Wolfstar/Snow White

Sirius Black liked to say that he had been sexy since birth. And he was right. His hair was as dark as coal, his skin pale as snow, and his lips were as red as the crimson blood his other wishes would spill from his swan-like neck.

And because nothing in this life is fair, Sirius Black, perfect as he was, was a prince. Like all perfect royals in these tales, his mother was a bitch.

Technically, Walburga was his step-mother. She’d married King Orion when Sirius was but six years of age. She’d been plotting his murder ever since then.

Now, Sirius wasn’t the most gentle of princes. Or kind. He hated nature - when he was little he’d tried to eat the birds that chirped in the garden. But he truly cared about his subjects, and they him. And it was for that reason Walburga wanted him dead.

She’d tried three times to kill him: the first when he was ten in the form of a sandbag, dropped from fifteen feet. Sirius had managed to jump out of the way in time.

The second was when he was twelve. The royal family went on vacation to the lake, and she’d held his head under water until Orion saw. She’d played it off as though she was helping, but a few of the servants knew otherwise.

The third time was when he turned eighteen. This plan was the most successful of the three. And this is where our story begins.

“Mirror, mirror, without a crack, show me the wretched Sirius Black,” Walburga hissed to the dark framed glass that sat on the wall in front of her.

A dark smokey face appeared in place of her reflection. (An improvement, truly.) “You don’t have to make a rhyme every time,” it said. “Ooh, I rhymed!”

Walburga frowned, and Sirius Black quickly shone in the glass.

“Damn, I look hot,” he said, admiring himself in his own mirror. “Red does great things for my ass.”

Walburga rolled her stone eyes at the vision before her. She waved her hand over the glass and her step-son quickly dissipated from view.

Three loud knocks sounded on the iron door. “Your majesty,” a gruff voice from the outside said. “There’s someone here for you. A huntsman.”

Walburga turned to face the door. “Send him in.”

The doors creaked open, and a young man came into view with a soldier following him closely behind. The pair bowed in front of the queen, keeping their eyes on the ground.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, your majesty,” spoke the huntsman. “I believe you sent for me.”

“Indeed I did.” She scoffed before raising her hand. “You may rise.” Her black eyebrows furrowed at the sight of his face. “How old are you, boy?”

“Twenty,” the man replied. “Your majesty,” he quickly added.

“And your name?”

“Remus. Remus Lupin, madame.”

“Your majesty. I am not some common school-marm.”

“My apologies, your majesty.”

“Mmm. Now, the reason you’re here. I hear you’re willing to hunt all sorts of creatures, no matter the difficulty,” Walburga said, studying her nails.

“Yes, your majesty,” Remus replied.

“Wonderful.” The queen picked up a black jeweled box from the vanity. “When you return this to me, I want Sirius Black’s heart inside.”

Remus started coughing. His eyes began to tear as the sounds grew louder. When he managed to calm himself down, he looked at the queen with shock painted in his eyes. “Sirius Black? Your step-son Sirius Black? The prince?”

Walburga narrowed her eyes at him. “Do you know more than one Sirius Black, Mr. Lupin?”

“No, of course not, but… I’m not a killer, your majesty.”

“No one will know it was you, of course. Sirius simply wandered into the first and was attacked by assassins. A dreadful accident, truly,” she said, faking sorrow.

“You cannot truly expect me to murder the only heir to the throne, my queen. I… I cannot.”

“You will be paid a handsome sum,” she told him. “Surely enough to pay for your mother’s treatment.” She lifted her eyes to look at him. Remus was silent for a moment before bowing his head. “Can I rely on you, Remus?”

“Yes, my queen. I will not let you down.”

- - -

“Your highness,” a guard dressed all in black said, entering Sirius’ room, “your mother wishes to speak with you.”

Sirius looked at the guard without lifting his head from the position it was already in. He was sprawled out on his bed in nothing but his trousers and a thin cotton shirt. “What does she want?” he asked.

“She wishes that you hurry, my liege.”

Sirius rolled his eyes and bounded up from his place on the bed. “Fine. Where is she?”

“In the gardens.” The guard looked the prince up and down. “I would recommend putting on more clothes, your highness.”

Sirius shrugged on his coat and his black leather boots before pushing past the guards and out into the garden where his step-mother stood in all her evil glory.

“You wished to see me, mother,” he said, pulling his coat tighter in the cold air.

“Indeed I did,” Walburga replied, facing the woods. “You must leave, Sirius?”

