The Last Horcrux

Steak and Kidney Pie

Remus woke early with Sev sleeping peacefully beside him. He snuck out of bed and did a few chores in the quiet of the house - put away the dishes, started a pot of coffee, tidied up the toys. Then, feeling a bit of guilty pleasure, he poured a cup of coffee, sat before the fire and opened the latest copy of Transfiguration Today.

Remus missed the academic world. In his youth, Remus had been immersed in the world of magical research. Now he was stuck at home, overly busy with the children and running his business. He yearned for something more intellectually stimulating. He tried to keep up, reading whenever he could. He was particularly interested in the magic of the werewolf's transformation and how it related to the common transfiguration spells that wizards performed all the time.

He was just losing himself in an article on transfiguring animals when he heard Phoenix cry. He put aside his journal with a resigned sigh. But then he heard Sev's footsteps upstairs, heard him enter the nursery, talking softly to Phoenix. Remus settled himself before the fire and went back to his reading.

A few minutes later Sev brought Phoenix downstairs. Her tiny face lit up with a smile when she saw him. She waved her hands. Just seeing her filled Remus with love. Sev handed the baby to him and she immediately started nuzzling his chest. He put her to the breast and felt her body relax as she suckled hungrily.

Sev bent and gave Remus a longish kiss.

"I'm glad we're not fighting," said Remus when they broke for air.

"Me too."

"He's watching us," said Remus, looking up to see Sirius' ghost hovering near the ceiling.

"I know," said Sev. And he bent to kiss Remus again.

"Papa you're kissing Moony," Oakley said in his high voice as he came yawning down the stairs.

"Yes I am," Sev replied.

"Do you love Moony?" Oakley asked.

"I do," Sev answered.

"Me too," Oakley sighed as he settled himself comfortably between his parents. He smelled of warm, sleepy boy. He looked at the baby in Remus' arms. "Her face isn't so scrunchy any more," he observed.

"She can smile now," Remus told him. Oakley waved a hand in front of Phoenix' s face. She looked back at him solemnly. "No she can't," he said.

"Try tickling her tummy," Remus suggested. Oakley tentatively poked Phoenix's stomach with his finger. He was rewarded with a smile and a chortle of laughter.

"See?" encouraged Remus. "You made her laugh! What a good big brother you are!"

"I'm the big brother?"

"You are."

"She's only a baby."

"Yes."

"I'm bigger."

"You're getting to be a big boy."

Oakley tickled Phoenix again and was rewarded with another big smile. He smiled back at her. "She's okay for a baby," he decided.

"I'm glad you think so,'' said Remus. He tickled Oakley's tummy and he giggled.

"Delphi can tie her own shoes," Oakley told them.

"Good for her," said Remus.

"Will you teach me Papa?" he asked, turning to Sev.

"Of course," Sev replied.

********

The Order of the Phoenix was having a meeting at Grimmauld Place. Aside from the appearance of Sirius' ghost and the dire warnings he had given there was not much to report. In spite of their increased vigilance all had been quiet. No further Death Eater attacks, no sign of Peter or Bellatrix.