Aftermaths, Part 120

by Geri ([email protected])

Rating: Mostly PG-13, but NC-17 for overall story

Pairing: Snape/Lupin, Theodore/Blaise

Warning: AU; events that occurred at the end of Order of the Phoenix were significantly altered from the book.

Sequel to: Always, Summer Vacation, For Old Time's Sake, Three's a Crowd, Return of the Raven, Phoenix Reborn, and Phoenix Rising.

Summary: The various characters deal with the aftermath of the war, and Snape and Lupin try to build a family together with Theodore and Dylan. However, some people are unable to let go of the past...

Author's note: {} Indicates character's unspoken thoughts.

Disclaimer: Characters belong to J.K. Rowling, except Hob, who belongs to William Mayne; no money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
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Lupin released Lukas from detention supervision duty, and took the boys to the clinic alone for the rest of the week. The other werewolf was surprised, but didn't question him about it, perhaps afraid that Lupin might change his mind.

Draco seemed relieved, although he was still quiet and moody most of the time. However, he seemed to be making a better effort to get along with his housemates, and if he didn't always join in on their conversations or games, he didn't snap at them or insult them, either.

Aric was sullen and dejected, appearing to be too depressed to cause trouble or pick fights with the other students. Most of his housemates considered this a vast improvement over his normal behavior, but Lupin was worried about him. He was beginning to regret forcing the boys to work at the clinic for their detention, because he was also inadvertently punishing Takeshi. Lupin could see that it was painful for the young mediwizard to be around Aric, although he was very good at hiding it. However, Lupin had enough experience with covering up his own feelings to see through someone else's act.

He hadn't meant to hurt any of them, but he was afraid that his meddling might have had the opposite effect of what he'd intended, driving Draco and Lukas, and Aric and Takeshi farther apart rather than bringing them together.

Lupin sighed to himself. Was a happy ending really impossible? Slytherin cynicism told him "yes," but Gryffindor optimism wasn't ready to call it quits yet. He needed to be patient, he decided, and give all the parties involved some time to deal with their feelings and decide what was important to them. Draco and Aric in particular were dealing with some unfamiliar and turbulent emotions, and were probably not ready to make life-altering decisions right now.

Lupin did meet with Arthur to see if there was anything he could do to help Aric. He didn't mention Takeshi, of course, only Aric's desire to be a mediwizard and his reluctance to be pushed into a marriage with a girl he barely knew. "I sympathize, Remus," the Minister of Magic said, "but I can't exactly tell Edward whom his daughter should or shouldn't marry. If this boy really wants to become a mediwizard that badly, shouldn't he just be honest with his parents?"

"Probably, but you know how the old pureblood families are, Arthur," Lupin replied, smiling wryly.

"Yes, I know," Arthur sighed, "and I'm sure you do, too, having to deal with Selima Snape on a regular basis."

"I don't think that the Dietriches are quite as intimidating as Lady Selima--" Lupin said, and Arthur laughed.

"Few people are, Remus."

"--but I'm sure that Aric still finds it difficult to go against his parents' wishes," Lupin finished. "Is there anything we can do to at least buy him some time, to work up the courage to stand up to them? Or maybe he'll decide to sacrifice his own wishes for the good of his family, which would make me sad, but at least he'd have made the decision on his own."

"Some time for him to think things through?" Arthur asked thoughtfully. "Fair enough, and I think I can manage that much. I've been working on increasing good relations with foreign wizarding communities; I don't want anyone else pulling that divide-and-conquer strategy that You-Know-Who used. The Death Eaters are gone, but--"

"It's never wise to be complacent," Lupin said. "I agree."

"I was planning to send a diplomatic mission to France," Arthur said. "I was going to wait until Lukas's trial was over, but it's taking longer than I expected, so I might as well go ahead with it now. I'll have Tierney head the mission; he speaks French and he's on good terms with the staff at Beauxbatons, so he's certainly qualified. It's an important enough position that he should feel flattered, and the betrothal negotiations will have to be put on hold until he gets back."

"Thank you, Arthur," Lupin said warmly.

"I can't keep him there forever, though," Arthur warned. "No more than a month or two at most."

"I understand," Lupin said. "I'm grateful for whatever you can do."

"And I'll keep what you said in mind, too," Arthur said. "The Dietrich children were educated at Durmstrang, which means that they are familiar with foreign mages. Not a bad qualification for the International Magical Cooperation department."

"Lady Selima says that Aric's sister works at the German branch of Gringotts."

