(no subject)

[jncar]

The sight of the large, hairy black dog skidding to a halt at the end of the platform, and wagging its tail after the rapidly receding Hogwart’s Express was sufficiently unusual to draw the attention of most of the witches and wizards milling around platform 9 ¾, but insufficiently unusual to hold their attention for long. With hardly a second glance, they returned to their own conversations, and began to make their way out of the train station. Four figures among the crowd, however, kept their eyes on the animal as it howled mournfully at the train disappearing over the horizon.

Remus took a moment to feel bad for Sirius-after all, the poor fellow had been much happier in the house full of youngsters than he had been with just his one old friend. But Remus didn’t feel too bad-the newly empty house would give him more opportunities to be alone with Tonks.

As Tonks watched Sirius, she hardly felt sorry for him at all. In fact, her mind was almost wholly occupied with how deeply dishy Remus was looking today in the new rust-colored cardigan she’d given him, and feeling delighted that he’d chosen to wear it, and wondering if he was wearing it just to please her. She also couldn’t help feeling relieved that the Weasleys and company were finally clearing out, so that she could find more private time to show Remus exactly how she felt about him.

Molly let a few quiet tears roll down her face, as she always did when she bid her children farwell. But she quickly wiped them away and began to think longingly of the sleeping draught that awaited her back at Grimmauld Place, and even more longingly of her own bed in her own room back in the Burrow, and all the things she wanted to do with her sweet Arthurkins in that very bed now that they would finally have some privacy again.

The only thing on Moody’s mind as he watched the dog still staring out at the horizon, was wondering why Molly ever let that suicidal fool out of the house.

“Thank Merlin they’re all safe and sound,” said Molly from a few feet away. She looked exhausted. But exhaustion was no excuse for foolhardiness.

The dog let out one last mournful howl, before turning to amble slowly back toward them. A few other knots of people still dotted the platform. As the dog passed near one of the groups, it paused. Its ears perked up, and it turned its head to look at the group of black-clad witches and wizards standing nearby. It was the Malfoys, the Crabbes, and the Goyles.

“Oh dear,” said Remus softly. Sirius would never let an opportunity like this pass him by.

“Remus! Stop that damn fool before he does something to endanger us all!” growled Moody.

“And how exactly do you propose I do that, Alastor?” replied Remus, who wasn’t entirely sure that he wanted to stop Sirius at all.

Tonks, looking ridiculous in her wrinkled, grey-haired morph, snickered, and pointed as the dog began slowly and quietly advancing toward the group.

Moody had had enough. If Remus wasn’t willing to do something to keep his friend from getting killed, then, by God, he would. He scowled, and started forward, his wooden leg clunking noisily with each stride as it hit the hard concrete surface of the platform.

The dog, still unnoticed by the chatting Death-Eaters and their wives, was now standing immediately behind Lucius Malfoy. Moody hastened his pace, the sound of his leg echoing through the cavernous station. Slowly, the dog lifted his hind leg. “Oh no you don’t!” muttered Moody, under his breath.

“There he goes!” whispered Tonks to Remus, starting to giggle.

Lucious Malfoy was suddenly diverted from his discussion on the disgraceful proliferation of mudblood students at Hogwarts by the feeling of an unexpected warm wetness spreading down his leg. “What the hell!?” His cry could be heard through the whole station-all heads were turning in his direction.

“Hideous animal!” exclaimed Narcissa. She’d never cared for pets-and this hulking dog positively terrified her. As it stepped toward her with its tongue lolling, she shrieked and scuttled behind the Goyles.

Lucious Malfoy’s face was contorted in a snarl of rage, a violent red flush spreading across it as he shook his dripping robe. He pulled out his wand.

“Snuffles!” called Moody. “Snuffles, you scamp! Get yer nasty hide over here!” He was determined to do his duty, though he was more than a little tempted to stand back and watch Malfoy blast the animal into oblivion.

The dog pricked up his ears, and with a lolling tongue and wagging tail it bounded happily up to Moody. When it reached him, it reared up to place its forepaws on his shoulders, and leaned forward to lick his cheek. Tonks laughed even louder.