“What?” he asked. “Leave?”

“There is a threat to us here. I’m simply trying to protect you, my son.”

Sirius scoffed. “You’ve tried to kill me twice. You’re not fooling anyone, Walburga.”

She turned to look at him, and a chill went down Sirius’ spine.

“Go, Sirius. It’s your father’s wishes, not mine. Go into the woods.”

“You think I’m walking into the woods alone with my back to you? I’m a prince, not stupid.” Sirius crossed his arms over his chest.

“You won’t be alone. We’ve hired a protector for you. Remus Lupin. He will keep you safe on your journey,” she said, and nodded over to the sandy-haired boy leaning against a tree.

Damn, he’s hot, Sirius thought to himself. His cheeks grew hot. “Yep,” he said, nodding quickly. “Sounds good. Let’s go.”

Remus looked up and walked over to the royal pair. Walburga whispered something into his ear, to which he nodded.

“So…” Sirius said, grinning up at Remus. “Shall we?”

Remus nodded while looking straight ahead. His fingers kept fiddling with something at his belt.

“Whatcha got there?” Sirius asked, peering down to where his hands were.

Remus quickly snapped his hands away. “Nothing.”

“Well obviously it’s something.” He leaned his arm on Remus’ shoulder. “Why won’t you tell me?”

“It’s personal,” Remus replied curtly.

“I am royalty, so I can always make you show me.” He smirked.

Remus glared at the prince and began to walk quicker. “I can understand why your mother’s tried to kill you.”

“Hey!” Sirius shouted, jogging to keep up with the boy’s quick pace. “You’re supposed to be protecting me!”

Remus whirled around, and Sirius saw the knife glinting in his hand. “I'm supposed to kill you,” he spat. “You don’t really think your mother wanted to protect you, did you?” Sirius was silent. “Then I guess you’re just as dumb as they say.”

Sirius kept eye contact with his killer as he unbuttoned his coat. He pulled it open, leaving his chest unprotected. “Just do it, then. Kill me.”

Remus blinked away the tears that stung his eyes. He’d never killed a man before. Animals, yes. He was a huntsman for crying out loud. But he wasn’t a killer. He couldn’t be a killer. Sirius was only human. He wasn’t a monster. There was no reason for him to die.

Remus raised his blade, and Sirius closed his eyes. A single tear rolled down his rosy cheek.

He threw it into the ground. Sirius opened his eyes. Remus fell to his knees.

“Why?” Sirius asked, tilting his head.

“I don’t know,” Remus sobbed. “My mother- I should’ve done it. Why can’t I- I-”

“Thank you,” Sirius said with a small smile. He rested a hand on Remus’ shoulder, causing the boy to look up.

“You need to go,” Remus told him, standing up. “Now.”

“What?”

“Hurry. Before she finds out that you’re alive.” Remus pushed Sirius deeper into the trees. “Run!”

Sirius shook his head. “You’re coming too.”

Remus scoffed. “I can’t. I’ll kill you.”

Sirius shook his head. “No you won’t.”

Remus shook his head in disbelief. “Why do you trust me? I was hired to bring your heart back to your mother.”

“You had the chance to kill me, and you didn’t. You’re not a killer, Remus.” He touched his shoulder. Remus flinched at his touch.

“You don’t know who I am.”

“Besides, I’ll die alone in the forest,” Sirius added. “I’m a prince, not a forager. I could use your help.”

“You don’t want my help, Black.”

Sirius stepped closer and looked up to meet his hazel eyes. “Yes I do.” He moved his face closer to Lupin’s.

Remus held his stare. “Fine, then. I know a place you can stay.”

Sirius grinned widely. “Yay! Lead the way, assassin!”

“I’m a huntsman. This was a one-time gig.”

“I would keep your day job, Lupin,” Sirius teased as he jumped over a root. Remus picked up his pace, and Sirius was forced to jog in order to keep up. “Jeez, how long are your legs?”

Remus looked behind and stifled a grin at the struggling prince. “What? Not many hikes in the castle?”

Sirius scoffed and flipped his hair dramatically. “Puh-lease. It’s beauty classes, all day, every day.”

Remus rolled his eyes. “This is what my tax money goes to?”

“I don’t need them, of course. I’ve been sexy since birth.”

Remus let out a loud laugh. “You princes are very full of yourselves.”

Sirius ducked under a branch. “Well, no one ever disagrees with us. Royalty perks.”