"Another good qualification," Arthur said. "Well, if Aric decides he doesn't want a Ministry career, I'll keep his sister in mind. I'd really prefer to hire someone who actually wants to be here; people who are unhappy with their jobs generally aren't the best workers. But Edward Tierney is one of my strongest supporters--even if his motivation is self-interest--and I can't really afford to offend him at this point. Especially with the Ministry and the Wizengamot divided in opinion over Lukas's claim to the Diggory estate." He sighed heavily. "Sometimes I wonder how I ever let Albus talk me into accepting this job."

Lupin smiled. "Because you knew that you could do some real good in the wizarding world, and that someone like Fudge, who only cared about his own ambition, could do real harm. And you have done good things, Arthur. The Wolfsbane Potion is available to any werewolf who needs it. The werewolves are able to work now, and Lukas and I have jobs at Hogwarts. And Lukas might well regain the inheritance that was stolen from him."

Arthur smiled, looking embarrassed but pleased. "I'm glad to know that I've made some difference, then. Sometimes it feels like I'm not getting anything accomplished, other than to spend my time arguing with my department heads and the Wizengamot. Good luck with your student, Remus. I hope things work out for him."

"So do I," Lupin said.
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The werewolves noticed that their leader and their mediwizard friend were both depressed of late. Lukas's trial had not gone well this week; Amos had obviously heard about the howling-at-the-moon incident, and his lawyer had made an issue of it. Lukas had no real defense except to say that he was not a danger when he was taking the Wolfsbane Potion, which was true, but the damage had already been done in the minds of the Wizengamot. They had been reminded that he was part beast. Morrigan had been furious, and had told him in no uncertain terms that he had better keep himself--and the wolf--under control in the future.

So the werewolves assumed that Lukas was upset about the trial, or perhaps it had something to do with his mysterious lover. He was no longer keeping his rendezvous at the Leaky Cauldron, so they assumed that he had broken up with her, whoever she was.

"She must have been a human," Ash said sagely. "He wouldn't have been hiding her from us, otherwise. It's just as well; it never works out between them and us." One of the werewolves who had a human spouse objected, and he added, "Well, hardly ever."

They noticed that Takeshi was also depressed and not his usual cheerful self. They weren't quite sure why, but they did know that his mother was worried that he was working too hard. And the werewolves knew that it was on their behalf, although Haruko didn't hold it against them. They liked Takeshi's parents: his good-natured father who rarely left the kitchens of the Sakura, where he was the head chef, but always sent over platters of food and made it seem like a simple gesture between friends instead of a handout; and his mother, who was as beautiful and elegant as any pureblood noblewoman, but far more kind and gracious, and never condescending. And they liked Takeshi, who had treated some of them at St. Mungo's, and had also worked at the clinic ever since the Wolfsbane Potion Distribution Program started. Many Healers and mediwizards would not treat or touch a werewolf at all, and others only did so reluctantly, with obvious fear and disgust. But Takeshi showed no sign of either, and treated them no differently than any of his other patients. The werewolves were wary of humans, for good reason, but eventually the young mediwizard had won their trust and respect. They considered him a friend, almost part of the pack.

So the werewolf pack decided on their own that they would throw a party to cheer up their leader and their friend, conspiring with Dumbledore and the Kimuras to make sure that the guests of honor would be able to attend.
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Takeshi was alone at the clinic early one evening, filling out a detailed expense report for potion ingredients--the Ministry of Magic seemed to run on paperwork and red tape. But at least the Ministry was covering the cost of the Wolfsbane Potion, so he supposed the paperwork was worth it.

Just then, Kian and Kyra burst into the clinic, grinning from ear to ear. Kyra plucked the quill out of his hand and set it aside, and they each grabbed one of his arms. "Time to close up shop!" Kyra said gaily.

"But my report--" Takeshi protested.

"It can wait till tomorrow," Kyra said as they dragged him to the door.

"But--but what if someone stops by the clinic? We're supposed to be open for at least another two hours."

"I can guarantee that you will have no patients tonight," Kian assured him. "The clinic is mainly for us werewolves, right? And all of us are going to be at the townhouse tonight."

"The full moon is weeks away," Kyra added, "and if by some chance one of us should get sick, you'll be right there to treat us!"

"Consider it making it a house call," Kian laughed.

Takeshi had learned from experience that there was rarely any point in arguing with a stubborn werewolf, so he locked up the clinic and accompanied his friends to the townhouse that was now the werewolves' headquarters. Not all of them lived there, but they still felt the bond of the pack, and often gathered together for meals or casual parties, and they almost always spent the night of the full moon together.