“If you ever do that again, I swear I’ll throw you to the Dementors myself,” said Moody in an icy cold voice. The dog dropped to all fours, and barked happily.

In a giddy cackling fit, Tonks collapsed against Remus, no longer able to contain her waves of laughter. She knew that people nearby were looking askance at the bizarre old lady leaning against this handsome young bloke in such a playful fashion, but she didn’t care. Let them think he was her little love puppy-maybe he’d finally clue in to the fact that that was exactly what she wanted him to be.

“Does this creature, belong to you, Mad-Eye?” Malfoy’s voice dripped with venom as he strode up to Moody.

“He does,” said Moody, instinctively stepping between Lucious and the animal.

“And why, exactly, did you choose to walk him here this morning, of all mornings?” Malfoy’s red face was starting to annoy Moody. He puffed up his chest, and stepped closer to Malfoy, staring him straight in the eye.

“I thought I’d perform a little civic service today, and see to it that nothing untoward happened while the youngsters were setting off.” Moody glared deep into Malfoy’s eyes, hoping to covey through his look alone that he was certain any untoward occurrences would have been entirely Malfoy’s fault. “Sorry about Snuffles.” As much as he wanted to give Malfoy a piece of his mind, Alastor decided that diplomacy would be the safest course of action.

“This robe,” said Malfoy, “cost me ninety galleons. I expect to be fully compensated for its replacement.”

“You’ll get yer money,” said Alastor. He wished that beeding girl would stop her hysterical laughing. Completely unprofessional. He’d have to give her a talking to. He’d have to give them all a talking to.

“I expect it by the end of the week,” sneered Malfoy. “And from now on, I suggest you keep that brute on a leash!” With that, Malfoy turned and stalked away.

Alastor turned, and scowled down at the dog. It was still happily wagging its tail. “I should have you neutered!” The dog’s ears drooped, and it whined. “Oh, shut up.”

Tonks was still leaning against Remus when she saw Moody stomping toward them with Snuffles frisking at his heels. She was disappointed-she wasn’t ready to leave quite yet. In spite of her elderly appearance, Remus had slipped his arm around her waist, and seemed in no hurry to remove it. It was always a good sign when a man wanted to be close to her no matter what her morph looked like, and Remus didn’t seem at all phased by the gray hair and wrinkles. Perhaps he was starting to like her just as much as she liked him. Either that, or she ought to be setting him up with her Granny instead of chasing him for herself.

As Moody stomped past them, he snarled, “Show some dignity, woman! We’re leaving. Now!”

Tonks straightened up. “Come along, dearie,” she said to Remus. “It’s time for that foot massage you promised me. My bunions are killing me.”

“Glad to oblige, Nana,” replied Remus, with amusement, falling in behind Tonks. She was in one of her playful moods today, and now that Harry and the other children were safely on their way to Hogwarts, he was delighted to play along. He agreed, in principle, with Alastor; however, he’d wanted to see someone take a piss on Lucious Malfoy for a very long time. Some things are just worth the risk.

Moody led them out of the train station, and into a nearby alley and ordered them to Apparate back to Grimmauld Place.

Moody decided to let Molly go when she excused herself and headed up to her room. Sirius wouldn’t be her problem for much longer anyhow.

“So dearie,” said Tonks with a wrinkled grin to Remus, “how about that foot massage?”

“I’d be glad to oblige, but I’ve always been partial to younger women.”

Tonks scrunched up her face, and in an instant her face had resumed its normal heart-shaped rosy-cheeked sweetness. “How’s that,” she asked coyly, fluttering her vivid pink eyelashes at him.

“Much better,” he said, moving closer, and looking down into her bright blue eyes.

“Downstairs! Both of you! Now!” barked Moody. Tonks rolled her eyes, but decided to head downstairs anyway. It was best to let Moody get it out of his system quick, so that he would clear out and give them some peace sooner rather than later.

