Danse Macabre

Disclaimer: Still not mine

Warning: Still slash

Dedication: To everyone who is reviewing it! Glad you like it.

Author's Note: This chapter may come as shock to some...I like the suppositions everyone has about what's going to happen. I got quite a chuckle out of two or three. I already have the next chapter planned out, too. I think a lot of people are going to be very, very happy...

Surprise!

Remus slipped into his own room-still feeling weak and light headed from the night before-and wished fervrently for a large steak. He had spent the night before out on the moors, in his wolf form. He had visited the Potters the night previous to his transformation, and had smiled inwardly while comparing the Potters to the Malfoys. Lily was seven months pregnant herself, and in a much better temperament then Narcissa. James was beaming, talking excitedly about the impending birth.

"We're pretty sure it's a girl, but it could be a boy." James had said, grinning from ear to ear.

"You can find out, if you'd like." Remus said, over his tea.

"Nah, we want to be surprised." James said. "We've got a few names picked out. If it's a girl, we're thinking Sarah. If it's a boy, either James or Harry."

"Harry's rather nice." Remus commented. He himself felt it was a bit egotistical to name children after yourself.

"Yeah." James nodded. "So where've you gotten yourself off to? Haven't seen you in a few weeks."

""Oh." Remus flushed, and lowered his eyes to his tea. "I've been...er...well..."

"Oh...who is she?" James asked, grinning wider. "Or him. Whatever."

"Um...Oh...that really isn't...it's..." Remus took a deep breath, his mind working quickly. "You see he's married..."

"Really?" James raised his eyebrows. "I don't know if I should be proud or afraid."

"Neither." Remus said, shaking his head. "He and his wife have an agreement. She knows about me. But societesn'esn't, so we're keeping it quiet."

"That's understandable." James nodded. "As long as you're happy."

"I..I am." Remus said, nodding. "James, I really really am."

"That's good."

Remus had stayed for dinner, and later, and had excused himself after Lily had gone to bed. He had wandered for the rest of the night, and most of the following day. And then it was time for the transformation. He hated it. He hated what he became, what he most likely did. He sometimes woke up with blood around his mouth, and beneath his fingernails.

This one had been no different. At least at this point he took his clothes off before he transformed. Now all he wanted to do was sleep. He shucked off his shirt and crawled under his covers, curling up into a ball between the warm satin. He closed his eyes and was allowed a few moments rest before he heard the door open, and caught the distinctive whiff of Lucius Malfoy.

"Remmie?"

"Mmm?" Remus poked his head out from under the covers, blinking lazily. He smiled at his lover, and his smile only widened when he saw the small bundle of Draco in Lucius' arms.

"I thought I heard you come in." Lucius said, crossing the room and sitting down on the bed. "Draco wanted to come and say hello."

"Well hello." Remus said, propping himself on one elbow to look down at the baby as Lucius set him on the bed. Even so young, he looked just like his father. Pale skin, blue-grey eyes, and pale blond hair. His features, though hidden in baby-fat, promised to be high and aristocratic. Remus frowned htlyhtly, noticing Draco was wrapped in one of the fur blankets that made him uncomfortable.

"Oh, Remmie, it's just a skin." Lucius said, noticing Remus' expression. "And honestly...I find it rather ironic."

"Oh?" Remus just nodded, feeling suddenly depressed.

"Yes. This was given to me, when I was born, from my father. Only fitting I pass it on to Draco. More fitting, don't you think?"

"Mmm." Remus had no idea where Lucius was going with this. He onlyw thw that the sight of Draco, wrapped in a wolf skin blanket upset him deeply.

"Remus, I'd like to talk to you for a bit, if I could." Lucius smiled.

"of course." Remus sat up, brushing his hair out of his face.

"You know that Draco is a few weeks old now..." Lucius glanced down at his son. "He needs a godfather. And you are my first choice."

"Oh...Lucius." Remus didn't know what to say. He felt honored, that Lucius would think him for the position. He did feel extremely close to Draco, and to have this connection with him...a recognized connection...then his face-and hopes-fell.

"Lucius...I can't...it wouldn't be right. With our relationship..." Remus stuttered. If Lucius went to the Ministry to file him as godfather, he'd find out...he'd know...

"Nonsense." Lucius said briskly. "Our relationship is exactly why you should be the godfather. You are going to be an important part of his life, Remus. More important then Narcissa, I'm certain. And I cannot raise him myself."

"No, you can't." Remus nodded. Narcissa-whom Remus had assumed would warm in demeanor-had withdrawn herself completely once Draco was a week old. And Lucius was hardly the type who could handle raising a child. But to assume that Remus would be around for so much of Draco's life...

"But you're quite right." Lucius said, reaching out to stroke Draco's hair. "You cannot be the godfather."