The house was full of happy werewolves, and one bemused pack leader. "Do you know what the occasion is, Lukas?" Takeshi asked.

The werewolf shook his head. "I have no idea. Dumbledore told me--practically ordered me--to stop by the house tonight, but he wouldn't say why."

"Why to honor our valiant pack leader, of course!" Kian declared. "And also our noble mediwizard, who tirelessly brews the Wolfsbane Potion for us every month!"

"The two of you have looked a little down recently," Kyra explained.

"So we thought we'd cheer you up!" Kian said happily.

"And the lovely Lady Haruko is worried that you're working too hard," Ash told Takeshi.

"So you have to relax and have a little fun!" Kian said firmly. "On your mother's orders!"

"Well, I guess can't argue with my mother," Takeshi laughed.

It seemed that most of the werewolves had rearranged their work schedules, trading shifts if necessary, so that they could be off tonight. There was a fine feast laid out; not surprisingly, at least half of it was from the Sakura. Takeshi supposed that his mother really had been worried about him. There was beer and wine for the adults, and pumpkin juice for the children. Takeshi found it impossible not to be moved by the werewolves' thoughtfulness and good cheer, and he relaxed, chatting with his friends and playing with the children. After dessert, the children were sent to bed (Takeshi suspected that a small sleeping spell might have been employed to get them to actually stay there), and the party began in earnest. The alcohol began flowing freely, and the furniture was cleared away from the center of the living room to create a dance floor. The impromptu band that had performed at Brian's wedding played a few songs, but soon the musicians wanted to dance, too, so Ash brought out a Muggle boom box. Takeshi smiled a little; his pureblood classmates at Hogwarts would have been horrified--and probably fascinated at the same time.

But that reminded him of Aric, and his smile vanished. He pleaded exhaustion to his current dance partner and retreated to the couch, nursing a glass of wine as he watched the others dance. Lukas seemed to have cheered up a little, and was smiling as he danced with Rachel. Brian and Kyra were also dancing, gazing lovingly into each other's eyes like the happy newlyweds they were. Kian was not dancing, but sitting in front of the fireplace with his lover, Kai--the two Ks, the pack affectionately called them. Kai was young, about the same age as Kian, only a couple of years out of Hogwarts--if he had been allowed to attend, that is, which he hadn't. His hair was blond, in contrast to Kian's dark hair, and they made a very attractive couple, particularly when they were bathed in the glow of the firelight as they were now. They were nuzzling each other affectionately, and looked as though they would probably slip upstairs to be alone before long.

Takeshi sighed and drank the last of his wine. He twirled the empty glass in his hand, wondering how soon he could sneak away and go home without the werewolves noticing. Then he felt a gentle tug on his braid and someone asked, "Why are you looking so gloomy?"

Takeshi looked up to see Ash sitting beside him; he held Takeshi's braid in one hand, and a bottle of Firewhiskey in the other. "I'm not, really. I was just...thinking."

"Well, no wonder you're gloomy," Ash said lightly. "Your glass is empty." And before Takeshi could protest, he filled it with Firewhiskey. Takeshi eyed the glass dubiously, and Ash said, "Come on, drink up! This is a party, after all!"

Takeshi took a sip, and felt his throat burn and his eyes water. "It tastes like turpentine," he complained, when he stopped coughing.

Ash laughed, looking very amused. "And have you ever drank turpentine, that you're able to compare the two?"

"Very funny," Takeshi said, giving the werewolf a baleful look. "Fine, it tastes the way that I imagine turpentine would taste." He sniffed at the glass. "It certainly smells like it. I bet if I threw it against the wall, the paint would start dissolving."

Ash patted him on the shoulder in a slightly condescending manner and took a swig directly from the bottle. "That's okay, I understand. You're not used to strong drink."

"I am used to quality drink," Takeshi retorted. "A fine merlot, or a bottle of good sake."

"Oh, really?" Ash said with a smile. "I suppose you think that I can't appreciate quality. I admit I can't afford it very often." His words were playful rather than bitter. He was toying with the end of Takeshi's braid again, and there was a certain speculative look in his eyes, something that almost seemed to be an invitation.

Takeshi hesitated. The situation with Aric looked hopeless, and there was a Muggle song that went something like, "If you can't be with the one you love, then love the one you're with". What finally decided him was the thought of spending another night in his apartment alone, with no company but his own brooding thoughts.

"My brother just sent me a bottle of very expensive sake from Japan," Takeshi said. "Would you care to share it with me?"

"I'd love to," Ash said. "I'll return the favor sometime with a bottle of vintage turpentine."