Sirius was waiting in the kitchen, and had already brought out a bottle of Firewhiskey and some shot glasses, as well as a few packages of biscuits, some crisps, a pile of chocolate bars, two tomatoes, and a bowl of leftover mashed potatoes. “Anyone care for some lunch?” he said with a grin.

Tonks chuckled. “I almost wish Molly were staying, if this is how I’m to be fed from now on.”

“Looks good to me,” said Remus, helping himself to a chocolate bar.

“You really are insane,” said Moody. “First you piss on Malfoy, and now you serve your guests cold potatoes and Firewhiskey for lunch?”

“If you don’t like it, go home and feed yourself,” said Sirius. “It’s my house, and if I want cold potatoes and Firewhiskey for lunch, then that’s what we’re having.”

Moody shook his head in disgust. If he had to spend another hour with Sirius today, he might just have an aneurism-and he intended to die fighting, not die of frustration. “I don’t suppose there’s anything I can say that would actually make you regret your foolishness back at the train station, is there?”

Sirius scrunched up his face in pretend thoughtfulness, and then said, “No, I don’t suppose there is.”

“Fine!” spat Moody in disgust. “But Dumbledore will hear of this, mark my words. And when he does, I’m certain he’ll see to you personally!”

“I look forward to it.” Sirius raised his glass of Firewhiskey in a mocking toast.

Moody shook his head in disgust. “You owe me ninety galleons for that robe!” he said.

“You’ll get it,” said Sirius, nonchalantly.

Moody snorted, and then turned to stomp back up the stairs. Sirius downed his Firewhiskey in a single gulp, and then smiled broadly at his friends. “I thought the potatoes might get him. I happen to know that Mad-Eye hates potatoes.”

Halfway up the stairs Moody felt a piece of parchment rattling around in his pocket. He snorted in renewed anger when he remembered what it was, and turned back to the kitchen.

Sirius was just pouring a round of Firewhiskey when Tonks hissed, “He’s coming back!”

Moody stopped short at the sight of Tonks with a glass of Firewhiskey in her hand. “You’re drinking before going in to work?”

“Flannery owled me this morning asking to switch shifts, so it seems I have the day off. And I intend to enjoy it,” said Tonks, downing her shot in triumph.

“Humph,” snorted Moody. He reached into his pocket, pulled out the parchment, and tossed it violently down on top of some scattered biscuits. He glared ominously at Sirius, and then at Remus. “I believe this belongs to you. Though how you got it in with my dark detectors, is beyond me.”

“What is it?” asked Tonks, wondering why Moody came all the way back to return a tattered bit of old parchment.

“Trick parchment,” said Moody. “Keeps tossing insults at me, using those damn fool nicknames you lot used to call each other.” He gestured at Remus and Sirius.

Remus looked at the parchment in disbelief, recognizing it instantly. “It’s not ours,” he said softly. “It’s Harry’s.”

“Harry’s?” said Moody in surprise. “Is he pranking me now, too?” He hoped not. He’d been trying all summer to impress a certain amount of respect and propriety on the lad, and thought he’d succeeded.

“No,” said Remus. “It must have been confiscated during the school year.”

Moody’s non-magical eye grew wide. “You mean… HE had it?”

Remus nodded slowly.

Moody’s face contorted in an expression of profound anger and disgust. Suddenly, he turned, and spat violently on the ground. “Keep it! I never want to see the thing again!”

“Don’t worry. We’ll take of it,” said Sirius.

Moody nodded sharply, and headed up the stairs once more.

Tonks eyed the parchment curiously, then looked at Remus with raised eyebrows. “So why do you care so much about this old trick parchment?”

Sirius was grinning from ear to ear. He had also recognized the parchment at first glance. “That’s no trick parchment, Tonks,” he said. “That is the pinnacle of our Marauding careers.”

“What is it?” she said.

“We call it,” said Remus, “the Marauder’s Map.”

Ten minutes of explanation later, Tonks stood in fascination staring down at the map. Tiny dots labeled with the names of the various Hogwarts staff members scurried around it, apparently representing the last minute preparations for the impending arrival of the students. “Amazing,” she said, almost reverently. “I can’t believe this is really the work of four sixth year students! Most of the fully qualified wizards and witches I know wouldn’t be capable of this kind of work.”

