The Last Horcrux

Welcome Home

Everyone was waiting when they got home. Dudley and Draco were there, anxious as a pair of new parents themselves. They had owled Harry and Ginny who had taken the floo to Hogwarts to fetch Amanda. They got special dispensation from Professor Mcgonagall herself to bring Amanda home to share in the welcoming of her new little sister. There were balloons and champagne and a banner over the fireplace in the parlour that said "Welcome Home Phoenix Lupin Snape" in sprawling rainbow letters. Phoenix was passed around and admired although Oakley was noticeably quiet and Remus was looking pale. After an appropriate amount of celebration Sev hustled Remus and the baby up to bed.

"Don't leave," Sev said quietly to Draco before he went upstairs. "And tell Potter and Weasley to stick around. We need to talk."

Remus wanted a shower, understandably, and Phoenix had a poopy diaper - her first one. Sev took her into the nursery and changed her. He felt a bit of pride as he cleaned up the dark sticky poo. He put on a clean nappy and worked her skinny, fragile limbs into one of the white rompers he had purchased, speaking to her in a low soothing voice. He was an old hand at babies now, he mused, remembering the panic he had felt the first time he'd had to change Oakley. He tied the rainbow cap under her chin and tucked her into bed with Remus. She latched on and they both watched as she suckled.

"She's catching on like an old pro," said Remus.

Sev kissed the top of his head. "You do good work," he said.

"She's half you," said Remus gazing down at her. "She's both of us. I think she has your nose."

"Salazar forbid," said Sev fervently. "Are you hungry? Can I get you anything?"

"Maybe tea?" said Remus. He yawned enormously. "Sev, we've got to talk to the others. Come up with a plan."

"I'll talk to them," said Sev. "You need to rest."

"Sev."

Sev looked at him. "What?"

"No."

He knew Remus too well to argue. He went and fixed him a cup of tea, then gathered Dudley, Draco, Harry and Ginny upstairs. They all sat around the bed where Remus was propped up on pillows, sipping his tea and cradling Phoenix in his arms.

"We were attacked," Sev told them, once everyone was settled.

"What?" said Harry "By whom?"

"Bellatrix Lestrange and Peter Pettigrew," said Remus.

Profound silence met this pronouncement.

"But.... they're dead," said Ginny. "Mum killed Bellatrix! I saw it with my own eyes."

"She's alive," said Sev. "She must have survived. I can't imagine how, but I'd know that evil voice anywhere. And Pettigrew was never killed, at least not as far as I know. "

"I... don't think so," said Harry.

"When did this happen?" asked Draco.

"After we left you in the alley," said Sev, grimly. "We apparated to St. Mungos, but we couldn't get in for some reason. The portal was blocked. I go through that damn portal every day, but it wouldn't let me in!" He shuddered and put an arm around Remus.

"Bellatrix and Peter must have blocked it, somehow," said Remus. "Then, they attacked us."

"What happened?" asked Ginny.

"Well, there was a bit of dueling," Sev admitted. "Luckily, we weren't hurt, but I don't think we injured them, either. It was pretty chaotic. Then we apparated to the Muggle Birthing Center where we got our ultrasounds done. That's ... another story." He glanced down at Phoenix who was looking about from the shelter of Remus' arms. "Anyway, we were able to shake them. Still, we need to deal with this."