Ash left the open bottle of Firewhiskey on a table, and they took the Floo to Takeshi's apartment. Takeshi opened the bottle of rice wine and poured out two glasses.

"Cheers," Ash said, clinking his glass against Takeshi's.

"Kampai," Takeshi said, uttering the traditional Japanese toast.

"Not bad," Ash said, after trying a sip. "A little sweet for my taste."

"The Firewhiskey must have burned out your taste buds," Takeshi said.

"You probably like those sissy drinks that have paper umbrellas and pineapple slices," Ash teased.

"I'll have you know," Takeshi said, raising his glass, "that this is not a sissy drink. It has a sixteen percent alcohol content, more than most wines and beers." He took a sip, then admitted, "But probably not more than Firewhiskey."

"Definitely not," Ash said with a grin. He drained his glass, then leaned forward, whispering, "But I think I could get used to the taste." They kissed and their lips parted, allowing their tongues to explore inside each other's mouths; Takeshi could taste the lingering bitterness of the Firewhiskey beneath the sweeter taste of the sake.

After a long, lingering kiss, they pulled apart, breathing heavily. Ash had a reputation among the werewolves as being something of a playboy; he had admirers of both sexes who thought his scar made him look roguishly handsome rather than disfigured, and despite the myth that werewolves mated for life, he seemed to be no hurry to settle down. This would probably be nothing more than a one night stand, which was fine with Takeshi; he wasn't ready, after his recent heartbreak, to start a serious relationship. But still, he felt that he should make things clear.

"Ash, my dear friend, will you share pleasure with me for this one night?"

The werewolf gave him a quizzical smile. "Is that a poetic way of making it clear that this is a one night stand?"

Takeshi blushed. "I apologize if I have given offense."

Ash shook his head. "Not at all. It's just a rather...quaint...way to phrase it."

"I have spent some time with the crane people in Japan," Takeshi said. "They have a very formal and structured society, and to insult someone, even unwittingly, can bring grave dishonor upon oneself and one's clan. Like the real cranes, they normally mate for life, but as they are also partly human, sometimes the young people...experiment...while they search for their heart's desire. And to avoid any misunderstandings that might cause complications later, they try to make their intentions clear in a very polite and poetic way. Although of course, they're usually more subtle about it. I might, for example, invite you to gaze upon the beauty of the stars and moon with me. That would signal that I was only interested in a tryst of a single night's length. But if I mentioned wanting to see the sunrise with you, which implies that you will still be here the next day, that would mean that I wished to pursue a more serious relationship with you."

"But you needed to be more blunt with me, because werewolves are anything but subtle," Ash said with a grin. "I admit, all that moon and sun stuff would have gone right over my head."

"It's a little embarrassing," Takeshi said, glad that his friend did not seem to be offended. "But, well..."

"Have there been 'misunderstandings' in your past?" Ash asked, more seriously.

Takeshi nodded, but didn't elaborate. His first love--an infatuation, really, but he had mistaken it for love at the time--had been an older boy he'd met during one of his summers in Japan, the son of a friend of his parents. Takeshi had been completely smitten, and had even offered to transfer from Hogwarts to Mahou Gakkou so as not to be parted from his love, only to discover that his lover had considered the whole thing to be nothing more than a summer fling. The boy had explained awkwardly that he was his parents' only son and would be expected to marry and carry on the family name eventually--not unlike Aric, ironically. Since Takeshi lived in England and had only been visiting for the summer, the boy had assumed that they would enjoy their few months together and part with a kiss and a few fond memories.

They had parted, but the memories were bittersweet. It had hurt a great deal at the time, but eventually Takeshi had realized that he had been more in love with the idea of love than with the boy himself. But still, from then on, he'd taken pains to avoid further misunderstandings in the future.

"Well, just so it's clear then," Ash said with a smile, "I'm not interested in taking a permanent mate at present, and I would love to...experiment...with you." He grinned in a rather predatory manner that sent a shiver of excitement down Takeshi's spine as he remembered the dream he'd had about the black wolf, although he knew that Ash was not that wolf.

They kissed again, more passionately this time, and Takeshi felt his excitement growing as Ash growled into his mouth. Then Ash pulled back for a moment to remove Takeshi's glasses. "They're kind of getting in the way," the werewolf said, as he gently lifted them off Takeshi's face.

"And they're fogging up, too," Takeshi said with a sheepish smile.