Remus smiled sheepishly. “It’s not that complicated. Really. Once we figured out how to do it, it was really pretty simple.”

“Oh, stop feigning modesty, Moony. It’s brilliant, and you know it. An act of sheer genius! A testament to our true greatness!” said Sirius.

“Now Sirius,” interjected Remus, “aren’t you blowing this a little out of proportion?”

But Sirius continued as if his friend hadn’t spoken. “And this extraordinary accomplishment was all the brain-child of our dear Moony, here.”

“Really?” said Tonks, looking at Remus with a glow of admiration in her eyes. Remus loved it when she looked at him like that. His heart started beating faster.

“Well,” he said, “The original idea was mine.”

“And he did most of the research,” added Sirius. “And most of the work.”

“No-Sirius and James did nearly all of the exploring. I was just the principle cartographer.”

Sirius snorted. “Only cartographer is more like. The only work Peter did was to fetch you your tea and chocolate. This one was your project, Remus. That’s why we let you have first billing in the credits.”

Remus just smiled bashfully. Lord, he looks adorable, thought Tonks. Adorable and brilliant. The only question remained: was he a good snogger? If the answer was yes, then she was definitely in love.

Tonks realized that she and Remus had been staring in to one another’s eyes for just a little too long, and Sirius was starting to get a mischievous gleam in his eyes as he watched them. That was never a good thing. To draw his attention away, she pointed to the map. “However did you find this secret passage behind the statue of Gunhilda of Gorsemoor?”

“Now that,” said Sirius, “is a good story. It starts like this …”

Several hours, several dozen biscuits, and most of a bottle of Firewhiskey later Sirius and Remus were still regaling her with tales of their explorations of the school and grounds at Hogwarts, and of the creation of their magnificent map. Tonks strongly suspected that if they were sufficiently adulated, they could go on indefinitely. She had propped her elbow on the table, and was leaning her chin on her hand, absently popping crisps into her mouth, and staring at Remus. He looked lovely when he was happy. She wondered what he would do if she went and sat in his lap, right now? She studied his lips. They were very nice lips. He just had to be a good snogger. With lips like those. And those hands…. Suddenly, Sirius slammed his glass down on the table, startling Tonks out of her Remus-induced revery.

“That’s it!” he exclaimed. “We have to get this back to him. And we have to get it back to him tonight!”

Remus was dumbstruck. How in the world could they possibly get the map back to Harry tonight? “Do you mean you want to owl it?”

Sirius glared at him, then suddenly reached over and smacked him on the back of the head.

"Ouch!”

“Don’t be an idiot,” said Sirius. “You heard everything that Mad-Eye’s been saying about our owls being intercepted! We couldn’t risk letting this fall into the hands of the enemy.”

“Since when have you listened to anything Mad-Eye says?” asked Tonks, feeling as skeptical as Remus.

“I listen!” said Sirius, indignantly. “And in this case, he’s actually right.”

“We can just wait and give it Albus or Minerva at the next meeting, and they can pass it on to Harry for us,” said Remus.

Without warning, Sirius reached over and smacked him again. “Ouch!” he once more exclaimed. Despite her best efforts, a snort of laughter escaped Tonks’s lips. Remus looked at her resentfully as he rubbed his head.

“If we give it to them,” said Sirius, “they’ll just keep it for themselves. You know how Albus is-always wanting to keep an eye on what his students are up to.”

“He is the headmaster,” said Remus.

“And that gives him the right to intrude on everyone’s privacy?”

“Actually, yes it does.”

This time Remus was ready to fend off Sirius’s smacking hand; he slapped it away with his own arm. But Sirius quickly compensated by stomping hard on Remus’s toes. “Ouch!” said Remus again. “Would you stop doing that?”

“I’ll stop doing that when you stop acting like such a tool for the man!”

“What man?”

“You know-The Man!”

