to recover than what we usually see-"

"What if I hire someone? Apparently, I have a lot of money," Troy cut in.

"Mr. Raveien, I'm sure you are aware these are troubling times for our kind. There are a great deal of unscrupulous individuals, and you are vulnerable, and high profile due to the recent media about you and your family. You've probably heard Mr. Malfoy only permitted a dozen werewolves onto his land, and yet - despite high Ministry security measures - over three dozen were there, as well as your sister. No one knows how this happened. Anyone with sense does not make enemies of the Malfoys. I would strongly advise against hiring an unknown individual."

"Well, what if a friend was willing to live with me and help? Remus Lupin, he's a wizard-"

"You want your sister in the company of someone of his condition, after everything she's been through?" She sounded absolutely horrified.

"What condition?" Troy asked carefully, taken aback. He glanced at Sirius, who whimpered slightly and hid his face under a paw. They would have much to talk about later.

"I can't say. However, he is most certainly not a suitable candidate for looking after your sister, or any human for that matter," she said sternly.

Troy gave Sirius another glance. Definitely going to have much to talk about. "Well, I'll try and get in touch with any other wizards I know. . .maybe some will come by tomorrow," he muttered. "Is it okay if we come back in a few hours?"

"We?" she asked.

Troy paused, remembering Sirius wasn't technically there. "Doogie. . .the dog. . ."

"If the dog must," she said irritably. "Your sister won't be awake for several hours, so don't feel rushed."

-.-.-

Troy pounced the moment they stepped out of the fireplace.

"What the hell is Remus's condition that the healer wouldn't want him around Eliza?" he demanded, as Sirius returned to human form.

"The healer was a prejudiced bitch," Sirius snarled. "There is no reason Remus can't look after her. In fact, he's better qualified than most."

"Well, apparently there is. I am not about to let Eliza go off with some random stranger."

"We'll get Dumbledore to step in, he'll vouch for Remus. And if not. . .I'll talk to Molly, she can make arrangements to be listed as Eliza's caretaker - then Eliza can stay here and I'll treat her."

"Sirius, what is his condition that they wouldn't trust him around her?" Troy spelled out, not wanting to give him a chance to dance around the question.

"It's not my place to say. Remus is already planning to tell you - probably the day after tomorrow, if he's up to it."

"What - is - the - condition?" Troy repeated, tired of being shut down by everyone else. "Me finding out a few days early isn't going to change it."

"I swore I would never tell. I haven't, and I won't," Sirius snapped.

"I have trusted the man-" Troy started, but he was cut off.

"Then trust him. Nothing has changed in the past hour, except that now you know there are people with prejudices against him. He's still the same man you've been talking to, and who's been helping you adjust."

Troy growled, looking around, trying to find something he could use to convince Sirius to tell him. The light of the full moon lit the garden outside, and he felt his stomach twist into a knot. A sickening lump stuck in his throat as the question was finally voiced. "Is he a werewolf?" He continued to stare out the window.

Sirius sighed and bowed his head in defeat. "It's not for me to say."

It was all the confirmation Troy needed, anger threatening to explode out of him. "He is one of those monsters that did this to her!" He swiped out at the nearest object; the lamp shattered on the floor.

"Don't you dare compare Moony to the likes of Greyback!" Sirius said, not caring who heard. "And don't you let me ever hear you call him a monster, or you will regret it." He pointed his finger, but not his wand. "Moony is one of the most decent people I've ever known. I trust him with my life. I have repeatedly."

"Werewolves did that to her, and now you're telling me that my sister and I just spent three weeks under the same roof as one of those. . .things?" Troy said. "What if he had attacked Maddie?"

"You know nothing about werewolves - neither of you were ever in any danger."

"I know that they nearly killed Eliza!"

"You know that a group of them, not including anyone you actually know, did that. Remus fights what he is every single day, he takes a potion so that he's harmless during the full moon. The werewolves that did that to Eliza love what they are, and their one goal is to turn as many witches, wizards, and muggles as they can. Remus has nothing in common with them."

"He's one of them!"

"And I'm a convicted murderer!" Sirius snapped. "Doesn't mean that I did it! Just like the fact Remus is a werewolf doesn't mean he's a crazed killing machine! You trusted him, and you're willing to throw it all away because he gets furry once a month! What if Eliza had been bitten? Would you cast her aside too?"

"Of course not - it's not her fault!"

"Well, Remus didn't choose to be what he is! He was a bitten, as a kid, by the same werewolf that nearly killed Eliza. He's the reason James and I decided to become animagi, so that we could be with him safely at the full moon when he was at school, back when there was no wolfsbane potion, back when he couldn't control the urge to bite. Do you honestly think Molly would let him anywhere near her children if he was a danger to them? Do you think I would let him anywhere near my godson? Do you think Dumbledore would have let him teach at Hogwarts?"

"He isn't teaching anymore, is he?" Troy snapped.

Sirius shook his head. "Because students found out. Because bigoted parents think that every werewolf is like Greyback, out to turn everyone they see."

Troy collapsed into a chair. "Why didn't you guys tell me? I would've thought on the list of need-to-knows, that one would be up at the top - I mean, for crying out loud, he's a werewolf!" he exclaimed, trying to wrap his head around the information.

"Hi, Troy. Your sister's been kidnapped, your father was a wizard, this is a convicted criminal who you thought was a dog, and you're in protection because the most evil wizard known to man is after you and your family. Now, whilst we're at it-" Sirius rattled off sarcastically.

"Okay, okay, I get the point…"

"There are hundreds of things on the list of need-to-know, stuff people have been gradually eased into over years. You're being force fed it all in one shot. We're trying to make this as easy for you as possible," Sirius explained, now that things seemed to have calmed down. "After the full moon is over, Remus will make everything clear to you and answer any questions you have. I swear, on my godson's life, he will not harm you or anyone you care about."

Troy shook his head. "You can't expect me to believe werewolves aren't dangerous."

"I never said they weren't dangerous," Sirius scoffed. "They're bloody dangerous. I said he wouldn't harm you. But if you want to get technical I'm dangerous, as if every other wizard out there - two little words and you'll drop dead. Doesn't mean I'm going to kill you just because I can," he reasoned.

Troy nodded and said nothing. He would accept it for now, but he still wanted more information before he was willing to trust Remus again.

"Right. . .I'll head back to the Order, and let everyone know what's happening with Eliza and this. . .Rowle healer woman. I'm pretty sure Remus knows Smethwyck personally, but this reeks of Death Eaters. . .you should probably get some rest," Sirius suggested. "Something tells me tomorrow is going to be interesting, and not in a good way."

-.-.-

Lloyd grew increasingly frustrated, as information seemed to vanish any time he went near it. He promised Janice he would find out as much as he could. He found out she was to be presented with the George's Cross, but no one actually seemed to know how whatever happened. . .well. . .happened.

The terrorists were being detained, with special clearance needed to access them. Everyone else who had been with Janice suffered the same mysterious memory loss, leaving doctors to conclude they must have been exposed to some sort of drug or chemical toxin - but there was no trace of anything that would support such a theory. Every time he found a new lead, he met a stone wall, political jargon, or misplaced files and destroyed documents. Someone had worked very hard to remove any and all information about how the raid went down, and how they identified the suspects.