Ash tilted his head to one side, staring at Takeshi's face, looking thoughtful. "Hmm...you look different without your glasses somehow. Handsomer. More..." He paused, searching for the right word. "...elegant, like seeing Lukas in his fine robes for the first time. Less like an efficient mediwizard and more like a pureblood Lordling."

"You will me make me vain," Takeshi laughed. "I suppose I could get contact lenses, but I'd have to see a Muggle doctor to get them, and I can't stand the thought of sticking something in my eye."

"Can you see me without your glasses?" Ash asked playfully.

"You're a little blurry," Takeshi replied. "You'd better move a little a closer."

"Close enough?" Ash asked, wrapping his arms around Takeshi and pulling him up against his chest.

"That will do," Takeshi said, his voice suddenly going husky.

He led Ash to the bedroom and they fell onto the bed, kissing and groping and struggling out of their clothing. Takeshi noticed that there were scars on Ash's body as well as his face: what looked like old defensive wounds on his forearms, as if he had lifted them up to ward off an attack, perhaps the same attack that had scarred his face; and also several small, smooth, round scars scattered on his chest and arms. Takeshi was puzzled by the latter, until he realized that they were burn marks, probably caused by a cigar or cigarette, and he suppressed a shudder, because that spoke of abuse rather than injuries resulting from a brawl. He gently pressed his lips to a scar just below Ash's left nipple, and felt the werewolf tense. Then he flicked his tongue across the nipple, and Ash relaxed, growling softly with pleasure.

They continued kissing and caressing with the slight awkwardness and fumbling of new lovers unfamiliar with what best pleased each other. Ash, perhaps following Takeshi's earlier example, decided to be blunt about it. "Okay if I top?"

"Yes, sure," Takeshi replied in a breathless voice. At this point, he would have agreed to just about anything; it had been far too long since he'd last shared his bed with someone, vivid dreams aside.

"Then we'll need some..."

"In the nightstand drawer."

Ash opened a small jar of lavender oil and wrinkled his nose. "It's rather perfumey."

"Oh, sorry, I forgot about your sense of smell," Takeshi said apologetically. "It's just convenient to keep around because I use it in my potions." Not that he'd had the opportunity to use it in anything BUT his potions, lately. "Er...I suppose I could find something else in my potion supplies." He started to sit up, but Ash placed a hand on his chest and firmly pushed him back down on the bed.

"Never mind," the werewolf said. "It doesn't bother me that much."

Takeshi moaned as he felt an oil-coated finger sliding inside him. It felt good, but at the same time not quite right to be doing this with Ash when his heart told him that his true mate was someone else. But it had been a long time, and his body craved the physical pleasure, while his heart craved a little ease from his loneliness, even it it was just temporary. Then Ash slipped a second finger into him, and Takeshi forgot his misgivings.

Little moans and gasps kept escaping from his lips as he spread his legs wider, his body arching up into Ash's touch. The werewolf leaned back, as if to get a better view of his lover, and indeed, he smiled smugly, as if very pleased with what he saw.

"I've never seen you like this before, little healer," he said in a low growl. "You're always so calm and collected. But not now." He grinned, exposing his sharp canine teeth, and his eyes were gleaming with a hungry, feral look that would have sent most humans running in fear. But it only excited Takeshi even more. "Seeing you like this," Ash continued, "writhing and moaning in pleasure, utterly shameless and wanton...I find it very intoxicating."

"I'm not a Healer," Takeshi gasped, not knowing why his mind had decided to latch on to that distinction. "I'm a mediwizard."

"And what's the difference?" Ash asked, sounding amused.

The werewolf's fingers continued to move in and out of Takeshi's body, making it difficult for him to concentrate. "Ah...that is...ah...let me think...a Healer...is...oh!" A deep thrust sent an especially intense jolt of pleasure through his body. "Oh Merlin, who cares? Just don't stop what you're doing!"

Ash laughed. "Whatever the Healer...excuse me, the mediwizard commands." True to his word, he kept thrusting his fingers inside Takeshi while he reached for the jar on the nightstand with his free hand and coated his erection with the glistening oil.

The sight of that caused Takeshi to lick his lips in anticipation and beg, "Ash, oh Ash, please, please..." The werewolf growled, and Takeshi found himself being abruptly flipped over from his back onto his stomach in one swift movement.

He yelped in surprise, and Ash said, "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. Is it okay if we do it doggy-style?" He grinned mischievously. "That's my favorite position, for obvious reasons."

Under normal circumstances, that might have made Takeshi blush, but he was too far gone to care. "Yes, yes, whatever you want," he gasped impatiently. Ash gently grasped his hips and pulled him up as Takeshi pushed himself up onto his hands and knees. He groaned as Ash entered him from behind, growling softly.