“Oh, that man.” Remus was feeling pretty certain that Sirius had consumed a much larger percentage of the bottle of Firewhiskey than he had himself. “So explain to me again why Minerva and Albus can’t have it?”

“Because! Harry needs it more!”

“Why?” asked Tonks.

When Sirius started to raise his smacking arm, Tonks held her hand in front of her. “Hold on there-I’m not being a Tool-I promise. I’m just being slow. So help catch me up, okay?”

Sirius nodded, but still looked suspicious. “Harry needs it more, because he needs to be on his toes. He needs to see when his enemies are drawing close to him, so he can devise escape routes, and safe hiding places.”

“Now you really are starting to sound like Mad-Eye,” said Tonks.

“So what?” said Sirius. “Maybe Mad-Eye is right. Twice now Harry’s professors have tried to kill him, and most of the Death Eaters have kids in that school. If anyone needs to be constantly vigilant, it’s Harry. And this map will help him with that.” Sirius nodded sharply, and folded his arms, signaling that his little speech was over.

Tonks gave him an appraising nod, and turned to Remus. “He does make some good points.”

Remus’s mouth fell open. Had Tonks had more than her share of the Firewhiskey as well? “You’re not serious?”

“I am!” she said. “Harry ought to have every tool at his disposal to protect himself. And Dumbledore and Minerva probably would keep it if they knew what it could do. They would claim that they could use it to look out for Harry better then he can look out for himself, but really, how can we trust them to know who his enemies among the student body are? Only Harry would really know that.”

“See! She gets it!” said Sirius.

“I can’t believe I’m hearing this,” said Remus, shaking his head.

“Well start believing, mister. Because we’re not letting up until Harry’s got his map back!”

“Can’t we just save it for him until the Christmas holiday?” asked Remus, without much hope.

“No!” said Sirius. “He might need it right away!”

“Does it have to be tonight?” asked Remus.

“Tonight would be best,” said Tonks. “Everyone will be gathered in the Great Hall for the start-of-term feast, so it will be easy to move through the halls undetected.”

Sirius, who had just downed another shot of Firewhiskey, clapped his hands and pointed at her. “Listen to the woman, Moony. She knows what she’s talking about.”

Despairingly, Remus looked into Tonks’s eyes. “Are you really going to do this with him?”

She looked at Remus appraisingly. She hoped this wouldn’t ruin his opinion of her. After thinking carefully for a moment, she spoke. “Yes. Yes I am,” she said.

Remus sighed. He couldn’t let those two go on their own, could he? And if he didn’t go along, would Tonks lose interest in him? He put his face in his hands, and rubbed it, trying to clear his fuzzy head.

Finally, he looked back up, and said, “So, what’s your plan?”

Tonks grinned in delight. So he hadn’t changed too much from his Marauder days after all. “Well,” she said, “we’ve got a magic map, a Metamorphmagus, and two experienced Marauders. What more do we need?”

“An invisibility cloak might come in handy,” said Sirius. “Do you think we should ask Mad-Eye to lend us his?”

Tonks thought that Mad-Eye was as likely to lend them his cloak as Puffskeins were to fly. But it might be worth a try. They just needed someone who could look very innocent, and sincere. She looked at Remus. Sirius must have been thinking the same thing, because he too was staring at Remus.

Remus felt the weight of his gazes bearing down on him. He looked back and forth between them franticly. “No,” he said. “No way. You saw the mood he was in. I won’t do it.”

“Come on!” said Sirius. “He’d never let me have it!”

“Nor would he trust me with it, I’m afraid,” said Tonks. “He’s terrified I’ll step on the hem and rip it. Apparently they’re dreadful to fix. It has to be you.”

“No,” said Remus flatly, looking very stubborn. Tonks decided it was time to find out once and for all just how much influence she had over him. She stood, and walked seductively around the table-at least as seductively as a half-drunk klutz can ever walk-and slid smoothly into the chair next to his.