“Yeah, well in the real world we’re all dirt. Even the nice ones,” Remus informed him. “We didn’t all have the privilege of being coddled in a castle since birth.”

“Yes, well, I haven’t always been coddled. My pillows are cotton, not velvet,” Sirius joked with a faux-posh accent. Remus rolled his eyes.

“Oh, the horror,” Remus replied sarcastically.

“So, where are we going?” Sirius asked as they passed yet another large rock structure. “Are you sure you’re not actually going to kill me now, and all of that was just a show?”

“A friend’s.”

“Who’s the friend?”

“That’s classified.”

Sirius scoffed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Remus stopped and turned to look at him. “It means that it’s none of your business, Princess.”

“Prince, actually.”

“I don’t care.”

“Fair enough,” Sirius said, and they continued walking.

When the small cottage came into view, Sirius stopped dead in his tracks.

“Something wrong, your highness?” Remus asked.

“Are you trying to seduce me or kill me?”

“Both,” he replied with a straight face. “Now move it.”

Remus knocked on the wooden door twice, and a few muffled voices came from inside the home.

“Whossat?” one asked.

“Remus,” was the reply.

“Maybe it’s an intruder!” said another.

“Or maybe it’s Remus. Moody, open the door!”

A small man with a seemingly permanent frown opened the door and looked up at Sirius, who stood before him.

“We don’t want none!” he barked in a gruff voice before going to slam the door.

Remus stuck his foot into the opening and winced as it slammed into him. “It’s me, Moody. Let me in, would you?”

Moody looked behind Remus with a suspicious look. “Who’s the princess?”

Sirius sighed. “I’m a prince. Is it the hair? I bet it’s the hair.”

“It’s not the hair,” Remus said. “It’s the aura.”

“It’s the hair,” Moody confirmed, and opened the door. “Get in before someone sees ‘ya.”

As the pair entered the small cottage, Sirius looked around. “This is… quaint.”

Moody glared. “We could just send ‘ya out in the forest, princess.”

Sirius gave him a dirty look. “It’s not ugly. Just smaller than I’m used to.”

“Relax, Moody,” another man said. His voice had a calming effect that instantly made Sirius feel at ease. “Kingsley Shacklebolt.” Moody elbowed him in the side.

“Don’t tell ‘em yer full name! The queen hears all!”

The oldest man whose beard reached the floor chuckled lightly. “Take a breath, dear Moody. We’re safe here.”

“Ay, Moody,” Kingsley agreed, clapping his hand onto Moody’s shoulder. “All is well, dear friend.”

“I’m sorry for intruding, but my… Prince Sirius needs somewhere to stay,” Remus spoke up, fiddling with his hands.

“Of course, Remus,” the oldest man said with a small smile. “We shall keep him safe until the time comes.”

Sirius looked back and forth at Remus and the old man. “What time?”

“You will learn in time,” Kingsley said.

“Why is everyone saying ‘time’?” Moody shouted, only to be shushed by Kingsley and the old man.

“As for you, Mr. Lupin,” the old man said, getting up from his chair and picking up a small container from the table beside him, “I believe you should be getting back to the queen.” The man passed Remus the box, and he cautiously opened it.

Remus’ eyebrows raised. “Why do you have a human heart?”

The man shrugged. “It belonged to my brother.”

Sirius’ nose wrinkled. “You have your brother’s heart in a box? On your kitchen table?”

“Oh, no. It wasn’t my brother’s own heart, just one that he happened to come by on his travels.” The man waved his hand in the air as if to say it was nothing at all.

“Still gross,” Sirius whispered to Remus, who cracked a smirk.

“Stop flirting and git, Lupin. Before she finds us all,” Moody hissed, pushing Remus out the ivy-covered door to the cottage.

"See you soon," the man called, raising his hand as a farewell gesture. The door shut behind him, and all three men turned to face Sirius. "Lovely to meet you," he said with a cheery smile. "My name is Albus. This is Kingsley and Moody. The rest of us should be along shortly."

"The rest of you?" Sirius asked with a slightly panicked tone. "There's more of him?" He pointed to Moody, who was scowling.

Kingsley smiled. "I'm afraid there's only one Moody. There are, however, more members."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Look, I don't read minds. You're going to have to fill me in a bit more, okay?"

"The Order of the Pheonix," Moody said, puffing out his chest. "The queen's worst nightmare."

Sirius cackled.