Takeshi suddenly realized that this was awfully similar to the dream he'd had a couple of weeks ago. Could it be that the wolf in his dream was Ash, not Aric? But no...Ash's wolf form would be brown-and-gray, not black, and more importantly, while the lovemaking certainly felt good, Takeshi didn't feel the same sense of joy and completion that he had in the dream. No, Ash was a dear friend, but not his soulmate.

This was not really Takeshi's favorite position; he normally preferred to be able to see his partner's face when he made love, seeking an emotional as well as a physical connection by looking into his lover's eyes. But he found that it did have one distinct advantage: since he could not see his partner's face, he could pretend that it was Aric making love to him instead of Ash, although he felt a little guilty about it. But he couldn't help wondering what sex with Aric would be like. The Slytherin boy was arrogant, reckless, and impatient; it would probably be hard and fast, maybe a little rough. And even though Takeshi usually preferred a slower and gentler pace, he found himself growing excited by that thought.

Ash was moving slowly, a little tentatively, as if afraid of hurting Takeshi, or perhaps just giving him time to adjust. But there was a certain tension in his body that suggested he was holding back, suppressing his eagerness. Considerate of him, but there was really no need for it.

"Harder," Takeshi gasped.

"Are you sure?" Ash asked

"Yes!" Takeshi replied impatiently.

The werewolf took him at his word, and began thrusting harder and faster, setting a steady, pounding rhythm. Takeshi moaned, reaching up with his right hand to touch himself as he had in his dream, stroking in time with his lover's thrusts. He heard soft panting and growling, again reminding him of the dream, and blurred images of Aric's face and a black wolf appeared in his mind as he neared climax.

Ash thrust hard into Takeshi one last time and howled as he came, which almost drowned out the name Takeshi shouted as his own orgasm claimed him. Takeshi collapsed on the bed, his body shuddering with release, and Ash collapsed on top of him, both of them panting and gasping for breath.

When their breathing had returned to normal, Ash asked in a mild voice, "Um...I don't mean to be nosy, but who's Aric?"

"What?" Takeshi asked, turning his head to stare at Ash blankly, still feeling slightly dazed. Then Ash's words fully sunk in and he cried out in dismay, "I didn't call his name out loud, did I? Oh Merlin, I did!" He felt his face turning red, and he let his head fall back to the bed, burying his face in the pillow to hide his mortification. "Oh Ash, I'm so sorry!" he said, although it came out rather muffled.

Ash rolled off of him and gently but firmly tugged on the end of the braid, pulling him up off the pillow. "I can't understand what you're saying, and besides, you're going to suffocate if you do that."

"I'm really sorry," Takeshi said miserably.

"There, there, what's with the long face?" Ash said, kissing him on the cheek. "We're not married, after all. There's no harm done, except perhaps a little to my ego." He grinned. "And Kyra always says that it's too big, anyway, and could use a little deflating." Takeshi managed a hesitant smile, and Ash said in a gentler voice, "Besides, you looked so depressed tonight, I figured you must be pining over some guy." He kissed Takeshi again. "I only wanted to cheer you up a little, the way you did for Kian last year, when that idiot human broke his heart." He growled softly, and this time it wasn't a playful sound. "I still think that Lukas should have let me tear him into pieces."

"But then you would have been executed or sent to Azkaban, which would only have made Kian feel worse," Takeshi pointed out.

"True," Ash sighed. Then he nuzzled Takeshi's neck affectionately and asked, "So who's Aric? And why is this guy dumb enough to reject such a fine mate? You're handsome, you have a good job, you can heal minor wounds and brew a pretty good hangover potion--which comes in quite handy, at least in my experience, not to mention that you come with a steady supply of free food from your parents' restaurant."

Takeshi couldn't help but laugh. "A very fine dowry indeed, Ash. But things are a little more complicated than that. Aric is a pureblood heir."

"Purebloods," Ash said disdainfully. "I would've thought that you'd have better taste than that. Is he someone you work with at St. Mungo's?"

Takeshi flushed. "No, actually, it's your pack leader's fault that I met him in the first place. He's one of Lukas's students, and he serves detention at the clinic whenever he gets into trouble."

"A schoolboy?" Ash laughed. "Yes, now that you mention it, I've heard some of the other wolves talking about him; they call him Lukas's pet. Lukas says that he's a royal pain in the arse, but that he has some potential." He grinned and teased, "I never thought of you as a cradle-robber, Takeshi!"