She reached over, and took his hands in hers, pulling them into her lap. Then, she leaned forward, doing her best to push her chest out to show off her cleavage. She could see him weakening already, and she hadn’t even said anything. Maybe she’d get a chance to find out just how well he could snog sooner rather than later. “Please, Remus. Remember, we’re doing this for Harry. He’s worth every sacrifice, isn’t he?” She leaned even farther forward, her face coming dangerously close to Remus’s. She could see him looking at her lips, and she darted the tip of her tongue out to lick them. “Please?” she repeated.

She watched his Adam’s Apple bob as he swallowed. His eyes flicked from her glistening lips, to her chest, to her eyes. “Please? For Harry?” she repeated.

Remus could feel himself caving in. How could he resist her when she looked at him like that? He was such a weak fool. He only hoped it would be worth it. “Alright,” he said. “I’ll do it.” Her face lit up with a glowing smile, and she threw her arms around him, pulling him in for a hug. Then, most unexpectedly, she placed a small, soft kiss on his cheek. Oh goodness-it was worth it.

Moody had just eased his aching body into a warm bubble bath to soak away his troubles, when he heard a voice calling from his living room. “Alastor? Alastor? Are you home?”

With a grunt, he heaved himself out of the water. He fumbled for his wooden leg, and reattached it with a distinct, “pop,” and then pulled his dressing gown around him. “Coming!” he called.

He strode down the hallway to find Remus’s head peering out of his fire. “What is it-was there an attack?” Moody asked, gripping his wand. He’d been looking forward to his bath all day. If this wasn’t something serious….

“No! No. No attacks. Don’t worry,” said Remus, with wide eyes.

“Then what the hell is it?”

“I just…” Remus paused. “I just was hoping I could borrow your spare Invisibility Cloak for a little job I have to get done.”

“What kind of job? Is it something Dumbledore asked you to do?” Moody was rapidly loosing his patience. Sturgis still hadn’t returned his best cloak, and he wasn’t about to give out his spare for something unimportant.

“Well…no. But it is a job for the Order.”

Moody could smell deception from a mile away. And this boy was lying. He aimed his magic eye into the depths of the fire, and snorted in disgust at what he saw.

“A job for that drunken friend of yours is more like it. Did Sirius put you up to this?”

Remus began to stammer. “No! Well… not really… he…Wait-can you…can you see him?”

“They don’t call it a magic eye for nothing!” shouted Moody. “And you can tell that worthless mongrel that I would sooner turn over my cloak to the Dark Lord himself, than give it to him! Now get the hell out of my fire!”

When Moody pointed his wand right at him, Remus decided it was time for a prudent retreat. He pulled out of the fire quickly, and fell back on his haunches. A sudden puff of ash swirled after him. He gulped uncomfortably. If he’d stayed just an instant longer, there was no telling what Moody might have done to him. Remus glanced up at Sirius’ eager face. “He said no.”

“Bugger!” exclaimed Sirius.

“Sorry,” replied Remus. “The most amazing thing-did you know that Alastor wears a purple flowered dressing gown?”

“No!” said Tonks.

“Yes,” replied Remus.

Tonks collapsed in a fit of giggles beside him. He couldn’t help but smile at her. “Merlin-that puts the most horrible images into my mind,” she said.

“If you think you have horrible images in your mind, just think about what must be in mine! I was the one who had to actually see him like that, remember? I fear after this, I might be scarred for life. Thank you very much for forcing me into it.”

“It seems we’re just going to have to do it without the cloak,” said Sirius.

“You don’t really still mean to go through with it, do you?” asked Remus. This was all getting far too dangerous.

“Yes. I do,” replied Sirius. “It’s for Harry.”

Remus opened his mouth, prepared to give Sirius the whole list of reasons why this was such a bad idea, when he felt Tonks’s hand on his shoulder. She smiled sweetly at him. “You’ve got some soot on your face,” she said. “Let me clean it up for you.” She lifted the hem of her baggy t-shirt, and started gently wiping his face with it. A quick glance downward got him a good look at her now-exposed bare midriff, hovering tantalizingly close to his face. Oh my, she smelled good….

For some reason LJ won't let me post a long story all in one entry today, so here is the link to part 2:

Two Marauders, a Metamorphmagus, and a Magic Map Part II