After Charlie and Bella left, I cleaned up the house before heading to reservation and right to the familiar house.
When I arrived, I walked to the door and knocked twice, the teen from a few days ago answering with a look of confusion. "Hi, can I help you?" I sent him a faintly smile. "I believe you can, deary. Is your father home?" He nodded but before he could say anything, Billy spoke from the living room. "Come in, Padfoot." I walked in, the teen shutting the door behind and I spoke softly. "Hello Moony, it's been a minute?" He huffed at my choice of words and stared at the tv. "A minute? Try two decades.." I frowned at his tone and crouched down in front of him so I was right below him and he slowly met my eyes. "Moony, please. I was scared, okay? You have to understand, I didn't know to to react to-" I cut myself off and he looks back at his son, motioning him to go to his room which he hesitantly did. "I was attacked by a shifter and you're one of them- Or was.. It petrified me, I had nightmare for over a decade and I still have scars on my back from it as a daily reminder. You think I left because I wanted to abandon all my duties as your guy's friend? I didn't leave because I thought it would be a fun vacation, Billy. I had been attacked only a month prior, then found out I was pregnant with my best friend's child. Everything was different and I was scared.." He knew I meant every word and decided to change the subject. He looked at me and chuckled, motioning to his legs. "Clearly I look a bit different.." I carefully stood up and raised my hands. "Look at me, every year I get half as pretty and twice as drunk."
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He laughed at my words and his son came out, speaking up from the door. "So, who's this, dad?" I turned to the boy and held out my hand. "Hi, Venus Van Remus- You're Jacob, right?" He nodded and shook my hand but Billy coughed under his breath. "Padfoot." I whipped around and grinned as I pointed at him. "Watch it, Moony." Jacob was clearly confused by the names and I kissed Billy's cheek. "I'll let you explain that. I already explained it to Bella and now I need to go visit Harry.." He nodded and kissed my knuckle, sending me a look of reassurance. "Good luck, Padfoot. See you on tomorrow?" I nodded and said my goodbyes before driving down the road to the Clearwater residence.
As soon as I knocked on the door, a hyperactive preteen answered the door with a bright smile. "Hi!" I returned the smile and shook his hand he held out. "Hello, my name's Venus and I'm a friend of your dad's. Is he home?" He nodded and lead me inside to a man cave-like room where a older man was sitting. "Dad, your friend is here.." When he looked up at me from cleaning his gun, I swear it was as if he saw a ghost and his eyes watered which made mine do the same. "Seth, would you mind getting Miss Venus a drink?" The boy nodded and bounced off which made me smile. "He's a little Snickerfoot, no question.." My words made him look down and let out a shaky breath but before I could say anything, Seth came back and handed me a glass of water. "Here you go, Miss Venus." I thanked him with a bright smile and a girl walked in, speaking up. "Seth, come on. We need to go to the store.." She sent me a nod and Seth waved at me. "Bye, Miss Venus!" I waved back as the both left the room and that's when I sat beside Harry who wouldn't look at me. "Harry, please.. I already talked about it with Billy and I know you never meant to hurt me. Do you remember what we said all those years ago? 'We solemnly swear that we are up to no good. On this fortnight of October 31st, 1980, the four Marauders agree to follow each other until death do us part. We also agree to always keep secret the powers of our ancestors that we possess. Signed, Snickerfoot, Moony, Twigtooth and Padfoot.." My tears had fallen and I grasped his hands even though he clearly was shaken by his past. "That night we also agreed to never hate one another no matter what happened and I don't hate you. I never hated you, Harry.. None of us knew what would have happened that night, I made the mistake of approaching you. That is on me, okay? I should have known better but I did it anyways. You would never hurt me on purpose- We're friends, Harry. Please believe me when I say, I am not afraid anymore and I forgave you a long time ago.." He looked at me with tears down his cheeks and that broke my heart. "I am so sorry, Venus.." I sent him a reassuring smile and shook my head. "Do not apologize. It's in the past now and all I want now that I'm home, is my boys back. I know Charlie called you and you said no but I am holding a dinner tomorrow night. Sort of a tell the tales night- Marauders Reunion. Charlie and Bella will be there, Billy and Jacob, you and you kids and your wife then myself and my son Atticus." He was surprised by my words. "Your son?" I nodded and smiled brightly. "Atticus, he's the son of Charlie and I.." His jaw dropped in utter shock which made me laugh. "I know, it's crazy. But do you know how crazy it's going to be? Marauders and their children? As far as I've seen, spitting images.. But I have to go finish writing and I expect to see you tomorrow. Same house as always, love you, Snickerfoot." He stood up and walked me to the door, kissing my cheek with a smile. "See you there, Padfoot." I left and got in my car, driving home to finish another two chapters.