"I know, it's so embarrassing," Takeshi groaned. "But he is eighteen, so technically I'm not robbing the cradle." Then he added gloomily, "Not that it matters. His parents are arranging a marriage for him. Some sort of political alliance that will give them clout at the Ministry."

"I can't imagine what you see in such a person," Ash said scornfully. "If he's fool enough to let you go, he's not worth your time."

"I told you, it's complicated," Takeshi sighed. "He's not a bad person. He's grown up with the typical pureblood prejudices, but he's slowly beginning to overcome them and think for himself. He admires Lukas, even though he'd never admit it out loud. I think...I think that he would like to be with me if he could, but he has a duty to his family."

"The purebloods care about nothing but power," Ash said.

Takeshi shook his head. "Some of them do, yes, but that's not the case with Aric. He doesn't want to get married, and he doesn't want a position at the Ministry. He would rather become a mediwizard to honor the memory of his late uncle, and I assure you, that's very rare for a pureblood of his rank. But he has a duty to his clan, to uphold their honor and carry on the family name." Ash still looked unconvinced, and Takeshi added, "Imagine that you fell in love with a human--"

"That would never happen," Ash instantly objected. "I don't care very much for humans." He smiled and tugged on Takeshi's braid. "Present company excepted, of course."

"For the sake of argument," Takeshi said patiently, "imagine that you did fall in love with a human. And then imagine that for some reason Lukas told you that you had to give him or her up for the good of the pack. What would you do?"

"I would do whatever I had to, in order to protect the pack," Ash said reluctantly. "But Lukas wouldn't ask me to make a choice like that. He wouldn't ask me to give up someone I loved just to gain political power."

"Then perhaps Lukas loves you and the rest of the pack better than the Dietriches love their son," Takeshi said quietly. "But Aric does love his family, the way you love the pack, whether or not they are deserving of it."

"I feel a little sorry for the boy, when you put it that way," Ash said grudgingly.

"Or perhaps I'm being unfair," Takeshi admitted. "I'm sure his parents think that they're doing what's best for him. In their minds, they're setting him up in a very secure, influential, and well-paying job. And if he openly took me as his lover, he'd be an outcast in pureblood society. Well, actually, they don't know about me, but if they did I'm sure they'd strongly object to a match between us. Aside from the fact that there would be no children to carry on the Dietrich name, I'm sure they'd be horrified at the thought of their son being scorned and reviled by the pureblood nobility."

"It doesn't seem to bother Snape and Lupin," Ash said.

"Remus isn't a pureblood," Takeshi replied, "and Professor Snape is a very unusual man. He doesn't seem to care what anyone thinks of him, which is very rare among the purebloods, and he was willing to risk estrangement from his family. I don't think that Aric is strong enough to endure that, and his family would almost certainly disown him if he took up with me."

Then they don't really love him," Ash said.

Takeshi shrugged. "They might see it as a form of tough love, trying to scare him into returning to the family fold. Or you could be right. But either way, they are Aric's pack, and he will not leave them for me."

"I still think he's a fool for choosing them over you," Ash insisted.

Takeshi smiled sadly. "And I'm a fool for falling in love with him, knowing what he is. But there's nothing logical about love."

"True," Ash said. "Look at Brian and Kyra; who could have ever pictured them as a couple? A year ago, I would have wagered that she'd kill him sooner than marry him." He idly toyed with Takeshi's braid, winding it around his wrist, and incidentally, pulling Takeshi's face closer to his.

"You know, that's not a handle," Takeshi chided, but he kissed his werewolf friend.

"But it's so convenient!" Ash laughed, and Takeshi laughed with him. "That's better," Ash said. "I'm afraid I can't help you with your pureblood lover." He sat up in bed and pulled Takeshi onto his lap. "Unless you'd like me to beat him up for you?" he asked hopefully.

"I appreciate the thought, Ash," Takeshi laughed. "But I would rather you didn't."

"Too bad," Ash sighed. "But perhaps I can help take your mind off things, at least for a few hours." They kissed, and Ash gently ran a finger down Takeshi's spine, causing him to gasp softly, arching his back and tilting his head back. He heard Ash growl, felt Ash's lips brush against his neck, then felt sharp teeth lightly scraping the skin on his throat. Takeshi moaned with mingled fear and pleasure, certain that Ash was about to bite him, and once again he felt that sense of not-quite-rightness. He did want to be bitten, to be claimed by his mate...only Ash was not his mate.