"But you just said..." Remus was thoroughly confused. Lucius had seemed so intent on him being the godfather.

"I said I wanted you as the godfather. I do. But, unfortunately, the Ministry does not."

"What?" Remus felt as though someone had punched him hard in the gut. He sat up strait, eyes flashing.

"I went to register you...I wanted it to be a surprise. It turns out I was the one in for a surpr" L" Lucius raised his eyes to meet Remus'.

"Oh?" Remus swallowed hard, mely gly gathering up his things.

"It seems you've been keeping a little secret from me, Remmie. I see now why these," He let his hand fall to the fur, "bother you so much."

"Yes." Remus nodded, seeing no reason to lie or deny the claims.

"Your kind are not allowed to hold any sort of position, it see You You can't have your own children, you certainly can't be responsible for anyone else's."

"Yes." He nodded again, still feeling weak. So this was it. He wanted to cry. If he could, he would have.

"So I am forced to go with my second choice. I am sorry, Remus."

"No, you have nothing to be sorry for. I understand completely." He rose, eyes dropping to the floor. He stood, shoulders slumped.

"Remus, where are you going?" Lucius asked.

"I'm...I'm getting my things." Remus said.

"Why?"

"Because...I'd like my things..." Remus said.

"You're not going anywhere." Lucius rose as well, placing a hand on Remus' shoulder. "I've no...I've no great liking for your kind, but I've a liking for you."

"Lucius...?" Remus turned, confused.

"I admit..." Lucius said gravelly. "I was at first quite angry at this deception. And disgusted, with myself for sleeping with you. But your departure gave me time to become acclimated to the situation."

"And you...you're all right with it?" Remus swallowed hard, not believing his ears.

"Not completely." Lucius said honestly. "But I will get used to it. Were I a younger man, I would be having you carted off to be euthanized right now. But I like to believe I am a learned man."

"And what does your...political party have to say about my kind?" Remus asked, not really wanting to know.

"Remmie, Voldemort has opened his arms to your kind." Lucius said. "He sees you for what you truly are."

"Useful killing machines?"

"Remmie..." Lucius wrapped his arms around the werewolf. "It's just something to think about..."

"And you have a lot to think about to." Remus said. "You're not just looking out for yourself anymore. You may want to take a look at some of your decisions..."

"I will do what is best for my family, Remus, make no doubt about that." Lucius kissed him gently on the lips. "Now...on to more pleasant things."

"Oh?"

"yes." Remus nodded. "We're throwing a bit of a fete for Draco. A few family friends, and Draco's godfather of course."

"Who would be?" Remus asked, tilting his head.

"Severus, of course." Lucius smiled nonchalantly, and Remus felt again as though he had been hit very hard in the stomach.

"Severus?" He repeated, voice hitching.

"Second choice, of course. Severus and I may not be lovers, but we are still friends."

"I fear I can't say the same." Remus said, sighing. He had never quite patched things up with Severus.

"Well, he is well aware you are here and has made no comment. The gathering is in two nights. You won't have host in any capacity, Narcissa will be playing queen of the manor for that night."

"Wonderful." Remus said, dryly. He sat back on the bed, and lifted Draco into his lap. The baby gurgled, waving his fists about and grabbing onto a hank of Remus' hair. "Hey!"

"He is quite fond of you." Lucius said, sitting next to his lover.

"And I'm fond of him." Remus said. "I'm...I'm fond of you both."

"I know." Lucius put his arm loosely about Remus' waist. "There is a general air of fondness between us all." Remus sighed, leaning his head on Lucius' shoulder. He held Draco closer to him, stroking the baby's hair softly. He felt better. Lucius knew what he was. And was going to deal with it. At least he had been honest. A great weight had been lifted off of Remus. He kissed Lucius' neck gently, and felt Lucius in turn press his lips to the top of Remus' head. Draco giggled, tugging hard on Remus' hair.

"I may still name him for you." Lucius said suddenly. "Draco Remus Malfoy. It's a fine sounding name."

"So is Draco Severus." Remus responded. "But it's your choice."

"I'll have decided by the end of the week. Now...from what I know of your kind, you need rest. We'll leave you to it. Sleep well." Lucius rose, holding his arms out for his son. Remus handed him over, smiling into Draco's large blue eyes. He felt, oddly enough, at home.

"Would you...would you like to rest with me?" Remus asked, hopefully.

"Of course." Lucius nodded, setting Draco back down on the bed and slipping into it himself. He stretched out, rolling his shoulders and lying down on the other side of Draco.

Remus sighed, settling in and draping an arm around Draco comfortingly. He felt, oddly enough, as home as he had ever been. Meeting Lucius eyes once more before he allowed sleep to claim him, he smiled softly and decided that going home with Lucius had been one of the best decisions of his life.

~~~~~

Not over! Not by a long shot...