Instead of biting him, Ash gently kissed the hollow of his throat. "It is not my place to claim you," the werewolf said with a regretful sigh. "That is for your mate to do, and I am not he. But we can still give each other pleasure, for this one night." He wrapped his arms around Takeshi, pulling him closer.

Takeshi suddenly noticed something hard nudging up against him from below as he shifted his weight slightly on Ash's lap, and he gasped in surprise.

The werewolf laughed and grinned at him. "I know you've been with Kian. Didn't he teach you anything about a werewolf's stamina? I can see not. Tsk, tsk, I'm very disappointed in our young friend." He pressed his lips against Takeshi's ear and whispered, "You're always very interested in learning about our kind. Let me teach you a few things about werewolf mating habits."

Takeshi already knew about the werewolves' greater-than-human strength, but experienced it firsthand as Ash grabbed him by the waist and easily lifted him up off his lap as if he weighed no more than Max did. Then the werewolf slowly lowered him back down, and Takeshi groaned as he felt Ash's hard length sliding into him.

"Oh, Ash," he whispered huskily.

The werewolf grinned at him mischievously. "So you remember my name now, do you?"

Takeshi groaned, in embarrassment this time, and buried his face against Ash's shoulder. "Oh God, I'm never going to live that down!"

Ash laughed, a good-natured and playful sound. "Well then, perhaps I should call you by another name, if it will make you feel less guilty."

Takeshi lifted his head off Ash's shoulder, curiosity overriding embarrassment. "And what name would you like to call me by?"

"Hmm," Ash said, thinking it over. "That purple-haired wench was rather fetching. You know, the Auror that Lukas asked me to meet."

"Tonks?" Takeshi asked incredulously.

"Yes, that was her name," Ash agreed. "She's the most eccentric witch or wizard I've ever met. She said that I ought to work for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts department at the Ministry of Magic, and what's more, she actually seemed serious about it. And she didn't seem the least bit afraid or disgusted when she met me, as most purebloods usually are."

"She's not a pureblood," Takeshi corrected him. "Her mother is a pureblood, but her father is a Muggle-born."

"Ah, I suppose that explains it."

"I hate to have to be the one to break it to you, but she already has a boyfriend," Takeshi said.

"The bald black wizard?" Ash asked. "Yeah, I kind of figured. I was in a bad mood that day and I was a bit rude to her, and he seemed very protective of her, more than someone who was just a coworker or even a friend would be."

"So that's your type?" Takeshi asked. "Girls with spiky violet hair?"

"Or boys with long black hair," Ash said, grinning. "I'm not picky."

"I feel ever so flattered," Takeshi said sarcastically.

"You should be--Tonks," Ash retorted, and Takeshi burst into laughter.

"As much as I like Tonks, I think it might kill my libido if I have to pretend to be her while we're having sex."

Takeshi was still straddling Ash's lap, and without warning, the werewolf thrust into him with a sudden upward jerk of his hips. Takeshi moaned, finding that there was nothing wrong with his libido, after all. The second time was much better, making love face-to-face in each other's arms, and despite Ash's teasing, neither of them called the other by the wrong name. And if it was not the all-consuming joy of making love with one's soulmate, there was still laughter and affection and friendship. Takeshi was touched by Ash's concern for him, which proved that the werewolves really did think of him as one of the pack, which was quite an honor, as they didn't trust outsiders readily, especially cynical Ash. And for tonight at least, that was enough for Takeshi. He fell asleep in Ash's arms, feeling content and at peace for the first time since he'd had the disturbing dream about the black wolf.

When Takeshi woke up the next morning, Ash was gone, but he had left a note on the nightstand that said, "I enjoyed gazing upon the stars and moon with you." Takeshi laughed; perhaps Ash might not have made a bad crane, after all. Then he laughed again at the thought of the werewolf running amongst the crane people and turning their society upside-down. Although their princess, Chizuru, was already doing that well enough on her own, first by leaving her home to become a teacher, and then by becoming engaged to her tengu colleague, Karasu.

It was a good thing; they needed to be shaken up a little--as did the purebloods in England. And changes were slowly taking place, but not fast enough to help Takeshi and Aric.

Simultaneously finding and losing the one who seemed destined to be his lifemate still hurt very much, but now Takeshi was able to draw comfort from his friendship with the werewolves--not just Ash, but all of them. They had thrown the party for his sake as well as Lukas's, after all. A smile that was both sad and tender crossed his lips. He had been spending too much time alone of late; he would stop by and have dinner with his parents tonight, and perhaps on his next day off, he would take the Portkey to Japan to visit his brother--and to pick up some bottles of sake as a gift for the werewolves.

Chapter 121
 

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